• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.272-277
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extract (SCE) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative hepatic damage in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were pretreated with SCE (300, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg BW) or saline once daily for 14 consecutive days. On day 14, each animal, except those belonging to the normal control group, were injected with t-BHP (0.8 mmol/kg BW/i.p.), and all of the rats were sacrificed 16 h after t-BHP injection. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in AST and ALT levels were observed among the TC and SCE groups, the high-dose SCE group showed a decreasing tendency compared to the TC group. However, erythrocyte SOD activity showed a significant increase in the low-dose SCE group compared with the TC group. On the other hand, no significant differences in hepatic total glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were observed among the TC and SCE groups. Hepatic histopathological evaluation revealed that pretreatment with SCE resulted in reduced t-BHP-induced incidence of lesions, such as neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In particular, treatment with a high dose of SCE resulted in induction of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzyme expression, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we conclude that SCE exerts protective effects against t-BHP induced oxidative hepatic damage through the reduction of neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In addition, SCE regulates the gene expression of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes independent of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.366-372
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• 2013

The application of polyphenols has attracted great interest in the field of functional foods and nutraceuticals due to their potential health benefits in humans. However, the effectiveness of polyphenols depends on their bioactivity and bioavailability. In the present study, the bioactive component from green tea extract (GTE) was administrated orally (50 mg/kg body weight/day) as free or in a microencapsulated form with maltodextrin in rats fed a high fructose diet. High fructose diet induced features of metabolic syndrome including hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, increased serum total cholesterol, and retroperitoneal obesity. In addition, myocardial fibrosis was increased. In rats receiving high fructose diet, the lowering of blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and uric acid, as well as the reduction in final body weight and retroperitoneal fat weight associated with the administration of GTE, led to a reversal of the features of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05). In particular, the administration of microencapsulated GTE decreased myocardial fibrosis and increased liver catalase activity consistent with a further alleviation of serum NEFA, and hyperuricemia compared to administration of GTE. Taken together, our results suggest that microencapsulation of the bioactive components of GTE might have a protective effect on cardiovasucular system by attenuating the adverse features of myocardial fibrosis, decreasing uric acid levels and increasing hepatic catalase activity effectively by protecting their bioactivities.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.381-387
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vascular dementia (VaD) caused by reduced blood supply to the brain manifests as white matter lesions accompanying demyelination and glial activation. We previously showed that arabinoxylan consisting of arabinose and xylose, and arabinose itself attenuated white matter injury in a rat model of VaD. Here, we investigated whether larch arabinogalactan (LAG) consisting of arabinose and galactose could also reduce white matter injury. MATERIALS/METHODS: We used a rat model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO), in which the bilateral common carotid arteries were exposed and ligated permanently with silk sutures. The rats were fed a modified AIN-93G diet supplemented with LAG (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days before and 4 weeks after being subjected to BCCAO. Four weeks after BCCAO, the pupillary light reflex (PLR) was measured to assess functional consequences of injury in the corpus callosum (cc). Additionally, Luxol fast blue staining and immunohistochemical staining were conducted to assess white matter injury, and astrocytic and microglial activation, respectively. RESULTS: We showed that white matter injury in the the cc and optic tract (opt) was attenuated in rats fed diet supplemented with LAG. Functional consequences of injury reduction in the opt manifested as improved PLR. Overall, these findings indicate that LAG intake protects against white matter injury through inhibition of glial activation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support our hypothesis that cell wall polysaccharides consisting of arabinose are effective at protecting white matter injury, regardless of their origin. Moreover, LAG has the potential for development as a functional food to prevent vascular dementia.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2009

