• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.211-227
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• 2024

Introduction: Seaweed is a sustainable and underexplored source of bioactive compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activities. However, studies on the interaction between seaweed and genes on inflammation are limited. Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between seaweed consumption and the polygenic risk scores (PRS) and their interactions with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Methods: Information on seaweed consumption was collected using a food frequency questionnaire, which included laver, kelp, and sea mustard among the items consumed. A total of 31 hs-CRP-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected using genome-wide association studies and clumping analysis, and the individual PRS were calculated by weighting the effect size of each allele in the selected SNPs of 39,369 middle-aged (≥40 years) Koreans using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)-Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort data. To investigate the interaction between seaweed intake and the PRS on hs-CRP levels >1 mg/L, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 4.8 years, we recorded 436 patients with elevated hs-CRP levels. Women in the highest tertile of the PRS with the lowest quartile of seaweed intake had an increased incidence of elevated hs-CRP levels compared with women in the lowest tertile of the PRS with the lowest seaweed intake quartile (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.23-4.45). No significant association was observed among the men. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified a new interaction between the PRS, seaweed intake, and inflammation in Korean women, and this study suggests that the interaction between the identification of genetic predisposition and dietary seaweed intake may have an impact on determining the risk of developing hyperinflammation in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2024

SlyA is known as a transcriptional regulator that regulates the expression of hemolysin (HlyE) in E. coli, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family such as Salmonella. However, Salmonella has the slyA gene but lacks the hlyE gene. Then, because we were curious about the role of SlyA in Salmonella, we constructed and explored a mutant strain with a deletion of the slyA gene. S. Typhimurium CK295 (ΔslyA) was constructed using an allelic exchange approach. In a comparative analysis between the wild-type and the CK295 strain, no significant differences were observed in growth characteristics, motility, total protein analyses, and secreted protein analyses. However, the CK295 strain exhibited slightly reduced biofilm formation compared to the wild-type. Interestingly, as a result of comparing the survival ability in macrophages, the mutant strain showed a 60% decrease in survival ability compared to the wild-type. To evaluate toxicity in mice, mortality was measured after oral administration to 6-week-old BALB/c mice. As a result, the LD₅₀ value of the CK295 (ΔslyA) was more than 100 times higher than that of wild-type S. Typhimurium 𝜒3339 in BALB/c. In conclusion, SlyA is presumed to regulate the expression of genes encoding virulence factors involved in the in vivo survival of Salmonella.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1287-1298
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• 2024

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is currently difficult to treat effectively. Both Bacillus natto (BN) and ginseng-soluble dietary fiber (GSDF) are anti-inflammatory and helps sustain the intestinal barrier. In this study, the protective effects and mechanism of the combination of B. natto JLCC513 and ginseng-soluble dietary fiber (BG) in DSS-induced UC mice were investigated. Intervention with BG worked better than taking BN or GSDF separately, as evidenced by improved disease activity index, colon length, and colon injury and significantly reduced the levels of oxidative and inflammatory factors (LPS, ILs, and TNF-α) in UC mice. Further mechanistic study revealed that BG protected the intestinal barrier integrity by maintaining the tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin1) and inhibited the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway in UC mice. In addition, BG increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides and Turicibacter and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Allobaculum in the gut microbiota of UC mice. BG also significantly upregulated genes related to linoleic acid metabolism in the gut microbiota. These BG-induced changes in the gut microbiota of mice with UC were significantly correlated with changes in pathological indices. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that BG exerts protective effect against UC by regulating the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway and the structure and metabolic function of gut microbiota. Thus, BG can be potentially used in intestinal health foods to treat UC.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2012

Recently sawdust cultivation of Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is increasing. It is important to make mycelia to be brown on the substrate surface. This browned surface in sawdust cultivation plays an important role like as artificial bark of the oak log, which protects the other pests and suppresses water evaporation in the substrate. In order to isolate genes which related to brown color formation, differential display method was used. Two cDNA fragments obtained by DD-PCR were 1.2 and 1.6kb and these were expressed in white colored mycelia from L. edodes, but not brown colored mycelia. Partial sequencing of these cDNA fragments showed that the 1.6kb cDNA had 100% identity with the microsatellites gene from Dugenia polichroa. However, the other 1.2kb cDNA fragment had poly T tail on 3' region of partial open reading frame on 5' region. The new primer designed based on the sequence of 1.2kb cDNA was constructed. RT-PCR analysis using the newly designed 0.12kb cDNA specific primer showed that the gene was only expressed in white color mycelia, but not in brown color mycelia. Sequence analysis of 5' region of this 1.2kb cDNA revealed that this gene contained partial open reading frame consisted of 110 amino acid. Homology search using DNASIS database showed that this gene had high sequence homology of 66.7% in DNA level and 69.2 % in amino acid level with dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratases gene from Arabidopsis thaliata. The dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratases gene was known to be function to have tolerance with oxidation stress. These results strongly suggest that this gene isolated from white mycelia of L. edodes might have a function of repressor against mycelia browning. Therefore I designated this gene as BCR (Brown Color Repressor) gene.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.275-286
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• 2018

