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Screening for Anti-diabetic Effects of Prescribed Korean Traditional Medicines

  • Shin, Seon Mi;Jeong, Yong Joon;Park, Dae Won;Ko, Heung;Kim, Gi Tae;Kim, Ee-Hwa;Kim, Taeseong;Sohn, Eun-Hwa;Kwon, Jung-Eun;Koo, Hyun Jung;Kang, Se Chan
    • Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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    • v.25 no.6
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    • pp.670-681
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    • 2012
  • Herb extracts commercially used in Korea were screened for PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist test and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition assay. Total 16 herb plants had a PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist activity. Specially, Alisma orientale Juz (108.41%), Ephedra sinica (98.22%), Sasa japonica Makino var. purpurascens Nakai (140.68%), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (106.79%) and Cnidium officinale Makino (113.00%) showed high PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist activity rate compared with rosiglitazone's (167.46%). And Cornus officinalis S. et Z. (90.3%), Cinnamomum cassia Blume (89.2%), Psoralea corylifolia L. (89.8%), Paeonia japonica (Makino) Miyabe (92.4%) and Paeonia suffruticosa Andr (93.2%), showed high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition rates. These results support previous reports of the efficacy of Oriental medicinal plants used for diabetes mellitus.

Modeling of nonlinear cyclic response of shear-deficient RC T-beams strengthened with side bonded CFRP fabric strips

  • Hawileh, Rami A.;Abdalla, Jamal A.;Tanarslan, Murat H.;Naser, Mohannad Z.
    • Computers and Concrete
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.193-206
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    • 2011
  • The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) to strengthen reinforced concrete beams under bending and shear has gained rapid growth in recent years. The performance of shear strengthened beams with externally bonded CFRP laminate or fabric strips is raising many concerns when the beam is loaded under cyclic loading. Such concerns warrant experimental, analytical and numerical investigation of such beams under cyclic loading. To date, limited investigations have been carried out to address this concern. This paper presents a numerical investigation by developing a nonlinear finite element (FE) model to study the response of a cantilever reinforced concrete T-beam strengthened in shear with side bonded CFRP fabric strips and subjected to cyclic loading. A detailed 3D nonlinear finite element model that takes into account the orthotropic nature of the polymer's fibers is developed. In order to simulate the bond between the CFRP sheets and concrete, a layer having the material properties of the adhesive epoxy resin is introduced in the model as an interface between the CFRP sheets and concrete surface. Appropriate numerical modeling strategies were used and the response envelope and the load-displacement hysteresis loops of the FE model were compared with the experimental response at all stages of the cyclic loading. It is observed that the responses of the FE beam model are in good agreement with those of the experimental test. A parametric study was conducted using the validated FE model to investigate the effect of spacing between CFRP sheets, number of CFRP layers, and fiber orientation on the overall performance of the T-beam. It is concluded that successful FE modeling provides a practical and economical tool to investigate the behavior of such strengthened beams when subjected to cyclic loading.

The effects of increased unilateral and bilateral calcaneal eversion on pelvic and trunk alignment in standing position

  • Yi, Jaehoon
    • Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.84-88
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    • 2016
  • Objective: Generally, it is known that there is a correlation between excessive calcaneus eversion and a patient with low back pain and it also affects pelvic alignment. However, there are not enough studies that show calcaneal eversion having an effect on the alignment of the trunk. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to assess the lower limbs, pelvic alignment, and trunk alignment with increased unilateral and bilateral calcaneal eversion in twenty-one subjects. All subjects were asked to maintain a static posture for seven seconds on a wedge three times per posture for measurement and analysis purposes. The wedge used in the process was a lateral wedge with a 10-degree tilt to the lateral direction. To unify all of the subjects' foot position, the front and inner side of the wedge were marked. The height of the tilted wedge's inner side and flat wedge were balanced equally in order to be able to maintain the lateral part of the foot to the same height when producing an increased calcaneal eversion. Results: Comparing the changes in trunk and pelvic alignment in accordance to calcaneal eversion for each posture, there was a significant different in the X and Y-axis for each posture, but not in the Z-axis (p<0.05). Thus, it can be confirmed that calcaneal eversion in the sagittal plane and frontal plane may have and effect on the pelvis and the trunk. Conclusions: Postures with increased bilateral and unilateral calcaneal eversion has an effect on pelvic alignment, but does not cause any changes in trunk alignment.

