• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

A fungal isolate DUCC5000 from a garden plant Pachysandra terminalis was identified as Paraconiothyrium brasiliense based on the results of morphological and molecular studies. The fungus formed brown to black conidiomata of (0.2-0.7)-2(-3.5) mm singly or as a group on PDA. Conidia measured $2-5{\times}1.8-3{\mu}m$ in size, hyaline, ellipsoid to short-cylindrical, and rounded at both ends. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA of the isolate shared 100% nucleotide sequence homology with those of known P. brasiliense isolates. Phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequence analysis showed that the DUCC5000 isolate formed a clade with known isolates of P. brasiliense. The fungal mycelia grew better on oatmeal agar than on MEA and PDA. On PDA media under various pH conditions, fungal mycelial growth was observed at pH 9. Colony morphology of the fungus tended to alter depending on the kinds of nutrient media and pH condition. On chromagenic media, the fungus demonstrated its ability to produce extracellular enzymes including amyalse, avicelase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, protease, and xylanase. However, in pathogenicity testing, no disease symptoms were observed on the leaves of P. terminalis. This strain is the first report on P. terminalis in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.346-351
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• 2012

$Li_{1+x}Al_xTi_{2-x}(PO_4)_3$(LATP) is a promising solid electrolyte for all-solid-state Li ion batteries. In this study, LATP is prepared through a sol-gel method using relatively the inexpensive reagents $TiCl_4$. The thermal behavior, structural characteristics, fractured surface morphology, ion conductivity, and activation energy of the LATP sintered bodies are investigated by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction, FE-SEM, and by an impedance method. A gelation powder was calcined at $500^{\circ}C$. A single crystalline phase of the $LiTi_2(PO_4)_3$(LTP) system was obtained at a calcination temperature above $650^{\circ}C$. The obtained powder was pelletized and sintered at $900^{\circ}C$ and $1000^{\circ}C$. The LTP sintered at $900{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$ for 6 h had a relatively low apparent density of 75~80%. The LATP(x = 0.3) pellet sintered at $900^{\circ}C$ for 6 h was denser than those sintered under other conditions and showed the highest ion conductivity of $4.50{\times}10^{-5}$ S/cm at room temperature. However, the ion conductivity of LATP (x = 0.3) sintered at $1000^{\circ}C$ decreased to $1.81{\times}10^{-5}$ S/cm, leading to Li volatilization and abnormal grain growth. For LATP sintered at $900^{\circ}C$ for 6 h, x = 0.3 shows the lowest activation energy of 0.42 eV in the temperature range of room temperature to $300^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.697-702
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• 2011

Two-dimensional (2D) nano patterns including a two-dimensional Bravais lattice were fabricated by laser interference lithography using a two step exposure process. After the first exposure, the substrate itself was rotated by a certain angle, $90^{\circ}$ for a square or rectangular lattice, $75^{\circ}$ for an oblique lattice, and $60^{\circ}$ for a hexagonal lattice, and the $90^{\circ}$ and laser incident angle changed for rectangular and the $45^{\circ}$ and laser incident angle changed for a centered rectangular; we then carried out a second exposure process to form 2D bravais lattices. The band structure of five different 2D nano patterns was simulated by a beam propagation program. The presence of the band-gap effect was shown in an oblique and hexagonal structure. The oblique latticed ZnO nano-photonic crystal array had a pseudo-bandgap at a frequency of 0.337-0.375, 0.575-0.596 and 0.858-0.870. The hexagonal latticed ZnO nano-crystallite array had a pseudo-bandgap at a frequency of 0.335-0.384 and 0.585-0.645. The ZnO nano structure with an oblique and hexagonal structure was grown through the patterned opening window area by a hydrothermal method. The morphology of 2D nano patterns and ZnO nano structures were investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The diameter of the opening window was approximately 250 nm. The height and width of ZnO nano-photonic crystals were 380 nm and 250 nm, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 1998

Reciprocal interspecific hybrids between N. glauca(2n=24) and N. langsdorffii(2n=18) were obtained by intercrossing. One hundred percent of F$_1$ seeds was produced from intercrossing of N. glauca $\times$ N. langsdorffii, whereas the frequency of F$_1$ hybrid seed formation from N. langsdorffii $\times$ N. glauca was very low. However, all the hybrid seeds were germinated well and then grown to normal plantlets. All the plants of F$_1$ hybrids have chromosome number of interspecific hybrids (2n=21). From observation of morphological characteristic, the structure of petrol, leaf, flower, and the morphology of pollen have characteristics of F1 hybrid. Spontaneous tumors (genetic tumor) were formed from each F$_1$ hybrid; the genetic tumor arose at the reproductive phase when the maternal type of F$_1$ hybrid came from N. glauca, while the genetic tumor arose only after reproductive phase when the maternal type of F$_1$ hybrid came from N. langsdorffii. The genetic tumor actively proliferated on hormone-free medium and produced numerous teratoma shoots. In addition, normal leaf or stem explants of F$_1$ hybrid produced calli on hormone-free medium after 15 days of culture, the calli produced new numerous teratoma shoots after 30 days. The frequency of teratoma shoot formation from rnterspecific hybrid was higher in the N. glauca $\times$ N. langsdorffii than in the N. langsdorffii $\times$ N. glauca. Root development from the teratoma shoots was hardly obtained. Teratoma shoots without roots in vitro can form genetic tumor at the vegetative growth phase after tissue culture.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.351-360
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• 2015

