• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1490-1499
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• 2016

In this study, 69 lactobacilli isolated from Tibetan Qula, a raw yak milk cheese, were screened for their potential use as probiotics. The isolates were tested in terms of: Their ability to survive at pH 2.0, pH 3.0, and in the presence of 0.3% bile salts; tolerance of simulated gastric and intestinal juices; antimicrobial activity; sensitivity against 11 specific antibiotics; and their cell surface hydrophobicity. The results show that out of the 69 strains, 29 strains (42%) had survival rates above 90% after 2 h of incubation at pH values of 2.0 or 3.0. Of these 29 strains, 21 strains showed a tolerance for 0.3% bile salt. Incubation of these 21 isolates in simulated gastrointestinal fluid for 3 h revealed survival rates above 90%; the survival rate for 20 of these isolates remained above 90% after 4 h of incubation in simulated intestinal fluid. The viable counts of bacteria after incubation in simulated gastric fluid for 3 h and simulated intestinal fluid for 4 h were both significantly different compared with the counts at 0 h (p<0.001). Further screening performed on the above 20 isolates indicated that all 20 lactobacilli strains exhibited inhibitory activity against Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115, and Salmonella enterica ATCC 43971. Moreover, all of the strains were resistant to vancomycin and streptomycin. Of the 20 strains, three were resistant to all 11 elected antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, penicillin G, ampicillin, streptomycin, polymyxin B, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, and gentamicin) in this study, and five were sensitive to more than half of the antibiotics. Additionally, the cell surface hydrophobicity of seven of the 20 lactobacilli strains was above 70%, including strains Lactobacillus casei 1,133 (92%), Lactobacillus plantarum 1086-1 (82%), Lactobacillus casei 1089 (81%), Lactobacillus casei 1138 (79%), Lactobacillus buchneri 1059 (78%), Lactobacillus plantarum 1141 (75%), and Lactobacillus plantarum 1197 (71%). Together, these results suggest that these seven strains are good probiotic candidates, and that tolerance against bile acid, simulated gastric and intestinal juices, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic resistance, and cell surface hydrophobicity could be adopted for preliminary screening of potentially probiotic lactobacilli.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.218-225
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• 2007

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the microtubule-associated protein AtMAP65-1 shows various functions on microtubule dynamics and organizations. However, it is still an open question about whether AtMAP65-1 binds to tubulin dimers and how it regulates microtubule dynamics. In present study, the tubulin-binding activity of AtMAP65-1 was investigated. Pull-down and co-sedimentation exp eriments demonstrated that AtMAP65-1 bound to tubulin dimers,at a molar ratio of 1 : 1. Cross-linking experiments showed that AtMAP65-1 bound to tubulin dimers by interacting with $\alpha$-tubulin of the tubulin heterodimer. Interfering the bundling effect of AtMAP65-1 by addition of salt and monitoring the tubulin assembly, the experiment results indicated that AtMAP65-1 promoted tubulin assembly by interacting with tubulin dimers. In addition, five truncated versions of AtMAP65-1, namely AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339 (amino acids 340-587); AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N494 (amino acids 495-587); AtMAP65-1 340-494 (amino acids 340-494); AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C495 (amino acids 1-494) and AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C340 (amino acids 1-339), were tested for their binding activities and roles in tubulin polymerization in vitro. Four (AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339, $\Delta$N494, AtMAP65-1 340-494 and $\Delta$C495) from the five truncated proteins were able to co-sediment with microtubules, and three (AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339, $\Delta$N494 and AtMAP65-1 340-494) of them could bind to tubulin dimers in vitro. Among the three truncated proteins, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N339 showed the greatest activity to promote tubulin polymerization, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$N494 exhibited almost the same activity as the full length protein in promoting tubulin assembly, and AtMAP65-1 340-494 had minor activity to promote tubulin assembly. On the contrast, AtMAP65-1 $\Delta$C495, which bound to microtubules but not to tubulin dimers, did not affect tubulin assembly. Our study suggested that AtMAP65-1 might promote tubulin assembly by binding to tubulin dimers in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.552-557
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the effect of zeolite on the reduction of soil EC level in the plastic film house. The EC level of experimental soil was 5.0 dS $m^{-1}$ and the zeolite was applied to the soil at seven levels (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20%) with three replications. The reduction degree of soil EC level showed positive tendency to the mixing ratio of zeolite. Especially, the EC level reduced rapidly from 5.01 to 2.8 dS $m^{-1}$ in the plot where zeolite was mixed by 20% 10 days after treatment. The pH level of soil was in positive relation to the mixing ratio of zeolite, contrary to the negative relation to the concentration level of water soluble Ca, Mg and phosphorus (P). The water contents of soil mixed with 15% and 20% zeolite were 14% and 17.3% respectively but it was 12.7% for control soil. Therefore, we expect natural zeolite to salts reduction agent for exchangeable cation and phosphate which is difficult to reduce by watering and other methods.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2745-2749
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• 2015

