• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1185-1190
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• 2017

Insects are gaining recognition as an alternative source of protein. As a result, more and more domestic farms have begun mass rearing of edible insects. In order to produce high quality insects, studies on the development of safe and nutritious feed sources are needed. Given the cost of rearing insects, agricultural and industrial by-products are good sources for feed. The efficient utilization of these by-products can help in reducing the cost of production and preventing environmental pollution. In the current study, Citrus unshiu peel (CP), soybean curd cake (SCC), soybean oil meal (SOM), and brewers dried grain (BDG) were investigated for their effects on larval growth and development of Protaetia brevitarsis. Interestingly, the feed with 10% SCC increased larval weight by 3.5 times. For the larval period, the group of 10% SCC was significantly shorter than the control. Furthermore, minerals such as Zn, Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P were recorded to be high in 10% SCC. A total of 17 amino acids were present in 10% SCC, of which tyrosine and arginine were predominant. The heavy metal contents were very small amounts or not detected in any of the investigated groups. These findings provided a scientific basis for the utilization of soybean curd cake as a nutritional feed source to promote larval growth and produce quality insects.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2021

To understand the sedimentary environment of Scirpus planiculmis habitat (Myeongji and Eulsuk tidal flats) in the Nakdong Estuary, this study analyzed the statistical parameters (sorting, skewness, and kurtosis) of grain size data and the major (Al, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Ti, and P), minor (Li, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zr, Cs, Pb, Th, and U), and rare earth elements (REEs) in sediment cores. For Myeongji, the sediment structure of the upper part of the cores was poorly sorted, more finely skewed, and more leptokurtic due to construction of the West gate. By contrast, the Eulsuk cores all differed due to the contrasting floodgate operation patterns of the West and East gates. The linear discriminate function (LDF) results corresponded to the statistical parameters for grain size. At the Eulsuk tidal flat (sites ES05 and ES11), elemental distributions were representative of Al-, Fe- and Ca-associated profiles, in which the elements are largely controlled by the accumulation of their host minerals (such as Na- and K-aluminosilicate and ferromagnesium silicate) and heavy detrital minerals at the sites. Detrital minerals including the aluminosilicates are major factors in the elemental compositions at ES05, diluting the REE contents. However, clay minerals and Fe-oxyhydroxides, as well as REE-enriched heavy minerals, appeared to be controlling factors of the elemental composition at ES11. Therefore, the mineral fractionation process is important in determining the elemental composition during sedimentation, which reflects the depositional condition of riverine-saline water mixing at both sites.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.545-557
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• 2023

Sphingomyelinase (SMase) catalyzes ceramide production from sphingomyelin. Ceramides are critical in cellular responses such as apoptosis. They enhance mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through self-assembly in the mitochondrial outer membrane to form channels that release cytochrome c from intermembrane space (IMS) into the cytosol, triggering caspase-9 activation. However, the SMase involved in MOMP is yet to be identified. Here, we identified a mitochondrial Mg²⁺-independent SMase (mt-iSMase) from rat brain, which was purified 6,130-fold using a Percoll gradient, pulled down with biotinylated sphingomyelin, and subjected to Mono Q anion exchange. A single peak of mt-iSMase activity was eluted at a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa using Superose 6 gel filtration. The purified enzyme showed optimal activity at pH of 6.5 and was inhibited by dithiothreitol and Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. It was also inhibited by GW4869, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of Mg²⁺-dependent neutral SMase 2 (encoded by SMPD3), that protects against cytochrome c release-mediated cell death. Subfractionation experiments showed that mt-iSMase localizes in the IMS of the mitochondria, implying that mt-iSMase may play a critical role in generating ceramides for MOMP, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis. These data suggest that the purified enzyme in this study is a novel SMase.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2014

Environmental problems typically occurring in abandoned mine lands (AML) include: contaminated and acidic surface water and groundwater; stockpiled waste rock and mill tailings; and ground subsidences due to mining operations. This study examines the effectiveness of various geophysical techniques for mapping potential hazard and contaminated zones. Four AML sites with sedimentation contamination problems, acid mine drainage (AMD) channels, ground subsidence, manmade liner leakage, and buried mine tailings, were selected to examine the applicability of various geophysical methods to the identification of the different types of mine hazards. Geophysical results were correlated to borehole data (core samples, well logs, tomographic profiles, etc.) and water sample data (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metal contents). Zones of low electrical resistivity (ER) corresponded to areas contaminated by heavy metals, especially contamination by Cu, Pb, and Zn. The main pathways of AMD leachate were successfully mapped using ER methods (low anomaly peaks), self-potential (SP) curves (negative peaks), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) at shallow penetration depths. Mine cavities were well located based on composite interpretations of ER, seismic tomography, and well-log records; mine cavity locations were also observed in drill core data and using borehole image processing systems (BIPS). Damaged zones in buried manmade liners (used to block descending leachate) were precisely detected by ER mapping, and buried rock waste and tailings piles were characterized by low-velocity zones in seismic refraction data and high-resistivity zones in the ER data.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1718-1724
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• 2010

