Sex Differences in Autism-Like Behavioral Phenotypes and Postsynaptic Receptors Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of TERT Transgenic Mice

Kim, Ki Chan,Cho, Kyu Suk,Yang, Sung Min,Gonzales, Edson Luck,Valencia, Schley,Eun, Pyeong Hwa,Choi, Chang Soon,Mabunga, Darine Froy,Kim, Ji-Woon,Noh, Judy Kyoungju,Kim, Hee Jin,Jeon, Se Jin,Han, Seol The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2017 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.25 No.4

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unexplained and untreated despite the high attention of research in recent years. Aside from its various characteristics is the baffling male preponderance over the female population. Using a validated animal model of ASD which is the telomerase reverse transcriptase overexpressing mice (TERT-tg), we conducted ASD-related behavioral assessments and protein expression experiments to mark the difference between male and females of this animal model. After statistically analyzing the results, we found significant effects of TERT overexpression in sociability, social novelty preference, anxiety, nest building, and electroseizure threshold in the males but not their female littermates. Along these differences are the male-specific increased expressions of postsynaptic proteins which are the NMDA and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The vGluT1 presynaptic proteins, but not GAD, were upregulated in both sexes of TERT-tg mice, although it is more significantly pronounced in the male group. Here, we confirmed that the behavioral effect of TERT overexpression in mice was male-specific, suggesting that the aberration of this gene and its downstream pathways preferentially affect the functional development of the male brain, consistent with the male preponderance in ASD.

Sex Differences in Autism-Like Behavioral Phenotypes and Postsynaptic Receptors Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of TERT Transgenic Mice

( Ki Chan Kim ),( Kyu Suk Cho ),( Sung Min Yang ),( Edson Luck Gonzales ),( Schley Valencia ),( Pyeong Hwa Eun ),( Chang Soon Choi ),( Darine Froy Mabunga ),( Ji-woon Kim ),( Judy Kyoungju Noh ),( Hee 한국응용약물학회 2017 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.25 No.4

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unexplained and untreated despite the high attention of research in recent years. Aside from its various characteristics is the baffling male preponderance over the female population. Using a validated animal model of ASD which is the telomerase reverse transcriptase overexpressing mice (TERT-tg), we conducted ASD-related behavioral assessments and protein expression experiments to mark the difference between male and females of this animal model. After statistically analyzing the results, we found significant effects of TERT overexpression in sociability, social novelty preference, anxiety, nest building, and electroseizure threshold in the males but not their female littermates. Along these differences are the male-specific increased expressions of postsynaptic proteins which are the NMDA and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The vGluT1 presynaptic proteins, but not GAD, were upregulated in both sexes of TERT-tg mice, although it is more significantly pronounced in the male group. Here, we confirmed that the behavioral effect of TERT overexpression in mice was male-specific, suggesting that the aberration of this gene and its downstream pathways preferentially affect the functional development of the male brain, consistent with the male preponderance in ASD.

Tocopherol and Carotenoid Contents of Selected Korean Cooked Combination Foods Consumed by Young Korean Children

Kim, Young-Nam,Giraud David W.,Driskell Judy A. The Korean Nutrition Society 2006 Nutritional Sciences Vol.9 No.4

To more accurately estimate vitamin A and vitamin E intake of Koreans, food composition databases of the tocopherol and carotenoid contents of Korean foods are needed. In this study, the tocopherol $(\alpha-,\;\gamma-,\;and\;\delta-)$ and carotenoid ($\alpha-carotene,\;\beta-carotene,\;\beta-ctyptoxanthin$, lutein, and zeaxanthin) contents of 12 Korean cooked combination foods commonly consumed by children in Kwangju, Republic of Korea, were determined using reversed-phase HPLC. All samples were obtained from 3 different households in Kwangju during summer, 2005. All cooked foods in this study had detectable quantities of $\alpha-tocopherol,\;\gamma-tocopherol$ except for shoegogimugook, and $\delta-tocopherol$ except for myulchibokkeum Doejigogibokkeum had the highest $\alpha-tocopherol$ content (0.64 mg/l00 g edible portion), and $\gamma-tocopherol\;and\;\delta-tocopherol$ contents of gimbab were the highest among the foods (1.01 and 0.26 mg/l00 g edible portion). $\beta-carotene$ was found in all food samples. Gimbab had the highest contents of $\alpha-carotene,\;\beta-carotene$, and lutein among Korean cooked combination foods (158.3, 266.6, and $375.4{\mu}g/100g$ edible portion). Miyukgook contained only $\beta-carotene$ ($2.5{\mu}g/100g$ edible portion). Considerable sample-to-sample variability in tocopherol and carotenoid compositions were observed in several Korean cooked combination foods included in this study. Some of these carotenoids $(\alpha-carotene,\;\beta-carotene,\;and\;\beta-cryptoxanthin)$ are vitamin A precursors. The findings of this study may be valuable for use in Korean databases as well as nutrient consumption research for vitamin A and vitamin E.

