Ischemic stroke is a high mortality disease that causes irreversible damage. Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenolic substance with neuroprotective properties. Bcl-2 family proteins perform a critical role in apoptosis process. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL are anti-apoptotic proteins that prevent cell death, and Bax and Bad are pro-apoptotic proteins that promote apoptosis. We investigated whether chlorogenic acid modulates Bcl-2 family proteins during focal cerebral ischemia. We made a rat model of ischemic stroke by performing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Chlorogenic acid (30 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline was treated via intraperitoneal injection 2 hr before MCAO. Neurological behavioral tests were performed 24 hr after MCAO damage and cortical tissues were collected. Reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to observe changes in Bcl-2 family proteins expression. MCAO-damage induced neurobehavioral disorders and chlorogenic acid alleviate these deficits. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions were decreased and Bax and Bad expressions were increased in MCAO animals. However, chlorogenic acid treatment attenuated the decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and the increase of Bad and Bax due to MCAO surgery. Moreover, chlorogenic acid treatment attenuated MCAO-induced upregulation of caspase-3. These findings suggest that chlorogenic acid exerts neuroprotective effects against MCAO damage by regulating Bcl-2 family proteins including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bax, and Bad.

본 연구는 축산물 생산 환경에서 오염 가능한 Aspergillus ochraceus와 Rhodotorula mucilaginosa를 저감하기 위하여 자외선과 유기산을 활용하여 그 효과를 구명하였다. 이를 위하여 각각의 균 현탁액(107-108 spores/mL)을 칼 표면에 1 mL 접종하고 37oC에 건조한 후 각각의 처리 조건에 활 용하였다. 먼저 유기산 효과를 구명하기 위하여 아세트산, 젖산, 구연산을 활용하였으며 적정 농도 선정을 위하여 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5%의 농도로 제조하였다. 그 결과 아세트 산의 경우 약 5 log, 젖산은 최대 2 log CFU/cm2 감소하 였으나, 구연산의 경우 1 log 이하로 미미한 수준이었다. 이에 따라 유기산 처리 효과를 더욱 극대화하기 위해 자 외선과의 복합처리를 진행하고자 하였다. 두 균주는 모든 유기산에서 90% 이상 감소하여 초기 균주와 비교하였을 때 유의적인 차이(P<0.05)를 보였으며 특히 4%의 젖산은 자외선(360 mJ/cm2)과 함께 처리하였을 때, 2 log CFU/cm2 이상 감소하였으며 같은 조건에서 아세트산은 5 log CFU/ cm2이상의 저감능을 보였다. 그러나 본 연구에서 사용한 4% 농도의 아세트산으로 제조할 경우 이취가 매우 심하여 작업자가 생산환경에서 사용하기에 어려움이 있다. 이 에 따라서 현장에 적용하기 위한 유기산과 자외선 최적 처리 조건은 4% 젖산 용액에 1분간 침지한 후 자외선을 20분 가량(360 mJ/cm2) 살균 처리하는 방법으로 선정하였 다. 최종적으로 유기산 세척 및 자외선 처리가 된 칼로 돼 지고기 절단 작업을 수행하였을 때, 현장 오염 수준의 진 균류 농도에서 작업 후 돼지고기 표면으로 이행되는 오염 량은 모두 불검출 되었다. 본 연구를 통하여 실험실 규모 뿐만 아니라 최종적으로 현장에서 살균된 도구를 활용하 여 작업 시 고기 표면까지 이행되는 교차오염을 방지할 수 있는 것으로 사료된다.

수국은 수국과(Hydrangeaceae) 수국속(Hydrangea)의 낙엽관목 식물로 크고 화려한 화형을 가져 절화, 분화 및 조 경수로 전세계적 인기가 있는 식물이다. 나무수국은 수국 (H. macrophylla)과 비교하여 삽목율이 낮은 것으로 알려져 있지만 나무수국의 묘목생산을 위한 삽목 연구 및 두 종간 삽목율 차이 원인 규명에 관한 연구는 미미하다. 본 연구는 IBA(Indol-3-butyric acid) 500mg·L-1 처리시 삽수의 침지 시간에 따른 삽목율 조사를 통해 적정 호르몬 처리 시간을 제 시하고 나무수국과 수국의 해부학적 구조 관찰을 통한 삽목율 차이 발생의 원인을 규명하고자 실시하였다. 나무수국의 적정 호르몬 처리 시간을 규명하기 위해 IBA 500mg·L-1을 무처 리, 30분, 2시간, 4시간 침지처리를 하였다. 종간 삽목율 차이 발생의 원인 규명을 위해 나무수국과 수국의 줄기 단면과 삽 목 후 시간 경과에 따른 발근을 해부학적으로 관찰하였다. 연 구의 결과 나무수국의 삽목시 IBA 500mg·L-1에 2시간 이상 침지처리가 다른 처리구와 비교하여 발근율이 높고 발생 뿌리 수가 가장 많았다. 또, 나무수국의 삽목율이 수국과 비교하여 낮은 것은 줄기의 세포 구조상 방사조직의 형태, 섬유세포의 밀도, 도관의 발달, 전분 함유 세포의 수 등에 차이가 관찰되 었고 이러한 세포 구조적 차이들의 영향으로 나무수국이 수국 보다 삽목 후 뿌리 조직 세포분열이 7일 늦게 시작되는 것이 확인되었다. 본 연구의 결과로 나무수국의 삽목 번식의 기초 자료로 활용되어 묘목 생산 효율 증대에 활용되길 바란다.

