• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1551-1558
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• 2014

The esterase gene Est8 from the thermophilic bacterium Bacillus sp. K91 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The monomeric enzyme exhibited a theoretical molecular mass of 24.5 kDa and an optimal activity around $50^{\circ}C$ at pH 9.0. A model of Est8 was constructed using a hypothetical YxiM precursor structure (2O14_A) from Bacillus subtilis as template. The structure showed an ${\alpha}/{\beta}$-hydrolase fold and indicated the presence of a typical catalytic triad consisting of Ser-11, Asp-182, and His-185, which were investigated by site-directed replacements coupled with kinetic characterization. Asp-182 and His-185 residues were more critical than the Ser-11 residue in the catalytic activity of Est8. A comparison of the amino acid sequence showed that Est8 could be grouped into the GDSL family and further classified as an SGNH hydrolase. Est8 is a new member of the SGNH hydrolase subfamily and may employ a different catalytic mechanism.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2014

Elevated serum uric acid levels are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Several genome-wide association studies on uric acid levels have implicated the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2 (ABCG2) gene as being possibly causal. We investigated an association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2725220 in the ABCG2 gene and uric acid levels in the Korean population. A total of 991 subjects in Seoul City were used for a replication study with ABCG2 SNP rs2725220. The rs2725220 SNP in the ABCG2 gene was associated with mean uric acid levels (effect per allele 0.25 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Subjects with the GC/CC genotype had a 1.78-fold (range, 1.22- to 2.62-fold) higher risk of having abnormal uric acid levels (${\geq}7.0mg/dL$) than subjects with the GG genotype. When analyzed by gender, the association with ABCG2 was stronger in men than in women. The association with ABCG2 was much stronger in male subjects with body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}26.4$ (odds ratio, 5.09; 95% confidence interval, 2.41 to 10.8) than in male subjects with BMI < 26.4. This study clearly demonstrates that genetic variations in ABCG2 influence uric acid levels in Korean adults.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.466-473
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• 2004

A new acid deoxyribonuclease (DNase) was purified from the cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis, and designated CSDNase. CSDNase was purified by $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ precipitation, Sephacryl S-100 HR gel filtration, weak anion-exchange HPLC, and gel filtration HPLC. The protein was single-chained, with an apparent molecular mass of ca. 34 kDa, as revealed by SDS-PAGE, and an isoelectric point of 7.05, as estimated by isoelectric focusing. CSDNase acted on both double-stranded (ds) and single- stranded (ss) DNA, but preferentially on dsDNA. The optimum pH of CSDNase was pH 5.5 and its optimum temperature 55. The activity of CSDNase was not dependent on divalent cations, but its enzymic activity was inhibited by high concentration of the cation: $MgCl_2$ above 150 mM, $MnCl_2$ above 200 mM, $ZnCl_2$ above 150 mM, $CaCl_2$ above 200 mM, NaCl above 300 mM, and KCl above 300 mM. CSDNase was found to hydrolyze DNA, and to generate 3-phosphate and 5-OH termini. These results indicate that the nucleolytic properties of CSDNase are essentially the same as those of other well-characterized acid DNases, and that CSDNase is a member of the acid DNase family. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an acid DNase in a fungus.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Objective: Estrogen related receptor ${\beta}$ (Esrrb) is a member of the orphan nuclear receptors and may regulate the expression of pluripotencyrelated genes, such as Oct4 and Nanog. Therefore, in the present study, we have developed a method for delivering exogenous ESRRB recombinant protein into embryos by using cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugation and have analyzed their effect on embryonic development. Methods: Mouse oocytes and embryos were obtained from superovulated mice. The expression of Oct4 mRNA and the cell number of inner cell mass (ICM) in the in vitro-derived and in vivo-derived blastocysts were first analyzed by real time-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and differential staining. Then 8-cell embryos were cultured in KSOM media with or without $2{\mu}g/mL$ CPP-ESRRB protein for 24 to 48 hours, followed by checking their integration into embryos during in vitro culture by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: Expression of Oct4 and the cell number of ICM were lower in the in vitro-derived blastocysts than in the in vivo-derived ones (p<0.05). In the blastocysts derived from the CPP-ESRRB-treated group, expression of Oct4 was greater than in the non-treated groups (p<0.05). Although no difference in embryonic development was observed between the treated and non-treated groups, the cell number of ICM was greater in the CPP-ESRRB-treated group. Conclusion: Treatment of CPP-ESRRB during cultivation could increase embryos' expression of Oct4 and the formation rate of the ICM in the blastocyst. Additionally, an exogenous delivery system of CPP-conjugated protein would be a useful tool for improving embryo culture systems.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.107-131
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• 2013

Online-ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) has been receiving attention from the international community as a means of alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes in both small and mass international e-commerce. The EU Parliament and the Council proposed the Online Dispute Resolution Regulation for Consumer Disputes (hereafter, "EU Consumer ODR Regulation") and the Directive on Alternative Dispute Resolution of Consumer Disputes (hereafter, "EU Consumer ADR Directive") as a legislative package, now scheduled to be adopted. Those efforts strengthen consumer protection by enhancing ODR in international e-commerce and improving of the functions of the e-commerce market. The EU Consumer ADR and ODR regulation package will operate in conjunction with the ODR platform as a single point across Europe, abandoning the ADR system of each member. Consumers and traders who need dispute resolution apply on the EU ODR platform linked website, and the applications are distributed to individual ADR institutions in accordance with the Rules and Procedure of ADR institutions in the respective country. Although there has been partial progress in Korea for ODR programs such as the establishment of the Online Administrative Trial and the procedures of individual ADR agencies operating through the website, existing norms do not fully support the system. At this point, we see many implications of the EU Consumer ADR and ODR regulation package on the direction chosen for domestic ADR and ODR policy and legislation. This study introduces the main features and content of the EU Consumer ADR Directive (draft) and ODR Regulation provisions, and describes the direction of domestic policy and legislation regarding Online-ADR.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.351-358
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• 2013

