• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.1-5
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• 2003

In order to prepare a basis for ecological restoration of the Seoul Metropolitan area, ecological diagnoses on soil physico-chemical properties and vegetation structure were carried out. Land use patterns, actual vegetation, and biotope patterns were also investigated based on aerial photograph interpretation and field checks. I formulated landscape elements overlaying those data and evaluated the ecological value of each element. Soil pollution was evaluated by analyzing soil samples collected in each grid on the mesh map, divided by 2km $\times$ 2km intervals. Soil samples were collected in forests or grasslands escaped from direct human interference. Soil pollution evaluated from pH, and SO$_4$, Ca, Mg, and Al contents of soil was more severe in the urban outskirts than in the urban center. Those soil environmental factors showed significant correlation with each other. Vegetation in the urban area was different in species composition from that in suburban areas and showed lower diversity compared with that in the suburban areas. Successional process investigated by population structure of major species also showed a difference. That is, successional trend was normal in suburban areas, but that in urban areas showed a retrogressive pattern. The landscape ecological map of Seoul indicates that the urban center lacks vegetation and greenery space is restricted in urban outskirts. Such an uneven distribution of vegetation has caused a specific urban climate and thereby contributed to aggravation of air and soil pollution, furthermore causing vegetation decline. From this result, it was estimated that such uneven distribution of vegetation functioned as a trigger factor to deteriorate the urban environment. I suggested, therefore, a restoration plan based on landscape ecological principles, which emphasizes connectivity and even distribution of green areas throughout the whole area of the Seoul to solve this complex environmental problem. In this restoration plan, first of all, I decided the priority order for connection of the fragmented greenery spaces based on the distances from the core reserves comprised of green belt and rivers, which play roles as habitats of wildlife as well as for improvement of urban environment. Next, I prepared methods to restore each landscape element included in the paths of green network to be constructed in the future on the bases of such preferential order. Rivers and roads, which hold good connectivity, were chosen as elements to play important roles in constructing green network by linking the fragmented greenery spaces.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was attempted to new methods in mammalian embryos vitrification. This method was affected to increase of the embryo vitrification efficiency and it would be applied to the field of embryo transfer to recipient by modified loading method of embryo into 0.25 ml plastic straw. The frozen mouse embryos were carried out warmed from two different cell stages (8-cell and blastocyst, respectively) by attachment of an embryo in the vitrification straw (aV) method. All groups were cultured in M-16 medium to determine the development and survivability for 24 h, respectively. Results shown that, the survivability of two different groups were significantly different (94.8% vs. 70.9%). Total cell number was not significantly different the non-frozen blastocyst ($99.7{\pm}12.4$) compared to the post-thaw blastocyst ($94.8{\pm}15.1$). From the 8-cell embryo, total cell number of frozen blastocysts were significantly lower than others groups ($74.7{\pm}14.6$, p<0.05). In the case of cell death analysis, the blastocysts from non-frozen and frozen-thawed 8-cell group were not different ($0.0{\pm}0.0$ vs. $1.9{\pm}3.1$, p>0.05). However, the apoptotic nuclei of blastocyst were significantly observed the frozen-thawed group ($5.4{\pm}4.4$) compared to non-frozen group (p<0.05). Therefore, this new method of embryos using in-straw dilution and direct transfer into other species would be more simple procedure of embryo transfer rather than step-wise dilution method and cryopreservation vessels, so we can be applied in animal as well as human embryo cryopreservation in further.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.134-146
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Accumulating evidence has shown the beneficial effects of isoflavone on health. There is limited information on the usual isoflavone intake for Koreans. This study examined the usual intake of total isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans according to age and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The dietary intake data of 21,271 participants aged 1 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII 2016-2018 were analyzed. The average isoflavone intake was estimated based on the 24-h dietary recall data in KNHANES and the isoflavone database from the Korea Rural Development Administration (RDA) and literatures. The usual isoflavone intake was estimated by applying the ratio of within- and between-participant variance estimated from the 2009 KNHANES data to the 7th KNHANES (2016-2018) data. The variance of the isoflavone intake was calculated using MIXTRAN macro with intake data for two days in the 2009 KNHANES. Complex sample analysis with stratified variables and integrated weights was conducted. RESULTS: The mean total isoflavone intake in the Korean population aged 1 yrs and older (n = 21,271) was 139.27 mg/d, which was higher than the usual intake of 47.44mg/d. Legumes were a major contributing food group (91%), with arrowroot being a major individual contributor to the isoflavone intake (67.2%), followed by 21.3% of soybean, 5.4% of bean sprouts, and 2.1% of tofu. The usual isoflavone intake was highest in the participants aged 50 to 64 yrs old and increased with age until 50 to 64 yrs and then decreased with further increases in age. The usual isoflavone intake of participants aged 65 yrs and older was higher for men than for women, showing gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: The usual dietary intake of isoflavone varied according to age and gender in the Korean population. This study showed that the usual isoflavone intake was lower than the average isoflavone intake. The difference between percentiles of the usual isoflavone intake was similarly smaller than the average intake. An estimation of average intake can be hindered by the occasional consumption of foods high in isoflavones, suggesting that the usual intake estimation method can be more appropriate. Further research will be needed to establish isoflavone dietary guidelines regarding the effects of isoflavone intake on health outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.919-923
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• 1998

