• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.271-282
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate physiological activity of Robinia pseudo-acacia leaf and its skin penetration using polymer micelles and skin penetrating peptide. After extraction with Robinia pseudo-acacia using the ethanol and distilled water, various physiological activities were examined. The total concentration of polyphenol compounds was determined to be 47.42 mg/g (ethanol extract), 56.88 mg/g (hydrothermal extract) and DPPH radical scavenging ability at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ was 44.24% in ethanol extract and it is higher than value(41.50%) in hydrothermal extract. The elastase inhibitory assay showed concentration dependence and elastase inhibition of Robinia pseudo acacia leaf ethanol extract was 54.09%, which was the highest at $500{\mu}g/mL$. In the SOD-like experiments, the concentration-dependent results were showed and the SOD-like activity of the Robinia pseudo-acacia leaf ethanol extract was higher than that of the Robinia pseudo acacia leaf hydrothermal extract at all concentrations. At a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$, Robinia pseudo acacia leaf ethanol extract showed the highest SOD-like activity of 76.41%. The tyrosinase inhibition at $20{\mu}g/mL$ was determined to be 56.47% (ethanol extract), 23.05% (hydrothermal extract). In the antimicrobial experiments, the hydrothermal extract had no effect, but ethanol extract represented maximum clear zone of 11.00 mm in Propionbacterium acnes strain and maximum clear zone of 10.50 mm. in Bacillus subtilis strain. To solve the problem of insolubility and to improve skin penetration, PCL-PEG polymer micelles containing Robinia pseudo-acacia leaf ethanol extracts and 1.0% cell permeable peptide, hexa-D-arginine (R6) were successfully prepared with particle size of 108.23 and 126.47 nm and excellent skin permeation effects could be showed.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2019

Fruit ripening is a genetically programmed process involving a number of biochemical and physiological processes assisted by variations in gene expression and enzyme activities. This process generally affects the phytochemical profile and the bioactive principles in fruits and vegetables. To appraise the variation in bioactive principles of fruits from Rosa rugosa during its ripening process, we analyzed the changes in antioxidant and anti-elastase activities and polyphenolic compounds during the four ripening stages of fruits. Overall, an extract of unripe fruits contained the highest levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, radical scavenging activity, reducing power, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, and elastase inhibitory activity, compared with the extracts of fruits at other stages of ripening. Additionally, we found that the reduction of flavonoid content occurs because of decreased transcriptional levels of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway during the ripening process. Based on HPLC analysis, we found that the extract of unripe fruits contained the highest amount of myricetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid and suggested that the antioxidant and anti-elastase activities of the extract obtained from stage 1, should be mediated by the presence of these compounds. Additionally, we analyzed the interaction sites and patterns between these compounds and elastase using the structure-based molecular docking approach, and suggested that chlorogenic acid strongly interacted with elastase. Together, these findings suggest that the maturity of fruits has profound effects on the pharmaceutical value of R. rugosa.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.287-298
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• 2018

The zooplankton community and environmental factor were investigated on a weekly basis from March to November 2015 in Lake Paldang, Korea. The seasonal succession of zooplankton community structure was influenced by hydraulic and hydrological factors such as inflow, outflow and rainfall. However, the hydraulic retention time in 2015 (16.3 day) was affected by the periods of water shortage that had continued since 2014 and increased substantially compared to 2013 (7.3 day). Therefore, the inflow and outflow discharge were decreased, and the water quality (COD, BOD, TOC, TP, Chl-a) of Lake Paldang (St.1) was the same characteristics as the river type Bukhan river (St.3), compared with the lake type Namhan river (St.2) and Gyeongan stream (St.4). Zooplankton community dominated by rotifers (Keratella cochlearis, Synchaeta oblonga) in spring (March to May). However, Copepod (Nauplius) and Cladoceran (Bosmina longirostris) dominated in St.4. In summer (June to August), there was a few strong rainfall event and the highest number of individuals dominated by Keratella cochlearis (Rotifera) and Difflugia corona (Protozoa) were shown during the study period. In autumn (October to November), the water temperature was decreased with decrease in the total number of individuals showing Nauplius (Copepoda) as the dominant species. As a result of the statistical analysis about zooplankton variation in environmental factors, the continuous periods of water shortage increased the hydraulic retention time and showed different characteristic for each site. St.1, St.3 and St.2, St.4 are shown in the same group (p<0.05), showing the each characteristics of river type and lake type. Therefore, the water quality of catchment area and distribution of zooplankton community would be attributed to hydraulic and hydrological factors.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.311-321
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate effect of stream channel naturalness on ecological health by using environmental factors and Fish Assessment Index (FAI) in the Han River of South Korea. These samples and data have been released from the research project titled Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment, which was conducted in 444 sites in the Han river watershed from 2008 to 2016. All samples were classified into five groups according to a degree of morphological changes of stream. Water chemistry analyses indicated a decline in water quality by decreasing stream channel naturalness, it is assumed that channelized stream was vulnerable to aquatic pollution compared to the natural meandering stream. In the result of frequency of dominant species, sensitive species and insectivore such as Zacco koreanus, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Pungtungia herzi were frequently dominated in the natural meandering stream while tolerant species and omnivores such as Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio were more dominated in the channelized streams. The FAI in the channelized stream shows decline to average of $46{\pm}25$ compared with that of the natural meandering stream ($80{\pm}20$). The decrease in FAI was highly influenced by changes in matrixes of fish assemblage structure such as number of sensitive species (M3), portion of omnivores (M5) and insectivores (M6). Moreover, annual average FAIs from 2008 to 2016 were significantly correlated with water chemistry, especially TN, TP and BOD ($r^2=0.59$, p<0.0001). Taken together, all the results suggest that the stream channelization could negatively impact on the water quality and fish assemblage structure, leading to degradation in aquatic ecosystem health.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.331-344
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• 2018

