• Title/Summary/Keyword: food ecology

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Current Status and Prospects of Various Methods used for Screening Probiotic Microorganisms (Probiotic 미생물 검사에 사용되는 다양한 방법들에 대한 현황과 향후 전망)

  • Kim, Dong-Hyeon;Kim, Hong-Seok;Jeong, Dana;Chon, Jung-Whan;Kim, Hyunsook;Kim, Young-Ji;Kang, Il-Byung;Lee, Soo-Kyung;Song, Kwang-Young;Park, Jin-Hyeong;Chang, Ho-Seok;Seo, Kun-Ho
    • Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.203-216
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    • 2016
  • Probiotic microorganisms are thought to provide health benefits when consumed. In 2001, the World Health Organization defined probiotics as "live microorganisms which confer a health benefit on the host, when administered in adequate amounts." Three methods for screening potential probiotics have currently widely available. (1) In vitro assays of potential probiotics are preferred because of their simplicity and low cost. (2) The use of in vivo approaches for exploring various potential probiotics reflects the enormous diversity in biological models with various complex mechanisms. (3) Potential probiotics have been analyzed using several genetic and omics technologies to identify gene expression or protein production patterns under various conditions. However, there is no ideal procedure for selecting potential probiotics than testing cadidate strains on the target population. Hence, in this review, we provide an overview of the different methodologies used to identify new probiotic strains. Furthermore, we describe futre perspectives for the use of in vitro, in vivo and omics in probiotic research.

Pro-apoptotic Effects of Platycodin D Isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum in Human Leukemia Cells (도라지 유래 사포닌 platycodin D에 의한 인체 백혈병세포의 apoptosis 유도)

  • Park, Sang Eun;Lee, Su Young;Shin, Dong Yeok;Jeong, Jin-Woo;Jin, Myung Ho;Park, Seon Young;Chung, Yoon Ho;Hwang, Hye Jin;Hong, Sang Hoon;Choi, Yung Hyun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.389-398
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    • 2013
  • Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.

Middle School Home Economics Teaching·Learning Course Plan Development of Unification Education (중학교 가정교과 통일교육 교수·학습 과정안 개발)

  • Yoon, Nam-Hee;Sohn, Sang-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.43-63
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to examine the various contexts affecting life culture through practical reasoning process and to select the goal and contents system of unification education in middle school home economics to form healthy unification community and to develop teaching and learning process. Based on the Unification Education Guidelines, Unification Education Pre-Study, Pre-Study on North Korean Defectors, and Analysis of the 2015 Revision Home Economics Curriculum in Korea, Goal and content system. Based on this, we developed a teaching and learning process and a student activity place applying practical reasoning process after extracting practical problems, and prepared a final development plan based on the results of two expert group evaluations. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, the goal of unification education in the middle school home economics class is to 'Based on the social-cultural context, we develop the ability to cultivate healthy reunification by respecting the differences between the cultures of the two Koreas and discovering common values in a unified society and resolving practical issues in a unified society.'. Second, the content system of middle school home economics unification education was selected as the core theme of 'Unification Education Focused on the Living Culture'. The content elements were comprehending the socio - cultural context that affects the life culture of the two Koreas, Related language, maintenance of diversity of dietary culture in each region including North Korean food, social norms and attire, correct housing value and common living etiquette. Based on the goals of unification education in the middle school home school curriculum, we selected practical issues as 'What should we do to create a healthy unified community?'. Third, the teaching and learning process of unification education in junior high school home economics education is to recognize the problem of unification, to analyze the factors affecting the life culture of the two Koreas, to grasp the effect of the action and the ripple effects, to select alternative methods, And 4 subjects for 8 teaching learning course plan, and 35 teaching materials.

