• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.133-142
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• 2009

This study was initiated to evaluate the K leaching potential in the green soils and K uptake by the turfgrass in the golf course using the K fertilizers. The turfgrass, Floradwarf bermudagrass(Cynodon dactylon L. $P_{ERS}$.) was planted and grown in the mixture of sand and peat moss in this lysimeter study. Eight representative K fertilizers, such as, monopotassium phosphate (MKP), KCL, $K_2SO_4$, $KNO_3$, CKCl, $CK_2SO_4$, $CKNO_3$, and 0-20-20(liquid) were used in this study. Based on the total K quantity of leachate collected during the whole 12 weeks, 0-20-20 is the K fertilizers the most contributing to the leaching of K, then MKP, the second, KCL, the third, and finally $KNO_3$ are K fertilizers contributing to the K leaching. However, most amount of K applied and collected in the lysimeter were leached during the first period of two and four weeks, compared to that of K leached during the second period of six, eight, ten, and twelve weeks. Application of CKCL and $CK_2SO_4$ producted the largest amount of total dry matter, then MKP and KCL, $KNO_3$ and $CKNO_3$, 0-20-20 in second group. However, except $K_2SO_4$, most K fertilizer sources such as MKP, KCL, $KNO_3$, CKCL, $CK_2SO_4$, $CKNO_3$, 0-20-20 showed the largest amount of K uptake, except $K_2SO_4$. Therefore, based on the K leaching, dry matter production, and plant K uptake, it appears that the coated fertilizers, CKCL, $CKNO_3$, and $CK_2SO_4$ are the environmentally sound fertilizers recommended in the turfgrass green soil of golf course.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2007

Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, was previously shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we isolated the CK rich fractions (CKRF) from Korean Red Ginseng and investigated the regulation of CKRF-mediated inflammatory signaling during Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated cellular activation. Among various TLR ligands, CKRF considerably abrogated TLR4- or TLR9-induced inflammatory signaling. Both LPS and CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) stimulation rapidly activates mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPKs; extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and p38], NF-${\kappa}B$, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Of interest, pre-treatment of CKRF in either LPS/TLR4- or CpG-ODN/TLR9-stimulated macrophages substantially attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production and mRNA expressions, as well as MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the inhibitory roles for CKRF in TLR4- or TLR9-associated signaling in BMDMs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CKRF specifically modulates distinct TLR4 and TLR9-mediated inflammatory responses, and further studies are urgently needed for their in vivo roles for potential therapeutic uses, such as in systemic inflammatory syndromes.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlations among pulmonary contusion severity, trauma score and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level. Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients with multiple injuries who had been admitted to the emergency department (ED) from July 2007 to July 2008. We first measured the total creatinine kinase (CK), the MB fraction of CK (CK-MB), TnI, and myoglobin within 2 hours after the injury. We then checked the electrocardiogram, x-ray, and computed tomography (CT) results. Finally, we assessed the injuries as variables and then compared the results for patients with elevated TnI levels (group A) and patients whose TnI levels fell within the normal range (group B). Results: Eighty-six of the 92 patients admitted to the ED were enrolled. The pulmonary contusion score (PCS) was well correlated with $PaO_2/FiO_2$. TnI levels were correlated with PCS. When TnI levels were above 0.86 ng/ml, the mortality was estimated with 100% sensitivity and 86.1% specificity. Conclusion: Pulmonary contusion severity is correlated with TnI level. When the PCS is high and the cTnI level is elevated in multiple-injury patients, we recommend continuous cardiac monitoring and further evaluation

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2014

This study analyzed a comprehensive database including 6331 ready-mixed concrete plant mixtures to quantitatively assess the environmental impact of concrete under mixture proportions variable according to the domestic region and season. The environmental impact indicator includes global warming, photochemical oxidant creation, abiotic resource depletion, acidification, eutrophication and human toxicity, which are determined from categorization, characterization, normalization and weighting process based on Korea lifecycle inventories. The determined environmental impact indicator was also normalized by concrete compressive strength ($f_{ck}$), which is defined as impact index, to calculate the environmental impact per unit strength of 1 MPa. The most common compressive strength of concrete used in the country is estimated to be 24 MPa and 27 MPa. For $f_{ct}$ of 24 MPa, the lowest environmental impact indicator is observed in Ulsan, whereas the highest region is Gwangju and Daegu. This difference according to domestic region is primarily resulted from by the replacement of different supplementary cementitious materials. Furthermore, the impact index of concrete with $f_{ck}$ of 24 MPa is higher by approximately 5% at wintertime than at summertime and standard season. The impact index gradually decreases with the increase of $f_{ck}$ up to 35 MPa, beyond which it remains constant.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2018

