Suppression of Foxo3-Gatm by miR-132-3p Accelerates Cyst Formation by Up-Regulating ROS in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

( Seonju Choi ),( Do Yeon Kim ),( Yejin Ahn ),( Eun Ji Lee ),( Jong Hoon Park ) 한국응용약물학회 2021 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.29 No.3

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with the development of various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress that lead to such diseases like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) remain unclear. Here, we observed that oxidative stress markers were increased in Pkd1^f/f:HoxB7-Cre mice. Forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FOXOs) are known key regulators of the oxidative stress response, which have been observed with the expression of FoxO3a in an ADPKD mouse model in the present study. An integrated analysis of two datasets for differentially expressed miRNA, such as miRNA sequencing analysis of Pkd1 conditional knockout mice and microarray analysis of samples from ADPKD patients, showed that miR-132-3p was a key regulator of FOXO3a in ADPKD. miR-132-3p was significantly upregulated in ADPKD which directly targeted FOXO3 in both mouse and human cell lines. Interestingly, the mitochondrial gene Gatm was downregulated in ADPKD which led to a decreased inhibition of Foxo3. Overexpression of miR-132-3p coupled with knockdown of Foxo3 and Gatm increased ROS and accelerated cyst formation in 3D culture. This study reveals a novel mechanism involving miR-132-3p, Foxo3, and Gatm that is associated with the oxidative stress that occurs during cystogenesis in ADPKD.

Geospatial Analysis of Age-specific SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Patterns in Households, Korea

Seonju Yi,Young-Man Kim,최영준,Seonhee Ahn,Sohee Han,Young-Joon Park 대한의학회 2021 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.36 No.8

We constructed an age-to-age infection matrix to characterize the household transmission pattern of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea. Among 4,048 household clusters, within-age group infection dominated the overall household transmissions. Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was more common from adults to children than from children to adults.

SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Breakthrough Infection and Onward Secondary Transmission in Household

Yi Seonju,Kim Jong Mu,최영준,Hong Sujin,Choi Siwon,Ahn Seong Bae,Kim Miya,Park Young-Joon 대한의학회 2022 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.37 No.1

Background: Despite the extraordinary speed of mass vaccination efforts, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant in a vaccinee with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine was identified in an adult day service center (ADSC) of Jeju, South Korea. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic features in infection-vulnerable facilities with a high vaccination rate of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The second was to estimate the secondary transmission prevention effect of the vaccine in the household members by vaccination status. Methods: We included all ADSC participants, staff and their household members. All COVID-19 infected cases were confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We calculated attack rate in ADSC and the secondary attack rate (SAR) in household members by vaccination status. Results: Among a total of 42 participants and 16 staff, of which 96.6% were fully vaccinated with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, 12 symptomatic cases and 13 asymptomatic confirmed cases of COVID-19 were found. The attack rate was 43.1%, with 13 isolates identified as SARS-CoV-2 virus, delta variant. The SAR in unvaccinated and partially vaccinated household members were 27.8% (5/18) and 25.0% (5/20), respectively, while the SAR in fully vaccinated household members was 12.5% (1/8). Conclusion: We describe a SARS-CoV-2 delta variant outbreak in ADSC with high vaccine coverage rate, characterized by high infection rate, high transmissibility, and low clinical severity. The outbreak proceeded to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated household members, emphasizing the need for immunizing close contacts of high-risk groups.

Chemical Changes and Impact on Collagen Synthesis in Dermal Fibroblasts by Steam-Processed Tremella fuciformis (White Jelly Mushroom)

Sangah PARK,Sungeun AHN,SeonJu PARK,Ki Hwan JO,Byung-Hun UM 한국생물공학회 2023 한국생물공학회 학술대회 Vol.2023 No.10

Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture Treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Focused on Recent Randomized-Controlled Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jin-Sol Yoon,Joonyong Noh,Seonju Ahn,Yun-Gwon Seon,Hong-Wook Choi,Sun-Joong Kim,Jae-Uk Sul,Jae-Hong Kim 대한침구의학회 2023 대한침구의학회지 Vol.40 No.3

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture and electroacupuncture for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). We searched 11 databases to find randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2018 and January 2023 that used acupuncture and electroacupuncture to treat patients with TMD. We performed a meta-analysis of 18 RCTs involving 1,109 patients. Nine studies reported that the treatment and control groups showed improvement in the evaluation index post-treatment. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the treatment groups receiving acupuncture combined with manual therapy had significantly improved visual analog scale score and dysfunction index than the control groups receiving manual therapy. Moreover, the treatment groups receiving acupuncture combined with Western medicine had statistically improved maximum mouth opening than the control groups using Western medicine. In conclusion, acupuncture and electroacupuncture have clinical effects on TMD patients. Given that 11 studies were obtained from the Chinese database, a regional bias would be considered. Furthermore, the included studies had high a risk of bias in terms of randomization, concealment, and blinding. Further studies are required to correct these limitations.

