• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1347-1353
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• 2018

The fermentation of non-digestible soy meal can convert polysaccharides into many compounds that have a wide variety of biological functions. Bacillus strains are capable of hydrolyzing non-digestible saccharides, such as melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose, found in soy meal components. A highly active ${\alpha}$-galactosidase (${\alpha}$-d-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) was isolated from a bacterium in a traditional Korean fermented medicinal herb preparation. The isolate, T2-16, was identified as Bacillus coagulans based on its 16S rRNA sequence and biochemical properties, and the strain was named Bacillus coagulans NRR-1207. When incubated in 10%(w/v) skim milk, Bacillus coagulans NRR1207 caused a decrease in the pH of the culture medium, as well as an increase in titratable acidity and viable cell counts. This strain also showed higher activities of ${\alpha}$-galactosidase, ${\beta}$-galactosidase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, naphthol-AS-BO-phosphohydrolase, and acid phosphatase when compared to other enzymes. It hydrolyzed oligomeric substrates, such as raffinose and stachyose, and liberated galactose, indicating that the Bacillus coagulans NRR1207 ${\alpha}$-galactosidase hydrolyzed the ${\alpha}$-1,6 glycoside linkage. These results suggest that the decreased stachyose and raffinose contents observed in fermented soy meal are due to this ${\alpha}$-galactosidase activity. Bacillus coagulans NRR1207 therefore has potential probiotic activity and could be utilized in feed manufacturing, as well as for hydrolyzing non-digestible soy meal components.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2019

Microtubules form through the polymerization of ${\alpha}-$ and ${\beta}-tubulin$, and tubulin transport plays an important role in defining the rate of microtubule growth inside cellular appendages, such as the cilia and flagella. Heterotrimeric kinesin 2 is a molecular motor member of the kinesin superfamily (KIF) that moves along the microtubules to transport multiple cargoes. It consists of two motor subunits (KIF3A and KIF3B) and a kinesin-associated protein 3 (KAP3), forming a heterotrimeric complex. Heterotrimeric kinesin 2 interacts with many different binding proteins through the cargo-binding domains of the KIF3s, but these binding proteins have not yet been specified. To identify these proteins for KIF3A, we performed yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening and found a specific interaction with ${\beta}2-tubulin$ (Tubb2), a microtubule component. Tubb2 was found to bind to the cargo-binding domain of KIF3A but did not interact with KIF3B, KIF5B, or kinesin light chain 1 in the Y2H assay. The carboxyl-terminal region of Tubb2 is essential for interaction with KIF3A. Other Tubb isoforms, including Tubb1, Tubb3, Tubb4, and Tubb5, also interacted with KIF3A in the Y2H screening. However, ${\alpha}1-tubulin$ (Tuba1) did not interact with KIF3A. In addition, an antibody to KIF3A specifically co-immunoprecipitated the KIF3B and KAP3 associated with Tubb2 from mouse brain extracts. In combination, these results suggest that a heterotrimeric kinesin 2 motor protein is capable of binding to tubulin and may transport it in cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2024

We investigated to analyze total flavonoid content and fatty acid composition of Stachys sieboldii Miq root. In order to determine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of fractions from S. sieboldii Miq. root, we conducted 1.1-Diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical cation (ABTS) assays for antioxidant and measured nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, we examined an inhibitory effect of fractions from S. sieboldii Miq. root on smad signaling induced by transforming growth factor (TGF) β. Among the fractions, n-butanol (n-BuOH) fraction showed the highest flavonoid content (16.67 mg/g), followed by n-Hexane, water and 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH) fractions. The fatty acid composition of S. sieboldii Miq. root was in the following order : n-6 fatty acids (54.3%) > n-3 fatty acids (21.2%) > saturated fatty acids (19.7%) > n-9 fatty acids (3.6%). As a result of the antioxidant efficacy, the DPPH and ABTS assays showed that n-BuOH fraction had higher scavenging activity compared to other fractions. Inhibitory effect on NO production showed that all fractions decreased LPS-induced NO production, indicating an anti-inflammatory activity of S. sieboldii Miq. root. 85% aq. MeOH and water fractions showed a higher efficacy in inhibiting transforming growth factor (TGF) β induced smad signaling. From the results, it suggests that food processing products using S. sieboldii Miq. root will be developed as a functional food for promoting health.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2015