The Kinematic Factors of Physical Motions During Air Pistol Shooting

  • Kim, Min-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.197-204
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    • 2016
  • Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic factors of motion during air pistol shooting. Method: This study aimed to investigate changes in forces during movement and determine the factors that affect changes in force during the first, middle, and last periods of shooting an air pistol. Two ground reaction force systems (force platform), SCATT (a shooting training system), and EMG (electromyogram) to measure the action potentials in the muscles of the upper body were used in this study. Four university air pistol players (age: 19.75 years, height: 175.50 cm, body mass: $69.55{\pm}11.50kg$, career length: $6.25{\pm}6years$) who are training to progress to a higher rank were enrolled. Results: In terms of the actual shooting results, the mean score in the middle section was $42.48{\pm}1.74$ points, higher than those in the first and the last periods when using SCATT. The gunpoint moved 13.48 mm more vertically than horizontally in the target trajectory. With respect to action potentials of muscles measured using EMG, the highest action potentials during the aiming-shooting segments, in order higher to lower, were seen in the trapezius (intermediate region), trapezius (superior region), deltoid (lateral), and triceps brachii (long head). The action potentials of biceps brachii and brachioradialis turned out to be high during grasping motion, which is a preparatory stage. During the final segment, muscle fatigue appeared in the deltoid (lateral), biceps brachii (long head), brachioradialis, and trapezius (intermediate region). In terms of the ground reaction force, during the first period of shooting, there was a major change in the overall direction (left-right $F_x$, forward-backward $F_y$, vertical $F_z$) of the center of the mass. Conclusion: The development and application of a training program focusing on muscle groups with higher muscle fatigue is required for players to progress to a higher rank. Furthermore, players can improve their records in the first period if they take part in a game after warming up sufficiently before shooting in order to heighten muscle action potentials, and are expected to maintain a consistent shooting motion continuously by restoring psychological stability.

INFLUENCE OF DRIED Sacillus subtilis AND LACTOBACILLI CULTURES ON INTESTINAL MICROFLORA AND PERFORMANCE IN BROILERS

  • Jin, L.Z.;Ho, Y.W.;Abdullah, N.;Jalaudin, S.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.397-403
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    • 1996
  • Two hundred 10-day-lid, male Arbor Acres broiler chicks divided randomly into 4 groups of 50 chicks each were used. Different feeding treatment was carried out for each group. Chicks in treatment 1 were fed a basal diet(Starter feed)(control); treatment 2, a basal diet + 0.1% B. subtilis culture; treatment 3, a basal diet + 0.2% lactobacilli culture in the feed; and treatment 4, a basal diet + 5 g lactobacilli in the drinking water. The viable bacterial counts for each treatment were approximately $10^9cells/kg$ feed. The weight gain in chickens given feeds incorporated with B. subtilis and lactobacilli was significantly(p < 0.05) higher than those of the control. With regard to feed efficiency, there was a definite tendency towards a higher feed : gain lower(p < 0.05) feed : gain ratio. A significantly(p < 0.05) larger population of Lactobacillus was found in the small intestine of chickens fed with feed incorporated with B. subtilis at 21 and 28 days and with lactobacilli at 14, 21 and 28 days. Populations of intestinal E. coli in broilers given feed added with B. subtilis were not significantly(p < 0.05) different from those of the control, but in chickens fed lactobacilli-added feed, their populations wee significantly lower(p < 0.05) at 14 and 21 days. No significant differences were found among the treatments and the control in the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter during the whole experimental period.

Anti-proliferative and Pro-apoptic Effects of Dan-Seon-Tang in Human Leukemia Cells (인체 혈구암세포에 대한 단선탕(丹仙湯) 추출물의 증식억제 및 세포사멸 유도에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Seong-Hwan;Park, Sang-Eun;Hong, Sang-Hoon
    • The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.565-583
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    • 2011
  • Objectives : This study investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of the water extract of Dan-Seon-Tang (DST) in human leukemia U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were exposed to DST and growth inhibition was measured by MTT assay. Results : Exposure of U937 cells to DST resulted in the growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies, increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase and induction of DNA fragmentation. The induction of apoptotic cell death in U937 cells by DST was associated with up-regulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of Bid, surviving and cellular inhibition of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP-2) expression. DST treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}1$, ${\beta}$-catenin and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibotor of caspase activated DNAse (DFF45/ICAD). Furthermore, apoptotic cell death by DST was significantly inhibited by caspase-3 specific inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk, demonstrating the important role of caspase-3. Conclusions : These findings suggest that herb prescription DST may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human leukemia U937 cells; further study is needed to identify the active compounds.

Comparison of Three Different Slip Meters under Various Contaminated Conditions

  • Kim, Jung-Soo
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.22-30
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: To challenge the problem of slipperiness, various slipmeters have been developed to assess slip hazard. The performance of in-situ slipmeter is, however, still unclear under the various floor conditions. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of three kinds of slipmeters under real conditions, and to find their dynamic and kinematic characteristics, which were compared with gait test results. Methods: Four common restaurant floor materials were tested under five contaminants. Slipmeters and human gaits were measured by high speed camera and force plate to find and compare their dynamic and kinematic characteristics. Results: The contact pressures and built-up ratio were below those of subjects. The sliding velocity of British Pendulum Tester was above those of subjects, while those of BOT-3000 and English XL were below those of subjects. From the three meters, the English XL showed the highest overall correlation coefficient (r = 0.964) between slip index and $R_a$, while the rest did not show statistical significance with surface roughness parameters ($R_a$, $R_z$). The English XL only showed statistical significance (p < 0.01) between slip index and contaminants. The static coefficient of friction obtained with the BOT-3000 showed good consistency and repeatability (CV < 0.1) as compared to the results for the BPT (CV > 0.2) and English XL (CV < 0.2). Conclusion: It is unclear whether surface roughness can be a reliable and objective indicator of the friction coefficient under real floor conditions, and the viscosity of contaminants can affect the friction coefficient of the same floors. Therefore, to evaluate slipperiness, the performance of the slipmeters needed to improve.

