• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.864-870
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effects of foliage plants on reducing indoor carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Five foliage plants such as $Hedera$ $helix$ L., $Ficus$ $benjamina$ L., $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Chamaedorea$ $elegans$, and $Ficus$ $elastica$ were selected and cultivated in two different growth medium (peatmoss and hydroball). Each plant was placed in an airtight chamber and then treated with the combinations of two different $CO_2$ concentrations (500 or 1,000 ppm) and two different light intensities (50 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). The change of $CO_2$ concentration (ppm) in the airtight chamber during day and night was measured and then converted into the photosynthetic rate (${\mu}mol\;CO_2{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). As the results, each foliage plant reduced $CO_2$ level in the airtight chamber for one hour by photosynthesis. $Pachira$ $aquatica$ and $Ficus$ $elastica$ absorbed $CO_2$ more effectively compared to the other plants. The plants exposed to higher $CO_2$ concentration (1,000 ppm) and higher light intensity ($200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) showed more effective $CO_2$ elimination rate and photosynthetic rate. The plants that have wide leaves and big leaf areas such as $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Hedera$ $helix$ L.,and $Ficus$ $elastica$ showed higher photosynthetic rate than the other plants that have smaller leaves. Released $CO_2$ concentration by respiration of the plants during the night was very low compared to the absorbed $CO_2$ concentration by photosynthesis during the day. There was no significant difference between peatmoss and hydroball medium on reducing $CO_2$ concentration and increasing photosynthetic rate. In conclusion, this study suggested that foliage plants can effectively eliminate indoor $CO_2$. Optimum environmental control in relation to photosyntheis and usage of right indoor foliage plants having lots of leaves and showing active photosynthesis even under low light intensity like indoor light condition would be required to increase the elimination capacity of indoor $CO_2$.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1990

The finding of long lived free radicals produced by ionizing radiation in organic crystals and the quantification of this effect by electron spin resonance(ESR) spactroscopy has proven excellent dosimetric applicability. The tissue equivalent alanine dosimeter also appear appropriate for radiation therapy level dosimetry. The dose measurement was performed in a Rando phantom using high energy photons as produced by high energy medical linear accelerator and cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. The absorbed dose range of the ESR/alanine dosimetry system could be extended down to 0.1 Gy. The response of the alanine dosimeters was determined for photons at different therapeutic dose levels from less than 0.1 Gy to 100 Gy and the depth dose measurements were carried out for photon energies of 1.25MeV, 6 and 10 MV with alanine dosimeters in Rando phantom. Comparisons between ESR/alanine in a Rando phantom and ion chamber in a water phantom were made performing depth dose measurements to examine the agreement of both methods under field conditions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1998

We compared absorption and adsorption rates of air pollutants by plants to eveluate the difference of absorption capacity of plant species and kinds of air pollutants, when foilage plants were exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ singly and combiningly. Absorption and adsorption rates of three foliage plants exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ singly and in combination varied a little according to plant species and kinds of air pollutants. But total absorption rate of Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina was higher, and it was lower in Pachira aquatica. When exposed to $O_3$ and $SO_2$ at the same concentration, Pachira aquatica absorbed more $O_3$ than $SO_2$, in contrast to Ficus benjamina absorbing more $SO_2$. On the other hand, Spathiphyllum patinii absorbed as much $O_3$ as $SO_2$. Physiological activities were measured since absorption rates were affected by physiological characteristics of plants. Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina showed higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates, and Pachira aquatica showed lower values. And diffusive and stomatal resistences of Pachira aquatica were higher than those of two other species. These results showed that absorption capacity was affected by the differences of physiological characteristics. Absorption capacity of air pollutants increased in plants, such as Spathiphyllum patinii and Ficus benjamina, which had high $SO_2$ absorption rate. We found that plants showing high $CO_2$ absorption rates absorb a lot of air pollutnats.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.286-293
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• 1998

Two methods were used to enhance the adsorption capacity of activated carbons. One is to impregnate activated carbons with chemical compounds which have a good affinity for $CO_2$. The other is to activate by heat-treating after impregnation with KOH on activated carbons(AC). The chemical compounds impregnated on AC were alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and transition metal chlorides. The adsorption capacity of $CO_2$ on AC impregnated with these metals was less than that of pure AC. These compounds have not the chemical affinity for $CO_2$ and obstruct the micropore of AC. The experiment of breakthrough for $CO_2$ on AC impregnated with KOH showed the increase of the adsorbed amount of $CO_2$ in influent gases containing water vapor. This means that KOH adsorbes $CO_2$ gas. However, the adsorbents impregnated with KOH had not the reproducibility because of the production of $K_2CO_3$ by the reaction of KOH with $CO_2$. The amount of $CO_2$ adsorbed on the heat-treated AC at $800^{\circ}C$ increased with the amount of impregnation. The adsorption capacity of $CO_2$ was the largest when the ratio of weight of KOH to AC equal to 4. The isosteric heat of adsorption was calculated by the equation of Clausius-Clapeyron form adsorption capacity data of $CO_2$ for the temperature change. In addition, the characteristics of $CO_2$ breakthrough curve were surveyed for the change of flow rate and concentration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.762-770
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• 2022

Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes can be alleviated by promoting cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid (3β,-3-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid compound. Although there have been studies on the antidiabetic activity of betulinic acid, studies on cellular glucose uptake are lacking. We investigated the effects of betulinic acid on glucose uptake and its mechanism of action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Betulinic acid significantly stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1-tyrosine (IRS-1tyr) in the insulin signaling pathway, which in turn stimulated the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt). The activation of PI3K and Akt by betulinic acid translocated glucose transporter 4 to the plasma membrane (PM-GLUT4), thereby increasing the expression of PM-GLUT4 and thus stimulating cellular glucose uptake. Betulinic acid also significantly increased the phosphorylation/activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The activation of PI3K and AMPK by betulinic acid was confirmed using the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the AMPK inhibitor compound C. The increase in glucose uptake induced by betulinic acid was significantly decreased by wortmannin and compound C in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that betulinic acid stimulates glucose uptake by activating PI3K and AMPK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2016

In this study, we examined the effects of various molecular weights (1, 10, 50, 100, 660, and 1500 kDa) of sodium hyaluronate (HA), which were prepared by enzyme hydrolysis, on the collagen synthesis, anti-inflammation and skin absorption. These HA did not significantly affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast Hs68 cells. Among them, 1500 kDa, 50 kDa HA most significantly increased collagen production by 59%, and 50% in the Hs 68 cells, respectively. Whereas 1500 and 660 kDa HA hardly pass through mouse transdermis membrane, lower molecular weights (1, 10, or 50 kDa) of HA showed time-dependent increase in skin permeation. HA of 50 kDa showed highest anti-inflammatory effects by reducing nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ production in the RAW 264.7 cells, comparing to other HA (1, 10, and 100 kDa HA). Recently, there is no report about anti-wrinkle and anti-inflammatory effects and skin permeation of different molecular weights HA (1, 10, 50, 100, 660 and 1500 kDa), which were produced by enzyme hydrolysis. These results suggested that 50 kDa HA can be potent candidates for the development of effective anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agents. The results of this study demonstrated that among those HA with different molecular weights, 50 kDa HA showed highest anti-inflammatory activity, significant capability to induce collagen synthesis and high level of skin permeation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.4272-4278
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• 2014

One of the most effective ways of preventing skin aging is to protect the skin from UV radiation, which was identified as the primary cause of photoaging. Therefore, it is necessary to develop natural and environment-friendly materials to the human skin. This study examined the effects of MAAs extracted from Chlamydononas hedleyi on UV protection and anti-inflammation in human skin cells. The function of porphyra-334 in the skin, which was isolated and purified from MMAs mixture, was tested in terms of its UV protective ability and anti-inflammation. As a result, porphyra-334 played a role in protecting the skin from UV radiation and anti-inflammation through the suppression of COX-2 expression. These results suggest that porphyra-334 can be a useful material in cosmetic products because it can protect the skin from UV radiation and anti-inflammation.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.246-253
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• 2017

This study was conducted prepare spray-dried powder using pumpkin sweet potato hydrolysates and examine the physicochemical properties of the powder. The insoluble dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber of the pumpkin sweet potato treated by enzyme were 4.17% and 2.07%, respectively. The spray-dried pumpkin sweet potato hydrolysates was manufactured via spray-drying with different forming agents: i.e., pectin 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2.0%. The moisture contents and total starches of the spray-dried powders were approximately 1.68-2.46 and 45.32-46.51%, respectively. The color of the L and a value decreased, and that of the b and ${\Delta}E$ value increased. The particle size and outer topology of the spray-dried powders were $37.17-42.32{\mu}m$, and its shape was generally globular. The water absorption index of the spray-dried powder (1.74-1.91) was lower than that of the freeze-dried powder (2.15). The water solubility index of the spray-dried powder, 80.75-87.61%, was higher than that of the freeze-dried powder (70.47%). The adhesion values of spray-dried powder to epithelial HT-29 cells were 2.66-6.18% of the initial cell counts, whereas freeze-dried powder showed lower adhesive ability (1.79%). The in vitro human digestibility in the spray-dried powder was 70.09% which is very effective in digestion.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.274-279
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to develop oral matrix tablets for the sustained release of vitamin C. In this study hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) has been utilized as an excipient, as it is one of the most widely used polymers, for use during long periods of time in formations. The vitamin C tablet formulation depends on the molecular weight and concentration of sustained-delivery in HPMC. Anti-oxidants have been added as a dissolution medium in order to prevent vitamin C degradation in water. The dissolution test was carried out in a distilled water medium, and the release model equation was applied to analyze the vitamin C release pattern. The results demonstrated that the release and lasting power of vitamin C tablets, containing HPMC, lasted for more than 12 h.