• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.994-1002
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• 2009

A bacteriocin-producing bacterium identified as Bacillus licheniformis was isolated from soybean sauce. Antibacterial activity was confirmed by paper disc diffusion method, using Micrococcus luteus as a test organism. The bacteriocin also showed antibacterial activities against Bacillus sphaericus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus planiarum, Paenibacillus polymyxa, and Pediococcus dextrinicus. Optimal culture conditions for the production of bacteriocin was attained by growing the cells in an MRS medium at a pH of 6.5~ 7.0 and a temperature of 37$^\circ$C for 36$\sim$48 hr. Solvents such as chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile had little effect on bacteriocin activity. However, about 50% of bacteriocin activity diminished with treatment of methanol and isopropanol at the final concentration of 50% at 25$^\circ$C for 1 hr. It was stable against a pH variation range from 3.0 and 7.0, but the activity reduced to 50% at a pH range from 9.0 to 11.0. It's activity was not affected by heat treatment at 100$^\circ$C for 30 min and 50% of activity was retained after heat treatment at 100$^\circ$C for 60 min, showing high thermostability. The bacteriocin was purified to a homogeneity through ammonium sulfate precipitation, SP-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The entire purification protocol led to a 75-fold increase in specific activity and a 13.5% yield of bacteriocin activity. The molecular weight of purified bacteriocin was estimated to be about 2.5 kDa by tricine-SDS-PAGE.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2016

To assess the effects of environmental factors on the sustainability of cultured ark shell Scapharca broughtonii production, we investigated the habitat characteristics of shellfish-farming bays (Gangjin Bay, Yeoja Bay, Keoje Bay and Deukryang Bay). We measured the physiochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chemical oxygen demand and Chlorophyll a) and the geochemical characteristics (chemical oxygen demand, ignition loss, C/N ratio and C/S ratio). Surface sediments were collected from several shellfish-farming bays to examine the geochemical characteristics of both the benthic environment and heavy metal pollution. The grain sizes for Gangjin Bay, Yeoja Bay and Keoje Bay were similar, at the ratio of silt and clay in comparison with Deukryang bay of it. The C/N ratio was more than 5.9, reflecting the range arising from the mix of marine organisms and organic matter. The C/S ratio (more than 4.2) showed that the survey area had anoxic or sub-anoxic bottom conditions. The index of accumulation rate (Igeo) of the metals showed that those research areas can be classified as heavily polluted, heavily to moderately polluted, or more or less unpolluted, respectively. We suggested that the growth of ark shell Scapharca broughtonii in the shellfish-farming bay was effected by the various environmental conditions.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2007

To develop a new whitening agent for cosmetics from natural products, Pimpinella brachcarpa was selected for its inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Crude ethanolic extract of P. brachycarpa and its four fractions-hexane, ethyl acetate(EtOAc), butanol and aqueous were evaluated for antioxidative effects and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. To elucidate the mechanism of active compounds of P. brachycarpa, we investigated the changes in protein level of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 using Western blotting and the changes in mRNA level of tyrosinase using RT-PCR technique. Following UV irradiation, expression of ET-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes was measured by quantitative enzyme immunoassay(EIA) using human ET-1 antibody. Crude ethanolic extract of P. brachycarpa and its four fractions-hexane, EtOAc, butanol and aqueous had free radical scavenging effect by 87.2, 2.5, 97.2, 80.5, 49.8% at 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ and tyrosinase inhibitory effect by 18.3, 15.1, 55.4, 13.1, 0 % at 100 ${\mu}g/mL$. P. brachycarpa EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited melanin production in B16 melanoma cells. Treatment with P. brachycarpa extract for 72 h suppressed the biosynthesis of melanin up to 58 % at 100 ${\mu}g/mL$. Especially, the EtOAc fraction of P. brachycarpa reduced the tyrosinase activity and tyrosinase expression in B16 melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1 were markedly reduced by the EtOAc fraction of P. brachycarpa. Moreover, at the concentrations of $12.5{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$ of the fraction, the production of UV-induced ET-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes(24 h after 8 $mJ/cm^2$ UVB irradiation) was reduced about 40%(p<0.05). P. brachycarpa could be used as a new natural skin-whitening agent due to the inhibitory effect of on melanin biosynthesis and endothelin-1 expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.408-413
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• 2007

