• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.159-176
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the antioxidant activities of Alismatis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture by experimental methods. Methods : For this purpose, first, we put an emphasis in the control of enzymes of the antioxidant system in various changes inside the cell; these changes caused by the proliferation or the activation of the cell which were brought about by the handling of PMA and $TNF-{\alpha}$ into the THP-1 monocyte cell of the body each other. After that, we caused the acute oxidant symptom by the injection of AAPH into the mouse' abdominal cavity, and then applied the herbal acupuncture on S36 point(足三里), and finally, we measured the change of blood ingredient and the resistance against the activated oxygen of the red blood cell membrane, MDA, SOD, and catalase. Results : In vitro the revelation of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$, NOS II and IL-6 were decreased and the revelation of IL-10, $TGF-{\beta}$, GM-CSFIL-12, GM-CSF and SOD were increased. The DNA-binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 were activated and the formation of ROS in the THP-1 cell line was decreased. In vivo $IL-1{\beta}$ among producing the cytokine inside the plasma was meaningfully dwindled and the $INF-{\gamma}$ was meaningfully increased. The resistance of red blood cell membrane against the activated oxygen was meaningfully increased and the MDA formation was meaningfully dwindled, In the activation of hepatic antioxidase, the SOD was meaningfully increased. Conclusion : Alismatis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture by experimental methods has effected on the antioxidant activities.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2015

This study investigated structure and function of the reproductive system in Aplysia kurodai by means of anatomical, histological, and histochemical observation. Reproductive system of this species is consisted of ovotestis, small hermaphroditic duct, ampulla, accessory genital mass and large hermaphroditic duct. The ovotestis is composed of a large number of follicles, and both oocytes and spermatocytes matured in the same follicle. The small hermaphroditic duct is a single tube and contains a swelling, the ampulla, which functions as a storage organ for endogenous sperm and an oviduct. The accessory genital mass is connected to both the small and large hermaphroditic duct, and consisted of three glands: albumen, membrane (winding) and mucus gland. The albumen gland is consisted of granular cells producing basophilic and neutral mucopolysaccharides. The membrane and mucus gland are consisted of granular cells producing acidophilc and sulfated mucopolysaccharides. The large hermaphroditic duct is a single tubular gonoduct linking the accessory genital mass to the common genital aperture but is consisted of two parallel compartments. Internally, these two compartments are incompletely divided by internal septum or fold, which are called as the red hemiduct and white hemiduct, respectively. The red hemiduct functions as an oviduct and the white hemiduct functions as a copulatory duct. The reproductive system of A. kurodai is externally comprised a single tube, i.e., monaulic type. However, internal structure of duct is incompletely divided into oviduct and copulatory duct, i.e., the oodiaulic type.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2018

Aquaporin (AQP) 3, a facilitated transporter of water and glycerol, expresses in placenta and fetal membranes, but the detailed localization and function of AQP3 in placenta remain unclear. To elucidate a role of AQP3 in placenta, we defined the expression and cellular localization of AQP3 in placenta and fetal membranes, and investigated the structural and functional differences between wild-type and AQP3 null mice. Gestational sacs were removed during mid-gestational period and amniotic fluid was aspirated for measurements of volume and composition. Fetuses with attached placenta and fetal membranes were weighed and processed for histological assessment. AQP3 strongly expressed in basolateral membrane of visceral yolk sac cells of fetal membrane, the syncytiotrophoblasts of the labyrinthine placenta and fetal nucleated red blood cell membrane. Mice lacking AQP3 did not exhibit a significant defect in differentiation of trophoblast stem cells and normal placentation. However, AQP3 null fetuses were smaller than their control litter mates in spite of a decrease in litter size. The total amniotic fluid volume per gestational sac was reduced, but the amniotic fluid-to-fetal weight ratio was increased in AQP3 null mice compared with wild-type mice. Glycerol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels in amniotic fluid of AQP3 null mice were significantly reduced, whereas lactate level increased when compared to those of wild-type mice. These results suggest a role for AQP3 in supplying nutrients from yolk sac and maternal blood to developing fetus by facilitating transport of glycerol in addition to water, and its implication for the fetal growth in utero.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1707-1716
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• 2019

