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Purified bioactive components of marine algae have shown great pharmaceutical and biomedical potential, including wound healing activity. However, the activity of Spirulina maxima is the least documented with regard to wound healing potential. In the present study, we investigated the regenerative and wound healing activities of a Spirulina (Arthrospira) maxima based pectin (SmP) using in vitro human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and in vivo zebrafish model. SmP treated (12.5–50 μg/mL) HDFs showed increased cell proliferation by 20–40% compared to the untreated HDFs. Moreover, in vitro wound healing results in HDFs demonstrated that SmP decreased the open wound area % in concentration-dependent manner at 12.5 (32%) and 25 μg/mL (12%) compared to the control (44%). Further, zebrafish larvae displayed a greater fin regenerated area in the SmP exposed group at 25 (0.48 mm2) and 50 μg/mL (0.51 mm2), whereas the untreated group had the lowest regenerated area (0.40 mm2) at 3 days post amputation. However, fin regeneration was significantly (P

The sensitivity of molecular diagnostics could be affected by nucleotide variants in pathogen genes, and the sites affected by such variants should be monitored. We report a single-nucleotide variant (SNV) in the nucleocapsid (N) gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), i.e., G29179T, which impairs the diagnostic sensitivity of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). We observed significant differences between the threshold cycle (Ct) values for envelope (E) and N genes and confirmed the SNV as the cause of the differences using Sanger sequencing. This SNV, G29179T, is the most prevalent in Korea and is associated with the B.1.497 virus lineage, which is dominant in Korea. Clinical laboratories should be aware of the various SNVs in the SARS-CoV-2 genome and consider their potential effects on the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019.

In this study, we demonstrate the enhanced disease resistance and positive immunomodulation of novel pectin isolated from Spirulina maxima (SmP) in zebrafish model. Zebrafish larvae exposed to SmP had significantly (p 0.05) higher cumulative percent survival (CPS) at 25 (44.0%) and 50 μg/mL (67.0%) against Edwardsiella piscicida compared to the control. However, upon Aeromonas hydrophila challenge, SmP exposed larvae at 50 μg/mL had slightly higher CPS (33.3%) compared to control group (26.7%). SmP supplemented zebrafish exhibited the higher CPS against E. piscicida (93.3%) and A. hydrophila (60.0%) during the early stage of post-infection (18 hpi). qRT-PCR results demonstrated that exposing (larvae) and feeding (adults) of SmP, drive the modulation of a wide array of immune response genes. In SmP exposed larvae, up-regulation of the antimicrobial enzyme (lyz: 3.5-fold), mucin (muc5.1: 2.84, muc5.2: 2.11 and muc5.3: 2.40-fold), pro-inflammatory cytokines (il1β: 1.79-fold) and anti-oxidants (cat: 2.87 and sod1: 1.82-fold) were identified. In SmP fed adult zebrafish (gut) showed2-fold induced pro-inflammatory cytokine (il1β) and chemokines (cxcl18b, ccl34a.4 and ccl34b.4). Overall results confirmed the positive modulation of innate immune responses in larval stage and it could be the main reason for developing disease resistance against E. piscicida and A. hydrophila. Thus, non-toxic, natural and biodegradable SmP could be considered as the potential immunomodulatory agent for sustainable aquaculture.

To evaluate microbiological and aflatoxin safety on traditional dried persimmon, a total of 315 samples were collected from 105 farms. The collected samples were assessed on aflatoxin and microorganisms (Aer- obic plate count, coliform count, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus). The the APC of sliced dried persimmon, dried persimmon, and semi dried persimmon were 3.93 ± 0.96, 2.12 ± 0.93, and 1.50 ± 1.08 log CFU/g, respectively. S. aureus was detected in 40.0% of sliced dried persimmon, 29.5% of dried persimmon, and 23.5% of semi dried persimmon. E. coli recovered from dried persimmon and semi dried persimmon was 6.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7, Sal- monella spp., and L. monocytogenes were not detected. According to the result of aflatoxin by ELISA and UPLC, aflatoxin was not detected in any sample. These data suggested that safety management system should be introduce to the farms producing traditional dried persimmon to enhance the safety of traditional dried persimmon.

