• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the healing effect of Cordyceps Militaris (CM) on collagen II-induced arthritis rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (normal, control, positive control, CM with low/medium/high dosage each). Type II collagen mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant (with 1:1 v/v) was injected subcutaneously, and the mixture was injected in a same manner one week after the first injection to boost arthritis. Arthritis index, paw thickness and von Frey test were conducted to observe physical changes. hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to observe knee cartilage. The levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of interleukin (IL)-1𝛽, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) in spleen were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs on multiple joints and can lead to temporary shape change of bones or organ failure in severe cases. Here, we aimed to determine the effect of CM extract on rheumatoid arthritis by measuring paw thickness, arthritis index, conducting von Frey test and H&E staining, and evaluating the level of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, TNF-𝛼. As a result, paw thickness, arthritis index significantly decreased in low concentration group, hind leg became less sensitive in all expermental groups. Also, histological analysis showed that the damage of knee cartilage was prevented in all experimental groups. The level of mRNA of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, and TNF-𝛼 in spleen was analyzed to decide the effectiveness of CM extract. IL-1𝛽 did not show significant change, but IL-6 and TNF-𝛼 showed significant decrease in at least one of the experimental groups. Conclusions CM showed protective effect on knee tissue destruction and improved the physical conditions of the leg involving arthritis. Also, it showed that CM has anti-inflammatory effect on specific cytokines inducing rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the therapeutic potential of CM for the treatment rheumatoid arthritis, and set the foundation for the further studies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.181-186
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• 2022

Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) and Amomum villosum (AV) are the most common herbs in Korean Medicine to treat digestive diseases. In this study, we investigated the cholesterol lowering effects of mixtures of AM and AV extracts on high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced dyslipidemia mouse model. We classified animals into six different groups; Group 1: Normal diet, Group 2: HCD, Group 3: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:1) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 4: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:2) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 5: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:3) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 6: Simvastatin 40 mg/kg + HCD. After 4 weeks of oral administration of respective drugs, we checked body, liver and epididymal fatweights along with liver and serum triacylglyceride (TG) concentration, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in serum. Moreover, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGCR), LDL receptor (LDLR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) were detected by RT PCR or western blot analysis. The overall results showed that mixtures of AM and AV extracts inhibited HCD-induced increases of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in serum. Those effects seem to be caused by AM and AV extracts through inhibition of HMGCR expression. And thus blood cholesterol is induced into the liver by increasing LDLR expression, which is regulated by SREBP2 transcrption factor. The cholesterol lowering effects and mechanism of mixtures of AM and AV extracts was similar to the statin. We have identified the potential mixtures of AM and AV extracts as a new treatment for dyslipidemia.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.535-549
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• 2023

This study was to investigate the effects of different phytogenic feed additives (PFA) dosage levels in growing- finishing pigs stressed by high stocking density. A total of 72 mix sexed 12 weeks growing pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) with initial body weight (BW) of 49.28 ± 4.58 kg were used for 8 weeks. There were 3 replicate pens in each treatment group, with 3 pigs per pen. The dietary treatment groups consisted of basal diets in animal welfare density (negative control [NC]), basal diet in high stocking density (positive control [PC]), PC + 0.04% essential oil (ES1), PC + 0.08% essential oil (ES2), PC + 0.10% bitter citrus extract & essential oil (CES1), PC + 0.20% bitter citrus extract & essential oil (CES2), PC + 0.05% grape pomace extract (GP1), PC + 0.10% grape pomace extract (GP2). The reduction of space allowance decreased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, feed efficiency, and digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy. Also, the fecal score of PC groups increased (p < 0.05) compared with other groups. Basic behaviors (feed intake, standing, lying) were inactive (p < 0.05) and singularity behavior (biting) was increased (p < 0.10) under high stocking density. There was no difference in blood profile. However, the supplementation of PFA alleviated the negative effects such as reduced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and some increasing stress indicators in th blood (cortisol) and animal behavior (biting). In conclusion, the negative effect of high stocking density was most effectively mitigated by the normal dosage of the mixture of bitter citrus extract and essential oil additive (CES1).

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.337-348
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• 2023

The central objective of this study is to curtail the leakage of mortar or cement paste, often resultant of ill-constructed formwork, by implementing thixotropy in the formulation of high-fluidity, standard-strength concrete. When such concrete is utilized in smaller scale construction projects, instances of formwork gaps due to suboptimal construction precision may lead to significant leakage of mortar and paste, a problem not typically encountered with traditional slump-flow concrete. In this investigation, Polyvinyl Alcohol(PVA) and borax are incorporated into the concrete mixture to induce thixotropy. The experimental design includes varying methodologies for integrating PVA and borax, while assessing alterations in diverse concrete performances, including thixotropy and leakage reduction potential that simulates formwork gap conditions. Under the experimental conditions defined within this study, it was found that replacing, rather than merely adding PVA and borax, aids in averting water addition via suspensions. This approach yielded promising results in terms of concrete properties and proved efficacious in stemming leakage in concrete possessing sufficient thixotropy. Notably, when a 6% PVA suspension was substituted, a significant reduction in leakage was observed. Consequently, it is projected that construction quality can be ensured, even with lower precision formwork, by applying thixotropy to concrete through the use of PVA and borax.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-114
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• 2006

