• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2006

A mugwort-tissue-based modified carbon paste electrode was constructed for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide and its electrochemical properties are described. Especially the amperometric signal was very stable and bigger than any other enzyme electrode studied in this lab. The effect of tissue composition on the response was linear within the wide range of experiment and the linearity of Lineweaver-Burk plot showed that the sensing process of the biosensor is by enzymatic catalysis. And pH dependent current profile connoted that two isozymes are active in this system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.554-562
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• 2007

Ceramide rich intercellular lipid lamellae are thought to be particularly important in maintaining the structural integrity of epidermal barrier. Ceramide is synthesized de novo by serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) phospholipid intermediates, serine and palmitic acid persist within the stratum corneum. The ceramide which is synthesized is degraded with fatty acid and sphingosine by degradative enzyme ceramidase. The depletion of ceramide in stratum corneum was reported in the atopic dermatitis. As an effort to search for the dietary source for improving the level of ceramide in epidermis, the dietary effects of various-typed silk protein were compared. Seventy male NC/Nga mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis, were divided into seven groups: group CA as an atopic control with control diet, group S: 1% crude sericin diet, group F: 1% crude fibroin diet, group PS : peptide pattern of sericin(Mw 5000), group PF: peptide pattern of fibroin (Mw 1500), group AS: manufactured the same as amino acid profile of sericin and group AF: manufactured the same as amino acid profile of fibroin. Ten male BALB/c mice were served as group C (control group) control diet. All mice were fed on diet and water ad libitum for 10 weeks. Dry skin condition was established in group CA as ceramide content was decreased. Despite a marked decrease of mRNA and prorein expression of SPT, enzyme do novo synthesis, ceramide content of group S was dramatically increased by inhibiting the mRNA and protein expression of degradative enzyme ceramidase. However, dietary supplementation of crude silk fibroin protein (group F) and in other groups that were supplemented with either amino acid or peptide type of sericin or fibroin did not increase the level of ceramide. Together, our data demonstrate that dietary supplementation of crude sericin is more effective at improving ceramide level in epidemis of NC/Nga mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.357-365
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• 2002

A survey was under taken of six district of Northern India viz. Bareilly, Pilibhit, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and Rampur. The age, breed, sex and physiological status recorded. A total number of 854 cattle examined out of which lactating (274 cases), non lactating (302 cases) heifers (128 cases), calves (82 cases) and adult male (68 cases) were examined. An incidence of 4.92 percent (42) of microfilarisis was recorded. The highest prevalence was observed in Rudrapur District of Udham Singh Nagar (33.33%, 4/12), followed by Lalkaun in Nanital District (21.74%, 10/46), Rampur (12.50%, 2/16), Bareilly (8.16%, 8/98) and Pilibhit (1.22%, 1/82). No infection was observed in Almora region. Amongst 854 cattle of different group incidence was highest in adult male (12.20%, 10/82), followed by non lactating (3.82%, 12/314) and lactating (2.70%, 2/74), (7.64%, 12/157) was found in Heifers. For haemeto-biochemical, serum minerals estimations and therapeutic study 32 animals suffering from filariasis and 18 healthy animals were taken. 16 animals were treated with ivermectin $@200{\mu}g/kg $ body weight. Effect of this disease on production has also been estimated for which body weight and milk production was observed. The main clinical manifestations observed were anaemia, loss of appetite, debility, oedematous swelling especially in the abdominal region, increased heart rate, and respiration rate. Haematological changes indicated decrease in hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, erthrocyte fragility and neutrophil, whereas there was significant increase in erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte and eosinophils. Biochemical changes showed significant reduction in the values of serum albumin, A : G ratio, where as there was significant increase in blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), globulin, total lipid, total cholesterol, phospholipids, serum bilirubin. Serum mineral profile also altered markedly, which indicate a significant decrease in Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn with increase value of Na and Cl. There was no significant change in P and K values. Enzyme pattern in micro filaria infected animal indicated increased level of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. In blood gas values and acid/base balance, there was an increase in $PVCo_2$ and $PVo_2$. It has been observed that microfilaria infected cattle showed decrease in body weight and milk production. Animal treated with ivermectin showed the return of these above values toward normalcy.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 1993

While ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is considered a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, difluoromethylornithine(DFMO) acts as an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis. Cycling crossbred gilts were randomly assigned to one of two (treatment and control) groups (6/group). An indwelling silicone catheter was surgically implanted in the jugular vein of each animal. DFMO was dissolved in saline(200 mg/ml) and adminstered by i. m. injection at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. The control group received an equivalent volume saline injection. DFMO was injected 3 times daily(08:00. 16:00. 24:00h) from day 16 of estrous cycle to 21 or until estrus. Once daily blood samples (10ml) were taken from day 14 until two days after the last DFMO treatment. Window blood samples were collected every 15 min for 8 h (from 08:00 to 16:00h) starting on day 16 and continuing until day 21 from one gilt per day. Serum progesterone (P$_4$), estradiol (E$_2$), LH and FSH were measured. Typical concentration profiles for P$_4$ and E$_2$ were seen during the follicular phase regardless of DFMO treatment. Injection of DFMO suppressed the preovulatory LH concentration in the serum(p<0.01) while having no effect on FSH profile. The present results indicate that DFMO had an inhibitory effect on LH secretion in the pig, but did not affect PI, E2 or FSH release.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2006

