Stachydrine derived from fermented rice prevents diet-induced obesity by regulating adipsin and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis.

Makgeolli, a widely consumed traditional alcoholic beverage in Korea, is brewed mainly from rice using Nuruk as a fermentation starter, which contains fungi, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria. Among 58 Makgeolli samples brewed using various Nuruks, we found that one exhibited anti-obesity properties, with stachydrine shown to be responsible for these properties. Stachydrine promotes lipolysis and inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; it also reduces weight gain and improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in a mouse model.

Characteristics of Korean Alcoholic Beverages Produced by Using Rice Containing N159-1.

Herein, derived from non-glutinous and glutinous rice inoculated with N159-1 (having high alpha-amylase and beta-glucosidase activities) were used to produce Korean alcoholic beverages. The resultant beverages had enhanced fruity (ethyl caproate and isoamyl alcohol) and rose (2-phenethyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol) flavors and high taste scores.

Restoration of Traditional Korean Nuruk and Analysis of the Brewing Characteristics.

In this study, a total of 58 different kinds of nuruk (a traditional Korean fermentation starter) were prepared, including 46 kinds of restored nuruk from ancient documents. Each nuruk was evaluated by analysis of its saccharification power, and the enzyme activities of glucoamylase, α-amylase, β-amylase, protease, and β-glucanase. The range of saccharification power (sp) of the restored nuruk ranged between 85 and 565 sp.

Analysis of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique muscle activation during squat exercise with and without a variety of tools in normal adults.

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effects of squat exercises with and without a variety of tools including a gym ball, wedge, and elastic band on the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique muscles. [Subjects and Methods] A total of twenty healthy subjects with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal injury, or pain in the lower extremities were recruited. All subjects performed four types of exercise (conventional squat exercise, squat exercise with a gym ball, squat exercise with a wedge, squat exercise with an elastic band).

[Construct validity of the life transition scale for parents of children with autism].

Purpose: The study was done to identify the construct validity and reliability of the life transition scale (LTS) for parents who have children with autism.

Methods: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmative factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to identify the most adequate measurement model for structural validity. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were also conducted for structural validity.

[Development of a scale to measure life transition process in parents of children with autism].

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to develop a scale to measure the life transition process of parents of children with autism, against the backdrop of a lack of research on this topic.

Methods: Seventy preliminary items were drawn from previous qualitative research, and content validity was tested by three professors as well as three parents of children with autism. A questionnaire survey was also done between August 2011 and February 2012.

Microbial dynamics of commercial makgeolli depending on the storage temperature.

Market fresh makgeolli was stored at different temperatures of 4°C and 25°C to assess the change of the microbial diversity according to the storage temperature and period. Yeast counts increased until day 3 of storage and decreased thereafter. General and lactic acid bacterial counts continuously increased during storage.

[Life transition of mothers of children with autism].

Purpose: While there are a number of studies on children with disabilities, there have been few studies on mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of life transition of mothers who have children with autism.

Methods: From June 2007 to May 2009, the researcher interviewed 15 mothers of children with autism living in Seoul City, Gyeonggi or Chonbuk Provinces, and then analyzed the data gathered using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.

Cloning of aprE86-1 gene encoding 27 kDa mature fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CH86-1.

A gene, encoding the major secreted fibrinolytic protein of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CH86-1, was cloned from the genomic DNA. DNA sequencing showed that the gene, aprE86-1, could direct the synthesis of a mature protein of 275 amino acids long after processing. When aprE86-1 was introduced into B.

[A structural model of caring behavior of mothers of disabled children].

Purpose: This study was done to develop a model which explains factors influencing caring behavior of mothers who have children with disabilities, and to verify the appropriateness of the model and the relationship among variables.

Methods: The participants in the research were the mothers who had a 3 to 12 yr-old children with disabilities. The data were collected from 451 mothers through self-reported questionnaires from July 14 to 31, 2008.

Characterization of a 27 kDa fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CH51 isolated from cheonggukjang.

Bacillus amyloliquefancies CH51 isolated from cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean fermented soy food, has strong fibrinolytic activity and produces several fibrinolytic enzymes. Among four different growth media, tryptic soy broth was the best in terms of supporting cell growth and fibrinolytic activity of this strain. A protein with fibrinolytic activity was partially purified from the culture supernatant by CMSephadex and Phenyl Sepharose column chromatographies.

Characterization of a bifunctional HPr kinase/phosphorylase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides SY1.

The hprK gene encoding bifunctional HPrK/P (kinase/ phosphorylase) was cloned from L. mesenteroides SY1, a strain isolated from kimchi. hprK was transcribed as a monocistronic gene.

Expression of alpha-galactosidase gene from Leuconostoc mesenteroides SY1 in Leuconostoc citreum.

A 2.5 kb aga gene encoding alpha-galactosidase (alpha- Gal) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides SY1 was cloned into pSJE, an E. coli-Leuconostoc shuttle vector.