• Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.133-142
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• 2018

This study investigated the characteristics of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HD) over 13 weeks in Rhbdf2 gene knockout (KO) mice. Forty 7-week-old Rhbdf2 wild and KO mice were used and the mice were divided into 4 groups: Wild-ND (n=10, Rhbdf2 wild mice, normal diet (ND)), Wild-HD (n=10, Rhbdf2 wild mice, HD), KO-ND (n=10, Rhbdf2 KO mice, ND) and KO-HD (n=10, Rhbdf2 KO mice, HD). The relative epididymal fat weight in KO-HD was significantly increased compared with that in KO-ND (P<0.01). The relative liver and spleen weights in KO-HD were decreased compared with those in Wild-HD (p < 0.05) and KO-ND (p < 0.01). The mRNA expression of SOD1 in KO-ND was significantly reduced compared with that in Wild-ND (p < 0.05). In Wild-ND and HD, the mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in epididymal fat were significantly increased compared with those in KO-ND and HD (p < 0.01). A significant increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 mRNA expression was observed in KO-HD compared with KO-ND (p < 0.01). These results indicated that Rhbdf2 genes may regulate high fat diet-induced obesity damage by anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative roles in fat tissue of mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2021

Drug addiction influences most communities directly or indirectly. Increasing studies have reported the relationship between circadian-related genes and drug addiction. Per2 disrupted mice exhibited more vulnerable behavioral responses against some drugs including methamphetamine (METH). However, its roles and mechanisms are still not clear. Transcriptional profiling analysis in Per2 knockout (KO) mice may provide a valuable tool to identify potential genetic involvement and pathways in enhanced behavioral responses against drugs. To explore the potential genetic involvement, we examined common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the striatum of drug naïve Per2 KO/wild-type (WT) mice, and before/after METH treatment in Per2 KO mice, but not in WT mice. We selected 9 common DEGs (Ncald, Cpa6, Pklr, Ttc29, Cbr2, Egr2, Prg4, Lcn2, and Camsap2) based on literature research. Among the common DEGs, Ncald, Cpa6, Pklr, and Ttc29 showed higher expression levels in drug naïve Per2 KO mice than in WT mice, while they were downregulated in Per2 KO mice after METH treatment. In contrast, Cbr2, Egr2, Prg4, Lcn2, and Camsap2 exhibited lower expression levels in drug naïve Per2 KO mice than in WT mice, while they were upregulated after METH treatment in Per2 KO mice. qRT-PCR analyses validated the expression patterns of 9 target genes before/after METH treatment in Per2 KO and WT mice. Although further research is required to deeply understand the relationship and roles of the 9 target genes in drug addiction, the findings from the present study indicate that the target genes might play important roles in drug addiction.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.377-381
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• 2012

The histidine-rich $Ca^{2+}$ binding protein (HRC) is a $Ca^{2+}$ binding protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In this study, we examined whether the HRC is involved in the regulation of cardiac contraction and $Ca^{2+}$ signaling using HRC knock-out (KO) mouse ventricular myocytes. In field-stimulated single mouse ventricular myocytes, cell shortenings and $Ca^{2+}$ transients were measured using a video edge detection and a confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging, respectively. Compared with the wide-type (WT) myocytes, the magnitudes of cell shortenings were significantly larger in HRC KO cells (P<0.01, WT vs. KO). The rate of contraction and relaxation was significantly accelerated in HRC KO myocytes (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively, WT vs. KO). The magnitudes of $Ca^{2+}$ transients were increased by HRC KO (P<0.01, WT vs. KO). In addition, the decay of the $Ca^{2+}$ transient was faster in HRC KO cells than in wild-type cells P<0.01, WT vs. KO). These results suggest that HRC may suppress SR $Ca^{2+}$ releases and decay of $Ca^{2+}$ transients during action potentials, thereby attenuating ventricular contraction and relaxation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1333-1340
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• 2016

The main objective of this study was to investigate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) ameliorated the effects of Citrobactor rodentium infection in Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) knockout (KO) and TLR4 KO mice, as well as in wild-type C57BL/6 (B6) mice. TLR2 KO, TLR4 KO, and B6 mice were divided into three groups per each strain. Each group had an uninfected control group (n = 5), C. rodentium-infected group (n = 8), and LGG-pretreated C. rodentium-infected group (n = 8). The survival rate of B6 mice infected with C. rodentium was higher when pretreated with LGG. Pretreatment with LGG ameliorated C. rodentium-induced mucosal hyperplasia in B6 and TLR4 KO mice. However, in C-rodentium-infected TLR2 KO mice, mucosal hyperplasia persisted, regardless of pretreatment with LGG. In addition, LGG-pretreated B6 and TLR4 KO mice showed a decrease in spleen weight and downregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 mRNA expression compared with the non-pretreated group. In contrast, such changes were not observed in TLR2 KO mice, regardless of pretreatment with LGG. From the above results, we conclude that pretreatment with LGG ameliorates C. rodentium-induced colitis in B6 and TLR4 KO mice, but not in TLR2 KO mice. Therefore, LGG protects mice from C. rodentium-induced colitis in a TLR2-dependent manner.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-126
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• 2016

