• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 1999

Authors report the changes of the community structure and secondary succession after fire in Mt. Samma (333 m). Approximately six ha of the red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest and its floor vegetation were burned and cutted down. The vegetation and soil properties were investigated in the burned and unburned sites from April to October, 1998. The dominant species based on SDR₃ in the burned site were Lespedeza cyrtobotrya (96.87), Quercus serrata (77.90), Cyperus amuricus (46.22) and Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (38.33), whereas the dominant species in the unburned site were Pinus densiflora (100.00) and Q. variabilis (66.10) at the tree layer, Q. serrata (100.00) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (29.64) at the shrub layer., and Q. serrata (76.30) and M. sinensis var. purpurascens (72.84) at the herb layer. The biological spectra based on SDR₃ were Th-D₁-R/sub 5/-e for the burned and H (M)-D₁-R/sub 5/-e type for the unburned site, respectively. The index of similarity (CCs) between the burned and unburned sites was 0.41. The degree of succession (DS) were 609 for the burned and 1168 for the unburned site, respectively. The species diversity (H) and evenness indices (e) of the burned site were lower than those of the unburned site, but the dominance indices (C) was higher in the burned site. In the analysis of soil properties, pH, the content of NO₃/sup -/-N, available phosphrous, and exchangeable cations (K/sup +/, Ca/sup 2+/, Na/sup +/, Mg/sup 2+/) in the burned site were higher than those in the unburned site, whereas the contents of organic matter, total carbon, total nitrogen and NH₄/sup +/-N were lower in the burned site. The results show that dominant species in the burned site change from Miscanthus-Lespedeza→Lespedeza→Quercus and finally to Quercus forest, and the changes of soil properties also affect the early vegetational succession after fire.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.10
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• pp.1567-1575
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• 2013

Anti-inflammatory effects of sulfur-fed duck extract on colitis induced by 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were examined in male Balb/c mice. Animals were divided into eight groups: normal (0.1 mL of PBS without 2.5% DSS), control (0.1 mL of PBS with 2.5% DSS), SD-H (3 mL/kg of high sulfur-fed duck extract), SD-L (1 mL/kg of low sulfur-fed duck extract), GD-H (3 mL/kg of high general duck extract), GD-L (1 mL/kg of low general duck extract), GC-H (3 mL/kg of high general chicken extract), and GC-L (1 mL/kg of low general chicken extract). Mice were fed PBS or six different doses of extracts (sulfur-fed duck, general duck, and chicken), once daily for 14 days. Colitis was induced from day 7 to 14 via the administration of 2.5% DSS in drinking water. The colon length was significantly shortened in mice compared to the control group. The administration of SD-H, SD-L, and GD-L increased colon length and decreased histological colon injury from DSS-induced colitis. However, chicken extracts did not recover any clinical sign of the colitis. SD-L significantly suppressed not only the concentrations of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-17A, and IL-12 in serum but also the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS and COX-2 in DSS-treated colon tissues (P<0.05). The administration of SD-H suppressed the concentrations of IL-6 in serum and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 in colon tissues. Administration of GD-L suppressed the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-17A in serum and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 in colon tissues. The inhibitory effects of sulfur-fed duck extracts were effective at a dose of 1 mL/kg. Our results indicate that sulfur-fed duck extracts may possess anti-inflammatory effects on DSS-induced colitis mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.1012-1017
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to assess the mechanical properties of the abdominal aorta in school-aged patients treated for Kawasaki disease and in normal, healthy children. Methods : This study examined 28 children with Kawasaki disease who had been followed up on and 30 healthy subjects of the same age and gender. We recorded systolic (Ps) and diastolic (Pd) blood pressure values and the aortic diameter at both minimum diastolic (Dd) and maximum systolic (Ds) expansion using two-dimensional echocardiography. These measurements were used to determine 1) aortic strain: S=(Ds-Dd)/Dd; 2) pressure strain elastic modulus: Ep=(Ps-Pd)/S; and 3) normalized Ep: $Ep^*=Ep/Pd$. Results : Ep (P=0.008) and $Ep^*$ (P=0.043) of the Kawasaki disease group were relatively high compared to those of the control group. Ep (P=0.002) and $Ep^*$ (P=0.015) of patients with coronary aneurysm were also relatively high compared with those of patients without coronary aneurysm, but lipid profiles did not differ, except for homocysteine (P=0.008). Therefore, in patients with coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was higher, compared to not only the control group but also patients without coronary aneurysm. However, in patients without coronary aneurysm, aortic stiffness was not significant, different compared to the control group. Conclusion : Measuring aortic distensibility may be helpful in assessing the risk of early atheroscletic change in the long-term management of Kawasaki disease.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.208-216
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to find soil-amendment materials those support the growth of Kentucky bluegrass and reduce salt accumulation at the sand based growing media in saline conditions. Rootzone profile in columns consisted of 20 cm of top soil, 20 cm coarse sand as capillary rise interruption layer and 10 cm reclaimed paddy soil as the base of the profile. Top soils were mixtures of dredged sand (DS) and amendment with compositions of 90% sand + 10% peat moss (SP), 80% sand + 10% soil + 10% bottom ash (SSoBa), 80% sand + 20% soil (SSo), 90% sand + 5% peat + 5% zeolite (SPZ), and 80% sand + 20% bottom ash (SBa). The top soil mixtures of DS and amendments were treated with and without gypsum (Gp). The columns were soaked into 5 cm depth saline water reservoir with the salinity level of $3-5dSm^{-1}$. Irrigation of $2dSm^{-1}$ saline water with rate of $5.7mm\;day^{-1}$ was applied by 3 day interval. Application of zeolite decreased SAR, application of gypsum decreased ECe of the sand amended by peat + zeolite and decreased the SAR of sand amended by bottom ash. The SP and SSoGp resulted in higher clipping dry weight of Kentucky bluegrass. The SSoGp and SPZGp showed longer root lengths. The SP and SBaGp showed higher visual quality. Addition of gypsum to soil and bottom ash treatments resulted in the increased shoot growth, whereas additional gypsum to the treatments of peat, soil and zeolite increased the root growth of Kentucky bluegrass.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2006

