• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

The successional status and potential natural vegetation were examined in the natural deciduous forest in Mt. Chombong area. The examination was based on the subsequent process of generation replacement by understory saplings for the dominant canopy trees within 106 20mx20m square sample plots. The transition matrix model, which was modified from mathematical theory of Markov chain, was employed to analyze the successional status of the study forest. The model suggests that study forest is still seral, and it is considered to be more than 500 years away from the steady state or climax in terms of species composition. The simulations predict a remarkable decrease in the proportion of species composition of the present dominant Quercus mongolica and Kalopanax pictus from current 42.6% and 8.1% to less than 13.3% and 0.5%, respectively, at the steady state. On the contrary, the proportions of Abies holophylla, Acer mono, Fraxinus mandshurica, Tilia amurensis, and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum will increase at the steady state. The change of predicted composition ratio was generally coincide with the result of tolerance index to be compared with the study model. The hypothesis and sensitivity of the model were also discussed to evaluate the applicability to the real situation. The overall results indicated that the present dynamics of the forest must reflect the seral state due to previous disturbance mainly by human related interference.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2007

A simple and sensitive HPLC-MS method for quantitation of 10${\alpha}$-methoxy-9,10-dihydrolysergol (MDL), the main metabolite of nicergoline, in human plasma was developed and the bioavailability parameters of MDL was assessed in Korean healthy male volunteers. Clomipramine was used as an internal standard. MDL and internal standard in plasma sample were extracted using ethyl acetate. A centrifuged upper layer was then evaporated and reconstituted with mobile phase of 10 mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile (10 : 90, v/v). The reconstituted samples were injected into a Zorbax SB-C8 column (2.1${\times}$150 mm,5 ${\mu}$m) at a flow-rate of 0.3 ml/min. Using MS with selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode, MDL and clomipramine were detected without severe interference from human plasma matrix. MDL produced a protonated molecular ion ([M+H]$^+$) at m/z 287. Internal standard produced a protonated molecular ion ([M+H]$^+$) at m/z 315. A linear relationship for MDL was found in the range of 2.5${\sim}$100 ng/ml. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 2.5 ng/ml with acceptable precision and accuracy. The intra- and inter-day validation for all coefficients of variation (R.S.D.%) were found less than 15%. Main pharmacokinetic parameters of 30 mg of nicergoline were revealed as follows: AUC$_t$ 321.1${\pm}$64.5 ng${\cdot}$hr/ml, C$_{max}$, 51.2${\pm}$25.3 ng/ml, T$_{max}$ 3.6${\pm}$1.5 hr, K$_{el}$ 0.12${\pm}$0.07 hr$^{-1}$ and t$_{1/2}$ 7.6${\pm}$3.4 hr. Inter subject variations and race differences were shown in comparison with the published data in the literature.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.66-75
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• 2020

Saturated fatty acids contribute to β-cell dysfunction in the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cellular responses to lipotoxicity include oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and blockage of autophagy. Palmitate induces ER Ca²⁺ depletion followed by notable store-operated Ca²⁺ entry. Subsequent elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ can activate undesirable signaling pathways culminating in cell death. Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU) is the major route for Ca²⁺ uptake into the matrix and couples metabolism with insulin secretion. However, it has been unclear whether mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake plays a protective role or contributes to lipotoxicity. Here, we observed palmitate upregulated MCU protein expression in a mouse clonal β-cell, MIN6, under normal glucose, but not high glucose medium. Palmitate elevated baseline cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and reduced depolarization-triggered Ca²⁺ influx likely due to the inactivation of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCCs). Targeted reduction of MCU expression using RNA interference abolished mitochondrial superoxide production but exacerbated palmitate-induced [Ca²⁺]_i overload. Consequently, MCU knockdown aggravated blockage of autophagic degradation. In contrast, co-treatment with verapamil, a VGCC inhibitor, prevented palmitate-induced basal [Ca²⁺]_i elevation and defective [Ca²⁺]_i transients. Extracellular Ca²⁺ chelation as well as VGCC inhibitors effectively rescued autophagy defects and cytotoxicity. These observations suggest enhanced mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake via MCU upregulation is a mechanism by which pancreatic β-cells are able to alleviate cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload and its detrimental consequences.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.437-444
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• 2006

