Intermuscular fat is essential for enhancing the flavor and texture of cultured meat. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from intermuscular adipose tissues are a source of intermuscular fat. Therefore, as a step towards developing a platform to derive intermuscular fat from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for insertion between myofibrils in cultured beef, an advanced protocol of intermuscular adipose tissue dissociation effective to the isolation of MSCs from intermuscular adipose tissues was developed in cattle. To accomplish this, physical steps were added to the enzymatic dissociation of intermuscular adipose tissues, and the MSCs were established from primary cells dissociated with physical step-free and step-added enzymatic dissociation protocols. The application of a physical step (intensive shaking up) at 5 minutes intervals during enzymatic dissociation resulted in the greatest number of primary cells derived from intermuscular adipose tissues, showed effective formation of colony forming units-fibroblasts (CFU-Fs) from the retrieved primary cells, and generated MSCs with no increase in doubling time. Thus, this protocol will contribute to the stable supply of good quality adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) as a fat source for the production of marbled cultured beef.

Mirizzi’s syndrome (MS) caused by the retention of a stone in the cystic duct stump after cholecystectomy is rare. Most cases of MS are treated by surgical intervention. However, developments of endoscopic accessories and techniques have resulted in the recent introduction of endoscopic treatments for MS. Furthermore, in view of the postoperative morbidity caused by post-operative scarring, the endoscopic approach should be preferred to the surgical approach. In the described case, the authors were able to remove a remnant cystic duct stone endoscopically because the cystic duct stump was wide and non-tortuous. This case shows endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with mechanical lithotripsy can be utilized in suitable cases of type I MS development after cholecystectomy.

Background : Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic, inflammatory skin disease. Here, we focused on the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fructus extracts (GFE) in DNCB treated NC/Nga mice. Methods and Results : In an in vivo study, GFE treatment significantly decreased immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and cytokines expression in spleen and serum of treatment groups mice, compared with the negative controls (administered 0.2% DNCB only). Mice treated with GFE had fewer inflammatory cell infiltrates in the dermis and hypodermis compared to the negative controls. In addition, we also studied β-Hexosaminidase release assay and possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of GFE in RBL-2H3 cells. GFE suppressed the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α, the translocation of NF-κβ, and the phosphorylation of Syk, p38, JNK, and Erk1/2 in stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusion : These results strongly suggest that GFE inhibits the allergic response by reducing mast cell activation and may have therapeutic potential as an anti-atopic dermatitis agent.

Background : The aloe has been reported to have significant therapeutic effects, such as inhibition of cancer cells' activation and proliferation as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-oxidation properties. However, the phytochemicals analysis and antioxidant activity of the Aloe vera flower extracts have not been widely investigated. In this regard, we investigated the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of the Aloe barbadensis flower in hydrogen peroxide-treated BALB/c mice. Methods and Results : This research highlights the phenolic constituents' profile and antioxidant activity of 70% ethanol extracts of Aloe vera flower for the first time. The ethanol-based extracts showed the inhibition for linoleic acid oxidation and free radical-induced DNA damage. Among about 11 phenolic constituents of the extract, identified by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the content of vanillic acid was highest, corresponding to strong antioxidant activities of the extract. The extracts elevated superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes activities in the liver tissue of hydrogen peroxide-treated BALB/c mice. The radical-scavenging activities of the extracts were well-correlated to the total phenolic content. Conclusion : In conclusion, Aloe bardadensis flower might be an effective source of natural antioxidant with high level of phenolic constituents.

Background: To investigate the possibility of using Asarum sieboldii as an environment-friendly fumigant for protecting organic cultural heritages, the inhibitory effect of A. sieboldii extract against wood rot fungi on Hanji was examined. Methods and Results: The physical, optical, and morphological properties of Hanji inoculated with Trametes versicolor and Tyromyces palustris, and exposed to the n-hexane fraction of A. sieboldii extract, were measured. The physical properties were expressed as weight loss, zero-span tensile strength and viscosity and the optical properties were depicted by luminance and chromaticity (L*, a*, and b*). The results showed that, the n-hexane fraction of A. sieboldii extract inhibited the growth of fungi on Hanji, and preserved its condition. At a concentration of 25 ㎎, the n-hexane fraction of A. sieboldii extract maintained zero-span tensile strength, increased viscosity, and restricted discoloration of Hanji. It also was confirmed that the weight of fungi infested Hanji exposed to the extract did not decrease. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed that the spores and hyphae of T. versicolor and T. palustris were not present on Hanji during treatment with > 25 ㎎ of the n-hexane fraction of A. sieboldii extract. Conclusions: These results indicate that the n-hexane fraction of A. sieboldii extract by virtue of its antifungal effectiveness may help in preserving Korean paper cultural heritages, including Hanji.

Background: Salvia has been widely cultivated for use in flavoring and folk medicines in many countries, including Korea and China. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity and the underlying active compounds of Salvia extract and its fractions.Methods and Results: The anti-inflammatory activity was measured by assessing the inhibition of cysteinyl leukotriene production in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells. Salvia plebeia R. Br. was found to have the most potent inhibitory activity on leukotriene production than S. japonica and S. chanroenica had. Fifty percent ethanol extracts of S. plebeia R. Br. were successively partitioned with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol and water. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed stronger anti-inflammatory activity than other solvent fractions did. The EtOAc fraction was subjected to silica gel column chromatography elution with a chloroform and methanol gradient system (100 : 1 → 1 : 1) yielding 10 fractions. Three kinds of fractions (chloroform:methanol = 20 : 1, 10 : 1 and 5 : 1) showed high inhibitory activity on leukotriene production. We confirmed the major compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from S. plebeia R. Br.Conclusions: In this study, the major components of S. plebeia that showed leukotriene production inhibitory activity were isolated using solvent extraction and silica gel column chromatography. Rosmarinic acid, hispidulin and luteolin were identified as the major compounds with anti-inflammatory effect.