• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.227-249
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• 2016

Arsenic and its compounds vary in their toxicity according to the chemical forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic and known as carcinogen. The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of $15{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has been withdrawn, while the EFSA panel suggested $BMDL_{0.1}$ $0.3{\sim}8{\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ for cancers of the lung, skin and bladder, as well as skin lesions. Rice, seaweed and beverages are known as food being rich in inorganic arsenic. As(III) is the major form of inorganic arsenic in rice and anaerobic paddy soils, while most of inorganic arsenic in seaweed is present as As(V). The inorganic arsenic in food was extracted with solvent such as distilled water, methanol, nitric acid and so on in heat-assisted condition or at room temperature. Arsenic speciation analysis was based on ion-exchange chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, there has been no harmonized and standardized method for inorganic arsenic analysis internationally. The inorganic arsenic exposure from food has been estimated to range of $0.13{\sim}0.7{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for European, American and Australian, and $0.22{\sim}5{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for Asian. The maximum level (ML) for inorganic arsenic in food has established by EU, China, Australia and New Zealand, but are under review in Korea. Until now, several studies have conducted for reduction of inorganic arsenic in food. Inorganic arsenic levels in rice and seaweed were reduced by more polishing and washing, boiling and washing, respectively. Further research for international harmonization of analytical method, monitoring and risk assessment will be needed to strengthen safety management of inorganic arsenic of foods in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the appearance of norovirus in the water for food in food service institutions and the influence of physicochemical and microbial factors of norovirus in order to work out basic data to predict the detection of norovirus. Among 82 samples of water for food in food service institutions, norovirus appeared in 7 samples and the rate of appearance was 8.5%. As for the type of norovirus, one samples contained GI type (genotype GI-6) and six samples contained GII type (genotype GII-2, GII-4, GII-12). In the regression model of prediction of norovirus, the rate of appearance was correlated with $NH_3$-N, total solids and the consumption of $KMnO_4$, out of such variables as $NH_3$-N, total solids, the consumption of $KMnO_4$, depth, chloride and total colony counts, and its contribution rate for effectiveness was 78.60%. In order to examine the influential factor of environment upon the detection of norovirus, Pearson's correlation analysis was carried out. The predictable regression formula for appearance rate of norovirus was expressed as -1.818 + 42.677 [$NH_3$-N] + 0.023 [total solids] + 0.762 [consumption of $KMnO_4$] -0.009 [depth] -0.146 [chloride] + 0.007 [total colony counts] (R = 0.904, $R^2$ = 0.818, adjusted $R^2$ = 0.786, p < 0.05). The most influential factors upon the detection of norovirus were $NH_3$-N, total solids and the consumption of $KMnO_4$. In other words, when the measured values of $NH_3$-N, total solids and the consumption of $KMnO_4$ were higher, the possibility of appearance of norovirus increased.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.555-561
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• 2008

Ninety-nine samples of powdered infant formula in a market were collected from the local market and their contaminations for total aerobic bacteria, coliform, FAO/WHO Category A, B, and C pathogens were analyzed. Total aerobic bacteria were detected in 92 of 99 samples (93%) at levels of $1.83{\pm}0.68\;Log\;MPN/g$. These levels were below legal levels specified for infant formulas except for one sample detected by 4.5 Log CFU/g. Coliform was detected in 12 of 99 samples (12%) at levels of $1.26{\pm}1.03\;Log\;MPN/g$ whereas non-detection was required according to the specification of coliform in infant formulas. Escherichia coli was detected in 1 of 99 samples by 0.48 Log MPN/g. Salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii among Category A weren't detected in all the samples. Enterobacteriaceae, Category B group, were detected in 25 samples of total 99 samples (25%) by $0.83{\pm}1.37\;Log\;MPN/g$. Enterobacteriaceae identified by API 20E were Escherichia vulneris, Es. hermannii, Pantoea spp., Citrobacter koseri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, En. cloaceae. Bacillus cereus among Category C was highly detected in 29 of 99 samples (29%) at levels of $0.69{\pm}0.32\;Log\;MPN/g$ with the most probable number count method, which were below legal levels for the specification of B. cereus in infant formulas. Clostridium perfringens, E. coli O157, Staphyloccus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli were not detected. Contamination level of major pathogens was low and falls within the range of specification of infant formulas. However, Enterobacteriaceae and B.cereus showed the high prevalence and some Enterobacteriaceae causing disease were detected. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the potential pathogens continually and reduce them to improve the microbial quality of non-sterilized powdered infant formulas.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.2 s.82
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• pp.279-285
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• 2007