Effect of Cellular Zinc on the Regulation of C2-ceramide Induced Apoptosis in Mammary Epithelial and Macrophage Cell Lines

  • Han, S.E.;Lee, H.G.;Yun, C.H.;Hong, Z.S.;Kim, S.H.;Kang, S.K.;Kim, S.H.;Cho, J.S.;Ha, S.H.;Choi, YunJaie
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.18 no.12
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    • pp.1741-1745
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    • 2005
  • Zinc is a trace element that is associated with a stimulation of immune function and regulation of ion balance for livestock production. In this study, the effect of zinc as inhibitor to apoptosis-induced cells was examined in vitro using mammary epithelial cell line, HC11 and macrophage cell line, NCTC3749. Cell viability, measured by MTT assay, indicated that 10 g/ml of zinc had a negative impact on cellular activity and 50 ng/ml was chosen for further testing. Apoptosis was induced in cells treated with C2-ceramide in serum-free media. DNA fragmentation and gene expression of acidic sphingomyelinase (a gene responsible for the progress of apoptosis) were distinctively low in zinc treated cells compared with those in non-treated controls. In conclusion, zinc is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells and macrophages.

AN INVESTIGATION OF IMMUNIZATION AGAINST SOMATOSTATIN BY MEASURING GROWTH AND CARCASS PARAMETERS IN GILTS

  • Du, Z.L.;Hacker, R.R.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.665-671
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    • 1992
  • To investigate the effects of immunization against somatostatin (SRIF) on growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass quality; forth-eight Yorkshire gilts ($age=37.5{\pm}4.3d,\;wt=8.2{\pm}1.6kg$) were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatments (1) control, (2) bovine serum albumin (BSA) and (3) SRIF. Cyclic SRIF was conjugated to BSA as the antigen containing 1 mg of SRIF diluted in 3 ml of saline. The conjugate was injected subsutaneously together with bacterial cell protein (BP) adjuvant on both sides of the neck of each gilt as the initial injection with three subsequent booster injections. Throughout the experiment all pigs were fed ad libitum a corn-soy diet containing 20% protein. Body weight and feed intake were measured on a weekly basis. All pigs in the experiment were slaughtered when they approached 101 kg body weight on the weekly weigh day. After slaughter, carcass parameters were analyzed to assess carcass quality. Results revealed that there were no differences among SRIF, BSA and control treatments for average daily gain, feed efficiency and feed intake during the first 5 wk of the experiment and from 6 wk to slaughter. The results for carcass analysis indicated that active immunization against SRIF had no effect on fat content, lean yield, water content and Canadian carcass index These data, collectively, suggest that the protocol employed in the present investigation for active immunization against SRIF is not an effective method for the enhancement of pig growth and improvement of feed efficiency and carcass quality.

Stimulation-Oriented Interventions for Behavioral Problems among People with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (치매 환자의 문제행동을 위한 자극지향적 중재의 효과 연구: 체계적 고찰과 메타분석)

  • Kim, Eun Young;Hwang, Sung-Dong;Kim, Eun Joo
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.475-489
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate the effects of stimulation-oriented interventions for behavioral problems among people with dementia. Methods: Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), a literature search was conducted using seven electronic databases, gray literature, and other sources. Methodological quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data were analyzed using R with the 'meta' package and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA 2.0) program. Results: Sixteen studies were included for meta-analysis to investigate the effect of stimulation-oriented interventions. The quality of individual studies was rated as '++' for eight studies and '+' for the rest. The effect sizes were analyzed according to three subgroups of interventions (light, music, and others); Hedges' g=0.04 (95% CI: -0.38~0.46), -0.23 (95% CI: -0.56~0.10), -0.34 (95% CI: -0.34~0.00), respectively. To explore the possible causes of heterogeneity ($I^2=62.8%$), meta-regression was conducted with covariates of sample size, number of sessions, and length of session (time). No moderating effects were found for sample size or number of sessions, but session time showed a significant effect (Z=1.96, 95% CI: 0.00~0.01). Finally, a funnel plot along with Egger's regression test was performed to check for publication bias, but no significant bias was detected. Conclusion: Based on these findings, stimulation-oriented interventions seem to have a small effect for behavioral problems among people with dementia. Further research is needed to identify optimum time of the interventions for behavioral problems among dementia pateints.