• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.258-263
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• 2004

Bioassay was employed to assess toxicity of soil which had been treated with sewage sludges for seven years. The $Microtox^{(R)}$ and root elongation test of lettuce (Lactuca Sativa.) elucidated that the intensity of soil toxicity was closely related with the types and amount of sewage sludges applied. Both bioassay methods proved to be useful in an assessment of soil toxicity and were consistent to some extent with the conventional chemical analysis methods. $EC_{50}$ values resulted from $Microtox^{(R)}$ were highly correlated with concentration of heavy metals in soils amended with sewage sludges : Cu ($r^2=\;0.86^{**}$), Cr ($r^2\;=\;0.84^{**}$), Ni ($r^2\;=\;0.83^{**}$), and Zn ($r^2\;=\;0.69^{**}$). This demonstrated that both bioassay techniques could be employed as tools for soil toxicity assessment when the soil was exposed to solid wastes such as sewage sludge.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Gypsum($CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$) is known as an ideal amendment to improve soil quality of the reclaimed coastal land. Since gypsum has very high concentration of electron acceptor like ${SO_4}^{2-}$, its application might be effective on reducing $CH_4$ emission during rice cultivation, but its effect has not been studied well. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of gypsum on $CH_4$ emission and rice growth characteristics was studied by pot test, which was packed by reclaimed paddy soils collected from Galsa, Hadong, Gyeongnam province. Chemical-grade gypsum was applied in two soils having EC 2.25 and 9.48 dS/m at rates of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%(wt/wt). $CH_4$ emission was characterized a week interval by closed chamber method during rice cultivation. $CH_4$ emission rate was significantly decreased with increasing salt accumulation and gypsum application levels. With increasing gypsum application, dissolved ${SO_4}^{2-}$ concentration in the leachate water was significantly increased, which might have suppressed $CH_4$ production in soil. Total $CH_4$ flux was dramatically decreased with increasing gypsum application. In contrast, rice yield was increased with increasing gypsum application and then achieved maximum productivity at 1.0% gypsum application in two soils. CONCLUSION(s): Gypsum is a very good soil amendment to suppress $CH_4$ emission in reclaimed coastal paddy soils, and improve rice productivity and soil properties. The optimum application level of gypsum is assumed at ca. 1% to improve soil productivity with reducing effectively $CH_4$ emission during rice cultivation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.35.1-35.10
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this work was the comparison between the carcass and the meat ewes of the regional Traditional market and the Islamic religious (Halal) market. Methods: Thirty and 20 at the end of career traditional market and Halal market ewes were slaughtered following the EC (European Council, 2009) animal welfare guidelines. Live weight of ewes was taken and dressing percentage of carcasses was calculated. On every carcass zoometric measurement and the evaluation trough the EU grid rules were performed. On the Musculus longissimus thoracis of 12 Traditional market carcasses and 11 Halal market carcasses the physical-chemical and nutritional analysis were performed. Consumer tests for liking meat ewe were performed in order to find consumer's preference level for Traditional and Halal markets ewe meat. Considering as fixed factor the ewe meat market (Traditional and Halal), results were submitted to oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results: The Halal market ewes have shown lower dressing percentages ($42.91{\pm}0.82$ vs $46.42{\pm}0.69$) and lower conformation score ($4.5{\pm}0.5$ vs $7.8{\pm}0.4$). The Halal market meat showed higher cooking loss in oven ($37.83{\pm}1.20$ vs $32.03{\pm}1.15%$), lesser Chroma value ($18.63{\pm}0.70$ vs $21.84{\pm}0.67$), and lesser Hue angle value ($0.26{\pm}0.02$ vs $0.34{\pm}0.02$). This product had also lower fat percentage ($4.2{\pm}0.4$ vs $7.09{\pm}0.4$). The traditional market meat had higher percentage in monounsatured fatty acids (MUFA) ($43.84{\pm}1.05$ vs $38.22{\pm}1.10$), while the Halal market meat had higher percentage in ${\omega}3$ poliunsatured fatty acids (PUFA) ($5.04{\pm}0.42$ vs $3.60{\pm}0.40$). The consumer test showed as the ewe meat was appreciate by the consumers. Conclusions: Both meat typologies have shown good nutritional characteristics. The traditional market meat had higher MUFA composition, and a better MUFA/satured fatty acids (SFA) ratio, while the Halal market meat had higher PUFA composition. These results were also supported by the PCA. The consumers preferred the traditional market meat.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1997

