• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1479-1490
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• 2021

Objective: Our recent findings confirmed the effectiveness of sodium metabisulfite (SMB) in controlling the growth of undesirable microorganisms in fruit and vegetable discards (FVD); however, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are susceptible to its antibacterial effects. Two series of experiments were conducted to enable the survivability of LAB during silage fermentation of a total mixed ration (TMR) containing SMB-treated FVD. Methods: In Exp. 1, the objective was to isolate a strain of LAB tolerable to the toxic effect of SMB. In Exp. 2, the SMB load was minimized through its partial replacement with a chemical mixture (CM) based on sodium benzoate (57%), potassium sorbate (29%), and sodium nitrite (14%). FVD was treated with SMB + CM (2 g each/kg biomass) and added to the TMR at varying levels (0%, 10%, or 20%), with or without KU18 inoculation. Results: The KU18 was screened as a presumptive LAB strain showing superior tolerance to SMB in broth medium, and was identified at the molecular level using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Lactobacillus plantarum. Inoculation of KU18 in TMR containing SMB was not successful for the LAB development, biomass acidification, and organoleptic properties of the resultant silage. In Exp. 2, based on the effectiveness and economic considerations, an equal proportion of SMB and CM (2 g each/kg FVD) was selected as the optimal loads for the subsequent silage fermentation experiment. Slight differences were determined in LAB development, biomass acidification, and sensorial characteristics among the experimental silages, suggesting the low toxicity of the preservatives on LAB growth. Conclusion: Although KU18 strain was not able to efficiently develop in silage mass containing SMB-treated FVD, the partial substitution of SMB load with the CM effectively alleviated the toxic effect of SMB and allowed LAB development during the fermentation of SMB + CM-treated FVD in TMR.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.855-866
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• 2021

Objective: Performance and physiological responses of dairy calves may change by using extruded soybean meal (ESBM) instead of common soybean meal (SBM) in starter feed. The aims of the current study were i) to determine the effect of extrusion processing of SBM on protein electrophoretic size, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) structures and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein subfractions and ii) to determine the effect of substitution of SBM with ESBM in starter feed of Holstein heifer calves during pre and post-weaning on performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites. Methods: The SBM was substituted with ESBM at the level of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (dry matter [DM] basis). Fifty heifer calves (initial body weight 40.3±0.63 kg) were used for the study. After birth, animals were fed colostrum for 3 days and then they were fed whole milk until weaning. Animals had free access to starter feed and water during the study. Results: Extrusion of SBM decreased electrophoretic protein size and increased rapidly degradable true protein fraction, changed FTIR protein and amide II region. With increasing level of ESBM in the diet, starter intake increased quadratically during the pre-weaning period (p<0.05) and body weight, DM intake and average daily gain increased linearly during the post-weaning and the whole study period (p<0.05). Tbe DM and crude protein digestibilities at week 14 and blood glucose and beta hydroxybutyric acid increased linearly in calves as the level of ESBM increased in the diet (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dairy calves performance and physiological responses were sensitive to SBM protein characteristics including electrophoretic size, FTIR structures and CNCPS protein fractions.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.789-800
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• 2021

Objective: Conservation and genetic improvement of cattle breeds require information about genetic diversity and population structure of the cattle. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of the three cattle breeds in the Korean peninsula. Methods: Jeju Black, Hanwoo, Holstein cattle in Korea, together with six foreign breeds were examined. Genetic diversity within the cattle breeds was analyzed with minor allele frequency (MAF), observed and expected heterozygosity (HO and HE), inbreeding coefficient (FIS) and past effective population size. Molecular variance and population structure between the nine breeds were analyzed using a model-based clustering method. Genetic distances between breeds were evaluated with Nei's genetic distance and Weir and Cockerham's FST. Results: Our results revealed that Jeju Black cattle had lowest level of heterozygosity (HE = 0.21) among the studied taurine breeds, and an average MAF of 0.16. The level of inbreeding was -0.076 for Jeju Black, while -0.018 to -0.118 for the other breeds. Principle component analysis and neighbor-joining tree showed a clear separation of Jeju Black cattle from other local (Hanwoo and Japanese cattle) and taurine/indicine cattle breeds in evolutionary process, and a distinct pattern of admixture of Jeju Black cattle having no clustering with other studied populations. The FST value between Jeju Black cattle and Hanwoo was 0.106, which was lowest across the pair of breeds ranging from 0.161 to 0.274, indicating some degree of genetic closeness of Jeju Black cattle with Hanwoo. The past effective population size of Jeju Black cattle was very small, i.e. 38 in 13 generation ago, whereas 209 for Hanwoo. Conclusion: This study indicates genetic uniqueness of Jeju Black cattle. However, a small effective population size of Jeju Black cattle indicates the requirement for an implementation of a sustainable breeding policy to increase the population for genetic improvement and future conservation.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