The development of new antimicrobial agents is essential for the effective treatment of diseases such as sepsis. We previously developed a new short peptide, Pap12-6, using the 12 N-terminal residues of papiliocin, which showed potent and effective antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial mechanism of Pap12-6 and a newly designed peptide, Pap12-7, in which the 12^th Trp residue of Pap12-6 was replaced with Val to develop a potent peptide with high bacterial selectivity and a different antibacterial mechanism. Both peptides showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the two peptides showed similar anti-inflammatory activity against lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, but Pap12-7 showed very low toxicities against sheep red blood cells and mammalian cells compared to that showed by Pap12-6. A calcein dye leakage assay, membrane depolarization, and confocal microscopy observations revealed that the two peptides with one single amino acid change have different mechanisms of antibacterial action: Pap12-6 directly targets the bacterial cell membrane, whereas Pap12-7 appears to penetrate the bacterial cell membrane and exert its activities in the cell. The therapeutic efficacy of Pap12-7 was further examined in a mouse model of sepsis, which increased the survival rate of septic mice. For the first time, we showed that both peptides showed anti-septic activity by reducing the infiltration of neutrophils and the production of inflammatory factors. Overall, these results indicate Pap12-7 as a novel non-toxic peptide with potent antibacterial and anti-septic activities via penetrating the cell membrane.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.263-270
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• 2002

The Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, were stressed with different concentrations of benzo(a) pyrene and depurated to determine the hemocyte lysosomal membrane stability and hydrolytic enzymatic activity as a biomarker candidate to the chemical, using NRR (neutral red retention) and API ZYM System, respectively. The membrane damage measured as NRR decrease was significant with the increase of chemical concentration and exposure time (P<0.05), providing a possible tool for biomarker. Interestingly, the control showed intrinsic stress probably due to captive life in the laboratory, and a recovering trend was also found during the depuration. The benzo(a)pyrene-exposed oysters showed increased enzyme activities in alkaline phosphatase, esterase (C4), acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phospho­hydrolase, $\beta$-galactosidase, $\beta$-glucuronidase, and N-acetyl- $\beta$-glucosaminidase. Of them, only two enzymes, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, showed some potential available for the generation of enzymatic biomarker in the oyster. The results are suggestive of the potential availability of the cellular and enzymatic properties as a biomarker. However, considering that a robust biomarker should be insensitive to natural stress coming from normal physiological variation, but sensitive to pollutants, a concept of intrinsic stress the animal possesses should be taken into consideration. This reflects the necessity of further research on the intrinsic stress affecting the cellular and enzymatic properties of the chemical­stressed oysters prior to using the data as a biomarker.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.96-104
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• 2008

