The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of saengshik in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to explore the potential of three commercially available saengshik products (BS, LS, WS) as an alternative diabetic meal. Blood glucose levels were measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes after the ingestion of experimental materials. In experiment 1, the amount of experimental materials remained the same. We measured blood glucose-related biomarkers as the area under the blood glucose response curve (AUC), glycemic index (GI), maximum concentration (Cmax), and time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax). AUC and Cmax of the experimental group showed significant differences compared to the control group, while GI and Tmax did not show significant differences among the groups but were lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. In experiment 2, carbohydrates were adjusted to the same amount. We measured blood glucose-related biomarkers in the same manner as Experiment 1 and obtained similar results. These hypoglycemic effects appear to be attributed to phytochemicals and dietary fiber found in whole, unrefined grains. These results suggest that saengshik exerts hypoglycemic effects by modulation of glucose-related biomarkers.

본 연구에서는 해상가두리 양식장에서 북방전복과 둥근전복속 교잡종(왕전복♀*둥근전복♂)의 생물지표를 분석하여 교잡육종의 결과를 평가하고자 하였다. 생존율은 북방전복과 유사하였 으나, 성장(각장)은 교잡종에서 약 10% 빠른 것으로 분석되었다. 패각의 호흡공 기형율은 교잡 종이 북방전복보다 약 6% 낮았으며, 패각 함몰 및 부식율은 교잡종이 약 15% 낮았다. 생화학 적 조성에서는 조단백질의 경우 교잡종에서 약 3.1% 높았으며, 이를 제외한 나머지에서 유사 한 값을 나타냈다. 소화, 흡수 및 해독기능을 수행하는 간췌장의 조직학적 평가에서는 교잡종 에서 좋은 결과를 보였다. 이러한 결과로 보아 둥근전복속 교잡종은 추후 양식 환경에 접목 하였을 때 높은 양식 생산력을 가질 것으로 판단된다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of biomarkers through the supply of natural diet in the juvenile hybrid abalone (Haliotis discus discus♀*H. madaka♂). For the study, the shell length of about 17 mm and the total weight of 0.83 g were used. The feeding conditions were set as the natural diet group (dried laver) and the formulated diet group, and the experiment duration was 16 weeks. The survival rate was about 14% higher in the natural diet group than the formulated diet group, and growth was also faster in the natural diet group. Shell malformation rate was lower in the natural diet group (7.5%) than the formulated diet group (21.5%). In the biochemical composition, except for carbohydrates, both experimental groups showed similar values. The degeneration of epithelial cells in the hepatopancreatic tubule was lower in the natural diet group than the formulated diet group, and the activity of basophilic cell was higher in the natural diet group. These results indicate that it is worth considering the supply of natural diet for the breeding of juvenile hybrid abalone and the improvement of the quality of the formulated diet (H. discus discus♀*H. madaka♂).

A pregnancy diagnosis is an important standard for control of livestock’s reproduction in paricular dairy cattle. High reproductive performance in dairy animals is a essential condition to realize of high life-time production. Pregnancy diagnosis is crucial to shortening the calving interval by enabling the farmer to identify open animals so as to treat or re-breed them at the earliest opportunity. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules which are critically involved in regulating gene expression during both health and disease. This study is sought to establish the feasible of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of early pregnancy in cattle. We applied Illumina small-RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in plasma samples collected from 12 non-pregnant cows (“open” cows: samples were collected before insemination (non-pregnant state) and after pregnancy check at the indicated time points) on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Using small RNA sequencing we identified a total of 115 miRNAs that were differentially expressed weeks 16 relative to non-pregnancy (“open” cows). Weeks 8, 12 and 16 of pregnancy commonly showed a distinct increase in circulating levels of miR-221 and miR-320a. Through genome-wide analyses we have successfully profiled plasma miRNA populations associated with pregnancy in cattle. Their application in the field of reproductive biology has opened up opportunities for research communities to look for pregnancy biomarker molecules in dairy cattle.

This study aims to evaluate the concentration of biomarkers for heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the residents living in the Gwangyang industrial complex to compare with residents in the residential area as a control. A total of 810 healthy adults participated in this study, and their urinary and blood samples were analyzed for metals, including As, Pb, Cd, or Hg, and VOC compounds. All study participants also completed questionnaire surveys to collect more detailed information on personal lifestyles, dietary and drinking habits, residential housings types, and their health conditions. The geometric means of urinary levels of Cd were 1.06 g/g creatinine for those living in the vicinity of Gwangyang industrial complex and 1.41 g/g creatinine for those in residential areas (p<0.05). Furthermore, urinary mean levels of Hg were 1.39 μg/g creatinine in the industrial area and 1.23 μg/g creatinine in the control area, respectively. The concentrations of individual VOCs in blood were significantly different between the two population groups. Therefore, urinary levels of Cd and Hg were significantly higher in the local residents compared to the Gwangyang industrial areas. A further study is needed to identify adverse health effects due to environmental exposures to heavy metals, VOCs, and other pollutants in the Gwangyang industrial complex areas in the future.

This study was conducted to analyze the specific genes associated with sex-determination in Korean native cow. The highly organized spermatogenesis requires accurate spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression, which is governed by transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic processes. Recently, farmers have been interested in determining the sexual identity of the calves in their farm. We analyzed the sperm of Korean native and Holstein cows, which were supplied from Hanwoo Improvement Center. We evaluated sperm motility and expression of sperm-specific genes after treating semen with both male- and female reagents. Sperm motility in Korean native cows decreased by approximately 10% in the first 30 minutes after treatment with sex-determination reagent. However, sperm motility of Holstein cows decreased to 60-70% after 15 minutes and to 20-30% after 30 minutes. We selected six specific genes expressing in the spermatozoa to analysis the gene expression level. The Real-time PCR results suggest that the selected genes (Gimap4, Tmeff1, Rac2, Abi2, Rac1, and Clu) were highly expressed in the group treated with the male reagent compared to the group treated the female reagent and to the untreated-group (control). In the present study, we suggest that the selected genes play a pivotal role in sex-determination.

This study was conducted to analyze the specific genes associated with sex-determination in semen of Korean Native cow. Male fertility is dependent upon the successful perpetuation of spermatogenesis that is a highly organized process of germ cell differentiation occurring within the seminiferous tubules in the testis. The highly organized spermatogenesis requires accurate, spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression governed by transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic processes. Recently, the farmers have been interesting in the male or female of calves in the their farm. In first, we analyzed the semen supplied from Hanwoo Improvement Center, NongHyup. The sperm motility in Hanwoo was decreased approximately 10 % in the 30 min after sex-determinant reagent. However, Holstein' sperm motility was decreased to 60-70% after 15 min and the motility was considerably decreased to 20-30 % after 30 min. Next, we analyzed the sperm specific expression genes both male- and female reagents treated-group. The real-time PCR results suggest that the selected genes (GIMP4, TMEFF1, RAC2, ABI2, RAC1, and CLUS) were highly expressed in the group treated with the male reagent compared to female reagent treated group and untreated-group. In the present study, although X or Y gene is play a key role in the sex-determination of mammalian, we suggest that the selected genes may be involved in the sex-determination.

The ability of conventional semen analysis to predict male fertility is questionable. Since the prediction of male fertility is extremely of importance for the artificial insemination and profitable farm managements in animals, the development of highly sensitive biomarker of male fertility is a prime concern. Porcine Seminal Protein I (PSP-I) and Porcine Seminal Protein II (PSP-II) have been known that they are related with motility, and viability of spermatozoa. Thus, we investigated PSP-I and PSP-II level in boar spermatozoa to predict boar’s fertility. The expressions of PSP-I and PSP-II in spermatozoa from 21 individual boars with different fertility and litter size (litter size ranges from 10.3 – 14.2) were examined using qRT-PCR. Litter size was determined in 530 saws after artificial insemination (AI). In addition, sperm motility, motion kinematics, and capacitation status were measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis and Hoechst 33258/chlortetracycline fluorescence staining, respectively. PSP-I and PSP-II showed significantly negative correlation with litter size (r=0.578; P=0.006 and r=0.456; P=0.038, respectively). Furthermore, receiver-operating curves (ROC) was used to determine the accuracy for the prediction of boar fertility. Therefore we divided into 2 groups based on the median value of litter size. When selecting higher litter size group, PSP-I can predict litter size with overall accuracy 90.48% (sensitivity 88.89, specificity 91.67, negative predictive value 91.67, and positive predictive value 88.89) and PSP-II can predict with overall accuracy 81.82% (sensitivity 55.56, specificity 100.00, negative predictive value 76.47, and positive predictive value 100.00). Interestingly, PSP-I and PSP-II were found to increase 0.76 pups than average litter size (average 12.48) in tested boars. To best of our knowledge, this study is the first trial to investigate the correlation between PSP-I, PSP-II, and litter size. Therefore, we suggest that PSP-I and PSP-II could be considered as promising biomarkers for predicting male fertility and litter size outcome in field condition.

Sperm cryopreservation is well known as a valuable method to preserve the genetic traits. Although many studies have established semen cryopreservation protocols, lack of studies were conducted to discover the differences of sperm proteome and functions between ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa following to cryopreservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to (i) evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on bull epididymal spermatozoa and (ii) discover the potential biomarkers, which have highly tolerance to freezing on bull epididymal spermatozoa. Our preliminary study demonstrated that spermatozoa from each bulls have different resistance on freezing during cryopreservation. We divided spermatozoa into two groups according to sperm motility following to cryopreservation; high freezing-tolerant spermatozoa (HFS) and low freezing-tolerant spermatozoa (LFS). Several sperm functional parameters, i.e. sperm motility/motion kinematics, speed parameters, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and capacitation status. Our results showed that all parameters except for motion kinematics and capacitation status had significant differences between HFS and LFS. Subsequently, two dimensional electrophoresis were conducted to compare the expression levels of sperm proteome between both groups. Three proteins {glutathione s-transferase mu 5 (GSTM5), voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2 (VDAC2), and ATP stynthase subunit beta (ATP1B1)} were differentially expressed. Based on these results, we propose that epididymal spermatozoa from individual bull have different freezability upon cryopreservation and three differentially expressed proteins might be selected as a biomarker to predict high freezing-tolerant epididymal spermatozoa.

We investigated the effect of different exercise intensities on biomarkers of oxidant-antioxidant balance, inflammation, and muscle damage. Eighteen healthy and untrained male subjects were enrolled.Subjects were randomly and equally assigned to a moderate-intensityexercise(MIE, 65%VO2max) group(n=9) or a high-intensity exercise(HIE, 85%VO2max) group(n=9).Blood samples were collectedimmediately pre-exercise, post-exercise, and 60min post-exercisetoexamine oxidant-antioxidant balance(d-ROMs; BAP), inflammation(CRP; fibrinogen), muscle damage(CK; LDH), and lactate. Serum d-ROMs and BAP levels were significantly increased post-exercise compared with pre-exercise levels in HIE group(p<0.05). Lactate levels were significantly increased post-exercise compared pre-exercise levels in both the MIE and HIE groups(p<0.05). In addition, post-exercise serum d-ROMs and plasma lactate levels were significantly higher in the HIE group than in the MIE group(p<0.05). These results suggest that although relatively high-intensity exercises may increase oxidative stress levels in the body, they do not produce inflammatory response and/or muscle damage.

본 연구의 목표는 열 스트레스 하에서 오리사료 내 대사에너지(ME) 수준이 혈액 매개변수에 미치는 영향을 조사하는 것이었다. 총 240마리의 육용 오리 채리밸리((Anas platyrhynchos)를 4처리구 로 완전임의배치 한 후 42일 동안 사육하였다. 처리구는 ME 2900 kcal/kg, ME 3000 kcal/kg, ME 3100 kcal/kg 및 ME 3200 kcal/kg로 구분하 였다. 혈액 지질 프로파일은 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 2900이 높았으나 ME 3100과 ME 3200은 낮 았다 (p < 0.05). 혈액 aspartate aminotransferase (AST)와 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 수준은 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 3100과 ME 3200에서 증가하였다 (p < 0.05). 혈액 적혈구와 혈소판 프로 파일은 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 3100과 ME 3200은 높아졌으나 ME 2900은 감소하였다 (p < 0.05). 혈액 전해질 가운데, chloride (Cl-) 농도는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 2900에서 낮아졌다 (p < 0.05). 혈액 가스와 PCO2는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 2900에서 감소하였다 (p < 0.05). 혈액 면역물 질(IgG) 수준은 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 2900에서 줄어들었다 (p < 0.05). 스트레스 호르몬, 코르티 코스테론은 ME 3000과 비교할 때 ME 2900에서 높아졌으나 ME 3100과 ME 3200은 낮아졌다 (p < 0.05).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between frequency of coffee consumption, metabolic biomarkers, and nutrition intake in adult participants in the combined 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Subjects (2,095 males and 3,297 females) were classified according to sex and frequency of coffee consumption (≤1 time/month, ≥2 times/month and ≤6 times/week, 1 time/day, 2 times/day, 3 times/day) using food frequency questionnaires. Nutrition intake was analyzed using 24 h recall data. The 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly higher age, and frequency of smokers and drinkers compared to the ≤1 time/month coffee consumption group in both male and female participants. Males in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly lower HDL-cholesterol level, but females had a higher waist circumference compared with the ≤1 time/month coffee consumption group. Males in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly lower nutrient density of fiber, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus compared with the ≤1 time/month coffee intake group. Females in the 3 times/day coffee consumption group had a significantly higher nutrient density of fat and niacin, but lower nutrient density of carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, and iron compared with the ≤1 time/month coffee intake group. In males, the frequency of coffee consumption was not associated with the levels of metabolic biomarkers. In females, the frequency of coffee consumption was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure after adjustments for multiple confounding factors, including age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity and energy intake. Coffee consumption was associated with decreased diastolic blood pressure in females. These findings suggest the importance of an awareness of the association between coffee consumption and metabolic risk.

The integrative approach for ecological stream health assessments was applied to a stream ecosystem using a multi-level organization from molecular level of biomarkers to community levels of bioindicators along with analysis of physical and chemical stressors. Water quality parameters of BOD, COD, TN, and TP etc were measured and physical habitat health, based on Qualitative habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) model were analyzed. Also, Ecological stream health model, based on index of biological integrity (IBI) by fish assemblage, was developed for regional assessments and then applied to the stream. Six metric attributes of original 11 metrics were modified for a development of the model. Biomarkers of comet assay, blood chemistry, physiological parameters, and bioindicators such as organismal-, population-, community- level parameters were evaluated in this study along with eco-toxicity tests. Some stations impaired (stressed) in terms of stream health were identified by the IBI approach and also major key stressors affecting the health were identified using BOD, TN, TP, physical habitat evaluation, and eco-toxicity tests. The assessment approach of integrative ecological stream health would be used as a key tool for ecological restorations and species conservations in the degraded stream ecosystems and applied for elucidating major causes of ecological disturbances. Ultimately, this approach provides us an effective management strategy of stream ecosystems through establishments of ecological networks in various watersheds. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2013R1A1A4A01012939).

The study objectives were to evaluate the aquatic environment of an urban stream using various ecological parameters of biological biomarkers, physical habitat and chemical water quality and to develop a “Multi-metric Eco-Model” (Mm-E Model) for the ecosystem evaluations. The biomarkers of DNA, based on the comet assay approach of single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), were analyzed using the blood samples of Zacco platypus as a target species. The condition factor (CF) as key indicators of the population evaluation indicator was analyzed along with the weight-length relation and individual abnormality. The four metrics of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) were added for the evaluations of physical habitat. In addition, the parameters of chemical water quality were used as eutrophic indicators. Our results suggested that attributes of biomarkers and bioindicators in the impacted zone (Iz) had sensitive response largely to the chemical stress (eutrophic indicators) and also partially to physical habitat quality, compared to the those in the control zone. Hereafter, applying Multimetric Eco-Model to stream ecosystem, it will be able to evaluate ecological health state.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and related trichothecene mycotoxins are extensively distributed in the cereal-based food and feed stuffs worldwide. Recent climate changes and global grain trade increased chance of exposure to more DON and related toxic metabolites in poorly managed production systems. Monitoring the biological and environmental exposures to the toxins are crucial in protecting human and animals from toxicities of the hazardous contaminants in food or feeds. Exposure biomarkers including urine DON itself are prone to shift to less harmful metabolites by intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic enzymes. De-epoxyfication of DON by gut microbes such as Eubacterium strain BBSH 797 and Eubacterium sp. DSM 11798 leads to more fecal secretion of DOM-1. By contrast, most of plant-derived DON-glucoside is also easily catabolized to free DON by gut microbes, which produces more burden to body. Phase 2 hepatic metabolism also contributes to the glucuronidation of DON, which can be useful urine biomarkers. However, chemical modification could be very typical depending on the anthropologic or genetic background, luminal bacteria, and hepatic metabolic enzyme susceptibility to the toxins in the diet. After toxin exposure, effect biomarkers are also important in estimating the linkage and mechanisms of foodborne diseases in human and animal population. Most prominent adverse effects are demonstrated in the DON-induced immunological and behavioral disorders. For instance, acutely elevated interleukin-8 from insulted gut exposed to dietaty DON is a dominant clinical biomarker in human and animals. Moreover, subchronic exposure to the toxins is associated with high levels of serum IgA, a biological mediator of IgA nephritis. In particular, anorexia monitoring using mouse models are recently developed to monitor the biological activities of DON-induced feed refusal. It is also mechanistically linked to alteration of serotoin and peptide YY, which are promising biomarkers of neurological disorders by the toxins. As animalalternative biomonitoring, huamn enterocyte-based assay has been developed and more realistic gut mimetic models would be useful in monitoring the effect biomarkers in resposne to toxic contaminants in the future investigations.

Because of the irreversible nature of periodontal disease, early diagnosis is an important aspect of management of patients with periodontal disease. Human saliva is an attractive medium for disease diagnosis because its collection is noninvasive and simple. Analysis of saliva may be especially beneficial in the determination of current periodontal status and serve as means for the screening of periodontal disease. In the present study, we investigated potential biochemical markers in whole saliva samples for the screening of periodontal disease using proteomics technique. We enrolled five subjects each from four different groups on the basis of measures of periodontal health (healthy group, gingivitis group, chronic periodontitis group and aggressive periodontitis group). Eleven proteins in whole saliva samples were identified as differentially expressed proteins between the healthy and periodontal disease groups using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight / time-of-flight mass spectrophotometry (MADLI-TOF/TOF MS) approaches. Although the diagnostic value of oral fluid has been recognized for some time and potential biomarkers of periodontal disease have been identified in saliva, this, to our knowledge, is one of the first studies to examine large-scale proteomic profiling to identify the extent of periodontal destruction. Thus, this work provides an important framework for future efforts aimed at understanding salivary responses to periodontal destruction and predicting the future disease progression.

A comprehensive quality survey for PCDDs/PCDFs and coplanar PCBs as well as heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in sediments has been investigated in August 2006, Korea. Monitoring was undertaken at five streams representing different surrounding environment