• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2011

The major function of adipocytes is to store fat in the form of triglycerides. One of the signaling pathways known to affect adipogenesis, i.e. fat formation, is the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which inhibits the expression and activity of key regulators of adipogenesis. The purpose of this research is to find genes among the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which regulate adipogenesis by using small interfering (si) RNA and to find the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene with serum triglyceride levels in the human population. To elucidate the effects of ${\beta}$-catenin siRNA on adipogenesis key factors, PPAR${\gamma}$ and C/EBP${\alpha}$, we performed real-time PCR and western blotting experiments for the analyses of mRNA and protein levels. It was found that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of ${\beta}$-catenin upregulates adipogenesis key factors. However, upstream regulators of the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway, such as DVL2 and LRP6, had no significant effects compared to ${\beta}$-catenin. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-catenin is a candidate gene for human fat accumulation. In general, serum triglyceride level is a good indicator of fat accumulation in humans. According to statistical analyses of the association between serum triglyceride level and SNPs of ${\beta}$-catenin, -10,288 C>T SNP (rs7630377) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum triglyceride levels (p<0.05) in 290 Korean subjects. On the other hand, serum cholesterol levels were not significantly associated with SNPs of the ${\beta}$-catenin gene. The results of this study showed that ${\beta}$-catenin is associated with fat accumulation both in vitro and in the human population.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1414
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• 2012

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective regimen that has been found to prevent these diseases in postmenopausal women. However, HRT is accompanied by an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eisenia Bicyclis extract on lipids in ovariectomized rats. Fifty 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Eisenia bicyclis extracts. The extract-treated diets were fed to the rats for 6 weeks after operation. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 55.9% in a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. We measured the total cholesterol content, triglyceride content, HDL-cholesterol content, LDL-cholesterol content, atherosclerotic index, cardiac risk factor in serum, and anti-platelet aggregation and blood rheology. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum increased for the OVX-control group, but supplementation with the E. bicyclis extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the OVX-EB200 group was significantly lower than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the blood passage times in rats that received the E. bicyclis extract were more rapid than the times in the untreated group (OVX-CON). Microscopic evaluation revealed that whole blood passed more smoothly through the microchannels in rats in the E. bicyclis extract supplement groups. Our results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently we expect positive effects from providing E. bicyclis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1295-1306
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• 2012

A microorganism producing carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) was isolated from seawater and identified as Bacillus atrophaeus. This species was designated as B. atrophaeus LBH-18 based on its evolutionary distance and the phylogenetic tree resulting from 16S rDNA sequencing and the neighbor-joining method. The optimal conditions for rice bran (68.1 g/l), peptone (9.1 g/l), and initial pH (7.0) of the medium for cell growth was determined by Design Expert Software based on the response surface method; conditions for production of CMCase were 55.2 g/l, 6.6 g/l, and 7.1, respectively. The optimal temperature for cell growth and the production of CMCase by B. atrophaeus LBH-18 was $30^{\circ}C$. The optimal conditions of agitation speed and aeration rate for cell growth in a 7-l bioreactor were 324 rpm and 0.9 vvm, respectively, whereas those for production of CMCase were 343 rpm and 0.6 vvm, respectively. The optimal inner pressure for cell growth and production of CMCase in a 100-l bioreactor was 0.06 MPa. Maximal production of CMCase under optimal conditions in a 100-l bioreactor was 127.5 U/ml, which was 1.32 times higher than that without an inner pressure. In this study, rice bran was developed as a carbon source for industrial scale production of CMCase by B. atrophaeus LBH-18. Reduced time for the production of CMCase from 7 to 10 days to 3 days by using a bacterial strain with submerged fermentation also resulted in increased productivity of CMCase and a decrease in its production cost.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1732-1739
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lotus root and leaf powder on the quality characteristics of pork patty stored at $3^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. The pork patties were of four types: nothing added(control, T0), 0.5% lotus root powder added (T1), 0.25% lotus root and 0.25% lotus leaf powder added (T2), and 0.5% lotus leaf powder added (T3). The $a^*$ value tended to decrease with longer storage period (p<0.05). The $L^*$ and $a^*$ value of T3 had the lowest value among the samples, the $b^*$ value T2 and T3 were higher than those of T0 and T1 (p<0.05). Water holding capacity decreased with longer storage period (p<0.05), the water holding capacity, cooking loss, increase rate of thickness and decrease rate of diameter were not significantly different among the samples. Hardness and chewiness increased and springiness decreased with longer storage period (p<0.05). The pH creased with longer storage period (p<0.05), but the VBN content not changed during storage. The TBARS values increased with longer storage period (p<0.05), and those of T0, T1, T2 and T3 were 4.57, 1.85, 0.43 and 0.41 mg MA/kg, respectively, after 9 days of the storage. The result suggest that the addition of lotus root and leaf powder at the same time, or addition of lotus leaf powder can be applied to pork patty to its functionality.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 12-weeks of movement training would increase the psoas major cross-sectional area (CSA) in senior men and women. Fifty eight men and women aged 65 to 80 years old ($69.6{\pm}3.7$, 30 male, 28 female) were divided into a control (n=19) and exercise group (n=39). Subjects were assessed before and after the training program for stature, body mass, and magnetic resonance imaging of the psoas major and the quadriceps muscle. The experimental group performed exercises using machines designed to improve the movement of the hip at a frequency of twice every week, with a total of 23 trainings in 12-weeks. Magnetic resonance images of both thighs and the abdomen and psoas major were obtained, aimed at 50% of the length of the greater trochanter and the lower edge of the femur and between the fourth (L4) and fifth (L5) lumbars. A 9.4% increase in the psoas major CSA in the training group was observed. In the male and female breakdown, a 11.5% and 8.4% change was observed in males and females, respectively. In the quadriceps, there was no significant statistical improvement in either males or females. Furthermore, in the control group, there was no significant change seen in either the psoas major or the quadriceps. As a result of conducting training that enables upkeep of posture and smooth linkage of the lumbar spine, the pelvis and thighbone, the psoas major CSA of older adults were improved in a short period of time. For this reason, the possibility of improving the psoas CSA, which decreases remarkably with increased age, by improving the linkage of the body trunk is also suggested.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.959-966
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• 2014

This study was carried out to develop a functional healthy drink using 60% ethanol of dried Acanthopanax senticosus stem extract (ASE). The preparation, physical activity, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory properties of ASE were investigated. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and ash contents of dried ASE were $6.50{\pm}0.12%$, $5.89{\pm}0.16%$, $1.18{\pm}0.11%$, and $3.03{\pm}0.40%$ respectively. The 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was $87.42{\pm}1.63%$ at 1/10 folds diluted ASE. In total, 40 male ICR mice were divided into five groups including the control (PBS), positive control (Red ginseng 200 mg/kg/day), and ASE-treated groups at doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg/day for five weeks, respectively. ASE was administrated orally one time per day for five weeks before treadmill exercises, and normal and positive controls were fed PBS and red ginseng extract. In the treadmill test, ASE-treated mice (140 mg/kg/day) could run 1.4 times longer than the control mice. Healthy drinks were prepared with the addition of ASE at levels of 0.97% or 0.49% (A, B, and C type). Among the healthy drinks, the B type (ASE, 0.97%) was revealed to have the highest level of taste and overall acceptability through a sensory evaluation. The brix and pH of the ASE health drink (B type) were 14.9 and 4.51, respectively. These results indicated that the dried stem of Acanthopanax senticosus could be used as a functional material in the health drink industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1501-1508
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• 2013