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of limited nutrient supply during 21 days before and after pollination stage on the growth, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of muskmelon in rockwool culture. Muskmelon, cv. Earl's Favorite seeds sowed on rockwool cube and transplanted on rockwool slab($90\times15\times7.5cm$) when 2 to 3 true leaf appeared on Sep. 6, 1991. Three kinds of nutrient composition recommended by Shizuoka university, combinated with the composition of Otsuka house A and composition Shizuoka III. One half of calcium nitrate(Ca(NO$_3$)$_2$.4$H_2O$) for limiting nitrogen supply during 21 days was treated and then fertigated the nutrient composition recommended by Shizuoka university up to harvest time. Trickling nozzles(Netafim Co. Israel) were used for fertigation of nutrient solution and noncirculating system was employed. Temperature was maintained $18^{\circ}C$ in night but 23 to $25^{\circ}C$ for 10 days after pollination for softening the fruit. The drainage ratio of nutrient solution was adjusted 20 to 30 percent. Fertigated and drained amount, and the pH and EC of nutrient solution were recorded. The concentrations of mineral elements including N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were analyzed and compared among treatments. In both autumn and winter cultivation, the limitation of nutrient supply by adjustment of nutrient composition(NO$_3$-N : 8meㆍ$\ell^{-1}$) caused the nutrient deficiency in muskmelon plant due to the limited nutrient supply. After pollination nutrient limitation by the lowering the nitrate retarded the over thickening of upper leaves of muskmelon but plant height and fresh weight of fruit were higher in the plot of nonlimited nutrient supply. The phenomena were attributed to the differences of the amount of nutrient uptake due to the limited time of nutrient solution, duration of nutrient supply and concentration of nutrient solution. These results suggested that increasing nutrient supply in the pollination stage was favorable for better appearance of fruit and improving fruit quality. Further trials would be required for the incre-ment of sugar degree of muskmelon grown in rockwool.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 1998

Tetrahydroisoquinoline (THI) alkaloids can be considered as cyclized derivatives of simple phenylethylamines. Many of them, especially with 6,7-disubstitution, demonstrate a relatively high affinity for catecholamines. Present study examines the pharmacological action of limited series of THI, using rats' isolated atria and aorta. In addition, a $[^3H]$ prazosin displacement binding study with THI compounds was performed, using rat brain homogenates to investigate whether these probes have ?${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor affinity. We also compared the vascular relaxation potency of these probes with dobutamine. YS 49, YS 51, higenamine and dobutamine, concentration-dependently, relaxed endothelium-denuded rat thoracic aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE, 0.1 ${\mu}M$) in which $pEC_{50}$ were $5.56{\pm}0.32$ and $5.55{\pm}0.21$, $5.99{\pm}1.16$ and $5.57{\pm}0.34$, respectively. These probes except higenamine also relaxed KCl (65.4 mM)-contracted aorta. In isolated rat atria, all THIs and dobutamine increased heart rate and contractile force. In the presence of propranolol, the concentration response curves of YS 49 and YS 51 shifted to the right and resulted in $pA_2$ values of $8.07{\pm}0.84$ and $7.93{\pm}0.11$, respectively. The slope of each compound was not deviated from unity, indicating that these chemicals are highly competitive at the cardiac ?${\beta}-adrenoceptors$. YS 49, YS 51, and higenamine showed ?${\alpha)-adrenoceptor$ affinity in rat brain, in which the dissociation constant $(K_i)$ was 2.75, 2.81, and 1.02 ${\mu}M$, respectively. It is concluded, therefore, that THI alkaloids have weak affinity to ${\alpha)_1-adrenoceptor$ in rat aorta and brain, respectively, while these probes show relatively high affinity for cardiac ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$. Thus, these chemicals may be useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 1995

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metoprolol, a selective beta-l blocker, were examined for 360 minutes after intravenous bolus administration of metoprolol to 6 dogs. Plasma concentration and excreted amount in the urine metoprolol were measured by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. PR interval and heart rate were measured by ECG monitoring. Blood pressure was monitored through intraarterial catheter in femoral artery and cardiac output by thermodilution method using Swan-Ganz catheter. To analyze the effect site concentration-response relationship, plasma concentration and pharmacological effects were simultaneously fitted to a two pharmacokinetic compartment linked to pharmacodynamic model with NONLIN program. Results are as follows. 1) The plasma concentration of metoprolol after intrvenous injection decreased biexponentially. The terminal half-life estimated was $1.33{\pm}0.40$ hours and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) and the total body clearance were $1.04{\pm}0.4\;L/kg,\;6.55{\pm}2.21\;L/hr$, respectively. The central compartment volume of distribution and peripheral compartment volume of distribution were $0.35{\pm}0.14L/kg\;and\;0.69{\pm}0.34L/kg$. The renal clearance and intercompartment clearance were $0.53{\pm}0.25\;L/min\;and\;0.35{\pm}0.19\;L/min$. 2) Simulated biophase concentration-response curve shows hyperbolic relationship and the estimated concentration-effect relationship was best explained by Emax model when the prolongation of PR interval and the reduction of the heart rate were used as pharmacodynamic parameters. Emax and EC50 were estimated to be $26.3{\pm}4.7\;msec\;and\;88.8{\pm}82.3\;g/ml$ for PR interval, and $48.7{\pm}18.8\;beats/min\;and\;113.5{\pm}78.7\;ng/ml$ for heart rate, respectively. 3) The changes of cardiac output-effect site concentration relationship was best fitted by a linear model and the slope of the relationship was $0.005{\pm}0.003$. Diastolic blood pressure-effect site concentration relationship was also explained by the linear model and the slope of the relationship was $0.038{\pm}0.034$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2015

