• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2021

Microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic with a size less than 5 mm. Ocean pollution by microplastics is now a worldwide concern in relation to marine ecosystems and human health. The widespread contamination by microplastics means that they can be ingested by and accumulated in diverse species of wildlife, such as fish, mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops. Once ingested, the microplastics can be observed in the intestines, liver, and kidney, and even in the brain. Seafood is one of the major sources of protein intake in humans; therefore, seafood consumption could be pathway for human microplastics exposure. Accumulating evidence indicates that repeated oral exposure to microplastics induces pathologic and functional changes in the reproductive, cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and even nervous systems of rodents. Maternal exposure to microplastics during gestation and lactation alters metabolic homeostasis in the offspring. Given that seafood provides more than 20% of the total protein intake by over 310 million people worldwide, a reasonable assumption is that microplastics could be substantially accumulated in the human body and impair physiological function. In this review, we have summarized the current status of microplastics contamination in the ocean, their accumulation and toxicities in marine animals and rodents, their exposure to humans, and their potential impacts on human health.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.312-320
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• 2021

In this study, we aimed to develop a feed additive that can promote the growth of stone flounder (Kareius bicoloratus). To this end, we fermented mealworm medium (5%, w/v) with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antibacterial function (HeTm_LpWpPa) and evaluated its efficacy as a feed additive. Fish (approximately 5-6 g) were reared in six completely recirculating tanks (100 fish/tank) for 6 weeks. The total length of fish with and without HeTm_LpWpPa supplementation was 8.26 and 8.42 cm and body weight was 19.71 and 20.28 g, respectively, at 6 weeks. The weight gain of the control and experimental groups was 223.26 % and 248.76 %, respectively. The specific growth rate at 6 weeks was 2.79 % (control) and 2.98% (experimental), and the growth rate of the experimental group was slightly higher (0.19 %) than that of the control group. At the end of the experiment (i.e. 6 weeks), the number of fish below the mean weight in the experimental group was 3 (1 %) and that in the control group was 17 (5.7 %). These results indicate that feed supplementation of 10 % HeTm_LpWpPa could be utilized to promote the growth of flounder in farming.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Floral Art and Design
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• no.43
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• pp.19-37
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• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to seek for a new exhibition form of floral art design that deviates from formalism by suggesting a planning exhibition with storytelling away from the unilinear exhibition composition method of floral art design currently being held in Korea. Storytelling in flower art exhibition is to construct an easy-to-understand exhibition through the use of the four-step construction method of introduction-development-turn-conclusion, or the three-step construction method of intro-body-conclusion. It is intended to efficiently propose interaction between creators and viewers. In order to seek for diversification of floral art design, it is necessary to secure a convergent view that has been blowing since the Millennial, collaborate with other fields, or attempt exhibition planning that reflects storytelling. The main function of the exhibition is to meet and communicate directly with the public. This study intends to propose the exhibition structure and implementation direction of floral art exhibition through the case of 'Hwawanggye' held at the Sungkyunkwan University Museum in 2017, focusing on the exhibition where storytelling is applied. Through this study, it is expected that the discourse in the field of floral art will be expanded, and various networks of aesthetic suggestions and floral art design with storytelling will be boosted.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear. This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the anti-inflammatory function of ⳑ-methionine in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70-80 g) were administered different levels of ⳑ-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed ⳑ-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by ⳑ-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, ⳑ-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by ⳑ-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by ⳑ-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of ⳑ-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to ⳑ-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by ⳑ-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2018

Objectives : The current study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of youngyanggak-san (YGS) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver injury in rats. Methods : YGS is composed of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Asiasari Radix, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Saigae Tataricae Cornu. While N-YGS (non-youngyanggak-san) doesn't include Saigae Tataricae Cornu. Two samples were administrated TAA together for 3 days. Thirty-six rats were divided into four groups. Rats except for the normal group were received TAA (200 mg/kg of body weight, I.P) were divided into three groups (n=9/group) : Group 1 (TAA only), Group 2 (TAA + 200 mg/kg YGS) and Group 3 (TAA + 200 mg/kg N-YGS). Acute liver damage confirmed using histological examination, The factors associated with oxidative stress and liver function activity measured in serum. Also, expressions of inflammation related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : Oxidative stress factors such as ROS and $ONOO^-$ in the Group 2 was manifested by a significant rise compared with Group 1. YGS markedly decreased the elevated ROS and $ONOO^-$. Furthermore, YGS significantly reduced the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) The nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation induced by TAA led to increase both inflammatory mediators and cytokines. While YGS administration remarkably suppressed such the overexpression. In addition, the histopathological analysis showed that the liver tissue lesions were improved obviously in YGS treatment. Conclusion : YGS provided a hepatoprotective effect on acute liver damage through the suppression of oxidative stress. Especially, this effect enhanced markedly when Saigae Tataricae Cornu is included.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.79-89
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• 2019

Objective : This study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of DM1, a herbal mixture with Atractylodis Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, and Cinnamomi Cortex in high fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice and the mechanism in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Methods : The C57B/6 mice were fed high fat for 12 weeks, and then administrated DM1 extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 4 weeks. The changes of body weight, calorie and water intakes, fasting blood glucose levels and the serum levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, AST and ALT were measured in mice. The histological changes of liver and pancreas tissues were also observed by H&E stain. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes and then treated with DM1 extract (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/㎖) for 24 hr. The expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC), PGC1α, Sirt1 and NRF1, and the AMPK phosphorylation were determined in the myotubes by western blot, respectively. Results : The DM1 extract administration significantly decreased the calorie and water intakes, glucose, triglyceride, AST and ALT levels and increased insulin and HDL-cholesterol in HFD-induced diabetic mice. DM1 extract inhibited lipid accumulation in liver tissue and improved glucose tolerance. In C2C12 myotubes, DM1 treatment increased the expression of MHC, PGC1α, Sirt-1, NRF-1 and the AMPK phosphorylation. Conclusion : In our results indicate that DM1 can improve diabetic symptoms by decreasing the obesity, glucose tolerance and fatty liver in HFD-induced diabetic mice, and responsible mechanism is might be related with energy enhancement.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2022

