• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2012

The study was conducted in a glasshouse to examine the possibility of producing paprika plug seedlings in a newly developed inert phenolic foam growing medium. Plug seedlings of 'Fascinato' paprika were grown in five media, Grodan rockwool (Grodan Co. Ltd., Denmark), UR rockwool (UR Co. Ltd., Korea), phenolic foam LC (Smithers Oasis Korea Co. Ltd., Korea), phenolic foam RC, and phenolic foam 3813-4 all in a pellet type. Seeds were germinated in a growth chamber ($25^{\circ}C$, 90% RH, dark) for 4-5 days and then seedlings were grown in a glasshouse with nutrient solution supplied by an overhead irrigation system. Seedling growths were measured 20 days after sowing. The medium pH was the highest in the Grodan rockwool, and medium EC was the highest in phenolic foam 3813-4, although no nutritional excess disorders were observed. Germination rates of paprika were higher than 90% in all the media. Plant height, stem diameter, T/R ratio, leaf area, and chlorophyll showed a similar to those in the rockwool medium. Number of leaves, length of the longest root and dry weights of shoot were not significantly different among treatments. Overall, phenolic foam LC and RC produced seedlings with a similar growth as the rockwool medium. The results obtained suggest that rockwool can be replaced with a new material such as phenolic foam in the commercial scale production of plug seedlings of 'Fascinato' paprika.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.238-245
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of magnesium (Mg) concentrations in nutrient solution on growth of and nutrient uptake by 'Maehyang' strawberry. Tissue analysis based on dry weight and petiole sap were also conducted to determine the threshold level in plants when Mg deficiency disorders developed in strawberry plants. In the Mg deficient plants, the spotted yellowing or yellowing area developed on the interveinal area of mature leaves. The dark brown color also developed on the interveinal area of mature leaves with marginal browning or marginal necrosis. The response in dry weight production of 'Maehyang' strawberry to elevated Mg concentrations in nutrient solution was quadratic and the equation is y=6.84+1.7533x-$0.9278x^2$ $(R^2=0.1081^{***})$. But the Mg contents in tissue increased lineally with the equation of y=0.1764+0.1275x $(R^2=0.8307^{***})$. The trends of fresh weight production and Mg concentrations in petiole sap were also quadratic (y=24.127+7.3565x-$1.125x^2$, $R^2=0.2314^{^***}$) and linear (11.954+5.793x, $R^2=0.6869^{***}$), respectively. To prevent growth suppression, the Mg concentrations based on dry weight of above ground tissue and in petiole sap should be in the range of 0.30 to 0.65% and 19 to $40mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$, respectively, fer the commercial production of 'Maehyang' strawberry.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2010

In order to ensure good animal health and performance, it is essential to produce forages with high feeding value and good hygienic quality. However, huge amounts of forages consumed by ruminants are contaminated with mold prior to harvest or during storage as hay, straw or silage. These mold can grow in forages only when nutrients are available, correct temperature exist, oxygen is present, and unbound water is available. Fungal 'species can be divided into two groups: field fungi and storage fungi. Field fungi invade the forages while the crop is still in the field, require high moisture conditions, and are such as species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Clodosporium, Diplodia, Gibberrella and Helminthosporium. Storage fungi invade forages during storage and need less moisture than field fungi. These such as species of Aspergillus and Penicillium usually do not occur any problem before harvest. Mold growth can spoil the nutritional aspects of the forages and also results in secondary metabolites that are highly toxic to animal, humans and plants. Moldy feeds are less palatable and may reduce dry matter intake. This, in turn, leads to a reduction of nutrition intake, reducing weight gains or milk production. Performance losses of 5 to 10 percent are typical with moldy feeds. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by fungi (molds) growing on crops in the field or storages. While greater than 400 mycotoxins have been chemically identified, the biological or veterinary medical impact of only several mycotoxins is known. Mycotoxins have attracted considerable attention as potential causes for poor performance and health disorders in domestic livestock. They can be carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, hematotoxic, immunosuppressive, estrogenic, or mutagenic. So, feeding moldy forages has adverse effects on animal health and milk consumers. Also, this author reported that rice straw hay was contaminated mycotoxigenic fungi such as Penicillium roqueforti and Fusarium culmorum in Korea. Therefore, it is an urgent need to develop an improved post harvest storage method to reduce nutrient loss and mycotoxin contamination of forages, which will have a positive impact on human health.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.771-780
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• 2014

