• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2008

Plug seedlings of vinca (Catharanthus roseus L. 'Pacifica Punch') and salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem & Schult 'Maestro') were transplanted into square plastic pots (145 mL volume) filled with a soilless growing medium. To determine the effect of application rate on the growing medium EC and growth of plants, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 g per pot of a controlled release fertilizer (14-14-14 Osmocote, 14N-6.2P-11.6K) were mixed with the growing medium. Plants were subirrigated daily with tap water. In both vinca and salvia, growing medium EC increased as application rate was elevated. Growing medium EC was relatively constant over a whole crop period when the application rate was less than 1.5 g per pot, while it decreased throughout the experiment at higher application rates such as 2.0 to 4.0g per pot in both species. The greatest leaf area, plant height, and shoot dry weight of vinca were obtained when plants were fertilized with 2.0 to 4.0 g per pot of the fertilizer, resulting in a growing medium EC of $1.0{\sim}1.7dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ throughout the experiment. Leaf area, shoot dry weight, and chlorophyll content of salvia increased with elevated application rates. Leaf area, shoot dry weight, and chlorophyll content of salvia were the greatest when plants were fertilized with 4.0 g per pot, resulting in growing medium EC of $1.0{\sim}4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ throughout the experiment. Plant height of salvia was the greatest when plants were fertilized with 2.0 to 4.0g per pot. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in the shoots of vinca increased, while concentration of calcium (Ca) decreased with elevated application rates. Concentrations of boron (B) and manganese (Mn) in the shoots of vinca increased as the application rate decreased.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2019

In this study, the contamination of 4 types of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) was monitored in 80 seaweeds and their processed products, and a food safety assessment was also carried out for these heavy metals. Lead, cadmium and arsenic were analyzed by ICP-OES and mercury was analyzed by mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of heavy metals were found as follows: Pb (N.D-0.802 mg/kg), Cd (N.D-0.759 mg/kg), As (0.134-17.296 mg/kg), and Hg (0.0005-0.0331 mg/kg). Pb and Hg showed no significant differences among seaweeds whereas Cd and As were significantly higher in the species hizikia fusiforme (P<0.05). Food safety assessment from seaweed intake was measured by PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake), PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake), and MADL (Maximum Allowable Daily Body Load) as set by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Pb and Hg were 0.197%, 0.036% of PTWI respectively, while Cd was 1.877% of PTMI and As was 0.619% of MADL. Therefore, it was found that heavy metal levels of seaweed were low and was considered to be safe for consumption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1218-1226
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• 2019

The white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is a medicinally beneficial and important edible insect species. We previously performed an in silico analysis of the Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and then tested their antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. These peptides had potent antimicrobial activities against bacteria and yeast without inducing hemolysis. In the present study, the cationic antimicrobial peptide, protaetiamycine 2, was selected for further assessment of its anti-inflammatory properties in mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Protaetiamycine 2 treatment of Raw264.7 cells suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide production and reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, as determined by real-time PCR and western blotting. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) was also attenuated through the MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling. We also confirmed that protaetiamycine 2 bound to bacterial cell membranes by a specific interaction with LPS. Collectively, these data obtained from LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells indicated that protaetiamycine 2 could have both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.35
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• pp.27-38
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• 2006

We investigated the reproductive cycle with gonad developmental phases of Solen grandis by histological observations. Seasonal changes in biochemical components of the adductor muscle, visceral mass, foot muscle and mantle were studied by biochemical analysis, from January to December, 2005. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (December to January), late active stage (January to March), ripe stage (March to July), partially spawned stage (June to July) and spent/inactive stage (July to December). Total protein content was the highest in the foot muscle, the content was high in January (early active stage), the lowest in April (ripe stage), and was the highest in August (partially spawned stage). In the visceral mass, total protein content began to increase in February (late active stage) and reached a maximum in March (ripe stage). Thereafter, it gradually decreased between June and July (partially spawned stage). There was a strong negative correlation in total protein contents between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.594, p = 0.042). Meanwhile there was a positive correlation between the adductor muscle and foot muscle, the correlation was not statistically significant (r = 0.507, p = 0.093). Total lipid content was the highest in the visceral mass; it was more than 2 to 5-fold higher than that in the adductor muscle, foot muscle, and mantle. Monthly changes in total lipid content were also most dynamic in the visceral mass. It was relatively higher between January and February, showed a maximum in March (the ripe stage), decreased rapidly from April to July (ripe and partially spawned stage), and gradually decreased from September to December (spent/inactive stage). There was a strong positive correlation in total lipid content between foot muscle and adductor muscle (r = 0.639, p = 0.025). Tthough a negative correlation was found between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.392), the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.208). Glycogen contents changed within relatively narrow range and were similar among different tissues. There was no statistically significant correlation in glycogen contents among tissues.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2015

