• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권10호
• /
• pp.1390-1401
• /
• 2023

In this study, a 12-week feeding experiment was conducted to characterize the effects of exogenous α-amylase on the growth, feed utilization, digestibility, plasma α-amylase activity, feed degradation rate, and fecal particle size of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Diet was supplemented with 0 (AA₀; control), 100 (AA₁₀₀), 200 (AA₂₀₀), or 400 (AA₄₀₀) mg/kg of α-amylase, respectively. Fish (273.1 ± 2.3 g) were stocked into 12 tanks (25 fish/1,000-L tank) and 3 tanks were randomly selected for each diet group. As a result, α-amylase was found to have no significant effects (p ≥ 0.05) on the growth, feed utilization parameters, and whole-body proximate compositions. α-Amylase-treated fish exhibited only a significant increase in the apparent digestibility coefficient of carbohydrates compared to the controls. In addition, in vitro analyses revealed that α-amylase dose-dependently increased (p < 0.05) the feed degradation rate, while photographs of the intestinal content after 2, 4, and 8 h of feeding demonstrated an improved degradation rate in the α-amylase-treated groups. Plasma α-amylase content was higher in the AA₂₀₀ and AA₄₀₀ groups, whereas the control group produced significantly larger-sized fecal particles (90% size class) than these two groups. In the intestine, no changes were observed in the expression levels of the immune-related TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, immunoglobulin-M, HSP-70, lysozyme, and amylase alpha-2A. However, growth-related genes IGF-1, IGF-2, TGF-β3, and growth hormone genes were upregulated in muscle tissues. Collectively, exogenous α-amylase has positive roles in the modulation of the digestibility coefficient, blood α-amylase concentration, growth-related gene expression, and diet degradation for improved digestion in olive flounder.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제17권6호
• /
• pp.1043-1055
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The fruit of Cydonia oblonga Miller (COM) is used traditionally in Mediterranean region medicine to prevent or treat obesity, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. Beyond a demonstrated anti-obesity effect, the fruit was tested for the mechanism of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured for 8 days with COM fruit extract (COME) at different concentrations (0-600 ㎍/mL) with adipocyte differentiation medium. The cell viability was measured using an MTT assay; triglyceride (TG) was stained with Oil Red O. The expression levels of the adipogenesis-related genes and protein expression were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: COME inhibited intracellular TG accumulation during adipogenesis. A COME treatment in 3T3-L1 cells induced upregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α phosphorylation and downregulation of the adipogenic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α. The COME treatment reduced the mRNA expression of fatty acyl synthetase, adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase, adipocyte protein 2, and lipoprotein lipase. It increased the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in 3T3-L1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: COME inhibits adipogenesis via the AMPK signaling pathways. COME may be used to prevent and treat obesity.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제50권3호
• /
• pp.201-211
• /
• 2024

