• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is more attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients than normal. Hypoxic-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is highly expressed in tumors to maintain their metabolism in a hypoxic environment. The expression of HIF-1α in cancers can lead to cell growth, proliferation, invasion/metastasis and immune escape. Although apigenin, a flavonoid, is known to have various biological activities, it has not been demonstrated in NK cell immune activity in HCC cells. In this study, NK-92 cells were directly cocultured with HCC SK-Hep1 cells for 24 h to evaluate NK cell activity in HCC cells or HCC cells expressing HIF-1α by apigenin. NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells expressing HIF-1α was significantly increased, and NK cell-activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp44 were highly expressed. The activating effect of apigenin on NK cells substantially induced apoptosis in HCC cells expressing HIF-1α through high expression of CD95L on the surface of NK-92 cells. Moreover, apigenin excellently inhibited the level of TGF-β1 in a coculture of NK cells and HCC cells. In conclusion, apigenin seems to be a good compound that increases NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells by controlling HIF-1α expression.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the effects of processed tobacco leaves on the development, adult emergence and body weight of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) is serious insect pest of tobacco leaves and cigarette during storage. Developmental time, adult emergence rate and adult weight of the cigarette beetle, were evaluated on the cured tobacco and burley tobacco leaves at $30{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ with $70{\pm}5$ % RH under 12L:12D. The developmental time on all of the flue-cured tobacco leaves was about 61 days, but in the only CD3W and CD4TR grade burley tobacco, the developmental times ranged from 70 days to 74 days. Among the flue-cured tobacco leaves, the highest beetle emergence rate was 123 % on the CD3L grade, and the lowest was on the AB4OR grade. Adult body weights of the cigarette beetle reared on flue-cured tobacco were about 2.11~2.46 mg, and on the only CD3W and CD4TR grade burley tobacco were about 1.86~1.96 mg. Among the flue-cured tobacco leaves, the highest adult body weight(2.46 mg) of cigarette beetle was observed on the B1O grade flue-cured tobacco, whereas the lowest adult weight(2.11 mg) was observed on the CD4L grade flue-cured tobacco. The adult weight of cigarette beetle reared on whole meal was 2.04mg.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 1993

This study was carried out to find heavy metal contents in soil and in native plant in the regions near by zinc-mines, located at the Chilgok and Uljin Gun in Kyeongpook area. In the heavy metal contents during the to growth of native plants, Cd was contained in the order perennial > biennial > annual plant, but Cu was annual > perennial > biennial plant, and there was no difference in Zn contents. The native plants contained heavy metal highest were Osmunda japonica in Cd, Persicaria thunbergii H.G in Cu and Equisetum arvense L. in Zn. Cd was contained highest in Pteridaceae, Cu in Equisetaceae and Zn in Polygonaceae. In the heavy metal contents by the part of plant of Equisetum arvense L. and Erigeron canadensis, Cd and Zn were much contained in the order leaf > stem > root, but Cu was in the order root > leaf > stem. The average contents of Cd, Cu, Zn in soil were 1.27ppm. 12.04ppm. 64.28ppm in Chilgok, and 3.30ppm. 72.93ppm. 194.04ppm in Uljin respectively. There were positive correlations between Cd contents of heavy metals(Cd, Cu, Zn) in soil and in native plant, but not significant. It was estimated that Osmunda japonica, Pteridium aquilinum (KUHN) var and Equisetum arvense L. which most absorbed heavy metal have effect of exclusion of heavy metals near by zine-mines region.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2013

The cadmium (Cd) toxicological effects on the fertilized eggs, embryos and larvae were investigated in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus water-borne exposed to Cd. The survival rate and hatching success of the embryos significantly diminished in treated groups in dependence of the Cd concentration. Significant differences were found at ${\geq}30{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ exposed groups compared to the control group. A significant increase of malformation of the embryo was observed at ${\geq}20{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ exposed groups. They usually include such symptoms as clouded yolk-sac abnormality, fin erosion and spinal curvature. A significant reduction in the survival rate of the larvae was observed in ${\geq}20{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ exposed groups with accompanied by the disorder. Notably, in larvae, a concentration as low as $10{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ exposed groups caused significant elevated abnormalities that is incidences of spinal cord deformation, abnormal eyes, deformation of the head region and severe developmental delay.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.658-667
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• 2015

