• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 1998

Effects of lead(Pb) and calcium(Ca) on growth responses, accumulation of heavy metals and nitrogen fixation activities of Melilotus suaveolens seedlings were quantitatively analyzed during growing period. Pb contents of the root treated with 30, 100 ppm Pb and 100 ppm Pb added 100 ppm Ca were 54.1, 90.9 and 26.1 folds higher than that of the control, respectively, at pH 4.2 in 28th days, and heavy metal content of plant increased with increasing of pH and Pb concentration. The melilot plant was classified as a Pb accumulator by higher accumulation of Pb in shoot than that of root. Pb treatments resulted in inhibiton of height and chlorophyll contet, and Ca treatment increased height and chlorophyll content insignificantly at pH 4.2 in 28 days. The plant biomass reduced 49, 60 and 54% at pH 4.2 and 47,53 and 50% at pH 6.5, respectively, by 30, 100 ppm Pb and 100 ppm Pb added 100 ppm Ca treatment. Specific nitrogen fixation of nodules reduced 68.4% and 46.6% by 100 ppm Pb treatment and 3.7% and 24.9% by 100 ppm Pb added 100 ppm Ca at pH 4.2 and pH 6.5, respectively, so Ca inhibited significantly Pb activity and toxicity in acdic pH. Nodule formation were reduced to 33, 33 and 50% at pH 4.2 and 50, 33 and 38% at pH 6.5 by 30, 100 ppm Pb and 100 ppm Pb added 100 ppm Ca, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2017

Der p 1 and Der p 2 are essential allergens of house dust mite associated with the development of asthma. In the present study, we examined whether Der p 1 and Der p 2 induce a release of S100A8 and S100A9 in monocytes, which are involved in the regulatory mechanism of neutrophil apoptosis. We found that Der p 1 and Der p 2 significantly increased the secretion of S100A8 and S100A9 in normal monocytes. Moreover, S100A8 and S100A9 strongly suppressed the spontaneous apoptosis of normal and asthmatic neutrophils. The inhibitory effect of S100A9 was stronger than that of S100A8, and asthmatic neutrophils showed a higher inhibitory effect than normal neutrophils. S100A8 and S100A9 induced activation of Lyn, Akt, and ERK in a time-dependent manner. These findings elucidate the roles of Der p 1 and Der p 2 in the interaction between monocytes and neutrophils, as well as contributing to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.705-709
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• 2022

The effect of the annealing temperature of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)(P(VDF-TrFE)) solid electrolyte layer on the electrical properties of the P(VDF-TrFE)-based memristor was analyzed. In morphological analyses, the P(VDF-TrFE) thin film with 200℃ annealing temperature (200P(VDF-TrFE)) was shown to have surface roughness ≈5 times larger and thickness ≈20% smaller than that with 100℃ annealing temperature (100P(VDF-TrFE)). Compared to the 100P(VDF-TrFE) memristor (M100), the set voltage of the 200P(VDF-TrFE) memristor (M200) decreased by ≈50% and the magnitude of its reset voltage increased by ≈30%. Moreover, M200 was found to have better memory retention characteristics than M100. These differences were attributed to relatively strong local electric fields inside M200 compared to M100. This study suggests the importance of the annealing temperature in polymer memristors.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 1998

This experiment was conducted to find out the effects of major nutrient levels(N, P, K) on ozone susceptibility of tomato plants(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Pink Glory). Plants were grown in water culture system. A half-strength of Hoagland's nutrient solution was considered as a standard formulation($N_{100}$ $P_{100}$ $K_{100}$). The levels of major nutrients were adjusted through addition or removal of several fertilizer salts from the standard solution. Top growth was significantly decreased at the low nitrogen level or phosphorus removal condition. P- and K-contents of leaves were greatly decreased by removal of salts containing P and K from the nutrient solution. The rate of ozone injury was significantly increased when potassium was removed. However, the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus levels or high potassium level on injury occurrence did not show statistical significance compared to the standard solution. Ozone exposure resulted in reduction of chlorophyll, and increase of ethylene production, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents. These changes were much more enhanced in plants grown at the potassium removal solution. Whereas the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) was low at the potassium removal treatment and this tendency remained after ozone exposure. These results indicated that potassium nutrient level in tomato plants is closely associated with the susceptibility to ozone injury.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.726-737
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• 2023

