• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Association of low intake of calcium (Ca) and inadequate vitamin D (VD) status with higher prevalence rates of obesity has been reported. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of different levels of whey Ca and VD intake on lipid metabolism in growing rats. Methods: A total of 56 five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups and fed for five weeks. Ca groups were divided into three levels, low, normal, and high (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%). VD subgroups in the low and high Ca groups were divided into three levels, low, normal, and high (10 IU, 1,000 IU, and 5,000 IU). The effects of Ca and VD on each group were evaluated by two way ANOVA. Results: Significantly higher amounts of abdominal fat, visceral fat, and epididymal fat were observed in the Low-Ca groups than in the Normal-Ca and High-Ca groups. Serum leptin levels of Low-Ca groups were higher than those of Normal-Ca and High-Ca groups. The highest serum parathyroid hormone concentration was observed in the low Ca low VD group. The levels of serum 25(OH)D were significantly increased with increasing dietary VD levels. Significantly higher serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were observed in the low Ca groups than in the normal Ca and high Ca groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that low calcium intake increased serum lipid level and body fat amount.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.383-388
• /
• 2007

This study examined the effective treatment method of selenium and translocation characteristics of selenium in order to produce mungbean containing selenium. The foliar application of selenium at 3.5, 7, 14, and $28mg/{\ell}$ during the flowering period, yielded a relatively high record of seeds containing $0.41{\sim}3.96mg/kg$ and $0.27{\sim}2.38mg/kg$ of selenium, from the first and second harvesting. However, seeds from the first harvesting contained $52{\sim}71%$ more selenium than the seeds from the second harvesting. On the other hand, seeds from first and second harvesting of the non-treatment group had the same amount of selenium at 0.02mg/kg only. When the foliar application of selenium at $7mg/{\ell}$ was conducted two or three times, seeds from the first to third harvesting contained just the equal amount of selenium. However, when it was conducted only once, seeds from the first harvesting contained 56% and 67% more than seeds from the second and third harvesting, respectively. In seeds of mungbean containing 2.05mg/kg of selenium, cotyledon had 2.99mg/kg of selenium, which was 38% more than seed coat per unit weight. When mungbean sprout was produced, selenium content was 5.51mg/kg, but seed coats by-product of sprouts had 0.78mg/kg of selenium. The growth and quantity of mungbean was not significantly different according to the concentration and the frequency of foliar application of selenium used for in study.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.981-986
• /
• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of fertilizer and organic resource annual dressing for 30 years of Jeonbug series (silt loam) on soil properties and rice N uptake in paddy field soil. In the study field, treatments including control (NPK), NPK+rice straw, NPK+rice straw compost and nitrogen fertilization levels at 0, 100, 150, 200, 250 kg $ha^{-1}$ have been imposed for 30 years. Soil hardness and bulk density decreased from 15.7 mm and 1.381 Mg $m^{-3}$ in the control to 12.5 mm and 1.244 Mg $m^{-3}$ in NPK+rice straw compost treatment, respectively, indicating improvement of soil physical conditions such as porosity. Co-application of straw compost with NPK also result in a better chemical properties than NPK alone as it increased available phosphate (from 96 to 133 mg $kg^{-1}$), available silicate (from 81 to 116 mg $kg^{-1}$), and cation exchange capacity (from 9.8 to 11.4 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$). Soil organic matter concentration of top soil (0 to 7.5 cm in depth) was higher in NPK+rice straw and NPK+rice straw compost than in control. Fertilizer N uptake amount was much higher in NPK+rice straw (nitrogen fertilization level; 250 kg $ha^{-1}$) and NPK+rice straw compost (nitrogen fertilization levels; 200, 250 kg $ha^{-1}$) plots compared to the control (nitrogen fertilization level; 100 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot. Nitrogen use efficiency was showed significantly high in the NPK+rice straw compost (nitrogen fertilization levels; 100, 150 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot compared to the control (nitrogen fertilization level; 100 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot. Therefore, it was suggested that application of organic inputs is helpful in improving soil fertility and physical conditions and thus in N uptake.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.353-358
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND: Prochloraz has been widely used as an imidazole fungicide on fruits and vegetables in Korea. Analytical approaches to evaluate prochloraz residues in herbal medicine are required for their safety management. In this study, we developed a GC-ECD method for quantitative determination of prochloraz in Platycodi Radix. The metabolite 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-T) was used as a target compound to evaluate total prochloraz residues as it is categorized to a representative residue definition of prochloraz. All residues containing 2,4,6-T were converted to 2,4,6-T and subjected to GC-ECD. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to verify the applicability, the method was optimized for determining prochloraz and it metabolite 2,4,6-T in Platycodi Radix. Prochloraz and its metabolite 2,4,6-T residuals were extracted using acetone. The extract was diluted with and partitioned directly into dichloromethane to remove polar co-extractives in the aqueous phase. The extract was decomposed to 2,4,6-T, and then the partitioned ion-associate was finally purified by optimized aminopropyl solid-phase extraction (SPE). The limits of quantitation of the method (MLOQs) were 0.04 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively for prochloraz and 2,4,6-T, considering the maximum residue level (MRL) of prochloraz as 0.05 mg/kg in Platycodi Radix. Recovery tests were carried out at two levels of concentration (MLOQ, 10 MLOQ) and resulted in good recoveries (82.1-89.7%). Good reproducibilities were obtained (coefficient of variation < 2.8%), and the linearities of calibration curves were reasonable (r² > 0.9986) in the range of 0.005-0.5 ㎍/mL. CONCLUSION(S): The method developed in this study was successfully validated to meet the guidelines required for quantitative determination of pesticides in herbal medicine. Thus, the method could be useful to monitor prochloraz institutionally in herbal medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1361-1368
• /
• 2018

