Sunmi Park

Melanogenesis inhibitory and fibroblast proliferation accelerating effects of noroleanane- and oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides from the flower buds of Camellia japonica.

A 28-noroleanane-type triterpene oligoglycoside, camellioside E (4), an oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycoside, camellioside F (5), and the known compounds camelliosides A (1) and D (3) were isolated from a 50% EtOH extract of Camellia japonica flower buds from Korea. The principal constituents (1 and 5) significantly inhibited melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. Camellioside B (2), a major constituent of C. japonica grown in Japan, showed potent inhibition of melanogenesis [95.0 ± 1.0% (p < 0.01) at 20 μM]. The inhibitory effects of 1, 2, and 5 were stronger than that of the reference compound, arbutin. We believe the melanogenesis inhibitory effects of 2 and 5 are partly related to the proliferation inhibitory effects in B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. Conversely, camelliosides tended to enhance proliferation in normal human neonatal skin fibroblasts. Interestingly, camellioside B (2) significantly accelerated fibroblast proliferation. This biological selectivity could make camellioside B useful for treating skin disorders. Herein, we report the first scientific investigation of a triterpene that displays an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis, but that also has an enhancing effect on fibroblast proliferation.

Needlestick and sharps injuries in a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND The high incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the Republic of Korea has focused attention on monitoring the occurrence and characteristics of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) as part of an effort to reduce the occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HBV. This study investigated NSIs reported in a tertiary referral hospital in Busan, Republic of Korea over a 6-year period (2001 to 2006). METHOD Data on the number of NSIs, places where NSIs occurred, devices causing injury, purpose of using sharps, and circumstances surrounding NSIs were collected from the study hospitals NSI database. The incidence of NSIs per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees was calculated by year and by profession. RESULTS A total of 221 NSI cases were reported during the study period. Overall incidence was 2.6 cases per 100 FTE employees per year, with the highest rate occurring in interns (17.7 cases per 100 FTE interns per year). Some 34% of cases occurred in the ward, needles were the most common device causing injury (73%), and the most common circumstance surrounding an NSI was after sharps use and before disposal (24%). CONCLUSION The pattern of NSI occurrence found in this study was comparable to that reported in previous studies. However, the overall incidence of NSIs was significantly lower than that in previous studies, apparently related to underreporting of NSIs. Further research to investigate reasons for this underreporting is recommended. Considering the high incidence of NSIs in interns, in-service training for this group should be enhanced.

Cascade regulation of PPARγ2 and C/EBPα signaling pathways by celastrol impairs adipocyte differentiation and stimulates lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

OBJECTIVE Celastrol, a triterpene from the root bark of the Chinese medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii, has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and insecticidal activities. Also, it has been demonstrated that celastrol has obesity-controlling effects in diet-induced obesity mice. However, direct evidence that celastrol contributes to the development of adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis has not been fully elucidated. Moreover, no previous studies have evaluated whether celastrol may regulate adipogenic transcriptional markers in adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS In order to address the questions above, we extended previous observations and investigated in vitro celastrol signaling study whether celastrol may regulate differentiation, lipolysis and key adipogenic transcriptional pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RESULTS Treatment of celastrol not only inhibited adipocyte differentiation (lipid accumulation, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and triglyceride content) but also increased lipolysis (glycerol release and free fatty acid release) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, all celastrol-regulated functional activities were controlled by PPARγ(2) and C/EBPα signaling pathways in duration of celastrols treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION Our initial data from in vitro celastrol signaling studies suggest novel insights into the role of PPARγ(2) and C/EBPα as probable mediators of the action of celastrol in regulating adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Use of hands-free technique among operating room nurses in the Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND The recently introduced concept of hands-free technique (HFT) currently has no recommendations or formal educational program for use in the Republic of Korea. This study evaluated the level of HFT use and investigated factors related to HFT use among Korean operating room nurses. METHOD Data were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire from 158 operating room nurses in 7 general hospitals in Busan, Republic of Korea, in April and May 2006. The questionnaire elicited information on demographics, exposure to education on HFT, attitude toward the need for HFT, concerns about exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and experience with HTF use. Multilevel multiple logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations was used, and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS We found that 56% of the participants had used HFT, and 50% had received education on HFT. The use of HFT had a significant association with both education on HFT (OR = 12.02; 95% CI = 7.50 to 19.25) and attitude toward the need for HFT (OR = 4.22; 95% CI = 2.43 to 7.35). CONCLUSION Increasing education about HFT could be the most important approach to increasing the use of HFT among Korean operating room nurses. Thus, routine teaching about HFT should be provided to these nurses.

