• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1411-1422
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• 2021

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a gram-positive, microaerophilic, and acidophilic bacterial species. L. acidophilus strains in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other animals have been profiled, but strains found in the canine gut have not been studied yet. Our study helps in understanding the genetic features of the L. acidophilus C5 strain found in the canine gut, determining its adaptive features evolved to survive in the canine gut environment, and in elucidating its probiotic functions. To examine the canine L. acidophilus C5 genome, we isolated the C5 strain from a Korean dog and sequenced it using PacBio SMRT sequencing technology. A comparative genomic approach was used to assess genetic relationships between C5 and six other strains and study the distinguishing features related to different hosts. We found that most genes in the C5 strain were related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism. The pan-genome of seven L. acidophilus strains contained 2,254 gene families, and the core genome contained 1,726 gene families. The phylogenetic tree of the core genes in the canine L. acidophilus C5 strain was very close to that of two strains (DSM20079 and NCFM) from humans. We identified 30 evolutionarily accelerated genes in the L. acidophilus C5 strain in the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) analysis. Five of these thirty genes were associated with carbohydrate transport and metabolism. This study provides insights into genetic features and adaptations of the L. acidophilus C5 strain to survive the canine intestinal environment. It also suggests that the evolution of the L. acidophilus genome is closely related to the host's evolutionary adaptation process.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.450-461
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• 2022

A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study was used to determine the cognitive functions related to working memory (WM) and antioxidant properties of fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on healthy volunteers. Eighty participants were divided into a placebo group (n = 40) and FLJ group (n = 40) that received FLJ (1.5 g/day) for 6 weeks. Memory-related blood indices (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; angiotensin-converting enzyme; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) and antioxidant function-related indices (catalase, CAT; malondialdehyde, MDA; 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxo-dG; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were determined before and after the trial. In addition, standardized cognitive tests were conducted using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries. Furthermore, the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS)-IV, and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) were used to assess the pre and post intake changes on WM-related properties. According to the results, FLJ significantly increased the level of CAT, BDNF, HGH, and IGF-1. FLJ reduced the level of TBARS, MDA, and 8-oxo-dG in serum. Furthermore, FLJ improved physical activities related to cognitive functions such as K-WAIS-IV, MoCA-K, Paired Associates Learning, and Spatial Working Memory compared to the placebo group. Our results suggest that FLJ is a potential candidate to develop functional materials reflecting its capability to induce antioxidant mechanisms together with WM-related indices.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

Objective: In this study, metabolites that changed in the rumen fluid, urine and feces of dairy cows fed different feed ratios were investigated. Methods: Eight Holstein cows were used in this study. Rumen fluid, urine, and feces were collected from the normal concentrate diet (NCD) (Italian ryegrass 80%: concentrate 20% in the total feed) and high concentrate diet (HCD) groups (20%: 80%) of dairy cows. Metabolite analysis was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) identification, and statistical analysis was performed using Chenomx NMR software 8.4 and Metaboanalyst 4.0. Results: The two groups of rumen fluid and urine samples were separated, and samples from the same group were aggregated together. On the other hand, the feces samples were not separated and showed similar tendencies between the two groups. In total, 160, 177, and 188 metabolites were identified in the rumen fluid, urine, and feces, respectively. The differential metabolites with low and high concentrations were 15 and 49, 14 and 16, and 2 and 2 in the rumen fluid, urine, and feces samples, in the NCD group. Conclusion: As HCD is related to rumen microbial changes, research on different metabolites such as glucuronate, acetylsalicylate, histidine, and O-Acetylcarnitine, which are related to bacterial degradation and metabolism, will need to be carried out in future studies along with microbial analysis. In urine, the identified metabolites, such as gallate, syringate, and vanillate can provide insight into microbial, metabolic, and feed parameters that cause changes depending on the feed rate. Additionally, it is thought that they can be used as potential biomarkers for further research on subacute ruminal acidosis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.646-655
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• 2022

