• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2017

Occurrence characteristics and existing forms of U-Th containing minerals in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) granite are investigated to understand long-term behavior of radionuclides in granite considered as a candidate rock for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. KURT granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar and mica. zircon, REE(Rare Earth Element)-containing monazite and bastnaesite are also identified. Besides, secondary minerals such as sericite, microcline and chlorite including quartz vein and calcite vein are observed. These minerals are presumed to be accompanied by a post-hydrothermal process. U-Th containing minerals are mainly observed at the boundaries of quartz, feldspar and mica, mostly less than $30{\mu}m$ in size. Quantitative analysis results using EPMA (Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer) show that 74.2 ~ 96.5% of the U-Th containing minerals consist of $UO_2$ (3.39 ~ 33.19 wt.%), $ThO_2$ (41.61 ~ 50.24 wt.%) and $SiO_2$ (15.43 ~ 18.60 wt.%). Chemical structure of the minerals calculated using EPMA quantitative analysis shows that the U-Th minerals are silicate minerals determined as thorite and uranothorite. The U-Th containing silicate minerals are formed by a magmatic and hydrothermal process. Therefore, KURT granite formed by a magmatic differentiation is accompanied by an alteration and replacement owing to a hydrothermal process. U-Th containing silicate minerals in KURT granite are estimated to be recrystallized by geochemical factors and parameters such as temperature, pressure and pH owing to the hydrothermal process. By repeated dissolution/precipitation during the recrystallization process, U-Th containing silicate minerals such as thorite and uranothorite are formed according to the variation in the concentrated amount of U and Th.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.365-375
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• 1995

The anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus (FVA) is a murine retrovirus which stimulates the proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells. The progenitor cells synthesized by FVA-stimulation are unable to proceed with differentiation and accumulate in the spleen resulting in splenomegaly in infected mice. Using FVA-inoculated mice as a model, we have investigated the antiretroviral effects of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) and recombinant $interferon-{\alpha}-A\;(rIFN-{\alpha}-A)$ on FVA infection. The extent of the infection was determined by measuring the weights of the spleens. Daily intraperitoneal injection of ddC (100 mg/kg body weight), $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ (10 KU/mose) and the combination of both drugs to FVA inoculated mice for 18 days resulted in suppression of the growth of spleens by 15.1%, 52.7% and 61.6%, respectively. When ddC was dissolved in drinking water (0.1 mg/ml) and administered to a group of FVA inoculated mice ad libitum, and $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ (10 KU/mouse) was intraperitoneally injected daily to another group of ddC (0.1 mg/ml) drinking mice for 18days, the growth of spleens was suppressed by 38.4% and 83.2%, respectively. These results indicate that administration of ddC via drinking water is more effective in suppressing FVA infection than the daily injection of ddC, and that the combined effects ddC and $rIFN-{\alpha}-A$ are not synergistic but additive. In order to determine whether ddC treatment alters the characteristic of the progenitor cells with respect to $Ca^{++}$ uptake, $Ca^{++}$ uptake in erythroid cells and the effect of cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) on the $Ca^{++}$ uptake were studied. $Ca^{++}$ uptake in the erythroid progenitor cells was about 20-fold greater than in mouse erythrocytes and the inhibition of $Ca^{++}$ uptake by CHA was the greatest in the progenitor cells from FVA infected mice which were treated with ddC. The inhibition was obviated by theophylline. Results of CHA binding studies showed that the erythroid progenitor cells contain both high and low affinity CHA binding sites, whereas mose erythrocytes contain only the low affinity CHA binding sites.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2017

