• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 1989

In order to study spatial variability of soil chemical properties across the land-partitioned boundary on Hwadong silt clay loam soil (Fine clayey, mixed, mesic family of Aquic Hapludalfs) in the experimental fie ld of the wheat and Barley Research Institute in Suwon, all measured data were analyzed by means of kriging, fractile diagram, smooth frequency distribution, and autocorrelation. Sampling for soil chemical property analysis was made at 225 intersections of 15x 15 grid with 10m interval from three soil depths (0-10cm, 25-35cm, 50-60cm) in the seven patitioned fields. 1. The coefficient of variance (CV) of various chemical properties varied from 5.4 to 72.7%. Soil pH was classified into the low variation group with CV smaller than 10%, while the other chemical properties belonged to the medium variation group with C.V. between 10 and 100% 2. The approximate number of soil samples for the determination of various chemical properties with error smaller than 10% were two for pH, ten for CEC, 15 for exchangeable Ca, 32 for total nitrogen content, 39 for exchangeable Mg, 40 for exchangeable K, 61 for exchangeable Na, 82 for organic matter content, 212 for available phosphate,. 3. Smooth frequency distribution and fractile diagram showed that available phosphate was in log-normal distribution while others were in normal distribution. 4. Serial correlation analysis revaled that the soil chemical properties had spatial dependence between two nearest neighbouring grid points. Autocorrelation analysis of chemcial properties measured between the serial grid points in the direction of south to north following land-partitioned boundary showed that the zone of influence showing stationarity ranged from 20 to 50m. In the direction of east to west accross land-partitioned boundary, the autocorrelogram of many chemical properies showed peaks with the periodic interval of 30m, which were similar to the partitioned land width. This reveals that the land-partitioned boundary causes soil variability.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1173-1178
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to isolate an agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterize its agarase. Bacterium BK-1, from Gwanganri Beach at Busan, Korea, was isolated on Marine 2216 agar medium and identified as Agarivorans sp. BK-1 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The extracellular agarase, characterized after dialysis of culture broth, showed maximum activity at pH 6.0 and $50^{\circ}C$ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. Relative activities at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and $70^{\circ}C$ were 67, 93, 97, 100, 58, and 52%, respectively. Relative activities at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8 were 59, 100, 95, and 91%, respectively. More than 90% of the activity remained after a 2 hr exposure to 20, 30, or $40^{\circ}C$; about 60% of the activity remained after a 2 hr exposure to $50^{\circ}C$. Almost all activity was lost after exposure to 60 or $70^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Zymography revealed three agarases with molecular weights of 110, 90, and 55 kDa. Agarose was degraded to neoagarobiose (46.8%), neoagarotetraose (39.7%), and neoagarohexaose (13.5%), confirming the agarase of Agarivorans sp. BK-1 as a ${\beta}$-agarase. The neoagarooligosaccharides generated by this agarase could be used for moisturizing, bacterial growth inhibition, skin whitening, food treatments, cosmetics, and delaying starch degradation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2023

Fresh bakery products are widely consumed worldwide and therefore particular requirements for their quality characteristics have been established. The shelf life of bakery products is mainly subjected to microbial spoilage and staling. This study investigated the optimum conditions of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) application to extend the shelf life of the bakery products. The gas conditions of the headspace in 'Baumkuchen' cake were 0, 30, 70, and 100% CO₂ concentrations and stored at 30℃ for 5 days. The bakery samples were evaluated weight loss, hardness, color change, pH and total aerobic bacteria, yeast and molds count throughout the storage period. Values of the weight loss and hardness were increased over the storage period, meanwhile pH was significantly decreased. However, no significant color changes were observed during storage. It was also found no significant difference between the different gas treatments. Total aerobic bacteria count of the stored samples after day 5 was increased by 6.94 log CFU/g in the air filled package, compared to 6.20 log CFU/g in the 100% CO₂ filled package and 6.02 log CFU/g in the 70% CO₂ filled package. Yeast and molds count were 3.65 log CFU/g in air filled package, 2.66 log CFU/g in 100% CO₂ filled package, 2.64 log CFU/g in 70% CO₂ filled package, 2.86 log CFU/g in 30% CO₂ filled package and 3.31 log CFU/g in 100% N₂ filled package on day 2. In conclusion, it was shown that 70% and 100% CO₂ treatments in the package were effective to reduce microbial growth.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2023

