• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2019

To optimize the expression and secretion of ferritin protein associated with ion storage in the mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii, a recombinant secretion vector, harboring the ferritin gene, was constructed using a pPEVPR1b vector under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and signal sequence of pathogen related protein (PR1b). The ferritin gene was isolated from the T-Fer vector following digestion with EcoRI and HindIII. The gene was then introduced into the pPEVPR1b secretion vector, and it was then named pPEVPR1b-Fer. The recombinant vector was transferred into P. eryngii via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The transformants were selected on MCM medium supplemented with kanamycin and its expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Expression of ferritin protein was optimized by modifying the culture conditions such as incubation time and temperature in batch and 20 L airlift type fermenter. The optimal conditions for ferritin production were achieved at 25℃ and after incubating for 8 days on MCM medium. The amount of ferritin protein was 2.4 mg/g mycelia, as measured by a quantitative protein assay. However, the signal sequence of PR1b (32 amino acids) seems to be correctly processed by peptidase and ferritin protein may be targeted in the apoplast region of mycelia, and it might not be secreted in the culture medium. The iron binding activity was confirmed by Perls' staining in a 7.5% non-denaturing gel, indicating that the multimeric ferritin (composed of 24 subunits) was formed in P. eryngii mycelia. Mycelium powder containing ferritin was tested as a feed additive in broilers. The addition of ferritin powder stimulated the growth of young broilers and improved their feed efficiency and production index.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2012

This study has compared the different types of forest fire sites and the unburned site at Samcheuk-si Gangwon-do by assessing the amount of litter production, nutrient concentration returned to forest floor from July 2007 through October 2010. The research showed that the average amounts of litterfall produced in the unburned site, the crown fire site(C-1), the crown fire site(C-3) and the ground fire site(G-2) were $7.74{\pm}2.56$, $1.17{\pm}0.67$, $2.97{\pm}0.44$ and $2.92{\pm}0.42ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, respectively. In the unburned site, the average amounts of total nitogen(T-N), total phosphorus(T-P), potassium(K), calcium(Ca) and magnesium(Mg) returned to the forest floor were $22.20{\pm}12.43$, $1.16{\pm}0.46$, $2.68{\pm}1.44$, $16.22{\pm}4.69$ and $1.36{\pm}0.32 kg{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, respectively whereas those in the crown fire site(C-1) were $3.73{\pm}2.31$, $0.10{\pm}0.09$, $0.27{\pm}0.20$, $2.75{\pm}2.58$ and $0.24{\pm}0.27 kg{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, respectively. This study showed that the nutrient content returned to forest floor was higher in the following order: unburned site(Un) > crown fire site(C-3) > ground fire site(G-2) > crown fire site(C-1).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1391-1400
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• 2018

Angelica tenuissima root has historically been used as a traditional medicine in Korea. Previous studies have identified the anti-melanogenic effects of the extract of A. tenuissima root fermented by Aspergillus oryzae (FAT). This study investigated the protective effects of FAT against ultraviolet light B exposure (UVB; $30mJ/cm^2$) in HaCaT (human keratinocyte) or Hs68 (human foreskin fibroblast) skin cells. FAT treatment was able to stimulate wound healing rate at the basal condition. FAT also favored the maintenance and/or improvement of extracellular matrix impairment caused by UVB irradiation through: 1) upregulation of procollagen Type-1 synthesis and secretion; 2) suppression of MMP-1 and elastase expression. FAT was able to play a role in the attenuation of inflammatory responses caused by UVB irradiation via upregulation of photo-protective hemeoxygease-1 and suppression of proinflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 expression. After further verification of the anti-photoaging potential of FAT, it could be utilized as an effective ingredient in anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetics.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.247-253
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• 2002

