• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2024

Objectives: Obesity is a globally prevalent public health issue. Hence, there is a need for the development of safer and more effective anti-obesity drugs. Lythrum salicaria, a traditional medicinal herb used for centuries, has been reported to improve lipid metabolism and fat accumulation. It also has a low toxicity profile. Therefore, its potential as a functional ingredient in health functional foods needs to be evaluated. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Each subject will orally receive L. salicaria extract (1,350 mg/day) (500 mg L. salicaria+850 mg lactose as vehicle) or lactose (1,350 mg/day) as a hard capsule formula for 84 days (12 weeks). The primary outcome will be body fat mass (kg), which will be assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (performed only at visits 2 and 4). Secondary outcomes include body mass index, body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage (%) measured using DXA, lean body mass (kg) measured using DXA (assessed only at visits 2 and 4), lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), free fatty acid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and leptin. Conclusions: This protocol will be implemented after approval of Institutional Review Board of Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital (approval number: PNUKHIRB-2022-08-002) and registration with the Korean National Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (CRIS-KCT0008060). The results of this trial will provide potential of L. salicaria as a new anti-obesity functional food with fat-reducing effects and low toxicity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.999-1009
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• 2024

The impact of dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) on performance and carcass traits of broilers fed wheat-bran substituted into corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with xylanase was investigated. A total of 280 (7-day-old) Ross 308 broilers were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments with 8 replicates, 7 chicks per pen. Treatments were; i) CON: Control diet, ii) CON-X (CON + 3,000 U/kg xylanase), iii) L-X: low NSP (2% wheat bran in CON + 3,000 U/kg xylanase), iv) M-X: medium NSP (4% wheat bran in CON + 3,000 U/kg xylanase), v) H-X: higher NSP (8% wheat bran in CON+ 3,000 U/kg xylanase). Birds fed the H-X diet increased (p < 0.05) daily gains, and average daily feed intake and had marginally improved body weights (p = 0.074) on day 35. Relatively, the H-X diet tended to increase the average daily gains (p = 0.053; p = 0.073) of birds during the grower phase (d 24-35) and the entire experimental period (d 8-35), respectively. Moreover, there were no significant differences among treatments in the feed conversion ratio of birds throughout the entire experiment period. Birds fed diets CON-X, L-X, and M-X had improved (p < 0.05) the ileal digestibility of energy on d 24 and 35 compared to those fed the H-X diet. Furthermore, birds fed diet CON-X improved (p < 0.05) N digestibility on d 24. Improved carcass moisture content and lowered crude fat of leg meat (p < 0.05) were noted in birds fed the diet M-X and H-X on d 35, respectively. The intestinal viscosity was reduced (p < 0.05) in xylanase-supplemented treatments CON-X, L-X, M-X, and H-X diets when compared to CON. Our results suggest that supplementing 3,000 U/kg xylanase in a higher NSP (8% wheat bran substituted level) diet could improve the intestinal viscosity and growth performance of broilers.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2017

Oahu Island is the third largest island of the Hawaiian chain which located in the northern hemisphere close to the center of the Pacific Ocean and is affected by storms and tsunamis in the northern and southern hemispheres. High-wave and high-energy waves are concentrated in the winter and summer, and the Oahu Coast is always in an active erosion environment. These natural effects are likely to become more severe with global warming and sea level rise. In addition, as the anthropogenic factors, there was indiscreet flood of development on the coast until the 1972 coastal management law was enacted. However, the present coastal erosion phenomenon was not serious than thought. The cause can be found in the improvement of the coastal management of the provincial government. The Hawaiian government is no longer applying this method, which was built prior to the enactment of the Coastal Control Act, due to increased erosion and side effects at other sites. So, in Hawaii, it is mainly applied to soft revetment methods such as supplying sand or making artificial sand dunes as an erosion prevention method. In Korea, there are some places where the soft revetment method is applied partially, but it is mainly composed of hard revetment structure.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1972.03a
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• pp.6-7
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• 1972

