• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2004

Background : Pulmonary hypertension is a poor prognostic factor in patients with chronic respiratory disease. However, diagnosing pulmonary hypertension is a difficult procedure which often requires an invasive test. Thus new alternative biochemical markers would be useful in clinical field and are in search. We sought to assess the role of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Method : We measured plasma NT-proBNP level in twenty nine patients suspected for pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as being right ventricular systolic pressure more than 35 mm Hg estimated by Doppler echocardiography. Plasma NT-proBNP level was measured by electrochemiluminescence sandwich immunoassay. Results : The log-transformed values for plasma NT-proBNP levels showed a linear correlation (correlation coefficiency: 0.783, p-value <0.001) with right ventricular systolic pressure. Plasma NT-proBNP levels closely correlated with right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, interventricular septal flattening and right ventricular dilatation. Conclusion : Our results suggest that the measurement of plasma NT-proBNP level is an useful marker of the presence of pulmonary hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2006

An Antiviral producing bacterial strain was isolated from ginseng root environment in Hongcheon, Kangwon province of Republic of Korea. Identification of this bacterial strain was performed by physiological and biochemical tests along with 16S rRNA analyses. The results revealed that the bacterium was closer to genus Serratia, which was named as Gsm01. The strain was grown in Mannitol-Glutamate-Yeast (MGY) broth for 48 h. The culture was centrifuged and the filtrate obtained was tested for its ability to control Cucumber mosaic virus strain Y (CMV-Y) in greenhouse and field experiments. In the green house experiments, CF was evaluated for its ability to protect local host, Chenopodium amaranticolor and systemic host of CMV, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc. It was found that, CF treatment reduced viral infection by 98% in local host; C. amaranticolor. The N. tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc plants treated with CF did not show visible viral symptoms 15 days post inoculation (dpi) and remained symptomless throughout the periods of the study. To evaluate effectiveness of CF under field conditions, experiment was carried out in a polyvinyl house. It was observed that, 52% plants were protected from viral diseases compared to non-treated plants, increasing the crop yield. This is the first report showing antiviral activity of a Serratia spp. against CMV.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1002-1009
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• 2019

Early life stress (ELS) increases the risk of depression. ELS may be involved in the susceptibility to subsequent stress exposure during adulthood. We investigated whether epigenetic mechanisms of p11 promoter affect the vulnerability to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) induced by the maternal separation (MS). Mice pups were separated from their dams (3 hr/day from P1-P21). When the pups reached adulthood, we applied CUS (daily for 3 weeks). The levels of hippocampal p11 expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The levels of acetylated and methylated histone H3 at p11 promoter were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Depression-like behavior was measured by the forced swimming test (FST). The MS and CUS group exhibited significant decreases in p11 mRNA level and the MS plus CUS group had a greater reduction in this level than the CUS group. The MS plus CUS group also resulted in greater reduction in H3 acetylation than the CUS group. This reduction was associated with an upregulation of histone deacetylase 5. Additionally, the MS plus CUS group showed a greater decrease in H3K4met3 level and a greater increase in H3K27 met3 level than the CUS group. Consistent with the reduction of p11 expression, the MS plus CUS group displayed longer immobility times in the FST compared to the control group. Mice exposed to MS followed by CUS had much greater epigenetic alterations in the hippocampus compared to adult mice that only experienced CUS. ELS can exacerbate the effect of stress exposure during adulthood through histone modification of p11 gene.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.133-142
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether enzyme-hydrolyzed poultry by-product meal (EHPBM) is more effective as a protein source than poultry by-product meal (PBM) and soybean meal (SBM) for broiler chickens. A group of 300 one-day-old broiler chicks was randomly allocated to three treatments with five replicates (20 birds/replicate) for five weeks. The treatments consisted of basal diets containing 1) SBM, 2) PBM, and 3) EHPBM. The EHPBM-fed group (1,853 g±125.60) showed the highest final body weight (P<0.05) when compared to the PBM-fed group (1,723 g±76.81) and SBM-fed group (1,545 g±62.31). The feed conversion ratio of the EHPBM treatment group (1.740±0.104) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the SBM (1.653±0.056) and PBM groups (1.674±0.072). It can be speculated that the increased feed intake in the EHPBM group led to higher body weight gain and FCR. There was no significant effect of treatments on internal organ weight except for the bursa of Fabricius. Blood biochemical characteristic analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels were higher in the EHPBM and PBM groups (P<0.05), probably due to the strained liver caused by the rapid growth of birds. In conclusion, EHPBM may partly replace conventional dietary protein sources such as soybean meal or poultry by-product meal and can be used to improve the productivity of broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2021

