• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.637-653
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• 2023

The physiology of most organisms, including Drosophila, is heavily influenced by their interactions with certain types of commensal bacteria. Acetobacter and Lactobacillus, two of the most representative Drosophila commensal bacteria, have stimulatory effects on host larval development and growth. However, how these effects are related to host immune activity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the Drosophila development-promoting effects of commensal bacteria are suppressed by host immune activity. Mono-association of germ-free Drosophila larvae with Acetobacter pomorum stimulated larval development, which was accelerated when host immune deficiency (IMD) pathway genes were mutated. This phenomenon was not observed in the case of mono-association with Lactobacillus plantarum. Moreover, the mutation of Toll pathway, which constitutes the other branch of the Drosophila immune pathway, did not accelerate A. pomorum-stimulated larval development. The mechanism of action of the IMD pathway-dependent effects of A. pomorum did not appear to involve previously known host mechanisms and bacterial metabolites such as gut peptidase expression, acetic acid, and thiamine, but appeared to involve larval serum proteins. These findings may shed light on the interaction between the beneficial effects of commensal bacteria and host immune activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1275-1280
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• 1997

The possible use of tea catechins as natural preservatives for kimchi was investigated in this study. Tea catechins separated from tea leaves had antimicrobial activity against microorganisms related to kimchi fermentation, such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus cerevisiae, Streptococcus faecalis. The degree of antimicrobial activity of catechins were different among microorganisms; that is 2 mg/mL to Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus cerevisiae, 4 mg/mL to Streptococcus faecalis, and 5 mg/mL to Lactobacillus brevis; however, Saccharomyces cerevisiae can not be inhibited. The effect of tea catechins on retardation of kimchi fermentation was tested by measuring changes in pH and acidity. The changes of pH and acidity of baechu-kimchi and mul-kimchi were remarkably inhibited by adding the tea catechins at the level of 2 mg/g fresh baechu. These results suggest that the tea catechins can be successfully used for the extension of shelf-life of kimchi.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis of Ginkgo biloba seed oil. The results showed 9.96% inhibitory effect scavenging activity on DPPH and showed a value of 1.33 mM of $FeSO_4$ at a concentration of 0.06% in DMSO by using FRAP assay. G. biloba seed oil inhibited tyrosinase activity up tp 37.72% and suppressed the biosynthesis melanin up to 48.02% at 0.06% in B16/F10 mouse melanoma cell. In G. biloba seed oil treated group tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF gen expression levels significantly decreased compared to the contral group at a concentration of 0.04% and 0.06%. In conclusion, these results indicated that G. biloba seed oil extract have a good antimelanogenetic effects.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.277-291
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• 2020

Background and objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of visitors' positive emotions on satisfaction and loyalty with the perception of restorative environment of a healing garden created in an urban agriculture expo. Methods: The psychological indicators to the images of the healing garden were analyzed by the visitors' demographic variables and the three factors of plant cultivation activity level: plant cultivation experience, plant preference, and plant-related event. Results: Between age groups and occupational groups, significant differences were found statistically. The Perceived Restorativeness Scale(PRS) showed significantly differences between age groups in repose, fascination and legibility. The Positive Affect & Negative Affect Schedule(PANAS) showed statistically significant differences between age groups in positive emotions. In addition, we investigated the correlation between the PANAS and the three factors of plant cultivation experience level, the four factors of the PRS, satisfaction and loyalty. The three factors of plant cultivation experience level, the four factors of the PRS, satisfaction and loyalty showed a positive correlation with positive emotions and were inversely correlated with negative emotions significantly. Multiple regression analysis with dummy variables was conducted to examine the effects of plant cultivation activity level, attention restoration, and the PANAS on healing garden visitors' satisfaction and loyalty. As a result, among the four factors of the PRS, fascination and positive affectivity were significant variables that affect healing garden visitors' satisfaction and loyalty. Conclusion: The results indicated that the higher the attention restoration of visitors due to the fascination of the healing garden and the higher their positive affectivity and the more they have plant-related memories, the higher their impact on healing garden visitors' satisfaction and loyalty. Therefore, fascinating natural environments or greenery landscapes like healing gardens where people can contact plants would reduce negative emotions such as anger and sadness but to increase positive emotions such as pleasure, joy and satisfaction.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

