• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.190-201
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• 2022

Background: The introduction of new living modified (LM) crops may pose a latent threat to the biodiversity of each country. Here, we used sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) as a study system to investigate the potential for invasiveness of LM crops under different environmental conditions when released into a natural ecosystem in South Korea. We examined the seed germination, survival, and flowering of sunflowers under competition with wild plants at different sowing dates (March-December) and plot sizes (1 m × 1 m and 2 m × 2 m). Results: The germination rate showed a significant difference according to the sowing date. In addition, several sunflowers survived in plots with a high germination rate, which also led to a higher flowering rate. We found that the smaller the plot, the smaller the area available for inter-species competition, and the higher the number of surviving sunflower plants. The relative dominance and importance value of the species varied significantly between the sowing dates; in particular, sunflowers sown in March could compete with wild plants for longer than those sown on other sowing dates. Conclusions: These observations indicate that the potential for invasiveness of sunflowers differs depending on the environmental conditions and seed density at the time of release.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2018

This study was conducted to understand the current status of the translocated species using a precede study and a model to evaluate the potential invasiveness that could adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem in the Gangneungnamdae Stream. A total of 12 translocated species were investigated and identified from 9 sites in a precede study, and steadily increased since 1982. For the study, which utilized research based on the total FISK (Fish Invasivenss Screening Kit) scores, all of the non-native fishes in Gangneungnamdae Stream were classified into two groups: namely as a high and a medium risk of becoming invasive. It was determined that there were two species (Zacco platypus and Pseudorasbora parva) that were determined to have posed the highest risk. The study determined that the mean scores were shown to have ranged from $3.06({\pm}0.16)-3.42({\pm}0.13)$. Consequently, the habitat analysis showed that the determined QHEI (Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values in the stream averaged 146 (88-171), indicating that an optimal habitat condition did exist in that locale. It can be inferred that compared to land use in the surrounding watersheds, the QHEI values and frequency of translocated species showed the lower the altitude of stream, the QHEI values were decreased and in case of land use pattern, a noted decreased forest and grassland area, and gradually increased urbanized area was seen to exist in the region. The correlation between the fish assemblage, QHEI, land use pattern of surrounding watershed and number of translocated species was identified and analyzed when the stream altitude decreased, and the number of species was increased (r= - 0.782, p=0.0127), the number of species was decreased (r= - 0.737, p=0.0234), and finally when the QHEI values were decreased, it was noted that the urbanized area was increased (r=0.292, p=0.446). In the case of the number of translocated species, when the number of translocated species was increased, the associated urbanized area was increased.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.752-757
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• 2019

The establishment of invasive alien species management is widely recognized as a pivotal issue in the preservation of biodiversity. Ranunculus sardous Crantz, a species native to Europe, has been widely introduced in many other areas of the world, including the coasts of the United States, Australia, China, India, and Japan. In Korea, the first population of this plant was found growing adjacent to a wetland in Hanon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Province, on 22 May 2018. Field observations confirmed the presences of at least two populations of this species in Jeju Province, Korea. This species is similar to Ranunculus sceleratus L., but can be readily distinguished by its presence of the trichomes in the whole plant, longer petioles of radical leaves, ovate-shaped leaf segments, globose to subglobose-shaped fruits and flat achenes with narrowly winged and papillae. The Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment (IAPRA), a system for recognizing and categorizing alien plants in Korea forests, was used to assess the invasiveness status of the species. Based on this system, R. sardous received a low score of 6, suggesting its potential invasion to natural forests. Although the current distribution of R. sardous is restricted to Jeju Province and thus far has had limited impact on local environments, local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its further expansion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.885-892
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• 2020

