• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2013

Although tongcao has been reported to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, there is no report of the chemopreventive effect of tongcao in cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity of methanol extract of tongcao (MET) and its molecular target in HEp-2 human cervical cancer cells using MTS assay, western blot analysis, and DAPI staining. MET significantly decreases cell viability and induces apoptotic cell death. It affects Bid protein to be truncated resulting in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol whereas it did not affect other Bcl-2 family members. Thus, we clearly suggest that tongcao can be a potential naturally occurring plants having chemopreventive activity in cervical cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.409-426
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to present the raw data for management and conservation of tidal flat by objective surveying and analysing the halophytes and vegetation distributed in Seocheon tidal flat wetland conservation area, Korea. The results are as follows. The numbers of halophytes in this site were summarized as 27 taxa including 13 families, 21 genera, 26 species and 1 variety. In the results of ecologically important species, rare plant was 1 taxa, 10 taxa of the specific plants by floristic region, 1 taxa of naturalized plant and 1 taxa of the plant with approval for delivering oversea. The life form spectrum consisted of therophytes(44.4%), hemicryptophytes(25.9%), geophytes(14.8%), nanophanerophytes(7.5%), chamaephytes and hydatophytes(each 3.7%). The types of vegetation of Seocheon tidal flat wetland conservation area were classified with 17 communities including Vitex rotundifolia community, Suaeda maritima community, Calystegia soldanella community and so forth. In the halophytes composition, section C and E-1 had the largest character species and companion species. In the results of vegetation amount, section C, D, E-1 and E-2 were the highest score, on the other hand, section A and B were the lowest. The final rating was calculated by adding up values of two factors, and section C and E-1 had the highest rating of II. In future, we will survey the whole flora in Seocheon tidal flat, we will offer the help to establishing the conservation plan of coastal plant ecosystem in West Sea.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.424-433
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• 2021

The aim of this study is to explores the possibility of applying new aquaponics using guppies, a tropical fish breeding as companion fish at home, different from the aquaponics system using fish species such as loach, carp, and catfish for commercial purposes. To facilitate the application of Aquaponics at home, a system was established by connecting a water tank, water plants, hydroponic pots, plant growth LEDs, and Arduino sensors using Internet of Things(IoT) technology. As a hydroponic crops, lettuce that can be easily obtained and consumed at home was selected. In order to confirm the applicability of aquaponics using tropical fish, the growth rates of hydroponic crops in the same environment were compared as a control. The growth rate of aquaponics crops using tropical fish was about 77.4% of that of hydroponic crops. This will produce the same effect as hydroponic cultivation if conditions correspond with enough fish quantity to feed plant and appropriate pH control for growth are met. It can be seen that, and in the future, it can be used to develop an Aquaphonics standard system applicable at home.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2022

Cataracts occur commonly in older dogs, which can lead to partial or complete vision loss. In the present study, a 12-year-old male poodle presented for evaluation of ocular sinister (OS) cataract. This study was a clinical case report on the process of performing surgery using phacoemulsification (PHACO) and the problems that arise in patient diagnosed with OS cataract. In the oculus dexter (OD), the artificial eye was inserted because there was no electroretinography (ERG) response. In the OS, the ERG was 51.6 μV, so operation was performed because the visual pathway function remained. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the OS showed complete loss of vision as a hypermature cataract and that the lens was hardened. During the cataract surgery using PHACO, visco-elastic agents were used to maintain the shape of the eyeball, and the PHACO procedure took 3.13 minutes. The hardened lens and visco-elastic agents were removed from the eye through PHACO surgery, and the operation was completed by inserting an intraocular lens (IOL). As a result of managing IOP for 2 months after surgery, it remained stable at a maximum of 19 mmHg, and no postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) occurred. Currently, one year has passed since the operation, and the dog maintains its daily life with its left eye without any problems.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.736-745
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• 2023

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a gradual decline in cellular and physiological functions. This natural process is associated with age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and hypogonadism, which are significant health concerns among older individuals and can significantly impact their quality of life. Researchers have found that epigenetic markers play a crucial role in regulating aging and age-related diseases. Epigenetic markers are heritable gene expression alterations that do not change in the DNA sequence. This review focuses on the involvement of various epigenetic marks, such as RNA methylation, DNA methylation, and microRNAs (miRNAs), in regulating gene expression patterns associated with age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and hypogonadism. These epigenetic alterations can lead to the dysregulation of specific genes and signaling pathways, contributing to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and hypogonadism. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these epigenetic modifications is essential for both the aging population and individuals seeking ways to promote overall well-being. By gaining deeper insights into how epigenetic marker alteration occurs during aging and age-related diseases, researchers can potentially develop targeted therapeutic strategies to alleviate the impact of these conditions and improve the quality of life for older individuals.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.601-606
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• 2023

The edible sweetener aspartame is formed from the synthesis of asparagine, one of the amino acids, and phenylalanine. It is a protein ingredient that produces sweetness 200 times higher than sucrose, and is used as a diet product because it is a substance that can replace sugar. Although the effects on animals and humans have been well studied, no studies have been conducted on plant metabolism. In this study, the effect of aspartame metabolism was tested using germinated onion, bean sprouts, and Kalanchoe. The three types of plants with germinated roots showed rapid growth in the early stage of treatment with 1mM aspartame, and showed a nutrient supply effect due to the effect of amino acids, which are constituents. However, when treated for 4 weeks, symptoms similar to lateral roots appear in the form of lignification in onions, the effect of quickly withering is seen in bean sprouts, and senescence of roots appears in 12-week-old Kalanchoe. All of them show accelerated aging after the growth phase. This shows that, among the two amino acids, asparagine is related to auxin generation that induces rapid growth, and it is thought to be the result of lignification due to the effect of phenylalanine.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.140-151
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• 2001

This study based on the theoretical understanding of multi-layer planting which have engineering, ecological and landscape benefits, was conducted to find out the status of multi-layer planting in the apartment and neighborhood park in Seoul. This study was also aimed to seek for the problematic matters, and suggest a solution on the current multi-layer planting. The results of this study were as follows; 1) Since landscape woody plants have been classified just as tree and shrub in Korea, the classification for the multi-layer planting has been unreasonable, and landscape woody plants might have been classified as tree, sub-tree and shrub, or upper, middle, and lower-layer, It could be defined that upper layer is over eight meters in full growth, middle over 3-8 meters and lower under 3 meters. 2) In apartments, the upper layer consisted of eighteen species, the middle and lower layer seven species each. In neighborhood parks, the upper layer consisted of fifteen species, and the middle and lower layer five species each. 3) In terms of planting year of the surveyed areas, there were no differences in the number of species when planting year of the apartment was divided into two groups, the first half(1900-1995) and the second(1996-2000). But, in terms of individual occupation, the percentage was decreased in upper layer, while there was increasing in middle and lower layer. 4) As the result of survey of multi-layered area, it appeared that apartment was shown 0.65 percent and neighborhood park 0.61 percent of the planted area, which was less than 1 percentage of landscape architecturally planted area. 5) In apartment, the number of individual in middle layers has been increased in the first half and the second, but with respect to the correlation with multi-layered area, the apartments had the "$\rho$=0.208", saying that increasing middle layer was scattered planting instead of multi-layered planting. 6) In planting at the apartments in Korea, the planting density was limited, because the layer division was restricted to only tree and shrub. On the contrary, it was divided into upper, middle and lower tree in Japan. Therefore, in Korea, it should be classified as the planting density by dividing into tree, sub-tree, and shrubs, or upper, middle and lower tree by the law. And, it should be considered that the multi-layered planting has a proper organic relation as well as the planting density.g density.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.465-470
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• 2007

