• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 1990

We established an in vitro system of central serotonergic neurons by culturing dissociated rat embryonic (El4) brainstem cells to 14 days in vitro and monitored the serotonergic neuronal growth by measuring 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents in the cells with hish performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). We studied also tile effects of various drugs on the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, confirming in vivo reports. The 5-HT content (13 ng/mg protein) and 5-HT turnover rate (17 pmol/mg protein/h) at 14 days in vitro were in good agreement with those reported in the adult rat brain. The 5-HT content was more easily depleted with p-chlorophenylalanine, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor than with NSD 1015 (3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine), an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibitor. Incubation of the cultures with tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan increased the rate of serotonin formation implying that neither tryptophan hydroxylase nor AADC is saturated with its amino acid substrate in this in vitro system . The 5-HT content was depleted by reserpine. The 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were increased and decreased, respectively, by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. All the above results indicate that the biochemical properties of the central serotonergic neurons in this culture system reflect reliably those of central serotonergic neurons in vivo. We suggest that measuring 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the primary cultured dissociated brainstem-cells with HPLC-EC is useful in the study of pharmacology as well as toxicolgy of the central serotonergic neurons.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2000

Top spin valve samples with a structure Ta/NiFe/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/FeMn/Ta were deposited on a Si(100) substrate by changing d.c. magnetron sputtering conditions and the exchange-bias and magnetic properties of samples were investigated. The Exchange field, H$\_$ex/ increased with increase of sputtering power of FeMn from 30 to 150 W and CoFe from 30 to 100 W deposited on the Cu, the increase of H$\_$ex/ was found due to the improvement of preferred orientation of (111) FeMn phase from XRD results. In the case of Cu, H$\_$ex/ decreased with the increase of sputtering pressure ranging from 1 to 5 mTorr. The relationship between exchange field and resistance was investigated, spin valve samples with a large exchange field showed the lower resistance, which was strongly dependent on the good crystallinity and grain size increase as well as lower scattering effects. The Cu thickness was changed from 22 to 38 $\AA$ for Si/Ta/NiFe/CoFe/Cu(t), 30 W/CoFe, 100 W/FeMn, 100 W/Ta spin valve structures, MR ratio of 6.5 % and exchange field of about 190 Oe were obtained for the sample with Cu of 22 $\AA$ thickness. The increase of exchange field with decrease of Cu thickness was explained by FM/AFM spin-spin interaction.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.173-178
• /
• 2009

