• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1082-1091
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• 2003

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) on nerve cells damaged by hypoxia, the cytotoxic effects of exposure to hypoxia were determined by XTT, NR, MTT and SRB asssay. The activity of catalase and SOD was measured by spectrophometry, and TNF-α and PKC activity was measured after exposure to hypoxia and treatment of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) water extract(KJHWE). Also the neuroprotective effect of KJHWE was researched for the elucidation of neuroprotective mechanism. The results were as follows ; Hypoxia decreased cell viability measured by XTT, NR assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 95% N2/5% CO₂ for 2～26 minutes in these cultures and KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ treatment decreased cell viability measured by MTT, and SRB assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 1-80 uM for 6 hours, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. Hypoxia decreased catalase and SOD activity, and also TNF-α and PKC activity in these cultured cerebral neurons, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of the catalase and SOD activity in these cultures. Hypoxia triggered the apoptosis via caspase activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Also hypoxia stimulate the release of cytochrome c form mitochondria. KJHWE inhibited the apoptosis via caspase activation induced by hypoxia. From these results, it can be suggested that brain ischemia model induced hypoxia showed neurotoxity on cultured mouse cerebral neurons, and the KJHWE has the neuroprotective effect in blocking the neurotoxity induced by hypoxia in cultured mouse cerebral neurons.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3578-3585
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to establish the critical limit at CCP (Critical Control Point) of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system for instant noodle and it was conducted at P company in Ichen(Gyeonggi-do), Korea. According to the CCP, Fried process were experimented to removal and decrease of microbiological and chemical hazards by measuring of each temperature and times. As a result, the standard plate count and pathogenic microorganism were not detected by fried processing (Temperature : $145{\pm}10^{\circ}C$, Time : $75{\pm}30$ sec). The acid value of chemical hazards produced by fried processing was able to manage, showed lower (0.2) than the legal limit (0.6). Air-borne bacterial examination results detected(3 CFU/mL, 3 CFU/mL) in the Frying Room and Steam Room. Therefore, the CCP-BC of fried process would be a great alternative to prevent and remove hazard analysis, such as general and pathogenic microorganism (E. coli O157:H7, B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, Sthaph. aureus etc), chemical hazard analysis. In conclusion, it suggested that HACCP plan was necessary for management standard and systematic approach in establishement of critical limit, solving the problem, method of verification, education and records management by fried processing.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.720-726
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• 2010

The in vitro antioxidant activities and neuronal cell protective effects of 60% (w/v) methanolic extract from Houttuynia cordata were investigated. The contents of total phenolics and quercitrin in the extract were 17.71 mg/g and 75.80 ${\mu}g$/g, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities were 87.79% and 99.27%, respectively, when the extract was tested at 5 mg/ml. The FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assay showed a dose-dependent increse in activity. In a cell viability assay using MTT, the extract protected against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage was also inhibited by the extract, as was lipid peroxidation as shown using the mouse brain homogenate test. These data indicate that a 60% (w/v) methanolic extract of Houttuynia cordata has in vitro antioxidant activities, and ingestion there of may reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1080-1084
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• 2011

Predictive model for estimating total contents of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was developed by stepwise multiple-regression analysis using chemical properties and extractable contents of metal in paddy soil adjacent to abandoned mines in 2009 and 2010. Soil properties, e.g. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), available phosphorus ($P_2O_5$), and exchangeable cations (i.e. Ca, Na, K, Mg) were measured. Total contents of Cd and Pb as well as extractable contents of metals were analyzed by ICP-OES. Results showed that the total and extractable contents were estimated to be 3.55 and $0.27mg\;kg^{-1}$ in Cd and 83.38 and $24.32mg\;kg^{-1}$ in Pb on the average. From stepwise analysis, it was found that the contents of extractable Cd, Zn, Cu, as well as exchangeable Na were significantly influenced on estimation of the total contents of Cd in soil. Moreover, it also showed that the contents of extractable Pb, Zn, and Cu significantly affected estimation of the total contents of Pb in soil. More significant relationship between estimated and measured value in total contents of Pb was observed than those of Cd ($R^2$=0.87, p<0.0001). This demonstrates that extractable contents of metal are influenced more on estimation of total contents of Cd and Pb in soil than soil properties.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2021

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H2O2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2021

