• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the use of new bio-materials with enhanced value and functionality, which were derived from fermented wild ginseng cultures. Methods and Results: To examine the antioxidant activity associated with biological functions, radical scavenging analyses (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ABTS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity analyses were conducted. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of wild ginseng fermented with microorganisms (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum) were evaluated to determine the antioxidant activity increment. Regarding ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis, values of $70.6{\pm}1.4%$, $44.3{\pm}1.7%$, and $88.4{\pm}1.3%$ were measured using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD-like antioxdiant activity analyses, respectively. The total phenolic content in ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis was $184.5{\pm}0.9{\mu}g{\cdot}GAE/m{\ell}$, and the total flavonoid contents was $108.5{\pm}1.8{\mu}g{\cdot}QE/m{\ell}$ in ginseng fermented with L. mesenteroides. Conclusions: Of the four types of lactic acid bacteria examined, the use of B. licheniformis to ferment ginseng resulted in greatest increase in antioxidant activity. Therefore, ginseng fermented by microorganisms might be used to produce functional bio-materials.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2016

Background: Knowledge on microclimate conditions under artificial shades in a ginseng field would facilitate climate-aware management of ginseng production. Methods: Weather data were measured under the shade and outside the shade at two fields located in Gochang-gun and Jeongeup-si, Korea, in 2011 and 2012 seasons to assess temperature and humidity conditions under the shade. An empirical approach was developed and validated for the estimation of leaf wetness duration (LWD) using weather measurements outside the shade as inputs to the model. Results: Air temperature and relative humidity were similar between under the shade and outside the shade. For example, temperature conditions favorable for ginseng growth, e.g., between $8^{\circ}C$ and $27^{\circ}C$, occurred slightly less frequently in hours during night times under the shade (91%) than outside (92%). Humidity conditions favorable for development of a foliar disease, e.g., relative humidity > 70%, occurred slightly more frequently under the shade (84%) than outside (82%). Effectiveness of correction schemes to an empirical LWD model differed by rainfall conditions for the estimation of LWD under the shade using weather measurements outside the shade as inputs to the model. During dew eligible days, a correction scheme to an empirical LWD model was slightly effective (10%) in reducing estimation errors under the shade. However, another correction approach during rainfall eligible days reduced errors of LWD estimation by 17%. Conclusion: Weather measurements outside the shade and LWD estimates derived from these measurements would be useful as inputs for decision support systems to predict ginseng growth and disease development.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.320-326
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• 2018

Background: Explosive puffing can induce changes in the chemical, nutritional, and sensory quality of red ginseng. The antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts of red ginseng and puffed red ginseng were determined in bulk oil and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Methods: Bulk oils were heated at $60^{\circ}C$ and $100^{\circ}C$ and O/W emulsions were treated under riboflavin photosensitization. In vitro antioxidant assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhudrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content, were also performed. Results: The total ginsenoside contents of ethanolic extract from red ginseng and puffed red ginseng were 42.33 mg/g and 49.22 mg/g, respectively. All results from above in vitro antioxidant assays revealed that extracts of puffed red ginseng had significantly higher antioxidant capacities than those of red ginseng (p < 0.05). Generally, extracts of puffed red and red ginseng had high antioxidant properties in riboflavin photosensitized O/W emulsions. However, in bulk oil systems, extracts of puffed red and red ginseng inhibited or accelerated rates of lipid oxidation, depending on treatment temperature and the type of assay used. Conclusion: Although ethanolic extracts of puffed red ginseng showed stronger antioxidant capacities than those of red ginseng when in vitro assays were used, more pro-oxidant properties were observed in bulk oils and O/W emulsions.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.389-392
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• 2015

