The cancer and Parkinson's disease associated protein DJ-1 is multifunctional protein that involves in diverse cellular process. DJ-1 protein has a cellular protective role and promoted cell survival under an oxidative stress. However, the cellular protective mechanism of DJ-1 is not fully understand, and we needs to be further study their functions in novel organisms. In the present study, we investigated the protective role of DJ-1 against induced oxidative stress in canine cell line. On the basis of these experiments, canine DJ-1 overexpressing and null cell lines were established. The stable overexpression and down regulation of DJ-1 efficiency confirmed by the western blot analysis. Subsequently, the DJ-1 gene transfected cell lines and control cells were subjected to induced the oxidative stress, and then cell viability, cell proliferation assay, cellular apoptosis detection analysis (Annexin V and TUNEL assay), intracellular ROS and mitochondrial activity were measured appropriately. The results showed that DJ-1 overexpressed cells were up-regulated cell viability under oxidative stress conditions induced by the rotenone and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), whereas loss of DJ-1 cells were down-regulated the cell survival activity. Additionally, overexpression of DJ-1 cells increased cell resistance to oxidative stress and inhibited the elevation of cell death and cellular ROS induced apoptosis. Moreover, DJ-1 overexpressed cells was increased mitochondrial functions by using confocal microscopy with MitoTracker staining. On the contrary to this, DJ-1 null cells show defective cellular protection and mitochondria activity against oxidative stress conditions. Our data indicate that canine DJ-1 protein attenuates cellular apoptosis and ROS generation, enhances the cellular survival activity and promote mitochondrial function under the oxidative stress, likewise other mammalian cells. Importantly, DJ-1 overexpression may be an important part of a protective strategy as a sensor for oxidative stress.

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is an intracellular adaptor protein involved in Toll pathway. In this study, we monitored the response of 4 key genes of the insect immune system against Beauveria bassiana JEF-007 in Tenebrio molitor using RT-PCR. To better understand the roles of Toll pathway in mealworm immune system, TmGPR and TmMyD88 was knocked down by RNAi silencing. Target gene expressions were decreased at 6 days post-dsRNA injection. Therefore, mealworms were compromised by B. bassiana JEF-007 at 6 days post-dsRNA injection. Silencing of the TmMyD88 and TmGPR resulted in reducing the resistance of the host to fungal infection. However, only dsTmMyD88 showed significant difference with dsEGFP by statistical analysis, which may be due to partial gene knock down of dsGPR. These results indicate that TmMyD88 is required in mealworms for survival against B. bassiana JEF-007.

Toxicity assessment of heavy metals (As, Cr and Pb) has been investigated by using the rate of survival and population growth(r) of marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. The survival rate was determined after 24 hours of exposure to As, Cr and Pb. As and Cr reduced survival rate in dose-dependent manner and a significant reduction were occurred at concentration of greater than 30 and 150 mg L-1, but Pb had no effect on survival rate. The r was determined after 72 hours of exposure to As, Cr and Pb. As, Cr and Pb reduced r in dose-dependent manner and a significant reduction were occurred at concentration of greater than 5, 25 and 50 mg L-1. The toxicity of heavy metals were ranked As>Cr>Pb, with EC50 values of 12.98, 82.34 and 110.14 mg L-1, respectively. The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) of r in As, Cr and Pb exposure were 1, 12.5 and 50 mg L-1, respectively. The lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) of r in As, Cr and Pb exposure were 5, 25, and 50 mg L-1, respectively. From the results, the concentration of As, Cr and Pb (greater than 5, 25 and 50 mg L-1, respectively) have toxic effect on the r of B. plicatilis in natural ecosystems. These results (including NOEC and EC50) might be useful for the mixing toxicity assessment and toxic guide line of heavy metals in marine ecosystems.

