• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2021

The probiotic market is constantly continuing to grow, concomitantly with a widening in the range and diversity of probiotic products. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that provide a benefit to the host when consumed at a proper dose; the viability of a probiotic is therefore of crucial importance for its efficacy. Many products undergo lyophilization for maintaining their shelf-life. Unfortunately, this procedure may damage the integrity of the cells due to stress conditions during both the freezing and (vacuum-) drying process, thereby impacting their functionality. We propose a lysine-based mixture for rehydration of freeze-dried probiotics for improving their viability during in vitro simulated gastric and duodenum stress conditions. Measurement of the zeta potential served as an indicator of cell integrity and efficacy of this mixture, while functionality was estimated by adhesion to a human enterocyte-like Caco-2 cell-line. The freeze-dried bacteria exhibited a significantly different zeta potential compared to fresh cultures; however, this condition could be restored by rehydration with the lysine mixture. Recovery of the surface charge was found to influence adhesion ability to the Caco-2 cell-line. The optimum lysine concentration of the formulation, designated "Zeta-bio", was found to be 0.03 M for improving the viability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-115 by up to 13.86% and a 7-strain mixture (400B) to 41.99% compared to the control rehydrated with distilled water. In addition, the lysine Zeta-bio formulation notably increased the adherence ability of lyophilized Lp-115 to the Caco-2 cell-line after subjected to the in vitro stress conditions of the simulated gastrointestinal tract passage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.275-282
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• 2022

Background: Stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by brain tissue damage following a decrease in oxygen supply to brain due to blocked blood vessels. Reportedly, 80% of all stroke cases are classified as cerebral infarction, and the incidence rate of this condition increases with age. Herein, we compared the efficacies of Korean White ginseng (WG) and Korean Red Ginseng (RG) extracts (WGex and RGex, respectively) in an ischemic stroke mouse model and confirmed the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: Mice were orally administered WGex or RGex 1 h before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), for 2 h; the size of the infarct area was measured 24 h after MCAO induction. Then, the neurological deficit score was evaluated and the efficacies of the two extracts were compared. Finally, their mechanisms of action were confirmed with tissue staining and protein quantification. Results: In the MCAO-induced ischemic stroke mouse model, WGex and RGex showed neuroprotective effects in the cortical region, with RGex demonstrating superior efficacy than WGex. Ginsenoside Rg1, a representative indicator substance, was not involved in mediating the effects of WGex and RGex. Conclusion: WGex and RGex could alleviate the brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion, with RGex showing a more potent effect. At 1,000 mg/kg body weight, only RGex reduced cerebral infarction and edema, and both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways were involved in mediating these effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.13
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• 2023

Background: Zinc (Zn) is an essential cofactor for physiological homeostasis in the body. Zn oxide (ZnO), an inorganic compound that supplies Zn, exists in various sizes, and its bioavailability may vary depending on the size in vivo. However, comparative studies on the nutritional effects of micro-sized ZnO (M-ZnO) and nano-sized ZnO (N-ZnO) supplementation on Zn deficiency (ZnD) animal models have not been reported. Objectives: This study investigated the nutritional bioavailability of N-ZnO and M-ZnO particles in dietary-induced ZnD mice. Methods: Animals were divided into six experimental groups: normal group, ZnD control group, and four ZnO treatment groups (Nano-Low, Nano-High, Micro-Low, and MicroHigh). After ZnD induction, N-ZnO or M-ZnO was administered orally every day for 4 weeks. Results: ZnD-associated clinical signs almost disappeared 7 days after N-ZnO or M-ZnO administration. Serum Zn concentrations were higher in the Nano-High group than in the ZnD and M-ZnO groups on day 7 of ZnO treatment. In the liver and testis, Nano-Low and Nano-High groups showed significantly higher Zn concentrations than the other groups after 14-day treatment. ZnO supplementation increased Mt-1 mRNA expression in the liver and testis and Mt-2 mRNA expression in the liver. Based on hematoxylin-and-eosin staining results, N-ZnO supplementation alleviated histological damage induced by ZnD in the testis and liver. Conclusions: This study suggested that N-ZnO can be utilized faster than M-ZnO for nutritional restoration at the early stage of ZnD condition and presented Mt-1 as an indicator of Zn status in the serum, liver, and testis.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.173-183
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• 2023

