• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.141-150
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• 2015

The present study was undertaken to evaluate effects of eco-friendly underwears(three kinds of natural dying underwears) in patients with atopic dermatitis. We recruited 45 patients with atopic dermatitis admitted to Dongshin Oriental Hospital from August to September 2013. These patients were divided into three groups (A, B and C). Each group include 15 patients and three kinds of natural underwears dyed with polygonum tinctorium, loess, and non-dyed general cotton were given, respectively. We also used SCORAD index and digital infrared thermal imaging to investigate the effects of each eco-friendly underwear in patients with atopic dermatitis. In SCORAD index, Group A after wearing loess-dyed underwears for 4 weeks showed statistically significant reduction to 27.96 (P<0.05) compared to 34.20 before wearing loess-dyed underwears. In Group B after wearing polygonum tinctorium-dyed underwears for 4 weeks, SCORAD index and objective severity assessment were markedly reduced into 22.97 (P<0.01) and 18.17 (P<0.01) compared to 35.95 and 27.89 before wearing polygonum tinctorium.-dyed underwears, respectively. In Group C after wearing general cotton (non-dyed) underwears for 4 weeks, there was statistically no difference in SCORAD index, objective severity assessment and body temperature between before and after wearing general cotton (non-dyed) underwears. Taken together, polygonum tinctorium-dyed underwears used to patients with atopic dermatitis shows significant amelioration in atopic symptoms than loess-dyed underwears as well as general cotton (non-dyed) underwears.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.728-732
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• 2006

In this study, the effects of corn peptide consumption on plasma lipid profiles were investigated in high cholesterol diet-fed rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 21) were fed with corn peptide-free (control) diet, diets containing 2% or 5% com peptide for 5 weeks. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by adding l% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid to all diets. No difference was found in food intake and body weight gain among groups. The corn peptide treated groups showed significant improvement in the plasma level of HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) compared to the control group, while the plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were not affected.5oio corn peptide supplemented diet reduced plasma level of triglycerides (p<0.05) The atherogenic index was decreased in the corn peptide treated groups. These results suggest that consumption of corn peptide may lead to an amelioration of metabolic syndrome as well as a reduction of cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia through increasing the level of HDL-cholesterol, and decreasing the level of triglycerides in plasma.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2008

OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats are characterized by obesity-related insulin resistance, which is a phenotype of type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylurea drugs or benzoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of the ATP-sensitive potassium $(K_{ATP})$ channel are commercially available to treat diabetes. The present study compared sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) with one of benzoic acid derivatives (repaglinide) in regard to their long-term effect on ameliorating insulin sensitivity in OLETF rats. Each drug was dissolved and fed with drinking water from 29 weeks of age. On high glucose loading at 45 weeks of age, response of blood glucose recovery was the greatest in the group treated with glimepiride. On immunohistochemistry analysis for the Kir6.2 subunit of $K_{ATP}$ channels, insulin receptor ${\beta}$-subunits, and glucose transporters (GLUT) type 2 and 4 in liver, fat and skeletal muscle tissues, the sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) were more effective than repaglinide in recovery from their decreased expressions in OLETF rats. From these results, it seems to be plausible that $K_{ATP}$-channel inhibitors containing sulfonylurea moiety may be much more effective in reducing insulin resistance than those with benzoic acid moiety. In contrast to gliclazide, non-tissue selectivity of glimepiride on $K_{ATP}$ channel inhibition may further strengthen an amelioration of insulin sensitivity unless considering other side effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.175-186
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• 2021

