• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.207-214
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• 2013

화석연료의 매장량 한계와 해로운 영향으로 인하여 이를 대신할 대체 에너지연구가 요구되고 있다. 최근, 미세조류를 통한 바이오에너지 생산이 주목을 받고 있으며, 도시하수를 영양원으로 이용하여 미세조류를 배양하는 것은 생산비용을 낮추는 좋은 대안이 될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 옥외 수질정화 배양 시스템(Small Scale Raceway Pond; SSRP)을 이용하여 적용했다. 실험에 사용한 도시하수는 하수종말처리장의 1차 침전지를 거친 유입수를 이용하였으며, 토착 미세조류를 SSRP에서 배양하였다. 체류시간 6일 운전 후 TN, TP, $NH_3-N$의 평균 제거 효율은 77.77%, 63.55%, 89.02%로 각각 나타났다. 또한 미세조류 내의 지질함량은 평균 19.51%로 나타났으며, FAME는 주로 18:n인 linolenate, linoleate로 이루어져 있음을 확인하였다. 18S rRNA 유전자 분석과 현미경 관찰을 통하여 녹조류인 Chlorella와 Scenedesmus가 우점하는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 통하여 도시하수는 미세조류 배양에 필요한 질소와 인을 제공할 수 있으며, 미세조류를 이용한 SSRP를 통하여 정화될 수 있는 가능성을 확인하였다. 또한 미세조류 배양을 통해 얻어진 바이오매스는 바이오디젤 전환을 통하여 상업화될 수 있는 가능성을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.637-643
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• 2013

We have demonstrated that 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) isolated from Bacillus subtilis MORI could enhance the levels of adiponectin and its receptors in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which has been shown to be effective in lowering blood glucose levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity. DNJ was not toxic to differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes for up to a concentration of $5{\mu}M$. In terms of expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2), DNJ in concentrations as low as $0.5{\mu}M$ elevated both mRNA and protein levels of adiponectin and transcript levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. In addition, DNJ increased phosphorylation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a statistically significant manner. Finally, treatment with DNJ resulted in increased mRNA expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), which encodes for a glucose transporter, along with a significant increase in glucose uptake into the adipocytes based on results of a 2-deoxy-D-[$^3H$] glucose uptake assay. Our findings indicate that DNJ may greatly facilitate glucose uptake into adipose tissues by increasing the action of adiponectin via its up-regulated expression as well as its receptor genes. In addition, the glucose-lowering effects of DNJ may be achieved by an increased abundance of GLUT4 protein in the plasma membrane, as a consequence of the increased transcript levels of the GLUT4 gene and the activation of AMPK.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.654-666
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• 2018

본 연구는 비만 모델동물 랫드에서 식이 내 오메가 6와 3 지방산 비율(n-6/n-3 0, 4:1, 15:1, 30:1)이 지질대사의 생화학적 메카니즘을 구명하였다. 혈액 중성지방은 대조군과 비교할 때 n-6/n-3 비율 4:1, 15;1, 30:1 처리군에서 22.21%, 총콜레스테롤 20.60%, LDL-C 52.96%, 혈당 15.71%, ALT 11.97%, AST 9.13%, 인슐린 37.57%, 렙틴 45.98% 낮아졌으나, HDL-C 28.38%, 인지질 80.39% 증가하였고, 특히 4:1 처리군에서 가장 큰 효과가 나타났다. 간 조직에서 SREPB-$1{\alpha}$, SREPB-2 mRNA는 대조군과 비교할 때 n-6/n-3 비율 처리군에서 하향조절 하였으나 PPARs 그리고 지방조직의 LPL-mRNA는 상향조절 하였다. 간 조직에서 지방세포의 크기는 n-6/n-3 비율 30:1, 대조군, 15:1, 4:1 순서로 낮아졌고, 지방조직에서 지방세포의 크기는 대조군, 30:1, 15:1, 4:1 순서로 낮았다. 결과는 비만 모델동물 랫드에서 오메가 6와 오메가 3 지방산 비율, 특히 4:1을 함유하는 식이를 급여하면 혈액 유해 지질, 간 기능 효소, 렙틴, 인슐린, 간과 지방조직의 유전자 발현 조절을 통하여 건강을 유지할 수 있다는 새로운 사실을 발견하였다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제15권9호
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• pp.5628-5636
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• 2014

