• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1802-1807
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• 2009

Platycodin D, a major component of Platycodi radix, is known to have various activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor activities and others. Recently, it was reported that platycodin D inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether various adipogenic regulators are modulated by platycodin D treatment during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. mRNA levels of terminal markers of adipogenesis such as ADIPOQ (adiponectin) and GLUT (glucose transporter) 4, which were quantified by real time PCR, were decreased by platycodin D treatment. mRNA expression of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) $\gamma$ and C/EBP (CCAAT/enhaner binding protein) $\alpha$, which are central transcription factors of adipogenesis, were also decreased by platycodin D treatment. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed mRNA expression of upstream regulators of PPAR$\gamma$ and C/EPB$\alpha$. mRNA levels of the pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF (Kruppel-like factor) 15 were markedly down-regulated by platycodin D treatment. On the other hand, mRNA expression of CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), an anti-adipogenic regulator, was significantly up-regulated by platycodin D treatment. mRNA levels of other pro-adipogenic regulators, C/EBP$\beta$ and C/EPB$\delta$, were not affected by platycodin D treatment, and another anti-adipogenic regulator, C/EBP$\gamma$ was also not affected by platycodin D treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis is mediated by gene interactions including the down-regulation of pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF15, and the up-regulation of an anti-adipogenic regulator, CHOP.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2008

Chemical and microbial characteristics of bacterial populations were investigated in a quercus and pine humus forest soil. Soil pH was $5.3\pm0.4$ and $4.1\pm0.9$ from each sample of a quercus and pine humus forest soil; C/N ratio of humus forest soil was $17.84\pm4.6%$ and $21.76\pm8%$, respectively. Total organic acid was investigated as 69.57 mM/g dry soil and 53.72 mM/g dry soil in each humus forest soil. Glutamine, pyruvate, succinate, lactic acid and acetic acid of pine humus forest soil were $1.5\sim4.5$ times higher than those of quercus humus forest soil. As we evaluated phylogenetic characteristics of bacterial populations by 16S rRNA-ARDRA analysis with DNA extracted from each humus forest soil. Based on the 16S rRNA sequences, 44 clone from ARDRA groups of quercus humus forest soil were classified into 7 phyla: ${\alpha},{\beta},{\gamma},{\delta}$-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Thirty-two clone from ARDRA groups of pine humus forest soil were classified into 8 phyla: ${\alpha},{\beta},{\gamma}$-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroides, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and Gemmatomonadetes. According to PCA (Principal Component Analysis) based on 16S rRNA base sequence, there were three main groups of bacteria. All clone of Cluster I were originated from quercus humus forest soil, while 67% clone of Cluster II and 63% clone of Clusters III were separated from pine humus forest soil.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2003

The Cretaceous magmatism in the Gyeongsang Basin, Korea, led to the formation of two contrasting metallogenic provinces: the Haman-Gunbug-Goseong(-Changwon) (HGGC) and the Euiseong (EU). The mineralization in the HGGC metallogenic province represents copper, gold and iron of porphyry-related deposits that display close relationships in time and space with subvolcanic granitoids. Much of copper-gold-forming events in this province are consistently constrained to the period between ca. 89 and 81 Ma. The hydrothermal systems of copper-gold vein deposits in the HGGC province are associated with ore-forming fluids of high to intermediate temperature (300∼50$0^{\circ}C$) with high salinity (20∼55 equiv. wt. % NaCl). The ore-forming fluids become progressively more diluted by the incorporation of decreased quantities of magmatic water further from the nearby intrusion, suggesting significant input and fluid mixing of a meteoric water component to the magmatic fluids during the late stage of geothermal systems. In contrast, the EU metallogenic province is characterized by polymetallic vein deposits that are consistently constrained to a period of 78∼60 Ma. The geothermal systems of polymetallic vein deposits in the EU province are derived from a narrow range of intermediate temperature (200∼40$0^{\circ}C$) with relatively low salinity(1∼7 equiv. wt.% NaCl). It may represent a mixed fluid of magmatic and meteoric waters. The base-metal mineralization in the Gyeongsang Basin shows a close spatial and temporal distinction between the proximal environment derived from shallow-level granitoids in the southwestern HGGC province and the distal condition derived from volcanic environments in the northwestern EU province.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1637-1643
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• 2009

