• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for bronchial asthma as it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. We developed an in vitro test system measuring transcriptional downregulatory activities on IL-13 as a primary screening method to select drug candidates from natural products. The promoter region of IL-13 (-2,048 to +1) was cloned into the upstream of a luciferase gene in the plasmid pGL4.14 containing the hygromycin resistance gene as a selection marker, generating pGL4.14-IL-13. The EL-4 thymoma and RBL-2H3 mast cells transiently expressing this plasmid highly produced the luciferase activities by responding to PI (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation up to 8-fold and 13-fold compared with the control, respectively, whereas cyclosporin A, a well-known antiasthmatic agent, significantly downregulated the activities. The BF1 clone of RBL-2H3 cells constitutively expressing pGL4.14-IL-13 was established by selecting surviving cells under a constant lethal dose of hygromycin treatment. The feasibility of this system was evaluated by measuring the downregulatory activities of 354 natural products on the IL-13 promoter using the BF1 clone. An extract from Morus bombycis (named TBRC 156) significantly inhibited PI-induced luciferase activities and IL-13 mRNA expression, but not the protein expression. Fisetin (named TBRC 353) inhibited not only PI-induced luciferase activities and mRNA expression, but also the IL-13 protein secretion, whereas myricetin (named TBRC 354) could not suppress the IL-13 expression at all. Our data indicated that this in vitro test system is able to discriminate the effects on IL-13 expression, and furthermore, that it might be suitable as a simple and time-saving primary screening system to select antiasthmatic agents by measuring transcriptional activities of the IL-13 promoter.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.103-120
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare science teachers' perceptions with students' perceptions about the important aims of laboratory activities in science instructions, to identify whether there was a difference between them. For the purpose, the two questionnaires were designed; for secondary science teacher and secondary student. The samples selected in each group were 108 middle school teachers, 109 middle school students, 104 high school teachers, and 110 high school students. The survey responses from each group were analyzed through multiple response method. The results indicated that science teachers selected the science process skills as important aim of laboratory activity whereas students selected the ability for creative problem-solving and the central tendency of teachers' responses about certain item-science process skill was relatively higher than students' responses about certain item-the ability for creative problem-solving. From these results, we found there was the difference between teachers' perception and students perception about the important aims of laboratory activities in science instructions.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.255-255
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• 2002

For rapid and sensitive measurement of antiviral activities, application of a recombinant virus containing firefly luciferase gene was attempted. Recombinant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) containing luciferase gene driven by HCMV late gene pp28 promoter (HCMV/pp28-luc) was used to test the antiviral activities of three known compounds and the result was compared with results from the conventional plaque assay for measuring the production of infectious viruses. When human fibroblast cells were infected with HCMV/pp28-luc, luciferase activity was observed at 2 days after infection and reached maximum at 6 days after infection, whereas the production of infectious virus was maximal at 4 days after infection. The antiviral activities of ganciclovir, acyclovir, and papaverine were measured in HFF cells infected with HCMV/PP28-luc and the luciferase activity was compared with the infectious virus titers. Luciferase activity decreased as the concentration of ganciclovir or papaverine increased, while there was a slight decrease in luciferase activity with acyclovir. The level of the decrease in Luciferase activity was comparable to the level of decrease in the production of infectious virus. Therefore, the antiviral assay using recombinant virus HCMV/pp28-luc resulted in sensitivity similar to the conventional plaque assay with a significant reduction in assay time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.462-469
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• 2012

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed from genomic DNA isolated from the microbial community residing in hindguts of a wood-feeding higher termite (Microcerotermes sp.) collected in Thailand. The library was screened for clones expressing lignocellulolytic activities. Fourteen independent active clones (2 cellulases and 12 xylanases) were obtained by functional screening at pH 10.0. Analysis of shotgun-cloning and pyrosequencing data revealed six ORFs, which shared less than 59% identity and 73% similarity of their amino acid sequences with known cellulases and xylanases. Conserved domain analysis of these ORFs revealed a cellulase belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 5, whereas the other five xylanases showed significant identity to diverse families including families 8, 10, and 11. Interestingly, one fosmid clone was isolated carrying three contiguous xylanase genes that may comprise a xylanosome operon. The enzymes with the highest activities at alkaline pH from the initial activity screening were characterized biochemically. These enzymes showed a broad range of enzyme activities from pH 5.0 to 10.0, with pH optimal of 8.0 retaining more than 70% of their respective activities at pH 9.0. The optimal temperatures of these enzymes ranged from $50^{\circ}C$ to $55^{\circ}C$. This study provides evidence for the diversity and function of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes in the termite gut microbial community, which could be of potential use for industrial processes such as pulp biobleaching and denim biostoning.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 1994

Clinically healthy 12 female Manina breed chicken (6 of 75 days old : group 46 of 145 days old： group B, female) were examined to establish physiological basic data on organ tissues total Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities and CPK isoenzymes fractions. The tissues examined were the Lung, Heart, Liver, Proventriculus, Gizzard, Duodenum, Colon and Muscle. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. Total CPK activities were high with decreasing order of the Muscle > Proventriculus >Giz-zard >Heart >Duodenum> Colon >Lung >Liver in group A and Muscle >Proventriculus >Giz-zard >Heart > Colon >Duodenum > Lung > Liver in group B. Significance of total CPK activities in group difference was only found Colon, group B showed higher values than that of group A (p< 0.01). 2. In the pattern of CPK isoenzymes fractions, Lung, Heart, Liver, Proventriculus, Gizzard, Duodenum and Muscle were high with decreasing order of CK2 >CK3, Colon showed the pattern with decreasing order of CK3 >CK2. Significance of CPK isoenzymes fractions in group difference was only found Liver, CK2 in group B(P<0.01) and CK3 in group A(P<0.01) were higher than that of the other group.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.87-99
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• 1998

