• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

Water drainage from the open hydroponics often causes significant environmental pollution due to agrochemicals and loss of water and nutrients. The objectives of this study were to show the potential application of an irrigation schedule based on threshold values of volumetric substrate water content for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Samsamgu') cultivation in a commercial hydroponic farm during spring to summer cultivation. This study was performed for minimizing effluent from coir substrate hydroponics using a frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensor-automated irrigation, as compared with an integrated solar-radiation (IR) and conventional timer-irrigation (TIMER) after transplanting. In results, no significant difference in daily irrigation volume was found among the treatments until 88 days after transplant (DAT). However, during the 88 to 107 DAT, the daily irrigation volume was in the order of IR (2125 mL) > TIMER (2063 mL) > FDR (1983 mL), and during the 108 to 120 DAT, it was in the order of IR (2000 mL) > TIMER (1664 mL) > FDR (1500 mL). The lowest drainage volume was observed in the FDR treatment with the order of IR (12~19%) > TIMER (4~12%) > FDR (0~7%) during the entire growing period. A lower irrigation volume in the FDR treatment after 88 DAT may be due to the sensor's detecting capacity for less water absorption by plant after completing fruit maturity with apical pruning and removal of lower leaves, while a higher irrigation volume in the IR treatment may be due to gradual increase in integrated solar-radiation amount as closer to summer season. There was no significant difference in plant growth and fruit yield among the treatments; however, a 11% and 18% of higher soluble sugar content was observed in the FDR than that of TIMER and IR treatment. respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics of cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock under different levels of light intensity (photosynthetic photon flux, PPF) and plug cell size in a closed transplant production system with artificial lighting. Cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock seedlings were grown under the combinations of three levels of PPF (PPF 165, 248, and $313{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) and five types of plug tray (50, 72, 105, 128, and 200 cells in the tray) for nine days. The shoot dry weight and relative growth rate increased with increasing PPF and plug cell size. As PPF increased, cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock seedlings had higher dry matter, lower specific leaf area, and lower hypocotyl length. The first true leaf of cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock unfolded at eight and seven days after sowing, respectively, except the treatment using 200-cell plug tray. The unfolding of first true leaf of seedlings grown in 200-cell plug tray was delayed by one day. Accordingly, it was considered that the use of small cell size such as 200-cell plug tray would require more time for the production of scion and rootstock. Based on the results, we suggest that cucumber scion and pumpkin rootstock be grown in 105-cell to 128-cell plug tray for eight days and 72-cell to 105-cell plug tray for seven days, respectively, when using splice grafting method with root-removed rootstock. Additionally, higher PPF is suggested to improve the growth and quality of scion and rootstock.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate photosynthetic responses of 4 foliage plants in relation to light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and media, and to select efficient plants for the indoor environment control based on the results. Four foliage plants used in this study included Syngonium podophyllum, Schefflera arboricola cv. Hong Kong, Dieffenbachia amoena, and Dracaena deremensis cv. Warneckii Compacta. The plants cultivated in two different growth media, peatmoss and hydroball, and subjected to various light intensities (0, 30, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400, and $600\;{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ PPFD) and $CO_2$ levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 700, 1000, and $1500\;{\mu}mol{CO_2}{\cdot}mol^{-1}$). As a result of the photosynthetic rate of foliage plants according to change of light intensity and $CO_2$ levels, Schefflera arboricola and Dieffenbachia amoena showed high apparent quantum yield, which stands for the photosynthetic rate under low light intensity, and both plants also recorded higher photosynthetic rate under high $CO_2$ concentration compared to the other two indoor plants. Dracaena deremensis showed the lowest photosynthetic rate under the low light intensity or high $CO_2$ concentration. There were inconsistent results in photosynthetic rate of foliage plants grown in peatmoss or hydroball. Higher photosynthetic rate was observed in Schefflera arboricola with peatmoss rather than hydroball as light and $CO_2$ concentration increased. However, hydroball had a positive effect on Dieffenbachia amoena in terms of photosynthetic rate. In case of Syngonium podophyllum, peatmoss induced higher photosynthetic rate according to increased light intensity, but there was no effect of media on the rate under various $CO_2$ treatements. In contrast, media did not affect to photosynthetic efficiency of Dracaena deremensis subjected to various light intensities and the rate of Dracaena deremensis with peatmoss was a little high when $CO_2$ concentration increased. In conclusion, potential plants for the indoor air pulification and environmental control were Schefflera arboricola and Dieffenbachia amoena because they showed high photosynthetic rate under typical indoor conditions, low light intensity and high $CO_2$ concentration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1235-1240
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• 2010

