• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.502-510
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to develop a novel ticagrelor-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system with an enhanced solubility and dissolution rate. Numerous oils and surfactants were screened, then medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and the surfactants polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and Labrafil M1944CS were selected for the preparation of the ticagrelor-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed to detect the nanoemulsion region. Of the various formulations tested, the liquid SNEDDS, composed of MCT (oil), Tween 80 (surfactant), and Labrafil M1944CS (cosurfactant) at a weight ratio of 20/70/10 produced the smallest emulsion droplet size (around 20.56±0.70 nm). Then, particle size, polydispersity, and zeta potential were measured using drugs containing liquid SNEDDS. The selected ticagrelor-loaded liquid SNEDDS was spray-dried to convert it into a ticagrelor-loaded solid SNEDDS with a suitable inert carrier, such as silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, or magnesium aluminometasilicate. The solid SNEDDS was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and in vitro dissolution studies. SEM, PXRD, and DSC results suggested that amorphous ticagrelor was present in the solid SNEDDS. Also, the solid SNEDDS significantly increased the dissolution rate of ticagrelor. In particular, the emulsion particle size and the polydispersity index of the solid SNEDDS using silicon dioxide (SS1) as a carrier was the smallest among the evaluated solid SNEDDS, and the flowability and compressibility result of the SS1 was the most suitable for the manufacturing of solid dosage forms. Therefore, solid SNEDDS using silicon dioxide (SS1) could be a potential nano-sized drug delivery system for the poorly water-soluble drug ticagrelor.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.390-400
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• 2021

Background: We recently showed that gintonin, an active ginseng ingredient, exhibits antibrain neurodegenerative disease effects including multiple target mechanisms such as antioxidative stress and antiinflammation via the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a spinal disease characterized by neurodegenerative changes in motor neurons with subsequent skeletal muscle paralysis and death. However, pathophysiological mechanisms of ALS are still elusive, and therapeutic drugs have not yet been developed. We investigate the putative alleviating effects of gintonin in ALS. Methods: The G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse ALS model was used. Gintonin (50 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) administration started from week seven. We performed histological analyses, immunoblot assays, and behavioral tests. Results: Gintonin extended mouse survival and relieved motor dysfunctions. Histological analyses of spinal cords revealed that gintonin increased the survival of motor neurons, expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, choline acetyltransferase, NeuN, and Nissl bodies compared with the vehicle control. Gintonin attenuated elevated spinal NAD(P) quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression and decreased oxidative stress-related ferritin, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-immunoreactive microglia, S100β-immunoreactive astrocyte, and Olig2-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes compared with the control vehicle. Interestingly, we found that the spinal LPA1 receptor level was decreased, whereas gintonin treatment restored decreased LPA1 receptor expression levels in the G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse, thereby attenuating neurological symptoms and histological deficits. Conclusion: Gintonin-mediated symptomatic improvements of ALS might be associated with the attenuations of neuronal loss and oxidative stress via the spinal LPA1 receptor regulations. The present results suggest that the spinal LPA1 receptor is engaged in ALS, and gintonin may be useful for relieving ALS symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2021

The objective of this work is to prove a possibility of void f illing through a carbonation f or the purpose of improving the quality of recycled aggregate. Carbonation can permanently immobilize CO2, which is a greenhouse gas, and thus provides additional benefit on environment. In this work, recycled fine aggregate was reacted using gaseous CO2 and supercritical CO2(scCO2) in a closed chamber, and the changes in physical properties of the recycled f ine aggregate bef ore and af ter carbonation were analyzed using the apparent density, skeletal density, pH, and FE-SEM measurements. Thereafter, a mortar specimen was prepared and a compressive strength was measured. According to the experimental results, it was found that the increase in the apparent density and the true density was higher by the reaction with scCO2, which was conducted at high temperature and high pressure compared to the reaction with gaseous CO2. In addition, the pH of the eluted water was found to have a larger initial decrease than that observed with samples from reaction by gaseous CO2. The shape and amount of calcium carbonate crystals were also found to be larger than that from gaseous CO2. The increase in compressive strength was the largest when using recycled fine aggregate reacted with scCO2. It was clear that quality improvement of recycled fine aggregate was higher with scCO2 than with gaseous CO2.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2021

The objective of this study is to evaluate the practical application potential and limitations of the modified fly ash(MFA) by vibration grinding as a partial replacement of ordinary portland cement(OPC). The test parameters investigated were the replacement level of fly ash(FA) and FA for OPC, varying from 10% to 40%, and curing temperatures of 5, 20, and 40℃. The various characteristics(including slump, air content, bleeding, setting time, compressive strength development, and hydration products) of MFA concrete were measured and then compared with those of the concrete with conventional FA. Test resul ts showed that the MFA prefers to FA in reducing the bl eeding of fresh concrete and enhancing the compressive strength gain at an early age. The compressive strength ratios between MFA and FA concrete specimens at an age of 1 day were 135%, 146%, and 111% at the curing temperatures of 5, 20, and 40℃, respectively. The corresponding ratios at an age of 28 days were approximately 110%, regardless of the curing temperatures. The X-ray diffraction analysis also revealed less calcium hydroxide products in MFA pastes than in FA pastes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.710-720
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• 2020

