• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A pivotal role of oxidative stress has been emphasized in the pathogenesis as well as in the disease progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed at investigating serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and elucidating whether they could be associated with the pathogenesis and progression of PD. MATERIALS/METHODS: Serum levels of retinol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherols, ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotenes, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin and ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin were measured and compared between 104 patients with idiopathic PD and 52 healthy controls matched for age and gender. In order to examine the relationship between antioxidant vitamins and the disease progression, multiple group comparisons were performed among the early PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I and II, N = 47), advanced PD (stage III and IV, N = 57) and control groups. Separate correlation analyses were performed between the measured antioxidant vitamins and clinical variables, such as Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. RESULTS: Compared to controls, PD patients had lower levels of ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotenes and lycopene. ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene levels were significantly reduced in advanced PD patients relative to early PD patients and were negatively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr stage and UPDRS motor score in PD patients. No significant differences were found in serum levels of retinol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherols, and other carotenoids between PD patients and controls. No significant correlations were found between these vitamin levels and clinical variables in PD patients. CONCLUSTIONS: We found that serum levels of some carotenoids, ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene, were lower in PD patients, and that these carotenoids inversely correlated with clinical variables representing disease progression. Our findings suggest that decreases in serum ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene may be associated with the pathogenesis as well as progression of PD.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2011

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing different levels of kaolin (Exp. 1) and effects of age of layers and levels of kaolin (Exp. 2) on the performance, egg and shell quality parameters of laying hens. In Exp.1, 64 laying hens of 58 wks age were randomly allotted to 4 treatments of 16 hens in each. Dietary treatments were basal diet supplemented with 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% kaolin. In Exp. 2 96 laying hens were divided into 6 groups of 16 hens each in a 2 ${\times}$ 3 factorial arrangement (two different ages, 30 and 58 wk and three levels of kaolin, 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4%). In both the experiment there were linear decreases in feed intake (P<0.001), improvement in FCR (P<0.05), and egg production (P<0.05), with increasing dietary kolin level. Supplementation of kaolin had no effect on the egg and shell quality parameters in both experiments. Thus, it is concluded that kaolin may improve performance, and 0.2% level showed the best laying performance.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2008

As a step toward developing conservation and restoration plans for an endangered species of the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana), we studied daily foraging behavior and ecology. We released two individuals, male and female, after enclosing study site with a fence and cutting out a part of two or three feathers of primaries. Research was conducted from 16 June to 11 July, 2007 for 25 days at Whawonri, Mewonmyung, Chungbuk province. We investigated diural and daily variation of foraging time budget, diet composition, and habitat selection of the feeding individuals. The storks quadratically invested for foraging time and resting time according to time of day, but no significant variation in the foraging time and resting time appeared daily over 25 days. As a result, the storks mainly used wetland as a foraging site in the center of the study area to that in the edge as well as to other types of habitat. The high usage for wetland in the center did not change over the 25 days while Rice field decreased and Wetland in the edge and Pathway increased. Female invested more time for foraging than male, but the foraging efficiency did not differ between them. We discussed the significance of foraging behavior and habitat selection for management plan.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.790-795
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-oxidative effects of fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract on obese mice. The antioxidant experiments were conducted both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro experiment was measured through the use of nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the scavenging activity of the NO free radical in fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract had higher activity than unfermented Hibiscus syriacus extract. The in vivo experiments were divided into a normal dietary group, a high fat dietary group (CON), a high fat dietary + fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract group (FH), and a high fat dietary + unfermented Hibiscus syriacus extract group. These four groups received intraperitoneal administrations for four weeks. Next, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in a liver homogenate were measured. The results showed that the levels of SOD and CAT in FH were higher than the CON and MDA levels, which were significantly decreased in FH. Consequently, fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract had an inhibitive effect on oxidative stress and a heightening effect on antioxidant enzyme activity in obese mice, suggesting that fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract could be utilized as a useful, natural antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.472-478
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• 2017

