• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

The relationships among long-term climatic change in the southern part of the Korean peninsula, oceanic conditions of the South Sea, Korea, and winter catches of major small pelagic fishes were analyzed using 33 years of time-series data from 1971-2003. In the early 1990s, winter climatic conditions in the southern part of the Korean peninsula shifted to a warmer regime with higher air temperature, weaker wind speed, and lower relative humidity. Also, winter sea surface temperature (SST) became consistently higher in the South Sea. The annual catch of major small pelagic fishes in the South Sea increased dramatically in the mid 1990s, whereas the catch of total fishes decreased in the late 1980s. In particular, the winter catch started to increase markedly in the late 1980s, and has remained over 120,000 M/T since the late 1990s. Correlation analysis of the winter catch of major small pelagic fishes and environmental factors showed that catch was correlated with air temperature (r=0.468, P< 0.01), wind speed (r=-0.732, P< 0.01), relative humidity (r=-0.73l, P< 0.01), and SST (r=0.672, P< 0.01). Multiple regression analysis between the winter catch of major small pelagic fishes (Y) and environmental factors (X) resulted in the equation: $Y=-0.017-0.217\;X_3-0.486\;X_4+0.325\;X_5(R^2=0.754,\;P<0.000)$.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2005

Atmospheric deposition and riverine waters were sampled throughout a year, to estimate the loading fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the Masan Bay and its vicinity, Korea. Atmospheric deposition fluxes of total PAHs in the surveyed area varied from 62.2 to 464 ${\mu}g/m^2/year$. Concentration of total PAHs in water samples from six rivers ranged from 34.6 to 239 ng/L. Contribution of the carcinogenic PAHs to the total PAHs occupied $38\%$ and $50\%$ for atmospheric deposition and river waters, respectively. Atmospheric deposition fluxes and water concentrations of PAHs were slightly low or moderate to those in locations from some countries. Correspondence analysis was used to investigate the loading characteristics of PAHs according to transport routes. Atmospheric deposition samples were corresponded to higher molecular aromatics of PAHs, while riverine water samples were associated with lower molecular weight of PAHs. The results indicate that the higher-molecular-weight PAHs can be primarily transported by atmosphere deposition and the lower-molecular-weight PAHs can be mainly contaminated by riverine discharge into the Masan Bay and its vicinity. Loadings fluxes of PAHs into the Masan Bay and its vicinity were 39.2 g/day via atmosphere and 10.3 g/day via rivers, showing that atmospheric input was about 4 times higher than riverine one. Therefore, in order to minimize the contamination burden of PAHs from terrestrial sources to the Masan Bay and its vicinity, the control and management of PAHs deriving from atmosphere will be necessary.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2012

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), butyltins (BTs), nonylphenol (NP), and fecal sterols concentrations in sediments were investigated from Gunsan coast of Korea to evaluate organic pollution from anthropogenic activities. Sediment toxicity was also examined by bacterial bioluminescence toxicity test (Vibrio fischeri). The concentrations of 16 PAHs in sediments ranged from 67.9 to 425 ng/g dry wt; BTs ranged from 2.79 to 14.1 ng Sn/g dry wt; NP ranged from 20.7 to 2171 ng/g dry wt; and coprostanol, a fecal sterol, ranged from 7.60 to 245 ng/g dry wt. Effective concentration 50% ($EC_{50}$) of sediments ranged from 0.38 to 23.8 mg/mL. Most of the chemicals were present at levels lower than or comparable to the previously reported values from Korea. However, NP levels in the present study were in the high range of levels reported from the Korean coast, and 40% of the measured samples exceeded screening and ecotoxicological values of NP suggested by the Netherlands and Canada. This suggests that an ongoing source of NP is a serious concern in the Gunsan coast. High levels of contaminants were found in the proximity of potential sources, such as the outfall of a wastewater treatment plant for NP, an anthracite-fired power plant for PAHs, and ports for BTs, fecal sterols, and sediment toxicity. This indicates that Gunsan coast has various potential sources of marine sediment contaminants.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2021

