Earticle

It is well known that the ship maneuvering motion is greatly affected by hydrodynamic forces and moments acting between two ships passing too close to each other in confined waters, such as in a harbor or narrow channel. This hydrodynamic forces and moments can be assumed to be the functions of the longitudinal and transverse distance along with their speeds. The aim of the present research is to develop a guideline of ship velocity and safe distance between ships to avoid the influence of the hydrodynamic forces and moments and to navigate ships safely in confined waters. From the perspective of marine safety, considering the interaction and wind effect as a parameter, an overtaking and overtaken vessel navigating too close to each other under the condition of wind direction from $80^{\circ}\;to\;150^{\circ}$ should be cautioned with high alert, regardless of ship types. Also, regardless of the ship-velocity ratio and ship types, an overtaking and overtaken vessel can be maneuvered safely without deviating from the original course under the following conditions; the transverse distance between two vessels is approximately kept at 1.0 times of ship length and 5 through 10 degrees of range in maximum rudder angle.

In order to develop silk peptide (SP) preparations possessing cognition-enhancing effect, several candidates were screened through in vitro assays, and their effectiveness was investigated in facilitated brain aging model rats. Incubation of brain acetyl-cholinesterase with SP-PN (1-1,000 ${\mu}g/ml$) led to inhibition of the enzyme activity up to 35%, in contrast to a negligible effect of SP-NN. The expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA of neural stem cells expressing ChAT gene (F3.ChAT) was increased by 24-hour treatment with 10 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ SP-NN (1.35 and 2.20 folds) and SP-PN (2.40 and 1.34 folds). Four-week subcutaneous injections with D-galactose (150 mg/kg) increased activated hippocampal astrocytes to 1.7 folds (a marker of brain injury and aging), decreased acetylcholine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid by 45-50%, and thereby impaired learning and memory function in passive avoidance and water-maze performances. Oral treatment with SP preparations (50 or 300 mg/kg) for 5 weeks from 1 week prior to D-galactose injection exerted recovering activities on acetylcholine depletion and brain injury/aging as well as cognitive deficit induced by D-galactose. The results indicate that SP preparations restore cognitive functions of facilitated brain aging model rats by increasing the release of acetylcholine, in addition to neuroprotective activity.

In this study, the effect of pH on the antioxidative activities of melanoidins formed as a result of the reaction between sugars, glucose (Glc) or fructose (Fru), and amino acids, L-asparagine (L-Asn) and D-asparagine (D-Asn) are examined. For this purpose, antioxidative activities were evaluated on the basis of reducing power, including ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical scavenging activity includes 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl- hydrazil (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and ferrous ion chelating activity. Ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and trolox, a water-soluble analog of tocopherol, were used as reference antioxidant compounds. The antioxidative activities of the melanoidins at a pH of 7.0 were greater than those with a pHs of 4.0 and pH 10.0. Especially, it was found that the melanoidins formed from D-isomers are more effective antioxidants in different in vitro assays. The reducing power and chelating activity of the melanoidins formed from the Fru systems were higher than those of the melanoidins formed from the Glc systems. However, the ABTS radical scavenging activity of the melanoidins formed from the Glc systems were higher than those of the melanoidins formed from the Fru systems. In particular, the DPPH radical scavenging activity and the FRAP of the melanoidins showed different antioxidative activities according to pH level.

Background: Cisplatin is one of the most extensively used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer, including bladder, and ovarian cancers. However, it has been shown to induce nephrotoxicity, despite being an outstanding anti-cancer drug. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of dopaol β-D-glucoside (dopaol) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods and Results: To confirm the protective effect of dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, HK-2 cells were treated with 20 µM cisplatin and 80 µM dopaol. Cisplatin increased apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction; however pretreatment with 80 µM dopaol successfully attenuated apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. To evaluate the protective effect dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo, we used an animal model (balb/c mice, 20 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). The results were similar to those obtained using HK-2 cells; renal tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin reduced following dopaol injection (10 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). Conclusions: These results indicate that dopaol treatment reduced cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, and can be used to treat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further studies are required to determine the toxicity high dose dopaol and the signal pathways involved in its mechanism of action in animal models.

