• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.289-298
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• 2009

Effects of Nattokinase fibrinol (NKF), defined as a fibrinolytic product, on fibrinolytic and atherogenetic markers were studied for healthy adults (20-31 years old), who is smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day. Subjects were divided into 29 for NKF group and 10 for placebo group in a short term study. They were given 2 tablets of NKF (4,000 unit) or placebo tablet and thereafter blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 hr prerid. For a 4-week long term study, 15 subjects for NFK group and 10 subjects for placebo group were supplemented one tablet of each NKF (2,000 unit) and placebo per day, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4 weeks later. The short-term experimental trial showed that NKF remarkably increased fibrinolytic activity at 2hr after consumption, which was maintained up to 4 hr, relative to that of placebo, while NKF reduced the euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and retarded the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), as compared to placebo group. NKF supplementation for 4 weeks elevated fibrinolytic activity, shortened ECLT and retarded aPTT. Furthermore, NKF supplementation increased anti-atherogenic index by decreasing triglyceride (TG) and elevating high-density lipiprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. These results indicate that NKF supplementation for short term or long term might have beneficial effects on preventing and treating cardiovascular disease by increasing fibrinolytic activity and improving atherogenic markers such as hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.234-240
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• 2009

We tried to analyze the HPV prevalence and HPV genotypes of sexually high-risk women living in Busan, the biggest seaport of South Korea. Six hundred sixty women engaging in high-risk occupations participated in this study. The prevalence of HPV infection and HPV genotyping were determined with $MyGene^{(R)}$ HPVDNA chip, which consisted of 16 high-risk HPV genotypes (oncogenic genotypes) and 8 low-risk HPV genotypes. The overall prevalence of HPV infection in this study population was 39.1% (258/660) and the 20's showed the highest prevalence of HPV infection (51.5%). The dominant HPV genotypes including single or multiple HPV-infected women were resulted in HPV-16 (15.9%), -53 (10.2%), -58 (7.7%), -18 (5.2%) in case of high-risk HPV genotype and HPV-70 (10.4%), -6 (4.1%), -11 (2.0%) in case of low-risk HPV genotypes. Remarkably, the proportion of women infected with high-risk HPV genotypes (62.0%) was almost four times higher than those of women infected with low-risk HPV genotypes (14.7%) and high/low-risk HPV genotypes (12.0%). Among the 258 HPV-infected women, single infection was 175, double infection 66, triple infection 12, quadruple infection 4, quintuple infection 1, respectively. Our finding suggests that the introduction and development of effective HPV vaccines should consider the current status of HPV genotypic infection in South Korean women.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1039-1045
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• 2014

This study analyzed whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces ER stress via the IRE/XBP1 pathway in mouse Leydig tumor (mLTC-1) cells. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the unfolding protein response (UPR) plays an important role in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes by modulating the ATF6 pathway, as well as ER stress-mediated apoptosis in hCG-stimulated Leydig cells. Although UPR signaling has been reported to regulate the IRE1/XBP1 pathway, it is not known whether hCG-induced ER stress in Leydig cells can activate the pathway. To investigate the activation of the IRE1/XBP1 pathway in mLTC-1 cells after hCG treatment, we performed a Western blot analysis to detect the phospho-IRE1 protein and an RT-PCR analysis to validate splicing of XBP1 mRNA. We used ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) constructs for monitoring the activity of IRE1 and then analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression levels of the phospho-IRE1 protein markedly increased in response to the hCG treatment. In the mLTC-1 cells transfected with an F-XBP1-venus/F-$XBP1{\Delta}DBD$-venus construct, the hCG treatment led to the appearance of green fluorescent cells and detectable fluorescence in the nucleus and cytosol, respectively. In addition, splicing of XBP1 mRNA significantly increased after the hCG treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that hCG-induced ER stress leads to activation of the IRE1/XBP pathway in Leydig cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1110-1117
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• 2014