The feeding habits of Coreoperca herzi were investigated from specimens collected in the Geum River, from March to December 2016. The specimens were separated into groups of 38~70 mm, 71~109 mm, and over 110 mm in total length. The live foods of C. herzi included Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, and fishes. The Korean aucha perches fed mostly on aquatic insects which took up 98.8% of food regarding the number, 55.8% regarding the biomass, and 97.1% in terms of iregarding the index of relative importance. They were carnivorous in diet and predators (stalker) in food intake characteristics and forms when applying Keenleyside's classification. The main food sources of C. herzi were Ephemeroptera, Diptera, and Trichoptera while Odonata, Plecoptera, Coleoptera, and fishes were rare. A food migration was observed since less Ephemeroptera was found and more Trichoptera and fishes were found in the biomass of the feed consumed by larger species. The amount of Coleoptera and Diptera did not change much with the size of the species. The overall composition of live food was not seasonal. The result of the study indicates that, when restoring the streams to be the habitat for the natural population increase of Coreoperca herzi, the environment should be inhabitable to Ephemeroptera, Diptera, and Trichoptera which are the main foods.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2018

Alternaria is a ubiquitous fungal genus, widely distributed in the environment and a range of different habitats. It includes both plant pathogenic and saprophytic species, which can affect crops in the field or cause post-harvest spoilage of plant fruits and kernels. Numerous Alternaria species cause damage to agricultural products including cereal grains, fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. Most Alternaria species have the ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, which may play important roles in plant pathology as well as food quality and safety. Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA), tentoxin (TEN) and altenuene (ALT) are considered the main Alternaria compounds thought to pose a risk to human health. However, food-borne Alternaria species are able to produce many additional metabolites, whose toxicity has been tested incompletely or not tested at all. Both alternariols are mutagenic and their presence in cereal grain has been associated with high levels of human esophageal cancer in China. TeA exerts cytotoxic and phytotoxic properties, and is acutely toxic in different animal species, causing hemorrhages in several organs. The possible involvement of TA in the etiology of onyalai, a human hematological disorder occurring in Africa, has been suggested. Altertoxins (ALXs) have been found to be more potent mutagens and acutely toxic to mice than AOH and AME. Other metabolites, such as TEN, are reported to be phytotoxins, and their toxicity on animals has not been demonstrated up to now. Vegetable foods infected by Alternaria rot are obviously not suitable for consumption. Thus, whole fresh fruits are not believed to contribute significantly with Alternaria toxins to human exposure. However, processed vegetable products may introduce considerable amounts of these toxins to the human diet if decayed or moldy fruit is not removed before processing. The taxonomy of the genus is not well defined yet, which makes it difficult to establish an accurate relationship between the contaminant species and their associated mycotoxins. Great efforts have been made to organize taxa into subgeneric taxonomic levels, especially for the small-spored, food associated species, which are closely related and constitute the most relevant food pathogens from this genus. Several crops of agricultural value are susceptible to infection by different Alternaria species and can contribute to the entry of Alternaria mycotoxins in the food chain. The distribution of Alternaria species was studied in different commodities grown in Argentina. These food populations were characterized through a polyphasic approach, with special interest in their secondary metabolite profiles, to understand their full chemical potential. Alternaria species associated with tomato, bell pepper, blueberry, apples and wheat cultivated in Argentina showed a surprisingly high metabolomic and mycotoxigenic potential. The natural occurrence of Alternaria toxins in these foods was also investigated. The results here presented will provide background for discussion on regulations for Alternaria toxins in foods.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2003

