• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.209-212
• /
• 2022

We recently reported that Gastrodia elata extracts (GEE) had an effects to protect against lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive impairment in vivo model. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects and the mechanism of action of GEE in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell. The SH-SY5Y cells were divided into five groups, including control(non-treated group), 100 μM H₂O₂, 100, 200, 500 ㎍/㎖ GEE+ 100 μM H₂O₂ groups. Pre- and co-treatment with GEE prevented cell death induced by 100 μM H₂O₂ for 24 h in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings also showed that anti-oxidants enzymes (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, Mn superoxide dismutase, catalase) were up-regulated by 100 μM H₂O₂. But GEE suppressed H₂O₂-induced anti-oxidants enzymes decrease in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with GEE also inhibited phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF-2α) and p38 by H₂O₂. Taken together, the neuroprotective effects of GEE in terms of recovery of antioxidant enzymes expression, down-regulation of eIF-2α and p38 phosphorylation, and inhibition of cell death are associated with reduced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.12
• /
• pp.626-636
• /
• 2022

Shellfish are exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates that consume various organic and inorganic substances floating in seawater through filter feeding. Heavy metals are known as absorbed and accumulated in seawater. Some of the toxic heavy metals are highly accumulated in seawater, and exposure to them can cause a variety of risks to the human body. Since Koreans like to eat seafood, they are more likely to be exposed to contaminated seafood with heavy metals. In this study, nine types of heavy metals were analyzed on ten different shellfish species in the coastal area of South Korea. The risk assessment was also done on shellfish in which heavy metals were detected. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were identified at an average of 56.7 mg/kg (6.70 to 466 mg/kg) and 13.2 mg/kg (0.064 to 143 mg/kg), respectively. Lead (Pb) average of 0.208 mg/kg (0.000750 to 1.02 mg/kg), cadmium (Cd) average of 0.454 mg/kg (0.0388 to 1.56 mg/kg) and mercury (Hg) average of 0.0266 mg/kg (0.00548 to 0.174 mg/kg) were identified. Additionally, arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and silver (Ag) were also identified as average concentrations of 4.02 (0.460 to 15.0 mg/kg), 0.167 (< limit of quantification [LOQ] to 0.820 mg/kg), 0.281 (< LOQ to 1.46 mg/kg), and 0.158 mg/kg (< LOQ to 1.15 mg/kg). The result indicates that the monitoring results of heavy metals in most shellfish satisfied the Korean standard. However, Pb and Cd have exceeded some foreign standards, such as the United States and the EU. The permissible human exposure calculated using the heavy metal intake and detection amount was lower than the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives human safety standard, and the risk of heavy metals from shellfish consumption was at an acceptable level.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.799-816
• /
• 2023

Mineralogical and geochemical studies of shales within the Lower Anambra Basin was conducted to unravel the depositional environment, provenance, maturity, paleo-weathering conditions, and tectonic settings. Mineralogical studies conducted using X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the samples were composed of kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and illite. KaolinIite is the dominant mineral, constituting approximately 41.5% of the bulk composition, whereas the non-clay minerals are quartz, ilmenite, and sillimanite. Geochemical analysis showed a predominance of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ contents of the shale samples with mean values of 52.29%, 14.09%, and 6.15% for Imo Shale (IS); 52.31%, 16.70%, and 7.39% for Mamu Shale (MS); 43.21%, 21.33%, and 10.36% for Enugu Shale (ES); 53.35%, 15.64%, and 7.17% for Nkporo Shale (NS); and 51.24%, 17.25%, and 7.78% for Agwu Shale (AS). However, the shales were depleted in Na₂O, MgO, K₂O, MnO, TiO₂, CaO, and P₂O₅. The trace element ratios of Ni/Co and Cu/Zn of the shale suggest an oxic depositional environment. The average SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃ ratio of the shales indicated textural maturity. Compared to the PAAS standard, the shales plot below the PAAS value of 0.85, suggesting a high degree of maturity and intensive chemical weathering, further confirmed on a CIA vs. PIA plot. On log (K₂O/Na₂O) against SiO₂ and tectonic setting discriminant function diagrams, the shales plot mostly in the field of passive continental margin tectonic setting. The discriminant function diagrams as well as Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratio of the shales showed that they were derived from a mixed source (mafic and intermediate igneous rocks).

