• Title/Summary/Keyword: Functional Division

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Molecular Docking and Kinetic Studies of the A226N Mutant of Deinococcus geothermalis Amylosucrase with Enhanced Transglucosylation Activity

  • Hong, Seungpyo;Siziya, Inonge Noni;Seo, Myung-Ji;Park, Cheon-Seok;Seo, Dong-Ho
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.30 no.9
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    • pp.1436-1442
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    • 2020
  • Amylosucrase (ASase, E.C. 2.4.1.4) is capable of efficient glucose transfer from sucrose, acting as the sole donor molecule, to various functional acceptor compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. An ASase variant from Deinococcus geothermalis, in which the 226th alanine is replaced with asparagine (DgAS-A226N), shows increased polymerization activity due to changes in the flexibility of the loop near the active site. In this study, we further investigated how the mutation modulates the enzymatic activity of DgAS using molecular dynamics and docking simulations to evaluate interactions between the enzyme and phenolic compounds. The computational analysis revealed that the A226N mutation could induce and stabilize structural changes near the substrate-binding site to increase glucose transfer efficiency to phenolic compounds. Kinetic parameters of DgAS-A226N and WT DgAS were determined with sucrose and 4-methylumbelliferone (MU) as donor and acceptor molecules, respectively. The kcat/Km value of DgAS-A226N with MU (6.352 mM-1min-1) was significantly higher than that of DgAS (5.296 mM-1min-1). The enzymatic activity was tested with a small phenolic compound, hydroquinone, and there was a 1.4-fold increase in α-arbutin production. From the results of the study, it was concluded that DgAS-A226N has improved acceptor specificity toward small phenolic compounds by way of stabilizing the active conformation of these compounds.

Comparison of simulation and Actual Test for ACC Function on Real-Road (실도로에서의 ACC 기능에 대한 시뮬레이션과 실차시험 비교 평가)

  • Kim, Bong-Ju;Lee, Seon-Bong
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.457-467
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    • 2020
  • Increasing environmental concerns have prompted countries around the world to tighten regulations on greenhouse gases and fuel efficiency. Research is being done using advanced driver assistance systems to improve fuel economy and for the convenience of drivers. Research on systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), LKAS, and AEB is active. The purpose of ACC is to control the longitudinal speed and distance of the vehicle and minimize the driver's load, which is considered useful for accident prevention. From this point of view, research has used a mathematical method of safety evaluation as a function of distances and scenarios while considering domestic road environments. A vehicle is tested with a simulation in a proposed scenario. The purpose of the analysis is to verify the functional safety of ACC by comparing the theoretical calculations using theoretical equations, the relative distances in the simulation, and an actual vehicle test. These methods are expected to enable many companies to use scenarios, formulas, and simulations as safety verification methods in the development of ACC.

A Study on the Revitalization Plan of Changwon Persimmon Theme Park by Analyzing the Actual Condition of Rural Theme Park (농촌테마공원 실태분석을 통한 창원단감테마공원 활성화 방안)

  • Choi, Young-Wan;Eun, Hee-Chang;Kim, Young-Joo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.91-98
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study is to analyze the actual condition of the already established rural theme park, draw the weak and strong points, and come up with an efficient performance plan for Changwon Persimmon Theme Park through the benchmarking of the best overseas case. According to the analysis, it is necessary to introduce a facility and a program for family customers as a plan for promoting Changwon Persimmon Theme Park. It is required to secure safety through public operation and management, improve scalability of the facility through the establishment of multi-functional complex facility, and come up with a plan for operating a special program associated with local resources. Therefore, this study drew three activation factors: the establishment of operation and management system, the development of operation contents by facility, and the establishment of operation in each area. First, to establish the operation and management system, it is necessary to classify the organization of the theme park into the operation business area and into operation & management area by job function. Secondly, it is necessary to establish a special program in consideration of space and facility, suggest a differentiated plan for operation contents, and create a facility operation plan and program for Changwon Persimmon Theme Park. Lastly, to operate and manage Changwon Persimmon Theme Park smoothly, it is necessary to set the theme park space as open collaboration space which the local residents can share and participate in by avoiding the conventional administration-based business performance and operation. This study suggested the plan for establishing an operation and management system for Changwon Persimmon Theme Park and its operation, the establishment of a special program, a business performance strategy, and the use of internal and external spaces of the theme park.

