Effect of toluene on RANTES and eotaxin expression through the p38 and JNK pathways in human lung epithelial cells

Kim, Yu-Ri,Kim, In-Kyoung,Seo, Sang-Hui,Lee, Seung-Ho,Lee, Hee-Ra,Pie, Jae-Eun,Kim, Meyoung-Kon The Korean Society of Toxicogenomics and Toxicopro 2010 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.6 No.4

The increasing prevalence and severity of environmental diseases have been attributed the rise in environmental pollutants occurring as a consequence of industrial development. In this study, we examined that underlying mechanisms of toluene in human lung epithelial cells. We selected two genes known to be involved in environmental disease such as RANTES and eotaxin for the present study based on published reports and prior observation. We observed that toluene increased the mRNA and protein levels of RANTES and eotaxin in a dose-dependent manner, together with the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Moreover, the inhibition of p38 MAPK and JNK activation prevented the release of RANTES and eotaxin induced by toluene. The present study is the first to show that toluene exposure induces the expression of RANTES and eotaxin in human bronchial epithelial cells through two distinct MAPKs such as p38 and JNK. Our observations suggest that modulation of the expression of immunerelated chemokines and cytokines may be important factors in development of environmental diseases induced by air pollutants.

Microbial Contamination Levels of Strawberries at Domestic Farms of South Korea

Kim, Won-Il,Jo, A-Ra,Kim, Se-Ri,Ryu, Song Hee,Nam, Ki-Woong,Yoon, Yohan,Yoon, Deok-Hoon,Oh, So-Yong,Nam, Myeong Hyeon,Ryu, Jae-Gee,Kim, Hwang-Yong 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회지 Vol.47 No.6

Foodborne illness due to the consumption of contaminated raw strawberries is a continuing food safety concern. This study investigated and evaluated contamination levels of bacteria on strawberries at farms stage to evaluate potential hazards associated with fresh strawberries. A total of 315 samples, 105 samples from 5 sampling sites (A to E) of 21 farms and 210 samples from 1 sampling site of 6 farms, was collected every month for four months and analyzed to enumerate aerobic bacterial counts, Coliforms/E. coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the prevalence study of five pathogens (S. aureus, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes) was performed on each sample. Aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 0.48 to 6.36 Log CFU/g, with the highest bacterial cell counts recorded for D and E sites. Coliforms were detected in 71 samples (22.5%) with a minimum of 0.48 cfu/g and a maximum of more than 4 Log CFU/g. B. cereus was detected in 98 samples (31.1%) among total samples analyzed. S. aureus was detected in 2 samples with a minimum of 0.48 Log CFU/g and a maximum of 1.38 Log CFU/g. E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were not isolated from any of the samples. The microbial contamination levels of strawberries determined in this study may be used as the fundamental data for microbiological risk assessment.

Conformational Switching on Platinum(II) Coordination Plane Triggered by Oxalate Anion

Kim, Ki-Hyun,Ju, Ri-Ra,Kim, Hae-Jo,Jun, Moo-Jin,Kim, Kwan-Mook Korean Chemical Society 2011 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.32 No.9

Caffeic acid regulates LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation through NIK/IKK and c-Src/ERK signaling pathways in endothelial cells

Kim, So Ra,Jung, Yu Ri,Kim, Dae Hyun,An, Hye Jin,Kim, Mi Kyung,Kim, Nam Deuk,Chung, Hae Young 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.4

