• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.255-263
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• 2019

Glycyrrhizae radix is one of the most frequently prescribed ingredients in Oriental medicine, and Glycyrrhizae radix extract has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of programed cell death (apoptosis) by Glycyrrhizae radix are poorly defined. In the present study, it was examined the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by water extracts of Glycyrrhizae radix (GRW) in human bladder T24 cancer cells. It was found that GRW could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by GRW was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins (XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2). In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of GRW induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of PARP. GRW also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the down-regulation of total Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that GRW may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth and functional differences between C. rotundus and G. littoralis according to different electrical conductivity (EC) conditions in reclaimed soil conditions. C. rotundus and G. littoralis seeds were sown in a tray and managed for seedlings stage for eight weeks. They were transplanted in the pots containing reclaimed soils sampled in the Saemangum region. The plants were grown in the reclaimed land soil for 12 weeks under the control, 1, 2, 4, and $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ conditions and in horticultural soils with EC $1.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Plant height, leaf length and width of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Leaf, flower and tuber numbers of C. rotundus were the highest in EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, and SPAD was the highest in EC 2 and $4dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and the lowest in EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The fresh weights of shoot and root of C. rotundus grown under EC $2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ increased and then decreased as the concentration increased. When compared plant growth between reclaimed soil and horticulture soil with EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, the fresh weights of shoot and root, SPAD, leaf number, flower number, and tuber number were higher in horticultural soils. Although G. littoralis grown under EC $8dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ was the lowest in all growth parameters, there were no significant differences among other EC treatments. C. rotundus had the highest p-coumaric acid content in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. And the catechin content in shoot of G. littoralis was the highest in the control, and root of Glehnia littoralis had the highest benzoic acid contents in EC $1dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. If the soil EC is well managed within $4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, two plants would be cultivated in reclaimed land.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 2021

Oxidative stress causes injury to and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is involved in several retinal disorders and leads to vision loss. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 14 kinds of natural compounds and two kinds of synthetic compounds on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in human PRE cell lines (ARPE-19). From among them, we selected five kinds of compounds, including auranofin, FK-509, hemistepsin A, honokiol, and spermidine, which have inhibitory effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cytotoxicity. In addition, we found that four kinds of compounds (excluding auranofin) have protective effects on H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the expression of phosphorylation of histone H2AX, a sensitive marker of DNA damage, was markedly up-regulated by H2O2, whereas it was notably down-regulated by FK-506, honokiol, and spermidine treatment. Meanwhile, five kinds of candidate compounds had no effect on H2O2-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting that the five candidate compounds have protective effects on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage through the ROS-independent pathway. Taken together, according to the results of H2O2-mediated cellular damage―such as cytotoxicity, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage―spermidine and FK-506 are the natural and synthetic compounds with the most protective effects against oxidative stress in RPE. Although further studies on the identification of the mechanism responsible are required, the results of the present study suggest the possibility of using spermidine and FK-506 to suppress the risk of retinal disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2021

This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the dried leaves and branches of Stewartia koreana Nakai. The dried leaf and branch of S. koreana were extracted with 70% ethanol at 80℃. The antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of S. koreana leaf (EESL) and S. koreana branch (EESB) were analyzed. The total polyphenol contents in EESL and EESB were 162.57±0.9 mg of GAEs/extract g and 59.1±0.9 mg of GAEs/extract g, respectively. The flavonoid contents in EESL and EESB were 59.1±0.9 mg of QEs/extract g and 4.7±0.1 mg of QEs/extract g, respectively. EESL showed a better scavenging ability with DPPH and ABTS than EESB, at 0.4 mg/ml. Moreover, EESL were more effective according to ORAC values than EESL. The toxicity of EESL was investigated using a WST-1 assay on the human skin fibroblast cell line CCD-986sk. Therefore, EESL can be used as a potential source of functional, naturally-sourced material in cosmetics as well as food.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.329-341
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• 2020

As COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the world, more than 45 million confirmed cases and over 1,000,000 deaths have occurred till now, and this situation is expected to continue for some time. In particular, more than half of the infections in European countries such as Italy and Spain occurred in nursing homes, and it is reported that over 4,000 people died in nursing homes for older adults in the United States. Therefore, the issues that need to be addressed after the COVID-19 crisis include finding a fundamental solution to group care and shifting to family-centered care. More specifically, it is expected that there will be ever more lively discussion on establishing and expanding hyper-technology based community care, that is, family-centered care integrated with ICT and other Industry 4.0 technologies. This poses a challenge of how to combine social security and social welfare with Industry 4.0 in concrete ways that go beyond the abstract suggestions made in the past. A case in point is the proposal involving smart welfare cities. Given this background, the present paper examined the concept, scope, and content of non-face-to-face care in the context of previous literature on the function and scope of the social security platform, and the concept and expandability of the smart welfare city. Implementing a smart city to realize the kind of social security and welfare that our society seeks to provide has significant bearing on the implementation of community care or aging in place. One limitation of this paper, however, is that it does not address concrete measures for implementing non-face-to-face care from the policy and legal/institutional perspectives, and further studies are needed to explore such measures in the future. It is expected that the findings of this paper will provide the future course and vision not only for the smart welfare city but also for the social security and welfare system in administrative, practical, and legislative aspects, and ultimately contribute to improving the quality of human life.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.25-38
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• 2020

The objective of this study is to propose a direction for creating a memorial park for the 250 students victims of the Sewol ferry disaster. To this end, this study first attempted to understand the matters discussed at various levels to create a memorial park and find a way that the park can be built by gathering opinions from the bereaved families and the victims themselves, as well as local residents, and experts. Workshops, competitions, special lectures, and websites, etc, were analyzed. A social discourse analysis methodology was used for systematic analysis, and the analyzed discourse was categorized into 4 types for assessment, and the functions and roles were subdivided into 15 types. To assess the priorities and the adequacy of the discourse, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used among 30 activists, public servants, and experts. Then, a survey was conducted to analyze the perception of the residents (467 participants including the bereaved families) about the memorial park. Based on the results of the analysis, two directions were set for the memorial park. First, is a memorial park to remember the victims in everyday life. It must be a park with various cultural contents instead of a conventional memorial park that is solemn and grave sharing anguish and sorrow. The memorial park for the Sewol ferry disaster must become a space where visitors can naturally encounter and remember the victims. Second, is a park that serves as a catalyst that brings change and innovation to the community. It must be able to bring change to the community with direct and indirect influence. It must serve as an impetus to bring change and innovation to the community in the mid-to-long-term. Having many visitors may also lead to an economic effect. These visitors may not just stay in the park, but even contribute to revitalizing the local businesses. The purpose of this study is to apply the research findings to guide the International Design Competition scheduled for 2020 and serve to establish guidelines for a continuous park management system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2021

Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc. is traditionally used as an edible and medicinal plant in many countries in East Asia. Previous studies have shown the pharmacological potential of extracts and components of C. officinalis, but comparative analysis of the composition of the leaf, stem, and fruit extracts has been insufficient to date. In the present study, the content of active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients was verified in different C. officinalis parts (under-ripe sansuyu, ripe sansuyu, seed, leaf, stem, and dried sansuyu). One active component, morroniside, was high in fruit (under-ripe and ripe sansuyu), while loganin was high in fruit (under-ripe sansuyu) and cornin was high in seeds. Total polyphenol contents were highest in fruit (ripe sansuyu) and flavonoids were highest in leaves. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in leaves, followed by seeds and then ripe sansuyu extract. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of leaf extracts of C. officinalis (LCO) was further investigated by measuring their effects on levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of LCO effectively decreased the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible NO synthase, resulting in decreased NO production. LCO also significantly suppressed LPS-induced production and expression of IL-1β and IL-6. Taken together, the present findings suggest that C. officinalis leaves have potential as natural materials for the development of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.1-15
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to propose a direction for designing and managing a smart park for realizing a smart green city and to present measures in the landscape field to foster related industries. The research process is as follows. First, the concept of a smart park was operationally defined through a literature review, and three principles to be considered in the process of creation and management were established. Second, in terms of the three principles, problems and implications for improvement were derived through an analysis of established cases of smart parks in new and pre-existing cities. Third, a pool of designs and management standards for each spatial component of a smart park was prepared through literature and case studies, and then further refined through brainstorming with experts in related fields. Fourth, measures were suggested to the government, local governments, and the landscape field to promote smart park creation and management. The main findings are as follows. First, the concept of a smart park is defined as "a park that contributes to securing the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of cities and local communities by supporting citizens' safe and pleasant use of parks and improving the management and operational efficiency by utilizing the digital, environment, and material technologies." Second, the three principles of smart parks are to improve the intrinsic value of parks, to improve the innovative functions of parks to solve urban problems, and to make the design, construction, and management process smart. Third, improvement implications were derived through the analysis of cases of smart parks creation in new and pre-existing cities. Fourth, the directions for smart park design and management were suggested in five aspects: green area, hydroponic facility area, road and plaza area, landscape facilities area, and park design method. Fifth, as for policy implications for revitalizing the construction and management of smart parks, the development of smart park policy business models by city growth stage, and park type, the promotion of pilot projects, the promotion of smart park projects in connection with the Korean New Deal policy, and smart park policies led by landscape experts were presented.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2021