Major pelvic ganglia (MPG) neurons are classified into sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons according to the electrophysiological properties; membrane capacitance (Cm), expression of T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, and the firing patterns during depolarization. In the present study, function and molecular expression of ATP-sensitive $K^+\;(K_{ATP})$ channels was investigated in MPG neurons of male rats. Only in parasympathetic MPG neurons showing phasic firing patterns, hyperpolarizing changes were elicited by the application of diazoxide, an activator of $K_{ATP}$ channels. Glibenclamide $(10{\mu}M),$ a $K_{ATP}$ channel blocker, completely abolished the diazoxide-induced hyperpolarization. Diazoxide increased inward currents at high $K^+$ (90 mM) external solution, which was also blocked by glibenclamide. The metabolic inhibition by the treatment with mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors (rotenone and antimycin) hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential of parasympathetic neurons, which was not observed in sympathetic neurons. The hyperpolarizing response to metabolic inhibition was partially blocked by glibenclamide. RT-PCR analysis revealed that MPG neurons mainly expressed the $K_{ATP}$ channel subunits of Kir6.2 and SUR1. Our results suggest that MPG neurons have $K_{ATP}$ channels, mainly formed by Kir6.2 and SUR1, with phenotype-specificity, and that the conductance through this channel in parasympathetic neurons may contribute to the changes in excitability during hypoxia and/or metabolic inhibition.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.426-434
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• 2014

Peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PADI2) deiminates (or citrullinates) arginine residues in protein to citrulline residues in a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent manner, and is found in lymphocytes and macrophages. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein and a well-known substrate of PADI2. Citrullinated vimentin is found in ionomycin-induced macrophage apoptosis. Citrullinated vimentin is the target of anti-Sa antibodies, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis, and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. To investigate the role of PADI2 in apoptosis, we generated a Jurkat cell line that overexpressed the PADI2 transgene from a tetracycline-inducible promoter, and used a combination of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin to activate Jurkat cells. We found that PADI2 overexpression reduced the cell viability of activated Jurkat cells in1a dose- and time-dependent manner. The PADI2-overexpressed and -activated Jurkat cells presented typical manifestations of apoptosis, and exhibited greater levels of citrullinated proteins, including citrullinated vimentin. Vimentin overexpression rescued a portion of the cells from apoptosis. In conclusion, PADI2 overexpression induces apoptosis in activated Jurkat cells. Vimentin is involved in PADI2-induced apoptosis. Moreover, PADI2-overexpressed Jurkat cells secreted greater levels of vimentin after activation, and expressed more vimentin on their cell surfaces when undergoing apoptosis. Through artificially highlighting PADI2 and vimentin, we demonstrated that PADI2 and vimentin participate in the apoptotic mechanisms of activated T lymphocytes. The secretion and surface expression of vimentin are possible ways of autoantigen presentation to the immune system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The main purpose of this study is to accumulate the fundamental data representing groundwater of plastic film houses by means of water quality and its multivariate statistical analysis. Groundwater samples were collected in every two years since 2000 to 2004 from total 211 sites. According to the result of water quality analysis, ground water quality was suitable for irrigation purpose averagely. Correlation analysis showed that EC was highest positively correlated with $Mg^{2+}$ to 0.810(p<0.01), 0.776(p<0.01) in April and July, respectively. $NO_3-N$ was highest positively correlated with T-N to 0.794(p<0.01) in October. This result shows that it can lead to a different result even in similar case sometimes. Four factors were extracted through factor analysis in April and July, but five factors were extracted in October. The proportions of cumulative variance by the factor were 64.9, 60.2, and 70.7 in April, July, and October, respectively. The first factor was highly related to anions and cations such as $Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Cl^-,\;{SO_4}^{2-}$, and EC in contrast to that of stream water. According to the cluster analysis, 211 sites are classified into four groups. Common type of ground water quality was shown in group A. The pH and $PO_4-P$ were highest in Group B. The anions and cations were highest in Group C. $COD_{Cr}$ was highest in Group D.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.3588-3592
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• 2010

