• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2008

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is a crucial component of eukaryotic cells; it plays an important role in responses to extracelluar stimuli and in the regulation of various cellular activities. The signaling cascade is evolutionarily conserved in the eukaryotic kingdom from yeast to human. In response to a variety of extracellular signals, MAPK activity is known to be regulated via phosphorylation of a conserved $T{\times}Y$ motif at the activation loop in which both threonine and tyrosine residues are phosphorylated by the upstream kinase. However, the mechanism by which both residues are phosphorylated continues to remain elusive. In the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fus3 MAPK is involved in the mating signaling pathway. In order to elucidate the functional mechanism of MAPK activation, we quantitatively profiled phosphorylation of the $T{\times}Y$ motif in Fus3 using mass spectrometry (MS). We used synthetic heavy stable isotope-labeled phosphopeptides and nonphosphopeptides corresponding to the proteolytic $T{\times}Y$ motif of Fus3 and accompanying data-dependent tandem MS to quantitatively monitor dynamic changes in the phosphorylation events of MAPK. Phosphospecific immunoblotting and the MS data suggested that the tyrosine residue is dynamically phosphorylated upon stimulation and that this leads to dual phosphorylation. In contrast, the magnitude of threonine phosphorylation did not change significantly. However, the absence of a threonine residue leads to hyperphosphorylation of the tyrosine residue in the unstimulated condition, suggesting that the threonine residue contributes to the control of signaling noise.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.467-472
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• 2014

Obesity is known to be strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and develops owing to interactions between genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals, and analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. Global DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells has recently been proposed as a potential biomarker for disease risk. Repetitive element DNA methylation has been shown to be associated with prominent obesity-related chronic diseases, but little is known about its relationship with weight status. In this study, we quantified the methylation of Alu elements in the peripheral blood DNA of 244 healthy women with a range of body mass indexes (BMIs) using pyrosequencing technology. Among the study participants, certain clinical laboratory parameters, including hemoglobin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic- pyruvic transaminase, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were found to be strongly associated with BMI. Moreover, a U-shaped association between BMI and Alu methylation was observed, with the lowest methylation levels occurring at BMIs of between 23 and $30kg/m^2$. However, there was no significant association between Alu methylation and age, smoking status, or alcohol consumption. Overall, we identified a differential influence of BMI on global DNA methylation in healthy Korean women, indicating that BMI-related changes in Alu methylation might play a complex role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.338-345
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• 2012

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing in Korea owing to the westernized eating habits and changes in living environment. However, very few studies have been made to determine the standard value of the prostate volume as a diagnostic reference. Also, most of the previous studies have been focusing on the elder population over 40 years old. This study retrospectively analyzes the results of prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography in the healthy Korean men in their 30's who visited our institution's center for health promotion for routine checkups. The mean age of the total of 157 men enrolled was $34.6{\pm}2.9$ years, and the mean prostate volume was $19.4{\pm}4.0ml$. Prostate volume of these men was correlates proportionally to their age, prostate specific antigen, body mass index, body surface area, and abdominal girth. Among these, the strongest correlation is between the prostate volume and the abdominal girth (r=0.317, p<0.001).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.63-71
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• 2007

Objectives : To provide an objective assessment of the effectiveness for weight loss of Mahuang. Methods : Effects were assessed by measuring changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat (kg, %),body muscle, and abdominal f3t ratio. The subjects of this study were healthy adults who agreed to participate in this study. Eligibility requirements include age between 20 and 50 and BMI more than 18.5 kg/m2. One hundred subjects were randomly assigned to two groups (control and Mahuang group) in a double-blind manner. Mahuang group subjects took 8g of Mahuang capsule/day for two weeks; control subjects took the same amount of indistinguishable placebo. We analyzed the body weight, body mass index, body fat, abdominal fat, body muscle and BMR (basal metabolic rate) before and after the study. Result After two weeks of clinical trial, body weight and BMI decreased in both groups, but the Mahuang group showed more significant decrease. On body fat, the Mahuang group showed significant decrease. while it increased in the placebo group. Although body muscle, body fat ratio and basic metabolic rate showed differences between the two groups, there was no statistical significance. Conclusion : It is suggested that intake of Mahuang may induce weight loss and body f3f decrease in healthy adults.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.872-881
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• 2012

The inhibitory effect of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 strain caused by the hexane extract of Halimeda discoidea (Nor Afifah et al., 2010) was further evaluated by means of the microscopy view and its growth curves. The morphological changes of the K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 cells were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) after they were treated at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 0.50 mg/ml) (Nor Afifah et al., 2010) for 12, 24, and 36 h. The results showed the severity of the morphological deteriorations experienced by the treated cells. The killing curve assay was performed for 48 h at three different extract concentrations (1/2 MIC, MIC, and 2 MIC). An increase in the extract concentration of up to 2 MIC value did significantly reduce the number of cells by approximately 1.9 $log_{10}$, as compared with the control. Identification of the potential compounds of the extract responsible for the antibacterial activity was carried out through the gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS) analysis of the active subfraction, and the compound E-15-heptadecenal was identified and suggested as the most potential antibacterial compound of this extract. The subsequent cellular degenerations showed by the data might well explain the inhibitory mechanisms of the suggested antibacterial compound. All of these inhibitory effects have further proven the presence of an antibacterial compound within H. discoidea that can inhibit the growth of K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.925-934
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• 2010

