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SSZ-13 zeolite was modified by two kinds of post-treatment methods such as steaming and SiO2 surface passivation (silylation) for ETP catalyst with high activity. The former steaming treatment was conducted in the range of 400–700 °C, whereas the latter surfaces passivation was applied to a chemical liquid deposition (CLD) technique that uses various silylation agents such as tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and tetrabuthylorthosilicate (TBOS). Catalysts were characterized by powder-XRD, ICP, Ar-phsisorption, solid-state 27Al MAS NMR, and NH3-TPD, and their activities were tested in fixed bed reaction system. Regarding the effects of steaming temperature, the results show that a relatively higher selectivity is observed in SSZ-13 catalysts treated at proper steaming temperatures such as 450 and 500 °C compared to parent and other steam treated catalysts. For optimum surface passivation treatments for ETP reactions, one-step surface passivation using TEOS agents among various passivation agents led to enhanced propylene selectivity to 80% when compared with parent and other silylated SSZ-13 catalysts. However, a sequential passivation treatment with a TEOS agent was not highly affected by the reaction activity.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a refractory and relapsing skin disease with a complex and multifactorial etiology. Various congenital malformations and environmental factors are thought to be involved in the onset of the disease. The etiology of the disease has been investigated, with respect to clinical skin symptoms and systemic immune response factors. A gut microbiome–mediated connection between emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, and dermatologic conditions such as acne, based on the comorbidities of these two seemingly unrelated disorders, has long been hypothesized. Many aspects of this gut–brain–skin integration theory have recently been revalidated to identify treatment options for AD with the recent advances in metagenomic analysis involving powerful sequencing techniques and bioinformatics that overcome the need for isolation and cultivation of individual microbial strains from the skin or gut. Comparative analysis of microbial clusters across the gut–skin axis can provide new information regarding AD research. Herein, we provide a historical perspective on the modern investigation and clinical implications of gut–skin connections in AD in terms of the integration between the two microbial clusters.

To investigate the enhancement of alcohol metabolism by two ginseng berry (GB) extracts and their two types of mixed herbal beverages through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Two GB extract solutions and their two herbal beverages were evaluated as enhancers of alcohol metabolism in normal human embryonic liver cells (CL-48 cell line) through assays of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Cytotoxicity was also assessed in the same cell line using an MTT assay. Effects on alcohol metabolism were also observed in vivo through measurement of serum alcohol, acetaldehyde, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in alcohol treated rats. Blood samples were serially collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hrs after a single ethanol (EtOH) treatment. A single treatment with the test samples was administered orally 30 minutes after EtOH treatment. GB extract solutions effectively elevated the ADH and ALDH activity observed in vitro, while no treatment- related cytotoxic effects were found with test samples t concentrations up to 100 mg/mL. Significantly lower (p

Background/objective The blue honeysuckle berry (Lonicera caerulea var. edulis L.) is a small deciduous shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family that is native to Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. The berry of this shrub is edible, sweet and juicy and is commonly known as the blue honeyberry (BHB). This study examined the anti-diabetic potential of BHB on high-fat-diet-induced mild diabetic mice. The hypoglycemic, and nephroprotective effects of the 12-week oral administration of blue honeyberry extract were analyzed. Materials/methods The hypoglycemic effects were based on the observed changes in insulin, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Furthermore, the changes in the weight of the pancreas, including its histopathology and immunohistochemical investigation were also performed. Moreover, the nephroprotective effects were analyzed by observing the changes in kidney weight, its histopathology, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels. Results The results showed that the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced control mice showed a noticeable increase in blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, BUN, and creatinine levels. Furthermore, growth was observed in lipid droplet deposition related to the degenerative lesions in the vacuolated renal tubules with the evident enlargement and hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets. In addition, in the endocrine pancreas, there was an increase in the insulin-and glucagon-producing cells, as well as in the insulin/glucagon cell ratios. On the other hand, compared to the HFD-treated mice group, all these diabetic and related complications were ameliorated significantly in a dose-dependent manner after 84 days of the continuous oral administration of BHBe at 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg, and a dramatic resettlement in the hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities was observed. Conclusions By assessing the key parameters for T2DM, the present study showed that the BHBe could act as a potential herbal agent to cure diabetes (type II) and associated ailments in HFD-induced mice.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of blue honeysuckle (BH) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced acute hepatic damage in mice. The experiment used a total of 60 ICR mice, which were divided into six groups. Except for the intact control groups, all groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 after a 7 day pre‐treatment period with distilled water, BH extracts, or silymarin. Twenty‐four hours after the CCl4 injection, the following observations, representative of classical oxidative stress‐mediated centrolobular necrotic acute liver injuries, were observed: decreased body weight; small nodule formation and enlargement on the gross inspections with related liver weight increase; elevation of serum AST and ALT, increases in hepatic lipid peroxidation and related depletion of endogenous antioxidants and antioxidative enzymes; centrolobular necrosis; increases in apoptotic markers, lipid peroxidation markers, and oxidative stress markers. However, liver damage was significantly inhibited by the pre‐treatment with BH extracts. The present study demonstrated that oral administration of BH extracts prior to exposure to CCl4 conferred favorable hepatoprotective effects. These results demonstrated that BHe possessed suitable properties for use as a potent hepatoprotective medicinal food.

