• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2018

In the present study, we compared the effects of 50% ethanolic extracts of Chinese and Korean Wolfiporia cocos (CPE and KPE) on in vitro lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and their anticancer activities in Sarcoma 180 cells. We further compared the anticancer activities and the 50% inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of CPE with KPE with cultivated for one and two years in a landfill and a facility (LPE and FPE), respectively. In addition, the single oral dose toxicities of CPE and KPE were evaluated in mice. Lipid accumulation was inhibited after 48 hours, in CPE and KPE treated 3T3-L1 cells; however, no significant difference was observed between CPE and KPE in their lipid accumulation inhibitory activities. The anticancer activity of KPE was higher than that of CPE at $300{\mu}g/mL$ (p<0.05), revealing the possibility of an auxiliary biological means for origin identification. The anticancer activities of LPE and FPE were significantly stronger than that of CPE (p<0.05) but there was no difference between extracts from one- and two-year-old W. cocos, irrespective of the cultivation method. In single oral dose toxicity tests, CPE and KPE did not induce mortality during the 14-day observation. Thus, the 50% of lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of CPE and KPE were estimated to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg. Taken together, our results indicate that the anticancer assay could be an auxiliary means of identifying the origin of W. cocos. In addition, artificial cultivation could be an alternative way to reduce the import of W. cocos. Lastly, 50% ethanolic W. cocos extracts could be potential candidates for obesity and cancer managements.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.108-121
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• 2001

Background : The $p16^{INK4a}$ (p16) twnor suppressor gene is frequently inactivated in hwnan non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), predominantly through homozygous deletion or in association with aberrant promotor hypermethylation. Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene influences interferon $\gamma$-induced apoptotic cell death and has important role in metastasis of lung cancer in animal model. Hypermethylation of promoter region of DAP kinase gene may suppress the expression of this gene. Methods : This study was performed to investigate the aberrant methylation of p16 or DAP kinase in 35 resected primary NSCLCs by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and demonstrated frequency, diagnostic value and clinical implication of aberrant methylation of two genes. Results : Thirty-two cases were male patients, and 3 cases were female patients with an average age was 57. $8{\pm}10.5$ years. The histologic types of lung cancer were 22 of squamous cell carcinoma, 12 of adenocarcinoma, 1 of large cell carcinoma. Pathologic stages were 11 cases of stage I (1 IA, 10 IB), 13 cases of stage II (1 IIA, 12 IIB), and 11 cases of stage III (9 IIIA, 2 IIIB). Regarding for the cancer tissue, p16 aberrant methylation was noted in 13 case of 33 cases (39.4%), DAP kinase in 21 cases of 35 cases (60%). Age over 55 year was associated with p16 aberrant methylation significantly (p<0.05). Methylation status of two genes was not different by smoking history, histologic type, size of tumor, lymph node metastasis and disease progression of lung cancer. There was no correlation between p16 and DAP kinase hypermethylation. Conclusion: This investigation demonstrates that aberrant methylation of p16 tumor suppressor gene or DAP kinase showed relatively high frequency (74.3%) in NSCLCs, and that these genes could be a biologic marker for early detection of lung cancer.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.389-398
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) supplemented to diets on egg production, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol levels, the profile of cecal microflora, and tibia characteristics in laying hens. One hundred sixty 76-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group (10 birds per replicate). Birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet. The remaining three treated groups were fed the control diet containing either 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 (T1), 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 + B. subtilis W1 (T2) or 0.05% B. subtilis commercial product (T3) for 6 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in feed intake, egg weight, egg production and egg mass among the groups. The dietary supplementation of B. subtilis improved eggshell strength and Haugh units compared to those of control (P<0.05). The activities of GOT and GPT in serum were not also affected by the dietary treatments. The population of total microbes and lactic acid bacteria in cecum were significantly increased by the dietary B. subtilis (P<0.05), but not the coliforms. The cholesterol concentration in egg yolk and serum in the treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). Also, The levels of phospholipids in serum were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). The supplementation of three strains of B. subtilis to diets significantly increased the contents of tibia ash compared to that of control (P<0.05). Thus, this study showed significant improvements in egg quality, such as eggshell strength and Haugh unit, by dietary B. subtilis strains. The B. subtilis strains added to the diets modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting beneficial effects in laying hens.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2003

