• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.321-332
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• 2017

In order to build a general model of a high-throughput uranium electrorefining process according to the electrode configuration, numerical analysis was conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics V5.3 electrodeposition module with Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) interfaces. The generated model was validated by comparing a current density-potential curve according to the distance between the anode and cathode and the electrode array, using a lab-scale (1kg U/day) multi-electrode electrorefiner made by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The operating temperature was $500^{\circ}C$ and LiCl-KCl eutectic with 3.5wt% $UCl_3$ was used for molten salt. The efficiency of the uranium electrorefining apparatus was improved by lowering the cell potential as the distance between the electrodes decreased and the anode/cathode area ratio increased. This approach will be useful for constructing database for safety design of high throughput spent nuclear fuel electrorefiners.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2006

Yam has been recognized as healthy food due to its various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, antimicrobial, anticancer and immuno-stimulation activities, and its consumption has been increased during last decades. In this study, to investigate low-temperature, long-term storage of yam and to develop processed yam products, yam-putrefactive psychrotrophic bacteria were isolated from rotted yam and identified based on BBL identification system, fatty acid analysis in cell membrane and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The putrefaction activity of isolated thirteen bacteria was evaluated using yam-slices (NaOCl-treated, autoclaved yam and without treatment), and YAM-10 and YAM-12 were identified as major psychrotrophic putrefactive bacteria. Both YAM-10 (Pseudomonas cepacia) and YAM-12 (Pseudomonas rhodesiae) bacteria grew well at 4$\sim$12$^{\circ}C$ and showed strong activity of polymer degrading enzymes, especially amylase, carboxy methyl cellulase and xylanase, at 20$^{\circ}C$. But they failed to grow at acidic pH (<5) or alkaline pH (>10). Our results suggested that the control of psychrotrophic Pseudomonas sp. by pH change and inhibition of polymer degrading enzymes, such as amy-lase, are necessary to long-term storage of yam.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.606-612
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• 2018

The enzyme xylose isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.5, XI) is responsible for the conversion of an aldose to ketose, especially xylose to xylulose. Owing to the ability of XI to isomerize glucose to fructose, this enzyme is used in the food industry to prepare high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of XI from Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis G10, a thermophilic bacterium. First, the gene coding for XI (xylA) was inserted into the pET-21a(+) expression vector and the construct was transformed into the Escherichia coli competent cell BL21 (DE3). The expression of recombinant XI was induced in the absence of isopropyl-thio-${\beta}$-galactopyranoside and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The optimum temperature of recombinant XI was $80^{\circ}C$ and measurement of the heat stability indicated that 55% of residual activity was maintained after 2 h incubation at $60^{\circ}C$. The optimum pH was found to be 7.5 in sodium phosphate buffer. Magnesium, manganese, and cobalt ions were found to increase the enzyme activity; manganese was the most effective. Additionally, recombinant XI was resistant to the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ ions. The kinetic properties, $K_m$ and $V_{max}$, were calculated as 81.44 mM and $2.237{\mu}mol/min/mg$, respectively. Through redundancy analysis, XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 was classified into a family containing type II XIs produced by the genera Geobacillus, Bacillus, and Thermotoga. These results suggested that the thermostable nature of XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 may be advantageous in industrial applications and food processing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

The layers of keratinocytes form an acid mantle on the surface of the skin. Herein, we investigated the effects of acidic pH on the membrane current and $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ of human primary keratinocytes from foreskins and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Acidic extracellular pH ($pH_e{\leq}5.5$) activated outwardly rectifying $Cl^-$ current ($I_{Cl,pH}$) with slow kinetics of voltage-dependent activation. $I_{Cl,pH}$ was potently inhibited by an anion channel blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS, 73.5% inhibition at 1${\mu}$M). $I_{Cl,pH}$ became more sensitive to $pH_e$ by raising temperature from $24^{circ}C$ to $37^{circ}C$. HaCaT cells also expressed $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ current ($I_{Cl,Ca}$), and the amplitude of $I_{Cl,Ca}$ was increased by relatively weak acidic $pH_e$ (7.0 and 6.8). Interestingly, the acidic $pH_e$ (5.0) also induced a sharp increase in the intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$] (${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$) of HaCaT cells. The ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$ was independent of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, and was abolished by the pretreatment with PLC inhibitor, U73122. In primary human keratinocytes, 5 out of 28 tested cells showed ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$. In summary, we found $I_{Cl,pH}$ and ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$ in human keratinocytes, and these ionic signals might have implication in pathophysiological responses and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2002

