• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.2057-2064
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• 2014

Thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) was conducted in autoclave on the system of crude oil and $MgSO_4$ at different temperatures. Gas chromatography pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD) was used to detected the composition of organic sulfur compounds in oil phase products. The results of the analysis indicate that with increased temperature, the contents of organic sulfur compounds with high molecular weight and thermal stability, such as benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes, gradually became dominated. In order to gain greater insight into the formation and distribution of organic sulphur compounds from TSR, positive ion electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was used in detecting the detailed elemental composition and distribution of them. The mass spectra showed that the mass range of sulfur compounds was 200-550 Da. Four sulfur class species, $S_1$, $N_1S_1$, $O_1S_1$ and $O_2S_1$, were assigned in the positive-ion spectrum. Among the identified sulfur compounds, the $S_1$ class species was dominant. The most abundant $S_1$ class species increase associated with the DBE value and carbon number increasing which also indicates the evolution of organic sulfur compounds in TSR is from the labile series to the stable one. In pure blank pyrolysis experiments with crude oil cracking without TSR, different composition and distribution of organic sulfur compounds in oil phase products were seen from mass spectra in order to evaluate their pyrolysis behaviors without $MgSO_4$. FT-IR and XRD were used in analyzing the products of solid phases. Two distinct crystallographic phases MgO and $MgSO_4$ are found to coexist in the products which demonstrated the transformation of inorganic sulfur compounds into organosulfur compounds exist in TSR.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2015

Data on the spatial distribution of a plant population among administrative areas is useful for various purposes. In this study, I analyzed the spatial distribution of the geographical distances of Carex siderosticta at Mt. Geumjeong and Mt. Ahop in Korea. The aim was to test a spatial structure within two populations of C. siderosticta. Most natural plots of C. siderosticta are not uniformly distributed in the forest community; for example, uniform plots were aggregately distributed within a space of 6.0 m $\times$ 6.0 m. When the sampling plots were larger than 6.0 m $\times$ 12.0 m, the individuals of C. siderosticta were aggregately distributed. The neighboring patches of C. siderosticta were predominantly 7.5 m to 9.0 m apart, on average; however, if the natural populations were disturbed by human activities, the aggregation occurred in shorter distances than a scale of 9.0 m. Moran's I of C. siderosticta significantly differed from the expected value in only 16 of 40 cases (40%). In conclusion, the geographical distribution of C. siderosticta is not even, with varying degrees of size in the plots, while human activities give rise to density effects in the plots at both Mt. Geumjeong and Mt. Ahop in Korea.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1995

Genetic polymorphisms due to variation in the number of tandem repeats of DNA sequences(VNTRs) provides a useful means for discrimination between individuals. Allele and genotype frequencies of the highly polymorphic Human Thyroid Peroxidase(TPO) gene were determined in Korean population samples by using PCR followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a procedure called the amplified fragment length polymorphism(Amp-FLP) technique. In 123 unrelated Korean individuals 10 different alleles and 29 genotypes were observed. The TPO gene demonstrated a heterozygosity of 0.707 and the power of exclusion(POE) was 0.945. The probability of having the same DNA band within two unrelated individuals was 14.6$\times10^{-2}$. The distribution of observed genotypes conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium($x^2$=4.48, 0.05

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.966-975
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• 2017

