• Atmosphere
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.229-240
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• 2021

The Global Ocean Data Assimilation and Prediction System (GODAPS) in operation at the KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) is introduced. GODAPS consists of ocean model, ice model, and 3-d variational ocean data assimilation system. GODAPS assimilates conventional and satellite observations for sea surface temperature and height, observations of sea-ice concentration, as well as temperature and salinity profiles for the ocean using a 24-hour data assimilation window. It finally produces ocean analysis fields with a resolution of 0.25 ORCA (tripolar) grid and 75-layer in depth. This analysis is used for providing a boundary condition for the atmospheric model of the KMA Global Seasonal Forecasting System version 5 (GloSea5) in addition to monitoring on the global ocean and ice. For the purpose of evaluating the quality of ocean analysis produced by GODAPS, a one-year data assimilation experiment was performed. Assimilation of global observing system in GODAPS results in producing improved analysis and forecast fields with reduced error in terms of RMSE of innovation and analysis increment. In addition, comparison with an unassimilated experiment shows a mostly positive impact, especially over the region with large oceanic variability.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2021

The seasonal and vertical biomass of marine forest seaweeds were examined to select a suitable species at 12 sites of the South Sea in Korea between 2018 and 2019. The Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) was also calculated in terms of biomass for six species (three kelp and three Sargassum species). A total of 16 marine forest-forming species including four kelp and 12 Sargassum species were observed at the 12 sites. The average annual seaweed biomass by season and depth ranged from 843.73-2,925.85 g wet wt. m^-2 at the eastern South Sea and from 343.87-4,580.10 g wet wt. m^-2 at the western South Sea. In the kelp species, the Ecklonia cava biomass was predominant, followed by E. stolonifera. The macroalgal species with the greatest biomass was Sargassum macrocarpum, followed by S. horneri. The HSI values of E. stolonifera were between 0.76-1.0 at eight sites and those of E. cava were 0.58-0.92 at four sites, indicating that E. stolonifera was more suitable than E. cava. In the HSI values of the Sargassum species, S. horneri ranged between 0.84-1.0 at all 12 sites and the S. macrocarpum values were between 0.68-0.99. The results indicate that E. cava and S. macrocarpum were the most suitable for the marine forest construction in terms of the seaweed biomass, and E. stolonifera and S. horneri in terms of the HSI values. Thus, we suggest that seaweed biomass and HSI values should be considered when choosing suitable forest-forming species.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic intractable skin disease caused by various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as IL-17A secreted from Th17 cells and is characterized by hyperkeratosis and chronic inflammation of the epidermis. Brazilin, an active ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L., is known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and function in skin barrier improvement. In particular, it was shown as a potential material for treating psoriasis in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. However, the direct regulation of the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, a psoriasis-inducing factor, by brazilin has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppression of CCL20 and the regulatory mechanism by brazilin using a psoriasis-like model. First, brazilin downregulated CCL20 and CXCL8 in IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner by inhibiting signal transducer and transcription (STAT)3 phosphorylation. In addition, brazilin significantly inhibited the expression of psoriasis-related genes CXCL8, CCL20, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, brazilin also had a positive effect on improving the skin barrier in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. The above results indicated that brazilin ultimately downregulated CCL20 expression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and also suppressed the expression of psoriasis-induced cytokines. If the efficacy of brazilin in improving psoriasis is verified through animal models and clinical trials in the future, it may represent a potentially therapeutic substance for psoriasis patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal digestible energy levels on pregnancy mares. Physical changes and fecal microorganism in pregnant horse and changes in birth characteristics of neonatal foals were investigated. The experiment was conducted by 18 mares (Jeju corssed bred, older than 36 months) into three treatment groups. The experimental diet consisted of 80%, 100%, 120% digestible energy levels based on NRC. The average daily intake was lower in the 120% (8.75±1.01) than the 100% (9.34±0.92), 80% (9.14±0.88) and there was significant difference (p<0.05). The feed efficiency was lower in the 120% than 80%, 100% (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride was higher in 120% than others (p<0.05). However there were no health problem and there was no difference between the treatment groups in the birth characteristics of neonatal foals. At the phylum level, Fibrobactres was difference by digestible energy levels, 80% (8.53%) was higher than 100%, 120%. At the genus level, Bacteroides and Kineothrix increased in fecal proportions with increasing digestible energy levels (p<0.05). Fibrobacter showed higher composition at 80% than 100% and 120% (p<0.05).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.532-541
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• 2022

Obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) is verified as a strong risk factor and negative prognostic factor for prostate cancer in several genetically engineered mice although it was not examined in the normal mice. To investigate whether HFD-induced obesity can affect the development and progression of cancer in the prostate of normal mice, alterations in the weight and histological structure of the prostate as well as the expression of cancer-related proteins were analyzed in obese C57BL/6N mice fed with 60% HFD for 16 weeks. First, HFD-induced obesity, including an increase in organ weight, body weight, fat accumulation, and serum lipid profile, was successfully induced in C57BL/6N mice after HFD treatment. The total weight of the prostate significantly increased HFD-induced obesity in the model mice compared with the control group. Among the four lobes of the prostate, the weight of the ventral prostate (VP) and anterior prostate (AP) were higher in HFD-induced obesity model mice than in the control group, although the weights of the lateral prostate (DLP) and seminal vesicle (SV) were constantly maintained. In addition, the incidences of hyperplasia and non-hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the histological structure were remarkably increased in HFD-induced obesity model mice, while the epithelial thickness was higher in the same group. A significant increase in the phosphorylation levels of key proteins in the AKT (protein kinase B) signaling pathway was detected in HFD-induced obesity model mice. Therefore, these results suggest that HFD-induced obesity can promote hyperplasia and NHL in the prostates of C57BL/6N mice through the activation of the AKT signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2021

Wrinkle formation and dryness are the most well-known symptoms of skin aging. This study investigated skin anti-aging and moisturizing effects of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus L.), the national flower of Korea. The effect of H. syriacus L. flower extract was examined in skin cells originating from humans in vitro and in hairless mice exposed to UVB in vivo. The in vivo study results showed that skin hydration-related factors such as involucrin, filaggrin, HAS1, HYAL1, and matrix metalloproteinase-I (a primary skin photoaging factor) were regulated by H. syriacus L. Additionally, epidermal thickness and collagen disruption, which resulted in wrinkle formation and skin dryness, were ameliorated by oral administration of H. syriacus L. These results indicate that H. syriacus L. flowers can play important roles in preventing aging and promoting skin moisturizing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.418-424
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• 2021

Skin inflammation (dermatitis) is caused by varying skin damage due to ultraviolet radiation and microbial infection. Currently prescribed drugs for dermatitis include anti-histamine and steroid drug classes that soothe inflammation. However, incorrect or prolonged use of steroids can cause weakening of skin barriers as well as osteoporosis. Therefore, treating dermatitis with a drug that has minimal side effects is important. Statins, also known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been widely treated for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory effects of statins in both experimental and clinical models for of osteoarthritis. This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin and fluvastatin in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), which are crucial components of skin barriers. Stimulation of HaCaT cells with IL-1β increased the expression of the COX2 protein, a major player of inflammatory responses. However, this induction of the COX2 protein was downregulated by pretreatments with atorvastatin and fluvastatin. Treatment with IL-1ß-induced the upregulation of other inflammatory genes (such as iNOS and MMP-1) and these expressions were similarly lowered by these two statin drug treatments. Taken together, these results indicated that atorvastatin and fluvastatin can reduce IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, the findings suggest that atorvastatin and fluvastatin can be potential modulators for ameliorating skin inflammation.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.47-66
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• 2023

This study reviews prior studies on the residential environment characteristics, residential satisfaction, residential ownership consciousness and housing movement of MZ generation and analyze the structural equation models using the 2020 Korea Housing Survey data. Using 14 residential characteristics based on three classifications, we explore the effects on residential satisfaction, residential ownership consciousness, and housing movement. The empirical results are summarized as follows. First, based on factor analysis with Varimax of principal component analysis, parking facility items were excluded from the analysis by hindering validity, and as a result, KMO was 0.925 and Bartlett's test result showed a significant probability of less than 0.01. This indicates that the factor analysis model was suitable. Second, the results of the structural equation analysis for the MZ generation show that the surrounding environment, which is a potential variable of the residential environment characteristics, was statistically significant, but the accessibility and convenience were not statistically significant. Third, we find that the higher the satisfaction with the accessibility of commercial facilities, the more significant the sense of housing ownership appears. This suggests that the younger generation such as the MZ generation has a stronger desire for consumption. Fourth, the overall housing satisfaction of the MZ generation was significant for housing movement, but not for housing ownership. Compared to the industrialized generation, the baby boom generation, and the X generation, MZ generation shows distinct factors for housing satisfaction, housing ownership, and housing movement. Therefore, the residential environment characteristics of the residential survey should be improved and supplemented following the trend of the times. In addition, the government and local governments should prioritize actively participating in the housing market that suits the environment and characteristics of the target generation. Finally, our study provides implications regarding the need for housing-related research on how differ in special temporal situations such as COVID-19 in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.855-864
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• 2022

The pharmacological efficacy of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. has been verified in only several fields including photoaging, inflammation, hepatotoxicity, acute gastritis and osseointegration. To identify the novel functions of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. on anti-obesity, inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation and stimulatory effect on lipolysis were investigated in MDI (3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin) stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with methanol extracts of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. (MED). Lipogenic targets, including lipid accumulation, level of lipogenic transcription factors, and expression of lipogenic regulators, were downregulated in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with MED without any significant cytotoxicity. Also, MED treatment inhibited the mRNA levels of adipogenic targets including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α, as well as lipogeic targets including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A similar decrease patterns were detected in Oil red O stained lipid droplets of MED treated MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, several lipolytic targets, such as cAMP concentration, concentration of free glycerol, expression level of lipases, including ATGL, perilipin and HSL, were upregulated in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with MED. These results show that MED has a novel role as a lipogenesis inhibitor and lipolysis stimulator in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 1989

Tobacco and ginseng plants differed in responses to varied light intensities. Tobacco showed high in CO$_2$ uptake and RuBPCase activity at 1900 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/, being high by 3.7 times and 2.7 times than ginseng respectively. Close positive relationships existed between CO$_2$ uptake and RuBPCase activity in tobacco. However, ginseng showed negative correlation. The activity of glycolate oxidase and malate dehydrogenase in tobacco was high at 1900 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/, but those of ginseng was high at 1000 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/. Nitrate reductase activity of tobacco at 1900 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/ was 2 times higher than that at 500 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/, while that of ginseng was no detected in all plots. The content of protein and chlorophyll in tobacco was 2.2 times and 1.5 times higher than in ginseng at the most efficient light intensity. The ratio of chlorophyll a/b in tobacco was low at 500 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/, while that of ginseng was low at 1000 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/. The relationships between protein and chlorophyll was high positive correlation. However, on 5 days after treatment, ginseng showed negative correlation at 500 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/. Tobacco and ginseng showed different leaf soluble protein patterns on SDS-gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of two major band were 50 KD and 15 KD in both plants. The major bands in tobacco were thinned at 500 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/, while those in ginseng thinned at 1000 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/ from 15days after treatment. Disappeared band was 45 KD at 500 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/ in tobacco, but that of ginseng was 47 KD at 1000 ${\mu}$ E m/sup-2/ sec$\^$-1/.