Asthmatics are more susceptible to fine particulate matters (PM2.5), compared to the general population. It has been reported that indoor PM2.5 is mainly generated by combustion of fossil fuels, meat or fish In particular, asthmatics are known to be more susceptible to indoor PM2.5 because 65 ∼ 95% of child or adult asthmatics stay inside the house. Thus, understanding the association between indoor activity patterns and variations in indoor PM2.5 levels is important. The purpose of this study is to determine the distribution of hourly indoor PM2.5 concentrations in asthmatics’ homes, and to evaluate its association with pan-frying cooking activity patterns, the most common PM2.5 emission related activity. From November 2017 to February 2018, real-time PM2.5 concentrations were measured in the living room of each asthmatic’s house (n = 35) for three weeks at 1 minute intervals. At the same time, self-reported daily activity patterns, hourly proportion (%) of cooking activities, were also recorded every hour over three weeks for each patient. In this study, we provided quantitative evidence that the distribution patterns of indoor hourly PM2.5 concentrations were associated with indoor cooking activities, especially in the homes of adult asthmatics. In addition, we observed that PM2.5 emitted by pan-frying could maintain even over up to 2 hour lagtime.

This study was conducted to evaluate roughage to concentrate ratio on the changes of productivity and metabolic profiling in milk. Six lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups, T1 group was fed low-concentrate diet (Italian ryegrass to concentrate ratio = 8:2) and T2 group was fed high-concentrate diet (Italian ryegrass to concentrate ratio = 2:8). Milk samples were collected and its components and metabolites were analyzed by 1H-NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance). The result of milk components such as milk fat, milk protein, solids-not-fat, lactose and somatic cell count were not significantly different between two groups. In carbohydrate metabolites, trehalose and xylose were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 group, however lactose was not significantly different between two groups. In amino acid metabolites, glycine was the highest concentration however, there was no signifi-cant difference observed between two groups. Urea and methionine were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the T2 group. In lipid metabolites, carnitine, choline and O-acetylcarnitine there were no significant difference observed between the two groups. In benzoic acid metabolites, tartrate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 group. In organic acid metabolites, acetate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 group and fumarate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 group. In the other metabolites, 3-methylxanthine was only significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 group and riboflavin was only significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 group. As a result, milk components were not significantly different between two groups. However, metabolites concentration in the milk was significantly different depends on roughage to concentrate ratio.

The National Institute of Environmental Research (3rd KONEHs) conducted a survey of 280 residents in Ulsan, Suwon and Asan, and the concentration of heavy metals in the blood and urine were also analyzed. In case of blood lead concentration, Ulsan 2.27 ㎍/㎗, Suwon 2.08 ㎍/㎗, and Asan 1.75 ㎍/㎗, the high peak in Ulsan, and the low peak in Asan. In case of cotinine concentration, Ulsan smoking(609.16 ㎍/g_ct) is higher than nonsmoking(74.07 ㎍/g_ct), as Suwon and Asan smoking(416.72 ㎍/g_ct, 903.21 ㎍/g_ct) is higher than nonsmoking(72.72 ㎍/g_ct, 18.06 ㎍/g_ct), smoking group is higher than nonsmoking group in all areas revealed statistically significant correlation(p<0.01). In considering results synthetically, these study results are an aid to constructing environmental health science-side heavy metal management measure education programs for normal residents.

The purpose of this study is to provide the demand information about services (S/W) and infrastructure (H/W) for rural welfare and culture. The survey was conducted on the overall satisfaction level, the condition change, the importance-satisfaction level of each field and the top priority items for administrative agencies and rural residents. In the overall satisfaction level, administrative agencies responded more than 'normal' to all fields, but the overall satisfaction level was lower than 'normal' in the fields excluding the healthcare field in the case of rural residents. In terms of condition changes compared to the past five years, both administrative institutions and local residents evaluated the improvement. IPA analysis was conducted to identify the priority ranking of each field and it was found that emergency medical facilities in the healthcare field, infant day care facilities in the social welfare field, movie theaters in the culture field, lifelong education institutions and academy facilities in the education field and private sports facilities in the leisure and sports field were most needed, respectively. The results of this study are expected to be helpful in increasing the efficiency and presenting the improvement direction about the development policy of the rural culture and welfare.

Background: Camellia sinensis L.(CS) is a perennial evergreen species of plant whose leaves are used to produce tea. In this plant species, the parts used are the leaves, sub-branch parts are thrown out. Methods and Results: Ethanol extract of sub-branch parts was used for isolation of major compounds by column chromatography. Structures were identified as caffeine (1), (-)-epicatechin (2) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (3) by interpretation of spectroscopic analysis, including 1H- and 13C-NMR. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to compare the quantitative level of marker compounds in various extraction solvents of sub-branch parts of CS. The content of caffeine, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)- epicatechin gallate in 30% ethanol extract showed higher value with 3.28 ± 0.57 ㎎/g, 5.53 ± 0.88 ㎎/g, and 1.29 ± 0.24 ㎎/g, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicated that not only leaves parts but also sub-branch, could be a good source for the functional material and pharmaceutical industry.

Background : Osteoclasts are differentiated from the monocytes/macrophages of hematopoietic cells, that excessive activities of bone-resorbing giant cells leads to pathological bone diseases such as osteoporosis (contained rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune arthritis). Therefore, it is very important to suppress loss of bone mass by deactivation of osteoclast differentiation. In this context, we evaluated for the effects of black ginseng (BG) extract on TRAP activity, proliferation and differentiation in RANKL-induced osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. Methods and Results : The aim of this study is to figure out the potential anti-osteoporosis effects and the underlying mechanism of BG extract in RANKL-induced osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. The ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rk1 and Rh4 content of BG was increased more than Red ginseng (RG). The extracts of BG markedly reduced the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) multinucleated cells from osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells, without cytotoxicity. BG clearly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by decreased calcitonin and TRAP (p < 0.01). Furthermore, ginseonside Rg5 and Rk1 significantly inhibited TRAP activity in formation of osteoclastic differentiation (p < 0.01). It is also found that Ginseonside Rg5 and Rk1 mixture more inhibits osteoclast differentiation activity. Conclusion : Our results suggest that Black ginseng extract has an anti-osteoporosis effects in bone disease when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Background : The human patch test is a method used to evaluate potential skin irritation after contact with a cosmetic materials. Pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D) is a newly developed ginsenoside Rd-enriched ginseng extract. This study was designed to investigate the skin safety of GS-E3D in human patch test. Methods and Results : Thirty two female volunteers were tested with GS-E3D. GS-E3D (20 ㎕) was applied to occlusive patch test devices and was then applied onto the back of subject with normal skin for 24 hours. Cutaneous irritation responses were evaluated and graded according to criterion of International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) at 30 min, 24 hours, and 48 hours after removing of GS-E3D patch. The average age of subjects was 47.3 ± 9.3 years. Skin reactivity calculated from irritation score in GS-E3D treated group was 0.51 and skin irritation score of no application group was 0, respectively. Skin irritancy was no response in both GS-E3D treated group and no application group. From above data, GS-E3D was identified as a non-irritant according to ICDRG guideline that skin irritation score of ‘0.00 - 0.75’ is a non-irritant. Conclusion : These results indicate that GS-E3D can be useful as a safe cometic ingredient.

Background : Pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D) is a newly developed ginsenoside Rd-enriched ginseng extract. This study was designed to investigate the acute oral and dermal toxicity of GS-E3D in rat. Methods and Results : The acute oral toxic effects of GS-E3D in female SD rats were examined at dosages of 300 ㎎/㎏ and 2,000 ㎎/㎏. In acute dermal toxicity study, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 ㎎/㎏ of GS-E3D were applied onto the shaved skin of male and female SD rats. The weights of rats were recorded at 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and clinical observation were checked once a day for a period of 14 days. All rats were scarified on 14th day and complete gross examination was conducted to detect any gross change of organs after necropsy. GS-E3D did not produce orally or dermally treatment-related clinical signs of toxicity or mortality in all rats during the 14-day observation period. The oral and dermal LD50 values of GS-E3D were over 2,000 ㎎/㎏ in rat. The oral and dermal administration of GS-E3D revealed no significant change in body weight and gross pathology examination compared to control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that GS-E3D can be used as a food and cosmetic materials without critically adverse effect.

