• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 2015

To investigate the molecular events of controlling intramuscular fat (or marbling), which is an important factor in the evaluation of beef quality, we performed cDNA microarray analyses using the longissimus dorsi muscle and back fat tissues. For this study, we constructed normalized cDNA libraries: fat tissues in native Korean cattle (displaying 1,211 specific genes), and muscle tissues in native Korean cattle (displaying 1,346 specific genes). A bovine cDNA chip was constructed with 1,680 specific genes, consisting of 760 genes from muscle tissues and 920 genes from fat tissues. The microarray analysis in this experiment showed a number of differentially expressed genes, which compared the longissimus dorsi muscle (Cy5) with back fat tissue (Cy3). Among many specific differentially expressed genes, 12-lipoxygenase (oxidizing esterified fatty acids) and prostaglandin D synthase (differentiation of fibroblasts to adipocytes) are the key candidate enzymes that should be involved in controlling the accumulation of intramuscular fat. In this study, differentially and commonly expressed genes in the muscle and fat tissues of native Korean cattle were found in large numbers, using the hybridization assay. The expression levels of the selected genes were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the results were similar to those of the cDNA microarray.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 2013

Binary trans-activation (pOp/LhG4) system is one of the regulatory systems of transgene expression. The target gene expression is achieved by crossing the reporter plants with an activator in this system. In this study, we used the features of this system in Chinese cabbage as a way to protect genetic resources and new varieties. To establish pOp/LhG4 system in Chinese cabbage, we designed an activator (35SLhG41300), and reporter constructs (pOpGUSBart) and co-transformed using Agrobacterium. The transgenic plants were selected by antibiotics and the functional activity of pOp/LhG4 system was confirmed by GUS expression. To induce the tissue-specific function, we constructed pOp/LhG4 system (795LhGBart) using female tissue specific promoter (ProAt1g26795) of Arabidopsis. Co-transformed transgenic plants clearly showed tissue specific expression in Arabidopsis. The results suggest the possibility of the system's application of $F_1$ generation can be restricted by expressing the target gene to protect a new variety and genetic resource in Chinese cabbages.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2013

The ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii is a marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Arcidae and important seafood for Korean and Japanese, and southern coast is brisk bays for the ark shell aquaculture. However, productivity of ark shell from these regions were rapidly reduced during the last decade due to mass mortality. The reason of this great damage has not yet been identified. To overcome this economic loss, diverse investigations were focused on environmental factors that affects in the physiology of S. broughtonii, but microbiological researches were performed insufficiently. Hemoglobin is one of the major blood component of ark shell and is damaged by some species of bacterial toxins. We concentrated on this red pigment because hemolysis could be the cause of ark shell mortality. In this study, we analyzed microbial diversity of underwater sediments in coastal regions and also existences in the body of S. broughtonii. We investigate about 4,200 isolates collected from June to September for microbial diversity of sediments and ark shell. We screened all of culturable microorganisms, and identified 25 genera 118 species, 24 genera 89 species, 30 genera 109 species and 39 genera 141 species, and selected 140 unique colonies for identification and challenge assay.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2012

Cecropin is a well-studied antimicrobial peptide that play important role as key factor in insect humoral immunity. In this study, cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide was isolated and purified from the larval haemolymph of immune-challenged japanese oak silkworm, Antheraea yamamai. To isolate antimicrobial peptide, we separated and compared acidic extracted hemolymph protein bends between control and immune-challenged larvae using SDS-PAGE analysis. In the immune hemolymph extract, but not of non-immune hemolymph, we detected differential expressed peptide band with molecular mass 4,223.01 Da. To understand this peptide better, we successfully purified this peptide using cation exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence obtained by Edman degradation evidenced a significant degree of identity with other lepidopteran cecropins. The purified A. yamamai cecropin-like peptide showed a broad spectrum of activity against fungi, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2022

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an oncofetal antigen primarily detected in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, particularly in those with colorectal cancer. CEA is considered a valuable target for antigen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, we induced the anti-tumor immunity for CEA through the administration of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine. However, there was a limitation in inducing tumor regression in the DC vaccinated mice. To enhance the efficacy of anti-tumor immunity in MC38/CEA2 tumor-bearing mice, we evaluated the effects of DC vaccine in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYP). Administration of CYP 100 mg/kg in mice resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in the 2-day tumor model, whereas a lower inhibition of tumor growth was seen in the 10-day tumor model. Therefore, the 10-day tumor model was selected for testing chemo-immunotherapy. The combined CYP and DC vaccine not only increased tumor antigen-specific immune responses but also induced synergistic anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, the adverse effects of CYP such as weight loss and immunosuppression by regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells showed a significant reduction in the combined chemo-immunotherapy treatment compared with CYP alone. Our data suggest that chemoimmunotherapy with the DC vaccine may offer a new therapeutic strategy to induce a potent anti-tumor effect and reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.587-592
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• 2009

