• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.451-459
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• 1999

Background : In sepsis, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species plays key roles in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. The serum antioxidants such as catalase and MnSOD are elevated in sepsis and considered as predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and prognostic factors of sepsis. Peroxiredoxin(Prx) has recently been known as an unique and major intracellular antioxidant. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells(RAW 267.7) after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and thioredoxin(Trx) in peritoneal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of septic animal model. Methods : Using immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies against Prx I, Prx II and Trx, we evaluated the distribution of Prx I and Prx II in human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. We evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals(septic animal model induced with intraperitoneal 6 mg/Kg LPS injection) and those in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals and intravenous septic animals(septic animal model induced with intravenous 5 mg/Kg LPS injection) and compared with the severity of lung inflammation. Results : The distribution of Prx I and Prx II were so different among human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. The expression of Prx I in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells was increased after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide but that of Prx II was not increased. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx were increased in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals but were not increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal and intravenous septic animals regardless of the severity of lung inflammation. Conclusion : As intracellular antioxidant, the expression of Prx I is increased in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx are increased in local inflammatory site but not increased in injured lung of septic animal model.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.6
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• pp.735-742
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to elucidate the tolerance of woody plants to simulated acid rain in relation to mycorrhizal inoculation. Germinating seedlings of Robinia pseudoacacia were planted in 1I pots with autoclaved soil mixture of vermiculite, sand and nursery soil at 1:1:1 ratio. Each pot was inoculated with both crushed root nodules from a wild tree of the same species and commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum of Glomus intraradices at the time of planting the seedlings. Simulated acid rains at pH 2.6, 3.6, 4.6, and 5.6 were made by mixing sulfuric acid and nitric acid at 3: 1 ratio. Each pot received nutrient solution without N and P, and was also supplied with 180 ml of the one pH level of the acid rains once a week for 50 days. The plants were grown in the green house. At the end of experimental period, plants were harvested to determine contents of chlorophyll, mineral nutrients and net photosynthesis in the tissues, dry weight of the plants, and mycorrhizal infection in the roots. Mycorrhizal infection rate was significantly reduced only at pH 2.6, which meant vitality of G intraradices was inhibited at extremely low pH. Height growth, dry weight production, nodule production and chlorophyll content were increased by mycorrhizal infection in all the pH levels except pH 3.6. Particularly, mycorrhizal inoculation increased root nodule production by 85% in pH 5.6 and 45% in 4.6 treatments. But the stimulatory effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on nodule production was reduced at pH 3.6 and 2.6. Net photosynthesis was increased by mycorrhizal infection in all the pH levels. The phosphorus(P) content in the tissues was increased by 43% in average by mycorrhizal inoculation, which was statistically significant except in pH 2.6. It was concluded that mycorrhizal inoculation of Robinia pseudoacacia would enhance growth and resistance of the plants to acid rain by improving the photosynthesis, phosphorus nutrition, and more nodule production.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.535-542
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• 1998

This study was carried out for the purpose of supplying the basic data for artificial forestation, natural regeneration and ecological conservation etc., and obtaining information on alpine vegetation, by establishing vegetation units on the basis of phytosociological classification of community and studying growth pattern on the basis of species composition, hierarchy structure and population dynamics, for Taxes cuspidata naturally growing at the alpine districts in Korea. The importance value of Taxus cuspidata by districts mostly showed above 100 in the upper story but at Mt. Chiri and Mt. Hanra communities its value was comparatively low. In the middle story it showed lower value than that of upper story and not quite showed at Mt. Chiri. Taxus cuspidata communities in the lower story were only in Mt. Hanra, Mt. Odae and Mt. Sobaek, and their importance values were about 10 which were relatively low values. The communities were classified into five groups as Taxus cuspidata-Males baccata var. mandshurica, Taxus cuspidata-Abies nephrolepis, Taxus cuspidata-Abies koreana, Taxus cuspidata-Acer mono and Taxus cuspidata-Euonymus quelpaertensis by TWINSPAN analysis. Taxus cuspidata-Abies koreana community was distributed at the northern aspect of the mountain ridges and at higher elevation than other communities and distributed. Taxus cuspidata-Acer mono community was relatively low than the others and distributed at the hillsides of mountain. And Taxus cuspidata-Euonymus quelpaertensis communities were distributed at the relatively high elevation and northern and eastern aspect of the mountain tap, and Taxus cuspidata-Malus baccata var. mandshurica communities were distributed at the medium elevation, and southern and eastern aspect of the mountain ridge. In the relation between communities and environmental factors, it was correlated with aspect, elevation and topography at the first axis, and elevation, slope at the second axis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.4
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• pp.519-527
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• 1998

An economic study of vegetation control to increase production of Songyi (Korean name far pine mushroom, matsutake, Tracholoma matsutake (S. Ito & Imai) Sing.) in red pine (Panes densiflora) stands in Korea was undertaken. In Korea, Songyi grows only in red pine stands. Harvest of this mushroom provides a significant income source to rural people in Korea yielding exports of US$20 million to US$80 million per year. However, hypogeous Songyi colonies and the mushroom production are declining, partly because shade tolerant species are succeeding the shade intolerant red pine. Past research says that it is possible to deep Songyi production increasing by controlling under-story vegetation. But few people are wilting to invest in the necessary control. Our analysis found that the economics of vegetation control appear to be quite favorable, showing an internal rate of return (IRR) of 20.7 percent in 15 years. However, positive returns do not occur for at least eight years and even then, the returns may not appear to the landowner to be a result of vegetation control efforts only because the mushroom production has been greatly variable depending on weather conditions. In a sensitivity analysis, it was found that the number of circular mushroom colonies was critically important for the cash flow. Results of this analysis are also sensitive to assumptions about annual growth length(0.16m radial growth=1.0m/circular length growth) of Songyi colony. However, the primary goal of vegetation control should be to keep the young colonies growing. Further research in the behavior of hypogeous Songyi colonies after vegetation control would help to improve our confidence in the results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 1996

Four natural Quercus stands in Kwangju, Kyonggi-Do, of which ages ranging from 32 to 38 years old, were studied to compare their growth, biomass and net production. Ten $10m{\times}10m$ quadrats were set up and ten sample trees were harvested for dimension analysis in each stand. The largest mean DBH and height were shown by Q. acutissima stand, and followed by Q. variabilis stand, Q. mongolica stand, and Q. dentata stand in descending order. Tree density was the highest at Q. variabilis stand, and followed by Q. dentata stand, Q. mongolica stand, and Q. acutissima stand in descending order. Biomass was the largest at Q. acutissima stand(122.73t/ha), and followed by Q. variabilis stand(87.03t/ha), Q. mongolica stand(72.14t/ha), and Q. dentata stand(38.56t/ha) in descending order. Net production was the greatest at Q. mongolica stand(7.49t/ha/yr.), and followed by Q. variabilis stand(6.47t/ha/yr.), Q. acutissima stand(6.06t/ha/yr.), and Q. dentata stand(3.52t/ha/yr.) in descending order. The highest net assimilation ratio was exhibited by Q. acutissima stand (3.275), and followed by Q. variabilis stand(2.898), Q. mongolica stand(2.888), and Q. dentata stand (1.840) in descending order. The difference in net assimilation ratio and net production among four stands was caused by differences in their leaf biomass. The difference in net production and biomass among four stands was due to that in the distribution of net production among stems, branches and leaves.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.988-993
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• 2008

The characteristics of NO oxidation using sodium chlorite ($NaClO_2$) powder have been investigated by a flow type packed-bed reactor, where the reaction temperature and the space velocity are varied in the range of $20{\sim}230^{\circ}C$ and $0.4-2.2{\times}10^5hr^{-1}$, respectively, and the simulation gas mixtures are composed of NO (0~200 ppm), $NO_2$ (0-200 ppm), $O_2$ (0~15%) and $H_2O$ (0~15%) within $N_2$ balance. It has been found that the oxidation efficiency of NO depends greatly on the reaction temperature, exhibiting the existence of critical reaction temperature at about $170^{\circ}C$ where the oxidation efficiency of NO is maximized and then abruptly decreased with further increase of reaction temperature, resulting in being negligible over $190^{\circ}C$. Such a behavior in the oxidation efficiency has been originated from the phase transition of $NaClO_2$ at about $170^{\circ}C$ to form $NaClO_3$, and NaCl which are chemically inactive toward the oxidation of NO. The chemical reaction of NO with $NaClO_2$ has been observed to produce $NO_2$, ClNO and $ClNO_2$, whereas that of $NO_2$ only OClO species. Additionally, we have also observed that the introduction of $O_2$ and $H_2O$ has little influence on the oxidation of NO.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.751-761
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristics and ordination of Rhododendron brachycarpum population in South Korea. Rhododendron brachycarpum were mainly distributed along the Ulleungdo and Baekdudaegan of the Korean penninsula and it's population was located at an elevation of 872m to 1466m. The Rhododendron brachycarpum population was classified into Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population, Magnolia sieboldii dominant population, Thuja koraiensis dominant population and Rhododendron brachycarpum typical population. The composition of soil properties in the same areas are as follows: organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable $K^+$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ contained, and soil pH. The capacities of these chemical properties of the soil ranged from 10.45~15.28%, 0.37~0.61%, $0.21{\sim}0.35cmol^+/kg$, $0.39{\sim}2.54cmol^+/kg$, $0.17{\sim}0.50cmol^+/kg$, $18.28{\sim}22.81cmol^+/kg$ and 4.66~5.23 respectively. The results of the correlation between communities and soil conditions of vegetation of Rhododendron brachycarpum by DCCA ordination method are as follows: Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population was found in the very steep sloped area that has low percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Magnolia sieboldii dominant population and Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the steep sloped area that has high percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the gentle sloped area that has high percentage of altitudinal and rock exposure. Current status of Rhododendron brachycarpum is very vulnerable with a collection of herbs constantly threatening the species' survival. Thus, concrete conservation plans to protect natural habitats should be set up as soon as possible.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.657-663
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in feeding habits of Red-Tongued Viper Snakes, according to available foods sources and areas. The effects of differences in food sources were found on Red-Tongued Viper Snake inhabited in the Jeju Island and its islet Gapado, from May 2006 to Nov. 2010. The food sources for the Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Jeju Island were found to be as follows: Chinese red-headed centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), Jeju Salamanders (Hynobius quelpaertensis), Japanese tree Frogs (Hyla japonica), Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis), Dybowski's Brown Frogs (Rana dybowskii), Black-spotted Pond Frogs (Rana nigromaculata), Smooth Skinks (Scincella vandenburghi), Asian Keelback Snakes (Amphiesma vibakari), Lesser White-toothed Shrews (Crosidura shantungensis), Hallasan Shrews (Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus), and Jeju Striped Field Mice (Apodemus chejuensis). This implies that Red-Tongued Viper Snakes mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Among these, amphibians occupied the highest portion at 55.2% followed by mammals at 20.7%, centipedes at 13.8%, and reptiles at 10.3%. On the contrary, Red-tongued viper snake population in Gapado only feed on Chinese red-headed centipedes and Smooth Skinks (S. vandenburghi). Since only a small amount of nutrient can be obtained from Chinese red-headed centipeds or Smooth Skinks, this feeding habit for Red-tongued viper snake would adversely effect on the growth or regeneration. The reason why Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Gapado mainly feed on Lizard and Centipedes in spite of relatively various available food sources, might be due to the low density of other food sources in the Gapado. Red-Tongued viper snake could be feeding on foods that are low in quality but are easily accessible, to minimize energy consumption on searching for other more nutritious foods. A snake tends to select the size of its food depending on the size of its own head. The positive correlation was found between the size of the heads of Red-Tongued viper snakes from the Jeju island and the diameter of their foods. The head size was larger in the males than females in viper snake population from the Jeju Island, which might effect on their selection of foods. However, no significant difference was found between the sizes of the head and the food in the Red-Tongued viper snake population from the Gapado. The findings of this study would provide meaningful data, which directly shows that even within the same viper species they choose different available food sources according to their inhabitance. This leads to their growth and adaptation to their environment which is beneficial for sustaining of its population.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.627-633
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• 2014

