• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.193-203
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• 1999

In order to investigate systematically the steady shear flow properties of aqueous po1y(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions having various molecular weights and concentrations, the steady flow viscosity has been measured with a Rheometrics Fluids Spectrometer (RFS II) over a wide range of shear rates. The effects of shear rate, concentration, and molecular weight on the steady shear flow properties were reported in detail from the experimentally measured data, and then the results were interpreted using the concept of a material characteristic time. In addition, some flow models describing the non-Newtonian behavior (shear-thinning characteristics) of polymeric liquids were employed to make a quantitative evaluation of the steady flow behavior, and the applicability of these models was examined by calculating the various material parameters. Main results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows: (1) At low shear rates, aqueous PEO solutions show a Newtonian viscous behavior which is independent of shear rate. At shear rate region higher than a critical shear rate, however, they exhibit a shear-thinning behavior, demonstrating a decrease in steady flow viscosity with increasing shear rate. (2) As an increase in concentration and/or molecular weight, the zero-shear viscosity is increased while the Newtonian viscous region becomes narrower. Moreover, the critical shear rate at which the transition from the Newtonian to shear-thinning behavior occurs is decreased, and the shear-thinning nature becomes more remarkable. (3) Aqueous PEO solutions show a Newtonian viscous behavior at shear rate range lower than the inverse value of a characteristic time $1/{\lambda}_E$, while they exhibit a shear-thinning behavior at shear rate range higher than $1/{\lambda}_E$. For aqueous PEO solutions having a broad molecular weight distribution, the inverse value of a characteristic time is not quantitatively equivalent to the critical shear rate, but the power-law relationship holds between the two quantities. (4) The Cross, Carreau, and Carreau-Yasuda models are all applicable to describe the steady flow behavior of aqueous PEO solutions. Among these models, the Carreau-Yasuda model has the best validity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.1151-1168
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• 2023

Tenderness and taste characteristics of meat are the key determinants of the meat choices of consumers. This review summarizes the contemporary research on the molecular mechanisms by which postmortem aging of meat improves the tenderness and taste characteristics. The fundamental mechanism by which postmortem aging improves the tenderness of meat involves the operation of the calpain system due to apoptosis, resulting in proteolytic enzyme-induced degradation of cytoskeletal myofibrillar proteins. The improvement of taste characteristics by postmortem aging is mainly explained by the increase in the content of taste-related peptides, free amino acids, and nucleotides produced by increased hydrolysis activity. This review improves our understanding of the published research on tenderness and taste characteristics of meat and provides insights to improve these attributes of meat through postmortem aging.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.285-293
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• 2008

Vitellogenin (Vg) is the precursor of vitellin (Vn), the major yolk protein of teleost fishes. In this study, Vg and Vn proteins of the Korean bullhead Pseudobagrus fulvidraco were isolated using gel-filtration chromatography (Sephadex-G 200 column) and anion-exchange chromatography (Mono Q HR 5/5 column), respectively. Purified Vn with an estimated molecular mass of 360 kDa by gel filtration chromatography was obtained from ovarian egg, and it was composited to one major subunit with an estimated molecular mass of 107 kDa by SDS-PAGE. In the result of western blotting, one major band was detected using antiserum against Vn (anti-Vn). These results suggested that Vn was composed of three subunits having the same molecular weight in Pseudobagrus fulvidraco. Vg was induced by estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) and purified from $E_2$ treated male serum. The molecular weight of whole Vg was estimated to be 450 kDa by gel filtration chromatography, and it is composed of three subunits with estimated molecular masses of 110 kDa, 125 kDa and 147 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. In the Ouchterlony's immunodiffusion test using anti-Vn and antiserum against female and male serum, purified Vg was detected in matured female and Ez treated male serum but not in untreated male. These results can be used in detecting estrogenic contamination of the aquatic environment.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2010

Pluripotency of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) is one of the most valuable ability of hESCs for applying cell therapy field, but also showing side effect, for example teratoma formation. When transplant multipotent stem cell, such as mesnchymal stem cell (MSC) which retains similar differentiation ability, they do not form teratoma in vivo, but there exist limitation of cellular source supply. Accordingly, differentiation of hESC into MSC will be promising cellular source with strong points of both hESC and MSC line. In this study, we described the derivation of MSC like cell population from feeder free cultured hESC (hESC-MSC) using direct differentiation system. Cells population, hESC-MSC and bone marrow derived MSC (BM-MSC) retained similar characteristics in vitro, such as morphology, MSC specific marker expression and differentiation capacity. At the point of differentiation of both cell populations, differentiation rate was slower in hESC-MSC than BM-MSC. As these reason, to verify differentially expressed molecular condition of both cell population which bring out different differentiation rate, we compare the molecular condition of hESC-MSC and BM-MSC using 2-D proteomic analysis tool. In the proteomic analysis, we identified 49 differentially expressed proteins in hESC-MSC and BM-MSC, and they involved in different biological process such as positive regulation of molecular function, biological process, cellular metabolic process, nitrogen compound metabolic process, macromolecule metabolic process, metabolic process, molecular function, and positive regulation of molecular function and regulation of ubiquitin protein ligase activity during mitotic cell cycle, cellular response to stress, and RNA localization. As the related function of differentially expressed proteins, we sought to these proteins were key regulators which contribute to their differentiation rate, developmental process and cell proliferation. Our results suggest that the expressions of these proteins between the hESC-MSC and BM-MSC, could give to us further evidence for hESC differentiation into the mesenchymal stem cell is associated with a differentiation factor. As the initial step to understand fundamental difference of hESC-MSC and BM-MSC, we sought to investigate different protein expression profile. And the grafting of hESC differentiation into MSC and their comparative proteomic analysis will be positively contribute to cell therapy without cellular source limitation, also with exact background of their molecular condition.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.561-571
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• 2017

