• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.953-958
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• 2008

The object of this study was to investigate the immune-enhancing effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on a deteriorated immune function by a protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) diet. Unicellular algae, CV were used as a biological response modifier. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed for 15 days with standard diet or a PEM diet, which is associated with decreased host immune defense. After 8 days, mice in the PEM diet group were orally administered by 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/kg body weight of CV or distilled water. Nutritional parameters, and interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ levels were significantly increased in the blood serum of the CV (0.15 g/kg)-treated group (29.6$\pm$2.8 pg/mL) compared to the non-treated PEM group (4.1$\pm$0.4 pg/mL, p<0.05). In addition, cell proliferation and production of cytokines were investigated via a CV (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) treatment using a human T cell line MOLT-4 cell. The CV treatment (1 mg/mL) significantly increased the production of both IFN-$\gamma$ and interleukin (IL)-2 (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 285.9$\pm$18.8 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the control (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 442.6$\pm$14.3 pg/mL, respectively), but did not affect the production of IL-4. These results suggest that CV may be useful in improving the immune function.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The gene encoding Thermus thermophilus HJ6 DNA polymerase (Tod) was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame (ORF) of the Tod gene was composed of 2,505 nucleotides and encoded a protein (843 amino acids) with a predicted molecular weight of 93,795 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of Tod showed 98% and 86% identities to the Thermus thermophilus HB8 DNA pol and Thermus aquaticus DNA pol, respectively, The Tod gene was expressed under the control of the bacteriophage $\lambda$ promoters PR and PL on the expression vector pJLA503 in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) codon plus. The expressed enzyme was purified by heat treatment, $HiTrap^{TM}$ Q column, and $HiPrep^{TM}$ Sephacryl S-200 HR 26/60 column chromatographies. The optimal temperature and pH for DNA polymerase activity were found to be $75{\sim}80^{\circ}C$ and 9.0, respectively. The optimal concentrations of $Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ were 2.5 mM and 1 mM, respectively. The enzyme activity was activated by divalent cations, and was inhibited by monovalent cations. The result of the PCR experiment with Tod DNA polymerase indicates that this enzyme might be useful in DNA amplification and PCR-based applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2018

In a time when product development cycles are getting shorter and shorter, many companies are making efforts to develop products with high reliability in a short period of time, accelerated life test is widely used as a method to quickly evaluate reliability. Accelerated life test reduces the test life or the life of the product from the observed data by shortening the lifetime of the product or abruptly lowering the performance under the worse condition than the actual condition in order to shorten the test cost or the test time. In this paper, BL3640A-06P+RB35, DC12V model, which is used in the support device of an automatic rotation type digital signage, which display various information such as textures and images on a display screen in a public place or a commercial space, BLDC motors were subjected to a constant stress test and at the rotational speed of 1rpm, $180^{\circ}$ rotation and reverse rotation under actual use conditions, the stress was imposed on the rotating speed of 2rpm and the weight of the actual installed product from 22.2kgf to 10kgf were installed. The lifetime of the actual use environment condition is 23,545 hours and the rotation speed is accelerated. The life time of the acceleration condition with the additional weight is 1,380 hours. The acceleration factor is calculated as 17.06, the one year guarantee test day is 235 days to 14 days, of the period from 470 days to 28 days, and the third year from 704 days to 42 days. The test date of the BLDC motor was tested on the shortened test date, and the rotational speed and the current value were measured. It is found that there is no defect even if it operates as the test date corresponding to the specified one year warranty period and the 3 year accelerated life test which is experimented. Using the statistical technique of the regression analysis the expected time for the motor to defect to #4 samples was 20 years.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1386-1392
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• 2008

A gene (sll0158) putatively encoding a glycogen branching enzyme (GBE, E.C. 2.4.1.18) was cloned from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, and the recombinant protein expressed and characterized. The PCR-amplified putative GBE gene was ligated into a pET-21a plasmid vector harboring a T7 promoter, and the recombinant DNA transformed into a host cell, E. coli BL21(DE3). The IPTG-induced enzymes were then extracted and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The putative GBE gene was found to be composed of 2,310 nucleotides and encoded 770 amino acids, corresponding to approx. 90.7 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses. The optimal conditions for GBE activity were investigated by measuring the absorbance change in iodine affinity, and shown to be pH 8.0 and $30^{\circ}C$ in a 50 mM glycine-NaOH buffer. The action pattern of the GBE on amylose, an $\alpha$-(1,4)-linked linear glucan, was analyzed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) after isoamylolysis. As a result, the GBE displayed $\alpha$-glucosyl transferring activity by cleaving the $\alpha$-(1,4)-linkages and transferring the cleaved maltoglycosyl moiety to form new $\alpha$-(1,6)-branch linkages. A time-course study of the GBE reaction was carried out with biosynthetic amylose (BSAM; $M_p{\cong}$8,000), and the changes in the branch-chain length distribution were evaluated. When increasing the reaction time up to 48 h, the weight- and number-average DP ($DP_w$ and $DP_n$) decreased from 19.6 to 8.7 and from 17.6 to 7.8, respectively. The molecular size ($M_p$, peak $M_w{\cong}2.45-2.75{\times}10^5$) of the GBE-reacted product from BSAM reached the size of amylose (AM) in botanical starch, yet the product was highly soluble and stable in water, unlike AM molecules. Thus, GBE-generated products can provide new food and non-food applications, owing to their unique physical properties.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.229-238
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• 2006

