• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 1999

The functional role of cumulus cells on the penetration and polyspermy during in vitro fertilization in porcine was examined. The penetration rate was significantly higher (P＜0.01) in oocytes with (61%) than without (25%) cumulus cells, but significant differences in polysper-my rates were not observed. When hyaluronidase was added to the fertilization medium with different concentrations, penetration rates in oocytes with cumulus cells were higher than in oocytes without cumulus cells at 0 (61% vs 34% ; P＜0.05), 0.01 (56% vs 35% ; P＜0.05), 0.1 (66% vs 30% ; P＜0.05) and 1.0mg/$m\ell$ (39% vs 27%). The polyspermy rates were lower in oocytes without than with cumulus cells, and had a tendency to decrease with high concentrations of hyaluronidase. In another experiment, the penetration and polyspermy rates had a tendency to increase as time of sperm-oocyte culture was prolonged. At 16 and 20 h after insemination, the penetration rates were significantly higher (P＜0.05) in oocytes with (48 and 62% for 16 and 20 h) than without (25 and 31% for 16 and 20 h) cumulus cells in medium containing hyaluronidase. Polyspermy rates were significantly (P＜0.05) lower in oocytes without (13% and 16%) than with (37% and 48%) cumulus cells at 16 and 20 h after insemination. In cumulus-free oocytes inseminated in medium containing different concentrations of cumulus cells, the penetration rates were significantly (P＜0.05) higher in medium with than without hyaluronidase. The proportion of polyspermy was lower in medium without than with hyaluronidase at 0 (10% vs 0%), 10$^2$(25% vs 0%), 10$^4$(24% vs 14%) and 10$^{6}$ (29% vs 10% ; P＜0.05) cumulus cells/$m\ell$. These results suggest that cumulus cells can have a positive influence on sperm penetration, its action on polyspermy control does appear to function primarily on zona pellucida by co-culture of cumulus cells and oocytes in medium without hyaluronidase.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2023

This study investigated and analyzed ancient records on the type, planting background, and construction process of Gwanbang forest(關防林) planned for military defense during the Joseon Dynasty to find out the purpose, location, and planting species of Gwanbang forest. The research results were as follows. During the Joseon Dynasty, Gwanbang forests were created around various government facilities(關防施設), such as Eupseong(邑城), major government offices, camps, and fortifications, for the purpose of defending against enemies. Gwanbang forest includes Yeongaeglim(嶺阨林), which was created on the crest of a strategically important hill, and Military Forest created for military purposes. Most of the spirit forest was designated as Geumsan(禁山) and protected and managed, and the Gwanbang forest was created for various purposes such as shielding, flood damage and river bank erosion prevention as well as external defense. In addition, in order to continuously and efficiently produce wood, which is a material for ships, buildings, and agricultural tools, in most cases, large areas were created as mixed forests. As for the species constituting the Gwanbang forest, there are records of tangerine tree, which is effective for defense because it has thorns, and deciduous broad-leaved trees such as zelkova, elm, willow, david hemiptelea, and oak appear. In the case of Ganghwa island, which served as the defense of the capital and the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty, several records have confirmed that a forest densely planted with trifoliate orange was created for the purpose of Gwanbang forest to reinforce the defense of the outer fortress. Based on historical research in the literature, assuming that the natural monument 'Gapgotri tangerine tree in Ganghwa Island' was planted in the 30th year of King Sukjong(1704), the first record of planting trifoliate orange in Ganghwa Island, the maximum age is estimated to be more than 319 years.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2022

Excess nitrogen (N) flowing from livestock manure to water systems poses a serious threat to the natural environment. Thus, livestock wastewater management has recently drawn attention to this related field. This study first attempted to obtain the optimal conditions for the further volatilization of NH₃ gas generated from pig wastewater by adjusting the amount of injected magnesia (MgO). At 0.8 wt.% of MgO (by pig wastewater weight), the volatility rate of NH₃ increased to 75.5% after a day of aeration compared to untreated samples (pig wastewater itself). This phenomenon was attributed to increases in the pH of pig wastewater as MgO dissolved in it, increasing the volatilization efficiency of NH₃. The initial pH of pig wastewater was 8.4, and the pH was 9.2 when MgO was added up to 0.8 wt.%. Second, the residual ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in pig wastewater was removed by precipitation in the form of struvite (NH₄MgPO₄·6H₂O) by adjusting the pH after adding MgO and H₃PO₄. Struvite produced in the pig wastewater was identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. White precipitates began to form at pH 6, and the higher the pH, the lower the concentration of NH₄⁺-N in pig wastewater. Of the total 86.1% of NH₄⁺-N removed, 62.4% was achieved at pH 6, which was the highest removal rate. Furthermore, how struvite changes with pH was investigated. Under conditions of pH 11 or higher, the synthesized struvite was completely decomposed. The yield of struvite in the precipitate was determined to be between 68% and 84% through a variety of analyses.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.29
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• pp.133-152
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• 2023

