• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2023

In the present study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extracts from Lathyrus japonicus at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL were investigated in LPS-stimulated, RAW264.7 cells. Antioxidant properties were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe by flow cytometry. To examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of L. japonicus, their effects on the levels of nitric oxide (NO); production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); and the activities of enzymes such as inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were assessed. The IC₅₀ values of the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were 476.09 ± 1.50 and 34.91 ± 0.37 ㎍/mL, respectively. In addition, L. japonicus extracts not only inhibited ROS production, but also the production of NO, IL-1β, and IL-10, and the activity of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, the ethanolic extracts of L. japonicus could be used as a functional food additive and an anti-inflammatory agent owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2010

The focus of this study is to evaluate the field applicability of the newly developed inorganic thixotropic-grout in various ways. In order to do this, the volume stability and the permeability of the inorganic thixotropic-grout have been measured and compared to the existing silica type grouts. In addition, the filling capability of the grout into the tail void has been evaluated through both an experiment with a miniature tail-void filling equipment and a test filling at the shield TBM construction site. The volume loss of the inorganic thixotropic-grout after a 14 day-curing under the atmosphere condition was appeared to be minimal. The excellent waterproofing ability of the inorganic thixotropic-grout was confirmed through a permeability test. The toxicity of the inorganic thixotropic-grout has been evaluated through a toxicity test of aquatic fishes (KS M 0111) and the pH value of the liquid eluviated from inorganic thixotropic-grout was measured as an average of 8.0 and a fatality rate of goldfish after 96 hours was 10% or so. The existence of harmful heavy metals in the liquid eluviated from the inorganic thixotropic-grout has been also examined through an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) test. Any of harmful heavy metals were not detected and the detected level of $Cr^{6+}$ and Cd was far below the standard. Based on both an experiment with a miniature tail-void filling equipment and a test filling at the shield TBM construction site, the filling ability of inorganic thixotropic-grout into the tail void was proved to be excellent.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.137-148
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the weather, soil characteristics, and location environment of Pimpinella brachycarpa natural habitats in order to gather the essential information for the conservation of these habitats. P. brachycarpa are distributed throughout Korea and are mainly found to grow in shady and humid areas between 500 and 1,200 m above sea level. The average annual temperature in Mt. Duta was 13.1℃, and the average annual precipitation in Mt. Jungwon was 1,509 mm, which was higher than in other regions. The pH ranged from 4.42 to 4.97, indicating slight acidity. The total N content ranged from 0.18% to 0.68%, and the available P ranged from 13.43 to 531.56 mg/kg, demonstrating notable regional variations. The species diversity index (H') was highest at Mt. Ilwol, measuring 1.713. The evenness (J') ranged from 0.983 to 0.993, and the dominance (D') ranged from 0.007 to 0.017. The similarity index was very low, averaging 24.86%, and it was divided into communities of Wilson's elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) and communities of Korean maple (Acer pseudo-siebodianum).

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.35
• /
• pp.6.1-6.15
• /
• 2023

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are occupational and environmental pollutants generated by the incomplete combustion of organic matter. Exposure to PAHs can occur in various occupations. In this study, we compared PAH exposure levels among occupations based on 4 urinary PAH metabolites in a Korean adult population. Methods: The evaluation of occupational exposure to PAHs was conducted using Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey data. The occupational groups were classified based on skill types. Four urinary PAH metabolites were used to evaluate PAH exposure: 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), 2-naphthol (2-NAP), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-OHPHE), and 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFLU). The fraction exceeding the third quartile of urinary concentration for each PAH metabolite was assessed for each occupational group. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for exceeding the third quartile of urinary PAH metabolite concentration were calculated for each occupational group compared to the "business, administrative, clerical, financial, and insurance" group using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The "guard and security" (OR: 2.949; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.300-6.691), "driving and transportation" (OR: 2.487; 95% CI: 1.418-4.364), "construction and mining" (OR: 2.683; 95% CI: 1.547-4.655), and "agriculture, forestry, and fisheries" (OR: 1.973; 95% CI: 1.220-3.191) groups had significantly higher ORs for 1-OHP compared to the reference group. No group showed significantly higher ORs than the reference group for 2-NAP. The groups with significantly higher ORs for 1-OHPHE than the reference group were "cooking and food service" (OR: 2.073; 95% CI: 1.208-3.556), "driving and transportation" (OR: 1.724; 95% CI: 1.059-2.808), and "printing, wood, and craft manufacturing" (OR: 2.255; 95% CI: 1.022-4.974). The OR for 2-OHFLU was significantly higher in the "printing, wood, and craft manufacturing" group (OR: 3.109; 95% CI: 1.335-7.241) than in the reference group. Conclusions: The types and levels of PAH exposure differed among occupational groups in a Korean adult population.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2011

