• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.126-137
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• 2023

Paddy fields provide important habitats for biodiversity conservation within the agricultural ecosystem. Their importance is gradually increasing as their ecological value is better understood. Benthic macroinvertebrates dominate paddy fields. They play an essential role in maintaining the biodiversity of paddy ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and main environmental factors affecting the distribution of golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata). Results showed that the diversity index (H') of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was the highest at the Sangju site (St. 12) but the lowest at the Sancheong site (St. 18). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values were the highest in Gimhae and Yeongam based on Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Numbers of P. canaliculata (m-2) were relatively low in Gunsan and Iksan where water temperatures were high. Therefore, changes in geographical characteristics and environmental factors might affect the distribution of P. canaliculata and characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Results of this study can be used as primary data for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service evaluation in agroecosystems.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.471-480
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the regulation relationship of Ten-eleven translocation 1 (Tet1) in DNA demethylation and the proliferation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chickens. Methods: siRNA targeting Tet1 was used to transiently knockdown the expression of Tet1 in chicken PGCs, and the genomic DNA methylation status was measured. The proliferation of chicken PGCs was detected by flow cytometry analysis and cell counting kit-8 assay when activation or inhibition of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway. And the level of DNA methylation and hisotne methylation was also tested. Results: Results revealed that knockdown of Tet1 inhibited the proliferation of chicken PGCs and downregulated the mRNA expression of Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), as well as pluripotency-associated genes (Nanog, PouV, and Sox2). Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the population of PGCs in Tet1 knockdown group displayed a significant decrease in the proportion of S and G2 phase cells, which meant that there were less PGCs entered the mitosis process than that of control. Furthermore, Tet1 knockdown delayed the entrance to G1/S phase and this inhibition was rescued by treated with BIO. Consistent with these findings, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was inactivated in Tet1 knockdown PGCs, leading to aberrant proliferation. Further analysis showed that the methylation of the whole genome increased significantly after Tet1 downregulation, while hydroxyl-methylation obviously declined. Meanwhile, the level of H3K27me3 was upregulated and H3K9me2 was downregulated in Tet1 knockdown PGCs, which was achieved by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results suggested that the self-renewal of chicken PGCs and the maintenance of their characteristics were regulated by Tet1 mediating DNA demethylation through the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.383-394
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• 2023

In Korea, the U.S. Tier-4 Final emission standards have been applied to agricultural machinery since 2015. This study was conducted to analyze the emission characteristics of agricultural tractors during plow tillage operations using PEMS (portable emissions measurement systems). The tractor working speed was set as M2 (5.95 km/h) and M3 (7.60 km/h), which was the most used gear stage during plow tillage operation. An engine idling test was conducted before the plow tillage operation was conducted because the level of emissions differed depending on the temperature of the engine (cold and hot states). The estimated level of emissions for the regular area (660 m²), which was the typical area of cultivation, was based on an implement width of 2.15 m and distance from the work area of 2.2 m. As a result, average emission of CO (carbon monoxide), THC (total hydrocarbons), NOx (nitric oxides), and PM (particulate matter) were approximately 6.17×10-2, 3.36×10^-4, 2.01×10^-4, and 6.85×10^-6 g/s, respectively. Based on the regular area, the total emission of CO, THC, NOx, and PM was 2.62, 3.76×10^-2, 1.63, and 2.59×10^-4 g, respectively. The results of total emission during plow tillage were compared to Tier 4 emission regulation limits. Tier 4 emission regulation limits means maximum value of the emission per consumption power (g/kWh), calculated as ratio of the emission and consumption power. Therefore, the total emission was converted to the emission per power using the rated power of the tractor. The emission per power was found to be satisfied below Tier 4 emission regulation limits for each emission gas. It is necessary to measure data by applying various test modes in the future and utilize them to calculate emission because the emission depends on various variables such as measurement environment and test mode.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.757-769
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• 2013

