• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.682-692
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• 2007

This study presents an automatic system to predict parturition time in the crated sows. The system relies on ultrasonic transducers mounted from above along the length of the crate. Using a 40 kHz time of flight (TOF) single envelope wave, the momentary distances between the sensors are measured. Therefore, the local momentary height of the sow and the momentary posture, i.e. standing posture (SDP), kneeling posture (KP), sitting posture (STP) and lateral lying posture (LLP) are determined. Crated sows change their postures from standing to lying and vice versa which follows a characteristic pattern. As parturition approaches, sows exhibit uneasiness, restlessness and the stand up sequence (SUS, the posture transition from LLP to SDP) rate increases because of labor pains. In time series, the SUS rate demonstrates a peak and it happens approximately 0-12 h before parturition. In this paper, the basic parturition threshold value method (BPTVM) and the same hour method (SHM) are proposed for predicting parturition, both of which are based on the SUS rate. The BPTVM mainly detects the peak of the SUS rate. As the SUS rate exceeds the threshold value, the parturition becomes predictable. Moreover, the SHM calculates the difference in the SUS rates between a particular time of day and the corresponding time of the preceding day. Compared to the BPTVM, the SHM can eliminate the circadian rhythm of the SUS rate influenced by feeding behavior. Using the SHM the parturition can be approximately predicted within hours. In an attempt to define the threshold parameters of predicting parturition, a data set with 32 sows of the SUS rate are used to estimate assumable predicting probability. The results show the assumable probability of the parturition prediction within 9 h is 96.9% for the SHM and 84.4% for the BPTVM. Moreover, the SHM can even reach a 75% probability of prediction within three hours of parturition. We conclude that the SHM is more accurate and is more useful for parturition time prediction. When parturition is detected, the proposed algorithm generates a warning signal which can inform human personnel to protect the mother and newborn piglets.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1729-1733
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• 2007

Brassinolide insensitive associated receptor kinase 1(BAK1) is a critical component that play an important roles in signaling of brassinosteroid biosynthesis. Brassinosteroid-deficient and -insensitive mutants showed the characteristic of dwarf symptom. The nutrient deficient tomato showing stunt phenomenon was selected from soiless cultivation system using modified Sonneveld hydroponic solution. Twenty eight protein spots showing different expression levels compared to the control were isolated from extracts of stunted tomato leaves by 2D PAGE analyses. Significantly down-regulated 6 protein spots out of 28 protein spots were analyzed and sequenced by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The protein spot having pI=4.5 and MW=24 kDa was identified as a signal protein, BAK1, which is directly related to brassinosteroid biosynthesis. In addition, five other protein spots were identified as BCK1, cystein proteinase, sulfutase, peroxidase and zinc finger factor respectively, and they were also signal proteins related to brassinosteroid biosynthesis. Furthermore, amplification of 500bp of BAK1 mRNA by RT-PCR using a primer set of peptide matched regions was inhibited conpared to that of the wild type. The results sugested that the BAK1 might be regulated at the transcription level in response to nutrition applications.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.66-67
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• 2005

The domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) is an important model for research in developmental biology because its embryonic development occurs in ovo. To examine the mechanism of embryonic germ cell development, we constructed proteome map of gonadal primordial germ cells (gPGC) from chicken embryonic gonads. Embryonic gonads were collected from 500 embryos at 6 day of incubation, and the gPGC were cultured in vitro until colony formed. After 7-10 days in cultured gPGC colonies were separated from gonadal stroma cells (GSCs). Soluble extracts of cultured gPGCs were then fractionated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (pH 4-7). A number of protein spots, including those that displayed significant expression levels, were then identified by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS. Of the 89 gPGC spots examined, 50 yielded mass spectra that matched avian proteins found in on-line databases. Proteome map of thistype will serve as an important reference for germ cell biology and transgenic research.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2006

We employed human SK-MEL-28 cells as a model system to identify cellular proteins that accompany N-(4-methyl)phenyl-O-(4-methoxy)phenyl-thionocarbamate (MMTC)-induced apoptosis based on a proteomic approach. Cell viability tests revealed that SK-MEL-28 skin cancer cells underwent more cell death than normal HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with MMTC. Two-dimensional electrophoresis in conjunction with matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis or computer matching with a protein database further revealed that the MMTC-induced apoptosis is accompanied by increased levels of caspase-1, checkpoint suppressor-1, caspase-4, NF-kB inhibitor, AP-2, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, melanoma inhibitor, granzyme K, G1/S specific cyclin D3, cystein rich protein, Ras-related protein Rab-37 or Ras-related protein Rab-13, and reduced levels of EMS (oncogene), ATP synthase, tyrosine-phosphatase, Cdc25c, 14-3-3 protein or specific structure of nuclear receptor. The migration suppressing effect of MMTC on SK-MEL-28 cell was tested. MMTC suppressed the metastasis of SK-MEL-8 cells. It was also identified that MMTC had little angiogenic effect because it did not suppress the proliferation of HUVEC cell line. These results suggest that MMTC is a novel chemotherapeutic and metastatic agents against the SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell line.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.214-220
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• 2020

