• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the anti-obesity effect of Cydonia oblonga Miller fruit extract (COME) and to compare its anti-obesity efficacy with Garcinia cambogia extract (GCE) in diet-induced obese mice. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 were allocated into four groups: control diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 400 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day COME (H+C), or HFD + 400 mg/kg BW/day GCE (H+G) groups. COME or GCE was administered once a day by oral gavage for eight weeks. Body weight, body fat percentage, fat weight, and biochemical parameters in serum were measured. The expressions of transcription factors and their target genes in epididymal adipose tissues were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: COME reduced body weight, weight gain, body fat percentage, total white adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size, and serum levels of insulin and leptin in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. COME suppressed the mRNA expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ, sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and adipocyte protein 2 and increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mRNA expression in epidydimal adipose tissues. The anti-obesity efficacy of COME was found to be similar to that of GCE at the same dose. However, COME more effectively decreased adipose tissue weights, epididymal adipocyte size, serum insulin and leptin compared to GCE. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that COME is not toxic and exhibits anti-obesity efficacy at a level similar to that of GCE, suggesting that COME may be applicable as an anti-obesity agent.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.451-455
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• 2020

This study evaluated acute toxicity of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂ ) to juveniles of black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (19.4±2.3 g, 10.7±0.4 cm) and red seabream Pagrus major (74.9±8.2 g, 15.9±1.0 cm). Thirty juveniles for each species were exposed to target ClO₂ concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mg/L in triplicate for eight days. Half lethal concentrations for 96 hours were found at 0.14 and 0.24 mg ClO₂/L for black seabream and red seabream, respectively. Red seabream larger than black seabream in body weight appears to be more resistance to chlorine dioxide. However, regardless of species or size, specific loading rates of chlorine dioxide to total fish weight (daily feeding amount of ClO₂/total fish weight) were similar, showing 1.3 and 1.1 g ClO₂/kg fish·day^-1 for black seabream and red seabream.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.137-148
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• 2021

The present study investigated the effect of average daily gain (ADG) on carcass traits of Hanwoo steers. A total of 233 heads of Hanwoo steer slaughtered from 2017 to 2020 were employed in the analysis. Their body weight profiles during feedlot and carcass traits were used. The entire feedlot period is split into two periods. ADG during the first period (ADG1) was then defined as an independent variable in statistical analysis. In the meantime, it was examined that how the cutoff month for the period split altered the significance of the effect of ADG1 on carcass traits. Subsequently, steers were assigned to two groups (High vs. Low) based on the median of total ADG1, and we compared the carcass traits of each group using a linear mixed model. ADG1 during 10 to 23 months showed a significant effect on all carcass traits except the marbling score. ADG1 significantly influenced carcass weight and eye muscle area of Hanwoo steers. And it was found that greater ADG1 could get greater carcass weight and eye muscle area (p<0.001). The result of this study provides preliminary information for the target month in the calculation of ADG1 mostly influencing carcass performance, and feeding strategy of Hanwoo steer in terms of sustainability.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.241-254
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the levels of heavy metals in twelve species of vegetables and assessment of health risk. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The ranges of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in vegetables species were 0.37-5.4, 0.03-17, 0.35-45, 0.01-2.6, 0.001-2.2, and 0.04-8.8 [mg/kg, fresh weight (fw)], respectively. The concentrations of As, Cd and Pb in most vegetable species exceeded the maximum permissible levels, indicating unsafe for human consumption. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ). Total THQ of the studied metals from most of the vegetables species were higher than 1, indicated that these types of vegetables might pose health risk due to metal exposure. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) for As ranged from 0.03 to 0.48 and 0.0004 to 0.025 for Pb which were higher than the USEPA acceptable risk limit (0.000001) indicating that the inhabitants consuming these vegetables are exposed to As and Pb with a lifetime cancer risk. The findings of this study reveal the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of selected vegetables in adult population of Bangladesh.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.352-359
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• 2013

