• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lotus leaf on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in animal model of diabetes. Inhibitory activity of ethanol extract of lotus leaf against yeast ${\alpha}$-glucosidase was measured in vitro. The effect of lotus leaf on the postprandial increase in blood glucose levels was assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without lotus leaf extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to the rats after an overnight fast, and postprandial plasma glucose levels were monitored. Four-week-old db/db mice were fed a basal diet or a diet containing 1% lotus leaf extract for 7 weeks after 1 week of acclimation to study the chronic effect of lotus leaf. After sacrifice, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CHOL, and blood glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. Lotus leaf extract inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 37.9%, which was 1.3 times stronger than inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL in vitro. Oral administration of lotus leaf extract significantly decreased the area under the glucose response curve by 35.1% compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Chronic feeding of lotus leaf extract significantly lowered plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared with those in the control group. Lotus leaf extract significantly reduced plasma TG and total CHOL and elevated HDL-CHOL levels compared with those in the control group. Therefore, we conclude that lotus leaf is effective for controlling hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in an animal model of diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2008

Functional stay-green is a beneficial trait that may increase grain yield through the sustained photosynthetic competence during monocarpic senescence in cereal crops. The temporal changes of photosynthesis and related characteristics throughout the grain filling period of a stay-green japonica rice "SNU-SG1" was compared in growth chamber conditions with three high-yielding cultivars(HYVs) and their $F_1$ hybrids with SNU-SG1. SNU-SG1 exhibited a typical characteristic of functional stay-green in terms of chlorophyll degradation and photosynthetic competence during grain filling. According to the photosynthesis-light response curve measured at 10 and 35 d after heading for the flag leaf, SNU-SG1 exhibited higher initial light conversion efficiency and thus higher gross photosynthetic rate at light saturation compared to HYVs. Light saturation point was not different among genotypes, ranging from 1000 to 1500 ${\mu}mol$ photon $m^{-2}s^{-1}$. Net photosynthetic rate at light saturation($P_{max}$) of the upper four leaves in SNU-SG1 was much higher and sustained longer throughout grain-filling than HYVs and $F_1$ hybrids. The sustained high photosynthetic competence of SNU-SG1 during grain filling was ascribed to the longer maintenance of high mesophyll conductance that resulted from not only high chlorophyll content and its delayed degradation but also the slow degeneration of photosystem II(PS II) as judged by chlorophyll fluorescence($F_v/F_m$) of flag leaves. $F_1$ hybrids showed slow degeneration of photosystem II similar to the male parent SNU-SG1 while chlorophyll degradation pattern close to female parents, thus exhibiting a little higher $P_{max}$ than female parents. These results suggest that SNU-SG1 has a typical functional stay-green trait that can be utilized for increasing rice yield potential through the improved dry matter production during grain filling.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.979-985
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• 2001

A fluorometric detection technique for HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) was developed for application in a fiber-optic immunosensor using a protein A Langmuir-Blodgget (LB) film. For the fluorescence immunoassay, antibodies specific to HDL or LDL were imobilied on the protein A LB film, and a fluorescence amplification method was developed to overcome their weak fluorescence. The deposition of protein A using the LB technique was monitored using a surface pressure-are $({\pi}-A)$ curve, and the antibody immobilization of the protein A LB film was experimentally verified. The immobilized antibody was used to separate only HDL and LDL from a sample, then the fluorescence of he separated HDL or LDL was amplified. The amount of LDL or HDL was measured using the developed fiber optic fluorescence detection system. The optical properties resulting from the reaction of HDL or LDL with o-phtaldialdehyde, detection range, response time, and stability of the immunoassay were all investigated. The respective detection ranges for HDL and LDL were sufficient to diagnose the risk of coronary heart disease. The amplification step increased the sensitivity, while selective separation using the immobilized antibody led to linearity in the sensor signal. The regeneration of the antibody-immobilized substrate could produce a stable and reproducible immunosensor.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.475-483
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• 2018

