• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.207-221
• /
• 2023

The increasing demand for clean energy requires considerable effort to find alternative energy sources, such as briquettes. This research aims to develop a charcoal briquette with added pine resin (API) that has excellent combustion speed and distinctive aroma. Briquettes are composed of charcoal, pine resin (concentration: 0%-30%), and starch (up to 7%). They are produced in several stages, including coconut shell pyrolysis in conventional combustion, to obtain charcoal for the briquette precursor. Briquette compaction is conducted by mixing and densifying the charcoal, pine resin, and starch using a hydraulic press for 3 min. The hydraulic press has a total surface area and diameter of 57.7 cm² and 3.5 cm, respectively. The briquettes are dried at different temperatures, reaching 70℃ for 24 h. The study results show that the briquettes have a thickness and diameter of up to 2 and 3.5 cm, respectively; moisture of 2.18%-2.62%; ash of 11.61%-13.98%; volatile matter of 27.15%-51.74%; and fixed carbon content of 40.24%-59.46%. The compressive strength of the briquettes is 186-540 kg/cm². Their calorific value is 5,338-6,120 kcal/kg, combusting at a high speed of 0.15-0.40 s. The methoxy naphthalene, phenol, benzopyrrole, and lauryl alcohol; ocimene, valencene, and cembrene are found in the API. The API briquette has several chemical compounds, such as musk ambrette, ocimene, sabinene, limonene, 1-(p-cumenyl) adamantane, butane, and propanal, which improve aroma, drug application, and fuel production. Accordingly, API briquettes have considerable potential as an alternative energy source and a health improvement product.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.788-796
• /
• 2023

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) has high morbidity and mortality rates in canines. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of CPV-2 has endonuclease activity, initiates viral DNA replication, and is highly conserved. Thus, it is a promising target for antiviral inhibitor development. We overexpressed a 41.9 kDa active recombinant endonuclease in Escherichia coli and designed a nicking assay using carboxyfluorescein and quencher-linked ssDNA as substrates. The optimal temperature and pH of the endonuclease were 37℃ and pH 7, respectively. Curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, linoleic acid, tannic acid, and α-tocopherol inhibited CPV-2 NS1 endonuclease with IC₅₀ values of 0.29 to 8.03 µM. The extracted turmeric, yerba mate, and sesame cake suppressed CPV-2 NS1 endonuclease with IC₅₀ values of 1.48, 7.09, and 52.67 ㎍/ml, respectively. The binding affinity between curcumin, the strongest inhibitor, and CPV-2 NS1 endonuclease by molecular docking was -6.4 kcal/mol. Curcumin inhibited CPV-2 NS1 endonuclease via numerous hydrophobic interactions and two hydrogen bonds with Lys97 and Pro111 in the allosteric site. These results suggest that adding curcuminoids, linoleic acid, tannic acid, α-tocopherol, extracted turmeric, sesame cake, and yerba to the diet could prevent CPV-2 infection.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.9.1-9.13
• /
• 2023

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc and calcium-dependent proteolytic enzyme involved in extracellular matrix degradation. Overexpression of MMP-9 has been confirmed in several disorders, including cancers, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. Therefore, MMP-9 inhibition is recommended as a therapeutic strategy for combating various diseases. Cinnamic acid derivatives have shown therapeutic effects in different cancers, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. A computational drug discovery approach was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of selected cinnamic acid derivatives to the MMP-9 active site. The stability of docked poses for top-ranked compounds was also examined. Twelve herbal cinnamic acid derivatives were tested for possible MMP-9 inhibition using the AutoDock 4.0 tool. The stability of the docked poses for the most potent MMP-9 inhibitors was assessed by molecular dynamics (MD) in 10 nanosecond simulations. Interactions between the best MMP-9 inhibitors in this study and residues incorporated in the MMP-9 active site were studied before and after MD simulations. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid revealed a considerable binding affinity to the MMP-9 catalytic domain (ΔG_binding < -10 kcal/ mol). The inhibition constant value for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were calculated at the picomolar scale and assigned as the most potent MMP-9 inhibitor from the cinnamic acid derivatives. The root-mean-square deviations for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were below 2 Å in the 10 ns simulation. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid might be considered drug candidates for MMP-9 inhibition.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.17.1-17.12
• /
• 2023