Anti-oxidative Effects of Allium hookeri Leaves in Caenorhabditis elegans (삼채 잎의 예쁜꼬마선충 내의 항산화 효과)

  • Ki, Byeolhui;Lee, Eun Byeol;Kim, Jun Hyeong;Yang, Jae Heon;Kim, Dae Keun;Kim, Young-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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    • v.48 no.2
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    • pp.141-147
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    • 2017
  • As an ongoing study about Allium hookeri (Liliaceae), this study was performed to evaluate the anti-oxidative effect of the leaves of this plant. Ethanol extract of A. hookeri leaves was successively partitioned as methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and $H_2O$ soluble fractions. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed the most potent DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide quenching activities among those fractions. To prove antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate fraction of A. hookeri leaves, we checked the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and intracellular ROS level and oxidative stress tolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans. In addition, to verify if increased stress tolerance of C. elegans by treating of ethyl acetate fraction was due to regulation of stress-response gene, we checked SOD-3 expression using transgenic strain. As a consequence, the ethyl acetate fraction increased SOD and catalase activity of C. elegans, and reduced intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, the ethyl acetate fraction-treated CF1553 worms showed higher SOD-3::GFP intensity.

Molecular biologic demonstration on the green tea grouts-feed pork meats and duck meats (녹차부산물을 이용한 기능성 축산물 증명에 대한 분자생물학적 접근)

  • Kang Shin-Seok;Hyun Gong-Yul;Choi Hae-Yeun;Cho Woo-Young;Kim Tae-Yung;Kang Shin-Kwon;Kang Chung-Boo
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.91-98
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    • 2005
  • Green tea was known which regulated adipocyte differentiation metabolism. The mechanism on the lipid decreased contents of TAG in the plasma. In addition, green tea increased the expression leptin mRNA, PPAR $\delta$ mRNA and TGF $\beta$. The tea tested was korean powdered green tea. In this experiment, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed $3\%$ green tea(powdered) for 3 weeks on the basal diet and obese diet and green tea grouts-fed pork meats. duck meats. The expression of leptin mRNA and PPAR $\delta$ mRNA were up-regulated in the green tea-fed groups compared with those of the not green tea-fed groups. There were no significantly difference on the expression of leptin mRNA and PPAR $\delta$ mRNA in green tea grouts-fed pork meats, duck meats as compared with the not fed green tea grouts meats. TGF $\beta$ mRNA. TNF $\alpha$ mRNA and adipsin mRNA were not expressed in the pork meats, duck meats. The expression of TGF $\beta$ mRNA, TNF $\alpha$ mRNA and adipsin mRNA were observed in the experimental rats but no significantly difference on the contents. Physiologic regulated genes were not expressed In the green tea grout-fed pork meats and duck meats.

Analysis of the Oxidative Stress-Related Transcriptome from Capsicum annuum L.

  • Lee, Hyoung-Seok;Lee, Sang-Ho;Kim, Ho-Bang;Lee, Nam-Houn;An, Chung-Sun
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.472-482
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    • 2010
  • For the massive screening of the genes related to oxidative stress, a cDNA library was constructed from hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Nockkwang) leaves treated with methyl viologen. From this library, 1,589 cDNA clones were sequenced from their 5' ends. The sequences were clustered into 1,252 unigenes comprised of 152 contigs and 1,100 singletons. Similarity search against NCBI protein database identified 1,005 ESTs (80.3%) as Known, 197 ESTs (15.7%) as Unknown, and 50 ESTs (3.99%) as No hit. In the ESTs, oxidative stress-related genes such as ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and osmotin precursor were highly expressed. The cDNA microarray containing 1,252 unigenes was constructed and used to analyze their expression upon methyl viologen treatment. Analyses of the hybridization revealed that various stress-related genes such as peroxidase, tyrosine aminotransferase, and omega-6 fatty acid desaturase, were induced and some metabolism related genes such as aldolase and ketol-acid reductoisomerase, were repressed by methyl viologen treatment, respectively. The information from this study will be used for further study on the functional roles of oxidative stress-related genes and signaling network of oxidative stress in hot pepper.

How to Improve Eating Behaviour during Early Childhood

  • Green, Robin John;Samy, Gamal;Miqdady, Mohamad Saleh;Salah, Mohamed;Sleiman, Rola;Abdelrahman, Hatim Mohamed Ahmed;Al Haddad, Fatima;Reda, Mona M.;Lewis, Humphrey;Ekanem, Emmanuel E.;Vandenplas, Yvan
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2015
  • Eating behaviour disorder during early childhood is a common pediatric problem. Many terminologies have been used interchangeably to describe this condition, hindering implementation of therapy and confusing a common problem. The definition suggests an eating behaviour which has consequences for family harmony and growth. The recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition does not cover the entire spectrum seen by pediatricians. Publications are substantive but level of evidence is most of the time low. This purpose of this review is to clarify terminology of eating behaviour problems during early childhood; including benign picky eating, limited diets, sensory food aversion, selective eating, food avoidance emotional disorder, pervasive refusal syndrome, tactile defensiveness, functional dysphagia, neophobia and toddler anorexia. This tool is proposed only to ease the clinical management for child care providers. Diagnostic criteria are set and management tools are suggested. The role of dietary counselling and, where necessary, behavioural therapy is clarified. It is hoped that the condition will make its way into mainstream pediatrics to allow these children, and their families, to receive the help they deserve.

