• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.516-520
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• 2002

This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Semisulcospira libertina and garlic on the acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_4$) of rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200∼220g were pretreated with dehydrated powder of Semisulcospira libertina (2.1 g/kg, po; SL) and dehydrated powder mixture of Semisulcospira libertina and garlic (3g/kg, 7:3 ratio, po; SG) once daily for 3 consecutive days, and then given a single dose of CCl$_4$(1g/kg in 5ml/kg corn oil, po) and liver function was determined 24 hrs later. Liver damage was assessed by quantitating activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as by histopathological examination. Pretreatments with SL and SG significantly decleased CCl$_4$-elevated ALT (48% and 61% respectively), AST (32% and 47%) and SDH (51% and 76%), but had no effect on ALP. SL and SG had revealed hepatoprotective effects against CCl$_4$-induced histopathological changes such as severe necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion in the central gene of hepatic lobule. These findings demonstrate that SL and SG may haute the hepatoprotective effect on CCl$_4$-induced liver damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1432-1437
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• 2018

Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) plays an important role in protecting the lungs from inflammation. This research focuses on identifying the cis-element for binding the repressor of CCSP gene expression. A DNase I footprinting experiment revealed three protected regions between -812 and -768 bp (45 bp) of the mCCSP promoter. One motif (D3: GCCTGGGAA) was 100% conserved across rat, hamster, and human. The addition of excess amounts of the D3 motif exhibited high competition within that 45 bp range in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. However, when mutated D3 ($G{\underline{AA}}TG{\underline{TT}}AA$) was used, the competition was significantly reduced. This demonstrates that the D3 motif within that 45 bp region of the mCCSP promoter is an important site for the protein-DNA interaction. Transient transfection assays with -756 Luc resulted in highly decreased expression of CCSP than those with -812 Luc, suggesting that the 45 bp could function as a binding site for the repressor. Co-transfection of KLF4 exhibited significant repression of the -812 Luc but not the -768 Luc which clearly shows that KLF4 might function as a repressor for the CCSP gene and also suggests that the D3 motif is strongly involved in the binding of KLF4. In addition, when anti-KLF4 antibody was added, super-shifted bands were observed. This result demonstrates that KLF4 could function as a repressor by binding to this 45 bp region of the CCSP promoter and that the D3 motif might be involved in the specific binding of KLF4.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.229-238
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• 2022

Animal pollination is an important ecosystem service provided mostly by diverse insect groups such as bees and hover flies. Maintaining agricultural productivity and securing the nutritional balance are closely tied to human wellbeing. This study aimed to estimate the pollination dependent food production in Korean agricultural system. Crop production data were obtained from Korean statistical information service (KOSIS) data of 2015. By implementing pollination dependency, crop production and market price, contribution of insect pollination to crop production increase were estimated from total 71 crops including 12 cereals, 19 fruits, 18 field vegetables, 13 greenhouse vegetables and 9 specialty crops. Mean pollination dependency of all crops were 29.2% and it was higher on fruits, specialty crops and greenhouse vegetables as well, but low (7.5%) in cereal crops. Pollination dependent (PD) production was estimated as 17.8% of total agricultural crop production with the economic value of 6,850 (6,508-7,193) billion won. Especially, PD production of greenhouse vegetables accounted 49.2% followed by fruits of 42.9%. Even specialty crop also showed higher PD production (35.9%). It was obvious that pollination is the vital service for agricultural production as well as nutritional security in Korea. Further protection and enhancing the pollination service were discussed with integrated pollinator-pest management (IPPM) strategies.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1999