Background: Calcific degeneration is unavoidable in either homo- or heterografts implanted in the human body. We have developed a calcification-resistant cardiovascular tissue patch using a novel technique of anticalcification. Materials and methods: Fresh bovine pericardium was harvested at the slaughter house and transfered to the laboratory in Hank's solution. After trimming and fixing the pericardium, it was embedded in 4$^{\circ}C$ 0.65% glutaraldehyde for a week and then washed by phosphate-buffered saline(PBS) of pH 7.4. This prepared pericardium was then stored in 2.5% sulphonated polyethyleneoxide(PEO-SO3) solution for 2 days at room temperature and reversed by 4$^{\circ}C$ NaBH4 solution for 16 hours. To evaluate the calcification-resistance of surface modified bovine pericardium with PEO-SO3, either glutaraldehyde- treated(GA group, n=4) or PEO-SO3-treated pericardial patch(PEO-SO3 group, n=4) was implanted into adult mongrel dog to reconstruct the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta using a partial clamp technique. After 1 month follow-up, the implanted patches were retrieved to evaluate the pathologic findings and the content of calcium and phosphorous. Results: The PEO-SO3 group showed substantially less retraction and significantly less calcium deposition than the GA group in both aortic(7.10$\pm$1.05 vs. 13.81$\pm$2.33 mg/g of dried tissue) and pulmonary positions(1.55$\pm$0.29 vs. 6.72$\pm$0.70 mg/g)(p<0.01). Phosphorous contents were also less in the PEO-SO3 group than the GA group significantly, 8.11$\pm$1.07 mg/g vs. 19.33$\pm$4.31 mg/g in the aortic and 2.58$\pm$0.40 vs. 12.60$\pm$3.40 mg/g in thepulmonary position(p<0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that PEO-SO3 modified bovine pericardium is highly calcification-resistant but further study is needed to evaluate the long-term biological safety and compatibility of the prosthesis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.349-362
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• 2018

An annual plant, Eclipta prostrata (Linn) is a member of the Asteraceae plant family and inhabited in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. Through many previous researches, E. prostrata has been extensively studied for its hepatoprotective effect, antivenom potential against viper venom, antioxidant, hair-growth, wound-healing efficacy and so on. In this study, for better understanding of the potential of E. prostrata as skin protectant, we conducted the experiments evaluating the antioxidant and antiaging efficacy. To this end, 50% ethanolic extract of E. prostrata and its ethyl acetate fraction were prepared and investigated. For the evaluation of antioxidant capacity of the samples, $FSC_{50}$ and $OSC_{50}$ were estimated. As a result, $OSC_{50}$ of ethyl acetate fraction was 2.7 times superior to $OSC_{50}$ of L-ascorbic acid, a well known antioxidant agent. Futhermore E. prostrata showed notable reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effect and protective effect against $H_2O_2$ in the celluar level as well. Especially, in the $^1O_2$ induced hemolysis test, $64{\mu}g/mL$ of ethyl acetate fraction showed greater than 6 times increased retardation effect compare to control which means E. prostrata has remarkable antioxidant capacity. To validate the antiaging effect of the samples, we conducted elastase inhibition assay using elastase solution extracted from human skin fibroblasts, Hs68. As a result, $16{\mu}g/mL$ of each sample showed 6.8% and 14.0% of elastase inhibition respectively. Finally, antimicrobial activity of E. prostrata was assessed to validate the possibility as alternative preservative. From the result, ethyl acetate fraction showed oustanding antimicrobial activity as of methyl paraben, a well known chemical preservative. In conclusion, these results suggest that E. prostrata can be used as natural skin protectant or preservative as natural ingredient in food or cosmetics industry.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2008

