• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of different concentration of ethanol extraction on the total phenol and flavonoid contents and physiological activities. The total phenol content of the extracts ranged from 35.54 to 71.52 mg GAE/g. An increase in the ethanol concentration of the solvent led to an increase in the phenol content, with the highest content being found in the 80 and 99.5% ethanol extract. The same trend was observed for flavonoid content. DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and TEAC, FRAP and ORAC were measured by antioxidant assay. Radical scavenging activity of aqueous ethanol extracts was better than that of water and 99.5% ethanol extracts. TEAC and FRAP were highly dependent on ethanol concentration and ORAC showed high activity in 40 ~ 80% ethanol extract. Antioxidant activity of Dolwoe leaves tea showed different results among the assay systems. In most experiments, the activities of water and 99.5% ethanol extracts was relatively low. ${\alpha}$-Glucosidase inhibitory activity and microorganism inhibitory activity were highest in the 80% and 99.5% ethanol extracts. Therefore, it was considered that extraction with 80% ethanol was appropriate when considering the antioxidative and physiological activities of Dolwoe leaves tea. Based on these results, it can be used as a basic data for the development of food of Dolwoe leaves tea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Acanthamoeba infections remain incompletely understood. Phospholipases are known to cleave phospholipids, suggesting their possible involvement in the host cell plasma membrane disruption leading to host cell penetration and lysis. The aims of the present study were to determine phospholipase activities in Acanthamoeba and to determine their roles in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba. Using an encephalitis isolate (T1 genotype), a keratitis isolate (T4 genotype), and an environmental isolate (T7 genotype), we demonstrated that Acanthamoeba exhibited phospholipase $A_2$ (PLA$_2$). and phospholipase D (PLD) activities in a spectrophotometry-based assay. Interestingly, the encephalitis isolates of Acanthamoeba exhibited higher phospholipase activities as compared with the keratitis isolates, but the environmental isolates exhibited the highest phospholipase activities. Moreover, Acanthamoeba isolates exhibited higher PLD activities compared with the PLA$_2$. Acanthamoeba exhibited optimal phospholipase activities at $37^{\circ}C$ and at neutral pH indicating their physiological relevance. The functional role of phospholipases was determined by in vitro assays using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), which constitute the blood-brain barrier. We observed that a PLD-specific inhibitor, i.e., compound 48/80, partially inhibited Acanthamoeba encephalitis isolate cytotoxicity of the host cells, while PLA$_2$-specific inhibitor, i.e., cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, had no effect on parasite-mediated HBMEC cytotoxicity. Overall, the T7 exhibited higher phospholipase activities as compared to the T4. In contract, the T7 exhibited minimal binding to, or cytotoxicity of, HBMEC.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.445-454
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• 2019

This study was conducted to find out physical changes in the blood pressure and saliva cortisol of patients with high blood pressure and diabetes after participating in agro-healing activities. The saliva cortisol and blood pressure of 14 males and females aged 49.79±10.48 on average were measured after participating in agro-healing activities. The saliva collection system was used, and their satisfaction level for the program was also surveyed. Changes in the values before and after participating in the agro-healing activities were compared and analyzed. The cortisol concentration, a stress hormone, was reduced from 6.76nmol/L before the program to 4.86nmol/L after the program, down by 1.9nmol/L, which was a statistically significant difference (z=-3.170, p<.01). In addition, the cortisol concentration was gradually reduced through the entire program from Session 1 to Session 7. Changes in the blood pressure of subjects before and after participating in agro-healing activities were examined, and the total systolic and diastolic blood pressure continuously decreased after participating in agro-healing activities through the entire program from Session 1 to Session 7. Their systolic blood pressure was reduced statistically significantly (z=-1.947, p<.05). Also, participants' satisfaction was analyzed and it was found that more than 95% of participants answered 'satisfied' and 'very satisfied' with agro-healing activities. Therefore, these results indicate that agro-healing activities performed in the healing-farm had a positive impact on the cortisol concentration and blood pressure of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, their high satisfaction for this program seemed to improve the psychological and physiological conditions of subjects.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.647-655
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• 2014

