• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.397-403
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• 2018

The leaves of Spiraea prunifolia were extracted with 80% aqueous MeOH and the concentrates were partitioned into EtOAc, n-BuOH, and $H_2O$ fractions. The repeated $SiO_2$ or ODS column, and medium pressure liquid chromatographies for the n-BuOH fraction led to isolation of two phenolic glucosides. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined as isosalicin (1) and crenatin (2) based on spectroscopic analyses including Nuclear magnetic resonance and MS. Extracts were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS providing a short analysis time within 5 min using MRM technique. The concentration of crenatin was higher as 9.53 mg/g and isosalicin was lower as 0.65 mg/g. Neuroprotective effects of these compounds against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced neurotoxicity were evaluated. The results showed that exposure to $H_2O_2$ induced morphological changes, cell death and neurotoxicity in SK-N-MC cells. However, pretreatment with crenatin resulted in inhibition of morphological change, reduction of loss of cell viability and attenuation of neuronal damage. These results suggested that neuroprotective effect of crenatin isolated from S. prunifolia can be a good candidate for the development of health beneficial foods which can ameliorate the degenerative neuronal disease caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.245-253
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• 2019

Pathogen-associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) are highly conserved structural motifs that are recognized by Pathogen Recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate immune responses. Infection by these pathogens and the immune response to PAMPS such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Peptidoglycan (PGN), bacterial oligodeoxynucleotides [CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2006 (CpG ODN2006) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 2216 (CpG ODN2216)], and viral RNA Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid (Poly I:C), are associated with infectious and metabolic diseases in animals impacting health and production. It is established that PAMPs mediate the production of cytokines by binding to PRRs such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) on immune cells. Galectins (Gal) are carbohydrate-binding proteins that when expressed play essential roles in the resolution of infectious and metabolic diseases. Thus it is important to determine if the expression of galectin gene (LGALS) and Gal secretion in blood are affected by exposure to LPS and PGN, PolyI:C and bacterial CpG ODNs. LPS increased transcription of LGALS4 and 12 (2.5 and 2.02 folds respectively) and decreased secretion of Gal 4 (p < 0.05). PGN increased transcription of LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, and -12 (3.0, 2.3, 2.0, 4.1, 3.3, and 2.4 folds respectively) and secretion of Gal-8 and Gal-9 (p < 0.05). Poly I:C tended to increase the transcription of LGALS1, LGALS4, and LGALS8 (1.78, 1.88, and 1.73 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-1, -3, -8 and nine were significantly increased in treated samples compared to control (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2006 did not cause any significant fold changes in LGALS transcription (FC < 2) but increased secretion of Gal-1, and-3 (p < 0.05) in plasma compared to control. Gal-4 was however reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). CpG ODN2216 increased transcription of LGALS1 and LGALS3 (3.8 and 1.6 folds respectively), but reduced LGALS2, LGALS4, LGALS7, and LGALS12 (-1.9, -2.0, -2.0 and; -2.7 folds respectively). Secretion of Gal-2 and -3 in plasma was increased compared to control (p < 0.05). Gal-4 secretion was reduced in plasma (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that PAMPs differentially modulate galectin transcription and translation of galectins in cow blood.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.398-407
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• 2018

Background: Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) are frequent in professions with exposure to skin hazards. Thus, a health educational intervention for apprentices of high-risk professions was conducted. It was the aim of this study to gain insight into possible effects of this intervention. Methods: A one-time skin protection seminar was conducted in 140 apprentices of health-related and non-health-related professions [trained cohort (TC)]. In addition, 134 apprentices of the same occupations were monitored [untrained cohort (UTC)]. The OSD-specific knowledge and the skin condition of the hands were assessed at baseline (T0), after the seminar (T1), and after 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3). Results: The OSD-specific knowledge increased in all cohorts from T0 to T3, but we found a significantly higher knowledge in the TC at T2 (p < 0.001, t = 3.6, df = 196, 95% confidence interval = 0.9, 3.3) and T3 (p < 0.001, t = 3.8, df = 196, 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 3.2) compared to the UTC. Our results indicated a better skin condition of the hands in the TC of the health-related professions but not in the non-health-related professions. Conclusion: The study indicates that an educational intervention may positively influence the disease-specific knowledge and the prevalence of OSD in apprentices. However, definite conclusions cannot be drawn because of the heterogeneous study cohorts and the study design. Future research should aim at tailoring primary prevention to specific target groups, e.g., in view of the duration and frequency of skin protection education, different professions, and gender-specific prevention approaches.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.667-675
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• 2020