Handwashing with soap is an important practice to reduce the transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, but liquid soaps with refillable dispensers are prone to extrinsic bacterial contamination. This study investigated the bacterial contamination of liquid soaps in 58 public restrooms in six buildings. The bacteria were identified by a biochemical test and MALDI-TOF mass spectrophotometry. The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Vitek II system. Of the 58 restrooms examined, 27(46.55%) were using a refill dispenser, of which 25(92.59%) were contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria recovered from the soaps ranged from 1.6×10³ to 2.7×10⁵ CFU/mL. Serratia liquefaciens (12), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (9), S. marcescens (4), Staphylococcus pastueri (1), and Achromobacter spanius (1) were isolated. Except for one A. xylosoxidans, bacteria of the same species isolated in the same building showed a unique resistance pattern. In conclusion, handwashing with contaminated soap may play a role in the transmission of bacteria in public health settings. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the use of refillable liquid soaps in the restrooms of hospitals used by patients with reduced immunity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2016

Objectives Rehmanniae Radix Preparata was prepared in the traditional Rehmanniae Radix Preparata preparation method set forth in the 『Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine(Donguibogam)』 with a view to measuring the contents of 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde(5-HMF) at individual stages of steaming and sundrying and identifying new chemical components.Methods Based on the traditional Rehmanniae Radix Preparata preparation method set forth in the 『Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine』, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata steamed and sundried once through nine times was prepared. Thereafter, 5-HMF contents were analyzed and new chemical components were identified in the Rehmanniae Radix Preparata using Waters HPLC e2695, 2640 detectors, a Waters Acquity UPLC system, and a Micromass Q-TOF Premier mass spectrometer.Results The Rehmanniae Radix Preparata preparation method set forth in the 『Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine』 is a unique preparation method in Republic of Korea different from that in China. In the first stage of the method, fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus was divided into high quality, medium quality, and low quality ones named Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Caelum)(天黃), Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Homo)(人黃), and Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra)(地黃) respectively to use Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Caelum) and Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Homo) for preparation of juice while using Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra) to make Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. In the second stage, Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Caelum) and Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra) were made into juice and Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra) was soaked in the juice. In the third stage, among auxiliary materials, rice wine named Purum Vinum Oryzae(淸酒) brewed from sticky rice was sprinkled on Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra) to the extent that Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (Terra) became wet. In the fourth stage, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata steamed in earthenware steamer was dried under natural sunlight. The contents of 5-HMF in Rehmanniae Radix Preparata steamed and sundried once through nine times were shown to be below 0.1% in all cases. Pomolic acid was identified as a new chemical component.Conclusions In conclusion, the Rehmanniae Radix Preparata preparation method set forth in the 『Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine』 is thought to be a unique preparation method in South Korea in which Rehmanniae Radix Preparata is completed through the first stage in which fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus collected from fields is divided into high, medium, and low quality ones and fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus juice is made, the second stage in which the high quality fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus is soaked in the fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus juice, the third stage in which the fresh Rehmanniae Radix Crudus is steamed, and the fourth stage in which the steamed Rehmanniae Radix Crudus is dried.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.320-328
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• 2014

Biodiesel has very similar physical properties (density, kinematic viscosity) and has even higher cetane number compare with conventional diesel. There are no necessity to change or modify the infra-structure & engine system. It is known that fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is oxygen-contained components increasing the combustibility, biodegradability and reduced the exhaust harmful gas. These things made the biodiesel more popular as an alternative diesel fuel. But biodiesel's sources are controversial issues about $CO_2$ reduction effect at this time because those mainly come from edible plants such as soy, palm, rapeseed already spent lot of $CO_2$ to cultivate. Whereas micro-algae is focused because they are inedible and has rapid growth rates & high carbon-dioxide adsorption rate per area. In this study, we analyze the each FAME components using $GC{\times}GC$-TOFMS in stead of GC-FID and verify the previous total FAME contents method's applicability through the micro algal biodiesel derived from Dunaliella tertiolecta.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2009

