• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.125-133
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to analyze the antibacterial activity of Liriope platyphylla ethanol extract (LPEE) against Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis and to validate its potential for the prevention and treatment of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Methods : To verify the antibacterial effect of L. pulsatilla ethanolic extract (LPEE) against S. mutans and P. gingivalis, the disk diffusion method was used to determine the inhibition zones at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/㎖. To determine the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), the final dose of LPEE was .2, .4, .8, 1.6, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/㎖, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined based on the MIC results. To confirm the growth inhibitory effect of LPEE on both pathogens, the absorbance was measured at 600 nm after each incubation for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr at concentrations of .8, 1.6, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/㎖. Results : The cytotoxicity of LPEE was evaluated and the cell viability was more than 70 % at 400 mg/㎖. Therefore, concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/㎖ were used in this study. The antimicrobial effect against S. mutans was seen at 100 mg/㎖ and grew in a concentration-dependent manner, while P. gingivalis was effective at 50 mg/㎖ with the dose dependency. The MIC was .8 mg/㎖ for both strains, and the MBC was 1.6 mg/㎖ with the same results. The growth inhibitory effect of LPEE on S. mutans and P. gingivalis was observed, even at low concentrations. Conclusion : The antibacterial effect of LPEE was evaluated through the analysis of MIC, MBC, and growth inhibition effect on S. mutans and P. gingivalis, which suggests LPEE might have the possibility of utilization as a preventive and therapeutic composition for oral diseases.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.611-626
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• 2023

Overseas examples of the characterization stage of site selection proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency were reviewed to highlight the factors necessary for consideration in the deep disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Studies in Sweden, Finland, the USA, and Canada were considered. Site investigations in Sweden and Finland commonly covered the fields of geology, hydrogeology, and hydrogeochemistry using similar field investigation techniques. The USA considered survey groups and factors under pre- and post-lockdown guidelines, as well as those for desaturated and saturated surveys. involving geophysical, hydrological, hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, mechanical/physical, and thermal-characterization investigations. Canada provided a list of investigative methods for both preliminary and detailed site assessments including geological, physical, boring, hydrological, laboratory testing, and chemical analysis studies. Results of this study should elucidate site-selection investigation factors and survey methods applicable to Korea.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.138-143
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• 2023

In this study, the crack healing performance of each crack healing agent manufacturing method was analyzed by adding crack healing agents in the form of alginate gel and spore suspension inoculated with endospores of calcium carbonate-forming bacteria to mortar. In addition, by applying it to an full-scale structure in the form of a box-type culvert, we attempted to create an environment in which the developed crack healing agent can be applied not only to a laboratory environment but also to an actual field. The crack healing agent using the dry heat drying method showed crack healing performance, but in the case of the freeze drying method, many spores were killed by freeze hardening and therefore the crack healing performance was lost. As a result of SEM and XRD pattern analysis of the presumed crack healing material extracted from the crack of a full-scale structure, it was found to be calcite, one of the calcium carbonate crystals produced by microorganisms applied to the crack healing agent. In conclusion, it was found that the crack healing by microorganisms can be implemented in a real structure.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2023

Benthic attached diatoms (BADs), a major primary producer in lotic stream and river ecosystems are micro-sized organisms and require a highly magnified microscopic technique in the observation work. Thus, it is often not easy to ensure accuracy and precision in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This study proposed a new technique applicable to improve quality control of aquatic ecosystem monitoring and assessment using BADs. In order to meet the purpose of quality control, we developed a permanent mounting slide technique which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative analyses simultaneously. We designed specimens with the combination of grid on both cover and slide glasses and compared their efficiency. As a result of observation and counting of BADs, the slide glass designed with the color-lined grid showed the highest efficiency compared to other test conditions. We expect that the method developed in this study could be effectively used to analyze BADs and contributed to improve the quality control in aquatic ecosystem health monitoring and assessment.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.519-533
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• 2023