In the electric power supplying industry, outdoor sealing end (pothead) is used and sometimes it is necessary to check the seismic qualification analysis or test which is intended to demonstrate that the equipment have adequate integrity to withstand stress of the specified seismic event and still performs their function. And since the pothead is mounted on the supporting jig, the avoidance of resonance between the pothead and jig is required. In order to design jig, three types of optimization are performed to get the minimum weight while satisfying the natural frequency constraint using ANSYS. Optimal array, position and thickness of truss members of the jig are obtained through topology, shape and sizing optimization process, respectively. And seismic analysis of the pothead on the jig for given RRS acceleration computes the displacement and stress of the pothead which shows the safety of the pothead. The obtained natural frequency, mass, and member thickness of the jig are compared with those of the reference jig which was used for seismic experimental test. The numerical results of the jig in the research is more optimized than the jig used in the experimental test.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.626-639
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• 2010

The club culture is not something unified. Rather, it is a group of subcultures which share intertwined areas. And it keeps its own dress code, dance style, music genre along with series of authoritarian and unlawful rituals. For young adults, a club is a new cultural space to enjoy in reasonable price and they can express themselves without thinking much about others. A club creates its unique mass culture by producing continuously changing and experimental fashion styles. As the club culture’s influence becomes powerful, the club market was established and experimental fashion styles are wide spread among general public, young adults who try to express their unique characters and even fashion-leading industry. The study results are as follows. First, dance club and its derivative, rave is symbolic axles and the center of social activity. They are also defined as culture which is related to specific space that continues to present and change sound and style. Second, the definition of clubber in a dictionary is club member or a person who is united with others. Third, based upon clubbers' fashion styles in Hongdae and Kang-nam areas, there are 5 different images including sexy casual, lingerie, dynamic, chic style and feminine style. Fourth, based upon case study above, to take unique life style of fashionista that leads fashion with trendy fashion style into account, we suggested five designs which are unique, sensitive and trendy. Fifth, through analyzing clubber generation and design factors of clubbers' fashion style combined with various trend, unique brand was developed to meet the demands of clubbers who want differentiated images and leading styles.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.776-781
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• 2009

A putative cyclomaltodextrinase (BHCD) gene was found from the genome of Bacillus halodurans C-125, which encodes 578 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 67,279 Da. It shares 42-59% of amino acid sequence identity with common cyclomaltodextrinase (CDase)-family enzymes. The corresponding gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the dimeric enzyme with C-terminal 6-histidines was successfully overproduced and purified from recombinant Escherichia coli. BHCD showed the highest activity against ${\beta}-CD$ at pH 7.0 and $50^{\circ}C$. Due to its versatile hydrolysis and transglycosylation activities, BHCD has been confirmed as a member of CDases. However, BHCD can be distinguished from other typical CDases on the basis of its novel multisubstrate specificity. While typical CDases have over 10 times higher activity on ${\beta}-CD$ than starch or pullulan, the CD-hydrolyzing activity of BHCD is only 2.3 times higher than pullulan. In particular, it showed significantly higher activity ratio of maltotriose to acarbose than other common CDase-family enzymes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2009

Salivary lipocalin (SAL1) is a member of the lipocalin protein family that has a property to associate with many lipophilic molecules and was identified as pheromone-binding protein in pigs. Our previous study has shown that SAL1 is expressed in the uterine endometrium in a cell type- and implantation stage-specific manner and secreted into the uterine lumen in pigs. However, function of SAL1 in the uterus during pregnancy in pigs is still not known. To understand physiological function of SAL1 in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy in pigs, it needs to elucidate the ligand(s) for SAL1. Thus, to identify the ligand for SAL1 in the porcine uterus, we collected uterine luminal fluid from pigs on day 12 of pregnancy by flushing with PBS. Proteins from the uterine luminal fluid were separated by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Fractions containing SAL1 protein were pooled and concentrated. Immunoblot analysis confirmed successful purification of SAL1. Then, we extracted lipids from the purified SAL1 protein and analyzed the lipids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and predicted to be steroid hormones and prostaglandins as SAL1 ligands. Results in this study showed that SAL1 protein in the uterine secretions has a small lipophilic molecule as a natural ligand. Further characterization of ligand extracted from purified SAL1 will be useful for understanding physiological function of SAL1 during pregnancy and its application to increase the pregnancy rate in pigs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2005

Vasopressin (VP)-related peptide was purified from the brain extract of conger eel (Conger myriaster) by reverse-phase, ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This peptide with a molecular weight of 1,051.2 Da was determined as $H-Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH_2$, whose Cys residues made an intramolecular disulfide bridge by the automated amino acid sequence analysis, MALDI- TOF mass spectrometry. It's sequence was confirmed by identity of the elution position with the synthetic peptide in HPLC system. As a result of homology investigation, the primary structure of this peptide was the same as that of VP-superfamily member, $[Arg^8]-vasotocin$. The synthetic peptide showed a contractile activity at a minimal effective concentration of $10^{-10}\;M$ on the intestinal smooth muscle of goldfish.