• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2004

Background : Nitric Oxide (NO) is a multi-faceted molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many areas of biology. NO can promote apoptosis in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis in other cell types. This study was performed to characterize NO-induced cell death in lung epithelial cells and to investigate the roles of cell death regulators including iron, bcl-2 and p53. Methods : A549 cells were used for lung epithelial cells. SNP (sodium nitroprusside) and SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl- penicillamine) were used for NO donor. Cytoxicity assay was done by MTT assay and crystal violet assay. Apoptotic assay was done by fluorescent microscopy after double staining with propidium iodide and hoecst 33342. Iron inhibition study was done with RBCs and FeSO4. For bcl-2 study, bcl-2 overexpressing cells (A549-bcl-2) were used and for p53 study, Western blot analysis and p53 functionally knock-out cells (A549-E6) were used. Results : SNP and SNAP induced dose-dependent cell death in A549 cells and fluorescent microscopy revealed that SNAP induced apoptosis in low doses but necrosis in high doses while SNP induced exclusively necrotic cell death. Iron inhibition study using RBCs and FeSO4 significantly blocked SNAP-induced cell death. And also SNAP-induced cell death was blocked by bcl-2 overexpression. Finally, we found that SNAP activate p53 by Western blot analysis and that SNAP-induced cell death was decreased in the abscence of p53. Conclusion : In lung epithelial cells, NO can induce cell death, more precisely apoptosis in low doses and necrosis in high doses. And iron, bcl-2, and p53 play important roles in NO-induced cell death.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.505-513
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• 2009

Streptococcus mutans plays a major role in the formation of dental plaque and it is considered one of the important pathogens in the development of dental caries. Established dental plaque can be more resistant to antimicrobial agents and offers nutrient rich and relatively stable cariogenic conditions for bacteria. Thus bacteria growing in dental plaque have strong resistance to antimicrobial agents and they are not removed easily by the flow of saliva. Many researchers have been performed using natural materials, especially herbal extracts to prevent dental plaque. However, the strains of mutans streptococci used in the researches were not from Koreans. Therefore, it would be necessary to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of herbal extracts against clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans isolated from saliva of Koreans living in Jeollabuk-do. For this study four clinical isolates were isolated from saliva samples of seventeen Korean people to investigate whether essential oils of Artemisia spp. have antimicrobial activity against them including four reference strains of Streptococcus mutans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations, Minimum bactericidal concentrations and time kill studies were performed and the results showed that Artemisia lavandulaefolia DC, Artemisia scoparia, and Artemisia capillaries have antimicrobial activity against the Streptococcus mutans clinical isolates and reference strains.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.E
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• pp.371-386
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• 1994

Ecological examinations of the radial growth Patterns of pine trees(Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc) growing on Mt. Namsan in central Seoul were made to test a Proposition that the pine trees decline due to the influence of air pollution and acid rain, which was proposed by some researchers in Korea, and the potential effects of current level of air pollutants to the growth of the Pine trees in central Seoul have been speculated. Tree-rings of 40 trees sampled at 3 sites of Mt. Namsan were prepared and examined using a Computer-aided Tree-Ring Measuring System at Kookmin University, Korea. Air Pollutant data collected by the Ministry of Environment( MOE ) and the Forestry Research Institute(FRI) were used to infer the general conditions of the environment. Correlation analysis was applied to the data set of tree growth and the other environmental factors. General information derived from the close examination of the tree-rings and the data on air pollution, drought and the other biological conditions suggested that the growth of the pine trees was severely affected by the occurrence of drought(climatic variation), the prevalence of the pine leaf gall midges(insects), and the suppression by the black locust trees(Robinia pseudo-acacia L.) (competition among trees). While the current condition of air pollution in Seoul cannot be categorized as good, the concentrations of air pollutants are not so high as to cause acute damages to the trees. In addition, while the data of rain acidity showed episodic low PHs of under 4.0, the average of them is far less acidic than those which were observed in either northeastern United States or central Europe, where the decline of trees were not solely attributed to any of the air pollutants. Considering the sequential facts that one of the most important environmental factors that affect the growth of trees is weather condition of the forest that the proposition of the decline of the pine trees was made without careful examination of the growth patterns and past growth history of them as well as the complex influences of many other factors including the weather conditions to the growth of trees, and that no objective explanation has been made on the causal relationships between the current condition of air pollution and the growth of the trees, such a proposition should be evaluated as invalid for the explanation of tree growth on Mt. Namsan in central Seoul, Korea. The author evaluates the factors of air pollution (including acid rain) as the predisposing factors, which may have the Potentials to chronically affect the tree growth at the forest ecosystem on Mt. Namsan for a long period of time. Ecosystem ecological studies should be further carried out to carefully explain both the functional and the structural aspects of the ecosystem processes, which include the biogeochemistry and the long-term changes of soil conditions as well as the growth of the other tree species on the mountain.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1968

