• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2009

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD) due to its specific toxicity against dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Since DA signals modulate a broad spectrum of CNS physiology, one can expect profound alterations in neuroendocrine activities of both PD patients and 6-OHDA treated animals. Limited applications of 6-OHDA injection model, however, have been made on the studies of hypothalamuspituitary neuroendocrine circuits. The present study was performed to examine whether blockade of brain catecholamine (CA) biosynthesis with 6-OHDA can make any alteration in the transcriptional activities of hypothalamus-pituitary hormone genes in adult male rats. Three-month-old male rats (SD strain) were received 6-OHDA ($200{\mu}g$ in $10{\mu}\ell$ of saline/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. To determine the mRNA levels of hypothalamuspituitary hormone genes, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative RT-PCRs. The mRNA levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for the catecholamine biosynthesis, were significantly lower than those from the control group (control:6-OHDA=1:0.72${\pm}$0.02AU, p<0.001), confirming the efficacy of 6-OHDA injection. The mRNA levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalami from 6-OHDA group were significantly lower than those from the control group (GnRH, control:6-OHDA=1:0.39${\pm}$0.03AU, p<0.001; CRH, control:6-OHDA=1:0.76${\pm}$0.07AU, p<0.01). There were significant decreases in the mRNA levels of common alpha subunit of glycoprotein homones (Cg$\alpha$), LH beta subunit (LH-$\beta$), and FSH beta subunit (FSH-$\beta$) in pituitaries from 6-OHDA group compared to control values (Cg$\alpha$, control:6-OHDA=1:0.81${\pm}$0.02AU, p<0.001; LH-$\beta$, control:6-OHDA=1:0.68${\pm}$0.04AU, p<0.001; FSH-$\beta$, control:6-OHDA=1:0.84${\pm}$0.05AU, p<0.001). Similarly, the level of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) transcripts from 6-OHDA group was significantly lower than that from the control group (control: 6-OHDA=1:0.86${\pm}$0.04AU, p<0.01). The present study demonstrated that centrally injected DA neurotoxin could downregulate the transcriptional activities of the two hypothalamus-pituitary neuroendocrine circuits, i.e., GnRH-gonadotropins and CRH-ACTH systems. These results suggested that hypothalamic CA input might affect on the activities of gonad and adrenal through modulation of hypothalamus-pituitary function, providing plausible explanation for frequent occurrence of sexual dysfunction and poor stress-response in PD patients.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2019

Recently, due to the increase in skin diseases caused by particulate matter, endocrine disruptor and environmental changes, the trend of development of cosmetic materials has been shifting to the more safe and effective ingredients based on natural materials rather than existing synthetic compounds like steroids and antihistamines. This study aimed to develop a new natural cosmetic materials using oriental herbs such as Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus. First, DPPH assay was performed to examine the antioxidative activity of the herbal extract (Mix) and 98.8% DPPH radical scavenging activity was confirmed at $400{\mu}g/mL$ concentration of it. In order to confirm the whitening efficacy of oriental herbal extracts(mix), the amount of melanin synthesized after stimulation of ${\alpha}-MSH$ with B16F10 cells was measured. Results showed that it was decreased to 27.1% comparing with the only ${\alpha}-MSH$ treated group, which confirmed the whitening efficacy. Also, both nitric oxide(NO) production and iNOS and COX-2 expression were significantly reduced in RAW264.7 macrophages activated by LPS in the presence of the extracts(Mix). The mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also analyzed to confirm the inhibition effect of the extracts on inflammation. Finally, to confirm the enhancement of skin barrier function, the expression of claudin 1 gene, a tight junction protein, was observed using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and increased as concentration dependent manner. From these results, it is concluded that the oriental herbal extracts(Mix) containing Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus is effective for antioxidant, anti-inflammation, skin whitening, and skin barrier and thus could be applied as a new natural cosmetic material.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2024