Background: Although a number of Panax ginseng cultivars have been developed by Korean researchers in recent years, there has been insufficient analysis of their beneficial properties. In this study, we sought to identify useful ginseng varieties as functional materials. Methods and Results: We evaluated effects of root extracts of 10 ginseng cultivars (Cheongsun; CS, Chunpoong; CP, Gopoong; GP, Gumpoong; GMP, K1, Sunhyang; SH, Sunone; SO, Sunpoong; SP, Sunun; SU and Yunpoong; YP) against the inhibitory effects of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mouse brain microglial BV2 cells, as well as the binding of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a marker related to memory. Ginsenosides, such as 20 (S)-protopanaxadiols (PPDs), including ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rb3, -Rc, -Rd, and - Rg3 and 20 (S)-protopanaxatriols (PPTs) including -Re, -Rg1, and -Rg2 were analyzed by HPLC. We observed that the cultivar GMP showed the highest inhibitory effect (60.8%) against NO production at 20 ㎍/㎖. Those cultivars showing the significantly highest inhibition effects against ROS at 20 ㎍/㎖ were K1 (57.3%), SP (54.5%), YP (53.1%), CP (51.7%), CS (50.9%) and SH (49.6%). At 50 ㎍/㎖, K1 showed the most potent inhibitory effect (51.2%) on NMDAR binding. The total phenol content of SH (1.89 ㎎/g) and K1 (1.73 ㎎/g) were higher than those of the other cultivars, whereas in terms of PD/PT ratios, the values of CP (0.98), K1 (1.05) and SO (1.05) were lower than those of the other cultivars. On the basis of correlation coefficient (0.7064) between NMDAR inhibition and ONOO− scavenging activity. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the cultivars K1 and SH could be useful ginseng resources as functional materials with favorable cognition-improving and antioxidative properties.

본 연구는 한우의 mtDNA D-loop 영역 염기변이가 산유량에 미치는 효과를 검증하기 위하여 수행하였다. 젖소의 mtDNA D-loop 영역에서 단일염기의 치환이 20개의 지역에서 확인되었다. 그중 8, 169, 16042, 16051, 16057, 16093, 16119, 16122, 16209, 16255, 16302 bp 지역에서 높은 빈도의 염기치환이 검출되었다. 16119 bp 지역에서는 T가 C로 치환된 빈도가 0.138로 검출되었으며, 이 위치에서의 염기치환에 의한 산유량 효과는 -1.611(p<0.1)로 나타났다. 16185 bp 지역에서의 염기치환에 의한 산유량 효과는 3.557(p<0.05)로 나타났으며 G가 A로 치환된 빈도는 0.063로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 검출한 한우 다유계통 집단의 mtDNA내 D- loop 영역의 염기서열 변이 빈도와 유량과의 연관성분석 결과 등은 한우 집단의 유전적 변이성 추정과 좀 더 다양한 경제형질과의 관련성 분석으로 다양한 유전적 지표인자 발굴에 도움 될 것이며 이를 통해 분자유전학적 기법을 이용한 한우의 육종 전략을 확립하는데 기초 자료가 되는 것은 물론 우리나라 고유 품종인 한우의 유전자원 보존과 분자육종학적인 연구에 기초 자료로서 유용하게 활용 할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

This study was performed to analyze the sequence variations of mtDNA D-loop and their effects on milk in Hanwoo(Korean cattle). The resulting sequences were compared with previously published sequences for other cattle breeds (GenBank J01394). The Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed to amplify a total of 964 bp between nucleotide 15758 and 383 within D-loop region of mtDNA using specific primers. Twenty polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitution were found in mtDNA D-loop region of Hanwoo. The frequencies of positions at 8, 169, 16042, 16051, 16057, 16093, 16119, 16122, 16209, 16255 and 16302 nt with high levels of sequence polymorphism were 0.150, 0.950, 0.085, 0.138, 0.106, 0.085, 0.138, 0.212, 0.085, 0.148 and 0.180, respectively. The substitution effect at 16119(p＜0.1) and 16185(p＜0.05) nt was found significant on milk production. Polymorphism of mtDNA sequence in D-loop region could be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with the other economically important traits and maternal lineage analysis in Hanwoo.