The present study was designed to demonstrate ionic zinc in the rat nasal mucosa by means of zinc selenium autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$). Rats were given sodium selenide either intraperitoneally (i.p) or intranasally (i.n). Prior to the i.n. administration the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.p.). A thin plastic tube coupled to a Hamilton syringe was then inserted into the right nostril and $10{\mu}l$ of the solution was instilled. For the i.p. administration non-anesthetized rats were given $100{\mu}l$ of the sodium selenide solution (10 mg/kg). Control rats were instilled with saline. After 2 hrs survival, the rats were anaesthetized and transcardially perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde. The olfactory area was removed and put into same fixative. The nose was then sectioned ($30{\mu}m$) horizontally, autometallography (AMG) was performed according to Danscher et al. (1997). After silver enhancement, fine AMG grains were scattered in the whole length of the olfactory epithelium containing olfactory receptor neurons, sustentacular and basal cells. However, much higher concentration of the AMG grains occupied near the surface and in the basal region of the olfactory epithelium. Both groups of i.p. and i.n. administration showed almost same level in the concentration of the AMG grains. In i.n. group, few AMG grains were also found in olfactory nerves of the lamina propria, suggesting zinc transport into the olfactory bulb via olfactory axons. At the electron microscopic level, the AMG grains were most entirely found in the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, and they were mostly localized in lysosome-like organelles. The i.n. group showed various signs of tissue damage of the olfactory mucosa, where dense concentration of AMG grains were localized at crystalloid structures. The present study demonstrated dense population of ionic zinc in the rat olfactory epithelium. zinc may play a role in the olfactory functioin and in the pathogenesis of the neurodegerative disorders affecting nose.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.947-956
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• 2004

The primary role of lipoprotein lipase(LPL) is the hydrolysis of triglycerides(TG) from the core of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins such as chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins in plasma. Fatty acids liberated by LPL on capillary endothelial surfaces are available for tissues as energy sources especially in muscles or for storage in the form of TG in adipose tissues. Therefore, as the candidate gene related to the carcass traits of the beef cattle, we have directly sequenced the exon 5${\sim}$exon 6 region in the bovine LPL gene for discovery of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) with 24 unrelated Hanwoo(Korean cattle). Novel eight sequence variants were detected: three loci on exon 5, three on intron 5 and two on exon 6. All SNPs identified were strongly linked each other, and one hundred twenty eight Hanwoo samples were genotyped one SNP on intron 5 using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method by digestion with Hae III restriction enzyme. The allele frequency of the polymorphism was 0.76 and 0.24. The effects of this polymorphism on the breeding values of the carcass weight, loin muscle area, back fat thickness and marbling score were analyzed using least square methods of SAS GLM. The marbling score of BB genotype was significantly higher than those of AA and AB genotypes(P<0.05). This result indicates that this polymorphism may be associated with the variation of marbling score. Further study is warranted to investigate the phenotypic association in Hanwoo.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.243-254
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• 2002

For the purpose of evaluating the biocompatability of 3 kinds of metallic materials frequently used in pediatric dentistry (stainless steel crown, orthodontic band, orthodontic wire), cellular and molecular studies, including cell growth and proliferation, screening of cell death with determination of types whether necrosis or apoptosis and changes in expressions of related signaling molecules were examined, using cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1), HGF-1 was cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. among which the 3rd to 6th generations of HGF-1 were used. The specimen were divided into stainless steel crown (R), band (B) and wire (W). The immunocytochemical study was done for the detection of anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) labeling. With extracted protein, western blot was done for the detection of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, using individual antibodies. Cultured cells proliferated, remarkably till 7 day and slightly at 11 day. There was no statistical significance in the counts of proliferating HGF-1 between control and experimental groups (p>0.05). Relative growth rates were no statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups (p>0.05). PCNA labeling indexes showing similar patterns in control and experimental groups. The expressions of ERK1 and ERK2, p38 were similar in control and experimental groups. The expression of JNK increased at 1st day, slightly decreased at 4th day and markedly increased at 7th and 11 day. Although the patterns of control and experimental groups were similar, the increased expressions of JNK at late period suggest a possible stress due to inhibited cell growth and proliferation, and worse culture condition. Conclusively, the 3 kinds of metal specimens used in this study did not induce cellular and molecular hazards during short term culture of HGF-1. But, for the better clinical stability, the establishment of long period culture and animal experiment was thought necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2006

In this study, the feasibility of simultaneous removal of organic materials and nitrogen in the waste-water from fisheries processing plant was evaluated using entrapped mixed microbial cell technique(EMMC) process. The experiment was performed using activated sludge from municipal sewage treatment plant which was immobilized with gel matrix by cellulose triacetate. It was found that the stable operation at the treatment system which is composed of anoxic and oxic tank, was possible when the organic and nitrogen loading rates were increased stepwise. The organic and nitrogen loading rates were applied from 0.65 to $1.72kgCOD/m^3/d$ and from 0.119 to $0.317kgT-N/m^3$ with four steps, respectively. The maximum nitrogen loading rate which could satisfy the regulated effluent standard of nitrogen concentration, was $0.3kgT-N/m^3/d$. The removal efficiency of total nitrogen was decreased apparently as increasing nitrogen loading rates, whereas the removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen was effective at the all tested nitrogen loading rates. Therefore, it was concluded that nitrification was efficient at the system. Nitrate removal efficiency ranged from 98.62% to 99.51%, whereas the nitrification efficiency at the oxic tank ranged 94.0% to 96.9% at the tested loading rates. The removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand(COD) and those of total nitrogen at the entire system ranged from 94.2% to 96.6% and 73.4% to 83.4%, respectively.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 2005

