• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.801-809
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• 2015

Homotypic cell adhesion (homotypic aggregation) in activated monocytes plays a central role in physiological and pathological processes including inflammatory responses, differentiation and migration. The extract of the Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. fruit (Maesil) has potential benefits to human health; such as anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities. Indeed, Maesil extract may modulate inflammatory responses via interference with homotypic aggregation in monocytes. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic efficacy of Maesil extract in inflammatory diseases were investigated. It was found that Maesil extract inhibited homotypic aggregation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. This was mediated by reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production, partly via inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-activated THP-1 cells. It was confirmed that NO inhibition is a key mechanism in Maesil induced blockade of monocyte aggregation through identification of reversal of this inhibitory effect by the NO-producing agent S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP). In addition, Maesil extract significantly attenuated LPS-induced IκB-α phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus. In conclusion, Maesil extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of homotypic aggregation of LPS-activated monocytes through mechanisms involving the suppression of NO production and NF-κB activity, suggesting Maesil extract as a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.604-609
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• 2011

Pine (pinus densiflora) needles have long been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pine needle extracts on the hepatic antioxidant system in the damaged liver of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-treated rats. Nine-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal group (NOR), $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL), pine needle hot water extract and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-P), and Vitamin C and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-V). The enzyme activities and antioxidant effects of the pine needle hot water extracts were investigated at the levels of liver homogenates and serum of rats intoxicated with $CCl_4$. Serum GOT and GPT activities by $CCl_4$ treatment increased compared to those of the NOR group. However, they tended to decrease in the hot water extract-administered group. Liver SOD activity in the CCL group was significantly lower than the NOR group (p<0.05). However, they increased in the CCL-P group compared to the CCL group. Further, the CAT and GPx activities of serum treated with $CCl_4$ were higher compared to those of the NOR group but lower in the CCL-P group compared to CCL group. These results suggest that pine needle hot water extract increases antioxidant activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2017

Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient for the health and growth of plants. Iron is usually provided by fertilizers, and iron-chelate fertilizers are well absorbed by plants. This study presents the plant growth-promoting effects of a new functional iron fertilizer, Fe-chelating crab shell powder (FCSP), which is generated from the chelation of Fe ions with crab shell powder. Iron chelate was derived from spent pickling liquor, which is rich in reductive iron, iron(II) oxide. To analyze the effects of FCSP on plant growth, we treated lettuce with several concentrations of FCSP in both lab- and field-scale experiments. In the lab-scale test, the treatment of 50 ppm of FCSP highly promoted growth and resulted in increases in the size, weight, number and chlorophylls content of leaves of plants compared to the treatment of crab shell powder. Fifty ppm of FCSP also increased the size and weight of leaves up to 2 times compared to the application of chemical fertilizer and/or compost in field conditions. In addition, the FCSP treatment resulted in the highest ion uptake of Fe in lettuce leaves. Moreover, FCSP led to increases in the amounts of Fe, Ca, available phosphorus and organic matter in treated soil, indicating that soil quality was improved. Taken together, our results demonstrate that FCSP promotes lettuce growth via enhancement of Fe availability and improves soil quality. Therefore, FCSP can be utilized as a new functional iron fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.568-573
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• 2015

Arabis glabra is a localized common rhizomatous flowering plant, This plant is often used in Korean traditional systems of medicine as a remedy for blood cleaning, detoxification, abscess, gastrospasm, arthritis, contraction and diarrhea. Generally drugs that are used for arthritis have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, validity of the anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of A. glabra using the ethanolic extract and its sub-fractions. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) on RAW 264.7macrophages. Our results indicated that hexane and chloroform fraction significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE₂ production in the cells. The hexane fraction inhibitory activity for NO tests with IC₅₀ values showed in 21.0 ㎍/㎖. The chloroform fraction inhibitory activity for PGE₂ tests with IC₅₀ values showed in 18.0 ㎍/㎖. These efficacy are expected to be able to present the potential for the development of health functional food for the prevention inflammatory diseases because it has sufficient preventive medical possibilities. Further, it is determined that it is necessary to further study the mechanism of cytokine and protein expression associated with inflammation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.234-240
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• 2012

