• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1688-1696
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• 2012

Oenanthe javanica has been used as a food source and also in traditional folk medicine for its detoxifying properties and anti-microbial effects since ancient times. In this study, we evaluated the effect and mechanism of O. javanica seed methanol extract (OJSE) on adipocyte differentiation by 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Under non-toxic conditions, OJSE treatment resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of lipid droplet generation and triglyceride accumulation by suppressing adipocyte differentiation, which are associated with the decreased expression of key proadipogenic transcription factors including CCAAR/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$, $C/EBP{\beta}$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$). OJSE also significantly inhibited proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through G1-phase arrest, indicating that OJSE blocked mitotic clonal expansion during adipocyte differentiation. Investigation of the alteration of G1 phase arrest-related proteins indicated a dose-dependent increase in the expression of p21 and reduction in expression of cyclin E, Cdk2, E2F-1 and phospho-Rb by OSJE. Taken together, these results suggest that OJSE inhibits adipocyte differentiation by blocking the mitotic clonal expansion, which is accompanied by preadipocyte cell cycle arrest.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1070-1077
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• 2017

Chondrocyte apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Schisandrin A, a bioactive compound found in fruits of the Schisandra genus, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Although several studies have described the antioxidant effects of analogues of schisandrin A, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this bioactive compound remain largely unresolved. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of schisandrin A against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells. The results showed that schisandrin A preconditioning significantly inhibited $H_2O_2-induced$ growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by blocking the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins and down-regulating pro-caspase-3. These antiapoptotic effects of schisandrin A were associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and normalization of expression changes of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in $H_2O_2-stimulated$ SW1353 chondrocytes. Furthermore, schisandrin A effectively abrogated $H_2O_2-induced$ intracellular ROS accumulation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139, a widely used marker of DNA damage. Thus, the present study demonstrates that schisandrin A provides protection against $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptosis and DNA damage in SW1353 chondrocytes, possibly by prevention of ROS generation. Collectively, our data indicate that schisandrin A has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative disorders caused by overproduction of ROS.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 1994

To establish an efficient herbicide screening method for purple nutsedge(Cyperus rotundus) control, its sprouting characteristics, tuber production and responses on several herbicides were investigated under greenhouse condition. The tubers stored at $4^{\circ}C$ after sterilization with the diluted prochloraz(Spotac) solution showed higher sprouting than the non-sterilized did. The harvested tubers were not dormant, and the sterilized tubers which stored at low temperature had a sprouting capability of about 80% after 6 months. If the fresh weight of purple nutsedge tubers was decreased to below 48%, they could not sprout. However, the tubers soaked in water and then stored at low temperature could sprout by 88% even 6 months later. Sprouting and initial growth of tuber were much better at $35^{\circ}C$-day/$25^{\circ}C$-night than at 30/$20^{\circ}C$ or 25/$15^{\circ}C$. The half-sected tubers, which were prepared by setting the intact tuber of above 1.2g latitudinally, were shown similar initial growth to the intact but those sected crucifically were not. These results suggest that the half-sected tuber itself can be used as a material on herbicide screening. About 1000 tubers could be harvested when 10 tubers planted in a pot($56{\times}35{\times}16cm$) filled with the artificial soil were cultivated in greenhouse of $35^{\circ}C$-day/$25^{\circ}C$-night for 3 months(April-July, 1993). Chlorimuron, Bentazon and Norflurazon were selected as the standards for the screening because of providing relatively effective control on purple nutsedge in both soil-surface and foliar spray treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

The leaf aqueous extracts from five gymnosperms plant were investigated for allelopathy with five Hibiscus syriacus varieties. The leaf aqueous extract of Pinus rigida had the highest total phenolic compound of 2.21mg/L, whereas the soil under Pinus koraiensis canopy had the highest total phenolic compound of 1.38mg/L. Fourteen phenolic compounds were isolated from five gymnosperm plants by HPLC. Among them, phenolic compounds were the highest in P. rigida (320.56 g/mg) with the primary compound 5-sulfosalicylic acid (312.55 g/mg). The correlation between leaf total phenolic compound and pH was not significant, while the total phenolic compound of the leaf extract changed soil pH. The relative seed germination of H. syriacus varieties showed 25% was threshold concentration. The germination rates of varieties were similar to the control group or showed slight stimulation to treatment of P. koraiensis extract. H. syriacus Cambanha was similar to the control group or showed stimulation in all treated groups. H. syriacus Seohohyang showed stimulation in both root and shoot growth compared to the control group. In other varieties except Seohohyang, shoot growth was similar to the control group, while root growth was stimulated in all treated groups. The extracts of tested gymnosperms showed significantly more stimulation to transplanted Seohohyang seedlings, whereas others were similar to control or inhibited in the greenhouse. The dry weight of Seohohyang was greater in all treated groups than the control group, while other varieties were inhibited. All gymnosperm extracts stimulated the chlorophyll contents of Seohohyang and H. syriacus Koyoro but other varieties were not significantly affected. Accordingly, it is suggested that Seohohyang seems the most desirable when planted within these five gymnosperms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.667-673
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• 2009

