• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.724-734
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• 2019

The present study investigated the cytotoxicity of particulate matter (PM) derived from car air filter (outdoor PM) and home cleaner filter (indoor PM) in the various human cell lines. Each outdoor and indoor PM were harvested by ethanol extraction method, subsequently sieved with 10 um filter paper, sterilized with autoclave and added to culture media. The half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the outdoor PM, compared with indoor PM, and the significantly (p<0.05) higher $IC_{50}$ values were observed in the cancer cell lines (A-549 lung adenocarcinoma and AGS stomach adenocarcinoma), than those of normal MRC-5 fibroblasts and dental papilla tissue derived-mesenchymal stem cells (DSC). After being exposed to $100{\mu}g/ml$ outdoor PM for 7 days, the population doubling time (PDT) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in especially MRC-5 and DSC cell lines, compared with untreated cell lines. Further, the expression of senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity was up-regulated in all the cells exposed to outdoor PM than those of untreated control. Besides, the expression level of inflammation-associated genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was found to be significantly (p<0.05) increased in the outdoor PM-treated cell lines than those of untreated cell lines. Our results showed that PM induces the cytotoxicity via arrest of cell growth, cell damage and inflammation response.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2018

Inflammation is the most common condition in the human body. Tissue damage triggers inflammation, together with vasodilation and increased blood flow at the inflamed site, resulting in edema. Inflammatory responses are also triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive organism, has been reported to possess immunomodulatory and preventive activities; however, its use may present risks of sepsis and other systemic infections. Heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis (EF-2001) has been reported to induce antitumor activity, but its effects on inflammation are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EF-2001 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory responses. EF-2001 treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating suppression of inflammatory reactions. EF-2001 showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EF-2001 indicated that EF-2001 reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. EF-2001 also reduced f the LPS induction of several inflammatory molecules involved in the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, including ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, EF-2001 inhibited Akt phosphorylation and increased the expression of the inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$) protein, an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EF-2001 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that EF-2001 has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2019

This study was initiated to find possibility of substitute of gibberellin acid and to prevent negative girdling effect such as slow growth of 'Niitaka' (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) trees, a major pear cultivar, at harvest and at 60-, 90-, and 120-d after storage. Seasonal wiring with 3.0-mm-diameter were applied on the main branch at 70, 80, 90, 110, and 130 days after full bloom (DAF) to compare the fruit quality and storability. Fruit weight and sugar contents were the greatly increased by the wiring treatment at 110 DAF, with the lowest values observed for the wiring at 70 DAF. All the wiring treatments reduced fruit acidity but did not affect fruit firmness. a-value on fruit skin was the highest for wiring at 110 DAF and 130 DAF, advancing fruit ripening. The lowest fruit weight loss was occurred at wiring at 110 DAF. a-value on fruit skin was the highest for wiring at 90 DAF and 110 DAF. Wiring at 80 DAF the most increased floral bud diameter, resulting in the lowest L:D ratio of 1.74 observed. As for the mineral nutrients concentrations of floral buds, the concentration of K (0.63%) and Mg (0.31%) were the highest after 80 DAF wiring treatment, whereas Ca and P concentrations did not differ among treatment plots. The leaf K concentrations was the highest in the 130-day wiring treatment (0.76%) and in the control plot (0.78%), whereas there was no significant difference in the concentrations of either Ca or P among treatment plots. Short periods of wiring increased foliar Mg concentrations. In floral buds, carbohydrates showed a tendency for accumulating at a lower concentrations (7.75%) after 70 DAF wiring treatment, which was a relatively short treatment period. On the other hand, the carbohydrate concentrations in leaves showed a tendency for accumulating at lower concentrations after 130 DAF wiring treatment (2.51%), which is a long treatment period, and in the control plot (2.43%). Wiring increased the size and sugar content of fruits, and influenced fruit storability. For the wiring treatment period was delayed, the carbohydrate concentration in flower buds showed curvilinear correlation and the negative correlation with the carbohydrate in leaf tissue.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.354-361
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• 2019