현재 많은 나라들은 자생식물을 활용한 산업소재를 개발하는 데 지대한 관심을 가지고 있다. 특히 화장품 산업은 친환경, 자연친화적인 소재를 찾는데 집중하고 있는 추세이다. 우수한 생리활성 물질을 포함한 식물을 식물세포배양기술을 이용하여 대량으로 배양하고 그 함유물을 고농도로 얻음으로 효과적인 소재로 개발하려고 노력하고 있다. 이에 본 연구는 항암, 항균, 항산화, 항염 등의 효능이 입증되어 세계적으로 주목받고 있는 개똥쑥을 선택하여 식물세포배양기술을 이용해 유도한 캘러스의 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하고자 하였다. 약 6개월 동안 식물세포배양기술로 개똥쑥 캘러스를 유도하였고, 유도된 캘러스를 얻어 열수 및 에탄올 추출하여 약 2개월간 다양한 효능을 시험하였다. HPLC 분석을 통하여 열수 및 에탄올 추출물의 유효성분에 차이를 보임을 확인하였다. 또한 효능평가에서도 차이를 보였다. 개똥쑥 캘러스 에탄올 추출물을 처리하였을 경우 항염관련 단백질인 COX-2의 발현을 50% 이상 감소시키고 wound healing assay를 통해 상처 치유능이 70%정도 증가함을 확인하였다. 이를 통해 개똥쑥 캘러스 추출물이 자연친화적, 친환경적인 소재로써 항염 및 상처치료 관련 제품에 기여할 것으로 예상된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.218-224
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• 2018

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of different levels of protein concentrate supplementation on the growth performance of yak calves, and correlated the growth rate to changes occurring in the plasma- amino acids, -insulin profile, and signaling activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascade to characterize the mechanism through which the protein synthesis can be improved in early weaned yaks. Methods: For this study, 48 early (3 months old) weaned yak calves were selected, and assigned into four dietary treatments according to randomized complete block design. The four blocks were balanced for body weight and sex. The yaks were either grazed on natural pasture (control diet) in a single herd or the grazing yaks was supplemented with one of the three protein rich supplements containing low (17%; LP), medium (19%; MP), or high (21%; HP) levels of crude proteins for a period of 30 days. Results: Results showed that the average daily gain of calves increased (0.14 vs 0.23-0.26 kg; p<0.05) with protein concentrates supplementation. The concentration of plasma methionine increased (p<0.05; 8.6 vs $10.1-12.4{\mu}mol/L$), while those of serine and tyrosine did not change (p>0.05) when the grazing calves were supplemented with protein concentrates. Compared to control diet, the insulin level of calves increased (p<0.05; 1.86 vs $2.16-2.54{\mu}IU/mL$) with supplementation of protein concentrates. Addition of protein concentrates up-regulated (p<0.05) expression of mTOR-raptor, mammalian vacuolar protein sorting 34 homolog, the translational regulators eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1, and S6 kinase 1 genes in both Longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus. In contrast, the expression of sequestosome 1 was down-regulated in the concentrate supplemented calves. Conclusion: Our results show that protein supplementation improves the growth performance of early weaned yak calves, and that plasma methionine and insulin concentrations were the key mediator for gene expression and protein deposition in the muscles.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.416-423
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• 2020

Objective: This study examined the effects of divergence in residual feed intake (RFI) on expression profiles of key genes related to lipid transport in the liver and duodenal epithelium and their associations with feed efficiency traits in meat-type ducks. Methods: A total of 1,000 male ducks with similar body weight (1,042.1±87.2 g) were used in this study, and their individual RFI was calculated from 21 to 42 d of age. Finally, the 10 highest RFI (HRFI) and 10 lowest RFI (LRFI) ducks were chosen for examining the expression of key genes related to lipid transport in the liver and duodenal epithelium using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the liver, expression levels of albumin (ALB), CD36 molecule (CD36), fatty acid hydroxylase domain containing 2 (FAXDC2), and choline kinase alpha (CHKA) were significantly higher in LRFI ducks than in HRFI ducks (p<0.01); negative correlations (p<0.05) between expression levels of ALB, CD36, FAXDC2, and CHKA and RFI were detected in the liver. Additionally, ALB expression was strongly positively correlated (p<0.05) with CD36, FAXDC2, CHKA, and apolipoprotein H (APOH) expression in the liver. In duodenal epithelium, we found that mRNA levels of ALB, CD36, FAXDC2, and APOH were significantly higher in LRFI ducks than in HRFI ducks (p<0.01); RFI was strongly negatively correlated (p<0.05) with ALB, FAXDC2, and APOH expression, while ALB expression was strongly positively correlated with APOH expression (p<0.01) in duodenal epithelium. Furthermore, expression levels of both ALB and FAXDC2 genes were significantly associated with feed conversion ratio and RFI in both liver and duodenal epithelium (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings therefore suggest that ALB and FAXDC2 genes might be used as potential gene markers designed to improve feed efficiency in future meat-type duck breeding programs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.390-397
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the special expression pattern of lipid metabolism genes and investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in Longissimus dorsi muscle of Laiwu pigs. Methods: Thirty-six pigs (Laiwu n = 18; Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire n = 18) were used for the measurement of the backfat thickness, marbling score, IMF content, and expression of lipid metabolism genes. Results: Significant correlations were found between IMF content and the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism genes. Of the 14 fat deposition genes measured, fatty acid synthase (FASN) showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.75, p = 0.001) with IMF content, and of the 6 fat removal genes, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B (CPT1B) exhibited the greatest negative correlation (r = -0.66, p = 0.003) with IMF content in Laiwu pig. Multiple regression analysis showed that CPT1B, FASN, solute carrier family 27 member 1 (SLC27A1), and fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) contributed 38% of the prediction value for IMF content in Laiwu pigs. Of these four variables, CPT1B had the greatest contribution to IMF content (14%) followed by FASN (11%), SLC27A1 (9%), and FABP3 (4%). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the combined effects of an upregulation in fat deposition genes and downregulation in fat removal genes promotes IMF deposition in Laiwu pigs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2527-2532
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore mechanisms underlying the effects of down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression on esophageal carcinoma (EC) cells. Methods: Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry and annexin V apoptosis assay, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine changes in ultrastructure, while expression of cyclin D1 protein and mRNA was detected by western blot and real-time PCR. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1-2 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. PCNA labeling index (LI) was determined by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared with pGen-3-con transfected and Eca-109 cells, the percentage of G0/G1-phase pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells was obviously increased (P<0.05), with no significant difference among the three groups with regard to apoptosis (P>0.05). pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells exhibited obvious decrease in cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05) and the ultrastructure of Eca-109 cells underwent a significant change after being transfected with pGen-3-CTNNB1, suggesting that down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression can promote the differentiation and maturation. The expression of PCNA and the ERKI/2 phosphorylation state were also down-regulated in pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells (P<0.05). At the same time, the PCNA labeling index was decreased accordingly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of EC Eca-109 cellproliferation by down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression could improve cell ultrastructure by mediating blockade in G0/G1 through inhibiting cyclin D1, PCNA and the MAPK pathway (p-ERK1/2).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2597-2604
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• 2012