Numerous physiological effects are attributed to conjugated linoleic acid(CLA). The purpose of this study is to consider these effects with respect to the cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer. Both isomers are natural products. The c9,t11-CLA isomer is the principal dietary form of CLA, but the concentrations of this isomer and the t10,c12-CLA Isomer in dairy products or beef vary depending on the diet fed to cows or steers, respectively. The influence of dietary CLA isomers on the immune response was examined, body weight and weight ratio of organ to body of Balb/C mice. Mice were divided into four groups of 8 mice. Balb/C mice were fed the experimental diets supplemented with 1% CLA (c9,t11-CLA isomer : t10,c12-CLA isomer = 2:3) (Group 1), 1% CLA (c9,t11-CLA isomer t10,c12-CLA isomer : 1:1) (Group 2), 1% safflower oil (Group 3) or nothing (Control) for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, serum, gut lumen lavage, fat, liver, spleen and thymus were taken. Measurement of total immunoglobulin were executed using sandwich ELISA. Serum levels of IgA and IgM showed that group fed with t10,c12-CLA isomer significantly were higher than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. In addition serum level of IgG showed that group fed with t10,c9-CLA isomer significantly were lower than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. However, no significantly differences were observed in the serum IgE and secretory IgA. Weight ratio of spleen to body showed no significant differences. In weight ratio of liver and thymus to body, tl0,c9-CLA isomer significantly were respectively higher than group fed with c9,t11-CLA isomer. In weight ratio of fat to body, tl0,c9-CLA isomer significantly were respectively lower than group fed with c9,tl1-CLA isomer. In conclusion, t10,c12-CLA isomer produced a situation favorable for immunopotentiative effect and body composition. But it should be protected against hepatomegaly induced lipid accumulation in liver.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2008

Korean Deep ground sea-like water (KDSW) has a similar mineral composition with deep sea water. KDSW has demonstrated its usefulness and attracted in the medical fields. KDSW and Danasoo (desalted deep ground sea-like water) intake improve antioxidant, antidiabetic activity and immunity. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Dnansoo were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA) and photochemiluminescence (PCL). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of KDSW and Danasoo were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Danasoo 85.32 and 14.02 nmol of ascorbic acid equivalent/ml KDSW and Danasoo, respectively, using the PCL method. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages RAW264.7 cells was inhibited up to 30% by treatment with Danasoo (20%). NO is synthesized by the enzyme of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plays an important role tumor growth and angiogenesis. The anticancer effects of Danasoo on human gastric and lung cancer cells was performed by levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Danasoo significantly reduced iNOS expression of human gastric cancer (SNU-l) and lung carcinoma (A549). The serum glucose level was significantly reduced by Danasoo (20%) diet in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. These result suggest that KDSW has excellent biological activities and thus it has great potential as a source for natural health products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1827-1834
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• 2014

Colon cancer is the third highest cause of death in Korea. Known dietary causes of colon cancer include a diet rich in fat and red meat as well as inadequate intake of dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Therefore, recent research has focused on the anticancer effects of natural products. Opuntia humifusa is a type of prickly pear that is known to contain biologically active compounds that can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis, and hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not O. humifusa extract affects proliferation, cell death, and DNA fragmentation in human carcinoma HT-29 cells. O. humifusa is rich in carbohydrates, minerals (Mg, K, and Ca), and total phenolics. HT-29 cells were treated with extracts of O. humifusa at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL for 24 or 48 hours. O. humifusa extracts inhibited HT-29 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Hoechst 33342/PI double staining and Comet assay were performed to observe changes in nuclei of cancer cells undergoing cell death. The results of both tests showed that O. humifusa extract induced cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin condensation dose-dependently in HT-29 cells. The results of this study suggest that O. humifusa extract inhibits the growth of HT-29 via induction of DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.304-309
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• 2008

All the seeds of rape (Brassica napus) sprout vegetables were germinated within three days after seeding irrelevant to the light colors. The total fresh weight of rape sprout vegetables at 6 days after seeding have been increased when grown under green and white color lights by 0.339g/10plants and 0.339g/10plants compared with the control. The total flavonoid contents in rape sprouts were increased under red and blue lights by 72.5 and 70.9mg${\cdot}L^{-1}$. Those DPPH radical scavenging activities at 2,000mg${\cdot}L^{-1}$ were increased by 90.0 and 90.3% which were sprouted and grown under blue and white lights. Nitrite radical scavenging activity of sprouts were most decreased compared with the control when grown under the red light by 57.4mg${\cdot}L^{-1}$. And mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity of rape sprouts was extremely increased under the green light by 22.5mg${\cdot}L^{-1}$.