For centuries, Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng) has been widely used as a medicinal herb in Korea, China, and Japan. Ginsenosides are a class of triterpene saponins and recognized as the bioactive components in Korean ginseng. Ginsenosides, which can be classified broadly as protopanaxadiols (PPD), protopanaxatriols (PPT), and oleanolic acids, have been shown to flaunt a vast array of pharmacological activities such as immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. In recent years, a number of ginseng and ginsenoside researches have increasingly gained wide attention owing to its unique pharmacological properties. Although good efficacies of ginsenosides have been reported, lack of target specific delivery into tumor sites, low solubility, and low bioavailability due to modifications in gastro-intestinal environments limit their biomedical application in clinical trials. As a result to this major challenge, nanotechnology and drug delivery techniques play a significant role to solve this problematic issue. Thus, we reported the preparation of poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) and glycol chitosan (GC) functionalized to ginsenoside (Compound K and PPD) conjugates via hydrolysable ester bonds with improved aqueous solubility and pH-dependent drug release. In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that PEG-CK, and PPD-CK conjugates exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to bare CK and PPD in HT29 cells. However, GC-CK conjugates exhibited higher and similar cytotoxicity in HT29 and HepG2 cells. Furthermore, GC-CK-treated RAW264.7 cells did not exhibit significant cell death at higher concentration of treatment which supports the biocompatibility of the polymer conjugates. They also inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW64.7 cells. In addition to polymer-ginsenoside conjugates, silver (AgNps) and gold nanoparticles (AuNps) have been successfully synthesized by green chemistry using different m. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, biofilm inhibition, and anticoagulant effect. Special interest on the effective delivery methods of ginsenoside to treatment sites is the focus of metal nanoparticle research.In short, nano-sizing of ginsenoside results in an increased water solubility and bioavailability. The use of nano-sized ginsenoside and P. ginseng mediated metallic nanoparticles is expected to be effective on medical platform against various diseases in the future.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.282-289
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• 1996

2,3-DHBP dioxygenase was purified from E. coli CK1092 carrying the pcbC gene, which was cloned from 4-chlorobiphenyl-degrading Pseudomonas sp. P20. Purification of this enzyme was done by acetone precipitation, DEAE- Sephadex A-25 ion exchange chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of subunit was 34 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE, and that of native enzyme was about 270 kDa. It suggests that this enzyme consist of eight identical subunits. This enzyme was specifically active against only 2,3-DHBP as a substrate with 18 $\mu$M of Km value, but not catechol, 3-methylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol and 4-chlorocatechol. The optimal pH and temperature of 2,3-DHBP dioxygenase were pH 8.0 and 40-60$\circ$C. The enzyme was inhibited by Cu$^{2+}$, Fe$^{2+}$ and Fe$^{3+}$ ions, and was inactivated by H$_{2}$0$_{2}$2 and EDTA. The lower concentrations of some organic solvents such as acetone and ethanol don't stabilize the activity of 2,3-DHBP dioxygenase. The enzyme was completely inactivated by adding the reagents such as N-bromosuccinimide, iodine and p- diazobenzene sulfonic acid.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.418-429
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• 2021

