• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.28-69
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• 2019

We conducted taxonomical investigations based on morphological characteristics, fruit morphology, and literature research on the tribe Potentilleae (Rosaceae) in Korea covering seven genera and 24 species. The style position on the ovary and the shape of style were useful characteristics for the classification of subtribal and generic levels in the tribe Potentilleae. The subtribe Fragariinae is characterized by subbasal or lateral style on the ovary and anthers with one theca. The subtribe Potentillinae has a subterminal style on the ovary, except for Argentina, which presents a subterminal and lateral style and anthers with two thecae. These results support the recent taxonomic recognition that i) the tribe Potentilleae consists of two subtribes, and ii) genera such as Dasiphora, Comarum, and Sibbaldianthe sometimes included in Potentilla s.l. are treated as independent genus. In the subtribe Potentillinae, Argentina, which has been treated as Potentilla, is supported as a distinct genus according to the characteristics of the subterminal and lateral style position and the ventral stipular auricles. In Fragaria, F. nipponica subsp. chejuensis, which has generally small leaves and a limited distribution only on Hallasan Mt., is supported by treatment as an endemic species. Duchesnea chrysantha is distinguished from D. indica by the characteristics of light green or yellowish green leaves, thin and somewhat membranous leaflets, and broad ovate or obovate leaflets. Each complex of P. dickinsii and P. chinensis remains unresolved with regard to controversy over the taxonomic circumscription due to their external morphological variations. Additional taxonomical research and molecular population studies are required for a more in-depth understanding of the tribe Potentilleae in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.102-113
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• 2023

This review discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the endometrial estrogen and progesterone receptors regulate local estrogen production, expression of the specific estrogen receptors, progesterone resistance, inflammatory responses and the differentiation and survival of endometriotic cells in endometrial inflammation. The epigenetic aberrations of endometrial stromal cells play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis. In particular, differential methylation of the estrogen receptor genes changes in the stromal cells the dominancy of estrogen receptor from ERα into ERβ, and results in the abnormal estrogen responses including inflammation, progesterone resistance and the disturbance of retinoid synthesis. These stromal cells also stimulate local estrogen production in response to PGE2 and the SF-1 mediated induction of steroidogenic enzyme expression, and the increased estradiol then feeds back into the ERβ to repeat the vicious inflammatory cycle through the activation of COX-2. In addition, high levels of ERβ expression may also change the chromatin structure of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells, and together with the repeated menstrual cycles can induce formation of the endometriotic tissue. The cascade of these serial events then leads to cell adhesion, angiogenesis and survival of the differentiation-disregulated stromal cells through the action of inflammatory factors such as ERβ-mediated estrogen, TNF-α and TGF-β1. Therefore, understanding of the dynamic hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and the corresponding signal transduction mechanisms of the related nuclear receptors in endometrium would provide new insights for treating inflammatory diseases such as the endometriosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.760-771
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• 2012

Marine triterpene glycosides are physiologically active natural compounds isolated from sea cucumbers(holothurians). It was demonstrated that they have a wide range of biological activities, including antifungal, cytotoxic, and antitumor effects. A previous study showed that stichoposide C (STC) isolated from Thelenota anax induces apoptosis through generation of ceramide by activation of acid sphingomyelinase (SMase) and neutral SMase in human leukemia cells. In this study, we investigated whether STD, a structural analog of STC, can induce apoptosis and examined the molecular mechanisms for its activity. It was found that STC and STD induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner and lead to the activation of caspase-8, mitochondrial damage, activation of caspase-9, and activation of caspase-3 in K562 and HL-60 cells. STC activates acid SMase and neutral SMase, which results in the generation of ceramide. Specific inhibition of acid SMase or neutral SMase partially blocked STC-induced apoptosis, but not STD-induced apoptosis. In contrast, STD generates ceramide through the activation of ceramide synthase. Specific inhibition of ceramide synthase partially blocked STD-induced apoptosis, but not STC-induced apoptosis. Moreover, STC and STD markedly reduced tumor growth of HL-60 xenograft tumors and increased ceramide generation in vivo. These results indicate that STC and STD can induce apoptosis and have antitumor activity through the different molecular mechanisms, because they have a different sugar residue attached to aglycones. Thus, these results suggest that their actions are affected by a sugar residue attached to aglycones and they can be used as anticancer agents in the treatment of leukemia.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.412-420
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• 1989

