• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.84-84
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• 2003

DNA methylation is involved in epigenetic processes such as X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting and silencing of transposons. DNA methylation is a highly plastic and critical component of mammalian development The DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) are responsible for the generation of genomic methylation patterns, which lead to transcriptional silencing. The maintenance DNA methyltransferase enzyme, Dnmt 1, and the de novo methyltransferase, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, are indispensable for development because mice homozygous for the targeted disruption of any of these genes are not viable. The occurrence of DNA methylation is not random, and it can result in gene silencing The mechanisms underlying these processes are poorly understood. It is well established that DNA methylation and histone deacetylation operate along a common mechanistic pathway to repress transcription through the action of methyl-binding domain proteins (MBDs), which are components of, or recruit, histone deacetylase (HDAC) complexes to methylated DNA. As a basis for future studies on the role of the DNA-methyl-transferase in porcine development, we have isolated and characterized a partial cDNA coding for the porcine Dnmt1. Total RNA of testis, lung and ovary was isolated with TRlzol according to the manufacture's specifications. 5 ug of total RNA was reverse transcribed with Super Script II in the presence of porcine Dnmt 1 specific primers. Standard PCRs were performed in a total volume of 50 ul with cDNA as template. Two DNA fragmenets in different position were produced about 700bp, 1500bp and were cloned into pCR II-TOPO according to the manufacture's specification. Assembly of all sequences resulted in a cDNA from 158bp of 5'to 4861bp of 3'compare with the known human maintenance methyltransferase. Now, we are cloning the unknown Dnmt 1 region by 5'-RACE method and expression of Dnmt 1 in tissues from adult porcine animals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.1165-1171
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• 2015

In this study, we examined the effects of cultivation adaptability and product quality of aronia (fruit of Aronia melanocarpa) cultivated in various domestic regions. Extracts of aronia cultivated in various domestic regions and Poland were measured for their total sugar contents, acidities, total polyphenol contents, anthocyanin contents, and antioxidant activities using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Our results showed that aronia extracts from the two countries had similar sugar contents, acidities, and anthocyanin contents. Anthocyanin is an important functional component of Aronia melanocarpa. Extracts of aronia from the two countries contained cyanidin-3-galactoside (65.5~69.1%) as the major anthocyanin compound. Aronia cultivated in C region showed higher polyphenol content (121.5%) than Poland aronia and we measured of antioxidant activities by DPPH ($IC_{50}$) and FRAP assay. Aronia cultivated in C region showed the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol contents. Cultivation conditions of C region had sufficient sunshine and soil with pH of 6.5. From the above results, Korean aronia had similar activities with Poland aronia, which suggests that it can be a new potential development source and high technological foods.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2020

Currently, many studies are being conducted to cope with climate changes due to global warming and abnormal weather. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of weather on the growth, yield components, and quality of soybeans using weather data from 2017 and 2018. The average temperature in 2018 was higher than that in 2017 from R1 to R5 of the growth stage for all cultivars. On the other hand, precipitation in 2018 was reduced compared to that in 2017 for Daewon and Daepung-2ho. It was observed that the flowering date in 2018 was earlier than that in 2017 for Daewon and Daepung-2ho, but the flowering date for Pungsannamul in 2018 was similar to that in 2017. Simulating soil water content with the estimation model (AFKAE0.5) determined that there were fewer drought dates in 2017 than those in 2018, and drought lasted from R1 to early R5 of the growth stage in 2018. Soybean growth in 2017 was better than that in 2018, and seed yield and 100-seed weight of soybean were higher in 2017 than those in 2018 for all cultivars. The seed size in 2017 was larger than that in 2018 for all cultivars. Oil content in 2017 was higher than that in 2018; in particular, the difference between both years was observed for Daewon and Daepung-2ho. Protein content was higher in 2018 than that in 2017; however, there were different levels for each cultivar. Thus, these results indicate that the yield component and quality of soybeans are affected by high temperature and drought.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.321-337
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• 2010

Long-term trends and distribution patterns of water quality were investigated in the Mokpo coastal areas of the Yellow Sea, Korea from 1979 to 2009. Water samples were collected at 5 stations and physicochemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, suspended solids (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutrients. Spatial distribution patterns of temperature, pH and DO were not clear among stations but the seasonal variations were distinct except ammonium. The trend analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) during 30 years revealed the significant variations in water quality in the study area. Spatial water qualities were discriminated into 3 clusters by PCA; station cluster 1, 2~4, and 5. Annual water qualities were clearly discriminated into 4 surface water clusters and 2 bottom water clusters by PCA. By this multi-variate analysis, the annual trends were summarized as the followings; water temperature, pH and COD tended to increase from late 1980's, salinity to decrease, phosphate to increase from 1994 and dissolved inorganic nitrogen to increase, due to the input of fresh water same as shown in Kyoungin coastal area, Asan coastal area, Choensoo bay and Gunsan coastal area.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.342-361
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• 2022

