• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.276-288
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• 2013

The present study investigates the effects of elevated soil nitrogen on growth and decomposition of Oryza sativa shoots. The plants were cultivated in greenhouse until leaf senescence and the total biomass of the plant increased 1.9 times at nitrogen addition plot. Total C and N content in shoot increased; however, lignin, C/N, and lignin/N levels decreased in the N-treated soil. The shoot litters collected from the control and N-treated soil were tested for decay and microbial biomass, $CO_2$ evolution, and enzyme activities during decomposition on the control and N-treated soil at $25^{\circ}C$ microcosm. The remaining mass of the shoot litter was approximately 6% higher in the litter collected from the control soil (53.0%) than the litter collected from high N-treated soil (47.1%). However, the high N-containing litter exhibited faster decay in the control soil than in the N-treated soil. The litter containing high N, low C/N, and low lignin/N showed a higher decomposition rate than that of low quality litter. The N-addition showed decreased microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activity in soil; however, it exhibited high microbial biomass N and urease activity in soil. When the high N-containing litter decays on the N-treated soil, the microbial biomass C increased rapidly at the initial phase of decomposition and decreased thereafter, and dehydrogenase activity was less that of other treatment; however, there was no effect on the microbial biomass N. The urease in the decomposing litter was highest during the early decomposition stage and dramatically decreased thereafter. The present findings suggested that the N-addition increased N content in litter, but inhibited the decomposition process of above-ground biomass in terrestrial ecosystems.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of starch concentrations and heating conditions on the gel characteristics of arrowroot starch. Arrowroot starch gels with various pHs, and starch concentrations, were prepared using different temperatures and heating times, and then stored for 24 hrs at $4^{\circ}C$. The hardness of sample gels made at pH 2.0 and 4.0 increased as the starch concentration increased from 7% to 10%, with the maximum value of 94 N being obtained when the gel was prepared at pH 4.0 with a starch concentration of 10%. The maximum hardness of samples prepared with concentrations of starch ranging from 7~9% appeared at $80^{\circ}C$, regardless of the heating temperature and time. Furthermore, the hardness of samples prepared at greater than $100^{\circ}C$ was relatively lower than that of samples prepared at other temperatures. When a starch concentration of 8% was used, the degree of gelatinization(DR) increased as the heating temperature increased, with the maximum value of DR being about 76% at $120^{\circ}C$, regardless of heating time. After storage for 24 hrs, the hardness of samples prepared at $70^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ appeared to decrease, while that of samples prepared at $100^{\circ}C$, $110^{\circ}C$ and $120^{\circ}C$ increased. The correlation between hardness and the degree of gelatinization or retrogradation was very high when samples were prepared at $80^{\circ}C$ with a starch concentration of 9%, as indicated by a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.95. Overall, the microstructures of freeze-dried arrowroot starch gel were composed of a continuous network of amylose and amylopectin with fragmented ghost structures in an excluded phase, but these ghost structures were more evident after storage and with increased heating temperature.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4421-4426
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• 2013

Objective: The present study employed 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549 to investigate the effects on proliferation and expression of the TFPI-2 gene. Methods: Proliferation was assessed by MTT assay after A549 cells were treated with 0, 1, 5, 10 ${\mu}mol/L$ 5-Aza-CdR, a specific demethylating agent, for 24, 48 and 72h. At the last time point cells were also analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) to identify any change in their cell cycle profiles. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSPCR), real time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) and western blotting were carried out to determine TFPI-2 gene methylation status, mRNA expression and protein expression. Results: MTT assay showed that the growth of A549 cells which were treated with 5-Aza-CdR was significantly suppressed as compared with the control group (0 ${\mu}mol/L$ 5-Aza-CdR). After treatment with 0, 1, 5, 10 ${\mu}mol/L$ 5-Aza-CdR for 72h, FCM showed their proportion in G0/G1 was $69.7{\pm}0.99%$, $76.1{\pm}0.83%$, $83.8{\pm}0.35%$, $95.5{\pm}0.55%$ respectively (P<0.05), and the proportion in S was $29.8{\pm}0.43%$, $23.7{\pm}0.96%$, $15.7{\pm}0.75%$, $1.73{\pm}0.45%$, respectively (P<0.05), suggesting 5-Aza-CdR treatment induced G0/G1 phase arrest. MSPCR showed that hypermethylation in the promoter region of TFPI-2 gene was detected in control group (0 ${\mu}mol/L$ 5-Aza-CdR), and demethylation appeared after treatment with 1, 5, 10 ${\mu}mol/L$ 5-Aza-CdR for 72h. Real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of TFPI-2 gene mRNA were $1{\pm}0$, $1.49{\pm}0.14$, $1.86{\pm}0.09$ and $5.80{\pm}0.15$ (P<0.05) respectively. Western blotting analysis showed the relative expression levels of TFPI-2 protein were $0.12{\pm}0.01$, $0.23{\pm}0.02$, $0.31{\pm}0.02$, $0.62{\pm}0.03$ (P<0.05). TFPI-2 protein expression in A549 cells was gradually increased significantly with increase in the 5-Aza-CdR concentration. Conclusions: TFPI-2 gene promoter methylation results in the loss of TFPI-2 mRNA and protein expression in the non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549, and 5-Aza-CdR treatment could induce the demethylation of TFPI-2 gene promoter and restore TFPI-2 gene expression. These findings provide theoretic evidence for clinical treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with the demethylation agent 5-Aza-CdR. TFPI-2 may be one molecular marker for effective treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with 5-Aza-CdR.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2000

Top spin valve samples with a structure Ta/NiFe/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/FeMn/Ta were deposited on a Si(100) substrate by changing d.c. magnetron sputtering conditions and the exchange-bias and magnetic properties of samples were investigated. The Exchange field, H$\_$ex/ increased with increase of sputtering power of FeMn from 30 to 150 W and CoFe from 30 to 100 W deposited on the Cu, the increase of H$\_$ex/ was found due to the improvement of preferred orientation of (111) FeMn phase from XRD results. In the case of Cu, H$\_$ex/ decreased with the increase of sputtering pressure ranging from 1 to 5 mTorr. The relationship between exchange field and resistance was investigated, spin valve samples with a large exchange field showed the lower resistance, which was strongly dependent on the good crystallinity and grain size increase as well as lower scattering effects. The Cu thickness was changed from 22 to 38 $\AA$ for Si/Ta/NiFe/CoFe/Cu(t), 30 W/CoFe, 100 W/FeMn, 100 W/Ta spin valve structures, MR ratio of 6.5 % and exchange field of about 190 Oe were obtained for the sample with Cu of 22 $\AA$ thickness. The increase of exchange field with decrease of Cu thickness was explained by FM/AFM spin-spin interaction.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.501-510
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the onset and release of endo-dormancy under natural conditions by observing bud break characteristics in 'Fuji' apple trees using water cuttings. Through examinations of bud break rate and days to bud break, we found that the endo-dormancy of 'Fuji' apple tree continues for 70 d from 165 to 255 d after full bloom (DAFB), from late October to early January of the following year. In addition, within 20 d of first bud break, based on a final bud break rate of 60% or more, we able to identify the timing of the changeover from para-dormancy to endo-dormancy, and endo-dormancy to eco-dormancy. Analysis of the chilling requirement during the endo-dormancy period revealed that chilling accumulation up to 255 DAFB to release endo-dormancy amounted to 666 and 517 h based on the CH and Utah models, respectively. Observation of internal changes in the bud during endo-dormancy showed that flower bud differentiation begins from mid-July, and t ime of inflorescence o f the disk f lower is a vailable to f ind. The f lower buds subsequently developed slowly but steadily during endo-dormancy and in the following year in February, the developmental stage of each organ had progressed. Moreover, the flower buds of 'Fuji' apples were mostly healthy during the dormancy period, but some exhibited necrosis of flower primordium, due partial cell damage from the formation of ice crystals rather than a direct effect of the low temperature. Flower buds were formed in both the axillary buds of bourse shoots and terminal buds of spurs, but lower bud differentiation was observed for the terminal buds of spurs at rate of about 65% of total buds, which was directly related to the bud size and shoot diameter.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 2013

