• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1179-1191
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• 2019

Cancer cells undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and show unique oncogenic metabolic phenotypes such as the glycolytic switch (Warburg effect) which are important for tumor development and progression. The EMT is a critical process for tumor invasion and metastasis. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-associated nuclear protein, but it acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule when released from dying cells and immune cells. HMGB1 induces the EMT, as well as invasion and metastasis, thereby contributing to tumor progression. Here, we show that HMGB1 induced the EMT by activating Snail. In addition, the HMGB1/Snail cascade was found induce a glycolytic switch. HMGB1 also suppressed mitochondrial respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity by a Snail-dependent reduction in the expression of the COX subunits COXVIIa and COXVIIc. HMGB1 also upregulated the expression of several key glycolytic enzymes, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1), in a Snail-dependent manner. However, HMGB1 was found to regulate some other glycolytic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenases A and B (LDHA and LDHB), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and 4) in a Snail-independent manner. Transfection with short hairpin RNAs against HK2, PFKFB2, and PGAM1 prevented the HMGB1-induced EMT, indicating that glycolysis is associated with HMGB1-induced EMT. These findings demonstrate that HMGB1 signaling induces the EMT, glycolytic switch, and mitochondrial repression via Snail activation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.438-446
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• 2019

In this study, the nutrients of a total of 4 species of popcorn, Oryun Popcorn, Oryun Popcorn 2, G-Popcorn and Gichan Popcorn, cultivated in Gangwon-do, were analyzed and compared. The contents of these products, including their general ingredients, inorganic substances, fatty acids, reducing sugar and starch, were analyzed. The moisture, crude ash and crude fat content of the dried popcorn species were 11.54-12.54%, 0.97-1.45% and 2.48-2.62%, respectively. The crude protein content was 9.68-11.75%. As for inorganic substances, the potassium and phosphorus content were the highest. Potassium was 228.25-310.46 mg/100g and was the highest in Oryun Popcorn, and the content of phosphorus was 276.04-310.00 mg/100g. As for fatty acids, 11 types were detected. The content of linoleic acid accounted for 52.89-55.76% of the total fatty acid content showing the highest amount followed by oleic acid (24.31-26.65%) and palmitic acid (14.20-15.92%). As for amino acids, total 16 types of amino acids were detected by specie, with glutamic acid making up 17.70-18.52% of total amino acids, the highest, followed by leucine (12.30-12.54%) and proline (10.34-10.92%) in that order. The creducing sugar content by specie was 4.68-5.13% and starch content was 42.14-46.14%.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.366-375
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• 2019

This experiment aims to determine the proper irrigation scheduling based on a whole-substrate capacitance using a newly developed device (SCMD) by comparing with the integrated solar radiation automated irrigation system (ISR) and sap flow sensor automated irrigation system (SF) for the cultivation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Hoyong' 'Super Doterang') during spring to winter season. For the SCMD system, irrigation was conducted every 10 minutes after the first irrigation was started until the first run-off was occurred, of which the substrate capacitance was considered to be 100%. When the capacitance threshold (CT) was reached to the target point, irrigation was re-conducted. After that, when the target drain volume (TDV) was occurred, the irrigation stopped. The irrigation volume per event for the SCMD was set to 50, 75, or 100 mL at CT 0.9 and TDV 100 mL during the spring to summer cultivation, and the CT was set to 0.65, 0.75, 0.80, or 0.90 in the winter cultivation. When the irrigation volume per event was set to 50, 75, or 100 mL, the irrigation frequency in a day was 39, 29, and 19, respectively, and the drain rate was 3.04, 9.25, and 20.18%, respectively. When the CT was set to 0.65, 0.75, or 0.90 in winter, the irrigation frequency was about 6, 7, 15 times, respectively and the drain rate was 9.9, 10.8, 35.3% respectively. The signal of stem sap flow at the beginning of irrigation starting time did not correspond to that of solar irradiance when the irrigation volume per event was set to 50 or 75 mL, compared to that of 100 mL. In winter cultivation, the stem sap flow rate and substrate volumetric water content at the CT 0.65 treatment were very low, while they were very high at CT 0.90 was high. All the integrated data suggest that the proper range of irrigation volume per event is from 75 to 100 mL under at CT 0.9 and TDV 100 mL during the spring to summer cultivation, and the proper CT seems to be higher than 0.75 and lower than 0.90 under at 75 mL of the irrigation volume per event and TDV 70 mL during the winter cultivation. It is going to be necessary to investigate the relationship between capacitance value and substrate volumetric water content by determining the correction coefficient.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.342-351
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• 2019

