• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.246-258
• /
• 1988

Semi-quantitative analysis of $less-than-2{\mu}m$ clay minerals in thirty-nine superficial sediments from the Chinju Bay, southern coast of Korea, was made to reveal the distribution, provenance and dispersal pattern of fine-grained sediments. Additional nine samples were also taken from the Choryang Cheon (a river draining the kaolin-rich Hadong area) to investigate the influence of river a discharge. Grain size analysis for the Chinju Bay sediment samples was performed simultaneously as an aid to understand the sediment types and depositional environments. Except for the northeastern part, clayey mud predominates the entire bay. Average relative abundance of the four major clay minerals, I. I., illite, kaolinite, chlorite and smectite, is $55.1\%,\;23\%,\;21.5\%\;and\;0.4\%$, respectively. Although illite dominant clay mineral, the average content is about $10\~20\%$ tourer than that of the nearby continental shelf area. On the contrary, kaolinite content in the bay is about $10\%$ higher than that of the shelf area. Recent clay minerals of the Chinju Bay are mainly derived from the nearby inland area through numerous rivers and streams. Transport from shelf area, however. also seems to be important.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.628-632
• /
• 2013

Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) is an economically important microalgae because it has carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and a number of phytochemicals. It is also a valuable source used in the production of biodiesel and functional foods. In this study, A. platensis was exposed to electron beam irradation (240 kGy) and induced random mutagenesis for strain improvement. Several mutants were obtained, and the resulting mutant was designated as EB29. The growth rate and chlorophyll content of EB29 was similar to those of wild type. However, the lipid content of EB29 was increased seven-fold compared to that of wild type when comparing the nile red fluorescent intensity. Semi-quantitative analysis of EB29 using the calibration plot of standard lipid, triolein, represented $78.6{\mu}g/mL$, which increased 2 times compared to wild type ($41.4{\mu}g/mL$). When analyzing the fatty acid profile of EB29, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in EB29 increased about six-fold. Moreover, fatty acids affecting the quality of biodiesel increased compared to that of wild type. Thus, electron beam could be used for the strain improvement of microalgae in order to accumulate PUFAs and alteration of fatty acid profile for biodiesel.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2007

Full length complementary DNA encoding apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was isolated and characterized in mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis). Mud loach apoA-I cDNA encoding 24 bp of 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 762 bp of single open reading frame (ORF) consists of 254 amino acids and 293 bp of 3'-UTR excluding stop codon and poly (A+) tail. Two overlapping polyadenylation signals (AATAAAATAAA) was found 9 bp prior to the poly (A+) tail. Mud loach apoA-I represented considerable homology to those from other teleost species at amino acid level with conserving common features of vertebrate apoA-I. Molecular phylogenetic analysis inferred the phylogenetic hypothesis that was generally in accordance with the previous taxonomic relationship. Apolipoprotein A-I mRNA was detected in various tissues, but the mRNA levels were quite varied depending on tissues based on semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Liver and brain showed the significantly higher levels of apoA-I transcripts than other tissues. mRNA expression of apoA-I was quite low in very early stage of embryonic development, however dramatically enhanced from 8 hours post fertilization. This increased mRNA level was retained consistently up to 14 days post hatching.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.234-237
• /
• 2007

Calmodulin (CaM) is a $Ca^{2+}$-binding protein essential for biological functions mediated through $Ca^{2+}$-dependent mechanism. A cDNA clone for CaM was isolated from a cDNA library of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. The CaM cDNA concists of 782 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 149 amino acids with four $Ca^{2+}$-binding motifs EF-hands (EF-I, EF-II, EF-III, and EF-IV). The deduced amino acid sequence of CaM shows 97-100% amino acid sequence identity to other CaM sequences. Semi-quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the CaM transcription was began during early development and the CaM mRNA is expressed highly in brain and intestine, and moderately in kidney, gill, and eye of healthy olive flounder. Taken together, CaM may be necessary for early olive flounder development and that it may have a part in homeostasis.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.621-626
• /
• 2020

