• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.69 no.6
• /
• pp.418-425
• /
• 2010

Background: Little is known about the long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) treatment on post-tuberculosis emphysema. This study evaluated the effects of ACE inhibition on cardiac function and gas exchange in patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema. Methods: At baseline and at 6 months after initiation of ACE inhibition therapy, patients underwent pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and echocardiography, both at rest and post exercise. Cardiac output (CO) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured at those time points as well. Results: After ACE inhibition; resting and post-exercise RVEF ($Mean{\pm}SEM,\;61.5{\pm}1.0,\;67.6{\pm}1.2%$, respectively) were higher than at baseline ($56.9{\pm}1.2,\;53.5{\pm}1.7%$). Resting and post-exercise CO ($6.37{\pm}0.24,\;8.27{\pm}0.34L/min$) were higher than at baseline ($5.42{\pm}0.22,\;6.72{\pm}0.24L/min$). Resting and post-exercise $PaO_2$ ($83.8{\pm}1.6,\;74.0{\pm}1.2mmHg$, respectively) were also higher than at baseline ($74.2{\pm}1.9,\;66.6{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Post-exercise $PaCO_2$($46.3{\pm}1.1mmHg$) was higher than at baseline ($44.9{\pm}1.1;\; Resting\;42.8{\pm}0.8\;vs.\;42.4{\pm}0.9mmHg$). Resting and post-exercise A-a $O_2$ gradient ($12.4{\pm}1.4,\;17.8{\pm}1.5 mmHg$) were lower than at baseline ($22.5{\pm}1.5,\;26.9{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Conclusion: In post-tuberculosis emphysema, RVEF and CO were augmented with a resultant increase in peripheral oxygen delivery after ACE inhibition. These findings suggest that an ACE inhibitor may have the potential to alleviate co-morbid cardiac conditions and benefit the patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2005

The effects of the presence of a submerged plant, Zizania latifolia, on physico-chemical characteristics, including Eh, pH, and concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediments were studied under pot culture condition. It was shown that Eh value at reduced layer of the sediments was higher in the planted pots than in the non-planted. It was also revealed that $NH_4^+-N$ concentration of the sediments in the planted pots was lower than that of the non-planted, which might be due to the uptake by the plants. In contrast, $NO_3^--N$ concentration in the sediment increased in the presence of the plants compared to the non-planted, which might be attributed to oxygen released from the roots to the reduced layer. The concentration of organic phosphorus in the sediments was much higher than that of NAIP at the beginning of the planting experiment. However, at the end of the experiment, it was reversed; NAIP concentration was much higher than that of organic phosphorus, possibly indicating the transformation of organic phosphorus to NAIP during the experimental period. Both concentrations of $NH_4^+-N$ and $PO_4^{3-}-P$ in the overlying and percolated water were lower in the planted pots than in the non-planted. The concentration of $NO_3^--N$ in the percolated water, however, was higher in the planted pots than in the non-planted. The data was discussed with regard to the potential effects of a submerged plant on dynamics of phosphorus and nitrogen in the rhizosphere of the sediment.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.529-534
• /
• 2008

The reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet rays causes various types of cutaneous damage, such as lipid peroxidation and denaturation of the extra-cellular matrix. The accumulation of such damage contributes to skin aging, especially the formation of wrinkles. This study was carried out to develop functional cosmatic by using Oriental herb supercritical extracts (OHSE) for prevention of skin. Effects of OHSE on anti-oxidation, collagenase inhibition and collagen synthesis in normal human fibroblast were investigated. OHSE showed antioxidative activity as high as vitamin C, trolox and DL-penicillamine. Also OHSE showed promotive effect on collagen synthesis and inhibitory effect on collagenase activity. From this results, we conclude that OHSE may have the potential to be conveniently used as an additive in cosmetics for prevention and improvement of skin aging.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.405-412
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effect of a glycoprotein isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (CTB glycoprotein, 75 kDa) on immunoglobulin E (IgE)-induced allergic inflammation in RBL-2H3 cells. This experiment evaluated the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activities of mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), transcription factor (c-jun), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and histamine release in cells. The results showed that the CTB glycoprotein inhibited histamine release and COX-2 expression induced by IgE in the cells. The CTB glycoprotein also had suppressive effects on the expressions of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, c-jun, and the production of intracellular ROS in IgE-treated RBL-2H3 cells. The activities of c-jun and COX-2 were collectively blocked by ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) and p38 MAPK inhibitor (SKF86002), respectively. Hence, we speculate that CTB glycoprotein might be a component with potential use in the preparation of health supplements for the prevention of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 2012

As nanotechnology is a key industry, there is growing concern relating to the potential risk of nanoparticles. They are known to be released into the environment via various exposure routes. When nanoparticles are present in water environments, they are supposed to be illuminated by ultraviolet light, and the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles may be changed. In this study, a review of the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles, including the mechanisms of phototoxicity, are presented. In order to address this issue, studies on the ecotoxicity to soil and water organisms exposed to photoactive nanoparticles were investigated. The photoactive nanoparticles chosen for this study were zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and fullerene. Microorganisms, nematode, earthworm, algae and fish, etc., were chosen to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles using diverse methods. However, studies on the phototoxicity potentially induced by nanoparticles on UV illumination have been reviewed in only 8 studies. From a few studies, photoactive nanoparticles have shown high dissolution rates under UV conditions, with the released ions observed to profoundly influence test organisms. In addition, NPs exposed to UV produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS can induce oxidative stress in exposed organisms. Evidence of phototoxicity by nanoparticles were found based on previous studies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.445-455
• /
• 2009

