• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish the production conditions through optimization of the production process of beverages using Aspergillus oryzae CF1001, and to analyze volatile compounds and antidiabetic activity. Methods: The optimum condition was selected using the response surface methodology (RSM), through a regression analysis with the following independent variables gelatinization temperature (GT, $X_1$), saccharogenic time (ST, $X_2$), and dependent variable; ${\Delta}E$ value (y). The condition with the lowest ${\Delta}E$ value occurred with combined 45 min ST and $50^{\circ}C$ GT. The volatile compounds were analyzed quantitatively by GC-MS. Results: Assessment of antidiabetic activity of saccharogenic mixed grain beverage (SMGB) was determined by measurement of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity, and glucose uptake activity and glucose metabolic protein expression by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Results of volatile compounds analysis, 62 kinds of volatile compounds were detected in SMGB. Palmitic acid (9.534% ratio), benzaldehyde (8.948% ratio), benzyl ethyl ether (8.792% ratio), ethyl alcohol (8.35% ratio), and 2-amyl furan (4.826% ratio) were abundant in SMGB. We confirmed that ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity, glucose uptake activity, and glucose-metabolic proteins were upregulated by SMGB treatment with concentration dependent manner. Conclusion: Saccharogenic mixed grain beverage (SMGB) showed potential antidiabetic activity. Further studies will be needed in order to improve the taste and functionality of SMGB.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1497-1504
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• 2007

To investigate the function and secretion of human thrombopoietin (TPO) in mammalian cells, hTPO cDNA was cloned using human liver cDNA, and recombinant hTPO (rec-hTPO) was produced in CHO cell lines. In addition, six N-linked glycosylation sites were substituted for Ala to elucidate the role of each carbohydrate chain. To analyze the biological activity, rec-hTPO protein was injected subcutaneously. Blood was withdrawn for platelet determination. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) was also analyzed at the 1, 4, 10 and 24 hr after tail vein injection. Wild-type TPO (WT) was efficiently secreted into the medium. However, a hTPO mutant with 116 deleted nucleotides detected by PCR cloning was not secreted. The N-linked glycosylation sites had nearly the same expression quantity as rec-hTPO WT apart from mutants 3 and 4. The glycosylation site of mutant 4 appeared to be an indispensable site for hTPO secretion. Also characterized was the biological activity through an injection with rec-hTPO (10 ng) to ICR mice (7 weeks). The result of the blood analysis showed a considerable increase in the platelet number six days after He injection. To analyze the pharmacokinetics, rec-hTPO was injected into the tail vein (5 ng). The result was 200 pg/ml 1hr after this injection. Following this, it dramatically decreased and virtually disappeared 10 hours after the injection. Thus, rec-hTPO may be a treatment for thrombopenia by the production of the high active rec-hTPO. In addition, hTPO can permit the development of potent new analogues that stimulate the platelet value.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.55-65
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the factors that affect start-up activities at the national level. Unlike most existing research about entrepreneurship at the individual level, this empirical analysis makes use of the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity(TEA) index at national level. This was developed by the Global Entrepreneur Monitor (GEM) as the measure for the degree of entrepreneurship of the countries. Based on the previous studies, not only national income level and unemployment rate, but also other factors including the cultural characteristics of the countries were included in our regression model. Using GEM's panel data, we found that the effectiveness of the factors depends on the stage of economic development. In particular, we found 'U-shape' relationship between the level of per capita income and entrepreneurship activity by the panel regression analysis using quadratic function. This analysis result can explicitly confirm what the existing literature have explained descriptively. Furthermore, the governmental support programs are shown to have significantly positive effects on the entrepreneurship or start-up activities in the factor-driven and efficiency-driven economies. On the contrary, those programs were not very helpful in the innovative economies. Lastly, this research suggests that the 'education and training' and the 'entrepreneurial culture' be the supportive norm for new business regardless of the economic development level.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.264-272
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• 2016

This study was carried out to evaluate the preventive effect of the Corni Fructus (SSU) 50 % EtOH extract (SSU-E50) against bisphenol A (BPA) toxicity in Leydig cells and improving testosterone deficiency syndrome in orchidectomized Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats. Antioxidant properties were measured by radical scavenging activity of SSU-E50 in ABTS assay and DPPH assay. Also, real-time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) was performed to quantify the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme. SD rats were divided into eight group: normal, sham operation (Sham), orchidectomized (ORX), ORX treated with testosterone 1 mg/kg (Tes. 1), ORX treated with SSU water extract 100 mg/kg (SSU-A 100) and 300 mg/kg (SSU-A 300), ORX treated with SSU 50 % EtOH extract 100 mg/kg (SSU-E 100) and 300 mg/kg (SSU-E 300). On a comparative basis, the SSU showed better activity quenching ABTS with an IC50 value of 0.29 mg/ml and DPPH with an IC50 value of 0.33 mg/ml. Cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay as described not cytotoxic at the highest concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$. Cytotoxicity of BPA showed in $200{\mu}M$, but definitely survived by treatment with SSU in Leydig cells. In addition, SSU increased the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme in BPA induced Leydig cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was slightly increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was decreased with SSU-A 100 in in-vivo. These results suggest that Corni Fructus extracts have the greatest property as a natural anti-oxidative and improves testosterone deficiency syndrome source.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 1998

