• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.263-268
• /
• 2016

Metallothionein (MT) family of metal-binding proteins are involved in maintaining homeostasis and heavy metal poisoning. Recently, MT has been considered as a biomarker that can identify a particular species, very similar to the use of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Satsuma myomphala species of land snails have been reported from North-East Asia, including South Korea and Japan. In particular, the land snail species have been known from only a limited area of Geoje Island, Gyeongsangnam-do province of South Korea. Genetic studies of S. myomphala has been limited with only 6 nucleotide, 2 protein registered on the NCBI server. For elucidating the genetic information of S. myomphala, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis using Illumina HiSeq 2500 next-generation platform. We screened the MT gene from the RNA-Seq database to confirm the molecular phylogenetic relationship. After sequencing, the de novo analysis and clustering generated 103,774 unigenes. After annotation against PANM database using BLAST program, we obtained MT sequence of 74 amino acid residues containing the coding region of 222 bp. Based on this sequence, we found about 53 sequences using the BLAST program in NCBI nr database. Using ClustalX alignment, Maximum-Likehood Tree of MEGA program, we confirmed the molecular phylogenetic relationships that showed similarity with mollusks such as Helix pomatia and H. aspersa, Megathura crenulata.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2009

The effect of water temperature on fasting and post-prandial total ammonia excretion (TAN) of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus (mean body weigh : $42.4{\pm}3.4g$) was studied. The fasting and post-prandial TAN excretions were measured under three different water temperatures (10, 15 and $20^{\circ}C$) for 24 hours using a recirculating system. In each treatment three replicates were set up and total 45 fish were used. Fish were taken to the indoor aquarium, acclimated over 10 days at three temperatures, and transferred to TAN measuring system for measurements of TAN excretion at the same temperatures. After 3 days of starvation, fasting TAN excretion was measured at each temperature. To investigate post-prandial TAN excretion, fish were hand-fed to satiation level with a commercial diet containing 50.2% crude protein for 7 days, two times daily 08 : 00 and 16 : 00 h. The fasting and postprandial TAN excretion increased with increased water temperature (p<0.05). Mean fasting TAN excretion rates at 10, 15 and $20^{\circ}C$ were 10.9, 11.2 and $12.2mg\;TAN\;kg\;fish^{-1}\;h^{-1}$, respectively. The value at $20^{\circ}C$ was higher than those at 10 and $15^{\circ}C$ (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between $10^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$. Mean post-prandial TAN excretion rates at 10, 15 and $20^{\circ}C$ were 33.0, 43.4 and $55.3mg\;TAN\;kg\;fish^{-1}\;h^{-1}$, respectively. Two peaks of post-prandial TAN excretions were observed, and the second peak was always greater than the first. The post-prandial TAN excretion rate reached to the maximum after 10 hours from the first feeding at $10^{\circ}C$($45.3mg\;TAN\;kg\;fish^{-1}\;h^{-1}$), $15^{\circ}C$ ($64.5mg\;TAN\;kg\;fish^{-1}\;h^{-1}$) and $20^{\circ}C$ ($83.2mg\;TAN\;kg\;fish^{-1}\;h^{-1}$), respectively. The TAN loss for ingested nitrogen at $20^{\circ}C$ (48.8%) was higher than that for $10^{\circ}C$ (43.0%) and $15^{\circ}C$ (45.7%). This study provides empirical data for estimating ammonia excretion and managing culture management of starry flounder under given temperatures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2014

