• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.361-371
• /
• 2000

It has been recently reported that 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induces male reproductive toxicity in both human and experimental animals. However, delayed effects of 2-BP on male reproductive system have not been investigated in detail. The present study was conducted to investigate the testicular toxicity of 2-BP and to determine the recovery of normal spermatogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats aged 5 weeks were administered 1,000mg/kg 2-BP by gavage daily for 4 weeks and sacrificed sequentially at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of 2-BP treatment. Testicular toxicity was evaluated qualitatively by histopathological examinations and quantitatively by reproductive organ weights, spermatid head count, and repopulation index. In the 2-BP treated rats, the body weights was significantly suppressed and the weights of testes and epididymides were also decreased in a time-dependent manner. On histopathological examination, spermatogonia in stages I-VI and preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes in stages VII-IX were strongly depleted at 1 week of dosing. Spermatogonia were depleted extensively in all spermatogenic stages at 2 weeks. Continuing with the evolution of spermatogenic cycle, zygotene spermatocytes, pachytene spermatocytes, and round spermatids were sequentially depleted at 2, 3, and 4 weeks of dosing due to the depletion of their precursor cells. Vacuolization of Sertoli cells and spermatid retention were also observed at all time points, suggesting that 2-BP induced Sertoli cell dysfunction. At 12 weeks, after 8 weeks recovery, most of the tubules appeared severely atrophic and were lined by Sertoli cells only. Leydig cell hyperplasia in the interstitial tissue was also found. In addition, dramatic reductions in the number of spermatid heads and repopulation index were observed, indicating that 2-BP-induced testicular injury is irreversible. These results indicate that 4 weeks repeated-dose of 1,000mg/kg 2-BP results in a progressive germ cell loss due to the depletion of spermatogonia followed by long-term testicular atrophy in SD rats.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.63-76
• /
• 2014

Objectives : This study investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani (DF-a) and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan (DF-b) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into four groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF-a and DF-b groups given a high fat diet with DF-a (80 mg/kg), and DF-b (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, fat weight and histology were examined. Results : 1. Body weight gain and fat mass were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-a group. 2. Feeding efficiency ratio and circulating leptin concentration were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control, whereas circulating adiponectin concentration was increased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 3. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 4. The size of adipocytes were decreased by DF-a and DF-b compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF-a and DF-b decreased the number of large adipocytes. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, liver fibrosis was reduced in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF-a and DF-b not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, plasma leptin concentration, and blood anti-obesity biomarkers, but also reduce fat mass, contributing to the improvement of obesity. DF-a and DF-b also inhibit liver fibrosis. In addition, these effects were similar between Pakistani Ephedra herba and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2010

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase of Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don extracts were investigated. And the moisturizing effect of cream containing R. brachycarpum D. Don extract were investigated by clinical trial. The ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (1.83 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The 50 % extract fraction (0.064 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of R. brachycarpum D. Don on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner (1 ~ 10 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts on tyrosinase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (70.5 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract (122.40 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on elastase were determined with ethyl acetate of R. brachycarpum D. Don extract (43.50 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract (20.73 ${\mu}g/mL$). The cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction of R. brachycarpum D. Don extracts was formulated for skin hydration effect and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The cream containing R. brachycarpum D. Don extract was applied to the right lower arm. After 180 min, the water contents in skin were increased by 1 ~ 4 % than the placebo cream. And TEWL of parts was decreased as 7.7 $g/m^2h$ (experimental cream) and 8.9 $g/m^2h$ (placebo cream) respectively. These results indicate that extract/fractions of R. brachycarpum D. Don can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. And inhibitory activity on tyrosinase of the aglycone fraction could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for whitening and anti-wrinkle products. Also the increase of skin hydration of the cream containing extract could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antiaging.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2017

Surface air temperature ($T_{air}$) is a key variable for the meteorology and climatology, and is a fundamental factor of the terrestrial ecosystem functions. Satellite remote sensing from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides an opportunity to monitor the $T_{air}$. However, the several problems such as frequent cloud cover and mountainous region can result in substantial retrieval error and signal loss in MODIS $T_{air}$. In this study, satellite-based $T_{air}$ was estimated under both clear and cloudy sky conditions in Gangwon Province using Aqua MODIS07 temperature profile product (MYD07_L2) and GCOM-W1 Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) brightness temperature ($T_b$) at 37 GHz frequency, and was compared with the measurements from the Automated Mountain Meteorology Stations (AMOS). The application of ambient temperature lapse rate was performed to improve the retrieval accuracy in mountainous region, which showed the improvement of estimation accuracy approximately 4% of RMSE. A simple pixel-wise regression method combining synergetic information from MYD07_L2 $T_{air}$ and AMSR2 $T_b$ was applied to estimate surface $T_{air}$ for all sky conditions. The $T_{air}$ retrievals showed favorable agreement in comparison with AMOS data (r=0.80, RMSE=7.9K), though the underestimation was appeared in winter season. Substantial $T_{air}$ retrievals were estimated 61.4% (n=2,657) for cloudy sky conditions. The results presented in this study indicate that the satellite remote sensing can produce the surface $T_{air}$ at the complex mountainous region for all sky conditions.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.4602-4609
• /
• 2013

