• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2003

Surface energy and $CO_2$ fluxes have been measured over a farmland in Haenam, Korea since July 2002. Eddy covariance technique, which is the only direct flux measurement method, was employed to quantitatively understand the interaction between the farmland ecosystem and the atmospheric boundary layer. Maintenance of eddy covariance system was the main concern during the early stage of measurement to minimize gaps and uncertainties in the dataset. Half-hourly averaged $CO_2$ concentration showed distinct diurnal and seasonal variations, which were closely related to changes in net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of $CO_2$. Daytime maximum $CO_2$ uptake was about -1.0 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in August whereas nighttime $CO_2$ release was up to 0.3 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ during the summer. Both daytime $CO_2$ uptake and nighttime release decreased gradually with season. During the winter season, NEE was from near zero to 0.05 mg $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ . FK site was a moderate sink of atmospheric $CO_2$ until September with daily NEE of 22 g $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ d$^{-1}$ . In October, it became a weak source of $CO_2$ with an emission rate of 2 g $CO_2$ m$^{-2}$ d$^{-1}$ . Long-term flux measurements will continue at FK site to further investigate inter-annual variability in NEE. to better understand these exchange mechanism and in-depth analysis, process-level field experiments and intensive short-term intercomparisons are also expected to be followed.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.447-455
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• 2011

To investigate the effects of the improvement of postharvest quality on fresh tomato, antimicrobial microperforated (AMP) films were prepared and their antimicrobial abilities were observed. AMP films were made by coating different types of natural antimicrobial agents such as cinnamon, clove, and clary sage essential oils into microperforated (MP) films. Cinnamon essential oil of 10% (v/v) has proven to be very effective as inhibitor of the mold growth on tomato, compared to the clove and clary sage essential oils. Quality changes of fresh tomatoes packed using the natural AMP films (AMP10 and AMP30) and MP films (MP10 and MP30) during storage were evaluated. Total microbial growth, weight loss, firmness, lycopene content, and decay rate as the major quality parameters were monitored over 9 days at $15^{\circ}C$. The oxygen transmission rates and mechanical properties between the natural AMP and MP films were also compared. There was no significant difference in change of oxygen transmission rate, tensile strength and elongation between the AMP and MP films. For storage studies, the freshness of tomato packaged in AMP30 film was higher than that in OPP film (the control), MP10, MP30, and AMP10 films. Especially, AMP30 film exhibited high efficiency compared to the control for tomato decay during storage periods. Based on the results, the microperforation and antimicrobial properties of the packaged films may significantly affect the maintenance of an optimum gas composition within the package atmosphere for increasing the storage life and quality of produce. They were also effective on the inhibition of microbial growth by controlled release of antimicrobial agent at an appropriate rate from the package into the tomato. Natural antimicrobial agent coating microperforated films could use potential functional package as a method of extending the freshness of postharvest tomato for storage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1660-1668
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• 2007

The non-ionic surfactant (NIS) Tween 80 was evaluated for its ability to influence invitro cumulative gas production, dry matter digestibility, cellulolytic enzyme activities, anaerobic microbial growth rates, and adhesion to substrates by mixed rumen microorganisms on rice straw, alfalfa hay, cellulose filter paper and tall fescue hay. The addition of NIS Tween 80 at a level of 0.05% increased significantly (P<0.05) in vitro DM digestibility, cumulative gas production, microbial growth rate and cellulolytic enzyme activity from all of substrates used in this study. In vitro cumulative gas production from the NIS-treated substrates; rice straw, alfalfa hay, filter paper and tall fescue hay was significantly (P<0.05) improved by 274.8, 235.2, 231.1 and 719.5% compared with the control, when substrates were incubated for 48 hr in vitro. The addition of 0.05% NIS Tween 80 to cultures growing on alfalfa hay resulted in a significant increase in CMCase (38.1%), xylanase (121.4%), Avicelase (not changed) and amylase (38.2%) activities after 36 h incubation. These results indicated that the addition of 0.05% Tween 80 could greatly stimulate the release of some kinds of cellulolytic enzymes without decreasing cell growth rate in contrast to trends reported with aerobic microorganism. Our SEM observation showed that NIS Tween. 80 did not influence the microbial adhesion to substrates used in the study. Present data clearly show that improved gas production, DM digestibility and cellulolytic enzyme activity by Tween 80 is not due to increased bacterial adhesion on the substrates.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2013

