• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.548-556
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of lignocellulosic fiber and coconut shell activated carbon (CSA) for the production of a particulate matter (PM)-reducing air-filter as raw materials to solve the environmental problems of non-woven fabrics. CSA had a good potential to use as a raw material of air-filter for reducing volatile organic compounds as well as noxious metals, and reduction capability of the CSA was 5 times higher than that of wood fiber. Natural adhesives formulated with proteinaceous wastes mostly were applied successfully to fabricate air-filters with the shape of fiberboard. The air-filter fabricated with the minimum target density of 200 kg/m³ and the maximum CSA-content of 40 wt% in fiberboard had a good manageable strength. However, the fiberboard filters was required to make vent-holes for improving an air-permeability of the filters. Size of the CSA particles was adjusted to greater than 2 mesh with the consideration of strength and formability of the fiberboard. Three-layers fiberboard that only wood fiber and the mixture of wood fiber and CSA were formed in the surface and middle layers, respectively, was determined to the optimal condition for the production of air-filters. In addition, traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (TKP) showed a good PM-reducing property as an air-filter. It is concluded that air-filtering set composed of fiberboard with vent-holes and TKP instead of conventional air-filters made with non-woven fabrics can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM, VOC and noxious metals existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.818-826
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• 2021

5-Aminolevulinic acid phosphate (5-ALA-p) is a substance obtained by eluting 5-ALA (a natural delta amino acid) with aqueous ammonia, adding phosphoric acid to the eluate, and then adding acetone to confer properties suitable for use in photodynamic therapy applications. However, its pharmacological efficacy, including potential mechanisms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory reactions, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 5-ALA-p on oxidative and inflammatory stresses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Our data showed that 5-ALA-p significantly inhibited excessive phagocytic activity via LPS and attenuated oxidative stress in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, 5-ALA-p improved mitochondrial biogenesis reduced by LPS, suggesting that 5-ALA-p restores mitochondrial damage caused by LPS. Additionally, 5-ALA-p significantly suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, which are associated with the inhibition of inducible NO synthase and respective cytokine expression. Furthermore, 5-ALA-p reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of 5-ALA-p is mediated through the suppression of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Based on these results, 5-ALA-p may serve as a potential candidate to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2021

To evaluate the protective effect of Codium fragile on fine dust (PM2.5)-induced cytotoxicity, we investigated its antioxidant activity and cell protective effect on PM2.5-exposed cells. The 40% ethanolic extract of C. fragile showed the highest total phenolic content, whereas the water extract of C. fragile showed the highest total polysaccharide content. The protective effect of the extracts on PM2.5-induced oxidative damage in nasal cavity (RPMI2650), lung (A549), brain (MC-IXC), hippocampus (HT-22), and microglia (BV-2) cells was evaluated by measuring the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and cell viability. The results showed that the 40% ethanolic extract more efficiently inhibited ROS production than the water extract. In contrast, PM2.5-exposed cells treated with the water extract showed higher viability than those treated with the 40% ethanolic extract.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2021

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), the multiwalled clay mineral with the composition of Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄·nH₂O, have been highlighted as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of dyes from wastewater. Although a powder of halloysite presents a high specific surface area, forming media are significantly considered due to sludge-clogging induced by the water-bound agglomeration. However, higher firing temperature to achieve the structural durability of the media and lower utilization rate due to longer penetration depth into the media act as hurdles to increase the dye-adsorption capacity. In this work, the retention of the adsorption capacity of halloysite was evaluated with methylene blue solution after the heat treatment at 750 ℃. In order to improve the utilization rate, tubular media were fabricated by extrusion. The images taken by transmission electron microscopy show that HNTs present excellent structural stability under heat treatment. The HNTs also provide superb capacity retention for MB adsorption (93%, 18.5 mg g^-1), while the diatomite and Magnesol^® XL show 22% (7.65 mg g^-1) and 6% (11.7 mg g^-1), respectively. Additionally, compositing with lignin enhances adsorption capacity, and the heat treatment under the hydrogen atmosphere accelerates the adsorption in the early stage. Compared to the rod-type, the tubular halloysite media rapidly increases methylene blue adsorption capacity.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2021

It has been reported that emodin, a major pharmacologically active ingredient of herbal medicines such as Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Rheum palmatum, and Aloe vera, is effective in antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and liver protection. In this study, to investigate the potential of emodin to be used as a skin disease and functional material, the activity related to the improvement of inflammation and skin barrier function was confirmed. To observe the anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, which are human keratinocytes, cytokine inhibition was confirmed by ELISA kit and protein expression by western blot. In HaCaT cells activated with TNF-α (10 ng/mL)/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL), emodin was treated with each concentration (5, 10, 20, 40) µM. As a result, It was confirmed that the production amount of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 decreased as the concentration of emodin increased. In the experimental results on the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins iNOS and COX-2, it was confirmed that 48% of iNOS and 29% of COX-2 were inhibited compared to control at a concentration of 20 µM of emodin. As an indicator of skin barrier function improvement, the mRNA expression level of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn and the production amount of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn were confirmed. and excellent results were obtained with an emodin concentration-dependent increase. In particular, filaggrin, which was produced twice as much as the control at a concentration of 20 µM, is a protein involved in the formation of NMF, a natural moisturizing factor, and is known to play an important role in moisturizing the stratum corneum. In conclusion, it was confirmed that emodin can be used as a material for improving inflammation and improving skin barrier function, which is part of the potential for use as a skin disease and functional material. It is believed that if additional research is performed in the future, the scope of its application can be further expanded.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2010

