• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.599-604
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• 2015

This study was conducted the vegetation clustering analysis for the 3 mountains of Mt. Bulam, Mt. Daemo, Mt. Bonghwa which were the urban forests of Seoul. Based on the results of the analysis related to the vegetation clustering, it was found that the clustering of Mt. Bulam consisted of pine trees(Pinus densiflora)-Mongolian oak(Quercus mongolica), Hornb eam(Carpinus laxiflora)-Pitch pine(P. rigida), oriental oak(Q. variabilis) - a wild pear tree(Sorbus alnifolia) while the clustering of Mt. Daemo consisted of Pitch pine-Japanese larch(Larix leptolepis), Poplar(Populus tomentig landulosa)- black birch(Betula davurica pall). Meanwhile, the clustering of Mt. Bonghwa consisted of pine trees-a wild pear tree Community and Sawtooth oak(Q. acutissima)-Cherry Blossoms(Prunus serrulata). In relation to the similarity index by region in Mt. Bulam, Mt. Daemo, and Mt. Bonghwa, the similarity index of Mt. Bulam and Mt. Daemo stood at as high as 0.634, suggesting the distribution of similar vegetation, and the dominance index of the Mt. Daemo region was found to be 0.166 which suggests the dominance of many species compared to other regions. In addition, the results of species diversity showed that Mt. Daemo had the highest stability, and the species diversity, maximum species diversity, evenness indices were highest in Mt. Bulam, followed by Mt. Bonghwa and Mt. Daemo. The dominance index was the lowest in Mt. Bulam, followed by Mt. Bonghwa and Mt. Daemo.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.463-468
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• 2023

Screening for genetic defects in the cells should be examined for clinical application. The Pearson syndrome (PS) patient harbored nuclear mutations in the POLG and SSBP1 genes, which could induce systemic large-scale mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) deletion. We investigated iPSCs with mtDNA deletions in PS patient and whether deletion levels could be maintained during differentiation. The iPSC clones derived from skin fibroblasts (9% deletion) and blood mononuclear cells (24% deletion) were measured for mtDNA deletion levels. Of the 13 skin-derived iPSC clones, only 3 were found to be free of mtDNA deletions, whereas all blood-derived iPSC clones were found to be free of deletions. The iPSC clones with (27%) and without mtDNA deletion (0%) were selected and performed in vitro and in vivo differentiation, such as embryonic body (EB) and teratoma formation. After differentiation, the level of deletion was retained or increased in EBs (24%) or teratoma (45%) from deletion iPSC clone, while, the absence of deletions showed in all EBs and teratomas from deletion-free iPSC clones. These results demonstrated that non-deletion in iPSCs was maintained during in vitro and in vivo differentiation, even in the presence of nuclear mutations, suggesting that deletion-free iPSC clones could be candidates for autologous cell therapy in patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2001

Background : The aging process may be induced, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species(ROS). It has been thought that the lung could be a good source of ROS because it has a high oxygen tension. In the present study, we invetigated the inducibility of the first and last lines against oxidative stress, superoxide dismutases(CujZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) as a scavenger of ${O_2}^-\;{\cdot}$ and metallothionein(MT) as a scavenger of $OH{\cdot}$, respectively, in mouse lungs with age. Methods : Oxidative stress was induced by paraquat, an intracellular superoxide generator, at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months of age and then SODs and MT mRNAs were determined by RT-PCR method. Results : The steady-state level of Mn-SOD mRNA increased from 1 to 8 months but decreased thereafter. However, Mn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat after 1 month. On the other hand, there was no change in the steady-state level of Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA, which decreased abruptly at 12 months of age. Additionally, Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat at any age. There was no change in the steady-state level of MT mRNA with age whereas its inducibility by paraquat was intact at all ages. Conclusion : These results indicate that lack of induction of SODs with age may be one of the causative factors in the aging process while induction of MT may play an important role in the defense against oxidative stress. It is therefore implicated that the tissue antioxidant/prooxidant balance could be one of determinants of mean life span.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2014