In summer and winter, the difference between the temperature during the day and that during the night is high, which leads to various problems during concrete placement, such as cracks and defects in the concrete as well as low durability and strength. Although nuclear power plant concrete is widely used for placement in all seasons, particular attention must be paid to its quality during the summer. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of a cooling method for mixing water, which is a commonly used hot weather precooling method, and the use of a retarder, on the characteristics of Nuclear Power Plant concrete. In the cooling method for mixing water, cold water at 5 was used, with 50% of the water content consisting of ice flakes. The effects of using a retarder were evaluated by reviewing the characteristics of the cement at the unset stage and after hardening. To evaluate the characteristics of the unset cement, we measured the slump, air volumes, setting times, and pressure strengths after hardening. Furthermore, we measured the heat of hydration at different temperatures; the loss of heat was minimized using insulation. Both the slump time and the complete ageing time of the air volume were found to be 120 min at $20^{\circ}C$ and 40 min at $40^{\circ}C$. In the case when the cooling method for mixing water was used and in the case when a retarder was used, the initial and final sets by penetration resistance were delayed, and the delay decreased with increasing air temperature. For the heat of hydration, the cooling method for mixing water not only lowered the maximum temperature but also delayed its attainment. However, the use of a retarder had no effect on the maximum temperature. Moreover, in the early ages (e.g., 3 and 7 days), the pressure strength of the concrete was lower than that of plain cement. However, the strength of 28-day concrete met the standard construction specifications.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.12-19
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of propionate metabolism. There are two subtypes of MMUT gene defects. $Mut^0$ represents complete loss of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) activity while mut- is associated with residual MCM activity, which can be stimulated by hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) supplementation. The objective of this study is to investigate cobalamin responsiveness and mutations present in Korean MMA population. Methods: We evaluated 10 MMA patients using somatic cell complementation analysis on their fibroblasts to measure MCM activity and vitamin B12 responsiveness for the optimal treatment. MMUT gene was sequenced to identify the MMA mutations. Results: For all patients, the incorporation of $[^{14}C]-propionate$ was low, and there was no response to OHCbl. The incorporation of $[^{14}C]-methyltetrahydrofolate$ and $[^{57}Co]-CNCbl$ fell within the normal range. There was adequate synthesis of methylcobalamin while the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin was low. The complementation analysis showed all patients were $mut^0$. The sequence analysis identified 12 different MMUT mutations, including 2 novel mutations, p.Gln267Ter and p.Ile697Phe, were identified. All the patients in this study had neonatal onset of symptoms, belonged to $mut^0$ complementation class, and as a result, showed no cobalamin responsiveness. Conclusion: No Korean MMA patient showed cobalamin responsiveness.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.108-119
• /
• 2018

