• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 1999

The enzyme steroid $5{\alpha}-reductase$ is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into the most potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In man, this steroid acts on a variety of androgen-responsive target tissues to mediate such diverse endocrine processes as male sexual differentiation in the fetus and prostatic growth in men. Androgen levels in the prostate may influence carcinogenesis in this organ. The use of a $5{\alpha}-reductase$ inhibitor, finasteride, in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer is being evaluated in a clinical trial and have been used successfully for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, for the discovery of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ type 2 inhibitors, we have evaluated the inhibitory effects of solvent fractionated extracts of natural products on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ type 2 activity. We have tested approximately 80 kinds of natural products after partition into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous layers from 100% methanol extracts of plants. The ethyl acetate fractions of Perilla sikokiana $(seed,\;IC_{50}\;:\;6.2\;ug/ml)$, Sophora flavescens $(root,\;IC_{50}\;:\;8.9\;ug/ml)$, and Angelica tenuissima $(root,\;IC_{50}\;:\;11.7\;ug/ml)$ revealed inhibitory effects on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ 2 activity in LNCaP cells. The effective ethyl acetate fractions of Perilla sikokiana, Sophora flavescens, Hydnocarpus anthelmintica, and Angelica tenuissima were subfractionated by column chromatography and tested. The subfractions $F4\;(IC_{50}\;:\;1.1\;ug/ml),\;F5\;(IC_{50}\;:\;2.0\;ug/ml),\;and\;F6\;(IC_{50}\;:\;5.8\;ug/ml)$ of the ethyl acetate fraction of Perilla sikokiana and the subfraction $F8\;(IC_{50}\;:\;5.3\;ug/ml)$ of the ethyl acetate fraction of Sophora flavescens displayed greater inhibition of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ type 2 than did finasteride in LNCaP cells. These active fractions are under the process of further sequential fractionation to find the effective pure compounds against $5{\alpha}-reductase$ 2 activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.441-446
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• 2014

Ursolic acid (UA), a type of pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid purified from natural plants, can promote skeletal muscle development. We measured the effect of resistance training (RT) with/without UA on skeletal muscle development and related factors in men. Sixteen healthy male participants (age, $29.37{\pm}5.14$ years; body mass index=$27.13{\pm}2.16kg/m^2$) were randomly assigned to RT (n=7) or RT with UA (RT+UA, n=9) groups. Both groups completed 8 weeks of intervention consisting of 5 sets of 26 exercises, with 10~15 repetitions at 60~80% of 1 repetition maximum and a 60~90-s rest interval between sets, performed 6 times/week. UA or placebo was orally ingested as 1 capsule 3 times/day for 8 weeks. The following factors were measured pre-and post-intervention: body composition, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), irisin, and skeletal muscle strength. Body fat percentage was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in the RT+UA group, despite body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, glucose, and insulin levels remaining unchanged. IGF-1 and irisin were significantly increased compared with baseline levels in the RT+UA group (p<0.05). Maximal right and left extension (p<0.01), right flexion (p<0.05), and left flexion (p<0.001) were significantly increased compared with baseline levels in the RT+UA group. These findings suggest that UA-induced elevation of serum irisin may be useful as an agent for the enhancement of skeletal muscle strength during RT.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2015

Environmental pesticides used for insect control can be transferred from plants to animals even to livestock animals through food chain. Human beings also can be exposed to pesticides by consuming polluted dairy products, including meats, eggs and other milk products. Therefore, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) established Standard for Pesticide Residue Limits in dairy products. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) methods for detecting residual pesticides are relatively well established for fruits and vegetables, however, the methods for meat have not been appropriately studied yet. In the present work, pyraclofos was used as an organophosphate pesticide to examine its tissue residue in experimental animals by QuEChERS methods. For this, pyraclofos (150 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to male rats once a day for 2 days. After 6, 12, and 24 hr of the treatment, the tissue residues in liver and femoral muscle of the rats were determined using QuEChERS methods followed by HPLC analyses. In preliminary studies, the recovery rates of spiking samples of pyraclofos demonstrated approximately 109~110% from the tissues. In previous study, pyraclofos tissue residues were observed with significantly high levels in livers and muscles at 6 hr of oral treatment. Then, they were almost completely disappeared after 24 hr of the administration, indicating the orally exposed pyraclofos is rapidly absorbed and distributed to body organs, then quickly excreted from the body with a negligible level of tissue residue. The alterations in blood chemistry as well as the histopathology of heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney have also been investigated in the experimental animals for assessing acute toxic effects of pyraclofos. The obtained blood chemistry indexes (ALT and AST) showed maximum peak values at 12 hr after the oral administration and decreased to the normal levels at 24 hr of the treatment. Histopathologic observation exhibited acute hepatic damages at 24 hr of the treatment. In conclusion, we suggest that QuEChERS method can be adequately optimized for the analysis of pyraclofos residues in animal tissues.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2008

