• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.22-39
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• 2003

Biological activity of phenolic compounds in seeds and leaves of safflower (Carthamu tinctorius L.) were evaluated using several in vitro and in vivo assays. Six phenolic constituents were isolated from the seeds and identified as N-feruloylserotonia, N- (p-coumaroyl)serotonin, matairesinol, 8′-hydroxyarctigenin, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside (tilianine) and acacetin. Six phenolic compounds exhibited considerable antioxidative activity, and especially two serotonins showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activity and antiperoxidative activity against rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by the hydroxyl radical generated via a Fenton-type reaction. Additionally, six phenolic compounds possessed comparable cytotoxicity against three cancer cells, Hela cell, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell, and particularly acacetin and its glycosides had the most potent cytotoxicity. Moreover, we found that feeding safflower seeds attenuated bone loss, and lowered levels of plasma and liver lipids in ovariectomized rats. Serotonins, lignans and flavones stimulated proliferation of the osteoblast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner (10$^{-15}$ ~10$^{-6}$ M), as potently as E$_2$ (17$\beta$-estradiol). Particularly, serotonins were mainly responsible for bone-protecting and lipid lowering effects in ovariectomized rats. Meanwhile, eight flavonoids, including a novel quercetin-7-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside and seven kown flavonoids, luteolin quercetin, luteolin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-gluco-pyranoside, quercetin 7-O- -glucopyranoside, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronide and apigenin-6-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside were first isolated and identified from safflower leaf. Among these flavonoids, luteolin-acetyl-glucoside and $\beta$quercetin- acetyl-glucoside showed potent antioxidative activities against 2-deoxyribose degradation and lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. Luteolin, quercetin and their corresponding glycosides also exhibited strong antioxidative activity, while acacetin glucuronide and apigenin-6, 8-di-C-glucoside were relatively less active. Finally, changes in phenolic compositions were also determined by HPLC in the safflower seed and leaf during growth stages and roasting process to produce standardized supplement powerds. These results suggest that phenolic compounds in the roasted safflower seed and leaf may be useful as potential sources of therapeutic agents against several pathological disorders such as carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4067-4073
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• 2012

Obesity is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer. Pioglitazone is a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor$receptor{\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist that induces differentiation in adipocytes and induces growth arrest and/or apoptosis in vitro in several cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pioglitazone on the development of azoxymethane-induced colon aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in KK-$A^{\mathcal{Y}}$ obesity and diabetes model mice, and tried to clarify mechanisms by which the $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligand inhibits ACF development. Administration of 800 ppm pioglitazone reduced the number of colon ACF/mouse to 30% of those in untreated mice and improved hypertrophic changes of adipocytes in KK-$A^{\mathcal{Y}}$ mice with significant reduction of serum triglyceride and insulin levels. Moreover, mRNA levels of adipocytokines, such as leptin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, in the visceral fat were decreased. PCNA immunohistochemistry revealed that pioglitazone treatment suppressed cell proliferation in the colorectal epithelium with elevation of p27 and p53 gene expression. These results suggest that pioglitazone prevented obesity-associated colon carcinogenesis through improvement of dysregulated adipocytokine levels and high serum levels of triglyceride and insulin, and increase of p27 and p53 mRNA levels in the colorectal mucosa. These data indicate that pioglitazone warrants attention as a potential chemopreventive agent against obesity-associated colorectal cancer.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 1992

