• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1412-1419
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• 2020

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. However, the paucity of appropriate cell culture models for HuNoV replication has prevented developing effective anti-HuNoV therapies. In this study, first, the replication of the virus at various temperatures in different cells was compared, which showed that lowering the culture temperature from 37℃ significantly increased virus replication in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Second, the expression levels of autophagy-, immune-, and apoptosis-related genes at 30℃ and 37℃ were compared to explore factors affecting HuNoV replication. HuNoV cultured at 37℃ showed significantly increased autophagy-related genes (ATG5 and ATG7) and immune-related genes (IFNA, IFNB, ISG15, and NFKB) compared to mock. However, the virus cultured at 30℃ showed significantly decreased expression of autophagy-related genes (ATG5 and ATG7), but not significantly different major immune-related genes (IFNA, ISG15, and NFKB) compared to mock. Importantly, expression of the transcription factor FOXO1, which controls autophagy- and immune-related gene expression, was significantly lower at 30℃. Moreover, FOXO1 inhibition in temperature-optimized MDCK cells enhanced HuNoV replication, highlighting FOXO1 inhibition as an approach for successful virus replication. In the temperature-optimized cells, various HuNoV genotypes were successfully replicated, with GI.8 showing the highest replication levels followed by GII.1, GII.3, and GII.4. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of the infected cells revealed functional HuNoV replication at low temperature, with increased cellular apoptosis and decreased autophagic vacuoles. In conclusion, temperature-optimized MDCK cells can be used as a convenient culture model for HuNoV replication by inhibiting FOXO1 and providing adaptability to different genotypes.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

In this study, Fe(VI) was employed as a multi-functional agent to treat the simulated industrial wastewater contaminated with Cu(II)-EDTA through oxidation of EDTA, decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA and subsequent removal of free copper through precipitation. The decomplexation of $10^{-4}\;M$ Cu(II)-EDTA species was performed as a function of pH at excess concentration of Fe(VI). It was noted that the acidic conditions favor the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA as the decomplxation was almost 100% up to pH 6.5, while it was only 35% at pH 9.9. The enhanced degradation of Cu(II)-EDTA with decreasing the pH could be explained by the different speciation of Fe(VI). $HFeO_4^-$ and $H_2FeO_4$, which are relatively more reactive than the unprotonated species $FeO_4^{2-}$, are predominant species below neutral pH. It was noted that the decomplexation reaction is extremely fast and within 5 to10 min of contact, 100% of Cu(II)-EDTA was decomplexed at pH 4.0. However, at higher pH (i.e., pH 10.0) the decomplexation process was relatively slow and it was observed that even after 180 min of contact, maximum ca 37% of Cu(II)-EDTA was decomplexed. In order to discuss the kinetics of the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA, the data was slightly fitted better for the second order rate reaction than the first order rate reaction in the excess of Fe(VI) concentration. On the other hand, the removal efficiency of free Cu(II) ions was also obtained at pH 4.0 and 10.0. It was probably removed through adsorption/coagulation with the reduced iron i.e., Fe(III). The removal of total Cu(II) was rapid at pH 4.0 whereas, it was slow at pH 10.0. Although the decomplexation was 100% at lower pH, the removal of free Cu(II) was relatively slow. This result may be explicable due to the reason that at lower pH values the adsorption/coagulation capacity of Fe(III) is greatly retarded. On the other hand, at higher pH values the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA was partial, hence, slower Cu(II) removal was occurred.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2006

