• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2019

The needs for precise diagnostics and farm management-decision aids have increased to reduce the risk of climate change and environmental stress. Crop simulation models have been widely used to search optimal solutions for effective cultural practices. However, limited knowledge on physiological responses to environmental variation would make it challenging to apply crop simulation models to a wide range of studies. Advanced research facilities would help investigation of plant response to the environment. In the present study, the sunlit controlled environment chambers, known as Korean SPAR (Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research) system, was developed by renovating existing SPAR system. The Korean SPAR system controls and monitors major environmental variables including atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and soil moisture. Furthermore, plants are allowed to grow under natural sunlight. Key physiological and physical data such as canopy photosynthesis and respiration, canopy water and nutrient use over the whole growth period are also collected automatically. As a case study, it was shown that the Korean SPAR system would be useful for collection of data needed for understanding the growth and developmental processes of a crop, e.g., soybean. In addition, we have demonstrated that the canopy photosynthetic data of the Korean SPAR indicate the precise representation of physiological responses to environment variation. As a result, physical and physiological data obtained from the Korean SPAR are expected to be useful for development of an advanced crop simulation model minimizing errors and confounding factors that usually occur in field experiments.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2024

In this study, six types of natural products, Prunus tomentosa (P. tomentosa), Akebia quinata (A. quinata), Prunus armeniaca (P. armeniaca), Smallanthus sonchifolius (S. sonchifolius), Citrus japonica (C. japonica), and Citrus australasica (C. australasica), were used to verify the effect of improving sleep and skin barriers by stress relief. As a result of the experiment, the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, was significantly inhibited by the P. tomentosa, C. australasica, A. quinata, and C. japonica among the six natural products. In addition, the expression of GAD67, a GABA-producing enzyme involved in sleep regulation, showed a significant increase in P. tomentosa purified water extract and C. australasica 50% ethanol extract, and the extract by each P. tomentosa solvent was found to have the highest total polyphenol content. Based on the results, the P. tomentosa extract with the highest activity was finally selected, and subsequent experiments were conducted. Among each P. tomentosa solvent extract, the DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in the 30% ethanol extract, and purified water extract increased GABA production and skin barrier factors filaggrin and claudin-1 expression the highest. HPLC analysis confirmed quercitrin as the main component of P. tomentosa extract, and quercitrin content by extraction solvent was high in the order of 30% ethanol > purified water > 70% ethanol > 50% ethanol. Quercitrin inhibited the production of cortisol in a concentration-dependent manner, significantly increasing GAD67 expression and GABA production, which had been reduced by cortisol. From the results of this study, it has been demonstrated that P. tomentosa can be used as a cosmetic material to help improve sleep and strengthen skin barriers by relieving stress.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2006

Milk yield and its quality traits determine the dairy enterprise profitability and sustainability. Milk quality traits including somatic cell counts (SCC) is an upcoming economic challenge for dairy farming community in Korea. This study estimated the effect of parity, stage of lactation (early, mid and late lactation) on SCC, stress (blood cortisol) and immunity (blood IgG, lymphocyte and neutrophil) traits, their heritabilities and genetic correlations between them. SCS and blood neutrophil count were significantly affected by both parity and stage of lactation, however; IgG was affected by only stage of lactation, and blood cortisol and lymphocyte were not affected by both factors. The SCS has shown increasing trend with the parity, however; the difference between first and second parity, second and third parity were not significant. The SCS in early (≤90 days) and late lactation (181≤days) were higher than that of mid lactation (91～180 days). Cortisol concentration in blood was lowest in fourth parity, however; the differences among the first three parties were not significant. The IgG was higher in fourth parity compare with first parity however; all other comparisons were noted non-significant. The IgG concentration was significantly higher in early lactation than those of mid and late lactation. The blood lymphocytes were decreased with increasing parity however the differences beyond second parity were not significant. The neutrophils were increased with the increasing lactation stage however; the difference between early and mid lactation was not significant. Although heritability of SCS was still lower, but it was meaningful value (0.09) and may be considered to improve milk quality. The genetic correlations between SCS and cortisol (-0.96), and lymphocyte (-0.76) were highly negative. Heritability of cortisol was low, however genetic correlations between cortisol and lymphocyte (0.79) was highly positive. IgG with medium heritability was correlated negatively with lymphocyte (-0.88) and neutrophil (-0.98). Lymphocyte was lowly heritable and highly correlated with neutrophil concentration (0.87).This study suggested that cortisol, IgG, lymphocyte and neutrophil being positively genetically correlation with somatic cell score could be used as alternative traits to enhance milk quality in Holstein cattle. Further studies are warranted to estimate genetic relationships between immunological and production traits to increase the genetic merit of Holstein cows for milk yield, to improve animal health and economic viability under intensive management system.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.398-406
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• 2000

