• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.525-531
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated whether apigenin significantly affects tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin in airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with apigenin for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Apigenin significantly inhibited MUC5AC mucin production and down-regulated MUC5AC gene expression induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of apigenin, effect of apigenin on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. Apigenin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TNF-${\alpha}$. Inhibition of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by apigenin led to the suppression of inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI-H292 cells. Apigenin also has an influence on upstream signaling of IKK because it inhibited the expression of adaptor protein, receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin through regulating NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in airway epithelial cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2019

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial peptide that exhibits cytoprotective actions against various stresses and diseases. HN has been shown to induce the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a negative regulator of receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). However, the role of HN in osteoclastogenesis or other skeletal disorders remains unknown. Here, we examined whether HN regulates osteoclastogenesis via AMPK activation using bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMM) cultures. Our results show that HN inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and reduced the expression of genes involved in osteoclastogenesis, including nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1, osteoclastassociated receptor, cathepsin K, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Moreover, HN increased the levels of phosphorylated AMPK protein; compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, recovered HN-induced osteoclast differentiation. In addition, we found that HN significantly decreased the levels of RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species in BMMs. Therefore, these results indicate that HN plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis and may function as an inhibitor of bone disorders via AMPK activation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 1996

The purpose of this paper is to modify the ASME Code Z-Factor, which is used in the evaluation of circumferential surface crack in nuclear ferritic pipings. The ASME Code Z-Factor is a load multiplier to compensate plastic load with elasto-plastic load. The current ASME Code Z-Factor underestimates pipe maximum load. In this study, the original SC. TNP method is modified first because the original SC. TNP method has a problem that the maximum allowable load predicted from the original SC. TNP method is slightly higher than that measured from the experiment. Then the new Z-Factor is developed using the modified SC. TNP method. The desirability of both the modified SC. TNP method and the new Z-Factor is examined using the experimental results for the circumferential surface crack in pipings. The results show that (1) the modified SC. TNP method is good for predicting the circumferential surface crack behavior in pipings, and (2) the Z-Factor obtained from the modified SC. TNP method well predicts the behavior of circumferential surface crack in ferritic pipings.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2007

The most common technique to fabricate $MgB_2$ superconducting wire is by powder-in-tube (PIT) technique. Therefore, the starting powder for the processing of $MgB_2$ superconductors is an important factor influencing the superconducting properties and performance of the conductors. In this study, the influence of magnesium precursor powders and annealing temperatures on the transition temperatures ($T_c$) and critical current densities ($J_c$) of $MgB_2/Fe$ wires was investigated. All the $MgB_2/Fe$ wires were fabricated by in situ PIT process. It was found that higher $J_c$ was obtained for $MgB_2$ wires with smaller particle size of magnesium precursor powders. The $J_c$ also increases with decreasing annealing temperatures.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2012

Purpose: Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with wasting of skeletal muscle which contributes to nearly one-third of all cancer deaths. Cachexia lowers the frequency of response to chemotherapy and radiation and ultimately can impact survival as well as quality of life during treatment. NF-kappa B is one of the most important molecular mediators of cachexia. In this study, therefore, possible candidates for inhibitors of NF-kappa B were searched. Methods: Amino acids that regulate cellular redox potential by adjusting the level of NAD/NADH ratio, such as aspartate, pyruvate, and isocitrate were selected. Results: Pyruvate effectively inhibited luciferase activity in TNF-stimulated 293T cells transfect with an NF-kB dependent luciferase reporter vector. Pyruvate also showed protective effect on muscle atrophy of differentiated C2C12 myocyte induced by TNF/IFN. Conclusion: We might be able to develop the nutritional management strategy for cancer cachexia patients with pyruvate supplementation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2013

The ginseng plant (Panax ginseng Meyer) has a large number of active ingredients including steroidal saponins with a dammarane skeleton as well as protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol, commonly known as ginsenosides, which have antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-adipocyte, and sexual enhancing effects. Though several discoveries have demonstrated that ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) as the most important therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis, yet the molecular mechanism of its active metabolites is unknown. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the therapeutic properties of ginsenosides both in vivo and in vitro, with an emphasis on the different molecular agents comprising receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, as well as the bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Smad signaling pathways.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) induces osteoclast formation from hematopoietic cells via up-regulation of positive regulators, including $NF-{\kappa}B$, c-Fos, microphthalmia transcription factor (Mitf), PU.1, and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1. In addition to the positive regulation by these transcription factors, RANKL appears to regulate negative regulators such as MafB and inhibitors of differentiation (Ids). Ids and MafB are abundantly expressed in osteoclast precursors, bone marrowderived monocyte/macrophage lineage cells (BMMs). Expression levels of these genes are significantly reduced by RANKL during osteoclastogenesis. Overexpression of these genes in BMMs inhibits the formation of tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear osteoclasts by down-regulation of NFATc1 and osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), which are important for osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, reduced expression of these genes enhances osteoclastogenesis and increases expression of NFATc1 and OSCAR. Taken together, RANKL induces osteoclastogenesis via up-regulation of positive regulators as well as down-regulation of negative regulators.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.426-431
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• 2013

In our previous studies, 6-hydroxy-7-methoxychroman-2-carboxylic acid N-phenylamide (KL-1156) was identified as a good inhibitor of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation. In continuation of our study, we describe the structure-activity relationship of chroman derivatives containing N-arylalkyl groups and their NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitory activities. In addition, inhibitory effects of cell proliferation are evaluated against human cancer cell lines (NCI-H23 and PC-3). The most active compounds 3i and 3j contained diphenylethyl and diphenylpropyl side chain on amide nitrogen.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2010

Lycii fructus is the fruit of Lycium chinense Miller and is part of the Solanaceae family. Lycii fructus produces various effects such as hypotensive, hypoglycemic, anti-pyretic, and anti-stress activities. Lycii fructus is known to contain betaine, carotene, nicotinic acid, zeaxanthin, and cerebroside. In the present study, the effects of Lycii fructus aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. In this study we utilized the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) mRNA and iNOS protein in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Also, Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in the nucleus. These results demonstrated that Lycii fructus aqueous extract causes an anti-inflammatory effect that was likely produced by the suppression of iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-$\hat{e}B$ binding activity.