• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.304-313
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• 2016

One of the issues currently facing nuclear power plants is how to store spent nuclear waste materials which are contaminated with radionuclides such as $^{134}Cs$, $^{135}Cs$, and $^{137}Cs$. Bioremediation processes may offer a potent method of cleaning up radioactive cesium. However, there have only been limited reports on $Cs^+$ tolerant bacteria. In this study, we report the isolation and identification of $Cs^+$ tolerant bacteria in environmental soil and sediment. The resistant $Cs^+$ isolates were screened from enrichment cultures in R2A medium supplemented with 100 mM CsCl for 72 h, followed by microbial community analysis based on sequencing analysis from 16S rRNA gene clone libraries(NCBI's BlastN). The dominant Bacillus anthracis Roh-1 and B. cereus Roh-2 were successfully isolated from the cesium enrichment culture. Importantly, B. cereus Roh-2 is resistant to 30% more $Cs^+$ than is B. anthracis Roh-1 when treated with 50 mM CsCl. Growth experiments clearly demonstrated that the isolate had a higher tolerance to $Cs^+$. In addition, we investigated the adsorption of $0.2mg\;L^{-1}$ $Cs^+$ using B. anthracis Roh-1. The maximum $Cs^+$ biosorption capacity of B. anthracis Roh-1 was $2.01mg\;g^{-1}$ at pH 10. Thus, we show that $Cs^+$ tolerant bacterial isolates could be used for bioremediation of contaminated environments.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2011

Hydrochemical and carbon isotopic (${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$) analyses of 11 water samples, and noble gas isotopic analyses of 8 water samples collected in the Kyeoungbuk and Kangwon areas of Korea were performed to determine their hydrochemical characteristics and to interpret the source of noble gases and $CO_2$ gas in the water. The carbonated mineral waters are weakly acidic (PH = 5.59-6.04), and electrical conductivity ranges from 302 to $864\;{\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of all the water samples is Ca-$HCO_3$ type. The high contents of Fe and Mn exceed the safe limits for drinking water. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ values of the samples range from -5.30‰ to -2.84‰, indicating that the carbon is supplied mainly from a deep-seated source and to a lesser degree from an inorganic carbonate source. The $^3He/^4He$ ratios of the samples range from $1.51{\times}10^{-6}$ to $6.45{\times}10^{-6}$. The samples plot into three groups on a $^3He/^4He$ versus $^4He/^{20}Ne$ diagram: the deep-seated field (e.g., a mantle source), the atmospheric field, and the air-mantle mixing field. A wide range of $^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios is observed ($0.036{\times}10^{-6}$ to $1.76{\times}10^{-6}$), indicating that while radiogenic $^4He$ is dominant in these water samples, mantle-origin He is also present. The supply of $CO_2$ gas and noble gases from a deep-seated source to carbonated waters is inferred to be controlled by geological structures such as faults and geological boundaries.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2002

An International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) program based at the University of Illinois at Chicago initiated its activities in 1998, with the following specific objectives: (a) inventory and conservation of of plants of Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam and of medicinal plants of Laos; (b) drug discovery (and development) based on plants of Vietnam and Laos; and (c) economic development of communities participating in the ICBG project both in Vietnam and Laos. Member-institutions and an industrial partner of this ICBG are bound by a Memorandum of Agreement that recognizes property and intellectual property rights, prior informed consent for access to genetic resources and to indigenous knowledge, the sharing of benefits that may arise from the drug discovery effort, and the provision of short-term and long-term benefits to host country institutions and communities. The drug discovery effort is targeted to the search for agents for therapies against malaria (antimalarial assay of plant extracts, using Plasmodium falciparum clones), AIDS (anti-HIV-l activity using HOG.R5 reporter cell line (through transactivation of the green fluorescent protein/GFP gene), cancer (screening of plant extracts in 6 human tumor cell lines - KB, Col-2, LU-l, LNCaP, HUVEC, hTert-RPEl), tuberculosis (screening of extracts in the microplate Alamar Blue assay against Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra\;and\;H_{37}Rv),$ all performed at UIC, and CNS-related diseases (with special focus on Alzheimer's disease, pain and rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma), peformed at Glaxo Smith Kline (UK). Source plants were selected based on two approaches: biodiversity-based (plants of Cuc Phuong National Park) and ethnobotany-based (medicinal plants of Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam and medicinal plants of Laos). At mc, as of July, 2001, active leads had been identified in the anti-HIV, anticancer, antimalarial, and anti- TB assay, after the screening of more than 800 extracts. At least 25 biologically active compounds have been isolated, 13 of which are new with anti-HIV activity, and 3 also new with antimalarial activity. At GSK of 21 plant samples with a history of use to treat CNS-related diseases tested to date, a number showed activity against one or more of the CNS assay targets used, but no new compounds have been isolated. The results of the drug discovery effort to date indicate that tropical plant diversity of Vietnam and Laos unquestionably harbors biologically active chemical entities, which, through further research, may eventually yield candidates for drug development. Although the substantial monetary benefit of the drug discovery process (royalties) is a long way off, the UIC ICBG program provides direct and real-term benefits to host country institutions and communities.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.2
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• pp.49-61
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• 1962

