• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.476-482
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• 2020

In rice agriculture, Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi (olbanggae) is a target for herbicidal intervention as a problem weed although it has also long been used clinically as a traditional medicine for jaundice, fever, and blood flow. E. kuroguwai has been evaluated in many clinical trials, but its molecular biological advantages are still unknown. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of E. kuroguwai 80% ethanol extracts by screening NO production in LPS-induced macrophage activation. To find the most effective fractions, we partitioned five sub-fractions using HP20 column chromatography, namely 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Of these, the 60% and 80% sub-fractions were found to significantly inhibit NO production; there were no toxicological effects at any concentration. In addition, the 80% sub-fraction inhibited significantly the iNOS and the mRNA of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK pathways associated with MAPKs signaling. Our results suggest that the 80% E. kuroguwai sub-fraction has the most significant anti-inflammatory effects of inhibiting iNOS and pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK. Therefore, the 80% sub-fraction of E. kuroguwai extract may be a therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases associated with the overexpression of MAPKs.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-177
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• 2006

Governance systems are basically an autonomous cooperation type among the government, civil society and market, also a new paradigm for efficient and democratic administration of policies. The governance mainly consists of the central operating body, institutions, operating principles and so on. The constituents are the nation(government), civil society(NGO) and market(firm). Institutional conditions are a legitimate base, financial stability and independency. And as a operating principle, governance systems have common goals and issues from a national and social point of view. This governance has been recently emerged due to financial risk of government, diffusion of new liberalism going with the globalization, localization-decentralization, and development of civil society and information-oriented society. We have to grope fur the framework of participatory agri- policy confronting globalization and localization as well as developing our agriculture and rural village. This agri-policy governance should be theoretically focused on policy network or self-organizing network or multi-lateral governance (MLG) based on NPM. Also, it is proper to have connection of nation-central type and civil society-central type. And it is necessary to have a MLG type with local governance corresponding to localization and decentralization. Governance should have the type whose participants have authority and responsibility as well. Basic directions of environmentally friendly agri-policy governance are as follows : first, its purposes are constructing the democratic and efficient framework of participatory environmentally friendly agri-policy based on consensus of all the related groups, embodying environmentally friendly agri-policy adjusted to local field, raising farmer's real interest, and improving their position. Second, its form should have a council or an agreement system, not an advisory or a consultation organ. Thus, public sector(eg. government) and voluntary sector(eg. farmers' organization) jointly execute agricultural policy and are responsible together. Environmentally friendly agri-policy governance is mainly made up of farmers' organization, cooperative and civil society(NGO). And secondary bodies are agribusinesses and academic groups. Government interacts with the main bodies on administrative execution. And environmentally friendly agri-policy governance has MLG type with a central unit, province and county units. Environmentally friendly agri-policy governance has several main functions such as agri-policy partnership, speaking for farmer's rights and interests, investigation and research on domestic and foreign agricultural streams, and etc. Especially, local unit will play roles in activation for regional agriculture, consulting on technique and management, education and training services, services entrusted by government, and so on.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.11-19
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Glycyrrhiza new varieties Wongam and Sinwongam have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration and investigated to register on Korean Pharmacopoeia of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam comparing with listed Glycyrrhiza species (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra Linne) for evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties. Methods : We studied the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam compared with G. uralensis and G. glabra using THP-1 cell in vitro model. The cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for differentiation and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce immune activation. We analyzed and compared the effects Glycyrrhiza new varieties and listed Glycyrrhiza species using nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. 1) Results : Wongam and Sinwongam showed no cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells. Wongam and Sinwongam, and listed Glycyrrhiza species increased NO production, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression with or without LPS in differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, Wongam and Sinwongam and listed Glycyrrhiza species upregulated the mRNA expressions of T helper type 1 (Th 1)-associated cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicated that Wongam and Sinwongam would have effect of enhancing immune response through the increase of NO and COX-2 expression, and activate Th1-associated cytokines. The findings of this study suggest the wide applicability of Glycyrrhiza new varieties.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.991-997
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• 2006

Agriculture is usually the basis of a society, as well as the solution of dietary life. However, compared to other fields in which information-oriented system is rapidly accomplished, information system of agriculture certainly has slow growth since agriculture deals with a living thing. In addition, since government bodies related to filming have faced the difficulty of information system, they have tried establishing independent information system. The current agriculture-informationizing system can be considered as Agricultural Outlook Information System, Integrated agricultural marketing Information System and Outlook & Agricultural Statistics Information System but these systems are not effectively operated contrary to rut expectation, which$\sim\sim\sim$. Actually, there are some problems of bothinvestment duplicated and management by each independent government body, as well as Korea Rural Economic Institute-Commodity Model improper to real situation. In this paper, Agricultural Outlook Information, Integrated agricultural marketing Information, and Outlook h Agricultural Statistics Information System independently operated are integrated; Circulation Control, Technical Support, and integrated Database system are established; new integrated agricultural information system and various kinds of measures for activation of this system are suggested.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.589-603
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.447-454
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• 2023

