Macrophages secrete various cytokines and inflammatory mediators, resulting in playing critical roles in inflammation and immunity. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties of PB203, which is a water-soluble extract powder from the fruit of Actinidia polygama, in macrophages. A. polygama is a medicinal plant traditionally known to treat abdominal pain, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the molecular mechanism for the immune modulation of PB203 is still unclear. Therefore, we assessed the effects of PB203 on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and immune activation, and elucidated its action mechanism in mouse macrophage, RAW264.7 cells. PB203 significantly suppressed not only the levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), but also the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. We also found that these anti-inflammatory activities of PB203 were mediated through the inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) induced by LPS. On the other hand, in normal macrophages, PB203 dose-dependently elevated the gene expression of immunomodulators including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and TNF-α in a statistically significant manner. The expression of IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, and interferon-γ were also remarkably upregulated by the treatment of 500 μg/mL PB203. In addition, PB203-mediated production of NO and TNF-α was attenuated by NF-κB inhibition in RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, PB203 promoted the production of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2, resulting in the increased level of heme oxygenase-1, which is a representative antioxidant enzyme, in both LPS-stimulated and normal RAW264.7 cells. Taken all together, these results suggest that PB203 may have great potential as the candidate of anti-inflammatory agent for improving inflammatory diseases or immune enhancing agent for preventing infectious diseases. Keywords: Actinidia polygama extract (PB203); macrophages; immunomodulator; nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB); heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)

Repetitive or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes oxidative stress-mediated skin photoaging through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Actinidia polygama is known as a medical plant used in oriental medicine for treating several diseases such as abdominal pain, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, it was reported that A. polygama extract had anti-wrinkle and skin hydrating properties in ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed hairless mice. However, the molecular biological mechanism of this extract on alleviating skin photoaging is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the anti-photoaging effects of PB203, which is the powder of A. polygama extract, in the in vivo and in vitro photoaging models. First, PB203 showed 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities due to the presence of anti-oxidant components including flavonoids and polyphenols. In UVB-irradiated hairless mice, oral administration of PB203 (100 mg/ kg) significantly improved wrinkle formation, skin dehydration, elasticity and skin barrier function by decreasing the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and increasing those of collagen I, filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin. Especially, the reduced production of p-p38, p-c-Jun and p-c-Fos by PB203 reversed the elevated levels of MMPs mediated by UVB exposure, resulting in the upregulation of collagen I expression. Consistent with these animal data, PB203 remarkably enhanced the mRNA expression of collagen I, filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin, while suppressed that of MMPs in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. And PB203 increased the wound recovery rate of cells by promoting their proliferation and migration. Moreover, PB203 significantly recovered the activity of superoxide dismutase inhibited by UVB in both mice and cells. In conclusion, PB203, which protects skin from UVB-induced photodamage by exerting antioxidant properties, can be considered to have sufficient potential as a functional ingredient or therapeutic agent improving skin photoaging and related skin symptoms.

The aims of the present study were to confirm that regulation of the PA and environment via TGF-β regulation of sperm by Percoll-separated in porcine uterine epithelial cells. And, it was performed to identify the cytokines (TGF-β1, 2 and 3, TGF-β receptor1 and 2; interleukin, IL-6, IL-8) and PA-related genes (urokinase-PA, uPA; tissue- PA, tPA; PA inhibitor, PAI; uPA-receptor, uPAR) by spermatozoa. The experiment used porcine uterus epithelial cells (pUECs) and uterine tissue epithelial cells, Boar sperm were separated by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%), and tissues were co-incubated with spermatozoa, followed by real-time PCR. PA activity was measured of sperm by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%) for 24 hours. To measure viability and acrosome damage of sperm double stained propidium iodide (PI) and SYBR- 14 or FITC-PNA were used. In results, binding ratio of Percoll-separated sperm was found no differences, but sperms isolated from 90% Percoll layer reduced PA activity (p < 0.05). when co-cultured sperm selected Percoll in porcine uterus tissues epithelial cells, 90% layer sperm increased TGF-β R1, contrastively tPA and PAI-1 in comparison with control (p < 0.05). 45% sperm was decreased the expression of uPA (p < 0.05). TGF-β decreased PA activity in the supernatant collected from pUECs (p < 0.05). Especially, The group including uPA, PAI-1 were induce sperm intact, while it was reduced in sperm damage when compared to control (p < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference group of tPA and tPA+I in the dead sperm and acrosome damage compared to control. The expression of tPA and PAI showed a common response. Percoll-separated spermatozoa in 90% layer reduced tPA and IL-related gene mRNA expression. Thus, Percoll-sparated sperm in 90% layer show that it can suppress inflammation through increased expression of TGF-β and downregulation of PA and IL in epithelial cells compared to 45% layer Percoll.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as the most common liver disease in industrialized countries. Recently, natural compounds that may be beneficial for improving NAFLD have received increasing attention. Artemisia annua L. is the source of antimalarial phytomolecule, artemisinin, which has been reported to prevent obesity. However, the effect of A. annua extract on hepatic lipid metabolism remains unclear. This study was performed to determine the protective effect of Artemisia annua extract (AAE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind its effects in vivo and in vitro. We found that HFD-fed mice with AAE administration (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the control mice taken with HFD alone. The body and liver weights of AAE group were significantly lower than those of HFD group, and oral administration of AAE remarkably suppressed the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), fasting glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in HFD-fed mice. AAE significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the liver of HFD-fed mice and HepG2 hepatocytes. Moreover, AAE downregulated the hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in HFD-fed mice and high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AAE on the overexpression of SREBP-1c and FAS were attenuated by compound C, which is the specific AMPK inhibitor, in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. These results indicated that AAE may represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related NAFLD via the activation of AMPK and the regulation of AMPK-dependent lipogenic genes.