Annual biomass production and amount of organic carbon in Abies koreana forest at Mt. Halla were conducted as a part of Korea National Long-Term Ecological Research (KNLTER). We measured standing biomass change of litter, soil production and organic carbon amounts of the forest floor and soil layer of A. koreana forest in Mt. Halla from 2009 to 2013 in permanent plots. Standing biomass, which was determined by allometric method, was converted into $CO_2$. The standing biomass in A. koreana forest was 98.88, 106.42, 107.67, 108.31, $91.48ton\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. The amount of annual carbon allocated to above ground was 35.95, 38.69, 38.96, 39.46, $33.2ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ and below ground biomass was 8.54, 9.2, 9.49, 9.28, $7.97ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Amount of organic carbon returned to the forest via litterfall was 1.09, 1.80, 1.32, 2.46 and $1.20ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Amount of organic carbon in annual litter layer on forest floor was 2.74, 2.43, 2.00 and $1.16ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Amount of organic carbon within 20cm soil depth was 55.77, 54.9, 50.69, 44.42 and $41.87ton\;C\;ha^{-1}20cm^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Then standing biomass and organic carbon distribution increased steadily until 2012. But there declined in 2013 because of the typhoon Bolaven. Thus, standing biomass and organic carbon distribution of this subalpine forest were largely affected by natural disturbance factor.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.487-497
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• 2013

This study was conducted to suggest vegetation management plan for Gugok landscape maintenance and improvement by deducing the vegetation landscape factors inherent in Yongha Gugok and understanding vegetation structure through the investigate of existing vegetation and plant community structure of Yongha valley in Woraksan National Park. There were broad and flat rocks, natural layered stones, clear water, light stones, stream, valleys, waterfalls, Pinus densiflora and Acer pseudosieboldianum as a result of deducing natural factors on poetry. There were P. densiflora and A. pseudosieboldianum appeared as one of main vegetation landscape elements. The actual vegetation analysis results were as followed. The natural vegetation occupied 67.5% and it was classified as P. densiflora community, Quercus variabilis community, Q. variabilis-P. densiflora community, Q. variabilis-Q. serrata community, Q. serrata community, Q. mongolica community, Q. mongolica-P. densiflora community, Deciduous broad-leaved tree community. The artificial vegetation(18.7%) was classified as Q. serrata community-Larix kaempferi community, Q. mongolica- Castanea crenata community, L. kaempferi community, L. kaempferi-C. crenata community, fruticeta, L. kaempferi-Q. mongolica community. The grassland area(2.0%) was classified as Miscanthus sinensis community, Phragmites communis community, and other areas were classified as landscape tree planting area, farm, orchard, residential area. The representative vegetation were P. densiflora community, Q. variabilis-Q. serrata community, L. kaempferi community, Deciduous broad-leaved tree community in Yongha Gugok. The species diversity index of Shannon was 0.6274~0.9908 on the whole. Yongha Gugok, as a symbol of succession on confucianism and reverence for nature, should be preserved natural valley landscape being clean and wijungchuksa at the end of Joseon Dynasty and Japanese Colonial era. In this historical and cultural Gugok, vegetation landscape management plan is needed to landscape maintenance with P. densiflora community, density control with L. kaempferi community. And it is considered when natural disasters and artificial damages happened, P. densiflora-oriented vegetation restoration plan should be applied in order to restore.