• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.135-143
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine whether the methanol extract of Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino, a naturally growing plant in Korea, could prevent the renal-ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model or not. Methods : The radical scavenging activities of the extracts, and ascorbic acid as a positive control, were measured in vitro. At one hour after an intraperitoneal injection of the extract (400 mg/kg), renal ischemia/reperfusion injury was generated by 40 min clamping of the left renal artery in rats. After renal ischemia/reperfusion and 24 hr restoration of blood circulation, the serum creatinine concentration was measured. And the extent of epithelial cell injury and apoptosis was assessed by various staining technologies. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activated caspase-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results : The extract showed a slightly lower level of radical scavenging activity than that of ascorbic acid. Compared to those of the vehicle-treated group, the extract-treated group displayed a significantly smaller tubular epithelial cell injury of 54% reduction in the outer medulla region and a lower serum creatinine concentration of 50% reduction. It seems that the reduction in cellular injury is due to the attenuation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the inhibition of caspase-3 activation by the extract of Cassia mimosoides. Conclusions : Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino could be a good candidate for a prophylactic agent against the ischemia/reperfusion/induced kidney injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Orostachydis Herba (OH) and Fermented OH (OHF) against the acute liver injury by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods : OHF by 4 lactic bacteria such as (Lactobacillus hilgardii (OHF1), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (OHF2), Pediococcus acidilactici (OHF3), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (OHF4)) were prepared. Samples were selected to OHF0, OHF2, OHF3 based on UPLC analysis, DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities. To evaluate the protective effect of OHF on liver injury mice, ICR mice were divided into 5 groups: Normal mice (Nor), LPS (20 mg/kg) treated mice (Veh), administrated OHF0, OHF2 OHF3 200 mg/kg body weight during 8 days before LPS injection. Serum and liver were collected 24 hours after LPS injection. Results : The activity was high in order of OHF0 and OHF3 in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The quercetin contents for bioactive ingredient of OH was 5.39, kaempferol contents was 9.94 by UPLC analysis. The LPS-treated vehicle group significantly increased liver weight, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in serum. In contrast, administrated OHF3 group decreased liver weight, AST, ALT. In addition, OHF3 groups reduced the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and tissues. Moreover, AP-1, iNOS and COX-2 were significantly decreased in OHF2 and OHF3. But $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ only showed a significant reduction in OHF3. Conclusions : Therefore, these results suggest that fermented Orostachydis Herba might be protective effect on liver injury through anti-oxidant effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2022

Background: Injury is the leading cause of death or disability in children and adolescents. Rates of deaths from injuries have recently declined, but studies of the occurrence of nonfatal injuries are lacking. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate nonfatal injuries in children and adolescents younger than 20 years based on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2007-2018. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine whether children and adolescents had experienced an injury requiring a hospital visit in the previous year. We investigated each injury's risk factors and characteristics. Results: Of a total of 21,598 children and adolescents, 1,748 (weighted percentage, 8.1%) experienced one or more injuries in the previous year. There was no yearly difference in the proportion of injuries experienced. Among the male subjects, 10.0% had an injury experience; among the female participants, 6.1% had an injury experience (P<0.001). The highest rate was 9.0% in children aged 1-4 years. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex; having an urban residence; having restricted activity due to visual, hearing, or developmental impairment; and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder were significant risk factors for injury experience. The characteristics of up to 3 injuries per patient were investigated, and 1,951 injuries were analyzed. Falls and slips accounted for 34.9%, collisions for 34.1%, and motor vehicle accidents for 11.3% of the total injuries. Ninety-six percent of injuries were unintentional, 20% caused school absences, and 10% required hospitalization. Conclusion: Among Korean children and adolescents, 8.1% experienced injuries at least once a year with no significant differences in incidence over the past 12 years. Greater attention and effort to prevent injuries are needed.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.578-589
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• 2003

The fuzzy rat that expresses hypersecretion of sebum and hyperplastic sebaceous glands is a genetic mutant for the study of many pharmacological aspects especially human acne. Through this model, we examined the effects of several phospholipids on the secretion of sebum after topical application. The phospholipid derivatives were phosphatidylcholine (PC), hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine (HPC), phosphati dylserine (PS) and hydrogenated phosphatidylserine(HPS). All agents were dissolved into the vehicle (1, 3-Butanediol, ethanol and water) at 0.5％ weight volume and applied on the dorsal area of the fuzzy rat. To observe histological changes, the skin biopsies were stained with Oil Red O and the size and morphology of sebaceous gland was observed under microscope. Topical treatment with PC and/or HPC showed a marked decrease in sebum excretion. Especially hydrogenated PC (HPC) appeared to have more predominant sebosuppressive function than any other treatment. The other agents such as PS and HPS showed a marginal effect on sebum secretion. With the sebosuppressive activity, HPC and PC seem to have a good potential application on acne treatment. In order to obtain more insights into possible mechanisms behind the above observations, effects of each phospholipid on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) genes were investigated. Recently, it has been demonstrated that expression and activation of PPAR subtypes appear to modulate the accumulation of cytoplasmic fat droplets that characterizes the sebocyte differentiation(1). It was also previously suggested that PPAR${\gamma}$ antagonist would seem possible to interfere sebum production without side effects (2). In this study we examined the diverse effects of the tested phospholipids on the expression of several PPAR genes based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the topically treated skin of fuzzy rats. The results and possible implications are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2003

