• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.13
• /
• pp.5117-5121
• /
• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1881-1889
• /
• 2018

Objective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 2020

Five species of Olethreutinae: four in Olethreutini, Olethreutes manoi (Kawabe, 1987), Olethreutes exilis Falkovitsh, 1966, Olethreutes komaii (Bae, 2005), and Proschistis marmaropa (Meyrick, 1907), and one in Grapholitini, Dichrorampha canimaculata Komai, 1979, are reported from Korea for the first time. Olethreutes komai is recorded out of Japan for the first time. The genus Proschistis is new to the Korean fauna. Proschistis can be characterized by the shapes of tegumen and juxta in the male genitalia. Brief descriptions and imaginal and genital photos are provided for the species. Distribution, host plants, and taxonomic notes when necessary are given for each species.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.17
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2001

Toxicology is under challenge from several new trends in science and technology, namely computer, the Internet, genome projects, genomic technologies, and combinatorial chemistry. These new trends will drastically change research style of toxicology. In addition to conventional uni cellular tests and animal tests using rodents, computer simulation, DNA chips (microarrays), in vivo tests using simple model organisms such as nematodesor flies become important routine screening tests. How to arrange these tests in tiers will become a new problem. Endocrine disruptors hypothesis is a good example for this kind of futuristic approach. Computer, particularly the Internet, is also enabling toxicologists and regulatory experts to collaborate more closely. The IPCS (International Program for Chemical Safety) which is ajoint project of WHO, ILO and UNEP, is a well-known international collaborative research for chemical risk assessments. The GINC project of IPCS is an effort to utilize the Internet for such collaborations. Some efforts were also made to establish regional collaboration network in East Asia under this project.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.227-237
• /
• 2013

A new copepod species, Cletocamptus koreanus, is described from estuaries and salt marshes on south and southwest coasts in Korea. Cletocamptus koreanus n. sp. evidently belongs to C. deitersi species group in sharing 6-segmented antennule, 3 setae on antennary exopod, leg 1 with endopod shorter than exopod, and 2+1 inner setae on the third exopodal segments of legs 3-4. However, C. koreanus is distinguished from its allied congeneric species by different setal armatures of mandibular palp, antennary exopod, endopod of female leg 2 and the third exopodal segments of legs 3-4, and relative length and shape of apophysis of male leg 3 enp 2. Description and taxonomic accounts of the new species are presented herein, with detailed illustrations and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs. Discussion on the affinities with other species of C. deitersi group are provided, along with brief comments on the morphological discrepancies between the new species from Korea and other Asian species from China and India.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.206-214
• /
• 2014

Two monstrilloid copepod species belonging to the genus Monstrilla Dana are newly recorded from Korea: M. grandis Giesbrecht, 1891 and M. hamatapex Grygier and Ohtsuka, 1995. Specimens were obtained from inshore waters around the coasts of South Korea, using a light trap installed at quays and wharves overnight. Based on the Korean specimens, the two species are redescribed, with brief accounts of their affinities and morphological variabilities. Remarkable morphological discrepancies are confirmed in female leg 5 of M. grandis between type material from Southern Hemisphere and European and Asian specimens, which raise a strong doubt on their conspecificity. Korean specimens of M. hamatapex well coincide with the type specimens from Japan, except for some variations in the setal armature of leg 5 and antennules. This is the second taxonomic paper on the monstrilloid copepods in Korea, and the genus Monstrilla is newly added to Korean fauna.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.191-196
• /
• 2003

Taxonomic confusion has been presented within freshwater crayfishes of the genus Cambaroides since Starobogatov published morphological definition and revision of the group in 1995. He suggested that Cambaroides should be revised: the C. dauricus, contained three species C. dauricus, C. wladiwostokiensis, and C. koshewnikowi; the C. schrenckii with two. species C. schrenckii and C. sachalinensis. Also Straovogatov did not take into account the previous data. of crayfish distributions. In order to. clear up the confusion, the taxonomy of crayfish sampled from Mongolia, Russia, China, and North Korea was reassessed. Starovogatov's key could not lead to the correct identification. Also, detailed observations of apical robe of the male first pleopod did not support the taxonomy on the genus Cambaroides proposed by Starobogatov in 1995. However, some local variations of morphology exist in rostrum, pleuron, and telson of Asian crayfish. Future studies should be concentrated on whether there are geographical clines of morphology or if taxonomic subdivision is necessary.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.190-193
• /
• 2018

Three species of Acrolepiopsis: A. issikiella (Moriuti, 1961), A. japonica Gaedike, 1982, and A. postomacula (Matsumura, 1931), are recorded from Korea for the first time. Acrolepiopsis issikiella is characterized by having the white costal strigulae and a large dorsal patch on the forewing. Acrolepidopsis japonica is the smallest congener in Korea. Acrolepiopsis postomacula is the only Korean species of Acrolepiinae associated with Hosta. Distributions and larval biology of the three species are summarized. Two species, A. issikiella and A. japonica, are potential pest species of yam-cultivating farms in Korea. Superficial and genital features of the species, if available, are illustrated.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2021

Three species of Spilomelinae, Camptomastix septentrionalis Inoue, 1982, Omiodes indistinctus (Warren, 1892) and Piletocera aegimiusalis (Walker, 1859), are reported for the first time from Korea. Camptomastix septentrionalis is distinguished from Camptomastix hisbonalis (Walker, 1859) in the smaller body size, the lack of a clear discal spot on the forewings, and having the less protruding costa of the valva in the male genitalia and the smaller antrum in the female genitalia. Omiodes indistinctus is distinguished from Omiodes tristrialis(Bremer, 1864) in having the narrower forewings with the faded postmedian and subbasal lines and a densely-setose, sclerotized area on the terminal part of uncus dorsally in the male genitalia. Piletocera aegimiusalis is distinguished from Piletocera sodalis(Leech, 1889) in the larger body size and the lack of a pale yellow patch on the hindwings. Photos of the external and genital features are provided for the three newly-recorded spilomeline species.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.42-45
• /
• 2022

The varunid crab, Varuna yui Hwang & Takeda, 1986, is known as widely distributed in the Southeast Asian region. Three specimens of varunid crabs were collected near the estuary of the river from Korea and identified as V. yui. Varuna yui could be distinguished from the other congeneric species, V. litterata (Fabricius, 1798), by having a more extended mesial lobe on the distal region of the male first gonopod. In this paper, morphological diagnosis and illustrations of the newly collected V. yui are provided. The specimens examined herein were deposited in the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources.