• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.293-300
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• 1998

The objective of this study was to determine effects of $\beta$-mercaptoethanol ($\beta$-ME) and cyst-eine (CYS) on the development of bovine em-bryos obtained from in vitro matured and fertil-ized oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COC-s) were matured in micro-drop of TCM-199 medium containing 10% FBS, 17$\beta$-Estradiol and FSH-p under paraffin oil at 39$^{\circ}C$ for 24 hrs. The fertilization of COC were induced in Fert-TALP medium supplemented with PHE, heparin, BSA and then the fertilized oocytes were cultured in CR1aa medium for 24 hrs. To investigate the effects of the agents on the development of the embryos, the embryos developed to the late 2-cell stage were cultured in the media with and without $\beta$-ME, CYS for 9 days. In experiment 1, to select appropriate concentration of $\beta$-ME and CYS during whole culture period (9 days), various concentrations of $\beta$-ME and CYS were add ded to the CR1aa medium. Addition of 25TEX>$\mu$M of $\beta$-ME and O.1mM of CYS to the culture medium 1 increase the incidence of embryos developed to the blastocyst. In experiment 2, we evaluated the effects of 25$\mu$M of $\beta$-ME and O.1mM of CYS addition on the blastocyst formation when emb bryos at different stages were exposed to 25$\mu$M $\beta$-ME and O.1mM of CYS. $\beta$-ME and CYS enhanced in vitro development of embryos to the blastocyst stage. The effect was greater in 8-ceII to morula embryos than in embryos fewer than 2-cells at the initiation of treatment. These results suggested that the addition of 25$\mu$M B-ME and O.1mM cysteine enhanced development to the blastocyst and hatching stage of in vitro derived bovine embryos, also addition of $\beta$-ME and cysteine were effective later stage embryo than early embryo development.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.spc
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• pp.99-106
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• 2008

We examined the effects of crude and eight pure material (${\beta}$-sitosterol, ${\beta}$-sitosterol-${\beta}$-D-glucoside, 1-tetratriacontanol, hentriacontane, orizaterpenoid, stigmas-5-en-$3{\alpha}$ 26-diacetate, stearic acid, myristic acid), extracted from rice hull, on growth inhibition of toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa NIER 10010. Strains of M. aeruginosa and Daphnia magna, obtained from the NIER (Korea) and BBE (Germany), were cultured in the CB medium with hard water. For all four treatment concentrations 0, 10, 100 and $1,000{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) of the crude extract, the cell number of M. aeruginosa was reduced by $59{\sim}73%$ during the 7-day test period. Among eight kinds of pure extracts, ${\beta}$-sitosterol-${\beta}$-D-glucoside, hentriacontane and orizaterpenoid $(1,000{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$ exhibited relatively higher growth inhibition compared with other pure extracts. The mixture of three pure extracts (${\beta}$-sitosterol-${\beta}$-D-glucoside, hentriacontane and orizaterpenoid) showed the highest growth inhibition at $1,000{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Therefore, the synergistic effect was significantly highlighted by a mixture of the three pure extracts (p<0.05). Under the condition of $1,000{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ in the crude extracts, D. magna exhibited survival rate by >85% for 96 hours. In conclusion, the growth inhibition of M. aeruginosa was probably attributed to the synergistic effect of various compounds extracted from the rice hull.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 1999

Background and Objectives : The intracordal cysts are more increasingly diagnosed and treated due to advanced laryngeal stroboscopy and laryngeal microsurgical technique. The intracordal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as vocal polyp or nodule The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical features of intracordal cysts. Materials and Methods : In the present series, 83 cases of the intracordal cysts treated with laryngeal microsurgery are reported. The intracordal cysts are diagnosed preoperatively with indirect laryngoscopy, laryngeal endoscopy, laryngeal stroboscopy and confirmed with laryngeal microsurgical findings and biopsies. Results : Intracordal cysts are 83 of 1900 patients treated with laryngeal microsurgery(4.4%)-ductal cysts are 56 cases and epidermoid cysts are 27 cases. Intracordal cysts are more frequent in women, forties and the frequent site is an anterior third of the true vocal cord. With the indirect laryngoscopic examination, the ductal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as vocal polyps or nodules but the epidermoid cysts are relatively easily diagnosed. The etiologic factors of the intracordal cysts are suspected as voice abuse and upper respiratory infection. The degree of postoperative voice satisfaction is similar to that of the vocal polyps. Conclusion : Intracordal cysts are frequently misdiagnosed as polyps or nodules, therefore preoperative stroboscopic findings and laryngeal microsurgical findings is important. An ideal treatment is to enucleate the cysts avoiding rupture of cyst and injury of lamina propria of the vocal cord.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.729-733
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• 2014