Second-order rate constants ($k_N$) have been measured spectrophotometrically for nucleophilic substitution reactions of 2-pyridyl X-substituted benzoates 8a-e with a series of alicyclic secondary amines in $H_2O$ at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. The $k_N$ values for the reactions of 8a-e are slightly smaller than the corresponding reactions of 4-nitrophenyl X-substituted benzoates 1a-e (e.g., $kN^{1a-e}/k_N^{8a-e}$ = 1.1 ~ 3.1), although 2-pyridinolate in 8a-e is ca. 4.5 $pK_a$ units more basic than 4-nitrophenolate in 1a-e. The Br$\o$nsted-type plot for the aminolysis of 8c (X = H) is linear with $\beta_{nuc}$ = 0.77 and $R^2$ = 0.991 (Figure 1), which is typical for reactions reported previously to proceed through a stepwise mechanism with breakdown of a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate $T^{\pm}$ being the rate-determining step (RDS), e.g., aminolysis of 4-nitrophenyl benzoate 1c. The Hammett plot for the reactions of 8a-e with piperidine consists of two intersecting straight lines (Figure 2), i.e., $\rho$ = 1.71 for substrates possessing an electron-donating group (EDG) while $\rho$ = 0.86 for those bearing an electron-withdrawing group (EWG). Traditionally, such a nonlinear Hammett plot has been interpreted as a change in RDS upon changing substituent X in the benzoyl moiety. However, it has been proposed that the nonlinear Hammett is not due to a change in RDS since the corresponding Yukawa-Tsuno plot exhibits excellent linear correlation with $\rho$ = 0.85 and r = 0.62 ($R^2$ = 0.995, Figure 3). Stabilization of substrates 8a-e in the ground state has been concluded to be responsible for the nonlinear Hammett plot.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2008

Background: TRAIL is a promising anticancer agent which induces selective tumor cell death due to a unique receptor system that includes death receptors and decoy receptors. DR5 TRAIL receptor is an originally identified p53-regulated death receptor gene that was induced, by doxorubicine, only in cells with a wild-type p53 status. We investigated that focused on the correlation between the DR5 and p53 expressions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis, with using avidin-biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex, was carried out in 89 surgically resected NSCLC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. As primary antibodies, we used anti-DR5 polyclonal antibody and anti-p53 monoclonal antibody. A negative control was processed with each slide. The positive tumor cells were quantified twice and these values were expressed as percentage of the total number of tumor cells, and the intensity of immunostaining was expressed. The analysis of the DR5 expression was done separately in tumor area and in a nearby region of normal tissue. Results: The DR5 expression was high in the bronchial epithelium (89% of cases) but this was almost absent in type I & II pneumocytes, lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells. High DR5 expression rate in tumor was seen in 28% (15/53) of squamous cell carcinomas, in 47% (15/32) of adenocarcinomas and, in 50% (2/4) of large cell carcinomas. The DR5 expression did not show any statistical significance relationship with the T stage, N stage, or survival. However, the DR5 expression showed significant inverse correlation with the p53 expression. (p< 0.01). Conclusion: We demonstrated that the DR5 expression in NSCLC via immunohistochemical analysis is relatively tumor-specific except for that in the normal bronchial epithelium and it is significantly dependent on the p53 status. This might be in vivo evidence for the significance of the DR5 gene as a p53 downstream gene.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2014

PURPOSE. To compare marginal and internal gaps of zirconia substructure of single crowns with those of three-unit fixed dental prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Standardized Co-Cr alloy simulated second premolar and second molar abutments were fabricated and subsequently duplicated into type-III dental stone for working casts. After that, all zirconia substructures were made using $Lava^{TM}$ system. Marginal and internal gaps were measured in 2 planes (mesial-distal plane and buccal-palatal plane) at 5 locations: marginal opening (MO), chamfer area (CA), axial wall (AW), cusp tip (CT) and mid-occlusal (OA) using Replica technique. RESULTS. There were significant differences between gaps at all locations. The $mean{\pm}SD$ of marginal gap in premolar was $43.6{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ and $46.5{\pm}0.5{\mu}m$ for single crown and 3-unit bridge substructure respectively. For molar substructure the $mean{\pm}SD$ of marginal gap was $48.5{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ and $52.6{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ for single crown and 3-unit bridge respectively. The largest gaps were found at the occlusal area, which was $150.5{\pm}0.5{\mu}m$ and $154.5{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ for single and 3-unit bridge premolar substructures respectively and $146.5{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ and $211.5{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$ for single and 3-unit bridge molar substructure respectively. CONCLUSION. Independent-samples t-test showed significant differences of gap in zirconia substructure between single crowns and three-unit bridge (P<.001). Therefore, the span length has the effect on the fit of zirconia substructure that is fabricated using CAD/CAM technique especially at the occlusal area.