• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2021

The chemical investigation of the 90% EtOH extract from Cicadidae Periostracum led to the isolation and identification of seven known N-acetyldopamine dimers (1-7). These compounds were identified by comparing mass spectrometry data and NMR spectroscopic data with those previously reported. In this study, complete interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR data of 1 and 2 were reported for the first time. In addition, compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from this material for the first time. All isolates were obtained as racemic mixtures, as confirmed by chiral HPLC. Furthermore, we evaluated the neuroprotective activities of compounds 1-7 and found that compounds 1, 5, and 6 significantly attenuated rotenone-induced death of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells at a concentration of 100 μM. Parallel to this result, compounds 3 and 6 displayed antioxidant effects in the cytoplasm, as determined by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence intensity, while compounds 1 and 5 showed antioxidant effects in the mitochondria, as assessed by MitoSox fluorescence intensity. Overall, these results suggest that some of these compounds protect neuroblastoma cells by ameliorating the release of reactive oxygen species. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which these compounds exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective actions.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.225-236
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• 2022

In this article, Multi-Gene Genetic Programming (MGGP) is proposed for the estimation of the compressive strength of concrete. MGGP is known to be a powerful algorithm able to find a relationship between certain input space features and a desired output vector. With respect to most conventional machine learning algorithms, which are often used as "black boxes" that do not provide a mathematical formulation of the output-input relationship, MGGP is able to identify a closed-form formula for the input-output relationship. In the study presented in this article, MGPP was used to predict the compressive strength of plain concrete, concrete with fly ash, and concrete with furnace slag. A formula was extracted for each mixture and the performance and the accuracy of the predictions were compared to the results of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) algorithms, which are conventional and well-established machine learning techniques. The results of the study showed that MGGP can achieve a desirable performance, as the coefficients of determination for plain concrete, concrete with ash, and concrete with slag from the testing phase were equal to 0.928, 0.906, 0.890, respectively. In addition, it was found that MGGP outperforms ELM in all cases and its' accuracy is slightly less than ANN's accuracy. However, MGGP models are practical and easy-to-use since they extract closed-form formulas that may be implemented and used for the prediction of compressive strength.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.517-522
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• 2013

The effect on methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by the addition of plant extracts (pine needles and ginkgo leaves) was studied with particular reference to their effectiveness for decreasing methane emission. The plant extracts (pine needles and ginkgo leaves) were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population including bacteria, ciliated-associated methanogen, four different groups of methanogens and Fibrobacter succinogenes were quantified by using the real-time PCR. Gas profiles including methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and runinal fermentation characteristics were observed in vitro. The methane emission from samples with an addition of individual juices from pine needles, ginkgo leaves and 70% ethanol extract from ginko leaves was significantly lower (p<0.05, 27.1, 28.1 and 28.1 vs 34.0 ml/g DM) than that of the control, respectively. Total VFAs in samples with an addition of any of the plant extracts were significantly lower than that of the control (p<0.05) as well. The order Methanococcales and the order Methanosarcinales were not detected by using PCR in any incubated mixtures. The ciliate-associated methanogens population decreased from 25% to 49% in the plant extacts as compared to control. We speculate that the supplementation of juice from pine needles and ginkgo leaves extract (70% ethanol extract) decreased the protozoa population resulting in a reduction of methane emission in the rumen and thus inhibiting methanogenesis. The order Methanobacteriales community was affected by addition of all plant extracts and decreased to less than the control, while the order Methanomicrobiales population showed an increase to more than that of the control. The F. succinogenes, the major fibrolytic microorganism, population in all added plant extracts was increased to greater than that of the control. In conclusion, pine needles and ginkgo leaves extracts appear to have properties that decrease methanogenesis by inhibiting protozoa species and may have a potential for use as additives for ruminants.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 1999