Epidemiological studies showed that high trans-fat consumption is closely associated with getting the risks of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to produce trans-free fat through lipase-catalyzed interesterification, as a substitute for the cream margarine commonly used in industry. Optimum conditions for interesterification in a packed bed enzyme bioreactor (PBEB) were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design. Three kinds of reaction variables were chosen, such as substrate flow rate (0.4-1.2 mL/min), reaction temperature (60-70$^{\circ}C$), and ratio of fully hydrogenated canola oil (FHCO, 35-45%) to evaluate their effects on the degree of interesterification. Optimum conditions from the standpoint of solid fat content (SFC) were found to be as follows: 0.4 mL/min flow rate, 64.7$^{\circ}C$ reaction temperate, and 42.8% (w/w) ratio of FHCO, respectively. The half-life of immobilized lipase in PBEB with two stages at 60$^{\circ}C$ ($1^{st}$ stage) and 55$^{\circ}C$ ($2^{nd}$ stage) was about more than 30 days as estimated by extrapolating the incubation time course of tristearoyl glycerol (TS) conversion, whereas the half-life of the enzyme in PBEB with single stage at 65$^{\circ}C$ was only about 15 days. Finally, the results from SFC analysis suggest that trans-free fat produced in this study seems to be a suitable substitute for the cream margarine commonly used in industry.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of light intensity and electrical conductivity (EC) of nutrient solution on the growth and nutrient uptake of potted kalanchoe plants (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Marlene') with growth stage in ebb and flow subirrigation systems. The plants were grown at four ECs of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ for seedling stage and four ECs of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ for short day stage under three daily photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 6.5, 10.3, 18.2 $mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. At seedling stage, plant height was the longest under the lowest light intensity, and particularly dry weights and leaf areas were the highest at PPF 10.3 $mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. Dry weights and leaf areas were the highest at EC 1.5 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ regardless of light intensity. At short day exposure, plant height was the longest under the lowest light intensity. Dry weights, leaf areas, and number of pedicels of the plants significantly increased as light intensity increased. Under all light intensity conditions, dry weights, leaf areas, and number of pedicles increased until EC becomes to 1.0 - 2.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. And after reached the highest at EC 2.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, they decreased at EC 3.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. By comparing the ion uptakes at EC 1.5 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ of seedling stage and EC 2.0 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ of short day stage in which the plants grew better, we confirmed that ion balance of nutrient solution among $NO_3{^-}$-N, $H_2PO_4{^-}$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ were significantly changed at short day stage compared to seedling stage. For better growth of the plants, both ion balance and EC of nutrient solution should be considered under different light intensities at short day stage while control of EC is enough at seedling stage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.101 no.4
• /
• pp.626-634
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of persimmon vinegar as a functional beverage by analyzing the effects of persimmon vinegar ingestion on the energy substrate during endurance exercise. The healthy male adolescents (n=8) drunk persimmon vinegar ingested trial (PSV) or purified water ingested trial as the control trial (CON) 1 h prior to the exercise with the 60% of maximal oxygen uptake ($\dot{V}O_{2max}$) for 1 h. The exercise intensity was increased to the 80% of $\dot{V}O_{2max}$ and remained until exhaustion. And, the physiological variables, blood components, and amounts of energy oxidation were analyzed. There was no significant difference between trials in physiological variables, and the heart rates after exhaustion were higher in PSV compared to CON. There was no significant difference between trials in blood glucose level, while the blood lactic acids decreased significantly in PSV 30 and 60 minutes after onset of exercise. The free fatty acids concentration increased significantly in PSV from 15 minutes to 60 minutes after onset of exercise. The carbohydrate oxidation decreased significantly in PSV from 45 minutes after exercise and, on the contrary, the fatty acids oxidation increased significantly for the same period. And, fatty acids oxidation was higher in PSV compared to CON even after exhaustion. The respiratory exchange ratio was lower significantly in PSV compared to CON from 30 minutes to 60 minutes after exercise, whereas lower in CON after total exhaustion. The exercise time to exhaustion was 41% longer in PSV compared to CON. These results showed that the persimmon vinegar increase the level of lipids metabolism and decrease sense of fatigue by inhibiting carbohydrate oxidation during moderate intensity exercise, suggesting the possibility of using of persimmon vinegar as exercise functional beverage when ingested 1 h prior to the endurance exercise performance.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.190-198
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dams on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Korean streams and rivers. Four low-head dams and three large dams were studied throughout South Korea. Sampling was taken at immediately upper (impoundment), lower (riffle area), and control (riffle area) sites from the dams during 2004-2007. The upper sites, of which substrate heterogeneity and velocity were relatively low, showed a lower degree of species richness, density, and diversity indices, which is very different from the lower and control sites. Heavily polluted streams showed a lesser degree of community differences between the upper and lower sites. In the large dams, the upper and lower sites showed very low values of species diversity indices and very high values of dominance indices compared to the control sites. In the low-head dams, however, the difference of degree of the values was relatively smaller. Compositions of the functional feeding groups and the habitat orientation groups were relatively simpler at the upper sites than at the lower sites and the degree of difference was greater in the large dams. Species richness and community indices of benthic macroinvertebrates were more significantly affected by habitat characteristics than water quality at the upper sites; however, those were more significantly related with water quality at the lower sites. In conclusion, large and low-head dams could simplify stream habitats particularly at the upper sites (impoundment), and they negatively affected on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities inhabited the habitats. The impact was larger in the large dams than in the low-head dams.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.570-579
• /
• 2019

Diabetes is one of the serious chronic metabolic diseases caused by Westernized eating habits, and the goal of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose at a normal level and prevent diabetic complications. This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of a mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) extract (MWE) on hyperglycemia in an animal model with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic C57BL/Ksj-db/db mice were divided into three groups: diabetic control, rosiglitazone, and MWE. The mice supplemented with MWE showed significantly lower blood levels of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin when compared with the diabetic control mice. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was significantly lower in mice supplemented with MWE than in diabetic control mice. MWE supplementation significantly stimulated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and Akt, and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin signaling pathway of skeletal muscles. Eventually, MWE increased the expression of the plasma membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) via PI3K/Akt activation. These findings demonstrate that the increase in plasma membrane GLUT4 expression by MWE promoted the uptake of blood glucose into cells and relieved hyperglycemia in skeletal muscles of diabetic C57BL/Ksj-db/db mice. Therefore, mealworms are expected to prove useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and further studies are needed to improve type 2 diabetes in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.45-59
• /
• 2023