This study was aimed to elucidate the biological function of OD314 (Apin protein), which is related to ameloblast differentiation and amelogenesis. Apin protein, calcifying epithelial odontogenic (pindborg) tumors (CEOTs)-associated amyloid, were isolated from CEOTs, and has similar nucleotide sequences to OD314. We examined expression of the OD314 mRNA using in-situ hybridization during tooth development in mice. Expression of OD314 and several enamel matrix proteins were examined in the cultured ameloblast cell line up to 28 days by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. After inactivation and over-expression of the OD314 gene in ameloblast cell lines using U6 vectordriven RNA interference and CMV-OD314 construct, RT-PCR were performed to evaluate the effect of the OD314 during amelogenesis. The results were as follows: 1. In in-situ hybridization, OD314 mRNAs were more strongly expressed in ameloblast than odontoblast. 2. When ameloblast cells were cultured in the diffcrentiation and mineralization medium for 28 days, the tuftelin mRNA expression was maintained from the beginning to day 14, and then gradually decreased to day 28. The expressions of amelogenin and enamelin were gradually decreased according to the ameloblast differentiation. 3. Inactivation of OD314 by U6-OD314 siRNA construct down-regulated the expression of OD314, MMP-20, and tuftelin, whereas over-expression of OD314 by CMV-OD314 construct up-regulated the expression of OD314 and MMP-20 without change in tuftelin. These results suggest that OD314 is considered as an ameloblast-enriched gene and may play the important roles in ameloblast differentiation and mineralization.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.409-416
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• 2015

ICP-AES has been used in many laboratories due to the advantages of wide calibration range and multi-element analysis, but it may give erroneous results and suffer from spectral interference due to the large number of emission lines associated with each element. In this study, certified reference materials (CRMs) and field samples were analyzed by ICP-AES and HG-AAS according to the official Korean testing method for soil pollution to investigate analytical problems. The applicability of HG-ICP-AES was also tested as an alternative method. HG-AAS showed good accuracies (90.8~106.3%) in all CRMs, while ICP-AES deviated from the desired range in CRMs with low arsenic and high Fe/Al. The accuracy in CRM030 was estimated as below 39% at the wavelength of 193.696 nm by ICP-AES. Significant partial overlaps and sloping background interferences were observed near to 193.696 nm with the presence of 50 mg/L Fe and Al. Most CRMs were quantified with few or no interferences of Fe and Al at 188.980 nm. ICP-AES properly assessed low and high level arsenic for field samples, at 188.980 nm and 193.696 nm, respectively. The importance of the choice of measurement wavelengths corresponding to relative arsenic level should be noted. Because interferences were affected by the sample matrix, operation conditions and instrument figures, the analysts were required to consider spectral interferences and compare the analytical performance of the recommended wavelengths. HG-ICP-AES was evaluated as a suitable alternative method for ICP-AES due to improvement of the detection limit, wide calibration ranges, and reduced spectral interferences by HG.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2010

It is of importance that all countries in worldwide, including EU and China, have adopted the Restrictions on the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) for all electronics. IEC62321 document, which was published by the International Electronics Committee (IEC) can have conflicts with the standards in the market. On the contrary Publicly Accessible Specification (PAS) for sampling published by IEC TC111 can be adopted for complementary application. In this work, we tried to find a route to disassemble and disjoint cellular phone sample, based on PAS and compare the screening methods available in the market. For this work, the cellular phone produced in 2001, before the regulation was born, was chosen for better detection. Although X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) showed excellent performance for screening, fast and easy handling, it can give information on the surface, not the bulk, and have some limitations due to significant matrix interference and lack of variety of standards for quantification. It means that screening with XRF sometimes requires supplementary tool. There are several techniques available in the market of analytical instruments. Laser ablation (LA) ICP-MS, energy dispersive (ED) XRF and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were demonstrated for screening a cellular phone. For quantitative determination, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) was employed. Experimental results for Pb in a battery showed large difference in analytical results in between XRF and GF-AAS, i.e., 0.92% and 5.67%, respectively. In addition, the standard deviation of XRF was extremely large in the range of 23-168%, compared with that in the range of 1.9-92.3% for LA-ICP-MS. In conclusion, GF-AAS was required for quantitative analysis although EDX was used for screening. In this work, it was proved that LA-ICP-MS can be used as a screening method for fast analysis to determine hazardous elements in electrical products.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