A wax-typed pheromone dispenser has been developed and applied to control outbreak of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, in apple orchard. To optimize its application technique, this study analyzed effect of different amounts of the pheromone dispenser on mating disruption('MD') of G. molesta. Different pheromone dispenser amounts significantly influenced the MD effect assessed by cumulative male adult catches monitored respectively by sticky delta trap and food trap, and resulted in differential damage on host plants. In a field test during entire growing season, a standard amount(120 g per 0.117 ha) of wax-typed pheromone dispenser was proved to be effective to suppress outbreak of G. molesta adults and to prevent host plant damage as much as a current commercial MD product($Isomate^{(R)}$). This study also demonstrated an effectiveness of deployment of food trap barriers around MD-treated area to prevent immigration of mated females from outside untreated areas. These results indicate that the wax-typed pheromone dispenser can be applied to control field G. molesta populations and its co-application with fuod trap barriers would be optimal to maximize MD efficacy.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.56-59
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• 1994

Life histoy of Nysius plebejrrs, the most injurious pest in chysanthemun cultivation in Korea, was studies both in field and inseday in Chinju during 1991 and 1992 seasons, and resulis are summarized as below 7hls insect has 3 generation per year, adult peaks on the mid April, mid June and late August, and the highest number of adults were attracted to the light tmp from the late August through mid September. Overwntered generation and needed 6-7weeks from egg rnatulity m spring, and 5-6 weeks, for both the first and second generation m summer, Incubation egg periods were 142, 9.3 and 7.2 days, nymphal penods were 45.2, 32.1 and 31.2 days, and total growth periods, were 59.4. 41 4 and 38.4 days, respect~vely for the overwintered, flst and second generation. Ovipositional penods were 25.6, 23.4 and 21.2 days. and number of eggs Iald by each female were 41.5. 37.2 and 35.4 days, respedively of each generation Longevities of female were 326, 27.5 and 25.1 days. and of male were 15 2, 12.3 and 12.1 days. respectively of each generation. Sex ratlo was about 1:1 in all generation, and eggs were laid in mass on the surface of leaves or stems of the host plants. This insed over-wmters as adult (90%) or 5th instar nymph (10%), however, over-wintering adults seem to be sexually premature, and mating take place actively in the following spring.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.374-385
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• 1998

Phytoestrogens are biologically active compounds derived from plants foods. It had been suggested that phytoestrogens, by inhibiting aromatase in peripheral and/or cancer cells and lowering estrogen levels, may play a protective role as antipromotional compounds during growth of estrogen-dependent cancers. Therefore, simultaneous analysis of estrogens and phytoestrogens is necessary to elucidate the possible involvement of phytoestrogens in estrogen metabolism. In this view, we developed a simple and reproducible procedure to quantitatively determine estrogen and phytoestrogen metabolites. The proposed method consisted of solid phase extraction using preconditioned Serdolit AD-2 resin, enzyme hydrolysis with ${\beta}$-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia, liquid-liquid extraction and TMS-ether derivatization. And the final determination was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The precision and accuracy of this method was evaluated through within-a-day and day-to-day test. Recovery range and detection limit were 71.96~105.66%, 2~4 ng/mL, respectively. Using this method, 17 estrogen and 5 phytoestrogen compositions in urine of normal subjects were analyzed. It was found that amounts and relative distribution of urinary phytoestrigens and estrogens showed different pattern in male and female subjects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.699-710
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effect of chamomile, sage, and green tea intakes on anti oxidative capacity in 15-month-old rats. Dried powders of three plants were analyzed to determine the amount of total flavonoids, $\beta$-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and dietary fibers. In order to examine the change of antioxidative capacity in old rats, forty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 621.2$\pm$9.5 g were divided into four groups according to body weight and fed for four weeks with each experimental diet of three dried powders and control diet. Plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, erythrocyte and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and plasma vitamin A, C, E, and total carotenoids levels were measured. The total flavonoids and vitamin C contents were the highest in green tea powder. Beta-carotene and vitamin E contents were not significantly different among all three dried powders. Total dietary fiber contents also were not different among all three dried powders, but soluble dietary fiber contents of chamomile was higher than other two dried powders. Plasma TBARS level was found to be significantly lower in all the experimental groups as compared to control group. Chamomile powder group, especially, showed the lowest level among all experimental groups. Liver TBARS levels of experimental groups were also lower than that of control group and significant differences were observed in chamomile and green tea groups compared to control. Plasma XO activity of green tea group was significantly lower than control group. Liver XO activities of green tea and chamomile groups were significantly lower than control group. Erythrocyte SOD activity was not significantly different among all the groups. However, liver SOD activities of sage and green tea groups showed a significant increase as compared to control group. Plasma vitamin A level was not significantly different among all the groups. Plasma total carotenoids levels were found to be significantly higher in experimental groups as compared to control group. Plasma vitamin E level of chamomile group and vitamin C level of green tea group showed the highest level among all the groups. In conclusion, chamomile, sage, and green tea intakes had an effect on improving antioxidative capacity in 15-month-old rats. Effects of green tea and chamomile powders, especially, were higher than sage powder.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.143-149
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• 2020

