• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2015

The safety of plant species used as a source for herbal medicines and dietary supplements has recently been questioned due to poisonings associated with the presence of cadmium (Cd) in these plants. These plants can derive Cd from their presence in the soil. Organic matter (OM) concentrations in soils could affect the availability of Cd for plants. To determine the effect of OM concentration in soil on the concentration of plant available Cd and uptake of this toxic element by medicinal plants, soil and plant samples were collected from 102 fields supporting for 5 species of medicinal plants in 6 province of South Korea. Concentrations of OM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils affected the phytoavailability of Cd. One M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soil increased with increasing OM concentrations. There were significantly positive relationships between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and OM concentration in soil and between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and DOC concentration. Likewise, OM and DOC concentrations significantly affected Cd concentration in medicinal plant soils. Cadmium concentration in medicinal plants increased with increasing OM concentration in soil [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.179+1.424{\times}10^{-3}$ OM concentrations, $R^2=0.042*$] and with DOC concentration [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.150+5.870{\times}10^{-4}$ DOC concentrations, $R^2=0.124***$]. These results might result from Cd-DOC complex which is easily absorbed Cd form by plant root. Dissolved organic carbon concentration had more positive relationship with Cd concentration in medicinal plants and 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soils than OM. Cadmium concentration in all 5 species of medicinal plant (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis lanceolata, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Rehmannia glutinosa) significantly increased with increasing DOC concentration in soil. From the above results, formation of Cd-DOC complex caused by OM application might be mainly attributed to increase in Cd concentration in medicinal plants.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 1999

Four new and a known spacies of the order Mononchida were described and illustrated. Iotonchus obtusus sp. n. was 2.8 mm long, a=33, b=4.2, c=61, V=68%, buccal cavity=61${\times}$45 mm, and is characterized by having basally situated dorsal tooth, presence of vulval papillae and in having short, hemispherical tail with thick cuticle at terminus. Miconchus vulvapapillatum sp. . was 2.7-3.6 mm long, a=29-36, b=4.1-4.5, c=18.4-21, V=65-69%, buccal cavity=53-61${\times}$29-33 mm, spicules=132-137 mm, ventromedian supplements 28-31, and was characterized by having 5-8 pre- and post vulval papillae in contiguous series, and three pairs of vulval glands. Clarkus koreanus sp. n. was 1.1-1.3 mm long, a=27.5-28.8, b=3.5-3.9, c=12-14.5, V=60-64%, buccal cavity=24-28${\times}$13.5-15 mm, and was characterized by well offset lip region, amphids situated well below to dorsal tooth apex, and vulva elevated, with vulval flap. Coomansus ulsani sp. n. was 1.2-1.5 mm long, a=23.5-26, b=3.4-3.8, c=13.6-14.8, V=65-68%, buccal cavity=36-39${\times}$21-23 mm and was characterized by well offset lip region and a thin longitudinal ridge on vertical walls of stoma.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.798-806
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system and has an important role in immunity. Obesity-induced inflammatory responses are triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway signaling. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), major dietary glucosinolates present in cruciferous vegetables, have been reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects on various diseases. However, the effects of PEITC and DIM on the obesity-induced inflammatory response in the spleen are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of PEITC and DIM on the spleen and their mechanism in high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: We established an animal model of HFCD-induced obesity using C57BL/6 mice. The mice were divided into six groups: normal diet with AIN-93G diet (CON), high fat diet (60% calories from fat) with 1% cholesterol (HFCD), HFCD with PEITC 30 mg/kg/day or 75 mg/kg/day (HFCD+P30, HFCD+P75), and HFCD with DIM 1.5 mg/kg/day or 7.5 mg/kg/day (HFCD+D1.5, HFCD+D7.5). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, interleukin 6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in spleen tissue. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in groups fed a HFCD with PEITC or DIM. Levels of NF-κB p65 protein and TLR2/4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, IL-6, and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in the CON group and were reduced by the PEITC and DIM supplements. CONCLUSIONS: PEITC- and DIM-supplemented diets improved splenic inflammation by modulating the TLR2/4-MyD88 pathway in HFCD-fed mice. We suggest that dietary glucosinolates may at least partially improve obesity-induced inflammation of the spleen.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2019