Excessive salt disrupts intracellular ion homeostasis and inhibits plant growth, which poses a serious threat to global food security. Plants have adapted various strategies to survive in unfavorable saline soil conditions. Here, we show that humic acid (HA) is a good soil amendment that can be used to help overcome salinity stress because it markedly reduces the adverse effects of salinity on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. To identify the molecular mechanisms of HA-induced salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis, we examined possible roles of a sodium influx transporter HIGH-AFFINITY $K^+$ TRANSPORTER 1 (HKT1). Salt-induced root growth inhibition in HKT1 overexpressor transgenic plants (HKT1-OX) was rescued by application of HA, but not in wild-type and other plants. Moreover, salt-induced degradation of HKT1 protein was blocked by HA treatment. In addition, the application of HA to HKT1-OX seedlings led to increased distribution of $Na^+$ in roots up to the elongation zone and caused the reabsorption of $Na^+$ by xylem and parenchyma cells. Both the influx of the secondary messenger calcium and its cytosolic release appear to function in the destabilization of HKT1 protein under salt stress. Taken together, these results suggest that HA could be applied to the field to enhance plant growth and salt stress tolerance via post-transcriptional control of the HKT1 transporter gene under saline conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4559-4565
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• 2013

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in DNA synthesis and repair. We here aimed to investigate two common polymorphisms, C677T and A1298C, with genotype and haplotype frequencies in colorectal cancer (CRC) cases among Jordanian. Materials and Methods: 131 CRC cases were studied for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, compared to 117 controls taken from the general population, employing the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: We found the frequency of the three different genotypes of MTHFR C677T among Jordanians to be CC: 61.7%, CT: 35.2%, and TT 3.1% among CRC cases and 50.9%, 38.8% and 10.3% among controls. Carriers of the TT genotype were less likely to have CRC (OR=0.25; 95%CI: 0.076-0.811; p=0.021) as compared to those with the CC genotype. Genotype analysis of MTHFR A12987C revealed AA: 38.9%, AC: 45%, and CC 16% among CRC cases and 37.4%, 50.4% and 12.2% among controls. There was no significant association between genetic polymorphism at this site and CRC. Haplotype analysis of MTHFR polymorphism at the two loci showed differential distribution of the TA haplotype (677T-1298A) between cases and controls. The TA haplotype was associated with a decreased risk for colorectal cancer (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, p=0.03). Conclusions: The genetic polymorphism of MTHFR at 677 and the TA haplotype may modulate the risk for CRC development among the Jordanian population. Our findings may reflect an importance of genes involved in folate metabolism in cancer risk.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2017

We described a spatial distribution pattern and floral diversity on the Paspalum distichum community occurring at the ecological parks of Hwamyeong, Daejeo, Samnak, and Maekdo in the Nakdong river estuary. A total distribution area of P. distichum community was $303,462.6m^2$. Its largest area was found in Samnak eco-park ($185,910.1m^2$). The most richness of knotgrass patches in each ecological park was determined Maekdo eco-park (87). Cover class level-5 shows the largest area ($260,663.2m^2$). A total of 73 taxa (34 families, 55 genus, 65 species, and 8 varieties) were listed up on the P. distichum community. A welldeveloped population of knotgrass was found predominantly at sites linked into human impacts at the riverine floodplain, the stream courses flowing through the parks, and the man-made channels and wetlands. Finally we proposed an ecological management strategy for knotgrass population in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.603-610
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• 1990

The structural properties of cold water extractable ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ in rice flours obtained by various milling methods were investigated. The blue value, ${\lambda}_{max}$ values of the iodine complex and ${\beta}-amylolysis$ limit of the cold water extractable ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ were in the range of $0.026{\sim}0.030,\;518{\sim}522\;nm$ and $52.7{\sim}59.6%$, respectively, indicating these materials were composed mainly of amylopectin-like polymer. The gel chromatography on Sepharose CL-2B indicated that the cold water extractable ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ had lower molecular weight but wider molecular weight distribution than that of the original rice amylopectin. The Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography showed that the unit chain distribution of cold water extratable ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ after debranching with pullulanase was similar to that of rice amylopectin. And the ion chromatography of the distribution pattern of the chain length below D.P.30 in the debranched ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ indicated only blade-milled flour was similar to the amylopectin, but in the amount of unit chain below D.P.10, all the ${\alpha}-D-glucan$ in rice flours was higher than that of amylopectin.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.59-71
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• 2014

