• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Wetlands constitute a transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and have unique characteristics such as frequent inundation, inflow of nutrients from terrestrial ecosystems, presence of plants adapted to grow in water, and soil that is occasionally oxygen deficient due to saturation. These characteristics and the presence of vegetation determine physical and chemical properties that affect decomposition rates of organic matter (OM). Decomposition of OM is associated with activities of various extracellular enzymes (EE) produced by bacteria and fungi. Extracellular enzymes convert macromolecules to simple compounds such as labile organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) that can be easily taken up by microbes and plants. Therefore, the enzymatic approach is helpful to understand the decomposition rates of OM and nutrient cycling in wetland soils. This paper reviews the physical and biogeochemical factors that regulate extracellular enzyme activities (EEa) in wetland soils, including those of ${\beta}$-glucosidase, ${\beta}$-N-acetylglucosaminidase, phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and phenol oxidase that decompose organic matter and release C, N, P, and S nutrients for microbial and plant growths. Effects of pH, water table, and particle size of OM on EEa were not significantly different among sites, whereas the influence of temperature on EEa varied depending on microbial acclimation to extreme temperatures. Addition of C, N, or P affected EEa differently depending on the nutrient state, C:N ratio, limiting factors, and types of enzymes of wetland soils. Substrate quality influenced EEa more significantly than did other factors. Also, drainage of wetland and increased temperature due to global climate change can stimulate phenol oxidase activity, and anthropogenic N deposition can enhance the hydrolytic EEa; these effects increase OM decomposition rates and emissions of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ from wetland systems. The researches on the relationship between microbial structures and EE functions, and environmental factors controlling EEa can be helpful to manipulate wetland ecosystems for treating pollutants and to monitor wetland ecosystem services.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2007

The gonad index, gonadosomatic index, the condition index, reproductive cycle, first sexual maturity, and sex ratio of the hard shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus were investigated by using histological analysis and morphometric data. Specimens were collected monthly in Kyeokpo, western Korea from January to December, 2006. The gonad index reached a maximum in February, and minimum in September. Both the monthly variations of the gonad index (GI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) reached a maximum in February. After that, their values continually decreased between March and April because of spawning. The monthly variation of the condition index coincides with the GI and the GSI. The spawning period was from February to April, with the main spawning occurring between February and March. The reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into six stages: early active stage (November to January), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (December to April), partially spawned stage (February to April), degenerative stage (April to October), and resting stage (June to December ). Percentages of sexual maturity was over 50% for the female and male hard shelled mussels that ranges from 40.1 to 50.0 mm in shell length. The percentage was 100% for those that are over 50.1 mm. The sex ratios of females to males over 40.1 mm in shell length were not significantly different from a 1:1 sex ratio $(x^2\;=\;0.63,\;p\;>\;0.05)$. No evidence of hermaphroditism was found in histological sections of any hard shelled mussel examined.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.178-187
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• 2016

Objectives: Diisocyanates are a potent inducer of diseases of the airways, especially asthma. In this study, toluenediamine(TDA) and methylenedianiline(MDA) in urine were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure to tolunenediisocyanate(TDI) and methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(MDI), respectively. Methods: Workers exposed to TDI and MDI, as well as non-occupationally exposed subjects, were studied and pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected from 8 control subjects and 8 workers from a factory which manufactures polyurethane products for reducing noise and vibration in automobiles. Airborne TDI and MDI(n=8) were sampled on solvent-free glass filters impregnated with n-butylamine and detected by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary TDA and MDA were detected as pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride(PFPA) derivatives by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The median levels of urinary 2,6-TDA(p<0.001), 2,4-TDA(p=0.001), and MDA(p<0.001) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of controls. The median levels of urinary 2,6-0TDA($0.63{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $0.34{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) and MDA($4.21{\mu}g/g$ creatinine vs $3.18{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, p=0.017) of workers in post-shift samples were significantly higher than those of the pre-shift samples. There were significant correlations between the urinary 2,6-TDA, 2,4-TDA, and MDA of workers in post-shift samples and the airborne 2,6-TDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001), 2,4-TDI(rho=0.833, p=0.001), and MDI(rho=0.952, p<0.001). Conclusions: These urinary diamines, metabolites of diisocyanates, in post-shift samples were useful biomarkers to assess occupational exposure to diisocyanates.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.5-14
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• 2003

