• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.825-830
• /
• 2010

Two diallelic markers at candidate gene loci, the prolactin receptor 3 (PRLR3) gene and the retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) gene were evaluated for their association with growth and litter size traits in Berkshire. Genetic evaluation was conducted for 5,919 pigs with pedigree information, which included 3,480 growth performance records and 775 litter size records of 224 sows. From the same herd, genotyping was carried out on 144 and 156 animals for PRLR3 and RBP4, respectively. After assigning a genotype to subjects in which both parents had a homozygous genotype, numbers of genotyped animals increased to 474 and 338, for the PRLR3 gene and RBP4 gene, respectively. The genotype effects of two markers were estimated with breeding values of the genotyped animals. The additive effects of total number of piglets born and number of piglets born alive in the PRLR3 locus were -0.28 and -0.13, respectively. The dominance effect of the RBP4 locus on average daily gain was -10.58 g. However, the polymorphism of the RBP4 locus in total number of piglets born and number of piglets born alive has shown -0.34 and -0.33 of the additive genetic effects. In view of the results, MAS (marker-assisted selection) favoring B alleles of RBP4 and PRLR3 loci could potentially accelerate the rate of the genetic improvement in the litter size traits.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.69-78
• /
• 2013

Vitis amurensis Rupreche, a sort of grape, grows naturally in Asian countries. It is known for important biological effects such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis inhibition. Although its root is used as a traditional folk medicine in Korea, the root's biological activities are poorly studied. In the present study, the effects of V. amurensis root methanol extract (VARM) and its solvent fractions on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. The VARM significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and the triglyceride (TG) content of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. To identify active molecules, the VARM was fractionated with a series of organic solvents including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All the fractions also showed inhibition of lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the most powerful anti-obesity effect through the modulation of cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosinethymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expression. Oleanolic acid was one of the main active compounds involved in the anti-obesity activity of the V. amurensis root. These results provide important new insight into the potential potent anti-adipogenic effect of the V. amurensis root and illustrate that one of the main compounds involved in this effect is oleanolic acid.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1152-1160
• /
• 2017

A unicellular green alga was axenically isolated from a tidal pool on Ulleung-do, Korea. Morphological, molecular, and biochemical analyses revealed that the isolate belonged to Auxenochlorella protothecoides. The current study is the first record of this species in Korea. The microalgal strain was named as A. protothecoides MM0011 and its growth, lipid and pigment compositions, and biomass properties were investigated. The strain is able to thrive in a wide range of temperatures ($5{\sim}35^{\circ}C$) and to withstand up to 1.5 M NaCl. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that the isolate was rich in nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Its major fatty acids were linoleic acid (27.6%) and ${\alpha}-linolenic$ acid (39.6%). Thus, this indigenous microalga has potential as an alternative source of ${\omega}3$ and ${\omega}6$ PUFAs, which currently come from fish and plant oils. Also, the HPLC analysis revealed that the value-added antioxidant, lutein, was biosynthesized as the accessory pigments by the microalga. A proximate analysis showed that the volatile matter content was 85.6% and an ultimate analysis indicated that the gross calorific value was $20.3MJ\;kg^{-1}$. Since 40.5% of total nitrogen and 27.9% of total phosphorus were removed from the medium, respectively, it also has potential as a feedstock for biofuel applications which could be coupled to wastewater treatment. In addition, the biomass may also serve as an excellent animal feed because of its high protein content (51.4%). Therefore, A. protothecoides MM0011 shows promise for application in production of microalgae-based biochemicals and as a biomass feedstock.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1176-1184
• /
• 2017

