• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1324-1331
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• 2010

Mifepristone (MIF) and Tamoxifen (TAM) have been used in the treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer for more than a decade. MIF can induce apoptosis in both AR-positive and negative prostate cancer cells. Because of its pleiotropic ligand-receptor properties, TAM exerts cytotoxic activity in estrogen (ER)-positive and various ER.negative cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of these two substances are not yet clear. In the present work, we report that the cytotoxic effects of MIF and TAM are due to the modulation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level in DU-145, androgen-insensitive cells. When the cells were treated with micromolar concentrations of either MIF or TAM, the growth and viability were significantly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The apoptosis induced by MIF or TAM was further proved and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). In the cells cultivated in a normal 1.5 mM $Ca^{2+}$ medium, both MIF and TAM also induced an increase of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level in a dose-dependent fashion. Since a change in calcium level could not be found in cells of the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level might be due to an increase in extracellular calcium uptake. Our results show that the apoptotic effect was more prominent in TAM treatment compared to MIF treatment in DU-145 cells. The above findings might be due to the difference in the uppermost pathways of apoptosis induced by either MIF or TAM. When we checked the level of procaspase-8 activation, TAM showed minor level of activation, as opposed to MIF, which exerted strong activation. In both treatments, the levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased, and pro-apoptotic protein Bax level increased more than 2-fold. The activation of caspase-3, a key protease enzyme in the downstream pathway of apoptosis, was much higher in the cells treated with TAM, compared to the MIF treatment. The overall apoptotic activity shown in the present work was closely related to intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration levels. Therefore, the cytotoxic activity induced by MIF and TAM might have been due to intracellular calcium modulation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 1979

The effect of liming on the potassium equilibrium activity ratio ($AR^k_e$) of Chinese cabbage cultivated soil and on the potassium uptake by the plant summarize as follows: 1. $AR^k_e$ is raised by the application of 1.6 ton of $Ca(OH)_2$ per hectare that required amount to adjust pH 6 for the soil. Generally, it could be confirmed that both liming and potassium placement to the soil show the combined effects to raise $AR^k_e$. 2. The exchangeable potassium and the electrical conductivity increase by liming. The mean value of the exchangeable potassium is 0.71 m. equ. per 100g of limed soils while the control give 0.64 m. equ. per 100g. For the electrical conductivity, limed soil show $766{\mu}mho$ and $750{\mu}mho$ is for the control. 3. The reason $AR^k_e$ value increase by liming could be considered that concentrations of $K^+$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}+Mg^{{+}{+}}$ in the equilibrium solution are increased owing to release both K and $Ca^+$ Mg into the liquid from solid phase in the potassium equilibrium system of the soil. 4. For considering that the energies of exchange of calcium by potassium in the limed soils at different potassium treatment, that is without K, 200 kg $K_2O/ha$ and 350 kg $K_2O/ha$, give -3887 and -3778 and -3737 calories per chemical equivalent respectively. On the other hand in case of the controls which received the same amounts of potassium as mentioned above, energy values are -3983, -4392 and -4228 calories respectively. 5. The absorbed amount of potassium and weights of dry matters of the plant which grown in the limed soils show little higher values than the controls.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

Melanosome, the pigment granule in melanocyte, determines the color of skin when it moves into the keratinocyte. Inhibition of melanosome transfer from melanocyte to keratinocyte results in skin depigmentation. Protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is involved in signal transduction systems via cell membrane and increases the melasome transfer when it is activated by cleavage of their extracellular amino acid sequence by trypsin or by a peptide such as SLIGKV. Here, we showed that lobaric acid inhibited PAR-2 activation and affected the mobilization of $Ca2^+$. The uptake of fluorescent microspheres and isolated melanosomes from melan-a melanocytes to keratinocytes induced by SLIGKV were inhibited by lobaric acid. Also, confocal microscopy studies illustrated a decreased melanosome transfer to keratinocytes in melanocyte-keratinocyte co-culture system by lobaric acid. In addition, lobaric acid induced visible skin lightening effect in human skin tissue culture model, melanoderm$^{(R)}$. Our data suggest that lobaric acid could be an effective skin lightening agent that works via regulation of phagocytic activity of keratinocytes.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 1971