Background and Objetive : The aim of this study is to report 3 cases of facial palsy following microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm patients. It is a rare disease, with few research on the effect of acupuncture therapy on it. Material and Method : We selected 3 cases of facial palsy following microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm patients, among patients who visited the Facial palsy Clinic of Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center. We treated them with acupuncture therapy(ST6, ST4, BL2, TE17, GV24, GV14, and Ex-HN4 of the healthy side, and LI4 and ST36 of both sides) and aroma therapy. After treatment we observed and checked any changes within clinical symptoms using the House-Brackmann Grade and the Yanagihara's Unweighted Grading System. Result and Conclusion : 1. All three cases were of hemifacial spasm patients who had facial palsy following microvascular decompression. The patients visited 27 months(Case1), 2 months(Case2) and 7 months(Case 3) after the surgery respectively. 2. Period of time till complete recovery is 23 months(Case1), 8 months(Case2) and 3 month (Case3) respectively. 3. All three cases had symptoms of sequelae: retraction of mouth toward the healthy side and involuntary spasm of lips. The later the initiation of treatment after the sugery, the more severe symptoms of sequelae.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.607-615
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to isolate the cellulolytic microorganism from the rumen of Holstein steers and characterize endoglucanase gene (Cel5A) from the isolated microorganism. Methods: To isolate anaerobic microbes having endoglucanase, rumen fluid was obtained from Holstein steers fed roughage diet. The isolated anaerobic bacteria had 98% similarity with Eubacterium cellulosolvens (E. cellulosolvens) Ce2 (Accession number: AB163733). The Cel5A from isolated E. cellulolsovens sp. was cloned using the published genome sequence and expressed through the Escherichia coli BL21. Results: The maximum activity of recombinant Cel5A (rCel5A) was observed at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.0. The enzyme was constant at the temperature range of $20^{\circ}C$ to $40^{\circ}C$ but also, at the pH range of 3 to 9. The metal ions including $Ca^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Ni^{2+}$,$Mg^{2+}$, and $Fe^{2+}$ increased the endoglucanase activity but the addition of $Mn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, and $Zn^{2+}$ decreased. The Km and Vmax value of rCel5A were 14.05 mg/mL and $45.66{\mu}mol/min/mg$. Turnover number, Kcat and catalytic efficiency, Kcat/Km values of rCel5A was $96.69(s^{-1})$ and 6.88 (mL/mg/s), respectively. Conclusion: Our results indicated that rCel5A of E. cellulosolvens isolated from Holstein steers had a broad pH range with high stability under various conditions, which might be one of the beneficial characteristics of this enzyme for possible industrial application.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.629-634
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experiments was to show anti-obesity effects of Korean solar salt from different salt fields in diet-induced obese mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Diet-induced obesity (DIO) was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD; 45% cal from fat) in C57BL/6J mice for eight weeks. The mice were fed with the designated diets (chow diet for Normal, HFD for Control, 0.47%-salt-mixed HFD for purified salt (PS), Guerande solar salt from France (SS-G), solar salt from Y salt field (SS-Y), solar salts from T salt field (SS-T) and S salt field (SS-S)) for another eight weeks. We checked body weight, food efficiency ratio (FER) and tissue weights (liver and epididymal adipose tissue (EAT)), and observed serum concentrations of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), leptin and insulin. We also evaluated gene expressions of adipogenic / lipogenic mRNAs of $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$ and FAS and beta-oxidation-related factors ($PPAR{\alpha}$ and CPT-1) in liver and EAT. The mineral composition of salt samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RESULTS: SS-T and SS-S significantly reduced body weight gain, FER, and weight of EAT compared to control and other samples (P < 0.05). SS-T and SS-S also significantly decreased serum levels of TG, TC, leptin and insulin (P < 0.05). SS-T and SS-S suppressed expressions of adipogenic / lipogenic mRNAs in liver and EAT, while promoting expression of beta-oxidation-related factors. The lowest sodium concentration was observed in SS-T ($30.30{\pm}0.59%$), and the lowest sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio was found in SS-S (17.81). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that well-processed Korean solar salt may have anti-obesity effects in vivo, probably owing to its differences in mineral composition and other components, presumably resulting from the manufacturing processes. Further research is needed into the mechanism and to explore optimal manufacturing processes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