The contents of inorganic and functional components in the organic Cheongyang pepper, tomato, and strawberry were compared with those of the conventional produce. The analyzed functional components were total phenol, total flavonoid, vitamin C, vitamin E, ${\beta}-carotene$, and capsaicin in Cheongyang peppers; lycopene in tomatoes; and anthocyanin in strawberries. The analyzed inorganic components were total N, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, and P. The total phenol contents of Cheongyang peppers and tomatoes were 14% and 30% higher, respectively, in the organic vegetables than the conventional ones, whereas strawberries had 13% higher components than the conventional ones. The total flavonoid contents of the Cheongyang peppers and tomatoes were 11% and 29% higher, respectively, than in the conventional produce, but those of the strawberries were 100% higher than in conventional strawberries. Vitamins were mostly higher in organic cultivation products, but there was no significant difference. The ${\beta}-carotene$ content was 22% higher in organic tomatoes, but conventional strawberries and peppers had more ${\beta}-carotene$ than the organic types did. The contents of capsaicin and lycopene were no different between the various cultivations, while anthocyanin was higher in the conventional cultivation. Analysis of inorganic components did not differ between cultivation methods for peppers and tomatoes, and the total N, K, and P contents were higher by 20-28% in the conventional cultivation. The contents of K, Ca, Mg, and P were 16-29% higher in the conventional cultivation of strawberries. Depending on the crops, there were many syntheses of functional components in the organic cultivation. This was thought to be due to nutrients and environmental stress.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1369-1375
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular characterization of phospholipase C-${\delta}1$ in olive flounders (Paralichthys olivaceus). In general, phospholipase C signaling pathways are distributed in nuclei at plasma membranes and in cytoplasms, although the pathways' nuclear localization mechanisms are unclear. P. olivaceus duplicates type-A PoPLC-${\delta}1$ (PoPLC-${\delta}1A$), which has a high similarity to the human isoform PLC-${\delta}$; type-B PoPLC-${\delta}1$ (PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ [Sf]), which has a low similarity to the human isoform PLC-${\delta}$ and the alternative splice variant PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Lf), which has a nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a nuclear export signal (NES) for nuclear imports and exports, respectively. This study confirmed the effects of the cellular localization and translocation of GFP-tagged PoPLC-${\delta}1A$, PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Sf) and PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Lf). It administered treatments of $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore ionomycin and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-$Ca^{2+}$ pump inhibitor thapsigargin to hirame natural-embryo (HINAE) cells. A laser-scanning confocal microscope was used. GFP-tagged PoPLC-${\delta}1A$ was distributed to the cellular organelles, rather than to the cytoplasms and cytomembranes, when PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Lf) and PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Sf) were localized at the plasma membranes. The treatments of ionomycin and thapsigargin showed the accumulation of PoPLC-${\delta}1A$ in the nuclei when PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Lf) nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and PoPLC-${\delta}1B$ (Sf) nucleocytoplasmic shuttling were not observed. The results were the first evidence that PoPLC-${\delta}1A$, which contains functional, intact NES sequences, has a main role in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and translocation in fish.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1315-1323
• /
• 2017

Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant (Curcuma longa (CL)) of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. A yellow-pigmented fraction isolated from the rhizomes of CL contains curcuminoids belonging to the dicinnamoyl methane group. Curcumin is an important active ingredient responsible for the biological activity of CL. However, CL is not usually used as a food source due to its bitter taste. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the CL fermented by Rhizopus oryzae (FCL) on pro-inflammatory factors such as nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell line. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of FCL 80% EtOH extracts, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA kit. Also, the amount of $NO/PGE_2/NF-{\kappa}B$ was measured using the $NO/PGE_2/NF-{\kappa}B$ detection kit and the iNOS/COX-2 expression was measured by Western blotting. The results showed that the FCL reduced NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that FCL extracts may be a developed the functional food related to anti-inflammation due to the significant effects on inflammatory factors.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.203-212
• /
• 2005

Cellulose insulation is primarily manufactured from recycled newsprint and treated with fire retardants for the fire resistance. Thanks to the fire retardants, it is not combustible and flammable. In addition to that, Its thermal resistance is much better than that of fiberglass or rock wool. It is made from waste paper and easily decayed when it is demolished, and it has small embodied energy. So it is very environment-friendly building material. For broader use of cellulose insulation in buildings in Korea, it is necessary to test its physical performance to compare the results with the requirements on the Korean Building Code. To this end, apparent thermal conductivity (ka) measurements of Korean-made loose-fill cellulose insulations were recently completed using equipment that was built and operated in accordance with ASTM C 518 and the fire resistance was tested in accordance with ASTM C 1485. Korean loose-fill cellulose has thermal conductivity about 5% greater than the corresponding U.S. product at the same density. This is likely due to differences in the recycled material being used. Both spray-applied and loose-fill cellulose insulation lose about 1.5% of their thermal resistivity for $5.5^{\circ}C$ increase in temperature. The fire resistance of cellulose insulation is increased in linear proportion to the increase of the rate of fire retardant. Thanks to the high fire resistance, cellulose insulation can be used as a substitution of Styrofoam or Urethane foam which is combustible. The thermal conductivity of cellulose insulation was $0.037-0.043W/m{\cdot}K$ at the mean specimen temperature from $4-43^{\circ}C$. It corresponds to the thermal resistance of "Na Grade" according to the Korean Building Code. The effect of chemical content on thermal conductivity was negligible for all but the chemical-free specimen which had the highest value for the thermal conductivity over the temperature range tested. The thermal resistance of cellulose insulation is better than that of fiberglass or rock wool, and its fire resistance is higher than that of Styrofoam or Urethane foam. Therefore it can be substituted for those above considering its physical performance. Cellulose insulation is no more expensive than Styrofoam or rock wool, so it is recommended to use it more widely in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.659-667
• /
• 2000