In this study, the linear cutting tests of pick cutters were carried out on a granitic rock with the average compressive strength over 100 MPa. From the tests, the correlation between the cutter acting force and the temperature measured by infrared thermal imaging camera during rock cutting was analyzed. In every experimental condition, the maximum temperature was measured at the rock surface where the chipping occurred, and the temperature generated in the rock was closely correlated with the cutter acting force. On the other hand, the temperature of a pick cutter increased up to only 36℃ above the ambient temperature, and the correlation with the cutter force was not obvious. This can be attributed to the short cutting distance under laboratory conditions and the high thermal conductivity of the tungsten carbide inserts. However, the relatively high temperature of the tungsten carbide inserts was found to be maintained. Therefore, it is recommended that a reinforcement between the insert and the head of a pick cutter or the quality improvement of silvering brazing in the production of a cutter is necessary to maintain the high cutting performance of a pick cutter.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.318-327
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of small-scale chemistry(SSC) laboratory activities implemented in high school chemistry II classes on the students' inquiry process skills and science-related attitudes. For this study, 112 students in the 12th grade were chosen and divided into an experimental and a control group. Seven SSC lab programs that can replace the traditional experiments in chemistry II textbooks were selected and administered to the experimental group while the traditional textbook experiments were administered to the control group. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the enhancement of inquiry process skills between the two groups while no significant difference was found in science-related attitudes. Further analysis showed that the difference in the inquiry process skills came from the basic inquiry process skills. The experimental group students thought that the SSC experiments have many advantages compared to the traditional experiments, e.g., individual work, learning lab and theory in parallel, short experiment time, safety, environmental aspects, etc. These results suggest that the SSC lab programs are valuable in high school chemistry classes and developing and distributing various SSC lab programs is needed to replace the traditional experiments in the current textbooks.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.434-441
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• 2024

Mammary gland tumors are the most common tumors detected in non-spayed female dogs and pose a significant clinical challenge. Due to the strong similarity between canine mammary tumors (CMT) and human breast cancer (HBC), biomarkers identified in HBC can also be detected in CMT. These biomarkers have been shown to offer valuable insights into early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies. The purpose of this article is to provide a concise overview of CMT biomarkers based on the current literature. Traditional treatments for CMT in dogs typically begin with surgery, followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. However, these treatments alone are not always fully effective. A diagnostic biomarker can detect the presence of a disease or the characteristics of a disease and classify an individual's status. Prognostic biomarkers focus on predicting the expected progression, recurrence, or survival of the disease in patients. By utilizing advances in understanding the mechanism of canine-specific mammary gland tumors, the estimation of biomarkers offers hope for improved outcomes in cancer patients. Novel technologies, such as single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, could provide a valuable resource for deciphering intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. This review paper explores current research on CMT biomarkers and suggests directions for their development.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.775-789
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relevance of the school science contents that have been implemented for the 7-10th grade students in Korea since 2001. To fulfill the purpose of the study, we 1) analyzed the 7th national science curriculum of Korea, California science standards, the national science curriculum of England, Japanese national science curriculum, and current Korean and Japanese science textbooks, 2) conducted a nationwide survey in order to gather opinions from students, teachers, and science specialists. The main findings of this research were as follows: First, the number of topics presented at each grade level should be reduced and similar topics and themes should be integrated for students' deeper understanding. Second, science contents were excessive compared to the allotted teaching time and to foreign countries. Thus, the excessive overlapping and repetition of science contents should be avoided among the primary, middle and high school level, and the number of science concepts and activities should be reduced to an appropriate level considering time allotment for science classes, teachers' workload, laboratory conditions, etc. Third, to cope with the decreasing students' understanding and interests in science as school level and school year goes up, the science curriculum and textbooks should be developed to allow for student to learn science concepts by solving problems confronted in their daily lives. Fourth, a differentiated curriculum such as in-depth and supplementary course should be described not in science contents, but in teaching and learning strategy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.215-226
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• 2024

Aralia continentalis is widely distributed in Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. A. continentalis has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for various conditions, including analgesia, headache, inflammation, lameness, lumbago, rheumatism, and dental diseases in Korea. Previously, epi-continentalic acid, continentalic acid, and kaurenoic acid as major active biological compounds belonging to the diterpenoid class were identified. To synthesize diterpenoid derivatives with enhanced bioavailability, Fusarium fujikuroi was employed to biotransform diterpenoids due to its known antibacterial activity. This yielded two derivatives of kaurenoic acid, namely 16α-hydroxyent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, with their chemical structures elucidated via NMR analysis. These derivatives exhibited increased polarity compared to kaur- enoic acid, as evidenced by their retention time on preparative HPLC using the ODS-A column and structural modifications. Evaluation of their antidiabetic activity targeting PTP1B, a negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, revealed inhibitory activities of 30.8% and 27.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 4 ㎍/ml. Additionally, both derivatives demonstrated low cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value 18 times higher than kaurenoic acid. Therefore, the augmented water solubility and reduced toxicity of 16α-hydroxy-ent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, resulting from biotransformation by F. fujikuroi, render them promising candidates for industrial applications.