Tetragonia tetragonides is a medicinal plant native to ocean sand soil of southern provinces and has significant effects on the prevention and curing of gastroenteric disorders. Despite of its popularity, supply of the plant has never met the level of demand because of the absence of an adequate culturing method. The present study, thereby, was conducted for classifying the plants with geographically different characteristics, studying growth habits, developing a new culturing method and establishing a large scale propagation system of selected superior individual plants. The study was also aimed for revealing optimum conditions for seed treatment, fertilization, and efficient culturing system and thereby, for utilizing the plant as a new income source for rural communities. The seed was elongated with size of 2.6 mm (width) ${\times}$ 1.8 mm (length). No difference in seed size was observed depending on different inhabitate. Each flower produced about 4.5~4.8 seeds. Germination rate was high for seeds matured for 40 days after fertilization, but deceased to 50% for seeds matured only for 20 or 30 days. Seed dormancy lasted 6 months and seed storage at humid $5^{\circ}C$ facilitated germination. Mechanical obstruct of seed germination was due to seed coat and removal of seed coat enhanced the germination rate. Optimum temp. for seed storage was $5^{\circ}C$, and high germination rate was maintained for 350 days. However, for stratification condition or at room temperature, germination was significantly reduced as storage time increased Optimum treatment of plant growth regulators was soaking in $GA_3$ 250 mg/L for 1 hr. The priming treatment with 50 mM $Ca(NO_3)_2$ at $20^{\circ}C$ for two days improved the seed germination with 10% compared to non-treated control. The treatment of 20% NaOCl for 3 hr. improved the seed germination rate up to 10% and 1 day ahead.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2010

With the aim of developing and indoor overwintering technique for Pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii, the metabolic rates of young oysters (52.4-83.0 mm in shell length) were measured for 2 weeks at water temperatures of 8, 10, 12, and $14^{\circ}C$. The filtration rate (FR) ranged 0 to $4.84\;L\;h^{-1}gDW^{-1}$ (mean, $0.02{\pm}0.06 $ to $3.12{\pm}1.45$), with significant changes observed over thme except for the case of a water temperature of $14^{\circ}C$. Respiration rate (R) ranged from 0 to $2.370\;mgO2\;h^{-1}gDW^{-1}$ (mean, 0 to $1.77{\pm}0.37$), with significant respiratory disorders observed at temperatures below $12^{\circ}C$; in contrast, the rate increased on the $14^th$ day of the experiment in the case of a temperature of 14$^{\circ}C$. No significant difference was observed among the different water temperatures in terms of excretion rate (E) or absorption efficiency (Abs.eff), except for a significant decrease in aerobic metabolism in the case of water temperature of $8^{\circ}C$. The estimated scope for growth (SFG) ranged from -9.1 to $126.9\;J\;h^{-1}gDW^{-1}$ (mean. $-4.1{\pm}2.6$ to $82.85{\pm}42.6$). A significant energy Joss was found at $8^{\circ}C$, with negative SFG observed throughout the experiment and a gradual energy decrease observed over time at water temperatures of $10^{\circ}C$ and 120C. However. SFG remained positive throughout the experiment in the case of $14^{\circ}C$. The estimated minimum energy requirement, assessed from energy expenditure, is $8.00-34.24\;J\;h^{-1}gDW^{-1}$ (mean, $17.67{\pm}6.17$). In conclusion, the lowest temperature suitable for indoor overwintering is above $14^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2011

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), or epigallocatechin 3-gallate, is the ester of epigallocatechin and gallic acid, and is a type of catechin. EGCG may be therapeutic for many disorders including diabetics and some types of cancer. However it is unknown whether EGCG can induce transdifferentiation of pancreatic cells in pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on the expression of pancreatic regenerating related markers in pancreatic AR42J cells, a model of pancreatic progenitor cells. AR42J cells, differentiated with betacellulin and activin A, were cultured with/without EGCG in a time-dependent manner. Cell growth rate, levels of mRNA, and protein expression were examined with the MTT assay, quantitative PCR, and Western blots, respectively. The results showed that AR42J cell growth rates were inhibited by EGCG in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA and protein expression of amylase, insulin and neurogenin 3 (ngn 3) increased in AR42J cells treated with EGCG. Additionally, we demonstrated that the signal transduction pathway of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is active in EGCG-treated AR42J cells. ERK and JNK phosphorylation decreased in cells treated with EGCG but not p38 phosphorylation. Activation of the p38 MAP kinase pathway was confirmed by specific MAP kinase pathways inhibitors: U0126 for ERK, SP600126 for JNK, and SB203580 for p38. Activated p38 phosphorylation was inhibited by the specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 but p38 phosphorylation was inhibited with increased EGCG treatment. The ERK and JNK MAP kinase pathways were not affected by EGCG treatment. Although further studies are needed, these results suggest that EGCG affects the induction of pancreatic cell regeneration by increasing the ngn 3 protein and mRNA expression and activating the p38 MAP kinase pathway.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.313-319
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• 2016

