• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.646-651
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• 2007

This investigation was performed to study the influence of Cd and nitrate on growth, and chlorophyll and photosynthetic enzymes in seedling of tobacco. Growth inhibition by Cd was not recovered by nitrate. Chlorophyll levels were reduced by Cd. The combination of Cd and low concentration of nitrate decreased the chlorophyll content compared to that in plants exposed only to Cd. Activity and content of rubisco at Cd treatment was significantly lesser than in plants receiving no treatment, These data suggest that rubisco activity was associated with an amount of rubisco protein, and that the activation and synthesis of rubisco is inhibited by Cd. Both the activity and content of rubisco decreased by Cd were more decreased by nitrate. A similar change pattern was also observed in activity and content of rubisco activase. These results suggest that Cd- and nitrate-induced changes of rubisco could be correlated with rubisco activase, and that nitrate was concerned in not only the activation and synthesis of rubisco directly, but also rubisco activase leading to a large change in rubisco.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2019

The quantity of heavy metals in agricultural surface and subsurface soils around coal-fired power plants located in Samcheonpo and Hadong, Gyeongnam Province, were determined. The analytical results for 48 and 61 soils in Samcheonpo and Hadong, respectively, showed that the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were below the warning criteria regulated by Korean Soil Conservation Act; however, Cd in 38 and 13 soils in Samcheonpo and Hadong, respectively, exceeded the criterion. As a result of calculation of the geoaccumulation index and the enrichment factor, the soils were extremely contaminated with Cd and such high loading of Cd to the soils was due to anthropogenic source(s). Sequential extraction of the soils, however, showed that heavy metals including Cd existed as hardly extractable phases, which represented a low bioavailability of the heavy metals. Our results indicated that Cd contamination around the coal-fired power plants was due to artificial source(s) and may unlikely deteriorate nearby ecosystems.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.27-33
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• 2019

Various technical and societal approaches are being made to realize the auto driving (AD) and cooperative driving (CD) including communication network and extended advanced driver support system is under development. In CD, it is important to share the roles of the driver and the system and to secure the stability of the driving, so a efficient interface scheme between the driver and the vehicle is required. This study proposes a research model including driver, system and driving environment considering the role and function of driver and system in CD. An efficient interface between the driver and the vehicle to cope with various driving situations on the CD using the analysis of the driving environment and the research model is also proposed. Through this study, it is expected that the proposed research model and interface scheme could contribute to CD system design, cockpit module development and interface device development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and has a high recurrence rate, which is associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs). β-carotene (BC) possesses antioxidant activity and several anticancer mechanisms. However, no investigation has examined its effect on colon cancer stemness. MATERIALS/METHODS: CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 and CD133⁺CD44⁺ HT-29 cells were isolated and analyzed their self-renewal capacity by clonogenic and sphere formation assays. Expressions of several CSCs markers and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were examined. In addition, CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 cells were subcutaneously injected in xenograft mice and analyzed the effect of BC on tumor formation, tumor volume, and CSCs markers in tumors. RESULTS: BC inhibited self-renewal capacity and CSC markers, including CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, NOTCH1, Sox2, and β-catenin in vitro. The effects of BC on CSC markers were confirmed in primary cells isolated from human CRC tumors. BC supplementation decreased the number and size of tumors and delayed the tumor-onset time in xenograft mice injected with CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 cells. The inhibitory effect of BC on CSC markers and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in tumors was confirmed in vivo as well. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BC may be a potential therapeutic agent for colon cancer by targeting colon CSCs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To clarify the possible effects of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in a asthmatic mouse model. Methods : BALBav/c mice were sensitized to OVA followed intratracheally and by aerosol allergene challenges. We investigated the effect of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophiic infitratio, immune cell phenotype, The2 cytokine product, and OVA-spedific IgE production. Results : Total lung cells, eosinophils, and lung leukocytes, OVA specific IgE levels, and Th 2cytokine levels such as IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-alpha, and eotaxin in BALF were reduced compared with those of OVA sensitized asthma mice (control). The absolute numbers of $CD3^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD3^-/CCR3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiues significantly reduced compared to those of control. Specially total lung cells in BALF and the absolute number of $CD3^+/CD69^+$ and, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiue effectively reduced in Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen compared to those of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen. Conclusions : These results indicate that Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen has deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in asmatic mouse model and also has effect of suppression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, OVA specific IgE production in BALF. The results verified that Sinapis Semen, Raphani Semen, and Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen could act as a immunomodulator which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the relationship of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.50.1-50.19
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• 2022

