• Toxicological Research
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2005

The inhibitory activity against bisphenol-A (BPA), one of well-known endocrine disrupters was examined with the water extracts prepared from the Stem Bark of Syringa velutina (SBS). In this study, we have investigated the effect of SBS on the toxicity caused by BPA in human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 cells and immature Sprague-Dawley rats. In the estrogen receptor-mediated proliferation assay using MCF-7 cells, BPA (16 ng/ml) induced the cell proliferation, but the water extract of SBS inhibited BPA-induced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These results are associated with PARP degradation and specific cleavage of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 of apoptotic regulatory factors. Additionally, the BPA (400 mg/100 g) significantly induced the increase of the uterine and virginal weights, while SBS (50 mg/100 g) showed the inhibitory action against BPA, i.e. caused the increase of estrogen-related organ weights in immature rat uterotrophic assay. Taken together, the present data suggest that SBS may have anti-toxicity activities against BPA in vitro and in vivo systems. SBS may be capable of inhibiting adverse effects of BPA such as reproductive disorder.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.343-354
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• 2014

Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most serious diseases of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) in most rice-growing regions of the world. In order to investigate early response genes in rice, we utilized the transcriptome analysis approach using a 300 K tilling microarray to rice leaves infected with compatible and incompatible M. oryzae strains. Prior to the microarray experiment, total RNA was validated by measuring the differential expression of rice defense-related marker genes (chitinase 2, barwin, PBZ1, and PR-10) by RT-PCR, and phytoalexins (sakuranetin and momilactone A) with HPLC. Microarray analysis revealed that 231 genes were up-regulated (>2 fold change, p < 0.05) in the incompatible interaction compared to the compatible one. Highly expressed genes were functionally characterized into metabolic processes and oxidation-reduction categories. The oxidative stress response was induced in both early and later infection stages. Biotic stress overview from MapMan analysis revealed that the phytohormone ethylene as well as signaling molecules jasmonic acid and salicylic acid is important for defense gene regulation. WRKY and Myb transcription factors were also involved in signal transduction processes. Additionally, receptor-like kinases were more likely associated with the defense response, and their expression patterns were validated by RT-PCR. Our results suggest that candidate genes, including receptor-like protein kinases, may play a key role in disease resistance against M. oryzae attack.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.419-427
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• 2018

This study aimed to develop a new multiplex real-time PCR detection method for 3 species of waterborne protozoan parasites (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclospora cayetanensis) identified as major causes of traveler's diarrhea. Three target genes were specifically and simultaneously detected by the TaqMan probe method for multiple parasitic infection cases, including Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein for C. parvum, glutamate dehydrogenase for G. lamblia, and internal transcribed spacer 1 for C. cayetanensis. Gene product 21 for bacteriophage T4 was used as an internal control DNA target for monitoring human stool DNA amplification. TaqMan probes were prepared using 4 fluorescent dyes, $FAM^{TM}$, $HEX^{TM}$, $Cy5^{TM}$, and CAL Fluor $Red^{(R)}$ 610 on C. parvum, G. lamblia, C. cayetanensis, and bacteriophage T4, respectively. We developed a novel primer-probe set for each parasite, a primer-probe cocktail (a mixture of primers and probes for the parasites and the internal control) for multiplex real-time PCR analysis, and a protocol for this detection method. Multiplex real-time PCR with the primer-probe cocktail successfully and specifically detected the target genes of C. parvum, G. lamblia, and C. cayetanensis in the mixed spiked human stool sample. The limit of detection for our assay was $2{\times}10$ copies for C. parvum and for C. cayetanensis, while it was $2{\times}10^3$ copies for G. lamblia. We propose that the multiplex real-time PCR detection method developed here is a useful method for simultaneously diagnosing the most common causative protozoa in traveler's diarrhea.