The redox sensitive, proinflammatory nuclear transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ plays a key role in inflammation. In a redox state disrupted by oxidative stress, proinflammatory genes are upregulated by the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ via diverse kinases. Thus, the search and characterization of new substances that modulate NF-${\kappa}B$ are topics of considerable research interest. Caffeic acid is a component of garlic, some fruits, and coffee, and is widely used as a phenolic agent in beverages. In the present study, caffeic acid was examined with respect to the modulation of inflammatory NF-${\kappa}B$ activation via the redox-related c-Src/ERK and NIK/IKK pathways via the reduction of oxidative stress. YPEN-1 cells (an endothelial cell line) were used to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of caffeic acid by examining its modulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway by LPS. Our results show that LPS-induced oxidative stress-related NF-${\kappa}B$ activation upregulated pro-inflammatory COX-2, NF-${\kappa}B$ targeting gene which were all inhibited effectively by caffeic acid. Our study shows that caffeic acid inhibits the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ via the c-Src/ERK and NIK/IKK signal transduction pathways. Our results indicate that antioxidative effect of caffeic acid and its restoration of redox balance are responsible for its anti-inflammatory action. Thus, the study provides new information regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of caffeic acid and the roles in the regulation of LPS-induced oxidative stress induces alterations in signal transduction pathways.

Color Analysis of Avatar fashion style from on-line portal sites

Kim, Ri-Ra,Kim, Young-In The Korea Society of Costume 2008 International journal of costume and fashion Vol.8 No.2

The purpose of this study is to classify Avatar fashion style through analysis of on-line Avatar Mall and to propose color pallette and fashion contents from fashion color analysis. The literature research focused on investigating the notion, characters and types of Avatar and relation of Avatar and self-image, clothing image and color image. In data research, 4 on-line portal sites Avatar Malls were analyzed and Avatar fashion style was classified. In addition, Avatar clothing color was analyzed. The research of this study are as follows: Firstly, Avatar in the cyber space represents 'me' of the real states. Avatar fashion helps to represent Avatar Image and clothing makes human image and identity as a social sign. Color helps to constitute clothing impression and human image, therefore clothing and color are the important elements to express self-image through Avatar in the cyber space. Secondly, Avatar Malls of 4 on-line portal sites are very similar and confuse Avatar users because of no standard of fashion style classification. Accordingly, the standard of fashion style classification should be made by a fashion expert, and the specific characters of every on-line portal site should be emphasized. Thirdly, as a result of the analysis of Avatar's clothing, the clothing is divided into a real world clothing and an imaginary world clothing. There are daily clothes, uniform, event clothes, story clothes and fantasy clothes. As a result of the color analysis of Avatar clothing, White, Red, Red Purple colors and bright and vivid tone are generally used for Avatar clothing. This study is significant to classify Avatar fashion style systematically, to notify sensitive and delicate users' sign and to make Avatar fashion image emotional and high-quality.

Primary Gastric Small Cell Carcinoma (Presenting as Linitis Plastica) Diagnosed Using Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy: A Case Report

Ra Ri Cha,Jin Kyu Cho,Wan Soo Kim,Jin Joo Kim,Jae Min Lee,Sang Soo Lee,Hyun Jin Kim 대한소화기내시경학회 2019 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.52 No.3

Small cell carcinomas are the most aggressive, highly malignant neuroendocrine tumors; among these, gastric small cell carcinoma(GSCC) is extremely rare. Here we report a case of a patient with primary GSCC, presenting as linitis plastic, who was diagnosed usingendoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsy. With undiagnosed linitis plastica, an 80-year-old woman was referred to our institution. Abdominal computed tomography revealed irregular wall thickening extending from the gastric body to the antrum. Endoscopysuspected to have Borrmann type IV advanced gastric cancer. EUS of the stomach showed diffuse submucosal thickening of the gastricwall, mainly the antrum. EUS-guided bite-on-bite biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of GSCC. In general, GSCC is diffcult to diagnoseand careful examination is necessary to determine the therapeutic strategy; however, EUS is particularly helpful in the differentialdiagnosis of a lesion presenting as linitis plastica.

