• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.474-485
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• 2013

Pharmacological studies and clinical practices have indicated that Radix Astragali, a dried root of Astragalus membranaceus possesses a lot of biological activities, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunological activities. These biological activities approved by the modern pharmacological studies are mainly due to the constituents of Astragalus membranaceus including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. In resent, the main constituents in the root part showing a lot of biological activities has been isolated also from the aboveground parts such as leaves and sprouts in our laboratory. However, the safety evaluation for the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus should be checked before expanding their application as one of food. In the study, a 90-day rat oral gavage study has been conducted with the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-above-ground parts at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg/day. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Based on the analysis of these endpoints, it was estimated that NOEL (no observed effect level) for male rats and NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for female rats are 5000mg/kg/day of the water-extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.300-308
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• 2010

This study empirically investigates the export structure change of OECD countries in the field of information technology from 1995 to 2005. We used Between and Within Entropy index to estimate the difference of export structure change rather than RCA index(simple export structure change). In addition, we also estimate the relationship between R&D activities and export difference. First, empirical findings showed that IT export market concentration is decreasing gradually, and changing to more competitive market structure. Second, compared to other OECD countries, Korean exports weight of information and communication industry can be seen higher than that of bio-industry. Third, Entropy index was increased from 1995 and then gradually decreased as the starting point of 2000. Finally, the relationship between R & D activities in the telecommunications industry and impact of the export structure changes was a positive.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.343-348
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• 2006

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two zolpidem tartrate tablets, Stilnox tablet(Sanofi-aventis Korea, reference product) and Zanilo tablet(ChoDang Pharm Co., Ltd., Korea, test product), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). After adding an internal standard(cimetropium), 250 ${\mu}L$ plasma samples were extracted using 1.3 mL of ethyl acetate. Extracted compounds were analyzed by HPLC with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. This method for determination of zolpidem is proved accurate and reproducible with the limit of quantitation of 1 ng/mL in human plasma. Twenty-four healthy male Korean volunteers received each medicine at the zolpidem tartrate dose of 10 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. There was one-week washout period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of zolpidem were monitored for over a period of 8 hr after the administration. $AUC_{0-t}$(the area under the plasma concentration-time curve) was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule. $C_{max}$(maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$(time to reach $C_{max}$) were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed $AUC_{0-t}$ and $C_{max}$. No significant sequence effect was found for all of the bio-availability parameters indicating that the crossover design was properly performed. The 90% confidence intervals for the log transformed data were acceptable range of log 0.8 to log 1.25(e.g., log 0.92-log 1.06 for $AUC_{0-t}$, log 0.96-log 1.13 for $C_{max}$). The major parameters, $AUC_{0-t}$ and $C_{max}$ met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence indicating that Zanilo tablet is bioequivalent to Stilnox tablet.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2017

Climate change causes changes in rainfall patterns, temperature and drought frequency. Climate change impact influences on water management and crop production. It is critical issue in agricultural industry. Rice is a staple cereal crop in South Korea and Korea uses a ponding system for its paddy fields which requires a significant amount of water. In addition, water supply has inter-relationship with crop production which indicates water productivity. Therefore, it is important to assess overall impacts of climate change on water resource and crop production. A water footprint concept is an indicator which shows relationship between water use and crop yield. In addition, it generally composed of three components depending on water resources: green, blue, grey water. This study analyzed the change trend of water footprint of paddy rice under the climate change. The downscaled climate data from HadGEM3-RA based on RCP 8.5 scenario was applied as future periods (2020s, 2050s, 2080s), and historical climate data was set to base line (1990s). Depending on agro-climatic zones, Suwon and Jeonju were selected for study area. A yield of paddy rice was simulated by using FAO-AquaCrop 5.0, which is a water-driven crop model. Model was calibrated by adjusting parameters and was validated by Mann-Whitney U test statistically. The means of water footprint were projected increase by 55 % (2020s), 51 % (2050s) and 48 % (2080s), respectively, from the baseline value of $767m^2/ton$ in Suwon. In case of Jeonju, total water footprint was projected to increase by 46 % (2020s), 45 % (2050s), 12 % (2080s), respectively, from the baseline value of $765m^2/ton$. The results are expected to be useful for paddy water management and operation of water supply system and apply in establishing long-term policies for agricultural water resources.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2020

