• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1115-1123
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• 2016

_L-Asparaginase (E.C. 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme involved in asparagine hydrolysis and has the potential to effect leukemic cells and various other cancer cells. We identified the _L-asparaginase gene (_L-ASPG86) in the genus Mesoflavibacter, which consists of a 1,035 bp open reading frame encoding 344 amino acids. Following phylogenetic analysis, the deduced amino acid sequence of _L-ASPG86 (_L-ASPG86) was grouped as a type I asparaginase with respective homologs in Escherichia coli and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The _L-ASPG86 gene was cloned into the pET-16b vector to express the respective protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Recombinant _L-asparaginase (r-_L-ASPG86) showed optimum conditions at 37-40℃, pH 9. Moreover, r-_L-ASPG86 did not exhibit glutaminase activity. In the metal ions test, its enzymatic activity was highly improved upon addition of 5 mM manganese (3.97-fold) and magnesium (3.35-fold) compared with the untreated control. The specific activity of r-_L-ASPG86 was 687.1 units/mg under optimum conditions (37℃, pH 9, and 5 mM MnSO₄).

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 1998

Antagonistic mode of action of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl [ethyl(R)2-4-{(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyloxy) phenoxy}propionate] with bentazon was investigated with respect to absorption, translocation, metabolism, and change in target site response of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl using four-leaf stage of rice(Oryza sativa L.) and barnyardgrass [Echinochloa eras-galli (L.) P. Beauv.]. Shoots of rice and barnyardgrass was more sensitive to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl than the roots. More than 90% of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was absorbed within 6 hours after treatment and 30% of the absorbed was acropetally and basipetally translocated at 24 hours after treatment. Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was rapidly transformed to its acid form, fenoxaprop(2-[4-(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyloxy)phenoxy]propionic acid), which was subsequently metabolized to polar conjugates. However, changes in absorption, translocation, and metabolism of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl by bentazon treatment were not found in both species. Background activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACCase) in rice and barnyardgrass was 26.5 and 23.2nmol/min/mg, respectively. Concentration required to inhibit fifty percent enzyme activity$(I_{50})$ in vitro was 6.5~7.4${\mu}M$ of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and more than 500${\mu}M$ of bentazon. There were no significant differences in $I_{50}$ value between two treatments of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl alone and its bentazon mixture. However, bentazon reduced ACCase activity in vivo and inhibited electron transport in chloroplast thylakoid. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the antagonistic effect of bentazon occurs due not to direct effect on target site of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, but to indirect involvement in reducing herbicidal activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl through physiological disturbances caused by bentazone at whole chloroplast level.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for an adult population for use in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The 24-hour recall data for 2,939 subjects aged 19 years and over from the fourth KNHANES first year (2007) were used to extract the items included in the questionnaire. The FFQ items were developed by selection of major dishes based on the cumulative contribution rate, between-person variability based on the cumulative R2 of energy and 14 nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) and the number of consumers of each dish. In addition, the FFQ items were revised with analysis of 24-hour recall data of the fourth KNHANES second and third year (2008, 2009). Finally, 112 items were included in the FFQ and grouped as follows: rice (5 items), noodles and dumplings (6), breads and rice cakes (8), soups and stews (12), soybeans, eggs, meat and fish (23), vegetables, seaweed and potatoes (27), milk and dairy products (4), fruits (13), beverages (5), snacks (6) and alcoholic beverages (3). The food items of FFQ accounted for an average of 87.0% of energy and 14 nutrient intakes and also accounted for 81.7% of the between-person variability. The frequency range of the FFQ items was classified into nine categories (never or seldom, once per month, 2-3 times per month, once per week, 2-4 times per week, 5-6 times per week, once per day, twice per day and three times per day) and the portion size was divided into three categories (small, medium and large). We expect that this developed dish-based FFQ could be used in assessment of longterm dietary intakes of Korean adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.515-525
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the cereal intake status and explore its relationship with the nutritional status of the Korean adults from 2013 ~ 2016, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: We analyzed dData from the combined 2013 ~ 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. The analysis included 12,199 adults aged from 19 to 64 years (male, n = 5,127, female, n = 7,072). In this study, according to cereal intake frequency (From food frequency questionnaire), we classified tThe subjects were classified according into the "non-cereal intake (NCI)" group (male, n = 4,290, female, n = 5,578), and "cereal intake (CI)" group (male, n = 837, female, n = 1,494) according to cereal intake frequency (From food frequency questionnaire). Results: Typically, 79.6% of adults did not consume cereals (male 81.6%, female 77.3%);, 13.4% consumed cereals 1-3 times a month (male 12.2%, female 14.8%) and 7.1% consumed cereals more than once a week (male 6.2%, female 7.9%). In the case of both males and females, the nutrient density (nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal) and Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) of protein, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, and vitamin C in the Non-Cereal group were significantly lower than those of the CI group (respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our These results reveal highlight the low frequency of cereal intake in Korean adults and the better nutritional status in adults who consume cereals. It is hypothesized that tThe data of the present study would is expected to serve as basic data to improve the nutritional status of Korean adults.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.191-197
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• 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects motor system with clinical features such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor and abnormal posture. PD is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which is associated with accumulation of oxidative stress and dysregulation of intracellular signaling pathway. Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA), a major metabolite of quercetin, has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effect of Q3GA against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced neurotoxicity of PD and the underlying molecular mechanisms in SH-SY5Y cells. MTT and LDH assay showed that Q3GA significantly decreased $MPP^+$-induced cell death, which is accompanied by a reduction in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Furthermore, it attenuated $MPP^+$-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the reduction of Bax/ Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, Q3GA significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), but it has no effects on the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Taken together, these results demonstrate that Q3GA significantly attenuates $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity through ROS reduction and Akt/CREB signaling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings suggest that Q3GA might be one of the potential candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of PD.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.541-549
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• 2022

