• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2009

Retroviruses enter host cells by membrane fusion between the viral Env proteins on the virus membrane and a virus receptor on the cellular membrane. The envelope protein of the ecotropic Moloney murine leukemia virus is synthesized as a gp85 precursor and is proteolytically cleaved into an extracellular surface unit (SU) and the transmembrane protein (TM). The cytoplasmic tail (16 amino acid; R peptide) of the TM protein is further cleaved by the viral protease during virion maturation. Unlike the wild type Env protrin bearing the R peptide, R peptide-truncated Envelope induces syncytia in susceptible cells. To understand the mechanism of R peptidetruncated Env in syncytium formation, R peptide-truncated Env expressing full-length molecular clone containing EGFP in PRR (proline rich region) of Env was constructed. This molecular clone induced syncytia in transfected NIH3T3 cells, fluorescence was detected in the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane, while the nuclei did not stain and appeared black by fluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, virions with truncated envelope produced from transfected NIH3T3 cells induced syncytia in NIH3T3 cells, but fluorescence was not detected in the same infected cells. It is believed that cell-free viruses direct the fusion of neighboring cells without infection. Our data suggests that use of EGFP-tagged envelope for monitoring syncytium is a sensitive and convenient method. We also found that virion incorporated the R peptide-truncated Env is able to induce the formation of syncytia by fusion from without.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the natural deep sea water, which contained approximately 2.3% salt, and various minerals of K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu etc, on the immune response and antioxidant activity in rats. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allotted to a control group and 3 treatment groups. Control rats were supplied with filtered tap water, and each treatment group rats were supplied with 0.5% deep sea water, 1% deep sea water and Jijangsoo, respectively, which is upper clear water separated from sediment by the clay. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment that lasted for 4 weeks. The results showed that 1% deep sea water group showed the highest values in weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than those of other groups. The levels of water intake of 1%- and 0.5%-deep sea water, and Jijangsoo group were 49.1%, 22.8%, and 40.5% higher than that of control group, respectively. The Jijangsoo group rats showed that perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weights were decreased by 32% and 25%(p<0.05), respectively, when compared to control group rats. There were no remarkable differences of serum glucose concentration among all experimental groups. However, insulin concentration of experimental groups were remarkably increased in order of Jijangsoo (4.54), 1% deep sea water (3.70), 0.5% deep sea water (3.25)(p<0.05). B cell and T cell stimulation were increased about 44.7% and 207%, respectively, by 0.5% deep sea water in comparison with control (p<0.05). TBARS values of 0.5 % deep sea water group were significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). Catalase and SOD activities of 0.5 % deep sea water group were 200% and 47% higher than that of control, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that the supply of natural deep sea water can slightly improve the physiological activity which modulates immune response and antioxidant activity in rats.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2011

Panax ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for several centuries in Korea. A laboratory experiment using methanol extracts of freeze-dried leaves and roots in the different ages of P. ginseng was conducted to determine the content of phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity. The results indicate that the total phenolics level [mg ferulic acid equivalents (FAE) $kg^{-1}$ DW] was higher in leaves (22.0 to 76.3 mg $kg^{-1}$) than roots (19.0 to 28.3 mg $kg^{-1}$) of P. ginseng. The total content of phenolics in roots increased with increase in age of P. ginseng from one to six years. However, the content of phenolics in P. ginseng leaf decreased with the increase in age. Total flavonoid [mg naringin equivalents $kg^{-1}$ DW] was more detected in the leaves (30.3 to 138.6 mg $kg^{-1}$) than in the roots (0.0 to 10.6 mg $kg^{-1}$) of P. ginseng. The total flavonoid level in leaves decreased with increase in age of P. ginseng. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts from the plants dose-dependently increased. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was higher in leaves (36.9 to 82.8%) than in roots (14.8 to 39.4%), and in young plants than in old ones. According to 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the methanol extracts from 5 year-root part showed the highest cytotoxicity against Calu-6, followed by 2 year- and 3 year-roots. However, the methanol extracts from 6 year- and 4 year-roots had lower cytotoxicity. Total phenolics content in both leaves and roots was highly correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging ($r^2=0.7366$ to 0.7870) and nitrite scavenging ($r^2=0.5604$ to 0.8794) activities, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the P. ginseng plants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 2012