The optimum N concentrations incorporated as pre-planting nutrient charge fertilizer were determined for seedling raising using cylindrical paper pots. A root medium was formulated by blending of peat moss (particles smaller than 2.84 mm were 80-90%) and perlite (1 to 3 mm) with the ratio of 7:3 (v/v). The treatment N concentrations incorporated during the root medium formulation were adjusted to 0, 150, 250, 500, and $750mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ and the concentrations of essential nutrients except N were equal in all treatments. After making of paper pots and putting into the 40-cell tray, the seeds of Chinese cabbage ('Chunmyeong Bom Baechu') and pak-choi ('Hanog cheonggyeongchae') were sown. During the raising of seedlings, weekly analysis of medium pH, EC and concentrations of inorganic elements were conducted. After 21 and 20 days after seed sowing of Chinese cabbage and pak-choi, the growth of the above-ground parts were measured and contents of inorganic elements in the plant tissues were analyzed. During the growing period, pH of the root media rose gradually and the EC decreased rapidly at week 3. The pH of root media at harvest was in the range of 5.3 to 5.9 in Chinese cabbage and 4.93 to 5.39 in pak-choi. Growth of the aboveground parts in terms of fresh and dry weight in both the plants were the highest in the $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ N treatment and the lowest in the control treatment. The elevation of pre-planting N concentrations in root medium resulted in the increase of tissue N content and decrease of P, Ca, and Mg contents. The regression equation derived from the influence of varied pre-planting N concentrations on dry weight of above-ground tissue were $y=-0.0036x^2+0.0021x+0.0635$ ($R^2=0.9826$) in Chinese cabbage and $y=-0.16x^2+0.0009x+0.032$ ($R^2=0.991$) in pak-choi. When the low critical concentration of pre-plant N is taken at the point where dry weight of above-ground tissue is 10% less than maximum (0.40 g in Chinese cabbage and 0.16 g in pak-choi), those point are 0.36 g and 0.144 g per plant in Chinese cabbage and pak-choi, respectively. The lower critical N concentrations of root media calculated from the regression equations are $196mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for Chinese cabbage and $187mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for pak-choi. These results indicate that optimum pre-plant N concentrations for seedling raising using paper pots are in the range of 196 to $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for Chinese cabbage and 187 to $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for pak-choi.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth and functional differences between C. rotundus and G. littoralis according to different electrical conductivity (EC) conditions in reclaimed soil conditions. C. rotundus and G. littoralis seeds were sown in a tray and managed for seedlings stage for eight weeks. They were transplanted in the pots containing reclaimed soils sampled in the Saemangum region. The plants were grown in the reclaimed land soil for 12 weeks under the control, 1, 2, 4, and $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ conditions and in horticultural soils with EC $1.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Plant height, leaf length and width of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Leaf, flower and tuber numbers of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, and SPAD was the highest in EC 2 and $4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The fresh weights of shoot and root of C. rotundus grown under EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ increased and then decreased as the concentration increased. When compared plant growth between reclaimed soil and horticulture soil with EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, the fresh weights of shoot and root, SPAD, leaf number, flower number, and tuber number were higher in horticultural soils. Although G. littoralis grown under EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ was the lowest in all growth parameters, there were no significant differences among other EC treatments. C. rotundus had the highest p-coumaric acid content in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. And the catechin content in shoot of G. littoralis was the highest in the control, and root of Glehnia littoralis had the highest benzoic acid contents in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. If the soil EC is well managed within $4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, two plants would be cultivated in reclaimed land.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2019