According of the development and spread of CAD/CAM, a number of prostheses we have done had been replaced. Dental technicians have a difficulty reproducing natural color when producing these zirconia crowns. Difficulty reproducing natural color when producing these zirconia crowns. In my case, in the beginning of experimenting with zirconia, I had a hard time dealing with zirconia and I have tried solve these problems. Therefore, I would like to share Ko's coloring technique made of my effort with you.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze the transgenic efficiency and sex ratio in ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out (KO) transgenic pigs according to generation. GalT KO piglets were produced by artificial insemination or natural mating. The transgenic confirmation of GalT KO was evaluated by PCR amplification using specific primers. After electrophoresis, three types of bands were detected such as 2.3 kb single band (Wild), 2.3 and 3.6kb double bands (GalT KO -/+; heterozygote), and 3.6kb single band (GalT KO -/-; homozygote). Transgenic efficiency in F1 generation was 64.5% (23/35) of GalT KO (-/+). In F2 generation, GalT KO transgenic efficiency was 36.4% (21/57, Wild), 47.5% (28/57, GalT KO -/+), and 16.1% (8/57, GalT KO -/-), respectively. Interestingly, no homozygote piglets were born in 6 deliveries among total 11 deliveries, although they were pregnant between male (M) and female (F) $F_1$ heterozygote. In the 5 litters including at least one GalT KO -/- piglet, the transgenic efficiency was 13.3% (2/24, Wild), 51.3% (14/24, GalT KO -/+), and 35.3% (8/24, GalT KO -/-), respectively. The sex ratio of M and F was 40:60 in $F_1$ and 49:51 in $F_2$ generation, respectively. Based on these results, GalT KO transgenic pigs have had a reproductive ability with a normal range of transgenic efficiency and sex ratio.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.267-271
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• 2013

Test bed studies with highly efficient amine $CO_2$ solvent (KoSol-4) developed by KEPCO research institute were performed. For the first time in Korea, evaluation of post-combustion $CO_2$ capture technology to capture 2 ton $CO_2$/day from a slipstream of the flue gas from a coal-fired power station was performed. Also the analysis of solvent regeneration energy was conducted to suggest the reliable performance data of the KoSol-4 solvent. For this purpose, we have tested 5 campaigns changing the operating conditions of the solvent flow rate and the stripper pressure. The overall results of these campaigns showed that the $CO_2$ removal rate met the technical guideline ($CO_2$ removal rate: 90%) suggested by IEA-GHG and that the regeneration energy of the KoSol-4 showed about 3.0~3.2 GJ/$tCO_2$ which was, compared to that of the commercial solvent MEA (Monoethanolamine), about 25% reduction of regeneration energy. Based on these results, we could confirm the good performance of the KoSol-4 solvent and the $CO_2$ capture process developed by KEPCO research institute. And also it was expected that the cost of $CO_2$ avoided could be reduced drastically if the KoSol-4 is applied to the commercial scale $CO_2$ capture plant.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2014

Endothelin 2 (EDN2) induces follicular rupture by constricting periovulatory follicles. In this study, it was investigated the mechanisms of EDN2 action on follicular rupture with respect of receptor using the conditionally granulosa cell specific EDN2 receptor type A (ETa) KO mice (gcETaKO; $ETa^{flox/-}{\cdot}Amhr2^{Cre}$). It was generated the gcETaKO mice by breeding with $ETa^{flox/-}$ mice after mono-alleic ETa knockout by $ZP3^{Cre}$ and $Amhr2^{Cre}$ mice. Fertility, ovulation and maturation rates of ovulated oocytes after super ovulation were investigated in the gcETaKO mice compared with wild-type mice ($ETa^{flox/flox}$ and $ETa^{flox/-}$) as a control group. In the gcETaKO mice, normal fertility after breeding with male mice was shown compared with wild-type mice. And, there was no significant differences in ovulation rates after super ovulation, however its maturation rates was lower than that of wild type mice. These findings show that EDN2 in follicular rupture for ovulation is related with an other ETa not in granulosa cells. Further studies are needed to investigate how EDN2 is acted in ovarian follicular rupture for ovulation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2016

The absorption efficiency of amine $CO_2$ absorbent (KoSol-5) developed by KEPCO research institute was evaluated using a 0.1 MW test bed. The performance of post-combustion technology to capture two tons of $CO_2$ per day from a slipstream of the flue gas from a 500 MW coal-fired power station was first confirmed in Korea. Also the analysis of the absorbent regeneration energy was conducted to suggest the reliable data for the KoSol-5 absorbent performance. And we tested energy reduction effects by improving the absorption tower inter-cooling system. Overall results showed that the $CO_2$ removal rate met the technical guideline ($CO_2$ removal rate : 90%) suggested by IEA-GHG. Also the regeneration energy of the KoSol-5 showed about $3.05GJ/tonCO_2$ which was about 25% reduction in the regeneration energy compared to that of using the commercial absorbent MEA (Monoethanolamine). Based on current experiments, the KoSol-5 absorbent showed high efficiency for $CO_2$ capture. It is expected that the application of KoSol-5 to commercial scale $CO_2$ capture plants could dramatically reduce $CO_2$ capture costs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.2006-2011
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• 2016

The marine sponges Hyrtios and Haliclona species, both of which are known to produce secondary bioactive metabolites, were used to extract 1304KO-327 and 1304KO-328. Such secondary metabolites are potentially antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antifungal, and antiplasmodial. In the present study, the effects of 1304KO-327 and 1304KO-328 were studied for their clinical and pathological importance. The cytotoxicity of 1304KO-327 and 1304KO-328 was assessed via MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on HT-29, Caco-2, and Raw 264.7 cells. Rotavirus-infected Caco-2 cells were used to prove the antiviral effects of the marine sponge extracts. The test results cogently proved that the virus-inhibiting effects of the sponge extracts improved with extract concentration. Anti-inflammatory effects of the marine sponge extracts were tested on Lipopolysaccharide-treated Raw 264.7 cells. Nitric oxide and cytokine were produced by treatment of the cells with LPS and the inhibiting effects of the sponge extracts on $IL-1{\beta}$ formation were investigated. This study found that the NO production was decreased dose dependently, and $IL-1{\beta}$ formation was significantly reduced by the marine sponge extracts.