• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2012

The purpose of this research was to optimize electric current production of sediment microbial fuel cells by injecting glucose and to investigate its impact on microbial communities involved. It was shown that injection of proper concentration of glucose could increase electric current generated from sediment microbial fuel cells. When 1,000 mg/L of glucose, as opposed to higher concentrations, was injected, electric current increased up to 3 times. This increase is mainly attributed to the mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria and exoelectrogenic bacteria. Here the organic acids generated by fermenting bacteria could be utilized by exoelectrogenic bacteria, removing feedback inhibition caused by the organic acids. When glucose was injected, the population of Clostridium increased as to ferment injected glucose. Glucose fermentation can have either a positive or negative effect on electric current generation. When exoelectrogenic bacteria may readily utilize the end-product, electric current could increase. However, when the end-product was not readily removed, then detrimental chemical reactions (pH decrease, methane generation, organic acids accumulation) occurred: exoelctrogenic bacteria population declined and non-microbial fuel cell related microorganisms prospered. By injecting a proper concentration of glucose, a mutual relationship between fermenting bacteria, such as Clostridium, and exoelectrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter, should be fulfilled in order to increase electricity production in mixed cultures of microorganisms collected from the aquatic sediments.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.51-58
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate compositions of inorganic elements, amino acids and glycoprotein fractions as biological substances in fruit body of Sarcodon aspratus. The fruit body of Sarcodon aspratus contained Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Pb, in particular high Ca and Na. Hot water extracts consisted of 54% of polysaccharide fraction and 32.6% of protein. In amino acids composition, fourteen free amino acids were detected, mainly glutamic acid, alanine and arginine. Fifteen kinds of total amino acids were contained with major components of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine and threonine. Concerned to glycoprotein extraction, 95% ethyl alcohol concentration gave the highest yields with 70.6% sugar fraction, 332% glycoprotein. Different ethyl alcohol concentration resulted in different protein precipitations, and lower concentration ethyl alcohol in the range of 30 to 70% gave more than 92% of higher sugar fraction. Crude glycoprotein (GP) was fractionated by P fraction of more than MW 300,000, P-1 fraction unadsorbed by DEAE-Sephadex, P-2 fractionated from P-1 by Sepharose 2B gel chromatography and P-3 fraction adsorbed by DEAE-Sephadex. Total sugars were increased and protein contents decreased during fractionation. GP and P-3 contained glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose. GP had high glucose with high contents of glutamic acid, serine, alanine and glycine. P-3 fraction contained high mannose with aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glycine. P-2 fraction was 700,000 MW with high glucose and fucose, and low protein of 1.1%, high amounts of aspartic acid, glutamic acid and alanine, but no mannose and no cysteine.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2016

The new types of phenoxy-methylamino phosphazene diagnostic membranes were prepared to measure blood glucose level of diabetics. Firstly, effects of mesuring environments on the glucose measurements were examined. With activated phosphazene membranes, the end-point results of varing absorbance values according to time (K/S) were measured at 5, 15, 25, 35, $50^{\circ}C$ and also at 20% to 80% of relative humidities (RH). The slope values of K/S and glucose concentration(DRS) were not seriously affected at high measuring temperatures and humidities. Secondly, after prepared membranes were stored at various environments, the effects of storage temperatures and humidities on the glucose measurements were examined. After 8 weeks at $50^{\circ}C$, the storage time and temperatures did not affect on the glucose measurements with the new phosphazene membranes. The stabilities of new phosphazene diagnostic membranes were confirmed even at RH 80%.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.425-430
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• 2005

Thermophilic $H_2$ was produced for 1 year using a bench-scale continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR). The CSTR was inoculated with anaerobically digested sludge after heat treatment and fed with a glucose-based medium. The reactor showed relatively short start-up period(30 days) and high maximal $H_2$ yield(2.4 mol $H_2/mol$ glucose). Keeping pH 5.0 or less suppressed methanogenic activity. Bacteria affiliated with Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum kept being dominant from approximately 40 days as determined by DGGE. Environmental perturbation(pH or temperature) caused the decrease of biomass concentration in the reactor and the instability of reactor performance, $H_2$ production rate and $H_2$ yield. The unstable performance was accompanied with high concentration of lactate in the effluent. Taken together, the poor recovery of CSTR after perturbations could be partly explained by low biomass concentration and/or metabolic shift of the major population in the CSTR.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2012

