• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.418-424
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• 2021

Skin inflammation (dermatitis) is caused by varying skin damage due to ultraviolet radiation and microbial infection. Currently prescribed drugs for dermatitis include anti-histamine and steroid drug classes that soothe inflammation. However, incorrect or prolonged use of steroids can cause weakening of skin barriers as well as osteoporosis. Therefore, treating dermatitis with a drug that has minimal side effects is important. Statins, also known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been widely treated for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory effects of statins in both experimental and clinical models for of osteoarthritis. This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin and fluvastatin in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), which are crucial components of skin barriers. Stimulation of HaCaT cells with IL-1β increased the expression of the COX2 protein, a major player of inflammatory responses. However, this induction of the COX2 protein was downregulated by pretreatments with atorvastatin and fluvastatin. Treatment with IL-1ß-induced the upregulation of other inflammatory genes (such as iNOS and MMP-1) and these expressions were similarly lowered by these two statin drug treatments. Taken together, these results indicated that atorvastatin and fluvastatin can reduce IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, the findings suggest that atorvastatin and fluvastatin can be potential modulators for ameliorating skin inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.929-937
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• 2022

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the grains of sorghum, three Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench variants (Hwanggeumchal, Huinchal, and Chal) being cultivated in Korea, the 80% ethanol (EtOH) extracts of individual sorghum grains were compared for their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Among them, the EtOH extract of sorghum Hwanggeumchal grains could exert the highest inhibitory effect on the LPS-induced NO production. However, under these conditions, the viability of RAW264.7 cells was not affected. When the EtOH extract of sorghum Hwanggeumchal grains was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride (MC), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol, the anti-NO production activity was predominantly detected in both MC and EtOAc fractions. In particular, treatment with the MC fraction reduced dose-dependently the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Simultaneously, the MC fraction could prevent LPS-induced activating phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). HPLC analysis of the MC fraction showed gentisic acid and naringenin as the major phenolic components. Both gentisic acid and naringenin commonly exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Together, these results provide the evidence of the inhibitory activity of Hwanggeumchal grains on LPS-induce inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells and also suggest that sorghum grains possess beneficial health effects which can be applicable in development of the grain-based functional foods.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-68
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• 2024

Background: Research on the association between renal disease and periodontal conditions has yet to yield definitive results. In this study, we analyzed whether periodontal disease increases the risk of developing renal disease using Korean national cohort data over a period of 11 years. Methods: From 2002 to 2015, a retrospective follow-up investigation was conducted on the 203,538 Korean population using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. Periodontal disease and renal disease were identified through diagnoses using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes. The assessment of periodontal status involved considering the number of dental visits related to periodontal disease during the baseline 3-year period. Results: During the 11-year follow-up period, renal disease occurred in 19,868 out of the total 203,538 individuals. After adjusting for age, gender, income, smoking, drinking, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic heart disease, and advanced periodontal treatment, periodontal disease increased the risk of renal disease occurrence by 1.04 times (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.08). Additionally, a higher frequency of dental visits attributed to periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of renal disease,exhibiting a dose-response trend (aHR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.06 for once; aHR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.13 for two times; aHR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.21 for three times). Conclusions: Our data confirmed that periodontal disease is associated witha higher incidence of renal disease.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.887-894
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• 2011

To evaluate the effects of abiotic factors of paddy fields on greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions from rice paddy fields, $CH_4$ emission amounts were investigated from rice paddy fields by different soil organic matter contents, paddy types, and agricultural climatic zone in Yeongnam area during 3 years. $CH_4$ emission amounts according to soil organic matter contents in paddy field were conducted at having different contents of 5 soil organic matters fields (23.6, 28.7, 31.0, 34.5, and $38.0g\;kg^{-1}$), The highest $CH_4$ emission amount was recorded in the highest soil organic matters plot of $38.0g\;kg^{-1}$. High correlation coefficient (r=$0.963^{**}$) was obtained between $CH_4$ emissions from paddy fields and their soil organic matter contents. According to paddy field types, $CH_4$ emission amounts were investigated at 4 different paddy fields as wet paddy, sandy paddy, immature paddy, and mature paddy. The highest $CH_4$ emissions was recorded in wet paddy (100%) and followed as immature paddy 64.0%, mature paddy 46.8%, and sandy paddy 23.8%, respectively. For the effects of temperature on $CH_4$ emissions from paddy fields, 4 agricultural climatic zones were investigated, which were Yeongnam inland zone (YIZ), eastern coast of central zone (ECZ), plain area of Yeongnam inland mountainous zone (PMZ), and mountainous area of Yeongnam inland mountainous zone (MMZ). The order of $CH_4$ emission amounts from paddy fields by agricultural climatic zone were YIZ (100%) > ECZ (94.6%) > PMZ (91.6%) > MMZ (78.9%). The regression equation between $CH_4$ emission amounts from paddy fields and average air temperature of Jul. to Sep. of agricultural climatic zone was y = 389.7x-4,287 (x means average temperature of Jul. to Sep. of agricultural climatic zone, $R^2=0.906^*$)

