Suppression of lung inflammation by the methanol extract of <i>Spilanthes acmella</i> Murray is related to differential regulation of NF-κB and Nrf2

Kim, Kyun Ha,Kim, Eun Jung,Kwun, Min Jung,Lee, Ji Yeon,Bach, Tran The,Eum, Sang Mi,Choi, Jun Yong,Cho, Sayeon,Kim, Sang-Jun,Jeong, Seung-Il,Joo, Myungsoo Elsevier 2018 Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol.217 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Ethnopharmacological relevance</B></P> <P>Although <I>Spilanthes acmella</I> has been used to relieve inflammation, fever, pain, or infection in traditional Asian medicine, experimental evidence supporting these functions is scarce. Here, we examined an anti-inflammatory function and a possible underlying mechanism of <I>S. acmella</I> Murray (SAM).</P> <P><B>Materials and method</B></P> <P>The methanol extract of SAM was fingerprinted by HPLC. C57BL/6 mice were administered with a single intratracheal (i.t.) LPS and 2 h later with a single i.t. SAM. The effect of SAM on lung inflammation was assessed by histology, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and MPO assay of lung tissue. The effects of SAM on a pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB and an anti-inflammatory factor Nrf2 were analyzed by immunoblotting of nuclear proteins and by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of mRNA of the genes governed by these transcription factors. V5-Nrf2 was precipitated by an anti-V5 antibody and the ubiquitinated V5-Nrf2 was revealed by immunoblotting of HA-tagged ubiquitin.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>The i.t. SAM robustly diminished a neutrophilic lung inflammation induced by i.t. LPS treatment of mice. In RAW 264.7 cells, SAM suppressed the nuclear localization of NF-κB and the expression of NF-κB-dependent cytokine genes. SAM increased the level of Nrf2 in the nucleus and the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes while suppressing ubiquitination of Nrf2.</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>Our results suggest that SAM can suppress a neutrophilic inflammation in mouse lungs, which is associated with suppressed NF-κB and activated Nrf2. Our results provide experimental evidence supporting the anti-inflammatory function of <I>S. acmella</I>.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Signed-DLMS 적응 알고리즘 이용한 무선 중계 간섭 제거기

유태훈(Tae-Hoon Yoo),우대호(Dae-Ho Woo),김주완(Dae-Ho Woo),하성희(Sung-Hee Ha),반지훈(Ji-Hun Van),이종현(Jong-Hyun Lee) 대한전자공학회 2007 대한전자공학회 학술대회 Vol.2007 No.7

In this paper, we study the signed- DLMS adaptive algorithm of wireless repeater for solving shadow region due to propagation between base station and mobile station. The the signed-DLMS algorithm reduces interference signals from multipath and solves the oscillation problem of repeater by estimation and cancellation. To efficiently reject interference signal. the signed-DLMS adaptive algorithm is applied. The computational complexities of the signed-DLMS are reduced verse standard LMS algorithm. Wireless ICS repeater based on signed-DLMS reduces the cost and is able to increase channel capacities.

The effect of lateral wedge on postural sway in Parkinson’s disease

Ji-Yeon Yoon,박진세,Kang Min Park,Sam Yeol Ha,Sung Eun Kim,Kyong Jin Shin,Si Eun Kim,Geunyeol Jo 대한임상신경생리학회 2018 Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology Vol.20 No.1

Background: Although postural instability is one of the major symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), dopaminergic treatment is ineffective for treating postural instability. Recent reports have shown that somatosensory deficit is associated with postural instability, and that somatosensory input improved postural instability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of lateral wedges for quiet standing postural control in people with PD. Methods: Twenty-two patients who were diagnosed with PD were enrolled in this study. The participants stood on a force plate under two conditions (wedge and no wedge) with or without having their eyes open or closed. The center of pressure (COP) range and velocity were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The range and velocity of COP in the anterioposterior and mediolateral (ML) directions were significantly improved after the patients stood on the lateral wedge with their eyes closed (p < 0.05). The range in ML direction and velocity in both directions of COP were significantly decreased when their eyes were open (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of vision, standing on lateral wedges improved postural sway in people with PD.

Effect of flame stretch in downstream Interaction between premixed syngas-air flames

Ha, Ji Soo,Park, Jeong,Vu, Tran Manh,Kwon, Oh Boong,Yun, Jin Han,Keel, Sang In Elsevier 2011 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.36 No.20

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>The effect of strain rate in downstream interactions between lean (rich) and lean (rich) premixed syngas flames with the fuel composition of 50% H<SUB>2</SUB> and 50% CO is numerically investigated by varying the strain rate in the range of 5∼500 s<SUP>−1</SUP>. The flame stability maps for several strain rates are presented and main concerns are focused on the downstream interactions on the lean and rich extinction boundaries. The fuel composition of 50% H<SUB>2</SUB> and 50% CO with effective Lewis numbers larger than unity for both lean and rich extinction boundaries is chosen for grasping the important role of hydrogen with the deficient reactant Lewis numbers much smaller than unity. The results show that the lean extinction boundaries have the slanted shape, thereby leading to strong interactions; meanwhile the rich extinction boundaries at appropriately low strain rates are of square, indicating weak interactions. However, at highly strained interacting rich flames, the rich extinction boundaries show a slanted shape, thereby leading to strong interactions even for Lewis numbers much larger than unity. In such situations, thermal and chemical interactions are explained in detail. It is found that, in interacting flames, the excessive heat loss of the stronger flame partly to the weaker flame and mostly to the ambience is the mechanism of flame extinction.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► The lean extinction boundaries have slanted shapes, showing strong interactions even for the <I>Le</I><SUB>eff</SUB>≈1. ► For rich extinction boundary, the increase of strain rate can lead to incomplete reaction, thereby showing chemically stronger interaction. ► The excessive heat loss of stronger flame partly to weaker flame as well as mostly to ambience is the extinction mechanisms.</P>

A study on flame interaction between methane/air and nitrogen-diluted hydrogen–air premixed flames

Ha, Ji Soo,Moon, Chang Woo,Park, Jeong,Kim, Jeong Soo,Kim, Tae Hyung,Park, Jong Ho,Yun, Jin Han,Keel, Sang In Elsevier 2010 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.35 No.13

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Numerical and experimental studies are conducted to grasp downstream interactions between premixed flames stratified with two different kinds of fuel mixture. The selected fuel mixtures are methane and a nitrogen-diluted hydrogen with composition of 30% H<SUB>2</SUB> + 70% N<SUB>2</SUB>. Extinction limits are determined for methane/air and (30% H<SUB>2</SUB> + 70% N<SUB>2</SUB>)/air over the entire range of mixture concentrations. These extinction limits are shown to be significantly modified due to the interaction such that a mixture much beyond the flammability limit can burn with the help of a stronger flame. The lean extinction limit shows both the slanted segments of lower and upper branches due to the strong interaction with Lewis numbers of deficient reactant less than unity, while the rich extinction limit has a square shape due to the weak interaction with Lewis numbers of deficient reactant larger than unity. The regimes of negative flame speed show an asymmetric aspect with a single wing shape. The negative flame always appears only when methane is weak. The extent of interaction depends on the separation distance between the flames, which are the functions of the mixtures’ concentrations, the strain rate, the Lewis numbers, and the preferential diffusions of the penetrated hydrogen from the nitrogen-diluted hydrogen flame. The important role of preferential diffusion effects of hydrogen in the flame interaction is also discussed.</P>

The successful clinical outcomes of pregnant women with advanced chronic kidney disease

( Ji Yeun Chang ),( Hanbeol Jang ),( Byung Ha Chung ),( Young Ah Youn ),( In Kyung Sung ),( Yong Soo Kim ),( Chul Woo Yang ) 대한신장학회 2016 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.35 No.2

Background: Successful pregnancy outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasingly common in Western countries. However, in Korea, the available literature addressing this clinical issue is scarce. Methods: We reviewed 5 successful parturitions [1 patient with Stage 5 CKD and 4 with maintenance hemodialysis (HD)] at Seoul St. Mary``s Hospital over 3 years and investigated changes in dialysis prescription, anemia management, and the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications. Results: There were no maternal or neonatal deaths in this cohort. The mean age at the time of conception and delivery was 35.8 ± 3.7 and 36.2 ± 3.5 years, respectively. Dialysis patients received more frequent and intensified HD during pregnancy, 20.0 ± 5.7 h/wk of HD over 5 visits with the ultrafiltration dose maintained between 1 and 2 kg per session. All patients received erythropoietin-stimulating agents and iron replacement therapy during pregnancy. The mean hematocrit was 33.1 ± 1.9% before pregnancy and was well maintained during gestation (33.9 ± 3.8% at the first trimester, 29.2 ± 4.2% at the second trimester, and 33.6 ± 8.7% at delivery). The mean gestation period was 32.7 ± 4.7 weeks, with 60% of patients experiencing premature delivery. The primary maternal complication was pre-eclampsia; 3 women developed pre-eclampsia and underwent emergency cesarean sections. Most neonatal complications were related to preterm birth. Conclusion: Dialysis-related care and general clinical management improved the clinical outcome of pregnancy for patients with advanced CKD.

