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Sludge produced from liquid crystal display glass substrate (LCD-sludge) was used as an alternative treatment medium for the removal of heavy metals (Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+) from aqueous solutions via adsorption. The elemental composition of the LCD-sludge obtained by X-ray fluorescence showed that it was mainly composed of CeO2 (26.48%), CaO (23.92%), and SiO2 (6.86%). The kinetic adsorption of Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+ on the LCD-sludge showed that equilibrium adsorption was reached within 12 h. The maximum adsorption amounts of Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+ on the LCD-sludge were 1.29, 8.50, 8.47, and 3.02 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption data at equilibrium for all the heavy metals were better fitted to the Freundlich than the Langmuir model. Heavy metal adsorption by the LCD-sludge was an endothermic and involuntary reaction. The effects of other cations on heavy metal removal by the LCD-sludge followed the order of Al3+ > Ca2+ > Na+. As the LCD-sludge dose was increased, the removal percentage of Cd2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+ increased, but the adsorption amount per unit mass decreased. The results suggest that LCD-sludge can be used as an adsorbent for the removal of mixed heavy metals from aqueous solutions.

Low molecular weight proteins are promising molecules for rice plants. The objectives of this study were to develop an optimized method for protein extractions and protein chips and to perform practical application for isolation of low molecular weight proteins/peptides as potential biomarkers of three rice cultivars, Ilpumbyeo, Hwaseongbyeo, and Nakdongbyeo, using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Among five protein extraction methods tested, we found that the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-acetone method was the most effective for the extraction of low molecular weight proteins/peptides. Four protein chip arrays, including CM10 (weak cation exchanger), Q10 (strong anion exchanger), H50 (reverse phage), and IMAC30 (immobilized metal affinity), were used under low and high stringency conditions at varying pH with two energy absorbing molecules, alpha-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and sinapinic acid (SA). Of the 70 proteins isolated by the Q10 array, 20 showed significant differences in expression between the three cultivars (p

The occurrence of exotic weeds and their influx into farmlands due to climate change poses many problems. Therefore, it is necessary to generate a prediction model for the occurrence pattern of these exotic weeds based on scientific evidence and devise prevention measures. The photosynthetic apparatus is known as the most temperaturesensitive component of a plant cell and its initial response to temperature stress is to inhibit the activation of photosystem II. This study investigated the potential of OJIP transients in assessing temperature stress in exotic weeds. The four exotic weeds currently flowing into Korean farmlands include Amaranthus spinosus, Conyza bonariensis, Crassocephalum crepidioides, and Amaranthus viridis. These weeds were treated at 5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C and the OJIP curves and JIP parameters were measured and analyzed. The results showed that heat and chilling stress affected the photosystem II (PSII) electron transport of A. spinosus, whereas C. crepidioides and A. viridis were more affected by high-temperature stress than by low-temperature stress. Lastly, C. bonariensis showed resistance to both high and low-temperature stress. The results of this study suggest that OJIP transients and JIP parameters can be used to analyze damage to the photosynthetic apparatus by temperature stress and that they can serve as sensitive indicators for the occurrence pattern of exotic weeds.

Since the application of hyperspectral technology to agriculture, many scientists have been conducting studies to apply the technology in crop diagnosis. However, due to the properties of optical devices, the reflectances obtained according to the image acquisition conditions are different. Nevertheless, there is no optimized method for minimizing such technical errors in applying hyperspectral imaging. Therefore, this study was conducted to find the appropriate image acquisition conditions that reflect the growth status of wheat grown under different nitrogen fertilization regimes. The experiment plots were comprised of six plots with various N application levels of 145.6 kg N ha−1 (N1), 109.2 kg N ha−1 (N2), 91.0 kg N ha−1 (N3), 72.8 kg N ha−1 (N4), 54.6 kg N ha−1 (N5), and 36.4 kg N ha−1 (N6). Hyperspectral image acquisitions were performed at different shooting angles of 105° and 125° from the surface, and spike, flag leaf, and the second uppermost leaf were divided into five parts from apex to base when analyzing the images. The growth analysis conducted at heading showed that the N6 was 85.6% in the plant height, 44.1% in LAI, and 64.9% in SPAD as compared to N1. The nitrogen content in the leaf decreased by 55.2% compared to N1 and the quantity was 44.9% in N6 compared to N1. Based on the vegetation indices obtained from hyperspectral reflectances at the heading stage, the spike was not suitable for analysis. In the case of the flag leaf and the 2nd uppermost leaf, the vegetation indices from spectral data taken at 105 degrees were more appropriate for acquiring imaging data by clearly dividing the effects of fertilization level. The results of the regional variation in a leaf showed that the region of interest (ROI), which is close to the apex of the flag leaf and the base of the second uppermost leaf, has a high coefficient of determination between the fertilization levels and the vegetation indices, which effectively reflected the status of wheat.

Bryophytes contain a variety of bioactive metabolites, but studies about the anti-inflammatory effect of bryophytes are meager. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract of Marchantia polymorpha L. (liverwort) and Racomitrium canescens (Racomitrium moss) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HaCaT cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of liverwort and Racomitrium moss, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) production and the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in LPS-induced HaCaT cells were measured. The methanol extract of liverwort and Racomitrium moss significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in HaCaT cells. When compared with Racomitrium moss extract, pre-treatment with methanol extract of liverwort markedly inhibited the expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-1β at the concentration of 100 µg/mL with the exception of TNF-α. Further, liverwort extract markedly attenuated the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the culture medium. In addition, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions obtained from the methanol extract of liverwort showed remarkable inhibitory activity against the production of NO in LPS-stimulated HaCaT cells. The LC-MS data revealed the presence of bisbibenzyl types of bioactive components in the methanol extract of liverwort. These data demonstrate that liverwort extract exhibits effective inhibitory activity against the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-induced HaCaT cells and may be useful for the treatment of inflammation-mediated diseases.

In the present study, the effects of ginseng-added brown rice cookie (GBRC) on the regulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism mediated through the insulin signaling pathway were examined in db/db mice. Isocaloric diets, prepared by adding the individual ingredients of rice cookie (RC) or GBRC to AIN-93G diet (10%, w/w), were fed to the animals for 10 weeks (n = 7 per group). The plasma insulin level and oral glucose tolerance test-derived area under the curve were lower in the GBRC group than in the RC group (P P P P P < 0.05). In conclusion, GBRC revealed antidiabetic effects by promoting hepatic glucose utilization mediated through the insulin signaling pathway, which enhanced lipid oxidation rather than triacylglycerol synthesis.

The lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects of the traditional Korean rice cookie (KRC), dasik, were compared with those of a western style cookie (WSC) in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The KRC or WSC was supplemented to the HFD as 7% of the total calories. The experimental groups (n = 7) were the normal diet group, HFD group, HFD-KRC group, and HFD-WSC group. The plasma and hepatic triglyceride concentrations of the HFD-KRC group were found to be lower than those of the HFD-WSC group as a result of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase expression downregulation, and concomitant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 expression upregulation (p

Consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. Perilla oil (PO) is a vegetable oil rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), an n-3 PUFA. In this study, antiatherogenic effects and related mechanisms of PO were investigated in atherosclerotic mice. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice (male, n = 27) were fed high-cholesterol and high-fat diets containing 10 % w/w lard (LD), PO, or sunflower oil (SO) for 10 weeks. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations reduced in the PO and SO groups compared to the concentrations in the LD group (P

BACKGROUND: Burcucumber(Sicyos angulatus L.) is an invasive plant species and disturbs ecosystems in Korea. The main method for prevention of burcucumber is cutting or pulling out. However, the studies accounting for the use of the by-product of burcucumber after cutting remain incomplete. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of burcucumber as a substitute for nitrogen fertilizer.METHODS AND RESULTS: Burcucmber plants only including stem, leaves, and petiole were collected from the Sky Park in Seoul and divided in to three categories based on the length of stem of burcucumber; 10-30 cm, 30-100 cm, and 100-200 cm. And they were input into soil with 20 kg-N/10 a. After 4 weeks aging, chemical properties of treated soils and the productivity of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.) were examined. Both the inorganic nitrogen contents in soils and the growth of lettuce were increased with the decreases in length of burcucumber standing for young plant. And the inorganic nitrogen content and the productivity of lettuce were positively correlated(r

This study is to examine and clarify the quality of polymer-modified mortars using a VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder as compared with polymer-modified mortars using a VAE copolymer powder. Polymer-modified mortars using general commercial redispersible polymer powders are prepared with various polymer-cement ratios, and tested for flexural and compressive strengths, tensile strength, water absorption, chloride ion penetration, carbonation and pore size distribution by mercury porosimetry. Overall, the properties of polymer-modified mortars using a VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder were superior to those of polymer-modified mortars using a VAE copolymer powder. And VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder-modified mortars showed significantly improved mechanical properties and durability in comparison with unmodified mortar. It is concluded from the test results that the modification of cement mortar with redispersible polymer powder improves the properties of unmodified mortar, and VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder has higher quality than VAE copolymer powder.