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2014

This study aimed to determine an appropriate cooling timing in the root zone for lowering substrate temperature and its effect on physiological response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L. 'Orange glory') grown on coir substrate in summer, from the July 16 to October 15, 2012. Daily temperature of substrate, root activity, leaf water potential, first flowering date, and the number of fruits were measured by circulating cool water through a XL pipe in the root zone during either all day (all-day) or only night time (5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; night) from the July 23 to September 23, 2012. For comparison, no cooling (control) was also applied. Between the $23^{rd}$ of July and $31^{st}$ of August (hot temperature period), daily average temperatures in substrates were $25.6^{\circ}C$, $26.1^{\circ}C$, and $29.1^{\circ}C$ for the all-day and night treatment, and control respectively. About 1.8 to $5^{\circ}C$ lower substrate temperature was observed in both treatments compared to that of control. In sunny day ($600-700 W{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$), the highest temperature of substrate was measured between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. under both the all-day and night treatments, whereas it was measured between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. under the control. Substrate temperatures during the day (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and night (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) differed depending on the treatments. During the day and night, averaged substrate temperature was lower about $3.3^{\circ}C$ and $4.0^{\circ}C$ for the all-day, and $2.1^{\circ}C$ and $3.4^{\circ}C$ for the night treatment, compared to that of control. In the all-day and night treatment, the TD [TD = temperature of (control)] was greater in bottom than that of other regions of the substrate. Between the day and night, no different TD values were observed under the all-day treatment, whereas under the night treatment there was difference with the greatest degree in the bottom of the substrate. During the hot temperature period, total numbers of days when substrate temperature was over $25^{\circ}C$ were 40, 23 and 27 days for the control, all-day, and night treatment, respectively, and the effect of lowering substrate temperature was therefore 42.5% and 32.5% for the all-day and night treatment, respectively, compared to that for the control. Root activity and leaf water potential of plants grown under the all-day treatment were significantly higher than those under the night treatment. The first flowering date in the all-day treatment was similar to that in the night treatment, but 4-5 day faster than in the control. Also, the number of fruits in both treatments was significantly higher than that in the control. However, there was no effect of root zone cooling on eliminating delay in fruiting caused by excessively higher air temperature (> $30^{\circ}C$), although the substrate temperature was reduced $18^{\circ}C$ to $5^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that the method of cooling root zone temperature need to be incorporated into the lowering growing temperature for growth and fruit set of health paprika.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.327-353
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• 2017

The issue submitted to the Court of Justice on the merits of case C---573/13 originated from a claim brought in the context of a dispute between Air Berlin and the German Federal Union of Consumer Organisations and Associations. The challenge concerned the way in which air fares were displayed in Air Berlin's computerised booking system. The system was organised in such a way that, after selecting a date and a departure airport, one would find all possible flight connections in a summary table. However, the final price of the ticket was displayed only for the clicked connection, and not for all connections, thus preventing customers from being able to compare such price with the prices of other connections. The German Federal Union took the view that this practice did not meet the requirements laid down by Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008, which requires transparency in the prices set for air services. This led the German State to bring an injunctive action to cause Air Berlin to discontinue said practice. The claim was upheld at both the application and appeal stage of the relevant proceedings. Subsequently, Air Berlin submitted the matter to the German Federal High Court, which decided to stay the proceedings and ask for a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice as to 1. whether Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 must be interpreted as meaning that, during the computerised booking process, the final price to be paid must be indicated at all times when prices of air services are shown, including when they are shown for the first time; and 2. whether, during the computerised booking process, the final price must be indicated only for the air service specifically selected by the customer or for each air service shown. In a nutshell, the Court, by the here---discussed judgment determined that Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 must be interpreted as meaning that, in the context of a computerised air ticket booking system, the final price to be paid must be indicated not only for the air service specifically selected by the customer, but also for each air service in respect of which the fare is shown. Clearly the above judgment will place air companies under an obligation to update and adjust (when needed) their computerised ticket booking and payment systems, in consideration of the primary need for consumers to be aware at all times of the actual price payable for a ticket and be able to compare the price of the service selected with the prices for other air services in respect of which the fare is shown.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.30-45
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was planned to determine the characteristics of extremely obese patients during Bariatric surgery and to evaluate how the difference in the number of postsurgical personal nutritional educations they received affected the weight loss. Methods: This is a retrospective study on the basis of the medical records of extremely obese patients for 15 months after receiving gastric banding. A total of 60 people were selected as the study subjects and they were divided into the Less Educated Group and the More Educated Group according to the average number of personal nutritional educations they received. We investigated both groups to determine the general characteristic, health related lifestyle habits, obesity related complications and symptoms in possession, and eating habits before their surgery, the body composition measurement result, obesity determination indices at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months before and after their surgery, and the biochemical parameters at 6 months before and after their surgery. Results: Body fat and weight showed rapid reduction until 6 months after the surgery, but thereafter reduced slowly depending on the result of body composition measurement. Regarding body fat and weight, the More Educated Group, who received nutrition education more often, showed significantly lower levels than the Less Educated Group at 15 months after surgery. Regarding BMI and degree of obesity, the More Educated Group showed significantly lower levels than the Less Educated Group at 15 months after surgery. Here, we were assured that BMI is reversely proportional to the number of personal nutritional educations at 15 months, which is more outstanding after surgery than before surgery. Conclusion: Long-term nutritional education is a key factor for the extremely obese patient in maintaining the effects of Bariatric surgery on weight and body fat reduction onwards. In the next stage, considering the characteristics of the study subjects, adoption of individual nutrition education is recommended for postsurgical prospective arbitration of obesity in order to monitor blood pressure, obesity related complications, symptoms in possession, and how eating habits and health related life habits change, and to judge the actual effect of the nutritional education method at the same time.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.474-480
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• 2016

