• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.721-727
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• 2007

Scorpion (SCP) has been clinically used for the treatment of endogenous wind to relieve convulsion, clearing away toxins, resolving hard masses and removing obstruction in the collaterals to relieve pain. Recent studies showed that scorpion toxins that affect the activating mechanism of sodium channels and indian black scorpion venom induced anti-proliferative and apoptogenic activity against human leukemic cell lines U937 and K562. There is lack of studies regarding the effects of SCP on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SCP on the regulatory effects of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. After the treatment of SCP MeOH extract dissolved in media for 1 h prior to the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 1 ${\mu}$g/ml), cell viability was measured by MTT assay, NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. As results, SCP inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), iNOS and p-$I_KB_{\alpha}$ protein, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml) and interleukin-6 (1.0mg/ml) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS. These findings suggest that SCP can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate ($NO_x$) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, IL-6, and $NO_x$. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and $NO_x$ was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of $NO_x$ were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.381-393
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• 2017

The inorganic components in tobacco sheet extract have significant influence on the sensory taste of the cigars and the harmful component delivery in cigarette smoke. To identify the contributions of the divalent inorganic components on harmful components delivery in cigarette smoke, a self-made selective electrodialysis was assembled with monovalent ion-selective ion exchange membranes. The influences of current density and extract content on the desalination performance were investigated. Result indicates that the majorities chloride, nitrate, and sulfate ions were removed, comparing with 50-60% of potassium and only less than 10% of magnesium and calcium ions removed in the investigated current density. The permselectivity of the tested cations across the Selemion CSO cation exchange membranes follows the order: $K^+>Ca^{2+}>Mg^{2+}$. A current density of $15mA/cm^2$ is an optional choice by considering both the energy consumption and separation efficiency. When the extract contents are in the range of 7%-20%, the removal ratios the potassium ions are kept around 60%, while the removal ratios of the calcium and magnesium ions fluctuate in the range of 16-27% and 8-14%, respectively. The tobacco smoke experiments indicated that the divalent metal ions have dual roles for the harmful component delivery in cigarette smoke. The divalent potassium and calcium ions were unfavorable for the total particulate matter emission but beneficial to decrease the HCN delivery in the mainstream cigarette smoke. The selective electrodialysis is a robust technology to decrease the harmful component delivery in cigarette smoke.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.320-322
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• 2017

A betaproteobacterium strain GR16-43 was isolated from a surface layer of the Geomnyong Pond in Republic of Korea by a dilution-to-extinction culturing method. We report the whole genome sequence of the strain GR16-43, which contains 4,806,848 bp with a G + C content 67.12%, and to include 4,424 protein-coding genes and 47 transfer RNA genes. The genome was determined to contain the genes encoding carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide reductase, and the sulfur oxidation (sox) gene cluster, highlighting the potential importance of the bacterial group represented by the strain in the cycling of inorganic elements. These results indicate that strain GR16-43 genome showed several traits indicating adaptation of the bacteria to living in freshwater environments.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2019

Water and soil properties in paddy fields subjected to organic and conventional farming were characterized over the rice cycle in South Korea. To achieve the goals of this study, we sampled and analyzed soil and water from 24 organic paddy plots and 11 conventional paddy plots in March, May, August, and October 2016. The results were analyzed using statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. The ANOVA results showed that water content (WC), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), and available phosphorus ($P_2O_5$) in soil varied significantly (p < 0.01) depending on the farming method. Higher OM, EC, and $P_2O_5$ of soil were observed in the conventional paddies than in the organic paddies. All soil properties, except pH and ammonium, depended on seasonal variation. Cluster analysis revealed that soil properties in May were distinctly separated from those in other seasons mainly due to basal fertilization. The principal component analysis distinguished the soil properties in different seasons, but such a distinction was not observed between the soil properties in organic and conventional paddies. Low contents of WC, OM, and total N were observed in March. High concentrations of nitrate and total P were observed in May, but these were low in August and October. The soils from October were also characterized by high concentrations of EC and $P_2O_5$. These results indicate that the sampling time for soil and water can significantly influence the evaluation of soil properties with different farming methods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1603-1610
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented spinach derived nitrite and sodium nitrite on cured pork loin. Methods: The following treatments were prepared using brine (8% [w/v] salt): Control (-), no nitrite added; Control (+), 0.08% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T1, 0.04% (w/v) nitrite fermented spinach juice in 0.04% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T2, spinach juice in 0.04% (w/v) sodium nitrite brine; T3, 0.04% (w/v) nitrite fermented spinach juice used as sodium nitrite free brine; and T4, spinach juice used as sodium nitrite free brine. T2 and T4 were incubated to allow to reduce nitrate to nitrite. Results: Spinach juice did not affect cooking loss and pH but negatively influenced flavor and overall acceptability (p<0.05). T1 samples containing synthetic and natural nitrites showed the highest redness values. Spinach juice negatively affected volatile basic nitrogen; however, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of T1 and T3 were similar to those of controls (+) (p>0.05). Residual nitrite content decreased with decreasing synthetic nitrite levels. T1 and control samples showed no significant differences in overall acceptability (p>0.05). Conclusion: Thus, combined synthetic and natural nitrites improved the quality of cured pork loin.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2019

