Medicinal Chemistry : RESEARCH ARTICLE ; Cytotoxic 5α, 8α-epidioxy sterols from the marine sponge Monnanchora sp

( Bora Mun ),( Wei Hong Wang ),( Hi Young Kim ),( Dong Yup Hahn ),( In Ho Yang ),( Dong Hwan Won ),( Eun Hee Kim ),( Ji Hye Lee ),( Chul Kyeong Han ),( Hyun Ji Kim ),( Merrick Ekins ),( Sang Jip Nam ) 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2015 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.25 No.-

Three new sterols, 5α, 8α-epidioxy-24-norcho-lesta-6.9(11), 22-trien-3β-ol (1), 5α, 8α-epidioxy-cholesta-6.9(11), 24-trien-3β, 25-diol (3), with four known sterols (4-7) were isolated from a marine sponge Monanchora sp, Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectro-scopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 3-7 showed moderate cytotoxicity against several human carcinoma cell lines including renal (A-498), pancreatic (PANC-1 and MLA paCa-2), and colorectal (HCT 116) cancer cell lines.

Alterations in the Swallowing Function According to the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Mun Bora,송민근,양형채,Choi In Sung 대한연하장애학회 2022 대한연하장애학회지 Vol.12 No.1

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that can have a significant impact on the quality of life. According to recent studies, some OSAS patients exhibit swallowing abnormalities, such as the premature entry of food into the hypopharynx, and laryngeal penetration. We aimed to evaluate the swallowing function of OSAS patients and compare swallowing-related parameters between OSAS severity groups through a video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Methods: Ninety-two participants with a symptom of snoring were enrolled in this retrospective study. Eighty-four participants were diagnosed with OSAS by polysomnography. The subjects were evaluated using the apnea-hypo-pnea index (AHI) and divided into four groups, namely non-OSAS, mild, moderate, and severe OSAS. Since all pa-tients reported choking symptoms, they underwent VFSS and were evaluated for penetration or aspiration. The tem-poral parameters evaluated were oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time, and pharyngeal delay time. The move-ment parameters assessed were the distance, duration, and velocity of laryngeal elevation (LE). Results: Penetration was detected in six OSAS patients, but aspiration was not observed in any patient. Seventy-four patients showed vallecular and pyriform sinus residue, although the amount was not significantly large. There was no significant difference in any of the temporal parameters between the groups except pharyngeal transit time with 10 ml of yogurt. In the Pearson’s correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis, LE distance and LE veloc-ity, both correlated with AHI scores with 5 ml of liquid, 10 ml of liquid, and 10 ml of yogurt, respectively. Conclusion: Severe OSAS patients showed longer and faster hyolaryngeal movement while swallowing, which may be a compensatory movement to prevent penetration or aspiration.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment Regardless of APOE ε4 Status

Mun Ye Sol,Park Hee Kyung,Kim Jihee,Yeom Jiyoung,김건하,Chun Min Young,Lee Hye Ah,윤수진,Park Kyung Won,Kim Eun-Joo,Yoon Bora,장재원,홍진용,최성혜,정지향 대한치매학회 2022 Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders Vol.21 No.1

Background and Purpose: In this study we aimed to find the association between neuropsychological performance and body mass index (BMI) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition, we investigated the effects of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in the relationship between the BMI and cognition in MCI. Methods: We enrolled a cohort of 3,038 subjects with MCI aged 65–90 from the Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea and a dementia cohort of the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. MCI patients were classified into three subgroups according to the Asian standard of BMI. We compared cognitive performances between groups by one-way analysis of variance. To investigate the effects of the APOE genotype, we used multivariate linear regression models after adjusting for possible confounders. Results: Even though normal BMI groups were younger, had more females, and had less comorbidities, the higher BMI groups had better cognitive functions. Among subjects with APOE ε4 carriers, there was a positive relationship between the BMI and the memory task alone. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that higher BMI in patients with MCI were associated with better cognitive performance. The effects of the APOE ε4 genotype in the associations between BMI and cognition were distinguishing. Therefore, according to physical status, APOE ε4 genotype-specific strategies in the assessments and treatments may be necessary in elderly patients with MCI.