Coronavirus has left severe health impacts on the human population, globally. Still a significant number of cases are reported daily as no specific medications are available for its effective treatment. The presence of the CD147 receptor (human basigin) on the host cell facilitates the severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, the drugs that efficiently alter the formation of CD147 and spike protein complex could be the right drug candidate to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Hence, an e-Pharmacophore model was developed based on the receptor-ligand cavity of CD147 protein which was further mapped against pre-existing drugs of coronavirus disease treatment. A total of seven drugs were found to be suited as pharmacophores out of 11 drugs screened which was further docked with CD147 protein using CDOCKER of Biovia discovery studio. The active site sphere of the prepared protein was 101.44, 87.84, and 97.17 along with the radius being 15.33 and the root-mean-square deviation value obtained was 0.73 Å. The protein minimization energy was calculated to be -30,328.81547 kcal/mol. The docking results showed ritonavir as the best fit as it demonstrated a higher CDOCKER energy (-57.30) with correspond to CDOCKER interaction energy (-53.38). However, authors further suggest in vitro studies to understand the potential activity of the ritonavir.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.793-804
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the change in the anthropometric values, biochemical index, nutritional knowledge, food habits and nutrient intakes in obese children after a weight control program. The subjects of the study were 22 obese children with an obesity index over 120%. The children that participated in this study took nutritional education for weight control along with exercise once a week. The weight control program was conducted for 10 weeks. The BMI, WHR (Waist-Hip ratio), body fat (%) significantly decreased at the end of the weight control program. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were also significantly decreased. The nutritional knowledge scores and knowledge score about obesity were slightly improved. Energy intake significantly decreased from 1768 to 1421 kcal. Intake of Ca, Na, K, vitamin A, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin C and folate increased, while intakes of P, Zn, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin E and niacin decreased. The distribution of energy intake was significantly changed for the better. The percent fat consumed decreased from 26.5 to 19.7%. In addition, the distribution of energy intake in the meals was changed, where the percent calories consumed during lunch significantly increased from 31.4 to 40.1% and the calorie percentage consumed from snacks significantly decreased from 17.6 to 10.7%. In conclusion, the nutritional education in the weight control program, which was conducted for 10 weeks, was effective in improving the anthropometric values, biochemical index and nutrient intake although nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors only changed slightly. Thus, nutritional weight control programs for obese children should be continuously provided under the proper cooperation of a nutritional teacher at elementary schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.516-523
• /
• 2006

Four dietary fiber enriched menus for the aged were developed and physicochemical were analyzed. Major foods enriching the dietary fiber were as following; kimchi & bean sprouts soup and sweet potato for menu 1, chamcheunamul and grape for menu 2, mushroom and kimchi for menu 3, dried radish leaves and green pepper for menu 4. One portion of calorie, carbohydrate, protein and fats for the aged were calculated as 567 kcal, 92.8 g, 21.3 g and 12.6 g, respectively based on recommended daily allowances for adults. Dietary fiber content increased in the menus 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 17.27%, 20.84%, 16.91%, and 23.64%, respectively. The menu 1 had significantly the highest acceptance scores among the rice, soups, side dishes and overall desirability with the acceptance sores of 4.77, 4.58, 4.62 and 4.69, respectively(p<0.05). Female showed significantly the higher acceptance scores of all of the enriched fiber menu than those of male. Moisture contents of the boiled rice with barely in menu 3 had significantly the highest value of all(p<0.05) and the side dishes of all menus did not show any significant differences at p<0.05. The pH value of boiled rice with barely in menu 3 was significantly the highest and menu 1 of kimchi & bean sprouts soup had significantly the lowest pH values(p<0.05). Hunter L value was significantly the highest in boiled rice with barley. The dietary fiber enriched menus were successfully developed for application and standardization in the meal service planning for the aged as one of trials of basic data collection.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1585-1591
• /
• 2022

Objective: The present study examined the effects of exogenous emulsifiers and multi-enzyme supplementation into a low energy density diet on growth performance, visceral organ parameters, blood metabolites, ileal morphology, and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens from hatch to 21 days. Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated in a completely randomized design to 24 pens and each pen was assigned to one of four dietary treatments to give six replications with seven chickens in a cage. Dietary treatments were: i) positive control with standard energy level (PC); ii) negative control with 100 kcal/kg lower energy of the standard level (NC); iii) NC diet supplemented 0.05% calcium stearoyl-2 lactylate as an emulsifier (NC+E); and iv) NC diet supplemented with both 0.05% calcium stearoyl-2 lactylate and 0.05% multi-enzyme (NC+E+M). Corn and soybean meal-based control diets containing vegetable oil were formulated to meet the Ross 308 nutrition specification. Chickens were fed ad-libitum with the treatment diets and sampling was conducted on day 21. Results: Our results revealed that emulsifier and multi-enzyme supplementation into NC diets improved (p<0.05) feed efficiency of the broiler chickens compared to the broiler chickens fed NC diets from hatch to 21 days. Supplementation of emulsifier and multi-enzyme into NC diet improved (p<0.05) nutrient digestibility of the broiler chickens. However, emulsifier and multi-enzyme supplementation into diet did not influence (p>0.05) visceral organ weight, blood metabolites, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens fed NC diets. Conclusion: Supplementation of emulsifier and multi-enzyme in the NC diet would support improving growth performance in young broiler chickens with improved feed efficiency and increased nutrient digestibility thereby curtailing the negative impact of energy reduction in the diets.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.9
• /
• pp.1426-1433
• /
• 2022

