• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.911-917
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• 2009

The apoptotic caspases have been classified in accordance with their substrate specificities, as the optimal tetrapeptide recognition motifs for a variety of caspases have been determined via positional scanning substrate combinatorial library technology. Here, we focused on two proteolytic recognition motifs, DEVD and IETD, owing to their extensive use in cell death assay. Although DEVE and IETD have been generally considered to be selective for caspase-3 and -8, respectively, the proteolytic cleavage of these substrates does not display absolute specificity for a particular caspase. Thus, we attempted to monitor the cleavage preference for caspase-3, particularly using the recombinant protein substrates. For this aim, the chimeric GST:DEVD:EGFP and GST:IETD:EGFP proteins were genetically constructed by linking GST and EGFP with the linkers harboring DEVD and IETD. To our best knowledge, this work constitutes the first application for the monitoring of cleavage preference employing the recombinant protein substrates that simultaneously allow for mass and fluorescence analyses. Consequently, GST:IETD:EGFP was cleaved partially in response to caspase-3, whereas GST:DEVD:EGFP was completely proteolyzed, indicating that GST:DEVD:EGFP is a better substrate than GST:IETD:EGFP for caspase-3. Collectively, using these chimeric protein substrates, we have successfully evaluated the feasibility of the recombinant protein substrate for applicability to the monitoring of cleavage preference for caspase-3.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Resources Recycling Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.47-58
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• 2005

Rice straw is one of the main renewable energy sources in Korea, and bio-oil is produced from rice straw with a lab. scale plant equipped mainly with a fluidized bed and a char removal system. We investigated how the reaction temperature affected the production of bio-oil and the efficiency of a char removal system. To elucidate how the temperature depended on the production of bio-oil, experiment were conducted between $450^{\circ}C\;and\;600^{\circ}C$ with a feed rate of about 300g/h. The mass balance was established in each experiment, and the produced gas and oil were analyzed with the aid of GCs and a GC-MS system. The char removal system is composed of a cyclone and a hot filter. In the experiments, we observed that the optimum reaction temperature range for the production of bio-oil is between $450^{\circ}C\;and\;500^{\circ}C$.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1806-1808
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• 2014

We report the successful preparation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using a novel electroreduction process, which is simple, fast, and environmentally friendly (toxic chemicals such as strong reducing agents are not required). Our process allows for the mass production of Au NPs and adequate particle size control. The Au NPs prepared show high biocompatibility and are non-toxic to healthy human cells. By applying radio-frequency (RF) ablation, we monitored the electro-hyperthermia effect of the Au NPs at different RFs. The Au NPs exhibit a fast increase in temperature to $55^{\circ}C$ within 5 min during the application of an RF of 13 MHz. This temperature rise is sufficient to promote apoptosis through thermal stress. Our work suggests that the selective Au NP-mediated electro-hyperthermia therapy for tumor cells under an RF of 13 MHz has great potential as a clinical treatment for specific tumor ablation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.759-765
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• 2013

The gene encoding squalene synthase (SQS) of the lipid-producing heterotrophic microalga Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS101 was cloned and characterized. The krsSQS gene is 1,551 bp in length and has two exons and one intron. The open reading frame of the gene is 1,164 bp in length, yielding a polypeptide of 387 predicted amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 42.7 kDa. The deduced krsSQS sequence shares at least four conserved regions known to be required for SQS enzymatic activity in other species. The protein, tagged with $His_6$, was expressed into soluble form in Escherichia coli. The purified protein catalyzed the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to squalene in the presence of NADPH and $Mg^{2+}$. This is the first report on the characterization of an SQS from a Thraustochytrid microalga.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.228-233
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• 2004

Summary: The malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor(MPNST) is an aggressive neoplasm and can either arise independently or result from malignant change in preexisting neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease). Its histologic characteristics remain controversial, but currently it is believed that the schwann cell is the origin of the peripheral nerve sheath tumors. MPNST is an uncommon neoplasm of the head and neck region, and its presentation in the oral cavity is quite rare. In this study, we report a patient with a rare case of a MPNST involving the maxilla. A case report: A 29-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of painless swelling with bleeding tendency on the left maxillary tuberosity area 2 months ago. Clinical examination showed a $5.0{\times}3.0cm^2$ sized, indurative swelling on the site. Conventional radiographs showed a relatively well-defined soft tissue mass involving the left maxillary sinus, and destruction of the anterior, posterolateral walls of the left maxillary sinus. Subtotal maxillectomy and split-thickness skin graft from thigh were undertaken. In histochemical and immunohistochemical studies, the specimen revealed positive reactivities to Vimentin and S-100 protein. Final diagnosis was made as MPNST.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.512-530
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• 2023

