• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.557-563
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• 2011

Platycodon grandiflorum (Korean name, Doraji) has been widely used in traditional herbal medicine as an expectorant for pulmonary disease and a remedy for respiratory disorders in Asia. Here, we investigated the effects of BtOH extract saponin fraction of P. gradiflourm (PGS) on phagocytosis and anti-tumor activity with related cytokine productions in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that PGS increased phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, TNF-${\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO) production without direct tumor cell cytotoxicity. To further investigate whether NO is involved in anti-tumor and phagocytic activities of PGS, cells were co-treated with specific iNOS inhibitors, L-NIL (N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine, dihydrochloride), to block NO production. PGS decreased anti-tumor activity in L-NIL-treated cells, whereas phagocytic activity was not inhibited under the same conditions, indicating that the anti-tumor activity by PGS appears to be conducted by NO. These findings suggest that P. grandiflorum could be used a potential nutrition therapeutic agent for cancer patients.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2015

We evaluated the biological activities of five water extracts of tissue of the mottled anemone Urticina crassicornis. Most extracts exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity as determined by ultrasensitive radial diffusion assay (URDA) against gram-positive and -negative bacteria, including a fish pathogen, Aeromonas hydrophila, but no activity against fungi. The activity of the extracts was abolished by tryptic digestion, indicating that protein compounds were responsible for the antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity assay, only the visceral tissue extract showed activity. However, no extract had hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Consequently, this study suggests the water-soluble extract of mottled anemone to be a promising source of proteinaceous antimicrobial compounds that can be utilized for development of novel antibiotics.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.273-276
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the resistance conditions on the electromyography (EMG) activity ratio of vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during partial lunge exercise in healthy subjects in order to suggest the basic data of exercise intervention for such as patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: The participants of this study were healthy twenty two people with no knee pain, limitation of motion and past history of operation at lower extremity. The participants performed three types of lunge 1) no resistance, 2) anterolateral 45° resistance and 3) lateral 90° respectively. The EMG activity of the VMO and VL were recorded by surface EMG and the measured data normalized by the %MVIC value was analyzed by repeated measured ANOVA. Results: The results showed that the VMO/VL EMG activity ratio during lunge with anterolateral 45° resistance was significantly higher than with no resistance and lateral 90° resistance (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in VMO, VL, and VMO/VL muscle activity between male and female subjects (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that partial lunge exercise with anterolateral 45° resistance can increase the VMO/VL muscle activity in healthy subjects. This result could be used as basic data to develop therapeutic exercise programs such as PFPS patients.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 2002

Oregonin, a diarylheptanoid derivative from Alnus hirsuta Turcz, Betulaceae, was evaluated for its antitumor activity. Oregonin, known to have an antitumor function, and is a novel immunomodulator, which may augment macrophage activity. MTT assays and NO production tests were performed in order to investigate the cytotoxicity of oregonin in tumor cells and to examine its influence on macrophage in detail. In this study, the tumoricidal activity was also evaluated by a MTT assay. The cytotoxicity measurements in the oregon in-treated group both in vitro and in vivo showed a significant difference from that of the control group. In vivo, oregonin significantly increased NO production in a dose-dependent manner, and in vitro, the thioglycolate-induced inflammatory macrophages increased NO production in a dose-dependent manner after incubation. These results suggest that oregonin reacts with both the inflammatory and non-inflammatory macrophages in a similar way.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2024

Background: Individuals with pes planus tend to overuse the extrinsic foot muscles, such as the tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL), to compensate for the weakened intrinsic foot muscles, such as the abductor hallucis (AbdH). Furthermore, differences in weight-bearing can affect the activity of muscles in both the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles. To date, no study has compared the effects of the short foot exercise (SFE) and toe spread-out exercise (TSO) on intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle activity and the corresponding ratios in different weight-bearing positions. Objects: To compare the effects of the SFE and TSO on AbdH, TA, and PL activity and the AbdH/TA and AbdH/PL activity ratios in the sitting and standing positions in individuals with pes planus. Methods: Twenty participants with pes planus were recruited. Surface electromyography was used to assess the amplitudes of AbdH, TA, and PL activity. Participants performed both exercises while adopting both the sitting and standing positions. Results: No significant interaction between exercise and position was found regarding the activity of any muscle or ratio of the activity, except for PL activity. We observed a significant increase in AbdH activity during the TSO compared to the SFE, and no significant difference in TA and PL activity between the two exercises. AbdH, TA, and PL activity were significantly higher in the standing position than in the sitting position. Furthermore, the AbdH/PL activity ratio significantly increased in the sitting position, although there was a significant increase in AbdH activity in the standing position. Conclusion: In individuals with pes planus, we recommend performing the TSO in the sitting position, which may increase the activity of the AbdH while concurrently decreasing the activity of the TA and PL, thus strengthening the AbdH.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.476-483
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• 2015

