• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2022

Esculetin (also known as 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin) a type of coumarin, has been exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Biorenovation is the microbe-mediated enhancement of biological efficacies and structurally diversified compounds relative to their substrate compounds. The production of different kinds of esculetin derivatives using Bacillus sp. JD3-7 and their effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered inflammatory response in RAW 26.7 cells were assessed. One of the biorenovation products, identified as esculetin 6-O-phosphate (ESP), at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM inhibited the LPS-stimulated production of inflammation markers of nitric oxide synthase 2 and cyclooxygenase 2 as well as their respective enzymatic reaction products of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in the order of increasing concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM). Additionally, ESP treatment suppressed the LPS-stimulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- α. Furthermore, these anti-inflammatory effect of ESP was associated with the downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, that is, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. This study would therefore provide interesting insights into the biorenovation-assisted generation of a novel anti-inflammatory compound. ESP may be used to develop treatments for inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2023

Background: Some studies confirm the reduction of the number of Streptococcus mutans in saliva and dental plaque by Lactobacillus, however, these effects are not always confirmed in in vitro and clinical studies, and only the risk of dental caries has been reported. Our in vitro study aimed to reveal microbial and biochemical changes in the single cultures of S. mutans, Lactobacillus casei and Aggregatibactor actinomycetemcomitans and co-cultures of S. mutans and L. casei or A. actinomycetemcomitans according to sucrose concentration. We also aimed to confirm the anti-oral bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of L. casei and A. actinomycetemcomitans against S. mutans according to sucrose concentration. Methods: S. mutans (KCCM 40105), L. casei (KCCM 12452), and A. actinomycetemcomitans (KCTC 2581) diluted to 5×10⁶ CFU/ml were single cultured, and L. casei or A. actinomycetemcomitans applied at concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% to S. mutans were co-cultured with selective medium containing 0%, 1% and 5% sucrose at 36.5℃ for 24 hours. Measurements of bacterial growth value and acid production, disk diffusion and biofilm formation assays were performed. Results: In the medium containing sucrose, the bacterial growth and biofilm formation by S. mutans, L. casei, and A. actinomycetemcomitans were increased. In contrast, 30% and 40% of L. casei in the medium containing 0% sucrose showed both anti-oral bacterial and anti-biofilm activities. This implies that L. casei can be used as probiotic therapy to reduce S. mutans in a 0% sucrose environment. Conclusion: The concentration of sucrose in the oral environment is important for the control of pathogenic bacteria that cause dental caries and periodontitis. To apply probiotic therapy using L. casei for S. mutans reduction, the concentration of sucrose must be considered.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.406-422
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is an age-related, progressive skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle mass and strength. Previous studies have shown that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from fermented oysters aids in regulatory T cells (Tregs) cell expansion and function by enhancing autophagy, and concomitantly mediate muscle regeneration by modulating muscle inflammation and satellite cell function. The fermentation process of oysters not only increases the GABA content but also enhances the content of branched amino acids and free amino acids that aid the level of protein absorption and muscle strength, mass, and repair. In this study, the effect of GABA-enriched fermented sarco oyster extract (FSO) on reduced muscle mass and functions via Treg modulation and enhanced autophagy in aged mice was investigated. Results showed that FSO enhanced the expression of autophagy markers (autophagy-related gene 5 [ATG5] and GABA receptor-associated protein [GABARAP]), forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) expression, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β) secreted by Tregs while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-17A and interferon [IFN]-γ). Furthermore, FSO increased the expression of IL-33 and its receptor IL-1 receptor-like 1 (ST2); well-known signaling pathways that increase amphiregulin (Areg) secretion and expression of myogenesis markers (myogenic factor 5, myoblast determination protein 1, and myogenin). Muscle mass and function were also enhanced via FSO. Overall, the current study suggests that FSO increased autophagy, which enhanced Treg accumulation and function, decreased muscle inflammation, and increased satellite cell function for muscle regeneration and therefore could decrease the loss of muscle mass and function with aging.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2021

Objectives: Excessive accumulation of fat on specific region, regarded as localized fat, is one of the serious problems and well-known risk factors of health. Recently, an interest in health and aesthetics is growing by treating lipolytic injection. Polygonatum sibiricum Rehd (PS) has been known to have anti-oxidant, -aging and -atherosclerotic effects. In this study, we investigated the lipolytic effects of PS pharmacopuncture in obese mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice was fed with high fat diet to induce obesity for 12 weeks. PS pharmacopuncture was dissolved in saline by adjusting pH 7. 100 μL of PS pharmacopunture was injected subcutaneously into the left side inguinal fat pad, while saline was injected into the right side inguinal fat pad in mice as self-control. Samples were treated 3 times per weeks for 2 weeks. Results: PS pharmacopunture significantly decreased the inguinal fat weight compared to left side inguinal fat pad. Decrease rate of PS pharmacopuncture was about 21%. In addition, the diameter of adipocyte in inguinal fat tissues was significantly reduced by 17% compared to saline-injected side. There was no sign of toxicity through whole experiments. Conclusion: The present study indiates that PS pharmacopunture could be a material derived from natural herb as a lipolytic injection for decreasing localized fat.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.601-606
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• 2023

The edible sweetener aspartame is formed from the synthesis of asparagine, one of the amino acids, and phenylalanine. It is a protein ingredient that produces sweetness 200 times higher than sucrose, and is used as a diet product because it is a substance that can replace sugar. Although the effects on animals and humans have been well studied, no studies have been conducted on plant metabolism. In this study, the effect of aspartame metabolism was tested using germinated onion, bean sprouts, and Kalanchoe. The three types of plants with germinated roots showed rapid growth in the early stage of treatment with 1mM aspartame, and showed a nutrient supply effect due to the effect of amino acids, which are constituents. However, when treated for 4 weeks, symptoms similar to lateral roots appear in the form of lignification in onions, the effect of quickly withering is seen in bean sprouts, and senescence of roots appears in 12-week-old Kalanchoe. All of them show accelerated aging after the growth phase. This shows that, among the two amino acids, asparagine is related to auxin generation that induces rapid growth, and it is thought to be the result of lignification due to the effect of phenylalanine.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1D
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• pp.29-34
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• 2008

The Korean society has been changed to the aging one. The number of elderly people has been in creasing rapidly. For their social and economic activity, more convenient transport services have to be offered. Specifically, increasing mobility is one of the most urgent policies for them. One action of the policy in Seoul has introduced low floor buses since 2003. This paper shows how low floor buses affect on passengers' boarding and alighting time through the field survey. In the analysis of the survey results it has been found that the low floor buses can reduce average boarding time by 0.8 sec, especially, by 1.1 sec (about 36%) for elderly passengers. These outcomes expect total bus operating hours as well as headways could be reduced, and operating cost and passengers' waiting time could be saved.

• 한국노년학
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.229-244
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• 2005

Korea is expected to become an "aged society" in approximately fifteen years. In order to prepare Korean society for this "aged society", the government and social organizaitons need to offer a life stage preparation manual for the young, middle-aged, and aging populations, as well as providing support structures to guide them through this transition. Researchers have developed a Life Stage Preparation Program, based on surveys and experiments conducted to assess needs and appraise effectiveness. To accomplish the goal of this research, the team has been composed of specialists from the fields of social welfare, family studies, occupational studies, and gerontology. The Life Stage Preparation Program consists of ten areas: understanding ageing issues, sustaining and improving health, psychological issues, continuing education, family relations, social activities, financial preparation, occupations, shelter, and mortality. The effectiveness of the program surveyed on age group of 20s and 60s resulted in nine areas. The Life Stage Preparation Program needs to be operated as a life long education program.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Due to climate change and aging of reservoirs, damage to embankment slopes is increasing. However, the safety diagnosis of the reservoir slope is mainly conducted by visual observation, and the time and economic cost are formidable to apply soil mechanical tests and slope stability analysis. Accordingly, this study presented a predicting method for the compaction and strength characteristics of the reservoir embankment soil using a portable static cone penetration test. The predicted items consisted of dry density, cohesion, and internal friction angle, which are the main factors of slope stability analysis. Portable static cone penetration tests were performed at 19 reservoir sites, and prediction equations were constructed from the correlation between penetration resistance data and test results of soil samples. The predicted dry density and strength parameters showed a correlation with test results between R² 0.40 and 0.93, and it was found to replace the test results well when used as input data for slope stability analysis (R² 0.8134 or more, RMSE 0.0320 or less). In addition, the prediction equations for the minimum safety factor of the slope were presented using the penetration resistance and gradient. As a result of comparing the predicted safety factor with the analysis results, R² 0.5125, RMSE 0.0382 in coarse-grained soil, R² 0.4182 and RMSE 0.0628 in fine-grained soil. The results of this study can be used as a way to improve the existing slope safety diagnosis method, and are expected to be used to predict the characteristics of various soils and inspect slopes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

There is a serious risk of regional extinction due to low birth rate and aging in Korea. Accordingly, the regional extinction index is applied to diagnose the extinction status of cities, counties, and districts. However, when the regional extinction index was applied to rural villages, most villages were found to be at 'high risk of extinction'. There is no differentiation in the level of extinction of rural villages. Therefore, a village extinction index was developed to apply to rural villages. This study applies and compares the existing regional extinction index and the newly developed village extinction index to rural villages. The purpose is to propose an index that can better diagnose the extinction of rural villages. As a research method, the regional extinction index and village extinction index are applied to all villages in Haengjeong-ri villages in South Chungcheong Province. And the adequacy of the index suitable for rural villages is diagnosed. For this purpose, ➂ stage distribution for each two indices, ➂ demographic aspect diagnosis, and ➂ resident awareness survey were analyzed. When the village extinction index was used, the discrimination problems seen in the regional extinction index were overcome. As a result of the demographic analysis, the regional extinction index showed that villages with a population of 200 or more were at 'high risk of extinction', but the village extinction index was derived as 'high risk of extinction' for villages with underpopulated populations. Lastly, the results of the residents' awareness survey also showed that the village extinction index was well reflected in the actual situation of rural villages when applied. When the village extinction index was applied to rural villages rather than the regional extinction index, it was found to reflect the actual state of rural extinction better.

• The Journal of Economics, Marketing and Management
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing the housing satisfaction of the new middle-aged who returned to farming to derive the implications of real estate policies to resolve regional imbalances. Research design, data and methodology: As a result, this study used secondary data, housing survey data, and identified factors influencing housing satisfaction through multiple regression analysis as well as basic analysis such as exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, technical statistics analysis, and correlation analysis. Previous studies, in particular, mainly focused on aging, retirement, economic activity, and retirement preparation, but this study was able to derive predictive factors that can increase the persistence of living after returning to farming by analyzing housing satisfaction for the new middle-aged, and as a result, suggest implications for resolving regional imbalances. Results: As a result of the analysis, it was found that housing structure status had the greatest influence among the three factors of housing-related predictors: housing structure status, facility accessibility, and surrounding environment, suggesting that policy alternatives that can improve the quality of the housing structure itself should be prepared rather than facility accessibility and the surrounding environment. Conclusions: Based on these results, we discussed implications for improving the housing structure to increase the continuity of living for the new middle-aged after returning to farming, and presented follow-up research directions on the need for complementary research in addition to individual analysis of influencing factors, limitations of secondary data, and the lighting of research on the new middle-aged and other generations who did not return to farming.