• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2020

The prenatal period in livestock animals is crucial for meat production because net increase in the number of muscle fibers is finished before birth. However, there is no study on the growth and development mechanism of muscles in Hanwoo during this period. Therefore, to find candidate genes involved in muscle growth and development during this period in Hanwoo, mRNA expression data of longissimus in Hanwoo at 6 and 9 months post-conceptional age (MPA) were analyzed. We independently identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using DESeq2 and edgeR which are R software packages, and considered the overlaps of the results as final-DEGs to use in downstream analysis. The DEGs were classified into several modules using WGCNA then the modules' functions were analyzed to identify modules which involved in myogenesis and adipogenesis. Finally, the hub genes which had the highest WGCNA module membership among the top 10% genes of the STRING network maximal clique centrality were identified. 913(6 MPA specific DEGs) and 233(9 MPA specific DEGs) DEGs were figured out, and these were classified into five and two modules, respectively. Two of the identified modules'(one was in 6, and another was in 9 MPA specific modules) functions was found to be related to myogenesis and adipogenesis. One of the hub genes belonging to the 6 MPA specific module was axin1 (AXIN1) which is known as an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway, another was succinate-CoA ligase ADP-forming beta subunit (SUCLA2) which is known as a crucial component of citrate cycle.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.447-455
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• 2011

To investigate the effects of the improvement of postharvest quality on fresh tomato, antimicrobial microperforated (AMP) films were prepared and their antimicrobial abilities were observed. AMP films were made by coating different types of natural antimicrobial agents such as cinnamon, clove, and clary sage essential oils into microperforated (MP) films. Cinnamon essential oil of 10% (v/v) has proven to be very effective as inhibitor of the mold growth on tomato, compared to the clove and clary sage essential oils. Quality changes of fresh tomatoes packed using the natural AMP films (AMP10 and AMP30) and MP films (MP10 and MP30) during storage were evaluated. Total microbial growth, weight loss, firmness, lycopene content, and decay rate as the major quality parameters were monitored over 9 days at $15^{\circ}C$. The oxygen transmission rates and mechanical properties between the natural AMP and MP films were also compared. There was no significant difference in change of oxygen transmission rate, tensile strength and elongation between the AMP and MP films. For storage studies, the freshness of tomato packaged in AMP30 film was higher than that in OPP film (the control), MP10, MP30, and AMP10 films. Especially, AMP30 film exhibited high efficiency compared to the control for tomato decay during storage periods. Based on the results, the microperforation and antimicrobial properties of the packaged films may significantly affect the maintenance of an optimum gas composition within the package atmosphere for increasing the storage life and quality of produce. They were also effective on the inhibition of microbial growth by controlled release of antimicrobial agent at an appropriate rate from the package into the tomato. Natural antimicrobial agent coating microperforated films could use potential functional package as a method of extending the freshness of postharvest tomato for storage.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2001