Chemotherapy regimens for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have various adverse effects on the human body. For this reason, probiotics have received attention regarding their potential value as a safe and natural complementary strategy for cancer prevention. This study analyzed the anticancer effects of aqueous extracts of probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB), Bifidobacterium longum (BL), Bifidobacterium lactis (BLA), Bifidobacterium infantis 1 (BI1), and Bifidobacterium infantis 2 (BI2) on NSCLC cell lines. When the aqueous extracts of probiotic Bifidobacterium species were applied to the NSCLC cell lines A549, H1299, and HCC827, cell death increased considerably; in particular, the aqueous extracts from BB and BLA markedly reduced cell proliferation. p38 phosphorylation induced by BB aqueous extract increased the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), consequently inducing the apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. When the p38 inhibitor SB203580 was applied, phosphorylation of p38 decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP was also inhibited, resulting in a reduction of cell death. In addition, BB aqueous extracts reduced the secretion of MMP-9, leading to inhibition of cancer cell invasion. By contrast, after transfection of short hairpin RNA shMMP-9 (for a knockdown of MMP-9) into cancer cells, BB aqueous extracts treatment failed to suppress the cancer cell invasiveness. According to our results about their anticancer effects on NSCLC, probiotics consisting of Bifidobacterium species may be useful as adjunctive anticancer treatment in the future.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.24-39
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• 2021

Background: To address the lack of evidence supporting invasion by three invasive plant species (Imperata cylindrica, Lantana camara, and Chromolaena odorata) in tropical ecosystems, we compared the ecophysiological and leaf anatomical traits of these three invasive alien species with those of species native to Sempu Island, Indonesia. Data on four plant traits were obtained from the TRY Plant Trait Database, and leaf anatomical traits were measured using transverse leaf sections. Results: Two ecophysiological traits including specific leaf area (SLA) and seed dry weight showed significant association with plant invasion in the Sempu Island Nature Reserve. Invasive species showed higher SLA and lower seed dry weight than non-invasive species. Moreover, invasive species showed superior leaf anatomical traits including sclerenchymatous tissue thickness, vascular bundle area, chlorophyll content, and bundle sheath area. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that leaf anatomical traits strongly influenced with cumulative variances (100% in grass and 88.92% in shrubs), where I. cylindrica and C. odorata outperformed non-invasive species in these traits. Conclusions: These data suggest that the traits studied are important for plant invasiveness since ecophysiological traits influence of light capture, plant growth, and reproduction while leaf anatomical traits affect herbivory, photosynthetic assimilate transport, and photosynthetic activity.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2011

Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and c-Met play an important role in the control of tumor growth and invasion, and they are known to be good prognostic indicators of patient outcome. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to have chemopreventive and therapeutic properties by modulating multiple signal pathways regarding the control of proliferation and invasion of cells. In this study, we evaluated the role of c-Met in EGCG-induced inhibition of invasion and apoptosis in an oral cancer cell line. In KB cells where c-Met was knocked down with siRNA, we performed invasion assay and FACS with Annexin V-FITC/PT staining. In addition, we checked the change of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) and the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS). EGCG-induced inhibition of invasiveness was significantly decreased after the knock-down of c-Met. EGCG-induced apoptosis, MMP change and ROS generation was also reduced in c-Met knock-ed-down KB cells. These results suggest that c-Met is involved in EGCG-induced apoptosis and inhibition of invasiveness of oral cancer cell line.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2010

