• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.264-275
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• 2014

This study evaluated the improving efficacy of Lespedeza cuneata ethanol extract on skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the extract were respectively $134.98{\pm}1.70$ and $16.20{\pm}0.05$ mg/g, respectively. The superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and electron-donating ability of the extract were shown to be dependent on concentration, and the antioxidant ability was shown to be more effective in superoxide anion radical scavenging activity than in electron-donating ability under the same concentration conditions. In the in vivo test conducted using hairless mouse with skin photoaging induced by UVB irradiation, the skin erythema of the groups treated with the extract (AS) reduced to 28% of the control, and the skin moisture content increased to 131%.. The extract treatment of the UV-damaged skin improved the morphological and histopathological state of the skin. Furthermore, the SOD, GST and CAT activities in the skin tissue of the AS group increased, and the XO activity and TBARS generation decreased. With regard to the genes related to the photoaging skin, the expression of PAK, p38, c-Fos, c-Jun, TNF-${\alpha}$ and MMP-3 in the skin of the AS group were found to have decreased. It was therefore concluded that Lespedeza cuneata ethanol extract can reduce wrinkle formation in the skin due to the regulation of the gene expression caused by the exposure to UVB light.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2011

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate working environment for dental technician by measuring dust level, ventilation conditions and the use of personal protective equipment and to provide basic information required to improve working environment and develop health education programs for dental technician. Methods: A total of 240 dental technician who are registered with the Daegu Association of Dental technician and working at 34 dental laboratories participated in the study. And the dust level was measured at 21 different spots in 16 dental laboratories out of 34. Results: Of 34 dental laboratories, 31 (91.2%) were equipped with a ventilator, but the remaining 3 (8.8%) did not have a ventilator. By the number of ventilator, 1 to 3 ventilators were found in 22 dental laboratories (71.0%), 4 to 6 ventilators were in 7 laboratories (22.5%) and more than 7 ventilators in 2 laboratories(6.5%). According to the frequence of changing filters in dust collector, 20 dental laboratories (58.9%) changed filters every four weeks, 10 laboratories (29.4%) changed them every six weeks and 4 laboratories (11.7%) changed them every eight weeks. Of total respondents, 114 (61.3%) said they wore a mask all the time while working, 56 (29.6%) said they frequently wore a mask, 19 (10.1%) said they did not wear a mask. As for the type of masks, 159 (84.1%) used a disposable mask, 25 (13.2%) used a cotton mask and 5 (2.7%) used an anti-dust mask. For dust sat on their outfits while working, 102 (54.0%) shook their uniforms inside workplace to keep dust off the uniforms, 64 (33.9%) did not anything until they wash their uniforms and 23 (12.1%) shook their uniforms outside workplace to keep dust off the uniforms. Of total respondents, 182 (96.3%) had a particle in their eyes while carrying out grinding work. Based on the measurement of floating dust at workplace, 3 dental laboratories showed dust concentration exceeding the minimum level of 10 mg/$m^3$ allowed under the permit for environment. Of those, 1 laboratory had the dust concentration that was more than 1.5 times higher than the minimum level. Dust concentration was higher in laboratories that used a dust collector with 0.5 horse power and changed filters more than 3 weeks ago. Dust comprised of nickel (more than 70%), chrome (9%) and others. The mean chrome concentration was more than twice higher than the minimum permissible level of 0.5 mg/$m^3$. There were two laboratories that showed chrome concentration exceeding the level of 0.4 mg/$m^3$. Like dust concentration, chrome level was higher in laboratories that used a dust collector with 0.5 horse power and changed filters more than 3 weeks ago. There were six laboratories that had nickel concentration exceeding the minimum permissible level of 1 mg/$m^3$. Of those, one laboratory had nickel concentration that was more than three times higher than the minimum permissible level. Nickel concentration was also higher in laboratories that used a dust collector with 0.5 horse power and changed filters more than 3 weeks ago. Conclusion: It is not likely that heavy metal concentrations found in the study constitute respiratory dust. It is however necessary for health of dental technician to apply the Industrial Safety and Healthy Law to dental laboratories and make recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment, installation of a proper number of ventilators, more frequent change of filters in dust collector and improved ventilation for polishing work. At the same time, dental technician need education on how to use personal protective equipment and how to efficiently remove dust from their uniforms.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.751-761
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristics and ordination of Rhododendron brachycarpum population in South Korea. Rhododendron brachycarpum were mainly distributed along the Ulleungdo and Baekdudaegan of the Korean penninsula and it's population was located at an elevation of 872m to 1466m. The Rhododendron brachycarpum population was classified into Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population, Magnolia sieboldii dominant population, Thuja koraiensis dominant population and Rhododendron brachycarpum typical population. The composition of soil properties in the same areas are as follows: organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable $K^+$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ contained, and soil pH. The capacities of these chemical properties of the soil ranged from 10.45~15.28%, 0.37~0.61%, $0.21{\sim}0.35cmol^+/kg$, $0.39{\sim}2.54cmol^+/kg$, $0.17{\sim}0.50cmol^+/kg$, $18.28{\sim}22.81cmol^+/kg$ and 4.66~5.23 respectively. The results of the correlation between communities and soil conditions of vegetation of Rhododendron brachycarpum by DCCA ordination method are as follows: Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population was found in the very steep sloped area that has low percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Magnolia sieboldii dominant population and Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the steep sloped area that has high percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the gentle sloped area that has high percentage of altitudinal and rock exposure. Current status of Rhododendron brachycarpum is very vulnerable with a collection of herbs constantly threatening the species' survival. Thus, concrete conservation plans to protect natural habitats should be set up as soon as possible.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.24 no.2 s.63
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• pp.107-114
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• 1985

