• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.165-187
• /
• 2002

This study examines Korean representation of the biotechnology and psychological factors which can influence lay people's perception and attitude about biotechnology. Korean college students(N=433) and lay adults(N=90) whom had college education participated in the study. Participants of the study 1 were asked to list words which comes to mind when associate with the biotechnology in broad sense, and several specific applications in health, medicines, agriculture and research. Participants of the study 2 were asked to list possible benefits and costs of biotechnology and their specific applications. In study 3, Participants responded the questionnaires about perceptions and attitudes of biotechnology. Korean people associated the biotechnology with its costs or risks and benefits. Korean college students mainly got the informations of the biotechnology from TV, newspapers, or internet. They trusted the scientist group and NGO group on their judgements about the assessment of risk and benefit of the biotechnology. College students showed the positive attitude with the applications in medicines and negative attitude with the applications in agriculture and public using of individual's genetic information. The radicalism, sensitivity in behavioral activation system, and trust/cynicism were to be found as a significant influencing factor for interest/knowledge and behavioral intention in related with biotechnology. Finally, more extensive knowledge of biotechnology did not lead to greater acceptance of it.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.228-240
• /
• 2023

Growing complexity in ecosystem structure and functions, under impacts of climate and land-use changes, requires interdisciplinary understandings of processes and the whole-system, and accurate estimates of the changing functions. In the last three decades, observation networks for biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem functions under climate change, have been developed by interested scientists, research institutions and universities. In this paper we will review (1) the development and on-going activities of those observation networks, (2) some outcomes from forest carbon cycle studies at our super-site "Takayama site" in Japan, and (3) a few ideas how we connect in-situ and satellite observations as well as fill observation gaps in the Asia-Oceania region. There have been many intensive research and networking efforts to promote investigations for ecosystem change and functions (e.g., Long-Term Ecological Research Network), measurements of greenhouse gas, heat, and water fluxes (flux network), and biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem level (Biodiversity Observation Network). Combining those in-situ field research data with modeling analysis and satellite remote sensing allows the research communities to up-scale spatially from local to global, and temporally from the past to future. These observation networks oftern use different methodologies and target different scientific disciplines. However growing needs for comprehensive observations to understand the response of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to climate and societal changes at local, national, regional, and global scales are providing opportunities and expectations to network these networks. Among the challenges to produce and share integrated knowledge on climate, ecosystem functions and biodiversity, filling scale-gaps in space and time among the phenomena is crucial. To showcase such efforts, interdisciplinary research at 'Takayama super-site' was reviewed by focusing on studies on forest carbon cycle and phenology. A key approach to respond to multidisciplinary questions is to integrate in-situ field research, ecosystem modeling, and satellite remote sensing by developing cross-scale methodologies at long-term observation field sites called "super-sites". The research approach at 'Takayama site' in Japan showcases this response to the needs of multidisciplinary questions and further development of terrestrial ecosystem research to address environmental change issues from local to national, regional and global scales.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2024

Background: As pollutants caused by non-point sources flow into rivers, river water quality monitoring for fecal pollution is becoming increasingly important. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of microbial communities in the Yeongsangang River water system and sewage treatment plants in Gwangju and to evaluate their antibiotic resistance. Methods: In the experiment, samples were distributed to five selective media at each point and then cultured for 18 to 24 hours. When bacteria were observed, they were sub-cultured by size and shape and identified using MALDI-TOF MS equipment. When identification was completed, 17 types of antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using VITEK II equipment, focusing on gram-negative dominant species among the identified strains. Results: During the study period, a total of 266 strains were isolated from 39 samples. Gram-positive bacteria were 37 strains in four genera, or 13.9% of the total, and Gram-negative bacteria were 229 strains in 23 genera, or 86.1% of the total. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of 23 strains, the major dominant species, showed that one strain (4.3%) was resistant to only one antibiotic, and two strains (8.7%) were 100% susceptible to the 17 antibiotics tested. The other 20 strains (87.0%) were multidrug resistant bacteria resistant to two or more antibiotics. There were various types of multidrug resistance. Among them, penicillin and cephalosporin series showed the highest resistance. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it was found that the bacterial community structure changed according to regional and environmental factors, and it was judged that continuous research such as genetic analysis of antibiotic-resistant bacteria present in natural rivers is necessary.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2005

This study is a part of research that development of effective genetic resources preservation system using the in vitro spermatogenesis, in vitro insemination and culture system. We aimed for establishment of in vitro culture system with in vitro activated porcine oocytes. The porcine oocytes were matured for 48 hours in $TCM199+10\%$ FCS and activated with $7\%$ ethanol. The activated oocytes were cultured for 7 days in $TCM199+10\%$ FCS or $NCSU23+0.4\%$ BSA medium. The activated oocytes were not developed to the blastocyst stage in $TCM199+10\%$ FCS medium. However in $NCSU23+0.4\%$ medium, those were developed to blastocyst with $3\%$ of treated oocytes. We extended maturation duration of porcine follicular oocytes fur 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, and 72 hours and activated with $7\%$ ethanol and cultured using $NCSU23+0.4\%$ BSA medium. The six percents of activated oocytes were developed to blastocyst in 48 hours and $10\%$ in 52 hours with comparatively low rates suggested to be not fully activated by regenerated MPF. Maturation durations from 56 hours to 68 hours supported to develop upto $11.9\~18.3\%$ of blastocysts. However the developmental rate was declined to $7.2\%$ at 72 hours of maturation duration because of cytoplasmic deterioration. The assumed time window for activation will be $56\~68$ hours of maturation duration. When the matured oocytes were activated with electric pulse of 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0kV/cm for $80{\mu}s$, although appling the electric current once was not enough for activation, appling twice with 1.6kV/cm for $80{\mu}s$ was shown the highest developmental rate with $11.3\%$. When those were compared with activating methods, $15.7%$ of blastocyst rate was obtained in the $7\%$ ethanol. That was higher than those in electric pulse with $9.5\%$ and calcium ionophore method with $5.8\%$. In this experimental condition, the $7\%$ ethanol treatment was the most effective method for activating porcine oocytes.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.166-176
• /
• 2015

Research was initiated to investigate root growth characteristics of major cool-season grasses (CSG) and to collect basic information useful for sports turf design, construction and maintenance. Several turfgrasses were evaluated in the USGA (United States Golf Association) soil system. Turfgrass entries were comprised 3 blends and 3 mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (PR, Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (TF, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Significant differences were found in root growth, rooting potential and rooting development. These characteristics increased with time after seeding, but varied with establishment stages. In early stage, root length was highest with PR, intermediate with TF and lowest with KB. Evaluation in a middle stage indicated that root growth was similar to early-stage evaluation, but decreased by 13 to 31% compared with early-stage values. Root growth of late stage increased by 34 to 85% over middle-stage root growth. Overall, thhere was not much difference in root length among treatments, with all except Mixture I reaching 22cm in root length. Rooting potential ranking was variable with establishment stage, being PR > KB > TF in early stage, PR > TF > KB in middle stage and TF > PR > KB in late stage. At the end of the study, TF was rated best for rooting development, followed by PR and finally KB. Our results showed that TF was the best species in regard to overall rooting characteristics. TF exhibited excellent rooting development with time after establishment. Bunch-type PR showed fast root growth in the early stage, but rooting quality characteristics decreased with time, especially for rooting development. By contrast, rhizomatous-type KB was poor in early-stage root growth, but rooting characteristics improved with time after establishment. These variations in rooting characteristics among CSGs were considered to arise from differences in establishment vigor, growth habit and genetic characteristics. Information on root growth, rooting potential and rooting development by establishment stages will be useful for sports turf design, construction and maintenance.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1997

A complement system-activating (anti-complementary) polysaccharide was purified from the hot water extract of young stems of Cinnamomum cassia Blume. Crude polysaccharide fraction (CC-1) was prepared from the hot water extract of the young stems followed by methanol-reflux, precipitation with ethanol, dialysis, and lyophilization. The anti-complementary activity of CC-1 was decreased greatly by periodate oxidation, but was not changed by pronase digestion. These suggest that carbohydrate moiety may be related to the activation of complement system. According to its ionic strength CC-1 was fractionated first using cetavlon to give 4 fractions, CC-2, 3, 4 and 5. Among them CC-2 fraction was found to retain the highest activity and yield. CC-2 was separated to an unabsorbed neutral sugar portion (CC-2-I) and seven absorbed acidic sugar fractions $(CC-2-II{\rightarrow}CC-2-VIII)$ on DEAE-Toyopearl 650C (Cl-). CC-2-III showing higher anti-complementary activity and yield than those of other fractions, was further purified on the gel permeation of Sephadex G-100 and Sepharose CL-6B to CC-2-IIIa-3. CC-2-IIIa-3 was determined to have a homogeneity hy GPC (Sepharose CL-6B) and HPLC. Gel chromatography using standard dextrans gave a value of $2.4{\times}10^5$ for the molecular weight. The purified polysaccharide, CC-2-IIIa-3 consisted of arabinose, xylose, glucose, galactose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 5.56 : 3.77 : 1.87 : 1.00 : 5.12 : 3.13 and contained no nitrogen.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2008

