Mitochondrial dysfunction is found in oocytes and transmitted to the offspring due to maternal obesity. This is curable by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitors such as salubrinal (SAL). Recently pigs are considered as a model animal for biomedical research due to its physiological similarity with human. Pig oocytes have shown ER stress mostly in metaphase II stage. ER stress is hindering the in vitro embryo production (IVP). This study investigated the effect of ER stress inhibition by using SAL during 44 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes at 1, 10, 50 and 100 nM concentrations. Firstly, we defined the concentration of SAL during IVM of pig oocytes. SAL at 10 nM showed higher (44.2 to 55.6%, P<P0.05) development competence to the blastocyst state than control and other concentrations after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Secondly, we sorted out the time-dependent treatment at 10 nM of SAL for IVM of oocytes. It revealed that treatment with SAL during 22 to 44 h and 0 to 44 h of IVM improved PA embryonic development significantly (40.5, 51.7 and 60.2% for control, 22 to 44 h and 0 to 44 h of IVM, respectively, P<0.05). Glutathione (GSH) level is an indicator of cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a harmful effect on development competence of oocytes. For this, we determined the intraoocyte levels of GSH and ROS after 44 h of IVM. It was found that SAL increased intraoocyte GSH level and also decrease ROS level (P<0.05). Finally, we performed somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) after treating oocytes with 10 nM SAL during IVM. SAL treatment significantly improved blastocyst formation of SCNT embryos compared to control (24.7 vs. 39.6%, P<0.05). Our results indicate that treatment of pig oocytes with ER stress inhibitor SAL during IVM improves preimplantation development cloned pig embryos by influencing cytoplasmic maturation in terms of increased GSH content and decreased ROS level in IVM pig oocytes.

Fatty acid synthesis (FASN) is an enzyme responsible for the de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids. During oncogenesis, FASN plays a role in growth and survival rather than acting within the energy storage pathways. Here, the function of FASN during early embryonic development was studied using its specific inhibitor C75. We found that the presence of the inhibitor reduced blastocyst hatching. FASN inhibition decreased Cpt1 expression, leading to a reduction in mitochondrial copy numbers and ATP content. This inhibition of FASN results in the down-regulation of the AKT pathway, thereby triggering apoptosis through the activation of the p53 pathway. Activation of the apoptotic pathways also leads to increased accumulation reactive oxygen species and autophagy. In addition, the FASN inhibitor can impair cell proliferation, a parameter of blastocyst quality for outgrowth. The level of OCT4, an important factor in embryonic development, decreased after treatment with the FASN inhibitor. These results show that FASN exerts an effect on the early embryonic development by regulation of both fatty acid oxidation and the AKT pathway in pigs.

Maturation-promoting factor (MPF) is well-known as cell cycle regulator during oocyte maturation and fertilization. MPF activity maintains high levels and arrest the cell cycle progression until fertilization. After fertilization, Anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) mediated degradation of cyclin B causes decrease of MPF activity. One of the cytostatic factor (CSF), Emi2 inhibits APC/C activity by binding to APC/C-cdc20, therefore blocks the proteolysis of cyclin B. Degradation of Emi2 requires phosphorylation by Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). Thus recognition and phosphorylation of Emi2 by Plk1 are essential step for meiotic cell cycle resumption. In our previous research, we found that two phosphorylated threonine regions at amino acid position 152 and 176 in Emi2 are respectively contributed for recognition by polo-box domain of Plk1. Peptidomimetics 103-8 can block the interaction between Plk1-PBD and Emi2, and therefore meiotic maturation and meiosis resumption via parthenogenetic activation were impaired. However, major drawback of 103-8 was the limitation of penetration through the cell membrane. We synthesized the new peptidomimetics and checked bioavailability in mammalian oocyte by injection and media treatment. Medium treatment with peptidomimetics C-4, meiotic maturation has significantly decreased and meiotic resumption via parthenogenetic activation has perfectly impaired. For the next experiment, we are preparing X-ray crystallography to identify the binding modes between Plk1-PBD and peptidomimetics C-4.

