• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.402-407
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• 2023

The regulation of platelet aggregation is crucial for maintaining normal hemostasis, but abnormal or excessive platelet aggregation can contribute to cardiovascular disorders such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Therefore, identifying substances that can control or suppress platelet aggregation is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. As a result, cAMP production were increased significantly by artemisinin, as well as phosphorylated VASP and IP₃R which are substrates to cAMP-dependent kinase by artemisinin in a significant manner. The Ca²⁺ normally mobilized from the dense tubular system was inhibited due to IP₃R phosphorylation from artemisinin, and phosphorylated VASP by artemisinin aided in inhibiting platelet activity via αIIb/β3 platelet membrane inactivation and inhibiting fibrinogen binding. Finally, artemisinin inhibited thrombin-induced thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin has importance with cardiovascular diseases stemming from the abnormal platelets activation and thrombus formation by acting as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.713-722
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• 2024

Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold et Zuccarini, which belongs to the Rutaceae family, has been widely used as a spice and medicinal herb in East Asian countries, such as Korea, China, and Japan. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity mechanism of the methanol extract from the leaves of Z. schinifolium (MEZS). Using the 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte model, our findings showed that MEZS significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and fat formation induced by adipocyte differentiation inducer in a dose-dependent manner. MEZS' anti-obesity effects could be attributed to their ability to block the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), and C/EBPβ, and adipocyte-specific genes, such as adipocyte-specific lipid binding protein, leptin, and fatty acid synthase. MEZS also attenuated the activation of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and when the PI3K/Akt pathway was artificially blocked, the inhibitory effect of MEZS on adipocyte differentiation and fat formation was further enhanced. Furthermore, MEZS blocked the generation of reactive oxygen species in differentiated adipocytes, which was associated with the activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and induction of Nrf2 downstream proteins, such as heme oxygenase 1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. Although analysis of the physiologically active substances contained in MEZS and validation in animal models are required, the results of this study suggest that the extract of Z. schinifolium leaves has excellent potential as a food or pharmaceutical material with anti-obesity effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.871-876
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate antimicrobial effectiveness of Omija (Schizandra chinensis Baillon) treated with $ClO_2$ (chlorine dioxide) concentration (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ppm), washing time (30, 60 and 90 sec) and multiple proportion (x1, x2, x3 and x4). The seven groups were divided into control (Omija without washing water treatment), W-T (Omija treated by tap water ($20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) for 30 seconds), $ClO_2$-10 (Omija treated by 10 ppm $ClO_2$), $ClO_2$-15 (Omija treated by 15 ppm $ClO_2$), $ClO_2$-20 (Omija treated by 20 ppm $ClO_2$), $ClO_2$-25 (Omija treated by 25 ppm $ClO_2$), $ClO_2$-30 (Omija treated by 30 ppm $ClO_2$), and then they were detected number of total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold. The rate of inactivation was found, for microorganisms of total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold, to increase with a increase of $ClO_2$ treatment concentration and multiple proportion. No total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold in $ClO_2$-30 sample treated for 30 sec, $ClO_2$-15 treated for 60 sec and $ClO_2$-10 treated for 90 sec were detected, and in $ClO_2$-30 Omija with multiple proportion ${\times}1$ (Omija : 30 ppm $ClO_2$ solution ratio was 1:1 (w/w)), $ClO_2$-20 with ${\times}2$ (Omija : 20 ppm $ClO_2$ solution ratio was 1:2 (w/w)) and $ClO_2$-15 with ${\times}4$ (Omija : 15 ppm $ClO_2$ solution ratio was 1:4 (w/w)) respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.583-590
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• 2019