Natural compounds have been studied to substitute synthetic antioxidants. In this study, the anti-oxidant activity of 70% acetone extracts from the Vaccinium oldhami fruit was investigated for utilization as ingredients for the cosmetic and bio-industries. Anti-oxidant activity was determined by determining total polyphenolic content, electron donating ability, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity, $ABTS{\cdot}^+$ cation radical scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The polyphenolic content of 70% acetone extracts of the Vaccinium oldhami fruit was 55.972 mg TAE/g. In electron donating activity, 70% acetone extracts of the Vaccinium oldhami fruit showed an effect of 93.9%, which was similar to BHA effect at a concentration of 500 ${\mu}g/ml$. In the NO radical scavenging ability, 70% acetone extracts of the Vaccinium oldhami fruit showed 60% at 500 ${\mu}g/ml$. $ABTS{\cdot}^+$ cation radical scavenging activity of the Vaccinium oldhami fruit at a concentration of 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ was 75.7%. Also, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of 70% acetone extracts showed 80.8% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, whichwas higher than BHA. In the natural compound market, the most important factors are the ability to obtain high effects of a material in low concentrations and a long-lasting supply. The Vaccinium oldhami fruit can be harvested every year - this fulfills one of the requirements. From these results, we can confirm that the Vaccinium oldhami fruit has anti-oxidant abilities and has potential as a natural anti-oxidant agent to be utilized in the cosmeceutical and bio-industries.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 2020

This study was conducted to examine the potential of inducing salinity stress on cylindrical paper pot tomato seedlings to inhibit overgrowth. Potassium fertilizers, sulfate of potash (K₂SO₄), muriate of potash (KCl), and monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄), were prepared as two solutions of (5 and 10) dS·m^-1 salinity level, respectively, to investigate the influence on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling growth. We also investigated the adaptability and survivability of treated tomato seedlings with high-salinity potassium (10 dS·m^-1 KCl) to harsh environmental conditions (water deficit, low temperature, and storage conditions). Repeated addition of high-salinity level KCl, K₂SO₄, or KH₂PO₄ markedly decreased the dry matter of shoot and root, leaf area, and net assimilate rates (NAR) but increased the stem diameter of seedlings. Among the three sources, the relative growth rate of plant height (RGR_H) was most sensitive to KCl addition; increasing salinity levels of KCl solution decreased the RGR_H of seedlings. The compactness, which directly reflects the stocky growth index, increased in KCl or KH₂PO₄ treatments. After a week's water deficit, severely wilted seedlings were observed in control seedlings (untreated with KCl), but no wilted seedlings were observed in the KCl treated seedlings, and the relative water content (RWC) of the untreated seedlings significantly decreased by 23 %, while that of the pretreated seedlings only decreased by 8 %. The increase in ion leakage of KCl treated seedlings at low temperatures was less than that of untreated seedlings. Furthermore, there was far lower damage proportion on pretreated seedlings at (9, 12, and 15)℃ storage temperatures after 20 days, compared with on unpretreated seedlings. Our results suggest that high-salinity potassium fertilizer, especially KCl, is effective in preventing tomato seedling overgrowth, while it also improves tolerance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.467-475
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• 2015