Objective: To study the PLCE1 gene rs2274223 polymorphism with regard to esophageal cancer and its interaction with diet, lifestyle, psychological and environmental factors in Southwest Shandong province. Materials and Methods: A case series study (case-case) was conducted. Questionnaire data were collected and 3 ml-5ml venous blood was drawn for DNA extraction among the qualified research subjects. PLCE1 gene polymorphism was detected after PCR amplification of DNA. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: The three genotypes A/A, A/G and G/G PLCE1 gene rs2274223 was 31, 16 and 4 cases, accounting for 60.8%, 31.4%, 0.08% respectively. The difference of three genotypes (AA/GA/GG) proportion between negative and positive family history of patients was statistically significant, ${\chi}^2=6.213$, p=0.045. There was no statistically significant relationship between PLCE1 gene rs2274223 polymorphism and smoking, drinking, ${\chi}^2=0.119$, p=0.998, and ${\chi}^2=1.727$, p=0.786. There was no linkage of the three rs2274223 PLCE1 gene genotypes (AA/GA/GG) proportion with eating fried, pickled, hot, mildew, overnight, smoked, excitant food, eat speed, salt taste or not (p>0.05). or with living environment pollution and nine risk factors of occupational exposure (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in TS scores between different genotype of rs2274223 PLCE1 gene. Conclusions: The PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism has a relationship with family history of esophageal cancer, but does not have any significant association with age, gender, smoking, alcohol drinking, food hygiene, eating habits, living around the environment and occupation in cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4331-4338
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• 2014

$N^1$-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-$N^8$-hydroxyoctanediamide (N25) is a novel SAHA cap derivative of HDACi, with a patent (No. CN 103159646). This invention is a hydroxamic acid compound with a structural formula of $RNHCO(CH_2)6CONHOH$ (wherein R=2, 5dimethoxyaniline), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt which is soluble. In the present study, we investigated the effects of N25 with regard to drug distribution and molecular docking, and anti-proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycling, and $LD_{50}$. First, we designed a molecular approach for modeling selected SAHA derivatives based on available structural information regarding human HDAC8 in complex with SAHA (PDB code 1T69). N25 was found to be stabilized by direct interaction with the HDAC8. Anti-proliferative activity was observed in human glioma U251, U87, T98G cells and human lung cancer H460, A549, H1299 cells at moderate concentrations ($0.5-30{\mu}M$). Compared with SAHA, N25 displayed an increased antitumor activity in U251 and H460 cells. We further analyzed cell death mechanisms activated by N25 in U251 and H460 cells. N25 significantly increased acetylation of Histone 3 and inhibited HDAC4. On RT-PCR analysis, N25 increased the mRNA levels of p21, however, decreased the levels of p53. These resulted in promotion of apoptosis, inducing G0/G1 arrest in U251 cells and G2/M arrest in H460 cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. In addition, N25 was able to distribute to brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier of mice ($LD_{50}$: 240.840mg/kg). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that N25 will provide an invaluable tool to investigate the molecular mechanism with potential chemotherapeutic value in several malignancies, especially human glioma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.501-509
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• 2012

A 990 bp full-length gene (xynAHJ2) encoding a 329-residue polypeptide (XynAHJ2) with a calculated mass of 38.4 kDa was cloned from Bacillus sp. HJ2 harbored in a saline soil. XynAHJ2 showed no signal peptide, distinct amino acid stretches of glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 10 intracellular endoxylanases, and the highest amino acid sequence identity of 65.3% with the identified GH 10 intracellular mesophilic endoxylanase iM-KRICT PX1-Ps from Paenibacillus sp. HPL-001 (ACJ06666). The recombinant enzyme (rXynAHJ2) was expressed in Escherichia coli and displayed the typical characteristics of low-temperature-active enzyme (exhibiting optimum activity at $35^{\circ}C$, 62% at $20^{\circ}C$, and 38% at $10^{\circ}C$; thermolability at ${\geq}45^{\circ}C$). Compared with the reported GH 10 low-temperature-active endoxylanases, which are all extracellular, rXynAHJ2 showed low amino acid sequence identities (<45%), low homology (different phylogenetic cluster), and difference of structure (decreased amount of total accessible surface area and exposed nonpolar accessible surface area). Compared with the reported GH 10 intracellular endoxylanases, which are all mesophilic and thermophilic, rXynAHJ2 has decreased numbers of arginine residues and salt bridges, and showed resistance to $Ni^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, or EDTA at 10 mM final concentration. The above mechanism of structural adaptation for low-temperature activity of intracellular endoxylanase rXynAHJ2 is different from that of GH 10 extracellular low-temperature-active endoxylanases. This is the first report of the molecular and biochemical characterizations of a novel intracellular low-temperature-active xylanase.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2007