This study references preceding studies to examine the history of paint application techniques using various paints in the past, with the aim to contribute to the long-term preservation of large military cultural heritage assets situated outdoors. To this end, the study compared the findings of preceding research with the findings of an analysis conducted on a H-13 helicopter housed at the War Memorial of Korea. Upon collecting and analyzing samples from three grounded WWII aircraft from above-ground by preceding studies, it was confirmed from each sample that the various chemical properties of chrome ensured the effectiveness of the protective coating. The compound was first tested as a corrosion-inhibiting pigment in the early 1940s and proved its excellent moisture-resistant properties over the course of 80 years, despite the deterioration of the paint layer and long-term exposure to the natural environment. For this reason, it has been widely used as a corrosion inhibitor for aluminum alloys in the aviation industry. In other word, the most widely-used material for preventing corrosion was an organic primer containing chromate. In this study, based on the paint analysis of a H-13 helicopter operated in the Korean War, it was shown that the second layer, consisting of the primer, contains chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). In addition, it was estimated that red lead tetraoxide (Pb₃O₄) was used for the vehicle. Analysis results and data from previous studies can help to confirm the continued effectiveness of corrosion prevention function provided by chromate. Meanwhile, the result of infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the use of alkyd resin. In the future, comparisons with a more diverse range of artifacts will allow the identification of changes in the manufacturing technology of paints used to protect alloys from corrosion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2022

Kinesin-2 comprises two subfamilies of the heterotrimeric or homodimeric motors found in mammalian cells. Heterotrimeric kinesin-2 consists of kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) 3A and 3B and kinesin-associated protein 3 (KAP3), which is a molecular motor protein that moves along microtubules. It plays diverse roles in cargo transport, including anterograde trafficking in cilia, and interacts with many different cargoes and proteins, but their binding proteins have not yet been fully identified. In this study, the yeast two-hybrid assay was used to identify the proteins that interact with the cargo-binding domain (CBD) of KIF3A, and an interaction between KIF3A and brain expressed X-linked 2 (Bex2) was found. Bex2 bound to the CBD-containing C-terminal tail region of KIF3A but did not interact with the same region of KIF3B or KIF5A (a motor protein of kinesin-1). KIF3A interacted with another isoform, Bex1, but did not interact with Bex3. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-downs showed that KIF3A specifically interacts with GST-Bex1 and GST-Bex2 but not with GST alone. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, Bex2 co-localized with KIF3A and co-immunoprecipitated with KIF3A and KIF3B but not KIF5B. In combination, these results suggest that Bex2 is capable of binding to heterotrimeric kinesin-2 and may serve as an adaptor protein that links heterotrimeric kinesin-2 with cargo.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2022