Background: Cardiac atrium is an endocrine gland secreting a family of natriuretic peptides. The secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) had been shown to be controlled by variable factors. The change in atrial dynamics have been considered as one of the most prominent stimuli for the stimulation of ANP secretion. Hypoxic stress has been shown to increase cardiac ANP secretion. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia increases ANP secretion cardiac ANP secretions. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia increases ANP secretion has not to be defined. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was tow-fold: to develop a protocol to defined the effect of hypoxia on ANP secretion in perfused beating rabbit atria and to clarify the mechanism responsible for the accentuation by hypoxia of ANP secretion. Material and Method: Experiments have been done in perfused beating rabbit atria. ANP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Result: Hypoxic stimulus with nitrogen decreased atrial stroke volume. The decrease in atrial stroke volume recovered basal level during the period of recovery with oxygen. ANP secretion and the concentration of perfusate ANP in terms of extracellular fluid(ECF) translocation which reflects the rate of myocytic release of ANP were increased by hypoxia and returned to basal levels during the recovery. Changes in ECF translocation paralleled by hypoxia and returned to basal levels during the recovery. Changes in ECF translocation paralleled to that of atrial stroke volume. At the start of recovery in atrial storke volume, ECF tranalocation incrased for several minutes. The above responses were stable and reproducible. Glibenclamide treatment prevented the recovery in atrial stroke volume. Increments by hypoxia of ANP secretion and ANP concentration were suppressed by glibenclamide. Conclusion: These results indicate that hypoxia incrased atrial myocytic ANP release and that the mechanism responsible for the accentuation is partially related to the change in K+ATP channel activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2006

Among poly aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin and PCBs are the most controversial environmental pollutants in our modern life. These pollutants are known as human carcinogens, and liver is the most sensitive target in animal cancer models. Specific aims of the study were focused on the mechanism of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes and the structure-activity relation among these diverse environmental chemicals. Because key mechanisms of dioxin-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cell model are the alteration of signal transduction pathway and PKC isoforms, the alteration of the signal transduction pathways and other factors associated with carcinogenesis were studied. Rat hepatocytes cultured under the sandwich protocols were exposed with the various concentration of dioxins and PCBs, and signal transduction pathway, protein kinase C isoforms, oxidant stress, and apoptotic nuclei were evaluated. Since it is important to understand the structure-activity relation among these chemicals to properly assess the carcinogenic potentials, the study analyzed the parameters associated with carcinogenic processes, based on their structural characteristics. In addition, signal transduction pathways and PKC isoforms involved in inhibition of UV-induced apoptosis were also analyzed to elaborate the tumor promotion mechanism of these chemicals. Induction of apoptosis by UV irradiation was optimal at $60\;J/m^2$ in primary hepatocyte in culture. Compared to non coplanar PCBs such as PCB 114 and PCB 153, coplanar PCBs such as PCB 77 and PCB126 showed a stronger inhibition of apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was more stimulated by non-coplanar PCBs than coplanar PCBs with the most potent induction of ROS by chlorinated non-coplanar PCB. As compared to the level of induction by PCB126, non-coplanar PCB153 showed a higher increase of intracellular concentrations. Besides the alteration of intracellular calcium concentration, translocation of PKC from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction was clearly observed upon the exposure of non-coplanar PCB. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that there is a potent structure-activity relationship among PCB congeners and the mechanism of PAH-induced carcinogenesis is structure-specific. The study suggested that more diverse pathways of PAH-induced carcinogenesis should be taken into account beyond the boundary of Ah receptor dogma to assess the health impact of PAH with more accuracy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Objective: D-galactose (D-gal) is well-known agent to induce aging process. In the present study, we selected crocin, the main constituent of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), against D-gal- induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Pretreated cells with crocin ($25-500{\mu}M$, 24 h) were exposed to D-gal (25-400 mM, 48 h). The MTT assay was used for determination cell viability. Dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay (DCF-DA) and senescence associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase staining assay (SA-${\beta}$-gal) were used to evaluate the generation of reactive oxygen species and beta-galactosidase as an aging marker, respectively. Also advanced glycation end products (AGEs) expression which is known as the main mechanism of age-related diseases was measured by western blot analysis. Results: The findings of our study showed that treatment of cells with D-gal (25-400 mM) for 48h decreased cell viability concentration dependency. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels which are known as main factors in age-related diseases increased from $100{\pm}8%$ in control group to $132{\pm}22%$ in D-gal (200 mM) treated cells for 48h. The cytotoxic effects of D-gal decreased with 24h crocin pretreatment of cells. The cell viability at concentrations of $100{\mu}M$, $200{\mu}M$ and $500{\mu}M$ increased and ROS production decreased at concentrations of 200 and $500{\mu}M$ to $111.5{\pm}6%$ and $108{\pm}5%$, respectively. Also lysosomal biomarker of aging and carboxymethyl lysine (CML) expression as an AGE protein, significantly increased in D-gal 200 mM group after 48h incubation compare to control group. Pre-treatment of SHSY-5Y cells with crocin ($500{\mu}M$) before adding D-gal significantly reduced aging marker and CML formation. Conclusion: Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with crocin before adding of D-gal restored aging effects of D-gal concentration dependency. These findings indicate that crocin has potent anti- aging effects through inhibition of AGEs and ROS production.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2021

Objectives : AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key metabolic regulator that reduces lipogenesis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of liver kinase B (LKB) 1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the anti-obesity effect and underlying mechanism of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf sprout water extract (CSW) sprout extract in connection with the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (20~25 g) fed HFD to induce obesity and at the same time administered CSW 100 mg/kg (CSWL; (CSWL; CSW low concentration) or CSW 200 mg/kg (CSWH; CSW high concentration) or Garcinia extract (Garcinia) 200 mg/kg orally for 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured at the same time each day. After 6 weeks of CSW administration, liver tissue and serum were obtained through an autopsy. After the end of the experiment, biochemical analysis (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) was performed on the serum. And then, protein levels related to TG and TC synthesis were measured through western blot analysis in liver tissue. Results : As a result, serum TG, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the control group and significantly decreased in the CSW administration group. On the other hand, the HDL-cholesterol level was increased in the CSW-administered group. And as a result of Western blot analysis, CSW significantly increased the phosphorylation of LKB1 & AMPK, and remarkably decreased the expression of factors related to TG and TC synthesis. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that CSW influences the TG and TC synthesis to positively affect HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.231-240
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• 2009

Sixteen ruminally cannulated Korean native steers (Hanwoo; $626.2\pm47.72$ kg) were used to investigate the effects of polyclonal antibodies against abdominal (AAb) and subcutaneous adipocyte membrane proteins (SAb) on ruminal fermentation patterns and blood metabolites. The body weight (BW) of Hanwoo was decreased 2-weeks after AAb and SAb injection, BW reduction was also observed in control and non-immunized serum groups, indicating that stress induced by other factors (e.g. blood sampling etc.) rather than antibodies injection may affect the BW reduction. Antibodies treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) rumen pH, volatile fatty acids and ammonia-N concentration. The ranges were similar with typical ranges of those in Hanwoo. Compared with control, blood urea N concentration was decreased in AAb group and increased (P < 0.05) in SAb group before antibodies treatment. However, none of the groups were significantly (P > 0.05) affected at 2- or 4-weeks after the treatment. Concentration of plasma glucose in the non-immunized serum group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other groups at 0-week after treatment. However, antibodies treatment did not affect the concentration of plasma glucose. Concentration of plasma triglyceride showed no difference (P > 0.05) between the groups and ranged from 11.4 to 19.9 mg/dl, which is the perfect range of plasma triglyceride of Hanwoo fed concentrate based diets. In conclusion, these results may indicate that the present AAb and SAb have safety in nutritional physiological metabolism in Hanwoo. Further study on in vivo fat reduction of the antibodies against abdominal and subcutaneous adipocytes PMPs of Hanwoo is required for inedible fat-reduced high quality beef production.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2020

Submerged floating tunnel (SFT) is a type of tunnel that allows tunnel segments to float underwater by buoyancy, and is being actively studied in recent years. When the submerged floating tunnel is connected to the ground, the tunnel and the bored tunnel inside the ground must be connected. There is risk that the stress will be concentrated at the connection between the two tunnels due to the different constraints and behavior of the two tunnels. Therefore, special design and construction methods should be applied to ensure the stability around the connection. However, previous studies on the stability at the connection site have not been sufficiently carried out, so study on the basic stage of the stability at connection site are necessary. In this study, numerical analysis simulating the connection between submerged floating tunnel and the bored tunnel confirmed that the shear strain concentration occurred in the ground around the connection, and it was analyzed that the structural factors can be handled during construction to have effects on the stability of the ground around the connection. Numerical results show that the risks from disproportionate displacements in the two tunnels can be mitigated through the construction of grouting material and joint design. Although the results from this study are qualitative results, it is expected that it will contribute to the determination of structural factors and risk areas that should be considered in the design of connections between the submerged floating tunnel and bored tunnel in the future studies.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on biochemical factors in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The abalone were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cd for 4 weeks. The phenoloxidase (PO) activity was decreased in hemolymph of abalone exposed to 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks compared to the control (P < 0.05). The hemolymph enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were markedly elevated in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 4 weeks. The hemolymph calcium concentrations were significantly decreased in 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks. Hepatopancreas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased by Cd. SOD was increased in both 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ and CAT, in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 2 weeks (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the abalone SOD and CAT including PO may serve as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress by Cd. We conclude that a Cd concentration, 40 ${\mu}g/L$ in water may curtail hemolymph homeostasis and anti-oxidative reactions in abalone hepatopancreas. From these results, these biochemical factors may represent a convenient method of monitoring heavy metal pollution in coastal areas.