This study assessed microbiological hazards at postharvest stage of dropwort farms (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) located in 4 different areas in Korea. The samples were assessed for sanitary indication bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliform, and Escherichia coli) and pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus). Total aerobic bacteria and coliform in 9 dropwort farms were detected at the levels of 0~7.00 and 0~4.25 log CFU/g, mL, of 100 cm. In particular, microbial contamination in worker’s hand showed higher than cultivation environment factors. Escherichia coli was detected in several farms of soil, irrigation water, washing water and worker’s hand and also, dropwort in these farms was contaminated with E. coli (positive reaction). In case of pathogenic bacteria, B. cereus was detected at the highest levels in soil. S. aureus was detected qualitatively from only one sample of dropwort washed by water. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were not detected. Although dropwort pass through 2 process (trimming and washing), the microbial contamination was not differ significantly before and after which indicates that current washing system was not effect on reduction of microorganism. From these results, the postharvest environment and workers have been considered as cross-contamination factors. Thus, processing equipments and personal hygiene should be managed to reduce the microbial contamination of dropwort. Accordingly management system such as good agricultural practices (GAP) criteria is needed for the safety of dropwort

Summary Black rice bran was fermented with Bacillus subtilis KU3 isolated from Korean traditional food, Kimchi. Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the fermented black rice bran were investigated. Total phenolic and anthocyanin contents decreased from 171.54 mg GAE g−1 and 2.31 mg g−1 to 139.13 mg GAE g−1 and 2.12 mg g−1, respectively, after fermentation. Antioxidant activities determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching and ferric thiocyanate assay were correlated with total phenolic and anthocyanin contents. Non-fermented black rice bran extract (NFBE) showed greater antioxidant activities than fermented black rice bran extract (FBE). Cytotoxic activities measured by MTT assay showed that both NFBE and FBE had over 50% activities. The cytotoxic activities of FBE against MCF-7 and HeLa cells were 71.65% and 68.07%, respectively, at 8.0 mg mL−1, but those of NFBE were lower than 50%. These results suggested that the cytotoxic activity of black rice bran improved through fermentation, while antioxidant activity reduced.

Antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of citrus (Citrus unshiu) peel extracts and their acid hydrolysates were evaluated. Citrus peel extracts were extracted by subcritical water, hot water, and ethanol. Subcritical water extraction led to extract more phenolic compounds than hot water or ethanol extraction. Acid hydrolysis more than doubled the extracts’ total phenolics and flavonoids. Acid hydrolysates showed greater DPPH-radical scavenging activities and antioxidant activities, as assayed by β-carotene bleaching and ferric thiocyanate, than the initial extracts. Anti-inflammatory activities of citrus peel extracts and hydrolysates, determined by the inhibition of hyaluronidase activity, showed that the inhibition activities of hot water and ethanol extracts increased from 2.1 and 1.8% to 37.0 and 18.5%, respectively, upon acid hydrolysis; however, the anti-inflammatory activity of the subcritical water extract was not improved. These results indicated that acid hydrolysis of citrus peel extracts regardless of their extraction methods improved the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

The objective of this study was to analyze the microbiological hazards of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on the post-harvest processing. Samples from processing equipments (cleaner, water, cart, table, tray and pack- aging machine), personal hygiene (hand) and harvested crops (before washing, after washing, after sorting, and after drying) were collected from four farms (A, B, C, and D) located in Chungchengbuk-do, Korea. The samples were analyzed for sanitary indication bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. First, total aerobic bacteria and coliform in process- ing facilities were detected at the levels of 0.93~4.86 and 0.33~2.28 log CFU/100 cm 2 and /mL respectively. In partic- ular, microbial contamination in hand (5.43~6.11 and 2.52~4.12 log CFU/Hand) showed higher than processing equipments. Among the pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus was detected at the levels of 0.33~2.41 log CFU/100 cm 2 , 1.48~3.27 log CFU/Hand and 0.67~3.65 log CFU/g in equipments, hands, and plants and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in cleaner, table, hand and harvested crops (before washing and after sorting) by qualitative test. Escher- ichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results indicated that per- sonal hygiene and processing equipments should be managed to reduce the microbial contamination of A. membranaceus Bunge. Therefore, management system such as good agricultural practices (GAP) criteria is needed for hygienic agricultural products.

