• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Zinc finger-containing transcription factors are the largest single family of transcriptional regulators in mammals, which play an essential role in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoplastic transformation. Here we have cloned a novel KRAB-related zinc finger gene, ZNF424, encoding a protein of 555aa. ZNF424 gene consisted of 4 exons and 3 introns, and mapped to chromosome 19p13.3. ZNF424 gene was ubiquitously expressed in human embryo tissues by Northern blot analysis. ZNF424 is conserved across species in evolution. Using a GFP-labeled ZNF424 protein, we demonstrate that ZNF424 localizes mostly in the nucleus. Transcriptional activity assays shows ZNF424 suppresses transcriptional activity of L8G5-luciferase. Overexpression of ZNF424 in HEK-293 cells inhibited the transcriptional activity of NFAT and p21, which may be silenced by siRNA. The results suggest that ZNF424 protein may act as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses NFAT and p21 pathway to mediate cellular functions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

Purpose: To determine the effect of zinc deficiency on fecal protein, electrolyte, and short-chain fatty acid levels in both heat-stable (ST) and heat-labile (LT) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-induced diarrhea in rats. Methods: Albino rats, weighing 100 to 150 g, were divided into 2 groups, with 15 animals each: non-zinc and zinc-deficient. These two groups were sub-divided into three sub-groups with five rats each: control (saline); LT-ETEC; and ST-ETEC. Sodium phytate (30 mmol/L) was added to the animals' water to induce zinc deficiency, while diarrhea was induced using 5×10⁹ ETEC cells/mL. Fecal protein levels were estimated using the Bradford method, while sodium and potassium levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Short-chain fatty acids were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Among the non-zinc and zinc-deficient groups, there were significant increases (p=0.04), (p=0.03) in fecal protein concentrations (mg/mL) in the LT-ETEC- (4.50±0.33), (6.50±0.26) and ST-ETEC- (3.85±0.19), (5.98±0.32) induced groups compared to the control groups (2.60±0.52), (3.50±0.11) respectively. Fecal sodium and potassium levels (mg/L) were significantly (p=0.029) increased in non-zinc-deficient rats induced with LT-ETEC (9.35±0.95, 1.05±0.48), and ST-ETEC (9.96±1.02, 1.21±0.45) compared with the control group (8.07±0.44, 0.47±0.17) but the increase were not statistically significant (p=0.059) in the zinc deficient rat groups. Fecal acetate and propionate levels (mg/g) significantly (p=0.032) increased when induced with LT-ETEC and ST-ETEC in non-zinc and zinc-deficient groups compared with the control groups. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency among rats with ETEC-induced diarrhea elevated fecal protein loss but may not have an effect on fecal sodium, potassium and short-chain fatty acid levels.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.343-352
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop probiotics with anti-periodontitic effects to help treat inflammation in the tissues surrounding the teeth. We isolated Weisiella cibaria (W. cibareia) SPM402 and Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) SPM412 from homemade kimchi and used their cell-free supernatants. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL of L. paracasei SPM412 (LP412) inhibited the formation of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) biofilm by 95.99±0.73%. In addition, 10 mg/mL of LP412 reduced the RQ value of fimA, an adhesin gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) to 0.08±0.05, and the RQ value of radD, an adhesin gene of F. nucleatum, to 0.08±0.008. When the P. gingivalis outer membrane vehicle (Pg OMV) induced inflammation in YD-38 cells, the RQ value of TNF-α was increased to 36.68±1.85, but was reduced to 4.15±0.37 in the presence of 1 mg/mL of W. cibareia SPM402 (WC402). Similarly, in Pg OMV-induced inflammation in THP-1 cells, the RQ value of IL-1β increased to 2,330.65±204.61 but was reduced to 15.19±4.57 in the presence of 15 mg/mL of WC402. In F. nucleatum-induced inflammation in YD-38 cells, the RQ value of IL-8 increased to 15.10±1.11 and was decreased to 2.67±0.50 in the presence of 1 mg/mL of LP412. In conclusion, W. cibaria SPM402 and L. paracasei SPM412 showed potent anti-inflammatory effects against oral pathogenic bacteria and hold promise as functional probiotics with anti-periodontitic activity.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.445-456