"The Collection of Yi Chungmugong" manuscript is a hand-written manuscript of the volume 1 consisting of the Collection, published in 1795 and it seems to have completed the contents of the book by correcting the first part of the book before print. The book adopted a form of Seonjangbon(線裝本) of Ochimanjeongbeop(五針眼訂法) and was urgently needed some measures to preserve because it has been much damaged by stains, loss and oxidation due to moisture on the bottom of it. In addition, a scientific investigation was applied to find out the features of the quality of paper and fiber used for the book, which would be reflected in the process of the preservation. The characteristics of paper were measurmented for size(cm), thickness(mm), weight(g), basis weight($g/m^2$), density($g/cm^3$), chain line and laid lines($3{\times}3cm$). The measurement showed that the characteristics of paper used in royal books published in the late Joseon Dynasty. For the paper-fiber of the book, C stain was used and the technique revealed that the book is made of bast fibre of paper mulberry and its binding strings are cotton. SEM-EDS analysis was performed to verify the existence of additives in paper. As a result of the analysis, The crystallized calcium was detected in addition to the main components carbon(C) and oxygen(O). This artifact is the unique final version of "The collection of Yi Chungmugong", which has considerable value in terms of academic research, besides it helps to understand how to print books of Joseon Dynasty. And it also has a very accurate information of when and where the book was made, which primarily could be resources to conserve and restore for other book heritage.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.208-214
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Verifying a reliable predictor of the progression of vertebral deformity in patients with acute osteoporotic fractures of the lumbar spine may be useful. A qualitative analysis of the muscle near the spine was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and its correlation with a spinal deformity was determined under the hypothesis that the causes of the kyphotic deformity are associated with muscle reduction in the multifidus and erector spinae. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in a retrospective manner using the electronic medical records of patients who presented to the author's institution between January 2007 and March 2018, and were diagnosed with an acute lumbar fracture. The fat infiltration rates of the multifidus and erector spinae were measured using MRI taken at the time of injury, and the mean value was defined as the total fat infiltration rate (TFI). Based on lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine at the one-year follow-up, the loss of height of the vertebral body, the kyphotic angle and the wedge angle were measured. The statistical significance was confirmed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: One hundred twenty-nine patients, of which 30 were male and 99 were female, were examined. The mean age was 71.28 years. The mean T-score was -3.53±0.79 g/cm², and the mean fat infiltration was 15.20%±11.99%. TFI was positively correlated with age (R=0.373, p<0.001), compression rate (R=0.369, p<0.001), and Cobb's angle (R=0.386, p<0.001) after a one year follow-up, but negatively correlated with the BMD score (R=-0.252, p=0.004). As the fracture progressed to the lower lumbar level, the compression rate (R=-0191, p=0.030) and wedge angle (R=-0.428, p<0.001) at the time of injury tended to decrease. Conclusion: In patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the fat infiltration rate may be an important predictor of conservative treatment. The prognosis of patients with a high-fat infiltration rate should be explained during patient education, and the patients must be monitored closely through short-term outpatient follow-up.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.723-737
• /
• 2021

This study analyzed the composition and structure of materials with Buddhist paper scriptures excavated from architectural sites in 'Sum Tolgoi' of the 17^th century and carried out conservation treatment base on the result of the analysis. The scriptures were covered in dust and foreign sub stances, and were so crumpled that it was impossible to identify the form. The damage, loss, and discoloration have been identified. Buddhist scriptures written in Tibetan used indigo and ink sticks on paper as a result of UV-Vis analysis, and ink sticks as black character materials from scriptures written ancient Mongolian. SEM-EDS and Micro-XRF analyses revealed that the outlines were drawn with red lines using a mix of Minium (Pb₃O₄) and Cinnabar (HgS), or Cinnabar (HgS) alone, and the contents of the scriptures were written with silver paint. Silver chloride (AgCl) and Calcium (Ca) were identified in the silver paint component of the characters, while Calcium and Orpiment (As₂S₃) were identified in the yellow lines. Concerning the paper ground, Buddhist scriptures written in ancient Mongolian were characterized by herbal plant fiber and bast fiber, and those written in Tibetan, by bast fiber. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the paper for the scriptures was produced between the 15^th and 17^th centuries. Conservation treatment of the scriptures was carried out based on the experiment on the production of pre-coated paper and how to coat that to prevent the second damage due to the deformation and fragility of the excavated paper. The scriptures were preserved and mounted, and a neutral box was made to identify the contents of the scriptures recorded on both sides after the treatment. This conservation treatment is the result of a study that applied new conservation treatment materials and methods according to the principle of conservation treatment reversibility.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.111 no.3
• /
• pp.405-417
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to describe the photosynthetic features of Prunus maximowiczii and Prunus serrulate Lindl. var. pubescens (Makino) Nakai in response to drought stress. Specifically, we studied the effects of drought on photosynthetic ability and photosystem II activity. Drought stress (DS) was induced by cutting the water supply for 30 days. DS decreased the moisture contents in the soil, and between the 10th and 12th days of DS, both species had 10% or less of x., After the 15th day of DS, it was less than 5%, which is a condition for disease to start. We observed a remarkable decrease of maximum photosynthesis rate starting from 10th day of DS; the light compensation point was also remarkable. Dark respiration and net apparent quantum yield decreased significantly on the 15th day of DS, and then increased on the 20th day. In addition, the stomatal transpiration rate of P. maximowiczii decreased significantly on the15th day of DS, and then increased on the 20th day. Water use efficiency increased on the 15th day of DS, and then decreased on the 20th day. The stomatal transpiration rate of P. serrulate decreased significantly on the 20th day of DS, and then increased afterward, while its water use efficiency increased on the 20th day of DS, and then decreased afterward. These results indicate that the closure of stoma prevented water loss, resulting in a temporary increase of water use efficiency. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis detected remarkable decreases in the functional index (PI_ABS) and energy transfer efficiency in P. maximowiczii after the 15th day of DS. Meanwhile, photosystem II activity decreased in P. serrulate after 20 days of DS. In addition, Ts-Ta, PI_ABS, DI_O/RC, ET_O/RC followed similar trends as those of the soil moisture content and photosynthetic properties, indicating that they can be used as useful variables in predicting DS in trees.