• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.185-200
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• 2022

The risk of various hazardous substances in aquatic environment comprises not only the concentration of substances in the environmental medium but also their accumulation in fish through complex food web and the health risks to humans through the fish. In Korea, the monitoring of residual toxicant in aquatic ecosystems began in 2016 following the enforcement of the Acts on registration and evaluation for the management of chemicals used in daily life (consumer chemical products), and attention has been paid to potentially hazardous substances attributed to them. Recently, studies have been carried out to investigate the distribution of these hazardous substances in the ecosystem and calculate their emission factors. These include the accumulation and transport of substances, such as detergents, dyes, fragrances, cosmetics, and disinfectants, within trophic levels. This study summarizes the results of recently published research on the inflow and distribution of hazardous substances from consumer chemical products to the aquatic environment and presents the scientific implication. Based on studies on aquatic environment monitoring techniques, this study suggests research directions for monitoring the residual concentration and distribution of harmful chemical substances in aquatic ecosystems. In particular, this study introduces the directions for research on trophic position analysis using compound specific isotope analysis and trophic magnification factors, which are needed to fulfill the contemporary requirements of selecting target fish based on the survey of major fish that inhabit domestic waters and assessment of associated health risk. In addition, this study provides suggestions for future biota monitoring and chemical research in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2023

The rapid advance of technology has accelerated global warming. As 50.4 percent of South Korea's population is concentrated in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, which has become a considerable emitter of greenhouse gases, the city's average temperature is expected to increase more rapidly than in other areas in the country. A rise in the average temperature would affect everyday life and urban ecology; thus, appropriate measures to cope with the forthcoming disaster are in need. This study analyzed the changes in plant phenological phases from the past to the present based on temperatures (average temperature of Feb, Mar, April) observed in seven different weather stations nearthe Seoul Metropolitan Area (Ganghwa, Seoul, Suwon, Yangpyeong, Icheon, Incheon, and Paju) and the first flowering dates of Plum tree (Prunus mume), Korean forsythia (Forsythia koreana), Korean rosebay (Rhododendron mucronulatum), Cherry tree (Prunus serrulate), Peach tree (Prunus persica), and Pear tree (Pyrus serotina). Then, RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 2.6 and 8.5 scenarios were used to predict the future temperature in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and how it will affect plant phenological phases. Furthermore, the study examined the differences in the flowering dates depending on various strategies to mitigate greenhouse gases. The result showed that the rate of plant phenological change had been accelerated since the 1900s.If emission levels remain unchanged, plants will flower from 18 to 29 earlier than they do now in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, which would be faster than in other areas in the country. This is because the FFD (First Flowering Date), is highly related to temperature changes. The Seoul Metropolitan Area, which has been urbanized more rapidly than any other areas, is predicted to become a temperature warming, forcing the FFDs of the area to occur faster than in the rest of the country. Changes in phenology can lead to ecosystem disruption by causing mismatches in species interacting with each otherin an ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies against temperature warming and FFD change due to urbanization.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.120-131
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• 2022

Microcystins (MCs) are cyano-toxins mainly produced by cyanobacteria in the genera of Microcystis, Anabaena, and Oscillatoria. The concentrations of MCs in the water bodies and fish tissues taken from the four weirs (Ipo, Gangjeong-goryeong, Baekje, and Juksan) in the four main rivers in Korea, and the health risk of human due to consumption of toxin-detected fish was examined. The maximum values of MCs concentration in the water samples were as follows: Juksan (3.261 ㎍ L^-1), Gangjeong-goryeong (1.014 ㎍ L^-1), Baekje (0.759 ㎍ L^-1), and Ipo (0.266 ㎍ L^-1) weirs. The MC-RR concentration was the highest among the MCs, and MC-YR was not detected. MCs of 0.222~9.808 ㎍ g^-1 dry weight were detected in the liver of 3 out of 215 fishes of 16 species, and below the detection limit in muscle. As a result of comparing the feeding characteristics of the collected fishes and toxin concentrations in water and fish tissue, it was concluded that the biomagnification of MCs through the food chain did not occur. It was judged that there was no health risk due to the consumption of the fish detected the toxin, based on the amount of the fish intake of the Korean people and the allowable daily intake of MCs. However, in order to reduce the health risk due to MCs, further studies should be conducted to analyze the concentration of MCs contained in fish tissues collected at various times in the area dominated by harmful cyanobacteria to obtain data on the exposure of MCs due to fish consumption. In addition, it is necessary to establish the management guidelines for MCs in fish tissues.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.168-183
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• 2023