Piperine, the main bioactive component of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.), has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This study evaluated the supplemental effects of piperine or black pepper on innate immunity, growth, feed utilization efficiency, and intestinal morphology in red seabream (Pagrus major). Six experimental diets were formulated, supplementing piperine at 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg levels (Con, P25, P50, P100, and P200) or 1.0 g/kg black pepper (BP100). Juvenile fish (7.6 ± 0.1 g) were randomly stocked into 18 circular tanks (220 L), including 30 fish per tank. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups, and the feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The results showed that final body weight, specific growth rate, weight gain, and feed utilization efficiency were significantly improved (p < 0.05) when piperine was supplemented into diets at 0.25-2.0 g/kg levels compared to the Con group. Compared to the Con diet, condition factor was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in fish fed with dietary piperine at 0.25-2.0 g/kg or BP100 diet. Serum myeloperoxidase activity was increased (p < 0.05) in P25 and P100 groups and antiprotease activity was increased (p < 0.05) in P100 group compared to the Con group. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) lysozyme activity was observed in P50, P100, P200 and BP100 groups, while total immunoglobulin level was increased in P50, P100 and BP100 groups than Con group. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased (p < 0.05) by dietary piperine at 0.25-2.0 g/kg levels and BP100 diet compared to Con diet. Plasma cholesterol was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in fish fed with piperine (0.5-2.0 g/kg) or BP100 compared to the Con diet. Compared to the Con diet significantly longer (p < 0.05) intestinal villi were observed in fish fed with piperine at 0.25-1.0 g/kg levels, and higher goblet cell count was observed in P25 and BP100 groups. Dietary inclusion of piperine would be a potent immunostimulant in fish diet and the optimum supplementation level would be 0.25-1.0 g/kg.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.344-347
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• 2013

The S100A8 and S100A9 proteins play important roles in inflammatory diseases. The house dust mite acts as a major allergen that induces allergic diseases. We investigated the effect of the house dust mite on S100A8 and S100A9 protein expression in monocytes. We also examined the effect of CCL2, a powerful monocyte chemoattractant, on the expression of both proteins. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP), recombinant Der p 1 and Der p 2, or CCL2 had no effect on S100A8 and S100A9 expression in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Monocytes were isolated from healthy donors and treated with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2. S100A8 expression in monocytes increased after a 24 h stimulation with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2, and CCL2 also increased S100A8 production. However, S100A9 expression in monocytes was not altered by DP, Der p 1, Der p 2, or CCL2. These results indicate that house dust mite and CCL2 may trigger an inflammatory response by altering S100A8 expression.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.111-117
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• 2007

The visual evoke potential(VEP) is the effective method to diagnose and treat the amblyopia or to check the infants visual ability. In order to evaluate the changes of P100 latencies and amplitudes of VEP by intensity of illumination and refractive errors, we measured latencies and amplitudes of 41 normal adults (20/20 VA) who have no ocular diseases and neurologic diseases. The results were as follows: In the scotopic condition, the latencies were N75$75.83{\pm}3.69$ msec, P100$103.48{\pm}5.34$ msec, the P100 amplitude was $14.86{\pm}2.43$ msec, and in the photopic condition, the latencies were N75$76.71{\pm}3.11$ msec, P100$107.26{\pm}5.54$ msec and the P100 amplitude was $10.35{\pm}1.75$ msec. The latencies and amplitudes of P100 in the photopic condition had higher values than those in the scotopic condition and the measures were significantly different between the scotopic and photopic condition (p<0.01). The P100 latencies were delayed both in the scotopic and photopic condition with the refractive errors and those measures were delayed more than in the photopic condition. The P100 amplitudes in the induced myopic and hyperopic conditionsreduced than in the emmetopes in both illumination conditions. The P100 latencies and amplitudes in emmetropes showed a correlation with the induced myopic conditions in the scotopic condition. Those results showed that P100 latencies and amplitudes are dependent on the illumination conditions and refractive errors. And we suggest that those results would be useful to determine and evaluate the normal range for the person considering patients' refractive errors and illumination of the test room.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 1998

