• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2019

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most popular green leafy vegetables, and it contains various beneficial components including polyphenolic compounds and has been known to possess various biological functions such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extract of dried lettuce (DLE) and investigated its anti-inflammatory activity. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of DLE, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. DLE significantly suppressed NO production in these cells without affecting cell viabilities while resveratrol was used as a positive control. DLE dramatically decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2 at the mRNA and protein levels and reduced the expression of several cytokines including $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-1F6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, CSF2 and CXCL10. In addition, DLE suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating DLE shows its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs pathway and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathways. And also, DLE reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. DLE increased HO-1 protein expression, and also increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Overall, our results suggest that lettuce down-regulate various pro-inflammatory genes and have its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.332-336
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• 2019

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of many diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The flowers of Chrysanthemum boreale have been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. boreale Makino flower essential oil (CFEO) on adipocyte differentiation using preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. CFEO at concentrations between 0.1 and $5{\mu}g/ml$ did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. A CFEO concentration of between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ significantly inhibited lipid accumulation during MDI-induced differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a maximal level at $1{\mu}g/ml$ ($28.94{\pm}2.01%$; approximately 30% of control treated with MDI alone). Western blot analysis revealed that CFEO concentrations between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ suppressed the activations of three adipogenic transcription factors in the MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$; CCATT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$; and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1. Moreover, the expressions of lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase were also inhibited by treatment with CFEO between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$. CFEO may therefore be a promising functional material for obesity prevention.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.104-121
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• 2017

The present study attempted to produce the floor plan of the surroundings near Geumcheongyo Bridge in Changdeokgung Palace of the Late Joseon Period through the use of rubber sheeting transformation based on the drawing principles of "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)". First, the study compared the actual sizes of the major buildings that have existed since the production of "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)" with the sizes depicted in the picture to reveal that the front elevation of the buildings was produced by reducing it by approximately 1/200. However, the study could not confirm the same production proportions for the side elevation. Only the lengths of the side elevation were depicted at around half of the actual proportions, and as the diagonal line angles were found to be at an average of $39^{\circ}$, the study confirmed they were drawn in a manner similar to cabinet projection. Second, the study created an obliquely projected floor plan by inversely shadowing the drawing principles of "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)" and produced a floor plan of the surroundings near Geumcheongyo Bridge in Changdeokgung Palace through the use of rubber sheeting transformation. Projective transformation was confirmed as most suitable during the transformation, and with standard error of 2.1208m, the relatively high accuracy of the transformation shows that the production of a floor plan for "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)" is significant. Furthermore, it implies the possibility of producing floor plans for various documentary paintings produced using the paralleled oblique drawing method in addition to "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)". Third, the study evaluated the accuracy of the spatial information provided by the produced floor plan by comparing the three items of Geumcheongyo Bridge location, Geumcheongyo Bridge and Jinseonmun Gate arrangement, and Geumcheon stone embankment location. The results confirmed the possibility of utilizing the floor plan as a useful tool which helps understand the appearance of the surroundings at the time of "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)" production because it is parallel to the excavation results of the Geumcheongyo Bridge and its context. Therefore, the present study is significant in that it seeks the possibility of producing spatial information recorded in "Donggwoldo(東闕圖)" by applying rubber sheeting transformation and consequently in that it presents a new methodology for understanding the appearance of the East Palace of the Late Joseon Period.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2019

Objectives: Bipolar disorder is characterized by repetitive relapses that result in psychosocial dysfunctions. The functioning of bipolar disorder patients is related to the severity of symptoms, quality of sleep, drug compliance, and social support. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sociodemographic and clinical factors and functional status in bipolar disorder patients. Methods: A total of 52 bipolar disorder patients participated in the study. The following scales were utilized: Korean version of personal and social performance scale (K-PSP), Korean version of Hamilton rating scale for depression (K-HDRS), Korean version of young mania rating scale (K-YMRS), Korean version of pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI-K), Korean version of drug attitude inventory (K-DAI), mood disorders insight scale (MDIS), and multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Results: The K-PSP score showed a negative relationship with K-HDRS score (r = -0.387, p = 0.005), but not with K-YMRS score (r = -0.205, p = 0.145). The K-PSP score showed a negative relationship with global PSQI-K score (r = -0.378, p = 0.005) and overall sleep quality (r = -0.353, p = 0.010). The K-PSP scores were positively associated with the KDAI score (r = 0.409, p = 0.003) and MSPSS score (r = 0.334, p = 0.015). The predictive factors for K-PSP were overall sleep quality and social support from family. Conclusion: Our study showed that depressive symptoms were related to overall function in bipolar disorder. Also, our study suggested that improving sleep quality is important in maintaining functional status. Appropriate social support and positive perception toward the drug may lead to the higher level of functioning. This study is meaningful in that the functional status of bipolar disorder patients is analyzed in a multivariate manner in relation to various variables in psychosocial aspects.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.44-63
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• 2019

