• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• 제49권1호
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2006

EDTA is known to have bacteriocidal effect on Vibrio vulnificus, pathogen of septicemia by osmotic shock in seafoods. Attempts were made to elucidate the bacteriocidal effect of phytic acid (PA) as a substitute for EDTA against V. vulnificus and its inhibition effect on the septicemia, which induces liver damage of the mice by the pathogen. Viable cells of V. vulnificus with the initial titre of $1.7{\times}10^6$ c.f.u. $ml^{-1}$ decreased by 90.6% after 1 min and 99.6% after 5 min in distilled water. The titre decreased by 65.9% and 94.5% in 2 mM solution of $Mg^{2+}$. In 0.1 mM solution of PA, the rate of decrease in titre was 97.4% after 1 min of incubation and 99.8% after 5 min, compared to 95.7% and 99.8% in 0.1 mM solution of EDTA. The bacteriocidal effect of PA solution at a concentration of 1 mM was marked: the rate of decrease in titre was 99.9% after 1 min. In relation to the bacteriocidal effect, PA was evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent for V. vulnificus septicemia in mouse. When the survival periods of mice were investigated by PA and EDTA treatment after the pathogen injection, the group of mice which infected by a low concentration of the strain survived longer than that inoculated at high concentration; also, the ratio of survival was 1.3 times higher in PA than in EDTA, showing that the fatal rate depended on the inoculation concentration. Although survival periods of mice induced with liver damage by carbon tetrachloride and then inoculated with the strain showed a similar trend, the fatal rate of mice was 2 times faster than those inoculated with only pathogen into normal liver, These results indicate that the infection by V. vulnificus was more fatal to those with liver disease. Also, symptoms of hemorrhage and inflammation on the mice with induced liver damage were reduced in case there was phytic acid treatment at each concentration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.486-494
• /
• 2006

In order to protect the spermatozoa against cold shock, hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extenders for domestic animals. The protective action of yolk is largely presumed to be due to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The effects of LDL on sperm quality of bull and northern pike (Esox lucius) after freezing-thawing have been reported, but no study has been made to evaluate the effect of LDL on boar sperm motility and other characteristics. The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of LDL on the freezing of boar sperm in 0.25 ml straws. The aim was to evaluate the quality of boar spermatozoa cryopreserved in the presence of LDL. Motility of semen cryopreserved in LDL was analyzed and compared to semen cryopreserved with Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) and Tris-citric acid-fructose (TCF), two basic freezing extenders containing egg yolk. Similarly, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were also evaluated and compared to semen cryopreserved with TCG and TCF. Analysis of sperm quality after freeze-thaw showed that the motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were improved with LDL in the extender, as compared to the TCG and TCF. The highest post-thaw integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane and motility were obtained with 9% LDL (w/v). Consequently, the optimum LDL concentration in the extender was 9%. It is also suggested that the concentration of LDL addition is important for the effect on boar sperm protection during freezing and thawing. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher after freezing in 9% LDL than in TCG and TCF 54.4% versus 30.4% and 30.1% (p<0.05), respectively. The integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane were also significantly higher at 70.3% and 50.5% respectively with semen frozen in 9% LDL extender compared to TCG at 37.8% and 30.3% and TCF at 36.4% and 29.9%, respectively (p<0.05),. In conclusion, we propose that extender containing LDL extracted from hen egg yolk could be used as a cryoprotective media with a better efficiency than TCG and TCF. LDL improved boar semen quality, allowing better spermatozoa motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity after the freeze-thaw process. Furthermore, we found out that the extender with 9% LDL concentration significantly enhanced motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of boar sperm after freezing and thawing.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.57-72
• /
• 1998

This study has been carried out to investigate the effects of Ukgansan(UGS) extract on anti-convulsive, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative and GABAergic system of experimental animals. The results of this study were as follows : 1. UGS extract prolonged significantly the beginning time to convulsion and death induced by strychnine. 2. UGS extract prolonged significantly the time to death induced by electrical shock of ECT unit.(3 sec, 200 F, 25 mA) 3. On the experiment of hypothermic effects of UGS extract on the rectal temperature of mouse, UGS extract decreased significantly the rectal temperature of mouse 4. On the experiment of antipyretic effects of UGS extract on the febrile induced by the subcutaneous injection of $150\;{\mu}g/kg$ endotoxin in mouse, UGS extract decreased significantly the rectal temperature of mouse. 5. On the experiment of analgesic effects of UGS extract on the writhing syndrome induced by intraperitoneal injection 0.7% acetic acid 1 ml/100g in mouse, the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid was reduced significantly by administration of UGS extract. 6. On the experiment of effects of UGS extract on spontaneous motor activity measured by wheel cage method in mice, the spontaneous motor activity was reduced significantly by administration of UGS extract. 7. On the experiment of effects of UGS extract on the activity of GABA-transaminase(GABA-T) in mouse brains after 21 days of oral administration of UGS extract. the activity of GABA-T was reduced significantly by administration of UGS extract. 8. On the experiment of effects of UGS extract on the activity concentration of GABA in mouse brain after 21 days of oral administration of UGS extract, the activity concentration of GABA was reduced significantly by administration of UGS extract. 9 On the experiment of effect of UGS water extract on the activity of GAD in mouse brain after 21 days of oral administration of UGS extract, the activity of GAD was reduced significantly by administration of UGS extract. According to the these results, Ukgansan extracts reveal the effects on the anti-convulsive, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative and GABAergic system.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• 제2권3호
• /
• pp.127-139
• /
• 2004

Laccases are multicopper-containing enzymes which catalyze the oxidation of phenolic and nonphenolic compounds with the concomitant reduction of molecular oxygen. They often occur as isoenzymes, either constitutive or inducible, that oligomerize to multilateral complexes, what allow for penetration to the woody cell wall structure. White rot basidiomycete fungi may produce a number of laccase isoenzymes, some constitutively and others after induction. Fungal laccase is commonly induced by many ions, such as $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ $Ca^{2+}$, $Li^+$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Ag^+$, $Hg^{2+}$, Mn and $Fe^{3+}$, phenolic compounds, some organic compounds, such as ethanol, isopropanol, cAMP, caffeine, p-anisidine, viscosinamide and paraquat, and nitrogens and even heat shock. A combination of Cu and pHB (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) made it possible to extend the inducible laccase activities over 30-fold. But the most effective inducer of laccase in the basidiomycete and other higher fungi is 2,5-xylidine, over 160-fold stimulation of laccase activity. The laccases are frequently encoded by gene families, as e.g. in Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, from which the lcc3-1 or the allelic form lac1 and lac3-2 have been cloned and sequenced. In the case of inducible forms the post-inductional laccase formation depends upon the synthesis of mRNA and the induction is due to the synthesis of a new protein.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• 제28권6호
• /
• pp.1089-1094
• /
• 1996

The in vivo effect of tyrosinase inhibitors in the melanogenesis of gold fish (jet black color) was evaluated by measuring surface color and observing melanin pigment. The fish was firstly cultivated in 0.9% NaCl solution for 1 week to induce melanogenesis, and then, it was transferred to each treatment group containing tyrosinase inhibitor. The fish was grouped into control. food additive group (addition of 5 mM glutathione, 5 mM cysteine, and 1 mM benzoic acid), microbial inhibitor group (addition of culture broth of Aspergillus oryzae in shiitake and glucose medium), and plant extract group (addition of the mixed extracts of green tea, beet, red chicory, and nameko). After 6 days, the fish was anesthetized by electric shock, and color of pectoral region, lateral region, and dorsal fin was measured. Hunter's L and b values of treated group were generally higher than those of control group, indicating that the tyrosinase inhibitors could inhibit the melanogenesis of the fish. Effect of plant extract was apparent, though relatively weak, not because it did not work in vivo, but because a sufficient amount of extract could not be added to fish globes. If a large amount of extract was added, fish gradually died due to a microbial contamination. Microscopic observation of melanin in lateral scale and dorsal fin showed that in the treated groups with tyrosinase inhibitors, the number of melanophore per unit area and the size of one melanophore decreased.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.65-82
• /
• 1997

