• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2021

Commercially used disposable cups undergo fragmentation in the environment and become microplastics (MPs). These MPs can be ingested by aquatic organisms and cause a range of adverse effects. We assessed the acute and chronic toxicity of disposable cup-derived MP fragments in Daphnia magna. MP fragments were identified as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragment with a size of 33.18 ± 7.76 ㎛. The presence of three additives including 1- Propanone. 1-phenyl-3-[2-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl]-, p-Xylene and ethylbenzene was analyzed from MP fragments. The 48 h acute toxicity revealed that 20 % of immobilization and mortality were found at the highest concentration of PET MP (200 mg L^-1). The 21 d chronic toxicity revealed that PET MP fragments significantly (p < 0.05) more reduced survival rate (31 %), total offspring (52 %) in D. magna compared with control group. The developmental abnormality of offspring (3.5%) by PET MP fragments was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control groups (0.3%). These results are possibly induced by gut blocking by ingestion of MP fragments and their longer retention time. These findings indicate that the fragmentation of disposable cups (PET polymers) into small-sized MP fragments pose a significant ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying toxicity mechanisms.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 2019

This study is investigated sunscreen formulation that enhances UV absorption efficiency by UV light. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) is one of the most common UV filters. Many studies have been conducted about photostability of OMC. It is well known that under the UV exposure, trans-OMC could turn to cis-OMC, or produce various photoproducts including its dimers. Those chemical structure changes were understood as the reason of a decrease in UV absorption efficiency upon UV exposure. However, it was found that OMC and isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate (IMC) could even enhance its UV absorption efficiency when it was exposed to UV light in an environment similar to actual use. In order to develop sunscreen formulation that enhances UV absorption efficiency by UV light, emollient with high polarity and compatibility should be avoided from the formular. Those emollient seemed to prevent OMC or IMC from producing photoproducts under UV light. Finally, a sunscreen formulation (UV sensing SPF boosting formular) enhancing UV absorption efficiency by UV was developed by the UV activated SPF boosting technology, and the effect of the sunscreen was evaluated. in vitro SPF of the sunscreen was increased from 50.69 to 72.33 when it was exposed to UV light and its in vivo SPF (53.7) was 56.10% higher than that of the control sunscreen (below 34.4).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.821-829
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the extracts from nipa palm, molokhia, and finger root in functional cosmetics as a natural active ingredient. The extracts were obtained through the processes of heating under reflux with ethanol, filtration, concentration, and freeze-drying. UV absorption and blocking effects of the extracts were examined by using the UV-vis spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere. Antioxidant activity and its stability between the extracts were compared using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Also, total polyphenol content in the extracts was determined quantitatively using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, with gallic acid as the standard. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was investigated by the disc diffusion test against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative). Finally, collagenase inhibitor assay was performed to examine the anti-wrinkle effect of the extracts. From the results of this study, the extract of nipa palm showed the potential for use in cosmetics as an antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agent, and the extract of finger root as a sunscreen and antibacterial agent.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.459-468
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• 2021

Blocking electromagnetic waves on the exterior walls of buildings effectively reduces the intensity of electromagnetic fields in buildings, which leads to attenuation of electromagnetic disturbances, so there is a great interest in developing technologies. In this study, SiC by-products and graphite generated in the semiconductor field were selected and mixed into mortar after pretreatment such as pulverization to evaluate their physical properties and electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Considering the economic efficiency of each shielding material, only 10% volume of the outermost side of the experiment was mixed with each shielding material to evaluate the shielding performance. The shielding performance was predicted when the experiment was manufactured by mixing the shielding material with the entire volume of the experiment using the shielding effect evaluation formula. The results of the experiment showed that the shielding performance was up to 20 dB when SiC grains were mixed with shielding materials, the shielding performance was up to 18 dB when graphite powder was mixed with shielding materials, and the shielding performance was up to 28 dB when SiC powder was mixed with shielding materials, and the shielding performance was close to 30 dB, which is known to have a shielding rate of 99.9%.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.92-92
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• 2019

Excessive or chronic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Hibiscus syriacus L. has been used as a medicinal plant in many Asian countries, even though its anti-inflammatory activity has been unclear. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of anthocyanin fractions from the H. syriacus L. varieties Pulsae (PS) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of proinflammatory mediators and cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. PS suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) secretion concomitant with downregulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Furthermore, PS inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-12 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further study showed that PS significantly decreased LPS-induced nuclear translocation of the nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) subunits, p65 and p50. Molecular docking data showed that many anthocyanins from PS fit into the hydrophobic pocket of MD2 and bound to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), indicating that PS inhibits the TLR4-MD2-mediated inflammatory signaling pathway. Especially, apigenin-7-O-glucoside most powerfully bound to MD2 and TLR4 through LYS122, LYS122, and SER127 at a distance of $2.205{\AA}$, $3.098{\AA}$, and $2.844{\AA}$ and SER441 at a distance of $2.873{\AA}$ (docking score: -8.4) through hydrogen bonding, respectively. Additionally, PS inhibited LPS-induced TLR4 dimerization/expression on the cell surface, which consequently decreased MyD88 recruitment and IRAK4 phosphorylation. PS completely blocked LPS-mediated mortality in zebrafish larvae by diminishing the recruitment of neutrophil and macrophages accompanied by low levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, our results indicate that PS attenuates LPS-mediated inflammation in both in vitro and in vivo by blocking the TLR4/MD2-MyD88/IRAK4-$NF-{\kappa}B$ axis. Therefore, PS might be used as a novel modulatory candidate for effective treatment of LPS-mediated inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.280-286
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• 2021

