• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

Natural products have been used to mitigate the effects of cancer and infectious diseases, as they feature diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we chose 10 natural products that are well-known as pulmonary enhancers and investigated their bactericidal effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the disk diffusion assay, the growth of S. pneumoniae was significantly regulated by G. fructus treatment regardless of extraction method used. We first adopted spraying as a novel delivery method for G. fructus. Interestingly, mice exposed to G. fructus three times a day for 2 weeks were resistant to S. pneumoniae intranasal infection (shown both through body weight loss and survival rates compared to the control group). Moreover, we confirmed that exposure to G. fructus regulated the colonization of the bacteria despite the sustained inflammation in the lung after exposure to S. pneumoniae, indicating that migrated inflammatory immune cells may involve a host defense mechanism against pulmonary infectious diseases. While a similar number of granulocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺), neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G⁺), and monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G^-) were found between groups, a significantly increased number of alveolar macrophages (CD11b⁺CD11c^hiF4/80⁺) was detected in BAL fluids of mice pre-exposed to G. fructus at 5 days after S. pneumonia infection. Taken together, our data suggest that this usage of G. fructus can induce protective immunity against bacterial infection, indicating that facial spray may be helpful in enhancing the defense mechanism against pulmonary inflammation and in evaluating the efficacy of natural products as immune enhancers against respiratory diseases.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.291-299
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• 2023

The benzo[a]pyrene in edible oils is extracted using methods such as Liquid-liquid, soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction. However these extraction methods have significant drawbacks, such as long extraction time and large amount of solvent usage. To overcome these drawbacks, this study attempted to improve the current complex benzo[a]pyrene analysis method by applying the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method that can be analyzed in a simple and short time. The QuEChERS method applied in this study includes extraction of benzo[a]pyrene into n-hexane saturated acetonitrile and n-hexane. After extraction and distribution using magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, benzo[a]pyrene is analyzed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (LC/FLR). As a result of method validation of the new method, the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.02 ㎍/kg and 0.05 ㎍/kg, respectively. The calibration curves were constructed using five levels (0.1~10 ㎍/kg) and coefficient (R²) was above 0.99. Mean recovery ratio was ranged from 74.5 to 79.3 % with a relative standard deviation (RSD) between 0.52 to 1.58 %. The accuracy and precision were 72.6~79.4 % and 0.14~7.20 %, respectively. All results satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016) and AOAC official method of analysis (2023). Therefore, the analysis method presented in this study was a relatively simple pretreatment method compared to the existing analysis method, which reduced the analysis time and solvent use to 92 % and 96 %, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2013

An adequate downscaling of the official forecasts of Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) is a prerequisite to improving the value and utility of agrometeorological information in rural areas, where complex terrain and small farms constitute major features of the landscape. In this study, we suggest a simple correction scheme for scaling down the KMA temperature forecasts from mesoscale (5 km by 5 km) to the local scale (30 m by 30 m) across a rural catchment, especially under temperature inversion conditions. The study area is a rural catchment of $50km^2$ area with complex terrain and located on a southern slope of Mountain Jiri National Park. Temperature forecasts for 0600 LST on 62 days with temperature inversion were selected from the fall 2011-spring 2012 KMA data archive. A geospatial correction scheme which can simulate both cold air drainage and the so-called 'thermal belt' was used to derive the site-specific temperature deviation across the study area at a 30 m by 30 m resolution from the original 5 km by 5 km forecast grids. The observed temperature data at 12 validation sites within the study area showed a substantial reduction in forecast error: from ${\pm}2^{\circ}C$ to ${\pm}1^{\circ}C$ in the mean error range and from $1.9^{\circ}C$ to $1.6^{\circ}C$ in the root mean square error. Improvement was most remarkable at low lying locations showing frequent cold pooling events. Temperature prediction error was less than $2^{\circ}C$ for more than 80% of the observed inversion cases and less than $1^{\circ}C$ for half of the cases. Temperature forecasts corrected by this scheme may accelerate implementation of the freeze and frost early warning service for major fruits growing regions in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was assessed to investigate the change of subjective and/or objective symptoms and the light transmittance of lens caused by the use longer than recommended wearing time of daily disposable circle contact lenses (circle lens) in dry eyes. Methods: Three daily disposable circle lenses made of etafilcon A, hilafilcon B, and nelfilcon A were applied on 30 dry eyes with smaller tear volume than normal eyes in their twenties free from any eye diseases by when subjects complained any kind of discomfort. On the first and the last days of lens wearing, subjective discomfort, blinking rate, lens centration on corneal surface and visible light transmittance of lens were recorded at every case and compared. Results: The circle lens wearers complained subjective discomfort and quit the lens wearing when they wore the circle lens longer than 10 hours even though there were some difference according to the lens materials of daily disposable circle lens. However, around 20% of dry eyes could wear the circle lens made of non-ionic materials longer than 40 hours. Dry eyes showed most sensitive feeling of subjective discomfort against the circle lens made of etafilcon A among three different lens materials. On the last day of lens wearing, the representative subjective discomforts were irritation, stiffness, dryness and tiredness. When the subjects wore circle lens more than the recommended time, blinking rate was significantly increased about 20~30% regardless of lens materials when it compared with the values right after lens wearing. On the last day of lens wearing, the vertical direction of lens centration was shifted to pupil center however, its distribution in horizontal direction was wide compared with the distribution right after lens wearing. Especially, the centration of etafilcon A lens was unstable. Furthermore, the visible light transmittance of 3 different circle lenses in dry eyes has significantly been reduced around 15% averaged. Conclusions: From these results, it was known that the increase of dryness and stiffness caused by overusage of daily disposable circle lens induced excess irritation and decreased visible light transmittance and caused significant more blinking, which provoked lens decentration. It was also revealed that dry eyes showed sensitive reaction subjectively and objectively against the overusage of circle lens made of high water content/ionic lens material even there were some difference of the degree depending on the individual and the lens material. Thus, this research can be suggested as the basic reference for the education about some unexpected problems and the side effect caused by the wearing of circle lens in dry eyes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2013