Objective : Recently, Herbal-acupuncture therapeutics has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Especially, we have been interested in chemical mediators concerned with inflammation such as prostaglandin, cytokine, nitric oxide. The purpose of this study is investigated that the effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, performed several expeimental items : those are prostaglandin E. nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2. Method : The cytotoxicity of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were measured by MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. In order to observe cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, RT-PCR was used. Prostaglandin $E_2$ formation and nitric oxide production was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay and Griess assay. Results : 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that cytotoxic effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were not appeared before concentration of 5mg/mL 2. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 3. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 4. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ formation in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion : On the basis of these results, It was shown that Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution is significantly able to inhibit the production of $PGE_2$ and NO, as well as COX-2 mRNA expression. Our results may provide new mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution accounts for its beneficial effect on accelerating wound healing and anti-inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.269-281
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• 1996

Pharmacokinetics of prednisolone and prednisone undergoing reversible interconversion were analyzed from the model including this metabolic process. Blood samples were drawn serially upto 12 hours after I,V. bolus injection of 1 mg/kg prednisolone sodium phosphate and prednisone into 8 dogs as a crossover manner. Plasma concentrations of those two steroids were simultaneously measured with the method of HPLC. After injection, plasma concentrations of administered prednisolone and prednisone were declined with a biexponential pattern and their metabolic partner was rapidly formed. Plasma concentrations of those metaboite were decayed in parallel with their parent steroids throught the elimination phase. Apparent clearances of prednisolone and prednisone were $11.1{\pm}2.0\;ml/min/kg$ and $45.9{\pm}6.4\;ml/min/kg$, and they were underestimated by 29.4% and 33.6% compared to their real clearances$(15.7{\pm}4.4\;and\;69.2{\pm}17.7\;ml/min/kg)$ estimated using reversible interconversion model. Apparent volume of distribution of prednisolone$(1.32{\pm}0.43\;L/kg)$ and prednisone$(4.81{\pm}2.75\;L/kg)$ were overestimated by 53.5 and 52.7% and were compared to the real volumes $(0.86{\pm}0.30\;and\;3.15{\pm}2.13\;L/kg)$. Mean residence time of prednisolone$(2.0{\pm}0.61\;h)$ and prednisone$(1.74{\pm}0.74\;h)$ were much longer than the real sojourn time$(0.93{\pm}0.26\;and\;0.88{\pm}0.54\;h)$. Essential clearances In the reversible interconversion were greater as following orders: $Cl_{21}$(44.3 ml/min/kg) > $Cl_{20}$(24.2 ml/min/kg) > $Cl_{12}$ (7.9 ml/min/kg) > $Cl_{10}$(7.8 ml/min/kg). Estimated mean values of RF, EE, $%X^1_{ss}$ and $RHO^2_1$ were $0.31{\pm}0.10$, $1.49{\pm}0.23$, $69.3{\pm}16.7%$ and $0.65{\pm}0.10$, respectively. These results suggested that true pharmacokinetic parameters estimated from the model including reversible interconversion were significantly different from the apparent parameters estimated from the conventional mamillary model, and disposition of these two steroids seemed to be well explained by the model including reversible interconversion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1579-1584
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• 2002

Twelve adult male crossbred (Sahiwal${\times}$Holstein Friesian) cattle were distributed into four groups of three each on body weight basis. Animals were given wheat straw as a basal diet. The animals of group I and II were supplemented with concentrate mixture and animals of group III and IV were supplemented with cold processed urea molasses mineral block (UMMB). Thirty mg monensin/day/animal was supplemented to the animals of group II and 35 ppm monensin were incorporated in the UMMB supplemented to the animals of group IV. Vit.A and D mixture was given to all the animals once a week. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg/d) through wheat straw was 19.0 percent higher in the UMMB (without monensin) supplemented group (group III) than those of the concentrate mixture (without monensin) supplemented group i.e. group I. Total DM intake (kg/d) was lower in the monensin supplemented groups than those of non-supplemented groups though differences were not statistically significant. Digestible dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake were similar in all the groups. Average block consumption for 45 d period in the group III (0.95 kg/d) and group IV (0.84 kg/d) did not differ significantly. DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (58.9) as compared to the group I (52.7) and group III (54.0) but similar to the group IV (57.2). OM digestibility was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (63.2) as compared to that of the group I (54.9) but similar to the group III (57.8) and IV (59.2). Ether extract (EE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group I (76.9) and II (80.3) as compared to the group III (59.87) and IV (55.77). Nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (62.38) as compared to that of the other groups. Crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) digestibilities were not affected either due to UMMB or monensin. Nitrogen balance did also not differ significantly among the groups. However, Ca and P balance (g/d) in the group III (3.1, 1.3) and IV (3.0, 1.4) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those of the group I (0.6, 0.2) and II (0.4, 0.3). Blood glucose (mg/100ml) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (65.2) and IV (65.2) as compared to the group I (55.2) and group III (53.9). Plasma urea-N level (mg/100 ml) in the group III (19.0) and IV (17.8) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of the group I (10.5) and II (12.3). So, monensin supplementation either with cold process UMMB or concentrate mixture did not show any additional effect on feed intake and digestibility but increases blood glucose level in adult cattle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.531-538
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• 1993