The experiment was conducted to determine the performance of DME combustion gas when used as a fuel for DME burner for raising temperature and $CO_2$ concentration in greenhouse and also to examine its effects on chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage. DME-1 and DME-2 treatments consisted of average DME flow quantity in duct were $17.4m^3min^{-1}$ and $10.2m^3min^{-1}$ respectively to greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2 and no DME gas was supplied to greenhouse-3 which was left as control (DME-3). DME supply times were $0.5hr\;day^{-1}$, $1hr\;day^{-1}$, $1:30hrs\;day^{-1}$ and $2hrs\;day^{-1}$ on week 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Chlorophyll content and fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage were measured for each treatment and analyzed through analysis of variance with a significance level of P<0.05. The result of the study showed that $CO_2$ concentration increased up to 265% and 174% and the level of temperature elevated $4.8^{\circ}C$ and $3.1^{\circ}C$ in greenhouse-1 and 2, respectively as compared to greenhouse-3 due to application of DME combustion gas. Although, the same crop management practices were provided in greenhouse-1, 2 and 3 at a same rate, the highest change (p<0.05) of chlorophyll content, fresh weight and dry weight were found from the DME-1 treatment, followed by DME-2. As a result, DME combustion gas that raised the level of temperature and $CO_2$ concentration in the greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2, might have an effect on growth of lettuce and Chinese cabbage. At end of experiment, the highest fresh and dry weight of lettuce and Chinese cabbage were measured in greenhouse-1 and followed by greenhouse-2. Similarly chlorophyll content of greenhouse-1 and greenhouse-2 were more compared to greenhouse-3. In general, DME was not producing any harmful gas during its combustion period, therefore it can be used as an alternative to conventional fuel such as diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for both heating and $CO_2$ supply in winter season. Moreover, endorsed quantify of DME combustion gas for a specified crop can be applied to greenhouse to improve the plant growth and enhance yield.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.420-428
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• 2019

This study is the heating energy saving test of the high-bed strawberry crown heating system. The system consists of electric hot water boiler, thermal storage tank, circulation pump, crown heating pipe(white low density polyethylene, diameter 16mm) and a temperature control panel. For crown heating, the hot water pipe was installed as close as possible to the crown part after planting the seedlings and the pipe position was fixed with a horticultural fixing pin. In the local heating type, hot water at $20{\sim}23^{\circ}C$ is stored in the themal tank by using an electric hot water boiler, and crown spot is partially heated at the setting temperature of $13{\sim}15^{\circ}C$ by turning on/off the circulation pump using a temperature sensor for controlling the hot water circulation pump which was installed at the very close to crown of strawberry. The treatment of test zone consisted of space heating $4^{\circ}C$ + crown heating(treatment 1), space heating $8^{\circ}C$(control), space heating $6^{\circ}C$ + crown heating(treatment 2). And strawberries were planted in the number of 980 for each treatment. The heating energy consumption was compared between November 8, 2017 and March 30, 2018. Accumulated power consumption is converted to integrated kerosene consumption. The converted kerosene consumption is 1,320L(100%) for space $8^{\circ}C$ heating, 928L(70.3%) for space $4^{\circ}C$ + crown heating, 1,161L($88^{\circ}C$) for space $6^{\circ}C$ + crown heating). It was analyzed that space $4^{\circ}C$ + pipe heating and space $6^{\circ}C$ + crown heating save heating energy of 29.7% and 12% respectively compared to $8^{\circ}C$ space heating(control).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.729-742
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• 2020

