• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Placenta has been shown to be a site of expression of several of the monoamine membrane uptake transporters. However, the correlation between the expressions of norepinephrine transporter (NET) and placental development including gynecological diseases is still unknown. To investigate the expression and functions of NET in placenta, we conducted to compare NET expression in normal and preeclamptic placenta and analyzed the function of NET in HTR8-SV/neo trophoblast cells after NET gene transfection. The expression of NET was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with preeclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with preeclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of NET, NET gene plasmid and NET gene-specific siRNA were trnasfected into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours. NET had low expression in the pre-eclamptic placenta compare with normal placenta but no difference in western blot data. NET was expressed in the trophoblasts, and the up-regulation of NET gene stimulated the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells by 2.5 fold (p<0.05), whereas the NET-siRNA treatment reduced invasion rates. Also, we observed that the expression of NET induces to expression and activity of MMP-9 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells in zymography. The results suggest that the expression of NET were reduced in pre-eclampsia and should be inhibited invasion activity of trophoblasts. Therefore, these findings provide useful guidelines for the mechanisms of trophoblast invasion as well as for the basic understanding of gynecological diseases including pre-eclampsia.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2011

Strain A-3, an amylase-producing bacteria, was isolated from coastal seawater near Daecheon in the Republic of Korea. It was seen to possess a single polar flagella and grow well, on ASW-YP agar plates, at temperatures of between $20-37^{\circ}C$. However, it grew more slowly at the temperatures of $15^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. Similarly, it was observed to grow abundantly, in an Artificial Sea Water-Yeast extract-Peptone (ASW-YP) liquid medium, in a pH range of 6-9, but not grow at pHs of 4-5 and a pH of 10. Strain A-3 was noted as being close to Pseudoalteromonas phenolica O-$BC30^T$, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea $NCIMB1893^T$, Pseudoalteromonas rubra $ATCC29570^T$, and Pseudoalteromonas byunsanensis $FR1199^T$, with 98.30%, 97.86%, 97.78%, and 97.25% similarities respectively, in its 16S rRNA sequence. A phylogenetic tree revealed that strain A-3 and P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ belong to a clade. However, strain A-3 differed from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ in relation to a number of physiological characteristics. Strain A-3 exhibited no growth above 5% NaCl concentrations, no utilization of D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, or D-melibose, and no lipase (C-14) activity. All of these properties strongly indicate that strain A-3 is distant from P. phenolica O-$BC30^T$ and thus led us to name it Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3 produces ${\alpha}$-amylase throughout growth. Maximal amylase activities of 144.48 U/mL and 149.20 U/mL were seen at pH 7.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively. Pseudoalteromonas sp. A-3's high, stable production of ${\alpha}$-amylase in addition to its biochemical features, such as alkalitolerance, suggest that it is a good candidate for industrial applications.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.399-416
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• 2017

The 'Wat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape' of Laos was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 2001. The uppermost structure of the Sanctuary in Wat Phou has been destroyed and being variably damaged, maintenance is required through scientific and systematic diagnosis. The Sanctuary of Wat Phou was constructed mainly using sandstones and bricks. There are physical damages including fracture, break out, exfoliation and interval as well as biological damages by lichen, mosses and weeds. According to the ultrasonic velocity measurement and property evaluation of the sandstones of the Sanctuary in Wat Phou, weathering index of the eastern side sandstones is 0.10 to 0.74 (mean 0.36), showing MW grade. Southern and northern side sandstones have relatively higher properties with average weathering indices of 0.30 and 0.32. The results of slope analysis of the Sanctuary, indicated that the 4th spot in the southern side has the largest slope of $5^{\circ}W$, seemingly due to the unstable ground around the Sanctuary. Based on the relative level measurement and past drawings, the Sanctuary is verified to have been located on ground with a certain slope rather than flatland. The ground of the southern side is inclined $1.51^{\circ}$ more than that of the northern side, which will affect the structural stability of the temple. The interval width of the selected southern spot is the largest with an average width of 159.5 mm, and the largest width is 328.3 mm at the top, since the width increases above rather than below, seemingly due to the unequal subsidence of the ground. Constant maintenance for conservation is required for the structural stability of the Sanctuary in Wat Phou, which was partly collapsed and has also suffered physical damage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

