• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2022

Humans have been breeding the mulberry silkworm for the long period of time to obtain silk fabric and nutrient-rich pupae. Currently, silkworm larvae, pupae, and silk-Fibroin hydrolysates are registered as food raw materials, while silkworm feces and Bombyx batryticatus are registered as Korean traditional medicines. Among sericulture products, individually recognized health functional food ingredients include silk-protein acid-hydrolysates for immunity enhancement, Fibroin-hydrolysates for memory improvement, and freeze-dried 5^th instar and 3^rd-day-silkworm powder for lowering-blood sugar. Recently, HongJam produced by steaming and freeze-drying mature silkworms were reported to have various health-promoting effects such as preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, enhancing gastro-intestinal functions, improving skin-whitening and hair growth, and extending healthspan. By consuming silkworm products with various health-promoting effects, it is possible to increase the healthspan of human beings, thereby reducing personal and national medical expenses, resulting in increasing the individual's happiness.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2021

Intertidal mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonicus) is an organism with a hard chitinous exoskeleton and has function for an osmotic control in response to the salinity gradient of seawater. Crustacean exoskeletons change in their natural state in response to environmental factors, such as changes in the pH and water temperature, and the presence of pollutant substances and pathogen infection. In this study, the ecotoxicological effects of irgarol exposure and heavy metal distribution were presented by analyzing the surface roughness of the crab exoskeleton. The exoskeleton surface roughness and variation reduced in M. japonicus exposed to irgarol. In addition, it was confirmed that the surface roughness and variation were changed in the field M. japonicus crab according to the distribution of toxic heavy metals(Cd, Pb, Hg) in marine sediments. This change in the surface roughness of the exoskeleton represents a new end-point of the biological response of the crab according to external environmental stressors. This suggests that it may affect the functional aspects of exoskeleton protection, support, and transport. This approach can be utilized as a useful method for monitoring the aquatic environment as an integrated technology of mechanical engineering and biology.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1466-1475
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• 2021

Compound K (20-O-β-(_D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is an active ingredient of ginsenosides. Compound K has been known to produce from biotransformation by β-glucosidase action of human intestinal microbes after oral admistration of ginseng. We have investigated the cytotoxicity of compound K obtained from bio-converted ginseng extract. As a result, compound K showed no significant cytotoxicity in the concentration of 0.001 to 1 ㎍/mL and inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS inflamation. In the same concentration, HaCaT cells induced by inflammation with TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased IL-8 production due to compound K treatment. In the brine shrimp lethality assay, the LC₅₀ of compound K was 0.37 mg/mL indicating some toxicity, but the bioconverted product containing 35% compound K showed relatively low toxicity with an LC₅₀ of 0.87 mg/mL. These results suggest that the compound K enriched extract is a potential functional material for acne relief cosmetic products.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

In this paper, we designed a new enzyme function prediction model PSCREM based on a study that compared and evaluated CNN and LSTM/GRU models, which are the most widely used deep learning models in the field of predicting functions and structures using protein sequences in 2020, under the same conditions. Sequence evolution information was used to preserve detailed patterns which would miss in CNN convolution, and the relationship information between amino acids with functional significance was extracted through overlapping RNNs. It was referenced to feature map production. The RNN family of algorithms used in small CNN-RNN models are LSTM algorithms and GRU algorithms, which are usually stacked two to three times over 100 units, but in this paper, small RNNs consisting of 10 and 20 units are overlapped. The model used the PSSM profile, which is transformed from protein sequence data. The experiment proved 86.4% the performance for the problem of predicting the main classes of enzyme number, and it was confirmed that the performance was 84.4% accurate up to the sub-sub classes of enzyme number. Thus, PSCREM better identifies unique patterns related to protein function through overlapped RNN, and Overlapped RNN is proposed as a novel methodology for protein function and structure prediction extraction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2023

Despite several advances in identification of cardiac transcription factors, there are still needs to find new bioactive molecules that promote cardiomyogenesis from stem cells to highly efficient myocardial differentiation. We analyzed Illumina expression microarray data of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)-derived cardiomyocytes. 276 genes were upregulated (≥ 4fold) in mESCs-derived cardiomyocytes compared undifferentiated ESCs. Secreted phosphoprotein 2 (Spp2) is one of candidates and is known to inhibit bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signal transduction as a pseudoreceptor for BMP2. However, its function in cardiomyogenesis is unknown. We confirmed that Spp2 expression increased during the differentiation into functional cardiomyocytes using mESCs, TC-1/Kh2 and E14. Interestingly, Spp2 secretion transiently increased 3 days after formation of embryoid bodies (EBs), indicating that the extracellular secretion of Spp2 is involved in the differentiation of ESCs into cardiomyocytes. To characterize Spp2, we performed experiments using the C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line, which has the property of shifting the differentiation pathway from myoblastic to osteoblastic by treatment with BMP2. Similar to the differentiation of ESCs, transcription of Spp2 increased as C2C12 myoblasts differentiated into myotubes. In particular, Spp2 secretion increased dramatically in the early stage of differentiation. Furthermore, treatment with Spp2-Flag recombinant protein promoted the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes. Taken together, we suggest a novel bioactive protein Spp2 that differentiates ESCs into cardiomyocytes. This may be useful for understanding the molecular pathways of cardiomyogenesis and for experimental or clinical promotion of stem cell therapy for ischemic heart diseases.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.993-1000
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• 2023

Recently, enviromentally friendly natural substances derived from plants have been attracting attention as cosmetic materials, and research on various physiological activities of natural substances is being actively conducted. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and antibacterial effects of three types of extracts of mixtures containing different mixing ratios, Polygala tenuifolia, Angelica dahurica, and Elsholtzia splendens, known to have various physiological activities. The mixing ratio is 7 conditions (M1, 1:1:1; M2, 0.5:1.5:1; M3, 1.5:0.5:1; M4, 0.1:0.95:0.95; M5, 0.5:0.5:2; M6, 0.95 :1.95:0.1; M7, 1.45:0.1:1.45), and the optimal mixing ratio was confirmed for use as a cosmetic material. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities showed scavenging abilities of 75.37% and 99.19%, respectively, at 1,000 ㎍/mL of M6. At a concentration of 200 ㎍/mL of M6, it showed 50% of nitric oxide production inhibition compared to the lipopolysaccharide-treated that induced an inflammatory response. It was confirmed that M3 and M6 produced hyaluronic acid 1.47 and 1.49 times higher than the control at a concentration of 50 ㎍/mL, respectively. Through the disc diffiusion test, the clear zone was 9.75 mm at 8 ㎍/mL of M6, confirming the inhibition of growth of staplylococcus aureus strain. Based on the above results, it is believed that the mixed extract of Polygala tenuifolia, Angelica dahurica, and Elsholtzia splendens can be used as a functional natural material for cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.187-194
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• 2024

In this study, we examined the effects of Rubus crataegifolius leaf on the inhibition of differentiation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to confirm their potential for use as an anti-obesity functional material. Rubus crataegifolius leaves water extracted using hot water were then concentrated for use, with an extract yield of 4.76%. The result of measuring the rate of 3T3-L1 cell survival of Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract (RCLE) showed growth inhibition of 13% at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. Thus, in this study, experiments were performed using RCLE treatment concentrations up to 500 ㎍/mL. Production of triglycedie in 3T3-L1 cells showed a dose-dependent decrease, and the rate of reduction was 28.7, 40.8, and 51.6% at concentrations of 100, 300, and 500 ㎍/mL, respectively, compared to the control group. In addition, the results confirmed that suppression of lipogenesis was achieved by suppressing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBP α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and increasing the expression of p-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK). Based on these results, it is believed that Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract can be used in the effort to manage obesity by regulating factors related to adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.514-525
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• 2023

New types of vinegar drinks are being processed and developed using various raw materials. In this study, a beverage containing a mixture of 0.25% red ginseng extract and 5% Prunus mume fruit vinegar (RPV) was evaluated for its anti-fatigue effect on high-intensity exercised rats. RPV administration markedly enhanced running endurance and significantly decreased fatigue-related serum biomarkers, such as inorganic phosphate, ammonia, and L-lactate, compared to the other groups. In addition, RPV administration increased glycogen contents in the liver and muscles and decreased creatine kinase activity in the serum and muscles. RPV administration also remarkedly increased the activity of lactate in the muscles. Furthermore, HPLC analysis revealed that main organic acids in RPV were acetic acid, malic acid, and citric acids. Overall, the results indicate that RPV improved fatigue recovery in exhausted rats, thus proving a promising material of functional food to attenuate fatigue.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.37-57
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hair Ampoules with Malva Verticillata Seed Extract in alopecia patients. Methods : This 24-week clinical study enrolled 70 patients with Alopecia. A series of clinical examinations, subjects were evaluated at 0, 8, 16 and 24-week, counting of the number of hairs on the crown, and subject survey after using the Ampoules. Results : The clinical evaluation showed a significantly difference (p<0.05) after 24 weeks of product use compared to the baseline in the change in hair count in the treatment group compared to the control group within and between groups. It showed greater improvement in the treatment group than in the control group in hair count, hair thickness, and hair loss symptoms in the top of the head and forehead. No severe adverse events were observed during the clinical trial. Counclusions : This suggests that this hair ampoules containing Malva Verticillata Seed Extract could help prevent hair loss in alopecia patients without inducing side effects.