• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.522-529
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• 2008

High-temperature requirement A2(HtrA2) has been known as a human homologue of bacterial HtrA that has a molecular chaperone function. HtrA2 is mitochondrial serine protease that plays a significant role in regulating the apoptosis; however, the physiological function of HtrA2 still remains elusive. To establish experimental system for the investigation of new insights into the function of HtrA2 in mammalian cells, we first obtained $HtrA2^{+/+}$ and $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF cells lines and identified those cells based on the expression pattern and subcellular localization of HtrA2, using immunoblot and biochemical assays. Additionally, we observed that the morphological characteristics of $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF cells are different form those of $HtrA2^{+/+}$ MEF cells, showing a rounded shape instead of a typical fibroblast-like shape. Growth rate of $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF cells was also 1.4-fold higher than that of $HtrA2^{+/+}$ MEF cells at 36 hours. Furthermore, we verified both MEF cell lines induced caspsase-dependent cell death in response to apoptotic stimuli such as heat shock, staurosporine, and rotenone. The relationship between HtrA2 and heat shock-induced cell death is the first demonstration of the research field of HtrA2. Our study suggests that those MEF cell lines are suitable reagents to further investigate the molecular mechanism by which HtrA2 regulates the balance between cell death and survival.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.449-455
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• 2010

'Moulinrouge' was selected as the best regenerating cultivar among 18 different spray-type chrysanthemum cultivars bred in the Gyeongnam Flowers Breeding Research Institute. When the leaf explants from standard- and spray-type chrysanthemum 'Jinba' and 'Moulinrouge' were incubated on MS basal medium supplemented with $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA and $1.0mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NAA, both 'Jinba' and 'Moulinrouge' induced adventitious shoots that can be regenerated into plantlets. Based on these regeneration conditions, we developed an efficient $Agrobacterium$-mediated chrysanthemum 'Moulinrouge' transformation method by using sequential selection of shoots from low ($10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) to high ($30mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) concentrations of kanamycin after co-cultivation of leaf explants with $Agrobacterium$ for 10 days and induction of shoots. All kanamycin resistant plants investigated with genomic PCR analysis carried the report gene, $AtSICKLE$, in their genome. Although expression levels of the report gene in the transgenic plants investigated with RT-PCR were relatively low because of inefficiency of CaMV 35S promoter in chrysanthemum, transgenic lines expressing $AtSICKLE$ efficiently showed leaf epinasty phenotype. We expect that our results will provide a useful method that can perform a high-throughput investigation of genes isolated and studied well in model plants for molecular breeding of chrysanthemum.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.607-616
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• 2013

Light with two faces, beneficial and harmful effects is an important signal for every living cell. Optimal adaptation to light environment enhances the fitness of an organism and survival in nature. Understandings of light quality and plant growth provide with the economical guides for artificial light sources like LEDs. Compared with those under white light, the 1 week seedlings of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) under monochromic red and blue light showed normal development and growth. In contrast to extremely long and etiolated hypocotyls of the seedlings under dark, those under far-red etiolated were extremely short. Based on the microarray analysis, blue light induced the vigorous development and growth and two fold changes of transcripts than red light condition. To have insight of gene products under different light qualities conditions, GO term enrichments were calculated and each gene according to their GO terms were categorized. The blue and red lights affected the expressions of genes related to biological process. Especially, the genes related to metabolic process and developmental process and plastid and chloroplast in the cellular component category were induced under blue light. This study provided the molecular biological evidence for various light qualities on the growing process of B. rapa.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the accurate quantification of vitamin A in infant formula by comparing two different standard stock solutions as well as various sample weights using high performance liquid chromatography. The sources of uncertainty in measurement, such as sample weight, final smaple vloume, and the instrumental results, were identified and used as parameters to determine the combined standard uncertainty based on GUM(guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement) and the Draft EURACHEM/CITAC Guide. The uncertainty components in measuring were identified as standard weight, purity, molecular weight, dilution of the standard solution, calibration curve, recovery, reproducibility, sample weight, and final sample volume. Each uncertainty component was evaluated for type A and type B and included to calculate the combined uncertainty. The analytical results and combined standard uncertainties of vitamin A according to the two different methods of stock solution preparation were 627 ${\pm}$ 33 ${\mu}$g R.E./100 g for 1,000 mg/L of stock solution, and 627 ${\pm}$ 49 ${\mu}$g R.E./100 g for 100 mg/L of stock solution. The analytical results and combined standard uncertainties of vitamin A according to the various sample weighs were 622 ${\pm}$ 48 ${\mu}$g R.E./100 g, 627 ${\pm}$ 33 ${\mu}$g R.E./100 g, and 491 ${\pm}$ 23 ${\mu}$g R.E./100 g for 1 g, 2 g, and 5 g of sampling, respectively. These data indicate that the preparation method of standard stock solution and the smaple amount were main sources of uncertainty in the analysis results for vitamin A. Preparing 1,000 mg/L of stock solution for standard material sampling rather than 100 mg, and sampling not more than 2 g of infant formula, would be effective for reducing differences in the results as well as uncertainty.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.37-50
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• 2016

