• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cocoa consumption is associated with health benefits due to its high content of polyphenols. However, the effects of short-term cocoa consumption remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects generated by cocoa consumption (for 7 days) in young adults in normoweight and class II obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Before-and-after study was carried out in normoweight (NW) (n = 15) and class II obesity (CIIO) (n = 15) young adults. The NW and CIIO participants consumed 25 and 39 g of cocoa, respectively, per day for 7 days. The effect of cocoa consumption was evaluated on the lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), and inflammation. Oxidative damage was also examined by assessing the biomarkers of oxidative damage in plasma. In addition, recombinant human insulin was incubated with blood obtained from the participants, and the molecular damage to the hormone was analyzed. RESULTS: Cocoa consumption resulted in decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in both groups (P = 0.04), while the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were maintained at the recommended levels. Initially, IR was detected in the CIIO group (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] = 4.78 ± 0.4), which is associated with molecular damage to insulin. Interestingly, intervention with cocoa resulted in improved IR (HOMA = 3.14 ± 0.31) (P = 0.0018) as well as molecular damage to insulin. Finally, cocoa consumption significant decreased the arginase activity (P = 0.0249) in the CIIO group; this is a critical enzymatic activity in the inflammatory process associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term consumption of cocoa improves the lipid profile, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and protects against oxidative damage. Results of this study indicate that cocoa consumption can potentially improve IR and restore a healthy redox status.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2000

Recently, there is a worldwide concern that a great number of man-made chemicals have a hormone-like action both in humans and in animals. DECD is developing screening programs using validated test systems to determine whether certain substances may have an effect in humans. In the present study. the establishment oj repeated-dose toxicity test method was tried. Flutamide. an anti-androgenic agent. was administered by gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days at dose levels of 0. 0.5. 3 and 18 mg/kg body weight (10-15 rats/sex/group) to examine the effects on general findings. especially reproductive and endocrine parameters. Clinical signs. body weights, food consumption, and sexual cycle were checked and measured. For the gross and microscopic examinations. 10 rats/sex/group were sacrificed at the end of dosing period and the remaining animals of control and high dose groups (5 each) were sacrificed after 14 days recovery. Examinations for hematology and clinical chemistry were carried out at necropsy. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs. body weights, food consumption. gross necropsy. hematology and clinical chemistry at all doses of both sexes. The period and regularity of sexual cycle were not adversely affected at all doses by the test agent. At 18 mg/kg. both decreased weights of prostate, seminal vesicle and epididymis in males and increased weights of spleen and thymus in females were observed. In addition, decreased number of spermatids and sperms. increased serum testosterone concentration and increased incidence (100%) of interstitial cell hyperplasia were seen in males. At 18 mg/kg of the recovery group. decreased prostate weight. reduced sperm count and increased incidence (20%) of interstitial cell hyperplasia in males and increased thymus weight in females were observed. At 3 mg/kg. reduced sperm count was found. There were no adverse effects on parameters examined at 0.5 mg/kg of both sexes. The results suggested that the potential target organs of flutamide may be accessory sexual glands including testes for males and spleen and thymus for females. Taken together. this test method was found to be a useful screening test system for endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.981-986
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• 2015

