• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2014

Zizyphus jujube leaf fractions (ZLFs) showed no cytotoxic effects of up to $100{\mu}g/mL$, while the anti-inflammatory effects of ZLFs were analyzed by checking the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage up to the concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. ZLFs ($100{\mu}g/mL$) demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced 61~85% of NO and 71~100% of $PGE_2$ production in the LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage. Even the low ZLFs concentration of $1{\mu}g/mL$ have reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production by 34~64%. Expressions of COX-2 protein were also effectively inhibited by the ZLFs. Furthermore, the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed through the treatment of ZLFs at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. In the order of the Zizyphus jujube leaf water fraction (ZLWF) < buthanol fraction (ZLBF) < ethyl acetate fraction (ZLEF) showed anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, the ethyl acetate fraction ZLEF at $100{\mu}g/mL$ showed an excellent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of NO, $PGE_2$, COX-2, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in the level of Raw264.7 macrophage without LPS-stimulation or even better. The results of our study suggest the potential of ZLEF for use as an excellent ant-inflammatory inhibiting mediator and may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic effect of Coconopsis lanceolata extract in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were divided into four groups: normal diet group (ND), high fat diet group (HFD), positive control group with 0.05% metformin (PC), Coconopsis lanceolata extract group (UCL). After 5 weeks of feeding, average body weight of the UCL group mice was slightly decreased, while that of the HFD group significantly increased) Also, liver and adipose tissue weights in the UCL group significantly increased. The levels of trigliceride (TG) and total in the plasma of UCL-supplemented group were significantly lower than those of high fat diet group. On the other hand, HDL-cholesterol level was increased. Expression level of proteins related with adipogenesis such as SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS in the liver of the UCL group mice was much lower comparing with the HFD group mice. In conclusion, the results showed that the Coconopsis lanceolata extract possesses significant antihyperlipidemic effects in C57BL/6J mice.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.472-480
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate Staphylococcus epidermidis contamination on hands of 20 dental hygienists and 140 equipment surface of 20 dental clinics in a local area, from July to August 2017. The degree of S. epidermidis contamination was measured using a hand plate and a rodac plate and then cultured at $35^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. Based on hand plate criteria, hand contamination was classified into low, middle, and high groups. Analysis of the variance (ANOVA) of the contamination level of the hand parts of the group surface contamination level of the dental clinic equipment was descriptive statistics after clustering lock count. S. epidermidis contamination was moderate in 55% of the hands of dental hygienists. The area of contamination was 29.45 colony-forming units (CFU) on the palm, followed by the middle finger 7.8 CFU, ring finger 6.4 CFU, and thumb 6 CFU. Medical equipment surface contamination was showed that 3-way handle 4.45 CFU, computer mouse 3.37 CFU, mirror handle 1.60 CFU were higher than other areas. The group with high hand contamination had a high positive correlation with the S. epidermidis contamination of the hand. S. epidermidis contamination level was higher on hands than on the medical equipment surface contamination. Therefore, medical staff should recognize the importance of hand hygiene which should be practiced in the manner suggested by World Health Organization. In addition, the medical team needs to be responsible for performing infection control tasks, implementing infection management guidelines and providing systematic education on infectious disease management.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2017

Background: The prevalence of allergic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis worldwide has increased and complete recovery is difficult. Korean Red Ginseng, which is the heat-processed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, is widely and frequently used as a traditional medicine in East Asia. In this study, we investigated whether Korean Red Ginseng water extract (RGE) regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines via the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathway in allergic inflammation. Methods: Compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesion mice models were used to investigate the antiallergic effects of RGE. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human mast cells (HMC-1) were also used to clarify the effects of RGE on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results: Anaphylactic shock and DNFB-induced AD-like skin lesions were attenuated by RGE administration through reduction of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in mouse models. RGE also reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines including $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8, and expression of chemokines such as IL-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in HaCaT cells. Additionally, RGE decreased the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 as well as expressions of chemokines including macro-phage inflammatory protein $(MIP)-1{\alpha}$, $MIP-1{\beta}$, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that these inhibitory effects occurred through blockage of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway. Conclusion: RGE may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases such as AD-like dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 1973

Monosodium glutamate(MSG) is a widely used food additive. Some reports descried its positive effect and the others, negative effect on mouse, monkey, human or drosophilid flies. Because of the conflicting reports the present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of MSG on the development of Drosophila melanogaster. The two strains of D. melanogaster, Oregon-R and Sinchon-I were used and MSG as well as cane sugar (as the second control) media were prepared by adding MSG or cane sugar at various concentrations to the standard food media for the present study. Ten flies (Male 5, Female 5) were placed in each vial and the numbers of $F_1$ flies emerged from it were counted. The results are presented below: 1. The numbers of $F_1$ flies decrease as the concentrations of MSG increase, implying that MSG has an inhibitory effect in the development of D. melanogaster. 2. The effects of cane sugar show an enhancing effect rather than an inhibitory one. 3. The numbers of $F_1$ fies produced in the Sinchon-I strain are greater than in the Oregon-R. This may be due to the difference in the length of inbred period. 4. The Muller-5 test shows a negative result, suggesting that MSG may be not mutagenic.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2011

