• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.332-339
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different biochars on the removal of heavy metals from aqueous media. The experiment was carried out in aqueous solutions containing $200mg\;CdL^{-1}$ or $200mg\;PbL^{-1}$ using two different biochars derived from soybean stover and orange peel (20 mg Cd or $Pbg^{-1}$ biochar). After shaking for 24 hours, biochars were filtered out, and Cd and Pb in the filtrate were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). In order to provide information regarding metal binding strength on biochars, sequential extraction was performed by modified SM&T (formerly BCR). The results showed that 70~100% of initially added Cd and Pb was adsorbed on biochars and removed from aqueous solution. The removal rate of Pb (95%, 100%) was higher than that of Cd (70%, 91%). In the case of Cd, orange peel derived biochar (91%) showed higher adsorption rate than soybean stover derived biochar (70%). Cd was adsorbed on the biochar mainly in exchangeable and carbonates fraction (1st phase). In contrast, Pb was adsorbed on it mainly in the form of Fe-Mn oxides and residual fraction (2nd and 4th phase). The existence of Cd and Pb as a form of surface-precipitated complex was also observed on the surfaces of biochars detected by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDAX).

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.140-144
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• 2012

This study was aimed for identification of a useful genetic resources from the entomopathogenic bacteria infected-midgut of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. We analyzed the appropriately midgut-immunizing condition of $4^{th}$ instar larvae by a feeding infection using several entomopathogenic bacteria. Xenorhabdus nematophila was selected as a suitable bacteria for midgut immunization of Jam 123, B. mori. We constructed a subtraction cDNA library from the mRNA of the immunized midgut, respectively. A total of 1,000 clones were randomly selected from the subtracted cDNA library, and then performed a differential display hybridization analysis with forward and reverse probes. In conclusion, nine clones were identified as differential expressed genes, which presumed that these genes were involved in gut immunity of silkworm. The total number of clones analyzed in this work is not enough to have a brief overview of a understanding on the midgut immunity factors of silkworm. Therefore, further defined studies on these molecules biological roles will give us well-fined information about the innate immune mechanism of silkworm.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2021

Recently, interleukin 34 (IL-34) was identified as the second functional ligand for macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR). IL-34 functions similarly to M-CSF through its binding to the M-CSFR. There is still insufficient information on IL-34 in chickens, which has until now been reported only through predicted sequences and not through experimental research. Thus, to confirm its expression and to determine its potent biological activity, several chicken lines and cell lines were used. Cloning of recombinant chicken IL-34 and M-CSF genes was performed to investigate their modulatory effects on proinflammatory cytokine expression in vitro. The expression levels of IL-34, M-CSF, and M-CSFR genes were upregulated in broiler chickens with leg dysfunction (cause unknown). However, IL-34 was downregulated in most pathogen-stimulated tissues. M-CSFR expression was enhanced by recombinant IL-34 and M-CSF proteins in vitro. IFN-γ expression was enhanced by recombinant IL-34, but not by M-CSF. However, IL-12 expression was not regulated in any of the treated cells, and IL-1β was decreased in all tissues. These results indicate that IL-34 and M-CSF have roles in both the classical and alternative macrophage activation pathways. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the expression of IL-34 in chickens for pathogenic trials, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that the IL-34 protein plays a role in both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in macrophages. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the cytokines or chemokines that can be induced by IL-34 and to further elucidate the functions of IL-34 in the inflammatory pathway.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2021

The application of environmental DNA in the domestic ecosystem is also accelerating, but the processing and analysis of the produced data is limited, and doubts are raised about the reliability of the analyzed and produced biological taxa identification data, and the sample medium (target sample, water, air, sediment, Gastric contents, feces, etc.) and quantification and improvement of analysis methods are also needed. Therefore, in order to secure the reliability and accuracy of biodiversity research using the environmental DNA of the domestic ecosystem, it is a process of actively using the database accumulated through ecological taxonomy and undergoing verification procedures, and experts verifying the resolution of the data increased by gene sequence analysis. This is absolutely necessary. Environmental DNA research cannot be solved only by applying molecular biology technology, and interdisciplinary research cooperation such as ecology-taxa identification-genetics-informatics is important to secure the reliability of the produced data, and researchers dealing with various media can approach it together. It is an area in desperate need of an information sharing platform that can do this, and the speed of development will proceed rapidly, and the accumulated data is expected to grow as big data within a few years.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.430-441
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• 2021

Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) are terpenoids found mostly in the Asteraceae family and are known for their strong cytotoxic properties, among other notable bioactivities. Some STLs, such as artemisinin and mipsagargin, are already commercially available and are used to fight malaria and tumor growth, respectively. Although the interest in STLs was low for a time after their discovery due to their toxic nature, past decades have witnessed a soar in STL-based studies focused on developing novel pharmaceuticals via chemical diversification. These studies have reported several promising physiological effects for STLs, including lower toxicity and diverse modes of action, and have demonstrated the antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antiprotozoal, phytotoxic, antitumor, and antiaging properties of STLs. STLs are mainly considered as valuable natural molecules for the fight against cancer since most STLs induce death of different types of cancer cells, as shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. Some STLs can also enhance the effects of drugs that are already in clinical use. Medicinal chemists use various STLs as starting molecules for the synthesis of new STLs or different bioactive compounds. All these developments warrant future research to provide more information on STLs, their bioactivities, and their mode of action. In this context, this review has summarized the bioactivities of some of the widely studied STLs, namely artemisinin, costunolide, thapsigargin, arglabin, parthenolide, alantolactone, cynaropicrin, helenalin, and santonin.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2018

