• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.721-733
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Because three-dimensional (3D) models more closely mimic native tissues, one of the goals of 3D in vitro tissue models is to aid in the development and toxicity screening of new drug therapies. In this study, a 3D skin wound healing model comprising of a collagen type I construct with fibrin-filled defects was developed. METHODS: Optical imaging was used to measure keratinocyte migration in the presence of fibroblasts over 7 days onto the fibrin-filled defects. Additionally, cell viability and growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes was measured using the $alamarBlue^{(R)}$ assay and changes in the mechanical stiffness of the 3D construct was monitored using compressive indentation testing. RESULTS: Keratinocyte migration rate was significantly increased in the presence of fibroblasts with the cells reaching the center of the defect as early as day 3 in the co-culture constructs compared to day 7 for the control keratinocyte monoculture constructs. Additionally, constructs with the greatest rate of keratinocyte migration had reduced cell growth. When fibroblasts were cultured alone in the wound healing construct, there was a 1.3 to 3.4-fold increase in cell growth and a 1.2 to 1.4-fold increase in cell growth for keratinocyte monocultures. However, co-culture constructs exhibited no significant growth over 7 days. Finally, mechanical testing showed that fibroblasts and keratinocytes had varying effects on matrix stiffness with fibroblasts degrading the constructs while keratinocytes increased the construct's stiffness. CONCLUSION: This 3D in vitro wound healing model is a step towards developing a mimetic construct that recapitulates the complex microenvironment of healing wounds and could aid in the early studies of novel therapeutics that promote migration and proliferation of epithelial cells.

• ALGAE
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.213-226
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• 2022

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors; however, intensive farming techniques of finfish have raised environmental concerns, especially through the release of excessive nutrients into surrounding waters. Biodiversity has been widely shown to enhance ecosystem functions and services, but there has been limited testing or application of this key ecological relationship in aquaculture. This study tested the applicability of the biodiversity-function relationship to integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), asking whether species richness can enhance the efficiency of macroalgal bioremediation of wastewater from finfish aquaculture. Five macroalgal species (Chondrus crispus, Fucus serratus, Palmaria palmata, Porphyra dioica, and Ulva sp.) were cultivated in mono- and polyculture in water originating from a lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) hatchery. Total seaweed biomass production, specific growth rates (SGR), and the removal of ammonium (NH₄⁺), total oxidised nitrogen (TON), and phosphate (PO₄^3-) from the wastewater were measured. Species richness increased total seaweed biomass production by 11% above the average component monoculture, driven by an increase in up to 5% in SGR of fast-growing macroalgal species in polycultures. Macroalgal species richness further enhanced ammonium uptake by 25%, and TON uptake by nearly 10%. Phosphate uptake was not improved by increased species richness. The increased uptake of NH₄⁺ and TON with increased macroalgal species richness suggests the complementary use of different nitrogen forms (NH₄⁺ vs. TON) in macroalgal polycultures. The results demonstrate enhanced bioremediation efficiency by increased macroalgal species richness and show the potential of integrating biodiversity-function research to improve aquaculture sustainability.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2023

One of the ways to increase the production for aquaculture is through the cultivation of monosexuals by ensuring genital reversal from which energy for reproduction is diverted towards growth. Masculinization has been identified as one of the most prominent techniques, where sex development was directed from female to male. This approach only altered the phenotype and not the genotype. The red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) was a relatively new commercial commodity, and the males were known to grow faster than females. Hence, it was proposed to use monocultures comprising an all-male population to increase yield using steroid hormone, synthetic 17α-methyltestosterone. However, this technique generated residues that detrimentally affect human health, the environment, and cultivated organisms. Therefore, finding new safe natural steroid sources was essential, and one of which is exploring of natural hormones extracted from the viscera of sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra Jaeger). This study focused on the determination of male formation and testosterone levels among juvenile crayfish, after immersing in sea cucumber steroid extract (SCSE). A completely random design with factorial was used with two variables, encompassing the varied doses (0, 2, 4 mg/L, 2 mg/L 17α-methyl testosterone as control group) and immersion times of 18 and 30 h. The result showed the dose-dependent ability of SCSE increase the male genital formation and promote the testosterone level of juvenile crayfish. In addition, the testosterone was influenced by dose and immersion duration time, with the highest level of testosterone observed in treatments of 4 mg/L SCSE with 30 h immersion was 0.248 ng/mL, while the male percentage was 77%. In conclusion, the combination of dose and immersion time significantly affected growth and testosterone levels.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.417-425
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• 2024