Objective: The present research was conducted to evaluate the interactive effect of dietary concentration of calcium (Ca) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25OHD3) on the performance, blood composition and digestibility of laying hens. Methods: A total of 540 Hy-line brown laying hens aged 61 to 70 weeks were randomly allotted in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, consisting of three levels of 25OHD3 (0, 25, and 50 ㎍/kg) and three levels of Ca (3.5%, 4.0%, and 4.5%). All diets had basal concentration of 3,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 including the 2,800 kcal/kg of metabolic energy and 16% of crude protein. Results: The results showed that interactive effect (p<0.05) between Ca and 25OHD3 was such that dietary 25OHD3 linearly increased interleukin-6 at all levels of Ca inclusion. Interaction (p<0.05) occurred with the highest parathyroid hormone in laying hens that received dietary concentration of Ca (3.5%) with 25OHD3 (50 ㎍/kg), and Ca (4.0%) with 25OHD3 (50 ㎍/kg). Egg production and egg weight significantly (p<0.05) increased in the 4.5% Ca group compared to the 3.5% to 4.0% Ca groups. Egg shell thickness and tibia bone length also increased (p<0.05) in groups fed a high-Ca diet (4.0% to 4.5%). Phosphorus digestibility significantly (p<0.05) increased along with dietary Ca level. Among the tested 25OHD3 groups, higher (p<0.05) egg production and tibia thickness were present in hens fed 50 ㎍/kg of 25OHD3. Furthermore, Ca digestibility serum Ca and 25OHD3 were significantly increased in group offered 50 ㎍/kg of 25OHD3. Conclusion: The results gathered in this study indicate that dietary concentrations of 4.0% to 4.5% Ca and 50 ㎍/kg 25OHD3 improve the performance of hens from 61 to 70 weeks of age.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2009

The objectives of this study were to investigate 1) the nutritional knowledge, 2) the use of nutritional supplements, and 3) nutrient intakes of male elite bodybuilders (n=20). Participants carried out a comprehensive survey, anthropometric assessment, and 1 day food record. Daily nutrient intakes of the subjects were analyzed using Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program (Can-pro 3.0). The mean age of the subjects was 23.4 years. The mean duration of exercise was 5.3 years. The average scores of nutritional knowledge were 71.0%. The subjects were gathered nutrition information from nutrition book (65%), mass communication (50%), friends (50%) and coach (30%) in order. Ninety percentage of the subjects reported that they were taking nutritional supplements. Major reasons for taking nutritional supplements were to improve performance and to build-up muscle. The most frequently taken nutritional supplements were protein powder (85%), multivitamin/mineral (75%), BCAA (60%) and glutamine (55%) in order. The average daily energy intakes of the subjects were 4,248.7 kcal. The mean intake of protein was 370.3 g/day (3.93 g/kg BW). The ratio of total energy intake from carbohydrate, protein and lipid was 51 : 34 : 15. The intakes of most vitamin and minerals through food and nutrition supplements were much higher than those of each nutrient of the RDAs. Especially, vitamin B complex and vitamin C intakes were ranged from 500 to 3,000% of KNHNES. More research needs to be conducted to determine the optimal amounts of carbohydrates, protein, lipid and micro-nutrients for the bodybuilders.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.35.1-35.10
• /
• 2023

Non-human primate (NHP) research faces challenges due to zoonosis risk and complex veterinary management yet lacks standardized guidelines for animal care. Therefore, we developed an advanced veterinary management protocol for NHP quarantine, anesthesia, and postoperative care. Three female 4 to 5-year-old cynomolgus monkeys were anesthetized and underwent various tests, including body weight, temperature, blood tests, urinalysis, microbiological monitoring, and physical and dental examinations. Ivermectin and medicated baths were administered to eradicate ectoparasites and endoparasites, and testing was repeated 30 days later. Following quarantine, we performed computed tomography and anesthesia maintenance for mastoidectomy. To relieve pain and maintain body weight, we administered tramadol intramuscularly 4 times/day for 3 days and meloxicam subcutaneously twice daily for 14 days. Feed replacements were provided. During the 33-day quarantine period, physical examinations revealed no abnormalities indicative of infectious diseases, and no specific clinical symptoms were observed. Through a preliminary test of anesthesia time, we selected ketamine 4 mg/kg + medetomidine 50 ㎍/kg for short experiments such as computed tomography, and ketamine 8 mg/kg + medetomidine 50 ㎍/kg for intubation. Ten days after mastoidectomy, NHPs consumed 100 kcal/kg and recovered their body weight. This study offers advanced veterinary management guideline for NHP research. Such protocols can lead to more standardized and ethical practices in NHP research, thereby enhancing the quality of studies on NHPs and the translation of findings to human health and disease.