Purpose - This study intended to identify the effects of varied institutional systems and policies that regulate or define operations of enterprises upon the profitability of private enterprises through case analysis. Design/methodology/approach - The systems and differences in the institution and commodity distribution in Korea and Japan, which define the operation of the "Garak Wholesale Market" and "Ota Wholesale Market". We were examined in the presentthis study, and the statistical data pertinent to the trade volume and profitability of wholesale market corporations that substantially run both markets, were analyzed. Findings - The competition among the corporations that run the "Garak Wholesale Market" substantially is limited due to regulations over the mode of transaction and monopoly of trust thereby significantly higher level of profitability and safety are guaranteed. However, the institutional autonomy that enabled each distributor in the "Ota Wholesale Market" to compete with each other freely caused the distributors therein face difficulties in securing stable profits due to the relatively poor level of profitability resulted from the autonomy. Research implications or Originality - It seems the autonomy in commercial transaction in the "Garak Wholesale Market" in Korea needs to be secured to promote the competition of distributors therein through an amelioration of institutional systems and amendment of relevant laws that prescribe current management of various distributors/operators in the market.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the muscle-improving and therapeutic effects of Boehmeria platanifolia (BP) in a mouse model of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Methods : Muscle atrophy was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone for 12 days. BP extract was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 19 days, starting 7 days before the intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone. Mice were weighed during the experimental period, and muscle strength and muscle weight were measured at the end of the experiment. The gastrocnemius (GASTROC) muscles of mice were isolated and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle fibers was measured after H&E staining. Results : Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice had a decrease in body weight compared to normal mice, and BP-administrated mice did not show significant change in body weight compared with a control group. Muscle strength in mice with induced muscle atrophy was reduced compared to normal and significantly increased with BP administration and positive control. In addition, the weight of the quadriceps (QUAD) muscle and fiber size of the GASTROC muscle, which was reduced in sarcopenia-induced mice, was increased by BP. Conclusion : BP extract increased muscle strength, muscle weight, and muscle fiber size in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice. This suggests that the efficacy of BP extracts in improving muscle strength and preventing and treating sarcopenia may be beneficial for the development of potential therapeutic or functional products.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2023

Objective: Human exposure to multiple xenobiotics, over various developmental windows, results in adverse health effects arising from these concomitant exposures. Humans are widely exposed to bisphenol A, and acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter drug worldwide. Bisphenol A is a well-recognized male reproductive toxicant, and increasing evidence suggests that acetaminophen is also detrimental to the male reproductive system. The recent recognition of male reproductive system dysfunction in conditions of suboptimal reproductive outcomes makes it crucial to investigate the contributions of toxicant exposures to infertility and sub-fertility. We aimed to identify toxicity in the male reproductive system at the mitochondrial level in response to co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and we investigated whether melatonin ameliorated this toxicity. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=10 each): a control group and groups that received melatonin, bisphenol A, acetaminophen, bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and bisphenol A and acetaminophen with melatonin treatment. Results: Significantly higher lipid peroxidation was observed in the testicular mitochondria and sperm in the treatment groups than in the control group. Levels of glutathione and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and manganese superoxide dismutase decreased significantly in response to the toxicant treatments. Likewise, the toxicant treatments significantly decreased the sperm count and motility, while significantly increasing sperm mortality. Melatonin mitigated the adverse effects of bisphenol A and acetaminophen. Conclusion: Co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen elevated oxidative stress in the testicular mitochondria, and this effect was alleviated by melatonin.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.466-475
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• 2017

