• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.511-518
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• 2011

To avoid hyperacute rejection of xenografts, ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT KO) pigs have been produced. In this study, we examined whether Sia-containing glycoconjugates are important as an immunogenic non-Gal epitope in the pig liver with disruption of ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene. The target cells were then used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer (scNT). A total of 1,800 scNT embryos were transferred to 10 recipients. One recipient developed to term and naturally delivered two piglets. Real-time RT-PCR and glycosyltransferase activity showed that ${\alpha}2,3$-sialyltransferase (${\alpha}2,3ST$) and ${\alpha}2,6$-sialyltransferase (${\alpha}2,6ST$) in the heterozygote GalT KO liver have higher expression levels and activities compared to controls, respectively. According to lectin blotting, sialic acidcontaining glycoconjugate epitopes were also increased due to the decreasing of ${\alpha}$-Gal in heterozygote GalT KO liver, whereas GalNAc-containing glycoconjugate epitopes were decreased in heterozygote GalT KO liver compare to the control. Furthermore, the heterozygote GalT KO liver showed a higher Neu5Gc content than control. Taken together, these finding suggested that the deficiency of GalT gene in pigs resulted in increased production of Neu5Gc-bounded epitopes (H-D antigen) due to increase of ${\alpha}2,6$-sialyltransferase. Thus, this finding suggested that the deletion of CMAH gene to the GalT KO background is expected to further prolong xenograft survival.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.303-310
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• 2014

This study investigated the reduction of food waste through the slurry phase decomposition in a source of food waste by microorganisms. The reactor used in the experiment was composed of both woodchip with wood material and sponges with polyurethane material as media of attached microorganisms, and food waste was mixed with a constant cycle consisted of a stirring device. During the experimental period of 100 days, the change in weight over the cumulative total amount of food waste added was reduced by 99%. Approximately, 1% of the residual food waste could be inherently recalcitrant materials (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) and thus was thought to be the result of the accumulation. The initial pH in wastewater generated from food waste was low with 3.3 and after 24 hours treatment this pH was increased to 5.8. The concentrations of COD, BOD, SS, salinity, TN and TP were gradually decreased. Food waste decay was proceeded by the seven species microorganisms identified and confirmed in this study, making a slurry phase and thus reducing residual food wastes. In the initial phase, the microbial population was approximately $3.3{\times}10^4$ cell/mL, and after 15 days this population was a constant with $5.1{\times}10^6$ cell/mL which means a certain stabilization for the reduction of food wastes. From these results, it can be considered that organic matter decomposition as well as the weight loss of food wastes by microorganisms is done at the same time.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2013

A concerted effort to develop alternative forms of energy is underway due to fossil fuel shortages and its deleterious effects. Recently, bioenergy from microalgae has gained prominence and the use of municipal wastewater as a low cost alternative for a nutrient source has significant advantages. In this study, we have employed municipal wastewater directly after primary treatment (primary settling basin) in a small scale raceway pond (SSRP) for microalgal growth. Indigenous microalgae in the wastewater were encouraged to grow in the SSRP under optimal conditions. The mean removal efficiencies of TN, TP, and $NH_3-N$ after 6 days were 77.77%, 63.55%, and 89.02%, respectively. The average lipid content of the microalgae was 19.51% of dry cell weight, and linolenate and linoleate (18:n) were the predominant fatty acids. The 18S rRNA gene analysis and microscopic observations of the indigenous microalgae community revealed the presence of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus as the dominant microalgae. These results indicate that untreated municipal wastewater, serving as an excellent nitrogen and phosphate source for microalgal growth, could be treated using microalgae in open raceway ponds. Moreover, microalgal biomass could be further profitable by the extraction of biodiesel.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.979-984
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• 2011

Although sludge production has been increased due to the number of the wastewater treatment plants expanded, needs of the techniques for the sludge reduction and disposal has been issued importantly because the sludge dumping to ocean is prohibited from 2012 by the London Dumping Convention. Therefore, the sludge solubilization using electrolysis as an alternative techniques for the sludge disposal was carried out in this study. Iridium coated titanium based insoluble electrodes were used and 20 volt was applied to the electrolysis reactor using DC power supply. Supernatants of the treated sludge was monitored: The soluble COD, TN, TP of it was increased to 151%, 22% and 6% respectively. And the sludge floc size distribution was changed, that is, the flocs ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 ${\mu}m$ were increased. All of these results indicate that the cells were lysed and the internal matters bursted out of the cell after electrolysis. As well as the reduction of the sludge production, the soluble organic matters from the cells could be used as an external carbon sources in the advanced wastewater treatment plants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2008

The seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and water quality were evaluated bimonthly at 7 park ponds in the capital region from October 2004 to August 2005. With out the change of water temperature $(0.4\sim26.0^{\circ}C)$, cyanobacteria dominated in park ponds such as Gyungbokgung Gyunghyaeru and Seokchon reservoir. The standing crops of phytoplankton was significant related with cell densities of cyanobacteria (r=0.993), while they did not significant correlation with environmental factors. Almost of all park ponds in the capital region were classified as eutrophic state with high TP concentrations and TN/TP ratios less than 10. Major dominant cyanobacteria were as followed; Anabaena sp., Aphanocapsa elachista, Lyngbya contorta, Merismopedia elegans, Microcystis aeruginosa, M. wesenbergii, Microcystis sp., Oscillatoria sp., Phormidium tenue, and Plectonema sp. To date, although the concentration of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ and cyanobacterial densities in the capital region was below the 'danger' level of WHO guidelines value, the monitoring of cyanobacterial densities and its toxin (microcystin) in recreational/bath water should be continued.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.755-765
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• 2023

Background: Caveolin-1, the scaffolding protein of cholesterol-rich invaginations, plays an important role in store-operated Ca²⁺ influx and its phosphorylation at Tyr14 (p-caveolin-1) is vital to mobilize protection against myocardial ischemia (MI) injury. SOCE, comprising STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1, contributes to intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) accumulation in cardiomyocytes. The purified extract of steamed Panax ginseng (EPG) attenuated [Ca²⁺]_i overload against MI injury. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of EPG affecting p-caveolin-1 to further mediate SOCE/[Ca²⁺]_i against MI injury in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and a rat model. Methods: PP2, an inhibitor of p-caveolin-1, was used. Cell viability, [Ca²⁺]_i concentration were analyzed in cardiomyocytes. In rats, myocardial infarct size, pathological damages, apoptosis and cardiac fibrosis were evaluated, p-caveolin-1 and STIM1 were detected by immunofluorescence, and the levels of caveolin-1, STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. And, release of LDH, cTnI and BNP was measured. Results: EPG, ginsenosides accounting for 57.96%, suppressed release of LDH, cTnI and BNP, and protected cardiomyocytes by inhibiting Ca²⁺ influx. And, EPG significantly relieved myocardial infarct size, cardiac apoptosis, fibrosis, and ultrastructure abnormality. Moreover, EPG negatively regulated SOCE via increasing p-caveolin-1 protein, decreasing ORAI1 mRNA and protein levels of ORAI1, TRPC1 and STIM1. More importantly, inhibition of the p-caveolin-1 significantly suppressed all of the above cardioprotection of EPG. Conclusions: Caveolin-1 phosphorylation is involved in the protective effects of EPG against MI injury via increasing p-caveolin-1 to negatively regulate SOCE/[Ca²⁺]_i.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2021.06a
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• pp.457-457
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• 2021

인공습지는 자연이 가진 정화기작을 인위적으로 증가시키기 위하여 조성한 자연기반해법에 해당한다. 인공습지는 습지 내 식물, 미생물, 토양 등의 상호기작에 의하여 오염물질이 제거된다. 인공습지의 오염물질저감효율은 시설의 규모와 유량, 유입물질의 부하량 수리학적 부하량, 체류시간 등의 영향을 받게 된다. 일반적으로 인공습지 적정 규모는 유역 및 기상인자의 특성과 조성목적에 고려하여 산정된다. 본 연구는 전국 35개 지역에 설치된 54개 인공습지를 선정하여 모니터링을 수행하였으며, 2011년부터 2018년에 설치된 시설이다. 54개 시설 중 도심지역에 13개, 농업지역 25개, 공업지역 3개, 상업지역 3개, 축산 10개가 설치되어있다. 습지형태는 Cell형 자유수면형 인공습지(Free Water Surface, Cell-FWS), 유로형(Flow) 자유수면형 인공습지(Cell-FWS), Cell과 Flow형이 결합된 Hybrid-FWS, 수직흐름형 인공습지(vertical flow constructed wetland)와 수평지하흐름형 인공습지(vertical flow constructed wetland)가 결합된 HYBIRD 형 습지로 구분된다. 연구결과, 일반적으로 SA/CA 비율이 클수록 오염물질의 저감효율은 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 오염 물질별 인공습지 규모를 비교할 경우 저감효율 60%에서 인공습지의 규모는 유기물>영양염류>입자상물질 순으로 나타났다. 목표 제거효율 60%에서 SA/CA 비는 BOD에서 약 3.2%, COD에서 2.5%, SS에서 1.9%, TN 2.5%, TP 2.3%로 나타났다. 입자상물질인 SS는 유기물 및 영양염류에 비하여 유역면적 대비 시설면적이 가장 적게 나타났으며, 유기물질 제거에 큰 시설규모가 필요한 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 인공습지 설계시 유역 토지이용 및 강우특성을 고려하여 적정한 수질과 유량모니터링이 필요하며, 이를 토대로 목표 오염물질 선정이 중요한 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 농업지역의 최적화된 인공습지 위치는 임야가 20~30%, 밭이 20% 이하, 논이 10~50%를 포함하는 곳이 적정한 것으로 평가되었다. 도시지역 인공습지는 도시면적이 증가할수록 효율이 크게 변하지 않기에 가용위치가 적정한 위치로 평가된다. 인공습지의 효율은 유역의 세부 토지이용에 크게 의존하는 것으로 평가되었다. 따라서 인공습지 설계시 농업지역에서는 임야, 밭 및 논의 적정면적을 고려하여 인공습지 위치가 결정되어야 하는 것으로 나타났다.

• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2005

Daily variation of phytoplankton community and environmental parameters were investigated at the lower Nakdong River (Mulgum) from January 2002 to December 2003 to investigate the dynamics of a phytoplankton community in detail. The daily results of water quality in this investigation showed pH (8.1 $\pm$ 0.7), DO (10.3 $\pm$ 2.7 $mg{\cdot}l^{-1}$), water temp. (18.8 $\pm$ 7.4°C), BOD (2.4 $\pm$ 1.0 $mg{\cdot}l^{-1}$), COD (5.3 $\pm$ 1.2 $mg{\cdot}l^{-1}$) and chl. a (43.5 $\pm$ 35.1 mg ${\cdot}m^{-3}$). The results of nutrient factors were the following: TN (3.1 $\pm$ 0.8 $mg{\cdot}l^{-1}$), NO3-N (2.5 $\pm$ 0.5 $mg{\cdot}l^{-1}$), TP (90 $\pm$ 48 ${\mu}g\;{\cdot}\;l^{-1}$), PO4-P (43 $\pm$ 30 ${\mu}g\;{\cdot}\;l^{-1}$). Dominant phytoplankton species during the study period were diatom (Stephanodiscus hantzschii, Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima and A. italica) and cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae). The small centric diatom, Stephanodiscus hantzschii, was repeatedly dominant from late fall to the following spring (mean and maximum cell density, 2.3 × 103 $\pm$ 3.8 × 103, 4.5 × 105 cells $ml^{-1}$, respectively). Pinnate diatom, Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima and A. italica, were frequently observed all season except January to March. Cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, proliferated in summer of 2002 except in 2003 due to heavy precipitation. The dominant zooplankton species (March-early May) was rotifer (Brachionus, Keratella, Polyarthra) and cladocerans (Diaphanosoma). The daily observed dynamics of the phytoplankton community in the lower Nakdong River in this study may play an important role in increasing the detailed resolution of limnological information and serving as ecological data for future studies.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.235-240
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• 2006

We investigated the antioxidant activities such as DPPH radical scavenging capacity, xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, and superoxide radical scavenging capacity of the aqueous EtOH extract and its solvent fractions of Artemisia scoparia. The ethyl acetate fraction showed high antioxidant activity, compared to positive controls such as ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), trolox, and allopurinol in these assay systems. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory effect of solvent fractions of A. scoparia on the production of pro-inflammatory factors that the nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 $(PGE_2)$ production activated with LPS $(1{\mu}g/ml)$ in murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. The amounts of protein levels were determined by immunoblottting. Tn the sequential fractions of hexane and dichloromethane inhibited the NO and $PGE_2$ production and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that A. scoparia may have anti-inflammatory activity through the antioxidant activity and inhibition of pro-inflammatory factors.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2015

To treat leather industry wastewater (LIW) containing high nitrogen concentration, eight aerobic denitrifiers were isolated from sludge existing in an LIW-treatment aeration tank. Among them, one strain named as KH8 had showed the great ability in denitrification under an aerobic condition, and it was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa R12. The aerobic denitrification ability of the strain KH8 was almost comparable to its anaerobic denitrification ability. In lab-scale aerobic denitrifications performed in 1-L five-neck flasks for 48 hr, denitrification efficiency was found to be much improved as the strain KH8 held a great majority in the seeded cells. From the nitrogen balance at the cell-combination ratio of 10:1 (the strain KH8 to the other seven isolates) within the seeded cells, the percentage of nitrogen loss during the aerobic denitrification process was estimated to be 58.4, which was presumed to be converted to $N_2$ gas. When these seeded cells with lactose were applied to plant-scale aeration tank for 56 day to treat high-strength nitrogen in LIW, the removal efficiencies of $COD_{Cr}$ and TN were achieved to be 97.0% and 89.8%, respectively. Under this treatment, the final water quality of the effluent leaving the treatment plant was good enough to meet the water-quality standards. Consequently, the isolated aerobic denitrifiers could be suitable for the additional requirement of nitrogen removal in a limited aeration-tank capacity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of aerobic denitrifiers applied to plant-scale LIW treatment.