• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.277-287
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• 2022

Background: Inflammatory dental diseases that occur during pregnancy can cause preterm labor and/or intrauterine growth restriction. Therefore, proactive treatment of dental diseases is necessary during pregnancy. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a widely used sedative in the dental field, but research on the effect of DEX on pregnancy is currently insufficient. In this study, we investigated the effects of co-treatment with DEX and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses in human amnion-derived WISH cells. Methods: Human amnion-derived WISH cells were treated with 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 ㎍/mL DEX with 1 ㎍/mL LPS for 24 h. Cytotoxicity of WISH cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), p38, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝜅B) was examined by western blot analysis. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1𝛽 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼 was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Co-treatment with DEX and LPS showed no cytotoxicity in the WISH cells. The mRNA expression of IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 decreased after co-treatment with DEX and LPS. DEX and LPS co-treatment decreased the protein expression of COX-2, PGE₂, phospho-p38, and phospho-NF-𝛋B in WISH cells. Conclusion: Co-treatment with DEX and LPS suppressed the expression of COX-2 and PGE₂, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 in WISH cells. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect of DEX and LPS co-treatment was mediated by the inhibition of p38/NF-𝜅B activation.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.282-289
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• 2022

Background: Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the air and exposure to an airborne fungus can be a significant risk factor. The composition of fungi has been potentially important for human health, especially for respiratory diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we attempted to ascertain what kind of airborne fungi affect human health at a nationwide level. Objectives: This study was carried out to provide information on indoor fungi distribution at multi-use facilities throughout South Korea. Methods: We classified our data by region and public facility after collection, cultivation, and identification via the sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. We investigated whether or not the proliferation of HaCaT cells was affected by the identified airborne fungi. Results: In our data, the most isolated airborne fungi by region were Penicillium spp (Seoul, Daegu), Periconia sp (Gyeonggi-do), Iprex sp (Gangwon-do), Phanerochaete sp (Busan), Bjerkandera sp (Gwangju), and Aspergillus sp (Jeju-do). In the public facilities, the most detected fungi were Cladosporium sp (public transport), Penicillium sp (apartment house, retail market, financial institution, karaoke room), Bjerokandera sp (underground parking lot, public toilet, medical institution), Periconia sp (retail store), and Fusarium sp (general restaurant). Next, we selected twenty airborne fungi to examine their cytotoxicity and proliferation of human skin cells. In this experiment, the proliferation of the cells was influenced by most of the identified fungi. In case of the cytotoxicity test, most genera except for Rhodotorula sp and Moesziomyces sp showed cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. Conclusions: The distribution of mold in the indoor air in multi-use facilities in South Korea differs from region to region, and this is an indicator that should be considered in future health impact studies. In addition, as a result of culturing about 20 types of bacteria dominant in indoor air, it was found that most (90%) inhibit the growth of skin cells, which can be harmful to health. An in-depth study of the health effects of floating fungi is needed.

• 한국자연치유학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.136-142
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• 2022

배경: 본 연구는 1970년 때부터 현재까지 우리나라의 기생충 감염률의 변화와 관리에 대한 고찰은 자연치유적 관점에서도 필요하다고 본다. 목적: 연구 목적은 감염률이 어떠한 방법에 따라서 감소율의 변화가 현재까지 진행되었는지를 고찰해보는 것이었다. 방법: 문헌 조사를 하였다. 결과: 우리나라는 1970년대까지는 기생충 감염률이 가장 높은 국가 중 하나였다. 감염률을 관리하기 위하여 1966년에는 기생충병 예방법을 제정하였고, 1969년부터 전국적인 기생충 관리 국가사업을 전체 학생을 대상으로 1년에 2회 전체 기생충 충란 양성자에 대한 치료를 1995년까지 수행하였다. 정부는 한국기생충박멸협회에 위탁하여 구충 박멸사업을 2년 간격으로 1971년~2012년까지 8차례를 전국 기생충감염 실태조사를 하였다. 그 결과로 1971년에는 전체 기생충 충란 양성률이 84.3%이었으나 2012년에는 2.6%로 감소하였다. 회충, 폐흡충, 조충 및 장내 원충류는 전국적으로 매우 감소하였다. 결론: 우리나라에서의 성공적인 기생충 관리는 국가적 경제성장력의 증진과 동시에 기생충박멸에 대한 사회적 합의와 개선된 전문적인 기생충 예방지침과 유효한 구충제 공급 등이 체계적으로 관리하여 성공적인 효과를 이루었다고 판단한다. 그리고 자연치유적 관점에서도 중요하다고 생각한다.

