• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2008

The increasing area of abandoned rice fields could provide new opportunities for wetland restoration in Asia. However, it is unknown how quickly or completely abandoned rice fields will recover from agricultural disturbances. We assessed water quality and plant community succession in abandoned rice fields with different hydrology in a mountain valley to understand the effects of hydrological regime on recovery. Water level, soil redox potential, water quality, plant composition, and primary production were measured. The sites, coded as D6, N13, and N16, had been recovering for 6, 13, and 16 years by 2006. N13 and N16 have been recovering naturally whereas D6 has been drained with a nearby dike and was tilled in 2001. The typical hydroperiods of D6, N13, and N16 were no surface water, permanently flooded, and seasonally flooded, respectively. The major change in vegetation structure of both D6 and N13 was the replacement of herbaceous species by woody species. Drawdown accelerated this change because Salix koreensis grew better in damp conditions than in flooded conditions. Phragmites japonica reduced plot-level plant species richness. The removal efficiency of $NH_4-N$, $NO_3-N$, and $PO_4-P$ from water varied seasonally, ranging between -78.8 to 44.3%, 0 to 97.5%, and -26.0 to 44.4%, respectively. In summary, abandoned rice fields quickly became suitable habitat for native wetland plant species and improved regional water quality. Variation among our sites indicates that it is likely possible to manage abandoned rice fields, mostly through controlling hydrology, to achieve site-specific restoration goals.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.414-418
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• 1999

A novel gene for malonyl-CoA decarboxylase was discovered in the mat operon, which encodes a set of genes involved in the malonate metabolism of Rhizobium trifolii (An and Kim, 1998). The subunit mass determined by SDS-PAGE was 53 kDa, which correspond to the deduced mass from the sequence data. The molecular mass of the native enzyme determined by field flow fractionation was 208 kDa, indicating that R. trifolii malonyl-CoA decarboxylase is homotetrameric. R. trifolii malonyl-CoA decarboxylase converted malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA with a specific activity of 100 unit/mg protein. Methylmalonyl-CoA was decarboxylated with a specific activity of 0.1 unit/mg protein. p-Chloromercuribenzoate inhibited this enzyme activity, suggesting that thiol group(s) is(are) essential for this enzyme catalysis. Database analysis showed that malonyl-CoA decarboxylase from R. trifolii shared 32.7% and 28.1% identity in amino acid sequence with those from goose and human, respectively, and it would be located in the cytoplasm. However, there is no sequence homology between this enzyme and that from Saccharopolyspora erythreus, suggesting that malonyl-CoA decarboxylases from human, goose, and R. trifolii are in the same class, whereas that from S. erythreus is in a different class or even a different enzyme, methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase. According to the homology analysis, Cys-214 among three cysteine residues in the enzyme was found in the homologous region, suggesting that the cysteine was located at or near the active site and plays a critical role in catalysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.35-47
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• 2004

In order to study changes in vegetation pursuant to rooftop revegetation plantation methods, plantation methods for rooftop revegetation were divided into two types through an analysis of recent trends. Then, Planted plants and invasive plants on sites where the planting methods were introduced were monitored. Planting methods were divided into mono-layer meadow cover type and multi-layer planting cover type. They showed some differences in terms of the availability of wetland, the structure of vegetation layers, the planted species, and the material of mulching. According to the results of monitoring the two sample sites for different plantation methods, the number of invasive plants was higher in multi-layer planting cover type and the ratio of naturalized plants was higher by 30% in average in mono-layer meadow cover type. The main reason for such a result is that the natural soil used in the multi-layer planting cover type likely contained some seeds. Moreover, it's harder for invasive plant seeds to germinate in volcanic rocks than in natural soil. Also, it is attributable to wetlands available in multi-layer planting cover type and diverse living environments created by multi-layer planting. The reason of the ratio of naturalized plants being higher by at least 10% in mono-layer meadow cover type is the character of naturalized plants being stronger in unfavorable conditions than nature plants are. Accordingly, the germination rate in the volcanic rock mulching has likely contributed in raising the introduction and germination of naturalized plants. The results showed that multi-layer planting cover type using wetland creation and nature soil can increase the number of invasive plants and lower the ratio of naturalized plants. However, since seeds contained in the natural soil can affect the growth of planted plants, this needs to be clarified, It was judged that mono-layer meadow cover type may affect more greatly on the germination and growth of invasive plants than on those of planted plants, Its potential adoption in highly urbanized areas was examined. By complementing with the mutual benefits of each plantation method, it appeared possible to shift to a rooftop revegetation system suitable to the site.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.610-614
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• 1998

