• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2015

Trampling stress in turfgrass fields caused by traffics often occurs in zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) fields including golf course. In order to know the influences of trampling stress on the growth and development of turfgrass, leaf and root growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content and 2-DE protein analysis were conducted in the turfgrass plants subjected to various levels of trampling stress from 0 to $9,420J\;day^{-1}$ day. Shoot growth was more highly inhibited by trampling stress than root growth. Although root growth was affected by trampling with weak intensity, the highest root length was observed in the turfgrass treated with weak trampling ($1,570J\;day^{-1}$). Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv $Fm^{-1}$) was drastically lowered by trampling stress with moderate intensity. Leaf number showed similar tendency with leaf greenness. The number was decreased as the trampling intensity was increased. Shoot dry weight was decreased showing a similar tendency with the result of shoot length. The specific protein expressions under weak trampling were related to the functions of stress amelioration. Heat shock 70 kDa protein 10 and oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1 were the proteins increased positively under trampling stress.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.334-341
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• 2005

Plants are sessile and rely on a wide variety of growth hormones to adjust growth and development in response to internal and external stimuli. We have identified a gene, designated NAN, encoding a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that regulates cell elongation and seed germination in plants. NAN has an HLH motif in its C-terminal region but does not have any other discernible homologies to bHLH proteins. A bipartite nuclear localization signal is located close to the HLH motif. An Arabidopsis mutant, nan-1D, in which NAN is activated by the insertion of the 35S enhancer, exhibits growth retardation with short hypocotyls and curled leaves. It is also characterized by reduced seed germination and apical hook formation, symptomatic of GA deficiency or disrupted GA signaling. The phenotypic effects of nan-1D were increased by treatment with paclobutrazol (PAC), an inhibitor of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. NAN is constitutively expressed throughout the life cycle. Our observations indicate that NAN has a housekeeping role in plant growth and development, particularly in seed germination and cell elongation, and that it may modulate GA signaling.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on hair growth promotion of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) for the treatment of alopecia. Aqueous solutions of MAP 7.5% with or without MSM 1%, 5% or 10% were prepared and applied onto the depilated back skin of the male mice once a day for 20 days. The degree of hair growth was evaluated by visual scoring using hair growth quantification scale (0-5, 0 being initial state and 5 being complete hair growth). In vitro transdermal penetration and intradermal retention studies of MAP were performed with Franz diffusion cell using hairless mice skin. Hair growth in the group treated with the aqueous solution containing MAP 7.5% and MSM 10% was comparable to or better than the result in the group treated with minoxidil 5% solution. Hair growth promotion of MAP was dose-dependently increased by the presence of MSM used in combination with MAP 7.5% solution. The in vitro transdermal penetration of the MAP was decreased in proportion to the concentration of MSM. However, intradermal retention of MAP was profoundly and dose-proportionally increased as a function of MSM concentration, reaching 802 ${\mu}g/cm^2$ in the presence of MSM 10% (200-fold increase). The effect of MSM on hair growth promotion of MAP was dose-proportional to the concentration of MSM due to the enhanced intradermal retention of MAP in the presence of MSM. Therefore, topical application of MAP together with MSM appears to be useful for the treatment of alopecia.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.160-174
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to compare marbling score, meat quality, juiciness, sarcomere length, and skeletal muscle satellite cell (SMSC) growth and related gene expression between Woori black pig (WB) and the Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc (LYD) crossbreed at different body weights (b.w.). WB was developed to improve meat quality and growth efficiency by crossbreeding Duroc with Korean native black pig. A total of 24 pigs were sacrificed when their b.w. reached about 50, 75, 100, and 120 kg. SMSC were isolated from the femoris muscles, and muscle and adipose tissues were sampled from the middle and the subcutaneous part of the femoris of hind legs, respectively. Expression levels of genes including Myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD), Paired box gene 3 (Pax3), Myosin heavy chain (MyHC), and Myogenin, which are responsible for the growth and development of SMSC, were higher in LYD than the WB. Muscle growth inhibitor myostatin (MSTN), however, was expressed more in WB compared to LYD (p < 0.01). Numbers of SMSC extracted from femoris muscle of LYD at 50, 75, 100, and 120 kg b.w. were 8.5 ± 0.223, 8.6 ± 0.245, 7.2 ± 0.249, and 10.9 ± 0.795, and those from WB were 6.2 ± 0.32, 6.2 ± 0.374, 5.3 ± 0.423, and 17.1 ± 0.315, respectively. Expression of adipogenic genes in adipose tissue including CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CEBP)-β, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, and fatty acid synthase (FASN), were greater in WB when compared with LYD (p < 0.01). Results from the current study suggest that different muscle cell numbers between 2 different breeds might be affected by related gene expression and this warrants further investigation on other growth factors regulating animal growth and development.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2005

