• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Royal jelly composes of many components, especially protein. Protein is a major factor which cause allergy. We focused on water soluble royal jelly (WSRJ) that was removed allergy - inducing protein. 10-hyroxy-2-decenoic acid content of WSRJ is 2.42 g/100 g, which is double compared to that of lypophilized RJ. To further access WSRJ as a cosmetic ingredient and potential external treatment for topical use, we investigated its ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis on melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells. We found that WSRJ increased the cell viability in B16F1 melanoma cell and WSRJ (1~10 mg/ml) inhibited melanin synthesis in with 10 nM ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) for 48 h. WSRJ inhibited direct tyrosinase activity, which decreased melanin synthesis in ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulated B16F1 melanoma cells. Thease findings suggest that WSRJ induces the down regulation of melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activation.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2024

This study explored the potential and implementation of renewable energy sources in Sri Lanka, focusing on the theoretical potential of solar and wind energy to develop self-reliant energy models. Using advanced climate data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Global Solar/Wind Atlas provided by the World Bank, we assessed the renewable energy potential across Sri Lanka. This study proposes off-grid and minigrid systems as viable solutions for addressing energy poverty in rural regions. Rural villages were classified based on solar and wind resources, via which we proposed four distinct energy self-reliance models: Renewable-Dominant, Solar-Dominant, Wind-Dominant, and Diesel-Dominant. This study evaluates the economic viability of these models considering Sri Lanka's current energy market and technological environment. The outcomes highlight the necessity for employing diversified energy strategies to enhance the efficiency of the national power supply system and maximize the utilization of renewable resources, contributing to Sri Lanka's sustainable development and energy security.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2012

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of the ethanol extract from Chrysanthemum cornarium L. var. spatiosum(CSE) against alloxan-induced oxidative stress in pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells, HIT-T15. In this study, the antidiabetic effect of CSE was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliu bromide(MTT) cell proliferation assay, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release assay, $NAD^+$/NADH ratio and insulin secretion. To further investigate whether CSE is involved in the antioxidant activity of alloxan-damaged HIT-T15 cells, its antioxidant effect against alloxan-induced oxidative stress was measured in HIT-T15 cells by determining the levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione S-transferase(GST), glutathione reductase(GR) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx). The results of this analysis showed that alloxan significantly decreased cell viability, increased LDH leakage, and lowered $NAD^+$/NADH ratio and insulin secretion in HIT-T15 cells. However, CSE significantly increased the viability of alloxan-treated cells and lowered LDH leakage. The intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio and insulin secretion were also significantly increased by 1.7-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively, after treatment with 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ CSE. The HIT-T15 cells treated with alloxan showed significant decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, while CSE significantly elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggest that CSE could have a protective effect against cytotoxicity and dysfunction of pancreatic cells in the presence of alloxan-induced oxidative stress.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2018

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are well-known for their ability to improve plant growth and help plants withstand abiotic stress conditions. Unlike other fungi and bacteria, AMF cannot be stored, as they are obligate biotrophs. Long-term preservation of AMF spores is challenging and may lead to the loss of viability and efficiency. This study aimed to understand the effect of prolonged subculture of AMF species on the growth and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) from red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). AMF spores were mass-produced using different techniques and subcultured in pots with sorghum sudangrass as the host plant for 3 years. Experimental soil samples were collected from natural grassland. Five different AMF inocula were used in triplicate as treatments. After 70 days of growth, red pepper plants were harvested and plant dry weight, plant nutrient content, mycorrhizal colonization, AMF spore count, and soil glomalin content were determined. AMF-treated plants displayed higher dry weight than controls, with only fruit dry weight being significantly different. Similarly, significant differences in phosphorous and potassium contents of the above-ground plant parts were observed between mycorrhizal and control treatments. In addition, soil GRSP content was significantly higher in plants inoculated with Rhizophagus sp. and Gigaspora margarita. The increased plant growth and GRSP content suggest that AMF can be maintained for 3 years without losing their efficiency if subcultured regularly with different symbiotic host plants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different concentrate levels in diets based on cactus Opuntia Stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes on the performance of lactating Girolando cows. Methods: The experiment involved 10 Girolando multiparous dairy cows at 512.6 kg of body weight (BW) and producing 13.2 kg milk/d, allocated into two 5×5 Latin squares. The experimental treatments consisted of control diet composed by cactus Nopalea cochenillifera. Salm-Dyck. cladodes (Nopalea), forage sorghum silage and concentrate at 20% on dry matter (DM) basis, and four concentrate levels diets (20%, 24%, 28%, and 32%) plus cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. cladodes (Opuntia) and forage sorghum silage. Results: Regarding cows fed control diet, the nutrients intake were greater than for cows fed with cactus Opuntia and concentrate. Regarding concentrate levels, intakes of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients of cows increased linearly. Organic matter, CP, and NDF digestibilities were similar in between to control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets. The digestibility of NFC increased linearly when the concentrate was inserted. The N balance was the same for control diet and cactus Opuntia-based diets, irrespective the concentrate levels. Conclusion: For cows producing 14 kg/d with 3.5% of fat, it is recommended 32% of concentrate to be included in cactus Opuntia-based diets, and the increase in concentrate level promotes a linear increase in milk yield.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2021

