• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2012

Enzymatic oxidation of commercially available pyrogallol was efficiently transformed to an oxidative product, purpurogallin. Purpurogallin plays an important role in inhibiting glutathione S-transferase, xanthine oxidase, catechol O-methyltransferase activities and is effective in the cell protection of several cell types. However, the anti-inflammatory functions of purpurogallin are not well studied. Here, we determined the effects of purpurogallin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated proinflammatory responses. The results showed that purpurogallin inhibited LPS-mediated barrier hyper-permeability, monocyte adhesion and migration and such inhibitory effects were significantly correlated with the inhibitory functions of purpurogallin on LPS-mediated cell adhesion molecules (vascular cell adhesion molecules, intracellular cell adhesion molecule, E-selectin). Furthermore, LPS-mediated nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) releases from HUVECs were inhibited by purpurogallin. Given these results, purpurogallin showed its anti-inflammatory activities and could be a candidate as a therapeutic agent for various systemic inflammatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.61-61
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• 2018

한경 곶자왈 산림유전자원보호구역은 개가시나무와 백서향 등을 포함한 암괴지대의 상록활엽수림으로서 그 중요성이 인정되어 산림유전자원 생태보전지역으로 지정 관리되고 있다. 따라서 본 지역의 식물상을 조사하여 곶자왈의 분포식물을 파악하고자 실시하였다. 본 연구는 한라산 서쪽 곶자왈지역 중 곶자왈 산림유전자원 보호구역으로 지정된 지역을 2017년 6월부터 2017년 9월까지 20여 차례 현장조사를 통하여 표본을 수집하고 이를 기록 정리하였다. 조사지역의 식물은 총 83과 181속 236종 23변종 2품종 총 261종으로 조사결과 양치식물이 7과 18속 30종 2변종 32분류군, 나자식물이 1과 1속 2분류군, 피자식물은 74과 162속 204종 21변종 2품종 227분류군 이었다. 그 중 쌍자엽식물은 67과 139속 179종 16변종 1품종 196분류군이고, 단자엽식물이 7과 23속 25종 5변종 1품종 31분류군이었다. 조사에서 확인된 환경부 멸종위기야생식물은 개가시나무 1종 이었다. 식물 구계학적 특정식물로는 총 97분류군이 조사되었다. 등급별로는 V등급 검정개관중, 개가시나무로 2분류군, IV등급 백서향, 녹나무 등 12분류군, III등급 아왜나무, 호자나무 등 37분류군, II등급 올벚나무, 개산초 등 13분류군, I 등급 푸조나무, 자금우 등 33분류군으로 확인되었다. 한국의 적색목록 식물을 분석해보면 취약(VU)은 개가시나무, 섬다래 등 3분류군, 준위협(NT)은 백서향, 약난초로 2분류군, 관심대상종(LC)은 골고사리, 새우난초 등 9분류군, 미평가종(NE)은 빌레나무 1분류군으로 나타났다. 이 결과는 청수 저지 곶자왈 지역의 생태학적 자료로 제주도 내 곶자왈과 비교하였을 때 맹아가 발달한 종가시나무가 우점하는 지역으로 향후 상록수림 천이에 의해 상록수 아래에 자라는 식물로 낙엽활엽수가 대체될 것으로 추정되어 지속적인 조사가 요구된다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 2019

The use of 16S rDNA is commonplace in the determination of prokaryotic species. However, it has limitations, and there are few studies at the genus level. We investigated conserved genes and metabolic pathways at the genus level in 28 strains of 13 genera of prokaryotes using the COG database (conserved genes) and MetaCyc database (metabolic pathways). Conserved genes compared to total genes (core genome) at the genus level ranged from 27.62%(Nostoc genus) to 71.76%(Spiribacter genus), with an average of 46.72%. The lower ratio of core genome meant the higher ratio of peculiar genes of a prokaryote, namely specific biological activities or the habitat may be varied. The ratio of common metabolic pathways at the genus level was higher than the ratio of core genomes, from 58.79% (Clostridium genus) to 96.31%(Mycoplasma genus), with an average of 75.86%. When compared among other genera, members of the same genus were positioned in the closest nodes to each other. Interestingly, Bacillus and Clostridium genera were positioned in closer nodes than those of the other genera. Archaebacterial genera were grouped together in the ortholog and metabolic pathway nodes in a phylogenetic tree. The genera Granulicella, Nostoc, and Bradyrhizobium of the Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria phyla, respectively, were grouped in an ortholog content tree. The results of this study can be used for (i) the identification of common genes and metabolic pathways at each phylogenetic level and (ii) the improvement of strains through horizontal gene transfer or site-directed mutagenesis.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.605-610
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• 2013