본 연구는 산채류 중 널리 섭취되고 있는 곰취의 활용가치를 높이고 건강기능식품 소재로써의 가능성을 확인고자 DGalN 동물모델을 통해 곰취 열수 추출 발효물의 간 기능 개선 효과를 연구하였다. 실험기간 동안 실험동물의 체중 증가량은 처리군 간 유의적인 차이가 없었으며(P>0.05), 간 무게는 곰취 열수 추출물 투여군에서 유의하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다(P<0.05). 혈청 중 GGT 분석 결과 곰취 열수 추출물과 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 특히 발효물 투여군의 경우 GGT, AST, ALT 및 LDH의 효소 활성이 대조군과 비교하여 40% 이상 감소하였다(P<0.05). 총 콜레스테롤의 함량을 측정한 결과 정상식이군과 비교하여 모든 투여군에서 유의하게 감소하였으며(P<0.05), HDL-콜레스테롤의 경우 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 증가하였다(P<0.05). LDL-콜레스테롤은 농도 의존적으로 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 중성지방의 함량은 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 감소하였으며(P<0.05), 총 콜레스테롤 함량 중 HDL-콜레스테롤 함량의 비율은 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났고(P<0.05), 동맥경화지수의 경우 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 발효물의 경우 SOD 활성이 유의하게 증가하였으며(P<0.05), 간 조직 내 과산화지질의 분해산물인 MDA 함량은 곰취 열수 추출물 및 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 MDA 함량이 유의하게 감소하였다(P<0.05). 간 조직 병리학적 분석 결과 곰취 열수 추출물 및 발효물 투여군에서 대조군과 비교하여 세포사멸사 지수, 문맥엽 염증 지수 등이 개선되는 경향을 보였으나 유의적인 차이는 없는 것으로 나타났다(P>0.05). 이상의 결과로 보아 곰취 열수 추출 발효물이 간 기능 효소의 활성 억제, 혈청지질 대사 개선, 간 조직 내 SOD 활성증가 및 과산화지질을 감소시켜 D-GalN으로 인한 간 손상을 완화시키는 데 효과적일 것으로 사료되며, 향후 건강기능 식품 소재로 이용 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LAF) on reduction of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats. In this experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals, which were divided into eight groups: normal group, D-GalN-treated group (control), D-GalN and non-fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LA)-treated groups [100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW (body weight)], and D-GalN and LAF-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW). ${\gamma}$-Glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities in serum of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups increased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The atherogenic index values of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05), and their high density lipoprotein cholesterol by total cholesterol ratio increased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity of liver tissues were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) in the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), whereas their malondialdehyde content decreased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). The histopathological observations revealed apoptotic cells and mild portal inflammation in liver tissues of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LAF may improve plasma lipid profile and alleviate hepatic damage.

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucose(PGG)는 오배자(Galla Rhois)의 gallotannin으로 항산화 효과, 항균 효과, 항알레르기 효과 등을 가지는 것으로 알려졌다. 알레르기성질환은 비만세포를 포함한 다양한 면역세포와 관련된 질환이다. 비만세포는 탈과립화에 의한 알레르기 매개성 물질(histamine 및 ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$)의 분비, T helper 2 type 사이토카인(IL-4) 분비 및 염증을 일으키는 매개체($TNF-{\alpha}$)의 증가를 통해 알레르기 반응에서 중요한 역할을 한다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 PGG가 phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)와 A23187로 비만세포인 RBL-2H3 세포에서 탈과립 그리고 Th2 type 및 염증성 사이토카인 생산에 미치는 영향을 조사하고, 관련 메커니즘에 대해 평가하였다. PGG는 PMA와 A23187 자극에 의한 탈과립 마커(histamine 및 ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$)의 분비를 억제하고, IL-4 및 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 같은 사이토카인의 분비를 억제하였다. 이러한 효과는 전사인자인 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 세포질에서 핵으로의 이동을 억제함으로써 나타나는 것으로 판단된다. 이러한 결과로부터 gallotannin의 하나인 PGG가 알레르기 반응을 현저히 저해하는 효과가 있는 것으로 나타나, 향후 알레르기성 질환을 예방, 개선 및 치료하는 데 유용한 물질로 사용될 가능성이 있을 것으로 생각된다.