This study evaluated the fungicidal efficacy of weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water (WAHW) against Microsporum canis (M. canis) and its therapeutic effect on M. canis-infected mouse skin. WAHW was produced by a WAHW generation module. A fungicidal efficacy test by the broth dilution method was used to determine the lowest effective concentration of the WAHW. The lowest effective concentration of WAHW was less than 10 ppm. For T-1, T-2, and T-3, 30 ppm of WAHW was applied to the infected skin once, twice, and three times a day, respectively, and for T-4, 50 ppm of WAHW was applied once a day. On the 3rd day after the initiation of treatment, skin scores in all of the WAHW-treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those in the positive control group (PC) (p<0.05), and there were no significant differences compared to the normal control (NC). The area of the infected skin in all of the WAHW-treated groups was significantly decreased compared to PC from the first day after the initiation of WAHW treatment (p<0.05). The results showed that WAHW had a fungicidal efficacy on M. canis at less than 10 ppm, and it was effective in improving skin symptoms when 30 ppm of WAHW was applied to the M. canis-infected area once a day for five days or 50 ppm of WAHW was applied once a day.

This study evaluated how acid treatment affects the ability of customized beads of activated carbon (BAC) to remove formaldehyde from air. Two different acids (hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid) were used to modify the surface of BAC prepared from a polymer material. The acid-modified BACs were further subjected to heat treatment. Physical and chemical characteristics of modified and unmodified BACs were investigated using nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Formaldehyde removal was evaluated under both dry and moist conditions. From the results, acid treatment clearly improved the adsorption performance, especially under the moist condition. Qualitative and quantitative surface analyses were conducted, mainly to examine the amount of O-bonds after acid treatment and the formation of S–O or Cl–O on BAC.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of heat-killed lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produced under different temperature conditions. Regarding probiotic properties, Limosilactobacillus fermentum SMF743 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SMF796 isolated from kimchi showed strong acid and bile salt resistance, adhesion activity onto HT-29 cells, and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria. Based on the results of thermal death time and temperature, heat-killed LAB cells (1 mg/mL) were prepared by heating at 70oC (180 min), 80oC (120 min), 100oC (30 min), and 121oC (15 min). The heat-killed SMF743 and SMF796 showed significantly higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities than live cells (p<0.05). The heat-killed SMF743 and SMF796 at 70oC or 121oC revealed stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and inhibition of nitric oxide production than those at 80oC or 100oC. Furthermore, heat-killed SMF743 and SMF796 at 121oC significantly reduced the gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase- 2 up to 53.33%, 58.67%, and 83.67%, respectively, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells (p<0.05). These results suggest that heat-killed L. fermentum SMF743 and L. plantarum SMF796 can be used as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

The pore structure of pitch-based activated carbon prepared by physical activation was improved by nitric acid treatment of pitch. The nitric acid treatment introduced oxygen and nitrogen functional groups on pitch, and increased pitch molecular weight by cross-linking. The introduced oxygen and nitrogen functional groups on pitch were removed during the carbonization process, so they did not directly affect the physical activation process. The increased pitch molecular weight induced an increase of the pitch softening point. The increased softening point prevented rearrangement between the pitch molecules during the carbonization process, thereby inhibiting the orientation improvement of pitch molecules. The crystal degree of the carbonized pitch was reduced due to the inhibition of the orientation improvement. The reduced crystal degree increased reactivity between carbonized pitch and activation agent ( CO2) and formed micropores, so that activated carbon with a high specific surface area could be prepared.