To estimate the mesh selectivity of gillnet for ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei), the field tests were carried out 12 times with six different mesh sizes (121.2mm, 137.7mm, 151.5mm, 168.3mm, 178.2mm, 189.4mm) in the coastal waters of Taean, Chungcheongnamdo of Korea, 2010~2011. In the field tests, the total number of species was 31, and that of catch was 1,410 and the total weight was 618,006g. The number and weight of ocellate spot skate which is main target in this study were 1,004 and 434,592g, respectively. The catch in number of ocellate spot skate occupied about 71.2% in total catch. The others of catch species were marbled sole (8.4%), sea raven (4.4%), japanese swimming crab (4.2%) and flatfish (4.1%) and so on. The range of body disk width (DW) of ocellate spot skates which were caught in this study was 15.2~35cm and the mode was 27~29cm. The estimation equation of mesh selectivity using the extended Kitahara's method was expressed as s $(R)=s(DW/m)={\exp}\{(-0.56R^3-1.80R^2+12.96R-9.99)-4.26\}$. The optimum value of DW/m for 1.0 of retention probability in this estimation equation was estimated 1.899 and DW/m was estimated to be 1.194, 1.314, 1.395, 1.461 and 1.520 when the retention probability were 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5, respectively. When applied to the retention probability of 0.5, the optimum mesh size was estimated to be 177.0mm on first maturity disk width 26.9cm of ocellate spot skate.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) constitutes a hazardous blend of organic and inorganic particles that poses health risks. Inhalation of fine airborne PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) can lead to significant lung impairments. (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound sourced from Bergenia ligulata, boasts a range of attributes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardiovascular effects. However, knowledge about the therapeutic potential of AZC for patients with PM_2.5-induced lung injuries remains limited. Thus, in this study, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against lung damage caused by PM_2.5 exposure. AZC was administered to the mice 30 min after intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5. Various parameters, such as changes in lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, total protein/total cell ratio, lymphocyte counts, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), vascular permeability, and histology, were evaluated in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Data demonstrated that AZC mitigated lung damage, reduced W/D weight ratio, and curbed hyperpermeability induced by PM_2.5 exposure. Furthermore, AZC effectively lowered plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by PM_2.5 exposure. It reduced the total protein concentration in BALF and successfully alleviated PM_2.5-induced lymphocytosis. Additionally, AZC substantially diminished the expression levels of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin 1. In contrast, it elevated the protein phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Consequently, the anti-inflammatory attribute of AZC positions it as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating PM_2.5-induced lung injuries by modulating the TLR4-MyD88 and mTOR-autophagy pathways.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.343-354
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• 2018

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$ NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials; however, relatively little information about their risk identification and assessment is available. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of $Al_2O_3$ NPs following repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were exposed to $Al_2O_3$ NPs for 28 days (5 days/week) at doses of 0, 0.2, 1, and $5mg/m^3$ using a nose-only inhalation system. During the experimental period, we evaluated the clinical signs, body weight change, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology findings. Additionally, we analyzed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), including differential leukocyte counts, and aluminum contents in the major organs and blood. Aluminum contents were the highest in lung tissues and showed a dose-dependent relationship in the exposure group. Histopathology showed alveolar macrophage accumulation in the lungs of rats in the $5mg/m^3$ group during exposure and recovery. These changes tended to increase at the end of the recovery period. In the BALF analysis, total cell and neutrophil counts and lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 levels significantly increased in the 1 and $5mg/m^3$ groups during exposure. Under the present experimental conditions, we suggested that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of $Al_2O_3$ NPs in male rats was $1mg/m^3$, and the target organ was the lung.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2002

Trace organic contaminants in deep-sea sediments near Dokdo were analyzed. Total PAMs concentration ranged 14.8-314 ng/g dry weight and high molecular weight PAHs were dominant. The highest PAHs concentration was detected at A19 which located at Ulleung Basin. Most of organochlorines were under detection limit. Among the detected organochlorines, DDT compounds were dominant and followed by HCHs and HCB. Butyltin compounds and most of organophosphorus pesticides were not detected. Vertical distribution of PAHs showed typical sub-surface maximum and decreasing trends depending on depth. The highest PAHs concentration reached 454ng/g. Some organochlorines, DDT, HCH was detected and also showed decreasing trends. Other target organic pollutants were not detected in core sediments. Abnormally high level of PAHs concentration in A19 was discussed and the input sources were inferred to be the transport of sludge derived pollutant dumped at dumping site 'Byung' by deep current.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.381-382
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• 1994

Administration route dependency on the distribution of PEGylated recombinant human turor necrosis factor binding protein (rhTNFbp-PEG20K dimer) was observed following a subcutaneous (sc) and an intravenous (iv) administrationin rats. ehTNFbp-PEG20K dimer is composed of two rhTNGbp molecules (molecular weight 18, 278 daltons each) joined by polyethylene glycol 2000(PEG30K). The steady state distribution volume of rhTNFbp-PEG20K was 55 m/kg and 359 ml/kg following the i.v. and s.c. administrations, respectively. These results suggest that the distribution of ehTNFbp-PEG20K is limited within the cpillary space after i.v. administration, while rhTNFbp-PEG20K can distribute into a space (35.9% of body weight) which is between extracellylar space and total body water. A lymphatic absorption may paly a role in the distribution of rhTNFbp-PEF20K dimer following the sc administration. The present study suggests that the administration route of a lartge protein molecule should be determined depedning upon target sites.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the patterns of dry matter (DM) production and accumulation, and to screen the relationships between related major growth characters and DM accumulation in four cassava varieties in Bogor $(6^{\circ}19'-6^{\circ}47'S,\;106^{\circ}21'-107^{\circ}13'E)$, West Java, Indonesia. Gading and Adiral developed an enough source and canopy in short at the early growth phase and then translocated assimilates to storage roots with a higher partitioning rate, even these varieties were considered as early-bulking varieties, which have superior source and sink potentials in increasing yield and DM of tubers. The root/shoot ratio (R/SR), total dry weight (TDW), leaf area duration, leaf area index (LAI), and number of tubers showed higher positive correlations with the dry weight of roots (DWR), and the direct effects of TDW, R/SR, and LAI on the DWR were higher. These characters were considered to be useful target characters to screen cassava varieties with high yield potential and high DM in aspect of tuber production.