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucose (PGG) is a gallotannin isolated from various plants such as Galla Rhois. In a previous study, it was reported that PGG has anti-allergic effects by inhibiting interleukin (IL)-4 signaling in B cells. However, the effect of PGG on basophilic cells remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of PGG on mitogen and calcium ionophore-induced allergic responses. PGG had no effect on proliferation and cytotoxicity of RBL-2H3 cells. PGG significantly suppressed cell degranulation (histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$) as well as inflammatory cytokine production such as IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. The underlying mechanism of PGG on these anti-allergic actions was correlated with inhibition on translocation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to nucleus. These data suggest that PGG is a potentially effective functional compound for prevention of allergic diseases.

본 연구는 젖소(Holstein종)의 mtDNA D-loop 영역 염기변이 다형성과 경제형질간의 관련성을 분석하기 위하여 수행하였다. 젖소의 mtDNA D-loop 영역에서 단일염기의 치환에 의해 총 35개의 polymorphic site가 확인되었다. 그중 주요 Polymorphic site의 염기변이 빈도는 106, 169, 16057, 16231 및 16255 지역에서 높은 빈도의 염기치환이 검출되었다. 169 지역은 A가 G로 염기치환이 일어났고 그 빈도는 0.555로 높게 나타났으며 염기치환에 의한 산유량 효과는 1259.6 kg(P<0.05)로 나타났다. 유지방과의 관계를 분석한 결과 16118 지역은 A가 G로 치환되는 빈도가 0.02로 검출되었으며, 16135 지역은 T가 C로 치환되는 빈도가 0.02로 검출되었고, 16302 지역은 G가 A로 치환되는 빈도가 0.04로 검출되었다. 이 지역들이 유지방에 미치는 변이 효과는 - 156, - 118.15 및 - 67.77 kg(P<0.1)으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 검출한 젖소 mtDNA내 D-loop 영역의 염기서열 변이 빈도와 유량, 유지방과의 연관성 분석 결과 등은 젖소집단의 유전적 변이성 추정과 좀 더 다양한 경제형질과의 관련성 분석으로 다양한 유전적 지표인자 발굴에 도움이 될 것이며 이를 통해 분자유전학적 기법을 이용한 젖소의 육종전략을 확립하는데 기초 자료가 되는 것은 물론 분자육종학적인 연구에 기초 자료로서 유용하게 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

This study was performed to analyze the sequence variation in mtDNA D-loop and their effects on milk and milk fat production in Holstein cows. The analyzed sequences were compared with previously published sequences from other cattle breeds (GenBank J01394). PCR was performed to amplify a total of 964 bp between nucleotide 15758 and 383 within D-loop region of mtDNA using specific primers. Thirty five polymorphic sites by nucleotide substitution were found in mtDNA. The frequencies of positions at 106, 169, 16057, 16231 and 16255 nt with high levels of sequence polymorphism were 0.090, 0.555, 0.055, 0.090 and 0.050, respectively. The substitution effect at 169 nt was found significant on milk production, and substitution effect at 16118, 16139 and 16302 nt was highly significant (p<0.1) on milk fat production. Polymorphism of mtDNA sequence in D-loop region might be useful for the analysis of cytoplasmic genetic variation and associations with the other economically important traits and maternal lineage analysis in Holstein cows.