Inflammation is the most common condition in the human body. Tissue damage triggers inflammation, together with vasodilation and increased blood flow at the inflamed site, resulting in edema. Inflammatory responses are also triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive organism, has been reported to possess immunomodulatory and preventive activities; however, its use may present risks of sepsis and other systemic infections. Heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis (EF-2001) has been reported to induce antitumor activity, but its effects on inflammation are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EF-2001 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory responses. EF-2001 treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating suppression of inflammatory reactions. EF-2001 showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EF-2001 indicated that EF-2001 reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. EF-2001 also reduced f the LPS induction of several inflammatory molecules involved in the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, including ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, EF-2001 inhibited Akt phosphorylation and increased the expression of the inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$) protein, an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EF-2001 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that EF-2001 has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.31-50
• /
• 2010

The Arctic climate change for the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM) occurred at 21,000 years ago (21ka) was investigated using simulation results of atmosphere-ocean coupled models from the second phase of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Program(PMIP2). In the analysis, we used seven models, the NCAR CCSM of USA, ECHAM3-MPIOM of German Max-Planxk Institute, HadCM3M2 of UK Met Office, IPSL-CM4 of France Laplace Institute, CNRM-CM3 of France Meteorological Institute, MIROC3.2 of Japan CCSR at University of Tokyo, and FGOALS of China Institute of Atmospheric Physics. All the seven models reproduces the Arctic climate features found in the present climate at 0ka(pre-industrial time) in a reasonable degree in comparison to observations. During the LGM, the atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration and other greenhouse gases were reduced, the ice sheets were expanded over North America and northern Europe, the sea level was lowered by about 120m, and orbital parameters were slightly different. These boundary conditions were implemented to simulated LGM climate. With the implemented LGM conditions, the biggest temperature reduction by more than $24^{\circ}C$ is found over North America and northern Europe owing to ice albedo feedback and the change in lapse rate by high elevation. Besides, the expansion of ice sheets leads to the marked temperature reduction by more then $10^{\circ}C$ over the Arctic Ocean. The temperature reduction in northern winter is larger than in summer around the Arctic and the annual mean temperature is reduced by about $14^{\circ}C$. Compared to low mid-latitudes, the temperature reduction is much larger in high northern altitudes in the LGM. This results mirror the larger warming around the Artic in recent century. We could draw some information for the future under global warming from the knowledge of the LGM.