We have previously reported the lipid-lowering effects of a Korean rice cookie called dasik (RCD) in comparison with a western style cookie. In this study, Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Chinese magnolia vine) fruit-supplemented RCD (SRCD) was added to a diet, and the hypolipidemic and antidiabetic effects of different diets were examined by using the ICR and db/db mouse models, respectively. ICR mice were fed the AIN-76 diet, or high-fat diet (HFD), or the RCD- or SRCD-supplemented HFD (10%, w/w) for 9 weeks (n = 7 per group). Compared with the RCD group, plasma and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were decreased in the SRCD group. Hepatic expressions for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis were downregulated, whereas those for beta-oxidation and cholesterol export were upregulated (P .05). The antidiabetic effects of SRCD were tested in db/db mice for 10 weeks (n = 7 per group). Glucose tolerance was improved in the SRCD group through the regulation of gluconeogenic enzymes and biomarkers related to the insulin signaling pathway (P .05). In addition, SRCD increased the expression levels of antioxidative enzymes, and decreased those of inflammatory cytokines (P .05). Moreover, oxidative stress, leptin, and insulin levels were lower in the SRCD group than in the other groups (P .05). In conclusion, the lipid-lowering and antidiabetic effects of SRCD were greater than those of RCD with respect to the suppression of lipid synthesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation and the improvement of glucose metabolism.

The purpose of this study is to find appropriate polymer-modified repair mortars for polymer lining process in deteriorated sewage treatment structure. The polymer-modified repair mortars are prepared with polymer-binder ratio of 0%, 10%, and 20%; ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (BFS) contents of 0%, 25%, and 50%; fly ash (FA) contents of 0%, 10%, and 20%; and an antifoamer content of 3% and tested for strengths, adhesion, drying shrinkage, and sulfate resistance. It is concluded from the test results that the redispersible polymer powder (RPP)-modified repair mortars with BFA and FA cause improvements in its sulfate resistance, depending on the polymer-binder ratio. The properties of the RPP-modified mortars are satisfied with the KS (Korean Standard) F 4042 quality requirements. However, the RPP-modified repair mortars using BFS and FA require its improvement in strength.

The mechanism of lipotropic action provided by betaine in early diet-induced liver steatosis was investigated. Male rats received a high-fat liquid diet (HF) for 3 wk. HF intake resulted in a significant accumulation of triacyglycerol and cholesterol in the liver. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was decreased, while protein expression of liver-X-receptor α (LXRα) and nuclear sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (nSREBP-1c) was enhanced. Betaine supplement at 1% in HF inhibited hepatic triacyglycerol accumulation, but elevated serum cholesterol and triacyglycerol levels. Phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC was normalized, and induction of LXRα and nSREBP-1c was prevented. HF intake down-regulated betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase and increased homocysteine levels, both of which were blocked by betaine. Betaine supplementation elevated hepatic apolipoprotein B and serum phosphatidylcholine levels. The results suggest that both inhibition of lipid synthesis and enhancement of its secretion are involved in the anti-steatotic activity of betaine.

The equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) in seeds of four Echinochloa (E. crus-galli var. crus-galli, E. crus-galli var, echinata, E. crus-galli var. praticola, E. esculenta) were measured at 20oC with equilibration over a series of lithium chloride solutions with relative humidities ranging from 0.11 to 0.8 to determine sorption isotherms and safe storage relative humidity. Standard seed sorption isotherm models i.e. modified Henderson, modified Chung-Pfost, modified Halsey, modified Oswin and Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB) equations were adopted to evaluate the goodness of fit to sorption isotherms. This study indicated that EMC of seeds was significantly different in four Echinochloa species at various relative humidity. The modified Oswin equations for E. crus-galli var. crou-galli, E. crus-galli var, echinata, E. esculenta and GAB equation for E. crus-galli var. praticola were adequate models for the EMC data. Seeds of four Echinochloa species have monolayer moisture contents when stored at RH < 0.1. These results show that seed moisture isotherm model should be selected according to genetic variation.

