• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: $CD133^+CD44^+$ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$ for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA ($ddC_t$). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA ($dC_t$). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner ($5.16{\pm}0.13$ at $0{\mu}g/mL$, $4.79{\pm}0.12$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$, $3.24{\pm}0.08$ at $20{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.99{\pm}0.09$ at $40{\mu}g/mL$; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length ($1.47{\pm}0.04$, $1.09{\pm}0.01$, $0.76{\pm}0.08$, and $0.88{\pm}0.06$; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION: In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2019

Several volcanic activities have continued in Mt. Baekdu since the Millennium eruption, and these phenomena have increased the need for volcanic activity surveillance. Various geophysical approaches are needed to obtain the depth and size of magma chamber that lie several kilometers below the surface. We examined the applicability of direct-current resistivity survey in this study. In order to explore the deep magma chamber of Mt. Baekdu, which has a spatial limitation due to the borderline, a large-scale survey with a length of tens of kilometers should be conducted. This type of survey requires a distributed measurement system and optimized exploration designs. Therefore, we propose survey designs taking advantage of our developed distributed acquisition system and analyze the applicability using numerical simulation. We confirmed that our designs that use single survey line with offline transmitting points show comparable results to the conventional 3D survey. It is expected that our research result can contribute to the deep geophysical exploration in Mt. Baekdu.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-97
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• 2021

To investigate the current pest management status in Korea, a survey was conducted from 151 students and graduates in the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNCAF) by on-line. The questionnaire consists of two divisions, basic questions and pest control questions. The basic questions were including the respondent's age, academic status, cultivating crops and cultivating area. The pest control questions were including pest control methods, pesticide selection rationale, and pest forecasting methods. As a summary of basic questions, the respondents in their 20s accounted for 91.2%. Moreover, 34.5% of the respondents had over 3 hectares of cultivating area. The cultivating methods were differed by cultivating crops. As a summary of pest control questions, major control methods were using the conventional chemicals (>66%). To understand the pesticide selection rationale, farmers/respondents made their own decisions based on existing control techniques (30%) or depended on the decisions of pesticide vendors (29%). As for the pest forecasting method, it was mainly conducted by the Rural Development Administration affiliated organization (29%) and the National Crop Pest Management System (27%). Regarding the reliability of the pest diagnosis and pesticide prescription of pesticide vendors, 97% of the respondents marked above average. However, there was no choice on strong reliability. Interestingly, 79% of the respondents agreed to train experts for pest diagnosis and pesticide prescription with high necessity and, in particular, 47% of respondents were very strongly supported. These results suggest that the farmers might be need more qualified experts in pest diagnosis and pesticide prescriptions. Taken together, these survey results would provide important information to understand the current status of pest management by farmers' point of view and useful to set the direction of pest control.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.161-168
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• 2021

The present study investigated production traits, including body weight, egg production, egg weight, and egg quality in Korean indigenous parent stocks. Parent stocks produced from a nine-combination association from five pure line strains (C, D, F, K, and Y) were used. The body weight analyses results showed that the CY combination had the highest body weight (1,604.9 g) and the DK combination had the lowest (1,424.4 g). The average age at first egg of the nine combinations was 118.6 days; however, that of the YD combination was 111.6 days, making it the fastest growing combination, whereas the DK combination was the slowest, at 126 days. Hen-day egg production was 74% or more for the CF, CK, and DK combinations. The DK combination hens showed excellent persistence in egg laying. Hen-housed egg production exhibited results similar to those of hen-day egg production. Egg weight was significantly higher in the DK combination than in the other combinations and was observed to increase from 20 (43.9 g) to 40 (58.1 g) weeks. The egg quality analyses results showed that the combinations based on the F and K strains had a bright eggshell color, with relatively high egg weights. Eggshell strength and thickness were the highest in the DK combination (3.8 kg/cm², 0.38 mm). In summary, the CF and DK combinations showed excellent egg production ability and egg quality, while the YC, YD, and YK combinations with the Y strain as the paternal strain exhibited poor performance.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.3C
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• pp.143-155
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• 2006