In this study, formation background of biodiversity and its changes in the process of geologic history, and effects of climate change on biodiversity and human were discussed and the alternatives to reduce the effects of climate change were suggested. Biodiversity is 'the variety of life' and refers collectively to variation at all levels of biological organization. That is, biodiversity encompasses the genes, species and ecosystems and their interactions. It provides the basis for ecosystems and the services on which all people fundamentally depend. Nevertheless, today, biodiversity is increasingly threatened, usually as the result of human activity. Diverse organisms on earth, which are estimated as 10 to 30 million species, are the result of adaptation and evolution to various environments through long history of four billion years since the birth of life. Countlessly many organisms composing biodiversity have specific characteristics, respectively and are interrelated with each other through diverse relationship. Environment of the earth, on which we live, has also created for long years through extensive relationship and interaction of those organisms. We mankind also live through interrelationship with the other organisms as an organism. The man cannot lives without the other organisms around him. Even though so, human beings accelerate mean extinction rate about 1,000 times compared with that of the past for recent several years. We have to conserve biodiversity for plentiful life of our future generation and are responsible for sustainable use of biodiversity. Korea has achieved faster economic growth than any other countries in the world. On the other hand, Korea had hold originally rich biodiversity as it is not only a peninsula country stretched lengthily from north to south but also three sides are surrounded by sea. But they disappeared increasingly in the process of fast economic growth. Korean people have created specific Korean culture by coexistence with nature through a long history of agriculture, forestry, and fishery. But in recent years, the relationship between Korean and nature became far in the processes of introduction of western culture and development of science and technology and specific natural feature born from harmonious combination between nature and culture disappears more and more. Population of Korea is expected to be reduced as contrasted with world population growing continuously. At this time, we need to restore biodiversity damaged in the processes of rapid population growth and economic development in concert with recovery of natural ecosystem due to population decrease. There were grand extinction events of five times since the birth of life on the earth. Modern extinction is very rapid and human activity is major causal factor. In these respects, it is distinguished from the past one. Climate change is real. Biodiversity is very vulnerable to climate change. If organisms did not find a survival method such as 'adaptation through evolution', 'movement to the other place where they can exist', and so on in the changed environment, they would extinct. In this respect, if climate change is continued, biodiversity should be damaged greatly. Furthermore, climate change would also influence on human life and socio-economic environment through change of biodiversity. Therefore, we need to grasp the effects that climate change influences on biodiversity more actively and further to prepare the alternatives to reduce the damage. Change of phenology, change of distribution range including vegetation shift, disharmony of interaction among organisms, reduction of reproduction and growth rates due to odd food chain, degradation of coral reef, and so on are emerged as the effects of climate change on biodiversity. Expansion of infectious disease, reduction of food production, change of cultivation range of crops, change of fishing ground and time, and so on appear as the effects on human. To solve climate change problem, first of all, we need to mitigate climate change by reducing discharge of warming gases. But even though we now stop discharge of warming gases, climate change is expected to be continued for the time being. In this respect, preparing adaptive strategy of climate change can be more realistic. Continuous monitoring to observe the effects of climate change on biodiversity and establishment of monitoring system have to be preceded over all others. Insurance of diverse ecological spaces where biodiversity can establish, assisted migration, and establishment of horizontal network from south to north and vertical one from lowland to upland ecological networks could be recommended as the alternatives to aid adaptation of biodiversity to the changing climate.