The air pollutants can be classified into the irritant gas and the asphixation gas, and the irritant gas is closely related to the otorhinolaryngological diseases. The common irritant gases are nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen carbon compounds, and the potent and irritating PAN (peroxy acyl nitrate) which is secondarily liberated from photosynthesis. Those gases adhers to the mucous membrane to result in ulceration and secondary infection due to their potent oxidizing power. 1. Sulfur dioxide gas Sulfur dioxide gas has the typical characteristics of the air pollutants. Because of its high solubility it gets easily absorbed in the respiratory tract, when the symptoms and signs by irritation become manifested initially and later the resistance in the respiratory tract brings central about pulmonary edema and respiratory paralysis of origin. Chronic exposure to the gas leads to rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and olfactory or gustatory disturbances. 2. Carbon monoxide Toxicity of carbon monoxide is due to its deprivation of the oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin. The degree of the carbon monoxide intoxication varies according to its concentration and the duration of inhalation. It starts with headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and tinnitus, which can progress to respiratory difficulty, muscular laxity, syncope, and coma leading to death. 3. Nitrogen dioxide Nitrogen dioxide causes respiratory disturbances by formation of methemoglobin. In acute poisoning, it can cause pulmonary congestion, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and pneumonia due to its strong irritation on the eyes and the nose. In chronic poisoning, it causes chronic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary edema. 4. Ozone It has offending irritating odor, and causes dryness of na sopharyngolaryngeal mucosa, headache and depressed pulmonary function which may eventually lead to pulmonary congestion or edema. 5. Smog The most outstanding incident of the smog occurred in London from December 5 through 8, 1952, because of which the mortality of the respiratory diseases increased fourfold. The smog was thought to be due to the smoke produced by incomplete combustion and its byproduct the sulfur oxides, and the dust was thought to play the secondary role. In new sense, hazardous is the photochemical smog which is produced by combination of light energy and the hydrocarbons and oxidant in the air. The Yonsei University Institute for Environmental :pollution Research launched a project to determine the relationship between the pollution and the medical, ophthalmological and rhinopharyngological disorders. The students (469) of the "S" Technical School in the most heavily polluted area in Pusan (Uham Dong district) were compared with those (345) of "K" High School in the less polluted area. The investigated group had those with subjective symptoms twice as much as the control group, 22.6% (106) in investigated group and 11.3% (39) in the control group. Among those symptomatic students of the investigated group. There were 29 with respiratory symptoms (29%), 22 with eye symptoms (21%), 50 with stuffy nose and rhinorrhea (47%), and 5 with sore thorat (5%), which revealed that more than half the students (52%) had subjective symptoms of the rhinopharyngological aspects. Physical examination revealed that the investigated group had more number of students with signs than those of the control group by 10%, 180 (38.4%) versus 99 (28.8%). Among the preceding 180 students of the investigated group, there were 8 with eye diseases (44%), 1 with respiratory disease (0.6%), 97 with rhinitis (54%), and 74 with pharyngotonsillitis (41%) which means that 95% of them had rharygoical diseases. The preceding data revealed that the otolaryngological diseases are conspicuously outnumbered in the heavily polluted area, and that there must be very close relationship between the air pollution and the otolaryngological diseases, and the anti-pollution measure is urgently needed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2013

This study was to examine single or combined in vitro effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on boar sperm characteristics, oxidative stress damage in sperm and development of porcine IVF embryos. Addition of various concentration of NP (10, 20, $30{\mu}M$), DBP (10, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and BPA (1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$) on boar sperm characteristics such as percentages of sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were dose-dependently decreased within 3, 6 or 9 hr incubation period (p<0.05). The overall detrimental effects increased with incubation time increasement. NP, DBP and BPA showed the detrimental effects on sperm membrane and mitochondria of energy production organelles affecting cell viability with the dependancy of dose and incubation time. In combination effects, NP ($10{\mu}M$) + DBP ($10{\mu}M$) significantly decreased boar general sperm characteristics for 3 or 6 hr incubation period compared with control (p<0.05). When both of NP and DBP concentrations (NP; $30{\mu}M$, DBP; $100{\mu}M$) increase, the detrimental effects on sperm characteristics were larger than those of low concentration combination (p<0.05). The inhibitory effects of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) on sperm characteristics were larger than those of NP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) (p<0.05). DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) decreased sperm characteristics compared with the low concentration combination (DBP $10{\mu}M$ + BPA $1{\mu}g/ml$, p<0.05). This result indicates the detrimental effects of both chemicals on sperm characteristics were dose dependent. Addition of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + DBP ($100{\mu}M$), NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$), DBP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) or DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased lipid peroxidation for 3 or 6 hr incubation period (p<0.05) compared with no addition control. NP (${\geq}20{\mu}M$) decreased the percentages of IVF embryo development from morulae and blastocyst stages (p<0.05) and its detrimental effects were dose-dependant. BPA 0, 1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$ decreased significantly and dose-dependently the percentage of morulae plus and blastocysts (p<0.05). Combinations of DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus NP ($30{\mu}M$) and DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) did not affect on morulae and blastocyst development, but NP ($30{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) has significant detrimental effect on embryo development at these stages (p<0.05). These overall results indicate that the partial detrimental effects on boar sperm characteristics and embryo development by NP, DBP, BPA or the combination of these chemicals might be due to the increasement of lipid peroxidation and free radical formation in the cell and there were no specific interaction effects on boar sperm and embryo degeneration among the combined treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.971-980
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• 2013

