• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.12-23
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to develop and study an experiential natural education program that could emphasize the importance of the natural environment by providing natural experience opportunities using the natural resources of the urban forest parks using Youngheung Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province as a target site. The research target was limited to Suwon Yeongheung Park, which had the potential to become a place for education, where urban forest conservation and sustainable use already coexist. The natural education resources derived by surveying and analyzing the basic environment and the ecology of plants and animals in Suwon Yeongheung Park were organized to establish program goals, directions, and themes. Suwon Yeongheung Park is a water-rich forest that forms an ecological system of wetlands, including rice paddies, muknon wetlands, and dungbun, near a valley area. The U-shaped walkway was smoothly formed along the ridge and includes Doran-gil, which is among the Palochrome Road, designated by the city of Suwon. The soil is acidic, with a pH 4.40, due to urban pollution and acid rain, and is not good for plant growth. Most of the artificial forests, natural forests, and arable land were found using land use and extant life surveys. Old trees were distributed in artificial forests, the oak clusters in natural forests, and the fields and darrinones were distributed in the arable areas. As the forest vegetation declined, the cedar forest was underway, and the cedar trees and red bean pear trees were cultivated due to their adaptability to the urban environment. There are 13 large of 180 sacks, one being 109 centimeters in diameter, the largest silvery tree, and 105 oak trees, provide food and shelter for animals. Six species of waterfowl that used the 22 kinds of forest wetlands, while four species of amphibians and two species of reptiles reside in the wetlands. Natural Monument No. 327, Mauryuk, Class II Endangered Wildlife, was also observed in the wetlands. Eight other species of surface dragonflies and three species of butterflies were observed. By systemizing the resources, members, and characteristics of the forest ecosystems in Suwon Yeongheung Park based on five criteria, the program for a hands-on natural education was presented with the aim of understanding the urban forest ecosystem in Suwon Yeongheung Park, having an affinity with the city, and recognizing its relationship with the community and society. However, further research is needed as there are limitations of research on programs characterized by different ages and classes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.331-342
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• 2020

The suppression of neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells can be considered a key target for improving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Asparagus cochinchinensis has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory diseases, and brain diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of an aqueous extract from A. cochinchinensis root (AEAC), particularly its anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 microglial cells. BV-2 cells were treated with four different concentrations of AEAC. No significant toxicity was detected in BV-2 cells treated with AEAC. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels were 21% lower in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. Lower proinflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) levels were also detected in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group, albeit at varying rates. Moreover, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group compared to the Vehicle+LPS group, enhancement of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group, while cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase caused by LPS treatment was less severe in the AEAC+LPS group. The increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by LPS treatment was also lower in the AEAC-pretreated group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. This is the first study to show that AEAC exerts anti-neuroinflammatory activity against LPS stimulation by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, the cell cycle, and ROS production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1378-1385
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• 2019

The nutritional composition and optimal eating stage of the super mealworm, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae), were investigated to explore its use as a food ingredient. It was determined that 10^th instar larvae were most suitable for eating in terms of nutritional value as well as economic aspects. To improve the quality of powder production, the nutritional value of 10^th instar larvae before and after degreasing was analyzed. After drying the larvae powder, crude protein was the most abundant nutrient both before (52.3%) and after (60.6%) degreasing while crude fat measured 36.3% and 21.7% before and after degreasing, respectively. In terms of essential amino acids, leucine levels were highest and 1.3 times greater after degreasing (4.5%) than before (3.5%). Oleic acid, the highest unsaturated fatty acid in larvae, was 31.7% after degreasing which was 1.1 times higher than before (33.2%). Among various major minerals, potassium was most abundant and 1.4 times higher after degreasing (1267.0 mg/100 g) than before (879.3 mg/100 g). Harmful substances were 1.3 to 2.0 times lower in the degreased larvae, although mercury or pathogenic bacteria were not detected in either group. We therefore conclude that degreased Z. atratus larvae are more suitable for eating than before degreasing.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-35
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• 2016