It is now convincing that free radical generation is involved in the pathophy siological mechanisms of ischemic stroke, particularly in ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study, therefore, examined neuroprotective effect of aloesin isolated from Aloe vera, which was known to have antioxidative activity, in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery for 2 hr with a silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament in male Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia Aloesin (1, 3, 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg/injection) was administered intravenously 3 times at 0.5, 2 and 4 hr after onset of ischemia. Neurological score was measured 24 hr after onset of ischemia immediately before sacrifice. Seven serial coronal slices of the brain were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and infarct size was measured using a computerized image analyzer. Treatment with the close of 1 or 50 mg/kg did not significantly reduce infarct volume compared with the saline vehicle-treated control group. However, treatments with the closes of 3 and 10 mg/kg significantly reduced both infarct volume and edema by approximately 47% compared with the control group, producing remarkable behavioral recovery effect. Treatment with the close of 30 mg/kg also significantly reduced infarct volume to a lesser extent by approximately 33% compared with the control group, but produced similar degree of behavioral recovery effect. In addition, general pharmacological studies showed that aloesin was a quite safe compound. The results suggest that aloesin can serve as a lead chemical for the development of neuroprotective agents by providing neuroprotection against focal ischemic neuronal injury.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.279-285
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• 2008

This study includes the efficiency assessment of a multiple access protocol for UUV (Underwater unmanned vehicle) control. Most of UUVs are controled by wire now; however, wireless control is demanded because of the demerit of the wire control that limits the place and activity. This study simulates efficiency of a standardization multiple access protocol (Pure ALOHA, Slotted ALOHA, Nonpersistent CSMA, Slotted Nonpersistent ISMA) formed for the purpose of performing wireless communication controlled by the ship or communication buoy at the sea surface and by the under water communication node at the bottom in order to efficiently control the UUV's. Results show that no significant changes occur related to changing type of the mother ship and the communication node; In addition, the Non-persistent CSMA and the Slotted Non-persistent ISMA show relatively high efficiency for underwater acoustic communication.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2024

Securing safety in the maritime danger zone around the launch site before a launch is a fundamental requirement. If maritime safety is not ensured, the launch is halted or postponed. However, challenges have arisen in the process of securing public safety at sea due to factors such as the increasing population engaged in water leisure activities. These challenges include unauthorized entry of vessels into controlled areas, unauthorized access by water leisure activity participants, and non-compliance with regulations. In this paper, we employed the Delphi/Analytic Hierarchy Process to survey 22 experts, including professionals in launch vehicle development and launch site operation, to identify 10 factors posing threats to maritime public safety. Additionally, we identified five issues that need improvement for ensuring maritime safety. This study verified the consistency of expert opinions and conducted an analysis of importance and prioritization, objectively confirming the necessity for amendments to relevant laws or the enactment of new laws concerning the establishment and control of danger zones around launch sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

The tier 3 methodology used in estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from road sectors is based on mileage data. However, such data can neither accurately represent the mileage of regional unit nor have sufficient integrated data reflecting the characteristics by region, vehicle type, fuel type and road type. Such estimation of greenhouse gas emissions is not reliable. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is, firstly to accumulate activity data based on distance traveled which enables us to accurately estimate the amount of green gas emitted by regional unit(emission point), and secondly, to develop a methodology for estimation of greenhouse gas emissions using these data. To do this, the study utilizes the mileage data of Korea Transportation Safety Authority(TS), statistics of registered motor vehicles, statistical yearbook of traffic volume from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport(MLIT), the Korea Transport Database of the Korea Transport Institute(KOTI), and average road speed by local government. Methodology for estimation by local government level(emission point) is meaningful, because it reflects traffic pattern data including flow in and out and internal traffics. Finally, to verify the methodology presented in this study, it is applied to Seoul. Both greenhouse gas estimates, one by multiplying the average mileage and the number of registered vehicles and the other by multiplying traffic volume and road extension, are less than the amount estimated by the methodology presented in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.612-617
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• 2014

Anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) rich in polysaccharides, as well as free of curcuminoids and turmerones were investigated in acute and chronic inflammatory models. Activity against the acute phase of inflammation was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema models. The results showed that turmeric extract significantly decreased paw edema volume in the first and third hours after carrageenan injection ($P{\leq}0.05$). Turmeric extract at all dose levels also significantly inhibited xylene-induced ear edema formation ($P{\leq}0.05$). Activity against chronic inflammation was also evaluated in cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. Turmeric extract significantly ($P{\leq}0.05$) decreased the weight of granuloma tissue on cotton pellets in a dose-dependent manner when compared to the vehicle control. Thus, the findings of the study suggest that turmeric extract in effective against both acute and chronic inflammation.