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea has been gradually increased and it has been reported that dietary life is highly associated with the development of CRC. To investigate dietary attitudes and nutritional risk factors for CRC, we analyzed food intake of 34 patients diagnosed with CRC within 1 year and 51 subjects without gastrointestinal diseases as a control reside in Daegu·Gyeongbuk Area using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The results showed that dietary regularity and variety of food intake in control subjects was better than CRC patients whereas, CRC patients eat more frequently animal and vegetable protein foods, fried foods, green and yellow vegetables, and fruits than control subjects. Nutrient intake analysis showed that Vitamin A, E, K, C, sodium, magnesium, iodine, and cholesterol intake of CRC patients was higher than control subjects. Especially, after adjusting age and sex, regression analysis showed that Vitamin K (OR = 1.022, 95% Cl 1.003-1.043, p = 0.026) and sodium (OR = 1.001, 95% Cl 1.000-1.002, p = 0.032) were identified as risk factors for CRC. In the future, verification of the relationship between these nutrients and CRC risk and appropriate nutrient education will be needed for the prevention of CRC.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.376-384
• /
• 2015

To investigate the molecular events of controlling intramuscular fat (or marbling), which is an important factor in the evaluation of beef quality, we performed cDNA microarray analyses using the longissimus dorsi muscle and back fat tissues. For this study, we constructed normalized cDNA libraries: fat tissues in native Korean cattle (displaying 1,211 specific genes), and muscle tissues in native Korean cattle (displaying 1,346 specific genes). A bovine cDNA chip was constructed with 1,680 specific genes, consisting of 760 genes from muscle tissues and 920 genes from fat tissues. The microarray analysis in this experiment showed a number of differentially expressed genes, which compared the longissimus dorsi muscle (Cy5) with back fat tissue (Cy3). Among many specific differentially expressed genes, 12-lipoxygenase (oxidizing esterified fatty acids) and prostaglandin D synthase (differentiation of fibroblasts to adipocytes) are the key candidate enzymes that should be involved in controlling the accumulation of intramuscular fat. In this study, differentially and commonly expressed genes in the muscle and fat tissues of native Korean cattle were found in large numbers, using the hybridization assay. The expression levels of the selected genes were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the results were similar to those of the cDNA microarray.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.40-49
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The number of patients with dyslipidemia have been increasing steadily over the past few decades in South Korea. The association between the chromium level and chronic disease has attracted considerable interest, but few studies have been conducted on the Korean population. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary and non-dietary correlates of the toenail chromium level, and evaluate the association between the toenail chromium level and dyslipidemia. Methods: The baseline data of an ongoing prospective cohort study in Yeungnam area in South Korea were analyzed. A total of 500 participants aged 35 years or older who completed questionnaires on their demographics, lifestyle characteristics, and medical information were included. The toenail chromium level was analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The dietary intake was assessed using a validated 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The blood lipid profiles were obtained from medical examinations conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service or medical institutions. Results: Higher chromium levels were associated with the residential area (urban), higher education level, higher intakes of noodles and vegetables, and lower intake of fruits. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the toenail chromium levels were not associated significantly with the prevalence of dyslipidemia (odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.61 ~ 1.60). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Korea to determine the independent correlates of the toenail chromium levels and the association between chromium exposure and dyslipidemia. These findings provide useful scientific evidence for the development of chromium intake guidelines for the Korean population.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.230-239