Crystal structural analyses of the API-TLCK complex revealed that the ${\epsilon}$-amino group (NZ) of the lysyl part of TLCK forms hydrogen bonds with OD1 of $Asp^225$ which is a substrate specificity determinant of API, OG of $Ser^214$, O of $Ser^214$, OG1 of $Thr^189$, and O of $Thr^189$ l89/. The ${\beta}$-carboxyl oxygen of $Asp^225$ forms hydrogen bonds with the NE1 of $Trp^182$. From these observations, it is thought that besides $Asp^225$, $Thr^189$, $Ser^214$, and $Trp^182$ may also contribute to the steric specificity for lysine and high proteolytic activity of API. The side-chain hydroxyl groups of $Thr^189$ and $Ser^214$ were removed to elucidate the role of these hydrogen bonds in the $S_1$-pocket. The $k_{cat}$/$K_m$ of T189V, S214A, and T189V.S214A were decreased to 1/4, 1/3, and 1/46, respectively, of the value for native API. The decreased activities were mainly due to the increase of $K_m$. The CD and fluoroscence spectra of the three mutants were similar to those of wild-type API. With regards to the kinetic parameters ($K_i\;and\;k_2$) of mutants for the reaction involving TLCK and DFP, $k_2$decreased by increase of $K_1$ only. These results suggest that the decreased catalytic activity of these mutants is caused by the partial loss of the hydrogen bond network in the $S_1$-pocket. On the other hand, the similarity of enzymatic properties between W182F and the native enzyme suggests that the hydrogen bond between OD2 of $Asp^225$ and NE1 of $Trp^182$ is not directly related to the reaction of $Asp^225$ with the substrate.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.685-699
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has long been known as a medicinal herb effective in various diseases, including bronchitis and asthma, but is still more widely used for food. Fermentation methods are being applied to increase the pharmacological composition of PG extracts and commercialize them with high added value. This study examines the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) fermented with Lactobacillus casei in RAW 264.7 cells, and investigates the effect of amplifying the immune and the probable molecular mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: HFPGE's total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and platycodin D contents were analyzed by colorimetric analysis or high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay. Phagocytic activity was analyzed by a phagocytosis assay kit, nitric oxide (NO) production by a Griess reagent system, and cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were analyzed by Western blots. RESULTS: Compared to PGE, HFPGE was determined to contain 13.76 times and 6.69 times higher contents of crude saponin and platycodin D, respectively. HFPGE promoted cell proliferation and phagocytosis in RAW 264.7 cells and regulated the NO production and iNOS expression. Treatment with HFPGE also resulted in increased production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand10, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and the mRNA expressions of these cytokines. HFPGE also resulted in significantly increasing the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results imply that fermentation and hydrolysis result in the extraction of more active ingredients of PG. Furthermore, we determined that HFPGE exerts immunostimulatory activity via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.832-838
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• 2007

A novel inhibitory protein against blood coagulation factor Va (FVa) was purified from muscle protein of granulated ark (Tegillarca granosa, order Arcoida, marine bivalvia) by consecutive FPLC method using anion exchange and gel permeation chromatography. In the results of ESI-QTOF tandem mass analysis and database research, it was revealed that the purified T. granosa anticoagulant protein (TGAP) has 7.7 kDa of molecular mass and its partial sequence, HTHLQRAPHPNALGYHGK, has a high identity (64%) with serine/threonine kinase derived from Rhodopirellula baltica (order Planctomycetales, marine bacteria). TGAP could potently prolong thrombin time (TT), corresponding to inhibition of thrombin (FIIa) formation. Specific factor inhibitory assay showed that TGAP inhibits FVa among the major components of prothrombinase complex. In vitro assay for direct-binding affinity using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometer indicated that TGAP could be directly bound with FVa. In addition, the binding affinity of FVa to FII was decreased by addition of TGAP in dose-dependant manner ($IC_{50}$ value = 77.9 nM). These results illustrated that TGAP might interact with a heavy chain of FVa ($FVa_H$) bound to FII in prothrombin complex. The present study elucidated that non-cytotoxic T. granosa anticoagulant protein (TGAP) bound to FVa can prolong blood coagulation time by inhibiting conversion of FII to FIIa in blood coagulation cascade. In addition, TGAP did not significantly (P < 0.05) show fibrinolytic activity and cytotoxicity on venous endothelial cell line (ECV 304).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.130-136
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• 2011

