• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.399-404
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• 1998

Genipin was obtained from hydrolysis of geniposide isolated from gardenia fruits with ${\beta}-glucosidase$. Reaction of genipin with glycine, alanine, histidine, lysine, phenylalanine and glutamate in aqueous buffer solution converted colorless starting materials to blue pigments. Effect of pH for the formation of blue pigments was tested using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The optimum pH for the formation of blue pigments was 7.0. No pigment and trace amounts were formed at acidic (pH 3.0) and alkaline (pH 12.0) conditions, respectively. The amount and tincture of blue color were distinct with different amino acids. In contrast with lysine $({\lambda}_{max}=573\;nm)$, glycine $({\lambda}_{max}=595\;nm)$, phenylalanine $({\lambda}_{max}=602\;nm)$ and alanine $({\lambda}_{max}=595\;nm)$, the reaction of genipin with histidine $({\lambda}_{max}=601\;nm)$ and glutamate $({\lambda}_{max}=601\;nm)$ produced relatively small amounts of blue pigments. Rate constants for the formation of blue pigments from genipin with amino acids at various temperatures $(60,\;70,\;80,\;90^{\circ}C,\;pH\;7.0\;phosphate\;buffer)$ were obtained. Rate constants of genipin with basic amino acids were larger than neutral or acidic amino acids. Arrhenius activation energies of the formation of blue pigments indicated that activation energy of glycine $(E_A=9.8\;kcal/mol)$ was especially lower than those of other amino acids $(E_A=13.3{\sim}15.4\;kcal/mol)$.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 1999

To improve biopolymer productivity and properties of Bacillus strains, protoplast fusion was performed between biopolymer producing Bacillus subtilis K-1 and lactose utilizing Bacillus coagulans. The results were as follows; Protoplasts mixed in fusion fluid containing 33% PEG 6000, 1% PVP and 10 mM $CaCl_2$ were reacted for 5 min at $37^{\circ}C$ and then centrifused protoplasts were directly overlaid on the selective media containing $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ antibiotics and incubated for 3 days. At this conditions, the frequency of protoplast fusion was generally in the range of $4.6{\times}10^{-5}\;to\;1.8{\times}10^{-7}$ in ratio. Segregation ratio was observed between 1 to 6% indicating genetic stability of all the fusants. Fusants growth were also observed on the media contained amino acid and antibiotics as required marked materials. DNA contents of the selected fusants were 1.6 to 2.7 times more than that of parent strains. With observation by TEM microscopy, spherical protoplasts were first released from the swollen parental cells and then contracted to fuse in the process of fusion. And fused cells were observed representative vesicle. Originally, the parental cells were observed as in the morphology of thick-walled and double membrane-surrounded rod shape with TEM microscopy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2005

Purpose: Abnormalities in the p53 gene are regarded as the most consistent genetic abnormalities detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis. Two new members of the p53 gene family, p73 and p63 have recently been identified. They share considerable sequence homology with p53 in the transactivation, DNA binding, and oligomerization domains, indicating possible involvement in carcinogenesis. Disruption of the homeostatic balance between proliferation and apoptosis is widely believed to contribute to human oral carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze expression of p63 in squamous cell carcinogenesis and to compare with immunochemical markers representing cell proliferation and apoptosis. Materials and Methods: Using the Syrian hamster oral cancer model, the fraction of apoptotic (apoptotic index-AI), proliferating (mitotic index-MI) and p63 expressing keratinocytes were examined at normal, dysplastic and malignant oral epithelium using the TUNEL assay, PCNA and p63 immunostaining. Results: p63 significantly increased between normal and dysplastic epithelium and between dysplastic and malignant epithelium. PCNA significantly increased between normal and dysplastic epithelium and between normal and malignant epithelium. However, increase between dysplastic and malignant epithelium, though still increasing, was not statistically significant. The percentage of TUNEL positive cells increased from normal to dysplastic epithelium and returned to normal keratinocyte level in the malignant epithelium. However, differences between tissue types were not significant. The ratio of MI:AI increased significantly only in the dysplastic-malignant epithelial transition. The increase of p63 expression closely reflected the change in the MI:AI ratio during oral carcinogenesis. Conclusion: The p63 may be associated with the regulation of epithelial proliferation and apoptosis in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch squamous cell carcinogenesis. Further study is required to investigate which p63 isoforms are involved in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2007