This study was conducted to estimate the Genomic Estimated Breeding Value (GEBV) using Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) method in Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) population. The result is expected to adapt genomic selection onto the national Hanwoo evaluation system. Carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BT), and marbling score (MS) were investigated in 552 Hanwoo progeny-tested steers at Livestock Improvement Main Center. Animals were genotyped with Illumina BovineHD BeadChip (777K SNPs). For statistical analysis, Genetic Relationship Matrix (GRM) was formulated on the basis of genotypes and the accuracy of GEBV was estimated with 10-fold Cross-validation method. The accuracies estimated with cross-validation method were between 0.915~0.957. In 534 progeny-tested steers, the maximum difference of GEBV accuracy compared to conventional EBV for CW, EMA, BT, and MS traits were 9.56%, 5.78%, 5.78%, and 4.18% respectively. In 3,674 pedigree traced bulls, maximum increased difference of GEBV for CW, EMA, BT, and MS traits were increased as 13.54%, 6.50%, 6.50%, and 4.31% respectively. This showed that the implementation of genomic pre-selection for candidate calves to test on meat production traits could improve the genetic gain by increasing accuracy and reducing generation interval in Hanwoo genetic evaluation system to select proven bulls.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate an individual phoria compensating effect by measuring the lens adaptation after wearing horizontal prism or spherical lenses at near. Methods: 103 subjects (63 males and 40 females) aged $22.43{\pm}2.07years$ participated for this study. Refractive errors of subjects were fully corrected, and subjects were classified into three groups; esophoria, orthophoria and exophoria. The adaptation test of prism and spherical lenses was performed immediately, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after wearing lenses with $OU\;2\;{\Delta}\;BO$ and S+1.00 D for an esophoria group and $OU\;2\;{\Delta}\;BI$ and S-1.00 D for orthophoria and exophoria groups, respectively. Each measured phoria was compared to phoria measured with fully corrected condition, and the phoria changing effects about both lenses was analyzed. Results: The mean of phoria by prism lenses significantly decreased for every group. The mean of phoria by spherical lenses also significantly decreased in orthophoria and exophoria groups. The esophoria group showed a decreasing tendency but has no significance. The decreased phoria value by prism lens was classified into three steps; 90~100%, 0~10% and 50% or more. According to results of individual distribution ratio, it was 5, 64 and 24 subjects at 30 minutes after wearing lenses, respectively. The decreased phoria value by spherical lens was classified into three steps; 90~100%, 0~10% and 50% or more. According to results of individual distribution ratio, it was 37, 53 and 41 subjects at 30 minutes after wearing lenses, respectively. The subjects having no phoria changed by both prism and spherical lenses were 37.9%. Conclusions: When prescribing to compensate the near horizontal phoria using prism or spherical lens, the pretest for lens adaptation should be taken before prescription.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2018

Beneficial microorganisms are widely used in the forestry, livestock, and, in particular, agricultural sectors to control soilborne diseases and promote plant growth. However, the industrial utilization of these microorganisms is very limited, mainly due to uncertainty concerning their ability to colonize and persist in soil. In this study, the survival of beneficial microorganisms in field soil microcosms was investigated for 13 days using quantitative PCR with B. subtilis group-specific primers. Bacterial community dynamics of the treated soils were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The average 16S rRNA gene copy number per g dry soil of Bacillus spp. was $4.37{\times}10^6$ after treatment, which was 1,000 times higher than that of the control. The gene copy number was generally maintained for a week and was reduced thereafter, but remained 100 times higher than that of the control. Bacterial community analysis indicated that Acidobacteria ($26.3{\pm}0.9%$), Proteobacteria ($24.2{\pm}0.5%$), Chloroflexi ($11.1{\pm}0.4%$), and Actinobacteria ($9.7{\pm}2.5%$) were abundant phyla in both treated and non-treated soils. In the treated soils, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was lower, whereas those of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were higher compared to the control. Differences in total relative abundances of operational taxonomic units belonging to several genera were observed between the treated and non-treated soils, suggesting that inoculation of soil with the Bacillus strains influenced the relative abundances of certain groups of bacteria and, therefore, the dynamics of resident bacterial communities. These changes in resident soil bacterial communities in response to inoculation of soil with beneficial Bacillus spp. provide important information for the use of beneficial microorganisms in soil for sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.113-125
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• 2007

