• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Implantation itself is governed by an array of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators, of embryonic and maternal origin. Window of implantation is the unique temporal and spatial expression of factors allows the embryo to implant via signaling, appositioning, attachment, and invasion in a specific time frame of $2{\sim}4$ days. When the embryo has arrived in the uterine cavity, a preprogrammed sequence of events occurs, which involves the production and secretion of a multitude of biochemical factors such as cytokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules by the endometrium and the embryo, thus leading to the formation of a receptive endometrium. Cytokines such as LIF, CSF-1, and IL-1 have all been shown to play important roles in the cascade of events that leads to implantation. Integrin, L-selectin ligands, glycodelin, mucin-1, HB-EGF and pinopodes are involved in appositioning and attachment. The embryo also produces cytokines and growth factors (ILs, VEGF) and receptors for endometrial signals such as LIF, CSF-1, IGF and HB-EGF. The immune system and angiogenesis play an important role. The usefulness of these factors to assess endometrial receptivity and to estimate the prognosis for pregnancy in natural and artificial cycles remains to be proven. Integrins, pinopodes, glycodelin and LIF (from biopsies) are promising candidates; from uterine flushings, glycodelin and LIF are also candidates. The ideal serum marker is not available, but VEGF, glycodelin and CSF have some clinical implications. Further evaluation that includes larger groups of infertile women and fertile controls are needed to elucidate whether their presence in plasma, flushing fluid, or endometrial samples can be used as some kind of a screening tool to assess endometrial function and prognosis for pregnancy before and after artificial reproductive therapy. A better understanding of their function in human implantation may lead to therapeutic intervention, thereby improving the success rate in reproduction treatment. New molecular techniques are becoming available for measuring both embryonic and endometrial changes prior to and during implantation. The use of predictive sets of markers may prove to be more reliable than a single marker. Ultimately, the aim is to use these tools to increase implantation in artificial cycles and consequently improve live-birth rates.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

This study's aim was to isolate microorganisms producing agarase with a high activity, with possible applications in improving the performance of the pretreatment processes for bioethanol production. Marine algaes were collected from the south coast of Korea, from which three kinds of microorganisms were isolated. After a 4-day culture of these strains at $25^{\circ}C$, crude enzymes were obtained from culture supernatant or cell-free extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation and membrane dialysis. Agarase activity was observed in these crude enzymes. Notably higher specific activity was observed in the crude enzyme obtained from the culture supernatant rather than that from the cell-free extract. This indicates that a secreted enzyme has a much greater activity than a cellular enzyme. Crude enzymes from the GNUM08122 strain were inferred to have ${\alpha}$-agarase activity because release of p-nitrophenol was observed, possibly due to the cleavage of p-nitrophenyl-${\alpha}$-D-galactopyranoside. The 16S rRNA sequence of GNUM08122 showed a close relationship to Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii KMM 3549 (99.8%) and Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis IMA 14160 (99.7%), which led us to assign it to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Biochemical and physiological study revealed that this strain can grow well at $40^{\circ}C$ under a wide range of pH (pH 4~8) in high-salt conditions (10% NaCl).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2012

Several acidogenesis batch tests, and BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) with food waste leachate was tested at various organic loading rates (OLRs) on the mesophilic ($35^{\circ}C$) and thermophilic ($55^{\circ}C$) conditions. In acidogenesis batch test, VS removal efficiencies were 27.3% and 30.6% at $35^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. Removal efficiency of VS at $55^{\circ}C$ was higher than that at $35^{\circ}C$. With decrease in VS, SCOD increased as reaction time increased. Solubilization efficiency of VS were 27.4% and 33.4% at each reaction temperature within 4 days acid fermentation. Methane yield were 461 and 413 $mLCH_4/gVS$ at mesophilic and thermophilic BMP test, respectively. SCOD solubilizations in the themophilic acid fermenter showed 8~17% higher than those in the mesophilic fermenter. COD removal efficiency showed higher in the mesophilic acid fermenter at low organic loading rate. While at high organic loading rate, it was higher in the thermophilic acid fermenter. VS removal efficiency was higher at the mesophilic temperature, however, it decreased at OLR higher than 6 kg $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$. On the contrary, VS removal efficiency did not decrease but maintain at thermophilic temperature. The amount of methane gas generated from mesophilic methanogenesis digester was 12.6, 21.6, 27.4 L/day at OLR of 4, 5, 6 $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$, respectively. The amount of methane gas generated from themophilic methanogenesis digester was 14.3, 20.6, 25.2 L/day at each OLR, respectively, which is about 15~20 L/day lower than those generated at mesophilic digester.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2006