A chemical compound from fruit extract of <i>Juglans mandshurica</i> inhibits melanogenesis through p-ERK-associated MITF degradation

Kim, Ji Young,Lee, Eun Jung,Ahn, Yuri,Park, SeonJu,Kim, Seung Hyun,Oh, Sang Ho Elsevier 2019 Phytomedicine Vol.57 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Background</B></P> <P>Trials for regulation of abnormal hyperpigmentation from the use of natural products have been going on for years. Leaf and root extracts from <I>Juglans mandshurica</I> are reported to function as antioxidants and to suppress allergic dermatitis. However, studies evaluating its fruit extract and the chemical compounds from the fruit extract are lacking in dermatology fields, including melanogenesis.</P> <P><B>Purpose</B></P> <P>The aim of this study is to understand the effect of the fruit extract from <I>J. mandshurica</I> on pigmentation and to search for specific chemical compounds that affect melanogenesis.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>After screening out any anti-melanotic effects of the fruit extract from <I>J. mandshurica</I> in B16F10 melanoma cells, three major phenolic compounds isolated from the fruit extract were tested by western blot analysis for expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase. Their effect on B16F10 melanoma cells with regard to melanogenesis was also confirmed in primary human epidermal melanocytes (PHEMs). PD98059 was tested to observe the compounds’ signaling role in the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)-pathway.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>Fruit extract from <I>J. mandshurica</I> showed anti-melanotic effects in B16F10 melanoma cells. After chemical compounds were isolated from the fruit extracts, three phenolic compounds were evaluated for anti-melanotic effects. 2-[4-(3-<I>hydroxypropyl</I>)-2-<I>methoxyphenoxy</I>]-1,3-propanediol (compound 1) showed the highest suppression effect among the three compounds. In B16F10 melanoma cells and PHEMs, reduced melanin contents were observed after treatment with the compound (1). Experiments using a blocker of ERK showed that the inhibitory effect of the compound (1) on melanogenesis was dependent on ERK-associated MITF degradation.</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>A chemical constituent of <I>Juglans mandshurica</I> Maxim. induces an inhibitory mechanism to melanogenesis. It has the potential to become a whitening agent in the medical field, though this requires further clinical investigation.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Systematic structure control of ammonium iodide salts as feasible UCST-type forward osmosis draw solutes for the treatment of wastewater

Park, Jeongseon,Joo, Heeyoung,Noh, Minwoo,Namkoong, Yon,Lee, Seonju,Jung, Kyung Hwa,Ahn, Hye Ryun,Kim, Seulah,Lee, Jong-Chan,Yoon, Jae Hoon,Lee, Yan The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for e Vol.6 No.3

<P>A variety of UCST-type thermoresponsive ammonium iodide salts is systematically designed and synthesised with desired aqueous solubility, phase-transition temperature, osmolality change, phase-transition concentration range, stability, and toxicity by controlling the ionic interactions, hydrophobicity, and symmetry of the salt structure. Suitable draw solutes can be selected based on the characteristics of the ammonium iodide salts as well as the feed solutions for feasible forward osmosis (FO)-based water purification. In this research, highly concentrated wastewater from a flue gas desulfuriser (FGD), with osmotic pressure three times higher than seawater, is targeted for purification by FO using the draw solutes. Two ammonium iodide salts (HM8I and HM10I) show a remarkable water flux from the wastewater samples and significantly lower salt leakage compared to conventional draw solutes. The osmolality of the phase-separated draw solution drops to less than one tenth of that of the initial feed solution, and reverse osmosis or nanofiltration can be applied to the solution with much lower external pressure for the final purification to produce fresh water. This systematic approach to the design and selection of suitable draw solutes can be an effective strategy for future practical FO-based wastewater treatment and seawater desalination.</P>

Recent progress in development and applications of second near? infrared (NIR-II) nanoprobes

Jongyoon Shinn,Sunyoung Lee,Hyon Kyong Lee,Jaeeun Ahn,Seon Ah Lee,Seonju Lee,이용현 대한약학회 2021 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.44 No.2

Optical probes for near-infrared (NIR) lighthave clear advantages over UV/VIS-based optical probes,such as their low levels of interfering auto-fl uorescenceand high tissue penetration. The second NIR (NIR-II) window(1000−1350 nm) off ers better light penetration, lowerbackground signal, higher safety limit, and higher maximumpermitted exposure than the fi rst NIR (NIR-I) window(650−950 nm). Therefore, NIR-II laser–based photoacoustic(PA) and fl uorescence (FL) imaging can off er higher sensitivityand penetration depth than was previously available,and deeper lesions can be treated in vivo by photothermaltherapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with anNIR-II laser than with an NIR-I laser. Advances in creationof novel nanomaterials have increased options for improvinglight-induced bioimaging and treatment. Nanotechnologycan provide advantages such as good disease targetingability and relatively long circulation times to supplementthe advantages of optical technologies. In this review, wepresent recent progress in development and applications ofNIR-II light–based nanoplatforms for FL, PA, image-guidedsurgery, PDT, and PTT. We also discuss recent advances insmart NIR-II nanoprobes that can respond to stimuli in thetumor microenvironment and infl amed sites. Finally, we considerthe challenges involved in using NIR-II nanomedicinefor eff ective diagnosis and treatment.