To know how the ribosomes involved in secretory protein synthesis were attached to the cytoplasmic membrane in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, the cells were treated with puromycin combinated with magnesium at the logarithmic phase, and the variation of cell-bound and extracellular $\alpha$-amylase activity was assayed for determining the $\alpha$-amylase translocation blocking through the cytoplasmic membrane. In the abnormal $\alpha$-amylase producing mutant in which the C-terminal of the $\alpha$-amylase structure was deleted, B. umytotiquefaciens CH10-2, the $\alpha$-amylase was translocated normally through the cytoplasmic membranes, and the translocation blocking by puromycin was revealed to have a similar pattern as that in the wild type. This means that the C-terminal part of the enzyme structure may not have a signal for secretion. The cell death of the logarithmic phase cells in both strains was not affected much under 20$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of puromycin, however, the $\alpha$-amylase translocation was blocked markedly under less than 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of the puromycin concentration. The blocking of the enzyme secretion by puromycin may be due to the detachment of the ribosomes from cytoplasmic membranes by disturbing the nascent polypeptide synthesis. Further evidence for confirming this was that the detachment was increased in 50 mM of magnesium ion because the extracellular $\alpha$-amylase activity was decreased more under this condition. If the cells were treated with trypsin combinated with Iysozyme, the extracellular $\alpha$-amylase activity from the cultured medium was reduced markedly, however, the activity from the cells treated with trypsin only was not reduced. This means that the nascent polypeptides protruding from the cytoplasmic membrane were sensitive to the trypsin digestion, whereas the matured ones were not. Therefore, the protruding polypeptides from the cytoplasmic membranes may be truncated by trypsin before forming their final tertiary structures by folding in the cell wall layer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.771-780
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• 2014

In this study, the various organic supports (i.e., silicone, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, epoxy, and, butadiene rubber) with great sorption capacity of organic contaminants were chosen to develop nano-ZnO/organic composites (NZOCs) and to prevent the detachment of nano-ZnO particles. The water resistance of the developed NZOCs were evaluated, and the feasibility of the developed NZOCs were investigated by evaluating the removal efficiency of 1,1,2-trichloroethylene (TCE) in the aqueous phase. Based on the results from water-resistance experiments, long-term water treatment usage of all NZOCs was found to be feasible. According to the FE-SEM, EDX, and imaging analysis, nano-ZnO/butadiene rubber composite (NZBC) with various sizes and types of porosity and crack was measured to be coated with relatively homogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles whereas nano-ZnO/silicone composite (NZSC), nano-ZnO/ABS composite (NZAC), and nano-ZnO/epoxy composite (NZEC) with poorly-developed porosity and crack were measured to be coated with relatively heterogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles. The sorption capacity of NZBC was close to 60% relative to the initial concentration, and this result was mainly attributed to the amorphous structure of NZBC, hence the hydrophobic partitioning of TCE to the amorphous structure of NZBC intensively occurred. The removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was close to 99% relative to the initial concentration, and the removal efficiency of TCE was improved as the amount of NZBC increased. These results stemmed from the synergistic mechanisms with great sorption capability of butadiene rubber and superior photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO. Finally, the removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was well represented by linear model ($R^2{\geq}0.936$), and the $K_{app}$ values of NZBC were from 2.64 to 3.85 times greater than those of $K_{photolysis}$, indicating that butadiene rubber was found to be the suitable organic supporting materials with enhanced sorption capacity and without inhibition of photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.342-347
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• 2004

A bacterial strain YC4963 with antifungal activity against Colletotrichum orbiculare, a causal organism of cucumber anthracnose was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino in Korea. Based on physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, the bac­terial strain was identified as Pseudomonas aurantiaca. The bacteria also inhibited mycelial growth of several plant fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani on PDA and 0.1 TSA media. The antifungal activity was found from the culture filtrate of this isolate and the active compound was quantitatively bound to XAD adsorption resin. The antibiotic compound was purified and identified as phenazine-l-carboxylic acid on the basis of combined spectral and chemical analyses data. This is the first report on the production of phenazine-l-carboxylic acid by Pseudomonas aurantiaca.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.172-183
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• 2017