Recognizing the problem of fallacy in geographical name of Changokbyeong(蒼玉屛), assumption has been made on the location of Changokbyeong through literature research on antique maps, ancient paintings, and old prose, through field survey on rock inscriptions and landscape characteristics, and through interviews with local people. Furthermore, Baegyeonwa, the Cuckoo Hut, and Iyangjung(二養亭), an annex to the cottage, both of which were managed by Saahm Park Soon(思菴 朴淳), the Subject of Jouissance, were studied in depth with emphasis on the spatial structure as well as special features of the area as a garden. The major findings are as follows: Changokbyeong is a spatial threshold that imparts a sense of unity with Okbyeng seowon(玉屛書院) and indeed Changokbyeong is presumed to have been the frontal river terrace of Okbyeng seowon according to the analysis of antique maps and rock inscriptions. This ancient location and the Ogari Stone Wall, the present day Changokbyeong, are only 460m away so that both areas are considered as falling under the influence of Changokbyeong landscape. The expression "Changokbyeong Geupsangeum(蒼玉屛及散襟)" written in an old prose tells us that the high rock wall with Sangeumdae inscribed on the rock might be the rock wall of Changokbyeong. In addition, while not a single rock inscription has been found on the Ogari Stone Wall, 11 rock inscriptions designed and ordered by Saahm Park Soon, the Subject of Jouissance, are found on every corner of the high rock wall standing in front of Okbyeng seowon, 8 of those 11 being place names and recitative poems(known as Jeyeongsi: 題詠詩) in close formation resembling the handwritings in a little notebook. This provides a strong evidence for assuming the location of Changokbyeong to be the frontal river terrace of Okbyeng seowon. The "Songgyun Jeoljo Suwol Jeongshin(松筠節調 水月精神)" rock inscription on Changokbyeong should be considered as the stamping ground and as the symbolic language of Changokbyeong that bears the high character and nobility of the Subject of Jouissance, Saahm Park Soon. The inscription should also be recognized as the handwritings of Wooahm Song Si-Yeol(尤庵 宋時烈) correcting the misconceptions that persisted until today. Meanwhile, the garden remains of Saahm's Changokbyeong are composed of four sites: Sangeumdae-Sugyeongdae-Cheonghakdae-Baekhakdae from the left. At the back of Sangeumdae, there is the original house, the Baegyeonwa(拜鵑窩), and on the fantastically shaped stone wall at the left of Baekhakdae, there is the annex, the Iyangjung, together creating a landscape composition that overlooks the splendor of the Ogari Stone Wall. The Iyangjung is located on the highest spot to the left of the four sites, and it is believed to have been a little outhouse and library for Saahm which remains to the present day as a place where Saahm's character can be felt. The drinking plates[窪樽] made of rock that are affectionately arranged on the broad flat rock in front of Iyangjung is part of the garden remains that reflects the artistic taste of Saahm regarding the drinking culture at the time.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2015