This study analyzed the ADCP records along with wind by KMA and discharge records at Seosan A-, B-district tide embankment by KRC for 33 days obtained in the Chunsu Bay, Yellow Sea, Korea spanning from July 29 to August 30, 2010. Various analyses include descriptive statistics, harmonic analysis of tidal constituents, spectra and coherence, complex correlation, progressive vector diagram and cumulative curves to understand the tidal and sub-tidal current characteristics caused by local wind and discharge effect. Observed current speed ranges from -30 to 40 (cm/sec), with standard deviation from 1.7 (cm/sec) at bottom to 18.7 (cm/sec) at surface. According to the harmonic analysis results, the tidal current direction show NNW-SSE. The magnitudes of semi-major axes range from 9.4 to 14.8 (cm/sec) for M2 harmonic constituent and from 4.4 to 7.0 (cm/sec) for S2, respectively. And the magnitudes of semi-minor axes range from 0.1 to 0.5 (cm/sec) for M2 and from 0.4 to 1.4 (cm/sec) for S2, respectively. In the spectral analysis results in the frequency domain, we found 3~6 significant spectral peaks for band-passed wind and residual current of all depth. These peak periods represent various periodicities ranging from 2 to 8 (days). In the coherency analysis results between band-passed wind and residual current of all depth, several significant coherencies could be resolved in 3~5 periodicities within 2.8 (days). Highest coherency peak occurred at 4.6 (day) with 1.2-day phase lag of discharge to band-passed residual current. The progressive vector of wind and residual current travelled to northward at all layers, and the travel distance at middle layer was greater than surface layer distance. The Northward residual current was caused by a seasonal southern wind, and the density-driven current formed by fresh water input effected southward residual current. The sub-tidal current characteristics is determined by seasonal wind force and fresh water inflow in the Chunsu Bay, Yellow Sea, Korea.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.175-186
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate the qualitative immunologic changes by ionizing radiation. we studied the altered capacities of the macrophages and lymphocytes to produce cytokines in conjunction with resistance to Listeria monocytegenes (LM) infection in mice Materials and Methods : BALB/c mice and Listeria monocytogenes were used. The mice were infected intraperitoneally with $10^5LM$ at 1 day after irradiation (300cGy) and sacrificed at 1, 3, 5 days after infection, and then the numbers of viable LM per spleen in the irradiated and control group were counted. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interferon-gamma ($IFN-\gamma$). interleukin-2 (IL-2), and nitric oxide (NO) were assessed after irradiation. Results : Under gamma-ray irradiation with a dose range of 100-850cGy, the number of total splenocytes decreased markedly in a dose-dependent manner, while peritoneal macrophages did so slightly Cultured peritoneal macrophages produced more $TNF-\alpha$ in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during the 24 hours after in vitro irradiation, but their capacity of $TNF-\alpha$ Production showed a decreased tendency at 5 days after in vivo total body irradiation. With 100cGy and 300cGy irradiation, cultured peritoneal macrophages produced more NO in the presence of LPS during the 24 hours after in vitro irradiation than without irradiation. Activated splenocytes from irradiated mice (300cGy) exhibited a decreased capacity to Produce IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ with Concavalin-A stimulation at 3 days after irradiation. When BALB/c mice were irradiated to the total body with a dose of 300cGy, they showed enhanced resistance during early innate phase, but a significant inhibition of resistance to LM was found in the late innate and acquired T-cell dependent phases. Conclusion : These results su99es1 that increased early innate and decreased late innate and acquired immunity to LM infection by ionizing radiation (300cGy) may be related to the biphasic altered capacity of the macrophages to produce $TNF-\alpha$ and the decreased capacities of the lymphocytes to produce IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ in addition to a marked decrease in the total number of cells.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.5 s.274
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• pp.341-350
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• 2007

Background: We present here the early and midterm surgical results for infective endocarditis and we especially focus on the effect of aggressive reconstruction or root implantation after wide debridement. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and Jun 2006, we enrolled 79 adult infective endocarditis patients who underwent surgical treatment. There were 63 and 16 native and prosthetic valve endocarditis cases, respectively. They included 27 cases of culture negative endocarditis. With performing valve replacement or repair, 28 of the patient underwent a more aggressive surgical option, for example, aortic root replacement or reconstruction, or heart base reconstruction etc. Result: There were statistical relationships between the in-hospital mortality and staphylococcal infection, urgent-based operation and operation during the active phase of endocarditis. Wide debridement and aggressive reconstruction were not related to either the post operative mortality or the early morbidity. Culture negative endocarditis was not related to the postoperative mortality and morbidity. Conclusion: Physicians must pay attention to patients' medical treatment during the preoperative period of the infective endocarditis. If surgery is considered for treating infective endocarditis, it should be performed before the downhill course of the disease so that the surgical outcome is improved. Wide debridement and more aggressive reconstruction are also warranted.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.501-508
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• 2012

