• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1346-1353
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• 2014

In the present study, an anthraquinone derivative, questinol was successfully isolated from the broth extract of the marine-derived fungus Eurotium amstelodami for the first time. The structure of questinol was determined based on the analysis of the MS and NMR spectral data as well as comparison of those data with the published data. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of questinol in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. The results showed that questinol did not exhibit cytotoxicity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells up to $200{\mu}M$. Questinol could significantly inhibit NO and $PGE_2$ production at indicated concentrations. Questinol was also found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, the western blot analysis showed that questinol suppressed the expression level of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. However, questinol could slightly inhibit the expression of COX-2 at the concentration of $200{\mu}M$. Therefore, our study suggests that questinol might be selected as a promising agent for the prevention and therapy of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.229-240
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• 2022

Purpose : In this study, using Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy for metabolic diseases, we analyzed the effect of immune and inflammation-related variables and respiratory health-related variables of test subjects to verify the effect of improving respiratory health. Methods : In this study, 26 patients with metabolic diseases were divided into an experimental group (N=13) and a control group (N=13). After Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy (four weeks/three times a week/1 hour per time), metabolic disease-related variables and immune and respiratory health-related variables were measured and compared between the two groups. The conclusion of this study is as follows: Results : After the four-week Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy, in terms of changes in the metabolic disease-related variables, the control group exhibited a higher increase in TC and LDL-C levels than the experimental group. In the case of glucose, the experimental group showed a decrease after the experiment (p<.05). After the four-week thermotherapy, a statistically significant interactive effect occurred in natural killer (NK) cells among the immune-related variables. According to the results of a post-experimental analysis, the control group showed a higher decrease in NK cells than the experimental group (p<.05). After the 4-weeks thermotherapy, the experimental group showed a greater increase in maximum oxygen intake of the respiratory health-related variables than the control group. Conclusion : Based on a comprehensive review of the study results, the subjects who underwent the four-week Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy exhibited positive physical changes in metabolic disease-related variables as well as immune and respiratory health-related variables, which demonstrates the effectiveness of Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy on immune and respiratory health. Accordingly, it is recommended to conduct long-term Oyster Shell Thermal Therapy with various models in terms of the size and shape.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1272-1274
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.17-18
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• 2018

19세기 이전부터 유럽에서는 해양치유자원을 이용한 치유요법인 탈라소테라피(Thalassotherapy)가 국민들의 건강을 지켜오고 있다. 탈라소테라피(Thalassotherapy)란 바다를 뜻하는 그리스어 'Thalassa'와 치료를 뜻하는 'Therapy'가 합쳐진 말로 해양치유자원을 이용해 신체적 정신적 건강을 증진시키는 활동을 뜻한다. 최근 우리나라에도 건강한 삶을 추구하는 인식의 변화 속에 다양한 해양치유자원을 이용하는 해양치유의 수요가 증가하고 있다. 본 논문에서는 해양치유산업의 활성화를 위한 해양치유자원의 현황 및 활용방안에 대해 연구하였다. 우리나라 해양치유자원의 분포를 확인하기 위해 동해, 서해, 남해, 제주도 등 4개의 권역으로 구분하여 전국을 대상으로 총괄도를 제작하였으며 국내외 해양치유자원을 이용해 작성된 문헌을 통해 해양치유자원의 이용현황에 대해 조사하였다. 또한 해양치유산업 선진국인 독일, 프랑스, 일본을 모델로 우리나라에 맞는 해양치유자원 적합기준을 연구하였다. 그 결과, 각 지역별 해양치유자원은 경기도:(머드, 염생식물, 염지하수, 해조류), 충청남도:(머드, 해조류, 천일염, 해조류), 전라북도:(머드, 염생식물, 해조류 해풍), 전라남도:(해조류, 해수, 천일염, 머드 해풍), 제주도:(용암해수, 염지하수, 태양광, 해수욕장), 강원도:(심층수, 태양광, 해조류, 해송림), 경상남도:(해조류, 해수욕장, 태양광, 해풍), 경상북도:(해조류, 태양광, 심층수, 염지하수, 해송림), 울산:(해조류, 태양광), 부산 :(해조류, 해수욕장, 태양광)이 있었으며 해양치유 자원을 이용해 작성된 국내외 논문은 265편(해수:101편, 머드:27편, 소금:12편, 해양환경:39편, 해양생물:18편, 해조류:68편)이 있었다. 해양치유자원 적합기준은 각 나라별 해양치유자원의 이용기준을 활용하여 자원별로 제시하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.867-874
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• 2021

