• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. MATERIALS/METHODS: We examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period. RESULTS: FL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2008

To investigate the 3-bond connectivity of human brain metabolites by scalar coupling interaction through 2D-correlation spectroscopy (COSY) techniques using high field NMR spectroscopy. All NMR experiments were performed at 298K on Unity Inova 500 or 600 (Varian Inc.) equipped with a triple resonance probe head with z-shield gradient. Human brain metabolites were prepared with 10% $D_2O$. Two dimensional 2D COSY spectra were acquired with 4096 complex data points in $t_2$ and 128 or 256 increments in $t_1$ dimension. The spectral width was 9615.4 Hz and solvent suppression was achieved using presaturation using low power irradiation of the water resonance during 2s of relaxation delay. NMR data were processed using VNMRJ (Varian Instrument) software and all the chemical shifts were referenced to the methyl resonance of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) peak at 2.0 ppm. Total 10 metabolites such as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), glutamine (Gln), glutamate (Glu), myo-inositol (Ins), lactate (Lac), taurine (Tau), ${\gamma}$-aminobutyricacid (GABA), alanine (Ala) were included for major target metabolites. Symmetrical 2D-COSY spectra were successfully acquired. Total 14 COSY cross peaks were observed even though there were parallel/orthogonal noisy peaks induced by water suppression. Except for Cr, all of human brain metabolites produced COSY cross peaks. The spectra of NAA methyl proton at 2.02 ppm and Glu methylene proton ($CH_2(3)$) at 2.11 ppm and Gln methylene proton ($CH_2(3)$) at 2.14 ppm were overlapped in the similar resonance frequency between 2.00 ppm and 2.15 ppm. The present study demonstrated that in vitro 2D-COSY represented the 3-bond connectivity of human brain metabolites by scalar coupling interaction. This study could aid in better understanding the interactions between human brain metabolites in vivo 2D-COSY study. Also it would be helpful to determine the molecular stereochemistry in vivo by using two-dimensional MR spectroscopy.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1345-1354
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify candidate genes that play important roles in skeletal muscle development in ducks. Methods: In this study, we investigated the transcriptional sequencing of embryonic pectoral muscles from two specialized lines: Liancheng white ducks (female) and Cherry valley ducks (male) hybrid Line A (LCA) and Line C (LCC) ducks. In addition, prediction of target genes for the differentially expressed mRNAs was conducted and the enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes signaling pathways were further analyzed. Finally, a protein-to-protein interaction network was analyzed by using the target genes to gain insights into their potential functional association. Results: A total of 1,428 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 762 being up-regulated genes and 666 being down-regulated genes in pectoral muscle of LCA and LCC ducks identified by RNA-seq (p<0.05). Meanwhile, 23 GO terms in the down-regulated genes and 75 GO terms in up-regulated genes were significantly enriched (p<0.05). Furthermore, the top 5 most enriched pathways were ECM-receptor interaction, fatty acid degradation, pyruvate degradation, PPAR signaling pathway, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Finally, the candidate genes including integrin b3 (Itgb3), pyruvate kinase M1/2 (Pkm), insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1), glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi), GABA type A receptor-associated protein-like 1 (Gabarapl1), and thyroid hormone receptor beta (Thrb) showed the most expression difference, and then were selected to verification by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The result of qRT-PCR was consistent with that of transcriptome sequencing. Conclusion: This study provided information of molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental differences in skeletal muscles between specialized duck lines.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.37 no.3 s.122
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• pp.171-181
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• 2007

Objective: The present study was aimed at an analytical formulation of the micro-implant related torque as a function of implant size, i.e. the diameter and length, screw size, and the bony resistance at the implant to bone interface. Methods: The resistance at the implant to cancellous bone interface $(S_{can})$ was assumed to be in the range of 1.0-2.5 MPa. Micro-implant model of Absoanchor (Dentos Inc. Daegu, Korea) was used in the course of the analysis. Results: The results showed that the torque was a strong function of diameter, length, and the screw height. As the diameter increased and as the screw size decreased, the torque index decreased. However the strength index was a different function of the implant and bone factors. The whole Absoanchor implant models were within the safe region when the resistance at the implant/cancellous bone $(=S_{can})$ was 1.0 or less. Conclusion: For bone with $S_{can}$ of 1.5 MPa, the cervical diameter should be greater than 1.5 mm if micro-implant models of 12 mm long are to be placed. For $S_{can}$ of 2.0 MPa, micro-implant models of larger cervical diameter than 1.5 mm were found to be safe only if the endosseous length was less than 8 mm.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1379-1383
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• 2010