In this study, we analyze seabottom conditions and characteristics integrated with topographic data, seafloor mosaic, underwater images and orthophoto(drone) of soft-hard bottom area around the Sib-Ri rock in the northern shore of the East Sea(Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung). We obtained field survey data around the Sib-Ri rock(about 600 m × 600 m). The Sib-Ri rock is formed by two exposed rocks and surrounding reef. The artificial reef zone made by about 200 ~ 300 structures is shown the western area of the Sib-Ri rock. The underwater rock region is extended from the southwestern area of the exposed the Sib-Ri rock with 9 ~ 11 m depth range. The most broad rocky seabottom area is located in the southwestren area of the Sib-Ri rock with 10 ~ 13 m depth range. The study area were classified into 4 types of seabottom environment based on the analysis of bathymetric data, seafloor mosaics, composition of sediments and images(underwater and drone). The underwater rock zones(Type I) are the most distributed area around the Sib-Ri Rock(about 600 m × 600 m). The soft seabottom area made by sediments layer showed 2 types(Type II: gS(gravelly Sand), Type III: S(Sand)) in the areas between underwater rock zones and western part of the Sib-Ri rock(toward Gyeongpo Beach). The artificial reef zone with a lot of structures is located in the western part of the Sib-Ri rock. Marine algae(about 6 species), Phylum porifera(about 2 species), Phylum echinodermata(about 3 species), Phylum mollusca(about 3 species) and Phylum chordata(about 2 species) are dominant faunal group of underwater image analysis area(about 10 m × 10 m) in the northwestern part of the Sib-Ri rock. The habitat of Phylym mollusca(Lottia dorsuosa, Septifer virgatus) and Phylum arthropoda(Pollicipes mitella, Chthamalus challengeri hoek) appears in the intertidal zone of the Sib-Ri rock. And it is possible to estimate the range and distribution of the habitat based on the integrated study of orthphoto(drone) and bathymetry data. The integrated visualization and mapping techniques using seafloor mosaic images, sediments analysis, underwater images, orthophoto(drone) and topographic data can provide and contribute to figure out the seabottom conditions and characteristics in the shore of the East Sea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 2021

Oxidative stress causes injury to and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is involved in several retinal disorders and leads to vision loss. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 14 kinds of natural compounds and two kinds of synthetic compounds on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in human PRE cell lines (ARPE-19). From among them, we selected five kinds of compounds, including auranofin, FK-509, hemistepsin A, honokiol, and spermidine, which have inhibitory effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cytotoxicity. In addition, we found that four kinds of compounds (excluding auranofin) have protective effects on H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the expression of phosphorylation of histone H2AX, a sensitive marker of DNA damage, was markedly up-regulated by H2O2, whereas it was notably down-regulated by FK-506, honokiol, and spermidine treatment. Meanwhile, five kinds of candidate compounds had no effect on H2O2-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting that the five candidate compounds have protective effects on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage through the ROS-independent pathway. Taken together, according to the results of H2O2-mediated cellular damage―such as cytotoxicity, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage―spermidine and FK-506 are the natural and synthetic compounds with the most protective effects against oxidative stress in RPE. Although further studies on the identification of the mechanism responsible are required, the results of the present study suggest the possibility of using spermidine and FK-506 to suppress the risk of retinal disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1109-1117
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• 2020

In order to verify whether Zophobas atratus is an edible insect, the nutrients and harmful substances of Z. atratus larvae reared with an artificial diet (AD) and wheat bran (WB) were compared and analyzed. Based on dry weight, the crude protein content of Z. atratus larvae reared with an AD was 62.4%, 1.4 times higher than that of those reared with WB (45.2%). The crude fat content was 20.5% in the AD group, 2.3 times less than in the WB group (46.3%). The leucine content was 1.4 times higher in the AD group (4.2%) than in the WB group (3.0%). The glutamic acid content of nonessential amino acids was 1.3 times higher in the AD group (7.0%) than in the WB group (5.3%). The oleic acid content was 1.4 times higher in the WB group (37.0%) than in the AD group (26.7%). The potassium content was 1.1 times higher in the AD group (975.9 mg/100 g) than in the WB group (872.9 mg/100 g). According to the results of the toxic substances analysis, the lead and cadmium levels of the WB and AD groups were standard for edible insects. Pathogenic microorganisms, such as E. coli and salmonella, were not detected in either group. According to the results of the present analysis of nutrition and harmful substances, Z. atratus larvae raised on an AD are safe and contain various nutrients. Therefore, such larvae could be useful sources of food and feed.