The first heart-lung transplantation in Korea was successfully performed. The recipient was a 11 year old girl with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. She had been catheterized at the ages of 4 months, 3 years, 7 years and 10 years, which revealed that neither Fontan nor biventricular repair was feasible. The donor was a traffic accident victim, a 9 year-old boy with the same blood type. The donor was pronounced dead according to the guidelines of the Korean Medical Association's Brain Death Committee. The operation was performed on April 20, 1997. The native heart-lung block was explanted segmentally and donor one was placed above the phrenic nerve using the Arizona technique. After the tracheal anastomosis with single continuous 4-0 prolene, both vena cavae were anastomosed, followed by aortic anastomosis. The graft ischemic time was 145 minutes. The postoperative course was complicated by fever and tracheal stenosis at the anastomosis site. The fever was controlled by anti-tuberculous medications and the tracheal stenosis was relieved by stent(Palmaz 8 mm, 30 mm in length) placement on POD #71. The patient is doing well and is very active in her 7th postoperative month.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.236-240
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• 1997

The management of neonate with long gap atresia without a fistula(type A) is complex and controversial. Various esophageal reconstruction include use of native esophagus or replacement with colon, stomach and small bowel. A severe premature male, at 28 weeks gestation weighing 1.2kg, was born with type A esophageal atresia in Chonnam University Hospital. Initial treatment consisted of gastrostomy under the local anesthesia and suctioning of proximal pouch, and than underwent delayed esophageal end to end anastomosis. A minimal leakage and mediastinitis ocurred postoperatively, but was treated by adequate drainage and negative suction from the leakage site through the gastrostomy. The patient was discharged in good general condition and normal weight of 5.4kg after 4 months after the surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 1991

The current status of evergreen ground-cover plants as of in the winter months in 50 places selected at random in Seoul was assessed to see how they are at the present, and the following matters of evergreen ground-cover plants were observed to be common aspect of them today during the year of 1989 and 1990 and in winter of Seoul. 1. Ground-cover area in 50 different places of Seoul was 36% of the green area, and the evergreen ground-cover area was 3% of total ground-cover area. As the result, most of ground cover plants founded to be zoysia grasses. 2. Total number of evergreen ground-cover plants species was 24, and the species most frequently found were Juniperus chinensis and horizontalis, Buxus koreana, Liriope platyphylla var. nana. Taxus cuspidats, Rhododendron lateritium, Pleioblastus pygmaea, Poa pratensis in that order of the number of plasces assessed, and sere Poa pratensis, Agrostis tennuis, Liriope platyphylla, Buxus koreana, Juniperus chinensis and horizontalis, Taxus cuspidata. var. nana, Rhododendron lateritium in the order of area planted. 3. Woody plants included 9 species and occupied 16% in the area, also introduced plants included 14 species and occupied 79% in the area. As introduced evergreen grasses occupied, almost of evergreen ground-cover herbs, planting of evergreen ground-cover herbs and native plants are thought to be desirable. 4. Flowering plants of 16 species were found to be 16% of the total evergreen ground-cover area. 5. The ratio of topographical difference, such as plain versus slope for planting site, was 82 and 18% respectively, and sunny versus shady and intermediate places were 72, 15 and 13% respectively. 6. Although appearance of plants was generally fair, poor and drying plants were assessed 33% for the number of places planted, and 11% for the area. It seems to be necessary to manage those plants to their growth characteristics, and desiable to introduce various plant species adaptable to the winter climate of Seoul and grow for the winter landscaping purpose. 7. The poor use and lack of evergreen ground-cover plants are regarded to be deficient in the valus and reconization of them, particularly in the landscaping works. It is therefore considered important to bring out pertinent measures against these inadequate situations.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1180-1187
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• 2007

