• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2009

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness among adults in the western countries. Hyperglycemia is a condition, that induces apoptotic cell death in a variety of cell types in diabetes, but the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the study is to understand the effects of high Glucose on Human Retinal Endothelial Cells. Retinal endothelial cells were cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) containing 5, 25 and 50 mM Glucose, incubated for 24, 36 and 48 hours in humidified 5 % CO$_2$ incubator at 37$^{\circ}C$. Human Retinal Endothelial Cell Line (HREC) were characterized for morphology with different treatment by phase contrast microscopic analysis. Number of dead and viable cells was counted by trypan blue exclusion and supported by MTT assay. The intracellular Hydrogen peroxide (H$_2$O$_2$), a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation in high glucose conditions was assessed by FOX II assay and apoptosis by caspase-3 assay. The high glucose treated cells undergoing DNA fragmentation was witnessed by Agarose gel electrophoresis. We found that the cells incubated with 25 and 50 mM glucose containing medium for 48 hours altered the morphology of the cell, induced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. The dead cell number were high in 25 and 50 mM when compared to the cells incubated with 5 mM glucose for 24, 36, and 48 hours. Also, the H$_2$O$_2$ levels and the activity of caspase-3 were increased in high glucose treated cells. Conclusions/interpretation: Our results demonstrated that elevated glucose induces apoptosis in cultured HREC. The hyperglycemia-induced increase in apoptosis may be dependent on caspase activation. The association between ROS generation and caspase-3 activation on high glucose treated cells is yet to be investigated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

The effect of sediments in a waste dumping area on marine organisms was evaluated using sediment toxicity tests with a benthic amphipod (Monocorophium acherusicum) and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) in accordance with the Korean Standard Method for Marine Wastes (KSMMW). Nine sites in the East Sea-Byeong, East Sea-Jeong, and Yellow Sea-Byeong areas were sampled from 2016 to 2019. The test results showed that the relative average survival rate (benthic amphipods) and relative luminescence inhibition rate (luminescent bacteria) were below 30%, which were judged to be "non-toxic." However, in the t-test, a total of 12 benthic amphipod samples (6, 1, 1, and 4 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) were significantly different (p<0.05) from the control samples. To identify the source of toxicity on benthic amphipods, a simple linear regression analysis was performed between the levels of eight heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in sediments and the relative average survival rate. The results indicated that Cr had the highest contribution to the toxicity of benthic amphipods (p = 0.000, R2 = 0.355). In addition, Cr was detected at the highest concentration at the DB-85 station and exceeded the Marine Environment Standards every year. Although the sediments were determined as "not toxic" according to the ecotoxicity criteria of the KSMMW, the results of the statistical significance tests and toxicity identification evaluation indicated that the toxic effect was not acceptable. Therefore, revising the criteria for determining the toxic effect by deriving a reference value through quantitative risk assessment using species sensitivity distribution curves is necessary in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.32-41
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• 2008

An empirical study and environmental and ecological analysis were conducted on Otgol Village(a village of the Gyeongju Choi's clan in Daegu) where an enclosed pond and groves are still observed. In particular, the enclosed pond and groves and village water system were investigated from an ecological perspective. The enclosed landscape is described based on feng shui principles and the environmental and ecological significance were examined. In general, the environmental and ecological significance is very broad; however, they were analyzed in terms of the quality of life as an empirical study as follows: First, water quality was measured to investigate the improvement of continuous water system functions. In other words, water quality was measured at East Valley(resting space), West Valley(living space), the enclosed pond where the two valleys merge, and the stream that flows out of the pond. Second, the climate functions of the enclosed groves that border the village were examined. In other words, temperature was measured in two places(200m distance from the center of the groves). Third, whether or not a sound ecosystem can be sustained was investigated. In other words, landscape ecological indicators were chosen and measured. The results are as follows: First, the enclosed pond played the role of purifying water quality. While the East Valley has been popular with men for its rock walls and torrents, the West Valley has been popular with women as a living space(ex: doing the laundry). Therefore, the difference of water quality can be explained. Second, since enclosed groves are in a small village forest, they are very weak in terms of being wind proof and temperature reduction effects. Instead, they play the role of the village boundary. Third, the groves are ecologically sound considering the landscape ecological indicators and are similar to ordinary traditional rural villages. In terms of the connection of the green zone, the village groves are well connected to the village boundary wood. If the village groves are restored, in particular, they would offer a decent habitat for grove creatures. According to this study, the traditional village space was formed upon the influence of Feng Shui theories that are based on environmental and ecological principles that focus on the harmony between humans and nature. From the environmental and ecological perspective, the enclosed pond and groves are important factors in building a sustainable village. The diverse water space would help to improve water quality and increase water volume by promoting the water circulation system. In addition, the village woods would surround the village and decrease the temperature and humidity difference between winter and summer. If the groves are small and badly damaged, however, they are meaningful only in dividing the region. The overall improvement of a forestation system and botanical composition may increase the biological diversity and promote the migration of species. Otgol Village has developed an enclosed landscape to improve the village environment. In other words, a sound and refreshing living environment can be developed when the natural ecological system is well understood and properly preserved. Additionally, this traditional village planning will be the environmental and ecological method. From the perspective of environmental ecology, therefore, a traditional village is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.300-310
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• 2006