Marine algal flora and community structure were seasonally investigated at four sites in the vicinity of the Igidae on the southern east coast of Korea from May 2010 to February 2011. A total of 66 species including 9 of Chlorophyta, 14 of Phaeophyta, 43 of Rhodophyta were found during the survey period. Among these species, 16 species were found throughout the year. Seasonal mean biomass in wet weight was 123.6 (spring), 2,061.6 (summer), 412.0 (autumn), 678.9 (winter) $g{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Maximum biomass was recorded in summer($2,061.6g{\cdot}m^{-2}$), and minimum was recorded in spring($123.6g{\cdot}m^{-2}$). Spatial maximum and minimum species number were recorded at station 3 and 4(50 species) and at station 1(47 species). At station 1, 2 directly exposure on Yongho and Daeyeon cheon (stream) run off, and discharge from Nambu sewage treatment plants near coastal area, species diversity was relatively low and dominant species were similar throughout four seasons. The R/P, C/P and (R+C)/P value reflecting flora characteristics were 3.07, 0.64 and 3.71, respectively. The flora investigated could be classified into six functional groups such as coarsely branch form 39.39 %, sheet form 30.30 %, thick leather form 13.64 %, filamentous form 12.12 %, crustose form 3.03% and jointed calcareous form 1.52 % during survey period. The number of marine algae species in Igidea were 96 species at 1996 to 1997 and 66 species at 2010 to 2011, respectively. The change of seaweed species is due to the pollution loaded from sewage treatment plant and stream. We thus recommend that the positive maintenance control method like sewage treatment, for the protection of seaweed bed should be proceeded to near coastal area.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.35-48
• /
• 2021

In this study, the assessment of field applicability of in-situ remediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater located in Yesan-gun was performed. Zero-valent iron/bio composite media injected PRB (Permeable Reactive Barrier) and monitoring well were installed in the contaminated groundwater site and monitored main remediation indicators during the PRB operation. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Fe ion, TOC, and turbidity were analyzed and the diversity and population of microorganism in the PRB installed site were investigated for the verification of effect of injected PRB. In the study site where is an agricultural area, a river flows from west to east that forms a river boundary and the southern area has an impermeable sector. It was found that nitrate flows into the river, which is similar as groundwater flow. Simulation result for the fate of nitrate in groundwater showed steady state of nitrate arrived after 3~5 years passed. However, it is just to consider current conditions with no additional input of contaminant source, if additional input of contaminant source occurs contamination dispersion and time for steady state are expected to be increased. The monitoring results showed that Fe ion, TOC and turbidity in groundwater were not clearly changed in concentration after PRB installation, which indicates adaptability of the injected PRB for remediation of groundwater with no additional harmful effect to water quality. The concentration of nitrate maintained less than 5mg/L until 42 days after PRB installation and recovered its initial concentration after 84 days passed and showed termination of reactivity of injected zero-valent iron/bio composite media for removal nitrate. Nitrite and ammonia ions found after installation of PRB indicates reductive removal of nitrate. And the outstanding increase of microorganism diversity and population of Betaproteobacteria Class which includes denitrification microorganism explains biologically reductive removal of nitrate in injected PRB.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.528-534
• /
• 2009

