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Hardy kiwifruits (Actinidia arguta Planch.) have high amounts of antioxidants, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and phenolics. The anti-cholinesterase activity and neuroprotective effects of three different cultivars of hardy kiwifruits, cv. Mansu (A. arguta × A. deliciosa), cv. Haeyeon (A. arguta), and cv. Chiak (A. arguta), on PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated. Extraction of phenolics and vitamin C was carried out using 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanol and metaphosphoric acid assisted with homogenization, respectively. Hardy kiwifruit of cv. Mansu showed higher total phenolic, total flavonoid, and vitamin C contents and antioxidant capacity compared to the other tw°Cultivars of hardy kiwifruits, cv. Haeyeon and cv. Chiak. Analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography results revealed the presence of procyanidin B2, (?)-epicatechin, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, and astragalin in hardy kiwifruits. The three cultivars of hardy kiwifruits had a wide range of vitamin C content of 55.2?130.0 mg/100 g fresh weight. All three cultivars of hardy kiwifruits had protective effects on neuronal PC-12 and SHSY5Y cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide by increasing cell viability and reducing intracellular oxidative stress. Furthermore, the hardy kiwifruits inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Collectively, these results suggest that hardy kiwifruits rich in antioxidants like phenolics and vitamin C have good potential as functional materials in neuroprotective applications.

Defoliation (DF) on peach (Prunus persica L.) and Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) trees caused by a hailstorm in 2017, year 1, was investigated for its effects on growth and fruit yield in South Korea over four years, comparing with recovery effects of the DF trees treated with repeated immediate pruning (IP) right after the storm. Treatments included 0–10, 10–40, 40–70, and 70–100% of DF trees, with 0–10, 10–40, 40–70, and 70–100% of DF + IP trees. The hailstorms increased the damages to shoots for peaches and to shoots and scaffold for Japanese apricot trees in year 1, with fruit yield reduced more than 80% observed on 10–100 DF of both fruit species. The IP treatment increased the number of new shoots in years 2–4 but reduced shoot length and diameter of peach and Japanese apricot trees. Tree canopy in years 2–4 was reduced on 40–100 DF of peach trees and on 70–100 of DF and DF + IP of Japanese apricot trees. The 40–100 DF Japanese apricot trees resulted in a fruit yield index of less than 90% for years 2–4, which was observed on 40–100 DF+IP trees only in year 2 due to balanced tree vegetative and reproductive growth.

Wear debris-induced osteolysis leads to periprosthetic loosening and subsequent prosthetic failure. Since excessive osteoclast formation is closely implicated in periprosthetic osteolysis, identification of agents to suppress osteoclast formation and/or function is crucial for the treatment and prevention of wear particle-induced bone destruction. In this study, we examined the potential effect of pentamidine treatment on titanium (Ti) particle-induced osteolysis, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. The effect of pentamidine treatment on bone destruction was examined in Ti particle-induced osteolysis mouse model. Ti particles were implanted onto mouse calvaria, and vehicle or pentamidine was administered for 10 days. Then, calvarial bone tissue was analyzed using micro-computed tomography and histology. We performed in vitro osteoclastogenesis assay using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) to determine the effect of pentamidine on osteoclast formation. BMMs were treated with 20 ng/mL RANKL and 10 ng/mL macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the presence or absence of pentamidine. Osteoclast differentiation was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence staining. Pentamidine administration decreased Ti particle-induced osteoclast formation significantly and prevented bone destruction compared to the Ti particle group in vivo. Pentamidine also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation markedly, and inhibited the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 and osteoclast-specific genes in vitro. Additionally, pentamidine also attenuated RANKL-mediated phosphorylation of IκBα in BMMs. These results indicate that pentamidine is effective in inhibiting osteoclast formation and significantly attenuates wear debris-induced bone loss in mice.

Blueberry is a crop grown worldwide due to the excellent quality and high polyphenol content of its fruit and tolerance to cold conditions. We investigated the influence of three production systems, namely an open field, heated greenhouse, and non-heated (plastic) greenhouse, on the phenolic characteristics (total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content) and antioxidant capacities of "Spartan" (northern highbush), "Sharpblue" (southern highbush), and "O'Neal" (southern highbush) blueberry cultivars. The non-heated production system showed the highest phenolic characteristics and antioxidant capacity in "Spartan" and "O'Neal," while the open field production system showed the highest phenolic characteristics and antioxidant capacity in "Sharpblue." Derivatives of delphinidin and malvidin were two of the most abundant anthocyanins. The heated greenhouse production system resulted in larger amounts of delphinidin derivatives compared with the other production systems, while the blueberry grown in the non-heated greenhouse produced larger amount of malvidin derivatives. The anthocyanin profiles varied according to production system and blueberry cultivars. The principal component analysis loading plot of blueberries for individual anthocyanins explained over 95% of the total variance. In summary, the results of this study suggest that a strategic approach to blueberry production could elevate the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of cultivated blueberry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The highbush blueberry, a rich source of bioactive polyphenols, is a popular fruit. The microclimate of the production system of highbush blueberries affects the concentrations of antioxidative phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins. Therefore, discovering and applying the appropriate method of production for each blueberry cultivar could facilitate production of high-quality blueberries rich in phenolic antioxidants.