As the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables increases, food poisoning caused by foodborne pathogen contamination is not decreasing. To prevent the contamination of produce, a quick and easy, low-cost, environmentally-safe disinfection method that does not affect produce freshness or quality is needed. This study demonstrates a new-concept, circulating-water disinfection system that purifies water by using newly developed 'LED-PS (photosensitizer)-induced ROS generation unit'. Using various types of LED-PS induced ROS generation units, we investigated the conditions for reducing the density of various pathogenic bacteria by more than 3 log CFU / mL in 1 hour. The major operational factors affecting the density reduction of the LED-PS-induced ROS generation unit were analyzed. Depending on bacteria species, the density reduction rate was varied. The effect of the units on reducing the density of Bacillus cereus and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum was high, but the effect on foodborne bacteria such as Escherichia coli was relatively low. In this circulating water disinfection system, the density reduction effect tended to increase as the flow rate increased and the initial bacterial density decreased. As the amount of PS absorbed beads increased, the density reduction effect increased exponentially in some bacteria. Model 3280, a double cylindrical unit connecting two single cylindrical units, could completely sterilize more than 3 log CFU/mL of B. cereus and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in 30 minutes of LED irradiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.269-276
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the inactivation effects of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on microorganisms attached to salted Chinese cabbage and food materials of kimchi, such as slice radish and green onion. In addition, changes in microbial and physicochemical quality of manufactured kimchi during storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks were investigated. Compared to the untreated control with tap water, total bacterial counts (TBC) of Chinese cabbage, slice radish, and green onion were reduced by 1.75, 1.68, and 1.03 log CFU/g at dipping times of 20 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively, upon treatment with 30 ppm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$. Effect of microbial inhibition was higher in salted Chinese cabbage brined in 10% salt (w/v) of 30 pm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$ than in untreated control with tap water, as indicated by 1.00 log CFU/g reduction. TBC of kimchi manufactured with materials treated with 30 ppm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$ was not significantly affected compared to untreated control, although coliforms were remarkably reduced compared to the untreated control. At the beginning of storage (1 weeks), TBC and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts increased by approximately 9 and 7.66~8.18 log CFU/g, respectively, and coliforms were completely eliminated. The pH and acidity of kimchi at 2 weeks were 4.34~4.49 and 0.55~0.66%, respectively, and then slowly decreased. The texture (firmness) of kimchi decreased with storage time, but the difference was not significant. This combined treatment might be considered as a potentially beneficial sanitizing method for improving the quality and safety of kimchi.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2007

A natural deodorizing agent (NDA) was made using pine cone byproduct, and its effects on malodor emission and composting were analyzed in this study. NDA was manufactured by mixing pine cone byproduct with three species of microorganisms and water containing mineral nutrients and molasses, and then by incubating for 48 hours at $30^{\circ}C$. Lab scale experiments were done with three treatment groups, T1 (control, sawdust treatment), T2 (microorganisms and sawdust treatment group), and T3 (NDA and sawdust treatment group). During composting, temperatures reached over $55^{\circ}C$, a minimum temperature for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms. No differences were found in physicochemical composition of compost among treatments. However, it was observed that over usage of NDA could obstruct temperature increase, since the biodegradation rate of organic matter of NDA was relatively low, Nitrogen loss due to ammonia gas emission, which normally happens during composting, was reduced by using NDA, and hence the nitrogen level of final compost was higher in T3 than in others. During experiment, it was found that ammonia gas emission was entirely lasted through compositing duration, but the $CH_3SH$ and $H_2S$ gases were produced only at early stage of composting. The ammonia concentration trapped in $H_2SO_4$ solution during 31 days of composting in T1, T2 and T3 was 12,660mg/L, 11,598mg/L and 7,367mg/L, respectively, showing distinguishable reduction of ammonia gas emission in T3. The emissions of $CH_3SH$ and $H_2S$ gases were also remarkably reduced in T3. Based on these obtained results, usage of the deodorizing agent made with pine cone byproduct could reduce the emission of malodor during composting, without any deterioration of compost quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.576-581
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• 2004

Foxtail Millet Yakju were treated with heat ($65^{\circ}C$/15 min) or high hydrostatic pressure ($25^{\circ}C$ (RT) and $65^{\circ}C$ (HT)/400 MPa/10 min), and stored for 64 days at l$0^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ and 37$^{\circ}C$. Changes in microbial counts, enzyme activity and quality of Yakju during storage were measured. Total viable cells were about 10$^2$ CFU/mL, and remained almost constant during storage at l$0^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, while decreased significantly at 37$^{\circ}C$, and undetected after 55 days of storage in heat- and pressure(RT)-treated, but after 25 days in pressure(HT)-treated Yakju. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast in heat- and pressure-treated Yakju were not detected during storage. The relative activities of a -amylase in heat- and pressure(RT)-treated were more than 100%, while those in pressure(HT)-treated were less than 40% during storage of 64 days at l$0^{\circ}C$. However, at $25^{\circ}C$ and 37$^{\circ}C$ the relative activities in untreated and pressure(RT)-treated were decreased greatly and then reached at the point of the activities of heat- and pressure(HT)-treated. The relative activities of glucoamylase in untreated and pressure(RT)-treated were decreased as the increase of the storage temperature during storage, while those in heat- and pressure(HT)-treated increased slightly as the increase of storage period at 1$0^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, and had no change at 37$^{\circ}C$. pH in heat- and pressure-treated had almost no change. Turbidity and reducing sugar in heat- and pressure-treated increased as the increase of storage temperature during storage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.619-624
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• 2016

Chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$) gas treatment (75 ppmv, 30 min) has been suggested to improve the microbial safety of postharvest paprika in a previous study. Based on these results, in this study, an additional combined treatment using low-concentration $ClO_2$ gas-generating sticks (3 ppmv) in paprika samples during storage was carried out at $8^{\circ}C$ and 90% relative humidity to further enhance the quality and reduce the decay rate of paprika for the purpose of lengthy storage. After the combined treatment, the initial populations of total aerobic bacteria as well as yeast and molds in the paprika samples decreased by 3.04 and 2.70 log CFU/g, respectively, compared with those of the control samples, and this microbial inactivation was maintained by the low-concentration $ClO_2$ gas-generating sticks during storage. In particular, the decay rate of samples with combined treatment was significantly lower than that of the control. Vitamin C content, hardness, and color quality parameters of paprika samples were not altered by treatment, while weight loss of the samples treated with the combined $ClO_2$ gas was lower than that of the control during storage. These results indicate that the combination of two different $ClO_2$ gas treatments is effective for retaining the quality of paprika during prolonged storage.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the optimum TE value for enhancing $T_2^{*}$ weighting effect and minimizing the SNR degradation and to compare the BOLD effects according to the changes of TE in 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems. Materials and Methods : Healthy normal volunteers (eight males and two females with 24-38 years old) participated in this study. Each volunteer was asked to perform a simple finger-tapping task (sequential opposition of thumb to each of the other four fingers) with right hand with a mean frequency of about 2Hz. The stimulus was initially off for 3 images and was then alternatively switched on and off for 2 cycles of 6 images. Images were acquired on the 1.5T and 3.0T MRI with the FLASH (fast low angle shot) pulse sequence (TR : 100ms, FA : $20^{\circ}$, FOV : 230mm) that was used with 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76ms of TE times in 1.5T and 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66ms of TE in 3.0T MRI system. After the completion of scan, MR images were transferred into a PC and processed with a home-made analysis program based on the correlation coefficient method with the threshold value of 0.45. To search for the optimum TE value in fMRI, the difference between the activation and the rest by the susceptibility change for each TE was used in 1.5T and 3.0T respectively. In addition, the functional $T_2^{*}$ map was calculated to quantify susceptibility change. Results : The calculated optimum TE for fMRI was $61.89{\pm}2.68$ at 1.5T and $47.64{\pm}13.34$ at 3.0T. The maximum percentage of signal intensity change due to the susceptibility effect inactivation region was 3.36% at TE 66ms in 1.5T 10.05% at TE 46ms in 3.0T, respectively. The signal intensity change of 3.0T was about 3 times bigger than of 1.5T. The calculated optimum TE value was consistent with TE values which were obtained from the maximum signal change for each TE. Conclusion : In this study, the 3.0T MRI was clearly more sensitive, about three times bigger than the 1.5T in detecting the susceptibility due to the deoxyhemoglobin level change in the functional MR imaging. So the 3.0T fMRI I ore useful than 1.5T.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2010

Pepper mild mosaic virus(PMMoV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) are important pathogens in various vegetable crops worldwide. We have found that hot water extract of Phellinus linteus mycelium strongly inhibit PMMoV and CMV infection. Based on these results, the inhibitor named as 'PLM-WE1' formulated from extract of Phellinus linteus mycelium was tested for its inhibitory effects on PMMoV and CMV infection to each local lesion host plant (Nicotiana glutinosa: PMMoV, Chenopodium amaranticolor: CMV). Pretreatment effect of PLM-WE1 against infections of each virus (PMMoV and CMV) to local host plant was measured to be 99.2% to PMMoV and 80.3% to CMV, and its permeability effect was measured to be 45.0% to PMMoV and 41.9% to CMV. Duration of inhibitory activity of PLM-WE1 against PMMoV infection on N. glutinosa was maintained for 3 days at 75% inhibition level and CMV infection on C. amaranticolor maintained for 3 days at 62% inhibition level. Inhibitory effects on systemic host plants of PLM-WE1 were measured to be 75~85% to PMMoV and 75% to CMV. Under electron microscope, PMMoV particles were not denatured or aggregated by mixing PLM-WE1. It is suggested that the mode of action of PLM-WE1 differ from that of inactivation due to the aggregation of viruses. The methanol extract of P. linteus mycelium was sequentially partitioned with haxane, ethyl acetate, BuOH and $H_2O$. The $H_2O$ fraction was showed high activity than the other fractions. The active compound was isolated with a partial acid hydrolysis, fractional precipitation with ethanol. The inhibitory effect of the precipitate isolated from 70% ethanol fraction was 99.1% to PMMoV and 88.0% to CMV. The structure of isolated compound was determined by $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR. This compound was identified as a polysaccharide consisting alpha or beta-glucan.