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• 2009

Colostrum samples were collected from 36 dairy farms in Gyeonggi-do and one dairy farm in the National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) for testing. Colostrum samples were analyzed for phisycochemicals (specific gravity, pH, titratable acidity), general components (fat, protein, lactose, total solid, solid non-fat (SNF)), fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, microflora, somatic cells, and Ig (Immunoglobulin). The first colostrum revealed the following data: fat contents were $6.16{\pm}2.39%$, proteins were $14.78{\pm}4.30%$, lactose $2.57{\pm}0.77%$, total solid $24.28{\pm}4.36%$, and SNF $18.12{\pm}4.08%$, whereas the 2nd (or $12^{th}$) colostrum revealed $5.56{\pm}1.76%$ fat, $3.46{\pm}0.41%$ proteins, $4.19{\pm}0.43%$ lactose, $13.90{\pm}1.76%$ total solid, and $8.34{\pm}0.81%$ SNF. Also, the first colostrum revealed the contents of major amino acids as 0.89% aspartic acid, 0.71% threonine, 0.86% serine, 1.75% glutamic acid, 0.64% valine, 0.95% leucine, 0.83% lysine, and 0.95% proline, and those in the 10th colostrum were 0.25% aspartic acid, 0.15% threonine, 0.19% serine, 0.59% glutamic acid, 0.19% valine, 0.35% leucine, 0.31% lysine, and 0.34% proine. Major amino acid contents rapidly decreased as milking times increased. In the first colostrum, the following mineral contents were observed: there were 2,168 ppm in Ca, 1,959 ppm in P, 914 ppm in K, 761 ppm in Na, 287 ppm in Mg, 1.7 ppm in Fe, 14.3 ppm in Zn, and 1.0 ppm in Cu; while in the 10th colostrum, the following ppm contents were 1,389 in Ca, 1,323 in P, 838 in K, 427 in Na, 131 in Mg, 1.0 in Fe, 4.7 in Zn, and 1.3 in Cu. The mineral contents in a colostrum rapidly decreased as milking times increased.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the developmental ability of caprine embryos after somatic cell interspecies nuclear transfer. Recipient bovine and porcine oocytes were obtained from slaughterhouse and were matured in vitro according to established protocols. Donor cells were obtained from an ear-skin biopsy of a caprine, digested with 0.25% trypsin-EDTA in PBS and primary fibroblast cultures were established in TCM-199 with 10% FBS. The matured oocytes were dipped in D-PBS plus 10% FBS ＋ 7.5 $\mu$ g/ml cytochalasin B and 0.05M sucrose. Enucleation were accomplished by aspirating the first polar body and partial cytoplasm which containing metaphase II chromosomes using a micropipette with an out diameter of 20∼30 $\mu$m. A Single donor cell was individually transferred into the perivitelline space of each enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed oocytes were electric fusion with 0.3M mannitol fusion medium. After the electrofusion, embryos were activated by electric stimulation. Interspecies nuclear transfer embryos with bovine cytoplasts were cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FBS including bovine oviduct epithelial cells for 7∼9 day. And porcine cytoplasts were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 6 ∼8 day at $39^{\circ}C, 5% CO_2 $in air. Interspecies nuclear transfer by recipient bovine oocytes were fused with electric length 1.95 kv/cm and 2.10 kv/cm. There was no significant difference between two electric length in fusion rate(47.7 and 44.6%) and in cleavage rate(41.9 and 54.5%). Using electric length 1.95 kv/cm and 2.10 kv/cm in caprine-porcine NT oocytes, there was also no significant difference between two treatments in fusion rate(51.3 and 46.1%) and in cleavage rate(75.0 and 84.9%). The caprine-bovine NT oocytes fusion rate was lower(P＜0.05) in 1 pulse for 60 $\mu$sec(19.3%), than those from 1 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(50.8%) and 2 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(31.0%). The cleavage rate was higher(P＜0.05) in 1 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(53.3%) and 2 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(50.0%), than in 1 pulse for 60 $\mu$sec(18.2%). The caprine-porcine NT oocytes fusion rate was 48.1% in 1 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec, 45.2% in 2 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec and 48.6% in 1 pulse for 60 $\mu$sec. The cleavage rate was higher(P＜0.05) in 1 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(78.4%) and 1 pulse for 60 $\mu$sec(79.4%), than in 2 pulse for 30 $\mu$sec(53.6%). In caprine-bovine NT embryos, the developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos were 22.6% in interspecies nuclear transfer and 30.6% in parthenotes, which was no significant differed. The developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos with caprine-porcine NT embryos were lower(P＜0.05) in interspecies nuclear transfer(5.1%) than parthenotes(37.4%).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1147-1158
