• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.630-638
• /
• 2017

Metabolic syndrome is associated with risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and incidence of metabolic syndrome is showing an increasing trend. Recently, coffee intake is argued to have an effect on the gut-brain axis, and it is widely recognized has being associated with many beneficial effects, including those related to metabolic imbalance. However, it is essential to understand how the dietary aspects of coffee intake and type of coffee intake affect diet and overall health. The association between coffee consumption and health is still controversial, and the average body weight of the Korean population is increasing. Therefore, this study focused on analyzing the effects of instant coffee (particularly instant coffee mix) in Korea, especially with respect to metabolic syndrome. The study was conducted on participating subject's that visited Sun-Han hospital, and instant coffee mix intakes and metabolic risk factors during the study period were examined from July 2015 to June 2016. The results showed that waist circumference (r=0.405, P=0.036) and serum triglyceride level (r=0.435, P=0.023) were positively correlated with instant coffee mix intakes. In addition, instant coffee mix intakes were significantly associated with serum triglyceride level in subjects who consumed more than 1 cup/d of coffee (P<0.05). Therefore, subjects should be careful about fat intake and be educated about the type and frequency of coffee intakes.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2002

The etiology of several motility disorders, including persistent megacolon after definitive surgery for Hirschsprung's disease, meconium ileus which is not associated with cystic fibrosis and idiopathic megacolon, is still unclear. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are thought to modulate gut motility as gastrointestinal pace maker cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ICC in the bowel walls of the patients (n=15) who had variable motility disorders. The ICC were identified by immunohistochemical staining using an anti-C-Kit antibody and the results were compared with control specimens (n=2). The control group (G1) showed evenly distributed ICC in their bowel walls. The second group (G2, n=5) who had normal bowel movements after Duhamel procedures and the third group (G3, n=4) who had persistent megacolon after Duhamel procedures showed absent or scarcely distributed ICC in their aganglionic bowels. The ICC were immunohistochemical staining using an anti-C-Kit antibody and the results were compared with control specimens (n=2). The control group (G1) showed evenly distributed ICC in their bowel walls. The second group (G2, n=5) who had normal bowel movements after Duhamel procedures and the third group (G3, n=4) who had persistent megacolon after Duhamel procedures showed absent or scarcely distributed ICC in their aganglionic bowels. Whereas ICC were evenly distributed in the ganglionic bowels of G2, they were not seen or scarecely distributed in the ganglionic bowels of G3. Two patients (G4) who suffered from idiopathic megacolon showed absence or decrease of ICC in spite of presence of ganglion cells in their colons. Four neonates (G5) who underwent ileostomy because of meconium obstruction showed absent or markedly decreased ICC in the the colon at the time of ileostomy and the distribution of ICC was changed to a normal pattern at the time of ileostomy closure between 39-104 days of age and their bowel motility were restored after that. The results suggest that lack of ICC caused reduce motility in the ganglionic colons and it may be responsible for the development of various motility disorders. Delayed maturity of ICC may also playa role in the meconium obstruction of neinates.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.24 no.3 s.64
• /
• pp.141-149
• /
• 1985

Embryonic developmental rates of the Oriental tobacco budworm, Heliothis assulta Guenee, were compared at various constant temperatures and 16 hours of light, and detailed embryogenesis was also studied at $25^{\circ}C$. The egg was nearly globular in form and had an average equatorial diameter of 0.53mm. A single micropyle was in the center of the circular area at the anterior pole of the egg. Durations of embryogenesis at 20, 25, 30, and $35^{\circ}C$ were 147, 81, 61, and 67hrs, respectively. Embryonic death was especially higher at $35^{\circ}C$ than any other temperatures investigated. Embryogenesis progressed with changes in color and pattern, which are quite characteristic at each developmental stage of the embryo. At $25^{\circ}C$, organogenesis began in 14hrs after oviposition, formation of gut completed in 44hrs and eclosion occurred in 80hrs. The embryo formed along the long axis at early developmental stage, moved towards the equatorial plane in 24hrs, and made a half-turn on the plane in 36hrs. In 40hrs, head was oriented to the anterior pole of the egg until eclosion.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.295-301
• /
• 2015

We investigated mycophagous ladybird, Illeis koebelei from 12 species of plants infected with powdery mildew in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. The pear tree, Pyrus ussuriensis var. macrostipes (Nakai), was most preferred by I. koebelei. This species was found from early July to early November in pear orchards. There was no entomophagous trace in the gut of I. koebelei without powdery mildew spores in a microscope. All stages except egg and pupa are obligate mycophagous, and the feeding potential is ranked as follows: fourth instar, adults, third instar, second instar, and first instar. Feeding amounts of each stage of I. koebelei were 45.6, 144.4, 372.2, 628.1, and $473.7mm^2$ of cucumber powdery mildew per day. Fourth instar larvae showed highest consumption of cucumber powdery mildew. Developmental periods of four larval instars and adults feeding cucumber powdery mildew were 1.2, 2.3, 2.3, 4.6, and 37.7 days, respectively, at $25^{\circ}C$. In this study, we could not determine the feeding potential of I. koebelei against the cucumber powdery mildew; therefore, and further studies are required to elucidate the potential of this species as a biological control agent, e.g., mass rearing, selection of low toxic chemical agents for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and control techniques against powdery mildew in agro-ecosystems.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.44 no.3 s.140
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2005