Artemisia annua (AA) is a well-known as a source of antimalarial drug (artemisinin), which also has been traditionally used as an antipyretic and hemostatic agent in Korea and China. In preclinical effective study, a water extract of Artemisia annua (WEAA) ameliorated weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. The plasma levels of triglyceride, AST, and ALT were reduced in the WEAA-treated group. Based on these results, the safety of WEAA as a functional ingredient for liver health was evaluated in this repeated dose oral toxicity study before the clinical trial. Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were treated by gavage with 20 times (1,000 mg/kg) more than the effective dose for 13 weeks. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and there were no changes indicating obviously abnormal clinical sign and behavior. The treatment of WEAA were also observed no obvious toxicities in the body weights, urine, hematological, serum biochemical, ophthalmic and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of this study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of WEAA in SD rats was estimated to be 1,000 mg/kg. In conclusion, WEAA could be used as a safe functional ingredient for the improvement of liver health in individuals with hepatic diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Glass wool is widely used as a typical soundproofing material because it has superior characteristics as a soundproofing material as well as excellent marketability. However, moisture penetration through condensation and cleaning up causes deterioration of insulation and soundproofing performance. In this study, we evaluate the wettability and sound absorption performance when the metal is deposited on the surface of glass wool. The performance is examined based on parameters such as the angle test, drying speed, the absorbency, the moisture content, the wettability. The wettability data shows that Cu coated glass wool is the best performance compaed to Ti coated one. The sound insulation characteristics are also compared by using the impedance tube. At the low frequency range, there is no difference among the test specimens, however, at the frequency above the 250 Hz range, Cu coating shows 10 % better in th sound asorption. Ti coating has almost same to the existing glasss wool performance. It turns out that metal coating on the glass wool seems to be very promising: the metal deposition reveals strong water repellency and sound absorption performance is equivalent to the existing glass wool.

Glass wool is a fiber made by melting sand and waste glass at high temperature. It has been used as an inorganic fiber for sound absorption, insulation, and non-combustible materials for automobiles, ships, and household appliances. However, the disadvantage comes from the moisture penetration through condensation and cleaning up so that it deteriorates insulation and soundproofing performance. In order to overcome the disadvantages of glass wool, we investigate the water repellency by plating metal on the surface of glass wool with Cu and Ti while coating stability is considered. The thickness of the deposited metal is about 300 nm. The deposition chemicals and the image of the specimen are analyzed by using SEM equipment. The electron microscopic result shows that quite amount of Cu and Ti metals are deposited on the glass wool surface.

Objective : This study examined the impact of a sixteen-week time-use intervention perio on the depression and rehabilitation motivation of stroke patients with psychological difficulties.Methods : Ten stroke patients who were divided into an experimental group and a control group participated in this study from May 2014 to August 2014. Depression changes were measured using a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and their rehabilitation motivation was evaluated using the Rehabilitation Motivation Scale.Results : The results of the present study showed that the experimental group and control group presented significant differences before and after intervention in terms of their depression and rehabilitation motivation. However, after intervention, the depression and rehabilitation motivation did not differ between the two groups.Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that time-use intervention was effective in improving the depression and rehabilitation motivation of stroke patients, and therefore time-use intervention with occupational therapy will be useful as a clinical method for improving their level of depression and rehabilitation motivation.