Square tubular columns are commonly used in moment resisting frames, while through-diaphragm connection is the most typical configuration detail to connect the H-shaped beam to the column. However, brittle fracture normally occurs at the complete joint penetration weld between the beam flange and the through-diaphragm due to the stress concentration caused by the geometrical discontinuity. Accordingly, three improved types of through-diaphragm are presented in this paper to provide smooth force flow path comparing to that of conventional connections. Tensile tests were conducted on four specimens and the results were analyzed in terms of failure modes, load-displacement response, yield and ultimate capacity, and initial stiffness. Furthermore, strain distributions on the through-diaphragm, the beam flange plate, and the column face were comprehensively evaluated and discussed. It was found that all the proposed three types of improved through-diaphragm connections were able to reduce the stress concentration in the welds between the beam flange and the through-diaphragm. Furthermore, the stress distribution in connection with longer tapered through-diaphragm was more uniform.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to analyze clinical factors that can affect pregnancy rates in normal responders undergoing the freeze-all policy in in vitro fertilization. Methods: We evaluated 153 embryo transfer cycles in 89 infertile women with normal response to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). After COS, all embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage, and good quality blastocysts were vitrified for elective frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Clinical variables associated with COS and the results of COS and culture, including the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and frozen blastocysts were compared between the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group. Results: After a single cycle of COS for each patient, 52 patients became pregnant while 37 did not. Significant differences were observed in the number of matured oocytes, fertilized oocytes, frozen blastocysts, and transferred embryos. The number of frozen blastocysts in the pregnant group was almost twice that in the non-pregnant group (5.6±3.1 vs. 2.8±1.9, p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the 4 frozen blastocysts was 0.801 in the pregnant group. Conclusion: In the freeze-all policy, the number of matured oocytes, number of fertilized oocytes, and number of frozen blastocysts might be predictive factors for pregnancy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.30-38
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• 2006

A new calibration method for five-hole pressure probe is presented. This method provides accuracies better than those based on the traditional regression method. The calibration algorithm uses a single sector interpolation response surface calculated by comparing the regression curve fits with the actual calibration data. A five-hole pressure probe with hemispherical tip was fabricated and calibrated at Reynolds number of $4.11{\times}10^6$/m and flow angle of ${\pm}48$ degrees. Two data prediction models, the least-square regression and a single sector error interpolation, were evaluated. The comparison of these two calibration methods to a five-hole probe is described and discussed. An evaluation of the calibration accuracy is also given.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7421-7426
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• 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. FOLFOX is the most common regimen used in the first-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer, but only half of the patients respond to this regimen and we have almost no clue in predicting resistance in such first-line application. Methods: To explore the potential molecular biomarkers predicting the resistance of FOLFOX regimen as the first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer, we screened microRNAs in serum samples from drug-responsive and drug-resistant patients by microarrays. Then differential microRNA expression was further validated in an independent population by reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: 62 microRNAs expressing differentially with fold-change >2 were screened out by microarray analysis. Among them, 5 (miR-221, miR-222, miR-122, miR-19a, miR-144) were chosen for further validation in an independent population (N=72). Our results indicated serum miR-19a to be significantly up-regulated in resistance-phase serum (p=0.009). The ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of serum miR-19a to discriminate the resistant patients from the response ones was 66.7%, and the specificity was 63.9% when the AUC was 0.679. We additionally observed serum miR-19a had a complementary value for cancer embryonic antigen (CEA). Stratified analysis further revealed that serum miR-19a predicted both intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed aberrant expression of serum miR-19a in FOLFOX chemotherapy resistance patients, suggesting serum miR-19a could be a potential molecular biomarker for predicting and monitoring resistance to first-line FOLFOX chemotherapy regimens in advanced colorectal cancer patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2011