As the seriousness of global environment pollution is gaining increasing public attention, research into greenhouse gas emissions of ships is being carried out globally. At a domestic level, however, in a number of significant fields such research has not been conducted to date. This study examined countermeasures for the reduction of $CO_2$ emission in the fields of electronic control engines, trim optimization, propeller polishing, hull cleaning, and anti-fouling paint using an actual sea-going vessel. Selected countermeasures were applied during sea trials of the ship and the effect of specific fuel oil consumption analyzed. It was found that each countermeasure resulted in a decrease of fuel consumption of 1~5%. The energy efficiency operational indicator (EEOI) was calculated and found to also be improved by 1~5%. Further research into the EEOI of domestic shipping is planned to enhance conformance with international environmental regulations and improve global competitiveness.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.271-282
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to research the behavior of consumption and needs about the female university students to provide useful information which would help finding the marketing source of cosmeceuticals. The sample was consisted of 464 female university students who had experiences of using the cosmeceuticals. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, frequency, x2-test, t-test, ANOVA(LSD) using SPSSWIN. The results were as follows: When the female university students purchased the cosmeceuticals, they considered the effectiveness and the price, so were satisfied with good effect and low price. The most important marketing methods in cosmeceuticals for female university students were through the internet and mail order shopping. Whereas, demerit factors of internet shopping were founded to be the complexity of exchange or refund and the little chance of free samples for trial. The good marketing strategies might be sending trial samples, future payment system after trial period, and/or supporting the event held in the university. Besides, it might be a consideration to have an event for the improvement by public trial. Anti-aging cosmeceutical was the most preferred item for female students, sun protection and whitening cosmetics next in order. Therefore, a target customer for cosmeceuticals might be lowered in age. The purchasing cost system and therapeutic effect of cosmeceuticals had to be developed for 20's. It was necessary to be safe and effective. The factors affecting the level of satisfaction for cosmeceuticals could be categorized into 4; market environment, simplicity of purchase, product merit and additional service. The needs for cosmeceuticals showed significant differences according to grade and kinds of product.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.93-105
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• 2010

Objective : Recently the number of health functional food (HFF) made with Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) herbs have been increasing. However, there was a lack of the functional and safety information on HFF. Thus, this study was performed to investigate perceptions and consumptions of the HFF in Daegu area. Method : We used the data of 'Survey in Daegu' in 2010 and analyzed characteristics of perceptions and intake conditions of HFF of 1,208 participated inhabitants. Result : Among the 1,208 respondents, 30.4% were male and 63.5% were female. Most respondents (69.3%) were between 30's and 50's decade. The recognition rate of HFF made with TKM herb appeared to 86.2%. The major route of acquiring HFF information was 'mass-media' (49.8%) ; the primary reason of using HFF was 'For health promotion and anti-aging' (69.2%). On the other hand, the recognition rate of adverse effects was 53.3%. As for intake effect, 41.5% were satisfied at HFF consumption, while 56.0% did not feel special effects through the HFF consumption. In regards to purchase place, 'HFF store' was most selected by 38.0%. 69.1% of respondents selected to TKM decoction, the reason is that it made according to TKM physician's diagnosis considered their health condition. Conclusion : HFF intake was purpose to health promotion, but HFF made with TKM was consumed without any information about that. In order that HFF be used properly to promote health, the scientific and reasonable information of HFF made with TKM herb is need for consumers.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.160-170
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• 2015

In accordance to the increasing number of death due to cancer and side effects of chemotherapy, attention has recently focused on combined treatment of natural component and anti-tumor agent. Therefore development of safe and effective functional substances derived from natural materials is required. The emergence of various functional activities of Rubus coreanus Miquel, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc. is continuously increasing its consumption. To utilize the above activities, many products developed by using Rubus coreanus Miquel extracts in the areas of foods, liquors, and cosmetics and medicines. In this review, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activity and patents of Rubus coreanus Miquel are summarized. Further studies are needed to search for development of functional material from natural origin and various application possibility using stem, leaf and fruit of Rubus coreanus Miquel.

• Journal of Convergence Society for SMB
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.25-30
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• 2016

This paper presents on the development of a compact anti-lost device requested recently. The proposed device consists of the master and slave modules based on Bluetooth4.1 technology. To implement a low-power characteristic, an algorithm has been also developed. The transmitting and receiving circuits are designed by using BoT CLE110 module supporting Bluetooth 4.1. The ATmega 328P-AU was used for the control and LP3874EMP was used as a linear regulator. Power consumption of the fabricated product in operating mode is only 10mAh and 35mAh for MCU operating state. Alarm operation distance is $10m{\pm}30%$, the effective radiated power is less than 10mW, the frequency band is designed to operate in the Bluetooth band with 26MHz bandwidth. And algorithms have been developed to extend the battery life. The size of the product was obtained as $45{\times}45{\times}15mm$ for master and $35{\times}35{\times}10mm$ fr slave. After the optimization process, it is expected to be commercialized as a wristwatch for anti-lost device.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

