• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.423-428
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• 2009

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) constitute the first line of cellular defense against oxidative stress in plants. SODs generally occur in three different forms with Cu/Zn, Fe, or Mn as prosthetic metals. We cloned the full-length cDNA of the Thellungiella halophila Cu/Zn-SOD gene ThCSD using degenerate RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequence analysis indicated that the ThCSD gene (GenBank accession number EF405867) had an open reading frame of 456 bp. The deduced 152-amino acid polypeptide had a predicted molecular weight of 15.1 kDa, an estimated pI of 5.4, and a putative Cu/Zn-binding site. Recombinant ThCSD protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and assayed for SOD enzymatic activity in a native polyacrylamide gel. The SOD activity of ThCSD was inactivated by potassium cyanide and hydrogen peroxide but not by sodium azide, confirming that ThCSD is a Cu/Zn-SOD. Northern blotting demonstrated that ThCSD is expressed in roots, stems, and leaves. ThCSD mRNA levels increased by about 30-fold when plants were treated with sodium chloride (NaCl), abscisic acid (ABA), and indole-acetic acid (IAA) and by about 50-fold when treated with UVB light. These results indicate that ThCSD is involved in physiological pathways activated by a variety of environmental conditions.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.502-507
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• 2016

This study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of fermented Rhus verniciflua stem bark extract (RVSBE) on the stomach. We evaluated RVSBE for its antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), along with its ability to reduce the viability of human gastric cancer AGS cells. In addition, its anti-inflammatory effect was examined by evaluating nitric oxide (NO) production, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. RVSBE showed antimicrobial activity, as 2.0 mg of the extract produced a clear inhibition zone of 4.0 mm. RVSBE inhibited the growth of AGS cells by 20% at concentrations ranging from 0.25-1.0 mg/mL. Regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of RVSBE, at 0.1-1.0 mg/mL, the extract showed more than 75% inhibition of NO production. In addition, cells treated with 0.25 mg/mL RVSBE showed a 25% decrease in iNOS mRNA levels compared to those in the LPS-treated cells. These results suggest that RVSBE may have significant inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators, and therefore, may be a potential anti-inflammatory candidate.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Peach seeds contain a large amount of phenolic components and exhibit excellent physiological effects in various diseases. We examined the antioxidant effects of stone and seed of three peach cultivars (Miwhang, MH; Kanoiwa hakuto, KH; and Cheonhong, CH) by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferric reducing activity of plasma (FRAP) assay, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) reduction. The results showed that the stone extracts of CH had higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids than those of the other cultivars do, and the stone extracts of KH and CH have the potential to reduce DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC activities. In addition, we found that KH, MH, and CH stone extracts decreased nitric oxide generation in RAW 264.7 and BV2 cells. The total phenol and flavonoid contents had no significant correlation with anti-oxidant activities. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory activity had a low linear correlation with anti-oxidant activities and total phenol and flavonoid contents. The present results suggest that the correlation between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of stone and seed, and the appropriate combination of the stone and seed extracts could be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment and prevention material, respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2019

Purpose: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is known to have effective antimicrobial and anticancer activity. The main bioactive components of PG are saponins, and these could contribute to anti-inflammatory activity. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory effect of PG. In this study, we aim to assess the anti-inflammatory response to Red PG Extract (RPGE) in splenocytes under ex vivo conditions. Methods: The cell viability of isolated splenocytes taken from mice was analyzed by performing a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The productions of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (specifically interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10)) were measured utilizing Griess reagent and ELISA, respectively. Results: We found that co-treatment with RPGE and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) decreased isolated splenocyte proliferation as compared with that of the LPS-stimulated control. We also observed that RPGE markedly suppressed NO synthesis and IL-6 production that was induced by LPS. There were no significant differences of IL-10 production between co-treatment with RPGE plus LPS and treatment with LPS alone. Conclusion: When taken together, our data has shown that RPGE mitigates LPS-induced inflammation in splenocytes isolated from mice. Further research is surely needed to confirm the anti-inflammation effects of RPGE in an in vivo model.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.422-427
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• 2018