Background and Objectives: The currently used pharmacological agents for metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes have several limitations and adverse effects; thus, there is a need for alternative therapeutic drugs and health functional foods. Materials and Methods: This study investigated the pharmacological effects of water chestnut (fruit of Trapa japonica) extracts (WC: 50–200 mg/kg) for type II diabetes using a 45% Kcal high-fat diet (HFD)-fed type II obese diabetic mice model for a period of 84 days, and the effects were compared to those of metformin (250 mg/kg). Results: Increases in body weight, serum biochemical indices such as triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and blood urea nitrogen, increases in antioxidant defense system enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, and mRNA expressions (such as AMPKα1 and AMPKα2) in the liver tissue and mRNA expressions (such as AMPKα2 mRNA, leptin, and C/EBPα) in the adipose tissue were observed in the HFD control group. The WC (50 mg/kg)-administered group showed no significant improvements in diabetic complications. However, HFD-induced obesity and diabetes-related complications such as hyperlipidemia, diabetic nephropathy, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), oxidative stress, activity of antioxidant defense systems, and gene expressions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited and/or normalized by oral administration of WC (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), particularly at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that WC at an appropriate dose could be used to develop an effective therapeutic drug or functional food for type II diabetes and various associated complications, including NAFLD.

SSZ-13 zeolite was modified by two kinds of post-treatment methods such as steaming and SiO₂ surface passivation (silylation) for ETP catalyst with high activity. The former steaming treatment was conducted in the range of 400-700 °C, whereas the latter surfaces passivation was applied to a chemical liquid deposition (CLD) technique that uses various silylation agents such as tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and tetrabuthylorthosilicate (TBOS). Catalysts were characterized by powder-XRD, ICP, Ar-phsisorption, solid-state

Background: The hypoglycaemic effects of β-glucan (BG) extracts from some mushrooms and Folium mori (FM) has been reported. Objective: To determine the most effective composition of combined β-glucan originated from Aureobasidium and Folium mori extract (BGFM) for treating diabetes and complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Six days after STZ dosing, rats (n = 5 per group) were selected based on body weight and blood glucose levels. BGFM was orally administered once a day for 28 days (Qd × 28), and changes in blood glucose levels, body weight, liver and kidney weight, and levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. Results: The diabetic control group exhibited dramatic decreases in body weight, and increase in liver and kidney weight, and blood glucose, serum BUN, creatinine, AST, and ALT levels compared to the non-diabetic sham group. However, these hyperglycaemic changes were markedly reduced in the Folium mori extract single group (S-FM) and some groups that received a mixed composition. Additionally, the changes related to the complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy of body weight were attenuated in the β-glucan single (S-BG) and some mixed groups compared to the diabetic control group. The anti-diabetic effects of β-glucan composition increased with its dose, and similarly, the hypoglycaemic effects of FM composition increased with its dose. Of the 11 types of mixed composition and single formulations, the BG:FM 1:4 composition was considered most effective for dual efficacy in terms of its hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic effects. Conclusion: The greatest synergistic effects of the BGFM complex in treating the hyperglycaemic and complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy of STZ were obtained using a BG:FM 1:4 ratio.

This study is the first to examine the selective production of ethylene from propylene (propylene-to-ethylene, PTE) with using various structural types of zeolites. The catalytic performances of these zeolite catalysts were tested in a continuous fixed-bed reactor system with respect to ethylene selectivity and catalyst stability during the overall reaction period. Among these zeolite catalysts, ten-membered ring zeolites with three-dimensional pore structures (ZSM-5 and ZSM-11) exhibited stable catalytic performances with considerable ethylene selectivity compared to other zeolite catalysts. The ZSM-5 zeolite, thus selected, was further studied in the PTE reaction with different silica-alumina ratios (Si/Al 2 , SARs), a surface modification with phosphorus, and under different reaction conditions in order to investigate the effect of acidity, surface properties, and process variables on the catalytic activity as well as to additional improve the ethylene selectivity. From these studies, the PTE reaction was found to depend strongly on the reaction condition, SAR and surface P modification in the ZSM-5 zeolite. The phosphorous-modified ZSM-5 catalyst exhibited the highest ethylene selectivity of more than 70% with moderate propylene conversion of 36.3% at a low propylene space velocity and a low partial pressure condition.

