• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.498-506
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• 2018

Purpose: Lycopene, a carotenoid with anti-oxidant properties, occurs naturally in tomatoes and pink grapefruit. Although the beneficial effects of lycopene on various disorders have been established, little attention has been paid to the possible anti-diabetic effects of lycopene focusing on ${\beta}$-cells. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of lycopene to protect ${\beta}$-cells against apoptosis induced by a cytokine mixture. Methods: For toxicity experiments, the cells were treated with 0.1 ~ 10 nM of lycopene, and the cell viability in INS-1 cells (a rat ${\beta}$-cell line) was measured using a MTT assay. To induce cytokine toxicity, the cells were treated with a cytokine mixture (20 ng/mL of $TNF{\alpha}$ + 20 ng/mL of IL-$1{\beta}$) for 24 h, and the effects of lycopene (0.1 nM) on the cytokine toxicity were measured using the MTT assay. The expression levels of the apoptotic proteins were analyzed by Western blotting, and the level of intracellular reactive oxidative stress (ROS) was monitored using a DCFDA fluorescent probe. The intracellular ATP levels were determined using a luminescence kit, and mRNA expression of the genes coding for anti-oxidative stress response and mitochondrial function were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Results: Exposure of INS-1 cells to 0.1 nM of lycopene increased the cell viability significantly, and protected the cells from cytokine-induced death. Lycopene upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and reduced the expression of the Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) protein. Lycopene inhibited apoptotic signaling via a reduction of the ROS, and this effect correlated with the upregulation of anti-oxidative stress response genes, such as GCLC, NQO1, and HO-1. Lycopene increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial function-related genes and increased the cellular ATP level. Conclusion: These results suggest that lycopene reduces the level of oxidative stress and improves the mitochondrial function, contributing to the prevention of cytokine-induced ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis. Therefore, lycopene could potentially serve as a preventive and therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.183-198
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• 2014

This study aims to suggest useful information for tteokbokki franchise businesses to enter foreign markets by market testing and surveying preferences of foreign consumers with various kinds of tteokbokki. For this research, a survey was conducted from July 16 to August 20, 2012, targeting the people who live in Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS for Windows Version 18.0. The relationship between the general details of consumers and the results of the market test were analyzed using canonical correlation analysis. Research results and utilization plans are expected to use for improving the image of the country and ripple effects on exporting agricultural and fishery products, along with the effect of increasing spread of overseas personnel export and domestic Korean overseas supply of cultural content. Nurturing restaurant franchise business, creating jobs, and contributing to the increase in the income of the rural economy are also expected. Fermented tteokbokki franchise business should create new added value. The development of fermented tteokbokki will build a new culture of consumption, expand consumption, academic cooperation and joint technology development, and activate employment linked. Consequently, it is necessary to understand eating habits of local consumers from a variety of perspectives such as texture, taste, and colors of sauce when globalizing Korean food.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2015

Antimicrobial agents or additives have commonly been used in domestic animals for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the overgrowth of bacteria that is resistant to antimicrobial agents used by humans, and these might get disseminated to humans via the food. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of integrons, and characterized gene cassette arrays in Proteus mirabilis isolates obtained from chickens in Chungcheong province of Korea. Additionally, the correlation between gene cassette arrays and antimicrobial resistance rate was studied. A total of 26 Proteus mirabilis isolates were recovered from chickens in Chungcheong province in Korea. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to characterize the gene cassette arrays. In addition, we employed repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-based PCR (REP-PCR) method for clonality analysis of P. mirabilis strains. Of the 26 P. mirabilis isolates tested, 14 (53.8%) isolates carried class 1 integrons, while class 2 and class 3 integrons were not detected in our study. The class 1 integrons harbored genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides (aacCA5, aadA2, aadA5 and aadA7), trimethoprim (dfrA17, and dfrA32), lincosamides (linF) and erythromycin (ereA). In particular, the presence of class 1 integron had a significant correlatation to a high resistance rate of aminoglycoside and trimethoprim. We confirmed that class 1 integrons are widely disseminated in P. mirabilis isolates from chickens, contributing to the resistance to diverse antimicrobial agents in Korea. To prevent further spreading of antimicrobial resistant genes among P. mirabilis isolates, constant monitoring and clinical policing will become necessary.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.16-26
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• 2015

