• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.997-1006
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are closely related and considered as allergic respiratory diseases (ARD), and their prevalence has recently increased. Data on the association of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake with asthma and AR in adults are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin A and C intake with asthma, AR, and all cases of both diseases in young adults who participated in a cross-sectional national survey, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level as an effect modifier. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 6,293 male and female adults aged 20-49 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2018. The questionnaire-based reports on asthma and AR diagnosis were used to determine outcome variables. Further, 24-h recall data on dietary vitamin A and C, carotene, and retinol intake were acquired. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with asthma prevalence among participants with hs-CRP levels (≥ 1 mg/L); the OR of asthma prevalence was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.84) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Similar association analyses limiting to non-users of dietary supplements were performed to rule out the potential effects of supplement intake on the outcomes; results showed a stronger association. However, the association between vitamin C and asthma was not significant in participants with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L; the OR of asthma was 1.44 (95% CI, 0.66-3.16) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Vitamin C intake was not associated with AR. Moreover, there was no association between vitamin A intake and neither asthma nor AR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher vitamin C intake may play a potential role in reducing asthma prevalence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to evaluate whether this association is causal.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.445-450
• /
• 2024

The expansion of lithium-ion battery usage beyond portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and energy storage systems is driven by their high energy density and favorable cycle characteristics. Enhancing the stability and performance of these batteries involves exploring solid electrolytes as alternatives to liquid ones. While sulfide-based solid electrolytes have received significant attention for commercialization, research on amorphous-phase glass solid electrolytes in oxide-based systems remains limited. Here, we investigate the glass transition temperatures and sintering behaviors by changing the molecular ratio of Li₂O/B₂O₃ in borate glass comprising Li₂O-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃ system. The glass transition temperature is decreasing as increasing the amount of Li₂O. When we sintered at 450℃, just above the glass transition temperature, the samples did not consolidate well, while the proper sintered samples could be obtained under the higher temperature. We successfully obtained the borate glass ceramics phases by melt-quenching method, and the sintering characteristics are investigated. Future studies could explore optimizing ion conductivity through refining processing conditions, adjusting the glass former-to-modifier ratio, and incorporating additional Li salt to enhance the ionic conductivity.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.52-64
• /
• 2021

The effect of Fe and BO₃ doping on structure, thermal, and electrical properties of Li_1+xFe_xTi_2-x(PO₄)_3-y(BO₃)_y (x = 0.2, 0.5)-based glass and glass ceramics was investigated. In addition, their crystallization behavior during sintering and ionic conductivity were also investigated in terms of sintering temperature. FT-IR and XPS results indicated that Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in Li_1+xFe_xTi_2-x(PO₄)_3-y(BO₃)_y glass worked as a network modifier (FeO₆ octahedra) and also as a network former (FeO₄ tetrahedra). In the case of the glass with low substitution of BO₃, boron formed (PB)O₄ network structure, while boron preferred BO₃ triangles or B₃O₃ boroxol rings with increasing the BO₃ content owing to boic oxide anomaly, which can result in an increased non-bridging oxygen. The glass transition temperature (GTT) and crystallization temperature (CT) was lowered as the BO₃ substitution was increased, while Fe²⁺ lowered the GTT and raised the CT. The ionic conductivity of Li_1+xFe_xTi_2-x(PO₄)_3-y(BO₃)_y glass ceramics were 8.85×10^-4 and 1.38×10^-4S/cm for x = 0.2 and 0.5, respectively. The oxidation state of doped Fe and boric oxide anomaly were due to the enhanced lithium ion conductivity of glass ceramics.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.289-296
• /
• 2008