A Study of 3D Virtual Fitting Model of Men's Lower Bodies in Forties by Morphing Technique.

With rapid expansion in e-retailing of apparel business, personalized fitting model service shows the possibility as the differentiated marketing strategy in cyber shopping. According as necessity of personalized fitting model construction rises, it is tried personalized fitting model creation in several fields such as computer engineering, mechanical engineering, information engineering. But, because existent study was concentrated only on human body modeling, it does not reflect average morphological characteristics of human body properly. In this study, we wish to examine if morphing is fit for expressing characteristic of average human body shape and suggest desirable morphing. We used 3-D scan data of 254 Korean middle aged men collected by Size Korea 2004. The result of this study are as follows: Lower body types were categorized by height hip girth and lower drop(hip girth-navel girth) which were main factors of lower body shape. Then each factor was divided into 3 groups respectively, 30% in the middle, over 30%, under 30%. In 27 groups, the group which belonged to 30% in the middle of height, 30% in the middle of hip girth, 30% in the middle of lower drop was selected as a representative group. We tested geometrical figure by differ volume, tilt, position of point. And we created a representative type of men`s lower bodies by morphing the representative group and analyzed it`s horizontal, vertical sections. A representative type which was created by morphing reflected a real body and changed realistically at the part of hip, crotch, calf muscle and so on. A cross sections of a representative type were similar to average cross sections of the representative group in size and shape. So it was proved that morphing was successful.

Targeting MYC as a Therapeutic Intervention for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Context Recent studies showed that transcription of the MYC gene is driven by the interaction of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins with acetylated histones on chromatin. JQ1, a potent inhibitor that effectively disrupts the interaction of BET proteins with acetylated histones, preferentially suppresses transcription of the MYC gene. We recently reported that JQ1 decreased thyroid tumor growth and improved survival in a mouse model of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) by targeting MYC transcription. The role of MYC in human ATC and whether JQ1 can effectively target MYC as a treatment modality have not been elucidated. Objective To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of JQ1, we evaluated its efficacy in human ATC cell lines and xenograft models. Design We determined the effects of JQ1 on proliferation and invasion in cell lines and xenograft tumors. We identified key regulators critical for JQ1-affected proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. Results JQ1 markedly inhibited proliferation of four ATC cell lines by suppression of MYC and elevation of p21and p27 to decrease phosphorylated Rb and delay cell cycle progression from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase. JQ1 blocked cell invasion by attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transition signals. These cell-based studies were further confirmed in xenograft studies in which the size and rate of tumor growth were inhibited by JQ1 via inhibition of p21-cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase-Rb-E2F signaling. Conclusions These results suggest targeting of the MYC protein could be a potential treatment modality for human ATC for which effective treatment options are limited.

Correlation between Intake of Dietary Fiber and Adherence to the Korean National Dietary Guidelines in Adolescents from Jeonju

This study surveyed dietary intake and adherence to the Korean national dietary guidelines in Korean adolescents. To elucidate basic data for use in nutrition education, which aims to improve adolescent compliance with the national dietary guidelines and to increase the intake of dietary fiber, we evaluated the sources of fiber in adolescent diets. This study included 182 male and 212 female students from 2 middle schools in the Jeonju province. From November 15~20, 2011, we surveyed the students for general characteristics, adherence to the Korean national dietary guidelines, and dietary intake. Dietary fiber intake was 16.57 ± 6.95 g/day for male students and 16.14 ± 7.11 g/day for female students. The food groups that contributed most to dietary fiber intake were (in descending order) cereals, vegetables, seasoning, and fruits. The fiber-containing food items consumed most were cabbage- kimchi, cooked rice, instant noodles, and cabbage. Based on adherence to the Korean national dietary guidelines, the vegetable-based intake of dietary fiber in groups 1 (score 15~45), 2 (score 46~52), and 3 (score 53~75) were 4.41 ± 2.595 g/day, 4.12 ± 2.692 g/day, and 5.49 ± 3.157 g/day, respectively (p<0.001). In addition, the total intake of dietary fiber varied significantly among the three groups (p<0.001) as follows: Group 1, 14.99 ± 6.374 g/day; Group 2, 15.32 ± 6.772 g/day; and Group 3, 18.79 ± 7.361 g/day. In this study, we discovered that adherence to the Korean national dietary guidelines correlates with improved intake of dietary fiber. Therefore, marketing and educational development is needed to promote adherence to the Korean national dietary guidelines. In addition, nutritional education is needed to improve dietary fiber consumption through the intake of vegetables and fruits other than kimchi.

