• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.45-55
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• 2019

Objective : Diabetic gastroparesis is a complication that is defined as delayed gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms and often occurs in long-standing diabetic patients. Bojungikgi-tang (BJT) is a traditional oriental herbal formula that has long been used for the treatment of digestive disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BJT on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (250-270g) were divided into 13 groups including normal group, STZ-induced diabetic control group, BJT diet (7 various concentrations), and insulin-, glibenclamide-, metformin-treated group were used for the experiments for the comparison. Diabetic gastroparesis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The water intake, food intake, body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured. After 4 weeks the animals were sacrificed and gastrin, leptin, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, creatinine, albumin and lipid levels were evaluated. Results : Intraperitoneal injection of BJT for 4 weeks resulted in increased levels of gastrin in blood and decreased leptin and lactate concentration in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. BJT did not affect insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Conclusion : These results indicated that BJT would have protect effect on diabetic gastroparesis through the improvement effect of gastric motility and fatigue syndrome in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This study shows that BJT might be effective for treatment of diabetes and its complications such as gastroparesis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

Objectives : Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is bind formation of glucose and protein. Acceleration of AGE formation during hyperglycemia is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and causes kidney and skin damage. The aim of this study was investigated the AGEs inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of water extracts from young persimmon (YP) and heated young persimmon (HYP). Methods : Paeoniae Radix Alba (YP) is prepared by heating with 30% ethanol. AGEs formation inhibitory activities of YP and HYP measured using bovine serum albumin. To evaluate the protective effects of YP and HYP in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and methyl glyoxal (MGO), SD rats were distributed into four groups; normal mice (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg YP (YP), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg heated YP (HYP) for 3weeks. Heated young persimmon respectively decrease AGEs construction. Results : YP and HYP administration inhibited the biomarkers of AGEs in serum, kidney and skin tissues. AGE-induced rats revealed that the significant decreased collagen however, heat processing methods of young persimmon up regulated inhibits AGEs-induced collagen decrease. The expressions of AGEs were decreased in YP and HYP treated group compared with the control group in tissues. It specifies that HYP has potential to serve as a positive regulator of via AGEs path way. Conclusion : It has proposed that may have an improvement effect on diabetic complications, heated young persimmon has AGEs inhibitory excellent activities and antioxidant effect.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.330-347
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• 2022

Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, acts as a coenzyme for one-carbon metabolism in nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism. Adequate folate nutritional status during the periconceptional period is known to prevent neural tube defects. In addition, insufficient folate intake is associated with various conditions, such as anemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive impairment, and depression. This review discusses the rationale for the revision of the 2020 Korean dietary reference intakes for folate, and suggestions for future revisions. Based on the changes in the standard body weight in 2020, the adequate intake (AI) for infants (5-11 months) and the estimated average requirements (EARs) for 15-18 years of age were revised, but there were no changes in the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) and tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for all age groups. Mean folate intake did not reach RNI in most age groups and was particularly low in women aged 15-29 years, according to the results of the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The percentages of folate intake to RNI were lower than 60% in pregnant and lactating women, but serum folate concentrations were higher than those in other age groups, presumably due to the use of supplements. Therefore, total folate intake, from both food and supplements, should be evaluated. In addition, the database of folate in raw, cooked, and fortified foods should be further expanded to accurately assess the folate intake of Koreans. Determination of the concentrations of erythrocyte folate and plasma homocysteine as well as serum folate is recommended, and quality control of the analysis is critical.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2021

Intertidal mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonicus) is an organism with a hard chitinous exoskeleton and has function for an osmotic control in response to the salinity gradient of seawater. Crustacean exoskeletons change in their natural state in response to environmental factors, such as changes in the pH and water temperature, and the presence of pollutant substances and pathogen infection. In this study, the ecotoxicological effects of irgarol exposure and heavy metal distribution were presented by analyzing the surface roughness of the crab exoskeleton. The exoskeleton surface roughness and variation reduced in M. japonicus exposed to irgarol. In addition, it was confirmed that the surface roughness and variation were changed in the field M. japonicus crab according to the distribution of toxic heavy metals(Cd, Pb, Hg) in marine sediments. This change in the surface roughness of the exoskeleton represents a new end-point of the biological response of the crab according to external environmental stressors. This suggests that it may affect the functional aspects of exoskeleton protection, support, and transport. This approach can be utilized as a useful method for monitoring the aquatic environment as an integrated technology of mechanical engineering and biology.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

Background: The presence of antioxidants was not confirmed in the medicinal plant Equisetum hyamale grass. Purposes: This study was to determine the antioxidant and elastase inhibition effects of extracts of E. hyemale. Methods: Antioxidant functions of E. hyemale stems and roots were measured and extracted with hot water (HW) and ethyl alcohol (70EOH, 100EOH). Results: The extraction yield of stems was higher in HW extraction than in ethyl alcohol extraction. The polyphenol content was significantly higher in the root extract than in the stem. Total flavonoid content of 70EOH extract was significantly higher in root extract than in stem. The elastase inhibitory function of the extract was 46% in the root and 49% in the stem at 100 ppm of the extract. The ABTS free radical scavenging function was in the order of HW<70EOH<100EOH

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.148-156
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• 2022