This study investigated the effects of various planting models on the joint cultivation of eggplant (Solanum melongena) and marigold (Tagetes erecta)to enhance sustainable rooftop urban farming. Rooftop agriculture is increasingly valued to boost the food supply and benefit the environment. Integrating such practices into urban planning is viewed as a way to sustainably manage resources and improve the food-energy-water cycle in cities. The experiment was conducted on a rooftop in Chungju, South Korea from May to August. Four different planting setups were used: central eggplant with peripheral marigold (SET), eggplant with a protective net (SIC), central marigold with peripheral eggplant (TES), and control with only eggplant (CON S). These models tested the effects of companion planting versus monoculture using a lightweight soil mix ideal for rooftops made from cocopeat and perlite and enriched with organic fertilizer. Measurements focused on soil conditions and plant health and assessed soil temperature, moisture, conductivity, plant height, width, and leaf size. The results indicated that the SET modelyielded the best growth. This setup benefited from marigold pest control properties and its ability to improve soil conditions by enhancing moisture and nutrient levels and aiding eggplant growth. These findings underscore the potential of mixed planting on rooftops and suggest that such approaches can be effectively incorporated into urban agriculture to boost yield and environmental sustainability. This study supports the idea that diverse planting methods can significantly affect plant growth and promote urban greening and food security.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 1995

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between yearly variation of climatic components and yearly variations of productivity in monoculture cotton. In addition, correlation coefficients among yield and yield components were estimated. The data of yield and yield components from the four varieties(Kinggus, Yongdang local. 113-4, 380) were collected from 1978 to 1992 in Mokpo area. The meteorological data gathered at the Mokpo Weather Station for the same period were used to find out the relationships between climatic components and productivity. Yearly variation of the amount of precipitation and number of stormy days in July are large with coefficients of the variations(C.V)84.89 and 97.05%, respectively, while yearly variation, of the average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature from May to Sep. are relatively small. Seed cotton yield before frost in Sep. and Oct. very greatly with C.V. of 68.77, 78.52%, respectively. Number of boll bearing branches and lint percentage show more or less small in C.V. with 11.77 and 19.13%, respectively and flowering date and boll opening date show still less variation. Correlation coefficients between precipitation in May and number of boll bearing branches, duration of sunshine in July and number of bolls per plant, maximum temperature in July and total seed cotton before the frost in Sep., Oct., and Nov. evaporation in Aug. are positively sig-nificant at the 1% level. There are highly significantly positive correlated relationships among yield(total seed cotton) and yield components. Total seed cotton yield(Y) can be predicted by multiple regression equation with independent variables of climatic factors in July such as monthly averages of average temperature($X_1$), maximum temperature($X_2$) and minimum temperature($X_3$), monthly amount of precipitation ($X_4$), evaporation($X_5$), monthly average of relative humidity($X_6$), monthly hours with sunshine($X_7$) and number of rainy days($X_8$). The equation is estimatedas Y =-1080.8515 + 144.7133$X_1$+15.8722$X_2$ + 164.9367$X_3$ + 0.0802$X_4$ + 0.5932$X_5$ + 11.3373$X_6$ + 3.4683$X_7$- 9.0846$X_8$. Also, total seed cotton yield(Y) can be predicted by the same method with climatic components in Aug., Y =2835.2497 + 57.9134$X_1$ - 46.9055$X_2$ - 41.5886X$_3$ + 1.2559$X_5$ - 21.9687$X_6$ - 3.3763$X_7$- 4.1080$X_8$- 17.5586$X_9$. And the error between observed and theoretical yield were less with approached linear regression.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 1992