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-depleted (${\rho}^0$) cells are often used as mtDNA recipients to study the interaction between the nucleus and mitochondria in mammalian cells. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain mtDNA-depleted cells with many different nuclear backgrounds for the study. Here, we demonstrate a rapid and reliable method to isolate mammalian mtDNA-depleted cells involving treatment with the antimitochondrial agents ethidium bromide (EtBr) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC). After a short exposure to EtBr or ddC, followed by rapid clonal isolation, we were able to generate viable mtDNA-depleted cells from mouse and human cells and were able to successfully repopulate them with exogenous mitochondria from platelets isolated from mouse and human blood samples. These mtDNA-depleted cells can be used to characterize the nuclear mitochondrial interactions and to study mtDNA-associated defects in mammalian cells. Our method of isolating mtDNA-depleted cells is practical and applicable to a variety of cell types.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4493-4496
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• 2015

Alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been studied in various cancers. However, the clinical value of mtDNA copy number (mtCN) alterations in gastric cancer (GC) is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether alterations in mtCNs might be associated with clinicopathological parameters in GC cases. mtCN was measured in 109 patients with GC by real-time PCR. Then, correlations with clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. mtCN was elevated in 64.2% of GC tissues compared with paired, adjacent, non-cancerous tissue. However, the observed alterations in mtCN were not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics, including age, gender, TN stage, Lauren classification, lymph node metastasis, and depth of invasion. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that mtCN was not significantly associated with the survival of GC patients. In this study, we demonstrated that mtCN was not a significant marker for predicting clinical characteristics or prognosis in GC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.87-90
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• 2015

Alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been studied in various cancers. However, the clinical value of mtDNA copy number (mtCN) alterations in gastric cancer (GC) is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether alterations in mtCNs might be associated with clinicopathological parameters in GC cases. mtCN was measured in 109 patients with GC by quantitative real-time PCR. Then, correlations with clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. mtCN was elevated in 64.2% of GC tissues compared with paired, adjacent, non-cancerous tissue. However, the observed alterations in mtCN were not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics, including age, gender, TN stage, Lauren classification, lymph node metastasis, and depth of invasion. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that mtCN was not significantly associated with the survival of GC patients. In this study, we demonstrated that mtCN was not a significant marker for predicting clinical characteristics or prognosis in GC.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.560-565
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• 1997

The physicochemical properties of melatonin (MT) in propylene glycol (PG) and 2-hydroxypropyl-.betha.-cyclodextrin $(2-HP{\beta}CD)$ vehicles were characterized. MT was endothermally decomposed as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Melting point and heat of fusion obtained were $116.9{\pm}0.24^{\circ}C $.and $7249{\pm}217 cal/mol$., respectively. MT as received from a manufacture was very pure, at least 99.9%. The solubility of MT in PG solution increased slowly until reaching 40% PG and then steeply increased. Solubility of MT increased linearly as concentration of $2-HP{\beta}CD$ without PG INCREASED$(R^2=0.993)$. MT solubility in the mixtures of pg and $2-HP{\beta}CD$ also increased linearly but was less than the sum of its solubility in $2-HP{\beta}CD$ and PG individually. The MT solubility was low in water, simulated gastric or intestinal fluid but the highest in the mixture of PG(40v/v%) and $2-HP{\beta}CD$ (30w/v%) although efficiency of MT solubilization in $2-HP{\beta}CD$ decreased as the concentration of PG increased. MT was degraded in a fashion of the first order kinetics $(r^2>0.90)$. MT was unstable in strong acidic solution (HCl-NaCl buffer, pH 1.4) but relatively stable in other pH values of 4-10 at $70^{\circ}C$. In HCl-NaCl buffer, MT in 10% PG was more quickly degraded and then slowed dpwm at a higher concentration. However, the degradation rate constant of MT in 2-HP.betha.CD was not changed significantly when compared to the water. The current studies can be applied to the dosage formulations for the purpose of enhancing percutaneous absorption or bioavailability of MT.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.201-214
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• 2015

This study was conducted to identify forest topsoil's usefulness from July 2013 to Oct 2014. Generally, there are abundant seeds in topsoils and it can be used at restoration works. Mt. GARIWANG is famous for biodiversity in Korea. This study was aimed to find out the suitable utilization methods of natural topsoils for restoration works at sky-slopes construction sites. Test beds was made to identify suitable collecting times and suitable topsoil thickness. The main results are summarized as follows. First, Mt. GARIWANG have diverse species and in topsoils we can find lots of burried seeds which can be used at restoration works. Second, according to indoor experiment, as the depth of topsoil used thicker, the number of plants and coverage rates were increased. Also, there were no distinct differences in coverage rates between 5cm and 8cm thick topsoil plots and it can be possible to use at least 3cm thick topsoils even thou lower coverage rates. Third, as the results of research about indoor and outdoor experimental plots, there were difference in plant emergency. If we use the stabilizer to protect soil erosion, then we can get more increased results at sloped outdoor experimental plots. Fourth, based on environmental impact assessment, there was 389 species in whole region of Mt. GARIWANG. Through this seed bank experiments, we can find 23 varieties, including 4 tree varieties and 19 herbaceous varieties. We can find lots of native herbaceous species from topsoils. Fifth, this research was done at the specific area of Mt. GARIWANG and used limited topsoils. But we monitoring more longer periods, then there will be more useful outcomes. Finally by researching topsoils of Mt. GARIWANG, we can find diverse native plants. Thus, we must reuse natural topsoils of Mt. Gariwang for restoration of original vegetation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.3
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• pp.255-264
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• 2017

Background:N-acetyl transferase (NAT) inactivates the pro-drug isoniazid (INH) to N-acetyl INH through a process of acetylation, and confers low-level resistance to INH in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Similar to NAT of MTB, NAT2 in humans performs the same function of acetylation. Rapid acetylators, may not respond to INH treatment efficiently, and could be a potential risk factor, for the development of INH resistance in humans. Methods: To understand the contribution of NAT of MTB and NAT2 of humans in developing INH resistance using in silico approaches, in this study, the wild type (WT) and mutant (MT)-NATs of MTB, and humans, were modeled and docked, with substrates and product (acetyl CoA, INH, and acetyl INH). The MT models were built, using templates 4BGF of MTB, and 2PFR of humans. Results: On the basis of docking results of MTB-NAT, it can be suggested that in comparison to the WT, binding affinity of MT-G207R, was found to be lower with acetyl CoA, and higher with acetyl-INH and INH. In case of MT-NAT2 from humans, the pattern of score with respect to acetyl CoA and acetyl-INH, was similar to MT-NAT of MTB, but revealed a decrease in INH score. Conclusion: In MTB, MT-NAT revealed high affinity towards acetyl-INH, which can be interpreted as increased formation of acetyl-INH, and therefore, may lead to INH resistance through inactivation of INH. Similarly, in MT-NAT2 (rapid acetylators), acetylation occurs rapidly, serving as a possible risk factor for developing INH resistance in humans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2017

The maximum sustained yield (MSY) of shellfish caught through dredge fishery was 7,250 to 7,490 MT from 1990 to 1999, which was not affected by the construction of the Saemangeum Dike. The MSY from 2000 to 2016, under the influence of the dike, was 1,716 to 1,776 MT when the total annual fish catch was 1,000 MT or more, and 289 to 336 MT when it was less than 1,000 MT. The construction of the Saemangeum Dike led to a decrease in the catch volume of the offshore dredge fishery in Jeollabuk-do, to 4.2 to 23.7% of that before its construction. The allowable biological catch (ABC) was estimated to be 313 to 1,532 MT per year, which was about 72.3 to 94.3% less than before the construction of Saemangeum Dike. Currently, the dredge fishery in Jeollabuk-do relies on comb pen shells. For fishery management, the catch per vessel should be set at 51.0 MT/year or less, and the number of fishing vessels should be reduced to 22 as quickly as possible. Besides, in the long term, the number of current fishing vessels should be reduced to less than half in consideration of the comb pen shell collecting period in Jeollabuk-do.