• Ocean Science Journal
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2007

The summer distributions of planktonic microbial communities (heterotrophic and phtosynthetic bacteria, phtosynthetic and heterotrophic nanoflagellates, ciliate plankton, and microphytoplankton) were compared between inner and outer areas of Lake Sihwa, divided by an artificial breakwater, located on the western coast of Korea, in September 2003. The semi-enclosed, inner area was characterized by hyposaline surface water (<17 psu), and by low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (avg. $0.4\;mg\;L^{-1}$) and high concentrations of inorganic nutrients (nitrogenous nutrients $>36\;{\mu}M$, phosphate $>4\;{\mu}M$) in the bottom layer. Higher densities of heterotrophic bacteria and nanoflagellates also occurred in the inner area than did in the outer area, while microphytoplankton (mainly diatoms) occurred abundantly in the outer area. A tiny tintinnid ciliate, Tintinnopsis nana, bloomed into more than $10^6\;cells\;L^{-1}$ at the surface layer of the inner area, while its abundance was much lower ($10^3-10^4\;cells\;L^{-1}$) in the outer area of the breakwater. Ciliate abundance was highly correlated with heterotrophic bacteria (r = 0.886, p < 0.001) and heterotrophic flagellates (r = 0.962, p < 0.001), indicating that rich food availability may have led to the T. nana bloom. These results suggest that the breakwater causes the eutrophic environment in artificial lakes with limited flushing of enriched water and develops into abundant bacteria, nanoflagellates, and ciliates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.248-255
• /
• 2022

Phlebia sp. MG-60 is the salt-tolerant, white-rot fungus which was isolated from a mangrove forest. This fungus expresses three kinds of manganese peroxidase (MGMnP) isozymes, MGMnP1, MGMnP2 and MGMnP3 in low nitrogen medium (LNM) or LNM containing NaCl. To date, there have been no reports on the biochemical salt-tolerance of these MnP isozymes due to the difficulty of purification. In present study, we established forced expression transformants of these three types of MnP isozymes. In addition, the fact that this fungus hardly produces native MnP in a high-nitrogen medium (HNM) was used to perform isozyme-selective expression and simple purification in HNM. The resulting MGMnPs showed high tolerance for NaCl compared with the MnP of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. It was worth noting that high concentration of NaCl (over 200 mM to 1200 mM) can enhance the activity of MGMnP1. Additionally, MGMnP1 showed relatively high thermo tolerance compared with other isozymes. MGMnPs may have evolved to adapt to chloride-rich environments, mangrove forest.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.257-284
• /
• 1989

This study was carried out to characterize pinus densiflora forests in middle province (Mt. Seolag, Mt. Taebaik) south province (Mt. Sokli, Mt. Jiri) and south-coast province (Mt. Daedun) of Korea. The appearance species in the P. densiflora alliance included 325 taxa and varied according to the direction of slopes. The steeper the slope was, the fewer number of taxa were observed. The floristic composition of south-coast province was gradually changing to the south hemispheric factors. Dominant species groups of P. densiflora alliance were classified into P. densiflora, Quercus serrata ( layer), Rhus trichocarpa ( layer), Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tomentella (S layer), Artemisia keiskeana, Carex humilis var. nana, Spodiopogon sibiricus (K layer). Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus sieboldiana and Styrax japonica association were formed under the P. densiflora alliance. Quercus, Rhus, Lespedeza and Rhododendron groups maintained high ecological relationships one another. The soil factors (pH, organic matters, and water field capacity)and relative light intensity tended to show negative correlation, which were significantly different among provinces. The P. densiflora forests of Korea were classified into one alliance and four associations, that is, pinion densiflorae Suz.-Tok. 1966, Quercetum variabilae ass. nov., Quercetum mongolicae ass. nov. Fraxinetum sieboldianae ass. nov. and Styraxetum japonicae ass. nov.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 2014

Drug-resistance and imbalance of apoptotic regulation limit chemotherapy clinical application for the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. The reactivation of p53 is an attractive therapeutic strategy in cancer with disrupted-p53 function. Nutlin-3, a MDM2 antagonist, has antitumor activity in various cancers. The post-translational modifications of p53 are a hot topic, but there are some controversy ideas about the function of phospho-$Ser^{392}$-p53 protein in cancer cell lines in response to Nutlin-3. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between Nutlin-3 and phospho-$Ser^{392}$-p53 protein expression levels in SMMC-7721 (wild-type TP53) and HuH-7 cells (mutant TP53). We demonstrated that Nutlin-3 induced apoptosis through down-regulation phospho-$Ser^{392}$-p53 in two HCC cells. The result suggests that inhibition of p53 phosphorylation on $Ser^{392}$ presents an alternative for HCC chemotherapy.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.429-438
• /
• 1993

