• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.42-51
• /
• 2016

We investigated the distribution of dissolved nutrients, phytoplankton community structure and utilization of nitrogen compounds by dominant species in the southwestern part of East Sea in September, 2014. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) were lower in the surface layer, and concentrations were increased with depth. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus were the opposite of dissolved inorganic nutrients. Although DIN DIP ratio in all of the water masses was higher than Redfield ratio (16), DIN : DIP ratio in mixed layer was about 2, indicating that inorganic nitrogen is the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplankton. In particular, DON proportion in dissolved total nitrogen was about 88 % in the mixed layer where inorganic nitrogen is limiting factor. The dominant species Chaeotceros debilis and Prorocentrum minimum were able to grow using DIN as well as DON such as urea and amino acids. Therefore, DON utilization of phytoplankton may play a role as a survival strategy in the DIN-limited conditions of East Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.90-103
• /
• 2014

Distribution characteristics of water masses, dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients were investigated in the southern part of the East Sea of Korea in September, 2011. On the basis of the vertical profiles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen, water masses in the study area were divided into 4 major groups, such as WM (water mass)-I, WM-II, WM-III, WM-IV. Their characteristics were similar to Tsushima Surface Water (TSW), Tsushima Middle Water (TMW), North Korea Cold Water (NKCW) and East Sea Proper Water (ESPW), respectively. In the vertical profiles of dissolved nutrients, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations were highest in the WM-IV, followed by WM-III, WM-II, WM-I. On the contrary, distribution of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) were highest in the WM-I, followed by WM-II, WM-III, WM-IV. Although the DIN : DIP ratio in all of the water masses was similar to Redfield ratio(16), the DIN : DIP ratio in mixed layer was about 5.3, indicating that inorganic nitrogen is the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplankton. However, the DON proportion in dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) was about 70% in the mixed layer where inorganic nitrogen is limiting factor. Thus, enriched DON may play an important source of the nutrient for the growth of phytoplankon in the East Sea.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.160-165
• /
• 2002

Aspergillus niger has been used as a host to express many heterologous proteins. It has been known that the presence of an- abundant protease is a limiting factor to express a heterologous protein. The protease deficient mutant of A. niger was obtained using UV-irradiation. A total of $1{\times}10^5$ spores were irradiated with $10{\sim}20%$ survival dose of UV, 600 $J/m^2$ at 280 nm, and the resulting spores were screened on the casein-gelatin plates. Ten putative protease deficient mutants showing the reduced halo area around colonies were further analyzed to differentiate the protease deficient mutant from other mutant types. Among ten putative mutants, seven mutants showed significant growth defect on nutrient rich medium and two mutants appeared to be the secretory mutants, which resulted in the impaired secretion of extracellular proteins including proteases. A mutant $pro^--20$ showed reduced halo zone without any notable changes in growth rate. In addition, the starchdegrading and glucose oxidase activities in the culture filtrate of $pro^--20$ mutant showed the similar range as that of the parental strain, which suggested that the $pro^--20$ mutant ought to be the protease deficient mutant rather than a secretory mutant. The reduced proteolytic activity of the $pro^--20$ was demonstrated using SDS-fibrin zymography gel. The reduced extracellular proteolysis was quantified by casein degradation assay and, comparing with the parental strain, less than 30% residual extracellular protease activity was detected in the culture filtrate of the $pro^--20$ mutant. The bio-activity of an exogenously supplemented hGM-CSF(human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor) in the culture filtrate of $pro^--20$ mutant was detected until eight times more diluted preparations than that of the parental strain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.74 no.1
• /
• pp.37-40
• /
• 2013

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been widely used for non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Its untoward cutaneous effects are largely well known and developed in many patients treated with EGFR TKIs. However trichomegaly of eyelash is rarely reported. Although trichomegaly is not a drug-limiting side effect, it could be troublesome of continuing the treatment because of cosmetic issue or eyeball irritation by long eyelashes. Therefore clinicians are needed to pay attention to this uncommon effect. We herein describe erlotinib induced trichomegaly of eyelashes in a woman with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.148-156
• /
• 2021

