• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.1180-1188
• /
• 2017

Neuronatin (NNAT) is known to regulate ion channels during brain development and plays a role in maintaining the structure of the nervous system. A previous in silico analysis showed that Nnat was overexpressed in the adipose tissue of an obese rodent model relative to the wild type. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the function of Nnat in the adipose tissue. Because obesity is known to systemically induce low-grade inflammation, the Nnat expression level was examined in the adipose tissue obtained from C57BL/6 mice administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Unexpectedly, the Nnat expression level decreased in the white adipose tissue after LPS administration. To determine the role of NNAT in inflammation, 3T3-L1 cells overexpressing Nnat were treated with LPS. The level of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and the activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase decreased following LPS treatment. These results indicate that NNAT plays an anti-inflammatory role in the adipose tissue.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.179-196
• /
• 1985

By using temperatures as a key variable, a simulation model was constructed to predict the size and developmental speed for the German cockroach population. The following three research steps were conducted to implement the individual simulation technique to represent the basic life system of the cockroach. First, informations on developmental periods and survival rates in each life stage were obtained through rearing experiments at five different temperatures. Secondly, biological parameters needed for modeling were obtained based on these rearing results. The logistic equation was applied to calculating the developmental speed, while the averages of survival rates were utilized as parameters determining population size. And thirdly, a basic life model was constratued in a stimulative framework in FORTRAN for predicting the populating development on the individual basis. For this purpose the biological characteristics, such as life stage, age in days, developmental speed, fecundity, etc., were assigned as an inherent attribute of the transactiion so that they could accompany each individual automatically all through the simulation. This gave the model flexibility and applicability in representing the isnect life system. The save memory space in computer programing, two files were utilized in translocating the individual informations each other as time proceeded. The developed model could be effectively used as a strategic tool in interpreting and managing the cockroach population. It was also suggested in this study that the individual simulation could efficiently serve as a basis to formulate a fundamental framework on which the advanced and complex life process could be built.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.96-104
• /
• 2013

The objectives of this study were to analyze chemical the water quality related to the fish community and to evaluate the ecosystem health based on the faunal composition and guild structure in 2007 in Baekma River. Mean concentrations of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 2.8 and $4.0mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively and total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were $5.0mg\;L^{-1}$ and $158{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, which is indicating that the river is in an eutrophic state. Especially, organic pollution and eutrophication occurred in the downstream reach of Baekma River. A total of 19 fish species were collected during the study and the most dominant species was Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis accounted 48% of the total abundances. The proportion of sensitive species was low (2.3%), compared with that of tolerant species (71.8%). These results suggest that tolerant species and the biotic quality of the fish community was severely degraded. According to the multi-metric model, the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), the mean model value of the fish community in Baekma River was estimated as 14.8 indicating a "poor" condition. The minimum values of the IBI were observed in the downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions of nutrients (N, P) and organic matters.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 2004

An unstructured mathematical model for lactic acid fermentation was developed. This model was able to predict the inhibition effects of lactic acid and glucose and was con-firmed to be valid with various initial concentrations of lactic acid and glucose. Simulation of energy production was made using this mathematical model, and the relationship between the kinetics of energy metabolism and lactic acid production was also analyzed.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.43 no.10
• /
• pp.880-888
• /
• 2020

Inherited peripheral neuropathy is a heterogeneous group of peripheral neurodegenerative disorders including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Many peripheral neuropathies often accompany impaired axonal construction and function. To study the molecular and cellular basis of axon-defective peripheral neuropathy, we explore the possibility of using Caenorhabditis elegans, a powerful nematode model equipped with a variety of genetics and imaging tools. In search of potential candidates of C. elegans peripheral neuropathy models, we monitored the movement and the body posture patterns of 26 C. elegans strains with disruption of genes associated with various peripheral neuropathies and compiled a database of their phenotypes. Our assay showed that movement features of the worms with mutations in HSPB1, MFN2, DYNC1H1, and KIF1B human homologues are significantly different from the control strain, suggesting they are viable candidates for C. elegans peripheral neuropathy models.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.6 no.5
• /
• pp.352-358
• /
• 2001

