• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.392-401
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• 2008

The vertical changes (upper layer: 0$\sim$0.5 m, middle layer: 4$\sim$5 m and lower layer: 8$\sim$10 m) of the limnological variables, zooplankton dynamics and community filtration rate on the phytoplankton were evaluated monthly intervals from November 2004 to June 2007 at the artificiallake (Okjeong Lake). During the study, the annual mean of water temperatures were 15.2$\pm$7.8$^{\circ}C$ (upper layer), 14.5$\pm$7.4$^{\circ}C$ (middle layer) and 13.0$\pm$6.2$^{\circ}C$ (lower layer), respectively (n=30). The vertical variations of most limnological parameters (DO, pH, conductivity and turbidity) were fairly similar, except for chl.-${\alpha}$ concentration. Annual mean of chl.-${\alpha}$ concentration was highest at the upper layer (21.4 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$), while annual means of concentrations were low at the middle layer and lower layer (4.3 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$ and 3.5 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$, respectively). Annual mean of Secchi depth was 261 cm (n=30). A total 45 species of zooplankton were identified (28 rotifers, 12 cladocerans and 5 copepods) during the study. The mean abundance of rotifers was highest (124$\pm$232 ind. L$^{-1}$, n =90) and that of cladocerans and copepods were relatively low (22$\pm$56 ind. L$^{-1}$ and 13$\pm$30 ind. L$^{-1}$) in the whole layer. Total zooplankton abundance increased from late spring to summer, and then declined and remained low throughout the winter. The annual mean of total zooplankton filtration rate for phytoplankton at the lower layer was much higher than that of both layers (upper layer: 44.4$\pm$107.8, middle layer: 95.1$\pm$436.4 and lower layer: 158.2$\pm$436.4 mL L$^{-1}$ day$^{-1}$). Among the major zooplankton community, relative community filtration rate (RCFR, %) of copepods for phytoplankton (50.2$\sim$54.8%) was much higher than that of cladocerans (27.7$\sim$36.3%) and rotifers (8$\sim$17.6%). The seasonal variation of RCFRs of major zooplankton community was observed. The RCFRs of rotifers were high in winter (44.6%, n=9), while the RCFRs of cladocerans were high in summer (58.0%, n=7). In spring and fall, the RCFRs of copepods were high in the whole layer (spring: 67.4%, n=9; fall: 74.4%, n=5).

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.570-578
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• 2009

In vitro biological activities such as antioxidant, whitening, anti-hangover and anticancer activities were evaluated. The antioxidant activities of astaxanthin and H. pluvialis extract were significantly higher than that of $\alpha$-tocopherol when the antioxidant activities were determined as xanthine oxidase inhibition, hydroxyl radical scavenging and DPPH radical scavenging. The whitening effect of H. pluvialis extract was about two times as kojic acid. H. pluvialis extract indicated an anticancer activity on a cervical cancer cell line. Astaxanthin showed anti-hangover effect of 1.5 times as jiguja extract. The anti-hangover effect of the inclusion complex (As-$\beta$-CD) was about 1.2 times of jiguja extract. And, the inclusion complex of Haematococcus pluvialis (H.p.-$\beta$-CD) showed almost the same whitening effect as kojic acid.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1613-1619
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• 2008

It has been reported that Tat-SOD can be directly transduced into mammalian cells and skin and acts as a potential therapeutic protein in various diseases. To isolate the compound that can enhance the transduction efficiency of Tat-SOD, we screened a number of natural products. 3-O-[$\beta$-D-Glucopyranosyl(1$\rightarrow$4)-$\alpha$-L-arabinopyranosyll-hederagenin (OGAH) was identified as an active component of Fatsia japonica and is known as triterpenoid glycosides (hederagenin saponins). OGAH enhanced the transduction efficiencies of Tat-SOD into HeLa cells and mice skin. The enzymatic activities in the presence of OGAH were markedly increased in vitro and in vivo when compared with the controls. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, we suggest that OGAH, the active component of Fatsia japonica, might change the conformation of the membrane structure and it may be useful as an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics or as a stimulator of therapeutic proteins that can be used in various disorders related to reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.808-817
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• 2011