To evaluate the effect of companion plant (Phlox subulata and Glechoma hederacea var. longituba) on conservation of soil in slopped highland, coverage of crops and soil erosion were investigated with 3 different conditions. The coverage rate of Phlox subulata with Chinese cabbage cultivation was kept on approximately 100% from Chinese cabbage-transplanting to -harvest. The coverage rate of Glechoma hederacea var. longituba with Chinese cabbage cultivation was low at it's early stage, however, reached to approximately 100% at the time of Chinese cabbage harvest. In contrast, the coverage rate of Chinese cabbage cultivation without cover crop, and simultaneous transplanting with Chinese cabbage and cover crop were approximately 60%. Losses of soil and nitrate nitrogen were much lower in Phlox subulata with Chinese cabbage cultivation ($0.1{\sim}0.2ton\;ha^{-1}$, $0.2{\sim}0.4kg\;NO_3{^-}-N\;ha^{-1}$) than those in Chinese cabbage cultivation without cover crop ($20.8ton\;ha^{-1}$, $2.1kg\;NO_3{^-}-N\;ha^{-1}$), and simultaneous transplanting with Chinese cabbage and cover crop ($8.9{\sim}10.5ton\;ha^{-1}$, $1.5{\sim}2.2kg\;NO_3{^-}-N\;ha^{-1}$). Cover plants suppressed the weed occurrence up to about 70%. Live mulching with cover plants set a good effects on weed suppression and reduction of soil and nutrient loss. Therefore intercropping with Phlox subulata will make great contributions to soil conservation in Chinese cabbage cultivated highland.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.433-442
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• 2017

As a result of the Four-River Restoration Project in Korea, the habitat of endangered plant species of Aster altaicus var. uchiyamae and Polygonatum stenophyllum, which had been natively grown in the riparian zone of Namhan River, was destroyed and artificial replacement habitats were created. In this study, Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) was used to determine whether the replacement habitats are suitable for each species or not. From October 2015 to July 2016, Habitat Evaluate Procedures (HEP) were conducted on two replacement habitats of A. altaicus var. uchiyamae (Gangcheonsum and Sum-River) and on two replacement habitats of P. stenophyllum (Gangcheonsum and Youngjuk) in the Namhan River watershed. As evaluation parameters for A. altaicus var. uchiyamae habitat, habitat matrix (ratio of unburied gravel), height above the ordinary water level, soil nutrients, and light conditions were selected and for P. stenophyllum habitat, soil texture, light conditions, and coverage of companion species were selected. HSI was applied to evaluate the suitability of each replacement habitat. According to the result of the evaluation, replacement habitats of A. altaicus var. uchiyamae and P. stenophyllum located in Gangcheonsum have relatively high HSI values as 0.839 and 0.846, respectively. On the other hand, replacement habitats of A. altaicus var. uchiyamae in Sum-River and P. stenophyllum in Youngjuk zone have HSI value of 0, indicating unsuitable habitats for these species. This is the first attempt to apply HSI for plant species in Korea and proved the usefulness of HSI on plants.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2020

For the conservation of both Sericinus montela (vulnerable species by red book of Korea) and A. contorta, we investigated environmental factors affecting the growth and reproduction of Aristolochia contorta. We selected four A. contorta habitats at Gapyeong, Pyeongtaek, Cheongju, and Yeoju in Korea and surveyed community and habitat characteristics of companion species, herbivore appearance, support types, and soil physicochemical properties in July and October, 2018. Habitat environments and the growth and reproduction characteristics of A. contorta were different according to four habitats of different regions. In particular, the fastest growth speed and earliest flowering and fruiting were observed in Pyeongtaek. Growth of A. contorta in Cheongju and Yeoju were interrupted by aboveground damage from human disturbance. In this study, support types seemed to be important for growth speed of A. contorta. Flowering and fruiting timing were likely to be related to combined effects of soil cation contents and competitive and herbivore stresses. Therefore, providing effective support and reducing biological stress should be necessary for stable growth and proper flowering and fruiting timing of A. contorta. In addition, experimental evidence would be needed to figure out the effect of soil cation and biological stress on flowering and fruiting of A. contorta in detail.