This experiment was performed to see the possibility if soil-borne disease in green house can be controlled by soil solarization in Korea. Thermal death profiles of propagules of some soil-borne fungi, Fusarium oxysporum f. lycopersici, Fusarium oxysporum f. niveum, Rhizoctonia salani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii and Pythium debaryanum, were obtained under the conditions in water-suspension and in soil. Except Pythium debaryanum, all the fungal units in water-suspension that were colonized on barley grains lost a viability within 7 days in water bath at $45^{\circ}C$. When the soil in test tubes in which barley grains infected with the fungi were also buried all the fungi tested including Pythium debaryanum were completely killed within 7 days in water bath at $45^{\circ}C$. From July to August in Korea, soil temperature at depth of 5cm and 15cm within tunnel in plastic house reached $38^{\circ}C\;to\;57^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C\;to\;47^{\circ}\C$, in 1982 and 1983 respectively. Even at 15cm depth, soil temperature were kept over $43^{\circ}C$ for 12 hours a day. Adiabatic material set under ground or under mulching with the transparent polyethylene-film on the soil surface had a boostering effect for higher soil-temperature and longer duration. Fungi buried in adiabatic block of the soil in plastic house were completely killed at 15cm depth 14 days after, and at 20cm depth 21 days after soil solarization. The exposure of the pathogens to fluctuating temperature was much more effective than to constant. From the above results, soil-borne diseases may be effectively controlled by soil solarization in the closed plastic house in hot summer season in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.601-610
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• 1997

Background : Monocytes/macrophages play a central role in determining the host response during Gram-negative infection through secretion of a variety of mediators after stimulation of LPS. Even though cytokine production has been shown to play an important role in host defense during sepsis, cytokine release may also lead to tissue injury. Thus, regulation of macrophage response to LPS is critical for host survival during Gram-negative sepsis. In animals exposed to nonlethal doses of endotoxin, a characteristic hyporesponsiveness to subsequent administration of endotoxin has been observed. This phenomenon was known as 'LPS tolerance'. However, little information is available regarding the underlying mechanism of LPS tolerance. Method : Peripheral blood monocyte(PBMC) was isolated from peripheral blood of normal volunteers by adhesion purification method. To evaluate the conditions to obtain LPS tolerance, preculture was carried out with LPS at 10ng/ml for 24 hours. For stimulation, culture plates were washed two times and were stimulated with LPS at $1{\mu}g/ml$ for 4, 6 and 26 hours. To assess the underlying mechanisms of LPS tolerance, autologous serum, PMA, anti-CD14 Ab, Indomethacin or $PGF_2$ were added to preculture solution respectively. Cytokine concentrations in culture supernatants were measured using ELISA for TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-8 and mRNA of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-8 were determined by Northern blot analysis. Results : The exposure of PBMC to low dose of LPS suppressed the cytokine production and mRNA expression of TNF-$\alpha$, but not IL-8. Anti-CD14 Ab partially recovered production of TNF-$\alpha$ which was suppressed by preculture with low dose LPS. The preculture with PMA induces LPS tolerance, as preculture with low dose LPS. Conclusion : LPS tolerance to TNF-$\alpha$ is regulated pretranslationally and is influenced by protein kinase C pathway and CD14.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1678-1688
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• 2011

