• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Despite of the importance of the primordial follicle (PMF) recruitment, factors and mechanisms for process are poorly understood. To evaluate expression and role of the follicular transition from PMF to PMF/primary follicles (PMIF) in the present study, we evaluated expression of lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA and protein, and elucidated and role of lats1-cyclin A in the follicular transition from PMF to PRIF. To analysis of differential expression in PMF and PMIF, each stage follicles were collected by day1 and day5 of immuno-compromised rats (ICR) and analyzed by real-time PCR for the genes. For localization of mRNAs and proteins of the genes, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed. We confirmed that the lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA were more expressed in PMF than PMIF. Localization of the four genes expression were observed in nuclei of oocytes from the arrested primordial, and in the surrounding granulosa cells of the growing follicles. The mRNA expressions were gradually decreased with follicular development. From immunohistochemistry studies, Cyclin A1 protein expression were observed in oocyte cytoplasmas of early stage follicles, while observed in granulose cells and oocyte nucleoli during growing follicles. This study suggested that the presence of lats gene family might perform negatively regulation of cell proliferation by modulation of the CDC2/Cyclin A complex activity. lats-cyclin A genes in oocytes of the early stage follicles might play a role in the meiotic cell cycle arrest of the primary oocytes at the primordial follicle stage as well as the follicular growth.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2013

We demonstrate enhanced growth, innate immunity and protection against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced protein oxidation and cellular DNA damage in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus fed a chitosan-coated moist pallet (MP) diet. A chitosan-based biopolymer coated MP as the experimental diet and a non-coated MP (control) was fed to olive flounder fish. Growth, including the average weight gain (g/fish), weight gain (%) and feed intake (g) of the fish group fed a chitosan-coated MP diet increased significantly. The survival rate was reported as 100% throughout the experimental period. Immunological parameters indicated higher mucus lysozyme activity and significantly higher fish skin mucus total protein content was observed in fish fed the chitosan-coated MP diet compared to the control. A blood plasma analysis revealed attenuation of cellular DNA and protein oxidative damage caused by $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in the fish fed the chitosan-coated MP diet compared to the control group. Moreover, blood serum biochemical analysis revealed health-promoting effects, including significantly higher hemoglobin and total cholesterol levels in the fish fed the chitosan-coated MP diet compared to the control group. In conclusion, growth, innate immunity and protection against oxidative stresses were improved by feeding of the chitosan-coated MP diet to olive flounder reared in aquaculture.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2021

This study evaluated several in vitro activities including the preliminary assessment of the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects of tree sprout extracts. Chlorogenic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acid contents in tree sprouts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and an ultraviolet detector. Among the studied tree sprout extracts, the ethanol (EtOH) extract of Rhus verniciflua exhibited the most potent anti-cancer effect by suppressing the cell viability of a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, with an IC₅₀ of 7.06 ㎍/mL. The EtOH extract of Morus alba (MAB) inhibited the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 83.44 ㎍/mL. Moreover, the EtOH extract of Securinega suffruticosa inhibited NO secretion with the lowest IC₅₀ of 54.42 ㎍/mL. The EtOH extract of Fraxinus mandschurica was the only extract with effective α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The total content of chlorogenic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids was the highest in MAB (14.63 mg/g ext.). In conclusion, the beneficial activities of the tree sprout extracts with high phenolic acid content were generally high. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the development of health-promoting supplements and functional foods.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the current difficulties surrounding children's obesity management and evaluate the application of a mobile phone as a tool to overcome such difficulties of obesity management from the perspective of main caregivers of elementary school students. Methods: The qualitative data were collected through 3 focus group interviews including 6 full-time housewives, 7 mothers with overweight children, and 4 working mothers. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results: The limitations of current children's obesity management included difficulty in diet management and exercise as well as challenges of setting goals and lack of support at the household and school levels. Mobile technology may be useful to overcome the current problems by providing real-time knowledge on diet management and physical activity, online compensation scheme according to goal setting, and interactive environmental supports at both household and school levels for promoting overall health. Conclusions: The mobile-based multiple support program may assist in overcoming the current limitations of child obesity management by providing tailored information and by creating a more supportive environment.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.667-676
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• 2021