Reproductive Ecology and Genetic Variations in the Sea Urchins Anthocidaris crassispina and Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus in the Cheju Coast (제주연안에 서식하는 보라성게 Anthocidaris crassispina와 말똥성게 Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus의 지역별 번식생태학적 특성과 유전적 변이의 비교)

  • 이정재;김범규;강상균;정상철;이기완;최광식
    • Journal of Aquaculture
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.129-135
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    • 2000
  • Genetic variabilities of local populations of Anthocidaris crassispina and Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus were analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique with phenotypic variabilities in timing of gonadal maturation, reproductive output and size of individuals in Cheju. H, pulcherrimus, collected from 4 locations during March 1997, indicated that Daepo individuals were significantly smaller than that at Hamdok, Wimi site A and Wimi site B (ANOVA, p>0.001). Gonodal-somatic index (GSI) of the Wimi site B population was significantly higher than that of three other locations (ANOVA, P>0.0001). An ANOVA test conducted on test size of A. crassispina, harvested from six different locations of Cheju during June 1997, indicated that the size of individuals from Pophwan was significantly smaller (P>0.0001) than that from five other locations. GSIs of urchin m Wimi and Hanlim were significantly higher than that from Pohwan and Oedo (ANOVA, p>0.0001). Genetic similarity, calculated from k13 primer analysis of total DNA, among the six different populations of A. crassispina varied from 0.67 to 0.92, and the values for H. pulcherrimus from 0.60 to 0.73; thus there was no genetic variation among different populations of the same species. Therefore, the populations are genetically homologous and the observed phenotypic variabilities were possibly associated with water temperature and food.

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Inhibition of Adipocyte Differentiation through G1 Arrest by Extract of Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes (산두근 추출물의 세포주기 정지를 통한 3T3-L1 지방전구세포의 분화 억제)

  • Jeong, Hyun-Young;Hyun, Sook-Kyung;Choi, Yung-Hyun;Kim, Byung-Woo;Kwon, Hyun-Ju
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.21 no.9
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    • pp.1346-1353
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    • 2011
  • Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in oriental regions since ancient times. In this study, the effect and mechanism of the MeOH extract of Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep (STME) on adipocite differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocites were investigated. Treatment with STME in the concentration range of 0-200 ${\mu}g$/ml significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocites in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by a decrease in intracellular lipid droplets and lipid contents measured by Oil Red O staining. In association with the inhibitory effect of lipid accumulation, the expressions of the proteins concerned with adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocites were also investigated. Treatment with STME reduced the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR${\gamma}$), cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymine (CCAAT)/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ (C/EBP${\alpha}$ and C/EBP${\beta}$) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP), which are adipocyte specific markers. In flow cytometry analysis, the inhibitory effect of differentiation was caused by G1 arrest and following mitotic clonal expansion cease. Therefore, we also investigated the alteration of G1 phase arrest-related proteins. As a result, the expression of p21 protein was significantly increased, while the expressions of Cdk2, E2F-1 and phospho-Rb were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in STME treated 3T3-L1 cells. According to these results, STME might inhibit differentiation through G1 arrest in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes adipogenesis, and further studies, which are in progress, have to be completed to identify the active compounds.

Anticoagulant and Fibrinolytic Activities of Hwanggeumchal Sorghum In Vitro (황금찰수수의 혈액응고저해 및 혈전용해 효과)

