• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

Glucosylceramides (GluCer) are known to play an important role in both water retention and epidermal permeability barrier function in the mammalian stratum corneum. In this study, we investigated the effects of pineapple fruit extract containing glucosylceramides (PFEG) on the maintenance and recovery of skin barrier function using atopic dermatitis-induced animal models. Five-week-old male Hos:HR-1 mice were divided into four groups fed on standard diet, unsaturated fatty acids-deficient (HR-AD) diet, and HR-AD diet supplemented with 0.01% or 0.1% pineapple-GluCer. Skin barrier function was evaluated by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dermal moisture content, moisture content of the stratum corneum and wrinkle formation. The control group (HR-AD administration group) showed increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), while the epidermal moisture content and the moisture content of the stratum corneum slowly decreased. However, in the PFEG groups (with 0.1% or 0.01% glucosylceramide), the TEWL levels were significantly reduced at 2 weeks. The PFEG also helped maintain skin moisturizing function by significantly suppressing the decrease of the epidermal moisture content and the moisture content of the stratum corneum. These results show that the PFEG is effective for maintaining and improving the function of the skin barrier. Therefore, this study suggests that PFEG is a potential candidate material for skin functional foods.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2021

Objectives The present study was designed to find out the therapeutic effects and possible underlying mechanism of Buja-tang, a herbal complex formula on experimental monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis models were created via intra-joint injection of MIA (50 μL with 80 mg/mL) in rats. Rats were divided into five groups and each group consisted of seven. Normal group was not injected MIA and did a normal diet. Control group injected MIA and received distilled water. Indo injected MIA and oral administration of 5 mg/kg of indomethacin. BJTL injected MIA and oral administration of 100 mg/kg of Buja-tang. BJTH injected MIA and oral administration of 200 mg/kg of Buja-tang. We analyzed weight-bearing ability of hind paws, oxidative stress related factor, antioxidant protein, inflammatory protein, inflammatory messenger and cytokine in joint tissue. Pathological observation of knee cartilage tissue structures was also performed with hematoxylin & eosin and safranin-O chromosomes. Results Weight-bearing ability of hind paws showed a tendency to reduce pain. The incidence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and p22phox in articular tissue was significantly reduced, and the incidence of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutases was significantly increased. The incidence of phosphorylated inhibitor of κBα, nuclear factor-kappa B p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β decreased significantly. In pathological observation, cartilage tissue damaged by MIAs in biopsy has significantly recovered from Buja-tang administration. Conclusions Buja-tang has anti-inflammation, antioxidation and pain relief effects. So this is thought to inhibit the progress of osteoarthritis in rat caused by the MIA.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2021

In this study Orostachys japonica A. Berger used is a medicinal herb that has long been used as a folk remedy for cancer treatment. In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of the ethyl acetate fraction of Orostachys japonica A. Berger was confirmed. The results of the Orostachys japonica A. Berge ethyl acetate fraction of antioxidant activity assays showed Antioxidant effect of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extract at 0.10 mg/mL was showed a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 78.54% and ABTS+ radical scavenging rate of 73.48%. Also, the toxicity result of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts using alternative experimental animal model zebrafish, confirmed a 100% the survival of the zebrafish embryo was shown that there was no coagulation and no hatching delay at all concentrations. also ROS generation induced by UV-B irradiation was confirmed that the fluorescence intensity decreased as a whole in all larvae treated with Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts. In particular, it was confirmed that ROS generation was effectively suppressed by showing a 35.7% reduction rate compared to the positive control at a concentration of 3 ㎍/mL. These results were confirmed that Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts has the possibility of application in the cosmetics field as a natural antioxidant.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.594-602
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• 2021

