• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.53-59
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the mutagenic potential of dimethyl isophthalate (DMIP) using Ames bacterial reverse mutation test, chromosomal aberration test and mouse lymphoma $tk^{+/-}$ gene assay. As results, in Ames bacterial reversion assay, DMIP was tested up to the concentration of 5,000 ${\mu}g$/plate and did not induce mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA with or without metabolic activation (S9 mix). Using cytotoxicity test, the maximal doses of DMIP for chromosomal aberration assay were determined at 1,250 ${\mu}g/mL$, which was a minimum precipitation concentration ($IC_{50}>1,940\;{\mu}g/mL$ or 10 mM) and at 155 ${\mu}g/mL$ ($IC_{50}:155\;{\mu}g/mL$) in the presence and the absence, respectively, of S9 mix. DMIP in the presence of S9 mix induced statistically significant (P<0.001) increases in the number of cells with chromosome aberrations at the dose levels of over 250 ${\mu}g/mL$, when compared with the negative control. However, DMIP in the absence of S9 mix did not caused significant induction in chromosomal aberrant cells. In MLA, DMIP at the dose range of 242.5-1,940 ${\mu}g/mL$ in the presence of S9 mix induced statistically significant increases in mutation frequencies related to small colony growth, whereas any significant mutation frequency was not observed in absence of S9 mix. From these results, it is conclusively suggested that dimethyl isophthalate may be a clastogen rather than a point mutagen.

• ALGAE
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.373-378
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• 2016

Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a red-tide forming dinoflagellate that causes significant worldwide impacts on aquaculture industries and the marine ecosystem. There have been extensive studies on managing and preventing C. polykrikoides blooms, but it has been difficult to identify an effective method to control the bloom development. There is also limited genome information on the molecular mechanisms involved in its various ecophysiology and metabolism processes. Thus, comprehensive genome information is required to better understand harmful algal blooms caused by C. polykrikoides. We estimated the C. polykrikoides genome size using flow cytometry, with detection of the fluorescence of DNA stained with propidium iodide (PI). The nuclear genome size of C. polykrikoides was 100.97 Gb, as calculated by comparing its mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to the MFI of Mus musculus, which is 2.8 Gb. The exceptionally large genome size of C. polykrikoides might indicate its complex physiological and metabolic characteristics. Our optimized protocol for estimating the nuclear genome size of a dinoflagellate using flow cytometry with PI can be applied in studies of other marine organisms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.309-318
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and its related characteristics among healthy adults in some Korean rural areas. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the data from 1352 adults who were over the age 40 and under the age 70 and who were free of diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular diseases and other diseases and who participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study. IFG was defined as a serum fasting glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL. Results: The prevalence of IFG was 20.4% in men, 15.5% in women and 12.7% overall. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors for IFG were male gender, having a family history of DM, the quartiles of gamma glutamyltransferase and high sensitive C-reactive protein and the waist circumference. The homeostatis model assessment for insulin resistance was very strongly associated with IFG. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and MS components was higher in the subjects with IFG then in those with normal fasting glucose (NFG). Conclusions: The result of study could supply evidence to find the high risk population and to determine a strategy for treating IFG. Further research is needed to explain the causal relationship and mechanisms of IFG.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