Single-chain antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) are potentially promising agents for developing antibody-based cancer treatment strategies. We described in our previous study the successful expression of an anti-EGFRvIII scFv antibody in Escherichia coli. However, we could also observe the formation of insoluble aggregates in the periplasmic space, limiting the production yield of the active product. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which growth conditions could affect the expression of the soluble anti-EGFRvIII scFv antibody in small-scale E. coli NiCo21(DE3) cultures, attempting to maximize production. The secreted scFv molecules were purified using Ni-NTA magnetic beads and protein characterization was performed using SDS-PAGE and western blot analyses. We used the ImageJ software for protein quantification and determined the antigen-binding activity of the scFv antibody against the EGFRvIII protein. Our results showed that the highest percentage of soluble scFv expression could be achieved under culture conditions that combined low IPTG concentration (0.1 mM), low growth temperature (18℃), and large culture dish surface area. We found moderate-yield soluble scFv production in the culture medium after lactose-mediated induction, which was also beneficial for downstream protein processing. These findings were confirmed by conducting western blot analysis, indicating that the soluble, approximately 30-kDa scFv molecule was localized in the periplasm and the extracellular space. Moreover, the antigen-binding assay confirmed the scFv affinity against the EGFRvIII antigen. In conclusion, our study reveals that low-speed protein expression is preferable to obtain more soluble anti-EGFRvIII scFv protein in an E. coli expression system.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.303-329
• /
• 2019

Intestinal failure (IF) is the critical reduction of the gut mass or its function below the minimum needed to absorb nutrients and fluids required for adequate growth in children. Severe IF requires parenteral nutrition (PN). Pediatric IF is most commonly due to congenital or neonatal intestinal diseases or malformations divided into 3 groups: 1) reduced intestinal length and consequently reduced absorptive surface, such as in short bowel syndrome (SBS) or extensive aganglionosis; 2) abnormal development of the intestinal mucosa such as congenital diseases of enterocyte development; 3) extensive motility dysfunction such as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndromes. The leading cause of IF in childhood is the SBS. In clinical practice the degree of IF may be indirectly measured by the level of PN required for normal or catch up growth. Other indicators such as serum citrulline have not proven to be highly reliable prognostic factors in children. The last decades have allowed the development of highly sophisticated nutrient solutions consisting of optimal combinations of macronutrients and micronutrients as well as guidelines, promoting PN as a safe and efficient feeding technique. However, IF that requires long-term PN may be associated with various complications including infections, growth failure, metabolic disorders, and bone disease. IF Associated Liver Disease may be a limiting factor. However, changes in the global management of IF pediatric patients, especially since the setup of intestinal rehabilitation centres did change the prognosis thus limiting "nutritional failure" which is considered as a major indication for intestinal transplantation (ITx) or combined liver-ITx.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.35 no.1 s.97
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2002

In order to understand the relationship between succession of phytoplankton community structure and inorganic nutrients and particulate organic matters, a one station in Kyungan stream in Korea during the dry season was chosen. Water samplings were carried out once a week from 18 August to 13 November 1993. The DIN concentration distributed always abundantly, however, phosphate and silicate gradually reduced during the period. Phytoplankton community had a peak chlorophyll a concentration of $90.6\;{\mu}g/l$ in late summer (21 August 1993) and a second peak of $29.7\;{\mu}g/l$ in autumn (2 October 1993). After then late autumn was characterined by relatively low chlorophyll a concentration of $15{\sim}16\;{\mu}g/l$. Seasonal fluctuation of chlorophyll a concentrations were correlated with measured POC and PON concentrations: phytoplankton blooming may be a major factor controlling POC and PON concentrations in this ecosystem. Phosphate plays an most important role as a limiting factor of phytoplankton growth. However, when Si/P ratio low, silicate may be a more critical limiting factor than phosphate. Shifts of P-limitation to Si- limitation the succession of dominant phytoplankton can in duce: diatom to cyanobacteria such as Anabaena, Microcystis and Oscillatoria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.335-356
• /
• 1997