This paper analyzes data on the composition, status, diversity, and distribution pattern of invasive forest undergrowth in a protected area (Khadimnagar National Park) of Northeastern Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of stratified random sampling to diversify the invasive forest undergrowth species. For vegetation survey, 45 plots were taken randomly in ($2m{\times}2m$) circular plot from three topographical regions namely top of the hill, middle slope and plain land (15 plots from each region) and a total of 715 individuals, 22 invasive species belonging to 17 families were recorded from the study site. Among invasive species, shrubs constitute 10 species, herbs 9 species, and vines 3 species respectively. Mass number of invasive undergrowth species was grows in plain land (45.45%) followed by middle slope (31.82%). Based on the survey, invasive undergrowth plants of study areas were also categorized into three degrees of invasiveness e.g., highly invasive, moderately invasive and potentially invasive. Herbs, shrubs, and vines constitute the highest density at Chromolaema odorata (Linn.) King. (1.09), relative density at Chromolaema odorata (Linn.) King. 6.85%; highest and lowest frequency was calculated at Cassia alata L. (64.44%) and Diplazium esculentum (24.44%); for relative frequency the highest was Cassia alata L., which occupies 6.64%. Determination of the abundance of the different species revealed that Cassia alata L., constitutes (3.36) followed by Pteris cretica Wilsonii (3.14) of the area. The presence of invasive undergrowth species always reduced the number of associated species. Therefore, an extensive in-depth long-term investigation, proper policy formulation and management interventions and further study and continuous monitoring on their impacts need to be triggered targeting the control of the invasive undergrowth species of this protected area. In this aspect, national and international organization could help to conserve its biodiversity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2021

Using the data from the national survey of fish, we determined the population size and the distribution of Micropterus salmoides, which is a translocated species into the aquatic ecosystem of Korea. . The spatial concentration of this species was determined by performing an optimized hot spot analysis. After determining potential invasiveness and risk assessment, we measured the disturbance of biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem. The result of distribution analysis indicates that the population of M. salmoides was concentrated in the major basins of Han river, Geum river, Nakdong river, and Yeongsan-Seomjin river, including the Jeju island. In particular, Nakdong river basin showed the highest appearance rate. On the contrary, Yeongsan-Seomjin river basin showed the lowest appearance rate. The Nakdong river and the Nakdong river basin were the areas with the high spatial concentration of M. salmoides. On the other hand, only Han river basin and Geum river basin had the lowest spatial concentration. The fish invasiveness screening kit(FISK) was used to assess M. salmoides, which inhabited a broad region of aquatic ecosystem: the assessment score was 31.0, indicating its 'highly invasive' nature. Our study aims to encourage research that improves the biodiversity and the conservation of M. salmoides in a priority area.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2023

Climate change and invasive alien plant species (IAPs) are having a significant impact on mountain ecosystems. The combination of climate change and socio-economic development is exacerbating the invasion of IAPs, which are a major threat to biodiversity loss and ecosystem functioning. Species distribution modelling has become an important tool in predicting the invasion or suitability probability under climate change based on occurrence data and environmental variables. MaxEnt modelling was applied to predict the current suitable distribution of most noxious weed A. adenophora (Spreng) R. King and H. Robinson and analysed the changes in distribution with the use of current (year 2000) environmental variables and future (year 2050) climatic scenarios consisting of 3 representative concentration pathways (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) in Bhutan. Species occurrence data was collected from the region of interest along the road side using GPS handset. The model performance of both current and future climatic scenario was moderate in performance with mean temperature of wettest quarter being the most important variable that contributed in model fit. The study shows that current climatic condition favours the A. adenophora for its invasion and RCP 2.6 climatic scenario would promote aggression of invasion as compared to RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climatic scenarios. This can lead to characterization of the species as preferring moderate change in climatic conditions to be invasive, while extreme conditions can inhibit its invasiveness. This study can serve as reference point for the conservation and management strategies in control of this species and further research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1719-1722
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• 2012

The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein family Verprolin - homologous proteins (WAVEs), encoded by a metastasis promoter gene, play considerable roles in adhesion of immune cells, cell proliferation, migration and destruction of foreign agents by reactive oxygen species. These diverse functions have lead to the hypothesis that WAVE proteins have multi-functional roles in regulating cancer invasiveness, metastasis, development of tumor vasculature and angiogenesis. Differentials in expression of WAVE proteins are associated with a number of neoplasms include colorectal cancer, hepatocellular cancer, lung squamous cell carcinoma, human breast adenocarcinoma and prostate cancer. In this review we attempt to unify our knowledge regarding WAVE proteins, focusing on their potentials as diagnostic markers and molecular targets for cancer therapy.