This research focused on physiochemical and nutritional properties and functional characterization of three cultivars of yuzu—Native, Tadanishiki yuzu, and Namhae1—during different seasons. According to the cultivar and harvest time, yuzu cultivars were analyzed for free sugar, dietary fiber, hesperidin, naringin, and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant and antihypertensive activity. During November, Namhae1 exhibited the highest fruit weight, °Brix/acidity ratio, and total dietary fiber content. Tadanishiki contained the highest fructose and sucrose levels, pectin and cellulose contents, and soluble dietary fiber. Tadanishiki also had the highest hesperidin content in October, while the naringin content and antioxidant activity were the greatest in November. Antihypertensive activity was also the strongest for Tadanishiki, which was picked in October and November. These results indicated that Tadanishiki in October or November was the best for consumption or favorable processing because of its excellent product quality and high levels of nutritional and functional compounds.

The positive effects of Actinidia eriantha cv. Bidan extract (AEE) were investigated in terms of improvement in Aβ1-42-induced cognitive impairment. AEE was shown to have neuroprotective effects, such as reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and suppression of apoptotic cell death, in neuron-like PC-12 cells. Results of the in vivo experiment showed that AEE at 200 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day, and even at 50 mg/kg body weight/day, reduced impairments in learning and spatial memory in Aβ1-42-treated ICR mice. Furthermore, the endogenous antioxidant systems (SOD, CAT, and GSH/GSSG) in the mouse brain tissue significantly (p < 0.05) increased by AEE administration compared with the group treated with only Aβ1-42. In the analysis of UPLC-Q-TOF mass spectrometry, caffeic acid derivatives such as caffeoylquinic acids were identified in AEE. These results suggest that the Bidan kiwifruit is a good source of antioxidant phenolics that hold the potential to improve cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: Wear debris-induced osteolysis leads to periprosthetic loosening and subsequent prosthetic failure. Since excessive osteoclast formation is closely implicated in periprosthetic osteolysis, identification of agents to suppress osteoclast formation and/or function is crucial for the treatment and prevention of wear particle-induced bone destruction. In this study, we examined the potential effect of pentamidine treatment on titanium (Ti) particle-induced osteolysis, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. METHODS: The effect of pentamidine treatment on bone destruction was examined in Ti particle-induced osteolysis mouse model. Ti particles were implanted onto mouse calvaria, and vehicle or pentamidine was administered for 10 days. Then, calvarial bone tissue was analyzed using micro-computed tomography and histology. We performed in vitro osteoclastogenesis assay using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) to determine the effect of pentamidine on osteoclast formation. BMMs were treated with 20 ng/mL RANKL and 10 ng/mL macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the presence or absence of pentamidine. Osteoclast differentiation was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Pentamidine administration decreased Ti particle-induced osteoclast formation significantly and prevented bone destruction compared to the Ti particle group in vivo. Pentamidine also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation markedly, and inhibited the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 and osteoclast-specific genes in vitro. Additionally, pentamidine also attenuated RANKL-mediated phosphorylation of IκBα in BMMs. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that pentamidine is effective in inhibiting osteoclast formation and significantly attenuates wear debris-induced bone loss in mice.

A high-throughput analytical method has been developed for the determination of seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in aqueous samples. A recently introduced octadecyl (C18) disk for semi-automated solid-phase extraction of PCDD/Fs in water samples with a high level of particulate material has been tested for the analysis of dioxins. A new type of C18 disk specially designed for the analysis of hexane extractable material (HEM), but never previously reported for use in PCDD/Fs analysis. This kind of disk allows a higher filtration flow, and therefore the time of analysis is reduced. The solid-phase extraction technique is used to change samples from liquid to solid, and therefore pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) can be used in the pre-treatment. In order to achieve efficient purification, extracts from the PLE are purified using an automated Power-prep system with disposable silica, alumina, and carbon columns. Quantitative analyses of PCDD/Fs were performed by GC-HRMS using multi-ion detection (MID) mode. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of water samples from the wastewater treatment system of a vinyl chloride monomer plant. The entire procedure is in agreement with EPA1613 recommendations regarding the blank control, MDLs (method detection limits), accuracy, and precision. The high-throughput method not only meets the requirements of international standards, but also shortens the required analysis time from 2 weeks to 3d.