It was found that the level of alcohol concentration in both mouse and human sera can be significantly decreased up to 42% by oral administration of the mixtures of the extracts of Hovenia dulcis THUNB and Alnus japonica Steud. A single treatment of extract from Hovenia dulcis reduced the serum alcohol concentration to 32%, compared to 13% in treating the extract of Alnus japonica. Similar patterns were observed in enhancing alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glutathion-S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver. The inhibition of cathepsin activity was also greatly reduced by administrating the mixture of both extracts : however, the extract of Alnus japonica did not affect the acitivity of cathepsin. It was concluded that the mixture of both extracts had synergic effect on reducing serum alcohol concentration and improving the detoxification process due to alcohol administration in the liver.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.370-381
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• 2018

Background: To enhance the taste and physiological characteristics of Lycii fructus (Gugija) extracts, we investigated the changes in the physiological characteristics of Gugija extracts caused by adding white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) Methods and Results: Gugija extracts, including 10G10, 10GW-G8 : 2, -G6 : 4, -G4 : 6, -G2 : 8, and -G0 (mixtures made by replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of Gugija with WG), as well as 10G10, 10GR-G8 : 2, -G6 : 4, -G4 : 6, -G2 : 8, and -G0 (mixture made by replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of Gugija with RG) were extracted with water at 10 times the respective mixture's volume. The antioxidant activities of Gugija extracts were investigated by assessing their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) activity, nitrite scavenging activity, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. As the amount of WG added increased, the DPPH, and, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP activity of the Gugija extract decreased. The half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of 10G10, 10GW-G6 : 4, 10GR-G6 : 4, and 10GR-G0 for DPPH radical scavenging activity were $25.50{\pm}1.04$, $52.06{\pm}1.46$, $16.87{\pm}1.24$, and $9.50{\pm}0.16{\mu}{\ell}/m{\ell}$, respectively. On the other hand, the physiological activity of Gugija extract increased with the addition of increasing amounts of RG. However, ACE inhibitory activity was the highest ($50.25{\pm}2.58%$) in the Gugija 10-fold extract without any added RG. Conclusions: From the above results, we suggest that adding RG to Gugija extracts increase their antioxidant, FRAP, and nitrite scavenging activities.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Dried leaves of Raphanus sativus L. and Angelica keiskei L. extracts have strong antioxidant potential and in consequence profound effects on ulcerative colitis. Present study was conducted to explore the effect of diet mixtures containing dried leaves of Raphanus sativus and Angelica keiskei powder on ulcerative colitis in mice and antioxidant potential of radish green and Angelica extracts as well. Both dried leaves of Raphanus sativus and Angelica keiskei extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activity due to the presence of polyphenols, favonoids and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD). Analyzed data indicate that Angelica keiskei extract had higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents compared with radish green, while maximum SOD activity was noted in dried leaves of Raphanus sativus extract Likewise, higher antioxidant ($348.72{\pm}31.65{\mu}g/mL$) and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging (17%) activities were noted in dried leaves of Raphanus sativus extract compared with Angelica keiskei.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition, fermentation quality and in vitro ruminal fermentation of various ratios and storage periods of liquid brewer's yeast (LBY) mixed with cassava pulp (CVP). Methods: Four mixtures of fresh LBY and CVP were made (LBY0, LBY10, LBY20, and LBY30 for LBY:CVP at 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70, respectively) on a fresh matter basis, in 500 g in plastic bags and stored at 30 to $32^{\circ}C$. After storage, the bags were opened weekly from weeks 0 to 4. Fermentation quality and in vitro gas production (IVGP) were determined, as well as the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin contents. Results: The contents of CP and EE increased, whereas all other components decreased, in proportion to LBY inclusion (p<0.01). The DM and OM contents gradually decreased in weeks 3 and 4 (p<0.05), while EE contents were lowest in week 0. The pH, ammonia nitrogen per total nitrogen ($NH_3-N/TN$) and V-score in each mixture and storage period demonstrated superior fermentation quality ($pH{\leq}4.2$, $NH_3-N/TN{\leq}12.5%$, and V-score>90%). The pH increased and $NH_3-N/TN$ decreased, with proportionate increases of LBY, whereas the pH decreased and $NH_3-N/TN$ increased, as the storage periods were extended (p<0.01). Although IVGP decreased in proportion to the amount of LBY inclusion (p<0.01), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was unaffected by the mixture ratios. The highest IVGP and IVOMD were observed in week 0 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The inclusion of LBY (as high as 30%) into CVP improves the chemical composition of the mixture, thereby increasing the CP content, while decreasing IVGP, without decreasing fermentation quality and IVOMD. In addition, a preservation period of up to four weeks can guarantee superior fermentation quality in all types of mixtures. Therefore, we recommend limiting the use of CVP as a feed ingredient, given its low nutritional value and improving feed quality with the inclusion of LBY.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.381-388
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• 2014