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is a destructive disease in Korea. To elucidate the genomic variation of the mitochondrial (mt) genome, we assembled its complete mt genome and compared its sequence among different haplotypes. The mt genome sequences of four Korean P. infestans isolates were revealed by Illumina HiSeq. The size of the circular mt genome of the four major genotypes, KR_1_A1, KR_2_A2, SIB-1, and US-11, was 39,872, 39,836, 39,872, and 39,840 bp, respectively. All genotypes contained the same 61 genes in the same order, comprising two RNA-encoding genes, 16 ribosomal genes, 25 transfer RNA, 17 genes encoding electron transport and ATP synthesis, 11 open reading frames of unknown function, and one protein import-related gene, tatC. The coding region comprised 91% of the genome, and GC content was 22.3%. The haplotypes were further analyzed based on sequence polymorphism at two hypervariable regions (HVRi), carrying a 2 kb insertion/deletion sequence, and HVRii, carrying 36 bp variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs). All four genotypes carried the 2 kb insertion/deletion sequence in HVRi, whereas HVRii had two VNTRs in KR_1_A1 and SIB-1 but three VNTRs in US-11 and KR_2_A2. Minimal spanning network and phylogenetic analysis based on 5,814 bp of mtDNA sequences from five loci, KR_1_A1 and SIB-1 were classified as IIa-6 haplotype, and isolates KR_1_A2 and US-11 as haplotypes IIa-5 and IIb-2, respectively. mtDNA sequences of KR_1_A1 and SIB-1 shared 100% sequence identity, and both were 99.9% similar to those of KR_2_A2 and US-11.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.746-755
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• 2020

Objective: To identify predictors of pulmonary fibrosis development by combining follow-up thin-section CT findings and clinical features in patients discharged after treatment for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 32 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were divided into two groups according to the evidence of fibrosis on their latest follow-up CT imaging. Clinical data and CT imaging features of all the patients in different stages were collected and analyzed for comparison. Results: The latest follow-up CT imaging showed fibrosis in 14 patients (male, 12; female, 2) and no fibrosis in 18 patients (male, 10; female, 8). Compared with the non-fibrosis group, the fibrosis group was older (median age: 54.0 years vs. 37.0 years, p = 0.008), and the median levels of C-reactive protein (53.4 mg/L vs. 10.0 mg/L, p = 0.002) and interleukin-6 (79.7 pg/L vs. 11.2 pg/L, p = 0.04) were also higher. The fibrosis group had a longer-term of hospitalization (19.5 days vs. 10.0 days, p = 0.001), pulsed steroid therapy (11.0 days vs. 5.0 days, p < 0.001), and antiviral therapy (12.0 days vs. 6.5 days, p = 0.012). More patients on the worst-state CT scan had an irregular interface (59.4% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.045) and a parenchymal band (71.9% vs. 28.1%, p < 0.001). On initial CT imaging, the irregular interface (57.1%) and parenchymal band (50.0%) were more common in the fibrosis group. On the worst-state CT imaging, interstitial thickening (78.6%), air bronchogram (57.1%), irregular interface (85.7%), coarse reticular pattern (28.6%), parenchymal band (92.9%), and pleural effusion (42.9%) were more common in the fibrosis group. Conclusion: Fibrosis was more likely to develop in patients with severe clinical conditions, especially in patients with high inflammatory indicators. Interstitial thickening, irregular interface, coarse reticular pattern, and parenchymal band manifested in the process of the disease may be predictors of pulmonary fibrosis. Irregular interface and parenchymal band could predict the formation of pulmonary fibrosis early.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.122-136
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• 1983