Vascular tone plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the present study, the methanol extract of Rosae multiflora Radix (MRM) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methly ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by MRM, respectively. But, the relaxation effect of MRM was not blocked by indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), verapamil, diltiazem, atropine, and propranolol, respectively. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with MRM increased the production of cGMP. Taken together, the present results suggest that MRM relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling. These results would be useful for further study to MRM on animal models with cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1352-1363
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of the dependent variables depending on the condition changes of independent variable of the operation and the material during the production of collets added with rice and dried shrimp by using single extruder to utilize as basic data for the manufacture of extrusion collets. A total of 7 independent variables were set up as a raw, 20, 40 and 60 mesh for the powder particle size of rice; 12, 14, 16 and 18% for the moisture content of rice; 2, 4, 6 and 8% for the addition amount of dried shrimp; 90, 95, 100 and $110^{\circ}C$ for the barrel temperature; 210, 280 and 340 rpm for the screw speed; 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm for the discharge port diameter; 30, 40, 50 and 60 kg/h for the input amount of the mixed material. The characteristics of the dependent variables including puffing ratio, moisture content, lightness, uniformity, productivity of collets was to be studied by changing the conditions of the independent variables. As a results of this study, 20 mesh of powder particle size of rice, 14% of moisture content of rice, 4% of addition amount of dried shrimp, $100^{\circ}C$ of barrel temperature, 280 rpm of screw speed, 6 mm of discharge port diameter and 50 kg/h of input amount of mixed material were found to be the most preferable over other independent variables for the production of extrusion collets. In conclusion, it is necessary to set the independent variable in order to produce the high quality collets added with the rice as the main raw material and dried shrimp as the sub-materials.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.399-405
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• 2020

Recently, it is difficult to produce uniform scions and rootstocks with high quality in a greenhouse due to weather extremes. The closed transplant production system is useful for producing scions and rootstocks with desirable morphological characteristics by environment control regardless of weather outside. In this study, we investigated transpiration rates and growth of cucumber and tomato scions and rootstocks grown under different light intensity conditions for precise irrigation control in a closed transplant production system. Hanging system to measure continuously the weight of plug tray consisting of seedlings and substrate with load-cell was installed in each growing bed. Using this system, we confirmed initial wilting point of cucumber and tomato seedlings, and conducted subirrigation when moisture content of substrate was not below 50%. The irrigation time of cucumber scions and rootstocks were 7 and 6 days after sowing, respectively. In tomato scions and rootstocks grown under PPF (photosynthetic photon flux) 300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, the irrigation time were 5, 8, 11, and 13 days after sowing. Increasing light intensity increased transpiration rates and differences of transpiration rates by light intensity was higher in tomato seedlings. The growth of cucumber and tomato seedlings was promoted by increasing light intensity, especially, hypocotyl elongation and stem thickening was affected by light intensity. Cumulative transpiration rate of plug tray in cucumber and tomato seedlings was increased by increasing light intensity, and daily transpiration rate per seedling was regressed by 1st-order linear equation with high correlation coefficient. Estimation of transpiration rates by weighing continuously plug tray of vegetable seedlings can be useful to control more accurately irrigation schedule in a closed transplant production system.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.664-676
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• 2019

