• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.234-241
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• 2023

At present, many countries around the world are legalizing cannabis and its products, and research on various treatments using cannabis is being actively conducted. However, the cannabis plant contains other compounds whose biological effects have not yet been established. We investigated the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on hair growth in human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs). 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays were performed to determine the antioxidant activity of CBD. The HDPCs viability of CBD was examined via water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. The expression of hair-loss-related markers in HDPCs by CBD treatment was analyzed by real-time PCR and western blotting. The DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity assay showed that CBD had superior antioxidant activities. In HDPCs, CBD increased cellular proliferation at concentrations without cytotoxicity. It also increased the expressions of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF). These results correlated with a decrease in the expression of inhibition-related factors, such as androgen receptor (AR) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-B1). Moreover, CBD resulted in a significant increase in the phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Therefore, it is suggested that CBD may be a potential remedy for the treatment of alopecia.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2023

This study was carried for the purpose of using basic data for vegetation management plans by analyzing the current status of herbaceous community and Salix spp. community at Janghang Wetland in Han-river estuary. In order to investigate the vegetation status, the 50 plots were investigated and analyzed using the quadrat and Braun-Branquet method. In the herbaceous community, were found a total of 31 taxa of 11 families, 24 genera, 28 species, and 3 variants. A total of 42 taxa of 16 families, 33 genera, 39 species and 3 variants were appeared in the Salix subfragilis community, and a total of 46 taxa with classification of 19 families, 37 genera, 43 species, and 3 varieties were founded in the Salix koreensis community. As for the analysis of life-form and dominance, the hydatophytes was relatively high in the Salix subfragilis community, the hemicryptothytes was high in herbaceous community and therophytes was high in Salix koreensis community. As a result of correlation analysis of electrical conductivity(EC) and exchangeable sodium(Na+) in the soil, hydatophytes and hemicryptothytes showed a negative correlation, and therophytes showed a positive correlation. Therefore, it was analyzed that Salix koreensis and therophytes have a high rate of appearance in relatively dry and salty soil. Salix subfragilis, hydatophytes, and hemicryptothytes have a high rate of appearance in low salt concentrations and wet areas.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.347-359
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) as a storage medium for avulsed teeth. Materials and Methods: The viability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells stored in Hank's balanced salt solution and PDRN solutions (concentrations, 10, 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL) and tap water was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and Live/Dead assays. In addition, Nitric oxide detection and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of PDRN. Results: The viability of PDL cells stored in a 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solution was significantly higher than that of cells stored in the other solutions (p < 0.01). Furthermore, cells stored in 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solution demonstrated a significantly reduced NO production (p < 0.0001), and cells stored in 50 and 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solutions expressed significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL) -4, IL-6, and IL-10 (p < 0.01) compared to cells stored in HBSS. Conclusion: The PDRN solution exhibited cell-preserving and anti-inflammatory effects on the PDL cells. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for further experiments directed at the development of an effective storage medium for avulsed teeth.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.39-50
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• 2009

Objectives : Smilacis glabrae rhizoma (SG) has been traditionally used as a herbal medication of musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, pain, convulsions, and syphilis in traditional Korean medicine. This study was investigated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of fractionated extracts of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC). Methods : SG extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of SG onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymethoxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were confirmed by western blot. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results : Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially ethyl acetate (EA) extract, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the TNF-$\alpha$-induced intracellular oxidation. Furthermore, the EA extract protected TNF-$\alpha$-induced adhesion to THP-1, expression of adhesion molecules accompanied by an attenuation of IL-6 and IL-8 formation in HUVEC. Conclusions : These results indicate that EA extract of SG have potential as an agent of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2024

Hi Air Korea and Hanwha ocean are currently developing an Onboard Carbon dioxide Capture System (OCCS) to absorb CO₂ emitted from ship's engine using a sodium hydroxide(NaOH) solution, and converting the resulting salt into a solid form through a chemical reaction with calcium oxide (CaO). The system process involves the following steps; 1)The reaction of CO₂ gas absorption in water, 2)The reaction between carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and NaOH solution to produce carbonate or bicarbonate, and 3)The reaction between carbonate or bicarbonate and CaO to form calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). And ultimately, the solid material, CaCO₃, is separated and discharged using a separator. The OCCS has been installed on an ship and the test results have confirmed significant reduction effects of CO₂ in the ship's exhaust gas. A portion of the exhaust gas emitted from the engine was transferred to the OCCS using a blower. The flow rate of the transferred gas ranged from 800 to 1384 m³/hr, and the CO₂ concentration in the exhaust gas was 5.1 vol% for VLSFO, 3.7 vol% for LNG and a 12 wt% NaOH solution was used. The results showed a CO₂ capture efficiency of approximately 42.5 to 64.1 vol% and the CO₂ capture rate approximately 48.4 to 52.2kg/hr. Additionally, to assess the impact of the discharged CaCO₃on the marine ecosystem, we conducted "marine ecotoxicity test" and performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate the dispersion and dilution of the discharged effluent.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.418-430
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• 2024