The a subunit is the largest of 15 different subunits that make up the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) complex, where it functions in proton translocation. In mammals, this subunit has four paralogous isoforms, a1–a4, which may encode signals for targeting assembled V-ATPases to specific intracellular locations. Despite the functional importance of the a subunit, its structure remains controversial. By studying molecular mechanisms of human disease–causing missense mutations within a subunit isoforms, we may identify domains critical for V-ATPase targeting, activity and/or regulation. cDNA-encoded FLAG-tagged human wildtype ATP6V0A2 (a2) and ATP6V0A4 (a4) subunits and their mutants, a2(P405L) (causing cutis laxa), and a4(R449H) and a4(G820R) (causing renal tubular acidosis, dRTA), were transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells. N-Glycosylation was assessed using endoglycosidases, revealing that a2(P405L), a4(R449H), and a4(G820R) were fully N-glycosylated. Cycloheximide (CHX) chase assays revealed that a2(P405L) and a4(R449H) were unstable relative to wildtype. a4(R449H) was degraded predominantly in the proteasomal pathway, whereas a2(P405L) was degraded in both proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. Immunofluorescence studies disclosed retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and defective cell-surface expression of a4(R449H) and defective Golgi trafficking of a2(P405L). Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed an increase in association of a4(R449H) with the V(0) assembly factor VMA21, and a reduced association with the V(1) sector subunit, ATP6V1B1 (B1). For a4(G820R), where stability, degradation, and trafficking were relatively unaffected, 3D molecular modeling suggested that the mutation causes dRTA by blocking the proton pathway. This study provides critical information that may assist rational drug design to manage dRTA and cutis laxa.

Acidity- and size-controlled SAPO-34 zeolites were prepared via a hydrothermal method by controlling the type and ratio of the structure-directing agents (SDA) such as tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) and/or morpholine (MP). The SAPO-34 catalysts were applied and tested for their ability to convert ethylene to propylene (ETP) directly. The propylene formation from ethylene showed a volcano-type trend with a crystal size of 0.3–13 μm of the SAPO-34 zeolite by changing the ratio of TEAOH and MP. In addition, the propylene yield increased with an increase in the Si/(Si + P + Al) ratio from 0.042 to 0.105 and decreased at a Si/(Si + P + Al) ratio of 0.119. The results show that the proper size and acidity of the SAPO-34 catalyst with controlling the ratio of TEAOH and MP are required for an efficient ETP transformation process. The improved catalytic performance achieved while controlling the size and acidity may be related to number and strength of the active acid sites on the SAPO-34 zeolite.

The a subunit of the V0 membrane-integrated sector of human V-ATPase has four isoforms, a1-a4, with diverse and crucial functions in health and disease. They are encoded by four conserved paralogous genes, and their vertebrate orthologs have positionally conserved N-glycosylation sequons within the second extracellular loop, EL2, of the a subunit membrane domain. Previously, we have shown directly that the predicted sequon for the a4 isoform is indeed N-glycosylated. Here we extend our investigation to the other isoforms by transiently transfecting HEK 293 cells to express cDNA constructs of epitope-tagged human a1-a3 subunits, with or without mutations that convert Asn to Gln at putative N-glycosylation sites. Expression and N-glycosylation were characterized by immunoblotting and mobility shifts after enzymatic deglycosylation, and intracellular localization was determined using immunofluorescence microscopy. All unglycosylated mutants, where predicted N-glycosylation sites had been eliminated by sequon mutagenesis, showed increased relative mobility on immunoblots, identical to what was seen for wild-type a subunits after enzymatic deglycosylation. Cycloheximide-chase experiments showed that unglycosylated subunits were turned over at a higher rate than N-glycosylated forms by degradation in the proteasomal pathway. Immunofluorescence colocalization analysis showed that unglycosylated a subunits were retained in the ER, and co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that they were unable to associate with the V-ATPase assembly chaperone, VMA21. Taken together with our previous a4 subunit studies, these observations show that N-glycosylation is crucial in all four human V-ATPase a subunit isoforms for protein stability and ultimately for functional incorporation into V-ATPase complexes.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Polycan, a β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were orally administered 31.25, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg/day Polycan for 126 days, and alterations in body weight, bone mineral content, bone mineral density, failure load, histological profiles and histomorphometric indices were analyzed. In particular, serum levels of osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), calcium and phosphorus, and the urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio, were measured. Furthermore, the femur, tibia and lumbar vertebrae were harvested from all rats, and histomorphometrical analyses were conducted in order to assess the mass and structure of the bones, and the rates of bone resorption and formation. One group of rats was treated with alendronate, which served as the reference drug. The results of the present study suggested that Polycan treatment was able to inhibit ovariectomy-induced alterations in bone resorption and turnover in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the serum expression levels of bALP and all histomorphometrical indices for bone formation were markedly increased in the Polycan-treated groups. These results indicated that Polycan was able to preserve bone mass and strength, and increase the rate of bone formation in OVX rats; thus suggesting that Polycan may be considered a potential effective anti-osteoporosis agent.

Proteinase inhibitor II (PI2), a compound derived from potato, is believed to help manage weight in humans when consumed as a dietary supplement. In this study, we evaluated the potential toxicity of PI2 in forty healthy swine weighing between 33 and 44 kg. The animals were treated daily for 28 days with oral doses of water, 300 mg, or 30 mg PI2. Additional control animals did not receive oral dosing, but were restricted in feed to the approximate amount consumed by animals treated with 300 mg PI2. Treatments did not significantly affect growth over the treatment period. However, significant effects were observed in some serum and hematologic indices, even though all values remained within normal physiological levels. At necropsy at the end of treatment, gross organ pathology and histopathology did not reveal microscopic lesions or structural changes due to treatments. Taken together, results indicate that oral doses of 30 mg or 300 mg of PI2 for 28 days are not associated with toxicity or adverse effects in swine.

