Effects of environmental factors and intraspecific niche overlap on the body and ecological characteristics of red-tongued pit vipers (Gloydius ussuriensis).

The body condition of a snake species provides important physiological, morphological, and ecological information that elucidates its habits, life cycle, and competitive relationships. We measured the body size and condition of the wild Gloydius ussuriensis population in South Korea from 2018 to 2022, analyzed the degree of intraspecific niche overlap, and identified the geographic and climatic factors affecting their body condition. We found that the females were longer than the males.

Fermented with KCCM12757P Alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can severely affect humans and animals and is difficult to treat. Black soldier fly (; Hi) larvae (BSFL) are a sustainable source of protein. However, no studies exist on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of BSFL or fermented BSFL with respect to IBD.

Effect of Menaquinone-4 on Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor B Ligand-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss.

Osteoporosis is a progressive metabolic disease characterized by decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Previous studies have shown that higher intake of vitamin K (VK) correlates with a reduced risk of osteoporosis. However, the effect of menaquinone-4 (MK-4), a specific form of VK, still remains obscure.

The establishment of ecological conservation for herpetofauna species in hotspot areas of South Korea.

Understanding the geographic distribution of species is crucial for establishing protected areas. This study aimed to identify the preferred habitat environment of South Korean herpetofauna using distribution point information, providing the information necessary to protect their habitat by establishing a species distribution model. We found that climate variables in the region where 19 amphibians and 20 reptiles were distributed correlated with the altitude, suggesting that altitude had a major influence on their distribution.

Effect of different management techniques on bird taxonomic groups on rice fields in the Republic of Korea.

Many bird species rely on the ecological functions of rice field habitats (e.g., paddy, levee, road, and ditch).

Effects of Pesticide Use on the Distributions of Grey Herons () and Great Egrets () in Rice Fields of the Republic of Korea.

Pesticide use is known to have a negative impact on the habitat use of birds. The decomposition of residual pesticides causes a drastic decrease in the biomass of wildlife food sources, indirectly affecting the ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the effects of pesticide use on the distributions of grey herons () and great egrets () in rice fields in the Republic of Korea.

Oligonol promotes anti-aging pathways via modulation of SIRT1-AMPK-Autophagy Pathway.

Background/objectives: Oligonol, mainly found in lychee fruit, is an antioxidant polyphenolic compound which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The detailed mechanisms by which oligonol may act as an anti-aging molecule have not been determined.

Materials/methods: In this study, we evaluated the ability of oligonol to modulate sirtuin (SIRT) expression in human lung epithelial (A549) cells.

Comparison of Total RNA Isolation Methods for Analysis of Immune-Related microRNAs in Market Milks.

Bovine milk provides essential nutrients, including immunologically important molecules, as the primary source of nutrition to newborns. Recent studies showed that RNAs from bovine milk contain immune-related microRNAs (miRNA) that regulate various immune systems. To evaluate the biological and immunological activity of miRNAs from milk products, isolation methods need to be established.

Bacillus licheniformis Isolated from Traditional Korean Food Resources Enhances the Longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans through Serotonin Signaling.

In this study, we investigated potentially probiotic Bacillus licheniformis strains isolated from traditional Korean food sources for ability to enhance longevity using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a simple in vivo animal model. We first investigated whether B. licheniformis strains were capable of modulating the lifespan of C.

The herbal-derived honokiol and magnolol enhances immune response to infection with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

The emergence of antibiotic resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) reminds us an urgent need to develop a new immune-modulating agent for preventing S. aureus infection. In this study, we found that herbal medicines, honokiol and magnolol, caused a significant cellular immune modulatory effect during S.

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial efficacy of natural plant-derived compounds against Vibrio cholerae of O1 El Tor Inaba serotype.

In this study, we investigated antibacterial activities of 20 plant-derived natural compounds against Gram-negative enteric pathogens. We found that both flavonoids and non-flavonoids, including honokiol and magnolol, possess specific antibacterial activities against V. cholerae, but not against other species of Gram-negative bacterium which we tested.

Bacillus licheniformis isolated from Korean traditional food sources enhances the resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans to infection by Staphylococcus aureus.

We investigated whether Bacillus spp., newly isolated from Korean traditional food resources, influence the resistance of hosts to foodborne pathogens, by using Caenorhabditis elegans as a surrogate host model. Initially, we selected 20 Bacillus spp.