• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.787-795
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• 2021

Eupatorium chinensis var. simplicifolium (EUC) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Young sprouts of EUC have been used as food for a long time, and the whole EUC plant has been used as an herbal remedy in oriental medicine. Arteriosclerosis, or chronic inflammation in arterial vessels, is a cardiovascular disease and is involved in various disorders. Cardiovascular diseases such as restenosis and neuropathic hyperplasia are mainly caused by abnormal growth and movement due to multiple growth factors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a mitogen released from damaged vessel walls and is involved in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. To determine the effects of EUC on the abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs, the present study investigated intracellular signaling pathways in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs treated with and without EUC. Pretreating PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs with EUC tended to effectively decrease cell proliferation and migration. Subsequently, the intracellular growth-related signaling pathways of AKT, phospholipase C gamma (PLC-γ), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were investigated using western blotting to confirm inhibited phosphorylation. Furthermore, flow cytometry data showed that EUC blocked the cell cycle of VSMCs. These results suggest that EUC can inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by controlling the cell cycle and growth factor receptors. Furthermore, this indicates that EUC can be used as a preventative against cardiovascular disease resulting from abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2019

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most popular green leafy vegetables, and it contains various beneficial components including polyphenolic compounds and has been known to possess various biological functions such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extract of dried lettuce (DLE) and investigated its anti-inflammatory activity. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of DLE, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. DLE significantly suppressed NO production in these cells without affecting cell viabilities while resveratrol was used as a positive control. DLE dramatically decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2 at the mRNA and protein levels and reduced the expression of several cytokines including $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-1F6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, CSF2 and CXCL10. In addition, DLE suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating DLE shows its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs pathway and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathways. And also, DLE reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. DLE increased HO-1 protein expression, and also increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Overall, our results suggest that lettuce down-regulate various pro-inflammatory genes and have its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1507-1515
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• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by prostatic hypertrophy mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus is reportedly effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, but its efficacy on BPH has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether or not a Corni Fructus water extract (CF) could prevent testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. To induce BPH, castrated rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP). CF was administered daily by oral gavage, along with the TP injections, and finasteride, a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. The results show that CF significantly reduces prostate weight and histopathologic changes while also decreasing levels of serum dihydrotestosterone, similar to the finasteride-treated group. CF also suppresses TP-induced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. Furthermore, CF markedly inhibited TP-induced expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the steroid receptor coactivator 1, an AR coactivator, which was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in both serum and prostate tissue. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that CF weakens BPH status by inactivation of $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2020

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis is an insect belonging to the order Coleoptera. This insect is reported to contain large amounts of physiologically active substances useful for liver protective effect and improvements in blood circulation as well as a broad source of edible protein. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in a variety of species, from microorganisms to mammals, and play an important role in the innate immune systems of living things. Microglia are the main source of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system. Activated microglia secrete large amounts of neuroinflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, NO, and ROS), which are the main cause of neuronal cell death. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Protaetiamycine 6 (PKARKLQKLSAYKTTLRN-NH2), an AMP derived from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia. Protaetiamycine 6 significantly inhibited NO production without cytotoxicity and decreased the expression levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, Protaetiamycine 6 also reduced the production of neuroinflammatory cytokines on activated BV-2 microglia. These results suggest that Protaetiamycine 6 could be a good source of functional substance to prevent neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.662-676
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• 2021

The Yeosu Sado dinosaur tracksite is well known for many dinosaur tracks and research on the gregarious behavior of dinosaurs. In addition, various geological and geographical heritage sites are distributed on Sado Island. However, educational field trips for students are very limited due to accessibility according to its geological location, time constraints due to tides, and continuous weathering and damage. Therefore, this study aims to generate 3D models and images of dinosaur tracks using the photogrammetric method, which has recently been used in various fields, and then discuss the possibility of using them as paleontological research and educational contents. As a result of checking the obtained 3D images and models, it was possible to confirm the existence of footprints that were not previously discovered or could not represent details by naked eyes or photos. Even previously discovered tracks could possibly present details using 3D images that could not be expressed by photos or interpretive drawings. In addition, the 3D model of dinosaur tracks can be preserved as semi-permanent data, enabling various forms of utilization and preservation. Here we apply 3D printing and mobile augmented reality content using photogrammetric 3D models for a virtual field trip, and these models acquired by photogrammetry can be used in various educational content fields that require 3D models.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

