• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2020

Autophagy regulators are often effective as potential cancer therapeutic agents. Here, we investigated paclitaxel sensitivity in cells with knockout (KO) of ATG5 gene. The ATG5 KO in multidrug resistant v-Ha-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells (Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr) was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The qPCR and LC3 immunoblot confirmed knockout of the gene and protein of ATG5, respectively. The ATG5 KO restored the sensitivity of Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr cells to paclitaxel. Interestingly, ATG5 overexpression restored autophagy function in ATG5 KO cells, but failed to rescue paclitaxel resistance. These results raise the possibility that low level of resistance to paclitaxel in ATG5 KO cells may be related to other roles of ATG5 independent of its function in autophagy. The ATG5 KO significantly induced a G₂/M arrest in cell cycle progression. Additionally, ATG5 KO caused necrosis of a high proportion of cells after paclitaxel treatment. These data suggest that the difference in sensitivity to paclitaxel between ATG5 KO and their parental MDR cells may result from the disparity in the proportions of necrotic cells in both populations. Thus, our results demonstrate that the ATG5 KO in paclitaxel resistant cells leads to a marked G₂/M arrest and sensitizes cells to paclitaxel-induced necrosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4185-4192
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• 2015

Background: A protective effect of resistant starch (RS) containing foods on carcinogenesis has been shown from several lines of experimental evidence for gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between RS contained foods and breast cancer (BC) risk in a hospital-based, age- and origin-matched, case-control study. Materials and Methods: A validated, semi-quantitative, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was completed by 306 women newly diagnosed with BC aged 25 to 65 years, and 309 healthy women as matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. Results: Reduced BC risk was associated with the highest tertile of whole-wheat bread and boiled potato consumption with adjusted ORs at 0.34 (95%CI: 0.19-0.59) and 0.61 (95%CI: 0.37-0.99), respectively. Among consumers of whole-wheat bread, the protective role of cereals remained relatively apparent at higher intakes level of fiber rich breads at adjusted models (OR=0.53, 95%CI: 0.28-1.01). Moreover, high intake of legumes was found out to be a significant protective dietary factor against risk of BC development with an OR of 0.01 (95%CI: 0.03-0.13). However, consumption of white bread and biscuits was positively related to BC risk. Conclusions: Our results show that certain RS containing foods, in particular whole wheat bread, legumes and boiled potato may reduce BC risk, whereas higher intake of white bread and biscuits may be related to increased BC risk.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.259-269
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• 2020

The use of the geophysical method in mining prospecting has been studied in the Asdaf region (South-East of Morocco). The objective of the study is to examine the aptitude of the electrical technique, in this case induced polarization (IP) and electric tomography, combined with the electromagnetic method (VLF), in the exploration of barite . The result obtained by the pseudo-sections of electrical tomography and that of KH filtration highlighted anomalies of resistant contact (greater than 400Ω.m) and of high charge chargeability (5mV / V). These contacts are hosted in less resistant Devonian age shale and sandstone. The resistivity response obtained at their level is characteristic of the venous structures associated with barite mineralization. The direction of the mineralized veins is parallel to the direction of the fractured zones (NE-SW), which indicates that the mineralization in place is due to the tectonic movements of the Hercynian orogeny (from Devonian to Permian). These veins are aligned with the locations of abandoned mine shafts and with surface mining areas. Geophysical technique therefore seems to play a key role in barite mining exploration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1764-1768
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• 2010

In this study, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was examined among 74 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains recently isolated from clinical cases of canine pyoderma and otitis externa at the veterinary teaching hospital at Konkuk University, Korea. Bacterial resistance to the nine commonly used antibiotics was evaluated by a standard disk diffusion technique based on the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The results demonstrated that most S. pseudintermedius isolates were resistant to penicillin (95.9%) or tetracycline (91.9%), but highly susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (90.5%). Among the 74 isolates, 13 mecA-positive and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains were identified, displaying a high level of resistance (84.6-100%) to each of the individual antibiotics evaluated, with the exception of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (46.2% resistance). Notably, all of the MRSP isolates exhibited simultaneous resistance to four or more different antibiotics, indicating that they are multiple drug resistant (MDR) strains. Taken together, these results imply that more careful selection or prescription of antibiotics for canine pyoderma and otitis externa should be required for reducing the emergence and/or spread of MDR strains, especially MDR-MRSP isolates, in veterinary pet clinics in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2006