In the environment in which humans live, there are various antigens that invade the human body and interfere with humans leading a healthy life, so the immune system recognizes the antigen then removes them through a complex mechanism. Macrophages are widely distributed immune cells involved in the innate immune system, and produce various immune modulators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase-induced nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2 induced prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. On the other hand, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae are a type of edible insect that have emerged as an alternative to the future food supply problem. The immuno-modulatory effect through the activation of murine macrophage RAW264.7 cell via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways has been reported. Based on this report, in this study, we confirmed how the expression of immune modulators induced by Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae extracts in RAW264.7 cells was changed by treatment with pharmacological inhibitors of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. As a result, reduction of immune modulators was confirmed in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor treatment group and NF-κB inhibitor treatment group among the Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae-treated RAW264.7 cell. Furthermore, in the TLR4 inhibitor-treated group, decreases in phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB factors were confirmed in Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae-treated RAW264.7 cell, as well as decreases in immune modulators. This results suggest that Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae activates RAW264.7 cells by the engagement of TLR4-JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2010

This study aims to, first, classify the approach system of utilizing national and local amenities into three groups: evaluation of the level of the amenity, evaluation of the value of amenity resources, and utilization of amenity resources. Secondly, the study aims to derive an evaluation index which is required according to the approach system. As for a strategy of utilizing amenities, the self-diagnosis based on the evaluation of the level of local amenities is required. In this study, three sectors, ten items and 43 detailed items have been derived though specialists, FGIs(Focus Group Interview), and the cases within and outside of the country. In the survey with specialists, a unit-space key index which can be used in accordance with the unit-space characteristics(such as urban and rural area, fishing villages, mountain villages, and littoral areas), environmental area, important index and optional index have been derived. As for the evaluation index which is needed for the development of typical local amenities resources, 14 detailed evaluation indexes from three sectors have been derived. These have been classified again into six key indexes, six important indexes and two optional indexes. In the evaluation index of amenity resources, natural and environmental value-such as ecological value of preservation, uniqueness of aesthetic landscape and ecological value of restoration-historic and cultural value of preservation and individuality of the resources, and aesthetic and cultural values are derived as being important. As for utilization of amenity resources, 15 items from three sectors-such as reservation, restoration, intentional use, and industrial use-have been derived. Also, through a survey with specialists, key indexes and important indexes were derived by unit-space. As a result, in urban areas, seven items-including creative development of space, aesthetic landscape control and development of cultural contents-have been derived as key indexes; in rural areas, mountain villages, fishing villages and littoral areas, eight items-including brand of region, brand of the products, and brand of tourism resources-have been derived. In environmental areas, six items-including reservation of natural resources, historic and cultural heritage, and restoration of ecosystem-have been derived. Indexes derived from this study can be utilized in order to establish a strategy for amenity plans and an implementation strategy, but can be readjusted, allowing for various regional characteristics. It is, thus, advisable that local governments selectively utilize indexes according to regional characteristics or newly develop them for the maximum utilization of regional amenities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to propose a sustainable village-unit urban regeneration plan for the Ewha Mural Village, where mural artists recovered concrete fences to be followed by some residents damaging the mural paintings. Through a review of the existing literature and a preliminary survey, we derived the urban regeneration factors (environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability) applicable at the village level. After an empirical survey on the residents, we tried to identify various problems of the Ewha Mural Village. Residents selected the factors of accessibility, parking management, diversity of industries, creation of new jobs, community participation of residents for the mural village's activation, and stable living spaces. In the case of Ewha Mural Village, physical environment factors for the residents at the time of construction were not considered and the village was mainly planned using budget-based murals. Since then, the inequality of economic benefits intensified the conflicts among the residents. In addition, public benefits, such as establishing new industries and employing outsiders, were not provided, and these facts appear to have led to an unsustainable murals village, in which the murals that are the protagonists of the village revitalization are being destroyed. Therefore, the urban regeneration of Ewha Mural Village should be designed considering a region where some residential areas can be transformed into tourist areas. In addition, it is essential to employ a win-win method to improve the living environment, such as road maintenance, not only partial economic benefits, such as increased land-value, and to increase resident's value as a common asset within the village itself.