The effect of dietary casein, calcium, magnesium and some vegetable oils such as seasme, perilla and soybean oil on the serum cholesterol level in the rabbit were studied for a period of 5 weeks using isocalories and isonitrogenous as basal diets. The experimental rabbits fed the following basal diets containing crude protein 68.47%, carbohydrates 13.35%. fats 16.18% and vegetable oil 10%. casein 10%, calcium and magnesium according to experimental plan making. In order to calculate the feeding efficiency, protein efficiency and calorie efficiency during period, the body weight gains were measured at the same time using same balance, respectively. The results are summarized as follows. Body weight gains per week of the group fed perilla oil, calcium and basal diet were the higher than any other groups. And body weights gains per week of the group fed basal diet, vegetable oil were the lower than any other groups. In the case of efficiency of reed, protein and calorie, the efficiency ratios of the group fed perilla oil were the higher than any other groups. Especially, perilla oil and calcium diet effect on body weight gain in rabbit. In the case of serum protein, the total proteins in serum were almost same value for all the groups. Serum albumin of group fed basal diet. vegetable oil and casein were the higher than any other groups. The ${\alpha}$-globulin of the groups, fed basal diet and calcium was the lower than any other grosps. The ${\beta}$-globulins of the groups fed basad diet, perilla oil and casein were the highest value. In serum lipoprotein, lipalbumin was almost same value for the groups fed vegetable oil, but fed vegetable oil and calcium diet was the lowest value. The ${\beta}$-lipoprotein in high cholesterol level group was increased some degree, the group fed perilla oil added was lower. The ratio of ${\beta}$-lipoprotein per lipalbumin was from 0.11 to 0.26. The ratio of lipalbumin per total lipoprotein was high in calcium and soybean oil added diet. In serum triglyceride, the level of triglyceride of groups fed seasme oil or perilla oil was the higher than any othe groups, but in the group fed casein and calcium or magnesium, the level of triglyceride level was decreased. Calcium and magnesium effect on triglyceridge level lowering action. In serum total cholesterol, the group does fed vegetable oil with basal diet and casein added more, total cholesterol level increased as much as triglyceride level increased. But the group does fed perilla oil and magnesium shows total cholesterol level decreased remarkably. In the group fed basal diet with calium, the amount of serum calcium was increased, but of serum magnesium was decreased. In the case of blood glucose, the group fed basal diet and vegetable oil was decreased. According to the regression and correlation coefficient in blood components in rabbit, there are positive correlation $${\gamma}{\sim_=}1$$ between serum cholesterol and triglyceride, ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, ${\alpha}$-globulin, calcium and magnesium according to diet composition. From the above results, the serum cholesterol level lowering factors in rabbit, was the amount of triglyceride and ${\beta}$-lipoprotein which was decreased in perilla oil fed. It assumes that serum cholesterol and triglyceride level lowering factors are not only unsaturation degree of fatty acid but the amount of calcium and magnesium and the ratio calcium per magnesium 2:1 in the diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.367-375
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• 2011