Dividing into six(6) experimental groups; Stock Diet(SD) Group, Rice Diet(RD) Group, Rice Diet supplemented with Barley(RD-BD) Group, Barley Diet(BD) Group, Rice Diet supplemented with Millet(RD-MD) Group, and Millet Diet(MD) Group, biochemical and nutritional effects of rice, barley, and millet on rats are studied. The grains used in this experiment are polished ones and purchased from market. Six(6) weaning male albino rats are housed into the individual cages in each group and fed with each experimental diet and water ad libitum for 21 weeks. The composition of the experimental diets are shown in Table 1. At the end of experiment, the appearences of rats are observed and the bloods are sampled by heart puncture method following ether anesthesia for determinations of serum protein and serum cholesterol. And the livers are sampled immediately right after heart after heart puncture for determinations of liver weight, liver nitrogen, liver fat, and liver glycogen. And also liver tissues are observed histologically. The result of growth experiment is shown in Table 2 and Figure 7. The results of blood analysis are shown in Table 3 and the results of liver analysis are shown in Table 4. And the histological observations of liver tissue are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. According to the above results, it could be summarized as follows; 1) The normal appearences are observed at SD Group and BD Group. Alopecia is observed at RD, RD-­BD, RD-MD, and MD groups and the wet appearences of hair are observed at RD-MD and MD groups. The color of hair is changed to yellowish white at RD, RD-MD groups. The maximum growth inhibition, is observed at MD group and the growths of RD, RD-BD, BD, and RD-MD groups are significantly lower than that of SD group. The growth of RD group is lower than those of RD-BD and BD groups, though this difference is not significant. 2) At the blood analysis, the highest serum protein content is shown at SD group and the lowest serum protein is observed at MD group. The serum cholesterol contents are not significantly different among the six(6) experimental groups. 3) The highest liver weight is observed at SD group and the lowest weight is shown at MD group. However, oppositely the highest liver weight per 100 grams of body weight at MD group and the lowest liver weight per 100 grams of body weight at SD group are observed as shown in Table 6. 4) The differences of liver nitrogen contents of RD, RB-BD, BD, RD-MD, and MD Groups are not significant except SD group showing the highest content. 5) The significant highest content of liver fat is observed at RD group and the lowest content of liver fat is shown at SD group. And no significant differences in contents of liver glycogen are observed among the six(6) experimental groups. 6) No significant abnormal histological changes of liver tissue are observed at SD, RD-BD, and BD groups. However, the fat metamorphosis at peripheral zone of liver tissue is observed at RD Group and the some histological abnormal changes are observed at RD-MD and MD groups. According to the above summaries, the followings might be estimated and recommended; 1) The BD group shows histological normality of liver tissue, improvement of liver fat and liver nitrogen, normality of appearence, and better growth compared with RD Group. This could be indicated that barley is nutritionally and biochemically better than rice as the feeding diet on rat. And it might be considered that there might be the species speciality for nutritionary evaluation of food. 2) Recently, Marshall indicated that the high consumption of carbohydrate causes fatty liver and Kondo reported that the higher consumption of rice causes the more heart disease and the shorter life span. Considering these reports, the higher consumption of rice as a main dish in our country should be considered as an important national nutritional problem. And this might be improved by supplementing with barley or other grains to rice.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2009

Mineralogical characteristics of secondary precipitate formed at some mineral water springs in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea were studied in relation to water chemistry. The chemical water types of mineral water springs are mostly classified as $Ca-HCO_3$ type, but $Na(Ca)-HCO_3$ and $Ca-SO_4$ types are also recognized. Ca, Fe, and $HCO_3\;^-$ are the most abundant components in the water. The pH values of most springs lie in 5.76${\sim}$6.81, except Hwangsu spring having pH 2.8. Saturation indices show that all springs are supersaturated with respect to iron minerals and oxyhydroxides such as hematite and goethite. The result of particle size analysis shows that the precipitate is composed of the composite with various sizes, indicating the presence of iron minerals susceptible to a phase transition at varying water chemistry or the mixtures consisting of various mineral species. The particle size of the reddish precipitate is larger than that of the yellow brown precipitate. Based on XRD and SEM analyses, the precipitate is mostly composed of ferrihydrite (two-line type), goethite, schwertmannite, and calcite, with lesser silicates and manganese minerals. The most abundant mineral fanned at springs is ferrihydrite whose crystals are $0.1{\sim}2\;{\mu}m$ with an average of $0.5\;{\mu}m$ in size, characterized by a spherical form. It should be interestingly noted that schwertmannite forms at Hwangsu spring whose pH is very low. At Shinchon spring, Gallionella ferruginea, one of the iron bacteria, is commonly found as an indicator of the important microbial activity ascribed to the formation of iron minerals because very fine iron oxides with a spherical form are closely distributed on surfaces of the bacteria. A genetic relationship between the water chemistry and the formation of the secondary precipitate from mineral water springs was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2014

