• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.294-294
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• 2017

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the main agricultural crops in Asian countries, including Korea, and is considered as the most important staple food in the world. Rice is also processed into flour, which is consumed through various foods such as cake, noodle, bread, and confectionary. Rice flour quality is highly dependent on variety and milling conditions. Producing rice flour with fine particles is more difficult than wheat flour because of its grain hardness. The Korean rice varieties representing different amylose contents were selected for this study. The relationship between the morphological and starch characteristics of rice kernels and the appropriate varieties for producing good-quality, dry-milled rice flour were examined. The hardness of the rice kernels was determined by measuring the pressure at the grain breakage point. The damaged starch content of the rice flour was determined using a Megazyme starch damage assay kit. The particle-size distribution of the rice flour was measured as the volume-base distribution using a laser-diffraction particle size analyzer. The mean particle-size distribution of the dry-milled flour obtained was between $65.3{\sim}105.1{\mu}m$ among the rice varieties. The opaque, non-glutinous, Seolgaeng rice demonstrated a narrow peak at the fine size, whereas the entire particle-distribution range for other varieties was wide. Seolgaeng exhibited significantly lower damaged starch content of dry-milled flour than the other varieties (p < 0.05). Seolgaeng showed lowest in energy consumption on rice flour production with 200 mesh particle size. Accordingly, it is possible to produce dry-milled rice flour which is similar to wheat flour that would considerably reduce milling costs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2008

Human hair experience tensile forces during combing, bleaching and permanent dyeing processes. We have used rheometer to characterize bleached hair tensile response. Also, we investigated to morphological changes after tensile test of virgin hair and bleached hair using scanning electron microscopy. In tensile test, the tensile strength of virgin hair was $14.66g/cm^2$. They were measured as $12.95g/cm^2$, $12.61g/cm^2$ and $11.43g/cm^2$ for after the first, the second and the third trials of bleaching were done, respectively. Virgin hair had a higher tensile force than bleached hair. Tensile strength got lowered as more bleaching trials were done. In the observation of scanning electron microscopy, the fracture and lift-off of the cuticle outer layer were shown in virgin hair and bleached hair. The bleached hair were more lifted off at the outer cuticle layer than virgin hair. Consequently, chemical damage of bleaching agent caused weakening of the outer cuticle in the hair.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.44-58
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the protective effects of Chongmyunggongjin-dan (CMGJD) on Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis mechanisms in C6 glial cells. Method: We used CMGJD after distilled water extraction, filtration, and lyophilization. The ROS scavenging effect was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Expression levels of proteins related to ROS generation were investigated by western blotting. Functional changes in organelles related to Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were investigated by immunoblotting and by verifying expression level of relevant enzymes. Results: The CMGJD extract protected the cells against H₂O₂-induced morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, inhibited the increase of Heme_oxygenase-1(HO^-1) and the decrease in catalase, protected against the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited disturbances of lysosomal function, and induced an increase in peroxisomes. Conclusion: CMGJD was confirmed to have a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced C6 glial cell death possibly by blocking the pathways causing damage to subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. We assume that CMGJD will be effective for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke in a clinical environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6301-6306
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• 2014

Cervical cancer is one the most common malignancies among females. In recent years, its incidence rate has shown a rising trend in some countries so that development of anticancer drugs for cervical cancer is an urgent priority. In our recent anticancer drug discovery screen, 1, 2-di (quinazolin-4-yl)diselane (LG003) was found to possess wide spectrum anticancer efficacy. In the present work, the in vitro anticancer activity of LG003 was evaluated in the SiHa cervical cancer cell line. Compared with commercial anticancer drugs 10-hydroxycamptothecin, epirubicin hydrochloride, taxol and oxaliplatin, LG003 showed better anticancer activity. Furthermore, inhibition effects were time- and dose-dependent. Morphological observation exhibited LG003 treatment results in apoptosis like shrinking and blebbing, and cell membrane damage. Lactate dehydrogenase release assay revealed that LG003 exerts such effects in SiHa cells through a physiology pathway rather than cytotoxicity, which suggests that title compound LG003 can be a potential candidate agent for cervical cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1947-1959
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, being the second most common type of cancer worldwide in both men and women. It accounts yearly for approximately 9% of all new cases of cancers. Furthermore, the current chemotherapeutic regimens seem unsatisfactory, so that exploration of novel therapeutic modalities is needed. The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effects of a crude alkaloid extract (CAERS) of a medicinal herb, Rhazya stricta, on proliferation of CRC HCT116 cells and to elucidate mechanisms of action. To achieve these aims, we utilized MTT, comet, DNA laddering and gene reporter assays, along with Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. Results: We found that CAERS inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death in HCT116 cells. Hallmarks of morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis were clearly evident. CAERS down-regulated DNA-binding and transcriptional activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 proteins, while up-regulating expression of the Nrf-2 protein. It also down-regulated expression levels of the ERK MAPK, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, CDK-4, survivin and VEGF and up-regulated levels of Bax, caspase-3/7 and -9, p53, p21, Nrf-2. Markedly, it promoted mRNA expression levels of cytoprotective genes including the hemeoxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 and UDP-glucuronyltransferase. Conclusions: These findings indicate that CAERS exerts antiproliferative action on CRC cells through induction of apoptotic mechanisms, and suggest CAERS could be a promising agent for studying and developing novel chemotherapeutic agents aimed at novel molecular targets for the treatment of CRC.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2020

