Chung-Ang University

About: Chung-Ang University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13381 authors who have published 26978 publications receiving 416735 citations. The organization is also known as: CAU & Chung.

Molecular Mechanism of Macrophage Activation by Red Ginseng Acidic Polysaccharide from Korean Red Ginseng

Abstract: Red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP), isolated from Korean red ginseng, displays immunostimulatory and antitumor activities. Even though numerous studies have been reported, the mechanism as to how RGAP is able to stimulate the immune response is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of molecular activation of RGAP in macrophages. RGAP treatment strongly induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells without altering morphological changes, although the activity was not strong compared to LPS-induced dendritic-like morphology in RAW264.7 cells. RGAP-induced NO production was accompanied with enhanced mRNA levels of iNOS and increases in nuclear transcription factors such as NF-κB, AP-1, STAT-1, ATF-2, and CREB. According to pharmacological evaluation with specific enzyme inhibitors, Western blot analysis of intracellular signaling proteins and inhibitory pattern using blocking antibodies, ERK, and JNK were found to be the most important signaling enzymes compared to LPS signaling cascade. Further, TLR2 seems to be a target surface receptor of RGAP. Lastly, macrophages isolated from RGS2 knockout mice or wortmannin exposure strongly upregulated RGAP-treated NO production. Therefore, our results suggest that RGAP can activate macrophage function through activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB and AP-1 and their upstream signaling enzymes such as ERK and JNK.

Antecedents and Outcomes of Sustainable Shipping Practices: The Integration of Stakeholder and Behavioural Theories

Abstract: This paper analyses the drivers and outcomes of sustainable shipping practices through the lenses of stakeholder, planned behaviour, and resource dependence theories. Theoretical models were systematically developed and compared using survey data collected from 186 shipping companies. The results reveal that a shipping company’s stakeholder pressure, attitude, and behavioural control directly influence the adoption of sustainable shipping practices, and indirectly influence business performance. Furthermore, stakeholder pressure directly influences attitude, behavioural control, and business performance. This paper contributes to the integration of stakeholder and behavioural theories on sustainable practices. Strategies to improve the adoption of sustainable shipping practices are discussed.

Fluorescence sensing of Cu2+ ion and imaging of fungal cell by ultra-small fluorescent carbon dots derived from Acacia concinna seeds

Abstract: In this work, we explored the use of Acacia concinna seeds (shikakai) as a green precursor for the fabrication of ultra-small fluorescent carbon dots (CDs). The synthesized ultra-small fluorescent CDs sense only Cu2+ ion through strong chelation between Cu2+ ion and organic groups of CDs. As a result, highly selective fluorescence “turn-off” probe was developed for assay of Cu2+ ion, causing remarkable fluorescence intensity quenching, which has ability to sense Cu2+ ion even at 0.0043 μM (4.3 nM). Furthermore, the ultra-small fluorescent CDs act as biocompatible probes for multicolour imaging of fungal (Penicillium sp.) cells. The practical application of the developed sensor was demonstrated by assaying of Cu2+ ion in spiked water samples, which confirms their significant analytical and bioanalytical applications.