Although most domestic concrete structures are simultaneously exposed to freeze-thaw and chloride environments, concrete durability in the field is evaluated by each single action, and the evaluation of chloride-caused damage of concrete requires additional indoor experimental analysis of chloride contents by coring samples from structures in the field. However, in Korea, policies to strengthen facility maintenance, such as 「Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments」 and 「Framework Act on Sustainable Infrastructure Management」, have been established and implemented since 2018 and facilities subject to safety inspection management by the government and local governments increases, the effective simplification technology for the inspection and diagnosis of concrete structure is needed. Therefore, this study attempted to evaluate the possibility of determining the acceleration chloride penetration of freeze-thaw damaged concrete by using the surface rebound value. For this purpose, concrete specimens already having freeze-thaw damage by exposure to the freeze-thaw acceleration environment were immersed in chloride water. After that, the acceleration relationship of chloride penetration according to freeze-thaw damage was analyzed using the amount of chloride contents in concrete.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2021

Objectives : AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key metabolic regulator that reduces lipogenesis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of liver kinase B (LKB) 1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the anti-obesity effect and underlying mechanism of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf sprout water extract (CSW) sprout extract in connection with the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (20~25 g) fed HFD to induce obesity and at the same time administered CSW 100 mg/kg (CSWL; (CSWL; CSW low concentration) or CSW 200 mg/kg (CSWH; CSW high concentration) or Garcinia extract (Garcinia) 200 mg/kg orally for 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured at the same time each day. After 6 weeks of CSW administration, liver tissue and serum were obtained through an autopsy. After the end of the experiment, biochemical analysis (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) was performed on the serum. And then, protein levels related to TG and TC synthesis were measured through western blot analysis in liver tissue. Results : As a result, serum TG, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the control group and significantly decreased in the CSW administration group. On the other hand, the HDL-cholesterol level was increased in the CSW-administered group. And as a result of Western blot analysis, CSW significantly increased the phosphorylation of LKB1 & AMPK, and remarkably decreased the expression of factors related to TG and TC synthesis. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that CSW influences the TG and TC synthesis to positively affect HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

An eco-friendly energy conversion device without the emission of pollutants has gained much attention due to the rapid use of fossil fuels inducing carbon dioxide emissions ever since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can produce water during the reaction without the emission of carbon dioxide are promising devices for automotive and residential applications. As a key component of PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) need to have high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based PEMs (PFSA-PEMs) have been commercialized and utilized in PEMFC systems. Although the PFSA-PEMs are found to meet these criteria, there is an ongoing need to improve these further, to be useful in practical PEMFC operation. In addition, the well-known drawbacks of PFSA-PEMs including low glass transition temperature and high gas crossover need to be improved. Therefore, this review focused on recent trends in the development of high-performance PFSA-PEMs in three different ways. First, control of the side chain of PFSA copolymers can effectively improve the proton conductivity and thermal stability by increasing the ion exchange capacity and polymer crystallinity. Second, the development of composite-type PFSA-PEMs is an effective way to improve proton conductivity and physical stability by incorporating organic/inorganic additives. Finally, the incorporation of porous substrates is also a promising way to develop a thin pore-filling membrane showing low membrane resistance and outstanding durability.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.280-285
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• 1991

The rice culture techniques of the ancient China which have played a key role directly and indirectly, in development of ancient farming and its techniques of Korea, were established before Christ in terms of dry-farming and the spirit of the farming-first principle. Especially techniques of rice culture were developed by cultivation methods for deep plowing, storage of water and preservation use of soil fertility. Therefore, the techniques of transplanting methods, seeding in rows, use of iron-made farming tools and dam construction for irrigation were advanced. And rice varieties were differentiated to avoid disasters or to supply of rice for various uses in many areas. Also, because north China was the origin of Chinese agriculture in which population density was low and flat land was wide that were the cradle of Chinese agriculture, ‘Hwayungsunubeob’(firing and drawning weed control method) and fallowing were quickened as intensive techniques of rice culture. In connection with the view of agricuture with 'the theory of the cosmic dual forces and the five primary substances' of Han Mooje and Chamwye scholars, the techniques of seeding and selection of crops were gradually developed. From ‘Jeminyosul’ of the 6th century to ‘Wangjongnongseo’ of the 14th century, the techniques of rice culture have been developed continuously and additively, but were not improved thereafter Won dynasty. From this point of time, the time of agriculture in the end of Koryo age and by ‘Nongsajiksul’ were initiated.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.783-789
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• 1997

This study was conducted to identify leakage of fluorescent substances out of 56 crops and to develop sorting methods of nonviable seeds of Chinese cabbage. Fluorescent substances were detected from 36 species, Chinese cabbage, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, egg plant and rape seed etc. In Chinese cabbage, the germination rate of non-sorted seeds decreased rapidly with ageing of seeds at 45$^{\circ}C$ and 100％. After Chinese cabbage seeds soaked for 4hrs and coated with cellulose, the sorting ratio of non fluorescent seeds were decreased 91.3％ to 1.7％ by increasing ageing periods from control to 8 days, while fluorescent seeds were increased drastically from 8.7％ to 98.3％. Also, incubation of water soaked dead seeds of Chinese cabbage treated with 0.5-1.0％ ninhydrin and 0.01N sodium thiosulfate for 30~60 minutes at 35$^{\circ}C$ developed purple color.