• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.1637-1643
• /
• 2009

Shikonin, a component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc, exerts various characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity functions. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of shikonin-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed the mRNA expression level of various adipogenesis-related factors including C/EBPs (CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins) and $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$). The data showed that mRNA expressions of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and C/$EPB{\delta}$ were only slightly changed by shikonin treatment, but mRNA expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$ were significantly down-regulated. Then, we tested whether upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were involved in anti-adipogenesis of shikonin. C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), which are upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$, were not affected by shikonin treatment. On the contrary, the mRNA level of KROX20 was markedly down-regulated by shikonin treatment. These results suggest that KROX20 might regulate downstream factors of adipogenesis through C/$EBP{\beta}$-independent pathway. The expression of KLF15 (Kruppel-like factor15), which is a member of KLF family and is a upstream regulator of $PPAR{\gamma}$, was dramatically decreased by shikonin treatment, but KLF2 was not changed. Shikonin had no impact on the expression of KLF5 in the early stage of adipogenesis, but shikonin increased expression of KLF5 in the late stage of adipogenesis. Even though mRNA expression of KLF5 was moderately changed by shikonin treatment, its effect may be small compared with the effect of KLF15, which was markedly inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$, which is mediated by the down-regulation of two pro-adipogenic factors, KROX20 and KLF15.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.865-872
• /
• 2014

In this study, ethanol and hot water extracts of lees from Korean traditional wine (J-B, J-S, J-Y, J-H, and J-W) were prepared, and their effects on blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, and hemolysis of human red blood cells (hRBCs) were investigated to develop functional food ingredients from lees. The pH and brix of the lees ranged from 3.90 to 4.29 and 5.0 to $27.0^{\circ}$, respectively, and there was a huge difference in the water and ethanol content among the lees. The nuruk and additives used affected the color and physicochemical properties of lees. The J-W takju made from only rice and traditional nuruk, which has $13^{\circ}$ brix and 1.8% of alcohol, has potential as functional food ingredient. With regard to the extraction yields of lees, higher yields were obtained from J-H, which contains different medicinal plants, in ethanol, followed by J-W, J-B, J-S, and J-Y. Higher extraction yields of lees were obtained from J-S in hot water, followed by J-B, J-W, J-H, and J-Y, respectively. The ethanol extract of J-H and the hot water extract of J-Y had the highest contents of total polyphenol and total flavonoids among the lees extracts. The 10 lees extracts did not show hemolysis activity against hRBCs up to 5 mg/ml. In an anticoagulation activity assay, the ethanol extracts of three yakju lees (J-B, J-S, and J-Y) and the hot water extract of J-W inhibited thrombin activity, whereas the hot water extract of J-B, J-S, and J-H inhibited blood coagulation factors. In an antiplatelet aggregation activity assay, only the J-W takju lees showed significant inhibition activity. Our results suggest that lees from traditional wine had high potential as a novel antithrombosis agent.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to examine foodborne pathogenic contamination from 1,080 samples of cooked hams and sausages at 10 Korean processing facilities in 2010. The samples were collected from the six primary and additional sterilization products in same lot. To detect Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium perfringens in those products (n=1,080), the domestic standard method for Processing and Ingredients Specification of Livestock Products was used. As a result, Salmonella spp. was not detected in all 636 ham and 444 sausage samples. However, L. monocytogenes was detected in four (0.6%) ham and eight (1.8%) sausage samples from five manufactures. S. aureus was also only detected in 4 (0.6%) ham samples from two manufacturers, and C. perfringens was detected in 3 (0.5%) ham samples from three manufacturers, the contamination levels of these pathogens were less than 100 CFU/g. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the additional sterilization step of processing manufacturers could not assist to control the foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.238-245
• /
• 1999

Antioxidative effects of the water or ethanol extracts from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) were measured by protection against hydroxyl radicals in mouse brain tissue culture. In the water extracts from RVS, cell viabilities were estimated 60.0, 66.0, 72.0, 84.0 and 90.0% at addition of 1, 2, 4, 7 and $10{\mu}L$, respectively, compared with GO (20 mU/mL) alone. The cell viability in the ethanol extracts was similarly with water extracts. In the antitumor effects, the results showed that percentages of the HeLa cell death were approximately 24% for 12 hrs, 57% for 48 hrs at addition of 10%/well ethanol extracts respectively. To know inhibition of tumor growth, in vivo, mice (BALB/c) were inoculated with 0.25 mL CT-26 $(1{\times}10^6\;cells/mL)$ subcutaneously. After the generation of tumor, the results of RVS extracts (ethanol, water) injection showed generally that the tumor size in BALB/c was reduced. For physicochemical characterization of the RVS extracts, purified substances of water or ethanol extracts were analized with SDS-PAGE and ICP spectrometer. In electrophoresis, gel showed 2 bands (210, 230 KDa). The results of ICP verified that RVS extracts contain $Cu^{2+}$ in both samples. Conclusively, this substance might be a laccase which has a biological effective function, as a natural bioactive substance.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.294-300
• /
• 1996