We are aim to evaluate lysozyme and antibacterial activity of cultured catfish, Silurus asotus, that fed supplementally with Galla rhois extracts for eight weeks. Lysozyme activity in the spleen and serum of administrated group was higher than not administrated group, but in mucus of the lysozyme activity was no regular than other organ. The lysozyme activity of the spleen, kidney, serum of administrated fishes were increased after 2 weeks and that was highest after 8 weeks. Ht and GLU in serum of administrated fishes were gradually increased but GOT was decreased after 8 weeks. There is no significant differences in HB (Hemoglobin) and TP (Total Protein) each groups. Furthermore, there is no pathohistological changes of kidney and liver of tested fishes. The cumulative survival rates of administrated group after intraperitoneal injection of Aeromonas veronii with $6.5{\times}10^6cfu\;mL^{-1}$ was presented 33% in 9 days. As the Results, Galla rhois extracts has any beneficial effects for immunity elevation and antibacterial activity in catfish, Silurus asotus.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.70-73
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping(KT) on the maximal power and muscle activity of erector spinae. 30 male subjects were allocated in this study and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. All subjects were measured for maximal power of trunk extensors and muscle activities of iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus, and multifidus between pre and post experiment. Maximal power was calculated using a dynamometer(Power Track II, JTECH medical, USA), and muscle activities were calculated using a surface EMG(MP150 BIOPAC System Inc. CA. USA). Maximal power of trunk extensor showed no significant difference between pre and post intervention in both groups(p>0.05). Muscle activity of iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus, and multifidus showed no significant difference between pre and post intervention(p>0.05). Finally, there was no significant difference between Experimental and control group in maximal power and muscle activity of trunk extensor. These study results suggested that KT did not affect increase or decrease in maximal power and muscle activities of trunk extensor.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.58-64
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• 2000

Indoor air quality tends to be the dominant contributor to personal exposure, because most people spend over 80% of their time indoors. In this study, indoor and outdoor NO$_2$ concentrations were measured and compared with simultaneously personal exposures of 21 university students in weekday and weekend. House characteristics and activity pattern were used to determine the impacts of these factors on personal exposure. Since university students spent most of their times in indoor, their NO$_2$ exposure was associated with indoor NO$_2$ level rather than outdoor NO$_2$ level both weekday and weekend in spite of different time activity. Using time-weighted average model, NO$_2$ exposures of university students were estimated by NO$_2$ measurements in indoor home, indoor school, and outdoor home levels. Estimated NO$_2$ personal exposures were significantly correlated with measured NO$_2$ personal exposures($r^2$=0.87). However, estimated personal NO$_2$ exposures by time-weighted average model were underestimated, comparing with the measured personal NO$_2$ exposure. Using multiple regression analysis, effect of personal NO$_2$ exposure for transportation was confirmed.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1998

We have studied the reduction of NO by propane over perovskite-type oxides prepared by malic acid method. The catalysts were modified to enhance the activity by substitution by substitution of metal into A or B site of perovskite oxides. In addition, the reaction conditions, such as temperature, $O_2$ concentration, space velocity have been studed. In the $LaCoO_3$ type catalyst, the partial substitution of Ba, Sr into A site enhanced the catalytic activity in the reduction of NO. In the $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3(x=0 \sim 1.9)$ catalyst, the partial substitution of Fe into B site enhanced the conversion of NO, but excess amount of Fe decreased the conversion of NO. The surface area and catalytic activity of perovskite catalysts prepared by malic acid method showed higher values than those of solid reaction method. In the $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3$ catalyst, the conversion of NO increased with increasing $O_2$ concentration and contact time. The introduction of water into reactant feed decreased the catalytic activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2001

Nitric oxide (NO) produced in large amounts by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is known to be responsible for the vasodilation and hypotension observed in septic shock and inflammation. The inhibitors of iNOS, thus, may be useful candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases accompanied by the overproduction of NO. We prepared alcoholic extracts of Chinese medicinal plants and screened their inhibitory activity against NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Among the 80 kinds of extracts of herbal drugs, 15 extracts showed potent inhibitory activity of NO production above 80% at the concentration o$50\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. These potent extracts showed dose dependent inhibition of NO production of LPS-activated macrophages at the concentration of 50, 30,$10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. Especially, Rhus chinensis, Senecio scandens and Wikstroemia indica showed most potent inhibition above 50% at the concentration of $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. These plants are promising candidates for the study of the activity-guided purification of active compounds and would be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and endotoxemia accompanying the overproduction of NO.