• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 2022

The subventricular zone (SVZ) in the brain contains neural stem cells (NSCs) that generate new neurons throughout one's lifetime. Many extracellular and intracellular factors that affect cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs are already well-known. Recently, L-type calcium channels have been reported to regulate neural development and are present in NSCs, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons in the SVZ. Nifedipine, a blocker of L-type calcium channels, has been long used as a therapeutic drug for hypertension. However, studies on the use of nifedipine to inhibit L-type calcium channels of NSCs are lacking. Herein, we treated NSCs cultured from mouse postnatal SVZ with nifedipine during neuronal differentiation. Nifedipine increased the number of Tuj1-positive neurons but did not significantly change the number of Olig2-positive oligodendrocytes. Nifedipine increased cell division during early differentiation, which was detected using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay and immunocytochemistry assessment by staining the cells with phosphorylated histone H3, a mitosis marker. Nifedipine increased the transcription of Dlx2, a neurogenic transcription factor, and the level of Mash1, a marker for early neurogenesis. In addition to nifedipine, verapamil, which is also an L-type calcium channel blocker, showed a slight increase in neurogenesis, but its statistical significance was very low. In contrast, pimozide, a T-type calcium channel blocker, did not affect neurogenesis, although T-type calcium channel genes Cav3.1, Cav3.2, and Cav3.3 were expressed. In summary, nifedipine might promote the neuronal fate of NSCs during early differentiation and calcium signaling through L-type calcium channels might be involved in neuronal differentiation, especially during the early stages of differentiation.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-80
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop a workbook that can support the class and evaluation of the subject, 「Food safety and health」 and to verify its validity. The development direction of the workbook was set by analyzing the 「Food safety and health」 curriculum, dietary education materials, and previous studies related to the workbook, and the overall structure was designed by deriving the activity ideas for each area. Based on this, the draft was developed, and the draft went through several rounds of cross-review by the authors and the examination and revision by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, before the final edited version was developed. The workbook was finalized with corrections and enhancements based on the advice of 9 experts and 44 home economics teachers. The workbook consists of 4 areas: the 'food selection' area, with 10 learning topics and 36 lessons, the 'food poisoning and food management' area, with 10 learning topics and 36 lessons, the 'cooking' area, with 11 learning topics and 43 lessons, and the 'healthy eating' area, with 11 learning topics and 55 lessons, resulting in a total of 42 learning topics, 170 lessons. The workbook was designed to evenly cultivate practical problem-solving competency, self-reliance capacity, creative thinking capacity, and community capacity. In-depth inquiry-learning is conducted on the content, and the context is structured so that self-diagnosis can be made through evaluation. According to the validity test of the workbook, it was evaluated to be very appropriate for encouraging student-participatory classes and evaluations, and to create a class atmosphere that promotes inquiry by strengthening experiments and practices. In the current situation where the high school credit system is implemented and individual students' learning options are emphasized, the results of this study is expected to help expand the scope of home economics-based elective courses and contribute to realizing student-led classrooms with a focus on inquiry.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2022

Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc. (yellow hibiscus) is a deciduous semi-shrub plant and mainly growing in Jeju Island. This is known the unique wild hibiscus genus and classified as an 2nd grade of endangered plant for Korean Red List. In previous studies, properties of germination, ecological, genetical and salt resistance have been reported. In this study, we investigated mass-proliferated adventitious root using bioreactor, antioxidant and whitening effects to conduct functional ingredients. Yellow hibiscus were collected from Gujwa, Jeju by prior permission and they were introduced by explant type and various medium composition after surface sterilization. As a result, seed response rates were evaluated at range of 51.17~51.83%, in terms of comprehensive efficiency of shoot and root formation. In the case of adventitious root propagation condition was confirmed in half strength Murashige and Skoog medium salts, 30 mg/L sucrose, and 2 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid for 8 weeks in 5,000 mL bioreactor. We also compared between relationship with biomass and secondary metabolites accumulation by total phenolics content, the flavonoid content, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and melanin content. The results indicated that adventitious root mass proliferation, antioxidant and whitening effect could develop value of the high-quality cosmeceutical ingredient and further metabolite studies.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2023

Sucrose (suc) is a disaccharide that consists of glucose (glu) and fructose (fru). It is a carbohydrate source that acts as a nutrient molecule and a molecular signal that regulates gene expression and alters metabolites. This study aimed to evaluate whether suc-specific signaling induces an increase in bioactive compounds by exogenous suc absorption via roots or whether other factors, such as osmotic stress or biotic stress, are involved. To compare the osmotic stress induced by suc treatment, 4-week-old cultured mugwort plants were subjected to Hoagland nutrient solution with 10 mM, 30 mM, and 50 mM of suc or mannitol (man) for 3 days. Shoot fresh weight in suc and man treatments was not significantly different from the control. Both man and suc treatments increased the content of bioactive compounds in mugwort, but they displayed different enhancement patterns compared to the suc treatments. Mugwort extract treated with suc 50 mM effectively protected HepG2 liver cells damaged by ethanol and t-BHP. To compare the biotic stress induced by suc treatment, 3-week-old mugwort plants were subjected to microorganism and/or suc 30 mM with Hoagland nutrient solution. Microorganisms and/or suc 30 mM treatments showed no difference about the shoot fresh weight. However, sugar content in mugwort treated with suc 30 mM and microorganism with suc 30 mM treatment was significantly higher than that of the control. Suc 30 mM and microorganism with suc 30 mM were effective in enhancing bioactive compounds than microorganism treatment. These results suggest that mugwort plants can absorb exogenous suc via roots and the enhancement of bioactive compounds by suc treatment may result not from osmotic stress or biotic stress because of microorganism, but by suc-specific signaling.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.548-556
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• 2022