Solventless esterification of fatty acids with trimethylolpropane using sulfonated amorphous carbons derived from wood powder

Mun, Dasom,Vo, Anh Thi Hoang,Kim, Bora,Shul, Yong-Gun,Cho, Jin Ku ELSEVIER 2017 CATALYSIS COMMUNICATIONS Vol.96 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Polyolesters synthesized by an esterification between polyols and fatty acids are value-added oleochemicals widely used as lubricants, cosmetics, and food additives among other applications. However, homogeneous acid catalysts are still preferred in their industrial production, despite their associated energy cost and the environmental issues that they present. In this paper, we describe lignocellulose-derived amorphous carbons with a high loading level of SO<SUB>3</SUB>H and their application to the synthesis of polyolesters as a biobased heterogeneous acid catalyst. These sulfonated amorphous carbons could be readily prepared via (i) heat treatment at 400°C for 1h and (ii) sulfonation with chlorosulfuric acid. XRD and BET analyses demonstrated that these carbonaceous materials were not crystalline but were amorphous structures with a low surface area. The attachment of SO<SUB>3</SUB>H groups was confirmed by FT-IR and XPS, and the loading level of SO<SUB>3</SUB>H was determined by CHNS elemental analysis. Chlorosulfuric acid gave a higher loading level of SO<SUB>3</SUB>H than other sulfating agents, such as <I>conc.</I> sulfuric acid and <I>fuming</I> sulfuric acid. The higher SO<SUB>3</SUB>H-loaded amorphous carbons exhibited a greater catalytic activity for esterification between trimethylolpropane and fatty acids under solventless conditions. Esterification of oleic acid derived from vegetable oil with trimethylolpropane using this catalyst afforded the desired biolubricant at over 93% yield in 3h. The sulfonated amorphous carbons could be reused three times without any significant loss of catalytic activity.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Solventless esterification of fatty acids with polyol was performed. </LI> <LI> Sulfonated amorphous carbons were derived from wood powder. </LI> <LI> Chlorosulfuric acid was the most effective sulfonating agent. </LI> <LI> The higher SO<SUB>3</SUB>H-loading levels showed a greater catalytic activity. </LI> <LI> The esterification of oleic acid afforded the biolubricant in over 93% yield. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Bioactive Sesterterpenoids from a Korean Sponge <i>Monanchora</i> sp.

Wang, Weihong,Mun, Bora,Lee, Yehee,Venkat Reddy, Mallepally,Park, Youngmin,Lee, Jihye,Kim, Hiyoung,Hahn, Dongyup,Chin, Jungwook,Ekins, Merrick,Nam, Sang-Jip,Kang, Heonjoong American Chemical Society and American Society of 2013 Journal of natural products Vol.76 No.2

<P>Chemical investigation of a Korean marine sponge, <I>Monanchora</I> sp., yielded nine new sesterterpenoids (<B>1</B>–<B>9</B>) along with phorbaketals A–C (<B>10</B>–<B>12</B>). The planar structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS analysis, and the absolute configurations of <B>1</B>–<B>9</B> were defined using the modified Mosher’s method and CD spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds <B>1</B>–<B>8</B>, designated as phorbaketals D–K, possess a spiroketal-modified benzopyran moiety such as phorbaketal A, and their structural variations are due to oxidation and/or reduction of the tricyclic core or the side chain. Compound <B>9</B>, designated as phorbin A, has a monocyclic structure and is proposed to be a possible biogenetic precursor of the phorbaketals. Compounds <B>1</B>–<B>9</B> were evaluated for cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (A498, ACHN, MIA-paca, and PANC-1), and a few of them were found to exhibit cytotoxic activity.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jnprdf/2013/jnprdf.2013.76.issue-2/np300573m/production/images/medium/np-2012-00573m_0006.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/np300573m'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

First Report of Six Trichoderma Species Isolated from Freshwater Environment in Korea

( Jaeduk Goh ),( Bora Nam ),( Jae Sung Lee ),( Hye Yeon Mun ),( Yoosun Oh ),( Hyang Burm Lee ),( Namil Chung ),( Young-joon Choi ) 한국균학회 2018 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.46 No.3

Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae) is one of the most ubiquitous genera worldwide. This genus has an excellent ability to adapt to diverse environments, even under poor nutritional conditions, such as in freshwater. However, little is known about the diversity of Trichoderma species in freshwater environments. In this study, we isolated diverse fungal strains from algae, plant litter, and soil sediment in streams in Korea. The strains were identified based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and translation elongation factor 1 (TEF1α) sequences. We also investigated their morphological characteristics by microscopic observation and determination of cultural features on different media. As a result, six Trichoderma species were found in Korea: T. afroharzianum, T. capillare, T. guizhouense, T. paraviridescens, T. reesei, and T. saturnisporum. Interestingly, T. paraviridescens showed both cellulose activity and hypoxia stress tolerance phenotypes, indicating its role as a decomposer in freshwater ecosystems. Our study revealed that freshwater environment could be a good candidate for investigating the species diversity of Trichoderma.