A cercosporoid fungus associated with angular leaf spots on the leaves of common fig (Ficus carica) in Korea is known to be morphologically similar to Passalora, but phylogenetically similar to Pseudocercospora. To clarify the ambiguity, six fig samples with angular leaf spots were collected and examined using a microscope, and two representative isolates were sequenced for multiple genes. The morphological characteristics were consistent with previous descriptions of Passalora bolleana. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions showed that the Korean isolates, as well as previously published Korean and Romanian isolates, formed a well-supported group in the clade of Pseudocercospora species. Consequently, the current Korean isolates should be correctly described as Pseudocercospora bolleana. Additionally, Pseudocercospora fici-caricae, a cercosporoid fungus previously described as a leaf pathogen on common fig in Taiwan and Korea, was also compared and discussed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.481-492
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• 2021

Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) is implicated in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in various types of cancers. However, the role of TRIB2 in the regulation of tumorigenesis and drug resistance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is still elusive. In the present study, we showed increased expression of TRIB2 in spheroid-forming and aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive CSC populations of A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of TRIB2 expression attenuates the spheroid-forming, migratory, tumorigenic, and drug-resistant properties of A2780 cells, whereas overexpression of TRIB2 increases the CSC-like characteristics. TRIB2 overexpression induced GSK3β inactivation by augmenting AKT-dependent phosphorylation of GSK3β at Ser9, followed by increasing β-catenin level via reducing the GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of β-catenin. Treatment of TRIB2-ovexpressed A2780 cells with the phosphoinositide3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 abrogated TRIB2-stimulated proliferation, migration, drug resistance of A2780 cells. These results suggest a critical role for TRIB2 in the regulation of CSC-like properties by increasing the stability of β-catenin protein via the AKT-GSK3β-dependent pathways.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.570-583
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• 2021

Pyrococcus furiosus α-amylase can hydrolyze α-1,4 linkages in starch and related carbohydrates under hyperthermophilic condition (~ 100℃), showing great potential in a wide range of industrial applications, while its relatively low productivity from heterologous hosts has limited the industrial applications. Bacillus subtilis, a gram-positive bacterium, has been widely used in industrial production for its non-pathogenic and powerful secretory characteristics. This study was conducted to increase production of P. furiosus α-amylase in B. subtilis through three strategies. Initial experiments showed that co-expression of P. furiosus molecular chaperone peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase through genomic integration mode, using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, increased soluble amylase production. Therefore, considering that native P. furiosus α-amylase is produced within a hyperthermophilic environment and is highly thermostable, heat treatment of intact culture at 90℃ for 15 min was performed, thereby greatly increasing soluble amylase production. After optimization of the culture conditions (nitrogen source, carbon source, metal ion, temperature and pH), experiments in a 3-L fermenter yielded a soluble activity of 3,806.7 U/ml, which was 3.3- and 28.2-fold those of a control without heat treatment (1,155.1 U/ml) and an empty expression vector control (135.1 U/ml), respectively. This represents the highest P. furiosus α-amylase production reported to date and should promote innovation in the starch liquefaction process and related industrial productions. Meanwhile, heat treatment, which may promote folding of aggregated P. furiosus α-amylase into a soluble, active form through the transfer of kinetic energy, may be of general benefit when producing proteins from thermophilic archaea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2021

An aquariid nematode, Desportesius invaginatus, was found in the proventriculus of an Egretta garzetta and a Bubulcus ibis from Chuncheon in the Republic of Korea. The worms were identified by light and scanning electron microscopy based on important taxonomic characteristics (body length, esophagus length, cordons, spicules, caudal alae of males, position of the vulva) and then phylogenetically analyzed using the 18S rRNA encoding gene. The nematodes were characterized by a body length of 7.0-8.0 mm in males and 10.2-13.1 mm in females, and two pairs of cordons recurrent in the anterior direction, and cordons were anastomosed by a longitudinal cuticular ridge that externally delimits a longitudinal canal. The widest cuticular plates of cordons bears over 20 posterior spines. The length of the spicules in males was also significantly different. The right spicule measured 742-821 (794) ㎛ in length and 40-45 (42) ㎛ in width, and the left spicule measured 493-556 (541) ㎛ in length and 11-13 (12) ㎛ in width. The caudal alae of males are inflated and vesicular in appearance. The vulva was situated at 56-71 (58.3) ㎛ from the posterior extremity. Although the 18S rRNA sequences of worms were similar to the Synhimantus species, some genetic divergences were observed in comparison. In this study, the worms were recognized with genus Desportesius because genus Desportesius was considered a subgenus of Synhimantus. This is the first record of D. invaginatus in the Republic of Korea.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1850115.1-1850115.10
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• 2018

