• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.324-330
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• 2020

Ozone (O₃) is a general disinfectant to remove micro-pollutants in water treatment system. Previous studies have reported effect of ozone to bacteria and pathogens removal, but its effect to the relatively large organisms has little known. In this study, we investigated potential effects of ozone toxicity to the non-bite midge larvae (Glyptotendipes tokunagai) with accumulate mortality, coloration change and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The accumulate mortality rate of G. tokunagai increased in a dose-time dependent manner and the highest mortality rate was observed to 75% at 30 minute of exposure duration with 2.0 ppm of ozone concentration. Exposure to ozone was a factor increasing body color of the larvae. The tendency of HSP70 mRNA expression showed up-regulation in ozone exposure at 20 minute. After that time, the expression of HSP70 in exposed group decreased to a similar level of control group. Our results clearly showed that ozone toxicity affects physical and molecular activity of G. tokunagai, implying the potential hazardous of ozone in the aquatic ecosystem including macroinvertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.289-316
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• 2022

This study was investigated to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their usefulness of Seondalsan Mountain (1,236 m) in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The surveys were carried out 20 times from April in 2014 to October in 2020. The vascular plants of Seondalsan Mountain was consisted a total of 638 taxa based on the voucher specimens; 96 families, 341 genera, 562 species, 18 subspecies, 53 varieties, 5 forms. 20 taxa of the Korean endemic plants were recorded and 1 taxa of Critically Endangered (CR), 3 taxa of Vulnerable (VU) and 9 taxa of Least Concern (LC), designated by Korean Forest Service as rare plants, were investigated in this region. Furthermore, V, IV and III degrees of floristic regional indicator plants, designated by the National Institute of Ecology, were included 1 taxa, 11 taxa and 28 taxa, respectively. Among them, edible, medicinal, fragrant, industrial, ornamental, ecological restoration, forage/compost plants were included 440 taxa, 505 taxa, 19 taxa, 234 taxa, 335 taxa, 214 taxa and 269 taxa respectively. In addition, 30 taxa of naturalized plants were observed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2023

Although glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in the prevention of oxidative damage as an antioxidant, studies on immune regulation by it have not been properly conducted. In this study, we investigated whether luthione^®, a reduced GSH, has an immune enhancing effect in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The results of flow cytometry and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that luthione increased phagocytic activity, a representative function of macrophages, compared to the control cells. According to the results of the cytokine array, the expression of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-1β, and IL-27 was significantly increased in the luthione-treated cells. Luthione also enhanced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β through increased expression of their proteins, and increased release of the immune mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ was associated with increased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the expression of cluster of differentiation 86, an M1 macrophage marker, was dramatically enhanced in RAW 264.7 cells treated with luthione. Furthermore, as a result of heat map analysis, we found that cytokine signaling 1/3-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription/Janus tyrosine kinase signaling pathway was involved in the immunomodulatory effect by luthione. In conclusion, our data suggested that luthione could act as a molecular regulator in M1 macrophage polarization and enhance immune capacity by promoting macrophage phagocytic function.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.18-43
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• 2011

The results of study on planting and cultivate of Hong Man-Seon(1643~1715)'s 'Salimkyungjae(The Economy of Forest)' the first summative textbook of agricultural skill of South Korea, are as follows. First, 'Salimkyungjae' suggests that one can enrich oneself, eat fruits in fall, enjoy the shade of trees in summer, and enjoy flowers in spring if one plants tree with 10 year plan with knowledge of ecology. Second, the number of plants had increased continuously from the early Chosun Dynasty to the mid Chosun Dynasty. The 52 plants in the book are classified into 31 trees, 8 shrubs, 3 others, and 10 herbs, and 28 of them are fruit trees. Hence, we can see that the book is for the promotion of welfare. Third, planting(transplantation) is the best on January of the lunar calendar, and the second on February, and fertile soil should be added much. Trees must be planted as deep as once it was planted, and buttressed. It will sprout well if it is planted at the depth of one inch, and planting a cutting should be carried out at the early March with 5 inch and finger-thick branches. Grafting is the best when it begins to sprout. Fruit trees will bear many fruits if they are grafted at the direction of South, and fruits will be greater if the trees' branches are cutting off on January. Especially, January was selected for the best season of planting traditionally. Fourth, flower trees are planted or sowed with manure around January and February of the lunar calendar, and it is recommended to replant them into flowerpots with manure when having flower buds around March and April of the lunar calendar. It would bloom earlier when using water mixed with stable manure, and sulfur smoke can be used in order to change the flower color from red to white. Flowerpots would be placed at half shaded lot with being supported by bricks. Pomegranate, gardenia, camellia and four-season flower should be planted after flowers fallen. When flower trees are beside walls, they need to be rotated frequently since their branches all point toward house. Seeds need to be preserved in a sunny hut, where its entrance and ventilating openings would be at south because it is convenient to manage pots. Fifth, insects hidden at fruit trees would be destroyed by torch smoke when roosters cry on New year's day of the lunar calendar. Insects would be decoyed into straw hanged at dawn of Cheongmyeongday(淸明日). Insects on fruit trees would be controlled using sulfur powder to close up holes or sulfur smoke to fumigate. Particularly, it suggests that utilization of fertile soil would be the best solution for growing health plants and preventing pest.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.1 s.102
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• pp.83-94
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• 2003