The barren ground phenomenon in Korea began to occur and spread in the southern coast region and in Jeju Island in the 1980s, and since the 1990s, the damage has become serious in the east coast region as well. Korea has enacted the fisheries resource management act to manage such barren ground through the installation of sea forests among projects for the creation of fishery resources. Until now, projects related to the identification of the cause of barren ground have focused on the density of crustose coralline algae, sea urchins and seaweed, so the original cause of barren ground has not yet been identified. In order to manage barren ground, it is necessary to identify the cause of barren ground. To identify these causes, it is necessary to comprehensively consider i) studies on spatial characteristics such as rock mass distribution, slope and water depth, ii) studies on ecological and oceanographic characteristics such as water temperature, salinity, El Niño, and typhoons etc, iii) studies on organisms such as crustose coralline algae, macroalgae, and sea urchins, and iv) studies on coastal use such as living and industrial sewage inflow. Next, as with regard to legislative policy proposals , it is necessary to prepare self-management measures by the government, local governments, and fishermen as well as address management problems related to the use of sea forests by fishermen after their creation . In addition, when creating a sea forest, a management model for each resource management plan is required, and evaluation indicators and indexes that can diagnose the cause of barren ground and guidelines for barren ground measures should be developed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

This study was carried out as basic data for the conservation and management of plant diversity in the Gudeuljang paddy fields stone retaining wall of Cheongsan-island by identifying the characteristics of vascular plants targeting Gudeuljang paddy fields stone retaining wall in Cheongsan-island. The total vascular plants of the Gudeuljang paddy fields stone retaining wall in Cheongsan-island have been identified with a total of 184 taxa of 60 families, 142 genera, 170 species, 5 subspecies, 9 varieties. Rare plants were 1 taxa, Korea endemic plants were 2 taxa, floristic regional indicator plants were 28 taxa, rock vegetation was 20 taxa, and invasive alien plants were 25 taxa. Among them, Selliguea hastata (Thunb.) Fraser-Jenk., a rare plants, has been identified as a small number of individuals in the Gudeuljang paddy fields stone retaining wall in Buheung-ri and Cheonggye-ri, but it is necessary to conservation the habitat because there is a concern that the species and population will decrease due to damage and neglect of the Gudeuljang paddy fields stone retaining wall.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

Research on power inductor surface UV printing equipment using cylindrical magnets can prevent damage to quality consumable materials (making plates, Squeegees) during printing and improve printing quality by applying technology to prevent product from flipping or standing up when fixing the product by making the magnetic formation of cylindrical magnets form up and down. The development of cylindrical magnets that changed the direction of magnetic force will stabilize the fixing method for metal products made by powder compression, increasing the production capacity for small products. Finally, by studying the power inductor surface UV printing device using cylindrical magnets, it can be differentiated from the spray and deeping methods that were being worked on, production will be greatly improved, and as a result, cost reduction and competitive production will be possible.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2024

Introduction This case series report an attempt to treat Sasang constitutional medicine on Soyangin patients with unspecified hot flush. Methods The patients in this case were diagnosed as Soyangin cold pattern and treated with herb medicine Dojeokgangi-tang. Treatment outcome was monitored retrospectively. Results Persistent hot flush significantly improved to normal levels in all 3 Soyangin patients, and 2 out of 3 showed the effect within 4 weeks, those with more chronic symptoms required more time. Discussion This study suggests the significance of Sasang constitutional medicine treatment in Soyangin patients with Hot flush. Additionally, the characteristics of patients with hot flush presented in this study were verified as meaningful diagnostics indicator of Soyangin lesser yang wind damage. Furthermore, it emphasizes the value of original symptoms as a standard for evaluating treatment effectiveness.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2024