Shikonin, a component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc, exerts various characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity functions. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of shikonin-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed the mRNA expression level of various adipogenesis-related factors including C/EBPs (CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins) and $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$). The data showed that mRNA expressions of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and C/$EPB{\delta}$ were only slightly changed by shikonin treatment, but mRNA expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$ were significantly down-regulated. Then, we tested whether upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were involved in anti-adipogenesis of shikonin. C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), which are upstream regulators of C/$EBP{\beta}$, were not affected by shikonin treatment. On the contrary, the mRNA level of KROX20 was markedly down-regulated by shikonin treatment. These results suggest that KROX20 might regulate downstream factors of adipogenesis through C/$EBP{\beta}$-independent pathway. The expression of KLF15 (Kruppel-like factor15), which is a member of KLF family and is a upstream regulator of $PPAR{\gamma}$, was dramatically decreased by shikonin treatment, but KLF2 was not changed. Shikonin had no impact on the expression of KLF5 in the early stage of adipogenesis, but shikonin increased expression of KLF5 in the late stage of adipogenesis. Even though mRNA expression of KLF5 was moderately changed by shikonin treatment, its effect may be small compared with the effect of KLF15, which was markedly inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that shikonin inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EPB{\alpha}$, which is mediated by the down-regulation of two pro-adipogenic factors, KROX20 and KLF15.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 1998

Most of total nitrogen in the surface soil exists in organic forms, of which amino acid-N is the major fraction. By-product fertilizers provide soil with humic substances, and humic acid is an essential component of humus. Amino acids(AAs) are easily converted to inorganic-N forms and thus play an important role in N fertility. This experiment was conducted to investigate the contents and distributions of AAs in humic acids which were extracted from the commercial by-product fertilizers of different composting materials. Total contents of AAs in humic acids ranged from 1.2 to 5.6%, of which neutral AAs were the highest with ranges of 0.8~4.5%. AAs contents in fertilizers composted from the plant residues such as leaf litter, sawdust and bark were in an order of neutral>acidic>basic AAs. In contrast, those from animal wastes, such as poultry and pig manures, were in an order of neutral>basic>acidic AAs. Distributions of total, acidic and neutral AAs were in the respective order of leaf litter>sawdust>pig manure>poultry manure>peat, bark>sawdust>leaf litter>peat and leaf litter>sawdust>bark>peat. Distributions of the basic AAs were in the reversed order of the acidic AAs. In bark fertilizer with increasing compost maturity, contents of the acidic AAs were increased in compensation for the decreases in those of neutral and basic AAs. Results demonstrated that distributions of amino acids in humic acid of by-product fertilizers were different from composting raw materials and degrees of humification.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2001

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), an endogenous component of the L-carnitine family, is a naturally existing molecule synthesized from L-carnitine (LC) by carnitine acetyl transferase. ALC has been shown to improve the cognitive performance of patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer's type and proposed for treating Alzheimer's disease in pharmacological doses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioefuivalence of two ALC tablets, $Nicetile^{TM} (Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co.) and $L-Cartin^{TM}$ (Kuhn Il Pharmaceutical Co.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The ALC release from the two ALC tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method in various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 6.0 and 6.8). Twenty six normal male volunteers, $24.46\pm3.67$ years in age and $64.45\pm5.54$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2\times2$cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 500 mg of ALC was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of ALC in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. Because of the presence of endogenous ALC, the calibration was performed using dialyzed serum. The dissolution profiles of the two ALC tablets were similar in all the dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets were $0.35\%,\;0.93\%\;and\;2.34\%$ respectively, when calculated against the $Nicetile^{TM} tablet. The powers $(1-\beta)\;for\;AUC_t$ , and Cmax were $98.72\%\;and\;85.48\%$, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $(\Delta)\;at\;\alpha=0.05\;and\;1-\beta=0.8$ were less than $20\%,\;(e.g.,\;13.21\%\;and\;18.42\%\;for\;AUC_t,\;and\;C_{max}$ respectively). The $90\%$ confidence intervals were within $\pm20\%\;(e.g.,\;-7.38\sim8.09\;and\;-9.86\sim11.72\;for\;AUC_t,\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). These two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $L-Cartin^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Nicetile^{TM} tablet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1452-1456
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• 2008

