• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2022

Objectives : This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against restraint-induced stress. Methods : In vivo, NSCE was orally administered to male white mice at concentrations of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then restraint-induced stress was induced for 6 hours. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The stress-related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were measured by ELISA assay. Also, western blot analysis was performed to detect expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver tissue, and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to examine liver inflammation through macrophage infiltration. Results : The AST, ALT, LDH and the stress related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were significantly decreased in the NSCE treated group compared with stress group. In histological analysis, H&E staining of liver tissues did not detect the hepatic injury or damage in all groups. As a result of IHC staining, it was confirmed that infiltration of macrophages was increased in the stress-induced group, but decreased in the group treated with NSCE. The COX-2 and MAPK proteins expression was significantly increased by restraint-induced stress, but these proteins were decreased in the NSCE treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that NSCE has the anti-inflammatory activity in restraint-induced stress model, and it is believed that NSCE can be used for the prevention of liver inflammation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.763-777
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• 2022

Objective: Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms. Methods: The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 2022

Major egg white proteins and their hydrolysates serve as functional food ingredients that have certain metal-chelating properties. Employing egg white proteins and their hydrolysates to scavenge dietary oxalates is anticipated to have beneficial effect in the prevention of kidney stones. The objective of this study was to determine the biogenic oxalate-chelating activity of ovalbumin, ovomucin, and ovotransferrin and their hydrolysates. To prepare oxalate extracts, 30 mL of 0.25 N HCl was added to separately to 0.5 g of dried spinach and starfruit powders followed by boiling for 15 min, and after cooling, the addition of a further 20 mL of 0.25 N HCl. Having prepared these extracts, ovalbumin, ovomucin, and ovotransferrin and their hydrolysates were separately mixed with oxalate extracts and incubated at 3℃ for 24 h. Following centrifugation, supernatants were analyzed by HPLC using a reverse-phase C18 column coupled with a diode array detector. We found that all assessed proteins and their hydrolysates showed biogenic oxalate-chelating activity against the oxalates of spinach. In contrast, however, only ovalbumin, ovalbumin-hydrolysate, and ovomucin showed chelating activity (57.10%±8.84%, 85.44%±5.30%, 73.20%±4.13%, respectively) against the oxalates of starfruit (P<0.05). Overall, hydrolyzed ovalbumin was identified as the most effective chelator of the oxalates both spinach and starfruit. In this study, we thus established that the assessed egg white proteins and their hydrolysates have oxalate-chelating activity in vitro, thereby indicating that these compounds have potential utility as nutraceuticals for the chelation of dietary oxalate. However, further research will be necessary to verify their oxalate-chelating activities against different fruits and vegetables and under specific in vivo conditions and against purified oxalate.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.43-52
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• 2022