Bioremediation in situ is heavily dependent on the oxygenic environment which would privide the dwelling microorganism with sufficient oxygen. The situation could be easily resolved with supply of an Oxygen Releasing Compound (ORC). In this paper we prepared that sort of material out of oyster shell powder (mostly calcium carbonate) that prevails every shore areas of the country. We used two different oxidizing methods in the first step of the whole manufacturing process–conventional heating in a furnace and an ultrasound generator to obtain calcium oxide. Then that calcium oxide was further oxidized into calcium peroxide which may release oxygen under a moisturized condition. The oxygen releasing experiments were run to test the performance of our products, and to determine the gas kinetics during the experiments. Interestingly, calcium peroxide derived from ultrasound treatment was much more energy-effective as ORC than that from furnace heating although the heat derived process was better than that of ultrasound in terms of oxygen content and its releasing rate. We also found that most of the data collected from the gas releasing experiments fairly supported an ordinary 1st order kinetics to oxygen concentration, which shaped a sharp discharge of oxygen at the very early moment of each test.

Astragalus membranaceus is a well known oriental medicinal herb. The polysaccharides of the aboveground parts (AMA) and the radix (AMR) of A. membranaceus are the most important functional constituents. Methods and Results: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of AMA and AMR on the oxidative damage induced in the skeletal muscle of rats subjected to exhaustive exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exercise and non-exercise groups; in the groups receiving the test compounds, AMA and AMR were administered orally for 30 days. Skeletal muscle samples were collected from each rat after running to exhaustion on a treadmill to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and the concentation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px of skeletal muscle of AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly higher than those of the control and commercial sports drink (SPD)-treated groups in exhaustive exercise rats. In addition, MDA concentrations in the skeletal muscle of the AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly lower than those of the control and SPD-treated groups. In the present study, the effects of AMA and AMR on exercise endurance capacity were also evaluated in mice subjected to a swimming exercise test. AMA and AMR supplementation prolonged the swimming time of mice and enhanced exercise endurance capacity. AMA and AMR possess the ability to retard and lower the production of blood lactate, and prevent the decrease of serum blood glucose. Conclusions: These results showed that, AMR and AMA exerted beneficial effect in mice, increasing the activity of the antioxidant systems and inhibiting oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. The compounds improved exercise performance and showed anti-fatigue effects against exhaustive exercise.

Background : The major components in Astragalus membranaceus are isoflavonoids, triterpene and polysaccharides. Also, isoflavonoids was composed to aglycon and glucoside derivatives. In this study, we performed fermentation process (enzyme treatment) and steam processing (high temperature and pressure) to increase aglycon such as formononetin and calycosin. Methods and Results : The steam processing was performed at a lot of conditions, such as temperature (80, 100, 120℃) and time (30, 60 and 120 min). Fermentation processing carried out by A. membranaceus extract fermented with microorganisms which have high β -glucosidase activity (selection by esculin agar method) for detached glucose from isoflavonoids, converted to algycon. The isoflavonoids were analyzed using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in fermentation product of A. membranaceu extract by treated with steam processing at various conditions. As a result of β-glucosidase activity by pNP assay, we selected three strains, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella cibaria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Isoflavone aglycon was the highest in fermentation product by S. cerevisiae for 3 days, but change of isoflavonoids was not observed in steam processing. The calycosin-glucoside and ononin were reduced in fermentation product of A. membranaceus extract, whereas calycosin and formononetin was increased. Conclusion : This results showed that isoflavone glycoside converted to isoflavone aglycon in A. membranaceus by fermentation process, it seems to be available for industrial use.

Background : Natural substance extracted from plant is going increased to apply for agricultural industry to improve crop product. Thus, hydrosols of lavender used to cosmetic materials was treated in plant to investigate growth effect. Methods and Results : The young plants grown for 7 days from seed were transferred to pot. They have foliage dressed with lavender hydrosols diluted to 500 × at intervals of 2 days. The results of N. benthamiana grown by foliage dressing for 2 weeks were 11.37 ± 0.31 ㎝ of leaves length, 11.07 ± 0.47 ㎝ of leaves width, 14.43 ± 0.90 ㎝ of plant length. These values were investigated to more increase than control. In the results measuring plant length at 4 weeks, there had no difference in two treatments. The activities of DPPH scavenging and SOD were checked to examine the antioxidant activity in two treatments. The DPPH scavenging activity was not shown a difference in two treatments. However, SOD activity displayed at high to level of 2 times in extracts from 100% ethanol of N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in compared to control. The RT-PCR preceeded to investigate the transcriptional changes of genes related to antioxidant activity using the respective primers for 5 genes such as NbNOA1, NbNR, NbPAL, NbAPX, NbSOD. These 5 genes were known to detect as a high level in N. benthamiana treated with lavender hydrosols in transcriptionl expression. Conclusion : The influence on plant growth through lavender hydrosol treatment was represented as a promoting effect in early growth stage.

Background: This study were to investigate the effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus fermented Radix astragali (AMRP) and non-fermented products (AMRNP) on collagen synthesis in the cultures of human dermal fibroblasts, and their inhibitory effects on the matrix-degrading enzymes (collagenase, elastase, and gelatinase). Methods and Results: Both AMRP and AMRNP significantly improved cell growth and proliferation of HDF cells. However, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis demonstrated that AMRP, but not AMRNP, significantly and dose-dependently stimulated the biosynthesis of type I procollagen in both aged (74 y) and young (21 y) HDF cells. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that expression of type I, type III procollagen and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA was significantly stronger in AMRP-treated HDF cells than that of AMRNP-treated and un-treated HDF cells. The AMRP revealed an increase in astragaloside Ⅳ only depending on increase in fermentation period, because other astragalside converted to astragaloside Ⅳ, which it detached acyl group by fermentation processing of Pediococcus pentosaceus. Conclusion: The results also suggested that AMRP could stimulate the collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts, which is, associated with the regulation of procollagen biosynthesis resulting from AMRP-induced TGF-β1 expression and the mitogenic activity in HDF cells, and therefore, is expected to reduce the age-dependent loss of extracellular matrix proteins.

Background : Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and genetic factors. Also, hyperinsulinemia directly promotes fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Therefore, it is very important to suppress the most common risks of NAFLD, such as obesity and insulin resistance. In this context, we evaluated for the effects of black ginseng (BG) extract on lipid accumulation inhibition and degradation in hepatocytes. Methods and Results : The aim of this study is to figure out the potential anti-lipogenic effects and the underlying mechanism of BG extract in a cellular-, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animal model associated with NAFLD. T2DM animal used C57BL/KsJ db/db mouse (M. 6 wk, n = 56), treated with extract of BG and Red ginseng (RG) (each 100 and 900 ㎎/ ㎏/day, p.o) for 6 weeks. BG markedly reduced palmitate-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. On histology of liver tissues of T2DM animal, macrovesicular lipid droplets in cytoplasm of hepatocytes were decreased both RG and BG-treated groups. In liver tissue, BG-treated groups suppressed CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression, and SREBP-1c mediated induction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) proteins related to the induction of adipose differentiation. Futhermore, adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity was significantly increased in BG-treated groups compared to RG-treated groups. It is also found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) highly expressed in BG-treated groups. Conclusion : Our results suggest that black ginseng extract has an anti-adipogenic and anti-lipogenic effects in the liver when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity and T2DM induced NAFLD.

Background: The extract of Abies holophylla is used as an ingredient in cosmetics. This study assessed the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the material remaining after the extract is used. Methods and Results: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities were assessed to determined the free radical scavenging activity. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined to measure the antioxidant activity. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the resudual extract were higher (95.61 - 99.42% and 74.26 - 77.98% in water extract respectively) than those of the positive control. In 50% EtOH extract, the total phenol content was 389.84 ㎎·GAE/㎖, and the total flavonoid was 0.15 ㎎·QE/㎖. The minimum inhibition concentration degree for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was < 8 to < 125 ㎍/㎖ compared to that of the positive control in all extracts. The clear zone against S. aureus was found to be 12.2 ± 3.8 ㎜. Conclusions: The A. holophylla byproducts were found to have antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, the materials remaining after the A. holophylla extract is used in cosmetics has potential functional uses. Key Words: Abies holophylla, Staphylococcus aureus, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity

전체 매립지의 80%를 차지하고 있는 중소규모 매립지의 경우, 저농도 메탄의 소량 발생으로 인하여 연료 활용은 부대시설 비용 증가로 가격 경쟁력을 갖지 못하고 있다. 매립지가스의 주성분은 메탄과 이산화탄소로 이루어져 있으며, 그 외 미량의 불순물질인 수분, 황화수소, 암모니아, 할로겐 화합물, 실록산 등이 존재한다(Rasi et al., 2007). 이 매립지가스의 주성분인 이산화탄소와 메탄을 분리･정제 등 별도의 농축 없이 직접 사용할 수 있으므로 메탄 활용 공정의 단순화 및 고집적화가 필요하다. 현재, 상용화된 매립지가스 전처리 기술은 가스포집 후 냉각응축, 제습 장치 및 건조/가온 장치 등을 통한 다단계 수분 제거기술을 포함하고 있으며, 탈황 및 활성탄을 이용한 미량 유해성분 제거 기술을 활용하고 있다. 매립지가스의 자원화를 통한 온실가스 감축을 위해서는 이 불순물질을 제거하는 전처리 공정이 필요하다. 불순물질 중 황화수소는 자원화 설비를 부식시킬 수 있으며, 실록산의 경우 연소과정으로 생성된 이산화규소가 발전설비 내 스케일을 형성시켜 설비를 마모시킬 수 있다. 기존 공정에서는 황화수소와 실록산이 독립된 공정에서 제거되어 설비의 설치비 및 유지비가 증대되는 문제점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 매립지가스 중에 포함된 미량의 불순물질을 제거하기 위하여 미량의 수분 제거, 황화수소와 실록산의 동시에 제거할 수 있는 흡착공정을 적용하였다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 매립지가스 중에 포함된 미량의 불순물질을 충분히 제거하고, 100kW급 가스엔진발전기를 통하여 발전하고, 이를 한전의 전력망에 계통연계하여 매립지에서 발생하는 온실가스를 감축하는 수단으로 활용하였다. 이와 같이 가스엔진발전을 통한 지자체 단위의 중소형 매립지에서 발생되는 온실가스를 감축하는데 적용하였으며, 이에 대한 온실가스 감축 사례에 대한 연구 결과를 도출하였다.

Cynanchum wilfordii Radix (CWR), Arctium lappa L (ALL), and Dioscorea opposite (DO) have been known to improve blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammation. To find the optimal combination ratio of CWR, ALL, and DO in terms of vascular health improvement, we compared the effects of various combinations on gene expression of Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). VCAM-1 mediates endothelial leukocyte adhesion and is upregulated in atherosclerosis. Cells was stimulated by TNF-α (10 ng/㎖, 2h) and treated with various combinations for 24 h. A combination (CADM5, CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) showed the strongest suppression of VCAM-1 so that CADM5 was chosen for further experiments. We performed cell viability test with CADM5 (0, 3.125, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖) and no cytotoxicity was found. We also investigated the effect of CADM5 on protein expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, Nrf-2, and HO-1 using western blotting. We found that CADM5 diminished the expression of VCAM-1 and increased the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1. Therefore, we concluded that CADM5 (CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) effectively improves vascular health by regulating the expression of VCAM-1.

Background: This study examined the use of new bio-materials with enhanced value and functionality, which were derived from fermented wild ginseng cultures. Methods and Results: To examine the antioxidant activity associated with biological functions, radical scavenging analyses (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ABTS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity analyses were conducted. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of wild ginseng fermented with microorganisms (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum) were evaluated to determine the antioxidant activity increment. Regarding ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis, values of 70.6 ± 1.4%, 44.3 ± 1.7%, and 88.4 ± 1.3% were measured using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD-like antioxdiant activity analyses, respectively. The total phenolic content in ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis was 184.5 ± 0.9 ㎍• GAE/㎖, and the total flavonoid contents was 108.5 ± 1.8 ㎍• QE/㎖ in ginseng fermented with L. mesenteroides. Conclusions: Of the four types of lactic acid bacteria examined, the use of B. licheniformis to ferment ginseng resulted in greatest increase in antioxidant activity. Therefore, ginseng fermented by microorganisms might be used to produce functional bio-materials.