The present study aimed to investigate comparative anti-inflammatory effects of Litsea japonica fruit and leaf extract considering the balance of safety and efficacy. Dose response studies were performed to determine the inhibitory effects of 70% EtOH extract of leaf (L70%) on the pro-inflammatory enzymes expression, COX-2/PGE2 and NO/iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines production, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined comparative effects of 30 and 70% EtOH extract of fruits (F30% and F70%) at low concentration ($10{\mu}g/ml$ ) in the same conditions. L70% at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed inhibitory effects on almost all the inflammatory mediators we examined except for COX-2 regulation, but there were no effects at $10{\mu}g/ml$. Since $100{\mu}g/ml$ of L70% have 18.2% cytotoxicity, we compared the effects of fruit extract, F30% and F70% at $10{\mu}g/ml$ on the regulation of NO/iNOS, PGE2, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and obtained that fruit extacts are more efficacious and safe than leaf. This study suggests that the 30% EtOH fraction of L. japonica fruit could be a good candidate for development as a functional food supplement in the prevention of inflammatory disorders.

• The Critical Review of Religion and Culture
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• no.31
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• pp.255-287
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• 2017

This paper analyzes the religious circuit of suicidal concept based on verbal expression and ritual acts, which are found in the suicide discourse of Korean Catholic Church and Protestant Church. In the relationship of suicide and religion, it is easily overlooked the religious circuit and its construction that forms the concept of suicide among the religious laymen. It is assumed that the belief system of traditional religions prohibits suicide and the laymen accordingly construct a perception or concept of suicide along with this belief system. Various studies on this subject have proved it. However, in order to understand the religious way of constructing the concept of suicide on a personal level, it is necessary to pay attention to the religious environment in which the concepts and emotions of suicide circulate. The laymen do not passively and perfectly accept the finely established suicide concept provided by the doctrine or the theology. Rather, the laymen tend to collect the pieces of concept over the suicide that are drifting in the religious environment of his/her daily routine life and to make an concept of suicide in an incomplete form. We can find the unstable and imperfect traits of such a suicide concept through the experience of suicide survivors who have a religious background. For the suicide survivors with religious beliefs, they resist the formal doctrinal and theological provisions to suicide, or try to understand the notion of suicide in their own contexts. In terms of linguistic expressions and ritual acts relating to suicide, the attentions are differently directed in the public and the private domain among the religious groups. Considering on the high rates of suicide in Korean society, the Korean Catholic Churches are increasingly tolerant over the suicide and accept it in the public sphere. It is unlikely when comparing to the negative attitudes of the suicide in the past. However, such tolerance does not go beyond the doctrinal and ethical judgment that defines suicide as a serious sin. The once-committed lay believer's speech and gestures usually contain the various emotions, such as sadness, grief, anxiety, regretfulness, eagerness, and pain in the private spheres. The language and gestures with these emotions have been activated in the religious circuits of suicide, being extended to the religious apparatus for the person who died of suicide. In case of Protestantism, the institutional organizations, such as the particular denominations and the individual-churchism of the Korean Protestant Churches, and their own interpretations of the Bible have in the private sphere strongly effected on the linguistic expressions and the rituals related to the suicide. The religious-ethical judgment of the suicide is varied how the suicide is interpreted by the theologians and the pastors. And the ritual acts for healing the complex feelings and the psychological wounds of the suicide survivors are not actively explored and adopted yet. It makes harder to approach and heal the protestant followers since they emphasize the innermost belief and the salvation assurance faith.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2019

