• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological and structural damages to cadmium (Cd) in Acorus calamus var. angustatus as a native aquatic species in Korea. In addition to the physiological responses such as plant growth, photosynthesis, and root activity, the structural damages in leaf and root tissues were observed through light and scanning electronic microscopy. The five-leaf plants were treated with different Cd concentrations 0, 10, 25, and 50 ${\mu}M$ for 15 days. The plant damages to Cd were significant at 10-25 ${\mu}M$ Cd physiologically and at 25-50 ${\mu}M$ Cd structurally. The physiological damages in the shoot part (photosynthesis) started at 10 ${\mu}M$ Cd whereas those in root part (root activity) were serious above 25 ${\mu}M$ Cd. On the other hand, the structural damages began at 25 ${\mu}M$ Cd in the leaf and root tissues similarly, but the plant tissue destruction was more serious in the roots than in leaves. Based on the plant physiological and structural damages, 10 ${\mu}M$ was assumed to be the limited concentration for sustainable growth and landscaping ability in Acorus calamus var. angustatus to Cd.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.640-650
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• 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF protein family which is highly synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Depending on the expression tissue, FGF21 uses endo- or paracrine features to regulate several metabolic pathways including glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Different physiologically stressful conditions such as starvation, a ketogenic diet, extreme cold, and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to induce FGF21 synthesis in various tissues to exert either adaptive or defensive mechanisms. More specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha control FGF21 expression in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. In addition, the pharmacologic administration of FGF21 has been reported to decrease the body weight and improve the insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein profiles of obese mice and type 2 diabetes patients meaning that FGF21 has attracted huge interest as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, understanding FGF21 remains complicated due to the paradoxical condition of its tissue-dependent expression. For example, nutrient deprivation largely increases hepatic FGF21 levels whereas adipose tissue-derived FGF21 is increased under feeding condition. This review discusses the issues of interest that have arisen from existing publications, including the tissue-specific function of FGF21 and its action mechanism. We also summarize the current stage of a clinical trial using several FGF21 analogs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.973-982
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• 2020

In this study, we examined inhibition of adipocyte differentiation associated with the administration of camphor, a substance identified in extracts of the flowering plant Chrysanthemum indicum L. (CI). No camphor-mediated cytotoxicity was observed over a period of 1-10 days in studies targeting cells of the 3T3-L1 adipocyte-like line. Experiments that featured siRNA-mediated suppression of the transmembrane proteins Patched (PTCH) and Smoothened (SMO) resulted in inhibition and activation of differentiation, respectively. Interestingly, inhibition of PTCH typically activates SMO protein targeting and serves to activate hedgehog (HH)-mediated signaling. The results of our study suggest that activation of HH-mediated signaling can inhibit adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, expression of glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (Gli1) was detected by flow cytometry in 62.7±1.5% of cells in response to administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (KCTC 3237) and in 60.4±2.2% of cells in response to camphor; these levels are higher than those detected in undifferentiated controls (24.9±3.1%). No change in the state of fermented camphor was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), but a 15.41% quantitative increase was confirmed in KCTC 3237. Overall, we conclude that administration of camphor resulted in overexpression of SMO and modulated the differential expression of Gli1. Animal studies focused on the impact of camphor as an agent to counteract obesity might be considered in the future. Indeed, camphor and similar physiologically active compounds from fermented CI might be developed as new and effective treatments for obesity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.731-737
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• 2006

Four well-characterized soils collected from A- and B-horizon in the Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation in USA, mainly distributed with Inceptisol(Inc) and Ultisol(Ult) soils, were used in this work. The bioaccessibility of arsenic as well as oxidation phenomena of As(III) was investigated with soils spiked with As(III) and As(V) using a physiologically based extraction test(PBET) at pH 1.5 and 1:100 soil to solution ratio. Also effect of aging time on the bioaccessibility of arsenic was investigated over the 6 months. After 48 hours(fresh) contacting As(V) solution with soils, all soils rapidly and strongly sequestrated As(V), especially Ult-B. However, little sequestration was observed after 3-months. When As(III) was spiked on the same soils, a great portion of As(III) was oxidized to As(V) after 48 hrs, especially Inc-A and Ult-A soils, which is strongly related with Mn content in soils. By using As(III)-spiked soils, much reduced bioaccessibility as total arsenic was observed from Inc-B and Ult-B soils over the 6 months aging time compared to that from Inc-A and Ult-A soils. This result can be explained by the continuous sequestration of As(V), produced from oxidation of As(III), onto Inc-B and Ult-B soils having much amount of iron. The trend of As(III) sequestration over six months aging time was quite similar with that of As(V) sequestration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effect of tree density of Pinus koraiensis forest on the thermal comfort and the physiological response of human body in summer season. As the indicators of thermal comfort were used the predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD), while the heart rate variability was used for the physiological indicator of subjects. The subjects were 15 physically healthy men and women in their 20s ($23.7{\pm}1.7$ years old). The subjects sat in each site to measure HRV for 5 minutes and the thermal comfort of each site was measured. As a results, it was proven by PMV and PPD that the Pinus koraiensis forest with 120% tree density was thermally more comfortable than the Pinus koraiensis forest with 80% tree density. In case of the subjects' physiological response, the Pinus koraiensis forest with 120% tree density showed significantly higher HF of HRV than the Pinus koraiensis forest with 80% tree density and significantly lower LF/HF. Therefore, the findings of this study scientifically proved that the Pinus koraiensis forest with 120% tree density is thermally more comfortable and physiologically more relaxing than the Pinus koraiensis forest with 80% tree density.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.1148-1157
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• 2014

