• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2016

Background: Workers in pesticide manufacturing industries are constantly exposed to pesticides. Genetic biomonitoring provides an early identification of potential cancer and genetic diseases in exposed populations. The objectives of this biomonitoring study were to assess DNA damage through comet assay in blood samples collected from industry workers and compare these results with those of classical analytical techniques used for complete blood count analysis. Methods: Samples from controls (n = 20) and exposed workers (n = 38) from an industrial area in Multan, Pakistan, were subjected to various tests. Malathion residues in blood samples were measured by gas chromatography. Results: The exposed workers who were employed in the pesticide manufacturing industry for a longer period (i.e., 13-25 years) had significantly higher DNA tail length ($7.04{\mu}m$) than the controls ($0.94{\mu}m$). Workers in the exposed group also had higher white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and lower levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, and mean corpuscular volume in comparison with normal levels for these parameters. Malathion was not detected in the control group. However, in the exposed group, 72% of whole blood samples had malathion with a mean value of 0.14 mg/L (range 0.01-0.31 mg/L). Conclusion: We found a strong correlation ($R^2=0.91$) between DNA damage in terms of tail length and malathion concentration in blood. Intensive efforts and trainings are thus required to build awareness about safety practices and to change industrial workers' attitude to prevent harmful environmental and anthropogenic effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2018

In this study, we aimed to increase the utilization of non-commercializable peach fruits collected during harvesting and distribution and to promote the transition of a high value-added industry. After producing pastes from the flesh of different peach varieties, we used these pastes as ingredients in the production of Kochujang. We then performed a comparative analysis on the quality characteristics of the peach-added Kochujang and commercially available Kochujang products. Peach-added Kochujang exhibited a lower pH and reduced sugar, salinity, reducing sugar, ash, and calorie content than those of commercially available Kochujang products. However, the Kochujang had slightly higher pH and moisture content than commercially available products due to high organic acid and moisture contents of peach flesh. In terms of content of inorganic elements, commercial Kochujang products exhibited higher sodium and magnesium content, whereas peach-added Kochujang had higher potassium content. In particular, the lower sodium and higher potassium content of peach-added Kochujang indicates that this product could be used as a functional food to prevent various diseases caused by excessive sodium intake among Koreans. After comparing the products in terms of phenol and flavonoid content, we concluded that ethanol extracts of peach-added Kochujang showed higher phenol content than those of the commercially available Kochujang products. In contrast, the distilled water extracts of peach Kochujang showed higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity than that of commercially available Kochujang products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Peach seeds contain a large amount of phenolic components and exhibit excellent physiological effects in various diseases. We examined the antioxidant effects of stone and seed of three peach cultivars (Miwhang, MH; Kanoiwa hakuto, KH; and Cheonhong, CH) by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferric reducing activity of plasma (FRAP) assay, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) reduction. The results showed that the stone extracts of CH had higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids than those of the other cultivars do, and the stone extracts of KH and CH have the potential to reduce DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC activities. In addition, we found that KH, MH, and CH stone extracts decreased nitric oxide generation in RAW 264.7 and BV2 cells. The total phenol and flavonoid contents had no significant correlation with anti-oxidant activities. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory activity had a low linear correlation with anti-oxidant activities and total phenol and flavonoid contents. The present results suggest that the correlation between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of stone and seed, and the appropriate combination of the stone and seed extracts could be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment and prevention material, respectively.