This study was carried out in order to develop a biological control of anthracnose of red pepper caused by fungal pathogens. In particular, this study focuses on the Colletotrichum species, which includes important fungal pathogens causing a great deal of damage to red pepper. Antagonistic bacteria were isolated from the soil of pepper fields, which were then tested for biocontrol activity against the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides anthracnose pathogen of pepper. Based on the 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the isolated bacterial strain CS-52 was identical to Bacillus sp. The culture broth of Bacillus sp. CS-52 had antifungal activity toward the hyphae and spores of C. gloeosporioides. Moreover, the substances with antifungal activity were optimized when Bacillus sp. CS-52 was grown aerobically in a medium composed of 0.5% glucose, 0.7% $K_2HPO_4$, 0.2% $KH_2PO_4$, 0.3% $NH_4NO_3$, 0.01% $MnSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, and 0.15% yeast extract at $30^{\circ}C$. The inhibition of spore formation resulting from cellulase, siderophores, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), were produced at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. Bacillus sp. CS-52 also exhibited its potent fungicidal activity against anthracnose in an in vivo test, at a level of 70% when compared to chemical fungicides. These results identified substances with antifungal activity produced by Bacillus sp. CS-52 for the biological control of major plant pathogens in red pepper. Further studies will investigate the synergistic effect promoting better growth and antifungal activity by the formulation of substances with antifungal activity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.102-114
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• 1976

This experiment was conducted to investigate the percentage of fertile seed in terms of crossabilities and relationships of taxonomic affinities for the ${\times}$ P. rigitaeda of interspecific hybrid, ${\times}$ P. rigida rigitaeda and ${\times}$ P. rigitaeda rigida of backcross hybrids, $F_2$ of ${\times}$ P. rigitaeda and natural hybrid of ${\times}$ P. rigitaeda within Sub-genus Diploxylon of the Genus Pinus. The possibility of establishment of hybrid seed orchard and differentia of hybrids for the purpose of extensive program of reforestation in the future have also been investigated. And, the experimental results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. On the basis of crossabilities as well as on the taxonomic affinities according to the systems of Shaw, Pilger and Duffield, it has been proven that the parental species of those hybrids are of close affinities and range of the fertile hybrid seed production rate was as high as 67-87% in the best hybrid combination (Table 6). 2. Those hybrids seemed to be most promising in the growth perfermance exhibiting 28-80% more volume growth compared to the P. rigida with the statistic significance of 1-5% level (Table 7, 8, 9). And all hybrids exhibit cold hardiness as much as P. rigida except $F_1$ hybrid of ${\times}$ P. rigitaeda and it seems to suggest that the characteristics of cold hardiness were transmitted from the P. rigida. 3. With regard to the anatomical characteristics of needle, the hypoderm is biform in most of the hybrid pines and the characteristics of resin canals are medial in all hybrid. And, the fibrovascular bundles are intermediate of both parent in all hybrid. Therefore it was found to be possible to distinguish the hybrids pines from their parents by the needle characteristics (Table 10). 4. It has been demonstrated that the hybrids pines have a phenolic substance (No. 7) of pale yellow at Rf-0.66, same as P. rigida, but no trace of phenolic substance was observed in the P. taeda. This fact will serve as an important criteria for early identification of hybridity in progeny testing (Table 11). 5. It was found to be possible to distinguish by the starch gel electrophoretic variations banding patterns and staining densities of isoperoxidase in the needles of the hybrids pines from their parents (Fig. 1).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.90-100
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• 2004

