• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2008

Growth and photosynthetic responses of one $C_3$ and two $C_4$ plants in the family Chenopodiaceae in three $CO_2$ concentration $([CO_2])$ conditions-low (about $243{\mu}mol\;mol^{-1}$, LC), present (about 378, PC), and high (about 465, HC)-were investigated in open top chambers. The relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate in the $C_3$ plant, Chenopodium album, increased with increasing $[CO_2]$, though the RGR was not enhanced significantly in the HC condition. The leaf area ratio and leaf weight ratio of the $C_3$ plant drastically decreased with increasing $[CO_2]$, suggesting that the $C_3$ plant invests more biomass to leaves in lower $[CO_2]$ conditions. The two $C_4$ plants, Atriplex glauca and A. lentiformis, showed relatively small changes in those growth parameters. These photosynthetic-pathway-dependent responses suggest that growth patterns of $C_3$ and $C_4$ plants have been altered by past increases in atmospheric $[CO_2]$ but that there will be relatively little further alteration in the future high-$CO_2$ world.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.374-386
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• 2022

Phytoplankton communities, with emphasis on picoplankton and nanoplankton, were investigated in Gamak Bay, South Korea, where freshwater input and coastal water intrusion shape ecosystem functions. Shellfish farms and fish farms are located in the inner bay and outer bay, respectively, and tides translocate uneaten food and urine production from aquaculture farms toward the inner bay. Water masses were distinctly different based on a significantly different density between the surface and bottom layer and among three water masses, including the inner bay, outer bay, and Yeosu Harbor. Phytoplankton communities were quantified using flow cytometry and size-fractionated chlorophyll-a (chl-a) was measured. Salinity was a principal variable separating phytoplankton communities between the surface and bottom layer, whereas Si(OH)₄ controlled the communities in the inner bay, and NH₄⁺ and PO₄^3- governed the outer bay communities. While phycocyanin-containing (PC) cyanobacteria dominated in the outer bay, phycoerythrin-containing (PE) cyanobacteria dominance occurred with cryptophyte dominance, indicating that nutrients affected the distribution of pico- and nanoplankton and that cryptophytes potentially relied on a mixotrophic mode by feeding on PE cyanobacteria. Interestingly, picoeukaryotes and eukaryotes larger than 10 ㎛ were mostly responsible for the ecological niche in the western region of the bay. Given that chl-a levels have historically declined, our study highlights the potential importance of increased small phytoplankton in Gamak Bay. Particularly, we urge an examination of the ecological role of small phytoplankton in the food supply of cultivated marine organisms.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.49.2-49.2
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• 2019

We present results from our long-term observing campaign, using the NASA IRTF at Maunakea, to obtain 2 - 4 ㎛ spectra of 118 red point sources in the line of sight to the Galactic Center (GC). Our sample is largely composed of point sources selected from near- and mid-infrared photometry, but also includes a number of massive young stellar objects. Many of these sources show high foreground extinction as shown by deep 3.4 ㎛ aliphatic hydrocarbon absorption feature, which is a characteristic of the diffuse ISM and comes from the long line of sight through the diffuse medium toward the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), the central 300 pc region of the GC. The deep 3.1 ㎛ H₂O ice absorption band coming from the local, dense material in the GC CMZ suggests that most sources are likely located in the GC CMZ. A few of these sources show weak CCH₃OH ice absorption at 3.535 ㎛, which can provide a strong constraint on the CCH₃OH ice formation in the unique environment of the CMZ. From the best-fitting models, the optical depths of these features are determined and used to generate a well-rounded view of the ice composition across the GC CMZ and the spectral characteristics of massive YSOs in the GC.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.1431-1440
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• 2024

