• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1206-1212
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• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.92-92
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• 2020

The phenolic contents in soybean seeds are affected by genetic and environmental factors. In the present study, 24 black soybeans and a control variety were grown in Korea and grouped as small (<13 g), medium (13 - 24.0 g), and large (>24 g) based on their seed weight. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities were analyzed and compared with their seed weight. The TPC was in the ranges 2.016 - 5.535, 1.992 - 4.679, and 1.829 - 4.621 mg GAE/g in small, medium, and large seeds with an average of 3.824, 3.108, and 3.626 mg GAE/g, respectively. The FRAP and DPPH activities were in the ranges 4.327 - 6.394 and 0.354 - 0.403 mg AAE/g in small seeds, 2.510 - 6.147 and 0.356 - 0.417 mg AAE/g in medium seeds, and 3.024 - 6.389 and 0.344 - 0.405 mg AAE/g in large seeds, respectively. Besides, ABTS activity was in the ranges 4.833 - 4.967, 3.636 - 4.871, and 4.554 - 4.956 mg TE/g in small, medium, and large seeds, respectively. Small seeds had the highest average FRAP (5.498 mg AAE/g) and ABTS (4.902 mg TE/g) activities while large seeds showed the highest average DPPH (0.387 mg AAE/g) activity although the variations were not significant (p > 0.05). TPC showed positive correlation with every antioxidant activity. However, the TPC correlation was significant (p < 0.05) only with DPPH (r = 0.673). Overall, small seeds presented a relatively high TPC and maximum antioxidant activities. Hence, black soybeans with small seeds could be important sources of high phenolic concentration and provide improved health benefits.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.15-15
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• 2021

Seed coat color and seed weight are among the key agronomical traits that determine the nutritional quality of soybean seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the contents of total protein, total oil and five prominent fatty acids in seeds of 49 soybean varieties recently cultivated in Korea, and assess the influences of seed coat color and seed weight on each. Total protein and total oil contents were in the ranges of 36.28-44.19% and 13.45-19.20%, respectively. Likewise, individual fatty acid contents were in the ranges of 9.90-12.55, 2.45-4.00, 14.97-38.74, 43.22-60.26, and 5.37-12.33% for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, respectively. Our results found significant variations of protein, oil and fatty acid contents between the soybean varieties. Moreover, both seed coat color and seed weight significantly affected total oil and fatty acid contents. Total protein content, however, was not significantly affected by any factor. Among colored soybeans, pale-yellow soybeans were characterized by a high level of oleic acid (30.70%) and low levels of stearic (2.72%), linoleic (49.30%) and linolenic (6.44%) acids, each being significantly different from the rest of colored soybeans (p < 0.05). On the other hand, small soybeans were characterized by high levels of all individual fatty acids except oleic acid. The level of oleic acid was significantly high in large seeds. Cluster analysis grouped the soybeans into two classes with notable content differences. Principal component analysis also revealed fatty acids as the prime factors for the variability observed among the soybean varieties. As expected, total oil and total protein contents showed a negative association with each other (r = -0.714, p < 0.0001). Besides, oleic acid and linoleic acid showed a tradeoff relationship (r = -0.936, p < 0.0001) which was reflected with respect to both seed coat color and seed weight. In general, the results of this study shade light on the significance of seed coat color and seed weight to distinguish soybeans in terms of protein, oil and fatty acid contents. Moreover, the soybean varieties with distinct characteristics and nutritional contents identified in this study could be important genetic resources for consumption and cultivar development.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.27-27
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• 2021

Yacon [Samallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson], a member of Compositae plants, has sweet taste and crisp texture. Unlike other Andean root crops such as potato and sweet potato, the cultivation area of yacon has increased recently, since it is known to have large content of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Since there are no yacon varieties bred in Korea, we have been trying to create new genetic resources using gamma-ray. The optimal gamma-ray dosage for mutation breeding in yacon was investigated. Crown bud and green bud of yacon were exposed to doses of gamma rays from 20 Gy to 80 Gy, and subsequently planted in a greenhouse. After 50 days of sowing, the survival rates and growth decreased rapidly at doses above 40 Gy, while all of crown bud individuals died above 60 Gy. The median lethal dose (LD50) of crown bud and green bud was 22.4 and 36.6 Gy, and the median reduction doses (RD50) for plant height, fresh weights, and tuberous root weight were 20-40 Gy, respectively. A dose of 20-40 Gy was found to be optimal for mutation breeding in yacon. Considering the growth factors, the optimum doses were determined to be within the range of 20-40 Gy for the selection of useful mutant lines. M2-M3 mutant lines were obtained from 20-60 Gy gamma-ray-irradiated M1 plants through clonal propagation. These mutant lines will be used for the development of a new variety of yacon plant with high FOS and no crack tuberous root.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.165-187
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• 2002

This study examines Korean representation of the biotechnology and psychological factors which can influence lay people's perception and attitude about biotechnology. Korean college students(N=433) and lay adults(N=90) whom had college education participated in the study. Participants of the study 1 were asked to list words which comes to mind when associate with the biotechnology in broad sense, and several specific applications in health, medicines, agriculture and research. Participants of the study 2 were asked to list possible benefits and costs of biotechnology and their specific applications. In study 3, Participants responded the questionnaires about perceptions and attitudes of biotechnology. Korean people associated the biotechnology with its costs or risks and benefits. Korean college students mainly got the informations of the biotechnology from TV, newspapers, or internet. They trusted the scientist group and NGO group on their judgements about the assessment of risk and benefit of the biotechnology. College students showed the positive attitude with the applications in medicines and negative attitude with the applications in agriculture and public using of individual's genetic information. The radicalism, sensitivity in behavioral activation system, and trust/cynicism were to be found as a significant influencing factor for interest/knowledge and behavioral intention in related with biotechnology. Finally, more extensive knowledge of biotechnology did not lead to greater acceptance of it.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.965-981
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• 2024

Objective: Milk composition varies considerably and depends on paratypical, genetic, and epigenetic factors. MiRNAs belong to the class of small non-coding RNAs; they are one of the key tools of epigenetic control because of their ability to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. We compared the relative expression levels of miR-106b, miR-191, and miR-30d in milk to demonstrate the relationship between the content of these miRNAs with protein and fat components of milk in Holstein and Ayrshire cattle. Methods: Milk fat, protein, and casein contents were determined in the obtained samples, as well as the content of the main fatty acids (g/100 g milk), including: saturated acids, such as myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic (C18:0) acids; monounsaturated acids, including oleic (C18:1) acid; as well as long-, medium- and short-chain, polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids. Real-time stem-loop one-tube reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probes was used to measure the miRNA expression levels. Results: The miRNA expression levels in milk samples were found to be decreased in the first two months in Holstein breed, and in the first four months in Ayrshire breed. Correlation analysis did not reveal any dependence between changes in the expression level of miRNA and milk fat content, but showed a multidirectional relationship with individual milk fatty acids. Positive associations between the expression levels of miR-106b and miR-30d and protein and casein content were found in the Ayrshire breed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-106b and miR-30d expression levels can cause changes in fatty acid and protein composition of milk in Ayrshire cows, whereas miR-106b expression level determines the fatty acid composition in Holsteins. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study showed that miR-106b, miR-191, and miR-30d expression levels in milk samples have peculiarities associated with breed affiliation and the lactation period.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.25.1-25.16
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• 2021

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease whose development is shaped by a variety of environmental and genetic factors. While several recent studies suggest that microbial dysbiosis in the gut may promote asthma, little is known about the relationship between the recently discovered lung microbiome and asthma. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have also been shown recently to participate in asthma. To investigate the relationship between the lung microbiome, ILCs, and asthma, we recruited 23 healthy controls (HC), 42 patients with non-severe asthma, and 32 patients with severe asthma. Flow cytometry analysis showed severe asthma associated with fewer natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)⁺ILC3s in the lung. Similar changes in other ILC subsets, macrophages, and monocytes were not observed. The asthma patients did not differ from the HC in terms of the alpha and beta-diversity of the lung and gut microbiomes. However, lung function correlated positively with both NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies and microbial diversity in the lung. Sputum NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies correlated positively with lung microbiome diversity in the HC, but this relationship was inversed in severe asthma. Together, these data suggest that airway NCR⁺ILC3s may contribute to a healthy commensal diversity and normal lung function.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2024

Background: As pollutants caused by non-point sources flow into rivers, river water quality monitoring for fecal pollution is becoming increasingly important. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of microbial communities in the Yeongsangang River water system and sewage treatment plants in Gwangju and to evaluate their antibiotic resistance. Methods: In the experiment, samples were distributed to five selective media at each point and then cultured for 18 to 24 hours. When bacteria were observed, they were sub-cultured by size and shape and identified using MALDI-TOF MS equipment. When identification was completed, 17 types of antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using VITEK II equipment, focusing on gram-negative dominant species among the identified strains. Results: During the study period, a total of 266 strains were isolated from 39 samples. Gram-positive bacteria were 37 strains in four genera, or 13.9% of the total, and Gram-negative bacteria were 229 strains in 23 genera, or 86.1% of the total. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of 23 strains, the major dominant species, showed that one strain (4.3%) was resistant to only one antibiotic, and two strains (8.7%) were 100% susceptible to the 17 antibiotics tested. The other 20 strains (87.0%) were multidrug resistant bacteria resistant to two or more antibiotics. There were various types of multidrug resistance. Among them, penicillin and cephalosporin series showed the highest resistance. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it was found that the bacterial community structure changed according to regional and environmental factors, and it was judged that continuous research such as genetic analysis of antibiotic-resistant bacteria present in natural rivers is necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.12 s.257
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• pp.835-843
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• 2005

Background: Cancer of the esophagus is one of the most malignant tumors with poor prognosis. The p53 gene alteration, over expression of Cyclin D1, and Ki67 index were thought to be the prognostic factors. However, their clinical significances in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are controversial and p53 accumulation may not correlate with genetic mutation. The current study investigates their prognostic significance in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Material and Method: The Subjects studied were 124 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent esophagectomy. The mutation of p53, over expression of Cyclin D1, Ki67 labelling index, mitotic index were examined by using an immunohistochemical staining. We compared the results and investigated the correlation with the mutation of p53, overexpression of Cyclin D1, Ki67 labelling index, mitotic index and tumor size, and duration of survival. Result: There was no correlation between the results in immunohistochemical staining according to age, sex, tumor size, Iymph node status, and clinical stage of the disease. Mutant p53 protein was found in 69 cases (55.6$\%$). Median survival time was 21 months in cases with negative for mutant p53 protein and 22 months in positive cases. There was no significant difference in survival (p=0.46). Median survival time was 22 months in cases with negative for Cyclin D1 and 16 months in positive cases (p=0.18). Median and mean survival time was 22 months and 36 months when Ki67 labeling index was 40 or less (102 cases). Median and mean survival was 16 months and 23 months, when Ki67 labeling index was more than 40 (22 cases). There was significant difference in survival rate (p=0.011). Conciusion: Positivity of p53 and cyclin D1 was not useful in predicting the prognosis in our study. There was no significant correlation among mutant p53 protein accumulation, Cyclin D1 over expression, and Ki67 labeling index. However, in several studies, PCR single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of p53 showed a correlation to the prognosis. We thought that there was a significant discordance between p53 gene mutation and mutant p53 protein accumulation. When Ki67 labeling index was more than 40, prognosis was poorer, Ki67 seems to be a prognostic factor in our study. Therefore, we confirmed the possibility of using molecular markers as prognostic factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.484-491
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• 2016

The present study investigated the effect of Sinetrol-XPur (polyphenolic Citrus spp. and Paullinia cupana Kunth dry extract) and defined the action mode for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 activation. Leptin-deficient obese mice were treated with two different doses, 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 300 mg/kg BW of each AIN93G supplement, for 7 weeks. Treatment of obese mice with both low and high doses of Sinetrol-XPur significantly reduced body weight gain compared to control obese mice. White adipose tissue weight of mice was reduced by 30.96% in high dose-supplemented groups. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced by a high dose of Sinetrol-XPur by 20.02% and 30.96%, respectively. Serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly increased by treatment with both doses, as the ratio of HDL to low density lipoprotein increased by 138.78% and 171.49%, respectively. Regarding expression of biochemical factors related to lipid metabolism, fatty acid synthase significantly decreased and UCP-2 increased upon treatment with a high dose of Sinetrol-XPur, but there was no significant difference in lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. To define cellular mechanism, intracellular cAMP levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner over the range of $50{\sim}250{\mu}m/mL$. The phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine clearly blocked cAMP, suggesting that Sinetrol-XPur promotes lipolysis of adipocytes through inhibition of cAMP-dependent PDE, resulting in induction of cAMP response element binding protein and UCP-2. These results suggest that Sinetrol-XPur supplementation is a viable option for reducing body weight and fat by improving serum lipid profiles and genetic expression of lipid metabolic factors, especially activation of cAMP-dependent UCP-2.