• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.213-217
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• 2009

In this study, the effects of processed small black soybeans on the intestinal morphological characteristics of rats were examined. Adult male rats were fed diets containing raw, cooked, or acidified small black soybean powders for 4 weeks. The total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) level was significantly higher in the acidified small black soybean supplemented group than in the raw and cooked soybean diet groups. The major SCFAs found in the experimental groups were acetate, followed by propionate and butyrate. The duodenal villus height and colonic mucosal thickness were also significantly higher in the acidified small black soybean supplemented group than in the raw and cooked soybean diet groups. The acidified small black soybean supplemented group showed the densest colonic mucosa by staining with alcian blue (AB), as compared to the raw and cooked soybean diet groups. The acidified small black soybean supplemented group exhibited strongly stained $CD4^+$ in the mucosal lamina propria, while cooked and acidified diet groups were more strongly stained $CD8^+$ in the submucosal lamina propria than the raw diet group. These results suggest that acidified small black soybeans may help improve intestinal function.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1316-1321
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• 2009

Multiple beneficial properties of Opuntia ficus indica (OPF) are well established. In the present study, we have investigated the immunological role of OPF extract (OPFE) on murine splenocytes. OPFE dose- and time-dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxicity. Our results also showed that the number of $CD4^+$ helper T cells and CD45R/$B220^+$ pan B cells increased markedly, but not $CD8^+$ cytotoxic T cells or $CD11b^+$ granulocytes/macrophages. In addition, OPFE significantly decreased the production levels of T helper (Th) 1 type cytokines, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, although had no significantly differences in those of interleukin (IL)-4, a Th2 type cytokine in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated blastogenic cells. Furthermore, OPFE alone strongly increased IL-4 production and decreased TNF-$\alpha$ production even in the absence of Con A. On the basis of these results, this study suggests that OPFE enhances immunity by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response, indicating that this extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect, confirming its usefulness as therapy for immune-related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.447-452
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• 2020

In this work, α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals are synthesized by co-precipitation method and used as adsorbent to remove Cr⁶⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ from wastewater at room temperature. The prepared sample is evaluated by XRD, BET surface area, and FESEM for structural and morphological characteristics. XRD patterns confirm the formation of a pure hematite structure of average particle size of ~ 40 nm, which is further supported by the FESEM images of the nanocrystals. The nanocrystals are found to have BET specific surface area of ~ 39.18 m² g^-1. Adsorption experiments are carried out for the different values of pH of the solutions, contact time, and initial concentration of metal ions. High efficiency Cr⁶⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ removal occur at pH 3, 7, and 5.5, respectively. Equilibrium study reveals that the heavy metal ion adsorption of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals followed Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Cr⁶⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ adsorption equilibrium data are best fitted to the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities of α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals related to Cr⁶⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ are found to be 15.15, 11.63, and 20 mg g^-1, respectively. These results clearly suggest that the synthesized α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals can be considered as potential nano-adsorbents for future environmental and health related applications.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2006

Heavy metals are well known as important environmental pollutants and also considered as endocrine disrupters. This study was performed to evaluate the direct effects of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), and arsenic (As) on the various steroidogenic enzymes in frog ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles from Rana catesbeiana were isolated and cultured for 18 hours in the presence of frog pituitary homogenate (FPH, 0.05 gland/ml) or various steroid precursors with or without heavy metals (0.01-100 ${\mu}M$), and steroid levels in the follicle or culture medium were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Thus, the steroidogenic enzyme activities were indirectly evaluated by measuring the converted steroid levels from the added precursor steroid. Among heavy metals, Hg, Cd and Zn significantly inhibited FPH-induced pregnenolone ($P_5$) production by the follicles ($EC_{50},\;4.0{\mu}M,\;25.6{\mu}M\;and\;5.7{\mu}M$, respectively ), and also suppressed the conversion of testosterone (T) to estradiol $17{beta}\;(E_2)\;(EC_{50},\;4.2{\mu}M,\;7.5{\mu}M\;and\;80.0{\mu}M) while Pb, Co and As are not or less effective in the inhibition. Other enzymes such as $C_{17-20}$ lyase and $17{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($17{\beta}$-HSD) were suppressed only in the high concentration of Hg, Cd and Zn. Taken together, these data demonstrate that cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) and aromatase are much more sensitive to heavy metals than other steroidogenic enzymes and Hg, Cd and Zn show stronger toxicity to follicles than other heavy metals examined.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.36-53
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• 2005

