• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2024

This study is to propose Lagerstroemia indica flower as an anti-acne cosmetic material, and confirmed the sebum control, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects using Lagerstroemia indica flower extract (LIFE) . As a result of evaluating the sebum control effectiveness, it was confirmed that LIFE inhibited the production of sebum excessively induced with palmitic acid up to 65%. Subsequently, it was confirmed that LIFE has an antibacterial effect and the ability to inhibit lipase activity against Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), which mainly appears in acne lesions, and can also reduce the inflammatory response caused by virulence factors secreted by C. acnes. It was also confirmed that LIFE inhibited the secretion of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which are inflammatory mediators induced by LPS in macrophages, by 75% and 54%, respectively, and that it also had a high DPPH radical scavenging ability similar to that of ascorbic acid. These results suggest that LIFE, a natural extract, can be used as an anti-acne material to relieve and treat acne, a complex disease, by controlling sebum production and having antibacterial and lipase activity inhibiting against C. acnes, and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

We evaluated the efficacy of Geranium thunbergii (GT), which has so far been understudied as a cosmetic material, and conducted anti-inflammatory-related activity studies. We measured the electron donation ability and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability to confirm the antioxidant ability of GT and found values of 91% and 94% at a concentration of 50 ㎍/ml, respectively, confirming that GT had excellent antioxidant ability. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was measured to evaluate whitening activity, and it was found that inhibitory activity was 24.8% at the highest concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml. Elastase and collagenase inhibitory activity were measured to determine the wrinkle improvement activity of the GT; 30.6% and 90% inhibitory activity were shown at the highest concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml, respectively. Excellent inhibitory activity was confirmed through the measurement of collagenase inhibitory activity. Before the cell experiments were conducted, the survival rate of the macrophages Raw 264.7 according to GT treatment was determined based on the MTT assay, and the cell survival rate was greater than 83.6% at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. Subsequent cell-related experiments were conducted at concentrations of 100 ㎍/ml or less. The NO production inhibitory activity according to the GT treatment by NO assay was measured, and a 74.9% inhibitory rate was confirmed at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression inhibition, and both COX-2 and iNOS factors were concentration-dependently inhibited in GT. Based on these results, GT is considered to have potential as an anti-inflammatory functional cosmetic material.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1102-1113
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• 2023

Objective: To elucidate the use of radiological studies, including nuclear medicine, and biopsy for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer (PCA) in clinical practice and understand the current status of PCA in Asian countries via an international survey. Materials and Methods: The Asian Prostate Imaging Working Group designed a survey questionnaire with four domains focused on prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), other prostate imaging, prostate biopsy, and PCA backgrounds. The questionnaire was sent to 111 members of professional affiliations in Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan who were representatives of their working hospitals, and their responses were analyzed. Results: This survey had a response rate of 97.3% (108/111). The rates of using 3T scanners, antispasmodic agents, laxative drugs, and prostate imaging-reporting and data system reporting for prostate MRI were 21.6%-78.9%, 22.2%-84.2%, 2.3%-26.3%, and 59.5%-100%, respectively. Respondents reported using the highest b-values of 800-2000 sec/mm² and fields of view of 9-30 cm. The prostate MRI examinations per month ranged from 1 to 600, and they were most commonly indicated for biopsy-naïve patients suspected of PCA in Japan and Singapore and staging of proven PCA in Korea and Taiwan. The most commonly used radiotracers for prostate positron emission tomography are prostate-specific membrane antigen in Singapore and fluorodeoxyglucose in three other countries. The most common timing for prostate MRI was before biopsy (29.9%). Prostate-targeted biopsies were performed in 63.8% of hospitals, usually by MRI-ultrasound fusion approach. The most common presentation was localized PCA in all four countries, and it was usually treated with radical prostatectomy. Conclusion: This survey showed the diverse technical details and the availability of imaging and biopsy in the evaluation of PCA. This suggests the need for an educational program for Asian radiologists to promote standardized evidence-based imaging approaches for the diagnosis and staging of PCA.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-29
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• 2016