Early diagnosis and medical intervention are critical for the treatment of patients with metabolic disorders. A rapid analytical method was developed for simultaneous quantification of organic acids and amino acids in urine without labor-intensive pre-extraction procedure showing high sensitivity and specificity. A new method consisted of simple two-step trimethylsilyl (TMS)-trifluoroacetyl (TFA) derivatization using GC/MS-selective ion monitoring (SIM). Filter paper urine specimens were dried under nitrogen after being fortified with internal standard (tropate) in a mixture of distilled water and methanol. Methyl orange was added to the residue as indicator reagent. Silyl derivative of carboxylic functional group was followed by trifluoroacetyl derivative for amino functional group. N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide) and N-methyl-bistrifluoroacetamide were consecutively added and heated for 15-20 min at $65^{\circ}C-70^{\circ}C$, for TMS-TFA derivative, respectively. This reactant was analyzed by GC/MS-SIM. Linear dynamic range showed 0.001-50 mg with the detection limit of (S/N=3) 10-200 ng, and the quantification limit of 80-900 ng in urine. Correlation coefficient of regression line was 0.994-0.998. When the method was applied to the patients 'urine, it clearly differentiated the normal from the patient with metabolic disorder. The study showed that the developed method could be the method of choices in rapid and sensitive screening for organic aciduria and amino acidopathy.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-53
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• 1993

F. moniliforme MRC 826, a common fungal contaminant of com, has been known to produce a group of mycotoxins, the fumonisins. By thin layer chromatography, fumonisin $B_{1}$ was detected in the F. moniliforme MRC 826 com culture material(CM) extracts. This study was performed to compare the toxicity and carcinogenicity of F. moniliforme MRC 826 CM with those of aflatoxin $B_1(AFB_1)$ in rats. The toxicity was tested over a period of 7 days in ten female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Treatment group were fed a 1 : 1 mixture(wt/wt) of ground CM and basal diet in powder form, while other negative control group were given basal diet alone. The principal pathological changes in rats treated with 50% CM were hepatocellular hydropic degeneration and renal tubular necrosis. The cancer-promoting activity of CM was evaluated in the rat liver diethylnitrosamine-two thirds partial hepatectomy(DEN-PH) model for carcinogenesis. 70 male SO rats(ca. 170 g) were randomized into 5 groups. Group I served as the positive controls and received the basal diet containing 2 ppm $AFB_{1}$ group 2 received 5% CM, group 3 received 2.5% CM, group 4 received 5% normal com and group 5 received 2.5% normal com. 5% treated group showed cancer promoting activity in rat liver using DEN as initiator and the induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci as an end point after 6 weeks of promotion.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

We investigated the effect of silicate coating of rice seeds on bakanae disease incidence and the quality of seedlings raised in seedling boxes and transplanted into pots. The silicate-coated rice seed (SCS) was prepared as follows. Naturally infested rice seeds not previously subjected to any fungicidal treatment were dressed with a mixture of 25% silicic acid at pH 11 and 300-mesh zeolite powder at a ratio of 50 g dry seed - 9 mL silicic acid - 25 g zeolite powder. The following nursery conditions were provided : Early sowing, dense seeding in a glass house with mulching overnight and no artificial heating, which were the ideal conditions for determining the effect on the seed. The nursery plants were evaluated for Gibberella. fujikuroi infection or to determine the recovery to normal growth of infected nursery plants in the Wagner pot. Seedlings emerged 2-3 days earlier for the SCS than they did for the non-SCS control, while damping-off and bakanae disease incidence were remarkably reduced. Specifically, bakanae disease incidence in the SCS was limited to only 7.8% for 80 days after sowing, as compared to 91.6% of the non-SCS control. For the 45-days-old SCS nursery seedlings, the fresh weight was increased by 11% and was two times heavier, with only mild damage compared to that observed for non-SCS. Even after transplanting, SCS treatment contributed to a lower incidence of further infections and possibly to recovery of the seedlings to normal growth as compared to that observed in symptomatic plants in the pot. The active pathogenic macro-conidia and micro-conidia were considerably lower in the soil, root, and seedling sheath base of the SCS. In particular, the underdeveloped macro-conidia with straight oblong shape without intact septum were isolated in the SCS ; this phenotype is likely to be at a comparative etiological disadvantage when compared to that of typical active macro-conidia, which are slightly sickle-shaped with 3-7 intact septa. A active intact conidia with high inoculum potential were rarely observed in the tissue of the seedlings treated only in the SCS. We propose that promising result was likely achieved via inhibition of the development of intact pathogenic conidia, in concert with the aerobic, acidic conditions induced by the physiochemical characteristics associated with the air porosity of zeolite, alkalinity of silicate and the seed husk as a carbon source. In addition, the resistance of the healthy plants to pathogenic conidia was also important factor.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preservation period of porcine liquid semen on bacterial contamination and in vitro production of embryo. Extended liquid semen was prepared by three mixture of boar's ejaculates from each farm without antibiotics, and were kept in $17^{\circ}C$ semen preservation incubator until use. Sperm motility was significantly (p<0.05) decreased as semen preservation time goes by (78.7$\pm$2.4% for 1 day vs. 71.1$\pm$2.4 and 64.8$\pm$2.4% for 3 and 5 days of presentation, respectively). Quantitative of bacteria in semen was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 5 days ($57.8\pm105.2\times10^4$ Cfu) compared to 0 and 3 days ($32.1\pm76.8\times10^4$ and $26.9\pm46.6\times10^4$ Cfu, respectively) of preservation. In terms of development of in vitro fertilization of porcine embryos inseminated by preserved semen, the rate of normal fertilization (2PN) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in 5 days (56.0$\pm$2.6%) compared to 1 and 3 days (66.0$\pm$2.7 and 64.0$\pm$2.7%, respectively) of preservation. Cleavage rate was also significantly (p<0.05) affected by preservation period (75.0$\pm$4% for 1 day, 70.0$\pm$0.3 and 71.0$\pm$0.3% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). The in vitro developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo was significantly (p<0.05) affected by semen preservation period (15.0$\pm$1.0% for 1 day vs. 11.0$\pm$0.9 and 8.0$\pm$0.9% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). It is concluded that more than 3 days of liquid semen preservation without antibiotics increased the quantity of bacteria resulted in detrimental effect on sperm motility and decreased both normal insemination rate and the developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.671-680
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• 2012

