• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.247-258
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• 2004

Climatological, hydrological and planktonical research studies, measurements of primary production and photosynthetic efficiency from December 1976 to December 1978 have been carried out in two brackish lakes: Lake Etang de Berre and Lake Etang de Vaine located in the French Mediterranean coast, in the region of Carry-le-Rouet located on the north-west Mediterranean near Marseilles, and in fresh water inflows from 4 Rivers (Touloubre, Durance, Arc, Durancole) to Lake Etang de Berre. Physico-chemical parameters were measured for this study: water temperature, salinity, density, pH, alcalinity, dissolved oxygen (% saturation), phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, silicate etc. Diverse biological parameters were also studied: photosynthetic pigments, phaeopigments, specific composition and biomass of phytoplankton, primary pelagic production etc. Climatical factors were studied: air-temperature, solar-radiation, evaporation, direction (including strength) of winds, precipitation and freshwater volume of the four rivers. The changes in Lake ‘Etang de Berre’ ecosystem depend on the quality of the water in the Durance River, and on the effects of seawater near the entrance of the Caronte Canal. The water quality of the lake varies horizontally and vertically as a result of atmospheric phenomena, maritime currents and tides. The distribution of water temperatures is generally heterogeneous. Southeasterly winds and the Northeasterly Mistral wind are important in the origins of circulated and mixed water masses. These winds are both frequent and strong. They have, as a result, a great effect on the water environment of Lake Etang de Berre. In theory, the annual precipitation in this region is well over eight times the water mass of the lake. The water of the Durance River flows into Lake Etang de Berre through the EDF Canal, amounting to 90% of the precipitation. However, reduction of rainfall in dry seasons has a serious effect on the hydrological characteristics of the lake. The temperature in the winter is partially caused by the low temperature of fresh water, particularly that of the Durance River. The hydrological season of fresh and brackish water is about one month ahead of the hydrological season of sea water in its vicinity. The salinity of Lake Etang de Berre runs approximately 3$\textperthousand$, except at lower levels and near the entrance to the Caronte Canal. However, when the volume of the Durance River water is reduced in the summer and fall, the salinity rises to 15$\textperthousand$. In the lake, the ratio of fresh water to sea water is six to one (6:1). The large quantities of seston conveyed by rivers, particularly the Durance diversion, strongly reduce the transparency in the brackish waters. Although the amount of sunshine is also notable, transparency is slight because of the large amount of seston, carried chiefly by Tripton in the fresh water of the Durance River. Therefore, photosynthesis generally occurs only in the surface layer. The transparency progressively increases from freshwater to open seawater, as mineral particles sink to the bottom (about 1.7kg $m^{-2}a^{-1}$ on the average in brackish lakes). The concentration of dissolved oxygen and the rate of oxygen saturation in seawater (Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 $m\ell$ㆍ.$1^{-1}$, and from 95 to 105%, respectively. The amount of dissolved oxygen in Etang de Berre oscillated between 2.9 and 268.3%. The monographs of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and silicate were published as a part of a study on the ecology of phytoplankton in these environments. Horizontal and vertical distributions of these nutriments were studied in detail. The recent diversion of the Durance River into Lake Etang de Berre has effected a fundamental change in this formerly marine environment, which has had a great impact in its plankton populations. A total of 182 taxa were identified, including 111 Bacillariophyceae, 44 Chlorophyceae, and 15 Cyanophyceae. The most abundant species are small freshwater algae, mainly Chlorophyceae. The average density is about $10^{8}$ cells $1^{-1}$ in Lake Etang de Berre, and about double that amount in Lake Etang de Vaine. Differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition at the various stations or at various depths are slight. Cell biovolume V (equivalent to true biomass), plasma volume VP (‘useful’ biomass) and, simultaneously. the cell surface area S and S/V ratio through the measurement of cell dimensions were computed as the parameters of phytoplankton productivity and metabolism. Pigment concentrations are generally very high on account of phytoplankton blooms by Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cryptophyceae. On the other hand, in freshwaters and marine waters, pigment concentrations are comparatively low and stable, showing slight annual variation. The variations of ATP concentration were closely related to those of chlorophyll a and phytoplankton blooms only in marine waters. The carbon uptake rates ranged between 38 and 1091 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average surface value of 256 mg; water-column carbon-uptake rates ranged between 240 and 2310 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with an average of 810, representing 290 mg$Cm^{-2}$, per year 45 000 tons per year of photosynthetized carbon for the whole lake. Gross photosynthetic production measured by the method of Ryther was studied over a 2-year period. The values obtained from marine water(Carry-le-Rouet) ranged from 23 to 2 337 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 319, representing about 110 gCm$^{-2}$ per year. The values in brakish water (Etang de Berre) ranged from 14 to 1778 mg$Cm^{-2}d^{-1}$, with a weighted average of 682, representing 250 mg$Cm^{-2}$ per year and 38 400 tons per year of photosynthesized carbon for the whole lake.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1385-1390
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• 2007

