• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2019

This study evaluated the anti-oxidant and whitening effects of a 70% ethanol extract of the Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) (SS). At $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration, the electron donating ability of this SS extract was found to be 86.21% and the ABTS+ radical scavenging ability was 97.9%. In terms of whitening activity, the tyrosinase inhibitory effect of the extract was 37%, also at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. To explore the extractefftoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells, a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide assay was performed. Results showed 90% or more cells remained viable at $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. A Western blot of the SS extract was used to measure microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase relate protein-2 (TRP-2), and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect at 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations; ${\beta}-actin$ was used as a positive control. Consequently, the MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect were seen to decrease by 34.5%, 45.6%, 58.4%, and 79.6%, respectively, at $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. These were also then measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations with GAPDH as a positive control. As a result, the SS extract was seen to decrease MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and the tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect by 85.4%, 67.5%, 85.2%, 67.1%, respectively at the $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. We therefore confirmed the possibility of Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula (Nakai) extract as a whitening material.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of seeding dates and cultivated period on the growth characteristics, dry matter yield and feed value of Teosinte new variety "Geukdong 6"[Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis]for feed. The experimental design was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of five time seeding dates, 10 May(T1), 25 May(T2), 10 June(T3), 25 June(T4) and 10 July(T5), and same time harvesting, 22 October. Therefore, growing period were 164 days(T1), 149 days(T2), 134 days(T3), 119 days(T4) and 103 days(T5), respectively. In growth stage at harvest time, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were early flowering, end heading, middle heading, early heading and early heading stage, respectively. Plant length and dead leaf were highest in T1, but leaf width and number of leaf were highest in T2 than others (p<0.05). Leaf length, stem diameter and number of tiller were not significantly different among the treatments (p<0.05). Stem hardness was higher in order of T1(2.0)> T2(1.9) > T3=T4(1.7) > T5($1.2kg/cm^2$). Fresh yield and dry matter yield showed significantly higher as the sowing time was faster and the cultivation period was longer (T1 > T2 > T3 > T4 > T5, p<0.05). Crude protein, crude fat and TDN content were highest in T5, but ADF and NDF content were highest in T1 than others (p<0.05). T1, T2 and T3 showed significantly higher crude protein yield compared to T4 and T5 (p<0.05). Total digestible nutrients yield were higher in order of T1 > T2 > T3 > T4 > T5 (p<0.05), and relative feed value were higher in order of T5 > T4 > T3 > T2 > T1 (p<0.05). Based on the above results, seeding dates could be recommended from the early May to the late May, and it is efficient that the cultivation period is over 150 days for dry matter yield, crude protein yield and total digestible nutrients yield.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2019

Objective of this study was to evaluate an optimum biochar application rate and estimate the carbon sequestration based on the soil chemical properties and growth responses for biochar application during tomatoes cultivation. The treatments consisted of control as recommended application rates of fertilizers, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.07% of biochar application(w/w, biochar:soil). For effects of soil chemical properties, the $NO_3-N$contents in the soil were peaked at 9 days after transplanting. But there was not significant difference(p>0.05) among the treatments during cultivation periods. However, $NH_4-N$ contents in the biochar treatment were lower than the control until 14 days of transplanting. $P_2O_5$ contents in the biochar treatments were lower than that of the control until 19 days after transplanting except 0.01% of biochar application plot. $K_2O$ contents in soils treated with 0.01% and 0.03% of biochar were higher until 6 days after transplanting than that in the control. For N use efficiency of biochar application, it was observed that the 0.05% biochar application plot was highest among the treatments. The highest carbon sequestration was estimated at $2.83mg\;kg^{-1}$ for 0.03% of biochar application. However, it is considered that the optimum biochar application rate was 0.05% for tomato cultivation, considering the growth characteristics and yield components.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2019