Bi-functional catalysts were prepared using HY zeolites with various SiO2/Al2O3 ratios for acidic function, NiW for metallic function, and K for acidity control. 1-Methylnaphthalene was selected as a model compound for multi-ring aromatics in heavy oil, and its selective ring opening reaction was investigated using the prepared bi-functional catalysts with different levels of acidity in a fixed bed reactor system. In NiW/HY catalysts without K addition, the acidity decreased with the SiO2/Al2O3 mole ratio of the HY zeolite. Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst showed the highest acidity but slightly lower yields for the selective ring opening than Ni1.1W1.1/HY(30) catalyst. The acidity of the catalyst seemed to play an important role as the active site for the selective ring opening of 1-methylnaphthalene but there should be some optimum catalyst acidity for the reaction. Catalyst acidity could be controlled between Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) and Ni1.1W1.1/HY(30) by adding a moderate amount of K to Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst. K0.3Ni1.1W1.1/HY(12) catalyst should have the optimum acidity for the selective ring opening. The addition of a moderate amount of K to the NiW/HY catalyst must improve the catalytic performance due to the optimization of catalyst acidity.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) has been cultivated globally for food for millenia. Potato contains proteinase inhibitor II, which catalyzes the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), leading to delayed gastric emptying in humans. The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Slendesta™ Potato Extract (SLD), a standardized potato extract containing 5% proteinase inhibitor II, in the ob/ob obese mice. Three doses of SLD (50, 150 or 300 mg/kg) were orally administered to ob/ob mice once a day for 28 days, whereas control mice were administered distilled water. Four weeks after SLD treatment, the changes in body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight, serum chemistry, insulin, leptin and adiponectin contents, and fat histopathology were determined and compared with ob/ob mice treated with 750 mg/kg conjugate linoleic acid. As a result of SLD treatment in the obese mice, body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat, serum biochemistry, histomorphological changes of fat and pancreas were significantly and dose-dependently decreased compared with ob/ob control mice. These obesity and type 2 diabetes associated alterations were significantly inhibited after SLD treatment for 28 days. Thus, the present results indicate that SLD has potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for obesity.

We evaluated the in vitro cytoprotective effects of Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus (HSCF) extracts against oxidative stress-mediated cell damage using HepG2 cells. Cytotoxic effects of HSCF extracts were observed in HepG2 cells, and the 50% inhibitory concentration was determined. Cytoprotective effects of sublethal doses of HSCF extracts were evaluated using a tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced cellular damage model. We also assessed whether NFE2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was transactivated by HSCF extracts. The antioxidant capacity of HSCF extracts was evaluated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the expression of the antioxidant genes glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), hemeoxygenase-1 (HO1), and NAD (P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1). HSCF extracts up to 1,000 μg/mL showed no cytotoxic effect in HepG2 cells. Indeed, 300 and 1,000 μg/mL of HSCF extracts significantly protected HepG2 cells from oxidative stress-mediated cell death by tBHP. As a molecular mechanism, HSCF extracts at 1,000 μg/mL significantly increased Nrf2 transactivation and induced expression of its target genes (GCLC, HO1, NQO1). Furthermore, 1,000 μg/mL of HSCF extracts enhanced SOD activity. Although treatment with 300 and 1,000 μg/mL of HSCF extracts tended to slightly increase CAT activity, the increases were not statistically significant. These findings provide direct evident that HSCF extracts have favorable hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant gene induction.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus extract in ethanol induced hepatic damages. [Methods] Hepatic damages were induced by oral administration of ethanol and then Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus extract was administered. [Results] Following Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus extract administration, body and liver weights were increased, while aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, γ-glutamyl transferase, and triglyceride levels in the serum, triglyceride contents, tumor necrosis factor -α level, cytochrome (CY) P450 2E1 activity in the liver and mRNA expression of hepatic lipogenic genes, and Nitrotyrosine and 4-HNE-immunolabelled hepatocytes were decreased. However, mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation was increased. Also, as a protective mechanism for hepatic antioxidant defense systems, decreased liver MDA contents, increased glutathione contents, increased dismutase and catalase activities were observed when compared to the ethanol control. [Conclusion] Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus extract favorably protected against liver damages, mediated by its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-steatosis properties through the augmentation of the hepatic antioxidant defense system by NF-E2-related factor-2 activation, and down-regulation of the mRNA expression of hepatic lipogenic genes or up-regulation of the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation.

