• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.425-431
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• 2015

Estrogen deficiency is associated with increased body weight and fat mass, resulting in obesity-associated complications such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of black rice (Oryza sativa L.) extracts (BRE) on body weight and fat mass in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized (or sham-operated) rats were randomly blocked into three groups (n=8~10 per group): sham operated group (S), ovariectomized control group (OVX), and ovariectomized group with BRE 30 mg/kg B.W. (BRE). High fat diet (fat calories 45%) was fed to all experimental rats for 12 weeks. Final body weight, weight gain, and body fat weight showed significant increases in the OVX group, whereas they were reduced by BRE supplementation. Serum TAG, T-chol level, and adipocyte size were not significantly different among the three groups. However, ovariectomy-induced hepatic steatosis was improved in BRE-treated group. Moreover, in the BRE group, serum leptin levels was significantly lower and fecal total lipid concentrations was significantly higher compared to the OVX group. The gathered data suggest that BRE is a potentially useful ingredient to protect against estrogen deficiency-related obesity and its related diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4357-4361
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• 2012

Objective: The guidelines on indications for prophylactic use of Bacille Calmette-Gu$\acute{e}$rin (BCG) against non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have changed over the years. In order to assess the impact on outcome, the present retrospective comparison of BCG efficacy by time period with Japanese patients was conducted. Patients and Methods: A total of 146 cases of NMIBC treated with BCG since February 1985 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received 80 mg of BCG (Tokyo 172 strain) six to eight times a week for prophylactic use. Comparison was made among three historical groups (Group A: 1980's, 39 cases; Group B: 1990's, 61 cases; Group C: 2000's, 46 cases). Results: In total, recurrence was seen in 55 of the 146 cases (37.7%), and progression in 14 (9.6%), 1 patient dying of cancer. These overall results were similar to those outlined in previous reports. However, the outcomes of this time-period-based analysis indicated a tendency for a shorter time to recurrence in patients after 2000, although a log-rank test showed no significance (P=0.229). Seven of the cases featuring progression (i.e., half of all such cases) were among the 46 Group C patients (15.2%). Excluding these progressive cases, there was no significant difference among the remaining 132 patients in the three groups. Conclusion: This study results revealed a tendency for a lower non-recurrence rate after 2000 in our series. This could stem from a number of factors, including changes in BCG indication criteria and the evolution of histopathological diagnostic criteria.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2180-2189
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• 2017

Psychrophilic phytases suitable for aquaculture are rare. In this study, a phytase of the histidine acid phosphatase (HAP) family was identified in Morchella importuna, a psychrophilic mushroom. The phytase showed 38% identity with Aspergillus niger PhyB, which was the closest hit. The M. importuna phytase was overexpressed in Pichia pastoris, purified, and characterized. The phytase had an optimum temperature at $25^{\circ}C$, which is the lowest among all the known phytases to our best knowledge. The optimum pH (6.5) is higher than most of the known HAP phytases, which is fit for the weak acidic condition in fish gut. At the optimum pH and temperature, MiPhyA showed the maximum activity level ($2,384.6{\pm}90.4{\mu}mol{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}mg^{-1}$, suggesting that the enzyme possesses a higher activity level over many known phytases at low temperatures. The phytate-degrading efficacy was tested on three common feed materials (soybean meal/rapeseed meal/corn meal) and was compared with the well-known phytases of Escherichia coli and A. niger. When using the same amount of activity units, MiPhyA could yield at least $3{\times}$ more inorganic phosphate than the two reference phytases. When using the same weight of protein, MiPhyA could yield at least $5{\times}$ more inorganic phosphate than the other two. Since it could degrade phytate in feed materials efficiently under low temperature and weak acidic conditions, which are common for aquacultural application, MiPhyA might be a promising candidate as a feed additive enzyme.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2156-2164
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• 2017

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered as an antitumor agent owing to its ability to induce apoptosis of cancer cells without imparting toxicity toward most normal cells. TRAIL is produced in poor yield because of its insoluble expression in the cytoplasm of E. coli. In this study, we achieved soluble expression of TRAIL by fusing maltose-binding protein (MBP), b'a' domain of protein disulfide isomerase (PDIb'a'), or protein disulfide isomerase at the N-terminus of TRAIL. The TRAIL was purified using subsequent immobilized metal affinity chromatography and amylose-binding chromatography, with the tag removal using tobacco etch virus protease. Approximately 4.5 mg of pure TRAIL was produced from 125 ml flask culture with a purification yield of 71.6%. The endotoxin level of the final product was $0.4EU/{\mu}g$, as measured by the Limulus amebocyte lysate endotoxin assay. The purified TRAIL was validated and shown to cause apoptosis of HeLa cells with an $EC_{50}$ and Hill coefficient of $0.6{{\pm}}0.03nM$ and $2.41{\pm}0.15$, respectively. The high level of apoptosis in HeLa cells following administration of purified TRAIL indicates the significance and novelty of this method for producing high-grade and high-yield TRAIL.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary mushroom powder on blood glucose levels, seam lipid levels, glucose 6-phosphtase (G6Pase), thiobarbituric arid reactive substance (TBARS) and glutathione enzymes in diabetic rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ). Four groups of rats (Sprague-Dawley male rats, 180-200 g) were fed as follows: normal rats were fed a control diet (C), diabetic rats were file a control diet (CD), normal fats were fed a mushroom powder diet (M), and diabetic rals were find mushroom powder diet (MD). Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg B.W.). The animals were fed ad libium each of the experimental diets for five weeks. Food and water intake was determined every day. Blood glucose and serum total cholesterol levels were determined every week. After five weeks, the rats were sacrificed and blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and glutathione enzymes were measured. HDL-cholesterol levels were analyzed and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were calculated by equation. There was body weight loss in the diabetic rats, but the MD group showed less body weight loss than the CD group. Blood glucose and serum total cholesterol level of the MD group were lower than those of the CD group (p < 0.05). Also, serum total cholesterol of the M group was lower than that of the C group (p < 0.05). But the serum triglyceride level of the diabetic rats (CD and MD) was higher than that of the normal rats (C and M). However, there was no significant difference between the control diet group and the mushroom diet group. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels of the C group and CD group were higher than that of the M group (p < 0.05), and the MD group was not significantly different. But the serum LDL-cholesterol levels of the M group were lower than those of the C group (p < 0.05). Activity of hepatic microsomal G6Pase significantly increased in the CD and MD, reaching levels higher than those of the C and M groups. Hepateic gutathione S-transferase (GST, glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was not significant. But renal GST, GR and GPX activity in the MD group was lower than that of the CD group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that dietary mushroom reduces renal disorders such as oxidation and aging of tissue. In conclusion, dietary mushroom groups reduced blood glucose and cholesterol levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats and renal glutathione enzymes activity was averted in diabetic rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.840-846
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• 2002

Male Sprague-Bawler rats were blocked into four groups which were normal rats fed control diet (NC) diabetic rats fed control diet (DC), normal rats fed Hamcho powder diet (NH), and diabetic rats fed Hamcho powder diet (DH). Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg B.W. i.p.). The animals were fed ad libitum for 5 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose 6-phosphtase (Gspase), glutathione S-transferase (GST) glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were measured in the homogenates of liver and kidney, and total lipid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the blood serum. Food and water intakes were markedly higher in diabetic groups than those of normal groups and were not significantly decreased by Hamcho powder supplementation, But, FER (Feed efficiency ratio) of DH Brood was higher than that of U group. Total cholesterol level of DH group was decreased in the second and third week, and the weekly change of blood sugar was also decreased in the 5th week. Dietary Hamcho intake showed 41.2% of hypoglycemic effect in diabetics rats. Levels of total lipid and triglycerides of DH group were lower than those of DC group. Hepatic GR activity of DH group was higher than those of other groups. However, renal GR activity was lower than those of other groups. Hepatic G6Pase activity was significantly high in DH group and reduced by Hamcho powder supplementation. GST was reduced by Hancho diet in diabetic rats. In conclusion Hamcho supplementation decreased serum lipid and glucose concentration in STZ-induced diabetic rats and this effects of Hamcho might exert antidiabetic effect of Hamcho powder diet.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.276-288
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• 2014