The green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtti is well-known specie in the terms of $H_2$ production by photo fermentation and has been studying for a long time. Although the $H_2$ production yield is promising; there are some bottlenecks to enhance the yield and efficiency to focus on a well-designed, sustainable production and also scaling up for further studies. D1 protein of photosystem II (PSII) plays an important role in photosystem damage repair and related to $H_2$ production. Because Chlamydomonas is the model algae and the genetic basis is well-studied; metabolic engineering tools are intended to use for enhanced production. Mutations are focused on D1 protein which aims long-lasting hydrogen production by blocking the PSII repair system thus $O_2$ sensitive hydrogenases catalysis hydrogen production for a longer period of time under anaerobic and sulfur deprived conditions. Chlamydomonas CC124 as control strain and D1 mutant strains(D240, D239-40 and D240-41)are cultured photomixotrophically at $80{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, by two sides. Cells are grown in TAP medium as aerobic stage for culture growth; in logarithmic phase cells are transferred from aerobic to an anaerobic and sulfur deprived TAP- S medium and 12 mg/L initial chlorophyll content for $H_2$ production which is monitored by the water columns and later detected by Gas Chromatography. Total produced hydrogen was $82{\pm}10$, $180{\pm}20$, $196{\pm}20$, $290{\pm}30mL$ for CC124, D240, D239-40, D240-41, respectively. $H_2$ production rates for mutant strains was $1.3{\pm}0.5mL/L.h$ meanwhile CC124 showed 2-3 fold lower rate as $0.57{\pm}0.2mL/L.h$. Hydrogen production period was $5{\pm}2days$ for CC124 and mutants showed a longer production time for $9{\pm}2days$. It is seen from the results that $H_2$ productions for mutant strains have a significant effect in terms of productivity, yield and production time.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.224-224
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• 2017

In plants, cysteine(Cys) is decisive for protein and glutathione that acts as an indispensable sulfur grantor for methionine and many other sulfur containing secondary products. Cys formation is involved in the consecutive two reactions using two enzymes-serine acetyl transferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine (thiol)lyase (OASTL) and appeared in plant cytosol, chloroplast and mitochondria. OASTL is able to produce mimosine with 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone (3H4P) in lieu of $H_2S$ for Cys. In this report, we describe the first time cloning, purification and characterization of cytosolic(cy)OASTL from M. pudica and its expression in Escherichia coli and try to find out the cross link between this OASTL and the mimosine formation and to elucidate the metabolic role of cy-OASTL in M. pudica. The purified recombinant protein was 34.7 KDa. The optimum reaction pH and temperature was 6.5 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. The Michaelis constant (Km) and the Vmax value of the enzyme was $252{\pm}25{\mu}M$ and $57{\pm}3{\mu}M\;cysteine\;min^{-1}\;{\mu}g\;protein^{-1}$ for sulfide and $159{\pm}21{\mu}M$ and $58{\pm}2.4{\mu}M\;cysteine\;min^{-1}\;{\mu}g\;protein^{-1}$ for OAS subsequently. After cleaving the His-tag, we tried to observe cy-OASTL to form mimosine with appropriate substrate but it was not successful. It may be concluded that cy-OASTL of the present study is only Cys specific, not mimosine.

• 생태와환경
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2008

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) derived from leakage of fossil fuels and incomplete combustion of organic materials have been considered as harmful contaminants in environments. This study evaluated the effect of benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), one of the PAHs, using the multiple biomarkers and applied the integration model with those biomarker responses. After 10 days of the exposure at the measured concentrations of BkF (6, 25, and 45 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), the changes of the four biomarkers, that is, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), DNA single-strand breaks (Comet), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and vitellogenin (VTG) in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were observed. The standardized values of four biomarker responses were computed and integrated as star plots, representing Integrated Biomarker Respnse (IBR) values. DNA damage was induced in a dose-dependent manner, and increased significantly compared with that in the control. EROD and VTG levels were significantly elevated at low concentrations of BkF. On the other hand, AChE activities were not altered by BkF. IBR values increased as the exposure concentrations increased. Thus, the metabolic, endocrine and genetic changes of the biomarker responses in the common carp exposed to BkF should be considered in the case of the ecological risk assessment of the BkF in fish and it can be used as a biomonitoring tool in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, star plots can be used as a useful analysis tool in multibiomarker integration approach.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.291-295
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• 2010

The onset, severity, and ultimate outcome of malaria infection are influenced by parasite-expressed virulence factors and individual host responses to these determinants, In both humans and mice, liver injury is involved after parasite entry, which persists until the erythrocyte stage after infection with the fatal strain Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has strong anti-apoptotic effects in various kinds of cells, and also has diverse metabolic functions. In this work, Pf-subtilisin-like protease 2 (Pf-Sub2) 5' untranslated region (UTR) was analyzed and its transcriptional activity was estimated by luciferase expression. Fourteen TATA boxes were observed but only one Oct-1 and c-Myb were done. In addition, host HGF interaction with Pf-Sub2 was evaluated by co-transfection of HGF- and Pf-Sub2-cloned vector. Interestingly, -1,422/+12 UTR exhibited the strongest luciferase activity but -329 to + 12 UTR did not exhibit luciferase activity. Moreover, as compared with the control of unexpressed HGF, the HGF protein suppressed luciferase expression driven by the 5' untranslated region of the Pf-Sub2 promoter. Taken together, it is suggested that HGF controls and interacts with the promoter region of the Pf-Sub2 gene.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.207-213
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• 2009

