• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.91-109
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• 2022

The ocean is a significant sink for atmospheric anthropogenic CO₂, absorbing one-third of the total CO₂ emitted by human activities. In return, oceans have experienced significant declines in seawater pH and the aragonite saturation state also called ocean acidification. This study evaluates the distribution of aragonite saturation state, an indicator to assess the potential threat from ocean acidification, by combining newly obtained data from the west coast of South Korea with previous datasets covering the Yellow Sea, East Sea, northern South China Sea, and southeast coast of South Korea. In general, offshore waters absorb atmospheric CO₂; however, most of the collected water samples show aragonite oversaturation. On the southeast coast, the aragonite saturation state was significantly affected by river discharge and associated variables, such as freshwater input with nutrients, seasonal stratification, biological carbon fixation, and bacterial remineralization. In summer, hypoxia and mixing with relatively acidic freshwater made the Jinhae and Gwangyang Bays undersaturated with respect to aragonite, possibly threatening marine organisms with CaCO₃ shells. However, widespread aragonite undersaturation was not observed on the west coast, which receives considerable river water discharge. In addition, occasional upwelling events may have worsened the ocean acidification in the southwestern part of the East Sea. These results highlight the importance of investigating site-specific ocean acidification processes in coastal waters. Along with the above-mentioned seasonal factors, the dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ and the deposition of atmospheric acidic substances will continue to reduce the aragonite saturation state in Korean waters. To protect marine ecosystems and resources, an ocean acidification monitoring program should be established for Korean waters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.943-953
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate sediment recovery after the relocation of fish cage farms, by examining the changes in sediments and the benthic polychaete community. A preliminary survey was carried out in October 2017, before the relocation of the farms, and monthly surveys were conducted from November 2017 to October 2018 after the farms were moved. Subsequently, it was conducted every 2-3 months until October 2020. The survey was carried out at three stations (Farm1-3) at the location of the removed fish farms and at three control stations (Con1-3) without farms. The overall organic carbon content of the farm stations was higher than the control stations, but it gradually decreased after the farm was demolished, and there was no statistically significant difference about one year after the relocation of the farms (p<0.05). In the benthic polychaete community, abiotic community appeared at the farm stations in the summer, and consequently, the community transitioned to a low-diversity region with the predominant species Capitella capitata, which is an indicator of pollution. Until the abiotic period in the summer of the next year, the species diversity increased and the proportion of indicator species decreased, showing a tendency of recovering the benthic polychaete community, and these changes were repeated every year. In this study, the abiotic community appeared every year owing to the topographical characteristics, but as the survey progressed, the period of abiotic occurrence became shorter and the process of community recovery progressed expeditiously. Biological recovery of sediments after the relocation of the fish farms is still in progress, and it is imperative to study recovery trends through continuous monitoring.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 2022

This study conducted a survey over spring and autumn from 2014 to 2020 to confirm the ecological characteristics of the size of streams and habitats, centering on the ecological landscape conservation area, and a total 256 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 105 families, 25 orders, 8 classes, and 5 phyla appeared. In terms of appearance species, by region, the rate of appearance of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera was high in regions consisting of lotic area and the rate of appearance of Coleoptera and Odonata was high in regions consisting of lentic areas. When comparing the population of Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) groups by region, they were classified into three groups: upstream area, mainstream area, and lentic areas, and it was confirmed that the population ratio of EPT changed as it moved from upstream to downstream. As the stream order increased, the number of species and populations increased. The Shredder group (SH) tended to decrease as the size of stream increased(r=0.9925), and the Collector-Filtering (CF) tended to increase as the size of stream increased(r=0.9319). It was confirmed that the Scraper (SC) replaced each other between species with the same ecological status as it went downstream from upstream, and it is thought that the SC did not differ significantly by stream order. In order to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the designation and management of ecological landscape conservation areas, it is necessary to consider ecological factors such as competition and physico-chemistry factors such as water quality and substrate conditions. Therefore, if the competent authority designated survey areas including buffer areas that include streams and physical habitats of various sizes, it will be advantageous to the conservative area and securing more biological resources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.713-723
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• 2023

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that has the highest mortality rate. It is mainly classified into small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy is used to treat lung cancer, but long-term treatment causes side effects and drug resistances. Curcumin is a bright yellow polyphenol extracted from the root of turmeric. It has biological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we observed differential cell death in human lung cancer cells. Based on the results, curcumin at 10, 30, and 50 μM exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the cell survival of several lung cancer cells, with minor differential phenotypes. In addition, apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regeneration were observed through flow cytometry. Curcumin dose-dependently increased these phenotypes in A549 (NSCLC) and DMS53 (SCLC), which were restored by corresponding inhibitors. Western blotting was performed to measure the level of expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. The results indicate that Bax, PARP, pro-caspase-3, and Bcl-2 were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin, with seemingly higher Bax/Bcl-2 ratios in DMS53. In addition, autophagic proteins, p-AKT, p62, and LC3B, were dose-dependently regulated by curcumin. ROS inhibition by diphenyleneiodonium reduced the induction of apoptosis and autophagy generated by curcumin. Taken together, it is suggested that curcumin induces apoptosis and autophagy via ROS generation, leading to cell death, with minor differences between human lung cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2022