This study verified the antioxidant and whitening activities of a Pinus koraiensis extract (PK) and a Hibiscus cannabinus L. extract (HC), and further evaluated the interaction of the extract ingredients when mixed at a 1:1 ratio (PKHC). The electron-donating and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities of the PKHC extract at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration were 93.7% and 94%, respectively, indicating a higher efficacy than achieved with either extract alone. Measurements of the tyrosinase the activities in response to PK, HC, and PKHC extracts at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentrations showed inhibitions of 40%, 27.5%, and 43%, respectively, confirming a higher efficacy of the mixture due to the synergistic action of the ingredients. The cell toxicity values in melanoma cells treated with PK, HC, and PKHC at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration were 87.4%, 80.2%, and 98%, confirming a higher viability in cells treated with the mixture due to antagonism. The expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase protein expression determined by Western blotting decreased by 53.9%, 64.8%, 67.3%, and 56.1%, respectively, when PKHC was administered at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) results also showed that PKHC at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml inhibited the mRNA expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase mRNA by 54.4%, 64.9%, 66.6%, and 63.1%, respectively. Taken together, the data confirmed the antioxidant and whitening effect of the PKHC extract and verified the possibility that this extract mixture has great potential as a cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.156-167
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• 2021

In this paper, we propose a digital transceiver unit design for in-building of 5G optical repeaters that extends the coverage of 5G mobile communication network services and connects to a stable wireless network in a building. The digital transceiver unit for driving the proposed 5G optical repeater is composed of 4 blocks: a signal processing unit, an RF transceiver unit, an optical input/output unit, and a clock generation unit. The signal processing unit plays an important role, such as a combination of a basic operation of the CPRI interface, a 4-channel antenna signal, and response to external control commands. It also transmits and receives high-quality IQ data through the JESD204B interface. CFR and DPD blocks operate to protect the power amplifier. The RF transmitter/receiver converts the RF signal received from the antenna to AD, is transmitted to the signal processing unit through the JESD204B interface, and DA converts the digital signal transmitted from the signal processing unit to the JESD204B interface and transmits the RF signal to the antenna. The optical input/output unit converts an electric signal into an optical signal and transmits it, and converts the optical signal into an electric signal and receives it. The clock generator suppresses jitter of the synchronous clock supplied from the CPRI interface of the optical input/output unit, and supplies a stable synchronous clock to the signal processing unit and the RF transceiver. Before CPRI connection, a local clock is supplied to operate in a CPRI connection ready state. XCZU9CG-2FFVC900I of Xilinx's MPSoC series was used to evaluate the accuracy of the digital transceiver unit for driving the 5G optical repeater proposed in this paper, and Vivado 2018.3 was used as the design tool. The 5G optical repeater digital transceiver unit proposed in this paper converts the 5G RF signal input to the ADC into digital and transmits it to the JIG through CPRI and outputs the downlink data signal received from the JIG through the CPRI to the DAC. And evaluated the performance. The experimental results showed that flatness, Return Loss, Channel Power, ACLR, EVM, Frequency Error, etc. exceeded the target set value.