• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2013

The DNA-binding protein from starved cells (DPS), originally identified as a DNA binding protein in Escherichia coli, is known to play an important role in DNA protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional roles of DPS in E. coli against various kinds of external stresses by comparing the properties of wild-type E. coli cells and dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells. Under various stress conditions, we measured the cell growth of the wild-type E. coli and the dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells using a UV spectrophotometer. The growth rate of the cells was compared to investigate the functional roles of the DPS protein in E. coli. In comparison to the properties of the wild-type E. coli cells, the dps knockout mutant E. coli (${\Delta}dps$) cells showed highly sensitive phenotypes under various stress conditions, such as heat shock, acidic pH, nutrient deficiency, and different concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting that DPS plays key roles in E. coli in combating diverse external stresses. The DPS DNA-binding protein in E. coli plays crucial roles in bacterial cell growth and in the protection of the cells from environmental stresses by tightly binding and preserving their DNA molecules.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.6
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• pp.751-758
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• 2006

To investigate soil management practices for increasing tree growth in arid regions of China, Xinjiang poplar (Populus alba var. pyramidalis) seedlings were planted in a nursery and windbreak and were treated with fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) and absorbents (artificial; K-SAM and natural: Yuho (Artemisia ordosica)) at Dengkou in Inner Mongolia. Seedling height, diameter at breast height (DBH), biomass, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were measured 1.5 years after the treatments. Soil texture was sandy loam for nursery and clay loam for windbreak, soil pH was 8.78 for nursery and 8.51 for windbreak, and total soil N concentration was 0.06% for nursey and 0.08% for windbreak. [n general, seedling height and DBH increased in the N fertilizer treatment compared to control or other treatments both in nursery and windbreak. Also seedling growth increased after the treatments of artificial and natural absorbents in windbreak. Total above- and belowground biomass increased after the N + P treatment. Foliage N and P concentrations following N and/or P treatments were same in the nursey, however, they significantly increased in the windbreak indicating N deficiency. It appeared that N was a limiting factor for early growth of Xinjiang poplar seedlings and artificial and natural absorbents (K-SAM and Yuho) would be useful to increase seedling growth in the arid region.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.251-256
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• 2011

EGCG, catechins in green tea, is a kind of phytochemical. Through the regulation of signal pathways, EGCG has been known to show anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects in cells. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effects of EGCG through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal pathways, including hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$). The experiments were performed in B16F10 melanoma cells in a hypoxic state. AMPK is activated by ATP consumption such as nutrient deficiency, exercise, heat shock, etc. The activated AMPK that plays an important role as an energy sensor inhibits proliferation of cancer cells, as well as inducing apoptosis. HIF-$1{\alpha}$, the primary transcriptional regulator of the response to oxygen deprivation, plays a critical role in modulating tumor growth and angiogenesis in a hypoxic state. The apoptotic effects of EGCG were studied in B16F10 cells in a hypoxic state. The results show that EGCG inhibits the transcriptional activity of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and induces apoptosis. These observations suggest that EGCG may exert inhibitory effects of angiogenesis and control tumor cell growth in hypoxic melanoma cells.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.36-46
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• 2015

Integration of crop-livestock farming has been a problem-solving mode for abatement of environmental pollution and recovery of resources in recent years. The objectives of this study were 1) to suggest the customized integration of crop-livestock farming model reflecting the regional characteristics through in-depth analysis of case study and 2) to analyze the livestock nutrients flow in terms of three primary elements as nitrogen(N), phosphorous(P), and potassium(K). The personal interview and survey were carried out in 2012 for a total of 161 farms from four different regions(NS, NW, JJ, YC) in South Korea. The mass balance analysis was used to suggest and evaluate the models for two sites(JJ and YC). The results showed that NS and NW sites produced relatively more livestock manure than the sites of YC and JJ because of the regional differences in livestock numbers and urbanization. The models were suggested for the site JJ and site YC, and 'two track model(energy and resource recovery)' and 'dispersal type model' were assigned respectively. For the nutrient flows, the releasing P and K with new models had increased up to 7%, while N release had decreased down to 15% in both YC and JJ sites compared to the present treatment system. Estimated value showed that there was oversupply of N (719 ton/yr) and $P_2O_5$ (1,269 ton/yr) in YC and deficiency of N (671 ton/yr) and excessive $P_2O_5$ (32 ton/yr) in JJ respectively. Therefore, P runoff has to be considered an eutrophication occurs in rural small stream when an integration of crop-livestock farm system is applied into both sites.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 1979

