Obesity, a global health concern characterized by excessive fat accumulation, necessitates the discovery of anti-obesity compounds. Rottlerin, known for its anti-cancer effects as a mitochondrial uncoupler, has been a subject of interest. However, its impact on reducing intracellular lipid accumulation remains a gap in our understanding. This study aimed to fill this gap by dissecting the mechanism of rottlerin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We treated differentiated 3T3-L1 cells with 0-20 mM of rottlerin for 48 hours to assess its capability to induce lipid accumulation. Notably, we observed no cytotoxicity associated with the treatment of rottlerin up to 20 mM, indicating its safety at these concentrations. Lipid accumulation, measured by oil Red O, was downregulated dose-independently by rottlerin. We also found that key lipogenic enzymes, including SCD1 and DGAT1, were decreased. The transcription factor of lipogenic genes, SREBP1, was reduced by approximately 80% with rottlerin. LRP6, a crucial link between de novo lipogenesis mechanism reactions and Wnt signaling, was also degraded by around 70%. Interestingly, the downstream regulation of LRP6, b-catenin, and TCFL2 was diminished by rottlerin. Our data indicate that rottlerin alleviates adipocyte lipid accumulation by suppressing the LRP6/β-catenin/SREBP1c pathway. These findings underscore the potential of rottlerin as a safe nutraceutical for combating obesity.

Obesity is the cause of many diseases, and its severity continues to increase. Promoting non-shivering thermogenesis is attracting attention as a new treatment strategy for obesity. This study summarized the studies that evaluated the effect of Panax ginseng on promoting non-shivering thermogenesis in animal models. A total of 7 studies were included according to the selection criteria, of which five were judged to have a high risk of bias. Indicators of UCP1 mRNA, UCP1 protein, and PGC- 1a were used in the meta-analysis, and the certainty of evidence progressed for each indicator, with UCP1 protein showing the highest certainty of evidence. Meta-analysis was conducted on 5 works of literature with standard indicators. As a result of meta-analysis, UCP1 protein level and PGC-1a mRNA level were significantly increased statistically. In addition, the protein levels of PRDM16 and TFAM increased in several studies (not a meta-analysis). These findings suggest that Panax ginseng could be a potential therapeutic agent for obesity. However, further research is needed to understand its mechanisms and possible side effects fully. Thus, it is concluded that Panax ginseng in animal models can promote non-shivering thermogenesis and improve mitochondria function in animal models, opening up new avenues for research and potential clinical applications.

Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation, poses global health risks, including metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, with its prevalence steadily rising. This study proposes that rottlerin induces anti-obesity effects by enhancing non-shivering thermogenesis in beige adipocytes D16 via LRP6 inhibition. As a result, treatment of D16 cells with rottlerin up to 5 mM showed no cytotoxicity. Rottlerin significantly increased the expression of proteins involved in substrate oxidation, such as UCP1 and PGC1a, while decreasing the expression of C/EBPb associated with adipogenesis. Additionally, PRDM16, regulating brown adipocyte development, exhibited increased expression. The phosphorylation of LRP6, an indicator for Wnt signaling and nutrient-sensing pathway, is decreased by rottlerin. In conclusion, the study highlights the reduced phosphorylation of LRP6 as a pivotal mechanism by which rottlerin promotes the “beigeing” of D16 adipocytes, subsequently inducing non-shivering thermogenesis. This underscores rottlerin’s potential as a natural bioactive compound with anti-obesity effects.

Bangladeshi medicinal plants (BMP) have a history of traditional use in treating chronic inflammatory diseases, but a BMP bark’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects remain largely unexplored. This study assessed methanolic extracts’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from the bark of 15 medicinal plant species native to Bangladesh. The methanol extracts of BMP bark were evaluated for their total antioxidant activity and ability to counteract inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the 15 bark extracts from BMP, Albizia odoratissima (A. odoratissima), Engelhardia spicata (E. spicata), and Shorea robusta (S. robusta) showed the highest total phenolic contents and total antioxidant capacity by effectively scavenging free radicals. In particular, these three bark extracts significantly reduced the mRNA expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and enzymes inducible by inflammation in macrophages. Also, the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase 2 was significantly suppressed by the three bark extracts in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that out of the 15 bark extracts obtained from medicinal plants in Bangladesh, the extracts from A. odoratissima, E. spicata, and S. robusta exhibit substantial total antioxidant capacity by efficiently scavenging free radicals and also inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages.