Commercially used disposable cups undergo fragmentation in the environment and become microplastics (MPs). These MPs can be ingested by aquatic organisms and cause a range of adverse effects. We assessed the acute and chronic toxicity of disposable cup-derived MP fragments in Daphnia magna. MP fragments were identified as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragment with a size of 33.18 ± 7.76 ㎛. The presence of three additives including 1- Propanone. 1-phenyl-3-[2-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl]-, p-Xylene and ethylbenzene was analyzed from MP fragments. The 48 h acute toxicity revealed that 20 % of immobilization and mortality were found at the highest concentration of PET MP (200 mg L^-1). The 21 d chronic toxicity revealed that PET MP fragments significantly (p < 0.05) more reduced survival rate (31 %), total offspring (52 %) in D. magna compared with control group. The developmental abnormality of offspring (3.5%) by PET MP fragments was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control groups (0.3%). These results are possibly induced by gut blocking by ingestion of MP fragments and their longer retention time. These findings indicate that the fragmentation of disposable cups (PET polymers) into small-sized MP fragments pose a significant ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying toxicity mechanisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1111-1119
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• 2019

Prunus mume, known as maesil in Korea, has been widely cultivated in East Asia and used as medication and food. However, because most of the previous studies concerning P. mume had been investigated its under extract state, detailed studies are still required for its extensive utilization. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activities of solvent fractions of P. mume ethanol extracts. The ethyl acetate fraction showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity than other fractions. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of ethyl acetate fraction was 67.79%; ABTS radical scavenging activity was 60.03%; reducing power ($OD_{670}$) was 1.26; and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity was 93.18% at $500{\mu}g/ml$. Also, the ethyl acetate and methanol fraction showed effective levels of ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibition activity (69.25% and 72.29% at $500{\mu}g/ml$). Total polyphenol contents and total flavonoid contents of the ethyl acetate fraction were 88.28 mg/g (gallic acid equivalent) and 70.38 mg/g (quercetin equivalent), respectively. These results suggest that the physiological activities of the ethyl acetate fraction are associated with its polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Therefore, this study can be used as basic data for developing natural antioxidants and potential functional material using P. mume.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Irrigation water is known to be one of the major sources of bacterial contamination in agricultural products. In addition, anti-microbial resistance (AMR) bacteria in food products possess serious threat to humans. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of foodborne bacteria in irrigation water and evaluating their anti-microbial susceptibility. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surface water (n = 66 sites) and groundwater (n = 40 sites) samples were collected from the Gyeongi and Gangwon provinces of South Korea during April, July, and October 2019. To evaluate the safety of water, fecal indicators (Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes) were examined. E. coli isolates from water were further tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using VITEK2 system. Overall, detection rate of foodborne pathogens in July was highest among three months. The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli (24%), Salmonella (3%), and L. monocytogenes (3%) was higher in surface water, while only one ground water site was contained with pathogenic E. coli (2.5%). Of the 343 E. coli isolates, 22.7% isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials (ampicillin (18.7%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (7.0%), and ciprofloxacin (6.7%)). CONCLUSION: To enhance the safety of agricultural products, it is necessary to frequently monitor the microbial quality of water.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

Objective : This study was intended to examine the effects of water extract of Prunellae Spica (PS), which is a herb with 'cold' nature based on hot and cold theory of traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Hyperthyroidism was induced in SD rats by LT4 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for four weeks. After 2 weeks of LT4 injection, rats were divided randomly into four groups; normal, LT4-induced hyperthyroid control, PS extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.)-treated group, and propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg, s.c.)-treated positive group. After 2 weeks of drug treatment, all rats were sacrificed and harvested blood samples and thyroid tissues. The changes of body weight, food and water intake, and body temperature were measured weekly. Serological markers were analyzed in sera using an enzyme-based assay, and thyroid tissues were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). Brain and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues were isolated and analyzed the expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by Western blot. Results : PS extract administration attenuated the loss of body weight and the increase of body temperature in LT4-induced hyperthyroidism rats. PS extract increased the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased tiiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). In action mechanism, PS extract regulated the expression of transient receptor potential channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and transient Receptor Potential channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), the thermoregulators. Conclusion : To conclude, PS extract can improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism through regulation of the thyroid hormones imbalance and thermoregulation via TRP channels.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.234-239
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• 2023

Thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1), one of the thioredoxin superfamily known as redox-regulator, plays an essential in maintaining cell survival via various antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. It is well known that relationship between ischemia and oxidative stress, however, the role of TXNL1 protein in ischemic damage has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective role of TXNL1 against on ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo using cell permeable Tat-TXNL1 fusion protein. Transduced Tat-TXNL1 inhibited ROS production and cell death in H₂O₂-exposed hippocampal neuronal (HT-22) cells and modulated MAPKs and Akt activation, and pro-apoptotic protein expression levels in the cells. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-TXNL1 markedly decreased hippocampal neuronal cell death and the activation of astrocytes and microglia. These findings indicate that cell permeable Tat-TXNL1 protects against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo ischemic animal model. Therefore, we suggest Tat-TXNL1 can be a potential therapeutic protein for ischemic injury.