Six different mashing types ((A) $koji$+purified enzyme, (B) $koji$+crude enzyme, (C) $koji$+$nuruk$, (D) $koji$+purified enzyme+$nuruk$, (E) $koji$+crude enzyme+$nuruk$, (F) purified enzyme+$nuruk$) had been established, according to fermentation agents and a mixing rate of rice $makgeolli$, in this study. The alcohol content was the highest in the mashing type (C), which was 13.6%, followed by (D) 13.5%, (A) 13.1%, (B) 12.9%, (E) 12.7% and (F) 12.1%. The reducing sugar content of (A) was the highest with 401.6 mg% and those of (B), (C), (D) and (F) were between 337.3- 380.9 mg%. The alcohol components were found and tended to increase during the fermentation. The oligo-saccharides content was the highest in (D) with 1251.3 mg%, which was followed by (E) 1,219.2 mg%, (C) 1,141.4 mg%, (A) 1,049.9 mg% and 973.8 mg% in (B). The total free amino acid was highest in (B) with 781.4 mg% and followed by (C) 703.2 mg%, (D) 702.6 mg%, (E) 678.7 mg%, (A) 630.4 mg% and (F) 328.7 mg% in order. There were 16 different types of volatile flavor components, in the mashing types (A) and (B), in addition to 15 different types of those in type (C), as well as 14 different types of those in (D), (E) and (F). There were significant differences in the overall preference between the type (A) and (C).

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.332-341
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• 2010

The chemical composition characteristics of jujube wine using different preparation methods including extraction in -soju (25%) and fermentation were investigated. The jujube wine was prepared by soaking in soju using- whole fruit(WJ-S1) or seed-removed fruit(WJ-S2). Fermentations of the jujube wine were started by using whole fruit(WJ-F1), seed-removed fruit(WJ-F2) or extracts of whole fruit(WJ-F3) after adding 24% sucrose. The pH of all samples decreased from a range of 4.92~5.42 at the start time to 3.66~4.97 after 100 days. The treatment WJ-F3 showed the lowest pH among all treatments. Total acid content was 0.67~1.01% at the initial stage and then changed to 0.51~0.88% after 100 days. Total sugar and reducing sugar contents were 1.20~13.8% and 0.50~4.45% at initial stage and then changed to 1.53~4.52% and 1.75~3.82% after 100 days respectively. These sugars decreased during the preparation and fermentation of the jujube wine. The amounts of free sugars including fructose, glucose, and sucrose ranged from 1.53~4.52% and treatment WJ-F3 showed the highest amount(1.95~13.64%) compared the other treatment. Glucose level were high in treatment WJ-S1 and WJ-S2, and fructose was increased in treatments WJ-F1, WJ-F2, and WJ-F3 after 60 days. Amino nitrogen content was 0.02~0.11% after 20 days and 0.07~0.14% after 40 days respectively. Solid content was 2.68~7.76% at the initial fermentation stage and changed to 4.81~9.73% after 100 days. Hunter color(L values) were 88.45~96.74 at the initial stage and then changed to 92.62~100.45 after 100 days. Preference tests a significant difference between the two types (extraction and fermentation) of jujube wine. And treatment WJ-S2 received the highest preference scores among the all treatments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.905-913
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• 2003

The physicochemical properties of rice flour roasted at various temperatures and times were analyzed, and the quality characteristics of tarakjuk made from these roasted rice flours were investigated. As roasting temperature and time increased, rice flour showed decreasing moisture, protein content, and glucose the major reducing sugar of rice flour. Total amino acid content did not show any significant changes, but the amount of free amino acids and individual amino acids, such as lysine, tryptophane, and tyrosine, decreased. A decrease in L value and increases in a and b values from both roasted rice flour and tarakjuk was observed. Reduced crystallinity and gelatinization temperatures of roasted rice flour were investigated with X-ray diffractogram and DSC, respectively. The thermal transitions between $100.6{\sim}127.6^{\circ}C$ of tarakjuk by DSC are considered to be due to the melting of amylose-lipid complex. As the roasting temperature and time of rice flours increased, tarakjuk showed lower viscosity and higher spreadability. Sensory characteristics, such as nutty flavor, color intensity, and gritty texture increased significantly. Tarakjuk made from rice flour roasted at $185^{\circ}C$ for 25min showed the highest score on overall preference. From the above results, roasted rice flour produced more preferable tarakjuk than nonroasted flour in terms of sensory quality.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2012