This study nondestructively examined the evolution of crack density in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) upon cyclic loading. Uniaxial compression was repeatedly applied to the cylindrical specimens at levels corresponding to 32% and 53% of the maximum load-bearing capacity, each at a steady strain rate. At each stage, both P-wave and S-wave velocities were measured in the absence of the applied load. In particular, the continuous monitoring of P-wave velocity from the first loading prior to the second loading allowed real-time observation of the strengthening effect during loading and the recovery effect afterwards. Increasing the number of cycles resulted in the reduction of both elastic wave velocities and Young's modulus, along with a slight rise in Poisson's ratio in both tested cases. The computed crack density showed a monotonically increasing trend with repeated loading, more significant at 53% than at 32% loading. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the crack density along the height was achieved, validating the directional dependency of microcracking development. This study demonstrated the capability of the crack density to capture the evolution of microcracks in UHPC under cyclic loading condition, as an early-stage damage indicator.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.498-511
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• 2012

Mountainous wetland have many species such as II grade endangered species of wild flora and fauna(Drosera rotundifolia) and environmental indicator species(Utricularia racemosa, Habenaria linearifolia, Parnassia palustris, Molinia japonica, etc.). Accordingly, the mountainous wetlands is very important. However, most mountainous wetlands will disappear by natural or artificial aridness processes. Thus, it needs to manage mountainous wetland for protecting from aridness. This study has found out the wetland status of the environmental ecology and aridness processes moreover, it has suggested ways of improving wetland conservation plan and wetland aridness management plan. According to the results of topography structure survey, Hwaeom wetland's altitude is ranged within 750~810m(87.4%), and slope is less than $10^{\circ}$. There was ideally suited mountainous wetland. However, the water supply(1.6 meters depth and 0.8 meters wide) was built on under the wetland. For that reason, there was concerned about the aridness processes by sweeping away peat layer and dropping the water level. The distribution area of hygrophyte was narrowed to 6.7% whereas, woody plants and xerophytic plants was achieved a dominant position. If it leaves the situation as it is, the mountainous wetland will be developed next succession as forest ecosystem. Therefore, in order to sustain the mountainous wetland from aridness, it is set to the base direction of conservation and management as main schemes. Moreover, we have suggested that setting the vegetation conservation and management area which considering a ecological vegetation characteristics, managing the ecotone vegetation, setting the buffer zone for protection of ecological core areas, protecting the mountainous wetland indicator species and designating the management vegetation. In conclusion, in order to sustain and maintain a soundly wetland ecosystem, it needs to several management of wetlands damage factors. 1) suppression of the excessive groundwater to basin, 2) stabilization of wetland via hydrologic storage, 3) suppression of changing and transforming wetland into forest by succession via management of xerophytic plants.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2018

The recent global climate change induced the drought, flooding, and insect pest outbreaks. These caused the severe damage to crop yield in the domesticated field and occurrence change of insect pest species. The sap-sucking insect pest, aphids are common in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and cause serious yield losses. Thus, developing resistance cultivars is promising and efficient strategy to prevent the significant yield losses by aphid and screening germplasm is the essential procedure to achieve this goal. We tried to establish a resistance test indicator for foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), in soybean and found that plant damage degree or infested plant damage is most suitable one. Also we screened around 1,200 of soybean germplasm including wild and cultivated species for its resistance to foxglove aphid from the various origins, and 67 soybeans, including PI 366121, showed antixenosis resistance, 31 germplasms among 67 antixenosis germplasms were showed antibiosis to foxglove aphid with non-choice test. The identified foxglove aphid resistant soybean resources showed significantly low rate in survival test. Furthermore, resistance type, (i.e., antibiosis or antixenosis) of each candidate were varied. In this research, we established the screening index for foxglove aphid resistance in soybean, and identified the resistance varieties. This result could be useful resources in breeding for new foxglove aphid resistance soybean cultivars, and provide fundamental information to investigate the resistance mechanism in soybean.