Microtubules form through the polymerization of ${\alpha}-$ and ${\beta}-tubulin$, and tubulin transport plays an important role in defining the rate of microtubule growth inside cellular appendages, such as the cilia and flagella. Heterotrimeric kinesin 2 is a molecular motor member of the kinesin superfamily (KIF) that moves along the microtubules to transport multiple cargoes. It consists of two motor subunits (KIF3A and KIF3B) and a kinesin-associated protein 3 (KAP3), forming a heterotrimeric complex. Heterotrimeric kinesin 2 interacts with many different binding proteins through the cargo-binding domains of the KIF3s, but these binding proteins have not yet been specified. To identify these proteins for KIF3A, we performed yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening and found a specific interaction with ${\beta}2-tubulin$ (Tubb2), a microtubule component. Tubb2 was found to bind to the cargo-binding domain of KIF3A but did not interact with KIF3B, KIF5B, or kinesin light chain 1 in the Y2H assay. The carboxyl-terminal region of Tubb2 is essential for interaction with KIF3A. Other Tubb isoforms, including Tubb1, Tubb3, Tubb4, and Tubb5, also interacted with KIF3A in the Y2H screening. However, ${\alpha}1-tubulin$ (Tuba1) did not interact with KIF3A. In addition, an antibody to KIF3A specifically co-immunoprecipitated the KIF3B and KAP3 associated with Tubb2 from mouse brain extracts. In combination, these results suggest that a heterotrimeric kinesin 2 motor protein is capable of binding to tubulin and may transport it in cells.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.261-272
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the difference in the quality of chicken thigh meat from conventional and animal welfare farms during refrigeration storage over 9 days. Chicken thigh meat from conventional (CTC, n = 30) and animal welfare farms (CTW, n = 30) was tested. The pH value was significantly lower in CTW (6.28) than in CTC (6.37) on day 1; however, no significant differences were found on subsequent days. The yellowness of CTW was higher than that of CTC on day 1, but CTW showed lower yellowness than did CTC on day 7 and 9. The cooking loss, water holding capacity, lightness, redness, and coliform levels of CTC did not show any significant difference when compared with CTW during storage. The shear force of CTW was significantly higher than that of CTC on day 1, 3, 7, and 9. Total microorganism and coliform in CTC and CTW increased with increasing storage days. On day 7 and 9, the total microorganism level of CTW was lower than that of CTC. The thiobarbituric acid value of CTW was lower than that of CTC on day 9. The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) of CTW was lower than that of CTC during storage. Anserine content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) scavenging activity of CTW was significantly higher than CTC on day 1. These results suggest that CTW stayed fresher for longer than did CTC because of low total microorganism level on day 7 and 9, and VBN during refrigerated storage.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to develop a platinum/hexaaluminate pellet catalyst for the decomposition of eco-friendly liquid propellant. Pellet catalysts using hexaaluminate prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis as a support and platinum as an active metal were prepared by two methods. In the case of the pellet catalyst formed by loading the platinum precursor onto the hexaaluminate powder and then adding the binder (M1 method catalyst), the mesopores were well developed in the catalyst after calcination at $550^{\circ}C$. However, when this catalyst was calcined at $1,200^{\circ}C$, the mesopores almost collapsed and only a few macropores existed. On the other hand, in the case of a catalyst in which platinum was supported on pellets after the pellet was produced by extrusion of hexaaluminate (M2 method catalyst), the surface area and the mesopores were well maintained even after calcination at $1,200^{\circ}C$. Also, the catalyst prepared by the M2 method showed better heat resistance in terms of platinum dispersion. The effects of preparation method and calcination temperature of Pt/hexaaluminate pellet catalysts on the decomposition of liquid propellant composed mainly of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) or hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN) were investigated. It was confirmed that the decomposition onset temperature during the decomposition of ADN- or HAN- based liquid propellant could be reduced significantly by using Pt/hexaaluminate pellet catalysts. Especially, in the case of the catalyst prepared by the M2 method, the decomposition onset temperature did not show a large change even when the calcination temperature was raised at $1,200^{\circ}C$. Therefore, it was confirmed that Pt/ hexaaluminate pellet catalyst prepared by M2 method has heat resistance and potential as a catalyst for the decomposition of the eco-friendly liquid propellants.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.295-303
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• 2018