This is a report on the early vegetation and the secondary succession in the burned area of SeobJe-Go1 of $IIwasan-MY\v{o}n,\;Y\v{o}ngch\v{o}n-Gun,\;Ky\v{u}ngsangbuk-do$ Province. The forest fire occurred on April 8, 1982 and the pine forest and its floor vegetation were burned down. The investigation was done six times from August 20, 1982 to August 13, 1983. The results are summarized as follows: the floristic composition of burned areas $B_1,\;B_2$, and unburned areas $U_1,\;U_2$ were composed of 25, 23, 32, and 27 kinds of vascular plants. respectively. The biological spectra showed the $H-D_1-R_5-e$ type in both the burned and unburned areas. The species of Arundinella hirta, Miscanthus simnsis var. purpurascens and Cares hurnilis var. nana were dominant species in the burned area, while Pinus densiflorrr, Corex humilis var. nana and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliafum were dominant species in the unburned area. Degree of succession of the unburned area was comparatively higher than that of the burned area. Species diversity index and evenness index of the burned area were similar to those of the unburned area. Indices of similarity in sampling sites showed that $B_1\;and\;B_2$ stands were the most similar. pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium of soil increased but organic matter and total organic carbon decreased after fire.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.22-32
• /
• 1983

The paper is investigation of the secondary vegeation and succession at the forest fire area in Mt. Palgong. The survey was carried out from April, 1981 to Stempter, 1982. The floristic compositions were as follows: 50 families, 116 genera, 127 species, 15 varieties and 3 formae(145 kinds). Among them, the floristic composition of the pine floor vegetation of the unburned area was 43 families, 80 genera, 88 species, 10 varieties and 1 forma(99 kinds), and that of the secondary vegetatiion after forest fire was 46 families, 106 genera, 120 species, 14 varieties and 3 formae(137 kinds). Index of similarity between the burned and unburned area was 0.77. The biological type succeeded in $H-D_1-R_5$type, and the erect form(s) was prevailed. Carex humilis var. nana, Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens, and lespedeza cyrtobotrya were dominant species in the $ B_1; and; B_2$ area of the seventh year after forest fire. In the degree of succession, species diversity, and evenness index, DS, H, and e of the $B_1$ area were higher than those of the $B_2$ area. In the soil properties, it assumed that pH, total nitrogen, and available phosphores of the burned area were nearly recovered to those of the unburned area.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
• /
• v.59 no.9
• /
• pp.1131-1137
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Previous reports have shown that hyperglycemia-induced inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid sub type 4 (TRPV4), a transient receptor potential ion channel, affects the severity of hearing impairment (HI). In this study, we explored the role of TRPV4 in HI using HEI-OC1 cells exposed to high glucose (HG). Materials and Methods: HEI-OC1 cells were cultured in a HG environment (25 mM D-glucose) for 48 hours, and qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of TRPV4 at the mRNA and protein level. TRPV4 agonist (GSK1016790A) or antagonist (HC-067047) in cultured HEI-OC1 cells was used to obtain abnormal TRPV4 expression. Functional TRPV4 activity was assessed in cultured HEI-OC1 cells using the MTT assay and a cell death detection ELISA. Results: TRPV4 agonists exerted protective effects against HG-induced HI, as evidenced by increased MTT levels and inhibition of apoptosis in HEI-OC1 cells. TRPV4 overexpression significantly increased protein levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), while TRPV4 antagonists had the opposite effect. Our results indicated that TRPV4 is a hyperglycemia-related factor that can inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis by activating the MAPK signaling pathway in HEI-OC1 cells. Conclusion: Our results show that the overexpression of TRPV4 can attenuate cell death in HEI-OC1 cells exposed to HG.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.717-734
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify preschool children's eating behaviors associated with early childhood obesity and its multi-level, socio-ecological determinants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 364 mothers of preschool children aged 3-5 years, these children's healthy eating behaviors were assessed using a validated preschool nutrition quotient (NQ-P) questionnaire. The children's overweight or obesity statuses were determined based on body mass index percentiles from the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart. The associations between the NQ-P score and risk of overweight or obesity were examined using multivariable logistic regression. The associations of individual, maternal, physical, and media environmental factors with the NQ-P score were also examined using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Preschool children with greater NQ-P scores were at a significantly lower risk of overweight or obesity (P < 0.01). The NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with maternal body mass index and an inverse association with household income (all P < 0.05). Maternal parenting and feeding practices exhibited associations with the NQ-P score. Positive associations were observed with "warm," "structured," and "autonomy-supportive" parenting as well as monitoring feeding practices (all P < 0.05). In addition, the NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with the childcare center's anti-obesogenic environment, such as the provision of nutritional and physical-activity support and vicinity of the built food environment to the home, including access to good-quality food, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat foods (all P < 0.05). Regarding media environments, the NQ-P score demonstrated more significant associations with viewing and eating and/or cooking content displayed on online video platforms (all P < 0.05) than with that on television. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the significance of healthy eating behaviors in early-childhood-obesity prevention and underscore the importance of multilevel maternal, physical, and media environmental interventions that effectively guide eating behaviors in preschool children.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 1979