This report looks at an agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterization of its agarase. Agar-degrading marine bacterium JS-1 was isolated with Marine agar 2216 media from seawater from the seashore of Sojuk-do, Changwon in Gyeongnam Province, Korea. The agar-degrading bacterium was named as Agarivorans sp. JS-1 by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The extracellular agarase was prepared from the culture media of Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and used for characterization. Relative activities at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, and 60℃ were 70%, 74%, 78%, 83%, 87%, 100%, 74%, and 66%, respectively. Relative activities at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8 were 91%, 100%, 90%, and 89%, respectively. Its extracellular agarase showed maximum activity (207 units/l) at pH 6.0 and 50℃ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. The residual activity after heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, and 50℃ for 30 minutes was 90%, 70%, and 50% or more, respectively. After a 2-hour heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, and 45℃, the residual activity was 80%, 68%, 65%, 63%, and 57%, respectively. At 50℃ and above, after heat treatment for 30 minutes, the residual activity was below 60%. Thin layer chromatography analysis suggested that Agarivorans sp. JS-1 produces extracellular β-agarases as they hydrolyze agarose to produce neoagarooligosaccharides such as neoagarohexaose (20.6%), neoagarotetraose (58.5%), and neoagarobiose (20.9%). Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and its thermotolerant β-agarase would be useful in the production of neoagarooligosaccharides, showing functional activity such as inhibition of bacterial growth and delay of starch degradation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1236-1243
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to screen lactic acid bacteria for the fermentation of garlic and to assess the increase in inhibitory activity of garlic fermented against antibiotic-resistant pathogens for use as an animal feed supplement. We screened 45 strains of lactobacillus for the fermentation of garlic. Of these strains, 23 showed similar growth rates with or without allicin. Cultures of the 23 strains were mixed with an equivalent amount of garlic juice and incubated overnight at $37^{\circ}C$. The three strains with the lowest pH values were Lactobacillus paracasei KCTC 3169, L5 strain, and L. reuteri SW. Garlic juice fermented by the L5 strain more strongly inhibited antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria than L. paracasei KCTC 3169, L. reuteri SW, or garlic juice itself. By examining carbohydrate utilization, morphologic properties and 16S rRNA gene sequences, we identified the L5 strain as Pediococcus pentosaceus and deposited it in the name of P. pentosaceus KACC 91419 into the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection. To identify the antimicrobial compound from the garlic filtrate fermented by P. pentosaceus KACC 91419, we fractionated P. pentosaceus KACC 91419 culture on a C18 column and checked the antimicrobial activity of fractions A6 to A10. Only fraction A9 showed inhibitory activity on Staphylococcus aureus. Comparing the mass spectra of the fractions with and without antimicrobial activity, we observed a single dominant product ion (m/z 157.99) from the fraction showing antimicrobial activity. Its molecular mass (157.99) was 2 atomic mass units less than that of allicin (162.02). This suggests that allicin might be converted to its derivative, which has antimicrobial activity, during fermentation by P. pentosaceus KACC 91419.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.665-670
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of endurance exercises on blood pressure, angiogenesis, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the skeletal muscle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Five week old SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were randomly divided into 3 groups: Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n=9), SHR control (SHR-C, n=9), and SHR endurance exercise training (SHR-E, n=9). Endurance exercise training was performed on a treadmill (12-20 m/min, 0% grade, 60 min/day, 5 days/week, 16 weeks). Systolic blood pressure was monitored with the tail-cuff method. The expression of VEGF protein and capillary density were identified using western blotting and H&E staining in the soleus muscle, respectively. Systolic blood pressure was reduced by endurance exercise in SHR ($p$ <0.05). The capillary density of skeletal muscles in SHR-C was lower than in WKY ($p$ <0.05), but it was recovered by endurance exercise training (SHR-E) compared to SHR-C ($p$ <0.05), and VEGF protein was also increased by endurance exercise training compared to SHR-C ($p$ <0.05). These data suggest that the enhancement of capillary density via an increase of VEGF expression in skeletal muscles by endurance exercise training could be an important factor to inhibit blood pressure elevation in SHR.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2011