Fifty eight Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Korea were examined for their serotypes and extracellular enzyme activities. Among the 51 strains isolated from clinical sources, 48 strains were serotype A (94.1%), 2 strains were serotype B (3.92%), and 1 strain was serotype D (1.96%). All seven environmental strains isolated from pigeon excreta were identified as serotype A. All isolates of C. neoformtans were positive for the production of extracellular proteinase and phospholipase. In the API-ZYM system, all fifty eight isolates produced alkaine phosphatase, esterase C4, esterase lipase: C8, leucine arylamidase, acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrase, $\alpha$-glucosidase and $\beta$-glucosidase. Thirty nine isolates (67.2%) of C. neoformans produced N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosidase. Two isolates, serotype B, and B only one serotype A produced $\beta$-glucuronidase. Analysis of enzymatic profiles to 21 enzymes revealed four biotypic patterns among the 58 strains. The enzymatic patterns of C. neoformans isolated from clinical and environmental sources represented a significant relationship with the serotypes.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.271-280
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• 2017

Background: Soil microorganisms play key roles in nutrient cycling and are distributed throughout the soil profile. Currently, there is little information about the characteristics of the microbial communities along the soil depth because most studies focus on microorganisms inhabiting the soil surface. To better understand the functions and composition of microbial communities and the biogeochemical factors that shape them at different soil depths, we analyzed microbial activities and bacterial and fungal community composition in soils up to a 120 cm depth at a fallow field located in central Korea. To examine the vertical difference of microbial activities and community composition, ${\beta}$-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, ${\beta}$-1,4-xylosidase, ${\beta}$-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase activities were analyzed and barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes (bacteria) and internal transcribed spacer region (fungi) was conducted. Results: The activity of all the soil enzymes analyzed, along with soil C concentration, declined with soil depth. For example, acid phosphatase activity was $125.9({\pm}5.7({\pm}1SE))$, $30.9({\pm}0.9)$, $15.7({\pm}0.6)$, $6.7({\pm}0.9)$, and $3.3({\pm}0.3)nmol\;g^{-1}\;h^{-1}$ at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively. Among the bacterial groups, the abundance of Proteobacteria (38.5, 23.2, 23.3, 26.1, and 17.5% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) and Firmicutes (12.8, 11.3, 8.6, 4.3, and 0.4% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) decreased with soil depth. On the other hand, the abundance of Ascomycota (51.2, 48.6, 65.7, 46.1, and 45.7% at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 cm depths, respectively), a dominant fungal group at this site, showed no clear trend along the soil profile. Conclusions: Our results show that soil C availability can determine soil enzyme activity at different soil depths and that bacterial communities have a clear trend along the soil depth at this study site. These metagenomics studies, along with other studies on microbial functions, are expected to enhance our understanding on the complexity of soil microbial communities and their relationship with biogeochemical factors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.396-404
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• 2007

Increased oxidative stress contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis. We measured serum antioxidant mineral concentrations, capacities of serum antioxidant enzymes and fasting lipid profile in 97 male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 21 male controls. Nutrient intake was assessed by the semi-quantitative food frequency method. CAD patients were divided into single-vessel disease (SVD, n=66) and multi-vessel disease (MVD, n = 31) groups on the coronary angiography. The ratio of serum LDL- to HDL-cholesterol elevated with an increasing number of diseased vessels compared to the control (control < SVD < MVD, p < 0.05). Patients with SVD and MVD had higher levels of serum lipoprotein (a) than the control (p < 0.05). The mean intake of carbohydrate, protein and cholesterol was higher in MVD patients and the intakes of vitamins C and E were lower in MVD and SVD patients than in the control (p < 0.05). Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were higher in MVD and SVD patients than in the control (Cu: control $75.8{\pm}5.07$, SVD $99.2{\pm}2.90$, MVD $100.1{\pm}2.32{\mu}g/dL$, p<0.01; Zn: $76.8{\pm}5.36$, $119.0{\pm}5.95$, $129.1{\pm}2.70{\mu}g/dL$, p < 0.01). And the ratio of Zn to Cu was higher in SVD and MVD patients than in the control (control $0.78{\pm}0.06$, SVD $0.88{\pm}0.05$, MVD $0.99{\pm}0.04$, P < 0.05). The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was lower in MVD than in SVD and the control (control $35.13{\pm}1.34$, SVD $35.30{\pm}1.01$, MVD $31.00{\pm}1.04 U/mg$ protein, p < 0.05). The ratio of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to GSH-Px was higher in MVD than in control and SVD (p < 0.05). In groups with CAD, serum Cu and Zn concentrations and their ratio were changed compared to the control. GSH-Px activity was decreased and the ratio of SOD to GSH-Px was increased in the patients with MVD. The balances between the activities of SOD and GSH-Px should also be considered a risk factor in CAD patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.906-913
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• 1998