Tidal flats are continuously contaminated by human activities. This study assessed the bioremediation efficiency of tidal flat soil using microcosm reactors and microorganisms originating from the tidal area. We screened 135 bacterial strains that produce extracellular enzymes from the tidal area located in the North port of Incheon bay. Two bacterial strains (Pseudoalteromonas sp. and IC35 Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22) were selected and used in the microcosm reactors, which were specially designed to functionally mimic the ecological conditions of the tidal flats. Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 was selected based on its relatively high activity of the enzymes amylase, cellulose, lipase, and protease. Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22 was selected for oxidation of sulfur. The M1 and M2 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M2 was first inoculated with Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 before the seawater feeding. The initial COD in both the M1 and M2 microcosm reactors was 320 mg/l. The final COD was 21 mg/l (M1) and 7 mg/l (M2). The M3 and M4 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M4 was first inoculated with H. neapolitanus IC_S22. The initial sulfate concentration in both the M3 and M4 microcosm reactors was 660 mg/l, and the maximum sulfate concentration was 1,360 mg/l (M3) and 1,600 mg/l (M4).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1102-1109
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• 2014

Chungkookjang has several functional properties, such as fibrinolytic activity, anticancer effects, and antioxidant effects. However, children do not like Chungkookjang because of its foul odor. A mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis MC31 and Lactobacillus sakei 383 was used to improve the production of GABA in Chungkookjang and its flavor. Most of the foul odor of Chungkookjang was removed. The slime content and viscosity of Chungkookjang fermented in the mixed culture were similar to those of commercial Chungkookjang when B. subtilis MC31 and Lactobacillus sakei 383 were inoculated in a 1:1 ratio. The maximum GABA content was obtained when Chungkookjang was fermented with B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383, which was fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. During the period of fermentation, the viable cell number of B. subtilis MC31 reached a peak (log 9.13 CFU/g) at six days, and L. sakei 383 reached a peak (log 6.78 CFU/g) at two days. The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber contents were 61.71%, 2.05%, 17.54%, 8.36%, and 1.95%, respectively. The amino-type nitrogen content of Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 was less than Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 alone. The ammonia-type nitrogen and reducing sugar content of the Chungkookjang fermented by B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 were higher than that of steamed soybean. The glutamic acid and GABA content detected with an amino acid analyzer were 1.40 mg/g and 0.47 mg/g, respectively. These results suggest that fermentation with B. subtilis MC31 and L. sakei 383 in a 1:1 ratio removes more of the foul odor and increases the GABA content compared with single fermentation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 2014

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a well-known and rich source of biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids, carotenoids, steroids, vitamins, tannins, and oleic acid. The effects of sea buckthorn fruit extract (SBFE) on ultraviolet (UV)-induced cell death was investigated in SK-MEL-2 cells cotreated with UV and a low concentration (LoC), medium concentration (MeC), or high concentration (HiC) of SBFE. Cell viability gradually decreased in accordance with an increase in the UV dose. The cell viability of the UV+SBFE cotreated cells increased significantly compared to that of UV+vehicle-treated cells during the application of an appropriate UV radiation dose (400 mJ). In addition, the number of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), propidium iodine (PI)-, and annexin V-stained apoptotic cells was higher in the UV+vehicle-treated cells than in the UV untreated cells. The decrease of apoptotic cell numbers varied in each treated group, but it was most significant in the SBFE-treated group. The number of PI-stained cells dramatically decreased in accordance with the concentration of SBFE, and the maximum decrease was detected in the UV+HiC-treated group. In addition, Bax expression increased and Bcl-2 expression decreased in the SBFE-treated group compared with the UV-only treated group. The level of caspase-3 remained constant in all the groups. These results suggest that SBFE may contribute to a recovery from UV-induced cell death through the regulation of apoptotic protein expression and that it may have potential therapeutic utility in ameliorating UV-induced skin ageing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.567-572
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• 2014

Extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum have been reported to show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, and hepato-protective effects. This study was designed to evaluate T-cell activation and M1/M2 differential macrophage activation by extracts of P. grandiflorum or P. grandiflorum containing various medicinal herbs. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression levels of c-fos, and CD40L (T-cell activation markers) in splenocytes and iNOS, Ym1, and ARG1 in RAW 246.7 cells after treatment of CC (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum), MAEK (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [82%] and six different plants), and HWAL (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [7%] and eight different plants. The results showed that MAEK significantly elevated the expression of T-cell activation markers of splenocytes, with the c-fos gene activated more than 10-fold and the CD40L gene activated more than 6-fold. Although CD40L was significantly increased by CC and HWAL, the increase was only about 2-fold. In addition, CC and HWAL did not significantly activate the expression of the c-fos gene. On the other hand, CC elevated the M1 activation marker iNOS, and HWAL elevated the M2 activation marker Ym1 and ARG1 gene expression. In conclusion, MAEK could be used as an immune stimulant because of its ability to activate T cells (elicited c-fos and CD40L gene expression), whereas HWAL could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent because of its differential activation of M2 macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 2014