This study aims to suggest possible policy options for collection of post-consumer diapers as a sustainable prerequisite to implementation of public recycling system with the desktop monitoring results and analysis of collection cost involved. By conducting a diaper collection pilot test on daycare centers and households in the Seoul Nowon-gu, this study revealed that the odor issues did not stand out as an important hindering factor and that the collection rate was the largest contributing factor regarding collection costs. The exploratory cost analysis result shows that the implemented recycling system must guarantee collection rate over 50% via twice-a-week collection frequency, to be comparable or even superior to the current food waste collection cost. Also the pilot demonstration test showed that the final collection rate can be achieved as much as over 50%. The promising data thus obtained cost economically viable future diaper recycling system implementation in the entire Seoul metropolis and adjacent areas of dense population. With the concomitant development of recycling technology and related infrastructure for systematic collection of diaper waste, it makes our society much more sustainable.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9543-9547
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate demographic features, dietary habits, and some possible risk factors for being susceptible to breast cancer in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: A study of dietary habits and breast cancer was conducted among 53 Iranian women with histological confirmed disease and 40 matched controls. A dietary habits questionnaire was used to evaluate the pattern of selected food intakes. The risk of cancer was analyzed after adjustment for confounding factors. Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, educational status, parity, lactation, marital status, menopause, history of estrogen therapy, and family history of breast disease or cancer were assessed among participants. Special attention was given to the relationship between consumption of high fat meat, milk, yogurt and cheese as well use of frying oils for frying foods, use of olive/liquid oils for cooking, removing fat from meat and poultry, removing chicken skin and not use of mayonnaise as salad dressing and the risk of breast cancer. Moreover, salad, vegetable and fruit consumption, and eating outdoors owere investigated. Results: Our results revealed significant lower education and higher BMI and waist circumference levels in patients with breast cancer. There was significantly increased breast cancer risk in overweight women in comparison with normal weight (OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.24 to 6.82). High intake of fat dairy products including milk and cheese was found to be a statistically significant factor for increasing breast cancer risk in models adjusting for age, BMI and education. Use of olive/liquid oils for cooking and avoidance of mayonnaise as salad dressing are related to lower risk of breast cancer. The frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption was significantly lower in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy women. Conclusions: Dietary habits might be risk factors for breast cancer among Iranian women. Adoption of a prudent diet could be an appropriate strategy for preventing breast cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1311-1318
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• 2015

The effects of fruit maturation on changes in the total phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids of methanolic extracts of Citrus sudachi, in addition to its antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, were determined. Generally, the concentration of these chemical constituents increased as C. sudachi reached maturity. C. sudachi contained high levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids at maturity, contributing 6339.5 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g, 2364.2 mg of rutin equivalent per 100 g, and 678.7 mg/ml, respectively. The scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide radicals and the reducing power of mature fruits were significantly higher at all data points than those of immature fruits (p<0.05). In contrast, the ferrous ion chelating activity of mature and immature C. sudachi fruits was similar. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of mature fruits were 4.1±0.10 mg/ml for scavenging DPPH radicals, 3.1±0.02 mg/ml for scavenging hydrogen peroxide, 3.9±0.01 mg/ml for scavenging nitric oxide, and 3.8±0.02 mg/ml for chelating ferrous ion. The antidiabetic activity of C. sudachi was studied in vitro using the α-glucosidase inhibitory method. The inhibitory activity of mature C. sudachi fruits on α-glucosidase was higher than that of immature fruits. These results suggest that the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of C. sudachi change during maturation. These findings can be further extended to exploit them for their possible application for the preservation of food products, as well as their use as health supplements and nutraceuticals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichostrongylids, and hookworms). Six species of intestinal protists were identified, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora spp., Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia. Questionnaires and interviews were also conducted to determine risk factors of infection. These analyses together with a prevailing infection level suggested that most of villagers were exposed to parasites in a similar degree due to limited socio-economic differences and sharing of similar practices. Limited access to effective public health facilities is also a significant contributing factor.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate of dental plaque, calculus and gingival inflammation in Beagle dogs. Forty adults Beagle dogs (28 male and 12 female) were used in this study. The dogs weighed 9.5 kg and were in good oral and systemic health as determined by physical examination, and all dogs had full and normal dentition. The dogs were given a commercial pellet feed during 2 years period. For all examination procedures, the dogs were premedicated with a subcutaneous injection of atropine sulfate (0.04 mg/kg). Anesthesia was induced and maintained by intravenous administration of ketamine (8 mg/kg) and xylazine (2 mg/kg). Dental plaque, calculus and gingival inflammation were assessed by Logan and Boyce clinical plaque index. Calculi covering the maxillary carnassial and first molar teeth were extensive and were accompanied by severe gingival inflammation and pocket formation. Calculi, accompanied by gingival inflammation, were clearly evident on buccal surfaces of other teeth. Calculi didn't showed on the lingual surfaces, but linguogingival inflammation formed in premolar teeth. Although the general pattern was clear, there was considerable variation among dogs in the rate of deposition of calculus and extend of gingival inflammation. This investigation suggest that feeding of the commercial dry food without dental hygiene increase plaque accumulation and may be a contributing factor in calculi formation and periodontal disease.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.35-45
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• 2020