Background: We investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the health care workers (HCWs) and analyzed its risk factors in South Korea. Methods: A standard questionnaire regarding the baseline demographics and risk factors for LTBI was given to each participant and tuberculin skin test (TST), QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay, and chest radiography were performed. Results: A total of 493 participants, 152 (30.8%) doctors and 341 (69.2%) nurses were enrolled in eight tertiary referral hospitals. The mean age of the subjects was 30.6 years old, and 383 (77.7%) were female. Of the 152 doctors, 63 (41.4%) and 36 (23.7%) were positive by TST and by QTF-GIT, respectively, and among the 341 nurses, 119 (34.9%) and 49 (14.4%) had positive TST and QFT-GIT results, respectively. Overall, the agreement between the two tests was 0.22 by the chance corrected proportional agreement rate (kappa coefficient) in 493 subjects. Experience of working in tuberculosis (TB)-related departments was significantly associated with positive LTBI test results by QFT-GIT assay, not by TST. In multivariate analysis, only age was independently associated with increased risk of a positive TST result, while age and experience of working in TB-related departments (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.12) were independently associated with increased risk of a positive QFT-GIT result. Conclusion: A high prevalence of LTBI was found among South Korean HCWs. Considering the association between the experience of working in TB-related departments and high risk of LTBI, QFT-GIT may be a better diagnostic test for LTBI than TST in HCWs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2015

AbstractLiving modified organisms (LMO) are one of the most widespread products of modern biotechnology after DNA discovery. Due to the decline of grain self-sufficiency rate and the increase of reliance on LMO imports in Korea, a series of concerns with regard to safety of living modified(LM) crops has been raised. The aim of this study is to establish the detection methods for unintentional release or growing of LMO plants in environmental conditions. To detect LM crop events, general concepts of specific primer design and PCR conditions were provided by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The certified reference materials of seven LM events (4 soybean, 2 cotton and 1 corn) were obtained from the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) and the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS). Genomic DNA from seven LM events were purified and PCR amplifications were carried out by using individual event-specific primer sets. LM-specific PCR products of all seven events were efficiently amplified by our methods. The results indicate that the established detection method for LMOs is suitable as a scientific tool to monitor whether the crops found in natural environments are LMOs.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.489-500
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate newly fabricated tricalcium phosphate(TCP)/chitosan microgranuls as bone substitutes. TCP/chitosan microgranules were fabricated by dropping TCP-chitosan suspension into the NaOH/ethanol solution. The size of microgranules could be controllable via airflow rate. PDGF-BB was loaded into the fabricated granules via freeze-drying methods(300 ng/20 mg). To evaluate cell proliferation, cultured osteoblasts cell lines(MC3T3-El) was dropped on the BioOss(R), chitosan microgranules, TCP/chitosan microgranules and cultured for 1, 7 , 14, and 28 days. Scanning electron microscopic observation was done after 7 days of culture and light microscopic examination was done after 28 days of culture. PDGF-BB release from the microgranules was tested. Rabbit calvarial defects(8 mm in diameter) were formed and chitosan, TCP/chitosan, PDGF-TCP/chitosan microgranules, and BioGran(R) were grafted to test the ability of new bone formation. At SEM view, the size of prepared microgranules was 250-1000 um and TCP powders were observed at the surface of TCP/chitosan microgranules. TCP powders gave roughness to the granules and this might help the attachment of osteoblasts. The pores formed between microgranules might be able to allow new bone ingrowth and vascularization. There were no significant differences in cell number among BioOss(R) and two microgranules at 28 day. Light and scanning electron microscopic examination showed that seeded osteoblastic cells were well attached to TCP/chitosan microgranules and proliferated in a multi-layer. PDGF-BB released from TCP/chitosan microgranules was at therapeutic concentration for at least 1 week. In rabbit calvarial defect models, PDGF-TCP/chitosan microgranules grafted sites showed thicker bone trabeculae pattern and faster bone maturation than others. These results suggested that the TCP/chitosan microgranules showed the potential as bone substitutes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.650-666
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the author tried to investigate whether wood vinegar produced from Morus alba (MA) significantly affects the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells of rats, and in vitro airway mucin secretion and PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production / gene expression from human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods : For the in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia by exposure of rats to SO2 over 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MA over 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats and hyperplasia of goblet cells were assessed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with alcian blue. For the in vitro experiment, confluent RTSE cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of MA to assess the effect of MA on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of MA and treated with PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 nm) for 24 hrs, to assess both effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Possible cytotoxicities of MA in vitro were assessed by examining LDH release from RTSE cells and the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. In vivo liver and kidney toxicities of MA were evaluated by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN/creatinine concentrations of rats after administering MA orally. Results : 1. MA decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of rats exposed to sulfur dioxide inhalationally. 2. MA decreased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. 3. MA significantly inhibited PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin productions and the expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA from NCI-H292 cells. 4. MA did not show either in vitro or in vivo hepatic or renal toxicities. Conclusion : The results from this study suggests that MA can regulate the secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and does not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effects of MA should be further studied using animal experimental models that simulate the diverse pathophysiology of respiratory diseases via future research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1407-1416
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• 2007

