• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Licorice has been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive effects. However, glycyrrhizin, a major component in licorice, was found to interfere with steroid metabolism and cause edema and hypertension. The roasting process of licorice modifies the chemical composition and converts glycyrrhizin to glycyrrhetinic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-carcinogenic effects of the ethanol extract of roasted licorice (EERL) and to identify the active compound in EERL. MATERIALS/METHODS: Ethanol and aqueous extracts of roasted and un-roasted licorice were prepared. The active fraction was separated from the methylene chloride (MC)-soluble fraction of EERL and the structure of the purified compound was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The anti-carcinogenic effects of licorice extracts and licochalcone A was evaluated using a MTT assay, Western blot, flow cytometry, and two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. RESULTS: EERL was determined to be more potent and efficacious than the ethanol extract of un-roasted licorice in inhibiting the growth of DU145 and MLL prostate cancer cells, as well as HT-29 colon cancer cells. The aqueous extracts of un-roasted and roasted licorice showed minimal effects on cell growth. EERL potently inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast, B16-F10 melanoma, and A375 and A2058 skin cancer cells, whereas EERL slightly stimulated the growth of normal IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells and CCD118SK fibroblasts. The MC-soluble fraction was more efficacious than EERL in inhibiting DU145 cell growth. Licochalcone A was isolated from the MC fraction and identified as the active compound of EERL. Both EERL and licochalcone A induced apoptosis of DU145 cells. EERL potently inhibited chemically-induced skin papilloma formation in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Non-polar compounds in EERL exert potent anti-carcinogenic effects, and that roasted rather than un-roasted licorice should be favored as a cancer preventive agent, whether being used as an additive to food or medicine preparations.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2006

Poly (ethylene glycol)-based diblock and triblock thermo- sensitive polyester copolymers were investigated for application on tissue engineering and injectable biomaterials in drug delivery system due to their nontoxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. We synthesized the diblock copolymers consisting of methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (MPEG) (Mn=750 g/mole) and poly $(\varepsilon-caprolactone)$ (PCL) by ring opening polymerization of $\varepsilon-CL$ with MPEG as an initiator in the presence of HCl $Et_2O$. The effect of diblock copolymers on in vivo osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCS) with and without the presence of osteogenic supplements (dexamethasone) was investigated. Thin sections were cut from paraffin embedded tissues and histological sections were stained by H&E, von Kossa, and immunohistochemical staining for osteocalcin. In conclusion, dexamethasone containing thermo- sensitive hydrogel might be improved osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. We expect the osteoinduction effect to be excellent when it uses stem cell or other osteogenic materials.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 1999

This study was carried out to find out the way to build a comprehensive wetland ecosystem database using the technique of remote sensing and geographic information system. A Landsat TM image taken in May 17, 1997 was used for the primary source for the image analysis. Field surveys were conducted March to September of 1998 to help image analysis and examine the results. An actual wetland vegetation map was created based on the field survey. A Landsat TM image was analyzed by unsupervised and supervised classification methods and finally categorized into such 5 classes as Phragmites australis community, mixed community, sand beach, Scirpus trigueter community and non-vegetation intertidal area. Wetland basemap was developed for the overall accuracy assesment in wetland mapping. Vegetation index map of wetland vegetation was developed using NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index). The map of wetland productivity was developed based on the productivity of Phragmites australis and the relationship to the proximity of adjacent water bodies. The map of potential vegetation succession map was also developed based on the experience and knowledge of the field biologists. Considering these results, it is possible to use the remote sensing and GIS techniques for producing wetland ecosystem database. This study indicated that these techniques are very effective for the development of the national wetland inventory in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.57-69
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• 2004

