• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2009

A photosynthetic cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, well known for health food supplement, was studied as a target species for atmospheric $CO_2$ removal as well as biomass production. Although the biomass of A. platensis was massively produced in many countries, the recovery cost of its biomass is still high. The purpose of this study was to develop the A. platensis mutant strains which have enhanced growth rate and floatation activity to reduce the recovery cost. A. platensis KCTC AG20590 was treated with 0.24% ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for 20 min at room temperature. The mutant strain A. platensis M20CJK3 was finally selected by its morphological and physiological features. The morphology of the mutant A. platensis M20CJK3 was changed from loose-coiled form to tight-coiled form showing short pitch. The growth and $CO_2$ uptake rate of A. platensis M20CJK3 were improved about 15% and 17% compared with A. platensis KCTC AG20590, respectively. The floatation activity of A. platensis M20CJK3 was enhanced in 2-fold compared with that of A. platensis KCTC AG20590. Soluble proteins extracted from two strains were analyzed by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF MS/MS. Among 15 protein spots induced in 2-DE analysis, two spots were the proteins related to photosynthesis and electron transfer system of the other cyanobacteria. As a consequence, it seems that the tight-coiled mutant A. platensis M20CJK3 has an advantage of high growth rate and floatation activity which are beneficial for the mass cultivation and recovery.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to monitor the residue of pesticides and to assess their risk in domestic agricultural products, such as fruit vegetables, tomatoes, oriental melons and root vegetables, garlic, potatoes and onions. METHODS AND RESULTS: 250 samples containing both general and environment-friendly certified agricultural products were collected from traditional markets and supermarkets in 6 cities. 132 pesticides except for herbicides were analysed using the multi-residue methods by GC/ECD, GC/NPD and HPLC/UVD. 17 kinds of pesticides were detected from 42 samples, which were 32 general, 1 organic, 4 pesticide-free and 5 low pesticide agricultural products. Among those, myclobutanil detected in 1 potato and procymidone detected in 10 oriental melons were unregistered pesticides for using in Korea. Fenbuconazole detected in 1 potato and phorate detected in 1 tomato were exceeded over the MRLs established by Korea Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, a risk assesment was conducted using a percentage of acceptable daily intake(%ADI). %ADI ranged from 0.0064% to 4.6035%, and showed these values have no effect on human health.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.1936-1942
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• 2010

To examine the effect of overdosed functional food in liver-injured patients, we tried to investigate the dose effect of Allium sativum L. (also called garlic) extract on rats with CCl4-induced liver damage, by comparatively examinating the hepatic function of each group. 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided equally (n=7) into normal, control, positive control, and three experimental subgroups (E1, E2 and E3), respectively. For each kg of body weight, hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal administration of $0.5\;m{\ell}$ (0.20 g/kg/day) $CCl_4$, which was diluted in equal amount of olive oil, once a day on every other day for total 5 times. Hot water extraction was performed using domestically cultivated organic garlics, and the obtained extract was injected by sonde, once daily during 4 weeks, to each experimental subgroups by different dosage of 0.35 g/kg(E1), 0.70 g/kg(E2), 1.40 g/kg(E3), respectively. Results showed that the injection of garlic extract positively influenced the physiological activation which lowered the oxidative stress, changed the toxicity, and functionally improved the hepatic condition. Comparing the dose effect between the three experimental subgroups (E1, E2, E3), results of the maximal-dosed subgroup (E3) showed less significance compared with the lower-dosed subgroups(E1 and E2), which seems to resulted from the (increased) toxicity of garlic.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2010

We conducted comparative study on metabolizable energy content of extracts of angelica keiskei and its byproduct. Total six different groups consisting of five test groups treated with angelica keiskei and one control group were compared. Each of the five test groups were given 30% of one of whole plant, extracts, fermented of extracts, byproduct and extracts plus byproduct, respectively, mixed with AIN93M. After 3 days of adjustment period, all groups were subjected to 4 days of test period during which the amounts of feed intake and excretion were measured everyday. All feces were treated for the prevention of decomposition and changes before its energy content were measured using a bomb calorimeter. The amount of excretion was $4.8\;{\pm}\;0.3\;g$/rat/3 days in control group and 9.9-15.0 g/rat/3 days in the groups were added with extracts of angelica keiskei indicating that the angelica keiskei-treated groups produce 2-3 times more excretion. Metabolic energy of control diet was 4,133.3 kcal. This was found to be 15 to 20% higher compared with the metabolic energy content ranging from 3,117.0 kcal/kg (extracts of angelica keiskei) to 3,259.8 kcal/kg (extracts plus byproducts) angelica keiskei-treated groups. This is interpreted as the result of the decreased metabolic energy in the test diets were substituted with 30% of ngelica keiskei-treated ingredient which has low metabolic content itself. One notable finding is that the metabolic content of the group mixed with byproducts and extracts (1,763.0 kcal/kg) is 27% higher than that of extracts of angelica keiskei (1,286.8 kcal/kg) indicating that mechanical grinding increases the rate of digestion and absorption increasing, in turn, the energy content used in the body. The results of analysis of overall caloric absorption showed absorption rate in order of Whole plant < extracts < byproduct < extract plus byproduct < fermented of extract.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2010

This study was performed to examine the combined effects of gamma linolenic acid and isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms and serum lipids in 73 postmenopausal women. A total subjects were randomly assigned to isoflavone (30 mg) + gamma-linolenic acid (110 mg) group or placebo group. We measured menopausal symptoms by modified Kupperman Index (KI) and oxidized LDL, lipid peroxides, blood components and anthropometric parameters before and after the 12 week intervention period. After the 12 weeks of supplementation, supplement group and placebo group showed a significant reduction of modified kupperman index (p < 0.001). Isoflavone (30 mg) + gamma-linolenic acid (110 mg) supplement group showed a significant reduction of oxidized LDL cholesterol concentration (p = 0.006) whereas placebo group did not show significant change. Isoflavone and gamma-linolenic acid consumption did not significantly affect plasma concentrations of total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, apo A1, B and blood components. The result of present study demonstrated the supplementation of 30 mg isoflavone and 110 mg gamma-linolenic acid per day for 12 weeks may protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative stress.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.786-796
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• 2008

This study examined the influence of the nutrient intake status, dietary habit, and academic stress of elementary school children on their academic achievement. Two-hundred and twenty-four fifth-graders in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggido were surveyed. The study included the 24 hr-recall, anthropometric measurement, assessment of stress level and academic achievement. The subjects were normal in height, weight and Rohrer index, but higher percentage of underweight was seen in girls and vice versa in boys. The overall nutrient intake and dietary habits were fairly good, but Ca and folate intake was less than 75% KDRIs and dietary habits of boys were inferior. Academic stress level of all the subjects was not high. In terms of academic performance and its relations with nutrient intake, the more the amount of nutrient intake, the higher the academic performance. Especially, it was true for the energy, protein, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-6 fatty acid intakes (p < 0.05). The overall academic performance was higher for those who eating-out less frequently. Children with higher comprehensive dietary habit scores have shown better academic performance (p < 0.05). Less stress implied to those shown higher academic achievement while those with relatively poor academic performance showed high stress level since their grade did not improve as much as they anticipated. In conclusion, the academic achievement was higher for those who have a better nutritional status, better dietary habits, and lower stress levels. Therefore, it is critical for nutritionists, parents, and teachers to improve the nutritional status and dietary habits as well as to help them manage their stress levels, which will eventually contribute to an enhanced academic performance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2008

This study was intended to investigate whether the computer use hours affect physical development, dietary habits, and nutritional status or not. One hundred and ninety elementary school students from Gyeonggi province and Seoul were selected and surveyed during December, 2006. Participants were divided into 2 groups: long-time computer user (${\geq}$ 2 hrs./day) and short-time computer user (<2hrs./day). The survey included the questionnaires and anthropometric measurement. A dietary survey was conducted by using 24-hour recall method. The most of long-time computer user accessed computer more often than those of short-time computer user weekly bases. The purpose of the computer use was for the computer game (p < 0.05). Most participants accessed computer after the school at night and at their home. The longer the computer use, the more the body weight and %RBW (p < 0.05). Dietary habits score of long-time computer user 34.5 points) was lower than that of short-time computer user (38.0 points) (p < 0.001). The long-time computer user consumed more fatty foods, instant foods, and sugary foods. In case of dietary habit changes incurred by computer use, the long-time computer user had inferior dietary habits: skipping meals, meal size, appetite, eating speed, weight, exercise, and sleeping trouble (p < 0.05). The long-time computer user consumed less calories than the short-time computer user (p < 0.05). Also, the long-time computer user tended to have lower intakes of vitamin C, Ca, and dietary fiber without significance. From the findings, the longer use of computer by the elementary school children negatively affects their physical development, dietary habits and nutritional status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2008