In year 2003, a soybean(Glycine max) sample showing severe dwarfing symptom was collected from a farmers' field in Cheongsong in Korea. The results from the diagnosis of the sample by RT-PCR revealed that it was infected by Soybean dwarf virus(SbDV), SbDV-L81. This study could be the first report of the occurrence of the virus in Korea. To further characterize the virus, the partial nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of SbDV-L81 was determined by RT-PCR using species-specific primers. The sequences were analyzed and subsequently compared to previously characterized strains of SbDV based on the pattern of symptom expression and vector specificities. The intergenic region between ORF 2 and 3 and the coding regions of ORF 2, 3 and 4 were relatively similar to those of dwarfing strains(SbDV-DS and DP) rather than those of yellowing strains(SbDV-YS and YP). Likewise, the result from the analysis of 5'-half of the coding region of ORF5 indicated that SbDV-L81 was closely related to strains(SbDV-YP and DP) transmitted by Acyrthosiphon pisum. These data from the natural symptom and the comparisons of five regions of nucleotide sequences of SbDV suggested that SbDV-L81 might be closely related SbDV-DP.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1339-1344
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• 2014

Inflammatory bowel disease is an immune disorder associated with chronic mucosal inflammation and severe ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract. Antibodies against proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF${\alpha}$, are currently used as promising therapeutic agents against the disease. Stabilization of the transcript is a crucial post-transcriptional process in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we assessed the expression and histological distribution of the HuR protein, an important transcript stabilizer, in tissues from experimental animals and patients with Crohn's disease. The total and cytosolic levels of the HuR protein were enhanced in the intestinal epithelia from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice compared to those in control tissues from normal mice. Moreover, the expression of HuR was very high only in the mucosal and glandular epithelium, and the relative localization of the protein was sequestered in the lower parts of the villus during the DSS insult. The expression of HuR was significantly higher in mucosal lesions than in normal-looking areas. Consistent with the data from the animal model, the expression of HuR was confined to the mucosal and glandular epithelium. These results suggest that HuR may contribute to the post-transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory genes during early mucosal insults. More mechanistic investigations are warranted to determine the potential use of HuR as a predictive biomarker or a promising target against IBD.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.181-187
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• 2002

The overall objective of this study was to improve tomato fruit quality, while maximizing yield. The variety of 'Momotaro' was grown in the basic nutrient solution of 1.6 dS.m$^{[-10]}$ which was supplemented by three levels of seawater with EC 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 dS.m$^{[-10]}$ . Tomato plants were cultivated in cool seasons. Plant growth characteristics were compared between treatments, and fruits were classified to analyse fruit quality characteristics according to ripening stages： MG, Br, Br＋3, Br＋5, Br＋7 and Br＋10. Adding seawater generally did not affect the shoot growth parameters such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, internode length and chlorophyll content. Adding seawater negatively affected yield parameters such as the height and weight of fruit, marketable fruit weight per plant and marketable fruit yield. Therefore, the more yield reduction was obtained with the increasing level of seawater treatment. Fruit quality was improved by seawater treatment. The degree of the effect for $^{\circ}$Bx degree and sugars were the highest with the EC of seawater 2.0~3.0 dS.m$^{[-10]}$ , and at the Br＋5~Br＋7 of ripening stages. The relative abundance of tomato flavor, volatile components, was not generally affected by the seawater treatment with an exception of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. The relative abundance of most volatile components increased as ripening progressed. The increment began at the Br stage and showed the highest increment at the Br＋5~Br＋7 stages. The results from these experiments suggest that seawater treatment of EC 3.6 dS.m$^{[-10]}$ for hydroponics is good for improving tomato quality. Fruit quality is the best at the Br＋5~Br＋7 ripening stages. It is considered that these results may be applied far use in hydroponic culture to improve fruit quality with minimum yield reduction.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2011