The objective of the present study was to determine if Aureobasidium-originated beta-glucan (beta-glucan) modulated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-mediated wound healing. Proliferation of and collagen production by human dermal fibroblast cells were measured during in vitro dermal wound repopulation after treatment with 100, 10, 1, 0.1 and 0.01 mg/mL β-glucan and 1 ng/mL TGF-β1. Control group was treated without β-glucan or 1 ng/mL TGF-β1. TGF-β1 significantly decreased the optical density at A570 (a measure of fibroblast cell number) and increased procollagen production compared with the control. Also, fibroblast migration into wound defects decreased. The reductions in fibroblast proliferation and migration were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by β-glucan (at 0.1 mg/mL or higher). However, glucan did not affect procollagen production. Thus, β-glucan may aid wound healing mediated by TGF-β1, an important cytokine in this context.

Background: The objective of present study is to observe the anti-adipogenic effects of SlenestaTM (SLD), a standard potato protein extracts containing 5% potato protease inhibitor II (PI2) on the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes which are able to differentiate into mature adipocytes and accumulate lipids, as an obesity model with cytotoxicity and antioxidant effects. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of SLD was observed against 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line by MTT assay, and also anti-adipogenic effects were observed through lipid accumulation assay during 3T3-L1 differentiation as comparing with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). In addition, antioxidant effects of SLD were detected by free radical scavenging capacity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity as comparing with ascorbic acid. Results: SLD showed obvious cytotoxicity against 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line at higher concentrations, from 1.5 mg/ml for 72 hrs treatment, and cytotoxic IC50 of SLD after 24, 48 and 72 hrs treatment times were detected as 10.11 ± 0.67, 5.71 ± 0.37 and 5.34 ± 0.21 mg/ml, respectively. SLD concentration-dependently inhibited the lipid accumulations formatted during 3T3-L1 cell differentiations, and also effectively showed DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 161.98 ± 64.65 μg/ml) and SOD-like effects (IC50 = 284.54 ± 54.47 μg/ml). Conclusion: The results suggest that SLD effectively inhibited 3T3-L1 adipose cell differentiations may be through antioxidant activities and direct cytotoxicity in case of higher concentration, along with already known satiety effects mediated by increases of circulating cholecystokinin. These findings are considered as direct evidences that SLD may serve as a predictable functional ingredient for obesity as an alternative therapy.

Nanoporous Beta zeolite was dealuminated by weak acid treatment for reducing the acidity. Bi-functional catalysts were prepared using commercial Beta zeolites and the dealuminated zeolites for acidic function, NiW for metallic function. 1-Methylnaphthalene was selected as a model compound for multi-ring aromatics in heavy oil, and its selective ring opening reaction has been investigated using the prepared bi-functional catalysts with different acidity in fixed bed reaction system. The dealuminated Beta zeolites, which crystal structure and nanoporosity were maintained, showed the higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and smaller acidity than their original zeolite. NiW-supported catalyst using the dealuminated Beta zeolite with SiO2/Al203 mole ratio of 55 showed the highest performance for the selective ring opening. The acidity of catalyst seemed to play an important role as active sites for the selective ring opening of 1-methylnaphthalene but there should be some optimum catalyst acidity for the reaction. The acidity of Beta zeolite could be controlled by the acid treatment and the catalyst with the optimum acidity for the selective ring opening could be prepared.

The chemical 1,3-butadiene (BD) is usually produced from ethanol and acetaldehyde (ethanol to BD, ETB) over Ta 2 O 5 /SiO 2 catalyst in fixed-bed system. However, the ETB process has a short catalyst-regeneration cycle due to rapid deactivation of the catalyst by coke. To overcome this problem, a circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) reactor could be used in the ETB reaction for continuous regeneration of deactivated catalyst. The catalyst supplied to a CFB reactor must be spherical, show good catalytic performance, and be mechanically strong. In this study, a series of samples of Ta 2 O 5 catalyst on silica spheres with different pore and particle sizes, were prepared. The catalysts were examined for mechanical strength by an attrition test and in ETB reaction in the fixed-bed reactor. The Ta 2 O 5 /Q-6 catalyst, with particles size of 75–150 μm, showed good mechanical strength and the best catalytic performance. This optimum spherical catalyst was tested to examine its hydrodynamic properties in a cold-bed CFB reactor.

Blue honeysuckle (BH, Lonicera caerulea) is used as a traditional medicine in Russia, Japan and China, but is not commonly considered as an edible berry in Europe, USA or Korea. BH has been revealed to decrease serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol (triglyceride or TG) levels through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thus it is expected to be a health functional food and pharmaceutical agent for the prevention of non-alcoholic liver damage, in addition to effects as a suppressor of hyperlipidemia and as an anti-obesity agent. In the present study, the pharmacological activity of BH extract (BHe) was observed in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Significant increases in fat pad weight, body weight, fat accumulation (body and abdominal fat density, and thickness of the periovarian and abdominal wall) and serum biochemical levels (aspartate transaminase, alanine amino-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyltransferase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and TG, with the exception of high-density lipoprotein) were observed in HFD-fed mice. In addition, increases in adipocyte hypertrophy, the area of steatohepatitis and hepatocyte hypertrophy were observed, whereas decreased zymogen content was identified upon histopathological observation. Increased deterioration of the endogenous antioxidant defense system (liver catalase, glutathione and superoxide dismutase) and hepatic lipid peroxidation was observed. In addition, there were decreases in hepatic glucokinase activity, AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 mRNA expression, adipose tissue uncoupling protein 2 expression, and adiponectin mRNA expression, increases in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity, hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 mRNA expression, and the expression of leptin, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, C/EBPβ and sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c mRNA in the periovarian tissue. Furthermore, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity were significantly inhibited by the continuous administration of BHe for 84 days. These results revealed that BHe may be a promising novel drug or functional food candidate for the treatment of obesity and NAFLD.

Aim. Kuseonwangdogo is a traditional Korean immunomodulatory polyherbal prescription. However, there are no systemic findings on its complex immunomodulatory effects onin vivomodels. In this study, we observed the immunomodulatory effects of Kuseonwangdogo-based mixed herbal formula aqueous extracts (MHFe) on cyclophosphamide- (CPA-) induced immunosuppression mouse model.Methods. In total, 60 male 6-week-old ICR mice (10 mice/group) were selected based on body weight 24 h after the second CPA treatment and used in this experiment. Twelve hours after the end of the last (fourth) oral administration of MHFe, the animals were sacrificed.Results. Following CPA treatment, a noticeable decrease in the body, thymus, spleen, and submandibular lymph node (LN) weights; white blood cell, red blood cell, platelet number, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentrations; serum interferon-γlevels; splenic tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and IL-10 content; and peritoneal and splenic natural killer cell activities was observed. Depletion of lymphoid cells in the thymic cortex, splenic white pulp, and submandibular LN-related atrophic changes were also observed. However, these CPA-induced myelosuppressive signs were markedly and dose-dependently inhibited by the oral administration of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg MHFe.Conclusion. MHFe can be a promising, potent immunomodulatory therapeutic agent for various immune disorders.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the dermal toxicity of topically administered rice bran supercritical CO2 extract (RB-SCE; 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) in male and female rats when given as a single dose and a 4-week repeated dose. In all rats that underwent the single-dose toxicity test, there were no abnormal changes in clinical signs or body weight and no deaths or abnormal gross necropsy findings related to RB-SCE. Based on the above results, the LD50 is >2,000 mg/kg in both sexes. In all rats that underwent the 4-week repeated dermal toxicity test, there were no abnormal RB-SCEassociated changes with respect to external signs, urine and blood, or organs. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of RB-SCE was thus considered to be 2,000 mg/kg/day for both sexes and the target organ. RB-SCE can be regarded as a very safe agent for topical dermal administration at a moderate dose.

In the present study, the beneficial and synergistic effects of Polycalcium, a mixture of Polycan and calcium (Ca) lactate-gluconate in a 1:9 weight ratio, on a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA) were explored. Polycalcium (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered orally once per day for 28 days from 1 week after the OA-modeling surgery. Diclofenac sodium (2 mg/kg) was administered as a reference drug. Following the OA surgery, increases in the maximum extension angles, edematous changes in knee and capsule thickness, reductions in chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels, as well as changes in cartilage degeneration were observed. However, these OA-related symptoms were inhibited after 28 days of continuous oral treatment with Polycalcium. Anti-OA effects, including the induction of chondrocyte proliferation, were detected in the Polycalcium-treated rats and were more favorable compared with those in rats treated with Polycan or Ca lactate-gluconate alone (100 mg). Therefore, a mixture of Polycan and Ca lactate-gluconate was demonstrated to have beneficial synergistic effects on OA.

This study was conducted to investigate the acute dermal and ocular irritation potential of rice bran supercritical CO2 extract (RB-SCE) and a 0.5% RB-SCE essence product in rabbits and guinea pigs. No abnormal clinical signs attributable to RB-SCE were detected. In the dermal irritation test, erythema, eschar, and edema formation was observed at 24 h of RB-SCE treatment, and the skin returned to normal after 72 h. The dermal primary irritation index (PII) of RB-SCE was 2.71; thus it was classified as a moderate irritant. In the ocular irritation test, there were no clinical signs related to the application of the RB-SCE; thus it was classified as a non-irritant according to the Draize scoring system. In a skin sensitivity test in rabbits, no abnormal clinical signs attributable to RB-SCE essence were observed and the PII was 0 because there was no evidence of erythema, eschar, or edema. In the guinea pig skin sensitivity test, no abnormal body weight changes or increased mortality was detected. Sensitization to the RB-SCE essence was 0%; thus it was classified as a very weak irritant.

This study evaluated the effects of Polycan, a β-glucan produced by Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, on calcium (Ca) bioavailability in an ovariectomy (OVX) model and a thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX) model of osteoporosis in the SD rat. Polycan (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily with an oral gavage for 4 weeks in both the OVX group (beginning 10 weeks following OVX surgery) and the TPTX group (beginning 4 days following TPTX surgery) while a commercial food product containing 1% milk-borne Ca was available ad libitum. After 4 weeks of Polycan administration, all animals were sacrificed and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur, tibia, and lumbar vertebrae (L6) were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ca intake was calculated based on the amount of food intake during the 24 h period prior to sacrifice and the Ca balance, absorption, and retention ratios were calculated based on Ca intake, urinary and faecal Ca content, and Ca balance. Polycan treatment resulted in a marked increase in the BMD of the femur, tibia, and L6 relative to the OVX and TPTX controls with concomitant increases in Ca bioavailability and decreases in secreted Ca. These findings indicate that Polycan may enhance the absorption and bioavailability of Ca and improve Ca balance.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of polycan, a β-glucan originating from Aureobasidium, on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipemia and hepatic damage. A total of 30 hamsters were divided into 6 groups based on their body weight following acclimatization: control, sham, simvastatin (SIMVA) and 3 Polycan groups. In the polycan groups, Polycan, at three concentrations (31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg), was administered orally once a day for 56 days, in addition to the HFD. On the day of sacrifice, changes in the body weight, food consumption, liver weight and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and total cholesterol (T-CHOL) were observed, as well as changes to the liver and aorta (thoracic and abdominal) histopathology and histomorphometry. The results from the polycan groups were compared with a SIMVA 10 mg/kg oral treatment group, in addition to the sham and vehicle control groups. After the HFD-induced hyperlipidemic hamsters were administered Polycan, there was no significant change in their body weight and food consumption when compared with the hamsters in the vehicle control group. However, the serum levels of AST, ALT, triglyceride, T-CHOL and LDL were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the vehicle control group (P

Constipation is a common problem in males and females. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the laxative effects of fermented rice extract (FRe) on rats with loperamide-induced constipation. FRe (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally once per day for six days following 1 h loperamide treatment. The laxative effects of FRe were compared with those of sodium picosulfate (S. picosulfate). Following the induction of constipation in the rats, a marked decrease was observed in the fecal pellet number and water content discharged over 24 h, the surface mucus thickness in the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, thickness of the colonic mucosa and the number of mucus-producing cells, while an increase was observed in the number of fecal pellets remaining in the colonic lumen and their mean diameter, as compared with the normal vehicle control rats. These conditions were significantly alleviated following the administration of the three doses of FRe when compared with the loperamide control group. However, the alleviating effects were lower than those of S. picosulfate, with the exception of the intestinal charcoal transit ratio. Similar effects on the intestinal charcoal transit ratio were detected for the three doses of FRe when compared with the S. picosulfate-treated rats. In conclusion, the results indicated that FRe exhibits a laxative effect without causing diarrhea, as compared with sodium picosulfate; thus, FRe may be effective as a complementary medicine in patients suffering from lifestyle-induced constipation.

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The present study was performed to evaluate the laxative effects of fermented rice extract (FRe) in normal rats. FRe was orally administered at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg once per day for 15 days, and the changes in fecal parameters (fecal pellet numbers, weights, and water contents), gastrointestinal transit ratio, fecal mucus contents, colonic mucus-producing cell numbers, and mean colonic mucosa thicknesses were examined in normal rats. The laxative effects of FRe were compared with those of sodium picosulfate. At the three doses administered, FRe treatment resulted in marked increases in fecal pellet numbers and water contents discharged over 24 h, surface mucus thickness in the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal-transit ratio, and in thickness and mucus-producing goblet cell number of the colonic mucosa with decreases in fecal pellet numbers and mean diameters remaining in the colonic lumen in comparison to the vehicle control. With the exception of intestinal charcoal-transit ratio, the effects of FRe were less marked than those of sodium picosulfate. The results of this study suggest that FRe has a laxative effect without causing diarrhea, as compared with sodium picosulfate, and FRe may be highly effective as a complementary medicine in humans suffering from lifestyle-induced constipation.

Aqueous phase reforming (APR) of polyols for the production of hydrogen was carried out over nano- and micro-sized ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) supported platinum catalysts. The effect of their particle sizes of OMCs (rod type CMK-3 and hollow type CMK-5) on the catalytic reforming of polyols such as ethylene glycol and glycerol was investigated. The characteristics of the prepared catalysts were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, carbon monoxide chemisorption, and scanning electron micrograph. Compared to the micro-sized OMC supported catalyst, the nano-sized OMC supported catalyst showed better catalytic activity for the aqueous phase reforming of polyols; this discrepancy could be attributed to a synergetic effect of the higher pore size, pore volume, and the lower diffusion resistance of the prepared nano-sized Pt/OMC catalyst. Furthermore, Pt/CMK-5 with a hollow-type framework-configuration exhibited higher hydrogen yield and production rate than did the rod-type Pt/CMK-3.