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion: Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.107-121
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• 2023

This study analyzed the polyphenol, flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, anti-aging activity and phenol component contents of Saccharina japonica (SJ), Costaria costata (CC) extracts with hot water, 95% methanol, 95% prethanol for investigating possible utilization of SJ and CC extracts. The result revealed that the SJ and CC methanol extracts showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents, 4.63 mg TAN/g, and 4.19 mg QUE/g respectively. Also, the SJ and CC methanol extracts showed higher antioxidant activity than prethanol and hot water extracts, whereas the ABTS radical scavenging activities were the highest in prethanol extracts (IC₅₀ = 15.4, 10.3 ㎍/µL). In anti-aging activity for evaluating the anti-wrinkle activity and skin whitening activity, the CC methanol extracts had high collagenase inhibitory activity (88.3%), and the SJ prethanol extracts showed higher elastase inhibitory activity (19.0%) compared to other extracts. Then the tyrosinase inhibitory activity was significantly higher in the SJ and CC methanol extracts (41.8, 30.3%, respectively), whereas prethanol extracts were the lowest. To identify the phenol component contents of SJ and CC extracts, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, naringenin, naringin and nicotinic acid were measured using LC-MS/MS. As a result, the phenol contents were the highest in SJ methanol extract (4-hydroxybenzoic acid), SJ and CC prethanol extract (naringin and naringenin) and CC prethanol extract (nicotinic acid). Lastly, the antioxidant activity of SJ and CC showed high correlations with polyphenol and flavonoid contents (R = -0.946~0.883). These results suggest that prethanol or methanol extracts of SJ and CC have higher antioxidant activities, anti-aging activity and the potential to be used as material for health functional food and cosmetics.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.199-210
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• 2022

This study aimed to develop a cropping system to use limited crop-land with optimum efficiency, while considering management from farmers. To establish the cropping system involving a two-year rotation of three crops, three types of cropping system were evaluated in Suwon (Seogcheon series) and Anseong (Geumcheon series) in the middle plain area using six crops from 2018 to 2019: maize-perilla-onion, potato-sesame-garlic, and maize-sesame-onion. The crop productivity and income of the cropping systems involving food-, oilseed-, and horticultural crops were analyzed, and the optimal cropping system was reviewed. The total yield of each crop was as follows: maize 1,281 kg, potato 4,837 kg, perilla 125 kg, sesame 120 kg, onion 6,503 kg, and garlic 1,027 kg per 10a. However, in terms of gross profit, the potato was more than 3.8 times more profitable than corn, sesame was 1.8 times more profitable than perilla, and garlic was more than 2.8 times more profitable than onions. As a result, in terms of net income, the potato-sesame-garlic cropping system produced the highest income per unit area. Sesame seedlings were planted after the potato harvest, thereby solving the problem of competition between the first and last crops. Overall, this study confirmed that the potato-sesame-garlic cropping system, a two-year rotation of three crops, contributed to the improvement of upland crop productivity and farmers' income and was an overall effective cropping system.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2022