PC12 neuronal cell-protective effects of hot water extracts of guava fruit and leaf were evaluated. Total phenolic levels in fruit and leaf were 11.75 and 293.25 mg/g, respectively. Gallic acid, the predominant phenoic, was detected in both extracts. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation after $H_2O_2$ treatment was significantly reduced when the hot water extract of guava leaf was added to cell medium, compared to PC12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$ only. In a cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl- tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), the hot water extracts of fruit and leaf protected against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity. The leaf extract was more effective in terms of inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into medium, compared to the fruit extract. These in vitro data suggest that hot water extracts of guava fruit and leaf may be useful in treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.632-637
• /
• 2010

'Hanseol' is a new very early-maturing, cold tolerant and high quality japonica rice variety developed from a cross of 'Jinbu24' and 'Jinbu25' by the rice breeding team of National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), Rural Development Administration (RDA) in 2009. The heading date of this variety is July 25, which is four days earlier than check variety, 'Jinbubyeo'. 'Hanseol' has 65 cm of culm length, 99 spikelets per panicle, 82.9% of ripened grain rate, and 21.5 g of 1,000 grain-weight of brown rice. This variety shows susceptibility to bacterial leaf blight and virus diseases, and insect pests. It is tolerant to cold stress in terms of less heading delay and high fertility in cold water irrigated cultivation. This variety shows delayed leaf senescence and considerable tolerance to viviparous germination at ripening stage. The milled rice of this variety exhibits translucent, clear non-glutinous endosperm and medium-short grain. 'Hanseol' showed low gelatinization temperature and 6.1% protein content, 19.1% amylose content and good palatability of cooked rice. The milled rice yield of this variety is about 5.43 MT/ha at ordinary culture in local adaptability test for three years. 'Hanseol' would be highly adaptable to mid-north and mid-mountainous areas, and mid-northern alpine area in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.565-573
• /
• 2022

Gingival inflammation is one of the main causes that can be related to various periodontal diseases. Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) is the major constituent in periodontal connective tissue and secretes various inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. This study is aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of Lotus Root extract (LRE) in Porphyromonas gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS-PG)-stimulated HGF-1 cells. The concentration of NO and PGE₂, as well as their responsible enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was analyzed by Griess reaction, ELISA, and western blot analysis. LPS-PG sharply elevated the production and protein expression of inflammatory mediators, which were significantly attenuated by LRE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. LRE treatment also suppressed activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-PG-stimulated HGF-1 cells. In addition, one of phase II enzyme, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, and its transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), were significantly induced by LRE treatment. Consequently, these results suggest that LRE ameliorates LPS-PG-induced inflammatory responses by attenuating TLR4/MyD88-mediated NF-κB, and activating NQO-1/Nrf2 antioxidant response element signaling pathways in HGF-1 cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.313-320
• /
• 2013

Biofilm formed on stainless and copper in water treatment plant was investigated for sixteen weeks. Biofilm reactor was specially designed for this study. It was similar to that of a real distribution pipe. Raw water, coagulated, settled, filtered and treated water were used in this study. The average number of heterotrophic bacteria counts was $1.6{\times}10^4CFU/ml$, $5.8{\times}10^3CFU/ml$, $1.8{\times}10^3CFU/ml$, $1.3{\times}10^2CFU/ml$, 1 CFU/ml, respectively. Density of biofilm bacteria formed on stainless and copper pipes in raw, coagulated and settled water increased above $2.9{\times}10^3CFU/cm^2$ within second weeks while more biofilm bacteria counts were found on the stainless pipe than on the copper pipe. In case of filtered water (free residue chlorine 0.44 mg/L), there was no significant difference in the number of biofilm bacteria on both pipes and biofilm bacteria below $18CFU/cm^2$ were detected on both pipe materials after fifth weeks. Biofilm bacteria were not detected on both pipe materials in treated water (free residue chlorine 0.88 mg/L). According to the results of DGGE analysis, Sphingomonadacae was a dominant species of biofilm bacteria formed on the stainless pipe while the copper pipe had Bradyrhizobiaceae and Sphingomonadaceae as dominant bands. In case of filtered water, a few bands (similar to Propionibacterium sp., Sphingomonas sp., Escherichia sp., and etc.) that have 16S rRNA sequences were detected in biofilm bacteria formed on both pipes after fifth weeks. Stainless pipe had higher species richness and diversity than the copper pipe.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.157-162
• /
• 2008