Lotic organisms in streams are affected by natural and anthropogenic disturbances such as increase of heavy rainfall event caused by climate change and flow regime change caused by weir constructions. Based on domestic and foreign literature, 157 Korean benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were selected species as potential lotic candidates. Three shoreline sites (total 54 samples) were surveyed consecutively before ('08~'09), during ('10~'12) and after ('13~'16) the construction of the weirs (Gangcheon, Yeoju and Ipo weir) in the Namhan-River for tracing changes of lotic communities. As a result, water flow of the Ipo-wier and water quality variables such as T-N, T-P, BOD5, etc. of the weir section revealed no significant changes. Physical habitat conditions such as the flow velocity and streambed substrate evidently changed. Particulary, flow velocity measured at sampling points along with each microhabitat drastically decreased and particle size of streambed substrate steadily decreased after weir constructions. Lotic organisms also decreased after construction, especially Hydropsychidae (insecta: Trichoptera) acutely decreased from $3,526ind.\;m^{-2}$ to $2ind.\;m^{-2}$ As a result of CCA, lotic species such as Hydropsyche valvata, Hydropsyche kozhantschikovi, Cheumatopsyche brevilineata, Cheumatopsyche KUa, Macrostemum radiatum, etc. correlated with the flow velocity, streambed substrate. Therefore, the decrease of the flow velocity and substrate size after weir construction seemed to be closely related to the decrease of the individual abundances of the lotic organisms independently of water quality. In order to evaluate the influence of the ecosystem on the flow regime change more accurately, it is necessary to study the indicator species based on the resistance or preference of the flow.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.904-915
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• 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most metastatic tumor. Although hormone therapy or surgical castration is mostly conducted to treat PCa, it has a lot of side effects. Recently, many researchers have been exploring the tumor microenvironment to remedy these circumstances. Immune cells, especially macrophages, are an important composition of the tumor microenvironment. Under normal conditions, macrophages exhibit mild tumoricidal activity against tumors. However, once activated by interferon gamma or lipopolysaccharides, macrophages can kill cancer cells directly or indirectly by secreting cytokines and chemokines. In this study, murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were treated with Phellinus linteus extract. To analyze their pro-inflammatory phenotype, we were used several assays such as a real-time polymerase chain reaction, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent and nitric oxide assay. Prostate cancer cells were treated with the RAW 264.7-conditioned media, which was identified as a pro-inflammatory nature, for 48 h, and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was determined. Not only N-cadherin, Snail, Twist, Slug, and Cadherin 11, which are mechenchymal-related proteins, were decrease, but epithelial marker of E-cadherin was increased. In addition, the mRNA level of vimentin, ccl2, and vegfa were decreased, as the EMT is closely related to the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In conclusion, the RAW 264.7-conditioned media stimulated with P. linteus extract inhibited migration and invasion and regulated the EMT pathway in human prostate cancer cells.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.493-503
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• 2019