Prospecting of local grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) germplasm revealed that Tunisia possesses a rich patrimony which presents diversified organoleptic characteristics. However, viral diseases seriously affect all local grapevine cultivars which risk a complete extinction. Sanitation programs need to be established to preserve and exploit, as a gene pool, the Tunisian vineyards areas. The presence of the Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) and Grapevine virus A (GVA), were confirmed in a Tunisian grapevine cultivar using serological and molecular analyses. The association between GRSPaV and GVA viruses induces more rugose wood symptoms and damages. For this reason the cleansing of the infected cultivar is highly advisable. Direct and recurrent somatic embryos of cv. 'Hencha' were successfully induced from filament, when cultured on $Ch{\acute{e}}e$and Pool (1987). based-medium, enriched with $2mg1^{-1}$ of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and $2.5mg1^{-1}$ of Thidiazuron, after 36 weeks of culture. After six months of acclimatization, RT-PCR carried on 50 somaplants confirmed the absence of GVA, GRSPaV as well as GLRaV-3 viruses in all somaplants. Ampelographic analysis, based on eight OIV descriptors, was carried out on two years acclimated somaplants, compared to the mother plant. Results demonstrated that the shape and contours of 46 somaclones leaves are identical to mother plant leaves and four phenotypically off-type plants were observed. The healthy state of 100% 'Hencha' somaclones and the high percentage of phenotypically true-to-type plants demonstrate that somatic embryogenesis is a promising technique to adopt for grapevine viruses elimination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4915-4920
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• 2015

Background: : Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease mainly caused by mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene with almost complete penetrance. These colorectal polyps are precancerous lesions that will inevitable develop into colorectal cancer at the median age of 40-year old if total proctocolectomy is not performed. So identification of APC germline mutations has great implications for genetic counseling and management of FAP patients. In this study, we screened APC germline mutations in Chinese FAP patients, in order to find novel mutations and the APC gene germline mutation characteristics of Chinese FAP patients. Materials and Methods: The FAP patients were diagnosed by clinical manifestations, family histories, endoscope and biopsy. Then patients peripheral blood samples were collected, afterwards, genomic DNA was extracted. The mutation analysis of the APC gene was conducted by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing for micromutations and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large duplications and/or deletions. Results: We found 6 micromutations out of 14 FAP pedigrees, while there were no large duplications and/or deletions found. These germline mutations are c.5432C>T(p. Ser1811Leu), two c.3926_3930delAAAAG (p.Glu1309AspfsX4), c.3921_3924delAAAA (p.Ile1307MetfsX13), c3184_3187delCAAA(p.Gln1061AspfsX59) and c4127_4126delAT (p.Tyr1376LysfsX9), respectively, and all deletion mutations resulted in a premature stop codon. At the same time, we found c.3921_3924delAAAA and two c.3926_3930delAAAAG are located in AAAAG short tandem repeats, c3184_3187delCAAA is located in the CAAA interrupted direct repeats, and c4127_4128 del AT is located in the 5'-CCTGAACA-3', 3'-ACAAGTCC-5 palindromes (inverted repeats) of the APC gene. Furthermore, deletion mutations are mostly located at condon 1309. Conclusions: Though there were no novel mutations found as the pathogenic gene of FAP in this study, we found nucleotide sequence containing short tandem repeats and palindromes (inverted repeats), especially the 5 bp base deletion at codon 1309, are mutations in high incidence area in APC gene,.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10697-10703
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• 2015

The laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors occurring in the head and neck. Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis induce ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL-receptors (DR4, DR5, DcR1, DcR2) are known as important members of TRAIL-mediated biochemical signaling pathway. Associations between polymorphisms in these genes and clinicopathological characteristics of human laryngeal carcinoma are not well defined. This study therefore aimed to investigate a possible relationship among the TRAIL and TRAIL-DR4 polymorphisms and sTRAIL levels in the risk or progression of LSCC. A total of 99 patients with laryngeal cancer and 120 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. DR4 C626G and TRAIL 1595 C/T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and sTRAIL levels were measured by ELISA. There were significant differences in the distribution of DR4 C626G genotypes and frequencies of the alleles between laryngeal cancer patients and controls (p<0.001) but not in TRAIL 1595 C/T. We found the increased frequency of the DR4 C626G homozygote CC genotype in patients than in controls (p<0.001). Haplotype analysis revealed that there was also a statistically significant relationship between TRAIL and TRAIL-DR4 polymorphisms and laryngeal cancer. Serum sTRAIL levels in the laryngeal patients with CC genotype who had advanced tumour stage were lower than those of patients with early tumor stage (p=0.014). Our findings suggest that DR4 C626G genotypes and sTRAIL levels might be associated with progression of laryngeal cancer in the Turkish population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.935-940
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of conventional ultrasonography and real time ultrasound elastography in differentiating degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional ultrasonographic and elastographic characteristics of 19 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy in 19 patients, with 30 surgically confirmed PTCs as controls. Based on size, the nodules had been grouped into less than 10mm (group A) and greater than 10 mm (group B). We evaluated conventional parameters and elasticity pattern. Color-scaled elastograms were graded as to stiffness of nodules using an elasticity pattern from I (soft) to IV (stiff). Results: Degenerating cystic thyroid nodules were similar to PTCs in conventional ultrasonographic findings, but the former frequently showed oval to round in shape (group A, 69.2% vs 18.8%, P=0.017; group B, 66.7% vs 7.14%, P=0.017) and punctuate hyperechoic foci (group A, 61.5% vs 0, P<0.001; group B, 50% vs 0, P<0.001). On real time ultrasound elastography, 7 of 13 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules in group A were pattern I, 5 were pattern II, 1 was pattern III. One degenerating cystic thyroid nodule in group B was pattern II, 5 were pattern III. The area under the curve for elastography was 0.98 in group A (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, P = 0.002), and 0.88 in group B (sensitivity 16.7%, specificity 100%, P = 0.014). Conclusions: As a dependable imaging technique, elastography helps increase the performance in differential diagnosis of degenerating cystic thyroid nodule and malignancy.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of immobilization chemistry on the yield of immobilization and the bioactivity of the immobilized enzymes. Trypsin as a model protein and macroporous polymer beads(Toyopearl AF 650M, Tosho Co., Japan) was used as a model matrix. Four methods were used to immobilize trypsin; covalent conjugation by reductive amination(at pH 10.0 and pH 4.0) and affinity interaction via streptavidin-biotin, and double-affinity interaction via biotin-streptavidin-biotin system. The covalent conjugation immobilized $3{\sim}4$ mg/ml-gel, ca. 3-fold higher than the affinity method. However, the specific activity of the covalently(pH 10.0) and affinity-immobilized trypsin(via streptavidin-biotin) are ca. 37% and 50%, respectively, of that of the soluble enzyme(on the low-molecular-weight BAPNA substrate). When the molecular size of a substrate increased, the affinity-immobilized trypsin showed higher clavage activity on insulin and BSA. This result seemed to indicate the streptavidin-biotin system allowed more steric flexibility of the immobilized trypsin in its interaction with a substrate molecule. To confirm this, we studied the molecular flexibility of immobilized trypsin using quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation. Self-assembled monolayers were formed on the Q-sensor surface by aminoalkanethiols, and gultaraldehyde was attached to the SAMs. Trypsin was immobilized in two ways: reductive amination(at pH 10.0) and the streptavidin-biotin system. The dissipation shift of the affinity-immobilized trypsin was $0.8{\times}10^{-6}$, whereas that of the covalently attached enzyme was almost zero. This result confirmed that the streptavidin-biotin system allowed higher molecular flexibility. These results suggested that the bioactivity of the immobilized enzyme be strongly dependent on its molecular flexibility.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2002

Humic and fulvic acids present in soil of different depth were extracted and their characteristics were analyzed as a basic study to evaluate the effect of humic substances on the behaviour of radioactive elements deposited on soil. Molecular size distribution of the humic and fulvic acids was measured by stirred cell ultrafiltration technique and the structural informations were obtained from their UV-Vis., IR and synchronous fluorescence (SyF) spectral analysis. Main molecular size ranges of the soil 1) humic and fulvic acids were 30~100 kDa (46~56%) and 10~30 kDa (33~43%) respectively, and their overall molecular sizes were found to became smaller with increasing the soil depth. Absorptivities measured at 280 nm in the UV-Visible spectra of humic acids were 1.4~1.5 times higher than those of fulvic acids, and increased with increasing the soil depth. SyF spectral data showed two distinct peak components having maximum peak positions of 428 nm (type I) and 498 nm (type II) for the soil humic and fulvic acids. From the analysis of the peak components, it was found that humic molecules are mainly made up of aromatic compounds corresponding to longer wavelength (type II), and the molecular components increased with increasing the soil depth. Analysis of IR spectral data indicated that the humic molecules contain a higher relative concentration of carboxylic groups than those of fulvic molecules, and the carboxylic group contents are seen to increase as the soil depth increase.