Nectarine beverage treated with cellulase and pectinase enzymes was measured for mineral contents, total flavonoids, and free amino acids and DPPH radical scavenging effect, nitrite scavenging effect. Total flavonoid contents of the no treatment, treated with pectinase, with cellulase, and with both measured 0.146 mg/mL, 0.167 mg/mL, 0.148 mg/mL and 0.171 mg/mL, respectively. DPPH was measured as 13.42% with no treatment and more than 28.98% with enzyme treatments. Nitrite scavenging effect with no treatment was 79% at pH 1.2. Whereas, it was measured above 90% while treated with enzymes at pH 1.2. And also, the nitrite scavenging effect was slightly higher at pH 3.0, pH 4.0 and pH 6.0 than no treatment. Results of free amino acids analysis revealed that, aspartic acid, serine, alanine, $\gamma$-aminobutylic acid, and glutamic acid were present with the amount ranging from 86.71% to 94.14% from total detected free amino acids. Ornithine and taurine were also observed from the beverages. The mineral contents, nitrogen element (T-N) of enzyme treatment of nectarine beverages were measured slightly higher than T-N of no treatment, however, the $P_2O_5$ was similar. Moreover, CaO, MgO and $K_2O$ in the beverages were measured above 45 mg/L, 85 mg/L and 2,133 mg/L, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1611-1617
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of pills made of mulberry leaves and silkworm powder on lowering blood glucose level. Experimental animals were Sprague-Dawley male rat weighing 100$\pm$10 g and pills were supplemented with 0.4% (4 g/kg) diet. Experimental groups were assigned to diabetic group (DM group) and pill supplemented groups. Pill supplemented groups were classified 100% mulberry leaves (M group), mixing 25% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (25SM group), mixing 50% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (50SM group), mixing 70% silkworm powder to mulberry leaves (75SM group) and 100% silkworm powder (100S group). Experimental diets and water fed ad libitum, and streptozotocin was injected to induce diabetic state after 3rd weeks and sacrificed on the 9th day. The contents of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ) were increased with adding the silkworm powder. The contents of GABA and rutin were increased with adding the mulberry leaves. In vitro, intestinal mucosa $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities were significantly increased in pills which mixed with silkworm powder by 50%. Blood glucose levels were high in groups which mixed with silkworm powder by 50% compared to DM group. Intestinal mucosa maltase activity in proximal part was significantly reduced in pill supplemented group compared to DM group and pill supplemented groups were no significant difference. Enzyme activity in middle part was no significant difference in experimental groups. Enzyme activity in distal part was decreased in pill supplemented groups, especially in 50SM, 75SM and 100S groups were significantly reduced compared to DM group. Sucrase and lactase activities in pill supplemented groups were significantly reduced at proximal part, and there was no significant difference in middle and distal parts. In conclusion, pills made of mulberry leaves and silkworm powder increased the $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro and reduced the blood glucose levels by controlling the disaccharidase activities of intestinal proximal part in STZ-induced diabetic rat. The synergistic effect was the highest when mulberry leaves was mixed with silkworm powder by the ratio of 50 : 50.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.502-509
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• 2016

The seasonal appearance and the chemical composition characteristics of cladode of Opuntia humifusa were investigated in this study. The minor (horizontal) and major (vertical) axes, the width, and weight of O. humifusa cladode were compared for its appearance features. Moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, color, dietary fiber, mineral, and amino acids contents were measured for the comparison of their chemical composition characteristics. The cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed higher values of minor and major axis, width, and weight than those harvested in winter. According to the results of Hunter color index, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed the highest lightness level (Hunter L value). In the meanwhile, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in spring showed the highest Hunter a (redness) and b (yellowness) values. Cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer had the lowest crude protein and crude fat contents, while it showed the highest crude ash content. The total contents of moisture and dietary fiber were significantly greater than summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa followed by spring- and winter-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. The major mineral content of all seasonal cladode of O. humifusa was $Ca^{2+}$. Glutamic acid and aspartic acid were the major amino acids in all seasonal samples. Contrary, the contents of total amino acids and free amino acids were the lowest in summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. Taken together, it was concluded that the appearance and chemical quality of cladode of O. humifusa was versatile depending on the harvesting season.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.980-989
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• 2016