Recently, the government has been expanding the supply of hydrogen vehicles according to the roadmap for vitalizing the hydrogen economy, but is developing safety assessment and inspection technology for the relevant vehicles. This study analyzed the prevention of hydrogen bus accidents' economic effect that arises from the application and development of large-capacity CHSS oil pressure repetition-test assessment technology, hydrogen bus internal chamber pressure transmission and emission volume inspection technology, among various technologies capable of assessing the safety of a hydrogen bus fuel system. To this end, the contingent valuation method (CVM), one of the value evaluation methods of non-market goods, was applied to investigate users' willingness to pay for each inspection technology. The survey for users' willingness to pay was conducted by attaching posters to promote surveys on the internet and within buses to the entire public. As a result of the analysis, the average WTP of the hydrogen bus internal chamber pressure transmission volume inspection technology was 25.3 KRW, the average WTP of the hydrogen bus internal chamber pressure emission volume inspection technology was 18.6 KRW, and the average WTP of the large-capacity CHSS oil pressure repetition-test assessment technology was measured at 16.7 KRW. In addition, the costs and benefits of the introduction of the relevant inspection technology were defined through the interviewing of experts at related research institutions and businesses. As a result of conducting an economic analysis (4.5% discount rate) according to the development of each inspection technology, economic feasibility was seen in all assessment and inspection technologies. As much as the technology is indispensable for the safe use of hydrogen buses, it shows that investment in related technology is very necessary in the future. However, because it was decided that the relevant analysis will differ according to the distribution rate of hydrogen buses, further analysis following this future distribution rate of hydrogen buses is needed, and future users should be made clearly aware of the safety and environmental nature of the technology.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective : Previous studies showed that water extract of Plantago asiatica (Plantaginis asiaticae Folium, PAF) significantly controlled in body weights, adipose tissue weights and blood lipid profiles in obese C57BL/6 mice. To investigate the mechanism of anti-obesity action of PAF, expressions of obesity-related proteins were identified such as p-AMPK and p-ACC in hypothalamus, UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue, p-AMPK, p-ACC, SREBP-1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$, HMGCR and CPT-1 in liver. Method : Five-weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet+Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100 and 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100 or 300 mg/kg). PAF was treated orally for 6 weeks. The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, ACC, p-ACC, $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c, HMGCR, CPT-1 and UCP-1 were identified by expression levels of proteins through western blot analysis. Result : The results showed that protein expressions on hypothalamic p-AMPK and p-ACC did not differ between the HFD and PAF groups. In addition, PAF did not affect the increase of UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue. The protein expression levels of hepatic p-AMPK, p-ACC and CPT-1 increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. And those of $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c and HMG-CoA decreased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. Conclusion : These results suggest that the PAF administration induce weight loss via inhibition of lipid metabolism-related protein expressions in hepatic tissues. Therefore, PAF could be used as a potent material of anti-obesity products for prevention and treatment of obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the anti-ulcer effect of an standardized herbal extracts mixture of Inulae Flos and Paeoniae Radix (HT074) on acidified ethanol induced gastric injury and its potential mechanisms. Methods : Antioxidant activities of HT074 and its constituents were measured by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging capacity. After the oral administration of HT074 at doses of 100, 300 mg/kg twice per day for 14 days, Gastric lesions were induced by oral administration of acidified ethanol in Sprague Dawley rats. Oxidative stress markers, such as super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, concentrations of catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) were measured in gastric mucosal tissues. Additionally, the expression of human mucin gene, Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) mRNA in gastric mucosal tissues was measured. Results : HT074 showed dose dependent radical scavenging activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Oral administration of HT074 300 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days significantly decreased gastric lesions and histological damages induced by HCl/EtOH in rats. HT074 treatment significantly increased the activity of SOD (300 mg/kg) and concentration of GSH (100 and 300 mg/kg), however catalase concentration was not significantly increased. MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly increased by HT074 100, 300 mg/kg treatment. Conclusions : HT074 protects the gastric mucosa from oxidative stress caused by acidified ethanol by increasing the activity of SOD, concentration of GSH and mucin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that HT074 could be an effective candidate for prevention and treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.1091-1104
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• 2022

Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of rainfall worldwide, and the pattern is changing due to inundation damage in urban areas due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Accordingly, the impact assessment of climate change is mentioned as a very important factor in urban planning, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is emphasizing the need for an impact forecast that considers the social and economic impacts that may arise from meteorological phenomena. In particular, in terms of traffic, the degradation of transport systems due to urban flooding is the most detrimental factor to society and is estimated to be around £100k per hour per major road affected. However, in the case of Korea, even if accurate forecasts and special warnings on the occurrence of meteorological disasters are currently provided, the effects are not properly conveyed. Therefore, in this study, high-resolution analysis and hydrological factors of each area are reflected in order to suggest the depth of flooding of urban floods and to cope with the damage that may affect vehicles, and the degree of flooding caused by rainfall and its effect on vehicle operation are investigated. decided it was necessary. Therefore, the calculation formula of rainfall-immersion depth-vehicle speed is presented using various machine learning techniques rather than simple linear regression. In addition, by applying the climate change scenario to the rainfall-inundation depth-vehicle speed calculation formula, it predicts the flooding of urban rivers during heavy rain, and evaluates possible traffic network disturbances due to road inundation considering the impact of future climate change. We want to develop technology for use in traffic flow planning.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.224-235
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• 2022

