• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2022

Aflatoxin contamination in rice has been documented in a number of studies, and has a high incidence in Asian countries, and as such, there has been a growing interest in alternative biocontrol strategies to address this issue. In this study, 147 strains of yeasts and yeast-like fungi were screened for their potential to produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) active against Aspergillus flavus strains that produce aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). Five strains within four different genera showed greater than 50% growth inhibition of some strains of A. flavus. These were Anthracocystis sp. DMKU-PAL124, Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL120, Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL144, Rhodotorula sp. DMKU-PAL99, and Solicococcus keelungensis DMKU-PAL84. VOCs produced by these microorganisms ranged from 4 to 14 compounds and included alcohols, alkenes, aromatics, esters and furans. The major VOCs produced by the closely related Aureobasidium strains were found to bedistinct. Moreover, 2-phenylethanol was the most abundant compound generated by Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL120, while methyl benzeneacetate was the major compound emitted from Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL144. On the other hand, 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol were significant compounds produced by the other three genera. These antagonists apparently inhibited A. flavus sporulation and mycelial development. Additionally, the reduction of the AFB1 in the fungal-contaminated rice grains was observed after co-incubation with these VOC-producing strains and ranged from 37.7 ± 8.3% to 60.3 ± 3.4%. Our findings suggest that these same microorganisms are promising biological control agents for use against aflatoxin-producing fungi in rice and other agricultural products.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1397-1410
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• 2021

The present study was designed to determine the influence of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on adipogenesis-related gene regulation in bovine intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose cells during differentiation. Bovine IM and SC adipocytes were isolated from three 19-mo-old, crossbred steers. Adipogenic differentiation was induced upon cultured IM and SC preadipocytes with various doses (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 µM) of ATRA. After 96 h of incubation, cells were harvested and used to measure the gene expression of CCAAT/Enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD), and Smad transcription factor 3 (Smad3) relative to the quantity of ribosomal protein subunit 9 (RPS 9). Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist also tested to identify the effect of ATRA on PPARγ -RAR related gene expression in IM cells. The addition of ATRA to bovine IM decreased (p < 0.05) expression of PPARγ. The expression of PPARγ was also tended to be downregulated (p < 0.1) in high levels (10 µM) of ATRA treatment in SC cells. The treatment of RAR antagonist increased the expression of PPARγ in IM cells. Expression of C/EBPβ decreased (p < 0.05) in SC, but no change was observed in IM (p > 0.05). Increasing levels of ATRA may block adipogenic differentiation via transcriptional regulation of PPARγ. The efficacy of ATRA treatment in adipose cells may vary depending on the location.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1173-1183
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• 2022

Adipogenesis is a complex process comprising commitment and a differentiation stages. Through research, many different transcriptional factors were found to mediate preadipocyte commitment and differentiation. Lysine has a potential of regulating the commitment and differentiation of preadipocytes. In the present study, intramuscular stromal vascular cells (SVC) isolated from Hanwoo beef cattle were used to elucidate the effects of low lysine level on adipogenesis. SVC were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of lysine (0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). No significant difference were observed in the proliferation of SVC after 24 and 48 h of incubation with different concentration of lysine. On preadipocyte determination, reducing the level of lysine significantly increased the expression of preadipocyte commitment gene Zinc finger protein 423 and Preadipocyte factor-1. Upon differentiation, Oil Red O staining revealed that lipid accumulation and triglyceride content significantly increased with the decreasing lysine levels in the media. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 and stearoyl CoA desaturase were upregulated by the decreased level of lysine. These data suggest the potential mechanism of action for the improved preadipocyte commitment and adipocyte differentiation in bovine intramuscular SVC upon treatment with low levels of lysine. These findings may be valuable in developing feed rations that promote deposition of intramuscular fat in beef cattle through lysine level modification.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2022

Established cancer cell lines are widely used for developing biomarkers for the patient-specific treatment of colorectal cancer and predicting prognoses. However, cancer cell lines may exhibit different drug responses depending upon the characteristics of the cell line. Therefore, it is necessary to select a tumor cell line suitable for the purpose of the study by considering the cell characteristics. This study investigated the levels of CXCL10, which were recently been reported to play an important role in the outcome of tumor treatment, secreted by colon cancer cells. 2 × 10⁵ cells/mL of each colorectal cancer cell was seeded into a 35 mm cell culture dish. After 24 h incubation, culture supernatant was used to determine the secreted CXCL10 levels. Among six colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29, HCT116, CaCo-2, SW620, SW480, and CT26), Caco-2 cells showed the highest level of CXCL10 secretion. HT-29 cells showed the second-highest level of CXCL10 secretion. No significantly measurable level of CXCL10 secretion was detected in HCT116 cells. These results will be helpful in investigating the molecular basis of colorectal cancer.