The study aimed to develop a laser-based distance meter (LDM) to improve water surface identification for clinical MeV electron beam dosimetry, as inaccurate water surface determination can lead to imprecise positioning of ionization chambers (ICs). The LDM consisted of a laser ranging sensor, a signal processing microcontroller, and a tablet PC for data acquisition. I₅₀ (the water depth at which ionization current drops to 50 % of its maximum) measurements of electron beams were performed using six different types of ICs and compared to other water surface identification methods. The LDM demonstrated reproducible I₅₀ measurements with a level of 0.01 cm for all six ICs. The uncertainty of water depth was evaluated at 0.008 cm with the LDM. The LDM also exposed discrepancies between I₅₀ measurements using different ICs, which was partially reduced by applying an optimum shift of IC's point of measurement (POM) or effective point of measurement (EPOM). However, residual discrepancies due to the energy dependency of the cylindrical chamber's EPOM caused remained. The LDM offers straightforward and efficient means for precision water surface identification, minimizing reliance on individual operator skills.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.365-375
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• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Oxidative stress is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and account for the toxicity of a wide range of compounds. Methods and Results: In order to study the neuro-protective effect of the complex extracts of Aster scaber Thunberg (AS) and Chaenoleles sinensis Koehne (CSK) against hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells, cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay using tetrazole, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and the intracellular ROS levels were determined the by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. In order to examine the anti-amnesic effects of the complex extracts of AS and CSK, behavioral tests were performed on male ICR mice. The ameliorating effect of the complex extracts against Aβ_1-42-induced learning and memory impairment was analyzed by y-maze and passive avoidance tests. The AS and CSK extracts showed neuro-protective activity both in vitro and in vivo, and the neuro-protective effect of their 60 : 40 (AS : CSK) mixture was better than that of the other mixtures. Moreover, the complex extracts synergistically inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and rapid peroxidation. Conclusions: A mixture of the AS and CSK extracts could be used to develop functional foods and serve as raw materials for the development of therapeutics against Alzheimer's disease.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2018

Continuous input into the aquatic ecosystem and persistent structures have created concern of antibiotics, primarily due to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Degradation kinetics and mineralization of vancomycin B (VAN-B) by photocatalysis using $TiO_2$ and ZnO nanoparticles was monitored at natural pH conditions. Photocatalysis (PC) efficiency was followed by means of UV absorbance, total organic carbon (TOC), and HPLC results to better monitor degradation of VAN-B itself. Experiments were run for two initial VAN-B concentrations ($20-50mgL^{-1}$) and using two catalysts $TiO_2$ and ZnO at different concentrations (0.1 and $0.5gL^{-1}$) in a multi-lamp batch reactor system (200 mL water volume). Furthermore, a set of toxicity tests with Daphnia magna was performed to evaluate the potential toxicity of oxidation by-products of VAN-B. Formation of intermediates such as chlorides and nitrates were monitored. A rapid VAN-B degradation was observed in ZnO-PC system (85% to 70% at 10 min), while total mineralization was observed to be relatively slower than $TiO_2-PC$ system (59% to 73% at 90 min). Treatment efficiency and mechanism of degradation directly affected the rate of transformation and by-products formation that gave rise to toxicity in the treated samples.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1820-1828
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• 2010

Cobalt(II) chloride, a chemical compound with the formula$CoCl_2$, has been widely used in the treatment of anemia, as a chemical agent for the induction of hypoxia in cell cultures, and is known to activate hypoxic signaling. However, excessive exposure to cobalt is associated with several clinical conditions, including asthma, pneumonia, and hematological abnormalities, and can lead to tissue and cellular toxicity. It is also known to induce apoptosis. One of the questions was that of whether $CoCl_2$ might induce apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in neurons. To address this question, first, the level of DNA fragmentation was measured for assay of apoptotic rates using $CoCl_2$ with neuron PC12 cells. After confirmation of apoptosis inductions, under the same conditions, the expression levels of ER stress associated factors [ER chaperones Bip, calnexin, ERp72, ERp29, PDI, and ER membrane kinases (IRE1, ATF6, PERK)] were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. These results indicated that apoptosis is induced through activation of ER membrane kinases via ER stress. In conclusion, during induction of apoptosis through $CoCl_2$-induced hypoxia in neuron PC12 cells, ER membrane kinase of IRE1 was dominantly up-expressed, and, consecutively, TRAF2, which has been suggested to be one of the links connecting apoptosis and ER stress, was strongly up-expressed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2022

The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Coreopsis lanceolate extract against hydrogen-peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage and cell death in pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbebzothiazoloine-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities, as well as the expression levels of proteins associated with oxidative damage and cell death were investigated. According to the results, C. lanceolate extract exhibited inhibitory activity against intracellular ROS generation and cell-damaging effects induced by hydroxyl radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 22.3 mg·g^-1 gallic acid equivalent and 16.2 mg·g^-1 catechin equivalent, respectively. Additionally, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay based on the internal standard method used to detect phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds identified in C. lanceolata extract contained (+)-catechin hydrate (5.0 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), ferulic acid (1.6 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), chlorogenic acid (1.5 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), caffeic acid (1.2 ± 0.0 mg·g-1), naringin (0.9 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1), and p-coumaric acid (0.5 ± 0.0 mg·g^-1). C. lanceolata extract attenuated pro-apoptotic Bax expression levels and enhanced the expression levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 proteins. Therefore, C. lanceolata is a potential source of materials with neuroprotective properties against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2013

Soybean polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is thought to exert anti-inflammatory activities and has potent effects in attenuating acute renal failure and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PC in protecting multiple organ injury (MOI) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six groups of rats (N=8) were used in this study. Three groups acted as controls and received only saline, hydrocortisone (HC, 6 mg/kg, i.v.) or PC (600 mg/kg, i.p.) without LPS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) injections. Other 3 groups, as the test groups, were administered saline, HC or PC in the presence of LPS. Six hours after the LPS injection, blood and organs (lung, liver and kidney) were collected from each group to measure inflammatory cytokines and perform histopathology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assessment. Serum cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-10) and MPO activities were significantly increased, and significant histopathological changes in the organs were observed by LPS challenge. These findings were significantly attenuated by PC or HC. The treatment with PC or HC resulted in a significant attenuation on the increase in serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, pro-inflammatory cytokines, while neither PC nor HC significantly attenuated serum levels of IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokine. In the organs, the enhanced infiltration of neutrophils and expression of ED2 positive macrophage were attenuated by PC or HC. Inductions of MPO activity were also significantly attenuated by PC or HC. From the findings, we suggest that PC may be a functional material for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.136-152
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• 2017

The thermodynamic models, PC-SAFT (Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associated Fluid Theory) state equation and the Two-model approach liquid activity coefficient model NRTL (Non Random Two Liquid) + Henry + Peng-Robinson, for modeling the Rectisol process using methanol aqueous solution as the $CO_2$ removal solvent were compared. In addition, to determine the new binary interaction parameters of the PC-SAFT state equations and the Henry's constant of the two-model approach, absorption equilibrium experiments between carbon dioxide and methanol at 273.25K and 262.35K were carried out and regression analysis was performed. The accuracy of the newly determined parameters was verified through the regression results of the experimental data. These model equations and validated parameters were used to model the carbon dioxide removal process. In the case of using the two-model approach, the methanol solvent flow rate required to remove 99.00% of $CO_2$ was estimated to be approximately 43.72% higher, the cooling water consumption in the distillation tower was 39.22% higher, and the steam consumption was 43.09% higher than that using PC-SAFT EOS. In conclusion, the Rectisol process operating under high pressure was designed to be larger than that using the PC-SAFT state equation when modeled using the liquid activity coefficient model equation with Henry's relation. For this reason, if the quantity of low-solubility gas components dissolved in a liquid at a constant temperature is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas phase, the carbon dioxide with high solubility in methanol does not predict the absorption characteristics between methanol and carbon dioxide.