• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.305-312
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• 2017

The prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) was examined in freshwater fish from the water systems of Seomjin-gang (River), the Republic of Korea. Total 1,604 fish from 7 local sites of Seomjin-gang were examined by artificial digestion methods. The metacercariae of C. sinensis were detected in 102 (39.8%) out of 256 fish (14 species) from the upper reaches of Seomjin-gang, i.e., Osucheon (22.3% in 6 fish species) in Imsil-gun, and Seomjin-gang (63.9% in 9 fish species) in Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Their average density was 9.0 per infected fish. They were also found in 132 (48.0%) out of 275 fish (12 spp.) from the middle reaches of Seomjin-gang, i.e., Songdaecheon (58.9% in 4 fish species) in Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, and Seomjin-gang (45.2% in 10 fish species) in Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. Their average density was 21.0 per infected fish. CsMc were detected in 77 (56.6%) out of 136 fish (11 species) from the lower reaches of Seomjin-gang, i.e., Seomjin-gang (73.3% in 11 fish species) in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, and Namsancheon (8.6% in 1 fish species) in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Their average density was 64.9 per infected fish. The metacercariae of Metorchis orientalis were also detected in 6 fish species from 4 sites of Seomjin-gang. Conclusively, it has been confirmed that CsMc are more or less prevalent in fish from some water systems of Seomjin-gang in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.351-358
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• 2018

To grasp the infection status of Metagonimus spp. metacercariae (MsMc), the freshwater fishes were surveyed from Seomjin-gang (river) and Tamjin-gang in the Republic of Korea. Total 1,604 fishes from 7 local sites of Seomjin-gang and 1,649 fishes from 2 sites of Tamjin-gang were examined for 6 years (2012-2017) by the artificial digestion method. MsMc were detected in fishes from 7 sites, i.e., Osucheon in Imsil-gun (36.3% fish in 6 spp.), Seomjin-gang in Sunchanggun (49.8% in 18 spp.), Songdaecheon in Namwon-si (64.5% in 8 spp.), Seomjin-gang in Gokseong-gun (72.4% in 14 spp.) and in Gurye-gun (78.8% in 17 spp.), Hoengcheon (75.9% in 11 spp.) and Namsancheon (58.9% in 7 spp.) in Hadong-gun. Their average densities were 4.2, 86.8, 39.9, 43.1, 246.5, 173.6 and 67.5 per fish infected respectively. Prevalence with MsMc in rasborinid fish from Seomjin-gang was 89.2% and their intensity was 73.6 per fish infected. Endemicities of MsMc in rasborinid fish from Seomjin-gang were significantly higher in fishes from the lower reaches (prevalence: 98.7%; density: 137) rather than in fishes from the middle (93.5%; 38) and upper (72.4%; 13) reaches. MsMc were also detected in 56.1% and 66.4% fishes from 2 surveyed areas, i.e., the middle reaches in Jangheung-gun and the lower reaches in Gangjin-gun, of Tamjin-gang, and their densities were 147 and 121 per fish infected. In susceptible fishes from Tamjin-gang, the prevalence was 84.1% and density was 227 per fish infected. By the present study, it was confirmed that MsMc is highly prevalent in the fishes from Seomjin-gang and Tamjin-gang in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.54-54
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• 1999

