• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.132-135
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• 1998

This study was conducted to obtain basic information for soil improvement in flower crop cultivating greenhouse soil through survey on the chemical and physical properties of greenhouse soils. Total of 85 Flowcultivating farms were surveyed and analysis was done on the soil characteristics, amounts of chemical fertilizer and soil amendmentuse. The result are as follows: In soil properties of flower cultivating greenhousees, silt clay loam was 51%and 68% of the surveyed soils had good drainage condition. Ground water table was over 90-120cm which was optimum range for flower cultivation. Flower cultivating farms had problem with accumulation of fertility. Nitrate nitrogen was accumulated in Gypsophila paniculate farms and available phosphorus, and exchangeable postassium were significantly higher in greenhouse soils about 2 times than in open field soil. Application amount of chemical feltilizers in greenhouses were nitrate 211,phosphorus 135, and potassium 132kg/ha, respectively. Amount of organic matter used in greenhouse were high in order of cattle manure> compost> organic fertilizer> poultry manure> swine manure and their application amounts were69, 103, 32, 20, and 43 MT/ha, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2000

Pseudomnas sp. HJ-2 is capable of producing a rubber-elastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) consisting of 3- hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), and 3-hydroxyheptanoate (3HHp) from heptanoic acid as the sole carbon source. The polyester produced was a blend of poly(3HB-co-3HV) and poly(3HHp). Although the mixing of poly(3HHp) fraction to poly(3HB-co-3HV) resulted in a decrease of modulus, the sole fraction of poly(3HB-co-3HV) with a high molar fraction of 3HV was shown to be an elastomer with the maximum percent strain of 740%. The biomass yield and the PHA synthesis were relatively high when the initial heptanoic acid concentration was 40 mM, and were significantly decreased when the substrate concentration exceeded 50 mM. The accumulation of PHA was stimulated by deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in the medium. The PHA contents and its monomeric compositions were greatly affected by pH and oxygen transfer rate. At pH 7.5, poly(3HB-~0.38% 3HV) was produced from heptanoic acid and a mixture of 95% 3HHp and 5% 3HV was produced at pH 8.0. Increased conten1 of 3HHp in the polyesters with lhe increasing oxygen transfer rate by agitation speed a1 a fixed aeration rate was observed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.893-902
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• 2011

Endophytic fungi are little known for their role in gibberellins (GAs) synthesis and abiotic stress resistance in crop plants. We isolated 10 endophytes from the roots of field-grown soybean and screened their culture filtrates (CF) on the GAs biosynthesis mutant rice line - Waito-C. CF bioassay showed that endophyte GMH-1B significantly promoted the growth of Waito-C compared with controls. GMH-1B was identified as Penicillium minioluteum LHL09 on the basis of ITS regions rDNA sequence homology and phylogenetic analyses. GC/MS-SIM analysis of CF of P. minioluteum revealed the presence of bioactive $GA_4$ and $GA_7$. In endophyte-soybean plant interaction, P. minioluteum association significantly promoted growth characteristics (shoot length, shoot fresh and dry biomasses, chlorophyll content, and leaf area) and nitrogen assimilation, with and without sodium chloride (NaCl)-induced salinity (70 and 140 mM) stress, as compared with control. Field-emission scanning electron microcopy showed active colonization of endophyte with host plants before and after stress treatments. In response to salinity stress, low endogenous abscisic acid and high salicylic acid accumulation in endophyte-associated plants elucidated the stress mitigation by P. minioluteum. The endophytic fungal symbiosis of P. minioluteum also increased the daidzein and genistein contents in the soybean as compared with control plants, under salt stress. Thus, P. minioluteum ameliorated the adverse effects of abiotic salinity stress and rescued soybean plant growth by influencing biosynthesis of the plant's hormones and flavonoids.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.768-772
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• 2010

In this study, the neuronal cell protective effects of methanol extract from cheonggukjang were evaluated. The proximate composition and total phenolics of the methanol extract were 40.95% crude protein, 22.49% crude fat, 15.99% nitrogen free extract, 7.91% moisture, 6.74% crude ash, 5.92% crude fiber, and 28.43 mg/g of total phenolics. Intracellular ROS accumulation resulting from $H_2O_2$ treatment of PC12 cells was significantly reduced when methanol extract was present in the media compared to PC12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$ only. In a cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide (MTT), the methanol extract showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the medium was also inhibited. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of the methanol extract against acetylcholinesterase was dose-dependent.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2000

