• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2017

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble secosteroid responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium, iron, and other materials. Vitamin D3 deficiency, therefore, can cause health problems such as metabolic diseases, and bone disorder. Female sex hormones including estrogen and progesterone are biosynthesized mainly in the granulosa cells of ovary. In this study, we isolated granulosa cells from porcine ovary and cultured for the experiments. In order to examine the effect of vitamin D3 on the ovarian granulosa cells, the mRNA and protein levels of genes were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot assay. The production of estrogen from the granulosa cells was also measured by the ELISA assay. Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3. These results showed that vitamin D3 is a powerful regulator of sex steroid hormone production in porcine granulosa cells, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may result in inappropriate sexual development of industrial animals and eventually economic loss.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.145-155
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• 2001

Cytochrome P4502C19 (CYP2C19) is one of human polymorphic xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. The enzyme has been reported to catalyze more than 70 substrates, involving more than 100 reactions. These include several classes of therapeutic agents (e.g. anti-microbial. cardiovascular, psycho-active, etc.), sex hormones and insecticides. Associations of the CYP2C19 genotype/phenotype with individual differences in drug efficacy (e.g. diazepam, omeprazole, proguanil) and toxicity (e.g. mephenytoin, barbiturates) have been documented by many investigators. At least 11 allelic variants of CYP2C19 gene were reported to date. Most of the mutant alleles found in the poor metabolizer (PM) led to the production of truncated and/or inactive proteins. Except for the exon 6, single-nucleotide mutations were reported in all nine exons of the gene. Genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 shows marked interethnic variation with the population frequencies of PM phenotype ranging from 1∼2% up to more than 50%. The prevalence of CYP2C19 PM tends to be higher in Asian and certain Pacific Islanders than other race or ethnic specificity. Genotyping results of CYP2C19 also revealed that there are different proportions of individual mutant alleles among ethnic populations. This may, in part, explains the interethnic difference in the metabolism of certain drugs (i.e. diazepam), though they were from the same CYP2C19 phenotype. Recently, our research group has studied the genotype and phenotype of CYP2C19 and found that the PM frequency (7∼8%) in Thais is lower than other Asian populations. Molecular and clinical impacts of this finding warrant to further investigation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.218-225
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• 2014

Studies were carried out to standardize and develop a suitable macro-propagation technology for large scale production of superior clonal stock through stem cuttings in Commiphora wightii Arnott (Bhandari), a data deficient medicinal plant of arid region. For the purpose, three experiments were conducted. The first experiment was tried to elucidate the impact of various cutting diameters (0.50-0.75 cm, 0.75-1.00 cm, 1.00-1.50 cm, and >1.50 cm) in combination with varying growing conditions (sunlight, shade house and mist chamber) on shoot sprouting and rooting without using exogenous plant growth regulators. Cutting diameter (size 0.75-1.00 cm) in mist chamber has shown maximum sprouting (90.00%) and rooting (73.33%), primary root (6.67) and secondary root (16.67) followed by 1.00-1.51 cm in mist chamber. Minimum sprouting (40.00%), rooting (33.33%), number of shoot (1.33), primary root (1.00) and number of secondary root (1.00) was recorded in cutting diameter (size >1.50 cm) in sunlight. Second experiment was performed to find out optimum growth regulator concentration of rooting hormone (100, 200, 500 and 1000 ppm) of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric Acid (IBA) on adventitious root formation on cuttings diameter (size 0.25-0.50 cm) in comparison to control. Maximum rooting percentage (93.33%) was recorded in 200 ppm followed by 500 ppm (86.66%) of IBA as compared to control, which showed only 60 per cent sprouting. Third experiment was performed with newly formed juvenile micro-cuttings treated with varying concentrations of IAA and IBA. The juvenile cuttings (size 6-10 cm, basal dia <0.25 cm) were selected as micro-cuttings. The cuttings treated with IBA (500 ppm) showed 64.30% rooting as compared to other treatments. Results of above experiments indicate that cuttings (size 0.75-1.00 cm dia) may be developed in mist chamber for better performance. While using heavier cuttings, no growth promoting hormones is required however; growth regulator 200 ppm concentration of IBA rooting hormone was observed optimum for promoting macro-propagation in stem cuttings of lower diameter class (0.25-0.50 cm).

