• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.204-211
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• 2012

Although Arcobacter butzleri is a foodborne emerging pathogen causing gastroenteritis in human and animals, there are a few researches on the physical and chemical control methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultraviolet radiation or ethanol treatment on A. butzleri. To demonstrate the UV effect, 8 ${\log}_{10}CFU$/mL of A. butzleri were spiked on stainless steel and the pork was then exposed to 250 nm of ultraviolet light for 108-648 mWs/$cm^2$. To ascertain the effect of ethanol, A. butzleri and A. butzleri spiked pork were soaked or sprayed 10, 35 and 70% of ethanol for 10 to 30 min. A. butzleri significantly decreased all of the UV doses in stainless steel, whereas, the reduction was just $0.92{\pm}0.62-1.29{\pm}0.34\;{\log}_{10}CFU$/mL in pork spiked with A. butzleri. In the ethanol groups, A. butzleri decreased significantly in 35% or 70% of ethanol in contrast, the bacterial counts were dropped slightly in A. butzleri spiked pork groups. Therefore, it is necessary to develop various kinds of control methods or hurdle technology for A. butzleri.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.522-530
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• 2013

The ability of probiotics to adhere to the intestinal epithelium likely plays an important role in their colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we performed high-throughput screening (HTS) for suitable characteristics of potential probiotic bacteria using attachment and colonization ability through a C. elegans surrogate in vivo model. A total of 100 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from infant feces were subjected to the colonization assay using C. elegans intestine. Based on colonization ability, we showed that nine isolates have a high attachment ability during whole experimental periods (up to 168 h), compared to Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG as a control. Also, through the use of an in vitro cell attachment model, nine isolates revealed highly binding activity to the mucus layer. Next, the selected 9 isolates were assayed for their survival ability when exposed to acidic and bile conditions as well as cholesterol reduction and the utilization of prebiotic substrates. As a result, the isolated nine strains were determined to be highly resistant to acid and bile conditions. In addition, they have significant activity for the reduction of cholesterol and utilization of several prebiotic substrates as a carbon source. Finally, the selected nine strains were identified by either L. rhamnosus or L. plantarum (4 strains for L. rhamnosus and 5 strains for L. plantarum, respectively). Taken together, we propose that the direct colonization of probiotics using C. elegans may be applicable to the rapid screening of valuable probiotic strains in vivo.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2000

Objective: This study was carried out to compare the effects of the stepwise exposure treatments on the morphological normality, fertilization and blastocyst formation rate of the frozen-thawed mouse mature oocytes by vitrification or ultra-rapid freezing and to use as a fundamental data for the cryopreservation of human oocytes. Materials and Methods: The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the vitrified and ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were observed. After choosing the 3step exposure treatment groups, we observed the morphological normality and fertilization, blastocyst formation rate of the vitrified and ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes. Results: The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the vitrified mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were 75%, 85%, 88% and 58%, 61 %, 54% respectively. There were no significant differences among treatments(p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the control was 92% and 65%. There were no significant differences in fertilization rate among control and treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rates of the ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after three-stepwise exposure treatments (1step, 3step and 5step) were 83%, 83%, 84% and 75%, 63%, 56% respectively. There were no significant differences among treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the control was 95% and 67%. There were no significant differences among control and treatments (p>0.05). The morphological normality and fertilization rate of the vitrified or ultra-rapid frozen mouse mature oocytes after 3step exposure treatment were 69% and 75%, respectively. The blastocyst formation rate was 60% and 57%. The results did not differ significantly between vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing (p>0.05). Conclusion: As known in the above results, there were no significant differences in the fertilization and blastocyst formation rate of the frozen-thawed mouse mature oocytes by vitrification or ultra-rapid freezing among the control and treatments. It is suggested that vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing method were effective for the cryopreservation of mouse mature oocytes.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2005