Objective : Isoflurane, a widely used common inhalational anesthetic agent, can induce brain toxicity. The challenge lies in protecting neurologically compromised patients from neurotoxic anesthetics. Choline alfoscerate (L-α-Glycerophosphorylcholine, α-GPC) is recognized for its neuroprotective properties against oxidative stress and inflammation, but its optimal therapeutic window and indications are still under investigation. This study explores the impact of α-GPC on human astrocytes, the most abundant cells in the brain that protect against oxidative stress, under isoflurane exposure. Methods : This study was designed to examine changes in factors related to isoflurane-induced toxicity following α-GPC administration. Primary human astrocytes were pretreated with varying doses of α-GPC (ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 µM) for 24 hours prior to 2.5% isoflurane exposure. In vitro analysis of cell morphology, water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, proteome profiler array, and transcriptome sequencing were conducted. Results : A significant morphological damage to human astrocytes was observed in the group that had been pretreated with 10.0 mM of α-GPC and exposed to 2.5% isoflurane. A decrease in cell viability was identified in the group pretreated with 10.0 µM of α-GPC and exposed to 2.5% isoflurane compared to the group exposed only to 2.5% isoflurane. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that mRNA expression of heme-oxygenase 1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, which were reduced by isoflurane, was further suppressed by 10.0 µM α-GPC pretreatment. The proteome profiler array demonstrated that α-GPC pretreatment influenced a variety of factors associated with apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing identified pathways significantly related to changes in isoflurane-induced toxicity caused by α-GPC pretreatment. Conclusion : The findings suggest that α-GPC pretreatment could potentially enhance the vulnerability of primary human astrocytes to isoflurane-induced toxicity by diminishing the expression of antioxidant factors, potentially leading to amplified cell damage.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2007

In order to understand biogeochemical cycles of organic carbon in the permeable intertidal sandy sediments of the Nakdong estuary, we estimated the organic carbon production and consumption rates both in situ and in the laboratory. The Chl-a content of the sediment and the nutrient concentrations in below surface pore water in the sandy sediment were lower than in the muddy sediment. The sediment oxygen consumption rates were relatively high, especially when compared with rates reported from other coastal muddy sediments with higher organic carbon contents. This implied that both the organic carbon degradation and material transport in the sandy sediment were enhanced by advection-related process. The simple mass balance estimation of organic carbon fluxes showed that the major sources of carbon in the sediment would originate from benthic microalgae and detrital organic carbon derived from salt marsh. The daily natural biocatalzed filtration, extrapolated from filtration rates and the total area of the Nakdong estuary, was one order higher than the maximum capability of sewage plants in Busan metropolitan city. This implies that the sandy sediment contributes greatly to biogeochemical purification in the area, and is important for the re-distribution of materials in the coastal environment.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.13-44
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• 1982

1. Since long time ago, it has been talked about that soaking wood into water for a long time would be profitable for the decreasing of defects such as checking, cupping and bow due to the undue-shrinking and swelling. There are, however, no any actual data providing this fact definitly, although there are some guesses that water soluble extractives might effect on this problem. On the other hand, this is a few work which has been done about the effect of water soluble extractives upon the some physical properties of wood and that it might be related to the above mentioned problem. If man does account for that whether soaking wood into water for a long time would be profitable for the decreasing of defects due to the undue-shrinking and swelling in comparison with unsoaking wood or not, it may bring a great contribution on the reasonable uses of wood. To account for the effect of water soluble extractives upon physical properties of wood, this study has been made at the wood technology laboratory, School of Forestry, Yale university, under competent guidance of Dr. F. F. Wangaard, with the following three different species which had been provided at the same laboratory. 1. Pinus strobus 2. Quercus borealis 3. Hymenaea courbaril 2. The physical properties investigated in this study are as follows. a. Equilibrium moisture content at different relative humidity conditions. b. Shrinkage value from gre condition to different relative humidity conditions and oven dry condition. c. Swelling value from oven dry condition to different relative humidity conditions. d. Specific gravity 3. In order to investigate the effect of water soluble extractives upon physical properties of wood, the experiment has been carried out with two differently treated specimens, that is, one has been treated into water and the other into sugar solution, and with controlled specimens. 4. The quantity of water soluble extractives of each species and the group of chemical compounds in the extracted liquid from each species have shown in Table 36. Between species, there is some difference in quantity of extractives and group of chemical compounds. 5. In the case of equilibrium moisture contents at different relative humidity condition, (a) Except the desorption case at 80% R. H. C. (Relative Humidity Condition), there is a definite line between untreated specimens and treated specimens that is, untreated specimens hold water more than treated specimens at the same R.H.C. (b) The specimens treated into sugar solution have shown almost the same tendency in results compared with the untreated specimens. (c) Between species, there is no any definite relation in equilibrium moisture content each other, however E. M. C. in heartwood of pine is lesser than in sapwood. This might cause from the difference of wood anatomical structure. 6. In the case of shrinkage, (a) The shrinkage value of the treated specimen into water is more than that of the untreated specimens, except anyone case of heartwood of pine at 80% R. H. C. (b) The shrinkage value of treated specimens in the sugar solution is less than that of the others and has almost the same tendency to the untreated specimens. It would mean that the penetration of some sugar into the wood can decrease the shrinkage value of wood. (c) Between species, the shrinkage value of heartwood of pine is less than sapwood of the same, shrinkage value of oak is the largest, Hymenaea is lesser than oak and more than pine. (d) Directional difference of shrinkage value through all species can also see as other all kind of species previously tested. (e) There is a definite relation in between the difference of shrinkage value of treated and untreated specimens and amount of extractives, that is, increasing extractives gives increasing the difference of shrinkage value between treated and untreated specimens. 7. In the case of swelling, (a) The swelling value of treated specimens is greater than that of the untreated specimens through all cases. (b) In comparison with the tangential direction and radial direction, the swelling value of tangential direction is larger than that of radial direction in the same species. (c) Between species, the largest one in swelling values is oak and the smallest pine heartwood, there are also a tendency that species which shrink more swell also more and, on the contrary, species which shrink lesser swell also lesser than the others. 8. In the case of specific gravity, (a) The specific gravity of the treated specimens is larger than that of untreated specimens. This reversed value between treated and untreated specimens has been resulted from the volume of specimen of oven dry condition. (b) Between species, there are differences, that is, the specific gravity of Hymenaea is the largest one and the sapwood of pine is the smallest. 9. Through this investigation, it has been concluded that soaking wood into plain water before use without any special consideration may bring more hastful results than unsoaking for use of wood. However soaking wood into the some specially provided solutions such as salt water or inorganic matter may be dissolved in it, can be profitable for the decreasing shrinkage and swelling, checking, shaking and bow etc. if soaking wood into plain water might bring the decreasing defects, it might come from even shrinking and swelling through all dimension.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.110-123
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• 2008