• Journal of East Asia Management
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-77
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• 2023

Modern company faces an uncertain future and a competitive environment and are seeking new technologies and creative products to ensure the corporate growth and survival in the market through continuous innovation. "University Industry Cooperation(UIC)" is a point of contact for overcoming the crisis faced by companies and universities in this era and a cooperation platform for mutual prosperity. As a subsidiary of a university, "Technology Holding Company(THC)" is attracting attention as a new window for UIC in Korea. The role of THC is to establish and foster the business opportunities of their subsidiaries and to return investment profits to the university ecosystem again. But recently, the life cycle of technology is getting shorter, and the development cost is steadily increasing. In particular, with the increase of hybrid projects based on convergence and combination, the risk of conducting research(R&D) and new product development(NPD) projects is gradually increasing. A PMO refers to a project management organization that can contribute to improving the success rate of projects with increasing uncertainty by supporting project visibility and appropriate decision-making. The purpose of this study is to raise a research question on whether THC's corporate performance can be improved when "Project Management System(PMO Service)" is introduced into the subsidiary incubation system of THC. This study proposes several research methods to identify the relationship between the introduction of PMO and the corporate performance of THC.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aimed to elucidate antioxidant activity of chrysin in polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-IC) and lipoteichoic acid-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Methods : RAW 264.7 co-stimulated with poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid were incubated with chrysin at concentrations of 25 and 50 µM. Hydrogen peroxide production was measured with dihydrorhodamine 123 assay. Nitric Oxide (NO) production was evaluated by griess reagent assay. Results : For 16 h, 18 h, 20 h, 22 h, and 24 h incubation, chrysin at the concentration of 25 and 50 µM significantly suppressed hydrogen peroxide production in poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid-induced RAW 264.7. In details, production of hydrogen peroxide in 'poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid'-stimulated RAW 264.7 treated for 16 h with chrysin at concentrations of 25 and 50 µM was 83.84% and 79.3% of the control group treated with poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid only, respectively; the production of hydrogen peroxide for 18 h was 84.36% and 79.93%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 20 h was 85.68% and 80.22%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 22 h was 85.81% and 79.95%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 24 h was 86.01% and 80.18%, respectively. Additionally, chrysin at the concentration of 5, 10, 25, and 50 µM significantly inhibited NO production in THP-1 human monocytic cell line. Conclusions : Chrysin might have anti-oxidative activity related to its inhibition of hydrogen peroxide production in 'poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid'-stimulated RAW 264.7.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.196-205
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• 2011

To investigate the contribution of macroalgae to biogeochemical nutrients and carbon cycles, we measured the uptake rates of nutrients and $CO_2$ and characteristics of fluorescence of Saccharina japonica (Laminaria japonica Areschoug) using an incubation method in an acrylic chamber. From January to May 2011, S.japonica was sampled at Ilkwang, one of well-known macroalgae culture sites around Korea and ranged 46~288 cm long and 4.8~22.0 cm wide of whole thallus. The production rate of dissolved oxygen by S. japonica (n=25) was about $6.9{\pm}5.8{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}$ fresh weight(FW) $h^{-1}$. The uptake rate of total dissolved inorganic carbon ($TCO_2$), calculated by total alkalinity and pH, was $8.9{\pm}7.9{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$. Mean nutrients uptake were $175.6{\pm}161.1\;nmol\;N\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$ and $12.7{\pm}10.1\;nmol\;P\;g^{-1}\;FW\;h^{-1}$. There were logarithmic relationships between thallus length and uptake rates of nutrients and $CO_2$, which suggested that younger specimens (<100-150 cm) were much more efficient at nutrients and $CO_2$ uptake than old specimens > 150 cm. There was a positive linear correlation ($r^2$=9.4) existed between the dissolved oxygen production rate and the $TCO_2$ uptake rate, suggesting that these two factors may serve as good indicators of S. japonica photosynthesis. There was also positive linear relationship between maximal quantum yield ($F_v/F_m$) and production/uptake rates of dissolved oxygen, $TCO_2$ and phosphate, suggested that $F_v/F_m$ could be used as a good indicator of photosynthetic ability and $TCO_2$ consumption of macroalgae. Maximum relative electron transport rate ($rETR_{max}$) of S. japonica increased as thallus grew and was high in distal part of thallus which may be resulted from the increase of photosynthetic cell density per area. The annual $TCO_2$ uptake by S. japonica in Gijang area was estimated about $1.0\sim1.7{\times}10^3C$ ton, which was about 0.02-0.03% of carbon dioxide emission in Busan City. Thus, more research should be focused on macroalgae-based biogeochemical cycles to evaluate the roles and contributions of macroalgae to the global carbon cycle.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.67-83
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• 2022