Background: Organic ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in sunscreen products and have been identified as an emerging contaminant. Organic UV filters co-exist with multiple components, but their mixture toxicity remains largely unknown. Objectives: We investigated the toxicity of single and binary mixtures of commonly used UV-filters using the human adrenocarcinoma (H295R) cell line. Methods: After exposure to non-cytotoxic concentrations of avobenzone (AVO), homosalate (HS), octisalate (OS), octinoxate (OMC), and octocrylene (OC), the levels of testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2) were measured. The median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for the E2 of the individual substances were used to determine the mixture effect of four binary combinations: OMC+AVB, OMC+HS, OMC+OS, and OMC+OC. The synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effects of the mixture were determined by calculating toxic units (TU). To examine the mechanism of mixture toxicity, eight genes involved in steroidogenesis were analyzed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The significant increase in E2 in H295R cells exposed to AVO, HS, OS, OMC, and OC suggest an estrogenic effect of the tested UV-filters. A significant decrease in T was observed in cells exposed to HS and OS. EC₅₀ values for E2 increase were 105 nM for AVO, 110 nM for HS, 120 nM for OS, 55 nM for OMC, and 80 nM for OC. Both binary mixtures consisting of OMC+HS and OMC+OS have synergistic effects. Conclusions: Our results showed that five types of UV-filter substances increase E2 in H295R cells. We examined the mixture toxicity in terms of increased estrogenicity and confirmed that E2 significantly increased when OMC was mixed with a salicylate-based UV-filters. These findings highlight the importance of determining the impact of UV filter mixtures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.270-276
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the clinical and laboratory factors associated with the presence of dysmorphic oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: The study involved 200 ICSI cycles, performed from 2020 to 2021, that yielded at least one mature oocyte. Clinical characteristics and ovarian stimulation methods were compared between 68 cycles with at least one dysmorphic oocyte (the dysmorphic group) and 132 cycles with normal-form oocytes only (the non-dysmorphic group). Dysmorphic oocytes were characterized by dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body. Results: The ages of the women, indications for in vitro fertilization, serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and rates of current ovarian endometrioma were similar between the dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic groups. In both groups, the three ovarian stimulation regimens, two types of pituitary suppression, and total gonadotropin dose were employed similarly. However, the dual-trigger method was used more frequently in the dysmorphic group (67.6% vs. 50%, p=0.024). The dysmorphic group contained significantly more immature oocytes and exhibited significantly lower oocyte maturity (50% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001) than the non-dysmorphic cycles. Within the dysmorphic group, significantly lower oocyte maturity was found in the cycles using a dual-trigger, but not in those with a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger. Conclusion: ICSI cycles with dysmorphic oocytes are closely associated with reduced oocyte maturity. This association was observed exclusively in dual-trigger cycles.

• 대한영상의학회지
• /
• 제84권2호
• /
• pp.386-397
• /
• 2023

일차성고알도스테론혈증은 고혈압의 원인 중 높은 비중을 차지하는 질병이다. 부신정맥채혈술은 일차성고알도스테론혈증의 원인을 감별하여 최종적인 치료방침을 결정하는 데 있어 필수적인 검사이다. 부신정맥채혈술의 성공 여부는 각 부신정맥에서 채혈한 샘플의 혈중 코티솔 농도와 말초혈관에서 채혈한 샘플의 혈중 코티솔 농도의 비를 측정하여 판단한다. 하대정맥으로 바로 연결되는 오른부신정맥에서 시술의 실패율이 더 높게 보고되며 상대적으로 왼부신정맥의 시술 실패율은 낮지만 드물게 보고된다. 본 임상화보에서는 왼부신정맥 부신정맥채혈술의 실패 사례를 소개하고 분석하여 최적의 부신정맥채혈술을 위한 고려사항에 대해 고찰하고자 한다.

• International Journal of Heart Failure
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.84-90
• /
• 2024

Background and Objectives: Vitamin D, as a steroid hormone, has multiple effects on human body and its deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HF) and unfavorable outcomes. The present study investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its relationship with cardiometabolic parameters in patients hospitalized for HF living in the city of Recife (latitude 8° South). Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study, with men and women aged 40-64 years. The HF group was recruited during hospitalization due to decompensation. A matched control group was recruited from the general endocrine clinics. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), considering deficiency when 25OHD <20 ng/mL (<50 nmol/L). Results: A total of 243 patients were evaluated (HF group: 161, control group: 82). Lower serum 25OHD levels were observed in the HF group (25.2±9.4 vs. 30.0±7.7ng/mL; p<0.001), as well as a higher prevalence of VDD (27.3% vs. 9.8%; prevalence ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-5.67; p=0.002). In patients with HF, VDD was associated with diabetes mellitus (65.9% vs. 41.0%; p=0.005) and female sex (65.9% vs. 44.4%; p=0.015). In the subgroup with VDD, higher values of hemoglobin A1c (7.9% [6.0-8.9] vs. 6.2% [5.7-7.9]; p=0.006) and dyslipidemia were also observed. Conclusions: We found higher rates of VDD in patients hospitalized for HF and this was associated with deleterious laboratory metabolic parameters.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제48권5호
• /
• pp.511-519
• /
• 2024