Subcritical water extract (SWE) of Brassica juncea was studied for antiviral effects against influenza virus A/H1N1 and for the possibility of application as a nonfat milk supplement for use as an "antiviral food." At maximum nontoxic concentrations, SWE had higher antiviral activity against influenza virus A/H1N1 than n-hexane, ethanol, or hot water (80°C) extracts. Addition of 0.5mg/mL of B. juncea SWE to culture medium led to 50.35% cell viability (% antiviral activity) for Madin-Darby canine kidney cells infected with influenza virus A/H1N1. Nonfat milk supplemented with 0.28mg/mL of B. juncea SWE showed 39.62% antiviral activity against influenza virus A/H1N1. Thus, the use of B. juncea SWE as a food supplement might aid in protection from influenza viral infection.

Citrus fruit ( Citrus unshiu ) peels were extracted with hot water and then acid-hydrolyzed using hydrochloric acid. Antimicrobial activities of acid-hydrolyzed Citrus unshiu peel extract were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria, including Bacillus cereus , Staphylococcus aureus , and Listeria monocytogenes . Antilisterial effect was also determined by adding extracts at 1, 2, and 4% to whole, low-fat, and skim milk. The cell numbers of B. cereus, Staph. aureus, and L. monocytogenes cultures treated with acid-hydrolyzed extract for 12h at 35°C were reduced from about 8log cfu/mL to Bacillus cereus was more sensitive to acid-hydrolyzed Citrus unshiu peel extract than were the other bacteria. The addition of 4% acid-hydrolyzed Citrus unshiu extracts to all types of milk inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes within 1d of storage at 4°C. The results indicated that Citrus unshiu peel extracts, after acid hydrolysis, effectively inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria. These findings indicate that acid hydrolysis of Citrus unshiu peel facilitates its use as a natural antimicrobial agent for food products.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) peels were extracted by ethanol, hot water and subcritical water (SW) extraction and their antioxidant activities were evaluated. Extraction yields of SW extraction were 4-fold higher than ethanol extraction. However, the ethanol extraction increased the total phenolics contents (327.5 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoids contents (183.95 mg QE/g extract) in the onion peel extract. The onion peel extracts by ethanol extraction showed greater DPPH radical scavenging activities and greater antioxidant activities determined by ferric thiocyanate assay than those by hot water extraction and SW extraction at 165°C. Antioxidant activity of onion peel extract by SW extraction at 110°C was similar to that of ethanol extraction. HPLC profiles revealed that SW extraction at lower temperature (110°C) increased the concentration of quercetin. These results demonstrated that the onion peel extracts produced by SW extraction technique have great potential as a source for useful antioxidant.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a novel flavonoid, 7-O-butyl naringenin, as well as natural flavonoids (quercetin, naringenin) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 7-O-butyl naringenin showed great anti-MRSA, with a MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) value of 0.625 mM. The number of cells treated with 25 μM 7-O-butyl naringenin was reduced by 5.2 log CFU/mL compared with the control (DMSO). The result indicated that 7-O-butyl naringenin was more effective than the two natural flavonoids against MRSA, and may have potential as a novel therapeutic agent for MRSA infections.

Summary Antibacterial activities of ginseng extracts produced from ginseng by-products, stems and leaves, using subcritical water extraction (SWE) at 110, 165 and 190 °C, were evaluated and compared with those of ginseng extracts prepared by hot water and ethanol extraction. The ginseng stems–leaves extract produced by SWE at 190 °C contained the greatest concentration of phenolics (98.4 mg GAE g−1 of extract). All ginseng extracts inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. Among four strains, B. cereus was more sensitive to the ginseng extract by SWE at 190 °C than other bacteria. Cell membranes of bacteria were disrupted by the addition of SWE ginseng extract, observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with the release of cellular contents. These findings provided evidence about the potential utilisation of ginseng stems and leaves by using an environmental friendly extraction process, SWE, to produce ginseng extract for the inhibition of bacteria growth.

