• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.748-755
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• 2013

This study was conducted to find a salt tolerance gene in Brassica rapa. In order to meet this objective, we analyzed data from a KBGP-24K oligo chip [BrEMD (Brassica rapa EST and microarray database)] of the B. rapa ssp. pekinensis 'Chiifu' under salt stress (250 mM NaCl). From the B. rapa KBGP-24K microarray chip analysis, 202 salt-responsive unigenes were primarily selected under salt stress. Of these, a gene with unknown function but known full-length sequence was chosen to closely investigate the gene function. The selected gene was named BrSSR (B. rapa salt stress resistance). BrSSR contains a 285 bp open reading frame encoding a putative 94-amino acid protein, and a DUF581 domain. The pSL94 vector was designed to over-express BrSSR, and was used to transform tobacco plants for salt tolerance analysis. T1 transgenic tobacco plants that over-expressed BrSSR were selected by PCR and DNA blot analyses. Quantitative real-time RT PCR revealed that the expression of BrSSR in transgenic tobacco plants increased by approximately 3.8-fold. Similar results were obtained by RNA blot analysis. Phenotypic characteristics analysis showed that transgenic tobacco plants with over-expressed BrSSR were more salt-tolerant than the wild type control under 250 mM NaCl for 5 days. Based on these results, we hypothesized that the over-expression of BrSSR may be closely related to the enhancement of salt tolerance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.804-813
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• 2008

Cordyceps militaris, the Chinese medicinal fungal genus Cordyceps, is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, anti-virus and anti-infection activities. However, the molecular mechanisms of C. militaris on biochemical actions in cancer have not been clearly elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity of the water extract of C. militaris (WECM) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. It was found that WECM could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies and increased populations of apoptotic sub-G1 phase. Apoptotic cell death of HepG2 cells by WECM was connected with a up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression, tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1). In addition, WECM treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and a concomitant degradation and/or inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}-catenin$ and phospholipase $(PLC)-{\gamma}1$ protein. Furthermore, caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly inhibited WECM-induced apoptosis demonstrating the important role of caspase-3 in the observed cytotoxic effect. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of C. militaris.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.711-719
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• 2009

We determined a portion of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (416 bp) to investigate the genetic structure of the octopus (Octopus minor Ssaki) population in Korea and China. Samples were obtained from Korea (Yeosu, Namhae, Jindo, Muan, Geomundo and Seosan) and China (Sandong) during the period of August 2006 to September 2007. Sequence analyses of 28 individual specimens collected from 7 localities revealed 11 haplotypes, ranging in a sequence divergence of 0.2% - 1.2%. Phylogenetic analyses using PHYLIP and networks subdivided the octopus into two clades (termed clade A and B) and the nucleotide divergence between them was 0.4%. This haplotype subdivision was in accordance with geographic separation: one at Yeosu, Namhae, Muan and Jindo, and the other at Seosan, Geomundo and Sandong. On the basis of hierarchial genetic analysis, genetic distance between localities in Korea and China were also found, but a significant population differentiation was not shown in this study (p>0.05). Consequently, most of the octopus populations in Korea had considerable distribution due to the mitochondrial gene flow that resulted in a formation of a genetically homogenous structure, whereas some of the Korean and Chinese populations had different genetic structures. Gene flow among populations may be restricted due to impassable geographic barriers that promote genetic differentiation.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2006

