• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.486-498
• /
• 2024

This study examined the effects of a soybean sprouts mixture containing 1.5% Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (SHM) on relieving hangovers and improving liver function in chronically alcohol-treated rats. The ampelopsin and L-asparagine contents in the SHM were 10.52, 35.19 ppm. When chronic alcohol-induced rats were treated with SHM, the body weight increased and the liver weight decreased. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lowest in the SHM group, and the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities were highest in the SHM group. Chronic alcohol induction increased the activity of liver function indicator enzymes such as ALT, AST, and GGT, but the activity was decreased significantly with the SHM treatment. The triglyceride content in hepatic and serum blood samples was lowest in the SHM group. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol contents decreased in the SHM group, and the HDL cholesterol content increased. The color of the hepatic observed morphologically in the SHM group was reddish brown, and the size and number of lipid droplets in the hepatic observed pathologically decreased. The hepatic and serum lipid peroxidation content of the SHM group decreased. The hepatic and serum GSH content increased in the SHM group. Therefore, SHM can be a functional food that can help hangovers and improve liver function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.335-341
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.345-363
• /
• 2023

The genus Desmodesmus (Chodat) S.S. An, T. Friedl & E. Hegewald is ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, ponds, and wetlands. The actual species diversity and distribution of the genus is unknown because of morphological plasticity affected by habitats. Currently, 38 Desmodesmus species have been reported in Korea most of which transferred from the genus Scenedesmus recently, however, no phylogenetic relationships have been studied yet. Despite the challenges in analyzing relationships among Desmodesmus species through the morphology, ecology, and original description, this study focused on examining species-level relationships using the FBCC culture strains isolated from Korea. A total of 299 sequences (66 of 18S rRNA, 47 of atpB, 67 of petA, 52 of rbcL, and 67 of tufA) were newly determined and used for phylogenetic analysis. Four plastid genes tend to have higher variation than 18S rRNA in the variable sites and P-distance. From the combined phylogeny, the Desmodesmus included six clades such as Clade-1: D. pseudoserratus and D. serratus, Clade-2: D. communis, D. dispar, D. maximus, D. pannonicus, unidentified Desmodesmus sp., Clade-3: D. bicaudatus and D. intermedius, Clade-4: D. microspina, D. multivariablis, D. pleiomorphus, D. subspicatus, Clade-5: D. abundans, D. kissii, and D. spinosus, and Clade-6: D. armatus, D. armatus var. longispina, D. opoliensis, unidentified Desmodesmus spp. The new sequence data from FBCC strains will be used to identify species and study the molecular ecology of scenedesmacean green algae in freshwater ecosystems. The phylogenetic information from this study will expand our understanding of Desmodesmus species diversity in Korea.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.660-672
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to suggest the usability and optimal amount of Orostachys japonicas in foods. Orostachys japonicus powder was added at 0% (Con), 3% (O3), 5% (O5), 7% (O7), and 9% (O9) to rice muffins and the quality and antioxidant characteristics of the muffins were determined. The moisture content and pH of the muffins decreased as the amount of Orostachys japonicus powder added increased. The weight increased as the amount of Orostachys japonicas powder added increased, but the volume, specific volume, and baking loss rate decreased. The L-and b-values of the muffins decreased as the a-value increased. The texture, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of muffins increased while adhesiveness, springiness, and cohesiveness decreased. Polyphenol, flavonoid, DPPH, and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, as well as reducing power, increased as the amount of Orostachys japonicus powder added increased. In the sensory test, the 5-7% addition group showed high scores in appearance, flavor, taste, texture, and overall preference. The degree of flavor and astringency of muffins, which are evaluation items for characteristic strength, increased as the amount of Orostachys japonicus powder added increased, and the level of moistness decreased. Therefore, the addition of 5-7% of Orostachys japonicus powder is thought to have a positive effect on the muffins. The purpose of this study was to suggest the usability and optimal addition amount of Orostachys japonicus powder and to provide basic data on foods with Orostachys japonicus added.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2024