This study was carried out to compare species diversity of soil bacteria from Baekdudaegan mountain forests (Bonghwa-gun, Mungyeong-si and Sangju-si) in Gyeongsangbuk-do and to analyze the effects of soil environments on diversity and population of soil bacteria. Soil bacteria were isolated from soil samples by streak plate method, and identified by DNA extaction and 16S rDNA sequence analyses. The population of soil bacteria from the soil samples of Bonghwa-gun was the highest with $5.1{\times}10^5cfu/g$, and followed by those from Mungyeong-si and Sangju-si with $1.9{\times}10^5cfu/g$ and $1.1{\times}10^5cfu/g$, respectively. The population of soil bacteria from surface layer soil was the highest, and then gradually decreased according to soil depth. The increase in population of soil bacteria from soil samples of different sites was correlated with the increase of the altitude of soil sampling site, depth of A horizon, liquid phase among three phases of soil, water content and bulk density of soil. Two hundreds and sixty eight bacterial colonies from Bonghwa-gun were classified into 10 species, 8 genera. One hundred and thirty four bacterial colonies from Mungyeong-si were classified into 15 species, 9 genera. Forty four bacterial colonies from Sangju-si were classified into 5 species, 2 genera. The dominant species (occupancy rate) from Bonghwa-gun and Mungyeong-si were Bacillus weihenstephanensis (36% and 40%, respectively), and Sangju-si was Bacillus cereus (39%). The relationships between soil environment and community structure of soil bacteria were analyzed statistically by using ecological indices. The diversity, evenness and dominance indices of soil bacteria were 6.30, 2.04 and 0.59 in Bonghwa-gun, 9.09, 2.94 and 0.51 in Mungyeong-si, and 4.55, 2.34 and 0.71 in Sangju-si, respectively. The diversity and evenness indices were increased by the increase of water content, drainage condition and gravel content of soil, while the dominance index was decreased.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2015

To investigate the effect of the weathering process of biotite on Cs sorption, sorption experiment of Cs with $10^{-3}M$ solution was carried out on the biotite reacted at different reaction times at pH 2 and 4, and 1 M solutions of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Rb, and Cs. Peak changes were observed for some samples by XRD, indicating that new mineral phase formed by biotite weathering. Among several factors, cations in solutions have the most significant influence on the mineralogical changes. The samples reacted with Na showed the most outstanding change with increasing peak width and appearance of $12{\AA}$ peak and $14{\AA}$ peak. This new peaks indicate the formation of hydrobiotite and vermiculite. The new peaks had stronger peak intensity for the sample reacted at pH 4 than that at pH 2, probably due to the fast dissolution of small particles and edges and resultant decrease in the formation of expandable layers. The biotite reacted at Mg solution showed small intensity at $14{\AA}$. Based on XRD results, the degree of biotite weathering was in the order of Na, Mg, and Ca. The samples reacted with K, Rb, Cs solutions did not show noticeable mineralogical changes caused by weathering. The amount of sorbed Cs on weathered biotite showed close relationship with the degree of weathering indicated by XRD. At both pH 2 and 4, the biotite reacted with Na solution showed the highest Cs sorption, and those with Mg and Ca solutions showed the next highest ones. The sorbed amounts of Cs on the bitote reacted with K, Rb, Cs solutions were relatively low. This indicates that at the Cs concentration ($10^{-3}M$) which we used for this experiment and which was much higher than the maximum Cs concentration sorbed on the frayed edge site, expandable layer plays more important role than frayed edge. In the cases of K, Rb, and Cs solutions, Cs sorption was decreased because K is the same cations as the one in the interlayer or the sorption of Rb and Cs on the frayed edge prevents the formation of expandable layers.