• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.243-269
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• 2021

Since the early 2010s, the social importance of research and practical projects targeting deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste, underground CO₂ storage and characterization of deep subsurface by borehole investigation has been increasing. In this regard, there is also a significant increase in the need for in situ test technology to obtain quantitative and reliable information on the hydraulic characteristics of deep rock mass. Through years of research and development, we have independently set up Deep borehole Hydraulic Test System (DHTS) based on the key apparatuses designed and made with our own technology. Using this system, high precision constant pressure injection tests were successfully completed at the two 1 km boreholes located in Mesozoic granite and sedimentary rock regions, Gyeongju. During the field tests, it was possible to measure very low flow rate below 0.01 l/min with micro flow rate injection/control module. In this paper, the major characteristics of DHTS are introduced and also some results obtained from the high precision field tests under the deep and low permeable rock mass environment are briefly discussed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2003

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as a widely used herbicide has caused serious environmental problems because of its difficult decomposition in nature. We isolated the strain capable of metabolizing 2,4-D as sole carbon and energy source by an enrichment culture technique from the 2,4-D contaminated soil collected at orchard in Gwangju, Korea. This strain was identified tentatively as Aeromonas sp. NOH2. With this strain, we established the response surface methodology (Box-Behnken Design) to optimize the principle parameters for maximizing biodegradation of 2,4-D such as culture pH, temperature, and nutrient concentration in liquid batch culture. The ranges of parameters were obtained from preliminary works done at our laboratory and chosen as 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5 for pH, 25, 30, and $35^{\circ}C$ for temperature, and 5, 20, and 35 g/1 nutrient concentration. Initial concentration of 2,4-D was 500 ppm and nutrient source was tryptic soy broth. The experimental data were significantly fitted to a second order polynomial equation using multiple regression. The most important parameter influencing 2,4-D degradation and biomass production was nutrient concentration. For 2,4-D degradation, the optimum values of pH and temperature, and nutrient concentration were obtained at pH (6.5), temperature (31.8 to $32.1^{\circ}C$), and nutrient concentration (29.6 to 30.1.0 g/1).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2015

Galactose-${\alpha}1,3$-galactose (${\alpha}1,3$-Gal) epitope is synthesized at a high concentration on the surface of pig cells by ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1). The ${\alpha}1,3$-Gal is responsible for hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. The generation of transgenic pigs as organ donors for humans is necessary to eliminate the GGTA1 gene that synthesize $Gal{\alpha}$(1,3)Gal. To prevent hyperacute graft rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation, previously, we developed ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene-knock-out somatic cell by homologous recombination. In this study, we established cell lines of ${\alpha}1,3$-GT knock-out expressing hDAF and hHT gene from minipig fibroblasts to apply somatic cell nuclear transfer. The hDAF and hHT mRNA were expressed in the knock-in somatic cells and ${\alpha}1,3$-GT mRNA was suppressed. However, the knock-in somatic cells were increased resistance to human serum-mediated cytolysis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.851-857
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• 2011

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate, isolated from glucoraphanin in broccoli and other cruciferaous vegetables. Recent studies have revealed that SFN induces anti-proliferation and apoptosis by cell cycle arrest in various cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of SFN induced apoptosis in chondrosarcoma HTB-94 cells. SFN caused suppression of proliferation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner as determined by cell phenotype, MTT assay and FACS analysis in HTB-94 cells. Treatment of SFN led to caspase-3 activation and p53 accumulation as determined by Western blot analysis. Also, SFN significantly induced DNA fragmentation and nuclear degradation though activation of caspase-3, as detected by DNA electrophoresis and immunostaining, respectively. Our results indicate that SFN-induced apoptosis was regulated by p53 and caspase-3 dependent pathways. Furthermore, SFN may act as a potent anti-proliferation agent, and as a promising candidate for molecular-targeting chemotherapy against human chondrosarcoma cells.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