BPES (Blepharophimosis/Ptosis/Epicanthus inversus Syndrome) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in FOXL2. Affected individuals have premature ovarian failure (POF) in addition to small palpebral fissures, drooping eyelids, and broad nasal bridge. FOXL2 is a member of the forkhead family transcription factors. In FOXL2-deficient ovaries, granulosa cell differentiation dose not progress, leading to arrest of folliculogenesis and oocytes atresia. Using yeast two-hybrid screening of rat ovarian cDNA library with FOXL2 as bait, we found that small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-conjugating E2 enzyme UBE2I protein interacted with FOXL2 protein. UBE2I also known as UBC9 is an essential protein for processing SUMO modification. Sumoylation is a form of post-translational modification involved in diverse signaling pathways including the regulation of transcriptional activities of many transcriptional factors. In the present study, we confirmed the protein-protein interaction between FOXL2 and UBE2I in human cells, 293T, by in vivo immunoprecipitation. In addition, we generated truncated FOXL2 mutants and identified the region of FOXL2 required for its association with UBE2I using yeast-two hybrid system. Therefore, the identification of UBE2I as an interacting protein of FOXL2 further suggests a presence of novel regulatory mechanism of FOXL2 by sumoylation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this study was to compare, the potency of toxicity of Cantharidin containing dried Mylabis phalerata (MP) extract and it's modifier. Methods ： They were monitored at dosage level 2,000, 1,000, 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. Changes of body weight, clinical signs, mortality, LD50, macroscopic changes of gastrointestinal tract and liver were observed after single oral dose of test articles with changes of serum Gastrin and Somatostatin levels. Results ： Dosage-dependent decrease of body weight and/or gains were demonstrated in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, the body weights were significantly increased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently detected clinical signs in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these clinical signs dramatically were decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependent increase of mortality rates were observed in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, the mortalities were significantly decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. The LD50 of dried MP extract in male mice was dramaticlly increased in their modify, 265.86 vs 426.99 mg/kg. Dosage-dependently increase of number of hemorrhagic and/or erythematous spots detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal spots were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of degrees of enlargement and congestion detected in the liver of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal signs were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of serum gastrin levels of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal increase were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of serum somatostatin levels of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal increase were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Conclusions ： The toxicity of dried MP extract was reduced by their modify.

• The Korean Journal of Rheology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.34-43
• /
• 1999

Flow-induced voids during resin impregnation and poor fiber wetting have known to be highly detrimental to the performance of composite parts manufactured by resin transfer molding(RTM) process. In this study, in order to overcome these serious problems encountered in RTM, the effects of surface modification by using silane coupling agent as a surface modifier on the flow characteristics, the wetting between resin and fiber, and void content were investigated. For the experiments of microscopic flow visualization and curing in a beam mold, glass fiber mats having plain weaving structure and epoxy resin were used. Modifying the fiber surface was found to result in a significant decrease of dynamic contact angle between resin and fiber and increase of wicking rate. Therefore, it was confirmed that the surface modification employed in this study could improve the wettability of reinforcing fibers as well as micro flow behavior. In addition, It was revealed that high temperature and low penetration rate of the resin are more favorable processing conditions to reduce the dynamic contact angle. However, surface modified fiber mat was found to have lower permeability than the unmodified one, which may be explained in terms of the decrease of contact time between resin and fiber owing to improvement of wetting. It was also exhibited that surface modification had a significant influence on void formation in RTM process, resulting in a decrease of overall void content due to the improvement of wetting in cured composite parts.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.342-347
• /
• 2011

The effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical and rheological properties of PP/PCL and TPO/PCL blends have been studied. The thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) consists of PP (80 wt%), EPDM (15 wt%) and Talc (5 wt%). Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene-(ethylene-co-butene)-styrene copolymer (SEBS-g-MAH) were used as compatibilizers. In mechanical properties of PP/PCL and TPO/PCL blends, tensile strength was increased when PP-g-MAH was used as a compatibilizer, and impact strength was increased when SEBS-g-MAH was used as a compatibilizer. From the results of SEM morphology of PP/PCL blend, PCL droplet size was decreased by the addition of PP-g-MAH. From the results of rheological property, complex viscosity of the PP/PCL and TPO/PCL blends did not change appreciably when the compatibilizers were added. From the results of mechanical, morphological and rheological properties of the blends, PP-g-MAH acted as a compatibilizer to increase the tensile strength of the PP/PCL and TPO/PCL blends. While SEBS-g-MAH acted as a impact modifier to increase the impact strength of the PP/PCL and TPO/PCL blends.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.594-599
• /
• 2011

$SrAl_2O_4:Eu$ green phosphor was prepared by spray pyrolysis and its luminescence properties were controlled by replacing the Al sites with boron and using organic modifier or drying control chemical additive. It was clear that the substitution of B into the Al sites was helpful to obtain pure monoclinic $SrAl_2O_4$ phase and greatly enhance the emission intensity. In terms of the emission intensity, the optimal content of boron was about 1 at% with respect to the aluminum element. The luminescence intensity of $Sr_{0.9}Al_{1.98}B_{0.02}O_4:Eu_{0.1}$ phosphor could be improved by the use of 0.2 M organic additives in the spray solution. Futhermore, using 0.5 M dimethylformamide(DMF) as a drying control chemical with organic additives made it possible to improve about 172% the emission intensity of $Sr_{0.9}Al_{1.98}B_{0.02}O_4:Eu_{0.1}$ phosphor. According to XRD analysis, the organic additive and DMF used enhanced the crystallinity without any change in the crystal phase. When used only the organic additive without DMF, the surface area of the prepared $Sr_{0.9}Al_{1.98}B_{0.02}O_4:Eu_{0.1}$ phosphor became enlarged. The use of DMF with the organic additive resulted in significant reduction in the surface area. It was concluded that the increase of the crystallinity as well as the reduction of surface area mainly contribute to the improvement in the luminescence intensity of $Sr_{0.9}Al_{1.98}B_{0.02}O_4:Eu_{0.1}$ phosphor prepared using DMF and organic additives.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.118-126
• /
• 1987

Natural Killer cells are considerd to play an important role in antitumor immune surveilance mechanism. In this study, 21 putative anticancer drugs selected from reference were assessed by evaluating the effect on rat Natural Killer cell activity (NKCA). All 21 herb drugs were extracted in boiling water, lyophilized, autoclaved, and then used for experiment. Culture supernatant of concanavalin-A (Con-A)-stimulated rat spleen cells as a source of lymphokine was also used as a control of comparison. Rat spleen cells were used as effector and NKCA was measured in 4hr $^{51}Cr-release$ assay against Yac-1 mouse lymphoma cell line. In order to determine the optimal conditions for NKCA augmentation, effector cells were treated with 3 different concentrations of each drug for 24, or 48 hrs before testing of NKCA, In optimal conditions determined from previous results, the effect of herb drugs on NKCA were assessed in 3 to 5experiments. NKCA was significantly enhanced by treatment with 4 herb drugs(Ponciri Fructus, Houttuyniae Herba, Aurantii Pericarpium, Nepetae Herba). Culture supernatant of Con-A-stimulated spleen cells also augmented the rat NKCA more significantly. The results show that 4 of the herb medicines supposed to display anticancer effect may have activity as a biological response modifier through augmentation of NKCA.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.39 no.11
• /
• pp.1090-1096
• /
• 2002

Six different composition of water-swellable bentonite rheology modifiers(WSB-1~WSB-6) were prepared by the compounding of peptizers and anionic surfactants as an additives with Bentonite(BEN) of montmorillonite group. Average particle size, particle morphology and water-swellability of WSB and the viscosity with additives were measured, respectively. And the rheological behavior of WSB were investigated using the rheometer. The viscosity of WSB-1 increased with decreasing both pH and average particle size of BEN, WSB-2 treated $Na_2CO_3$ as a peptizer showed the maximum viscosity. These results can be interpretated cause for rearrangment as the edge-to-face structure of BEN particles containing WSB. Also, WSB-4∼WSB-6 containing both peptizer and anionic surfactant was sol phase that their viscosity was not nearly with the shear rate, however, WSB-3 containing Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate(TSPP) as an anionic surfactant showed the thixotropy by the viscosity difference of 1000 times with the shear rate. From this result, the anions of TSPP can be explained to arrange in edge of BEN particles containing WSB-3.