Oryzalin is a herbicide that disrupts the arrangement of microtubules by binding to tubulin, thereby blocking the anisotropic growth of plant cells. Microtubules and microfilaments are cytoskeleton components that have been implicated in plant growth through their influence on the formation of cell walls. Microtubules also play roles in the sedimentation of amyloplasts in the root tip columella cells; this sedimentation is related to gravity sensing and results in downward root growth in the soil for absorption of water and minerals. However, the orientation of microtubules changes depending on the level of ethylene in plant cells. A recent study reported that oryzalin stimulated ethylene production via 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase and ACC oxidase and caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of root growth and gravitropic responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that oryzalin-induced inhibition might be recovered by the application of inhibitors of ethylene production, such as 10-4 M cobalt ions and 10-8 M aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG). The inhibition of root growth and gravitropic response was overcome by 10-20% by an 8 hr treatment with cobalt ions or AVG. These results suggest that ethylene levels could regulate root growth and gravitropic responses in Arabidopsis.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2021

A beautiful smile is made when it is symmetrical and gums are displayed less than 2 - 3 mm. Excessive gingival display also known as "gummy smile" is often recognized to be unaesthetic. Causes of gummy smile can be caused by delayed eruption, vertical maxillary excess, hypermobile upper lip, or a short upper lip. Meanwhile botulinum toxin which is an exotoxin produced from Clostridium botulinum, works by blocking the release of acetylcholine from the cholinergic nerve end plates leading to inactivity of the muscles. The application site and weakens the muscle tone is drawing attention as a gummy smile treatment caused by hypermobile upper lip. There have been many studies about the method of injecting botulinum toxin into muscles around the lips, but there is still no standardized research method and treatment method, so there is controversy over the therapeutic effect. The aim of this study is to review the previous studies about the predictors of indication and effects of gummy smile treatment using botulinum toxin injection. Especially we tried to propose a protocol for optimal dose and efficient injection point through the anatomical considerations for gummy smile treatment using botulinum toxin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

With increasing interest in the effectiveness and safety of sunscreen worldwide, research on the development of new inorganic sunscreen is also gaining momentum. In the present study, non-nano sized needle type zinc oxide, which can meet the regulation of nano-material as a recent problem, has been synthesized and surface-modified with cetyl alcohol to obtain needle type zinc oxide powder. Here, we also investigated their physical properties and evaluated their potential application as sunscreens. As a result of the experiment, the sunscreen with needle type zinc oxide powder, which was non-nano, showed similar UV-protection properties and transparency compare to that of 40nm size zinc oxide. It was further confirmed that the UV blocking effect was significantly increased when the needle type zinc oxide dispersion was applied to the sunscreen. Therefore, although the needle type zinc oxide is non-nano (200 nm) material, it has the potential to be applied to the product as an excellent transparency (improvement of whiteness), UV protection efficacy and smooth texture.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.550-560
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• 2022

Background: The effect of ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of G-Rh2 on OVA-induced asthmatic mice and on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis. Methods: Asthma model was established for evaluating airway changes and ear allergy. RPMCs and RBL-2H3 were used for in vitro experiments. Calcium uptake, histamine release and degranulation were detected. ELISA and Western blot measured cytokine and protein levels, respectively. Results: G-Rh2 inhibited OVA-induced airway remodeling, the production of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-8, IL-1β and the degranulation of mast cells of asthmatic mice. G-Rh2 inhibited the activation of Syk and Lyn in lung tissue of OVA-induced asthmatic mice. G-Rh2 inhibited serum IgE production in OVA induced asthmatic mice. Furthermore, G-Rh2 reduced the ear allergy in IgE-sensitized mice. G-Rh2 decreased the ear thickness. In vitro experiments G-Rh2 significantly reduced calcium uptake and inhibited histamine release and degranulation in RPMCs. In addition, G-Rh2 reduced the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-4 in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Interestingly, G-Rh2 was involved in the FcεRI pathway activation of mast cells and the transduction of the Lyn/Syk signaling pathway. G-Rh2 inhibited PI3K activity in a dose-dependent manner. By blocking the antigen-induced phosphorylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, PLCγ2, PI3K ERK1/2 and Raf-1 expression, G-Rh2 inhibited the NF-κB, AKT-Nrf2, and p38MAPK-Nrf2 pathways. However, G-Rh2 up-regulated Keap-1 expression. Meanwhile, G-Rh2 reduced the levels of p-AKT, p38MAPK and Nrf2 in RBL-2H3 sensitized IgE cells and inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway activation by activating the AKT-Nrf2 and p38MAPK-Nrf2 pathways. Conclusion: G-Rh2 inhibits mast cell-induced allergic inflammation, which might be mediated by the AKT-Nrf2/NF-kB and p38MAPK-Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathways.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2021

Purpose: The ultraviolet reflectance and transmittance of coastal building materials are one of the important factors of ultraviolet radiation in and out of coastal building. In this research, the ultraviolet spectral reflectance of many kinds of building materials was measured. Also, the relationships with the lightness, roughness, and chromaticity, which are surface characteristics, were reviewed and suggested. Method: In this study, according to the CIE classification, the ultraviolet region was defined as short-wavelength region UV-C(10nm~280nm), medium-wavelength region UV-B (280-315 nm), and long-wavelength region UV-A (315-400nm), and the visible light region was defined as (400nm~780nm). Spectrophotometer was used to continuously measure the reflectance from the ultraviolet region to the visible light region. Results: From the measurement results, the ultraviolet reflectance on Wood was shown to be about Visible 55-68%, UV-A^* 7-12%, and UV-B 4-5%. Wall tiles are about Visible18-40%, UV-A^* 8-20%, and UV-B^* 7-8%. That on concrete was shown to be about Visible 37%, UV-A^* 28%, and UV-B^*19%. Conclusion: The ultraviolet reflectance can be estimated by visible reflectance. Also, it is important to select a variety of materials according to the application when blocking UV.