Boar semen can be frozen successfully. However, there is a large variability in the extent of damage boar semen samples experiences during cryopreservation. This experiment was undertaken to find out factors that affect a post-thaw viability of boar spermatozoa. For this purpose, cryodiluents(BF5, LEY, Soejima and M-Soejima), cryoprotectants(glycerol. ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol), pre-freezing method(dryice-pellet, dryice-straw and L$N_2$vapour-st-raw) and total time required for freezing(2. 5, and 7 h) were compared as a factors. To investigate quality of semen during freezing process, motility(%), normal apical ridges(%, NAR), and proportion of living sperm(%) by flow cytometic analysis were assessed after collection, cooled, pre-frozen and post-thawing. Post-thaw motility of semen diluted with M-Soejima was 52.0%, respectively. When heparin, caffeine or heparin＋caffeine was added to 2nd cryodiluent of M-Soejima during freezing process, the highest motility after thawing was shown at the addition of caffeine (2mM), with 61.7$\pm$2.9% of motility. M-Soejima with heparin or caffeine was significantly higher than that of controI(p＜0.05). The result using glycerol(Gly), ethylene glycol(EG), propylene glycol(PG), and their mixture (Gly＋EG and Gly＋PG) as cryoprotectants, the highest motility was shown at the mixture treatment with Gly plus PG. However, the highest proportion of live spermatozoa was shown at Gly＋EG, there was no significantly difference among treatments(p＞0.05). When semen was pre-frozen with three manners(dryice-pellet, dryice-straw, and L$N_2$ vapor-straw), motility(%) of post-thaw spermatozoa was the highest in the L$N_2$ vapor-straw pre-freezing method of M-Soejima cryodiluent with 57.5% of motility, For a simple, economical and timesaving approach to freezing boar semen, total time required for freezing were 2, 5, and 7 hours, post-thaw motility were 43.8, 45.0 and 38.8%, NAR were 19.5, 22.7 and 28.5%, and viability were 20.8, 19.9 and 22.1%, respectively. This data suggests that boar semen diluted with M-Soejima cryodiluent contained caffeine, using mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol or ethylene glycol as cryoprotectants, frozen with 2 hours, can be taken better motility, NAR, and proportion of live spermatozoa.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.799-811
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• 2003

Background: The aim of this study is to define the cardioprotective effects (hemodynamic, cytochemical and ultrastructural of the newly developed Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia compared to DelNido cardioplegia. Material and Method: Seventy-nine isolated rat hearts were divided into three groups on the basis of techniques of cardioplegia infusion. Twenty-eight hearts (Group 1) were flushed with cold DelNido cardioplegia with every 40 minutes for 2 hours. Twenty-seven hearts (Group 2) were flushed with cold HTK cardioplegia for once during the 2 hours. Twenty-four hearts (Group 3) were flushed with cold HTK cardioplegia with every 40 minutes for 2 hours. Heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), changes of + dp/dt max, coronary flow, and rate-pressure product value were measured at pre-ischemic, post-reperfusion 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes for hemodynamic study. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, troponin-I, myoglobin, and lactate were measured at pre-ischemic and post-reperfusion 45 minutes for cytochemical parameters. Mitochondrial scores were counted in 3 cases from each group for ultrastructural assessment. Result: In hemodynamic study, there were no significant differences among group 1, group 2, and group 3. However, the decrease values of heart rate in group 2 and 3 exhibited significantly lower values than in group 1. In cytochemical study, there were no significant differences among group 1, group 2, and group 3. However, the increase values of lactate in group 2 and 3 exhibited significantly lower values than in group 1. In ultrastructural assessment, the mean myocardial mitochondria scores in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 2.14$\pm$0.10, 1.52$\pm$0.57, and 2.10$\pm$0.16. Conclusion: HTK solution provides adequate myocardial protection with some advantages over DelNido solution in isolated rat hearts.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.272-287
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• 2019

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established in 1953 by the Korean War Armistice Agreement. It extends from the estuary of the Imjin River, in the west, to the coast of the East Sea. It is 4 km in width and 148 km in length. However, the ecosystems of the civilian control zone (CCZ) located between the southern border of the DMZ and the civilian control line (CCL) and the CCZ in the estuary of the Han River and the Yellow Sea are similar to those in the DMZ, and, therefore, the ecosystems of the DMZ and the CCZ are collectively known as the "ecosystems of the DMZ and its vicinities." The flora in the DMZ and its vicinities is composed of 1,864 species, which accounts for about 42% of all the vascular plant species on the Korean Peninsula and its affiliated islands. Conducting a detailed survey on the vegetation, flora, and fauna in the DMZ is almost impossible due to the presence of landmines and limitations on the time allowed to be spent in the DMZ. However, to assess the environmental impact of the Munsan-Gaesong railroad reconstruction project, it was possible to undertake a limited vegetation survey within the DMZ in 2001. The vegetation in Jangdan-myeon, in Paju City within the DMZ, was very simple. It was mostly secondary forests dominated by oaks such as Quercus mongolica, Q. acutissima, and Q. variabilis. The other half of the DMZ in Jangdan-myeon was occupied by grassland composed of tall grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, and Phragmites japonica. Contrary to the expectation that the DMZ may be covered with pristine mature forests due to more than 60 years of no human interference, the vegetation in the DMZ was composed of simple secondary forests and grasslands formed on former rice paddies and agricultural fields. At present, the only legal protection system planned for the DMZ is the Natural Environment Conservation Act, which ensures that the DMZ would be managed as a nature reserve for only two years following Korean reunification. Therefore, firstly, the DMZ should be designated as a site of domestic legally protected areas such as nature reserve (natural monument), scenic site, national park, etc. In addition, we need to try to designate the DMZ as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or as a World Heritage site, or as a Ramsar international wetland for international cooperation. For nomination as a world heritage site, we can emphasize the ecological and landscape value of the wetlands converted from the former rice paddies and the secondary forests maintained by frequent fires initiated by military activities. If the two Koreas unexpectedly reunite without any measures in place for the protection of nature in the DMZ, the conditions prior to the Korean War, such as rice paddies and villages, will return. In order to maintain the current condition of the ecosystems in the DMZ, we have to discuss and prepare for measures including the retention of mines and barbed-wire fences, the construction of roads and railroads in the form of tunnels or bridges, and the maintenance of the current fire regime in the DMZ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 2000