We performed an experiment to confirm the possibility of wasabi culture using the wat­er of the Soyang River Dam in Chunchon and the ground water in Suwon. Water mineral content of Soyang River except for P was less than that of ground water of Suwon. Dis­solved oxgen and E C of Chunchon was proper to culture wasabi but E C and dissolved oxgen of Suwon was not suitable for that. Water temp. of Soyang river was very changable by month while that of the ground water in Suwon was kept constantly. In Soyang river of Chunchon the month that water temp. show $8{\sim}18^{\circ}C$, optimal growth temp., was May to Nov. and the month that water temp. show less than $6^{\circ}C$, growth limit temp., was $Jan.\;{\sim}\;Feb.$ of Chunchon. Rhizome weight of main stem in Chunchon and Suwon was 63g and 22g per plant and rate of maketable rhizome was each 80%, 0% by culture of 32 months to include raising see­dling period of 13 months. Dry matter partitioning ratio of petiole in Soyang river of Chunchon was the highest of all others but it was lowest of all others in ground water of Suwon. Rhizome weight of main stem in Chunchon was showed possitive correlation with plant height and fresh top weight and in Suwon it was showed possitive correlation with root weight and high possitive correlation with No. of total leaves and No. of tillers.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.341-347
• /
• 2008

The feasibility of commercializing the hydrothermal synthesis of Na-A type zeolite from siliceous mudstone has been conducted using a 50-liter bench-scale autoclave and the application of the zeolite as an environmental remediation agent. Siliceous mudstone, which is widely distributed around the Pohang area, was adopted as a precursor. The siliceous mudstone is favorable for the synthesis of zeolite because it contains 70.7% $SiO_2$ and 10.0% $Al_2O_3$, which are major ingredient of zeolite formation. The synthesis of zeolite was carried out under the following conditions that had been obtained from the previous laboratory-scale tests: 10hr reaction time, $80^{\circ}C$ reaction temperature, $Na_2O/SiO_2$ ratio = 0.6, $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$ ratio = 2.0 and $H_2O/Na_2O$ ratio= 98.6. The crystallinity and morphology of the zeolite formed were similar to those obtained from the laboratory-scale tests. The recovery and cation exchange ion capacity were 95% and 215 cmol/kg, respectively, which are slightly higher than those obtained in laboratory scale tests. To examine the feasibility of the zeolite as an environmental remediation agent, experiments for heavy metal adsorption to zeolite were conducted. Its removal efficiencies of heavy metals in simulated waste solutions decreased in the following sequences: Pb > Cd > Cu = Zn > Mn. In a solution of 1500 mg/L total impurity metals, the removal efficiencies for these impurity metals were near completion (> 99%) except for Mn whose efficiency was 98%. Therefore, the synthetic Na-A type zeolite was proven to be a strong absorbent effective for removing heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.643-658
• /
• 1994

The sedimentary records of anthropogenic metal loads in the Suyeong Bay, Pusan were determined by combining the Pb-210 dating technique with the measurements of heavy metals in the sediment cores. The sedimentation rates of sediment particles ranged from $0.12\;to\;0.20\;g/m^2/yr\;or\;2.4{\sim}4.0\;mm/yr$ in accumulation rates. The lowest sedimentation rate was observed at station S3 which was characterized by a bottom with relatively low organic matter contents(e.g. TIL and TOC). Heavy metals showed generally higher concentrations at station S1 and S2 near the mouth of the Suyeong River than at station S3 and the outmost station S4. The contents of copper, lead and zinc in the sediment cores especially from station S1 and S2 began to increase around 1930, and were at their highest levels in the $1960{\sim}1970$ period as a result of increasing industrial activities. Concentrations of these heavy metals have slightly decreased since 1970, probably due to regulation of pollution discharge. The natural background levels of copper, lead and zinc in the sediments of this bay ranged $18{\pm}4ppm,\;28{\pm}6ppm\;and\;74{\pm}9ppm$, respectively, by averaging the contents in the sediment depths corresponding to periods between about 1900 and 1920 at the four stations. The total amounts of anthropogenic loads deposited in the sediments since about 1930 were estimated to be $9{\sim}291{mu}g/cm^2$ for lead, $165{\sim}1122{mu}g/cm^2$ for zinc and $20{\sim}208{mu}g/cm^2$ for copper. These values were remarkably high at stations S1 and S2 relative to the other two stations. At stations S1 and S2, the anthropogenic loads of lead, copper and zinc constituted $29{\sim}30\%,\;32{\sim}42\%\;and\;28{\sim}35\%$ of the total sedimentary inventories at the present day, respectively. These metal contents have a good correlation(r>0.7) with each other and cadmium measurements also show a positive linear relation with nickel or total organic nitrogen.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 1976