• 인간식물환경학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.119-135
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted to identify the components of kindergartener horticultural education by deriving objective components of horticultural education using the Delphi survey method, and then to provide basic data that can be used when creating horticultural programs in the regular curriculum. Methods: A total of 32 experts including professors of early childhood education, kindergarten directors, horticultural therapy professors, and horticultural therapists were selected as the Delphi panel. Of the 32 selected, only 29 answered all three rounds of the surveys. For the first round of the survey, an open-ended questionnaire, was used, and in the second and third rounds closed-ended questionnaires were used. Results: Results indicated that under the category of the goals of horticultural education, there were 7 items related to the current problems of horticultural education, 16 items related to the need for horticultural education in the smart age, 18 items related to the direction of horticultural education, and 5 items related to the areas most suitable for horticulture education for young children in the Nuri Curriculum. Results in the category of the implementation of horticultural education indicated that 2 items related to horticultural education hours, 3 items related to the venue for horticultural education, 2 items related to the activity types applicable to the Nuri Curriculum, and 4 items related to the objects of horticultural activities were derived. As the current problems of horticultural education, the following items were identified: event-oriented activity (M = 4.24) and lack of kindergarten teachers' opportunities for systematic gardening education (M = 4.21). The results related to the necessity of horticultural education indicated the following items: education on respect for life through caring (M = 4.59), emotional intelligence and stability (M = 4.55), directly experience of the growth process of plants (M = 4.55), and development of the five senses (M = 4.55). Finally, within the direction of horticultural education: nurturing the desire to live with nature (M = 4.50), and learning about life (M = 4.44) was identified, which had higher averages. Within the areas of the Nuri Curriculum, which is most consistent with horticultural education, nature exploration (M = 4.69) and the integration of all areas (M = 4.59) were derived as priorities. Also, regarding the implementation of horticultural education, the following items were derived as the priority from the expert group: 30-40 minutes (M = 4.14) and 40-50 minutes (M = 4.14) for class periods, outdoor garden in a kindergarten(M = 4.66) for the venue of gardening education, outside play (M = 4.59) for the activity type, and vegetable crops (M = 4.55) for the objects of gardening activities. Conclusion: It is significant that the goal and implementation of kindergartner horticultural education were objectively derived through collecting opinions of expert panels. Based on the results of this study, a horticultural education program for kindergarten teachers should be implemented.

• 인간식물환경학회지
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.577-587
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• 2020