A novel sensor material of Au nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized 1D ${\alpha}-MoO_3$ nanobelts (NBs) was fabricated by a facile lysine-assisted approach. The obtained $Au/{\alpha}-MoO_3$ product was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Then, in order to investigate the gas sensing performances of our samples, a comparative gas sensing study was carried out on both the ${\alpha}-MoO_3$ NBs before and after Au NPs decoration by using ethanol vapor as the molecular probe. The results turned out that, after the functionalization of Au NPs, the sensor exhibited improved gas-sensing characteristics than the pure ${\alpha}-MoO_3$, such as response and recovery time, optimal operating temperature (OT) and excellent selectivity. Take for example 200 ppm of ethanol, the response/recovery times were 34 s/43 s and 5.7 s/10.5 s, respectively, while the optimal operating temperature (OT) was lower to $200^{\circ}C$ rather than $250^{\circ}C$. Besides, the functionalized sensor showed a higher response to ethanol at $200^{\circ}C$, and response was 1.6 times higher than the pure $MoO_3$. The mechanism of such improved sensing properties was interpreted, which might be attributed to the spillover effect of Au NPs and the electronic metal-support interaction.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.36-42
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• 2018

Recently, silk sericin has attracted attention because of its unique properties as a biomaterial, including its UV resistance, moisturizing effect on skin, and wound-healing effect. Therefore, the preparation of sericin in various forms such as gel, film, fiber, and sponge is studied for cosmetic and biomedical applications, and the effect of the preparation conditions on the structure and properties of sericin forms is examined to maximize its performance. In this study, silk sericin films were prepared under different preparation conditions and heat-treated at high temperatures ($100-250^{\circ}C$) to examine the effect of heat treatment on the film structure. The order of the crystallinity index of the untreated sericin film is as follows: F25 (sericin film cast from formic acid) > WE25 (ethanol treated sericin film cast from water at $250^{\circ}C$) > W25 (sericin film cast from water at $250^{\circ}C$) > W100 (sericin film cast from water at $100^{\circ}C$). As the heat-treatment temperature was increased, the color of the sericin films changed gradually from colorless to yellow, brown, and black depending on the temperature. The crystallinity of the sericin film changed after the heat treatment, depending on the preparation condition. Whereas a sericin film cast from formic acid (F25) started to lose its crystallinity at $200^{\circ}C$, thus undergoing the highest loss of crystallinity among the sericin films studied, the rest (W25, WE25, and W100) showed a decrease in crystallinity at $250^{\circ}C$, owing to the disruption of the ${\beta}$-sheet crystallites due to heat.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.235-243
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• 2019

A special eosinophilic agarase exo-type ${\beta}$-agarase gene, AgaDL6, was cloned from a marine agar-degrading bacterium, Flammeovirga sp. HQM9. The gene comprised 1,383-bp nucleotides encoding a putative agarase AgaDL6 of 461 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 52.8 kDa. Sequence analysis revealed a ${\beta}$-agarase domain that belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 16 and a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM_4_9) unique to agarases. AgaDL6 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Enzyme activity analysis of the purified protein showed that the optimal temperature and pH of AgaDL6 were $50^{\circ}C$ and 3.0, respectively. AgaDL6 showed thermal stability by retaining more than 98% of activity after incubation for 2 h at $50^{\circ}C$, a feature quite different from other agarases. AgaDL6 also exhibited outstanding acid stability, retaining 100% of activity after incubation for 24 h at pH 2.0 to 5.0, a property distinct from other agarases. This is the first agarase characterized to have such high acid stability. In addition, we observed no obvious stimulation or inhibition of AgaDL6 in the presence of various metal ions and denaturants. AgaDL6 is an exo-type ${\beta}$-1,4 agarase that cleaved agarose into neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose as the final products. These characteristics make AgaDL6 a potentially valuable enzyme in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries.