The enzyme digestion of foods is known to have certain advantages, such as enhancing health improvement functions of functional foods. In this study, we investigated whether the memory enhancement effects of HongJam could be enhanced by enzymatic digestions. We found that enzyme digested HJ had more enhanced functionality than undigested HJ. We also found the molecular basis of memory enhancement by performing various biochemical and molecular biological experiments. (Grant No. PJ016908032023)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of PineXol® on H2O2-induced cell death in SK-N-MC cells, and in early stage focal ischemia rodent model. SK-N-MC cells were pre-treated with 200 μM H2O2 or various concentrations of PineXol® (10, 30, and 50 pg/mL) for 24 h, and then exposed to H2O2 for 3 h. Cell death was assessed by the CCK-8 assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and lactate and dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expressions were also analyzed by western blotting. Focal ischemia rodent model was used as the in vivo model, and different concentrations of PineXol® (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg) were administered. One week after administration, reduction of infarct volume was analyzed by TTC staining. Cell viability of H2O2-treated SK-N-MC cells significantly increased by pre-treatment of PineXol® (p<0.05). PineXol® pre-treatment also induced significant decrease of ROS and LDH expressions. However, PineXol® did not affect the infarct volume. These results suggest that PineXol® has significant neuroprotective effect in vitro, but statistical significance was not confirmed in the in vivo focal ischemia mo

This study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract in in-vitro and in-vivo models. T98G-human glioblastoma cells were pretreated with various concentrations (1~10 mg/mL) of Cheonggukjang extract for 24 h and then exposed to H2O2 (1 mM) for 3 h. The neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract were measured using a CCK-8 kit assay, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The early stage focal ischemia rodent model was used as the in-vivo neurotoxicity model. Various concentrations (10~200 mg) of Cheonggukjang extract were administered to the animal models for 1 week. Peripheral blood was analyzed for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expression by ELISA, and infarct volume reduction was analyzed by TTC staining. Cheonggukjang extract significantly (p<0.05) increased cell viability in T98G cells against H2O2 as well as against the induced neurotoxicity. Indeed, treatment with the Cheonggukjang extract induced a decrease in ROS and LDH expression and increased TAC significantly (p<0.05). However, Cheonggukjang extract did not induce a decrease in infarct volume or an increase in GPx expression in the in-vivo model. Despite the limitation in neuroprotection, Cheonggukjang extract may be useful for treating ROS injury.

이 연구에서는 몽골 흡수굴 호수 인근에서 발견되는 설치류(땅다람쥐) 서관 구조의 일반적인 특징을 조사하였다. 설치류 서관 구조는 직선이거나 약하게 휘어진 형태이며 완만하게 경사진 형태롤 보인다. 단면상의 모양은 원형 내지는 타원형이고 지름은 주로 8-10 cm의 크기를 보인다. 버려진 서관 구조들은 대부분 토양이나 자갈에 의해 수동적으로 채워져 있다. 연구 지역에서 관찰되는 서관 구조의 크기와 구조적인 특징들은 이전에 한국에서 보고된 플라이스토세 후기 서관 구조들과 매우 유사하므로 한국에서 발견되었던 서관 구조들도 땅다람쥐과에 의해 형성된 것으로 판단된다. 하지만 서관 구조 충진물의 차이로 판단할 때 당시 한국의 연평균 강수량이 몽골에 비해 훨씬 높았던 것으로 생각된다.

Germ cell-specific hyaluronidases such as sperm adhesion molecule 1 (SPAM1) and hyaluronoglucosaminidase 5 (Hyal5) are in part responsible for dispersal of the cumulus cell mass, which is a critical step in establishing fertilization in mammals. In this study, we identified two testis-hyaluronidases, SPAM1 and Hyal5, in hamster and rat. These two genes were expressed specifically in the testis. At the protein level, hamster SPAM1 and Hyal5 display 78.7% and 75.4% identity with mouse SPAM1 and Hyal5. Further, the activity of the enzymes with respect to cumulus cell dispersion did not differ, although we observed that the enzymatic activity differed in pH range. These studies suggest that different sperm hyaluronidases are capable of dispersing the cumulus cell mass despite differences in enzyme activity.

Due to the similarities of their anatomical morphology and physiology to those of humans, pigs have increasingly become useful models for toxicological and pharmacological studies. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the quality control level through hematological features of minipigs. Thus, we attempted to determine whether there are differences in hematological parameters between male and female minipigs. No significant differences in the levels of erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocytes (WBC), and serum electrolytes were observed between male and female minipigs. However, leukocytes were higher than reference range in both sexes (26.46±2.06 vs 11.6±5.4 for male; 23.58±3.36 vs 10.0±2.0 for female). In differential leukocyte counts, no significant differences in leukocyte parameters were observed between sexes. However, neutrophils were higher than reference range in both sexes (60.65±13.92 vs 33.1±18.9 for male; 46.84±12.80 vs 15.4±5.6 for female). In serum biochemical analysis, no significant differences in biochemical parameters were observed between male and female minipigs. However, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALT) were higher than reference range, while alanine aminotransferase (ALP) was lower than reference range. In urine analysis, pH of male and female was 8.3±1.0 and 6.4±1.6, showing a higher value in male minipigs. These data indicate that quality control of minipigs must take precedence in conduct of toxicological and pharmacological studies.

1973.9.7-10.11까지 우리나라에 있어서 농작물의 피해에 가장 크게 영향하는 쥐의 종류와 주요 서식처를 밝히고자 강원도와 경기도 일환을 대상으로 10개소의 논에 대하여 피해조사를 실시하였다. 조사결과 전체적으로는 1971년도 벼의 평균피경률 조생종 중만생종 보다 월등히 남은 조생종 및 중만생종 이었다. 그러나 대부분의 피해는 농가로부터 50m(간혹 l100m)이내에서 심하게 나타났고 피해의 원인이 되는 주요 쥐종류는 시궁쥐 (Rattus norvegicus Caraco)와 등줄쥐 (Apodemus agrarius)이었다. 1974. 4. 9-4.18까지 전국대표적인 지역을 순회하면서 농민과 농촌지도원을 대상으로 광범위한 여론을 수집한 바 우리나라에 있어서 쥐에 의한 농작물의 피해는 농촌부락에서 서식월동하는 쥐의 개체군에 밀접한 관련을 가지고 있음이 확인되었다.

Rodents, specially rats, can recognize distance and shape of an object and also pattern of the textures by using their whiskers. Mechanoreceptors surrounding the root of whisker in their follicle measure deflection of the whisker. Rats can move their whisker back and forth freely. This ability, called active whisking or active sensing, is one of characteristics of rat behaviours. Many researches based on the mechanism have been progressed. In this paper, we test a simple and accurate method based on deflection of the whisker: we designed biomimetic whiskers modeling after a structure of follicle using the microphone. The microphone sensor measures a mechanical vibration. Attaching an artificial whisker beam to the microphone membrane, we can detect a vibration of whisker and this can show the deflection amount of whisker indirectly.