Currently, Korea lacks an institutional framework needed to safeguard modern and contemporary landscape heritage. The value of landscapes is merely recorded as the surrounding environment of architectural heritage. On the other hand, attention has been drawn to Germany's approach, particularly in Berlin, where the outdoor spaces of buildings within housing estates listed as World Cultural Heritage are designated and protected as 'garden monuments.' This research seeks to explore Germany's relevant policies to glean insights that could be beneficial. Germany has established clear regulations to protect landscape heritages such as parks, squares, street trees, cemeteries, and cityscapes as monuments worthy of preservation. According to an analysis of the heritage listings available on German government websites, the designated types of modern and contemporary landscape heritage encompass a wide range of facilities including residential facilities, squares, parks, public facilities, cultural venues, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, religious facilities, war memorials, and industrial facilities. This aligns with the designated purposes outlined within the building classification system used for registered cultural heritage in Korea. While Korea continues to prioritize the protection of structures, Germany adopts a more nuanced approach by separately identifying and equally safeguarding buildings, their surrounding spaces, and gardens. In defining areas for landscape heritage, a clear distinction was made from those designated for architectural monuments. Even within the same area, landscape heritages are further subdivided and specified according to variations in style, unique features, or their value for preservation. This research is anticipated to serve as a valuable foundational data for identifying and safeguarding modern and contemporary landscape heritage within Korea.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.169-183
• /
• 2024

As digital technology evolves and consumers shift their information processing to online, startups need new strategies to maximize their experience and market effectively. Short-form content, with its low production costs and rapid dissemination, has become a tool for startups to take a greater role in digital marketing. This study focuses on the importance of short-form content in the marketing strategy of startups, analyzes its impact on consumers' purchase intention and recommendation intention, and empirically examines its impact on brand attitude. The study categorized short-form content characteristics into playfulness, credibility, creativity, and interactivity to examine the impact of each characteristic on brand attitude, and further analyzed the impact of brand attitude on consumers' purchase intention and recommendation intention. The data was collected through a survey, and the empirical analysis yielded the following results. First, the playfulness, credibility, and interactivity of short form content positively influenced brand attitude. Creativity had no significant effect on brand attitude. Second, positive brand attitude had a positive effect on both purchase intention and recommendation intention, i.e., the more positive the perception of the brand, the more likely consumers were to purchase the product and recommend it to others. Third, brand attitude was found to mediate the relationship between short-form content characteristics and purchase intention and recommendation intention. This means that short-form content not only directly affects purchase and recommendation intentions, but also strengthens them by creating a positive attitude toward the brand. This suggests that startups can use short-form content marketing to increase brand awareness and build positive consumer attitudes to increase purchase and recommendation intentions.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.79
• /
• pp.243-271
• /
• 2024

Purpose of the Study : This study aims to explore the symbolic commonalities between the image of 'KWANGYA' in Korean pop music (K-Pop) and the biblical wilderness theology. By analyzing the interaction between modern popular culture and ancient religious texts, this research seeks to investigate how the narrative of the biblical wilderness can be reinterpreted and received by contemporary youth. Contents and Method : This study analyzes the image of 'KWANGYA' as depicted in the worldviews of Korean pop songs by artists such as Lee Yuk-sa, Kim Min-ki, and aespa. It examines how this image connects with the symbolic aspects of the biblical wilderness. In the Bible, the wilderness is a space symbolizing trials and overcoming, spiritual growth and self-discovery, and the coexistence of chaos and order. These characteristics are observed not only in Lee Yuk-sa's poem 'Wilderness' during the Japanese colonial period but also in the imagery of the wilderness in the 1970s-80s folk songs and 2020s K-Pop songs. In particular, in K-Pop, the wilderness is utilized as a symbolic space where protagonists undergo and overcome various challenges and trials, leading to spiritual growth and self-discovery. This study aims to explore the possibilities of how the biblical wilderness narrative can be newly received by contemporary youth through this interaction between modern popular culture and ancient religious texts. Conlusion : The wilderness in K-Pop symbolizes the trials, self-discovery, and spiritual growth experienced by youth, encapsulating the process of finding order within chaos, much like the biblical wilderness. This research contributes to understanding how popular culture and religious symbolism interact to create contemporary meaning, showing how the message of the Bible is reinterpreted and received in today's culture. Based on these findings, it is suggested that Christian education today should consider reinterpreting and utilizing biblical symbols within new cultural contexts.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
• /
• v.99 no.5
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2024