This study was conducted to examine the effects of low molecular weight gelatin hydrolysates (GH, less than 3kDa), extracted from pig skin collagen on the bone metabolism of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats in the experimental groups were randomly segregated into six different treatment groups such as 1) NC, the normal rat fed AIN 93 diet (basal diet) only; 2) OC, the OVX rat fed the basal diet only; 3) GH 0.1, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.1% GH; 4) GH 0.8, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.8% GH; 5) G 0.1, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.1% gelatin; 6) G 0.8, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.8% gelatin. Body weight gain in the GH 0.1, GH 0.8, and G 0.8 was significantly higher than those in the NC and OC. Feed intake of the GH 0.1 and GH 0.8 was higher than that of the NC and OC, while no significant difference was found in feed efficiency ratio (FER). BMD of the GH 0.8 was higher than that of the OC. However, gelatin hydrolysates and gelatin resulted in higher BMC level compare to the OC. Serum HDL-cholesterol of rat fed GH and gelatin was higher than that of OC (p<0.05). LDL-C of the GH 0.1 and the GH 0.8 tended to be less than that of OC. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the GH 0.1 was lower than that of the OC. The serum of GH 0.8 showed lower osteocalcin value than the OC (p<0.05). In addition, GOT and GPT levels significantly decreased in all treatment groups. These results indicated that gelatin hydrolysates from pig skin gelatin hydrolysates enhanced BMD and serum biochemical parameters related to bone metabolism. Therefore, the gelatin hydrolysates could be used as a beneficial material to improve bone health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.657-661
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• 2001

Osteoporosis that is associated with ovarian hormone deficiency following menopause (postmenopausal osteoporosis) is by far the most common cause of age-related bone loss. Isoflavone has been reported as a natural substance that possibly minimizes bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to investigate the preventing, treating effects of isoflavone on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. 120 Sprague Dawley rats of 13 week-old were devided into 2 groups, a treatment group and prevention group. Each group was consisted of six subgroups; control (CON), sham operated (SH) or ovariectomized (OVX) and isoflavone supplemented goups: OVX+0.25mg isoflavone/kg diet (OL), OVX+0.8mg isoflavone/kg diet(OM) and OVX+2.5mg isoflavone/kg diet(OH). to study the preventing effects of isoflavone on bone loss, OL, OM and OH groups were fed with isoflavone from 4 days after ovariectomization. Treating effects of isoflavone on bone metabolism were investigated with OL, OM, OH groups supplemented with isoflavone from 8 weeks after ovariectomization. Isoflavone supplementation continued for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks after ovariectomization significant increase in alkaline phosphatase occurred comparing with CON and SH group. By isoflavone supplementation from 4 days after ovariectomy alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline were lowered and bone mineral density, bone strength of the femur and tibia and bone dry weight were slightly enhanced with no significant difference. Isoflavone supplemented group at the level of 0.8mg/kg diet (OM group) had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline, and higher strength of femur than OVX group. Groups with isoflavone supplementation fro 8 weeks after ovariectomy had lower level of serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline than OVX group. Bone mineral density, bone dry weight and bone strength of the femur and tibia were slightly enhanced by isoflavone supplementation. However there was no significanct difference between OVS ad isoflavone supplementation groups. The results suggest that isoflavone might have potential role for preventing postmenopausal bone loss. Isoflavone supplementation at early stage of postemenopause may be beneficial to age-related bone health.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.579-584
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• 2009

In this experiment, three different diets were produced to investigate the effects of Jeju native chicken eggs fed with citrus peel on the profiles of rats. The first diet did not contain any eggs (TS), the second diet contained 10% eggs and no citrus peels (T0), and the third diet contained 10% chicken egg with citrus peels (T1). These diets were provided to 11-week-old male rats for four weeks. The weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were not significantly different between the three treatment groups, TS, T0, and T1. The weight of the liver was significantly higher in T0 and T1 than TS (p<0.05), but the weights of the kidney and epididymal fat pad were not significantly different between the TS, T0, and T1 groups. The total lipid, phospholipid, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol did not significantly difference among the TS, T0, and T1 groups. The HDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol/ total cholesterol of T1 were the highest among the groups, and the atherogenic index of T1 was the lowest among the groups (p<0.05). The total protein of TS was significantly lower in T0 and T1, and the albumin of T1 was the highest among the groups (p<0.05). The albumin/globulin ratio of TS was significantly higher in T0 and T1, but the creatinine of T0 was significantly higher in T0 and T1 (p<0.05). The blood sugar and blood pigment were not significantly different between the TS, T0, and T1 groups. The $\gamma$-GTP of T1 was the lowest among the groups (p<0.05), but the ALT, AST and ALP did not show significant difference among the TS, T0, and T1 groups.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.417-430
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• 1993