다이아몬드 합성시 질소 첨가는 Cn 화합물의 합성가능성을 비롯하여 다이아몬드의 질소 도핑, 성장 속도 및 결정성 변화 등 다양한 관점에서 중요한 의미를 가지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 다이아몬드의 일반적인 합성조건에서 질소를 첨가하여 합성된 막의 형상 및 상 변화에 대해 고찰하였다. 막은 다이아몬드 전처리시킨 Si 기판위에 microwave plasma CVD 장치를 이용하여 합성하였다. 유입되는 혼합가스(CH4+H2+N2)에서 N2 첨가량을 0-95%까지 변화시켰다. 이때 CH4 농도는 5%로 고정하였고, 합성온도는 90$0^{\circ}C$-115$0^{\circ}C$까지 변화시켰다. 이와 같이 합성된 막의 표면조직 및 성장 두께를 측정하기 위해 주사전자현미경을 이용하였다. 상의 분석은 Raman, XRD 및 TEM 분석을 이용하였으며, 조성분석을 위해 XPS 및 AES를 사용하였다. 질소 첨가량에 따라 합성된 막은 첨가하지 않은 경우에 다이아몬드 결정에서 시작하여 질소첨가에 따라 결정면이 깨지는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 30%, 45%의 경우는 다시 결정면이 나타났다. 다량의 질소가 첨가되었을 때, 다시 결정면을 보이는 다이아몬드가 합성된 것은 매우 흥미로운 결과이다. 한편 질소와 메탄만의 기체하에서는 다시 결정면이 관찰되지 않았다. 이들 상의 구조는 XRD 및 TED 분석을 통해 모두 다이아몬드로 확인되었다. 기체내의 질소의 첨가에 관계없이 고상내에 질소는 확인되지 않았다. 따라서 이방법에 의한 CN 화합물의 합성은 힘든 것으로 보여진다. 이들 실험 결과를 근거로 온도 및 조성에 따른 기체의 열역학적 계산을 통하여 합성거동과의 연관성을 검토하였다. anode는 매우 높은 충전용량을 갖는데 첫 번째 방전시에 Li2O를 생성하여 비가역적 반응을 나타내고 계속되는 충방전 동안 Li-Sn 합금이 생성되어 2차전지의 가역적 반응을 가능하게 한다. SnO2 는 대기중에서 Li 금속보다 안정하기 때문에 전지의 제작 공정 및 사용 면에서 매우 우수한 물질이지만 아직까지 SnO2 구조적 특성과 전지의 충, 방전 특성에 대한 관계의 규명을 위한 정확한 정설은 제시되고 있지 못하다. 본 연구에서는 TFSB anode 물질로써 SnOx박막을 상온에서 여러 전도성 콜렉터 위에 증착하여 그 충, 방전 특성을 보고하였다. 증착된 SnOx박막의 표면은 SEM, AFM으로 분석하였으며 구조의 분석은 XR와 Auger electron spectroscope로 하였다. 충, 방전 특성을 분석하기 위하여 리늄 foil을 대극과 참조 전극으로 하여 EC:DMC=1:1, 1M LiPF6 액체 전해질을 사용한 Half-Cell를 구성하여 100회 이상의 정전류 충, 방전 시험을 행하였다. Half-Cell test 결과 박막의 구조, 콜렉터의 종류 및 Sn/O비에 따라 서로 다른 충, 방전 거동을 나타내었다.다. 거의 없었다. 5mTorr 일 때가 가장 좋았다.수 있음을 알 수 있었다. 그러므로, RNA바이러스의 하나인 BVDV의 viral replicon을 이용하여 다양한 종류의 포유동물 세포에 유전자 발현벡터로써 사용할 수 있음으로 post-genomics시대에 다양한 종류의 단백질 기능연구에 맡은 도움이 되리라 기대한다.다양한 기능을 가진 신소재 제조에 있다. 또한 경제적인 측면에서도 고부가 가치의 제품 개발에 따른 새로운 수요 창출과 수익률 향상, 기존의 기능성 안료를 나노(na

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.448-453
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• 2011

This study was conducted to develop an appropriate management for safety of children snacks. In this study, monitorings of food additives such as four kinds of sweeteners (sodium saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose) which are sold in children snacks at stationary store around the school were performed. 92 samples (34 ice cakes, 52 beverages and 6 candies) were analyzed for sweeteners. Contents of 4 kinds of sweeteners in ice cakes, beverages and candies were 0.41, 0.47, 0.00 mg/kg for sodium saccharin, 0.00, 20.54, 197.09 mg/kg for aspartame, 0.00, 28.10, 0.00 mg/kg for acesulfame potassium, 9.99, 1.40, 0.00 mg/kg for sucralose. Results of risk assessment for sweeteners were expressed as EDI (Estimated Daily Intake) comparing with ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake). The ratio of high risk group for sweeteners intake (95th) were 0~2.66%. The results of this study indicated that each EDI of four kinds of sweeteners sold at stationary stores around the school is much lower than each ADI in general. Consequently, the children snacks are thought to be safe for consumption.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.701-709
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• 2011

This study was performed to establish an effective extraction method of pig placenta extract that could be used for a putative functional food supplement with immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, we used different temperatures (4, 37, 60, 80, and $100^{\circ}C$) and different solvents (chloroform, NaOH, and phosphate buffered saline [PBS]) to extract the pig placenta. Among the different placenta extracts yielded by the different extraction methods, placenta extract (PE) in PBS at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30 min (referred to as PE-PBS80) showed a significant increase of nitric oxide production of up to 22.97 ${\mu}M/10^5$ cells at a 1 mg/mL dose (p<0.05 ) in J774A.1 cells than other extracts and control tested. Using PE-PBS80, further animal challenges were performed to identify the immune-enhanced effects. As a result, orally administered PE-PBS80 showed a significant increase in blood T and B cell activities and immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) production. IgG and IgM levels increased to 41.53 mg/mL at a 20 mg dose on day 7 and to 27.38 mg/mL at a 10 mg dose on day 14, respectively (p<0.05). Furthermore, PE-PBS80 was also able to significantly enhance the immune modulator cytokine levels (p<0.05) compared to the control and vehicle treatments. Among the evaluated cytokines, the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level increased to 28.89 pg/mL at extract doses of 20 and 50 mg, the interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) level increased to 21.52 pg/mL at extract doses of 10, 20, 50 and 75 mg and the interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ level increased to 18.24 pg/mL at extract doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg. Therefore, this study presents an effective method for extracting pig placenta extracts and also demonstrates that pig placenta extracts had significant immunomodulatory effects not only at the cellular level but also in a mouse model, suggesting that this material could be used as an excellent candidate functional food supplement.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2016