Speed germination success and robust vegetative growth of citrus rootstock through improved sowing methods and fertilizer inputs offer the usage of root system for the citrus. The current study evaluated the influence of seed coat removal and different fertilizer concentrations on plant germination and plant growth of spontaneous rootstock siblings. Decoated and coated seeds of diploid and tetraploid plants were sown in tubes. Commercial fertilizer concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and $10g{\cdot}l^{-1}$ were added. The experimental layout followed a randomized block $2{\times}6$ factorial design (seed coat removal ${\times}$ fertilizer concentration) for each rootstock. Fertilizer concentrations were 0, 10, 20 and $30g{\cdot}l^{-1}$ of the fertilizer for the resistance of the strength on the salt level. The germination rate of seeds without testa sown in vitro was improved (67-80%) compared to that of nontreated seeds. The eventual tree height of the seeds without testa in the diploid group was increased due to higher fertilization compared to that in the nontreated group. The removal of seed testa promoted the seed germination of both diploid and tetraploid trifoliate orange and resulted in greater height. Their vegetative development was also increased due to the increased fertilization of the rootstock. The Fv/Fm value for the diploid plants was 0.4 and 0.8 for the tetraploid ones under salt stress after 11 days of treatment. The removal of seed testa may improve the seed germination of trifoliate orange. Tetraploid trifoliate orange appears to possess resistance to salt stress compared to the diploid variety.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.424-431
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• 2013

Consumption of waxy corn is steadily increasing due to consumer preference for natural food. However, availability of waxy corn is limited because most of them are used for steamed waxy corn. It is therefore important to create new demands of waxy corn using food processing technology. There is little prior research about characteristics of milled kernel in waxy corn. This study examined the physicochemical and cooking properties of milled kernel using nine waxy corn hybrids. Colored hybrids (Heukjinju, Miheukchal, and Eolrukchal1) showed high milling yield and low change of grain length after milling process compared to other hybrids. The total starch content ranged from 62.1 to 68.4% and the gelatinization temperature of starch was lowest in Yeonnong1 ($69.9^{\circ}C$). The breakdown viscosity of Yeonnong1, Miheukchal and Heukjinju was higher than those of tested hybrids, whereas setback viscosity of those hybrids was lower. In cooking properties of milled waxy corn, water absorption and volume expansion rate were high in Yeonnong2 (84.9, 219.3%), Miheukchal (85.9, 211.4%), and Heukjinju (80.9, 203.7%). In the sensory test, the overall preference was significantly higher in Heukjinju and Miheukchal. Thus, Heukjinju, Yeonnong2, and Miheukchal showed good scores in milling yield, cooking properties, and the preference of sensory test. These results will provide fundamental information to extend milled waxy corns usage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2005

The effects of pectin on obesity was studied using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and rats fed 20% high fat diets. The concentration of leptin released from 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the presence of pectin was significantly decreased by 85% compared to that of the control (p<0.05), however, glycerol concentration was not changed. These data indicate that pectin seems to inhibit lipids accumulation in the adipocytes rather than enhance the lipolytic activity. Forty Sprague Dawley rats were fed 20% high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity and then divided equally into four groups. Experimental groups were normal diet group (ND), high fat diet group (HFD), HDF with 10% pectin group (HFP10), and HDF with 20% pectin group (HFP20). Diet for the each group was prepared to be iso-caloric following AIN-76 guideline. After obesity was induced, rats were placed on an restricted diet for 9 weeks. The body weight of HFD increased 50% (p<0.05) compared to the ND, while it was decreased by 12% and 16% for HFP10 and HFP20, respectively (p<0.05). The relative amount of visceral fats for HFDl0 and HFD20 were decreased by 45% and 59% compared to that of HDF (130%), respectively (p<0.05). Pectin seems to have a greater effect on reducing visceral fats accumulation than weight reduction. Significantly increased level of triglyceride, total cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol in the plasma of HFD was returned to the normal or even below the normal by pectin diet, while the level of HDL-cholesterol increased. Lipid lowering effect was also observed in the liver and heart. These effects of pectin were dosedependent. In conclusion, the beneficial effect of pectin on the obesity was observed from cell culture experiment and animal study in terms of inhibiting the accumulation of lipids in the adipocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.12 s.148
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• pp.1535-1545
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• 2005

