• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.731-736
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• 2017

Taste sensitivity to sugars plays an essential role in the initiation of feeding behavior. In Drosophila melanogaster, recent studies have identified several gustatory receptor (Gr) genes required for sensing sweet compounds. However, it is as yet undetermined how these GRs function as taste receptors tuned to a wide range of sugars. Among sugars, fructose has been suggested to be detected by a distinct receptor from other sugars. While GR43A has been reported to sense fructose in the brain, it is not expressed in labellar gustatory receptor neurons that show taste response to fructose. In contrast, the Gr64a-Gr64f gene cluster was recently shown to be associated with fructose sensitivity. Here we sought to decipher the genes required for fructose response among Gr64a-Gr64f genes. Unexpectedly, the qPCR analyses for these genes show that labellar expression levels of Gr64d and Gr64e are higher in fructose low-sensitivity flies than in high-sensitivity flies. Moreover, gustatory nerve responses to fructose in labellar sensilla are higher in Gr64d and Gr64f mutant lines than in mutant flies of the other Gr64a-Gr64f genes. These data suggest the possibility that deletion of GR64D or GR64F may indirectly induce enhanced fructose sensitivity in the labellum. Finally, we conclude that response to fructose cannot be explained by a single one of the Gr64a-Gr64f genes.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.11b
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• pp.25-32
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• 2001

Potatoes have been recognized for a long time as one of the major food crops as well as horticultural crops. Potato production as a table food has been decreased in developed countries, while it has been steadily increased in the third world countries for it importance as food source. It is a new trend to look for the food, not only as a feeding crop but also healthy food. It is also time for the potato producers to look for the potato having high economic value as found in medicinal plants. There are great diversities in potato species, indicating that valuable compounds can be found in different amounts, depending on potato species. We screened the cultivars, breeding clones, and germplasms based on the vitamin C, Vitamin E, antioxidant compounds, diverse sugar types, important amino acids, and other valuable compounds. We could select the breeding clones KC003, 98Wl17, 99j717, and Vally 8 (A group) due to their high levels of antioxidant compounds, and it can be said that most of the red and purple colored potato clones belong to the A group. In the contents of essential amino acids, ‘Taebook Valley’,‘Summer Valley’ and other breeding clones were found to be high in amount. We also made crosses between breeding clones with high biological function and low agronomic traits and low biological function with high quality in agronomic characteristics . The patterns of genetic trends of these offsprings in comparison with their parents will be reported as well. And the potential of using potato as antibody production of anti-cancer will be discussed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.253-270
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• 2007

Objectives : This study has been carried out to understand the effect of Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Seungmagalgeuntang on the hyperglycemic mice induced with Streptozotocin(STZ). Methods : The 60mg/kg of STZ was fed into mice twice by 24 h interval and then 120mg/kg STZ was fed again 3 days after the earlier feeding, Control group was administered mice with 0.9% saline(2mL/kg/day), and experimental groups were administered Cimicifugae Rhizoma extract(CA group, 10mg/kg/day; CB group, 30mg/kg/day) or Seungmagalgeuntang(SA group, 10mg/kg/day; SB group, 30mg/kg/day) after hyperglycemic induction for 6 weeks. Results : The body weight of experimental groups higher than control. The blood glucose concentration of the control group increased continuously reaching to 298.9 mg/dL after 6 weeks, however, significantly(p<0.01 or p<0.05) decreased in the SA and SB groups compared with control group. Blood insulin level significantly(p<0.01) increased in the experimental groups. The activities of SOD and catalase were more decreased in the experimental group than control group compared with normal group. In the point of pancreatic immunohistochemical change, the experimental group's pancreatic islets have increased and enlarged and the concentration of insulin-positive beta cells has also increased, comparing with the control group. Meanwhile forms of nucleus and mitochondria in the experimental group's hepatic cells were almost similar to the normal group. Conclusion : The result from the six weeks of observation demonstrates that the extracts from Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Seungmagalgeuntang have positive effects on lowering blood sugar level and elevating insulin concentration. The extract had also effects on recovering and regenerating pancreatic tissue of the hyperglycemic mice induced with STZ. At the same time, it had a protective effect against hepatotoxicity as well.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 1985

This study was designed to observe the nutritional effects of mugwort powder in albino rats. Forty eight young male albino rats, Sprague-Dawley strain, body weight of $80{\pm}3g$ were employed in the study. They were fed on the basal diets supplemented with 0,2,4,6, and 10% mugwort powder for 4 weeks respectively. The amounts of food and protein intake in animal groups of 4 to 8% mugwder supplemented were higher than that of control group. The efficiencies of food and protein in animal groups of mugwort powder supplemented were lower than that of nonsupplemented group. The animal group of 4% mugwort powder supplemented group was highest in energy intake among of other groups. The growing rate of animal groups of 2-6% mugwort powder supplemented groups were similar to that of the control group where as 8% or more of mugwort powder supplemented groups were below than the control group. The contents of hemoglobin and hematocrit were no remarkable difference among of the all groups. The levels of blood sugar in the groups of 8% and 10% mugwort powder supplemented were significantly higher than that of the control group, but their A/G ratio of the serum protein were significantly lower than that of the control group instead.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.206-219
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• 2023

Objectives: Screen time refers to the time spent using screen media, such as televisions, smartphones, computers, or tablets. Excessive exposure to screen media has been reported to negatively impact young children's health and development, including overweight, short sleep duration, and language delays. This study examined the association of screen time and mealtime media use with dietary behaviors among preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on parents of children aged three to five years using the online questionnaires of the Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers (NQ-P) and the Dietary Screening Test (DST). Data from 261 children's parents were analyzed. Results: Of the 261 children, 96.9% used screen media, 55.6% used screen media for two hours or more daily, and 30.7% were exposed to screen media during meals. The NQ-P scores were significantly lower in the children with longer screen time and mealtime media use. Children who used screen media for two hours or more and those exposed to screen media during meals consumed kimchi less frequently and confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages more frequently than children who used less than two hours and were not exposed to screen media during meals. In addition, they were more likely to be picky about food, refuse to eat, and less likely to feed themselves than children with shorter screen time and no mealtime media use. Conclusions: This study reported an association between unhealthy dietary behaviors, feeding difficulties, and screen time and mealtime media use among preschool children. Further research should explore effective strategies for reducing children's screen time.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.104-114
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• 2023

In this study, the distribution, bait preference, hosts, symbionts, habitat status, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit-I sequences of the ant Linepithema humile were analyzed. This species habitat comprised approximately 1.5 km along stone crevices, flower gardens, roadsides, and container yards in the vicinity of Busan station, Korea. Feeding activity of this species was confirmed in 9 species of 7 families of plants. Which was approximately 14% of total flora (63 species of 37 families) in the studied area. Particularly, it was observed that Dendranthema indicum and Camellia japonica were the most frequently visited. Further, we verified that they interacted with four species of aphids. We identified 22 species of ants (17 genera, 4 subfamilies) inhabiting the Busan station area, including L. humile, Tetramorium tsushimae, Nylanderia flavipes and the alien species Paratrechina longicornis. In areas where L. humile was the dominant species, the habitat of local native ants was reduced by approximately 30%. Bait preference was ranked in the following order: jelly, water with glucose (25%), and yogurt, with the highest preference for baits containing sugar and protein. The 630-bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit-I sequences of the local L. humile populations were 99% identical to those of L. humile in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, and the Argentine ants that invaded Korea had a sequence identical to that of other invasive populations from China, Japan, and New Zealand. As L. humile rapidly increases due to domestic adaptation, continuous monitoring and control strategy for eradication are needed to protect domestic biodiversity.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2008

Development of T. urticae was studied on the leaves of eggplant grown in hydroponics with silica contents of 0 mM, 1.7 mM, and 5.1 mM. As the levels of sllica increased, those of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg decreased and those of Si increased. While contents of calory, crude protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C decreased, those of ash, fiber, and sugar increased. Biomass and content of cholorophyll decreased as the level of silica increased while leaves became thicker. Laboratory leaf disc tests provided with various silica levels revealed that feeding preference of T. urticae was the highest at 0 mM and the lowest at 1.7 mM. The oviposition preference decreased as the levels of silica increased, on the lower leaf appeared to hinder the feeding and the oviposition of T. urticae. The development slowed down both in female and male. Adult life span of female shortend as the silica level increased and that of male was the longest as 5.7 days at 0mM and the shortest at 1.7 mM. Oviposition period also shortened as the silica content increased. The number of eggs laid was the most as 86.3 at 1.7 mM while average oviposition per day was the least as 77 at 0 mM. No differences in hatchability was detected whereas the ratio of sex was the highest as 0.71 in favor of female at 0mM. $R_o$ and T decreased as the levels of silica increased. Rm and $\lambda$ was the lowest at 5.1 mM while Dt was the longest as 1.8271 at 5.1 mM and the shortest as 1.6991 days at 1.7 mM. Silica content in eggplant turned to affect the development of T. urticae, however, it deterred T. urticae from feeding and oviposition and the rate of increase tended to decrease due to lesser nutrients in the eggplant leaf.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.374-380
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• 2006