The insect Diplosis mori Yokoyama is causing extensive destruction of mulberry trees in Korea with a resultant loss in silk production. This study was made to determine an effective method of control. Methods and Materials Used Preliminary studies were made to determine more exactly the life cycle of the insect. Based on this information, various control measures were tested, including the use of spray methods with BHC and control of larvae by tilling. Results Obtained 1. Life cycle studies (a) In the Suwon area, this-insect has 5 generations per year. The first starts in the later part of June and the final cycle ends in the later part of September. (b) The adult insects appear about 7: 00-8: 00 P.M. and live for 2-5 days. Females live in longer periods than the male. (c) Larvae lives inside the second and third stipules (A. B.) before mulberry leaf development. They cause extensive damage to the leaves at the point where they are attached to the stem. (d) Weather conditions considerably affect the life cycle. The pupa particularly are affected and not be able to change into the moth stage when there is a long period of no rain. (e) Larvae are large......0.3 to 2.0mm......and are milky-white immediately after hatching but turn to pinkish as the worm matures. The matured worm has a jumping ability up to 15-20cm. The worm burrows into the ground 1.5 to 3.0 cm before changing into the pupal stage. (f) The pupal stage usually lasts 7-8 days, in summer weather conditions and the pupa is surrounded with a coarse cocoon. (g) These insects, as a general rule, overwinter as pupae but sometimes as larvae. 2. Control measures (a) BHC dust applied on the ground seem most effective. It should be done 4-5 days after the worm has burrowed into the ground. For this control, it is recommended that 6kg of a 2% formation Tanbo(l0ares) be used. (b) For the effective spraying against the fly, it is recommended that a formulation of liquid BHC spray terials be used at the rate of 400-600 liters per Tanbo. (c) Tillage methods which provide a cover of soil 5cm or more in depth above infested areas will effect-maively prevent the emergence of the fly from the pupal stage. 3. Conclusions Methods of control against Diplosis mori Yokoyama can be tied more closely to the life cycle of the insect with more effective results. Further studies are needed to complete information on possible controls during or after hibernation. Economic studies on the cost of these control measures are also needed.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 1992