Styan's Grasshopper Warblers (Locustella pleskei) are vulnerable species distributed in East-Asia only. Its known breeding sites in Korea are remote islets including Hongdo Islet, Chilbal Islet, Mara Islet, and Chuja Islets, and, therefore, the breeding biology of this species is still poorly known. This study was conducted on Mara Islet (N $33^{\circ}$ 06', E $126^{\circ}$ 16') from May to September 2008 to investigate the breeding status and breeding site characteristics of the grasshopper warblers. A total of 11 breeding pairs and their nests were found on trees and shrubs at artificially planted forests and hedges of Pinus thunbergii. The grasshopper warblers preferentially utilized the shrub trees for nesting places, and major nesting trees were Camellia japonica, Pittosporum tobira and Pinus thunbergii as nesting trees. Average heights of nesting trees and nests were $2.77{\pm}1.10m$ and $1.75{\pm}0.56m$, respectively. The grasshopper warblers selected lower shrubs and trees for nesting than randomly selected ones around them, probably to avoid strong and prevailed winds in flat and un vegetated environments on Mara Islet. The shape of nests was a round bowl-type, and measurements of nests were $11.9{\pm}0.5cm$ in exterior nest diameter, $11.1{\pm}1.1cm$ in height of exterior nest, $5.8{\pm}0.4cm$ in interior nest depth, and 6.0cm in interior nest diameter. It incubated eggs until the early August on Mara islet, and incubation periods of Mara Islet was possibly later than that of other areas. Furthermore, the clutch size in the study area was three, and they laid smaller number of eggs than normal clutch size (4~5 eggs) reported in other areas. Although we could not observe any nest predator on this species in the study area, selective cutting and pruning of trees will diminish dense shrub layer of forests. Therefore, it may affect the breeding of this threatened species which prefers dense shrubs of artificially planted forest of Pinus thunbergii. This study suggests that detailed and consistent further research on breeding biology and habitats of the grasshopper warblers are needed to conserve and manage of Pinus thunbergii forests on Mara Islet as an important breeding site of Styan's Grasshopper Warblers.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.608-613
• /
• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the biochemical pollutant marker for diagnosis of marine pollutions by changes in oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes of the flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) in the Yellow Sea of Korea Protein contents in brain and muscle of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were remarkably lower $(15\~45\%,\;and\;35\~45\%,\;respectively)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang (control) of the East Sea. Lipid peroxide (LPO) levels in serum of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were Significantly higher $(30\~70\%)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Hydroxyl radical formations in serum of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were significantly high $(15\~90\%)$ than those of wild flounders in Pohang. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in serum of wild flounders in the yellow Sea were significantly lower $(20\~40\%)$ than those of wild flounders in Pohang, and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities in brain of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were also significanlty lower $(10\~60\%)$ than those of wild flounders in Pohang. These results suggest that significantly decreases of protein contents in brain and muscle, remarkable in creases of malondialdehyde (LPD) in serum and decreases of SOD and GSHPx activities in serum and brain of wild flounders of the Yellow Sea may be used as a biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.241-247
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the association of metabolic syndrome and its components with glaucoma. Methods: We investigated the associations of metabolic syndrome and its components (abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia) with glaucoma using data from 19,162 adults aged 40 or above among the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (2005), IV (2007-9), V (2010). The logistic regression analysis was used for assessing those associations after adjusting demographic, lifestyle, and social economic status and for assessing the association of metabolic medication intakes with glaucoma risks. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, the risk of glaucoma was significantly higher in the subjects with impaired fasting glucose(Odds Ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.78 (1.25, 2.53)) and metabolic syndrome (1.45 (1.01, 2.08)) than subjects without those. These associations increased when additional adjusting for smoking, alcohol use, regular physical activity, income, education status(impaired fasting glucose: 1.89 (1.29, 2.77), metabolic syndrome: 1.52 (1.03, 2.25)). Glaucoma prevalence was borderline significantly increased according to the number of metabolic abnormalities(age and sex adjusted p for trend = 0.055). Use of antihypertensive medication was significantly associated with the risk of glaucoma. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome and impaired fasting glucose were significantly associated with the increased glaucoma risk. Use of antihypertensive medication was also significantly associated with the increased glaucoma risk.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.7
• /
• pp.779-788
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Echinacea, a traditional plant medicine has been used as immune-stimulant. Recent studies have revealed that extract of Echinacea has immunostimulatory effects on human blood mononuclear cells. This study was designed for the purpose of screening the genes associated with immunologic effects of Echinacea on monocytes and dendritic cells using a cDNA microarray chip. Methods : $CD14^+$ monocyte cells were cultured for one day with Echinacea extract(final concentration : $50{\mu}g/mL$) in experiment 1, but were cultured without Echinacea in experiment 2. The gene expression of these cultured monocytes was analyzed using the cDNA microarray chip. Dendritic cells produced from $CD14^+$ monocyte were cultured for five days with GM-CSF and IL-4, and then cultured for one day with Echinacea in experiment 3, but were done without Echinacea in experiment 4. Results : In experiments 1 and 2, there were 17 significantly expressed genes with average expression ratios above 2.5, including interferon gamma-inducible protein 30(IFI 30), CDC(cell-division-cylcle)-like kinase 2(CLK 2), syndecan binding protein(syntenin), superoxide dismutase 2, etc. In experiments 3 and 4, there were 24 gene, with significantly expressed genes were 24 genes, which were insulin-like growth factor 2(somatomedin A), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3, IFI 30, small inducible cytokine subfamily A, member 22, etc. The genes encoding CD44, IFI 30, mannose receptor C type 1(MRC 1), chemokine receptor 7(CCR 7), CLK 2, syntenin and cytochrome C oxidase subunit VIII were significantly expressed in both monocytes and dendritic cells cultured with Echinacea. Conclusion : This study employed a cDNA microarray chip to elicit the immune-associated gene profile; the expression was enhanced by Echinacea in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Thus we laid the basis for the quantitative and functional analysis of genes induced by Echinacea in monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2017