This research was investigated the relationship, in high-producing Holstein donor cows, between the number of the transferable embryos and the blood serum concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), glucose and cholesterol, which affect the nutritional state of cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two heads of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The total numbers of ova collected from 3 experimental groups whose blood BUN concentrations were <10 mg/dl, 11~18 mg/dl and ${\geq}19$ mg/dl were 8.9, 12.5 and 19.0, respectively; whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 5.8 + 1.9, 7.9 + 2.8 and 5.2 + 1.4, respectively. When glucose concentration was <60 mg/dl, the total number of collected ova was 9.9, which was smaller than when the concentration was 60~70 mg/dl or ${\geq}70$ mg/dl. When glucose concentration was 60~70 mg/dl, the number of transferable embryos was 7.1 + 2.4, which was slightly larger than the numbers 6.4 + 2.1 and 6.1 + 1.7 that were obtained when the concentrations were <60 mg/dl and ${\geq}70$ mg/dl, respectively ; however, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). When cholesterol concentrations were <150 mg/dl, 150~200 mg/dl and ${\geq}200$ mg/dl, the total numbers of collected ova were 11.2, 11.3 and 8.6, respectively. Whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 7.1 + 2.1, 7.3 + 1.9 and 5.6 + 1.3, respectively ; however, the differences were again not significant (p>0.05). The result of this research showed no significant difference in ovum recovery rate and the number of transferable embryos according to major metabolite concentrations in high-producing Holstein donor cows. However, it is considered that the failure of maintaining proper nutritional status would cause the fall in in vivo embryo productivity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.446-452
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• 2013

Chronic consumption of a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet increases insulin resistance and results in type 2 diabetes mellitus in C57BL/6J mice. Hyperglycemia in diabetics increases oxidative stress, which is associated with a high risk of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of chamnamul [Pimpinella brachycarpa (Kom.) Nakai] in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. The ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of a 70% ethanol extract of chamnamul was measured in vitro. Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a basal or HFHS diet with or without a 70% ethanol extract of chamnamul at a 0.5% level of the diet for 12 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. After sacrifice, serum glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles, and lipid peroxidation of the liver were determined. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. Chamnamul extract inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase by 26.7%, which was 78.3% the strength of inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Serum glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels, as well as HOMA-IR values, were significantly lower in the chamnamul group than in the HFHS group. Chamnamul extract significantly decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver compared with the HFHS group. These findings suggest that chamnamul may be useful in prevention of hyperglycemia and reduction of oxidative stress in mice fed a HFHS diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.963-971
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of exercise intensity on PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of high fat diet-fed Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: sedentary control group (SED), high fat diet group (HF), high fat diet+low-intensity exercise group (HFLE, 22 m/min, 60 min, 6 days/week), high fat diet+moderate-intensity exercise group (HFME, 26 m/min, 51 min), and high fat diet+high-intensity exercise group (HFHE, 30 m/min, 46 min). After 4 weeks of high fat diet and endurance exercise training, the lipid profiles, insulin, and glucose concentrations were determined in plasma. PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and GLUT-4 contents were measured in plantaris muscle. The rate of glucose transport in soleus muscle was determined under submaximal insulin concentration ($1,000{\mu}IU/mL$ insulin, 20 min) during muscle incubation. Plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test in HF was significantly greater than that in SED, and plasma glucose levels in the three exercise (EX) groups were significantly lower that those in SED and HF at 30 and 60 min, respectively (P<0.05). Plasma insulin levels in the EX groups were significantly reduced by 60 min compared to that in HF (P<0.05). The protein expression level of PGC-$1{\alpha}$ as well as muscle glucose uptake were significantly higher in SED and HF than those in the three EX groups (P<0.05), and HFHE showed significantly higher levels than HFLE and HFME. Expression levels of GLUT-4 and PPAR-${\gamma}$ were significantly higher in the HFLE, HFME, and HFHE groups compared to the SED and HF (P<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of high fat diet significantly developed whole body insulin resistance but did not affect PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, or the glucose transport rate in skeletal muscle, and exercise training was able to attenuate deteriorated whole body insulin resistance due to high fat diet. In addition, high intensity training significantly affected PGC-$1{\alpha}$ expression and the glucose transport rate of skeletal muscle in comparison with low and middle training intensities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.532-536
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• 1998