Laminaria japonica roots have not been used practically in Korea. In this study, in order to promote the use of these by-products, the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica root (LJREE) was investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the potential anti-inflammatory effects of LJREE, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and cell proliferation were measured. We found that NO levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was suppressed, and the production of IL-$1{\beta}$ was inhibited over 30% after treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ LJREE. In conclusion, the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, measured by MTT assay, confirmed that LJREE may have significant effects on inflammatory factors without any cytotoxicity, making it a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2005

For screening of autoregulator receptor gene from Streptomyces longwoodensis, PCR was performed with primers of receptor gene designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of autoregulator receptor proteins with known function. PCR products were subcloned into the BamHIsite of pUC19 and transformed into the E. coli $DH5{\alpha}$. The isolated plasmid from transformant contained the fragment of 100 bp, which was detected on $2\%$ gel after BamHI treatment. The insert, 100 bp PCR product, was confirmed as the expected internal segment of gene encoding autoregulator receptor protein by sequencing. Southern and colony hybridizations with the 100 bp fragment as a probe allowed to select a genomic clone of S. longwoodensis, pSLT harboring a 4.4 kb SphI fragment. Nucleotide sequencing analyses revealed a 651 bp open reading frame(ORF) were isolated protein showing moderate homology ($35{\sim}46\%$) with the ${\Gamma}$-butyrolactone autoregulator receptors from Streptomyces sp., and this ORF was named sltR The sltR/pET-17b plasmid was constructed to overexpress the recombinant SltR protein (rSltR) in E. coli BL21 (DE3)/pLysS, and the rSltR protein was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography, and DEAE-5PW chromatography (HPLC). The molecular mass of the purified rSltR protein was 55 kDa by HPLC gel-filtration chromatography and 28 kDa by SDS-PAGE, indicating that the rSltR protein is present as a dimer. A binding assay with tritium-labeled autoregulators revealed that the rSltR has clear binding activity with a A-factor type autoregulator as the most effective ligand.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1111-1120
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• 2017

This study was conducted to select pepper lines that were tolerant to excessive water injury among the pepper germplasm and investigate the genetic characteristics of those lines to contribute to the breeding of pepper cultivars with stable productivity in abnormal weather. Each of the tolerant and susceptible lines went through immersion treatment, and differentially expressed genes between them were analyzed. The tolerant line showed increased expression of the CA02g26670 gene, which is involved in the CONSTANS protein pathway and regulation of flowering by day length, but it exhibited decreased expressions of CA01g21450, CA01g22480, CA01g34470, CA02g00370 and CA02g00380. The susceptible line showed increased gene expressions of CA02g09720, CA02g21290, CA03g16520, CA07g 02110, and CA12g17910, which are involved in the inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity, DNA binding, inhibition of cell wall-degrading enzyme, and inhibition of nodulin, respectively. Meanwhile the expressions of CA02g02820, CA03g21390, CA06g17700 and CA07g18230 decreased in the susceptible line, in relation to calcium-ion binding, high temperature, synthesis of phosphocholine and cold stress, respectively. The expressions of genes related to apoptosis and peroxidase increased, while that of CA02g16990, which functions as a nucleoside transporter, decreased in both the tolerant and susceptible lines. Based on the different gene expressions between the tolerant and susceptible lines, further studies are needed on breeding abiotic stress-tolerant lines.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.255-262
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• 2002