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, immune status, and meat quality of broilers. In total, 385 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of four distinct stocking densities: 26 birds/㎡, 22 birds/㎡, 19 birds/㎡, and 16 birds/㎡. They were fed the diet ad libitum for 5 weeks. Immunoglobulin (Ig) and corticosterone levels were evaluated, and growth performance, blood parameters, and breast meat quality were determined. It was observed that the weight gain and feed intake of growers (21~35 d) and broilers (0~35 d) were significantly reduced as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). However, the feed intake of starters (0~21 d) significantly increased as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the biochemical profiles among the four different stock densities. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the stress parameters: (heterophils / lymphocytes ratio and corticosterone), IgA, and IgM; however, IgG significantly increased with stocking density (P<0.05). The pH, water holding capacity, and cooking loss of the muscle were all unaffected by the stocking density, but the shear force (tenderness) increased slightly as the density increased. The findings of this study suggest that a lower stocking density (16 birds/㎡) significantly improved the shear force of breast meat and IgG in broilers.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1556-1566
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Nurida-Ball exercise on isokinetic muscle function, spinal alignment, and dynamic balance capacity in middle-aged men. All middle-aged men(n=16) were divided into 2 groups: Ball exercise(BE, n=8) and control(CON, n=8) group. BE group performed the Nurida-Ball exercise(30 min/day, 3 days/week, 8 weeks) and isokinetic knee and trunk muscle function, spinal alignment, and dynamic balance capacity were measured. All of the measured variables calculated the mean and standard deviation and verified normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The independent t-test method and the Paired t-test method were then analyzed to identify differences between groups. This study found that isokinetic knee and trunk muscle function was significantly strengthened in the BE compared with CON group by increasing peak torque(PT) of right and left knee extension(60°/sec, p<0.01, respectively), average power(AP) of right and left knee extension(60°/sec, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively), and PT of right knee flexion(180°/sec, p<0.05) and AP of right knee extension(180°/sec, p<0.05). In the change of isokinetic trunk muscle function, only PT of trunk extension(180°/sec) was increased in the BE compared with the CON group(p<0.05). In addition, Nurida-ball exercise can improve the spinal alignment by reducing the trunk inclination(p<0.05) in the BE compared with the CON group. Finally, dynamic balance capacity was also enhanced in the BE compared with the CON group by decreasing the score of overall balance index(OBI, p<0.01) and Antero-posterior balance index(p<0.05) in the Stage-6, and OBI(p<0.05) in the Stage-1. This result demonstrated that Nurida-ball exercise may improve spinal alignment, dynamic balance capacity, and isokinetic muscle function, which might be an effective way for the improvement of health-related fitness in middle-aged men.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.721-734
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• 2022

This study analyzed the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of major environmental factors such as primary productivity (PP), chlorophyll a, nutrients, sinking particle matters, and organic contamination and biochemical composition of surface sediment on a monthly basis for approximately 2 years around shellfish mariculture in Jaran Bay, Korea. In addition, PP in Jaran Bay was compared with that in other coastal areas and related policy plans were proposed. The average PP of the study area was high in summer and autumn with 6.43~115.43 mgC m^-2 hr^-1 range. This was lower than that in Gamak Bay and Masan Bay, whereas higher than that in Garorim Bay and the West Sea. The PP in coastal waters, where many aquaculture farms were distributed, significantly fluctuated. The different size compositions of phytoplanktons constituting chlorophyll a slightly varied by month, and little restriction existed on the productivity of phytoplanktons owing to the depletion of nutrients. Typically, the Redfield ratio was less than 16, indicating that nitrogen was the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplanktons. The biochemical composition of particulate organic matters in the water column showed the highest carbohydrates, but lipids and protein contents were high in surface sediments. The concentration of TOC and AVS of the surface sediments was high at inside of bay, and sometimes, exceeded the environmental criteria of fishing grounds. The organic C:N ratio of sediments ranged from 8.1 to 10.4 on average. PP had the highest correlation with chlorophyll a, nitrogen and protein of particle organic materials. Recently, chlorophyll a, DIN, and DIP of water column trends tended to decrease, however, the contamination of sediments increased. Considering the annual PP of 125.9 gC m^-2 yr^-1 and mariculture area (oyster) of 4.97 km², the annual carbon production from phytoplanktons was estimated to be about 625 tons, and the annual total wet weight of shellfish (oyster) was estimated to be about 6,250 tons.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2023

