• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2022

Inflammation is one of the body's natural responses to injury and illness as part of the healing process. However, persistent inflammation can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases and multi-organ failure. Altered mitochondrial function has been implicated in several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases by inducing an abnormal inflammatory response. Therefore, treating inflammatory diseases by recovering mitochondrial function may be a potential therapeutic approach. Recently, mitochondrial transplantation has been proven to be beneficial in hyperinflammatory animal models. However, it is unclear how mitochondrial transplantation attenuates inflammatory responses induced by external stimuli. Here, we isolated mitochondria from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, referred as to PN-101. We found that PN-101 could significantly reduce LPS-induced mortality in mice. In addition, in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated THP-1 macrophages, PN-101 attenuated LPS-induced increase production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of PN-101 was mediated by blockade of phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and trans-activity of NFκB. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PN-101 has therapeutic potential to attenuate pathological inflammatory responses.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.551-558
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• 2021

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an island country in the western Pacific and is a known biodiversity hotspot. However, a relatively small number of fungi (236 species) have been reported till July 2021. Since fungi play major ecological roles in ecosystems, we investigated the fungal diversity of FSM from various sources over 2016 and 2017 and constructed a local fungal inventory, which also included the previously reported species. Fruiting bodies were collected from various host trees and fungal strains were isolated from marine and terrestrial environments. A total of 99 species, of which 78 were newly reported in the FSM, were identified at the species level using a combination of molecular and morphological approaches. Many fungal species were specific to the environment, host, or source. Upon construction of the fungal inventory, 314 species were confirmed to reside in the FSM. This inventory will serve as an important basis for monitoring fungal diversity and identifying novel biological resources in FSM.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of auriculotherapy on sleep disorders in the elderly. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group pre-post post-test. The participants were 43 elderly, members of community senior centers, experimental group were 23 elderly, and control group were 20 elderly. For the experimental group, small seeds (semen vaccaria) were applied to five locations of both auricular skin surfaces: shen men, heart, anterior lobe, occiput, and spleen of posterior surface. The seeds were applied every week, and remained in surfaces for 5 days. The procedure were repeated 4 times. The control group was not treated. The collected data were statistically processed using SPSS 12.0 version and the data was analyzed for descriptive statistics and t-test. Results: The experimental group had a greater improvement in sleep scale score (t=-4.717, p<.001) and sleep satisfaction score (t=-6.095, p<.001) as compared to the control group. Conclusions: Auriculotherapy by small seeds (semen vaccaria) is effective in allaying sleep disorders in the elderly. The results may be useful to community health nurses.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.569-574
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• 2024

This study analyzed the travel characteristics of Gangneung's Gyeongpo District and user reactions by utilizing YouTube videos. The findings were as follows: First, the most frequently visited places by YouTube video producers in Gyeongpo District were Gyeongpo Lake (55%) and Gyeongpo Beach (28%). In particular, videos featuring walks along the lake and beach paths were prominent, regardless of the season. Second, YouTube video producers predominantly enjoyed solo travel to Gyeongpo Lake (69%) and Gyeongpo Beach (71%), with notably few visits to historical sites. Third, viewers who watched YouTube videos related to Gyeongpo District preferred videos under 10-15 minutes in duration. Comments typically focused on "photos," "information," "solo travel," "hotels," and "healing," with positive evaluations of scenery and accommodations. Fourth, the top nine YouTube videos with the highest view counts were produced by individuals, with limited responses to videos produced by local governments or authorities. The findings identified popular tourist destinations and trends in the Gyeongpo District, noting a bias in visits and behaviors of video producers toward specific locations. This suggests the need to develop tourism resources by utilizing the natural and historical assets of Gyeongpo District. The findings are expected to guide future tourism policies, promotional efforts, and marketing strategies for Gyeongpo District.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.18-30
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• 2022

Background: It was to develop an air purification system (APS) using an underground air purification layer to verify the effect of basalt forest's underground air (sumgol) on a volcanic Jeju. Finally, it is necessary to analyze these purified air components and their usefulness to the human body in an air experience center. Purpose: It was to collect basalt forest air, analyze its composition, and explore its effect on the human body. Methods: We APS devices installed at four points in the Papaville area of Jeju. The air discharged from the APS was collected and analyzed the recycling components. An installed experience room filled with negative ions is about 5,000 ions/m³. After allowing the participants to stay for 60 to 120 minutes, we investigated the state of blood vessels. Results: In the analysis of the underground air, the O₂ concentration was 21.18%, which was higher than the average oxygen concentration of 20.94% in the atmosphere. However, Formaldehyde was not detected, and the CO₂ was 419 ppm, which was lower than that of indoor air. The PM2.5 concentration was less than 24 ㎍/m³ and detected anions over 5.000 /m³. The experiencer's vascular states improved, and the increase in pulse rate and stress relief were high. Conclusions: The valuable ingredients identified by analyzing the air were precious for natural healing. The experience results showed that it effectively improved the pulse rate, blood vessels, and stress. These conditions may be highly beneficial as a new area for expanding the basalt lava forest in the Jeju area into the natural healing and wellness industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1600-1607
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• 2012