Pot and paddy field tests were conducted to study red discoloration of rice var. IR 667 leaves with reference to the leading Korean native variety Jinhung and Paldal, with the following results: 1. Minor elements such as Mn, Fe, B, Al, Ca and Si had no influence on the discoloration, but a supply of various soluble nitrogen compounds completely restricted it. The more prosperous the growth of IR 667 with nitrogen, the more severe the discoloration appears when nitrogen absorptin becomes limited. 2. Chlorotic pigments extracted from both IR 667 and Jinhung were compared spectrophotometrically, and found to have different spectral peaks. IR 667 had peak closer to red than Jinhung, indicating the characteristic of the variety. IR 667 was observed to be more sensitive to nitrogen deficiency than Jinhung or the other japonica variety. 3. It was concluded that all the factors limiting nitrogen supply for IR 667 growth, such as low nitrogen application, restriction of root respiration (low temperature, poor drainage, toxic gases or substances in the root zone, etc.) and pest injuries, would result in the appearance of the so-called red discoloration, because of the reduction in nitrogen uptake. Since, the discoloration of IR 667 is varietal characteristic when grown in Korea, control of it may be beneficial cultural practice in increasing grain yield, although the increased succeptibility to pests and a drop in the rate of maturity due to relatively high nitrogen level in the leaves may result in an unexpected drop in yield. It is anticipated that further exploration conducted from practical point of view will establish the relatioknships between the extent of red discoloration, nitrogen availability and grain yield in IR 667.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.499-504
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• 2009

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) plays an important role in diagnosis of malignant tumors and adds to conventional imaging in the staging of pertoneal carcinomatosis. However, false positive cases resulting from benign disease such as tuberculosis may occur. We report two cases of peritoneal tuberculosis on F-18 FDG PET/CT which showed multiple hypermetabolic foci in the mesentery and peritoneum with increased serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125). Subsequent F-18 FDG PET/CT showed a disappearance of pathologic uptake following treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.463-481
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• 2022

Phosphorous (P) is considered to be one of the key essential elements demanded by crop plants. Approximately 70 - 90% of phosphatic fertilizers applied to crops are fixed in soil as Ca, Fe, and Al metal cations, which are insoluble and thus not readily available for plant uptake. Therefore, most soils are deficient in plant available P. This is usually rectified by applying phosphate fertilizers continuously, although this is not economically viable or environmentally acceptable. The present paper reviews the mechanisms involved with phosphate solubilization and mineralization by phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) with the associated factors that determine the success. PSMs are effectively involved in mediating the bioavailability of soil P. Their contribution includes mineralization of organic P solubilization of inorganic P minerals, and storing sizable amounts of P in biomass through different mechanisms such as the production of organic and inorganic acids, H₂S, siderophores, exopolysaccharides, and production of enzymes such as phosphatases, phytase, and phosphonatases/C-P lyases, which are capable of chelating the metal ions, forming complexes, and making plant available P. PSMs manifest a wide range of metabolic functions in different environments, resulting in significantly higher plant growth, enhanced soil properties, and increased biological activities. Therefore, development of bio-inoculants with efficient novel PSM strains and further investigations on exploring such strains from diverse ecological niches with multifunctional plant-growth-promoting traits are needed.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 1986

A column test was conducted to find out the effect of application of slaked lime, calcium sulfate, calcium superphosphate, and phosphoric acid on the solubility of lead in soil. The soil was adjusted to 310.8 ppm concentration of Pb and applied with amounts of calcium equivalent to 600, 1000, 2000 ppm as slaked lime; sulfate 144, 288, 432 ppm as calcium sulfate; phosphate 95, 190, 285 ppm as calcium superphosphate and phosphoric acid, respectively. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The increasing application of improvement agents reduced the amounts of water soluble Pb in soil. Phosphoric acid was the most effect among to the treatments. 2. The slaked lime treatment has the highest pH of soil and the lowest at the phosphoric acid one. The soil Eh has a reverse tendency the soil pH. 3. Water soluble Ca, $PO_4$ and $SO_4$ contents increased with increasing application amounts of improvement agents in soil. 4. $1N-NH_4$ OAC soluble Pb content in soil was a decreasing tendency in the order of calcium superphosphate, phosphoric acid, slaked lime, calcium sulfate and control after experiment.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.354-362
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• 2009

