• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.679-687
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• 2007

Nanoscale zero valent ion (nZVI) technology is emerging as an innovative method to treat contaminated groundwater. The activity of nZVI is very high due to their high specific surface area, and supporting this material can help to preserve its chemical nature by inhibiting oxidation. In this study, nZVI particles were attached to granular ion-exchange resin through borohydride reduction of ferrous ions, and chemical reduction of nitrate by this material was investigated as a potential technology to remove nitrate from groundwater. The pore structure and physical characteristics were measured and the change by the adsorption of nZVI was discussed. Batch tests were conducted to characterize the activity of the supported nZVI and the results indicated that the degradation of nitrate appeared to be a pseudo first-order reaction with the observed reaction rate constant of $0.425h^{-1}$ without pH control. The reduction process continued but at a much lower rate with a rate constant of $0.044h^{-1}$, which is likely limited by mass transfer. To assess the effects of other ions commonly found in groundwater, the same experiments were conducted in simulated groundwater with the same level of nitrate. In simulated groundwater, the rate constant was $0.078h^{-1}$ and it also reduced to $0.0021h^{-1}$ in later phase. The major limitation in application of ZVI for nitrate reduction is ammonium production. By using a support material with ion exchange capacity, the problem of ammonium release can be solved. The ammonium was not detected in the batch test, even when other competitive ions such as calcium and potassium existed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.39-52
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• 2009

Objectives : Cue reactivity is a key factor that modulates motivational goal-directed behavior associated with compulsive drug-taking and relapse. We investigated whether acupuncture attenuated the skin conductance response and the heart rate response to smoking-related visual cues in smokers. Methods : Twenty-nine smokers were treated with real acupuncture (RA) or sham acupuncture (SA). The stress response inventory was measured on the 5th day after quitting smoking. The skin conductance response and the heart rate were measured to evaluate the autonomic changes to the smoking related visual cues on the same day. Results : The sympathetic alterations in skin conductance and the heart rate induced by the smoking-related visual cues were significantly lower in the RA group, as compared to the SA group. The stress response inventory, such as somatization and frustration, in the RA group was significantly lower than that of the SA group. Conclusions : Acupuncture ameliorated the stress symptoms as well as the sympathetic activation to smoking cues during withdrawal. These findings indicate that acupuncture might be a useful tool in smoking cessation by inhibiting smoking cues-induced autonomic responses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 1991

Parathion is widely used in agriculture, but it is highly toxic and now clear that parathion behaves like a cholinergic drug by inhibiting the enzyme cholinesterase. In order to know acute toxicity and the changes of cholinesterase activity according to time lapsed in Sprague-Dawley rats injected single with half dose to LD$_{50}$ of parathion, cholinesterase activities in serum, spinal cord, whole brain and median lethal dose between sex difference were investigated. The results obtained were summerized as follows ; 1. 4LD_{50}$ values of parathion given intraperitoneally to male and female rats were 10.5mg / kg(95% confidence limits, 6.6-16.8mg/ kg) and 3.3mg/ kg(95% confidence limits, 1.9-5.6mg/ kg). 2. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in serum of parathion-injected rats according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 35.4%(male) and 32.4%(female) after 1 hour in comparison to control group, but cholinesterase activities were completely recovered after 48 hours. 3. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in spinal cord of parathion-injected rats according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 31.1% (male) and 36.3% (female) after 30 minutes in comparison to control group, but cholinesterase activities were completely recovered after 48 hours. 4. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in whole brain of parathion -injected rats according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 32.2%(male) and 42.6%(female) after 1 hour in comparison to control group, but cholinesterase activities were completely recovered after 48 hours.s.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 1997