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.545-557
• /
• 2023

Sphingomyelinase (SMase) catalyzes ceramide production from sphingomyelin. Ceramides are critical in cellular responses such as apoptosis. They enhance mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through self-assembly in the mitochondrial outer membrane to form channels that release cytochrome c from intermembrane space (IMS) into the cytosol, triggering caspase-9 activation. However, the SMase involved in MOMP is yet to be identified. Here, we identified a mitochondrial Mg²⁺-independent SMase (mt-iSMase) from rat brain, which was purified 6,130-fold using a Percoll gradient, pulled down with biotinylated sphingomyelin, and subjected to Mono Q anion exchange. A single peak of mt-iSMase activity was eluted at a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa using Superose 6 gel filtration. The purified enzyme showed optimal activity at pH of 6.5 and was inhibited by dithiothreitol and Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. It was also inhibited by GW4869, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of Mg²⁺-dependent neutral SMase 2 (encoded by SMPD3), that protects against cytochrome c release-mediated cell death. Subfractionation experiments showed that mt-iSMase localizes in the IMS of the mitochondria, implying that mt-iSMase may play a critical role in generating ceramides for MOMP, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis. These data suggest that the purified enzyme in this study is a novel SMase.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2022.09a
• /
• pp.80-80
• /
• 2022

본 연구에서는 남부지역 논의 이모작 작부체계로부터 생산한 국산밀의 품질 특성을 살펴보았다. 벼 및 이의 대체작물(검정콩, 참깨, 들깨)과 연계한 작부체계별로 생산된 국산밀의 제분율은 모든 토양에서 70% 이상으로 높았으며, 밀가루의 색상은 전작 작물의 종류에 따라 색도(L^*, a^*, b^*) 값과 백색도 지수가 변화하였다. 특히, 흰색의 정도를 나타내는 L^*값과 백색도는 벼 전작 토양에서 수확한 밀에서 높았다. 그러나 다량 및 미량 영양소 함량은 벼 전작물 토양에서 수확된 밀에서 낮았고 대체 작물을 전작한 토양에서 생산한 밀에서 대체로 높았다. 다량 영양소 중 P와 Mg의 함량과 미량 영양소 중 Zn와 Cu의 함량은 검정콩을 전작한 토양에서 수확한 밀에서 특히 높았다. 국산밀의 회분, 단백질, 아밀로스와 손상전분 함량은 각각 0.45-0.59%, 7.7-9.5%, 22.3-24.0%와 5.0-5.9%이다. 국산밀 중에 조경밀은 단백질 함량이 다른 품종에 비해 높고 질이 우수하여 제빵용으로 이용되고 있는데, 본 연구에서는 작부체계에 관계없이 전체적으로 10% 이하로 낮은 특성을 보였다. 그나마 검정콩을 전작한 토양에서 수확한 밀에서 9.45%이며, 벼를 전작한 토양에서는 8.0% 이하로 극히 낮았다. 또한 SDS-침전가도 검정콩 전작 토양에서 수확한 밀에서 높았으며, 회분 함량은 0.6% 이하로 1등급에 해당되었다. 논토양에서 참깨나 콩, 들깨 등의 벼 대체 작물들의 전작은 토양의 물리화학적 특성을 개선하고 제빵공정에 좀 더 유리한 고품질의 밀을 생산하는 데 이바지할 수 있음을 보여준다. 그러나 검정콩-밀 작부체계의 생육일수(344일)가 벼-밀(331일), 들깨-밀(337일), 참깨-밀(310일) 보다 길어 앞뒤 작물의 작기 연결성에 있어서 여유가 없었으며, 기상환경의 변화에 따라 검정콩의 수확시기가 늦어지게 되면 밀 파종 시기와 겹칠 수 있는 우려가 있다. 차후에 시비 기준을 달리한 조건에서 밀의 생산성 증대와 더불어 최고 품질의 밀을 생산할 수 있는 체계를 확립하고자 한다.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.13-26
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the ultrastructural and chemical composition of sialoliths, tonsilloliths, and antroliths and to describe their growth pattern. Materials and Methods: We obtained 19 specimens from 18 patients and classified the specimens into three groups: sialolith (A), tonsillolith (B), and antrolith (C). The peripheral, middle, and core regions of the specimens were examined in detail by histology, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: In the micro-CT, group A showed alternating radiodense and radiolucent layers, while group B had a homogeneous structure. Group C specimens revealed a compact homogeneous structure. Histopathologically, group A showed a laminated, teardrop-shaped, globular structure. Group B demonstrated degrees of immature calcification of organic and inorganic materials. In group C, the lesion was not encapsulated and showed a homogeneous lamellar bone structure. SEM revealed that group A showed distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, intermediate compact zone, and the central nidus area; groups B and C did not show these layers. The main elemental components of sialoliths were O, C, Ca, N, Cu, P, Zn, Si, Zr, F, Na, and Mg. In group B, a small amount of Fe was found in the peripheral region. Group C had a shorter component list: Ca, C, O, P, F, N, Si, Na, and Mg. TEM analysis of group A showed globular structures undergoing intra-vesicular calcification. In group B, bacteria were present in the middle layer. In the outer layer of the group C antrolith, an osteoblastic rimming was observed. Conclusion: Sialoliths had distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, an intermediate compact zone and the central nidus area, while the tonsillolith and antrolith specimens lacked distinct layers and a core.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2024