Cellulose-digesting bacteria were isolated from hindgut of Allomyrina dichotoma (Coleoptera: Dynastidae). The bacterial isolates were identified as Yersinia sp. and Bacillus sp. The addition of the identified bacteria to diet increased growth rate of the cetoniid beetle, Protaetia brevitarsis senlensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), probably by digesting cellulose nutrient contained in the oak tree sawdust diet. An additive of wheat flour at more than 10% to the sawdust diet significantly enhanced growth of P. brevitarsis senlensis. Trimmed branches of apple trees have been disposed in the apple farms and could be used for a diet component of the cetoniid beetle when the cellulose-digesting bacteria were mixed with the derived-sawdust. Resulting manure from mass rearing of P. brevitarsis senlensis contained high organic matters and trace amounts of toxic metals. When the manure were splayed on soil, it was effective as a natural compost and significantly stimulated lettuce growth. This research suggests a model technology to use cellulose-digesting bacteria to use for culturing grub, which results in natural recycles of trimmed branches in apple farms as grub diet, and to use grub manure as a natural compost.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.282-290
• /
• 2020

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper cell differentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cell cycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation, inhibited CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggesting that it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body's immune response against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at various degrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility in managing enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.9
• /
• pp.1194-1200
• /
• 2012

Lactic acid bacteria are generally recognized as beneficial probiotic organisms. Recent studies revealed that the potential of probiotic strains was essentially dependent on the bacterial-binding and adhesion capabilities to gut epithelial cells and the hydrophobicity of the cell surface. In this study, we screened some indigenous lactic acid bacteria from Kimchi and selected one lactic acid bacterium as a potential probiotic based on its cell surface hydrophobicity. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of probiotic isolates indicated that the selected isolate (BCNU 9070 strain) was a member of Pediococcus pentosaceus. P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 showed resistance to bile acids and acidic pH. The P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain also inhibited the cell growth of six food-borne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella sonnei. In addition, the P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain expressed bile salt hydrolase activity and showed an ability to assimilate cholesterol in vitro. On the basis of these results, P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 is considered to have probiotic potential for applications in functional foodstuffs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.1629-1635
• /
• 2012

Previously, we demonstrated that the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) is present on fibroblasts, where it regulates focal contact. Here, we assessed whether this action of EpoR is involved in the reduced cell adhesion observed in colonocytes exposed to Clostridium difficile toxin A. EpoR was present and functionally active in cells of the human colonic epithelial cell line HT29 and epithelial cells of human colon tissues. Toxin A significantly decreased activating phosphorylations of EpoR and its downstream signaling molecules JAK-2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5). In vitro kinase assays confirmed that toxin A inhibited JAK 2 kinase activity. Pharmacological inhibition of JAK2 (with AG490) abrogated activating phosphorylations of EpoR and also decreased focal contacts in association with inactivation of paxillin, an essential focal adhesion molecule. In addition, AG490 treatment significantly decreased expression of occludin (a tight junction molecule) and tight junction levels. Taken together, these data suggest that inhibition of JAK2 by toxin A in colonocytes causes inactivation of EpoR, thereby enhancing the inhibition of focal contact formation and loss of tight junctions known to be associated with the enzymatic activity of toxin A.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.1343-1354
• /
• 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disorder that causes chronic itch. We investigated the inhibitory effects of a mixture of prebiotic short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS), inulin, or β-glucan on AD development in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. Mice were randomly assigned to six groups: untreated mice, AD control, positive control (DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of Zyrtec), and DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of prebiotics such as scGOS/lcFOS (T1), inulin (T2), or β-glucan (T3). The prebiotic treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) showed suppression of AD symptoms, Th2 cell differentiation, and AD-like skin lesions induced by DNCB. In addition, prebiotic treatment also reduced the number of microorganisms such as Firmicutes, which is associated with AD symptoms, and increased the levels of Bacteroidetes and Ruminococcaceae, which are associated with alleviation of AD symptoms. Our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effects of prebiotics on AD development by improving the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and beneficial symbiotic microorganisms in in vitro and in vivo models.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2018

This study was designed to investigate the effects of multi-enzyme on diarrhea and immune responses of weaned pigs. A total 36 weaned pigs ($5.92{\pm}0.48kg\;BW$; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (3 pigs/pen, 6 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were a typical diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON with 0.1% multienzyme (Multi; mixture of ${\beta}-mannanase$, xylanase, ${\alpha}-amylase$, protease, ${\beta}-glucanase$, and pectinase). Pigs were fed their respective diets for 6 wk. Frequency of diarrhea, levels of packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), immunoglobulins, cortisol, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Multi group tended to decrease (p<0.1) diarrhea frequency than CON group during 2 wk after weaning. Lower values of PCV on d 3 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.1) were found in Multi group compared with CON group. There were no significant differences on WBC number and immunoglobulin (Ig) M and A between Multi and CON groups. However, Multi group tended to increase (p<0.1) Ig G on d 7 than CON group. Moreover, Multi group showed modulated immune responses, indicated by decreased levels of cortisol (p<0.05) on d 7 and 14, $TNF-{\alpha}$ on d 3 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.10), $TGF-{\beta}$ on d 2 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.10), and CRP (p<0.10) on d 3 and 7 after weaning compared with CON group. Consequently, inclusion of multi-enzyme in diets for weaned pigs improved gut health and modulated immune responses of weaned pigs.