• 분석과학
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.145-160
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• 1996

한국표준과학연구원 무기분석그룹에서는 1994년과 1995년도에 카나다 퀘백주 독성센터에서 실시한 혈액시료의 국제공동분석프로그램에 참여하였다. 이 프로그램의 목적은 생체시료에 있는 미량의 독성원소에 대해 참여하는 각국 실험실의 재현성과 정확도의 평가이다. 본 실험실에서는 3개 농도수준의 Pb과 Cd이 함유된 혈액시료를 동위원소희석 유도결합플라스마 질량분석법으로 분석하였다. 0.5mL의 혈액시료에 농축 동위원소를 첨가하고 질산 2mL와 함께 마이크로파 가압분해장치에서 분해한 후 약 10mL로 묽힌 후 ICP-MS에 주입하였다. 각국 실험실에서 보고한 Pb과 Cd의 농도를 나타내고 서로 비교하였으며 본 실험실에서 보고한 값은 모두 목표값에 매우 가까운 값을 얻었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권12호
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• pp.945-953
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• 2017

We report the biological functions of a zebrafish homologue of RING-finger protein 152 (rnf152) during embryogenesis. rnf152 was initially identified as a brain-enriched E3 ligase involved in early embryogenesis of zebrafish. Expression of rnf152 was ubiquitous in the brain at 24 hpf but restricted to the eyes, midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), and rhombomeres at 48 hpf. Knockdown of rnf152 in zebrafish embryos caused defects in the eyes, MHB, and rhombomeres (r1-7) at 24 hpf. These defects in rnf152-deficient embryos were analyzed by whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) using neuroD, deltaD, notch1a, and notch3 probes. NeuroD expression was abolished in the marginal zone, outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the eyes at 27 hpf. Furthermore, deltaD and notch1a expression was remarkably reduced in the ONL, INL, subpallium, tectum, cerebellum, and rhombomeres (r1-7) at 24 hpf, whereas notch3 expression was reduced in the tectum, cerebellum, and rhombomeres at 24 hpf. Finally, we confirmed that expression of Notch target genes, her4 and ascl1a, also decreased significantly in these areas at 24 hpf. Thus, we propose that Rnf152 is essential for development of the eyes, midbrain and hindbrain, and that Delta-Notch signaling is involved.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.313-326
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between milk and milk product consumption and dietary nutrient intake among Korean adolescents. Questionnaire survey and 3-day diet survey using the food record method were completed by a total of 664 subjects. Subjects were divided into three groups, Q1 (low group), Q2 (middle group), and Q3 (high group), according to dairy equivalent of calcium. Dairy equivalent of calcium was determined by the amount of calcium eaten from milk and milk products by individual subjects. As a result, the ratio of school milk service was higher in Q3 (P<0.001). The most frequent answer about the reason for consuming milk and milk products was 'to be taller' followed by 'good taste' and 'health promotion'. Preference for all types of milk such as white-, enriched-, and flavored-milk was higher in Q3 followed by Q2>Q1 (P<0.05). Ratio of mean daily dietary nutrient intakes of dietary fiber, vitamin C, folate, and calcium to RNI was lower than 2/3 for all of the groups. These mean daily dietary nutrient intakes were significantly higher in Q3 (P<0.05), and in particular, mean daily dietary calcium intake, which was the lowest nutrient consumed by Korean adolescents, was also the highest in Q3 followed by Q2>Q1 (P<0.05). The above results suggest that the school milk program is very helpful in encouraging adolescents to consume milk and milk products and consequently ensure their optimal nutrition. Therefore, we should try to encourage adolescents to participate in the school milk program more actively through nutritional education and government policy.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.42.1-42.9
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• 2020

Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is a powerful technology to profile the location of proteins of interest on a whole-genome scale. To identify the enrichment location of proteins, many programs and algorithms have been proposed. However, none of the commonly used peak calling programs could accurately explain the binding features of target proteins detected by ChIP-Seq. Here, publicly available data on 12 histone modifications, including H3K4ac/me1/me2/me3, H3K9ac/me3, H3K27ac/me3, H3K36me3, H3K56ac, and H3K79me1/me2, generated from a human embryonic stem cell line (H1), were profiled with five peak callers (CisGenome, MACS1, MACS2, PeakSeq, and SISSRs). The performance of the peak calling programs was compared in terms of reproducibility between replicates, examination of enriched regions to variable sequencing depths, the specificity-to-noise signal, and sensitivity of peak prediction. There were no major differences among peak callers when analyzing point source histone modifications. The peak calling results from histone modifications with low fidelity, such as H3K4ac, H3K56ac, and H3K79me1/me2, showed low performance in all parameters, which indicates that their peak positions might not be located accurately. Our comparative results could provide a helpful guide to choose a suitable peak calling program for specific histone modifications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.1351-1360
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• 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that disturb hormonal homeostasis by binding to receptors. EDCs are metabolized through hepatic enzymes, causing altered transcriptional activities of hormone receptors, and thus necessitating the exploration of the potential endocrine-disrupting activities of EDC-derived metabolites. Accordingly, we have developed an integrative workflow for evaluating the post-metabolic activity of potential hazardous compounds. The system facilitates the identification of metabolites that exert hormonal disruption through the integrative application of an MS/MS similarity network and predictive biotransformation based on known hepatic enzymatic reactions. As proof-of-concept, the transcriptional activities of 13 chemicals were evaluated by applying the in vitro metabolic module (S9 fraction). Identified among the tested chemicals were three thyroid hormone receptor (THR) agonistic compounds that showed increased transcriptional activities after phase I+II reactions (T3, 309.1 ± 17.3%; DITPA, 30.7 ± 1.8%; GC-1, 160.6 ± 8.6% to the corresponding parents). The metabolic profiles of these three compounds showed common biotransformation patterns, particularly in the phase II reactions (glucuronide conjugation, sulfation, GSH conjugation, and amino acid conjugation). Data-dependent exploration based on molecular network analysis of T3 profiles revealed that lipids and lipid-like molecules were the most enriched biotransformants. The subsequent subnetwork analysis proposed 14 additional features, including T4 in addition to 9 metabolized compounds that were annotated by prediction system based on possible hepatic enzymatic reaction. The other 10 THR agonistic negative compounds showed unique biotransformation patterns according to structural commonality, which corresponded to previous in vivo studies. Our evaluation system demonstrated highly predictive and accurate performance in determining the potential thyroid-disrupting activity of EDC-derived metabolites and for proposing novel biotransformants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.282-291
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• 2024

Purpose: Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are at a high risk of developing severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study examined the dietary intakes and compared the risks of NAFLD-related complications in Korean patients with T2DM and obesity. Methods: Data from the Korean National Diabetes Program cohort were used to study patients with T2DM. Two hundred and sixty-five obese patients with T2DM (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m²) were classified into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. The nutrient intake was analyzed using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical data were also obtained. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significant differences between the 2 groups. Results: The serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in obese patients with T2DM and NAFLD were significantly higher than in obese T2DM patients without NAFLD (p < 0.05). The serum glucose and lipid profiles showed no significant differences between the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. The carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels also did not differ significantly. The results showed that the fiber intake of the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups was 14.11 ± 3.86 g/100 kcal and 15.70 ± 4.56 g/1,000 kcal, respectively, showing that the dietary fiber intake of the non-NAFLD group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). A correlation was observed between total fiber intake and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in either patient group. In addition, the odds ratio of developing NAFLD was 0.29× lower when the fiber was consumed at 125% of adequate intake. Conclusions: A higher dietary fiber intake may reduce the risk of NAFLD in obese patients with T2DM. The dietary intake of Korean obese patients with T2DM should include and be enriched in dietary fiber to aid in preventing and treating NAFLD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.398-405
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng has been used as a tonic for invigoration of the human body. In a previous report, we identified a novel candidate responsible for the tonic role of ginseng, designated gintonin. Gintonin induces $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in animal cells via lysophosphatidic acid receptor activation. Gintonin-mediated $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient is linked to anti-Alzheimer's activity in transgenic Alzheimer's disease animal model. The previous method for gintonin preparation included multiple steps. The aim of this study is to develop a simple method of gintonin fraction with a high yield. Methods: We developed a brief method to obtain gintonin using ethanol and water. We extracted ginseng with fermentation ethanol and fractionated the extract with water to obtain water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. The water-insoluble precipitate, rather than the water-soluble supernatant, induced a large $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in primary astrocytes. We designated this fraction as gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF). Results: The yield of GEF was approximately 6-fold higher than that obtained in the previous gintonin preparation method. The apparent molecular weight of GEF, determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was equivalent to that obtained in the previous gintonin preparation method. GEF induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient in cortical astrocytes. The effective dose (ED50) was $0.3{\pm}0.09{\mu}g/mL$. GEF used the same signal transduction pathway as gintonin during $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transient induction in mouse cortical astrocytes. Conclusion: Because GEF can be prepared through water precipitation of ginseng ethanol extract and is easily reproducible with high yield, it could be commercially utilized for the development of gintoninderived functional health food and natural medicine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.583-590
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin, isolated from ginseng, acts as a ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand and elicits the [Ca²⁺]_i transient through six LPA receptor subtypes (LPARSs). However, the long-term effects of gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on the gene expression of six LPARSs remain unknown. We examined changes in the gene expression of six LPA receptors in the mouse whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, small intestine, colon, and testis after long-term oral GEF administration. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control vehicle and GEF (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 21-day saline or GEF treatment, total RNA was extracted from nine mouse organs. Quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to quantify changes in the gene and protein expression of the six LPARSs, respectively. Results: qRT-PCR analysis before GEF treatment revealed that the LPA6 RS was predominant in all organs except the small intestine. The LPA2 RS was most abundant in the small intestine. Long-term GEF administration differentially regulated the six LPARSs. Upon GEF treatment, the LPA6 RS significantly increased in the liver, small intestine, colon, and testis but decreased in the whole brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Western blot analysis of the LPA6 RS confirmed the differential effects of GEF on LPA6 receptor protein levels in the whole brain, liver, small intestine, and testis. Conclusion: The LPA6 receptor was predominantly expressed in all nine organs examined; long-term oral GEF administration differentially regulated LPA3, LPA4, and LPA6 receptors in the whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, and testis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.209-217
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• 2019