The radical changes in the business environment have motivated firms to exert serious efforts in managing sustainable development. This study identified the effects of sustainable development on the perceived performance of firms from the viewpoint of the balanced scorecard. Independent variables include economic efforts (of efficiency and ethic of accounting and fairness), environmental efforts (management and energy control), and social efforts (consumer protection and contribution for local community). The result from the analysis of data collected in this research suggests that sustainable development efforts are the critical sources of the incorporated performance of firms. The consumer protection efforts of the local community determine the competitiveness of a firm in managing social responsibility and creating value and social activities. Efforts to reconsider efficiency determine the competitiveness of a firm, becoming the critical factors that determine sustainable performance. Energy control facilitates value creation for the environment through cooperation and harmonization with nature, resulting in sustainable business performances through the vitalization of practical establishments and operations. Sustainable management needs to meet international standards, cooperation, and harmony. These standards are based on the economic, environmental, and social efforts that enable firms to adopt sustainable management efforts that are suitable for their own systems.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.826-832
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• 2007

Unpleasant tastes and odors in drinking water cause same problems for water utilities across Korea. Even though tastes and odors do not create health problems, they are main concerns for consumers who determine the safety of their drinking water. In this study, two different odor producing compounds(geosmin 2-MIB) in the Nakdong river water and rapid sand filtered rater were treated by advanced oxidation of $O_3/H_2O_2$ process. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of geosmin with the use of 5 mg/L of $O_3$ and $H_2O_2$ was higher than efficiency with the use of $O_3$ alone for both the raw water and the sand filtered water. And in general, the removal efficiency of geosmin was higher than 2-MIB in the sand filtered water. Under the range of $O_3$ concentration $0.5\sim2.0$ mg/L, the removal rate constants(k) of geosmin for the raw and sand filtered waters, and the one of 2-MIB in the sand filtered water were increased rapidly as doses of $O_3$, and $H_2O_2$, increased. The removal rate constants(k) do not increase any more when $H_2O_2/O_3$ ratio increases above the optimum ratio. The optimum ratio of $H_2O_2/O_3$, dose was $1.0\sim2.0$ for both geosmin and 2-MIB. The removal rate constant(k) becomes lower when OH radical consuming materials are present in raw water. The half-life of geosmin decreased rapidly as the $O_3$ and $H_2O_2$ doses increase in the sand filtered water. The half life decreased about 8.5 times with the use of 2 mg/L of $O_3$ and 10 mg/L of $H_2O_2$ than with the use of 2 mg/L of $O_3$ alone for the sand filtered water.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2003

Neurodegenerative disorders are associated with apoptosis as a causing factor or an inducer. On the other hand, it has been reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EUG), one of antioxidants and flavonoids, and z-VAD-fmk, a nonselective caspase inhibitor, suppress oxidative-radical-stress-induced apoptosis. However, it is not yet known what is the effects of EGCG and z-VAD-fmk on the apoptotic pathway is through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) as well as mitochondria, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We investigated the effects of EGCG by using $H_2O_2$ treated N18D3 cells, mouse DRG hybrid neurons. Methods: Following 30 min $100\;{\mu}m\;H_2O_2$ exposure, the viability of N18D3 cells (not pretreated vs. EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated) was evaluated by using MTT assay. The effect of EGCG on immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, PARP, PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 was examined by using Western blot, and was compared with that of z-Y4D-fmk. Results: EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showed increased viability. Dose-dependent inhibition of caspase-3 activation accompanied by PARP cleavage were demonstrated by pretreatment of both agents. However, inhibition of cytochrome c release was only detected in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells. On the pathway through PI3K/Akt and GSK-3, however, the result of Western blot in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells showed decreased IR of Akt and GSK-3 and increased IR of p85a PI3K, phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and contrasted with that in z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showing no changes on each molecule. Conclusion: These data show that EGCG affects apoptotic pathway through upstream signal including PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 pathway as well as downstream signal including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that EGCG mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and inhibition GSK-B could be new potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative injury.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.889-894
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• 1998

This study was designed as a part of efforts to investigate the biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions by changes in oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes of the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the South Sea of Korea. Protein contents in brain and muscle of cultured flounder in the South Sea were remarkably lower ($19\~42\%$ and $25\~41\%$, respectively) than those of wild flounder in Pohang of the East Sea as a control group. Lipid Peroxide (LPO) levels in serum of cultured in the South Sea were considerably higher ($5\~33\%$) Elan those of wild flounder in Pohang. Hydroxyl radical formations in serum of cultured flounders in the South Sea were lower ($4\~25\%$) than those of wild flounders in Pohang. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in serum of cultured flounders in South Sea were also significantly lower ($7\~31\%$) than those of wild flounders in Pohang. It is believed that significant decrease of protein contents in brain and muscle, and remarkable increases of LPO in serum of cultured flounders may be used as a biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions. These results suggest that near-coastal water as well as neritic water of the South Sea might be affected by pollutant input as well as the Yellow Sea of Korea.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1138-1148
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• 2017