${\alpha}$-Asarone exhibits a number of pharmacological actions including neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anticonvulsive, and cognitive enhancing action. The present study investigated the effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone on pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA, microglial activation, and neuronal damage in the hippocampus and on learning and memory deficits in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Varying doses of ${\alpha}$-asarone was orally administered (7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days before the LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA at 4 and 24 hours after the LPS injection at dose of 30 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the LPS injection, the loss of CA1 neurons, the increase of TUNEL-labeled cells, and the up-regulation of BACE1 expression in the hippocampus were attenuated by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced Iba1 protein expression in the hippocampal tissue at a dose of 30 mg/kg. ${\alpha}$-Asarone did not reduce the number of Iba1-expressing microglia on immunohistochemistry but the average cell size and percentage areas of Iba1-expressing microglia in the hippocampus were significantly decreased by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. In the Morris water maze test, ${\alpha}$-asarone significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in the target and peri-target zones. ${\alpha}$-Asarone also significantly increased the number of target heading and memory score in the Morris water maze. The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus by ${\alpha}$-asarone may be one of the mechanisms for the ${\alpha}$-asarone-mediated ameliorating effect on memory deficits.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-92
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• 2003

Objective; This study was investigated to test the anti-anemic effects of Danggwibohyeol-tang for herbal acupuncture on rat with anemia induced by phenylhydrazine according to composition ratio. Methods; Danggwibohyeol-tang herbal-acupuncture was administered into Kyoksu(膈兪穴, BL17) and RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, platelet, MPV, PDW, indirect bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase were tested. Results; The obtained results are summarized as follows: (1) In control group RBC was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group. The effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang group C was similiar to that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group B and was higher than that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group A. (2) In control group hemoglobin was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group but there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C. (3) In control group hematocrit was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group. The effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang group C was higher than that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group A or B. (4) In case of MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW there was no significant anti-anemic effect. (5) Danggwibohyeol-tang group significantly inhibited the growth of platelet. In case of Danggwibohyeol-tang A and B group there was more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang C group but there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang A and B group. (6) In case of MPV, PDW and indirect bilirubin there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang group and control group. (7) Danggwibohyeol-tang group significantly inhibited the growth of lactate dehydrogenase. In case of Danggwibohyeol-tang C group there was more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang B group and Danggwibohyeol-tang B group showed more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang A group. Conclusion; From above results Danggwibohyeol-tang for herbal acupuncture showed significant anti-anemic effect in some parameters. Further study is needed for the effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang according to different composition ratio.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1 s.31
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• pp.111-131
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• 1996

For the development of antimetastatic agent 41 kinds of crude drugs were used for the evaluation of inhibitory effect of several crude drugs on cell adhesion of pulmonary cancer cells and platelet aggregation. Results were obtained as follows: 1. Water extracts of crude drugs inhibited cell adhesion of A549 to complex extracelluar matrix over 40 % of contol were Houttuyniae Herba, Mylabris, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Meliae Cortex, Ferula Resina, Oldenlandiae diffusae Herba at the higher concentration of $10^{-3}g／ml$ while those inhibiting cell adhesion of Bl6-Fo over 40 % of control were $10^{-5}g／ml$ of Houttuyniae Herba, Aurantii Fructus, Lithospermi Radix, Zedoariae Rhizoma. Prunellae Spica, Foeniculi Fructus, Rbei Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Meliae Cortex, Ferula Resina and Oldenlandiae diffusae Herba. 2. MeOH extracts of crude drugs at the concentration of $4{\times}10^{-4}g／ml$ inhibiting cell adhesion of A549 specifically to single extracelluar matrix over 40 % of control were Lithospermi Radix, Agrimoniae Herba, Rhei Radix and Ferula Resina to collagen I, Houttuyniae Herba, Lithospermi Radix, Bupleuri Radix, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix, Orostachys Herba, Sappan Lignum, Meliae cortex ferula Resina and Coicis Semen to collagen Ⅳ, Mylabris, Agrimoniae Herba to laminin, Houttuyniae Herba and Meliae Cortex to fibronectin. 3. NeOH extracts of crude drugs at the concentration of $4{\times}10^{-4}g／ml$ inhibiting cell adhesion of B16-Fo specifically to single extracelluar matrix over 60 % of control were Lithospermi Radix, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix, Meliae Cortex and Ferula Resina to collagen I, Lithospermi Radix, Bupleun Radix, Saiviae miltiorrhizae Radix, Ferula Resina and Acanthopanacis Cortex to collagen Ⅳ, Bupleuri Radix, Orostachys Herba to laminin, Houttuyniae Herba to fibronectin. 4. MeOH extracts of crude drugs inhibiting platelet aggregation over 40% of ADP control were at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Houttuyniae Herba, Angilicae gigantis Radix, Zedoariae Rhizoma. Coicis Semen and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Ferula Resina, Orostachys Herba, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix, Curcumac Radix, Carthami Flos, Lithospermi Radix, Gleditsiae Spina, Sappan Lignum, Acanthopanacis Cortex. These results suggest that several crude drugs including Ferula Resina, Houttuyniae Herba, Lithospermi Radix and Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix chiefly have more possibility to exert antimetastatic activity and require in vivo antimetastatic study.