Epalrestat (EPS) is a brain penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor, an approved drug currently used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. At near-plasma concentration, EPS induces glutathione biosynthesis, which in turn reduces oxidative stress in the neuronal cells. In this study, we found that EPS reduces neurodegeneration by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative injury, mitochondrial membrane damage, apoptosis and tauopathy. EPS treatment up to 50 µM did not show any toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cell line (neuroblastoma cells). However, we observed toxic effect at a concentration of 100 µM and above. At 50 µM concentration, EPS showed better antioxidant activity against H₂O₂ (100 µM)-induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane damage in retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, our study revealed that 50 µM of EPS concentration reduced the glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK3-β) expression and total tau protein level in H₂O₂ (100 µM)-treated cells. Findings from this study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of EPS on regulating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating GSK3-β and total tau proteins phosphorylation, which helped to restore the cellular viability. This process could also reduce toxic fibrillary tangle formation and disease progression of AD. Therefore, it is our view that an optimal concentration of EPS therapy could decrease AD pathology by reducing tau phosphorylation through regulating the expression level of GSK3-β.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2012

The marine carotenoid fucoxanthin can be found in marine brown seaweeds, macroalgae, diatoms, and microalgae, and has remarkable biological properties. Numerous studies have shown that fucoxanthin has considerable potential and promising applications in human health, but the underlying mechanisms involved in its anti-allergic activity are not fully understood. We here investigated the mechanisms by anti-allergic activity of fucoxanthin fraction from Eisenia bicyclis in immunoglobulin E-antigen complex (IgE/DNP-BSA)-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells. This study we found that the fucoxanthin inhibits the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and suppressed not only transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, but also phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in IgE/DNP-BSA-treated RBL-2H3 cells. Fucoxanthin may be useful for preventing allergic diseases, including asthma and atopic dermatitis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.251-263
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• 2022

Sea cucumbers are worm-like, leathery bodied, benthic, marine organisms with a branched gonad. There are over 900 species, and these organisms are capable of changing their mechanical state, regenerating their small appendages, and digestive tract. Additionally, sea cucumbers possess both commercial and therapeutical value. Furthermore, it is thought that the metabolites these organisms possess may give rise to their therapeutical value. The use of sea cucumbers in therapy can be traced back to the Ming dynasty, where they were eaten for their tonic properties against constipation, hypertension, and rheumatism. A plethora of studies have been conducted, whereby different metabolites were extracted from sea cucumbers and tested for different therapeutic properties. Herein, we review and discuss the anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-coagulant, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the sea cucumber by assessing literature on PubMed and Google Scholar. Furthermore, the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species is discussed. With the immense data supporting the therapeutic properties of sea cucumbers, further studies are warranted, in order to develop novel and innovative therapeutic compounds for the benefit of human health from these fascinating marine organisms.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.399-408
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the differences in winged scapula between the symptomatic side and asymptomatic side, the reliability of the winged scapula test, and the correlation between winged scapula and the stability of the scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four patients with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome participated in this study. Winged scapula was compared between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides using a scapulometer. The reliability of the scapulometer was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The correlation between winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were also obtained. Conclusion: Winged scapula was significantly greater on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side (p < 0.05). High to excellent ICCs were obtained for the winged scapula test, and SEM and MCID values were obtained for winged scapula (SEM: 0.2-0.3 cm, MCID: 0.6-0.8 cm); however, winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were not correlated. Conclusion: The scapulometer is useful for measuring winged scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation on the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity in subjects with limited hip extension flexibility. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with limited hip extension flexibility were divided into two groups: a hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group (n = 13) and a hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (n = 13). The subjects were assessed based on flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity after applying hip flexor stretching. Results: The hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group showed significantly improved flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity compared with hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (p <0.05). The flexibility of hip extension was significantly improved after application of hip flexor stretching in both groups; however, stride and gait velocity were significantly improved only in the hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group. Conclusion: Hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation is an effective intervention for improving the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.58-67
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based Body-Mind Intervention Program using marine resources on the improvement of quality of sleep, mood symptoms, and cognitive function in Korean female emotional labor workers. Methods: Twelve female workers who experienced excess emotional labor participated at the training camp program for five days in Danghangpo-ocean park, Goseung-gun, Gyeongnam Province in South Korea. Participant sleep quality, mood symptoms, and cognitive functioning before, after, and 1.5 months later were evaluated and analyzed. Results: After participating in the marine resource program, participants reported significantly decreased sleep latency. Global sleep quality, cognitive functions (attention, flexibility, and inhibition control), and mood states, including depression, tension, anger, fatigue, were also improved. These effects were generally maintained after 1. 5 months (PSQI t = 2.63, p = 0.02 ; HAM-D t = 5.92, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A Body-Mind Intervention Program using marine resources was effective in relaxing emotion-related tension and improving cognitive function. To advance this pilot study, it is necessary to carry out further research to investigate the use of marine resources in mental health interventions.