This study was conducted in order to investigate the growth and morphological development of Cypselurus hiraii larvae and to obtain basic data for taxonomic research. Specimens for this study were collected using a scoop net (aperture Ø60 cm) at the Geomun Island in Yeosu-si, Jollanam-do in July and August of 2013, and the mean water temperature was $20.6{\pm}1.84^{\circ}C$ and the mean salinity was $32.1{\pm}0.46$‰ during the collection. In post-larvae of total length 9.58~9.69 mm (average $9.63{\pm}0.04mm$, n=5), the mouth was opened, and the maxilla was shorter than the mandible. The length of the dorsal fin did not exceed that of the ventral fin, and the dorsal fin was on the same line as that of the ventral fin. In post-larvae of total length 18.0~18.5 mm (average $18.2{\pm}0.22mm$, n=5), with the growth accelerated, the pectoral fin was developed broadly and their caudal fin was differentiated into the heterocercal tail. These characteristics suggest the development of swimming ability and resultant active feeding activities. In post-larvae of total length 22.4~23.0 mm (average $22.7{\pm}0.21mm$, n=5), striped melanophores deposited in the pectoral fin, and small spot-like melanophores expanded in the processes formed on the mandible. The dorsal and anal fins were on the same line, and the anal fin was situated behind the dorsal fin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1530-1540
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• 2016

This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and acetone concentration in milk by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with test-day milk production traits including fat %, protein % and milk yield based on monthly samples of milk obtained as part of a routine milk recording program in Korea. Additionally, the feasibility of using such data in the official dairy cattle breeding system for selection of cows with low susceptibility of ketosis was evaluated. A total of 57,190 monthly test-day records for parities 1, 2, and 3 of 7,895 cows with pedigree information were collected from April 2012 to August 2014 from herds enrolled in the Korea Animal Improvement Association. Multi-trait random regression models were separately applied to estimate genetic parameters of test-day records for each parity. The model included fixed herd test-day effects, calving age and season effects, and random regressions for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Abundance of variation of acetone may provide a more sensitive indication of ketosis than many zero observations in concentration of milk BHBA. Heritabilities of milk BHBA levels ranged from 0.04 to 0.17 with a mean of 0.09 for the interval between 4 and 305 days in milk during three lactations. The average heritabilities for milk acetone concentration were 0.29, 0.29, and 0.22 for parities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no clear genetic association of the concentration of two ketone bodies with three test-day milk production traits, even if some correlations among breeding values of the test-day records in this study were observed. These results suggest that genetic selection for low susceptibility of ketosis in early lactation is possible. Further, it is desirable for the breeding scheme of dairy cattle to include the records of milk acetone rather than the records of milk BHBA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3223-3228
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• 2012

HMGN5 is a typical member of the HMGN (high mobility group nucleosome-binding protein) family which may function as a nucleosomal binding and transcriptional activating protein. Overexpression of HMGN5 has been observed in several human tumors but its role in tumorigenesis has not been fully clarified. To investigate its significance for human lung cancer progression, we successfully constructed a shRNA expression lentiviral vector in which sense and antisense sequences targeting the human HMGN5 were linked with a 9-nucleotide loop. Inhibitory effects of siRNA on endogenous HMGN5 gene expression and protein synthesis were demonstrated via real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. We found HMGN5 silencing to significantly inhibit A549 and H1299 cell proliferation assessed by MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that specific knockdown of HMGN5 slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and decreased the populations of A549 and H1299 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGN5 is directly involved in regulation cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells by influencing signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression. Thus, our finding suggests that targeting HMGN5 may be an effective strategy for human lung cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2291-2295
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• 2014

Although nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) is essential for cell proliferation and early embryogenesis and expression has been observed in some types of human cancer and stem cells, the molecular mechanisms involved in mediation of cell proliferation and cell cycling remains largely elusive. The aim of the present study was to evaluate NS as a potential target for gene therapy of human breast carcinoma by investigating NS gene expression and its effects on SKBR-3 cell proliferation and apoptosis. NS mRNA and protein were both found to be highly expressed in all detected cancer cell lines. The apoptotic rate of the pcDNA3.1-NS-Silencer group ($12.1-15.4{\pm}3.8%$) was significantly higher than those of pcDNA3.1-NS ($7.2-12.0{\pm}1.7%$) and non-transfection groups ($4.1-6.5{\pm}1.8%$, P<0.01). MTT assays showed the knockdown of NS expression reduced the proliferation rate of SKBR-3 cells significantly. Matrigel invasion and wound healing assays indicated that the number of invading cells was significantly decreased in the pcDNA3.1-NS-siRNA group (P<0.01), but there were no significant difference between non-transfected and over-expression groups (P>0.05). Moreover, RNAi-mediated NS down-regulation induced SKBR-3 cell G1 phase arrest, inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted p53 pathway-mediated cell apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells. NS might thus be an important regulator in the G2/M check point of cell cycle, blocking SKBR-3 cell progression through the G1/S phase. On the whole, these results suggest NS might be a tumor suppressor and important therapeutic target in human cancers.