• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.370-378
• /
• 2018

Background: Ginseng has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies to uncover the diverse biological activities of its constituent compounds. It is a traditional medicine that has been used for its immunostimulatory, antithrombotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Ginseng may interact with concomitant medications and alter metabolism and/or drug transport, which may alter the known efficacy and safety of a drug; thus, the role of ginseng may be controversial when taken with other medications. Methods: We extensively assessed the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in rats on the expression of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism [cytochrome p450 (CYP)] and transporters [multiple drug resistance (MDR) and organic anion transporter (OAT)] in vitro and on the pharmacokinetics of two probe drugs, midazolam and fexofenadine, after a 2-wk repeated administration of KRG at different doses. Results: The results showed that 30 mg/kg KRG significantly increased the expression level of CYP3A11 protein in the liver and 100 mg/kg KRG increased both the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1 in the kidney. Additionally, KRG significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1, OAT3, and MDR1 in the liver. Although there were no significant changes in the metabolism of midazolam to its major metabolite, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, KRG significantly decreased the systemic exposure of fexofenadine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Because KRG is used as a health supplement, there is a risk of KRG overdose; thus, a clinical trial of high doses would be useful. The use of KRG in combination with P-glycoprotein substrate drugs should also be carefully monitored.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.298-311
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine 1) the relationship between the vegetable eating behavior of care givers and that of children, 2) the effectiveness of nutrition education with vegetable playing using direct visual stimulating programs on vegetable eating behavior of preschool children, and 3) the times and period of nutrition education with vegetable playing for significant changes on vegetable eating behavior. A total number of 56 individuals, aged 42 to 66 months old, participated in this study in which three kinds of vegetables (30 g)/meal were served per individual, and vegetable eating behavior was measured by the residue on the dish during 5 weeks (25 days). To the simple visual stimulating group, vegetable dish was served without education, and other groups included education 1 group (nutrition education 1 time/week), education 2 group (nutrition education 2 times/week), and education 3 group (nutrition education 3 times/week) with simple visual stimulation by the vegetable dish. The results showed 1) the significant relationship (P<0.001) between the vegetable eating behavior of the care giver and that of children by analysis of the questionnaire, 2) the effectiveness of nutrition education using vegetable playing on vegetable eating behavior of preschool children (P<0.05), and 3) the significant changes in vegetable eating behavior by the 3rd week in the education 3 group. This study shows that food neophobia caused behavior problems in children regarding vegetable eating and repeated exposure was able to reduce food neophobia.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.75-83
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE. Maxillofacial silicone elastomer is usually colored intrinsically with color pigments to match skin colors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the color stability of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer, colored with a thermochromic, color changing pigment. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Disc-shaped maxillofacial silicone specimens were prepared and divided into 3 groups: a conventionally colored control group, one group additionally colored with 0.2 wt% thermochromic pigment, and one group with 0.6 wt% thermochromic pigment. Half of the surface of each specimen was covered with an aluminium foil. All of the specimens were exposed to UV radiation in 6 hour cycles over 46 days. In between the UV exposures, half of the specimens were stored in darkness, at room temperature, and the other half was stored in an incubator, at a humidity of 97% and a temperature of $+37^{\circ}C$. Color measurements were made with a spectrophotometer and registered according to the CIELAB $L^*a^*b^*$ color model system. The changes in $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$ values during artificial aging were statistically analyzed by using paired samples t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. P-values <.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS. The UV exposure resulted in visually noticeable and statistically significant color changes in the $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$ values in both of the test groups containing thermochromic pigment. Storage in the incubator lead to statistically significant color changes in the $a^*$ and $b^*$ values of the specimens containing thermochromic pigment, compared to those stored at room temperature. CONCLUSION. The specimens containing thermochromic pigment were very sensitive to UV radiation, and the thermochromic pigment is not suitable, as such, to be used in maxillofacial prostheses.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.21-30
• /
• 2011

