• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2022

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a natural neurotoxin found in several species of puffer fish belonging to Tetraodon fugu genus and has been reported to affect processes such as proliferation, metastasis and invasion of various cancer cells. However, it was not revealed which genes were influenced by these reactions. In this experiment, it was examined in human SW620 colorectal cancer cells. The proliferation of SW620 cells was significantly reduced when treated with 0, 1, 10 and 100 μM TTX for 48 h. It was confirmed using Annexin V-propidium iodide staining that some apoptosis was induced. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) affecting cell proliferation through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were selected. The expression change of DEGs was confirmed by conducting quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). As a result, the mRNA expression of FOS and WDR48 genes was found to be increased in the 100 μM TTX treatment group compared to the control group. On the other hand, the mRNA expression of ALKBH7, NDUFA13, RIPPLY3 and SELENOM genes was found to be reduced, and in the case of the ALKBH7 gene was identified to show significant differences. This experiment suggests that TTX can be used as an important fundamental data to elucidate the mechanism that inhibits the proliferation of SW620 cells.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.974-981
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic parameters of growth traits for improving selective breeding in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus produced in April 2019. The total length and body weight at 11-, 18-, and 22-months-old were measured for 7,479, 2,831 and 1,904 individuals, respectively. Since 2004, we have been conducting a selective breeding program to improve growth traits in the olive flounder. Data were analyzed using the restricted maximum likelihood method using the multiple traits animal model. The effect of sex and production period showed significant differences in all traits (P<0.05). The heritability of all traits was 0.428-0.520, which is relatively high by measurement month. Therefore, it is considered that individual selection will be more advantageous than family selection. However, to maintain an appropriate degree of inbreeding and genetic diversity for future generations, it is necessary to consider family selection adequately. Results of the correlation analysis between the same traits according to the measurement period indicated that considering production costs such as feed cost, selection at 18-months-old will be advantageous. Olive flounder is a major aquaculture species in Korea, and continuous selective breeding research is essential to improve productivity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.115-125
• /
• 2022

In this study, we investigated the developmental characteristics and genetic diversity of seven populations of two-spotted crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, 1773 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)) raised in South Korea. Regarding the developmental characteristics of the species, we observed no statistically significant difference in the weight of the nymphs in the six populations we tested. After molting, although weight differences were observed between the populations in each stage of the developmental period, the average weight for each developmental stage was constant. We also analyzed mitochondrial COI gene sequences (DNA barcoding region) of the reared crickets collected from five insect farms and two national insect rearing facilities and the resultant sequences were analyzed together with the 12 sequences from foreign countries specimens obtained from public data. We detected six haplotypes from 111 specimens, indicating a low intraspecific genetic distance (~1.8%). The most dominant haplotype was overwhelmingly haplotype 1, which was found in all South Korean specimens and four specimens from China, Indonesia, and Germany. These findings indicate that the low genetic diversity of South Korean specimens can be explained by the fact that the G. bimaculatus population imported for feed from Japan in the early 2000s became a maternal group that spread throughout cricket farms in South Korea. In order to breed healthy cricket strains, it is necessary to increase genetic diversity by importing them from other countries through appropriate quarantine procedures.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.389-396
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of Houttuynia cordata Thunb extract (HCE) in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, to determine the effects of the extract on the growth performance and colony count, and to establish the optimal concentration of HCE. In total, 60 five-week-old male ICR mice with an average initial body weight (BW) of 27.24 ± 0.44 g were used in a four-week experiment. Mice were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (five replications per group, three mice per cage): 1) a control (CON) group fed with normal distilled water; 2) treatment group 1 (T1) fed with normal distilled water containing 0.05% HCE; 3) treatment group 3 (T3) fed with normal distilled water containing 0.1% HCE; and 4) treatment group 3 (T3) fed with normal distilled water containing 0.2% HCE. BW, feed intake (FI), and water intake were measured on the first, fourteenth, and eighteenth days. T2 showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the experimental period. However, water intake levels did not show significant differences among the groups. In the large intestine and feces, E. coli and Lactobacillus levels were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in the HCE treated group compared to the CON group. Supplying HCE via the drinking water improved the growth performance and colony count in ICR mice. Based on results of this study, utilizing HCE in livestock species is expected to be safe and feasible.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2022

In this study, the selection action on the mesh in the net pot for whelk (Buccinum opisthoplectum) is experimentally considered, and the selectivity was compared by the SELECT model and the Nashimoto's method with the probability model according to the contact shape of the mesh and the whelk. The experiments of the mesh size selectivity was conducted for two mesh sizes: 70 mm (inner stretched size 65.4 mm) and 44 mm (inner stretched size 39.5 mm). Selectivity experiments were conducted three times in total for each mesh size used 264 whelks. In addition, Nashimoto's method analyzed the retention probability using probability model for whether the mesh passed or not based on the carapace width of the whelk. As a result of the selectivity analysis, the 50% selection carapace width for the mesh size of 70 mm was similar to 43.62 mm in the SELECT model and 42.64 mm in the Nashimoto's method. However, the 44 mm mesh with relatively small mesh size showed differences of 40.01 mm and 26.80 mm, respectively. As for the mesh size selectivity of whelk, it was found that the smaller the mesh size, the lower the selectivity. In addition, in the selectivity study on the mesh size of whelk, an evaluation method that closely considers the contact shape between the mesh and the target species is required.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.8-15
• /
• 2021