Purpose : The Purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Haingkyunghonghwatang (HKHHT) on anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : As for the parameters of inflammation, levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemical mediators were determined in mouse lung fibroblast cells(mLFC) and RAW264.7 cells. Also, changes in pathological features by drug treatment were investigated in the in vivo edema-induced rats by carrageenin/arachidonic acid or in the colitis-induced mice by DSS treatment. Results : The cytotoxicity of HKHHT on mLFC and RAW264.7 cells wasn't observed at 100, 50, 10, and $1{\mu}g/ml$ of The treatments. $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and NOS-II mRNA expression of RAW264.7 cells was inhibited by The treatments in a dose-dependent manner. HKHHT treatment of RAW264.7cells(HtRc) inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA expression. HtRc significantly inhibited IL-6 and NO production. HtRc inhibited ROS production. HKHHT inhibited rat's paw edema induced by carrageenin or arachidonate treatment in all concentrations examined. The body weight and colon length of colitis-induced mice were recovered to a normal level by DSS treatment. Clinical disease levels were significantly improved compared to the control animals. HKHHT treatment of colitis-induced mice(HtCm) significantly increased hematological values such as WBC and RBC counts, Hgb and HCT levels, but decreased PLT values. HtCm decreased IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly HtCm significantly increased CD3+(T) cell counts. In contrast, HKHHT treatment decreased CD19+ B cell counts and CD3+/CD69+ significantly, and also decreased B/T ratio (%) though not significant. Conclusion : These results indicated that HKHHT could be used for treating diverse female diseases caused by the inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2008

The effects of Cu and Sb on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn-Sb-Cu-Ni-Cd whitemetal were investigated. Any compound phase was not observed in the whitemetal with 0.05 wt% Cu, while as the Cu content was increased, star- or needle-like $Cu_6Sn_5$ phases were found. The tensile strength gradually increased with Cu up to 5 % and then remained almost constant with Cu content above 5 %, while the hardness continuously increased with Cu content because of the increased hard $Cu_6Sn_5$ phases. As the Sb content increased, SbSn cuboids were present as well as $Cu_6Sn_5$. The tensile steength and hardness continuously increased and the elongation decreased with Sb content.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 1992

In Iri industrial area, Heavy metals in ait of the factories, 10 metal and 8 non-metal factories, were examined for ten months(from Feb. to Nov, 1991). The methals in blood, urin and hair of 232 employees who have worked in the factories were also examined at the same time The results are summarized as follows 1. Heavy metals Pb, Cd and Mn in the metal factories were 0.031mg/m$^{3}$, 0.0065mg/m$^{3}$, and 0. 035mg/m$^{3}$ respectively, but 0.017mg/m$^{3}$, 0.021mg/m$^{3}$ and 0.014mg/m$^{3}$ in non-metal factories. 2. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Mn in blood from employees in the metal factories were measured : 22.36$\mu$g/dl, 0.27$\mu$g/dl and 1.26$\mu$g/dl respectively, The values in the non-metal factories were 19.84$\mu$g/dl, 0.21$\mu$g/dl and 1.24$\mu$g/dl. 3. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Mn in urine from employees in the metal factories were measured 32.94$\mu$g/l, 0.16$\mu$g/dl, and 1.60$\mu$g/dl respectively, whereas the values in the non-metal factories were 28.79$\mu$g/l, 0.13$\mu$g/dl and 1.35$\mu$g/l. 4. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Mn in hair from employees in the metal factories were measured 8.92mg/kg, 0.33mg/kg and 3.71mg/kg respectively, but 8.14mg/kg, 0.31mg/kg and 3.26 rng/kg in the non-metal factories.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.92-109
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• 2005