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), which is a curcuminoid found in turmeric, has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of DMC on osteosarcoma has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DMC on cell growth and apoptosis induction in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. This study was investigated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromid assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and immunoblotting in MG-63 cells. DMC induced MG-63 cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC50 value of 54.4 µM. DMC treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in MG-63 cells. DMC-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were downregulated, while Bax and Bad were upregulated by DMC in MG-63 cells. These results indicated that DMC inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells via the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.428-436
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify secondary metabolites from Sonchus brachyotus and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we isolated three flavonoids from a 70% EtOH extract by Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC) and prep-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). To evaluate the biological activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of these flavonoids, their in vitro inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nitric oxide (NO) production, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) secretion were determined. We successfully identified three flavonoids, namely luteolin (1), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (2), and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (3) by spectral analyses. Luteolin (1) at 20 ㎍/mL inhibited ROS generation, NO production, and PGE₂ secretion by 48.6%, 61.28% and 12.10%, respectively, and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (2) inhibited NO and PGE₂ generation by 67.03% and 20.82%, respectively. Luteolin (1) and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (2) showed similar anti-inflammatory activities; however, luteolin (1) was observed to be a stronger antioxidant. Besides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, S. brachyotus extract containing luteolin (1) and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (2) is considered to possess diverse biological activities. The results indicate that S. brachyotus is an edible medicinal plant, which is believed to be significant resource of functional foods.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.256-264
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• 2024

Small pelagic fish populations have long been exploited by various fishing gears in the Natuna Sea, and since the 1970s, purse seine exploitation has expanded to offshore fishing grounds. Various small pelagic fish species are exploited from these waters including spotted sardinella (Amblygaster sirm). This research was conducted for 22 months, from March 2019 to December 2020. The fish sample was taken from the purse seine fleet's catch in the fisheries management area (FMA) 711 Natuna Sea and Karimata Strait, which was brought to Pemangkat fishing port in the West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. This paper aims to determine the exploitation status of spotted sardinella in the Natuna Sea as a recommendation material for management policies. The methods used in this analysis are estimated age, cohort, population parameters, and spawning potential ratio of spotted sardinella. The results show three primary cohorts of spotted sardinella in the Natuna Sea, with ages ranging from 9 months to 3.1 years and a maximum attainable age (longevity) of 4.3 years. The asymptotic value (L_∞) is 21.79 cmFL in length, with a growth rate (K) of 0.65 per year. The natural mortality rate (M) was 1.19, the total mortality rate (Z) was 2.19, and the fishing mortality rate (F) was 0.99. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.45 and the stock status was still in a sustainable condition. Therefore, the sardinella fisheries can be developed using a precautionary approach and focus on the ecosystem sustainability of FMA 711.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.142-150
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• 2005

The effects of photoperiod, temperature, and fish size on oxygen consumption (OC) in the black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli, a euryhaline marine teleost, were studied using a closed recirculating seawater system with a respiratory chamber. Fish reared in indoor recirculating seawater tanks were divided into two groups: small (15.7-55.8 g, mean 38.1$\pm$15.9 g) and large (108.7-238.8 g, mean 181.8$\pm$54.9 g) fish. The OC of the fish showed a clear diel rhythm, with higher values in the daytime and lower values at night, in accordance with light (09:00-20:59 h) and dark (21:00-08:59 h) cycles. The OC of the fish increased linearly with the water temperature. The OC was the highest at 10:00 h, one hour after the onset of daylight and was the lowest at 03:00 h, six hours after dusk. The average OC at $20^{\circ}C$ during the light period was as high as 219.8 mg $O_2$/kg/h in the small fish and 156.3 mg $O_2$/kg/h in the large fish, while during the dark period it was as low as 130.5 and 110.4 mg $O_2$/kg/h, respectively. The OC during the dark period, which showed limited variation, could be regarded as the resting OC, and was 107.6, 130.5, and 219.8 mg $O_2$/kg/h at 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively, in small fish, and 52.3, 110.4, and 171.0 mg $O_2$/kg/h in large fish. As the body weight of black porgy increased, the OC decreased exponentially and the relationship was expressed as OC=1,222.8$BW^{-0.567}$, OC=1,113.2$BW^{-0.448}$, and OC=1,495.3$BW^{-0.468}$ at 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. At a fish density of 14.5 g/L at $20^{\circ}C$, black porgy had the highest OC per breath compared to fish at the same density at 15 or $25^{\circ}C$. This suggests that the black porgy responds to the stocking density (15 kg/$m^3$) and water temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) conditions commonly observed in intensive aquaculture with the deepest breath and the highest metabolic activity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.240-255
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• 2024

