Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a key role in development and progression of inflammatory responses and Porphyromonas gingivalis is a common endodontic pathogen. In this study, we investigated induction of COX-2 and PGE2 by P. gingivalis in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). P. gingivalis increased expression of COX-2, but not that of COX-1. Increased levels of PGE2 were released from P. gingivalis-infected HDPCs and this PGE2 increase was blocked by celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. P. gingivalis activated all three types of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). P. gingivalis-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was demonstrated by the results of phosphorylation of NF-κ B p65 and degradation of inhibitor of κB-α (IκB-α). Pharmacological inhibition of each of the three types of MAPKs and NF-κB substantially attenuated P. gingivalisinduced PGE2 production. These results suggest that P. gingivalis should promote endodontic inflammation by stimulating dental pulp cells to produce PGE2.

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder is a common cause of pain that occurs during shoulder movement, thereby restricting shoulder rotation in clinical practice. Although most patients respond to pain relief treatment (NSAID or corticosteroids) by improving their range of motion, it remains poorly understood without any definitive treatment algorithm. In addition to immune cells, synoviocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the joint are known to produce pro-inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators, presumably contributing to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and adhesive capsulitis. Although inflammation and also fibrosis are proposed to be the basic pathological changes of a frozen shoulder, there is a lack of information regarding the downstream targets of the pro-inflammatory ROS signaling pathway in the synoviocytes and also how these ROS targets are modulated at the transcription level by a corticosteroid - dexamethasone. In this study, we used human fibroblast like synoviocytes (HFLS) to characterize the signaling targets of ROS by employing a human DNA microarray tool and studied the role of dexamethasone in this process. Our data suggest that several genes such as FOS, FOSB and NFkBIZ, which are known to be involved in pro- or anti- inflammation response, are modulated at the transcription level by ROS and dexamethasone.

In the present study, four edible mushrooms, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus eryngii, were air-dried or freeze-dried for a certain period of time. After finely ground the materials, their beta-glucan contents were measured. Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide of plant and fungal cell wall and also a dietary fiber. It has an effect on stimulating immune cells and decreasing cholesterol. In the mushroom materials used in this study, beta-glucan contents were measured as 11-16%. Among them, P. ostreatus represented the highest contents, 16%. The authors also examined the contents of polyphenol, which is a phenolic compound known to have antioxidant activity. The polyphenol concentrations of the selected mushrooms were measured in 1 mg/ml of each sample prepared by hot-air drying and freeze-drying, respectively. As a result, 28-32 mg/ml of polyphenol was measured in hot air dried samples of P. ostreatus. In P. eryngii, air-dried samples had 6 mg/ml more polyphenols than freeze-dried ones, while in P. ostreatus, the former had 10 mg/ml more than the latter, indicating that the polyphenol contents in mushrooms can be changed by the different drying treatments. In other words, for P. eryngii and P. ostreatus, hot-air drying is more suitable processing method than freeze-drying in the light of physiological activity.

Lignosus rhinocerotis, commonly known as Tiger Milk Mushroom, has been long extolled for its medicinal properties and used for treatment of asthma, cough, fever, cancer, liver-related illnesses, joint pains and as tonic. The history of usage for Tiger Milk Mushroom dates back to almost 400 years, ago but there were no records of scientific studies done due to inavailability of sufficient samples. Even when there were samples collected from the wild, the supply and quality was inconsistent. With the advent of cultivation success of one of the most utilized species of Tiger milk mushroom (L. rhinocerotis) in 2009 (known as TM02), scientific investigation was done to validate its traditional use and to investigate its safety for consumption, biochemical and biopharmacological properties. Preclinical toxicology evaluations showed that TM02 did not induce adverse effects on fertility. It also poses neither teratogenic effects nor genotoxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) dose of the TM02 in 180-day chronic toxicity study is 1000 mg/kg which is equivalent to 162 mg/kg human dose, anticipated dose for a 60 kg adult is ~10g. The effective dosage of TM02 is as low as 0.5g per day for an adult. There is therefore, a huge margin for the safe consumption of TM02. TM02 is proven to be effective in supporting the lung and respiratory health, immune health, maintenance of joint health (caused by inflammation), improving vitality and stamina and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Recent scientific findings have shown that TM02 contains various active components such as the polysaccharides-protein complexes, β-glucans, proteins, immuno-modulatory proteins all of which could play possible roles in rendering significant therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-proliferative, anti-oxidative, neurite outgrowth stimulation etc. The revelation of the genome, transcriptome, proteome of L. rhinocerotis by MMRG has provided valuable insights into the biomolecule discovery and provided the foundation for future research and exploitation of L. rhinocerotis in pharmacological and functional food applications. These data forms a valuable foundation for future research in the exploitation of the L. rhinocerotis in pharmacological and industrial applications.