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the content of phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity from methanol extracts of different plant parts of $T.$ $officinale$ F. H. Wigg. Total phenolics [mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (FAE) $kg^{-1}$ DW] was highest in flower extracts (72.0 mg $kg^{-1}$), followed by leaf, root, and stalk extracts of $T.$ $officinale$ ($p$ < 0.05). The result of total flavonoid level [mg naringin equivalents $kg^{-1}$ DW] had same tendency to differential total phenolics contents among plant parts, but showed lower ranges of amount. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts from all the plant parts dose-dependently increased. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical) free radical scavenging activity was highest in flower extracts ($IC_{50}$ value = 624.3 mg $kg^{-1}$ ), and followed by leaf, root, and stalk extracts of $T.$ $officinale$ ($p$ < 0.05). By means of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, cell viability of Calu-6 for human pulmonary carcinoma and SNU-601 for human gastric carcinoma showed the lowest $IC_{50}$ value in the flower extracts ($IC_{50}$ value = 85.7 and 311.4 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively), indicating the highest cytotoxicity. The results suggested that total phenolics content and total flavonoids level in different plant parts of $T.$ $officinale$ were highly correlated with antioxidative ($r^2$=0.7280 to 0.9971) or with cytotoxic activities ($r^2$=0.5795 to 0.9515).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.330-339
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• 2008

Ceramide, cholesterol and free fatty acids are the major intercellular lipids, maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. However, the roles of these lipids in canine skin barrier function are little known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repairing effects of 2% ceramide (CER), 2% cholesterol (CHO), 2% linoleic acid (LIN) and 2% intercellular lipid mixture (ILM) on damaged canine skin barrier by 1.25% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin pH and skin thickness were assessed. Histological profiles and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) profiles were assessed on day 12. SLS effectively induced the canine skin barrier damage. TEWL was significantly decreased by topical application of CER and ILM in SLS and vehicle-treated skin on day 8 and 12, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.0 I). By end of the experiment all lipids significantly decreased the TEWL as compared with SLS and vehicle control, but CER and ILM more significantly decreased the TEWL than UN and CHO, respectively (p < 0.01). Skin hydration was significantly increased by CER and ILM during experimental periods (p < 0.01). Skin pH was significantly decreased by CER, LIN and ILM. In histological profiles, the thickness of the stratum corneum (SC) was significantly increased by the SC lipids as compared with vehicle and SLS (p < 0.01). Especially, CER and ILM showed more prominent improvement of barrier recovery. In TEM of the SC, SLS induced exfoliations of corneodesmosomes in the SC, and CER and ILM effectively protected exfoliations of corneodesmosomes on SLS-damaged canine skin. These results indicated that topical application of CER and ILM dramatically improved damaged-skin barrier function by SLS. Also, it was considered that the use of CER or ILM was recommended for the management of skin barrier dysfunction by irritant and inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.522-532
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• 2010

The aims of the present study were to characterize the effect of glucocorticosteroids (GCs) on the normal canine skin and to evaluate the effect of a lipid mixture (LM), containing cholesterol, pseudoceramide, and free fatty acid, on the steroid-induced damaged skin of dogs. Five beagles were involved and the skin of the back of each dog was topically applied with four kinds of GCs twice daily for 28 days. LM was applied after that period of GCs application. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, and skin pH were assessed during experimental periods and histopathological evaluation was performed. TEWL was significantly increased, with a maximum increase obtained on day 28 (p < 0.01). Skin pH was significantly decreased, with a maximum decrease obtained on day 28 (p < 0.01). Skin surface hydration was significantly increased on day 3, but values of skin hydration were progressively decreased and finally reached those of baseline. In histology, as results of steroid application, losses of keratin layers in the stratum corneum and edematous changes in the upper parts of dermis, and consequently, thickness of the epidermis and the stratum corneum were decreased. In addition, the numbers of hair follicles were markedly decreased in steroid control as compared to intact control. However, these skin atrophic changes were markedly inhibited by treatment of LM as compared with steroid control in the present study. Moreover, all biophysical parameters were reached to the baseline after LM treatment. These results showed that the topically applied GCs induced skin barrier impairment and a LM should be effective on repair of disturbed skin barrier function in dogs. Therefore, it is concluded that a LM tested in the present study is expected to treat the steroid-induced skin damages.