• Plant Resources
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.161-170
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• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilajit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 mg/kg, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Thl and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells in the pancreas. Further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.204-204
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• 1999

The plasma source ion implantation(PSII) technique which is a method using high negative voltage pulse in plasma system has the potential to change the surface properties of polymer. PSII technique increase the surface free energy by introducing polar functional groups on the surface so that it improves reactivity, hydrophilicity, adhension, biocompatability, etc. However, the mobility of polymer chains enables the modified surface layers to adapt their composition to interfacial force. This hydrophobic recovery interrupts the stability of modified surfaces to keep for the long time. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA), and polu(2-hydroxypropyl methacylate)(PHPMA) for contact lens application, were modified to improve the wettability with PSII technique and were investigated the surface stabilities. Polymer film was prepared with solution casting(3 wt.% solution) and was annealed at 11$0^{\circ}C$ under vacuum oven to remove solvent completely and to eliminate physical ageing. The thickness of the film measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface profilometer was about 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Polymers were treated with different kinds of gases, pulse frequency, pulse with, pulse voltage, and treatment time. Even though PMMA, PHEMA, and PHPMA have similar repeat unit structure, the optimal treatment conditions and the tendency to hydrophobic recovery were different. PHPMA, more hydrophilic polymer than PMMA and PHEMA showd better wettability and stability after mild treatment. Surface tensions were obtained by water and diiodomethane contact angle measurements to monitor the relation between hydrophobic recovery and polymer structure. Different ion species in plasma change the polar component and dispersion component of polymer surface. For better wettability surface, the increase of polar component was a dominant factor. We also characterized modified polymer surfaces using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry(SIMS), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), and SEM.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.20-33
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• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilaiit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 ㎎/㎏, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Th1 and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells In the pancreas. further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2019

Background: Efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, in treatment of asthma have been reported. However, its effect on airway remodeling in chronic asthma of the elderly has not been clearly verified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tiotropium and expression of muscarinic receptors as its related mechanism in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma with airway remodeling. Methods: BALB/c female mice age 6 weeks, 9 and 15 months were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for three months. Tiotropium bromide was administered during the challenge period. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary inflammation were measured. Parameters of airway remodeling, and expression levels of $M_2$ and $M_3$ receptors were examined. Results: Total cell with eosinophils, increased in the OVA groups by age, was decreased significantly after treatment with tiotropium bromide, particularly in the age group of 15 months. AHR and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were decreased, after tiotropium administration. In old aged group of 9- and 15-months-treated groups, hydroxyproline contents and levels of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were attenuated. Tiotropium enhanced the expression of $M_2$ but decreased expression of $M_3$ in all aged groups of OVA. Conclusion: Tiotropium bromide had anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling effects in an aged mouse model of chronic asthma. Its effects seemed to be partly mediated by modulating expression $M_3$ and $M_2$ muscarinic receptors. Tiotropium may be a beneficial treatment option for the elderly with airway remodeling of chronic asthma.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2016

This study was jointly conducted by the department of nursing science in a college of natural sciences and the furniture design department in the art and physical education to research the critical factors for the furniture development for the Elderly in consideration of the surging number of senior citizens not only in Korea but also globally. On the basis of the Elderly's physical and mental characteristics investigated by the department of nursing science, the furniture design guideline for the Elderly was presented. The following points should be considered at designing the furniture for the Elderly. First, multiple functions like chair with removable toilet bowl and part lighting in bed are advantageous. Second, the dimension of furniture such as chair, bed and sofa should be ergonomically thought in terms of structure for the Elderly's convenience. Third, the bright and vivid color of furniture should be chosen from the aspect of the design, while the different kinds of blue should be avoided. Small patterns and high glossy are not recommendable, but various kinds of feelings in different shapes are suggested. Forth, the material should contribute to the fracture prevention and for that sponge, fabric and leather smoothing the surface of furniture are recommendable as the finishing treatment in a wide variety of colors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.944-950
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• 1999

Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) was fed to one day old chicks of Gallus domesticus in the form of different concentrations (250 and 500 mg/kg feed) of potassium dichromate mixed with the feed, ad libitum, for 32 weeks. After 20 weeks of feeding, the total body weight was higher in the low dose (260 mg/kg (feed) group and lower in the high dose (500 mg/kg feed) group, as compared with the control chicks. After 32 weeks of feeding, however, the total body weight was significantly decreased in both the treated groups. Egg laying was enhanced. Fertility remained unaffected, whereas hatchability was considerably decreased after CrVI-treatment. The egg shell thickness increased significantly (13%). Cr was deposited in a dose dependent manner in the liver and lungs. Some structural derangements in liver were also noted in treated chicks. The results of this study i.e., rapid ageing, excessive Cr deposition, decreased hatchability and hepatotoxicity indicate toxic effects of CrVI.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.179-183
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• 2008

Mechanical properties of the spray-cast Al 6061 alloy with variation of Mg/Si addition were investigated. After spray-cast, hot extrusion was performed at $460^{\circ}C$ then followed ageing treatment to the T6 condition. SEM, EDX, and XRD were used to characterize a ${\beta}(Mg_{2}Si)$ precipitate. The amount of ${\beta}$ precipitate was calculated from the XRD measurements. Hardness, ultimate tensile strength and elongation were tested then compared with those of the Al 6061 alloys made by ingot metallurgy (I/M) and powder metallurgy (P/M). The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the spray-cast Al 6061 alloy were 318MPa and 16.5%, respectively. These properties were improved in the 2.2 wt%Mg and 1.3wt%Si addition up to 349MPa of UTS and 12.5% of elongation, mainly due to increased amount of a fine supersaturated ${\beta}(Mg_{2}Si)$ precipitate.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2003

Bee venom has been clinically used to control the pain of inflammation disease etc. in general. Although the effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of inflammation and ageing related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development inflammation disease. NO or DPPH is one of the free radicals and a mediator in inflammation diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture against NO and DPPH. The followings are the summary of the results: (1) There is no significant scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture on NO in BVS and BVP group. (2) There is a significant scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture on DPPH in BVS-1 and BVP-1 group. These results suggest that bee venom herbal acupuncture can be used for inflammation diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This study would provide important basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of bee venom herbal acupuncture. Further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.470-476
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• 2010

In this study, Cu-10Sn and Cu-10Sn-2Ni-0.2Si alloys have been manufactured by spray casting in order to achieve a fine scale microstructure and high tensile strength, and investigated in terms of microstructural evolution, aging characteristics and tensile properties. Spray cast alloys had a much lower microhardness than continuous cast billet because of an improved homogenization and an extended Sn solid solubility. Spray cast Cu-Sn-Ni-Si alloy was characterized by an equiaxed grain microstructure with a small-sized (Ni, Si)-rich precipitates. Cold rolling of Cu-Sn-Ni-Si alloy increased a tensile strength to 1220 MPa, but subsequent ageing treatment reduced a ultimate tensile strength to 780 MPa with an elongation of 18%.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.143-168
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• 2018

While there were posed arguments that social treatment to older persons should be based on the perspective of human rights turning into the 21st century, policy efforts to protect and promote the rights of older persons in international community have slowly proceeded. In this situation existing studies on the rights of older persons in the international perspective have been fragmented in their contents, lacking systematic overview of policy efforts to strengthen the rights of older persons in international community. This study aims to be the one that could be such a systematic study to overview international policy efforts to strengthen the rights of older persons through analyzing the background of posing the problem of the rights of older persons, problems in existing international norms for human rights applicable to older persons, and measures to strengthen the rights of older persons and controversial issues. Existing international norms on human rights that are Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international conventions on the rights in terms of area of rights and target population, and policy recommendations, are narrow in the scope of rights to be protected, and also lack legal force in their implementation. The international community has generally reached a consensus on strengthening the rights of older persons. However, there have been two different positions: strengthening existing norms on human rights versus creating a new convention on the rights of older persons. And also there have appeared many controversial points in both positions. Conclusively this study, arguing the creation of a new convention, suggests implications for Korean society and research studies.