Objective : Urinary tract infection(UTI) is a frequent serious bacterial infection in young infants. The clinical presentation may be non-specific and variable, depends on factors such as the age and the level of infection. Children with renal involvement may be at risk of permanent renal damage. Experimental studies have shown that renal lesions caused by acute febrile UTI may be prevented or diminished by early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is important to find a method that can permit early diagnosis and identification of patients who are at risk for progressive renal damage. We designed this study to identify related factors in culture positive UTI infants, and also to identify related factors in culture negative UTI infants, who are febrile with pyuria, by using renal imaging and functional studies including renal sonography, DMSA scan and VCUG. Methods : Retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 136 febrile infants with pyuria over 2 years(from January 2001 to February 2003). Urine culture was done in all cases, and regardless of urine culture findings, renal imaging study was done if symptomatic UTI suspected. Results : Total 57 organisms were isolated in 53 patients. E. coli was the most common organism(86%), followed by E. faecalis, M. morganii, Proteus species, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. fergusonii. Most of the isolates had high sensitivity on cephalosporins or amikacin and had low sensitivities on aminopenicillins. Abnormal acute phase DMSA scan or VCUG findings were seen in both urine culture positive and negative group without statistical differences(P>0.05). In febrile infants with pyuria, fever over 48 hours, older age and high CRP related to abnormal acute phase DMSA scan findings regardless urine culture results. Conclusion : 1st or 3rd generation cephalosporins with amikacin could be the first choice of treatment for UTI. Febrile infants with positive urine culture dose mean urinary tract infection but not acute pyelonephritis which directly relates to cortical damage which could be confirmed by acute phase DMSA scan. Even cases with negative urine culture findings, acute pyelonephritis should be concerned in febrile infants with pyuria who are older than 3 months of age, has fever over 48 hours or high CRP level. And in such cases, acute phase DMSA scan and VCUG should be evaluated for early treatment and long term prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.8-16
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• 1970

Exploitation of leaf protein concentrates for human consumption is very important. Leaf protein concentrates can be easily prepared by mechanically mincing leaves material and press it for getting the juice. Crude protein can be separated from the juice by aging, adjusting the pH, or heating to $75-80^{\circ}C$ etc. This report deals with the extractability of total-N from 69 species of fresh leaves by mechanical process, and then compared the recovery of leaf protein concentrates from leaf extracts by treating with TCA, pH adjustment and heating. Results are summarized as follows. 1. In general, the greater the content of total-N of leaves the greater the percentage extraction. Extraction of the juice from leaves is needed at least two times. The simple equations are constituted between the total-N (T; %) and the first and second extractability ($E_1,\;E_2;\;%$) of the total-N of leaves, as follows: $E_1=0.8168T\;E_2=0.1830T$ 2. The optimum pH value for coagulating protein from extracts is considered to be 3.5 to 4.5. However, the products of leaf protein concentrate by the pH adjustment of extracts are generally dull in color with rich elasticity. 3. Recoveries of the leaf protein concentrate from extracts by treating methods were in the following order of TCA treatment> pH 4 treatment> pH 3 treatment> heat treatment. The yield of leaf protein concentrates decreased bout 10% with pH 4 treatment, 11.4% with pH 3 treatment, and 14.8% with heat treatment compared with the TCA treatment. 4. The heat treatment is the most benifitial method for the production of leaf protein concentrates with regard to properties of texture, color and yield of products and easiness of the treatment method.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2008

A detailed understanding and appreciation of the important mechanisms operating at the soil:root interface, commonly identified as the rhizosphere, is critical for evaluating the potential for particular plant species to be successfully used as part of a phytoremediation technique. For specific plants, mechanisms may exist to overcome the inherit limitation of the phytoremediation technique when poorly mobile soil metals are of interest. In the present study, the influence of root exudates on the rhizosphere chemistry of soil and consequential metal uptake were investigated following culture of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides), recognized as a promising plant for land stabilization, in three different long-term contaminated soils and one non-contaminated control soil. The soil solution pH increased (0.3-1.1 units) following vetiver grass culture and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) also significantly increased in all soils with the highest increase in PP02 (23 to $173mg\;L^{-1}$). Chemical changes are contributed to root exudation by vetiver grass when exposed to high concentration of heavy metals. Chemical changes, consequently, influenced metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) solubility and speciation in the rhizosphere. The highest solubility was observed for soil Ko01 (eg. 2091 and $318{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ for Cd and Pb, respectively). Initial heavy metal solubility in soils varied with soil and either increased or decreased following vetiver grass culture depending on the soil type. An increase in pH following plant culture generally resulted in a decrease in metal solubility, while elevated DOC due to root exudation resulted in an increase in metal solubility via the formation of metal-DOC complexes. Donnan speciation demonstrated a significant decrease in free Cd and Zn in the rhizosphere and the concentration of Cd, Pb, and Zn in vetiver grass shoot was highly correlated with soluble concentration rather than total soil metal concentration.