To diversify the agro-food exports of Korea, this study selected Russia, which is located closet to CIS countries, as a sampling area and sought ways to promote the export of Korean hang over drinks to Russia. This study analyzed the contributing factors to the export, such as Russian consumers' purchasing intentions, as well as the willingness to pay of korean hang over drinks in Russia, using the paper review and on-off line survey data correction method. Major results are as follows. First, Russian consumers' intention of purchasing Korean hang over drinks is higher than Europe and the other products. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the demographic characteristics of Russian consumers and then actively use niche marketing strategies. Second, the purchase intention of Russian consumers towards increased when buying behavior occurred in supermarket, hypermarket- and convenience stores. Third, it seems prefer to pricing of Korean hang over drinks in Russian export market similar to the domestic price level.

• The Southeast Asian review
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.77-123
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• 2011

Recently, Southeast Asian people, its food, natural sceneries and so on have been increasingly exposed to Korean people through mass media and multi-cultural events. At the same time, Koreans can frequently encounter Southeast Asians in their everyday lives. Thus, specific images and discourses of Southeast Asia has been established in our society, which creates a new social trend called 'Southeast Asia phenomena'. In short, 'Southeast Asia phenomena' means a totality of Korean people's experience of Southeast Asian and their perception on the region. On the one hand, 'Southeast Asia phenomena' is a result of inflow of Southeast Asians and their culture into Korea. On the other hand, it is also a consequence of Korean people's understanding of Southeast Asia from their trip to Southeast Asia or from their interactions with Southeast Asian people. This article aims to analyze the origin and diffusion of 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' in Korea in the context of Southeast Asia focusing on 4 topics, that is, migrant workers, overseas investments, retirement migration, study-abroad categorized as human movement. This article is also about a country-by-country comparative analysis both at the macro level and the micro level. At the macro level, overseas investments and trade, human exchanges, positive perception to Koreans which considered to be the structural causes become a strong mechanism playing a important bridge role between Korea and Southeast Asia. So these create the high probability of the emergence of 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' At the micro level which is more direct causes of 'Southeast Asian Phenomena', the economic cause is the most important common cause for 4 Southeast Asian Phenomena. Additionally, Korean wave is also remarkable common cause creating 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' even it is not the origin in the context of Southeast Asia. The diffusion of 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' is different by the topics and the elements contributing to create the favorable situation for the diffusion are not only overseas investments and trade, human exchanges at the macro level but also policy elements at the micro level. The relative differences of the causes of 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' in the country-by-country analysis are found. Regarding overseas investments in Vietnam and Cambodia, the economic degree of freedom in Cambodia is higher than in Vietnam. Even Korean Wave has had the longer history in Vietnam, but the favorable perspectives on Korean Wave are stronger in Cambodia. For migrant workers from Vietnam and Indonesia, the economic causes in Vietnam are more significant than in Indonesia. The impact of Korean Wave is stronger in Vietnam than in Indonesia. In case of study-abroad, the social-cultural elements and policy elements are more diverse in Malaysia than in Korea. For the Korean retirees who immigrate to the Philippines and Malaysia, the economic causes in the Philippines is more significant in Malaysia.