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid widely present in organisms, which has shown several important physiological functions such as neurotransmission, hypotension induction, as well as diuretic and tranquilizer effects. They have also been extensively used in food industry. GABA contents in the grain and brown rice are about 1~4 mg/100 g and 4~8 mg/100 g, respectively but it is difficult to expect physiological activity from such low amounts of natural food intake. We investigate the effects of GABA-coated rice on the secretion of melatonin and serotonin which both have been used as sleep inductive compounds. As a result, the secretion of melatonin and serotonin from mice were found to be $3.578{\pm}0.158pg/mL$, $5.918{\pm}0.169ng/mL$ respectively. The melatonin and serotonin in mice increased significantly up to the 8.7 and 22.8 times respectively, when compared to that of the rice, but there was no cumulative effects. Due to the continuous intake of GABA-coated rice, which was developed as a functional food nutrient, inductive effects of melatonin and serotonin from general rice could be achieved and also the similar effect as taking up directly 25 mg/mL of GABA could be obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.556-562
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• 2013

We examined the anti-obesity effects of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP-A) extracted from the seaweed Hijikia fusiforme (Tott in Korean). The extracted alginate-like polysaccharide (verified by FT-IR and HPAEC-PAD analysis) was examined in a lipase inhibition assay and animal experiments. WSP-A inhibited lipase up to 30%, with over 80% of the initial activity retained until the 1 hour reaction in vitro. There was a 30% loss in the rate of weight gain in rats fed a high-fat diet. WSP-A therefore seems to serve as a healthy weight loss agent by inhibiting lipases, thus preventing the absorption of fat in the body.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2019

Sedge family is second largest family in the Korean flora with more than 240 taxa, following Aster family (about 300 taxa). Although high species diversity, a very limited number of taxa has been utilized for ethnobotanical usages. In the study, previous researches on Cyperaceae ethnobotanical information are documented and analyzed for future research directions on the taxa. A total number of seven taxa has been used for medicinal, food, and material purposes: Carex boottiana Hook. & Arn., Cyperus amuricus Maxim., Cyperus esculentus L., Cyperus exaltatus Retz., Cyperus rotundus L., Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi, and Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla. Underground parts such as tubers are used with medicinal purpose, and aboveground portions such as leaves and stems provide materials for various tools and foods for people and animals. They are all native to Korea, except C. esculentus, which is introduced from Mediterranean areas for anti-erosion materials. The ethnobotanical value of C. esculentus has been well recognized from ancient times, for example, starch grains in USA (excavations at the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation) and Tiger nut milk (Horchata de chufa in Spain). Among material sources, C. exaltatus has a long history in the Korean peninsula from Three Kingdoms of Korea (57 BC~668 AD). C. rotundus is distributed widely in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, and utilized for medicines, food, and materials. In addition, Eleocharis kuroguwai is only one taxon utilized for ethnobotanical uses among fifteen Eleocharis Korean native species. The number of species with ethnobotanical uses is small in sedge family, but the family has long been utilized accompanying long human history. Cyperus papyrus L., the source of papyrus paper (Egypt in the Nile Delta), is also a member of sedge family. Sedge family has contributed to human societies in various aspects but, the cultural, botanical, ecological values of family members have been underestimated.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.22-22
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• 2019

수국속(Hydrangea L.)은 APG IV분류체계에 따르면 국화군(Asterids), 층층나무목(Cornales), 수국과(Hydrangeaceae)에 속하는 식물로서 동아시아, 북아메리카 동부 지역을 중심으로 분포하며 전 세계에 23여종이 알려져 있다. 한국산 수국속은 Nakai가 H. hortensia var. acuminata의 분포를 기록함으로써 시작되었다. 이후 Nakai는 산수국을 H. acuminata로 재처리, 다시 H. serrata var. acuminata로 변경하였다. 한편 산수국은 분류학적 위치에 대한 이견이 있다. Wilson은 수국과 산수국을 가까운 유연관계를 가지는 독립된 분류군으로 분류하였지만, Makino는 산수국을 수국의 아종인 H. marcrophylla subsp. serrta로 기재하는 등 산수국과 수국의 동정과 계급설정에 혼란이 있는 가운데, 최근 천연물 hydrangenol을 활용한 건강기능식품 개발에서 사용가능 재료의 한계를 설정하기 위한 산수국과 수국에 대한 종 설정 연구도 요구되고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 nrDNA ITS, trnL-F, trnC-ycf6의 3개 구간의 DNA sequence와 NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information)를 참고한 분자생물학적 분석결과와 외부형태학적 재검토 결과를 통하여 H. marcrophylla를 종(Species)으로서의 분류학적 위치 지지하며 또한 수국과 산수국을 가까운 유연관계를 가지는 독립된 분류군으로 분류한 의견을 지지하는 결과를 도출하였다. 향후 hydrangenol 활용의 기초정보로 활용되기를 기대한다.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.331-359
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• 2009