This research investigated the preparation of activated carbon derived from Krabok (Irvingia malayana) seed shells to improve the quality of crude glycerol obtained during biodiesel production. The activated carbon was prepared using a dry chemical activation method with NaOH, utilizing an innovative biomass incinerator. The results revealed that the resulting KC/AC-two-step exhibited favorable physicochemical adsorption properties, with a high surface area of 758.72 m²/g and an iodine number of 611.10 mg/g. These values meet the criteria of the industrial product standard for activated carbon No. TIS 900-2004, as specified by the Ministry of Industry in Thailand. Additionally, the adsorption efficiency for methylene blue reached an impressive 99.35 %. This developed activated carbon was then used to improve the quality of crude glycerol obtained from biodiesel production. The experimental results showed that the KC/AC-two-step increased the purity of crude glycerol to 73.61 %. In comparison, commercially available activated carbon (C/AC) resulted in a higher crude glycerol purity of 81.19 %, as analyzed by the GC technique. Additionally, the metal content (Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd, and Na) in purified glycerol using KC/AC-two-step was below the standards for heavy metals permitted in food and cosmeceuticals by the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand and the European Committee for Food Contact Materials and Articles. As a result, it can be inferred that Krabok seed shells have favorable properties for producing activated carbon suitable as an adsorbent to enhance crude glycerol purity. Furthermore, the improved crude glycerol from this research has potential for various industrial applications.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2024

The present study aimed to screen unrecorded wild yeasts from Jeju lsland and Jangsado on the southern coast of Korea, and to investigate their microbiological characteristics. To date, Coniozyma leucospermi JJD37-2, Hanseniaspora thailandica JJD44-1, Kluyveromyces nonfermentans JJD15-1, Kockovaella fuzhouensis JJD47-3, Vishniacozyma heimaeyensis JJD8-4, Candida carpophila JSDH24-1, Wickerhamomyces strasburgensis JSDH34-2, Candida savonica HJD6-4, and Candida karawaiewii YP23-3 have not been previously recorded in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the microbiological characteristics of these previously unrecorded yeasts. Except for W. strasburgensis JSDH34-2 strain, none of the strains formed spores, and only the C. leucospermi JJD37-2 strain formed pseudomycelia. Almost all strains grew well in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YPD) medium, potato dextrose (PD) medium and yeast extract-malt extract (YM) media. C. carpophila JSDH24-1 and W. strasburgensis JSDH34-2 also grew well in YPD medium containing 10% NaCl. H. thailandica JJD44-1 is fermented to produce glucose, fructose and mannose.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 1999