This study has been carried out to investigate the effects of Cheonmagudeungyeum(CGY) extract on anti-convulsive, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative and GABAergic system of experimental animals. The results of this study were as follows : 1. CGY extract prolonged significantly the beginning time to convulsion and death induced by strychnine. 2. CGY extract prolonged significantly the time to death induced by electrical shock of ECT unit(3 sec, 200 F, 25 mA) 3. On the experiment of hypothermic effects of CGY extract on the rectal temperature of mice, CGY extract decreased the rectal temperature of mice. 4. On the experiment of antipyretic effects of CGY extract on the febrile induced by the subcutaneous injection of $150\;{\mu}g/kg$ endotoxin in mice, CGY extract decreased significantly the rectal temperature of mice. 5. On the experiment of analgesic effects of CGY extract on the writhing syndrome induced by intraperitoneal injection 0.7% acetic acid 1 ml/100g in mice, the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid was reduced significantly by administration of CGY extract. 6. On the experiment of effects of CGY extract on spontaneous motor activity measured by wheel cage method in mice, the spontaneous motor activity was reduced significantly by administration of CGY extract 7. On the experiment of effects of CGY extract on the activity of GABA - transaminase (GABA-T) in mouse brains after 21 days of oral administration of CGY extract, the activity of GABA-T was reduced significantly by administration of CGY extract. 8. On the experiment of effects of CGY extract on the activity concentration of GABA in mouse brain after 21 days of oral administration of CGY extract, the activity concentration of GABA was reduced significantly by administration of CGY extract. 9. On the experiment of effect of CGY water extract on the activity of GAD in mouse brain after 21 days of oral administration of CGY extract, the activity of GAD was reduced significantly by administration of CGY extract. According to the these results, Cheonmagudeungyeum extracts reveal the effects on the anti-convulsive, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative and GABAergic system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제63권5호
• /
• pp.1126-1141
• /
• 2021

Recent evidence has shown that methionine (Met) supplementation can improve milk protein synthesis under hyperthermia (which reduces milk production). To explore the mechanism by which milk protein synthesis is affected by Met supplementation under hyperthermia, mammary alveolar (MAC-T) cells were incubated at a hyperthermic temperature of 42℃ for 6 h in media with different concentrations of Met. While the control group (CON) contained a normal amino acid concentration profile (60 ㎍/mL of Met), the three treatment groups were supplemented with Met at concentrations of 10 ㎍/mL (MET70, 70 ㎍/mL of Met), 20 ㎍/mL (MET80, 80 ㎍/mL of Met), and 30 ㎍/mL (MET90,90 ㎍/mL of Met). Our results show that additional Met supplementation increases the mRNA and protein levels of BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma-2, an anti-apoptosis agent), and decreases the mRNA and protein levels of BAX (Bcl-2-associated X protein, a pro-apoptosis agent), especially at an additional supplementary concentration of 20 ㎍/mL (group Met80). Supplementation with higher concentrations of Met decreased the mRNA levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and increased protein levels of heat shock protein (HSP70). The total protein levels of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the mTOR signalling pathway-related proteins, AKT, ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1), and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6), increased with increasing Met supplementation, and peaked at 80 ㎍/mL Met (group Met80). In addition, we also found that additional Met supplementation upregulated the gene expression of αS1-casein (CSN1S1), β-casein (CSN2), and the amino acid transporter genes SLC38A2, SLC38A3 which are known to be mTOR targets. Additional Met supplementation, however, had no effect on the gene expression of κ-casein (CSN3) and solute carrier family 34 member 2 (SLC34A2). Our results suggest that additional Met supplementation with 20 ㎍/mL may promote the synthesis of milk proteins in bovine mammary epithelial cells under hyperthermia by inhibiting apoptosis, activating the AKT-mTOR-RPS6KB1 signalling pathway, and regulating the entry of amino acids into these cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제44권5호
• /
• pp.1072-1082
• /
• 1997