We forecast the performance of the Korean biotechnology industry by adopting similar development paths taken by the U.S. biotechnology and Korean ICT industries. Our long-term forecasting techniques predict that Korean BT market size will increase from 3.7 billion to 10.8 billion U.S. dollars by year 2030. The pharmaceutical industry, one of major bio-subindustries, is expected to dominate Korean BT market in the long-run. Also, the relative portion of the exports in the Korean BT industry will be larger and thus the export-oriented government policy is required for the long-run growth of the Korean BT industry. Since the Korean ICT industry has already slowed down in the development, Korean BT industry is likely to catch up with ICT industry in the near future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.465-475
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• 2024

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K9 is a probiotic strain that can be utilized from various bioactive substances isolated from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae. In this study, a genetic analysis of L. plantarum K9 revealed the existence of a bacterial chromosome and three plasmids. The glycolysis pathway and pentose phosphate pathway were examined for their normal functioning via an analysis of the core metabolic pathways of L. plantarum K9. Since the key enzymes, fluctose-1,6-bisphospatase (EC: 3.1.3.11) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase (EC: 4.2.1.12)/2-keto-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase (EC: 4.2.1.55), of gluconeogenesis and the ED pathway were not identified from the L. plantarum K9 genome, we suggest that gluconeogenesis and the ED pathway are not performed in L. plantarum K9. Additionally, while some enzymes, related to fumarate and malate biosyntheses, involved in the TCA cycle were identified from L. plantarum K9, the enzymes associated with the remaining TCA cycle were absent, indicating that the TCA cycle cannot proceed. Meanwhile, based on our findings, we propose that the oxidative electron transport system performs class IIB-type (bd-type) electron transfer. In summary, we assert that L. plantarum K9 performs homolactic fermentation, executes gluconeogenesis and the pentose phosphate pathway, and carries out energy metabolism through the class IIB-type oxidative electron transport system. Therefore, we suggest that L. plantarum K9 has relatively high lactic acid production, and that it has excellent antibacterial activity, as a result, compared to other lactic acid bacterial strains. Moreover, we speculate that L. plantarum K9 has an oxidative electron transport capability, indicating that it is highly resistant to oxygen and suggesting that it has fine cultivation characteristics, which collectively make it highly suitable for use as a probiotic.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2021

Purpose: The Pedisole is a newly developed shoe-mounted wearable assessment system for analyzing balance and gait. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the parameters provided by the system for static balance and gait analysis of healthy adults. Methods: This study included 38 healthy adults (22.4±1.9 years) with no history of injury in the lower limbs. All participants were asked to perform balance and gait tasks for undertaking measurements. For analysis of balance, both the smart Pedisole and Pedoscan systems were concurrently used to analyze the path length of the center of pressure (COP) and the weight ratio of the left and right for 10 s. Gait was measured using the smart Pedisole and GaitRite walkway systems simultaneously. The participants walked at a self-selected preferred gait speed. The cadence, stance time, swing time, and step time were used to analyze gait characteristics. Using the paired t-test, the intra-class coefficient correlation (ICC) was calculated for reliability. The Spearman correlation was used to assess the validity of the measurements. In total, data for balance from 36 participants and the gait profiles of 37 participants were evaluated. Results: There were significant differences between the COP path lengths (p<.050) derived from the two systems, and a significant correlation was found for COP path length (r=.382~.523) for static balance. The ICC for COP path length and weight ratio was found to be greater than .687, indicating moderate agreement in balance parameters. The ICC of gait parameters was found to be greater than .697 except for stance time, and there was significant correlation (r=.678~.922) with the GaitRite system. Conclusion: The newly developed smart insole-type Pedisole system and the related application are useful, reliable, and valid tools for balance and gait analysis compared to the gold standard Pedoscan and the GaitRite systems in healthy individuals.