• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.358-365
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• 2011

The antioxidant and neuronal cell-protective effects of hot water extract from commercial buckwheat tea (CBTE) were evaluated. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibitory effect of the CBTE increased in a dose-dependent manner. The Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation that resulted from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) treatment more significantly decreased when CBTE was present in the media than when the PC12 cells were treated only with $H_2O_2$. In the neuronal cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), the aqueous extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the medium was also inhibited by CBTE. The total phenolics of CBTE was 9,608.10 mg/100 g, and the major phenolic compounds were rutin (13.42 mg/100 g) and quercitrin (0.90 mg/100 g). These data suggested that CBTE, including the aforementioned phenolics, may be useful in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.546-551
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• 2001

We have previously shown that, in circular muscle cells of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) isolated by enzymatic digestion, contraction in response to maximally effective doses of acetylcholine (ACh) or Inositol Triphosphate ($IP_3$) depends on the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores and activation of a $Ca6{2+}$-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathway. On the contrary, maintenance of LES tone, and response to low doses of ACh or $IP_3$ depend on a protein kinase C (PKC) mediated pathway. In the present investigation, we have examined requirements for $Ca6{2+}$ regulation of the interaction between CaM- and PKC-dependent pathways in LES contraction. Thapsigargin (TG) treatment for 30 min dose dependently reduced ACh-induced contraction of permeable LES cells in free $Ca6{2+}$ medium. ACh-induced contraction following the low level of reduction of $Ca6{2+}$ stores by a low dose of TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) was blocked by the CaM antagonist, CCS9343B but not by the PKC antagonists chelerythrine or H7, indicating that the contraction is CaM-dependent. After maximal reduction in intracellular $Ca{2+}$ from $Ca6{2+}$stores by TG ($10^{-6}{\;}M$), ACh-induced contraction was blocked by chelerythrine or H7, but not by CCS9343B, indicating that it is PKC-dependent. In normal $Ca^{2+}$medium, the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was also CaM-dependent, whereas the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was PKC-dependent. We examined whether PKC activation was inhibited by activated CaM. CCS 7343B Inhibited the CaM-induced contraction, but did not inhibit the DAC-induced contraction. CaM inhibited the DAC-induced contraction in the presence of CCS 9343B. This inhibition by CaM was $Ca{2+}$dependent. These data are consistent with the view that the switch from a PKC-dependent pathway to a CaM dependent pathway can occur and can be regulated by cytosolic $Ca{2+}$ in the LES.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.261-272
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• 2020

Approvals for cultivation and import of genetically modified (GM) crops have dramatically increased around the world. Comparative compositional studies are an important aspect of safety assessments of products from GM crops and are based on substantial equivalence. Compositional analyses focus on determining similarities and differences between the compositions of the GM crops and their conventional counterparts, and thereby assessing the compositional equivalence of GM crops and their conventional comparators. The analytes, such as major constituents, key nutrients, and antinutrients, are generally determined on a crop-specific basis according to the OECD consensus document. The use of standard methods throughout the processes, such as selection of comparators, field trials, analytical methods, and statistical data analysis, is crucial. In this study, we showed the general framework of compositional studies. Literature for compositional studies of GM crops conducted abroad and in Korea was reviewed to obtain information about analytes, conventional counterparts, cultivation year, location, and statistical methods. The studies conducted abroad assessed for commercial release of GM crops such as soybean, maize, and cotton, while domestic studies were mainly performed for research in rice. In addition, we suggested a guidance for conventional comparators and field trials applicable to the domestic situation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.721-731
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, infection management intention and educational needs among nurses with no experience of new respiratory infectious diseases (NRID: SARS and MERS). Data were collected from 162 nurses working at the general hospitals in B city using structured questionnaires from October 10 to 31, 2017. The infection management intention of NRID was high in those who were over 30 years old, married, highly educated, and had a total working experience of more than 5 years. Nurses' infection management intention for NRID showed a positive correlation between knowledge of NRID (r=.27, p<.001) and attitude toward NRID (r=.65, p<.001). In other words, the higher the knowledge score for NRID, the more positive the attitude and the higher the infection management intention. In addition, the knowledge score related to incubation period, treatment, isolation, and release criteria was low while the educational needs were high. Therefore, in preparation for the possibility of NRID relapse and other NRID in the future, a systematic program addressing these educational needs for nurses should be periodically implemented to enhance infection management.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2018

