• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.517-528
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• 2010

Rice seed maturation and germination involve drastic changes in water and nutrient transport, in which tonoplast aquaporins may play an important role. In the present study, gene expression profiles of 10 tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIP) from rice were investigated by RT-PCR during seed development and germination. OsTIP3;1 and OsTIP3;2 were specifically expressed in mature seeds. Their transcript level rapidly decreased after onset of seed germination and gene expression was induced by ABA treatment. In contrast, expression of OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 was not seed specific as transcripts were found in vegetative tissues as well. Their respective transcript levels decreased at an early stage of seed development, whereas they increased at a later stage of seed germination and elongation of embryonic roots and shoots. When seed germination was inhibited by various stress conditions and ABA, expression of OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 was completely suppressed. In contrast, the expression level of OsTIP2;2 rapidly increased after seed imbibition and the transcript level was maintained under conditions inhibiting seed germination. These results implicate that tissue specific and developmental transcriptional regulation of OsTIPs in rice seeds depends on their specific function. In addition, OsTIPs can be discriminated by different potential phosphorylation and methylation sites in their protein structures. OsTIP3;1 and OsTIP3;2 possess unique phosphorylation signatures at their N-terminal domain, loop B and loop E, respectively. OsTIP2;1 and OsTIP4;3 have a potential methylation site at their Nterminal domain. This suggests that activity of specific tonoplast aquaporins may be regulated by post-translational modification as well as by transcriptional control.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1317-1324
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• 2013

High-molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) have been shown to play a crucial role in determining the processing properties of the wheat grain. We have produced marker-free transgenic rice plants containing a wheat Glu-1Bx7 gene encoding the HMG-GS from the Korean wheat cultivar 'Jokyeong' using the Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation method. The Glu-1Bx7-own promoter was inserted into a binary vector for seed-specific expression of the Glu-1Bx7 gene. Two expression cassettes comprised of separate DNA fragments containing only Glu-1Bx7 and hygromycin phosphotransferase II (HPTII) resistance genes were introduced separately to the Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 strain for co-infection. Each EHA105 strain harboring Glu-1Bx7 or HPTII was infected to rice calli at a 3:1 ratio of Glu-1Bx7 and HPTII, respectively. Then, among 216 hygromycin-resistant $T_0$ plants, we obtained 24 transgenic lines with both Glu-1Bx7 and HPTII genes inserted into the rice genome. We reconfirmed integration of the Glu-1Bx7 gene into the rice genome by Southern blot analysis. Transcripts and proteins of the wheat Glu-1Bx7 were stably expressed in the rice $T_1$ seeds. Finally, the marker-free plants harboring only the Glu-1Bx7 gene were successfully screened at the $T_1$ generation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2013

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prx 6) is a member of the thiol-specific antioxidant protein family, which may play a role in protection against oxidative stress and in regulating phospholipid turnover. The aim of this study was to determine whether a human Prx 6/Luc vector was stably expressed and responded to antioxidants in a lung cell line (NCI-H460). To achieve this, the luciferase signal, hPrx 6 mRNA expression, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured in transfectants with a hPrx 6/Luc plasmid after treatment with four antioxidant extracts, including Korea white ginseng (KWG), Korea red ginseng (KRG), Liriope platyphylla (LP), and red Liriope platyphylla (RLP). First, the hPrx 6/Luc plasmid was successfully constructed with DNA fragments of human Prx 6 promoter, amplified by PCR using genomic DNA isolated from NCI-H460 cells, and cloned into the pTransLucent reporter vector. The orientation and sequencing of the hPrx 6/Luc plasmid were identified with restriction enzyme and automatic sequencing. A luciferase assay revealed significant enhancement of luciferase activity in the four treatment groups compared with a vehicle-treated group, although the ratio of the increase was different within each group. The KRG- and LP-treated groups showed higher activity than the KWG- and RLP-treated groups. Furthermore, the luciferase activity against RLP occurred roughly in a dose-dependent manner. However, the level of endogenous hPrx 6 mRNA did not change in any group treated with the four extracts. The SOD activity was in agreement with the luciferase activity. Therefore, these results indicate that the hPrx 6/Luc vector system may successfully express and respond to antioxidant compounds in NCI-H460 cells. The data also suggest that the Prx 6/Luc vector system may be effectively applied in screening the response of hPrx 6 to antioxidant compounds in transgenic mice.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.101-124
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• 2009

According to Wikipedia, virtual reality (VR) is defined as a technology that allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment. Due to a rapid growth in information technology (IT), the cost of virtual reality has been decreasing while the utility of virtual reality advertisements has dramatically increased. Nevertheless, only a few studies have investigated the effects of virtual reality advertisement on consumer behaviors. Therefore, the objective of this study is to empirically examine the effects of virtual reality advertisement. Compared to traditional online advertisements, virtual reality advertisement enables consumers to experience products realistically over the Internet by providing high media richness, interactivity, and telepresence (Suh and Lee, 2005). Advertisements with high media richness facilitate consumers' understanding of advertised products by providing them with a large amount and a high variety of information on the products. Interactivity also provides consumers with a high level of control over the computer-simulated environment in terms of their abilities to adjust the information according to their individual interests and concerns and to be active rather than passive in their engagement with the information (Pimentel and Teixera, 1994). Through high media richness and interactivity, virtual reality advertisements can generate compelling feelings of "telepresence" (Suh and Lee, 2005). Telepresence is a sense of being there in an environment by means of a communication medium (Steuer, 1992). Virtual reality advertisements enable consumers to create a perceptual illusion of being present and highly engaged in a simulated environment, while they are in reality physically present in another place (Biocca, 1997). Based on the characteristics of virtual reality advertisements, a research model has been proposed to explain consumer responses to the virtual reality advertisements. The proposed model includes two dimensions of consumer responses. One dimension is consumers' rational response, which is based on the Information Processing Theory. Based on the Information Processing Theory, product knowledge and perceived risk are selected as antecedents of intention to purchase. The other dimension is emotional response of consumers, which is based on the Attitude-Structure Theory. Based on the Attitude-Structure Theory, arousal, flow, and positive affect are selected as antecedents of intention to purchase. Because it has been criticized to have investigated only one of the two dimensions of consumer response in prior studies, our research model has been built so as to incorporate both dimensions. Based on the Attitude-Structure Theory, we hypothesized the path of consumers' emotional responses to a virtual reality advertisement: (H1) Arousal by the virtual reality advertisement increases flow; (H2) Flow increases positive affect; and (H3) Positive affect increases intension to purchase. In addition, we hypothesized the path of consumers' rational responses to the virtual reality advertisement based on the Information Processing Theory: (H4) Increased product knowledge through the virtual reality advertisement decreases perceived risk; and (H5) Perceived risk decreases intension to purchase. Based on literature of flow, we additionally hypothesized the relationship between flow and product knowledge: (H6) Flow increases product knowledge. To test the hypotheses, we conducted a free simulation experiment [Fromkin and Streufert, 1976] with 300 people. Subjects were asked to use the virtual reality advertisement of a cellular phone on the Internet and then answer questions about the variables. To check whether subjects fully experienced the virtual reality advertisement, they were asked to answer a quiz about the virtual reality advertisement itself. Responses of 26 subjects were dropped because of their incomplete answers. Responses of 274 subjects were used to test the hypotheses. It was found that all of six hypotheses are accepted. In addition, we found that consumers' emotional response has stronger impact on their intention to purchase than their rational response does. This study sheds much light into practical implications for both IS researchers and managers. First of all, while most of previous research has analyzed only one of the customers' rational and emotional responses, we theoretically incorporated and empirically examined both of the two sides. Second, we empirically showed that mediators such as arousal, flow, positive affect, product knowledge, and perceived risk play an important role between virtual reality advertisement and customer's intention to purchase. In addition, the findings of this study can provide a basis of practical strategies for managers. It was found that consumers' emotional response is stronger than their rational response. This result indicates that advertisements using virtual reality should focus on the emotional side, and that virtual reality can be served as an appropriate advertisement tool for fancy products that require their online advertisements to give an impetus to customers' emotion. Finally, even if this study examined the effects of virtual reality advertisement of cellular phone, its findings could be applied to other products that are suited for virtual experience. However, this research has some limitations. We were unable to control different kinds of consumers and different attributes of products on consumers' intention to purchase. It is, therefore, deemed important for future research to control the consumer and product types for more reliable results. In addition to the consumer and product attributes, other variables could affect consumers' intention to purchase. Thus, the future research needs to find ways t control other variables.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3 s.99
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• pp.160-171
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• 2002

The impact of summer monsoon on water quality of the lower Nakdong River was evaluated during the summer (June-August) in 1997. Several limnological variables were measured in the interval of $1{\sim}3$ day using an automatic monitoring system (Hydrolab $Recorder^{TM}$) to detect water quality changes caused by rainfall on onehour basis. During the monsoon period (from late June to mid July), 5 times of major rainfall events of >50 mm were recorded in the river basin. Dynamic changes of water quality were observed during the monsoon, and the first rainfall event (June$25{\sim}27$) had a significant influence on the water quality at the lower part of the river. All Parameters were largely changed due to the first rain event, and the changed level was maintained until the end of monsoon period. Nutrient concentrations and turbidity increased and values of the other parameters were declined as a result of water dilution. This rainfall event, Changma, is a meteorological phenomenon caused by the East-Asian monsoon climate. The magnitude and frequency of the rainfall during the early monsoon play an important role in change of water quality and ecosystem characteristics of large river systems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.379-386
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• 2007

Nonylphenol (NP) has been well known as a major substance of surfactant and/or estrogenic environmental hormone. We tested toxic effects of nonylphenol on the population growth and development of aquatic organism such as algae (Microcystis aeruginosa), heterotrophic nanoflagellate (Diphylleia rotans), micro- (Brachionus calyciflorus) and macro-zooplankton (Daphnia magna) among eutrophic water food-web constituents. Dosage of NP treatment were 4 to 5 grades, according to each organism's tolerance based on pre-experiments; algae (0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 1.00 mg $L^{-1}$) Diphylleia rotans (0.5, 1,2. 5,6, 10 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, Brachionus calyciflorus (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), and Daphnia magna (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Toxic effects were measured by the changes of biomass of each organism after NP treatment. All experiments were triplication. As suggested, the higher concentration of NP treatment, the stronger inhibited the population growth of all organisms tested. In view of toxicity, a variety of concentration of NP showed a significant growth inhibition to organism; algae to 0.05 $mg\;L^{-1}$, D. rotans and B. calyciflorus to 1.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and D. magna to 5.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The $EC_{50}$ of each organism to the nonylphenol are as follows; 3. calyciflorus (2.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. rotans (3.49 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$), D. magna (7.61 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$, and M. aeruginosa (47 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. NP toxic effects on the development of zooplankton like egg production showed some differences in treatment concentration between Brachionus calyciflorus ${0.1{\sim}1NP{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$ and Daphnia magna $(0.5{\sim}5NP\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1})$. These results suggest that a strong growth inhibition of predator or grazer by the nonylphenol can stimulate the algal growth, or can play important role in evoking the nuisance algal bloom in eutrophic water with enough nutrients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.908-915
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• 1998

By using Korean native soybean, traditional meju was prepared in Chuncheon, Kangweondo according to the traditional process. Analysis of physico-chemical, enzymatic and microbiological changes during meju fermentation were carried out in order to obtain a basic information for industrial scale production of meju. The enviroments for natural meju fermentation were $10{\sim}15^{\circ}C$ and $60{\sim}70%{\;}RH$. Moisture content decreased from 59% to 11% (exterior section) and 19% (interior section). the pH of meju rapidly increased up to 8.5 at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation and thereafter decreased down to 7.9 at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Souble protein content was 1.47% at initial stage and increased up to $6.31{\sim}7.34%$ at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Amino nitrogen content was $460{\sim}770{\;}mg%$ at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. the color of meju became gradually black and decreased in redness and yellowness. During the process, protease and lipase seemed to play an important role in the digestion of soy protein and fat. Acidic protease activity increased up to $135.9{\sim}152.4{\;}unit/g$ at $33^{rd}{\;}day$ of fermentation and were $181.3{\sim}272.6{\;}unit/g$ at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. Lipase activity increased up to 6 unit/g (interior section) and 15 unit/g (exterior section) at $70^{th}{\;}day$ of fermentation. the viable cell count of meju was at the level of $10^8{\;}CFU/g$ during the overall fermentation period. Aerobic halophilic count was $1.51{\times}10^7{\;}CFU/g$ at initial stage and maintained $10^8{\;}CFU/g$ level during the process. Initial anaerobic cell count was $2.0^9{\times}10^4{\;}CFU/g$ and increased up to $10^5{\;}CFU/g$ level at 47 days. Yeast and mold counts were $10^4{\sim}10^5{\;}CFU/g$ for the fermentation period.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.223-232
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• 2010