In the present study, we compared and investigated the nutritional compositions of Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus baby-leaves cultivated in Korea. Baby-leaves of two amaranthes consisted of more than 92% moisture, and A. cruentus contained a higher amount of moisture than A. hypochondriacus. Meanwhile, A. hypochondriacus contained higher levels of crude ash, crude protein, crude lipid, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber than A. cruentus. The major free sugars of the two amaranth baby-leaves were fructose and glucose. Fructose content of A. hypochondriacus was higher than that of A. cruentus, and glucose content of A. cruentus was higher than that of A. hypochondriacus. Acetic acid, malic acid, and fumaric acid were detected in two amaranth leaves, but succinic acid was not detected. Two amaranth leaves contained 17 amino acids except for methionine, proline, and tyrosine, and leaves contained the highest glutamic acid contents. In addition, A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus leaves contained high contents of taurine and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid and showed various biological activities. The major mineral and fatty acid of the two amaranth leaves were potassium and linolenic acid (C18:3), respectively. The ${\beta}$-carotene contents of A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus leaves were $478.72{\mu}g/100g$ and $474.12{\mu}g/100g$, respectively. In vitamin B complex, $B_2$, $B_3$, and $B_5$ were detected in the two amaranth leaves whereas vitamins $B_1$, $B_6$, and $B_{12}$ were not detected. A. hypochondriacus contained higher amounts of vitamin C and E than those of A. cruentus. Overall, amaranth leaves contained high amounts of nutritional components. Therefore, amaranth leaves are expected to be useful for the development of a functional food. Moreover, these results will provide fundamental data for advancing sitological value, breeding new cultivars, and promoting leafy vegetable usage.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.235-248
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• 2011

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in children and adults and is a major risk factor for the development of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). Recent studies have provided significant insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of epilepsy. Although the link between brain trauma and epilepsy is well recognized, the complex biological mechanisms that result in PTE following TBI have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated in order to identify whether or not the abnormal expression of calcium-binding proteins in the lesioned hippocampus plays a role in neuronal damage by brain trauma and whether or not the expressions may change in the contralateral hippocampus during the adaptive stage as early time point following TBI. During early time point following TBI, both parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin D-28k (CB) immunoreactivities were decreased with in the lesioned hippocampus. However, these expressions were recovered to control levels as depend on time courses. On the other hand, PV immunoreactivity in contralateral hippocampus was transiently reduced as compared to the control levels, whereas CB expression was unchanged. These findings indicate that the alterations of the calcium-binding proteins, especially PV and CB, may contribute to the neuronal death and/or damage induced by abnormal inhibitory neurotransmission at early time period following brain trauma and the development of epileptogenesis in patients with traumatic brain injury.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.643-649
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• 2013

The antioxidant activity and amino acid composition of various Cheonggukjang extracts, such as the water extract from Cheonggukjang (CWE), the alcohol extract from Cheonggukjang (CEE), the water extract from Cheonggukjang with black garlic (BWE) and the alcohol extract from Cheonggukjang with black garlic (BEE), were examined to investigate the effect of black garlic on the sensory quality and functional properties of Cheonggukjang. The total polyphenol contents of various extracts were 7.03 mg/100 g (BWE), 3.64 mg/100 g (CWE), 2.88 mg/100 g (BEE) and 0.81 mg/100 g (CEE). The radical scavenging activity of the DPPH radical was highest in BWE (91.83%), followed by BEE (37.35%), CWE (25.54%) and CEE (14.80%), in that order. The SOD-like activity was highest in BWE (20.20%), followed by BEE (9.22%), CWE (7.91%) and CEE (6.45%). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were highest in BWE (35.18%), followed by BEE (28.33%), CWE (17.40%) and CEE ((14.93%). The total amino acid content of Cheonggukjang (CC) was higher than that of Cheonggukjang with black garlic (CCWB), but the essential amino acid content of CCWB (43.18%) was higher than that of CC (42.27%). The 27 kinds of free amino acid were found in CC, but only 23 kinds were found in CCWB. The L-lysine content was highest (9.23%) in CC, and the L-phenylalanine content was highest (23.14%) in CCWB. The free amino acids (L-threonine, L-serine, L-sarcosine, L-proline, L-alanine, L-valine and D,L-${\beta}$-aminoisobutyric acid) were found in CC but not in CCWB. The ${\gamma}$-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) was found in CCWB but not in CC. These results suggest that the addition of black garlic has beneficial effects on the functionality of Cheonggukjang without decreasing its sensory characteristics.