Introduction: Oxidative stress (OS) during uncontrolled hyperglycemia has a pivotal role in pancreatic dysfunction. Our study aimed to demonstrate that crocin can potentiate anti-oxidant defense systems of pancreatic cells to improve oxidative stress. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: a normal group, a normal-treated group, a diabetic group and a diabetic-treated group (n = 6 rats per group). Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg/IV). The treated groups received crocin daily for 8 weeks (40 mg/kg/IP). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and pancreas tissue was obtained. Subsequently, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate and glutathione as well as the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in all animals. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with appropriate post hoc testing and a probability value of P < 0.05 was considered to represent a statistically significant difference in mean values. Results: Uncontrolled hyperglycemia weakened the anti-oxidant system by decreasing SOD and catalase enzyme activity in pancreatic tissues and induced OS by increasing the MDA content in diabetic non-treated animals. Crocin potentiated the anti-oxidant defense system by increasing the activity of both SOD and catalase, and improved OS by diminishing MDA production in pancreatic cells of rats contained in the diabetic-treated group. Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can weaken the anti-oxidant defense system and cause the development of OS. Also, crocin can improve OS in pancreatic cells by potentiating the anti-oxidant defense system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.382-391
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• 2019

Many poultry eggs are discarded worldwide because of infection (i.e., avian flu) or presence of high levels of pesticides. The possibility of adopting egg yolk as a source material to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer was examined in this study. Cupriavidus necator Re2133/pCB81 was used for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) or poly(3HHx), a polymer that would normally require long-chain fatty acids as carbon feedstocks for the incorporation of 3HHx monomers. The optimal medium contained 5% egg yolk oil and ammonium nitrate as a nitrogen source, with a carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 20. Time course monitoring using the optimized medium was conducted for 5 days. Biomass production was 13.1 g/l, with 43.7% co-polymer content. Comparison with other studies using plant oils and the current study using egg yolk oil revealed similar polymer yields. Thus, discarded egg yolks could be a potential source of PHA.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2021

The feasibility of HWS for agricultural use was analyzed through a crop cultivation test to utilize the hydroponic waste solution (HWS) generated from the nutriculture greenhouse. The fertilizing effect of HWS was assessed on the basis of the inorganic nitrogen (N) mostly existed in HWSs, and nitrogen (urea) fertilizer. Lettuce was selected as the target crop influenced by the soil treatment and also for the crop cultivation test. Thus, the change in growth characteristics of lettuce and that in chemical characteristics of the soil were investigated. In terms of the growth of lettuce, the C control group with 70% nitrogen (urea) fertilizer and 30% HWS and the D control group with 50% nitrogen (urea) fertilizer and 50% HWS were more effective than the practice control group (B) with 100% nitrogen (urea) fertilizer. The results of this study confirmed the combined applicability of the chemical fertilizer and HWS for crop cultivation. Because NO₃-N present in HWS has a high possibility of leaching into the soil, its applicability as a fertilizer has been considered to be relatively low in Korea. However, if an appropriate mixing ratio of urea fertilizer and HWS could be applied, the problems associated with leaching of nitrate nitrogen could be reduced with beneficial effects on crop cultivation. Thus, future studies are required on the treatment effect of HWS with repeated cultivation, impact assessment on the surrounding environment, and appropriate fertilization methods using nitrogen (urea) fertilizer and HWS. These studies would facilitate the sustainable recycling of HWS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.687-692
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• 2011

Pimpinella brachycarpa, a summer-green perennial herb, is narrowly distributed in the moist forest floors. We investigated environmental characteristics and growth patterns of Pimpinella brachycarpa depending on the microenvironment in Mt. Jeombong located in the central part of Korea. P. brachycarpa populations were located at an altitude of 978~1016 m and the average atmospheric humidity hovered at 80 percent. Also, it was found that the soil moisture content was remarkably high, 26.7%, in the populations; organic matter 11.1~11.7%; the nitrate nitrogen 0.60%; available phosphorus 19.5~39.0 ppm; CEC $20.8{\sim}21.3cmolckg^{-1}$; soil pH 4.7~4.8 respectively. In case of growth pattern, the shoot length of individuals under the improved light condition in the sunny forest was statistically longer than in the dense forest. Therefore, we presumed that high humidity and ample soil moisture are abiotic factors of the growth of P. brachycarpa and that the amount of light affects the relative growth rate of individuals.