Recently, adolescents in Korea are exposed to the risk of postural imbalance due to overuse of smartphones and lack of physical activity due to the amount of learning. In addition, the need for effective non-face-to-face exercise services is increasing due to Corona 19. With this in mind, this study proposes an exercise service using an EMG sensor to overcome the limitations of non-face-to-face services while providing the effect of improving round shoulders for adolescents. An exercise program that can improve round shoulders was constructed, and an application in conjunction with an EMG sensor was implemented to exercise effectively. The exercise program was configured to alternately exercise the target muscle area for 4 weeks, and the function to provide feedback was added by measuring the EMG values that change accordingly. Through this study, we intend to provide the basis for exercise-based posture correction digital service, and improve the unbalanced body through this, thereby promoting the possibility of health promotion.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1209-1220
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• 2023

Objective: The use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed has received considerable attention in recent decades. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have remarkable functional properties promoting host health and are major microorganisms for probiotic purposes. The aim of this study was to characterize LAB strains of the chicken digestive tract and to determine their functional properties for further use as potential probiotics in poultry. Methods: A total of 2,000 colonies were isolated from the ileum and cecal contents of the chickens based on their phenotypic profiles and followed by a preliminary detection for acid and bile tolerance. The selected 200 LAB isolates with exhibited well-tolerance in acid and bile conditions were then identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, followed by acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, adhesion to epithelial cells and additional characteristics on the removal of cholesterol. Then, the two probiotic strains (L. ingluviei and L. salivarious) which showed the greatest advantage in vitro testing were selected to assess their efficacy in broiler chickens. Results: It was found that 200 LAB isolates that complied with all measurement criteria belonged to five strains, including L. acidophilus (63 colonies), L. ingluviei (2 colonies), L. reuteri (58 colonies), L. salivarius (72 colonies), and L. saerimneri (5 colonies). We found that the L. ingluviei and L. salivarius can increase the population of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. while reducing Enterobacteria spp. and Escherichia coli in the cecal content of chickens. Additionally, increased concentrations of valeric acid and short chain fatty acids were also observed. Conclusion: This study indicates that all five Lactobacillus strains isolated from gut contents of chickens are safe and possess probiotic properties, especially L. ingluviei and L. salivarius. Future studies should evaluate the potential for growth improvement in broilers.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.455-462
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• 2020

Leuconostoc mesenteroides CJNU 0705 was isolated from a breast milk sample and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and confirmed by its ability to produce dextran from tryptic soy agar plates supplemented with 2% sucrose. This strain can absorb various heavy metals including lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) which are both found in fine dust and have been shown to be harmful to human skin. In addition, Leu. mesenteroides CJNU 0705 has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes, the primary causative agent of acne. Given these traits it was natural to evaluate the use of this strain in the fermentation of several natural extracts from green tea, carrot, annual wormwood, parsley, broccoli, and corn silk, which are known to improve skin health, to see if it could increase their dextran content when supplemented with no sucrose, 2% sucrose, or 2% sucrose and 3% yeast extract. The extracts supplemented with both yeast and sucrose were found to produce the most dextran, which was confirmed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. These results suggest that Leu. mesenteroides CJNU 0705 and its fermented natural extracts could be used as functional materials for improving human skin health.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.673-680
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• 2009