SPT-Uphole tomography method was introduced for the evaluation of near subsurface shear wave velocity (Vs) distribution map. In SPT-Uphole method, SPT (Standard Penetration Test) which is common in geotechnical site investigation was used as a source and several surface geophones in line were used as receivers. Vs distribution map which is the triangular shape around the boring point can be developed by tomography inversion. To obtain the exact travel time information of shear wave component, a procedure using the magnitude summation of vertical and horizontal components was used based on the evaluation of particle motion at the surface. It was verified that proposed method could give reliable Vs distribution map through the numerical study using the FEM (Finite Element Method) model. Finally, SPT-Uphole tomography method was performed at the weathered soil site where several boring data with SPT-N values are available, and the feasibility of proposed method was verified in the field.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to characterize the hydrogeochemical characteristics of hot spring waters and to interpret the source of noble gases and the geochemical environment of the hot spring waters distributed along the eastern area of the Korean peninsula. For this purpose, We carried out the chemical, stable isotopic and noble gas isotopic analyses for eleven hot spring water and fourteen hot spring gas samples collected from six hot spring sites. The hot spring waters except the Osaek hot spring water show the pH range of 7.0 to 9.1. However, the Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water shows a weak acid of pH 5.7. The temperature of hot spring waters in the study area ranges from $25.7^{\circ}C$ to $68.3^{\circ}C$. Electrical conductivity of hot spring waters varies widely from 202 to $7,130{\mu}S/cm$. High electrical conductivity (av., $3,890{\mu}S/sm$) by high Na and Cl contents of the Haeundae and the Dongrae hot spring waters indicates that the hot spring waters were mixed with seawater in the subsurface thermal system. The type of hot springs in the viewpoint of dissolved components can be grouped into three types: (1) alkaline Na-$HCO_3$ type including sulfur gas of the Osaek, Baekam, Dukgu and Chuksan hot springs, and (2) saline Na-Cl type of the Haeundae and Dongrae hot springs, and (3) weak acid $CO_2$-rich Na-$HCO_3$ type of Osaek hot spring. Tritium ratios of the Haeundae and the Dongrae hot springs indicate different residence time in their aquifers of older water of $0.0{\sim}0.3$ TU and younger water of $5.9{\sim}8.8$ TU. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ values of hot spring waters indicate that they originate from the meteoric water, and that the values also reflect a latitude effect according to their locations. $^3He/^4He$ ratios of the hot spring waters except Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water range from $0.1{\times}10^{-6}$ to $1.1{\times}10^{-6}$ which are plotted above the mixing line between air and crustal components. It means that the He gas in hot spring waters was originated mainly from atmosphere and crust sources, and partly from mantle sources. The Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water shows $3.3{\times}10^{-6}$ in $^3He/^4He$ ratio that is 2.4 times higher than those of atmosphere. It provides clearly a helium source from the deep mantle. $^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar$ ratios of hot spring water are in the range of an atmosphere source.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2012

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in layer-type growing male chicks. Nine hundred 1-d-old Hy-Line Brown male chicks were randomly allocated to 30 pens in a $2{\times}3$ factorial design. The experimental diets contained 2 levels of ME (2,800 kcal/kg and 2,950 kcal/kg) in combination with 3 levels of CP (17%, 18.5%, and, 20%). A significant interaction of ME and CP on feed intake was observed (p<0.05). No interaction was observed between ME and CP for 53 d BW gain or FCR, which improved linearly with dietary CP levels (p<0.05). A significant interaction or tendency was observed between ME and CP levels. The intake of ME for 1 g BW gain was linearly decreased with increasing CP levels (p<0.001). The intake of CP per bird was significantly increased in low ME (2,800 kcal/kg) treatment than that of the high ME treatment (2,950 kcal/kg) (p<0.05), and dietary CP level had more influence on CP intake for gram BW gain than level of ME. The relative weights of liver, spleen, breast meat and, leg were not influenced by the dietary treatments. Serum BUN, albumin, creatinine, and the activities of GOT and GPT were not influenced significantly by the diet treatment. In conclusion, the growth performance in layer-type male chicks was linearly increased when the level of dietary CP increased. The ME and CP did not affect the carcass characteristics and blood profiles. Therefore, the optimum levels of dietary ME and CP to improve the growth were 2,800 kcal/kg and above 18.5% in layer-type growing male chicks, respectively.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

