• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic intractable skin disease caused by various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as IL-17A secreted from Th17 cells and is characterized by hyperkeratosis and chronic inflammation of the epidermis. Brazilin, an active ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L., is known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and function in skin barrier improvement. In particular, it was shown as a potential material for treating psoriasis in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. However, the direct regulation of the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, a psoriasis-inducing factor, by brazilin has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppression of CCL20 and the regulatory mechanism by brazilin using a psoriasis-like model. First, brazilin downregulated CCL20 and CXCL8 in IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner by inhibiting signal transducer and transcription (STAT)3 phosphorylation. In addition, brazilin significantly inhibited the expression of psoriasis-related genes CXCL8, CCL20, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, brazilin also had a positive effect on improving the skin barrier in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. The above results indicated that brazilin ultimately downregulated CCL20 expression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and also suppressed the expression of psoriasis-induced cytokines. If the efficacy of brazilin in improving psoriasis is verified through animal models and clinical trials in the future, it may represent a potentially therapeutic substance for psoriasis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.11-28
• /
• 2021

Due to its size and complex characteristics, it is not often to newly create a large park within an existing urban area. Also, there has been a lack of research on the planting design methodologies for a large park. This study aims to elucidate how ecological ideas can be applied to planting practice from a designer's perspective, and eventually suggest a planting design framework in the actual case, the Central Park in the City of Gwangju. This framework consists of spatial structure of planting area in order to connect and unite the separated green patches, to adapt to the changes of existing vegetation patterns, to maintain the visual continuity of landscape, and to organize the whole open space system. The framework can be provided for the spatial planning and planting design phase in which the landscape designer flexibly uses it with the design intentions as well as with an understanding of the physical, social, and aesthetic characteristics of the site. The significance of this approach is, first that it can maintain ecological and visual consistency of the both existing and introduced landscapes as a whole in spite of its intrinsic complexity and largeness, and second that it can help efficiently respond to the unexpected changes in the landscape. In the case study, comprehensive site analysis is conducted before developing the framework. In particular, wetlands and grasslands have been identified as potential wildlife habitat which critically determines the vegetation patterns of the green area. Accordingly, the lists of plant communities are presented along with the planting scheme for their shape, layout, and relations. The model of the plant community is developed responding to the structure of surrounding natural landscape. However, it is not designed to evolve to a specific plant community, but is rather a conceptual model of ecological potentials. Therefore, the application of the model has great flexibility by using other plant communities as an alternative as long as the characteristics of the communities are appropriate to the physical conditions. Even though this research provides valuable implications for landscape planning and design in the similar circumstances, there are several limitations to be overcome in the further research. First, there needs to be more sufficient field surveys on the wildlife habitats, which would help generate a more concrete planting model. Second, a landscape management plan should be included considering the condition of existing forest, in particular the afforested landscapes. Last, there is a lack of quantitative data for the models of some plant communities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.102-109
• /
• 2021

In this study, the effect of forage sources in the total mixed ration (TMR) on in vitro goat rumen fermentation was investigated. Rice straw (RS), Italian ryegrass (IRG), timothy (TIM), and alfalfa (ALF) were used as forage sources. Each forage source was mixed with a commercial goat concentrate diet in the ratio of 1:1. Total 4 TMR were prepared. Rumen simulated in vitro fermentation using goat rumen fluid collected from the slaughterhouse was conducted until 72^th. For fermentation parameters, gas production (GP), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) were examined. All assays were performed at 24^th, 48^th, and 72^th h of incubation individually. Contents of crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrate were greater in the order of RS < IRG < TIM < ALF. Significant treatment effects were found in valerate and NH₃-N at 24^th h of incubation (p<0.05). ALF showed the greatest contents of them and RS was the lowest. At 48^th incubation, a significant effect was detected at GP (p<0.05) and RS was greater than others. However, GP of RS was lower than others at 72^th. Significant effects on Total VFA, butyrate, and valerate productions were found at 72^th h of incubation (p<0.05). ALF showed the greatest production. Methane production from all treatments was not significantly different for each incubation time (p>0.05). The present study provided primary information on how goat rumen fermentation responds to different nutrient contents and forage sources of TMR. And the information could be used for the design or optimizing economical diet formulation for goats.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.220-227
• /
• 2021