Waxy corn (Zea mays L.), which contains homozygous mutant alleles for the waxy1 (wx1) gene, is widely consumed as a snack food in Asia. This study evaluated sixteen agronomic characteristics of inbred Korean waxy corn lines to aid development of high-quality waxy corn cultivars. The plant materials studied were 177 inbred waxy corn lines developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. For the tested lines, days to tasseling and silking averaged 77.69±2.22 days (with a range of 56-97 days), and 81.12±7.56 days (66-99 days), respectively. Plant length ranged from 88 to 237 cm (averaged 164.88±22.67 cm), ear length averaged 11.75±2.52 cm (5.0-18.5 cm), and ear width averaged 2.94±0.68 cm (1.4-4.5 cm). The number of rows on each ear of corn averaged 12.22±2.22 (7-32 rows) and the kernel number averaged 24.30±4.22 (9-37 kernels) per row. The crude protein content was 12.05±1.53% (8.90-21.80%) and total starch content was 69.27±5.74% (49.5-83.9%). Principal component analysis revealed that ear width, grain length, ear length, days to tasseling, days to silking, percentage of ear setting height, and total starch are features that allow distinction between the 177 waxy inbred corn lines. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified twelve waxy inbred lines that produce tall plants and have a short silking period. These lines may improve yield among quickly growing corn varieties.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.203-216
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examines the weight control behavior depending on university students' motives of using social media. Methods: The participants were 447 university students in the Jeonbuk area. Collected data were analyzed using factor analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance, and χ² tests with SPSS v. 26.0. Considering the motives of using social media, we investigated the usage of social media, dietary behavior related to social media, and weight control behavior. Results: Using the K-clustering method, the motives to use social media were categorized into three clusters: cluster 1 was the interest-centered group, cluster 2 was the multipurpose information-seeking group, and cluster 3 was the relationship-centered group. Among the various social media sites, YouTube (86.8%), Instagram (76.1%), and Facebook (61.1%) were the most visited by the subjects. The dietary behavior related to social media in cluster 2 was significantly higher than clusters 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). Clusters 1 and 2 showed a significantly higher dissatisfaction with one's weight (p < 0.05) and consequent interest in weight control than cluster 3 (p < 0.001). Cluster 2 used weight control-related information from social media significantly more than other clusters (p < 0.05). Weight control experiences in cluster 1 and 2 were significantly higher than in cluster 3 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Differences in dietary behavior related to social media and weight control behavior were observed between cluster types of motivation to use social media. Based on the usage motives of university students and their behaviors, we propose that educational programs should be conducted for weight control using social media.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

Myriophyllum spicatum L. has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquariums, and as a folk remedy for inflammation and pus. Nevertheless, the biological activity and underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Myriophyllum spicatum L. (EMS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant activity of EMS was assessed by radical-scavenging effects on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. As inflammatory response parameters produced by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were quantified to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of EMS. Our results showed that EMS increased FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In EMS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly inhibited at the non-cytotoxic concentration. In addition, EMS significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/myeloid differentiation protein (MyD) 88 signaling pathway, and inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB). Positive correlations were noted between anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, it was indicated that EMS suppresses the transcription of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby suppressing LPS-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. This study highlights the potential role of EMS against inflammation and associated diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.656-669
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, time use, and dietary quality of adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 423 high school students (112 male and 311 female students) in Chungnam using a questionnaire comprising general characteristics, sleep status, use of time, and Nutrition Quotient for Korean Adolescents (NQ-A). Results: On weekdays, male students reported getting 6.6 hours of sleep, which was significantly higher than the 5.8 hours reported by female students. The sleep quality score between male and female students was not significantly different on weekdays and weekends. Comparing the students categorized as getting 6 hours of sleep duration on weekdays and 8 hours on weekends, a significantly higher total NQ-A score was obtained for the long sleep duration group of female students on weekdays. In male students who reported increased screen time on weekdays and study time on weekends, there was a greater frequency of short sleep duration. Our data also revealed that the longer the sleep duration higher the NQ-A score. In addition, higher NQ-A scores were determined with shorter screen time and more prolonged exercise time. Conclusion: Our results suggest that intense study time and excessive use of smartphones have a negative effect on sleep in high school students. In addition, poor sleep quality and lack of sleep are likely to affect eating habits and nutritional status. Therefore, there is a need to provide nutritional education to adolescents imparting knowledge that associates desirable sleep habits and the correct use of time.