• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.2052-2061
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• 2021

Objective: The role of preoperative overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) in the neurophysiological mechanism of cognitive improvement after liver transplantation (LT) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore changes in sub-regional thalamic functional connectivity (FC) after LT and their relationship with neuropsychological improvement using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data in cirrhotic patients with and without a history of OHE. Materials and Methods: A total of 51 cirrhotic patients, divided into the OHE group (n = 21) and no-OHE group (n = 30), and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. Each patient underwent rs-fMRI before and 1 month after LT. Using 16 bilateral thalamic subregions as seeds, we conducted a seed-to-voxel FC analysis to compare the thalamic FC alterations before and after LT between the OHE and no-OHE groups, as well as differences in FC between the two groups of cirrhotic patients and the control group. Correction for multiple comparisons was conducted using the false discovery rate (p < 0.05). Results: We found abnormally increased FC between the thalamic sub-region and prefrontal cortex, as well as an abnormally decreased FC between the bilateral thalamus in both OHE and no-OHE cirrhotic patients before LT, which returned to normal levels after LT. Compared with the no-OHE group, the OHE group exhibited more extensive abnormalities prior to LT, and the increased FC between the right thalamic subregions and right inferior parietal lobe was markedly reduced to normal levels after LT. Conclusion: The renormalization of FC in the cortico-thalamic loop might be a neuro-substrate for the recovery of cognitive function after LT in cirrhotic patients. In addition, hyperconnectivity between thalamic subregions and the inferior parietal lobe might be an important feature of OHE. Changes in FC in the thalamus might be used as potential biomarkers for recovery of cognitive function after LT in cirrhotic patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2017

In this study, for the efficient use of the byproduct of the omija (Schizandra chinensis Baillon: SC) processing industry, the ethanol extracts of the fruit (F), seed (S), and pomace (P) of SC were prepared, and their useful bioactivities were evaluated. For F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC, the extraction yields were 28.3%, 22.1%, and 7.2%, respectively, and the polyphenol contents were 8.81, 37.22, and 9.20 mg/g, respectively. The total flavonoid content in P-SC (4.31 mg/g) was 3.5-fold higher than that in F-SC (0.76 mg/g). In an antioxidation activity assay, P-SC showed stronger radical scavenging activities against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite and stronger reducing power activities than the other extracts. The calculated concentration required for 50% radical scavenging activity, $RC_{50}s$, of P-SC for DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite was 226.2, 192.5, and $92.5{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In an antimicrobial activity assay, F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC showed similarly strong growth inhibitions against Bacillus subtilis and P. vulgaris at a concentration of 0.5 mg/disc. F-SC and P-SC showed 15-fold extended time in thrombin, prothrombin, and activated partial thromboplastin time assays at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The anticoagulation activity of P-SC (2.5 mg/ml) was comparable to that of aspirin (1.5 mg/ml). Furthermore, F-SC and S-SC showed very good platelet aggregation inhibitory activities. F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC did not show significant hemolysis against human red blood cell up to a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. These results suggest that S-SC and P-SC, both of which are byproducts of the omija processing industry, show strong potential as novel antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antithrombosis agents.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.491-495
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• 2004

The existing shattering-resistant sesames had low adaptability and yield potential in Korean environment. Great improvements have been made in these shattering-resistant sesames. We take an optimistic view of success for development of shattering-resistant sesames with high yield potential and superior agronomic characters. This study was carried out to investigate cause of shattering resistance and testing method of effective shattering habit. Shattering-resistant sesames had some specific tissue structures. Shattering resistance of placenta adhesion (PA) sesames was caused by strong seed holding of placenta in capsule, and that of seamless (SL) sesames was caused by nonexistence of seam in capsule. Shattering resistance of indehiscent(ID) sesames resulted because they had thicker mesocarp barrier at the zone of dehiscence compared with that of normal varieties. SL, ID and PA sesames had some variation plants who had high shattering rate. This was judged that evolution direction of these sesames means direction that shattering habit increase. Effective drying method in order to measure shattering resistance was drying condition over 20 days in natural temperature $(20^{\circ}C)$ and 10 days in drying oven $(40^{\circ}C)$.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.533-541
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• 2000