최근 5년간(2013년~2017년) 국립나무병원으로 진단 의뢰된 수목 피해는 3,073건으로 매년 600여건 정도로 나타났다. 문의 유형별로 보면 전화가 79.6%로 가장 많았고, 내방이 10.7%, 인터넷 홈페이지 문의 또는 우편물 상담이 9.7% 순이었다. 수종별로는 소나무가 전체 대비 40.7%를 차지하여 소나무에 대한 국민의 관심이 높은 것을 알 수 있었다. 소나무 이외에 느티나무(5.9%), 벚나무(5.1%), 단풍나무(4.2%) 순으로 피해에 대한 문의가 많았다. 피해 원인별로는 병해충에 의한 생물적 피해가 1,385건(45.1%)이었으며, 그 중 해충에 의한 피해가 958건(31.2%)으로 병해에 의한 피해 427건(13.9%)보다 2배 이상 더 많이 발생하고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 2017년도 진단 의뢰된 423건 중 피해의 원인을 정확하게 알 수 없는 경우 114건은 “기타”로 분류되었으며, 이들을 제외한 비생물적 원인의 144건 피해는 수목관리의 부적정 89건(61.8%), 생리적 피해 17건(11.8%), 약해 13건(9.0%), 기상해 9건(6.2%) 등이었다. 특히, 해충의 피해는 깍지벌레류, 진딧물류, 나무좀류, 나방류 등의 순으로 피해가 많았다.

There are many other detection methods for Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. However, Baermann funnel method, PCR-based methods, which are laborious and time consuming processes that are unsuitable to rapid diagnose the Pine Wilt Disease (PWD) on the field. For these reasons, the aim of our experiment is not only to apply field diagnostic for pine wood nematode (PWN) but also to reduce total time for detection PWN in the pine trees by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with phosphate (Pi)-induced coloration reaction which could be yes or no answer for detection of PWN has not required UV detector but it just could be discriminated by naked eyes within 30 min. Genomic DNA was directly extracted from pine wood chips by Wood Chips Direct Lysis procedure which can be used for LAMP only after simple dilution. Our results suggest that LAMP-Pi detection method, simple and rapid method for detection of PWN, could be applied to the field diagnostic for PWD.

We had evaluated of insecticidal effect from Insecticide-treated net (ITN) that coated by deltamethrin against Monochamus alternatus which serves as a vector for Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this experiment, vector has been shown that rapid insecticidal effect response time within 1 hour when they were contacted with ITN. In addition, vectors were showed high mortality within 48 hours. To evaluate insecticidal persistency of ITN and whether releasing insecticide to water, ITNs were soaked in water over various time periods. Water has not shown insecticidal effect to vectors and small amount of insecticide were detected that would not be harmful to other non-target organic being such as honeybee. Also, reduction of insecticidal effect was not observed from the ITN. Taken together, our results suggest that ITN had got highly insecticidal effect to vector as well as could be applied to effectively prevent dispersal of the vector on the field.

It is difficult to identification between Bursaphelenchus spp. and Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) by morphological characteristics without expertise about nematode taxonomy. Furthermore, Baermann funnel method, which is nematode extraction method from wood chips or soil, requires at least 24 hours to extract nematode that is unsuitable to rapid diagnose the Pine Wilt Disease (PWD). For these reasons, the aim of this experiment is not only to improve accuracy of a PCR based method but also to reduce total experiment time for detection Bursaphelenchus spp. and PWN in the wood chips of PWD infected pine tree. In this experiment, we had been employed two PCR primer sets, which were originated from PWN specific Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence region and Bursaphenchus spp. universal mitochondrial Cytocrome Oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) sequence region in order to discrimination between Bursaphelenchus spp. and PWN at the same PCR reaction. This experimental procedure was able to reduce experiment time and cost as well as to improve accuracy of detection than previous PCR based detecting method by not using Baermann funnel method and commercial genomic DNA extraction kit but using direct pine wood chips lysis method.