Human influence on soil formation has dramatically increased with human civilization and industry development. Increase of anthropogenic soils induced researches on the anthropogenic soils; classification, chemical and physical characteristics of anthropogenic soils and plant growth from anthropogenic soils. However there have been no comprehensive analyses on soil pore or physical properties of anthropogenic soils from 3 dimensional images in Korea. The objectives of this study were to characterize physical properties of anthropogenic paddy field soils by depth and to find differences between natural and anthropogenic paddy field soils. Soil samples were taken from two anthropogenic and natural paddy field soils; anthropogenic (A_c) and natural (N_c) paddy soils with topsoil of coarse texture and anthropogenic (A_f) and natural (N_f) paddy soils with topsoil of fine texture. The anthropogenic paddy fields were reestablished during the Arable Land Remodeling Project from 2011 to 2012 and continued rice farming after the project. Natural paddy fields had no artificial changes or disturbance in soil layers up to 1m depth. Samples were taken at three different depths and analyzed for routine physical properties (texture, bulk density, etc.) and pore properties with computer tomography (CT) scans. The CT scan provided 3 dimensional images at resolution of 0.01 mm to calculate pore radius size, length, and tortuosity of soil pores. Fractal and configuration entropy analyses were applied to quantify pore structure and analyze spatial distribution of pores within soil images. The results of measured physical properties showed no clear trend or significant differences across depths or sites from all samples, except the properties from topsoils. The results of pore morphology and spatial distribution analyses provided detailed information of pores affected by human influences. Pore length and size showed significant decrease in anthropogenic soils. Especially, pores of A_c had great decrease in length compared to N_c. Fractal and entropy analyses showed clear changes of pore distributions across sites. The topsoil layer of A_c showed more degradation of pore structure than that of N_c, while pores of A_f topsoil did not show significant degradation compared with those of N_f. These results concluded that anthropogenic soils with coarse texture may have more effects on pore properties than ones with fine texture. The reestablished paddy fields may need more fundamental remediation to improve physical conditions.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2021

Iris dichotoma Pall. found on Daechung Island in Korea has been designated as an endangered species. To aid in conservation efforts of this species, this study investigated its germination characteristics and seed dormancy type. Four sets of seeds were incubated at different temperatures (4/1℃, 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃). One set of seeds was cold stratified (4 weeks at 4/1℃). The final germination rate and mean germination time showed that the optimal germination temperature was 25/15℃. Final germination rates were ~70%, showing no significant difference among temperature treatments. However, mean germination time were significantly different among all temperature treatments except for 4/1℃. Mean germination time for seeds with temperature treatments of 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃ were 3.2, 2.1, and 1.5 weeks, respectively. At 25/15℃, the mean germination time was half of that at 15/6℃. Seeds of I. dichotoma had fully developed embryos at the time of dispersal. No additional growth of the embryo was observed. Cold stratification did not affect the final germination rate or the mean germination time. This study shows that seeds of I. dichotoma have no physiological or morphological dormancy, unlike other members of the Iris genus known to have seed dormancy that needs a relatively high incubation temperature (≥25/15℃) for mass propagation to occur. These results will be useful for understanding ecophysiological mechanisms related to the species' habitat. They are also useful for mass propagation of I. dichotoma for the purpose of conserving this endangered species.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.121-131
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• 2019

Purpose: The significance of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in gastric carcinoma (GC) is controversial, leading to ambiguous concepts in traditional classifications. This study aimed to determine the prognostic threshold of meaningful NED in GC and clarify its unclear features in existing classifications. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and neural cell adhesion molecule was performed for 945 GC specimens. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and univariate/multivariate models with percentages of NED ($P_{NED}$) and demographic and clinicopathological parameters. Results: In total, 275 (29.1%) cases were immunoreactive to at least 1 neuroendocrine (NE) marker. GC-NED was more common in the upper third of the stomach. $P_{NED}$, and Borrmann's classification and tumor, lymph node, metastasis stages were independent prognostic factors. The cutoff $P_{NED}$ was 10%, beyond which patients had significantly worse outcomes, although the risk did not increase with higher $P_{NED}$. Tumors with ${\geq}10%$ NED tended to manifest as Borrmann type III lesion with mixed/diffuse morphology and poorer histological differentiation; the NE components in this population mainly grew in insulae/nests, which differed from the predominant growth pattern (glandular/acinar) in GC with <10% NED. Conclusions: GC with ${\geq}10%$ NED should be classified as a distinct subtype because of its worse prognosis, and more attention should be paid to the necessity of additional therapeutics for NE components.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.3_spc
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• pp.417-426
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• 2021

Objective: Effects of inulin supplementation in diet of Haidong chicks under hypoxic conditions on production performance, intestinal morphologic change, microflora contents and the incidence of ascites were studied. Methods: Commercial male chicks (360) were randomly divided into 6 groups and were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg of inulin, respectively. Results: The body weight gain and feed intake were improved in chicks fed the diets supplemented with 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg of inulin, from d 1 to d 42 (p<0.05); moreover, blood parameters were positively affected when inulin was included in the diets and the thickness of the intestinal wall and muscle tissue in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum tended to increase (p<0.05), and the villi height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p<0.05). Regarding the number of goblet cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum tended to increase when chicks were fed the diets supplemented with 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 g/kg (p<0.05) of inulin. When chicks were fed diets supplemented with 0.75 or 0.1 g/kg of inulin, a significant reduction of Escherichia coli counts in the cecum was observed; for a contrary, a significant increment of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus was observed in cecum and ileum. Finally, supplementing the feed with inulin determined an overall reduction of ascites incidences in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Thus, the results observed in the present study clearly suggest that the diet supplementation with a quantity of inulin ranging between 0.1 and 0.125 g/kg, can improve growth performances, intestinal morphology, internal microbial balance and ascites incidence, in broiler chicks raised at high altitude area. Even though these findings may be of interest for the poultry industry, they may particularly be relevant in those areas characterized by high altitude such as Northwest China regions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2021

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 mg/kg/d and 60 mg/kg/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.