In this study, the observation of test pieces with an optical microscope was carried out after fabricating 4 groups of standard lacquer, in order to inquire into the ancient lacquering techniques. Group I had transparent reddish brown color, and the part of layer was indefinite, and the layer polished was easily distinguished. Group II had mostly transparent yellowish brown color, and it was possibility distinguished the layers when they were varnished with mixed lacquer after prime coating, and when they were varnished with lacquer as the prime coating. Group III set up membrane in the hardening process of the lacquer, and the lacquer and the unsaturated fatty acid of internal part was dried, so the top layer and the lacquer layer were separated and observed. Group IV: When the lacquer coat film of Group IV test pieces were observed in polarized light, the ferrous components were seen as the black and red color were mixed, and the silica crystals of silty soil were distinguished by reflection of lights. And the colors were distinguished as the lacquer layer of ruddle had red color, and the mixed lacquer of reddish lacquer and ruddle had the deep red color at the top and the bottom, but the middle part had the bright red color.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.112-115
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Methods: We studied were 180 VLBW preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of CHA Gangnam Hospital from January of 2006 to December of 2009. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: an NEC group (greater than stage II on the modified Bell's criteria) and a control group (less than stage II on the modified Bell's critieria). We defined red blood cell transfusion before NEC diagnosis as the frequency of transfusion until NEC diagnosis (mean day at NEC diagnosis, day 18) in the NEC group and the frequency of transfusion until 18 days after birth in the control group. Results: Of the 180 subjects, 18 (10%) belonged to the NEC group, and 14 (78%) of these 18 patients had a history of transfusion before NEC diagnosis. The NEC group received $3.1{\pm}2.9$ transfusions, and the control group received $1.0{\pm}1.1$ transfusions before the NEC diagnosis (P=0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression corrected for gestational age, Apgar score at 1 minute, the presence of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, premature rupture of membrane, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and death were confounding factors. The risk of NEC increased 1.63 times (95% confidence interval, 1.145 to 2.305; P=0.007) with transfusion before the NEC diagnosis. Conclusion: The risk for NEC increased significantly with increased transfusion frequency before the NEC diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was to evaluate the pharmacological effect of Korea Red Ginseng aqueous extract (KRGE) on serum-deprived apoptosis of neuronal-like pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and to investigate its underlying action mechanism. Methods : KRGE was prepared by extracting Korea Red Ginseng with hot water and concentrating using a vacuum evaporator. Cell viability was determined after incubation of cells with KRGE or chemical inhibitor in serum-deprived medium for 60 h by counting intact nuclei following lysing of the cell membrane. Caspase activities were measured using chromogenic substrates and signal-associated protein phosphorylation and cytochrome c release were determined by Western blot analyses using their specific antibodies. Results : Serum deprivation induced PC12 cell death, which was accompanied by typical morphological features of apoptotic cell, such as nuclear fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and cytochrome c release. This apoptotic cell death was significantly inhibited by KRGE and caspase-3 inhibitor, but not by the addition of NMA, ODQ, and PD98059. KRGE promoted phosphorylation of Akt and Bad, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by the PI3K inhibitor LY92004. In addition, this inhibitor also reversed KRGE-mediated protection of PC 12 cells from serum deprivation. These results suggested that KRGE protects PC12 cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis through the activation of PI3K/Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation and cytochrome c release, resulting in caspase-3 activation. Conclusions : KRGE should be considered as a potential therapeutic drug for brain diseases including stroke induced by apoptosis of neuronal cells.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate histological characteristics of Korean ginseng in steaming process. The Korean red ginseng were prerared with 6-years-old ginseng according to the steaming prcess and dried with $13{\pm}0.5%$ moisture and than cut in vertical section and horizontal section. The tissues are separated into epidermis, cortex, and xylem observed with Scanning Electron Microscope. The materials dried without steaming process contain cell membrane and crystallization of starch particle within them. But Korean red ginseng with prolonged steaming process are condensed, and the large hollows and cell membranes of vessel and resin duct are disappeared. In addition, Ca-oxalate rosette crystal is not found in the case of above 60-minute steaming time. The reason is that the tissues are condensed because of dry after elements' gelatinization.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2021

In this study, to investigate the anticariogenic effect of red ginseng, the antibacterial effect, cell adherence and biofilm formation inhibitory effect of n-hexane extract of red ginseng marc (HERGM) against Streptococcus mutans, the causative bacteria of caries, were measured. The growth of S. mutans was inhibited in proportion to the concentration of HERGM, and was hardly observed at a concentration above 125 ㎍/mL (MIC =125 ㎍/mL). It was found that HERGM acts on the cell membrane and the nucleic acid component of the cell was leaked. In addition, HERGM inhibited the adherence and biofilm formation of S. mutans by more than 90% at a concentration of 125 ㎍/mL. GTase activity was completely inhibited at a concentration of 50 ㎍/mL of HERGM. In conclusion, it was found that HERGM commonly inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans.