• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2009

Cadmium (Cd) is known to exert gonadotoxic and spermiotoxic effects. The present study was performed to investigate the morphological effects and metallothionein (MT) expression by zinc pretreatment in the course of time of cadmium-induced testicular injury in rat. Fifty male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 160~180 g were divided into two groups : saline-pretreated cadmium group and zinc-pretreated cadmium group. Rats of two groups received subcutaneous injection of saline and 100 mg/kg $ZnSO_4$ at 0, 2, 5 and 8 hrs intervals respectively. Cadmium chloride (4.5 mg/kg $CdCl_2$) was administrated intraperitoneally at 2 hrs after zinc injection and rats were killed 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs later. Testicular tissue damages, interstitial (Leydig) cells status and MT expression were determined using hematoxylin-eosin stained sections and a computerized image analysis system on sections immunostained with a mouse anti-metallothionein respectively. Zinc pretreatment was significantly reduced testicular damages in five pathological categories after cadmium administation. The number of surviving interstitial cells was significantly higher in the zinc-pretreated group than in the saline-preatreated group at 48 and 72 hrs after cadmium administration. Non-damaged testis showed the positivity of MT staining in spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and endothelium of blood vessel, but not in the Leydig cells. The positivity of MT staining in saline-pretreated group was significantly reduced at 24 hrs after cadmium administration, whereas zinc-pretreated group showed strong MT positive staining similar to the 0 hr by 42 hrs after cadmium administration. In damaged testis, MT positive staining was also observed in the Leydig cells of both groups. These results suggest that a major preventive effect of zinc against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity may be due to its ability to reduce the cytotoxicity of cadmium in spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells by inhibiting the susceptibility of the testis to cadmium but not MT production by cadmium.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.1 s.118
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• pp.27-40
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• 2007

The streams evolve to diverse forms influenced by various factors such as rock resistance tectonic process, sediments and discharge. This study focuses on erosion resistance of rocks among these factors. The morphology of plane and longitudinal profile has been analysed in upper and lower reach of 6 streams using GIS; Yeoryong-cheon, Heungjeong-cheon, Duhak-cheon, Daehwa-cheon, Namcheon-cheon, Guryong-cheon, having distinct bedrock types between upper and lower reach. While the basins of granite have gentle slope, low concavity and wide valley area, those of gneiss form steep slope, high concavity and narrow valley area. However, the basins of sedimentary rock make steep slope and high relief in main channel, the other features show some differences in each stream. Among the various morphological features, the indices on slope and concavity of main channel, drainage density, ratio of valley area, average slope and average relief of the basin which have clear differences between rocks in upper and lower reach are calculated to interpret the erosion resistance of rocks in upper and lower reach. As a result, the upper reaches composed of gneiss have the highest erosion resistance, sedimentary rocks in upper and lower reaches show moderate resistance, and granite reaches generally have the lowest resistance except the upper reaches bordered by sedimentary rock.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2015

Two fungal strains were isolated from rods of Quercus sp. (NAAS02335) and Pinus densiflora (NAAS05299) in Korea. These strains were identified as Gyrodontium sacchari by their morphological and mycological characteristics. The optimal growth temperature of NAAS02335 and NAAS05299 are $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. Production of cellulase, xylanase, and ligninase was tested on agar media supplemented dyes or substrates. Production of cellulase and xylanase of NAAS05299 was higher than those of NAAS02335, however ligninase activity of NAAS02335 was higher than that of NAAS05299. The activities of cellulase, xylanase, and amylase of strain NAAS05299 were estimated at 6.7~10.2 times higher than that of NAAS02335. Laccase activity was only estimated by strain NAAS02335. The lignocellulytic enzymes are induced by substrates such as rice straw, wooden chips of pine, oak, and poplar. The NAAS05299 was able to degrade filter paper completely after 4 weeks of culturing in liquid media containing a piece of filter paper at $28^{\circ}C$ with continuous shaking. NAAS05299 was able to degrade rice straw, pine chips, and oak chips after 4 months in solid culture, however NAAS02335 decomposed only rice straw among tested 4 kinds of biomass.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1988