The use of CCA as a wood preservative was recently inhibited due to its environmental pollution and human harmfulness. Instead of CCA, copper azole (CuAz) and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) have been used as alternative wood preservatives, but the price of the preservatives is much more expensive than that of CCA. As a substitute for high-priced CuAz and ACQ, environmentally friendly wood preservatives were formulated with okara, which is an organic waste from the production of tofu. Prior to formulating the preservatives, okara was hydrolyzed by three levels of sulfuric acid concentration (1, 2.5 and 5%) to easily penetrate the effective components of the preservatives into wood blocks. Final preservative solutions were formulated with the hydrolyzed okara and metal salts, such as copper sulfate, copper chloride and borax. The preservatives were treated into wood blocks by vacuum-pressure method to measure the treatability of the preservatives, and the treated wood blocks were placed in hot water for three days to measure the leachability of the preservatives. The effective components of the preservatives might be successfully penetrated into wood blocks through the uses of hydrolyzed okara and ammonia water. However, the leached amount of effective components was increased as the concentration of acid used for the hydrolysis of okara increased. The treatability and leachability of the preservatives were not affected by hydrolysis temperature but negatively affected by the addition of borax. Based on the results above, the optimal conditions for formulating okara-based wood preservatives cost-effectively and environmentally might be 1% acid hydrolysis of okara and the use of $CuCl_2$ as a metal salt. In addition, the treatability and leachability of okara-based wood preservatives were superior or no differences comparing with those of CuAz. Therefore, it is concluded that okara-based wood preservatives might have a potential to be used as an environmentally friendly wood preservative.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.120-132
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• 2008

Remotely sensed images from a satellite can be applied for detecting and quantifying spatial and temporal variations in terms of landuse & landcover, crop growth, and disaster for agricultural applications. The purposes of this study were to analyze topography using DEM(digital elevation model) and classify landuse & landcover into 10 classes-paddy field, dry field, forest, bare land, grass & bush, water body, reclaimed land, salt farm, residence & building, and others-using Landsat TM images in North Korea. Elevation was greater than 1,000 meters in the eastern part of North Korea around Ranggang-do where Kaemagowon was located. Pyeongnam and Hwangnam in the western part of North Korea were low in elevation. Topography of North Korea showed typical 'east-high and west-low' landform characteristics. Landcover classification of North Korea using spectral reflectance of multi-temporal Landsat TM images was performed and the statistics of each landcover by administrative district, slope, and agroclimatic zone were calculated in terms of area. Forest areas accounted for 69.6 percent of the whole area while the areas of dry fields and paddy fields were 15.7 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively. Bare land and water body occupied 6.6 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Residence & building reached less than 1 percent of the country. Paddy field areas concentrated in the A slope ranged from 0 to 2 percent(greater than 80 percent). The dry field areas were shown in the A slope the most, followed by D, E, C, B, and F slopes. According to the statistics by agroclimatic zone, paddy and dry fields were mainly distributed in the North plain region(N-6) and North western coastal region(N-7). Forest areas were evenly distributed all over the agroclimatic regions. Periodic landcover analysis of North Korea based on remote sensing technique using satellite imagery can produce spatial and temporal statistics information for future landuse management and planning of North Korea.