The global focus on mitigating climate change has traditionally centered on carbon dioxide, but recent attention has shifted towards methane as a crucial factor in climate change adaptation. Natural settings, particularly aquatic environments such as wetlands, reservoirs, and lakes, play a significant role as sources of greenhouse gases. The accumulation of organic contaminants on the lake and reservoir beds can lead to the microbial decomposition of sedimentary material, generating greenhouse gases, notably methane, under anaerobic conditions. The escalation of methane emissions in freshwater is attributed to the growing impact of non-point sources, alterations in water bodies for diverse purposes, and the introduction of structures such as river crossings that disrupt natural flow patterns. Furthermore, the effects of climate change, including rising water temperatures and ensuing hydrological and water quality challenges, contribute to an acceleration in methane emissions into the atmosphere. Methane emissions occur through various pathways, with ebullition fluxes-where methane bubbles are formed and released from bed sediments-recognized as a major mechanism. This study employs Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) tests to analyze and quantify the factors influencing methane gas emissions. Methane production rates are measured under diverse conditions, including temperature, substrate type (glucose), shear velocity, and sediment properties. Additionally, numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the relationship between fluid shear stress on the sand bed and methane ebullition rates. The findings reveal that biochemical factors significantly influence methane production, whereas shear velocity primarily affects methane ebullition. Sediment properties are identified as influential factors impacting both methane production and ebullition. Overall, this study establishes empirical relationships between bubble dynamics, the Weber number, and methane emissions, presenting a formula to estimate methane ebullition flux. Future research, incorporating specific conditions such as water depth, effective shear stress beneath the sediment's tensile strength, and organic matter, is expected to contribute to the development of biogeochemical and hydro-environmental impact assessment methods suitable for in-situ applications.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.150-154
• /
• 1983

Mushroom, Lentinus edodes which had been dried at $50^{\circ}C$ for 20 hours were extracted with small amount of ethanol, methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether, respectively. The extracts were then dissolved in edible soybean oil, and the resulting substrates and a portion of the soybean oil (control) were placed in an incubator $(37.0{\pm}1.0^{\circ}C)$ for eight weeks. Peroxide values and TBA values of control and the substrates were determined regularly during the storage period. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. The moisture contents of the mushroom which was 84.88% on wet basis at the time of harvest were reduced to 15.12% after drying. 2. Extracts obtained from alcohols were effective in retarding the POV development. 3. There was not much difference among the TBA values after 14 days, but significant difference of the TBA values in control and the substrates extracts were observed in longer storage period TBA values of substrate containing ethanol and methanol in the later stage period were smaller than that of the substrates containing petroleum ether and chloroform. 4. In view of the POV and TBA value development, ethanol and methanol were more effective solvents for the extraction of antioxidant compounds in the dried mushroom than chloroform and petroleum ether.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.743-748
• /
• 2020

Sulfate is a reductant that competes for electrons and may lower CH₄ production in the rumen. This study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effect of detoxified sulfur powder supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane mitigation. A ruminally cannulated Holstein Friesian cow was used as a rumen fluid source, and commercial pelleted concentrate was used as a substrate at 1 g dry matter. Treatments included the addition of detoxified sulfur powder at the rate of 0% (Control), 0.2% (T1), 0.4% (T2), 0.6% (T3), 0.8% (T4), and 1.0% (T5) as dry matter (DM) basis. The pH, total gas (TG), methane (CH₄) production, DM digestibility, organic matter (OM) digestibility, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production were analyzed after 12 hr of incubation. The results showed that CH₄ production was significantly lowest in T1 (13.78 ml) but highest in the control (20.16 ml). Insignificantly higher total VFA was observed in control and T1 (64.99 and 64.28 mM, respectively) compared to other treatments after 12 hr of incubation. After 12 hr of incubation, the significantly lowest acetate:propionate was observed in T1 (1.90) while the highest was observed in T4 (2.44). However, no significant differences were recorded for pH, TG, DM digestibility, OM digestibility, acetate, propionate, and butyrate between the control and T1. Total number of bacterial DNA copies was significantly lower in the treatment group than the control. Therefore, it can be concluded from this study that detoxified sulfur at 0.2% inclusion level is optimal for production performance and ruminal CH₄ mitigation.