There is a lot of difficulty in the diagnosis of follicular lesions of the thyroid by fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC). The main purpose of this report is offering more guidance regarding the cytologic appearance to distinguish follicular neoplasm from nodular golfer and laying stress on the presence of mixed group. The histologic and cytologic findings of 23 follicular neoplasms and 13 nodular (adenomatous) getters were reviewed. Histologic specimens were classified into the microfollicular(MIF), mixed(MIX), and nodular getter(NG) groups. The comparison of histologic patterns with histologic diagnosis revealed that all the lesions with predominantly microfollicular, trabecular, or solid pattern were follicular carcinoma and all the lesions with predominantly macrofollicular pattern were nodular goiter. The distinguishing cytologic features for the MIF group were irregular cell arrangement in cell groups(100%, p=0.00001), absence of atrophic follicular cells(100%, p=0.0007), abundant microfollicles(100%, 0=0.002), pleomorphic nuclei(100%, p=0.002), not predominant syncytial smear pattern(100%, p=0.002), heterochromatin(100%, p=0.032), absence of macrofollicles(100%, p=0.038), scant colloid(100%, 0=0.04), clear back-ground(83%, p=0.00006), and uniform sized follicles(83%, p=0.014). And regular cell arrangement(honeycomb appearance) in cell groups(85%, p=0.0000), atrophic change of follicular cells(69%, p=0.0002), syncytial smear pattern(54%, p=0.000), monomorphic nuclei(85%, p=0.008), and hemorrhagic background(100%, p=0.027) were characteristic features of the NG group. Seventeen out of 36 cases(47%) were the MIX group composed of combined cytologic features of the MIF and NG groups. Therefore the frequent presence of the MIX group is considered to be main cause of the difficulty in the diagnosis of follicular lesions by FNAC. The mixed morphologic feature may support the hypothesis of a biologic 'continuum' between nodular goiter and follicular neoplasm of thyroid gland.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 1998

To investigate the increased acid tolerance of a acid-resistant mutant Leuconostoc paramesenteroides P-100 improved as a kimchi starter, proton permeability, ATPase acitivity, glycolysis activity, $Mg^2$sup +/ releasement, and membrane fatty acid composition were studied and comprised with its wild type Leuconostoc paramesenteroides Pw. In the proton permeability experiment, the maximum values of the average half time (t$\_$1/2/) of pH equilibration through the cell membrane of the Pw and the P-100 were about 6.4 min and 7.8 min in 150 mM KCI solution, respectively. In the 3% NaCl solution, the t$\_$1/2/ values of the Pw and the P-100 were 5.5 min and 6.9 min, respectively. The values and pHs of maximal specific activities of ATPase originated from the Pw and the P-100 were 0.5 unit/mg protein and 0.78 unit/mg protein at pH 6.0, respectively. The result of pH dependence of glycolysis showed that the P-100 had higher activities than that of Pw except at pH 7.0. The releases of magnesium from the Pw and the P-100 were observed about 54.5% and 23.2% at pH 4.0 after 2 hours, respectively. The results of comparison of membrane fatty acid composition of the Pw with the P-100 showed that C$\_$8:0/, C$\_$9:0/, C$\_$10:0/, C$\_$11:0/, C$\_$18:0/, and C$\_$19:0,cyclo/ were major different fatty acids between two strains and the content of C$\_$18:1/, and C$\_$19:0,cyclo/ were 2.8%, N.D (not detected) in the Pw and 0.4%, 2.3% in the P-100. These results indicated that acid tolerance of the P-100 was significantly improved in comparison with its wild type Pw.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 1998

The Leuconostoc paramesenteroides dominated at refrigeration temperature range was isolated from kimchi, and improved its growth properties by mutation for competitive growth against Lactobacillus plantarum at lower pH. It was found that the minimal pH for the wild type Leuconostoc paramesenteroides Pw growth was pH 4.5 adjusted with HCI and pH 5.0 adjusted with organic-mixture (lactic acid:acetic acid=1:2), respectively. The mutant P-100 could grow in pH 4.0, 4.5, respectively, in MRS broth. Two strains Pw and P-100 were added into kimchi as starter and compared the quality characteristics of kimchi. The total acceptability of Pw and P-100 inoculated kimchi were evaluated better than that of control kimchi (no starter added) by sensory test and extended the optimal pH range of kimchi up to about 2.2, 2.5 times, respectively. In kimchi added P-100, the succinic acid was more abundant than others and the total number of Lactobacillus plantarum was down about 2.5 times in contrast to control kimchi.