이 연구는 환경적 요소(간호사의 자율성, 조직의 표준화)와 개인의 특성(통제위, 나이, 경험. 간호역할개념, 도덕성), 직무 스트레스, 윤리적 의사결정 사이의 관계를 이론적 틀을 구성하여 테스트함으로써 그 인과관계를 탐구하였다. 본 연구를 위해 개발된 모형은 1) Katz와 Kahn의 조직에 대한 개방체계 이론(open systems theory of organization) ; 2) Kahn. Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek의 스트레스 이론 (theory of stress) : 3) Kohlberg의 도덕발달 이론(theory of moral develop-ment): 그리고 4) 여러 문헌고찰을 기초로 하였다. 본 연구의 모형은 2가지의 주요 종속변수(직무 스트레스, 윤리적 간호행위), 2가지 매개변수(간호 역할개념, 도덕성 발달정도) 그리고 여러 독립변수들(조직의 표준화, 자율성, 통제위, 교육, 나이, 경험 등)로 구성되었다. 간단히 말해, 간호사의 스트레스와 윤리적 간호행위 를 개인 자신과 환경이라는 두 요소의 결과로 간주한 것이다. 미국(2개주)의 여러 건강관리기관에 근무하는 224명의 정규 간호사를 대상으로 하였고. 가설 검증을 위하여 1) 변수간의 인과관계를 조사하기 위한 Linear Structural Relationships(LISREL)기법과 2) 나이, 경험, 교육이 변수간의 관계에 미치는 중간역할을 알아보기 위해 상관분석을 이용하였다. LISREL결과를 보면 제시된 모델이 각 내재 변수에 상당한 설명력을 가지면서 자료에 잘 맞는 것으로 나타났다. 이 연구에서 가장 뚜렷한 점으로 나타난 것은 개인의 특성보다 환경적 요소로서의 자율성이 직무스트레스와 윤리적 의사결정을 예견하는데 훨씬 중요한 변수로 부각되었다는 점이다. 또한 간호사의 전문적 역할개념과 봉사적 역할개념이 간호사의 윤리적 의사결정을 예견하는 가장 중요한 요소로 나타났다. 중간영향(moderation effect)을 보면, 젊고 경험이 적은 간호사일수록 나이가 많고 경험있는 간호사보다 환경적 요소(자율성)에 더 큰 영향을 받는다는 것을 암시하고 있다. 또한 4년제 대학 이상을 졸업한 간호사의 윤리 적 간호행 위 는 2, 3년제 를 졸업 한 간호사 보다 환경적 요소에 의해 덜 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 한편 자율성의 부족은 2, 3년제 졸업 간호사보다 4년제 졸업 간호사에게 더 심한 스트레스가 되고 있음을 시사하였다. 이 연구의 결과로부터 적어도 다음과 같은 두 가지 실제적인 제언을 도출할 수 있다. 첫째, 이 연구는 환경적요소로서의 자율성이 다른 어떤 개인적인 요소보다 직무 스트레스를 예견하는 데 중요한 요소라는 것을 제시하였다. 이것은 간호행정가들에게, 간호사의 직무 스트레스를 감소시키기 위해선 “자율성”이 아주 중요히 다루어져야 한다는 것을 의미한다. 만일 간호사들의 직무스트레스가 그 개인의 복지에 큰 해가 되고 환자를 간호하는 데 직접적으로 관계된다면, 간호행정가는 그 조직의 직무체계를 다시 평가해서 일에 대한 새로운 설계가 필요한지를 파악해야 한다. 또한 이 연구는 직무를 다시 설계할 경우, 누구에게 먼저 촛점을 두고 시작해야 하는지를 밝혀주고 있다. 즉, 젊고 경험이 미숙한 간호사들에게 촛점을 두고 시작해야 하며, 작업환경의 가장 중요한 차원중의 하나인 사회적 지원(social support)을 조심스럽게 고려해 보아야 한다. 둘째, 간호사의 윤리적 간호행위를 높히기 위해 전문적 역할개념과 봉사적 역할개념이 재강조될 필요가 있다. 이 두 역할개념 들을 교육을 통하여 효과적으로 가르칠 필요가 있다고 본다. 이 두 개념들이 간호사의 바람직한 간호행 위에 영향을 미치는 가장 중요한 요소로 나타났기 때문이다. 또한, 본 연구결과에 따르면, 경험이 많을수록 일에 싫증을 느껴 바람직한 윤리적 간호행위가 감소되는 경향이 있었다. 따라서, 건강관리체제 (health care system) 안에서의 간호사의 역할이-전문직으로서의, 그리고 환자를 위한 옹호자로서의-학교와 임상에서 효과적으로 교육되어져야 한다고 본다. 간호사들의 역할에 대한 계속적인 교육이 학생은 물론 임상 간호사들에게도 실시되어져야 할 것이다. 미래연구의 방향을 제시해 보면 첫째로 연구의 일반화를 높히기 위해 더 많은 대상자를 포함시켜야 한다. 이는 여러 종류의 표본을 반드시 한번에 전부 포함시켜야 한다는 것을 의미하는 것이 아니고, 특정한 여러 표본들을 연속적으로 연구함으로서 이 목표를 성취할 수 있다고 생각한다. 둘째는 여러 construct들(윤리적 간호행위, 직무 스트레스, 간호 역할개념 등)에 대한 적절한 측정도구를 개발해야 한다. 측정도구를 개발하기 위해서는 풍부하고 세세한 통찰력을 제공하는 질적인 정보를 얻는 것이 선행되어야 한다. 셋째, 윤리적 간호행위와 직무 스트레스에 관한 연구를 증진시키기 위해 실험설계 및 종단적 연구(expel-imental, longitudinal design)가 시도될 필요가 있다. 마지막으로, 윤리적 간호행위와 직무 스트레스를 예견할 수 있는 이론적 탐구(theoretical exploration), 즉 이론정립을 위하여, 환경적 요소와 개인의 특성에 대한 자세한 정보를 제공해 줄 수 있는 질적 연구들이 요구된다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.490-500
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• 2017