Since the seventies and the oil crisis, energy-saving measures have led to a reduction in the ventilation of room. The use of synthetic materials which emit various chemical substances had led to an increase in the concentration of indoor pollutants. "Sick building syndrome (SBS)" and "Sick house syndrome (SHS)" are worldwide problems. Also, the number of complaints about indoor air pollution caused by VOCs (Volatile organic compound) and HCHO (Formaldehyde) has increased. It is important that evaluating and understanding emission of indoor air pollutant from building materials. The object of this study was to evaluate emission test method for flooring such as wood based flooring, carpet tile, rubber tile, PVC sheet and tile, and to determine emission of TVOC and form-aldehyde. The quantity of TVOC and carbonyl compounds emission were sampled and measured by Tenax TA and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MSD), 2,4-DNPH cartrige with ozone scrubber and high performance liquid from flooring. The TVOC concentration emitted from carpet tile was ($7.419\;mg/m^2 h$) the highest among 5 groups of test materials. In wood based flooring and PVC tile, the emitted concentration of toluene was high. And the dodecane emission was highest in carpet. The concentration of TVOC decreased by an increase in emission test period. After 7 days, the concentration of TVOC from floorings were about 50% below of the concentration at the first day. TVOC emission from wood based flooring, carpet tile, rubber tile, PVC sheet and tile were decreased in 28 days and remained steady after about 15 days. The concentration of formaldehyde emission from floorings showed extremely low.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1290-1302
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• 2016

Microalgae are being researched for their potential as attractive biofuel feedstock, particularly for their lipid production. For maximizing biofuel production, it is necessary to explore the effects of environmental factors on algal lipid-producing potential. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) sources (NO₂-N, NO₃-N, urea-N, NH₄-N, and N-deficiency) and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C/N= 0, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0) on algal lipid-producing potential of Chlorella sp. HQ were investigated. The results showed that for Chlorella growth and lipid accumulation potential, NO₂-N was the best amongst the nitrogen sources, and NO₃-N and urea-N also contributed to algal growth and lipid accumulation potential, but NH₄-N and N-deficiency instead caused inhibitory effects. Moreover, the results indicated that algal lipid-producing potential was related to C/N ratios. With NO₂-N treatment and carbon addition (C/N = 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0), total lipid yield was enhanced by 12.96-20.37%, but triacylglycerol (TAG) yields decreased by 25.52-94.31%. As for NO₃-N treatment, carbon addition led to a 17.82-57.43%/25.86-82.67% reduction of total lipid/TAG yields. When NH₄-N was used as the nitrogen source, total lipid/TAG yields were increased by 46.67-113.33%/28.99-74.76% with carbon addition. The total lipid/TAG yields of urea-N treatment varied with C/N ratios. Overall, the highest TAG yield (TAG yield: 38.75 ± 5.21 mg/l; TAG content: 44.16 ± 4.35%) was achieved under NO₂-N treatment without carbon addition (C/N = 0), the condition that had merit for biofuel production.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2004

To investigate the effects of dietary phytate reduction and zinc supplementation on biochemical iron parameters in elderly Korean women consuming inadequate iron, fifteen healthy women aged 64-75 years were recruited for a feeding study. A high-phytate diet (27.8 phytate:zinc molar ratio) was provided for 9 days, followed by a nine-day low-phytate diet(12.3) and a subsequent 28-day period of unregulated meals with zinc supplementation (22 mg/d as zinc gluconate). Serum iron increased significantly with the low-phytate diet (130.4 $\mu g$/L) but returned to the level observed during the high-phytate diet (113.0 $\mu g$ /L) period when subjects were taking zinc supplements (105.8 $\mu g$ /L). However, serum ferritin in the subjects decreased significantly with the low-phytate diet (73.8 $\mu g$ /L) as well as with zinc supplementation (57.2 $\mu g$ /L), compared to levels following consumption of the high-phytate diet (89.6 $\mu g$ /L). Transferrin receptor and transferrin saturation were unchanged with the treatments. In summary, zinc supplementation might result in deteriorated iron status in elderly Korean women who consume inadequate iron, while there was no significant effect from reducing dietary phytate.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.29-41
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• 2006