β-carotene is present in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. It suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms. However, the effects of β -carotene on oral cancer cells have not been clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of β-carotene on cell growth and apoptosis in oral cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with β-carotene induced inhibition of cell growth, and that the effect was dependent on β-carotene treatment time and concentration in KB cells. Furthermore, treatment with β-carotene induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in KB cells. β-carotene promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and –9 with associated increases in the concentration of cleaved caspase-3, -7, -8 and –9. In addition, the level of cleaved PARP was increased by β-carotene treatment in KB cells. These results suggest that β-carotene can suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells, and that it may have potential usefulness in anti-cancer drug discovery efforts.

For several decades, lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus graminis: LAB) has been generally recognized as safe. To develop the pan-environmental bio-control agent, algicidal activity of the live LAB cell and its culture filtrate (CF) was examined against Microcystis aeruginosa. LAB cells perfectly lysed M. aeruginosa within 3 days, while the CF had a less effect than the live cells, approximately 78% inhibition of algal growth during a same culture period. The concentration of microcystin in alone culture of M. aeruginosa was 7.1 μg L-1, but gradually increased and leach 158.5 μg L-1 on 10 days. However, LAB cells clearly decreased the microcystin by 10.3 μg L-1 in the same period, approximately 93.5%. CF of LAB showed a strong algicidal activity over 75% between pH 2-7, 91.3% by the treatment of proteinase K, 87.8% by below 3 kDa in particle size, and 75.3% by heat treatment, respectively. Of five solvents, fractions of CF passed through solvents diethyl ether and ethyl acetate showed an obvious algicidal activity in the algal-lawn test. Among 5 fractions purified by silica-gel TLC plate, two spots showed a most strong removal activity on M. aeruginosa. Another analysis of GC indicate that CF contained six representative fatty acids. Even though most of these substance have been known as an anti-algal substance against M. aeruginosa, oleic acid is the most effective. These results suggested that the culture filtrate or specific substances, like a fatty acids, in comparison with live L. graminis can be a successful and eco-friendly agent to control Microcystis bloom.

The definitions of international authorized probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. The scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of bowel disease among the functions of probiotics has only recently been established. Probiotics, which are actively studied, are lactic acid bacteria, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. The C. difficile toxin is controlled by quorum sensing, which causes intestinal disease and other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The use of probiotics for prevention and treatment has been discussed in this review.

본 연구는 절화 장미의 절화수명 연장 및 수확 후 고품질 유지에 효과 있는 전처리를 선별한 후 일본으로 수출되는 절 화 장미의 잿빛곰팡이 방제에도 효과가 있는지를 알아보고자 수행하였다. 일본으로 수출 시 건식처리에 비해 습식 처리의 절화수명이 최소 5일 이상 연장되었으며, 이 중 ClO2 성분인 Vital Oxide 0.002mL·L-1 처리시 건식처리에 비해 절화수명 이 약 11.5일 연장되어 효과적인 것으로 조사되었다. 전처리 에 따른 잿빛곰팡이의 방제 효과를 조사한 결과 수확 및 전 처리 후 6일까지 ClO2 성분인 Vital Oxide, Vibrex 처리에서 발병이 없는 것으로 나타나 절화 장미의 수출 시 수출국 경 매장 및 판매처에서 잿빛곰팡이의 항균효과가 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 따라서 Vital Oxide 0.002mL·L-1 처리가 절화 장 미의 절화 수명 및 품질유지에 효과적인 전처리인 것으로 판 단되었다.

본 연구는 수확 후 감귤의 부패과 발생 억제를 위하여 grapefruit seed extract과 oregano oil이 혼입된 carnauba 코팅 과 calcium oxide이 혼입된 chitosan 코팅을 감귤에 적용하여 Penicillium italicium 저해 효과에 대하여 연구하였다. carnauba 수용액(18%(w/w))에 grapefruit seed extract 또는 oregano oil을 단독으로 각각 0.3-1%(w/w) 첨가하였고, grapefruit seed extract과 oregano oil을 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5,그리고 0.25:0.75(w/w)의 비율로 혼합하여 첨가하였다. 또한 1% chitosan 수용 액의 경우 0.3-3%(w/w)의 calcium oxide을 첨가하여 코팅제를 개발하였다. 감귤 과피에 접종된 P. italicium에 대한 각 코팅제의 저해 효과는 부패과 발생률(%)로 표현하였다. carnauba wax 코팅의 경우, grapefruit seed extract을 단독으로 1% (w/w) 첨가, grapefruit seed extract과 oregano oil을 혼합하여 0.5:0.5%(w/w) 비율로 첨가하였을 때 부패과 발생률은 각각 23.6%와 25%로 유의적으로 가장 낮았고(P<0.05), calcium oxide을 첨가한 chitosan 코팅의 경우 calcium oxide의 농도와 관계없이 모든 조건에서 부패과 발생률이 유의적 차이를 보이지 않았다(P>0.05). 따라서 grapefruit seed extract 과 oregano oil이 혼입된 carnauba wax 코팅은 감귤의 저장 중 부패에 관여하는 P. italicium를 저해하여 저장성을 향상 시킬 수 있는 것으로 사료되었다.

