• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.10-21
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• 2022

In the South Korea, 47% of abandoned mines are suffering from the mining hazards such as the mine drainage (MD), the mine tailings and the waste rocks. Among them the mine drainage which has a low pH and the high concentration of heavy metals can directly contaminate rivers or soil and cause serious damages to human health. The natural/artificial treatment facilities by using neutralizers and coagulants for the mine drainage have been operated in domestic and most of heavy metals in mind drainage are precipitated and removed in the form of metal hydroxide, alumino-silicate or carbonate, generating a large amount of mine drainage treated sludge ('MDS' hereafter) by-product. The MDS has a large surface area and many functional groups, showing high efficiency on the fixation of heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to develop a ingenious heavy metal stabilizer that can effectively stabilize arsenic (As) and heavy metals in soil by recycling the MDS (two types of MDS: the acid mine drainage treated sludge (MMDS) and the coal mine drainage treated sludge (CMDS)). Various analyses, toxicity evaluations, and leaching reduction batch experiments were performed to identify the characteristics of MDS as the stabilizer for soils contaminated with As and heavy metals. As a result of batch experiments, the Pb stabilization efficiency of both of MDSs for soil A was higher than 90% and their Zn stabilization efficiencies were higher than 70%. In the case of soil B and C, which were contaminated with As, their As stabilization efficiencies were higher than 80%. Experimental results suggested that both of MDSs could be successfully applied for the As and heavy metal contaminated soil as the soil stabilizer, because of their low unit price and high stabilization efficiency for As and hevry metals.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.335-341
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• 2022

Proso millet (Pacnicum miliaceum L.) has a various of functional substances, so the demand is increasing as interest in human health benefits. In particular, miliacin, a triterpenoid in proso millet, is known to be effective in hair loss due to its promoting metabolism and proliferation of keratinocytes and showing protective effects from apoptosis. In this study, proso millet oil was extracted and analyzed by GC/MS using the extraction method of unsaponifiable substances after saponification reaction. The components of proso millet oil were confirmed through qualitative analysis by GC/MS. The miliacin content of 5 varieties of proso millet and 2 varieties of foxtail for comparison was analyzed. In the result, components of pentacyclic triterpenes such as β-amyrine and lupeol were detected in proso millet, and the content of miliacin was highest in Hallachal at 370.38±0.04 ㎍/100 mg oil. In addition, the content of miliacin was not detected in Samdachal and Samdamae, which are varieties of foxtail millet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.617-629
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• 2022

Purpose: Osteoporosis is characterized by structural deterioration of the bone tissue because of the loss of osteoblastic activity or the increase in osteoclastic activity, resulting in bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Hederagenin (Hed) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin isolated from Dipsaci Radix, the dried root of Dipsacus asper Wall. Dipsaci Radix has been used in Korean herbal medicine to treat bone fractures. In this study, we attempted to demonstrate the potential anti-osteoporotic effect of Hed by examining its effect on osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in 0, 1, and 10 ㎍/mL Hed for 3 and 7 days. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone nodule formation and level of expression of bone-related genes and proteins were measured in MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to Hed. The western blot test was used to detect the activation of the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2)/ Suppressor of Mothers against Decapentaplegic (SMAD)1 pathway. Results: Hed significantly increased the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Intracellular ALP activity was significantly increased in the 1 ㎍/mL Hed-treated group. Hed significantly increased the concentration of calcified nodules. Furthermore, Hed significantly upregulated the expression of genes and proteins associated with osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, such as Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), ALP, osteopontin (OPN), and type I procollagen (ProCOL1). Induction of osteoblast differentiation by Hed was associated with increased BMP2. In addition, Hed induced osteoblast differentiation by increasing the activity of SMAD1/5/8. These results suggest that Hed has the potential to prevent osteoporosis by promoting osteoblastogenesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells via the modulation of the BMP2/SMAD1 pathway. Conclusion: The results presented in this study indicate that Hed isolated from Dipsaci Radix has the potential to be developed as a healthcare food and functional material possessing anti-osteoporosis effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2023

Purpose: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to increase worldwide, and blood glucose control may reduce mortality from diabetic complications and healthcare costs. Mulberry twig (MT) has been used as a herbal medicine in Asia, and its antidiabetic efficacy has recently been reported, but research in this area is still limited. This study examined the antidiabetic effects of water extracts of MT in diabetic animals. Methods: Six weeks old male ICR mice were divided randomly into three groups; normal control (NC, n = 10), DM control (DC, n = 10), and MT (n = 10). Streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into mice in the DC and MT groups for 5 consecutive days. After 10 days of the last STZ injection, the mice in the MT group were administered orally with MT water extracts (5 g/kg body weight) for 16 days. Results: The MT water extracts ameliorated the swelling of the liver in the diabetic mice and reduced the elevated levels of fasting blood and plasma glucose, total cholesterol (T-CHO), low density lipoprotein-CHO, and the ratio of high density lipotrotein (HDL)-CHO/T-CHO. The liver triglyceride (TG) and glycogen contents were also significantly lower in the MT group mice than in the DC group. The small intestine disaccharidase activity was analyzed to understand the therapeutic effects and the mechanism of MT water extracts in diabetic animals. MT group mice showed reduced lactase and sucrase activity in the proximal part of the small intestine. On the other hand, body weight, plasma insulin, TG, HDL-CHO, and hepatic T-CHO levels were similar in the DC and MT groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that MT water extracts have antidiabetic effects and can be developed as a functional source to reduce the postprandial blood glucose or to prevent DM incidence.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.429-435
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• 2023