In spite of the ongoing advances, standard therapies for oral cancer still has some limitations in efficacy and in ability to prolong survival rate of advanced disease and result in significant functional defect and severe cosmetic deformity. Currently gene therapy using tumor suppressor gene is considered as a potent candidate for new therapeutic approaches that can improve efficacy and reduce complications. The purpose of this research is to identify the role of adenoviral vector to transfer HCCS-1 tumor suppressor gene in oral cancer cells and to find out whether there is a possibility for it to serve in the field of gene therapy. The human SCC-25 cell line was used for transfection. To determine the efficiency of the adenovirus as a gene delivery vector cell line was transduced with LacZ gene and analysed with X-gal staining. Northern blot was performed to confirm the tranfection with HSCC-1 gene and cell viability was assessed by cell cytotoxicity assay. We had successfully construct the recombinant HSCC-1 adenovirus(Ad5CMV-HCCS-1). DNA extracted from Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 revealed HCCS-1 gene is incorporated. The transduction efficiencies were over than 50% of SCC-25 cells with a MOI of 2 and over 95% with a MOI of 50. Northern blot analysis showed that a single 0.6kb mRNA transcript was expressed in Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 transduced SCC-25 cells. There was no or very low transcription HCCS-1 mRNA in wild and Ad5CMV-LacZ transduced SCC-25 cells. Cells transduced with Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 showed significant growth inhibition. By day 6, Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 treated cell count was decreased to 30% of mock-infected cells, while that of Ad5CMV-LacZ treated cells was 90% of mock-infected cells (p<0.05). Finally, these result suggest that the Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 has potential as a gene therapy tool for oral cancer.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2009

19 strains, which could be identified as Lactobacillus sp. were isolated. The Cucurbita maxima has been known as a traditional healthy food and variable positive effects on the human body were already reported. In this study we tried to develop a production process for a healthy fermented drink with Cucurbita maxima and strains originated from Kimchi. Many kinds of lacctobacci species existed in the fermented food cannot survive in the acidic conditions in the stomach. So we tried to search and select a strain, which can arrive to the small intestine. A species of a Lactobacillus named as C332 was identifed as Lactobacillus plantarum and selected for the fermentation process. With the treatment with artificial gastric juice and artificial bile the survival rate of the cells could be calculated. The physiological characteristics at the variable conditions have been tested. After fermentation process the sensoric tests on the product with panels were tried. The most of the cells could survive in the acidic conditions and falcultive anaerobe. Especially some antibacterial effects aganinst E.coli were also found. With all kinds of the results from our research the fermented Cucurbita maxima drink can be a successful item in the market.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.678-699
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• 2015

Although the harsh space environment imposes many severe challenges to space pioneers, space exploration is a realistic and profitable goal for long-term humanity survival. One of the viable and promising options to overcome the harsh environment of space is nuclear propulsion. Particularly, the Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) is a leading candidate for nearterm human missions to Mars and beyond due to its relatively high thrust and efficiency. Traditional NTR designs use typically high power reactors with fast or epithermal neutron spectrums to simplify core design and to maximize thrust. In parallel there are a series of new NTR designs with lower thrust and higher efficiency, designed to enhance mission versatility and safety through the use of redundant engines (when used in a clustered engine arrangement) for future commercialization. This paper proposes a new NTR design of the second design philosophy, Korea Advanced NUclear Thermal Engine Rocket (KANUTER), for future space applications. The KANUTER consists of an Extremely High Temperature Gas cooled Reactor (EHTGR) utilizing hydrogen propellant, a propulsion system, and an optional electricity generation system to provide propulsion as well as electricity generation. The innovatively small engine has the characteristics of high efficiency, being compact and lightweight, and bimodal capability. The notable characteristics result from the moderated EHTGR design, uniquely utilizing the integrated fuel element with an ultra heat-resistant carbide fuel, an efficient metal hydride moderator, protectively cooling channels and an individual pressure tube in an all-in-one package. The EHTGR can be bimodally operated in a propulsion mode of $100MW_{th}$ and an electricity generation mode of $100MW_{th}$, equipped with a dynamic energy conversion system. To investigate the design features of the new reactor and to estimate referential engine performance, a preliminary design study in terms of neutronics and thermohydraulics was carried out. The result indicates that the innovative design has great potential for high propellant efficiency and thrust-to-weight of engine ratio, compared with the existing NTR designs. However, the build-up of fission products in fuel has a significant impact on the bimodal operation of the moderated reactor such as xenon-induced dead time. This issue can be overcome by building in excess reactivity and control margin for the reactor design.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.81-94
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• 2010