Effects of the indigenous Vesicular-arbuscular mycurrhizal fungi(VAMF) on early growth response of greenhouse grown crops were experimented. This study was done to evaluate the benefit of indigenous VAMF inoculation on the early growth and the subsequent growth after transplanting of some crops such as cucumber, tomato, hot pepper, eggplant, and melon. Leaf area, shoot dry weight, and plant length of mycorrhizal greenhouse crops showed the tendency of significant or no significant increase over control plants receiving no inoculation. The levels of VA mycorrhizal colonization were increased with plant growth, and infection rates of horticultural crop except hot pepper around one week after transplanting were decreased, while that of 8 weeks after emergence of mycorrhizal seedlings were increased again and infected by around 50% at harvesting time. In spore densities in the rhizosphere soil of craps experimented, the number of spore ranged from $72.7{\pm}26.3$ to $100{\pm}10.3g^1$ on dried soil basis and high density showed in both cucumber and tomato. Total nitrogen contents in shoots were lower in the mycorrhizal plants than non-mycorrhizal one, whereas P uptake in mycorrhizal hot pepper and tomato were highly ramarkable. The K contents in the shoots of mycorrhizal cucumber and eggplent were highly enhanced. Inoculation of the indigenous VAMF enhanced shoot Ca and Mg in both tomoto and melon. The contents of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in shoots of mycorrhizal crops were higher than non-mycorrhizal plants and vice versa in case of eggplent. Inoculation of the indigenous VAMF to horticultural crops were effective for alleviation of transplanting shock, and pretransplanting infection improved subsequent growth by reducing the time required for establishment of a functional mycorrhizal symbiosis following transplanting.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.157-168
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• 2001

Herbicides have been used to control weeds for decades. If detoxification upon exposure to herbicides requires considerable amounts of energy, it could affect the pattern of resource allocation to growth and reproduction of crops. We examined the effects of three levels of a herbicide (Control, Low, and High) on germination, growth and reproductive characters of Glycine max treated twice, i.e., before and after seed germination. Since flowering time of G. max was separated into two groups, flowering time was also considered as a variable in this study. The rate of seed germination tended to be higher at the low level of herbicide compared to other levels. Chlorosis and shape variation of leaves were apparent after the second herbicide treatment, but completely disappeared after six weeks of treatment. The herbicide effects on growth characters were somewhat different between early and late flowering plants, but plants treated with both low and high levels of herbicide reduced their growth compared to those in the control group regardless of flowering time. Plants at the high level of herbicide exhibited the highest growth rate later in the season, suggesting that plants compensated to some extent for reduced growth. However, growth reduction among plants at the high level of herbicide was persistent until the end of growing season. Among plants flowered late in the season, plants in the control level bore a higher number of nodules per plant than those in other levels; such a pattern did not exist among plants flowered early in the season. Plants treated with low and high levels of herbicide produced a lower number of flowers than those in the control. Thus, the herbicide examined affected not only the growth and reproductive characters of non-target crops but also the development and growth of root nodules.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.1260-1266
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• 2001

