• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the expression patterns of foreign gene that controlled by tuber-specific patatin promoter in transgenic potatoes. Potato leaf disc cultured in vitro were transformed by the Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 containing pBl121 or pATGUS from potato cv. Desiree. In order to select the transgenic lines, gene-specific primers deduced from the NPTII were synthesized and used for polymerase chain reaction. The down part of the putative transgenic potatoes was transplanted weekly onto sucrose-enriched medium to accelerate the microtuber formation. RNA gel blot analysis was performed on the total RNAs obtained from tuber that had been harvested at a week interval. Also, histochemical assay was observed in the explants transformed with either pBI121 or pATGUS. Results showed that the transgenic plant containing pATGUS expressed GUS transcripts mainly at the tuber, not in stem, with the highest expression level in 5 weeks-grown microtubers. In contrast to pATGUS plants, the transformed plants with pBI121 showed an equal expression pattern throughout the whole developing stages. Consistent with RNA gel blot analysis, histochemical GUS staining and enzyme activity exhibited pATGUS transcripts were at the highest level in 5 weeks cultures. From these results, we suggest that the best stage to analyze the foreign gene introduced by patatin promoter into potato plants is at 5 weeks cultures after tuber formation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2011

The major function of adipocytes is to store fat in the form of triglycerides. One of the signaling pathways known to affect adipogenesis, i.e. fat formation, is the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which inhibits the expression and activity of key regulators of adipogenesis. The purpose of this research is to find genes among the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which regulate adipogenesis by using small interfering (si) RNA and to find the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene with serum triglyceride levels in the human population. To elucidate the effects of ${\beta}$-catenin siRNA on adipogenesis key factors, PPAR${\gamma}$ and C/EBP${\alpha}$, we performed real-time PCR and western blotting experiments for the analyses of mRNA and protein levels. It was found that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of ${\beta}$-catenin upregulates adipogenesis key factors. However, upstream regulators of the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway, such as DVL2 and LRP6, had no significant effects compared to ${\beta}$-catenin. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-catenin is a candidate gene for human fat accumulation. In general, serum triglyceride level is a good indicator of fat accumulation in humans. According to statistical analyses of the association between serum triglyceride level and SNPs of ${\beta}$-catenin, -10,288 C>T SNP (rs7630377) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum triglyceride levels (p<0.05) in 290 Korean subjects. On the other hand, serum cholesterol levels were not significantly associated with SNPs of the ${\beta}$-catenin gene. The results of this study showed that ${\beta}$-catenin is associated with fat accumulation both in vitro and in the human population.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.308-316
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• 2003

Purpose: The green tea polyphenol (GTPP) has been known to exert antioxidant activity as a radical scavenger as well as cancer preventive and cancer growth inhibition effect. The aim of this study was to identify whether GTPP not only potentiate the growth inhibition effect in ${\gamma}-irradiated$ human cancer cell but also exert protection action for irradiated human normal cell. Materials and Methods: GTPP (80% catechin including >45% EGCG) added in the HL60, human leukemia, and NC37, human lymphoblast, before irradiation. After establishing the amount of GTPP and the dose of radiation, the cells were treated with the GTPP for 6 hours and irradiated with the determined doses. Results: Viability when $10{\mu}g/ml$ GTPP added before ${\gamma}-irradiation$ with 1 Gy to NC37 cells was not different in comparison with control but it when was irradiated with 3 Gy significantly different (1 Gy;P=0.126, 3 Gy;P=0.010). $20{\mu}g/ml$ GTPP did not show significant difference in both NC37 cells irradiated with 1 Gy and 3 Gy (1 Gy;P=0.946, 3 Gy;P=0.096). Viabilities were significantly decreased with concentration of additional GTPP in HL60 with 1 or 3 Gy (1 Gy $69.0{\pm}1.7%\;vs\;42.4{\pm}1.3%,\;3\;Gy;\;66.9{\pm}3.9%\;vs\;44.2{\pm}1.6%$). Conclusion: In vitro study, we certified that when the cells were irradiated with dose below 3 Gy, GTPP provide not only anticancerous effect against cancer cells but also radioprotective effect in normal cells simultaneously. Theses results suggest the possibility that consumption of green tea could give the radioprotective effect and maximize the effect on internal radiation such as radioiodine therapy concomitantly.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1998

This study has been focused on both estrogenic and proliferating activity of genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA). GEN and BPA enhance the proliferation of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells at concentrations as low as 100 nM of GEN and 8 ng/ml of BP A achieving similar effect to that of estradiol at 1 nM. Expression of the estrogen responsive gene, pS2 was also induced in MCF-7 cells by treatment with genistein at dose as low as 1 nM and BPA at dose as low as 4 ng/ml. Using 21 day-old ovariectomized nude mice, we examined end-bud formation and mammary gland development after treatment with bisphenol A or genistein. Compared with untreated control, mammary gland development and end-bud formation were significantly increased in mice fed genistein or bisphenol A (p<0.05). Taken together, it is concluded that GEN and BP A can act as an estrogen agonist resulting in cell proliferation and induction of the estrogen responsive pS2 gene in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in athymic mice in vivo, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that GEN and BP A might modulate human endocrine system and these compounds might be considered as a endocrine modulator at the low levels of doses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.50-58
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• 2004