Biochar is a carbon material produced through the pyrolysis of agricultural biomass with limited oxygen condition. It has been suggested to enhance the carbon sequestration and mineralization of soil carbon. Objective of this study was to investigate soil potential carbon mineralization and carbon dioxide(CO₂) emissions in different soils cooperated with barely straw and livestock manure biochars in the closed chamber. The incubation was conducted during 49 days using a closed chamber. The treatments consisted of 2 different biochars that were originated from barley straw and livestock manure, and application amounts were 0, 5, 10 and 20 ton ha^-1 with different soils as upland, protected cultivation, converted and reclaimed. The results indicated that the TC increased significantly in all soils after biochar application. Mineralization of soil carbon was well fitted for Kinetic first-order exponential rate model equation (P<0.001). Potential mineralization rate ranged from 8.7 to 15.5% and 8.2 to 16.5% in the barely straw biochar and livestock manure biochar treatments, respectively. The highest CO₂ emission was 81.94 mg kg^-1 in the upland soil, and it was more emitted CO₂ for barely straw biochar application than its livestock biochar regardless of their application rates. Soil amendment of biochar is suitable for barely straw biochar regardless of application rates for mitigation of CO₂ emission in the cropland.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2010

We have developed an in-situ benthic chamber (BelcI) for use in coastal studies that can be deployed from a small boat. It is expected that BelcI will be useful in studying the benthic boundary layer because of its flexibility. BelcI is divided into three main areas: 1) frame and body chamber, 2) water sampler, and 3) stirring devices, electric controller, and data acquisition technology. To maximize in-situ use, the frame is constructed from two layers that consist of square cells. All electronic parts (motor controller, pA meter, data acquisition, etc.) are low-power consumers so that the external power supply can be safely removed from the system. The hydrodynamics of BelcI, measured by PIV (particle image velocimetry), show a typical "radial-flow impeller" pattern. Mixing time of water in the chamber is about 30 s, and shear velocity ($u^*$) near the bottom layer was calculated at $0.32\;cm\;s^{-1}$. Measurements of diffusivity boundary layer thickness showed a range of $180-230\;{\mu}m$. Sediment oxygen consumption rate, measured in-situ，was $84\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d_{-1}$, more than two times higher than on-board incubation results. Benthic fluxes assessed from in-situ incubation were estimated as follows: nitrate + nitrite = $0.18\;{\pm}\;0.07\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ ammonium $23\;{\pm}\;1\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ phosphate = $0.09\;{\pm}\;0.02\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ and silicate = $23\;{\pm}\;1\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2003

Obtaining a sufficient amount of healthy keratinocytes from a small tissue is difficult. However, ORS cells can be a good source of epithelium since they are easily obtainable and patients do not have to suffer from scar formation at donor sites. Accordingly, the current study modified the conventional primary culture technique to overcome the low propagation and easy aging of epithelial cells during culturing. In a conventional primary culture, the average yield of human ORS tells is 2.↑ $\times$ 10$^3$cells/follicle based on direct incubation in a trypsin (0.1%)/EDTA(0.02%) solution for 15 min at 37$^{\circ}C$, however, our modified method was able to obtain about 6.9 $\times$ 10$^3$cel1s/follicle using a two-step enzyme digestion method involving dispase (1.2 U/mL) and a trypsin (0.1%)/EDTA (0.02%) solution. Thus, the yield of primary cultured ORS cells could be increasd three times higher. Furthermore, a total of 2.0 $\times$ 10$^{7}$ cells was obtained in a serum-free medium. while a modified E-medium with mitomycin C-treated feeder tells produced a total of 6.3 $\times$ 10$^{7}$ Cel1s over 17 days When Starting With 7.5 $\times$ 10$^4$cells. Finally, We Confirmed the effectiveness of our ORS tell isolation method by presenting their ability for reconstructing the bioartificial skin epithelium in vitro