• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1219-1223
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• 2007

The removal of nitrogen compounds from a wastewater is essential and it is often accomplished by bio-logical process. An aerobic nitrate-removing bacterium was isolated from a municipal sewage treatment plant and soil. On the basis of its morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics and 16S rRNA sequencing data, this strain was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, and named as P. fluorescens K4. The optimal conditions of the initial pH and temperature of media for its growth were $7.0{\sim}8.0$ and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. P. fluorescens K4 was able to remove 99.9% of nitrate after 24 h in a culture. The strain could grow with a nitrate concentration up to 800 mg/l and was able to remove 99.9% of nitrate after 104 h of incubation. The optimal electron donor was sodium citrate for a nitrate removal. The strain K4 showed a capability of a complete nitrate removal when the initial C/N ratio was 1.0. An effect of the initial seed concentration was observed for a cell of 10% (v/v) for a nitrate removal. Especially P. fluorescens K4 could completely remove 200 mg/l ammonium for 3 days.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.193-200
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• 2006

We investigated the effect of moisturizing and anti-oxidation of Astragalus membranaceus (Astragali Radix) root extract with respective to growing districts and extract methods for the purpose of development of cosmetic ingredients. Astragalii Radix was collected in Jecheon, Jeongseon, Taebaek, and Yeongju in Korea and China as growing districts. Formononetin was determinated by HPLC method as one of the various active agents in Astragalus membranaceus root extract. The 75% ethanol extract demonstrated to be more effective than $H_2O$-extracted one for a scavenging activities to DPPH radicals and reactive oxygens. The 75% ethanol extract showed $IC_{50}$ (50% scavenging concentration) of 2.162 mg/mL and 2.981 mg/mL in case of free radical scavenging activity test and reactive oxygen scavenging activity test, respectively Especially, free radical scavenging activity of isoflavonoids isolated from ethylacetate fraction was similar to scavenging activity of genistein. Astragalus membranaceus root extract of Jecheon district by sonicating extraction method was more effective in skin hydration compared with others.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.512-526
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• 2020

Synthetic nitrite is considered an undesirable preservative for meat products; thus, controlling synthetic nitrite concentrations is important from the standpoint of food safety. We investigated 1,000 species of microorganisms from various kimchi preparations for their potential use as a starter culture for the production of nitrites. We used 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to select a starter culture with excellent nitrite and nitric oxide productivity, which we subsequently identified as Staphylococcus hominis subspecies hominis WiKim0113. That starter culture was grown in NaCl (up to 9%; w/v) at 10℃-40℃; its optimum growth was observed at 30℃ at pH 4.0-10.0. It exhibited nonproteolytic activity and antibacterial activity against Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium that causes food poisoning symptoms. Analysis of Staphylococcus hominis subspecies hominis WiKim0113 with an API ZYM system did not reveal the presence of β-glucuronidase, and tests of the starter culture on 5% (v/v) sheep blood agar showed no hemolytic activity. Our results demonstrated the remarkable stability of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus hominis subspecies hominis WiKim0113, especially in strain negative for staphylococcal enterotoxins and sensitive to clinically relevant antibiotics. Moreover, Staphylococcus hominis subspecies hominis WiKim0113 exhibited a 45.5% conversion rate of nitrate to nitrite, with nitrate levels reduced to 25% after 36 h of culturing in the minimal medium supplemented with nitrate (200 ppm). The results clearly demonstrated the safety and utility of Staphylococcus hominis subspecies hominis WiKim0113, and therefore its suitability as a starter culture.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2011