Improvement for carcass traits related to beef quality is the key concern in beef production. Recent reports found that epigenetics mediates the interaction of individuals with environment and nutrition. The present study was designed to analyze the genetic effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven epigenetic-related genes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, DNMT3L, Ago1, Ago2, and HDAC5) and two meat quality candidate genes (CAPN1 and PRKAG3) on fourteen carcass traits related to beef quality in a Snow Dragon beef population, and also to identify SNPs in a total of fourteen cattle populations. Sixteen SNPs were identified and genotyped in 383 individuals sampled from the 14 cattle breeds, which included 147 samples from the Snow Dragon beef population. Data analysis showed significant association of 8 SNPs within 4 genes related to carcass and/or meat quality traits in the beef populations. SNP1 (13154420A>G) in exon 17 of DNMT1 was significantly associated with rib-eye width and lean meat color score (p<0.05). A novel SNP (SNP4, 76198537A>G) of DNMT3a was significantly associated with six beef quality traits. Those individuals with the wild-type genotype AA of DNMT3a showed an increase in carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, flank thicknesses, chuck short rib thickness, chuck short rib score and in chuck flap weight in contrast to the GG genotype. Five out of six SNPs in DNMT3b gene were significantly associated with three beef quality traits. SNP15 (45219258C>T) in CAPN1 was significantly associated with chuck short rib thickness and lean meat color score (p<0.05). The significant effect of SNP15 on lean meat color score individually and in combination with each of other 14 SNPs qualify this SNP to be used as potential marker for improving the trait. In addition, the frequencies of most wild-type alleles were higher than those of the mutant alleles in the native and foreign cattle breeds. Seven SNPs were identified in the epigenetic-related genes. The SNP15 in CAPN1 could be used as a powerful genetic marker in selection programs for beef quality improvement in the Snow Dragon Beef population.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of climate conditions during cultivation and harvesting on the quality and storability of fresh bulb cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata). Plug seedlings of six cabbage cultivars were transplanted to Gangneung-Wonju University high elevation research station in Gangwon province (780 m above sea level, lat. $37.5^{\circ}N$.) and harvested with four different harvest times like August 3 ($1^{st}$), August 13 ($2^{nd}$), August 23 ($3^{rd}$), and September 10 ($4^{th}$), respectively from 50 days after transplanting. Weight loss, Hunter color factors, firmness, and soluble solids content (SSC) of the cabbage bulbs were investigated during storage at $3^{\circ}C$ (85% RH) and $25^{\circ}C$ (60% RH). Decreased bulb weight and poor quality cabbages were apparent at the late transplanting (July 14) and harvest (September 10) respectively. Quality index such as firmness and SSC at August 23 ($3^{rd}$) harvested cabbage was better than August 3 ($1^{st}$) and August 13 ($2^{nd}$) cabbages due to the good weather condition just before harvesting. The cv. 'Speed king' and 'Minix 40' showed good qualities among the cultivars, especially when the bulbs were harvested during sunny day conditions from one week before harvesting. Also SSC was influenced by weather condition before harvesting rather than transplanting date, while firmness was influenced by transplanting and harvest date. However, the differences among the cultivars were not significant. The potential of storage as maintaining the quality was different, depending on weather conditions at harvest time. Generally the storage periods of six cultivars were around 3~5 days and 9~10 days at room and low temperature, respectively. However, the August 3 ($1^{st}$) harvested cabbage lost their marketable quality very fast because of rainy and cloudy weather condition before harvesting and also storability of bulbs was 2 days and 4 days at room temperature and $3^{\circ}C$, respectively. Quality index was also not significant difference among cultivars.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.557-567
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• 2015

To increase the marketability of Dolsan leaf mustard Kimchi, seasonings were prepared by sea tangle and Lentinus edodes. Gat Kimchi A (GK-A) and Gat Kimchi B (GK-B) were prepared by addition of complex seasoning with Sea tangle (CSS), complex seasoning with Lentinus edodes (CSL), respectively and evaluated the quality characteristics. GK-A contained high minerals and dietary fiber and showed the effect of delaying pH-lowering and acidity-rising. There were no significant differences in salinity test after 70 days. Reducing sugar of test groups was higher than control. During the fermentation, Leuconostoc sp. was grown in GK-A and GK-B than control. Growth of control's Lactobacillus sp. increased 20 days after. Up to 30 days, lightness of control was high. Yellowness were increased browning potential in GK-B, 20 days after. From the initial to 10 days, Hardness of GK-A showed higher than the others. glutamic acid and aspartic acid content of GK-A was higher significantly than the others in the entire fermentation period (p<0.05). At 0, 10, 30 days, sweet-tasty amino acids of GK-A showed a significantly higher level than the others (p<0.05). From 10 days to 40 days of fermentation, the sensory evaluation of GK-A is better than the other groups. Comprehensively reviewed the above results, the conclusion is as follows: CSS made with sea tangle as a main ingredient. GK-A by seasoning the CSS to 90 g GK-A is expected as a new Dolsan leaf mustard products that can provide flavor and nutrition to the consumer at the same time.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

The root bark of Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as edema, infection and inflammation. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effects remain unclear. In this study, as part of our ongoing screening program to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of new compounds from traditional medicinal resources, we investigated the effects of U. macrocarpa water extract (UME) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were evaluated. Although the release of IL-1β remained unchanged in UME-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the productions of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased, along with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase, TNF-α and IL-10 expression at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. UME treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) indicating that UME activated macrophages through the activation of NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, pre-treatment with UME significantly attenuated the production of NO, but not TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells suggesting that UME may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of UME may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2015

Muscle atrophy, known as a sarcopenia, is defined as a loss of muscle mass resulting from a reduction in the muscle fiber area or density due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown. Schisandrae fructus (SF) extract of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baillon has been used as a tonic in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Although a great deal of work has been carried out on the therapeutic potential of SF, its pharmacological mechanisms of action in muscle diseases actions remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of SF ethanol extracts on the production of muscle atrophy factors in C2C12 myotubes stimulated with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleotide (AICAR), an AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activator, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. AICAR upregulated atrophy-related ubiquitin ligase muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF-1) and stimulated the levels of the forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) transcription factor in the C2C12 myotubes. SF supplementation effectively and concentration- dependently counteracted AICAR-induced muscle cell atrophy and reversed the increased expression of MuRF-1 and FoxO3a. Our study demonstrates that SF can reverse the muscle cell atrophy caused by AICAR through regulation of the AMPK and FoxO3a signaling pathways, followed by inhibition of MuRF-1.