Cotton has been an important fiber crop in Korea for a long time. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of planting and transplanting dates, transplanting density and fertilizer application rate on seed cotton and lint yields, and gross income for barley-cotton double cropping in southern part of Korea. Transplanting culture of upland cotton cultivar Mokpo 4 on June 10 to 20 produced 80 to 83% more in seed cotton yield and 79 to 82% more in lint yield compared with the yields of direct planted on June 10 just after harvesting naked-barley. Mokpo 4 was better than Suwon 17 and Paymaster for the transplanting culture after barley harvest in double cropping. Optimum fertilizer application rate was N 80-P$_2$O$_{5}$ 78-K$_2$O 106 kg /ha, and optimum transplanting density was 70$\times$20cm for the transplanting culture of upland cotton after barley in double cropping system. The highest total yields 5.03 to 5.09t /ha in barley-cotton double croppings were harvested in barley drill-seeding and cotton transplanting culture on June 10 to 20 compared with seed cotton yield 1.51t /ha of the cotton monoculture planted on May 1. Their gross income also was 40% more than that of the cotton monoculture, and 30% more than the cotton direct seeding just after barley harvest on June 10. Cotton intercropping between barley rows provided 2-11% more in gross income compared with cotton direct seeding after barley harvest on June 10. Of the cotton intercroppings between barley rows, cotton intercropping of one row between the barley rows of 60cm width provided 5 to 9% more in gross income than the other cotton intercroppings between barley rows.s.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 1981

Girth at breast height was measured to test skewness ($g_1$) and kurtosis ($g_2$) of frequency distribution of the basal area in terms of t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for a total of forty six monocultures within Sudong and Kwhangnung area in central part of Korean peninsula in 1979 and 1980. The monocultures are about 10 to 50 years old, and four kinds: Pinus koraiensis, Larix kaempferi, Abies holophylla and Pinus rigida. Most of the sample sizes per site were ranged 70 to 110 excluding 4 sites. The number of classes interval was based on Sturges rule for each monoculture and was ranged from 5 to 10. In Sudong the range of age(yr) and basal area (($cm^2$)/tree) of the monocultures were from 10 to 20 and from 27.60 to 383. for Kwhangnung they were from 15 to 47 and mostly 102.15 to 619.14, respectively. All 43 monocultures except 1 showed +$g_1$, which ranged from 0.3 to 2.2 except six sites. Of the total 46 sites, 23 sites showed significant +$g_1$ which includes about 10 year-old monoculture. The number of classes interval with significant positive skewness ranged from 6 to 9. The data suggest that intraspecific competition in terms of stand structure seems to appear from about 10 year-old monocultures, and it may even last to about 50 year-old one. Around 24 monocultures showed nonsignificant -$g_2$ except one. Most -$g_2$ ranged from -0.12 to -0.83. Around 20 monocltures showed positive $g_2$ ranging from +0.13 to +3.841. Of the 22 +$g_1$, majority of 11 were very highly significant. Of all monocultures only 5 showed significant result from Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Of the 4 species, Larix kaempferi seems to show density stress first then Abies holophylla, and Pinus koraiensis last. Data of this study indicate that adequate number of classes intervals and sample sizes for studying intraspecific competition in terms of basal area are 6 to 9 and 80 trees rather than 12 and 100 trees, respectively. It also suggests that most of the frequency distribution of basal area class are trimodal rather than bimodal under density stress. It is proposed that the leptokurtic distribution appears before normal distribution rather than direct change from platykurtic to normal distribution of basal area for selected stages in the development of stands.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to investigate the competitive ability and the interaction of each species in ten mono-and binary-associations of four forage species; orchardgrass, tall fescus, ladino clover, and alfalfa. Each species was grown in intra- and interspecific stands in large pots for one year. And samplings of shoot and root were taken in Spring, Summer, and fall clipping stages. Intra- and interspecific competition was compared and evaluated by expected yield, aggressivity, relative yield total(RYT), compensation index(CI), general combining ability(GCA), and specific combining ability (SCA) with shoot and root dry matter production of each species in monoculture and binary mixture. The forage yield was high in two grass species and the mixture of them, but low in two legume species and the mixture of them. The mixture of tall fescue-ladino clover was evaluated as a productive association with a high PYT(1.05) and a high SCA(0.79), and tall fescue was a more aggressive species in it. Each of grass-grass and legume-legume mixture was less aggressive between two species and lower SCAs than grass-legume mixtures. Especially, orchardgrass was the most agressive species and alfalfa was the least, but tall fescue had the highest GCA and ladino clover had the lowest in shoot competition. Also in root, tall fescue- ladino clover mixture was a good match with a high RYT(l.12) and a high SCA (0.60), and orchardgrass was highest in aggressivity. However, orchardgrass had the highest GCA in root while tall fescue had the highest in shoot.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.313-317
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• 1998

