• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

In the present study, a simple one medium formulation protocol for callus culture, somatic embryogenesis and in vitro production of ${\beta}-carboline$ alkaloids and diosgenin in Tribulus terrestris L. was developed. Extensive callus induction and proliferation was obtained in leaf explant on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with $5.0{\mu}M$ 6 benzyl adenine (BA) and $2.5{\mu}M$ ${\alpha}-naphthaleneacetic$ acid (NAA). The embryogenic callus was maintained on subculture to fresh parental medium at 4-week intervals over a period of 28 months. The frequency of embryo formation was at a maximum ($18.1{\pm}0.9$ per g of callus) on MS medium containing $5.0{\mu}M$ BA and $2.5{\mu}M$ NAA together with $75mg\;1^{-1}$ casein hydrolysate. Globular embryo developed into torpedo stage embryo under the influence of starvation. The accumulation of ${\beta}-carboline$ alkaloids (harmaline and harmine) and steroidal saponin (diosgenin) in non-embryogenic and embryogenic callus culture derived from leaf explant was compared with root, leaf, stem, and fruit of the mother plant. The embryogenic callus accumulated equivalent amounts of harmaline ($66.4{\pm}0.5{\mu}g/g$ dry weight), harmine ($82.7{\pm}0.6{\mu}g/g$ dry weight), and diosgenin ($170.7{\pm}1.0{\mu}g/g$ dry weight) to that of the fruit of T. terrestris. The embryogenic callus culture of this species might offer a potential source for production of important pharmaceuticals.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.67-79
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• 2022

Currently, there is no treatment to reverse or cure heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction despite the remarkable advances in modern medicine. In addition, there is a lack of evidence regarding the existence of stem cells involved in the proliferation and regeneration of cardiomyocytes in adult hearts. As an alternative solution to overcome this problem, protocols for differentiating human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) into cardiomyocyte have been established, which further led to the development of cell therapy in major leading countries in this field. Recently, clinical studies have confirmed the safety of hPSC-derived cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). Although several institutions have shown progress in their research on cell therapy using hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, the functions of cardiomyocytes used for transplantation remain to be those of immature cardiomyocytes, which poses a risk of graft-induced arrhythmias in the early stage of transplantation. Over the last decade, research aimed at achieving maturation of immature cardiomyocytes, showing same characteristics as those of mature cardiomyocytes, has been actively conducted using various approaches at leading research institutes worldwide. However, challenges remain in technological development for effective generation of mature cardiomyocytes with the same properties as those present in the adult hearts. Therefore, in this review, we provide an overview of the technological development status for maturation methods of hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and present a direction for future development of maturation techniques.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2024

One of the serious modern environmental problems is pollution caused by highly toxic pesticides. Only small amounts of applied pesticides reach their target, and the rest ends up in soil and water. Chlorpyrifos is a toxic, broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide. In humans, chlorpyrifos inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the peripheral and central nervous system, and particularly in children, small amounts of this pesticide cause neurotoxic damage. As the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and its persistence in the environment require its removal from contaminated sites, it is essential to study the biological diversity of chlorpyrifos-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we sought to determine the chlorpyrifos-degrading ability of the bacterial strain Ochrobactrum intermedium PDB-3. This strain was isolated from soil contaminated with various pesticides and identified as PDB-3 based on morpho-cultural characteristics, MALDI-TOF MS, and 16S rRNA. Studies were conducted for 30 days in sterile soils containing initial concentrations of 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos. To determine the degradation of chlorpyrifos, a liquid culture of the strain was added to the soil at three optical densities: 0, and after 24 and 48 h (OD = 0.03, 0.2 and 0.32). Using GX-MS, we determined that chlorpyrifos was converted to 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP). We also found that with increasing optical density, rapid degradation of the initial concentration of chlorpyrifos occurred. Sterile soil without strain PDB-3 was used as a control sample.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.415-424
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• 2024

Lots of progress have been made about pathogen system of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRSV), however, interactions between H. rosa-sinensis and HCRSV remain largely unknown. Hereon, firstly, HCRSV infection in H. rosa-sinensis from Zhangzhou city of China was confirmed by traditional electron microscopy, modern reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNA-seq methods. Secondly, sequence feature analysis showed the full-length sequence of HCRSV-ZZ was 3,909 nucleotides (nt) in length and had a similar genomic structure with other carmovirus. It contains a 5' untranslated region (UTR), followed by seven open reading frames encoding for P28, P23, P81, P8, P9, P38, and P25, and the last a 3-terminal UTR. Thirdly, HCRSV-ZZ-derived vsiRNAs were identified and characterized for the first time from disease H. rosa-sinensis through sRNA-seq to reveal interactions between pathogen ant plant host. It was shown that the majority of HCRSV-ZZ-derived vsiRNAs were 21 nt, 22 nt, and 20 nt, with 21 nt being most abundant. The 5'-terminal nucleotide of HCRSV-ZZ vsiRNAs preferred U and C. HCRSV-ZZ vsiRNAs derived predominantly (72%) from the viral genome positive-strand RNA. The distribution of HCRSV-ZZ vsiRNAs along the viral genome is generally even, with some hot spots and cold spots forming in local regions. These hot spots and cold spots could be corresponded to the regions of stem loop secondary structures forming in HCRSV-ZZ genome by nucleotide paring. Taken together, our findings certify HCRSV infection in H. rosa-sinensis and provide an insight into interaction between HCRSV and H. rosa-sinensis and contribute to the prevention and treatment of this virus.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2008

Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) process enhancement for food and allied industries are reported in this review. Recently ultrasound system has been used more frequently to extract drugs and natural substances. This modern emulsification, homogenization, particle size reduction and viscosity alteration methodologies require reliable tools that perform on a high level in terms of efficiency and reproducibility. Also, Ultrasound can enhance existing extraction processes and enable new commercial extraction opportunities and processes. Therefore, ultrasound technologies could have a strong presence in the future of the food industry.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.51-55
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• 2006

Since 1970, China has become the biggest cocoon producer in the world, and made the highest historical record of cocoon output for 759,800 tons in 1995. However, in 1996 cocoon production reduced sharply to 470,900 tons. After a ten-year adjustment and reform, sericultural areas have shifted from developed regions to developing regions and from the east to the west. From 2000, the cocoon output has started to increase restoringly. By 2004 it recovered to 547,091 tons. With the development of market economy, sericulture management has been changed, including mulberry fields concentrated to the specializated households and cooperatives, cocoons produced in larger scale instead of individuals, Silkworm egg producing enterprises gradually changed into non-governmental joint-stock ones. The mechanism of market cocoon price has been gradually established. The management model of combination of trade, industry and agriculture is pushing and improving. It is the fruit of modern science and technology, especially sericultural basic research, that provides China's sericulture with the opportunity and vital force. China's sericulture, therefore, will continue to develop steadily in future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.400-410
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to discuss how 'milk' was produced and supplied introduced and spread in the modern Joseon period. Condensed milk and powdered milk were mainly consumed in Joseon during the Japanese colonial period since they could be conveniently preserved for a long time, although raw milk was also produced and consumed. For areas adjacent to farms, milk delivery service was offered while areas with great consumption received an additional supply from different areas by rail. Since no manufacturing plants were operational in Korea, condensed milk and powdered milk consumed in Joseon had to be imported. In the case of condensed milk, when production in Japan increased, extra supply was aggressively sent into their colony, Joseon. The 'Gyeongseong Milk Association' founded in 1937 is considered significant in that it led to standardization of the production system and prices as well as pasteurization of milk. In the late Japanese colonial era, milk production and consumption were controlled. As milk was purchased as a war supply, the milk consumption market became distorted and limited.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is one of the most studied areas of modern biology. Apoptosis is a genetically regulated process, which plays an essential role in the development and homeostasis of higher organisms. Mitochondria, known to play a central role in regulating cellular metabolism, was found to be critical for regulating apoptosis induced under both physiological and pathological conditions. Mitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) but they can also serve as its target during the apoptosis process. Release of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria, the best known of which is cytochrome c, leads to assembly of a large apoptosis-inducing complex called the apoptosome. Cysteine pretenses (called caspases) are recruited to this complex and, following their activation by proteolytic cleavage, activate other caspases, which in turn target for specific cleavage a large number of cellular proteins. The redox regulation of apoptosis during and after cytochrome c release is an area of intense investigation. This review summarizes what is known about the biological role of ROS and its targets in apoptosis with an emphasis on its intricate connections to mitochondria and the basic components of cell death.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.65-81
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• 2017

In Korea, sesame oil has been used as a flavor source mainly by edible oil since ancient times, and it has been used by domestic screw pressing. In the 1960's, the demand for edible oils and fats increased significantly due to the improvement of national income and changes in food consumption patterns. In the early 1970's, a few edible oil manufacturing companies with modern solvent extraction and refining plants were established. In Korea, edible oil manufacturers account for more than 85% of employees with 50 or fewer employees. In Korea, there is a very shortage of raw materials for edible oils and fats, domestic production of edible oil is decreasing year by year and import volume is continuously increasing. While importing the edible oil bearing ingredients including soybean and extracted oil in the past, recently mainly imports crude oil and refines it in Korea. Soybean oil, palm oil and tallow account for 70~90% of total imported edible oils. Due to the recent well-being trend, the demand for olive, canola and grapeseed oils as household edible oil has increased and the production of blended oil has been greatly increased. Since the late 1980's, people have recognized edible oil and fat as a food instead of seasoning ingredient and have increased their edible oil and fat intake in Korea. Since the early 2000's, refined oil and fat products produced in Korea have been exported and is increasing every year.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.43.1-43.18
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• 2022

Atropa belladonna is a valuable medicinal plant and a commercial source of tropane alkaloids, which are frequently utilized in therapeutic practice. In this study, bioinformatic methodologies were used to examine the pattern of coding sequences and the factors that might influence codon usage bias in the chloroplast genome of Atropa belladonna and other nightshade genomes. The chloroplast engineering being a promising field in modern biotechnology, the characterization of chloroplast genome is very important. The results revealed that the chloroplast genomes of Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum lycopersicum, Capsicum frutescens, Datura stramonium, Lyciumbarbarum, Solanum melongena, and Solanum tuberosum exhibited comparable codon usage patterns. In these chloroplast genomes, we observed a weak codon usage bias. According to the correspondence analysis, the genesis of the codon use bias in these chloroplast genes might be explained by natural selection, directed mutational pressure, and other factors. GC12 and GC3S were shown to have no meaningful relationship. Further research revealed that natural selection primarily shaped the codon usage in A. belladonna and other nightshade genomes for translational efficiency. The sequencing properties of these chloroplast genomes were also investigated by investing the occurrences of palindromes and inverted repeats, which would be useful for future research on medicinal plants.