Purpose: The zinc transporter ZIP7 is known to regulate glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles, and skeletal muscles are known to play a critical role in glycemic control. The present study examines the effects of dietary zinc supplementation on the blood glucose concentration and expression of ZIP7 in skeletal muscle obtained from obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HF). Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups and were administered either a HF (60% of total calories from fat), HF supplemented with zinc (HF+Zn, 60% calories from fat + 300 mg zinc/kg diet), or low-fat diet (CON, 10% calories from fat), for 15 weeks. Results: Compared to CON group mice, the final body weights and adipose tissue weights were significantly increased, while the skeletal muscle weights were significantly decreased in mice belonging to the HF and HF+Zn groups. The HF+Zn group had significantly lower levels of fasting blood glucose concentrations than the HF group. Similarly, zinc supplementation significantly decreased the HF-elevated area under the curve values obtained from the oral glucose tolerance test. Skeletal muscle protein levels of ZIP7 in samples obtained from the HF group were significantly decreased as compared to the CON group. Conversely, the skeletal ZIP7 protein levels in the HF+Zn group were significantly increased as compared to the HF group. Moreover, the protein levels of phosphorylated-AKT and glucose transporter 4 in the skeletal muscle were significantly increased subsequent to zinc supplementation. Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that zinc supplementation up-regulates the skeletal muscle ZIP7 expression, which is associated with improved glucose tolerance in the obesity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

An electromagnetic generator with variable stimulation parameters is required to conduct basic research on magnetic flux density and frequency for pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). In this study, we design an electromagnetic generator that can conduct basic research by providing parameters optimized for cell and animal experimental conditions through adjustable stimulation parameters. The magnetic core was selected as a solenoid capable of uniform and stable electromagnetic stimulation. The solenoid was designed in consideration of the experimental mouse and cell culture dish insertion. A voltage and current adjustable power supply for variable magnetic flux density was designed. The system was designed to be adjustable in frequency and pulse width and to enable 3-channel output. The reliability of the system and solenoid was evaluated through magnetic flux density, frequency, and pulse width measurements. The measured magnetic flux density was expressed as an image and qualitatively observed. Based on the acquired image, the stimulation area according to the magnetic flux density decrease rate was extracted. The PEMF frequency and pulse width error rates were presented as mean ± SD, and were confirmed to be 0.0928 ± 0.0934% and 0.529 ± 0.527%, respectively. The magnetic flux density decreased as the distance from the center of the solenoid increased, and decreased sharply from 60 mm or more. The length of the magnetic stimulation area according to the degree of magnetic flux density decrease was obtained through the magnetic flux density image. A PEMF generator and stimulation parameter control system suitable for cell and animal models were designed, and system reliability was evaluated.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2022

Humans have been breeding the mulberry silkworm for the long period of time to obtain silk fabric and nutrient-rich pupae. Currently, silkworm larvae, pupae, and silk-Fibroin hydrolysates are registered as food raw materials, while silkworm feces and Bombyx batryticatus are registered as Korean traditional medicines. Among sericulture products, individually recognized health functional food ingredients include silk-protein acid-hydrolysates for immunity enhancement, Fibroin-hydrolysates for memory improvement, and freeze-dried 5^th instar and 3^rd-day-silkworm powder for lowering-blood sugar. Recently, HongJam produced by steaming and freeze-drying mature silkworms were reported to have various health-promoting effects such as preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, enhancing gastro-intestinal functions, improving skin-whitening and hair growth, and extending healthspan. By consuming silkworm products with various health-promoting effects, it is possible to increase the healthspan of human beings, thereby reducing personal and national medical expenses, resulting in increasing the individual's happiness.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-81
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to assess the effects of oral administration of deer antler extracts on an osteoporosis-induced animal model. We analyzed the results of using deer antler single extracts on animal models with osteoporosis through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We included osteoporosis studies in animal experiments that administrated deer antler extracts orally. We searched the following 13 databases without a language restriction: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Korean Medical Database (KMbase), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Korean Traditional Knowledge (Koreantk), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), and Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS). We used Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation's risk of bias tool for assessing the methodological quality of the included studies. Results A total of 299 potentially relevant studies were searched and 11 were included for a systematic review. Nine studies used a single deer antler extract. A study compared the effects of single extracts of deer antler and antler glue, while another study compared the effects of three single extracts of deer antler, old antler, and antler glue. For evaluating the intervention effect, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured as the primary outcome, while the histomorphometric indicators of the bone and serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were used as the secondary outcome variables. On conducting a meta-analysis of studies on single deer antler extract, BMD was observed to be significantly increased compared to that in control group (standardized mean difference [SMD]=2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.58~2.65; Z=7.75; p<0.00001; I²=56%). As a result of meta-analysis, according to the concentration of deer antler, the group with high concentration showed statistically significantly higher BMD than the group with low concentration (SMD=1.28; 95% CI=0.74~1.82; Z=4.63; p<0.00001; I²=9%). Conclusions The research shows that the deer antler extracts have significant anti-osteoporotic effects on the osteoporosis-induced animal model. However the studies included in this research had a high methodological risk of bias. This indicates the requirement of considerable attention in the interpretation of the study results.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.995-1003
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• 2021