In order to evaluate the effect of nitrogen application levels on yield and quality of rice varieties, a field experiment was conducted at National Institute of Crop Science of Korea from 2018 to 2020. Five levels (0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 kg/10a) of nitrogen fertilizer were treated to 21 Korean rice varieties. Yield, yield component, appearance quality, and protein content in rice were analyzed. The average head rice yield for 3 years decreased by 28%, 22%, 11%, and 8%, respectively, when cultivated with 0, 3, 5, and 7 kg/10a nitrogen application compared to cultivation with a standard nitrogen application amount, 9 kg/10a. The number of panicles per hill increased as the amount of nitrogen application increased, but there was no significant change in the number of grains per panicle and 1000-grains weight, and the number of panicles per hill showed relatively small annual variation compared to other yield components. There was no significant difference in the head rice ratio according to the nitrogen application amount, the broken rice ratio slightly decreased, and the floury rice ratio increased. The protein content of rice decreased with increasing nitrogen application in 2018 and 2019, and was the lowest at 7 kg/10a of nitrogen application, and showed a tendency to increase again at 9 kg/10a. In the case of 2020, as the amount of nitrogen application increased, the protein content showed a tendency to continuously increase. In terms of varieties, 13 varieties, including Chilbo, seemed to be capable of low-nitrogen cultivation because loss of the head rice yield was less and the protein content could be lowered to 6% or less according to 7 kg/10a nitrogen application.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.392-401
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• 2023

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important crops, along with wheat and rice, with a global corn production expected to reach 1,154.5 million tons in 2023. Considering this grain production, The generation of corn cob is expected to reach approximately 207.8 million tons in 2023. However, as an agricultural by-product, corn cobs are often considered waste and remain underutilized. Phytosterols, which are abundant in vegetable oils such as corn oil, provide a number of health benefits, including liver health, cholesterol reduction, and protection against chronic diseases such as diabetes. In this study, we investigated the potential of Kwangpyeongok ears, which are commonly used as grain and silage corn in Korea. We also examined the variation in phytosterol content with the maturity of corn ears to identify the optimal time for utilization. At the beginning of physiological maturity, corn cobs had 113.3 mg/100g DW of total phytosterols, which was highest phytosterol abundance during the growth stage. Corn kernels also had the highest phytosterol content at the beginning of physiological maturity. While previous studies on corn bioactive compounds have mainly focused on the kernels, the results of this study highlight that cobs are an excellent source of these compounds. Furthermore, phytosterol levels were influenced by genetic factors and developmental stages, suggesting the to increase the use of cobs as a source of bioactive compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2011

Long-term trends and distribution patterns of water quality were investigated in the Yeoja Bay of South Sea, Korea from 1976 to 2010. Water samples were collected at 3 stations and physicochemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS) and nutrients. Spatial distribution patterns of temperature, pH and DO were not clear among stations but the seasonal variations were distinct except ammonium. The trend analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) during 31 years revealed the significant variations in water quality in the study area. Spatial water qualities were discriminated into 2 clusters by PCA; station cluster 1 and 2~3. Annual water qualities were clearly discriminated into 4 clusters by PCA. By this multi-variate analysis, the annual trends were summarized as the followings; water temperature, COD and SS tended to increase from late 1970's, decreased salinity, and increased phosphate from 1991 to 2001 and increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Water quality was showed by the input of fresh water same as those of Kyoungin coastal area, Asan coastal area, Choensoo bay, Gunsan coastal and Mokpo coastal area in the Yeoja Bay.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 1973

