• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.504-510
• /
• 1995

Avascular necrosis(AVN) of bone can be resulted from various causes that distrub vascular supply to bone tissue, including steroid therapy after renal transplantation. In this study, we determine the prevalence of the avascular necrosis of bone after renal transplantation and compare the role of the bone scan, SPECT and MRI. In 301 patients with transplanted kidney, the prevalence of avascular necrosis was deter-mined clinically. Site of bone necrosis was evaluated by clinical symptom, bone scan, SPECT and MRI. Bone scan was done in all patients with AVN. Bone SPECT and MRI were done in six cases; and MRI was done in two cases. The prevalence of AVN was 3.3% (10/301), and the site of AVN was 16 femoral heads in 10 patients (bilateral: 60%) and bilateral calcaneal tuberosity in one patient. Bone scan showed typical AVN (cold area with surrounding hot uptake) in 13 lesions, only hot uptake in three lesions (including two calcaneal tuberosities), decreased uptake in one lesion, and normal in one lesion. Decreased uptake and normal lesion showed an equivacal cold area without surrounding hot uptake on SPECT. A symptomatic patient with positive bone SPECT showed normal finding on MRI. The prevalence of AVN of bone after renal transplantation was 3.3%, and whole body bone scan showed multiple bone involvement. Two symptomatic hip Joints without definite lesion on whole body bone scan or MRI showed cold defect on SPECT. Therefore, we conclude that bone SPECT should be perfomed in a symptomatic patient with negative bone scan or MRI in case with high risk of AVN after renal transplantation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2015

Wetlands constitute a transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and have unique characteristics such as frequent inundation, inflow of nutrients from terrestrial ecosystems, presence of plants adapted to grow in water, and soil that is occasionally oxygen deficient due to saturation. These characteristics and the presence of vegetation determine physical and chemical properties that affect decomposition rates of organic matter (OM). Decomposition of OM is associated with activities of various extracellular enzymes (EE) produced by bacteria and fungi. Extracellular enzymes convert macromolecules to simple compounds such as labile organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) that can be easily taken up by microbes and plants. Therefore, the enzymatic approach is helpful to understand the decomposition rates of OM and nutrient cycling in wetland soils. This paper reviews the physical and biogeochemical factors that regulate extracellular enzyme activities (EEa) in wetland soils, including those of ${\beta}$-glucosidase, ${\beta}$-N-acetylglucosaminidase, phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and phenol oxidase that decompose organic matter and release C, N, P, and S nutrients for microbial and plant growths. Effects of pH, water table, and particle size of OM on EEa were not significantly different among sites, whereas the influence of temperature on EEa varied depending on microbial acclimation to extreme temperatures. Addition of C, N, or P affected EEa differently depending on the nutrient state, C:N ratio, limiting factors, and types of enzymes of wetland soils. Substrate quality influenced EEa more significantly than did other factors. Also, drainage of wetland and increased temperature due to global climate change can stimulate phenol oxidase activity, and anthropogenic N deposition can enhance the hydrolytic EEa; these effects increase OM decomposition rates and emissions of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ from wetland systems. The researches on the relationship between microbial structures and EE functions, and environmental factors controlling EEa can be helpful to manipulate wetland ecosystems for treating pollutants and to monitor wetland ecosystem services.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.363-372
• /
• 2017

Hypericum ascyron has long been used as medicinal plant and recent studies reported that H. ascyron has anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial effects. In this study, inhibitory effect from H. ascyron on pro-inflammatory responses has been investigated. H. ascyron was extracted at optimal extraction condition. Total phenolic contents in water and 90% ethanol were 29.75 and 31.82 mg/g, respectively. Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity of H. ascyron extracts ($50-200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolics) was 0.00-14.81% and 15.33-47.49%, respectively. In cell viability, cell toxicity was shown at concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ and $30{\mu}g/mL$ of water and 90% ethanol extract. Therefore, $10-50{\mu}g/mL$ in water extracts and $5-20{\mu}g/mL$ in ethanol extracts was selected each for further study. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) derived nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) protein expression inhibitory effect of extracts were inhibited in a dose dependent manner, significantly. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokines inhibitory effect such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, nterleukin (IL)-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ were decreased in the dose dependent manner. The results indicate that H. ascyron extracts reduced inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-induced 264.7 cells via the regulation of the iNOS, COX-2, NO, $PGE_2$, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, H. ascyron extracts have significant anti-inflammatory effect and a source as therapeutic materials.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.132-140
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to develop regional site index equations for main tree species in Gangwon, Gyunggi-Chungcheong, Gyungsang, and Jeolla area of Korea, using environmental and soil factors obtained from a digital forest site map. Using the large data set obtained from the digital forest map, a total of 28 environmental and soil factors were regressed on site index by tree species for developing the best site index equations for each of the regions. The selected main tree species were Larix 1eptolepis, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus densiflora, Pinus thunbergii, and Quercus acutissima. Finally, four to five environmental and soil factors by species were chosen as independent variables in defining the best regional site index equations with the highest coefficients of determination $(R^2)$. For those site index equations, three evaluation statistics such as mean difference, standard deviation of difference and standard error of difference were applied to the data sets independently collected from fields within the region. According to the evaluation statistics, it was found that the regional site index equations by species developed in this study conformed well to the independent data set, having relatively low bias and variation. It was concluded that the regional site index equations by species had sufficient capability for the estimation of site productivity.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.390-395
• /
• 2004