Detection of Mycoplasma DNA from the 30 cases of cancer tissues and the normal tissues surrounding the cancer tissues obtained from the patients with gastric cancer and the other 30 cases of cancer tissues and the normal tissues surrounding the cancer tissues obtained from the patients with colon cancer were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The PCR products were sequenced using an ABI 377 automatic DNA sequencer, and these sequences were confirmed by comparing sequences with the database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST network server. Mycoplasmas DNA were defected in 18 (60%) cases of normal tissues which were around gastric cancer and were 13 (43.3%) cases of gastric cancer tissues. Mycoplasmas DNA were detected in 15(50%) cases of normal tissues which were around colon cancer and 12 (40%) cases of colon cancer tissues. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, and M. conjunctivae were detected from the gastric cancer tissues. The M. faucium, M. subdolum,, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. bovigenitalium and M. pulmonis were detected from the normal tissues around gastric cancer. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. synoviae M. bovigenitalium, M. gallinarum, and M. moatsii were detected from the colon cancer. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. bovis, M. opalescens, M. bovigenitalium, M. gallinarum, and M. moatsii were detected from the normal tissues around the colon cancer. These results suggest that Mycoplasmas infection may not correlate with gastric cancer and colon cancer, because of the detection rate of Mycoplasmas DNA were not significantly differences between normal and cancer tissues from the patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2016

Black chokeberries (scientific name Aronia melanocarpa) have been reported to have major effects due to anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer capabilities. In this study, we investigated the anti- wrinkle effects of A. melanocarpa, including collagenase inhibition effects and their molecular biological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and activator protein (AP)-1 expression and/or phosphorylation. In collagenase inhibition activity, the ethyl acetate fraction of black chokeberry (AE) was 77.2% at a concentration of 500 μg/ml, which was a significant result compared to that of Epigallocatechin gallate (positive control, 83.9% in 500 μg/ml). In the reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, the AE produced 78% of ROS in 10 μg/ml and 70% of ROS in 75 μg/ml, which was a much lower percentage than the ROS production of H₂O₂-induced CCRF S-180II cells. In the MTT assay, cell viability was increased dose-dependently with AE in H₂O₂-induced cells. In protein expression by western blot assay, the AE suppressed the expression and phosphorylation of MMPs (MMP-1, -3, -9), MAPK (ERK, JNK, and p38), and AP-1 (c-Fos and c-Jun), and expressed the pro-collagen type I in H₂O₂-induced cells. These results suggest that black chokeberries have anti-wrinkle and collagen-production effects, and they may be used in applications for material development in the functional food and cosmetic industries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.953-960
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• 2011

Necrosis is characterized by the cell membrane rupture and release of the cellular contents, including high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), into the extracellular microenvironment. HMGB1 acts as a transcriptional regulator in nuclei, but exerts a pro-inflammatory and tumor-promoting cytokine activity when released into the extracellular space. Its overexpression is associated with tumor progression and chemoresistance. Thus, HMGB1 acts as a clinically important molecule in tumor biology. In this study, we examined whether HMGB1 affects cell death induced by anti-cancer drugs. Here we show that HMGB1 prevented cisplatin (alkylating agent)-induced apoptosis and switched the cell fate to necrosis in MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and MDA-MB361 cells. Similar apoptosis-to-necrosis switch effects of HMGB1 were observed in cells treated with 4-HC, another alkylating agent. In contrast, HMGB1 did not exert any significant effects on docetaxel (DOC)-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. We also show that cisplatin-induced apoptosis was switched to necrosis in MCF-7 multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) that were cultured for 8 days and had necrotic cores, but DOC-induced apoptosis was prevented without the apoptosis-to-necrosis switch. Finally, the levels of RAGE, a receptor of HMGB1, were increased with extended culture of MTS. These findings demonstrate that HMGB1 switches alkylating agent-induced apoptosis to necrosis, suggesting that the strategy to prevent necrosis occurring as an undesirable action of alkylating agent-based chemotherapy should be delineated to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1541-1548
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• 2011

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the addition of different levels of CFP (Cordyceps with fly pupa) on growth performance in broiler chickens. 400 broiler chicks (Ross 308, 1 day old) were sorted randomly into 4 treatment groups and fed experimental diets for 35 days. The treatment groups were divided into a control group not fed with CFP (T1), and treatment groups fed with CFP 2.0% (T2), CFP 3.5% (T3), and CFP 5.0% (T4). Although the broilers' weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the T3 group throughout the entirety of the test period, no statistically significant differences were noted among the T1 and T2, T4 groups. Triglyceride in the blood, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were significantly lower in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group (p<0.05). The blood lipid reduction rate ranged from 5.32 to 10.63% for triglycerides, from 9.23 to 12.62% for total cholesterol, and from 44.67 to 53.81% for LDL-C in the CFP treatment groups relative to the control group. The abdominal fat weight ratio was reduced significantly in the CFP treatment groups (p<0.05) compared with the control group, with a reduction rate range of 17.67-21.68%. Broiler carcass weight, carcass rate, and ratios of breast muscle, skin and thigh muscle weights to carcass weight were significantly higher in the T3 group, and statistically significant differences were noted among the T1 and T2, T4 groups (p<0.05). Enteropathogenic E.coli and Salmonella were lower in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group, whereas the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacteria were significantly higher in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the Cordyceps with fly pupa can improve the carcass characteristics and body weight gain in broiler chickens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2013