This study was performed to develop new functional red ginseng drinks with Astragali Radix and Opuntia humifusa. Optimum extraction conditions such as solvent property and temperature for Astragali Radix were determined by distilled water vs. ethanol (95%) ratio (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25) and 60 vs. $80^{\circ}C$. Water-soluble extracts at $80^{\circ}C$ showed higher antioxidant activities than fat-soluble extracts at $60^{\circ}C$. Viscosities of 1-2% (w/v) of Opuntia humifusa solution were similar to that of the 0.1% guar gum solution. Addtion of Astragali Radix (3% and 5%, w/v) and Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v), especially, had effect on the changes of pH of the red ginseng solution(5%, w/v) during storage for 7 days. A significant difference during the storage was shown in total plate counts by addition of Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v) and microorganisms were reduced by six log cycles. Significant antiproliferation effects of red ginseng (5%, w/v) solution with Astragali Radix (3% & 5%, w/v) and Opuntia humifusa (1.2%, w/v) on Colon26m-3.1 carcinoma (colorectal carcinoma) cell and U87-MG neuronale glioblastoma (brain carcinoma) cell were not observed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.332-336
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• 2019

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of many diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The flowers of Chrysanthemum boreale have been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. boreale Makino flower essential oil (CFEO) on adipocyte differentiation using preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. CFEO at concentrations between 0.1 and $5{\mu}g/ml$ did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. A CFEO concentration of between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ significantly inhibited lipid accumulation during MDI-induced differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a maximal level at $1{\mu}g/ml$ ($28.94{\pm}2.01%$; approximately 30% of control treated with MDI alone). Western blot analysis revealed that CFEO concentrations between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ suppressed the activations of three adipogenic transcription factors in the MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$; CCATT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$; and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1. Moreover, the expressions of lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase were also inhibited by treatment with CFEO between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$. CFEO may therefore be a promising functional material for obesity prevention.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.272-287
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• 2019

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established in 1953 by the Korean War Armistice Agreement. It extends from the estuary of the Imjin River, in the west, to the coast of the East Sea. It is 4 km in width and 148 km in length. However, the ecosystems of the civilian control zone (CCZ) located between the southern border of the DMZ and the civilian control line (CCL) and the CCZ in the estuary of the Han River and the Yellow Sea are similar to those in the DMZ, and, therefore, the ecosystems of the DMZ and the CCZ are collectively known as the "ecosystems of the DMZ and its vicinities." The flora in the DMZ and its vicinities is composed of 1,864 species, which accounts for about 42% of all the vascular plant species on the Korean Peninsula and its affiliated islands. Conducting a detailed survey on the vegetation, flora, and fauna in the DMZ is almost impossible due to the presence of landmines and limitations on the time allowed to be spent in the DMZ. However, to assess the environmental impact of the Munsan-Gaesong railroad reconstruction project, it was possible to undertake a limited vegetation survey within the DMZ in 2001. The vegetation in Jangdan-myeon, in Paju City within the DMZ, was very simple. It was mostly secondary forests dominated by oaks such as Quercus mongolica, Q. acutissima, and Q. variabilis. The other half of the DMZ in Jangdan-myeon was occupied by grassland composed of tall grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, and Phragmites japonica. Contrary to the expectation that the DMZ may be covered with pristine mature forests due to more than 60 years of no human interference, the vegetation in the DMZ was composed of simple secondary forests and grasslands formed on former rice paddies and agricultural fields. At present, the only legal protection system planned for the DMZ is the Natural Environment Conservation Act, which ensures that the DMZ would be managed as a nature reserve for only two years following Korean reunification. Therefore, firstly, the DMZ should be designated as a site of domestic legally protected areas such as nature reserve (natural monument), scenic site, national park, etc. In addition, we need to try to designate the DMZ as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or as a World Heritage site, or as a Ramsar international wetland for international cooperation. For nomination as a world heritage site, we can emphasize the ecological and landscape value of the wetlands converted from the former rice paddies and the secondary forests maintained by frequent fires initiated by military activities. If the two Koreas unexpectedly reunite without any measures in place for the protection of nature in the DMZ, the conditions prior to the Korean War, such as rice paddies and villages, will return. In order to maintain the current condition of the ecosystems in the DMZ, we have to discuss and prepare for measures including the retention of mines and barbed-wire fences, the construction of roads and railroads in the form of tunnels or bridges, and the maintenance of the current fire regime in the DMZ.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the biological activities of Hericium erinaceus. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of H. erinaceus extract was higher than positive control. The inhibitory activities of xanthin oxidase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, and hyaluronidase was measured as functional food activity, and inhibitory activities on collagenase, tyrosinase, and astringent effect as beauty food activity in water and ethanol extracts from H. erinaceus. In functional food activity, xanthin oxidase inhibitory activities at $50-200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concentration in ethanol extracts from H. erinaceus showed inhibitory activity in dose dependent manner. ${\alpha}$-Glucosidase inhibitory activities at $50{\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concentration showed high activity of higher than 80%. Inhibitory activities on hyaluronidase as anti-inflammation factor showed inhibition effect in dose dependent manner both in water and ethanol extracts. In beauty food activity, Inhibitory activities on collagenase at $200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concentration in water and ethanol extracts showed high activity to 65.09 and 58.38% dose dependently. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity in water extract showed 9.4-58.24%. Astringent activity as pore shrink effect in ethanol extracts also showed a very high activity of 18.94-100%. Antimicrobial activity on pathogenic bacteria was highly effective on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Escherichia coli at 2.5 mg/mL or above. Therefore, the extracts from H. erinaceus can be used as a functional food and beauty food resources and natural antimicrobial agent on pathogenic bacteria in food.