A study on field bioassay test using four species of commercially important shellfish was carried out to assess the effect of pollutants and determine the extent of marine environmental pollution of the Masan Bay from 9 to 15 August 1978. Water quality analysis and planktological examination of sea water were made during the experiment and the examination gave the following results. The water temperature was so high at 31.7$^{\circ}C$ in maximum and rather subject to change on weather condition of the land than on the effect of the water mass from outer bay. The range of DO,COD and SS at the stations were 0.3-7.08cc/l, 0.07-3.31ppm and 5.5-117ppm, respectively with the high values of COD and SS at the stations 7 and 1. The concentrations of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen in sea water, NH$\sub$4/-N, NO$\sub$2/-N, NO$\sub$3/-N, and PO$\sub$4/-P were 18.90-99.80, 2.48- 19.60, 13.00-39.00 and 1.04-14.0$\mu\textrm{g}$ at/l, respectively with decrease of their values in the outer part of the Bay. The high values mentioned above were caused by the sewage and industrial activities. The effects of organic waste are increased oxygen demand, nutrient concentration, turbidity and a higher input of pathogens, leading to structural changes in the marine ecosystems and to a considerable hazard to public health. The percentage composition of phytoplankton standing crop between diatom and dinoflagellate was characterized by making a difference between the two groups in respect of location: a decrease of diatom and a increase of dinoflagellate in numerical abundance toward inner part from outer part of the bay. Namely phytoplankton organisms were composed of 80% of diatom and 20% of dinoflagellate in outer bay, on the contrary, only 4% of diatom and 96% of dinoflagellate occupied by 94% of prorocentrum micans known as tolerant species to polluted reaas in the inner bay. On the occurrence and composition of zooplankton, there are two significant communities in the bay:one is characterized by the predominance of Oithona nana and the other by Favella sp They were composed of a range from 84% to 90% of the total organisms and monotonously constituted of themselves only at most inner station 3 even small numbers. From the results mentioned above, Oithona nana, Favella and prorocentrum micans recommed themselves as valuable indicators for judging the extent of the marine pollution.During the period of the biossays Mytilus edulis showed the highest mortality and Tapes japonica the lowest one between the four test species. The highest death rate by stations was found at most inner stations 3'and 4near Masan Free Export Zone with the most sensitive response and the lowest one occured at outer station 13 where no death specimen of oyster and arkshell was found during the whole test period.As for mussel,85 percent death rate appeared after 72 hours and 100percent rate after 120hours at station 4. It was found that the significant high mortality of the test shellfish mentioned above was caused by severe pollution with mainly organic pollutants from domestic sewage and industrial wastes from the results of too much higher concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen especially ammonia-N,COD,SS and lack of dissolved oxygen,and furthermore occurrence and abundance composition of Prorcentrum,Favella and Oithona nana by stations, valuable indicator species of coastal pollution by orgnic and boilogical pollutants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.905-911
• /
• 2011

Polymorphisms of BMP15 gene exon 2 and its relationship with prolificacy of goats were detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods in Chinese two local goat breeds. The results showed that the product amplified by the primers displayed polymorphisms. Three genotypes (AA, BB and AB) were detected in Funiu white goats, and their frequency was 0.071, 0.715, 0.214, respectively. Two genotypes (AB and BB) were detected in Taihang black goats, and their frequency was 0.342 and 0.658, respectively. Sequencing revealed that four mutations (456T${\rightarrow}$G, 466C${\rightarrow}$G, 510C${\rightarrow}$T, 511T${\rightarrow}$C) occurred in genotype BB of Funiu white goat, which resulted in amino acid substitution of V155G and S171P. No mutation was detected in Taihang black goat. The Funiu white goat with genotype BB had 0.91 or 0.82 kids, more than those with AB or AA, respectively. The difference of the least squares means for litter size between BB and AB was not significant (p>0.05) in Taihang black goat. It is concluded that the BMP15 gene may be a major gene which affects the prolificacy in Funiu white goats. This study could provide basic molecular data on the reproductive characteristics of local breeds of Henan province in China, and a scientific basis for the conservation and utilization of those two goat breeds.