The present study evaluated the effects of fermented whey protein using kimchi lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus casei DK211 on skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in healthy middle-aged males performing regular resistance exercises. Effective protein supplementation and regular exercise are two important factors for improving muscle health. Therefore, in this study, the effects of consuming fermented whey protein twice a day were investigated and compared with that of non-fermented supplementation. Forty-eight males (average age 44.8) were randomly assigned to two groups: Fermented whey protein supplementation (FWPS) and non-fermented whey protein concentration supplementation (WPCS) groups. Each group ingested 37 g of FWPS or WPCS twice a day for eight weeks. Body composition, muscle strength, and physical performance were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Independent t-tests or chi-square tests for the categorical variables were performed for analyzing the observations. FWPS was effective in promoting the physical performance in dynamic balance measurement and muscle health, indicated through the increment in grip strength (left), upper arm circumference, and flat leg circumference from the baseline. However, similar improvements were not observed in the WPCS group. These results imply that whey protein fermented by L. casei DK211 is an effective protein supplement for enhancing muscle health in males performing regular resistance exercises.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.308-314
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• 2013

Black ginseng is produced by a repeated steaming process. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of black ginseng ethanol extract (BG-EE) in high fat (HF) diet-fed mice. Two groups were fed either a normal control (NC) diet or a HF diet (45% kcal fat). The other three groups were given a HF diet supplemented with 1% BG-EE, 3% BG-EE, and 5% BG-EE for 12 wk. The anti-obesity effects of the BG-EE supplement on body weight, the development of fat mass, and lipid mechanisms were assessed in obese mice. HF-induced hyperlipidemia, fat accumulation in the liver, and white adipose tissues were reduced after BG-EE supplementation. Total fecal weight and the amount of fecal fat excretion also were increased after BG-EE supplementation. These results suggest that BG-EE may be useful to ameliorate HF-induced obesity through the strong inhibition of fat digestion.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.237-239
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• 2013

의료 기술이나 관련 장비가 발달해온 것과 달리, 현재의 단체 건강검진 환경에는 여러 가지 비효율적 요소들이 존재한다. 이에 따라 본 논문에서는 단체 건강검진 현장의 개선을 위한 전자태그(RFID) 기반 운영관리 시스템을 제안하고자 한다. 본 시스템은 데이터베이스를 이용하여 검진과정에서 수집되는 데이터들을 실시간으로 관리하고, 이를 토대로 현장 검진의들의 작업을 지원할 수 있는 정보를 제공한다. 아울러, 수검자들은 검진현장을 순회할 때 기존처럼 문서로 된 검진서식을 지참하는 것이 아니라 개인 RFID 카드를 이용하게 되고, 수검자들의 검진 내역 역시 지속적으로 추적이 가능하다. 결과적으로 제안하는 시스템을 통하여 전체 검진현장의 실시간 통합 관리가 가능하며, 단체 건강검진 현장의 업무효율성과 수검자 편의성이 증진될 수 있다. 아울러, 제안하는 시스템은 건강검진 현장에서 여러 가지 성과지표를 수집, 산출하여 검진 서비스의 지속적인 개선을 위한 토대를 제공한다.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2006

Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from the body fluid of dead Galleria mellonella larvae. Upon injection of E. faecalis into the hemocoel of G. mellonella, the bacteria destroyed parts of humoral defense systems in the hemolymph. In a test for the proteolytic activity of E. faecalis CS, it was confirmed that the enzyme degraded three well-known a-helical antimicrobial peptides, cecropin A, melittin and halocidin, and abolished their activities. We also determined putative cleavage sites on the primary sequences of three peptides through purification and mass analysis of peptide fragments digested by E. faecalis CS. Furthermore it was found that apolipophorin-III, recently known as a critical recognition protein for invading microbes in the hemolymph of G. mellonella, was also degraded by E. faecalis CS. Taken together, the present work shows that the protease in secretions from E. faecalis destroyed two critical humoral immune factors in the hemolymph of G. mellonella larvae. In addition, this paper demonstrates that the relationship between the host insect and the pathogenic bacteria might provide a valuable model system to study the enterococcal virulence mechanism, which may be relevant to mammalian pathogenesis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2018

The chitosanase gene (btbchito) of Bacillus thuringiensis BMB171 was cloned and heterologously expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. After purification, about 300 mg of recombinant chitosanase was obtained from the 1-1 culture medium with a specific activity of 240 units/mg. Results determined by the combined use of thin layer chromatography (TLC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) showed that the chitooligosaccharides (COSs) obtained by chitosan (N-deacetylated by 70%, 80%, and 90%) hydrolysis by rBTBCHITO were comprised of oligomers, with degrees of polymerization (DP) mainly ranging from trimers to heptamers; high molecular weight chitopentaose, chitohexaose, and chitoheptaose were also produced. Hydrolysis products was also deduced using MS since the COSs (n) are complex oligosaccharides with various acetyl groups from one to two, so the non-acetyl COSs (GlcN)n and COSs with more acetyls (> 2) were not detected. The employment of this method in the production of high molecular weight COSs may be useful for various industrial and biological applications, and the activity of chitosanase has great significance in research and other applications.