This study was conducted to provide basic data of Cirsium setidens Nakai in different harvest time that will be applied for development of functional foods and ingredients. We investigated pectiolinarin and pectolinarigenin content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging activity and ORAC assay) of C. setidens Nakai. Our results showed that the pectolinarin and total flavonoids contents of C. setidens Nakai in harvesting time ranged from $43.13{\pm}0.22$ to $95.65{\pm}0.34mg/g$ and from $32.81{\pm}1.68$ to $40.43{\pm}0.35mg$ rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of C. setidens Nakai did not show differences in harvesting time. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was highest in August (2016) extracts ($827.72{\mu}mole\;TE/g$). In addition, C. setidens Nakai exthanolic extract in harvesting time did not show any cytotoxicity up to $200{\mu}g/mL$. During adipocyte differentiation, C. setidens Nakai extract in harvesting time significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production, compared with the controls. These results suggest that C. setidens Nakai extract could be considered as a non-toxic natural resources of functional food ingredients and natural antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2014

In previous work, we fermented coffee beans using solid-state culture with various fungal mycelia to enhance the physiological activity of the coffee. The coffee fermented with Monascus sp. showed a higher physiological activity than non-fermented coffee or other coffees fermented with mushroom mycelium. The aim of this study was to characterize the various fermented coffees with respect to their area of cultivation and their variety using Monascus purpureus (MP) mycelium solid-state culture. Thirty types of green coffee beans, which varied in terms of their cultivation area or variety, were purchased from different suppliers and fermented with MP under optimal conditions. Each MP-fermented coffee was medium roasted and extracted further using hot water (HW) under the same conditions. Of the HW extracts, those derived from MP-Mandheling coffees had the highest yield (13.6-15.5%), and MP-Robusta coffee showed a significantly higher polyphenolic content (3.03 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 mg) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) free radical scavenging activity (27.11 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity/100 mg). Furthermore, in comparison to other MP-fermented coffees at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, MP-Robusta coffee showed not only the most effective inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (67.1% of that in LPS-stimulated control cells), but also an effective inhibition of lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipose cells (22.2% of that in differentiated control cells). In conclusion, these results suggest that Vietnam Robusta coffee beans solid-state fermented with MP mycelium are amenable to industrial applications as a functional coffee beverage or material.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.17
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• pp.21-29
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• 1999

This study was carried out to determine the promising method for the production of mother bulbs using garlic bulbs at the experimental field of Ange high school, Eusung in Korea from 1996 to 1998. The bulbs and bulbils were taken from a local cultivar 'Eusung' garlic. The growth of bulbil and yield potential were compared with different harvesting times and cultivation methods of bulbil. The harvesting time of bulbils which were capable of producing the mother bulbs was ranged from 15 days to 30 days after the emergence of flower stalks. The best results based on the yield and number of bulbs were obtained from the bulbils sampled at the just before garlic harvesting, 30 days after flower-stalk emergence. The mulching with transparent polyethylene(PE) film in bulbil cultivation was more effective for the plant growth and bulb formation than that with black PE film. The PE mulching from 30 days after seeding of bulbils to 30 days (late-April) before bulb harvesting was the moot effective for the increase of bulb yield. In the cultivation of garlic bulbils, application of lime (150 kg/10a) and compost (3,000 kg/10a) without any chemical fertilizers produced more bulbs in comparison with the standard level of fertilizer (N - $P_2O_5$ - $K_2O$ - compost - lime = 24.8 - 8.0 - 19.2 - 3,000 - 150 kg/10a). It was determined that the involucre seeding and assemble seeding of bulbils was effective and labour-saving methods for the production of mother bulbs from garlic bulbils. Input of labour force for the involucre seeding was decreased up to 61% as compared with the conventional drill seeding of bulbils. Mean yield from the cultivation of bulbil-derived single cloves was remarkably increased up to 95% in comparison with that of the common cloves. The larger size of single clove produced more yields, and the optimum planting density of single clove was $20{\times}10cm$. The cloves differentiated directly from bulbil showed to have higher yield potential than that from common cloves.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2010

