• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.556-561
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• 2020

The aging and declining agricultural population in the modern society requires improvement of the agricultural environment and is one of the representative problems. And since most of the work systems always require a transport work, the ratio of labor consumed in the transport work is very high. Accordingly, many types of transport vehicles are being developed and sold, and in the early days, most of them are powered transport vehicles using fossil fuels. However, it is paying attention to next-generation eco-friendly energy such as hydrogen, fuel cells, solar power, and bio due to the strengthening of international environmental regulations such as global warming and the Convention on Climate Change and the depletion of fossil fuels. Therefore, in this study, the ultimate goal is to develop an eco-friendly, easy-to-operate, safe agricultural electric vehicle that replaces fossil fuels. It was designed with a focus on controlling a wide range of vehicle speeds and securing stability of electric agricultural vehicles. Considering the performance and design, it is composed of a frame, a driving part, a steering part, and a controller system, and we are going to review and manufacture each part. It is believed that the manufactured electric vehicle for agriculture can be easily and conveniently operated in an agricultural society where young manpower is scarce, and can be helpful to the agricultural society through high efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.446-452
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• 2021

As a higher standard for food consumption is required, the consumption of chicken meat that can satisfy the subdivided food preferences is increasing. In March 2003, the quality criteria for chicken carcasses notified by the Livestock Quality Assessment Service suggested quality grades according to fecal contamination and the size and weight of blood and bruises. On the other hand, it is too difficult for human inspection to qualify mass products, which is key to maintaining consistency for grading thousands of chicken carcasses. This paper proposed the computer vision algorithm as a non-destructive inspection, which can identify chicken carcass parts according to the detailed standards. To inspect the chicken carcasses conveyed at high speed, the image calibration was involved in providing robustness to the side effect of external lighting interference. The separation between chicken and background was achieved by a series of image processing, such as binarization based on Expectation Maximization, Erosion, and Labeling. In terms of shape analysis of chicken carcasses, the features are presented to reveal geometric information. After applying the algorithm to 78 chicken carcass samples, the algorithm was effective in segmenting chicken carcass against a background and analyzing its geometric features.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

Formulations which are dispersed in water are often used in color cosmetics because they are characterized by no powder flying, not sticky, and high adherence while giving a light feeling of use. However, little research has been considered on the effect of the pigment on the above formulations used in color cosmetics. In this study, experiments were conducted to measure and analyze the effect of pigments on the formulation of pigments, organic pigments, and pearl polish, which are mainly used in the manufacture of color cosmetics, on appearance changes, pH changes, and photometric stability. Carmine or ferric ferrocyanide coated titanium dioxide mica-based pigments were not suitable for use due to poor photostability, with colors appearing on the surface from low viscosity formulations. Organic pigments had a good photostability of 1% of the formulation which are dispersed in water, but were not suitable for use because they came out of color on the water surface and did not spread well due to the clumping of powders. The titanium dioxide mica system pigments coated with pearl polish, inorganic pigments, and iron oxide were suitable for use due to their excellent appearance and optical stability in the formulation. Furthermore, the pH of all samples distributed by each pigment seems to be within the range of 3.0 to 9.0, which is suitable for cosmetic applications. This is expected to help manufacture color cosmetics with a stable water dispersible formulations by selecting and using stable pigments in anticipation of the behavior of pigments in the formulations.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2022

The interest in LID facilities is increasing worldwide for recovery of natural water cycle system to destroy by urbanization. However, problems are raised when installation of LID because comprehensive analysis about design capacity adequacy of LID facilities was not conducted completely. In this research, removal efficiency and design volume adequacy of LID facilities were analyzed based on rainfall monitoring data in four LID facilities(Vegetated Swale, Vegetative Filter Strip, Bio-Retention and Permeable Pavement). As a result, group of LID facility designed on WQV was shown higher flow(37%) and pollutants(TSS, BOD, TN and TP) removal efficiencies(20 ~ 37%) than group of LID facility designed on WQF. SA/CA graph was drawn for evaluation of design volume adequacy based on rainfall monitoring data. In this SA/CA graph, coefficient of determination show over 0.5 in all parameter, especially, Flow and TP were show over 0.95. And, 'SA/CA & L/CA' graph considering difference of structure mechanism in LID facility suggested in this research was confirmed that improved coefficient of determination in flow, TSS and TP than SA/CA graph. According to this research results, feasibility of applying 'SA/CA & L/CA' graph for evaluation of design volume adequacy in LID facility, and it is necessary to follow up research for generalization and normalization.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.265-290
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• 2022