  • Kim, Min Soo;Oh, In Taek;Jun, Do Youn;Lee, Ji Young;Sohn, Ho-Yong;Kwak, Do Yeon;Seo, Myung Chul;Woo, Koan Sik;Ko, Jee Yeon;Jung, Tae Wook;Nam, Min Hee;Woo, Mi Hee;Kim, Young Ho
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.23 no.12
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    • pp.1460-1470
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    • 2013
  • To examine whether miscellaneous cereal grains have an antithrombotic effect, we investigated the anticoagulant activity of 80% ethanol extracts from eleven selected miscellaneous cereal grains. The 80% ethanol extract of hwanggeumchal sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) showed the highest anticoagulant activity, followed by that of green foxtail millet grains, in terms of thrombin time (TT). When the ethanol extract of hwanggeumchal sorghum was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, the majority of the TT-inhibitory activity was detected in the hexane and methylene chloride fractions. Whereas aspirin (final conc. 480 ${\mu}g/ml$) prolonged TT by 2-fold, the ethanol extract, hexane fraction, and methylene chloride fraction in the same dose prolonged TT by 2.2-fold, 2.9-fold, and 2.5-fold, respectively. The ethanol extract of hwanggeumchal sorghum could delay activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) as well as prothrombin time (PT). Although the APTT-inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract was mainly partitioned into the hexane and methylene chloride fractions, the PT-inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract was solely partitioned into the hexane fraction. The APTT- and PT-inhibitory activities of these organic solvent fractions were more potent than those of the control warfarin (final conc. 3.13 mg/ml). The TT-inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract was heat-stable and acid-stable. The ethanol extract, hexane fraction, and methylene chloride fraction of hwanggeumchal sorghum appeared to possess a direct fibrinolytic activity toward fibrin clotting. These results show that hwanggeumchal sorghum can exert anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects and, thus, have the potential to be applicable as antithrombotic dietary sources.

An Ecological Aesthetics and Symbolism of the Seonghyelsa Nahanjeon Floral Lattice with Patterns of Lotus Pond Scenery (연지(蓮池)로 본 성혈사 나한전 꽃살문양의 생태미학과 상징성)

  • Rho, Jae-Hyun;Lee, Da-Young;Choi, Seung-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.160-171
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    • 2018
  • This study aims to find an original form of temple flower decoration patterns, considering floral lattice pattern as a view element composing temple landscape. To that end, we analyzed and interpreted the form and symbol expressed in the floral lattice pattern at Nahanjeon of Seonghyel Temple at Yeongju, Gyeongsangbukdo. The front side of Nahanjeon windows shows a sculpture with 176 pure patterns in a form where two squares are in sequence. The basic concept of main front door (the inner gate of Nahanjeon) frames is considered the design language of lotus pond that symbolizes "square land" in traditional gardens. The four leaf clover and arrowhead are water plants discovered in areas nearby ponds, which are a realistic expression conforming to the water ecology of lotus pond. The lotus, which is the most important plant at the main front door, indicates purity, a non-stained state, and the world of the lotus sanctuary, which is the land of blissful happiness in Buddhism. The lotus expressed in the floral lattice pattern is spread in a diverse form, containing the features of creation and destruction, showing the landscape character of the "One Body of Buddha and Lotus". The expression of flying birds such as kingfishers and egrets is an ecologically aesthetic idea to infuse dynamism and vitality into a seemingly static aquatic ecosystem. The floral lattice pattern contains lotus pond scenery showing symbiosis of animals(i.e., dragons, frogs, crabs, fishes, egrets, wild geese, and kingfishers) and plants(i.e., four leaf clovers and arrowheads), which are symbols of relief faith for longevity, wealth, preciousness, and many sons. The pattern is not just an ecological aesthetic expression but a holistic harmony of ecological components such as growth and disappearance of lotus and its leaves, fitting habitats, symbiosis, and food chain.