In this study, we have shown that methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate, a naturally occurring compound isolated from Ainsliaea acerifolia, inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced formation of multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts and the expression of osteoclast marker genes. Methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate also inhibited RANKL-induced activation of p38, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as the expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFATc1), the key regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Negative regulators for osteoclast differentiation was upregulated by methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate. Collectively, our results suggested that methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate suppresses osteoclast differentiation via downregulation of RANK signaling pathways and NFATc1.

The thermal degradation behavior and the stability of polyacrylate adhesives were evaluated by evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA–MS) and evolved gas analysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (EGA–GC/MS). Thermal degradation processes of two steps for adhesives 1 and 2 were found from EGA–MS analysis, and the evolved gases from each thermal zone were analyzed by EGA–GC/MS. The degradation products and a residual monomer caused by isobornyl acrylate of adhesive 1 were evolved from 100 °C to 170 °C. These fumes are able to cause a failure of the optical transparency of double-sided ITO (Indium tin oxide) film throughout the ITO crystallization process. The thermal degradation of adhesive 2 occurred at a higher temperature of ca. 50 °C compared to adhesive 1. Consequently, adhesive 2 is more thermo-stable than adhesive 1.

The Korean kiwifruit growers have a limited access to 'Hort16A', although the yellow flesh varieties are very appreciated in Korea. As a result a demand for Korean variety of gold kiwifruit was increasing. Fruit research institute of Jeonnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services (JARES) in Korea carried out a breeding program performing crosses between Actinidia chinensis species since mid-1990s. A round and very fruitful accession was selected from a 1997s cross between late 2002 and early 2003. The variety named 'Haegeum' in 2007 was grafted on 'Hayward' and followed in both experimental sites and farm orchards since then. 'Haegeum' flowers in mid-May and reaches maturity (disappearance of green color in fruit flesh) at mid-late October although some differences among cultural conditions and seasons were observed. The fruit average size is between 70 to 100 g and the soluble solid content after ripening is around 14 to 16%. This new selection was released and at the end of 2009 the potential acreages reached 25 ha in Korea.

The Korean government has regulated emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in waste water of manufacturing facilities producing chlorinated compounds since 2009. As this regulation is expected to be reinforced in 2013 to 50 pg I-TEQ/L, a large sample volume is required for the analysis of trace amounts of PCDD/Fs in waste water. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is used to extract PCDD/Fs from aqueous samples; however, its low efficiency makes it inadequate for analyzing large sample volumes. Herein, we present a disk-type solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the anal- ysis of dioxin at a part per quadrillion level in waste water. This SPE system contains airtight glass covers with a decompression pump, which enables continuous semi-automated extraction. Small (0.5 L) and large (7 L) samples were extracted using LLE and SPE methods, respectively. The method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.001�0.25 and 0.015�4.1 pg I-TEQ/L for the SPE and LLE methods, respectively. The concentrations of detected congeners with both methods were similar. However, the concentra- tions of several congeners that were not detected with the LLE method were quantified using the SPE method.

Oxidation products of ceftiofur were formed in hydrogen peroxide solution. The structures of the ceftiofur oxidationproducts were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC/ESI/MS/MS). The products were identified as compounds oxidized at the sulfur of a cephem ring. For further analysis,experiments were performed using O18-labeled hydrogen peroxide. In addition, density-functional calculations were carried out forsix possible oxidation products to support the experimental results.

Siloxanol based copolycarbonate(SicoPC) of which the constitutional monomers are diphenyl carbonate, bisphenol A, and polydimethylsiloxanol(PDMS), was prepared by melt transesterification polymerization. The objective was to investigate the monomer conversion ratio for each monomer and the configurational structure of the SicoPC. A laboratory scale 5L reactor was used in the siloxanol preparation where the reactor jacket oil temperature was kept constant at 230 °C throughout the first and second polymerization phases. The reaction pressure was varied. For the first phase, the pressure was dropped from the atmospheric pressure 1000–200 mbar during the target reaction time of 30 min to remove the byproduct phenol. The second phase, the full vacuum pressure of was maintained for the second 30-min polymerization phase. An hour of reaction under such a condition gave a product of a highly viscous melt, of which the number average molecular weight read approximately 3000 g/mol. Complete NMR spectral assignments of the obtained melt (expected to be SicoPC) were made using both 1 H and 13 C, followed by 2D NMR spectroscopy. The measurements confirmed that the obtained melt was indeed the expected SicoPC; the conversion ratio of each monomer, BPA, DPC and PDMS were 100%, 99.5% and 86%, respectively. Furthermore, the HMBC (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence) experiment confirmed the most important fact in determining the configurational structure of a SicoPC – all the PDMS monomers were located at the end chain of SicoPC.