Marginal folate inadequacy observed in a group of young children in Kwangju, Korea

Young-Nam Kim,Ji-Young Lee,Judy A. Driskell 한국영양학회 2007 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.1 No.2

Folate is important for multiple metabolic processes such as nucleic acid synthesis and interconversions, and cell division. Folate deficiency may be a risk factor for several pathologies, such as neural tube birth defects, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases. The objectives of this study were to estimate folate intakes and plasma concentrations of young children living in Kwangju, Korea. Three consecutive 24-h food recalls and fasting blood samples were obtained from 24 boys and 30 girls, aged 2-6 y, living in Kwangju, Korea. The daily folate intake (mean ± SD) of the children was 146.7 ± 73.6㎍ dietary folate equivalents. No differences in folate intakes were observed by gender (p≥0.05). The mean folate intakes of the 2 and 3 y old groups were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of 5 and 6 y old groups. Over half of subjects consumed <Korean Estimated Average Requirements for folate. The plasma folate concentration (mean ± SD) of all subjects was 19.2 ± 8.7 nmol/L, and there was no significant difference by age nor gender (p≥0.05). No significant correlation was observed between folate intakes and plasma folate concentrations. One subject (1.9%) in this study had a plasma folate concentration <6.8 nmol/L, which is indicative of folate deficiency. Approximately 24% of subjects had plasma folate concentrations of 6.8-13.4 nmol/L, which is representative of marginal folate status. In conclusion, some young children may have less than adequate folate status in Korea.

Anthropometric indices and selected nutrient intakes of young children in Kwangju, Korea

Young-Nam Kim,Youn-Ok Cho,Judy A. Driskell 한국영양학회 2008 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.2 No.3

The assessment of children’s nutritional intakes is important because any nutritional inadequacies or toxicities may have adverse consequences. Studies on the nutritional intakes of Korean children are limited. The aims of this study were to determine anthropometric indices, estimate selected nutrient intakes of young Korean children, and compare these intakes with current Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. This study included 136 healthy children (65 boys, 71 girls), 2-6 y old, living in Kwangju, Korea. Weights and heights were measured. Three consecutive 24-h food recalls were obtained. According to International Obesity TaskForce BMI cutoffs, 8% were overweight and 2% were obese. The energy intakes of 40% were < Korean Estimated Energy Requirements, while all subjects consumed ≥ Korean Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for protein. The majority of the children consumed > Korean EAR for iron, zinc, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin B?, and niacin. Vitamin E intakes of 65% of the Korean children were < Korean Adequate Intake, and approximately half of the subjects had < Korean EAR for calcium and for folate. Many young children in Kwangju, Korea, likely have inadequate status of calcium, folate, and vitamin E.

α-Linolenic Acid-Enriched Butter Attenuated High Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance and Inflammation by Promoting Bioconversion of n-3 PUFA and Subsequent Oxylipin Formation

Rong Fan,Judy Kim,Mikyoung You,Seung-Ho Shin,John W. Newman,Soonkyu Chung 한국식품영양과학회 2019 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2019 No.10

Tocopherol and Carotenoid Contents of Selected Korean Cooked Combination Foods Consumed by Young Korean Children

Young-Nam Kim,David W. Giraud,Judy A. Driskell 한국영양학회 2006 Nutritional Sciences Vol.9 No.4

??To more accurately estimate vitamin A and vitamin E intake of Koreans, food composition databases of the tocopherol and carotenoid contents of Korean foods are needed. In this study, the tocopherol (α-, γ-, and δ-) and carotenoid (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin) contents of 12 Korean cooked combination foods commonly consumed by children in Kwangju, Republic of Korea, were determined using reversed-phase HPLC. All samples were obtained from 3 different households in Kwangju during summer, 2005. All cooked foods in this study had detectable quantities of α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol except for shoegogimugook, and δ-tocopherol except for myulchibokkeum Doejigogibokkeum had the highest α-tocopherol content (0.64 ㎎/100 g edible portion), and γ -tocopherol and δ-tocopherol contents of gimbab were the highest among the foods (1.01 and 0.26 ㎎/100 g edible portion). β-carotene was found in all food samples. Gimbab had the highest contents of α-carotene, β-carotene, and lutein among Korean cooked combination foods (158.3, 266.6, and 375.4 ㎍/100 g edible portion). Miyukgook contained only β-carotene (2.5 ㎍/100 g edible portion). Considerable sample-to-sample variability in tocopherol and carotenoid compositions were observed in several Korean cooked combination foods included in this study. Some of these carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin) are vitamin A precursors, The findings of this study may be valuable for use in Korean databases as well as nutrient consumption research for vitamin A and vitamin E.