A dramatic morphological change of embryos occurs at peri-implantation. Maternal and embryonic cross-talk during this period, initiated by signals from embryo(s), provides signals for maternal recognition of pregnancy and establishing and maintaining the pregnancy. However, the cellular, biochemical and genetic processes that direct embryo remodeling in mammalian species are not well studied or understood. In order to identify potential genes responsible for morphological change and cross-talk between embryo and uterus, an initial EST analysis was performed. A catalog of expressed genes (Transcriptome) from the d12 peri-implanting porcine embryos was constructed. Six clones were chosen from the initial ESTs for elucidation of their expression patterns during embryogenesis in early pregnancy. A number of these genes demonstrated unique expression profiles in a tissue, cell-type, and temporal fashion, indicating dynamic regulation of embryonic and endometrial gene expressions at different stages of pregnancy. Cross-talk between the embryo and endometrium of the pregnant uterus has provided a suitable micro-environment for the embryo's rapid and dramatic morphological changing process at the peri-implantation stage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2003

Helicobacter pylori is the etiologic agent of human gastritis and peptic ulceration and produces urease as the major protein component on its surface. H. pylori urease is known to serve as a major virulence factor and a potent immunogen. Recombinant H. pylori urease expressed in E. coli was purified by simple purification procedures utilizing (CNBr-activated Sepharose-anti-urease IgG immunoaffinity chromatography or epoxy- activated Sepharose-urea affinity chromatography. Urease was apparently bound so tightly to the anti-urease IgG resin that it could not be eluted at various elution conditions except at certain extreme pH 1, including 100 mM carbonate (pH 10.5) buffer solution, which was shown to elute slightly inactivated but relatively pure enzyme. Urease eluted from the epoxy-activated Sepharose-urea affinity column showed higher activity, but the smaller UreA subunit of the enzyme appeared as a Fainter band of diminished intensity when subjected to SDS-polyamide gel electrophoresis.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 1987

It is the objective of this study to estimate J-integral by numerical analysis, in which J-integral as aparameters in fracture mechanics can be used to evaluate unstable ductile fracture which is a important problem with respect to structural stability when the scope is beyond small scale yielding criteria. For this, 8-node isoparametric singular element as crack tip element of a cracked material was used to solve plastic blunting phenomenon at crack tip, and crack opening was forced to start when J-value was exceeding fracture toughness $J_{IC}$ of the material. And crack propagation behaviour was treated by using crack opening angle. From this study, it was shown that crack opening, stable propagation and unstable opening point of the cracked material found by using J-value obtained from this study were accord with the other study, so think, J-value obtained from this study can be directly used as a parameter in fracture mechanics to deal with the problem of stable propagation of crack and unstable ductile fracture.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.335-356
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• 2011

In this paper, we attempted to suggest a way to evaluate appropriateness and efficiency for the energy consumption structure. For this, based on Markowitz (1952)' mean-variance portfolio model, we constructed an optimal fossil fuel mix. In constructing the optimal mix, we first defined returns on fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) as TOE (Ton of Oil Equivalent) per $1. Then, by using the dynamic latent common factor model, we decomposed the growth rates of the returns on each fossil fuel into two parts : the common part and the idiosyncratic part. Finally, based on the results from the dynamic latent common factor model, we constructed the optimal fossil fuel mix implied by the mean-variance portfolio model. Our results indicate that for the fossil fuel mix to be on the efficient frontier, it is crucial to reduce oil consumption as low as possible. Moreover, our results imply that it is more efficient to increase natural gas consumption rather than coal consumption in reducing oil consumption. These results are in line with the strategies for the future energy consumption structure pursued by Korea and indicate that reduction in oil use can improve overall efficiency in energy consumption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1784-1788
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• 2011

The typical miRNA and its nearby host gene are co-expressed by sharing the same promoter. We assumed that miR-7b and its host gene FICT might use an identical promoter for their brain specific gene expression. Sequence comparison of the genomic DNA of mouse miR-7b, human miR-7-3 and their host genes by using the bioinformatic tools revealed high sequence homology and several putative transcription factor-binding sites on the promoter region. In order to probe the hypothesis we used a luciferase vector system into which we cloned the 5' upstream conserved region of miR-7b and FICT. The putative promoter region showed decreased luciferase activity, suggesting that the 5' upstream of miR-7b and FICT contain a negative regulator for gene expression.