• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2018

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA is a heritable neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the dysfunction of the lysosomal hydrolase sulphamidase. This leads to the primary accumulation of the complex carbohydrate heparan sulphate in a wide range of tissues and CNS degeneration. Characterization of animal model is the beginning point of the therapeutic clinical trial. Mouse model has a limitation in that it is not a human and does not have all of the disease phenotypes. Therefore, delineate of the phenotypic characteristics of MPS IIIA mouse model prerequisite for the enzyme replace treatment for the diseases. We designed 6-month duration of phenotypic characterization of MPS IIIA mouse biochemically, behaviorally and histologically. We compared height and weight of MPS IIIA mouse with wild type from 4 weeks to 6 months in both male and female. At 6 months, we measured GAG storage in urine kidney, heart, liver, lung and spleen. The brain GAG storage is presented with Alcian blue staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron-microscopy. The neurologic phenotype is evaluated by brain MRI and behavioral study including open field test, fear conditioning, T-maze test and Y-maze test. Especially behavioral tests were done serially at 4month and 6month. This study will show the result of the MPS IIIA mouse model phenotypic characterization. The MPS IIIA mouse provides an excellent model for evaluating pathogenic mechanisms of disease and for testing treatment strategies, including enzyme or cell replacement and gene therapy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The plant Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is effective folk medicines for the treatment of several conditions, such as infectious diseases, skin diseases, and other illnesses. Although the inhibitory effects of D. morbifera on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been shown in our previous study, its effects in vivo remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the extracts from D. morbifera (EDM) on neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery and explore the underlying mechanisms. We observed that the ratio of intima to media thickness (I/M) was significantly decreased in the EDM-treated groups by ~80% compared to that of the control. The expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased by ~70% in the EDM-treated groups compared to that of the control. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 significantly reduced in the neointimal layer of the EDM-treated groups. Moreover, the decreased levels of contractile phenotypic markers of VSMCs, such as α-smooth muscle actin, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, were successfully restored by EDM treatment. Furthermore, the levels of synthetic phenotypic markers, cellular retinal binding protein 1 and connexin 43 were also restored to normal levels. These results suggest that EDM inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rats via phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, EDM may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of restenosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2021

Phenotypic plasticity is a rapid response mechanism that enables organisms to acclimate and survive in changing environments. The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) survives and thrives in different and even introduced habitats, thereby indicating its high phenotypic plasticity. However, the underpinnings of the high plasticity of E. sinensis have not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, we conducted an integrated gut microbiome and muscle metabolome analysis on E. sinensis collected from three different environments, namely, an artificial pond, Yangcheng Lake, and Yangtze River, to uncover the mechanism of its high phenotypic plasticity. Our study presents three divergent gut microbiotas and muscle metabolic profiles that corresponded to the three environments. The composition and diversity of the core gut microbiota (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, and Firmicutes) varied among the different environments while the metabolites associated with amino acids, fatty acids, and terpene compounds displayed significantly different concentration levels. The results revealed that the gut microbiome community and muscle metabolome were significantly affected by the habitat environments. Our findings indicate the high phenotypic plasticity in terms of gut microbiome and muscle metabolome of E. sinensis when it faces environmental changes, which would also facilitate its acclimation and adaptation to diverse and even introduced environments.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.575-599
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• 2021

The edible roots of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) are consumed worldwide. For characterization and evaluation of the agronomic traits and health-promoting chemicals in radish germplasms, new germplasm breeding materials need to be identified. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the phenotypic traits and glucosinolate contents of radish roots from 110 germplasms, by analyzing correlations between 10 quantitative phenotypic traits and the individual and total contents of five glucosinolates. Phenotypic characterization was performed based on descriptors from the UPOV and IBPGR, and glucosinolate contents were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Regarding the phenotypic traits, a significant correlation between leaf length and root weight was observed. Glucoraphasatin was the main glucosinolate, accounting for an average of 71% of the total glucosinolates in the germplasms; moreover, its content was significantly correlated with that of glucoerucin, its precursor. Principal component analysis indicated that the 110 germplasms could be divided into five groups based on their glucosinolate contents. High levels of free-radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were observed in red radishes. These results shed light on the beneficial traits that could be targeted by breeders, and could also promote diet diversification by demonstrating the health benefits of various germplasms.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1151-1161
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the association of age at first calving (AFC) with first lactation traits as well as lifetime performance traits in Murrah buffaloes. Methods: Data on first lactation and life time performance of Murrah buffaloes (n = 679), maintained at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India during the period 1983 through 2017, were deduced to calculate heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlation of different first lactation and lifetime traits. The univariate animal model was fitted to estimate variance components and heritability separately for each trait, while bivariate animal models were set to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits under study. Results: The heritability was high for first peak milk yield (FPY, 0.64±0.08), moderate for AFC (0.48±0.07) and breeding efficiency (BE 0.39±0.09). High genetic correlations of first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY) with first lactation standard milk yield (FLSMY, 305 days or less), FPY, and first lactation length (FLL) was seen. Likewise, genetic correlation of AFC was positive with FLTMY, FLL, first dry period (FDP), first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI), herd life (HL) and productive days (PD). Significant phenotypic correlation of FLTMY was observed with HL, productive life (PL), PD, total lifetime milk yield (LTMY), standard lifetime milk yield (standard LTMY). Moreover, positive genetic and phenotypic correlation of FPY was observed with HL, PL, PD, total LTMY and standard LTMY. Conclusion: This study reports that AFC had positive genetic correlation with FDP, FSP, FCI, and unproductive days while, negative association of AFC was observed with FLSMY, PL, total LTMY, standard LTMY, and BE. This suggests that reduction of AFC would results in improvement of lifetime performance traits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.264-272
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• 2022

