• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.670-681
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals that accelerate inflammatory responses and exacerbate fatigue. Tormentic acid (TA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of present study is to determine the fatigue-regulatory effects of TA in H₂O₂-stimulated myoblast cell line, C2C12 cells and treadmill stress test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) animal models. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the in vitro study, C2C12 cells were pretreated with TA before stimulation with H₂O₂. Then, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glycogen, and cell viability were analyzed. In the in vivo study, the ICR male mice were administered TA or distilled water orally daily for 28 days. FST and TST were then performed on the last day. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum, muscle, and liver was performed. RESULTS: TA dose-dependently alleviated the levels of MDA, LDH, CK activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells without affecting the cytotoxicity. TA increased the SOD and CAT activities and the glycogen levels in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells. In TST and FST animal models, TA decreased the FST immobility time significantly while increasing the TST exhaustion time without weight fluctuations. The in vivo studies showed that the levels of SOD, CAT, citrate synthase, glycogen, and free fatty acid were increased by TA administration, whereas TA significantly reduced the levels of glucose, MDA, LDH, lactate, CK, inflammatory cytokines, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and cortisol compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: TA improves fatigue by modulating oxidative stress and energy metabolism in C2C12 cells and animal models. Therefore, we suggest that TA can be a powerful substance in healthy functional foods and therapeutics to improve fatigue.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2023

In this study, a mixed matrix membrane was prepared by varying the contents of PEI-GO@ZIF-8 synthesized in PEBAX 2533, and the permeation characteristics of N₂ and CO₂ were studied. The N₂ permeability of the PEBAX/PEIGO@ZIF-8 mixed matrix membrane decreased as the PEI-GO@ZIF-8 content increased, and the CO₂ permeability showed different trends depending on the PEI-GO@ZIF-8 content. The CO₂ permeability increased in pure PEBAX membrane up to PEBAX/PEI-GO@ZIF-8 0.1 wt%, but decreased at the subsequent content. The PEI-GO@ZIF-8 0.1 wt% mixed matrix membrane had a CO₂ permeability of 221.9 Barrer and a CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 60.0, showing the highest permeation properties with improved CO₂ permeability and CO₂/N₂ selectivity among the prepared mixed matrix membrane and we obtained a result that reached the Robeson upper-bound. This is due to the -COOH, -O-, and -OH functional groups of GO and the amine group bonded to PEI, which interact friendly with CO₂, and the effect of ZIF-8, which causes gate-opening for CO₂ while the fillers are evenly dispersed in PEBAX.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.454-461
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• 2007

Antioxidative and antimicrobial activities were carried out on the Citrus Unshju peel solvent extracts in order to discover new functional activities. The amounts of polyphenol in 70% metanol extract (MtEx) was measured as 836.8 mg% in Citrus Unshju peel. The EDA (electron donating ability) of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.1% MtEx in Citrus Unshju peel were measured as levels of 81.3, 86.0 and 89.6%. The nitrite scavenging effects of Citrus peel were also determined as the levels of 34.4% (pH 1.2) and 19.5% (pH 7.0). The pH of react solution was more acidic, the nitrite scavenging effect was more increased. The order of antioxidatives was shown as TBHQ > BHT > TOC > ChEx > EaEx > EtEx > WaEx > Control in corn germ oil and TBHQ > ChEx > EaEx > BHT > EtEx > WaEx > TOC > Control in canola oil. A number of the extracts were certified to have antimicrobial activities for a small number of micro-organisms, similar gram negative and positive micro-organisms. According to the results above, it was summerized that Citrus Unshju peel had the higher total polyphenol, EDA, nitrite scavenging effects and antimicrobial activities. Also isolated extract from ChEx and EaEx had high antioxidative, these effects were very similar to that of ${alpha}$-tocopherol and BHT. It would be proposed that Citrus peel can become a new natural source for antioxidative agents in future food industry.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2009

The purpose of the present study was to develop a community-based intensive health care program for the community dwelling elderly to strength their functional status and to verify the effect on their geriatric syndrome. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. A total of 69 frail elderly, who lived in the area within 20 minutes by car, were committed themselves to the day care center(Sangikjae), and had the ability of verbal communication were selected from G city in Kyunggi province. The participants completed a set of questionnaires to measure the sub-score of frailty, fall, urinary incontinence, malnutrition, and mild cognitive disorder domain, using the Otasha-Kensin through the physical examinations and interviews. After 4 weeks of intervention, the outcome was measured to evaluate the effects of the program, and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and McNemar test. The results showed that the sub-score of frailty, fall, urinary incontinence, and malnutrition domain were statistically significantly decreased after intervention except those of urinary incontinence and mild cognitive disorder domain, implying that the risk of frailty, fall, and malnutrition was decreased. These findings indicated that community-based the intensive health care program is effective for relieving geriatric syndrome of the community dwelling elderly.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.195-213
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyse how consumption value affects the loyalty of green product through satisfaction and trust among elderly consumers. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 314 older adults (age≥60) in the U. S., who bought and possessed a hybrid car, a representative green product. The statistical methodology is employed a structural equation model. The results demonstrated several important findings. First, perceived social value among elderly population had significant effects on green product satisfaction, while hedonic value did not. Second, both perceived functional value and environment friendly value had a significant positive effect on trust in green products. Third, satisfaction with green products also led to trust in green products. Finally, trust in green products showed their significant effects on loyalty in green product. These results provide practical implications to improve the trust and loyalty in green products among the elderly consumers. Furthermore, by deriving major components of consumption values in green products among the elderly, and analyzing the mechanism of satisfaction, trust, and loyalty, the study emphasizes relationship marketing in implementing "green" marketing strategies.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1083-1101
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to describe how the structural and functional features of social network change among widowed middle and older adults and to examine the effect of personal predictors of the social network change. Data was obtained from men and women between 45 to 98 years of age(N=118) who were bereaved by the death of their spouse since the first wave survey and participated in the second wave survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA). The main findings are as follows: First, their social network after the bereavement was strengthened centered around children; for example, the number of adult children living in proximity to the parent, frequency of contact with children, and the financial and non-financial support from children generally increased. Second, the social network change pattern was categorized into four types such as "overall increased type," "children-centered increased type," "children/close relationship-centered increased type," and "stagnation type." Finally, the health condition of the widowed middle and older adults was a strong predictor of the social network change.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.391-423
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• 2011