In this study, a new apparatus which induced surface water into hypolimnetic zone in reservoir using the wind power was developed and evaluated with its performance for enhancing DO and the water quality. Its apparatus was the downward guide apparatus of wind-driven flow by wind, which was aimed to prevent anaerobic condition of hypolimnetic zone in order not to dissolve phosphate and heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, to promote biodegradation of organic matter by microorganisms, and to control the growth of phytoplankton by artificial circulation of epilimnetic zone. In order to study, Sucheoli reservoir in Asan city was selected, and five times of field work during September to November, 2008 were performed to assess the effect on water quality by the downward guide apparatus.Result of field study showed that water qualities of sites near to guide apparatus were better comparing with those of sites far from guide apparatus, especially for DO, and chlorophyll-a. It was concluded that the downward guide apparatus was useful to enhance the water quality of reservoir, and to prevent eutrophication.

Kim, Jae-Min・Choi, Eun-Jeong. “The necessity of EF and status of EPP feature.” Studies on English Language & Literature. 38.2 (2012): 171-190. This paper attempts to find out the necessity of EF(Edge Feature) and status of EPP(Extended Projection Principle) feature within the MP(Minimalist Program). EPP has been the main issue for the researchers from the beginning of the MP. But, in recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in studying EF. By coming to the fore of EF, these two notions are being used simultaneously but somewhat confusing, because many parts of the nature of EPP are overlapped with the nature of EF. In order to explain many syntactic problems with uniformity, the notions of these two main features of MP have to be separated and they have to find their own place properly. So, this paper suggests that EPP feature is only related with the generating sentence by obligatory movement, whereas EF feature is related to the semantic and pragmatic function of sentence derivation together with all other movements including obligatory and optional movements. (Chonbuk National University)

The D-form of lactic acid is frequently detected in fermented foods, and an excessive dietary intake of D-lactic acid may induce metabolic stress in both infants and patients. This work was carried out to determine the prevailing microorganisms relevant to the accumulation of D-lactic acid in kimchi. Leuconostoc (Leuc.) mesenteroides and Leuc. citreum primarily synthesized D-lactate with a small quantity of L-form. Leuc. gelidum and Leuc. inhae evidenced patterns similar to this. Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum and Lb. brevis were shown to convert glucose into a balanced mixture of D-/L-lactic acid, whereas Lb. casei principally synthesized L-lactic acid and a very small quantity of D-lactic acid. When kimchi was incubated at 8 or 22℃, D-lactic acid was over-produced than L-form. Leuconostoc was determined as the primary producer between the initial to mid-phase of fermentation and Lb. plantarum or Lb. brevis seemed to boost D-lactic acid content during later stage of acid accumulation.

We investigated Lactate fermentation metabolism in Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens KCTC 3535 for production of optically pure D-lactate. L. coryniformis was known to produce D-lactate as dominant fermentation product at cultivation temperature around 30 ℃. However, considerable production of L-lactate was observed when fermentation temperature was over 40 ℃. Because optically pure isomers are produced using chiral-specific D- or L-lactate dehydrogenase (D- or L-LDH), we assumed that the thermostability of L-LDHs are significantly higher than that of D-LDHs, which may be a reason why L-lactate was produced at higher cultivation temperature. To elucidate above assumption, firstly we synthesized two kinds of D-LDH gene and six kinds of L-LDH gene based on the genomic information of Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens KCTC 3535. All the D-LDHs and L-LDHs were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Among the total 8 LDHs tested, Only five LDHs including D-LDH1, 2 and L-LDH2, 3 and 1702 showed activity. In addition, Through Western blotting analysis for LDHs extracted from L. coryniformis cells, D-LDH1, L-LDH2 and L-LDH3 were found dominantly expressed lactate dehydrogenase, which imply that three LDHs play a major role in the synthesis of lactate from pyruvate. T50 10 values, which is the temperature at which 50% of initial enzymatic activity remains after 10 min heat treatment, of each LDHs were determined 39.5, 39.9 and 58.6 ℃, respectively. Thermally stable property of L-LDH3 compared with that of D-LDH1 can be a major reason why the enantiopurity of D-lactate was decreased from 99 % to 50 % at relatively high fermentation temperature over 40 ℃. Elucidation of temperature effect on the quality of D-lactate will give a direction for metabolic engineer to develop efficient microbial strain for optically pure D-lactate.