• Food Engineering Progress
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.143-149
• /
• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial activity and characteristics of Asparagus cochinchinenesis which was steamed and fermented with lactic acid bacteria. A. cochinchinensis was prepared to steaming process which was washed and freeze dried. A. cochinchinensis was steamed at $95^{\circ}C$ for 12 h and dried by hot air at $50^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. After steaming process, A. cochinchinensis was fermented with lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides 4395, Lactobacillus sakei 383 and Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11322). Ethyl acetate extracts of fermented A. cochinchinensis had antimicrobial activities for the respiratory disease bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). A. cochinchinensis had highest antimicrobial activity for the P. aeruginosa which fermented with L. mesenteroides 4395. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of A. cochinchinensis fermented with L. mesenteroides 4395 was 10 mg/mL for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli and 5 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa. The MIC of A. cochinchinensis fermented with L. sakei 383 and A. cochinchinensis fermented with L. plantarum KCCM 11322 were the same. Total sugar was decreased from $863.33{\pm}17.47mg/mL$ to $722.67{\pm}5.51mg/mL$ during the steaming process. But reducing sugar was increased from $99.36{\pm}1.32mg/mL$ to $109.29{\pm}2.71mg/mL$ during the steaming process. Total sugar was decreased to 301.50-361.42 mg/mL and reducing sugar was decreased to 27.39-62.20 mg/mL during the fermentation process.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1507-1515
• /
• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by prostatic hypertrophy mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus is reportedly effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, but its efficacy on BPH has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether or not a Corni Fructus water extract (CF) could prevent testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. To induce BPH, castrated rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP). CF was administered daily by oral gavage, along with the TP injections, and finasteride, a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. The results show that CF significantly reduces prostate weight and histopathologic changes while also decreasing levels of serum dihydrotestosterone, similar to the finasteride-treated group. CF also suppresses TP-induced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. Furthermore, CF markedly inhibited TP-induced expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the steroid receptor coactivator 1, an AR coactivator, which was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in both serum and prostate tissue. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that CF weakens BPH status by inactivation of $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.255-263
• /
• 2019

Glycyrrhizae radix is one of the most frequently prescribed ingredients in Oriental medicine, and Glycyrrhizae radix extract has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of programed cell death (apoptosis) by Glycyrrhizae radix are poorly defined. In the present study, it was examined the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by water extracts of Glycyrrhizae radix (GRW) in human bladder T24 cancer cells. It was found that GRW could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by GRW was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins (XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2). In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of GRW induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of PARP. GRW also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the down-regulation of total Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that GRW may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.409-425
• /
• 2021

Carbon dioxide has been known to be a typical greenhouse gas causing global warming, and a number of efforts have been proposed to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. Among them, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) has been taken into great account to accomplish the target reduction of carbon dioxide. In order to commercialize the CCS, its safety should be secured. In particular, if the stored carbon dioxide is leaked in the arable land, serious problems could come up in terms of crop growth. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide leaked from storage sites on soil fertility. The leakage of carbon dioxide was simulated using the facility of its artificial injection into soils in the laboratory. Several soil chemical properties, such as pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, the concentrations of exchangeable cations, nitrogen (N) (total-N, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N), phosphorus (P) (total-P and available-P), sulfur (S) (total-S and available-S), available-boron (B), and the contents of soil organic matter, were monitored as indicators of soil fertility during the period of artificial injection of carbon dioxide. Two kinds of soils, such as non-cultivated and cultivated soils, were compared in the artificial injection tests, and the latter included maize- and soybean-cultivated soils. The non-cultivated soil (NCS) was sandy soil of 42.6% porosity, the maize-cultivated soil (MCS) and soybean-cultivated soil (SCS) were loamy sand having 46.8% and 48.0% of porosities, respectively. The artificial injection facility had six columns: one was for the control without carbon dioxide injection, and the other five columns were used for the injections tests. Total injection periods for NCS and MCS/SCS were 60 and 70 days, respectively, and artificial rainfall events were simulated using one pore volume after the 12-day injection for the NCS and the 14-day injection for the MCS/SCS. After each rainfall event, the soil fertility indicators were measured for soil and leachate solution, and they were compared before and after the injection of carbon dioxide. The results indicate that the residual concentrations of exchangeable cations, total-N, total-P, the content of soil organic matter, and electrical conductivity were not likely to be affected by the injection of carbon dioxide. However, the residual concentrations of nitrate-N, ammonia-N, available-P, available-S, and available-B tended to decrease after the carbon dioxide injection, indicating that soil fertility might be reduced. Meanwhile, soil pH did not seem to be influenced due to the buffering capacity of soils, but it is speculated that a long-term leakage of carbon dioxide might bring about soil acidification.