In the present study, we compared the functional analysis of pear extracts cultured in conventional and environment-friendly conditions in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. ATP synthesis significantly increased by the treatment with environment friendly cultured pear powder but not by conventional group. In addition, cell proliferation using $[^3H]$-thymidine incorporation was also stimulated by environment-friendly cultured pear extract compared to conventional group. Moreover, the expressions of CDK-2 and CDK-4 were increased but p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27 Kip1 decreased by environment-friendly cultured pear extract but not by conventional group. In conclusion, environment-friendly cultured pear powder has stimulatory effect on cell proliferation compared to conventional group in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.3807-3818
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to develop an on-line system for improving undergraduate students' competency development. After drawing elements necessary for the competency development such as assessment and planning, competency development, analysis of competency assessment, portfolio, analysis of job ability and community, based on the literature research related to competency and the analysis of the existing system, the direction of the system design was set up. The system was developed by using Microsoft Windows operating system in Windows server, ORACLE ver.10 as its database management system, and JSP and JAVA as its programing language. Reviewing errors and improvements of the system, it was modified and complemented. In order to examine the content functional utilization of the final competency development system, the utilization was verified. The competency development system for undergraduate students can be used as on-line space filled with the internalization of knowledge, self-directed competency development, convenience of record management and interactions between students-professors-alumna, owing to its functions such as boosting competency activities, cultivating career-pioneering ability and introspecting. When it is rare to find researches on the competency development system for undergraduate students, it is expected to be helpful to the development of competency education and the career education for undergraduate students as a new alternative for the competency development.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2018

Background: Astragalus membranaceus is a well known oriental medicinal herb. The polysaccharides of the aboveground parts (AMA) and the radix (AMR) of A. membranaceus are the most important functional constituents. Methods and Results: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of AMA and AMR on the oxidative damage induced in the skeletal muscle of rats subjected to exhaustive exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exercise and non-exercise groups; in the groups receiving the test compounds, AMA and AMR were administered orally for 30 days. Skeletal muscle samples were collected from each rat after running to exhaustion on a treadmill to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and the concentation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px of skeletal muscle of AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly higher than those of the control and commercial sports drink (SPD)-treated groups in exhaustive exercise rats. In addition, MDA concentrations in the skeletal muscle of the AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly lower than those of the control and SPD-treated groups. In the present study, the effects of AMA and AMR on exercise endurance capacity were also evaluated in mice subjected to a swimming exercise test. AMA and AMR supplementation prolonged the swimming time of mice and enhanced exercise endurance capacity. AMA and AMR possess the ability to retard and lower the production of blood lactate, and prevent the decrease of serum blood glucose. Conclusions: These results showed that, AMR and AMA exerted beneficial effect in mice, increasing the activity of the antioxidant systems and inhibiting oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. The compounds improved exercise performance and showed anti-fatigue effects against exhaustive exercise.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.431-439
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• 2009

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice. The OsACDR1 protein showed autophosphorylation and possessed kinase activity. Rice plants overexpressing OsACDR1 exhibited spontaneous hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesions on leaves, upregulation of defense-related marker genes and accumulation of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites (phytoalexins). These transgenic plants also acquired enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and showed inhibition of appressorial penetration on the leaf surface. In contrast, loss-of-function and RNA silenced OsACDR1 rice mutant plants showed downregulation of defense-related marker genes expressions and susceptibility to M. grisea. Furthermore, transient expression of an OsACDR1:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplast and onion epidermal cells revealed its localization to the nucleus. These results indicate that OsACDR1 plays an important role in the positive regulation of disease resistance in rice.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.52-58
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• 2008

Mn-impregnated activated carbon (Mn-AC) prepared at different conditions was applied in the treatment of synthetic wastewater containing both organic and inorganic contaminants. Phenol and As(III) was used as the representative organic and inorganic contaminants, respectively. After evaluation of the physicochemical characteristic and stability of Mn-AC, oxidation of As(III) as well as adsorption of phenol by activated carbon(AC) and Mn-AC were investigated in a batch reactor. To investigate the stability of Mn-AC, dissolution of Mn from each Mn-AC was measured pH ranging from 2 to 4. Although Mn-AC was unstable at a strong acidic condition, the dissoluted Mn was below 3 ppm at pH 4. XRD analysis of Mn-AC indicated that the mineral type of the impregnated manganese was $Mn_2O_3$. From the simultaneous treatment of As(III) and phenol by AC and Mn-AC, As(III) oxidation by Mn-AC was greater than that by AC at lower pH, while the reverse order was observed at higher pH. After impregnation of Mn onto AC, 13% decrease of the surface area was observed, causing 8% reduction of phenol removal. Considering removal properties of As(III) and phenol, Mn-AC could be applied in the simultaneous treatment of wastewater contaminated with multi-contaminants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2015