Background: The cycle of seasonal dormancy of perennating buds is an essential adaptation of perennial plants to unfavorable winter conditions. Plant hormones are key regulators of this critical biological process, which is intricately connected with diverse internal and external factors. Recently, global warming has increased the frequency of aberrant temperature events that negatively affect the dormancy cycle of perennials. Although many studies have been conducted on the perennating organs of Panax ginseng, the molecular aspects of bud dormancy in this species remain largely unknown. Methods: In this study, the molecular physiological responses of three P. ginseng cultivars with different dormancy break phenotypes in the spring were dissected using comparative genome-wide RNA-seq and network analyses. These analyses identified a key role for abscisic acid (ABA) activity in the regulation of bud dormancy. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that a transcriptional network comprising stress-related hormone responses made a major contribution to the maintenance of dormancy. Results: Increased expression levels of cold response and photosynthesis-related genes were associated with the transition from dormancy to active growth in perennating buds. Finally, the expression patterns of genes encoding ABA transporters, receptors (PYRs/PYLs), PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2Cs (PP2Cs), and DELLAs were highly correlated with different dormancy states in three P. ginseng cultivars. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that ABA and stress signaling outputs are intricately connected with a key signaling network to regulate bud dormancy under seasonal conditions in the perennial plant P. ginseng.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제49권11호
• /
• pp.1211-1215
• /
• 2006

목 적 : 본 연구는 소아 동종 조혈모세포이식 후에 갑상선 기능의 단기간 변화와 갑상선기능이상의 빈도와 위험인자를 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 2004년 1월부터 2006년 2월까지 가톨릭대학교 성모병원 소아과, 조혈모세포이식센터에서 동종 조혈모세포이식을 시행한 80명의 환자를 대상으로 연구를 하였다. 조혈모세포이식 전과 이식 후 1개월, 6개월, 12개월에 환자들의 혈청에서 TSH, T4, T3를 측정하였다. 결 과 : 조혈모세포이식을 하고 1개월 후의 갑상선 기능은 통계적으로 유의한 감소를 보이고 있었다(P<0.001). 1개월 후 갑상선 기능이상의 빈도는 80명중 43명(54%)에서 보였으며 이들 중 31명(39%)은 ETS를 보이고 있었다. 이식 후 일년 이내 갑상선 기능은 대부분 정상으로 회복되었다. 단변량 분석에 의하면 악성 질환인 경우(P=0.04)와 2도 이상의 급성 이식편대 숙주병(P=0.01)이 ETS의 위험인자였으나(P=0.04), 다변량 분석에 의하면 ETS 발생에 독립적인 위험인자는 찾을 수 없었다(P=0.19, 0.06). 결 론 : 조혈모세포이식 후 갑상선 기능이상은 초기에 높은 빈도로 발생함을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 이식 후에는 갑상선 기능의 지속적인 추적검사가 필요하다.