This study is composed of nine treatments [Control : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 1 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 2 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 7 cm, Treatment 3 :"neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+ vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 3 cm, Treatment 4 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 5 cm, Treatment 5 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 7 cm, Treatment 6 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$] +vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 7 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 8 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 7 cm] to find out the vegetation effects according to neutralizing layer types of the acid drainage slope. There were no significant differences observed in soil hardness and soil moisture content of neutralizing layer type while highly difference of moisture content was observed according to the neutralizing and vegetation layer thickness. As for soil acidity, strong acid was shown in the control, treatment 1 and treatment 2. Neutralizing effects were outstanding in treatments of 3, 4, 5 (cement treatment group), 6, 7 and 8 (limestone treatment group). Concerning plants growth characteristics, surface coverage rates, number of germinating woody plants, plant height, and plant root status, there were excellent effects observed in the experimental groups mixed with cement (treatments 3, 4 and 5) and limestone (treatments 6, 7 and 8). At the initial stage, however, plant roots were negatively affected in cement layer treatments of 3, 4 and 5. However, no difference was shown in each layer thickness on the acid drainage slope whereas 3~5 cm thickness neutralizing layer was appropriate in consideration of economic feasibility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the main environmental stresses deteriorating qualities as well as yields of food crops. This study was conducted to identify the effects of salt stress on dry matter ratio, glucose content, and mineral content and composition in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). METHODS AND RESULTS: Four potato varieties were grown in plastic pots (diameter 20 cm and height 25 cm) with three salinity levels (EC: 1.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dS/m) in a glasshouse. Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, starch, and glucose content in tubers harvested at 90 days after sowing were analyzed. Also, mineral contents (T-N, T-C, $P_2O_5$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$) in stem, leaf, and tuber were investigated and statistically analyzed for analysis of variance (ANOVA). Dry matter ratio, specific gravity, and starch content in tubers were reduced in all varieties as the salt concentration increased. Glucose content tended to decrease according to the salt concentration. In ANOVA analysis of mineral contents, there were significant differences in $K^+$ and $Mg^{2+}$ of leaf and stem, in $Na^+$ of leaf and tuber, and also in $Ca^{2+}$ of leaf by the interactions of variety and salinity. In the case of $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$, the stem was more sensitively influenced by the salt treatment than the leaf or the tuber. The $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ decreased in leaf, stem, and tuber of four varieties, as the salt concentration became higher. The decreasing level varied according to the varieties. 'Kroda' and 'Duback' maintained relatively higher $K^+/Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}/Na^+$ than 'Atlantic' or 'Goun' under the salt stress conditions. CONCLUSION: The composition and accumulation of minerals in potato plant as well as dry matter ratio, starch, and glucose contents were significantly influenced by salt stress. The respond patterns were different depending on the varieties and it was related to the salt tolerance among varieties.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2019

The goal of this study was to elucidate wild yeast diversity of Geumgang midstream near Sejong metropolitan autonomous city, Korea. Thirty-seven strains of 32 species of wild yeasts were isolated from 43 water and soil samples under the Bulti bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Seven yeasts of each Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. were the predominant species isolated from samples near the Bulti bridge. Holtermanniella takashimae SW048 (NNIBRFG9314), Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum SW013 (NNIBRFG9310), Mrakia cryoconite SW015 (NNIBRFG9316), Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 (NNIBRFG9326) and Cryptococcus aspenensis SW008 (NNIBRFG9309) represented novel yeast strains found in Korea for the first time. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except for Mrakia cryoconite SW015 had ascospores and grew well in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YPD), yeast extract-malt extract (YM) and potato-extrose (PD) media. Pichia sporocuriosa SW085 grew well in vitamin-free medium and Holtermanniella takashimae SW048, which was a halotolerant wild yeast, grew well YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl. Twenty-six strains representing eight species of wild yeast were isolated from 22 water and soil samples under the Haetmuri bridge of Sejong city, Korea. Candida pseudolambica (12 strains) and Aureobasidium pullulans (11 strains) were the predominant isolates from samples near the Haetmuri bridge. Occultifur kilbournensis HB060 (NNIBRFG9317), Sampaiozyma vanillica HB014 (NNIBRFG9332), Xenoramularia neerlandica HB039 (NNIBRFG9335), Candida norvegica HB315 (NNIBRFG9306), C. melibiosica HB316 (NNIBRFG9305), C. quercuum GB014 (NNIBRFG9307), and C. succiphila GB015 (NNIBRFG9308) represented novel yeast strains recorded in Korea for the first time. O. kilbournensis HB060 and X. neerlandica HB039 did not form ascospores or pseudo-mycelia. All of these previously unrecorded yeasts, except S. vanillica HB014 and X. neerlandica HB039, grew well in vitaminfree medium, and C. norvegica HB315 and C. succiphila GB015, which were halotolerant wild yeasts, which grew well in YPD medium containing 5 % NaCl.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2019

With an increasing demand of timber production, the use of heavy machinery in forest management has significantly increased, causing the changes of soil physical properties and the decline of long-term site productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of logging slash (non-slash, slash $7.3kg/m^2$, and slash $11.5kg/m^2$) and machine passes(harvester 1 pass and forwarder 1 to 10 passes) on soil physical properties at 10 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm soil depths in harvester and forwarder operations and also to estimate the degree of soil surface disturbance. The results indicated that soil bulk density in the non-slash treatment site increased 10 %~29 % (25~139 % in soil penetration resistance) at all soil depths, compared with the slash treatment site(slash $11.5kg/m^2$). Therefore, the creation of a slash mat could be an effective way to minimize the changes of soil physical properties. In addition, 92 % of total soil compaction in slash treatment site was created within harvester 1 pass and forwarder 5 passes. In non-slash treatment site, 84 % of total soil compaction was created within first harvester and forwarder passes. The results showed that slash treatment was effective to reduce soil compaction caused by machine passes and also it is necessary to create designed forwarding trails for minimizing soil compaction area at timber harvesting sites.