The purposes of the study are to see as to how much of changes has occurred in the newly revised high school Home Economics Textbooks required by the 6th Curriculum and to seek future policy directions which can be improved even better, if any, for further revision. To implement this proposal, the study employs 6 different textbooks published in 1996 geared for the 6th Curriculum for data base. The components of the contents divides into two major parts. The first part faUs into a category of holistic analysis of the textbooks, which gives a general perspective of the changes in the textbook revised. It includes those areas of changes in the total number of pacover page, illustrations, table of contents, appendices, unit cover, introductory remarks, summary and evaluation, etc. It also covers the information on authors of textbook. The latter part consists of several specific areas of major changes occurred in the textbooks for the 6th Curriculum. It covers such areas of changes in the composition of category and its weigh laboratory experiences, and illustrations and tables. To conclude the study, there found followings key features : 1) The new textbooks have adopted more of varieties in physical appearances and contents per se as to the older ones. And yet, there still found a weakness in numbers of authors participated to a full reflection of contents variety. In addition, the background of authors reflected on an unrealistic idealism which lacks the on-site information provided by the school teachers. 2) The content area consists of 3 major areas of Human Development & Family Relationship. Food and Nutrition. Clothing and Textiles with ratio of 23.8%, 23.1%, and 21.9% respectively. 3) Human Development & Family Relationship area ranked first with 71 times in the numbers of laboratory activities for each content area. followed by Food and Nutrition with 56 and Family Resorces & Consumerism with 54. These increased numbers of laboratory activities in textbooks represent the changing contents of Home Economics and imply the desirable and positive directions of Home Economics education in Korea. numbers of laboratory activities for each content area. followed by Food and Nutrition with 56 and Family Resorces & Consumerism with 54. These increased numbers of laboratory activities in textbooks represent the changing contents of Home Economics and imply the desirable and positive directions of Home Economics education in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a widely used traditional herbal supplement that possesses various health-enhancing efficacies. Various ginseng products are available in market, especially in the Korean peninsula, in the form of drinks, tablets, and capsules. The different ginseng types include the traditional red ginseng extract (RGE), white ginseng, and black red ginseng extract (BRGE). Their fermented and enzyme-treated products are also available. Different treatment regimens alter the bioavailability of certain compounds present in the respective ginseng extracts. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the antioxidant and immune-stimulating activities of RGE, BRGE, and fermented red ginseng extract (FRGE). Methods: We used an acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress model for investigating the reduction of oxidative stress by RGE, BRGE, and FRGE in Sprague Dawley rats. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model was used to evaluate the immune-stimulating activities of these ginseng extracts in BALB/c mice. Results: Our results showed that most prominently, RGE (in almost all experiments) exhibited excellent antioxidant effects via increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver and decreasing serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the groups treated with FRGE and BRGE. Moreover, RGE significantly increased the number of white blood cells, especially T and B lymphocytes, and antibody-forming cells in the spleen and thymus, and it also activated a number of immune cell subtypes. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that RGE is the best supplement for consumption in everyday life for overall health-enhancing properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2022

Panax polysaccharides are biopolymers that are isolated and purified from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of Panax L. plants, which have attracted considerable attention because of their immunomodulatory activities. In this paper, the composition and structural characteristics of purified polysaccharides are reviewed. Moreover, the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides are described both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, Panax polysaccharides exert immunomodulatory functions mainly by activating macrophages, dendritic cells, and the complement system. In vivo, Panax polysaccharides can increase the immune organ indices and stimulate lymphocytes. In addition, this paper also discusses the membrane receptors and various signalling pathways of immune cells. Panax polysaccharides have many beneficial therapeutic effects, including enhancing or activating the immune response, and may be helpful in treating cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Panax polysaccharides have the potential for use in the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with beneficial immunomodulatory properties.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 1992

ln this study, we analyzed 5 science textbooks currently used for the 7th graders quantitatively by using the science textbook rating system of Collette and Chiappetta(1986), making meta-analysis of the results of 17 graduate school students of Seoul National University. The rating system consists of 11 categories with detailed items respectively : content, organization, reading level, instruction approach, illustrations, end-chapter teaching aids, laboratory activities in text and/or accompanying manual, teacher aids, indices and glossaries and mechanical makeup of text. Each item in the checklist is to be given between one and five points and the total number of possible points in this rating system is 290. It was shown that 5 science textbooks currently used for 7th-year-students were all "poor" in terms of total points and had, at large, uniformed results especially in 10 items; 7 items concerning moral and ethical implications of science, vocabulary lists, accompanying laboratory manual, annotated editions for test, supply list for laboratory program, student workbook and glossary with low points, while 3 items concerning facilities needed for laboratory activities, activities relevant to the content and textbook size with high points. A Science teachers could get a broad view with a correct impression of the books usefulness in making an evaluation of available textbooks.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.894-901
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• 2012

Based on their respective antitumor and thrombolytic activities, the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 (SEC2) and staphylokinase (Sak) were chosen for the construction of the novel chimeric proteins Sak-linker-SEC2 and SEC2-linker-Sak using a linker composed of nine Ala residues. Both chimeric proteins possessed nearly the same PBMC proliferation stimulating activity and antitumor activity as SEC2 and thrombolytic activity as Sak. Neither the SEC2 or Sak component of each chimeric protein affected the activity of the other component. The results presented in this study provide a possible strategy to prevent and cure tumor thrombus.