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress to the respiratory tract (RT) via both oxidants contained in CS and by CS-induced activation of RT inflammatory-immune pro-oxidant processes. CS exposure has been associated with reduced levels of plasma micronutrient antioxidants, in part due to an increased utilization and turnover of alpha-tocopherol (AT). It has been suggested that gamma-tocopherol (GT) may have an expanded spectrum of antioxidant activation compared to alpha-tocopherol (AT). In order to investigate effects of high GT supplementation as compared to AT, C57 BL/6 mice were fed control AT (35 mg/kg diet) or high GT (1,000 mg/kg diet) diet for 8-10 weeks and then exposed to 60 $mg/m^3$ CS, 6 hr/day for 3 days. AT and GT levels and their metabolites were measured at endpoints. High GT supplementation significantly reduced AT levels in plasma, liver and lung compared to AT. CS increased levels of AT and GT in plasma and lung of control AT group but decreased GT levels in lung of high GT supplemented group. Moreover, CS significantly decreased GT metabolite, gamma-CEHC. The results suggest that high GT supplementation have selective modulation of concentrations of vitamin E and its metabolite in plasma and lung but not in liver against in vivo CS exposure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.493-502
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• 2013

In this study, we designed to confirm the dietary effect of anti-obesity of fermented soybean curd residue (FSCR; SCR-Meju; Biji-meju) by A. oryzae, which is well known as a Korean traditional meju microbe. We observed that body weight gain, serum and hepatic lipid profile, as well as the activity of ROS generating enzyme and ROS scavenging enzyme in high-fat diet induced obese mice fed experimental diet (SCR and SCR-meju). Body weight gain and epididymal fat weight of HC (high-fat diet control) was markedly higher than that of NC (Normal control). Conversely, body weight gain and epididymal fat weight of the SCR (Biji) and SCR-meju (Biji-meju) group was significantly lower than that of HC; these of the SCR-meju group was lower than that of the SCR group. Furthermore, serum TG and total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol contents of SCR and SCR-meju groups were lower than that of HC, and HDL-cholesterol level of the SCR-meju group was significantly higher than that of HC. In conclusion, although precise mechanisms of the antiobese effects of SCR-meju in this study are unknown, the present study provides an experimental evidence that SCR-meju may prevent obesity and obesity related metabolic syndromes, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes, and liver disease by high-fat diet. Nevertheless, further study in this filed will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.148-161
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examined the effects of nutrition education and exercise therapies on the hematological status and diabetes knowledge of diabetic patients. For this purpose, a 12-week intensive management program was provided to diabetic patients participating in an exercise program in S health subcenter in Kwangju city and the effects were analyzed. Methods: The subjects were 26 diabetic patients, who provided written informed consent. As a preliminary survey, this study examined the general characteristics, physical status, obesity, blood pressure, hematological status, daily activity level, diabetes knowledge, diet performance, and barriers to diet therapy. After the 12-week intensive management program was completed, a post-test was conducted in the same way as the preliminary test. The data were analyzed with using SPSS 18.0. The data from this study are presented as the mean${\pm}$standard deviation. A paired t-test was conducted to compare differences in the means before and after the program. Statistical significance was set to p<0.05. Results: The results of the program are presented as follows. The HDL-cholesterol levels changed from $39.8{\pm}10.5mg/dL$ to $48.3{\pm}13.1mg/dL$, showing a significant increase (p<0.001). The blood sugar 2 hours after a meal changed from $175.2{\pm}67.1mg/dL$ to $140.5{\pm}42.5mg/dL$, showing a significant decrease (p=0.014). The glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased significantly from $6.7{\pm}1.1%$ to $6.3{\pm}1.0%$ (p=0.010). The total scores of the daily activity levels increased significantly from $3.8{\pm}2.4$ to $4.8{\pm}2.5$ (p=0.040). The scores of knowledge on diabetes increased from $11.5{\pm}3.6$ to $14.0{\pm}3.8$ (p=0.001). The scores of knowledge on diet therapy changed from $6.7{\pm}2.2$ to $7.9{\pm}1.7$, showing a significant increase (p=0.027). Conclusions: The 12-week intensive management program intervened by nutrition education and exercise therapies induced positive changes to the HDL-cholesterol, blood sugar 2 hours after a meal, glycosylated hemoglobin, daily activity levels, and knowledge on diabetes.