Adimchae is a kimchi that contains more than 10% seafood. The lipid lowering and antiatherogenic effects of adimchae containing abalone or short arm octopus were compared with traditional Korean cabbage kimchi. Treated seafood was added to kimchi at 10%. ApoE KO mice (n=18) were fed an athrogenic diet supplemented with 10% freeze-dried cabbage kimchi (control), short arm octopus added kimchi (SK), or abalone added kimchi (AK) for 8 weeks. Plasma and hepatic triglyceride concentrations of SK group mice decreased significantly (p

In this study, the efficacy and mode of action of the Korean traditional fried dish bugak for reducing plasma lipids are investigated. Three different studies were performed as follows: lipid-lowering effects of bugak compared with (1) different preparation methods, (2) different batters, and (3) different frying oils. Traditionally, bugak is prepared with fermented glutinous rice batter (FGR) and pan-fried in unroasted sesame oil (USSO; this preparation of bugak is referred to as FGRUSSO). FGR is prepared by placing the glutinous rice and water in a crock for 7 days at room temperature. For the study, wheat flour batter (WF) and soybean oil (SBO) were alternatively used. Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr⁻/⁻) mice (n=24) were fed atherogenic diets with bugak (20 g/100 g of feed) for 10 weeks. Plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration and hepatic lipid accumulations decreased significantly in mice fed FGRUSSO, compared with bugak made with WF and fried in SBO (WFSBO). Protein expression of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in the FGRUSSO group was decreased, although sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP-1 and -2) were not different. When batter differences were compared, TG concentration of mice fed bugak prepared with FGR and fried in SBO (FGRSBO) was lower than the WFSBO group due to suppression of hepatic FAS expression. In the oil comparison study, TC and LDL-C concentrations in the FGRUSSO group were lower due to attenuated HMGCR activity. In conclusion, bugak prepared by traditional cooking methods was most effective for lowering plasma TG, TC, and LDL-C via suppressing hepatic FAS and HMGCR activity, although transcription factors for regulating lipogenic enzyme expression were not significantly different.

This research study was to develop methods for inhibiting the germination of cotton seeds. Germination rates after heating treatment at with 10, 20, 30, 40 min. were 9.3, 9.3, 5.3 and 1.3 percentage, respectively. Heat treatment over with 10 min. caused no germination of cotton seeds. Germination was significantly reduced with gamma rays treatment more than 10,000 gy, while the treatment within 2,000-8,000 gy induced less effects. Microwave processing for 30 seconds and 60 seconds inhibit the germination of cotton seed under 8 and 0%, respectively. As a physical treatment, rollmill milling with 1.5, 2, 2.5 mm gap inhibited any germination of cotton seeds. The optimum gap of roll-mill for processing physical cracking was below 51% of the thickness of seed.

Nitrite-type hydrocalumite (calumite) is a material that can adsorb the chloride ions ()that cause the corrosion of reinforcing bars and liberate the nitrite ions () that inhibit corrosion in reinforced concrete, and can provide a self-corrosion inhibition function to the reinforced concrete. In this study, VA/E/MMA-modified mortars with calumite were prepared with various calumite contents and polymer binder-ratios, and tested for corrosion inhibition, chloride ion penetration, carbonation and drying shrinkage. As a result, regardless of polymer-binder ratio, the replacement of ordinary Portland cement with hydrocalumite has a marked effect on the corrosion inhibiting property of the polymer-modified mortars. However, chloride ion penetration and carbonation depths are somewhat increased with higher calumite content, but can be remarkably decreased depending on the polymer-binder ratios. The 28-d drying shrinkage shows a tendency to increase with the polymer-binder ratio and calumite content. VA/E/MMA-Modified mortars with 10 % calumite did not satisfy KS requirements. Accordingly, a calumite content of 5 % is recommended for the VA/E/MMA-modified mortars with calumite.

Recently, prepackaged-type surface preparation materials using redispersible polymer powders are widely used for interior and exterior finishing in the construction work. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance and the quality of prepackaged-type surface preparation materials using a VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder. Surface preparation materials using a VA/E/MMA terpolymer powder were prepared with shrinkage reducing agent contents of 0, 4 % and cellulose fiber contents of 0, 0.5, 1.0 %, and tested for drying shrinkage, strengths, adhesion in tension, crack and impact resistance, water absorption, permeability. As a result, prepackaged-type surface preparation materials show outstanding performance depending on the shrinkage reducing agent and cellulose fiber contents.