In order to characterize ion channels present in tomato roots, microsomes were incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer arranged for electrophysiological analysis. Of the five different ion channels that could be found, a channel of 450 pS conductance was found most frequently. This channel displayed subconductance states of 450, 257 and 105 pS. All subconductance states showed linear current-voltage relationships. At positive holding potentials, high frequency of transient channel openings was observed; however, at negative potentials, the open times were long and open probability high. Po was 0.83 at -40 mV. When an additional 50 mM $K^+\;or\;Na^+$ was added to the cis side of bilayer, the reversal potentials shifted in the negative direction to near -10 mV. Thus, the 450 pS cation channel selects poorly between $K^+\;and\;Na^+$. In the presence of $100\;{\mu}M$ metal ions, the channel activity was severely inhibited by $La^{3+},\;Ba^{2+},\;and\;Zn^{2+}$, and Po was decreased to 0.2 or even less. However, $Al^{3+}\;and\;Cd^{2+}$ decreased the activity by only 20%. Interestingly, each metal ion showed different kinetics of channel inhibition. While $500\;{\mu}M\;La^{3+}$ inhibited the activities of all subconductance state, 1 mM $Zn^{2+}$ inhibited all except the 105 pS state. $Cd^{2+}$ changed the gating of the channel from a long-opening state to brief transient openings even at negative holding potentials. These data represent that the metal ions may have different binding sites on the channel protein and could be useful modulators and probes to investigate structural characteristics as well as the functional roles of the 450 pS channel on the root physiology.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.406-410
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to establish the efficient protocols of the germination and cryopreservation of dehisced Korean ginseng seeds for long-term germ­plasm conservation. $GA_3$ and BA treated on seed for 24 hr facilitated germination at 5 and $10^{\circ}C$. Germination percentage of desiccated seeds was decreased under moisture content (MC) of below $7.2\%$. Dehisced ginseng seeds were dried under airflow of laminar floor cabinet and seed drying room. The high levels (more than $90\%$) of germination after cryogenic exposure were obtained after drying under vertical airflow of laminar floor for 12-30 hours (MC $10.6{\~}7.2\%$). Decrease in germination percentage of ginseng seeds due to desiccation damage and freezing injury was observed at MC of below $7.2\%$ and of above $12.1\%$, respectively. Therefore, MC of ginseng seeds need to be controlled with a range of $8{\~}10\%$ to avoid damages from both desiccation and freezing.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.369-377
• /
• 2005

Precise application of topdressing nitrogen (N) fertilizer is indispensible for securing high yield and good quality of rice and minimizing N losses to the environment as well. For precise N management, growth and nitrogen nutrition status (NNS) should be diagnosed rapidly and accurately. The objective of the study was to evaluate the applicability of vegetation index (VI) calculated from hyperspectral canopy reflectance measurement and SPAD reading to nondestructive in situ diagnosis of growth and NNS of rice. Canopy reflectance, SPAD read­ing, growth parameters, and NNS characteristics were measured from various N treatments to evaluate the relationships among them for two cropping seasons from 2001 to 2002. The correlation coefficient of VIs with variables of growth and NNS increased positively as rice canopy became more closed. Regardless of growth stages, VIs had significantly high correlations with LAI, shoot dry weight (DW), shoot N content and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI). Those correlation coefficients increased steadily before heading stage as rice grew up. However, tiller number and leaf N concentration showed significantly high correlations with VIs only at and after panicle initiation stage (PIS). Among the VIs, RVIgreen had significantly higher correlation with the measured parameters than the other VIs: it showed correlation coefficients greater than 0.8 with leaf and shoot N concentration and DW, and much higher coefficients greater than 0.9 with LAI, shoot N content, and NNI. At LAI of below 2.5, VIs had non-significant or low correlations with the growth and NNS indicators due to the background effects. SPAD reading had significantly high correlation with leaf N concentration and NNI at each growth stage. In addition, it had significant correlations with variables of growth and NNS at PIS and booting stage, particularly, at booting stage. Though SPAD reading had a significantly high correlation value at a given growth stage in each year, it showed very weak relationship with variables of growth and NNS when pooled across growth stages and years. In conclusion, RVIgreen was found to be the most reliable VI to estimate the growth and NNS of rice around at PIS, but SPAD reading had much limitations.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.8-13
• /
• 2011

