• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2008

The differences of several kinds of physiological responses between Commelina communis (C$_3$ plant) and Sedum sarmentosum (CAM plant: Crassulacean Acid metabolism) when both plants were exposed to water stress for 3 weeks were investigated. In case of Commelina it was shown a clear loss of water to 12% in three weeks, but no changes were observed in Sedum. Total chlorophyll content was also reduced to 57% in Commelina but not clear changes of chlorophyll content in Sedum. were observed for three weeks. In chlorophyll fluorescence experiments Fv/Fm ratios were reduced to 19% in Commelina, but no changes were observed in Sedum. There were very sensitive responses according to the different KCl concentrations and the stomatal aperture of epidermal strips was 12.8 ${\mu}m$ at 200 mM KCl in Commelina, but less than 3 ${\mu}m$ was observed at the same KCl concentration in Sedum. In addition, there were no chloroplasts in guard cells of Sedum, but most plants had chloroplasts including Commelina. From the above results, the ability of water stress resistance in Sedum. could be come from slow physiological metabolism including growth and less loss of water through unique stomatal characteristics.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.293-300
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• 2019

As a common side effect of fixed orthodontic treatment, demineralization of the enamel adjacent to the bracket and band occurs in patients with poor oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to investigate what is the most effective method to prevent demineralization around the fixed orthodontic appliance among various methods using fluoride. 80 extracted bovine incisors with a healthy surface were classified into four groups as experimental materials: (Group I) Control group, (Group II) V $varnish^{TM}$, (Group III) Tooth Mousse $Plus^{(R)}$, (Group IV) $Vanish^{TM}$ XT. After treatment for each group, mineral loss and Vickers surface microhardness were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days after demineralization in artificial carious solution. Mineral loss was the lowest in group IV, followed by group II and group III, which showed a significant difference. The surface microhardness was the lowest in group IV, followed by group II and group III, which showed a significant difference. Through this study, group IV showed the best effect to prevent enamel demineralization around the bracket. Group III showed significant prevention of enamel demineralization compared with the control group, but the effect was less than that of the other groups.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2014

As an abiotic stress, chilling stress is one of the major factors limiting plant growth and increasing susceptibility to pathogens. Therefore, enhancing stress tolerance in plants is an important strategy for their survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) or nitric oxide (NO) on chilling tolerance in pepper seedlings. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. 'kidaemanbal') seedlings were grown under normal growing conditions ($20/25^{\circ}C$, 15 hours photoperiod, $145{\pm}5{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, fluorescence lamps) for 23 days after transplanting. The solution (3 mL) of 1 mM SA and 0.3 mM NO with surfactant triton 0.1% were sprayed two times a week, respectively. Right after the completion of chemical application, seedlings were subjected to chilling condition at $4^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours under dark condition and then the seedlings were recovered at the normal growing conditions for 2 days. In order to assess plant tolerance against chilling stress, growth characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and membrane permeability were determined after chilling stress imposition. Total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity were measured during the whole experimental period. Disease incidence for pepper bacterial spot and wilt was also analyzed. Pepper seedlings treated with SA or NO were maintained similar dry mass ratio, while the value in control increased caused by chilling stress suggesting relatively more water loss in control plants. Electrolyte leakage of pepper seedlings treated with SA or NO was lower than that of control 2 days after chilling treatment. Fv/Fm rapidly decreased after chilling stress in control while the value of SA or NO was maintained about 0.8. SA increased higher total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity than NO and control during chemical treatment. In addition, increase in total phenolic concentration was observed after chilling stress in control and NO treatment. SA had an effect on the reduction of bacterial wilt in pepper seedlings. The results from this study revealed that pre-treatment with SA or NO using foliar spray was effective in chilling tolerance and the reduction of disease incidence in pepper seedlings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5391-5397
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• 2012