Dietary supplements have exhibited myriads of positive health effects on human health conditions and with the advent of new technological advances, including in the fields of proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics, biological and pharmacological activities of dietary supplements are being evaluated for their ameliorative effects in human ailments. Recent interests in understanding and discovering the molecular targets of phytochemical-gene-protein-metabolite dynamics resulted in discovery of a few protein signature candidates that could potentially be used to assess the effects of dietary supplements on human health. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is a folk medicine, commonly used as dietary supplement in China, Japan, and South Korea, owing to its different beneficial health effects including anti-diabetic implications. However, neither mechanism of action nor molecular biomarkers have been discovered that could either validate or be used to evaluate effects of persimmon on human health. In present study, Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic studies were accomplished to discover proteomic molecular signatures that could be used to understand therapeutic potentials of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) in diabetes amelioration. Saliva, serum, and urine samples were analyzed and we propose that salivary proteins can be used for evaluating treatment effectiveness and in improving patient compliance. The present discovery proteomics study demonstrates that salivary proteomic profile changes were found as a result of PLE treatment in prediabetic subjects that could specifically be used as potential protein signature candidates.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major chronic disease which increases global health problems. Diabetes-induced renal damage is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Alpha (AT) and gamma-tocopherols (GT) have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in inflammation-mediated injuries. The primary aim of this study was to investigate effects of AT and GT supplementations on hyperglycemia induced acute kidney inflammation in alloxan induced diabetic mice with different levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). MATERIALS/METHODS: Diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, i.p) in ICR mice (5.5-week-old, male) and mice were subdivided according to their FBG levels and treated with different diets for 2 weeks; CON: non-diabetic mice, m-DMC: diabetic control mice with mild FBG levels (250 mg/dl ${\leq}$ FBG ${\leq}$ 450 mg/dl), m-AT: m-DM mice fed AT supplementation (35 mg/kg diet), m-GT: m-DM mice with GT supplementation (35 mg/kg diet), s-DMC: diabetic control mice with severe FBG levels (450 mg/dl < FBG), s-AT: s-DM mice with AT supplementation, s-GT: s-DM mice with GT supplementation. RESULTS: Both AT and GT supplementations showed similar beneficial effects on $NF{\kappa}B$ associated inflammatory response (phosphorylated inhibitory kappa B-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemotactic protein-1) and pre-fibrosis (tumor growth factor ${\beta}$-1 and protein kinase C-II) as well as an antioxidant emzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in diabetic mice. On the other hands, AT and GT showed different beneficial effects on kidney weight, FBG, and oxidative stress associated makers (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) except HO-1. In particular, GT significantly preserved kidney weight in m-DM and improved FBG levels in s-DM and malondialdehyde and catalase in m- and s-DM, while AT significantly attenuated FBG levels in m-DM and improved glutathione peroxidase in m- and s-DM. CONCLUSIONS: the results suggest that AT and GT with similarities and differences would be considered as beneficial nutrients to modulate hyperglycemia induced acute renal inflammation. Further research with careful approach is needed to confirm beneficial effects of tocopherols in diabetes with different FBG levels for clinical applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.81-99
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• 2000

The shelterbelts are very important to conserve and protect the sandy land, vegetation coverage, farmland, livestock and human life in the desertified land. The shelterbelts are constructed by the several row-plantings of high-adaptable species in the desertified land. The shelterbelts have various kind of type, and there are shelterbelts for conservation of farmland in dry the region, the protective shelterbelts (windbreaks for blowing-sand, artificial sanddune fixation by revegetation, and construction of farmland shelterbelts to protect farmland and pasture from wind erosion, etc.) in the semi-dry steppe, shelterbelts around the villages and oasis for sanddune fixation, shelterbelts for protection of railroads, and so on. The shelterbelts consist of main she1terbelts and minor shelterbelts. The main shelterbelts were constructed by being perpendicular to main wind direction, and the minor shelterbelts were constructed by being perpendicular to the main shelterbelts. Generally, the width of shelterbelts is 8~20m, and the number of row-planting is 4~10. The grid sizes of shelterbelts networks are $400{\times}400m$, $300{\times}500m$, $100{\times}200m$, and so on, and there are ventilation type and closing type in the type of shelterbelt. The width, number of row-planting, grid size and type of shelterbelt are selected by the local characteristics. The effects of shelterbelts are mainly the climate improvement and mitigation, such as prevention of occurrence of strong wind, cold wind and blowing-sand. And, the other effects of shelterbelts are effect of reforestation, increase of agricultural productions, establishment of greenbelts and green forests, construction of landscape-eco shelterbelts, improvement of life environment of local villages, supply of fuel wood and agricultural wood, land amelioration, effect of revegetation and restoration of desertified land, and so on. The kinds of the tree species mainly used for the construction of shelterbelts have differences between regions, but main species are Populus euphratica, Populus simonii, Populus bolleana, Populus tomentosa, Salix flavida, Salix mongolica, Tamarix chinensis, Hedysarum scoparium, and so on.