Bacterial abundance, production, and environmental parameters were investigated three times to study distribution of bacterial variables and to examine how estuarine mixing would influence the distribution of bacterial variables in the euphotic zone of the estuarine system of the Mankyung river and Dongjin river during a period of October, 1990-August, 1991. Although a limited number of investigations were made, bacterial abundance and production showed large variations from 0.4 to 5.8${\times}$10/SUP 9/ 1/SUP -1/ and from 0.1 to 22.2 ug C 1/SUP -1/ d/SUP -1/, respectively. The wide ranges of bacterial variables indicated very dynamic changes in conditions of bacterial growth in the estuary. Interestingly, bacterial abundance substantially increased with depth in most stations f shallow depth. but bacterial production remarkably decreased with depth. We propose that the observed distribution of bacterial abundance and production would be explained by estuarine mixing in the estuary. Analyses of mixing diagrams showed that estuarine mixing would mix conservatively bacteria and bacterial production. Further, estuarine mixing often seemed to cause an increase in bacterial abundance and reduction of bacterial production presumably due to resuspension of sediment. This suggests that roles of estuarine mixing would be significant in the distribution of bacterial abundance and production, and thus in biogeochemical cycles in the estuary.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.243-259
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the induction of experimental atherosclerosis in rats and inhibitory effects of aloe vera on progression of atherosclerosis in rats. Adose range finding study of cholesterol and vitamin D2 for the induction of atherosclerosis and studies on the subchronic effect of aloe vera and on the chronic effect of aloe vera were carried out. A total of 3-week old 125 male rats of Sprague-Dawley were divided into 25 groups and fed with the diet containing cholesterol (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) and vitamin D2 (500, 5000, 50000 and 500, 000 IU/100 g) for 4 weeks. 35 male rats were divided into 7 groups and fed with the diet containing aloe vera with 1.0% of cholesterol and 50, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 for 4 weeks. 200 male rats were divided into 5 groups and fed with cholesterol and vitamin D2 for 6 and 12 months. Growth, clinical and pathological changes of rats in the three experiments were observed. The results were as follows: 1. In the dose-range finding study, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio and weight to body weight were increased in all of the feed groups containing 500, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2. Serum biochemical values of total cholesterol, high-density lipiprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triglyceride, calcium, inorganic phosphorous and chloride of male rats in treated groups. The aorta and coronary artery of rats in all of the diet group containing 500, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 showed typical atherosclerotic lesions. 2. Male rats fed with the diet containing aloe vera with 1.0% cholesterol and 50, 000 IU/100 g of vitamin D2 for 6 and 12 months did not show significant difference of diet intake and weight gain, and relative organ weight. The level of serum HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride recovered to the normal range by the aloe vera ingestation. 3. The aorta showed irregular appearence in the tunica intima with swelling, necrosis and calcification. The aorta of rat fed aloe vera diet showed no pathological lesions such as atherosclerosis of aorta. Aloe vera could have a helpful effect of vitamin D2 and cholesterol induced atherosclerosis in rats. Long-term supplementation of aloe vera may slow down the process of experimental atherosclerosis in rats have effects on the development of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.73-83
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• 2016

Purpose - The parcel delivery service(courier) industry all over the world has been expanding its market so far, but its growth has been declining in recent years. In this situation, most parcel delivery companies are having trouble with managing themselves because of the pressure from the customer to increase service level and decrease the rate. The purpose of this study is to provide ways to improve competitive advantages of the parcel delivery service industry by evaluating the multi-period operating efficiency of Korea, Japan and global service providers. Research design, data, and methodology - The data for the period of 2011 to 2014 were collected from the annual reports published by parcel delivery companies. In this study, we analyze the marketability (revenue), profitability (operating profits), and management conditions (net profits) of parcel service companies by combining information on human resources (number of employees) and material resources (total assets and equity). Therefore, the number of employees, total assets, and equity are selected as input variables, and revenue, operating profits, and net profits as the output variables. In this study, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) is used to measure the comparative efficiency and MPI (Malmquist Productivity Index) is used to analyze the trend of change of the efficiency for a multi-year period. Results - The operational efficiency scores of medium-sized parcel delivery companies in Korea are higher than other larger competitors such as Korean, Japan and Global larger companies. As of 2014, Logen(1.878) was found to be the most efficient parcel delivery enterprise, followed by KGB (1.224), and Kyoungdong(1.002). Otherwise, Hanjin(0.235), CJ(0.262), Hyundai Logistics(0.657), DHL(0.611), UPS(0.766), FedEx(0.498), TNT(0.350), Yamato(0.762) and Sagawa(0.520), larger sized companies, were done inefficiently. The productivity of parcel delivery companies is influenced by endogenous factors as well as exogenous ones such as changes in business environment and technological advances. Conclusions - Korean medium-sized companies have relatively high efficiency scores in operation. That is why they still survive the competitive market in Korea where market restructuring on the industry has been expected to be conducted for many years. The reason why medium-sized couriers had higher efficient scores than larger couriers is that most of couriers spend more operating expenses versus unit price of delivery which is the amount of money that is needed in order to send a package by parcel service. So the delivery unit price must be taken into account by all the expenses associated with the cost of fuel, labor and maintenance expenses for facilities, etc. therefore, the unit price must be increased to strengthen business competitive power. In order for the industry to have more competitive advantage, the companies need to make profits by increasing demand volume and raising the delivery rate to provide high-quality delivery service to customers. And both endogenous and exogenous change must take precedence in order to strengthen their competitiveness.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2015

