• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of persimmon-dyed clothing materials upon thermophysiological responses and subjective comfort sensations during exercise and rest in a warm environment. Six healthy, untrained women participated in two separate testing sessions, with cotton materials dyed with astringent persimmon extract (DC) and undyed cotton materials (UDC). The physical characteristics associated with heat and moisture transfer were improved in DC; also, stiffness, anti-drapery stiffness and crispness in the primary hand values were higher in DC. The experimental protocol consisted of a 10-min rest, 15-min exercise on a treadmill (at ${7km{\cdot}h^{-1}}$) and 25-min recovery at $28{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$ and $50{\pm}3%\;RH$. The results were as follows: When wearing DC rather than UDC, mean body temperature, heart rate, heat storage and body mass loss were significantly lower during the whole experimental period. Clothing microclimate temperature showed different profiles between the two clothing materials, being lower with DC than UDC during the first half of exercise and the second half of recovery. Clothing microclimate humidity was significantly lower with DC than UDC during the whole experimental period. When wearing UDC, subjects felt significantly warmer and less comfortable during exercise, and sensed greater humidity during exercise and recovery. These results suggest that eco-friendly clothing materials dyed with astringent persimmon extract can reduce exercise-induced heat load and improve subjective sensations when exercising and resting in a warm environment, due to greater heat dissipation from the body to the outside environment compared with undyed clothing materials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2011

To characterize the polysaccharides which exist as soluble forms in Korean traditional alcoholic beverages, the polysaccharides were isolated from Korean pear wine and their anti-complementary activities were examined. The main polysaccharide, PW-1 was purified to homogeneity from the crude polysaccharide (PW-0) in pear wine by size exclusion chromatography using Sephadex G-75. Molecular mass of PW-1 was estimated to be 150 kDa and it contained significant proportion of mannose (81.8%) and 5 different minor component sugars such as arabinose (1.2%), galactose (2.7%), glucose (8.5%), galacturonic acid (5.3%) and glucuronic acid (0.5%). These analyses indicated that the main polysaccharide in pear wine was mainly present as a mannan which had originated from the cell walls of fermenting yeasts. On the other hand, PW-1 showed potent anti-complementary activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Identification of C3 activation products by the crossed immunoelectrophoresis using anti-human C3 and anti-complementary activity of PW-1 in $Ca^{++}$-free condition suggested complement activations by PW-1 from Korean pear wine occur via both classical and alternative pathways.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2004

Background: Human seminal plasma (HSP)-induced hypersensitivity is one of the serious complications with sexual intercourse. The clinical manifestations of HSP-induced hypersensitivity may be related to the release of vasoactive mediators from mast cell induced by HSP. It has recently been reported that HSP modulates immune systems and induces mast cell degranulation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). Ketotifen and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic drugs, have a role of mast cell stabilization and inhibit mast cell-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. But the inhibitory agents of HSP-induced mast cell activation are unknown. This study was performed to investigate the effects of DSCG and ketotifen on the HSP-induced mast cell activation. Methods: For this, influences of DSCG and ketotifen on the human seminal plasma-induced degranulation, histamine release and morphological changes of RPMC were observed. Results: The mast cell degranulation and histamine release of RPMC by HSP were induced in a dose-dependent fashion. The HSP-induced cytomorphological changes such as swelling, intracellular vacoules, and interrupted cell boundary were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with DSCG or ketotifen. DSCG and Ketotifen inhibited the HSP-induced degranulation and histamine release from RPMC. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that DSCG and ketotifen have a inhibitory effect of the HSP-induced mast cell activation. DSCG and ketotifen may be used for treatment of HSP-induced hypersensitivity.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2009

In helioseismology it is normally assumed that p-mode oscillations are excited in a statistically independent fashion. Unfortunately, however, this issue is not clearly settled down in that two experiments exist, which apparently look in discrepancy. That is, Appourchaux et al. (2000) looked at bin-to-bin correlation and found no evidence that the assumption is invalid. On the other hand, Roth (2001) reported that p-mode pairs with nearby frequencies tend to be anti-correlated, possibly by a mode-coupling effect. This work is motivated by an idea that one may test if there exists an excess of anticorrelated power variations of pairs of solar p-modes. We have analyzed a 72-day MDI spherical-harmonic time series to examine temporal variations of p-mode power and their correlation. The power variation is computed by a running-window method after the previous study by Roth (2001), and then distribution function of power correlation between mode pairs is produced. We have confirmed Roth's result that there is an excess of anti-correlated p-mode pairs with nearby frequencies. On the other hand, the amount of excess was somewhat smaller than the previous study. Moreover, the distribution function does not exhibit significant change when we paired modes with non-nearby frequencies, implying that the excess is not due to mode coupling. We conclude that the origin of this excess of anticorrelations may not be a solar physical process, by pointing out the possibility of statistical bias playing the central role in producing the excess.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.815-822
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• 2012

Piceatannol (trans-3,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene), a natural stilbene, is an analogue of resveratrol. Although recent experimental data have revealed the health benefit potency of piceatannol, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, the further possible mechanisms by which piceatannol exerts its pro-apoptotic action in cultured human lung cancer A549 cells were investigated. Exposure of A549 cells to piceatannol resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis induction of A549 cells by piceatannol showed correlation with proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and concomitant degradation of activated caspase-3 target proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, phospholipase C-${\gamma}1$, ${\beta}$-catenin, and Inhibitor caspase-activated DNase. The increase in apoptosis by piceatannol treatment was also associated with an increase of pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, and caused down-regulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family members and up-regulation of Fas and Fas legend. In addition, piceatannol treatment markedly inhibited the expression of mRNA and proteins of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and the levels of NO production were progressively down-regulated by piceatannol treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. The results indicate that piceatannol may have therapeutic potential against human gastric cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1465-1470
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• 2014

Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1) plays an important role in genesis and metastatic progression of prostate cancer. We previously reported that down regulation of Id1 by small interfering RNA could inhibit the proliferation of PC3 cells and growth of its xenografted tumors. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, has shown anti-cancer properties via modulation of a number of different molecular regulators. Here we investigated whether Id1 might be involved in the anti-cancer effects of curcumin in vivo and in vitro. We firstly confirmed that curcumin inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion, and induced apoptosis in PC3 cells, associated with significant decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of Id1. Similar effects of curcumin were observed in tumors of the PC3 xenografted mouse model with introperitoneal injection of curcumin once a day for one month. Tumor growth in mice was obviously suppressed by curcumin during the period of 24 to 30 days. Both mRNA and protein levels of Id1 were significantly down-regulated in xenografted tumors. Our findings point to a novel molecular pathway for curcumin anti-cancer effects. Curcumin may be used as an Id1 inhibitor to modulate Id1 expression.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.39 no.2 s.120
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• pp.68-77
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• 2007

It is necessary to recognize philosophical and scientific depth, contained in traditional culture in a correct fashion, in order to succeed and develop our excellent traditional culture. Some studies on storage, circulation, and package design of traditional food will multiple the added value of traditional culture. So this research was carried out for making packing cases of kinds of Korean dried confectionery using Hanji by traditional manufacturing method, Hanji textile, charcoal Hanji and jade Hanji, and for developing environmental-friendly Korean dried confectionery package as more luxurious packaging papers by putting an exterior design on the surface. The results measured physical properties, air permeability and anti-mold activity of Hanji, and designing Korean dried confectionery are as follows. The physical properties and air permeability used to manufacture Korean dried confectionery package, turned out to be no affection to the food packaging Hanji. In order to avoid the monotonousness of Korean dried confectionery package, it was designed with Hanji textile together with elegant traditional pattern. It is estimated to increase the value of Korean dried food and to make the anti-mold activity of Hanji added charcoal and jade effective. In conclusion, by developing individual properties of traditional food and proper packaging paper as well as packaging design according to circulating situation, it is considered that the taste and the fancy can be maximized. After all, by applying excellent traits contained in our race's culture, it is possible to develop the package cases into competitive ones. And it would be able to increase utilization of Hanji. Namely, production of high quality traditional food package with Hanji is expected for new valuable industry of Hanji.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2008

Piceatannol is a polyphenol that is found in abundant quantities in grapes and wine. Although recent experimental data revealed the anti-cancer potency of piceatannol, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antileukemic activity have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, we investigated further possible mechanisms by which piceatannol exerts its anti-proliferative action in cultured human leukemia U937 cells. Exposure of U937 cells to piceatannol resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis as measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, which was associated with S phase arrest of the cell cycle. Piceatannol treatment markedly inhibited the activity of telomerase, and the levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and telomerase-associated protein-1 (TEP-1), main determinants of the telomerase enzymatic activity, were progressively down-regulated by piceatannol treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the levels of cyclooxygenases (COXs) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release were not changed in piceatannol-treated U937 cells. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of piceatannol.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.429-437
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of two thalidomide analogs as phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors in pregnant rat uterus. Uteri from Wistar female rats were isolated at 19 day of pregnancy. Uterine samples were used in functional studies to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the thalidomide analogs, methyl 3-(4-nitrophthalimido)-3-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4NO2PDPMe) and methyl 3-(4-aminophthalimido)- 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4APDPMe), on prostaglandin-$F2{\alpha}$ ($PGF2{\alpha}$)-induced phasic, $K^+$-induced tonic, and $Ca^{2+}$-induced contractions. Accumulation of cAMP was quantified in uterine homogenates by ELISA. Anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by using ELISA for determination of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and anti-inflammatory IL-10, from uterine explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nifedipine, forskolin and rolipram were used as positive controls where required. Both thalidomide analogs induced a significant inhibition of the uterine contractions induced by the pharmaco- and electro-mechanic stimuli. Nifedipine and forskolin were more potent than the analogs to inhibit the uterine contractility, but these were more potent than rolipram, and 4APDPMe was equieffective to nifedipine. Thalidomide analogs increased uterine cAMP-levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The LPS-induced $TNF{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ uterine secretion was diminished in a concentration-dependent fashion by both analogs, whereas IL-10 secretion was increased significantly. The thalidomide analogs induced utero-relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, which were associated with the increased cAMP levels as PDE-4 inhibitors in the pregnant rat uterus. Such properties place these thalidomide analogs as potentially safe and effective tocolytic agents in a field that urgently needs improved pharmacological treatments, as in cases of preterm labor.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2009

Aromatic (ar)-turmerone from turmeric oil displays anti-tumorigenesis activity that includes inhibited cell proliferation. This study investigated ar-turmerone-mediated apoptotic protein activation in human lymphoma U937 cells. Ar-turmerone treatment inhibited U937 cell viability in a concentration-dependent fashion, with inhibition exceeding 84%. Moreover, the treatment produced nucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the percentage of sub-diploid cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner; both are hallmarks of apoptosis. The apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone was associated with the induction of Bax and p53 proteins, rather than Bcl-2 and p21. Activation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and caspase-3 demonstrated that the activation of caspases accompanied the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone, which mediated cell death. These results suggest that the apoptotic effect of ar-turmerone on U937 cells may involve caspase-3 activation through the induction of Bax and p53, rather than Bcl-2 and p21.