Cytotoxic scalarane sesterterpenes from a Korean marine sponge Psammocinia sp.

( Dongyup Hahn ),( Dong Hwan ),( Bora Mun ),( Hiyoung Kim ),( Chulkyeong Han ),( Weihong Wang ),( Taeho Chun ),( Sunhee Park ),( Dajeong Yoon ),( Hyukjae Choi ),( Sang Jip Nam ),( Merrick Ekins ),( Ju 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2013 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.23 No.0

Three novel scalarane sesterterpenes were isolated from a Korean marine sponge, Psammocinia sp., along with four known derivatives. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS and IR spectroscopic data. The three new compounds are 12-deacetoxy-23-hydroxyscalaradial (1), 12-dehydroxy-23-hydroxyhyrtiolide (2) and 12-O-acetyl-16-deacetoxy-23-acetoxyscalarafuran (3), respectively, and the four known compounds are 12-deacetoxy-23-hydroxyheteronemin (4), 12-deacetoxy-23-acetoxy-19-O-acetylscalarin (5), 12-deacetoxy-23-O-acetoxyheteronemin (6) and 12-deacetoxyscalaradial (7). They exhibited cytotoxicity against intractable human cancer cell lines A498, ACHN, MIA-paca and PANC-1, with an IC50 range of 0.4-48 μM. ⓒ2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserves.

무릎 신전 제한형 보조기 착용이 보행 시 하지 내 협응에 미치는 영향

장윤희(Yoonhee Chang),정보라(Bora Jeong),강성재(Sungjae Kang),류제청(Jeicheong Ryu),김규석(Gyu Seok Kim),문무성(Museong Mun),고창용(Chang-Yong Ko) 한국재활복지공학회 2016 재활복지공학회논문지 Vol.10 No.3

본 연구의 목적은 무릎 신전 제한형 보조기 착용 후 보행시 하지 내 협응에 미치는 영향을 평가하는 하는 것이다. 본 연구에는 7명의 건강한 성인 남성(32.3±2.7 세, 175.2±3.8cm, 76.2±8.7kg)이 참여하였다. 이들은 무릎보조기를 착용하거나 착용하지 않고 10m의 평지를 보행하였다. 이때 시공간적 파라미터, 하지의 각도, 하지 내 연속상대위상(CRP)를 측정 및 계산하였다. 그 결과 시공간적 요인은 차이가 없었다 (all p > 0.05). 무릎보조기 착용 시 엉덩관절의 가동범위 및 각도 변화는 없었으나, 무릎관절의 가동범위는 감소하였으며 (65.5±3.7° vs. 60.5±3.5°, p < 0.05), 최대 굴곡 역시 감소하였다 (입각기: 31.9±4.6 vs. 25.6±5.5, 유각기: 76.7±3.1 vs. 68.9±3.4, all p < 0.05). 발목관절의 가동범위는 변화가 없었으나, 최대 배측굴곡 (22.4±2.6 vs. 19.2±2.1, p< 0.05)은 감소하였으며, 최대 족저굴곡이 증가하였다 (9.5±3.0 vs. 15.7±2.2, p<0.05). 대부분의 CRP는 차이가 없었으며, 유각기 엉덩관절과 무릎관절 사이의 CRP만 감소하였다 (93.0±7.8 vs, 84.7±4.9, p < 0.05). CRP의 표준편차는 대부분 증가하였다 (유각기 엉덩관절과 무릎관절사이: 25.1±6.7 vs. 32.4±1.9, 입각기 무릎관절과 발목관절사이: 46.0±12.9 vs. 80.1±31.1, 유각기 무릎관절과 발목관절 사이: 34.5±4.1 vs. 37.6± 3.1, all p < 0.05). 이와 같은 결과로부터 무릎 신전 제한형 보조기 착용은 관절의 각도, 하지 내 협응에는 영향을 미치지만, 보행특성에는 큰 영향을 미치는 않는다는 것을 확인하였다. The aim of this study was to evaluate Influence on intra-limb coordination in individuals wearing knee brace during walking. Seven healthy male adults (32.3±2.7 years old, 175.2±3.8cm, 76.2±8.7kg) participated. They wore knee brace or didn`t wear any knee brace and were asked to walk along a 10 m long walkway. Spatiotemporal parameters, angles of the lower limbs, and intra-limb continuous relative phase (CRP) were measured and calculated. No differences of spatiotemporal parameters were shown (all p > 0.05). There were no changes in the angle and its range of motion (ROM) in the hip for the subjects as wearing knee brace, while ROM (65.5±3.7° vs. 60.5±3.5°, p < 0.05) of the angle and maximum flexion angles (stance: 31.9±4.6 vs. 25.6±5.5, swing: 76.7±3.1 vs. 68.9±3.4, all p < 0.05) in the knee significantly decreased. No changes in ROM of angle in the ankle were shown, whereas maximum dorsiflexion decreased (22.4±2.6 vs. 19.2±2.1, p< 0.05) and maximum plantarflexion increased (9.5±3.0 vs. 15.7±2.2, p<0.05). There were no changes in most of CRP between joints. CRP between the hip and knee joints decreased (93.0±7.8 vs, 84.7±4.9, p < 0.05). Most of CRP standard deviation increased (between the hip and ankle joint during swing: 25.1±6.7 vs. 32.4±1.9, between the knee and ankle joint during stance: 46.0±12.9 vs. 80.1±31.1, between the knee and ankle joint during swing: 34.5±4.1 vs. 37.6±3.1, all p < 0.05). These results indicated that wearing knee brace affected joint angle and intra-limb coordination, but less affected gait features.

Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in human-derived platelets

Jae-Woong Min,Jina Lee,Hui‑Jin Mun,Dae Hoon Kim,Byeong‑Gyu Park,Bora Yoon,Jin‑Hyeob Ryu,Hyun‑Jeong Cho 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: Diagnosis of current Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is difficult even for medical specialists, and there is no clear biomarker. Also, aging is highly related to the onset of AD. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to screen miRNA as an aging-considered biomarker for AD treatment and diagnosis. Methods: The patient group for this study was divided into a young normal, old normal, or AD group. We developed a method of discovering sequentially expressed miRNAs to distinguish miRNAs that were sequentially expressed in the three groups. Results: Sequentially expressed miRNAs correlated highly with the patient’s age, and most showed expression patterns that distinguished young, old, and AD. Specifically, the miRNA expression we found showed similar patterns in the brains of patients with AD. Among the selected miRNAs, one set derived from the same precursor: The expression of miR-150 was a disease- and age-specific downregulation in both 3p and 5p forms, and the precursor also had the same pattern. We named that triple matching. Also, the found miR-150 precursor had AD-specific miRNA-imbalance characteristics. Conclusions: We developed a novel AD diagnostic method using triple matching and miRNA-imbalance. The triple matching and miRNA imbalance-based relative ratio diagnosis method we developed will be very powerful in resolving the challenges of absolute diagnostic quantification based on biomarker expression. Also, our research results suggest the possibility of a treatment target for AD.

Experimental comparison of torque balance controllers for power-assisted wheelchair driving

Heo, Yoon,Hong, Eung-pyo,Chang, Yoon-hee,Jeong, Bora,Mun, Mu-sung ELSEVIER 2018 MEASUREMENT -LONDON- Vol.120 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A power-assisted wheelchair amplifies the user’s propulsion power. If the user’s arm strength is unbalanced, this can affect the driving balance. In order to correct this imbalance, a method of producing an assisting torque by cross-referencing the opposite input torque was developed. One proposed torque balance control scheme involves automatically controlling the cross-reference proportion according to the amplitude ratio of the left and right input torques. However, this scheme cannot improve the driving performance under all conditions because instability is inherent to the user’s propelling torque. To resolve this problem, a new torque balance control method is proposed that considers not only the proportion of input torques but also the temporal difference. This study examined the usefulness of the proposed torque balance control method based on the temporal difference through a comparison with the existing method via a driving simulation and experiment.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Power-assisted wheelchairs are difficult to control with unbalanced input torques. </LI> <LI> New torque balance controller considers the temporal difference between inputs. </LI> <LI> Superior straight/rotation driving performance compared to existing control methods. </LI> </UL> </P>