This study developed an ecological mapping technique with GIS database using the analyses of existing ecological survey reports and the change detection on the Nakdong river estuary. The data which are used to establish GIS DB include 2 Landsat TM images on Nov. 31, 1984 and May 17, 1997, 1:25,000 topographical maps established by National Geography Institution and various ecological survey reports published by Busan metropolitan city government. The details for producing ecological map are as follows. At first, the current methods of ecomapping efforts and previous ecological surveys of Nakdong river estuary were carefully examined. Secondly, the land cover maps were created from the classified Landsat images of 1984 and 1997 for the spatiotemporal ecosystem analysis. Thirdly, the ecosystem was evaluated by using GIS ecological database based on the criteria of botany, zoology and water quality etc. Each criteria was reclassified into 3 stages which describe the overall quality of ecological condition. At last, the comprehensive ecological map was suggested as a prototype of ecosystem assesment and management tool with the discussion of further study. The findings of this study would be a milestone for preserving and managing the ecosystem.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2011

For the development of functional food and cosmetics using hot water extract of Muraenesox cinereus's skin, contents of vitamin, amino acid and element, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The results are shown as follows: among vitamins, A(0.21mg/100 g), C (78.12mg/100 g), $D_3$ (0.03 mg/100 g), E (1.97 mg/100 g) and Niacin (2.53mg/100 g) were detected, respectively.Mineral contents were an order of K > P > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe and Zn. Contents of total amino acids were an order of Pro > Gly > Arg > Glu > Phe > Ala. Especially, the sum of total amino acids was 27.17 mg/100 mL, which was about 4.0 fold higher than that of free amino acid. DPPH radical scavenging activity of hot water extract of M. cinereus's skin at 25 mg/mL was 63.5% and did not increase at above 50 mg/mL. Activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of ethanol-treated rats using hot water extract of M. cinereus's skin were investigated. Compared to control group, activities of ADH and GSH-px were decreased. In the case of CAT and SOD activity, they were increased. These results showed that the hot water extract of M. cinereus's skin can be applied to raw macterial for functional food and cosmetics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the GGEx18 ethyl acetate fraction (EF) on lipid accumulation and gene expression of fatty acid-oxidizing enzymes using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, and NMu2Li liver cells. Methods : PPAR${\alpha}$, AMPK and UCPs transactivation was examined in NMu2Li hepatocytes, C2C12 myocytes, and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes using transient transfection assays. Results : 1. Compared with control, EF significantly increased the mRNA expression of VLCAD in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 2. Compared with control, EF (0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$) significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3. EF significantly increased the mRNA expression of AMPK${\alpha}$1, AMPK${\alpha}$2 and PPAR${\alpha}$ in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells compared with control. 4. EF significantly increased the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation, such as thiolase, MCAD, and CPT-1 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells compared with control. 5. EF significantly increased the mRNA expression of UCP2 involved in energy expenditure in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells compared with control. 6. Compared with control, EF (10 ${\mu}g/ml$) significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. 7. EF (10 ${\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased the mRNA expression of ACOX, HD, VLCAD and MCAD in NMu2Li liver cells compared with control. Conclusions : These results suggest that EF may prevent obesity by increasing the mRNA expression of mitochondrial fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidizing enzymes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, by not only regulating the fatty acid oxidation through activation of AMPK and PPAR${\alpha}$, but also increasing the UCP2 mRNA expression in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, and by stimulating the mRNA expression of fatty acid-oxidizing enzymes in NMu2Li liver cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the effects of mountain cultivated ginseng water boiled extract(MCG) on blood glucose and insulin levels, and examined whether lipid metabolism are improved by it in male db/db mice(a murine model of type 2 diabetes mellitus). Methods : 9 weeks old, male db/db mice were divided into 5 groups : C57BL/6J normal, control, MCG-250mg/kg (MCG-1), MCG-500mg/kg(MCG-2) and MCG-1000mg/kg(MCG-3). After mice were treated with MCG for 8 weeks, we measured body weight, food intake, fat weight, visceral organ weight and blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Results : 1. We found no difference in body weight, food intake, fat weight and visceral organ weight among the animal groups. 2. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower blood glucose level and higher blood insulin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 3. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol levels. 4. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had blood triglyceride and free fatty acid levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 5. Blood AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by MCG, indicating MCG do not show any toxic effects. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that MCG effectively increases blood insulin level and decreases blood glucose level, blood lipid levels, and prevents and improves diabetic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2014