Background: Ginseng is a traditional herbal medicine for human health. Ginseng contains a bioactive ligand named gintonin. The active ingredient of gintonin is lysophosphatidic acid C18:2 (LPA C18:2). We previously developed a method for gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) preparation to mass-produce gintonin from ginseng. However, previous studies did not show the presence of other bioactive lipids besides LPAs. The aim of this study was to quantify the fatty acids, lysophospholipids (LPLs), and phospholipids (PLs) besides LPAs in GEF. Methods: We prepared GEF from white ginseng. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for fatty acid analysis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for PL analysis, and quantified the fatty acids, LPLs, and PLs in GEF using respective standards. We examined the effect of GEF on insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. Results: GEF contains about 7.5% linoleic (C18:2), 2.8% palmitic (C16:0), and 1.5% oleic acids (C18:1). GEF contains about 0.2% LPA C18:2, 0.06% LPA C16:0, and 0.02% LPA C18:1. GEF contains 0.08% lysophosphatidylcholine, 0.03% lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and 0.13% lysophosphatidylinositols. GEF also contains about 1% phosphatidic acid (PA) 16:0-18:2, 0.5% PA 18:2-18:2, and 0.2% PA 16:0-18:1. GEFmediated insulin secretion was not blocked by LPA receptor antagonist. Conclusion: We determined four characteristics of GEF through lipid analysis and insulin secretion. First, GEF contains a large amount of linoleic acid (C18:2), PA 16:0-18:2, and LPA C18:2 compared with other lipids. Second, the main fatty acid component of LPLs and PLs is linoleic acid (C18:2). Third, GEF stimulates insulin secretion not through LPA receptors. Finally, GEF contains bioactive lipids besides LPAs.

• 한국전통조경학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 전통 원림에서 행해진 비둘기 애호 문화를 살펴보고, 전통 원림의 동물 소재로서 비둘기의 면모를 조명하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 비둘기의 종류와 명칭을 파악하고, 쓰임과 상징적 의미를 분석하여 비둘기에 대한 인식을 파악하였다. 비둘기를 통한 원림 향유 문화를 살펴보기 위해 한국고전종합DB와 한국사데이터베이스에서 '비둘기'로 검색하여 도출된 고문헌의 번역본을 대상으로 내용 분석하였으며 옛 그림을 참고하였다. 비둘기는 귀소성이 있는 새로서 전서구(傳書鳩)로 이용되었으며, 약용, 식용으로도 쓰였다. 비둘기는 다양한 상징적 의미가 있는데, 풍요(豐饒)와 환우(喚雨)를 의미하였으며, 장수를 상징하였다. 고려 시대부터 조선 전기까지 궁원(宮苑)과 사가 원림에서 비둘기를 길러왔으며, 조선 후기에는 관상용 비둘기의 애완문화가 일시적으로 유행하였다. 비둘기는 원림을 풍부하게 향유하게 하는 공감각적 소재였다. 가지각색의 아름다운 비둘기는 움직이는 조경 소재로서 원림의 가변적 경관을 창출했다. 비둘기의 움직임에 따라 다르게 나타나는 방울 소리는 경관의 청각적 체험을 풍부하게 유도했다. 비둘기 집은 비둘기와 더불어 원림을 풍부하게 하는 완상 요소였다. 원림 조영자는 비둘기 집을 만들고 원림에 배치하는 행위를 통해 원림 조영에 적극적으로 관여했다. 또한 문인들은 봄을 상징하는 수목이자 비둘기의 먹이 제공원으로서 매실나무, 복숭아나무, 살구나무, 산사나무 등과 더불어 부귀와 은일을 상징하는 모란과 국화를 식재하여 비둘기와 함께 향유했으며, 이를 시와 그림으로 표현하였다. 본 연구는 전통 원림의 공감각적 소재로서 비둘기에 주목하여 전통 원림 문화를 이해하고자 하였다. 동물 요소로서 원림에 도입된 비둘기의 완상 요소와 조영자의 향유 행태에 대한 조경사적 컨텐츠를 제공한다는 점에서 의의를 갖는다. 본 연구에서는 번역문을 분석 대상으로 삼았다는 한계를 가지며, 향후 원림에서 비둘기를 기른 구체적 사례와 근현대 시기 조경 공간에서의 비둘기 기르기에 대한 후속 연구가 촉구된다.