• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2017

The host immune system is the first line of host defense, consisting mainly of innate and adaptive immunity. Immunity must be maintained, orchestrated, and harmonized, since overactivation of immune responses can lead to inflammation and autoimmune diseases, while immune deficiency can lead to infectious diseases. We investigated the regulation of innate and adaptive immune cell activation by Artemisia capillaris and its components (ursolic acid, hyperoside, scopoletin, and scopolin). Macrophage phagocytic activity was determined using fluorescently labeled Escherichia coli, as an indicator of innate immune activation. Concanavalin A (ConA)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced splenocyte proliferation was analyzed as surrogate markers for cellular and humoral adaptive immunity, respectively. Neither A. capillaris water extract (WAC) nor ethanol extract (EAC) greatly inhibited macrophage phagocytic activity. In contrast, WAC suppressed ConA- and LPS-induced proliferation of primary mouse splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, EAC inhibited ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Oral administration of WAC in mice decreased ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation, while that of EAC suppressed LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Repeated administration of WAC in mice inhibited ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Ursolic acid, scopoletin, and scopolin reduced ConA- and LPS-induced primary mouse splenocyte proliferation, while hyperoside did not show such activity. These results indicate that A. capillaris and its components, ursolic acid, scopoletin, and scopolin, suppress ConA- and LPS-induced adaptive immune cell activation. The results suggest that A. capillaris is useful as a regulator of adaptive immunity for diseases involving excessive immune response activation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.553-561
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• 2019

Rab25, a member of the Rab11 small GTPase family, is central to achieving cellular polarity in epithelial tissues. Rab25 is highly expressed in epithelial cells of various tissues including breast, vagina, cervix, the gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Rab25 plays key roles in tumorigenesis, mainly by regulating epithelial differentiation and proliferation. However, its role in skin physiology is relatively unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that Rab25 knock-out (KO) mice show a skin barrier dysfunction with high trans-epidermal water loss and low cutaneous hydration. To examine this observation, we investigated the histology and epidermal differentiation markers of the skin in Rab25 KO mice. Rab25 KO increased cell proliferation at the basal layer of epidermis, whereas the supra-basal layer remained unaffected. Ceramide, which is a critical lipid component for skin barrier function, was not altered by Rab25 KO in its distribution or amount, as determined by immunohistochemistry. Notably, levels of epidermal differentiation markers, including loricrin, involucrin, and keratins (5, 14, 1, and 10) increased prominently in Rab25 KO mice. In line with this, depletion of Rab25 with single hairpin RNA increased the expression of differentiation markers in a human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. Transcriptomic analysis of the skin revealed increased expression of genes associated with skin development, epidermal development, and keratinocyte differentiation in Rab25 KO mice. Collectively, these results suggested that Rab25 is involved in the regulation of epidermal differentiation and proliferation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.138-146
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• 2019

Vitamin $B_3$ (niacin) is essential for all living cells and plays a central role in energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Vitamin $B_3$, a water-soluble vitamin, is present in the form of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, a monocarboxylic acid derivative of pyridine. While nicotinic acid is commonly effective in lowering cholesterol levels, unlike nicotinic acid, nicotinamide is ineffective on lipids. Presence rates of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, which are the available forms of vitamin $B_3$, are different for each food. However, the studies in the literature are generally based on the analysis of total amount of vitamin $B_3$ in foods and the studies determining the profile of vitamin $B_3$ in foods are limited. The aim of the study was to determine the vitamin $B_3$ profiles of 10 kinds of animal based food and 10 different plant based food samples. In this study, 10 kinds of animal based food samples consisting of veal (veal steak fillet), chicken (breast), turkey meat (thigh), goat meat (leg, belly), lamb (leg, back, arm), mutton (belly), bovine meat (loin) and 10 different plant based food samples namely; barley, rye, wheat (bread), wheat (durum), oat, rice, dried pea, green lentil, red lentil and chickpea were studied by high performance liquid chromatography using post-column derivatization system. The presence rates of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide were determined in the meat samples as 30% and 70% and as 87% and 13% in the cereal and legume samples, respectively. Nicotinic acid levels were found in low amounts in the meat samples. The amounts of nicotinic acid in the cereal and legume samples were significantly higher than the meat samples. Consequently, the plant based foods such as cereals and legumes, with a ratio of 87% nicotinic acid presence, standout as the best source of nicotinic acid and encouraging regular intake of those cereals and legumes containing rich nicotinic acid would remove nicotinic acid deficiency in human.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.238-245
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• 1996