Atherosclerosis and post-angiography restenosis are associated with intimal thickening and concomitant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Obovatol, a major biphenolic component isolated from the Magnolia obovata leaf, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. The goal of the present study was to enhance the inhibitory effects of obovatol to improve its potential as a preventive or therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) was examined in the presence or absence of a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, OD78. The observed anti-proliferative effect of OD78 was further investigated by cell counting and [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assays. Treatment with 1-4 ${\mu}M$ OD78 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMCs. Accordingly, OD78 blocked PDGF-BB-induced progression from the $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. OD78 decreased the expression levels of CDK4, cyclin E, and cyclin D1 proteins, as well as the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen; however, it did not change the CDK2 expression level. In addition, OD78 inhibited downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) $p27^{kip1}$. However, OD78 did not affect the CKI $p21^{cip1}$ or phosphorylation of early PDGF signaling pathway. These results suggest that OD78 may inhibit PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression, potentially through $p27^{kip1}$ pathway activation. Consequently, OD78 may be developed as a potential anti-proliferative agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and angioplasty restenosis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.555-564
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of zeolite on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fecal ammonia gas release in the finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred finishing pigs (50.2$\pm$1.4kg, Landrace$\time$Yorkshire$\time$Duroc) were assigned to 4 treatments and randomly divided into 12 groups. They were divided between early finishing period (50~80kg) and late finishing period (80-120kg). Finishing pigs were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2 and 4% levels of zeolite. Average daily gain and feed conversion were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite compared with other treatments during overall period. In the finishing periods, ammonia gas emission was reduced (P<0.05) in 4% zeolite treatment more than that of the other treatments. Carcass weight and back fat thicknesses were not affected by zeolite treatments. But, the appearance of A grade pork was increased by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite. Feed cost was linearly decreased by increasing the supplementation of zeolite. According to this study, 4% supplement of zeolite is suitable for the improvement of carcass quality and feed conversion, the reduction of fecal ammonia gas emission and feed cost per body weight gain.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.380-395
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• 2022

This study investigated the utilization of detoxified Rhus verniciflua (RV) extract as a natural antioxidant to extend the shelf life of chicken breast meat during storage. Pre-heating at (35℃, 100℃, 120℃, and 140℃) was conducted on heartwood of RV prior to extraction to improve its antioxidant activity and remove the allergenic compound urushiol. The antioxidant activity was the highest when RV pre-heated at 120℃ with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity observed at 62.29 EC₅₀ ㎍/mL and 12.11 IC₅₀ mg/mL, respectively. Pre-heating also significantly increased the total phenolic content (TPC), with the highest improvement was seen at 120℃, 100℃, and 140℃ respectively, wherein 35℃ shared no difference with the raw RV (RRV). Urushiol content was vanished following pre-heating at 120℃ and 140℃. With respect to these result, pre-heating treatment at 120℃ was applied before the extraction of the heartwood of RV. Prepared breast meat sample was dipped into distilled water as a negative control, 0.02% butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as positive control, and a solution containing detoxified RV extract (0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00%) at 4℃ for 60 min. Treatment group with 0.50% and 1.00% addition increased the redness and yellowness value on day 6 and day 3 of storage respectively (p < 0.05). The pH value of breast meat was also increased in treatment of 0.50% and 1.00% on day 0, but subsequently lower until end of storge day compared to control negative (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.50% treatment exhibited a higher antioxidant activity, stronger inhibition of the microbial growth evaluated by total viable count and maintaining a lower total volatile basic nitrogen among treatments (p < 0.05), unless for BHT and 1.00% treatment groups (p > 0.05). It indicates a similar efficacy of detoxified RV extract with that of positive control treated with BHT. The results of this study suggested that dipping chicken breast meat into a solution containing 0.50% of previously pre-heated RV heartwood at 120℃ could be a promising natural antioxidant for extending the shelf life, and at the same time improve its quality during storage.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-65
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the origins of myofibroblasts in renal interstitial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviating EMT has been proved, but the concrete mechanism is unclear. To explore the mechanism, serum-free MSCs conditioned medium (SF-MSCs-CM) was used to treat rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which ameliorated EMT. Methods and Results: Galectin-3 knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) lentiviral vectors were established and transfected into NRK-52E. NRK-52E fibrosis model was induced by TGF-β1 and treated with the SF-MSCs-CM for 24 h after modelling. Fibrosis and autophagy related indexes were detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. In model group, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), Galectin-3, Snail, Kim-1, and the ratios of P-Akt/Akt, P-GSK3β/GSK3β, P-PI3K/PI3K, P-mTOR/mTOR, TIMP1/MMP9, and LC3B-II/I were obviously increased, and E-Cadherin (E-cad) and P62 decreased significantly compared with control group. SF-MSCs-CM showed an opposite trend after treatment compared with model group. Whether in Gal-3 KD or Gal-3 OE NRK-52E cells, SF-MSCs-CM also showed similar trends. However, the effects of anti-fibrosis and enhanced autophagy in Gal-3 KD cells were more obvious than those in Gal-3 OE cells. Conclusions: SF-MSCs-CM probably alleviated the EMT via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Meanwhile, Gal-3 KD possibly enhanced autophagy via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which synergistically ameliorated renal fibrosis. Targeting galectin-3 may be a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.