We have previously shown that the specific phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 (LY29), and its inactive analog LY303511 (LY30), inhibit a monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells; these results suggest the potential of LY30 as an anti-inflammatory drug. In this study, we determined the effects of LY30 on the production of various inflammatory cytokines in human macrophagic THP-1 cells which were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LY30 selectively suppressed the mRNA expression of IL-12 p40, TNF-α, and MCP-1 without affecting the expression of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8. Inhibition of the production of IL-12 and TNF-α by LY30 was also demonstrated using ELISA assays. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of the action of LY30, we examined the role played by the mitogen-activated protein kinases and the key transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-κB in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. The results revealed that LY30 inhibited LPS-induced activation of ERK, but not p38 or JNK. Furthermore, the AP-1 DNA binding activity was suppressed by LY30 based upon the dosage, whereas NF-κB DNA binding was not affected. These results suggest that LY30 selectively inhibits cytokine production in the LPS-stimulated macrophagic THP-1 cells by downregulating the activation of ERK and AP-1.

A reliable and selective liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection method for determination of antiprotozoals (selamectin, doramectin and fenbendazol) has been described. HPLC separation of active constituents was achieved on various C18 columns using methanol, acetonitrile, 0.1% phosphoric acid, acetic acid and distilled water as mobile phase, with UV detection at 243, 245 and 224 nm. The analytical procedure has been successfully identified. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, repeatability and intermediated precision. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2 of 0.9999) within the concentrations ranges (0~200, 0~200 and 50~400 μg/mL). The accuracy and repeatability showed 99%, 100%, 100% and below 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, respectively. The precision tests conducted for 3 days in three different concentrations with standard also revealed below 3.5%, 2.4% and 2.7%. The method has also been applied successfully to monitor post-market 5 veterinary products of which active ingredient are selamectin, doramectin and fenbendazol. There were no non-compliant products.

The aim of this paper is to illuminate some aspects of the Jeju 4.3 Grand Tragedy (the Jeju Tragedy) education and informing process. We hope to not only with these aspects show some aspects of moral origin of the Jeju World Peace Island movement, but to share a culture of peace with world citizens through world civilization education cross the Pacific at a local, national and global level. In addition bring liberty to the cause of national freedom of the SAM IL movement of 1919 in Korea. it actualizes itself as a peace buffer zone locally, nationally and globally through the “Jeju World Peace Island Treaty JWPIT,” based on international agreement of the Six Talks Nations because “it is believed that that they (Jeju islanders) will follow the pattern of the SAM IL movement of 1919 with the participants imbued with the spirit of sacrifice to life and liberty to the cause of national freedom (G-2 Summary Report)” as a moral origin of Jeju World Peace Island. Globally, one New Haven teacher has been working on an elective course called “The Power of Culture in a Multicultural World” in which to use social studies tools to investigate the meaning and importance of culture. Jeju offers an excellent opportunity to explore a culture that few New Haven students are familiar with. It will be for students to use the Jeju idea of turning troubles into opportunities, as a vehicle for addressing local issues” (“New Haven Learn- Teach Jeju 4.3,” New Haven Independent: March 29, 2017). Another New Haven teacher in his history class explains the different components of genocide. “Although the Jeju 4.3 events are not deemed genocide by the international community, using this as a lens to understand broader concepts seemed really exciting.” Jeju offers educators an opportunity to teach the curriculum but instead of gratuitous death and violence, there is a legacy of hope, healing, reconciliation and remembrance.” (Ibid, New Haven Independent: March 29, 2017). Locally and partially on the global level, “The Resurgence of Jeju 4.3 Social Healing Advocacy of “PETITION FOR A JOINT SOUTH KOREA AND UNITED STATES JEJU 4.3 INCIDENT TASK FORCE TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOSTER COMPREHENSIVE AND ENDURING SOCIAL HEALING THROUGH JUSTICE” (March 27, 2014). The petition supports a combined solution to social healing for numerous survivors of Jeju 4.3. Based on interviews with members of the Jeju 4.3 Victim Family Association, 20% of them are now elderly and require expensive medical care and assistance. Many continue to suffer from psychological trauma (PTSD). It serves as a beacon of international peace in the same vein as May 24, 2015’s event, “Women Cross DMZ Demilitarized Zone.” Jeju itself aims to serve as a “Peace Buffer Zone” between the two Koreas among 6 Nations Talks within the framework of the Jeju World Peace Island Treaty, similar to Costa Rica. Never before has the need for a Peace Island in the region been so vital, with China stretching its reach across the ocean, and President Trump flexing his muscles against North Korea, the time has come for serious peacemaking, that is, prevention of conflict. It’s a real time to think about actualization of Jeju World Peace Island Treaty for Peace between two Koreas.

