This study was conducted to explore if the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) can be used as an indicator classifying habitat types. Thirteen land use types were selected as survey sites in Jeonju. Ground beetles were collected by 3 pitfall traps (15 cm diameter) for each site from June 20 to September 22, 2008. Pitfall traps were replaced at one month interval. Total 919 ground beetles of 31 species belonging to 17 genera were collected. Land use types were classified and ordinated by two-way indicator species analysis and detrended correspondence analysis. Land use types were classified and ordinated into two major groups, forest and non-forest, by Synuchus nitidus and Dolichus halensis. Two major groups were subdivided into 4 end groups; forest, riverside, upland and other sites. Other sites group including 4 sites; levee, public garden, outfield and manufacturing area were not coincided with land use types. Nevertheless, ground beetles appear to be used as indicators of habitat types.

산업화와 경제 발전에 따라 생산량, 사용량, 보관량, 운반량이 늘어난 산 물질들의 누출 사고가 빈발하고 있다. 지중 환경으로 유입된 누출 산은 지질매체와의 반응에 의해 궁극적으로 중화될 것으로 예상된다. 하지만 누출 산이 영향을 주는 공간적 및 시간적 범위는 산에 노출된 지질매체의 특성에 따라 달라질 것으로 예측된다. 본 연구에서는 국내에서 가장 사용량이 많은 황산을 한국의 지질을 대표할 수 있는 모델 지질매체들과 반응시켰다. 용액의 pH 변화를 지시자로 회분식 실험을 통해 모델 지질매체들의 산 완충능을 평가하였다. 그리고 산 중화에 기여하는 광물성분을 X-선회절분석을 통해 확인하였다. 실험 결과는 평가한 지질매체 중 사암이 가장 큰 중화능을 가졌으며, 캐올리나이트가 가장 낮은 중화능을 가졌음을 보여준다. 이 연구 결과는 지질매체에 대한 누출 산의 영향을 정량화하고 따라서 누출 산에 대한 지질매체들의 취약성을 예측하는데 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma (the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance, known as lesser galangal), a family of Zingiberaceae, has been used to reduce pain of infection and inflammatory diseases in Asian countries. The present study was focused to evaluate the inhibitory degranulation effect of Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract in RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187. Mast cell degranulation was analyzed by measuring release of β -hexosaminidase in RBL-2H3 cell. Gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR and signaling molecules were detected by immunoblotting. The Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract suppressed β-hexosaminidase release in dose-dependent manner and inhibited cycloxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression. Furthermore, it was found that Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract reduced mitogen-activated protein kinases, especially phosphorylated p38, at 0.75 ㎎/㎖ of Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract concentrations. These data show that Alpiniae officinarum Rhizoma extract has immunosuppressive effect in mast cell induced allergic inflammation.