In this study, the mechanical stability of red mud was improved for its commercial use as a catalyst to effectively decompose HFC-134a, one of the seven major greenhouse gases. Red mud is an industrial waste discharged from aluminum production, but it can be used for the decomposition of HFC-134a. Red mud can be manufactured into a catalyst via the crushing-preparative-compression molding-firing process, and it is possible to improve the catalyst performance and secure mechanical stability through calcination. In order to determine the optimal heat treatment conditions, pellet-shaped compressed red mud samples were calcined at 300, 600, 800 ℃ using a muffle furnace for 5 hours. The mechanical stability was confirmed by the weight loss rate before and after ultra-sonication after the catalyst was immersed in distilled water. The catalyst calcined at 800 ℃ (RM 800) was found to have the best mechanical stability as well as the most catalytic activity. The catalyst performance and durability tests that were performed for 100 hours using the RM 800 catalyst showed thatmore than 99% of 1 mol% HFC-134a was degraded at 650 ℃, and no degradation in catalytic activity was observed. XRD analysis showed tri-calcium aluminate and gehlenite crystalline phases, which enhance mechanical strength and catalytic activity due to the interaction of Ca, Si, and Al after heat treatment at 800 ℃. SEM/EDS analysis of the durability tested catalysts showed no losses in active substances or shape changes due to HFC-134a abasement. Through this research, it is expected that red mud can be commercialized as a catalyst for waste refrigerant treatment due to its high economic feasibility, high decomposition efficiency and mechanical stability.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.599-606
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• 1990

A chitinase-producing bacterium, Aeromonas salmonicida YA7-625, was isolated from domestic seashore muds. The preferable medium composition for the production of chitinase was as follows: colloidal chitin 1.26% (w/v), tryptone 2.95% (w/v), $MgSO_4-7H_20$ 0.15% (w/v) and $K_2HP0_4$, 0.15% (w/v) (pH 8.5). The highest enzyme production was observed after cultivation of 48 hours at 27OC. The chitinase of Aeromonas salmonicida YA7-625 was purified successively by ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity adsorption, hydroxylapatite column chromatography and gel filtration. The optimal temperature and pH for the activity of purified chitinase were $50^{\circ}C$ and 7.0, respectively. The molecular weight of purified chitinase was ca. 200,000 daltons and apparent Km value of it was 1.276 mglml on colloidal chitin.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2009

This study was conducted to gather the basic data on the spread of the domestic kiwifruits, and the development of the manufactured goods and the health functional foods produced using kiwifruits. We determined the chemical compositions of four types of kiwifruits cultivated in Korea, Daeheung, Bidan, Haegeum and Hayward. In addition, we measured the anti-microbial activities and cytotoxicities of these types of kiwifruits. The vitamin C contents of the kiwifruits increased in the order of Bidan (93.82 mg/100 g), Daeheung (85.89 mg/100 g), Haegeum (83.73 mg/100 g) and Hayward (75.28 mg/100 g). The total amino acids contents per 100 g of kiwifruit (dry weight basis) were 483.97 mg (Haegeum), 453.08 mg (Hayward), 437.27 mg (Bidan) and 369.35 mg (Daeheung). The K and Ca contents of the kiwifruits ranged from 14.56~37.12 mg/L and 1.94~8.24 mg/L, respectively; however, the Fe, Mg, Zn and Cr contents all less than 1.83 mg/L. The antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of kiwifruits against five gram positive bacteria at concentration of 2,000 mg/L in terms of inhibition diameter ranged from 8.8~12.8mm, while raged from 9.2~13.1mm against three gram negative strains of bacteria. The hyperplasia inhibition of lung cancer cells (Calus-6) by 800 mg/L kiwifruits extracts of Bidan, Haegeum, Daeheung and Hayward kiwifruits were 21.2%, 9.5%, 6.7% and 5.0%, respectively. Consequently, it was assumed that kiwifruits was rich in vitamin C, amino acids and K, and that they would therefore be useful in processed goods.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2013