Epidemiological studies suggest that maternal infection, maternal stress, and environmental risk factors during pregnancy increase the risk of brain development abnormalities associated with cognitive impairment in the offspring and increase susceptibility to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Several animal models have demonstrated that maternal immune activation (MIA) is sufficient to induce abnormal brain development and behavioral defects in the fetus. When polyinosine:polycytodylic acid (poly I:C) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is commonly used in maternal immune activation animal models, was introduced into a pregnant dam, an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activity was observed in the offspring's brain. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells that play a mediating role in the central nervous system, and they are responsible for various functions, such as phagocytosis, synapse formation and branching, and angiogenesis. Several studies have reported that microglia are activated in MIA offspring and influence offspring behavior through interactions with various cytokines. In addition, it has been reported that they play an important role in brain circuits through interactions with neurons and astrocytes. However, there is controversy concerning whether microglia are essential to brain development or lead to behavioral defects, and the exact mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, for the potential diagnosis and treatment of brain developmental disorders, a functional study of microglia should be conducted using MIA animal models.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality training focus on ADL on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients. 20 patients with chronic stroke were included in this study. The participants were divided into the experimental (n=10) or control (n=10) groups. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy for 30 min a day, 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The experimental group also performed virtual reality training focus on ADL for 30 min a day, and the control group performed general virtual reality training for 30 min a day. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were evaluated before and after the intervention, and both groups showed significant improvement (p<.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvement in the FMA wrist score and the FIM total, self-care, and sphincter control scores (p<.05). These findings suggest that virtual reality training focus on ADL may have a positive effect on wrist function and overall ADLs compared to that using general virtual reality training in stroke patients.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2023

Objective : The typical decline in function due to aging includes limitations in vision, hearing, cognitive function, and activities of daily living. Therefore, this study evaluated the mediating effect of cognitive function on the relationship between vision and hearing and activities of daily living. Methods : The participants in this study were 36,767 persons from the long-term care database on older adults provided by the National Health Insurance Sharing Service. The extracted variables were: (i) independent variables: visual and hearing; (ii) dependent variables: basic and instrumental daily living activities; and (iii) mediator variables: cognitive function. Regression analysis was performed evaluate the mediating effects of the extracted variables. Results : Cognitive function showed a mediating effect of 30% on the relationship between vision and basic daily life activities and 42% in the relationship with instrumental daily life activities. The mediating effect was 50% in the relationship between hearing and basic activities of daily living, and 53% in the relationship with instrumental activities of daily living. Conclusion : Prevention programs for functional decline due to aging are in progress in Korea. Based on the results of this study, establishing a prevention program would help promote successful aging.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cocoa consumption is associated with health benefits due to its high content of polyphenols. However, the effects of short-term cocoa consumption remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects generated by cocoa consumption (for 7 days) in young adults in normoweight and class II obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Before-and-after study was carried out in normoweight (NW) (n = 15) and class II obesity (CIIO) (n = 15) young adults. The NW and CIIO participants consumed 25 and 39 g of cocoa, respectively, per day for 7 days. The effect of cocoa consumption was evaluated on the lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), and inflammation. Oxidative damage was also examined by assessing the biomarkers of oxidative damage in plasma. In addition, recombinant human insulin was incubated with blood obtained from the participants, and the molecular damage to the hormone was analyzed. RESULTS: Cocoa consumption resulted in decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in both groups (P = 0.04), while the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were maintained at the recommended levels. Initially, IR was detected in the CIIO group (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] = 4.78 ± 0.4), which is associated with molecular damage to insulin. Interestingly, intervention with cocoa resulted in improved IR (HOMA = 3.14 ± 0.31) (P = 0.0018) as well as molecular damage to insulin. Finally, cocoa consumption significant decreased the arginase activity (P = 0.0249) in the CIIO group; this is a critical enzymatic activity in the inflammatory process associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term consumption of cocoa improves the lipid profile, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and protects against oxidative damage. Results of this study indicate that cocoa consumption can potentially improve IR and restore a healthy redox status.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2023

Sweet corn is widely consumed due to its high nutritional content and diverse phytochemical composition, including carotenoids and phenolic compounds, which have several benefits for human health. This study aims to identify breeding materials for developing high-functional sweet corn varieties by evaluating the phytochemical and antioxidant activities of 37 Korean sweet corn inbred lines. The results revealed genetic variation in various components, such as carotenoid content (range of 120.7~1239.3 mg 100 g^-1), polyphenol content (490.5~740.6 mg gallic acid equivalent 100 g^-1), and flavonoid content (7.3~68.6 mg catechin equivalent 100 g^-1). In addition, the free radical scavenging capacity, measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), also varied among the inbred lines. Therefore, in this study, we identified Korean sweet corn inbred lines with high phytochemical content and excellent antioxidant activity. The development of sweet corn varieties with improved functionality is expected to further expand the role of sweet corn as a source of antioxidants in the Korean diet.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.525-536
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing ICU (intensive care units) length of stay of adult patients with critical illness. Methods: This study was adopted descriptive design. 270 patients who were admitted to ICU in general hospital, Seoul were analyzed. Results: A total of 270 patients, 116 (43%) patients had stayed more than 5 days. The length of stay of intensive care unit was significant positive correlation with the FCI(Functional Comobidity Index) score(r=0.33, p<.001) and APACHE(Aacute Physiology and Chronic Health Evlauaion) II(r=0.19, p=.001). In multiple logistic regression, the predictors of ICU length of stay were admission route (p=0.013), FCI score (p<0.001), APACHE II(p=0.012). Conclusions: Heatlh care providers in ICU should be aware that patients who admit to emergency departments and have higher disease severity are more considered to reduce their ICU length of stays.