In this study, the antimicrobial effects of an onion peel extract prepared using subcritical water extraction (SWE) were assessed for possible development into new bio-functional materials. The extraction temperatures were controlled to 110 and 160°C. At 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mg extract/mL of broth, the growth inhibition and bactericidal activity of SWE extracts against Bacillus cereus KCCM 40935 and KCCM 11341 were compared with those of ethanol and hot-water extracts. In the case of B. cereus KCCM 40935, it appeared that over 0.6 mg/mL of SWE (110°C) extract exerted a bactericidal effect, and 1.2 mg/mL of SWE (160°C) extract exerted a bacteriostatic effect during culturing, and also that B. cereus KCCM 11341 was more resistant than B. cereus KCCM 40935. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the death time of 107 CFU/mL of B. cereus KCCM 40935 treated with SWE (110°C) extract at 1.2 mg/mL was 60 min at maximum in 0.8% NaCl. Additionally, the cells damaged by SWE extract were observed with a SEM. It was suggested that an extract of onion peels prepared via SWE (110°C) could be used as a functional biomaterial for the food or pharmaceutical industries.

The antimicrobial effects of the natural flavonoids kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, and naringenin as well as a novel fla-vonoid 7-O-butyl naringenin against the growth of four meat-born Staphylococcus aureus strains were evaluated. First, theflavonoids were screened for inhibitory effects against the growth of each strain using the paper disc diffusion method. Sec-ond, the growth inhibitory effects of flavonoids that showed antimicrobial activity were measured using the microplatemethod. Third, the bactericidal effects of flavonoids were evaluated in a 0.8% (w/v) NaCl solution. All flavonoids showedbacteriostatic effects at >20 mM. Among the flavonoids studied, quercetin was more effective than the others tested. How-ever, the inhibitory effect of 7-O-butyl naringenin on growth of S. aureus KCCM 32395 was greater than that of quercetinat the same concentration. Additionally, 7-O-butyl naringenin exhibited significant bactericidal effects at >25 µM. Whenbacterial cells were examined using scanning electron microscopy, it appeared that the S. aureus membranes were damagedor morphologically changed when treated with quercetin and 7-O-butyl naringenin at 200 µM.Key words: flavonoid, 7-O-butyl naringenin, Staphylococcus aureus, antimicrobial effect

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of various natural flavonoids against growth of psy-chotropic Bacillus cereus strains, which cause dairy food outbreaks. Flavonoids were first screened for their ability to inhibitgrowth of B. cereus strains using the paper-disc diffusion test. Second, the growth inhibitory effect of selected flavonoidswas evaluated in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0.6% yeast extract, and the bactericidal effect of the flavonoids wasmeasured in 0.8% (w/v) NaCl solution. Based on the paper-disc diffusion test, kaempferol was effectively active against B.cereus P14 and B. cereus KCCM 40935. Kaempferol had an antimicrobial effect at concentrations greater than 100 µM, andthe numbers of B. cereus P14 and B. cereus KCCM 40935 decreased by 3.55 and 1.5 log cycles, respectively. The cell num-bers of B. cereus P14 and B. cereus KCCM 40935 treated with 50 µM kaempferol were reduced by 4.18 and 2.84 log cyclesduring a 24 h incubation to test the bactericidal effect of kaempferol ( p