Background: Studying the ecosystem carbon cycle requires analysis of interrelationships between soil respiration (Rs) and the environment to evaluate the balance. Various methods and instruments have been used to measure Rs. The closed chamber method, which is currently widely used to determine Rs, creates a closed space on the soil surface, measures $CO_2$ concentration in the inner space, and calculates Rs from the increase. Accordingly, the method is divided into automatic or manual chamber methods (ACM and MCM, respectively). However, errors of these methods and differences in instruments are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the characteristics and difference of Rs values calculated using both methods with actual data. Results: Both methods determined seasonal variation patterns of Rs, reflecting overall changes in soil temperature (Ts). ACM clearly showed detailed changes in Rs, but MCM did not, because such small changes are unknown as Rs values are collected monthly. Additionally, Rs measured using MCM was higher than that using ACM and differed depending on measured plots, but showed similar tendencies with all measurement times and plots. Contrastingly, MCM Rs values in August for plot 4 were very high compared with ACM Rs values because of soil disturbances that easily occur during MCM measurements. Comparing Rs values calculated using monthly means with those calculated using MCM, the ACM calculated values for monthly averages were higher or lower than those of similar measurement times using the MCM. The difference between the ACM and MCM was attributed to greater or lesser differences. These Rs values estimated the carbon released into the atmosphere during measurement periods to be approximately 57% higher with MCM than with ACM, at 5.1 and $7.9C\;ton\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Conclusion: ACM calculated average values based on various Rs values as high and low for measurement periods, but the MCM produced only specific values for measurement times as representative values. Therefore, MCM may exhibit large errors in selection differences during Rs measurements. Therefore, to reduce this error using MCM, the time and frequency of measurement should be set to obtain Rs under various environmental conditions. Contrastingly, the MCM measurement is obtained during $CO_2$ evaluation in the soil owing to soil disturbance caused by measuring equipment, so close attention should be paid to measurements. This is because the measurement process is disturbed by high $CO_2$ soil concentration, and even small soil disturbances could release high levels into the chamber, causing large Rs errors. Therefore, the MCM should be adequately mastered before using the device to measure Rs.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2019

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is an organic polysulfide compound found in garlic. Although certain studies have demonstrated that DATS possesses strong anti-inflammatory activity, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. In this study, we examined whether DATS exerts anti-inflammatory activity and investigated the possible mechanisms. Our results indicated that DATS significantly suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 by inhibiting inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. DATS also down-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in LPS-stimulated 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, we found that these inhibitory effects of DATS were associated with the inhibition of chemokine receptor (CXCR4) and ligand (CXCL12) expression, and reactive oxygen species generation. Overall, the present data indicated that DATS had anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-activated macrophages, possibly via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-kB and/or chemokine signaling pathways, and DATS could be a potential drug therapy for inflammation and its associated diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1268-1276
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• 2018

The cytidine analog decitabine (DEC) acts as a nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor, whereas ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is an inhibitor of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible synergistic inhibitory effect of these two inhibitors on proliferation of human gastric cancer AGS cells. The inhibitory effect of PDTC on AGS cell proliferation was significantly increased by DEC in a concentration-dependent manner, and this inhibition was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and the induction of apoptosis. This induction of apoptosis by the co-treatment with PDTC and DEC was related to the induction of DNA damage, as assessed by H2AX phosphorylation. Further studies demonstrated that co-treatment with PDTC and DEC induced the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, and down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, ultimately resulting in the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Co-treatment with PDTC and DEC also activated caspase-8 and caspase-9, which are representative caspases of the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Co-treatment also activated caspase-3, which was accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Taken together, these data clearly indicated that co-treatment with PDTC and DEC suppressed the proliferation of AGS cells by increasing DNA damage and activating the ROS-mediated extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.306-310
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• 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC). Methods: TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ${\geq}10mm$ (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea ($42.8{\pm}9.9years$ vs. $35.4{\pm}10.0years$, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR ($17.39{\pm}3.9mm$ vs. $16.57{\pm}4.2mm$, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159-20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191-9.974; p=0.02). Conclusion: LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.634-644
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• 2021

Despite the increased social demand for strengthening the punishment for ghost surgery in Korea, the governmental management is very passive compared to other offenses of medical law, and the punishment for ghost surgery is insufficient, so that medical malpractices are continuously occurring. A plastic surgeon who posted the names of clinics performing ghost surgery and the number of deaths on the internet bulletin board, was charged with the violation of the Information Telecommunication Act(defamation). Thus, this study aimed to present the legal/institutional issues and implications of defamation by the release of ghost surgery, by initially examining the charged case after posting the contents showing the death of patients by ghost surgery in clinics on the internet bulletin board. This study aimed to understand how strictly the court approached the ghost surgery in the aspect of public interest, and also to understand the judgment standard of punishment for defamation by investigating the publicly alleging facts and public interest by the disclosure of ghost surgery. Moreover, this study aims to provide the basic data necessary for guaranteeing the national health right by arousing attention to ghost surgery.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2021

To secure basic data by monitoring the growth of salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) released to the Taehwa River. After discharge, the characteristics of the young salmon distribution and migration rate habitat were investigated for two years. A total of 4 points [Sunbawi bridge (St.1), Guyeong bridge (St.2), Samho bridge (St.3), and Myeongchon bridge (St.4)] were investigated. The survey of 2017 indicating an increase of 10 mm in average length and 0.8 g in average weight, and the survey of 2018 indicating an increase of 10 mm in average length and 0.5 g in average weight. Among 39 species, 10 insectivorous and 12 omnivorous, are believed to compete with young salmon for food. 6, 5, 6 and 8 predatory fish species has emerged at each site, respectively. According to this study, it is believed that St.1 and St.2 points are more proper as discharge location of young salmon because these two points have less varied in depth, flow rate, salt concentration etc. In addition, it is thought that the night or dawn time in early January is the best discharge time of young salmon fish because predatory fish such as Korean piscivorous chub and bass etc. does not eat food actively at that time.