• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1192-1199
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• 2019

The intention of this study was to confirm the possible use of an ethanol extracts of Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus (NRN) as a cosmetic material. To this end, we extracted NRN with 70% ethanol and performed biological activity evaluation of whitening efficacy and wrinkle reduction. We performed cellular tyrosinase inhibition and melanin contents assay to check the whitening activity of NRN and carried out a toxicity evaluation of NRN via an MTT assay and the amounts of associated proteins that affect melanin production in a melanoma cell line (B16F10). And collagenase inhibitory assay was performed for the evaluation of anti-wrinkle of samples. In addition, a toxicity evaluation using an MTT assay and matrix metalloprotease (MMP-1) and procollagen synthesis inhibition by NRN were evaluated in a fibroblast cell line (CCD-986sk). Western blot results for the whitening activity evaluation revealed that the levels of two proteins related to melanin production, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, collagenase inhibition activity at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$ NRN by measuring epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was increased by more than 80% compared to the control group. Meanwhile, procollagen synthesis was reduced by 68.8% in the UVB-induced CCD- 986sk cells group whereas collagen synthesis recovered by 80.2% with $25{\mu}g/ml$ NRN. The MMP-1 expression rate showed 20.2% reduction at $25{\mu}g/ml$. The results of the experiments verified the whitening and wrinkle suppression effects of NRN and confirmed that it could be used as a safe natural cosmetic material in the future.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.315-320
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• 2018

This study examined the effects of drying methods of Aronia melanocarpa on contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity. As a result, freeze-dried aronia extract (FDAE) significantly exhibited higher contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids (155.76 mg GAE/g and 105.70 mg QE/g) than hot-air dried aronia extract (HDAE) (134.93 mg GAE/g and 82.29 mg QE/g). Also, FDAE showed greater antioxidant activity than HDAE in both DPPH and ABTS. For anti-inflammatory activity, NO production from lipopolysaccharide activated RAW264.7 cell reduced at a dose-dependent manner in both FDAE and HDAE. However, reduction rate of NO production is higher in FDAE (62.7%) than in HDAE (33.5%). These results suggest that comparatively, freeze-drying is a better method for preserving the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and of aronia.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.308-320
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• 2021

An integrated sediment management approach that includes the recovery of the amount of declined sediment supply is effective as a fundamental solution to coastal erosion. During planning, it is essential to analyze the transfer mechanism of the sediments generated from estuaries (the junction between a river and sea) to assess the amount and rate of sediment discharge (from the river to sea) supplied back to the coast. Although numerical models that interpret the tidal sand bar flushing process during flooding have been studied, thus far, there has been no study focusing on the formation and development processes of tidal sand bars. Therefore, this study aims to construct wave deformation, flow regime calculation, and topographic change analysis models to assess the amount of recovered sediment discharge and reproduce the tidal sand bar formation process through numerical analysis for integrated littoral drift management. The tidal sand bar formation process was simulated, and the wave energy and duration of action concepts were implemented to predict the long-term littoral movement. The river flux and wave conditions during winter when tidal sand bars dominantly develop were considered as the external force conditions required for calculation. The initial condition of the topographic data directly after the Maeupcheon tidal sand bar flushing during flooding was set as the initial topography. Consequently, the tidal sand bar formation and development due to nearshore currents dependent on the incident wave direction were reproduced. Approximately 66 h after the initial topography, a sand bar formation was observed at the Maengbang estuary.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1010-1020
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• 2022

Objective: The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on the expressions of genes involved in growth and development in ovine fetal perirenal brown adipose tissue (BAT). Methods: Eighteen ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at day 90 of pregnancy: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.33 MJ metabolisable energy [ME]/kg body weight [BW]^0.75/d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.18 MJ ME/kg BW^0.75/d, n = 6), and a control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME/kg BW^0.75/d, n = 6). The fetuses were removed at day 140 of pregnancy. All data were analyzed by using the analysis of variance procedure. Results: The perirenal fat weight (p = 0.0077) and perirenal fat growth rate (p = 0.0074) were reduced in RG2 compared to CG. In fetal perirenal BAT, the protein level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) (p = 0.0001) was lower in RG1 and RG2 compared with CG and UCP1 mRNA expression (p = 0.0265) was decreased in RG2. The protein level of myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) was also decreased in RG2 (p = 0.0001). In addition, mRNA expressions of CyclinA (p = 0.0109), CyclinB (p = 0.0019), CyclinD (p = 0.0015), cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) (p = 0.0001), E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) (p = 0.0323), E2F4 (p = 0.0101), and E2F5 (p = 0.0018) were lower in RG1 and RG2. There were decreased protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) (p = 0.0043) and mRNA expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα) (p = 0.0307) in RG2 and decreased PPARγ mRNA expression (p = 0.0008) and C/EBPα protein expression (p = 0.0015) in both RG2 and RG1. Furthermore, mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) (p = 0.0083) and BMP7 (p = 0.0330) decreased in RG2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) reduced in RG2 and RG1. Conclusion: Our observations support that repression of regulatory factors promoting differentiation and development results in the inhibition of BAT maturation in fetal perirenal fat during late pregnancy with maternal undernutrition.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the growth, yield, and grain quality characteristics of rice varieties that were subjected to water stress during the tillering stage. We also sought to identify whether water stress could be indicated via the plants' response to chlorophyll fluorescence. In this study, we induced water stress by intentionally cutting off water for 30 days, starting 15 days after transplanting the rice varieties to a greenhouse. We analyzed nine rice varieties, including Ilpum, which is the most frequently cultivated variety in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The control group was planted in a paddy field where irrigation was entirely dependent on rainfall. Our results revealed that the heading stage of the nine studied varieties occurred approximately ten days earlier in the rain shelter than in the field. Moreover, the rice yield, head rice rate, and palatability score decreased by 18.6%, 17.1%, and 8.3%, respectively, while protein content increased by 20.2% compared with the control group. The Saenuri and Haimi varieties showed the lowest reduction in yield under the water stress conditions, while the Daebo and Samkwang varieties showed the highest reduction in yield. The chlorophyll fluorescence response after re-irrigation was measured between July 30^th and August 17^th. The ratio of variable fluorescence to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_V/F_M) values failed to recover to their baseline values, resulting in either no change or a reduction in fluorescent response, even after re-irrigation of Daebo and Samkwang varieties. These results can be utilized as empirical data for drought-affected farms to select resistant varieties that can respond to spring drought in the southern plains of Gyeongsangbuk-do.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.759-770
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• 2022

Background: Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear. Methods: In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated. Results: GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD⁺-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Purpose: Glabridin (GD) is a bio-available isoflavane isolated from the root extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). It exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. However, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secretion and the anti-cancer mechanism of action remains largely unknown. The present study investigates the anticancer effects of GD by determining the inhibition of EVs secretion in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, migration, invasion rate, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with increasing concentrations of GD (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20 µM). Subsequently, EV secretion and exosomal DEL-1 protein expression were evaluated to determine the anticancer effects of GD. Results: The results showed that GD significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- or time-dependent manner. Also, ROS production and apoptosis marker protein cleaved caspase-3 were significantly increased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231, compared to control. Furthermore, GD exposure resulted in significantly decreased not only migration and invasion rates but also the VEGF concentration, thereby contributing to a reduction in angiogenesis. Interestingly, the concentration and number of EVs as well as EV marker proteins, such as CD63 and TSG101, were decreased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Markedly, extracellular matrix protein DEL-1 as angiogenesis factor was decreased in EVs from GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: This study identifies that the anti-cancer molecular mechanism of GD is exerted via inhibition of angiogenesis and EVs secretion, indicating the potential of GD as a chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2022

Mucosal immunity is a well-designed defense system that builds precise and dynamic relationships against pathogens, and the gastrointestinal tract is the most important organ with this system, acting as a guardian at the forefront of its activity. Salmonella spp. cause food poisoning, entering the body orally and mainly invading the Peyer's patches of the small intestine. Although Salmonella strains share similar mechanisms for inducing innate immunity, different serotypes may have different effects on the intestinal mucosa due to host specificities and pathogenicity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Salmonella enteritidis infections in mouse intestine and observed significantly reduced dose-dependent survival rates in a challenge test. Flow cytometry data showed no significant differences in intestinal immune cell populations, although histology indicated increased mucin production and decreased goblet cell counts in the Salmonella-treated groups. Furthermore, Claudin expression was significantly decreased in the samples with Salmonella. To investigate the relationship between S. enteritidis infection and inflammatory response, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was administered after infection and the results indicate lower survival rate after DSS treatment. In conclusion, we were able to identify the optimal concentration of S. enteritidis to modulate the intestinal mucosal immunity of mice and inflammatory response.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Alisma canaliculatum Extract (ACE) on pacemaker potentials of small and large intestinal interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in mice. Methods : We used enzymatic digestions to dissociate the ICC in the small and large intestine in mice. The whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record pacemaker potentials in ICC. Results : 1. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in small intestine in mice. ACE (0.1-1mg/ml) induced membrane depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. 2. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, a nonselective cation channel blocker, stopped the small intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE had no effects on the membrane depolarizations in small intestinal ICC. 3. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in large intestine in mice. Membrane depolarization appears regularly in the small intestine, but irregularly in the large intestine. ACE induced membrane depolarization (0.1-1mg/ml) and increased frequency (0.1-0.5mg/ml). 4. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, stopped the large intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE depolarized the membrane depolarizations in large intestinal ICC. 5. In mice, intestinal transit rate (ITR) values were dose-dependently decreased by the intragastric administration of ACE. Conclusions : These results suggest that ACE can regulate the pacemaker activity of ICC and the reaction by ACE is different from the small and large intestinal ICC, and the control of the intestinal motion by ACE may be caused by many complex processes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1263-1263
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• 2001

The amounts of organic matter present in soil and the rate of soil organic matter (SOM) turnover are influenced by agricultural management practice, such as rotation, tillage, forage plow down direct seeding and manure application. The amount of nutrients released from SOM is highly dependent upon the state of the organic matter. If it contains a large proportion of light fractions (low-density) more nutrients will be available to the glowing crops. However, if it contains mostly heavy fractions (high-density) that are difficult to breakdown, then lesser amounts of nutrients will be available. The state of the SOM and subsequent release of nutrients into the soil can be predicted by NIRS as long as a robust regression equation is developed. The NIRS method is known for its rapidity, convenience, simplicity, accuracy and ability to analyze many constituents at the same time. Our hypothesis is that the NIRS technique allows researchers to investigate fully and in more detail each field for the status of SOM, available moisture and other soil properties in Alberta soils for precision farming in the near future. One hundred thirty one (131) Alberta soils with various levels (low 2-6%, medium 6-10%, and high >10%) of organic matter content and most of dry land soils, including some irrigated soils from Southern Alberta, under various management practices were collected throughout Northern, Central and Southern Alberta. Two depths (0- 15 cm and 15-30 cm) of soils from Northern Alberta were also collected. These air-dried soil samples were ground through 2 mm sieve and scanned using Foss NIR System 6500 with transport module and natural product cell. With particle size above 150 microns only, the “Ludox” method (Meijboom, Hassink and van Noorwijk, Soil Biol. Biochem.27: 1109-1111, 1995) which uses stable silica, was used to fractionate SOM into light, medium and heavy fractions with densities of <1.13, 1.13-1.37 and >1.37 respectively, The SOM fraction with the particle size below 150 microns was discarded because practically, this fraction with very fine particles can't be further separated by wet sieving based on density. Total organic matter content, mechanical texture, ash after 375$^{\circ}C$, and dry matter (DM) were also determined by “standard” soil analysis methods. The NIRS regression equations were developed using Infra-Soft-International (ISI) software, version 3.11.