This study was conducted to compare the quality characteristics of firm tofu (coagulant calcium chloride, CaCl2 used) made from eight imported and four domestic soybeans selling in Korean markets. The 100-seed weight of soybeans imported from China and Seonpung cultivated in Korea was the highest at 33.23 g and 32.51 g, respectively. Soybeans imported from the USA (bulk type) showed the lowest at 16.12 g, followed by Ukraine at 16.94 g, and Brazil at 18.51 g. The range of protein and fat in the 12 soybeans was 37.08~41.36% and 18.35~22.17%, respectively. The isoflavone contents were the highest in Daepung2 cultivated in Korea at 3,764.10 ㎍/g and the lowest in soybeans imported from Brazil at 1,439.85 ㎍/g. Tofu yield among the samples was in the following order: Seonpung (235.2%), China (232.0%) Daepung2 (228.7%), Daechan (225.7%), and Brazil (208%). Tofu made with soybeans cultivated in Korea (including from China) showed a higher yield compared to that made from soybeans from seven other countries. In the analysis of the correlation of quality factors of tofu, the hardness of the tofu was correlated with 100-seed weight (r=0.676⁎) and protein content of the soybeans (r=0.837⁎⁎). Tofu yield was correlated with 100-seed weight (r=0.748⁎⁎) and protein content of the soybeans (r=0.583⁎).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.244-250
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• 2020

This study investigated the effects of silage additives on rumen fermentation characteristics of rye silage. Rye was harvested at ripening stage and treated with different additives in quadruplicate following: without additive (control), with either lactic acid bacteria inoculant (LAB), formic acid (FA), or Ca-formate (Ca-FA). Overall, ensiling characteristics of FA and Ca-FA silages contained 4-fold more (P<0.05) butyrate and 2-fold more (P<0.05) NH3-N concentration (% total nitrogen) than those of control and LAB silages. Cows fed LAB silage showed a diurnal trend with the highest values of propionate concentration compared to the control at 1, 2 and 3 hr after feeding. In contrast, FA and Ca-FA silages increased the proportion of butyrate significantly (P<0.05) at all sampling times compared to control and LAB silage. In conclusion, Forage rye treated with FA or Ca-FA showed different fermentation characteristics during ensilage and in the rumen compared to LAB silage. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether different fermentation characteristics in the rumen between LAB and FA silages had effect on partitioning of nutrients between milk production and body tissue.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2021

This study analyzed the groundwater quality characteristics according to the main source of pollution and quarter (season) by using data from the pollution exclusive monitoring network in the Gyeongsangnam-do area for five years (2013-2017). The main source of pollution was the industrial complex areas, waste mines, and sewage treatment facilities. The analysis items were field measurement items (water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, oxide reduction potential), positive ions, and negative ions. Water temperature and pH did not vary significantly according to the main source of pollution. In industrial complex areas, the value of electrical conductivity was the highest, and dissolved oxygen value was the lowest. The mean concentration of positive and negative ions was the largest in industrial complex areas, followed by sewage treatment facilities and waste mines. It was shown that the concentration of sodium ion was the highest in industrial complex areas and calcium ion in waste mines and sewage treatment facilities. The concentration of bicarbonate ion was the highest in all main sources of pollution. Water temperature, pH, and concentrations of cations and anions did not vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Of the water quality types, the Na-HCO₃ type accounted for the highest proportion, but the Na-Cl type, which has a high possibility of external contamination, accounted for about 20% of the total data in the pollution exclusive monitoring network.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.197-207
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• 2021

Relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and type 2 diabetes is still inconsistent. Recently, many epidemiologic data show that fracture risk is increased in type 2 diabetic patients regardless of BMD status. In this study, we used nation-wide data from 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to analyze the BMD status in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to non-diabetics. We included subjects aged 50 years or older in men (N=2,959, 2,430 without diabetes, 529 with type 2 diabetes) and postmenopausal women (N=2,902, 2,479 without diabetes, 423 with type 2 diabetes). Subjects with history of medication for osteoporosis or with illness or malignancy affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Data of anthropometric measurements and demographic characteristics were collected by trained examiner. Serum was separated from peripheral venous blood samples obtained after 8 hours of fasting. BMD was measured at lumbar spine and femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). There was a significant positive association between lumbar spine BMD and type 2 diabetes after adjusting age, gender, body mass index, monthly house income, education level, physical activity, daily calcium intake and vitamin D concentration by multiple regression analysis in all subjects. In the subgroup analysis by gender, this association was maintained both in male and female after adjusting those confounding factors. However, femur BMD was not different between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. In conclusion, lumbar spine BMD was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 years or more in men and postmenopausal women compared to non-diabetic subjects.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.209-220
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• 2021

The effect of body composition such as lean mass and fat mass on bone mineral density (BMD) is complex and still controversial. In this study, we investigated the relationship between body composition and bone mineral density using nation-wide data from 2008 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2,139 men and 2,193 postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older. Subjects with history of medication for osteoporosis or with diseases or malignancy affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Data of anthropometric measurements and demographic characteristics were collected by trained examiner. Fasting blood sample was obtained for blood chemistry analysis. BMD of the lumbar spine, total femur, and femoral neck, and body composition such as total lean mass (TLM), total fat mass (TFM), truncal fat mass (TrFM) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). There were significant positive correlations between body composition indices such as lean mass and fat mass with BMD. In multiple regression analysis, TLM was positively associated with BMD after adjusting age, body mass index, monthly house income, education level, physical activity, daily calcium intake and vitamin D concentration in both men and postmenopausal women. BMD at lumbar spine and femur in lowest quartile of TLM was significantly lower than other quartiles after adjusting those confounding factors in both gender. TrFM was negatively associated with total femur BMD in male and femur neck BMD in postmenopausal women after adjusting confounding factors. In conclusion, TLM is very important factor in maintaining BMD in subjects aged 50 years or older in men and postmenopausal women.