Obesity is strongly associated with several metabolic and chronic diseases and has become a major public health problem of worldwide concern. This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Q180. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was isolated from the faces of healthy adults and found to have a lipase inhibitory activity of $83.61{\pm}2.32%$ and inhibited adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($14.63{\pm}1.37%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. The strain was investigated for its physiological characteristics. The optimum growth temperature of L. plantarum Q180 was $37^{\circ}C$. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 showed higher sensitivity to novobiocin in a comparison of fifteen different antibiotics and showed the highest resistance to rifampicin, polymyxin B and vancomycin. The strain showed higher ${\beta}$-galactosidase and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-glucosaminidase activities. It also did not produce carcinogenic enzymes such as ${\beta}$-glucuronidase. The survival rate of L. plantarum Q180 in MRS broth containing 0.3% bile was 97.8%. Moreover, the strain showed a 97.2% survival rate after incubation for 3 h in pH 2.0. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was displayed resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 55.6%, 38.0% and 47.6%, respectively. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum Q180 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1998

We compared absorption and adsorption rates of air pollutants by plants to eveluate the difference of absorption capacity of plant species and kinds of air pollutants, when foilage plants were exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ singly and combiningly. Absorption and adsorption rates of three foliage plants exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ singly and in combination varied a little according to plant species and kinds of air pollutants. But total absorption rate of Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina was higher, and it was lower in Pachira aquatica. When exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ at the same concentration, Pachira aquatica absorbed more $O_3$ than $SO_2$, in contrast to Ficus benjamina absorbing more $SO_2$. On the other hand, Spathiphyllum patinii absorbed as much $O_3$ as $SO_2$. Physiological activities were measured since absorption rates were affected by physiological characteristics of plants. Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina showed higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates, and Pachira aquatica showed lower values. And diffusive and stomatal resistences of Pachira aquatica were higher than those of two other species. These results showed that absorption capacity was affected by the differences of physiological characteristics. Absorption capacity of air pollutants increased in plants, such as Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina, which had high $SO_2$ absorption rate. We found that plants showing high $CO_2$ absorption rates absorb a lot of air pollutnats.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.554-569
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum K10. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitory activity, ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity, and lipase inhibitory activity of L. plantarum K10 was $94.66{\pm}4.34%$, $99.78{\pm}0.12%$, and $87.40{\pm}1.41%$, respectively. Moreover, the strain inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($32.61{\pm}8.32%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. In order to determine its potential for use as a probiotic, we investigated the physiological characteristics of L. plantarum K10. L. plantarum K10 was resistant to gentamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and chloramphenicol. It also showed higher Leucine arylamidase, Valine arylamidase, and ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activities. Moreover, it was comparatively tolerant to bile juice and acid, exhibiting resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 90.71%, 11.86%, 14.19%, and 23.08%, respectively. The strain did not produce biogenic amines and showed higher adhesion to HT-29 cells compared to L. rhamnosus GG. As a result of the animal study, L. plantarum K10 showed significantly lower body weight compared to the high-fat diet group. The administration of L. plantarum K10 resulted in a reduction of subcutaneous fat mass and mesenteric fat mass compared to the high-fat diet (HFD) group. L. plantarum K10 also showed improvement in gut permeability compared to the HFD positive control group. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum K10 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.335-340
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• 2016

