• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.92-102
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• 2018

The objectives of this study were to find out the plant to enhance immune activity among 42 kinds of foods frequently consumed by the Korean elderly consisting of 5 food groups and 5 wild plants. Each sample was assessed the immunoactive effect by measuring $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression, nitric oxide and cytokine production in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell. Soybean sprouts of 47 plants showed the highest $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression at the level of $1.13{\pm}0.03$ (O.D. 650 nm) and Soritae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, crown daisy, cabbage and Ailanthus altissima also had high activity of $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell stimulated by LPS. NO production of Ailanthus altissima was significantly higher than that of other plants and 16 plants of glutinous sorghum, black rice, Seoritae, Heuktae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, mungbean sprouts, spinach, crown daisy, young pumpkin, cabbage, soybean sprouts, Actinidia arguta and Aster scaber were the next best activity. The above results selected 17 out of 47 plant samples. Moreover, soybean sprouts was significantly shown to increase $TNF-{\alpha}$ ($1,509.55{\pm}1.38pg/mL$) and $IL-1{\beta}$ ($54.56{\pm}1.08pg/mL$) cytokines in comparison with RAW-Blue cell stimulated by LPS. According to the results of in vitro evaluation, the ethanol extract of soybean sprout increased the production of immune-enhancing cytokines by proliferation of macrophages. In addition, $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor activity and NO production ability were excellent, and it was selected as a material having excellent immunological activity.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2021

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) emitted from vehicle exhaust might disrupt systemic function and elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the changes of cardiometabolic biomarkers among vehicle inspectors exposed daily to PM0.25 and components. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two vehicle inspection centers, Pulogadung and Ujung Menteng, located in East Jakarta, Indonesia. The exposed respondents were 43 workers from vehicle inspection centers, and the unexposed group consisted of 22 staff officers working in the same locations. Vehicle exhaust particulate matter was measured for eight hours using a Leland Legacy personal pump attached to a Sioutas Cascade Impactor. The used filters were 25 and 37-mm quartz filters. The particulate matter concentration was analyzed using a gravimetric method, whereas trace elements were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. An EEL Smoke Stain Reflectometer analyzed black carbon. Results: The personal exposure concentrations of PM0.25 were 10.4-fold higher than those in unexposed groups. Calcium and sulfur were the major components in the obtained dust, and their levels were 3.3- and 7.2-fold higher, respectively, in the exposed group. Based on an independent-samples t-test, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, HbA1c, total immunoglobulin E, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide levels were significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: In summary, it was suggested that PM0.25 exposure from vehicle exhaust might affect cardiometabolic biomarkers change.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

Objectives : Degenerative arthritis arises from several physiological factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the beneficial effects of Phyto-extract Complex (CME) on degenerative arthritis. Methods : CME is composed of extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit, mulberry leaves and black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To measure the toxicity of CME, we performed the single-dose toxicity study. For the evaluation of its effects on degenerative arthritis, we examined the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity, using in vitro enzyme activity assay, the reduction of protein expression of COX-2, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cells which were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We also examined the serum level of prostaglandins (PGs) and injury of the knee joint cartilage, using animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by mono-sodium iodoacetate (MIA). Results : CME did not have any toxicity in single-dose toxicity study. The CME inhibited the activity of COX-2 and could reduce the protein expression of COX-2, 5-LO and iNOS in RAW264.7 cells. The CME also reduced the serum level of PGs and prevented from the cartilage injury of knee joint in animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by MIA. Conclusions : Taken altogether, the CME could be useful for the improvement of degenerative arthritis through its various anti-inflammatory activities and prevention from the cartilage injury of knee joint.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.459-465
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• 2012