The controversy on genotoxicity of molinate, an herbicide, has been reported in bacterial system, and in vitro and in vivo mammalian systems. To clarify the genotoxicity of molinate, we performed bacterial gene mutation test, in vitro chromosome aberration and mouse lymphoma $tk^{+/-}$ gene assay, and in vivo micronucleus assay using bone marrow cells and peripheral reticulocytes of mice. In bacterial gene mutation assay, no mutagenicity of molinate ($12-185{\mu}g/plate$) was observed in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, 100, 1535 and 1537 both in the absence and in the presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. The clastogenicity of molinate was observed in the presence ($102.1-408.2\;{\mu}g/mL$) of metabolic activation system in mammalian cell system using Chinese hamster lung fibroblast. However, no clastogenicity was observed in the absence ($13.6-54.3\;{\mu}g/mL$) of metabolic activation system. It is suggested that the genotoxicity of molinate was derived some metabolites by metabolic activation. Molinate was also subjected to mouse lymphoma L5178Y $tk^{+/-}$ cells using microtiter cloning technique. In the absence of S-9 mixture, mutation frequencies (MFs) were revealed $1.4-1.9{\times}10^{-4}$ with no statistical significance. However, MFs in the presence of metabolic activation system revealed $3.2-3.4{\times}10^{-4}$ with statistical significance (p<0.05). In vivo micronucleus (MN) assay using mouse bone marrow cells, molinate revealed genotoxic potential in the dose ranges of 100-398 mg/kg of molinate when administered orally. Molinate also subjected to acridine orange MN assay with mouse peripheral reticulocytes. The frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) induced 48 hr after i.p. injection at a single dose of 91, 182 and 363 mg/kg of molinate was dose-dependently increased as $10.2{\pm}4.7,\;14.6{\pm}3.9\;and\;28.6{\pm}6.3\;(mean{\pm}SD\;of\;MNRETs/2,000\;reticulocytes)$ with statistical significance (p<0.05), respectively. Consequently, genotoxic potential of molinate was observed in in vitro mammalian mutagenicity systems only in the presence of metabolic activation system and in vivo MN assay using both bone marrow cells and peripheral reticulocytes in the dose ranges used in this experiment. These results suggest that metabolic activation plays a critical role to express the genotoxicity of molinate in in vitro and in vivo mammalian system.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.315-325
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• 2020

The Daetongsa temple is the earliest temple to be constructed during the era of the Three Kingdoms in ancient Korea. The main architect, purpose, and name of the temple have been confirmed through ancient literature and archeological materials carved in the Chinese letter, Daetong, excavated around Gongju. However, the location and range of the temple have remained elusive and were discussed in various studies. In this study, we examine the roof tiles obtained from the presumed site of the Daetongsa temple. The tiles were found to contain traces of red paint (red pigments) on their surface and analyzed using nondestructive techniques. The results imply that roof tiles were made using clay tablets and wooden cylinders, with latticed cloth in between. Additionally, some wooden cylinders appeared to comprise numerous wooden plates tied together by strings. The clay tablets used to make the roof tiles were produced from the source clay via the sorting process. The traces of red paint on the surface of the roof tiles were verified to be traditional pigments used for painting wooden buildings. These pigments were extracted from red ocher or red clay (Seokganju), mainly consisting of iron oxide. In the literature, the location of provenance sites for Seokganju is estimated to be far from Gongju. However, the materials for extracting the red pigments were relatively easy to source because most rocks comprised iron oxides. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the provenance of the red pigments around the presumed site of Daetongsa.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.161-180
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• 2007

The goal of this study is to examine what sort of books people read repeatedly, what are the different preferences between men and women, how much the repeatedly-read books are related to the most memorable books and how the repeatedly-read books are connected to reading habits. A questionnaire was provided to college students and their repeated reading experiences were searched. The results of the statistical analysis are summarized : 1) Most college students have experienced repeated reading more than twice. 2) The number of college students who have experienced repeated reading twice is the highest and next, those who have read repeatedly 3 times. Also, the number of times of repeated reading tends to be similar between male and female students. 3) The books which many students read repeatedly more than twice are : a) Romance of 3 Kingdoms b) Little Prince c) Da Vinci Code d) Alchemist e) Chinese nine spine stickle back f) Meu Pe do Larania Lima g) Harry potter. 4) About half of the students have read the most memorable books many times. 5) The importance of books was evaluated on the basis of the number of repeated readers and the number of readings. The order of the important books is Three Romans of 3 kingdoms, Little Prince, Da Vinci Code, Meu Pe do Larania Lima, Tuesdays with Mollie, Harry Potter, and The Myth of Greece and Rome. 6) The preferred books by male college students are mostly the stories of fighters while female likes books that contain deep emotion and morality. More than half of the males' repeated reading was Romance of 3 Kingdoms while the preferred books of females are distributed widely.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2001

The leaves of Duchung(Eucommia ulmoides), an oriental medicinal plant, have a peculiar aroma of Chinese medicine and astringent taste, which make the consumer be reluctant to Duchung leaf tea. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a mild flavored Duchung leaf tea by mixing with other plants. The flavor patterns of developed tea were analyzed using an electronic nose. Polygonatum odoratum and Elsholtzia splendens were used for improving the flavor of Duchung leaf tea. The addition of 20, 30 and 40% of Polygonatum odoratum improved the overall acceptance in hedonic sensory evaluation. The flavor pattern of the tea was described by principal component analysis(PCA) and the resistance ratio(R/cub gas/R$\_$air/) of sensors. The PCA plot was also used to explain the mild flavor of the tea, which was extended from the right side(positive value of the first principal component) to the left side(negative value). Analysis by using an electronic nose with metal oxide sensors could be applied to detect whether mixed Duchung leaf tea was acceptable or not.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.783-789
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• 2017

Malus melliana (Hand.-Mazz.) Rehder (M. melliana) is a Chinese plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. There have been no previous reports regarding its bioactivity. In this study, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of M. melliana ethanol extract (MMEE) were evaluated using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, and the analysis of related protein expressions through Western blot hybridization. MMEE showed potent scavenging activity against DPPH, similar to ascorbic acid, a well-known anti-oxidative agent, which was used as a positive control. MMEE also inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, MMEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1, and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor E2-related factor-2, in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, MMEE was associated with a reduction in NO production, which was induced by the lipopolysaccharide treatment of RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is the upstream regulator of NO production, was also inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that MMEE has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, thus appearing to be a potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The further identification of active compounds that confer the biological activities of MMEE may be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1003-1007
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• 1995

The effect of brown rice extract on mitomycin C(MMC)-induced chromosome aberration was examined in cultured Chinese hamster lung(CHL) cells, after induction of chromosome aberration and mitotic index in CHL cells cultured with MMC were observed. There were no significant differences between mitotic indices of CHL cells treated with DMSO, and MMC and brown rice extract. The frequency of chromosome aberration showed dose-dependent relationship in CHL cells treated with $0.2{\sim}3.0\;{\mu}g$/assay of MMC. But chromosome aberrations could not be assayed Our to cytotoxicity of MMC when its concentrations were above $3.0\;{\mu}g$/assay. Chromatid type, especially gap and break, of chromosome aberration were most frequently observed. When CHL cells treated with $2.0\;{\mu}g$/assay of MMC and brown rice extracts of concentration ranging $0.75{\sim}10.0\;{\mu}g$/assay were incubated, frequencies of chromosome aberration induced by MMC were significantly decreased at above concentrations(p<0.01, p<0.05). As concentration of brown rice extract was increased, frequencies of chromosome aberration was decreased $7{\sim}30%$, in some irregularity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1045-1051
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• 1996

The influence of electrolyzed acid-water (oxidation-reduction potential (ORP): above 1,150 mV, pH : 2.5) on the survival of some microorganisms was investigated. It was observed that the ORP of electrolyzed acid-water was kept at the level of above 1,000 mV for 15 days at room temperature. Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were not detected after 10 to 40 min in electrolyzed acid-water. However, Bacillus cereus showed higher tolerance to electrolyzed acid-water than other test microorganisms. After 60 min of inoculation, only 0.4% of initial population remained. The investigation of surface sterilization effect on some vegetables was carried out too. Total count of cabbage, Chinese cabbage and kale were reduced to below 3% of initial count, and no coliform was detected after 20 to 60 min of immersion in 5 volumes of electrolyzed acid-water. In the lettuce, total and coliform counts were reduced to 90% and 2% of initial population. This study shows that the electrolyzed acid-water has a potential for the sterilization of food products such as vegetables and fruits which cannot be thermally sterilized.