The red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in traditional Korean food, containing vitamins A, C, and E, polyphenol, and flavonoids. In addition, red peppers have high anti-oxidant ability and are known to be effective in preventing obesity, diabetes, hypertension, digestive disorders, stress, and aging. In this study, we investigated the effects against obesity and diabetes of both fermented and non-fermented red pepper. C57BL/6N mice with induced obesity from an eight-week 45% high fat diet (HFD) were then fed either an HFD or diets containing 2.5% non-fermented red pepper marc (NRM), 1.25% fermented red pepper marc (FRM), or 2.5% FRM for a further eight weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed seven weeks after dietary intake, and body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, serum insulin level, and HOMA-IR were measured and a lipid content test performed at eight weeks. The results show that the 2.5% FRM diet reduced body and tissue weight, lipid content, serum insulin levels, and HOMA-IR compared to the 2.5% NRM and HFD diets. These results suggest that fermented red pepper is effective against obesity and diabetes. We will use this information as the basic data for the development of health food materials using red pepper.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of either moderate or high intensity aerobic exercise on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the high fat diet-induced obese mice. The 4 weeks male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal diet control (NC; n=10), high-fat diet control (HC; n=10), high fat diet with moderate intensity exercise (HME; n=10), or high fat diet with high intensity exercise (HIE; n=10) groups. The high fat diet was given 60% calories from fat whereas normal diet was given 18% calories from fat. The moderate intensity exercise group (HME) was set at 10m/min in the first 2 weeks, 12m/min in 3-5 weeks and 14m/min in 6-16 weeks and the high intensity exercise group (HIE) was set at 14m/min in the first 2 weeks, 17m/min in 3-5 weeks and 18m/min in 6-16 weeks. The semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was used to analyze the gene expression. The moderate intensity exercise significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, F480, CD11c and CD86. Further, the moderate intensity exercise significantly increased CD206 and $PGC1{\alpha}$, BMP7 and PRDM. The high intensity exercise significantly reduced NLRP3, CD11c and CD86. Further, the high intensity exercise significantly increased $PGC1{\alpha}$ and BMP7. In conclusion, moderate intensity exercise has more positive effects on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte maskers compared to high intensity exercise in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2019

Oyster mushrooms are an economically important crop, accounting for 35% of the total mushroom production in Korea. In this study, we developed a new cultivar of Pleurotus ostreatus, known as 'Baekseon,' which is characterized by a white pileus with a white stipe. It was bred by mating monokaryons isolated from white mutant oyster mushrooms that were naturally generated from 'Gonji-7ho' and 'Wonhyeong-1ho' at the Mushroom Research Institute, GARES, Korea in 2018. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar medium was approximately $28-31^{\circ}C$, and the optimum temperatures for primordia formation and growth of fruit bodies on sawdust media were $22^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively. The time required for the bottle-cultured mushrooms to complete spawn running, primordia formation, and growth of fruit bodies was 30 days, 4 days, and 4 days, respectively. The fruit bodies were bundle-shaped, the pilei were round type and white, and the stipes were white. The stipes were slender and longer than those of the control ('Miso'). In the productivity test, the yield per bottle was 185 g/1100 mL, which was 45% greater than that of the control ('Miso'). In the farm test, the yield per bottle for Farm A (Pyeongtaek) and Farm B (Yeoju) was 184 g/1100 mL and 178 g/850 mL, respectively. With regard to the physical properties of fruit bodies, the springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and brittleness of stipe tissue were 80%, 57%, 720 g, and 57 kg, respectively. These values were lower than those of the control ('Miso'). To test the shelf life, the fruit bodies were wrapped with antifogging film and stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 28 days and then at room temperature for 4 days; such conditions were sufficient for maintaining edibility.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate the suitable parts for callus induction and optimal concentrations of growth regulators contained in the medium affecting shooting and rooting Echeveria laui and Echeveria elegans for in vitro mass production. To determine the suitable plant parts for callus induction, the leaves were divided into upper, medium and bottom parts and cultured on MS medium at different concentrations with $0{\sim}2mgL^{-1}\;NAA$ and $0{\sim}4 mgL^{-1}BA$. The upper and middle parts of leaves both showed 100% callus formation rate with $NAA\;1\;mgL^{-1}$ and $BA\;1\;mgL^{-1}$ treatment in E. laui. The middle parts of leaves showed 83.3% callus formation rate at $NAA\;2\;mgL^{-1}$ and BA 4 mgL-1 treatment in E. elegans. The shoot induction rate from callus was highest at $NAA\;0.1\;mgL^{-1}$ and $BA\;3\;mgL^{-1}$ treatment in E. laui and $NAA\;0.3\;mgL^{-1}$ in E. elegans. In addition, the number of shoots formation was 10.4 shoots high in $NAA\;1\;mgL^{-1}$ and $BA\;1\;mgL^{-1}$ treatment in E. laui and 12.0 shoots in most effective $NAA\;1\;mgL^{-1}$ and $BA\;0.1\;mgL^{-1}$ treatment in E. elegans. In the case of acclimatization of regenerated plant, growth characteristics did not show any significant difference (35 ~ 55%) shading with respect to the different ratio of substrate mixture, and it was determined that would be appropriate considered plant height and appearance preference of E. laui and E. elegans. It was established that the optimization of culture condition was responsible for the mass propagation in vitro cultures of E. laui and E. elegans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2019