The naturally occurring chemical indole-3-carbinol (13C), found in vegetables of the Brassica genus, is a promising anticancer agent that was shown previ- ously to induce a Gl cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cell lines, independent of estrogen receptor signaling. The anticancer activity of 13C and the possible mechanisms of its action were explored in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. Treatment of HepG2 cells with 13C suppressed the growth of the cells. The growth sup- pression caused by 13C ($IC_{50}$/: 444$\mu$M) was found to be partially due to its ability to stop the cell cycle in HepG2 cells. Western blot analysis for the Gl phase artiest demonstrated that the expression-levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk4, Cdk6) and cyclic D were reduced strongly after treatment of Hep72 cells with 13C (4007M) for 24- 72 hrs. Furthermore, I3C selectively abolished the expression of Cdk6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and accordingly, inhibited the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma. Interestingly, after the HepG2 cells reached their max- imal growth arrest, the level of the p21, a well-known Cdk inhibitor, increased significantly. Therefore, it could be considered that the Gl arrest of HepG2 cells treated with 13C was due to the indirect inhibition of Cdk4/6 activities by p21 Western blot analysis for G2/M phase arrest of demonstrated the levels of Cdc2 and cyclin Bl werer reduced dramatically after the treatment of HepG2 cells with 13C ($40\mu$M) for 24-72 hrs. flow cytometry of propidium iodide-stained HepG2 cells revealed that 13C induces a Gl (53%,72hr incubation) and G2 (25%,24hr incubation) cell cycle arrest. Thus, our observations have uncovered a previously undefined antiproliferative pathway for r3C that implicates Cdk4/6 and Cdc2 as a target for cell cycle control in human HepG2 cells. However, the 13C-medi- ated cell cycle arrest and repression of Cdk4/6 production did not affect the apoptotic induction of HepG2 cell.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Pathogens, insects and weeds have significantly reduced agricultural productivity. Thus, to increase the productivity, synthetic agricultural chemicals have been overused. However, these synthetic compounds that are different from natural products cannot be broken down easily in natural systems, causing the destruction of soil quality and agricultural environments and the gradually difficulty in continuous agriculture. Now agriculture is faced with the various problems of minimizing the damage in agricultural environments, securing the safety of human health, while simultaneously increasing agricultural productivity. Meanwhile, plants produce secondary metabolites to protect themselves from external invaders and to secure their region for survival. Plants infected with pathogens produce antibiotics phytoalexin; monocotyledonous plants produce flavonoids and diterpenoids phytoalexins, and dicotylodoneous plant, despite of infected pathogens, produce family-specific phytoalexin such as flavonoids in Leguminosae, indole derivatives in Cruciferae, sesquitepenoids in Solanaceae, coumarins in Umbelliferae, making the plant resistant to specific pathogen. Growth inhibitor or antifeedant substances to insects are terpenoids pyrethrin, azadirachtin, limonin, cedrelanoid, toosendanin and fraxinellone/dictamnine, and terpenoid-alkaloid mixed compounds sesquiterpene pyridine and norditerpenoids, and azepine-, amide-, loline-, stemofoline-, pyrrolizidine-alkaloids and so on. Also plants produces the substances to inhibit other plant growths to secure the regions for plant itself, which is including terpenoids essential oil and sesquiterpene lactone, and additionally, benzoxazinoids, glucosinolate, quassinoid, cyanogenic glycoside, saponin, sorgolennone, juglone and lots of other different of secondary metabolites. Hence, phytoalexin, an antibiotic compound produced by plants infected with pathogens, can be employed for pathogen control. Terpenoids and alkaloids inhibiting insect growth can be utilized for insect control. Allelochemicals, a compound released from a certain plant to hinder the growth of other plants for their survival, can be also used directly as a herbicides for weed control as well. Therefore, the use of the natural secondary metabolites for pest control might be one of the alternatives for environmentally friendly agriculture. However, the natural substances are destroyed easily causing low the pest-control efficacy, and also there is the limitation to producing the substances using plant cell. In the future, effects should be made to try to find the secondary metabolites with good pest-control effect and no harmful to human health. Also the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites have to be elucidated continuously, and the metabolic engineering should be applied to improve transgenics having the resistance to specific pest.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2016

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by comedo, papule, cyst, nodule and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Meanwhile, it is also induced by adverse event of drugs. Among them, acneiform folliculitis is a side effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, which is an anticancer agent, and its incidence may occur in upward of 75 ~ 100% of cases. The main method of acne vulgaris treatment is oral antibiotics, retinoids, topical medication and so on. However, it is limitation that teratogenicity caused by retinoids and antibiotic resistance increased by using antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of topical recombinant human (rh) EGF in treating facial acne vulgaris. Twenty three Koreans (age: 10 ~ 29 years) with mild to moderate acne vulgar participated in the study and applied topical rhEGF cream (trouble control EGF) with 3 products (trouble control clarifying cleansing foam, trouble control all-clear filling toner, redroll calming moisture) on their face twice daily for four weeks. Several assessment methods were applied: Acne lesion counts score by investigator's global assessment, efficacy and satisfaction score by subjects. Skin sebum output level, hydration level and redness level were also measured at each visit. At the final visit, skin sebum level, transepidermal water loss, skin redness statistically decreased and acne lesions (comedone, papule) were statistically reduced. No severe side effects were observed during the study. In conclusion, topical rhEGF seems to be an effective and safe adjuvant treatment option for mild acne vulgaris.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2023

Potato dry rot is one of the potato storage diseases caused by Fusarium species and is a representative pathological disorder that induced post-harvest loss during storage. Chlorpropham treatment for sprouting inhibition is mainly used for room temperature storage of potatoes for processing. In this study, the inhibitory effect of chlorpropham on Fusarium-induced dry rot of potato 'Dano'. To investigate the mycelial growth rate of the dry rot fungus (Fusarium solani Appel & Wollenw), mycelial growth was investigated in a chlorpropham (5.0, 50.4, 503.8, and 5,038 ppm) and prochloraz (0.1, 1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 ppm) medium containing F. oxysporum mycelia. Mycelia were more inhibited as the concentration of chlorpropham and prochloraz increased during incubation at 20℃, and the inhibition rate was 98.2% and 100% when treated with 503.8 ppm of chlorpropham and 10ppm of prochloraz in 14 days, respectively. Potato Dano tubers inoculated with F. oxysporum were dipped in chlorpropham (5.0, 50.4, and 503.8 ppm) and prochloraz (100 ppm) to investigate the effect of preventing dry rot during cold storage at 20℃ and 4℃ in vivo. The disease diameter of potatoes stored at room temperature (about 20℃) was reduced to 13.0 mm in the prochloraz 100 ppm teatment, and 10.7 mm in the chlorpropham 50.4 ppm treatment compared to 13.7 mm in the control tuber at 70 days of storage. The disease progression in all treatments including control was similar with no statistically significant difference at 4℃ air temperature. From the results of this study, it is considered that treatment with 50.4 ppm of chlorpropham after harvest will be useful for suppressing dry rot of stored potatoes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.638-645
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• 2004