In September 2017, a heavy damage by premature defoliation with the zonate leaf spots was observed in several shrubs of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya growing at Mt. Obongsan in Chuncheon, Korea. Numerous cone-shaped, white sporophores of a fungus were observed on lesions of the abaxial leaf surface. A similar fungus was isolated in September 2019 from the leaves of L. cyrtobotrya growing at Mt. Taegisan in Hoengseong, Korea. The morphological characteristics of the sporophores were consistent with those of Grovesinia moricola. The species identification was confirmed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA from the two isolates (KACC48417 and KACC48934). The fungal pathogenicity was determined by an artificial inoculation in conditions of relative humidity and temperature of 100% and 15±2℃, respectively. This is the first report of association of G. moricola with L. cyrtobotrya in Korea.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.275-288
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• 1995

The inhibitory effect of cell wall extracts of streptococci, have been investigated to know host-parasite relationship or pathogenesis of abscess formation. Streptococci isolated from the infected root canals were sonicated to get cell wall extracts which have been known as one of the factors of pyogenesis. Lymphocytes separated by density gradient were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and exposed to cell wall extracts of Streptococcus sanguis, S. mitis, S. uberis, S. mutans (ATCC 10449), and S. faecalis (ATCC 19433). [$^3H$]-thymidine uptake of lymphocytes was analyzed with scintillation counter and lactate dehyrogenase (LD) activity was measured with autochemistry analyzer. S. faeealis had the strongest inhibitory effect. beginning at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration of sonic extracts. S. sanguis and S. mitis had inhibitory effect at $300\;{\mu}g/ml$, while S. uberis and S. mutans showed no inhibitory, effect on DNA syntheis even at $300\;{\mu}g/ml$. Each streptococci showed different inhibitory effect on the DNA synthesis of lymphocytes, which finding indicated wide spectrum of susceptibility of lymphocytes according to streptococcus spp. There were no significant difference of LD activities between control and each streptococcal extracts. Streptococcal sonic extracts did not affect the morphological findings or number of colonies activated lymphocytes. These finding suggested the inhibitory effect of sonic extract of streptococci to lymphocytes could be detected by DNA synthesis inhibition, not by cellular membrane damage.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.249-254
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• 1997

ABA-type block copolymers composed of poly(L-leucine)(PLL) as the A component and poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) as the B component were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-leucine N-carboxyanhydride initiated by primary amino group located at both ends of PEG chain. A silver sulfadiazine(AgSD)-impregnated wound dressing of sponge-type was prepared by the lyophilization method. Morphological structure of this wound dressing obtained by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was composed of a dense skin layer and a macroporous inner sponge layer. Equilibrium water content(EWC) of wound dressing was above 10%. It increased with an increased of PEO content in the block copolymer due to the hydrophilicity of PEO. AgSD release from AgSD- impregnated wound dressing in PBS buffer(pH=7.4) was dependent on PEG composition in the block copolymer. Therefore, EWC and release of AgSD can be control by PEG composition. Antibacterial capacity of AgSD-impregnated wound dressing was examined in agar plate against Pseudmonas aeruginosa and Stapplococus aruous. Cytotoxicity of the wound dressing was evaluated by studing mouse skin fibroblast(L929). From the behavior of antimicrobial releasing and the investigation of the suppression of bacterial proliferation, it was supposed that the wound dressing containing antibiotics could protect the wound surfaces from bacterial invasion to suppress the bacterial proliferation effectively. In cytotoxicity observation, cellular damage was reduced by the control led released of AgSD from the LEL sponge matrix of AgSD-medicated wound dressing. In vivo test, granulous tissue formation and wound contraction or the AgSD and DHEA impregnated wound dressing were aster than any other groups.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.67-73
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• 2011

This study was performed to assess the neuroprotective effects of methanolic extracts from sweet persimmon peel (PPE) against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in hybridoma N18-RE-105 cells. The neuroprotective effects of PPE in N18-RE-105 cells were measured using the MTT reduction assay, LDH release assay, and phase-contrast microscopy. The results of the MTT reduction assay showed that treating cells with 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ PPE resulted in cell viability of 66.9%. Additionally, the morphological changes and the results of the LDH release assay showed that glutamate-induced damage to nerve cells was strongly inhibited by PPE. GSH content of N18-RE-105 cells was 3.5 ${\mu}M$ compared to that of the control, whereas pretreatment with 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ PPE increased GSH content by 4.7 ${\mu}M$. PPE was fractionated with hexane, and that layer had the highest neuroprotective effects in glutamate-stressed N18-RE-105 cells. In conclusion, our data showed that glutamate potentiated the effects of N18-RE-105 cell death by a mechanism involving oxidative stress. Therefore, PPE may be a potential candidate for prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.288-298
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• 2014

We examined the efficacy of a bacterium for biocontrol of the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne hapla in carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Among 542 bacterial isolates from various soils and plants, the highest nematode mortality was observed for treatments with isolate C1-7, which was identified as Bacillus cereus based on cultural and morphological characteristics, the Biolog program, and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses. The population density and the nematicidal activity of B. cereus C1-7 remained high until the end of culture in brain heart infusion broth, suggesting that it may have sustainable biocontrol potential. In pot experiments, the biocontrol efficacy of B. cereus C1-7 was high, showing complete inhibition of root gall or egg mass formation by RKN in carrot and tomato plants, and subsequently reducing RKN damage and suppressing nematode population growth, respectively. Light microscopy of RKN-infected carrot root tissues treated with C1-7 showed reduced formation of gall cells and fully developed giant cells, while extensive gall cells and fully mature giant cells with prominent cell wall ingrowths formed in the untreated control plants infected with RKNs. These histopathological characteristics may be the result of residual or systemic biocontrol activity of the bacterium, which may coincide with the biocontrol efficacies of nematodes in pots. These results suggest that B. cereus C1-7 can be used as a biocontrol agent for M. hapla.