Myelophycus caespitosus, a brown alga belonging to genus Myelophycus, has been traditionally used as a food and medicinal resource in Northeastern Asia. However, few studies have been conducted on its pharmacological activity. In this study, we evaluated whether methanol extract of M. caespitosus (MEMC) could protect against oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in C2C12 murine myoblasts. Our results revealed that MEMC could suppress H₂O₂-induced growth inhibition and DNA damage while blocking the production of reactive oxygen species. In H₂O₂-treated cells, cell cycle progression was halted at the G2/M phase, accompanied by changes in expression of key cell cycle regulators. However, these effects were attenuated by MEMC. In addition, we found that MEMC protected cells from induction of apoptosis associated with mitochondrial impairment caused by H₂O₂ treatment. Furthermore, MEMC enhanced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in H₂O₂-treaetd C2C12 myoblasts. However, such anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective effects of MEMC were greatly abolished by HO-1 inhibitor, suggesting that MEMC could increase Nrf2-mediated activity of HO-1 to protect C2C12 myoblasts from oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.26-40
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to predict the subgroups vulnerable to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to gender in older adults. Methods: Data from 5,553 Koreans aged 65 or older were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D tool. Complex sample analysis and decision-tree analysis were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 27.0. Results: The mean scores of the EQ-5D index were 0.93 ± 0.00 in men and 0.88 ± 0.00 in women. In men, poorer HRQoL groups were identified with seven different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as restriction of activity, perceived health status, muscle exercise, age, relative hand grip strength, suicidal ideation, the number of chronic diseases, body mass index, and income status. Restriction of activity was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly men. In women, the poorer HRQoL groups were identified with nine different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as perceived health status, restriction of activity, age, education, unmet medical service needs, anemia, body mass index, relative hand grip, and aerobic exercise. Perceived health status was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly women. Conclusion: This study presents a predictive model of HRQoL in older adults according to gender and can be used to detect individuals at risk of poorer HRQoL.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.379-393
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• 2017

This study analyzed the relationship between self-directedness of science-gifted elementary students and their expression of scientific creativity in science-gifted class. A science-gifted program on the topic of Hydraulic Machine was implemented to 34 fifth-graders in the Science-Gifted Education Center of an education office in Seoul, Korea for four weeks. The self-directedness of the gifted students was divided into three types of 'General, Scientific, and Topic-Related Self-Directedness'. The products of the students' activities were assessed by using a scientific creativity assessment formula. Qualitative research, such as analysis of observations and interviews, was also conducted in order to identify characteristics that were not apparently revealed by quantitative data. The main results of this study are as follows: First, science-gifted elementary students' general self-directedness and their scientific creativity were significantly correlated (r=.373). Second, the students' scientific self-directedness and scientific creativity did not have a significant correlation (r=.294). Third, there was a positive correlation between the students' topic-related self-directedness and their expression of scientific creativity. Their self-rated scores (r=.420) for the topic-related self-directedness and the number of activity types associated with the topic had a positive correlation (r=.350). Fourth, the students were categorized into four groups according to the levels of their self-directedness and scientific creativity, and the result showed that Type HH (high self-directedness and high scientific creativity) was the most common type (15 students, 38.5%), followed by Type LL (low self-directedness and low scientific creativity) (11 students, 28.2%). Eight (20.5%) and five students (12.8 %) belonged to Type LH (low self-directedness and high scientific creativity) and Type HL (high self-directedness and low scientific creativity) respectively. Fifth, the classroom observation of the students in groups revealed that groups with more number of Type HH demonstrated better cooperation and performance. Sixth, the analysis results of the observation were almost matched to the results of the self-directedness and scientific creativity tests. The students with higher self-directedness demonstrated active class participation and good cooperative skills. The students with higher scientific creativity had a tendency to generate creative ideas more frequently in given situations. Seventh, dynamic activities were perceived as enjoyable and exciting by 76.9% of the students, but static activities that require creativity were regarded as interesting only by 23.1% of the students. Among the students who were satisfied with both the creative and static activities, Type HH accounted for the largest proportion (55.6%). In conclusion, factors such as students' interests, initiatives, and attitudes displayed through voluntary participations originated from their own daily life can predict the degree of scientific creativity associated with the topic. Also, when students were categorized into four types according to the level of self-directedness and scientific creativity, there was a tendency of active behavior in class, cooperative skill, and activity satisfaction. This suggested that we should consider self-directedness and scientific creativity in selecting the gifted, grouping them in class, and designing and executing programs for science-gifted elementary students.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.837-843
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• 2010