Inland wetlands in the Republic of Korea provide key breeding and wintering habitats, while coastal wetlands provide nutrient-rich habitats for stopover sites for East Asia/Australasia Flyway(EAAF) migrants. However, since the 1960's, Korea has reclaimed these coastal wetlands gradually for agriculture and urban expansion. The habitat loss has rippled across global populations of migrant shorebirds in EAAF. To protect a similar loss, the United States, specifically Missouri, developed the moist-soil management technique. Wetland impoundments are constructed from levees with water-flow control gates with specific soils, topography, available water sources, and target goals. The impoundments are subjected to a combination of carefully timed and regulated flooding and drawdown regimes with occasional soil disturbance. This serves a dual purpose of removing undesirable vegetation, while maximizing habitat and forage for wildlife. Flooding and drawdown schedules must be dynamic with constantly shifting climate conditions. Korea's latitude ($N33^{\circ}25^{\prime}{\sim}N38^{\circ}37^{\prime}$) is comparable to Missouri ($N36^{\circ}69^{\prime}{\sim}N40^{\circ}41^{\prime}$); as such, moist-soil management could prove to be an effective wetland restoration technique for Korea. In order to meet specific conservation goals (i.e. shorebird staging site restoration), it is necessary to test the proposed methodology on a site that can meet the required specifications for moist-soil management. Moist-soil management has the potential to not only create key habitat for endangered wildlife, but also provide valuable ecosystem services, including water filtration.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1487-1495
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated collagen production and hyaluronic acid production effects for wrinkle improvement test on 50 kinds of land plants and 10 kinds of marine plants native to Jeju Island as a part of developing customized cosmetic materials. Collagen and hyaluronic acid are recognized as major factors affecting skin aging. Cerastium holosteoides var. hallaisanense Mizushima extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) produced more than 190% of collagen in the extracts of 50 kinds of land plants. Vicia angustifolia var. segetilis K. Koch. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) produced more than 160% of collagen. Ftsia japonica Decne. et Planch. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Euonymus japonica Thunb. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Suaeda malacosperma H.Hara extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Elaeagnus umbelellata Thunb. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Sedum oryzifolium Makino extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Vicia unijuga A. Br. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), and Brassica juncea var. integrifolia Sinsk. extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) showed more than 140% collagen production effect. Among the 10 species of marine plants, Sargassum macrocarpum C. Agardh extract ($50{\mu}g/mL$) produced more than 190% of collagen, and Carpopeltis angusta (Harvey) Okamura extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Codiumcoactum Okamura extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), and Codium tenuifolium S. Shimada, T. Tadano & J. Tanaka extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) showed more than 140% collagen production. Suaeda malacosperma H.Hara extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) showed the effect of producing hyaluronic acid more than 140%, and Ftsia japonica Decne. et Planch. extract ($20{\mu}g/mL$) and Wistaria floribunda A.P. DC extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) showed more than 130% hyalunonic acid production effect. Among the 10 species of marine plants, Peyssonnelia capensis Montagne extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) was the most effective. Carpopeltis angusta (Harvey) Okamura extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), Codiumcoactum Okamura extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$), and Codium tenuifolium S. Shimada, T. Tadano & J. Tanaka extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) showed more than 120% hyalunonic acid production. Jeju resources, which have good collagen and hyaluronic acid production, showed the potential to be applied to solve the skin troubles of customized cosmetics in the future.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.466-473
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• 2018

An analytical method of sodium polyacrylate in processed food products was developed and monitored by using size-exclusion chromatography. GF-7M HQ column and UV/VIS detector were selected based on peak shape and linearity. Flow rate, column oven temperature, and mobile phase were selected as 0.6 mL/min, $45^{\circ}C$, and 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer of pH 9.0, respectively. Samples for analysis of sodium polyacrylate were extracted with 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer of pH 7.0 for 3 hr at $20^{\circ}C$ and 150 rpm. Analytical method validation revealed proper selectivity and calibration curve was selected in the range of 50-500 mg/L, and correlation coefficient of calibration curve was more than 0.9985. Limit of detection of sodium polyacrylate was 10.95 mg/kg and limit of quantification was 33.19 mg/kg. Accuracy and coefficient of variation for sodium polyacrylate analysis was 99.6-127.6%, 3.0-8.3% for intra-day and 94.3-121.9%, 1.3-2.6% for inter-day, respectively. Sodium polyacrylate was detected in 40 samples among monitored 125 processed food products. Detected contents were less than 0.2%, limited by the Food Additives Code. Results suggest the established size-exclusion chromatography method could be used to analyze sodium polyacrylate in processed food products.