• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2023

To determine the toxic effects of the mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus on waterborne nitric acid exposure, they were exposed to waterborne nitric acid at 0, 4, 20, 100, 500, and 2,500 mg NO₃^-/L for 96 h. The semi-lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the scented fish by 96 hours of acute exposure to nitric acid was 1,433.54 mg NO₃^-/L. The physiological changes of waterborne nitric acid exposure on mirror carp were evaluated through hematologic properties, and RBC count showed a significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The change in the ion control ability of the mirror carp according to exposure to waterborne nitric acid was evaluated through the plasma inorganic component, and calcium and magnesium were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the plasma inorganic component. The health and stress status of the mirror carp due to exposure to waterborne nitric acid were evaluated through plasma organic ingredients, and the plasma organic component glucose showed a significantly increase (p < 0.05). Changes in liver damage and enzyme activity due to waterborne nitric acid exposure were evaluated through plasma enzyme components, the enzymatic activities of plasma AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in high levels of waterborne nitric acid exposure. The results of the present study suggest that waterborne nitric acid exposure to C. carpio nudus can toxicly affect survival, hematologic properties, and plasma components.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4447-4464
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• 2023

This paper focuses on the development of a new computational model of the CNESTEN's TRIGA Mark II research reactor using the 3D continuous energy Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4 (T4). This new model was developed to assess neutronic simulations and determine quantities of interest such as kinetic parameters of the reactor, control rods worth, power peaking factors and neutron flux distributions. This model is also a key tool used to accurately design new experiments in the TRIGA reactor, to analyze these experiments and to carry out sensitivity and uncertainty studies. The geometry and materials data, as part of the MCNP reference model, were used to build the T4 model. In this regard, the differences between the two models are mainly due to mathematical approaches of both codes. Indeed, the study presented in this article is divided into two parts: the first part deals with the development and the validation of the T4 model. The results obtained with the T4 model were compared to the existing MCNP reference model and to the experimental results from the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR). Different core configurations were investigated via simulations to test the computational model reliability in predicting the physical parameters of the reactor. As a fairly good agreement among the results was deduced, it seems reasonable to assume that the T4 model can accurately reproduce the MCNP calculated values. The second part of this study is devoted to the sensitivity and uncertainty (S/U) studies that were carried out to quantify the nuclear data uncertainty in the multiplication factor k_eff. For that purpose, the T4 model was used to calculate the sensitivity profiles of the k_eff to the nuclear data. The integrated-sensitivities were compared to the results obtained from the previous works that were carried out with MCNP and SCALE-6.2 simulation tools and differences of less than 5% were obtained for most of these quantities except for the C-graphite sensitivities. Moreover, the nuclear data uncertainties in the k_eff were derived using the COMAC-V2.1 covariance matrices library and the calculated sensitivities. The results have shown that the total nuclear data uncertainty in the k_eff is around 585 pcm using the COMAC-V2.1. This study also demonstrates that the contribution of zirconium isotopes to the nuclear data uncertainty in the k_eff is not negligible and should be taken into account when performing S/U analysis.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

An underwater robot S/W framework consists of various sub-modules such as sensory data processing module, thruster control module, cognition module and behavior control module. Performance of a robot is determined by not only the efficiency of algorithms used but also effectiveness of their implementations. One most important factor of the effective implementation is the efficiency of data sharing module, as it transmits signals and data between the sub-modules and thus is directly related to the cycles of sensing and control The ideal data sharing module enables immediate access to any data source irrespective of system configurations. In reality, however, there are lots of obstacles including limitation of processing capacity of source modules, delay over network, and scheduling latency of operating systems. The paper proposes a new data sharing architecture and programming models to effectively handle such obstacles in implementation of underwater S/W framework on a small scale distributed computing system.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.34.1-34.5
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• 2012