This research investigated classification of clay activity degree by different clay mineral components. Based on compositions of different clay and oxide minerals within 390 soil series in Korea, 7 soils were selected to analyze for CEC and specific surface area of clay minerals. As a result, soils were mainly composed with Chlorite originated from sandstone, Smectite originated from Andesite porphyry and combination of Allophane and Ferrihydrite originated from volcanic ash, if the ratio of CEC value to clay content (degree of clay activity) was greater than 0.7. If the degree of clay activity was ranged between 0.3 and 0.7, soils were composed mainly with Kaolin originated from anorthite. Soils with this ratio also was composted with combinations of Kaolin, Illite and Vermiculite originated with river deposits. When the degree of the activity was less than 0.3, soils were commonly red-yellowish color and composed with two different minerals. One type of composition was Kaolin originated from granite and granite gneiss and the soils contained Geothite and Hematite. The other type was composited mainly with Illite and Vermiculite minerals originated from granite. These soils contained Gibbsite, Geothite and Hematite. The degree of clay activity was highly related with CEC and specific surface area. The greater degree of the activity displayed greater values of clay CEC and specific surface area. It is not easy to measure actual quantity and compositions of clay minerals, while the degree of clay activity can be measured from routine soil analyses. As a conclusion, the degree of clay activity may be not just a simple but also powerful tool to estimate physical-chemical properties of soils and to evaluate the soil classification in Korean soils.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.206-212
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to explore the applicability of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity as a predictable indicator to monitor chemical pollution in shells and fishes utilized for food. There were some variations in the basal level of GST activity depending on species tested. Ark shells, Anadara satowi, showed the highest normal enzyme activity, followed by catfish and marine mussels, Mytilus coruscus. White clams, Meretrix lusoria, Israeli carp and catfish had lower activity. When A. satowi was exposed to 3-methyl-cholanthrene (3-MC), a prototypic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon for 1 week, GST activity decreased by about 30%. This reduction in GST activity induced by 3-MC did not recover until two weeks after the cessation of exposure. GST activity increased in response to 3-MC in most of the other species studied. The GST elevation in M. coruscus attained its maxinum of about 200% at the termination of 3-MC exposure maintaining this level up to 2 weeks, and declined gradually thereafter. 3-MC also induced GST activity in lsraeli carp in a similar fashion to M. coruscus. Phenobarbital induced GST activity both in M. coruscus and lsraeil carp. Other chemicals. such as clofibrate, butylated hydroxyanisole. hexachlorobenzene, and oxolinic acid did not change the enzyme activity significantly in most speciel. Phenol depressed GST activity only in lsraeli carp. These results suggest that the basal level of GST activity is somewhat variable and that the direction of change in response to chemicals seems to be related to its normal activity. The change in enzyme activity can be a preditable indicator of some environmental chemicals such as PAHs and phenol.

• Genes and Genomics
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1199-1211
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• 2018

Soil acidification is one of major problems limiting crop growth and especially becoming increasingly serious in China owing to excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer. Only the STOP1 of Arabidopsis was identified clearly sensitive to proton rhizotoxicity and the molecular mechanism for proton toxicity tolerance of plants is still poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to investigate the transcriptomic change in plants under the low pH stress. The low pH as a single factor was employed to induce the response of the wheat seedling roots. Wheat cDNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 1057 DEGs were identified, of which 761 genes were up-regulated and 296 were down-regulated. The greater percentage of up-regulated genes involved in developmental processes, immune system processes, multi-organism processes, positive regulation of biological processes and metabolic processes of the biological processes. The more proportion of down-regulation genes belong to the molecular function category including transporter activity, antioxidant activity and molecular transducer activity and to the extracellular region of the cellular components category. Moreover, most genes among 41 genes involved in ion binding, 17 WAKY transcription factor genes and 17 genes related to transport activity were up-regulated. KEGG analysis showed that the jasmonate signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis might play important roles in response to the low pH stress in wheat seedling roots. Based on the data, it is can be deduced that WRKY transcription factors might play a critical role in the transcriptional regulation, and the alkalifying of the rhizosphere might be the earliest response process to low pH stress in wheat seedling roots. These results provide a basis to reveal the molecular mechanism of proton toxicity tolerance in plants.