In X-ray image, the role of filtration through the filter is to reduce the exposure of the patient by using photon which is useful in formation of the image, and at the same time, enhance the contrast of the image. During interaction between photon and object, low energy X-rays are absorbed from the site of a few cm of the first patient's tissue, and high energy X-rays are the one which form the image. Therefore, the radiation filter absorbs low energy X-ray in order to lower the exposure of the patient and improve the quality of the image. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect on the image quality by differences of added filter through simulation image and actual radiation image. For that purpose, we used Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) as a tool for Monte Carlo simulation. We set actual size, shape and material of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Phantom on GATE and differentiated the parameter of added filter. Also, we took image of PMMA phantom with same parameter of added filter by digital radiography (DR). Than we performed contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) evaluation on both simulation image and actual DR image by Image J. Finally, we observed the effect on image quality due to different thickness of added filter, and compared two images' CNR evaluation's transitions of change. The result of this experiment showed decreasing in the progress of CNR on both DR and simulation image. It is ultimately caused by decreasing in contrast on image. In theory, contrast decrease with kVp increased. Given that condition, this study found out that filter makes not only decreasing total dose by absorbing low energy of X-ray, but also increasing average energy of X-ray.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.922-929
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• 2019

Objective: Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which encodes a critical protein for cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism in mammals, are involved in cardiometabolic diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia in pigs. Whereas microRNAs (miRNAs) can control LDLR regulation, their involvement in circulating cholesterol and lipid levels with respect to cardiometabolic diseases in pigs is unclear. We aimed to identify and analyze LDLR as a potential target gene of SSC-miR-20a. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis predicted that porcine LDLR is a target of SSC-miR-20a. Wild-type and mutant LDLR 3'-untranslated region (UTR) fragments were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into the pGL3-Control vector to construct pGL3 Control LDLR wild-3'-UTR and pGL3 Control LDLR mutant-3'-UTR recombinant plasmids, respectively. An miR-20a expression plasmid was constructed by inserting the porcine premiR-20a-coding sequence between the HindIII and BamHI sites in pMR-mCherry, and constructs were confirmed by sequencing. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the miR-20a expression or pMR-mCherry control plasmids and constructs harboring the corresponding 3'-UTR, and relative luciferase activity was determined. The relative expression levels of miR-20a and LDLR mRNA and their correlation in terms of expression levels in porcine liver tissue were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. Results: Gel electrophoresis and sequencing showed that target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the three recombinant vectors were successfully constructed. Compared to pMR-mCherry, the miR-20a expression vector significantly inhibited wild-type LDLR3'-UTR-driven (p<0.01), but not mutant LDLR-3'-UTR-driven (p>0.05), luciferase reporter activity. Further, miR-20a and LDLR were expressed at relatively high levels in porcine liver tissues. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that porcine liver miR-20a and LDLR levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.656, p<0.05). Conclusion: LDLR is a potential target of miR-20a, which might directly bind the LDLR 3'-UTR to post-transcriptionally inhibit expression. These results have implications in understanding the pathogenesis and progression of porcine cardiovascular diseases.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2017

Alcoholic steatosis is a fundamental metabolic disorder and may precede the onset of more severe forms of alcoholic liver disease. In this study, we isolated enzymatichydrolysate from Semisulcospira libertine by alcalase hydrolysis and investigated the protective effect of Semisulcospira libertine hydrolysate on liver injury induced by alcohol in the mouse model of chronic and binge ethanol feeding (NIAAA). In an in vitro study, the hydrolysate protects HepG2 cells from ethanol toxicity. Liver damage was assessed by histopathological examination, as well as by quantitating activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After the administration of S. libertina hydrolysate, fat accumulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells in liver tissues were significantly decreased in the NIAAA mouse model. The elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities, along with the lipid contents of a damaged liver, were recovered in experimental mice administrated with S. libertina hydrolysate, suggesting its role in blood enzyme activation and lipid content restoration within damaged liver tissues. Moreover, treatment with S. libertine hydrolysate reduced the expression rate of cyclooxygenase (COX-2), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, which accelerate inflammation and induces tissue damage. All data showed that S. libertine hydrolysate has a preventive role against alcohol-induced liver damages by improving the activities of blood enzymes and modulating the expression of inflammation factor, suggesting S. libertine hydrolysate could be a commercially potential material for the restoration of hepatotoxicity.