We investigated soil contamination depending on the land use by examining the contamination levels and distribution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the national soil. Total PAHs (the sum of 16 PAH concentrations) and carcinogenic PAHs (the sum of seven carcinogenic PAH concentrations) were $8.50{\sim}3,437.16{\mu}g/kg$ and $2.94{\sim}2,136.96{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The concentration of benzo(a)pyrene, one of the contaminants regulated by the soil quality standard in the nation, was $ND{\sim}924.73{\mu}g/kg$. Its maximum value of $924.73{\mu}g/kg$ was detected in railroad (Region 3) and is approximately 13% of the standard value for Region 3 (i.e., 7 mg/kg). We also investigated the characteristics of contamination sources of PAHs in soil of the upland, forests, roads, and railroads, examining the fraction distribution of PAHs concentration by the number of benzene rings against the total PAHs concentration. The results demonstrate that the mean fraction of 4~6-ring PAHs against total PAHs concentration in soil was in the range of 51.8~80.7% with relative abundance of high-molecular PAHs, showing that the origin of contamination is under the category of combustion sources. When the molecular indices (Flu/(Flu/Pyr), Ant/(Ant+Phe), InP/(InP+BP), and BaA/(BaA+Chr)) were applied, they were also categorized as petroleum-based combustion sources. The individual PAH concentrations in soil by the land use were grouped into Regions 1, 2, and 3, which are statistically treated and are the parts of the national category system of soil quality standard. As a result, the concentration level of 16 PAHs was $0.02{\sim}2.63{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 1, $0.05{\sim}4.26{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 2, and $2.36{\sim}178.27{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 3. The concentration level of 6 carcinogenic PAHs was 14.2~320.4% against that of benzo(a)pyrene in Region 3 and sites of recycling waste sleepers. Considering that there were similarities among PAHs in terms of structures and toxicities, it would be recommended to review other types of carcinogenic PAHs together with benzo(a)pyrene when developing the soil quality standards in the nation.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.470-473
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• 2005

Starch was isolated from turnip (Brassica rapa L.), and to elucidate the structure-function relationship its structural and physical properties were characterized. Morphological structure of the starch was analyzed by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Most of the starch granules were spherical in shape with diameter ranging from 0.5-10mm. Apart from larger granules ($<10\;{\mu}m$) which dominated the population size of turnip starch, significant amount of small ($0.5-2\;{\mu}m$) and mid-size granules (${\sim}\;{\mu}m$) were also detected. It was revealed that presumably, erosion damages occurred due to the attack of amylase-type enzymes on the surface of some granules. Branch chain-length distribution was analyzed by HPAEC (High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography). The chain-length distribution of turnip starch revealed a peak at DP12 with obvious shoulder at DP18-21. The weight-average chain length ($CL_{avg}$) was 16.6, and a large proportion (11.8%) of very short chains (DP6-9) was also observed. The melting properties of starch were determined by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). The onset temperature ($T_o$) and the enthalpy change (${\Delta}H$) of starch gelatinization were $50.5^{\circ}C$ and 12.5 J/g, respectively. The ${\Delta}H$ of the retrograded turnip starch was 3.5 J/g, which indicates 28.2% of recrystallization. Larger proportion of short chains as well as smaller average chain-length can very well explain relatively lower degree of retrogradation in turnip starch.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.176-179
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• 2008

Amylose contents and amylopectin chain architecture of sorghmn and waxy sorghum starches were determined and compared with those of other common cereal and tuber starches. Also, in vitro digestibility of sorghum starch was estimated using a novel methodology. The absolute amylose content of sorghum starch was similar to that of com and wheat starches. The side chain length distribution patterns for sorghum and waxy sorghum amylopectin were very similar to those of com and waxy com, respectively. The $k_{cat}/K_m$ values for sorghum and potato amylopectin did not show a significant difference. The kinetic parameters could be used as novel indicators for starch digestibility.