[Purpose] Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by prolonged high-intensity exercise can cause structural and functional damage. Antioxidant polyphenol supplementation, which reduces ROS levels, may improve high-intensity exercise performance. We evaluated the effect of lychee fruit extract, which contains high levels of low-molecular-weight oligomerized polyphenols, on high-intensity exercise performance. [Methods] Ten male athletes were included in an open-label trial that consisted of control and intervention phases, with a 7-day washout period between phases. The participants were administered oligomerized lychee fruit extract for seven days, whereas no intervention was given in the control phase. High-intensity intermittent exercise and the Wingate test were performed. The power output, blood lactate levels, reactive oxygen metabolite levels, biological antioxidant potential, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion were measured. [Results] The average power output was significantly higher in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.01), while the change in blood lactate levels was significantly lower in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.05). The average heart rate was significantly higher in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.05), without changing the rate of perceived exertion. Although there was no difference in reactive oxygen metabolite levels between the phase, the change in biological antioxidant potential was larger in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P = 0.06). The Wingate test showed no significant differences between the phase. [Conclusion] Short-term loading with oligomerized lychee fruit extract may increase performance during high-intensity intermittent exercise by improving metabolism.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2022

Smilax sieboldii is one of the Smilax species. A number of Smilax plants have long been used in traditional medicine in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. Repeated dose oral toxicity test is an essential experiment for toxicity evaluation before efficacy evaluation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate toxicity and the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using oral administration of Smilax sieboldii extract (SSE) in male and female ICR mice for 4 weeks. SSE was orally administered daily for 4 weeks at a dose of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day (MPK). There were no significant differences in mortalities, clinical signs, body weight changes, food intake, hematological analysis, serum clinical chemistry test and relative organ weights in all animals administrated with SSE. The results obtained in this study suggest that SSE did not show any toxic effect in ICR mice and the NOAEL of SSE was regarded as over 2000 MPK.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.219-223
• /
• 2010

It has long been recognized that wild vegetation are sort of improving fitness. Many peoples are now ingesting them instead of the vegetables that are grown in green house. In this regard, Parasenecio firmus, which is considered to be one of the rare species in Korea, has been given a lot of attentions as edible green plants recently. Hence it may be necessary to provide the information people who want to commercially cultivate the plants. Regarding appropriate forest stands that are fit for the cultivation. Firstly, we collected the seeds from 4 natural habitats to find out how many seeds are fully matured in the natural conditions. The quality of the seeds collected were found to be very low. However, it appeared as clear differences when screened seeds were grown in covered seed beds over winter. In this case the germination rate of the seeds was 95%, indicating that there may be no difficulty for mass production of plantlets. Secondly, in the field of planting test in an appropriate cultivating site among 6 of forest stands, those in Pinus koraiensis stand were the highest in survival rate, but somewhat low with those in Quercus mongolica and broad-leaved stands. Thus, it was demonstrated that forest stands dominated with conifer like P. koraiensis are more appropriate for the cultivation of P. firums.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.875-890
• /
• 2021

In order to confirm the safety of a genetically modified organism (GMO), we assess its potential toxicity on non-target insects and spiders. In this study, the effects of GM soybean, a type of vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean with tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate, were assessed under a field condition. The study compared this vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and a non-GM soybean (Gwangan) in a living modified organism (LMO) isolated field of Kyungpook National University (Gunwi) and the National Institute Agricultural Sciences (Jeonju) in the Republic of Korea in 2019 - 2020. In total, 207,760 individual insects and arachnids, representing 81 families and 13 orders, were collected during the study. From the two types of soybean fields, corresponding totals of 105,765 and 101,995 individuals from the vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and Gwangan samples areas were collected. An analysis of variance indicated no significant differences (p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis showed that the dominance and richness outcomes of plant-dwelling insects were similar. The data on insect species population densities were subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) and an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), which did not distinguish between the two varieties, i.e., the vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and the non-GM soybean in any cultivated field. However, the results of the PCA analysis could be divided overall into four groups based on the yearly survey areas. Therefore, there was no evidence for the different impact of vitamin A-enhanced transgenic soybean on the above-ground insects and spiders compared to non-GM soybean.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.607-620
• /
• 2023

The biocontrol approach using beneficial microorganisms to control crop diseases is becoming an essential alternative to chemical fungicides. Therefore, new and efficient biocontrol agents (BCA) are needed. In this study, a rhizospheric actinomycete isolate showed unique and promising antagonistic activity against three of the most common phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum MH105, Rhizoctonia solani To18, and Alternaria brassicicola CBS107. Identification of the antagonistic strain, which was performed according to spore morphology and cell wall chemotype, suggested that it belongs to the Nocardiopsaceae. Furthermore, cultural, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, together with phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene (OP869859.1), indicated the identity of this strain to Nocardiopsis alba. The cell-free filtrate (CFF) of the strain was evaluated for its antifungal potency, and the resultant inhibition zone diameters ranged from 17.0 ± 0.92 to 19.5 ± 0.28 mm for the tested fungal species. Additionally, the CFF was evaluated in vitro to control Fusarium wilt disease in Vicia faba using the spraying method under greenhouse conditions, and the results showed marked differences in virulence between the control and treatment plants, indicating the biocontrol efficacy of this actinomycete. A promising plant-growth promoting (PGP) ability in seed germination and seedling growth of V. faba was also recorded in vitro for the CFF, which displayed PGP traits of phosphate solubilization (48 mg/100 ml) as well as production of indole acetic acid (34 ㎍/ml) and ammonia (20 ㎍/ml). This study provided scientific validation that the new rhizobacterium Nocardiopsis alba strain BH35 could be further utilized in bioformulation and possesses biocontrol and plant growth-promoting capabilities.