The antihyperlipidemic and glycemic control effects of mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract were investigated. In high fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract showed significant decrease in epididymal fat tissue weight, blood triglyceride and VLDL level, triglyceride and total cholesterol level in liver, serum insulin and HOMA-IR level and AUC. Oral glucose tolerance test glucose level reduction were 4.9% (M150L; ${\beta}$-glucan 1.303 mg/kg bw), 9.5% (M150; ${\beta}$-glucan 2.606 mg/kg bw) after 180 min of glucose loading compared to H-C group. Besides, the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract treatment significantly increased glycogen contents in liver and adiponectin level in high fat diet-induced obese mice. In conclusion, the results showed that the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract possesses significant antihyperlipidemic and glycemic control effects in C57BL/6J mice.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.1
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• pp.94-105
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• 2009

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand is representative lowland exotic plantation with low ecological quality and arrested succession in South Korea. To facilitate succession and restore natural vegetation, small canopy gaps (${\sim}57m^2$), which can modify minimally structural variables and reduce restoration related disturbances on stand, was established in the black locust stand, and oak (Quercus serrata) seedlings were introduced in the gap. Two types of varying levels were introduced for gap creation; cutting (C) and girdling (G) on canopies. Understory removal (CU and GU) treatment was applied as subtypes of structural modification. Growth (diameter, height and leaf area) of target species and responses (species composition, diversity and coverage) of understory community were monitored during study years (2007~2008). Canopy openness was different significantly among treatments but not for light availability. Based on the result of logistic regression, growth of height and leaf area of seedlings were significant variables on seedling survival. Height and leaf area of seedlings were increased during study years, although radial growth was reduced. During study years, there were no significant differences in species composition and diversity, and total coverage increased about 20%. Increase of resources by gap creation and understory removal likely affect growth of target species. Small gap creation was effective to reduce understory responses in composition and diverstiy. Synthesized, growth of target species and responses of understory community to small canopy gap creation exhibited, in short term, possibility of utilization in alternative forest restoration and management option. Long-term monitoring is necessary to certificate effect of artificial gap creation on forest restoration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.645-652
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• 2006

Objective: Patients with lung cancer have a relative high risk of developing secondary primary lung cancers. This study examined the additional value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) for diagnosing synchronous lung cancers and premalignant lesions. Methods: Patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 2005 to December 2005 were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent a lung cancer evaluation, which included white light bronchoscopy (WLB), followed by AFB. In addition to the primary lesions, any abnormal or suspicious lesions detected during WLB and AFB were biopsied. Results: Seventy-six patients had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 23 had small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In addition to the primary lesions, 84 endobronchial biopsies were performed in 46 patients. Five definite synchronous cancerous lesions were detected in three patients with initial unresectable NSCLC and in one with SCLC. The secondary malignant lesions found in two patients were considered metastatic because of the presence of mediastinal nodes or systemic involvement. One patient with an unresectable NSCLC, two with a resectable NSCLC, and one with SCLC had severe dysplasia. The detection rate for cancerous lesions by the clinician was 6.0% (6/99) including AFB compared with 3.0% (3/99) with WLB alone. The prevalence of definite synchronized cancer was 4.0% (4/99) after using AFB compared with 2.0% (2/99) before, and the staging-up effect was 1.0% (1/99) after AFB. Since the majority of patients were diagnosed with advanced disease, the subjects with newly detected cancerous lesions did not have their treatment plans altered, except for one patient with a stage-up IV NSCLC who did not undergo radiotherapy. Conclusions: Additional AFB is effective in detecting early secondary cancerous lesions and is a more precise tool in the staging workup of patients with primary lung cancer than with WLB alone.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.15-26
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• 2015