This study was performed to develop a suitable nutrient solution for standard rose substrate culture in a closed hydroponic system. 1/4, 1/2, 2/3 and 1 strength of the nutrient solution made by Japan National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science (JNIVT) were supplied. The photosynthesis rate, quality and growth of cut flower were higher in the 1/2 and 2/3 strength of nutrient solution during high and low temperature period. Based on the above results, optimum nutrient solutions (UOS) were composed by nutrientwater (n/w) absorption ratio with 1/2S ($NO_{3^-}N$ 6.8, $NH_{4^-}N$ 0.7, $PO_{4^-}P$ 2.0, K 3.8, Ca 3.0, Mg 1.2, $SO_{4^-}S$ $1.2me{\cdot}L^{-1}$) at high temperature season and 2/3($NO_{3^-}N$ 9.7, $NH_{4^-}N$ 0.8, $PO_{4^-}P$ 2.2, K 5.0, Ca 3.9, Mg 1.5, $SO_{4^-}S$ $1.5me{\cdot}L^{-1}$) at low temperature season. The results of suitability examination showed that the EC level in newly composed nutrient solution (UOS) was more stable than other nutrient solutions due to its large amount of calcium and potassium. The growth of cut flower cultivated with UOS was higher than those of other nutrient solutions. Especially, the yield of cut flowers in UOS nutrient solution increased 1.4 times than that of other nutrient solution treatments. Consequently, the new nutrient solution investigated in this experiment was suitable for rose cultivation in a closed hydroponic system.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 1992

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect level of nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of hop (Hallertau variety) emphasis given to ${\alpha}$-acid content. Nitrogen was applied by the rates of 0, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36kg per 10a. Results were summarized as follows. 1. Stages of cone-hair developing and coneripening were delayed with increment of nitrogen applied. Number of nodes and length of vine increased with nitrogen applid by up to 24kg N/10a. 2. Yield was the highest in the 24kg N/10a plot and cone weight had high significant correlations with yield without regard to the years of growth. No.of flower per side blanch and weight of 100 cones had a significant correlation with yield in the four-year old and five-year old Hop plants. 3. Nutrient content in Hop plants was in the order of CaO, total nitrogen, $K_2O$, MgO and $P_2O_5$. Content of total nitrogen, CaO and MgO was high in leaves while that of $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ was high in cone. Nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium increased with increment of nitrogen fetilized while potassium and calcium decreased. 4. As for the distribution of nutrients in cone developing stage $SiO_2$ content was higher in lower part than in the upper part while $P_2O_5$ contetn was higher in upper part than in lower part of the plant. And content of nitrogen and potassium was higher in middle height than in upper and lower part. 5. The optimum levels of nitrogen application were 19.3kg for 2 years, 24.3kg for 3-year, 27.9kg for 4 years and 31.8kg/10a for 5-year old Hop, respectively. 6. Nitrogen uptake in cone showed a positive correlation with the content of ${\alpha}$-acid and ${\beta}$-acid in cone.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2001

The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of nutrient and water taken up at different growth stages by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Eunsung Backdadagi) grown in a closed substrate culture system. The amount of nutrient solution absorbed increased in proportion to days from planting at the first stage of growth and depended on the level of radiation after the mid stage of growth. After the mid growth stage, the amount of nutrient solution absorption was maintained at 80-100 mg.MJ$^{-1}$ . Total amount of absorbed inorganic ions except S increased since the nutrient solution absorption increased with the level of radiation, although the absorption rate of each inorganic ion declined. A highly significant correlation ($R^2$>0.9) was found between amount of inorganic ions absorbed and days after planting, LAI, total dry weight and leaf dry weight, but not with CGR. Correlation coefficient between days after planting and the amount of nutrient solution absorbed per unit radiation level was 0.92. Correlation coefficient between leaf area an the amount of nutrient solution absorbed per unit radiation level was 0.97. Regression of the amount of nutrient solution absorbed per unit radiation level and nutrient ions uptake showed a high significance ($R^2$>0.9).