• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2016

Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle (Korean name, ‘Doraji’) is a perennial plant containing various triterpenoid saponins. The roots of this plant have traditionally been used as a food material in Korea. Here, we prepared a fermented P. grandiflorum extract (PG). Although it was previously reported that P. grandiflorum A. extract has a variety of physiological functionalities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, little is known about its vascular functions. In this study, we executed a series of experiments to identify the effect of PG on endothelial cells. PG at a high concentration (100 μg/ml) was found to induce cell detachment, whereas PG at a low concentration (0.1 μg/ml) appeared to promote cell proliferation and migration in bovine aortic endothelial cells. The cell detachment induced by the high concentration was not associated with cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. In addition, we found that PG at the high concentration formed a small vesicular structure called an endothelial microparticle (EMP). The EMP was prepared by centrifugal fractionation and determined with flow cytometry and a microscope. Interestingly, PG-induced cell detachment was found to be mediated by EMP. We furthermore determined that PG at the low concentration activated Akt, a crucial cell-signaling molecule, and then controlled cell proliferation and migration. Overall, our findings suggest that PG at low doses maintains vascular stability by promoting endothelial cell proliferation, and enhances the efficacy of wound healing by cell proliferation and migration activity.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2012

A major concern regarding the collection and storage of biodiversity information is the inefficiency of conventional taxonomic approaches in dealing with a large number of species. This inefficiency has increased the demand for automated, rapid, and reliable molecular identification systems and large-scale biological databases. DNA-based taxonomic approaches are now arguably a necessity in biodiversity studies. In particular, DNA barcoding using short DNA sequences provides an effective molecular tool for species identification. We constructed a large-scale database system that holds a collection of 5531 barcode sequences from 2429 Korean species. The Korea Barcode of Life database (KBOL, http://koreabarcode.org) is a web-based database system that is used for compiling a high volume of DNA barcode data and identifying unknown biological specimens. With the KBOL system, users can not only link DNA barcodes and biological information but can also undertake conservation activities, including environmental management, monitoring, and detecting significant organisms.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2000

Three antimicrobial compounds (SL-l, SL-2 and SL-3) were isolated and identified from the marine red alga, Symphyocladia latiuscula. In addition, their biological functionalities such as cytotoxicity and desmutagenic activity were investigated. From the cryophyllized S. JatiuscuJa, SL-l, SL-2 and SL-3 were purified by solvent extractions and HPLC.SL-2 was crystallized in benzene-diethyl ether solvent. On the EI-MS spectra, it was found that they had three bromines in their structure which showed typical signal strength ratios at $M^+, [M+2]^+, [M+4]^+, [M+6]^+ (13: 38: 37: 12)$. $SL-l$ was identified as 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol ($C_8H_7Br_3O_3, MW=374$) by NMR and MS spectra. SL-2 was assigned as 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether ($C_8H_7Br_3O_3, MW=388$) and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. SL-3 was presumed as an isomer of SL-2. Methanol extract of the S. latiuscula showed antimicrobial activities against all strains tested (bacteria, 15 strains; yeasts, 17 strains; fungi, 4 strains), much or less. The strongest inhibition activity of the methanol extract was to the Vibrio mimicus ($50 {\mu}g/ml$) and V. vulnificus ($50 {\mu}g/ml$). The mice injected intraperitoneally with 3 mg of SL-l and 5 mg of 5L-2 showed no acute toxicity response. SL-2 showed higher desmutagenic activity than SL-l against PhIP and MeIQx.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.61-87
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• 2016

Germany has carried out its environment friendly energy policy to prevent $CO_2$ emission that affects directly to the global warming phenomenon. Based on this direction, it has performed a sustainable development strategy through the R & D activities in environment and energy technologies. Accordingly, the core elements of German energy and sustainable development policies are renewable energy, ecological energy tax, and emission trading system. In particular, Germany has supported to develop renewable energy resources that prevents from consuming fossil energy resources. At the same time, it has set the ecological energy tax and initiated the emission trading system in order to support the renewable energy policy continuously. This paper analyze whether or not it is possible to generate an economic growth and a sustainable development while using renewable energy resources based on the renewable energy policy that minimize the negative effects on the environment. For that, the paper adopts Germany as a model country. In fact, it is possible to achieve the economic growth and the sustainable development if a nation can substitute increasing energy consumption for the economic growth to renewable energy resources that does not affect to the environment negatively. This model is the German energy policy and sustainable development strategy, and it is the purpose of the paper to prove it logically.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.292-300
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• 2012