In order to study the water pollution in Suyeong Bay, Busan, some chemical constituents were determined at 25 stations in the neap tides on 9 Aug. 1977 and spring tides on 30 Aug. 1977. Range and mean values of the constituents in the spring tides are as follows: $pH\;6.54\~8.06,\;7.54;$ electrical conductivity $0.413\~0.481\times10^5\;\mu\mho/cm,\;0.467\times10^5\;\mu\mho/cm;\;transparency\;0.2\~5.5m,\;2.2m;$ turbidity $1\~60ppm$, 14ppm, chlorosity $15.20\~18.11g/\ell,\;17.67g/\ell;$ fluoride ion $0.94\~1.03ppm$, 0.99ppm; dissolved oxygen $0.17\~7.60ppm$, 4.77ppm; sulfide $0\~0.46ppm$, 0.07ppm; chemical oxygen demand $1.20\~40.74ppm$, 6.11ppm; ammonia-nitrogen $0.060\~0.520ppm$, 0.180ppm; nitrite-nitrogen $0.001\~0.026ppm$, 0.009ppm; nitrate-nitrogen $0\~0.037ppm$, 0.014ppm; phosphate-phosphorus $0.002\~0.261ppm$, 0.050ppm; n-Hexane soluble $0.5\~5.4ppm$, 2.1ppm ; iron $1.0\~104.11\;ppb$, 24.15ppb ; copper $0\~27.45ppb$, 4.19ppb; lead $0\~2.50ppb$, 0.92ppb; zinc $0\~5.15ppb$, 1.47ppb ; cadmium $0\~0.26ppb$, 0.04ppb; and mercury $0.05\~0.37ppb$, 0.11ppb respectively. The variations of the contents of the chemical constituents in the spring tides were larger than in the neap tides. The contents of COD, sulfide, nutrient salts and heavy metals were the highest in the estuary of Suyeong River, and decreased in order of off Kwangan-Ri region, outer Bay and off Haeun-Dae region. The water quality in Suyeong Bay was particularly shown that the concentrations of COO, iron, copper and mercury were higher than those of other coastal aseas and deficiency in dissolved oxygen was observed in some parte of Suyeong Bay. In consideration of the relationship between the chlorosity and the concentrations of nutrient salts, COD and total heavy metals, water pollution of this area is considered due to the inflow of Suyeong River which was extremely polluted by sewage and industrial wastewaters.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.743-749
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• 2010

Objective of this research was to investigate the effect of various potassium concentrations in fertilizer solution on growth of and nutrient uptake by 'Chugyang' eggplant ($Solanum$ $melongena$ L.). Tissue analyses were conducted to determine the threshold levels of potassium in plants when disorders develop for potassium. The lower leaves of K deficient plants became spotted, yellowing in color, and finally necrosis occurred. The necrosis spread inward and upward. K toxic plants developed necrotic spot at the margin of old leaves and the surface of old leaves were twisted. The tissue K contents in the most recently fully expanded leaves and dry weight of full above ground plant tissue at 35 days after transplanting showed linear and quadratic response to elevated K concentrations with the equation of y=1.127+0.3147x ($R^2$=0.8916) and y=14.92+2.2743x-$0.1402x_2$ ($R^2$=0.8659). When 10% reduction in dry weight set to threshold levels, optimum tissue K contents are in the range from 2.1 to 5.1%. The yield through 150 days after transplanting and tissue K contents at 150 days after transplanting also showed quadratic and linear responses to elevated potassium concentrations in fertigation solution with the equation of y=153.24+345.5x-$18.46x^2$ ($R^2$=0.8620) and y=0.9921+0.3860x ($R^2$=0.9611), respectively. When the 10% reduction in yield is set to threshold levels, the tissue K contents for maximum yield should be around 3.4% to 5.9% in most recently fully expanded leaves.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.158-164
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• 2006

Yongdam Lake is the fifth largest artificial lake in Korea newly formed by the first impounding the Yongdam Multi-purpose Dam on December, 2002. Yongdam Lake, with her total water storage of 820 million M/T, is located at the roof-top region of the streams flowing into the just-constructed new Saemankeum Lake. Seasonal succession of phytoplakton in Yongdam Lake might affect cyanobacterial blooms in Saemankeum Lake by inoculating seasonal dominants. During 2002-2003 when the first impounding after the construction of Yongdam Multi-purpose Dam was still undergoing, summer cyanobacterial blooms by Anabaena, Microcystis, and Aphanizomenon were observed. Among these three, filamentous Anabaena is well known to have its species with $N_2-fixing$ ability and special cells such as heterocysts and akinetes as well as the vegetative cells. We established a clonal culture of Anabaena spiroides v. crasse (KNU-YD0310) from the live water samples collected at the bloom site of Yongdam Lake. The N- and P-nutrient requirement of the KNU-YD0310 was explored by the experimental cultivation of the laboratory strain. Ratio of heterocysts to vegetative cells increased as N-deficiency extended with its maximum at $N_2-fixing$ condition. The strain KNU-YD0310 exhibited considerable growth under N-limiting conditions while its growth was proportional to the initial phosphate-P concentration under P-deficient conditions. Under P-limiting conditions akinete density increased, which could be interpreted as an adaptation strategy to survive severe environment by transforming into resting stage. The above eco-physiological characteristics of Anabaena spiroides v. crassa might be useful as an ecological criterion in controlling cyanobacterial blooms at Shaemankeum Lake in near future.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.286-294
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• 2003