Recently, there has been a rapid increase in the sale and purchase of an array of organic products. In particular, organic milk has grown in popularity. This growth could lead to expensive, premium retail prices for various organic cow's milk products. In fact, most consumers believe that (1) dairy farming to produce organic milk is beneficial for human health and (2) organic milk products are made without the use of various antibiotics, synthetic chemicals, genetic modification, extra hormones, and so on. Several factors, including breed, diet, and stage of lactation, are known to influence the composition of milk. Therefore, this review (1) presents a research outline to compare organic and conventional milk and (2) provides a summary of individual elements that affect the composition of milk.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.spc
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• pp.50-60
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• 2008

We performed the experiment to evaluate the effect of different DO concentrations (0.5, 4.5 and 9.0 $mgO_2L^{-1}$) and water depths (20, 50 and 80 cm) on the filtering rate, mortality, and pseudifeces production of Unio douglasiae against the cyanobacterial bloom (mainly Microcystis aeruginosa). A solitary-living bivalve U. douglasiae was collected in the upstream region of the North Han River (Korea). The harvested mussels were carefully transferred to the laboratory artificial management system, which was controlled temperature $(18{\pm}2^{\circ}C)$, flow rate (10L $h^{-1}$), food $(Chlorella^{TM})$, sediment (pebble and clay), light intensity (ca. $20{\mu}mol$ photons), and photocycle (12 L : 12 D). In the field observation, the mussel mortality was significantly correlated with water temperature, pH and DO concentration (P<0.05). The mortality was decreased with water depth; 65, 90, 80% of mortality at 20, 50, 80 cm water-depth, respectively. Filtering rate (FR) showed the highest value at 50 cm water depth, and thereby the concentration of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ decreased continuously by 94% of the control at the end of the experiment. In contrast, FR decreased by 34% of the initial concentration at 20 cm water depth. Over the given water-depth range, the mussel FR ranged from $0.15{\sim}0.20L\;gAFDW^{-1}hr^{-1}$ during the 18hrs of experiment, and thereafter, they appeared to be approximately 0.11, 0.26 and 0.30 L $gAFDW^{-1}hr^{-1}$ at 20, 50 and 80cm water depth, respectively. FR was highest with the value of 0.46L $gAFDW^{-1}hr^{-1}\;at\;0.5mgO_2 L^{-1}$ at the early stage of the experiment, while it increased with DO concentration. Maximum pseudofaeces production was 11.2 mg $gAFDW^{-1}hr^{-1}\;at\;9.0mgO_2L^{-1}$. Our results conclude that U. douglasiae has a potential to enhance water quality in eutrophic lake by removing dominant cyanobacteria, but their effects vary with environmental parameters and the water depth at which they are located.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.742-753
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate risk factors of pre-hypertension and hypertension in rural residents. Nine hundred and ninety four subjects aged 40-70 yrs in Chungnam-do participated in this study. The subjects (n = 824) were classified into three groups of hypertensive, pre-hypertensive, and normotensive according to the Joint National Committee (JNC)-7 criteria. The weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and serum total protein, albumin, BUN, and triglyceride (TG) were positively correlated with SBP and DBP. After adjusted by age, sex and BMI, the total protein, albumin and TG were significantly correlated with SBP and DBP (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in eating habits according to the level of blood pressure. The serum albumin, creatinine, Glu-FBS, Glu-PP l20, and triglyceride were higher in both prehypertensive and hypertensive group than in the normotensive group. However, mean serum cholesterol was not different among three blood pressure groups. In this study, the common risk factors of pre-hypertension and hyper-tension were male, age of fifties, lower education level, ex-smoking, higher drinking frequency, higher BMI, body fat %, waist circumference, WHR, serum albumin and diabetes, even though the degree of risks in these variables were higher in the hypertensive group. The higher BUN was a risk factor of prehypertension, while the family history, prediabetes, serum total protein, Glu-PP l20 and higher alcohol drinking amount were the risk factors of hypertension. This result suggests that maintaining good health habit and normal range of blood parameters as well as controlling body weight have to be paid attention in order to prevent hypertention, and further reseasch on the relationship of blood pressure and BUN are needed.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.106-120
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• 2018