Micropropagation and Quantification of Bioactive Compounds in Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray

Park, Han Yong,Kim, Doo Hwan,Saini, Ramesh Kumar,Gopal, Judy,Keum, Young-Soo,Sivanesan, Iyyakkannu MDPI AG 2019 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.20 No.9

<P>The goal of this study was to establish an efficient protocol for the large-scale propagation of Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray, and evaluate the carotenoid, fatty acid, and tocopherol contents in the leaves of in vitro regenerated shoots. Surface-disinfected node and shoot tip explants were placed on semisolid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0-16 µM N6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, (KN), and thidiazuron (TDZ) alone, or in combination with, 1 or 2 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Of the three different cytokinins employed, TDZ elicited the best results for axillary shoot proliferation. A maximum frequency of shoot initiation above 84%, with a mean of 8.9 and 4.8 shoots per node and shoot tip, respectively, was achieved on the culture medium supplemented with 4 µM TDZ. A combination of TDZ + NAA significantly increased the percentage of multiple shoot formation and number of shoots per explant. The best shoot induction response occurred on MS medium with 4 µM TDZ and 1 µM NAA. On this medium, the node (93.8%) and shoot tip (95.9%) explants produced an average of 17.7 and 8.6 shoots, respectively. The highest root induction frequency (97.4%) and number of roots per shoot (25.4), as well as the greatest root length (4.2 cm), were obtained on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 4 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The presence of six carotenoids and α-tocopherol in the leaf tissues of M. maritima was confirmed by HPLC. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 10 fatty acids, including γ-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid in the leaf tissues of M. maritima. All-E-lutein (18.49 μg g−1 fresh weight, FW), α-tocopherol (3.82 μg g−1 FW) and α-linolenic acid (30.37%) were found to be the significant compounds in M. maritima. For the first time, a successful protocol has been established for the mass propagation of M. maritima with promising prospects for harnessing its bioactive reserves.</P>

Fundamental Elements for Successful Performance of CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)

Seong Ho Park,Judy Yee,김세형,Young Hoon Kim 대한영상의학회 2007 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.8 No.4

There are many factors affecting the successful performance of CT colonography (CTC). Adequate colonic cleansing and distention, the optimal CT technique and interpretation with using the newest CTC software by a trained reader will help ensure high accuracy for lesion detection. Fecal and fluid tagging may improve the diagnostic accuracy and allow for reduced bowel preparation. Automated carbon dioxide insufflation is more efficient and may be safer for colonic distention as compared to manual room air insufflation. CT scanning should use thin collimation of 3 mm with a reconstruction interval of 1.5 mm and a low radiation dose. There is not any one correct method for the interpretation of CTC; therefore, readers should be well-versed with both the primary 3D and 2D reviews. Polyps detected at CTC should be measured accurately and reported following the "polyp size-based" patient management system. The timeintensive nature of CTC and the limited resources for training radiologists appear to be the major barriers for implementing CTC in Korea.

Probing the impact of quercetin-7-O-glucoside on influenza virus replication influence

Gansukh, E.,Kazibwe, Z.,Pandurangan, M.,Judy, G.,Kim, D.H. G. Fischer 2016 Phytomedicine Vol.23 No.9

<P>Background: Influenza virus is still at large and seriously affects social welfare and health. Dianthus superbus is a well-known medicinal plant widely used in Mongolian and Chinese traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory purposes. Purpose: To investigate the influence of this novel herbal medicinal product over virus infection and virus-induced symptoms Method: Quercetin-7-O-glucoside was isolated by bioassay (anti-influenza)-guided fractionation. The structural elucidation was made with 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Influenza A/Vic/3/75 (H3N2), A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), B/Maryland/1/59 and B/Lee/40 viruses were used for the evaluation of the antiviral activity. Virus-induced reactive oxygen species and autophagy formation levels were studied. The antiviral mechanism was elucidated via time-dependent, pre-, post-incubation assay methods. The viral RNA replication inhibition of Q7G was analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR method. The blocking of polymerase basic protein subunits of influenza viral RNA polymerase by Q7G was detected by in silico molecular docking assays using AutoDock Vina program with m(7)GTP. Additionally, Q7G was tested against M-MuLV RNA polymerase. Results: Q7G was not cytotoxic (CC50 > 100 mu g/ml) in MDCK cells and it showed 3.1 mu g/ml, 6.61 mu g/ml, 8.19 mu g/ml and 5.17 mu g/ml IC50 values against influenza A/PR/8/34, A/Vic/3/75, B/Lee/40 and B/Maryland/1/59 virus strains, respectively. Treatment of Q7G highly reduced ROS and autophagy formation induced by influenza virus infection. Q7G did not reduce NA activity and did not directly interact with the virus particles. Since viral RNA synthesis was blocked by treatment of Q7G. We targeted viral RNA polymerase for further probing. Interestingly, the binding energy of Q7G on viral PB2 protein was -9.1 kcal/mol and was higher than m(7)GTP recorded as -7.5 kcal/mol. It also was observe to block M-MuLV RNA polymerase. Conclusion: Isolated compound Q7G showed strong inhibition activity against influenza A and B viruses. It also reduced virus-induced ROS and autophagy formation. Q7G does not directly bind to the virus particles and did not affect NA activity. These results indicated that Q7G inhibits viral RNA polymerase, and that it occupies the binding site of m(7)GTP on viral PB2 protein. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.</P>