Sex and its tropic hormones influence the lacrimal system, corneal anatomy and disease, aqueous humor dynamics and glaucoma, crystalline lens and cataract, and retinal disease. Dry eye occurs especially frequently during pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and after menopause, during which androgen levels decrease. Androgen control development, differentiation, and lipid production of sebaceous glands throughout the body, and androgen deficiency also leads to meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye. On the other hand, estrogen causes a reduction in size, activity, and lipid production of sebaceous glands. Sex and its tropic hormones also influence the corneal anatomy and disease, and corneal thickening occurred on the second day of the menstrual cycle and around the time of ovulation and appeared to be related to estrogen levels. Fuchs' dystrophy is more commonly seen in postmenopausal women than men and may be linked to hormonal changes that occur with aging. In addition, overexpression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the conjunctiva of vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients. Serum progesterone levels also may be associated with intraocular pressure especially in pregnant women, and for the women. For women with cataracts, hormone levels were typical of menopause, and there was a significant negative correlation between estradiol and follicular stimulating hormone levels. In addition, serum testosterone levels are associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy. Although the role of sex hormones on the eye is largely unknown, and the results should be interpreted with caution until replicated, the functions of sex hormones in ocular disease remains to be investigated, because they may be involved in structure and function of the ocular components, which are important in the pathogenesis of ocular disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 2009

Purpose:Iron is a critical nutritional element that is essential for a variety of important biological processes, including cell growth and differentiation, electron transfer reactions, and oxygen transport, activation, and detoxification. Iron is also required for neoplastic cell growth due to its catalytic effects on the formation of hydroxyl radicals, suppression of host defense cell activities, and promotion of cancer cell multiplication. Chronic transfusion-dependent patients receiving chemotherapy may have iron overload, which requires iron-chelating therapy. We performed this study to demonstrate whether the iron chelating agent deferoxamine induces apoptosis in Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells, and to investigate the underlying apoptotic mechanism. Methods:To analyze the apoptotic effects of an iron chelator, cultured Saos-2 cells were treated with deferoxamine. We analyzed cell survival by trypan blue and crystal violet analysis, apoptosis by nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle analysis, and the expression of apoptotic related proteins by Western immunoblot analysis. Results:Deferoxamine inhibited the growth of Saos-2 cell in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The major mechanism for growth inhibition with the deferoxamine treatment was by the induction of apoptosis, which was supported by nuclear staining, DNA fragmentation analysis, and flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, bcl-2 expression decreased, while bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP expression increased in Saos-2 cells treated with deferoxamine. Conclusion:These results demonstrated that the iron chelating agent deferoxamine induced growth inhibition and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells, suggesting that iron chelating agents used in controlling neoplastic cell fate can be potentially developed as an adjuvant agent enhancing the anti-tumor effect for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2018

Miscanthus species are known as a genus of eco-friendly and low-maintenance cost ornamental grasses. Plug and cutting methods were tested for multi-propagation of most promising ornamental Miscanthus species in greenhouse and field plot. The plug formation period with three different cell sizes with four cultivars (M. sinensis 'Andersson', 'Strictus', 'Gracillimus', 'Variegatus') were evaluated the seedling development stages with two irrigation types of the over-head and the bottom watering in greenhouse and field plot afterward during 2015-2016 season. In seedling plug test, the size of tray cell affected the plug formation. Bottom irrigation resulted positively on plant height, weight, root and tiller development compared with the over-head irrigation. Plug cell size affected the plant growth in the field after transplanting. All of the 3 Miscanthus species showed higher rates of successful propagation at the lower nodes before inflorescence formation (vegetative growth stage). To analyze the survival factors of M. xgiganteus cutting, the cutting time, node part, and culm diameter were tested as independent variables with the binary logistic model. The survival probability was influenced by node part and culm diameter significantly. The third and fifth node parts showed 0.12 (8X higher failure probability) and 0.02 (50X higher failure probability) times less survival probability. It means the survival probability will be increased by using older and lower part of cuttings during a vegetative growth stage before inflorescences of M. xgiganteus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1134-1146
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• 1998

