• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2017

Capparis pubifolia B. S. Sun is reported here as a new addition to the flora of Vietnam. It is morphologically allied to C. sikkimensis Kurz but differs due to the gray-yellow color of the hair of the twigs, having more secondary veins on the leaf, trichomes on both surfaces of the petal, and a globose shape of the fruit. Thus far, it was only reported in the Guangxi and Yunnan areas of China. A description, a line drawing and color photographs are provided for species identification. Furthermore, a comparison of the diagnostic characters with those of related species is made.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.54.1-54.13
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• 2021

Background: Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and affects cardiovascular function and the programming of cardiovascular disease. Melatonin promotes antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlation between melatonin and hypoxia induction in cardiomyocytes differentiation. Methods: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were induced to myocardial differentiation. To demonstrate the influence of melatonin under hypoxia, mESC was pretreated with melatonin and then cultured in hypoxic condition. The cardiac beating ratio of the mESC-derived cardiomyocytes, mRNA and protein expression levels were investigated. Results: Under hypoxic condition, the mRNA expression of cardiac-lineage markers (Brachyury, Tbx20, and cTn1) and melatonin receptor (Mtnr1a) was reduced. The mRNA expression of cTn1 and the beating ratio of mESCs increased when melatonin was treated simultaneously with hypoxia, compared to when only exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein decreased with melatonin treatment under hypoxia, and Mtnr1a mRNA expression increased. When the cells were exposed to hypoxia with melatonin treatment, the protein expressions of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and Bcl-2-associated X proteins (Bax) decreased, however, the levels of phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins, and antioxidant enzymes including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase were increased. Competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole blocked the melatonin-induced effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hypoxia inhibits cardiomyocytes differentiation and melatonin partially mitigates the adverse effect of hypoxia in myocardial differentiation by regulating apoptosis and oxidative stress through the p-AKT and PI3K pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.164-180
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of shenfu injection on myocardial protective effects after mitral valve replacement surgery. Methods: We searched four international databases (PUBMED, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI) and three domestic electronic databases (OASIS, RISS and NDSL) for relevant studies. We used following keywords 'shenfu', 'valve replacement', 'mitral valve' at PUBMED, Embase and Web of Science; '二尖瓣', '参附注射液', '瓣膜' at CNKI and '이첨판', '판막', '삼부' at domestic databases. The search range included randomized controlled trials. When appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials were selected. All studies used Shenfu injection after mitral valve replacement surgery. We analyzed myocardial damage, cardiac function, patients' recovery rate, with various evaluation indicators. We also used meta-analysis for CK-MB, cTnI, MDA and voluntary recovery of heartbeat. CK-MB was analyzed in two subgroups: 8 hours and 24 hours after surgery. Std was -2.34(95% CI -4.10, -0.58) for 8 hours and -1.95(95% CI -4.79 to 0.88) for 24 hours. 8 hours showed statistically significant difference. cTnI appeared significant decrease with Std of -2.13(95% CI -2.60, -1.66). MDA showed significant decrease with Std of -0.95(95% CI -1.43 to -0.47). Voluntary recovery of heartbeat significantly increased with the odd ratio of 4.34(95% CI 1.76, 10.70). Conclusions: We suggest that Shenfu injection after Mitral valve replacement surgery may have significant myocardial protective effects in terms of reducing myocardial damages, reactive oxygen species, increasing cardiac function and patients' recovery after surgery. However, the evidence is limited, further research is required.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.256-270
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• 2024

The antidepressant drug trazodone (TRZ) is commonly used for treating depression, anxiety, and insomnia, however, it causes cardiotoxicity, which is one of its limitations. The objective of this work was to investigate the impact of sage (Salvia officinalis) in rats against cardiotoxicity induced by TRZ and to investigate the mechanisms involved in its cardio-protective properties through autophagy and oxidative stress. Fifty male albino rats were split randomly into five experimental groups: control group, sage oil group (100 mg/kg), TRZ group (20 mg/kg), protective group, and curative group. Cardiac function biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], creatine kinase-MB [CK-MB], and cardiac troponin T [cTnI]) were assessed in serum. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in cardiac tissue (total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were evaluated. Heart tissues were subjected to histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural evaluations. DNA damage also evaluated. Significant rise in the levels of AST, CK-MB, and cTnI were observed with enhanced autophagy along with marked histopathological changes in the form of interrupted muscle fibers with wide interstitial spaces with areas of hemorrhage and extravasated blood and interstitial mononuclear cellular infiltration in TRZ group. DNA damage was also significantly increased in TRZ group. However, administration of sage in both protective and curative groups show marked improvement of the cardiac alterations. In conclusion, sage ameliorated the alterations in the heart induced by trazadone through modulation of autophagy and oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1 s.110
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• pp.18-29
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• 2005