Ecological occupation in irrigation ponds is a well-acknowledged fact that is essential for biodiversity conservation in agricultural ecosystems. However, there are few studies on the ecological functions and relationship between a paddy field and irrigation using macroinvertebrates in an environmentally friendly paddy field. The objective of this study is to identify the community and distribution characteristics of macroinvertebrates in an agricultural paddy field and irrigation pond ecosystems, and to provide basic data on the ecological function of an environmentally friendly paddy field. Macroinvertebrate sampling was conducted from May to September in an agricultural paddy field and irrigation pond in an environment-friendly paddy field in Boryeong city. We conducted a study to identify the distribution characteristics using macroinvertebrate species analysis, such as Functional Feeding Groups (FFGs), Habitat Oriented Groups (HOGs), rarefaction curve, and a two-way dendrogram. A total of 37 species of macroinvertebrates in 28 families, 13 orders were collected study during the period of the investigation. Dominant taxa of macroinvertebrates included Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Odonata. In terms of FFGs, predators and gathering collectors accounted for approximately 70%, in relation to HOGs, and climbers and swimmers occupied more than 50% from both the paddy field and irrigation pond. With respect to the rarefaction curve, the irrigation pond (July) was high as E (S, 141)=18 species, while the paddy field (May) was comparatively low as E (S, 141)=9 species. In conclusion, our results revealed that macroinvertebrates, such as Notonecta triguttata, Peltodytes intermedius, Appasus major, Laccotrephes japonensis, Appasus japonicus, Sigara substriata, Enochrus simulans, and Sternolophus rufipes, were used as a habitat and spawning ground in both paddy field and irrigation pond. The irrigation pond appears to be a very important spawning ground for macroinvertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2023

The early life history of Silurus microdorsalis living in Jahocheon Stream was studied by observing egg and morphological development. Live fish were captured in June 2018, then reared in a circulating filtration system under a 14L : 10D photoperiod with a water temperature of 18℃. To artificially induce spawning, females were injected with 0.5 mL of Ovaprim (Syndel, Nanaimo, BC, Canada) per kg of body weight, and males were injected with 10,000 IU/kg body weight of human chorionic gonadotropin. Approximately 15 h later, eggs were artificially inseminated by the dry method. Mature eggs were light pale yellow, which separated them from immature eggs. Fertilized eggs were 2.16±0.06 mm (n=8) in diameter and fully hatched at 181 h after fertilization. The fertilization rate was 63.1±2.2%, and 10.0±3.7% of the embryos were malformed at 18℃. The rates of development were 181 h at 18℃, 109 h at 21℃, and 76 h at 24℃. The larval size immediately after hatching was 4.64±0.22 mm (n=8), and the larvae displayed negative phototaxis at 1 day after hatching. The total larval length on 7 days after hatching was 12.47±0.53 mm, with 25~30 basal anal fin rays and 14~16 basal caudal fin rays observed. The total larval length was 14.13±0.51 mm on 9 days after hatching, and approximately 90% of the black endoplasmic reticulum was deposited on the head and body. The dorsal fin had formed, and a single basal body was observed. On 15 days after hatching, the total larval length was 16.69±0.31 mm; the number of basal caudal fin rays (18 poles) was an integer because 2 dorsal fin basal rays and 60~63 anal fin basal rays were observed. The total larval length was 28.96±1.10 mm on 50 days after hatching; the numbers of caudal fins (n=18), dorsal fins (n=3), pectoral fins (n=11), and anal fin basal rays (n=67~73) were integers.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2023