Anticarcinogenic-active compound was isolated and purified from Angelica gigas Nakai. The compound was identified as decursin ($C_{19}H_{20}O_5$; molecular weight 328) by mass, IR spectrophotometry $^1H-NMR$ and $^{13}C-NMR$. The proliferation decreased in a dose dependant fashion in the MCF-7 cells treated with decursin for 24 hours over the concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$. The $IC_{50}$ value of the decursin treatment for 24 hours were 31.04, 33.60, 27,24, $20.45{\mu}g/mL$ in the SW480, 293, HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, respectively, The growth inhibitory effect was stronger in the MCF-7 cells compared to other cells including 293 of human normal cells. The chromatin condensation, apoptotic body formation and DNA fragmentation were examined in the cells treated with decursin. These results suggest that decursin from Angelica gigas Nakai inhibited the growth through apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2008

This study was to elucidate the effect of low dose gamma (${\gamma}$)-ray irradiation on the germination, seedling growth and antioxidant activity in sunflower seeds. The seed germination was stimulated in the range of 2.7${\sim}$8.0% by low dose ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation compared with that of the control; however, the germination of seeds stored for 4 months after irradiated was decreased at all low dose ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation groups. Especially, the germination rate of 32 Gy-irradiated seed group was much lower than that of the other groups and 8 Gy was the optimal radiation dose for germination at room temperature. Though there was variation with storage time and temperature, seedling growth stored at 10$^{\circ}C$ for 4 months after irradiated was promoted at the 1 Gy ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation group compared to seed stored at 25$^{\circ}C$. For the antioxidant activity of ${\gamma}$-ray irradiated seeds extract, 4 Gy and 32 Gy groups were significantly increased by 68.83% and 95.44%, respectively, compared to control at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}g$/ml.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.460-467
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• 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the word. Although radiation and chemotherapy are generally effective, there are various side effects that greatly limit the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, traditional herbs may have potential as important resources for the discovery of liver cancer therapeutics. In this study, we selected three Korean herbal medicine formulas from the Donguibogam, namely Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgithang (DCGT), and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH), and evaluated their anti-cancer effects on HCC cells. According to our results of three ethanol extracts, BGH was more effective at suppressing HCC growth than DCGT or MHBRH. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that inhibition of HCC proliferation by the three extracts was associated with the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In particular, BGH significantly increased mitochondrial impairment and showed the possibility of inducing mitophagy in comparison with the other two extracts. BGH prominently upregulated the levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain-3 which was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 without altering the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. In addition, the levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 were also markedly increased in BGH-treated HCC cells. Moreover, autophagy blocking improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis after the three treatments, indicating that autophagy by these extracts enhances HCC cells against cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our findings show that BGH demonstrates the highest anti-cancer activity among the three formulas and inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells through autophagy induction.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2007

An isolate of Ampelomyces quisqualis 94013(AQ94013) was selected as an effective agent for biological control against cucumber powdery mildew. In order to develop mass production technique, six cereal media made with barley, rice, mille and brown rice, sorghumand rice seed were tested. Among them, barley medium was the best for the growth and conidial production of AQ94013. Optimum temperature for the mass production of AQ94013 was $25^{\circ}C$ and followed by $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$. Light radiation inhibited conidial production of AQ94013 since number of conidia formed on barely medium under continuous light or 12 hrs alternative light were much less than cultured in darkness. Tthe conidia produced on the medium at $30^{\circ}C$ maintained the parasitic ability to Sphaerotheca fusca for 30 days. A culture method of AQ94013 in barley liquid medium with adding barely power(40 g/l) in darkness for five days at $25^{\circ}C$using a 30 l-fermenter was very effective for mass production of conidia.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2012

Hormesis is a dose-response phenomenon that is characterized by low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. This biphasic dose-responses have had a long and extensive history in the fields of chemical toxicology, radiation biology and pharmacology. Hormesis has been found from bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, but hormesis in plants has received relatively little attention. Thus principles, occurrence, factors affecting the expression of hormetic responses, and their mechanisms in plants induced by herbicides are reviewed to provide the potentials for crop enhancement. Bromacil, bromoxynil, chloramben, propachlor, terbacil, EPTC, MSMA, and glyphosate at low doses showed stimulatory response in growth. Subtoxic dose of glyphosate increased sucrose content in sugarcane that is used worldwide in sugarcane production. Low dose of protoporphyrinogen-inhibiting herbicides induced increased pathogen defence, and low dose of triazine herbicides improved nitrogen metabolism and increased protein content in some crops. Further researches on potential benefits and risks of hormesis and its mechanism are needed for application of crop enhancement in agriculture.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.263-272
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• 2007

Nebulin is a giant actin binding protein (600-900 kDa) which is specific to skeletal muscle. This protein is known to regulate thin filaments length in sarcomere as a molecular template. The C-terminus of nebulin is located in the Z-disc of muscle sarcomere and is bound to other proteins such like myopalladin, titin, archvillin, and desmin. The N-terminus of nebulin binds to tropomodulin at the pointed ends of the thin filaments. In recent research, nebulin not only found in brain but also expressed in heart, stomach, and liver. So, the roles of nebulin in non-muscle tissue have been studied. However, lack of information or studies on nebulin binding proteins and nebulin function in brain are available so far. Therefore, the current study have investigated a novel binding partner of Nebulin C-terminus by using yeast two-hybrid screening with human brain cDNA library. Nebulin C-terminus, containing simple repeats, serine rich and SH3 domain, interacts with osteonectin C-terminal region. The specific interaction of nebulin and osteonectin were confirmed in vitro by using GST pull-down assay and reconfirmed in vivo by using transfected COS-7 cells with EGFP-tagged nebulin and DsRed-tagged osteonectin. Consequently, this study identified SH3 domain in nebulin C-terminus specifically binds to extracellular Ca-binding (EeC domain in osteonectin. Also, nebulin C-terminus fusion protein colocalized with osteonectin EC domain fusion protein in transfected COS-7 cells. The current study found the interaction between nebulin and osteonectin in human brain for the first time and suggested the nebulin in brain may be associated with osteonectin, as a regulator of cell cycle progression and mitosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2007

A myofiber of skeletal muscle is composed of myofibrils, sarcolemma (plasma membrane), and constameres, which anchor the myofibrils to the sarcolemma. Achvillin is a recently identified F-actin binding muscle protein, co-isolates with dystrophin and caveolin-3 in low-density sarcolemma of striated muscle, and colocalizes with dystrophin at costameres, the specialized adhesion sites in muscle. Archvillin also binds to nebulin and localizes at myofibrillar Z-discs, the lateral boundaries of the sarcomere in muscle. However other roles of archvillin on the dynamics of myofibrillogenesis remain to be defined. The goal of this study is, by using siRNA-mediated gene silencing technique, to investigate the effect of archvillin on the dynamics of myofibrillogenesis in cell culture of a mouse skeletal myogenic cell line (C2C12), where presumptive myoblasts withdraw from the cell cycle, fuse, undergo de novo myofibrillogenesis, and differentiate into mature myotubes. The roles of archvillin in the assembly and maintenance of myofibril and during the progression of myofibrillogenesis induced in skeletal myoblast following gene silencing in the cell culture were investigated. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the distribution of archvillin was changed along the course of myofibril assembly with nebulin, vinculin and F-actin and then located at Z-lines with nebulin. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that knockdown of mouse archvillin expression led to an impaired assembly of new myofibrillar clusters and delayed fusion and myofibrillogenesis although the mouse archvillin siRNA did not affect those expressions of archvillin binding proteins, such as nebulin and F-actin. This result is corresponded with that of RT-PCR and western blots. When the perturbed archvillin was rescued by co-transfection with GFP or Red tagged human archvillin construct, the inhibited cell fusion and myotube formation was recovered. By using siRNA technique, archvillin was found to be involved in early stage of myofibrillogenesis. Therefore, the current data suggest the idea that archvillin plays critical roles on cell fusion and dynamic myofibril assembly.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1001-1007
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• 2004

Chloroform layer from methanol extract of Corni fructus (Cornaceae) showed strong antiproliferation effect on human cancer cell lines by SRB assay. Anticarcinogenic-active compound was isolated and purified by silica gel column and thin layer chromatograpies, and identified as ursolic acid ($3{\beta}$-hydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid, MW:456) by mass and IR spectrophotometries, and $^1H-and\;^{13}C-NMRs$. The compound inhibited proliferation of A549 (human lung cancer cell line) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line) cells in dose-dependant manner when treated for 48 hr. Inhibition rates of both cells were over 40% and 90% compared with control cells at the $30\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;100\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Morphology of cells treated with the compound for 15 hr at $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ was distorted with shrinked cell mass, and cell number was lower than that of control cells. Cell cycle analysis showed sub-G1 phase arrest in both cell lines following 15 hr exposure to the compound; % of cell phase increased to 11.7 and 11.2% compared to the control of 4.0% and 2.1% in A549 and MCP-7 cells, respectively.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2011

Skin is a physical barrier against diverse injury and damages. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes detrimental skin injuries such as inflammation and cell death. The value of natural pigments could be applied to many usages including cosmetics. This study was conducted to examine the protective effect of natural pigments extracted from mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, pehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice against UV-induced cell death in HaCaT cells, human keratinocyte cell lines. In the present study, the exposure of 50 mJ/$cm^2$ UV-B for 24 hr induced cell death in HaCaT cells, which was prevented by the pretreatment of extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice. In addition, the exposure of 50 mJ/$cm^2$ UV-B for 24 hr also increased lipid peroxide (LPO) formation, compared to control in HaCaT cells, which was prevented by the pretreatment of extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice. In conclusion, the extracts of mulberry, balsam pear, purple-colored sweet potato, rehmannia root, gardenia fruit, and black rice prevented the UV-B-induced cell apoptosis via the inhibition of oxidative stress in HaCaT cells.