Background and objective: Plants in temples are the results of cultural symbolization that embraces the experience and enlightenment of humans about life. As a way to improve the acceptance of the foreign religion, China gave cultural symbolization to plants in temple gardens through integration with traditional cultures and the understanding of the nature of plants themselves. This study aimed to identify cultural symbolism and signs of acculturation associated with Buddhist plants, targeting Bolisu, the most essential and symbolic plant in temple garden forests in China and Korea. Methods: The morphological and ecological characteristics of plants, functions, the texts that contained the history of Buddhism and literary works were examined through literature review, and the relation of Ficus religiosa with its planting conditions and nature, and Buddhist culture was explored. In addition, the cultural value of Buddhist plants themselves in establishing temples and the reason why Bolisu was planted in temples were reviewed through time series analysis. The obtained results were interpreted using an inductive method to identify substitutes for F. religiosa, cultural symbolism and signs of acculturation. Results: F. religiosa as one of the three holy trees and the five trees and six flowers in Buddhism is known as the original Bolisu. Since it grows well and is widely distributed in regions that accepted Indian Buddhism, it became the most representative holy tree in Buddhism. From the perspective of tree shape and nature, F. religiosa is in line with the Buddhist spirit of saving those in need with mercy and redeeming mankind, and figuratively shows that perfection can be attained like the fruit of Bolisu. Chines Buddhism had adopted highly symbolic plants for a long period of time as a means to spread the same belief and doctrines as Indian Buddhism. In China, however, there were only limited areas suitable for the growth of F. religiosa, and for this reason, borrowed Bolisu trees including Tilia. miqueliana, T. mandshurica and T. amurensis and other plants such as F. virens Ait. var. sublanceolata, G. biloba and M. alba were planted as a substitute in most regions, having been given with symbolism and belief as Bolisu. Conclusion: Chinese Buddhism planted the same plants as Indian Buddhism in order to enhance symbolism and also similar substitutes to express the same symbolism. This is a kind of acculturation and its influence and customs were not limited to China, but were introduced to Korea, The difference between China and Korea was that G. biloba was excluded from the substitute for Bolisu in Korea.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.290-294
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Barley sprouts contain a large number of secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, saponarin, and policosanols. The synthesis of such secondary metabolites occurs as a defense mechanism against external environmental stresses. In particular, it has been widely known that drought stress (DS) increases the content of flavonoids in plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drought stress treatment on the saponarin content in barley sprouts during the growing period. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, changes in saponarin content with different DS exposure periods and times were evaluated under the hydroponic system. For establishing different DS treatment periods, water supply was stopped for 1, 2, and 3 days, once leaf length was at 10 cm. To control different DS treatment times, water supply was stopped for 2 days, once leaf lengths were 5, 10, and 15 cm. As a result, the water potential of barley sprouts decreased from -0.8 MPa (before DS treatment) to -1.2, -2.4, and -3.2 MPa (after DS treatment), and reversely recovered to -0.8 MPa after re-irrigation. When 10 cm leaves were subjected to DS for 1 and 2 days, the saponarin content increased by 12 and 10%, respectively, while it increased by 19% when DS was applied to the 5 cm leaves. CONCLUSION(S): The results of this study suggest that drought stress at the early stage of growth (5 cm) is most helpful to increase the saponarin content of barley sprouts.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.90.01-90.13
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• 2022

Background: Insulin regulates glucose homeostasis and has important effects on metabolism, cell growth, and differentiation. Depending on the cell type and physiological context, insulin signal has specific pathways and biological outcomes in different tissues and cells. For studying the signal pathway of insulin on glycolipid metabolism in porcine embryonic fibroblast (PEF), we used high-throughput sequencing to monitor gene expression patterns regulated by insulin. Objectives: The goal of our research was to see how insulin affected glucose and lipid metabolism in PEFs. Methods: We cultured the PEFs with the addition of insulin and sampled them at 0, 48, and 72 h for RNA-Seq analysis in triplicate for each time point. Results: At 48 and 72 h, 801 and 1,176 genes were differentially expressed, respectively. Of these, 272 up-regulated genes and 264 down-regulated genes were common to both time points. Gene Ontology analysis was used to annotate the functions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), the biological processes related to lipid metabolism and cell cycle were dominant. And the DEGs were significantly enriched in interleukin-17 signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, and others pathways related to lipid metabolism by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Conclusions: These results elucidate the transcriptomic response to insulin in PEF. The genes and pathways involved in the transcriptome mechanisms provide useful information for further research into the complicated molecular processes of insulin in PEF.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.88.01-88.14
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• 2022