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.349-357
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• 2007

The ubiquitous family of 14-3-3 proteins functions as regulators in a variety of physiological processes. Eight rice 14-3-3 genes, designated OsGF14a through h, were identified from an exhaustive search of the genome database. Comparisons of deduced amino acid sequences reveal a high degree of identity among members of the OsGF14 family and reported Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins. A phylogenetic study indicates that OsGF14s contain both $\varepsilon$ and non-$\varepsilon$ forms, which is also confirmed by a structural analysis of OsGF14 genes. Furthermore, transcripts of OsGF14b, OsGF14c, OsGF14d, OsGF14e, OsGF14f and OsGF14g were detected in rice tissues. Their different expression patterns, the different effects of environmental stresses and plant hormones on their transcription levels, and the different complementary phenotypes in yeast 14-3-3 mutants not only indicates that OsGF14s are responsive to various stress conditions and regulated by multiple signaling pathways, but also suggests that functional similarity and diversity coexist among the members of OsGF14 family.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.487-502
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• 2011

1. Objective This study was performed to research the biological change of forest healing according to Sasang constitution. 2. Methods Forty seven applicants are involved in this study. They were classified into three groups(Soyangin, Taeeumin, Soeumin) by QSCC II. And then they participated in forest healing program from March 26 to March 27 in 2011. We performed before and after experiment, including vital sign, electroencephalography(EEG), heart rate variability(HRV), complete blood cell count(CBC), biochemical test(BC), and stress hormones. 3. Results Men had the relaxative effect of tension. While, the group of women and Soyangin was more sensitive to sudden environmental change than the group of men or other constitutions. The tension of women and soyangin's group increased after the forest healing program. Soeumin group showed reduced diastolic blood pressure after the forest healing program. 3. Conclusions Forest healing program has shown better efficacy in relaxation in men than women, in lowering diastolic blood pressure in Soeumin group than other constitutional groups. However a single positive result within this study should be carefully interpreted.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2004

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol(3-MCPD) is a toxic compound, often present in different foods containing acid hydrolyzed(AH) protein, like seasonings and savory food products. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3-MCPD on male fertility, sperm and testosterone secretion. In vivo male fertility test was performed for observing the adverse effects of 3-MCPD on the function of male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome. 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 1 and 5 mg/kg b.w. of 3-MCPD was given daily by gavage to groups of 15 adult male SD rats for 4 weeks. At the end of pre-treatment period, males were mated overnight with normal females. Following morning, males demonstrating successful induction of pregnancy were sacrificed on that day to assess sperm parameters and histopathology of reproductive organs. The resulting pregnant females were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation to evaluate pregnancy outcome. As a result, four-week paternal administration with 3-MCPD resulted in adverse effects on male fertility and pregnancy outcome without remarkable histopathological changes in testes and epididymides; sperm motility, copulation index and fertility index were markedly decreased in the treated group and numbers of live fetuses showed steep dose-response curves. Also, spermatogenesis was investigated in this experiment. However, no effect was observed on production of sperm in testes treated with 3-MCPD for 4 weeks. Hormone assay was performed for observing the effects of 3-MCPD on testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood and testes of male SD rats and cultured primary Leydig cell. In result, significant changes of related hormones did not observed by treatment of 3-MCPD. These results indicated that paternal treatment with 3-MCPD induced spermatotoxic effect, which caused an antifertility on male.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2002