Bioactive and chemical properties of silkworm powder (SP) degradation by fruit extract containing the proteolytic enzymes of kiwifruit, papaya, pineapple and pear were investigated. Silkworm powder was incubated with extracts from each fruit at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. Protein content was slightly higher in the SP treated with fruit extract than that in the control SP. Major minerals were K, Ca, Mg, and Zn. Major fatty acids were linolenic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. When total protein patterns were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), silkworm protein was strongly degraded by the treatment of fruit extract from pineapple, papaya, and pear, but little silkworm degradation was observed in kiwifruit extract treatment. Fibriolytic activity was only detected in the SP by the fruit extract treatments from papaya and pear. DPPH radical scavenging activity was slightly stronger in the SP treated with fruit extract than that in silkworm powder. However, all these samples exhibiteda relatively low activity compared with the butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These results may provide the basic data for understanding the biological activities and chemical characteristics of SP treated with fruit extract for development of functional foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1195-1204
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• 2017

This study was designed to determine the effects of three cooking methods, boiling, microwave, and steaming, on elemental compositions of green pumpkin, zucchini, and sweet and ripened pumpkin. The cooking methods were carried out at 3, 5, and 10 min. The samples were then dried, crushed, and decomposed by microwave-assisted digestion method. Macro elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), whereas ICP-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used for micro elements determination. From the results, macro elements were present in the order of K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, and Na in all analyzed pumpkins. Among micro elements, Mn, Cu, Rb, and Ba, were present at high levels. For the effects of cooking methods, boiling significantly reduced the concentrations of elements. Cooking time affected concentrations of elements in the same manner with large differences between elemental contents in samples cooked for 5 and 10 min. Regarding micro elements contents, both effects were not significant. Similar elemental compositions with different concentration levels in all pumpkin types were observed. Green pumpkin and ripened pumpkin showed high retention rates of inorganic components upon steaming, and zucchini and sweet pumpkin showed high retention rates upon microwave cooking. Conclusively, cooking method and time affect amounts of residual inorganic ingredients in pumpkin.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.544-551
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• 2013

The effect of different silicon (Si) sources and methods of application on the growth of two chrysanthemum cultivars grown in a soilless substrate was investigated. Rooted terminal cuttings of Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Lemmon Eye' and 'Pink Eye' were transplanted into pots containing a coir-based substrate. A nutrient solution containing 0 or $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Si from calcium silicate ($CaSiO_3$), potassium silicate ($K_2SiO_3$) or sodium silicate ($Na_2SiO_3$) was supplied once a day through an ebb-and-flood sub irrigation system. A foliar spray of 0 or $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Si was applied twice a week. Cultivar and application method had a significant effect on plant height. Cultivar, application method, and Si source had a significant effect on plant width. Of the three Si sources studied, $K_2SiO_3$ was found to be the best for the increasing number of flowers, followed by $CaSiO_3$ and $Na_2SiO_3$. In both the cultivars, sub irrigational supply of Si developed necrotic lesions in the older leaves at the beginning of the flowering stage as compared to the control and foliar spray of Si. Cultivar, application method, Si source, and their interactions had significant influence on leaf tissue concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), boron (B), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). The addition of Si to the nutrient solution decreased leaf tissue concentrations of Ca, Mg, S, Na, B, Cu, Fe, and Mn in both cultivars. The greatest Si concentration in leaf tissue was found in 'Lemmon Eye' ($1420{\mu}g{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and 'Pink Eye' ($1683{\mu}g{\cdot}g^{-1}$) when $K_2SiO_3$ was applied through a sub irrigation system and by foliar spray, respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.946-956
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• 1999