An economic evaluation was conducted using cost-benefit analysis for an integrated service platform of open access research articles. The data needed for benefit measurement were collected by conducting a series of surveys to service beneficiaries, including 1,313 academic researchers, 49 bio-industry researchers, and 102 researchers in various industries. Cost-benefit analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted after estimating the total costs for system construction and operations, anticipated direct and indirect benefits. With respect to the cost-benefit analysis limited to direct benefits, the estimated benefit was KRW 82 billion, which is about 14 times of the total costs for eight years of the entire business period. With respect to the cost-benefit analysis for both direct and indirect benefits, BCR was estimated to be about 98.9 and NPV to be KRW 538.8 billion, indicating that economic feasibility of the project was sufficiently secured. The results of this analysis may help securing the investment to the integrated service platform for OA research products, and the benefit estimation model developed in this study would be utilized as an assessment tool during the rest of this project.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1466-1475
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• 2021

Compound K (20-O-β-(_D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is an active ingredient of ginsenosides. Compound K has been known to produce from biotransformation by β-glucosidase action of human intestinal microbes after oral admistration of ginseng. We have investigated the cytotoxicity of compound K obtained from bio-converted ginseng extract. As a result, compound K showed no significant cytotoxicity in the concentration of 0.001 to 1 ㎍/mL and inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS inflamation. In the same concentration, HaCaT cells induced by inflammation with TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased IL-8 production due to compound K treatment. In the brine shrimp lethality assay, the LC₅₀ of compound K was 0.37 mg/mL indicating some toxicity, but the bioconverted product containing 35% compound K showed relatively low toxicity with an LC₅₀ of 0.87 mg/mL. These results suggest that the compound K enriched extract is a potential functional material for acne relief cosmetic products.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

The debate of South-North transboundary rivers must be expanded from the existing cooperation in water resources towards cooperation within ecosystem conservation. Regarding the Han and Imjin rivers confluence water system, the nature of the estuarine ecosystem must be conserved considering the aspect of climate change. Furthermore, the agenda of maintaining continuous inter-Korean communication and cooperation should focus on ecosystem conservation, including conserving migratory species that inhabit both Koreas. Notably, within the Han and Imjin rivers confluence, transboundary rivers are abundant legally protected species such as Grus vipio, Anser fabalis, Anser cygnoides, Platalea minor, Lutra lutra, Prionailurus bengalensis which suggests a strong need for a debate regarding habitat conservation. This study analyzed the ecosystem conditions and environmental aspects within the confluence of Han and Imjin rivers. In addition, this study provided step wise approach of ecosystem conservation that consider conditions for potential direct inter-Korean cooperation. The inter-Korean cooperation mentioned in this study will be developed into legitimate cooperation once the results from monitoring the ecosystem of transboundary rivers, awareness raising are exchanged.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2023

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides synthesized on ribosomes, produced by bacteria, that inhibit the growth of similar or closely related bacterial strains. Since the discovery of nisin, many bacteriocins with unique structures and various modes of antibacterial activity have been described, and genes encoding production, secretion, and immunity have been reported. Nisin is one of the bacteriocins applied in cheese, liquid eggs, sauces and canned foods. Many of the bacteriocins of the genus Bacillus belong to lantibiotics, which are modified peptides after translation. Other genus Bacillus also produce many non-lantibiotic bacteriocins. Bacteriocins of the genus Bacillus are sometimes becoming more important because of their broader antibacterial spectrum. Bacteriocins are considered attractive compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industries to prevent food spoilage and growth of pathogenic bacteria. Bacteriocins can be used as biological preservatives in a variety of ways in the food system. Biopreservation refers to extending shelf life and improving safety of foods using microorganisms and/or their metabolites. The demand for new antimicrobial compounds has generated great interest in new technologies that can improve food microbiological safety. Applications of bacteriocins are expanding from food to human health. Today, many researchers are shifting their interest in bacteriocins from food preservation to the treatment of bacteria that cause infections and antibiotic-resistant diseases. This exciting new era in bacteriocin research will undoubtedly lead to new inventions and new applications. In this review, we summarize the various properties and applications of bacteriocins produced by the genus Bacillus.