Background: Autophagy is an important adaptive mechanism in normal development and in response to changing environmental stimuli in cancer. Previous papers have reported that different types of cancer underwent autophagy to obtain amino acids as energy source of dying cells in nutrient-deprived conditions. However, whether or not autophagy in the process of lung cancer causes death or survival is controversial. Therefore in this study, we investigated whether nutrient deprivation induces autophagy in human H460 lung cancer cells. Methods: H460, lung cancer cells were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium, and the starved media, which are BME and RPMI media without serum, including 2-deoxyl-D-glucose according to time dependence. To evaluate the viability and find out the mechanism of cell death under nutrient-deprived conditions, the MTT assay and flow cytometry were done and analyzed the apoptotic and autophagic related proteins. It is also measured the development of acidic vascular organelles by acridine orange. Results: The nutrient-deprived cancer cell is relatively sensitive to cell death rather than normal nutrition. Massive cytoplasmic vacuolization was seen under nutrient-deprived conditions. Autophagic vacuoles were visible at approximately 12 h and as time ran out, vacuoles became larger and denser with the increasing number of vacuoles. In addition, the proportion of acridine orange stain-positive cells increased according to time dependence. Localization of GFP-LC3 in cytoplasm and expression of LC-3II and Beclin 1 were increased according to time dependence on nutrient-deprived cells. Conclusion: Nutrient deprivation induces cell death through autophagy in H460 lung cancer cells.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The DNA repair protein, $O^6$-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), removes alkyl adducts from the $O^6$ position of guanine. Epigenetic inactivation of MGMT has been found in human neoplasia and considered one of the implicated factors in chemoresistance. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patiensts with soft tissue sarcomas (STS) were analyzed for the status of MGMT protein expression by immunohistochemistry and the promoter hypermethylation of the MGMT gene using methylation-specific PCR. Result: The loss of MGMT expression was found in 20 cases (32.3%) of total 62 STS. MGMT promoter hypermethylation rate was 25.0% (11/44 cases). The loss of MGMT expression showed significant association with high AJCC stage, high FNCLCC grade, and aggressive behavior. However,when the group who received chemotherapy was analyzed (n=27), loss of MGMT expression was correlated with worse survival in multivariate analysis (p=0.024). MGMT promoter hypermethylation is associated with high FNCLCC grade. MGMT promoter hypermethylation status had a strong correlation with loss of MGMT expression (p=0.000). Conclusion: Our results suggest that MGMT promoter hypermethylation and loss of MGMT expression had a tendency to be associated with poor prognosis and that loss of MGMT protein expression is frequently occurs via MGMT promoter hypermethylation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2005

Hemolytic property is a specific feature of bacteria to obtain iron which is essential for its survival in host tissues. Therefore, it is thought to be one of several factors of virulence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hemolytic properties of Prevotella nigrescens isolated from the teeth diagnosed as pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis under the presence of hemolysin inhibitors such as $NaN_3$ and dithiothreitol. heat, various pH and cultural conditions. The results were as follows; 1. Clinically isolated P. nigrescens strains and standard P. nigrscens ATCC 33563 showed hemolytic activity. 2. P. nigrescens showed higher hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes than sheep or horse erythrocytes. 3. $NaN_3$ and dithiothreitol (DTT) reduced the hemolytic activity of P. nigrescens in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). 4. Optimal pH for the maximum hemolytic activity of P. nigrescens was 4.0 and the hemolysin was stable under the $50^{\circ}C$, but the hemolytic activity was significantly decreased at $95^{\circ}C$. 5. P. nigrescens cultured in $10\%\;CO_2$ condition showed higher hemolytic activity than the bacteria cultured in the anaerobic condition.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2014

Ethylene glycol (EG) has been successfully used as a cryoprotectant for vitrification of mammalian embryos (including human embryos) due to its low formula weight and high permeation into cells compared with other cryoprotectants, including propylene glycol (PROH). Cryopreservation is able to store the surplus pre-embryos for freezing and furthermore thawing and transfer in a subsequent cycle. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, cryoprotectant, and freezing-thawing method on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Female ICR mice (6~8 weeks old) were induced to superovulate by sequential intraperitoneal injection of 5 IU PMSG and 5 IU hCG 48 h apart. Mouse embryos were collected according to its developmental stage after the injection of hCG. Embryos were cryopreserved not only during cryoprotectant step (1~4 step) but also in a variety of media (HTF, IVF medium, D-PBS) and cell stage. The results were as follows : There is no clear advantage in these freezing media of rapid method, but 4 cell and 8 cell of slow method (2, 3 and 4 step) have advantage in D-PBS. The development of embryos according to cell stage become greater in 8 cell stage. In the treatment steps of cryopreservation, the development of embryo to blastocyst was similar among rapid method, but the development of 4 cell and 8 cell embryos to blastocyst according to slow method was better than rapid method.