A simultaneous analytical method was developed for the determination of isoxaflutole and metabolite (diketonitrile) in agricultural commodities. Samples were extracted with 0.1% acetic acid in water/acetonitrile (2/8, v/v) and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference obtained from sample extracts, adjusting pH to 2 by 1 N hydrochloric acid. The analytes were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive-ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Matrix matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.02-2.0{\mu}g/mL$) for all the analytes into blank extract with $r^2$ > 0.997. For validation purposes, recovery studies were carried out at three different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ) performing five replicates at each level. The recoveries were ranged between 72.9 to 107.3%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guideline (CAC/GL40, 2003). Furthermore, inter-laboratory study was conducted to validate the method. The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective, and sensitive for isoxaflutole and diketonitrile determination in agricultural commodities.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.372-379
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• 2007

A high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization (HPLC-ESI) tandem MS was developed for the rapid and simultaneous determination of forbidden medicines in dietary supplements. Thirteen medicinal components such as PDE-5 inhibitors and their analogues, and the newly identified dimethylsildenafil and xanthoanthrafil, were included in this study. After tentative standardization of molecular ions in both polarities using thirteen references on the mass spectrometer, with ESI-continuous infusion via the syringe pump method, the relative intensity of the ions present in the resulting spectra was quantitatively compared. From the results, the ion mode was selected depending on each reference's characteristics. A HPLC method coupled with the ESI mode was developed considering the matrix effect and interference depending on the type of sample. The validation test of the developed method was followed by carrying out precision, accuracy, recovery, sensitivity and linearity, etc. The method showed sufficiently high sensitivity, reproducibility, and specificity, and produced 4 times faster results when compared with the existing HPLC/UV method for the determination of forbidden compounds in dietary supplements.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of sedaxane in agricultural products using liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference, and then purified by using silica SPE cartridges to clean up. The analytes were quantified and confirmed by using LC-MS/MS in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.001-0.25{\mu}g/mL$) into a blank extract with $r^2$>0.99. For validation, recovery tests were carried out at three different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ, n=5) with five replicates performed at each level. The recoveries were ranged between 74.5 to 100.8% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 12.1% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for sedaxane determination in agricultural commodities.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Spiropidion and its metabolite are tetramic acid insecticide and require the establishment of an official analysis method for the safety management because they are newly registered in Korea. Therefore, this study was to determine the analysis method of residual spiropidion and its metabolite for the five representative agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three QuEChERS methods (original, AOAC, and EN method) were applied to optimize the extraction method, and the EN method was finally selected by comparing the recovery test and matrix effect results. Various adsorbent agents were applied to establish the clean up method. As a result, the recovery of spiropidion was reduced when using the dispersive-SPE method with MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitized carbon black (GCB) and octadecyl (C₁₈) in soybean. Color interference was minimized by selecting the case including GCB and C18 in addition to MgSO₄. This method was established as the final analysis method. LC-MS/MS was used for the analysis by considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and the analysis was performed in MRM mode. The results of the recovery test using the established analysis method and inter laboratory validation showed a valid range of 79.4-108.4%, with relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation were less than 7.2% and 14.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Spiropidion and its metabolite could be analyzed with a modified QuEChERS method, and the established method would be widely available to ensure the safety of residual insecticides in Korea.