Background/Aims: Drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) represent a novel therapeutic approach for patients with small coronary artery disease. However, further studies are needed to compare the clinical efficacy of DEBs versus drug-eluting stents (DESs). Methods: In total, 492 patients (age, 67.9 ± 11.0 years; 339 men) with small coronary artery lesions (diameter < 2.75 mm) were randomly assigned to group I (DEB) (n = 104; age, 67.2 ± 10.7 years; 83 men) and group II (DES) (n = 388; age, 68.0 ± 11.1 years; 254 men). For inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis, the study population was stratified into groups I (n = 269) and II (n = 280). We compared the incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between the two groups during 12 months of clinical follow-up. Results: Group I had shorter device lengths (22.4 ± 5.8 mm) compared with group II (27.4 ± 9.3 mm; p < 0.001). Additionally, devices in group I were smaller in diameter (2.4 ± 0.1 mm) compared with those in group II (2.6 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in group I (53.8% ± 12.6%) than in group II (58.6% ± 11.9%; p < 0.001). After IPTW, no significant differences in LVEF were observed between groups I and II. During 12 months of follow-up, the incidence of total MACE did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions: No significant differences were observed in clinical efficacy between DEB and DES for the treatment of small coronary artery disease. Therefore, DEB can be considered a viable alternative to DES in patients with small coronary artery disease.

• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.58-71
• /
• 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most prevalent inflammatory skin condition, with approximately 80% of cases originating in childhood and some emerging in adulthood. In South Korea, the estimated prevalence of AD ranges between 10% and 20% in children and 1% and 3% in adults. Severe/recalcitrant AD manifests as a chronic, relapsing skin disorder, persisting with uncontrolled symptoms even after topical steroid treatment. Corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppression, conventionally the standard care for difficult-to-treat diseases, cause numerous undesirable side effects. When AD persists despite topical steroid application, systemic therapies like cyclosporine or systemic steroids become the second treatment strategy. The desire for targeted treatments, along with an enhanced understanding of AD's pathophysiology, has spurred novel therapeutic development. Recent advances introduce novel systemic options, such as biological agents and small-molecule therapy, tailored to treat severe or recalcitrant AD. Notably, dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting interleukin 4 and 13, marked a transformative breakthrough upon gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, leading to a paradigm shift in the systemic treatment of AD. Furthermore, both dupilumab and Janus kinase inhibitors, including baricitinib, abrocitinib, and tofacitinib, now approved by the Korean FDA, have established their applicability in clinical practice. These innovative therapeutic agents have demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes, effectively addressing moderate to severe AD with fewer side reactions than those associated with previous systemic immunosuppressants. This review summarizes the latest advancements and evidence regarding systemic treatments for AD, including newly approved drugs in Korea.

• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.170-176
• /
• 2024

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common chronic skin inflammatory diseases in children. Appropriate treatment is difficult due to chronic course with frequent exacerbations, especially in children. Treatment requires caution due to a lack of safety data and information regarding the long-term prognosis of management strategies. The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (KAPARD) published the Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Guidelines in 2008, which has been used to direct atopic dermatitis treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that the guidelines need to be updated regarding bathing methods (duration of bath, temperature, etc.), wet wrap therapy, and topical treatments in line with environmental changes over time and changes in the management strategies of atopic dermatitis. This KAPARD guidelines for atopic dermatitis applied an adaptation based on a systematic review and analysis of selected literature. They are intended to support front-line doctors treating pediatric and adolescent patients with atopic dermatitis in making reasoned, safe, effective empirical treatment decisions. In Part I of the KAPARD guidelines for atopic dermatitis, we included evidence-based skin care management strategies and topical treatment options.