In general, the storage life of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta ) is approximately one month, even in cold storage, which is a limiting factor for its commercialization due to the short marketing period. This short shelf life is in contrast to those of green kiwifruit (A. deliciosa , 6 to 8 months) and gold kiwifruit (A. chinensis , 4 to 6 months). To increase the storage life of hardy kiwifruit, we performed a cross between A. arguta (a local collection, ‘Hy2-1’, female) and A. deliciosa (‘Matua’, male) at Wando station at the Fruit Research Institute of JARES, Korea in 1999. After the first selection in 2006, we clonally propagated the hybrid plants by grafting them onto A. arguta seedlings in Gwangyang and Haenam province, Korea. We performed the final selection of this cultivar in 2012 and applied for plant protection rights from the Korea Forest Research Institute in 2013. Several experimental orchards have been established for commercial production. ‘Mansu’ begins to flower on May 20 in Gwangyang. The horticultural maturity date in ‘Mansu’, when the soluble solid content reaches 7°Bx, is October 15, whereas that of the control variety (‘Chiak’) is October 5. The average fruit size of ‘Mansu’ is approximately 15 g. The soluble solid content of ‘Mansu’ is approximately 16 to 17°Bx after ripening. The total yield of mature ‘Mansu’ vines is estimated to be 2.2 to 2.5 tons per 10a. The fruit firmness of ‘Mansu’ exceeded 1.5 ㎏/5 ㎜O until 70 days after storage (at 0 and 1℃). Therefore, ‘Mansu’ fruits have much longer storability than the control. The cultivation and production of ‘Mansu’ may extend the marketing period for hardy kiwifruit.

Sedimentation field‐flow fractionation (SdFFF) provides a mass based separation, and, thus, a size based separation for particles of uniform density. In this study, SdFFF was employed for separation and determination of size distributions of silver nanoparticles of about 100 nm in diameter. The relative abundances of each population in binary mixtures of silver nanoparticles were determined by mathematically deconvoluting the SdFFF fractograms. Various experimental parameters, including the field strength (channel rotation rate), flow rate, and the carrier composition, were varied to find an optimum SdFFF condition for separation and analysis of silver nanoparticles. The field and/or flow programming were also tested to improve the resolution. The silver nanoparticles were not resolved well when pure water was used as the carrier, due to charge interactions among the particles and between the particles and the channel wall. Water with 0.1% FL‐70 was chosen as the dispersing medium and also as the...

The ultraviolet (UV) degradation products of photochromic naphthoxazine and naphthopyran derivatives in acetoni- trile were separated and identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Photodegradation resulted in oxi- dation of products.

An analytical method for the quantification of acrylic acid (AA), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) in the bio-catalytic conversion process has been developed by gas chromatography. A simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure was used in the sample preparation. Organic acid additives such as trifluoroacetic acid were used to improve the extraction efficiency in the LLE procedure. Under optimum analysis conditions, all analytes were satisfactorily separated with no interference. In standard calibration, all correlation coefficients (r(2)) were better than or equal to 0.994. In culture media, the intra-batch precision (% relative standard deviation) and recovery (%) as the average value of the quality control samples were 2.3 and 102.4%, respectively. In addition, the inter-batch precision and recovery as the average value of the quality control samples were 5.0 and 104.0%, respectively. In phosphate buffer, the intra-batch precision and recovery as the average value of the quality control samples were 2.7 and 101.6%, respectively. In addition, the inter-batch precision and recovery as the average value of the quality control samples were 2.9 and 101.7%, respectively. The limit of detection (S/N ratio: 3) and limit of quantification (S/N ratio: 10) were 1.0 and 3.5 µg/mL, 3.0 and 10.0 µg/mL, and 9.0 and 30.0 µg/mL, respectively, for AA, 1,3-PD and 3-HP. Consequently, this method was demonstrated to be acceptable for the quantitative analysis of AA, 1,3-PD and 3-HP in culture media and phosphate buffer.

Effects of the toxic compounds in flue gas, SOx and NOx, on growth of Chlorella sp. KR-1 have been determined. Although growth of KR-1 was suppressed by the toxic compounds, KR-1 exhibited excellent tolerances to SOx compared to other algal strains. When Chlorella KR-1 was cultured with the model gas containing 60 ppm SO2, the linear growth rate was 1.24 g/l day which is about 25% lower than that of the control culture aerated with the gas mixture containing no toxic compounds, SO2 and NO. KR-1 could grow even with the model gas containing 100 ppm SO2 and the linear growth rate of KR-1 in the culture was 0.78 g/l day. The period for lag phase was increased with increasing of SO2 concentration that also resulted in the decrease of the linear growth rate and the maximum cell concentration. Direct CO2 fixation by Chlorella KR-1 has been successfully done using actual flue gases from a liquified natural gas (LNG)- or diesel-fueled boiler. These results indicated that Chlorella KR-1 may be applied for direct CO2 fixation from actual flue gas.