To know the differences in ionic compositions in rain and snow as well as snow influence on the chemical characteristics of winter precipitation, precipitation samples were collected by the wet-only automatic precipitation sample, in winter(November-February) in the Iksan located in the northwest of Chonbuk from 1995 to 2000. The samples were analyzed for concentrations of water-soluble ion species, in addition to pH and electrical conductivity. The mean pH of winter precipitation was 4.72. According to the type of winter precipitation, the mean pH of rain was 4.67 and lower than 5.05 in snow. The frequencies of pH below 5.0 in rain were about 73%, while those in snow were about 30%. Snow contained 3 times higher concentrations of sea salt ion components originated from seawater than did rain in winter, mainly $Cl^-,\;Na^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$. Neglecting sea salt ion components, $nss-SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$ were important anions and $NH_4^+$ and $nss-Ca^{2+}$ were important cations in both of rain and snow. Concentrations of $nss-SO_4^{2-}$ was 1.3 times higher in rain than in snow, while those of $nss-Ca^{2+}$ and $NO_3^-$ were 1.5 and 1.3 times higher in snow, respectively. The mean equivalent concentration ratio of $nss-SO_4^{2-}/NO_3^-$ in winter precipitation were 2.4, which implied that the relative contribution of sulfuric and nitric acids to the precipitation acidity was 71% and 29%, respectively. The ratio in rain was 2.7 and higher than 1.5 in snow. These results suggest that the difference of $NO_3^-$ in rain and snow could be due to the more effective scavenging of $HNO_3$ vapor than particulate sulfate or nitrate by snow. The lower ratio in snow than rain is consistent with the measurement results of foreign other investigators and with scavenging theory of atmospheric aerosols. Although substantial $nss-SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$ were observed in both of rain and snow, the corresponding presence of $NH_4^+,\;nss-Ca^{2+},\;nss-K^+$ suggested the significant neutralization of rain and snow. Differences in chemical composition of non-sea salt ions and neutralizing rapacity of $NH_4^+,\;nss-Ca^{2+}$, and $nss-K^+$ between rain and snow could explain the acidity difference of rain and snow. Snow affected that winter precipitation could be less acidic due to its higher neutralizing rapacity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1999

Some reports have shown a decreased effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) with newer lithotriptors. We compared the treatment results of ESWL with a second generation Northgate SD-3 and a third generation Modulith SLX device. A total of 2,000 patients underwent ESWL treatments for single urinary calculus between September, 1988 and July, 1998. 1,241 patients were treated with Northgate SD-3 between September, 1988 and December, 1995. And 759 patients were treated with Modulith SLX between January, 1996 and July 1998. The treatment results were compared using chi-square test to determine statistical significance. The overall success rate, success rate according to the location and size, the mean number of sessions, complication rate and retreatment rate were calculated, according to lithotriptor. The overall success rate was 90.6% with Northgate SD-3 and 89.1% with Modulith SLX. With Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX, the success rate according to the location was 91.0%(579/636) and 88.1%(236/268) in kidney: 93.2%(517/555) and 89.9%(258/287) in upper ureter: 83.3%10/12) and 94.4%167/177) in middle and lower ureter: 47.4%(18/38) and 55. 6%(15/27) in staghorn stone, respectively. The success rate according to the size of stone with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX for stones with the size under 10mm was 96.1%(612/637) and 93.1%(470/505); from 11mm to 20mm was 87.3%(421/482) and 86.4%(165/191); from 21mm to 30mm, 77.5%(62/80) and 67.5%(23/34): and for stones larger than 31mm was 69%(29/42) and 62.1%(18/29), respectively. Mean number of sessions for successful fragmentation was 1.21 and 1.69, respectively with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. Retreatment rate was 16.7% and 17.5%, respectively. The complications after treatment were severe pain(6.2% with Northgate SD-3 vs. 2.0% with Modulith SLX), steinstrasse(3.4% vs. 1.9%), fever(1.2% vs. 0.5%) and perirenal hematoma(0.2% vs. 0%) in order of frequency. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two lithotriptors. We concluded that ESWL with Modulith SLX is more safe compared to Northgate SD-3.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2012