This study investigated antioxidant activity and the lipid content of serum for the possible outcome of improving the activity of Ishige okamurae extracts in ovariectomized rats. The antioxidant effects of an Ishige okamurae water extract and an Ishige okamurae ethanol extract were measured by evaluating DPPH free radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity. Fifty, seven-week old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats that were treated with 17-beta-estradiol (200 ${\mu}g/kg/day$), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Ishige okamurae extracts (50 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively). The diets were fed to the rats for seven weeks after ovariectomy. The antioxidant activities of the water and ethanol extracts of Ishige okamurae increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the ethanol extract was found to be higher than the water extract. Therefore, we examined the effect of an Ishige okamurae ethanol extract on total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels, and anti-platelet aggregation. The total-cholesterol and triglyceride content of the serum increased in the OVX-CON group compared to the SHAM group, but supplementation with the Ishige okamurae ethanol extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the supplemented 200 mg/kg/day Ishige okamurae ethanol extract group was significantly more reduced than it was in the OVX-CON group. In addition, the platelet aggregation ability was lower in the groups treated with Ishige okamurae than it was in the OVX-CON group. According to these results, the effects of Ishige okamurae extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats were illuminated.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.179-187
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the impact of elevated temperature and $CO_2$ concentration based on climate change scenario on growth and fruit quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Muhanjilju) with SPAR (Soil Plant Atmosphere Research) chamber. The intraday temperatures of climate normal years fixed by $20.8^{\circ}C$ during the growing season (May 1~October 30) of climatic normal years (1971~2000) in Andong region. There were treated with 4 groups such like a control group (ambient temperature and 400ppm $CO_2$), an elevated $CO_2$ group (ambient temperature and 800ppm $CO_2$), an elevated temperature group (ambient temperature+$6^{\circ}C$ and 400ppm $CO_2$) and an elevated temperature/$CO_2$ group (ambient temperature+$6^{\circ}C$ and 800ppm $CO_2$). Compared with the control, plant height, branch number and leaf number increased under the elevated temperature and elevated temperature/$CO_2$ group. However, leaf area and chlorophyll content showed a tendency of decreasing in the elevated temperature group and elevated temperature/$CO_2$ group. The number of flower and bud were decreased in the elevated temperature and elevated temperature/$CO_2$ group (mean temperature at $26.8^{\circ}C$) during the growth period. The total number and the weight of fruits were decreased in the elevated temperature group and elevated temperature/$CO_2$ group more than the control group. While the weight, length and diameter of fruit decreased more than those of control as the temperature and $CO_2$ concentration increased gradually. This result suggests that the fruit yield could be decreased under the elevated temperature/$CO_2$ ($6^{\circ}C$ higher than atmospheric temperature/2-fold higher than atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration), whereas the percentage of ripen fruits after 100 days of planting was increased, and showed earlier harvest time than the control.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.199-207
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• 2016

This study was conducted to develop a forest fire occurrence model using meteorological characteristics for practical forecasting of forest fire danger rate by reflecting the climate change for the time period of 2000yrs. Forest fire in South Korea is highly influenced by humidity, wind speed, temperature, and precipitation. To effectively forecast forest fire occurrence, we developed a forest fire danger rating model using weather factors associated with forest fire in 2000yrs. Forest fire occurrence patterns were investigated statistically to develop a forest fire danger rating index using times series weather data sets collected from 76 meteorological observation centers. The data sets were used for 11 years from 2000 to 2010. Development of the national forest fire occurrence probability model used a logistic regression analysis with forest fire occurrence data and meteorological variables. Nine probability models for individual nine provinces including Jeju Island have been developed. The results of the statistical analysis show that the logistic models (p<0.05) strongly depends on the effective and relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and rainfall. The results of verification showed that the probability of randomly selected fires ranges from 0.687 to 0.981, which represent a relatively high accuracy of the developed model. These findings may be beneficial to the policy makers in South Korea for the prevention of forest fires.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.2 s.24
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• pp.217-223
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• 1988

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of scoliosis in elementary, middle and high school boys in May 1988. The study population included 1,393 male students in Pusan ; 463 students of 4th grade in two elementary schools, 543 students of 1st grade in one middle school and 387 students of 1st grade in one high school. The students of elementary school were screened with inspection by two physicians at the same time and the students of middle and high schools were screened with both inspection by the same physicians and 70mm chest X-ray. Positive students in any one of the two screening tests were measured for height and body weight and asked for the shoulder side on which he carries the school bag. The angle of curvature on X-ray film was measured by Cobb's method. The number of positive students in any one of the two screening tests were 15(3.2%) in elementary schools, 174(32.0%) in middle school and 92(23.8%) in high school. However, positive rates in both tests were only 2.2% for the middle school students and 2.6% for the high school students and among these students 1.1% out of total middle school students and 2.3% of high school students had a curvature equal to or greater than $5^{\circ}$ of Cobb's angle on 70mm chest X-ray film. There was a statistically significant association between the direction of spinal curve and the shoulder side on which one carries school bag among positive students in both screening 1.sts (p<0.05) Mean height and body weight of 281 positive students in any one of two screening tests were compared with the Korean standard for the same age. Mean weight of elementary school students was nearly the same as the standard weight but the height was slightly shorter than the standard. However, both mean height and weight of the middle school students were lower than the standard while those of the high school students were higher. The prevalence rate of scoliosis for the 2nd and 3rd grades of high school is presumed to be higher than that of the 1st grade of high school and the rate for girls will be even higher than the rate for boys of the same age. Thus, scoliosis seems to be an important school health problem. To prevent scoliosis, it is recommeded to reduce the weight of school bag, educate the students to keep a right posture and exercise periodically.