Purpose: Urea cycle disorder (UCD) is an inherited inborn error of metabolism, acting on each step of urea cycle that cause various phenotypes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the long-term clinical consequences in different groups of UCD to characterize it. Methods: Twenty-two patients with UCD genetically confirmed were enrolled at Pusan National University Children's hospital and reviewed clinical features, biochemical and genetic features retrospectively. Results: UCD diagnosed in the present study included ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) (n=10, 45.5%), argininosuccinate synthase 1 deficiency (ASSD) (n=6, 27.3%), carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) (n=3, 13.6%), hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome (HHHS) (n=2, 9.1%), and arginase-1 deficiency (ARG1D) (n=1, 4.5%). The age at the diagnosis was 32.7±66.2 months old (range 0.1 to 228.0 months). Eight (36.4%) patients with UCD displayed short stature. Neurologic sequelae were observed in eleven (50%) patients with UCD. Molecular analysis identified 37 different mutation types (14 missense, 6 nonsense, 6 deletion, 6 splicing, 3 delins, 1 insertion, and 1 duplication) including 14 novel variants. Progressive growth impairment and poor neurological outcomes were associated with plasma isoleucine and leucine concentrations, respectively. Conclusion: Although combinations of treatments such as nutritional restriction of proteins and use of alternative pathways for discarding excessive nitrogen are extensively employed, the prognosis of UCD remains unsatisfactory. Prospective clinical trials are necessary to evaluate whether supplementation with BCAAs might improve growth or neurological outcomes and decrease metabolic crisis episodes in patients with UCD.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.371-384
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• 2023

We investigated the occurrence of insect pests on street trees that were planted or naturally grew in a total of six urban and suburban parks (two sites in Iksan, one site in Gimje and three sites in Gwangju) in Honam region, South Korea from May to September, 2022. The six survey sites are divided into three characters, two 'nearby forest (NF)', two 'nearby river (NR)' and two 'nearby downtown (ND)' according to the created location of sites and the results on fauna of insect pests compared with street tree species for each character of survey sites. As results, we could discover 51 species of 49 genera in 27 families belonging to five insect orders from a total of 21 tree species belonging to 13 families in six survey sites. Among the insect taxa, hemipteran pests are most diverse with 22 species of 20 genera in 12 families and it is confirmed that Prunus × yedoensis Matsum. (Rosaceae) is damaged by most diverse 25 insect pests. With regard to character of survey sites, trees in 'nearby river' were affected by most diverse 34 insect pests, even though tree species were few compare to sites of 'nearby forest' and 'nearby downtown. Among the affected area of tree parts, leaf-feeding insect pests are most diverse with 22 species. From the present study, we provided a checklist of insect pests from the street trees and selected six most concerned species. Indeed, it is needed to conduct sustainable surveys and monitoring on occurrence of insect pests from street trees in urban and suburban parks because the species of planted street trees in parks can be extremely diverse with occurrence of unexpected insect pests.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.85-106
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• 2023