Forty one samples from thirty three species of algae (19 from 15 species of Rhodophyceae, 18 from 14 species of Phaeophyceae, 3 from 3 species of Chlorophyceae, and 1 of marine Phanerogams) collected from several locations on the east, west and south coast of Korea, were analyzed for their contents of crude protein, fat, cellulose, ash, nitrogen free extract, amino nitrogen, and total amino acids. For the examination of extractability of algal protein with water, 4 species of algae, Sargassum thunberggi, Grateloupia filicina, Phyllospadix japonica, and Sargassum confusum, were analyzed. And the effect of some precipitation treatments for isolation of algal protein was also tested. As a matter of fact, Rhodophyceae showed high content in crude protein and low in crude fat while the case was opposite for Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Refering to the content of crude protein and total amino acids, the recommendable algae for protein sources were Sargassum thunbergii, Acrosorium flabellata, Phacelocarpus japonicus, Laurencia okamurai, Laurencia intermedia, Grateloupia filicina, Chondrus ocellatus, Gloiopeltis furcata, Gigartina tenella, Dictyota dichotoma, and Scytosiphon lomentaria. Methanol treatment appeared most effective in precipitation isolation of protein from water extracts whereas pH control method did not so beneficial. The precipitation rate of protein was particularity higher in the extract of Sargassum confusum ana the lowest was makted from the extract of Sargassum thunbergii.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.383-390
• /
• 1984

The present paper was carried out to elucidate the effect of salt-treatment and the addition of some food additives on the histamine formation and histidine decarboxylase activity in mackerel muscle during storage under different conditions. The histamine formation was inhibited by salting and histamine was hardly formed regardless of the brine concentraction during storage at $5^{\circ}C$. While, during storage at $25^{\circ}C$, the inhibitory effect upon the histamine formation and histidine decarboxylase activity was in proportion to the increase of the brine concentration. The addition of accidulants such as citric acid, malic acid and succinic acid inhibited the histamine formation and histidine decarboxylase activity. Especially, the histamine contents in the muscle added $10\%$ of citric acid and malic acid was below the critical concentration of poisoning for histamine during storage at $25^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. The histamine formation and histidine decarboxylase activity were inhibited by the $10\%$ addition of D-sorbitol, while there was no significant effect in the case of $5\%$ addition. Generally, the histamine content was increased with histidine decarboxylase activity, but didn't reveal the quantitative correlation ship with the enzyme activity.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.344-351
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the thermal expansion characteristics of injectable ther-moplasticized gutta-perchas and a Resilon. The materials investigated are Obtura gutta-percha, Diadent gutta-percha, E&Q Gutta-percha Bar and Epiphany (Resilon). The temperature at the heating chamber orifice of an Obtura II syringe and the extruded gutta-percha from the tip of both 23- and 20-gauge needle was determined using a Digital thermometer. A cylindrical ceramic mold was fabricated for thermal expansion test, which was 27 mm long, with an internal bore diameter of 3 mm and an outer diameter of 10 mm. The mold was filled with each experimental material and barrel ends were closed with two ceramic plunger. The samples in ceramic molds were heated in a dilatometer over the temperature range from $25^{\circ}C$ to $75^{\circ}C$. From the change of specimen length as a function of temperature, the coefficients of thermal expansion were deter-mined. There was no statistical difference between four materials in the thermal expansion in the range from $35^{\circ}C$ to $55^{\circ}C$ (p > 0.05). However, Obtura Gutta-percha showed smaller thermal expansion than Diadent and Metadent ones from $35^{\circ}C$ to $75^{\circ}C$ (p < 0.05). The thermal expansion of Epiphany was similar to those of the other gutta-percha groups.