Cytokinins are adenine derivatives that regulate numerous plant growth and developmental processes, including apical and floral meristem development, stem growth, leaf senescence, apical dominance, and stress tolerance. However, not much is known about how cytokinin biosynthesis and metabolism is regulated. We identified a novel Arabidopsis gene, ALL, encoding an aldolase-like enzyme that regulates cytokinin signaling. An Arabidopsis mutant, all-1D, in which ALL is activated by the nearby insertion of the 35S enhancer, exhibited extreme dwarfism with rolled, dark-green leaves and reduced apical dominance, symptomatic of cytokinin-overproducing mutants. Consistent with this, ARR4 and ARR5, two representative primary cytokinin-responsive genes, were significantly induced in all-1D. Whereas SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) and KNAT1, which regulate meristem development, were also greatly induced, expression of REV and PHV that regulate lateral organ polarity was inhibited. ALL encodes an aldolase-like enzyme that belongs to the HpcH/HpaI aldolase family in prokaryotes and is down-regulated by exogenous cytokinin, possibly through a negative feedback pathway. We propose that ALL is involved in cytokinin biosynthesis or metabolism and acts as a positive regulator of cytokinin signaling during shoot apical meristem development and determination of lateral organ polarity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 1984

Effects of protein-sources on Kimchi fermentation and on the stability of ascorbic acid were investigated at $7{\pm}1^{\circ}C.$ Kimchi samples with various protein sources showed the higher pH and total acidity through the fermentation period than kimchi without the proteins. The results revealed that the proteins have acted as good buffer and lactobacilli-growth enhancer in the fermentation, and the milk proteins showed the most significant effect among the samples. The lactobacilli were at the highest growth at 15th day in all the samples. The amounts and changes in ascorbic acid content during the fermentation did not differ significantly between the control and protein added samples. The fresh, unfermented kimchi contained 14.5-15.7mg of ascorbic acid per 100g of sample and decreased continuously by the 12th day of fermentation. After then the vitamin increased in all the samples and then again decreased slowly after 18th day. The contents of ascorbic acid at the end of the 3 weeks-fermentation(16.3-17.3mg/100g) were still higher than the contents of fresh, unfermented kimchi.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.816-820
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• 2005

Polysaccharide-based dressings have increasingly become viable alternatives to somewhat less biocompatible and often problematic cotton or viscose gauzes traditionally used for wound dressings. Polysaccharide which is particularly abundunt in Agaricus blazei Murill is known as the bioactive materials. Polysaccharide extracted from Agaricus blazei Murill enhances the recovery of the damaged epidermal tissue and the production of epithelial cell growth factors which are necessary to heal the burn and wound on the epidermal tissue. In this study, the biopolymer delivery system of polysaccharide extracted from Agaricus blazei Murill into epidermal tissue was elucidated using the skin permeating enhancer in vitro. The enhancing effects of various penetration enhancers and some other enhancers on the permeation of ${\beta}-glucan$ were evaluated using Franz diffusion cell. Permeation of polysaccharide in nomal and burn skin was compared. Polysaccharide was studied for the burn and wound healing activity in the epidermal tissue on rats.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2009

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential for many angiogenic processes both in normal and pathological conditions. However, the signaling pathways involved in VEGF-induced angiogenesis are incompletely understood. The protein kinase D1 (PKD1), a newly described calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine kinase, has been implicated in cell migration, proliferation and membrane trafficking. Increasing evidence suggests critical roles for PKD1-mediated signaling pathways in endothelial cells, particularly in the regulation of VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Recent studies show that class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) are PKD1 substrates and VEGF signal-responsive repressors of myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcriptional activation in endothelial cells. This review provides a guide to PKD1 signaling pathways and the direct downstream targets of PKD1 in VEGF signaling, and suggests important functions of PKD1 in angiogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.4.1-4.11
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• 2022

Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) is an essential tool for observing surface details of specimens in a high vacuum. A series of specimen procedures precludes the observations of living organisms, resulting in artifacts. To overcome these problems, Takahiko Hariyama and his colleagues proposed the concept of the "nanosuit" later referred to as "NanoSuit", describing a thin polymer layer placed on organisms to protect them in a high vacuum in 2013. The NanoSuit is formed rapidly by (i) electron beam irradiation, (ii) plasma irradiation, (iii) Tween 20 solution immersion, and (iv) surface shield enhancer (SSE) solution immersion. Without chemical fixation and metal coating, the NanoSuit-formed specimens allowed structural preservation and accurate element detection of insulating, wet specimens at high spatial resolution. NanoSuit-formed larvae were able to resume normal growth following FESEM observation. The method has been employed to observe unfixed and uncoated bacteria, multicellular organisms, and paraffin sections. These results suggest that the NanoSuit can be applied to prolong life in vacuo and overcome the limit of dead imaging of electron microscopy.