AMPK/p53 Axis Is Essential for α-Lipoic Acid-Regulated Metastasis in Human and Mouse Colon Cancer Cells.

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has an anticancer property of lung, cervix, and prostate cancer cells. However, direct evidence that ALA contributes to the development of colon cancer has not been fully elucidated. In addition, no previous studies have evaluated whether ALA may regulate malignant potential, such as adhesion, invasion, and colony formation of colon cancer cells. To address the aforementioned questions, we conducted in vitro ALA signaling studies using human (HT29) and mouse (MCA38) colon cancer cell lines. We observed that cell proliferation is reduced by ALA administration in a dose-dependent manner in human and mouse colon cancer cell lines. Specifically, 0.5 to 1 mM concentration of ALA significantly decreased cell proliferation when compared with control. Similarly, we found that ALA downregulates adhesion, invasion, and colony formation. Finally, we observed that ALA activates p53 and AMPK signaling pathways in human and mouse colon cancer cells. We found for the first time that ALA suppresses cell proliferation and malignant potential via p53 and AMPK signaling pathways in human and mouse colon cancer cells. These new and early mechanistic studies provide a causal role of ALA in colon cancer, suggesting that ALA might be a useful agent in the management or chemoprevention of colon cancer.

Preparation of Nafion/Poly(ether(amino sulfone)) acid-base blend polymer electrolyte membranes and their application to DMFC

AbstractNafion/poly(ether(amino sulfone)) (PEAS) acid-base blend polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared by the solution blend method that used a homogeneous mixing of Nafion and PEAS for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The dependence of the membrane proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and water-uptake properties on the extent of the substitution of PEAS and on the PEAS content were investigated. The increase in the amine groups of the PEAS and the contents of the PEAS in the blend membranes resulted in decreased water uptake and methanol permeability. Also, all the composite membranes showed the higher selectivity (the proton conductivity to methanol permeability ratio) than the Nafion membrane. The cross-linked Nafion/PEAS membrane showed significantly lowered methanol permeability, which could make them candidates for DMFCs. The performance of the DMFC with the Nafion/PEAS blend membranes was found to be higher than those using Nafion 115 membranes at high methanol concentrations.

Organic‐Inorganic Nanocomposite Membranes as High Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes for a Direct Dimethyl Ether Fuel Cell Application

Abstract Nafion/poly(phenylmethyl silsequioxane) (PPSQ)/calcium hydroxyphosphate (CHP) and Nafion/PPSQ composite membranes are fabricated using homogeneous dispersive mixing and a solvent casting method for direct dimethyl ether fuel cell (DDMEFC) applications for use above 100°C. The recast composite membranes were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetry (TGA). The results showed that PPSQ and CHP are compatible with the Nafion membrane and improve the initial degradation temperature of the Nafion membrane. In addition, the crystallinity calculated by a Gaussian peak deconvolution technique increases as the PPSQ and CHP increase in composite membranes. This composite membrane showed less fuel crossover compared to both the recast Nafion membrane and Nafion 115. This is likely to be due to the high crystallinity and low water uptake content in the composite membranes. On the other hand, the fuel crossover of the composite membrane impregnating CHP increased as the CHP content increased. This is related to the hydrophilic character of CHP. In addition, the proton conductivity of the composite membranes containing PPSQ and CHP appeared to be higher that of the Nafion membrane at a high temperature. Nafion/PPSQ/CHP and Nafion/PPSQ composite membranes showed better cell performances compared to Nafion 115 at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 120°C and at pressures from 1 atm to 2 atm.