After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, study and maintenance of monitoring systems have been made at home and abroad. As concerns about radioactive contamination of water have increased in Korea, update of maintenance of managing radioactive materials in water is being made mainly by Ministry of Environment. In this study, we analysed current state of monitoring system modification in Japan, the country directly involved and neighboring country. According to the result, Japan modified the legislations first. Then Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides theoretical background of radiological monitoring. And Ministry of the Environment actually watches state of water pollution in public waters and underground water. Finally related agencies like local government are monitoring current state of radioactive contamination in water environment. By region, local monitoring stations share the investigation of the whole country. Also, additional monitoring is running around nuclear facilities. After Fukushima disaster, monitoring for area near Fukushima is added. Among the reference levels, management target value of drinking water and tap water is 10 Bq/kg, and those of public water and underground water are 1 Bq/L. Measuring intervals varied from every hour to once a year, regularly or irregularly depending on the investigation. The main measuring items are air dose rate, gross ${\alpha}$, gross ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$ radionuclide, Cs-134, Cs-137, Sr-89, Sr-90, I-131, and so on. In comparison, regulations about general public water in Korea need to be modified, while those about area near nuclear facility and drinking water are organized well. In future, therefore, domestic system would be expected to be modified with making reference to the guidelines like WHO's one. As good case of applying international guideline to domestic environment, Japanese system could be a reference when general standard of radioactivity in public water is made in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.233-236
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• 2012

Cefquinome, a fourth generation cephalosporin, has been solely used for veterinary medicine and has a broad antibacterial spectrum against gram-negatives and gram-positives being very stable to ${\beta}$-lactamases. This study was conducted to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cefquinome 2.5% products in piglets. Plasma cefquinome concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Mean maximum concentration ($C_{max}$) of test product ($Cequus^{(R)}$) and reference product ($Cobactan^{(R)}$) were $4.34{\pm}0.58$ and $4.22{\pm}0.47{\mu}g/mL$, and mean area under the concentration time curve ($AUC_{0{\rightarrow}{\infty}}$) values were $10.43{\pm}1.96$ and $10.25{\pm}2.98{\mu}g{\cdot}h/mL$, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of $C_{max}$ (0.941-1.115), and $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}{\infty}}$ (0.927-1.172) values for the test and reference products were within the acceptable bioequivalence limit of 0.80-1.25. It is concluded that two commercial cefquinome injectable solutions are bioequivalent in their extent of drug absorption in piglets.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.511-518
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• 2017

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a relevant environment factor to induce cellular senescence and photoaging. Both autophagy- and silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1)-dependent pathways are critical cellular processes of not only maintaining normal cellular functions, but also protecting cellular senescence in skin exposed to UV irradiation. In the present studies, we investigated whether modulation of autophagy induction using a novel synthetic SIRT1 activator, heptasodium hexacarboxymethyl dipeptide-12 (named as Aquatide), suppresses the UVB irradiation-induced skin aging. Treatment with Aquatide directly activates SIRT1 and stimulates autophagy induction in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Next, we found that Aquatide-mediated activation of SIRT1 increases autophagy induction via deacetylation of forkhead box class O (FOXO) 1. Finally, UVB irradiation-induced cellular senescence measured by $SA-{\beta}-gal$ staining was significantly decreased in cells treated with Aquatide in parallel to occurring SIRT1 activation-dependent autophagy. Together, Aquatide modulates autophagy through SIRT1 activation, contributing to suppression of skin aging caused by UV irradiation.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.234-243
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• 2020

The physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of Lentinula edodes cultivated with liquid spawn were compared according to the harvest cycle (1-3 cycles). There was no significant difference in moisture content. The crude lipid and crude protein contents tended to decrease according to harvest cycle. The content of β-glucan was the highest in mushrooms after one cycle. The β-glucan content in cycles 2 and 3 was 68.5% and 62.3% that of the content after cycle 1, respectively. Mineral content in the pileus and stipe was similar. The mineral content was highest in the pileus after two cycles. Composition and contents of free amino acids tended to decrease according to the harvest cycle. Contents of essential amino acids were higher in mushroom after one cycle. Total phenol content was highest in the pileus (31.96 mg/100 g) and the stipe (21.10 mg/100 g) after one cycle and tended to decrease with subsequent cycles. The flavonoid content was 11.13 mg/100 g after one cycle and significantly decreased according to the harvest cycle. Antioxidant activities were also highest after one cycle and significantly decreased according to the harvest cycle. When compared to L. edodes cultured for one cycle, L. edodes cultivated with liquid spawn for three cycles was considered to have similar marketability in terms of quality characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.770-776
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of recombinant eel gonadotropin hormone (rJeGTH) produced in silkworms, with and without a carboxyl-terminal peptide from equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), on the induction of sexual maturation in female eels Anguilla japonica. Experiments were conducted both in vivo and in vitro. In in vitro trials, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) induction did not significantly differ between rJeFSH and $rJeFSH{\cdot}eCG$ treatments and the control group. However, previous studies did find that rJeLH and $rJeLH{\cdot}eCG$ treatments induced GVBD in female eels. Our in vitro exploration of $estradiol-17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) levels in immature ovarian tissues revealed significantly higher $E_2$ levels in the group treated with $rJeFSH{\cdot}eCG$ $1{\mu}g/mL$ than in the control group. In contrast, the in vivo experiments showed no effect of recombinant hormones on the sexual maturation of feminized eels. Previous studies and our own in vitro results have clearly shown that rJeGTH and $rJeGTH{\cdot}eCG$ have a positive effect on the sexual maturation of feminized eels. To develop the activity of rJeGTH in vivo, further studies should confirm circulation time and activity of these hormones in eels' bloodstream, modify the structure of the recombinant gene, and implement additional glycosylation.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.118-128
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• 2017

The scope of this work is to determine and compare the effect of electron temperature ($T_e$) and number density ($N_e$) on the yield rate and concentration of reactive chemical species ($^{\bullet}OH$, $H_2O_2$ and $O_3$) in an argon, air and oxygen injected negative DC (0-4 kV) capillary discharge with water flow(0.1 L/min). The discharge was created between tungsten pin-to pin electrodes (${\Phi}=0.5mm$) separated by a variable distance (1-2 mm) in a quartz capillary tube (2 mm inner diameter, 4 mm outer diameter), with various gas injection rates (100-800 sccm). Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of the hydrogen Balmer lines was carried out to investigate the line shapes and intensities as functions of the discharge parameters such as the type of gas, gas injection rate and inter electrode gap distances. The intensity ratio method was used to calculate $T_e$ and Stark broadening of Balmer ${\beta}$ lines was adopted to determine $N_e$. The effects of $T_e$ and $N_e$ on the reactive chemical species formation were evaluated and presented. The enhancement in yield rate of reactive chemical species was revealed at the higher electron temperature, higher gas injection rates, higher discharge power and larger inter-electrode gap. The discharge with oxygen injection was the most effective one for increasing the reactive chemical species concentration. The formation of reactive chemical species was shown more directly related to $T_e$ than $N_e$ in a flowing water gas injected negative DC capillary discharge.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.640-650
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• 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF protein family which is highly synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Depending on the expression tissue, FGF21 uses endo- or paracrine features to regulate several metabolic pathways including glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Different physiologically stressful conditions such as starvation, a ketogenic diet, extreme cold, and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to induce FGF21 synthesis in various tissues to exert either adaptive or defensive mechanisms. More specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha control FGF21 expression in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. In addition, the pharmacologic administration of FGF21 has been reported to decrease the body weight and improve the insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein profiles of obese mice and type 2 diabetes patients meaning that FGF21 has attracted huge interest as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, understanding FGF21 remains complicated due to the paradoxical condition of its tissue-dependent expression. For example, nutrient deprivation largely increases hepatic FGF21 levels whereas adipose tissue-derived FGF21 is increased under feeding condition. This review discusses the issues of interest that have arisen from existing publications, including the tissue-specific function of FGF21 and its action mechanism. We also summarize the current stage of a clinical trial using several FGF21 analogs.