• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.336-343
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• 2018

This study was carried out to provide the technology of silvicultural practices and management for regeneration by sprouts in the oak forests distributed on the slope. A total of 1,451 stumps were examined for the following factors relative to the occurrence and growth of the sprouts: stump height & diameter; location & quantity and root collar diameter & height of arisen sprouts. The amount of sprouts deceased or increased as the stump diameter increased. However, it tended to increase with stump height. The difference in the stump height between direction of the upwards (DUS) and downward slopes (DDS) was occurred, because oak trees were felled lower based on direction of the upward for convenience of regeneration works on the slope. The number of sprouts was higher relatively in the stumps of DDS. The rate of arisen side and root sprouts was higher in the stumps of DDS and DUS, respectively. The stump height difference was found to affect the arisen part of sprouts. As a result of comparing the sprouts growth according to the arisen part, there was no difference in the stump of DUS, but the growth of side sprouts in the stump of DDS was higher than that of the root. In order to improve the quality of oak sprouts considering the distribution characteristics of the oak forests in South Korea, it is necessary to apply the silvicultural technique, making the cutting surface parallel with the slope to reduce the stump height difference, to suppress arising side sprouts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.498-506
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the restorative effect of Semisulcospira libertina extract, on damaged liver cells induced by D-galactosamine in rats. Treatment of damaged liver cells with S. libertina extract significantly reduced local fatty degeneration, and inflammatory cell necrosis, to levels similar with the undamaged control group. In addition, S. libertina extracts were found to reduce plasma levels of liver damage indicator enzymes, such as AST, ALT, LDH and ALP, to control levels. It also reduced lipid peroxides, and lipid contents within damaged liver tissues. This suggests that S. libertina extract has a restorative effect on liver cells, thus reducing release of damage-associated liver enzymes, and oxidative degradation of lipids. Also, S. libertina extracts were found to be involved in recovery of damaged cells from inflammatory response by suppressing expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, which leads to tissue injury and necrosis, whereas inducing expression of HO-1 that protects cells during inflammation. Thus, S. libertina extract restores liver tissue from necrosis and fibrosis, as well modulates expression of inflammation-related genes against liver damage. Our findings suggest that S. libertina extract is an effective medicinal resource, for improving and recovering liver cells from hepatic injury.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2019

Isomaltol glycoside is a hydrophilic furanic glycoside in which the amino acids and sugars of ginseng are thermally denatured during red ginseng production. Various skin whitening tests were conducted on isomaltol glycoside containing a lot of red ginseng extract in order to investigate the skin whitening effect as a cosmetic raw material. We have tested melanin content assay in B16-F10 cells, zebrafish embryo pigmentation assay, mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity, western blot analysis to determine skin whitening activity of isomaltol glycosides. In the zebrafish melanin content assay, isomaltol glycoside decreased total melanin content by about 20% and zebrafish tyrosinase activity by about 10% after treatment with 50 and $100{\mu}g/mL$ compared to the untreated control group. Isomaltol glycoside also showed a concentration-dependent decrease in melanin content in B16-F10 melanoma. Furthermore, it increased the expression of MITF phosphorylation factors p-AKT and p-ERK in B16-F10 melanoma and decreased the concentration of MITF. It also inhibited tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression. The content of isomaltol glycoside was about 3% in the ginseng extract and about 1% in the ginseng root. Thus, isomaltol glycoside is considered as one of the main components that exhibit the whitening activity of ginseng when considered quantitatively as whitening activity.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.283-291
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• 2019

The aim of investigated the role of FABP5 in the hepatic lipogenesis and lipid metabolisms. Mice were overexpressed and silenced liver FABP5 using virus particles. Mice were fed a Western-type diet or regular chow for 1week and then sacrificed mouse after 24hr fasted. Liver homogenates were used for protein analysis by Western blot and mRNA levels by RT-PCR. Hepatic and serum lipids were analysed by thin-layer chromatography. Mice fed a Western-type or high saturated fat diet revealed large increases in FABP5 expression. However, FABP5 mRNA levels were drastically reduced under fasted. Hepatic TG was significantly increased FABP5-OEAV mice, but a significantly decreased hepatic free cholesterol under fed. The discovered a substantial decrease in hepatic TG mass with FABP5 silencing. In these data, presented evidence for an important role of FABP5 in hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic TG storage. FABP5 may also be a potential target in the treatment of NAFLD, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Furthermore, studies to which transcription factors are involved in FABP5 expression and regulation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.224-237
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• 2021

Purpose: Paeonia Radix Alba is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat the liver and the spleen. Many studies have reported that Paeonia Radix Alba extract (PR) affects liver injury, but there has been no study on liver injuries induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the effect of PR on a TAA-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model. Methods: The antioxidant activity of PR was assayed by the content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2'-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities in vitro test. ALI was induced via-intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Also, silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) and PR (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered at 1 hours 30 minutes prior to TAA treatment. The levels of ammonia, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were analyzed using an assay kit. The expressions of antioxidant proteins including Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 and oxidative stress-related proteins including NOX2, p47^phox, and p22^phox were evaluated by the western blot analysis. Results: PR showed excellent antioxidant activity in vitro. TAA administration increased the levels of ammonia, GOT, and GPT in the ALI control group compared to the normal group, whereas it was significantly reduced by PR pretreatment. Moreover, NADPH oxidase protein expressions were upregulated after TAA treatment, while the elevated expressions were inhibited by PR pretreatment. The expressions of antioxidant protein were downregulated in the ALI control group, whereas Nrf2 activation in the PR group was accompanied by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: PR administration increased the antioxidant enzymes via activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibited the protein levels of NADPH oxidase factors. Taken together, these results showed that PR treatment may be considered to ameliorate acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.107-121
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• 2021