Two hundred bacterial strains were isolated from the soil around healthy tomato plants in a polyvinyl house, where most of the other plants showed bacterial wilt symptoms. The strains were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activity. Among them, a strain, KPB3 showed strong bactericidal activity against bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum. The strain KPB3 was identified using physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA analyses. Based on these tests, the strain was found to be closer to genus Paenibacillus. To control the bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Paenibacillus strain KPB3. Drench application of this strain ($4{\times}10^8$ CFU $mL^{-1}$) into the pots containing tomato plants, post-inoculated with the pathogen, R. solanacearum could drastically reduce the disease severity, compared to the non-treated plants. To evaluate effectiveness of this strain under field conditions, experiments were carried out in polyvinyl houses infested with R. solanacearum, during spring and autumn of the year 2006. It was observed that, during spring, bacterial wilt was more prevalent compared to the autumn. During spring, 50.9% disease incidences occurred in non-treated controls, while, Paenibacillus strain KPB3 treated plants showed 24.6% disease incidences. Similarly, during autumn, around 17.2% plants were infected with bacterial wilt in non- treated polyvinyl houses, compared to the Paenibacillus strain KPB3 treated plants, which showed 7.0% disease incidences. These results demonstrated that, Paenibacillus strain KPB3 is a potential biological control agent against bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum, effective under greenhouse as well as field conditions. This is the first report showing biocontrol of R. solanacearum using a Paenibacillus spp. under field conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2006

An Antiviral producing bacterial strain was isolated from ginseng root environment in Hongcheon, Kangwon province of Republic of Korea. Identification of this bacterial strain was performed by physiological and biochemical tests along with 16S rRNA analyses. The results revealed that the bacterium was closer to genus Serratia, which was named as Gsm01. The strain was grown in Mannitol-Glutamate-Yeast (MGY) broth for 48 h. The culture was centrifuged and the filtrate obtained was tested for its ability to control Cucumber mosaic virus strain Y (CMV-Y) in greenhouse and field experiments. In the green house experiments, CF was evaluated for its ability to protect local host, Chenopodium amaranticolor and systemic host of CMV, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc. It was found that, CF treatment reduced viral infection by 98% in local host; C. amaranticolor. The N. tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc plants treated with CF did not show visible viral symptoms 15 days post inoculation (dpi) and remained symptomless throughout the periods of the study. To evaluate effectiveness of CF under field conditions, experiment was carried out in a polyvinyl house. It was observed that, 52% plants were protected from viral diseases compared to non-treated plants, increasing the crop yield. This is the first report showing antiviral activity of a Serratia spp. against CMV.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.98-110
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary potassium intake, Na/K intake molar ratio, consumption of 18 food groups, and foods contributing to potassium intake of Korean adults as well as the relationships among quartile of potassium intake level and blood pressure, blood biochemical index. Methods: This study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007~2010. The total number of subjects was 20,291. All analyses were conducted using a survey weighting to account for the complex survey design. Results: Overall average intakes of potassium were 2,934.7, 3,070.6, 3,078.1, and 3,232.0 mg/day, and they significantly increased by year in Korean adults. The average dietary potassium intake was close to adequate intake (AI), whereas that of women was considerably lower than the AI. The Na/K intake molar ratio in males (2.89~3.23) was higher than in females (2.62~2.95). The major food groups contributing to potassium intake were vegetables, cereals, and fruits/meats. The two major foods contributing to potassium intake were polished rice and cabbage kimchi. The rankings of food source were as follows; polished rice > cabbage kimchi > potato > oriental melon > sweet potato > seaweed > radish > apple > black soybean. In 50~64 year old females, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and HDL-cholesterol significantly increased (p < 0.05) as potassium intake increased. Triglyceride (TG) was significantly higher in the other quartile of potassium intake level than in the first quartile (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggests the need for an appropriate set of dietary reference intakes according to caloric intake by sex and age groups and for development of eating patterns to increase potassium intake and decrease sodium intake.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.837-844
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• 1998

Background: Adenosine is secreted by myocardial cells during myocardial ischemia or hypoxia. It has many beneficial effects on arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and reperfusion ischemia. Although many investigators have demonstrated that cardioplegia that includes adenosine shows protective effects in myocardial ischemia or reperfusion injury, reports of the optimal dose of adenosine in cardioplegic solutions vary. We reported the results of beneficial effects of single dosage(0.75 mg/Kg/min) adenosine by use of self-made Langendorff system. But it is uncertain that dosage was optimal. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal dose of adenosine in cardioplegic solutions. Material and Method: We used a self-made Langendorff system to evaluate the myocardial protective effect. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 90 minutes of deep hypothermic arrest(15$^{\circ}C$) with modified St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegia including adenosine. Myocardial adenosine levels were augmented during ischemia by providing exogenous adenosine in the cardioplegia. Three groups of hearts were studied: (1) group 1 (n=10) : adenosine - 0.5 mg/Kg/min, (2) group 2(n=10): adenosine -0.75 mg/Kg/min, (3) group 3 (n=10) : adenosine -1 mg/Kg/min. Result: Group 3 resulted in a significantly rapid arrest time of the heart beat(p<0.05) but significantly slow recovery time of the heart beat after reperfusion(p<0.05) compared to groups 1 and 2. Group 2 showed a better percentage of recovery(p<0.05) in systolic aortic pressure, aortic overflow volume, coronary flow volume, and cardiac output compared to groups 1 and 3. Group 1 showed a a better percentage of recovery(p<0.05) in the heart rate compared to the others. In biochemical study of drained reperfusates, CPK and lactic acid levels did not show significant differences in all of the groups. Conclusion: We concluded that group 2 [adenosine(0.75 mg/Kg/min) added to cardioplegia] has better recovery effects after reperfusion in myocardial ischemia and is the most appropriate dosage compared to group 1 and 3.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.486-496
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• 2011