Effect of Filter-feeding Bivalve (Corbiculidae) on Phyto- and Zooplankton Community (여과 섭식성 패류가 동 ${\cdot}$ 식물플랑크톤 군집에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Ho-Sub;Kong, Dong-Soo;Hwang, Soon-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.37 no.3 s.108
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    • pp.319-331
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    • 2004
  • This study was conducted to evaluate the ecological impact of freshwater bivalve (Corbiculidae) on plankton communities in experimental enclosure systems (2 m ${\times}$ 2 m ${\times}$ 2 m). During the acclamation period of one month, cyanobacteria, including Microcystis viridis and Microcystis aeruginosa, dominated in both control and treatment enclosures with no noticeable density difference. After the addition of 100 mussels, dominant species of phytoplankton shifted from Microcystis to Scenedesmus in concert with slight decrease in the cell density and the increase of N/P ratio. However, cell density in the control quickly increased, accompanied with changes of dominant species to Oscillatoria spp. With the introduction of additional 500 musseles in the treatment enclosure, dominant phytoplankton species in both enclosures were replaced with Selenastrum spp. and Cryptomonas sp. In the initial stage, the total zooplankton abundance in the control was higher than that of treatment, but it was reversed after the addition 100 mussels. After mussel density increased up to 600 indivisuals, zooplankton density in the treatment decreased with dominance of small taxa, such as rotifers and nauplius. However, abundance and carbon biomass of large zooplankton, such as Bosmina longirostris and Diacyclops thomasi were maintained in a high level compared with those of control. During the study period, Chl. a concentration in mussel treatment and control increased with DIP and $NH_3-N$, respectively. Due to the increase of $NH_3-N$, especially after the introduction of additional 500 mussels, nitrogen limitation did not occur in the treatment enclosure in contrast with strong nutrient limitation occurred in the control. These results indicate that filter-feeding Corbicula could exert important impact on nutrient recycling and plankton community structure in a freshwater ecosystem, through direct feeding and competition for the same food resource as zooplankton on one hand, and through alteration of nutrient availability on the other.

Effects of Nonylphenol on the Population Growth of Algae, Heterotrophic Nanoflagellate and Zooplankton (내분비장애물질 Nonylphenol이 미세조류, 종속영양편모충, 동물플랑크톤의 개체군 성장에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Ju-Han;Lee, Hae-Ok;Kim, Baik-Ho;Katano, Toshiya;Hwang, Su-Ok;Kim, Dae-Hyun;Han, Myung-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.379-386
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    • 2007
  • Nonylphenol (NP) has been well known as a major substance of surfactant and/or estrogenic environmental hormone. We tested toxic effects of nonylphenol on the population growth and development of aquatic organism such as algae (Microcystis aeruginosa), heterotrophic nanoflagellate (Diphylleia rotans), micro- (Brachionus calyciflorus) and macro-zooplankton (Daphnia magna) among eutrophic water food-web constituents. Dosage of NP treatment were 4 to 5 grades, according to each organism's tolerance based on pre-experiments; algae (0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 1.00 mg $L^{-1}$) Diphylleia rotans (0.5, 1,2. 5,6, 10 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, Brachionus calyciflorus (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), and Daphnia magna (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Toxic effects were measured by the changes of biomass of each organism after NP treatment. All experiments were triplication. As suggested, the higher concentration of NP treatment, the stronger inhibited the population growth of all organisms tested. In view of toxicity, a variety of concentration of NP showed a significant growth inhibition to organism; algae to 0.05 $mg\;L^{-1}$, D. rotans and B. calyciflorus to 1.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and D. magna to 5.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The $EC_{50}$ of each organism to the nonylphenol are as follows; 3. calyciflorus (2.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. rotans (3.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. magna (7.61 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, and M. aeruginosa (47 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. NP toxic effects on the development of zooplankton like egg production showed some differences in treatment concentration between Brachionus calyciflorus ${0.1{\sim}1NP{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$ and Daphnia magna $(0.5{\sim}5NP\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. These results suggest that a strong growth inhibition of predator or grazer by the nonylphenol can stimulate the algal growth, or can play important role in evoking the nuisance algal bloom in eutrophic water with enough nutrients.

Single Dose Oral Toxicity Test of Water Extract of Corni Fructus in ICR Mice (ICR 마우스를 이용한 산수유 건피 추출물의 단회 경구투여 독성시험)

  • Hwang-Bo, Hyun;Kwon, Da Hye;Kim, Min Young;Ji, Seon Yeong;Choi, Eun Ok;Kim, Sung Ok;Jeong, Ji-Suk;Hong, Su Hyun;Choi, Sung Hyun;Park, Cheol;Choi, Yung Hyun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.112-117
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    • 2019
  • Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.