• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2010

Silk fibroin, produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori, has been widely studied as a scaffold in tissue engineering. Although it has been shown to be slowly biodegradable, cellular responses to degraded silk fibroin fragments are largely unknown. In this study, silk fibroin was added to MG-63 cell cultures, and changes in gene expression in the MG-63 cells were screened by DNA microarray analysis. Genes showing a significant (2-fold) change were selected and their expression changes confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. DNA microarray results showed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type-I alpha-1, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expressions significantly increased. The effect of degraded silk fibroin on osteoblastogenic gene expression was confirmed by observing up-regulation of ALP activity in MG-63 cells. The finding that small fragments of silk fibroin are able to increase the expression of osteoblastogenic genes suggests that controlled degradation of silk fibroin might accelerate new bone formation.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2010

Lilium ${\times}$ formolongi was genetically engineered by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with the plasmid pCrtZW-N8idi-crtEBIY, which contains seven enzyme genes under the regulation of the CaMV 35S promoter. In the transformants, ketocarotenoids were detected in both calli and leaves, which showed a strong orange color. In transgenic calli, the total amount of carotenoids [133.3 ${\mu}g/g$ fresh weight (FW)] was 26.1-fold higher than in wild-type calli. The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency in transgenic orange plantlets were significantly lowered; however, after several months of subculture, they had turned into plantlets with green leaves that showed significant increases in chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency. The total carotenoid contents in leaves of transgenic orange and green plantlets were quantified at 102.9 and 135.2 ${\mu}g/g$ FW, respectively, corresponding to 5.6- and 7.4-fold increases over the levels in the wild-type. Ketocarotenoids such as echinenone, canthaxanthin, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone, and astaxanthin were detected in both transgenic calli and orange leaves. A significant change in the type and composition of ketocarotenoids was observed during the transition from orange transgenic plantlets to green plantlets. Although 3'-hydroxyechinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone, astaxanthin, and adonirubin were absent, and echinenone and canthaxanthin were present at lower levels, interestingly, the upregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis led to an increase in the total carotenoid concentration (+31.4%) in leaves of the transgenic green plantlets.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.332-340
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• 2016

Seed size traits are controlled by multiple genes in crops and determine grain yield, quality and appearance. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the size of plant seeds remain unclear. We performed functional analysis of BrPATL4 encoding Sec14-like protein to determine the genetic architecture of seed size, shape and their association analyses. We used 60 $T_3$ transgenic rice lines to evaluate seed length, seed width and seed height as seed size traits, and the ratios of these values as seed shape traits. Pleiotropic effects on general architecture included small seed size, erect panicles, decreased grain weight, reduced plant height and increased sterility, which are common to other mutants deficient in gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. To test whether BrPATL4 overexpression is deleterious for GA signal transduction, we compared the relative expression of GA related gene and the growth rate of second leaf sheath supplied with exogenous $GA_3$. Overexpression of BrPATL4 did not affect GA biosynthesis or signaling pathway, with the same response shown under GA treatment compared to the wild type. However, the causal genes for the small seed phenotype (D1, SRS1, and SRS5) and the erection of panicles showed significantly decreased levels in mRNA accumulation compared to the wild type. These results suggest that the overexpression of BrPATL4 can control seed size through the suppression of those genes related to seed size regulation. Although the molecular function of BrPATL4 is not clear for small seed and erect panicles of BrPALT4 overexpression line, this study provides some clues about the genetic engineering of rice seed architecture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.232-240
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• 2016

Marine casualties originated from fishing vessels occupied about 71.2% of the whole marine casualties in Korea from 2008 to 2014, which has not changed much for a long time. Therefore, a pragmatic counterplan to decrease in casualties in fishing vessel is indispensable for reduction of marine casualties in Korea. Since the casualties occurred by fishing vessels may incline to a specific type of casualties according to the difference in the operating type; in this paper, 11 fishing types which occurred casualties frequently in numbers and occupied ratio were selected. Since the most frequent occurring casualties in fishing vessels were from collisions and fire explosion in statistics from KMST (2008~2014), the study focused on them. The collision is given a great deal of weight in all the casualties mostly due to the negligence of duty regardless of the job types. Gill netter, trap fishing boat, jig boat, multiple fishing boat and stow netter have their own specific causes of casualties in collision according to the operating types. The cause of fire explosion was mainly due to poor inspection and maintenance the electric cord. For this reason, it may be necessary for an operator to make strict precaution on the other vessels under way systematically, keep the regulation for preventing collisions, and for an engineer on watch to make a check the electricity periodically to reduce the fire explosion.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

We previously reported that anti-inflammatory properties of poncirin, isolated from fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, might be the result from the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis $factor-{\acute{a}}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) expression via the down-regulation of $NF{-\kappa}B$ binding activity. In this study, we investigated whether poncirin has an inhibitory effect on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators ex vivo and whether poncirin could relieve the symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice model of inflammatory bowel disease. Poncirin significantly inhibited the productions of NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse peritoneal macrophage. In addition, poncirin-treated mice when compared to control mice not receiving treatment recovered better from the weight loss caused by DSS-induced colitis. Changes in disease activity index (DAI) of poncirin-treated mice were also more favorable than for control mice and were comparable with mice treated with a typical anti-inflammatory-drug, 5-aminosalichylic acid (5-ASA). In addition, suppression of plasma NO and IL-6 productions of poncirin-treated mice was also observed in DSS-induced colitis. These results suggest that poncirin has potentially useful anti-inflammatory effects mediated by suppression of inflammatory mediator productions.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 1985