Today, the weather is changing continually, due to the progress of global warming. As the weather changes, the habitats of different organisms will change as well. It cannot be predicted whether or not the weather will change with each passing day. In particular, the biological distribution of the areas climate change affects constitutes a major factor in determining the natural state of indigenous plants; additionally, plants are constantly exposed to rhizospheric microorganisms, which are bound to be sensitive to these changes. Interest has grown in the relationship between plants and rhizopheric microorganisms. As a result of this interest we elected to research and experiment further. We researched the dominant changes that occur between plants and rhizospheric organisms due to global warming. First, we used temperature as a variable. We employed four different temperatures and four different sites: room temperature ($27^{\circ}C$), $+2^{\circ}C$, $+4^{\circ}C$, and $+6^{\circ}C$. The four different sites we used were populated by the following species: Pinus deniflora, Pinus koraiensis, Quercus acutissima, and Alnus japonica. We counted colonies of these plants and divided them. Then, using 16S rRNA analysis we identified the microorganisms. In conclusion, we identified the following genera, which were as follows: 10 species of Bacillus, 2 Enterobacter species, 4 Pseudomonas species, 1 Arthrobacter species, 1 Chryseobacterium species, and 1 Rhodococcus species. Among these genera, the dominant species in Pinus deniflora was discovered in the same genus, but a different species dominated at $33^{\circ}C$. Additionally, that of Pinus koraiensis changed in both genus and species which changed into the Chryseobacrterium genus from the Bacilus genus at $33^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

This study sought to analyze changes in the vegetation structure and species diversity indices in the Abies koreana forest in the Yeongsil area of Hallasan Mountain and establish basic data for Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER). The results show that the number of woody plants per 1ha has increased by 804 (45.1%) from 1,781 to 2,585 individual plants, whereas the number of live A. koreana did not change much with 796 individual plants. The number of dead tree plants, however, jumped by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants. With other tree species, the number of live individual plants increased by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants, whereas the number of dead plants increased by 31 from 10 to 41 individual plants. Results of the average importance index analysis show that the number of A. koreana decreased, while the number of Weigela subsessilis, Rhododendron yedoense for. poukhanense, and Magnolia sieboldii increased. The species diversity index increased by 6.7% as per the maximum level in the upper layer and by 7.2% in the lower layer, respectively. Results of the stem morphology analysis show that the number of AS type was highest with 700 individual plants among A. koreana, while their distribution by type shifted from AS>AL>DS>DB to AS>DS>AL>DB. As for other species, the AS type was most abundant with 1,580 individual plants, while their distribution by type shifted from AL>AS>AF>AB to AS>AL>AB>AD. The number of newly sprouted tree plants has increased from 420 in 2014 to 453 in 2016. Of the individual plants that were alive in 2014, 23 were found dead and 33 individual plants younger than 3 years old have been newly added to the group. The number of deaths after 2014 was highest among the 2 years olds, whereas the number of 2 years olds that sprouted in 2014 was highest among the newly sprouted tree plant group. In the A. koreana forest in Yeongsil, the density of other species was rising rapidly with the exception of the dead and live A. koreana. The occurrence of new tree plants is decreasing rapidly, thereby confirming the rapid change in the area's vegetation structure. Therefore, there is a need for continuous long-term ecological research to monitor vegetation change. It can also be used as a basic data for efficient restoration research.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2007

Sawdust biofiltration is an emerging bio-technology for control of ammonia emissions including compost odors from composting of biological wastes. Although sawdust is widely used as a medium for bulking agent in composting system and for microbial attachment in biofiltration systems, the performance of agitated bed composting and sawdust biofiltration are not well established. A pilot-scale composting of hog manure amended with sawdust and sawdust biofiltration systems for practical operation were investigated using aerated and agitated rectangular reactor with compost turner and sawdust biofilter operated under controlled conditions, each with a working capacity of approximately $40m^3\;and\;4.5m^3$ respectively. These were used to investigate the effect of compost temperature, seed germination rate and the C/N ratio of the compost on ammonia emissions, compost maturity and sawdust biofiltration performance. Temperature profiles showed that the material in three runs had been reached to temperature of 55 to $65^{\circ}C$ and above. The ammonia concentration in the exhaust gas of the sawdust biofilter media was below the maximum average value as 45 ppm. Seed germination rate levels of final compost was maintained from 70 to 93% and EC values of the finished compost varied between 2.8 and 4.8 ds/m, providing adequate conditions for plant growth.