Because algal cells are so efficient at absorbing incoming light energy, providing more light energy to photobioreactors would simply decrease energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the algal biomass productivity in photobioreactor is always proportional to the total photosynthetic rate. In order to optimize the productivity of algal photobioreactors (PBRs), the oxygen production rate should be estimated. Based on a simple model of light penetration depth and algal photosynthesis, the oxygen production rate in high-density microalgal cultures could be calculated. The estimated values and profiles of oxygen production rate by this model were found to be in accordance with the experimental data. Optimal parameters for PBR operations were also calculated using the model.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 2008

While in some instances, loss of diversity results from acute toxicity (e.g. major pollution incidents), in most cases it results from long-term sub-lethal effects that alter the relative competitive ability and fitness of certain organisms. In such cases the sub-lethal effects will cause a physiological response in the organism that ultimately leads to community level changes. Very sensitive tools are now available to study sub-lethal responses at the molecular level. However, relating such laboratory measurements to ecological effects represents a substantial challenge that can only be met by investigation at all scales (molecular, individual organism and community level) with an appropriate group of organisms. Among the various in vertebrates which can be used as model organisms in such a way, the soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans appear to be a promising biological model to diagnose environmental quality. This paper reviews the current status of multilevel biomarkers in environmental toxicology, and C. elegans as promising organisms for this approach.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.291-297
• /
• 2011

Aging is one of the most complicated biological processes in all species. A number of different model organisms from yeast to monkeys have been studied to understand the aging process. Until recently, many different age-related genes and age-regulating cellular pathways, such as insulin/IGF-1-like signal, mitochondrial dysfunction, Sir2 pathway, have been identified through classical genetic studies. Parallel to genetic approaches, genome-wide approaches have provided valuable insights for the understanding of molecular mechanisms occurring during aging. Gene expression profiling analysis can measure the transcriptional alteration of multiple genes in a genome simultaneously and is widely used to elucidate the mechanisms of complex biological pathways. Here, current global gene expression profiling studies on normal aging and age-related genetic/environmental interventions in widely-used model organisms are briefly reviewed.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.85-95
• /
• 2014

Fish stocking is important element of land-based aquaculture management. To maintain constant stocking rate considering biological and economic condition is a convenient strategy in intensive aquaculture. This study is aimed to analyze the effect of over-stocking(more than aquaculture capacity) for certain periods of time. This study make the mathematical decision making model that finds the value of decision variable to minimize cost that sums up the water pool usage cost and sorting cost under critical standing corp constraint. The proposed mathematical decision making model was applied to 12 sample combination of sorting cost and the number of fish on the Oliver flounder culture farms. If a immature fish can be sold for high price than farming cost, restricted over-stocking resulted in a improvement of economic performance. When extensive comparable biological and market data become available, analysis model can be widely applied to yield more accurate results.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.644-648
• /
• 2000

Biological fixation of carbon dioxide using microalgae is known as an effective CO$_2$reduction technology. However, many environmental factors influence microalgal productivity. Optimal cultivation factors were determined for the green alga, Euglena gracilis Z, which offers high protein and vitamin E content for animal fodder. In batch culture in a photovioreactor, it was found that theinitial pH, temperature, CO$_2$concentration in air, and light intensity during the optimal cultivating conditions were 3.5, 27$^{\circ}C$, 5-10% and 520 ${\mu}$mol/㎡/s, respectively. When tap water and freshwater were used as cultivating media unsterilized tap water was found to be effective. A kinetic model was considered to determine the relationship between the specific growth rate and the light intensity. The half-velocity coefficient (K(sub)I) in the Monod model under photoautotrophic conditions was 978.9 ${\mu}$mol/㎡/s.