Valy-Tyrosine (VY) derived from alkaline pretense hydrolyzate of sardine muscles showed the in vitro Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and the in vivo antihypertensive effect in SHR. We investigated the antihypertensive effect of the VY on mild hypertensive subjects including subjects with high-normal blood pressure using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. (1) Nineteen subjects (Age 48.9${\pm}$4.3, M/F;18/1) took a 100ml drink either containing 125${\mu}$g of VY or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. The reductions of the systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed in mild hypertensive subjects (n=5) with averages of 17.8${\pm}$2.5 mmHg (p<0.01 vs placebo) and 11.0${\pm}$2.0 mmHg(p<0.05 vs placebo), respectively. Neither SBP nor DBP changed in the subjects of both the placebo group and the high-normal blood pressure group. (2) A randomized double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled study was carried out in 10 mild essential hypertensive subjects (Age 50.6${\pm}$4.6, M/F;10/0). They took a 100ml drink either containing 62.5${\mu}$g of VY or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks alternatively with a 6-week interval. The percent changes in SBP and DBP were -6.9 % and -5.8 % (p<0.05) one week after the VY drink administration, respectively. No adverse effects such as coughing or allergic phenomena could be observed in any of the subjects of drinking VY during the experimental period. These results suggest that the drink containing at least 125${\mu}$g/day of VY may have a significant antihypertensive effect on mild hypertensive subjects without any adverse effects.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2013

This study was to examine single or combined in vitro effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on boar sperm characteristics, oxidative stress damage in sperm and development of porcine IVF embryos. Addition of various concentration of NP (10, 20, $30{\mu}M$), DBP (10, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and BPA (1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$) on boar sperm characteristics such as percentages of sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were dose-dependently decreased within 3, 6 or 9 hr incubation period (p<0.05). The overall detrimental effects increased with incubation time increasement. NP, DBP and BPA showed the detrimental effects on sperm membrane and mitochondria of energy production organelles affecting cell viability with the dependancy of dose and incubation time. In combination effects, NP ($10{\mu}M$) + DBP ($10{\mu}M$) significantly decreased boar general sperm characteristics for 3 or 6 hr incubation period compared with control (p<0.05). When both of NP and DBP concentrations (NP; $30{\mu}M$, DBP; $100{\mu}M$) increase, the detrimental effects on sperm characteristics were larger than those of low concentration combination (p<0.05). The inhibitory effects of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) on sperm characteristics were larger than those of NP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) (p<0.05). DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) decreased sperm characteristics compared with the low concentration combination (DBP $10{\mu}M$ + BPA $1{\mu}g/ml$, p<0.05). This result indicates the detrimental effects of both chemicals on sperm characteristics were dose dependent. Addition of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + DBP ($100{\mu}M$), NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$), DBP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) or DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased lipid peroxidation for 3 or 6 hr incubation period (p<0.05) compared with no addition control. NP (${\geq}20{\mu}M$) decreased the percentages of IVF embryo development from morulae and blastocyst stages (p<0.05) and its detrimental effects were dose-dependant. BPA 0, 1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$ decreased significantly and dose-dependently the percentage of morulae plus and blastocysts (p<0.05). Combinations of DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus NP ($30{\mu}M$) and DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) did not affect on morulae and blastocyst development, but NP ($30{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) has significant detrimental effect on embryo development at these stages (p<0.05). These overall results indicate that the partial detrimental effects on boar sperm characteristics and embryo development by NP, DBP, BPA or the combination of these chemicals might be due to the increasement of lipid peroxidation and free radical formation in the cell and there were no specific interaction effects on boar sperm and embryo degeneration among the combined treatments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of soybean meal (SBM) from various geographic origins and the effects of their dietary supplementation on performance of broiler chickens. Nutritional value of dehulled SBM originating from USA, and non-dehulled SBM from India (IND), Argentina (ARG) and Korea (KOR) were evaluated by analyzing chemical composition, urease activity (UA) and KOH solubility, and determining true metabolizable energy (TME), nitrogen corrected TME (TMEn) and true amino acid availability (TAAA). The contents of crude protein ranged from 45.43% (ARG) to 48.47% (USA) and those of crude fiber varied widely from 3.48% (USA) to 7.12% (IND). The measurements of lysine varied from 2.79% (IND) to 3.09% (USA) and those of methionine from 0.56% (IND) to 0.65% (USA). The values of TMEn varied from 2986.6 kcal/kg (IND) to 3228.9 kcal/kg (USA) and the averages of TAAA were from 91.61% (IND) to 92.27% (USA). UA was found to be from 0.02 (ARG) to 0.04 (KOR, USA) and those of KOH solubility from 73% (ARG) to 84% (USA). A total of four hundred 20-days-old male broiler chicks were divided into four groups and fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets containing 27.5% of SBM and same amounts of lysine and sulfur amino acids for 15 days. Final body weight and body weight gain were the highest in birds fed with SBM from USA and lowest in birds fed with SBM from IND although the differences were not statistically significant. The feed/gain in chicks fed diet containing SBM from USA was significantly improved (p<0.05) compared to those of the other groups. There were no significant differences in carcass characteristics and the concentration of total cholesterol in serum among the treatments. The results of in vitro assay and bioassay agreed with the performance of broiler chicks, and thus there were close correlation between the broiler performance and the measured nutritive values of SBM. In conclusion, dehulled SBM from USA was superior to non- dehulled SBM from ARG and IND with regard to nutritive values.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.606-615
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate anti-thrombogenic, anti-inflammatory effects of n-BuOH (B) and $CH_2Cl_2$ (MC) fractions extracted from Sancho (Zanthoxylum. schinifolium) leaves in rats fed high fat diets. The experimental animal groups were consisted of eight including one 5% fat (N) and one 20% fat (H) without the test materials in diets and six H groups of feeding three levels (50, 100 and 150 mg/day) of the B and the MC fractions from Z. schinifolium, respectively. Plasma activated partial thromboplastin times and thrombin times of H group were decreased compared to the N group, but they were increased by feeding the MC fraction of 50 mg and over. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte 5#-lipo-xygenase activities and leukotriene $B_4$ contents of the H group were significantly increased compared to the N group, but they were decreased in the 100 mg and 150 mg of B fraction or the 150 mg of MC fraction fed groups. Liver cytochrome $P_{450}$, $O_2^-$, $H_2O_2$ and GSSG contents were increased by the high fat diet but decreased by feeding the B fraction or the MC fraction, while GSH content and glutathione S-transferase activity lowered by high fat diet were increased by feeding the two solvent fractions. The effects of the solvent fractions were evident at the level of 100 mg/day and over. The present results confirmed that two solvent fractions from the leaves of Z, schinifolium have enhancing effects on anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammation partly by antioxidant action and partly by direct modulation of the respective processeds. In conclusion, the n-BuOH and $CH_2Cl_2$ fractions from leaves of Z, schinifolium can be utilized as the proper ingredients of functional foods for preventing chronic degenerative disease.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the control efficacy of the organic farming materials on cucumber scab caused by Cladosporium cucumerinum PT1 (KACC 48094). The antifungal activities in vitro as well as the suppressive effect of 43 organic farming materials on the spore germination and germ tube growth by inoculating spore suspension on cucumber seedlings in vivo were investigated. Thirteen organic farming materials inhibited the mycelial growth of C. cucumerinum and nine of these were microbial agents. In the screening using cucumber seedlings, six organic farming materials were very effective with control efficacy value of 90%. Among them, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M27 provided suppressive effect on both mycelial growth and spore germination against cucumber scab. Finally, nine organic farming materials were selected to test the protective and curative effects, and all chosen organic farming materials significantly suppressed disease incidence when applied in the preventive action, in comparison with the curative action. Especially, Bordeaux mixture I and III gave excellent protective control efficacy with control values of 96.7% and 73.3%, respectively, whereas its curative control effect was significant low. Among these, only Thymus quinquecostatus+Sophora extract showed curative activity, although the control value was as low as 50%. This study suggests that cucumber scab can be controlled by some organic farming materials in the farmhouses under comparatively cold and wet condition and protective treatment is more important and efficient.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2002

