• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.1 s.61
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• pp.38-45
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• 2006

Ecological characteristics of microbial populations inhabiting heavy metal polluted soil were investigated. The samples were collected from 293 sites around an factory and industry at Gyeoungsangbuk-do. We measured the contents of seven heavy metal elements (Cd, Cu, As, Hg, Pb, $Cr^{6+}$, CN), seven sites have been seriously contaminated by mercury and chrome. A quantitative evaluation of microbial populations in mercury and chrome contaminated soil was examined by using plate count method. Bacterial numbers in polluted soil samples ranged from $7.4X10^5\;to\;9.3X10^7\;cfu\;g^{-1}$, about $10\sim100$ fold less than the count for the unpolluted soil. Moulds were not detected in chrome polluted soil. The log values of actinomycetes of each contaminated soil samples were log ranged from 6.18 to 7.52. The ratio of actinomycetes was similar to unpolluted soil. The investigation showed actinomycetes to be the major microbial population inhabiting the mercury and chrome polluted soil. Thirty-one isolates among the total isolates were examined for antibacterial activity. These isolates were identified based on a phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences, they were categorized in three major phylogenetic groups, belong to the Streptomyces (6 strains), Saccharopolyspora (3 strains), Nocardiodes (1 strain). On the phylogenetic tree, the clade consisting of five isolates were distantly related to all of the established Streptomycetes genera, indicating the possibility as members of new species.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.103-107
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• 2014

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is one of cool-season adapted perennial grass species and has been cultivated worldwide as a important forage and lawn grass. In this study, we evaluated the seed production of new tall fescue cultivar, 'Purum', which was cultivated in Korea. Agronomic aspects of tall fescue were determined using seed production and forage nutritive value of straw at the National Institute of Animal Science, RDA from 2012 to 2013. The heading date according to the seeding time displayed 2~3 days differences. The harvested seed yields were the largest (1,711 kg/ha) when seeding date at September $17^{th}$, whereas it decreased when planted ten days earlier or later than at that time. The thousand-grain weight of gathering seeds was 2 g, and the germination rate was 80 to 83% showing no significant differences among the different seeding times. The yield of fresh weight and dry matter were the largest (63,556 kg/ha and 16,926 kg/ha, respectively) when planted at September $17^{th}$. The dry matter yield was gradually decreased with delaying seeding time as 10 days period. However, nutritive values of straw did not showed significant differences.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.434-438
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• 2008

To selection of optimal shading material, two-year-old ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) of new cultivar, 'Cheonpoong' (CP), and native species 'Hwangsookjong' (HS) were cultured under three kinds of shading materials such as three-layered blue and a one-layered black PE (polyethylene) net (TBSB), blue PE sheet (BS), and aluminium coated PE sheet (AS) in imperfectly drained paddy soil. Growth characteristics, yield and ginsenoside contents were investigated under three shading materials. Yield and ginsenoside contents of ginseng were distinctly affected by intensity and quality of sunlight penetrated through shading materials. Light transmission ratio, air and soil temperature according to shading materials were higher in order of BS, AS, and TBSB. However, ratio of aerial phase and porosity of the soil were higher in order of AS, BS, and TBSB, respectively. There was no significantly difference in the ratio of rusty colored root by shading materials. CP showed higher stem length, leaf area, and root weight than that of HS, while the former showed distinctly lower discolored leaf ratio than that the other. Eight kinds of ginsenosides content of CP were higher than that of HS in $Rg_1$, Re, Rf, $Rb_1$ and Rc except $Rg_2$, $Rb_2$, and $Rb_3$. Total ginsenoside contents of CP was distinctly higher than that of HS. Total ginsenoside contents as affected by shading materials was higher in order of BS, TBSB, and AS in CP, while TBSB, BS, and AS in HS.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 2008

Siberian flying squirrel, an endangered species in South Korea, is distributed through major mountain regions of South Korea. The number of Siberian flying squirrel(Pteromys volans) in South Korea has decreased and their habitats are fragmented and isolated because of anthropogenic activities. So far no molecular genetic data has, however, been available for their conservation and management. To obtain better information concerning genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Siberian flying squirrel in South Korea, we examined 14 individuals from South Korea, 7 individuals from Russia, and 5 individuals from northeastern China along with previously published 29 haplotypes for 1,140 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. The 14 new individuals from South Korea had 7 haplotypes which were not observed in the regions of Russia and Hokkaido. The level of genetic diversity(0.616%) in the South Korean population was lower than that in eastern Russia(0.950%). The geographical distribution of mtDNA haplotypes and reduced median network confirmed that there are three major lineages of Siberian flying squirrel, occupying; Far Eastern, northern Eurasia, and the island of Hokkaido. The South Korean population only slightly distinct from the Eurasia, and eastern Russian population, and is part of the lineage Far Eastern. Based on these, we suggest that the South Korean population could be considered to belong to one partial ESU(Far Eastern) of three partial ESUs but a different management unit. However, the conservation priorities should be reconfirmed by nuclear genetic marker and ecological data.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.188-196
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• 1995

Blackgrass and water foxtail are troublesome weeds in a cultivation area of cereals. To know whether water foxtail could substitute for blackgrass as a plant material of screening for the discovery and development of new cereal herbicides, they were compared in a greenhouse and a growth chamber with respect to initial growth characteristics and responses to various herbicides. Blackgrass had a higher germination rate at lower temperature and a higher growth rate at higher temperature as compared to water foxtail. In addition, blackgrass was less sensitive to long day than water foxtail. These results suggest that blackgrass grows better in a cultivation area in spring than water foxtail. As compared to water foxtail, blackgrass showed shightly susceptible responses to herbicides when they were applied to soil surface at one day after seeding. However, the responses to the herbicides of blackgrass and water foxtail were similar with a foliar application of the herbicides at 3 or 4 leaf stage of the plant. Since there were no considerable differences in the herbicidal responses of the two plant species, water foxtail could substitute for blackgrass as a plant material for a primary herbicide screening. When water foxtail was used in a post-emergence screening test, seeding amount of 0.1g/$350cm^2$ and postemergence application of herbicides at 3 to 5 leaf stage were found to be appropriate on the view of alleviating screening efforts in a greenhouse.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2016

This study mainly focused on isolation of marine algicidal bacteria associated with phytoplankton blooms and characterization of algicidal activity against harmful algae. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) found naturally in surface waters have caused many environmental problems worldwide. In this study, forty bacterial strains that have capability of inhibiting harmful algal growth were isolated from Masan Bay, Jinhae Bay, Dol Island, Jangmok Bay, and the Tongyeong Sea, Republic of Korea. The bacteria were screened furthermore for the characteristics on algicidal activities against Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Chattonella marina, Skeletonema costatum, Heterosigma akashiwo, Heterocapsa triquetra, Prorocentrum minimum, and Scrippsiella trochoidea. As a result, the algicidal bacteria that were screened from double over layer agar and microscopic counts tests belonged to genera Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Bacillus, Pseudoalteromonas, Ruegeria, Joostella, Marinomonas, Stakelama, Porphyrobacter, and Albirhodobacter. One of the most important HAB species is Co. polykrikoides and the strongest algicidal activity against the dinoflagellate was 94.00% after 6 h treatment with 10% bacterial culture filtrate. In this study, Marinomonas sp. M Jin 1-8, Stakelama sp. ZB Yeonmyeong 1-11 & 1-13, Porphyrobacter sp. M Yeonmyeong 2-22, and Albirhodobacter sp. 6-R Jin 6-1 were found to be as new genera of bacteria having anti-algal activity. These results suggest that these bacteria might play an important role in controlling phytoplankton blooms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2011

Recently, new ginseng cultivars having superior agricultural traits have been developed in Korea. For newly developed plant cultivars, the identification of distinctiveness is very important factors not only in plant cultivar management but also in breeding programs. Thus, eighty-five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were applied to detect polymorphisms among six major Korean ginseng cultivars and two foreign ginsengs. A total of 197 polymorphic bands with an average 5.8 polymorphic bands and 2.9 banding patterns per assay unit across six Korean ginseng cultivars and foreign ginsengs from 236 amplified ISSR loci with an average 6.9 loci per assay unit were generated by 34 out of 85 ISSR primers. Three species of Panax ginseng including the Korean ginseng cultivars, P. quinquefolius, and P. notoginseng, could be readily discriminated using most tested primers. UBC-821, UBC-868, and UBC-878 generated polymorphic bands among the six Korean ginseng cultivars, and could distinguish them from foreign ginsengs. Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker system was introduced in order to increase the reproducibility of the polymorphism. One SCAR marker, PgI821C650, was successfully converted from the randomly amplified polymorphism by UBC-821. It showed the expected dominant polymorphism among ginseng samples. In addition, the specific polymorphism for Sunwon was generated by treating Taq I restriction enzyme to polymerase chain reaction products of PgI821C650. These results will serve as useful DNA markers for identification of Korean ginseng, especially Sunwon cultivar, seed management, and molecular breeding program supplemented with marker-assisted selection.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2015