Rice bran (RB), a by-product obtained during polishing of un-milled rice, contains a large quantity of essential nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of stabilized RB addition as a food material in a diet-induced obese animal model were investigated. For the analysis, a total of 32 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group (ND, n=8), high-fat diet group (HFD, n=8), 20% RB added high fat diet group (HFRB20, n=8), and 40% RB added high fat diet group (HFRB40, n=8). The animals were sacrificed after 7 weeks. Body weight gain, various adipose tissue weights, blood glucose concentration, and serum leptin level of the HFRB40 group were found to be significantly lower than those of the HFD group. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activity of the HFRB40 group was significantly higher than that of the HFD group. However, the HFRB20 group did not show significantly different values. The results of this study show that RB (40%) addition reduces body weight gain and improves obesity-related parameters. These results suggest RB could be considered as a functional additive material for the manufacture of anti-obesity products, and 40% RB addition would be the physiologically effective level.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.531-537
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• 2011

The effects of dietary supplementation of pacific saury on anti-hyperlipidemic activities were investigated using an animal test study in which normal rats were fed four different parts of saury, such as the whole body, meat, internal organs, or a mixture of head, caudal fin, and bone. Serum total lipid and triglyceride levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in rats fed saury meat at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight compared to hyperlipidemic control rats. There were also significant decreases in serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in the rats fed saury meat at 200 mg/kg of body weight. In addition, the atheroscrelosis index and superoxide dismutase in blood lipids were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in rats fed saury meat at 200 mg/kg of body weight compared to the control rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that saury meat contains unknown physiologically active components as than compared to other parts of saury, and has potential for use in the prevention of hyperlipidemic arteriosclerosis.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-64
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• 2015

This technical research paper attempts to examine literature therapeutic significance of Sijo. This research analyzes how the therapeutic mechanisms of literature or sentence can be physiologically applied to human nerve system. To study such interactions between therapeutic mechanisms of literature and human physiological mechanisms, diverse on- and offline Sijo activities, such as a Facebook group "Sijoya Nolja", were studied, as well as various publications in literature and medicine. For the three years this research was being conducted, 27 out of 488 Sijo poets debuted through Sinchunmunye, and many have gone professional through various contests. 19 of them became members of Sijo Poet Associations of Korea, with globalization of Sijo in mind. Their aggressive activity proves that the quality of live was elevated through literature therapy. The therapeutic effects are especially dramatic for older authors, and authors with traumatic experience. Through this research, Sijo turned out to be a form of literature with the quickest effect on elevating quality of life. To solve problems such as depression, emotional isolation, and other mental conditions, literature therapy through Sijo should be implemented, and therapeutic approach of literature should be more professionalized.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2017

In this study, we tried to establish the best method for fresh blueberry beverage production using enzyme treatment as well as low temperature extraction. During extraction of physiologically functional materials, we used low temperature to prevent nutritional loss by heat. In addition, we investigated optimal blueberry extraction conditions using various enzyme treatments (cellulase, pectinase, cellulase:pectinase (1:1) mixture) to increase extraction efficiency and reduce turbidity. A variety and ratio of enzymes, extraction temperature, extraction time, and shaking speed were considered for the best extraction efficiency rate. We observed high extraction efficiency rates of 85.72-86.55% and 87.06-87.93%, respectively, upon cellulase or pectinase treatment. In addition, a mixture of cellulase:pectinase (1:1) showed an extraction efficiency rate of 86.84-88.14%. The best extraction efficiency rate was observed when crude blueberry was treated at $45^{\circ}C$ (87.91%), for 3 h (87.88%), in a 90 rpm shaker (89.19%). Sugar content and acidity of blueberry extract were not affected by the various treatments. However, total phenolic compounds were detected upon pectinase treatment (18.62 mg/g). Only fructose and glucose as free sugars were found in all samples regardless of treatments and extraction conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.12-20
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort by spatial structure and to explore solutions to improve the thermal environment of a small urban space. The study site was Korea University campus. Thermal conditions were measured to evaluate the quality of the thermal environment in each type of space within the study site. Micrometeorology measurements, analysis of space characteristics for using fish-eye lens photography, and thermal comfort modeling through the use of collected meteorological data, such as temperature and humidity, were performed. Results showed that the level of thermal comfort for humans differs depending on the types of space within the study site. Thermal comfort is better in open spaces than enclosed in the aspect of radiative mean temperature, Predicted Mean Vote(PMV), and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature(PET). This fact is probably due to shadows or buildings or trees that may block solar radiation. Thus, it is necessary to consider the spatial arrangements of buildings and trees to enhance openness and ventilation in the space. Paving materials and exterior building materials should also be selected to lower the radiant temperature. Given these results, a quantitative evaluation on human thermal comfort could propose a way to plan user comfortable small urban spaces. Study methods used and results provided in the study can promote a better way for urban space planning direction to improve environmental quality.