A comparison between two species of Hyla japonica and H. suweonesis in Korea was carried out to clarify their morphological, genetic and ecological differences, to estimate presumed divergent time between them, and to elucidate their probable process and mechanism of speciation. The results are as follows; 1.The breeding season of H. japonica was earlier than that of H. suweonensis about one and half months. 2.H.japonica was distributed all over the country, while H. suweonensis was restricted in Kyonggi plains. 3.On the extemal morphometric characters, differences were hardiy seen between two species. But on the discriminant function analysis, there was apparent differences between them. 4.Genic variation based on 24 loci showed that H. japonica populations were about two fold more variable than that of H. suweonensis populations. 5.Genetic relatedness between two species was rather remote (S =0.520, D=0.634) 6.Their presumed divergent time was estimated to be about three and a quarter mfllon years. It is presumed that H. suweonensis was originated from H. japonica during the period of late pleocene and early pleistocene. 7.Premating isolating mechanisrns (breeding season, mating call, and microhabitat segregation) may be operating to prevent gene ifow between them.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 1988

The distribution of respiratory chain complexes in beef heart and human muscle mitochondria has been explored by immunoeledron microscopy with antibodies made against beef heart mltochondriai proteins in conjundion with protein A cofloidai gold (l2nm particles). The antibodies used were made against NADH-conezyme Q reductase(complex I), ubiquinol-cytochrome-c-oxldoreductase (complex III) and cytochrome-c-oxidase(complex IV). Labeling of bed heart tissue with any of these antihodies gave gold particles randomly distributed along the mitochondrial inner membrane. The labeling of muscle tIssue mitochondria from a patient with a mitochondrial myopathy localized by biochemical analysis to complex III was quantitated and compared with the labeling of human control muscle tissue mitochondria. Four kinds of morphological changes in the mitochondrial fine strudure in the myopathy patient tissue have been found; paracrystalline inclusions consistIng of densely packed multi- lamellar structures, globular crystalline inclusions with high electron density, multilamellar strudure inclusion body(compadly and irregularly arranged concentric whirl shaped cristae)and golbular cyrstalilne inclusions located in the center of the whirl shaped cristae. Compex I and cytochrome-c-oxldase antihodies reacted to the same level in the mitochondria containing the crystalline inclusions and control mitochondria. Antibodies to complex III reacted very poorly to the mitochondria containing the crystalline Inclusions but strongly to control mitchondria. The globular crystalline inclusions in the mitochondria are not reacted antibodies to respiratory chain complexes.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.139-143
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• 2016

This study investigated the effect of electron beam (EB) treatment on the microbial reduction of dried laver (Porphyra tenera) and identified EB-resistant bacteria from the treated dried laver. After EB treatments of 4 kGy and 7 kGy, the numbers of total bacteria and EB-resistant bacteria were measured using tryptic soy agar and mannitol salt agar, respectively. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of each isolated EB-resistant bacteria were investigated and these bacteria were identified. Compared to the control ($1.5{\pm}0.2){\times}10^6CFU/g$, the total bacterial number was significantly decreased to ($5.4{\pm}0.5){\times}10^4CFU/g$ and ($1.1{\pm}0.6){\times}10^4CFU/g$ after EB treatments of 4 kGy and 7 kGy, respectively. With a higher EB dosage, the number of red colonies was almost same, whereas the number of yellow colonies was significantly decreased to ($3.3{\pm}1.2){\times}10^3CFU/g$ and 0 CFU/g for 4 kGy and 7 kGy, respectively. All red and yellow colonies were gram-positive cocci, catalase-positive, and resistant to 3% and 5% NaCl media. From the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, yellow and red colonies were identified as either Micrococcus flavus or M. luteus, with 99% similarity for the yellow colonies, and Deinococcus proteolyticus and D. piscis, with 99% and 97% similarity for the red colonies, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.4 s.91
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• pp.274-279
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• 1999