It was evaluated the synergistic effects of fermented rice extracts (FRe) on the laxative and probiotic effects of yogurt in normal rats. Commercial liquid yogurt (Bulgaris™) containing 0.05%, 0.10%, and 1.0% FRe (BFRe) was administered orally to normal rats daily for 10 days. Compared with the vehicle control, the three BFRe treatments exhibited highly significant increases in fecal pellet numbers, water content, thickness of surface mucous in the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, thickness of the colonic mucosa, and mucous-producing goblet cells; decreased numbers and mean diameters of fecal pellets remaining in the colonic lumen were detected compared with the vehicle control, and numbers of viable Lactobacilli in cecum contents and feces were dramatically higher than those in vehicle control rats. More favorable probiotic and laxative effects were detected in rats treated with 0.1% and 1.0% BFRe compared with equal doses of liquid yogurt or FRe alone. Therefore, appropriate concentrations of BFRe may be highly effective for alleviating constipation and provide a complementary natural approach to reducing lifestyleinduced constipation.

134 www.koni.or.kr pISSN: 1226-9026 eISSN: 2288-842X http://dx.doi.org/10.12673/jant.2014.18.2.134 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-CommercialLicense(http://creativecommons .org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received 11 February 2014; Revised 20 April 2014 Accepted (Publication) 26 March 2014(30 April 2014) *Corresponding Author; Duk-Sun Shim Tel: +82-2-820-5329 E-mail: dshim@cau.ac.kr 항행 및 항법 J. Adv. Navig. Technol. 18(2): 134-141, Apr. 2014

The purpose of this study is to verify the relationships among innovative behavior, turnover intention, and job security. An additional purpose was to examine partial mediating effects on psychological ownership. The baseline of analyzing those relationships in this study is that the role of psychological ownership will be a mediator between job security and turnover intention as well as innovative behavior in the organization. To accomplish these purposes, a model was built among job security as predictor variable, the psychological ownership as mediating variable and turnover intention, and innovative behavior as criteria variables based on the studies conducted in the various areas. The 248 questionnaires surveyed from the area of DaeGu and Kyungbuk were used in the statistical analyses. The detail statistical techniques are such as descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multi regression analysis. The results of the study show that job security had positively significant effect on turnover intention and innovative behavior. In addition, only the psychological ownership of organization-level thinking have partial mediating effects between job security and innovative behavior also job security and turnover intention. The results may indicate that the psychological ownership of organization-level thinking be a key factor to alleviate the turnover intention of employees and to encourage the innovative behavior during their works for the small-medium size companies showing the unstable job security.

Min Ho Han 1 , Joo Wan Kim 2 , Ki Young Kim 2 , Sung Goo Kim 2 , Gyeng Jin Yu 3 , Yong Bok Cho 3 , Hye Jin Hwang 1,4 , Byung Woo Kim 1,5 , Cheol Min Kim 6,7 and Yung Hyun Choi 1,3 * Anti-Aging Research Center & Blue-Bio Industry RIC, Dongeui University, Busan 614-714, Korea Research Institute, Bio-Port Korea INC, Marine Bio-industry Development Center, Busan 619-912, Korea Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Oriental Medicine, Busan 614-052, Korea Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongeui University, Busan 614-714, Korea Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongeui University, Busan 614-714, Korea Department of Biochemistry, Busan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan 626-870, Korea Research Center for Anti-aging Technology Development, Busan Techno-Park, Busan 617-829, Korea

Rice bran oil extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction (RB-SCE) reportedly exhibits pharmacological activities such as antioxidant and in vivo hair growth-inducing effects. Such activities raise the possibility of the development of novel hair growth-inducing agents using RB-SCE. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential genotoxic effects of RB-SCE in three short-term mutagenicity assays (bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo micronucleus assay). RB-SCE showed no genotoxicity in the bacterial reverse mutation assay up to 5000 mg/plate and in the in vivo micronucleus test up to 600 mg/kg body weight. However, at 120 µg/mL with S9 mix and 200 µg/mL without S9 mix RB-SCE showed significantly different genotoxicity than the negative control in the in vitro chromosome aberration test. The induction of chromosomal aberrations under the present conditions may have no biological significance. We have herein demonstrated that RB-SCE can be regarded as a non-genotoxic material based on the available in vivo and in vitro results.

Aim. The objective was to evaluate the synergistic effects of fermented rice extracts (FRe) on the laxative and probiotic properties of yoghurt in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Methods. After constipation induction, yoghurt containing FRe (BFRe; 0.05%, 0.1%, or 1%) was administered orally once per day for 6 days.Results. Loperamide treatment caused marked decreases in fecal pellet numbers and water content discharged, as well as in the surface mucosal thickness of the colonic lumen, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, thickness, and number of mucous-producing goblet cells in the colonic mucosa, whereas it increased the remnant fecal pellet number and the mean diameter of the colonic lumen. However, this loperamide-induced constipation was ameliorated by treatment with FRe, yoghurt single formula, or 0.05%, 0.1%, or 1% BFRe (10 mL/kg). Additionally, the viable numbers ofLactobacillusin the cecal contents and feces were markedly higher than those in constipated rats. Moreover, greater probiotic and laxative effects were detected in BFRe-treated rats than in rats treated with equivalent doses of yoghurt or FRe single formula.Conclusion. The results suggest that addition of FRe to liquid yoghurt will enhance the probiotic and beneficial laxative effects of yoghurt in the digestive tract, without causing side effects.