Autophagy, the lysosomal degradation pathway, is an intracellular recycling system that is necessary for the metabolic benefits of exercise and for producing lasting beneficial effects of exercise in various diseases. However, the most recent studies have only examined the effect of a single bout of exercise or resistance exercise on autophagic responses. To determine the differential effects of acute and chronic exercise on the expression of autophagy-related genes in D. melanogaster, white-eyed mutant D. melanogaster were assigned randomly to four groups: control, acute exercise, 2 hr chronic exercise, and 3 hr chronic exercise. The flies were exercised using a mechanized platform known as the Power Tower. Our results revealed that a single bout of exercise resulted in increased mRNA levels of the Atg8a gene (~20%, p<0.05). However, Atg1 and Atg6 mRNA expression were not induced by acute exercise. Transcript levels of Atg6 (~29%, p<0.05) related to the nucleation of autophagosomes were significantly induced by 2 hr of chronic exercise. However, this chronic exercise was not enough to increase Atg1 and Atg8a mRNA expression. On the other hand, 3 hr of exercise for 7 days significantly increased Atg1, Atg6, and Atg8a gene expression-about 57%, 37%, and 71%, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggest that a single bout of exercise is not enough to induce full activation of selected autophagy-related genes in D. melanogaster. Our results demonstrated that chronic regular exercise induced autophagy-related gene expression, suggesting that chronic regular exercise training might be required to activate autophagic responses important for producing beneficial effects of exercise in various diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1217-1223
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• 2014

This study was attempted to investigate antioxidant activities of water and ethanol extract from Rosa multiflora (RM) by in vitro assays measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-di-2-ethyl-benzthiazoline sulphonate (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, reducing power activity, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity, total phenol and total flavonoid content. The water and ethanol extracts from RM scavenged the DPPH radical and ABTS radical in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration range from 10 to $500{\mu}g/ml$. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of water extract was higher than that of ethanol extract. $IC_{50}$ of DPPH radical scavenging activity of water and ethanol extract were $79.73{\mu}g/ml$ and $145.85{\mu}g/ml$. The reducing power activity of water extract was higher than that of ethanol extract. The nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity of the RM extract was similar to their DPPH radical scavenging activity. $IC_{50}$ of ABTs radical scavenging activity of water and ethanol extract was $79.82{\mu}g/ml$ and $159.03{\mu}g/ml$. The reducing power activity of water extract (0.775) was higher than that of ethanol extract (0.568). Total phenolic content of water extract (140.74 mg/g) was higher than that of the ethanol extracts (37.83 mg/g). Total flavonoid content of water extract (45.31 mg/g) was higher than that of the ethanol extracts (42.68 mg/g). This results suggest that water extract of RM may be useful as potential antioxidant sources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2017

Traditional Korean fermented herbal plants are potential sources of new food that promote health, but they are still produced by yeast, fungi or bacteria fermentation. In the present work, mushroom (Paecilomyces tenuipes and Cordyceps militaris) fungal dongchunghacho were used to fermented Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (licorice) or mixed with pupa. The pupa were tested as solid substrates for the production of corcycepin, liquiritin, and liquiritigenin. The fermented substrates were analyzed the content of cordycepin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and glycirrhizin productivity and inhibitory activity of NO. The cordycepin content of 70% EtOH extract from the fermented mixture of licorice and 50% pupa with C. militaris increased maximum at 33 times. Pupa was very excellent for the production of cordycepin. The liquiritin content was decreased in all the assays inoculated with P. tenuipes and C. militaris dongchunghachos. The liquiritigenin content was higher when fermented with P. tenuipes than C. militaris. The addition of pupa significantly reduced the liquiritin content and glycyrrhizin production. As a result, the liquiritigenin content increased in fermented P. tenuipes and C. militaris, and liquiritin and glycyrrhizin decreased. The inhibition of NO production in the different ethanolic extracts fermented with licorice and pupa was also significantly increased and higher than that of a nonfermented extract in higher polar solvent extracts. The contents of cordycepin and biological active compounds were altered in accordance with the concentration of pupa and fungi. This study provides basic data for use in developing dongchunghacho fungi as a functional food resource.