This study was conducted to screen for plant food materials that improve human intestinal microflora, especially microorganisms associated with obesity. Among 30 tested plant food materials, the extract of Schizandra chinensis inactivated Eubacterium limosum, Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium spp. Additionally, S. chinensis extract was also found to have a growth-promoting effect on Bifidobacterium spp.. The antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity of the water extract did not decrease in respond to heating. Additionally, the water extract of S. chinensis did not show a toxic effect on the growth of Caco-2 cells. In vivo feeding tests were performed to investigate the influence of extract on the intestinal microflora in rats. Although the extract did not reduce obesity induced by a high fat diet, it led to significant increase in the population of Bifidobacterium spp. and a decrease in the population of Clostridium spp. in rats. Taken together, these results indicate that S. chinensis could be useful as a functional food component to control intestinal microbial flora.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6521-6526
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed toanalyze the risk behavior for cervical cancer (CC) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and resolution among women who received care through the private healthcare network of a municipality in southern Brazil. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and retrospective study was conducted with 25 women aged 20 to 59 years who received care through the private healthcare network and were treated at a specialty clinic in the period from January to December 2012 in a municipality in Northwest Parana, Southern Brazil. Data from medical records with cytological and HPV results were used. Following treatment, these women were followed-up and reassessed after 6 months. Data were statistically analyzed using the t-test and chi-squared test at a 5% significance level. Results: The mean age of the studied women was $27.8{\pm}7.75$ years old, and the majority were married, with paid employment and were non-smokers. The mean age at menarche was $13.0{\pm}0.50$ years old, and the mean age at first intercourse was $17.5{\pm}1.78$ years, with only 8.0% (2) initiating sexual activity at an age ${\leq}15$ years old. The majority had 1 to 2 children (60.0%), while 88.0% reported having had one sexual partner in their lifetime, and all the women were sexually active. A total of 68.0% used a hormonal contraceptive method. All the women had leukorrhea and pain and were infected by a single HPV type. Regarding the lesion grade, 80.0% showed high risk and 20.0% low risk. The most prevalent high-risk HPV strain was 16. Conclusions: These findings provide relevant information on HPV risk factors and infection, as well as the treatment and 6-month follow-up results, in economically and socially advantaged women with no traditional risk factors, corroborating previous reports that different risk factors may be described in different populations. Thus, this study reinforces the fact that even women without the traditional risk factors should undergo HPVmonitoring and assessment to determine the persistence of infection, promoting early diagnosis of the lesions presented and appropriate treatment to thus prevent the occurrence of CC.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.458-464
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• 2015

In this study, the total polyphenol content, electron donating ability (EDA) and inhibitory activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) of freeze-dried Citrus unshiu extracts were examined. The Citrus unshiu extracts was obtained from four solvents such as ethyl acetate, acetone, methyl chloride and methanol, to evaluate its functional properties. Total polyphenol contents were measured in the two different extracts, and the extracts were screened for their potential antioxidant activities using tests such as electron donating ability (EDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST). The total polyphenol contents of Citrus unshiu extracts were $928.48{\pm}1.19{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in ethyl acetate (EA), $886.03{\pm}0.44{\mu}g\;RE/mL$ in acetone (AC), $413.08{\pm}1.39{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in methylene chloride (MC), $12,648.60{\pm}0.56{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in methanol (MeOH), respectively. Also, the total polyphenol contents of EtOH Citrus unshiu extracts were $664.64{\pm}0.74{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in EA, $702.67{\pm}0.85{\mu}g\;RE/mL$ in AC, $429.64{\pm}0.61{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in MC, $16,108{\pm}0.73{\mu}g\;GAE/mL$ in MeOH, respectively. The total polyphenol contents were significantly difference (p<0.05) between the solvents. The electron donating ability of Citrus unshiu extracts were $62.80{\pm}0.36%$ in EA, $97.43{\pm}0.51%$ in AC, $52.20{\pm}0.30%$ in MC, $97.63{\pm}0.46%$ in MeOH, respectively. Also, the electron donating ability of EtOH Citrus unshiu extracts were $51.49{\pm}0.26%$ in EA, $63.17{\pm}0.31%$ in AC, $67.68{\pm}0.55%$ in MC, $96.18{\pm}0.41%$ in MA, respectively. The electron donating ability were significantly difference (p<0.05) between the solvents. The inhibitory activity of glutathione S-transferase in Citrus unshiu extracts were $76.22{\pm}0.65%$ in EA, $31.73{\pm}0.48%$ in MC, $97.48{\pm}0.56%$ in MeOH, respectively. Also, inhibitory activity of glutathione S-transferase in EtOH Citrus unshiu extracts were $75.54{\pm}0.55%$ in EA, $73.53{\pm}0.38%$ in MC, $48.70{\pm}0.46%$ in MeOH, respectively. The inhibitory activity of glutathione S-transferase were significantly difference (p<0.05) between the solvents. These results indicated that the Citrus unshiu extracts is a high-valued food ingredient and the extraction with methanol will be useful as a nutritional source with natural antioxidant activities. Considering high consumer demand beneficial health effects, Citrus unshiu extracts can be utilized to develop functional food health- promoting and natural antioxidant agents.