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an episodic, multi-system, autoimmune disease characterized by widespread inflammation of blood vessels and connective tissues and by the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), especially antibodies to native (double-stranded) DNA (dsDNA). Its clinical manifestations are extremely variable, and its natural history is unpredictable. Untreated, SLE is often progressive and has a significant fatality rate. The most widely used criteria for the classification of SLE are those of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), which were revised in 1982 and modified in 1997. The presence of four criteria have been diagnosed as a SLE. Rashes are common at onset and during active disease. The oral mucosa is the site of ulceration with SLE. Arthralgia and arthritis affect most children and these symptoms are short in duration and can be migratory. Lupus nephritis may be more frequent and of greater severity in children than in adults. The initial manifestation of nephritis is microscopic hematuria, followed by proteinuria. The most common neuropsychiatric symptoms are depression, psychosis(hallucination and paranoia) and headache. CNS disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac manifestation. Libman-Sacks endocarditis is less common in children. The most frequently described pleuropulmonary manifestations are pleural effusions, pleuritis, pneunonitis and pulmonary hemorrhage. During the active phase ESR, CRP, gamma globulin, ferritin and anti-dsDNA are elevated. Antibodies to dsDNA occur in children with active nephritis. Antibodies to the extractable nuclear antigens (Sm, Ro/SS-A, La/SS-B) are strongly associated with SLE. Specific treatment should be individualized and based on the severity of the disease. Sepsis has replaced renal failure as the most common cause of death.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.152-155
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• 2003

Burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.), used as a medicinal or rootstock for cucurbitaceous crops have shown high variation in seed maturity and size. This study was carried out to determine the effect of seed maturity and size on seed germination, seedling emergence and growth of burcucumber, Seeds collected from a native site were divided into small, medium and large ones after sorted to mature and immature ones. Their germination, seedling emergence and growth were done in indoor and a green house. Mature seeds showed higher germination and seedling emergence rate than immature ones. Regardless of their maturity, medium. and small seeds showed higher germination rate than large ones. Medium and large seeds, however, had the greatest and the least seedling emergence, respectively. Seedling height, number of true leaves areas of cotyledons and true leaves except hypocotyl length were increased with increased seed size although were not affected by the maturity. Cotyledon, leaf, hypocotyl, root and their total dry weights were greater in large mature seeds than large immature ones while increased with increased seed size in both maturities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.928-937
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• 2016

S-Nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) metabolizes S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and has been shown to play important roles in regulating cellular signaling and formulating host defense by modulating intracellular nitric oxide levels. The enzyme has been found in bacterial, yeast, mushroom, plant, and mammalian cells. However, to date, there is still no evidence of its occurrence in filamentous fungi. In this study, we cloned and investigated a GSNOR-like enzyme from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. The enzyme occurred in native form as a homodimer and exhibited low thermal stability. GSNO was an ideal substrate for the enzyme. The apparent K_m and k_cat values were 0.55 mM and 34,100 min^-1, respectively. Substrate binding sites and catalytic center amino acid residues based on those from known GSNORs were conserved in this enzyme, and the corresponding roles were verified using site-directed mutagenesis. Therefore, we demonstrated the presence of GSNOR in a filamentous fungus for the first time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.197-208
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• 2014

A novel protease gene from Bacillus gibsonii, aprBG, was cloned, expressed in B. subtilis, and characterized. High-level expression of aprBG was achieved in the recombinant strain when a junction was present between the promoter and the target gene. The purified recombinant enzyme exhibited similar N-terminal sequences and catalytic properties to the native enzyme, including high affinity and hydrolytic efficiency toward various substrates and a superior performance when exposed to various metal ions, surfactants, oxidants, and commercial detergents. AprBG was remarkably stable in 50% organic solvents and retained 100% activity and stability in 0-4 M NaCl, which is better than the characteristics of previously reported proteases. AprBG was most closely related to the high-alkaline proteases of the subtilisin family with a 57-68% identity. The secretion and maturation mechanism of AprBG was dependent on the enzyme activity, as analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. Thus, when taken together, the results revealed that the halo-solvent-tolerant protease AprBG displays significant activity and stability under various extreme conditions, indicating its potential for use in many biotechnology applications.