• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.286-294
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• 2017

Development of transportation is rapidly reducing the barriers between countries, but this is causing the easier migration of species than the past. Typically, exotic species are imported for the purpose of food, leather, and pets. However, it has been introduced into the wild through artificially or naturally paths, and recently they are become a main cause of ecosystem disturbance. In this study, we investigated exotic turtle species introduced into the wild and analyzed their distribution characteristics. As a result of filed surveys, totally 4 genus 8 species 62 individuals of exotic turtles were found from 126 reservoirs in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. In particular, Trachemys scripta elegans showed relatively high frequency than other turtle species and the natural reproduction of T. s. elegans was confirmed in some areas. On the other hand, the frequency of discovery of exotic turtles except T. s. elegans was relatively low, and the range of the areas was limited. Especially, exotic turtles except T. s. elegans were mainly found in public places such as reservoirs in the park. As a result of analyzing the distribution characteristics of exotic turtles using geographic information system, the turtles' distribution showed a high correlation with the artificial factor such as "urban". In this study, we identified the distribution characteristics of exotic turtles in the Korean wild, and these results will be important data for understanding status the and establishing effective management methods for exotic species.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2008

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress to the respiratory tract (RT) via both oxidants contained in CS and by CS-induced activation of RT inflammatory-immune pro-oxidant processes. CS exposure has been associated with reduced levels of plasma micronutrient antioxidants, in part due to an increased utilization and turnover of alpha-tocopherol (AT). It has been suggested that gamma-tocopherol (GT) may have an expanded spectrum of antioxidant activation compared to alpha-tocopherol (AT). In order to investigate effects of high GT supplementation as compared to AT, C57 BL/6 mice were fed control AT (35 mg/kg diet) or high GT (1,000 mg/kg diet) diet for 8-10 weeks and then exposed to 60 $mg/m^3$ CS, 6 hr/day for 3 days. AT and GT levels and their metabolites were measured at endpoints. High GT supplementation significantly reduced AT levels in plasma, liver and lung compared to AT. CS increased levels of AT and GT in plasma and lung of control AT group but decreased GT levels in lung of high GT supplemented group. Moreover, CS significantly decreased GT metabolite, gamma-CEHC. The results suggest that high GT supplementation have selective modulation of concentrations of vitamin E and its metabolite in plasma and lung but not in liver against in vivo CS exposure.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.4 s.118
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• pp.424-434
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• 2006

This study investigates bacteria-zooplankton grazing link and factors affecting their grazing relationship at trophically different two sites (Paldang Dam and Kyungan Stream) of Lake Paldang Ecosystem from April to December, 2005. Zooplankton were divided into two size groups; microzooplankton (MICZ) : 60-200 ${\mu}m$ and macrozooplankton (MACZ): >200 ${\mu}m$), and their grazing rates on bacteria were conducted for each size group separately. Bacterial abundance and seasonal change pattern were similar between two sites. MICZ, mostly rotifers (e.g., Brachionus, Keratella, Polyathra) were numerically dominant at both sites, while carbon biomass was highest in cladocerans. Zooplankton biomass was higher at the Kyungan Steam site compared to Paldang Dam site, and their high biomass during spring decreased as they were passing through the storm events in summer season at both sites. Zooplankton clearance rate (CR) was high in spring and autumn while low in summer at Paldang Dam site. However, zooplankton CR was high during the summer at Kyungan Stream site. Bacterial C-flux was high in spring and autumn when MACZ (esp. cladecerans) developed at a high biomass level at both sites. Overall, MACZ community CR and carbon flux (C-flux) were higher than those of MICZ, and the degree of difference between them was higher at Kyungan Stream site. Short hydraulic residence time and physical disturbance caused by summer storm event appeared to affect the zooplankton grazing on bacteria at both sites. The results of this study indicate that bacteria are potentially important carbon source of zooplankton, and that both biotic (e.g,, prey and predator taxa composition and abundance) and physical parameters appear to alter energy transfer in the planktonic food web of this river-reservoir hybrid system.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2011

The possibility of nutrient removal during Scenedesmus sp. growth in Lake Paldang, Geongan cheon stream, and the outflow from a wastewater treatment system was examined. Scenedesmus sp. grew well in Lake Paldang water when total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) values were 1.9 and 0.02 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, and 50% of the nutrients were removed. In Geongan cheon stream, the TN and TP was 3.0 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.09 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ reached a maximum of 239~259 $m^{-3}$, and 50% of the nutrients were removed. In the wastewater treatment outflow, where Scenedesmus sp. already existed, the organism grew well without inoculation. Scenedesmus sp. can grow with proper inoculation and physical turbulence in natural waters, such as lake and stream water, and nutrients can be eliminated as phytoplankton growth occurs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.514-521
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• 2010

Epimedium koreanum nakai (EKN) has been used for treatment of reproductive disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EKN water extract on the 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induced reproductive dysfunction. The daily sperm production (DSP), sperm counts and histological changes of reproductive organs were investigated after 4 weeks of EKN administration in 2-BP induced reproductive damaged rats. Although the weights of epididymis and seminal vesicle were increased dose-dependently, they were lower than control group. DSP of EKN-dosing groups were increased compared to control group. In EKN-dosing groups, the number of degenerative seminiferous tubules and the number of epididymal tubules showing epithelial cell vacuolation and decreased spermatozoa in the lumen were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased compared to control group dose-dependently. Significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) increases of the number of sertoli cells, spermatogonia, patchytene spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids were observed in EKN-dosing groups compared control group. Consequently, based on the results, EKN water extract could treat 2-BP induced reproductive damages dramatically.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.716-724
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the elementary school dietitian's status and recognition of nutrition education (NE) in Incheon. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire and subjects were 100 elementary school dietitians. The results are as follows. As for training in NE, $61.2\%$ of the dietitians attended training in NE. After training in NE, $86.5\%$ of the dietitians who attended training in NE were more concerned about NE. Also $59.5\%$ of the dietitians gave students NE and most of them did as a weekly printout 2-4 times per month. There was a significant difference in experience of NE for teachers between subgroups by experience of training in NE; while $48.1\%$ of the dietitians with training in NE gave teachers NE, $20.0\%$ of the dietitians without training in NE gave teachers NE. The main reason for not giving NE was too much work load and low concern of school administration. Also $96.4\%$ of the dietitians answered that NE is necessary in elementary school and the main reason for being necessary was correction of unbalanced diet and good table manner, As for proper time to start NE for children, $51.8\%$ of dietitians answered 'kindergarten' and $45.8\%$ of them answered 'lower grade of elementary school'. As for effective type for NE, $59.5\%$ of the dietitians answered 'NE as a part of other subject' and $23.8\%$ of them answered 'NE as a separate subject'. Also $79.5\%$ of the dietitians answered 'teacher' as the suitable person for NE. Most of the dietitians recognized menu formation as the ideal major work load and office work as the most time-consuming work load. As to job satisfaction, most of them were dissatisfied with office work and NE. Therefore, it is nationally supported for elementary school students' health and well-being that school dietitians as NE specialists give NE with minimizing their office work and developing a standardized NE program.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.453-460
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• 2006

Upo wetland is the largest inland wetland in Korea as Ramsar Convention Area. The purposes of the study were to investigate the levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediment and Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata from three sites of the wetland and to assess the potential of the gastropod as a bioindicator for heavy metal levels. The gastropods were dissected into shell and soft tissue without the digestive and excretive organs. The levels of Cd, Cu and Pb were below the guideline of Soil Environment Conservation Act and the heavy metals except Cr were slightly different among the sites. Cd was higher in Upo site ($0.32{\mu}g/g$) than Sajipo site ($0.28{\mu}g/g$). Cu and Zn showed the highest value in Sajipo as $43.5{\mu}g/g\;and\;39.8{\mu}g/g$, respectively while the concentrations of Pb and Zn were the highest in Upstream as $58.8{\mu}g/g\;and\;138{\mu}g/g$, respectively. In the soft tissues and shells of the gastropod, the overall common trend in the concentrations of the heavy metals was revealed with the following order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd and Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd, respectively. Although the soft tissues exhibited higher concentrations of the heavy metals except Ni than the shell in the gastropod, the levels of Cd and Pb in the gastropod were generally below the restrictive values set up by Korea Food & Drug Administration. From Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) results, the concentrations of Pb and Zn in the sediments among the sites were reflected on the soft tissue (Pb) and the shell (Pb and Zn) of the gastropod in the same order. The lower value of coefficient of variation (CV) in Pb concentration of the shell than in that of the soft tissue supports the usefulness of the shell as a bioindicator for Pb pollution. Although the CV value in the shell was a little higher than in the soft tissue, DMRT results and the stability of incorporated Zn into the shell support the use of the shell of the gastropod as a potential bioindicator for long-term contamination of Zn.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1789-1794
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• 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells playing key roles in immune sentinels as initiators of T-cell responses against microbial pathogens and tumors. Sarijang, a folk sauce containing extracts of Rhynchosia nulubilis, Ulmus davidiana roots, Allium sativum, and Rhus Verniaiflura bark, has been used as a nonspecific immunostimulant for cancer patients. However, little is known about its immunomodulating effects or their mechanisms. In this study, we investigated whether sarijang induces phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs. For this study, murine bone marrow-derived myeloid DCs were cultured in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and the generated immature DCs were stimulated with sarijang or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our data indicated that sarijang significantly enhanced the expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) as well as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, as did LPS. The results provide new insight into the immunopharmacology of sarijang and suggest a novel approach to the manipulation of DC for therapeutic application.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.977-982
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• 2010

We investigated the anti-cancer effects of two dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, gomisin A and gomisin N, isolated from Schizandra chinensis Baill, in human promyelocytic U937 cells. Gomisin N, but not gomisin A, inhibited cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of G1 arrest of the cell cycle. G1 arrest induced by gomisin N was correlated with down-regulation of cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2 and Cdk4, and a concomitant up-regulation of Cdk inhibitors such as p16 (INK4A) and p21 (WAF1/CIP1). Furthermore, gomisin N inhibited phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and p130, and expression of transcription factor E2Fs. The results indicated that growth inhibition by gomisin N is related to cell cycle arrest at G1 in U937 cells and these findings suggest that gomisin N may be a useful chemotherapeutic agent.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2016

Kefir, originating from Caucasus, is an acidic, alcoholic fermented milk product with little acidic taste and a creamy consistency. It is recognized in having beneficial effects infor the prevention and treatment of cancer. For example, Kefir has possesses a chemopreventative effect on carcinogenesis. There has recently been a strong focus on fermented milk foods containing a mixture of several functional organic substances and various probiotic microorganisms. Hence, the purpose of this review paper was to evaluate the scientific evidence for the effects of kefir on cancer prevention and treatment. Some of we analyzed and summarized data-relating to the effects of kefir on cancer. The cacers that kefir has an effect on are as follows: colon cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, sarcoma, skin cancer, gastric cancer. This review suggests that (1) kefir could be associated with cancer prevention, (2) kefir has beneficial effects in cancer treatment, and (3) kefir has various bioactive components including peptides, polysaccharides and sphingolipids, which contribute tofor itsthese anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, furthermore, studies were performed in order to obtain as to get the scientific evidence of kefir's anticancer activity: (1) improved protective effectiveness in vivo (human subjects or animal model), (2) isolation and identification of various bioactive components, and (3) mechanisms associated with beneficial effects.