Genomic DNA isolated from three geographical gizzard-shad (Konosirus punctatus) populations in Seocheon (SC), Busan (BS) and Gochang (GC) collected in the West Sea and the southern sea, respectively, off the Korean Peninsula, were PCR-amplified repeatedly. Eight selected decamer and 20-mer primers generated a total of 713 loci in the SC population, 791 in the BS population, and 732 in the GC population, with a DNA fragment size ranging from 100 bp to 2,800 bp. We identified 50 unique loci for the SC population, 70 unique loci for the BS population and 130 for the GC population: 120 shared loci for the three populations. There were 108 specific loci (15.1%) for the SC population, 74 (9.4%) for the BS population, and 67 (9.2%) for the GC population. Eight primers also generated 48 polymorphic loci (6.7%) for the SC population, 26 (3.3%) for the BS population, and 16 (2.2%) for the GC population. The similarity matrix ranged from 0.756 to 0.936 for the SC population, from 0.800 to 0.938 for the BS population, and from 0.731 to 0.959 for the GC population. The dendrogram obtained by the eight primers indicates three genetic clusters: cluster 1 (SEOCHEON 01~SEOCHEON 10), cluster 2 (BUSAN 11~BUSAN 20 and GOCHANG 23~GOCHANG 24), and cluster 3 (GOCHANG 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30). As stated above, some individuals of the GC population appear to belong in BS population. When seeing this result, it was thought with the fact that some individuals of 2 populations seem to come and go partially. Thus, RAPD-PCR analysis revealed a significant genetic distance between the three geographical gizzard-shad populations. Using various decamer and 20-mer primers, RAPD-PCR may be applied to identify specific/polymorphic markers that are particular to a species and geographic population, and to define genetic diversity, polymorphisms, and similarities among geographical gizzard-shad populations.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2003

This study focused on relationships between Pb and Cd concentrations and the difference of success reproductive progress in urban (Seoul) and industrial complex (Ansan) areas. Results of the Pb analysis for the feral pigeons from Seoul (egg contents:1.64 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$, adults in bones: 29.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$ and the Ansan industrial complex (egg contents: 1.13 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$, adults in bones: 10.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet g-1) showed that the Pb level of eggs and adults is significantly different between the two colonies (p<0.05). Cd concentrations in liver and kidneys of adult pigeons were also significantly different between Seoul(liver: 0.24 ${\mu}g$ wet $g^{-1}$, kidney: 1.05 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$ and the Ansan (liver: 0.14 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$, kidney: 0.43 $\mu\textrm{g}$ wet $g^{-1}$ colonies (P<0.05). Clutch size of Feral Pigeons living in Seoul was similar between the two colonies, 1.9$\pm$0.3 in Seoul and 2.0$\pm$0.0 in Ansan. The length, breadth, and thickness of eggs were not significantly different between the two colonies (p>0.05). Incubation period in Seoul (17.8 days) did not differ from the Ansan (17.4 days). No difference in growth rate (body weight, wing length, and tarsus length) was found between the two test groups (p>0.05). In Seoul, 65.2% were hatching, and 42.1% fledging. The Proportion of hatching and fledging in the Ansan was 60.7% and 45.0%, respectively. The significant differences between the two colonies for reproductive sucess were not found (p>0.05). With regard to the reproductive effects to the heavy metals, the Pb and Cd concentrations feund in the two colonies were not as high as those considered in results of toxic effects in other species.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 1981

On unwedded paddy fields, six cropping patterns of rice cultivation, namely direct broadcast seeding, direct row seeding, machine transplanting, early season hand transplanting, standard season hand transplanting, and late season hand transplanting, were detected with two representative rice cultivars (Milyang 23 and Sadominori) to estimate the comparative fluctuation patterns of weed flora. As a result, number of emerged weed species, most crowding stages, differences of weed growth among cropping patterns, possible tendencies of competition in plant heights among plant groups, variations in Importance Values, and Simpson's Index analysis were discussed, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2018