Quality variation of jar packing of Chanran-Jeotgal produced by improved process and conventional process were investigated during storage at 10, 20, and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The increasing rate of pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), $CO_{2}$, and viable cell counts of Chanran-Jeotgal produced by improved process was slower than that of conventional process at all storage temperature. Also the result of sensory evaluation indicate that the production of Changran-Jeotgal by improved process may extend the shelf·life of jar packing Chanuan-Jeotgal. From above results, relationship between quality parameters was concluded. In case of Changran-Jeotgal in a jar, pressure, pH, L-value, VBN and sensory score were highly correlated. Therefore, these parameters are expected to use as shelf-life indication.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2002

Quality variation of plastic pouch packing of Changran-Jeotgal produced by improved process and conventional process were investigated during storage at 10, 20 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The kind of plastic pouch used in this study were polyethylene/nylon/linear low density polyethylene (PE/Ny), polyethylene terephthalatefpolyethyleneflinear low density polyethylene (PET) and low density polyethylene (PE). In the higher storage temperature, the faster increase of$ CO_2$, concentration and volume of pouch packing in all kinds of pouch. However, the highest value of pH, L-value, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and viable cell counts were shown in PE, the next was PET and PE/Ny, Overall, Changran-Jeotgal produced by improved process showed a little change of physical and chemical characteristics than conventional process. From above results, relationship between quality parameters were predicted pH, L-value, VBN and sensory score were highly correlated, therefore, these parameters is expected to uses as shelf-life indicated elements in cease of plastic pouch packaging.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.238-246
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• 2015

A unicellular red microalga was isolated from environmental freshwater in Korea, and its morphological, molecular, and biochemical properties were characterized. Morphological analysis revealed that the isolate was a unicellular biflagellated green microalga that formed a non-motile, thick-walled palmelloid or red aplanospore. To determine the taxonomical position of the isolate, its 18S rRNA and rbcL genes were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. We found that the isolate was clustered together with other related Haematococcus strains showing differences in the rbcL gene. Therefore, the isolated microalga was classified into the genus Haematococcus, and finally designated Haematococcus sp. KORDI03. The microalga could be cultivated in various culture media under a broad range of pH and temperature conditions. Compositions of the microalgal cellular components were analyzed, and its protein, carbohydrate, and lipid compositions were estimated to be 21.1 ± 0.2%, 48.8 ± 1.8%, and 22.2 ± 0.9%, respectively. In addition, D-glucose and D-mannose were the dominant monosaccharides in the isolate, and its amino acids were composed mainly of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, and leucine. Moreover, several polyunsaturated fatty acids accounted for about 80% of the total fatty acids in Haematococcus sp. KORDI03, and the astaxanthin content in the red aplanospores was estimated to be 1.8% of the dry cell weight. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an Haematococcus sp. isolated from Korea, which may be used for bioresource production in the microalgal industry.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2007

To investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria in Andong-Soju fermentation and traditional nuruk maturation, several lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the Andong-Soju fermentation broth and traditionally matured nuruks using Lactobacilli MRS agar containing bromocresol purple. Among the isolated bacteria, ADS-L1 showed the highest lactic acid production and was dominant species in fermentation broth. Based on physiological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing results, the ADS-L1 was identified as Pediococcus acidilactici. The ADS-L1 grew well at $50^{\circ}C$, and under the acidic conditions at pH 4, whereas the ADS-L1 failed to grew by treatments of 12% (w/v) ethanol or 0.01N HCl. Considering the high temperature of nuruk above $50^{\circ}C$ during nuruk maturation and the high ethanol concentration of broth above 12% at the end-stage of Andong-Soju fermentation, these results suggested that the ADS-L1 is popular in matured nuruks and plays role in the early-stage of fermentation. Analysis of pH, brix, reducing sugar content, lactic acid production, and cell growth during the cultivation of ADS-L1 further suggested that the ADS-L1 may contribute the prevention of contamination by rapid and steady acidification of broth, and do not cause problems by rapid death at the end-stage of fermentation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.201-208
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• 2006

Propionibacterium acnes have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial activities of Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris and application possibility as a cosmetic resource. D. crassirhizoma crude extract and hexane fraction was prepared and its anti-acne effect against Propionibacterium acnes was investigated with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and paper disk diffusion method. The MIC of D. crassirhizoma crude extract and hexane fraction was 0.008 mg/mL and 0.001 mg/mL, respectively. This implies that D. crassirhizoma extract may be an efficient anti-acne ingredient for cosmetics, as a crude extract. The paper disk diffusion assay showed that its anti-acne effect was similar to that of triclosan. The cytotoxic effect of D. crassirhizoma extract was determined by a colorimetric MTT assay using HaCaT cell line and D. crassirhizoma extract exhibited lower cytotoxic effects. Finally, we examine the stability of D. crassirhizoma extract to temperature and pH. The D. crassirhizoma extract was very stable to high temperatures ($25{\sim}121^{\circ}C$) and to wide pH range ($pH\; 2{\sim}11$), suggesting its utilization for cosmetics.