In this study, contetnts of phenolic acid and isoflavone, and biological activities of soy sauce were compared the soy sauce added bitter melon powder (BMPs). After the fermentation, pHs were decreased from 5.83 (0% BMP), 5.47 (5% BMP), and 5.32 (10% BMP) to 5.28, 5.36, and 5.16 at 90 days, whereas the acidities of soy sauce were increased from 0.06%, 0.07%, and 0.09% to 0.30%, 0.28%, and 0.36% at 90 days, respectively. In addition, the salinities of soy sauce were decreased, while viable cell numbers including Bacillus and yeast were increased. The contents of total phenolic, isoflavone-aglycone, and phenolic acid and antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities were significantly increased for 90 days, while the isoflavone-glycoside contents were decreased. In Particular, soy sauce with 10% BMP at 90 days showed the highest contents of glutamic acid (GA, 9,876.09 mg/100 mL) and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 325.02 mg/100 mL) contents than among other samples. Additionally, the radical scavenging activities (DPPH, ABTS, ${\cdot}OH$, and FRAP) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities of soy sauce with 10% BMP at 90 days were shown to be high 96.07%, 97.27%, 59.47%, 1.98%, and 79.96%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.433-440
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• 2015

Several studies suggest that regular consumption of walnuts may have beneficial effects against oxidative stress-mediated disease such as cancer. The present study reports the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, together with the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of several solvent extracts (methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) obtained from walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk. MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values of the walnut extracts for 8 human pathogenic bacteria strain were determined using agar dilution method. Antioxidant activity of extracts were assessed using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) assays, EC₅₀ of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, and determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content and its correlation with DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities. Among the six extracts, ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc Ex) showed the highest antimicrobial activity at 3.2 mg/ml of MICs against Staphylococcus aureus SG511. Total flavonoids and polyphenol contents of EtOAc Ex were 42.48 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g and 223.25 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g respectively. The highest antioxidative potential was shown by the sample extracted with EtOAc Ex (EC₅₀=13.43 μg/ml for DPPH and EC₅₀=41.83 μg/ml for ABTS radical scavenging activity assay). These results showed that J. regia green husk extracts can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antibacterial agents and natural antioxidants.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.154-160
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• 2006

Purpose: According to the 2nd English Edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) in 1998, in case of distal gastric cancer, the 14v (superior mesenteric vein) lymph node (LN) is included in the N2 group. However, in Korea, a modified radical gastrectomy is performed, and a 14v LN dissection is not done as a routine procedure. Thus, we investigated the rate of metastatic 14v LNs, evaluated the necessity of dissection of the 14v LN, and searched for indications of 14v LN dissection. Materials and Methods: From April 2004 to August 2005, we enrolled the patients who were diagnosed as having advanced gastric cancer in the distal third portion of the stomach. We peformed a distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection as defined in the 2nd English edition of the JGCA classification. We calculated the positive rate of metastatic LNs of each station and analyzed the relationship between the positive rates of No.6 LNs and 14v LNs. We also compared the positive 14v LN group with the negative 14v LN group. Results: The total number of patients was 50, the mean age was 56 (range $30{\sim}80$) years, and sex ratio (Male/Female) was 1.63 : 1. In 47 (94%) cases, distal a gastrectomy with gastroduodenostomy was done, and in the remaining 3 (6%) cases, a distal gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy was done. The most frequently metastatic LNs were nos. 3 and 6 (54%). The metastatic rate of the f4v LN was 10%, which was similar to that of LN no. 9. In the comparison of the 14v positive group with the 14v negative group, there were significant differences in the numbers of metastatic LNs (mean 25.4 vs 4.91, P<0.001) and the numbers of metastatic no. 6 LNs, (mean 6.8 vs 1.42, P<0.001), and if no. 6 LNs were metastatic, the possibility of metastasis to the 14v LN was 19.2%. In the 14v positive group, all cases were more than stage 3 by the UICC 6th edition. Conclusion: In cases of advanced cancer with metastasis to the no. 6 IN, there was a good chance of metastasis to the 14v LN. Thus, in the operative field, if the tumor is advanced to more than stage 3 by the UICC classification and the no. 6 LN is metastatic, a 14v LN dissection is necessary. However, the usefulness of a 14v LN dissection should be evaluated prospectively through an analysis of tumor recurrence and long-term survival.