This study was conducted to investigate physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activities, and sensory evaluation of water extracts from Liriopis tuber (Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang; LP) treated with roasting over various temperatures (). The LP water extracts showed increase of total sugar, reducing sugar, total protein, and total saponins except pH as roasting temperature was elevated. The browning index, and a and b values of color were increased, however, L value was decreased as temperature was elevated. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, and nitrite scavenging activities and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of LP water extracts were increased by 6.77, 2.37, 4.02, and 4.92 times, respectively, after roasting at . In sensory evaluation, LP water extracts roasted at showed the highest scores in color, savory taste, flavor, and overall acceptability.

The cholesterol-lowering effects of soymilk fermented with Bacillus subtilis KCCM42923 were studied in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice and compared to the cholesterol-lowering effects of soymilk to which cheonggukjang powder had been added. ApoE KO mice were divided into 3 groups (n=7/group). Animals were fed either an atherogenic diet only (AD, control group), an AD supplemented with fermented soymilk containing Corni fructus (FSM group), or an AD supplemented with soymilk to which cheonggukjang (CGJ) powder had been added at 5% (w/v) (CPS group) for 8 weeks. The amount of FSM or CPS supplementing the AD was 20.8 mL/kg BW. There were no differences in either body weight gain or organ weights among three groups. In the FSM group, the concentration of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly decreased by 26.2% and 30.3% compared with the values of the control group (p＜0.05). However, the triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDLC) levels were not affected. These beneficial effects of FSM on suppressing the increase in plasma cholesterol level by AD were greater than those of CPS, which revealed 15.4% and 16.4% inhibition for TC and LDLC, respectively. However, these differences between FSM and CPS groups were not significantly different. A preventative effect of FSM or CPS on the accumulation of hepatic TC, but not on TG, was observed. FSM and CPS did not demonstrate any effects on fecal lipid excretion. In conclusion, the cholesterol-lowering effects of the soymilk fermented with Bacillus subtilis KCCM42923 were comparable to CGJ powder-added soymilk. These results suggest that drinking FSM might provide beneficial effects on controlling plasma cholesterol levels.

The aim of this study is to examine the radical scavenging activity of perilla and sesame oil that Koreans traditionally consume. For DPPH radical scavenging activity, oil and its hexane/70% methanol extracts (ME) are used and for superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, ME are used. Unrefined perilla oil, sesame oil, and refined sunflower oil are used. The yields for ME of perilla, sesame and sunflower oil are 0.57, 0.61, and 0.30%, respectively, and the amounts of phenolic compounds in ME of corresponding oil are 18.77, 88.64 and 0.05 ㎍ tannic acid/mg, respectively. IC50 for DPPH scavenging activity of perilla, sesame and sunflower oil are 2.12, 1.91, and 3.35 ㎎/㎖, respectively and those for ME of corresponding oils are 0.42, 0.07, and 43.11 ㎎/㎖, respectively. In DPPH assay, the solvent used for oil sample is iso-octane and that for ME is methanol. Superoxide anion scavenging activity of ME of perilla, sesame and sunflower oil tested at 1 ㎎/㎖ concentration are 21.10, 13.25, and 3.14%, respectively. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of those samples tested at 1 ㎎/㎖ concentration are 86.08, 93.30, and 93.17%, respectively. In summary, the refining process seems to remove the phenolic compound during oil processing. Antiradical substances in perilla and sesame oils responsible for scavenging DPPH radicals are present in the methanol fraction, while the antiradical substances in the sunflower oil are in the lipid fraction. DPPH scavenging activity of ME of sesame oil is significantly higher than that of perilla oil (p

► Seven flavonol glycosides were isolated from Sicyos angulatus. ► All flavonols were identified as 3,7-O-glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol. ► These flavonoids were first time isolated from the genus Sicyos. ► These flavonoids showed differences with other genera of same tribe the Sicyeae. ► Four of the seven flavonoids have various biological activities.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Owing to health concerns related to the consumption of traditional snacks high in sugars and fats, much effort has been made to develop functional snacks with low calorie content. In this study, a new recipe for Korean rice cookie, dasik, was developed and its antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory effects and related mechanisms were elucidated. The effects were compared with those of traditional rice cake dasik (RCD), the lipid-lowering effect of which is greater than that of traditional western-style cookies. MATERIALS/METHODS Ginseng-added brown rice dasik (GBRD) was prepared with brown rice flour, fructooligosaccharide, red ginseng extract, and propolis. Mice were grouped (n = 7 per group) into those fed a normal AIN-76 diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with RCD or GBRD. Dasik in the HFD accounted for 7% of the total calories. The lipid, reactive oxygen species, and peroxynitrite levels, and degree of lipid peroxidation in the plasma or liver were determined. The expression levels of proteins involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, and those of antioxidant enzymes were determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS The plasma and hepatic total cholesterol concentrations in the GBRD group were significantly decreased via downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (P < 0.05). The hepatic peroxynitrite level was significantly lower, whereas glutathione was higher, in the GBRD group than in the RCD group. Among the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly upregulated in the GBRD group (P < 0.05). In addition, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) expression in the GBRD group was significantly lower than that in the RCD group. CONCLUSIONS GBRD decreases the plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels by downregulating cholesterol synthesis. This new dasik recipe also improves the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory status in HFD-fed mice via CAT and GPx upregulation and NF-κB downregulation. These effects were significantly higher than those of RCD.