Background: The pathogenesis of lung cancer includes the accumulation of multiple genetic abnormalities. The CREB-binding protein(CBP) is one of several transcriptional co-activators among various sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors. CBP is involved in a wide range of cellular activities, such as DNA repair, cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis that are suspected of contributing to tumorigenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate CBP expression in a series of human lung tissues containing normal epithelium, premalignant lesions(hyperplasia and dysplasia) and squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections by use of a monoclonal anti-CBP antibody. CBP expression was compared in samples from 120 patients with premalignant and malignant histological types including 20 metaplastic specimens, 40 dysplastic specimens, and 60 squamous cell carcinomas in the lung. Results: CBP expression was seen in 35% (7/20) of the metaplastic specimens. 65% (26/40) of the dysplastic specimens, and 70% (42/60) of the squamous cell carcinomas (p<0.05). According to celluar atypism, CBP expression was 50% (10/20) of the low-grade dysplastic specimens and 80% (16/20) of the high-grade dysplastic specimens(p <0.01). By cellular differentiation, CBP expression was seen in 95% (19/20) of the well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, 85% (17/20) of the moderately differentiated carcinomas and 30% (6/20) of the poorly differentiated lesions (p <0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that CBP may have an important role in malignant transformation of precancerous lung lesions and may be a marker for malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2000

This study was performed to evaluate the food technological properties according to different emulsion state of carthamus red pigment. For making emulsion, lecithin was used as an emulsifier and polyglycerol monooleate(PGMO) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate(Tween 80) were used as an assistant, and glycerin, distilled water and soybean oil were used as base materials respectively. Paprika stock solution was used for comparing carthamin on the rheological properties. The results were described as following: 1. Hunter L-value was not drastically increased until passed by 8 hours for glycerin, carthamin, and lecithin mixed sample. 2. Hunter a-value was higher at carthamin added sample than others. and b-value was higher to paprika added sample than others. 3. The viscosity, shear rate and shear stress levels in which glycerin was used as base material were higher than soybean oil or distilled water. 4. In which soybean oil was used as base material. lecithin was not affected on the rheological properties. But, in which glycerin was used. the lecithin was higher affected on carthamin than paprika. 5. The value of shear stress was increased both carthamin and soybean oil. However, that of shear rate was shown similar trends.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.377-393
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• 2010

Pumiceous tuffs occurring in the Beomgockri Group are examined applied-mineralogical characteristics and their controling factors to evaluate their potentials as the adsorption-functional mineral resources. The pumiceous tuffs are diagenetically altered to low-grade zeolitcs and bentonites in the Janggi area. Compositional specialty due to the presence of pumice fragments induces the altered tuffs to exhibit the characteristic adsorption property combined with cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and acidic pH. Unusual lower pH in the adsorption-functional mineral substances is turned out to be originated from the presence of H-smectite having $H^+$ in the interlayer site of the sheet structure. On account of disordered crystallinity resulting from the exchanged $H^+$ in the interlayer site, the smectite commonly forms crenulated edges in the planar crystal form and exhibits characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns showing comparatively lower intensities of basal spacings including (001) peak than conventional Ca-smectite. Based on the interpretation of paragenetic relations and precursor of the H-smectite, a genetic model of the peculiar clay mineral was proposed. The smectite formation may be facilitated resulting from the precipitation of opal-CT at decreasing pH condition caused by the release of H+ during diagenetic alteration of pumice fragments. Because of the acidic smectite, the low-grade mineral resources from the Beomgockri Group may be applicable to the adsorption industry as the raw materials of acid clays and bed-soil.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2010