Vertical profiles of $^{210}Po\;and\;^{210}Pb$ were measured for the upper 100 m of water column at six stations in the middle region of the Korean East Sea during March 1993. The distribution patterns of these radionuclides with the water mass and controlling factors on their distributions were also discussed. $^{210}Pb$ activities were generally high at surface water and gradually decrease with depth. Vertical profiles of $^{210}Po$ were relatively homogeneous except for at station E3, where chlorophyll-a concentration was the highest and $^{210}Po$ activity in the upper 30 m was lower than below 50 m. The $^{210}Po$ activities relative to its parent $^{210}Pb$ at all stations were deficient at the upper 30 m, but were excess or nearly equilibrated values below 50 m. The magnitude of $^{210}Po$ deficiency was relatively high at station E3 and E6, where strong thermocline occured. However, $^{210}Pb$ activities showed strong excess in the upper 100 m of all stations, compared with its parent $^{226}Ra$. The residence time of $^{210}Po$ ranged from 1.0 to 7.8 years, and was relatively short at station E3 and E6. The data obtained at the upper 50 m water column during $1992\~1994$, also showed that removal rate constant of $^{210}Po$ and inventories of chlorophyll-a was negatively related. This indicates that the primary production plays an important role in controlling the distributions of $^{210}Po$ at the upper water column of the Korean last Sea in spring. While, inventories of excess $^{210}Pb$ was generally decreasing with increasing density difference between 50 m and 100 m, suggesting that $^{210}Pb$ concentrations in the upper water column were controlled by stability of water column.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1988

A growth experiment of tilapia (offsprings of the hybrid between Oreochromis niloticus and O. mossambicus) under different dissolved oxygen levels in the recirculating water system was conducted at the Fish Culture Experiment Station of the National Fisheries University of Pusan from February 4 to March 5, 1986. Six tanks with a capacity of $1.8m^3$ of water each were used under the same condition of water parameters except for dissolved oxygen levels which were designated to maintain at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mg/$\iota$. Each tank was stocked with 90 kg of fish each averaging 64 to 69 grams. The average water temperature during the course of the experiment was $22.5^{\circ}C$. The results obtained are summarized as follows: The food conversion efficiencies were very good, being 1.05-1.11 at 3.5, 3.0, 2.5 and 2.0 mg/$\iota$ DO levels without any significant differences among them, but at 4.0 mg/$\iota$ the F. C. was 1.39 and at 1.5 mg/$\iota$ it was 1.61 being very poor compared with the others. The daily growth rate performance was best at 3.5 mg/$\iota$ dissolved oxygen level followed by 3.0 and 2.5 mg/$\iota$ with slight differences while at 4.0 and 2.0 mg/$\iota$ DO levels the growths were significantly poor, and at 1.5 mg/$\iota$ DO level it was extremely poor. In 1.5 mg/$\iota$ group, the fish did not accept feed vigorously and after feeding the fish usually concentrated around the inflow point showing oxygen deficiency response. While at 4.0 mg/$\iota$ high feeding rates tended to waste significant amounts of feed while eating and led to water deterioration, and above these levels the results is considered to lead to a waste of energy with uneconomical performance. On the other hand, at and below 2.0 mg/$\iota$ DO level the tilapia certainly showed a poor growth performance. The experiment indicates that the DO range of 2.5$\~$3.5 mg/$\iota$ is the optimum level for the good growth performance.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2004