Acylases can have a significant effect on biofilm formation owing to their quorum quenching activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of acylase treatment episodes on multispecies biofilm development. A consortium composed of 9 species belonging to different genera was allowed to form biofilms for 5 days under various treatment episodes (different treatment periods, 1, 2, 3, or 4 days; and two application timings, beginning or later) at 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg·l^-1 acylase concentrations. The acylase treatment for 5 days showed that acylase concentration was negative with biofilm development (linear regression, Y = -0.05·x + 2.37, p < 0.05, R² = 0.88). Acylase was more effective in reducing biofilm formation when it was applied in the beginning (vs. in later development stage) at all acylase concentrations (p < 0.05). ANOVA indicated that treatment period was significant on biofilm formation in both application timings at ≥ 10 mg·l^-1 (p < 0.05). Linearity test results showed that all slope values between period and biofilm were negative in both timings at ≥ 10 mg·l^-1 (p < 0.05, except for the later application at 20 mg·l^-1). When temporal biofilm dynamics were monitored at 20 mg·l^-1, biofilms gradually increased with time at all treatment episodes (p < 0.05), and slope values in linear regression between biofilm and time were lower when acylase was applied in the beginning (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest the importance of the acylase treatment period and application timing on biofilm control.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.439-453
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• 2023

Purpose: Concerns about accelerated aging are regularly being discussed. This study analyzed the dietary status and nutritional intake of college students who are about to enter their 30s and 40s. We further suggest ways to eat healthily. Methods: Totally, 67 students attending Daegu Catholic University were provided with a three-day meal record and analyzed. Results: The average demographics of the subjects were as follows: age 23.2 ± 2.0 years, height 165.1 ± 9.0 cm, weight 65.4 ± 13.6 kg, and BMI 23.5 ± 3.9 kg/m². Overall, 76.3% of the subjects skipped breakfast. The food intake evaluation according to the food group intake pattern and the recommended number of servings determined that 38.3% of the subjects did not consume fruits and dairy products (GMVFDS = 111001), and both men and women lacked all food groups. Analysis of the nutrient intake state revealed lesser nutrient intake than the estimated energy need. Evaluation of the %RDA found that consumption of phosphorus was above the recommended amount, whereas all other nutrients were below the recommended amount. Men had a higher intake rate of phosphorus (p < 0.01), iron (p < 0.001), and sodium (p < 0.05) than women, whereas the intake rate of dietary fiber was higher in women (p < 0.05). Evaluation of the food intake by 22 food categories revealed that intake of regular grains was more in men than in women (p < 0.05) whereas women consumed significantly more mixed grains (p< 0.01). In protein foods, men consumed more meat (p < 0.01), while women consumed more eggs (p < 0.05) and beans (p < 0.05). Evaluating the fruit intake, juices were more frequently consumed by men than by women (p < 0.05). No differences were obtained in food intake and nutrient intake status according to obesity. Conclusion: Based on these results, there is an urgent requirement for attention and support for university cafeterias in order to induce changes in the eating habits of college students. Among other initiatives, this can be achieved by providing diet improvement programs and menus that consider food preferences.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.85-96
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• 2023

The study involved the categorization of domestic lakes located in South Korea into three groups based on their salinity levels: upstream reservoirs with salinity less than 0.3 psu, estuarine reservoirs with salinity ranging from 0.3 to 2 psu, and brackish lagoons with salinity exceeding 2 psu. Subsequently, the research assessed variations in the concentrations of total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T-P) in the sediment of these lakes using statistical analysis, specifically one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, a laboratory core incubation test was conducted to investigate the benthic nutrient fluxes in Songji lagoon (salinity: 11.80 psu), Ganwol reservoir (salinity: 0.73 psu), and Janggun reservoir (salinity: 0.08 psu) under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. The findings revealed statistically significant differences in the concentrations of T-N and T-P among sediments in the lakes with varying salinity levels (p<0.05). Further post-hoc analysis confirmed significant distinctions in T-N between upstream reservoirs and estuarine reservoirs (p<0.001), as well as between upstream reservoirs and brackish lagoons (p<0.01). For T-P, a significant difference was observed between upstream reservoirs and brackish lagoons (p<0.01). Regarding benthic nutrient fluxes, Ganwol Lake exhibited the highest diffusive flux of NH₄⁺-N, primarily due to its physical characteristics and the inhibition of nitrification resulting from its relatively high salinity. The flux of NO₃^--N was lower at higher salinity levels under aerobic conditions but increased under anoxic conditions, attributed to the impact of salinity on nitrification and denitrification. Additionally, the flux of PO₄^3--P was highest in Songji Lake, followed by Ganwol Lake and Janggun Reservoir, indicating that salinity promotes the diffusive flux of phosphate through anion adsorption competition. It's important to consider the influence of salinity on microbial communities, growth rates, oxidation-reduction processes, and nutrient binding forms when studying benthic diffusive nutrient fluxes from lake sediments.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2023