Purpose: Our previous study demonstrated that persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thumb.) at different stages of ripening provided different protective effects against high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemia in rats. In this study, we compared the metabolites profile and gene expressions related to triglyceride (TG)/cholesterol metabolism in vitro and in vivo after treating with persimmon water extracts (PWE) or tannin-enriched persimmon concentrate (TEP). Methods: Primary and secondary metabolites in test materials were determined by GC-TOF/MS, UHPLC-LTQ-ESI-IT-MS/MS, and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The expression of genes related to TG and cholesterol metabolism were determined by RT-PCR both in HepG2 cells stimulated by oleic acid/palmitic acid and in liver tissues obtained from Wistar rats fed with HFD and PWE at 0, 150, 300, and 600 mg/d (experiment I) or TEP at 0, 7, 14, and 28 mg/d (experiment II) by oral gavage for 9 weeks. Results: PLS-DA analysis and heatmap analysis demonstrated significantly differential profiling of metabolites of PWE and TEP according to processing of persimmon powder. In vitro, TEP showed similar hypolipidemic effects as PWE, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic effects compared to PWE in sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), cholesterol $7{\alpha}-hydroxylase$ (CYP7A1), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression. Consistently, TEP and PWE showed similar hypolipidemic capacity in vivo, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic capacity in terms of SREBP2, HMGCR, and bile salt export pump (BSEP) gene expression. Conclusion: These results suggest that column extraction after hot water extraction may be a good strategy to enhance tannins and long-chain fatty acid amides, which might cause stimulation of hypocholesterolemic actions through downregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis gene expression and upregulation of LDL receptor gene expression.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2018

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) refers to seed germination during ripening, due to loss of dormancy before harvest. As PHS in rice causes decrease in grain yield and quality, tolerance to PHS is an important trait of Japonica cultivars in Korea. It is important to investigate the related genes and environmental factors, because PHS is a quantitative trait. In this study, we examined PHS rates at three different times according to the cumulative daily mean temperature after heading (CTAH) for 5 rice cultivars released in Korea for 5 years from 2013 to 2017 to determine the effect of environmental factors on PHS. ABA content in ripening spikelets was analyzed to understand how it was related to PHS tolerance. PHS rate increased as CTAH increased from $800^{\circ}C$ to $1200^{\circ}C$. PHS rate was significantly different (p < 0.001) among the cultivars, showing Dasanbyeo, Jounbyeo, and Nampyeongbyeo to be PHS-tolerant, and Jopyeongbyeo and Gopumbyeo to be susceptible at all the CTAH of 800, 1000, and $1200^{\circ}C$. In 2015 and 2016, PHS rates were relatively higher, because of high temperature and frequent rainfall during the ripening period. In each cultivar, ABA content decreased as CTAH increased from $800^{\circ}C$ to $1200^{\circ}C$. However, there was no significant correlation between ABA content and PHS tolerance among the cultivars.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.95-95
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• 2017

Lodging is a serious issue in rice production, because it drastically decreases the biomass production and grain yield. Since the Green Revolution, the lodging resistance has been increased by lowering the moment of above-ground parts due to the short culm by the semi-dwarf gene sd1. However, it has been pointed out that sd1 alone has suppressive effects for biomass production and yield. To increase rice yield, the long-culm and large panicle type varieties with a superior lodging resistance need to be developed. To improve the lodging resistance and yield of these type varieties, it would be effective to identify novel alleles for these traits underlying natural variations in rice and to pyramid these alleles to a single rice variety. In order to perform this strategy, we have developed new rice lines derived from crosses among varieties with superior alleles. At first, TULT-gh-5-5 was selected from a cross between strong culm and high biomass variety Leaf Star and high-yielding variety Takanari, and TUAT-32HB was selected from a cross between high-yielding variety Akenohoshi and Takanari. Then, we developed the super thick-culm and super grain-bearing line, LTAT-29 derived from a cross between TULT-gh-5-5 and TUAT-32HB. In the current study, to identify the QTLs and genes relating to the strong culm and the high yield of LTAT-29, we performed QTL analysis using SNPs markers with $F_2$ population derived from a cross between LTAT-29 and Takanari. LTAT-29 has never lodged throughout the growth period despite it had long culms and heavy panicles. LTAT-29 had a larger outer diameter of the culm and twice the size of the section modulus than Takanari. As a result, the bending moment at breaking of LTAT-29 was significantly larger than that of Takanari. Brown rice yield of LTAT-29 was $9.2t\;ha^{-1}$ about 10% higher than that of Takanari due to the larger number of spikelets per panicle. LTAT-29 had a greater number of secondary branches per panicle. In the $F_2$ population between LTAT-29 and Takanari, we found continuous frequency distributions in the section modulus and the spikelet number per panicle. Two QTLs increased the section modulus by the alleles of LTAT-29 were detected on Chr.1L and Chr.2L. One QTL increased the spikelet number per panicle of Takanari by the allele of LTAT-29 was detected on Chr.1L, and two QTLs increased the number of secondary branches per panicle by the alleles of LTAT-29 were detected on Chr.1L and Chr.4L. It was found that the alleles of these QTLs were the japonica type originated from Leaf Star or Akenohoshi. The novel QTLs for the traits related to super thick-culm and super grain-bearing and their combinations could be utilized for improving the lodging resistance and yield in rice varieties.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.446-454
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• 2017

