• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.407-417
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• 2018

In this study, the antioxidant, cytoprotective and antimicrobial activities of 50% ethanol extract of Polygoni multiflori Radix (PMR) and its ethyl acetate fraction were evaluated to confirm the applicability as a functional ingredient. The activities of the major constituent of PMR were verified and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (THSG) was confirmed to be the main component of extract and fraction using HPLC-DAD, LC-EIS-MS analysis. The phenolic and THSG contents of the ethyl acetate fraction were 11.1- and 3.0-folds higher than those of the ethanol extract, respectively. As a result of the DPPH assay and that of luminol dependent chemiluminescence assay in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/H2O2 system. the ethylacetate fraction was superior to the ethanol extract in free radical and ROS scavenging activities. Especially, the ethyl acetate fraction and THSG exhibited the similar scavenging activity like L-ascorbic acid in ROS scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate fraction perceived the most potent cytoprotective effect against oxidative damage of erythrocytes induced by photosensitization reaction, followed by the ethanol fraction, THSG and that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, which was used as a positive control. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution assay against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. In particular, the antibacterial activity of the extract and fraction against S. aureus was superior to that of methyl paraben. Taken together, our results suggest that PMR could be used as a natural ingredient for antioxidant, cytoprotective and antimicrobial activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1507-1515
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• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by prostatic hypertrophy mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus is reportedly effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, but its efficacy on BPH has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether or not a Corni Fructus water extract (CF) could prevent testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. To induce BPH, castrated rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP). CF was administered daily by oral gavage, along with the TP injections, and finasteride, a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. The results show that CF significantly reduces prostate weight and histopathologic changes while also decreasing levels of serum dihydrotestosterone, similar to the finasteride-treated group. CF also suppresses TP-induced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. Furthermore, CF markedly inhibited TP-induced expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the steroid receptor coactivator 1, an AR coactivator, which was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in both serum and prostate tissue. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that CF weakens BPH status by inactivation of $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.251-259
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Various culture media have been used for hydroponic cultures of horticultural plants under the smart greenhouses with natural and artificial light types. Management of the culture medium for the control of medium amounts and/or necessary components absorbed by plants during the cultivation period is performed with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and/or IoT (Internet of Things) in a smart farm system. This study was conducted to develop the cloud-based data analysis system for effective management of culture medium applying to hydroponic culture and plant growth in smart greenhouses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Conventional inorganic Yamazaki and organic media derived from agricultural byproducts such as a immature fruit, leaf, or stem were used for hydroponic culture media. Component changes of the solutions according to the growth stage were monitored and plant growth was observed. Red and green lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa L.) which developed 2~3 true leaves were considered as plant materials. The seedlings were hydroponically grown in the smart greenhouse with fluorescent and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lights of $150{\mu}mol/m^2/s$ light intensity for 35 days. Growth data of the seedlings were classified and stored to develop the relational database in the virtual machine which was generated from an open stack cloud system on the base of growth parameter. Relation of the plant growth and nutrient absorption pattern of 9 inorganic components inside the media during the cultivation period was investigated. The stored data associated with component changes and growth parameters were visualized on the web through the web framework and Node JS. CONCLUSION: Time-series changes of inorganic components in the culture media were observed. The increases of the unfolded leaves or fresh weight of the seedlings were mainly dependent on the macroelements such as a $NO_3-N$, and affected by the different inorganic and organic media. Though the data analysis system was developed, actual measurement data were offered by using the user smart device, and analysis and comparison of the data were visualized graphically in time series based on the cloud database. Agricultural management in data visualization and/or plant growth can be implemented by the data analysis system under whole agricultural sites regardless of various culture environmental changes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

In this study, $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid, which is a constituent of natural moisturizing factor, was applied to skin in periodic cycle to improve skin tone and texture roughness. Based on the polarity of the alkyl group (R) of the $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid, the acid was categorized into two groups and their efficacy was studied. As a result, it was found that the improvement rate of $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex with polar alkyl group ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-1$) is 21% higher than that of $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex with non-polar alkyl group ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-2$). For clinical trials, emulsions containing $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex ($L-{\alpha}-AAC-1$) were applied to the randomly selected 20 to 40 year old female participants, as an experimental group, on the right facial cheek once per day for 8 weeks, and emulsions without $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid complex, as a control group, were applied to the left facial cheek in the same way. Improvements in skin tone were measured using $JANUS^{(R)}$ equipment and analyzed using image analysis software. Skin texture improvement was measured and analyzed mechanically using the phaseshift rapid in-vivo measurement of the skin (PRIMOS) equipment. As a result, improvements of skin tone and skin texture were 11.7% and 6.7%, respectively. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to the participants on the aesthetic improvement and the degree of the feeling of skin improvement. The results suggest that $L-{\alpha}-amino$ acid can be used as a cosmetic substance that can provide aesthetic satisfaction through physiological skin tone and texture roughness.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2021