Artificial activation of oocytes is a prerequisite for the successful cloning by nuclear transfer. This study investigated the effect of the different combination of activation agents such as electric pulse (E), thimerosal (Thi) + dithiothreitol (DTT), 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) or cycloheximide (CH) on the developmental ability of porcine embryos derived from parthenogenetic activation (PA). PA embryos activated with chemicals showed significantly higher developmental rate to the blastocyst stage compared to the embryos activated with E alone ($21.5{\sim}28.1%$ vs. 18.0%, respectively). Of chemicals, Thi + DTT supported higher development to the blastoryst stage (28.1%). There was no significant difference in 1 pronucleus (PN) formation rate $(59.9{\sim}64.7%)$, but 2PN formation rate was significantly higher in PA embryos with additional activation using chemicals $(7.2{\sim}9.7%)$. In conclusion, this study shows that chemical activation after electric pulse can increase the development of porcine PA embryos.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.549-564
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants. Long-term oxidative stress can lead to an "exhausted" status of antioxidant defense system triggering development of metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. Green perilla (Perilla frutescens) is commonly used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine in southeast Asia. Green perilla possesses numerous beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. To investigate the potentials of green perilla leaf extract (PE) on oxidative stress, we induced oxidative stress by high-fat diet (HFD) in aging mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were fed HFD continuously for 53 weeks. Then, mice were divided into three groups for 12 weeks: a normal diet fed reference group (NDcon), high-fat diet fed group (HDcon), and high-fat diet PE treated group (HDPE, 400 mg/kg of body weight). Biochemical analyses of serum and liver tissues were performed to assess metabolic and inflammatory damage and oxidative status. Hepatic gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related enzymes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: PE improved hepatopathology. PE also improved the lipid profiles and antioxidant enzymes, including hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. Hepatic gene expressions of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related enzymes, such as SOD-1, CAT, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) were significantly enhanced by PE. PE also reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and liver; moreover, PE suppressed hepatic gene expression involved in pro-inflammatory response; Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: This research opens opportunities for further investigations of PE as a functional food and possible anti-aging agent due to its attenuative effects against oxidative stress, resulting from HFD and aging in the future.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2015

For efficiently designing neutron induced gamma spectroscopy sonde, Monte Carlo simulation is employed to understand a dominant location of thermal neutron and classify the formation elements from the energy peak of capture gamma spectrum. A pulsed neutron generator emitting 14 MeV neutron particles was used as a source, and flux of thermal neutron was calculated from the twelve detectors arranged at each 10 cm intervals from the source. Design for reducing borehole effects using shielding materials was also applied to numerical sonde model. Moreover, principal elements and quantities of numerical earth models were verified through the energy spectrum analysis of capture gamma detected from a gamma detector. These results can help to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, and determine an optimal placement of capture gamma detectors of neutron induced gamma spectroscopy sonde.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2012

In this study, we make simulation of density log using a Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) algorithm to make an analysis on density logging under different borehole environments, since density logging is affected by various borehole conditions like borehole size, density of borehole fluid, thickness and type of casing, and so on. MCNP algorithm has been widely used for simulation of problems of nuclear particle transportation. In the simulation, we consider the specific configuration of a tool (Robertson Geologging Co. Ltd) that Korea institute of geoscience and mineral resources (KIGAM) has used. In order to measure accurate bulk density of a formation, it is essential to make a calibration and correction chart for the tool under considerations. Through numerical simulation, this study makes calibration plot of the density tool in material with several known bulk densities and with boreholes of several different diameters. In order to make correction charts for the density logging, we simulate and analyze measurements of density logging under different borehole conditions by considering borehole size, density of borehole fluid, and presence of casing.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2004

Fission products and Inter reaction layer of $U_3Si-Al$ dispersion fuel, irradiated in HANARO research reactor with 121 kW/m of maximum liner power and 63 at% of average burn-up, was characterization by EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analyzer). The fuel punching system developed by Irradiated Materials Examination Facility (IMEF) has used to make these samples for the EPMA. With this system a very small and thin specimen which is 1.57 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness respectively has been fabricated to protect the EPMA operator from high radioactive fuel and to mini-mize the equivalent dose rate less than 150 mSv/h. EPMA was performed to observe layers of sectional, Inter-reaction and oxide with specimens of cutting and polished. Stoichiometry in the Inter-reaction layer with $16{\mu}m$ of thickness was $U_{2.84}$ Si $Al_{14}$ with calibration of $UO_2$ and $U_{3.24}$ Si $Al_{14.1}$ with calibration of standard specimen. metallic precipitates in this layer were not observed using fission products examination.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2006

In the present study, we compared six different solubilization buffers and optimized two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) conditions for human lymph node proteins. In addition, we developed a simple protocol for 2-D gel storage. Efficient solubilization was obtained with lysis buffers containing (a) 8M urea, 4% CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate), 40 mM Tris base, 65 mM DTT(dithiothreitol) and 0.2% carrier ampholytes; (b) 5M urea, 2M thiourea, 2% CHAPS, 2% SB 3-10 (N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate), 40mM Tris base, 65 mM DTT and 0.2% carrier ampholytes or (c) 7M urea, 2M thiourea, 4% CHAPS, 65 mM DTT and 0.2% carrier ampholytes. The optimal protocol for isoelectric focusing (IEF) was accumulated voltage of 16,500 Vh and 0.6% DTT in the rehydration solution. In the experiments conducted for the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), best results were obtained with a doubled concentration (50 mM Tris, 384 mM glycine, 0.2% SDS) of the SDS electrophoresis buffer in the cathodic reservoir as compared to the concentration in the anodic reservoir (25 mM Tris, 192 mM glycine, 0.1% SDS). Among the five protocols tested for gel storing, success was attained when the gels were stored in plastic bags with 50% glycerol. This is the first report describing the successful solubilization and 2D-electrophoresis of proteins from human lymph node tissue and a 2-D gel storage protocol for easy gel handling before mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.