Purpose: The skin pH is maintained by epidermal lactate, free fatty acids (FFAs), and free amino acids (FAAs). As a significant determinant of skin health, the skin pH is increased (less acidic) under abnormal and aged skin conditions. In a search for dietary alternatives that would promote an acidic skin pH, this study investigated the dietary effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 isolated from Korean kimchi on the skin pH, and epidermal levels of lactate, FFAs, and FAAs in adult subjects. Methods: Seventy eight subjects (mean age $24.9{\pm}0.5years$, range 19 ~ 37 years) were assigned randomly to ingest CJLP55, Lactobacillus strain from kimchi, (n = 39, CJLP group) or placebo supplements (n = 39, placebo group) for 12 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Skin pH and epidermal levels of lactate, FFAs and FFAs were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Although significant decreases in skin pH were observed in both the CJLP and placebo groups at 6 weeks, the skin pH was decreased significantly only in the CJLP group at 12 weeks. In parallel, the epidermal level of lactate in the CJLP group was also increased by 25.6% at 12 weeks. On the other hand, the epidermal level of FAAs were not altered in the CJLP and placebo groups, but the epidermal level of total FFAs, including palmitic acid and stearic acid, was lower in the CJLP group than in the placebo group over 12 weeks. The changes in the other FFAs, such as palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, were similar in the CJLP and placebo groups over 12 weeks. Conclusion: Overall, a dietary supplement of CJLP55 promotes acidic skin pH with a selective increase in epidermal lactate in adult subjects.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of breast disease by checking the difference in lifestyle and the natural estrogen-containing food intake. The subjects were women who visited the J-City Women's Hospital between the ages of 20 and 60 (disease=85, non disease=93) and to avoid the demographic factors that might affect lifestyle, and to ensure the homogeneity of the two groups, (${\pm}5$ years old) were randomly expressed. The logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the influence of variables on breast disease. The probability of receiving a diagnosis of breast disease increased by 3.04 times, the probability of receiving a diagnosis of breast disease was 4.76 times higher than that of others such as brown rice grains, and the hobby life of stress relieving methods The probability of being classified as breast disease was 2.38 times. People who have experience of artificial abortion, those who enjoy white rice, and those who do not enjoy hobbies are more likely to be diagnosed with breast disease. The breast disease prevention and education program and the education program for the general public reflecting this characteristic will be necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.428-435
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• 2019

Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) is a marine fish species belonging to the family Gadidae. In this study, whether the Alaska Polloack Roe have antioxidant properties, 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydroazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (OH) reducing activity, and nitric oxide radical (NO) scavenging activity were evaluated in distilled water extract (DWE) and ethanol extract (ETE) of raw Alaska pollock roe, Gochujang Pollock roe, and fermented seasoned Pollock roe. The DPPH scavenging activity of the DWE with Gochujang Pollock roe was 71.9% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml and that of the ETE was 73.7% at the same concentration. The DPPH scavenging activity of the DWE with fermented seasoned Pollock roe was 78.0% at 1.0 mg/ml, whereas that of ETE was 78.4% at the same concentration. The $IC_{50}$ values of the DWE and ETE of raw Pollock roe for DPPH were $11.65{\mu}g/ml$ and $11.47{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The OH scavenging activities of raw Pollock roe, Gochujang Pollock roe, and fermented seasoned Pollock roe ethanolic extracts at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml were 70.9%, 79.0, and 80.6%, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of the DWE and EWE of raw Pollock roe for NO were $11.45{\mu}g/ml$ and $11.41{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The DPPH, OH, and NO scavenging abilities in DWEs and ETEs of Gochujang and fermented seasoned Pollock roe were higher than those of instant (no Gochujang or season treatment) treatment Pollock roe. Both the Gochujang and fermented seasoned Pollock roes have natural radical scavenging ability and may be useful potential antioxidant food supplements.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2018