This study aimed to analyze the bioacoustics and habitat environment of the cicadas inhabiting Taebaeksan National Park, an sub-alpine region in Korea. The mating calls of the cicadas were recorded for approximately 3 months, between July and September of 2018. The recording devices were installed in Daedeoksan valley and Baekcheon valley, inside Taebaeksan National Park, and the sounds were recorded 24 hours a day. In order to obtain the habitat distribution data of the cicadas, the sounds were recorded from 111 spots located in the Taebaeksan National Park trail in August 2018. The daily weather data was obtained from the Taebaek city weather center. The results of the study demonstrated that 5 species of cicadas inhabit Taebaeksan National Park, namely, Leptosemia takanonis, Lyristes intermedius, Kosemia yezoensis, Hyalessa fuscata, and Meimuna opalifera. The time of appearance for L. takanonis was early July to mid-July, and that for L. intermedius, K. yezoensis, H. fuscata, and M. opalifera was mid-July to early September. Analysis of the circadian rhythm revealed that L. intermedius, K. yezoensis, and H. fuscata started producing mating calls between 6:00 and 7:00, which ended at around 19:00 for all the three species. The peak time for producing mating calls was 11:00 for L. intermedius, 12:00 for H. fuscata, and around 13:00 to 14:00 for K. yezoensis. The environmental factors influencing the mating calls of the cicadas inhabiting Taebaeksan National Park were analyzed by logistic regression. The results showed that the probability of producing mating calls increased by 1.192 and 1.279 times in L. intermedius and K. yezoensis, respectively, when the average temperature increased by one degree. When the duration of sunlight increased by one hour, the probability of producing mating calls increased by 4.366 and 2.624 times in L. intermedius and H. fuscata, respectively. Analysis of the interspecific effects revealed that when H. fuscata produced a single mating call, the probability of producing mating calls increased by 14.620 and 2.784 times in L. intermedius and K. yezoensis, respectively. When K. yezoensis and L. intermedius produced mating calls, the probability of producing mating calls in H. fuscata increased by 11.301 and 2.474 times, respectively. L. intermedius and K. yezoensis did not have any effects on each other with respect to the production of mating calls. Analysis of the habitat environment of each species revealed that their habitats were located at altitudes of 1,046 m (780~1,315 m) for L. intermedius, 1,072 m (762~1,361 m) for K. yezoensis, and 976 m (686~1,245 m) for H. fuscata. Unlike H. fuscata, which was found at a low altitude, K. yezoensis and L. intermedius were not found at altitudes lower than 700 m. Analysis of the average aspect of the habitats of each of the cicada species revealed that L. intermedius was found at 166° (125~207°), K. yezoensis was found at 100° (72~128°), and H. fuscata was found at 173° (118~228°). Examination of the distribution of each of the cicada species revealed that they were predominantly distributed in the ridges and slopes located in the southeastern region of Munsubong in Taebaeksan. In summary, L. intermedius and K. yezoensis was found to inhabit higher altitudes in Taebacksan National Park than H. fuscata, which was found throughout the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the main aspect of the cicada habitat was found to be the southeastern region (100~173°), which has good access to daylight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1096-1103
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• 1999

A study was conducted to clarify the impact of recombinant porcine somatotropin (pST) on the efficiency of absorbed nitrogen use for protein deposition in growing pigs. Three levels of dietary crude protein (9.0, 11.5, 14.0% CP) were used. Each had either a sub-optimum or near optimum lysine: CP concentration (Low-lysine, 3.8 g/100 g CP and High-lysine, 5.5 g/100g CP) in order to achieve different metabolic efficiencies for nitrogen deposition (ca. 45 vs. 60%). Twelve crossbred female pigs $(59{\pm}4kg\;BW)$ were placed in metabolism cages and fitted with bladder catheters. Each pig received an excipient injection daily for the first 10-d, a pST (5 mg/d) injection for the second 10-d, and then excipient for the last 10-d. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments (2 pigs/diet) and fed 4 times per d at $92g/kg\;BW^{0.75}$ $(3{\times}maintenance)$. Means for the excipient period were compared to means for the pST period. Urinary nitrogen (N) output declined in pST-treated pigs (p<0.01) irrespective of dietary protein content or lysine level. Nitrogen retention increased by an average of 11% (p<0.01) with pST treatment (726 vs. $803mg\;N/kg^{0.75}\;BW/d$). Forty-eight percent of the absorbed N was retained with Low-lysine diets, but this increased to 53% with pST injection (+11%, p<0.01). Pigs fed High-lysine diets retained 62% of absorbed N which increased to 69% with pST (+11% p<0.01). the addition of lysine improved N use by 27% (High vs. Low, p<0.01), but the effect of lysine and pST was additive (+40%). Therefore, pST improves N retention and the efficiency of apparently absorbed N use in growing pigs (>60kg). It does so with diets having the potential for either low or high efficiencies of N use (48% and 62%). More work is needed to determine if the partial efficiency of N use improves in direct proportion to pST dose since the improvement in protein deposition is a function of pST dose.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.71-78
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• 2016