동해 남서해역과 같이 용존 무기 질소(dissolved inorganic nitrogen; DIN)가 제한된 환경에서 우점 규조류 Chaetoceros debilis와 Leptocylindrus danicus의 용존 유기 질소(dissolved organic nitrogen; DON)의 이용성을 정량적으로 평가하였다. 질소원으로 DIN은 질산염과 암모늄, DON은 동해에서 중요한 비율을 차지하는 글리신(glycine)과 요소(urea)에 관하여 각각 평가하였다. Monod 식으로부터 유도한 C. debilis의 최대생장속도(μmax)와 반포화상수(Ks)는 질산염에서 1.50 day-1와 1.62 μM, 암모늄에서 1.13 day-1와 6.97 μM, 글리신 1.46 day-1와 3.36 μM, 요소 0.93 day-1와 0.55 μM으로 나타났다. 또한 L. danicus는 질산염에서 1.55 day-1와 5.21 μM, 암모늄에서 1.57 day-1와 4.57 μM, 글리신 1.47 day-1와 3.80 μM, 요소 1.42 day-1와 1.94 μM이었다. 두 종 모두 요소에서 용존 무기 질소보다 상대적으로 높은 친화성이 확인되었으며, 이러한 높은 친화성은 DIN 제한된 상태에서 C. debilis와 L. danicus이 생장을 유지하기 위해 요소를 이용할 것으로 판단되어진다. 따라서 동해 남서해역과 같이 DIN이 제한된 해역의 경우, DON의 효율적인 이용이 식물플랑크톤의 우점화 전략에서 중요한 요인 중 하나로 생각된다.

Integrin is a heterodimer protein that locates on cell membrane to interact with neighboring cells or extracellular matrix. A transcriptome analysis of the brassica leaf beetle, Phaedon brassicae, midgut identified both α and β subunits of integrin. RNA interference of β subunit genes significantly impaired survival of both larvae and adults of P. brassicae. A recombinant bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA specific to β integrin of P. brassicae were constructed and showed significant oral toxicities.

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is an intracellular adaptor protein involved in Toll signaling pathway. In this study, we monitored the response of 4 key genes of the insect immune system against Beauveria bassiana JEF-007 in Tenebrio molitor using RT-PCR. TmGPR, antimicrobial peptide Tenecin 1 and Tenecin 2 were up-regulated after fungal infection. To better understand the roles of Toll signaling pathway in mealworm immune system, TmGRP and TmMyD88 was knocked down by RNAi silencing. Target gene expressions were decreased at 2 days post-dsRNA injection, and dramatically reduced at 6 days post-dsRNA injection. Therefore, mealworms were compromised by B. bassiana JEF-007 at 6 days post-dsRNA injection. Silencing of the TmMyD88 and TmGRP resulted in reducing the resistance of the host to fungal infection. However, only dsTmMyD88 showed significant difference with dsEGFP by statistical analysis, which may be due to partial gene knock down of dsGRP. These results indicate that TmMyD88 is required in mealworms for survival against B. bassiana JEF-007.

본 연구는 미세조류 및 해조류 유주자의 피막화가 이들의 생장 및 생존에 미치는 영향을 파악할 목적으로 수행되었다. 갈조류의 세포벽을 구성하는 녹말과 알긴산을 다양한 비율로 혼합하여 친환경 피막소재로 이용하였으며, 염화칼슘 수용액에 적하(form a drop)한 후 피막의 형성 여부를 확인하였고, 미세조류 Nannochloropsis salina와 해조류 Ulva australis의 유주자를 피막화하여 생존율 및 성장률을 측정하였다. 미세조류와 해조류 피막은 녹말과 알긴산의 배합비 (무게비)가 5:5, 2:8, 0:10일 때에만 형성되었으며, 10:0과 8:2에서는 형성되지 않았다. 형성된 피막 중 녹말과 알긴산의 5:5 배합비에서 미세조류 개체수가 8.74×105 cells mL-1로 최대 증가를 보였으나, 알긴산만을 이용한 피막에서는 4.92×105 cells mL-1로 가장 낮았다. 따라서, 녹말과 알긴산의 혼합으로 구성된 피막에서 녹말의 함량이 증가할수록 미세조류 및 해조류 유주자의 생존 및 생장율은 증가되지만 알긴산이 50% 이하인 배합비에서는 물성이 약한 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 인공어초 표면에 응용한 결과, 99 개체 cm-2가 발아하는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 해양생태계 복원을 위한 해조류 유주자의 생존율 및 생장률을 향상 시킬 수 있는 다양한 기초자료가 될 것으로 사료되어진다.