Enterobacter sakazakii was initially referred to as yellow-pigmented Enterobacter cloacae and reclassified in 1980. E. sakazakii infection cause life-threatening meningitis, septicemia, and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. Powdered infant formula (PIF) and baby foods may be the important vehicle of E. sakazakii infection. It has been reported that E. sakazakii was isolated from PIF and sunsik ingredients produced in Korea. Some infants have been fed sunsik as a weaning diet. Therefore, it is necessary that this organism should be inactivated on preparing PIF and sunsik at homes and in hospitals. The cocktail of three Korean E. sakazakii strains (human, sunsik and soil isolates) were used to investigate the inactivation of this organism with hot water at 50, 60, 65, 70 and $80^{\circ}C$ and microwave heating for 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 sec. Reconstituted PIF and sunsikwere inoculated with cocktailed vegetative cells of E. sakazakii at 6 log CFU/mL. Thermal inactivation of vegetative cells of E. sakazakii were achieved by reconstituted PIF and sunsik with hot water at $60^{\circ}C$ or greater and with microwave heating at 2,450 MHz for 75 sec or longer. Considering that biofilm formation of E. sakazakii was adapted to survive the dry environment that is PIF and sunsik and thermal resistance increased, it is suggested that inactivation of E. sakazakii was used by hot water at $70^{\circ}C$ or greater and microwave heating for 90 sec or longer. Reconstituted PIF and sunsik were inoculated with cocktailed vegetative cells of E. sakazakii at 2 to 3 log CFU/mL to investigate the growth curve of this organism and stored at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and $35^{\circ}C$. Viable counts slightly changed at 5, $10^{\circ}C$ during 48 h but grew at $15^{\circ}C$ or greater. Considering that E. sakazakii is able to grow in infant formula milk at refrigerator temperature, reconstituted PIF and sunsik that are not immediately consumed should be discarded or stored at refrigeration temperatures within 24 h.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.330-336
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like environmental endocrine disrupter, on the placental function and reproduction in rats. The mRNA levels of the placental prolactin-growth hormone(PRL-GH) gene family, placental trophoblast cell frequency and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats ($160g{\pm}20g$) were detected by the presence of the copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which marked Day 0 of pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with a sesame oil vehicle. The two remaining groups were injected with 50 or 500 mg/kg B.W/day of BPA, resuspended in sesame oil, on either days 7 to 11 or 16 to 20 of pregnancy, with the rats sacrificed on either day 11 or 20, respectively. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The hormone concentrations were analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the frequency of the placental trophoblast cells observed by a histochemical study. Reproductive data, such as the placental weight and litter size, were surveyed on day 20. The fetal weight was surveyed for 4 weeks after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH gene family, such as placental lactogen I, Iv and II, prolactin like protein A, C and Cv, and decidual prolactin-related protein were significantly reduced due to BPA exposure. The mRNA levels of the Pit-1a and b isotype genes, which induce the expression of the PRL-GH gene family in the rat placenta, were also reduced due to BPA exposure. The PL-Iv and PL-II concentrations were reduced in the BPA exposed group. During the middle to last stage of pregnancy (Days 11-20), a high dose of BPA exposure reduced the frequency of spongiotrophoblast cells, which are responsible for the secretion of the PRL-GH hormones. Reproductive data, such as the placental and fetal weights and the litter size, were reduced, but that of the pregnancy period was extended in the BPA exposed compared to the control group. Conclusions : BPA disrupts the placental functions in rats, which leads to reproductive disorders.