To remove phosphate accumulated in the soil and water, Acinetobacter lwoffi PO8 possessing a high ability to accumulate phosphate was isolated from a active sludge. Bacterium was cultured in the liquid medium containing $150\;{\mu}g/mL$ of phosphate at $30^{\circ}C$ in different culture conditions to examine intracellular phosphate uptake. The initial pH in the range of $7.5{\sim}8.5$ was effective on the growth and phosphate uptake of the strain. Glycerol and arabinose used as a carbon sources showed 93 and 91% the phsphate uptake, respectively. Among the nitrogen sources, ammonium salt such as $NH_4NO_3$ and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ was effectively utilized on the phosphate uptake compared with amino compounds. The rate of phosphate uptake of $NH_4NO_3$, and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, was 95 and 96%, respectively The growth and Phosphate uptake ability in the strain were significantly promoted when metal ions were added in the medium; $Co^{2+}$, however, was not utilized by the strain. The capacity of phosphate uptake was enhanced to $10{\sim}20%$ when arginine, methionine, or lysine was added. Using $^{32}P$ to examine the uptake Pattern of intracellular phosphate, experiment result showed that polyphosphate was largely found in the fraction of intracellular inorganic phosphate of Acinetobacter lwoffi PO8.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2008

Salt accumulation in soils of greenhouse due to the massive application of nitrogen fertilizers causes salt stress on the various crops, a serious problem in domestic agriculture. Since the majority of the salinity is nitrate, the excess nitrate should be removed; therefore, a bacterial strain having high capacity of nitrate uptake and identified as Enterobacter amnigenus GG0461 was isolated from the soils of greenhouse. Optimum conditions for the bacterial growth and nitrate uptake were investigated. GG0461 was able to grow without nitrate; however, nitrate facilitated the growth. The rate of nitrate uptake increased at alkaline pH and both growth and nitrate uptake were maximal at pH 8-9. When the initial pH of culture medium was increased to pH 8 or 9, it was decreased to neutral upon bacterial growth and nitrate uptake. These results imply that the major factor mediating bacterial nitrate uptake is a nitrate/proton antiporter. The fact was supported by the effect of nitrate addition in the absence of nitrate, since the addition of nitrate greatly increased the nitrate uptake and rapidly decreased pH of media.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2021

The application of nature-based solutions, such as low impact development (LID) techniques and green infrastructures, for stormwater management continue to increase in urban areas. Plants are usually utilized in LID facilities to improve their pollutant removal efficiency through phytoremediation. Plants can also reduce maintenance costs and frequency by means of reducing the accumulation of pollutants inside the facility. Plants have long been used in different LID facilities; however, proper plant-selection should be considered since different species tend to exhibit varying pollutant uptake capabilities. This study was conducted to investigate the pollutant uptake capabilities of plants by comparing the dry matter and nutrient contents of different plant species in roadsides, LID facilities, and landscape areas. The dry matter content of the seven herbaceous plants, shrubs, and arboreal trees ranged from 60% to 90%. In terms of nutrient content, the total nitrogen (TN) concentration in the tissues of herbaceous plants continued to increase until the summer season, but gradually decreased in the succeeding periods. TN concentrations in shrubs and trees were observed to be high from early spring up to the late summer seasons. All plant samples collected from the LID facility exhibited high TP content, indicating that the vegetative components of LID systems are efficient in removing phosphorus. Overall, the nutrient content of different plant species was found to be highly influenced by the urban environment which affected the stormwater runoff quality. The results of this study can be beneficial for establishing plant selection criteria for LID facilities.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.89-103
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• 2018

Objectives : This study is aimed to compare the changes in Antioxidative capacity of Liriopis Tuber by steaming process and to compare the effects in hyperlipidemia induced rats fed high cholesterol diet between Simvastatin and Liriopis Tuber by steaming process. Methods : The SD rats were divided into six groups: normal diet (Nor), high cholesterol diet (Veh), high cholesterol diet plus Simvastatin 5 mg/kg (Sim), high cholesterol diet plus LT0 extract 200 mg/kg (LT0), high cholesterol diet plus LT6 extract 200 mg/kg (LT6) and high cholesterol diet plus LT9 extract 200 mg/kg (LT9). We compared the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from each serums. Protein expression in liver tissues related to antioxidant and cholesterol was analyzed. Results : The Antioxidant activity of Liriopis Tuber increased by steaming process. In vivo, TC, TG, LDL-c, atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) decreased and HDL-c increased with increasing steaming frequency. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. ROS decreased only in LT9, and SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased with increasing steaming frequency. phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) increased and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), Phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. Liver staining showed a decrease in hepatic fat accumulation of LT9. LT9 showed significant results in all experiments. Conclusions : LT9 showed significance of anti-lipid effect and improved fatty liver of hyperlipemia induced rats fed on high cholesterol diet, In conclusion, LP9 can be effectively used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.