This study was designed to explore new nutraceutical and cosmetic resources possessing biological activities from the plant kingdom. To fulfill this purpose, we analyzed the anti-oxidative, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Zanthoxylum schinifolium extract (ZSE) and its solvent fractions using in vitro assays and cell culture model systems. Three kinds of ZSE treated with methanol, ethanol, and water exhibited potent anti-oxidative activities through DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and inhibited in vitro DOPA oxidation. Furthermore, Z. schinifolium methanol extract (ZSME) inhibited the ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which induces melanin contents in B16F10 cells. Its anti-melanogenic activity originates from the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity and melanogenesis related protein expression. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide production in the RAW 264.7 cell line was also ameliorated by ZSME treatment in a dose dependent manner. Among the four solvent fractions of ZSME treated with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water, three fractions, except water, showed significant anti-melanogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. Taken together, these results provide important new insights into Z. schinifolium, indicating that it possesses numerous biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it may well serve as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.273-289
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• 1994

Reversible brain ischemia was produced by occluding both common carotid arteries for 5 min, and the effects of aminoguanidine (AG), $DL-{\alpha}-difluoromethylornithine$ (DFMO), MK-801, and nimodipine (NM) on the ischemia induced changes of the polyamine, glutamate and acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus CA1 subfield and the specific $[^3H]\;MK-801$ binding to the hippocampus synaptosomal membranes were studied with a histological reference of the cresyl violet stained hippocampus. The basal putrescine level $(PT:\;74.4{\pm}8.8\;nM)$ showed a rapid increase (up to 1.7 fold) for 5 min of ischemia, remained significantly increased for 6 h, and then resumed the further increase to amount gradually up to about 3 fold 96 h after recirculation. However, the level of spermidine was little changed, and the spermine level showed a transient increase during ischemia followed by a sustained decrease to about 40% of the preischemic level after recirculation. The increase of PT level induced by brain ischemia was enhanced with AG or MK-801, but it was reduced by DFMO or NM. The basal glutamate level $(GT:\;0.90{\pm}0.l4\;{\mu}M)$ rapidly increased to a peak level of $8.19{\pm}1.14\;{\mu}M$ within 5 min after onset of the ischemia and then decreased to the preischemic level in about 25 min after recirculation. And NM reduced the ischemia induced increase of GT level by about 25%, but AG, DFMO and MK-801 did not affect the GT increase. The basal acetylcholine level $(ACh:\;118.0{\pm}10.5\;{\mu}M)$ did little change during/after brain ischemia and was little affected by AG or NM. But DFMO and MK-801, respectively, produced the moderate decrease of ACh level. The specific $[^3H]\;MK-801$ binding to the hippocampus synaptosomal membrane was little affected by brain ischemia for 5 min. The control value (78.9 fmole/mg protein) was moderately decreased by AG and MK-801, respectively but was little changed by DFMO or NM. The microscopic findings of the brains extirpated on day 7 after ischemia showed severe neuronal damage of the hippocampus, particularly CA1 subfield. NM and AG moderately attenuated the delayed neuronal damage, and DFMO, on the contrary, aggravated the ischemia induced damage. However, MK-801 did not protect the hippocampus from ischemic damage. These results suggest that unlike to the mode of anti-ischemic action of NM, AG might protect the hippocampus from ischemic injury as being negatively regulatory on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function in the hippocampus.