The Daegu Metropolitan Transit Corporation Advisory Committee has chosen 5 styles of bridge-pier designs, including coating, graphic, planting, billboard and safety-facility style, based on the results of landscape simulations from a previous study. This study was conducted to investigate citizen's preferences and emotional images for each style of bridge-pier design, by aiming at the pilot urban landscape improvement section from Daebong Bridge in Suseong Gu to the crossroads near Dongseong Elementary School in Daegu Metropolitan City. The questionnaire was drawn up regarding the urban landscape improvement plans applied to the research area, and the questions were about citizens' perception of bridge-pier structures generated by constructing a light rail transit, important factors to consider when designing bridge piers, preferences for each style of bridge-pier design and emotional impact. 60.4% of the survey participants were found to perceive bridge-pier structures as unattractive, so it was necessary to improve them aesthetically. Regarding visual factors of bridge-pier designs, color was most important at 5.81, followed by form at 5.57. Regarding aesthetic component factors, harmony was most important at 6.07, followed by amenity at 6.00. In the survey participants' preference for each bridge-pier design, the graphic style was preferred most at 4.14, followed by the planting style. In emotional adjectives used for each bridge-pier design, the coating style, the safety-facility style and the non-treatment style showed similar results, and all of these styles were evaluated as artificial, lifeless and desolate. The graphic style and the billboard style showed different tendencies, depending on visual factors and aesthetic component factors applied to the graphic design used for these two bridge-pier styles. Since natural materials were used for the planting style, however, it showed high preference for such emotional images as natural and lively. The emotional adjective 'amiable' was found to affect citizens' preferences for each bridge-pier aesthetic improvement plan most, and it was also analyzed to have an effect on all the styles of bridge-pier designs. To improve the landscape of a light rail transit being constructed inside the urban area, this study quantitatively extracted citizens' preferences and emotional adjective for every style of bridge-pier design applied to the pilot urban landscape improvement section, and it is expected that the results of this study will be used as basic data to improve the landscape of bridge piers.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.64-79
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• 2010

Students with intellectual disabilities typically have great difficulties communicating their needs and wants and may get frustrated, anxious or show signs of aggressive behaviour. They are often unable to understand the concept of relationships with other people as well. This lack of social communication and interaction leads to poor motivation which increases other areas of difficulty in their lives. Therefore, to teach students with intellectual disabilities, it is essential to find special teaching methods to support their positive behavior. This paper proposes that special educational curriculum for students with intellectual impairments utilize natural environments(forests) and materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Educational Programs Utilizing Forests on maladjusted behavior of students with mental retardation and to examine the positive effects of such planning practices. The subjects were middle school students who attended a special school for mentally-retarded students. They were divided into two separate groups- an experimental group and a control group. All subjects received the pre and post test using the same method. This program was applied to the formal educational process of middle school from March 1st to October 30th, 2009. In this experiment the results indicate that the effect of using a natural environment(forest) and the materials within a formal educational curriculum was positive as a type of horticultural therapy and that it supports positive behavior strategies in students with intellectual impairments. The usage of various natural materials including plants and flowers within the natural environments provide students with increased opportunities to participate. Teaching methods including natural materials help teachers engage with their students more easily during routine activities as their interest is already stimulated. This project will help students with intellectual impairments to build skills which enable effective participation and increase independence throughout their lives. This should be embedded into both routine and planned activities of the classroom Also, it offers a needed interior plan for the treatment space through an analysis of psychological factors of how the environment affects students.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.135-146
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• 2011

Steel structures have been generally painted to prevent corrosion damage. However, the painted film is deteriorated with increase in service life, and then corrosion damage resulting in cross sectional area occurs on steel surface. As a result, the buckling strength of steel structures can be decreased due to the corrosion damages. The evaluation method of the axial buckling strength of columns about a variety of section shapes and supporting conditions have been presented, but evaluation method of buckling strength about irregular nonprismatic columns is not established. In this study, the axial buckling strength of corroded steels was evaluated based on the buckling test results of corroded steel specimens that were cut off at a temporary steel structure. The corroded specimens were picked up total 10 specimens according to various slenderness ratio from the web of a temporary structure's main beam. The length of specimens is 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600mm respectively. The rust productions were removed by the chemical treatment. Then, the surface geometry was measured at intervals of $1{\times}1mm$ by using the optical 3D digitizing system, and the residual thickness of the specimens was calculated. The axial buckling test was performed on 10 corroded specimens and 12 non-corroded specimens under the fixed-fixed support condition. From the test results, the effect of corrosion damages on axial buckling load was investigated. Regardless of corrosion damage degree, the axial buckling strength of corroded specimens and non-corroded specimens was evaluated identically by using minimum average residual thickness or average residual thickness to minus its standard deviation. Reasonable measuring intervals of residual thickness was proposed by using the results to apply for practical works.