Many studies on the microstructures in rocks have been conducted using experimental methods with various equipment as well as natural rock studies to see the development of microstructures and understand their mechanisms. Grain boundary migration of mineral aggregates in rocks could cause grain growth or grain size changes during metamorphism or deformation as one of the main recrystallization mechanisms. This study suggests improved ways regarding the analog material experiments with reformed equipment to see sequential observations of these grain boundary migration. It can be more efficient than the existing techniques and carry out an appropriate microstructure analysis. This reformed equipment was implemented to enable optical manipulation by mounting polarizing plates capable of rotating operation on a stereoscopic microscope and a deformation rig capable of experimenting with analog materials. The equipment can automatically control the temperature and strain rate of the deformation rig by microcontrollers and programming and can take digital photomicrographs with constant time intervals during the experiment to observe any microstructure changes. The composite images synthesized using images by rotated polarizing plates enable us to see more accurate grain boundaries. As a rock analog material, norcamphor(C7H10O) was used, which has similar birefringence to quartz. Static grain growth and simple shear deformation experiments were performed using the norcamphor to verify the effectiveness of the equipment. The static grain growth experiments showed the characteristics of typical grain growth behavior. The number of grains decreases and the average grain size increases over time. These case experiments also showed a clear difference between the growth curves with three temperature conditions. The result of the simple shear deformation experiment under the medium temperature-low strain rate showed no significant change in the average grain size but presented the increased elongation of grain shapes in the direction of about 53° regarding the direction perpendicular to the shearing direction as the shear strain increases over time. These microstructures are interpreted as both the plastic deformation and the internal recovery process in grains are balanced by the deformation under the given experimental conditions. These experiments using the reformed equipment represent the ability to sequentially observe changing the microstructure during experiments as desired in the tests with the analog material during the entire process.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of Stewartia koreana as oral healthcare materials. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts from leaves and branches of S. koreana against oral bacteria was confirmed. The leaf and branch extracts (1 mg/disc) showed antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis only among several tested oral bacteria. The leaf extracts showed higher antibacterial activity, with values similar to those of chlorhexidine, which was used as a positive control. The MIC of the leaf extract against P. gingivalis was 0.4 mg/ml and showed bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and on gene expression related to biofilm formation by P. gingivalis were determined by biofilm biomass staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm production rate and cell growth of P. gingivalis in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml of S. koreana leaf extracts were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on the formation of P. gingivalis biofilms at concentrations of 1 mg/ml was confirmed by SEM. The qRT-PCR analysis showed concentration-dependent suppression of the fimA and fimB gene expression associated with fimbriae formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml S. koreana leaf extract. These results support the conclusion that S. koreana leaf extracts can be used as oral healthcare materials derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the antibacterial action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. gingivalis.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2020

The grade and price of Lentinula edodes largely differs in preference depending on the product area and seasonal factors. The product amount of autumn L. edodes was higher than that of spring L. edodes, but high quality, which is divided into "Hwago" is low in preference. Mostly, the autumn L. edodes is obtained as powder; hence, it is necessary to develop a processing method to utilize its flavor and aroma at an affordable price. Additionally, we estimated the content of 𝛽-glucan, ergosterol, vitamin D₂, reducing sugars, and free amino acids and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of saccharification powder of log-cultivated L. edodes. In the saccharification powders obtained via 7 min of UV irradiation of log-cultivated L. edodes, 𝛽-glucan and vitamin D₂ contents were found to be the highest, whereas ergosterol content was found to be the lowest. The content of reducing sugars ranged from 62.4 mg/L to 68.2 mg/L. The free amino acids were higher in these saccharification powders than in the control. Subsequently, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations (10, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 ㎍/mL) of the saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes obtained via different UV irradiation time applications. The cells showed good viability; the anti-inflammatory effect was found to be the highest at 7 min UV irradiation. Therefore, 7 min of UV irradiation was determined to be the optimum condition for manufacturing saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes. Hence, saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes may be used as a raw material for natural sweeteners, food additives, and in the food industry.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.283-302
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• 2022