The study was conducted to determine the effects of forest restoration methods and stand structure on solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature, and soil water content, based on volume, in forest stand after forest fire. The changes of the micro-climate elements in naturally and artificially restored forest after forest fire were measured in Goseong and Samcheok, Gangwon province. Pinus spp. were commonly appeared in ridges, barren lands or planted areas of the study sites while the other areas were dominated by Quercus spp. In the early stage, trees in the naturally regenerated site grow better than the trees in artificially rehabilitated site. However, the growth ratio rapidly decreased by time passed in natural regeneration area. The environmental conditions (solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature and soil water content) were significantly different by the regions and the methods (p<.05). However, the coefficients of variations of the environmental conditions were not significantly different at 95% confidence level. As the coverage and tree height in crown layer increased, the relative humidity and soil water content were increased while the temperature and solar radiation were decreased. Especially, the relative humidity, solar radiation, and soil water content were clearly affected by the tree height and coverage ratio ($R^2$ means from 0.628 to 0.924). Even though the data should have collected at least more than 5 years in meteorological analysis, the two year results show some clear relationship between forest structure and microclimate elements.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.750-756
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the role of phytohormones in the bulbing of garlic in order to assess the yield and quality. The effect on endogenous plant hormones such as gibberellin (GA) content was also examined during growth stage i.e. clove differentiation to bulbing in garlic. More than 18 gibberellins in garlic were identified with extensive gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) quantitative analysis. The results showed that GAs were biosynthesized by both non C-13 hydroxylation pathway (NCH) and early C-13 hydroxylation pathway (ECH) in garlic plant. It was also revealed that NCH pathway leading to synthesis of bioactive $GA_4$ was the more prominent GA biosynthesis pathway than ECH pathway in which bioactive $GA_1$ was synthesized. Total GAs level was gradually increased from clove differentiation to bulbing and later decreased, which portrays the active role of GA in differentiation. The biosynthesis ratio of bioactive $GA_4$ and $GA_1$ concentration was similar to that of total GAs content, which was closely related with bulb development in garlic.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-31
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• 2009

The border of the shorelines in a nation is an important factor in determining the border of a national territory, but Korea's shorelines are rapidly changing due to the recent rise in sea level from global warming and growth-centered economic policy over the decades of years. This research was done centering on the areas having well-preserved shorelines as they naturally are and other areas having damaged shorelines in their vicinities due to artificial structures at the two beaches located at the neighboring areas and having mutually homogeneous ocean conditions with each other. First, this research derived the shorelines using the aerial photographies taken from 1947 until 2007 and revised the tidal levels sounding data obtained from a hydrographical survey automation system consisting of Echosounder[Echotrac 3100] and Differential Global Positioning System[Beacon]by using topographical data and ships on land obtained by applying post-processing Kinematic GPS measuring method. In addition, this research evaluated the changes and dimensional variations for the last 60 years by dividing these determined shorelines into 5 sections. As a result, the Haewundae Beach showed a total of 29% decrease rate in dimension as of the year 2007 in comparison with the year 1947 due to a rapid dimensional decline centering on its west areas, while the dimension of the Gwanganri Beach showed an increase in its dimension amounting to a total of 69% due to the decrease in flow velocity by artificial structures built on both ends of the beach-forming accumulation; thus, it was found that there existed a big difference in deposition & accumulation tendency depending on neighboring environment in spite of the homogeneous ocean conditions.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2010

People generally focus on the supply side when conducting a study on the movie industry. However, to understand the movie industry better, one needs to analyze both sides - the demand and supply of movies. This paper analyzes demand-side factors that have long been taken for granted in Korea's movie industry. The study used data for 1991~2008 on the following demand-factors : the average ticket prices, the number of working days and hours, the average personal income, the number of spectators for the two major professional sports, cable TV, the number of movies released each year and the number of movie screens. This study shows that ticket prices do not conform to the law of demand. According to the law of demand, increasing price leads to a decline in demand. However, in reality, the number of viewers went up along with ticket prices. The study found that demand for movies was correlated to income levels and leisure time. An increase in the number of leisure hours and income levels pushed up demand. Contrary to general belief, a growth in the availability of substitutes, such as professional sports(soccer and baseball), did not result in a fall in demand for movies. The audiences for both sports and movies grew simultaneously as the amount of leisure time increased. Contrary to the general expectations that more diversified genres of movies will draw larger audiences by satisfying different individual tastes, the diversification had little impact, but the number of movie screens was positively correlated with audience size. In sum, changes in ticket prices and the quantity of substitutes had little influence on demand in the movie industry. Rather, it was the supply side of the industry that induced demand.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.