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) has a intrinsic function of inducing growth and proliferation of cells through interacting with cell membrane receptors in human epidermis and dermis layer. These functions of EGF are used as a main ingredient for wound healing medicines and anti-aging cosmetics. As a cosmetic ingredient, the EGF has a problem in exhibiting its natural efficacy due to the lack of the ability to penetrate through the stratum corneum, which is known as the skin barrier. In this study, a recombinant human epidermal growth factor ($MTD_{151}-EGF$) fused with the macromolecule transduction domain $(MTD)_{151}$ with the skin penetration ability was developed to improve the skin penetration efficiency of the EGF. Expression of $MTD_{151}-EGF$ was performed in E. coli transformed with a vector encoding the $MTD_{151}-EGF$ gene and then purified. The purified $MTD_{151}-EGF$ was evaluated using cell proliferation assay, cytotoxicity test and skin penetration test by franz diffusion cell assay and artificial skin. Cell proliferation activity of $MTD_{151}-EGF$ purified to high purity of 99% or above was equivalent to the EGF or better, and cytotoxicity was not observed. In addition, the $MTD_{151}-EGF$ showed an excellent penetration efficiency compared to the EGF in the skin penetration test with EGF and $MTD_{151}-EGF$ labeled by FITC in an artificial skin penetration model. Based on the quantitative analysis of the penetrating substance using franz diffusion cell assay, the amount of penetration was about 16 times more than that of EGF. These results can be regarded as an effective alternative to improve the existing physical transdermal penetration method related to the use of various active ingredients for cosmetics.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2019

Fruit ripening is a genetically programmed process involving a number of biochemical and physiological processes assisted by variations in gene expression and enzyme activities. This process generally affects the phytochemical profile and the bioactive principles in fruits and vegetables. To appraise the variation in bioactive principles of fruits from Rosa rugosa during its ripening process, we analyzed the changes in antioxidant and anti-elastase activities and polyphenolic compounds during the four ripening stages of fruits. Overall, an extract of unripe fruits contained the highest levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, radical scavenging activity, reducing power, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, and elastase inhibitory activity, compared with the extracts of fruits at other stages of ripening. Additionally, we found that the reduction of flavonoid content occurs because of decreased transcriptional levels of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway during the ripening process. Based on HPLC analysis, we found that the extract of unripe fruits contained the highest amount of myricetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid and suggested that the antioxidant and anti-elastase activities of the extract obtained from stage 1, should be mediated by the presence of these compounds. Additionally, we analyzed the interaction sites and patterns between these compounds and elastase using the structure-based molecular docking approach, and suggested that chlorogenic acid strongly interacted with elastase. Together, these findings suggest that the maturity of fruits has profound effects on the pharmaceutical value of R. rugosa.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.555-563
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of an ethanol extract of Elaeagnus umbellata leaves (EUL-EE) on skin-related biological activities. Previously, we have reported that gallic acid was the major phenolic compound in EUL-EE through quantitative analysis and that EUL-EE had an inhibitory effect against the proliferation of liver cancer HepG2 cells. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of EUL-EE on melanin production and tyrosinase activity in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulated hormone-stimulated B16-F0 cells were determined to assess the effects of EUL-EE on skin whitening. The anti-wrinkle effect using UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells was examined by the expression of type I procollagen and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 release. The EUL-EE significantly decreased intracellular melanin production (33.0% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$) when compared with untreated B16-F0 cells. Tyrosinase activities in the stimulated B16-F0 cells were also decreased by EUL-EE (47.8% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$). The EUL-EE also dose-dependently increased the production of type I procollagen (up to 1.74-fold at $250{\mu}g/ml$) in CCD-986sk cells when compared with UVB-irradiated controls. EUL-EE showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to $500{\mu}g/ml$. In addition, EUL-EE at $10-500{\mu}g/ml$ inhibited the release of MMP-1 to the medium from UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells. Taken together, these observations indicate that EUL-EE has high potential for use as inner beauty and cosmetic materials due to its whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.