Regulation of the hair follicle cycle in association with dermal papilla cells is one of the most interesting targets for promoting hair regrowth. In this study, we examined whether steam-dried Betula platyphylla extracts (BPE) promote hair growth by upregulating in vitro and in vivo responses of dermal papilla cells. The data showed that BPE3 contained high amounts of phenolic compounds with higher antioxidant effects and increased hair growth-related genes, including fibroblast growth factor7 and Wnt7b, in dermal papilla cells. Notably, BPE3 effectively enhanced the formation of hair follicles by increasing FGF7, Wnt7b, and vascular endothelial growth factor in C57BL/6N dorsal skins. Additionally, BPE3 significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory repertoires, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase 2. Several small molecules, such as betulin and unsaturated fatty acids, support the pharmacological activity of BPE3. In conclusion, BPE3 effectively promoted hair growth by activating dermal papilla cells and enhancing hair follicle cycles by attenuating the inflammatory environment in the scalp.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to research digital twin policies for the use of administrative services. The study was conducted through a mobile survey of 1,000 participants, and the results are as follows. First, in order to utilize digital twin technology, it is necessary to first identify appropriate services that can be applied from the perspective of Gyeonggi Province. Efforts to identify digital twin services that are suitable for Gyeonggi Province's field work should be prioritized, and this should lead to increased efficiency in the work. Second, Gyeonggi Province's digital twin administrative services should prevent duplication with central government projects and establish a model that can be connected and utilized. It should be driven around current issues in Gyeonggi Province and the demands of citizens for administrative services. Third, to develop Gyeonggi Province's digital twin administrative services, a standard model development plan through participation in pilot projects should be considered. Gyeonggi Province should lead the project as the main agency and promote it through a collaborative project agreement. It is suggested that a support system for the overall project be established through the Gyeonggi Province Digital Twin Advisory Committee. Fourth, relevant regulations and systems for the construction, operation, and management of dedicated departments and administrative services should be established. To achieve the realization of digital twins in Gyeonggi Province, a dedicated organization that can perform various roles in project promotion and operation, as well as legal and institutional improvements, is necessary. To designate a dedicated organization, it is necessary to consider expanding and reorganizing existing departments and evaluating the operation of newly established departments. The limitation of this study is that it only surveyed participants from Gyeonggi Province, and it is recommended that future research be conducted nationwide. The expected effect of this study is that it can serve as a foundational resource for applying digital twin services to public work.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2001

This experiment was designed to improve the production efficiency of germ-line chimeric mice from phospholipase C (PLC)-$\beta$3 or peroxiredoxin (Prx) E -targeted ($\Delta$) ES cells by the investigating the manipulation conditions and characteristics of Jl ES cells. Four targeting clones were isolated to investigate the karyotypical and morphological stability prior to injection. All clones ($\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3, $\Delta$Prx II C3, C10 and I5) showed more than 80% euploidism, however, most of $\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3 clones were extensively differentiated compared to the other clones. Nine of 13 $\Delta$Prx II chimeras appeared to have at least 80% chimerism, whereas $\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3 chimeras had 20% chimerism at most. Therefore, the morphological stability of ES cells under stable euploidism might mainly affect the production rate of high-coat chimeric mice. To increase the collection rate of injectable blastocysts (IBs), 5 to 10 week -aged C57BL/6J female mice were sacrificed at 3.5 days post-coitum. Ten week-aged mice were the most optimal IB donors by showing the highest collection rate (2.94/mouse) of injectable blastocysts without increase of non-injectable embryos (0.29/mouse). Foster mothers might be another factor because ICR x C57BL/6J F1 foster mother showed more increased productivity in litter size (2.8 vs. 5.6) and chimera (0 vs. 35.3%) than those of ICR foster mothers. In conclusion, the efficient production of germ-line chimeras mainly depends on the maintenance of ES cell morphology during targeting procedure, and the establishment of manipulation conditions might be a key point to maximize it.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.19-34
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• 2023

The proportion of single-person households has been steadily increasing, and the young account for the highest proportion at 35.9% among all single-person households. However, research on young single-person households has been relatively recent. Research on single-person households has mostly focused on all single-person households or elderly single-person households, and comparative research between different age groups is lacking. Therefore, this study categorizes all single-person households into young, middle-aged, and elderly groups to investigate the differences in the factors that affect their residential satisfaction and to analyze how these residential environment factors affect life satisfaction through the mediating effect of residential satisfaction. The 2020 Seoul Survey Urban Policy Index Survey data were analyzed using a structural equation model to investigate the impact of each factor. First, a finding is that various residential environment factors directly affect residential satisfaction and life satisfaction. Next, it was found that residential satisfaction directly affects life satisfaction in the models of young and middle-aged single-person households. Through this, it was confirmed that there are differences in residential environment factors that affect residential satisfaction and that residential satisfaction plays an important mediating role. Finally, it was found that the factors that affect the residential and life satisfaction of young single-person households are more diverse compared to other age groups. This study provides policy implications that age group differences should be considered first in order to improve the residential and life satisfaction of single-person households. In particular, for young single-person households, it is necessary to consider more diverse alternatives to improve their residential and life satisfaction.