Tarakjuk with different amylose content was made up using roasted rice flours that consisted of the highest enzyme-resistant starch (RS), while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also utilized to measure the gelatinization temperature of these roasted rice flours in order to establish cooking temperature of tarakjuk. The following qualities of tarakjuk with different amylose content were studied: color, viscosity, spreadability, starch fractions involving total starch (TS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and RS, in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) and sensory properties. During experimentation, it was found that as the amylose content of the rice flour decreased, the L value of tarakjuk decreased, whereas a value increased significantly (p<0.05). Also, while viscosity showed to increase significantly (p<0.05), on the opposite end, the property of spreadability decreased. TS ranged from $15.95{\sim}17.31%$, RDS $9.36{\sim}10.16%$, SDS $5.46{\sim}6.91%$ and RS $0.33{\sim}1.07%$, on a dry basis. Although the amylose content of rice flours decreased, IVSD increased, however showing no significant difference. When testing the sensory properties of tarakjuk, color and viscosity increased, whereas clumpiness decreased. Ilpum tarakjuk showed the highest score for nutty taste and overall acceptance levels. In fact a high correlation was shown between nutty taste and overall acceptance level (p<0.01), which leads one to believe that nutty taste is a prime factor that greatly influences overall acceptance. Furthermore, viscosity was positively correlated with both a and b values, however negatively correlated with L value (p<0.05). Moreover, roasted nutty taste and overall acceptance were positively correlated with a value (p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the above results suggest that tarakjuk could be made by choosing the appropriate rice flour based on the nutritional or sensory purpose.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.33-45
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• 2012

Objectives: Recent data have revealed that the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators is increased in the insulin-resistant states of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic and anti-obesity effect of Massa Medicata Fermentata on obese type 2 diabetes mice. Methods: In order to examine the effects of Massa Medicata Fermentata, obese type 2 diabetes mice induced by Surwit's high fat, high sucrose diet. Mice were divided into 4 groups of ND (normal diet), HFD (high fat and high sucrose diet), Met (high fat and high sucrose diet with metformin) and MMF (high fat and high sucrose diet with Massa Medicata Fermentata) and investigated over 8 weeks. Diabetic and obese clinical markers, including body weight, glucose level, lipid level, leptin concentration, epididymal fat pad and liver weights and adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) were determined. Results: Compared with the HFD group, body weight, fructosamine, triglyceride, epididymal fat pad weight and ATM were significantly reduced in the MMF group. Conclusions: From the above results, the intake of Massa Medicata Fermentata may be effective in anti-hyperglycemia and anti-obesity by the attenuation of glucose and lipid levels and also inflammation state. Massa Medicata Fermentata may be beneficial for controlling diabetes mellitus type 2 in humans.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 1998

Tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) coat protein cDNA was transformed to Nicotiana tabacum cv. NC82 and the transgenic tobacco plants resistant to TMV infection were isolated in the next generation. The expression of TMV coat protein cDNA and genetic stability of the fifth generation of TMV resistant transgenic tobacco plants at the higher temperature were investigated. The TMV coat protein cDNA was amplified by genomic PCR in all the TMV resistant transgenic tobacco plants. The TMV coat protein expressed in the transgenic tobacco plants was detected at very low level by immunoblot hybridization. Even in tansgenic plants that showed the viral symptom only on very late sucker growth (delay type plants), the coat protein expression in the suckers was much less than that of susceptible tobacco infected with TMV. The TMV coat protein expressed in the transgenic tobacco plants was below 0.01% of total protein. Transcription and expression of the coat protein cDNA in delay type plants were observbed at high temperature (38$^{\circ}C$), and TMV replication was suppressed at both 28$^{\circ}C$ and 38$^{\circ}C$. This indicates that unlike the resistance conferred by 'N' gene. TMV resistance of transgenic tobacco plant won't break down at high temperature.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1995.07a
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• pp.133-170
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• 1995