Dried stoned olive pomace (DSOP) was administered to dairy water buffaloes, and their productive performance and milk composition were analysed. Sixteen pluriparous lactating buffaloes were divided into two uniform groups (control and experimental), taking into consideration the following parameters: milk production (2,192 and 2,102 kg) and duration of lactation (254 and 252 d) of the previous year, distance from calving (51 and 43 d), milk production (9.71 and 10.18 kg/d), body condition score (BCS) (6.44 and 6.31) and weight (617 and 653 kg) at the beginning of the trial. Both diets had the same formulation: second cut alfalfa hay 20%, corn silage 42%, concentrate 38% but the two concentrates differed in their formulation, the experimental one contained 15.50% of DSOP as fed. The employed DSOP showed high amounts of secoiridoids, such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (3,4-DHPEA) (1.2 g/kg DM), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol-elenolic acid di-aldehyde (3,4-DHPEA-EDA) (12.6 g/kg DM), p-hydroxyphenylethanol-elenolic acid di-aldehyde (p-HPEA-EDA) (5.6 g/kg DM) and lignans, which are known to be powerful bioactive compounds. The control diet had an energy-protein content of 0.86 Milk FU/kg DM and 143.3 g/kg DM of crude protein, whereas the experimental diet of 0.87 Milk FU/kg DM and 146.6 g/kg DM of crude protein. Each animal of the two groups received 17 kg DM/d and each buffalo of the experimental group, by way of the concentrate, ingested 1.05 kg DM/d of DSOP. The trial lasted 40 days. No significant difference was found between the BCS (6.41 and 6.53), live weight (625.93 and 662.50 kg) and milk production (9.69 and 10.08 kg/d) of the two groups, as was the case for fat, protein, lactose, pH and coagulating parameters of the two milks. The milk fat of the experimental group had a significantly higher content of total tocopherols (10.45 vs $8.60{\mu}g/g$, p<0.01) and retinol (3.17 vs $2.54{\mu}g/g$, p<0.01). The content of the reactive substances with tiobarbituric acid (TBARs) was significantly lower in the milk fat of the experimental group (12.09 vs $15.05{\mu}g$ MDA/g, p<0.01). The acid content of the milk fat of the experimental group had a significantly higher content (p<0.05) of C18:0 and of $C18:3{\omega}6$. LC-MS/MS analysis showed the presence of 3,4-DHPEA ($36.0{\mu}g/L$) in the milk of the DSOP-fed buffaloes, while other phenols were not found. DSOP, in the quantity utilized, can be used in the feeding of the lactating buffalo; the dietetic-nutritional characteristics of the milk are improved due to a greater contribution of tocopherols, retinol and the presence of hydroxytyrosol.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.82-93
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• 2000

Purpose: We characterized the signals obtained from the components of a small gamma camera using Nal(Tl)-position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT) and optimized the parameters employed in the modules of the system. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a Nal(Tl) crystal ($60{\times}60{\times}6mm^3$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 PSPMT, a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules (NIMs), an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a resistive charge division circuit which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals (X+, X-, Y+, Y -). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated and digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. The gamma camera control and image display was performed by a program implemented using a graphic software. Results: The characteristics of signal and the parameters employed in each module of the system were presented. The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately $8{\times}10^3$ counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. The intrinsic energy resolution of the system was 18% FWHM at 140 keV. The spatial resolution obtained using a line-slit mask and $^{99m}Tc$ point source were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.3 mm FWHM in X and Y directions. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator. The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We proposed a simple method for development of a small gamma camera and presented the characteristics of the signals from the system and the optimized parameters used in the modules of the small gamma camera.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2011

