• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2024

Skeletal muscle (SM) is the largest organ of the body and is largely responsible for the metabolism required to maintain body functions. Furthermore, the maintenance of SM is dependent on the activation of muscle satellite (stem) cells (MSCs) and the subsequent proliferation and fusion of differentiating myoblasts into mature myofibers (myogenesis). Natural compounds are being used as therapeutic options to promote SM regeneration during aging, muscle atrophy, sarcopenia, cachexia, or obesity. In particular, ginseng-derived compounds have been utilized in these contexts, though ginsenoside Rg1 is mostly used for SM mass management. These compounds primarily function by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, upregulating myogenin and MyoD to induce muscle hypertrophy, downregulating atrophic factors (atrogin1, muscle ring-finger protein-1, myostatin, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production), and suppressing the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cachexia. Ginsenoside compounds are also used for obesity management, and their anti-obesity effects are attributed to peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) inhibition, AMPK activation, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation, and increased phosphorylations of insulin resistance (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and Akt. This review was undertaken to provide an overview of the use of ginseng-related compounds for the management of SM-related disorders.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitigating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia is associated with a decreased risk of diabetic complications. The effect of Daraesoon (shoot of hardy kiwi, Actinidia arguta) on hyperglycemia was investigated using a type 2 diabetes animal model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Seven-week-old db/db mice were fed either an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 0.4% of a 70% ethanol extract of Daraesoon, whereas db/+ mice were fed the AIN-93G diet for 7 weeks. RESULTS: Consumption of Daraesoon significantly reduced serum glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin levels, along with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance in db/db mice. Conversely, Daraesoon elevated the serum adiponectin levels compared to the db/db control group. Furthermore, Daraesoon significantly decreased both serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, as well as serum total cholesterol levels. Additionally, consumption of Daraesoon resulted in decreased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hypoglycemic effect of Daraesoon is mediated through the improvement of insulin resistance and the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in db/db mice.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-37
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• 2024

This study examines the rise of the Body Positive Movement on TikTok and its role as a form of online content activism influencing the fashion design and industry. Through a combination of literature review and case study methodology, the study explores the expression techniques and thematic types of Body Positive Movement on TikTok. Reviews of literature, previous studies, online articles, fashion journals, and relevant search terms on TikTok informed a definition of Body Positive Movement and an analysis of its formation and rise. The research findings confirm the impact TikTok content on Body Positive Movement has on the fashion industry in addressing external factors (i.e., 'Appearance', 'Race', 'Aging', 'Physical Disability') and intrinsic factors (i.e., 'Acceptance of Diversity', 'Self-Esteem', 'Rejection of Stereotypes', 'Appropriate Representation', 'Information Provision'). The key external factor , 'Appearance', includes subcategories such as 'Body Shape', 'Body Hair', 'Skin', and 'Facial Features'. TikTok content creators on fashion creatively combine music, emojis, and visual storytelling to exhibit positive self-perception concerning these factors. A significant finding of the study is that short clips predominantly manifesting external factors differentiate into informative or enlightening videos associated with intrinsic factors. The study underscores Body Positive Movement's important influence on the fashion industry from design to presentation.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2024

This study examined the mediating effect of children's school adjustment on the relationship between a creative school environment and children's happiness. For this purpose, an analysis was performed of data from the 12th Panel Study on Korean Children conducted in 2019. The participants were 1,393 fifth-grade elementary school students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 programs. The principal results were as follows. Firstly, there were significant positive correlations among creative school environment, children's school adjustment, and happiness. Secondly, the creative school environment significantly affected children's school adjustment and happiness. Thirdly, children's school adjustment had a positive effect on their happiness. Fourthly, the creative school environment had an indirect effect on children's happiness through school adjustment. The results thus demonstrate that school is a social environment that strongly influences children's happiness. Therefore, to improve children's school happiness, it is essential to consider the relationship between a creative school environment and school adjustment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2024

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease characterized by an imbalance in immune function and the overexpression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin (Libof), is an essential water-soluble vitamin with numerous beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of Libof on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis. The C57BL/6 mice were used as the in vivo model of chronic colitis to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Libof. RAW 264.7 cells were used for the in vitro investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. In vivo, Libof alleviated the DSS-induced disease activity index (DAI), colon length shortening, and colonic pathological damage. In vitro, Libof inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, Libof inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicate that Libof shows potential as an agent for the treatment of UC.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.233-238
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• 2020

Although the interest in NBR has been increasing due to the recent developments of the aerospace sector, there are few reports on HNBR's aeronautical oil, particularly evaluations of the accelerated life of harsh factors. In this study, the tensile strength was adopted as a performance evaluation factor to evaluate the accelerated life of HNBR used in the aviation field. The accelerated stress factor affecting the performance-aging characteristics was defined as temperature. The acceleration stress factor was determined to be temperature, and the result of measuring the tensile strength change over time. The sample for the acceleration condition was taken out of the oven for a certain period and left at room temperature for 24 hours. The dumbbell type 3 specimens were manufactured according to the standard specified in KS M 6518 and were measured the tensile strength, a factor in accelerated life evaluations. The activation energy was 0.895, and the shape parameter was 1.152 using the Arrhenius model. The characteristic life obtained from the tensile strength of the HNBR specimen immersed in aviation oil at 20℃ was 272,256 hours; the average life was 258,965 hours, and the B10 life was 38,624 hours.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

Losses of both life and property increased from damage to underground pipe such as heat transmission pipe buried underground in downtown because pipes are gradually aging. Considering the characteristics of the heat transmission pipe, which is not exposed to the outside and difficult to immediately identify problems such as damage, it is realistic to indirectly check the condition of the facility based on the historical information that is periodically collected through facility maintenance. In this study, a methodology for estimating the damage probability was developed by examining the history information of the heat transmission pipe, deriving an evaluation factor that is related to the damage probability. The contribution factor of the damage probability were reviewed by analyzing not only the guidelines for maintenance of heat transmission pipe of advanced European countries and domestic district heating companies, but also the cases of waterworks with similar characteristics. Evaluation factors were selected by considering not only the correlation with the damage probability but also the possibility of securing data. Based on 1999, when the construction technology and standards of heat transmission pipe changed, the damage probability estimation function according to the period of use was divided into the case of being buried before 1998 and the case of being buried after 1999, and presented. In addition, the damage probability was corrected by assigning weights according to the measured data for each evaluation factor such as the diameter, use, and management authority.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.197-207
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• 2018

The radish skin and radish greens (mucheong) are an edible part of the radish. But they are removed before eating the radish and used as a byproduct or an animal feed material because of their tough and rough texture. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of supercritical heat-treated radish-extract on UV-induced Hos: HRM-2 wrinkled mouse animal model on anti-aging wrinkles. Supercritical heat-treated radish-extract was applied on the back of seven-weeks old HRM-2 mice. The effect of HRE on skin thickness, elasticity and wrinkle formation of the mice was observed by using UVB lamp to induce melanogenesis and wrinkle formation. As the result, increased depth of wrinkles was observed in the negative control group in comparison to the normal group. In contrast, decreased depth of wrinkles was observed in the radish-extract-free group compared to the negative control group. In the study of the effect of radish-extract on wrinkle-formation related gene expression and protein what protein expression, MMP-2 and MMP-2 gene expression significantly increased in the negative control group compared to the normal group. The gene expression reduced independence to the mass of radish-extract treated. Similar to quantitative results of mRNA expression, the expression of MMP-2 protein increased as a result of UVB-irradiation. The MMP-2 expression was inhibited in dependence to the mass of radish-extract treated. In conclusion, the supercritical heat-treated radish-extract has an effect on improving skin wrinkles not only when it is applied to the skin but also when orally ingested. Thus, it can be effectively used as a composition to health functional products. Thereafter, we can also conclude that radish, a food that does not show any side-effects even upon long-term intake, can reduce wrinkle formation as well as improve skin elasticity when taken regularly for a long period.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.644-654
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• 2002

Brown color characteristics and antioxidizing activities were investigated for Doenjang under different processing conditions. Doenjang A was prepared directly from Meju and saline solution whereas Doenjang B was Prepared after separating soy sauce by soaking for 45 days. Both Doenjangs were aged for up to 180 days. Antioxidizing activity was studied in relation to the brown color characteristics using fat-soluble extract and water-soluble extract of Doenjang. The intensity of brown color was higher in the water-soluble Doenjang extract than the fat-soluble Doenjang extract. In the UV-VIS scanning spectra, water-soluble Doenjang extracts showed significant changes as the aging proceeded, but fat-soluble Doenjang extract did not. Antioxidizing activity of fat-soluble Doenjang extract increased as the aging period extended; however, no significant difference was detected in the water-soluble extract. Overall, Doenjang A showed higher contents of amino acids, reducing sugar, brown color, and antioxidizing activity, and the antioxidizing ability was higher in water-soluble Doenjang extract rather than in the fat-soluble Doenjang extract.