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB), like most human cancers, is characterized by genomic instability, manifested at the chromosomal level as allelic gain, loss or rearrangement. Genetics methods, as well as conventional and molecular cytogenetics may provide valuable clues for the identification of target loci and successful search for major genes in neuroblastoma. We aimed to investigate AURKA and MYCN gene rearrangements and the chromosomal aberrations (CAs) to determine the prognosis of neuroblastoma. Methods: We performed cytogenetic analysis by G-banding in 25 cases [11 girls (44%) and 14 boys (66%)] and in 25 controls. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with AURKA and MYCN gene probes was also used on interphase nuclei to screen for alterations. Results: Some 18.4% of patient cells exhibited CAs., with a significant difference between patient and control groups in the frequencies (P<0.0001). Some 72% of the cells had structural aberrations, and only 28% had numerical chnages in patients. Structural aberrations consisted of deletions, translocations, breaks and fragility in various chromosomes, 84% and 52% of the patients having deletions and translocations, respectively. Among these expressed CAs, there was a higher frequency at 1q21, 1q32, 2q21, 2q31, 2p24, 4q31, 9q11, 9q22, 13q14, 14q11.2, 14q24, and 15q22 in patients. 32% of the patients had chromosome breaks, most frequently in chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 19 and X. The number of cells with breaks and the genomic damage frequencies were higher in patients (p<0.001). Aneuploidies in chromosomes X, 22, 3, 17 and 18 were most frequently observed. Numerical chromosome abnormalities were distinctive in 10.7% of sex chromosomes. Fragile sites were observed in 16% of our patients. Conclusion: Our data confirmed that there is a close correlation between amplification of the two genes, amplification of MYCN possibly contributing significantly to the oncogenic properties of AURKA. The high frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and amplifications of AURKA and MYCN genes indicate prognostic value in children with neuroblastomas and may point to contributing factors in their development.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

Fertilization is essential to seedling production in nursery culture, but excessive fertilization can contaminate surface and ground water around the nursery. The objective of this study was to find optimal fertilization practice of container seedling production for reducing soil and water contamination around the nursery without compromising seedling quality. This study was conducted to investigate chemical properties of the growth medium, growth performance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll contents of larch ($Larix$ $kaempferi$) growing under three different fertilization treatments (Constant rate, Three stage rate, and Exponential rate fertilization). Root collar diameter and height of larch were not significantly different among treatments even though the nutrient supply of the exponential treatment was half that of the constant and three stage treatments. Chemical properties of the growth medium showed the same trends as root collar diameter and height. The total biomass and seedling quality index (SQI) were higher at Constant than at other treatments, but both SQI of Constant and Exponential were not significantly different. Photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll contents were lower at Exponential than at other treatments, but not significantly different among treatments. Therefore, Exponential fertilization which is 50% fertilizer of other treatments would maximize seedling growth and minimize nutrient loss.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2008

The Gemological characteristics of B.C. jade from Cassiar Mine, British Colombia, Canada, have been investigated, using polarizing microscopy, Mohs' hardness, refractive index and density measurements, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, ICP-MS, Infrared absorption spectrometry, and DTA/TGA. The B.C. jade is deeply green (spinach peen or olive green) in color and is translucent. It shows a resinous or waxy luster. The principal mineral of the material is tremolite-actinolite solid solution and minor amount of Cr-garnet and unidentified opaque minerals are accompanied. Mohs' hardness value ($5.5{\sim}6$). refractive index (1.62), and specific gravity (3.01) are measured. It is very highly tough and shows hackly fracture. The high Fe content ($Fe_2O_3\;4.14{\sim}4.66\;wt%$) in B.C. jade is attributable to a deepening of green color of the material. The B.C. jade starts to dehydrate at v and dehydration is completed at $1000.8^{\circ}C$, transforming tremolite-actinolite solid solution to enstatite, diopside, quartz, and water in its place. This possible reaction is supported by the weight loss of B.C. jade (1.93 wt%) at $1000.8^{\circ}C$ indicated by TGA curve.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological responses of Bupleurum latissimum, endangered plants by light condition. We investigated photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll contents and chlorophyll fluorescence under different shading treatments (Shaded 50%, 70%, 90% and non-treated). Results showed that net apparent quantum yield (AQY) and chlorophyll contents were significantly increased with elevating shading level. However, light compensation point (LCP) and dark respiration ($R_d$) were shown the opposite trend. Especially, non-treated exhibited photoinhibition such as reduction of chlorophyll contents and maximum photosynthesis rate ($Pn_{max}$) also variation trend of stomatal conductance ($g_s$), and transpiration rate (E) were decreased to prevent water loss. Photosynthetic rate ($P_{Nmax}$) and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of 90% treatment showed a drastic reduction in July. This implies that photosynthetic activity will be sharply decreased with a long period of low light intensity. The 50% treatment showed relatively higher photosynthetic activity than other treated. This result suggested that growth and physiology of B. latissimum adapted to 50% of full sunlight.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.835-842
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• 2016