• 핵의학기술
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.138-142
• /
• 2010

PTH 측정은 체내 칼슘 및 이온화 칼슘의 수치와 함께 갑상선 절제술 후 저칼슘혈증을 예측하는 유용한 지표로서 임상에서는 신속한 결과 보고를 요구하고 있으나 검사반응시간이 길어 이에 상응하지 못하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 PTH 검사반응시간에 변화를 주어 신속한 결과 보고를 함으로서, 저칼슘혈증 예측 지표의 유용성을 평가하고자 한다. 2009년 7~8월까지 PTH를 검사한 환자들(n=131)을 대상으로 하였으며, 검사방법은 면역방사계수법으로 반응시간은 18${\pm}$2시간(Overnight), 0.5, 3, 6시간으로 구분하여 상관관계, 정밀도(10회 반복), 회수율을 측정하였다. 또한 조기 저칼슘 혈증 예측지표의 유용성을 평가하기 위해 민감도, 특이도, 양성예측도, 정확도를 비교 분석 하였다. 상관관계에서는 overnight을 기준으로 0.5시간은 $R^2$=0.987, 3시간은 $R^2$=0.993, 6시간은 $R^2$=0.996로 나타났다. 정밀도(%CV${\pm}$SD)에서 0.5시간은 $15.92{\pm}15.54$, 3시간은 $6.91{\pm}7.38$, 6시간은 $4.30{\pm}4.69$, Overnight은 $4.59{\pm}2.59$로 측정되었다. 회수율(%Mean${\pm}$SD)에서 0.5시간은 $96.8{\pm}5.44$, 3시간은 $102.6{\pm}4.35$, 6시간은 $100.7{\pm}2.56$, Overnight은 $102.2{\pm}5.98$로 측정되었다. 양성 예측치(cut-off point=15 pg/mL)를 기준으로 저칼슘혈증을 예측할 때, 0.5시간일 때 민감도 97.5% 특이도 96.0% 양성예측도 86.6% 정확도 84.7%였고, 3시간일 때 민감도 97.5% 특이도 100% 양성예측도 100% 정확도 97.5%였고, 6시간일때 민감도 97.5% 특이도 92.3% 양성예측도 92.8% 정확도 90.6%였다. Overnight법과 비교할 때 검사반응시간 3시간에서 98.3%로 가장 높은 일치율을 보였고, Kappa와 상관관계 또한 우수하였다. 이에 검사반응시간을 3시간으로 단축시켜 신속한 결과를 보고함으로써 환자의 저칼슘혈증을 조기에 예측하여 칼슘제 투여 등 적절한 조치를 취하여 환자의 증상발현을 막을 수 있는 유용한 지표로 활용될 것이다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제11권3호
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 2007

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate(EDS)는 Leydig 세포의 선별적 사멸을 유도하는 약물로서 가역적인 테스토스테론 결핍 흰쥐를 만드는데 널리 사용된다. 부정소의 구조와 기능 유지는 크게 보아 정소에서 분비되는 테스토스테론에 의존적이지만, 테스토스테론으로부터 유도되는 dihydroxytestosterone(DHT)와 에스트로겐도 중요한 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 EDS 주사 후 7주까지 부정소에서의 스테로이드 호르몬 수용체, cyctochrome P450aromatase(P450arom)와 $5{\alpha}$-reductase의 유전자 발현 양상을 조사하였다. 성숙한 수컷 흰쥐($350{\sim}400\;g$)에 EDS를 1회 복강 주사하고(75 mg/kg i.p.) 주사 후 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7주가 경과한 날에 희생하였다. 표적 유전자들의 전사 활성은 반 정량적 역전사 중합효소 반응법(semi-quantitative RT-PCRs)으로 측정하였다. Estrogen receptor alpha($ER{\alpha}$) 전사 수준은 EDS 실험군에서 대조군에 비해 주사 1주후에 유의하게 상승했으나(P<0.01) 2주 후부터는 대조군과 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. Estrogen receptor beta($ER{\beta}$)의 전사 수준은 주사 1주후 EDS 실험군에서 대조군에 비해 유의하게 증가했다가(P<0.05), 2주와 3주에는 감소하였고(P<0.05와 P<0.01), 4주와 6주까지는 변동폭을 보이다가 7주 후에는 대조군에 비해 증가하였다(P<0.05). Androgen receptor(AR) 전사 수준은 주사 2주 후에 유의하게 증가하다가(P<0.01) 3주 후부터는 대조군 수준으로 회복하였다. 반면, P450arom는 주사 1주 후부터 3주까지 급격하게 감소했다가(P<0.01 1주와 2주; P<0.05 3주), 4주에 대조군 수준으로 회복하였다. $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2($5{\alpha}$-RT2)의 mRNA 수준은 4주 후 유의하게 증가했다가(P<0.01), 이후 대조군 수준으로 회복하였다. 본 연구는 EDS 주사가 성 스테로이드 호르몬 수용체들과 안드로겐 전환 효소들의 전사 활성에 가역적인 변화를 유도함을 보여준 것이다. EDS 주사 모델은 부정소의 생리 조절 기작을 이해하는데 유용할 것으로 사료된다.