일반 상선과 달리 해양플랜트 시설은 발주자가 직접 고용한 인원과 조선소에서 파견된 시운전 종사자들은 2교대로 해양플랜트공사가 종료될 때까지 혼재되어 승선한다. 그러므로 많은 인원들이 안전하게 거주할 수 있는 별도의 해양플랜트 전용생활부선을 사용하는 것이 일반적이다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 인명 안전의 관점에서 해양플랜트 전용생활부선 거주자의 생존율 향상을 위한 방법을 제시하고자 한다. 이를 위해 해양플랜트 전용생활부선에서 발생할 수 있는 다양한 종류의 사고 중 가장 많이 발생할 것으로 판단되는 화재 사고를 가정하였다. 이를 위해 국내·외 규정에 근거한 화재시뮬레이션 전산 모형을 제작하여 종사자들에 대한 피난 안전성을 분석하였다. 특히, 해양플랜트 전용생활부선에서 화재가 발생할 경우 지속적으로 훈련을 받은 선원들과는 달리 다양한 직종, 인종, 문화를 갖고 있는 인력들의 비정형화된 피난 행위로 인하여 위험성이 높아질 것으로 판단되므로 생존가능시간인 유효 피난시간을 증가시키고, 실제 피난에 소요되는 필요 피난시간을 감소시켜 생존율을 향상시킬 수 있는 구조개선 및 안전설비 설치에 대해 제안하였다.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is recognized as the most common feline cardiac disease. Several studies have evaluated the population characteristics and survival time of cats with HCM; however, these reports included large numbers of asymptomatic HCM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and survival time of cats with symptomatic HCM admitted to emergency service. Medical records were examined to verify clinical diagnosis of HCM. Asymptomatic cats diagnosed with HCM were also excluded from the study. From a total of 13 cats, eight were classified in the arterial thromboembolism (ATE) group while the other five were in the congestive heart failure (CHF) group. Middle-aged (6 years, range 1.4~7 years) male cats (53.8%) were included in this study. Pelvic limb paralysis, depression, and respiratory distress were common clinical signs found in symptomatic HCM cats. Hematologic evaluation found that enzymes related to muscle damage and tissue necrosis were elevated in both groups and highly elevated in the ATE group. Left atrium was remarkably enlarged in ATE group cats. The median survival time of cats in the ATE group was significantly shorter than that of cats in the CHF group (P=0.002). Prospective investigation based on a large population would be required to clarify the effects of various factors on prognosis of HCM cats.

Makgeolli is a health beneficial food for diabetes compared to other alcoholic beverages. We examined the effect of Makgeolli on blood glucose level and survival rate in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. We force fed 30 male STZ-induced diabetic ICR mice Makgeolli consisting of 6% alcohol (DM-MAK), 6% ethanol (DM-EtOH), or distilled water (DM-DW) for 4 weeks. In the DM-MAK group, food intake and water intake were higher than those of other groups after 4 weeks. Body weight, however, was not different among the experimental groups. We also found no significant difference in blood glucose level among the experimental groups. In normal ICR mice fed Makgeolli for 1 week, the area of the blood glucose curve was higher than those of other groups fed 6% ethanol, 2% glucose, or distilled water. Survival rates of STZ-induced diabetic mice fed Makgeolli, 6% ethanol, or DW for 4 weeks were 100%, 25%, and 62.5%, respectively. In conclusion, Makgeolli had no beneficial effect on blood glucose in a STZ-induced diabetic mouse model, although their survival rate was high. These results show that Makgeolli has an effect on type 1 diabetes through other mechanisms than blood glucose control.