The apoptogenic effect of p-coumaric acid, a phenolic acid found in various edible plants, on human acute leukemia Jurkat T cells was investigated. Exposure of Jurkat T cells to p-coumaric acid (50-$150{\mu}M$) caused cytotoxicity and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic DNA fragmentation along with Bak activation, ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, activation of caspase-9, -3, -7, and -8, and PARP degradation in a dose-dependent manner. However,these apoptotic events were completely abrogated in Jurkat T cells overexpressing Bcl-2.Under these conditions, necrosis was not accompanied. Pretreatment of the cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) could prevent p-coumaric acid-induced sub-$G_1$ peak representing apoptotic cells, whereas it failed to block ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, indicating that the activation of caspase cascade was prerequisite for p-coumaric acid-induced apoptosis as a downstream event of ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss. FADD- and caspase-8-positive wild-type Jurkat T cell clone A3, FADD-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I2.1, and caspase-8-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I9.2 exhibited similar susceptibilities to the cytotoxicity of p-coumaric acid, excluding an involvement of Fas/FasL system in triggering the apoptosis. The apoptogenic activity of p-coumaric acid is more potent in malignant Jurkat T cells than in normal human peripheral T cells. Together, these results demonstrated that p-coumaric acid-induced apoptogenic activity in Jurkat T cellswas mediated by Bak activation, ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, and subsequent activation of multiple caspases such as caspase-9, -3, -7, and-8, and PARP degradation, which could be regulated by anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2003

Korea has plentiful precipitation but rainfall events concentrate on several months of rainy season in her weather condition. Korea, therefore, experiences drought for a given period every year. Moreover the soil has usually low water holding capacity, as it is composed coarse particles originated from the granite. Response of several oaks and the Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) on water stress showed that water budget was significant factor determining vegetation distribution. In addition, dehydration level due to cold resistance mechanism of several evergreen plants during the winter season was closely related to their distribution in natural condition. Experimental result under water stress showed that the Korean red pine was very tolerant to desiccation but the seedlings showed high mortality during the dry season. The mortality tended to proportionate to soil moisture content of each site. A comparison between soil moisture content during June when it is severe dry season and moisture content of the culture soil when the pine seedlings reached the permanent wilting point due to water withheld proved that high mortality during the dry season was due to water deficit. Water potential of sample plants measured during the exposure experiment to the air pollutant showed a probability that water related factors would dominate the occurrence of visible damage and the tolerance level of sample plants. In both field survey and laboratory experiment, plants exposed to air pollution showed more rapid transpiration than those grown in the unpolluted condition. The result would due to injury of leaf surface by air pollutants. Aluminum (Al/sup 3+/) increased in the acid soil not only inhibits root growth but also leads to abnormal distribution of root system and thereby caused water stress. The water stresses due to air pollution and soil acidification showed a possibility that they play dominating roles in inducing forest decline additionally to the existing water deficit due to weather and soil conditions in Korea. Sludge, which can contribute to improve field capacity, as it is almost composed of organic matter, showed an effect ameliorating the retarded growth of plant in the acidified soil. The effect was not less than that of dolomite known in widely as such a soil ameliorator. Litter extract contributed also to mitigate the water stress due to toxic Al/sup 3+/. We prepared a model showing the potential interaction of multiple stresses, which can cause forest decline in Korea by synthesizing those results. Furthermore, we suggested restoration plans, which can mitigate such forest decline in terms of soil amelioration and vegetation restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: For commercial production of greenhouse crops under shorter day length condition, supplementary radiation has been usually achieved by the artificial light source with higher electric consumption such as high-pressure sodium, metal halide, or incandescent lamps. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with several characteristics, however, have been considered as a novel light source for plant production. Effects of supplementary lighting provided by the artificial light sources on growth of Kale seedlings during shorter day length were discussed in this experiment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Kale seedlings were grown under greenhouse under the three wave lamps (3 W), sodium lamps (Na), and red LEDs (peak at 630 nm) during six months, and leaf growth was observed at intervals of about 30 days after light exposure for 6 hours per day at sunrise and sunset. Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of supplementary red LEDs on the plant canopy was maintained at 0.1 (RL), 0.6 (RM), and $1.2(RH){\mu}mol/m^2/s$ PPF. PPF in 3 W and Na treatments was measured at $12{\mu}mol/m^2/s$. Natural light (NL) was considered as a control. Leaf fresh weight of the seedlings was more than 100% increased under the 3 W, Na and RH treatment compared to natural light considering as a conventional condition. Sugar synthesis in Kale leaves was significantly promoted by the RM or RH treatment. Leaf yield per $3.3m^2$ exposed by red LEDs of $1.2{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ PPF was 9% and 16% greater than in 3W or Na with a higher PPF, respectively. CONCLUSION: Growth of the leafy Kale seedlings were significantly affected by the supplementary radiation provided by three wave lamp, sodium lamp, and red LEDs with different light intensities during the shorter day length under greenhouse conditions. From this study, it was suggested that the leaf growth and secondary metabolism of Kale seedlings can be controlled by supplementary radiation using red LEDs of $1.2{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ PPF as well as three wave or sodium lamps in the experiment.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.799-806
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• 2012