Chromatin remodeling regulates gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Aberrations in histone modification have been associated with depression-like behaviors in animal models. Additionally, growing evidence also indicates that epigenetic modification is associated with depression. p11 (S100A10) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression both in human and rodent models. In the present study, we investigated alterations in histone acetylation and methylation at the promoter of the p11 gene in the hippocampus of mice subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CUS daily for 3 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were measured with the forced swimming test (FST). The levels of hippocampal p11 expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The levels of acetylated and methylated histone H3 at the promoter of p11 were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by real-time PCR. CUS-exposed mice displayed depression-like behaviors with prolonged immobility in FST. CUS led to significant decreases in the expression of p11 at both protein and mRNA levels. Meanwhile, there was a decrease in histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) and H3-K4 trimethylation (H3K4met3) and an increase in H3-K27 trimethylation (H3K27met3) at the p11 promoter. These results indicate that chronic stress causes the epigenetic suppression of p11 expression in the hippocampus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objectives : Atractylodis rhizoma Alba has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource that is used for enhancing Qi (氣) in traditional medicine in Korea, China, and Japan. This study investigated the protective effects of Atractylodis rhizoma Alba extract (ARE) against trimethyltin (TMT), a neurotoxin that causes selective hippocampal injury, using both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods : We investigated the effects of ARE on TMT- (5mM) induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of mouse hippocampal cells (7 days in vitro ) and on hippocampal injury in C57BL/6 mice injected with TMT (2.6 mg/kg). Results : We observed that ARE treatment (0 - 50 ㎍/mL) significantly reduced TMT-induced cytotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons in a dose-dependent manner, based on results of lactate dehydrogenase and 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Additionally, this study showed that orally administered ARE (5 mg/kg; between -6 and 0 days before TMT injection) significantly attenuated seizures in adult mice. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (Iba-1)- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- positive cells showed significantly reduced levels of Iba-1- and GFAP-positive cell bodies in the dentate gyrus of mice treated with ARE prior to TMT injection. These findings indicate the significant protective effects of ARE against the TMT-induced massive activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus. Conclusions : We conclude that ARE minimizes the detrimental effects of TMT-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity, both in vitro and in vivo . Our findings may serve as useful guidelines to support ARE administration as a promising pharmacotherapeutic approach to hippocampal degeneration.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.794-807
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• 2022

Although registration of dogs is mandatory according to the revision of the Animal Protection Act, the registration rate is low due to the inconvenience of the current registration method. In this paper, a performance improvement study was conducted on the dog face recognition technology, which is being reviewed as a new registration method. Through deep learning learning, an embedding vector for facial recognition of a dog was created and a method for identifying each dog individual was experimented. We built a dog image dataset for deep learning learning and experimented with InceptionNet and ResNet-50 as backbone networks. It was learned by the triplet loss method, and the experiments were divided into face verification and face recognition. In the ResNet-50-based model, it was possible to obtain the best facial verification performance of 93.46%, and in the face recognition test, the highest performance of 91.44% was obtained in rank-5, respectively. The experimental methods and results presented in this paper can be used in various fields, such as checking whether a dog is registered or not, and checking an object at a dog access facility.