Three typical biological solid wastes, namely, animal manure, garbage, and sewage sludge, were compared with regard to the composting process and the changes in microbial community structure. The effects of different bulking agents such as rice straw, vermiculite, sawdust, and waste paper were compared in manure compost. The differences in the microbial community were characterized by the quinone profile method. The highest mass reduction was found in garbage composting (56.8%), compared with manure and sludge (25% and 20.2%, respectively). A quinone content of $305.2\;{\mu}mol/kg$ was observed in the late stage of garbage composting, although the diversity index of the quinone profile was 9.7, lower than that in manure composting. The predominant quinone species was found to be MK-7, which corresponds to Gram-positive bacteria with a low G+C content, such as Bacillus. The predominance of MK-7 was especially found in the garbage and sludge composting process, and the increase in quinones with partially saturated long side-chains was shown in the late composting process of manure, which corresponded to the proliferation of Actinobacteria. The effects of different bulking agents on the composting process was much smaller than the effects of different raw materials. High organic matter content in the raw materials resulted in a higher microbial biomass and activity, which was connected to the high mass reduction rate.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2007

This study examined the decomposition of blades and culms of aquatic emergent plant species, Zizania latifolia, Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and changes in nutrient contents during decomposition. Z. latifolia, P. communis and T. angustata were the most frequently occurring species in Lake Paldang of Han River, Korea. Experiments were carried out from July 27 to December 14, 2005 in Lake Paldang using the litter bag method. The remaining masses of blade litter of each species at the end of experimental period were 21.2% of initial dry weight in Z. latifolia, 32.5% in P. communis, and 44.7% in T. angustata. In addition, the remaining mass of culm was 22.6% of initial dry mass in Z. latifolia, 56.4% in P. communis, and 38.1% in T. angustata. During the litter decomposition period, P, K, Na, and Mg concentration decreased rapidly within 10 days, but Ca and Mg concentration declined slowly. K contents remained below 10% of initial values in all litter samples retrieved during decomposition, whereas Ca and Mg concentration remained above 40% and 50% during decomposition in all three species. Na, P and Mn contents in litter varied among species and plant parts. P concentration in culms of P. communis remained at about 60% of initial concentration throughout the study, but the remaining P content in culms of Z. latifolia was only 10% of the original value at the end of the study period. The Mn concentration in blades of P. communis increased about 15-fold relative to the initial content by the end of experiment.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of obesity on the physiological levels of adiponectin, leptin and components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in male workers, aged 30-40 years. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) was measured with Anthropometric equipment. Blood pressure and serum parameters were measured with an automatic digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer, respectively. Adiponectin and leptin were analysed by ELISA kits and MS was defined based on the NCEP-ATP III. Results: Body fat mass of waist and hip, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher, as expected, in the BMI>25kg/$m^2$ in comparison with the $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$. While fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin in the BMI>25kg/$m^2$ were also significantly higher compared with $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$, HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin were significantly higher in $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the components of MS, exercise, adiponectin and leptin were an only independent factor for MS in non-obese male workers($BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$) after adjustment for age, cigarette smoking and drinking habits. Conclusion: These results suggested that the obesity in men was associated with physiological levels of adiponectin and leptin contributing to feedback control of MS and that dysfunction and/or declination in feedback control system associated with changes in physiological levels of neurptrophics: adiponectin and leptin might ultimately induce MS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.1001-1010
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• 2009

The study that unconfined compression strength of intact rock which is the most important factor to determine the bearing capacity effects discontinuities in rock mass has been carried out actively so far. However, the study which is related to lithological characters such as vesicle which is one of the primary characteristics of Basalt has barely been conducted. On this study, We have analyzed the correlation-ship between vesicle and unconfined compression strength and the effect on the bearing capacity, based on the reviewing on the changes of unconfined compression strength as the amount of vesicle of Basalt. It is impossible to analyze the amount of vesicle of Basalt as measuring unit. So it was analyzed by the ratio of the core sample's surface area and another area that vesicle takes up. Also, unconfined compression strength was calculated by point load test and unconfined compression strength test. The analysis shows that vesicle area ratio and unconfined compression strength have the exponential relationship and vesicle area ration is the factor to determine the bearing capacity of Basalt. It is considered that the reliability of calculating of the bearing capacity of Basalt will be improved as we study the correlation-ship between the vesicle area ratio and rock mass grade hereafter.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 1998

For mass production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), high cell density cultures of Alcaligenes eutrophus by fed-batch culture under phosphate-limitation condition has been investigated. PHA accumulation by the regulation by the regulation of initial phosphate concentration could be automatically induced, and high density cell culture above 200 g/L also could be successfully produced. The production of Poly-$\beta$-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and dry cell weight increased with increasing the initial phosphate concentration. When the initial concentrations of phosphate were in the ranges of 1.5~4.5 g-PO$_4$/L, PHB and dry cell weight obtained were 83~266 g/L and 61~216 g/L, respectively, and PHB productivity was in the ranges of 1.35~3.10 g/L.h. When a mixture of glucose and propionic acid is used as carbon sources, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-poly-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), could be also successfully produced under phosphate limitation condition. When the mole ratio of propionic acid to glucose in the feeding solution is 0.22, a final dry cell weight of 150 g/L and a P(3-HB-co-3HV) of 90 g/L were produced. Morphological changes and size distribution of PHB granules synthesized in A. eutrophus under phosphate-limitation condition are determined by TEM during the course of fed-batch. Mean granule diameters of PHB produced are in the range of 0.36~0.39 $\mu$m, and mean cell size was elongated from 0.54~0.59 $\mu$m$\times$ 1.3~1.5 $\mu$m to 0.83~0.89 $\mu$m $\times$2.0~2.3 $\mu$m. Phosphate concentration in media did not affect size distribution of PHB granule and cell.