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), one of the most prevalent viruses in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a non-enveloped, rod-shaped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus classified in the genus Tobamovirus. The supernatants of five bacterial cultures (Pseudomonas putida [PP], Bacillus licheniformis [BLI], P. fluorescens [PF], Serratia marcescens [SER], and B. amyloliquifaciens [BA]) were analyzed to find novel antiviral agents to PMMoV in chili pepper. Foliar spraying with supernatants (1:1, v/v) obtained from Luria-Bertani broth cultures of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA inhibited PMMoV infection of chili pepper if applied before the PMMoV inoculation. Double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that treatments of five supernatants resulted in 51-66% reductions in PMMoV accumulation in the treated chili pepper. To identify key compounds in supernatants of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA, the supernatants were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The 24 different types of compounds were identified from the supernatants of PP, BLI, PF, SER, and BA. The compounds vary from supernatants of one bacterial culture to another which includes simple compounds-alkanes, ketones, alcohols, and an aromatic ring containing compounds. The compounds triggered the inhibitory effect on PMMoV propagation in chili pepper plants. In conclusion, the cultures could be used to further conduct tissue culture and field trial experiments as potential bio-control agents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.63-69
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• 2017

Objectives : Advanced glycation end product (AGEs) is combine formation of glucose and protein. AGEs and reactive oxygen species are potential therapeutic targets for the various disease such as diabetic complications, renal injury, skin damage. The aim of this study was investigated the AGEs inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of water extracts from 40 Korean medicines and 5 heating-processed Korean medicines. Methods: AGEs formation inhibitory activities of Korean medicines measured using bovine serum albumin (BSA), glucose, and fructose. Then, five effective Korean medicines were selected and heated with 30% ethanol. The AGEs inhibitory activities of heated Korean medicine were measured compared with not-heated Korean medicines. The antioxidant activities were evaluated through radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. Furthermore, we examined total phenol and flavonoids contents. Results: Scutellariae Radix, Corni Fructus, Persimmon Fruit, Paeoniae Radix, Mori Folium respectively reduced AGEs production. Morever, heating-processed Scutellariae Radix has AGEs inhibitory activities better than not-processed Scutellariae Radix. Heating- processed Scutellariae Radix scavenged DPPH and ABTS effectively and $IC_{50}$ of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of Heat processed Scutellariae Radix were $15.47{\pm}0.26{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $12.07{\pm}1.23{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. It caused heat processing methods of Scutellariae Radix up regulated total phenol and flavonoids contents ($26.68{\pm}0.01$ to $46.15{\pm}0.10$, $20.30{\pm}0.38$ to $64.20{\pm}0.52$). Conclusion: It has AGEs inhibitory activities that 20 kind of medicinal plants of 40 medicinal plants. Especially, heat processed Scutellariae Radix has excellent AGEs inhibitory activities and antioxidant effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.337-347
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 are directly associated with hyper-activation of innate immune response that excessively produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce cytokine storm, leading to multi-organ-failure and significant morbidity/mortality. Currently, several antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir are authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19, however, there are still no drugs that can specifically fight against challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant widely used for treating various conditions, might be appropriate for this need due to its anti-inflammatory/cytokine/viral activities, fewer side effects, and cost efficiency. To review Panax ginseng and its pharmacologically active-ingredients as potential phytopharmaceuticals for treating cytokine storm of COVID-19, articles that reporting its positive effects on the cytokine production were searched from academic databases. Experimental/clinical evidences for the effectiveness of Panax ginseng and its active-ingredients in preventing or mitigating cytokine storm, especially for the cascade of cytokine storm, suggest that they might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for cytokine storm of COVID-19. This review may provide a new approach to discover specific medications using Panax ginseng to control cytokine storm of COVID-19.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2022

Bio-based alternative leathers may be produced from biomass fiber, protein polymers, bacterial cellulose, and mushroom mycelia. Of these components, mushroom mycelia are of greatest interest. In this study, the potential of Fomes fomentariusas a mushroom mycelial mat was confirmed, and the optimal strain for the development of the mycelial mat was determined. Moreover, the quality of the mycelial mat was improved by identifying an efficient culture method to increase productivity. Mutant strains whose independence was verified were obtained by treatment with gamma irradiation under various conditions. Biofilm formation by the resulting strains was examined in sawdust and liquid media and the characteristics of the biofilms were analyzed. The biofilm of the mutant strains showed results that were similar to or better than the biofilms of longevity and cypress mushrooms. These findings are expected to be utilized in future research aimed at discovering new biomaterials using mushroom mycelia.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.312-317
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• 2022

