• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.904-915
• /
• 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most metastatic tumor. Although hormone therapy or surgical castration is mostly conducted to treat PCa, it has a lot of side effects. Recently, many researchers have been exploring the tumor microenvironment to remedy these circumstances. Immune cells, especially macrophages, are an important composition of the tumor microenvironment. Under normal conditions, macrophages exhibit mild tumoricidal activity against tumors. However, once activated by interferon gamma or lipopolysaccharides, macrophages can kill cancer cells directly or indirectly by secreting cytokines and chemokines. In this study, murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were treated with Phellinus linteus extract. To analyze their pro-inflammatory phenotype, we were used several assays such as a real-time polymerase chain reaction, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent and nitric oxide assay. Prostate cancer cells were treated with the RAW 264.7-conditioned media, which was identified as a pro-inflammatory nature, for 48 h, and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was determined. Not only N-cadherin, Snail, Twist, Slug, and Cadherin 11, which are mechenchymal-related proteins, were decrease, but epithelial marker of E-cadherin was increased. In addition, the mRNA level of vimentin, ccl2, and vegfa were decreased, as the EMT is closely related to the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In conclusion, the RAW 264.7-conditioned media stimulated with P. linteus extract inhibited migration and invasion and regulated the EMT pathway in human prostate cancer cells.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.493-503
• /
• 2019

This study is composed of nine treatments [Control : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 1 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 2 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 7 cm, Treatment 3 :"neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+ vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 3 cm, Treatment 4 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 5 cm, Treatment 5 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 7 cm, Treatment 6 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$] +vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 7 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 8 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 7 cm] to find out the vegetation effects according to neutralizing layer types of the acid drainage slope. There were no significant differences observed in soil hardness and soil moisture content of neutralizing layer type while highly difference of moisture content was observed according to the neutralizing and vegetation layer thickness. As for soil acidity, strong acid was shown in the control, treatment 1 and treatment 2. Neutralizing effects were outstanding in treatments of 3, 4, 5 (cement treatment group), 6, 7 and 8 (limestone treatment group). Concerning plants growth characteristics, surface coverage rates, number of germinating woody plants, plant height, and plant root status, there were excellent effects observed in the experimental groups mixed with cement (treatments 3, 4 and 5) and limestone (treatments 6, 7 and 8). At the initial stage, however, plant roots were negatively affected in cement layer treatments of 3, 4 and 5. However, no difference was shown in each layer thickness on the acid drainage slope whereas 3~5 cm thickness neutralizing layer was appropriate in consideration of economic feasibility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.38-46
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the main environmental stresses deteriorating qualities as well as yields of food crops. This study was conducted to identify the effects of salt stress on dry matter ratio, glucose content, and mineral content and composition in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). METHODS AND RESULTS: Four potato varieties were grown in plastic pots (diameter 20 cm and height 25 cm) with three salinity levels (EC: 1.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dS/m) in a glasshouse. Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, starch, and glucose content in tubers harvested at 90 days after sowing were analyzed. Also, mineral contents (T-N, T-C, $P_2O_5$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$) in stem, leaf, and tuber were investigated and statistically analyzed for analysis of variance (ANOVA). Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, and starch content in tubers were reduced in all varieties as the salt concentration increased. Glucose content tended to decrease according to the salt concentration. In ANOVA analysis of mineral contents, there were significant differences in $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ of leaf and stem, in $Na^+$ of leaf and tuber, and also in $Ca^{2+}$ of leaf by the interactions of variety and salinity. In the case of $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$, the stem was more sensitively influenced by the salt treatment than the leaf or the tuber. The $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ decreased in leaf, stem, and tuber of four varieties, as the salt concentration became higher. The decreasing level varied according to the varieties. 'Kroda' and 'Duback' maintained relatively higher $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ than 'Atlantic' or 'Goun' under the salt stress conditions. CONCLUSION: The composition and accumulation of minerals in potato plant as well as dry matter ratio, starch, and glucose contents were significantly influenced by salt stress. The respond patterns were different depending on the varieties and it was related to the salt tolerance among varieties.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.51-61
• /
• 2019

