• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 1991

This study was initiated to investigate the effects of organic germanium on cadmium and mercury intoxication. The effect was determined by the metallothionein induction in liver and kidney. Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were treated with CdCI$_{2}$ (2mg/kg), HgCI$_{2}$ (1 mg/kg) and organic germanium (GE-132) (100 mg/kg) in single and in combination via intraperitoneal injection or intragastric administration every other days for 17 days. Experimental animals were sacrificed after 7, 12 and 17 days treatment. The serum transaminase activities (SGOT, SGPT), concentration of metal and metallothionein, metal-binding capacity of metallothionein in liver and kidney were determined and pathomorphological observations were undertaken. The combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$ significantly decreased the increment of serum transaminase activities in rats treated with CdCI$_{2}$ only, but the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$ did not affect to activities of transaminases induced by mercury only. The concentration of metals (Cd and Hg) except Ge in the liver and kidney of rats increased with the time of treatment. Mercury concentration in kidney of rat treated with HgCI$_{2}$ only was significantly higher than the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$. The combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$ significantly increased the concentration of metallothionein in liver compared to the CdCI$_{2}$ only, although the concentration of cadmium in liver were not significantly different between two groups. This indicates that GE-132 decreased toxicity of cadmium in liver by promoting metallothionein induction. There were no significant differences in metallothionein concentration in liver and kidney of rats between the combined treatment of GE-132 and HgCI$_{2}$ and HgCI$_{2}$ only. Metal-binding capacity of metallothionein varied with each time intervals in liver and kidney of metals treated rats except the liver of the combined treatment of GE-132 and CdCI$_{2}$. This finding explains the concentration of metallothionein in liver keeps abreast with the concention of metal. Furthermore, the combined treatment of GE-132and CdCl$_{2}$ revealed pathologically less changes in liver tissue than CdCl$_{2}$ only; the damages of liver cell, such as lobular necrosis and portal inflammation, were relieved and appeared more later. From the above results, organic germanium is considered to have some beneficial effect on the protection of liver from the cadmium intoxication.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.144-155
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• 2023

Objective: Adipocyte differentiation is regulated by a variety of functional genes and noncoding RNAs. However, the role of miRNAs in lipid deposition of goat white adipose tissue is still unclear. Therefore, this study revealed the miRNA expression profile in goat subcutaneous adipocytes by sRNA-seq. Methods: The miRNA expressed in goat subcutaneous preadipocytes and the mature adipocytes were sequenced by sRNA-seq. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEm) were screened and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia for genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function combined with oil red O staining, Bodipy staining, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were utilized to determine the effect of miR-133a-3p on adipocyte differentiation. Results: A total of 218 DEm were screened out. The target genes of these DEm were significantly enriched in GO items such as biological regulation and in KEGG terms such as FAK signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. qPCR verified that the expression trend of miRNA was consistent with miRNA-seq. The gain-of-function or loss-of-function of miR-133a-3p showed that it promoted or inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets, and CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ were extremely significantly up-regulated or down-regulated respectively (p<0.01), the loss-of-function also led to a significant down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study successfully identified miRNAs expression patterns in goat subcutaneous adipocytes, and functional identification indicates that miR-133a-3p is a positive regulator of the differentiation process of goat subcutaneous adipocytes. Our results lay the foundation for the molecular mechanism of lipid deposition in meat-source goats from the perspective of miRNA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.102-109
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• 2015

In this study, on the basis of the results of the field survey and the theoretical consideration for Korean Standard Specification for concrete durability and maintenance, the following conclusions are derived. From the survey, the prediction equation of carbonation depth for the southwest region in Korea is experimentally proposed, $y_p=5.865{\sqrt{t}}$, which predicts about 60mm of the carbonation depth for the concrete structures of 100 years, a 1st class of target endurance period, under a combined deterioration environment like a marine environment. Considering that the marginal value for a carbonation depth limitation under very severely marine environment is 25mm, in accordance with the Specification, it is found that the predicting carbonation depth for the concrete cover depths, 100mm and 60mm are 63mm and 29.4mm, respectively. In conclusion, according to the equation and the Specification, it is strongly required that the reinforced concrete structures with the cover depth under 100mm have to make a protection from combined deterioration factors by any methods like a surface coating, an increment of cover depth or an application of a special concrete.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.69-74
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was undertaken to determine if a combined(SPe) has a protective effect against functional failure induced by $CCl_4$ in rat liver. Methods : Acute liver injury which initiated from free radical induced by $CCl_4$, were applied to rats and data were obtained. Liver injury was estimated by measuring aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activity in serum. Lipid peroxidation was examined by measuring malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation. GSH activities in liver tissues were also measured. Results : When rats were treated intraperitoneally with $CCl_4$, serum AST and ALT were increased compared with the control, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of SPe. SPe also prevented reduction in GSH induced by $CCl_4$. Conclusion : Above results suggest that SPe exerts protective effect against $CCl_4$ by its antioxidant action in liver tissues. Thus, SPe may be used in prevention and treatment of drug-induced liver cell injury. However, the precise mechanisms of SPe protection remain to be determined.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.300-307
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• 2006

The combined SHARON (Single reactor system for High ammonium Removal Over Nitrite)-ANAMMOX (Anaerobic ammonium oxidation) reactor were operated in mesophilic condition ($35^{\circ}C$). In this study, microbial granulation and characteristics of SHARON and ANAMMOX sludges were investigated using settling test, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). In SHARON reactor, Aerobic granulation with diameter of 1.5~2.5 mm was accomplished but aerobic granulation was weaker than anaerobic granular sludge. Initial seed sludge of ANAMMOX reactor was used as attached media for biofilm growth. ANAMMOX sludge was more compact and rounder rather than seed sludge. Though ANAMMOX sludge has high activity, it has lower settling ability than the seed granule. The color of ANAMMOX sludge was changed from dark to redish brown granular with diameter of 1~2 mm. In FISH of ANAMMOX sludge, high fraction of Candidatus B. stuttgartiensis which paid great role of nitrogen conversion was detected. Also, FISH results reveals that ANAMMOX bacteria inhabit at inner parts near surface, having advantages in utilization of substrates and protection from oxygen inhibition.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2015

The protection of frontal seat passengers in both driver and front seated occupant has been more focused from the auto industries as well as regulatory bodies more than 40 years. Recently, their interests have been extended to rear seat occupants especially children and female occupants. However, the current available safety devices for the rear seat occupants are seat belt only. According to the previous researchers, the injury level of the rear seat passengers tend to be higher than the injury level of the frontal seat passengers. In this study, the optimal location of seat belts anchorages to enhance rear passengers crashworthiness are studied. FEM models are designed in accordance with regulation of KMVSS102, UN R44, UN R16, and UN R14. and three point belts are fitted on the HybridIII 5th percentile dummy and HybridIII 50th percentile dummy. The combined injury value used HIC15, Nij, Chest deflection, Femur force are used to evaluate rear seat belt anchorage optimal locations.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1392-1399
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• 2005

This study evaluated the effect of $\alpha$-tocopherol ($\alpha$-TC), ischemic preconditioning (IPC) or a combination on the extent of mitochondrial injury caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Rats were pretreated with $\alpha$-TC (20 mg/kg per day, i.p.) for 3 days before sustained ischemia. A rat liver was preconditioned with 10 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion, and was then subjected to 90 min of ischemia followed by 5 h or 24 h of reperfusion. I/R increased the aminotransferase activity and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, whereas it decreased the mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase activity. $\alpha$-TC and IPC individually attenuated these changes. $\alpha$-TC combined with IPC ($\alpha$-TC+IPC) did not further attenuate the changes. The mitochondrial glutathione content decreased after 5 h reperfusion. This decrease was attenuated by $\alpha$-TC, IPC, and $\alpha$-TC+IPC. The significant production of peroxides observed after 10 min reperfusion subsequent to sustained ischemia was attenuated by $\alpha$-TC, IPC, and $\alpha$-TC+IPC. The mitochondria isolated after I/R were rapidly swollen. However, this swelling rate was reduced by $\alpha$­TC, IPC, and $\alpha$-TC+IPC. These results suggest that either $\alpha$-TC or IPC reduces the level of mitochondrial damage associated with oxidative stress caused by hepatic I/R, but $\alpha$- TC combined with IPC offers no significant additional protection.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.263-275
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• 2019

In the present work, Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) and Fly ash (FA) were used as partial replacement of Natural Sand (NS) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) by weight. One control mix, one with GBFS, three with FA and three with GBFS-FA combined mixes were prepared. Replacements were 50% GBFS with NS and 20%, 30% and 40% FA with OPC. Preliminary investigation on development of compressive strength was carried out at 7, 28 and 90 days to ensure sustainability of waste materials in concrete matrix at room temperature. After 90days, thermo-mechanical study was performed on the specimen for a temperature regime of $200^{\circ}-1000^{\circ}C$ followed by furnace cooling. Weight loss, visual inspection along with colour change, residual compressive strength and microstructure analysis were performed to investigate the effect of replacement of GBFS and FA. Although adding waste mineral by-products enhanced the weight loss, their pozzolanicity and formation history at high temperature played a significant role in retaining higher residual compressive strength even up to $800^{\circ}C$. On detail microstructural study, it has been found that addition of FA and GBFS in concrete mix improved the density of concrete by development of extra calcium silicate gel before fire and restricts the development of micro-cracks at high temperature as well. In general, the authors are in favour of combined replacement mix in view of high volume mineral by-products utilization as fire protection.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.690-695
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• 2023

Recommendations are given to improve the efficiency of radiation protection of transport casks for SNF transportation. The attenuation of ${\gamma}$-quanta of long-lived isotopes ¹³⁴Cs, ^137mBa(¹³⁷Cs), ¹⁵⁴Eu and ⁶⁰Co by optimizing the thicknesses and arrangement of layers of Fe and Pb radiation shields of transport casks is studied. The fixed radiation shielding mass (fixed mass thickness) is chosen as the main optimization criterion. The effect of the placement order of Fe and Pb layers in a combined two-layer radiation shield with an equivalent thickness of 30 cm is studied in detail. It is shown that with the same mass thicknesses of the Fe and Pb layers, the placement of Fe in the first layer, and Pb - in the second one provides more than twofold attenuation of ${\gamma}$-quanta compared to the reverse placement: Pb - in the first layer, Fe - in the second. The increase in the efficiency of attenuation of ${\gamma}$-quanta for TC with combined shielding of Fe and Pb is shown to be achieved by designing the first layer of radiation shielding around the canister with SNF from Fe of the maximum possible thickness.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2024

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most widely planted and used legumes in the world, being used for food, animal feed products, and industrial production. The soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is the most prevalent virus infecting soybean plants. This study developed a diagnostic method for the rapid and sensitive detection of SMV using a reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) technique combined with a lateral flow strip (LFS). The RT-RPA and RT-RPA-LFS conditions to detect the SMV were optimized using the selected primer set that amplified part of the VPg protein gene. The optimized reaction temperature for the RT-RPA primer and RT-RPA-LFS primer used in this study was 38℃ for both, and the minimum reaction time was 10 min and 5 min, respectively. The RT-RPA-LFS was as sensitive as RT-PCR to detect SMV with 10 pg/µl of total RNA. The reliability of the developed RT-RPA-LFS assay was evaluated using leaves collected from soybean fields. The RT-RPA-LFS diagnostic method developed in this study will be useful as a diagnostic method that can quickly and precisely detect SMV in the epidemiological investigation of SMV, in the selection process of SMV-resistant varieties, on local farms with limited resources.