The antioxidant activities of extracts from Rubus coreanus Miquel (black raspberry) and Morus alba L. (mulberry) fruits were investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and reducing power assay. Aqueous mixtures of ethanol, methanol, and acetone were analyzed in order to determine the most effective extraction solvent for the two fruits. Black raspberry and mulberry extracts with the 60:40 acetone-water mixtures (v/v) showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activities (56.2 and 85.2%, respectively) compared to the other extraction solvents. The 60% acetone extract was finally selected as an extraction solvent and then sequentially fractionated according to solvent polarity. Among the fractions of the two fruits, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity as well as total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. In addition, there were high correlation coefficients between antioxidant activities and their contents. The $EC_{50}$ value of the ethyl acetate fraction from mulberry fruit was 2.2 times lower than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in DPPH assay. The major phenolic acid and anthocyanin of the two fruits were protocatechuic acid and cyanidin-3-glucoside, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.693-703
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• 2009

The complex formation of anti-inflamatory drug piroxicam (PX, 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-2--pridyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxadiamide-1,1-dioxide) with transition metal ions Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) in methanol(MeOH)/water binary mixtures were studied by spectrophotometric method at 25$^{\circ}C$, constant pH = 5.0 and I = 0.1 M. The computer program SQUAD was used to extract the desired information from the spectral data. The outputs of the fitting processes were stability constants, standard deviations of the estimated stability constants, concentration distribution diagrams and spectral profiles of all species. The sequence of the stability constants of PX complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) follow the Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) ${\approx}$ Zn(II) order. This may be due to different geometry tendencies of these metal ions. The acidity constants of the PX were also determined under above condition from its absorption spectra at different pH values. The computer program DATAN was used for determination of acidity constants of PX. The validity of the obtained acidity constants was checked by a well known computer program SPECFIT/32. The effects of the different parameters like solvent nature, cations characteristics on the stability and acidity constants were thoroughly discussed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.477-484
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• 2006

This study was performed to know the potentialities of the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica, as a medium for mushroom mycelial culture. Five mushroom mycelial (Agrocus blazei, Grifola frondosa, Hericium erinaceum, Innonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus) were frown on the malt extract broth (MEB) and the cactus broth medium (CB). The submerged culture mixtures were extracted using equal volume of ethyl acetate, and their extract yields, total polyphenol contents, and some physiological activities were compared with each other Each extract from mycelial culture grown on CB medium showed remarkable enhancement in physiological activities compared with each counterpart grown on MEB. Among five mycelial cultures grown on CB medium, the extract yield and polyphenyl content were highest in the extract from Grifola frondosa (extract yield, 0.4 g/L and polyphenol content, 22.7%). Also, the extracts from Grifola frondosa showed the highest physiological activities, such as DPPH radical scavenging ($IC_{50}=362.9{\mu}g/ml$), xanthine oxidase inhibition (about 80% at $500{\mu}g/ml$), and superoxide radical scavenging (about 80% at $500{\mu}g/ml$), and NO production inhibition ($IC_{50}=43.1{\mu}g/ml$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. This result suggests that the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica can be used as a culture medium for improving the functional properties of various mushroom mycelia.