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on elastase, and components of Cayratia japonica extracts were investigated. The free radical(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities($FSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica were in the order: 50% ethanol extract(114.3 ${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenging activities($OSC_{50}$) of some Cayratia japonica extracts in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activities were deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction($OSC_{50},\;3.30{\mu}g/mL$)<50% ethanol extract(1.21 ${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The Cayratia japonica extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner($1{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$), particularly deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction exhibited the most prominent celluar protective effect(${\tau}_{50}$, 175.05min at 25 ${\mu}g/mL$). Aglycone fractions obtained from the deglycosylation reaction of ethyl acetate fraction among the Cayratia japonica extracts, showed 2 bands in TLC and 2 peaks in HPLC experiments(360 nm). Two components were identified as luteolin(composition ratio, 47.50%), apigenin(52.50). TLC chromatogram of ethyl acetate fraction of Cayratia japonica extract revealed 3 bands and HPLC chromatogram showed 4 peaks, which were identified as luteolin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(composition ratio, 11.14%), apigenin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside(15.38%), luteolin(23.55%) and apigenin(49.92%) in the order of elution time. The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction on elastase($IC_{50},\;70.5{\mu}g/mL$) was very high. These results indicate that extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. And component analysis of Cayratia japonica extract and antioxidative effects could be applicable to new cosmetics.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2007

Although the incidence and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) is steadily increasing at an alarming rate, its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood yet. Recently, we found that the expression of Grb7 protein was markedly decreased in AD patients using proteomic analysis. In the present study, human Grb7 gene was fused with PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame PEP-1-Grb7 fusion protein. The expressed and purified PEP-1-Grb7 fusion proteins transduced efficiently into skin cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously in culture media. Once inside the cells, the transduced PEP-1-Grb7 protein was stable for 48 h. In addition, transduced PEP-1-Grb7 fusion protein markedly increased cell viability in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells treated with LPS by inhibition of the COX-2 expression level. These results suggest that the PEP-1-Grb7 fusion protein can be used in protein therapy for inflammatory skin disorders, including AD.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2020

The Fabaceae family are being used as traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant effects as well as the cell protecting effects of extracts of 5 species (Astragalus membranaceus, Caesalpinia sappan L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis F., Pueraria lobate O., Pterocarpus santalinus L.) in Fabaceae family. The extracts from 5 species were tested by radical scavenging activity test, total phenolic contents and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. Anti-oxidant effects of the extracts (5 mg/mL) from C. sappan was 93.49% by radical scavenging activity test. In addition, A. membranaceus extracts showed a weak radical scavenging activity. Anti-oxidant effects of the extracts (5 mg/mL) from A. membranaceus was 7.83% by radical scavenging activity test. Total phenolic contents of the extracts from C. sappan and A. membranaceus were 310.93 mg GAE/g extract, 15.33 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Cell protecting effects against H₂O₂ treatment were observed at 100 ㎍/mL concentration of C. sappan and P. santalinus extracts. These results suggest that C. sappan and P. santalinus might be best anti-oxidant in Fabaceae family.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2021

This study investigated the anti-cancer effects of Salicornia herbacea L. fractions in human ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR-3). S. herbacea powder was extracted with 95% EtOH and sequentially fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, butanol, and H2O. Further, the growth inhibitory effects of the six fractions were determined using the MTS assay. The DCM fraction dramatically decreased cell viability. Similarly, the cell cycle was arrested at the subG1 phase in DCM-treated cells. To confirm apoptosis, the cells were stained with annexin V/FITC-PI solution. Total, early, and late apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the DCM fraction. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was reduced, whereas the pro-apoptotic factors Bax and Bak were increased in DCM fraction-treated cells. These results indicated that the DCM fraction in S. herbacea exhibited strong apoptotic effects through the p53-dependent signaling pathway.