In this study, glucose, sucrose, and dextrin were found to be better carbon sources for the production of pullulan by Aureobasidium pullulans HP-2001. Maximal production of pullulan with 200 g/l sucrose as a carbon source was 54.2 g/l. The highest yield of pullulan from sucrose was 0.40, when the sugar concentration was 100 g/1. Optimal conditions for the continuous production of pullulan by A. pullulans HP-2001 in a 7-1 bioreactor were determined by studying the effects of composition of feed solution, dilution rate, and concentration of sucrose in the feed solution. Pullulan concentration and productivity with 100 g/l glucose and 2.5 g/l yeast extract were 38.1 g/l and 0.53 g/l h for 72 h, respectively, in a batch culture of A. pullulans HP-2001. When the substituted medium contained 100 g/l sucrose, 2.5 g/l yeast extract, and mineral salts, which is the same composition as the medium for the production of pullulan, the pullulan concentration and productivity were 74.9 g/l and 0.55 g/l h for 120 h, respectively. The production of pullulan at the steady state increased with a dilution rate up to 0.015/h, and its concentration was 78.4 g/l with a weight average molecular weight ($M_w$) of $4.0{\times}10^5$. Unlike a batch culture, however, the decline of the $M_w$ and the number average molecular weight ($M_n$) of pullulan was not found in the continuous culture of A. pullulans HP-2001. When the concentration of sucrose in the feed solution was 200 g/l, 113.5 g/l of pullulan was obtained at the steady state. The steady state was maintained longer in the continuous culture fed with the feed solution containing 200 g/l sucrose than when fed with the feed solutions containing either 100 or 150 g/l sucrose.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 1973

Metabolic responses to the protein-free, high-carbohydrate diet and subsequent food restriction on the same diet at the level of 50% and 75% has been studied on the adult albino rats. The energy source was either corn starch or sugar. In experiment I, adult male rats weighing $509{\pm}8g$ were divided into two groups 10 rats each. Rats fed on the stock diet served as a control. Rats of restriction group received a protein free diet until they reduced their weight down to 400g and continue on a protein-calorie restriction diet until they reduced their weight down to 300g. In experiment II, 28 adult male rats and the same numbers of female rats weighing $329{\pm}5g$ and $223{\pm}4g$ respectively were divided into four groups, 7 males and females in each. Rats fed on a stock diet were sacrificed at the point when others started a protein free diet. These were served as the control. The protein free group received a protein free diet ad libitum for 4 weeks. The 50% restriction group and 75% restriction group were fed on a protein free diet coupled with food restriction at levels of 50% and 75% respectively for 3 weeks. In the result of this study: 1. The rate of body weight changes was similar between the males and the females. Feeding protein free diet ad lib. initiated a rapid weight lost of approximately 25% and protein free diet coupled with food restriction showed 37-43% reduction of their initial weight. 2. There was no significant differences in the value of the N concentration in liver, spleen, brain and muscle between controls and experimental groups. 3. Rats fed on protein free diet showed 1/10 value of the control in the nitrogen excretion in urine. However female showed less N excretion than male. 4. Observing blood picture, the effects of protein depletion and calorie restriction were not appeared any remarkable changes. 5. There was no sign of fatty liver which might result from protein depletion and calorie restriction. 6. Following semi-starvation, FAO and HMP-DH total enzyme activity was reduced, but activity per unit weight was relatively stable.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.422-429
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• 1992

The effect of various water-activity depressors, such as pol yo Is, sugars, and polymers, on the conversion yields of the enzymatic synthesis of maltosyl-$\beta$-cyclodextrin from $\beta$-cyc1odextrin and maltose through reverse reaction of pullulanase was investigated. PEG 6000 of concentration of 10% (w/w) was found to be the most acceptable water-activity depressor resulting for increment of conversion yield from 43.0% to 55.9%, corresponding maltosyl-$\beta$-cyc1odextrin concentration of 3.02 g/100 ml H20. Water activity was changed from initial 0.966 to 0.914 upon addition of 20% (w/w) of PEG 6000. The conversion yields were inversely proportional to the water activities, and the increased conversion yield was caused by water activity depression which inhibited the hydrolysis reaction of maltosyl-$\beta$-CD to maltose and $\beta$-cyc1odextrin. The changes of enthalpy ($\Delta$H), entropy ($\Delta$S), and Gibbs free energy ($\Delta$G) were calculated to be 36.788 kJ/mole, 0.067 kJ/mole K. and 14.433 kJ/mole, respectively. The synthesis of maltosyl-$\beta$-CD could be increased substantially by the intermittent feeding of $\beta$-cyclodextrin. PEG 6000 could be separated effectively from reaction mixture using ultrafiltration membrane for reutilization.