• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2005

The characteristics of heavy metal biosorption on the seaweeds were investigated to develop a biological treatment technology for wastewater polluted with heavy metals. The heavy metal biosorption on seaweeds ranked in the tallowing order: U. pinnatifida$\geq$E. stolonifera$\geq$Laminaria sp.>G. amansii. The Pb was biosorbed in the range of $93{\sim}99%$, and the Cu and Cd were biosorbed in the range of $70{\sim}80%$ at the concentration of the heavy metal of $100mg/{\ell}$ respectively. The seaweed which was pretreated with $CaCl_2$ solution improved the biosorption of the heavy metals. The temperature and pH didn't affect the biosorption of heavy metals. The Langmuir isotherm reasonably fit the data of heavy metal biosorption compared to the Freundlich isotherm. The affinity of metals on the biosorption ranked in the following order: Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd. The biosorption efficiency of the heavy metals on the U. pinnatifida decreased in the multi-component rather than the single component. The heavy metals adsorbed on the U. pinnatifida were recovered using 0.3%-NTA. U. pinnatifida among the seaweed used in this work showed the best performance for the biosorption of the heavy metals.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.566-575
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• 2008

Twenty-five chipmunk species occur in the world, of which only the Siberian chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus, inhabits Asia. To investigate mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variations and population structure of the Siberian chipmunk in northeastern Asia, we examined mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (1140 bp) from 3 countries. Analyses of 41 individuals from South Korea and 33 individuals from Russia and northeast China resulted in 37 haplotypes and 27 haplotypes, respectively. There were no shared haplotypes between South Korea and Russia - northeast China. Phylogenetic trees and network analysis showed 2 major maternal lineages for haplotypes, referred to as the S and R lineages. Haplotype grouping in each cluster was nearly coincident with its geographic affinity. In particular, 3 distinct groups were found that mostly clustered in the northern, central and southern parts of South Korea. Nucleotide diversity of the S lineage was twice that of lineage R. The divergence between S and R lineages was estimated to be 2.98-0.98 Myr. During the ice age, there may have been at least 2 refuges in South Korea and Russia - northeast China. The sequence variation between the S and R lineages was 11.3% (K2P), which is indicative of specific recognition in rodents. These results suggest that T. sibiricus from South Korea could be considered a separate species. However, additional information, such as details of distribution, nuclear genes data or morphology, is required to strengthen this hypothesis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.273-290
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• 1983

A bionomic study of the coralligenous concretionary hard bottom in the northwestern Mediterranean was carried out at four stations : three stations(Arnette, Laurons, Auguette) under the influence of intense multisource pollution(gradient decreasing from north to south) in the Gulf of Fos, west of Marseille, France, and one control station(Moyade islet) in an unpolluted area near Riou island, east of Marseille. Along the increasing pollution gradient from the outer to the inner part of the Gulf of Fos, there is a qualitative and quantitative impoverishment of the fauna. On the whole, the species richness, the numerical abundance. and the species diversity index are all on the decrease. Accordingly, the innermost station in the Gulf of Fos(Auguette) is most heavily affected by the industrial, and to a lesser extent by the domestic wastes, from the nearby industrial complex and urban areas. The impact on the benthic coralligenous community of this serious alteration has been analysed in view of community composition, functional aspect, and ecological stocks. The faunal affinity between stations has been studied by means of the two coefficients : fourfold point correlation coefficient and Jaccard's community coefficient. The upper layer and inferior face communities of the coralligenous concretionary structures are also compared.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.573-582
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• 2008

We report a newly found natural habitat of Abeliophyllum distichum in mountainous slope range of Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is one of the Korean monotypic endemic species. Natural growth habitats of this species have been recorded from seven sites up to now, and all of the natural habitats are located in middle (Chungbuk Prov.) and middle west (Jeonbuk Prov.) parts of South Korea. Among the previously recorded seven natural habitats, six sites have been designated as Korean national monuments and protected with in situ conservation. New natural habitat of A. distichum is located on northwest slope of stiff hillock area beside the small stream, Seolgye-ri, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Total growing area is nearly $3,000 m^2$. It is 10-25 cm in soil depth and pH 5.0-6.5 in soil acidity in that area. And many of A. distichum are clustered with 2-5 individuals extended by stoloniferous asexual reproduction. And the total numbers of A. distichum are about 700 individuals with only typical white flowers, and the ratio between pin type and thrum type is 37% and 63%, respectively. The huge population of A. distichum is growing with Quercus mongolica-Fraxinus rhynchophylla association in a mixed forest, and it shows high affinity with Stephanandra incisa, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Euonymus alatus for. ciliatodentatus, and Smilax sieboldi.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.193-205
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• 1994