This study tried to observe the ability to inhibit vasocontriction in phloretin - the primary ingredient of apple tree leaves and the Manchurian apricot - through ROCK(Rho-associdated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase) inactivation in rat aortae. A piece of artery that was separated from Sprague-Dawley male rats and retained or damaged the endothelium was suspended in myograph tank with two metal rings, the lower ring fixed to the bottom of the tank, and the upper ring connected to the isotonic force transducer. Interestingly, phloretin inhibited fluoride- or phorbol ester-provoked contraction implying that additional pathways dissimilar from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as ROCK or MEK (mitogen activated protein kinase kinase) inactivation might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Therefore, this study provides that phloretin participates in the reduction of ROCK or MEK activity in smooth muscle in addition to the endothelial-dependent action of the endotheliuim in complete blood vessels, and consequently inhibits actin-myosin interaction in smooth muscle. Furthermore, phloretin inhibited thromboxane A2-induced contraction suggesting the mechanism including inhibition of ROCK and MEK.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 2012

Triploids are a useful tool for biomass production and molecular breeding of trees with a long life span. Triploids of the poplar 'Hyunsasi' (Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa) have been developed by crossing between female diploids and a male tetraploid. The tetraploid was developed around the 1970s at Korea Forest Research Institute by colchicine-induced chromosome doubling. Seedlings of the $F_1$ generation were analyzed using flow cytometry to verify their ploidy status. The mean relative fluorescence index of 3 F1 poplars, labeled as Line- 1, Line-17, Line-18, were approximately 1.5 times higher than those of diploid poplars, and the results clearly indicated that they were triploids. The phenotype of the F1 poplars included larger leaves and thicker stem than diploids, and abnormal leaf morphology, especially in the triploid 'Line-18'. Three triploid lines developed roots more slowly and had less roots than diploid. However, 3 poplar cytotypes (2x, Line-1, Line-17) rooted within 10 days on MS medium. In contrast, compared with the 3 cytotypes, the Line-18 showed about 80% and 70% in the rooting rate and the number of roots. The triploid poplars could be directly utilized for biomass production and with their sterility, they could serve as basic material for genetic transformation. In addition, flow cytometric analysis proved to be an effective and reliable method for screening forest trees for their ploidy level.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.245-253
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• 2006

We evaluated the relations among exposure and urinary levels of Cr, folate, vitamin $B_{12}$ and Hcy levels in the workers chronically exposure to Cr. Subjects were 104 male employees, 65 workers exposed to Cr in 9 electroplating plants and 39 office workers who had never been occupationally exposed to hazardous substances including Cr. The geometric mean(GM) of Cr in workplace was $0.069{\pm}0.101mg/m^3$ and urinary Cr was $0.483{\pm}0.394mg/g$ creatinine and airborne Cr concentration was significantly correlated to the urinary concentration of Cr(r=0.900, p=0.000). The geometric mean concentration of urinary Cr in control group was $0.301{\pm}0.255mg/g$ creatinine. In comparing the workers exposed to Cr with controls, significantly higher mean plasma levels were found of Hcy($11.3{\pm}4.9$ vs $9.4{\pm}4.7{\mu}mol/{\ell}$, p=0.05), but vitamin $B_{12}$ levels ($181.8{\pm}68.7$ vs $216.0{\pm}64.3nmol/{\ell}$, p=0.01) was significantly decreased. Hcy concentrations correlated positively with airborne Cr concentrations(r=0.287, p=0.004) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=0.244, p=0.015) but folate concentrations correlated negatively with airborne(r=-0.234, p=0.020) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=-0.640, p=0.090), respectively. No correlations were observed between vitamin $B_{12}$, airborne and urinary Cr concentrations. Also, Hcy concentrations correlated positively with vitamin $B_{12}$(r=0.295, p=0.0020 and negatively with folate concentrations(r=-0.196, p=0.046). The various biological(i.e. age and serum indicates) or lifestyle factors(i.e. medication, smoking, alcohol and coffee intake), also taken into account as potential confounders, did not influence the correlations found. Thus, this study found evidence that Cr might be associated with elevated plasma levels of Hcy. Furthermore, elevated plasma levels of Hcy were significantly associated with folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration.