• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2019

In this study, the in vitro hepatotoxic mechanism of Ephedra sinica (ma-huang) was investigated by measuring the degree of cell death, secretion of cytokine, and fat accumulation by treating HepG2 cells with 70% ethanolic extracts of ma-huang. Cell death was observed at concentrations of around $5-100{\mu}g/mL$ by treatment with ma-huang extracts (p<0.05). The secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), which are inflammatory cytokines, were significantly promoted at concentrations of around 0.05-100 and $0.5-100{\mu}g/mL$, respectively (p<0.05). In this experiment, it was shown that the extracts of ma-huang stimulate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8 and M-CSF, and lead to fat accumulation in the hepatocytes, thereby causing inflammation of the hepatocytes. Hepatotoxicity was observed at around 10-500 times lower concentration than the concentration required to cause serious toxicity, such as cell death, suggesting that hepatic toxicity (hepatitis) may be induced at a low dose.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2024

Phytoremediation presents a low-carbon and eco-friendly solution for heavy metal-contaminated soils, which pose great health and environmental risks to humans and ecosystems. A hydroponic culture was used to quantitatively assess the phytoremediation potential of plant species to remediate As or Cd-contaminated soil in field application. This study examined the growth, uptake, and distribution of Cd in the roots and shoots of Phalaris arundinacea and Brassica juncea in hydroponic conditions with Cd concentrations ranging from 0 to 20 mg/L for 10 days. Additionally, Aster koraiensis and Pteris multifida were cultivated in hydroponic conditions containing As concentrations ranging from 0 to 40 mg/L for 10 days. The concentrations of Cd in the above-ground part and root tissues of P. arundinacea and B. juncea reached a maximum of 147.7 and 1926.7 mg/kg-D.W.(Dry Weight), and 351.6 and 11305.5 mg/kg-D.W., respectively. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) for P. arundinacea and B. juncea were 68.9 and 122.3, respectively. Both species exhibited a translocation factor (TF) of less than 0.1, indicating their eligibility for phytostabilization. Aster koraiensis exhibited significant As accumulation of 155.1 and 1306.7 mg/kg D.W. in the above-ground part and root, respectively. However, this accumulation resulted with substantial weight loss and the manifestation of toxic symptoms. P. multifida exhibited higher accumulation of As (345.1 mg/kg-D.W.) in the fronds than in the roots (255.4 mg/kg-D.W.), corresponding to BCF values of 18.6 and 7.6, respectively, and a TF greater than 1.2. A TF value greater than 1.0 indicates that P. multifida is a viable option for phytoextraction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.895-900
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• 2012

The effects of three fractions, hexane (BHHH), chloroform (BHHC), and ethyl acetate (BHHE), from water extract of Benincasa hispida on the underlying mechanisms of adipogenesis were investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular lipid droplets were stained with Oil Red O dye and quantified. Compared to control, lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 11% and 13% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively at a concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. Intracellular triglyceride (TG) levels were also reduced by 21% and 16%, respectively, at the same concentration. To determine the mechanism behind the reductions in TG content and lipid accumulation, glycerol release and expression levels of adipogenic marker genes were measured. The levels of free glycerol released into culture medium increased by 13% and 17% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively. In subsequent measurements using real-time polymerization chain reaction, the mRNA levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin significantly decreased upon treatment with BHHE (45%, 67%, and 35%) in comparison with non-treated control. These results suggest that BHHE inhibits adipocyte differentiation by blocking $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells, resulting in reduced lipid accumulation, increased glycerol release, and intracellular triglycerides.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was in search of native plant species showing metal-resistant property and excessively accumulating heavy metals in metal-contaminated soil or abandoned mines as well as in evaluation of applicability of phytoremediation. In the study area, species showing excessively accumulating heavy metals were a shepherd´s purse, pampas grass, a Korean lettuce, a Hwansam vine, the Korean persicary, a foxtail, a goosefoot, and a water pepper. The first screened plant species in Sambo mine were as shepherd's purse, Korean lettuce and pampas grass Among them the shepherd´s purse can be excluded because it is a seasonal plant and has lower removal capacity for heavy metals. The Korean lettuce was also excluded because of having lower removal capacity for heavy metals. Pampas grass is a highly bionic plant species constantly growing from spring. However it has weak points such as little accumulation capacity for zinc as well as small values of an accumulation factor and a translocation factor. Another problem is regarded as removal of roots after the clean up if pampas grass is applied to a farmland. In Sanyang mine, wormwood and Sorijaengi were considered as adaptable species.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2000

This experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of harvest index and the relationship between harvest index and yield determination factors by different planting times in the determinate soybean cultivars, Shinpaldal and Danbaeg. Optimum planting were 23 May in 1995 and 1996. Late planting were 13 June in 1995 and 6 June in 1996. Growth period from planting to physiological maturity (R7) was shortened as planting time was delayed in two cultivars due to shortening of reproductive growth period in Shinpaldal, and of vegetative growth period in Danbaeg. Stem weight was distinctly decreased in late planting compared to optimum planting, but seed weight of both cultivars was not different between planting times. Also, seed number per pod and harvest index were significantly increased in late planting and the high correlation was found between two factors. It was suggested that increase of harvest index in late planting would be related with high assimilate use efficiency due to increase of sink capacity. The results of correlation and principal component analysis for yield determination factors showed that main factor on yield determination was pod number per plant at R5 stage associated with dry matter accumulation during early reproductive growth period, seed number per pod and harvest index were the second factor, and one hundred seed weight was the third factor. The result of this experiment indicated that yield determination in soy-bean was dependent mainly on pod number per plant related to dry matter accumulation by early reproductive growth period, and the increase of seed number per pod and harvest index could compensate for yield decrease by shortening of vegetative growth period in late planting. Such result suggests that optimum planting date can be delayed from mid May to early June in improved soybean cultivars in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2013