A cDNA (814 bp) encoding ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) antizyme (Az) was cloned from the Tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura. The open reading frame (ORF) showed an internal stop codon (TGA) on bases 223-224-225, encoding 270 amino acids except for the 223-T. A modified ODC Az cDNA (Slit ODC AzM) by point mutation for removal of the 223-T was introduced into a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strain expressing a cloned ODC from the Tobacco cutworm. The transformed strain with ODC AzM exhibited a remarkable inhibition on ODC action, showing 56 % lowered cellular proliferation rate and the decreased cellular polyamine levels by 40.1 % (putrescine), 64.1 % (spermidine) and 58.6 % (spermine) at 48 hrs of cultivation in comparison with the original ODC Az cDNA. These results suggest that the modified ODC Az is expressed regardless of the frame-shifting and the expressed functional protein effectively inhibits the ODC activity.

Drosophila suzukii is an economically important pest of fruit in America and Europe as well as in Asia. Sparassol (1) and methyl orsellinate (2) are produced by Sparassis cripta and S. latifolia during culture. Fumigant and contact toxicities of synthetic sparassol (1) methyl orsellinate (2) and methyl 2,4-dimethoxy-6-methylbenzoate (DMB; 3) were investigated. The possible mode of action of the compounds was pursued by assessing their inhibition activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Little or no fumigant activity was observed from tested compounds. In contact toxicity activity, LD50 (μg/fly) values are 5.29, 1.18, 0.02 for male, and 11.14, 2.27, 0.05 for female, respectively. In enzyme inhibition assay, DMB (3) which easily synthesized from sparassol could be an alternative agent for controlling insect pest. In addition, Sparassis species could be an industrial resource of sparassol.

Cronobactersakazakii is a newly emerging high hazard pathogen, which causes encephalomeningitis and necrotic colitis. Recently, successful biocontrol of harmful microorganisms in several foods through the use of bacteriophages has been reported. In this study, bacteriophages were isolated from kimchi and sewages. Morphological analysis by TEM indicated that phages belonged to the Myoviridae family. In case of heat stability, KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages were susceptible to temperatures above 70oC. KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages inhibited the growth of C. sakazakii in culture broth. When KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages were applied to biofilm-formed C. sakazakii, C. sakazakii was efficiently reduced. Therefore, newly isolated KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phage for C. sakazakii might effectively reduce C. sakazakii in various foods.

Background: The unilateral prone arm lift (UPAL) is commonly used to exercise the lower trapezius muscle. However, overactivation of the upper trapezius can induce pain during UPAL exercises in subjects with upper trapezius tenderness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of position of ipsilateral neck rotation (INR) on the inhibition of upper trapezius muscle activity and the facilitation of the lower trapezius muscle when performing UPAL exercises. Methods: In total, 19 subjects with upper trapezius tenderness were recruited for the study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles during UPAL with and without INR position. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EMG activity in the trapezius muscles and the muscle ratios. Results: EMG activity in the upper trapezius muscles was decreased significantly in the INR condition compared to without the position with INR during UPAL exercises (p<.05). EMG activity in the middle and lower trapezius was not significantly different between the with and without INR conditions (p>.05). However, the ratio of lower to upper trapezius activation showed a significant increase in the INR condition compared to the without INR condition (p<.05), indicating greater lower trapezius activation relative to the upper trapezius in the INR position than in the without INR position. Conclusions: The EMG results obtained in this study suggest that the position with INR reduced overactivation in the upper trapezius and improved muscle imbalance during lower trapezius exercises in individuals with upper trapezius tenderness.