The American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L. was the most important worldwide pest species. It has been an public health problems. We were determinated life cycle and extraction of crude extracts by chemical reagents from cockraches (P. americana L.). The extracted crude solution has been antibacterial activity to gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, $6.44{\pm}1.03mm$), gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, $1.88{\pm}0.40mm$), and fungus (Candida albicans, $5.61{\pm}0.57mm$) using radial diffusion assay. We were analysed of up-regulation of Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) stimulation, indicating that antioxidantial protein from various classes are simultaneously expressed in a single insect upon infection or injury. The gene from Periplaneta americana L. were cloned, analysed sequence, and measured protein expression by Real Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigated the distribution, ecological character and life cycle of Black Soldier Fly(BSF), Hermetia illucens, to determine effects of BSF on composing ability to the livestock feces. The distribution of BSF was defined in all parts of the country in Korea. Its main habitat was found to be areas near cattle sheds, feces sheds, living waste dump grounds, and food waste dump grounds. Excellent species of the bio-conversion using the livestock feces were selected out of two kinds of solider flies(Hermetia illucens and Ptecticus tenebrifer). And effects of BSF on composing ability to the livestock feces were pig feces 0.5 g, cattle feces 0.43 g and chicken feces 0.3 g per a larvae of BSF. In the examination of the ability of BSF to decompose food waste, volume of the livestock feces decreased by weight pig feces 77, cattle feces 83.62 and chicken feces 80%. Observed characteristics of BSF larvae and pupae stage were by developmental stage may be summarized as follows: size and length of larvae and pupae of BSF were higher than in pig feces and mixed sawdust treatments. In order to develop artificial indoor rearing techniques, The pupation and emergence rate were not visible the difference but important factor of the mating and egg-laying was a sun light. And it was visible the difference in mating ratio. Mating rate of H. illucens by seasonal change was the highest from May to July. Mating mostly occurred between 10 : 00 and 12 : 00 during which light intensity is high. As the egg-laying medium for artificial egg collection, calf feed and food waste were most effective. The ratio of egg-laying medium is waste food : sawdust(1 : 1) in volume. For egg-laying materials, flower foam and wood with holes were used; holes sized 3 ~ 5 mm in diameter, 7 ~ 10 mm in depth were most preferred for egg-laying.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

Indoor gardening includes wall greening, terrariums, and flower arrangements. Among these types of indoor gardens, the terrarium is easy to access for the general public, but in Korea, because of the focus on esthetics, the original purpose of creating terrariums, which was to grow plants sustainably in an enclosed space, has been lost. In addition, miniaturization of plants is required to grow plants in an enclosed space. Since the available plant species suitable for a terrarium are limited, only plants such as succulents, cacti, and moss have been used. In this study, Bronze (X Graptosedum) was used, and these problems were solved using the following three methods: placement and growth of virus-free plants in the terrarium; extending the diversity of plants with minimal size that can be planted in terrariums; and reducing the price of in vitro plants with minimal size by achieving large-scale production. In particular, tissue-cultured succulents were developed into a Vivorium by replacing the tissue culture container and renewing the composition of the plant. This paper suggests a new indoor horticultural field, Vivorium, that can improve the current limitations of terrariums and make them more accessible to the general public. The introduction and popularization of new indoor gardening fields with the increase in single-person households and indoor activities in the Pandemic era can also improve psychological stability among people and in the society.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.898-904
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• 2021

Locusta migratoria is a widespread locust species in many parts of the world and is considered an alternative source for the production of protein for value-added ingredients. We previously identified putative antimicrobial peptides derived from L. migratoria through an in silico analysis of its transcriptome. However, its anti-inflammatory effect has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of the antimicrobial peptide locustacin (KTHILSFFPSFLPLFLKK-NH₂) derived from L. migratoria on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Locustacin (50, 100, and 200 ㎍/ml) significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated macrophages without any cytotoxicity. Locustacin also inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, in contrast to the presence of LPS alone. Locustacin decreased the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and their gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, locustacin (100 and/or 200 ㎍/ml) inhibited phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Locustacin also suppressed the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha, which was considered to be an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Collectively, these results demonstrate that locustacin can exert anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, activation of NF-κB, and downstream inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.905-912
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• 2021