Effects of Organic Acids on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Emission

Ji Un Ok(옥지운),Dong Uk Ha(하동욱),Shin Ja Lee(이신자),Eun Tae Kim(김언태),Sang Suk Lee(이상석),Young Kyun Oh(오영균),Kyoung Hoon Kim(김경훈),Sung Sill Lee(이성실) 한국생명과학회 2012 생명과학회지 Vol.22 No.10

본 연구의 목적은 organic acids를 첨가하여 in vitro 상의 반추위 발효성상과 반추위 내 메탄 억제에 미치는 영향에 대한 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 반추위액은 순천대학교 부속목장의 반추위 cannula가 시술된 Holstein에서 채취하였고, organic acids는 반추위액과 버퍼의 혼합액에 첨가하여 배양하였다. 그 결과 pH 값은 lactic acid, malic acid 및 succinic acid첨가구에서 6.69에서 6.16 정도로, 대조구와 다른 첨가구보다 낮았다. 총 가스 발생량은 배양 48시간에 aspartic acid, malic acid 및 succinic acid첨가구에서 유의적(p<0.05)으로 높았고, 메탄 발생량은 lactic acid 첨가구에서 대조구보다 낮았다. 총 VFA와 propionic acid의 농도는 배양 12시간에 모든 첨가구가 대조구에 비해 높았다. 반추위 미생물 측정 결과에서는 Fumaric acid와 malic acid의 bacteria수가 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였으며(p<0.05), protozoa수는 유의적(p<0.05)으로 감소되었다. 이상의 실험 결과를 종합해 보면, organic acids의 첨가는 반추위 내 pH를 감소시키고 가스 발생량, 반추위 미생물 성장량 및 propionic acid 모두 증가시켰으며, 특히 lactic acid는 메탄생성을 억제하였다. 앞으로 Organic acid와 다른 메탄억제 물질과 혼합하여 반추위 내 메탄생성 억제에 관한 구체적인 연구가 필요한 것으로 사료된다. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of organic acids on methane emission and ruminal fermentation characteristics. We expected our methodology to result in a decrease of methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by addition of organic acids and in particular a decrease in methane emission. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Organic acids (aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and succinic acid) known to be propionate enhancers were added to an in vitro fermentation system and incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, were enumerated, and gas production, including methane and fermentation characteristics, were observed in vitro. Organic acids appeared to affect the rumen protozoan community. The rumen protozoal popuation decreased with the addition of aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid. In particular, the methane emission was reduced by addition of lactic acid. The concentration of propionate with all organic acids that were added appeared to be higher than that of the control at 12 h incubation. Addition of organic acids significantly affected rumen bacteria and microbial growth. The bacteria in added fumaric acid and malic acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) and protozoa was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. Microbial growth with the addition of organic acids was greater than the control after 48 h incubation.

Circulating Semaphorin 4D as a Marker for Predicting Radiographic Progression in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ha, You-Jung,Han, Dong Woo,Kim, Ji Hyoun,Chung, Sang Wan,Kang, Eun Ha,Song, Yeong Wook,Lee, Yun Jong Hindawi 2018 Disease markers Vol.2018 No.-

<P>Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) are molecules which regulate immune responses as well as bone remodeling process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of Sema3A and Sema4D and to investigate their clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The serum levels of Sema3A and Sema4D were measured in 130 patients with RA and 65 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. Circulating levels of biomarkers of RA-related inflammation and bone turnover such as tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) <I>α</I>, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-22, IL-34, osteopontin, Dkk-1, and sclerostin were also measured. Disease activity was determined by the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), and radiographic joint damage was assessed by the modified Sharp van der Heijde score (SHS). The serum levels of Sema3A were significantly higher in patients with RA than those in healthy controls (<I>p</I> < 0.001), whereas serum4D levels did not differ between the two groups. The levels of Sema4D showed a positive correlation with C-reactive protein (<I>p</I> = 0.001) and IL-6 (<I>p</I> < 0.001) levels, whereas the levels of Sema3A showed a negative correlation with Dkk-1 (<I>p</I> = 0.007) and TNF-<I>α</I> (<I>p</I> = 0.001). Even though Sema3A and Sema4D levels were comparable between RA patients with DAS28> 3.2 and with DAS28 ≤ 3.2, RA patients with radiographic progression (ΔSHS change/year ≥ 1) had significantly higher baseline levels of Sema4D than those without progression (<I>p</I> = 0.029). Additionally, when RA patients were divided into 3 groups using tertiles of Sema4D levels, the percentage of progressors was significantly increased (<I>p</I> = 0.045). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, serum Sema4D levels were an independent risk factor for radiographic progression. Our results suggest that the baseline levels of Sema4D might be a useful marker to identify RA patients with subsequent radiographic progression and that Sema4D may be an active mediator involved in RA-induced joint damage.</P>

Impact of Chronic Cough on Health-Related Quality of Life in the Korean Adult General Population: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2016

Ha-Kyeong Won,Ji-Hyang Lee,Jin An,손경희,Min-Gyu Kang,Sung-Yoon Kang,Alyn H. Morice,조상헌,송우정 대한천식알레르기학회 2020 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.12 No.6

Purpose: Chronic cough is a prevalent condition in the community and may pose considerable impairment to quality of life (QoL). However, its disease burden remains largely undefined in the general population. The present study investigated the relationship between chronic cough and health-related QoL in a Korean nationwide population database, with an emphasis on clinical conditions which may confound the impact of cough. Methods: This study analyzed cross-sectional datasets of adults (aged ≥ 40 years) in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2016. Health-related QoL was assessed using the 3-level EuroQoL 5-dimension component (EQ-5D-3L) index score. The presence of chronic cough and other conditions were defined using structured questionnaires. Results: The prevalence of chronic cough was 3.48% ± 0.17% among adults aged ≥ 40 years. The overall EQ-5D-3L index score was significantly lower in subjects with than without chronic cough (0.79 ± 0.01 vs. 0.86 ± 0.00, P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses by age and sex, chronic cough had a notably large impact on QoL in women aged ≥ 65 years (vs. those without chronic cough: 0.55 ± 0.04 vs. 0.70 ± 0.01, P < 0.001), although the mean difference in the scores exceeded the minimally important difference score of 0.05 in all subgroups. In multivariate analyses, chronic cough was significantly associated with QoL, independent of confounders including depression, arthritis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In dimension analyses, chronic cough was more associated with anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort, and usual activities than with self-care or mobility in the EQ-5D. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated significant associations between chronic cough and health-related QoL in a nationwide large general adult population aged ≥ 40 years, which were independent of clinical confounders. The impact of chronic cough was greater in women aged ≥ 65 years. These findings indicate a considerable burden of chronic cough in the general population and warrant further investigations to assess the disease burden of chronic cough in a global scale.

Lactobacillus paracasei CH 88 paraprobiotics supplementation ameliorates hepatic steatosis in high-fat fed mouse model

Ha-Ra Kim,Yu-Gyeong Lee,Byung-Hoo Lee,Jonghyun Park,Myeong-Soo Park,Geun-Eog Ji,Mi-Kyung Sung 한국식품영양과학회 2021 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2021 No.10

We investigated the effects of L. paracsei CH88 paraprobiotics on hepatic steatosis in high-fat-fed mice. Animals were divided into 5 groups-LFD, HFD, LIVE[live L. paracasei CH88], HEAT [heat-killed CH88] and LYSOZYME [lysozyme-treated CH88]. Each pro- or paraprobiotic sample was orally administered for 20 weeks. Results showed intestinal permeability was improved in LYSOZYME group which was proven by lower levels of serum CD14 and CB1 expression and higher occludin expression compared to those in HFD group. LYSOZYME group showed higher expressions of fatty acid oxidation related genes (AMPK/SIRT1/PPARα/CPT2) and lower expressions of fatty acid transport genes (CD36, FABP4) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF α, MCP-1) levels compared to HFD group. LYSOZYME group showed lower expression of FXR compared to the HFD group and higher expression of CYP7A1 compared to the HFD group. Paraprobiotics reduced the abundance of Fimicutes known to be related to obesity, compared to HFD group. Our data suggest that lysozyme-treated L. paracei CH88 paraprobiotics may improve hepatic steatosis through modulation of gut permeability, lipid metabolism, bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota composition.