A confocal microscope was developed utilizing a scanning sample stage based on a home-built double-compound flexure guide. A scanning sample stage with nano-scale resolution consisted of a double leaf spring based flexure, a displacement amplifying lever, a Piezo-electric Transducer(PZT) actuator and capacitance sensors. The performance of the two-axis stage was analyzed using a commercial finite element method program prior to the implementation. A single line laser was employed as the light source along with the Photo Multiplier Tube(PMT) that served as the detector. The performance of the developed confocal microscope was evaluated with a mouse ear skin imaging test. The designed scanning stage enabled us to build the confocal microscope without the two optical scanning mirror modules that are essential in the conventional laser scanning confocal microscope. The elimination of the scanning mirror modules makes the optical design of the confocal microscope simpler and more compact than the conventional system.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1303-1310
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• 2008

Inhibitors of farnesyltransferase (FT), a key enzyme in the post-translational modifications of Ras proteins, have been extensively studied as novel anticancer agents in the preclinical stages, some of which are currently in clinical development. Previously, it has been reported that a novel FT inhibitor LB42907 inhibits Ras farnesylation in the nanomolar range in vitro. The aim of this study was to assess the antitumor efficacy of LB42907 in vitro and in vivo. Anchorage-independent growth of various human tumor cell lines was potently inhibited by treatment with LB42907, comparable to other FT inhibitors in clinical development. In the nude mouse, oral administration of LB42907 demonstrated potent antitumor activity in several human tumor xenograft models including bladder, lung and pancreas origin. Interestingly, significant tumor regression in EJ (bladder) and A549 (lung) xenografts was induced by LB42907 treatment. The effectiveness of LB42907 was also investigated in simultaneous combination with paclitaxel, vincristine, cisplatin or gemcitabine against NCI-H460, A549, and HCT116 cells in vitro using median-effect analysis. LB42907 markedly synergized with most anticancer drugs tested in this study in NCI-H460 cell. In contrast, LB42907 displayed antagonism or partial synergism with these drugs in A549 and HCT116 cells, depending on the class of combined drugs and/ or the level of cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate that LB42907 is an effective antitumor agent in vitro and in vivo and combination of LB42907 with other chemotherapeutic drugs results in synergistic or antagonistic effects mainly in a cell line-dependent manner. Further preclinical study is warranted.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1998

Renal tissues of ICR mouse were intraperitoneally injeced with Porpbyra yezoensis extract(PE) after Triton WR-1339(TX) injection were observed to investigate the cholesterol accumulation decreasing effect of PE. The renal tissues were obtained at hour 24, 48, and 72 after TX injection that were fixed in fromol-calcium solution and were cryocut. The tissue stained by sudan black B for lipid and perchloric acid-naphthoquinone method for cholesterol. The parietal layer of Bowman's capsule is swelled as cuboidal type at hour 48 after TX injection and the lipid blot and cholesterol particle were noticeably increased in glomerulus and these appeared in convoluted tubule, collecting tubule, and Helen's loop. In PE treated group, the lpid blot and cholesterol particle were considerably decreased in glomerulus than TX group. As results indicated that the accumulation of lipid including cholesterol caused by TX injection were mitigated in renal tissues by the antihypercholesterolemia effect of PE.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigated the effects of an immunosuppression and a mitigation of inflammation of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI on Allergic contact dermatitis. In order to study, after oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI extract, contact hypersensitivity assay, general morphologic change of skin, sulfated acid mucosubstance, mast cell, IL-2R, ICAM-1 and CD11b were observed in BALB/C mouse induced allergic contact dermatitis by the contact sensitizing DNCB. Ear swelling in contact hypersensitivity assay was decreased in the Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI extracts administered(HEGT) group, compared with DNCB painted group. In the general morphologic change of skin, hyperplasia of keratinocytes, increase of lymphocytes and inflammatory cell, increase of vasculogenesis and epidermal lymphocytes infiltration, increase of cell damage in epidermal basal layer and prickle layer were decreased in the HEGT group, compared with DNCB painted group. Increase of sulfated acid mucosubstance, mast cell, IL-2R positive cell, ICAM-1 positive cell, CD11b positive cell were decreased in the HEGT group, compared with DNCB painted group.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2010

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most successful pathogens to infect one third of world population. Th1-mediated immunity against Mtb infection is known as critical to express mycobacteriostatic function but it is not sufficient to resolve the infection. In this study, to verify the possibility Mtb itself change the gene expression to survive against host immune response, expression pattern of selected H37Rv genes, 16S rRNA, acr, fbpA, aceA, and ahpC, during the course of infection was measured with absolute quantitation method using real-time RT-PCR. The total number of transcripts of 16S rRNA increased during the course of infection, which was coincide with the increasing CFU. The total number of fbpA transcripts per CFU, which encode typical secreted Mtb antigen, Ag85A, increased for 10 days of infection before decreasing. The number of transcripts of acr per CFU, which encode heat shock protein, ${\alpha}$-crystallin, increased during the infection, and ahpC and aceA, they both are enzymes produced in oxidative stressful condition, increased for 20 days and then slightly decreased on day 30. These findings are one of survival strategy of pathogen evading host immune response lead to persistent infection inside host cells.