For this study, Korean-type Koumiss was made by the fermentation of mixed cultures, in which yeast, Kuyveromyces, and microflora, Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, were inoculated into 10% skimmed milk with added whey powder(control: A, 2%: B, 4%: C, 6%: D, and 8%: E). Fat, protein, lactose, titratable acidity, pH, the number of lactic acid bacteria, the number of yeast, alcohol content, volatile fatty acids, volatile free amino acids and minerals were measured in the products. The results were as follows: As the dosage of whey powder increased, fat increased from 0.74% in the control to 2.30% in sample E, protein increased from 2.95% in the control to 4.39% in sample E and lactose increased from 3.10% in the control to 7.43% in sample E. Titratable acidity and pH increased gradually. The number of lactic acid bacteria increased from $10^9\;cfu/m{\ell}$ in the control to $3.8{\times}10^9\;cfu/m{\ell}$ in sample E, and the number of yeast increased from $6.1{\times}10^7\;cfu/m{\ell}$ in the control to $1.65{\times}10^8\;cfu/m{\ell}$ in sample E, according to the increase of whey powder content. For alcohol content, the average values were 0.863%, 0.967%, 0.890%, 1.290%, and 1.313% for the control and samples B, C, D, and E, respectively. As the dosage of whey powder increased, alcohol content showed a tendency to gradually increase. The average alcohol content of E was 1.313 and this was higher than the alcohol content of Kazahstana-type Koumiss with 1.08%. Sixteen types of free amino acids were detected. Glycine was the lowest in the control at $0.38mg/m{\ell}$ and sample E contained $0.64mg/m{\ell}$. Histidine was also low in the control at $0.42mg/m{\ell}$ and sample E contained $0.65mg/m{\ell}$. On the other hand, glutamic acid was highest at $4.13mg/m{\ell}$ in the control whereas sample E had $6.96mg/m{\ell}$. Proline was also high in the control at $1.71mg/m{\ell}$ in control, but E contained $2.80mg/m{\ell}$. Aspartic acid and leucine were greater in sample E than in the control. For volatile free fatty acids, content generally had a tendency to increase in the control, and samples B, C, D, and E. Content of acetic acid gradually increased from $12,661{\mu}g/100m{\ell}$ in the control to $37,140{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in sample E. Butyric acid was not detected in the control and was measured as $1,950{\mu}g/100m{\ell}$ in sample E. Caproic acid content was $177{\mu}g/100m{\ell}$ in the control and $812{\mu}g/100m{\ell}$ in sample E, and it increased according to the increase of whey powder content. Valeric acid was measured in a small amount in the control as $22{\mu}g/100m{\ell}$, but it was not detected in any other case. Mineral contents of Ca, P, and Mg increased from 1,042.38 ppm, 863.61 ppm, and 101.28 ppm in the control to 1,535.12 ppm, 1,336.71 ppm, and 162.44 ppm in sample E, respectively. Na content was increased from 447.19 ppm in the control to 1,001.57 ppm in sample E. The content of K was increased from 1,266.39 ppm in the control to 2,613.93 ppm in E. Mineral content also increased with whey powder content. In sensory evaluations, the scores increased as whey powder content increased. Flavor was lowest in the control with 6.3 points and highest in E with 8.2 points. Body and texture were highest at 4.2 points in the control, which did not have added whey powder. In the case of appearance, there were no great differences among the samples.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Purpose : Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is the most common disease during the infantile period, therefore early diagnosis and treatment are important. Pyuria is a useful clinical parameter for the initial diagnosis of a UTI. In this study we aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in relation to the duration of pyuria in infants with UTIs. Methods : Three hundred seventy-four infants <12 months of age who were admitted between January 1995 and December 2005 for the first episode of a febrile UTI were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of pyuria as follows: group 1, pyuria resolved <3 days after initial treatment; and group 2, pyuria lasted at least 3 days after initial treatment. Results : There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to gender, age, total duration of fever, and organisms in the urine. Group 2 had a significantly higher peripheral blood leukocyte count ($14,360.86{\pm}5,526.16cells/mm^3$ vs. $11,822.55{\pm}5,687.26cells/mm^3$, P <0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ($32.81{\pm}19.34mm/hr$ vs. $23.74{\pm}20.43mm/hr$, P <0.001), and C-reactive protein ($6.84{\pm}5.68mg/dL$ vs. $3.78{\pm}3.99mg/dL$, P <0.001) than group 1. There was a significantly higher incidence of hydronephrosis and a higher grade of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in group 2 compared to group 1. Conclusion : In infants with UTI, pyuria of longer duration is related to severe UTI and higher grade VUR, therefore aggressive radiologic studies may be necessary.