This study was designed to observe the effects of the feeding Gentiana scabra Bunge var.buergeri Max. extract on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipids in the serum of dietary hyperlipidemic rats (S.D. strain, ♂) fed the experimental diets for 4 weeks. Concentration of blood glucose was significantly higher in the cholesterol administration groups (group 2(cholesterol+water), 3(cholesterol+Gentiana scabra Bunge extract) than those in the control group(group 1 (water)). Blood glucose concentration was rather lower in the group 3(cholesterol+Gentiana scabra Bunge extract) than in the group 2(cholesterol+water). There was almost little significance among the groups. Concentration of total cholesterol in serum was significantly lower in the group 3 than those in the group 2. Concentration of LDL-cholesterol in serum was significantly lower in the group 3 than that in the group 2. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol concentration, Gentiana scabra Bunge extract administration group was higher percentage than in the group 2. Concentration of free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester in serum was significantly lower in the group 3 than in the group 2. Concentrations of triglyceride and phospholipid in serum were decreased in the group 3 than in the high fat diet group. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum were increased in the all experimental groups than in the control group. From the above research, the Gentiana scabra Bunge var.buergeri Max. exacts were effective on the improvement of the lipid composition in serum of dietary hyperlipidemic rats.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2014

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the richest sources of flavonoids in human diet. Onion peel contains over 20 times more quercetin than onion flesh. In this study, we studied the effects of onion peel water extract (OPE) on the blood lipid profiles in mice. The onion peel extracts was extracted with hot water. The experimental groups were divided with 3 groups (n = 6) of ICR male mice: normal diet + distilled water (NC), high-fat diet + distilled water (HF), high-fat diet + onion peel water extract 20 mg/kg (OPE-20). The oral administration was conducted daily. The experimental period was 7 weeks. Onion peel water extract showed higher concentration of polyphenol gallic acid and anti-oxidant trolox equivalent than the ethanol extract. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio was significantly lower in the OPE-20 group as compared with HF group (p < 0.05). The epididymal fat and retroperitoneal fat showed significantly lower weights and sizes in the OPE-20 group as compared with HF group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower in the OPE-20 group as compared with HF group (p < 0.05). The OPE-20 group showed higher HDL cholesterol concentration than HF group (p < 0.05). Atherogenic index was ignificantly lower in as compared with HF group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of glucose, GOT and GPT were significantly lower in the OPE-20 group as compared with HF group (p < 0.05). In these results, we suggests that onion peel water extracts supplementation can reduces the serum lipid components and improves the lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic mice induced with a high-fat diet.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 1998

For mass production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), high cell density cultures of Alcaligenes eutrophus by fed-batch culture under phosphate-limitation condition has been investigated. PHA accumulation by the regulation by the regulation of initial phosphate concentration could be automatically induced, and high density cell culture above 200 g/L also could be successfully produced. The production of Poly-$\beta$-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and dry cell weight increased with increasing the initial phosphate concentration. When the initial concentrations of phosphate were in the ranges of 1.5~4.5 g-PO$_4$/L, PHB and dry cell weight obtained were 83~266 g/L and 61~216 g/L, respectively, and PHB productivity was in the ranges of 1.35~3.10 g/L.h. When a mixture of glucose and propionic acid is used as carbon sources, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-poly-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), could be also successfully produced under phosphate limitation condition. When the mole ratio of propionic acid to glucose in the feeding solution is 0.22, a final dry cell weight of 150 g/L and a P(3-HB-co-3HV) of 90 g/L were produced. Morphological changes and size distribution of PHB granules synthesized in A. eutrophus under phosphate-limitation condition are determined by TEM during the course of fed-batch. Mean granule diameters of PHB produced are in the range of 0.36~0.39 $\mu$m, and mean cell size was elongated from 0.54~0.59 $\mu$m$\times$ 1.3~1.5 $\mu$m to 0.83~0.89 $\mu$m $\times$2.0~2.3 $\mu$m. Phosphate concentration in media did not affect size distribution of PHB granule and cell.