This study reviewed and derived the success factors of overseas agricultural startups and studied their integrated research model. Agricultural startups and general startups have in common that poor resources and infrastructure exist from a resource-based perspective after startup, but a differentiated approach from general startups is required due to the nature of the primary industry of agriculture. In this study, we approach the company internal factors (human resources/vision/distribution network capacity/capital capacity/cultivated crops/physical resources/farming technology, etc.) and external factors (agricultural infrastructure/laws/regulations/relationship with surrounding society, etc.) We tried to build a research model that can be integrated by focusing on various existing research models, success factors, and entrepreneurship. Through this, it is intended to present an integrated model that is practically helpful to business performance to entrepreneurs, business-related persons, and researchers who need an integrated understanding of agricultural startups at home and abroad. made for purpose In this paper, a standard model was established through three types (existing agricultural startup, small and medium-sized business startup, multinational company, and comprehensive approach) according to size and characteristics for modeling agricultural startup success factors. Through this, a total of 9 success factors (agricultural management, external environment, manager/founder characteristics, corporate identity, business management, organizational culture, infrastructure, commercialization capability, and sustainable growth) were derived. The implication of this study is that the success factors of agricultural startups were comprehensively presented based on 'entrepreneurship' for various domestic and foreign agricultural startup cases. By confirming the systematic categorization, a standard model for future agricultural startup success factors was presented, and as a result, a foundation was presented for systematic research and practical effectiveness of related research in the future.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2006

In this study, changes of ammonia, alcohol and volatile fatty acid(VFA) concentrations or pH in in vitro ruminal fluid were studied to determine the effects of alcoholic feeds on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. To formulate the alcoholic feeds, alcohol was added to commercial formulated feed at the levels of 1, 3, and 5 %. Experiments were done with four treatment groups, control(commercial feed), AF-1(commercial feed+1% alcohol), AF-3(commercial feed+3% alcohol), and AF-5(commercial feed+5% alcohol). Ammonia concentrations of AF-1 and AF-5 were significantly lower than that of control for the 12h incubation(p<0.05). Ruminal alcohol concentration was increased with the addition level of alcohol increased(p<0.05). TVFA concentrations of AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 were significantly higher than those of control at 12h(p<0.05). Significant decrease of molar percentage of acetate was observed in control from 8 to 12h incubation, but molar percentage of acetate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was constant. Molar percentage of propionate was increased in control compared with AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 from 8 to 12h incubation(p<0.05). Molar percentages of butyrate and valerate were higher in AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 than in control(p<0.05). Molar percentage of caproate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was 0.05, 0.58 and 0.47M% at 8h, respectively, but that was not detected for control. Present results may indicate that the alcoholic feeds show positive effects on in vitro ruminal ammonia, alcohol and VFA concentrations or pH. Furthermore, the results of this study implies that the addition level of 5% could be more effective to ruminal fermentation than other addition levels.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2006

In this study, changes of ammonia, alcohol and volatile fatty acid(VFA) concentrations or pH in in vitro ruminal fluid were studied to determine the effects of alcoholic feeds on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. To formulate the alcoholic feeds, alcohol was added to commercial formulated feed at the levels of 1, 3, and 5 %. Experiments were done with four treatment groups, control(commercial feed), AF-1(commercial feed+1% alcohol), AF-3(commercial feed+3% alcohol), and AF-5(commercial feed+5% alcohol). Ammonia concentrations of AF-1 and AF-5 were significantly lower than that of control for the 12h incubation(p<0.05). Ruminal alcohol concentration was increased with the addition level of alcohol increased(p<0.05). TVFA concentrations of AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 were significantly higher than those of control at 12h(p<0.05). Significant decrease of molar percentage of acetate was observed in control from 8 to 12h incubation, but molar percentage of acetate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was constant. Molar percentage of propionate was increased in control compared with AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 from 8 to 12h incubation(p<0.05). Molar percentages of butyrate and valerate were higher in AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 than in control(p<0.05). Molar percentage of caproate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was 0.05, 0.58 and 0.47M% at 8h, respectively, but that was not detected for control. Present results may indicate that the alcoholic feeds show positive effects on in vitro ruminal ammonia, alcohol and VFA concentrations or pH. Furthermore, the results of this study implies that the addition level of 5% could be more effective to ruminal fermentation than other addition levels.