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an essential enzyme involved in folate metabolism; a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C677T has been reported to be linked with altered incidences of several diseases. We here conducted a meta-analysis of 15 published epidemiological studies with a total of 7306 cases and 8062 controls to evaluate its association with prostate cancer risk with overall and subgroup analyses. No statistical relationship was found overall with any genetic model (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.80, 95%CI = [0.62, 1.04], P = 0.094; CT vs. CC: OR = 0.97, 95%CI = [0.84; 1.12], P = 0.667; Dominant: OR = 0.94, 95%CI = [0.82; 1.07], P = 0.343; Recessive: OR = 0.81, 95%CI = [0.64; 1.04], P = 0.104), but after the exclusion of several studies, we could observe the homozygote TT to confer less susceptibility to prostate cancer in carriers; moreover, different effects of the polymorphism on prostate cancer risk was detected from subgroup analysis stratified by participants' residential region: significant reduced prostate cancer risk was found to be associated with the polymorphism from Asian studies (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.47, 95%CI = [0.33; 0.67], P < 0.001; CT vs. CC: OR = 0.73, 95%CI = [0.60; 0.90], P = 0.002; Dominant: OR = 0.67, 95%CI = [0.56; 0.82], P < 0.001; Recessive: OR = 0.55, 95%CI = [0.40; 0.76], P < 0.001) while studies from Europe indicated a slight increased risk under dominant model with marginal significance (OR = 1.14, 95%CI = [0.99; 1.30], P = 0.064). Moreover, the protective effect of the polymorphism against prostate cancer was also shown by studies performed in yellow Asians (TT vs. CC: OR = 0.48, 95%CI = [0.31; 0.75], P = 0.001; CT vs. CC: OR = 0.68, 95%CI = [0.51; 0.90], P = 0.006; Dominant: OR = 0.63, 95%CI = [0.48; 0.82], P < 0.001; Recessive: OR = 0.57, 95%CI = [0.39; 0.84], P = 0.004). We propose that these phenomena should be viewed with the consideration of folate metabolism profile and different gene background as well as living habits of different populations, and more relevant studies should be conducted to confirm our hypothesis and provide a comprehensive and clear picture concerning this topic.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9739-9745
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• 2014

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of hormone receptor, HER2, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prognosis and investigate whether or not phenotypic subtypes might exist. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 82 patients who were diagnosed with EOC between 2003 and 2012 and treated by platinum-based chemotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. Expression of EGFR, oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and cerbB2 (HER2) receptors were assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded tissues of these patients. Three phenotypic subtypes were defined according to ER, PR, and HER2 expression and associations of these with EGFR expression, clinicopathologic features, platinum sensitivity, and survival were investigated. Results: When we classified EOC patients into three subtypes, 63.4% had hormone receptor positive (HR(+)) (considering breast cancer subtypes, luminal A), 18.3% had triple negative, and 18.3% had HER2(+) disease. EGFR positivity was observed in 37 patients (45.1%) and was significantly more frequent with advanced disease (p=0.013). However, no significant association with other clinicopathologic features and platinum sensitivity was observed. HER2(+) patients had significantly poorer outcomes than HER2(-) counterparts (triple negative and HR positive patients) (p=0.019). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the strongest risk factor for death was residual disease after primary surgery. Conclusions: Triple negative EOC may not be an aggressive phenotype as in breast cancer. The HER2 positive EOC has more aggressive behaviour compared to triple negative and HR(+) phenotypes. EGFR expression is more frequent in advanced tumours, but is not related with poorer outcome. Additional ovarian cancer molecular subtyping using gene expression analysis may provide more reliable data.