Embryonic stem cells(ES cells) are derived from the inner cell mass(ICM) of blastocysts, which have the potentials to remain undifferentiated, to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, to differentiate into the derivates of three embryonic germ layers. ES cells are an attractive model system for studying the initial developmental decisions and their molecular mechanisms during embryogenesis. Additionally, ES cells of significant interest to those characterizing the various gene functions utilizing transgenic and gene targeting techniques. We investigated the effects of reproductive hormones, gonadotropins(GTH) and steroids on the induction of differentiation and expressions of their receptor genes using the newly established mouse ES cells. We collected the matured blastocysts of inbred mice C57BL/6J after superovulation and co-cultured with mitotically inactivated STO feeder cells. After 5 passages, we confirmed the expression alkaline phosphatase(Alk P) activity and SSEA-1, 3, 4 expressions. The protocol devised for inducing ES differentiation consisted of an aggregation steps, after 5 days as EBs in hormone treatments(FSH, LH, E$_2$, P$_4$, T) that allows complex signaling to occur between the cells and a dissociation step, induced differentiation through attachment culture during 7 days in hormone treatments. Hormone receptors were not increased in dose-dependent manner. All hormone receptors in ES cells treated reproductive hormones were expressed lower than those of undifferentiated ES cell except for LHR expression in E$_2$-treated ES cells group. After hormone induced differentiation, at least some of the cells are not terminally differentiated, as is evident from the expression of Oct-4, a marker of undifferentiated. To assess their differentiation by gene expression, we analyzed the expression of 7 tissue-specific markers from all three germ layers. Most of hormone-treated group increased in the expression of gata-4 and $\alpha$ -fetoprotein, suggesting reproductive hormone allowed or induced differentiation of endoderm.