D- and L-lactic acid are optical isomers, which are formed by distinct stereo-specific NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) in lactic acid bacteria(LAB). Leuconostoc (Ln.), the major bacterial population in kimchi, has been predicted to synthesize only D-lactic acid from pyruvate, as they harbor a single D-LDH gene but L-LDH gene. D-lactic acid may lead to acidosis in infants and in adults with short bowel syndrome. As one of the major D-lactic acid producers in kimchi, it is required to switch the major lactate isoform of Ln. citreum from D- to L-. Hence, with the above long-term goal, first, we have determined the profiles of D-/L- lactic acid synthesis of LAB culture broth. Secondary, we cloned ldhL gene from Lactobacillus plantarum and expressed it in Ln. citreum. Finally, the characteristics of the recombinant Ln. citreum were investigated.

D-(+)-glucose (Glc) was added to the original Fricke polyvinyl alcohol-glutaraldehyde-xylenol orange (FPGX) hydrogel dosimeter system to make a more stable FPGX hydrogel three-dimensional dosimeter in this paper. Polyvinyl alcohol was used as a substrate, which was combined with Fricke solution. Various concentrations of Glc were tested with linear relevant fitting for optimal hydrogel production conditions. The effects of various formulations on the stability and sensitivity of dosimeters were evaluated. The results indicated that D-(+)-Glc, as a free radical scavenger, had a great effect on stabilizing the dose response related to absorbency and reducing the auto-oxidization of ferrous ions. A careful doping with Glc could slow down the color change of the dosimeter before and after radiation without any effect on the sensitivity of the dosimeter.

Sepsis is the life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In the current study, the effect of orally administered D-glucose on the mortality and the blood glucose level induced by D-Galactosamine (GaLN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis was examined in ICR mice. After various amounts of D-glucose (from 1 to 8 g/kg) were orally fed, sepsis was induced by injecting intraperitoneally (i.p.) the mixture of GaLN /LPS. Oral pre-treatment with D-glucose dose-dependently increased the blood glucose level and caused a reduction of sepsis-induced mortality. The oral post-treatment with D-glucose (8 g/kg) up to 3 h caused an elevation of the blood glucose level and protected the mortality observed in sepsis model. However, D-glucose post-treated at 6, 9, or 12 h after sepsis induction did not affect the mortality and the blood glucose level induced by sepsis. Furthermore, the intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment once with pertussis toxin (PTX; $0.1{\mu}g/5ml$) for 6 days caused a reduction of D-glucose-induced protection of mortality and hyperglycemia. Furthermore, once the hypoglycemic state is continued up to 6 h after sepsis initiated, sepsis-induced mortality could not be reversed by D-glucose fed orally. Based on these findings, it is assumed that the hypoglycemic duration between 3 and 6 h after the sepsis induction may be a critical time of period for the survival. D-glucose-induced protective effect against sepsis-induced mortality appears to be mediated via activating PTX-sensitive G-proteins in the spinal cord. Finally, the production of hyperglycemic state may be critical for the survival against the sepsis-induced mortality.

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction. It is produced in vivo from myo-inositol via action of epimerase. In this study, we evaluated antitumor activity of DCI against human breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of DCI on growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), two different assessment methods were implemented: MTT assay and mouse xenograft assay. MTT assay demonstrated downturn in cell proliferation by DCI treatment (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) groups by 18.3% (p < 0.05), 17.2% (p < 0.05), 17.5% (p < 0.05), 18.4% (p < 0.05), and 24.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Also, inhibition of tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft model. DCI was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight to treat nude mouse for 45 consecutive days. On the 45th day, tumor growth of DCI (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) groups was suppressed by 22.1% and 67.6% as mean tumor volumes were $9313.8{\pm}474.1mm^3$ and $3879.1{\pm}1044.1mm^3$, respectively. Furthermore, breast cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype ($CD44^+/C24^-$) was measured using flow cytometry. On the 46th day, CSC ratios of DCI (500 mg/kg) and co-treatment with doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and DCI (500 mg/kg) group decreased by 24.7% and 53.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, from tumor recurrence assay, delay of 5 days in the co-treatment group compared to doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) alone group was observed. Based on these findings, we propose that DCI holds potential as an anti-cancer drug for treatment of breast cancer.