Purpose: The objectives were to examine following 2 questions related to cognitive profile for the children with Williams syndrome (WS); 1) Is there a significant advantage for verbal IQ over performance IQ in WS?; 2) Is there selective impairment in visuospatial ability in the children with WS? Materials and Methods: Five children with WS with the age of $90.86{\pm}20.73$ months were compared with 12 children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) or Down syndrome (DS) with comparable age and IQ. Results: All 5 children with WS showed intellectual disability whose mean scaled scores were $15.71{\pm}9.27$ in verbal subtests and $14.29{\pm}7.50$ in performance subtests, which did not show significant difference. There was no significant difference in the total sum of scaled scores of verbal subtests among WS, PWS and DS. There was no selective impairment in subtests which represented visuospatial tasks for the children with WS. However, the scaled score of object assembly was significantly lower in WS ($2.29{\pm}0.95$) compared to that of PWS ($4.75{\pm}2.77$; P <0.05). Conclusion: The general notion that the children with WS would be relatively strong in verbal function when compared with their overall cognitive function was not observed in this study. The verbal function of the children with WS was not better when compared to the children with DS or PWS. There was no selective impairment of visuospatial function in the children with WS at this age. However, the visuospatial function was significantly low in the children with WS only when compared to the children with PWS.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-24
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to asses the fetal loss rate after mid-trimester amniocentesis. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnant women who underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis at Cheil General Hospital from January 2008 through December 2010. The procedure-related fetal loss was defined as miscarriage within 2 weeks after amniocentesis. We evaluated the fetal loss rate within 2 weeks after amniocentesis and fetal loss rate before 24 gestational weeks. Results: During the study period, a total of 4,356 singleton pregnant women underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis. A total of Five hundred ninety six women were excluded owing to follow up loss and termination of pregnancy due to abnormal karyotype or major anomaly. At our institute, the fetal loss rate within 2 weeks was 0.1% and before 24 gestational weeks was 0.3% after amniocentesis. Conclusion: The fetal loss rate after mid-trimester amniocentesis in our study is lower than previously reported rate. We suggest that amniocentesis is a safe procedure.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the outcomes of increased fetal nuchal translucency (NT), to aid in prenatal counseling and management in our practice. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent first trimester fetal karyotyping using chorionic villi sampling (CVS) and second trimester level II sonography for a fetal NT thickness ${\geq}3.0mm$ between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days' gestation, at Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Pediatric medical records and a telephone interview were used to follow-up live-born children. Exclusion criteria included incomplete data and CVS for other indications. Results: Seventy cases met the inclusion criteria (median NT thickness, 4.7 mm; range, 3.0-16.1 mm). Twenty-nine cases (41.4%) were aneuploid. The prevalence of chromosomal defects increased with NT thickness: NT 3.0-3.4 mm, 16.7%; NT 3.5-4.4 mm, 27.3%; NT 4.5-5.4 mm, 66.7%; NT 5.5-6.4 mm, 37.5%; NT ${\geq}6.5mm$, 62.5%. The most common karyotype abnormality was trisomy 18 (n=12), followed by trisomy 21 (n=9). In chromosomally normal fetuses (n=41), fetal death occurred in 2 cases (4.9%), and structural malformations were found in 11 cases (26.8%). In chromosomally and anatomically normal fetuses (n=28), one child had neurodevelopmental delay (3.6%). Twenty-eight infants who had a prenatal increased NT were alive and well at follow-up (40%). Conclusion: Outcomes of increased fetal NT might help inform prenatal counseling and management. The high prevalence of chromosomal defects associated with increased fetal NT implies that CVS should be performed in the first trimester, particularly considering the stress associated with an uncertain diagnosis.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2017

Purpose: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an indicator of arterial stiffness, and is considered a marker of vascular damage. However, a genome-wide association study analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) has not been conducted in healthy populations. We performed this study to identify SNPs associated with baPWV in healthy populations in Korea. Materials and Methods: Genomic SNPs data for 2,407 individuals from three sites were analyzed as part of the Korean Genomic Epidemiologic Study. Without replication samples, we performed multivariable analysis as a post hoc analysis to verify the findings in site adjusted analysis. Healthy subjects aged between 40 and 70 years without self-reported history or diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and cancer were included. We excluded subjects with a creatinine level >1.4 mg/dL (men) and 1.2 mg/dL (women). Results: In the site-adjusted association analysis, significant associations (P<$5{\times}10^{-8}$) with baPWV were detected for only 5 SNPs with low minor allele frequency. In multivariable analysis adjusted by age, sex, height, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, site, smoking, alcohol, and exercise, 11 SNPs were found to be associated (P<$5{\times}10^{-8}$) with baPWV. The 5 SNPs (P<$5{\times}10^{-8}$) linked to three genes (OPCML, PRR35 and RAB40C) were common between site-adjusted analysis and multivariable analysis. However, meta-analysis of the result from three sites for the 11 SNPs showed no significant associations. Conclusion: Using the recent standard for genome-wide association study, we did not find any evidence of significant association signals with baPWV.