PURPOSES : To investigate the fundamental characteristics of blast-furnace slag mortar that was hardened with activating chemicals to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. METHODS : Various mix proportions were considered to find an appropriate stregnth development in regards with various dosages of activating chemicals, calcium hydroxides and sodium silicates, and curing conditions, air-dried, wet and underwater conditions. Flow characteristics was investigated and setting time of the mortar was measured. At different ages of 3, 7 and 28days, strength development was investigated for all the mix variables. At each age, samples were analyzed with XRD. RESULTS : The measured flow values showed the mortar lost its flowability as the activating chemicals amount increased in the scale of mole concentration. The setting time of the mortar was relatively shorter than OPC mortar but the initial curing condition was important, such as temperature. The amount of activating chemicals was found not to be critical in the sense of setting time. The strength increased with the increased amount of chemicals. The XRD analysis results showed that portlandite peaks reduced and clacite increased as the age increased. This may mean the $Ca(OH)_2$ keeps absorbing $CO_2$ in the air during curing period. CONCLUSIONS : The carbon capturing and sequestering activated blast-furnace slag mortar showed successful strength gain to be used for road system materials and its carbon absorbing property was verified though XRD analysis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.522-526
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• 1999

Bactericidal effects of chitosans with varying molecular weight $(10,000{\sim}170,000)$ were investigated for Streptococcus mutans, a primary causative bacterium of dental caries. The molecular weight of chitosan was a significant contributor to the bactericidal effect, and a chitosan having approximately 30,000 of molecular weight exhibited the highest bactericidal effects on S. mutans. Treatment of chitosan resulted in leaking intracellular protein and nucleic acid out of S. mutans cells. In addition, the divalent cations such as $Ca^{2+}\;and\;Mg^{2+}$ were also significantly released out of the cell. Visible damage of chitosan treated cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in which the cell wall was notably distorted and cytoplasmic membrane was separated from the cell wall. The results suggested that the bactericidal effect of chitosan on S. mutans was attributable to both leakage of intracellular materials and structural disintegration of cell wall.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.4 s.59
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• pp.263-267
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• 2006

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Petasites japonicus extract were evaluated. P. japonicus extract showed 70.1% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid. In the experiment using the cell permeable dye, 2',7'- dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) as an indicator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, intracellular oxidative stress in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes was shown to be decreased by P. japonicus extract. Also, UVB-induced production of interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ and prostaglandin $E_2$ in human HaCaT keratinocytes was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with P. japonicus extract. All these results suggest that P. japonicus extract can be effectively used for prevention of UV-induced adverse skin reactions such as radical production and inflammation.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2011

Contents of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals as well as its antioxidant activitiy of Laminaria japonica water extract have been analyzed for preparation of functional foods and cosmetic products. From the analysis of total amino acids, eighteen kinds of amino acids were found in the water extract of Laminaria japonica. Among total amino acids, the order of contents was glutamic acid (2.07 mg/g), alanine (0.51 mg/g), aspartic acid (0.44 mg/g), glycine (0.34 mg/g), and valine (0.34 mg/g). In case of free amino acids, glutamic acid (0.95 mg/g), prolin (0.54 mg/g), aspartic acid (0.44 mg/g), leucine (0.07 mg/g), and phenylalanine (0.07 mg/g) were dominant compositions. Vitamin E was only detected in water extract of Laminaria japonica. The mineral contents were as follows: K 752.60 mg, Na 259.20 mg, Ca 80.20 mg, P 29.50 mg, and Fe 8.32 mg based on 100 g Laminaria japonica water extract. The nitrite scavenging activity of the extract were gradually increased with the extracts contents to 86.2% at concentration of 100 mg/mL and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts were 86.4% at concentration of 50 mg/mL.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 1982

Two rice cultivars, Jinju and Iri 348, were used to compare the changes in the contents of some organic metabolites and ions and in some enzyme levels under water-and salt-stressed conditions. The water loss and proline accumulation under water and salt stresses were accelerated more in the salt-sensitive cultivar Iri 348 than in the salt-tolerant Jinju. The contents of crude protein, total free amino acids, proline and polyphenols increased under water-or salt-stressed rice, but that of reducing sugar increased under water stress only. The water-and salt-stresses induced the high ratio of low molecular organic solutes to crude protein in Jinju but not in Iri 348. The ratio of total free amino acids to crude protein increased under the stressed conditions was likely due to high protease activity. The contents of $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ were higher in Iri 348 than in Jinju. Iri 348 had higher values of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ and monovalent/divalent of cations, but lower of $K^+/Na^+$ than Jinju Rice. The further studies should emphasize to set the correlations between these ratios and tolerance to water and salt stresses among rice cultivars.