Background/Aims: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve osteoarthritis(OA) symptoms but cause adverse effects. D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols,is effective against experimental OA. A pilot study found that D-002 (50 mg/day)for 8 weeks improves OA symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate theeffects of D-002 (50 to 100 mg/day) administered for 6 weeks on OA symptoms. Methods: Patients with OA symptoms were double-blindly randomized to D-002(50 mg) or placebo for 6 weeks. Symptoms were assessed by the Western Ontarioand McMaster Individual Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the visual analogscale (VAS) scores. Patients without symptom improvement at week 3 were titratedto two daily tablets. The primary outcome was the total WOMAC score. WOMACpain, joint stiffness and physical function scores, VAS score, and use of rescuemedications were secondary outcomes. Results: All randomized patients (n = 60) completed the study, and 23 experienceddose titration (two in the D-002 and 21 in the placebo groups). At study completion,D-002 reduced total WOMAC (65.4%), pain (54.9%), joint stiffness (76.8%), andphysical function (66.9%) WOMAC scores, and the VAS score (46.8%) versusplacebo. These reductions were significant beginning in the second week, andbecame enhanced during the trial. The use of rescue medication by the D-002(6/30) group was lower than that in the placebo (17/30) group. The treatment waswell tolerated. Seven patients (two in the D-002 and five in the placebo group)reported adverse events. Conclusions: These results indicate that D-002 (50 to 100 mg/day) for 6 weeksameliorated arthritic symptoms and was well tolerated.

Prebiotic isomaltooligosaccharide preparations contain $\alpha$-D-glucooligosaccharides comprising isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) and non-prebiotic maltooligosaccharides (MOs). They are both glucose oligosaccharides characterized by their degree of polymerization (DP) value (from 2 to $\sim$10), linkages types and positions (IMOs: $\alpha$-(1$\rightarrow$2, 3, 6 and in a lower proportion internal 1$\rightarrow$4) linkages, MOs: α-(1$\rightarrow$4) linkages). Their structure is the key factor for their prebiotic potential. In order to determine and elucidate the exact structure of unknown IMOs and MOs, unambiguous assignments of $^{13}C$ and $^1H$ chemical shifts of commercial standards, representative of IMOs and MOs diversity, have been determined using optimized standard one and two-dimensional experiments such as $^1H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR, APT and ${^1}H-{^1}H$ COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and <$^1H-{^{13}}C$ heteronuclear HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, and HMBC. Here we point out the differential effect of substitution by a glucose residue at different positions on chemical shifts of anomeric as well as ring carbons together with the effect of the reducing end configuration for low DP oligosaccharides and diasteroisotopic effect for H-6 protons. From this study, structural $^{13}C$ specific spectral features can be identified as tools for structural analysis of isomaltooligosaccharides.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, previously named Lactobacillus plantarum, is a facultative, homofermentative lactic acid bacterium widely distributed in nature. Several Lpb. plantarum strains have been demonstrated to possess good probiotic properties, and Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 is a potential probiotic strain isolated from homemade pickled cabbage plants. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed to acquire genetic information and predict the function of HOM3204, which has a circular chromosome of 3,232,697 bp and two plasmids of 48,573 and 17,060 bp, respectively. Moreover, various oxidative stress-related genes were identified in the strain, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Compared to reference strains, the intracellular cell-free extracts of Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 at a dose of 10¹⁰ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml in vitro exhibited stronger antioxidant properties, such as total antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging rate, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione (GSH) content. Daily administration of 10⁹ CFU Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 for 45 days significantly improved the antioxidant function by increasing the glutathione peroxidase activity in the whole blood and GSH concentration in the livers of D-galactose-induced aging mice. These results suggest that Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 can potentially be used as a food ingredient with good antioxidant properties.