The major objectives of fruit breeding lie in improvement of cultivar, easy to be cultivated and of high quality, in order to produce unexpensive, delicious fruit both for fresh fruit market and processing. Recently, fruit breeding in Korea has contributed to breeding of several superior cultivars in major fruit crops, resulting in appreciable improvement in qualities such as skin color, taste and fruit-bearing habit concerned with productivity. In spite of accomplishments mentioned above, the need for both highly disease-resistant cultivars and long-keeping, physiological disorder-resistant cultivars to meet long distance transsportation in the temperate fruit crops of apples, oriental pears, stone fruits such as peaches, and grapes grown in Korea is rapidly pressing more than ever, as cultivars of today susceptible to pests and diseases and vulnerable to physiological disorders are very expensive and time-consuming in post-harvest handling and management. Thus, imporvements made in the above problems through breeding level will lead to the really enhanced productivity in fruit industry. The major impediments of tree size, the long length of juvenile period and the highly heterogeneous genetic composition to the improvement of fruit crops are responsible for the lower amount and rate of improvements of fruit crops as compared to annuals. Considering the expected limitations of the above problems to be solved through conventional breeding methods and strategy, a turning point of breeding a near perfect cultivar would be laid down if innovative breakthroughs in biological technology will be realized in applying some of the techniques of genetic manipulation at the molecular level to the cultivar improvement of fruit crops, such as the selective insertion of DNA carrying genes that govern desirable characteristics. More than anything else, those traits such as fruiting habit deciding productivity, elements of fruit qualities conditioned by monogene, and disease-and pest-resistance of vital importance for successful fruit growing are urgently desired to be improved by advancement of biotechnology for they are more than difficult and need long period to be attained through conventional breeding method.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.149-155
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• 2010

Objective : Ssangwha-tang is a traditional medicine formula widely prescribed for a decrease of fatigue after an illness in Korea. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Ssangwha-tang fermented by Lactobacillus fermentum (SF) on osteoclast differentiation in vitro and on bone metabolism of an ovariectomized rat in vivo. Methods : Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and staining were applied to evaluate the formation of osteoclasts. Ovariectomized rats were orally administrated with SF (30 ml/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, phosphate, calcium levels were determined. Effect of SF on bone loss were studied by histological analysis and the measurement of bone mineral density. Results : SF significantly inhibited tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and formation of osteoclasts in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by receptor activator for nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) ligand (RANKL). In addition, SF significantly decreased the level of triglyceride and increased the level of low-density lipoprotein. Moreover, the decrease of trabeculae of the femur was partially prevented in ovariectomized rats administrated with SF. Conclusions : SF treatment could prevent ovariectomy induced bone loss and its effects could be medicated by the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2018

The emergence of carbapenem resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become an increasing problem worldwide. In particular, $metallo-{\beta}-lactamases$ (MBLs) are responsible for the high-level resistance to carbapenem. Sequence type 235 (ST235) has been found internationally in a multidrug-resistant clone and is involved in the dissemination of genes encoding IMP-6 and VIM-2. This study examined the prevalence of MBLs and the epidemiological relationship in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates obtained from a tertiary hospital in Daejeon, Korea, between March 2008 and June 2014. The antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined using the disk-diffusion method and PCR and DNA sequencing were used to identify the MBL genes. In addition, an epidemiological relationship was investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Among the 110 CRPA isolates, 32 isolates (29.1%) were MBL-producers; the major type was IMP-6 (29 isolates, 90.6%). VIM-2 was identified in 3 isolates (9.4%) of ST357. IMP-6-producing isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and belonged to ST235. ST235 (55 isolates, 50.0%) was the clone most frequently detected and has gradually emerged during a seven-year period. To prevent the spread of MDR ST235 P. aeruginosa isolates, the current widespread use of carbapenems needs to be curtailed, and novel continuous monitoring strategies should be developed as soon as possible.