Among various health functional foods, probiotics constitute the largest market. The interest in probiotics is increasing continuously according to the research results that gut health can control the immune function of the body, prevent diseases, and assist in treatment. In this study, dairy products and dressing sauces were developed using Ficus carica vinegar (FV), and their effects on colon cells were analyzed. When 5% FV was added to regular milk, the satisfaction with the resulting yogurt and ricotta cheese was high. The dairy product was Leuconostoc lactis, and the number of bacteria was more than 1.0×10⁷~1.0×10⁸ CFU/mL. The product satisfied the health food standards as probiotics. An examination of the cell viability of Caco-2 cells, which proliferate similarly to human intestinal epithelial cells, revealed an approximately 19% increase in the proliferation rate when treated with whey at 10%. An antioxidant activity of up to 58% was recorded when the cells were treated with whey at various concentrations. In addition, excellent adhesion was observed for L.latis isolated from whey. This study confirmed that dairy products made using traditionally fermented FV assist intestinal health effectively as the microbiome.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.484-493
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of diets of broiler chickens with hot-melt extruded CuSO₄ (HME-Cu) on their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota, small intestinal morphology, meat quality, and copper (Cu) bioavailability. Methods: A total of 225 broilers (Ross 308), one-day old and initial weight 39.14 g, were weighed and distributed between 15 cages (15 birds per cage) in a completely randomized experimental design with 3 treatments (diets) and 5 replicates per treatment. Cages were allotted to three treatments including control (without supplemental Cu), IN-Cu (16 mg/kg of CuSO₄), and HME-Cu (16 mg/kg of HME processed CuSO₄). Results: The HME-Cu treatment tended to increase the overall body weight gain (p<0.10). The apparent digestibility of Cu was increased by supplementation of HME-Cu at phase 2 (p<0.05). The Escherichia coli count in cecum tended to decrease with the supplementation with Cu (p<0.10). In addition, the HME-Cu treatment had a higher pH of breast meat than the control and IN-Cu treatments (p<0.05). Significant increases in the cooking loss, water-holding capacity, and lightness in the breast were observed in the HME-Cu treatment compared to the control (p<0.05). The Cu content of excreta increased with the Cu supplementation (p<0.05). The concentration of excreta Cu in broilers was decreased in the HME-Cu compared to the IN-Cu in phase 2 (p<0.05). The Cu concentration in the liver was increased with the HME-Cu supplementation, compared with the control diets (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that HME-Cu supplementation at the requirement level (16 mg/kg diets) in broiler diets did not affect the growth performance and the physiological function of Cu in broilers. However, supplementation of Cu in HME form improved the meat quality and the bioavailability of Cu.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2023

Following ISO 20471, in this study, first, two sets of safety clothes and safety vests were made by designing and attaching animal and bird patterns preferred by children to retroreflective films and black fabrics on those fluorescent fabrics and retroreflective materials prescribed by international standards. Second, by mounting a smart photonic device on the safety clothing so that the body can be recognized from a distance even without an ambient light source at night, children can emit three types of light depending on the situation with just one-touch of the button. From a result of comparison with visibility a day and night by dressing a mannequin in the made smart safety clothing, the difference in visibility was evident at night, it was confirmed that we can see the figure of a person even at a distance of approximately 70 m. Therefore, it is expected to contribute to the prevention of traffic and other accidents on the road, as the drivers driving at night or in bad weather can recognize a person from a distance. Third, in case of the energy is exhausted and cannot maintain the stability of the light-emitting function of the optical faber, we can use energy harvesting device, and the light-emitting time will be extended. As a result it comes up to emit light stably for a long time. And this prove that smart photonic safety clothing can also be used for night workers. Therefore, optical fiber safety clothing is expected to be highly wearable not only in real life but also in dark industrial sites due to stable charging by applying the energy harvesting provided by solar cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2009

Objectives : The current treatment regimens for patients with nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy(MN) are based on steroids or immunosuppressive therapy with the aim of reducing proteinuria and improving outcome. Although these treatments attenuate the deterioration of renal function in MN patients, it has been suggested that all are burdened by significant toxicity. Therefore, more specific and less toxic therapies are needed. This study was to evaluate the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma Extract(CRE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. One group named for 'Normal' was injected with a saline solution not to be immunized. The rest groups were treated as follows; After mice were immunized with 0.2 mg of cBSA and Freund's complete adjuvant one time every two weeks for 6 weeks, they received intra-peritoneal injection of 10 mg/kg of cBSA daily for 4 weeks. Also, they were divided into 3 groups. The first named for 'Control' was not given CRE. The second for 'CRE-250' was given oral administration of 250 mg/kg of CRE daily for 4 weeks. The third for 'CRE-500' was given 500 mg/kg of CRE. All of mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the first immunization. We measured a body weight and 24hrs proteinuria as well as serological analysis. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, triglyceride, IgG, IL-6 were significantly decreased in both CRE groups. And the level of IgM was significantly decreased in CRE-250 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM and deposition of electron-density were consideraly decreased in both CRE groups. Conclusions : The present study suggests that CRE is highly effective when treating mice with MN induced by cBSA. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.