Normal maturation of the mammalian oocytes is prerequisite for the fertilization and the early embryonic development. We have been tested the effects of purine and its de novo synthetic inhibitor, azaserine(Aza) on the maturation of germinal vesicle(GV) and germinal vesicle breakdown(GVBD) mouse oocytes. Denude-immature oocytes were cultivated in the media containing adenosine, guanosine, and/or azaserine, and checked the matruation stage by monitoring the prominent morphological changes. In GV stage oocytes, GV was arrested temporarily by the adenosine(1.0%) and protractedly by the guanosine(65.9%, P<0.001). The regression was increased significantly at the adenosine(90%, P<0.001) but decreased at the guanosine(1.6%, P<0.05). Inhibiting the de novo synthesis of purine, nuclear maturation rate was increase(90.4% : 96.7%), but GV arrest was significantly increased by cotreatment with guanosine(P<0.001). Polar body extraction significantly was increased at the Aza(P<0.05), but not in others. In GVBD oocytes, adenosine itself did not affect GVBD arrest. Guanosine, on the other hand, elevated GVBD arrest rate(P<0.001), but co-treated with Aza, decreased GVBD arrest(P<0.001). Aza increased GVBD arrest rate(20.2%, P<0.05) compared with control. From those results, we know that guanosine shows more prominent effect on the inhibition of nuclear maturation at the GV stage, and of the 1st polar body extrusion at the GVBD stage. Adenosine showed the cytoplasmic toxicity at GV stage oocyte. Our data speculate that cytoplasmic cAMP level is auto-regulated by endogenous adenylate cyclase while GVBD is inhibited by guanosine, since purine toxicity is not observed in the GVBD stage. And it is showed that purine metabolism is concerned with nuclear maturation, that the amounts of purine metabolism is not even during the oocyte maturation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1421-1426
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• 2010

We investigated the effects of various concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM), a ketone body, added to chemically-defined maturation medium with or without energy substrates (glucose, pyruvate and lactate) on nuclear maturation rates up to the metaphase stage of the second meiotic division (M-II stage). In addition, we also assessed the influence of BHB on glutathione content, sperm penetration rate and embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage of oocytes matured under the presence of these energy substrates. Nuclear maturation rates up to the M-II stage of oocytes matured with BHB in each concentration group did not show a significant increase compared with the control (0 mM) groups in both the presence and absence of energy substrates. Although glutathione contents were not significantly different in each BHB concentration group, the sperm penetration rate in the 1 mM BHB group was significantly higher (p<0.05) and the embryonic development rate of oocytes up to the blastocyst stage was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the respective values of the control groups. These results suggest that BHB added to a chemically-defined maturation medium may stimulate sperm penetration while inhibiting embryonic development of porcine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 1992

The insecticide p-nitropheny diethyl thiophospate is alse known by the symbol E.605 and a legion of trade names including “parathion”. The insecticide is widely used in agriculture, but it is highly toxic and now clear that parathion behaves like a cholinergic drug by inhibiting the enzyme cholinesterase. In order to know acute toxicity and the changes of glucose concentrations and activity according to time lapsed in female mice given orally single with the half dose to $LD_{50}$ of parathion, glucose contents and cholinesterase activities in serum as well as cholinesterase activities in whole brain and spinal cord were investigated, otherwise median lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of parathion given orally against female mice was determined. The results obtained were summerized as follows ; 1. $LD_{50}$ value of parathion given orally to female mice was 7.1mg/kg(95% confidence limits, 3.8-13.1mg/kg) 2. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in serum of parathion-administrated mice according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 61% after 30 minutes in comparison to control group, but activities were completely recovered after 48 hours. 3. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in whole brain of parathion-administrated mice according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 49% after 2 hours in completely recovered after 24 hours. 4. The inhibition rate of cholinesterase activities in spinal cord of parathion-administrated mice according to time lapsed were peakly decreased to 57% after 2 hours in comparison to control group, but activities were completely recovered after 48 hours. 5. The changes of glucose contents in serum of parathion-administrated mice according to time lapsed and in directly after death due to parathion poisoning were no significantly difference.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