We identify a strong lensing galaxy in the cluster IRC 0218 that is spectroscopically confirmed to be at z = 1.62, making it the highest-redshift strong lens galaxy known. The lens is one of the two brightest cluster galaxies and lenses a background source galaxy into an arc and a counterimage. With Hubble Space Telescope (HST) grism and Keck/LRIS spectroscopy, we measure the source redshift to be $z_S=2.26$. Using HST imaging, we model the lens mass distribution with an elliptical power-law profile and account for the effects of the cluster halo and nearby galaxies. The Einstein radius is $^{\theta}E=0.38^{+0.02{\prime}{\prime}}_{-0.01}$ ($3.2^{+0.2}_{-0.1}kpc$) and the total enclosed mass is $M_{tot}(<^{\theta}_E)=1.8^{+0.2}_{-0.1}{\times}10^{11}M_{\odot}$. We estimate that the cluster environment contributes ~ 10% of this total mass. Assuming a Chabrier IMF, the dark matter fraction within $^{\theta}E$ is $f^{Chab}_{DM}=0.3^{+0.1}_{-0.3}$, while a Salpeter IMF is marginally inconsistent with the enclosed mass ($f^{Salp}_{DM}=-0.3^{+0.2}_{-0.5}$).

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, are associated with increased mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Homocysteine has been recently identified as a predictor of cardiovascular disease-related complications in diabetes. We investigated whether or not supplementation with folic acid tablets can lower homocysteine levels and improve parameters related with vascular complications. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized 8-week trial involving postmenopausal diabetic women (n = 25) supplemented with $800{\mu}g$ of folic acid ($400{\mu}g$ twice a day) daily. Subjects' serum levels of folate, homocysteine, and vitamin $B_{12}$ were measured, along with vascular function and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. RESULTS: Folic acid supplementation significantly increased serum folate levels (P < 0.0001), reduced homocysteine levels (P < 0.0001), and increased vitamin $B_{12}$ levels (P = 0.0063). There were significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as the ratios of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocities were not altered by supplementation. Changes in serum vitamin $B_{12}$ after folic acid supplementation were negatively correlated with changes in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study on postmenopausal Korean women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, folic acid supplementation reduced serum homocysteine levels, increased serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels, and lowered lipid parameters.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2017

Background: Gamisoyosan (GSS) is an herbal formula which has been used to treat women's diseases for several hundred years in Korea. GSS is one of the three most common prescriptions among women and is used to treat menopausal symptoms. Fatty liver disease is also common in postmenopausal women and can precede more severe diseases, such as steatohepatitis. The present study compared the effects of GSS on fatty liver using three different formulae, Dongui-Bogam (KIOM A), Korean Pharmacopeia (KIOM B) and Korean National Health Insurance (KIOM C). Methods: In oleic acid-induced HepG2 fatty liver cells, cellular lipid accumulation, triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured after treatment with three GSS formulae and simvastatin as a positive control. To investigate the phytoestrogen activity of GSS, MCF-7 cells were treated with GSS, and hormone levels were quantified. Also, qualitative analysis was performed with UPLC. Results: All types of GSS decreased cellular lipid accumulation. KIOM A was slightly less effective than the other two GSS formulae. KIOM B and KIOM C decreased cellular triglycerides more effective than simvastatin, but KIOM A did not affect cellular triglycerides. Cellular total cholesterol was decreased by all GSS and simvastatin. GSS showed phytoestrogen activity in MCF-7 cells. From the UPLC analysis data, geniposide, paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin were detected form three GSS formulae. Conclusion: These results suggest that all GSS formulae have a beneficial effect on fatty liver disease during menopause and that differences of formula have no effect on the efficacy of the prescription.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.463-470
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• 2020

Background: Evaluation of transpiration is required for agricultural and environmental management applications, as crop yields and plant growth are primarily water limited. This study aimed to determine the transpiration and carbon accumulation of Cnidium officinale. Methods and Results: The transpiration of C. officinale was evaluated using weighing lysimeter. The relationship between transpiration and factors such as solar radiation, air temperature, and leaf area was assessed. Transpiration increased as the leaf area increased with the growth stage. Furthermore, daily transpiration per unit leaf area was 0.69 ± 0.16 g·cm-2·day-1 and there were no significant differences in daily transpiration during the cultivation period. The maximum transpiration was 620.6 g m-2·h-1 and diurnal changes in transpiration were highly correlated with solar radiation although the maximum transpiration was observed at the air temperatures of 20℃ - 26℃. The ratio of carbon accumulation to transpiration was 0.12%. Conclusions: Our results indicated that the transpiration of C. officinale is primarily regulated by solar radiation energy on clear days and that 97% of the water is discharged through transpiration for heat dissipation. Therefore, weighing lysimeters can measure transpiration accurately and may be useful in interpreting plant growth.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15.1-15.13
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• 2023

