• 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.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2021

This study was investigated to find out the distribution of flora and remarkable plants and factors and management measures for influx of wild disturbed plants in the Damyang area of Mudeungsan National Park. The field survey was carried out 8 times from May 2019 to October 2020. First of all, in the Damyang area of Mudeungsan National Park, a total of 603 taxa in 107 families, 349 genera, 531 species, 57 varieties, 5 subspecies and 10 forms. This result was found to be about 12.33% of the total 4,881 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. In addition, Rare plants were classified as 15 taxa. Floristic special and Korean endemic plants were identified as 85 taxa and 13 taxa, respectively. Lastly, the naturalized plants that appeared in the Damyang area of Mudeungsan National Park were observed in 45 taxa with 45 species of 16 families and 36 genera. Moreover the naturalization rate was 7.46% and the urbanization index was calculated to be 14.01%. The wild disturbed plants were found in a total of 4 taxa. Especially, a sheep sorrel(Rumex acetosella) was focused on managing for physica and biological control at Sinseondae Eoksaepyungjeon.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

An electromagnetic generator with variable stimulation parameters is required to conduct basic research on magnetic flux density and frequency for pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). In this study, we design an electromagnetic generator that can conduct basic research by providing parameters optimized for cell and animal experimental conditions through adjustable stimulation parameters. The magnetic core was selected as a solenoid capable of uniform and stable electromagnetic stimulation. The solenoid was designed in consideration of the experimental mouse and cell culture dish insertion. A voltage and current adjustable power supply for variable magnetic flux density was designed. The system was designed to be adjustable in frequency and pulse width and to enable 3-channel output. The reliability of the system and solenoid was evaluated through magnetic flux density, frequency, and pulse width measurements. The measured magnetic flux density was expressed as an image and qualitatively observed. Based on the acquired image, the stimulation area according to the magnetic flux density decrease rate was extracted. The PEMF frequency and pulse width error rates were presented as mean ± SD, and were confirmed to be 0.0928 ± 0.0934% and 0.529 ± 0.527%, respectively. The magnetic flux density decreased as the distance from the center of the solenoid increased, and decreased sharply from 60 mm or more. The length of the magnetic stimulation area according to the degree of magnetic flux density decrease was obtained through the magnetic flux density image. A PEMF generator and stimulation parameter control system suitable for cell and animal models were designed, and system reliability was evaluated.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.629-637
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• 2022

It is at risk of depletion of biodiversity due to indiscriminate overfishing of ecosystems and destruction of habitats. Intensive fertilizers or development of related facilities to increase agricultural production in poor indigenous areas devastate the soil. Preservation of biodiversity is now emerging as an important issue of global human coexistence. After the Post-2020 GBF Declaration, all governance in agricultural development in indigenous agricultural areas should be supported and promoted as biodiversity conservation measures. A compromise plan to reduce ecosystem development and biodiversity loss can help establish public governance policies. In this paper, a viability kernel used for viable control feedback analysis is introduced to solve conflicting economic and ecological problems in ecosystem conservation, and a mathematical model on biodiversity conservation by the viability kernel is examined. Because all species in the ecosystem are interdependent, if the balance is broken, biodiversity is depleted, which is irreversible and eventually leads to extinction. For sustainable use and harmony of biological resources, a lot of policy consideration is required, such as creative governance that can efficiently protect all species. Subsidies or tax incentives have a direct impact on biodiversity conservation. The recovery of species in a state of decreasing biodiversity can be said to be of great economic value. Biodiversity will allow indigenous producers to be proud of their unique traditional knowledge and have a positive impact on local tourism, thereby enhancing regional identity and greatly contributing to the survival and prosperity of mankind.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.507-517
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• 2022

The PhotoAcoustic Microscopy (PAM) has been proved to be a useful tool for biological and medical applications due to its high spatial and contrast resolution. PAM is based on transmission of laser pulses and reception of PA signals. Since the strength of PA signals is generally low, not only are high-performance optical and acoustic modules required, but high-performance electronics for imaging are also particularly needed for high-quality PAM imaging. Most PAM systems are implemented with a combination of several pieces of equipment commercially available to receive, amplify, enhance, and digitize PA signals. To this end, PAM systems are inevitably bulky and not optimal because general purpose equipment is used. This paper reports a PA signal receiving system recently developed to attain the capability of improved Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) of PAM images; the main module of this system is a low noise, wideband signal receiver that consists of two low-noise amplifiers, two variable gain amplifiers, analog filters, an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), and control logic. From phantom imaging experiments, it was found that the developed system can improve SNR by 6.7 dB and CNR by 3 dB, compared to a combination of several pieces of commercially available equipment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.542-558
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Yigong-san on anorexia in children by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched on May 30, 2022 to collect relevant studies. All studies published up to the search date were considered. RCTs reporting the effect of Yigong-san on the treatment of anorexia in children were included. The primary outcome was an improvement in clinical anorexia symptoms after treatment. In this meta-analysis, continuous and binary outcomes were assessed, and the data were presented as the mean difference and risk ratio with their 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Results: A total of nine studies were included in this systematic review. The treatment group (Yigong-san only or Yigong-san plus conventional treatment) showed a statistically significant effect compared to the control group (conventional treatment only) in total effective rate (Yigong-san only: RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.17, 1.36, I²=0%; Yigong-san plus conventional treatment: RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18, 1.47, I²=0%), clinical symptoms, some of the anthropometric outcomes, and biological markers related to appetite and growth in children with anorexia. No serious adverse events related to Yigong-san were reported. Conclusions: Yigong-san showed statistically significant effects as a treatment for anorexia in children. However, the number of studies included in the meta-analysis was insufficient, and the herbs contained in the Yigong-san used in the included studies were not standardized. Future research should focus on the implementation of methodologically robust clinical research.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2021

Gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration system based on the nanofiber membrane was investigated. This system can be operated with little energy demand due to a gravitational pressure-driven filtration and biological fouling control strategy. Moreover, the optimal module configuration based on the high permeance of nanofiber membrane can provide a significantly high water productivity. In order to evaluate its applicability potential, the pilot-scale (3000-5000 L/day) systems with nanofiber membranes were operated in developing countries (Kiribati and Tuvalu). Our results showed that the 14-92 L/(m²×h) of the permeate flux was determined indicating a stabilized water productivity. In addition, the permeate water indicated a high removal rate (more than 99.99%) of turbidity and bacteria. Consequently, the system can provide a stabilized water production with safe permeate water quality during long-term operation. These findings exemplify an effective approach to decentralized drinking water treatment for developing countries.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2020

Medical waste is any kind of waste that contains infectious material and recommended not to be transferred for infection control. As a means of disposal, incineration has better points than dumping or landfill in the quantity reduction, odorless and nonhazardous. However, open burning and incineration of health care wastes under bad circumstances, can result in the emission of environmental pollutants to air. A burial of biological waste brings pollution of soil and water. Most of sub divisional hospitals in Fiji transfer their medical wastes to divisional hospitals for incineration. In 2011, 62,518 kg of medical waste was incinerated in the three divisional hospitals. However, some medical wastes are considered as general waste and burnt or sent to landfill site, some are buried on site in some sub-divisional hospitals. In this regards, urgent education is necessary for awareness promotion to relevant personnel in medical waste treatment. On site incineration using small scale incinerator is more recommended than transportation of medical wastes treatment in Fiji. Moreover, remotely controllable and fixable small scale of incinerator is more desirable in sub-divisional hospitals. It is recommended that Fiji government to set up a legal framework for medical waste management (MWM), to develop specific guidelines for MWM, to set up a training system for MWM to ensure that all relevant personnel are trained, to develop a monitoring and supervision system for MWM, to clarify the future financing of MWM activities, and to improve the MWM infrastructure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2021

This study determined the effects of Centella asiatica leaf on H₂O₂ induced cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial activity, and proinflammatory cytokine production in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. We used an 80% methanol extract of C. asiatica, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside, the major constituent of C. asiatica. The C. asiatica extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside attenuated G1 cell cycle-arrest and the apoptotic effect caused by H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. The cells treated with C. asiatica extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside secreted lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6. The antioxidant effect of asiaticoside was higher than that of C. asiatica extract and its ethyl acetate fraction. Treatment with C. asiatica extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside also increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and restored normal mitochondrial morphology. Following H₂O₂ stress induction, cells treated with C. asiatica extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside showed increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates and decreases in the TLR4-MyD88-TRAF6-p65 pathway activity. These findings suggest that C. asiatica extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and asiaticoside have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the ability to control the mitochondrial activities of HDF cells.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2023

Objective: Muscle acetylcholine receptors have five alpha subunits (α, β, δ, ε, or γ), and cholinergic receptor nicotinic gamma subunit (CHRNG) is the γ subunit. It may also play an essential role in biological processes, including cell differentiation, growth, and survival, while the role of CHRNG has not been studied in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of CHRNG on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine preadipocytes. Methods: We constructed a CHRNG overexpression adenovirus vector and successfully overexpressed it on bovine preadipocytes. The effects of CHRNG on bovine preadipocyte proliferation were detected by Edu assay, cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot and other techniques. We also performed oil red O, RT-qPCR, Western blot to explore its effect on the differentiation of preadipocytes. Results: The results of Edu proliferation experiments showed that the number of EDU-positive cells in the overexpression group was significantly less. CCK-8 experiments found that the optical density values of the cells in the overexpression group were lower than those of the control group, the mRNA levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin A2 (CCNA2), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), cyclin D2 (CCND2) decreased significantly after CHRNG gene overexpression, the mRNA levels of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) increased significantly, and the protein levels of PCNA, CCNB1, CCND2 decreased significantly. Overexpression of CHRNG inhibited the differentiation of bovine preadipocytes. The results of oil red O and triglyceride determination showed that the size and speed of lipid droplets accumulation in the overexpression group were significantly lower. The mRNA and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR class="checkNonKBPoint">γ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPα), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), fatty acid synthase (FASN) decreased significantly. Conclusion: Overexpression of CHRNG in bovine preadipocytes inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of bovine preadipocytes.