제 4 차 산업혁명이 일어남에 따라 각국의 정부와 기업들은 보다 환경친화적인 정책과 기술 개발에 힘쓰고 있다. 배기가스 배출과 소음이 거의 없는 전기차 및 수소차의 개발, 그리고 이를 보편화 하기 위한 정부의 정책 등 기존의 경제, 산업 구조를 친환경적으로 바꾸려는 시도가 많이 이루어지고 있다. 최근 여러 환경문제를 해결하기 위해 각종 유해 가스 흡착 및 폐수 처리용으로 활성탄을 많이 사용하고 있으나 흡착질의 특성에 따라 요구되는 표면 특성이 다르기 때문에 수요에 걸맞는 활성탄의 개발이 점차 요구되고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 친수성 유기물 제거에 유리한 활성탄을 개발하고자 C-O, C-O-C, C=O 및 O=C-O 등과 같은 친수성 작용기를 질산처리 방법을 통해 활성탄 표면에 효과적으로 도입하는 연구를 진행하였다. 질산을 활용하여 끓는점 및 다양한 농도 조건에서 활성탄을 환류, 개질하였고, 이를 세척 후 고온에서 탄화시켜 활성탄의 표면을 개질하였다. 제조된 개질활성탄은 활성탄의 비표면적, mesopore 및 micropore 의 함량을 알기 위하여 BET 를 이용하여 측정하였고, 4 M 120 ℃에서 개질한 결과 가장 높은 792.22 m2g-1 으로 확인되었다. 또한 제조된 활성탄의 표면 및 기공 특성 변화를 확인하기 위해 SEM, XPS, EDX, BET 등의 분석을 실시하였으며 질산 처리 정도에 따른 특성 변화에 대해 비교 고찰하였다.

Several factors, including genetic and environmental insults, impede protein folding and secretion in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Accumulation of unfolded or mis-folded protein in the ER manifests as ER stress. To cope with this morbid condition of the ER, recent data has suggested that the intracellular event of an unfolded protein response plays a critical role in managing the secretory load and maintaining proteostasis in the ER. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a chemical chaperone and hydrophilic bile acid that is known to inhibit apoptosis by attenuating ER stress. Numerous studies have revealed that TUDCA affects hepatic diseases, obesity, and inflammatory illnesses. Recently, molecular regulation of ER stress in tooth development, especially during the secretory stage, has been studied. Therefore, in this study, we examined the developmental role of ER stress regulation in tooth morphogenesis using in vitro organ cultivation methods with a chemical chaperone treatment, TUDCA. Altered cellular events including proliferation, apoptosis, and dentinogenesis were examined using immunostaining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. In addition, altered localization patterns of the formation of hard tissue matrices related to molecules, including amelogenin and nestin, were examined to assess their morphological changes. Based on our findings, modulating the role of the chemical chaperone TUDCA in tooth morphogenesis, especially through the modulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis, could be applied as a supporting data for tooth regeneration for future studies.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculation to domestically-cultivated Italian ryegrass (IRG) on silage fermentation and in vitro ruminal fermentation. There were six treatments based on the LAB inoculants: 1) no addition of LAB (negative control: NC), additions of 2) commercially-available LAB (positive control: PC), 3) Lactobacillus plantarum (LPL), 4) L. paracasei (LPA), 5) L. acidophilus (LA), and 6) L. pentosus (LPT). All treatments were inoculated at a concentration of 106 CFU/g and ensiled for 3, 7, 21, and 42 days in triplicate and analyzed for nutritive values when ensiling was terminated. Day 42 silage from all treatments were also examined for in vitro ruminal fermentation. After 42 days, LAB-inoculated silages had higher (P<0.05) lactic acid concentration compared to the NC. In terms of nutritive values, the silages treated with LPA, LA, and LPT showed higher (P<0.05) crude protein and lower (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content compared to the rest of the treatment. In vitro ruminal dry matter degradability was not affected by LAB addition. However, LAB-treated IRG had shown higher (P<0.05) ammonia-N compared with that of the NC. LPA had shown the highest (P<0.05) volatile fatty acid concentration among the LAB examined. In conclusion, the addition of a single strain of LAB appeared to produce a quality IRG silage compared with the NC and the PC. Among the strains examined, LPA seemed to be superior to the others.

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a good model organism in various areas of biological science. Since D. melanogaster has been thought to be adapted to the chemical stress environment caused by the overripen, decay and fermented fruits, identification of the genes involved in chemical tolerance and investigation of their expression patterns are essential for better understanding of the physiological evolution in D. melanogaster. For investigation of the gene expression level, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) can be applied to quantify gene expression level and selection of reliable reference gene(s) for normalization is an accurate step. In the present study, therefore, we validated the expression stabilities of ten candidate reference genes using three softwares (geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper) in D. melanogaster exposed to different concentrations of acetic acid, ethanol and 2-phenylethanol. Although three programs resulted in slightly different gene stability ranks, but overall tbp encoding TATA box binding protein was most stable gene in acetic acid and ethanol exposed fly, while nd encoding NADH dehydrogenase was the most suitable reference gene in the case of 2-phenylethanol treatment. In the comparison of three chemical treatment condition, nd was also suggested to be most optimal reference gene. In addition, optimal number of reference gene for accurate normalization was calculated by geNorm pairwise analysis, and selection of multiple reference genes was suggested to be better for target gene normalization method than use of a single reference gene.