Concentrated releases of zinc into water usually results from discharges associated with industrial purpose. The released zinc into soil is corroded and released into water. In aquatic environment, exess zinc is toxic to the organisms and causes the growth inhibition and malformation of them as a heavy metal. In this study, excess zinc toxicity was tested by FETAX (frog embryo teratogenetic assay with Xenopus)as in vivo system. Xenopus embryos at st.9 were exposed to $100{\sim}900\;{\mu}M$ of zinc for 7 days and 81% of individuals were survived in 100 ${\mu}M$, and 25% were survived in 1000M of zinc solution. In external malformations, swelled belly and intestinal dysplasia were common, and all of tested individuals showed these malformations in 200 ${\mu}M$ or higher concentration of zinc. In 400 ${\mu}M$ or higher concentration, all of tested tadpoles showed faded heart. Also, hypo-pigmentation, lens hernia and loose digestive track were very frequently found in 100 ${\mu}M$ of zinc. The histological study with paraffin section of zinc treated tadpoles showed following abnormalities; regeneration of photoreceptor on retina, reduced vitreous chamber in eye, reduction of red blood cells in heart, abnormal liver, swelling of pronephric cell, muscle dysplasia and palatal papilloma. These abnormalities may be caused by the degeneration of mitochondria, inhibition of cell adhesion, and the formation of leghemoglobin by zinc due to the substitution of $Ca^{2+}$ by $Zn^{2+}$. The body length was reduced due to the excess zinc. From a statistical result, body lengths of 300 ${\mu}M$ or higher concentrative g개ups was significantly reduced comparing that of control group. Recently, many spontaneous malformations and reduction of amphibians are reported, From the results of present study, excess zinc mi호t be a factor of amphibian reduction, and the control of zinc discharges is very important.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.545-558
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• 2007

This study was performed to assess the sodium intakes of Korean adults using a 24-hr urine analysis and dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ) according to each dish group and the regional area. The subjects of this study were comprised of 522 adults (male : 267, female : 285), aged 20-59yr residing in the metropolitan area (N=200), Chungcheng-Do (N=117), Jeolla-Do(N=117), and Gueongsang-Do provinces (N=118). The subjects were recruited from the residents who once participated or are participating in the various health programs offered by the public health center. The number of subjects who completed the 24-hr urine collection was 205 (male : 110, female : 95). The mean age and BMI of the subjects were $39.0{\pm}$11.7y and $23.1{\pm}2.9 kg/m^2$, respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was $119.5{\pm}15.4 mmHg$, and $77.1{\pm}11.1 mmHg$, respectively. Eighteen percent of the subjects responded that they are currently smoking, 36% drinking and 50.4% exercising. Twenty point six percent of the subjects were assessed as having hypertension according to their systolic or diastolic blood pressure($SBP{\ge}140mmHg$ or $DBP{\ge}90mmHg$) measurements in the present study. Salt intake of the subjects estimated with 24-hr sodium excretion was 12.7g/d (male : 13.4g/d, female : 12.1g/d) based on the sodium excretion rate as 82%. Salt intake estimated with DFQ was 14.7g/d (male : 16.2g/d, female : 13.4g/d), 2 g more than the salt intake estimated with 24-hr urine analysis. The four dish groups that contributed most to the sodium intake in order were kimchi (11571.4mg), soup and stew (1260.5mg), fish and shellfish(706.3mg) and noodle and ramyeon(644.3mg). Salt intake estimated with DFQ was the highest in the subjects of Gueongsang-Do(17.0g/d), second highest Chungcheong-Do (16.4g/d) and the lowest in the metropolitan area (13.0g/d). Subjects of Gueongsang-Do showed the highest sodium intakes in most of the dish group, whereas subjects of the metropolitan area showed the lowest. Residents of Chungcheong-Do revealed the highest sodium intake with kimchi and of Jeolla-Do the higher sodium intake with main dish (meat, fish and beans). The highest salt percentage of kimchi ($3.0{\pm}0.8%$) and soybean paste ($14.5{\pm}5.1%$) were observed in Gueongsang-Do, whereas individuals of the metropolitan area were observed as having kimchi ($1.6{\pm}0.5%$) and soybean paste ($7.4{\pm}1.6%$) with the lowest salt percenage. Men were observed as having more salty kimchi ($2.4{\pm}0.1%$) than women ($2.1{\pm}0.1%$).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify and compare the main phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids) in blueberry and black raspberry cultivated in Korea using ultra-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF/MS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine flavonoids were identified by comparison of ultraviolet and mass spectra with data in a chemical library and published data. Blueberry contained flavonols including kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, and syringetin aglycones. Isorhamnetin 3-O-robinobioside, kaempferol 3-O-(6"-O-acetyl)glucoside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-arabinofuranoside (avicularin), quercetin 3-O-(6''-O-malonyl) glucoside, and quercetin 3-O-robinobioside were detected for the first time in blueberry. The flavonoids in raspberry consisted of quercetin aglycone and its glycosides. The mean total flavonoid content in blueberry [143.0 mg/100 g dry weight (DW)] was 1.5-times that in raspberry (95.4 mg/100 g DW). The most abundant flavonoid in blueberry was quercetin 3-O-galactoside (hyperoside, up to 76.1 mg/100 g DW) and that in raspberry was quercetin 3-O-glucuronide (miquelianin, up to 55.5 mg/100 g DW). Miquelianin was not detected in blueberry. CONCLUSION: Flavonol glycosides were the main flavonoids in blueberry and black raspberry cultivated in Korea. The composition and contents of flavonoids differed between blueberry and black raspberry, and may be affected by the cultivar and cultivation conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.29-41
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• 2015