Despite the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in China since January 23, 2020, haze days with high PM₁₀ levels of 88-98 ㎍ m^-3 occurred on February 1 and 2, 2020. During these haze days, the East Asian region was affected by a warm and stagnant air mass with positive air temperature anomalies and negative zonal wind anomalies at 850 hPa. The Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) was used to analyze the variation of regional PM₁₀ aerosol transport in Korea due to decreased anthropogenic emissions in East Asia. The base experiment (BASE), which applies the basic anthropogenic emissions in the WRF-Chem model, and the control experiment (CTL) applied by reducing the anthropogenic emission to 50%, were used to assess uncertainty with ground-based PM₁₀ measurements in Korea. The index of agreement (IOA) for the CTL simulation was 0.71, which was higher than that of BASE (0.67). A statistical analysis of the results suggests that anthropogenic emissions were reduced during the COVID-19 lockdown period in China. Furthermore, BASE and CTL applied to zero-out anthropogenic emissions outside Korea (BASE_ZEOK and CTL_ZEOK) were used to analyze the variations of regional PM₁₀ aerosol transport in Korea. Regional PM₁₀ transport in CTL was reduced by only 10-20% compared to BASE. Synthetic weather variables may be another reason for the non-linear response to changes in the contribution of regional transport to PM₁₀ in Korea with the reduction of anthropogenic emissions in East Asia. Although the regional transport contribution of other inorganic aerosols was high in CTL (80-90%), sulfate-nitrate-ammonium (SNA) aerosols showed lower contributions of 0-20%, 30-60%, and 30-60%, respectively. The SNA secondary aerosols, particularly nitrates, presumably declined as the Chinese lockdown induced traffic.

• Journal of Popular Narrative
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-85
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• 2020

This paper examines the aspects of disaster narrative, which makes the most of the concept of 'masterplot' as a narrative simulation to solve problems. By analyzing and comparing the remnants of 'masterplots' operating in the disaster narratives of Korea, the United States, and Japan, the differences between each country and social community problem recognition and resolution will be discussed. Disaster narrative is the most suitable genre for applying the 'masterplot' toward community problem solving in today's global risk society, and the problem-solving method has cognitive differences for each community. First, in the case of American disaster narratives, civilian experts' response to natural disasters tracks the changes of heroes in today's 'Marvel Comic Universe' (MCU). Compared to the past, the close relationship between heroism and nationalism has been reduced, but the state remains functional even if it is bolstered by the heroes' voluntary cooperation and reflection ability. On the other hand, in Korea's disaster narratives, the disappearance of the country and paralysis of the function are foregrounded. In order to fill the void, a new family narrative occurs, consisting of a righteous army or people abandoned by the state. Korea's disaster narratives are sensitive to changes after the disaster, and the nation's recovery never returns to normal after the disaster. Finally, Japan's disaster narratives are defensive and neurotic. A fully state-led bureaucratic system depicts an obsessive nationalism that seeks to control all disasters, or even counteracts anti-heroic individuals who reject voluntary sacrifices and even abandon disaster conditions This paper was able to diagnose the impact and value of a 'masterplot' today by comparing a series of 'masterplots' and their variations and uses. In a time when the understanding and utilization of 'masterplots' are becoming more and more important in today's world where Over-the top(OTT) services are being provided worldwide, this paper attempt could be a fragmentary model for the distribution and sharing of global stories.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.247-258
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate the enhancement of water resistance and improvement in adhesion to the skin by combining dextrin palmitate and isopropyl titanium triisostearate coating materials with titanium dioxide. Due to the recent increase in consumers who enjoy outdoor activities, the demand for sunscreen with excellent water resistance is increasing. Prior research was conducted with O/W, Pickering, and W/O/W multiple formulations, but there was a limit to water resistance. The purpose of this study is to develop a complex inorganic powder that can improve water resistance and increase adhesion to the skin to solve this problem. First, we combined dextrin palmitate and isopropyl titanium triisostearate coating materials to form a composite with titanium dioxide. The coating of the inorganic powder was confirmed using FE-SEM and FT-IR analysis. The composite exhibited significantly higher in vitro water resistance compared to other formulations. The hydrophobicity of the coated inorganic powder was compared by measuring the contact angles. When the coated inorganic powder was applied to the W/O sunscreen formulation and the non-coated inorganic powder was applied to the W/O sunscreen formulation as a control, the SPF of the sunscreen containing the coated inorganic powder was higher. These results were the same when observed with a UV camera. Finally the adhesion of the coated inorganic powder to the skin was assessed by applying it to a foundation product. In vivo study, it was observed that the product formulated with the coated powder exhibited less smudging compared to the foundation product formulated with the non-coated powder. The developed inorganic powder in this study demonstrated excellent adhesion to the skin, providing a superior sensory experience, as well as enhanced hydrophobicity and remarkable water resistance effects. In the future, the result of this study is expected to help develop various sunscreen products to improve water resistance.