A microorganism producing carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) was isolated from seawater, identified as Bacillus velezensis by analyses of 16S rDNA and partial sequences of the gyrA, and designated as B. velezensis A-68. The optimal conditions for production of CMCase by B. velezensis A-68 were established using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal concentrations of rice hulls and yeast extract, and initial pH of the medium for cell growth were 60.2 g/l, 7.38 g/l, and 7.18, respectively, whereas those for production of CMCase were 50.0 g/l, 5.00 g/l, and 7.30. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) implied that the most significant factor for cell growth as well as production of CMCase was yeast extract. The optimal concentrations of $K_2HPO_4$, NaCl, $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in the medium for cell growth were 7.50, 1.00, 0.10, and 0.80 g/l, respectively, which were the same as those for production of CMCase. The optimal temperatures for cell growth and production of CMCase were 30 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The maximal production of CMCase under optimized conditions was 83.8 U/ml, which was 3.3 times higher than that before optimization. In this study, rice hulls, agro-byproduct, were developed as a substrate for production of CMCase and time for production of CMCase was reduced to 3 days using a newly isolated marine bacterium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.655-661
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• 2010

The nutraceutical role of fermented omija (Schizandra chinensis) beverage (FOB) was determined through the analysis of fibrinolytic and alcohol metabolizing activities, nitrite scavenging activity, and angiotensin converting enzyme and $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Firstly, FOB increased fibrinolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner and indicated angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity of 94.8% at 20% FOB (0.6 mg/mL). In addition, the inhibitory activities of FOB on $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase were determined to be 100% at 100% FOB (3 mg/mL) and 49% at 60% FOB (1.8 mg/mL), respectively. Nitrite scavenging activity of FOB was about 96.1%, 72.3%, and 68.3% on pH 1.2, 3.0, and 6.0 at 100% FOB, respectively. To determine influence of FOB on alcohol metabolism, the generating activities of reduced-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were measured. Facilitating rate of ADH activity was 70.3% at 50% FOB, but ALDH activity was not affected. These results revealed that FOB has a strong alcohol metabolizing activity, and fibrinolytic and nitrite scavenging activities and exhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme, $\alpha$-amylase, and $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.20 no.1 s.55
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• pp.64-75
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• 2005

The total production of food waste was about 11,398ton/day('03) in Korea. Also, food waste was treated by landfill, incineration, reuse and anaerobic digestion. The method of food waste treatment depended primarily on landfill. However, the method of landfill causing social problems was prevented to treat food waste in the first of January 2005.12) Thus, anaerobic digestion is an important method to treat food waste because of possibility of energy recovery as methane gas. In this study, the possibility of food waste treatment containing high organic material and low pH in the one stage anaerobic reactor to save cost and time and energy recovery using $CH_{4}$ gas by the hybrid anaerobic reactor (HAR) was measured. The HAR was designed by combing the merits of the anaerobic filter (AF) to minimize the microorganism shock when food waste of very low pH was injected and up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) to prevent from plugging and channeling phenomena by large suspended solids when semi solids were injected. Granule was packed in the section of HAR. The purpose of the BMP experiment was to measure the amount of methane generated when organic material was resolved under anaerobic conditions, to grasp bio resolution of organic material. Total accumulated methane production per VS amount was $0.471(m^{3}/\cal{kg}\;VS)$. So, the value was about $81.2\%$ of theoretical methane production which was $0.58(m^{3}/\cal{kg}\;VS)$ by elementary analysis and organic matter removal velocity (K) was $0.18(d^{-1})$. From these results, food waste was treated by anaerobic treatment. From this study, $CH_{4}$ generation from food waste (11,398 ton/day) could be estimated. By using an energy conversion factor of Braun's study, $5.97KWh/m^{3}\;CH4,\;60\%\;of\;CH_{4}$ gas generation, the amount of total energy producing food waste is to 6,727MWh/day. It could be confirmed that energy recovery using $CH_{4}$ gas was possible. Above these results, food waste containing organic matters of high concentration could be treated in HRT 30 days under an anaerobic condition, using the hybrid anaerobic reactor and reuse of $CH_{4}$ gas was possible.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2008

There are many kinds of anti-oxidant materials in natural plant resources. The Siberian ginseng and Eucommia are well known as anti-oxidant and medicinal plants. To investigate the effect of their anti-oxidant-like activity on telomere quantity and egg quality, diets containing Siberian ginseng leaf and Eucommia leaf at 0.5% and 1% were given Hyline Brown commercial laying hens during two periods of age: 20 to 30 wks and 60 to 70 wks. The amount of telomere in lymphocyte, liver, ovary, heart and lung was analyzed by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization using telomeric DNA probe. Egg weight, albumin height, Haugh unit, egg yolk color, egg shell color, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and egg shell density were measured to analyze egg quality. The chickens consuming diets Siberian ginseng and Eucommia had higher telomeric DNA in lymphocytes than control chickens in younger layers whereas no significant differences were detected in all target cells analyzed from older layers. Egg quality was increased in younger hens with dietary supplementation as determined by egg weight, albumin height and Haugh unit but there were no effects in older hens. These results imply that dietary supplementation of Siberian ginseng and Eucommia in layers improves bio-activity and egg quality at early laying stage.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.382-387
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• 2007