Since 2018, the production and sales of ram-milk cheese ripened for over 60 days has been permitted in South Korea. Hence, this study aimed to examine the microbiological changes in 7 different types of Gouda cheese. During the aging period, traditional raw-milk Gouda Cheeses 1 and 2 did not contain Salmonella spp. during the 60-day storage period and no E. coli after 20-day storage. Coliform bacteria were not detected in Cheese 1 after 40 days; however, they were detected in Cheese 2 up to 60 days. Salmonella spp. were inhibited during the 60-day storage period in Cheese 3 (Salmonella spp.-contaminated raw-milk Gouda cheese), Cheese 4 (Cheese 3 contaminated with lactic acid bacteria DH 5 isolated from Kefir) and Cheese 5 (Cheese 3 contaminated with lactic acid bacteria DN1 isolated from Kefir). In particular, inhibition of Salmonella spp. was more prominent in Cheese 4 and Cheese 5 than in Cheese 3. During 60-day storage, Cheese 6 had a significantly reduced lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, in Cheese 7, E. coli, E. Salmonella ssp. were rarely detected, and lactic acid bacteria were slightly greater in Cheese 7 than in other cheeses during the 60-day period. Moreover, all samples from Cheese 1 to Cheese 7 were not contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and E. coli O157:H7.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.203-216
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• 2016

Probiotic microorganisms are thought to provide health benefits when consumed. In 2001, the World Health Organization defined probiotics as "live microorganisms which confer a health benefit on the host, when administered in adequate amounts." Three methods for screening potential probiotics have currently widely available. (1) In vitro assays of potential probiotics are preferred because of their simplicity and low cost. (2) The use of in vivo approaches for exploring various potential probiotics reflects the enormous diversity in biological models with various complex mechanisms. (3) Potential probiotics have been analyzed using several genetic and omics technologies to identify gene expression or protein production patterns under various conditions. However, there is no ideal procedure for selecting potential probiotics than testing cadidate strains on the target population. Hence, in this review, we provide an overview of the different methodologies used to identify new probiotic strains. Furthermore, we describe futre perspectives for the use of in vitro, in vivo and omics in probiotic research.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2013

Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-63
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the various contexts affecting life culture through practical reasoning process and to select the goal and contents system of unification education in middle school home economics to form healthy unification community and to develop teaching and learning process. Based on the Unification Education Guidelines, Unification Education Pre-Study, Pre-Study on North Korean Defectors, and Analysis of the 2015 Revision Home Economics Curriculum in Korea, Goal and content system. Based on this, we developed a teaching and learning process and a student activity place applying practical reasoning process after extracting practical problems, and prepared a final development plan based on the results of two expert group evaluations. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, the goal of unification education in the middle school home economics class is to 'Based on the social-cultural context, we develop the ability to cultivate healthy reunification by respecting the differences between the cultures of the two Koreas and discovering common values in a unified society and resolving practical issues in a unified society.'. Second, the content system of middle school home economics unification education was selected as the core theme of 'Unification Education Focused on the Living Culture'. The content elements were comprehending the socio - cultural context that affects the life culture of the two Koreas, Related language, maintenance of diversity of dietary culture in each region including North Korean food, social norms and attire, correct housing value and common living etiquette. Based on the goals of unification education in the middle school home school curriculum, we selected practical issues as 'What should we do to create a healthy unified community?'. Third, the teaching and learning process of unification education in junior high school home economics education is to recognize the problem of unification, to analyze the factors affecting the life culture of the two Koreas, to grasp the effect of the action and the ripple effects, to select alternative methods, And 4 subjects for 8 teaching learning course plan, and 35 teaching materials.