• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2007

Masan Bay is a representative semi-closed bay acted as a sedimentation reservoir with a slow current velocity and a poor water circulation in Korea. The pollutants from terrestrial sources into the Masan Bay have apparently environmental pollution problems, such as eutrophication, red tied, and hypoxia. In this study, An ecological modeling work was performed to estimate the material circulation including the growth of bivalve in ecosystem. Furthermore, the effect of water purification was calculated by filter feeding bivalve to particulate organic matter just like COD and phytoplankton. And Water quality management strategy by bio-purification of bivalve is derived through selection of location, quantification of bivalve aquaculture farm. The results showed that the optimum location for bivalve farming is where phytoplankton accumulation by physical processes is maximized and the optimum density and area of bivalve are 35 individuals $m^{-3}$ and ca. 500 hectare, respectively. When assuming conditions for the optimum growth of bivalve, COD could decrease by up to 18% even without other reduction of pollution loads.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate differentially expressed proteins between normal chicken liver and chicken liver inffeted by Salmonella pullorum. 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to identify the proteins. More than 300 protein spots were detected on silver stained 2DE gels using pH 3$\~$10 gradients. The most outstanding protein spot was further analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and protein database using the Mascot search engine. The protein was finally identified as APOAI (Apolipoprotein AI). Based on the known function of the APOAI, this gene acts protective action against the accumulation of platelet thrombin at the site of vascular damage for the pullorum disease. Therefore APOAI protein, identified in this study, can be a valuable biomarker in relation to the pullorum disease in chicken.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: The concern over heavy metal(loid)s in arable land and agricultural products increases for public health in recent years. This study aims to identify transition characteristics of heavy metal(loid)s and to assess dietary risk in barley grown at the major producing districts in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil and barley samples were collected from 38 locations around the major producing districts at Jeollabuk-do in Korea for the propose of examining the concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s. The 34 barley samples were separately purchased on the market for the same survey. The average concentration and range of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in barley grown at the major producing districts in Korea were 0.037 (0.016-0.094), 0.028 (0.004-0.083) and 0.137 (0.107-0.212) mg kg-1, respectively. Currently, the maximum allowable level for barley Pb is set at 0.2 mg kg-1 in Korea, and the monitoring results suggested that some samples exceeded the maximum allowable level and required appropriate farming management. Bio-concentration factor values by heavy metal(loid)s in barley were high at Cd, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), similar to other crops, while As and Pb were low, indicating low transferability. CONCLUSION: Human exposure to As, Cd and Pb through dietary intake of barley might not cause adverse health effects due to relatively low concentrations, although the Pb in some barley was detected higher than the maximum allowable level. Further study on uptake and accumulation mechanism of Pb by barley might be required to assess the human health risk associated with soil contamination.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of light intensity and electrical conductivity (EC) of nutrient solution during short day treatment in an ebb and flow systems on the growth and nutrient uptake of potted Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Rako' and the nutrient accumulation of growing medium. Nutrient concentrations in the growing medium were also analyzed to investigate the accumulation rates of macro-nutrients such as T-N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. To achieve the objectives, plants were fed with a nutrient solution with 1.2, 1.8, or $2.4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ under three daily photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 4.26, 5.51, or $9.75mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. Both light intensity and EC of nutrient solution significantly influenced the crop growth. The elevation of PPFs resulted in the increase of plant growth. For each light condition, plant growth, such as dry and fresh weight and leaf area, was the highest when the electrical conductivity of nutrient solution was controlled to $2.4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. However, growth was acceptable in the EC ranges from 1.8 to $2.4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Both light intensity and EC of nutrient solution significantly influenced the uptake of nutrients in the solution tanks and the accumulation of nutrients in the growing medium. As the EC of nutrient solution was elevated, the absorption rates of $NO_3^-$, $PO_4^{-3}$, $K^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$ by crops and accumulation of those in growing medium increased, but the light intensity did not significantly influence the absorption rates. Based on the above results, the regression models were suggested for anticipating the macro-nutrient accumulations in growing medium.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.274-283
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• 2014

Oxidative stress causes tissue damage and facilitates the progression of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular heart diseases, and obesity. Lipid accumulation and obesity-related complications have been observed in the presence of extensive oxidative stress. As part of an ongoing study to develop therapeutic supplements, Sargassum sp. were tested for their ability to scavenge free radicals and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as to suppress lipid accumulation. Three species, S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and Sargassum horneri, were shown to scavenge free radicals in a di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) assay. In addition, Sargassum sp. was shown to scavenge intracellular ROS and to decrease nitric oxide (NO) production in $H_2O_2$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that Sargassum sp. possess huge potential to relieve oxidative stress and related complications, as well as lipid-induced oxidation. They indicate that S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and S. horneri are potent functional supplements that can produce beneficial health effects through antioxidant and antiobesity activities, with S. hemiphyllum being the most potent among the Sargassum sp. tested. A potential mechanism for the effect of Sargassum sp. on the suppression of lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes through deactivation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) is presented.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2011