1. The sericin solubility increased rapidly as the increase of water M-alkalinity. 2. The acidity of the treated water was nutralized at the over 25ppm of M-alkalinity. 3. The more M-alkalinity of the sample water is, the more M-alkalinity was found after cocoon treat. 4. The total hardness of sample water seemed to be droped as M-alkalinity increased. 5. The sericin solubility also seemed to be droped as the increase of water acidity. 6. In case of treat finish with cocoon, the acidity and total hardness seemed to increase as the acidity of the water increased, but M-alkalinity was nutralized at 20~40 ppm of water acidity or the M-alkalinity could not be found in case over 40ppm of acidity. 7. In case increase of iron component with sample water, sericin solubility seemed to drop down, and mangan component showed the same nature but dull drop. 8. After cocoon was treated with water, acidity, M-alkalinity and total hardness were increased by the extraction from cocoon shell because of pH and treating temperature but not because of iron componnent. Mangan component, however, affected as to increase of acidity and total hardness but to decrease for M-alkalinity. 9. In case change of M-alkalinity and total hardness, sericin solubility has increased also. 10. In case constant pH and total hardness, the more M-alkalinity is, the more sericin solubility was found. 11. In case constant pH, total hardness, and M-alkalinity, the more acidity is, the less sericin solubility was found. 12. In case constant pH(6.8) and M-alkalinity, the more total hardness is, the less sericin solubility was found. 13. Though the combination of water, high solubility water, medium solubility water and low solubility water were prepared. The high solubility water desolved sericin 2.2% more than low solubility water. And the medium solubility water desolved sericin as much as 2.4~2.9%. 14. It was found that the most important factors for filature water are pH, M-alkalinity, acidity and total hardness which may need more words for optimum filature water development. 15. In case of repeat use of water, the buffer action of water has increased so that the sericin solubility to be decreased.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to define the content of requisite human structure and function knowledge needed for clinical knowledge of nursing practice. Subjects of human structure and function were divided into 10 units, and each unit was further divided into 21 subunits, resulting in a total of 90 items. Contents of knowledge of human structure and function were constructed from syllabus of basic nursing subjects in 4 college of nursing, and textbooks published by nurse scholars prepared with basic nursing sciences. The degree of need of 90 items was measured with a 4 point scale. The subjects of this study were college graduated 136 nurses from seven university hospitals in Seoul and three university hospitals located in Chonnam Province, Kyungbook Province, and Inchon. They have been working at internal medicine ward, surgical ward, intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology ward, pediatrics ward, opthalmology ward, ear, nose, and throat ward, emergency room, rehabilitation ward, cancer ward, hospice ward, and their working period was mostly under 5 years. The results were as follows: 1. The highest scored items of human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice were electrolyte balance, blood clotting mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, hematopoietic function, body fluid balance, function of plasma, and anatomical terminology in the order of importance. The lowest scored items of human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice was sexual factors of genetic mutation. 2. The highest order of need according to unit was membrane transport in the living unit, anatomical terminology in movement and exercise unit, mechanism of hormone function in regulation and integration unit, component and function of blood in oxygenation function unit, structure and function of digestive system in digestive and energy metabolism unit, temperature regulation in temperature regulation unit electrolyte balance in body fluid and electrolyte unit, concept of immunity in body resistance unit, and genetics terminology in genetics unit. The highest order of importance according to subunit was membrane transportation in cell subunit, classification of tissues in tissue unit, function of skin and skin in skin subunit, anatomical derivatives of the skeleton subunit, classification of joints in joint subunit, an effect of exercise on muscles in muscle subunit, function of brain in nervous system subunit, special sense in sensory subunit mechanism of hormone function in endocrine subunit, structure and function of female reproductive system in reproductive system unit, structure and function of blood in blood unit, structure of heart, electrical and mechanical function in cardiovascular system unit, structure of respiratory system in respiratory system subunit, structure and function of digestive system in digestive system subunit, hormonal regulation of metabolism in nutrition and metabolism subunit, function of kidney in urologic system subunit, electolyte balance in body fluid, electolyte and acid-base balance subunit. 3. The common content of human structure and function knowledge need for all clinical areas in nursing was structure and function of blood, hematopoietic function, function of plasm, coagulation mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, body fluid, electrolyte balance, and acid-base balance. However, the degree of need of each human structure and function knowledge was different depending on clinical areas. 4. Significant differences in human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice such as skin and derivatives of the skin, growth and development of bone, classification of joint, classification of muscle, structure of muscle, function of muscle, function of spinal cord, peripheral nerve, structure and function of pancrease, component and function of blood, function of plasma, structure and function of blood, hemodynamics, respiratory dynamics, gas transport, regulation of respiration, chemical digestion of foods, absorption of foods, characteristics of nutrients, metabolism and hormonal regulation, body energy balance were demonstrated according to the duration of work. 5. Significant differences in human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice such as classification of tissue, classification of muscles, function of muscles, muscle metabolism, classification of skeletal muscles, classification of nervous system, neurotransmitters, mechanism of hormone function, pituitary and pituitary hormone, structure and function of male reproductive organ, structure and function of female reproductive organ, component and function of blood, function of plasma, coagulation mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, gas exchange, gas transport, regulation of respiration, characteristics of nutrients, energy balance, function of kidney, concept of immunity, classification and function of immunity were shown according to the work area. Based on these findings, all the 90 items constructed by Korean Academic Society of Basic Nursing Science should be included as contents of human structure and function knowledge.