The effect of protein supplementation, $O_2$ concentration and co-culture on the development of embryos produced by nuclear transfer using cultured cumulus cell was investigated. Recipient oocytes and cumulus cells were obtained from the ovaries of the slaughtered Hanwoo cows. Donor cumulus cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum at 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$. The 1 to 6 passages of cumulus cells were isolated and used as donor cells. The in vitro matured oocytes were enucleated and then the isolated donor cells were introduced. One $15{\mu}s$ pulse of 180 volts was applied to induce the fusion between karyoplast and cytoplast. The fused embryos were activated with $10{\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 5 min and 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h. To examine the effect of protein supplementation, nuclear transfer (NT) embryos were cultured in one of the following 4 treatments : 1) CR1aa + 3 mg/ml BSA for 7 days ; 2) CR1aa + 10% FBS for 7 days ; 3) CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS for 7 days ; and 4) CR1aa + 3 mg/ml BSA for first 3 days and then CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS for 4 days. Culture took place at 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$ and 90% $N_2$ at $38.5^{\circ}C$. Although there were no significant differences in cleavage rate among different protein supplements, the rates of blastocyst formation were significantly different. When NT embryos were cultured in the medium supplemented with only BSA, they could develop to only morula not to blastocyst. However, when FBS was supplemented, NT embryos developed to blastocyst stage. In order to investigate the effect of $O_2$ concentration and co-culture, NT embryos were cultured in CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS with or without cumulus cell co-culture at an atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air (20% $O_2$) or 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, 90% $N_2$ (5% $O_2$) at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The percentage of blastocyst development was significantly higher when the NT embryos were cultured at an atmosphere of 5% $O_2$ than that of 20% $O_2$ (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between with and without cumulus cell co-culture at an atmosphere of 5% $O_2$ or 20% $O_2$. Fifty embryos were transferred to 25 recipients and 5 recipients were pregnant at 100 days. From 5 pregnant cows, only one cow was delivered of female twin. In conclusion, the embryos reconstructed by enucleation of metaphase II oocytes and introduction of the cycling and quiescent cumulus donor cells in Hanwoo had developmental potential to term after embryo transfer to recipient cows.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.277-286
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of nutrition-related knowledge, dietary habits, and nutrient intakes of alcoholic patients and how nutrition education affects these nutritional behaviors. Methods: Subjects included 37 adult male alcoholic patients who were hospitalized. The nutrition education program consisted of five lessons over a five-week period. An each 80-minute nutrition education program per week was implemented for the alcoholic patients over a five-week period. Both before and after the implementation of nutrition education, their nutrition-related knowledge and dietary habits were assessed and nutrient intakes were investigated. Results: The subjects showed drinking habits of considerably high frequency, a large quantity of alcohol consumption, and preference for soju (a liquor) over beer. They had proper weight, height, and BMI, and came from relatively poor socioeconomic backgrounds with a low-level of self-rated health status and a comparatively high rate of suffering from disease. Mean score of their nutrition-related knowledge and dietary habits was quite low. They consumed less energy, dietary fiber, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, Ca, and K, but more Na compared to each Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). After implementing the nutrition education, mean score of nutrition-related knowledge and dietary habits showed significant improvement. In addition, the meeting rate of each DRI of several nutrients was increased significantly, including energy, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, and $B_6$, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, Ca, P, K, Fe, and Zn, while that of Na decreased. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that alcoholic patients had various nutritional problems, such as lack of nutrition-related knowledge, bad dietary habits, and insufficient nutrient intakes, however, these problems can be positively modified by implementation of a relatively short-term nutrition education program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was investigated the effects of YK-209 mulberry leaves on antioxidative defense system of liver in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100$\pm$10 g were randomly assigned to one normal and four STZ-induced diabetic groups; YK-209 mulberry leaves free diet (DM group),0.1% YK-209 mulberry leaves diet (DM-0.1Y group),0.2% YK-209 mulberry leaves diet (DM-0.2Y group) and 0.4% YK-209 mulberry leaves diet (DM-0.4Y group). Diabetes was induced by intravenous Injection of 55 mg/kg body weight of STZ in sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.3) via tail vein after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Rats were sacrificed at the 9th day of diabetic states. Liver weight in all four diabetic groups were higher than normal group, but YK-209 mulberry supplementation groups were lower than DM group. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly decreased in all diabetic groups, compared with normal group. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity was 7.3% decreased in DM group, compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.1Y and DM-0.2Y groups were maintained the normal level. The hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was markedly increased by 144% in DM group, compared with normal group, but those of DM-0. 1Y, DM-0.2Y groups were maintained the normal level. The contents of lipofuscin in liver were increased by 100% in DM group compared with normal group, but those of DM-0. 1Y, DM-0.2Y and DM-0.4Y groups were decreased to 42% 43% and 44%, respectively, compared with DM group. The hepatic superoxide radical (0$^2$-) contents in DM group were increased to 81%, compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.1Y and DM-0.4Y groups were similar to those of normal group. The present result indicate that YK-209 mulberry leaves regarded to suppress lipid peroxidation as an free radical scavenger system by the inhibition of oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Cynanchi wilfordii Radix extracts (CRE) on the improvement of the lipid compositions and blood pressure level in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed an experimental diet for 5 weeks. The rats were divided into 3 groups: a control group, a 0.5% CRE treated group, and a 1% CRE treated group. Consumption of CRE extract for 5 weeks in SHR significantly suppressed blood pressure rise with aging (p<0.05). After eating the experimental diets, the triglycerides in serum was significantly lower in the CRE group than that in the control group. The fasting glucose levels of the 0.5% and 1% CRE group had a tendency to be lower compared with those of the control group. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and HTR (HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol) of the SHR in the 0.5% and 1% CRE diet were significantly increased compared to the control diet. Thus, long term consumption of CRE might be beneficial in lowering high blood pressure and the improvement of lipid metabolism in SHR rats.