This study was performed to establish a production system for in situ and ex situ conservation of Elsholtzia minima Nakai, an endemic plant grown in Jeju Island. Moreover, this study aimed to identify root-growth characteristics according to the use of pre-treatment agents and seedling growth effect according to fertilizer application. The mean temperature was similar in greenhouse and vinyl-moist chamber, but air humidity was higher in vinyl-moist chamber than in greenhouse. After stem planting of Elsholtzia minima Nakai, initial root growth was observed after 10 days in greenhouse and after 7 days in vinyl-moist chamber. Root growth rate was more rapid in vinyl-moist chamber. Moreover, survival rate, root growth rate and root number was slightly higher in vinyl-moist chamber than in greenhouse, indicating that vinyl-moist chamber is more effective in plant growth. When pre-treatment agents were used to remove root growth-inhibiting substances, a higher root growth rate of more than 95% was found in pre-treatment groups, excluding the group treated with AgNO₃ at 77.5%. Thus, Elsholtzia minima Nakai is thought to have less root growth inhibitors. In the analysis of nitrogen application rate and Osmocote application by seedling container, a difference was found in survival rate and growth according to application rate and container conditions. When Osmocote, a slow release fertilizer, was applied to the soil surface around each culture container, survival rate and the growth of aerial and root parts were most favorable. Thus, Osmocote fertilizer is thought to be desirable for seedling propagation of Elsholtzia minima Nakai.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.121-132
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• 2005

Objectives : Siegesbeckiae Herba's effect on the protection of nerve cells was tested, and the effects were compared between Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino, the state of which is spica imported from China, and original Korean leaves of it. Methods : After damaging nerve cells by exposing them on NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) and KA(kainic acid), Siegesbeckiae Herba's effect on cell death, inhibition rate, glutamate separation, and ROS(reactive oxygen species) production were examined. Results : 1. Siegesbeckiae Herba inhibited the cell death exposed to NMDA. 2. Siegesbeckiae Herba inhibited the amount of glutamate separated from nerve cells exposed to NMDA. 3. Siegesbeckiae Herba inhibited the production of ROS induced by NMDA. 4. Siegesbeckiae Herba did not inhibit the cell death exposed to KA. 5. Chinese Siegesbeckiae Spica had no inhibition effect on cell death. Conclusions : Siegesbeckiae Herba was effective in inhibiting the death of nerve cells exposed to NMDA, and in protecting nerve cells from various damages in nerve cell diseases. Because Chinese Siegesbeckiae Spica did not show such effects, it is necessary to closely examine those effects according to the used parts.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.137-137
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• 2002

Several epidemiologidal studies suggested that arsenic exposure was strongly correlated with the development of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension. In order to examine whether arsenic affects vasomotor tone in blood vessels, we investigated the effect of arsenic on agonist-induced vasorelaxation using the isolated rat aortic ring in in vitro organ bath system. Treatment with arsenite inhibited acetylcholine-induced relaxation of aortic rings in a concentration- dependent manner. The inhibitory effects by arsenic were also observed in the relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside, a NO-donor. Consistent with these findings, the cGMP levels stimulated by acetylcholine in blood vessels were reduced significantly by arsenite treatment. In addition, higher concentration of arsenite decreased the relaxation by 8-Br-cGMP, a cGMP analog, in aortic rings without endothelium. These in vitro results indicated that arsenite that arsenite was capable of suppressing acetylcholine-induced relaxation in blood vessels by inhibiting production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells and by impairing the relaxation machinary in smooth muscle cells. In vivo studies revealed that the reduction of blood pressure by acetylcholine infusion was signigicantly suppressed after arsenite was administered intravenously to rate. These data suggest that vasomotor tone impaired by arsenite exposure may be one of the contrbuting factors in development of cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.25-31
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• 2013

Hydrogen peroxide takes much of the cost for Fenton reaction applied for treatment of organic contaminants. Therefore, the effective use of hydrogen peroxide makes the technology more cost effective. The effective use of hydrogen peroxide is especially needed in the soil and groundwater remediation where complete mixing is not possible and it takes a long time for reactive species to transport to the fixed target compounds. Stabilization ability for hydrogen peroxide of malonic acid was evaluated in Fenton and Fenton-like reactions in this study. Malonic acid contributes on the stabilization of hydrogen peroxide by weak interaction between iron and the stabilizer and inhibiting the catalytic role of iron. The stabilization effect increased as the solution pH decrease below the $pK_{a1}$. The stabilization effect increased as the concentration of malonic acid increased and the effect was maximized at the malonic acid concentration of about ten times higher than the iron concentration. The model organic contaminant was successfully oxidized in the presence of the stabilizer but the degradation rate was slower than the system without the stabilizer. The stabilization effect was also proved in a Fenton-like reaction where magnetite and hematite were used instead of soluble iron species.