• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.765-771
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• 2018

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a key transcription factor that regulates adipogenesis, and epigenetic control of $PPAR{\gamma}$ is of great interest in obesity-inhibition research. Our previous study showed that CACUL1 (CDK2-associated cullin domain 1) acts as a corepressor that inhibits $PPAR{\gamma}$ transcriptional activity and adipocyte differentiation. Here, we investigated the roles of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), a novel binding partner of CACUL1, in regulating $PPAR{\gamma}$. The interaction between PRMT5 and CACUL1 was shown by immunoprecipitation assay in vivo and GST pulldown assay in vitro. As shown by luciferase reporter assay, PRMT5 and CACUL1 cooperated to inhibit the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$. The suppressive role of PRMT5 in adipogenesis was examined by Oil Red O staining using 3T3-L1 cells, which stably overexpress or deplete PRMT5. Overexpression of PRMT5 suppresses $PPAR{\gamma}$-mediated adipogenesis, whereas PRMT5 knockdown increases lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Consistently, PRMT5 attenuates the expression of Lpl and aP2, the target genes of $PPAR{\gamma}$, as demonstrated by RT-qPCR analysis. Overall, these results suggest that PRMT5 interacts with CACUL1 to impair the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$, leading to the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the regulation of PRMT5 enzymatic activity may provide a clue to develop an anti-obesity drug.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.369-378
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity is associated with a dysregulation of metabolic balance and is regarded as a low grade chronic inflammation. Western-style diet and physical inactivity are leading causes of obesity. This study examined the profiles of forty plasma cytokines and chemokines at the same time in the early stages of high-fat diet-induced obesity using a mouse model. Methods: A total of 30 male CD1 mice, 12 ~ 14 weeks of age, were enrolled. The mice were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity. The plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations were measured using a hexokinase colorimetric assay kit and a serum triglyceride determination kit, respectively. The relative levels of multiple cytokines and chemokines in the plasma were determined using a mouse cytokine array kit. Results: The mice exhibited significant weight gain after 6 weeks of a high-fat diet. The genital fat depot was enlarged along with an increase in the number and the mean size of white adipocytes as early as 4 weeks after a high-fat diet. In addition, the plasma glucose and triglyceride levels increased significantly after 4 weeks of a high-fat diet. Cytokine array analysis revealed a remarkable increase in the expression of both CXCL12 and CXCL13, whereas the proinflammatory cytokines remained low after 4 weeks of a high-fat diet. Conclusion: A significant increase in plasma levels of CXCL12 and CXCL13 was observed after 4 weeks of a high-fat diet, which might induce the migration of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and monocytes from the blood to expanding adipose tissue or fat associated lymphoid clusters, playing a key role in adipose tissue remodeling and local immunity during the early stages of high-fat diet-induced obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.908-916
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• 2018

Hair loses melanin with aging, which leads to hair graying. The change in hair color is caused by a reduction in tyrosinase activity and an accumulation of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in hair follicles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Oryza sativa (OREE) on melanin production and antioxidative activity in B16F1 cells. In this study, OREE showed low DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power. However, it displayed a strong antioxidative effect against intracellular $H_2O_2$ in live cells. OREE did not inhibit DOPA oxidation activity in vitro, but it increased tyrosinase activity at a concentration of $64{\mu}g/ml$. OREE at a concentration higher than $32{\mu}g/ml$ showed cell toxicity in B16F1 cells. However, OREE at a concentration higher than $8{\mu}g/ml$ not only increased melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in B16F1 cells but also increased melanin synthesis in cells treated with $H_2O_2$ inhibiting melanin synthesis. To confirm the effect of OREE on melanin production, Western blot analysis was performed. The results revealed that OREE increased the expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) involved in melanin production in the $H_2O_2$-treated cells in which melanin production was inhibited. The findings suggest that OREE could improve melanin synthesis and be available for development of hair cosmetics aimed at improving melanin production.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2016