Objectives: Exposure to fine dust (PM10) could contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or respiratory abnormalities. Since garlic is known to possess an anti-oxidative stress effect, the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of garlic intake on fine dust-mediated pulmonary toxicity. Methods: Rats were intratracheally instilled with fine dust at 15 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for five days following five-day intragastric intubation of garlic at 0.7 or 1.4 g/kgBW/day, or 13.1 mg/kgBW/day S-allyl-cysteine (SAC) as a reference component in garlic. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Results: Deposit of fine dust was visually and histopathologically observed in the lungs. Body weight gain during the instillation period was significantly lowered in all the groups instilled with fine dust. Neutrophil numbers in blood were significantly elevated in the fine dust alone group, but this alteration was diminished in the groups administered with garlic. Levels of serum glutathione were lower in the rats instilled with fine dust alone, and this decrease in the glutathione level seems dose-dependently compensated among the groups administered with garlic. Similar findings were observed in the BALF with statistical significance. Typical pulmonary histopathological observation related with inflammation was demonstrated in the lungs of the rats exposed to fine dust alone, whereas such histopathologic findings were not improved in the groups administered with garlic. Conclusion: The present study suggests that garlic intake could alleviate fine dust-mediated pulmonary or systemic toxicities. Further investigation is necessary to delineate the mechanism of garlic-mediated effects on pulmonary function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.975-980
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• 2020

Cervical neural foraminal stenosis is a very common spinal disease that affects a relatively large number of people of all ages. However, since imaging methods that quantitatively provide neural foraminal stenosis are lacking, this study attempts to present quantitative measurement results by reconstructing 3D computed tomography images. Using a 3D reconstruction software, the surrounding bones were removed, including the spinous process, transverse process, and lamina of the cervical spine so that the neural foramen were well observed. Using Image J, a region of interest including the neural foramen area of the 3D image was set, and the number of pixels of the neural foramen area was measured. The neural foramen area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. In order to measure the widest area of the neural foramen, it was measured between 40-50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15-20 degrees toward the head. The measured cervical neural foramen area showed consistent measurement values. The largest measured area of the right neural foramen C5-6 was 12.21 ㎟, and after 2 years, the area was measured to be 9.95 ㎟, indicating that 18% stenosis had progressed. Since 3D reconstruction using axial CT scan images, no additional radiation exposure is required, and the area of stenosis can be objectively presented. In addition, it is good to explain to patients with neural stenosis while viewing 3D images, and it is considered a good method to be used in the evaluation of the progression of stenosis and post-operative evaluation.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

Smoking has become one of the public health harzard affecting the world. In the UK, smoking is responsible for around one in five deaths. The illnesses caused by smoking extend beyond the well-reported links with cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Hence the research to determine the awareness of the predisposing factor to smoking among adults in sokoto metropolis. A cross-sectional form of descriptive survey research design was used for this study. This is because descriptive studies are used when the characteristics of a population are either unknown or partially known (Hennekens & Buring, 2007), and it was used by Ganley and Rosario (2013) in a related research this justified the use of similar design in a study of similar nature.Two hundred and seventy returned questionnaire was collected, analyzed using descriptive statistic of frequency count, normative percentage and grand mean; as well as inferential statistics of chi-square (${\chi}^2$). The level of significant was fixed at 0.05. Appropriate degrees of freedom were worked out. There was statistical significant influence or relationship with marital status on the predisposing factors of smoking chi-square of 19716.516 greater than the critical value 43.77297at df 30 p<0.05. There were statistical significance chi-square =27468.348 which is greater than the critical value 43.77297 at df= 30. These show that there is a relationship on gender awareness of predisposing factors to smoking rejecting the null hypotheses. The respondents across different lever/year higher institution shows that the awareness of predisposing factors of smoking there were a statistical significance difference chi-square =7168.429 (df=88) greater than critical value 102.342 rejecting the null hypotheses. There is consistent evidence that links exposure to depictions of smoking in movies and initiation of smoking in young people. Over the years television shows and films have effectively built up associations between smoking and glamour, sex and risk-taking. Social learning theory describes how we learn by example from others. We are strongly influenced by our parents, and other people we look up to, such as peers, actors and pop stars. This can lead us to emulate their behaviour and try smoking.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2021