Because of its elevated cellulolytic activity, the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum has a considerable potential in biomass hydrolysis applications. Trichoderma harzianum cellobiohydrolase I (ThCBHI), an exoglucanase, is an important enzyme in the process of cellulose degradation. Here, we report an easy single-step ion-exchange chromatographic method for purification of ThCBHI and its initial biophysical and biochemical characterization. The ThCBHI produced by induction with microcrystalline cellulose under submerged fermentation was purified on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 media and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The ThCBHI biochemical characterization showed that the protein has a molecular mass of 66 kDa and pI of 5.23. As confirmed by smallangle X-ray scattering (SAXS), both full-length ThCBHI and its catalytic core domain (CCD) obtained by digestion with papain are monomeric in solution. Secondary structure analysis of ThCBHI by circular dichroism revealed ${\alpha}$- helices and ${\beta}$-strands contents in the 28% and 38% range, respectively. The intrinsic fluorescence emission maximum of 337 nm was accounted for as different degrees of exposure of ThCBHI tryptophan residues to water. Moreover, ThCBHI displayed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ with specific activities against Avicel and p-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-D-cellobioside of 1.25 U/mg and 1.53 U/mg, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2014

Essential fatty acid (EFA) is known to be required for the body to function normally and healthily. However, the effect of EFA on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle has not yet been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of two EFAs, linoleic acid (LA) and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (ALA), on glucose uptake of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and investigated the mechanism underlying the stimulatory effect of polyunsaturated EFAs in comparison with monounsaturated oleic acid (OA). In palmitic acid (PA)-induced insulin resistant cells, the co-treatment of EFAs and OA with PA almost restored the PA-induced decrease in the basal and insulin-stimulated 2-NBDG (fluorescent D-glucose analogue) uptake, respectively. Two EFAs and OA significantly protected PA-induced suppression of insulin signaling, respectively, which was confirmed by the increased levels of Akt phosphorylation and serine/threonine kinases ($PKC{\theta}$ and JNK) dephosphorylation in the western blot analysis. In PA-untreated, control cells, the treatment of $500{\mu}M$ EFA significantly stimulated 2-NBDG uptake, whereas OA did not. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and one of its downstream molecules, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was markedly induced by EFA, but not OA. In addition, EFA-stimulated 2-NBDG uptake was significantly inhibited by the pre-treatment of a specific AMPK inhibitor, adenine 9-${\beta}$-D-arabinofuranoside (araA). These data suggest that the restoration of suppressed insulin signaling at PA-induced insulin resistant condition and AMPK activation are involved at least in the stimulatory effect of EFA on glucose uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.310-319
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• 2003

Inflammatory mediators has been recognized as an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-17 is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of immune and inflammatory responses, including induction of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclastic bone resorption. Evidence of the expression and proinflammatory activity of IL-17 has been demonstrated in RA synovium and in animal models of RA. However, the signaling pathways that regulate IL-17 production remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway in the regulation of IL-17 production in RA. PBMC were separated from RA (n=24) patients, and stimulated with various agents (anti CD3, anti CD28, PHA, ConA, IL-15). IL-17 levels were determined by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. The production of IL-17 was significantly increased in cells treated with anti-CD3 antibody, PHA, IL-15 or MCP-1 (P<0.05). ConA also strongly induced IL-17 production (P<0.001), whereas TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-18 or TGF-beta did not. IL-17 was detected in the PBMC of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) but their expression levels were much lower than those of RA PBMC. Anti-CD3 antibody activated the PI3K-Akt pathway and activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway resulted in a pronounced augmentation of nuclear factor kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$). IL-17 production by activated PBMC in RA is completely or partially blocked in the presence of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC and PI3K-Akt inhibitor, wortmannin and LY294002, respectively. Whereas the inhibition of AP-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 did not affect IL-17 production. These results provide new insight into that PI3K/Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent signal transduction pathway could be involved in the overproduction of key inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 1996

The objective of this study was to investigate the essential fatty acids requirement and its optimal level in dietary for young of tiger puffer. The young puffer fish used in feeding trial were average body weight 3.45g. Fish were randomly divided into 11 groups containing 30 fish each in 200 ${\ell}$ tank and reared for 8 weeks at ambient temperature. In basal diets, defatted squid meal, casein-Na and activated gluten were used as the dietary protein source, dextrin and ${\alpha}$-starch (gelatinized starch) as the digestible carbohydrate source and beef tallow as the lipid source. Five fatty acids added to diet were linoleic acid (LNA), linolenic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ,docos-ahexaenoic acid (DHA) and n-3 HUFA. Among that, the supplement of LA and LNA were $1\%$ of total composition of diet, respectively, and EPA, DHA and n-3 HUFA ranged from $0.3\~1\%$ level. Growth and feed efficiency were measured to the interval of 2 weeks, and analyzed fatty acids composition of diet and liver by GCL. As a result of 8 weeks experiment, predominant growth were shown in $0.5\~1\%$ n-3 HUFA and $0.5\%$ DHA than others (P<0.05). In comparison of efficiency among EPA, DHA and n-3 HUFA groups, the most results were revealed in n-3 HUFA and the least in EPA. The adding effect was shown in EPA by increasing the fatty acids content from 0.5 to $1\%$ in diet. However, sudden decline and steady state in growth were observed in $1\%$ DHA and $1\%$ n-3 HUFA, respectively. The feeding efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were high in n-3 HUFA groups and $0.5\%$ DHA. Consequently, it is assumed that young puffer requires n-3 HUEA both EPA and DHA as essential fatty acids. The optimal content in diets are about $0.5\%$ of HUFA or DHA.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2007