The developmental time and survival of overwintering larvae of Monochamus saltuarius were studied at 7 constant temperatures (16, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, 34℃), and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 (L : D) h. The total mortality of overwintering M. saltuarius was lowest at 27℃ (7%) and highest at 34℃ (93%). The total developmental time decreased with increasing temperature between 16℃ (49.48 days) and 34℃ (13.00 days). The relationship between the developmental rate and temperature was fitted by five nonlinear developmental rate models (Logan 6, Lactin 1, 2 and Briere 1, 2). The nonlinear shape of temperature development was best described by the Briere 1 model (r2=0.99). The developmental variation of overwintering larvae was well described by the three-parameter Weibull distribution model (r2=0.98). The temperature-dependent developmental models of M. saltuarius developed in this study could be used to predict emergence period of the adult, or to develop a population dynamics model of M. saltuarius.

파우더 베이스 메이크업 제품은 피부에 도포되어 8 ∼ 12시간 동안 부착되며 피부에서 분비되는 땀이나 피지 등의 분비물에 의해 화장막이 변화된다. 따라서 메이크업 화장의 지속성은 중요한 품질 요소 중 하나이며 평가도 중요하다. 본 연구는 파우더 제품에서 지속성 평가를 위해 여러 가지 방법으로 파우더 반제품의 흡수, 흡유, 발수, 발유 등의 특성을 측정해보고 객관적인 평가 방법과 비교하여 연관성을 확인하여 지속성 평가 시 중요한 파우더의 특성을 살펴보았다. 또한 평가조건(땀과 피지 분비량 차이, 기온 및 습도 등)에 크게 영향을 받지 않으면서 지속성을 예측할 수 있는 간단한 방법을 검토해보았다. 타정 흡유도와 모세관법 및 침지법 등으로 반제품의 흡수, 흡유, 발수, 발유 특성을 측정해본 후 색차계와 ROBO skin analyzer 데이터와 비교하였다. 그 결과 흡수, 발유 특성보다는 흡유와 발수 특성이 지속성과의 연관성이 크다는 것을 확인할 수 있었고 흡유, 발수 특성을 확인하는 것으로 빠르고 손쉽게 지속성에 대한 예측이 가능하리라 생각되었다. 그 중 흡유 특성은 타정 흡유도와 모세관법이, 발수 특성은 침지법이 지속성에 대한 상대평가 방법으로 유용할 것이라고 판단되었다.

본 연구에서는 유기 자외선 흡수제와 오일들 간의 용해도에 따른 자외선 차단제의 안정성과 유기 자외선 흡수제의 조합에 따른 이들의 자외선 차단 효율 변화를 조사하여 보다 안정하고 효율이 높은 자외선 차단제품 개발에 도움이 되고자 하였다. 그 결과 오일의 종류, 농도 그리고 보관 조건에 따라서 유기 자외선 흡수제의 용해도 및 안정성이 다양하게 관찰되었으며, 이러한 현상은 에멀젼상에서도 자외선 차단지수에 영향을 나타냄을 확인하였다. 또한 유기 자외선 흡수제의 조합에 따라 다양한 자외선 흡광도가 측정되었으며, 조합 시 각각의 자체 흡광도보다 높은 시너지 효과를 나타내는 성분이 있었고, 특정 성분과의 조합 시에만 시너지 효과가 나타나는 경우도 있었다. 보관 조건에 따라서도 자외선 흡광도는 상이하게 측정되어, 자외선 차단 효율에 영향을 나타내는 다양한 변수가 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.