This study was performed to determine quality characteristics of solar-dried persimmon for each cultivar. The physical and sensory characteristics of 4 cultivars of solar-dried persimmons (Gojongsi, Godongsi, Sangjudungsi, Koshuhyakume) were investigated. As a result, yield rate and firmness was highest in Koshuhyakume (29.5%, 9.62 N). Meanwhile, the soluble solid content (SSC) was the highest in Gojongsi ($27.3^{\circ}Brix$) and it has a significant difference between 4 cultivars (p<0.05). The water activity was range from 0.784 to 0.819 and Gojongsi (0.784) was significantly lower than others. The water contents value was the highest in Koshuhyakume (37.51%), while Sangjudungsi (35.32%) was the lowest. In case of Hunter's value, 'L', 'a' and 'b' were the highest in Sangjudungsi (34.56, 9.24, 17.07), whereas Koshuhyakume (29.17, 5.68, 13.59) has generally low value. In sensory evaluation, overall acceptability was the highest in Gojongsi and Godongsi (5.16), while Koshuhyakume (3.95) was the lowest. The results showed that the quality characteristics of dried persimmon manufactured by solar drying method have distinct difference according to cultivars.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.112-120
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to explore educational methods for elementary, middle and high schools using school forests via IT convergence. To this aim, we reviewed the previous literature on education using school forests to identify the problems with the existing education using school forests, and conducted interviews with experts to analyze the demands. we proposed an educational method that can utilize the school forests via IT convergence, and explored its validity through content reviews conducted by experts. The findings of this study are as follows. First, we proposed the IT convergence instruction focused on hands-on activities on top of the existing educational contents. Second, we proposed IT convergence instruction that incorporates diverse materials, physical computing tools, and programming tools. Third, we presented methods for utilizing such IT convergence instruction in connection with various elements of the 2015 Revised Curriculum as well as with various other activities such as middle school free semester activities and after-school activities. The school forest is a crucial learning space for the areas related to agriculture and biotechnology. Thus, we anticipate that the IT convergence instruction proposed in this study will lead to the re-discovery and re-evaluation of a value of school forests as an educational space that contributes to fulfilling the objective of the 2015 Revised Curriculum to nurture creative convergent talent.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.836-843
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on proliferation of human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HCT-116, PC-3 and AGS) of crude soyasaponin extracts in germinated black soybean. Black soybean was germinated and subjected to HHP, followed by preparation of crude soyasaponin extracts. Cell treatments done with extracts less than $400{\mu}g/mL$ concentrations had no significant effect on 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell viability. The inhibitory effect of crude soyasaponin extracts with germination periods and applied pressure on breast cancer cell (MCF-7), human colon cancer cell (HCT-116), human gastriccancer cell (AGS) and prostate cancer cell (PC-3) growth were investigated using MTT assay. The highest anti-proliferation of human cancer cell line of crude soyasaponin extracts was observed at 150 MPa treatment after germination for 4 days (150 MPa-Day 4). The cell viability on MCF-7, HCT-116, PC-3 and AGS cell lines of crude soyasaponin extract in 150 MPa-Day4 was 48.82%, 57.37%, 39.89% and 23.94% at $400{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. These results suggest that soyasaponin extracts from black soybean subjected to HHP after germination may mediate physiological activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.280-287
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• 2022

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Loquat fruit extracts from three cultivars (Tanaka, Mogi, and Jinwang) were prepared using absolute methanol and homogenization and ultrasound sonication procedures. We measured the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the fruit extracts and their antioxidant capacities. In addition, we evaluated tyrosinase activity and anti-melanogenic effects in B16F1 melanoma cells. The fruit extract from cv. Tanaka had the highest total phenolic content and showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the ABTS assay. The loquat fruit extract from cv. Jinwang had the highest total flavonoid content and showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the DPPH assay. Loquat fruit extracts from the Tanaka and Jinwang cultivars effectively inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity. The loquat fruit extracts reduced intracellular oxidative stress in B16F1 melanoma cells. Treating B16F1 melanoma cells with loquat fruit extract from cv. Tanaka at a concentration of 125 ㎍/mL effectively inhibited melanin synthesis. However, treating the B16F1 melanoma cells with loquat fruit extracts from the Jinwang and Mogi cultivars did not. These results suggest that loquat fruit extracts from the Tanaka cultivar may serve as potential sources of antioxidants and act as a skin-whitening agent.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.964-974
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• 2022

Objective: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a threat to the poultry industry and economy and remains a potential source of pandemic infection in humans. Antiviral genes are considered a potential factor for studies on HPAIV resistance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated gene expression related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by comparing non-infected, HPAI-infected resistant, and susceptible Ri chicken lines. Methods: Resistant (Mx/A; BF2/B21) and susceptible Ri chickens (Mx/G; BF2/B13) were selected by genotyping the Mx and BF2 genes. Then, the tracheal tissues of non-infected and HPAIV H5N1 infected chickens were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: A gene set overlapping test between the analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functionally categorized genes was performed, including biological processes of the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. A total of 1,794 DEGs were observed between control and H5N1-infected resistant Ri chickens, 432 DEGs between control and infected susceptible Ri chickens, and 1,202 DEGs between infected susceptible and infected resistant Ri chickens. The expression levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related genes (including MyD88, NF-κB, AP-1, c-fos, Jun, JunD, MAX, c-Myc), cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), type I interferons (IFN-α, IFN-β), and IFN-stimulated genes (Mx1, CCL19, OASL, and PRK) were higher in H5N1-infected than in non-infected resistant Ri chickens. MyD88, Jun, JunD, MAX, cytokines, chemokines, IFNs, and IFN-stimulated expressed genes were higher in resistant-infected than in susceptible-infected Ri chickens. Conclusion: Resistant Ri chickens showed higher antiviral activity compared to susceptible Ri chickens, and H5N1-infected resistant Ri chickens had immune responses and antiviral activity (cytokines, chemokines, interferons, and IFN-stimulated genes), which may have been induced through the MAPK signaling pathway in response to H5N1 infection.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.91-105
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• 2024

Plantago asiatica L. (P. asiatica) is a perennial plant belonging to the plantaginaceae and is useful in treating a various diseases such as wounds, bronchitis, and chronic constipation. The bioactive effects of P. asiatica extract was evaluated to determine its potential for use as a variety materials in the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents, free radical scavenging, reducing power activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression were measured to identify the antioxidative activity. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated via analysis of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory protein expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell. As a result of measuring the antioxidant activities of the P. asiatica extract, the total polyphenol content was 50.91±0.78 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and the flavonoid content was 100.99±0.44 mg rutin equivalents/g, and both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power increased depending on the concentration. Also, intracellular ROS production was inhibited by the P. asiatica extract. No cytotoxicity was observed when P. asiatica extract was treated, and NO and inflammatory protein expression were inhibited, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation was also inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, P. asiatica is a functional natural resources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents that can be used in various industries, including food and agriculture.