A photosynthetic cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, well known for health food supplement, was studied as a target species for atmospheric $CO_2$ removal as well as biomass production. Although the biomass of A. platensis was massively produced in many countries, the recovery cost of its biomass is still high. The purpose of this study was to develop the A. platensis mutant strains which have enhanced growth rate and floatation activity to reduce the recovery cost. A. platensis KCTC AG20590 was treated with 0.24% ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for 20 min at room temperature. The mutant strain A. platensis M20CJK3 was finally selected by its morphological and physiological features. The morphology of the mutant A. platensis M20CJK3 was changed from loose-coiled form to tight-coiled form showing short pitch. The growth and $CO_2$ uptake rate of A. platensis M20CJK3 were improved about 15% and 17% compared with A. platensis KCTC AG20590, respectively. The floatation activity of A. platensis M20CJK3 was enhanced in 2-fold compared with that of A. platensis KCTC AG20590. Soluble proteins extracted from two strains were analyzed by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF MS/MS. Among 15 protein spots induced in 2-DE analysis, two spots were the proteins related to photosynthesis and electron transfer system of the other cyanobacteria. As a consequence, it seems that the tight-coiled mutant A. platensis M20CJK3 has an advantage of high growth rate and floatation activity which are beneficial for the mass cultivation and recovery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.91-91
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• 2013

Imagine a world where we could biomanufacture hybrid nanomaterials having atomic-scale resolution over functionality and architecture. Toward this vision, a fundamental challenge in materials science is how to design and synthesize protein-like material that can be fully self-assembled and exhibit information-specific process. In an ongoing effort to extend the fundamental understanding of protein structure to non-natural systems, we have designed a class of short peptides to fold like proteins and assemble into defined nanostructures. In this talk, I will talk about new strategies to drive the self-assembled structures designing sequence of peptide. I will also discuss about the specific interaction between proteins and inorganics that can be used for the development of new hybrid solar energy devices. Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is one of the promising pathways for solar to energy convertsion and storage system. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been regarded as a major bottleneck in the overall water splitting process due to the slow transfer rate of four electrons and the high activation energy barrier for O-O bond formation. In nature, there is a water oxidation complex (WOC) in photosystem II (PSII) comprised of the earthabundant elements Mn and Ca. The WOC in photosystem II, in the form of a cubical CaMn4O5 cluster, efficiently catalyzes water oxidation under neutral conditions with extremely low overpotential (~160 mV) and a high TOF number. The cluster is stabilized by a surrounding redox-active peptide ligand, and undergo successive changes in oxidation state by PCET (proton-coupled electron transfer) reaction with the peptide ligand. It is fundamental challenge to achieve a level of structural complexity and functionality that rivals that seen in the cubane Mn4CaO5 cluster and surrounding peptide in nature. In this presentation, I will present a new strategy to mimic the natural photosystem. The approach is based on the atomically defined assembly based on the short redox-active peptide sequences. Additionally, I will show a newly identified manganese based compound that is very close to manganese clusters in photosystem II.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.479-485
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• 2021

Background: Vibrio vulnificus has been frequently detected in seawater, fish, and shellfish mainly in the coastal areas of Chungcheongnam-do Province. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the analyzed biochemical properties, genetic characteristics, and distribution of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from environmental sources in coastal areas of Chungcheongnam-do Province from 2019 to 2020. Methods: A total of 1,510 samples were obtained from six different sites in Chungcheongnam-do Province. Isolated strains from the samples were identified by a VITEK 2 system and MALDI-TOF. Antibiotic susceptibility testing for 85 isolates was done by microdilution minimum inhibitory concentration methods, and 11 isolates were analyzed for 16s rRNA sequences in multiple alignments. Results: Among the 1,510 samples taken during the investigation period, 306 strains were isolated and the detection rate of V. vulnificus was 20.3%. One hundred eighty-eight strains (24.6%) from seawater and 118 strains (15.8%) from mud flats were isolated. It was mainly detected in July (17.3%), August (36.5%), and September (28.8%), and the proportion was 82.0%. Based on the CLSI-recommended breakpoints, V. vulnificus isolates were all susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. However, nonsusceptible isolates to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefazolin, cefoxitin, imipenem, tetracycline and chloramphenicol were identified. In the analysis of the nucleotide sequences for 16s rRNA of V. vulnificus isolates, it was confirmed that mutations frequently occurred between nucleotide number 922 and 952, and 98.2% to 100% nucleotide identities between isolates was verified. Conclusions: The results of this study can be used as a basic data for infection control and prevention of Vibrio vulnificus infection by describing the distribution and characteristics of Vibrio vulnificus strains isolated in coastal areas of Chungcheongnam-do Province.