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reversible airway obstruction. Methacholine (MCh) is widely used in broncho-provocation test to evaluate airway resistance. For experimental investigation, ovalbumin-induced sensitization is frequently used in rodents (Ova-asthma). However, albeit the inflammatory histology and AHR in vivo, it remains unclear whether the MCh sensitivity of airway smooth muscle isolated from Ova-asthma is persistently changed. In this study, the contractions of airways in precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) from control, Ova-asthma, and IL-13 overexpressed transgenic mice (IL-13TG) were compared by analyzing the airway lumen space (AW). The airway resistance in vivo was measured using plethysmograph. AHR and increased inflammatory cells in BAL fluid were confirmed in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG mice. In the PCLS from all three groups, MCh concentration-dependent narrowing of airway lumen (${\Delta}AW$) was observed. In contrast to the AHR in vivo, the $EC_{50}$ of MCh for ${\Delta}AW$ from Ova-asthma and IL-13TG were not different from control, indicating unchanged sensitivity to MCh. Although the AW recovery upon MCh-washout showed sluggish tendency in Ova-asthma, the change was also statistically insignificant. Membrane depolarization-induced ${\Delta}AW$ by 60 mM $K^+$ (60K-contraction) was larger in IL-13TG than control, whereas 60K-contraction of Ova-asthma was unaffected. Furthermore, serotonin-induced ${\Delta}AW$ of Ova-asthma was smaller than control and IL-13TG. Taken together, the AHR in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG are not reflected in the contractility of isolated airways from PCLS. The AHR of the model animals seems to require intrinsic agonists or inflammatory microenvironment that is washable during tissue preparation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.503-516
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• 2020

KCNQ family constitutes slowly-activating potassium channels among voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Recent studies suggested that KCNQ4 and 5 channels are abundantly expressed in smooth muscle cells, especially in lower urinary tract including corpus cavernosum and that both channels can exert membrane stabilizing effect in the tissues. In this article, we examined the electrophysiological characteristics of overexpressed KCNQ4, 5 channels in HEK293 cells with recently developed KCNQ-specific agonist. With submicromolar EC₅₀, the drug not only increased the open probability of KCNQ4 channel but also increased slope conductance of the channel. The overall effect of the drug in whole-cell configuration was to increase maximal whole-cell conductance, to prolongate the activation process, and left-shift of the activation curve. The agonistic action of the drug, however, was highly attenuated by the co-expression of one of the β ancillary subunits of KCNQ family, KCNE4. Strong in vitro interactions between KCNQ4, 5 and KCNE4 were found through Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and co-immunoprecipitation. Although the expression levels of both KCNQ4 and KCNE4 are high in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, we found that 1 μM of the agonist was sufficient to almost completely relax phenylephrine-induced contraction of the muscle strip. Significant expression of KCNQ4 and KCNE4 in corpus cavernosum together with high tonic contractility of the tissue grants highly promising relaxational effect of the KCNQ-specific agonist in the tissue.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2008

In this research, we screened for glucosyltransferase (GTase) inhibitors that effectively prevent the dental caries from 420 kinds of boiled water extracts of herbs and wild plants and searched for GTase inhibitory activities. Among them, 13 kinds of hot water extracts had high GTase inhibitory activities and especially, we focused on Foeniculum vulgare which showed the highest inhibitory activity on GTase. The boiled water extract of F. vulgare was stable at high temperature and showed as a mixed type of competitive and uncompetitive inhibition kinetic behavior. It did not have antibacterial effect on Streptococcus mutans and had inhibitory activity on GTase. Specially, in the clinical trial, the group treated by boiled water extract of F. vulgare showed more decrease of plague index at 4.8 point than untreated group. These results suggested that boiled water extract of F. vulgare can effectively suppress the plague formation as it inhibits the GTase activity.

• Journal of KIISE:Databases
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.609-623
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• 2004

Various metadata registries have been built in many countries of the world. Although the metadata registry is an international standard, it does not provide a consistent access interface for handling the metadata registries. Therefore, all systems for managing them were developed by using different operations and access interfaces. It requires duplicate efforts on the same operations whenever metadata registry systems are developed. As a result, it causes unnecessary costs and efforts for building metadata registries, and also incurs inconsistency between the metadata registries because the previous developed systems use the different interfaces for the metadata registry elements This paper analyzes and defines operation patterns that are commonly used for the metadata registries. We defined and designed SQL/MDR extended from SQL using the analyzed operation patterns. SQL/MDR provides a standardized access interface for developing metadata registry systems. This paper shows the implementation of SQL/MDR and the result that we actually applied it to the bibliographical databases. By developing the metadata registry systems using SQL/MDR, we can reduce much time and efforts owing to its standard interface. It allows metadata registries to be accessed consistently. Additionally, it makes all metadata registries follow the international standard, ISO/IEC ll179.