Fatty liver disease refers to a range of disorders associated with fatty liver, which occur in excessive eating, evident infection or significant consumption of alcohol. This study was to investigate the effects of water and ethanol extracts of Triticum aestivum young leaf on lipid metabolism and accumulation in liver of mice fed with high-fat diet. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal diet group, high fat diet (HFD) group, high fat diet group administrated with 200 mg/kg/day of T. aestivum water extract (HFD-TAWE) and high-fat group administrated with 200 mg/kg/day of T. aestivum ethanol extract (HFD-TAEE). TAWE and TAEE were administrated orally for 5 weeks once at the same time point. Both TAWE and TAEE significantly reduced body weight, food intake and liver tissue weight, which were augmented in high fat-fed mice. The serum levels of triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol also were significantly attenuated in both HFD-TAWE and HFD-TAEE groups compared to the HFD group. Moreover, administration of HFD-TAWE or HFD-TAEE reduced the lipid accumulation in liver tissue of mice fed with high fat diet. Levels of total lipids and triglyceride in liver tissues also was significantly reduced in HFDTAWE and HFD-TAEE groups compared to HFD group. The activities of serum ALT and AST revealed in HFD group were remarkedly decreased in HFD-TAEE groups. These results indicate that both water and ethanol extract of T. aestivum may improve the lipid accumulation in liver as well as lipid metabolism in serum, and that in particular, the ethanol extract of T. aestivum may has the potent anti-hyperlipidemic effect, suggesting that it may be a useful candidate for the therapy preventing fatty liver diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2015

Water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) is an annual aquatic plant. In the present study, we showed that the treatment of water chestnut extracted with boiling water resulted in a significant increase 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and decrease the intracellular $H_2O_2$-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, water chestnut extract (WCE) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production and suppressed mRNA and protein expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. The cytokine array results showed that WCE inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion. Also, WCE reduced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$- and interleukin-6-induced nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity. Furthermore, during sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritation of human skin, WCE reduced SLS-induced skin erythema and improved barrier regeneration. These results indicate that WCE may be a promising topical anti-inflammatory agent.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2008

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a cellular self-destruction mechanism that is essential for a variety of biological events, such as developmental sculpturing, tissue homeostasis, and the removal of unwanted cells. Mitochondria play a crucial role in regulating cell death. $Ca^{2+}$ has long been recognized as a participant in apoptotic pathways. Mitochondria are known to modulate and synchronize $Ca^{2+}$ signaling. Massive accumulation of $Ca^{2+}$ in the mitochondria leads to apoptosis. The $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics of ER and mitochondria appear to be modulated by the Bcl-2 family proteins, key factors involved in apoptosis. The number and morphology of mitochondria are precisely controlled through mitochondrial fusion and fission process by numerous mitochondria-shaping proteins. Mitochondrial fission accompanies apoptotic cell death and appears to be important for progression of the apoptotic pathway. Here, we highlight and discuss the role of mitochondrial calcium handling and mitochondrial fusion and fission machinery in apoptosis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.105-112
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• 2003

Animals possess a highly sophisticated mechanism of storing energy in adipose tissue inside their bodies. However, in humans it has been clarified that adipocyte (fat cell), which composes the body fat (adipose) tissues, development and the extent of subsequent fat accumulation are closely associated with the occurrence and advancement of various common diseases (e.g., type-2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension) resulting from obesity. Recent exciting progress in clinical and biochemical studies of adipocytes has rapidly clarified the functions of adipocytes and adipose tissue. Interesting findings are the function of white adipocytes as "secreting cells" and the molecular mechanism undelying adipocyte differentiation at the transcriptional level in relation to nuclear receptors. Consequently, the adipose tissue is being targeted for the prevention or treatment of many common diseases. In this review, I will focus on recent information on characteristics of adipocytes and the relationship between obesity and common obesity-related diseases. diseases.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.60.2-60.2
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• 2019

Based on our experience on exoplanet transit observation, we propose the exoplanet science cases with Small Telescope Network. One is the follow-up observation for validation of exoplanet candidates. TESS(Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) is pouring out exoplanet candidates in bright stars(V<15) on all the sky. Since Small Telescope Network will consist of 0.5-1m telescopes, we will expect to produce promising outcomes from the follow-up observation of bright candidates. Next is the transit time observation. By spectroscopy of space and large telescopes during transit event, it can be possible to find the bio signatures in exoplanet atmosphere. So, in terms of cost, it is critical to determine the exact time of transit event. In addition, detecting the variation of transit time can reveal another exoplanet and exomoon in the system. In order to determine the transit time and its variation, the accumulation of transit event data is more important than the quality of photometric data. We expect that it can be a challenging project of Small Telescope Network.