This study analyzes the stereotyped femininity with a focus on body codes, which has been continuously expressed in fashion illustrations from the late century to the year 2010, and examines the changes in its meaning. Stereotyped femininity was reorganized by the changes in female sex role effected by social changes, as well as by the body discourse and feminism in the late century, These socio-cultural backgrounds led to the change in the meaning of stereotyped women expressed in fashion illustrations. The stereotyped women in fashion illustrations are characterized by gender-oriented body, and the typical image of women was reproduced with the marks of poses and looks that feature passiveness and subordination. Then, the gender-oriented body since 1990's shifted to active meaning that positively revealed sexual desire. The space positioned by women is also the symbol of gender. In line with changes over time, the backgrounds in fashion illustrations have changed from private space such as home and nature to public space such as city, which reflects diversification and expansion of space for women. This study has identified the changes in meaning, based on the analysis of the characteristics of stereotyped women expressed in fashion illustrations. Above all, women who were objectified as a subject by dominant discourse have established the concept of active body as an entity. In addition, the symbol of typical femininity is "slim" and "beauty", which reflects the change from the emphasis on childbirth-related femininity to self-control and conquer. On the other hand, the typical features expressed through body have reproduced dichotomous structure, but the emergence of body and background deviated from gender has reorganized the symbolic order of gender.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidative effects of the onion peels extract prepared via the subcritical water extraction (SWE) method. First, the number of cells treated with the extract was reduced by 0.7–1.1 log CFU/mL compared with the control. The SWE extract showed 76.08% scavenging activity and it was more effective than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at 61.3 ppm in lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. In addition, the antioxidative effect of SWE extract measured via the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method was 2-fold that of BHT. The results of this study suggest that the onion peels extract prepared via the SWE method may have potential alternative antimicrobial and antioxidative effects as functional substances.

Department of International Culture Communication, Krasnoyarsk Pedagogical University, RussiaThe archipelago in the southwest sea, Korea, was registered as Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Man and the Biosphere (UNESCO MAB) on May 26, 2009. This study was conducted to determine a method of reconciling natural and anthropogenic processes and to enable sustainable development in the vicinity of the Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve (SDBR). To accomplish this, the characteristics of SDBR with respect to biodiversity and cultural diversity were evaluated. In addition, a management plan regarding the wise use of the SDBR was developed while focusing on four parts: cultural support to induce motivation for native con-servation and development; development and specification of fisheries and cultivation based on local community sys-tems; restructuring of marine food products and resource transporting systems; activation and discovery of indigenous knowledge to enable networking between local residents, academia and the UNESCO-international society. Keywords: biodiversity, island culture, Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve, sun-dried salt, sustainable development, tidal flat, UNESCO

본 연구는 육포를 실온조건과 가속조건 하에서 저장하면서 육포의 양념, 포장조건과 환경조건에 따른 육포의 미생물균수의 변화와 이화학적 품질의 변화를 관찰하기 위하여 실시하였다. 육포 저장중의 일반세균수는 실온조건 저장과 가속조건 저장 모두에서 큰 변화가 없었고, 대장균군과 B. cereus는 전 저장기간 동안 검출되지 않았다. 저장기간 동안의 이화학적 특성은 점차 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 모든 육포에서의 관능검사는 저장기간이 길어짐에 따라 점차적으로 감소하는 경향을 보였으며, 가속조건에서 전체적인 기호도는 육포의 상품성이 없어지는 시점을 5라고 했을 경우 28일째에 5.54의 값을 나타내었다. 실온조건 저장의 경우 전체적인 기호도는 7.13으로 우수한 관능검사 성적을 나타내었다. 따라서 본 실험의 결과를 통해 새롭게 개발한 한국형 고추장 양념 돈육포는 미생물학적인 안전성이 우수하고, 이화학적 품질과 관능적 품질이 비교적 우수한 육포라고 판단하였다. 【The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial safety and quality changes of Korean sliced pork jerky, and to investigate these properties over 90 days and 28 days of storage at room temperature $(25^{\circ}C)$ and elevated temperature $(35^{\circ}C)$ . Based on the microbial counts of pork jerky, mesophilic bacteria were detected at 2.50 log CFU/g at day 0. The mesophilic bacterial count did not change significantly for all samples, and coliform bacteria and Bacillus cereus were not detected in any samples during storage at either $25^{\circ}C\;or\;35^{\circ}C$ . The following physicochemical qualities were also investigated: TBA value, Aw, and pH. In the case of $25^{\circ}C$ storage, the Aw of Korean sliced pork jerky was 0.72 at day 0, and was reduced to 0.58 after 90 days of storage. The TBA value increased as the storage time increased, and was 0.52 after 90 days of storage. The pH of all samples did not change significantly. In the case of $35^{\circ}C$ storage, the TBA, Aw, and pH values were not significantly different from those obtained during $25^{\circ}C$ storage. In addition, the sensory properties of all samples were not significantly different between storage at the two temperatures. In conclusion, these results suggest Korean sliced pork jerky could be used to study the development of commercial pork jerky.】