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid phytochemical that is extracted from various plants. Having an advantages due to its varied biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects, quercetin is used to treat many diseases. Recently, it has been reported that autophagy inhibition may play a key role in anti-cancer therapy. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms and anti-cancer effects of quercetin in human osteosarcoma cells via autophagy inhibition. We ascertained that quercetin inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death, these process is demonstrated that apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and the caspase cascade. Quercetin also induced autophagy which was inhibited by 3-MA, autophagy inhibitor and the blockade of autophagy promoted the quercetin-induced apoptosis, confirming that autophagy is a pro-survival process. Thus, these findings demonstrate that quercetin is an effective anti-cancer agent, and the combination of quercetin and an autophagy inhibitor should enhance the effect of anti-cancer therapy.

유해조류의 생물학적 제어를 위하여 여과능이 입증된 패류와 동물플랑크톤을 혼합적용하고, 현장적용 가능성을 검토하였다. 실험수는 매년 남조 Microcystis aeruginosa가 대발생하는 일감호 (서울)의 현장수, sediment, 배지를 대형 수조에 일정량 넣고 인위적으로 조류대발생을 일으켜 유지하고 있는 실험수를 이용하였다. 실험은 동물플랑크톤만 처리한 Z군 (40 individuals L-1), 패류만 처리한 M군 (2 individuals L-1), 동물플랑크톤과 패류를 모두 첨가한 ZM군 (Z, M군의 밀도를 합한 것)으로 설계하였다. 수심별 조류제어 효과를 확인하기 위하여 표층, 중층에서 각각 일정량의 실험수를 꺼내 엽록소량의 경시적 변화를 측정하였다. 결과, 중층의 모든 처리구에서 Chl-a의 감소를 보였으며 24시간째 Z군은 63.2%의 제어율을 보인 반면, M군과 ZM군은 각각 79.8%, 90.8%의 제어율을 나타내 뚜렷한 억제효과를 보였다. 표층의 경우, Z군과 ZM군은 각각 51.9%, 63.4% 등으로 50% 이상의 억제효과를 보인 반면, M군의 경우 대조군의 27.4%로서 가장 낮은 제어율을 보였다. 결과를 종합하면, 두 생물제재의 혼합이 수층에 상관없이 그 효과는 입증되었으나 남조 M. aeruginosa의 부유성을 감안한다면, 패류의 적용수심이 조류제어에 매우 중요한 인자임을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 생물제재의 혼합적용이 보다 높은 효과를 보였으며 조류의 생리적 특성과 생물 제재간의 상호관계에 대한 세밀한 연구가 요구되었다.

Helicoverpa armigera is a serious polyphagous pest inflicting losses to various kinds of food crops. Among dis-infestation methods, methyl bromide (MeBr) has been widely used in quarantine treatments. However, after regulation as ozone depleting substance, MeBr is restricted in use. Phytosanitary irradiation has been suggested as an useful alternative to MeBr. In this study, H. armigera adults were irradiated with 400 Gy which was decided as a critical dose to the adults by the preliminary experiments. The irradiated females and males were mated reciprocally with fresh ones. Some of the both sexes were subjected to comet assay to determine the degree of DNA damage by gamma ray irradiation. There was no significant difference in fecundity among mates. However the irradiation significantly affected hatchability of F1 eggs. No F1 eggs hatched in the mate of treated female (TF) x treated male (TM). Hatchability of F1 eggs from TF x UM (untreated male) and UF x TM mates were 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. A few larvae from UF x TM mate developed up to adults. Comet assay indicated that gamma-ray irradiation is efficient in damaging male's DNA than female's which may be the cause of dramatic decrease in F1 hatchability.

본 연구에서는 김치로부터 W. cibaria 0D17와 W. confuse 0D23를 생화학적 특성 분석과 16s rRNA 염기서열 분석을 통해 분리, 동정하였으며, W. cibaria 0D17와 W. confuse 0D23 배양 상등액이 L. monocytogenes에 대한 항균 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 실시간 정량 PCR을 통해 W. cibaria 0D17 및 W. confusa 0D23가 L. monocytogenes 를 공동 배양했을 때의 생육억제 효과를 분석한 결과, 37℃에서는 생육 억제 효과가 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서, 김치 유래 Weissella spp. 가 갖는 L. monocytogenes에 대한 항균 활성에 대한 기초 자료로 활용가능 할 것으로 판단되며, W. cibaria 0D17 및 W. confusa 0D23가 생산하는 bacteriocin 등의 항균 물질 특성에 대한 연구가 추가 적으로 진행될 필요가 있을 것이다.