Starch serves not only as an energy source for plants, animals, and humans but also as an environmentally friendly alternative for fossil fuels. Progress in understanding of starch biosynthesis, and the isolation of many genes involved in this process have enabled the genetic modification of crops in a rational manner to produce novel starches with improved functionality. Starch is composed of two glucose polymers, amylose and amylopectin. The amylose and amylopectin ratio in starch affects its physical and physicochemical properties. Alteration in starch structure can be achieved by modifying genes encoding the enzymes responsible for starch biosynthesis and starch hydrolysis. Here, we describe recent findings concerning the starch modification in sweetpotato. Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] ranks seventh in annual production among food crops in the world as an important starch source. To develop transgenic sweetpotato plants with modifying starch composition, we constructed transformation vectors overexpressing granule bound starch synthase I and inhibiting amylopectin synthesis genes such as starch branching enzyme and isoamylase under the control of 35S promoter, respectively. Transformation of sweetpotato (cv. Yulmi) is in progress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.1291-1296
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• 2003

Effects of feeding of 9.95 mg free gossypol/kg live weight through cottonseed meal (CSM) were studied in 20 intact male calves fed barley or sorghum as source of cereal during the experimental duration of 210 days. Serum concentration of total protein, albumin, globulin and their ratio did not vary because of protein (gossypol) or cereal sources. Serum level of cholesterol and urea were lower (p<0.05) in sorghum than barley fed calves. Feeding of gossypol through CSM enhanced (p<0.05) serum cholesterol. An interaction between protein and period was observed with respect to serum concentrations of urea, creatinine and alanine transferase. The levels of serum creatinine and alanine transferase increased (p<0.05) following 120 days of experimental feeding in calves fed CSM diets compared to the control animals fed groundnut meal diets. No effect of feeding gossypol was, however, evident on the serum enzymes viz. alanine and aspartate transferases and alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, the source of cereal and protein did not appear to influence the metabolic profile of the calves. Humoral immune response, measured through antibody titre against Brucella abortus S99 innoculation, revealed a delayed and depressed seroreactivity indicative of immunocompromisation because of the phytotoxin gossypol. In conclusion, the feeding of gossypol at the designated levels, although had no deleterious clinico-biochemical manifestations, affected the humoral immune response of the calves.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.228-235
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to examine the functionality with material-improved working uniform(protocol, P) and current working uniform(control, C). Movement functionality evaluation of material-improved working uniform was carried out through sensory evaluation of working uniform. And Oxygen uptake was explored to different working uniform(P, C) in relation to a physiological functionality measurement. The results have been shown as follows: It was found that the workers feel uncomfortable with the parts of the wrist, the back width, the shoulder seam and the side in the current working uniform when they move their arms up and down, but the inconvenience has been reduced in the material-improved working uniform. And It was found that the workers feel uncomfortable with the parts of the back width, the wrist and the side seam of the jacket, and the waist, the hips and the thigh of the trousers in the current working uniform when they move their waist, but the inconvenience has been reduced in the material-improved working uniform. In the current working uniform, it was also found that they feel uncomfortable with the parts of the horse riding position in which they stand straight in their slightly bended knees, with the parts of the hips, the side seam, the thigh and the knees when they crouch down, and with the parts of the hips and the thigh when they put one of their legs onto a higher place. However, the inconvenience was reduced in the material-improved working uniform. Oxygen uptake, which was measured to assess physiological dressing functionality, was found to be higher when people work in an uncomfortable uniform than when they work in a uniform of better functionality by an increase in metabolic rate, which can be a cause of workers' inefficiency of fatigue.