The objective of the present investigation was to obtain vitamin, mineral, flavonoid, and polyphenol profiles of Rudbeckia laciniata (RL), and to examine the effects of extract of RL (RLE) on various physiological activities of HaCaT keratinocyte for the utilization of RL as natural raw materials to develop functional food. To accomplish this purpose, we checked the contents of the general nutrients of RL. The contents of vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$ and vitamin $B_2$ were $7.49{\mu}g/g$, $51.96{\mu}g/g$, and $132{\mu}g/g$ respectively, while vitamin C and vitamin $D_3$ were not detected. The contents of mineral such as Ca, K and Fe were 2.01 mg/g, 6.06 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g respectively. Total flavonoid contents of RLE were 0.25 mg/g, and total polyphenol were estimated as 1.43 mg/g. Because RL contains high levels of vitamin A which is associated with skin aging, we investigated the effect of RLE on physiological function of keratinocytes with respect to skin aging. We found that RLE significantly increased the growth rate of HaCaT cells and reduced ultraviolet radiation B (UVB)-induced cellular toxicity. Also, the extract of Rudbeckia laciniata attenuated the UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells. In addition, treatment with the extract dose-dependently increased migration activity of HaCaT cells. Thus, these findings indicated that RLE could regulate the physiological activity of keratinocytes, and may be used to develop functional foods.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.429-439
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study verified the physiological and psychological effects of plant fragrance therapy to analyze whether the therapy has a forest healing effect on maladjusted soldiers. Methods: This study was conducted from March 14 to May 31, 2020 according to the Green Camp curriculum for 2 weeks per recruit class. Thus, plant fragrance therapy was implemented twice each for three recruit classes. Each session of the program was carried out for 4 hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The venue was the garden within the camp and the forest nearby. Forest healing activities using plant fragrances were led by 1 forest education specialist and 1 assistant. The effects of plant fragrance therapy for maladjusted soldiers were analzed analyzed by quantifying physiological and psychological changes through measuring brain waves and stress levels before and after the therapy. Results: As a result of analyzing BRQ and SQ to determine the physiological and psychological healing effect of plant fragrance therapy, both the left and right brain showed higher BRQ and SQ after the therapy with statistical significance. This indicates that plant fragrance therapy on maladjusted soldiers helped positively stabilize their negative psychological and behavioral dispositions, and stabilization of brain waves lowered physical and mental stress and improved self-regulation and immunity. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in ATO. This is the result of analyzing the stress-coping mechanism. Troubleshooting (t = -2.702, df = 61, p = .009), emotional remission (t = -2.173, df = 61, p = .034), pursuit of help (t = -3.286), df = 61, p = .002), and wishful thinking (t = -3.714, df = 61, p < .001) showed statistically significant results. Conclusion: Applying plant fragrance therapy to maladjusted soldiers positively stabilized their negative psychological and behavioral dispositions and helped their self-regulation. Thus, plant fragrance therapy has psychological and physical forest healing effect on maladjusted soldiers.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2024

This study investigates the physiological and psychological effects of a nature-based outdoor activity program in an environment reflecting the characteristics of forest and coastal areas on 30 firefighters (average age: 40.4 ± 9.8 years) who are frequently exposed to dangerous situations. Blood pressure, pulse pressure, and heart rate variability were used as physiological measurement indicators, and the Korean versions of PANAS (positive affect and negative affect schedule), WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale), and PRS (perceived restorativeness scale) were used as psychological measurement indicators. For four days and three nights, the participants experienced programs at Hallyeohaesang Nature Center and the surrounding mountains, seas, and islands, utilizing forest resources such as trekking on forest trails, walking barefoot, taking aromatic footbaths, meditating in forest oxygen domes, and lying on relaxation chairs, and programs utilizing marine resources such as taking a boat to an island, walking on forest trails with seascape views, and sailing on a yacht. Participants' systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure decreased, and participants' positive emotions increased and negative emotions decreased after the program. There was a statistically significant increase in mental well-being and perceived restorative environment. Through this study, it was found that nature-based outdoor activity programs based on forest and marine resources are effective in physiological and psychological stability of firefighters. It is hoped that the results of this study will be applied to other high-risk workers for PTSD, who have high stress levels, by combining forest healing and marine healing, and expanding the scope and diversity of programs in more diverse environments and conditions.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2011

The physiological properties of oak mistletoe slice extracts were investigated. The total polyphenol content of mistletoe extracts was 50.28-109-69 mg%, depending on extraction conditions. The polyphenol content increased as extract concentration rose (25 mL/g>50 mL/g>100 mL/g). The electron-donating ability (EDA) of the 60% (v/v) ethanolic extract was 68.88% at 25 mL/g; this was the highest value of all extracts tested (p<0.05). The SOD-like activities of water, 30%, 60%, and 90% (all v/v) ethanolic extracts were 15.24-30.84% lower than those of 1.0% and 0.1% (both w/v) L-ascorbate solutions. Tyrosinase inhibitory activities of all samples were 3.40-30.92% lower than those of 1.0% and 0.1% (both w/v) L-ascorbate solutions. Nitrite-scavenging abilities measured at pH 1.2 and pH 3.0 were highest when the water, and the 30%, 60% and 90% (all v/v) ethanolic extracts, were tested. The results expand our understanding of the physiological properties of oak mistletoe slice extracts.