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• 1998

Background: Portable cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) technique has been used increasingly as a potent and effective option for emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) because it can maintain more stable hemodynamics and provide better survival than conventional CPR techniques. This study was designed to develop a prototype of Korean portable CPB system and, by applying it to CPR, to discriminate whether it would be superior to standard open-chest CPR. Material and Method: By using adult mongrel dogs, open-chest CPR(OCPR group, n=4) and portable-CPB CPR(CPB group, n=4) were compared with respects to restoration of spontaneous circulation(ROSC), hemodynamics, effects on blood cells, blood gas patterns, biochemical markers, and survivals. Ventricular fibrillation-cardiac arrest(VF-CA) of arrest(VF-CA) of 4 minutes followed by basic life support(BLS) of 15 minutes was applied in either group, which was standardized by the protocol of American Heart Association. Then, advanced life support(ALS) was applied to either group under the support of internal cardiac massage or CPB. ALS was maintained until ROSC was achieved but not longer than 30 minutes regardless of the presence of ROSC. All of the measured values were expressed as means±SD percent change from baseline. Result: During the early ALS, higher mean arterial pressure was maintained in CPB group than in OCPR group(90±19 vs. 71±32 %; p<.05) and lower mean pulmonary arterial pressure was also maintained in CPB group than in OCPR group(105±24 vs. 146±6%; p<.05). ROSC was achieved in all dogs. Post-ROSC levels of hematocrit, RBC, and platelet were decreased and plasma free hemoglobin was increased significantly in CPB group compared to OCPR group(p<.05). Changes in blood gas patterns, lactate, and CK-MB levels were not different between groups. Early mortality was seen in 3 dogs in OCPR group(survival time 31±36 hours) and 2 in CPB group(228±153 hours, p=ns). The remainders in both groups showed prolonged survival. Conclusion: These findings indicate that portable CPB can be effective to maintain stable hemodynamics during cardiac arrest, to achieve ROSC and to prolong survival. Further study is needed to refine the portable CPB system and to meet clinical challenges.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.89-95
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• 2015

The addition of growth factors and cytokines to in vitro culture (IVC) media could affect embryo development and the quality of the resulting blastocysts. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of porcine induced pluripotent stem cell (piPSC)-culture conditioned medium (CM) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and development of parthenogentic embryos (parthenotes) in pigs. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) or activated oocytes were cultured in IVM or IVC medium supplemented with 0 (control), 25, or 50% of stem cell medium (SM) or CM, respectively. The maturation rate of CM-25% group was significantly improved when compared with control group (p<0.05), but that was not different among SM or CM groups. Blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in CM-25% group (29.2%) than that of control (20.7%), SM-50% (19.6%) and CM-50% (23.66%, p<0.05). Cell number and the apoptotic cell index in blastocysts was significantly lower in SM-25% than in CM-25% group (p<0.05). The embryo quality related genes, OCT4, KLF4, TERT and ZFP42, were significantly increased in CM-25% group compared with control (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 25% of CM to IVM and IVC medium positively influences not only the developmental potential also quality of parthenotes in pig.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.994-1002
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• 2009