The internal transcribed spacer regions(ITS) of the ribosomal DNA gene repeat from Coprinus and Psathyrella spp. were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Sequences from 11 species including Coprinus comatus, C. atramentarius, C. micaceus, C. cinereus, C. rhizophorus, C. radians, C. echinosporus, C. disseminatus, Psathyrella candolleana, P. spadiceogrisea and Stropharia rugosoannulata were compared. The spacer region I and II were $258{\sim}301\;bp\;and\;253{\sim}275\;bp$ in length respectively and partially contained 17S, 5.8S and 25S. The reciprocal homologies of ITS sequences among these strains were in the range of $43.9{\sim}96.0%$. According to the analysis of ITS sequences, Coprinus and Psathyrella spp. were classified into three clusters. Cluster I consisted of Coprinus lagopus, C. cinereus, C. echinosporus, C. rhizophorus, and C. atramentarius. Cluster II comprised C. micaceus, C. radians, C. disseminatus, Psathyrella candolleana, and P. spadiceogrisea. On the other hand C. comatus is in Cluster III with Stropharia rugosoannulata even though this species is belonging to the section Coprinus in morphological aspect. These results suggest that taxonomic position of Psathyrella would better be inculded in genus Coprinus. Coprinus comatus, the type species of Coprinus, gives a doubt on monophyletic evolution and is assumed to be paraphyletic or polyphyletic.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.16-31
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Cynomorii Herba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 8-week-old ICR mice and administered 0.3mg/g extract solution of Cynomorii Herba once a day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way and duration. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated groups by histochemical methods. At the end we observed the difference of sperm hyaluronidase activities between control and treated groups. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa of the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 and 90 days groups. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Cynomorii Herba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 60 and 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Cynomorii Herba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.246-253
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• 2012

Despite frequent freezing injury to tea trees due low temperature, drought, and strong wind during wintertime, no comprehensive measurements have been taken. We selected and examined 9 locations in Hwagae-myeon and 4 places in Agyang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeonsanggnam-do where low temperature damage had occurred between December 2010 and February 2011. Our objective is to examine the effect of frost damage on the morphological symptom and harvest of a tea tree exposed to a constant low temperature environment during wintertime. The results of our analyses on meteorological environment, tea leaf chromaticity, water content and trypan blue are as follows: (1) the number of days with temperature of $-10^{\circ}C$ or less, which were subject to frost damage to a tea tree were 8 and 13.6% during the winterization period in 2011; (2) the accumulated time was 1,308 minutes, and the longest duration at $-10^{\circ}C$ was 588 minutes from 21:08 p.m. 15 January to 7:30 a.m. $16^{th}$ January. The rainfall was only 104 mm which was 306 mm less than the previous year; (3) the lightness L values in 2011 were higher than in 2012 due to dehydration and necrosis by blue discoloration and red discoloration at all areas in chromaticity measurement; (4) the water content in a tea leaf in 2011 was higher than in 2012 due to low rainfall and strong wind, and almost no cell death phenomenon was observed from normal tea leaves subject to no low temperature stress in a trypan blue analysis; and (5) partial coloration due to cell death, however, took place in the leaves damaged by blue discoloration subject to low temperature stress, and most coloration due to cell death took place in the leaves damaged by red discoloration.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2010

Studies on standardization and quality upgrade of nuruk which is a basic component in brewing are required to increase the quality level of Korean traditional rice wines and to develop the technology for practical use of it. It is important to isolate best strains, to improve the properties and effectively preserve them for brewing industry. In this study, 16 commercial nuruk samples were obtained from the commercial markets located in Chungcheong areas in Korea. 174 fungal strains were isolated from the samples on DG18 medium using a dilution plating method and then screened for enzyme activity and acid production. The active strains were identified based on the morphological characteristics and ITS sequence analysis. Out of 174 strains, 12 strains showed high amylase activity. Especially, Rhizopus sp. CN084, CN174, Aspergillus sp. CN161 and Mycocladus sp. CN042 showed high saccharogenic power and dextrinogenic enzyme activity on cooked wheat bran medium. On the other hand, Aspergillus sp. CN010, CN161, Rhizopus sp. CN105, CN168 and Rhizomucor sp. CN088 produced high acid production on the same medium. Our results showed that the active strains may be used as microbial sources for nuruk starter with good quality in brewing.