This study was performed to evaluate repeated dose oral toxicity upon administration of the test substance 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one for 90 days and to determine NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) and target organs in Sprague-Dawley rats. Single, 2-week repeated, and 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. The dose levels of groups were 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg/d. All dose groups were compared with the vehicle control group. The animals were observed for clinical signs and weekly body weight. Urinalysis, hematology, and serum biochemistry analyses were conducted. Subsequently, animals were sacrificed and subjected to histopathological examination. For the result, NOAEL of ethanol extract from unripe fruit of bitter melon had an optimal dose of 5,000 mg/kg/d and acceptable daily intake up to 3,000 mg/man. There was no target organ detected. Therefore, bitter melon, which contains a variety of bioactive substances, could be widely used as a health functional food ingredient.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.317-326
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• 1999

Background: Neural control of airway function is through parasympathetic, sympathetic and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic mechanisms. The autonomic nervous system controls the airway smooth muscle tone, mucociliary system, permeability and blood flow in the bronchial circulation and release of mediators from the mast cells and other inflammatory cells. The cardiovascular and respiratory autonomic efferent fibers have a common central origin, so altered cardiovascular autonomic reflexes could reflect the altered respiratory autonomic status. Therefore, we performed this study to assess the autonomic abnormality and determine the correlating factors of severity of autonomic neuropathy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) using easily reproducible cardiovascular autonomic reflex function test. Method: The study included 20 patients with COPD and 20 healthy persons obtained on Health Promotion Center in Yeungnam university hospital. All the patients had history and clinical features of COPD as defined by the American Thoracic Society. Any patients with myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrythmia, hypertension, central or peripheral nervous system disease, diabetes mellitus, or any other diseases known to produce autonomic neuropathy, has excluded. The autonomic nervous system function tests included three tests evaluating the parasympathetic system and two tests evaluating the sympathetic system. And also all subjects were subjected to pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis. Results: Autonomic dysfunction was more commonly associated with patients with COPD than healthy person The parasympathetic dysfunction was frequent in patient with COPD, but sympathetic dysfunction seemed preserved. The severity of parasympathetic dysfunction in patients with COPD was correlated with the degree of duration of disease, smoking, reductions in the value of $FEV_1$ and FVC, and arterial hypoxemia but no such correlation existed for age, type of COPD, $FEV_1$/FVC, or $PaCO_s$. Conclusion: There is high frequency of parasympathetic dysfunction associated with COPD and the parasympathetic abnormality in COPD is increased in proportion to severity of airway disease. In COPD, parasympathetic dysfunction probably does not the cause of disease, but it may be an effect of disease progression.