The spatial distributions of air pollutants, in particular, ultrafine particles near traffic congestion roads at urban areas need to reduce human exposure levels for protecting public health. In this study, the number concentrations of ultrafine particles larger than 5 nm were measured every second during driving on the major roads of Nowon-gu, Seoul for 1.6 h using a mobile emission laboratory on October 5, 2010. The ultrafine particle number concentrations ranged from 7,009 to $265,600particles/cm^3$ with an average of $55,570particles/cm^3$, and these levels were comparable to concentrations of ultrafine particles larger than 3 or 7 nm on the arterial roads at urban areas in Los Angeles, USA and Zurich, Switzerland. It was frequently observed that the ultrafine particle number increased rapidly when vehicle speed was accelerated and it decreased sharply when vehicle speed was decelerated. The high peak events of ultrafine particle concentration larger than $200,000particles/cm^3$ were observed seven times during the measurement period. From the three repeated measurements during the short period of 50 min, it was concluded that the ultrafine particle number concentration on the road was significantly time-dependent. This on-road measurement approach can be utilized to manage vehicle-related air pollution in urban.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of Endosolv-R and Xylene in softening epoxy resin based sealer after 1 to 2 min exposure. Materials and Methods: Sixty Teflon molds ($6mm{\times}1.5mm$ in inner diameter and depth) were equally divided into 3 groups of 20 each. AH 26 (Dentsply/De Trey), AH Plus (Dentsply/De Trey), Adseal (Meta-Biomed) were manipulated and placed in the molds allotted to each group and allowed to set at $37^{\circ}C$ in 100% humidity for 2 wk. Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups according to the solvents used, i.e. Xylene (Lobachemie) and Endosolv-R (Septodont). Specimens in each subgroup were exposed to respective solvents for 1 and 2 min and the corresponding Vicker's microhardness (HV) was assessed. Data was analysed by Mauchly's test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures, and one-way ANOVA. Results: Initial hardness was significantly different among the three sealers with AH Plus having the greatest and Adseal having the least. After 2 min, Xylene softened AH Plus and Adseal sealer to 11% and 25% of their initial microhardness, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas AH 26 was least affected, maintaining 89.4% of its initial microhardness. After 2 min, Endosolv-R softened AH 26, AH Plus and Adseal to 12.7, 5.6 and 8.1% of their initial microhardness, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Endosolv-R was a significantly more effective short term softener for all the tested sealers after 2 min whereas Xylene was an effective short term softener against AH plus and Adseal but less effective against AH 26.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.26
• /
• pp.6.1-6.8
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The present study investigated the potential adverse effects of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on pregnant dams and embryonic development following maternal exposure in rats. Methods: MWCNTs were orally administered to pregnant rats from gestational day (GD) 6 through 19 at dose levels of 0, 8, 40, 200, and 1000 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, oxidant-antioxidant status, gross findings, organ weights, and Caesarean section findings were examined. Results: All animals survived to the end of the study. A decrease in thymus weight was observed in the highest dose group. However, maternal body weight, food consumption, serum biochemical parameters, and oxidant-antioxidant balance in the kidneys were not affected by treatment with MWCNTs. No treatment-related differences in gestational index, embryo-fetal mortality, or fetal and placental weights were observed between treated and control groups. Conclusions: The results show that 14-day repeated oral dosing of MWCNTs during pregnancy induces minimal maternal toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day in rats. Under these experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of MWCNTs is considered to be 200 mg/kg/day for dams and 1000 mg/kg/day for embryonic development.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.658-663
• /
• 2017

Urchin-structured zinc oxide(ZnO) nanorod(NR) gas sensors were successfully demonstrated on a polyimide(PI) substrate, using single wall carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) as the electrode. The ZnO NRs were grown with ZnO shells arranged at regular intervals to form a network structure with maximized surface area. The high surface area and numerous junctions of the NR network structure was the key to excellent gas sensing performance. Moreover, the SWCNTs formed a junction barrier with the ZnO which further improved sensor characteristics. The fabricated urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors exhibited superior performance upon $NO_2$ exposure with a stable response of 110, fast rise and decay times of 38 and 24 sec, respectively. Comparative analyses revealed that the high performance of the sensors was due to a combination of high surface area, numerous active junction points, and the use of the SWCNTs electrode. Furthermore, the urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors showed sustainable mechanical stability. Although degradation of the devices progressed during repeated flexibility tests, the sensors were still operational even after 10000 cycles of a bending test with a radius of curvature of 5 mm.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.277-289
• /
• 2018

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire. Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time. A combination of primary and secondary research was carried out. Primary data was collated using two recognised clinical questionnaires and statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of the software package SPSS. Results: The findings and statistical analysis showed that out of the 100 people surveyed, 30% of respondents had signs of probable distress. Of this quota, 4% showed symptoms of PTSD. The study considers how an organisation can recognise and manage PTSD and provides recommendations to assist in better recognising and managing the associated risks. Conclusion: Based upon the findings, the authors conclude that the level of PTSD within LFRS is slightly lower than those found in other studies undertaken within the Fire and Rescue Service sector. The paper provides recommendations for future studies and a series of actions for consideration by LFRS senior management to improve PTSD support services for employees.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.249-273
• /
• 2012

Certain professionals face repeated exposure to traumatic events throughout their career. Although typically linked to pathological outcomes, research has identified sustained positive benefits and posttraumatic growth (PTG) as consistent posttrauma outcomes in occupational exposed to trauma. This study investigated the association of occupation, subjective psychological distress to a traumatic event, and demographic characteristics with posttraumatic growth in emergency workers (firefighters, rescue, and ambulance personnel), subway operators, and child protective service workers. The study led to the following conclusions: First, all three groups are risk groups of PTSD, especially, subway operators demonstrated the highest degree. Child protective service workers demonstrated the highest degree of PTG and emergency workers and subway operators followed respectively. Second, vicarious trauma and PTG were significantly correlated, in particular, invasion and avoidance were more highly correlated. Third, multivariate analysis revealed that occupation, invasion, avoidance, religion, and sex were significantly associated with PTG. Discussion addresses the need to serve mental health service and to apply concept of PTG for occupations exposed to trauma.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.391-399
• /
• 2021

Purpose: As laptop use increases throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its use outside of traditional workstations proliferates, it is imperative to expand the limited research available regarding ergonomic exposure. This study aimed to identify the effects of a laptop supporter on biomechanical characteristics in the wrist joint muscles of healthy young adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study design with thirty-four healthy young adults as participants. They conducted a typing exercise performed under two different conditions, which were with and without a notebook computer supporter. This study measured the biomechanical characteristics of the muscles of the wrist joints including the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), and the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU). Measurements were taken three times: before typing, immediately after typing for 30 minutes with a supporter, and immediately after typing for 30 minutes without a supporter. The statistical method to compare the three different measurement conditions was the repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The participants showed significantly different levels of dynamic stiffness in both the FCU before typing and immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter, and showed significantly different levels of dynamic stiffness in the FCR before typing and immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter. The dynamic stiffness level immediately after 30 minutes of typing without a supporter was significantly different than that immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter. However, the muscle tone was not significantly different among the three different conditions. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that a laptop supporter used to correct the eye level of the electronic screen increases the dynamic stiffness of the wrist joint flexors, so it is necessary to consider the neutral position of the wrist joint during typing.