Biochemical and genetic analysis were carried out to investigate the potential recovery of pathogenecity or related mutations of Brucella abortus RB51 vaccine strains. RB51 strains were recovered from commercial vaccines, including related seed stocks from private companies in Republic of Korea, strain from USA, a reference strain from C university and a field isolate (Daehungjin) from aborted dairy cow after RB51 vaccination were compared with two identified virulent wild strains (S2308 and a field strain isolated from dairy cow in Korea) at the same conditions. All the strains examined, except identified pathogenic strains, revealed the identical characteristics to the original RB51 in biochemical properties, antigen and bacteriophage typing. Outer membrane protein (OMP) profiles from strains of RB51 showed the same patterns with standard RB51 in SDS-PAGE. In addition, Western blotting with the brucella specific monoclonal antibody also indicated that all the vaccine strains were completely deficient in their LPS compared to the pathogenic Br abortus strains. The differences in DNA structures among strains were also possible to detect after PCR. All vaccine strains, except S19, S1119-3, S1075, S544 and Br suis, were amplified a 178bp DNA fragment of eri-gene, and 364bp of IS711 elements. In contrast, 498bp DNA product was only found with Br abortus. Overall evidences in the present study confirmed that the RB51 strains for vaccine production in Korea did not originated from the phenomena of possible recovery of pathogenicity or related to any potential mutation event at all.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.33-39
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• 2001

An isolate of the indigenous fungus Pythium myriotylum was isolated from Monochoria vaginalis in Yusung, Korea in year 2000 and evaluated potential as a biocontrol agent in laboratory and greenhouse. P. myriotylum MD2 grew in a wide range of temperature regimes and the optimal growth temperature was $35^{\circ}C$. The fungus was highly pathogenic to Monochoria vaginalis at 30 to $35^{\circ}C$. Several weeds such as Rotala, indica, Lindernia procumbens, Ludwigia prostrata, Cyperus difformis, Scirpus juncoides, Aneilema keisak were also susceptible to the fungus, but Echinochloa crus-galli was not. The fungus affected the growth of rice seed germinated, but not to rice seedlings of 1- to 3-leaf stage. A total of 12 rice cultivars (3- to 4-leaf stage) tested showed no disease symptoms when inoculated with the fungus. Eleven crops, including Chinese cabbage, corn, soybean except wheat were immune to the infection of the fungi. These data suggest that P. myriotylum MD2 has a potential as a mycoherbicide to control weeds in paddy fields.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.239-239
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• 2017

The enhancement of leaf photosynthetic capacity can have the potential to improve the seed yield of soybean. Key targets for the increase of leaf photosynthetic capacity remains unclear in soybean. Peking, Chinese local variety, has been the useful material for soybean breeding since it shows various resistances against biotic and abiotic stress. Sakoda et al., 2017 reported that Peking had the higher capacity of leaf photosynthesis than Enrei, Japanese elite cultivar. They identified the genetic factors related to high photosynthetic capacity of Peking. The objective of this study is to elucidate the physiological basis underlying high photosynthetic capacity of Peking. Peking and Enrei were cultivated at the experimental field of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. The sowing date was July 4, 2016. Gas exchange parameters were evaluated at the uppermost fully expanded leaves on 43, 49, and 59 days after planting (DAP) with a portable gas exchange system, LI-6400. The leaf hydraulic conductance, $K_{leaf}$, was determined based on the water potential and transpiration rate of the uppermost fully expanded leaves on 60 DAP. The morphological traits related to leaf photosynthesis were analyzed at the same leaves with the gas exchange measurements. The light-saturated $CO_2$ assimilation rate ($A_{sat}$) of Peking was significantly higher than that of Enrei at 43 and 59 DAP while the stomatal conductance ($g_s$) of Peking was significantly higher at all the measurements (p < 0.05). It suggested that high $A_{sat}$ was mainly attributed to high $g_s$ in Peking. $g_s$ is reported to be affected by the morphological traits and water status inside the leaf, represented by $K_{leaf}$, in crop plants. The tendency of the variation of the stomatal density between two cultivars was not consistent throughout the measurements. On the other hand, $K_{leaf}$ of Peking was 59.0% higher than that of Enrei on 60 DAP. These results imply that high $g_s$ might be attributed to high $K_{leaf}$ in Peking. Further research is needed to reveal the mechanism to archive high $g_s$ on the basis of water physiology in Peking. The knowledge combining the genetic and physiological basis underlying high photosynthetic capacity of Peking can be useful to improve the biomass productivity of soybean.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2011