A 4-week energy balance study was conducted to estimate the energy expenditure (EE) of 16 primary school age boys and girls, 8 to 12 year age, by measurement of energy intakes and changes in body energy (BE) content (intake / balance technique), keeping their normal living pattern and eating behavior. Gross energy intake (GE) and fecal energy (FE) loss was measured by bomb calorimetry. Urinary energy (UE) loss was calculated from nitrogen excreted. Fat mass (FM) was determined from body density estimated from skinfold thickness. Mean constitutional ratio of carbohydrate, protein and fat for the total energy intake was 10.1 $\pm$1.8%, 12.2$\pm$0.1% and 17.1$\pm$2.0% for the boys and 74.0$\pm$1.7%, 10.7$\pm$0.3% and 15.3$\pm$0.5% for the girls, respectively. Fecal energy loss was 5.1% and 4.5% proportion of the gross energy intake for the boys and girls, respectively. Mean daily metabolizable energy estimated by subtract feral and urinary energy loss was 1862$\pm$15kcal for the boys and 1627$\pm$20kcal for the girls. Total body energy change estimated from body composition change over 28 days was increased 1524$\pm$539kcal for the boys and 3622$\pm$718kcal for the girls. Mean daily energy expenditure was 1812$\pm$37kcal(52 $\pm$2kcal/kg of body weight) for the boys and 1487$\pm$25kca1 (52$\pm$2kcal/kg of body weight) for the girls.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.203-209
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• 2000

Top synthetic spin valves with structure Ta/NiFe/CoFe/Cu/CoFe(P 1)/Ru/CoFe(P2)/FeMn/Ta on Si (100) substrate with natural oxide were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering system. We have changed only the thickness in free layers and the thickness difference (Pl-P2) in two ferromagnetic layers separated by Ru, and investigated the effect of magnetic film thickness on interlayer coupling field in spin valve with synthetic antiferromagnet. According to the decrease of free layer thickness, interlayer coupling field was increased due to the magnetostatic coupling(orange peel coupling). In case of t$\_$P1/>t$\^$P2/, interlayer coupling field agreed well with the modified Neel model suggested in conventional spin valve structures by Kools et al. However, in case of t$\_$P1/>t$\^$P2/, it was found that the interlayer coupling field was not explained by the Modified Neel Model and was confirmed the necessity of further remodeling. The dependence of Cu thickness on the interlayer coupling field was investigated and 10 Oe of interlayer coupling field was obtained when the Cu thickness is 32 $\AA$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electroacupuncture according to acupoints combination on NOS positive neurons in the PAG and Hippocampus of Rat with adjuvant induced Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental group were divided into 6 group ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$, and NA. Normal group was injected with normal saline and not treated electroacupuncture. Control group was injected with FCA and not treated electroacupuncture. ST36 group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$. $SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $SP_9$. $ST_{36}+SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}+SP_9$. NA group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at non acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NOS-positive neurons in PAG and hippocampus by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the NA group were significantly decreased in the CA2-3. 2. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and CA2-3. 3. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and DG 4. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36+SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG, CA1 and DG. Conclusions : It is expected that low frequency electroacupuncture can be used a treatment of rheumatoid arthritic pain and that treatment of electroacupuncture at combined acupoints is more efficient than treatment of low frequency electroacupuncture at one acupoint.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of annealing conditions on physical and magnetic properties of Fe-Hf-N thin films. When the thin films were annealed in $N_2$ gas, a surface oxide layer, comprised of Fe$_2$O$_3$ and Fe$_3$O$_4$, was formed at the surface of the thin films and a Fe-Hf-O-N layer was also formed under this surface oxide layer. It was found that the thicknesses of the surface oxide layer and the Fe-Hf-O-N layer increased, as the annealing temperature increased. It was also found that if the thickness of the surface oxide layer was excluded in the property calculation, the soft magnetic properties of the annealed thin films were not much different from those of the as-deposited thin films. Therefore, it was suggested that the Fe-Hf-O-N layer formed under the surface oxide layer did not lose significantly the soft magnetic properties of the Fe-Hf-N films and the Fe-Hf-N films annealed in $N_2$gas showed the soft magnetic properties of the Fe-Hf-N and Fe-Hf-O-N multi-layers.