In this study, four common food-borne bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, were targeted via irradiation with 270 nm UV C-LED, 365 nm UV A-LED, 465~475 and 620~630 nm visible-LED, and 850 and 5,000~7,000 nm infrared-LED light. The effect on the growth of each bacterial species was investigated. In the case of 270 nm UV C-LED, all four strains showed inhibitory effects compared with the control group when irradiated for 10 or 30 min. Furthermore, when irradiated with 365 nm UV A-LED for 1 or 3 hr, B. subtilis showed 100% growth inhibition. When irradiated with 465~475 nm visible-LED for 1 hr, all four strains showed no significant difference from the control group but showed significant growth inhibition when irradiated for 3 hr. S. aureus and B. subtilis treated with 620~630 nm visible-LED; S. typhimurium and S. aureus treated with 850 nm infrared-LED; and E. coli, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus treated with 5,000~7,000 nm infrared-LED were confirmed to significantly proliferate compared with the control group. The results of this experiment show the potential of the use of various LED light sources as a food preservation and application technology by examining their effect on the inhibition and growth of food-borne bacteria and by grasping the characteristics of each wavelength.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.210-218
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• 2018

Background: Soil respiration (Rs) is a major factor of the absorption and accumulation of carbon through photosynthesis in the ecosystem carbon cycle. This directly affects the amount of net ecosystem productivity, which affects the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem. Understanding the characteristics of Rs is indispensable to scientifically understand the carbon cycle of ecosystems. It is very important to study Rs characteristics through analysis of environmental factors closely related to Rs. Rs is affected by various environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, litter supply, organic matter content, dominant plant species, and soil disturbance. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of micro-topographical differences on Rs in forest vegetation by measuring the Rs on the ridge and southern slope sites of the broadly established Quercus mongolica forest in the central Korean area. Method: Rs, Ts, and soil moisture data were collected at the southern slope and ridge of the Q. mongolica forest in the Mt. Jeombong area in order to investigate the effects of topographical differences on Rs. Rs was collected by the closed chamber method, and data collection was performed from May 2011 to October 2013, except Winter seasons from November to April or May. For collecting the raw data of Rs in the field, acrylic collars were placed at the ridge and southern slope of the forest. The accumulated surface litter and the soil organic matter content (SOMC) were measured to a 5 cm depth. Based on these data, the Rs characteristics of the slope and ridge were analyzed. Results: Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation pattern in both the ridge and southern slope sites. In addition, Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation with high and low Ts changes. The average Rs measurements for the two sites, except for the Winter periods that were not measured, were $550.1\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the ridge site and $289.4\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the southern slope, a difference of 52.6%. There was no significant difference in the Rs difference between slopes except for the first half of 2013, and both sites showed a tendency to increase exponentially as Ts increased. In addition, although the correlation is low, the difference in Rs between sites tended to increase as Ts increased. SMC showed a large fluctuation at the southern slope site relative to the ridge site, as while it was very low in 2013, it was high in 2011 and 2012. The accumulated litter of the soil surface and the SOMC at the depth range of 0~5 cm were $874g\;m^{-2}$ and 23.3% at the ridge site, and $396g\;m^{-2}$ and 19.9% at the southern slope site. Conclusions: In this study, Rs was measured for the ridge and southern slope sites, which have two different results where the surface litter layer is disturbed by strong winds. The southern slope site shows that the litter layer formed in autumn due to strong winds almost disappeared, and while in the ridge site, it became thick due to the transfer of litter from the southern slope site. The mean Rs was about two times higher in the ridge site compared to that in the southern slope site. The Rs difference seems to be due to the difference in the amount of litter accumulated on the soil surface. As a result, the litter layer supplied to the soil surface is disturbed due to the micro-topographical difference, as the slope and the change of the community structure due to the plant season cause heterogeneity of the litter layer development, which in turn affects SMC and Rs. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce and understand these micro-topographical features and mechanisms when quantifying and analyzing the Rs of an ecosystem.