This study compared the surface roughness and microbial adhesion characteristics of Omnichroma, a novel composite resin developed using "smart chromatic technology", with those of two other conventional composite resins with different filler compositions. A total of 144 specimens were fabricated using 3 types of composite resins: Omnichroma (nano-spherical), Filtek Z350XT (nanofill), and Tetric N-Ceram (nanohybrid) and, divided into 3 groups of 48. Finishing was performed using tungsten carbide burs. Specimens were then divided into 3 subgroups using different polishing methods: Control, SofLex, and PoGo. Surface roughness was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using an atomic force microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Microbial adhesion was assessed by culturing Streptococcus mutans on the specimens for 24 hours and then measuring colony-forming units attached to the upper surface. The surface roughness (Ra) of Omnichroma was 0.123 ㎛ after finishing, and it exhibited a smooth surface compared to the other resins. However, after polishing, there were no significant differences in the surface roughness between the three composite groups, regardless of the polishing methods. The surfaces of the Control subgroups were significantly rougher than those of the SofLex subgroups in all 3 composite groups. However, except for Tetric N-Ceram, there were no significant differences between the Control and PoGo subgroups in the other composite groups. Microbial adhesion assessment showed no significant differences between any of the 3 composite resin subgroups; however, Omnichroma exhibited higher microbial adhesion than the other two composites. No significant correlation was observed between surface roughness and microbial adhesion.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2023

The Rural Revitalization Strategy (2018-2022), published by the Chinese State Council in 2018, represents a new period of rural development in China. Suburban areas are more convenient than other rural areas in integrated urban-rural development but are under greater pressure from construction and industrial pollution. As a rural area with a high proportion of rural areas, it would be valuable for Henan province to gain a comprehensive grasp of rural human settlementst while identifying problems and proposing solutions. The purpose of this study is to analyze the satisfaction of the evaluation items based on the usage status and life perception of the residents of Tai Nan village, a suburb-type rural village in Henan province. The study proposes improvement programs based on the evaluation results. As a result of the study, 24 evaluation items were derived and divided into five categories: "Living Service Facilities", "Housing Environment, "Road Environment", "Health & Ecology Environment", and "Social & Cultural Environment". The Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method was used to find the overall satisfaction level of the human living environment in Tai Nan village, which was "average", among which "Living Service Facilities" was the most important "Health & Ecology Environment" was the least satisfied. Based on these results, an improvement plan is proposed in three stages. First, the living service will be improved while strengthening the facility management of the hygiene and the ecological environment. Second, reasonable improvement of housing and the road environment will be applied. Third, programs will be introduced to cultivate residents' ability to build their own and improve the social and cultural environment. This study provides basic data for the future improvement of rural settlements in the suburban areas of Henan province and is of great significance in gradually improving the the residents' quality of life.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2023

This report looks at an agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterization of its agarase. Agar-degrading marine bacterium JS-1 was isolated with Marine agar 2216 media from seawater from the seashore of Sojuk-do, Changwon in Gyeongnam Province, Korea. The agar-degrading bacterium was named as Agarivorans sp. JS-1 by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The extracellular agarase was prepared from the culture media of Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and used for characterization. Relative activities at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, and 60℃ were 70%, 74%, 78%, 83%, 87%, 100%, 74%, and 66%, respectively. Relative activities at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8 were 91%, 100%, 90%, and 89%, respectively. Its extracellular agarase showed maximum activity (207 units/l) at pH 6.0 and 50℃ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. The residual activity after heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, and 50℃ for 30 minutes was 90%, 70%, and 50% or more, respectively. After a 2-hour heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, and 45℃, the residual activity was 80%, 68%, 65%, 63%, and 57%, respectively. At 50℃ and above, after heat treatment for 30 minutes, the residual activity was below 60%. Thin layer chromatography analysis suggested that Agarivorans sp. JS-1 produces extracellular β-agarases as they hydrolyze agarose to produce neoagarooligosaccharides such as neoagarohexaose (20.6%), neoagarotetraose (58.5%), and neoagarobiose (20.9%). Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and its thermotolerant β-agarase would be useful in the production of neoagarooligosaccharides, showing functional activity such as inhibition of bacterial growth and delay of starch degradation.