This study was carried out to compare botanical characteristics, physicochemical properties related to table quality and feed values and develop a new variety among 12 developed waxy com hybrids. These materials were produced in 2008 and cultivated in 2009 at Com Breeding and Genetics Farm of Coll. of Agri. & Life Sci., Chungnam Nat'l Univ. Botanical characteristics of used waxy com hybrids showed large difference among hybrids; stem height, ear height and ear length. In physical properties, range of kernel sugar content among used hybrids appeared 16.1 to 13.0brix(%). CNU08H-15, CNU08H-35 and CNU08H-h39 among these were highly appeared as 15 above and pericarp thickness of Yeonongchal was very thick as $46.0{\mu}m$, while CNU08H-39 among hybrids showed the thinnest as $23.0{\mu}m$ compared to other hybrids. Protein content as a indicator of table quality was the highest in Ilmichal among hybrids, while that of CNU08H-39 was the lowest, while amylopectin content was the highest as 94.5%, From experimental results, Daehakchal Gold 1, CNU08H-h121 and CNU08H-39 including check Yeonyoungchal were highly evaluated as new hybrid in thinner pericarp, high amylopectin and chewiness.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2011

A large amount of nitrogenous compounds are found in burley tobacco and are responsible for peculiar aroma during smoking. Excess in nitrogen or its compounds such as total nitrogen and proteins in burley tobacco gives a strong pungency and make its taste bad. The present study has focused on improving quality of Burley tobacco by regulating topping and harvesting time of leaf to reduce nitrogen compounds in Burley tobacco. In addition, the early-stage of flower topping had lower level of nitrogenous compound, such as total nitrogen and protein nitrogen, and total tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) contents compared to the button-stage and full flower-stage topping. Also, the contents of nicotine got significantly decreased while the ether extract was increased as the period of topping got delayed. Regarding the brightness among the colors of cured leaves, the color at the full flower-stage topping was the brightest, and there was no particular difference in red and yellow colors. The harvesting amount was decreased as the period of topping got delayed and there was no significant difference between the topping treatments in terms of the exterior quality. As the harvesting time delayed, the total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen were decreased while the nicotine contents got increased. Also, the total TSNA contents were decreased as the harvesting time delayed. However, ether extract was increased. Among the colors of cured leaves, the brightness and degree of yellow color were significantly increased as the harvesting time delayed, and there was no particular difference in the degree of red color. The harvesting amount was decreased along with the delayed harvesting time; however, the harvest of the matured and mellow leaves was higher in terms of price, compared to that of the immature leaves. For the reduction of nitrogenous compound and TSNA contents in Burley tobacco, the topping was examined to be more effective in terms of improvement in chemical contents and quality regardless of the decreased harvesting amount.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2011

Resveratrol has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and reduced cancer risk. This phytochemical has been reported in a number of plant species including grapes, peanuts and pine trees in response to stress such as fungal infection, heavy metal ions or UV irradiation. The objective of this study was to determine the resveratrol contents in leaves of mulberry varieties at different collecting times. Quantitative analysis of 16 cultivars showed a range of $102{\sim}466{\mu}g/100g$ on dry weight basis (which is equivalent to $25{\sim}116.5{\mu}g/100g$ on fresh weight basis). Resveratrol contents in mulberry leaves was higher in autumn than spring, and higher in fully matured leaves than in juvenile leaves. Among the tested samples, 'Kaeryangppong', 'Sugeppong' and 'Cheongilppong' collected in the middle of October showed high resveratrol contents of $838{\mu}g/100g$, $803{\mu}g/100g$, $800{\mu}g/100g$ on dry weight basis, respectively. Especially mulberry leaves dried in the shade showed of $1,030{\mu}g/100g$ on dry weight basis in resveratrol content, this result may contribute to utilization of mulberry leaves.