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of the chloroform extract of D. linearis leaves (CEDL) using the paracetamol (PCM)- and carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury models in rats. The rats received $dH_2O$ (negative control), 200 mg/kg of silymarin (positive control) or CEDL (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days and then were subjected to the hepatotoxic induction on the $7^{th}$ day. The samples (i.e. blood and liver) were collected and underwent biochemical and microscopical analysis, respectively. From the data obtained, both inducers caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of AST and ALT when compared to the control group, which were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by CEDL in a generally dose-dependent manner. These biochemical findings were supported by the histopathological analysis and histological scoring. In conclusion, CEDL possesses potential hepatoprotective activity, which could be associated with its flavonoid and tannin contents with the mechanisms of hepatoprotection linked to either its antioxidant or anti-inflammtory/immunomodulating activities. Further in-depth studies are required to identify the responsible bioactive compound.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2005

Apoptosis is a physiologic or programmed cell death process which is controlled by genes. It is essential for the function and the appropriate development of multicellular organism. It is also thought to be one of the main mechanisms of cell death in ischemic tissues. The effect of prostaglandin $E_1$($PGE_1$) is proven to be useful in the recovery of ischemic changes by inducing vasodilation of peripheral vessels and platelet disaggregation. $PGE_1$ is also known to suppress apoptosis in human liver sinusoidal endothelial cell from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of $PGE_1$ on the apoptosis in the ischemia reperfusion injury of rat intestine. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were used. In control group(N=15), superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 60 minutes and after removing the vessel clamp, it was reperfused for 60 minutes and harvested. In experimental group(N=15), a jejunal flap was also made as in the control group except for the intraarterial administration of the $PGE_1$ right after clamping the artery and removing the clamp. H&E, TUNEL and immunohistochemical stains for p53, bax, and bcl-2 were performed. There were ischemic changes in gross and microscopic findings in both groups. The apoptotic index was significantly lower in the experimental group($1.29{\pm}0.82$(p=0.003)) than in the control group ($2.33{\pm}0.95$). The rat intestinal ischemia apoptosis by ischemia-reperfusion was partly related to the modulating of bcl-2, bax, and p53 expression. Our results indicate that $PGE_1$ suppresses the apoptosis in the ischemic jejunal flap and this effect is probably the result of a increase in expression of bcl-2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been known to possess many ginsenosides. These ginsenosides are used for curing cardiovascular problems. The present study show the protective potential of KRG against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial dysfunction, by assessing electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters and histopathological findings. Methods: Animals were fed a standard chow and adjusted to their environment for 3 days before the experiments. Next, the rats were equally divided into five groups (n = 9, each group). The animals were administered with KRG (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 10 days and injected with DOX (20 mg/kg, subcutaneously, twice at a 24-h interval) on the 8th and 9th day. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed to study hemodynamics. Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were measured. In addition, the dose of troponin I and activity of myeloperoxidase in serum and cardiac tissue were analyzed, and the histopathological findings were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Administration of KRG at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg recovered electrocardiographic changes, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic pressure, the maximal rate of change in left ventricle contraction (-dP/dt_max), and left ventricle relaxation (-dP/dt_max). In addition, KRG treatment significantly normalized the oxidative stress markers in plasma, dose dependently. In addition, the values of troponin I and myeloperoxidase were ameliorated by KRG treatment, dose dependently. And, KRG treatment showed better histopathological findings when compared with the DOX control group. Conclusion: These mean that KRG mitigates myocardial damage by modulating the hemodynamics, histopathological abnormality, and oxidative stress related to DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. The results of the present study show protective effects of KRG on cardiac toxicity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.280-285
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• 2015

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne ethanol extract (CHEE) were evaluated. CHEE possessed a potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl, which was similar to the activity of ascorbic acid which was used as a positive control. CHEE also effectively suppressed hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species on RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, CHEE induced the expression of the anti-oxidative enzyme heme oxygenase 1, and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2. CHEE inhibited LPS induced nitric oxide (NO) formation as a consequence of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) down regulation. Taken together, these results provide us with an important new insight; that C. horizontalis possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, C. horizontalis may be utilized as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2020