This paper investigates the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics of yanggaeng containing white ginseng and red ginseng extracts and their enzyme hydrolysates that were produced for the purpose of the study. White and red ginseng extracts were hydrolyzed using Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC. Ginsenoside F2 and compound K (CK) were not detected in white and red ginseng before enzymic reaction but were detected in white and red ginseng hydrolyzed through Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC, and the content of CK was the highest in the second enzymic reaction group of red ginseng. Upon preparing yanggaeng containing white and red ginseng before or after enzymatic hydrolysis, the polyphenol content and antioxidant abilities were analyzed. The yanggaeng containing enzyme-hydrolyzed white ginseng and red ginseng showed greater total polyphenol content, superior DPPH radical scavenging activity, superior ABTS radical scavenging activity, and superior FRAP analysis results compared to the yanggaeng that doesn't contain white or red ginseng. As the enzymic reaction was performed in the added white and red ginseng, the antioxidant activity increased significantly (P<0.05). In brightness(L^*), non-additive yanggaeng (control group) was the highest, red ginseng yanggaeng (RG) showed the highest redness(a^*), and the white ginseng yanggaeng (WG) showed the highest yellowness(b^*). In terms of texture, the yanggaeng containing red ginseng with second hydrolysis (RG-T2) showed significantly high results in hardness, springiness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and gumminess (P<0.05). In conclusion, treating white and red ginseng with Rapidase C80 max, Pyr-flo, and Ultimase MFC is very useful in ginsenoside deglycosylation and will produce CK with excellent biological activity. It can also be seen that yanggaeng containing white and red ginseng hydrolyzed with enzymes significantly increase total polyphenol and antioxidant activity compared to the control group (yanggaeng with no added ginseng). These results will be useful as excellent foundational data for the production of functional yanggaeng in the future.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK), the main active metabolite in Panax ginseng, has shown good safety and bioavailability in clinical trials and exerts neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic stroke. However, its potential role in the prevention of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside CK against cerebral I/R injury. Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion induced PC12 cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion induced rat model, to mimic I/R injury. Intracellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate were analyzed by Seahorse multifunctional energy metabolism system; ATP production was detected by luciferase method. The number and size of mitochondria were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and MitoTracker probe combined with confocal laser microscopy. The potential mechanisms of ginsenoside CK on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy were evaluated by RNA interference, pharmacological antagonism combined with co-immunoprecipitation analysis and phenotypic analysis. Results: Ginsenoside CK pretreatment could attenuate mitochondrial translocation of DRP1, mitophagy, mitochondrial apoptosis, and neuronal bioenergy imbalance against cerebral I/R injury in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our data also confirmed that ginsenoside CK administration could reduce the binding affinity of Mul1 and Mfn2 to inhibit the ubiquitination and degradation of Mfn2, thereby elevating the protein level of Mfn2 in cerebral I/R injury. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that ginsenoside CK may be a promising therapeutic agent against cerebral I/R injury via Mul1/Mfn2 mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2005

We performed in vitro and in vivo studies to know whether the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides on $5-HT_{3A}$ receptor channel acctivity are coupled to anti-nausea and anti-vomiting action. In vitro study, we investigated the effect of compound K (CK) and M4, which are ginsenoside metabolites, on human $5-HT_{3A}$ receptor channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Treatment of CK or M4 themselves had no effect in both oocytes injected with $H_2O\;and\;5-HT_{3A}$ receptor cRNA. In oocytes injected with $5- HT_{3A}$ receptor cRNA, M4 treatment inhibited more potently 5-HT-induced inward peak current $(I_{5-HT})$ than CK with dose-dependent and reversible manner. The half-inhibitory concentrations $(IC_{50})$ of CK and M4 were $36.9\;\pm\;10.1\;and\;7.3\;\pm\;2.2\;{\mu}M$, respectively. The inhibition of $I_{5-HT}$ by M4 was non-competitive and voltage-independent. These results indicate that M4 might regulate $5-HT_{3A}$ receptors. In vivo experiments, injection of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.v.) induced both nausea and vomiting with 1 h latency. These episodes reached to peak after 2 h and persisted for 4 h. Pre-treatment of GTS (500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting by $51\;\pm\;8.4\;and\;48.8\;\pm\;6.4\%$ during 4 h compared to GIS­untreated group, respectively. These results show the possibility that in vitro inhibition of $5-HT_{3A}$ receptor channel activity by ginsenosides might be coupled to in vivo anti-emetic activity.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2019

Three strains of infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs), designated VNUA3, VNUA8 and VNUA11, were isolated from diseased/infected chickens in Hanoi, Thainguyen, and Haiphong provinces of Vietnam. These birds had received a live IBV vaccination but still suffered from infectious bronchitis. VNUA3, VNUA8 and VNUA11 harbor cleavage sites (RRTGR, HRRRR, and HRRKR, respectively) within the S protein. A BLASTN search revealed that the S gene of VNUA3, VNUA8, and VNUA11 showed the highest nucleotide identity with those of IBV strains CK/Italy/I2022/13, CK/CH/LHLJ/08-6, and GX-NN120084, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on the S gene nucleotide sequences revealed that VNUA3, VNUA8 and VNUA11 clustered with Q1-like, QX-like and TC07-2-like genotypes, respectively, and were closely related to reference IBV strains from China. However, the Vietnam IBVs showed high divergence from vaccine strains 4/91 and Ma5, which are used in the Vietnamese farms from which the isolates were obtained. Taken together, these results indicate that at least three genotypes of IBV are circulating among chickens in North Vietnam. This is the first report of the molecular epidemiology of IBV in Vietnam.