Objective : Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, neurointerventionists have been increasingly concerned regarding the prevention of infection and time delay in performing emergency thrombectomy procedures in patients with acute stroke. This study aimed to analyze the effects of changes in mechanical thrombectomy protocol before and after the COVID-19 pandemic on procedure time and patient outcomes and to identify factors that significantly impact procedure time. Methods : The last-normal-to-door, first-abnormal-to-door, door-to-imaging, door-to-puncture, and puncture-to-recanalization times of 88 patients (45 treated with conventional pre-COVID-19 protocol and 43 with COVID-19 protection protocol) were retrospectively analyzed. The recanalization time, success rate of mechanical thrombectomy, and modified Rankin score of patients at discharge were assessed. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify variables that significantly influenced the time delay in the door-to-puncture time and total procedure time. Results : The door-to-imaging time significantly increased under the COVID-19 protection protocol (p=0.0257) compared to that with the conventional pre-COVID-19 protocol. This increase was even more pronounced in patients who were suspected to be COVID-19-positive than in those who were negative. The door-to-puncture time showed no statistical difference between the conventional and COVID-19 protocol groups (p=0.5042). However, in the multivariate analysis, the last-normal-to-door time and door-to-imaging time were shown to affect the door-to-puncture time (p=0.0068 and 0.0097). The total procedure time was affected by the occlusion site, last-normal-to-door time, door-to-imaging time, and type of anesthesia (p=0.0001, 0.0231, 0.0103, and 0.0207, respectively). Conclusion : The COVID-19 protection protocol significantly impacted the door-to-imaging time. Shortening the door-to-imaging time and performing the procedure under local anesthesia, if possible, may be required to reduce the door-to-puncture and door-to-recanalization times. The effect of various aspects of the protection protocol on emergency thrombectomy should be further studied.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.257-262
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the inhibition of human cancer cell proliferation by using various concentrations of Beet Extract containing various bioactive ingredients. The six cancer cell lines used in the experiment were prostate cancer cells DU-145, lung cancer cells A549, breast cancer cells MCF-7, cervical cancer cells HeLa, liver cancer cells SNU-182, and biliary tract cancer cells SNU-1196. Human-derived cancer cell lines were used. The inhibition of cancer cell proliferation at various concentrations of Beet Extract was measured by the CCK-8 method. As a result of examining the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, Beet Extract significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited DU145 of prostate cancer cells at all concentrations, and Lung cancer cells A549 and DU-145 of prostate cancer cells at 100ug/mL and 1000ug/mL, cervical cancer cells HeLa, and liver cancer cells SNU- 182, biliary tract cancer cell SNU-1196 showed significant proliferation inhibition at 1000ug/mL. Experiment result, the cancer cell proliferation inhibitory mechanisms of Beet Extract using various human-derived cancer cell lines can be considered to provide cancer prevention effects and the possibility of developing functional foods.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.157-168
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the overseas volunteer activities of university students on changes in global citizenship. Methods : This study was conducted as a one-group pre-posttest design. The study's subjects were students who participated in the 37th World Friends Korea Youth Volunteer Corps in 2018. Among them, 158 students who completed the survey were included in the analysis. The tool for measuring global citizenship was comprised of knowledge, skill, attitude, and willingness to practice. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 program, and the statistical significance was set to p<.05. Results : Among the study's participants, there were 123 females (77.85 %). By grade, there were the most juniors, with 68 (43.04 %). There were 53 (33.55 %) seniors, 28 (18.35 %) sophomores, and eight freshmen (5.06 %). Among all participants, 52.53 % had experience in global citizenship education, and 63.92 % had experience in activities related to global citizenship. Because of analyzing the changes in global citizenship before and after overseas volunteer activities, "skill" increased the most, from 3.51±.65 points to 4.34±.56 points (p< .001). Due to analyzing changes in global citizenship before and after overseas volunteerism, the knowledge and attitude of freshmen were statistically significantly positive, with 1.17± 1.23 (p=.011) and 1.41±1.22 (p=.008), respectively. Participants with global citizenship experience had a significant change in attitude (p=.018). Conclusion : It was confirmed that the overseas volunteer activities of undergraduate students in the university brought a positive change to global citizenship. Providing opportunities for global citizenship education and activities in elementary, middle, and high schools in the future will maximize the effects of overseas volunteer activities to improve global citizenship.