Since nesfatin-1/NUCB2 involved in the control of appetite and energy metabolism was discovered for the first time in hypothalamus, many reports have shown its expression in various tissues. We also recently demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs of mouse. However, no data exist on nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression, regulation, and secretion in the uterus. Therefore, we examined the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in mouse uterus and the effects of PMSG and estrogen on its expression. NUCB2 mRNA expression in the uterus was determined by conventional and real-time PCR and nesfatin-1 protein expression was detected by western blotting. In immunohistochemistry staining, nesfatin-1 protein was localized at the epithelial cells of the uterine glands and endometrium. Nesfatin-1 protein binding sites were displayed at the epithelial cells of uterine glands and specific granulocytes including neutrophils. Additionally, to examine if the nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in the uterus is regulated by gonadotropin or estrogen, ovariectomized mice were treated with PMSG or $17{\beta}$-estradiol. The expression levels of NUCB2 mRNA in the uterus was significantly increased in the control mice after PMSG treatment, but not in the ovariectomized mice. In contrast, NUCB2 mRNA expression was dramatically increased in the ovariectomized mice after treatment with $17{\beta}$-estradiol. We report here for the first time that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA and protein express in the mouse uterus and its expression is regulated by estrogen secreted from the ovary, but not gonadotropin from the pituitary.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to analyze the microclimate and the growth of tomato and lettuce in the greenhouses covered with spectrum conversion films using different phosphor particles sizes. Two spectrum conversion films using phosphor particles larger than $10{\mu}m$ (Micro-film) and smaller than 500 nm (Nano-film) in radius, and poly-ethylene (PE) film were used in double-layered greenhouses as outer coverings. PE films were used as inner coverings in all the greenhouses. Thickness of the films for inner and outer coverings was 0.06 mm. Tensile strength, elongation, and tearing resistance of the Micro- and Nano-films were not different from those of the PE film. Transmittances at a wavelength of 300-1100 nm were a little higher at the Micro-film and lower at the Nano-film than that of the PE film, respectively. Air temperatures at the Micro- and Nano-films were over $2^{\circ}C$ higher than at the PE film, but no significant difference was observed between the two light conversion films. The soil temperature at the Nano-film was $1.5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$ higher than at the Micro- and PE films, respectively. The yields of tomato at the Micro- and Nano-films were 12% and 14% higher than at the PE film, but no significant difference was observed between the two spectrum conversion films. The total soluble solid showed no significant differences among all the films. The yields of lettuces at the Micro- and Nano-films were 27% and 59% higher than at the PE film. Hunter's red (a) value of the lettuce leaf was the highest at the Nano-film. In this experiment, tomatoes requiring high irradiation were better at the Nano film, while lettuce requiring low irradiation better at the Micro film.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2016

This research was carried out to determine the effect of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit (CTF) on the performance of laying hens, egg quality, yolk fatty acid composition, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and blood composition. A total 288 Brown Nick laying hens of 48 weeks old replaced into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 18 birds in each. Treatments were added with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0% CTF containing dried seed and pulp. Metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) were 2,800 kcal/kg and 16.0% in basal diets, respectively. Egg production and daily eggmass were significantly increased in 1.0% CTF addition treatment compared to those of other treatments (P<0.05). Egg weight and feed intake were not different among treatments. Feed conversion ratio showed the lower result in 1.0% CTF treatment than other treatments (P<0.05). Eggshell color was not influenced by the addition of CTF. Albumin height, Haugh unit and eggshell breaking strength was not statistically different, but seemed to be higher as dietary CTF addition increased. Yolk color was increased as dietary CTF increased and was the highest in 1.0% CTF group (P<0.05). Fatty acids were not shown the consistency in yolk. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) of birds fed CTF were significantly low compared to those of control. IgG was also statistically higher in CTF treatments than control (P<0.05). As the results of this experiment, the addition of 1% CTF would be the most effective on performance and egg quality, whereas the 0.25% CTF addition in basal diets seemed to be optimum to improve the blood cholesterol, TG,high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL), IgG in laying hens.