The iron nutritional status of 328(20-70 years old) women in Seoul and Puyo areas was evaluated using a dietary information and a measurement of hematological indices. The serum iron was measured by Red Blood Cell(RBC), Hemoglobin(Hb), Hematocrit(Hct), Serum Iron(S-Fe), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin Saturation(TS) and Serum Ferritin(SF) and was analyzed with the information obtained by interviews which included socio-demographic variables and the dietary pattern of the subjects. The mean Hb was 12.6 $\pm$ 1.21g/dl(Seoul : 12.4 $\pm$ 1.14g/dl, Puyo : 13.2 $\pm$ 1.28g/dl), Hct was 38.7 $\pm$ 3.84%(Seoul: 37.5 $\pm$ 3.28%, Puyo: 4.19 $\pm$ 3.48%), S-Fe was 76.8 $\pm$ 31.49ug/dl(Seoul: 68.8 $\pm$ 27.3ug/dl, Puyo: 78.8 $\pm$ 32.3ug/dl) and TIBC was 277.7 $\pm$ 86.15ug/dl(Seoul: 354.1 $\pm$ 129.8ug/dl, Puyo: 259.0 $\pm$ 59.55ug/dl). The mean Ts(%) was 30.9 $\pm$ 17.9% (Seoul: 21.7 $\pm$ 10.52%, Puyo: 33.2 $\pm$ 18.68%) and the level was significantly higher in Puyo women(p<0.05). The mean SF was 45.4 $\pm$ 46.21ng/ml(Seoul: 53.6 $\pm$ 50.21ng/ml, Puyo: 36.1 $\pm$ 39.83ng/ml). The Red Blood Cell(RBC) showed a negative correlation with age and Hb, Hct showed a negative correlation with education and income level. However TIBC showed a and total energy expenditure per day. Energy, protein, carbohydrate, iron and vit.C intake showed a positive correlation with Hb and Hct. In particular, heme iron showed a positive correlation with RBC and nonheme iron of Hb, income level and iron intake affected on the level of Hct. In Seoul women, the age of menarche affected on the level of TIBC, total energy expenditure affected on the level of Hct. In Seoul women, the age of menarche affected on the level of TIBC, total energy expenditure affected on the level of S-Fe.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.391-405
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• 2020

Leaching chracteristics of Andong-dam sediment was conducted for heavy metal and nutrients. Five mixed sediment samples were prepared and leaching was conducted under aerobic and anaerobic condition for 60 days. Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Hg, As, Fe, Mn, phosphorus, and nitrogen were analyzed at each sampling time. The leaching rate of phosphorus was higher in anaerobic condition comparing with that of under aerobic condition. Some samples showed higher than the water-quality level IV. In case of As and Cd which showed highest contamination level in the sediment, leached concentration were 0.028 mg/L and 0.003 mg/L in maximum, respectively. The leached concentration is below than the lake water quality standard of Korea. Other heavy metals including Cu, Pb, and Cr also showed similar trend. Five step sequential extraction showed that easily extractable 1-2 step portion such as ion-exchangeable and adsorbed one was less than 10% and the most of the portion was residual. For As and Cd, the residual portion were 80% and 95% respectively indicating the risk by the heavy metal leaching into the lake for a short period was not high in comparing with the contamination levels.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.10-21
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• 2022

In the South Korea, 47% of abandoned mines are suffering from the mining hazards such as the mine drainage (MD), the mine tailings and the waste rocks. Among them the mine drainage which has a low pH and the high concentration of heavy metals can directly contaminate rivers or soil and cause serious damages to human health. The natural/artificial treatment facilities by using neutralizers and coagulants for the mine drainage have been operated in domestic and most of heavy metals in mind drainage are precipitated and removed in the form of metal hydroxide, alumino-silicate or carbonate, generating a large amount of mine drainage treated sludge ('MDS' hereafter) by-product. The MDS has a large surface area and many functional groups, showing high efficiency on the fixation of heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to develop a ingenious heavy metal stabilizer that can effectively stabilize arsenic (As) and heavy metals in soil by recycling the MDS (two types of MDS: the acid mine drainage treated sludge (MMDS) and the coal mine drainage treated sludge (CMDS)). Various analyses, toxicity evaluations, and leaching reduction batch experiments were performed to identify the characteristics of MDS as the stabilizer for soils contaminated with As and heavy metals. As a result of batch experiments, the Pb stabilization efficiency of both of MDSs for soil A was higher than 90% and their Zn stabilization efficiencies were higher than 70%. In the case of soil B and C, which were contaminated with As, their As stabilization efficiencies were higher than 80%. Experimental results suggested that both of MDSs could be successfully applied for the As and heavy metal contaminated soil as the soil stabilizer, because of their low unit price and high stabilization efficiency for As and hevry metals.