This experiment was conducted to establish the optimum conditions for high $CO_2$ gas treatment in combination with a proper gas-permeable packaging film to maintain the quality of fig fruit (Ficus carica L). Among the fig fruits with different high $CO_2$ treatments, the quality change was most effectively controlled during storage in the 70%-$CO_2$-treated fig fruit. Harvested fig fruit was packaged using microperforated oriented polypropylene (MP) film to maintain the optimum gas concentrations in the headspace of packaging for the modified-atmosphere system. MP film had an oxygen transmission rate of about $10,295cm^3/m^2$/day/atm at $25^{\circ}C$. The weight loss, firmness, soluble-solid content (SSC), acidity (pH), skin color (Hunter L, a, b), and decay ratio of the fig fruits were monitored during storage at 5 and $25^{\circ}C$. The results of this study showed that the OPP film, OPP film + 70% $CO_2$, and MP film+70% $CO_2$ were highly effective in reducing the loss rate, firmness and decay occurrence rate of fig fruits that were packaged with them during storage. In the case of using treatments with packages of OPP film and OPP film+70% $CO_2$, however, adverse effects like package bursting or physiological injury of the fig may occur due to the gas pressure or long exposure to $CO_2$. Therefore, the results indicated that MP film containing 70% $CO_2$ can be used as an effective treatment to extend the freshness of fig fruits for storage at a proper low temperature.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2021

In this study, the effectiveness of physical control technology, a combined light sterilization (LED, UV) and hot water treatment in reducing Aspergillus ochraceus for food production environment was investigated. In brief, 1 mL aliquot of A. ochraceus spore suspension (10^7-8 spore/mL) was inoculated onto stainless steel chips, which was then dried at 37℃, and each was subjected to different physical treatment. Treatments were performed for 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 hours to reduce the strains using a light-emitting diode, but no significant difference was confirmed among the treatments. However, a significant reduction was observed on the chips treated with UV-C exposure and hot water immersion. After being treated solely with 360 kJ/m² of UV-C on stainless steel chip, the fungi were significantly reduced to 1.27 log CFU/cm². Concerning the hot water treatment, the initial inoculum amount of 6.49 log CFU/cm² was entirely killed by immersion in 83℃ water for 5 minutes. Maintaining a high temperature for 5 minutes at the site is difficult. Thus, considering economic feasibility and usability, we attempted to confirm the appropriate A. ochraceus reduction conditions by combining a relatively low temperature of 60℃ and UV rays. With the combined treatments, even in lukewarm water, A. ochraceus decreased significantly through the increases in the immersion time and the amount of UV-C irradiation, and the yield was below the detection limit. Based on these results, if work tools are immersed in 60℃ lukewarm water for 3 minutes and then placed in a UV sterilization device for more than 10 minutes, the possibility of A. ochraceus cross-contamination during work is expected to be reduced.