The study aimed firstly, to develop the women's bodysuit sleeve block construction method adopting the appropriate pattern reduction rates according to the fabric stretch property. Secondly, the details applied to the bodysuit sleeve block drafting (Dr the educational and industrial usage were proposed. For these, several distinguishing bodysuit sleeve pattern making methods(i.e. Joseph-Armstrong: T1, Shoben & Ward: T2, Esmod: T3 and Mixed Joseph-Armstrong: T4) were analyzed and divided into two categories that adopt 1) the equally (i.e., T1) and 2) the differently(i.e., T2, T3 & T4) distributed front and back armhole length measurements. Women's sleeve samples were made for the research using the same stretch fabric($50\%\;and\; 70\%$ in wale and course each) to the previous research. A group comprising 5 relevant experts evaluated the fit and comfort features of the samples. Experiments analyzed the appearance of sleeve samples focused on total 13 evaluation parts(including the front/side/back fit tolerance, sleeve centre line, sleeve length, appropriateness of the sleeve appearance balanced with the bodysuit and etc.): and performed the comfort test evaluating three kinds(vertical-front/vertical-side/ horizontal) of arm movements. The most appropriate bodysuit sleeve to fulfil the original aims of the study was suggested. The findings and suggestions throughout the study were: 1) the measurements and required reduction rates for the bodysuit sleeve block developed: outer sleeve length (with 1.0 RR), crown height(with 0.7 RR), front and back armhole lengths measured on the bodysuit blocks ($0\%$ ease amount), elbow width(0.9/0.95 RR), wrist girth measurements(from $12\%\;to\;18\%$ tolerances can be given to): and 2) the differently distributed front and back armhole length measurements resulted in the better fit and comfort through the research.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.703-712
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• 2012

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been considered to be a very safe and efficient gene delivery system. However, the major obstacles to therapeutic usage of AAV have been to achieve highly efficient and reproducible production processes, and also to develop a reliable quantifying method of various serotypes with a simple protocol. We compared the efficiency of the conventional production protocol of AAV2 and adenovirus (Ad) co-infection to that of a new method containing AAV2 infection followed by pHelper transfection. We tested HEK293 and 293T, and further examined the time-dependent changes of AAV2 production. The new method of AAV2 and pHelper DNA gave about ten times higher production efficiency than that of the conventional protocol. The highest production efficiency in 293T was achieved as $1.61{\times}10^5$ virus genomes (v.g.)/cell by the new method of 10 MOI of AAV2 infection and 5 days post-infection. This protocol of the highest efficiency was then applied to produce various AAV serotypes and showed the efficiencies higher than $10^5$ v.g./cell. Next, we designed the universal PCR primers of highly conserved regions for various AAV serotypes to develop a simple and reliable titration method. The universal primers could amplify all the tested AAV serotypes with similar sensitivities by ten molecular copies. Therefore, this pair of universal primers can be further utilized to detect AAV contaminants in therapeutic adenoviral vectors.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2011

Rice spent water (RSW) is generated when rice is rinsed before cooking. RSW has been discarded into sewerages due to its low usage in our daily life and become a major domestic wastewater for many years. But RSW can be used as a value-added resource because it contains various beneficial bioactive components. Therefore, fermented rice spent water (FRSW) has been already produced in our previous value-added fermentation process. In this study, proximate compositions and contents of other typical fermentation products were compared between RSW and FRSW. Both RSW and FRSW contain approximately 99.3% moisture and 0.7% total solids. Compared to those of RSW on a dry basis, carbohydrate content of FRSW was decreased by 44.8% and crude protein, lipid, and ash contents of FRSW were increased by 16.4%, 18.8%, and 36.6%, respectively. In addition, starch granules of RSW were intact as those of rice flour were, but those of FRSW were not. RSW did not have lactic acid, but FRSW had 212.13 and 181.25 g/kg D- and L-lactic acid, respectively. Free amino and ammoniacal nitrogen contents of FRSW were 12 and 7 times higher than those of RSW, respectively. Lactic acid, free amino, and ammonical nitrogen contents were considered to be increased in FRSW because carbohydrates could be disintegrated into lactic acids and proteins into free amino or ammoniacal nitrogens during the fermentation process.