The goal of this study was to elucidate wild yeast diversity of Geumgang midstream near Sejong metropolitan autonomous city, Korea. Thirty-seven strains of 32 species of wild yeasts were isolated from 43 water and soil samples under the Bulti bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Seven yeasts of each Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. were the predominant species isolated from samples near the Bulti bridge. Holtermanniella takashimae SW048 (NNIBRFG9314), Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum SW013 (NNIBRFG9310), Mrakia cryoconite SW015 (NNIBRFG9316), Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 (NNIBRFG9326) and Cryptococcus aspenensis SW008 (NNIBRFG9309) represented novel yeast strains found in Korea for the first time. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except for Mrakia cryoconite SW015 had ascospores and grew well in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YPD), yeast extract-malt extract (YM) and potato-extrose (PD) media. Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 grew well in vitamin-free medium and Holtermanniella takashimae SW048, which was a halotolerant wild yeast, grew well YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl. Twenty-six strains representing eight species of wild yeast were isolated from 22 water and soil samples under the Haetmuri bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Candida pseudolambica (12 strains) and Aureobasidium pullulans (11 strains) were the predominant isolates from samples near the Haetmuri bridge. Occultifur kilbournensis HB060 (NNIBRFG9317), Sampaiozyma vanillica HB014 (NNIBRFG9332), Xenoramularia neerlandica HB039 (NNIBRFG9335), Candida norvegica HB315 (NNIBRFG9306), C. melibiosica HB316 (NNIBRFG9305), C. quercuum GB014 (NNIBRFG9307), and C. succiphila GB015 (NNIBRFG9308) represented novel yeast strains recorded in Korea for the first time. O. kilbournensis HB060 and X. neerlandica HB039 did not form ascospores or pseudo-mycelia. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except S. vanillica HB014 and X. neerlandica HB039, grew well in vitaminfree medium, and C. norvegica HB315 and C. succiphila GB015, which were halotolerant wild yeasts, which grew well in YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.108 no.1
• /
• pp.67-76
• /
• 2019

With an increasing demand of timber production, the use of heavy machinery in forest management has significantly increased, causing the changes of soil physical properties and the decline of long-term site productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of logging slash (non-slash, slash $7.3kg/m^2$, and slash $11.5kg/m^2$) and machine passes(harvester 1 pass and forwarder 1 to 10 passes) on soil physical properties at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths in harvester and forwarder operations and also to estimate the degree of soil surface disturbance. The results indicated that soil bulk density in the non-slash treatment site increased 10 %~29 % (25~139 % in soil penetration resistance) at all soil depths, compared with the slash treatment site(slash $11.5kg/m^2$). Therefore, the creation of a slash mat could be an effective way to minimize the changes of soil physical properties. In addition, 92 % of total soil compaction in slash treatment site was created within harvester 1 pass and forwarder 5 passes. In non-slash treatment site, 84 % of total soil compaction was created within first harvester and forwarder passes. The results showed that slash treatment was effective to reduce soil compaction caused by machine passes and also it is necessary to create designed forwarding trails for minimizing soil compaction area at timber harvesting sites.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.78-84
• /
• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological activities of hot-water and 70% ethanol extracts of three edible mushroom species (Auricularia auricula, Tremella fuciformis, and Lentinus edodes) cultivated in Korea and China. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of hot-water extracts of Korean A. auricula, T. fuciformis, and L. edodes were significantly higher than those of the Chinese counterparts (p < 0.01). However, the nitrite scavenging activities of the hot-water extracts did not significantly differ among the mushrooms regardless of their origins. Chinese A. auricula showed the highest nitrite scavenging activity in the ethanol extract. The total polyphenol contents of the ethanol extracts of the three edible mushroom species from both of the countries were higher than those of the hot-water extracts. Korean A. auricula and T. fuciformis yielded a high polyphenol content with hot-water extraction. The ${\beta}-glucan$ contents of the Chinese A. auricula, T. fuciformis, and L. edodes extracts were 20.49%, 31.43%, and 30.09%, respectively, which were higher than those of the Korean counterparts. From the results of this study, it can be deduced that the maximum yield of nutritional ingredients can be extracted by using the optimal solvent for each mushroom species. These results are expected to be useful in appreciating the difference among extracts of Korean and Chinese edible mushrooms in terms of their physiological activities in the solvents used.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2019

In this study, $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid, which is a constituent of natural moisturizing factor, was applied to skin in periodic cycle to improve skin tone and texture roughness. Based on the polarity of the alkyl group (R) of the $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid, the acid was categorized into two groups and their efficacy was studied. As a result, it was found that the improvement rate of $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex with polar alkyl group ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-1$) is 21% higher than that of $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex with non-polar alkyl group ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-2$). For clinical trials, emulsions containing $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-1$) were applied to the randomly selected 20 to 40 year old female participants, as an experimental group, on the right facial cheek once per day for 8 weeks, and emulsions without $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex, as a control group, were applied to the left facial cheek in the same way. Improvements in skin tone were measured using $JANUS^{(R)}$ equipment and analyzed using image analysis software. Skin texture improvement was measured and analyzed mechanically using the phaseshift rapid in-vivo measurement of the skin (PRIMOS) equipment. As a result, improvements of skin tone and skin texture were 11.7% and 6.7%, respectively. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to the participants on the aesthetic improvement and the degree of the feeling of skin improvement. The results suggest that $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid can be used as a cosmetic substance that can provide aesthetic satisfaction through physiological skin tone and texture roughness.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.108 no.1
• /
• pp.40-49
• /
• 2019