This study was conducted to obtain investigated characteristic factors which has an influence on nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions related to the environment change of nitrogen application level, rainfall and temperature. It was done by the carrot cultivation at black volcanic ashes soil in the experimental field of Jeju Special Self-governing Province Agricultural Research and Extension Services from 2010 to 2011. During the carrot cultivation period, the more amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, the more amount of $N_2O$ emissions were released. Generally $N_2O$ emissions were so deeply released to climate as that in the first and middle of cultivation with heavy rainfall released amount is high, otherwise it was released very low at the end of cultivation and drought season. $N_2O$ emissions type was considered to relate with the rainfall pattern and soil water content. We obtained the result correlated with $N_2O$ emissions, in 2010, as the soil water and soil temperature were significant to $0.5718^{**}$ ($r$) and $0.4908^{**}$ ($r$) respectively, but soil EC was not significant to 0.2704 ($r$). In 2011, soil water was significant to $0.3394^*$ ($r$), but soil temperature and soil EC were not significant to 0.2138 ($r$) and 0.2462 ($r$) respectively. Also, $NO_3$-N and soil nitrogen ($NO_3-N+NH_4-N$) were not significant to 0.0575 ($r$) and 0.0787 ($r$) respectively. During the carrot cultivation period, the average emissions factor released by the nitrogen fertilizer application for 2 years was presumed to be 0.0025 $N_2O$-N kg / N kg. This factor was 4 times than the IPCC (0.0100 $N_2O$-N kg / N kg) factor.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.451-458
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristic factors which have been influenced on nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions related to the environment change of nitrogen application level, rainfall and temperature during the soybean cultivation at black volcanic ash soil from 2010 to 2011. During the soybean cultivation, the more amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, $N_2O$ emissions amounts were released much. $N_2O$ emissions with the cultivation time were released much at the first and middle of cultivation with heavy rainfall, but it was released very low until the end of cultivation and drought season. $N_2O$ emissions mainly were influenced by the rainfall and soil water content. The correlation ($r$) with $N_2O$ emissions, soil water, soil temperature and soil EC in 2010 were very significant at $0.4591^{**}$, $0.6312^{**}$ and $0.3691^{**}$ respectively. In 2011, soil water was very significant at $0.4821^{**}$, but soil temperature and soil EC were not significant at 0.1646 and 0.1543 respectively. Also, $NO_3$-N and soil nitrogen ($NO_3-N+NO_4-N$) were very significant at $0.6902^{**}$ and $0.6277^*$ respectively, but $NO_4$-N was not significant at 0.1775. During the soybean cultivation, the average emissions factor of 2 years released by the nitrogen fertilizer application was presumed to be 0.0202 ($N_2O$-N kg $N^{-1}\;kg^{-1}$). This factor was higher about 2.8 and 2 times than the Japan's (0.0073 $N_2O$-N kg $N^{-1}\;kg^{-1}$) value and 2006 IPCC guideline default value (0.0100 $N_2O$-N kg $N^{-1}\;kg^{-1}$) respectively.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.544-550
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristic factors which have been influenced on nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emissions related to the environment change of nitrogen application level, rainfall and temperature during the potato cultivation at black volcanic ash soil from 2010 to 2011. During the potato cultivation, the more amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, $N_2O$ emissions amounts were released much. $N_2O$ emissions with the cultivation time were released much at the first and middle of cultivation with heavy rainfall, but it was released very low until the end of cultivation and drought season. $N_2O$ emissions mainly were influenced by the rainfall and soil water content. The correlation (r) with $N_2O$ emissions, soil wate, soil temperature in 2010 were very significant at $0.6251^{**}$ and $0.6082^{**}$ respectively, but soil EC was not significant to 0.10824. In 2011, soil temperature was very significant at $0.4879^{**}$, but soil water and soil EC were not significant at 0.0468 and 0.0400 respectively. Also, $NH_4$-N was very significant at $0.7476^{**}$, but $NO_3$-N and soil nitrogen ($NO_3-N+NH_4-N$) were not significant at 0.0843 and 0.1797, respectively. During the potato cultivation period, the average emissions factor of 2 years released by the nitrogen fertilizer application was presumed to be 0.0040 ($N_2O-N\;kg\;N^{-1}\;kg^{-1}$). This factor was lower about 2.5 times than the IPCC guideline default value (0.0100 $N_2O-N\;kg\;N^{-1}\;kg^{-1}$).