Objectives : Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes and a leading cause of end-stage renal failure in the world. Mesangial cell proliferation is known as the major pathologic features such as glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis. Wiryeongtang (WRT) is a well-known traditional herbal formula as therapeutic agents for chronic edema and dysuresia of renal homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated whether WRT inhibits high glucose (HG)-induced renal dysfunction by TGF-β/Smads signal regulation in cultured mesangial cells.Methods : Inhibitory effect of WRT (10-50 ㎍/ml) on HG-stimulated mesangial cells proliferation and dysfunction were evaluated by [³H]-thymidine incorporation, Western blot, and RT-qPCR.Results : WRT significantly decreased HG-accelerated thymidine incorporation in human renal mesangial cell in a dose-dependent levels. WRT induced down-regulation of cyclins/CDKs and up-regulation of CDK inhibitor, p21waf1/cip1 and p27kip1 expression. In addition, HG enhanced expression of dysfunction biomarker such as collagen IV and CTGF, which was markedly attenuated by WRT. WRT decreased TGF-β1 and Smad-2/Smad-4 expression, whereas increased Smad-7 expression under HG. Furthermore, WRT inhibited HG-induced inflammatory factors level such as ICAM-1 and MCP-1 as well as NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and intracellular ROS production.Conclusions : These results suggested that WRT may alleviate mesangial proliferation and inflammation possibly involved in renal fibrotic process, further diabetic nephropathy through disturbing TGF-β1/Smad signaling and NF-κB/ROS pathway. Thus, WRT might prove to be effective in the treatment of renal dysfunction leading to diabetic nephropathy.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2016

In this study, a planting density-growth-harvest (PGH) chart was developed to easily read the growth and harvest factors such as crop growth rate, relative growth rate, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, harvesting time, marketable rate, and marketable yield of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.). The plants were grown in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system in a closed-type plant factory using fluorescent lamps with three-band radiation under a light intensity of $140{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and a photoperiod of 12 h. Growth and yield were analyzed under four planting densities ($15{\times}10cm$, $15{\times}15cm$, $15{\times}20cm$, and $15{\times}25cm$). Shoot fresh and dry weights per plant increased at a higher planting density until reached an upper limit and yield per area was also same tendency. Crop growth rate, relative growth rate and lost time were described using quadratic equation. A linear relationship between shoot dry weight and fresh weights was observed. PGH chart was constructed based on the growth data and making equations. For instance, with within row spacing (= 20 cm) and fresh weight per plant at harvest (= 100 g), we can estimate all the growth and harvest factors of common ice plant. The planting density, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, lost time, shoot dry weight per plant, harvesting time, and yield were $33plants/m^2$, $20g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, $0.27g{\cdot}g^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, 22 days, 2.5 g/plant, 26 days after transplanting, and $3.2kg{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively. With this chart, we could easily obtain the growth factors such as planting density, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, lost time and the harvest factors such as shoot fresh and dry weights, harvesting time, marketable rate, and marketable yield with at least two parameters, for instance, planting distance and one of harvest factors of plant. PGH charts will be useful tools to estimate the growth and yield of crops and to practical design of a closed-type plant production system.