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer occurrence by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, on the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cordycepin, a predominant functional component of the fungus Cordyceps militaris, in AGS human gastric cancer cells and investigated possible underlying cellular mechanisms. Our results revealed that cordycepin inhibited viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, as determined by apoptotic cell morphologies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis associated with attenuated activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Treatment with cordycepin in combination with a subtoxic concentration of LY294002 enhanced cordycepin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic potentials in AGS cells. Sensitization of LY294002 to cordycepin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspases (caspases-3, -8, and -9) and was concomitant with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, LY294002 up-regulated pro-apoptotic Bax and enhanced truncation of Bid in cordycepin-treated AGS cells, which was connected with increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway could augment cordycepin-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by up-regulating caspase activity through mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.420-428
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• 2012

Purpose: Porcine proliferative enteropathy(PPE), caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, is a widely distributed disease throughout the world causing substantial economic loss. The bacterial pathogen invades the intestinal epithelial cells which causes hyperplasia of the infected cells and leads to the process of disease pathogenesis. For diagnosing PPE in a pig farm in earlier stage, a rapid diagnosing test equipment is needed for farmers. To test the equipment appropriately, we prepare the samples and antibodies for rapid detecting the Lawsonia intracellularis in pig feces. Methods : To prepare the PPE infected samples, we sampled PPE suspected pig feces in a pig farm. To manufacture a anti-Lawsonia intracellularis antibody for capturing the Lawsonia intracellularis, the rabbit-anti LsaA synthetic peptide polyclonal antibody was inoculated to rabbits. To select the couple of antibodies which is most well sandwiched with the bacteria, ELISA test was done with PPE infected ileum samples. Finally, to verify the PPE infected feces which would be used to test the rapid kit, PCR test was done on the sampled PPE suspected feces Results : The rabbit-anti LsaA synthetic peptide polyclonal antibody is developed, and is verified to capture the bacterial well through the fluorescence antibody test. Also, we found that the monoclonal antibody and the polyclonal antibody could be used as couples for sandwiching the bacteria. Finally, through the PCR test for samples of pig feces, we could prepare the 150 PPE positive samples and 50 PPE negative samples. Conclusions : The manufactured polyclonal antibody and the imported monoclonal antibody could be used to capture the bacteria using the sandwich techniques. Also, the prepared PPE infected negative and positive samples could be used to test the performance of the rapid kit to capture the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.305-313
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• 2011

Fertilization is essential to seedling production in nursery culture, but excessive fertilization can contaminate surface and ground water around the nursery. The objective of this study was to find optimal fertilization practice of container seedling production for reducing soil and water contamination around the nursery without compromising seedling quality. This study was conducted to investigate growth performance, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll contents of Liriodendron tulipifera growing under three different fertilization treatments (Constant rate, Three-stage rate, and Exponential rate fertilization). Root collar diameter, height, and biomass of L. tulipifera were the highest at Constant treatment. Like growth performance, seedling quality index (SQI) were higher at Constant than at other treatments, but not significantly different among treatments. L. tulipifera showed good photosynthetic capacity at all treatments. Photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll contents were significantly lower at Exponential than at other treatments. Therefore, Exponential fertilization which is 50% fertilizer of other treatments would maximize seedling growth and minimize nutrient loss.