The study aim is to investigate the free radicals scavenging and spermatogenic potentials, as well as to analyze any reproductive toxicity of ethanolic extract of Mucuna prureins (M. pruriens) Linn. in spermatozoa, under different dosages in normal male rat. Normal rats were randomly selected and suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dosages of 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the different groups of male rats (n=6) once in a day for 60 days and grouped as group II, III and IV respectively. Saline treated rats served as control -group I. On the $60^{th}$ day the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm were subjected to various analyses like level of ROS production, LPO, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant, morphology, morphometry, chromosomal integrity and DNA damage. Results showed significant reduction in ROS production and peroxidation and significant increase in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in all concentration treated groups when compared with control. Results from all the drug treated groups showed good sperm morphology, increased sperm count and motility. There was no DNA damage and showed normal chromosomal integrity even in 250 mg/kg dose. When compared with control all the three extract treated groups showed increased ROS scavenging activity. However, group II (200 mg/kg) showed significant changes in all the parameters. From the present study it was confirmed that the M. pruriens has potential to improve the sperm qualitatively and quantitatively through scavenging the excess ROS with any adverse side effects. These observations suggest that ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens may serve as anti-oxidant that can exploit to treat the oxidative stress mediated male factor infertility.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 1997

Water deficit stress during early soybean[Glycine max (L.) Merrill] growth stage is the most important environmental factor limiting productivity. Eight soybean genotypes were grown in replicated pot under well-watered(control: near 0 bar) and drought(-5 and -10 bars) conditions. Soybean plants were subject to drought stress for 20 days at 10 days after seed emergence. Significant genotypic variation was observed for leaf area(LA) and total dry weight (TDW). At the end of water stress, LA and TDW of Hwanggeumkong and Paldalkong, which had large LA in the non-stressed control, were more sensitive to water stress than those of the other cultivars, while those of Suwon 93 with small LA were insensitive. Leaf proline and abscisic acid(ABA) contents increased after water stress. However, changes in proline and ABA contents were not consistently related to the changes in LA as affected by water stress. As the soil water potential decreased, the yield reduction of Hodgson 78 showing large decrease in LA and TDW in response to water deficit was severe when compared to that of Baegunkong with small decrease in LA and TDW. Relatively greater yield stability and higher average yield across soil water potential were observed in Baegunkong. Of specific interest was the small reduction in yield of Paldalkong in spite of its significant decrease in LA and TDW.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2011

This study was carried out to develop salt tolerant varities of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) which can be grown in the high salty reclaimed land. The seeds of three varieties 'Naehan', 'Tammi', and 'Halla' were treated by proton ion beams and gamma rays with 0 to 2,000 Gy. For the selection of salt tolerant lines, emergence and survival rate, and growth characteristics of $M_2$ to $M_4$ generations were investigated in the Saemangeum reclaimed fields with the different salt concentrations. The lines with potential salt tolerance were selected in the $M_4$ generation and tested indoor for their growth characteristics. There was no significant changes in the soil pH for $M_4$ generation during growth period. However, soil EC was higher in early spring than sowing period (mid October). In $M_4$ generation test, the seeds of original and selected line showed high rates of emergence and survival, as determined one month after sowing. After wintering, however, the original varieties showed the significant reduction in the survival rate, while the selected lines showed a higher survival rate and good growth, leading to the completion of their life cycle. Consequently we selected 9 lines from $M_4$ generation with better performance in growth and yield. Soil EC was $2.8{\sim}4.3dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ during $M_4$ generation growth period. The laboratory test of the lines selected from $M_4$ generation was made for their salt tolerance potential. The selected lines showed higher chlorophyll and proline contents than the original varieties. There was also no significant difference in the emergence rate of seed between the original and selected varieties. In 200 mM natural sea salt, the $N{\gamma}600-21-1-641$ line derived from 'Naehan' was the highest in growth rate, leaf chlorophyll and proline contents. $T{\gamma}800-20-2-461$ line derived from 'Tammi' didn't show significant difference in growth rate compared to original variety in 200 mM and withered in 250 mM like other lines as time passed. $H{\gamma}200-7-1-740$ line showed similar growth and chlorophyll content compared to its original variety.