Germinated brown rice (GBR) has received considerable attention over the last decade as a means of enhancing the nutritional value and health-promoting functions of rice. The effect of germination on the physicochemical and textural properties of brown rice (BR) was investigated in different rice varieties (Samkwang, Misomi, Chindeul, and Hyeonpum). Cooking properties, such as water absorption, expanded volume, and soluble solids were significantly increased by germination in all rice varieties. Textural properties (hardness, toughness, adhesiveness, and stickiness) of cooked samples were determined using a texture analyzer. Hardness and toughness were decreased by germination, whereas stickiness and adhesiveness increased significantly. These results revealed that germination leads to improvements in the cooking and eating properties of BR. In Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), significant reductions were observed for peak viscosity, break down, set back, and final viscosity after germination. Although the amylose content of Misomi was slightly decreased by germination, that of other varieties increased significantly. Germination induced no noticeable change in the average chain length of amylopectin in Misomi, Chindeul and Hyeonpum, but led to a significant increase in Samkwang.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the difference and genetic similarity at the level of molecular genetics. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood of Holstein, Korean cattle, Charolais, and hybrid between Korean cattle and charolais and RAPD(random amplified polymorphic DNAs) was analyzed by PCR(polymerase chain reaction). After genetic similarity value from different breeds are analyzed, genetic similarity was estimated by UPGMA(unweighted pair-group method using average). The results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows: 1. When genomic DNA which was extracted from different breeds was subjected to electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel, bigger than 12.2kb was appeared. Ratio by absorbance of $A_{260}/A_{280}$ was 1.75~2.10, indicating that genomic DNA was quite pure for RAPD analysis. 2. Different band patterns by RAPD were appeared according to the breeds in cattle. The best primer used to distinguish Holstein from other breeds was 5'-GAC CGC TTG T-3'. 3. A 340bp fragment was amplified in $33.0^{\circ}C$ of annealing temperature for the Holstein and Charolais breeds, but any amplification was not occurred in this annealing temperature for Korean cattle and hybrid. In addition, a 340bp fragment was amplified in $37.5^{\circ}C$ of annealing temperature for the Holstein and Korean cattle, but any amplification was not occurred in this annealing temperature for Charolais and hybrid. For the reaction of PCR. $37.5^{\circ}C$ and $33.0^{\circ}C$ of annealing temperature was shown to be best for genetic marker identification from Holstein, Charolais, and hybrid between Korean cattle and Charolais. 4. When genetic similarity from different breeds are analyzed at the both temperature of $33.0^{\circ}C$ and $37.5^{\circ}C$, the genetic similarity value of Holstein and Korean cattle, Holstein and Charolais, Korean cattle and Charolais, and Korean cattle and hybrid were 0.666~0.777, 0.615~0.666, 0.400~0.461 and 0.857~0.888, respectively. 5. It could be concluded that different breeds are capable of distinguishing by RAPD used random primer 5'-GAC CGC TTG T-3', genetic similarity from different breeds was appeared the higher genetic similarity value of Korean cattle and Charolais than that of Holstein between Korean cattle and Charolais by UPGMA.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2002

Backgroud : MUC1 mucin is a heavily glycosylated large glycoprotein and is expressed aberrantly in carcinoma. CD44 is polymorphic family of cell surface glycoproteins participating in cell-cell adhesion and modulation of the cell-matrix interaction. MUC1 mucin and CD44 expression have been implicated in a tumor invasion and metastasis in certain malignancies. In this study, the expression of MUC1 and the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) was examined in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods : Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies including MUC1 glycoprotein and CD44s was performed on 80 NSCLC surgical specimens. The association between MUC1 and CD44s expression and the histological type and tumor stage was investigated. Results : Depolarized MUC1 expression in more than 10% of cancer cells was found in 12 (27.9%) out of 43 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 12 (32.4%) out of 37 adenocarcinomas (ACs). It was not associated with the tumor histological type and the TNM-stage in SCCs. Depolarized MUC1 expression correlated with the N-stage in ACs (p=0.036). CD44s was expressed in 36 (83.7%) out of 43 SCCs and 14 (37.8%) out of 37 ACs. Reduced CD44s expression correlated with the N-stage (p=0.031) and the TNM-stage (p=0.006) in SCCs. Conclusions : Depolarized MUC1 expression was related to the nodal stage in NSCLC adenocarcinoma. Reduced CD44s expression was related to nodal involvement and the TNM-stage in squamous cell carcinoma. This suggests that MUC1 and CD44s expression in NSCLC might play important roles in tumor progression and cap be used as prognostic variables.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2011

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes various infections on urinary track, cornea, respiratory track, and burn wound site, and mainly relies on quorum sensing (QS) for its virulence. To control the infectivity of P. aeruginosa, we previously synthesized the structural analogues of a major QS signal, N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) to use as a QS inhibitor. Two of them (5b and 5f) had been confirmed to have an inhibitory effect on LasR, a major QS signal receptor of P. aeruginosa in the screening by the recombinant Escherichia coli reporter. To further evaluate these compounds, we tested their efficacy to control the QS and virulence of P. aeruginosa. Unlike the result from E. coli reporter, both 5b and 5f failed to affect the LasR activity in P. aeruginosa, but instead they selectively affected the activity of QscR, another 3OC12-HSL receptor of P. aeruginosa. Interestingly, their effect on QscR was complex and opposite to what we obtained with E. coli system. Both 5b and 5f enhanced the QscR activity at the low concentration range (< 10 ${\mu}m$), but high concentration of 5f (${\approx}$1 mM) strongly inhibited QscR. While 5b and 5f didn't affect the production of proteases, the key virulence factor, they significantly reduced the biofilm formation that is important in mediating chronic infections. Especially, 5f inhibited the initial attachment of P. aeruginosa, rather than the biofilm maturation. Based on our results, we suggest that 5f can be applied for an anti-biofilm agent without increasing virulence of P. aeruginosa.