We are aim to evaluate antimicrobial effects of the extract of Galla rhois (GR) on the health status and performance of growing and finishing pigs. This study was conducted on the growing and finishing pigs (n = 200) for 130 days in a swine husbandry. The animals were divided with two groups; GR treated group (n = 100) and commercial diet feeding group (n = 100). GR treated animals had provided with commercial diet adding the extract of GR as 0.2%. During the study period, we compared clinical signs, weight increase rate, diet consumption amount, fecal scores, gross findings, necropsy findings, histopathological findings between the treated group and non treated group. After necropsy, bacteria isolation and PCR analysis were conducted with the clinical samples. As the results of this long-term clinical trial, GR showed the antimicrobial effects on respiratory disease and diarrhea. We were identified that GR had the anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5953-5956
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• 2013

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common cancer in Northeast Thailand. It is also a crucial health problem for Thai people. Various risk factors for CCA have been identified in the upper part of Northeast Thailand, but no similar studies of risk factors have been conducted in the lower parts of the region. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with CCA in the resident population. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2009-2012 with the recruitment of 123 CCA cases and 123 non-CCA patient controls, matched for sex, age and residential area. Information was collected by interview with a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for assays of anti-OV antibodies. Associations between various personal factors, dietary habits, family history, the presence of anti-OV antibodies and CCA were analyzed using multiple conditional logistic regression. Results: Patients who consumed raw meat (beef, pork) and alcoholic beverages ${\geq}3$ times per week had a higher risk of CCA than non-consumers ($OR_{adj}$=4.33; 95%CI=1.14-16.35 and $OR_{adj}$=2.13; 95%CI=1.00-4.55, respectively). Patients who had a family history of cancer had a higher risk than those who did not ($OR_{adj}$=4.34; 95%CI=1.80-10.43). Also, patients who had anti-OV antibodies (AU>23.337) had a higher risk than those whose anti-OV antibodies were below the cut-off ($AU{\leq}23.34$) ($OR_{adj}$=3.09; 95%CI=1.04-9.16). Conclusions: As is the case in the upper part of Northeast Thailand, OV infection is a crucial risk factor for CCA in people who live in lower part of the region. Similarly, a family history of cancer and the consumption of alcohol are risk factors for CCA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.377-385
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abundant consumption of seaweeds in the diet is epidemiologically linked to the reduction in risk of developing cancer. In larger cases, however, identification of particular seaweeds that are accountable for these effects is still lacking, hindering the recognition of competent dietary-based chemo preventive approaches. The aim of this research was to establish the antiproliferative potency and angiosuppressive mode of action of Stoechospermum marginatum seaweed methanolic extract using various experimental models. MATERIALS/METHODS: Among the 15 seaweeds screened for antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cell line, Stoechospermum marginatum extract (SME) was found to be the most promising. Therefore, it was further investigated for its anti-proliferative activity in-vitro against choriocarcinoma (BeWo) and non-transformed Human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, and for its anti-migratory/tube formation activity against HUVEC cells in-vitro. Subsequently, the angiosuppressive activity of S. marginatum was established by inhibition of angiogenesis in in-vivo (peritoneal angiogenesis and chorioallantoic membrane assay) and ex-vivo (rat cornea assay) models. RESULTS: Most brown seaweed extracts inhibited the proliferation of EAT cells, while green and red seaweed extracts were much less effective. According to the results, SME selectively inhibited proliferation of BeWo cells in-vitro in a dose-dependent manner, but had a lesser effect on HEK 293 cells. SME also suppressed the migration and tube formation of HUVEC cells in-vitro. In addition, SME was able to suppress VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the chorio allantoic membrane, rat cornea, and tumor induced angiogenesis in the peritoneum of EAT bearing mice. A decrease in the microvessel density count and CD31 antigen staining of treated mice peritoneum provided further evidence of its angiosuppressive activity. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data underline that VEGF mediated angiogenesis is the target for the angiosuppressive action of SME and could potentially be useful in cancer prevention or treatment involving stimulated angiogenesis.