This study an analyzes the effects of the P/S ratio of dietary lipids and antioxidant vitamin supplements on serum lipids level and fatty acid profile, the degree of lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver of rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz($\alpha$) anthracene(DMBA). P/S ratio of dietary lipids was made into 0.5, 1 and 2 by mixing palm oil, soybean oil, sesame oil and perilla oil at 10%(w/w) fat level and n-6/n-3 ratio was fixed to 4. Antioxidant vitamin of $\alpha$-tocopherol or $\beta$-carotene was supplemented in addition to vitamin mixture which was given at 1 % of the standard diet. female Sprague-Dawley strain rats, about 60 days old, were divided into three groups(LP : low P/S ratio(0.5), MP : medium P/S ratio (1.0), HP , high P/S ratio(2.0)) and each group was sub-divided into three groups(S ; standard, T ; tocopherol supplemented, C : carotene supplemented): Two weeks after feeding experimental diets, all groups were treated with a single dose of DMBA(2mg/100g BW) by gastric intubation and fed experimental diet for 9 week. The results were as follows ; 1) Serum total cholesterol(TC) level was not significantly influenced by diet but tended to be lower in HP groups compared to LP and MP groups. Triglyceride level was the highest in LP groups and the lowest in $\alpha$-tocopherol supplemented groups. 2) Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) level, representing lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsome, tended to be increased as the unsaturation of dietary lipids increases. $\alpha$-Tocopherol supplement significantly decreased TBARS level. 3) The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSHPx) in hepatic cytosol showed the tendency to be high with increasing P/S ratio of dietary lipids. SOD activity was not significantly influenced by antioxidant vitamin, but GSHPx activity was significantly increased in $\alpha$-tocopherol supplemented groups. In summary, high polyunsaturated fat diet was effective on reducing the serum level of total cholesterol and triglyceride, while it increased unsaturation and peroxidizability of serum fatty acid. With increasing P/S ratio of dietary lipids, lipid peroxidation was increased in the liver and antioxidant enzyme system was induced to inhibit lipid peroxidation against oxidative damage. $\alpha$-Tocopherol supplement was effective in lowering lipid peoxidation, but $\beta$-carotene supplement did not exhibit antioxidant effect. (Korean J Nutrition 31(5) 906~913, 1998)

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1095-1100
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• 2014

Keratin wastes are generated in excess of million tons per year worldwide and biodegradation of keratin by microorganisms possessing keratinase activity can be used as an alternative tool to prevent environmental pollution. For practical use of keratinase, its physicochemical properties should be investigated in detail. In this study, we investigated characteristics of keratinase produced by Xanthomonas sp. P5 which is isolated from rhizospheric soil of soybean. The level of keratinase produced by the strain P5 increased with time and reached its maximum (10.6 U/ml) at 3 days. The production of soluble protein had the same tendency as the production of keratinase. Optimal temperature and pH of keratinase were $40^{\circ}C-45^{\circ}C$ and pH 9, respectively. The enzyme showed broad temperature and pH stabilities. Thermostability profile showed that the enzyme retained 94.6%-100% of the original activity after 1 h treatment at $10^{\circ}C-40^{\circ}C$. After treatment for 1 h at pH 6-10, 89.2%-100% of the activity was remained. At pH 11, 71.6% of the original activity was retained after 1 h treatment. Although the strain P5 did not degrade human hair, it degraded duck feather and chicken feather. These results indicate that keratinase from Xanthomonas sp. P5 could be not only used to upgrade the nutritional value of feather hydrolysate but also useful in situ biodegradation of feather.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 2020

Currently, there is a growing interest among consumers in selecting healthier meat with a greater proportion of essential fatty acids (FA). This experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of different ratios of dietary n-6:n-3 on growth performance, FA profile of longissimus dorsi (LD), relative gene expression of cytokines, meat quality, and blood parameters in finishing pigs. A total of 108 finishing pigs was randomly allotted to three treatments including a control (basal diet) and low ratios (4:1 and 2:1) of n-6:n-3. The 4:1 and 2:1 diets decreased the overall stearic acid in LD. There were reductions in the content of stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, total saturated acid, and n-6:n-3 ratio of LD in pigs fed 4:1 and 2:1 diet compared with the control diet. The 4:1 and 2:1 diets increased the concentration of α-Linolenic acid and polyunsaturated FA in the LD of pigs. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme gene was down-regulated in pigs fed 2:1 diet compared with finishing pigs fed the control or 4:1 diets. The relative expression of hormone-sensitive lipase was increased in pigs fed 2:1 and 4:1 ratio diets. Lower total cholesterol of plasma was observed in finishing pigs fed 2:1 and 4:1 diets. The cooking loss ratio of meat was lower in pigs fed the 2:1 and 4:1 diets compared with the control diet. Pigs fed the 4:1 and 2:1 diets had greater final body weight. In conclusion, the 2:1 and 4:1 diets have the potential to increase the meat quality and growth performance of pigs.