• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.109-113
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• 2006

Objectives : In this study, anti-oxidant activity of Taraxacum platycarpum is confirmed to investigate cosmeceutical activity for utilization as a cosmetic ingredients. Methods : In the anti-oxidant and whitening effect experiment, the electron donating ability of Taraxacum platycarpum extracts, their SOD-like activity, and the inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase were examined. Results : Radical-scavenging activity of water and ethanol extract was examined using ${\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH). Water and ethanol extract from Taraxacum platycarpum showed 62.9% and 54.7% at 500 ppm concentration in DPPH radical inhibition, respectively. In the test of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, water extract showed 63.4% at 1,000 ppm concentration, while ethanol extract showed 49% at 1,000 ppm concentration. In the test of xanthine oxidase inhibition, ethanol extract showed 66.8% at 1,000 ppm concentration. Tyrosinase inhibition effect related to whitening effect showed 36.3% and 54.2% in ethanol extract and water extract at 1,000 ppm concentration, respectively. Conclusion : According to these results, it is possible that the extract of Taraxacum platycarpum can be used as a new natural material of cosmetic industry.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.274-280
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• 2014

Six compounds were isolated from the n-BuOH fraction of the aerial parts of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus including: sambunigrin (1), prunasin (2), aruncide A (3), aruncide C (4), 1-O-caffeoyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranose (5), and caffeic acid (6). Their structures were confirmed by comparing the spectral data with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds (1 - 6) were then examined for their cytotoxic effects towards MCF-7, HL-60, and HeLa cancer cell lines, as well as their DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results indicated that compound 4 possessed the strongest inhibitory effect toward HeLa cell line with $IC_{50}$ value of $5.38{\pm}0.92{\mu}M$. Compound 3 possessed selective cytotoxic activity on HL-60 cells with $IC_{50}$ value of $6.27{\pm}0.17{\mu}M$, compound 5 was found as the best in inhibiting proliferation with $IC_{50}$ value of $2.25{\pm}0.09{\mu}M$, and the other compounds showed significant inhibition with $IC_{50}$ values ranging from 6.10 to $11.27{\mu}M$. Compound 5 also displayed the strongest cytotoxic effect toward MCF-7 cell line ($IC_{50}$ $4.32{\pm}0.15{\mu}M$). Both 5 and 6 demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ $6.87{\pm}0.03$ and $4.33{\pm}0.22{\mu}M$, respectively). Compounds 1 and 5 were isolated for the first time from this plant.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.6
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• pp.269-275
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• 2014

Background: The six-minute walk test has been widely used in people with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders as an outcome assessment with regards to therapeutic or prognostic determinants. This study was undertaken to determine the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in a sample of healthy Koreans and to create a reference equation. We also compared the 6MWD of our cohort with previously published equations. Methods: Two hundred fifty-nine healthy subjects (95 males) aged 22-59 years performed two walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the two tests. The effect of anthropometrics on the 6MWD was also investigated. Results: The average 6MWD was $598.5{\pm}57.92m$, with significantly longer distances by males ($628.9{\pm}59.51m$) than females ($580.9{\pm}47.80m$) (p<0.001). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were significantly correlated with 6MWD in univariate analysis. Stepwise multiple regression showed height to be single independent predictor of 6MWD ($r^2$=0.205, p<0.001). The reference equations derived in Caucasian and North African populations tend to overestimate the distance walked by Korean subjects, while Asian equations underestimate it. Conclusion: The average 6MWD in these Korean populations was 600 m. The regression equation revealed that individual's height was the most significant predictor of distance, explaining 20.5% of the distance variance.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.201-205
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• 2003

Purpose: Telomerase activity is generally absent in primary cell cultures and normal tissues. Telomerase is known to be induced upon immortalization or malignant transformation of human cells. Telomerase activity can be increased in immature lymphocytes and activated lymphocytes, but it is not detected in the peripheral blood of normal persons. The authors analyzed peripheral blood telomerase from patients of gastric cancer to evaluate the possibility of using it for diagnosis and as a prognostic factor. Materials and Methods: We obtained blood samples from 11 inflammatory patients and 64 gastric cancer patients. The telomerase activity was measured using the [PCR-ELISA] method. The results were correlated with the T, N, M stage, cell differentiation, vascular, neural, and lymphatic invasion, tumor size, and tumor location. Results: In the 11 inflammatory patients, telomerase activity was not detected while in the gastric cancer patients, a positive rate of $28.1\%$ was noted. The peripheral telomerase activity was not related with tumor size, tumor site, lymphatic and vascular invasion, stage, or histologic differentiation. Conclusion: The peripheral blood telomerase activity for patients of gastric cancer can be utilized as a marker for the diagnosis of not only advanced gastric cancer, but also relatively early stage gastric cancer, but not as a prognostic factor.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was done to show the clinical effect of miniscalpel acupuncture treatment on osteoarthritis of the knee which is refractory to acupuncture treatment. Methods : A patient was treated with acupuncture for three weeks, non-treated(wash out period) for two weeks, and treated with miniscalpel acupuncture for three weeks. The effect of treatments were measured with Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Range of Motion(ROM), Short form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC). Results : During the three weeks of acupuncture treatment, VAS, SF-MPQ and WOMAC improved, but after two weeks of the wash out period each score worsened. During the three weeks of miniscalpel acupuncture VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC improved while ROM improved remarkably. Conclusion : These results suggest that miniscalpel acupuncture might be a therapeutic option for knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients who does not responded to acupuncture treatment.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2016