The Biosafety Division of the National Academy of Agricultural Science has developed a 'Crop Composition DB' that provides analytical data on commercialized crops. It can be used as a reference in the 'Comparative Evaluation by Compositional Analysis' for the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops. This database provides the composition of crops cultivated in Korea, and thus upgrades the data to check the extent of changes in the compositional content depending on the cultivated area, varieties and year. The database is a compilation of data on the antioxidant, nutrient and secondary metabolite compositions of rice and capsicum grown in two or more cultivation areas for a period of more than two years. Data analysis was conducted under the guidelines of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists or methods previously reported on papers. The data was provided as average, minimum and maximum values to assess whether the statistical differences between the GM crops and comparative non-GM crops fall within the biological differences or tolerances of the existing commercial crops. The Crop Composition DB is an open-access source and is easy to access based on the query selected by the user. Moreover, functional ingredients of colored crops, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and cauliflowers, were provided so that food information can be used and utilized by general consumers. This paper introduces the feature and usage of 'Crop Composition DB', which is a valuable tool for characterizing the composition of conventional crops.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoparticles have emerged as novel nanomaterials for bio-imaging applications due to its unique layered structure, physicochemical properties, and good biocompatibility. Bio-imaging is one of the most important fields for medical applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics of various diseases. Enhanced diagnostic techniques are needed to realize new paradigm for next-generation personalized medicine through nanoscale materials. When nanotechnology is introduced into bio-imaging system, nanoparticle probes can endow imaging techniques with enhanced ability to obtain information about biological system at the molecular level. In this review, we summarize structural features of LDH nanoparticles with current issues of bio-imaging system. LDH nanoparticle probes are also discussed through in vitro as well as in vivo studies in various bio-imaging techniques including fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed X-ray tomography (CT), which will have the potential in the development of the advanced nanoparticles with high sensitivity and selectivity.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.674-680
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The representative mucin genes in the human airway are MUC5AC and MUC5B, which are regulated by several inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances. Triptolide (TPL), udenafil, betulinic acid, changkil saponin, and glucosteroid are some of the many anti-inflammatory substances that exist. TPL is a diterpenoid compound from the thunder god vine, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of immune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and asthma. However, the effects of TPL on mucin expression of human airway epithelial cells have yet to be reported. Hence, this study investigated the effect of TPL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. Subjects and Method The NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells were used to investigate the effects of TPL on LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, and Western blot. Results TPL significantly decreased the LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production. TPL also significantly decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) phosphorylation. Conclusion These results suggest that TPL down regulates MUC5AC and MUC5B expression via inhibition of NF-kB activation in human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide important information about the biological role of triptolide on mucus-secretion in airway inflammatory diseases and the development of novel therapeutic agents for controlling such diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2019

DXA is the most commonly used BMD examination equipment with the best performance on reflecting the biological alteration with tiny change of bone density. In spite of the importance of the quality control to maintain the accuracy and precision of the examination, considerable number of hospitals are not conducting QC due to the difficulty and high cost of the phantom product. This study develops the cross revision phantom with 3D printer and the change of the degree of infilling filaments which can be readily secured, and provides the usefulness assessment of the developed phantom by comparing with existing products. The Hounsfield Units of ABS, TPU, PLA, 30% Cu-PLA, and 30% Al-PLA are assessed. The Hounsfield Units result at infilling rate 100% was $-149.74{\pm}2.36$, $-55.62{\pm}7.14$, $-7.68{\pm}3.82$, $87.53{\pm}1.07$, and $1795.20{\pm}16.15$. The L1, L2, L3 BMD of 3D printing phantom with linear regression model were $0.620{\pm}0.010g/cm^2$, $1.092{\pm}0.025g/cm^2$, $1.554{\pm}0.026g/cm^2$ which are statistically relevant to the existing phantom products. This result provides the base line data for various medical phantom produce and capability of proper quality control of DXA equipment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2019

While the expansion of protected areas in accordance with Korea's National Biodiversity Strategy contributions to the conservation of biological diversity, it incurs economic losses and poses threats to the livelihoods of local residents. Payment for ecosystem services (PES) compensates local residents for their economic damages in a sustainable manner. To assess feasibility of PES, there is a need to estimate the general public's benefits from biodiversity conservation in protected areas. This study attempted to estimate visitors' willingness to pay (WTP) for biodiversity conservation in Mt. Jiri using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The WTP of respondents for the expansion of protected areas to increase biodiversity conservation was estimated at 16,103 KRW per household per year and this equates to a total of 316.8 billion KRW for all the households in Korea. The higher a respondent's age, education level and household income level, the more willing he or she is to pay for biodiversity conservation. Likewise, respondents who are aware of Mt. Jiri's designation as an Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Area are more willing to pay for biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the higher the importance placed on biodiversity conservation policy, the higher the willingness to pay for biodiversity conservation. To enhance the feasibility of PES schemes, it is necessary to improve the general public's knowledge and awareness of biodiversity by providing opportunities for education and more information on biodiversity and biodiversity policies.