경주 방사성폐기물 처분시설은 향후 80만 포장물을 처분할 계획이며 다양한 처분방식 및 관리형태를 가진 복합계가 될 것 이다. 본 논문에서는 전체부지 처분용량(80만 포장물) 처분시설의 단계별 개발에 따른 영향을 평가하기 위하여 처분시설 종 합개발계획(안)에 따른 예비안전성평가를 수행하였다. 각 시나리오에 대한 안전성평가결과 처분시설의 성능목표치를 만족 하였다. 다만, 전체처분시설의 안전성 평가결과에 중준위 방사성폐기물로 인하여 1단계 동굴 처분시설이 가장 크게 영향을 미치므로 처분시설의 안전성 향상을 위하여 처분방사능량제한 설정 등 관리방안이 필요하다. Safety Case 단계별 구축을 통 하여 중·저준위 방사성폐기물 처분시설 종합개발 과정에서 인지된 불확실성을 저감하여 안전성을 증진 시킬 수 있을 것으 로 판단된다.

In recent years, the tourism experience of tourists has been impacted seriously with the increase in the number of tourists. Psychological Carrying Capacity (PCC) as an important part of Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC), is an important criterion for measuring the quality of tourism experience. It is also an important and necessary means of tourism management. Daerungwon, as a symbol of the Gyeongju city, has not been studied on TCC. In this study, the number and the satisfaction degree of tourists in Daerungwon were investigated hourly. Then the mathematical relationship between the two variables was established with regression analysis method. Based on these, the study researched the change rules of the PCC in Daerungwon. The results showed that: (1) The satisfaction degree curve presented inverted “U” shape rather than monotonically decreasing shape with the increase of the number of tourists in Daerungwon. (2) When the instantaneous number of tourists is 193, the satisfaction degree of tourists is the highest. When the instantaneous number is 382, the descent speed of satisfaction degree is the fastest. The best PCC in Daerungwon is 1,198 persons per day. And when the number of tourists reached 2,372, the satisfaction degree will drop quickly. Finally the study verified the influencing factors of PCC from the view of tourists and put forward suggestions on management based on PCC research results. The achieved results can provide the references to the tourism management of Daerungwon.

This report describes the different responses to dapsone treatment in two cases of sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP). Two dogs were presented with ulcerative skin lesions, painful and erythematous papules, and nodules. History and physical examination revealed systemic signs such as pyrexia, lethargy, depression, and anorexia, in addition to ulcerated and ruptured nodules on the skin. The dermatological diagnostics included clear taping, trichogram, skin scraping, impression smears, fungal and bacterial cultures, and histopathology and special stainings of multiple punch biopsies obtained from the skin lesions. Based on the clinical and histopathologic findings, the absence of microbiological infection, and the positive response to immunosuppressive therapy, both the dogs were diagnosed with SNP. Although both dogs had been treated with various immunosuppressive drugs including prednisolone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and triamcinolone, therapy was switched to dapsone due to recurrent dermatological signs and presumed steroidinduced hepatotoxicity. The clinical responses to dapsone were opposite in the two cases. In the first case, combination therapy with prednisolone and cyclosporine was effective in attenuating ulcerative lesions, while dapsone alone did not control the clinical signs. In contrast, in the second case, the therapeutic response to the common immunomodulatory drugs such as prednisolone, triamcinolone, and azathioprine was inadequate. Interestingly, dapsone alone was effective in controlling the clinical signs without causing undue side effects. Although the usefulness of dapsone for the treatment of canine SNP is unknown, it may be considered in mild to moderate cases of SNP when the use of steroids is not recommended due to its low efficacy or side effects.