Dietary carnosic acid suppresses hepatic steatosis formation via regulation of hepatic fatty acid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice

  • Park, Mi-Young;Mun, Seong Taek
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.294-301
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    • 2013
  • In this study, we examined the hepatic anti-steatosis activity of carnosic acid (CA), a phenolic compound of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves, as well as its possible mechanism of action, in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice model. Mice were fed a HFD, or a HFD supplemented with 0.01% (w/w) CA or 0.02% (w/w) CA, for a period of 12 weeks, after which changes in body weight, blood lipid profiles, and fatty acid mechanism markers were evaluated. The 0.02% (w/w) CA diet resulted in a marked decline in steatosis grade, as well as in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index values, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IGTT) results, body weight gain, liver weight, and blood lipid levels (P < 0.05). The expression level of hepatic lipogenic genes, such as sterol regulating element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), liver-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), was significantly lower in mice fed 0.01% (w/w) CA and 0.02% (w/w) CA diets than that in the HFD group; on the other hand, the expression level of ${\beta}$-oxidation-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), was higher in mice fed a 0.02% (w/w) CA diet, than that in the HFD group (P < 0.05). In addition, the hepatic content of palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), and oleic acid (C18:1) was significantly lower in mice fed the 0.02% (w/w) CA diet than that in the HFD group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that orally administered CA suppressed HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and fatty liver-related metabolic disorders through decrease of de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid elongation and increase of fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation in mice.

Effect of Water and Ethanol Extracts Codonopsis lanceolata on Spatial Learning and Memory in Mice (더덕 물 추출물과 에탄올 추출물의 인지능 개선 활성 비교)

  • Weon, Jin Bae;Lee, Jiwoo;Eom, Min Rye;Jung, Youn Sik;Ko, Hyun-Jeong;Lee, Hyeon Yong;Park, Dong-Sik;Chung, Hee-Chul;Chung, Jae Youn;Ma, Choong Je
    • YAKHAK HOEJI
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    • v.58 no.5
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    • pp.287-293
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    • 2014
  • Alzheimer's disease (AD), most common form of dementia is characterized that memory deficit and loss of cognitive function. This study was evaluated cognitive enhancing effect of water and ethanol extracts of Codonopsis lanceolata and compared using Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. The water and 70% ethanol extracts (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) were administered to mice. The neuroprotective effect on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells was additionally investigated using MTT assay. Results showed 70% ethanol extract of Codonopsis lanceolata enhanced cognitive function than water extract, as shown by decrease in escape latency time in Morris water maze test. In passive avoidance test, 70% ethanol extract also increased the latency time compared to the water extract. Furthermore, 70% ethanol extract significantly protected neuronal cell against glutamate cytotoxicity and showed higher than neuroprotective effect of water extract. These results indicate that 70% ethanol extract more improve spatial cognitive ability and protected neuronal cells than water extract.

Evaluating Interactive Fatigue Management Workshops for Occupational Health Professionals in the United Kingdom

  • Ali, Sheila;Chalder, Trudie;Madan, Ira
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.191-197
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    • 2014
  • Background: Disabling fatigue is common in the working age population. It is essential that occupational health (OH) professionals are up-to-date with the management of fatigue in order to reduce the impact of fatigue on workplace productivity. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of one-day workshops on OH professionals' knowledge of fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and their confidence in diagnosing and managing these in a working population. Methods: Five interactive problem-based workshops were held in the United Kingdom. These workshops were developed and delivered by experts in the field. Questionnaires were self-administered immediately prior to, immediately after, and 4 months following each workshop. Questionnaires included measures of satisfaction, knowledge of fatigue and CFS, and confidence in diagnosing and managing fatigue. Open-ended questions were used to elicit feedback about the workshops. Results: General knowledge of fatigue increased significantly after training (with a 25% increase in the median score). Participants showed significantly higher levels of confidence in diagnosing and managing CFS (with a 62.5% increase in the median score), and high scores were maintained 4 months after the workshops. OH physicians scored higher on knowledge and confidence than nurses. Similarly, thematic analysis revealed that participants had increased knowledge and confidence after attending the workshops. Conclusion: Fatigue can lead to severe functional impairment with adverse workplace outcomes. One-day workshops can be effective in training OH professionals in how to diagnose and manage fatigue and CFS. Training may increase general knowledge of fatigue and confidence in fatigue management in an OH setting.