Brachydiplax chalybea flavovittata, a climate-sensitive biological indicator species, was first observed and recorded at Jeju Island in Korea in 2010. Overwintering was recently confirmed in the Yeongsan River area. This study was aimed to predict the potential distribution patterns for the larvae of B. chalybea flavovittata and to understand its ecological characteristics as well as changes of population under global climate change circumstances. Data was collected both from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and by field surveys from May 2019 to May 2023. We used for the distribution model among downloaded 19 variables from the WorldClim database. MaxEnt model was adopted for the prediction of potential and future distribution for B. chalybea flavovittata. Larval distribution ranged within a region delimited by northern latitude from Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (33.318096°) to Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (37.366734°) and eastern longitude from Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do (126.054925°) to Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (129.016472°). M type (permanent rivers, streams and creeks) wetlands were the most common habitat based on the Ramsar's wetland classification system, followed by Tp type (permanent freshwater marshes and pools) (45.8%) and F type (estuarine waters) (4.2%). MaxEnt model presented that potential distribution with high inhabiting probability included Ulsan and Daegu Metropolitan City in addition to the currently discovered habitats. Applying to the future scenarios by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it was predicted that the possible distribution area would expand in the 2050s and 2090s, covering the southern and western coastal regions, the southern Daegu metropolitan area and the eastern coastal regions in the near future. This study suggests that B. chalybea flavovittata can be used as an effective indicator species for climate changes with a monitoring of their distribution ranges. Our findings will also help to provide basic information on the conservation and management of co-existing native species.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.313-321
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• 2023

Platycodon grandiflorus (P. grandiflorus) flower is a perennial plant belonging to the family Campanulaceae and has many excellent pharmacological effects, so it has been used as a medicinal ingredient since ancient times. In addition, anthocyanin is a purple or blue natural pigment contained in plant flowers and fruits, and is known as a powerful antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to confirm the dermatological functionality of P. grandiflorus flower extract and the value of the bluish anthocyanin contained in flowers as a cosmetic material as a natural pigment. Firstly, 50% ethanol and 80% ethanol were added to the P. grandiflorus flower and extracted under reflux for 4 h at 25, 60, and 80 ℃, and the pH of each treatment group was similar. Based on the anthocyanin content and chromaticity (E^*ab), 50% ethanol 60 ℃ extraction conditions showing the color development most similar to the natural color of the P. grandifloras flower were selected, and a sample was prepared by concentrating and lyophilizing. The analysis results showed that the total phenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents were in the ranges of 23 ㎍/mL, 16 ㎍/mL, and 0.17 ㎍/mL, respectively. The P. grandiflorus flower extract suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, the P. grandiflorus flower extract showed wound healing effects through the promotion of skin cell migration in TNF-α stimulated human keratinocytes. The stability of anthocyanin and extract color was studied during a storage period of 50 days at various temperatures (4 ℃, 25 ℃, and 45 ℃). Color values (L, a, and b) of the P. grandiflorus flower extract changed over 50 days, whereas the bluish-purple color of the extract was stabilized using 5% maltodextrin. These results suggest that P. grandiflorus flower extract may be useful as a natural cosmetic pigment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.485-492
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• 2024

Sea cucumbers contain more than 50% protein in their solid content, and they also possess various bioactive substances such as saponins and mucopolysaccharides. This study analyzed the activities of various enzymes derived from Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria and determined to degrade the components of sea cucumbers. Among the analyzed strains, B. subtilis K26 showed the highest activities in protease and xylanase and relatively high activity in cellulase. Accordingly, samples of sea cucumber and water were mixed in equal proportions, sterilized, and then fermented by inoculating them with B. subtilis K26. Following this, a higher amino acid content was observed between 1.5 and 7.5 hr, a lower residual solid content in this time, and a lesser fermentation odor. The saponin content in fermented sea cucumber powder extracted with butanol was measured to be 1.12 mg/g. The chondroitin sulfate content was evaluated to be 5.11 mg/g in raw sea cucumber. The total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities were 6.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g, and 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g in raw sea cucumber, respectively. Moreover, the DNA damage protective effect of fermented sea cucumber extract was found to be concentration-dependent, with a very strong effect at very low concentrations. Overall, we suggest that sea cucumber fermented with B. subtilis K26 has a high potential as a food for inhibiting oxidation, enhancing immunity, and improving muscle function in the human body thanks to its high free amino acid content.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.486-498
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• 2024

This study examined the effects of a soybean sprouts mixture containing 1.5% Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (SHM) on relieving hangovers and improving liver function in chronically alcohol-treated rats. The ampelopsin and L-asparagine contents in the SHM were 10.52, 35.19 ppm. When chronic alcohol-induced rats were treated with SHM, the body weight increased and the liver weight decreased. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lowest in the SHM group, and the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities were highest in the SHM group. Chronic alcohol induction increased the activity of liver function indicator enzymes such as ALT, AST, and GGT, but the activity was decreased significantly with the SHM treatment. The triglyceride content in hepatic and serum blood samples was lowest in the SHM group. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol contents decreased in the SHM group, and the HDL cholesterol content increased. The color of the hepatic observed morphologically in the SHM group was reddish brown, and the size and number of lipid droplets in the hepatic observed pathologically decreased. The hepatic and serum lipid peroxidation content of the SHM group decreased. The hepatic and serum GSH content increased in the SHM group. Therefore, SHM can be a functional food that can help hangovers and improve liver function.