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), associated with the deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4, causes multiple congenital malformations. Patients suffer from various deformities, including mental and growth disorders, epilepsy, hypotonia, congenital heart defects, and atypical craniofacial features. The "Greek warrior helmet appearance" is the most characteristic feature, with a prominent glabella, high arched eyebrow, broad nasal bridge, and hypertelorism. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is observed in 30% of patients. Dental structure anomalies also exist including multiple tooth agenesis and over-retained primary molars caused by MSX1 gene impairment, and cone-shaped and taurodontic teeth. This case, a 9-year-old girl with WHS, showed intellectual disability, delayed growth development, previous occurrence of seizures, otitis media, and the typical facial features of WHS. Dental findings included multiple congenital missing teeth, over-retained primary teeth, and severe caries on the primary molars. Dental treatments were performed under general anesthesia. This report documents the characteristics of WHS, including general and oral features, and discusses the importance of oral hygiene and preventive dental management.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.408-418
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• 2020

The sinus node (SN) is located at the apex of the cardiac conduction system, and SN dysfunction (SND)-characterized by electrical remodeling-is generally attributed to idiopathic fibrosis or ischemic injuries in the SN. SND is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including syncope, heart failure, and atrial arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. One of the histological SND hallmarks is degenerative atrial remodeling that is associated with conduction abnormalities and increased right atrial refractoriness. Although SND is frequently accompanied by increased fibrosis in the right atrium (RA), its molecular basis still remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated whether SND can induce significant molecular changes that account for the structural remodeling of RA. Towards this, we employed a rabbit model of experimental SND, and then compared the genome-wide RNA expression profiles in RA between SND-induced rabbits and sham-operated controls to identify the differentially expressed transcripts. The accompanying gene enrichment analysis revealed extensive pro-fibrotic changes within 7 days after the SN ablation, including activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and alterations in the levels of extracellular matrix components and their regulators. Importantly, our findings suggest that periostin, a matricellular factor that regulates the development of cardiac tissue, might play a key role in mediating TGF-β-signaling-induced aberrant atrial remodeling. In conclusion, the present study provides valuable information regarding the molecular signatures underlying SND-induced atrial remodeling, and indicates that periostin can be potentially used in the diagnosis of fibroproliferative cardiac dysfunctions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2006

This study is to examine the relationship between TGF-b1 expression and CTGF expression, and to evaluate the effect of Sp1 blockade on the expression of TGF-b1, CTGF and extracellular genes, clones of fibroblasts stably transfected with Sp1 decoy ODN. R-Sp1 decoy ODN was highly resistant to degradation by nucleases or serum, compared to the linear or phosphorothioated-Sp1 decoy ODN. Skin wounds were created on the back of 36 anesthetized rats. They were divided into four groups-the rats with normal skin, with wounded skin without decoy, with wounded skin injected with R-Sp1 decoy, and with wounded skin injected with mismatched R-Sp1 decoy, respectively. Skins were collected at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th day after wounding. Cellular RNA was extracted by RT-PCR analysis. TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF were deeply related with skin fibrosis during scar formation and it appeared that TGF-${\beta}1$ may cause the induction of CTGF expression. R-Sp1 decoy ODN inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF expression both in cultured fibroblasts and in the skin of rats. These results indicate that targeting Sp1 with R-type decoy efficiently blocks extracellular matrix gene expression, and suggest an important new therapeutic approach to control the scarring in normal wound healing and fibrotic disorders.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.714-719
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• 2013

The bent peduncle phenomenon (BPP) is known as a kind of physiological disorders found in cut rose plants, which causes the reduction of cut flower yields. As yet unknown mechanisms, however, it has not been easy to find solutions for BPP. To address this challenge, this study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of floral morphology, growth, and endogenous phytohormone level of BPP shoots in cut rose plants (Rosa hybrida L. 'Beast'). Morphological observation confirmed the fact that BPP was accompanied by the early formation and being phyllody of a specific sepal among five sepals, which gave rise to peduncle bending in the upper part of the phyllody with fasciation. Year-round BPP frequency in 'Beast' cultivar was in the range of 5 to 20% with seasonal change, increasing rapidly with an average temperature rise in summer. Except bent peduncle, the BPP shoots appeared to grow normally in terms of speed and size of floral development in comparison with normal. However, carbohydrate distribution to the floral part in BPP shoots was significantly reduced. The level of endogenous IAA (3-Indoleacetic acid) within the floral part in BPP shoots was highly maintained during floral development, in contrast to normal shoots. $GA_3$ contents were not significantly different between normal and BPP shoots. This study indicates that BPP would be induced by a series of courses: abnormally early formation of a specific sepal relative to high temperature, being phyllody of the sepal with fasciation, and continuous supply of endogenous IAA by phyllody.