To investigate cellular regulation of phosphate metabolism between catabolically repressed and derepressed states in Saccharomyces uvarum, the activities of polyphosphatases, the analysis of polyphosphate and cytochemical observation of volutin granules were examined according to the culture phase and under various phosphate concentrations. As the results, tripolyphosphatase activity was increased more than six-fold during catabolic repression as compared with those of catabolic derepression and the polyphosphatase activity increased at the time of maximal accumulation of acid insoluble polyphosphate 'B'. Of the low molecular weight polyphosphates, tripolyphosphate was mainly detected by thin layer chromatography. When the synthesis of volutin granules in derepressed cells was observed cytochemically, acid insoluble polyphosphate localizing at the cell wall was primarily synthesized and then transferred into the cytoplasm, nucleus and/or vacuole.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.42-48
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of water-soluble Carthami-flos and Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (WCFC) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The study was conducted at Biotoxtech Co. according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) after approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dosages for the control, high dose, middle dose and low dose groups were 0.5 mL/animal of saline and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 mL/animal of WCFC, respectively. WCFC was injected into the muscle of the left femoral region by using a disposable syringe (1 mL, 26 gauge). The general symptoms and mortality were observed 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first injection and then daily for 14 days after the injection. The body weights of the SD rats were measured on the day of the injection (before injection) and on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after the injection. Serum biochemical and hematologic tests, necropsy examinations, and histopathologic examinations at the injection site were performed after the observation period. Results: No deaths, abnormal clinical symptoms, or significant weight changes were observed in either male or female SD rats in the control or the test (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal) groups during the observation period. No significant differences in hematology and serum biochemistry and no macroscopic abnormalities at necropsy were found. No abnormal reactions at injection sites were noted on the topical tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this single-dose toxicity study show that WCFC is safe, its lethal doses in male and female SD rats being estimated to be higher than 0.5 mL/animal.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 1990

Previous work has shown that the levels of free and total IAA and tryptophan decrease on exposing etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L. var. Sparkle) seedlings grown at $25^{\circ}C$ to $5^{\circ}C$ for 3 days, suggesting that low temperature down-regulates the level of endogenous IAA, in part, by reducing tryptophan biosynthesis. To understand, in this study, the effect of low temperature on the regulation of IAA degradation system in etiolated pea seedlings, enzyme levels of IAA degradation system and hydrogen peroxide content were analyzed during and after chilling($5^{\circ}C$) 6-day-old pea seedlings grown at $25^{\circ}C$. The levels of IAA oxidase and peroxidase increased during chilling and gradually restored to the level of control on termination of chilling. Catalase levels decreased upon chilling and increased to the level of control on termination of chilling. $H_2O_2$ was accumulated during chilling up to the level of $5.5\;{\mu}mol/g$ fresh weight while at $25^{\circ}C$ maintained a relatively constant $H_2O_2$ level of $4\;{\mu}mol/g$ FW. All together, it appears that low temperature, in part, by increasing enzyme levels of IAA degradation system and accumulating $H_2O_2$, down-regulates endogenous level of IAA in etiolated pea shoots.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.88-96
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• 2008

Currently, due to the serious world-wide air pollution by substances emitted from vehicles, emission control is enforced more firmly and it is expected that the regulation requirements for emission will become more severe. A new concept combustion technology that can reduce the NOx and PM in relation to combustion is urgently required. This study used a split injection method at a 4 cylinder common-rail direct injection diesel engine in order to apply the partially premixed charge compression ignition combustion method without significantly altering engine specifications And it is investigated that the effects of the injection ratio and SCV(swirl control valve) to emission characteristics. From these tests, soot(g) and NOx(g) emission could be reduced to 40% and 92% compared to base engine performance at specified engine driving conditions(6 points with weight factors) according to application of split injection and SCV(swirl control valve).

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2016

In human medicine, circulating microRNAs have been successfully utilized as early biomarkers for various abnormalities and disease states. Vertebrate miR-122 is a liver-specific microRNA which is expressed almost solely in hepatocytes and plays an important role in the regulation of hepatocyte function. In this study, to evaluate the potential utility of circulating miR-122 as a biomarker for liver injury in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), fish were orally intubated with two doses of acetaminophen (500 mg/kg or 1.000 mg/kg of body weight), and the expression of miR-122 in serum was quantified using real time-PCR. Histological change in liver, and the enzymatic activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were also analyzed. The results showed that miR-122 was higher in acetaminophen administered groups compared to control group. The histopathological effect of acetaminophen on olive flounder liver was not distinct. The serum level of GPT and GOT was increased within 2 folds compared to control group by acetaminophen administration. However, the serum miR-122 level was increased more than 3 or 4 folds compared to the control group by administration of 1000 mg/kg of acetaminophen. These results suggest the possible use of miR-122 as an indicator of liver injury in olive flounder, even when histopathological effects are not distinctive.