Objectives : Phyllostachys Folium is leaves of Phyllostachys nigra var. henesis $S_{TAPF}$. In the East Asian traditional medicine, the herb has been used to treat nasal bleeding, dysuria, epilepsy and etc. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Phyllostachys Folium water extracts (PFE) in vitro and in vivo model. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay after the treatment of PFE and NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. iNOS, COX-2, $I{\kappa}B$, $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ amd $NF{\kappa}B$ were detected by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich ELISA kit. Anti-edema effect of PFE was determined in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Results : LPS increased NO and cytokines levels compared with control, these increases were attenuated by PFE. In addition, LPS-induced pro-inflammatory proteins such as iNOS, COX-2 were down regulated by PFE. These anti-inflammatory effect of PFE results from inhibition of phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ and translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Conclusion : These results show that PFE has some anti-inflammatory effects which might play a role in gram-negative bacterial infection inflammation and $NF{\kappa}B$ activated diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2008

The 3T3-L1 cell line is a well-established and commonly used in vitro model to assess adipocyte differentiation. Over the course of several days, confluent 3T3-L1 cells can be converted to adipocytes in the presence of an adipogenic cocktail. In this study, the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (CO) on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells were studied. The CO significantly decreased lipid accumulation, a marker of adipogenesis, in a dose-dependent manner. The low molecular mass CO (1-3 kDa) were the most effective at inhibiting adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of both CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) ${\alpha}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$, the key adipogenic transcription factors, were markedly decreased by CO treatments. CO also significantly down regulated adipogenic marker proteins such as leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Our results suggest a role for CO as antiobesity agents by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation mediated through the down regulated expression of adipogenic transcription factors and other specific genes.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.831-841
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• 2006

The study on school indoor air quality was carried out at classrooms, computer-rooms, laboratories and play- grounds for carbonyl compounds including formaldehyde during the winter time from November to December 2004 and during the summer time from June to July 2005. The sampling was conducted under the general school condition without any artificial intervention such as the sealing, ventilating or heating at indoor environments. The concentrations of formaldehyde at all types of indoor environments were lower than air quality standard of $120{\mu}g/m^3$ for public facilities. The mean concentrations of formaldehyde at indoors were $4.5{\sim}6.1$ times higher than those at outdoors. From the comparison between two year and one year old schools after construction, the concentrations of formaldehyde in two year old school were $30{\sim}38%$ lower than those in one year old school measured at classrooms and laboratories.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.459-472
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• 2017

This study provides preliminary data to help organize improvements in analyzing the importance and performance of sanitation management items and the management of foodservice facilities in Community Child Centers in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Area. Questionnaires were distributed to 173 participants in sanitation and safety education at the center from April~June 2013 and 121 questionnaires were used as analysis data to investigate the management of foodservice facility at Community Children Centers in Daegu Gyeongbuk area. Most of the Community Child Centers are privately owned, and 62.0% had 20 to 29 children. Only 6.6% and 50.4% of the centers had nutritionists or cooks, respectively, due to budget deficits, and the foodservices were run by employees holding other positions. An investigation of sanitation management found that 84.3% of employees had a regular health inspection with significant differences between Daegu and Gyeongbuk (p<0.05). Most of the sanitation education was necessary, and the contents of sanitation education were applied to the fields in 66.1% of facilities. The reasons why the contents of them were not used in the fields included, the shortage of facilities and devices at 20.7%, which was the most common explanation. The separation separated of contaminated and non-contaminated areas were observed in 45.5% of facilities (p<0.01), separated sinks for pre-processing and cooking were found in 50.4%, and a show significant higher rate was noted in Daegu than in Gyeongbuk (p<0.05). An interior wall and, floor tile installation were observed 43.8% of facilities and a significantly higher rate was noted in Daegu than in Gyeongbuk (p<0.05). 30.9% of centers in Daegu and 11.3% of centers in Gyeongbuk area were equipped with a hot holding table(p<0.05). Overall, there is a need for education of foodservice to managers because most facilities do not have dietitians. In addition, facilities and equipment should be supplied continuously to foodservice facilities in community child centers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2015

Objectives: This study evaluated the regional and seasonal concentrations of ambient hazardous heavy metals in an industrial complex area in Daegu City. Methods: A total of 64 SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) samples were collected in non-industrial and industrial areas during 2014 and were analyzed for hazardous heavy metals elements (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb) with ICP after acid extraction. Results: SPM and hazardous heavy metals concentrations showed regional (industrial complex area>non-industrial complex area) and seasonal (spring, winter>fall, summer) variations. All of the hazardous heavy metals were influenced by anthropogenic sources. The pollution index of hazardous heavy metals was very low, showing roughly one-quarter of the level of the air quality guidelines of WHO. The correlation analysis among SPM and hazardous heavy metals indicated that components of non-industrial complex areas were more related to each other than those of industrial complex areas, and the correlation in the winter was higher than in other seasons. Conclusion: It is necessary to control air pollution sources and establish related policy because hazardous heavy metals from industrial areas can influence residential areas.