Fluoroimide is a fungicide and is also used as a pesticide for persimmons and potatoes. The established fluoroimide pesticide analysis method takes a long time to perform and uses benzene, a carcinogen. In addition, a lower limit of quantification is required due to enforcement of the Positive List System. Therefore, this study aimed to improve the analysis method for residual fluoroimide to resolve the problems associated with the current method. The analytical method was improved with reference to the increased stability of fluoroimide under acidic conditions. Fluoroimide was extracted under acidic conditions by hydrogen chloride (4 N) and acetic acid. MgSO₄ and NaCl were used with acetonitrile. C₁₈ (octadecylsilane) 500 mg and graphitized carbon black 40 mg were used in the purification process. The experiment was conducted with agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin, green pepper), and liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry was used for the instrumental analysis. Recovery of fluoroimide was 85.7-106.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 15.6%. This study reports an improved method for the analysis of fluoroimide that might contribute to safety by substituting the use of benzene, a harmful solvent. Furthermore, the use of QuEChERS increased the efficiency of the improved method. Finally, this research confirmed the precise limit of quantification and these results could be used to improve the analysis of other residual pesticides in agricultural products.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of feeding methods on in vitro ruminal fermentation, total gas and methane production in Hanwoo steers. Six Hanwoo steers fitted with rumen cannula (430 ± 21 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to one of three feeding systems: 1) feeding forage 1 hour after concentrate, 2) feeding concentrate 1 hour after forage, 3) feeding mixed ration. Rumen fluid sampled from each animals was incubated 24 hours with maize or timothy substrates in in vitro. Ruminal pH was increased in feeding method 2 or maize substrate than that of other methods or timothy substrate (P < 0.001). The production of total volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate were increased when steers fed diets using feeding method 1 or rumen fluid was incubated with maize substrate (P < 0.001). Increased production of total gas and methane was observed in feeding method 1 and maize substrate compared to those of other methods or timothy substrate (P < 0.001). Due to the inconsistent results between ruminal fermentation and gas production in this study, further research is required to estimate effects of feeding method on enteric fermentation and gas production in in vivo.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.133-149
• /
• 2021

This study aims to report the behavioral mechanism of steel pipe reinforcement grouting, which is being actively used to ensure the stability of the excavation surface during tunnel excavation, based on measurements taken at the actual site. After using a 12 m steel pipe attached with a shape displacement meter and a strain gauge to reinforce the actual tunnel surface, behavioral characteristics were identified by analyzing the measured deformation and stress of the steel pipe. Taking into account that the steel pipes were overlapped every 6 m, the measured data up to 7 m of excavation were used. In addition, the behavioral characteristics of the steel pipe reinforcement according to the difference in strength were also examined by applying steel pipes with different allowable stresses (SGT275 and SGT550). As a result of analyzing the behavior of steel pipes for 7 hours after the first excavation for 1 m and before proceeding with the next excavation, the stress redistribution due to the arching effect caused by the excavation relaxation load was observed. As excavation proceeded by 1 m, the excavated section exhibited the greatest deformation during excavation of 4 to 6 m due to the stress distribution of the three-dimensional relaxation load, and deformation and stress were generated in the steel pipe installed in the ground ahead of the tunnel face. As a result of comparing the behavior of SGT275 steel pipe (yield strength 275 MPa) and SGT550 steel pipe (yield strength 550 MPa), the difference in the amount of deformation was up to 18 times and the stress was up to 12 times; the stronger the steel pipe, the better it was at responding to the relaxation load. In this study, the behavior mechanism of steel pipe reinforcement grouting in response to the arching effect due to the relaxation load was identified based on the measured data during the actual tunnel excavation, and the results were reported.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2021

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of inquiry problems set by high school students who observed an 'unexpected phenomenon' and identified the effects of providing scientific information on setting inquiry problems. The subjects of this study were 126 eleventh grade students in Seoul that were randomly assigned to group A (N=66) and group B (N=60). In the study, watching a video of about 45 seconds of the unexpected phenomenon repeatedly for 20 minutes, all the students freely wrote inquiry problems that they wanted to carry out in their handouts. At this time, it is characterized that only the handout of group B additionally included scientific information on the unexpected phenomenon. As a result of the study, students, regardless of group, set more 'curiosity-oriented inquiry problems (i.e., focusing on inquiries they want to do rather than revealing what might be the cause of the phenomenon)' rather than going into a 'cause-oriented inquiry problem solving (i.e., revealing the cause of the phenomenon).' Among the curiosity-oriented inquiry problems, most of them were 'new-result inquiry problems (i.e., investigating what new results will occur by simply manipulating experimental situations).' It was also found that students who were provided with the scientific information tended to set significantly more inquiry problems using the provided information than those who were not (χ2(1)=8.996, p<.01), nevertheless the students with the scientific information did not set significantly more cause-oriented inquiry problems (χ2(1)=1.376, p>.05). The findings have been discussed from the four perspectives (i.e., lack of provided information, lack of opportunities to internalize the provided information, personal curiosity-seeking, and intuitive thinking), and implications for inquiry problem setting were suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.33-46
• /
• 2021

Inquiry occupies an important place in science education, and research related to inquiry is widely conducted. However, due to the inclusiveness of the concept of "exploration," each researcher perceives its meaning differently, and approaches may vary. In addition, criticisms have been raised that the results of classes using inquiry in science education do not guarantee meaningful changes to students. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the trend of SSCI-level research papers dealing with inquiry in science education over the past three years to confirm the current status and effectiveness of the inquiry. Researches used in the analysis are International Journal of Science Education, Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Research in Science Education, and Science Education, and limited to those that directly suggest "inquiry (enquiry)" as a keyword. Based on extracted 75 papers, the classification process was conducted, and an analysis frame was derived inductively by reflecting the subject and characteristics. Specific cases for each category were presented by dividing into three aspects: perception and perspective on inquiry, support and strategy for inquiry, and teacher professional development for inquiry. The results of examining the implications for scientific inquiry are as follows: First, rather than defining inquiry as an implicit proposition or presenting it as a step-by-step procedure, it was induced to grasp the meaning of inquiry more comprehensively and holistically. Second, as to whether the inquiry-based instruction is effective in all aspects of the cognitive, functional, and affective domains of science, the limitations are clearly presented, and the context-dependent and subject-specific properties and limitations of inquiry are emphasized. Third, uncertainty in science inquiry-based instruction can help learners to begin their inquiry and develop interest, but in the process of recognizing data and restructuring knowledge, explicit and specific guidance and scaffolding should be provided at an appropriate timing.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.278-289
• /
• 2021

The rapid aging of society has led to a surge in cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. As there is limited evidence for the development of dementia in medicine, a shift in focus on prevention strategies using bioactive compounds in food is required. This systematic review evaluated the effects of various bioactive compounds on age-associated cognitive decline. The literature was searched for terms related to bioactive compounds in cognitive decline and article selection was limited to clinical randomized controlled trials for a single bioactive compound. We identified 21 studies that evaluated the strength of the evidence. ω-3 fatty acids and vitamin B presented a strong evidence level, whereas vitamin D and E, anserine/carnosine, and chromium were defined as having moderate levels of evidence. ω-3 fatty acids relieved cognitive decline and reduced amyloid β-related protein accumulation. Vitamin B decreased homocysteine levels, which is accompanied by alleviation of cognitive function. In conclusion, ω-3 and vitamin B have the potential to improve age-associated cognitive decline.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.120-135
• /
• 2021

Changdeokgung Rear Garden is an important place to show the essence of the garden culture of the Joseon Dynasty. In the garden landscape experience, the restoration of the road completes the system of connecting the main spaces. Therefore, the restoration of the road requires accurate understanding of its creation, extinction, and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to detail the changes in the path that occurred in the Changdeokgung Palace Rear Garden from the late Joseon Dynasty to the modern and contemporary period by analyzing literature and drawing materials. For a time-series analysis, "Donggwoldo" and "Donggwoldohyeong" produced in the Joseon Dynasty, along with "Changdeokgung Plan Drawing" produced in modern and contemporary times, and aerial photographs were used. Drawings and photographs of different coordinate systems were transformed into one coordinate system in the geographic information system ArcGIS to compare changes in the movements of different periods. The results of the study are as follows. First, a total of 37 sections have been used since Japanese colonial era, of which 13 have been maintained, 14 have disappeared, and 10 have been newly established. Among the extinction sections, the road north of Neungheojeong Pavilion is considered to be an urgent place to connect the space to the garden and restore it to enjoy the scenery. In the new section, it seems necessary to establish a new alternative road or shorten the section for the connecting section between Daebodan and Okryucheon. Second, it was revealed that the biggest and most frequent changes to the road system in the garden were Japanese colonial era and renovations in the 1970s. It is worth noting the changes in the road since the 1970s, rather than Japanese colonial era, where it was difficult to manage the gardens independently. The access road to Okryucheon remained in its original shape until the 1990s, but it was renovated to its current shape due to misperception of the original shape. A project is needed to find out the cause of the change in this period and restore the damaged original shape. The biggest achievement of this study is that it revealed the changes in the garden path of Changdeokgung Palace in modern and contemporary times. The biggest achievement of this study is that it revealed the changes in the road of Changdeokgung Palace Rear Gardens in modern and contemporary times. However, there is a limitation that it has not been able to clearly present the location and shape that should be restored because it has not found data on landscaping plans or maintenance. In order to restore the road using the data revealed in this study, it seems necessary to consider realistic problems such as current space utilization, viewing system, disaster prevention and maintenance.