In this study, the effects of fermented goat milk (F-GM) on immunological activity and physical strength were examined. Splenocytes obtained from mice administered with F-GM showed increased responsinveness to mitogens, concanavalin-A (ConA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment with F-GM also significantly augmented production of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, but not IL-4 or IL-10 from ConA-stimulated splenocytes. The activity of F-GM administration to enhance production of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ was confirmed based on mRNA expression of these cytokines by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. After immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH, 20 mg/mouse), mice administered F-GM showed significantly higher antibody titers against KLH than those of phosphate-buffered saline-treated mice, and showed the highest titer 5 weeks after KLH immunization. Analysis for determining isotypes of antibodies revealed that administration of F-GM elicited KLH-specific antibody titers of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgM. In a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test carried out 7 weeks after the primary immunization, F-GM-treated mice showed a higher DTH reaction than the control mice. Furthermore, the swimming test found that administration of F-GM significantly increased swimming time. These results suggest that administration of F-GM enhances not only immune responses against antigens but also physical strength.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2008

A hyperthermophilic bacteria (strain HJ6) was isolated from a hot springs located in the Arima-cho, Hyogo, Japan. The cells were long-rod type ($2-4{\mu}m$), about $0.4{\mu}m$ in diameter. The pH and temperature for optimal growth were 6.5 and $80^{\circ}C$, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rDNA sequence and biochemical studies indicated that HJ6 belonged to the genus Thermus thermophilus (Tt). The gene encoding the Trehalose synthase (TS) was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame (ORF) of the TtTS gene was composed of 2,898 nucleotides and encoded a protein (975 amino acids) with a predicted molecular weight of 110.56 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of TtTS showed 99% and 83% identities to the Thermus caldophilus TS and Meiothermus ruber TS, respectively. TtTS gene was expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity. The optimal temperature and pH for Trehalose synthase activity were found to be $80^{\circ}C$ and 7.5, respectively. The half-life of heat inactivation was about 40 min at $90^{\circ}C$. The maximum trehalose conversion rate of maltose into trehalose by the enzyme increased as the substrate concentration increased, and reached 55.7% at the maltose concentration of 500 mM, implying that the enzyme conversion was dependent of the substrate concentration.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2005

Neuronal apoptotic events, which result in cell death, are occurred in hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Estradiol is a female sex hormone with steroid structure known to provide neuroprotection through multiple mechanisms in the central nervous system. This study was aimed to investigate the signal transduction pathway of $CoCl_2$-induced neuronal cell death and the inhibitory effects of estradiol. Administration of $CoCl_2$ decreased cell viability in both a dose- and time-dependent manner in PC12 cells. $CoCl_2$-induced cell death produced genomic DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes such as cell shrinkage and condensed nuclei. It was found that $CoCl_2$-treated cells increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as caspase-8, -9 and -3 activities. However, pretreatment with estradiol before exposure to $CoCl_2$ prevented the reduction in cell viability reduction and attenuated DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes caused by $CoCl_2$. Furthermore, the $CoCl_2$-induced increases of ROS levels and caspases activities were attenuated by estradiol. Gene expression analysis revealed that estradiol blocked the underexpression of the Bcl-2 and ameliorated the increase in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) upregulated by $CoCl_2$. These results suggest that $CoCl_2$ induce apoptosis in PC12 cells through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated cell death pathway. Estradiol was found to have a neuroprotective effect against $CoCl_2$-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of ROS production and by modulating apoptotic effectors associated with the mitochondria- and death-dependent pathway in PC12 cells.

• Archives of design research
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• v.18 no.4 s.62
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• pp.119-128
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• 2005

This paper presents an intuitive 3D modeling interlace based on a field study and prototype development. The process and tools of modeling were observed in workshops of professional design model making, day modeling, wood caning and glass crafting. The Spray Modeling interlace was developed from the observational analysis of the field study. It is a 3D modeling interface which combines particle spraying and day modeling in Virtual or Augmented Reality space. Virtual volume particles are sprayed on frames in Augmented Reality space as day modeling. It adopts a real air spay gun as a tangible interface device which provides coherent sound and air-force feedback. The prototype development and a user study showed that the interface supports new patterns of form development and expression. Control interfaces and requirements of auxiliary devices were found to be improved. This study examines the potential of the new interlace for designers working in 3D virtual and augmented reality. The new spraying interface is also expected to be used as an alternative interface in 3D computer workspace, games, education software and media art.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2004