Background: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. Methods: Balb/c $(H-2^d)$ mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 $(H-2^d)$ every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. Results: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-5, and TNF-${\alpha}$. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the radiobiologic effects of neutron and X-ray irradiation on DU-145 prostate carcinoma cells by identifying the differences of HIF-$1\alpha$ expression and apoptosis. Materials and Methods: Nude mice were injected with the human prostate cancer cell line, DU-145, and then irradiated with 2 Gy and 10 Gy X-rays, or 0.6 Gy and 3.3 Gy neutrons, respectively. The mice were sacrificed at 24 hours and 120 hours after irradiation. The expression levels of HIF-$1\alpha$, Bcl-2 and Bax were compared with immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. The apoptotic indexes were compared with the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl biotin-dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: At day 1, HIF-$1\alpha$ and Bcl-2 expression decreased, while Bax expression and the number of TUNEL positive cells increased in neutron irradiated groups for the control and X-ray irradiated groups. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly lower in the neutron irradiated groups regardless of dose (p=0.001). The same pattern of the differences in the expressions of the HIF-$1\alpha$, Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and apoptotic indexes were indentified at day 5. HIF-$1\alpha$ expression was related with Bcl-2 (p=0.031), Bax (p=0.037) expressions and the apoptotic indexes (p=0.016) at day 5. Conclusion: Neutron irradiation showed a decrease in HIF-$1\alpha$, Bcl-2 expression, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio, but increased Bax expression regardless of dose. This study suggests that the differences radiobiological responses between photon and neutron irradiation may be related to different HIF-$1\alpha$ expression and subsequent apoptotic protein expressions.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.467-491
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• 1995

In order to analyze the occlusin of intercuspation with maximun bite force, fifteen healthy adult subjects with the ages 23 to 27 were studied(Group1 ; 5-normal occlusion with Angle's Class1, Group2 ; 5-Angle's Class2 malocclusion, Group3 ; 5-Angle’s Class3 malocclusion). Head Position was fixed with occlusal plane paralleling to horizontal line and occlusal registration r cord was made with polyether rubber impression material(Ramitec, ESPECo. West Germany). After all subject were trained for maximum intercuspation at least 5 times, occlusal registration procedure was repeated for this study. Lower posterior rubber occlusal registration records were sliced with 1mm thickness using precision metal sliding channel(Hitachi Ind. Co., Japan). Gross sectional drawings were traced from occluding view of upper and lower posterior teeth on the rubber slices using digitizer, and superimposed for the determination of each drawing distance(Superimposed Rubber Pattern Method). Based on superimposed rubber pattern drawings, total area of occlusal view, sum of each area of the 5 divided occlusal contact provinces and its ratio, total area and number of occlusal contact area were determined to elucidate occlusal stability in the normal and abnormal occlusion groups. The data were analysed by t-test(p=0.05) to determine statistical significance. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Group1 showed the largest standard area with occlusal view of the lower posterior teeth and Group3 showed the smallest area. There was a significant difference between Group2 and Group3(p=0.025), and Gropu1 was not statistically different for both Group2 and Group3. 2. Means and ratio of the under 2.0mm area(D) and ratio showed $197.49mm^2$, 59.76% in Group1, $188,69mm^2$, 56.10% in Group2, and $174.23mm^2$, 55.76% in Group3. The results that Group1 has the most area/ratio and Group3 has the least area/ratio can be considered Group1 is the most advantageous for masticatory effective area, and Group3 is the least adnantageous. 3. Means and ratio of the under 1.0mm area(C) were $198.96mm^2$, 42.65% in Group1, 123.06$mm^2$, 46.58% in Group2, and $92.24mm^2$, 29.52% in Group3. These data means that Group1 is the most advantageous in terms of masticatory effective area and Group3 is the least. 4. Means and ratio of the under 0.5mm area(B) were $86.68mm^2$, 26.68% in Group1, $62.98mm^2$, 18.71% in Group2, and $36.44mm^2$, 11.66% in Group3. These can also be considered Group1 is the most advantageous for masticatory effective area and occlusal stability. 5. Means and ratio of the under 0.05mm area(A) were $30.92mm^2$, 9.21% in Group1, $14.31mm^2$, 4.25% in Group2, and $7.59mm^2$, 2.43% in Group3. The area ratio of the each subject group was(4.1) : (1.9) : (1)and the data of the under 0.05mm area has the intimate relationship with inter-group and intra-group data/ratio. 6. First molar showed the most occlusal contact points in all subject group and Group1 showed somewhat uniformly distributed occlusal contact point except first premolar. In Group2, all contact point in posterior teeth showed significantly reduced distribution except first molar. Group3 showed evenly distributed contace points in first and second molars.