In order to reduce damage from farmland inundation caused by recent climate change, it is necessary to predict the risk of farmland inundation accurately. Inundation modeling should be performed by considering multiple time distributions of possible rainfalls, as digital forecasts of Korea Meteorological Administration is provided on a six-hour basis. As building multiple inputs and creating inundation models take a lot of time, it is necessary to shorten the forecast time by building a data base (DB) of farmland inundation probability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to establish a DB of farmland inundation probability in accordance with forecasted rainfalls. In this study, historical data of the digital forecasts was collected and used for time division. Inundation modeling was performed 100 times for each rainfall event. Time disaggregation of forecasted rainfall was performed by applying the Multiplicative Random Cascade (MRC) model, which uses consistency of fractal characteristics to six-hour rainfall data. To analyze the inundation of farmland, the river level was simulated using the Hydrologic Engineering Center - River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). The level of farmland was calculated by applying a simulation technique based on the water balance equation. The inundation probability was calculated by extracting the number of inundation occurrences out of the total number of simulations, and the results were stored in the DB of farmland inundation probability. The results of this study can be used to quickly predict the risk of farmland inundation, and to prepare measures to reduce damage from inundation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1376-1383
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• 2018

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope contains small (S), middle (M), and large (L) proteins. PreS1 of the L protein contains a receptor-binding motif crucial for HBV infection. This motif is highly conserved among 10 HBV genotypes (A-J), making it a potential target for the prevention of HBV infection. In this study, we successfully generated a neutralizing human monoclonal antibody (mAb), 1A8 (IgG1), that recognizes the receptor-binding motif of preS1 using a phage-displayed human synthetic Fab library. Analysis of the antigen-binding activity of 1A8 for different genotypes indicated that it can specifically bind to the preS1 of major HBV genotypes (A-D). Based on Bio-Layer interferometry, the affinity ($K_D$) of 1A8 for the preS1 of genotype C was 3.55 nM. 1A8 immunoprecipitated the hepatitis B virions of genotypes C and D. In an in vitro neutralization assay using HepG2 cells overexpressing the cellular receptor sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, 1A8 effectively neutralized HBV infection with genotype D. Taken together, the results suggest that 1A8 may neutralize the four HBV genotypes. Considering that genotypes A-D are most prevalent, 1A8 may be a neutralizing human mAb with promising potential in the prevention and treatment of HBV infection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.304-311
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• 2012

Chlorinated ethylenes such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are widely used as industrial solvents and degreasing agents. Because of improper handling, these highly toxic chlorinated ethylenes have been often detected from contaminated soils and groundwater. Biological PCE dechlorination activities were tested in bacterial cultures inoculated with 10 different environmental samples from sediments, sludges, soils, and groundwater. Of these, the sediment using culture (SE 2) was selected and used for establishing an efficient PCE dechlorinating enrichment culture since it showed the highest activity of dechlorination. The cathode chamber of bioelectrochemical system (BES) was inoculated with the enrichment culture and the system with a cathode polarized at -500 mV (Vs Ag/AgCl) was operated under fed-batch mode. PCE was dechlorinated to ethylene via TCE, cis-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. Microbial community analysis with polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) showed that the microbial community in the enrichment culture was significantly changed during the bio-electrochemical PCE dechlorination in the BES. The communities of suspended-growth bacteria and attached-growth bacteria on the cathode surface are also quite different from each other, indicating that there were some differences in their mechanisms receiving electrons from electrode for PCE dechlorination. Further detailed research to investigate electron transfer mechanism would make the bioelctrochemical dechlorination technique greatly useful for bioremediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with chlorinated ethylenes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1994

Hydrolyzates which inhibit the angiotensin-I converting enzyme(ACE) were prepared from defatted anchovy meal by pepsin. These were tested for inhibitory activity against ACE, which is one of the hypertension inducing factors. The ACE inhibitory activity of the hydrolyzates increased until 20hrs of hydrolysis had elapsed but slightly decreased after that time. And presence of $50\%$ ethanol soluble peptide-nitrogen increased slowly up to 12hrs of hydrolysis, and then mainly increased until 20hrs of hydrolysis was completed. From the profiles of gel permeation chromatography on a Bio-gel P-2 of $50\%$ ethanol soluble fraction obtained from hydrolyzate for 20hrs, the higher active fractions were 2'($IC_{50}=45\;{\mu}g\;protein/ml$) and 4'($IC_{50}=76\;{\mu}g\;protein/ml$). Amino acid analysis showed major quantities of glutamic acid, leucine, lysine for 2'and aspartic acid, threonine for 4' respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2016

Background: Panax ginseng cannot be cultivated on the same land consecutively for an extended period, and the underlying mechanism regarding microorganisms is still being explored. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and BIO-LOG methods were used to evaluate the microbial genetic and functional diversity associated with the P. ginseng rhizosphere soil in various cultivation ages and modes. Results: The analysis of microbial diversity using PCR-DGGE showed that microbial communities were significantly variable in composition, of which six bacterial phyla and seven fungal classes were detected in P. ginseng soil. Among them, Proteobacteria and Hypocreales dominated. Fusarium oxysporum, a soilborne pathogen, was found in all P. ginseng soil samples except R0. The results from functional diversity suggested that the microbial metabolic diversity of fallow soil abandoned in 2003was the maximum and transplanted soil was higher than direct-seeding soil and the forest soil uncultivated P. ginseng, whereas the increase in cultivation ages in the same mode led to decreases in microbial diversity in P. ginseng soil. Carbohydrates, amino acids, and polymers were the main carbon sources utilized. Furthermore, the microbial diversity index and multivariate comparisons indicated that the augmentation of P. ginseng cultivation ages resulted in decreased bacterial diversity and increased fungal diversity, whereas microbial diversity was improved strikingly in transplanted soil and fallow soil abandoned for at least one decade. Conclusion: The key factors for discontinuous P. ginseng cultivation were the lack of balance in rhizosphere microbial communities and the outbreak of soilborne diseases caused by the accumulation of its root exudates.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.562-570
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• 2018

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In this study, we used a bioactivity-guided isolation technique to identify constituents of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) with antiproliferative activity against human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and preparative/semipreparative HPLC purification were used with LC/MS analysis to separate the bioactive constituents. Cell viability and apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1264, H1299, and Calu-6) after treatment with KRG extract fractions and constituents thereof were assessed using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Caspase activation was assessed by detecting its surrogate marker, cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP-ribose) polymerase, using an immunoblot assay. The expression and subcellular localization of apoptosis-inducing factor were assessed using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results and conclusion: Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the KRG extract revealed that its ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exerts significant cytotoxic activity against all human lung cancer cell lines tested by inducing apoptosis. Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetatesoluble fraction led to the isolation of six ginsenosides, including ginsenoside Rb1 (1), ginsenoside Rb2 (2), ginsenoside Rc (3), ginsenoside Rd (4), ginsenoside Rg1 (5), and ginsenoside Rg3 (6). Among the isolated ginsenosides, ginsenoside Rg3 exhibited the most cytotoxic activity against all human lung cancer cell lines examined, with $IC_{50}$ values ranging from $161.1{\mu}M$ to $264.6{\mu}M$. The cytotoxicity of ginsenoside Rg3 was found to be mediated by induction of apoptosis in a caspase-independent manner. These findings provide experimental evidence for a novel biological activity of ginsenoside Rg3 against human lung cancer cells.