This experiment was performed to improve the stability of Lactobacillus fermentum YL-3 as a poultry probiotics. The culture conditions that improve acid tolerance of L. fermentum YL-3 were investigated by changing several factors such as medium composition, temperature, anaerobic incubation and culture time. Also, L. fermentum YL-3 was encapsulated with alginate, calcium chloride and chitosan. The stable culture conditions of L. fermentum YL-3 were obtained in anaerobic incubation using MRS media without tween 80 for 20 hour at $42^{\circ}C$. The capsule after treatment with 1% chitosan was formed close membrane by a bridge bond. Immobilization of L. fermentum YL-3 in capsule was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and cell viability was $2.0{\times}10^9\;CFU/g$ above the average. L. fermentum YL-3 capsule after acid treated at pH 2.0 for 3 hour survived about 40%, but those encapsulated with 1% chitosan survived about 65%. Survival rate of capsule stored at room temperature decreased about $2{\sim}3$ log cycle during 3 weeks, but viability of capsule stored at $4^{\circ}C$ during 3 weeks maintained almost $10^8\;CFU/g$ levels.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.154-163
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• 1989

This studies were designed to improve the productivity of L-lysine by protoplast fusion and immobilized system of fusants using strains of Brevibacterium flavum ATCC 21528, Brevibacterium lactofermentum ATCC 21086 and Corynebacterium glutamicum 820. Mutants were isolated with concentration method of $300{\mu}g/ml$ penicillin-G after treatment of $250{\mu}g/ml$ N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. B. flavum $37-2(Hos^-,\;Kan^r,\;AEC^r)$, B. lactofermentum $6-2(Ile^-,\;Val^-,\;Str^r,\;AEC^r)$ and C. glutamicum 57-5$(Met^-,\;Thr^-,\;Rif^r,\;AEC^r)$ were isolated from mutants. Protoplasts were induced by being incubated with $500{\mu}g/ml$ lysozyme of lysis solution for 6 hr and the ratio of protoplast formation and regeneration were ranging from 97-99% and 33-37%, respectively. Fusion frequencies of fusants of BBFL 21, BCFG 37 and BCLG 59 were shown in the range from $1.25{\times}10^{-6}\;to\;5.83{\times}10^{-7}$ under the optimum conditions. The fusant BBFL 21 showed the highest productivity of $411.1\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr$ L-lysine in the lysine productivity broth at $30^{\circ}C$ for 72hr. In the immobilization systems, fusant BBFL 21 was employed in various polymer matrices such as sodium alginate, polyacrylamide, agar and ${\alpha}-carrageena$. The immobilization of sodium alginate showed the highest productivity of $413\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr$ L-lysine in the batch system. Continuous fermentation of immobilization system by using tube fermentor was produced the highest productivity $416.7\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr $ L-lysine under optimum condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.790-800
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• 2017

As men get older, total testosterone levels decline gradually, and concentrations of free and bioavailable testosterone decline sharply with each decade beyond their 30s. Andropause or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is defined as a decrease in sexual satisfaction or decline in general well-being accompanied by low levels of testosterone in older men. This male climacteric is characterized by nervousness, reduced potency, decreased libido, irritability, fatigue, depression, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and hot flushes. Cirsium japonicum (CJ) is used as a traditional medicine for hemorrhage, blood congestion, and inflammation in Korea. However, there is no report on the efficacy of CJ treatment for TDS. In this study, we observed the mitigating effect of CJ extract (CE) and fermented CJ extract (FCE) on symptoms of TDS. In elderly male rats, total and testosterone levels, hind limbs muscles, forced swimming time, and total and motile sperm counts significantly increased after daily intake of CE and FCE for 6 weeks. In contrast, sex hormone binding globulin, retroperitoneal fat, total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in CE and FCE groups. However, there was no difference in prostate specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels among all groups, which means CE and FCE did not have putative adverse effects. In a cell experiment, we also observed that CE and FCE enhanced expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis but reduced genes involved in testosterone conversion. On the whole, these positive effects on TDS were greater in FCE compared to CE. Thus, these results suggest the potential of FCE as a promising natural product for recovering testosterone levels and alleviating TDS.