A bacteriocin-producing bacterium identified as Bacillus licheniformis was isolated from soybean sauce. Antibacterial activity was confirmed by paper disc diffusion method, using Micrococcus luteus as a test organism. The bacteriocin also showed antibacterial activities against Bacillus sphaericus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus planiarum, Paenibacillus polymyxa, and Pediococcus dextrinicus. Optimal culture conditions for the production of bacteriocin was attained by growing the cells in an MRS medium at a pH of 6.5~ 7.0 and a temperature of 37$^\circ$C for 36$\sim$48 hr. Solvents such as chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile had little effect on bacteriocin activity. However, about 50% of bacteriocin activity diminished with treatment of methanol and isopropanol at the final concentration of 50% at 25$^\circ$C for 1 hr. It was stable against a pH variation range from 3.0 and 7.0, but the activity reduced to 50% at a pH range from 9.0 to 11.0. It's activity was not affected by heat treatment at 100$^\circ$C for 30 min and 50% of activity was retained after heat treatment at 100$^\circ$C for 60 min, showing high thermostability. The bacteriocin was purified to a homogeneity through ammonium sulfate precipitation, SP-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The entire purification protocol led to a 75-fold increase in specific activity and a 13.5% yield of bacteriocin activity. The molecular weight of purified bacteriocin was estimated to be about 2.5 kDa by tricine-SDS-PAGE.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the enviromental quality and the growth of transplanted pen shell, Atrinna pectinata japonica. Followings are the results of growth of transplanted pen shell with respect to the shell size groups from the natural habitat (Usando) in May 1995, and cultivated upto November in the transplantated area (Soomoonri). The water depth of transplantated area andnatural habitat were 3m, 20~25m, respectively. The seawater temperature of the two culturing farms were ranged of 10.9~$27.8^{\circ}C.$, 8.5~$30.0^{\circ}C.$, respectively at the lowest in November adn the highest in July. The seawater salinity of the two areas were ranged of 29.54~35.26$^0\prime\infty$, 28.75~36.31$^0\prime\infty$, respectively at the lowest in July and the highest in November. The phosphoric acid ($PO_4$-P) of the two areas were 0.09~$1.14 ^{\mu}$g-at/l, 0.23~$1.33 ^{\mu}$g-at/l, respectively at the lowest in June and the highest in September. The bottom type of the two areas was a silty mud, 85.23% (82.17~87.26%) in natural habitat and 92.12% (90.76~92.94$^0\prime\infty$) in transplanted area. In this study area, phytoplankton were composed of 19 species. Of these 19 species, Skeletonema costatum was dominant species in seawater between natural habitat and transplantatied area, and 157 cells/ml, 165 cells/ml at August respectively. Stock of phytoplankton in transplantated area were more than those of natural habitat except June and November. The growth of shell length, shell height, total weight, soft part weight and posterior adductor muscle weight of pen shell on different size groups (SL 10, 10~15, 15~20, 20cm) were excellent in shell length of 10cm group, and 99.32%, 107.66%, 871.09%, 951.26% and 1,223.76%, respectively. The survival rate of pen shell was 98.10% in the shell length of 10cm groups, 90.35~94.76% in the others groups. The growth of shell length, total weight, soft part weight and posterior adductor muscle weight of pen shell in transplantated area were more 1.3, 2.6, 2.7 and 4.5 times than those of natural habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to develop Sewage Treatment Plant that treat sewage which occurred in ship using fixed media method and to consider applicable to the Pilot Scale device of the STP regulations in MLTM(Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs) and MEPC(Marine Environment Protection Committee). In test results, pH geometric mean was 7.68, $BOD_5$(Biochemical Oxygen Demand) geometric mean was 7.28 mg/l, $COD_{cr}$(Chemical Oxygen Demand) geometric mean was 48.39 mg/l, TSS(Total Suspended Solid) geometric mean was 18.00/l, Residual chlorine geometric mean was 0.19 mg/l, and E. coli geometric mean was 1CFU/100 ml. In addition, about 97.4% of $BOD_5$ was reduced, the $COD_{cr}$ reduction averaged 96.4%and the TSS reduction averaged 97.6%. STP have been determined by the MLTM and MEPC regulation of the marine pollution prevention equipment for performance testing product.