• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2007

To improve insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensis 2385-1 (Bt 2385-1), a recombinant plasmid, pHT1K-1Ac, was introduced into lepidopteran toxic Bt 2385-1 by electroporation. The presence of the recombinant plasmid in Bt 2385-1 after electroporation was confirmed by PCR. Bt 2385-1 transformant was named as Bt pHT1K-1Ac/2385-1 (1K-1Ac/2385-1). The 1K-1Ac/2385-1 transformant produced bipyramidal-shaped parasporal inclusion as like the wild-type strain, Bt 2385-1, and showed an 130 kDa band of Cry1Ac protein. The insecticidal activity of 1K-lAc/2385-1 against S. exigua was similar to that of Bt 2385-1 but the $LC_{50}$ value of transformant against P. xylostella was 1.8 times lower. Through these bioassay results, it was confirmed that toxicity of Bt 2385-1 transformant showed synergistic effect by introducing Cry1Ac. These results suggested that the multiple expressions of Cry proteins in a promising Bt strain may interact synergistically in insect midgut, resulting in increase of toxicity and expansion of host spectrum.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.639-649
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• 2013

Over 96.2% of the agricultural water in Jeju Island is obtained from groundwater and there are quite distinct characteristics of agricultural water demand/supply spatially because of regional and seasonal differences in cropping system and rainfall amount. Land use for cultivating crops is expected to decrease 7.4% (4,215 ha) in 2020 compared to 2010, while market garden including various vegetable crop types having high water demand is increasing over the Island, especially western area having lower rainfall amount compared to southern area. On the other hand, land use for fruit including citrus and mandarin having low water demand is widely distributed over southern and northern part having higher rainfall amount. The agricultural water demand of $1,214{\times}10^3\;m^3/day$ in 2020 is estimated about 1.39 times compared to groundwater supply capacity of $874{\times}10^3\;m^3/day$ in 2010 with 42.4% of eastern, 103.1% of western, 61.9% of southern, and 77.0% of northern region. Moreover, net secured amount of agricultural groundwater would be expected to be much smaller due to regional disparity of water demand/supply, the lack of linkage system between the agricultural water supply facilities, and high percentage of private wells. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the total net secured amount of agricultural groundwater to overcome the expected regional discrepancy of water demand and supply by establishing policy alternative of regional water supply plan over the Island, including linkage system between wells, water tank enlargement, private wells maintenance and public wells development, and continuous enlargement of rainwater utilization facilities.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1285-1295
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• 2011

In this study, occurrence status of nonpoint pollutants and characteristics of discharge by each nonpoint pollutants were examined through monitoring on nonpoint pollutants caused when raining in vineyard belonging to the agricultural area of various land use patterns. Also, the first flush analysis limited to studies on the existing non-percolation area was applied to percolation area to ascertain availability and criteria of study. Various water quality and sluice of nonpoint pollutants were analyzed, based on which discharge of nonpoint pollutants in agricultural area was ascertained to be influenced greatly by artificial factors such as period, cultivation, management, etc. Meanwhile, the first flush phenomenon at agricultural area was ascertained to occur, and the first flush was quantified through calculation of the first flush ratio. If MFF30 is based, discharge load by each nonpoint pollutants caused when raining was investigated to include 40.8% on the basis of total discharge. In case of SS in pollutants showed the highest first flush phenomenon of 64.8%. Through such a result, calculation possibility of the initial rain criteria was ascertained, and it was determined that reliability-assured criteria were calculated through further monitoring.

• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.949-959
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• 2019

Pistacia weinmannifolia (PW) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat headaches, dysentery, enteritis and influenza. However, PW has not been known for treating respiratory inflammatory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present in vitro analysis confirmed that PW root extract (PWRE) exerts anti-inflammatory effects in phorbol myristate acetate- or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-stimulated human lung epithelial NCI-H292 cells by attenuating the expression of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and Mucin A5 (MUC5AC), which are closely associated with the pulmonary inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of COPD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of PWRE on pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment with PWRE significantly reduced the quantity of neutrophils and the levels of inflammatory molecules and toxic molecules, including tumor TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, neutrophil elastase and reactive oxygen species, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice with CS- and LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. PWRE also attenuated the influx of inflammatory cells in the lung tissues. Furthermore, PWRE downregulated the activation of nuclear factor-κB and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 in the lung tissues. Therefore, these findings suggest that PWRE may be a valuable adjuvant treatment for COPD.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2020

High-quality and high-phytonutrient watermelon fruits have strong market opportunities besides their health related benefits. Hence, investigating quality and nutritional related traits of watermelon genetic resources could provide important baseline data in breeding for increased lycopene content thereby increasing the marketability of watermelon. To this end, we have examined some fruit morphological traits and lycopene content of 105 genetic resources. The morphological characters were recorded on the field and inside laboratory and lycopene was measured using spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Watermelon fruits have shown a diverse morphological characters. Red and pink fleshed fruits dominated in the entire collections. Fruits with higher thickness of rind were found to exhibit less soluble solid content (SSC). Korean origin fruits were characterized by intermediate SSC while USA, RUS, TJK, TKM, TWN, and URY originated fruits had the highest SSC. The lycopene content varied between 41.37 and 182.82 ㎍/g, 2.81 and 163.72 ㎍/g, and 3.54 and 255.47 ㎍/g using HPLC, UV-Vis, and microplate reader instrumnets, respectively. Red- and pink-fleshed fruits had the highest levels of lycopene content compared to the yellow- and orange-fleshed. Lycopene content had a significant positive correlation with SSC, however, no correlations were detected between lycopene and other quantitative fruit morphological characters.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2012