The Republic of Korea has more than 3,400 large and small islands. About 60 % of these islands are located in the southwestern Jeollanam-do Province, which also includes a huge tidal flat wetland. Because of high biodiversity in the tidal flat ecosystem and a healthy oceanic ecosystem, this area was designated as Dadohae Haesang National Park in 1981. Shinan Dadohae, including Heuksan Do-Hong Do (-Do corresponds to Island) and Bigeum Do-Docho Do, are well known for their island vegetation, migratory birds, and biodiversity. Jeung-Do, famous for its tidal flat ecosystem and biodiversity, was designated a Provincial Park of Jeollanam-do. The excellence of ecosystem, landscape, and cultural attributes gave significant reasons to designate these areas as the 3rd UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Republic of Korea in 2009. Since this designation, research has been carried out to develop a management plan for sustainable development based on a balance of human and natural systems in biosphere reserve areas. In the management plan, several special strategies related to global climate change and a low carbon society were adopted, such as to monitor changing socioeconomic standards as well as to monitor changing ecosystems of island and coastal environments. Because education on sustainable use of energy and resources is also an important issue in the island system for accomplishing a low carbon society, this was also included. The most important issue in the management plan, however, is related to the environmental adaptation process of human society on islands, given that these areas are limited resource areas.

We have studied iron porphyrin complex-catalyzed oxygenations of hydrocarbons by several oxidants (i.e., hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA)) in the presence of H218O. In the olefin epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation reactions catalyzed by (meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphinato)iron(III) chloride [Fe(F20TPP)Cl], the percentages of 18O incorporated into the oxygenated products were found to be the same in all of the reactions of hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and MCPBA, leading us to conclude that a common high-valent iron oxo complex was the reactive intermediate responsible for oxygen atom transfer. When the epoxidation of cyclooctene by MCPBA and H2O2 was performed at low temperature in the presence of H218O, it was found that there was no 18O-incorporation from labeled water into cyclooctene oxide. We interpreted the lack of 18O-incorporation in these reactions with that an electronegatively-substituted iron porphyrin complex forms a ...

Ginseng leaf/stem extract produced by subcritical water extraction at high temperature (190°C) possess higher cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines than ethanol extract. Subcritical water extraction can be a great candidate for extraction of functional substance from ginseng leaves/stems.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder found in women. The etiology of PCOS is still not clear, and there are no available studies on the proteome analysis of granulosa cells (GCs) in PCOS patients. To identify the pathogenic mechanisms and potential diagnostic markers for PCOS, we conducted proteomic profiling of GCs in PCOS patients by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. The proteomic analysis yielded eight downregulated and 12 upregulated proteins in PCOS patients, among which apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) showed significant downregulation in PCOS patients as confirmed by Western blotting. Knockdown of ApoA-I decreased the number of transcripts of steroidogenic enzymes in a granulosa cell line (KGN), while its overexpression generally increased the level of expression of these enzymes. Furthermore, modulation of the expression level of ApoA-I in the granulosa cells altered progesterone production. Therefore, this study suggests that ApoA-I can be useful as a granulosa cell biomarker of PCOS patients and that downregulated ApoA-I may be related to the disturbed production of steroid hormones in PCOS patients.

Nickel(II) cyclam and several other NiII complexes of tetraazamacrocyclic ligands were found to inhibit autoxidation of aldehydes. The NiII complexes that were effective had relatively low NiIII/NiII reduction potentials. Nickel(III) cyclam was found not to be an inhibitor. We propose that these NiII complexes terminate the free-radical chain reaction by trapping the intermediate acylperoxy radical.