The safety of plant species used as a source for herbal medicines and dietary supplements has recently been questioned due to poisonings associated with the presence of cadmium (Cd) in these plants. These plants can derive Cd from their presence in the soil. Organic matter (OM) concentrations in soils could affect the availability of Cd for plants. To determine the effect of OM concentration in soil on the concentration of plant available Cd and uptake of this toxic element by medicinal plants, soil and plant samples were collected from 102 fields supporting for 5 species of medicinal plants in 6 province of South Korea. Concentrations of OM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils affected the phytoavailability of Cd. One M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soil increased with increasing OM concentrations. There were significantly positive relationships between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and OM concentration in soil and between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and DOC concentration. Likewise, OM and DOC concentrations significantly affected Cd concentration in medicinal plant soils. Cadmium concentration in medicinal plants increased with increasing OM concentration in soil [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.179+1.424{\times}10^{-3}$ OM concentrations, $R^2=0.042*$] and with DOC concentration [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.150+5.870{\times}10^{-4}$ DOC concentrations, $R^2=0.124***$]. These results might result from Cd-DOC complex which is easily absorbed Cd form by plant root. Dissolved organic carbon concentration had more positive relationship with Cd concentration in medicinal plants and 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soils than OM. Cadmium concentration in all 5 species of medicinal plant (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis lanceolata, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Rehmannia glutinosa) significantly increased with increasing DOC concentration in soil. From the above results, formation of Cd-DOC complex caused by OM application might be mainly attributed to increase in Cd concentration in medicinal plants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.3
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• pp.431-439
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• 2021

The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity, skin wrinkle reduction, and whitening activity of Pinus koraiensiscone scale extracts made with three different solvents (ethanol, supercritical fluid, and a mixture of both). Total polyphenol content was 11.03 mg/g GAE in the supercritical fluid extractand 33.79 mg/g GAE in the 70% ethanol extract. Electron donating ability of 1,000 ㎍/mL extract was 13.60% in the supercritical fluid extract, 91.37% in 70% ethanol extract, and 71.62% in mixed solvent extract. SOD-like activities in 100 ㎍/mL extract using supercritical fluid, 70% ethanol, and mixed solvents were 16.49%, 21.84%, and 10.7%, respectively. The ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activities of 1,000 ㎍/mL extract were 38.19%, 80.23%, and 78.72%for supercritical fluid extract, 70% ethanol extract, and mixed solvent extract, respectively. Tyrosinase inhibitory activities in 1,000 ㎍/mL extract were 24.54%, 36.55%, and 15.23% for supercritical fluid extract, 70% ethanol extract, and mixed solvent extract, respectively. Elastase inhibitory activities in 1,000 ㎍/mL extract were 15.62%, 22.56%, and 26.64% for supercritical fluid extract, 70% ethanol extract, and mixed solvent extract, respectively. Skin astringent activity (81.23% with 5000 ㎍/mL extract) was only detected in the 70% ethanol extract. Supercritical fluid and mixed solvent extracts showed no such activity. Our analysis of Pinus koraiensiscone scale extracts show that the highest aggregate activity was found in the 70% ethanol extract, followed by mixed solvent and supercritical fluid extracts. Therefore, our results oppose the hypothesis stating supercritical extract has the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.686-702
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Schisandrae Fructus, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis Baill., has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases, and has proven its various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract (SF) on inflammatory and oxidative stress in particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of SF in PM2.5-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the levels of pro-inflammatory mediator such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the effect of SF, the expression of genes involved in the generation of inflammatory factors was also investigated. We further evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of SF against PM2.5 in the zebrafish model. RESULTS: The results indicated that SF treatment significantly inhibited the PM2.5-induced release of NO and PGE₂, which was associated with decreased inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. SF also attenuated the PM2.5-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-1β, reducing their extracellular secretion. Moreover, SF suppressed the PM2.5-mediated translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from the cytosol into nuclei and the degradation of inhibitor IκB-α, indicating that SF exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, SF abolished PM2.5-induced generation of ROS, similar to the pretreatment of a ROS scavenger, but not by an inhibitor of NF-κB activity. Furthermore, SF showed strong protective effects against NO and ROS production in PM2.5-treated zebrafish larvae. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SF exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against PM2.5 through ROS-dependent down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and that SF can be a potential functional substance to prevent PM2.5-mediated inflammatory and oxidative damage.