Zebrafish as a screening model for testing the permeability of blood-brain barrier to small molecules

Kim, Seong Soon,Im, So Hee,Yang, Jung Yoon,Lee, Yu-Ri,Kim, Geum Ran,Chae, Jin Sil,Shin, Dae-Seop,Song, Jin Sook,Ahn, Sunjoo,Lee, Hoi,Woo, Jae Chun,Ahn, Jin Hee,Yun, Chang Soo,Kim, Phiho,Kim, Hyoung Ra JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF XENOBIOTICS 2019 DRUG METABOLISM AND PHARMACOKINETICS Vol.34 No.1

Self-reported Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity in the Korean Population: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics

Ra Ri Cha,Jeong Hwan Kim,Hoon Sup Koo,Kee Wook Jung,Yang Won Min,Chang Hwan Choi,Han Seung Ryu,Yong Hwan Kwon,Dae Hyeon Cho,Joong Goo Kwon,Kyung Sik Park,Hyun Jin Kim 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.2

Background/AimsNon-celiac gluten sensitivity is characterized by intestinal and extra intestinal symptoms associated with the consumption of gluten-containing food. Since biomarkers for non-celiac gluten sensitivity are lacking, its prevalence is estimated based on self-reported symptoms. However, no data exist on self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity in the Korean population. Thus, we aim to investigate the prevalence of self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity in the Korean population and to determine its demographic and clinical characteristics. MethodsThis study surveyed Korean participants aged 18-80 years who visited gastroenterology outpatient clinics at 9 tertiary hospitals in South Korea from January 2016 to February 2017. They were questioned regarding symptoms related to gluten ingestion: degree of discomfort (visual analog scale score), frequency, time of symptom onset, and duration. Abdominal discomfort caused by 11 different kinds of gluten-containing Korean food items was investigated. ResultsMore non-celiac gluten sensitivity self-reporters were identified among those with irritable bowel syndrome (33.6%) than among controls (5.8%). Major gastrointestinal symptoms included bloating (75.0%), abdominal discomfort (71.3%), and belching (45.0%). Common extra-intestinal symptoms included fatigue (20.0%) and headache (13.7%). More than half of those who self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity (66.3%) developed symptoms within 1 hour of food ingestion, and symptoms were localized in the upper abdomen (37.5%) and entire abdomen (30.0%). ConclusionOur findings suggest that if there are gluten-related symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome, the possibility of accompanying non-celiac gluten sensitivity should be considered.

Isolation and Culture Properties of a Thermophilic Agarase-Producing Strain, Microbulbifer sp. SD-1

Kim, Do-Kyun,Jang, Yu-Ri,Kim, Kyoung-Hoon,Lee, Mi-Nan,Kim, A-Ra,Jo, Eun-Ji,Byun, Tae-Hwan,Jeong, Eun-Tak,Kwon, Hyun-Ju,Kim, Byung-Woo,Lee, Eun-Woo The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Scienc 2011 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Vol.14 No.3

An agar-degrading enzyme-producing strain was isolated from seawater. The isolate was identified as Microbulbifer sp. SD-1 by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. The optimal pH and temperature for growth were 6.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively, and growth was possible at pH 9.0 and $60^{\circ}C$. The isolate required 5% NaCl for optimal growth and showed 45% growth activity without NaCl. Agar concentrations of 0-0.4% in the medium did not affect growth. Thin-layer chromatography analysis revealed that this strain could degrade agar into a monosaccharide and oligosaccharide, which may have industrial applications.

상부위장관 상피하병변 환자에서 상피하종양과 위장관기질종양의 예측인자

차라리 ( Ra Ri Cha ),오혜원 ( Hye Won Oh ),유현선 ( Hyun Seon Yoo ),홍정우 ( Jeong Woo Hong ),이상수 ( Sang Soo Lee ),김홍준 ( Hong Jun Kim ),하창윤 ( Chang Yoon Ha ),김현진 ( Hyun Jin Kim ),김태효 ( Tae Hyo Kim ),이옥재 ( Ok Jae 대한소화기학회 2014 대한소화기학회지 Vol.64 No.4