Purpose : The Purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Cheongyeolhawlhyeoltanggagyehyeoldeung (CYHHT) on anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : As for the parameters of inflammation, levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemical mediators were determined in mouse lung fibroblast cells(mLFC) and RAW264.7 cells. Also, changes in pathological features by drug treatment were investigated in the in vivo edema-induced rats by carrageenin /arachidonic acid or in the colitis-induced mice by DSS treatment. Results : The cytotoxicity of CYHHT on mLFC and RAW264.7 cells was not observed at 100, 50, 10, and $1{\mu}g/ml$ of CYHHT treatments. $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and NOS-IImRNA expression of RAW264.7 cells was inhibited by CYHHT treatments in a dose-dependent manner. CYHHT treatment of RAW264.7 cells inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA expression. CYHHT treatment of RAW264.7 cells significantly inhibited IL-6 and NO production. CYHHT treatment of RAW264.7 cells inhibited ROS production. CYHHT inhibited rat's paw edema induced by carrageenin or arachidonate treatment in all concentrations examined. The body weight and colon length of colitis-induced mice were recovered to a normal level by DSS treatment. Clinical disease levels were significantly improved compared to the control animals. CYHHT treatment of colitis-induced mice significantly increased hematological values such as WBC and RBC counts, Hgb and HCT levels, but decreased PLT values. CYHHT treatment of colitis-induced mice decreased IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly CYHHT treatment of colitis-induced mice significantly increased CD3+(T) cell counts. In contrast, CYHHT treatment decreased CD19+ B cell counts and CD3+/CD69+ significantly, and also decreased B/T ratio (%) though not significant. Conclusion : These results indicated that CYHHT could be used for treating diverse female diseases caused by the inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.94-110
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• 2005

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Kamikwibitang water extract (KKT) on immobilization stress in C57BL/6J mice. KKT decreased the serum level of histamine and corticosterone increased by immobilization stress. In addition, KKT decreased the cell viability of thymocytes and enhanced the cell viability of splenocytes decreased by immobilization stress. Also, KKT decreased the viability of thymocytes and splenocytes in vitro. KKT decreased DNA fragmentation of splenocytes increased by immobilization stress. KKT decreased the population of thymic $CD4^+CD8^-$ cells increased by immobilization stress, and did not affect the population of $B220^+$ cells and the population of $Thy1^+$ cells changed by immobilization stress and enhanced the population of splenic $CD4^-CD8^+$ cells increased by immobilization stress. KKT enhanced the production of ${\gamma}-interferon$ and did not affect the production of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 decreased by immobilization stress. Also, KKT decreased the phagocytic activity and the level of nitric oxide decreased by immobilization stress. These results indicate that KKT may be useful for the prevention and treatment of stress via suppression of serum histamine and corticosterone level and enhancement of specific-immune response.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.123-134
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• 2020

The interaction between UN and CdCl₂ in the LiCl-KCl molten eutectic was studied at 773 K. The reaction was controlled by sampling the melt, as well as by analysis of the resulting precipitate. The process was shown to proceed according to several parallel reactions. The summary reaction was determined to have two stages: a fast one and a slow one. The 19-53% UN → UCl₃ conversion was obtained for the molar ratio of CdCl₂/UN = 1.22-14.9. The rest of UN converts into the precipitate of complex composition (UNCl + U₂N₃ + U₄N₇ + UN₂). The increase in the CdCl₂/UN molar ratio from 1.22 to 14.9 resulted in the decrease in duration of the first "fast" stage of the process from 18 h to 1 h.