천리안해양위성 연속자료 구축을 위한 GOCI-II 임무 초기 주요 해색산출물의 GOCI 자료와 비교 분석

박명숙 ( Myung-sook Park ),정한철 ( Hahn Chul Jung ),이선주 ( Seonju Lee ),안재현 ( Jae-hyun Ahn ),배수정 ( Sujung Bae ),최종국 ( Jong-kuk Choi ) 대한원격탐사학회 2021 大韓遠隔探査學會誌 Vol.37 No.5

최근 GOCI-II 위성이 발사되면서 우리나라는 세계 최초로 약 20년 동안 정지궤도상에 있는 천리안 해양위성 시리즈(GOCI, GOCI-II)를 운용하게 되었다. 본 연구에서는 GOCI-II 주요 해색산출물인 엽록소-a 농도(Chl-a), 유색용존유기물(CDOM), 원격반사도(R_rs)를 GOCI 자료와 비교 분석하여, 위성 임무초기 산출물의 현황을 파악하고 향후 천리안 해양위성 시리즈 데이터 구축을 위한 알고리즘 개선 방향을 논의한다. 2020년 황해, 남해, 울릉분지에서 GOCI-II의 엽록소-a 농도의 공간적인 분포는 GOCI 뿐 아니라 MODIS와도 잘 일치한다(상관계수: 0.83 이상). 특히, 여름철 울릉 분지 영역에서는GOCI와GOCI-II 자료의 엽록소-a 농도는 RMSE도 낮으며(~0.08), 편향성(Systematic Bias)도 거의 없었다. 선택된 모든 영역에서 490 nm와 555 nm 원격반사도는 GOCI와 GOCI-II 간 불확도가 낮고, 유사한 경향성이 나타났다. 그러나, 남해와 황해의 443 nm 원격반사도의 경우 GOCI-II가 GOCI에 비해 과소추정하여, 엽록소-a 농도와 유색용존유기물의 과다추정을 유도한다. 또한, 660 nm 원격반사도의 경우에도 systematic bias가 나타나 총부유입자 산출물에 영향을 줄 수 있다. 본 연구는 현재 GOCI-II 자료는 기본적으로 GOCI나 MODIS와 잘 일치하고 있어, 해양환경 관측을 위한 기본적인 신뢰도는 확보되었음을 의미한다. 그러나, 향후 GOCI-II 복사보정, 산출물 검보정, 알고리즘 개선으로 자료의 정량적인 정확도를 개선하는 연구가 반드시 필요하며, 이를 기반으로 20년간 천리안 해양위성자료의 일괄적 재처리로 GOCI, GOCI-II 연속성이 보장된 자료를 제공할 수 있다. The recent launch of the GOCI-II enables South Korea to have the world’s first capability in deriving the ocean color data at geostationary satellite orbit for about 20 years. It is necessary to develop a consistent long-term ocean color time-series spanning GOCI to GOCI-II mission and improve the accuracy through validation using in situ data. To assess the GOCI-II’s early mission performance, the objective of this study is to compare the GOCI-II Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), and remote sensing reflectances (R_rs) through comparison with the GOCI data. Overall, the distribution of GOCI-II Chl-a corresponds with that of the GOCI over the Yellow Sea, Korea Strait, and the Ulleung Basin. In particular, a smaller RMSE value (0.07) between GOCI and GOCI-II over the summer Ulleung Basin confirms the GOCI-II data’s reliability. However, despite the excellent correlation, the GOCI-II tends to overestimate Chl-a than the GOCI over the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait. The similar over-estimation bias of the GOCI-II is also notable in CDOM. Whereas no significant bias or error is found for R_rs at 490 nm and 550 nm (RMSE~0), the underestimation of R_rs at 443 nm contributes to the overestimation of GOCI-II Chl-a and CDOM over the Yellow Sea and the Korea Strait. Also, we show over-estimation of GOCI-II R_rs at 660 nm relative to GOCI to cause a possible bias in Total suspended sediment. In conclusion, this study confirms the initial reliability of the GOCI-II ocean color products, and upcoming update of GOCI-II radiometric calibration will lessen the inconsistency between GOCI and GOCI-II ocean color products.