Air pollution caused by particulate matters (PM) has become a global issue. PM is known to threaten human health by causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. PM can be introduced to human gastrointestinal track through food intake, causing inflammation and changes in gut microbiota. Even at low PM concentrations, prolonged exposure to PM can cause significant accumulation of PM in food products. The adsorption of PM onto food surfaces is expected to be strongly influenced by the properties of food surfaces, but few studies have been reported. This paper examines several important food surface properties that may affect the interactions between PM and food surfaces, including surface wettability, surface charge, and surface microstructure. Understanding the adsorption of PM onto food surfaces can provide useful guidance for classifying PM-sensitive foods and controlling food chains, including cultivation, processing, preservation, and cooking, to ensure food safety against PM.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.348-358
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• 2022

Purpose: Hyperglycemia accelerates the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a group of compounds formed via non-enzymatic glycation/glycoxidation. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to oxidative stress, resulting in some overgeneration of AGEs. The accumulation of AGEs in T2DM patients leads to increased inflammation, DNA damage, tissue damage, progression of diabetic microvascular disease, and nephropathy. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an intracellular enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of heme. Expression of HO-1 in the endothelium and in muscle monocytes/macrophages was upregulated upon exposure to reactive oxygen species or oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Cells activated by oxidative stress are reported to release HO-1 in the serum. In the current study, we discuss the oxidative status according to the level of AGEs and the association of HO-1 with AGEs or urinary DNA damage marker in type 2 diabetic Korean patients. Methods: This study enrolled 36 diabetic patients. Subjects were classified into two groups by serum AGEs level (Low AGEs group: < 0.85 ng/mL serum AGEs; High AGEs group: ≥ 0.85 ng/mL serum AGEs). Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood and urinary parameters were measured using commercial kits. Results: No significant differences were observed in the general characteristics and body composition between the two groups. Serum HO-1 concentration was significantly higher in the High AGEs group than in the Low AGEs group. After adjustment of age and gender, a correlation was performed to assess the association between serum HO-1 and serum AGEs or urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Our results indicate that serum HO-1 is positively correlated with serum AGEs and urinary 8-OHdG. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that in diabetes patients, a high level of HO-1 is associated with a high concentration of AGEs and 8-OHdG, probably reflecting a protective response against oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.969-979
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• 2021

Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease, and the goal of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose at a normal level and prevent complications from diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a key pathologic feature of type 2 diabetes that mainly results from insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Chronic exposure of β-cells to elevated glucose concentrations induces glucotoxicity. In this study, we examined whether an 80% ethanol extract of Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mishchenko (OEE) protected INS-1 pancreatic β-cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress. Pretreatment with a high concentration of glucose (high glucose = 30 mM) induced glucotoxicity and apoptosis of INS-1 pancreatic β cells. Treatment with OEE significantly increased cell viability. Treatment with 0.01-0.20 mg/ml OEE dose dependently decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide levels and increased insulin secretion in high glucose-pretreated INS-1 β cells. OEE also significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in response to high-glucose-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, OEE treatment significantly reduced the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-3, and caspase-9, and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Apoptotic cells were identified using Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining, which revealed that treatment with OEE significantly reduced high-glucose-induced apoptosis. These findings implicate OEE as a valuable functional food in protecting pancreatic β-cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.16-33
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• 2022

Purposes: Prompt evaluation of routes and contact tracing are very important for epidemiological investigations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To ensure better adoption of contact tracing apps, it is necessary to understand users' expectations, preferences, and concerns. This study aimed to identify main reasons why people use the apps, appropriate services, and basis for voluntary app services that can improve app participation rates and data sharing. Methodology/Approach: This study conducted an online survey from November 11 to December 6, 2020, and received a total of 1,048 survey responses. This study analyzed the questionnaire survey findings of 883 respondents in areas with many confirmed cases of COVID-19. This study used a multiple regression analysis. Findings: Respondents who had experience of using related apps showed a high intention to use contact-tracing apps. Participants wished for the contact tracking apps to be provided by the government or public health centers (74%) and preferred free apps (93.88%). The factors affecting the participants' intention to use these apps were their preventive value, performance expectancy, perceived risk, facilitative ability, and effort expectancy. The results highlighted the need to ensure voluntary participation to address participants' concerns regarding privacy protection and personal information exposure. Practical Implications: The results can be used to accurately identify user needs and appropriate services and thereby improve the development of contact tracking apps. The findings provide the basis for voluntary app that can enhance app participation rates and data sharing. The results will also serve as the basis for developing trusted apps that can facilitate epidemiological investigations.