This study was to investigate the effect of adding additive as tannin, rice husk and charcoal, for reducing the formaldehyde emission level, on the adhesion properties of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin for particleboard. We controlled the hot-pressing time, temperature and pressure to determine the bonding strength and formaldehyde emission. Blends of various UF resin/additives (tannin, rice husk and charcoal) compositions were prepared. To determine and compare the effect of additives (tannin, rice husk and charcoal) content, 0, 5, 10 and 15%, by weight of UF resin, were used. $NH_4Cl$ as hardener added. To determine the level of formaldehyde emission, we used the desiccator, perforator and 20 L-small chamber method. The formaldehyde emission level decreased with increased additions of additive (except rice husk). Also, increased hot-pressing time decreased formaldehyde emission level. At a charcoal replacement ratio of only 15%, the formaldehyde emission level is under F ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ grade (emit < $0.3mg/{\ell}$). Curing of the high tannin additive content in this adhesive system indicated that the bonding strength increased. But, in the case of rice husk and charcoal, the bonding strength was much lower due to the inorganic substance. Furthermore, rice husk was poor in bonding strength as well as formaldehyde emission than tannin and charcoal.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.36-44
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to identify the characteristics of shallow groundwater from the oil-contaminated site for a long period and to evaluate the applicability of biopile technology to treat the soil excavated from it. The eight monitoring wells were installed in the contaminated site and pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Temperature and the concentrations of major ions and pollutants were measured. The VOCs in soil gas were monitored during biopile operation and TPH concentration was analyzed at the termination of the experiment. The pH was 6.62 considered subacid and EC was 886.19 ${\mu}S/cm$. DO was measured to be 2.06 mg/L showing the similar characteristic of deep groundwater. ORP was 119.02 mV indicating oxidation state. The temperature of groundwater was measured to be $16.97^{\circ}C$. The piper diagram showed that groundwater was classified as Ca-$HCO_3$ type considered deep groundwater. The ground water concentration for TPH, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene of the first round was slightly higher than that of the second round. The concentration of carbon dioxide of soil gas was increased to 1.3% and the concentration of VOCs was completely eliminated after the 40 days. The TPH concentration showed 98% remediation efficiency after the 90 days biopile operation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

With the increasing cultivation of acid-loving plants such as blueberries, the artificial acidification of soils is frequently required. This research was conducted to determine the application rates of elemental sulfur (S) required in the soil acidification for blueberry cultivation. Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to acidify three arable soils (pH 6-7) of different texture to pH 4.5-5.0 by the addition of varying amounts of elemental S. All rates of elemental S addition reduced soil pH, although the efficacy of acidification was related to the application rate and soil characteristics. pH reduction was slow in sandy loam soil, and the final equilibrium pH was obtained after 60, 43, and 30 days of incubation in sandy loam, loam, and silty clay, respectively. Although the final pHs obtained after 93 days of incubation were not significantly different among the three soils, the equilibrium pH was relatively higher in soil of higher clay content in the application rates of 1.5-2.0 g S $kg^{-1}$ soil. The estimated amounts of elemental S required in lowering pH to 4.5-5.0 were 0.59-1.01, 0.67-1.03, and 0.53-0.88 g S $kg^{-1}$ for sandy loam, loam, and silty clay, respectively. The lowest estimated amount of elemental S in the acidification of silty clay soil was attributable to the low organic matter content. For clay soils containing optimum level of organic matter, the application rates of elemental S should be much higher than those values estimated in this research. Soil acidification did not significantly increase the available concentrations of Ca, Mg and K. Extractable Cu and Zn was not greatly affected by the acidification, but extractable Fe, Mn, and Al in the acidified soils were higher than those found in non-acidified soils. Such increases in solubility are attributable to the dissolution of oxides and hydroxides of the elements.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.199-208
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• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Carthami Semen Aquacupunc- ture(CSA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function rabbits with mercury chloride(HG)-induced acute renal failure. Methods : The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR and an increase in fractional Na excretion, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When CSA were given for 7 days prior to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Results : The increase in rabbits treated with Hg following CSA are significantly lower than that in animals treated with Hg alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and Na-K-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Such changes were prevented by CSA. Uptakes of organic ions, PAH and TEA, in renal cortical slices were inhibited by the administration of Hg, which was prevented by CSA. Exposure of renal cortical slices to Hg in vitro caused an increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which was significantly prevented by CSA extract. Conclusions : These results indicate that the administration of Hg causes impairment in reabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species. CSA provides the protection against the impairment in proximal reabsorption, and its effect may be resulted from its antioxidant effect.