A system for the production of transgenic plants has been developed for tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of mature seed-derived embryogenic callus. Seed-derived calli were infected and co-cultured with Agrobacterium EHA101 carrying standard binary vector pIG121Hm encoding the hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT), neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) and intron-containing $\beta$-glucuronidase (intron-GUS) genes in the T-DNA region. The effects of several factors on transformation and the expression of the GUS gene were investigated. Inclusion of $200\mu\textrm{M}$ acetosyringone (AS) in inoculation and co-culture media lead to a increase in stable transformation efficiency. Transformation efficiency was increased when embryogenic calli were co-cultured for 5 days on the co-culture medium. The highest transformation efficiency was obtained when embryogenic calli were inoculated with Agyobacterium in the presence of 0.1% Tween20 and $200\mu\textrm{M}$ AS. Hygromycin resistant calli were developed into complete plants via somatic embryogenesis. GUS histochemical assay and Southern blot analysis of transgenic plants demonstrated that transgenes were successfully integrated into the genome of tall fescue.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.129-139
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• 1999

This paper analyzes the trend of fashion and make-up in 1990s and their relevancy to each other. Based on the chronological analysis, we propose a new category for the fashion and make-up trend in 1990s, which is 1) traditional ecology period(1990∼1994), 2) versatile trial or decadent period(1995∼1997), and 3) soft landing period based on the minimal neo-ecology and romanticism(1998∼2000). Between 1990 and 1994, there was no differentiation in seasons. It appeared that spring/summer and fall/winter trend have had no big differences. At the beginning in 1990s, it was basically based on ecology concept that emphasizes the natural image. However after 1995, seasonal differences in trend are appeared and there were various make-up designs. The trends of spring/summer in 1996 could be named as color revolution period that emphasized the unique and individual expression of each person. In 1997, black, pastel, and brown colors were the result of reinterpreting the classic and sexy images of 1960s to natural and modernistic image of 1997. Purple color started to be introduced to us. In 1998, pastel tone, pink, and purple color expresses the glamorous look based on the romantic feminism. S/S of 1999 is mainly represented by minimalism and avant garde. For fall/winter trends, brown color lines make-up comes to mix with romantic image and developed into wine, orange, neon colors in 1995 and 1996. These colors were the symbol of property and sentiment. Gold make-up emphasizing the eye area was the tendency of that period. In 1997, the fear of coming end of century was expressed as decadent image. At that time, ethnic and romantic image appeared with vivid color lines, gold, red and violet. In 1998, romanticism was popular again with modernism and ethnic mood. It expressed the romantic elegant image. The trend has returned to the ecology mood again in 1999. This ecology is somewhat different from the previous ecology. It adds a sofistaiced feeling and sportic fashion. To express natural and sportic image, they choose pink blush. In coming 2000 as a new millennium, the yellow color will be main the stream to express vision, dream, and happiness in both fashion and make-up as an accent color. The minimal design and minimal tools will be used for the design and make-up, respectively. In addition, the fusion concept will dominate the fashion and make-up industry in the globalized and boundariless age. Through this paper, we hope that make-up can be accepted as a part of total fashion in its relationship with other elements such as shoes, clothes and accessory and that it can be considered as a independent art that has direct influence on people and industry.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2006

Effects of acetosyringone and on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of orchardgrass were investigated. Embryogenic calli induced from 3 varieties, Frontier, Potomac and Roughrider, were infected and co-cultured with Agrobacterium EHA101 carrying standard binary vector pIG121Hm encoding the hygromycin phosphotransferase(HPT), neomycin phosphotransferase II(NPTII) and intron-containing ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ (intron-GUS) genes in the T-DNA region. The effects of varieties and acetosyringone(AS) concentrations on transformation and the expression of the GUS gene were investigated. Inclusion of $200{\mu}M$ AS in inoculation and co-cultivation media lead to a significant increase in stable transformation efficiency. Hygromycin resistant calli were developed into complete plants via somatic embryogenesis. GUS histochemical assay and PCR analysis of transgenic plants demonstrated that transgenes were integrated into the genome of orchardgrass.