• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.887-894
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• 2016

The extract from Artemisia annuain L.(AAE) is known as a medicinal herb that is effective against cancer. Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death, and mitochondria are known to play a central role in cell death control. In this study, we evaluated the p53-independent apoptosis of extract of AAE through downregulation of Bcl-2 and the mitochondrial pathway in A549 (lung cancer cells). AAE may exert cancer cell apoptosis through regulating p-Akt, Cox-2, p53 and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic proteins. p-Akt/cox-2 is known to play an important role in cell proliferation and cell survival. The Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic proteins (such as Bax, Bak and Bim) mediate the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Treatment of AAE reduces p-Akt, p-Mdm2, cox-2 and anti-apoptotic proteins (such as Bcl-2), while tumor suppressor p53 and pro-apoptotic proteins. Activation of Bax/Bak releases cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol to activate a caspase. Caspase-3 is the major effector caspase associated with apoptotic pathways. Caspase-3 generally exists in cytoplasm in the form of a pro-enzyme. In the initiation stage of apoptosis, caspase-3 is activated by proteolytic cleavage and activated caspase-3 cleaves poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We treated Pifithrin-α (p53 inhibitor) and Celecoxib (Cox-2 inhibitor) to learn the relationship between the signal transduction of proteins associated with apoptosis. These results suggest that AAE induces apoptosis through a p53-independent pathway in A549.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1370-1377
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• 2013

Rice is widely grown in Asia and is one of the major dietary staples in the world. Also, rice contains antioxidants which can prevent from oxidative stress related diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Because the rice is consumed cooked, the effect of the cooking process on the antioxidative and antigenotoxic properties of rice is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cooking on the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of white rice (WR), brown rice (BR), and germinated brown rice (GBR). The antioxidant activities were measured for total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA), total antioxidant capacity (TRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest TPC was found in uncooked BR (18.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). After cooking, the TPC of WR significantly increased, while the TPC of BR and GBR were reduced by 47.7% and 36.7%, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ for DPPH RSA was not significantly different in uncooked rice, while the DPPH RSA of WR and GBR decreased after cooking and the DPPH RSA of BR significantly increased. TRAP values in BR and GBR increased after cooking, while the value of WR decreased. The ORAC values of uncooked WR, BR, and GBR were 5.3, 4.3, and $3.9{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. After cooking, the ORAC value of BR remained unchanged, while the value of GBR increased and the value of WR decreased. The antigenotoxic activities of WR, BR, and GBR were determined by measuring the inhibitory effects of $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage on human leukocytes using the comet assay. The results showed that all rice tested showed a significant antigenotoxic effect against oxidative stress, except for the cooked white rice. Overall, our results indicate the addition of brown rice and/or germinated brown rice to cooked white rice is a good option for improving the benefits of rice.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2011

Purpose: Supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC) could be associated with various phenotypic abnormalities based on the chromosomal origin of SMCs. The present study aimed to determine the genomic contents of SMCs using chromosomal microarray and to analyze molecular cytogenetic characterizations and clinical phenotypes in patients with SMCs. Materials and Methods: Among patients with SMCs detected in routine chromosomal analysis, SMCs originating from chromosome 15 were excluded from the present study. CGH-based oligonucleotide chromosomal microarray was performed in 4 patients. Results: The chromosomal origins of SMCs were identified in 3 patients. Case 1 had a SMC of 16.1 Mb in 1q21.1-q23.3. Case 2 showed 21 Mb gain in 19p13.11-q13.12. Case 3 had a 4.5 Mb-sized SMC rearranged from 2 regions of 2.5 Mb in 22q11.1-q11.21 and 2.0 Mb in 22q11.22-q11.23. Conclusion: Case 1 presented a wide range of phenotypic abnormalities including the phenotype of 1q21.1 duplication syndrome. In case 2, Asperger-like symptoms are apparently related to 19p12-q13.11, hearing problems and strabismus to 19p13.11 and other features to 19q13.12. Compared with cat-eye syndrome type I and 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome, anal atresia in case 3 is likely related to 22q11.1-q11.21 while other features are related to 22q11.22-q11.23. Analyzing SMCs using high-resolution chromosomal microarray can help identify specific gene contents and to offer proper genetic counseling by determining genotype-phenotype correlations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1649-1655
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity (FRAP) of the extracts (crushed by hand or a homogenizer) of Rubus fruits (blackberry, Korean raspberry, black raspberry, boysenberry and golden raspberry) produced in Korea. In addition, their nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity in RAW 264.7 cells and anti-proliferative activity in HT-29 and KATO-3 cells were investigated. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the Rubus fruits ranged from 0.6 to 8.9 and from 0.1 to 7.9 mg/g fresh fruit, respectively. Black raspberry had the highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents among the Rubus fruits. The homogenized extracts of blackberry, Korean raspberry and golden raspberry fruits showed significantly higher polyphenol and FRAP values than the hand-crushed extracts. FRAP values of the Rubus fruit extracts were significantly correlated with their polyphenol (R=0.995) and flavonoid (R=0.967) contents. The Rubus fruit extracts suppressed the NO secretions in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. There were no significant differences between extracts obtained by crushing by hand and those obtained using a homogenizer. Proliferation rates of HT-29 and KATO-3 cancer cells treated with the Rubus fruit extracts at 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL were reduced by 3~32% and 0~57%, respectively. The homogenized extracts of blackberry and Korean raspberry fruits had significantly higher anti-proliferation activity against HT-29 cancer cells than the hand-crushed extracts. However, extraction method did not show any significant difference on proliferation of KATO-3 cancer cells. The NO scavenging activity of the Rubus fruit extracts were significantly correlated with the anti-proliferation activities of the HT-29 (R=0.602) and KATO-3 cells (R=0.498).

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.441-451
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the crop characteristics of 181 sweetpotato germplasms collected from Korea and overseas. The longest shoot vine length was observed in IT232211 (354.8 cm) and the shortest shoot vine length was observed in IT232185 (32 cm). The maximum numbers of shoot branches and nodes were produced by IT232091 (23.0) and IT232174 (67.8), respectively. Differences in Rapid Visco Analyser profiles were observed for pasting parameters such peak, trough, final, breakdown, and setback viscosities; and pasting temperature. The peak and breakdown viscosities were highest in IT232050 and IT232010, at 338.3 and 207.2 Rapid Visco Unit (RVU), respectively. The trough viscosity was lowest in IT232019 at 103.8 RVU. IT232101 had the highest final viscosity (284.6 RVU), and IT232192 had the highest setback viscosity (81.7 RVU). IT232197 had the highest pasting temperature at 86.8℃, and that of IT232134 was lowest at 72.7℃. To evaluate functional substance content, we analyzed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol content. The highest frequency proportion of starch was in the 10%-15% range (50.8% of the plants), followed by the 5%-10% range (38.1% of the germplasms). Sugar content ranged from 13.5 to 33.3% (23.2% on average); the highest frequency proportion of sugar was in the 20%-25% range (56.9% of the germplasms), followed by the 25%-30% range (25.4% of the germplasms). The highest frequency proportion of water was in the 70%-80% range (52.5% of the germplasms), followed by the 60%-70% range (44.2% of the germplasms). Our results provide basic data for the selection of useful resources and for the development of new sweetpotato varieties.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2012

It is essential to evaluate the quality of Hanji record paper without damaging the record paper by previous destructive methods. The samples were Hanji record paper produced in the 1900s. Near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer was used as a non destructive method for evaluating the quality of record papers. Fourier transform (FT) spectrometer was used with 12,500 to 4,000 $cm^{-1}$ wavenumber range for quantitative analysis and it has high accuracy and good signal-to-noise ratio. The acidity and moisture content of Hanji record paper were measured by integrating sphere as diffuse reflectance type. The acidity (pH) of chemical factors as a quality evaluated factor of Hanji was correlated to NIR spectrum. The NIR spectrum was pretreated to obtain the coefficients of optimum correlation. Multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and First derivative of Savitzky-Golay were used as pretreated methods. The coefficients of optimum correlation were calculated by PLSR (partial least square regression). The correlation coefficients ($R^2$) of acidity had 0.92 on NIR spectra without pretreatment. Also the standard error of prediction (SEP) of pH was 0.24. And then the NIR spectra with pretreatment would have better correlation coefficient ($R^2$ = 0.98) and 0.19 as SEP on pH. For moisture contents, the linearity correlation without pretreatment was higher than the case with pretreatment (MSC, $1^{st}$ derivative). As the best result, the $R^2$ was 0.99 and SEP was 0.45. This indicates that it is highly proper to evaluate the quality of Hanji record papers speedily with integrated sphere and FT NIR analyzer as a non-destructive method.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.301-308
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• 2008

DNA variation of MYL2 intron 5 A345G and ADCYAP1R1 intron 2 A337G were investigated for carcass trait association in finished pigs. Three genotypes(two homozygotes and their heterozygote) were found at 10.6% AA, 45.6% AG and 43.8% GG in MYL2 and 60.5% AA, 34.6% AG, and 22.2% GG for ADCYAP1R1. In finished pig population, individuals containing genotype G- of MYL2 had significantly heavier carcass weight by more than 2.4 kg and thicker backfat thickness by more than 1.3 mm than those of AA homozygous pigs(p<0.05). No significant difference was found in other traits tested in this study such as marbling score, meat color, texture, moisture and separation score(p>0.05). The ADCYAP1R1 intron 2 377GG homozygotes showed coarse texture, i.e., meat quality was inferior than those of AG and AA genotypes, and the moisture level of homozygote AA was higher than those of AG and GG genotypes(p<0.05). The other carcass traits were not significantly associated with ADCYAP1R1 genotypes(p>0.05). The genetic polymorphism of MYL2 and ADCYAP1R1 genes affected the carcass traits in finished pig population. Further studies to explain the association between genetic variations and their phenotypic effects including economic traits in pigs are required including critical mutation in both genes through molecular approaches.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2015

A chromatographic method for the determination of imazapyr, a non-selective herbicide, in agricultural commodities was developed to use safety control of pesticide residue on crops, and was fully validated as an official method for residue analysis. Agricultural commodities, mandarin (fruit), hulled rice (cereal grains), pepper (vegetables), potato (potatoes) and soybean (beans) were extracted with methanol and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference obtained from sample extracts, adjusting pH to 2.5 by 4N hydrochloric acid. Finally, they were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV detector (HPLC-UVD). The developed method had the linearity in the range of test concentrations with coefficients of determination ($r^2$) more than 0.99. Recovery studies were carried out at three concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ) performing five replicates at each level. Recoveries were ranged between 72.1 to 108.0%, with relative standard deviations less than 10%. A consistent recovery was determined according to the CODEX guidelines (CAC/GL40, 2003). Finally, LC/MS with selected ion monitoring was also applied to confirm the suspected residues of imazapyr in agricultural samples. This developed method for determination of imazapyr residues in agricultural commodities. can be used as an official method.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.109-123
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• 2012

Many kinds of the education systems are provided to students. Many kinds of the contents like School subjects, license, job training education and so on are provided through many kinds of the media like text, image, video and so on. Students will apply the knowledge they learnt and will use it when they learn other things. In the existing education system, there have been many situations that the education system isn't really helpful to the students because too hard contents are transferred to them or because too easy contents are transferred to them and they learn the contents they already know again. To solve this phenomenon, a method that transfers the most proper lecture contents to the students is suggested in the thesis. Because the difficulty is relative, the contents A can be easier than the contents B to a group of the students and the contents B can be easier than the contents A to another group of the students. Therefore, it is not easy to measure the difficulty of the lecture contents. A method considering this phenomenon to transfer the proper lecture contents is suggested in the thesis. The whole lecture contents are divided into many lecture modules. The students solve the pattern recognition questions, a kind of the prior test questions, before studying the lecture contents and the system selects and provides the most proper lecture module among many lecture modules to the students according to the score about the questions. When the system selects the lecture module and transfer it to the student, the students' answer and the difficulty of the lecture modules are considered. In the existing education system, 1 kind of the content is transferred to various students. If the same lecture contents is transferred to various students, the contents will not be transferred efficiently. The system selects the proper contents using the students' pattern recognition answers. The pattern recognition question is a kind of the prior test question that is developed on the basis of the lecture module and used to recognize whether the student knows the contents of the lecture module. Because the difficulty of the lecture module reflects the all scores of the students' answers, whenever a student submits the answer, the difficulty is changed. The suggested system measures the relative knowledge of the students using the answers and designates the difficulty. The improvement of the suggested method is only applied when the order of the lecture contents has nothing to do with the progress of the lecture. If the contents of the unit 1 should be studied before studying the contents of the unit 2, the suggested method is not applied. The suggested method is introduced on the basis of the subject "English grammar", subjects that the order is not important, in the thesis. If the suggested method is applied properly to the education environment, the students who don't know enough basic knowledge will learn the basic contents well and prepare the basis to learn the harder lecture contents. The students who already know the lecture contents will not study those again and save more time to learn more various lecture contents. Many improvement effects like these and so on will be provided to the education environment. If the suggested method that is introduced on the basis of the subject "English grammar" is applied to the various education systems like primary education, secondary education, job education and so on, more improvement effects will be provided. The direction to realize these things is suggested in the thesis. The suggested method is realized with the MySQL database and Java, JSP program. It will be very good if the suggested method is researched developmentally and become helpful to the development of the Korea education.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

To detail a picture of the economic value of Miscanthus landscape conservation in terms of cultural services aspects of Ecosystem Services, Sunghaksan(Mt.), Hwawangsan(Mt.) and Jaeyaksan(Mt.), which are known for their Miscanthus colonies, were chosen as survey sites. After examining the willingness to pay for the value of Miscanthus landscape conservation by targeting of visitors each study area, the economic value of Miscanthus landscape conservation per capita aspects was evaluated using Contingent Valuation Methods(CVM) from the collected willingness to pay for economic value of Miscanthus scenery by site. After using the target Chi-square test to analyze the differences among each site, the correlation between specific variables was investigated. Willingness to pay for the Miscanthus landscape conservation was found to increase as the respondents' income became higher. The more environmental conservation efforts were being made in their daily life, the higher willingness to pay was for Miscanthus landscape conservation. Likewise in other studies, the higher the bid was, the less willingness to pay was. The per capita assessment of the Miscanthus landscape value of the logit models in the dual estimated using the factor extracted with each of the injected variable bounds was estimated for Seunghaksan (\38,277), Hwawangsan(\38,648), and Jaeyaksan(\48,891). The average of the three sites was estimated to be \38,679. Assessment of the economic value of these Miscanthus landscape sites saw high willingness to pay by visitors when compared to the current market price inflation, such as watching movies or amusement park admission, which could mean that visitors recognize the value of ecosystem services from nature in evaluating the Miscanthus landscape.