This research was conducted to investigate the influence of various levels of fused superphosphate as pre-planting fertilizer on the growth of red-leaf lettuce and changes in the chemical properties of the soil solution in three root media, namely coir-dust plus expanded rice hull (8:2, v/v; CD+ERH), carbonized rice hull (6:4; CD+CRH), or ground and aged pine bark (8:2; CD+GAPB). The amounts of fused superphosphate (FSP) incorporated into the three root media during formulation were controlled from 0 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in $1.5g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ increments. The root media containing fertilizers were packed into 300 mL plastic pots and seedlings of red-leaf lettuce at the 3rd leaf stage were transplanted. After transplanting, the crops were fed with a solution of neutral fertilizer ($100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). The growth of red-leaf lettuce was investigated 5 weeks after transplanting and soil solutions were extracted and analyzed every week for pH, EC, and concentrations of macro-nutrients. The elevation of application rates of FSP in the three root media resulted in better growth, and the crops grown in CD+ERH and CD+GRPB had greater fresh and dry weights than those in CD+CRH when compared among the treatments of equal amounts of FSP. The pH and $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations in the soil solution of CD+CRH at 3 weeks after transplant were in the ranges of 4.0 to 4.8 and 20 to $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. These were lower pH and higher $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations than those in CD+ERH and CD+GAPB. The $K^+$ concentrations were higher in CD+CRH than those in the other two root media, and the elevation of FSP application rates resulted in higher $Ca^{+2}$, $Mg^{+2}$ and $SO_4{^{-2}}$ concentrations in soil solution of the three root media. The $NO_3$-N concentrations in soil solution rose continuously during crop cultivation, implying that the leaching percentage was elevated. The soil solution EC varied, showing the same tendencies as the $NO_3$-N concentrations. The above results indicated that the CD+ERH and CD+GRPB media performed better than CD+CRH, and optimum application rates of FSP in the three root media were 4.5 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for pot cultivation of red-leaf lettuce.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.463-466
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• 2001

The determination of Cd2+ and Cu2+ with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) in Tween 80 micellar media has been studied. The UV-visible spectrum of Cd(PDC)2 complex in Tween 80 media had more sensitivity tha n in chloroform. Although the UV-visible spectrum of the Cu(PDC)2 complex in Tween 80 media had somewhat less sensitivity than that in chloroform, absorbance data of Cu2+ were more reproducible in Tween 80 media. The Cd(PDC)2 and Cu(PDC)2 complexes were very stable at pH 7.0 for up to 100 minutes and could be quantitatively chelated if APDC were added to the sample solution more than 30 times the moles of Cd2+ and Cu2+ . The optimum concentration of Tween 80 was 0.1%. The calibration curves of Cd(PDC)2 and Cu(PDC)2 complexes with good linearity were obtained in 0.1% Tween 80 media. The detection limits of Cd2+ and Cu2+ were 0.0493 ㎍mL-1 and 0.0393 ㎍mL-1 , respectively. Recovery yields of Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions in the spiked real samples were almost 100%. Based on experimental results, this proposed method could be applied to the rapid and simple determination of Cd2+ and Cu2+ in real samples.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.82-82
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• 1995

4-lBB molecule is expressed on the surface of activated CD4$\^$+/ and CD8$\^$+/ T cells. We generated a panel of anti-4-1 B5 murine mAbs using a fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of human 4-1 BB fused to Glutathione S-transferase. The binding activity against cell surface 4-1 BB molecule was assessed by flow cytometry analysis. These studies showed that several anti-4-1 BB mAbs bound to 10-30% of CD4$\^$+/ and CD8$\^$+/T cells in PHA or Con A stimulated PBLs, although these mAbs interacted with only, l-2% of CD4$\^$+/ and CD8$\^$+/ T cells in normal PBLs, indicating the specificity of mAbs to the 4-l BB molecule on activated CD4$\^$+/ and CD8$\^$+/ T cells. Next, we examined the effect of an anti-4-l BB mAb (4B4-1-1) on allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs). The data indicated that the antibody significantly inhibited the proliferative response at higher concentrations. When tested with several T cell mitogens, the antibody had no stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the mitogen-mediated T cell proliferation. These data suggest that 4-1 BB molecule may play a role in the regulation of antigen-mediated immune response.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2007