For the effective use of salmon processing by-products, the food components of salmon frame muscle were investigated and compared with those of fillet muscle. The proximate composition of salmon frame muscle was 73.2 g/100 g muscle for the moisture, 76.9 g/100 g dry material for the protein, 15.7 g/100 g dry material for the lipid and 4.1 g/100 g dry material for the ash. pH and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content of salmon frame muscle were 6.63 and 16 mg/100 g, respectively. The proximate composition, pH and VBN of salmon frame muscles were similar to those of salmon fillet muscle. The Hunter values of salmon frame muscle were 55.34 for L value, 16.60 for a value, 19.99 for b value and 48.83 for ${\Delta}E$ value, which were different compared to the salmon fillet muscle. The trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble-N content of salmon frame muscle was 542 mg/100 g, which was lower than that of salmon fillet muscle. No difference was found in fatty acid composition, total amino acid, calcium, phosphorus contents and sensory evaluation between salmon frame muscle and salmon fillet muscle. These results suggested that muscle from salmon frame could be used as resources for seafood processing.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2001

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), an endogenous component of the L-carnitine family, is naturally occurring molecule synthesized from L-carnitine (LC) by carnitine acetyl transferase. ALC has been shown to improve the cognitive performance of patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer's type and proposed for treating Alzheimer's disease in pharmacological doses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two ALC tablets, $Nicetile^{TM}$ (Dong-A pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and $Neurocetil^{TM}$ (Kyung-Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration. Twenty six normal male volunteers, $22.80{\pm}2.76$ year in age and $63.07{\pm}7.98\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 500 mg of ALC was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of ALC in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. Because of the presence of endogenous ALC, the calibration was performed using dialyzed serum. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets were 2.72%, -0.65% and -8.42%, respectively, when calculated against the $Nicetile^{TM}$ tablet. The powers $(1-{\beta})$ for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ were 94.87% and 87.17%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})$ at ${\alpha}=0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 15.58% and 19.16% $AUC_t\;C_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals were within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-11.84{\sim}6.41$ and $-10.57{\sim}11.88$for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Neurocetil^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Nicetile^{TM}$ tablet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1289-1292
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to characterize and determine contents of vitamin E isomers (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocopherols and tocotrienols) in different steamed rice dishes, with or without other grains. Five different rice dishes were evaluated for the vitamin E nutritional value as major Korean staple foods. They were plain steamed rice (SR) and steamed rice mixed with barley (SRBa), red bean (SRRB), black bean (SRBB), or multi-grains (SRMG) containing a mixture of black rice, barley, red beans, and black beans. Vitamin E isomers were extracted from five grams of freeze-dried samples with hexane after saponification. An analytical method, using a normal-phase HPLC with a UV detector, was developed and used to determine the amount of each vitamin E component. The results showed that SR contained three vitamin E isomers (alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocotrienol, and gamma-tocotrienol). Alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol were de-tected from all samples while only SRBB contained beta-tocopherol and beta-tocotrienol. SRMG showed the highest (3.9$\mu$g/g dry wt) and SRRB showed the lowest alpha-tocopherol (1.3$\mu$g/g dry wt) contents. SRBB contained about 5 to 16 times more gamma-tocopherol (19.7$\mu$g/g dry wt) than othe.5. These results suggested that adding black bean or multi-grains can dramatically improve the vitamin E nutritional values compared to the plain steamed rice (SR). Information obtained from this study can be directly related to the amount of vitamin E intake and can be used to balance the diet for Koreans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2007

Functional oils (FOs) were produced from commercial diacylglycerol oil and red yeast rice extracts from 80% ethanol for 1 hr in a shaking water bath at $35^{\circ}C$ and 175 rpm. FOs contained (A) 600, (B) 1200, (C) 1800, and (D) 2280 ppm of red yeast-rice extracts, respectively. The Hunter a value and b value were risen whereas L value was reduced along with the increase of extract concentration. Content of monacolin K and total phenolic compounds in FOs significantly increased according to the increase of extract concentration. The oxidation stability of FOs was observed by Rancimat at $98^{\circ}C$. Induction time decreased according to the increase of extract concentration. The major volatile compounds of FOs were compared using the electronic nose (EN) system and solid phase microextraction (SPME) method combined with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). EN was composed of 12 different metal oxide sensors. Sensitivities (Rgas/Rair) of sensors from EN were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), whose proportion was 99.66%. For qualitative or quantitative analysis of volatile compounds by SPME-GC/MS, the divinylbenzene/carboxene/polydimethyl-siloxane fiber and sampling temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ were applied.