Northern corn leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum Pass is considered the most important disease infecting corn (Zea mays L.) in the Peoples' Republic of Korea (North Korea). It contributes to the food shortage in North Korea. The objectives of the current research were to study resistance expression and responses of corn crosses made between ten hybrids from North Korea and inbreeding lines ($S_{3-4}$ stage) from the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The experiments were conducted in six trials with a total of 184 crosses including two commercial hybrids in each trial. The trials were conducted at two locations in North Korea (Mirim and Eunsan) and one location in South Korea (Gunwi) under natural infestation of E. turcicum. Host plant responses were rated on a scale of 1 (highly tolerant) to 9 (highly susceptible). A total of 111 crosses (62.4%) showed significant tolerant or susceptible response variations among three locations; 42 crosses (22.8%) at two locations and 69 crosses (39.0%) at one location, respectively. At least 8 crosses of high level of tolerance and 12 crosses of high level of susceptibility showed significantly different biotic responses (P = 0.05). The results of the current study and historical reviews of E. turcicum epidemics in both North and South Korea suggest that breeding of tolerance with quantitatively inherited genes should be carried out for a sustainable corn production in North Korea.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2015

Potato virus T (PVT) is a plant pathogen in the family Betaflexiviridae, group IV single-stranded positive sense RNA viruses. The major host of PVT is potato, and it has been reported in Ullucus tuberosus, Oxalis tuberosa and Tropaeolum tuberosum. This study aimed at developing reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR techniques for specific detection of PVT. Finally, Two RT-PCR primer sets were developed and verified. The RT-PCR products were amplified to 734 (PVT RT-PCR primer set 6) and 828 bp (PVT RT-PCR primer set 29) long to detect PVT. The nested PCR primer sets [PVT-N70/C20 ($734{\rightarrow}315bp$) and PVT-N75/C30 ($828{\rightarrow}529bp$)] were developed which are high sensitivity and verification for detection of PVT. Furthermore, a modified-positive control plasmid is use to verify contamination of laboratory in PVT detection. This study supported the diagnose PVT in potato or PVT related hosts.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2023

Genetic resources of mulberry trees are commonly preserved as trophosomes, which are vulnerable to environmental factors, such as natural disasters, diseases, and pests. This study establishes a basic protocol for ultra-low temperature cryopreservation of mulberry trees using a two-step freezing process. The procedure was established using the "Daeshim" variety and then tested on genetic resources from 24 other mulberry varieties. Samples were first dried to a moisture content of 33-43% in a low-temperature forced-air chamber at -5 ℃, then slowly frozen from -5 ℃ to -20 ℃, and preserved in liquid nitrogen (-196 ℃). To determine the regeneration rate, isolated dormant buds were inoculated into MS basal medium, and grown shoots were grafted onto 1-year-old rootstock via chip budding and then cultured. After freezing in liquid nitrogen, the "Daeshim" variety exhibited a survival and regeneration rate of more than 70% and 50%, respectively. Applying the two-step freezing process to genetic resources from 24 mulberry species yielded average survival and regeneration rates of 85.3% and 75.5%, respectively. Morus alba showed survival and regeneration rates of 100%, confirming the efficacy of the two-step freezing method. These results indicate the high feasibility of ultra-low-temperature cryopreservation through two-step freezing of dormant buds from mulberry genetic resources. Additional research is required into the variations in regeneration rates with freezing period in liquid nitrogen.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.354-366
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• 2021

Limited data about the effects of various factors on forage quality and β-carotene content of rye produced in Korea are available, so this study investigated the effects of two preservation methods. Samples were collected from rye harvested every 5 days between April 25 and May 31, and comparisons were done among rye silage wilted for different periods of time and hay of three growth stages of rye. For the silage, dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents increased with advanced maturity of rye, whereas crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), total digestible nutrients (TDN), relative feed value (RFV), and DM loss decreased (p < 0.0001). Wilting increased the DM content and pH value significantly (p < 0.0001). Silage harvested at the heading stage had the lowest pH value (4.45), propionic acid (0.83 g/kg DM), butyric acid (0 g/kg DM), and fungi and yeast populations (3.70 Log CFU/g of fresh matter [FM]); conversely, it had the highest lactic acid (9.7 g/kg DM), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (6.87 Log CFU/g of FM), total microorganisms (TM) (7.33 Log CFU/g of FM), and Flieg's score (70) (p < 0.0001). Wilting elevated LAB and TM populations, but it had no consistent effect on other fermentation products. Both delayed harvest and prolonged wilting decreased β-carotene content. Rye silage harvested around May 9 (heading stage) with 24 h of wilting was preferred for highland, Pyeongchang. For rye hay, advanced maturity decreased DM loss, IVDMD, TDN, and RFV, but it increased DM, ADF, and NDF significantly (p < 0.05). β-carotene was decreased by delay of hay-making. Consequently, to attain lower DM loss and higher hay quality, the harvest date of May 9 (heading stage) is recommended.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2013

Background: Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. Methods: This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. Conclusions: Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods.