• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.305-314
• /
• 2008

As forest land takes up 65% of the Korean peninsula, there have been continuing conflicts between the development and conservation of forest land. As the income level has changed over time, the usage of forest land in society has changed. There has been increasing demands for forest land for urban development and recreational use. On the other hand, a large proportion of the land is required to be preserved for the forest and the natural ecosystem in it. The existing management system for the forest land has been designed focusing on the management of the trees on the land, and not the land itself. Due to this limitation, the current management system of forest land has failed to protect the forest land from being developed indiscreetly, making it difficult to conserve and develop the forest land in an efficient way. A major question in forest land management is how to integrate economic use activities with the supporting ecosystems to maximize performance of the ecological-economic system. In order to promote sustainable use of forest resources, and to achieve efficient forest land management, it is prerequisite to evaluation on forest resources of natural ecosystems. Quantitative measures are needed that signify how necessary the services and products of forested ecosystems are to human endeavors. In this study, the natural wealth provided by forest land was quantified based on emergy synthesis. Emergy is a universal measure of real wealth of the work of nature and society made on a common basis. Thus, Calculations of emergy provide a basis for making choices about environment and economy following the general public policy to maximize real wealth. The goals of forest land management to achieve balance between the ecology and economy of its integrated system and to foster equity among the diverse outcomes of the forest land were assessed with emergy. Emergy was demonstrated to holistically integrated and quantify the interconnections of a coupled nature-human system allowing the goals of ecological balance and outcome equity to be measured quantitatively. Doing so will provide a better understanding of the basis of forest land wealth and the consequences of management decisions.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.635-647
• /
• 1995

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMN) constitute a first line of defense against all forms of injury and microbial challenge, which share a common cell lineage with macrophage. Microbial component LPS activates macrophages to produce IL-1, MIP-1${\alpha}$, -1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, etc. Those cytokines have autocrine function to the macrophages, and paracrine function to other cell such as PMN and affect them to produce some biological functions. Having a responsive homogeneous cell line, HL-60, offers us the possibility of studying extensively on the function of PMN, which were not possible previously with peripheral PMN, due to the short-lived nature and difficulty of getting a purified PMN. In the present study, I performed MIP-1 receptor binding assay using HL-60 cell and human peripheral PMN. Also, in vitro antimicrobial assay was performed using differentiated or undifferentiated HL-60 cell. Differentiation was induced by treatment with 500 M of $N^6,O^2-dibutyryl$ adenosine 3'5' cyclic monophosphate(dbcAMP) (PMN-like cell), or 20ng/ml of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate(TPA) (macrophage/monocyte-like cell). Receptors for MIP-1${\alpha}$ were identified on dbcAMP-treated HL-60 as well as peripheral PMN. However, bound radioactive MIP-1${\alpha}$ on differentiated HL-60 was much higher than that of peripheral PMN, which suggest receptor number of differentiated HL-60 cell is higher than that of peripheral PMN. Although both of TPA and dbcAMP treatment significantly enhanced antimicrobial action of HL-60 cell, dbcAMP-treated cell(PMN-like HL-60) killed S.aureus more effectively in this experiment. TPA or dbcAMP treatment significantly enhanced antimicrobial action of undifferentiated HL-60 cell. MIP-1${\alpha}$ further increased enhancing effect of TPA or dbcAMP. IL-1${\alpha}$, however, increased only dbcAMP-induced enhancing effect of antimicrobial action of HL-60 cell. These results suggest that differentiated HL-60 cell could replace peripheral PMN in analysis of various biological functions of cytokines on PMN cell.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.68 no.2
• /
• pp.233-256
• /
• 2016

This study aims to illustrate the essence of meaning through sexual minorities' participant experiences in a sexual minority community. This research intends to explore essential meaning structure revealed in sexual minorities' reasons for joining a sexual minority community and in their experience in community activities. The study participants were 8 sexual minorities, and data was collected by in-depth interview. Data analysis was described using Giorgi's analysis methodology in phenomenological research method. As a result, the sexual minorities' participation was consisted of 13 meaning units, 6 derived topics, and 3 essential topics, which were 'An unquenchable thirst', 'Another world called oasis', and 'Real estrangement' Moreover, based on the essential topics, the study participants' common meaning of essence was analyzed as 'spiritual diaspora'. Sexual minority communities shall contribute to developments of own organizations through mutual compensations by vitalizing exchanges with other communities based on this study. Also, the communities should the variety in sexual minorities to allow various people's participation. People's awareness on sexual minorities must be transformed so that closed communities can change. Comprehensive knowledge on sexual minorities should be distributed in the social welfare fields so that sexual minorities may search solutions on issues through various access not limited to certain communities.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.7
• /
• pp.547-553
• /
• 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in GBM and the rare CSC subpopulation that is resistant to chemotherapy may be responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable prognosis of GBM. A garlic-derived compound, Z-ajoene, has shown a range of biological activities, including anti-proliferative effects on several cancers. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Z-ajoene specifically inhibits the growth of the GBM CSC population. CSC sphere-forming inhibition was achieved at a concentration that did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in regular cell culture conditions. The specificity of this inhibitory effect on the CSC population was confirmed by detecting CSC cell surface marker CD133 expression and biochemical marker ALDH activity. In addition, stem cell-related mRNA profiling and real-time PCR revealed the differential expression of CSC-specific genes, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, upon treatment with Z-ajoene. A proteomic approach, i.e., reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and Western blot analysis, showed decreased SMAD4, p-AKT, 14.3.3 and FOXO3A expression. The protein interaction map (http://string-db.org/) of the identified molecules suggested that the AKT, ERK/p38 and $TGF{\beta}$ signaling pathways are key mediators of Z-ajoene's action, which affects the transcriptional network that includes FOXO3A. These biological and bioinformatic analyses collectively demonstrate that Z-ajoene is a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM by specifically targeting GBM CSCs. We also show how this systemic approach strengthens the identification of new therapeutic agents that target CSCs.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.444-453
• /
• 2018

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), of the Poaceae/Gramineae family, is a common grain in the surrounding area. It has been used in Ancient Egyptian medicine and it has been used worldwide for many years as food and as an ingredient in beer. Barley has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti -carcinogenic and anti-diabetic effects. So far, a lot of research has been done on barley but the effects of fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria have not been studied largely. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol-extracted barley seeds after their fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. The biological activities of fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria and non-fermented barley seeds were analyzed for total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase-like activity and tyrosinase inhibition. These results showed that fermented barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria have more advanced anti-oxidant and whitening properties than non-fermented barley seeds. Hence, we suggest that fermenting barley seeds with lactic acid bacteria can be an impressive material in the food and cosmetic industries.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1319-1323
• /
• 2015

Aquaculture continues to be an ever-growing sector. However, high-density farming increases disease outbreaks due to deteriorating water quality and internal stress. To prevent disease, the most common method chemotherapy is using antibiotic administration. In this study, probiotic bacteria were isolated from Korean traditional foods, such a Gochu pickle and cutlassfish salted seafood. Various bacteria were isolated, and their 16S rDNA sequences were analyzed. The antimicrobial activities of four isolates from Gochu pickle and seven isolates from cutlassfish salted seafood were assayed, in addition to the antibacterial activity of culture pellet and supernatant. The antibacterial activity of the pellet was higher than that of the supernatant. Isolate JKM-2 showed the highest antibacterial activity against Streptococcus iniae (43 mm), S. parauberis (40 mm), S. mutans (35 mm), and Vibrio vuinificus (26.5 mm). The sequences of the isolated strains were compared with those of Bacillus subtilis (97.71%), B. tequilensis (97.71%), Brevibacterium halotolerans (97.71%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. subtilis (97.63%), B. mojavensis (97.54%), B. vallismortis (97.46%), B. nanillea (97.45%), B. methylotrophicus (97.37%), and B. ssiamensis (97.37%). Future through analysis and new strains confirmed the bacterial cell material investigation of JKM-3, and to ensure sufficient stability, it is desired to verify the utility value as a substitute material for antibiotics by application to the form of the industry.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.48-51
• /
• 2006

With well-being boom recently, the common people, but not experts, are increasingly taking in them directly by picking wild herbs. However, only experts can distinguish between edible vegetables and poisonous herbs from the wild herbs. Especially, it is not even easy for experts to distinguish them only by looking into buds in spring without flowers or fruit. So, sometimes many patients are being carried into the emergency room by the toxic symptom after taking by misunderstanding the poisonous herbs as edible vegetables. For herb intoxication as well as drug intoxication, what kinds of vegetables patients took in, and when and how much they took in them are important information for curing. Of course, in the case of intoxicating in the wild herbs, the patients can have a lot of symptoms and sings-hemodynamic alteration and abnormal neurologic sign as well as gastrointestinal symptoms-according to the kinds of herbs which they took in. Therefore, it is difficult to find the kinds of herbs which they took in through the specific symptoms. Recently we experienced a case with showing typical anticholinergic symptoms after ingestion of Scopolia japonica. As a result, the publicity activities about the wild plants needs because if the person without their previous knowledge take in the poisonous herbs, serious side effects can be produced..

• Journal of Korean Society of societal Security
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2009

During the past few years, Korea has experienced extraordinary floods, which have caused many damages of lives and properties. Flooding caused by typhoon is the most common disastrous phenomenon of nature among all catastrophes. As the average temperature of the earth has been increasing by global warming, the possibility of typhoon is also increased by abnormal climate changes. Along with the river improvement as a part of flood control, the time of concentration has been decreased, so the pick discharge has been increased. Moreover, with the land development activities, the area of storage has been diminishing, and the damages from inundation have been continuously increasing. There were a lot of damages to farmland in 1960's, industrial and public facilities in 1970's, and a lot of sufferings from the windstorm in 1980's. In 1990's, however, the amount of damages was increased substantially. So, there is need to decrease the number of the victims and loss of properties by applying preventive measures against natural calamities. This study has employed a simulation system to calculate the depth and amounts of inundation areas to forecast and prevent from flood damage by using rainfall-runoff model. In this study, a case study method is adopted to show inundation by using rainfall-runoff model, HEC-GeoRAS and Arcview. It is hoped that, this study would be conducive to professionals and organizations working in the field of disaster management.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.243-250
• /
• 2013

Pyracantha is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family of Rosaceae, with common names Firethorn or Pyracantha. It's extract has also been used in cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent and functioning through tyrosinase inhibition. Recent studies have shown that pyracantha extract possesses antioxidant activities and may significantly improve lipoprotein metabolism in rats. Although the mode of action of Pyracantha extract is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between antioxidant and apoptosis in some types of cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of pyracantha extract on blastocysts formation and their quality of the porcine parthenogenetic embryos. After parthenogenetic activation by chemicals, presumptive porcine parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with extracts of pyracantha leaf, stalk and root for 6 day (1, 5 and $10{\mu}g/ml$, respectively). In our results, the frequency of blastocyst formation in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased that of other groups. Furthermore, blastocysts derived from pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased the total cell numbers and reduced apoptotic index. Blastocyst development was significantly improved in the pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group when compared with the $H_2O_2$ treated group (p<0.05). Subsequent evaluation of the intracellular levels of ROS in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated groups under $H_2O_2$ induced oxidative stress were decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that treatment of pyracantha root extract may improve in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos through its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.279-301
• /
• 2013

This study demonstrates how social network analysis can be used for identifying potential buyers in technology marketing; in such, the methodology and empirical results are proposed. First of all, we derived the three most important 'seed' keywords from 'technology description' sections. The technologies are generated by various types of R&D activities organized by South Korea's public research institutes in the fundamental science fields. Second, some 3, 000 words were collected from websites related to the three 'seed' keywords. Next, three network matrices (i.e., one matrix per seed keyword) were constructed. To explore the technology network structure, each network is analyzed by degree centrality and Euclidean distance. The network analysis suggests 100 potentially demanding companies and identifies seven common companies after comparing results derived from each network. The usefulness of the result is verified by investigating the business area of the firm's homepages. Finally, five out of seven firms were proven to have strong relevance to the target technology. In terms of social network analysis, this study expands its application scope of methodology by combining semantic network analysis and the technology marketing method. From a practical perspective, the empirical study suggests the illustrative framework for exploiting prospective demanding companies on the web, raising possibilities of technology commercialization in the basic research fields. Future research is planned to examine how the efficiency of process and accuracy of result is increased.