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are major causes of cervical cancer. Sixteen high risk HPVs, including HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 39, HPV 45, HPV 51, HPV 52, HPV 53, HPV 56, HPV 58, HPV 59, HPV 66, HPV 68, and HPV 69 are found in cervical cancer. HPVs 16 and 18 are mainly presented in 70% of cervical cancer. Therefore, identifying the presence of these high-risk HPVs is crucial. The objective of this study is to establish the HPV ViroCheck for detecting 16 HR-HPVs and genotypes of HPVs 16 and 18, as well as to analyze the analytical performance of HPV ViroCheck. We performed the analytical sensitivity of HPV E6 / E7 genes of 16 high risk HPVs to confirm the limit of detection. Then, a cross reactivity of HPV ViroCheck with microorganisms and viruses related to the cervix were analyzed for analytical specificity. Analytical sensitivity of high risk HPV genotypes ranged from 1 to 100 copies when using cloned DNAs. The limit of detection was 10 cells for both SiHa and HeLa cells. Cervical-related microorganisms and viruses did not show cross-reactivity to HPV DNA. Moreover, the intra- and inter-assay coefficient variations (CVs) were below 5%. In conclusion, HPV Virocheck will be useful for the detection of 16 HR HPVs, as well as HPV 16 and HPV 18 genotypes rapidly.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.537-546
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• 2004

Adiponectin is adipocyte complement-related protein which is highly specialized to play important roles in metabolic and honnonal processes. This protein, called GBP-28, AdipoQ, and Acrp30, is encoded by the adipose most abundant gene transcript 1 (APM1) which locates on human chromosome 3q27 and mouse chromosome 16. In order to determine chromosomal localization of the porcine APM1, we carried out PCR analysis using somatic cell hybrid panel as well as porcine whole genome radiation hybrid (RH) panel. The result showed that the porcine APM1 located on chromosome 13q41 or 13q46-49. These locations were further investigated with the two point analysis of RH panel, revealed the most significant linked marker (LOD score 20.29) being SIAT1 (8 cRs away), where the fat-related QTL located. From the SSCP analysis of APM1 using 8 pig breeds, two distinct SSCP types were detected from K~ native and Korean wild pigs. The determined sequences in Korean native and Korean wild pigs showed that two nucleotide positions (T672C and C705G) were substituted. The primary sequence of the porcine APM1 has 79 to 87% identity with those of human, mouse, and bovine APM1. The domain structures of the porcine APM1 such as signal sequence, hypervariable region, collagenous region. and globular domain are also similar to those of mammalian genes.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

An RIL population from a Shinpaldalkong2/GC83006 cross was employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with agronomic traits in soybean. The genetic map consisted of 127 loci which covered about 3,000cM and were assigned into 20 linkage groups. Phenotypic data were collected for the following traits; plant height, leaf area, flowering time, pubescence color, seed coat color and hilum color in 2005. Seed weight was evaluated using seeds collected in 2003 to 2005 at Suwon and in 2005 at Pyeongchang and Miryang sites. Three QTLs were associated with 100-seed weight in the combined analysis across three years. Among the three QTLs related to seed weight, all GC83006 alleles on LG O ($R^2\;=\;12.5$), LG A1 ($R^2\;=\;10.1$) and LG C2 ($R^2\;=\;11.5$) increased the seed weight. A QTL conditioning plant height was linked to markers including Satt134 (LG C2, $R^2\;=\;25.4$), and the GC83006 allele increased plant height at this QTL locus. For two QTLs related to leaf area, 1aM on LG M ($R^2\;=\;10.0$) and laL on LG L ($R^2\;=\;8.6$), the Shinpaldalkong2 alleles had positive effect to increase the leaf area. Satt134 on LG C2 ($R^2\;=\;41.0$) was associated with QTL for days to flowering. Satt134 (LG C2) showed a linkage to a gene for pubescence color. Satt363 (LG C2) and Satt354 (LG I) were linked to the hilum color gene, and Sat077 (LG D1a) was linked to the seed coat color. The QTL conditioning plant height was in the similar genomic location as the QTLs for days to flowering in this population, indicating pleiotropic effect of one gene or the tight linkage of several genes. These linked markers would be useful in marker assisted selection for these traits in a soybean breeding program.