Oxidative stress is a major damaging factor for plants exposed to environmental stresses. Previously, we have generated transgenic potato (cv. Superior) plants expressing both CuZnSOD and APX genes in chloroplast under the control of an oxidative stress-inducible SWPA2 promoter (referred to as SSA plants) and selected the transgenic potato plant lines with tolerance against methyl viologen (MV)-mediated oxidative stress. When leaf discs of SSA plants were subjected to $3{\mu}M$ methyl viologen (MV), they showed approximately 40% less damage than non-transgenic (NT) plants. SSA plantlets were treated with $0.3{\mu}M$ MV stress, SSA plants also exhibited reduced damage in root growth. When 350 MV was sprayed onto the whole plants, SSA plants showed a significant reduction in visible damage, which was approximately 75% less damage than leaves of NT plants. These plants will be used for further analysis of tolerance to environmental stresses, such as high temperature and salt stress. These results suggest that transgenic potato (cv. Superior) plants would be a useful plant crop for commercial cultivation under unfavorable growth conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.341-353
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate dietary patterns and assimilation of dietary culture of Korean descendants in Yanbian, China compared to Korean. A dietary survey was conducted using one 24-hour recall method from 730 adults over 30 years of age in Yanbian, China and 695 adults over 25 years of age in Kuri, Korea. The average number of food items consumed per day was 14 in Yanbian and 20 in Kuri and there was a significant difference between the two regions(p<0.001). The foods consumed most frequently were rice, salt, the M.S.G. in Yanbian and rice, green onion and garlic in Kuri. The foods consumed most by amount were rice, cucumber, Soju in Yanbian and rice, Kimchi and grape in Kuri. The average number of dishes consumed per day was 6.4 in Yanbian, 9.4 in Kuri and the difference between the two regions was significant(p<0.001). Total number of dishes appeared in the survey was 253 in Yanbian and 494 in Kuri. The dishes consumed most frequently were cooked-rice, beverages, Kimchi, stir-fried eggplant in Yanbian and cooked-rice, Kimchi, coffee, soybean paste stew, in Kuri. The dish groups appeared most frequently were rice, stir-fried foods, vegetables and Kimchi in Yanbian and rice, Kimchi, beverages and fruits in Kuri. Male subjects in Yanbian Consumed alcohol frequently while adults in Kuri consumed coffee more frequently than Yanbian. The major meal patterns were rice+side dish, rice+soup, rice+side dish+Kimchi in Yanbian and rice+soup+side dish+Kimchi, rice+side dish+Kimchi, rice+soup+Kimchi in Kuri. Stir-fried foods, which were consumed 46.6% of all the meals, were dominant side dish in Yanbian, but stir-fried food, seasoned vegetables and grilled food appeared aver 10% in Kuri. There results show that variety of diet of Korean-Chinese in Yanbian was lower than Kuri. Korean-Chinese tend to keep traditional Korean dietary patterns of consuming rice as staple but were adapted to Chinese dietary patterns of consuming stir-fried side dishes. Efforts should be directed toward preserving Korean traditional patterns of dietary culture among Korean-Chinese population.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 1998

This study was performed to elucidate the purification and characterization of pretease from saewoo-jeot, a Korean traditional salt-fermented shrimp product. The protease in saewoo-jeot (Acetes japonicus) were extracted, desalted through electrodialysis and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Purified enzyme had specific activity of 8.4 unit/mg, yield of 14% and purification fold of 9.8. Purified enzyme was confirmed as single band protein by polyacrylamide gel electrophresis and the molecular weight was estimated to be about 24 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 8.0 and $40^{\circ}C$, respectively. The range of its stability to the pH and temperature were 7.0 to 10.0 and $30^{\circ}C\;to\;60^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activity of enzyme to synthetic substrate showed BAPNA and TAME. The enzyme was activated significantly by manganese ions, while inhibited by STI, TLCK. metals $(K^+,\;Li^+,\;Na^+,\;Ca^{++},\;Co^{++},\;Cu^{++},\;Mg^{++},\;Ba^{++},\;Hg^{++},\;Zn^{++},\;Fe^{+++})$. The Km value of the enzyme was $5.1{\times}10^{-7}\;M$ to hammersten casein. It's suggested that purified protease from saewoo-jeot seemed to be trypsin-like enzyme.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

We prepared Jeotgal with Haliotis Discus Hannai Ino (abalone) viscera and the studied the physicochemical properties. Abalone viscus was fermented with varying amounts of salt for 60 days in order to prepare for the Jeotgal. During the fermentation, we measured the change of pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), amino nitrogen (AN) and protease activity. After the fermentation, we examined the composition of free amino acids and sensory evaluation. The pH decreased with the fermentation, which was not significant (from 5.5 to 6.5). After the fermentation, the highest VBN was 96.7 mg/g, while the highest AN value was 406.3 mg/g. Unlike VBN and AN, the protease activity increased and reached the highest activity at the 30th day, and then decreased afterward. Based on the results, it was deduced that higher salinity restrained the fermentation and lowered the VBN, AN and protease activity. The total free amino acids of abalone Jeotgal, which were analyzed after the fermentation, (62.75 mg/g) was more than twice the amount in the abalone viscera before the fermentation (30.37 mg/g). We prepared abalone viscera Jeotgal and studied the characteristics for the first time. This will provide us with useful information for future related researches.