Background: The tumor suppressor gene p53 is one of the most frequently altered genes in human tumors, including those of the lung. There is now a compelling evidence that wild-type p53 can negatively influence cell growth by causing G1 arrest or by inducing apoptosis. The possibilities of using p53 for gene therapy are also gathering much interest. Material and Method: Our approach towards understanding p53 function would be to study the biological consequences of overexpression of wild-type p53 in normal and tumor cells by using adenovirus vectors capable of giving high levels of the p53 gene product in cells. We have used this vector containing wild-type p53 to infect tumor cells with different p53 status (null, mutant, or wild-type) to confirm that expression of p53 in null or mutant cell lines becomes possible by Adenovirus-p53 transduction, to examine the effects of high levels of p53 expression on the growth properties of tumor cells, to evaluate the role of apoptosis in p53-mediated biological effects, and to examine the effect of Adenovirus-p53 on the tumorigenicities of the lung cancer cell lines in vitro. Result: The results of our study showed that cells expressing endogenous mutant p53 and those devoid of p53 expression altogether were significantly more sensitive to Adenovirus-p53-mediated cytotoxicity compared to tumor cells expressing endogenous wild-type p53 and that overexpression of wild-type p53 induced programmed cell death. Also we knew that Adenovirus-p53 significantly reduced tumor colony formation of human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, and decreased the growth of pre-formed colonies in vitro. Conclusion: These results suggest that adenovirus is an efficient vector for mediating transfer and expression of tumor suppressor genes in human non-small cell lung cancer cells and that the tumor cells null for p53 or expressing mutant p53 readily undergo apoptosis by Adenovirus-p53.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 1973

In order to find out effects of the generative power of silk worm moth which have been brought up in the high temperature accommodation at their pupa stage. For this specific study, 9 different kinds of male silk worms have been selected as specimen. All those specimen were brought up in the normal temperature at their larvae stage and after the pupation period they have been accommodated in the condition of high temperature for a certain length in accordance with the study programme. Afterwards, those mlae specimen were copulated with Suwon jam 103${\times}$104 which were all brought up in normal conditions. This study was carried out to find the copulation function as well as the ratio of unfertilized eggs(male sterility test). Results of study have been revealed as follows: 1) Although some differences were observed, male pura which have been brought up in the condition of high temperature shown the low rate of unfertilized eggs rather than those were brought up in the normal conpition. 2) In this group the eclosion(emergency) has been found to be poor rather, than those specimen brought up in normal conditions. 3) The copulation function of Moran, Daedong, J124 and C108 specimen were found to be poor than those of Suwon jam. 4) Fertility rate of Moran, Daedong, J124 and C108 was found to be around 65%. This figure is rather lower than what we normally expect. 5) Unfertilized egg ratio of Moran, Daedong and C108 were found to be around 20% if they were brought up in the condition of high temperature for one day from the time of pupation: 40% at 2 days, and 70% at 3 days duration. More than 3 days treatment has shown no progress in the unfertilized egg ratio. 6) One day's treatment for the pupa at the later stage has shown the unfertilized egg ratio of about 10%; 20% at 2 day's treatment, 35% at 3 day's treatment, 40-60% at 4 day's treatment, more than 60% at 5 day's treatment, and the 70% of fertilized egg ratio was only observed when the treatment days come to 7 days. It was understood that the unfertilized egg ratio was high at the antepupa stage rather than that of post-pupa stage. 7) According to the result of observation the sperm in copulatory pouch and seminal receptacle out of the normal female silk worm which have been copulated with the male brought up in the condition of high temperature at their moth stage. The reproduction system found in the control zone has been found to be normal and the sperm is amountful and active in motion while the sperm found in the treatment to be limited in amount and slow in motion. The observation was made within 5 hours from the copulation. 8) According to the result of observation of sperm of seminal receptacles of the female silkworm moth, and according to that observation of sperm in the seminal receptacle in female silkworm moth, the amount of sperm and mobility in the female moth brought up in high temperature were poor comparing that were brought up in normal temperature zone. Some of them are even found to be no trace of such. 9) Appearance and mosle of the copulatory organ of the male silkworm moth was found to be no anatomical change. 10) Testis of the later pupa stage which was brought up in the high temperature was found to be almost net developed to anucleate sperm and they are degenerated at stage of between maturation division and sperm abnormal stage. Mean time at control zone, the formation of anucleate sperm was already observed.