This study empirically investigated the construction and aspects of change in Chugyeongwon, which is located in Donggweol (東闕). In detail, this study investigated the location of the construction and range of Chugyeongwon, the background and intention of the construction, and the affiliated system and aspects of spatial changes of it. The research results can be summarized as follows: First, Chugyeongwon has been assumed to be the space near Haminjeong (涵仁亭) or between Simindang (時敏堂) and Jinsudang (進修堂) in Changgyeonggung Palace. However, according to related historical materials, it is said that Chugyeongwon was located west of Dochongbu (都摠府) in Hyeopsangmun (協祥門) and near Sungmundang (崇文堂). Through Donggweoldohyeong (東闕圖形), evidence of the construction of Chugyeongwon can be found, which verifies such claims. According to The Plan of Changgyeonggung Palace (昌慶宮配置圖), in the form of modern measured drawing, Chugyeongwon today is the green space created in the south of Munjeongjeon (文政殿) and Sungmundang in Changgyeonggung Palace. Second, According to Donggweoldo (東闕圖), Chugyeongwon was a green space where trees grew on the ground within the walls. No artificial facilities were constructed inside. In addition, Chugyeongwon was located at a site with an altitude higher than the surroundings. Especially, the composition forms and location characteristics of Chugyeongwon are similar to those of the Palace Outer Garden located in Hanyang. Thus, based on this evidence about the form and other aspects of the operation of the Palace Outer Garden, it can be inferred that Chugyeongwon was constructed for the preservation and cultivation of the geographical features inside Donggweol. Third, in the late Joseon period, Chugyeongwon was assigned to Changdeokgung Palace or Changgyeonggung Palace in the same manner as was Donggung (東宮). Thus, it is very likely that Chugyeongwon served as a garden for the Royal Family in the Donggung area. The west boundary of Chugyeongwon, which originally consisted of walls and a side gate, was changed into the form in which the walls and colonnades were combined. Chugyeongwon has been modified due to various acts of development since the Japanese colonial era, and in the end, it has disappeared so that no trace can be found.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.679-687
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• 2019

Litsea populifolia, a plant species of the Lauraceae family, is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia. The phylogenetic relationships and botanical characteristics of L. populifolia have been reported; however, its anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects of ethanol extracts of L. populifolia (EELP) together with the molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer activity in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. EELP showed significant anti-oxidative effects with a 50% inhibitory concentration at $11.71{\mu}g/ml$, which was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. EELP exhibited cytotoxic activity and induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas EELP did not have the cytotoxic effect on the normal human lung cell line IMR90. Treatment with EELP also resulted in a decreased expression of G1/S transition-related molecules-including cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, CDK6, cyclin D1, and cyclin E-both for the transcription and translation levels. EELP-induced G1 arrest was associated with the phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), p53, cell division cycle 25 homolog A (CDC25A), and the reduction of CDC25A expression in A549 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that EELP may exert an anti-cancer effect by cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase through both p53-dependent and p53-independent (ATM/CHK2/CDC25A/CDK2) pathways in A549 cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.456-467
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• 2019

The rapid aging of South Korea is causing difficulties in meeting the man-power demands for the increasing number of elderly nursing hospitals. To cope with this gap in supply and demand, more foreign workers are now being hired to provide elderly care services. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the quality of the care services provided by foreign caregivers in nursing hospitals for the elderly. For this purpose, the researcher surveyed 249 senior citizens who are receiving care services from Chinese-Korean caregivers in six elderly nursing hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi region. The data collected from the survey were analyzed through SPSS and AMOS. The result of the analyses showed that, first, the quality factors of the care services of the caregivers at elderly nursing hospitals, such as reliability, responsibility, empathy, formality, and expertise, all turned out to have a positive correlation with the trust in, satisfaction with, and intent to revisit the institute. Second, thefluencing factors for the qualities of the care services by Chinese-Korean care givers in elderly nursing hospitals included responsiveness, materiality, and expertise, while the factors that influenced satisfaction with significance included trust, materiality, and expertise. Also, the trust in and satisfaction with the institution both influenced the intent of revisit in a positive manner. Third, the indirect effect of trust in the relationship between the quality of the care services by the Chinese-Korean care givers and satisfaction, appeared in all independent variable except for responsiveness, which was a factor of the quality of the care services. And, it was also shown that the satisfaction level had an indirect effect in the relationship between trust and revisiting intent. The result of this study implicates that, in order to cause the quality of the care service by the Chinese-Korean care givers in elderly nursing hospitals to increase the revisit rate, it would be necessary to provide a strategy to increase the levels of trust and satisfaction through a higher quality level of care services.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.90-104
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• 2019