Autoreactive B cells are not entirely deleted, but some remain as immunocompetent or anergic B cells. Although the persistence of autoreactive B cells as anergic cells has been shown in transgenic mouse models with the expression of B cell receptor (BCR) reactive to engineered self-antigen, the characterization of naturally occurring anergic B cells is important to identify them and understand their contribution to immune regulation or autoimmune diseases. We report here that a low-level expression of CD138 in the splenic B cells marks naturally arising anergic B cells, not plasma cells. The CD138^int B cells consisted of IgM^lowIgD^high follicular (FO) B cells and transitional 3 B cells in homeostatic conditions. The CD138^int FO B cells showed an anergic gene expression profile shared with that of monoclonal anergic B cells expressing engineered BCRs and the gene expression profile was different from those of plasma cells, age-associated B cells, or germinal center B cells. The anergic state of the CD138^int FO B cells was confirmed by attenuated Ca²⁺ response and failure to upregulate CD69 upon BCR engagement with anti-IgM, anti-IgD, anti-Igκ, or anti-IgG. The BCR repertoire of the CD138^int FO B cells was distinct from that of the CD138^- FO B cells and included some class-switched B cells with low-level somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate the presence of polyclonal anergic B cells in the normal mice that are characterized by low-level expression of CD138, IgM downregulation, reduced Ca²⁺ and CD69 responses upon BCR engagement, and distinct BCR repertoire.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Oyster shell(OS) is alkaline with pH 9.8, porous, and has high concentration of $CaCO_3$. It could be used as an alternative of lime fertilizer to immobilize cadmium(Cd) in heavy metal contaminated arable soil. Therefore, this study has been conducted to compare effects of calcium(Ca) materials [OS and $Ca(OH)_2$] on Cd extractability in contaminated soil and determined mechanisms of Cd immobilization with OS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Both Ca materials were added at the rates of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% (wt Ca wt-1) in Cd contaminated soil and the mixtures were incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks. Both Ca materials increased pH and negative charge of soil with increasing Ca addition and decreased 1N $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration. 0.1 N HCl extractable Cd concentration markedly decreased with addition of OS. 1 N $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration was related with pH and net negative charge of soil, but not with 0.1 N HCl extractable Cd concentration. We assumed that Cd immobilization with $Ca(OH)_2$ was mainly attributed to Cd adsorption resulted from increase in pH-induced negative charge of soil. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) analyses were conducted to determine mechanism of Cd immobilization with OS. There was no visible precipitation on surface of both Ca materials. However, Cd was detected in innerlayer of OS by EDS analyses but not in that of $Ca(OH)_2$. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Cd immobilization with OS was different from that with $Ca(OH)_2$. OS might adsorbed interlayer of oyster shell or have other chemical reactions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.450-459
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• 2011

Objectives: Biomarkers in urine are important in assessing exposures to environmental or occupational chemicals and for evaluateing renal function by exposure from these chemicals. Spot urine samples are needed to adjust the concentration of these biomarkers for variations in urine dilution. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of adjusting the urinary concentration of cadmium (uCd) and arsenic (uAs) by specific gravity (SG) and urine creatinine (uCr). Methods: We measured the concentrations of blood cadmium (bCd), uCd, uAs, uCr, SG and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, which is a sensitive marker of tubular damage by low dose Cd exposure, in spot urine samples collected from 536 individuals. The value of uCd, uAs and NAG were adjusted by SG and uCr. Results: The uCr levels were affected by gender (p < 0.01) and muscle mass (p < 0.01), while SG levels were affected by gender (p < 0.05). Unadjusted uCd and uAs were correlated with SG (uCd: r = 0.365, p < 0.01; uAs: r = 0.488, p < 0.01), uCr (uCd: r = 0.399, p < 0.01; uAs: r = 0.484, p < 0.01). uCd and uAs adjusted by SG were still correlated with SG (uCd: r = 0.360, p < 0.01, uAs: r = 0.483, p < 0.01). uCd and uAs adjusted by uCr and modified uCr ($M_{Cr}$) led to a significant negative correlation with uCr (uCd: r = -0.367, p < 0.01; uAs: r = -0.319, p < 0.01) and $M_{Cr}$ (uCd: r = -0.292, p < 0.01; uAs: r = -0.206, p < 0.01). However, uCd and uAs adjusted by conventional SG ($C_{SG}$) were disappeared from these urinary dilution effects (uCd: r = -0.081; uAs: r = 0.077). Conclusions: $C_{SG}$ adjustment appears to be more appropriate for variations in cadmium and arsenic in spot urine.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

In this study, nine heavy metals were analyzed in seaweeds collected from market and laver culture farm of Korea and a food safety assessment were also carried out for these heavy metals. The level of heavy metal concentrations in seaweeds was in the following order: Fe>As>Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni>Hg. Except for zinc and cadmium, seven heavy metals were significantly higher in cultured laver than in processed laver. Significant correlation was observed Cr-Fe in cultured laver and Cu-Zn, Cd-Cu, Cd-Zn and Pb-Ni in processed laver and Cu-Cr, Cu-Zn, Cd-Cr and Ni-Fe in sea tangle and Zn-Fe, Cr-Fe, Cr-Zn, Cd-Ni, Cu-Cd and Cu-Pb in processed sea mustard. Considering differences in heavy metal concentration between processed laver and cultured laver and in correlation among heavy metals, removal efficiency of heavy metals may be attributed to seaweed treatment process. The average weekly intakes of Cu, Cd, Zn, Fe and Hg via seaweeds consumption were about 0.1~7.6% of PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes). Therefore, it was found that heavy metals in the seaweeds were very safe for consumption.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2014

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring stilbene which is safe and well-described compound with a potent anti-inflammatory activity. Recent studies suggested that resveratrol suppressed various inflammation mediated diseases such as asthma, chronic colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. These studies indicated that resveratrol might directly modulate $CD4^+$ helper T cells (Th cells)-mediated immune responses. However, it is not fully elucidated whether resveratrol directly regulates $CD4^+$ Th cell activation and differentiation. In the present study, $CD4^+$ Th cells were purified from C57BL/6 and treated with various concentrations of resveratrol. We found that resveratrol directly suppressed $CD4^+$ Th cells activation, leading to a defect in T cell proliferation. When $CD4^+$ Th cells were treated with resveratrol, cytokine production was also significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner. In accordance with these results, resveratrol even inhibited $CD4^+$ Th cells differentiation into Th1, Th2 or Th17, which produces IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4 or IL-17 respectively. We also found that resveratrol could induce apoptosis of $CD4^+$ T cells at a high concentration. Our data demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited directly $CD4^+$ Th cells activation and differentiation. It suggests that resveratrol could be an efficient therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases in which $CD4^+$ Th cells play a critical role.