Ninety species belonging to 28 families of weeds were identified in Korean rice fields. They were divided by eight provinces and 19 agro-climatic zones to be used as basic data of weed control. Looking at the regional weed occurrence, there were 52 species of 20 families in Gyeonggi, 37 species of 17 families in Gangwon, 41 species of 15 families in Chungbuk, 21 species of 12 families in Chungnam, 24 species of 13 families in Jeonbuk, 54 species of 21 families in Chonnam, 36 species of 20 families in Gyeongbuk, and 32 species of 16 families in Gyeongnam province, respectively. The most dominant family was Poaceae followed by Cyperaceae and Asteraceae. Mostly dominant species were Echinochloa spp., Monochoria vaginalis var. plantaginea, Scirpus juncoides var. hotarui, Eleocharis kuroguwai, and Sagittaria sagittifolia subsp. leucopetala with slight differences among the provinces. Although there were some differences in 18 climate zones from Taebaek sub-highlands to the southern part of the East Coast (except for the Taebaek Highland), the dominant species were Echinochloa spp., Monochoria vaginalis var. plantaginea and Scirpus juncoides var. hotarui. The most dominant family was Cyperaceae followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae. The differences of weed occurrence between provinces and agro-climatic zones were largely influenced by various weather conditions rather than the provinces. The changes in cultivation mode and herbicide use might influence as well.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.383-388
• /
• 2010

Identification of natural compounds that can prevent the development of obesity in vivo is time consuming and expensive. We have used in vitro systems derived from pig adipose tissue to screen simple aqueous or ethanolic extracts of Korean medicinal herbs (KMH) for their anti-adipogenic potential. A total of 183 extracts were tested for their actions in lipogenesis of pig adipose tissue and differentiation of pig preadipocytes. Ethanol extracts were prepared from 72 and aqueous extracts were prepared from 111 medicinal herbs. Both an ethanolic and an aqueous extract were prepared from 65 of these. Thirteen extracts substantially altered rates of lipogenesis in vitro. The effects of KMH on lipogenesis of pig adipose tissue are as follows. Elevens reduced lipogenesis to rates that were more than 40% lower than control and four of these reduced rates of lipogenesis by more than 70%. The most potent anti-lipogenic extracts were those obtained in ethanol from Iridaceae and from Sophora flavescens AIT as well as both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from Lysimachia vulgaris L. Two extracts, those prepared in water from Caesalpiniae lignum and from Phellodendri cortex, were found to promote rates of lipogenesis in vitro. The effects of KMH on differentiation of pig preadoipocytes are as follows. Twentyeight extracts altered the rates of differentiation of cultured porcine preadipocytes. Sixteen increased and twelve reduced the rates of differentiation of preadipocytes. Extracts prepared in ethanol from Moutan radicis cortex and from Ostericum koreanum and those prepared in water from Angelicae gigantis radix, from Inula henenium L and from Magnolia flos doubled the rate of differentiation of cultured porcine preadipocytes. Ten extracts reduced the in vitro rate of differentiation of porcine preadipocytes by more than 35%. These were the ethanolic extracts from Glycyrrizae radix, Nepetae spica and from Polygala myrtifolia and the aqueous extracts from Amaranthaceae, Asparagus cochinchinesis, Atractylodis rhizoma alba, Citrus junos TANAKA, Cyperus rotundus, Epimedium grandiflorum and from Moutan radicis cortex. Only the ethanolic extract from Polygala myrtifolia was able to both reduce lipogenesis in adipose tissue slices and retard differentiation of cultured preadipocytes. The results of our study will provide meaningful information to identify medicinal herbs which would reduce fat deposition in livestocks and humans.