Specific protocols to increase the differentiation of neuronal cells from embryonic stem (ES) cells have been well established, such as retinoic acid induction and lineage selection of neuronal cells. For the neuropathological studies, ES-derived neurons (ES neurons) must show normal physiological characteristics related to cell death and survival and should be maintained in vitro for a sufficient time to show insults-specific cell death without spontaneous death. When mouse ES cells were plated onto astrocytes monolayer after retinoic acid induction, most ES cells differentiated into neuronal cells, which were confirmed by the presence of specific neuronal markers, and the cultures were viable for at least four weeks. When these cultures were examined for vulnerability to glutamate excitotoxicity, ES neurons were vulnerable to excitotoxic insults mediated by agonist-specific receptors. The vulnerability to excitotoxic death increased with developmental age of ES neurons in vitro. Specific receptors for Neurotrophin and GDNF family ligands were present in ES neurons. GDNF and NT-3 could modulate the survival and excitotoxic vulnerability of ES neurons. The vulnerability and resistance to toxic insults, which are essential requirements of model culture systems for neuropathological studies, make ES neurons to a useful model culture system. Especially ES cell are highly amenable to genetic modification unlikely to primary neuronal cells, which will give us a chance to answer more complicated neurophysiological questions. Recently there was an outstanding attempt to explore the cellular toxicity using human ES cells (Schrattenholz & Klemm, 2007) and it suggested that ES cells could be a new model system for neurophysiological studies soon and go further a large-scale screening system for pharmacological compounds in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2015

The geology of the Seungryung Zn deposit, located in the Muzu basin, consists of Precambrian leucocratic granitic gneiss, Cretaceous clastic rocks, pyroclastic rocks, and intrusive rocks. The deposit shows a weakly skarnized hydrothermal replacement ore developed along limestone bed in the gneiss. The mineralization can be divided into three stages: the early skarnization producing garnet and pyroxene, the main mineralization in the middle stage precipitating most metallic minerals such as magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, Pb-Ag-Bi-S system minerals, and the late stage for altered or low temperature minerals such as chlorite and marcasite. Pb-Ag-Bi-S system minerals include heyrovskite-eskimoite solid solution, lillianite-gustavite solid solution, and vikingite. Chalcopyrite diseases are quite common in sphalerite showing bead chains and dusting textures. The ${\delta}^{34}S$ values of sulfides minerals are concentrated within the narrow range of 3.4~4.1‰ for pyrite, 3.3~4.3‰ for sphalerite, 4.0~4.3‰ for chalcopyrite, and 2.8‰ for galena, suggesting that most sulfur is of igneous origin. Sulfur isotope geothermometry is calculated to be $346{\sim}431^{\circ}C$, implying that the mineralization occurred at relatively high temperature. FeS contents of sphalerite are relatively high in the range of 6.58~20.16 mole% (avg. 16.58 mole%) with the enrichment of Mn compared to Cd, similarly to representative skarn Pb-Zn deposits in South Korea. On the contrary, sphalerite from Au-Ag deposits in the Seolcheon mineralized zone around the Seungryung deposit is enriched in Cd, showing similar feature like representative epithermal Au-Ag deposits. This suggests that around the related igneous rocks, magnetite and sphalerite were produced at high temperature in the Seungryung deposit, and with decreasing temperature and compositional change of mineralizing fluids, Au-Ag mineralization proceeded in the Seolcheon mineralized zone.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2009

Production of highly valuable immunotherapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines using plant biotechnology and genetic engineering has been studied as a popular research field. Plant expression system for mass production of such useful recombinant therapeutic proteins has several advantages over other existing expression systems with economical and safety issues. Immunotherapy of multiple monoclonal antibodies, which can recognize multiple targeting including specific proteins and their glycans highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells, can be an efficient treatment compared to a single targeting immunotherapy using a single antibody. In this study, we have established plant production system to express two different targeting monoclonal antibodies in a single transgenic plant through crossing fertilization between two different transgenic plants expressing anti-colorectal cancer mAbCO17-1A and anti-breast cancer mAbBR55, respectively. The F1 seedlings were obtained cross fertilization between the two transgenic parental plants. The presence, transcription, and protein expression of heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) genes of both mAbs in the seedlings were investigated by PCR, RT-PCR, and immunoblot analyses, respectively. Among all the seedlings, some seedlings did not carry or transcribe the HC and LC genes of both mAbs. Thus, the seedlings with presence and transcription of HC and LC genes of both mAbs were selected, and the selected seedlings were confirmed to have relatively stronger density of HC and LC protein bands compared to the transgenic plant expressing only each mAb. These results indicate that the F1 seedling plant with carrying both mAb genes was established. Taken together, plant crossing fertilization can be applied to generate an efficient production system expressing multiple monoclonal antibodies for immunotherapy in a single plant.