Three kinds of dietary composites-R+T, R+F, and R+TF-were combined in green tea (T), dietary fiber (F), and green tea dietary fiber mixture (TF) to red garlic extract (RG), respectively. The effects of their diets on anti-obesity were investigated $in$ $vitro$ and $in$ $vitro$ in obese rats induced high fat-cholesterol. In $in$ $vivo$ rats, the total phenolic content of the R+T and R+TF was 1.9~2.0 times higher, and their total cholesterol adsorption was 9.5~11.5 times higher than that of RG. $In$ $vivo$, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups (Normal, HFC, HRG, HR+T, HR+F and HR+TF). Afterwards, the diets of the HRG, HR+T, HR+F, and HR+TF groups were supplemented with 1% of RG and its dietary composites (R+T, R+F, and R+TF) for 4 weeks, respectively. The final body weight of the HRG, HR+T, HR+F, and HR+TF groups decreased significantly compared to the group fed high fat-cholesterol (HFC), but the food efficiency ratio was not significantly different from the HFC group. The liver weight of the HFC group doubled compared to the normal group, whereas that of HR+T and HR+TF groups decreased significantly. The weight of visceral and epididymal fat decreased significantly in the groups fed the composites compared to the HFC group. The obesity index of HR+TF group decreased significantly only when compared to the HFC group. The serum lipid profile such as total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol, as well as the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors decreased drastically in all experimental groups compared to the HFC group, and the levels of HR+T, HR+F and HR+TF groups were a similar trend. GPT activity was not significantly different among the groups fed the composites, and it decreased significantly in the HRG group. The content of the lipid peroxide level decreased significantly in the HRG group and in the groups fed the composites, compared to the HFC group. Serum antioxidant activity was the highest in the HR+T group. We suggest that the hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effect of the RG composites, achieved by mixing green tea extract and/or dietary fiber, was due to their total phenolic content and total cholesterol adsorption effect.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2016

Recently, the studies about rock physics model (RPM) in shale reservoir are widely performed. In shale reservoir, the degree of the maturity can be estimated by kerogen and GOR (Gas-Oil Ratio). The researches on the rock physics model of shale reservoir with the amount of kerogen have been actively carried out but not with GOR. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the changes in seismic velocity and density, and AVO (Amplitude Variation with Offset) response depending on changes in GOR and the amount of kerogen. Since the shale consists of plate-like particles, it has vertical transverse isotropy (VTI). Therefore we estimated the seismic velocity and density by using Backus averaging method and analyzed AVO responses based on these estimated properties. The results of analysis showed that the changes in the velocity with the GOR variation are small but the velocity changes with the variation in kerogen amount are relatively larger. In case, GOR 180 (Litre/Litre) which is boundary between heavy oil and light oil, when volume fraction of kerogen increased from 5% to 35%, the P-wave velocity normal to the layering increased 51%. That is, it helps estimating maturity of kerogen through the velocity. Meanwhile, when rates of oil-gas mixture are large, the effect of GOR variation on the velocity change became larger. In case volume fraction of kerogen is 5%, the P-wave velocity normal to the layering was estimated $1.46km/s^2$ in heavy oil (GOR 40) but $1.36km/s^2$ in light oil (GOR 300). The AVO responses analysis showed class 4 regardless of the GOR and amount of kerogen because variation of poisson's ratio is small. Therefore, shale reservoir has possibility to have class 4.