The heterogeneous electron-transfer kinetics of tetraisopropylhydrazine (4), tetraisopropylhydrazine radical cation hexafluoroantimonate (4+radical dot SbF_6^−), tetracyclohexylhydrazine (5) and tetracyclohexylhydrazine radical cation hexafluoroantimonate (5+radical dot SbF_6^−) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a gold working electrode in acetonitrile containing 0.10 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate. Results were obtained at eight scan rates between 0.2 and 40 V s^−1 and six temperatures ranging from −15 to 50°C. The results were analyzed according to two models: (1) A direct, one-step electron transfer in which structural change and electron transfer are concerted. (2) A two-step process in which structural change is considered as a separate chemical reaction that precedes or follows the electron-transfer event. Specifically, a square scheme is proposed in which the favored untwisted radical cation can convert to a twisted version, which then receives an electron to form the favored twisted neutral hydrazine. Also, the favored twisted neutral can convert to an untwisted version, which can give up an electron to form the favored untwisted radical cation, thus completing the square. It was found that the one-step model was unable to account for the voltammetric data. On the other hand, analysis by the two-step mechanism produced substantially better agreement between simulation and experiment, particularly for 4 and 4+radical dot SbF_6^−. The present experiments provide the first evidence that two-step electron transfer reactions occur with acyclic tetraalkylhydrazines.

Typical custom and commercial hanging mercury drop electrodes have the geometry of a spherical cap formed by the plane of the lower surface of the electrode holder cutting off the top of the drop. To conduct accurate quantitative measurements by voltammetry, it is necessary to be able to account for the effects of solution resistance, Ru. A method of determining the solution resistance is proposed and tested. The method involves making measurements of a test reaction (in this case, oxidation of ferrocene) by cyclic voltammetry at scan rates where resistance effects are important and at more than one concentration. When the data are analyzed by digital simulation, it is found that only one value of Ru will provide adequate matches between simulation and experiment at all concentrations. An approximate equation has been derived that allows calculation of Ru from the dimensions of the spherical-cap electrode and the solution resistivity. The calculated values of Ru for electrodes of three different sizes agreed well with the measured values. Error analysis was performed for a particular measurement, the determination of the standard heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant, ks, by cyclic voltammetry, and it was shown that uncertainty in Ru puts an upper limit of about 1 cm/s for the determination of ks with the hanging mercury drop electrodes used in this study.

A new flavonoid, 7-demethylageconyflavone A (1), and five known compounds, tricin (2), ageconyflavone A (3), corylin (4), nectandrin B (5), and 4-ketopinoresinol (6) were isolated from the aerial parts of Eragrostis ferruginea. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques, including 1D- and 2D-NMR. All compounds were tested for the neuroprotective effects against amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) using PC12 cells, a major cause of the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Tricin (2) was found to have a neuroprotective effect with an ED(50) value of 20.3 microM against Abeta-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. Ageconyflavone A (3), nectandrin B (5) and 4-ketopinoresinol (6) demonstrated moderate neuroprotective effects with ED(50) values of 58.7, 44.1, and 54.8 microM, respectively.

Contrary to the generally held notions about microbial survival, the recently published paper by Johnson et al. , ‘Ancient bacteria show evidence of DNA repair', presents evidence suggesting that non-spore-forming bacteria in ancient samples are apparently alive, as judged by intact DNA, and fare better than spores. The data presented in this work raise intriguing questions about the nature of bacteria in many of the ancient samples reported to date: are they spores, persisters, sessile vegetative cells or do they make up a slow-growing population?