Beta glucan was purified from Phellinus baumii and tested for its effect on the group performance of ants, a principal model of eusociality and of superorganisms. Japanese carpenter ants (Camponotus japonicus) were reared on diets containing beta glucans to characterize their effects on eusociality. Culturing structures for ants were assembled by implanting autoclaved soil into polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Three different eusocial strength indices were used to study the effect of beta glucan extract (BGE) on eusocial activities - the number of residence chambers, cooperative defense index (CDI), and group size and composition. Control, low- BGE, and high-BGE diets were prepared with the following three levels of BGE supplements in sucrose powder: 0, 20, and 50% (g/g). More residence chambers were observed in the BGE-fed groups than in the control. The CDI against a foreign queen ant was calculated according to the time taken to subdue the foreign queen. The high-BGE group took less time to complete their defense formation than the other groups. Differences were evident between control and BGE-fed groups in the total numbers of ants and eggs. The BGE-fed groups showed a significant increase in both the number of workers and the number of eggs. When fed with BGE, ants responded positively for all three eusocial strength indices. These results show that BGE exerts beneficial effects on the eusociality of ants as a superorganism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1501-1506
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• 2018

Edible insects have recently been increasingly promoted as a source of protein. As the number of farms rearing these insect increases, it is important to develop safe and nutritious feed sources to improve their commercial quality. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of food by-products as feed supplements for the Korean rhinoceros beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma, which has been registered as a general food ingredient in Korea. We compared the effects of waste citrus peel, soybean curd cake, soybean oil meal, and brewers' dried grain on the growth of third instar larvae of A. dichotoma. Groups of larvae were fed with fermented sawdust and nine different combinations of the above by-products and the effects on their growth were measured until pupation. The highest survival rate was with feed supplemented with 10% brewers' dried grain (66.7%, p<0.05), and these larvae were also 26% heavier (p<0.05) than the control group that received no supplementation. In the 10% brewers' dried grain group, the larval period of third instar was shortened by almost 28 days (p<0.01) compared to the control group. Of all the groups, only that which was fed the brewers' dried grain supplement showed more than a 90% pupation rate (p<0.05). Therefore, brewers' dried grain may be useful as a source of feed for A. dichotoma.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.459-473
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• 2021

Purpose: Although numerous systematic reviews or meta-analysis have reported the hypotensive effects of garlic, the application of these results in the area of functional food is limited. This is because the trials used various garlic preparations and patients with differing hypertensive intensities. To validate the use of garlic powder as a blood pressure lowering functional food, we performed the current meta-analysis, focusing on the study of prehypertensive subjects. Methods: Literature search was carried out using various database up to July 2020, including PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect and Korean studies Information Service System, and each study was screened by pre-stated inclusion/exclusion criteria. We identified nine trials that met the eligibility, of which two studies with moderate or high risk of bias were excluded. Results: Meta-analysis of the seven studies revealed that an intake of garlic powder significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by -6.0 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], -11.2, -0.8; p = 0.025) and -2.7 mmHg (95% CI, -5.3, -0.1; p = 0.046), respectively. Shapes of the funnel plot for both SBP and DBP seemed symmetrical, and the Egger's regression revealed no publication bias. Moreover, duration of the intervention period was inversely associated with the pooled effects of garlic powder on SBP (p = 0.019) and DBP (p = 0.019), and this result was supported by the subgroup-analysis. The daily dose of garlic powder, baseline value of each biomarker, and subject number, did not moderate the effects on SBP and DBP. Conclusion: Results of the present meta-analysis indicate that garlic powder supplements are superior to placebo for improving the BP in prehypertensive individuals.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.480-488
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• 2019

To ensure the safety of products containing omega-3 fatty acids, twenty fish and algae oil omega-3 products available in a Gyeonggi Province, South Korea market were analyzed for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content, as well as for oxidative status. Of the tested products, 90% complied with the CODEX/FAO fish oil standards on a p-anisidine value (p-AV) limit of 20, and 80% complied with the CODEX/FAO fish oil standards on the TOTOX limit of 26, respectively. Fully 100% of the products complied with EPA/DHA content levels. In addition, 90% of the tested products met with a peroxide value (PV) limit of 10 meq/kg while 95% of products were within the a p-AV limit of 30. Also, 95% of the products had a calculated TOTOX value of 50, which is lower than the stringent limits used by the European and British Pharmacopeia and Australian authorities.