Microbiological sulfate reduction is the transformation of sulfate to sulfide catalyzed by the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria using sulfate as an electron acceptor. Low solubility of metal sulfides leads to precipitation of the sulfides in solution. The effects of microbiological sulfate reduction on in-situ precipitation of arsenic and copper were investigated for the heavy metal-contaminated soil around the Songcheon Au-Ag mine site. Total concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb were 1,311 mg/kg, 146 mg/kg, and 294 mg/kg, respectively, after aqua regia digestion. In batch-type experiments, indigenous sulfate-reducing bacteria rapidly decreased sulfate concentration and redox potential and led to substantial removal of dissolved As and Cu from solution. Optimal concentrations of carbon source and sulfate for effective microbial sulfate reduction were 0.2~0.5% (w/v) and 100~200 mg/L, respectively. More than 98% of injected As and Cu were removed in the effluents from both microbial and chemical columns designed for metal sulfides to be precipitated. However, after the injection of oxygen-rich solution, the microbial column showed the enhanced long-term stability of in-situ precipitated metals when compared with the chemical column which showed immediate increase in dissolved As and Cu due to oxidative dissolution of the sulfides. Black precipitates formed in the microbial column during the experiments and were identified as iron sulfide and copper sulfide. Arsenic was observed to be adsorbed on surface of iron sulfide precipitate.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.244-248
• /
• 2017

The effects of ultrasonic (1.2~1.7 kJ/g TS) pretreatment on the solubilization of dairy and livestock sludge were separately evaluated to investigate the possibility of recycling dairy sludge as a potential source of organic carbon. Compared to other industrial wastewater and sewage sludge, dairy sludge has higher organic matter content and no toxic materials. The solubilization rates of dairy and livestock sludge, at a specific energy input of 1.7 kJ/g TS, were 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively. After the 90-minute ultrasonic treatment, the soluble COD (chemical oxygen demand) increased about 7.1 times that of the initial SCOD, at an increase rate of $0.022m^{-1}$. In comparison, the increase in soluble nitrogen, which was ~3.4 times that of the initial soluble nitrogen concentration, was much smaller than the increase in SCOD; thus, the C/N ratio increased from 4.0 to 8.7.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.18-26
• /
• 2015

Akebiae Caulis is a galenical originated from Akebia quinata Decaisne species. It is commonly used in the treatment of oposiuria, inflammation, nociceptive and fever. Here, we investigated the effect of Akebiae Caulis extract (ACE) to protect hepatocyte against the malfunction of mitochondria and apoptosis. Arachidonic acid (AA)+iron promoted excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and exerted a deleterious effect on mitochondria. Treatment with ACE protected hepatocytes from AA+iron-induced cytotoxicity, as shown by alterations in the protein levels related with apoptosis such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, pro-caspase 3, Bcl-XL and Bcl-2. Moreover, AA+iron-induced $H_2O_2$ production, GSH depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction were alleviated by ACE pretreatment. As a potential molecular mechanism for the ACE-mediated cytoprotection, phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator in determining cell survival or death, was increased by ACE. Moreover, ACE treatment enhanced inactive phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ ($GSK3{\beta}$), downstream substrate kinase of AMPK. More importantly, ACE prevented a decrease in the $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation derived by AA+iron, which might contribute to mitohondiral protection and cell survival. To further identify essential compounds in Akebiae Caulis for the protection of AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity, we found that betulin in combination with hederagenin protected from AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Betulin+hederagenin treatment also increased inactive phosphorylation of $GSK3{\beta}$ in common with ACE. These results suggest that ACE protected hepatocytes against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which is mediated with inactive $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation downstream of AMPK.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.223-241
• /
• 1991

In order to study the formation and structure of tidal fronts and their influence on the distribution and productivity of phytoplankton in the outer of Kyonggi Bay, analyses on the water temperature data from 1977 to 1986 and 3 surveys from 1981 to 1986 were carried out in the mid0eastern coast of the Yellow Sea. Temperature gradients and dissolved oxygen gradients were implied that the tidal fronts are formed at the outer of the Kyonggi Bay along the western side of Tae-An peninsula from spring to summer. the formations of tidal fronts in this study area influence the distribution of phytoplankton and primary productivity. The standing stocks, chlorophyll concentrations and primary productivity of phytoplankton in the frontal area are higher than those of the outer stratified waters and the inner coastal mixed waters. These high production in the frontal area are resulted from good light condition and rich nutrient within the water columns. With a boundary of frontal area, there are relatively high chlorophyll concentrations and primary productivity in the coastal mixed waters while there are low chlorophyll concentrations and relatively high primary productivity in the stratified waters. These relatively high primary productivity in the outer area are resulted from the high potential production by nanoplankton in the surface layer and the high production of tychopelagic diatoms under the thermocline with the deep transparency.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.452-461
• /
• 2012

There is increasing evidence that dietary factors in plant-based diets are important for the prevention of chronic disease. Especially, phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables have been recognized as major contributors for the decreased level of oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of switching the dietary habit to high consumption of fruits and vegetables were evaluated on the parameters of serum antioxidant status in healthy high school students. Forty one students participated in a randomized controlled trial and were assigned to the control group (n = 18) or the intervention group (n = 23). The intervention group was provided for 8 weeks with the main food source being whole grain and vegetables. Anthropometric measurements, blood parameters and dietary intakes were measured, and compared before and after study. After 8 weeks, weight and BMI were significantly decreased in the intervention group (p = 0.000). The serum diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test resulted in a significantly decreased level only in the intervention group (p < 0.05) after 8 weeks, but serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP) was increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Intake of energy, total fat, cholesterol and sodium in the intervention group were significantly decreased after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Also, the intervention group had significantly increased vitamin and phytonutrient intakes of all-trans-${\beta}$-carotene, ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and total phenols (p < 0.05). Overall, the results of this study suggest that whole grain, fruits, and vegetables supplementation showed improvement of the adolescent health.