Widas Reservoir is situated in an area of 570 ha in the Pajaran Village, Madiun Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia, playing an essential role in fisheries, with the average fish catch per year of about 283 tons/year. This study explores the standing stock, growth parameters, mortality, and exploitation rates of several dominant fishes in Widas Reservoir. This study was carried out from February to November 2019. Fish stocks were estimated using acoustic tools, fish catch records, and sizes collected by local enumerators. Fish length frequency sampling was conducted on several dominant fish species, such as Oreochromis niloticus, Barbonymus gonionotus, and Osteochilus vittatus. Based on the length-frequency data, estimating fish population dynamics, the fish population dynamics (infinitive length (L_∞) and growth coefficient (K)) estimation was run in a time series using the Fish Sock Analysis Tool, II (FISAT II) program package. Moreover, the estimation of natural mortality parameters, the fishing mortality parameter, and the exploitation rate was also performed. The approximated overall fish stock in the Widas Reservoir was about 79,848 kg, which lowered with the increase in water depth. Of particular concern, in the surface layer at a depth between 1-5 m, the fish stock reached 58,813 kg, while in the deeper zone (> 15 m), the value significantly lowered by about 98%, reaching 1,219 kg. These results indicate an overfishing in the Widas Reservoir. The value of the exploitation rate (E) of B. gonionotus was 0.748, O. niloticus 0.8, and O. vittatus 0.7, respectively, proving the overfishing states occurred in the study area. Therefore, regulations governing the number of catches and the use of fishing gear are crucial in Widas Reservoir, particularly the use of lift and gill nets with a mesh size of less than 2 cm.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2020

Acacetin, which is present in damiana (Turnera diffusa) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), has several pharmacologic activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of acacetin on head and neck cancers has not been clearly established. This study aimed to examine the effects of acacetin on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. These were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation assay, and immunoblotting in FaDu cells. Acacetin induced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC₅₀ value of 41.9 µM, without affecting the viability of L-929 mouse fibroblasts as normal cells. Acacetin treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in the FaDu cells. It promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8, and -9 with increasing amounts of the cleaved caspase isoforms in FaDu cells. Acacetin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting showed downregulation of the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but upregulation of the mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Badin FaDu cells after acacetin treatment. These findings indicate that acacetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2023

The thermolabile haemolysin (tlh) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vptlh) from V. parahaemolyticus is a multiple-function enzyme, initially describes as a haemolytic factor activated by lecithin and phospholipase A2 enzymatic activity (Shinoda, 1991; Vazquez-Morado, 2021; Yanagase et al., 1970). Until now, the tlh structure has hypothesized including N-terminal and C-terminal domain, but what domain of the Vptlh structure does the haemolytic activity has not been refined yet. In this study, a 450-bp VpTLH nucleotide sequence of the entire Vptlh gene encoded the C-terminal domain cloned firstly to examine its responsibility in the activity of the Vptlh. The C-terminal domain fused with a 6-His-tag named the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain was expressed successfully in soluble form in the BL21 (DE3) PlysS cell. Remarkably, both expression and purification results confirmed a high agreement in the molecular weight of the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain was 47 kDa. This work showed the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain lysed the erythrocyte membranes in the blood agar and the phosphate buffered saline (0.9%) media without adding the lecithin substrate of the phospholipase enzyme. Haemolysis occurred at all tested diluted concentrations of His-tag-VpC-terminal domain (p < 0.05), providing evidence for the independent haemolytic activity of the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain. The content of 100 ㎍ of the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain brought the highest haemolytic activity of 80% compared to that in the three remaining contents. Significantly, the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain demonstrated not to involve the phospholipase activity in Luria-Bertani agar supplemented with 1% (vol/vol) egg yolk emulsion. All results proved the vital responsibility of the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain in causing the haemolytic activity without the required activation by the phospholipase enzyme. Raw extracts of Phellinus igniarus and Phellinus pipi at 10^-1 mg/mL inhibited the haemolytic activity of the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain from 67.7% to 87.42%, respectively. Hence applying the His-tag-VpC-terminal domain as a simple biological material to evaluate quickly potential derivatives against the Vptlh in vivo conditions will accessible and more advantageous than using the whole of the Vptlh.