Ten, first lactation, 87.5%HF dairy cattle were used to investigate effects of long-term administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on nutrient uptake by the mammary gland at different stages of lactation. Measurements of arterial plasma concentrations and arterial-venous differences of metabolites across the mammary gland were performed in combination with measurment of mammary blood flow to estimate the mammary uptake. Animals in experimental groups were injected subcutaneously every 14 days from day 60 of lactation with a prolonged-release formulation of 500 mg of rbST (POSILAC, Monsanto, USA) or with sterile sesame oil without rbST in the control group. During early lactation, the milk yield of rbST-treated animals was higher than that of the control animals (p<0.05). The peak milk yield in both groups of animals declined from the early period of lactation with progression to mid- and late-lactation. No significant changes were observed in the concentration of milk lactose, while the concentrations of milk protein significantly increased as lactation advanced to mid- and late-lactation in both groups. Milk fat concentrations were significantly higher in rbST-treated animals than in control animals, particularly in early lactation (p<0.05). Mammary blood flow (MBF) markedly increased during rbST administration and was maintained at a high level throughout lactation. The mean arterial plasma concentrations for glucose and acetate of rbST-treated animals were unchanged. The net mammary glucose uptake of rbST-treated animals increased approximately 20% during early lactation, while it significantly decreased (p<0.05), including the arteriovenous differences (A-V differences) and extraction ratio across the mammary gland, as lactation advanced to mid- and late-lactation. A-V differences, mammary extraction and mammary uptake for acetate increased during rbST administration and were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control animals in early and mid-lactation. Mean arterial plasma concentrations for ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate and free glycerol were unchanged throughout the experimental periods in both groups. A-V differences and extraction ratio of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate across the mammary gland did not alter during rbST administration. Mean arterial plasma concentrations for free fatty acids ($C_{16}$ to $C_{18}$), but not for triacylglycerol, increased in rbST-treated animals and were significantly higher than in control animals during early lactation (p<0.01). These findings suggest that an increase in MBF during rbST administration would not be a major determinant in the mediation of nutrient delivery and uptake by the mammary gland for increased milk production. Local changes in biosynthetic capacity within the mammary gland would be a factor in the utilization of substrates resulting in the rate of decline in milk yield with advancing lactation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.217-239
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• 2011

We carried out a series of experiment demonstrating the role of mitochondria in the cytosolic and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients and compared the results with those from computer simulation. In rat ventricular myocytes, increasing the rate of stimulation (1~3 Hz) made both the diastolic and systolic [$Ca^{2+}]$ bigger in mitochondria as well as in cytosol. As L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel has key influence on the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ -induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, the relation between stimulus frequency and the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ transients was examined under the low density (1/10 of control) of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in model simulation, where the relation was reversed. In experiment, block of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter on mitochondrial inner membrane significantly reduced the amplitude of mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients, while it failed to affect the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients. In computer simulation, the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients was not affected by removal of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter. The application of carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) known as a protonophore on mitochondrial membrane to rat ventricular myocytes gradually increased the diastolic [$Ca^{2+}$] in cytosol and eventually abolished the $Ca^{2+}$ transients, which was similarly reproduced in computer simulation. The model study suggests that the relative contribution of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel to total transsarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ flux could determine whether the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients become bigger or smaller with higher stimulus frequency. The present study also suggests that cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ affects mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ in a beat-to-beat manner, however, removal of $Ca^{2+}$ influx mechanism into mitochondria does not affect the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1340-1348
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• 2017

Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis L., which is used for the purpose of treating various diseases. Although studies of anticancer activities have been performed using various cancer cell lines, the phenomenon of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by using sanguinarine requires more research. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-cancer activities and related mechanisms of sanguinarine used with Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in terms of the regulation of apoptosis. Sanguinarine inhibited the proliferation of Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. Sanguinarine also increased the activity of caspase-3, which is a typical effector caspase, and the activities of caspase-8 and caspase-9, which are key when initiating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively. In addition, sanguinarine increased the expression of death receptor-related genes and pro-apoptotic BAX, which belongs to the Bcl-2 family, while suppressing the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Sanguinarine promoted the truncation of Bid and enhanced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm due to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, the reduction of a survival rate that was induced by sanguinarine and the induction of apoptosis disappeared with the inhibition of artificial caspase activity. Therefore, the results of the study indicated that sanguinarine-induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells involves both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways; such apoptosis is a caspase-dependent phenomenon.