This study was proceeded with interest on the influence of globalization factors of Korean traditional liquor on Korea national brand image and purchasing intention toward traditional liquor. Results show that the globalization factors except the superiority and special knowledge of Korean traditional liquor, the quality and promotion factors directly related to Korea brand image and purchasing intention toward traditional liquor. This fact improves the quality of Korean traditional liquor is most important factor deciding national brand image and purchasing intention. Also, Korea national brand image had influence on purchasing intention toward traditional liquor. And the quality factors of Korean traditional liquor had moderating effect on brand image and purchasing intention, which implies to improve quality and functional properties of Korean traditional liquor using promotion with Korean food to Japanese.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.876-886
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• 2023

In some cases of head and neck cancers (HNC), surgical interventions may result in the loss of organs and/or changes to their functions, thereby significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. As a result, the surgical treatment of HNC patients is often limited to specific cases, and alternative treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, are considered. However, serious adverse effects caused by chemotherapy, such as severe nausea and vomiting, necessitate the need for the development of adjunctive methods to minimize patient suffering. Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong), is a natural herb used in Eastern medicine to treat cerebrovascular disorders and headaches. This study aimed to predict the effect and potential of L. chuanxiong as an auxiliary anticancer drug through network-based pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. The study results showed that 40 out of 41 genes of L. chuanxiong shared common targets of HNC and their proteins could be used to target HNC cells to prevent cancer progression. The results of the functional enrichment analysis confirmed that L. chuanxiong is associated with the neuroactive-ligand metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, indicating its potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in HNC treatment. Lastly, our findings demonstrated that the active ingredient of L. chuanxiong, (Z)-Ligustilide, has the ATP binding site of heat shock protein 90, a protein known to promote the activation of cancer cells. These results suggest that L. chuanxiong is a promising candidate for developing auxiliary anticancer drugs, and further research could potentially lead to the discovery of newer and safer anti-cancer agents.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.3
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• pp.147-166
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• 2023

Seed color is controlled by several genes and is a key trait in determining the metabolite content and biological activities of legume genotypes. In this study, 296 adzuki bean accessions, including 159 grey, 99 red, and 38 white adzuki beans, were grown in Korea. Variations in total phenolic content (TPC), total saponin content (TSC), DPPH^• scavenging activity, ABTS^•+ scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed and were reported to be in the ranges of 1.52-8.24 mg GAE/g, 14.36-114.22 mg DE/g, 0.23-12.84 mg AAE/g, 1.05-17.66 mg TE/g, and 0.59-13.14 mg AAE/g, respectively, with a wide variation across adzuki beans. Except for DPPH^• scavenging activity, the average values declined in the order gray > red > white adzuki beans, each demonstrating a significant variation (p < 0.05). White adzuki beans, which showed low metabolite content and antioxidant activity, were clearly separated from the gray and red genotypes using principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses. Moreover, TPC, TSC, and antioxidant activities were strongly correlated, regardless of seed color. Overall, the diversity of the TPC, TSC, and antioxidant activity in a broad population of adzuki bean genotypes was determined. Furthermore, this study found that seed color variation in adzuki beans had a significant effect on the metabolite content and antioxidant activity. Superior accessions with high levels of TPC, TSC, and antioxidant activity were also discovered and could be used for functional plant breeding and human consumption. The findings of this study may be useful for understanding the relationship between seed coat color and metabolite concentration in adzuki beans, paving the way for molecular-level analyses.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity has emerged as a critical global public health concern as it is associated with and increases susceptibility to various diseases. This condition is characterized by the excessive enlargement of adipose tissue, primarily stemming from an inequity between energy intake and expenditure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder in mitigating obesity and metabolic disorders in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and to compare the effects of raw sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP01) and heat-treated sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP02). Methods: Leptin-deficient obese mice were fed a diet containing 10% HNSP01 and another containing 10% HNSP02 for 6 weeks. Results: The supplementation of ob/ob mice with HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in decreased body weight gain, reduced adipose tissue weight, and a smaller size of lipid droplets in the adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, the ob/ob-HNSP01 and ob/ob-HNSP02 supplemented groups exhibited lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin, as well as a reduced atherogenic index in comparison with the control group. Molecular analysis also demonstrated that the intake of HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in a diminished activation of factors associated with fatty acid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, while concurrently enhancing factors associated with lipolysis, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic properties against obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.