Alpine and sloped-land in Gangwondo, Korea is the most important land type for cultivation of Chinese cabbage. However, farmers in these regions have major problems with insect pests, weeds and disease. Over use or inappropriate use of agrochemicals occurs frequently. No intensive study of pesticide contamination in this area has been done. The work presented in this paper addresses this deficiency. We measured pesticide residues within soil and water samples using multiresidue analysis. Samples were collected bimonthly from April to October, 2002 at three sites with to sampling spots. At the three sites, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon and Taebaeck, pesticides most frequently detected (>30% of samples) in soil samples were endosulfan, fluazinam, diniconazole, alachlor, prothiofos and dimethomorph. The amount of pesticide residues in the soils was ranged from 0.004 to $0.412\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ in these samples. Non-registered pesticides were also detected in these samples, indicating illegal use of pesticides. No pesticide were detected in the water samples collected from those sites. The results showed that pesticide residues might be dependant on physiochemical properties of pesticides, application history and soil properties. This study provides basic data for appropriate pesticide use on alpine and sloped-land in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2016

Background: Blind and excessive application of fertilizers was found during the cultivation of Panax notoginseng in fields, as well as increase in root rot disease incidence. Methods: Both "3414" application and orthogonal test designs were performed at Shilin county, Yunnan province, China, for NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and mineral fertilizers, respectively. The data were used to construct the one-, two-, and three-factor quadratic regression models. The effect of fertilizer deficiency on root yield loss was also analyzed to confirm the result predicted by these models. A pot culture experiment was performed to observe the incidence rate of root rot disease and to obtain the best range in which the highest yield of root and saponins could be realized. Results: The best application strategy for NPK fertilizer was $0kg/667m^2$, $17.01kg/667m^2$, and $56.87kg/667m^2$, respectively, which can produce the highest root yield of 1,861.90 g (dried root of 100 plants). For mineral fertilizers, calcium and magnesium fertilizers had a significant and positive effect on root yield and the content of four active saponins, respectively. The severity of root rot disease increased with the increase in soil moisture. The best range of soil moisture varied from 0.56 FC (field capacity of water) to 0.59 FC, when the highest yield of root and saponins could be realized as well as the lower incidence rate of root disease. Conclusion: These results indicate that the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used in these fields is excessive and that of potassium fertilizer is deficient. Higher soil moisture is an important factor that increases the severity of the root rot disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : Most diagnostic method for lumbago were invasive and complex. So we need to simplify and objectify diagnostic method for lumbago. Some study with EAV which is one of Physiological Signal Measuring Instruments, report significantly result as objective diagnostic method for other clinical symptom. By using EAV, we have obtained some physiological signal data from meridian-acupoints of 31 lumbago cases. Objective and Methods : This study researched into the clinical statistics for 31 case who ware in lumbago, and they ware treated with oriental medical care at the Dong-shin university oriental hospital during 6 month from June 1 2001 to November 10 2001. The data were analyzed and interpreted to compare with traditional differentiation of symptom-complexes, then further evaluated as the Five Evolutive Phases to make them differentiated. The EAV valus of Five Evolutive Phases were identified with the sequence of wood(木), fire(火), earth(土)steel(金), water(水). Results and Conclusion : These values of physiological signal were identical with standard differentiation of symptom-complexes of lumbago which is the main cause of deficiency of Qi and blood of the kidney and bladder. Among Five Evolutive Phases, Earth and wood values were increased, steel, fire and water were decreased significantly. This data imply the possibility of somewhat generalization from measuring instruments.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1973

1. Through out the entire stage of growth, the amount of nutrients, number of tillers and of spikes increased in the Simagcalin treated plot as compared with the control. The treated plot showed healthul growth at the later growing stage. On the other hand, management of irrigation water resulted in raised the grain straw ratio and retarded the culm height about 10%. 2. Application of Simagcalin greatly increased the content of phosphorus and magnesium at the harvesting time. The culm and sheath analyses are recommendable for the determination of magnesium deficiency. 3. The controled irrigation would effect root activity as the main factor, and Simagcalin might act as a secondary factor. 4. While the application of phosphorus may not affect the yield components, The basic elements in Simagcalin may enhance the uptake of nutrients under heavy application of nitrogn.