Eight cDNAs corresponding to fruit-specific genes were isolated from ripened melon through differential screening. Sequence comparison indicated that six of these cDNAs encoded proteins were previously characterized into aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase, abscisic acid, stress and ripening inducible (ASR) gene, RINC-H2 zinc finger protein, pyruvate decarboxylase, or polyubiquitin. RFS2 and RFS5 were the same clone encoding polyubiquitin. The other cDNAs showed no significant homology with known protein sequences. The ASR homologue (Asr1) gene was further characterized on the cDNA and genomic structure. The deduced amino acid sequence had similar characteristics to other plant ASR. The Asr1 genomic DNA consisted of 2 exons and 1 intron, which is similar to the structure of other plants ASR genes. The promoter region of the Asr1 gene contained several putative functional cis-elements such as an abscisic acid responsive element (ABRE), an ethylene responsive element (ERE), a C-box or DPBf-1 and 2, Myb binding sites, a low temperature responsive element (LTRE) and a metal responsive element (MRE). The findings imply that these elements may play important roles in the response to plant hormones and environmental stresses in the process of fruit development. The results of this study suggest that the expressions of fruit specific and ripening-related cDNAs are closely associated with the stress response.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.762-772
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• 2016

Purpose: Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development; hence, knowledge about good food habits is essential amongst children. This study was conducted to investigate prevalence of awareness among food sellers, which could probably influence children's health and perceptions on food around schools towards adulterated food management beliefs, competencies, and food safety practices. Methods: Data was collected from 195 dealers around 25 elementary, middle and high schools in Daegu and Gyeongbuk provinces using a self-administered questionnaire in July and August, 2015. The data was analyzed using frequency analysis, one-way analysis of variance, $x^2$-test, factor analysis, and reliability analysis by SPSS Statistics (ver. 23.0). Results: A total of 121 people (62.1%) reported satisfaction of providing information and education on adulterated food. The perception of hazardous substances was found to be related to food poisoning bacteria and viruses (65.6%), heavy metals (42.1%), environmental hormones (36.4%), residual pesticides (27.2%), and irradiated food (26.7%). The perceived score on hygiene practices for processed food seller was $4.04{\pm}0.56/5.00$ and for cooked food seller was $4.09{\pm}0.45$. The capacity of adulterated food management practice of food sellers was significantly correlated with food knowledge on adulteration and public relation capacity, necessity of adulterated food management, and perception of hygiene practices (p<0.01). Similarly, knowledge and public relation capacity were significantly different according to ages (p<0.01). The perception of the necessity of adulterated food management was significantly different according to education levels (p<0.05), and the evaluation of hygiene practices was significantly different according to age (p<0.01). Conclusion: In order to solve the problem of adulterated food, which is one of the four social evils, and to strengthen the capacity of children to solve social problems, various practices like campaign on health promotion, goof food habits, education, and adulterated food management, should be actively promoted not only for children but also for food sellers around the schools.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2003

Freezing and drought tolerances in plants are very important for survival in the desert. In an effort to reduce desertifcation in Gobi, a molecular breeding of Artemisia adamsii using the CLP (chitinase like protein, antifreeze protein) and Dhn5 (dehydrin5) genes from barley is performed by introducing them into Artemisia adamsii via Agrobacteria. We had found an optimal combinatorial concentration of hormones at 0.05mg/L of NAA and 0.5mg/L of BA for growth of callus in Artemisia adamsii. In addition, the higher rate of callus induction using hypocotyl as explant was observed comparing to explants of stem and leaf. There were some variations in the level of the proteins expressed among the transgenic lines such that the lines of CLP(CS1-5, 1-7,4-4) and Dhn5(DS2-2, 2-3) lines produce the protein to higher levels. The transgenic lines showing a higher level of Dhn5 exhibited better growth than nontransgenic callus in presence of 10 and 20％ PEG. In case of the CLP tansgenic lines, both CS1-5 and CS1-7 showed a higher level of freezing tolerance determined by ion leakage test.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.17.1-17.4
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• 2014

Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of many loci and environmental factors. Identification of genes contributing to genetic variation in this character can assist with selection for early pubertal bulls, improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. Thyroid hormones play an important role in sexual development and spermatogenic function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in thyroglobulin(TG) gene with age of puberty in Angus bulls. Four SNPs were genotyped in 273 animals using SEQUENOM technology and the association between markers and puberty age was analyzed. Results showed a significant association (P < 0.05) between these markers and puberty age estimated at a sperm concentration of 50 million and a progressive motility of 10%. This is the first report of an association of TG polymorphisms with age of puberty in bulls, and results suggest the importance of thyroidal regulation in bovine sexual development and arrival to puberty.