A beneficial radioprotective agent has been used to treat the radiation-induced lung injury. This study was performed to investigate whether curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could ameliorate radiation-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in irradiated lungs. Rats were given daily doses of intragastric curcumin (200 mg/kg) prior to a single irradiation and for 8 weeks after radiation. Histopathologic findings demonstrated that macrophage accumulation, interstitial edema, alveolar septal thickness, perivascular fibrosis, and collapse in radiation-treated lungs were inhibited by curcumin administration. Radiation-induced transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression, and collagen accumulation were also inhibited by curcumin. Moreover, western blot analysis revealed that curcumin lowered radiation-induced increases of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Curcumin also inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65 in radiation-treated lungs. These results indicate that long-term curcumin administration may reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by radiation treatment.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1991

This experiment was carried out in order to study the changes of morphological characters of growth and thatch accumulation in perennial ryegrass as affected by the different levels of soil compaction and coring depth. Soil compactions were treated with 10, 20, 30 and 40kg power roller and artificial core depth were 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0cm under the ground, respectively. And, artificial core space were fixed 84.5% in all soil compaction levels. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Relationship between number of tillers and root weight was positive significant difference for soil compaction levels. 2. Relationships between shoot dry weight and thatch weight, and number of tillers were positively significant difference for artificial core depths. It may indicate that thatch accumulation depend on the growth of shoot, and increase of shoot dry weight as growth progressed may due to increase of number of tillers, respectively. 3. Soil compaction level of 20kg was greatly influenced on the growth of shoot in all artificial soil depths. Thus, shoot dry weight and number of tillers were obtained the highest value, but thatch and root weight were obtained the lowest values at the soil compaction level of 20kg. It was suggested that soil compaction of 20kg is very suitable rolling factor for turf maintenance. 4. Thatch weight was positively significant difference for the interaction of soil compaction levelXcoring depth.5. Thatch weight was positive significant correlated with root weight, and negative significant correlated with number of tillers by increase of soil compaction levels.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 2016

Anthocyanin accumulation and plant growth were examined in petunia (NT and $T_2$ transgenic plants) by determining the effects of different sources of light and varying light/dark cycles. Red light significantly enhanced anthocyanin content of B-peru+mPAP1; however, it had a negative effect on anthocyanin production in RsMYB1 plants. In general, white light was found to be reasonable for anthocyanin accumulation in all plants. In case of light/dark cycles, application of seven days of light:14 days of dark significantly enhanced anthocyanin content. We found that anthocyanin content detected in transgenic plants expressing anthocyanin regulatory transcription factor genes (B-peru+mPAP1 or RsMYB1) was higher than that in NT plants in all treatments. Plant growth was also influenced by the different light sources and dark/light cycles. Taken together, our results suggest that light source and light/dark cycle play an important role in anthocyanin production and plant growth. The choice of the optimal conditions is also important for anthocyanin production and plant growth depending on NT or transgenic plants carrying anthocyanin regulatory transcription factors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.581-602
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• 2005

In this paper the accumulation of local damage during the cyclic loading in reinforced high-strength concrete columns is experimentally investigated. Two identical column specimens with annular cross-section and spiral reinforcement were designed and two tests, up to failure, under the action of a constant vertical concentrated force and a time-dependent concentrated horizontal force, were carried out at the LNEC shaking tables facility. Sine type signals, controlled in amplitude, frequency and time duration were used for these experiments. The concept of local damage based on local stiffness degradation is considered in detail and illustrated by experimental results. The specimens were designed and reinforced in such a way that the accumulation of damage was predicted by dominating deformations (cracking and crushing of the concrete) while the increasing of the loading values was a dominating factor of damage. It was observed that the local damage of HSC columns has exposed their anisotropic local behaviour. The damage accumulation was slightly different from the expected in accordance with the continuum damage concept, and a partial random character was observed.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.292-2999
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• 2022

Anthocyanin, an important component in the grape berry skin, strongly affects grape quality. The transcription factors VvMYBA1 and VvMYBA2 (VvMYBA1/2) control anthocyanin biosynthesis. In addition, cultivation and environmental factors, such as light, influence anthocyanin accumulation. The present study aimed to clarify the effect of shading (reduced light condition) on the transcriptomic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis using a red-wine grape cultivar, Vitis vinifera 'Pinot Noir', and its white mutant, 'Pinot Blanc', caused by the deletion of the red allele of VvMYBA1/2. The grape berry skins were analyzed for anthocyanin content and global gene transcription accumulation. The microarray data were later validated by quantitative real-time PCR. A decisive influence of VvMYBA1/2 on the expression of an anthocyanin-specific gene, UDP glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase, was observed as expected. In contrast, upstream genes of the pathway, which are shared by other flavonoids, were also expressed in 'Pinot Blanc', and the mRNA levels of some of these genes decreased in both cultivars on shading. Thus, the involvement of light-sensitive transcription factor(s) other than VvMYBA1/2 was suggested for the expression control of the upstream genes of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, it was suggested that the effects of these factors are different among isogenes.