A special mesenchymal tissue layer called perichondrium has a chondrogenic capacity and is a candidate tissue for engineering of cartilage. To overcome limited potential for chondrocyte proliferation and re-absorption, we studied a method of cartilage tissue engineering comprising chondrocyte-hydrogel pluronic complex (CPC) and cultured perichondrial cell sheet (cPCs) which entirely cover CPC. For effective cartilage regeneration, cell-sheet engineering technique of high-density culture was used for fabrication of cPCs. Hydrogel pluronic as a biomimetic cell carrier used for stable and maintains the chondrocytes. The human cPCs was cultured as a single layer and entirely covered CPC. The tissue engineered constructs were implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue pocket on nude mice (n = 6). CPC without cPCs were used as a controls (N = 6). Engineered cartilage specimens were harvested at 12 weeks after implantation and evaluated with gross morphology and histological examination. Biological analysis was also performed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen. Indeed, we performed additional in vivo studies of cartilage regeneration using canine large fullthickness chondrial defect model. The dogs were allocated to the experimental groups as treated chondrocyte sheets with perichondrial cell sheet group (n = 4), and chondrocyte sheets only group (n = 4). The histological and biochemical studies performed 12 weeks later as same manners as nude mouse but additional immunofluorescence study. Grossly, the size of cartilage specimen of cPCs covered group was larger than that of the control. On histological examination, the specimen of cPCs covered group showed typical characteristics of cartilage tissue. The contents of GAG and type II collagen were higher in cPCs covered group than that of the control. These studies demonstrated the potential of such CPC/cPCs constructs to support chondrogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, the method of cartilage tissue engineering using cPCs supposed to be an effective method with higher cartilage tissue gain. We suggest a new method of cartilage tissue engineering using cultured perichondrial cell sheet as a promising strategy for cartilage tissue reconstruction.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 1992

In this study, various physiological and biochemical experiments were conducted to know whether the selectivity between rice and barnyardgrass treated with bleaching herbicides containing diphenyl ether compounds was also partly based on their basic physiological proterties such as peroxidation ability, membrane stability or antioxidant system. It seemed to be partly based on the differences of their physiological characteristics that barnyardgrass was commonly more susceptible to most of the bleaching herbicides than rice. The scenescence of intact leaf segment was more rapid in barnyardgrass than in rice, indicating that barnyardgrass is weak at early stage. Also pigment metabolic ability, antioxidant enzyme activities(peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase) and antioxidant content (tocopherol, ascorbic acid, glutathione, carotenoids) were lower in barnyardgrass on the basic of fresh weight. However, lipoxygenase activity and the content of unsaturated fatty acid which is vulnerable to oxygen radicals were higher in barnyardgrass, suggesting that barnyardgrass seedling bave a properties easy to be peroxidized. The differences of PPIX (protoporphyrin IX) or carotenoid content, which are the primary substances inducing herbicide activity, were not related to the selectivity between rice and barnyardgrass.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2002

Sox4, a transcription factor, consists of three functional domains: an HMG-box domain as a DNA binding domain, serine rich region as a transactivation domain and glycine rich region (GRR), an unknown functional domain. Although Sox4 is known to be functionally involved in heart, B-cell and reproductive system development, its physiological function remains to be elucidated. We used pGEX expression system to develop a simple and rapid method for purifying Sox4 protein in suitable forms for biochemical studies of their functions. Unexpectedly, we observed that full-length Sox4 appears to be protease-sensitive during expression and purification in E. coli. To map the protease-sensitive site in Sox4, we generated various constructs with each of functional domains of Sox4 and purified as the GST-Sox4 fusion proteins using glutathione beads. We found that the specific cleavage site for the proteolytic enzyme, which exists in E. coli, is localized within the novel GRR of Sox4. Our study suggest that the GRR of Sox4 may a target for the cellular protease action and this cleavage in the GRR may be involved in regulating physiological function of Sox4. Additionally, our study may provide a useful method for investigating the proteolytic cleavage of the target molecule in E. coli.