In order to elucidate the relationship between the sludge retention time(SRT) and the toxicity of heavy metals, such as copper (Cu), cadmium(Cd), and zinc(Zn), in sequencing batch reactor(SBR) process, IC50 was estimated with measuring of INT-dehydrogenase activity in variable SRTs. When the concentrations of heavy metals were increased, the activity of INT-dehydrogenase was gradually decreased indicating the heavy metals inhibit bacterial activity. Cu showed higher toxicity than Zn and Cd. $IC_{50}$ of Cu, Cd, and Zn ranged from $0.37\sim1.96$ mg/L, $15.4\sim16.9$ mg/L, and $9.70\sim23.4$ mg/L, respectively. The toxicity of Cu and Zn was reversely proportional to the length of SRT. It is probably caused by the increased concentration of extracellular polymeric substances in longer SRT which absorb heavy metals. Therefore, the operation of SBR with increased SRT is desirable in treatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adsorption kinetics of heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Pb) using three tidal flat sediments and two yellow loesses. The relationship between adsorption rate calculated by non-linear regression model and chemical parameters was estimated. The contents of ignitiot loss (I.L.) am Fe, Mn and Al oxides of yellow loess were higher $1.5{\~}6 times$ than those of tidal flat sediments. But the contents of silt and clay of tidal flat sediment in Eueunri was higher than others. Heavy metals adsorption were occured rapidly in the intial 30 min and the concentration of adsorbed heavy metals were $4.1{\~}14.7\;{\mu}g/g\;for\;Cu,\;2.8{\~}16.7\;{\mu}g/g\;for\;Cd\;and\;43.4{\~}101.7\;{\mu}g/g$ for Pb, showing a high cumulative adsorption of $8{\~}70{\%}\;for\;Cu,\;18{\~}31{\%}\;for\;Cd and\;19{\~}52{\%}$ for Pb after 3hr. In initial concentration of $0.5{\times}10^(-5)M$, adsorption rate of heavy metals by the tidal flat sediments and yellow loesses was the sequence Pb>Cu^gt;Cd. The adsorption kinetics of Cu, Cd and Pb was found to be one-site kinetic model. Especially, in the case of Cu, there was a high negative ($R^2= -0.88{\~}-0.99$) linear correlation between chemical parameter such as I.L., Al oxide, silt and clay, and adsorption rate coefficients ($K_a$) calculated by non-linear model.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2000

In order to understand the chemical binding forms of Cd in terms of its binding strength in wood, the radial distribution of it through dendroanalysis and its different chemical fractions in trunk wood of mature red pine(Pinus densiflora L.) trees grown in a relatively unpolluted area, in Kangwon-Province, were examined. Total Cd concentration in stem wood was determined by dry digestion and $H_2O$ and 0.01 M solutions of citric acid, malic acid, $CaCl_2$, $MgCl_2$, $Na_2EDTA$ were used as extracting solutions for Cd. Extracting efficiencies of applied solutions were expressed as % of Cd concentration extracted by $Na_2EDTA$ which extracted all Cd instead of Cd total concentration. Total concentration of Cd decreased from the innermost rings near pith towards the the outermost rings near cambium. Especially through the transition zone this tendency was observed clearly. $H_2O$ was the least effective extractant of Cd, then extracting efficiency increased in the order $MgCl_2$ < $CaCl_2$ $Na_2EDTA$ (extracted all Cd). According to the radial position, extracting efficiency of Cd was ranging from 7 to 30% by $H_2O$ and even from 60 to 95% by citric acid. The Cd extracting efficiencies of $H_2O$ and organic acids increased continuously from the stem center to outermost annual rings, whereas salts showed somewhat different tendency, suddenly decreasing near the outermost ring. The results are discussed with regard to the different chemical binding forms of Cd and the mobility of Cd in wood and comparable with ones in previous studies on Pinus sylvestris and Quercus patraea. According to the results, usefulness of radial distribution pattern of Cd in pine tree trunks for retrosective biomonitoring is questioned.