Piezoelectric energy harvesting has attracted increasing attention over the last decade as a means for generating sustainable and long-lasting energy from wasted mechanical energy. To develop self-powered wearable devices, piezoelectric materials should be flexible, stretchable, and bio-eco-friendly. This study proposed the fabrication of stretchable piezoelectric composites via dispersing perovskite-structured BaTiO₃ nanoparticles inside an Ecoflex polymeric matrix. In particular, the stretchable piezoelectric sensor array was fabricated via a simple and cost-effective spin-coating process by exploiting the piezoelectric composite comprising of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles, Ecoflex matrix, and stretchable Ag coated textile electrodes. The fabricated sensor generated an output voltage of ~4.3 V under repeated compressing deformations. Moreover, the piezoelectric sensor array exhibited robust mechanical stability during mechanical pushing of ~5,000 cycles. Finite element method with multiphysics COMSOL simulation program was employed to support the experimental output performance of the fabricated device. Finally, the stretchable piezoelectric sensor array can be used as a self-powered touch sensor that can effectively detect and distinguish mechanical stimuli, such as pressing by a human finger. The fabricated sensor demonstrated potential to be used in a stretchable, lead-free, and scalable piezoelectric sensor array.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2023

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant visual disease that induces impaired vision and irreversible blindness in the elderly. However, the effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on the retina have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on blue light (BL)-induced retinal damage and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) and Balb/c retina. Methods: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on retinal damage in vitro, we performed cell viability assay, pre-and post-treatment of sample, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western immunoblotting using A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells with BL exposure. In addition, Balb/c mice were irradiated with BL to induce retinal degeneration and orally administrated with GBE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Using the harvested retina, we performed histological analysis (thickness of retinal layers), qRT-PCR, and western immunoblotting to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GBE against retinal damage in vivo. Results: GBE significantly inhibited BL-induced cell damage in ARPE-19 cells by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, expressions of apoptosis-related factors (BAX/BCL-2, LC3-II, and p62), and ROS production. Furthermore, GBE prevented BL-induced retinal degeneration by restoring the thickness of retinal layers and suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of NF-kB and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP, and expressions of apoptosis-related factors in vivo. Conclusions: GBE could be a potential agent to prevent dry AMD and progression to wet AMD.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1199-1208
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of metabolite levels in serum and milk obtained from cows fed on different concentrate to forage feed ratios. Methods: Eight lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups: a high forage ratio diet (HF; 80% Italian ryegrass and 20% concentrate of daily intake of dry matter) group and a high concentrate diet (HC; 20% Italian ryegrass and 80% concentrate) group. Blood was collected from the jugular vein, and milk was sampled using a milking machine. Metabolite levels in serum and milk were estimated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses performed using Chenomx 8.4. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test and multivariate analysis were performed using Metaboanalyst 4.0. Results: In the principal component analysis, a clear distinction between the two groups regarding milk metabolites while serum metabolites were shown in similar. In serum, 95 metabolites were identified, and 13 metabolites (include leucine, lactulose, glucose, betaine, etc.) showed significant differences between the two groups. In milk, 122 metabolites were identified, and 20 metabolites (include urea, carnitine, acetate, butyrate, arabinitol, etc.) showed significant differences. Conclusion: Our results show that different concentrate to forage feed ratios impact the metabolite levels in the serum and milk of lactating Holstein cows. A higher number of metabolites in milk, including those associated with milk fat synthesis and the presence of Escherichia coli in the rumen, differed between the two groups compared to that in the serum. The results of this study provide a useful insight into the metabolites associated with different concentrate to forge feed ratios in cows and may aid in the search for potential biomarkers for subacute ruminal acidosis.