생물다양성은 ‘생태계 서비스’를 통해 기후변화의 ‘완화(mitigation)’과 ‘적응(adaptation)’에 중요한 기여를 하고 있다. 또한, 기후변화 와 생물다양성은 상호 밀접하게 연결되어 있는바, 기후변화는 생물다양성에 영향을 미치고, 생물다양성도 기후변화에 영향을 주는 것으로 보고 되고 있다. 생물다양성의 보전에 관한 포괄적 국제환경규범인 ‘생물다양성협약’에서는 생물다양성과 기후변화에 관한 많은 결정문을 채택하여 왔으며, 2001년부터 ‘생물다양성과 기후변화에 관한 특별기술전문가그룹’을 설치․운영하고 있다. 본 논문에서는 해양산성화(ocean acidification), 해양시비(ocean fertilization), 바이오연료 등 최근 생물다양성협약 당사국회의에서의 기후변화 관련 논의동향을 분석하고, 향후 우리나라의 대응방향을 고찰해 보았다.

세계 관광시장은 국제적 경기침체에도 불구하고 시장수요가 증가추세를 나타내고 있으며 해양레저스포츠, 크루즈관광 등 해양관광산 업은 향후에도 지속적 성장이 전망되고 있다. 우리나라는 3천여 개의 도서와 약 12,000㎞의 해안선, 다양한 해양자원 등 해양관광 활성화에 적합 한 자연환경을 보유하고 있다. 주 5일 근무제 정착, 교통수단의 발달로 해양에 대한 공간적, 시간적 접근성이 개선되면서 해양관광자원을 보다 더 잘 활용하고자 하는 정책적 수요도 급증하고 있는 상황이다. 그러나 해양관광자원의 효과적인 관리와 활용, 해양관광산업 활성화를 위한 정 책 추진에 관한 제도적 기반이 미흡하여, 해양관광정책이 효과적으로 추진되고 있지 못한 상황이다. 본 논문에서는 국내 해양관광활동 현황과 제약요인을 분석하고, 해양관광의 사업여건을 검토하였다. 이를 토대로 현행 국내 해양관광 관련 법제도의 한계를 분석해 보고, 해양관광 활성 화를 위한 향후 제도적 개선방향을 제시하였다.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD), of which postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome is considered to cause considerable economic losses in pig industry worldwide. As the virus-like particle (VLP) is a highly effective type of subunit vaccine and has unique advantages in terms of safety and immunogenicity, this study aimed to develop PCV2-like particles, which matched currently circulating Korean PCV2 and were applicable as vaccines. The ORF2 genes encoding PCV2 capsid protein were amplified from the PCV2 subgroup 1A/B Korean C275 isolate and the subgroup 2E C94 isolate by PCR assay with primer pair specific to PCV2 ORF2 gene, and were cloned into baculovirus transfer vector. Recombinant baculovirus was generated by cotransfection with the transfer vector and linear baculovirus DNA into the Sf9 cells, and then by plaque purification. Expression of PCV2 capsid protein was determined by the indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays, and electron microscopy. By both immunological assays, PCV2 capsid antigen was detected in the Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses. The formation of empty virus particles, characteristic of VLP, was detected in the lysate of Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses by negative electron microscopy. From these results, VLPs of two genogroups of PCV2 were successfully expressed and generated in a baculovirus expression system. It is expected that the expressed VLPs of two genotypic groups can be used for control of PCV2 infection as good vaccine candidates.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of different cooking methods (boiling, roasting, stir-frying, and deep-frying) on folate retention in 6 kinds of mushrooms (Beech-, button-, Juda’s ear-, oak-, oyster-, and winter-mushrooms) frequently consumed in Korea. In order to assure reliability of analytical data, trienzyme extraction-L casei method was verified and analytical quality control was also evaluated. Folate contents of mushrooms varied by 6.04-64.82 g/100 g depending on the type of mushrooms. and were significantly affected by cooking methods. Depending on cooking methods, folate contents of mushrooms decreased by 22-48%, 2-31%, and 17-56% for Juda’s ear-, oak- and oyster-mushrooms, respectively, while 17-90% of folate was increased in Beech mushroom. Overall, the largest weight loss was found in boiled mushrooms, but the lowest one in deep-fried samples. True folate retention rates considering processing factor were less than 100% for all cooked mushrooms except for Beech samples. Overall, folate loss was the largest by boiling with water but the smallest by deep-frying. Both accuracy and precision of trienzyme extraction-L-casei method were excellent based on a recovery close to 100% and coefficient variations less than 3%. Quality control chart of folate analysis (n=26) obtained during the entire study and an international proficiency test (z-score=-0.5) showed that trienzyme extraction-L casei method is reliable enough for production of national folate database.