Samples of water, soil, and sediment were taken from 10 streams near Andong, Korea in May 2004. To assess the degree of environmental pollution of each stream, chemical pollutants such as total notrogen (T-N), total phosphorus (T-P), chemical oxygen demand (COD), heavy metals, organophosphorus pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, and dioxin-like PCB congeners were analyzed by standard process tests or U.S. EPA methods. In addition, biomarkers originated from insect immune systems of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, were used to analysis of the environmental samples. Except Waya-chun stream showing T-N content of 9.12 mg/L, most streams were contaminated with relatively low levels of overall pollutants in terms of T-N, T-P, and COD, compared to their acceptable environmental levels designated by the Ministry of Environment. Contents of Pb and Cd in samples of each stream were much lower than environmentally permissible levels. However, several times higherconcentrations of Pb and Cd were found in locations at Mi-chun, Kilan-chun, and Hyunha-chun streams, in comparison with other streams. Diazinon, parathion, and phenthoate compounds among organophosphorus pesticides were detected as concentrations of 0.19, 0.40, and $1.13\;{\mu}g/g$, respectively, from soil sample collected in the vicinity of Mi-chun stream. On the other hand, 16 organochlorine pesticides and 12 dioxin-like PCB congeners, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, selected in this study were not found above the limit of detection. Biomarker analyses using insect immune responses indicated that Waya-chun stream was suspected as exposure to environmental pollutants. Limitation and compensation of both environmental analysis techniques are discussed.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Implantation itself is governed by an array of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators, of embryonic and maternal origin. Window of implantation is the unique temporal and spatial expression of factors allows the embryo to implant via signaling, appositioning, attachment, and invasion in a specific time frame of $2{\sim}4$ days. When the embryo has arrived in the uterine cavity, a preprogrammed sequence of events occurs, which involves the production and secretion of a multitude of biochemical factors such as cytokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules by the endometrium and the embryo, thus leading to the formation of a receptive endometrium. Cytokines such as LIF, CSF-1, and IL-1 have all been shown to play important roles in the cascade of events that leads to implantation. Integrin, L-selectin ligands, glycodelin, mucin-1, HB-EGF and pinopodes are involved in appositioning and attachment. The embryo also produces cytokines and growth factors (ILs, VEGF) and receptors for endometrial signals such as LIF, CSF-1, IGF and HB-EGF. The immune system and angiogenesis play an important role. The usefulness of these factors to assess endometrial receptivity and to estimate the prognosis for pregnancy in natural and artificial cycles remains to be proven. Integrins, pinopodes, glycodelin and LIF (from biopsies) are promising candidates; from uterine flushings, glycodelin and LIF are also candidates. The ideal serum marker is not available, but VEGF, glycodelin and CSF have some clinical implications. Further evaluation that includes larger groups of infertile women and fertile controls are needed to elucidate whether their presence in plasma, flushing fluid, or endometrial samples can be used as some kind of a screening tool to assess endometrial function and prognosis for pregnancy before and after artificial reproductive therapy. A better understanding of their function in human implantation may lead to therapeutic intervention, thereby improving the success rate in reproduction treatment. New molecular techniques are becoming available for measuring both embryonic and endometrial changes prior to and during implantation. The use of predictive sets of markers may prove to be more reliable than a single marker. Ultimately, the aim is to use these tools to increase implantation in artificial cycles and consequently improve live-birth rates.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2010

Pleurotus spp. have been used for edible and medicinal purposes in Asian countries for a long time. The fruiting bodies of the Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Pleurotus salmoneostramineus contained many physiologically beneficial substances for human health. Therefore, it is necessary to study the genetic diversity of Pleurotus mushroom cultivars commercially cultivated in Korea. Eleven strains of Pleurotus spp. were collected from different geographical regions in South-East Asia and ITS regions of rDNA and RAPD of genomic DNA were analyzed. The size of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA from the different strains varied from 167 to 254 bp and 156 to 213 bp, respectively. The sequence of ITS1 was more variable than that of ITS2, and the 5.8S sequences were identical. A phylogenetic tree based on the ITS region sequences indicated that selected strains could be classified into 4 clusters. Eleven Pleurotus species were also analyzed by RAPD with 20 arbitrary primers. Ten of these primers were efficiently amplified the genomic DNA. The number of amplified bands varied with the primers and strains, with polymorphic fragments in the range from 0.1 to 2.0kb. The results revealed that genetic diversity of selected strains of P. ostreatus, P. citrinopileatus and P. salmoneostramineus is low.