• 한국식물생명공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물생명공학회 2003년도 식물바이오벤처 페스티발
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• pp.65-71
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• 2003

Bax, a mammalian pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, induces cell death when expressed in yeast. To investigate whether Bax expression can induce cell death in plant, we produced transgenic Arabidopsis plants that contained murine Bax cDNA under control of a glucocorticoid-inducible promoter. Transgenic plants treated with dexamethasone, a strong synthetic glucocorticoid, induced Bax accumulation and cell death, suggesting that some elements of cell death mechanism by Bax may be conserved among various organisms. Therefore, we developed novel yeast genetic system, and cloned several Plant Bax Inhibitors (PBIs). Here, we report the function of two PBIs in detail. PBI1 is ascorbate peroxidase (sAPX). Fluorescence method of dihydrorho-damine 123 oxidation revealed that expression of Bax in yeast cells generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and which was greatly reduced by co-expression with sAPX. These results suggest that sAPX inhibits the generation of ROS by Bax, which in turn suppresses Baxinduced cell death in yeast. PBI2 encodes nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). ROS stress strongly induces the expression of the NDPK2 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtNDPK2). Transgenic plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 have lower levels of ROS than wildtype plants. Mutants lacking AtNDPK2 had higher levels of ROS than wildtype. $H_2O_2$ treatment induced the phosphorylation of two endogenous proteins whose molecular weights suggested they are AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. In the absence of $H_2O_2$ treatment, phosphorylation of these proteins was slightly elevated in plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 but markedly decreased in the AtNDPK2 deletion mutant. Yeast two-hybrid and in vitro protein pull-down assays revealed that AtNDPK2 specifically interacts with AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. Furthermore, AtNDPK2 also enhances the MBP phosphorylation activity of AtMPK3 in vitro. Finally, constitutive overexpression of AtNDPK2 in Arabidopsis plants conferred an enhanced tolerance to multiple environmental stresses that elicit ROS accumulation in situ. Thus, AtNDPK2 appears to play a novel regulatory role in $H_2O_2$-mediated MAPK signaling in plants.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.85-93
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• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the differences in clinical features and laboratory findings between group D and non-group D non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) gastroenteritis in children. Methods: A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with NTS confirmed by culture study was performed. The clinical features and laboratory findings of group D and non-group D NTS were compared. Results: From 2003 to 2012, 75 cases were diagnosed as NTS at our center. The number of group D and non-group D patients was 45 and 30, respectively. The mean age was higher in group D than in non-group D patients (5.1 years vs. 3.4 years, p=0.038). Headaches were more frequently observed (p=0.046) and hematochezia was less frequently observed (p=0.017) in group D than in non-group D NTS gastroenteritis patients. A positive Widal test result was observed in 53.3% of group D and 6.7% of non-group D NTS cases (O-titer, p=0.030; H-titer, p=0.039). There were no differences in white blood cell counts, level of C-reactive protein and rate of antimicrobial resistance between group D and non-group D cases. Conclusion: The more severe clinical features such as headache, fever, and higher Widal titers were found to be indicative of group D NTS gastroenteritis. Additionally, group D NTS gastroenteritis was more commonly found in older patients. Therefore, old age, fever, headache, and a positive Widal test are more indicative of group D NTS than non-group D NTS gastroenteritis. Pathophysiological mechanisms may differ across serologic groups.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.251-257
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the growth rate, hematological and serological changes of the rats when they were fed with the high(at diets supplemented with or without chitosan for five weeks. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats($235.7{\pm}10.7g$ of body weight) were randomly divided into three groups control group(C) and two treatment groups. Rats in the control group were fed with the high-fat diet containing 10% lard, 1% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate(w/w) which was modified from the formula of the American Institute of Nutrition-76(AIN-76) diet. Rats in treatment groups were red with above diet supplemented with 2.5% of chitosan(CS-2.5) or 5.0% chitosan(CS-5) on the weight to weight basis, respectively. The supplementation of chitosan did not induce any significant difference on the final body weight, gain of body weight and amount of feed intake of rats in between control and treatment groups but the feed efficiency of rats in CS-5 was lower than that of rats in C(p<0.05). The hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values showed no significant differences among groups. In addition the values of glucose concentration, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin(A/G) ratio showed no significant differences among groups. The values of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) in sera of rats in CS-5 were lower than those in both C and CS-2.5(p<0.01). The values of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in sera of rats in CS-5 were higher than in both in C and CS-2.5(p<0.05). The values of atherogenic index(AI) of rats in CS-5 were the lowest among groups(p<0.01). AI of CS-2.5 were lower than that or C(p<0.05). The values of triglyceride in sera of rats showed no significant differences among groups. The values of AST in sera of rats in CS-2.5 were lower than those in both C and CS-5(p<0.05). However ALT values showed no significant differences among groups. Therefore the supplementation of chitosan to high fat diet reduced effectively the serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides which were regarded as to cause the cardiovascular diseases moreover it elevated effectively HDL-C value which was regarded protect cardiovascular diseases.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.468-472
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• 2015

Background : Chinese matrimony vine (Lycium chinense Mill.) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Solanaceae. The leaves are used as an alternative raw material replacing dried fruits associated with high production costs in many industires. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of drying temperature on the leaves used in the manufacture of functional products. Methods and Results : The leaves of Chinese matrimony vine were harvested when the plant height reached 60 - 70 cm in the spring and treated at four different temperatures ($40^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$). The time to reach the desiccation state of 20% was 63 h at $40^{\circ}C$, 37 h at $50^{\circ}C$, 17 h at $60^{\circ}C$ and 11 h at $70^{\circ}C$. The drying rate per hour was 1.28% at $40^{\circ}C$, 2.25% at $50^{\circ}C$, 4.94% at $60^{\circ}C$ and 7.60% at $70^{\circ}C$. No significant difference were observed in ash, crude fat, polyphenol or rutin content of treated samples. Crude protein and betaine content decreased with higher dry temperatures. Nitrogen free extract of the treated samples increased with higher drying temperatures. Conclusions : Taking into consideration drying time, drying rate, color value, energy consumption and functional ingredients is advantageous to dry the leaves of the Chinese matrimony vine at $60^{\circ}C$ using a hot air agricultural dryer.

• 한국미생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국미생물학회 2001년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.46-53
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• 2001

A commensal thermophile, Symbiobacterium toebii, isolated from hay compost (toebii) in Korea commensally interacted with a thermophilic Geobacillus toebii sp. nov., which was a new species within the genus Geobacillus on the basis of the phenotypic traits and molecular systematic data. S. toebii required the crude extracts and/or culture supernatant of the Geobacillus toebii for axenic growth and could grow on the temperature between 45 and $70^{\circ}C$ (optimum: $60^{\circ}C$; 2.4 h doubling time) and pH 6.0 and 9.0 (optimum: pH 7.5). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was $65 mol\%$, and the major quinones were MK-6 and MK-7. A phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rDNA sequence indicated that Symbiobacterium toebii was closely related with solely reported Symbiobacterium thermophilum. The presence of the commensal thermophile 16S rDNA and accumulation of indole in all the enriched cultures indicate that Symbiobacterium toebii is widely distributed in the various soils. The genome of S. toebii constituted a circular chromosome of 3,280,275 base pairs and there was not an extra-chromosomal element (ECE). It contained about 4,107 predicted coding sequences. Of these protein coding genes, about $45.6\%$ was encoded well-known proteins and annotated the functional assignment of 1,874 open reading frames (ORFs), and the rest predicted to have unknown functions. The genes encoding thermostable tyrosine phenol-lyase and tryptophan indole-lyase were cloned from the genomic DNA of S. toebii and the enzymatic production of L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan was carried out with two thermostable enzymes overexpressed in recombinant E. coli.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.215-222
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• 1985