Background: The olfactory mucosa (OM) is crucial for odorant perception in the main olfactory system. The terminal carbohydrates of glycoconjugates influence chemoreception in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Objectives: The histological characteristics and glycoconjugate composition of the OM of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo, Bos taurus coreae) were examined to characterize their morphology and possible functions during postnatal development. Methods: The OM of neonate and adult Korean native cattle was evaluated using histological, immunohistochemical, and lectin histochemical methods. Results: Histologically, the OM in both neonates and adults consists of the olfactory epithelium and the lamina propria. Additionally, using periodic acid Schiff and Alcian blue (pH 2.5), the mucus specificity of the Bowman's gland duct and acini in the lamina propria was determined. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that mature and immature olfactory sensory neurons of OEs express the olfactory marker protein and growth associated protein-43, respectively. Lectin histochemistry indicated that numerous glycoconjugates, including as N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, complex type N-glycan, and fucose groups, were expressed at varied levels in the different cell types in the OMs of neonates and adults at varying levels. According to our observations, the cattle possessed a well-developed olfactory system, and the expression patterns of glycoconjugates in neonatal and adult OMs varied considerably. Conclusions: This is the first study to describe the morphological assessment of the OM of Korean native cattle with a focus on lectin histochemistry. The findings suggest that glycoconjugates may play a role in olfactory chemoreception, and that their labeling properties may be closely related to OM development and maturity.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.135-151
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: The β-agonists known as phenyl ethanolamine derivatives have a conjugated aromatic ring with amino group. They are used as tocolytic agents and bronchodilator to human and animal generally, and some of them are used as growth promoters to livestock. METHODS AND RESULTS: β-agonists in samples were extracted by 0.4 N perchloric acid and ethyl acetate. The target compounds were analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Validation of method was performed according to CODEX guidelines (CAC/GL-71). The matrix matched calibration gave correlation coefficients>0.98, and the obtained recoveries were in the range of 62.0-109.8%, with relative standard deviation ≤ 20.1%. In addition, a survey was performed to inspect any residual β-agonist from 100 samples of livestock and fishery products and ractopamine was detected in one of the 100 samples. CONCLUSION(S): In this study, we established the analytical method for β-agonists through using the expanded target compounds and samples. And we anticipate that the established method would be used for analysis to determine veterinary drug residues in livestock and fishery products.

• 인간식물환경학회지
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.625-636
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• 2020

Background and objects: Soil contamination caused by CaCl₂ that is used to deice slippery roads in winter is now recognized as one of the major causes of damage of roadside plants. The aim of this study is to identify the salt mitigation effects of planting Chrysanthemum zawadskii and using a soil conditioner. Methods: The study was conducted at the site where Pinus densiflora f. multicaulis was planted on the roadside between Konkuk University Sageori and Danwol Samgeori located in Chungju-si. We classified the soils collected from the field experimental site according to the degree of the damage caused by deicing agents and divided the site into six blocks of three 80 × 80 cm plots replicated by treatment type. Three selected plots were treated with loess-balls on the soil surface (high salinity with loess-balls, medium salinity with loess-balls, low salinity with loess-balls) and three were left as an untreated control (H = high salinity, M = medium salinity, L = low salinity). The soil properties were measured including pH, EC and exchangeable cations as well as the growth of Chrysanthemum zawadskiia. Results: In the results of soil analysis, pH before planting Chrysanthemum zawadskiia was 6.39-6.74 and in September, five months after planting, the acidity was reduced to 5.43-5.89. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured to be H > M > L with the higher degree of damage by deicing agents. The analysis of deicing exchangeable cations showed that the content of Ca²⁺ of soils were significantly correlated to deicing exchangeable cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺) in the shoot part of Chrysanthemum zawadskii. The loess-ball treatment showed a lower content of deicing exchangeable cations than the treatment where Chrysanthemum zawadskiia was planted. Conclusion: In this study, the use of a new system made of loess-balls is proposed as a soil conditioner to protect soils from the adverse effects of road deicing salts. These data suggest that treatment of soil conditioners and planting Chrysanthemum zawadskiia are effective in mitigation of salt stress on the soils damaged by deicing agents.