Ballast water treated by sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) injection method in ballast water management system (BWMS) contains reactive bromine, chlorine species and disinfection by-products (DBPs). In this study, we conducted whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing and ecological risk assessment (ERA) to investigate its ecotoxicological effects on the marine environment. WET testing was carried out for eight marine and fresh water organisms, i.e. diatom, Skeletonema costatum, Navicula pelliculosa, green algae, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, Brachionus calyciflorus and fish, Cyprinodon variegatus, Pimephales promelas. The WET test revealed that diatom and green algae were the only organisms that showed apparent toxicity to the effluent; it showed no observed effect concentration (NOEC), lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) and effect concentration of 50 % (EC50) values of 25.0 %, 50.0 % and over 100.0 %, respectively, in seawater conditions. In contrast, rotifer and fish showed no toxicities to the effluent in the all salinity conditions. Meanwhile, chemical analysis revealed that the BWMS effluent contained total of 25 DBPs such as bromate, isocyanuric acid, formaldehyde, chloropicrin, trihalomethanes (THMs), halogenated acetonitriles (HANs) and halogenated acetic acids (HAAs). Based on ERA, the 25 DBPs were not considered to have persistency, bioaccumulation and toxicity (PBT) properties. The ratio of predicted environmental concentration (PEC) to predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) of the all DBPs did not exceed 1.0 for general harbour environments, but isocyanuric acid, tribromomethane, chloropicrin and monochloroacetic acid exceed 1.0 for near ship environments. However, when NOEC (25.0%) of the WET test results where actual effluent was applied, it was concluded that the NaDCC injection method did not have unacceptable ecological risks to the general harbor including near ship environments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2014

Asymmetric 1,2-distearoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (SSO) triacylglycerol (TAG) is used as a cocoa butter replacer (CBR). In this study, it was produced by lipase-catalyzed interesterification of fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO) and oleic ethyl ester (OEE) in a batch type reactor at $75^{\circ}C$, 250 rpm. Different molar ratios (FHSBO : OEE=1:1, 1:2 and 1:3, w/w) and various reaction times (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hr) were also tested. The optimized condition for SSO was a FHSBO : OEE molar ratio of =1:1 at reaction times of 2, 3, 4, and 5 hr. Enzymatic synthesis generated SSO/SOS, as well as the other TAGs (e.g., PSO/POS, SOO/OSO, SSS), ethyl esters, monoacylglycerol (MAG), and diacylglycerol (DAG). After scale-up, fractionation by solvent (methanol and acetone) fractionation and column chromatography was applied. To reduce ethyl esters, high-melting TAGs (e.g., SSS), and SOO/OSO in reactants, solvent fractionation was applied. Using a silica gel column (sample : silica gel=2:1, wt%), MAG and DAG were removed at $25^{\circ}C$. The major fatty acid composition of the final products (with a high SSO/SOS content) was palmitic acid (C16:0, 10.9~12.9 area%), stearic acid (C18:0, 52.2~54.9 area%), and oleic acid (C18:1, 34.2~35.5 area%). In reversed-phase HPLC analysis, the major TAG species of the final product (FHSBO : OEE=1:1, 2 hr) were SSO/SOS (82.31 area%) and PSO/POS (14.51 area%). Based on the $[SS]^+$ : $[SO]^+$ ratio obtained by RP-HPLC/APCI-MS, the final product had a higher SSO (AAB type TAG) content than cocoa butter (CB). The solid fat index (SFI) of CB and the final product obtained were similar with a narrow melting point range around ~32 to $35^{\circ}C$.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.21 no.2 s.34
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• pp.121-132
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• 2005

We investigated the reproductive cycle with gonad developmental phases of Sinonovacula constricta by histological observations, and seasonal changes in biochemical component of the adductor muscle, visceral mass, foot muscle and mantle were studied by biochemical analysis, from January to December, 2004. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classifed into five successive stages: early active stage (March to May), late active stage (May to July), ripe stage (July to September), partially spawned stage (August to October) and spentfinactive stage (October to March). Total protein content was the highest in the following order: adductor muscle, visceral mass, foot muscle, and mantle. Except for mantle, it was generally higher during the ripe and spawning stages, while lower during the spent/inactive stage. There were positive correlations in total protein contents among adductor muscle, foot muscle, and visceral mass. However, the correlations were not statistically significant. Total lipid content was the highest in the visceral mass; it was more than 5 or 6-fold higher than those in the adductor muscle, foot muscle, or mantle. The monthly change was also most dynamic in the visceral mass. It first Increased during the early active stage (March to May), decreased during late active stage (May to July), and then increased again rapidly during the spawning stage (September). There were a strong negative correlation in total lipid contents between foot muscle and adductor muscle (r = -0.634, p = 0.027), and a strong positive correlation between adductor muscle and mantle (r = 0.665, p = 0.018). Glycogen contents showed more or less similar pattern to total lipid contents in the adductor muscle, foot muscle, and visceral mass. It was higher during the early active and spawning stages, while lower during the late active and spent/inactive stages. There was no statistically significant correlation in glycogen contents among different tissues. Especially, total lipid content showed a negative correlationship between the foot muscle, adductor muscle, visceral mass and mantle. Therefore, these results indicate that the nutrient content of the foot muscle, adductor muscle, viseral mass and mantle changed in response to gonadal energy needs.