Background: The current conventional drug susceptibility test (DST) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) takes several weeks of incubation to obtain results. As a rapid method, molecular DST requires only a few days to get the results but does not fully cover the phenotypic resistance. A new rapid method based on the ability of viable Mtb bacilli to hydrolyze fluorescein diacetate to free fluorescein with detection of fluorescent mycobacteria by flow cytometric analysis, was recently developed. Methods: To evaluate this cytometric method, we tested 39 clinical isolates which were susceptible or resistant to isoniazid (INH) or rifampin (RIF), or ethambutol (EMB) by phenotypic or molecular DST methods and compared the results. Results: The susceptibility was determined by measuring the viability rate of Mtb and all the isolates which were tested with INH, RIF, and EMB showed susceptibility results concordant with those by the phenotypic solid and liquid media methods. The isolates having no mutations in the molecular DST but resistance in the conventional phenotypic DST were also resistant in this cytometric method. These results suggest that the flow cytometric DST method is faster than conventional agar phenotypic DST and may complement the results of molecular DST. Conclusion: In conclusion, the cytometric method could provide quick and more accurate information that would help clinicians to choose more effective drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 1997

We isolated phenotypic suppressors of an absB (antibiotics synthesis suppression) strain. In the absB colonies, all four antibiotics including two pigmented antibiotics were blocked so that no pigmentation could be found. We assumed that in the colonies with the wuppressive(or reversive) mutation, both pigmentation would be restored so that the strains with suppressive mutation could be cisually detected. Harvested absB spores were treated with chemical mutagen along with electric shock, and were spread on specially fromulated minimal medium plates. The pigmented colonies were isolated from the unpigmented majorities. In one candidate strain, the restoration and significant overproduction of actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin were recognized. In three other candidate strains, the overproduction of actinorhodin and restoraion of undecylprodigiosin were observed. The production of the two unpigmented antibiotics (CDA and methylenomycin) were visualized in the tested candidate strains. The strains with wuppressive mutations would be very useful in dlucidating the regulation network of antiviotics synthesis and overproduction of the antibiotics.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.231-241
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• 1995

I examined the relationship between allocations to plant size components such as plant height, total leaf weight, and nuber of branches and to reproductive components such as the number and weight of male and female fowers in three populations of the monoecious, wind-pollinated Ambrosia artemisiifolia. In particular, the two types of gender of plants, phenotypic and functional gender, were related to resource allocation. Mean values of all plant size and reproductive components differed significantly among the three populations. Such inter-population differences did not exist for both photosynthetic and reproductive efforts, Plant size components were mostly positively correlated with reproductive components among plants. However, the relationships between photosynthetic effort and reproductive components were largely negative and inconsistent among populations. The phenotypic gender was much lover than 0.5 in all of the three populations. Pairwise correlations between functional gender and each allocation measurement such as plant size components, reproductive components, photosynthetic effort, and reproductive effort were not consistent across the three populations. These results suggest that the gender of A. artemisiifolia measured as flower production responds sensitively to environmental conditions which might differ whithin as well as among populations.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2011

In application and discussion of population structure and phenotypic divergence in plant community, the classic Lotka-Volterra models of competition and spatial model are conceived as a mechanism that is composed by multiple interacting processes. Both the Lotka-Volterra and spatial simulation formulae predict that species diversity increases with genotypic richness (GR). The two formulae are also in agreement that species diversity generally decreases within increasing niche breadth (NB) and increases with increasing potential genotypic range (PGR). Across the entire parameter space in the Lotka-Volterra model and most of the parameter space in the spatial simulations, variance in community composition decreased with increasing genotypic richness. This was, in large part, a consequence of selecting genotypes randomly from a set pool.