Quality attributes of fresh-cut green onion(Allium fistulosum L.) as affected by rinsing and packaging were investigated in terms of flesh weight, color, viable cell counts, sensory properties during storage at $10^{\circ}C$. Fresh green onions were trimmed, cut, and rinsed with cold water(approximately $5^{\circ}C$) as well as chlorine solution(100 mg/L) and then packaged in low density polyethylene film pouches of $63\;{\mu}m$ thickness. Rinsing treatments with cold water or chlorine solution did not significantly influence changes in microbial populations but sensory characteristics, resulting in cut green onions of better visual quality as compared to the control without rinsing. Fresh-cut green onions were also rinsed with cold water and packaged in sealed bags of low density polyethylene films with different thickness(22, 36, $63\;{\mu}m$), and stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 18 days. Thickness of polyethylene film was a significant factor for microorganisms populations and sensory attributes. Mesophilic aerobic bacterial count after 13 days for the control, packed in punched film bags, was $3.07{\times}10^6}$ CFU/g, while those for samples in hermetically sealed bags ranged only $1.74{\sim}2.02{\times}10^5}$ CFU/g. Gas composition within the sealed packages changed from normal air to about $1.3{\sim}5.4%\;O_2$ and $4.0{\sim}8.0%\;CO_2$ after 13 days of storage. Particularly, the visual sensory quality of cut green onion samples was retained better in polyethylene film bags of $63\;{\mu}m$ thickness(gas transmission rate: 600 $O_2\;mL/day{\cdot}m^2{\cdot}atm;\;2,500\;CO_2\;mL/day{\cdot}m^2{\cdot}atm$) than in the others.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.215-228
• /
• 1991

In the East Sea of Korea the vertical structure functions of the temperature field were evaluated and the characteristic thermal zone was classified by the use of the empirical orthogonal function(EOF) method. The East Sea of Korea within the hydrographic lines of 10-107 of the Fisheries Research and Development Agency of Korea(FRDA) can be divided into three thermal regions by the characteristics of the vertical temperature variability. They are the North Korean Cold Current(NKCC) region near the coast which extends parallel to the north-south direction, the Warm-Core(WC) region which dominates almost all the hydrographic stations of the Line 104 of the FRDA and occupies a few stations of the Line-103 and -105 with its axis at the Line 104, and the East Korea Warm Current(EKWC) region which is bisected into the northern and the southern part by the WC region, respectively. Considering the two most important modes, $85.20-98.20\%$ of the total variance of temperature variation are explained in the NKCC region, $85.20-92.90\%$ in the EKWC region, and$85.50-91.70\%$ in the WC region. The first mode has its peak value at the surface with the annual cycle of variation. The spatial pattern of the first mode portrays a coherent vertical variation in the EKWC region and a clear anti-correlation both in the NKCC region and in the WC region where the zero-crossing depths are loom and 200m, respectively. The second mode of the NKCC region is particularly noticeable, haying its peak at loom with coherent vertical variation. To study the time dependency of the vertical structure functions, the extended EOF(EEOF) method was used. The persistence of the first mode is less than 4 months in the study area. The annual variation of the first mode in the NKCC region is different from those in the WC region and in the EKWC region.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.203-213
• /
• 2013

Objecives : The purpose of the study was to evaluate treatment outcome of mandibular advancement device(MAD) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients using full night polysomnography and cephalometry. Methods : Twenty-seven OSA patients were confirmed by full night, lab-attended polysomnography. Cephalometric examinations were conducted to obtain SNA, ANB, $AH{\bot}MP$, AH-C3, SPT, PNS-U, NAS, SOAS, MOAS, and HAS. Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) were fabricated and delivered for all subjects. After acclimation period of MAD, the second polysomnographic examinations were conducted in the same manner. Polysomnographic variables were compared between before and after MAD placement. Also, correlation coefficients were calculated between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and each item of cephalometric parameters. Results : There were significant improvements in total AHI, lowest $SpO_2$, and total arousal index after MAD therapy. Also, there were significant improvements in NREM $SpO_2$ and NREM AHI, but not in REM $SpO_2$ and REM AHI with MAD. Stratifying the sleep stage, there were significant decrease in stage I and significant increases in stage II and REM, but change in stage III was not significant. SNA and SOAS were significantly correlated with total AHI and NAS was significantly correlated with supine AHI. ANB was significantly associate with the effect of MAD. Conclusions : MAD is an effective treatment in OSA patients comparing polysomnographic variables before and after treatment. Cephalometric examination can be useful to evaluate OSA patients and predict treatment outcome of MAD.