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family plays essential roles in physiological processes such as embryonic development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis as a consequence of MMPr capacity for breaking down many types of extracellular matrix proteins. Imbalanced regulation of MMP expression can also lead to pathological conditions such as tumor progression. We recently reported that the Drosophila Mmp1 gene is highly expressed in the digestive tract and is required for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis such as by restriction of uncontrolled intestinal stem cell proliferation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of MMP gene expression in the intestine remain unclear. In this study, we determined that the expression of Mmp1 is regulated by the homeodomain transcription factor Caudal. Experiments using the targeted expression of Caudal under the regulation of Gal4-UAS system indicated that endogenous Caudal is required for the Mmp1 gene expression in the adult Drosophila intestine and that exogenous Caudal induces Mmp1 expression. Transient transfection experiments indicated that Caudal can activate the promoter activity of Mmp1 and that several putative Caudal binding sites in the 5'-flanking region of the Mmp1 gene may be critical to the upregulation by Caudal. Our data suggest that Mmp1 is one of the target genes of Caudal in physiological normal condition and in tumorigenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2022

Thymosin β-4 (TB4) is a small peptide composed of 43 amino acids. To obtain sufficient biologically active mouse TB4 economically, we cloned and overexpressed this gene in an Escherichia coli system. With the isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside induction of the E. coli transformant, TB4 fusion protein with intein- and chitin-binding domain was successfully expressed in the soluble fraction within the E. coli cell. The TB4-intein - chitin-binding domain fusion protein was purified from the soluble fraction of E. coli cell lysate. The affinity chromatography with chitin beads and dithiothreitol-mediated intein self-cleavage reaction releases the TB4 peptide into the stripping solution. Sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analyses were used to confirm that the recombinant TB4 peptide was produced with the expected size of 5 kDa. We found that the recombinant TB4 stimulated cell migration in the transwell plate chamber assay. After 18 hr of the treatment of the recombinant TB4 with 1 ng/ml concentration, the migration of the HT1080 cell was increased by 20% compared with that of the chemically synthesized TB4. The recombinant TB4 was also observed to promote the healing of a wound area in C57BL/6 mice by as high as 35% compared with that of the chemically synthesized TB4. These results suggest that the recombinant TB4 has better biological activity for cell migration and wound healing than that of the chemically synthesized TB4 peptide.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2015

A variety of previous pharmacological studies have suggested Liriope platyphylla (L. platyphylla) may exert beneficial biological effects on inflammation, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorder, obesity, constipation, and atopic dermatitis. In addition, hydrocolloid membranes (HCMs) have attracted attention in dermatological care, including in the treatment of scleroderma skin ulcers, cutaneous ulcers, permanent tympanic membrane perforations, pressure sores, and decubitus ulcers in the elderly. To investigate the therapeutic effects of HCM containing an aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (HCM-LP) on second-degree burn wounds, their physico-chemical properties were analyzed and the therapeutic effects were observed in SD rats after treatment with HCM-LP for 14 days. Significant declines in tensile strength (38.4%) and absorptiveness (46.3%), as well as an increase in surface roughness (38.1%) were detected in HCM-LP compared with that of HCM. In SD rats with burned skin, the wound diameter was shorter in the HCM-LP treated group than in the GZ group on post-surgical day 14, while the significant improvements in scar tissue reduction, epithelium regeneration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix deposition were observed in the HCM-LP-treated group during all experimental periods. Overall, these results suggest HCM-LP may accelerate the process of healing the burn injury skin of SD rats through the regulation of angiogenesis and connective tissue formation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.sup2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2009

Purpose: Synthetic bone products such as biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) are mixtures of hydroxyapatite (HA) and ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$- TCP). In periodontal therapies and implant treatments, BCP provides to be a good bone reconstructive material since it has a similar chemical composition to biological bone apatites. The purpose of this study was to compare bone regeneration capacity of two commercially available BCP. Methods: Calvarial defects were prepared in sixteen 9-20 months old New Zealand White male rabbits. BCP with HA and ${\beta}$- TCP (70:30) and BCP with Silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) and ${\beta}$-TCP (60:40) particles were filled in each defect. Control defects were filled with only blood clots. Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 8 week postoperatively. Histomorphometric analysis was performed. Results: BCP with HAand ${\beta}$- TCP 8 weeks group and BCP with Si-HA and ${\beta}$- TCP 4 and 8 weeks groups showed statistically significant in crease (P <0.05) in augmented area than control group. Newly formed bone area after 4 and 8 weeks was similar among all the groups. Residual materials were slightly more evident in BCP with HA and ${\beta}$- TCP 8 weeks group. Conclusions: Based on histological results, BCP with HA and ${\beta}$- TCP and BCP with Si-HA and ${\beta}$- TCP appears to demonstrate acceptable space maintaining capacity and elicit significant new bone formation when compared to natural bone healing in 4 and 8 week periods.