• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2015

The follistatin (FST) gene encodes a monomeric glycoprotein that plays a role in binding and inhibiting the functions of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ superfamily. Thus, FST facilitates a wide variety of functions, ranging from muscle growth, to inflammation and immunity. In this study, we sought to characterize an FST counterpart, RbFST, which was identified from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The RbFST cDNA sequence (2,419 bp) contains a 933-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a putative amino acid sequence for RbFST (35 kDa). The putative amino acid sequence contains a Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor domain (51-98 residues) and an EF-hand, calcium-binding domain (191-226 residues). Additionally, this sequence shares a high identity (98.7%) with the Siniperca chuatsi FST sequence, with which it also has the closest evolutionary relationship according to a phylogenetic study. Omnipresent distribution of RbFST transcripts were detected in the gill, liver, spleen, head kidney, kidney, skin, muscle, heart, brain, and intestine of healthy animals, with significantly higher expression levels in the heart, followed by the liver tissue. Under pathogenic stress caused by two bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda, RbFST transcription was found to be significantly up-regulated. Altogether, our findings suggest the putative role of RbFST in immune related responses against pathogenic infections, further prefiguring its significance in rock bream physiology.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.21.1-21.8
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• 2018

In the present study, we first evaluated the melanin inhibitory effect of four crude 70% ethanol extracts separated from soft corals abundantly growing along the seawaters of Jeju Island, South Korea, including Dendronephthya castanea (DC), Dendronephthya gigantea (DG), Dendronephthya puetteri (DP), and Dendronephthya spinulosa (DS). Among the four ethanol extracts, the ethanol extract of DP (DPE) did not possess any cytotoxic effect on B16F10 cells. However, all other three extracts showed a cytotoxic effect. Also, DPE reduced the melanin content and the cellular tyrosinase activity without cytotoxicity, compared to the ${\alpha}-MSH$-stimulated B16F10 cells. Specifically, DPE downregulated the expression levels of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor by activating the ERK signaling cascade in ${\alpha}-MSH$-stimulated B16F10 cells. Interestingly, the melanin inhibitory effect of DPE was abolished by the co-treatment of PD98059, an ERK inhibitor. According to these results, we suggest that DPE has whitening capacity with the melanin inhibitory effects by activating ERK signaling and could be used as a potential natural melanin inhibitor for cosmeceutical products.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2022

Seahorses, which have been cultivated since the 2000s, are economically very important. Gas bubble disease (GBD) is a significant concern in the cultivation of seahorses; therefore, this study aimed to determine the cause of GBD-induced death in two species of Syngnathidae (Syngnathus schlegeli and Hippocampus haema). Rod-shaped bacteria were observed histopathologically and identified as Vibrio splendidus by conventional and real-time PCR analyses. The lethality of V. splendidus varies depending on the host's immune status, and the disease can be prevented through water quality management or improvement of the breeding environment. In this study, the GBD lesions (gas bubbles) were observed at 12℃, 8.0 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, 30 ppt of salinity, and pH 7.7. In addition, rod-shaped bacteria, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and extensive serous exudate were confirmed in the lesions where gas bubbles were found. PCR analysis was able to detect V. splendidus, possibly a secondary infection of the immunocompromised syngnathid fish. Understanding the risk of immunity control and the correlation between these lesions and causal agents will be of great help to the aquaculture industry and the ornamental fish market.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.132-134
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• 2007

An analog of antibacterial sulfated alkene against Bacillus subtilis was isolated from a species of tunicate (Mideoduck), Styela clava, cultured at Jindong Bay, Korea. The structure was determined as 4,8-dimethyl-3-nonenyl sulfate by MS and spectral analysis such as UV IR and NMR.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2021

Larvae from the marine medaka fish Oryzias javanicus were exposed with polystyrene microplastics (MPs) for 24 h. Exposure to waterborne fluorescent MPs showed clear ingestion and egestion in feces. Under constant MPs, the concentration of dissolved oxygen significantly decreased in 24 h compared to the control. Significant intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents were detected in larvae, indicating oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Significant elevations in mRNA expressions of heat shock protein 70 and antioxidant defense system genes (glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) were measured with increases in enzymatic activity of oxidative stress-related proteins. Taken together, the alterations to the molecular and biochemical components suggested that waterborne MPs had an oxidative stress effect on marine medaka larvae.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.278-285
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• 2018

Monthly variation in species composition of fishes in the eelgrass bed of Jangpyeong in Tongyeong, Korea was determined using monthly samples from a seine net from May 2016 to April 2017. A total of 32 species, 2,042 individuals and 3,991.1 g of fishes were collected during the study period. The dominant species were Takifugu niphobles, Rudarius ercodes, Gymnogobius heptacanthus, Zoarchias glaber, Pholis nebulosi and Leucopsarion petersii. These species accounted for 79.5% of the total number of individuals. The fish assemblages in the eelgrass bed showed clear seasonal changes: the number of fish species increased in March and was highest in October, while the number of individuals increased in December and was highest in July.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.202-205
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• 2014

Three compounds including 7,7-bis(3-indolyl)-p-cresol (1), cyclo-(S-Pro-R-Leu) (2) and cyclo-(S-Pro-R-Val) (3) were isolated from the strain of Bacillus megaterium LC derived from the marine sponge Haliclona oculata. All the isolated compounds showed antimicrobial activity at MIC values ranging from 0.005 to $5{\mu}g/mL$ against Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus, and the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The results suggested that these compounds might have potential to be developed as agents treating dermatosis and controlling vibriosis in aquaculture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.320-326
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• 2019

The diet composition of Arctoscopus japonicus was studied using 448 specimens collected in the coastal waters of East Sea, Korea. The size of the specimens ranged from 6.2-25.3 cm in total length (TL). A. japonicus were fed mainly on amphipods that constituted 76.1% in IRI. Euphausiids were the second largest prey component. The diets also include small quantities of crabs, copepods, mysids, cephalopods, monogeneans, and fishes. A. japonicus showed ontogenetic changes in feeding habits. Smaller individuals (6-10 cm, TL) fed mainly on amphipods. The proportion of amphipods decreased as body size increased, whereas the consumption of euphausiids gradually increased (10-14 cm, TL). As the body size more increased, the proportion of amphipods increased whereas euphausiids decreased (14-26 cm, TL).

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2017.04a
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• pp.157-157
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• 2017

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.367-373
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• 2007

Livers of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) were investigated on the food compositional characteristics and also compared to that of Alaska pollack (Theragra chalcogramma). The proximate compositions of skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna livers were high in crude protein, carbohydrate, and crude ash, while were low in crude lipid when compared to that of Alaska pollack liver. The results of heavy metal suggested that tuna livers appeared safe as a food resource. The total amino acid contents of skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna livers were 17.7 and 17.1 g/100 g, respectively, and the major amino acids in both livers were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, valine, leucine, and lysine. Tuna livers were good sources of iron and zinc, while have low lipid content. The extractive nitrogen contents of skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna livers were 526.5 and 468.2 mg/100 g, respectively, and their major free amino acids were taurine, glutamic acid, and alanine. From the results of taste value, the major taste active compounds among free amino acids were glutamic acid and aspartic acid.