• Plant Resources
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2001

Growth and yield of licorice were investigated under the different conditions of ridge height, planting density, and irrigation in order to establish its cultural practices for the domestic production with the aim to substitute the import. Seedlings were grown under low ridge(20cm) and high ridge(40cm) in low density plot(60$\times$30cm) and high density plot(40$\times$30cm), respectively. The low ridge cultivation of large seedlings increased plant height and root length under low density, and stem and root diameter under high density compared to the high ridge cultivation. In the high ridge cultivation, high density plot was 1.1 to 1.3 times in plant height, root length, stem and root diameter as high as low density one. Fresh and dry weight of plant and root in high ridge were 1.3 to 1.5 times as high as those in low one. The growth of small seedlings(4~10g) were generally poor compared to that of large seedlings. High density plot in low ridge showed the good growth characteristics including plant height, root length, stem and root diameter, and number of branch. High density plot was 1.4 to 1.6 times in fresh and dry weight of plant and root as high as low density plot. In the seasonal changes of growth under various irrigation regimes, the twice irrigation a day produced the more number of leaf than the other regimes since around 46 days after transplanting. The former irrigation resulted in 1.2 to 1.4 times in plant height as long as the other irrigations around 26 days after transplanting and then the difference was increased to 1.6 to 2.0 times around 64 days after transplanting. Under the twice irrigation a day, plant height, root length, stem diameter, root diameter, number of leaf, fresh plant weight, dry plant weight, fresh root weight, dry root weight were 1.6 to 2.0, 1.1, 1.2 to 1.6, 1.3 to 1.8, 1.9 to 2.7, 1.7 to 8.0, 1.6 to 2.8,2.0 to 3.0, 1.6 to 2.7 times as high as those under the other irrigation regimes, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the suitable conditions for seed germination of Rosa davurica PALL. In the characteristics of the fruit and seed of Rosa davurica, fruit length and width was 1.3cm and 0.9cm , respectively, and seed number was eighty-nine. Artificial and low temperature storage at 4$^{\circ}C$ increased the rate of split achene pericarp until 46.6% and storage at 15$^{\circ}C$ incubator decreased the rate of split achene pericarp (10.5%). The rate of seed germination of split achene pericarp in control at 15$^{\circ}C$ was 90% and of non-split achene in GA$_3$100ppm at 15$^{\circ}C$ was 36.8%. Average germination day of split achene pericarp seeds in GA$_3$150ppm at 2$0^{\circ}C$ was 4.2 days and non-split achene pericarp in GA$_3$100ppm at 2$0^{\circ}C$ was 7.3 days. Seed germination was not different between various concentrations of GA$_3$ treatments in split achene pericarp seeds but the rate of germination was more reduced in high concentration of 200ppm. Only the treatments of GA$_3$ was increased germination rate at 4$^{\circ}C$ and immature seed of Rosa davurica.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2000

In an attempt to select grape bag, which elevates grape quality and make easy maturation period determination, the following research was carried out at Chungbuk Institute of Agricultural Technology, Grape Experiment Station. Light transmittance rate of bag reached to 11-65% with non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl bags. Non-dripped vinyl perforation and white painting bag resulted in 50 and 75%, respectively. Berry weights in non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl bag were high than that in paper bag. Non-dripped vinyl perforation 50%, white painting bag brought into fruit cracking, shattering, and rotten fruit, making the investigation difficult. Maturation period preceded about 1-4 day with non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl compared with that in paper bag. Soluble solids content with non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl bags was high and acidity showed a reverse result. Coloring extent was developed rapidly with non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl than paper bag. During initial state of coloring, coloring was rapid with Maekban-Stone mixed non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl + non-woven fabric bag. This was rapid with non-woven fabric bag as long appropriate maturation period. Abnormal berry rate was 5.4-7.0% with paper and non-woven fabric bags but brought about as much as 16.6-100% with non-dripped vinyl and it's mixed bags. Appearance quality was the best with index 9.0 for non-woven fabric bag. Maekban-Stone mixed non-woven fabric but non-dripped vinyl performance 50% white painting bag was the least, showing index 1.0. The time consumed for maturation determination was reduced to 74-93% with non-woven fabric and non-dripped vinyl bag compared with 17.4h/10a with paper bag.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2010

Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen intermediates has been implicated in a variety of human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and mode of action of environmental toxicants. Tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) is an organic lipid hydroperoxide analogue, which is commonly used as a pro-oxidant for evaluating mechanisms involving oxidative stress in cells and tissues. In this study, the underlying mechanisms involved in the protective effects of Hwabuk 94 kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. 'Hwabuk 94'), which is cultivated in Jeju, on the t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cell. The pretreatment of rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 with Hwabuk 94 extract ($1-100\;{\mu}g/ml$) resulted in a significant recovery from t-BHP-induced cell death and increased Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 expression, whereas the expression of Bax and cleaved PARP were decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control. Furthermore, Hwabuk 94 inhibited the t-BHP-induced p38 MAP kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase activations. Finally, these findings suggest that Hwabuk 94 kiwifruit might attenuate t-BHP-induced PC12 cell cytotoxicity, at least in part, through the inhibition of signaling pathways mediated by the ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 1988

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the phosphorus status and define the relationship between composition of phosphorus forms and available phosphorus with 149 phosphorus accumulated soil samples. Distribution percentage of inorganic, organic and available phosphorous to total phosphorus were 68.9 (Saloid-p 2.7, Al-p 26.4, Fe-p 27.6, Ca-p 12.2%), 6.7 and 26.0%, respectively. In the relationship between available phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus in soil, Al-p, Saloid-P, and Ca-P showed significant correlation with available phosphorus which did not showed significant one with Fe-p. Multiple liner regression equation between available and inoganic phosphorus abtained as follow, $Av.P=81.694+0.858Sa-p^{***}+0.648Al-p^{***}+0.091Ca-p^{**}(R=0.826^{***})$ and contribution rates of Saloid-p, Al-p, and Ca-p to available phosphorus were 26.1, 65.2, and 8.7%, respectively. Relationship between available and water soluble phosphorus, water soluble phosphorus and $0.01M-CaCl_2-p$ were highly significant, respectively, and soil solution P extracted with $0.01M-CaCl_2$ for 30 minutes was selected as one of usable diagnostic techniques for soil P status.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 1999

Manganese (Mn) oxides in soils have been a research subject since they react with nutrients and contaminants and Mn itself is an essential element for plant growth. Birnessite was synthesized in the presence of iron (Fe) in the precipitating solution. Influence of Fe, one of common elements in soils, on crytallinity, morphology, and chemical reactivity of birnessite was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscope, canon exchange capacity (CEC), and chromium (Cr) oxidation capacity. With increasing Fe concentration in the precipitating solution, crystallinity and crystal size decreased. Hexagonal plates of the birnessites formed at low Fe concentration were dominant and replaced more and more by aggregate of small particles with increasing the Fe concentration. There is no significant change in CEC with changing the Fe concentration. Chromium oxidation capacity of the birnessite increased with increasing the Fe concentration. Iron in the precipitating solution poisoned crystal growth by adsorption on the surface and increased nucleation. Since Fe is a common constituent under pedogenic environment and Fe and Mn oxides often coexist in Mn oxide nodules, the birnessite with small particle, low crystallinity, and high chemical reactivity is the form which is more likely to be formed in soils. The high CEC ($140cmol_ckg^{-1}$) and oxidation capacity of birnessite indicate that birnessite can be used in environment and agriculture.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.176-182
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• 1995

Field and pot experiments were carried to find out the effects of direct application of phosphate rock powder on soybean plant in upland soils with different available P content. In newly reclaimed upland soil with extremely low available P, phosphate rock powder was superior to single superphosphate at the application rate of 400kg-600kg/ha, in the first year particularly. In the second year, however, the reverse was the case excepting at the rate of 200kg/ha. In upland soil with low avialble $P_2O_5$($52mg\;kg^{-1}$), the application of phosphate rock powder at the high appliaction rate(400-600kg/ha) increased the yield of soybean remarkably in the first year and there was residual effect in the second year. The application of phosphate rock at high rate, increased the P and Ca contenl of plant and soil. The concentration of all fractions of P in the soil at the harvest was higher in phosphate rock treatments than in single superphosphate and fused magnesium phosphate treatments. In this soil with low avaiable P the occurrence of different fractions of P was in the order of Org-P>Fe-P>Ca-P>Al-P, in the first year and there was no change in the second year.