Metabolic alterations including postprandial hyperglycemia have been implicated in the development of obesity-related diseases. Xylose is a sucrase inhibitor suggested to suppress the postprandial glucose surge. The objectives of this study were to assess the inhibitory effects of two different concentrations of xylose on postprandial glucose and insulin responses and to evaluate its efficacy in the presence of other macronutrients. Randomized double-blind cross-over studies were conducted to examine the effect of D-xylose on postprandial glucose and insulin response following the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In study 1, the overnight-fasted study subjects (n = 49) consumed a test sucrose solution (50 g sucrose in 130 ml water) containing 0, 5, or 7.5 g D-xylose powder. In study 2, the overnight-fasted study subjects (n = 50) consumed a test meal (50 g sucrose in a 60 g muffin and 200 ml sucrose-containing solution). The control meal provided 64.5 g of carbohydrates, 4.5 g of fat, and 10 g of protein. The xylose meal was identical to the control meal except 5 g of xylose was added to the muffin mix. In study 1, the 5 g xylose-containing solutions exhibited significantly lower area under the glucose curve (AUCg) and area under the insulin curve (AUCi) values for 0-15 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-30 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-45 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-60 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-90 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001) and 0-120 min (P = 0.0071, P = 0.0016). In study 2, the test meal exhibited significantly lower AUCg and AUCi values for 0-15 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-30 min (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), 0-45 min (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0005), 0-60 min (P = 0.0002, P = 0.0025), and 0-90 min (P = 0.0396, P = 0.0246). In conclusion, xylose showed an acute suppressive effect on the postprandial glucose and insulin surges.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2019

A novel esterase gene (est7S) was cloned from an enriched metagenomic library derived from an oil-spill area. The gene encoded a protein of 505 amino acids, and the molecular mass of the Est7S was estimated to be 54,512 Da with no signal peptide. Est7S showed the highest identity of 40% to an esterase from a sludge metagenome compared to the characterized enzymes with their properties, although it showed 99% identity to a carboxylesterase in the genome sequence of Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2. Est7S had catalytic triad residues, Ser183, Glu312, and His420, and the GESAG motif in most family VII lipolytic enzymes. Est7S was purified from the crude extract of clone SM7 using Sephacryl S-200 HR and HiTrap Q column chromatographies. The purified Est7S was optimally active at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 10.0. Est7S showed a high specific activity of 366.7 U/mg protein. It preferred short length esters, particularly p-nitrophenyl acetate, efficiently hydrolyzed R- and S-enantiomers of methyl-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, and glyceryl tributyrate. These properties of Est7S may provide potential merits in biotechnological applications such as detergent and paper processing under alkaline conditions.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2023

Purpose: This study is to investigate the distribution of natural tooth shades in the Korean elderly population to quantify the correlation and changes of tooth color with age and gender. In addition, the possible effects of habits on tooth color were assessed. Materials and Methods: The tooth color of one of the maxillary central incisors of 200 Korean individuals aged 50 to 89 years, males and female, was measured using the portable intraoral spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade V). CIELab and CIELCh color coordinates were recorded. We conducted the survey about the tobacco smoking, chronic disease, medication, eating habits, oral health behaviors and satisfaction with tooth color. Experimental data were statistically analyzed by using the t-test (P<0.05), two-way analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation test. Result: The most frequent color in the Korean elderly population was 3M3 & A3.5 shade. L^* and h^* values decreased, whereas C^*, a^* and b^* values increased progressively with age. There was a significant interaction between age and color coordinates for b^* values (r=0.245, P<0.05). Males generally have significantly higher C^*, a^*, b^* values and lower L^*, h^* value compared to females. Individuals who consumed alcohol had a higher L^* value (P<0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, the central incisors were getting darker, more reddish, and yellowish with age. Information on the chromatic range of natural teeth by age and gender could help to select colors for esthetic dental restorations.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2019

Stem and root of elm trees have used as traditional medical materials, but there is little information on the distribution and resources of habitats. Korean native growing Ulmus spp. (U. davidiana var. Japonica, U. parvifolia, U. davidiana, and U. macrocarpa) genetic resources studied through The National Forest Inventory of Korea data and field survey. The distributions of U. davidiana var. japonica according to elevation distributed evenly. Both U. parvifolia and U. davidiana were inhabited mostly at less than 200 m of altitude. Each Ulmaceae species widely were distributed nationwide, but a dominant species was different depending on locals. It observed that Ulmaceae inhabits mainly in steep slopes of 31-45 degrees. Most of the habitats regenerated by natural seeding and the most abundant species were a codominant tree. Distribution of trees in U davidiana var. japonica was 7 m-13 m, and in young U. parvifolia and U. macrocarpa, more than 25% of young trees less than 7 m observed. The distribution of the diameter of breast height of the U. davidiana var. japonica was 46.4% for 11-20 cm, 52.6% for 11-20 cm in U. parvifolia. The average T/R ratio was 0.83, and the mean weight ratio of root bark was 62%. As the results of this study, the domestic Ulmaceae biomassare very small. It is difficult to harvest in that the habitat on the slope. Thus, it is too hard to develop functional materials using biomass at present. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technology for the selection and propagation of elite trees of Ulmaceae.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4 s.100
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• pp.295-305
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• 2002