The contribution of hydrophobic residues to the protein folding reaction was studied by using HubWA variant proteins with I and L to V mutation. Folding kinetics of all V variant proteins was observed to be satisfied by a three-state on-pathway mechanism, U ⇌ I ⇌ N, where U, I, and N represent unfolded, intermediate, and native state, respectively. Three-state folding reaction was quantitatively analyzed and the free energy of folding of each elementary reactions and overall folding reaction, ΔG^o_UI, ΔG^o_IN, and ΔG^o_UN, were obtained. From the ratio of free energy difference between the variant protein and HubWA, ΔΔG^o_UI/ΔΔG^o_UN (ΔΔG^o_UI = ΔG^o_UI (variant protein) - ΔG^o_UI (HubWA) and ΔΔG^o_UN = ΔG^o_UN (variant protein) - ΔG^o_UN(HubWA)), the contribution of hydrophobic residues to HubWA folding was analyzed. The residues which are located in the hydrophobic core between α-helix and β-sheet, I3, I13, L15, I30, L43, I61 and L67, showed ΔΔG^o_UI/ΔΔG^o_UN value of ~0.5 when each of these residues was mutated to V, indicating that these residues form relatively solid hydrophobic core in the intermediate state. Residues located at the end of secondary structures and loop, I23, L69 and I36 showed ΔΔG^o_UI/ΔΔG^o_UN value below 0.4 when each of these residues was mutated to V, indicating that the region containing these residues are loosely formed in the intermediate state. V17A, L50V and L56V showed fairly high ΔΔG^o_UI/ΔΔG^o_UN value of ~0.8. Since L50 and L56 are located in the region containing long loop (residue 46 to 62), it is suggested that the high ΔΔG^o_UI/ΔΔG^o_UN value of these residues prevents the formation of aggregate at the early stage of folding reaction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 1999

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to provide useful information for diagnostic methods of fatty liver by childhood simple obesity and to provide correlation between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for screening test and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and liver biopsy for confirmative diagnostic methods of fatty liver. Methods: Among 78 obese childrens who visited our hospital, CT was carried out in 26 childrens. Of these, liver biopsy was carried out in 15 childrens who had high obesity index or severe elevated ALT. Based on the level of serum ALT, 26 cases were classified into 3 groups, and compared with physical measurements and degree of fatty infiltration on CT and liver biopsy. Results: 1) Correlation between ALT and physical measurements: Of 26 obese children, ALT was abnormally elevated (>30 IU/L) in 17 cases (67.4%) but there was no significant correlation between ALT and physical measurements (p>0.05). 2) Correlation between degree of fatty infiltration on CT and ALT: Of 26 cases, 13 cases (50%) revealed fatty liver on CT. The degree of fatty liver on CT had significant correlation with elevation of ALT (p<0.05). 3) Correlation between the degree of fatty infiltration on liver biopsy and ALT: Liver biopsy was performed in 15 cases of which 14 cases revealed fatty liver. But one case had normal hepatic histology with severe obesity and normal ALT. Fourteen fatty liver cases on liver biopsy were classified into 3 groups by the degree of fatty infiltration and analysed with obesity index and ALT. The histologic hepatic steatosis had no significant correlation with obesity index (p>0.05), but significant correlation with ALT (p<0.05). 4) Correlation between CT and liver biopsy finding: Both CT and liver biopsy were performed in 15 cases of which 6 cases revealed normal finding on CT and 9 cases manifested fatty liver. There was significant correlation between CT and liver biopsy findings (r=0.6094). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that abdominal CT and liver biopsy are useful and accurate methods of estimating fatty liver in the childhood obesity. But biochemical abnormalities of routine liver function tests dot not correlate well with severity of the fatty liver and liver injury.