This paper reports the amount of $^{222}Rn$ and $^{238}U$ in 18 sites of ground water and 30 sites of surface water. The instrument used to count $^{222}Rn$ activity was the liquid scintillation counter (LSC) which could resolute ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ radiations. And $^{238}U$ was analyzed by the inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Radon and Uranium were not detected in raw and treated water which were sampled in a water treatment plant. However, radon ($^{222}Rn$) was high concentration in ground water from Jeon-la, Gang-won. So was uranium ($^{238}U$) in case of ground water from Gang-won, Choong-chung. Radon ($^{222}Rn$) activities were detected less than 15 pCi/L at 5 sampling points, 15~300 pCi/L at 7 sampling points, 300~4000 pCi/L at 6 sampling points. However, Radon ($^{222}Rn$) activities of all ground water samples were less than 4,000 pCi/L, which was bellow American Alternative Maximum Contamination Level (AMCL). Uranium ($^{238}U$) concentrations were less than $0.1{\mu}g/L$ at 5 sampling points, from $0.1{\mu}g/L$ to $20{\mu}g/L$ at 13 sampling points. Uranium was not detected in about 30% of the whole samples, but the concentration ranged from relatively low to high concentrations depending on the sampling point. The minimum detectable activity (MDA) of radon was 15 pCi/L. and the detection limit of uranium was $0.1{\mu}g/L$.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.555-564
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• 2008

Essential fatty acids are important essential nutrients during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and essential fatty acid intakes between Korean pregnant women with a single baby and Korean pregnant women with twins. A total of 116 pregnant women who had maintained their health without any symptoms of pregnancy complications participated in the study. The subjects consisted of 57 women of singleton pregnancy and 58 women of twin pregnancy at the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. A 24-hour dietary recall was administered to each subject to obtain dietary information. The mean ages of the singleton pregnancy group and the twin pregnancy group were 31.44 years and 32.27 years, respectively, and the mean height values were 161.86 cm and 160.64 cm, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the singleton pregnancy group were 1639.95 kcal, 1904.71 kcal, and 1882.82 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes in the twin pregnancy group were 1745.99 kcal, 2203.46 kcal, and 2092.26 kcal for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean fatty acid intakes by the type of pregnancy (i.e., singleton vs. twins) and the stage of pregnancy (i.e., 1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd trimester). However, the mean total fatty acid intake of those at the 1st trimester among the singleton pregnancy group tended to be higher than that of those at the 1st trimester among the twin pregnancy group. Such a trend seemed to be retro-versed. That is, the mean total fatty acid intakes of the twin pregnancy group were higher compared to the singleton pregnancy group for the 2nd and 3rd trimester group. The LA and total n6 concentrations of serum phospholipids of the singleton pregnancy group were significantly higher as the gestational age increased(p<0.05). The $\alpha-LNA$(p<0.05), EPA(p<0.05), and total n3(p<0.001) concentrations of serum phospholipids of the twin pregnancy group were significantly lower as the gestational age increased. The $\alpha-LNA$ concentrations of serum phospholipids in the singleton pregnancy group at the 3rd trimester were significantly higher than that in the twin pregnancy group at the same trimester(p<0.05). The serum phospholipids levels of AA and DHA of the twin pregnancy group were generally higher compared to those of the singleton pregnancy group. Particularly the differences reached at the level of statistical significance for those at the 1st trimester(p<0.01). It is concluded that the study findings imply that fatty acid metabolism may meaningfully differ by the type and stage of pregnancy. Future research needs to be conducted to more elucidate grounding etiology and possible roles of dietary fatty acid intake levels in relation to the study findings.