Background : Uteroglobin is a protein produced by the normal bronchial epithelium and its expression level is lower in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and cell lines. It mainly functions as an anti-inflammatory, and when it is overexpressed in cancer cells, the neoplastic phenotype is antagonized. cPLA2 and COX-2, which are also associated with inflammation, were reported to be related to cancer. The relationship between cPLA2, COX-2 and uteroglobin is unclear. The relationship between uteroglobin and ERK, which is related to cell growth, is also not unclear. This study investigated the changes in the cPLA2 and COX-2 expression levels and the ERK activities after the overexpression of uteroglobin in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Methods : The A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines were infected by adenovirus-null and adenovirusuteroglobin. The cChange in the cPLA2, COX-2 expression level and ERK activity after uteroglobin overexpression was measured by Western blot. The change in MMP activity was measured by zymography. Results : Western blot revealed decreased expression levels of cPLA2, and COX-2, and increased pERK levels in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells after uteroglobin overexpression. Zymography revealed no changes in the MMP-2 activity and lower MMP-9 activity. U0126, which is a specific inhibitor of ERK-activating kinase MEK-1/-2, prevented the decrease in the MMP-9 activity Conclusions : A decrease in cPLA2 expression, COX-2 expression, MMP-9 activity and a increase in ERK activity may be related to the anticancer effects of uteroglobin in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1298-1304
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of the competition between two electron acceptors, perchlorate and nitrate, with Citrobacter Amalonaticus strain JB101. In addition, the applicability of membrane bioreactor(MBR) for perchlorate removal was evaluated. The maximum growth rate of strain JB101 on perchlorate and nitrate are 0.27 and 0.58 $hr^{-1}$, and maximum substrate utilization rates were 35.1 mg $ClO_4^-/g$ protein-day and 45.6 mg $NO_3^-/g$ protein-day, respectively. Nitrate was a competitive inhibitor for perchlorate, and strain JB101 prefer nitrate to perchlorate as electron acceptor. Complete removal of perchlorate could be achieved up to the surface leading rate of 4.6 g $ClO_4^-/m^2-day$ with the MBR fed with 20 mg $ClO_4^-/L$(HCMBR). When 5 mg/L of nitrate was added to the same influent, perchlorate removal efficiency decreased to 96.5%, while nitrate was completely removed. For the MBR fed with 0.7 mg/L of perchlorate (LCMBR), the maximum perchlorate removal efficiency was 100% up to the loading rate of 0.23 g $ClO_4^-/m^2-day$. Membrane fouling was found to be a problem at high leading rate for both MBRs. The acetate consumption ratio per perchlorate was $13.7{\sim}51.7\;e^-eq./e^-eq.$ in LCMBR, while the value was $2.5{\sim}3.6\;e^-eq./e^-eq.$ in HCMBR. This difference could be related to the acetate consumption with oxygen as electron acceptor. Therefore, the amount of acetate addition must be determined considering the concentrations of other electron acceptors in the influent.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1990

We established an in vitro system of central serotonergic neurons by culturing dissociated rat embryonic (El4) brainstem cells to 14 days in vitro and monitored the serotonergic neuronal growth by measuring 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents in the cells with hish performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). We studied also tile effects of various drugs on the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, confirming in vivo reports. The 5-HT content (13 ng/mg protein) and 5-HT turnover rate (17 pmol/mg protein/h) at 14 days in vitro were in good agreement with those reported in the adult rat brain. The 5-HT content was more easily depleted with p-chlorophenylalanine, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor than with NSD 1015 (3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine), an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibitor. Incubation of the cultures with tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan increased the rate of serotonin formation implying that neither tryptophan hydroxylase nor AADC is saturated with its amino acid substrate in this in vitro system . The 5-HT content was depleted by reserpine. The 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were increased and decreased, respectively, by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. All the above results indicate that the biochemical properties of the central serotonergic neurons in this culture system reflect reliably those of central serotonergic neurons in vivo. We suggest that measuring 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the primary cultured dissociated brainstem-cells with HPLC-EC is useful in the study of pharmacology as well as toxicolgy of the central serotonergic neurons.