Streptococcus lactis를 이용(利用)하여 ham 제조기간(製造期間)을 단축(短縮)하고 그 품질(品質)과 풍미(風味)를 알기 위(爲)하여 염지액(鹽漬液)에 공시균(供試菌)을 접종(接種)한 後(後) 염지기간별(鹽漬期間別)로 공시균(供試菌)을 접종(接種)하지 않은 대조구(對照區)와 이화학적(理化學的) 변화(變化)를 비교검토(比較檢討)한 결과(結果)는 다음과 같다. 1. pH의 변화(變化)는 공시균(供試菌) 접종구(接種區)가 대조구(對照區)보다 7일(日) 이후(以後) 약간 높았다. 2. 발색(發色)은 공시균(供試菌) 접종구(接種區)가 대조구(對照區)에 비(比)해 발색(發色)이 촉진(促進)되었으며, 7일과 10일에 발색률(發色率)이 80% 이상(以上)이었다. 3. 아미노산(酸) 조성(組成)은 glutamic acid 함량(含量)이 가장 많았으며, 공시균(供試菌) 접종구(接種區) 7일과 10일에서 glutamic acid, valine, leucine의 함량(含量)이 대조구(對照區)보다 높았다. 4. 지방산(脂肪酸)은 13종(種)이 분리(分離)되었으며, 공시균(供試菌) 접종구(接種區)가 대조구(對照區)보다 oleic acid와 불포화(不飽和) 지방산(脂肪酸) 함량(含量)이 많았다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 1977

Nutrition counselors in Korea often encounter difficulty in their attempt to change village women's attitudes regarding food taboos which are counter to good eating habits. There are a great many food superstitions which are not due to religious influence, but seem to be related to shape and composition of food. Many expectant mothers superstitiously avoid eating certain foods for fear that they may cause mental or physical abnormality in their babies. As was shown in a previous survey (Mo, 1966)of villages in all provinces except Jeju Island, such superstitions were common among pregnant and lactating mothers. Many food taboos and superstitions based on non-scientific and irrational ideas do exist even in modern society, and are a major obstacle to nutritionally adequate food consumption. A study of food taboos among women of Jeju Island was undertaken from November to December of 1976, these results to be compared as well with those of the previous study. There were 73 items found to be prohibited during pregnancy. Of these, 48.7% were of the deaf group, 17.4% fish, 5.5% eggs, 4.7% cereal, and only 2.2% fruit. Of 252% women respondents, 111 (45% ) abstained from eating chicken, duck, and shark because of the belief that they would cause their babies to be born with gooseflesh or shark skin. Many of them avoided rabbit meat for fear that their babies might be born with harelip. It was also feared that a baby would become disfigured if his mother ate duck, goat, dog meat, chicken or duck eggs, or soup made of bones. A common superstition was that highly spiced or salty foods would cause the fetus to be hairless. Squid and octopus were believed to cause babies to have weak bones, or none at all. Most of these food taboos were associated with fears concerning Physical structure and appearance of unborn babies. Other taboos were associated with fear of undesirable behavioral characteristics. For example, some mothers thought that a baby would pinch or bite the mother's breast during the weaning period, if crab meat were eaten during pregnancy. Unevenly sliced rice cake, loach, snake meat and eel were also believed to cause a baby to be ill-tempered. The findings of this study are remarkably similar to those of the previous study conducted by the authour in 1966. Most of the same food taboos, based on non-scientific and irrational reasons, were found on Jeju Island as on the peninsula, and thor were similarly wide-spread. The results of correlational analysis show that the most significant factors related to prevalence of food taboos, are level of education and religious background. Number of food taboos is correlated with level of education. Also, food taboos are least freqent among the Christian woman. Proper nutrition education should he undertaken in order to encourage intake of protein-rich food, particularly during pregnancy when nutritional needs of mother and fetus are great.