Coarse woody debris (CWD), which is a component of the forest ecosystem, plays a major role in forest energy flow and nutrient cycling. In particular, CWD isolates carbon for a long time and is important in terms of slowing the rate of carbon released from the forest to the atmosphere. Therefore, this study measured the physiochemical characteristics and respiration rate ($R_{CWD}$) of CWD for Larix kaempferi and Pinus rigida in temperate forests in central Korea. In summer 2018, CWD samples from decay class (DC) I to IV were collected in the 14 forest stands. $R_{CWD}$ and physiochemical characteristics were measured using a closed chamber with a portable carbon dioxide sensor in the laboratory. In both species, as CWD decomposition progressed, the density ($D_{CWD}$) of the CWD decreased while the water content ($WC_{CWD}$) increased. Furthermore, the carbon concentrations did not significantly differ by DC, whereas the nitrogen concentration significantly increased and the C/N ratio decreased. The respiration rate of L. kaempferi CWD increased significantly up to DC IV, but for P. rigida it increased to DC II and then unchanged for DC II-IV. Accordingly, except for carbon concentration, all the measured characteristics showed a significant correlation with $R_{CWD}$. Multiple linear regression showed that $WC_{CWD}$ was the most influential factor on $R_{CWD}$. $WC_{CWD}$ affects $R_{CWD}$ by increasing microbial activity and is closely related to complex environmental factors such as temperature and light conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to study their correlation and estimate the time-series pattern of CWD moisture.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of various primers on the microtensile bond strength (${\mu}TBS$) of resin cements to cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) dental casting alloy. Materials and methods: Four adhesive primers (Universal primer, Metal primer II, Alloy primer, and Metal/Zirconia primer) and two resin cements (Panavia F2.0, G-CEM LinkAce) were tested. One hundred fifty Co-Cr beams were prepared from Co-Cr ingots via casting ($6mm\;ength{\times}1mm\;width{\times}1mm\;thick$). The metal beams were randomly divided into ten groups according to the adhesive primers and resin cements used; the no-primer groups served as the control (n = 15). After sandblasting with aluminum oxide ($125{\mu}m$ grain), the metal and resin cements were bonded together using a silicone mold. Prior to testing, all metal-resin beams were examined under stereomicroscope, and subjected to the ${\mu}TBS$ test. The mean value of each group was analyzed via one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test as post hoc (${\alpha}=.05$) using SPSS software. Results: The mean ${\mu}TBS$ of all groups was ranged from 20 to 28 MPa. There is no statistically significant difference between groups (P > .05). Mixed failure, which is the combination of adhesive and cohesive failures, is the most prevalent failure mode in both the Panavia F2.0 and G-Cem LinkAce groups. Conclusion: The ${\mu}TBS$ of all tested groups are relatively high; however, the primers used in this study result in no favorable effect in the ${\mu}TBS$ of Panavia F2.0 and G-Cem LinkAce resin cement to Co-Cr alloy.

• Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.360-376
• /
• 2018

Nursing students experience ethical conflicts that lead to moral distress and moral sensitivity in clinical practice. Most nursing students have some difficulty in speaking up when faced with morally challenging situations. Hence, increasing moral courage of these students is important to improve the quality of practice, and carry out nursing responsibilities. However, research on the moral distress, moral sensitivity, and moral courage of nursing students has not been reported in South Korea. The purposes of this study were to (a) identify the levels of moral distress, moral sensitivity, and moral courage of nursing students and (b) examine the influence of moral distress and moral sensitivity on moral courage. Data were collected through a survey using self-reported questionnaires sent to senior nursing students at two nursing colleges in Seoul and Gyeonggido. A total of 138 senior nursing students participated in the survey. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 23 program by Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The mean scores of the moral distress thermometer, moral distress, moral sensitivity, and moral courage were $3.53{\pm}2.18$, $57.33{\pm}43.35$, $134.98{\pm}13.98$, and $56.33{\pm}12.75$, respectively. The significant factors influencing moral courage were the moral distress thermometer and patient-centered nursing, which was a subcomponent of moral sensitivity. The explanatory power of the model was 5%. This study confirms that nursing students, like nurses, experience moral distress. It is therefore important to create organizational environments that support the moral courage of nursing students.