• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2016

Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is exclusively produced in osteoblasts and osteocytes, its main target is the kidney, where it decreases phosphate reabsorption by suppressing Na-phosphate cotransporters. Independently of its action on phosphate homeostasis, FGF23 also inhibits bone formation in vivo. In a calvarial osteoblastic cell model, FGF23 was shown to negatively affect extracellular matrix mineralization. This study investigated whether FGF23 had similar effects on osteoblast maturation, including differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). D1 MSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium containing β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethazone. Osteoblastic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (Alp) staining, and matrix mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining and calcium deposition. The expression of differentiation-stimulating genes Runx2, Alp, and osteocalcin and mineralization-inhibiting genes Enpp1 and Ank was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Supraphysiological doses of FGF23 did not stimulate proliferation or osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. Matrix mineralization 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the FGF23 treatment did not vary between control and FGF23 groups, although time-dependent enhancement of mineralization was obvious. Calcium deposition was also unchanged after the FGF23 treatment. mRNA expression levels of differentiation- and mineralization-related genes were also similar between the groups. Despite these negative findings, FGF23 signaling through FGF receptors seemed to function normally, with phosphorylation of the Erk protein more evident in the FGF23 group than in controls. These findings suggest that unlike calvarial osteoblasts, FGF23 is not likely to affect osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of MSCs.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.117-132
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• 2004

Despite its significance in understanding ecological structure and biogeochemical element cycles, there have been few studies on the microbial mineralization of organic matter and mineralization pathway in the intertidal flat of Korea. We measured anaerobic mineralization of organic matter and sulfate reduction rate, and evaluated the significance of sulfate reduction in total anaerobic carbon respiration at the southern part of Ganghwa Island. Depth-integrated carbon mineralization rate down to 6 cm depth ranged from 41.9 to $89.4mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$, which accounted for approximately 216 tons of organic matter mineralization in entire intertidal flat area of Ganghwa($300km^2$). The results indicated that capacity for the organic matter mineralization in the Ganghwa tidal flat is comparable to highly productive salt marsh environments. Mineralization rates in the sediment amended with acetate were 2~5 times higher than in unamended sediment. The results implied that microbial mineralization was limited by the availability of organic substrates, and the organic matter mineralization capacity seems to be higher than estimated at ambient organic substrate level. Depth-integrated sulfate reduction rates within 6 cm depth of the sediment ranged from 20.7 to $45.1mmol\;SO{_4}^{2-}m^{-2}d^{-1}$, and sulfate reduction was mostly responsible for organic matter remineralization. It should be noticed that the increase of $H_2S$ in the sulfate reduction dominated tidal flat may result in the decrease of biological diversity.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 1998

Mineralization of organic N is an important factor in determining the appropriate rate for organic waste application to cropland. The mineralization of organic N was examined using sandy soil amended with three kind of compost (municipal solid waste+biosolid, yard trimmings, yard trimmings+biosolid), respectively. During the 12-week incubation, the mineralization of organic N was determined by analyzing the inorganic N in leachates from unamended and amended soils. Soils amended with com posts made of biosolid had higher initial $NH_4-N$ concentration than unamended soil. Soil amended with compost made of yard trimmings only had slightly lower initial inorganic N concentration than unamended soil. In the soil amended with com post made of yard trimmings+biosolid, however, nitrification rate was enhanced in the first week of incubation. Net N mineralization and nitrification were positive in all treatments. Although the greatest net N mineralization occurred in the soil amended with compost made of yard trimmings+biosolid, the greatest net mineralization and nitrification rates occurred in unamended soil.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2001

This experiment was conducted to evaluate net mineralization and nitrification in rain shelter soil incorporated with wine sludge. Net mineralization and nitrification rates varied among treatments during pepper growing periods. In general, net mineralization increased up to 90 days after transplanting before its decrease during the rest growing periods. Maximum net mineralization and nitrification in upper 0-15 cm layer soil were observed in T4 at 90 days after transplanting. The greatest amount of mineralization in upper layer soil was 272.5 mg.kg$^{-1}$ at 30 days in the control and 843.3 mg.kg$^{-1}$ at 90 days after transplanting in T4. Overall, both net mineralization and net nitrification were greater in the upper layer soil than in the lower 15-30 cm layer soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1997

A better understanding of nitrogen transformations in soils is essential to increase fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency. A laboratory incubation study was conducted to determine net mineralization and nitrification in selected Piedmont soils. Net mineralization and nitrification increased up to 60 days in the surface layers of Enon, Mecklenburg and Chewacla. After 60 days both processes declined up to 90 days incubation. In Wehadkee, mineralization and nitrification did not differ with incubation time. In all subsurface layers, mineralization and nitrification increased with time up to 90 days. Mineralization and nitrification differed among soils in surface and subsurface layers. These differences might be influenced by soil type related to amount of mineralization, soil aeration and nitrifying bacterial populations. A mineralization and nitrification was greater in surface layers than in subsurface layers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2018

Purpose: Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for bone mineralization and osteoblast function. We examined the effects of Zn deficiency on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured at concentration of 1 to $15{\mu}M$ $ZnCl_2$ (Zn- or Zn+) for 5, 15 and 25 days up to the calcification period. Extracellular matrix mineralization was detected by staining Ca and P deposits using Alizarin Red and von Kossa stain respectively, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by ALP staining and colorimetric method. Results: Extracellular matrix mineralization was decreased in Zn deficiency over 5, 15, and 25 days. Similarly, staining of ALP activity as the sign of an osteoblast differentiation, was also decreased by Zn deficiency over the same period. Interestingly, the gene expression of bone-related markers (ALP, PTHR; parathyroid hormone receptor, OPN; osteopontin, OC; osteocalcin and COLI; collagen type I), and bone-specific transcription factor Runx2 were downregulated by Zn deficiency for 5 or 15 days, however, this was restored at 25 days. Conclusion: Our data suggests that Zn deficiency inhibits osteoblast differentiation by retarding bone marker gene expression and also inhibits bone mineralization by decreasing Ca/P deposition as well as ALP activity.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2008

The extent of solubility enhancement by biosurfactant was examined at various pHs prior to the biodegradation experiments. The molar solubilization ratio (MSR) was calculated from the batch solubilization experiments and the highest MSR was detected at pH 5. The effect of the biosurfactant, rhamnolipids, on the phenanthrene mineralization in soil-water system was investigated. The strain 3Y was selected for the mineralization assay and large amounts of phenanthrene were degraded at neutral pH in soil-water system without the biosurfactant. The addition of 150 mg/L rhamnolipids showed no effect on mineralization of phenanthrene in soil-water system, and total mineralization rates after 6 weeks incubation at each pH showed no differences in presence and absence of rhamnolipids. Our result indicated that the toxic effect of rhamnolipids can disappear when soil particles exist, and also the enhanced solubility of phenanthrene does not work for mineralization enhancement in this soil-water system.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.385-395
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• 1995

Species effects on soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in the top 15 cm of soil were evaluated using the buried-bag incubation method in three coniferous plantations in the Kwangneung Experimental Forest, Kyonggi Province. The plantations were established on a similar soil in 1927, and included Larix decidua, Pinus strobus, and Thuja occidentalis. Ten soil samples within each plantation were taken during an entire growing season (May 2~Oct. 30, 1994). Mean daily nitrogen mineralization rates during 45-day in situ soil incubations were significantly different among species and incubation dates. Growing season nitrogen mineralization also differed significantly among species and ranged from 47.7 mg N/kg soil for Larix decidua to 21.5 ma N/kg soil for Thuja occidentalis. Growing season nitrification differed significantly among species and comprised from 93% to 100% of the total growing season nitrogen mineralized. We speculated that organic matter contents and quality might control nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in these soils.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.627-632
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• 2022

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a secreted protein that acts as an antagonist of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway, which regulates osteoblast differentiation. However, the role of DKK1 on osteoblast differentiation has not yet been fully clarified. Here, we investigate the functional role of DKK1 on osteoblast differentiation. Primary osteoprogenitor cells were isolated from human spinal bone tissues. To examine the role of DKK1 in osteoblast differentiation, we manipulated the expression of DKK1, and the cells were differentiated into mature osteoblasts. DKK1 overexpression in osteoprogenitor cells promoted matrix mineralization of osteoblast differentiation but did not promote matrix maturation. DKK1 increased Ca⁺ influx and activation of the Ca⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II Alpha (CAMK2A)-cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) and increased translocation of p-CREB1 into the nucleus. In contrast, stable DKK1 knockdown in human osteosarcoma cell line SaOS2 exhibited reduced nuclear translocation of p-CREB1 and matrix mineralization. Overall, we suggest that manipulating DKK1 regulates the matrix mineralization of osteoblasts by Ca⁺-CAMK2A-CREB1, and DKK1 is a crucial gene for bone mineralization of osteoblasts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: To investigate mineralization characteristics of organic resources in the soil, five materials (rice straw, cow manure sawdust compost, microorganism compost, mixed oil-cake, and amino acid fertilizer) were treated according to the nitrogen content, and an indoor incubation experiment was conducted for 128 days. The results of this analysis were applied to determine the nitrogen mineralization pattern of these organic resources. METHODS AND RESULTS: During the constant temperature incubation period, the nitrogen net mineralization rate of the organic resources was the highest in the amino acid fertilizer with the highest nitrogen content, and the lowest in the rice straw with the lowest nitrogen content. A positive correlation (0.96) was observed between the potential nitrogen mineralization rate and total nitrogen content. The mineralization rate constant, k, was negatively correlated with the organic matter (-0.96) and carbon content (-0.97). The nitrogen mineralization rate during the first cropping season, as estimated by the model, was 6.6%, 11.6%, 30.9%, 70.7%, and 81.0% for the rice straw, the cow manure sawdust compost, the microorganism compost, the mixed oil-cake, and the amino acid fertilizer, respectively. CONCLUSION: The nitrogen mineralization rate varies depending on the type of organic resources or the nitrogen content; thus, it can be used as an index for determining the nitrogen supply characteristics of the organic resource. Organic resources such as compost with low nitrogen content or those undergoing fermentation contain organic nitrogen. Organic nitrogen is stabilized during the composting process. Therefore, as the nitrogen mineralization rate of these resources is lower than that of non-fermented organic resources, it is desirable to use the fermented organic materials only to improve soil physical properties rather than to supply nutrients for the required amount of fertilizer.