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2013

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a power generation system to convert chemical energy of fuels and oxidants to electricity directly by electrochemical reactions. As a catalyst support for PEMFCs, carbon black has been generally used due to its large surface area and high electrical conductivity. However, under certain circumstances (start up/shut down, fuel starvation, ice formation etc.), carbon supports are subjected to serve corrosion in the presence of water. Therefore, it would be desirable to switch carbon supports to corrosion-resistive support materials such as metal oxide. $TiO_2$ has been attractive as a support with its stability in fuel cell operation atmosphere, low cost, commercial availability, and the ease to control size and structure. However, low electrical conductivity of $TiO_2$ still inhibits its application to catalyst support for PEMFCs. In this paper, to explore feasibility of $TiO_2$ as a catalyst support for PEMFCs, $TiO_2$ nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and calcinated at 600, 700, 800 and $900^{\circ}C$. Effects of calcination temperature on crystal structure and electrical conductivity of electrospun $TiO_2$ nanofibers were examined. Electrical conductivity of $TiO_2$ nanofibers increased significantly with increasing calcination temperature from $600^{\circ}C$ to $700^{\circ}C$ and then increased gradually with increasing the calcination temperature from $700^{\circ}C$ to $900^{\circ}C$. It was revealed that the remarkable increase in electrical conductivity could be attributed to phase transition of $TiO_2$ nanofibers from anatase to rutile at the temperature range from $600^{\circ}C$ to $700^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.745-752
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• 2018

Melanogenesis is involved in the pigmentation of the hair, eyes, and skin in living organisms. Various signaling pathways stimulated by ${\alpha}-MSH$, SCF/c-Kit, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$, nitric oxide and ultraviolet activate melanocyte, leading to melanin production by tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expressed via the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). However, the abnormal regulation of melanogenesis causes dermatological issues such as graying hair and vitiligo. Therefore, the activators that promote melanogenesis are crucial for the prevention of graying hair and the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders. Many melanogenesis stimulators have been studied for the development of novel drugs derived from synthesized compounds and natural products. Here, in addition to providing a description of a common signaling pathway in the melanogenesis of graying hair and the vitiligo process for the development of novel anti-hair graying agents, this article reviews natural herbs and the active ingredients that promote melanin synthesis as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of vitiligo. In particular, compounds such as Imatinib and Sugen with a stimulating effect on melanogenesis as a side effect of the drugs, are also introduced. Recent advances in research on natural plant extracts such as Polygonum multiflorum, Rhynchosia Nulubilis, Black oryzasativa, and Orysa sartiva, widely known as traditional and medicinal extracts, are also reviewed.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.445-449
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• 2012

We investigate the effects of redox reaction on preparation of high purity ${\alpha}$-alumina from selectively ground aluminum dross. Preparation procedure of the ${\alpha}$-alumina from the aluminum dross has four steps: i) selective crushing and grinding, ii) leaching process, iii) redox reaction, and iv) precipitation reaction under controlled pH. Aluminum dross supplied from a smelter was ground to separate metallic aluminum. After the separation, the recovered particles were treated with hydrochloric acid(HCl) to leach aluminum as aluminum chloride solution. Then, the aluminum chloride solution was applied to a redox reaction with hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$). The pH value of the solution was controlled by addition of ammonia to obtain aluminum hydroxide and to remove other impurities. Then, the obtained aluminum hydroxide was dried at $60^{\circ}C$ and heat-treated at $1300^{\circ}C$ to form ${\alpha}$-alumina. Aluminum dross was found to contain a complex mixture of aluminum metal, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and spinel compounds. Regardless of introduction of the redox reaction, both of the sintered products are composed mainly of ${\alpha}$-alumina. There were fewer impurities in the solution subject to the redox reaction than there were in the solution that was not subject to the redox reaction. The impurities were precipitated by pH control with ammonia solution, and then removed. We can obtain aluminum hydroxide with high purity through control of pH after the redox reaction. Thus, pH control brings a synthesis of ${\alpha}$-alumina with fewer impurities after the redox reaction. Consequently, high purity ${\alpha}$-alumina from aluminum dross can be fabricated through the process by redox reaction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.464-472
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cheonghyul-san on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical ( ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$), and on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent proinflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57BL/6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Cheonghyul-san per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2 (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-IKK-${\alpha}$, anti-phospho I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, anti-NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 antibodies, respectively. Cheonghyul-san prevented $H_2O_2$-induced cell death. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ in the $H_2O_2$-treated LLC-$PK_1$ cells. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ were inhibited in the Cheonghyul-san-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas the ratio was improved in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the protein expression levels of phospho-I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, IKK-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS and VCAM-1 genes. These results suggest that Cheonghyul-san is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ and NO, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Cheonghyul-san might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the diabetes- and obesity-related proinflammatory diseases.