Injection of bovine growth hormone (bGH) to lactating dairy cows increases milk yield and yields of milk components including fat. It is generally believed that most of the anabolic effects derived from bGH in animal tissues are primarily mediated by IGF-1. IGF-1 is a strong anabolic peptide in the plasma of animals and exerts mitogenic and metabolic effects on target cells. Contrary to most protein hormones, the majority of IGF-1 in circulation is bound to the binding proteins (IGFBPs) which are known to be responsible for modifying the biological actions of IGF-1, thus making determinations of IGF-1 actions more difficult. On the other hand, fat is a major milk component and the greatest energy source in milk. Currently, the fat content of milk is one of the major criteria used in determining milk prices. It has been known that flavor and texture of dairy products are mainly affected by milk fat and its composition. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is the rate limiting enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA for fatty acid synthesis in 1ipogenic tissues of animals including bovine lactating mammary glands. In addition to the short-tenn hormonal regulation of ACC by changes in the catalytic efficiency per enzyme molecule brought about by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the enzyme, the long-term hormonal regulation of ACC by changes in the number of enzyme molecules plays an essential role in control of ACC and lipogenesis. Insulin, at supraphysiological concentrations, binds to IGF-1 receptors, thereby mimicking the biological effects of IGF-1. The receptors for insulin and IGF-1 share structural and functional homology. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor increased ACC activity in rat hepatocytes and adipocytes. Therefore, it can be assumed that IGF-1 mediating bGH action may increase milk fat production by stimulation ACC with phosphorylation (short term) and/or increasing amounts of the enzyme proteins (long term). Consequently, the main purpose of this paper is to give the readers not only the galactopoietic effects of bGH, but also the insight of bGH action with regard to stimulating milk fat synthesis from the whole body to the molecular levels.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.438-443
• /
• 1999

Germination and growth of Laminaria japonica microscopic stages were investigated under crossed gradients of temperatures and irradiances, and the results related to the seasonal temperature regime in the southeastern coast of Korea. Germination rates of $70\~86\%$ were observed in the temperature range of $5\~20^{\circ}C$, however, at $25^{\circ}C$ no germination of meiospores was observed. The primary factor affecting germination rates at the temperature range of $5\~20^{\circ}C$ was irradiance: germination was significantly reduced at $150 {\mu}E{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Vegetative cell production of female gametophytes was highest at $20^{\circ}C$, but plants were not fertile at the temperature. In the temperature range of $5\~15^{\circ}C$, higher irradiance caused females to reduce cell production, but increased fertility. Cell production was also low at lower temperatures with increased fertility rates. Optimal growth temperature for microsporophytes was $10^{\circ}C$ and their growth rates were light-saturated at $70 {\mu}E{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. We have concluded that meiospores released before July could develope to the young sporophytic stage in the southeastern coast of Korea which is off the southern limit of its geographical distribution. However, limiting factor in the development of natural sporophytic population in this region would be the upper temperature limit for the survival of young sporophytes, as water temperature at this area frequently exceeds $25^{\circ}C$ during the summer period.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 2013

Dominance and survival strategy of toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense and A. catenella under the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) limited conditions were examined in the laboratory and field observations. In Masan Bay, DIN was limiting factor for growth of phytoplankton during spring to early summer when Alexandrium spp. have been observed. They have a disadvantageous position compared with diatoms because Ks of nitrate calculated from growth kinetics experiment of A. tamarense and A. catenella was higher than diatoms. However, A. tamarense and A. catenella were able to grow using dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) compounds such as urea and amino acids as well as DIN. Therefore, DON utilization of A. tamarense, A. catenella might contribute to not only their population growth but also dominance and interspecific competition in the DIN-limited conditions in Masan Bay.