The effect of black garlic extract on the activation of spleen cells from a C57BL6 mouse was investigated to examine immune activities of of fermented black garlic containing a variety of bioactive substances. xtract obtained from the concentration of commercial Namhae black garlic was used for the analysis of immune activities. Treatment with the extract increased the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine. The simultaneous administration of the extract plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the expression of IL-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ compared with that of a control group. This result suggests that cellular immunity can be induced by macrophages, resulting in the expression of T lymphocytes and T helper type 1 (Th1) cells. In addition, treatment with the extract increased the late response of IL-6 cytokines, and the extract plus LPS augmented the expression of IL-4 and IL-6 compared with that of an LPS-treated group. Meanwhile, the extract plus LPS decreased the late response of IL-10, suggesting that humoral immunity can be activated by stimulating B lymphocytes, suppressing cellular immunity, and effectively modulating the conversion into humoral immune responses. These findings demonstrate that the black garlic extract activates Th1 and Th2 cells by stimulating T lymphocytes in mouse spleen cells and leads to immunomodulation by activating cellular and humoral immune responses of the immune system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1256-1261
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• 2017

${\beta}$-glucan is a constituent of the cell wall of fungi, yeast and plants. It plays an important role in the immune system such as activation of immunocyte, release of pro-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect. The immune system maintains a healthy immune homeostasis. However, when pathogenic substances enter the body, immune homeostasis can break down and disease can be triggered. Therefore, we studied a substance that regulates immune homeostasis. The purpose of the study we demonstrated whether the ${\beta}$-glucan can be applied to the immune-modulation effects in human monocytic THP-1 cells. ${\beta}$-glucan was incubated in THP-1 cells at various concentrations. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels were analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR. Additionally, the expression of MAPKs (p38 and JNK), $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 were analyzed by western blot. ${\beta}$-glucan enhanced the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 induced by ${\beta}$-glucan were increased. The study suggests that ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to immune-stimulation effect by production $TNF-{\alpha}$ in human monocytic THP-1 cells, and that MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 are involved in the process. Synthetically, we have suggested ${\beta}$-glucan may be improved to immune system effect in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.619-637
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to develop a new program for elementary math-gifted students by using 'Girih Tililng' and apply it to the elementary students to improve their math-ability. Girih Tililng is well known for 'the secrets of mathematics hidden in Mosque decoration' with lots of recent attention from the world. The process of this study is as follows; (1) Reference research has been done for various tiling theories and the theories have been utilized for making this study applicable. (2) The characteristic features of Mosque tiles and their basic structures have been analyzed. After logical examination of the patterns, their mathematic attributes have been found out. (3) After development of Girih tiling program, the program has been applied to math-gifted students and the program has been modified and complemented. This program which has been developed for math-gifted students is called 'Exploring the Secrets of Girih Hidden in Mosque Patterns'. The program was based on the Renzulli's three-part in-depth learning. The first part of the in-depth learning activity, as a research stage, is designed to examine Islamic patterns in various ways and get the gifted students to understand and have them motivated to learn the concept of the tiling, understanding the characteristics of Islamic patterns, investigating Islamic design, and experiencing the Girih tiles. The second part of the in-depth learning activity, as a discovery stage, is focused on investigating the mathematical features of the Girih tile, comparing Girih tiled patterns with non-Girih tiled ones, investigating the mathematical characteristics of the five Girih tiles, and filling out the blank of Islamic patterns. The third part of the in-depth learning activity, as an inquiry or a creative stage, is planned to show the students' mathematical creativity by thinking over different types of Girih tiling, making the students' own tile patterns, presenting artifacts and reflecting over production process. This program was applied to 6 students who were enrolled in an unified(math and science) gifted class of D elementary school in Daejeon. After analyzing the results produced by its application, the program was modified and complemented repeatedly. It is expected that this program and its materials used in this study will guide a direction of how to develop methodical materials for math-gifted education in elementary schools. This program is originally developed for gifted education in elementary schools, but for further study, it is hoped that this study and the program will be also utilized in the field of math-gifted or unified gifted education in secondary schools in connection with 'Penrose Tiling' or material of 'quasi-crystal'.