The efficacy of mating disruptors MD-IKR (Isomate-KR) and MD-CR (Confuser-R) for controlling Grapholita molesta (Busck) and Carposina sasakii (Matsumura) was evaluated in non-chemical or organic apple orchards. For G. molesta, the efficacy of MD-IKR and MD-CR in Chilgok was 99.8 and 99.8% (2011) and 92.4 and 96.7% (2012), respectively, showing different mating reduction values. The efficacy of MD-IKR and MD-CR in Cheongsong was 99.1 and 92.8% (2011) and 99.6 and 99.6% (2012), respectively. For C. sasakii, the efficacy of MD-IKR and MD-CR was 100% at Chilgok and Cheongsong in 2011 and 2012. Evaluation of the shooting and fruit damage rates showed that the efficacy of the mating disruptors in controlling G. molesta and C. sasakii was better than that of the non-control. However, there was no significant control difference between using the mating disruptors and the conventional control. No difference in the efficacy of the two mating disruptors was observed. We believe that MD-IKR could be an alternative to MD-CR.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.45-56
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• 2006

Objectives : We evaluated anti-hyperlipidemia effect of Gyeongshinganjeehwan (GGEx) in high fat induced obese male micro-pigs. Methods : 7 month-old micro-pigs are fed with normal (n = 3) or high fat diet (n = 18) for 12 weeks. The pig revealed obesity in high fat diet were divided into 2 groups (n = 5 each) and vehicle (OMP) and Gyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx, 616.7 mg/kg/day) were administrated for 1 month. We monitored the changes in body weight and measured plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, GOT and, GPT after 1 month. The visceral fat were measured with computerized tomography and weights of various organs were measured after sacrifice. Results : 1. GGEx group had significantly reduced body weight gain than obese control group in statistics. 2. GGEx group didn't significantly differ from obese control group in blood total cholesterol, blood LDL-cholesterol, blood triglyceride. but it's data were similar to normal control group. 3. GGEx group had prominantly reduced visceral fat than obese control group in computerized tomography. 4. Blood GOT and GPT didn't differ from between groups. The organ weight were not significant different. And it is normal in size and colour of visceral organs. Conclusions : It is concluded that GGEx has anti-hyperlipidemia effect by improving visceral fat and access to security.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2007

The infection status of mullets Mugil cephalus (n = 139) and gobies (n = 35) Acanthogobius fIavimanus with metacercariae of Heterophyes nocens and Pygidiopsis summa was examined in 11 western, southern, and eastern coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, using a digestion technique. Heterophyid metacercariae were highly prevalent in mullets from western and southern coastal areas; Shinan-gun (100% for H. nocens and 100% for P. summa), Muan-gun (93% and 100%), Buan-gun (42% and 75%), Seocheon-gun (73% and 53%), Ganghwa-gun (47% and 100%), Sacheon-shi (47% and 77%), and Gangjin-gun (50% and 70%, respectively). Only 1 (10%) of 10 mullets from an eastern coastal area, i.e., Donghae-shi, was positive for P. summa metacercariae. Metacercarial densities were the highest in the trunk of mullets for H. nocens and the gill for P. summa. Gobies from Muan-gun were positive for H. nocens (40%) and P. summa metacercariae (40%), and gobies from Seocheon-gun revealed H. nocens metacercariae (20%). The metacercarial density was remarkably higher in mullets than in gobies. The results revealed that H. nocens and P. summa metacercariae are prevalent in mullets and gobies from coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, and the prevalence and intensity of infection vary according to geographical locality.