In the present study, we examined if deep uterine artificial insemination (DUAI) can improve the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination (AI) using epididymal spermatozoa (ES) in Hanwoo cattle. The estrus cycles of 88 Hanwoo cows were synchronized, and 17 cows were artificially inseminated using the DUAI method with ES, 20 cows were artificially inseminated via the uterine body (BUAI) method with ES, and as a control, 51 cows were inseminated by using the BUAI method with ejaculated spermatozoa from 1 proven bull after frozen thawing. The pregnancy rate of the DUAI method (58.8%) was higher than that of the BUAI method (25.0%, p = 0.0498). The motility of ES was examined immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation. The rapid progressive sperm motility of the control group was significantly higher than that of the ES group immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The straight line velocity and average path velocity of the ES group after 6 h of incubation were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The linearity and amplitude of lateral head of ES were lower than those at 6 h (p < 0.05). The flagellar beat cross frequency and hyperactivation of ES were lower than the control spermatozoa immediately after thawing and at 3 h (p < 0.05). These motility parameters suggested that ES had a low motility and fertilization ability compared to the control spermatozoa. After frozen-thawing and 3 h of incubation, the percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes in the ES was significantly lower than that in ejaculated spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Our findings suggested that the DUAI method can overcome the low pregnancy rate of ES, despite the low motility, viability, and fertilization ability of ES.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.742-747
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• 2012

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used for heart failure therapy and promotes myocardial regeneration by inducing mobilization of bone marrow stem cells to the injured heart after myocardial infarction; however, this treatment has one weakness in that its biological effect is transient. In our previous report, we generated 5 mutants harboring N-linked glycosylation to improve its antiapoptotic activities. Among them, one mutant (Phe140Asn) had higher cell viability than wild-type hG-CSF in rat cardiomyocytes, even after treatment with an apoptotic agent ($H_2O_2$). Cells treated with this mutant significantly upregulated the antiapoptotic proteins, and experienced reductions in caspase 3 activity and PARP cleavage. Moreover, the total number of apoptotic cells was dramatically lower in cultures treated with mutant hG-CSF. Taken together, these results suggest that the addition of an N-linked glycosylation was successful in improving the antiapoptotic activity of hG-CSF, and that this mutated product will be a feasible therapy for patients who have experienced heart failure.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.249-252
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• 2009

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was employed to assess the thermo-tolerance characteristics of Bifrdobacterium infantis ATCC 27920 to mild heat adaptation. When exposed to various heat levels, pH, and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) stress conditions, B. infantis ATCC 27920 exhibited high level of stress resistance. Under mild-heat treatment ($46^{\circ}C$), no significant change in viability level was observed after 2 hr. Interestingly, improved viability was observed in mild-heat adapted ($46^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr) cultures exposed to $55^{\circ}C$, in comparison to control experiments. Viability was not affected by pH, bile, and $H_2O_2$ stress conditions. 2-DE analysis revealed those mild-heat adaptation up-regulated 4 proteins and down-regulated 3 proteins. Among these protein spots, isopropyhnalate dehydratase (leuD), glycosyltransferase (glgA), and ribosomal protein L5 (rp1E) were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALD1-TOF/MS).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture International Edition
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• no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2001

One of the major environmental issues Japanese cities is now facing with is the conservation of seminatural landscapes for the restoration of ecological integrity of urban areas. The satoyama landscape, which includes coppice woodlands, agricultural areas and rural settlements, is seen as an indispensable semi-natural landscape, formed as a result of man-nature interaction. However, because of the loss of the economic viability they are now abandoned and in the process of losing their ecological values. Today a number of local municipalities as well as NPO groups are involved in the conservation projects of these landscapes. Although satoyama landscapes are commonly believed to have maintained their character over the years, historical studies have revealed that these landscapes have experienced constant and dynamic changes due to a variation in human impacts. It is therefore understood that the conservation projects on satoyama landscapes should not intend to restore their past condition, but should wet the goal of maintaining their dynamic character by promoting ecological roles which the landscapes may play in the contemporary world. EXPO2005 project in Aichi Prefecture is a good example of a development project underway on satoyama landscapes which intend to conserve the landscapes by stimulating contemporary ecological for them. In EXPO2005 project the key issue was the conservation of semi-natural landscapes formed by constant and intensive human impacts over the centuries and thus allowing endemic and endangered species to be accommodated. The planning team proposed a scheme to restore economic viability of satoyama landscapes. The scheme involves re-introducing intensive human impacts through a new management system with an innovative technology. This may restore the economic viability of lumbers provided form satoyama woodlands. EXPO2005 is understood as a model case which stimulates contemporary ecological functions of satoyama landscapes by applying innovative planning concepts.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl (${\cdot}OH$), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) is reported to induce oxidative stress. ROS generated by oxidative stress can potentially damage glial cells in the nervous system. Cordyceps militaris (CM), a kind of natural herb widely found in East Asia. In this study, we investigated the free radical scavenging activity of the CM extract and its neuroprotective effects in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The ethanol extract of CM ($100-1,000{\mu}g/mL$) was used to measure DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radical scavenging activities. In addition, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced C6 glial cells were treated with CM at $0.5-2.5{\mu}g/mL$ for measurement of cell viability, ROS production, and protein expression resulting from oxidative stress. RESULTS: The CM extract showed high scavenging activities against DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radicals at concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of CM with $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells significantly increased cell viability, and decreased ROS production. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was down-regulated in CM-treated groups. In addition, the protein expression level of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells was down-regulated upon CM administration. CONCLUSION: CM exhibited radical scavenging activity and protective effect against $H_2O_2$ as indicated by the increased cell viability, decreased ROS production, down-regulation of inflammation-related proteins as well as p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK protein levels. Therefore, we suggest that CM could play the protective role from oxidative stress in glial cells.