Search

Our results suggested that thermal stress can lead to activation of hippocampal cell damage and reduction of memory-associated molecules in HT22 cells. These findings also provide a part of molecular rationale for the role of ginsenoside Rg5 as a potent cognitive impairment preventive compound in blocking the initiation of hippocampal damage. Keywords: cognitive impairment, Ginsenoside Rg5, HT22, neuroprotection, thermal stress

SH2 domain-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) is a lipid phosphatase that produce phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P2) from phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3), and is involved in many diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases. A recent report demonstrating that SHIP2 inhibition decreased tau hyperphosphorylation induced by amyloid β and rescued memory impairment in a transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse model indicates SHIP2 can be a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we have developed novel, potent SHIP2 inhibitors by extensive structural elaboration of crizotinib discovered from a high-throughput screening. Our representative compound 43 potently inhibited SHIP2 activity as well as GSK3β activation in HT22 neuronal cells. It was also shown that 43 has favorable physicochemical properties, especially high brain penetration. Considering SHIP2 is one of key signal mediators for tau hyperphosphorylation, our potent SHIP2 inhibitor 43 may function as a promising lead compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Increases in the average global temperature cause heat stress–induced disorders by disrupting homeostasis. Excessive heat stress triggers an imbalance in the immune system; thus protection against heat stress is important to maintain immune homeostasis. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been used as a herbal medicine and displays beneficial biological properties. Methods: We investigated the protective effects of Korean ginseng extracts (KGEs) against heat stress in a rat model. Following acclimatization for 1 week, rats were housed at room temperature for 2 weeks and then exposed to heat stress (40°C/2 h/day) for 4 weeks. Rats were treated with three KGEs from the beginning of the second week to the end of the experiment. Results: Heat stress dramatically increased secretion of inflammatory factors, and this was significantly reduced in the KGE-treated groups. Levels of inflammatory factors such as heat shock protein 70, interleukin 6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were increased in the spleen and muscle upon heat stress. KGEs inhibited these increases by down-regulating heat shock protein 70 and the associated nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Consequently, KGEs suppressed activation of T-cells and B-cells. Conclusion: KGEs suppress the immune response upon heat stress and decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines in muscle and spleen. We suggest that KGEs protect against heat stress by inhibiting inflammation and maintaining immune homeostasis. Keywords: Heat stress, Immune response, Inflammation, Korean ginseng extracts, Sprague Dawley rats

Shake flask studies on microbial desulfurization of three different coal samples (Indonesian lignite, Chinese lignite and Korean anthracite) were performed to optimize the best suitable growth medium. Among the three different growth mediums (basal salt medium, basal salt medium supplemented with 9 g/L Fe and basal salt medium supplemented with 2.5% S0) tested, the basal salt medium was found to be the best, considering process dynamics and economical factors. The extent of pyrite oxidation was highest with 95% in the experiments with Korean anthracite in basal salt medium supplemented with 9 g/L Fe, while the lowest pyrite oxidation of 70–71% was observed in the experiments with Indonesian and Chinese Lignite’s in only basal salt medium. The microbial sulfur removal in the experiments with basal salt medium supplemented with 9 g/L Fe for all the three coal samples was between 94–97%, while the experiments on basal salt medium supplemented with 2.5% S0 for all the coal samples were relatively much lower ranging between 27–48%. However, the overall study resulted with promising directions for further scaling up of microbial desulphurization in a best growth medium devoid of iron and sulfur supplement.

The purpose of this study is to seek new u-business services in restaurant management. Using the concept of business model methodology in family restaurant management domain, this study identifies customers’ needs in services at the stage of management of purchase of materials, the production management, and the sales management. In addition, this study suggests two killer applications of a family restaurant management linking with the latest ubiquitous computing technologies: the service of the customer-oriented menu recommendation and the service of the inventory-oriented menu recommendation. These findings may offer practical insights in the context of ubiquitous service model of restaurant management.