본 연구는 느타리버섯 수확후배지를 배지자원으로 재사용하기 위하여 미생물처리에 의한 수확후 배지의 총질소함량 증진효과를 조사하였다. Bacillus sp. GM20-4 와 Rhodobacter sphaeroides(RS) 배양액 30%를 함께 접종하여 5일간 상온에서 배양 시 총질소 함량이 가장 크게 증가하였다. 농가의 수확후배지 조성에 따른 GM20-4와 RS 처리에 의한 T-N함량 변화를 조사하기 위하여 경기 지역 버섯재배농가 세 곳의 수확후배지(spent mushroom substrates, SMS A, B, C)를 수집하여 GM20-4 와 RS 배양액 30%를 처리한 결과, 무처리구에 비해 건조 SMS B 에서 T-N함량이 20%p로 가장 크게 증가하였고, 건조 SMS A는 17%, C는 12% 증가하였다. 반면에 생수확후 배지에서는 미생물 처리에 의한 T-N 함량 증가 효과가 크지 않았다. 또한 아미노산 조성별 함량 변화는 건조된 SMS A, B, C 모두 GM20-4와 RS 처리로 aspatic acid와 glutamic acid가 상대적으로 높게 증가한 결과를 보였고, 특히 건조 SMS B의 처리구에서 두 아미노산의 함량이 무처리구보다 2.9배 증가를 보임으로서 미생물처리가 수확후배지의 총질소 및 아미노산 함량의 증진효과를 확인하였다.

본 연구는 유칼립투스(Eucalyptus pulverulenta) 잎에서 치료적 효과가 큰 α-pinene과 1,8-cineole 함량증가에 미치는 H2O2와 SA 처리의 영향에 대해 알아보기 위하여 수행하였다. 유칼립투스가지를 H2O2 수용액(0.3, 0.5, 1%)과 SA 수용액(0.1, 1mM)에 침지하거나 잎에 엽면살포(0.1mM SA, 1% H2O2)한 뒤 시간흐름(0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4시간)에 따른 α-pinene과 1,8-cineole의 함량변화를 분석한 결과, 침지처리에서 유칼립투스 잎의 α-pinene 함량(mg･L-1)은 0.1mM SA에 2시간 침지 후 1.62에서 5.48로 크게 증가하였으며(238.27%, p=0.012), 1,8-cineole 함량(mg･L-1)은 1mM SA에 4시간 침지 후 44.44에서 78.96으로 크게 증가하였다(77.66%, p=0.026). 살포처리에서는 0.1mM SA를 엽면살포 30분 후 α-pinene 함량(mg･L-1)은 1.62에서 3.91로(141.36%, p=0.007), 1,8-cineole 함량(mg･L-1)은 44.44에서 87.91로 증가하였다(97.82%, p=0.001). α-pinene과 1,8-cineole 모두 살포처리 30분 뒤 크게 증가하여, 엽면살포가 짧은 시간내에 방향화합물을 증가시키는데 침지처리보다 효과적이었으며, H2O2와 SA 처리는 α-pinene과 1,8-cineole의 함량증가에 유의한 영향이 있었다. 또한, SA의 처리가 H2O2보다 방향화합물 함량증가에 더 효과적이었으며, 유칼립투스 가지의 경우 원예치료 2시간 전에 0.1mM SA 용액에 담그거나 30분 전에 잎에 살포하면 monoterpene의 유칼립투스 함량이 크게 증가되었다.

Phosphorus (P) is a limited, essential, and irreplaceable nutrient for the biological activity of all the living organisms. Sewage sludge ash (SSA) is one of the most important secondary P resources due to its high P content. The SSA has been intensively investigated to recover P by wet chemicals (acid or alkali). Even though H2SO4 was mainly used to extract P because of its low cost and accessibility, the formation of CaSO4 (gypsum) hinders its use. Heavy metals in the SSA also cause a significant problem in P recovery since fertilizer needs to meet government standards for human health. Therefore, P recovery process with selective heavy metal removal needs to be developed. In this paper some of the most advanced P recovery processes have been introduced and discussed their technical characteristics. The results showed that further research is needed to identify the chemical mechanisms of P transformation in the recovery process and to increase P recovery efficiency and the yields.