Background : To characterize the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia. This study is the first of its kind in Korea. Methods : Recruited were 40 patients diagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia in Hallym University Hospital from January 1, 1989 through July 31, 1996. Patients were analysed retrospectively for age, sex, underlying disease, respiration rate, hypoxemia, requirement of mechanical ventilation, involvement on chest radiograph, shock, and the serum concentration of BUN and albumin. All parameters were compared between survived and dead group. Results : Male to female ratio was 2.07 : 1. The mean age was $63.1{\pm}17.5$years(range 25~90years) with 65% of patients aged equal to or more than 60. The major underlying diseases were old pulmonary tuberculosis(12.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(7.5%), bronchial asthma(5%), bronchiectasis(2.5%), and diabetes mellitus(22.5%). Microbiologic diagnosis was made in 26 out of 40 patients(65%). The most common causative organism was S. pneumoniae(17.5%, 7/40) followed by S. aureus(15.0%, 6/40), K. Pneumoniae(12.5%, 5/40), M. tuberculosis(7.5%, 3/40), H. influenzae(2.5%, 1/40), coagulase negative staphylococcus(2.5%, 1/40), P. aeruginosa(2.5%. 1/40), E. cloaceae(2.5%, 1/40), and E. coli(2.5%, 1/40). M. pneumoniae was detected in no patient. The most frequent drugs administered in single or combination therapy were aminoglycosides(75%, 30/40), second- and third-generation cephalosporin(40%, 16/40 and 27.5%, 11/40), macrolides(27.5%, 11/40), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid(22.5%, 9/40). Of the 40 patients, 14 died of severe community-acquired pneumonia(37.5%). Among them, seven patients (50%) expired within 72h of hospital arrival. According to multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with requirement of mechanical ventilation, bilateral pulmonary involvement, and serum albumins$\leq$3.0g/dl. Conclusion : An understanding of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia identified in this study will optimize therapeutic approach in this disease and help decreasing its notorious mortality rate.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• 제6권4호
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 1986

Conversion of anaerobic mesophilic digestion to thermophilic range has been investigated using a synthetic sludge. When temperature was raised at a rate of 2, 1, and $0.5^{\circ}C$ per day with continuous feeding, a lower reaction rate was observed with a high rate of temperature change. Although methane fermentation ceased completely for an digesters at thermophilic temperature, acid fermentation continued. Methane fermentation was never achieved even with neutralization during 6 months of resting. The methane formers were completely inactivated by the temperature shock and accumulation of volatile acids due to continuous feeding, while the acid formers lost biological activity quickly, but gradually acclimated to a high temperature. When temperature was raised without feeding, successful thermophilic digestion was achieved with 1 day of resting at thermophilic temperature at a rate of $1^{\circ}C$ per day, and also achieved with 20 days of resting at a direct increase. Conversion to a thermophilic range is easily achieved with resting. A short period of resting is required at a low rate of temperature increase, while a long period of resting enough to balance methane formers with acid fermers makes a conversion possile when temperature is raised at a high rate. Soured thermophilic digesters were recovered after seeding of mesophilic sludges, and sludge seeding could be a good method of start-up, conversion, or recovery of a thermophilic digester. Significant amount of thermophiles seemed to be present in the mesophilic digesters.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제39권3호
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2006

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although many studies showed that the aggregation of $\alpha$-synuclein might be involved in the pathogenesis of PD, its protective properties against oxidative stress remain to be elucidated. In this study, human wild type and mutant $\alpha$-synuclein genes were fused with a gene fragment encoding the nine amino acid trans activator of transcription (Tat) protein transduction domain of HIV-l in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein (wild type) and mutant Tat-a-synucleins (mutants; A30P and A53T), respectively, and we investigated the protective effects of wild type and mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins in vitro and in vivo. WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein rapidly transduced into an astrocyte cells and protected the cells against paraquat induced cell death. However, mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins did not protect at all. In the mice models exposed to the herbicide paraquat, the WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein completely protected against dopaminergic neuronal cell death, whereas mutants failed in protecting against oxidative stress. We found that these protective effects were characterized by increasing the expression level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the neuronal cells and this expression level was dependent on the concentration of transduced WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein. These results suggest that transduced Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein might protect cell death from oxidative stress by increasing the expression level of HSP70 in vitro and in vivo and this may be of potential therapeutic benefit in the pathogenesis of PD.