In this study, CALPUFF modeling was performed, using a real surface and upper air meterological data to predict trustworthy modeling-results. Pollutant-releases from windscreen chambers of enclosed poultry farms, P1 and P2, and from a open poultry farm, P3, and their diffusing behavior were modeled by CALPUFF modeling with volume sources as well as by finally-adjusted CALPUFF modeling where a linear velocity of upward-exit gas averaged with the weight of each directional-emitting area was applied as a model-linear velocity ($u^M_y$) at a stack, with point sources. In addition, based upon the scenario of poultry farm-releasing odor and particulate matter (PM) removal efficiencies of 0, 20, 50 and 80% or their corresponding emission rates of 100, 80, 50 and 20%, respectively, CALPUFF modeling was performed and concentrations of odor and PM were predicted at the region as a discrete receptor where civil complaints had been frequently filed. The predicted concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were compared with those required to meet according to the offensive odor control law or the atmospheric environmental law. Subsequently their required removal efficiencies at poultry farms of P1, P2 and P3 were estimated. As a result, a priori assumption that pollutant concentrations at their discrete receptors are reduced by the same fraction as pollutant concentrations at P1, P2 and P3 as volume source or point source, were controlled and reduced, was proven applicable in this study. In case of volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, its required removal efficiencies of P1 compared with those of point source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, were predicted similar each other. However, In case of volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, its required removal efficiencies of both ammonia and $PM_{10}$ at not only P2 but also P3 were predicted higher than those of point source-adopted CALPUFF modeling. Nonetheless, the volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling was preferred as a safe approach to resolve civil complaints. Accordingly, the required degrees of pollution prevention against ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ at P1 and P2, were estimated in a proper manner.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2018

Inflammation is the most common condition in the human body. Tissue damage triggers inflammation, together with vasodilation and increased blood flow at the inflamed site, resulting in edema. Inflammatory responses are also triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive organism, has been reported to possess immunomodulatory and preventive activities; however, its use may present risks of sepsis and other systemic infections. Heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis (EF-2001) has been reported to induce antitumor activity, but its effects on inflammation are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EF-2001 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory responses. EF-2001 treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating suppression of inflammatory reactions. EF-2001 showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EF-2001 indicated that EF-2001 reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. EF-2001 also reduced f the LPS induction of several inflammatory molecules involved in the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, including ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, EF-2001 inhibited Akt phosphorylation and increased the expression of the inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$) protein, an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EF-2001 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that EF-2001 has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1369-1378
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• 2018

Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc., a member of the Rosaceae family (called Maesil in Korea), has been widely distributed in East Asia, e.g. Korea, Japan and China, and its fruit has been used as a traditional drug and health food. In this study, we evaluated physicochemical properties and physiological activities of condensed Prunus mume juice treated with pectinase (PJ). The values of total acidity, pH, sugar contents, turbidity moisture content of the PJ were 35.81%, 2.73, $54.36^{\circ}Brix$, 2.75 and 51.32%, respectively. The PJ had effective DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power effect, $H_2O_2$ scavenging activity and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching effect. DPPH radical scavenging activities of PJ was 46.31%; their reducing power ($OD_{700}$) was 1.80; $H_2O_2$ scavenging activity of PJ was 91.62%; and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching effect of PJ was 73.02%. Also, PJ showed effective levels of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity. The cell viability was measured by SRB assay. The PJ significantly decreased the cell viability of mouse melanoma cells (B16) and human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-2 and SK-MEL-28) in a dose-dependent manner, however, there was no effect on human keratinocyte HaCaT. In morphological study, PJ-treated SK-MEL-2 cells showed distorted and shrunken cell masses. Total polyphenol contents and total flavonoid contents of PJ were 588.31 mg% (gallic acid equivalent) and 860.45 mg% (rutin equivalent). The antiproliferative effect of PJ seems to be associated with the antioxidant activity of its flavonoid and polyphenol contents. In conclusion, PJ may be beneficial in development of a functional food material.