Crude polysaccharide (WG-PL-CP) was fractionated from fermented ginseng with Phellinus linteus in solid culture to enhance the immunostimulation of ginseng. WG-PL-CP produce three active polysaccharide-rich fractions (WG-PL-CP-II, III, and IV) on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B ($Cl^-$ form). WG-PL-CP-III displayed higher mitogenic activity (1.98-fold of the saline control at $100\;{\mu}g/mL$) than did WG-CP-III or PL-CP-III (1.60- or 1.65-fold, respectively), and potent intestinal immune system modulating activity through Peyer's patch was obtained by WG-PL-CP-IV only (1.56-fold). Meanwhile, WG-PL-CP-II and III significantly enhanced macrophage stimulating activity (2.01- and 1.94-fold) compared to WG-CP-II and III (1.73- and 1.66-fold) or PL-CP-II and III (1.79- and 1.72-fold). In addition, WG-PL-CP-III and IV mainly contained neutral sugar (73.5 and 67.3%) and uronic acid (23.2 and 24.6%). Component sugar analysis also showed that WG-PL-CP-III consisted mainly of uronic acid as well as the neutral sugars Glc, Ara, Gal, Rha and Xyl (molar ratio of 0.81:1.00:0.49:0.42:0.28:0.20), whereas WG-PL-CP-IV was mainly comprised of uronic acid, Ara, Rha, Gal, Xyl and Glc (1.00:0.75:0.69:0.63:0.42:0.34). Therefore, it is assumed that these active polysaccharides play an important role in enhancing the immunostimulation of fermented ginseng with P. linteus in solid culture.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2013

The innate immune response is fundamental defense response of vertebrates and invertebrates. Especially, the innate immune response important for larvae that lack of resistance to infectious diseases in the early stages. Galectin is one of the kinds of lectin and presents in the fish mucous that involves innate immune response. Galectin have been studied from various fishing species, but expression analysis of galectin is still unclear during early developmental stage in olive flounder. In this study, we investigated gene expression of galectin-1 from various developmental stage and tissues. We excised several tissues including the muscle, fin, eye, gill, brain, stomach, intestine, kidney, spleen and liver from adult olive flounder and confirmed gene expression of galectin-1 using RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of galectin-1 was significantly higher in muscle, stomach and intestinal tissue than other tissue in adult fish (5 and 29 months). Also, galectin-1 gene was detected from 0 DAH and gradually increased to 35 DAH and since then decreased after stomach development period. Induction of galectin-1 during the early developmental stage suggest that muscle, fin and eye tissue is formed and begins the secretion of galectin this period. In addition, increased expression levels at 35 DAH suggest that due to complete formation of stomach and intestine, increase of secretion and activation of enzyme. This study shows that expression of galectin-1 during early developmental stages and adult period in olive flounder and can be expect that galectin-1 play essental role in the innate immune system throughout the whole life time. Galectin-1 is primary barrier such as skin and digestive tissue against pathogen infection, also digestive tract developmental period is important for pathogen invasion can be expected that it will serve. Mass mortality due to the disease in seed production is continuing damage, therefore these result will be meaningful about infectious disease during early developmental stages as a basic data for the study.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.549-556
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• 2017

Rivers continuously transport terrestrial organic carbon matter to the estuary and the ocean, and they play a critical role in productivity and biodiversity in the marine ecosystem as well as the global carbon cycle. The amount of terrestrial organic carbon transporting from the rivers to ocean is an essential piece of information, not only for the marine ecosystem management but also the carbon budget within catchment. However, this phenomenon is still not well understood. Most large rivers in Korea have a well-established national monitoring system of the river flow and the TOC (Total Organic Carbon) concentration from the mountain to the river mouth, which are fundamental for estimating the amount of the TOC flux. We estimated the flux of the total terrestrial organic carbon of five large rivers which flow out to the Yellow Sea, using the data of the national monitoring system (the monthly mean TOC concentration and the monthly runoff of river flow). We quantified the annual TOC flux of the five rivers, showing their results in the following order: the Han River ($18.0{\times}10^9gC\;yr^{-1}$)>>Geum River ($5.9{\times}10^9gC\;yr^{-1}$)>Yeongsan River ($2.6{\times}10^9gC\;yr^{-1}$)>Sumjin River ($2.0{\times}10^9gC\;yr^{-1}$)>>Tamjin River ($0.2{\times}10^9gC\;yr^{-1}$). The amount of the Han River, which is the highest in the Korean rivers, corresponds to be 4% of the annual total TOC flux of in the Yellow River, and moreover, to be 0.6% of Yangtze River.