Background: Inactivated vaccines are limited in preventing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) due to safety problems. Recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) are an excellent candidate for a novel vaccine for preventing FMD, given that VLPs have similar immunogenicity as natural viruses and are replication- and infection-incompetent. Objectives: The 3C protease and P1 polyprotein of type O FMD virus (FDMV) was expressed in yeast Hansenula polymorpha to generate self-resembling VLPs, and the potential of recombinant VLPs as an FMD vaccine was evaluated. Methods: BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant purified VLPs using CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and aluminum hydroxide gel as an adjuvant. Cytokines and lymphocytes from serum and spleen were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and flow cytometry. Results: The VLPs of FMD were purified successfully from yeast protein with a diameter of approximately 25 nm. The immunization of mice showed that animals produced high levels of FMDV antibodies and a higher level of antibodies for a longer time. In addition, higher levels of interferon-γ and CD4⁺ T cells were observed in mice immunized with VLPs. Conclusions: The expression of VLPs of FMD in H. polymorpha provides a novel strategy for the generation of the FMDV vaccine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2024

Background: Sitagliptin is an antidiabetic drug that inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of sitagliptin in formalin and carrageenan tests and determine the possible mechanism(s) of its antinociceptive activity. Methods: Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) and male Wistar rats (180-220 g) were used for formalin and carrageenan tests, respectively. In the formalin test, paw licking time and in the carrageenan test, paw thickness were considered as indexes of pain behavior and inflammation respectively. Three doses of sitagliptin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) were used in these tests. Also, several antagonists and enzyme inhibitors were used to evaluate the role of adrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opioid receptors as well as the NO/cGMP/K_ATP pathway in the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin (5 mg/kg). Results: Sitagliptin showed significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in the formalin and carrageenan tests respectively. In the carrageenan test, all three doses of sitagliptin significantly (P < 0.001) reduced paw thickness. Pretreatment with yohimbine, prazosin, propranolol, naloxone, and cyproheptadine could not reverse the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin (5 mg/Kg), which indicates that adrenergic, opioid, and serotonin receptors (5HT₂) are not involved in the antinociceptive effects. L-NAME, methylene blue, glibenclamide, ondansetron, and sulpiride were able to reverse this effect. Conclusions: NO/cGMP/K_ATP, 5HT₃ and D₂ pathways play an important role in the antinociceptive effect of sitagliptin. Additionally significant anti-inflammatory effects observed in the carrageenan test might contribute in reduction of pain response in the second phase of the formalin test.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 1998

The goal of this work was to optimize the liquid scintillation counting techniques for the determination of C-14 in environmental samples such as biological and air samples. Carbon-14 activities in most environmental samples were measured with direct $CO_2$ absorption method. The highest figure of merit was found through the variation of Carbosorb $E^{TM}$ and Permatluor $V^{TM}$ ratio, in the measurement windows. The best condition was 1:1 volume ratio. Average 2.35 g of $CO_2$ was reproducibly absorbed in the 20 ml mixture within 40 min. The counting efficiency determined by repeated analysis of NIST oxalic acid standard and the background count rate were measured to be $58.8{\pm}1.4%$ and $1.88{\pm}0.06\;cpm$, respectively in case of saturated solution. The correction curves of counting efficiency for partially saturated solutions and for saturated solutions with quenching were prepared, respectively. The overall uncertainty of the sample specific activity for near background levels was estimated to be about 7 % for 4 hours counting at 95 % confidence level. The long-term stability of samples has been checked for all the counting techniques over a two week periods, and no apparent change in counting efficiency and background level was found at that time.