The approval of use of certain food-grade phosphates as food additives in a wide variety of meat products greatly stimulated research on the applications of phosphates in foods. Phytic acid is a natural plant inositol hexaphosphate constituting 1-5% of most cereals, nuts, legumes, oil seeds, pollen, and spores. In this study, we investigated antibacterial activity of sodium phytate (SPT) against Salmonella typhimurium in tryptic soy broth with different pHs and in chicken, pork and beef. In tryptic soy broth, SPT at the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% effectively inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhymurium in a concentration-dependent manner. At pH 5.5-7.0 similar to meat pHs, 1% SPT almost completely inhibited the bacterial growth. The inhibitory effect of SPT was stronger at pH 7.0 than pH 5.5. In chicken, pork, and beef, SPT at the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1% significantly inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhimurium in a dose-dependant manner (p<0.01). The addition of 1% SPT in the meats significantly increased the meat pHs. These results indicate that SPT is very effective for inhibition of bacterial growth as a muscle food additive for increasing food safety and functions.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2008

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary microbial phytase on egg productivity, egg quality, phosphorus utilization and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. The animals used in the experiment were a total of 120 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (32 weeks old). Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) LP (low phosphorus diet) 3) NP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% normal microbial phytase) and 4) CP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% coated microbial phytase). Six laying hens were allotted to a block (pen) with five replicated. Through the whole period of experiment, egg production was significantly increased in CON and CP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments significantly increased their egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments resulted higher yolk color and Haugh unit than LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents in blood were higher in CP treatment compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were greater in CP treatment than CON, LP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Crude ash was increased in CON, CP and NP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium digestibility and phosphorus digestibility were significantly improved in CP and NP treatments than CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). Calcium retention of CON, CP and NP treatments were higher than LP treatment (P<0.05). Phosphorus retention was increased in CP and NP treatments compared to CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). LP treatment significantly increased their nitrogen, calcium excretion compared to CON, CP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Phosphorus excretion was decreased in LP, CP and NP treatments compared to CON treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, CP treatment improved egg production, egg quality, inorganic calcium and phosphorus in blood, calcium and phosphorus retention and nutrient digestibility and decreased nitrogen and calcium excretion in laying hens.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2009

Before transplanting Chinese cabbage seedlings, two kinds of eggshell powder were blended into the soil of cabbage field where the club root pathogen, Plasmodiophora brassicae, was infested. The incidence of clubroot disease, the shoot and root growth of cabbages, and soil pH were examined four times at 10 to 13 days interval from transplanting Chinese cabbage. As results, the cabbages treated with eggshell powder without membrane showed the fastest growth in above ground part, and the lowest disease index for clubroot disease. The cabbages treated with eggshell powder with membrane showed better growth than the cabbages of non-treated check, but lower growth than those treated with eggshell powder without membrane. Soil pH started to increase from 3 weeks after soil blending of eggshell powder, and it reached to above 8.0. However, the soil pH of non-treated check stayed at around 6.8. In the experiment to compare the effect of eggshell powder with other calcium compounds, soil-blending of $CaCO_3$ resulted the lowest disease incidence of 1.7 and the registered fungicide, 'flusulfamide', and the resistant variety 'CR Green cabbage' followed with the incidence of 1.9. Cabbages of non-treated check scored the highest disease incidence, 3.4, and that of eggshell powder without membrane was as high as 2.7. However, the growth of Chinese cabbage showed the different pattern to the disease incidence. Chinese cabbages treated with eggshell without membrane recorded the highest average growth, around 2.1 kg. On the other hand, the average growth of CR Green Chinese cabbage was about 2.0 kg, that of flusulfamide-treatment plot was 1.7, and that of non-treated check was as low as 1.3 kg. Soil blending of eggshell powder without membrane did not inhibit the development of clubroot, but increased the growth of cabbage to a great extent. Therefore, it was confirmed that soil blending of eggshell powder before transplanting makes the Chinese cabbage culture possible even in the field infested with club root pathogen.