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the dietary patterns (DPs) of women during pregnancy. The present study aimed to identify the DPs of pregnant Malaysian women and their associations with socio-demographic, obstetric, and anthropometric characteristics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 737 participants enrolled in Seremban Cohort Study between 2013 and 2015. Food consumption was assessed using a validated 126-food item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) at four time-points, namely, pre-pregnancy and at each trimester (first, second, and third). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify DPs. RESULTS: Three DPs were identified at each time point and designated DP 1-3 (pre-pregnancy), DP 4-6 (first trimester), DP 7-9 (second trimester) and DP 10-12 (third trimester). DP 1, 4, and 7 appeared to be more prudent diets, characterized by higher intakes of nuts, seeds & legumes, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, eggs, fruits, and milk & dairy products. DP 2, 5, 8, and 11 had greater loadings of condiments & spices, sugar, spreads & creamer, though DP 2 had additional sweet foods, DP 5 and 8 had additional oils & fats, and DP 11 had additional tea & coffee, respectively. DP 3 and 6 were characterized by high protein (poultry, meat, processed, dairy, eggs, and fish), sugars (mainly as beverages and sweet foods), and energy (bread, cereal & cereal products, rice, noodles & pasta) intakes. DP 9 had additional fruits. However, DP 12 had greater loadings of energy foods (bread, cereal & cereal products, rice, noodles & pasta), sugars (mainly as beverages, and sweet foods), and good protein sources (eggs, nuts, seeds & legumes). Malays were more likely to have lower adherence (LA) for DP 1 and 10 than non-Malays. DP 2, 8, and 11 were more prevalent among Malays than non-Malays. Women with a higher education were more likely to have LA for DP 10, and women with a greater waist circumference at first prenatal visit were more likely to show LA for DP 11. CONCLUSIONS: DPs observed in the present study were substantially different from those reported in Western populations. Information concerning associations between ethnicity, waist circumference and education with specific DPs before and throughout pregnancy could facilitate efforts to promote healthy dietary behavior and the overall health and well-being of pregnant women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.263-277
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The present study examined the associations of Korean Food-based Index of Dietary Inflammatory Potential (FBDI) scores with the prevalence of diabetes and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of diabetes patients in Korean adults. Methods: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Health Examinee baseline data, collected between 2004 and 2013 and followed up between 2012 and 2016, were used in our study. A total 56,391 participants including diabetes (n = 5,733) and non-diabetes (n = 50,658) were analyzed. The subjects were classified into quartiles of FBDI scores using the semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire developed for KoGES. The prevalence rate of diabetes under FBDI scores was assessed by Cox proportional risk models and the severity of the diabetes was analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Results: There were 775 incident cases of diabetes after a mean follow-up of 3.97 years. There was no statistically significant association between FBDI scores and incidence of diabetes. Among diabetes patients at baseline, FBDI scores were related to the risk of progression of diabetes which was represented by greater than 9% HbA1c (Q1 vs. Q4; odds ratio, 1.562 [95% confidence intervals, 1.13-2.15]; p for trend = 0.007). The stratified analysis showed a stronger association in females, irregular exercise group, and higher body mass index group. Conclusion: These results suggest that a pro-inflammatory diet is not associated with the incidence of diabetes but is related to the HbA1c level of diabetes patients. Thus, further longitudinal studies with longer periods are required to determine a relationship between dietary inflammatory index and diabetes in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2023

The tendon is a dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and plays an essential role in joint motion. The injured tendon heals slowly owing to its low cellularity and vascularity. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of regenerative injection therapy (RIT), 20 % dextrose prolotherapy (DP), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can promote tendon healing. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the control, DP, and PRP treatment groups. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the right hindlimb of each rabbit was used. A round defect of 2 mm was induced. Approximately 0.2 mL of 20% dextrose and autologous PRP were injected into the proximal and distal ends of the SDFT mass. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination and cross-sectional area (CSA) calculations were performed pre-operatively and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The SDFT of both limbs was transected for biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluations. The SDFT of the left limb was transected for intact control. Semi-quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the histomorphometric properties. Additional analysis was performed using H&E, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the treatment groups had higher tensile strength compared to the defect control group, while the PRP group had higher tensile strength than the DP group. On histological examination, the treatment groups appeared to be relatively closer to the remodeling phase of the healing process than the defect control group; the characteristics of the PRP group were closer to the remodeling phase than those of the DP group. The ultrasonographic examination showed different tendencies. Increased values in the CSA were observed during the early period in the treatment groups. This study suggests that PRP and DP can promote the healing of tendon injury, and these effects were superior with PRP than that with DP.