Methane is known to be one of the major greenhouse gases. On a global scale, livestock farming may contribute 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Though methane contribution is less than 2% of all the factors leading to global warming, it plays an important role because it is 21 times more effective than carbon dioxide. Methane emission is a direct result of the fermentation process performed by ruminal microorganisms and, in particular, the archael methanogens. Reducing methane emission would benefit both ruminant production and the environment. Methane generation can be reduced by electron-sink metabolic pathways to dispose of the reducing moieties. An alternative way for methane control in the rumen is to apply inhibitors against methanogens. Generating methane from manure has considerable merit because it appears to offer at least a partial solution to two pressing problems-environmental crisis and energy shortage. An obvious benefit from methane production is the energy value of the gas itself. Control of methane emission by rumen microbes in Korea has mainly been focused on application of various chemicals, such as BES and PMDI, that inhibit the growth and activity of methanogens in the rumen. Alternatives were to apply long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and oils with or without organic acids (malate and fumarate). The results for trials with methane reducing agents and the situation of biogas production industries and a typical biogas plant in Korea will be introduced here.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2017

Purpose - This research aims to examine the effect of e-business adoption on firm's growth and profitability in the distribution industry. The value added from the distribution industry acts as the cost of other industries. As the distribution industry develops, its stage becomes shorter and the distribution margin becomes smaller. Therefore, e-business is expected to have a different effect on the distribution industry than other industries. Research design, data and methodology - The previous research generally used e-business adoption as an independent variable and firm's performance as a dependent variable. This study elaborated the model using a dynamic panel model that includes the performance variable of the previous year as an independent variable. By employing system GMM (Generalized Method of Moments), the endogeneity problem in the dynamic panel model can be solved. For the analysis, I extracted the distribution companies as the raw data in the National Statistical Office's Business Activity Survey over the period 2006 to 2012. Results - The growth rate of firms adopting e-business was 0.299%p higher than that of the non-adopter. However, only ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), KMS (Knowledge Management System) and SCM (Supply Chain Management) contributed positively to the growth rate. In the case of profitability, it was 0.04%p higher than the distribution companies that did not adopt e-business. ERP and LMS (Learning Management System) improve profitability, while SCM reduces profitability. Consequently, while ERP improves both growth and profitability, SCM improves growth but reduces profitability. In addition, KMS improves firm's growth only, and LMS does only profitability, showing that each e-business has a differentiated effect. Conclusions - Since the distribution industry has different characteristics from manufacturing and other service industries, the introduction of e-business may not guarantee the growth and profitability of distribution companies. Careful introduction considering the characteristics of the distribution industry is required. In particular, it is necessary to select an e-business meeting the characteristics and needs of a distribution company, and thereafter, it is required for the company's own efforts to internalize it within the system.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2008

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Zirconium oxide can be a substitute to titanium as implant materials to solve the esthetic problems of dark color in the gingival portion of implant restorations. PURPOSE: This study was performed to define attachment and growth behavior of osteoblast- like cells cultured on grooved surfaces of zirconium oxide and evaluate the genetic effect of zirconium oxide surfaces using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on (1) commercially pure titanium discs with smooth surface (T group), (2) yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) with machined surface (ZS group), and (3) Y-TZP with $100{\mu}m$ grooves (ZG group). Cell proliferation activity was evaluated through MTT assay and cell morphology was examined by SEM. The mRNA expression of Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, TGF-${\beta}1$, IGF-1, G3PDH in E1 cells were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: From the MTT assay, after 48 hours of adhesion of MC3T3-E1 cells, the mean optical density value of T group and ZG group significantly increased compared to the ZS group. SEM images of osteoblast-like cells showed that significantly more cells were observed to attach to the grooves and appeared to follow the direction of the grooves. After 24 hours of cell adhesion, more spreading and flattening of cells with active filopodia formation occurred. Results of RT-PCR suggest that T group, ZS group, and ZG group showed comparable osteoblast-specific gene expression after 24 hours of cell incubation. CONCLUSION: Surface topography and material of implants can play an important role in expression of osteoblast phenotype markers. Zirconia ceramic showed comparable biological responses of osteoblast-like cells with titanium during a short-time cell culture period. Also, grooves influence cell spreading and guide the cells to be aligned within surface grooves.