Skin hypopigmentation, which is observed in albinism or vitiligo, occurs when melanin synthesis is decreased by genetic, epigenetic, and other factors. To identify drug candidates that can promote melanin synthesis in cells, we screened an epigenetic modulator library consisting of 141 cell-permeable, small molecule drugs. B16/F10 murine melanoma cells were treated with each drug at 0.1 𝜇M and melanin synthesis and cell viability were subsequently monitored. As a result, (-)-neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), and DZNep hydrochloride were found to increase cellular melanin synthesis without causing cytotoxicity. Because these three structurally related drugs exhibited similar dose-dependent effects on melanin synthesis and cell viability, DZNep was selected as a representative drug for additional experiments. DZNep increased intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity. DZNep also induced the expression of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) at the mRNA and protein levels. DZNep also induced the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanin synthesis. DZNep is a specific inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and it caused the accumulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine that inhibits histone methyltransferases in cells. This study suggests that melanogenesis can be modulated by targeting S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in certain cellular contexts.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2021

Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive pathological condition characterized by excessive proliferation of the prostate. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) on the promotion of prostate cell proliferation by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Methods: The effect of CF on the proliferation of LNCaP prostate cells was evaluated, and DHT was treated to induce an in vitro BPH model. To study the mechanism of inhibition of cell proliferation and BPH by CF, changes in the expression of key factors related to cell cycle and BPH were investigated. We further investigated the effect on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of CF. Results: Inhibition of LNCaP cell proliferation by CF was associated with decreased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A and increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. CF also suppressed expression of BPH inducing factors such as 5α-reductase type 2 and androgen receptor (AR) as well as prostate specific antigen (PSA). Furthermore, CF significantly blocked DHT-induced LNCaP cell proliferation and effectively attenuated DHT-induced expression of BPH mediators and cyclins. In addition, CF inhibited DHT-induced oxidative and inflammatory reactions by inhibiting production of ROS and NO. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that CF probably acted as 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitor, preventing the 5α-reductase type 2-AR signaling pathway, thereby reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT and the expression of PSA, which is at least correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CF.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2022

This research performed single fiber pull-out test to evaluate the effect between fineness modulus of cement composites and the fiber bond performance (bond strength and pull-out energy). A synthetic fiber (polypropylene) and a steel fiber (hooked ends type) were inserted in the middle of dog bone shape specimens which were designed with fine aggregates of F. M. 1.96, 2.69, 3.43. The experiment results showed bond strength and pullout energy of synthetic fiber are improved as fineness modulus of cement composites increases. It is considered that the frictional resistance between synthetic fiber and cement composite increases as fineness modulus of cement composite increases and consume more energy while pull out the fiber from cement composite. However bond performance of steel fiber which resist pull out by mechanical behavior is less effected on fineness modulus of cement composite. It is considered that the mechanical fixedness of hooked ends exerts a greater effect on the pullout resistance than the frictional resistance between the cement composite and the steel fiber so F. M. of fine aggregate has a relatively small effect on the pullout resistance with the steel fiber.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2022

2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) present in breast milk, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut and aiding in the relief of allergic and inflammatory reactions. In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of 2'-FL, and its potential for application in whitening cosmetics, were evaluated. MTT assay was performed on MNT-1 cells, human-derived melanocytes. 2'-FL was treated and replaced at 48 h intervals for 7 days, and it was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity at 20 g/L or less, while a 40% reduction in melanin production was also observed. Western blot analysis of TYR and TYRP1, factors involved in melanogenesis, revealed that 2'-FL treatment reduced their expression levels. In addition, 2'-FL application and observation of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) revealed it was converted from LC3-I to LC3-𝚷, indicating increased autophagy. Likewise, confocal microscopy revealed an increase in LC3 puncta after 2'-FL treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that 2'-FL-mediated activation of autophagy reduces melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression levels of TYR and TYRP1 proteins. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that 2'-FL induces autophagy and suppresses melanin production, so its potential as a whitening cosmetic material is expected.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.514-528
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• 2022

Objective: To examine the effects of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz extract (TE) and Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxi mowicz Cheonghyeol Plus Phellinus linteus Cheonghyeol plus (TCP) on anti-inflammatory factor expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were activated with TNF-α and then treated with TE and TCP. The expression levels were then measured for intracellular genes (KLF2, eNOS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1), proteins (KLF2, eNOS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, ERK, and JNK, p38), and extracellular biomarkers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1). Results: 1. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or greater significantly increased the expression of KLF2 and eNOS intracellular genes and significantly decreased the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 genes compared to the control group. 2. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or greater significantly increased the expression of KLF2, eNOS proteins compared to the control group, and significantly reduced the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, ERK, and p38 proteins. However, JNK protein phosphorylation showed no significant change compared to the control group. 3. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or more significantly decreased the production of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 extracellular biomarkers compared to the control group. 4. TE at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL did not cause any significant change in the expression of intracellular genes or proteins, in the production of the extracellular biomarker MCP-1, or in the amount of JNK protein compared to the control group. Other intracellular genes, proteins, and extracellular biomarker expression showed the same trend as observed with TCP exposure. Conclusion: This study experimentally confirmed that TE and TCP could be effective in preventing or inhibiting various inflammatory vascular diseases due to their anti-inflammatory effects.