목적: 위장관 상피하병변에서 종양성 병변을 비종양성 병변으로부터 감별하는 것은 환자의 적절한 치료에 매우 중요하다. 저자들은 상부위장관 상피하병변 환자에서 종양성 상피하병변을 감별할 수 있는 예측인자를 알아보고자 이 연구를 수행하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2008년 1월부터 2013년 6월까지 경상대학교병원에서 상부위장관 상피하병변에 대해 EUS를 시행한 527예의 의무기록을 후향적으로 검토하여, 내시경적 또는 수술적 절제를 통하여 조직학적 확진이 가능했던 환자 84예를 선정하고, 종양 및 비종양성 상피하병변으로 분류하여 특성을 비교 분석하였다. 결과: 조직학적으로 확인된 84예의 상피하병변 중 상피하종양이 64예(76.2%), 비종양성 상피하병변은 20예(23.8%)였다. 상피하종양은 GIST (42.9%)와 평활근종(19.0%)이 가장 많았다. 성별(p=0.195), 병변의 크기(p=0.266), 에코상(p=0.051)은 상피하종양군과 비종양성병변군 사이에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 비종양성 상피하병변군에 비하여 상피하종양군의 평균연령 (p=0.047), 호발연령대(p=0.047) 및 50세 이상 환자의 비율 (p=0.015)이 높았으며, 고유근층 기원(79.7%)이 많았다. (p=0.001). 상피하종양 중, GIST는 평활근종보다 환자의 평균연령이 높고(57.7세 vs. 47.0세, p=0.049), 50세 이상 (p=0.016), 종양의 위체부 위치(p<0.001), 고유근층 기원 (p=0.003)이 많았다. 다변량분석에서 환자의 연령(≥50세), 종양의 크기(≥30 mm), 고유근층기원이 점막하종양의 독립적인 예측인자였고, 평활근종과 GIST의 감별인자는 찾을 수 없었다. 결론: 상부위장관 상피하병변으로 50세 이상, 30 mm 이상, 고유근층 기원이 상피하종양의 독립적인 예측인자였으며, 평활근종과 감별할 수 있는 GIST의 예측인자는 없으므로 고유근층 기원의 위 상피하종양은 GIST의 가능성을 고려하여 적극적인 치료 및 철저한 추적관찰이 필요하다. Background/Aims: Differentiating subepithelial tumor (SET) from non-neoplastic gastrointestinal subepithelial lesion (SEL) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) from leiomyoma are very important for proper management. This study was conducted to analyze factors that could predict the presence of SET and GIST in patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) SELs. Methods: A total of 527 patients were diagnosed with UGI SELs endosonographically at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 2008 to June 2013. Among these patients, histologic diagnosis was made in 84 patients. Data were collected by retrospectively reviewing the medical records. Variables that could differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic SELs and GIST from leiomyoma were analyzed. Results: Among 84 patients with SELs, 64 (76.2%) had SETs including GIST (42.9%) and leiomyoma (19.0%). The patients` mean age (p=0.047), peak age distribution (p=0.047), proportions of patient ≥50 years (p=0.015), and number of proper muscle-originated lesions (p=0.001) were higher in neoplastic than non-neoplastic group. There were no significant differences in gender (p=0.195), size (p=0.266) and echogenicity (p=0.051) of the lesions. Older age (57.7 vs. 47.0 years, p=0.049), age ≥50 years (p=0.016), location in gastric body (p<0.001), and proper muscle origin (p=0.003) were significantly related to the presence of GIST compared to leiomyoma. Multiple regression analysis showed that the patients` age ≥50 years, size ≥30 mm, and proper muscle-origin of lesion were independent predictors of SET; however, there were no predictive factors that could differentiate GIST from leiomyoma. Conclusions: In patients with SEL, the possibility of having SET should be considered for patients ≥50 years with UGI SELs ≥30 mm that arise from the proper muscle. Thorough monitoring and aggressive management is warranted for those with gastric muscular SET since factors predictive of GIST are lacking. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2014;64:189-197)