This study was perfonned to investigate the possible effect of Bacillus subtilis which is the predominant species of bacteria in Korean soy sauce, soy paste, and Meju (soybean cake) on the growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus ATCC 15517. The microorganisms were grown in a modified APT broth and incubated at $30^{\circ}C$ for 12 days. Aflatoxins were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A remarkable inhibition of the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus was observed during the incubation period when in the presence of B. subtilis (mixed culture). Dry mycelial weight in the mixed culture was significantly reduced by 85.3% in comparison to the control at the end of the incubation period (p<0.01). Lower levels of aflatoxins were found in the mixed culture than in the monoculture. At the end of the incubation period aflatoxin production was significantly inhibited by more than 50% (p<0.05). These results indicate that B. subtilis mainly inhibites the growth and aflatoxin production of toxigenic Aspergillus in Meju, soy sauce and soy paste. Although its effect on aflatoxin production was less pronounced, we could expect more inhibition by another bacteria related with fermentation in Meju.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.351-357
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• 2012

To determine whether the seaweed Saccharina japonica can effectively utilize dissolved nutrients from Sebastes schlegeli fish cultures, a laboratory experiment was conducted in a static system for 7 days at ESFRI, NFRDI in Korea. The experiment included an S. schlegeli monoculture system and an S. schlegeli-S. japonica IMTA system. Saccharina schlegeli density ($415{\pm}24g$; mean${\pm}$SE) remained the same in all treatments, whereas seaweed density varied across treatments of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kg (control and T1-T4, respectively). During the experiment, nutrient ($NH_4^+$ and $PO_4^{3-}$) concentrations were measured at 24-h intervals. $NH_4^+$ concentration of the control group increased from $0.117{\pm}0.021mg/L$ at the start of experiment to $5.836{\pm}0.904mg/L$ at the end of experiment. $NH_4^+$ concentrations of each treatment were $3.004{\pm}0.040$, $2.086{\pm}0.133$, $1.642{\pm}0.121$ and $0.775{\pm}0.007mg/L$ in T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, at the end of experiment. The concentration of $PO_4^{3-}$ exhibited a similar trend to $NH_4^+$ concentration. $NH_4^+$ and $PO_4^{3-}$ concentrations significantly decreased with increased S. japonica thallus density each day (P<0.05). The nutrient removal efficiency (NRE) and nutrient uptake rate (NUR) showed different relationships with changes in thallus density; NRE increased but NUR decreased as thallus density increased. Based on measured concentrations of $NH_4^+$ and S. japonica weight, regression analysis defined the relationship between as an exponential function, $Y=3.8165e^{-0.505X}$ ($R^2$ = 0.9552). Our results demonstrated that S. japonica can function as an efficient component in IMTA with environmental and potentially economic benefits for fish hatcheries.