The six polysaccharide fractions were prepared by chromatographic procedure from the hot water extracts of the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus. These six polysaccharides from aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge were tested for gut-mucosal immune activity and acute toxicity. In a view of molecular weight, the six fractions were estimated to be 75000, 88000, 129000 and 345000 Da, respectively. Component sugar analysis indicated that these fractions were mainly consisted of galactose (46.3 ~ 11.8%) and arabinose (35.4 ~ 9.9%) in addition to glucose, rhamnose, fucose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid. Among the six major purified polysaccharides, AMA-1-b-PS2 showed highest bone merrow cell proliferation and lymphocyte of Peyer's patch stimulating activity. It may be concluded that intestinal immune system modulating activity of aboveground parts from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is caused by polysaccharides having a polygalacturonan moiety with neutral sugars such as arabinose and galactose. In single oral dose toxicity study, no differences were observed between control and treated groups in clinical signs. The results indicated that lethal dose 50 ($LD_{50}$) of water extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts was found to be higher than 5000 mg/kg/day in this experiment. From the above results, we may suggest that Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts might have useful as a safe material for functional food and pharmaceutics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.771-781
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the anti-photoaging effects of Persimmon leaf tea(PLT) in hairless mice(SKH-1) exposed to UVB irradiation. The animals were divided into non-treated group (normal, N) and UV-radiated groups. UV-radiated groups were divided into only UV-radiated group(control, C) and UV-radiated and PLT treated experimental groups[first extraction treated group(PLT-I), second extraction treated group(PLT-II), and third extraction treated group(PLT-III)]. Three PLT treated experimental groups of mice were treated with both oral administration(300 mg/Kg B.W./day) and topical application (100 ul of 2% conc./mouse/day) for 4 weeks. Anti-photoaging effects of Persimmon leaf were evaluated by anti oxidative reaction, stereomicroscopic and microscopic observations. The expression of photoaging skin related factors including mast cell tryptase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Treatment of PLT-I, -II, -III prevented the wrinkle formation as well as epidermal hyperplasia, inflammatory cells, disruption of collagen in photoaged skin induced by UVB radiation. It also reduced the PCNA and VEGF expression in the UVB irradiated dorsal skin. Furthermore, it significantly decreased the number of mast cells in the UVB irradiated dermis(p<0.05 and p<0.01). On the effects of oxidative stress and antioxidant function on the treatment with water extract from Persimmon leaf tea(PLT), the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) was significantly increased in PLT-III group(p<0.05), and catalase(CAT) was significantly increased in PLT-I and PLT-III groups(p<0.05), and PLT-II group(p<0.001). These extracts showed relatively antioxidant activity and protective effect on UVB-induced oxidative stress in hairless mice(SKH-1). Our results suggest that Persimmon leaf tea may serve as an useful radical scavenging antioxidant and anti-photoaging skin agents in the UVB irradiated skin.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

This study was conducted to examine the effects of exogenous gonadotropins (PMSG+hCG) and an antioxidant (cysteine) on in vitro maturation of bovine follicular oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) aspirated from 2 to 5 mm ovarian follicles were cultured for 22 to 24 hours in a modified bovine embryo culture medium (mBECM) supplemented with 3 mg/mL bovine serum albumin, to which PMSG (10 IU/mL) + hCG (10 IU/mL) and/or cysteine (0.6 mM) were added. When examined the expansion of cumulus ce1ls at the end of maturation culture, greater (p<0.05) expansion was found after addition of PMSG+hCG (79 to 96%) to mBECM than after no addition (0%), regardless of the presence or absence of cysteine in the medium. The addition of cysteine did not stimulate cumulus expansion, but a high proportion (92%) of expansion was achieved when COCs were cultured after the addition of PMSG+hCG and cysteine to the medium. No difference in the proportion of oocytes underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (initiation of maturation) was found after the addition of PMSG+hCG and/or cysteine to mBECM. However, nuclear maturation (development to the metaphase-II stage) of oocytes was significantly stimulated by the combined addition of PMSG+hCG and cysteine, compared with no addition. In conclusion, both exogenous gonadotropins and an antioxidant are important for nuclear maturation of bovine immature oocytes and these factors have a cell-specific stimulatory action.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-87
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• 1998

Even though appropriate immune response is necessary for the survival of the individual, excessive or insufficient immune Response might cause autoimmune or allergic disease. So the immune response must be controlled to the degree that is beneficial for the well being of the individual. This study was undertaken to know the effects of Gunleetang Gagambang on the immune system of the mouse. Gunleetang Gagambang has been used for cure of tumor as a traditional medicine without any experimental evidence to support the rational basis for its clinical use. This study was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Gunleetang Gagambang extract against tumor, and to carry out some mechanisms responsible for its effect. Some kinds of tumor were induced by the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene(MCA) or by the implantation(s.c) of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(S180 cells). Treatment of the Gunleetang Gagambang on water-extract(dailly 1mg/mouse, i. p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 20 days. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Gunleetang Gagambang decreased not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and the weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice(TBM). Gunleetang Gagambang on also significantly suppressed the development of 3LL cell and S180 cell-implanted tumors in occurrence-frequency and their size. and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Gunleetang Gagambang extract into TBM. In vitro, treatment of Gunleetang Gagambang extract had no effect on the growth of some kinds of cell line such as FsaII, A431 strain but significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL, S180 cells and augmented the DNA synthesis of mitogen-activated lymphocytes. Gunleetang Gagambang also stimulated the migrative ability of leukocyte, the MIF and IL-2 production of T lymphocytes, but not IL 6 production of B cells. Gunleetang Gagambang administration to mice enhanced NK cells activities. These results demonstrated that Gunleetang Gagambang extract exhibited a significant prophylactic benefits against tumors and its antitumor activity was manifested depending on the type of tumor cells. And these results also suggested that effect of Gunleetang Gagambang might be chiefly due to nonspecitie enhancement of NK cell activities and cell-mediated immune responses.