Abandoned paddy field provides an excellent opportunity to improve the species diversity and habitat quality. Ecological characteristic on the changing of plant communities at different seral stages is a major basis data for ecological restoration. In this study, we investigated changes of the species composition and community indices on the plant community associated with abandonment of cultivated rice paddies. The ecological stability of the habitat was evaluated by using eco-floristic characters(Di; Disturbance index, AUI; Actual urbanization index). Survey sites were grouped into six stages(stageI (${\leq}3years$), stageII(3-5years), stageIII(5-7years), stageIV(7-10years), stageV(10-15years), stageVI(${\geq}20years$). Vegetation investigation was done from May 2009 to October 2012 and carried out phytosociological approach. The total flora were summarized as 176 taxa including 58 families, 127 genera, 157 species, 3 subspecies, 15 varieties and 1 forms. At each of successional stages, 64 taxa in stage I, 34 taxa in stage II, 84 taxa in stage III, 83 taxa in stage IV, 92 taxa in stage V, 23 taxa in stage VI were identified. Of the occurrence plants, the species with the highest r-NCD value were Alopecurus aequalis, Juncus effuusus var. decipiens, Persicaria thunbergii, Artemisia princeps, Salix koreensis and Alnus japonica at each stages. Herbaceous annual plants were dominated in the early stage, but its r-NCD value declined in the middle stage and the late stage. On the other hand, herbaceous perennial plants and Persicaria thunbergii, annual hydrophytes, increases in the middle stage. Woody plant and herbaceous plant which appeared in the forest edge increases in the late stage. Community indices correlate with successional stages. Richness and diversity index increase along the successional gradient. But dominance index decrease along the successional gradient. Evenness index was correlated with lower. In the ecological stability analysis of the habitat that evaluated by eco-floristic characters, stage I was the most unstable habitat. And the stability of the habitat has improved according to the successional stage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.742-753
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate risk factors of pre-hypertension and hypertension in rural residents. Nine hundred and ninety four subjects aged 40-70 yrs in Chungnam-do participated in this study. The subjects (n = 824) were classified into three groups of hypertensive, pre-hypertensive, and normotensive according to the Joint National Committee (JNC)-7 criteria. The weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and serum total protein, albumin, BUN, and triglyceride (TG) were positively correlated with SBP and DBP. After adjusted by age, sex and BMI, the total protein, albumin and TG were significantly correlated with SBP and DBP (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in eating habits according to the level of blood pressure. The serum albumin, creatinine, Glu-FBS, Glu-PP l20, and triglyceride were higher in both prehypertensive and hypertensive group than in the normotensive group. However, mean serum cholesterol was not different among three blood pressure groups. In this study, the common risk factors of pre-hypertension and hyper-tension were male, age of fifties, lower education level, ex-smoking, higher drinking frequency, higher BMI, body fat %, waist circumference, WHR, serum albumin and diabetes, even though the degree of risks in these variables were higher in the hypertensive group. The higher BUN was a risk factor of prehypertension, while the family history, prediabetes, serum total protein, Glu-PP l20 and higher alcohol drinking amount were the risk factors of hypertension. This result suggests that maintaining good health habit and normal range of blood parameters as well as controlling body weight have to be paid attention in order to prevent hypertention, and further reseasch on the relationship of blood pressure and BUN are needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2013

Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.