Characterization and in vitro inhibition studies of protease inhibitor from the mushroom Pleurotus floridanus (PfTI) towards the pest Papilio demoleus is studied. The addition of 1 mM Mn²⁺, Na²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ni ²⁺ enhanced the PfTI activity. The ICP-atomic emission spectrum showed the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in the PfTI. Surfactants SDS and CTAB at a concentration of 1% reduced the PfTI activity whereas, the nonionic detergents Triton X and Tween 80 increased the activity. The inhibitory activity gradually decreased with increase in concentration of DMSO and H₂O₂. The activity was increased by dithiothreitol up to a concentration of 80 μM and inactivated at 140 μM. The activity of PMSF modified PfTI was drastically reduced to 0.234 U/mL at 4 mM concentration and similar results were obtained for modification of cysteine by N-Ethylmaleimide at slightly higher concentrations. The complex of trypsin and PfTI showed complete loss in fluorescence intensity at 343 nm compared with control. In vitro inhibition studies of PfTI with midgut proteases isolated from citrus pest P. demoleus with protease activity of 1.236 U was decreased to 0.613 U by 50 μL (0.1 mg/mL) of the inhibitor. Inhibitor was stable up to 0.04 M concentration of HCl.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.68-77
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• 2018

Soybean straw (SS)-based activated carbon was employed as a precursor to prepare carbon molecular sieves (CMSs) via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique using methane as carbon source. Prior to the CVD process, SS was activated by 0.5 wt% $ZnCl_2$, followed by a carbonization at $500^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in $N_2$ atmosphere. $N_2$ (77 K) adsorption-desorption and $CO_2$ (273 K) adsorption tests were carried out to analyze the pore structure of the prepared CMSs. The results show that increasing the deposition temperature, time or methane flow rate leads the decrease in $N_2$ adsorption capacity, micropore volume and average pore diameter of CMSs. The adsorption selectivity coefficient of $CO_2/CH_4$ achieves as high as 20.8 over CMSs obtained under the methane flow rate of $30mL\;min^{-1}$ at $800^{\circ}C$ for 70 min. The study demonstrates the prepared CMSs are a candidate adsorbent for $CO_2/CH_4$ separation.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2019

Digitaria exilis L. is an under-utilized crop with high nutritional and medicinal values. It thrives in and is well-adapted to arid areas with low soil nutrients. Using biochemical markers, this study investigates the mechanisms by which D. exilis responds to osmotic stress. Three accessions Dinat Iburua (DIN), Jakah Iburua (JAK) and Jiw Iburua (JIW) were collected from National Cereal Research Institute, Niger State. Two accessions, NG/11/JD/061 and NG/11/JD/062 were also collected from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan. Murashige and Skoog medium of approximately 1.2 L was supplemented with polyethylene glycol 6000 to create osmotic pressures of -9.29, -13.93, -20.13, -26.32, -32.51, and 0 MPa (control). Sterilized seeds were inoculated in the medium and placed in the growth room for 4 weeks. Proline accumulation was significantly high in all JAK plants under osmotic stress. Proline and ascorbate peroxidase (p<0.05) activities were directly correlated, thus reinforcing the survivability of JAK during stress. Catalase (CAT) activity was also significantly induced in JAK under osmotic stress, which synergistically improved its tolerability. As a result, >50% of OH-, H₂O₂, and NO radicals were scavenged. However, other accessions including DIN, NG061, NG062, and JIW showed variations in their responses to different levels of osmotic stress, although not significant. Therefore, JAK possesses a well-equipped free radical quenching system that is protected by the accumulation of the osmolyte proline; therefore, accession JAK is considered osmotolerant. CAT and superoxide dismutase activities were osmostabilized against oxidative stress by proline.