In order to understand fine structural and histochemical changes in the cyst cell and he interstitial cell in the testis of the spottybelly greenling Hexagrammos agrammus associated with the reproductive cycle from January to December, 1992, there cells were studied by electron microscopy and light microscopy. The cyst cells in the mature testis show a weak affinity to haematoxylin. while they become larger in size. At this time, these cells appear to be more functional than those on the growing stage because several mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen particles and a few lipid droplets appear in the cytoplasm of the cyst cell. It appears, therefore, that the cyst cell of this species has vital functions for nutrition, secretion and steroidogenesis. Well-developed interstitial cells contain large rod-shape or spherical mitochondria with tubular cristae and the large quantities of smooth endoplasmic recticulum and electron-dense materials in the vesicle at the mature and spawning stage. The interstitial cells of this species show characteristics of steroid interstitial cells having a vesicular nucleus, mitochondria with tubular cristae, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. However, these interstitial cells of teleost give negative histochemical reactions for Sudan black B.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.216-237
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• 2017

Thermal effluent of the hot spring has long been a field of interest in the relationship between temperature gradient and freshwater algae in geology, limnology and aquatic ecology throughout the world. On the other hand, many artificial hot springs have been developed in Korea, but the research on them has not been still active. This study was performed every month from December 2015 to September 2016, to elucidate the spatiotemporal effects of thermal wastewater effluent (TWE) on the ecosystem of benthic algal assemblage in four stations(BSU (upstream), HSW (hot spring wastewater outlet), BSD1~2 (downstream)) of the upstream reach of the Buso Stream, a tributary located in the Hantan River basin. During the survey, the influencing distance of temperature on TWE was <1.0 km, and it was the main source of N P nutrients at the same time. The effects of TWE were dominant at low temperature and dry season (December~March), but it was weak at high temperature and wet season (July~September), reflecting some seasonal characteristics. Under these circumstances, the attached algal communities were identified to 59 genera and 143 species. Of these, the major phylum included 21 genera 83 species of diatoms(58.0%), 9 genera 21 species of blue-green algae (14.7%) and 25 genera 32 species of green algae (22.4%), respectively. The spatiotemporal distribution of them was closely related to water temperature ($5^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$) and current ($0.2m\;s^{-1}$ and $0.8m\;s^{-1}$). In the basic environment maintaining a high water temperature throughout the year round, the flora favoring high affinity to $PO_4$ in the water body or preferring stream habitat of abundant $NO_3-PO_4$ was dominant. As a result, when compared with the outcomes of previous algal ecology studies conducted in Korea, the Buso Stream was evaluated as a serious polluted state due to persistent excess nutrient supply and high thermal pollution throughout the year round by TWE. It can be regarded as a dynamic ecosystem in which homogeneity (Summer~Autumn) and heterogeneity (Winter~Spring) are repeated between upstream and downstream.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.283-309
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• 2001

Acer pictum complex (A. pictum Thunb. ex Murray with varieties, A. okamotoanum Nakai, A. truncatum Bunge) in eastern Asia causes frequent difficulty in identification. One hundred twenty five specimens from A. pictum complex of China, Korea and Japan and A. cappadocicum var. sinicum of China were compared to investigate patterns of intra- and interspecific variation and to evaluate a recognition of several species as well as many varieties using 22 characters for morphometric analysis. The first three PCA accounted for 59% of the total variance. No strong discontinuities existed among taxa with respect to fruit and leaf characters. Much overlap among all taxa occurred the central region of the scatter diagram. Many characters appeared to show some clinal variation with changes from east of China to Japan through Korea. This was true not only when all species as considered as a single taxon, but when characters of individual taxa were compared with geography. As one considers a path from the western part of the ranges to areas to the east, the leaves become larger in most respects and become increasingly many lobed (five to seven or nine). In general, there was a tendency toward larger nutlet with smaller wing in the area toward northeast of China (=A. truncatum), while in the east of ranges (Island Ullung-do), plants were larger with respect to characters of fruit and leaves (=A. okamotoanum). The morphological differentiation between A. okamotoanum and Japanese and Korean individuals of A. pictum was not considered sufficient to warrant recognition of either specific or varietal status and should be treated as con specific under A. pictum var. mono. Since the lectotype of Acer pictum had minute hairs uniformly on the under surface of leaves(A. pictum var. pictum), the glabrous type of A. pictum was called A. pictum var. mono as Ohahsi suggested. The univaraite analysis (the mean and maximum/minium of nutlet size and wing/nutlet length ratio) indicated geographical differentiation of northeastern populations, A. truncatum, was distinctive, but Korean individuals of A. truncatum showed an affinity between Chinese individuals of A. truncatum and Korean individuals of A. Pictum var. mono. The current results, together with qualitative character, trunk features, justify subspecific status for this taxon. The previous varieties of A. mono in Korea were indistinguishable from typical form of A. Pictum var. mono on the basis of the wing angle and nutlet size, rejecting continued recognition of these taxa as distinctive varieties. Therefore, it is recommended that only one polymorphic species of A. pictum be recognized in addition to three varieties.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

Cymbidium kanran Makino is being threatened in its own habitats due illegal collecting and habitat changes by vegetation growth along historical landuse change. In this study, we established habitat restoration model for conservation of C. kanran based on ecological diagnosis. Through exploration to Jeju Island in 2014 and 2015, we identified 27 unknown habitats of C. kanran and in there, abiotic variables and vegetation structure and composition were quantified. Altitudinal distribution of C. kanran was between 200 m~700 m a.s.l. and compared to distribution in 2004, Area of Occupation (AOO) decreased at 82%. Specific habitat affinity was not observed by evenly found in mountain slope and valley and summergreen and evergreen broadleaved forests, but likely more abundant in valley habitats with higher soil and ambient moisture. Total of 96 individual of C. kanran was observed with an average density of $942.6individuals\;ha^{-1}$. The plants showed relatively short leaf length (average=$10.7cm{\pm}1.1cm$) and small number of pseudo bulbs ($1.2{\pm}0.2$). Flowering and fruiting individuals were not observed in field. C. kanran was classified into endangered plant species as CR (Critically Endangered) category by IUCN criteria. Phenotypic plasticity of C. kanran was likely support to sustain in more shaded habitat environment and recent habatat changes to closed canopy and low light availability may exhibit negatively effects to C. kanran's life history. Restoring C. kanran habitat should create open environment as grassland and low woody species density.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.649-656
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• 2008

The current study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of action of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on proliferation and differentiation of pig preadipocytes. The preadipocytes were isolated from the backfat of new-born female pigs and cultured in serum-deprived medium in the presence and absence of recombinant native IGFs or recombinant mutant IGFs that have reduced affinity for binding to both type-1 IGF receptors and insulin receptors. Fifty ng/ml of either IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ or [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ were included in the media in which preadipocytes were cultured for 4 days. IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ and [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ stimulated proliferation of pig preadipocytes by 39%, 8%, 25% and 2% respectively, as measured by increased numbers of cells. This indicates that both IGF-I and -II promote replication of pig preadipocytes by actions mediated either by type-1 IGF receptor or insulin receptor. IGF-I, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ and [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ stimulated differentiation of pig preadipocytes by 50%, 17%, 37% and 30%, respectively, measured as glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase activity. Reducing the affinity of IGF-I for type-1 IGF receptors or insulin receptors significantly reduced the differentiation response. However, the differentiation response to [Leu27]IGF-II was not significantly different from the response to IGF-II. This shows that IGF-I and IGF-Ⅱ promote cell differentiation by different receptor-mediated mechanisms. IGF-II promotes differentiation of pig preadipocytes by actions that do not involve either type-1 IGF receptors or insulin receptors. These actions therefore appear to be mediated by binding of IGF-II to type-2 IGF receptors(also known as cation-independendent mannose-6-phosphate receptor[CIM6P/IGF2 receptor]). This is the first study to find evidence that IGF-II promotes differentiation of preadipocytes from any animal species by actions mediated by CIM6P/IGF2 receptors. In summary, this study shows that IGF-I and IGF-Ⅱ promote differentiation of pig preadipocytes by mechanisms that involve different cellular receptors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2014

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) plays a central role in cell signaling and leads to cell proliferation, survival, motility, exocytosis, and cytoskeletal rearrangements, as well as specialized cell responses, superoxide production, and cardiac myocyte growth. PI3K is divided into three classes; type I PI3K is preferentially expressed in leukocytes and activated by ${\beta}{\gamma}$ subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins. In this study, the cDNAs encoding the $PI3K{\gamma}$ gene were isolated from a brain cDNA library constructed using the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). The sequence of the isolated $PI3K{\gamma}$ was 1341 bp, encoding 447 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence of the $PI3K{\gamma}$ gene was analyzed with that of other species, including Oreochromis niloticus and Danio rerio, and it turned out to be well conserved during evolution. The $PI3K{\gamma}$ gene was subcloned into the expression vector pET-44a(+), and expressed in the E. coli BL21 (DE3) codon plus cell. The resulting protein was expressed as a fusion protein of approximately 49 kDa containing a C-terminal six-histidine extension that was derived from the expression vector. The expressed protein was purified to homogeneity by His-tag affinity chromatography and showed enzymatic activity corresponding to $PI3K{\gamma}$. The binding of wortmannin to $PI3K{\gamma}$, as detected by anti-wortmannin antisera, closely followed the inhibition of the kinase activities. The results obtained from this study will provide a wider base of knowledge on the primary structure and characterization of the $PI3K{\gamma}$ at the molecular level.