본 논문에서는 게껍질분말 급여에 의한 천연 타우린 강화우유의 생산 가능성을 평가하고자 25두의 젖소를 5군으로 나누고, 각기 대조사료, 1%(1%CS), 3%(3%CS) 및 5% 게껍질분말사료(5%CS), 그리고 formaldehyde로 처리되 3% 게껍질분말사료 (3%FCS)를 30일간 급여하였다. 게껍질분말 단백질의 아미노산조성은 phenylalanine이 가장 높았고, glutamate, aspartate, glycine, serine histidine, arginine의 순으로 나타났으며, 다른 동물조직의 단백질과는 달리 branched-chain 아미노산의 함량이 비교적 낮았다. 게껍질에 함유된 유리아미노산 중 타우린은 가장 고농도로 존재하였으며, 특히 집게다리껍질에 509$\mu$mol/100 g이 함유되어 등뚜껑(319$\mu$mol/100g) 및 게껍질분말(296 $\mu$mol/100 g)에 비해 월등히 그 함량이 높았다. 게껍질분말의 급여가 우유의 타우린농도에 미치는 영향을 평가한 결과 p<0.01 수준에서 유의성이 관찰되었다. 1%CS군의 원유에는 5.84$\pm$0.73 $\mu$mole/100mL의 타우린이 함유되어 대조구 (4.84$\pm$0.29 $\mu$mol/100mL)에 비해 20%정도 더 높았으며, 3%CS군의 원유에는 7.21$\pm$0.77$\mu$mole/100 mL의 타우린이 함유되어 대조구에 비해 49%정도 유의적으로 증가하였다.(p<0.01). 한편, 3%FCS군의 경우 원유의 타우린농도가 3%CS군에 비해 유？거으로 감소하였고, 따라서 게껍질의 formaldehyde 처리는 반추위내에서 타우린을 보호하는데 효과적이지 못한 것으로 나타났다. 본 논문은 게껍질 급여에 의해 우유의 타우린농도가 증가하였음을 밝히는 최초의 보고이며, 본 연구의 결과는 앞으로 기타 축산제품의 타우린함량을 증가시키는데 폭넓게 응용되어질 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2013

In this study, we had analyzed the ammonia removal efficiency in sea animal-culturing aquarium water using hypochlorous acid (HOCl) which is very reactive, no harm to human, and with no formation of toxic trihalomethane. The amount of hypochlorous acid for the removal of ammonia varied with the concentration of ammonia in samples, with 90% of removal efficiency for 30 minute reaction time in the sea water where the ratio of hypochloous acid to ammonia (w/w) is about 8.5 ~ 9.0, and 100% removal in the sample with the ratio of 9.8 ~ 10.1. The removal efficiency with the time was shown to be 90% within 10 minute in the ratio of 9.0 ~ 10.0. These results will effectively be used for the proper management and protection of sea animals in large aquarium through water clarification with hypochlorous acid by calculating the right amount and reaction time.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Some phenomena in which insects can demonstrate environmental changes by xenobiotics are easily and simply evaluated. On this regard, general guidelines for environmental studies using insects as biomarkers which determine the effects of such changes are suggested. Insects include three-quaters of all living animal species. This diversity comprises many closely related species which may respond sole to environmental changes by xenobiotics. Insects have been used for assessing adverse effects of environmental changes by xenobiotics, especially pesticides. Collembolan species are widely used as physiological and behavioral biomarkers for the assessment of adverse effects caused by pesticides on soil environment. This review aims to evaluate tile possible use of Korean Collembolan species based upon their response to environmental changes in Korean soil mainly caused by pesticides for crop protection.