Background: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent that interacts selectively with the voltage-sensitive-$Ca^{2+}$-channel alpha-2-delta subunit. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the analgesic action of intrathecal (IT) pregabalin is associated with KATP channels in the rat formalin test. Methods: IT PE-10 catheters were implanted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (250.300 g) under inhalation anesthesia using enflurane. Nociceptive behavior was defined as the number of hind paw flinches during 60 min after formalin injection. Ten min before formalin injection, IT drug treatments were divided into 3 groups: normal saline (NS) $20\;{\mu}l$ (CON group); pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $10\;{\mu}l$ (PGB group); glibenclamide $100\;{\mu}g$ in DMSO $5\;{\mu}l$ with pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $5\;{\mu}l$ (GBC group). All the drugs were flushed with NS $10\;{\mu}l$. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel was done with a different set of rats divided into naive, NS and PGB groups. Results: IT pregabalin dose-dependently decreased the flinching number only in phase 2 of formalin test. The log dose response curve of the GBC group shifted to the right with respect to that of the PGB group. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel expression on the spinal cord dorsal horn showed no difference among the groups 1 hr after the formalin test. Conclusions: The antinociceptive effect of pregabalin in the rat formalin test was associated with the activation of the $K_{ATP}$ channel. However, pregabalin did not induce $K_{ATP}$ channel expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 1982

Yeum et al. formulated a new hot-plate method using the threshold temperature, and there are some controversies on the effects of naloxone and diazepam on the antinociceptive action. In this paper, the comparison of three methods registering analgesic activity and the application of the new hot-plate method formulated by Yeum et al. on the study of the influences of naloxone and diazepam on the analgesic effect of morphine were tried in male mice. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) The least-square regression lines of the morphine analgesia plotted against log-dose showed the correlation coefficient of above 0.90, but the competitive antagonism produced by naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) against the analgesia was more prominently demonstated by the new hot-plate method than the other methods: original hot-plate method and electrical stimulation method. 2) In the experiment using the new hot-plate method, the log dose-response curve of morphine (y=7.30 x+49.80, r=0.998) was shifted to the right by the pretreatment of naloxone (0.1 mg/kg), but was slightly shifted to the left by the pretreatment of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg). This study suggests that for the analgesia experiment, the new hot-plate method is superior to the original hot-plate method or the electrical stimulation method, and that the potentiative effect of diazepam on the morphine anagesia is not significant.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.393-399
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• 2013

Asian populations are thought to receive significant health benefits from traditional diets rich in soybeans due to high isoflavone contents. However, available epidemiologic data only weakly support this hypothesis. The present study was carried out to assess the pharmacokinetics of isoflavones in South Korean women after ingestion of soy-based foods. Twenty-six healthy female volunteers (20-30 y old) consumed three different soy products (i.e., isogen, soymilk, and fermented soybeans) with different aglycone/glucoside ratios. Plasma and urine isoflavone concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after ingestion of one of the soy products. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using the WinNonlin program. The area under the curve (AUC) for plasma daidzein levels of the soymilk group ($2,101{\pm}352ng{\cdot}h/mL$) was significantly smaller than those of the isogen ($2,628{\pm}573ng{\cdot}h/mL$) and fermented soybean ($2,593{\pm}465ng{\cdot}h/mL$) groups. The maximum plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) of daidzein for the soymilk group ($231{\pm}44$ ng/mL) was significantly higher than those of the isogen ($160{\pm}32$ ng/mL) and fermented soybean ($195{\pm}35$ ng/mL) groups. The half-lives of daidzein and genistein in the soymilk group (5.9 and 5.6 h, respectively) were significantly shorter than those in the individuals given isogen (9.6 and 8.5 h, respectively) or fermented soybean (9.5 and 8.2 h, respectively). The urinary recovery rates of daidzein and genistein were 42% and 17% for the isogen group, 46% and 23% for the fermented soybean group, and 33% and 22% for the soymilk group. In conclusion, our data indicated that soy products containing high levels of isoflavone aglycone are more effective for maintaining plasma isoflavone concentrations. Additional dose-response, durational, and interventional studies are required to evaluate the ability of soy-based foods to increase the bioavailability of isoflavones that positively affect human health.