To get the basic information for the improvement of the optimum levels of upland soil fertility and fertilizer application, the soil samples in two hundred fifteen site were collected from the major condiment vegetable cultivation areas such as red pepper, garlic and onion fields. Physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were investigated. Soil texture distribution of soil samples in red pepper, garlic and onion cultivation areas was in order of loam (L), sandy loam (SL), silt loam (SiL) and clay loam (CL) (35.4, 31.6, 14.9 and 7.0%, respectively). The average pH of soil in garlic and onion cultivation areas were over pH 6.0, whereas in red pepper was under pH 5.5. The frequency distribution of soil pH in total sampling sites were 58.7% in under pH 6.0 and 21.4% in below pH 5.0, in contrast to 10.3% in over pH 7.0. The organic matter contents were in the range of $20{\sim}30g\;kg^{-1}$, and the onion field soils was a little higher than those in red pepper or garlic. The available phosphate contents were in the range of $719{\sim}746mg\;kg^{-1}$ and were not different among in red pepper, garlic and onion. The frequency distribution of available phosphate in total sampling sites were found 62.8% of above $600mg\;kg^{-1}$, which was over the standard level for upland soil improvement, and then 22.3% was exceeded $1,000mg\;kg^{-1}$, especially. In the exchangeable cations, the K and Ca contents in garlic (1.27 and $9.11cmol\;kg^{-1}$) and onion (1.20 and $8.39cmol\;kg^{-1}$) were higher than in red pepper (0.96 and $5.87cmol\;kg^{-1}$), respectively. The Mg contents in garlic field soils ($2.17cmol\;kg^{-1}$) were higher than those in red pepper and onion (1.51 and $1.80cmol\;kg^{-1}$). This exchangeable K, Ca and Mg contents were higher than the standard level for upland soil improvement. The contents of microelement were ranged in $54.3{\sim}60.1mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Fe, $31.3{\sim}42.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Mn, $1.7{\sim}2.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Cu and $4.8{\sim}5.5mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Zn, respectively.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 2003

River deposits and farmland soils were analyzed to investigate the pollution level of heavy metals in the vicinity of the Goro abandoned Zn-mine. Surface (0-40 cm) and subsurface (40-100 cm) soils were collected around a main river located at the lower part of the Goro mine, and analyzed by ICP-MS for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr after 0. 1N HCI extraction and by AAS for As after IN HCI extraction. Concentrations of cadmium and lead at the surface river deposits close to the mine were over the Soil Pollution Warning Limit (SPWL), and 43% of sample sites (6 of 14 samples) were over SPWL for As suggesting that river deposits were broadly contaminated by arsenic. Results from farmland soil analysis showed that surface soils were contaminated by heavy metals, while only arsenic was over SPWL at 50% of sampling sites. Main pollution mechanism around the Goro mine was the discharge of mine tailing and waste rocks from the storage site to the river and to adjacent farmland during flood season. Pollution Grades for sample locations were prescribed by the Law of Soil Environmental Preservation, suggesting that the pollution level of heavy metals around the Goro mine was serious, and the remediation operation fur arsenic and the isolation of mine tailing and waste rocks from river and farmland should be activated to protect further contamination. The area needed to clean up was estimated from pollution distribution data and the remediation methods such as a soil washing method and a soil improvement method were considered as the further remediation operation for arsenic contaminated soils and river deposits around the Goro abandoned mine.