This study was attempted to understand seasonal dynamics of phyto- and zooplankton communities in shallow, eutrophic Lake llgam and to compare them with the PEG (Plankton Ecology Group) model. Seasonal succession pattern of phytoplankton community was similar to PEG model as Chlorophyceae and Baciliphyceae increase during spring and autumn fellowed by increase of Cyanophyceae. However, based on the cell density and biomass, a dominant phytoplankton community differed with PEG model: Cyanophyceae had been a dominant community throughout a year, except for ice-cover period during which Chlorophyceae was a dominant group. In spring, when ice melted and dissolved nutrients in water column increased, the increase of Chlorophyceae occurred: when nutrients (DIN and DIP) rapidly decreased, Cyanophyceae increase occurred. Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Merismopedia were maior dominant species of Cyanophyceae and their cell density and/or biomass was the highest in October 2000 (12.9${\pm}$5.8${\times}10^5$ cells/ml, 3.5${\pm}$0.9${\times}10^3{\mu}gC/l$). Cyanophyceae biomass showed positive relationship with chlorophyll a ($r^2$ = 0.71,P< 0.001) and TP concentration ($r^2$ = 0.62, P< 0.001). Small-sized rotifers such as Keratella cochlearis, increased between March and May when Chlorophyceae increased. Both high standing crop of copepods and cladocerans, such as Diaphanosoma brachyrum and Bosmina longirostris occurred between June and September accompanied with the increase of Dinophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. There was no evidence that clear-water phase was caused by zooplankton grazing. The diversity and evenness index of phyto- and/or zooplankton increased with chlorophyll a concentration. These results suggest zooplankton grazing and limiting nutrient deficiency could lead to change of phytoplankton biomass, but not the phytoplankton community in Lake llgam.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2009

Pot experiments using sand culture were conducted in 2004 under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effect of nitrogen deficiency on red pepper biomass. Nitrogen stress was imposed by implementing 6 levels (40% to 140%) of N in Hoagland's nutrient solution for red pepper. Canopy reflectance measurements were made with hand held spectral sensors including $GreenSeeker^{TM}$, $Crop\;Circle^{TM}$, and $Field\;Scout^{TM}$ Chlorophyll meter, and a spectroradiometer as well as Minolta SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. Canopy reflectance and dry weight of red pepper were measured at five growth stages, the 30th, 40th, 50th, 80th and 120th day after planting(DAT). Dry weight of red pepper affected by nitrogen stress showed large differences between maximum and minimum values at the 120th DAT ranged from 48.2 to $196.6g\;plant^{-1}$, respectively. Several reflectance indices obtained from $GreenSeeker^{TM}$, $Crop\;Circle^{TM}$ and Spectroradiometer including chlorophyll readings were compared for evaluation of red pepper biomass. The reflectance indices such as rNDVI, aNDVI and gNDVI by the $Crop\;Circle^{TM}$ sensor showed the highest correlation coefficient with dry weight of red pepper at the 40th, 50th, and 80th DAT, respectively. Also these reflectance indices at the same growth station was closely correlated with dry weight, yield, and nitrogen uptake of red pepper at the 120th DAT, especially showing the best correlation coefficient at the 80th DAT. From these result, the aNDVI at the 80th DAT can significantly explain for dry weight of red pepper at the 120th DAT as well as for application level of nitrogen fertilizer. Consequently ground remote sensing as a non-destructive real-time assessment of plant nitrogen status was thought to be a useful tool for in season nitrogen management for red pepper providing both spatial and temporal information.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2015

The importance of genetic resource preservation has been highlighted in the literature as a means of maintaining genetic diversity. Investigations for hematologic values and the differential count of white blood cell count (WBC) for Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) and endangered indigenous cattle (EIC) are rarely performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the hematologic values of total 40 EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle) and 35 KIC as control by analysis of hematologic characteristics. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of EIC were significantly decreased by age (p<0.05). The mean values of RBC, HCT, MCV and MCHC between EIC and KIC of the same age (2~3 years) showed the statistical significance (p<0.05). Also, in the WBC of EIC, the mean values were decreased according to the age from $13.9{\times}10^3/{\mu}L{\sim}12.7{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$ under 1 year to $9.1{\times}10^3/{\mu}L{\sim}11.5{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$ over 2 years respectively. In the differential count of WBC of EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle), it showed generally the rates of 40.2%, 52.2%, 49.0% lymphocyte and 27.2%, 33.9%, 32.0% segmented neutrophil from 2~3 years respectively. Result of this study will be used for establishing reference range for blood analysis in EIC such as white, black and mini cattle. This study reported hematological values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of endangered Korean native cattle. In addition, this study provides a valuable resource for further investigations of the preservation of rare genetic stocks underlying traits of interest in cattle.