We report the expression, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase (AnsA) from Rhizobium etli. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity in a single-step procedure involving affinity chromatography, and the kinetic parameters $K_m$, $V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ for L-asparagine were determined. The enzymatic activity in the presence of a number of substrates and metal ions was investigated. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 47 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed a maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$, but the optimal temperature of activity was $37^{\circ}C$. It also showed maximal and optimal activities at pH 9.0. The values of $K_m$, $V_{max}$, $k_{cat}$, and $k_{cat}/K_m$ were $8.9{\pm}0.967{\times}10^{-3}$ M, $128{\pm}2.8$ U/mg protein, $106{\pm}2s^{-1}$, and $1.2{\pm}0.105{\times}10^4M^{-1}s^{-1}$, respectively. The L-asparaginase activity was reduced in the presence of $Mn^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ metal ions for about 52% to 31%. In addition, we found that $NH_4{^+}$, L-Asp, D-Asn, and ${\beta}$-aspartyl-hydroxamate in the reaction buffer reduced the activity of the enzyme, whereas L-Gln did not modify its enzymatic activity. This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the L-asparaginase (AnsA) from R. etli. Phylogenetic analysis of asparaginases reveals an increasing group of known sequences of the Rhizobial-type asparaginase II family.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic fermentation by comparing the skin antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of non-fermented (ARE) and fermented (ARE-F) hot water extracts of Agastache rugosa leaves. ARE-F was obtained via ARE fermentation using Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9. In vitro, anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by analyzing the levels of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. In vitro antiradical activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Attenuation of LPS-stimulated NO (p < 0.01), ROS (p < 0.001) and iNOS (p < 0.05) levels by ARE-F was significantly stronger than that by ARE in HaCaT keratinocytes. However, no differences were observed between the DPPH radical scavenging activities of ARE and ARE-F. ARE-F possesses enhanced skin antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that probiotic bacterial fermentation can be considered an effective tool for augmenting some pharmacological properties of A. rugosa leaves. In brief, the skin antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of A. rugosa leaf extract are augmented by the fermentation with L. rhamnosus HK-9, a probiotic bacterium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.292-296
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• 2009

Tyrosinase catalyzes melanin synthesis in skin melanocytes. The effects of Paeonia sufficinalis water extract (MDP) on antioxidant and tyrosinase activities have been studied in a cell-free system and mouse melanoma B16 cell. Radical scavenging activity of MDP was tested by DPPH assay and it showed high DPPH radical scavenging activity. The cellular tyrosinase activity was measured in mouse melanoma B16 cell by RT-PCR and enzyme activity. Treatment with MDP for 24 hr resulted in decreased tyrosinase mRNA level. Tyrosinase activity was decreased, compared with control, in cells exposed to MDP. Thus, Paeonia sufficinalis water extracts may be a candidate for cosmetic use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1478-1484
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• 2009

The antioxidant, antiproliferation, and nitrate synthesis inhibitory effects of Magnolia denudata extracts (ME) were evaluated. The ME was extracted with 70% (v/v) ethanol and fractionated with solvents of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-buthanol and aqueous. The ethyl acetate fraction contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents of 427.10 mg garlic acid eq/g and 356.05 mg catechin eq/g, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with a 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 0.20 mg/mL and total antioxidant activity was 0.90 mg AA eq/100 mg. From the results of cytotoxic effects of HCT116, NCL-H460, and HepG2 human cancer cells by MTT assay on the ME and its solvent fraction, chloroform fraction showed the highest cytotoxic effect ($IC_{50}$ value: 0.14, 0.37, and 0.41 mg/mL, respectively). Nitrate synthesis inhibitory effect of ME and its solvent fractions on nitric oxide synthase activity in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were decreased in dose-dependent manners, and $IC_{50}$ value of hexane and chloroform fractions were 0.39 and 0.49 mg/mL, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.385-393
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• 2007

Much research is conducted on the biological activities of medicinal herbs, traditional plants, and agricultural products, cultivated in Korea. This study focused on optimization of hot-water extraction methods for such products, by analyzing and monitoring extraction characteristics using a response surface methodology. We found that the total phenolics contents, electron-donating abilities, and nitrite-scavenging abilities of extracts were significantly affected both by the solvent used for extraction, and by the nature of the particular herb or plant under study. The extraction efficiencies of valuable ingredients such as alliin, allicin, and total thiosulfinate, were greatly affected by extraction temperature, but not by extraction time or the solvent used. We elicited a regression formula for each variable. We first entered the optimal values of all extraction conditions giving active ingredients into the model. Next, we entered the optimal values of all extraction conditions favoring the retention of valuable antioxidant characteristics. Finally, we entered processing factors into the model. Overall, the optimal extraction was at $80^{\circ}C$ for 3.5 hr with 8.5 ml of solvent/g of sample. The predicted values of each variable were similar to the actual values.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.438-453
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• 2009

Attracting advanced foreign enterprises into the less-developed regions has gained increasing importance as a regional development strategy in Korea. This study critically examines the foreign-direct investment-led regional development strategy of Wales, United Kingdom. Despite a high FDI inflow in manufacturing, the Welsh regional economy has suffered from specialization in low-skilled assembly with limited R&D activities, insufficient linkage with local domestic suppliers, and violent fluctuation in local employment in response to changes within the global business environment. This tendency shows that the foreign-invested companies have neither locally embedded themselves enough nor created the external agglomeration economies in the region. At the same time, the Welsh local government's excessive dependence on financial incentives packages to induce multinationals, rather than effort to create regional innovative capacity, has resulted in a sizable fiscal loss, an abused local planning process, and subordination of the local government's major administrative decision-making on foreign investors. The Welsh FDI case suggests that an effective FDI attraction policy should include inter-regional cooperation and coordination in the inward investment attraction procedure, a comprehensive land use planning process, and state-level concrete governance on FDI.