Benthic macro- invertebrates were collected in a 200 m reach located in the $3^{rd}$ order Yangjae Stream, a tributary of the Han River, Seoul, from April 1996 to March 1998. Although species richness was relatively low due to organic pollution, community abundance patterns appeared to be different depending upon location of the sampling sites. At the sample sites in the straight zone with high water velocity and large substrates, species richness was high and species relatively less-tolerant to organic pollution was additionally present. At the sample sites in the pool zone with lower velocity and high sedimentation, species richness was low and a few tolerant species to organic pollution were abundantly collected. The principle component analysis indicated that some sample sites in the straight zone appeared to be related to water velocity and shear velocity, and associated with diverse taxa less tolerant to organic pollution. Additionally the sample site transplanted with large substrates was associated wit]h hydraulic characters such as substrate diversity and roughness, and was related to species indicating partial recovery of water. The sample sites located at the pool zone tended to be associated with organic matter that had sedimented on to the substrates and the taxa tolerant to organic pollution, including Oligochaeta and Chironomus.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.603-612
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• 2003

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease. This is due to primarily dyslipidemia accompanying the loss of estrogen secretion. Soy isoflavones are known to have weak estrogenic effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether isoflavone supplement improves the risk of cardiovascular disease in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Subjects consisted of 39 Korean postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol $\geq$ 200 mg/㎗ or LDL cholesterol $\geq$ 130 mg/㎗). Subjects were divided into 2 groups; placebo group (PG), isoflavone supplement group (IG). During 12 weeks, subjects were given placebo and 80mg isoflavone daily. Anthropometric measurement, blood sample analysis and dietary intake measurement were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly (p ＜ 0.01) and plasma HDL cholesterol level was increased significantly (p ＜ 0.05) in IG. But there were no significant changes in plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels after isoflavone supplementation. There was a negative correlation between initial plasma HDL cholesterol level and the extent of plasma HDL cholesterol reduction in IG (r＝-0.572, p＝0.012). Atherogenic index (AI), total-/LDL- cholesterol ratio and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio were improved significantly after isoflavone supplementation. In subjects whose initial plasma LDL cholesterol level were above 160 mg/㎗, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level were decreased and total antioxidant status (TAS) were increased significantly after isoflavone supplement (p ＜ 0.05). However there were no significant changes in flow-mediated dilator (FMD), the marker of endothelium-dependent vasodilation and nitroglycerine-mediated dilator (NMD), the marker of endothelium-independent vasodilation and the extent of DNA damage after isoflavone supplement. In conclusion, these results indicate that isoflavone supplement may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease via improving blood pressure, HDL cholesterol level and AI in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Futhermore, in case of subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol level, isoflavone supplementation may have more antiatherogenic effects via improving antioxidant status.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.661-667
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• 2010

Astragali Radix (AR) has been used in traditional medicinal herb, which is known to tonify the qi and blood. It has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the function of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, promote healing and reduce fatigue. Also, Plantago asiatica (PA) has the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic effects, though it is considered to be less powerful than the seed. Recent research is showing that it is promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes. Obesity is characterized at the cellular level by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from fibroblastic preadipocytes in adipose tissue. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 3 to 7 extracts of mixed medicinal herbs (water and ethanol extract of Astragali Radix; ARW and ARE, water and ethanol extract of Plantago asitica; PAW and PAE, and those mixed extracts; ARW+PAE, ARW+PAW and ARE+PAE) on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by MTT assay, Oil-Red-O staining and TUNEL assay. And then, we determined total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoid compounds in mixed herbal extracts. These result showed that herbal extracts (ARW, PAE and ARW+PAE) affected on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes among 3 to 7 extracts tested. Especially herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) had the highest inhibition on differentiation of preadipocytes and lipoid accumulation of maturing adipocytes. And it did not affect cell viability of mature adipocytes, but herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) increased apoptosis in mature adipocytes, as proved by highest concentration $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using TUNEL assay. In addition, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids showed the highest level in ARE+PAE and PAE than ARW. These results suggest that this main target for adipocyte functions could be effective in improving the metabolic syndrome including obesity.