This study was conducted to understand seasonal dynamics of phyto- and zooplankton communities in a shallow eutrophic reservoir (Shingu reservoir) from November 2002 to February 2004. Cyanophyceae dominated throughout the year, except for spring (March ${\sim}$ May) when Bacillariophyceae (Melosira varians) and Chlorophyceae (Dictyosphaerium puchellum) were dominant. The change of dominant species in Cyanophytes occurred in June and December 2003, and the increase of phytoplankton cell density in July and November was observed when the P loading through two inflows was high. In May, Oscillatoria spp. and Aphanizomenon sp. were dominant, but replaced by Microcystis spp. in the end of May. Dominant Microcystis spp. sustained until December and shifted to Oscillatoria spp. and Aphanizomenon sp. TN/TP ratio ranged from 13 to 46 (Avg. $27{\pm}6$) from June to December when cyanobacteria (Microcystis spp.) dominated. Rotifers such as Keratella cochlearis, Keratella valga, Polyarthra spp., Conochilus unicornis, Pompholyx complanata dominated in average 67.8% of the zooplankton community. Abundance of zooplankton was the highest in June 2003, when Pompholyx complanata (12,388 ind $L^{-1}$) was dominant. In May, the significant increase of Conochilus unicornis biomass ($1,048{\pm}28\;{\mu}g\;C\;L^{-1}$) was observed with distinct improvement of transparency ($Z_{eu}/\;Z_m=\;1.1$). These results suggest that the seasonal variation of phytoplankton communities in this reservoir are to be understood as results of multi-interactive factors such as temperature, light condition and nutrients, and small-sized rotifers as important predator.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2001

Distillation condensate generated from downstream processing of microbial alcohol fermentation imposes a serious burden to biological wastewater treatment or anaerobic digestion due to its high contents of SS (suspended solids) and TN (total nitrogen), A pilot scale microfiltration of the stillage condensate with a stainless steel SCEPTER membrane of 0.1 ${\mu}$m pore size was carried out to remove SS which was mostly composed of microbial cell residue. A stable permeate flux was achieved when the decanter effluent containing 0.7% of SS was filtered under the conditions of X10 VCR (volume concentration ratio), 2.5 bar of TMP (transmembrane pressure), and 60$^{\circ}C$. When stillage condensate with 2.6% SS was treated directly with microfiltration, VCR below X3 was recommended for a long duration of filtration. The permeate and retentate obtained from microfiltration were recycled to make-up medium of fermentation. Adding permeate or retentate up to 30% of fermentation volume showed no distinguished undesirable influence during the course of alcohol fermentation. Although only slight improvements in the final amount of CO$_2$ evolution and alcohol content were observed, fermentation rate increased so that the required time to reach 450 L/ton of CO$_2$ evolution was shortened to 72% of that with normal media.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.699-709
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• 2017

We measured the grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in order to understand the spatial distribution and pollution level of organic matter and metals in surface sediment around Goseong Bay, a shellfish farming area, Korea. The surface sediments were composed of finer sediments such as mud and clay. The concentration of TOC, TN, and heavy metals were much higher in the innermost bay than in the mouth and outside of bay. The spatial distribution of organic matter and heavy metals and C/N ratio (5-10) in sediment showed that the organic matter and heavy metals in sediment of the study region were significantly influenced by oceanic origin organic matter and anthropogenic sources, respectively. Based on the results of four assessment techniques (sediment quality guideline, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index, ecological risk index), the sediments around the Goseong Bay were a little polluted for heavy metals and the high metal concentrations in the northern region of bay could adverse impact on benthic organisms in sediment. Thus, the systematic management plan for the improvement of water and sediment environment and the concentrated monitoring of pollutants for sustainable aquaculture and seafood safety around Goseong Bay are necessary in the future.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2017

A sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as an unnatural sudden death caused by heart disease. To determine the cause of death, observation of the microscopic change in cardiac muscle tissue is suggested, rather than visual postmortem examination. However, this suggestion is time consuming to be applied in the field, is cost-ineffective, and is inconvenient. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand whether temporary inspection used to examine the cardiac marker (Myoglobin, CK-MB, cTn I) in postmortem blood via rapid cardiac triple test kit (which is used by clinics to diagnose patients with acute myocardial infarction) can effectively be utilized for the paragnosis of sudden, unnatural cardiac death. The results of postmortem examination and temporary investigation found that 23 groups (76.7%), among the 30 experimental groups, were assumed to be non-traumatic sudden cardiac deaths, which indicated a positive response (according to comparison with forensic autopsy); 4 groups, among the 10 control groups, were assumed to be cerebrovascular disease, which indicated a negative response; 1 group was assumed to be alcoholic and drug poisoning, indicating a positive response; and 1 group was assumed to be oxygen deficiency due to suffocation, indicating a positive response. Hence, it was found that the level of sensitivity and specificity of cardiac marker's temporary inspection showed significant result, 76.7% and 80% respectively. Given this, temporary inspection can be effectively used for the paragnosis of sudden cardiac death when the medical history, situation of the site, and postmortem interval are considered together. With the result of precedent research on time of first revelation and extinction in blood, and difference in concentration over time progress according to the characteristic of cardiac marker's (myoglobin, CK-MB, cTn I) individual material, further research on concentration of cardiac marker per each post time needs to be conducted in order to estimate time science death (which is required to identify the cause of death and investigation).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.340-349
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• 2009

The natural type section of Gap Stream was divided into 7 sites, such as, closed pool, runs, riffle, opened pool, pool, reek-scattered riffle, and Dam-type pool. The ecological characteristics of fish community at each site was examined from April, 2007 to October, 2008. During the survey period, 29 species belonging to 8 families were collected, and Carassius auratus (St. 1), Coreoleuciscus splendidus (St. 3), Acheilognathus lanceolatus (St. 4) and Zacco platypus (St. 2, 5, 6, 7) were characteristic species that represent each habitat. The species of C. auratus preferred physical habitat with sand-bottom pool, moderate depth of 65$\sim$90 cm, and stagnant water. The species of C. splendidus mainly preferred physical habitat with cobbles and pebbles are scattered riffles (St. 3), moderate depth of 65$\sim$90 cm, and flow velocity is 0.14$\sim$0.85 m $sec^{-1}$. It also preferred where concentration of BOD, COD, TN, TP and SS is low and DO's value is high, because the flow velocity is fast. A. lanceolatus preferred where the depth of water is low (3$\sim$44 cm) like an opened pool (St. 4) and the flow velocity is slow (0.01$\sim$0.02 m $sec^{-1}$). Z. platypus dominated in a variety of habitats such as runs (St. 2), pool (St. 5), rock-scattered riffles (St. 6) and D-type pool (St. 7), and it preferred places where flow is abundant and riverbed structure is diverse. On the other hand, 4 individuals of Iksookimia choii appeared at reek-scattered riffles (St. 6). I. choii appeared in this research lived in where the width of river is 24 m, the depth of water is 3$\sim$35 cm and the flow velocity is 0.01$\sim$0.49 m $sec^{-1}$, and riverbed structure was diversely formed with boulder to sand. Also, water temperature, EC, BOD, COD, TN and TP was low, but concentrations of DO and SS were high comparatively. Therefore, it seems that I. choii can live only in physical and chemical environment with similar conditions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2022

We investigated physicochemical properties and isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ¹³C_TOC and δ ¹⁵N_TN) in the old fish farming (OFF) site after the cessation of aquaculture farming. Based on this approach, our objective is to determine the organic matter origin and their relative contributions preserved at sediments of fish farming. Temporal and spatial distribution of particulate and sinking organic matter(OFF sites: 2.0 to 3.3 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 18.8 to 246.6 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate, control sites: 2.0 to 3.5 mg L^-1 for particulate matter concentration, 25.5 to 129.4 g m^-2 day^-1 for sinking organic matter rate) between both sites showed significant difference along seasonal precipitations. In contrast to variations of δ¹³C_TOC and δ¹⁵N_TN values at water columns, these isotopic compositions (OFF sites: -21.5‰ to -20.4‰ for δ¹³ C_TOC, 6.0‰ to 7.6‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN, control sites: -21.6‰ to -21.0‰ for δ¹³C_TOC, 6.6‰ to 8.0‰ for δ¹⁵N_TN) investigated at sediments have distinctive isotopic patterns(p<0.05) for seawater-derived nitrogen sources, indicating the increased input of aquaculture-derived sources (e.g., fish fecal). With respect to past fish farming activities, representative sources(e.g., fish fecal and algae) between both sites showed significant difference (p<0.05), confirming predominant contribution (55.9±4.6%) of fish fecal within OFF sites. Thus, our results may determine specific controlling factor for sustainable use of fish farming sites by estimating the discriminative contributions of organic matter between both sites.