Plasma is an ionized gas mixture, consisting of neutral particles, positive ions, negative electrons, electronically excited atoms and molecules, radicals, UV photons, and various reactive species. Also, plasma has unique physical properties distinct from gases, liquids, and solids. Until now, non-thermal plasmas have been widely utilized in bio-medical applications (called bio-plasma) and have been developed for the plasma-related devices that are used in the medical field. Although numerous bio-plasma studies have been performed in biomedicine, there is no confirmation of the nonthermal effect induced by bio-plasma. Standardization of the biological application of plasma has not been evaluated at the molecular level in living cells. In this context, we investigated the biological effect of bio-plasma on living cells. Hence, we treated the fibroblasts with Dielectric Bauvier Discharge bio-plasma (DBD), and assessed the characteristic change at the molecular level, one of the typical cellular responses. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) regulates its own protein level in response to stimuli. HSP70 responds to heat shock by increasing its own expression at the molecular level in cells. Hence, we confirmed the level of HSP70 after treatment of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with DBD. Interestingly, DBD-plasma induced cell death, but there was no difference in the level of HSP70, which is induced by heat shock stimuli, in DBD-treated MEFs. Our data provide the basic information on the interaction between MEFs and DBD, and can help to design a molecular approach in this field.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.54
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• pp.155-182
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• 2014

This study aimed to find the possibility of interactions between the Doctrine of the Mean and evolutionary biology. Between the two disciplines, there exists a huge gap such as "traditional era vs. modern times" and "humanities vs. natural science." However, this paper assumed that an analysis of their similarities and differences would allow us to find the possibility for them to interact and communicate with each other. For this purpose, the author proposed a three-step approach to studies of the following topics: human nature in step 1, validity of reasons to live in step 2 and biologically affinitive relations in step 3. The present study in step 1 pays attention to the similarities and differences between genes and in-ui-ye-ji (a set of four Confucian values: benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom). This step discusses the issues of ri (principle) and ki (generative force) in Zhu Xi's theory vs. genes and vehicles in evolutionary biology, innate goodness vs. altruism of genes and in-ui-ye-ji vs. epigenetic rules. In step 2, attention is paid to the similarities and differences between natural selection and shi zhong (時中). They are discussed in terms of the upset of the law of nature vs. mutation, changes vs. evolutions and shi zhong vs. natural selection/adaptation. Step 3 focuses on the similarities and differences between species diversity and li-yi-fen-shu (one li and its many aspects). The discussion in this step addresses the issues of part or whole vs. li-yi-fen-shu, biological affinity vs. single energy and ecosystem vs. "the earth moves orderly, and everything thereon flourishes." If these studies are conducted as planned, a new direction can be set for Zhu Xi's neo-Confucianism. Further, the interaction between humanities and natural science will pave the way for us to overcome asymmetry between different disciplines.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2010

Ultraviolet is the one of the main environmental factors promoting aging process via increased intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and molecules. Therefore, in this study, we tried to search for natural skin-protective antioxidant materials from marine origins (Porphyra Thalli, Laminariae japonicae thallus, Ostreae Concha, Sargassum Thallus, Undaria thallus, Haliotidis Concha, Codium thalli, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, Hippocampus, Stichopus Stichopus, Thalli, Hizikia fusiforme thalli) which exhibit free radical scavenging activity and protect against UVB-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative cell death. Free radical scavenging activity was shown in order of Undaria thallus. Sargassum Thallus, Laminariae japonicae thallus, Hippocampus, Haliotidis Concha, Ostreae Concha, Syngnathoides biacuJeatus. In another experiment, UVB-induced cytotoxicity and cell death were effectively suppressed by treatment of Sargassum Thallus, Haliotidis Concha, Codium thalli, or Hippocampus water extract. Furthermore, UVB-induced cell death was mediated by intracellular accumulation or ROS, which was significantly inhibited by treatment with aforementioned extracts. The protective effect of these marine natural products seemed to be mediated by increased expression of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and heme oxygenase-1. These results suggest that Sargassum Thallus, Haliotidis Concha, Codium thalli, and Hippocampus may have preventive and protective potentials as new functional cosmetics against oxidative stress-mediated skin damages and aging with antioxidant properties.