Effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract on hepatic damage in rats

Purpose: To determine the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of decursin and decursinol angelate (D/DA) isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN).Methods: The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of D/DA was assessed in a rat model using blood tests, western blotting, and histopathological analyses to identify the pharmaceutical effects of D/DA on liver enzymes and liver morphology.Results: The DPPH scavenging activity of D/DA was 47.11 μg/mL. Administration of D/DA to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats led to a decrease (13.59 %) in the total liver mass of control rats. Decursin and decursinol angelate also lowered the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), but increased the concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, including catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histological examination revealed that D/DA also reduced hepatocellular damage in the rats.Conclusion: D/DA from AGN has significant anti-hepatotoxic and antioxidant activities, and thus, is a potential herbal drug for treating liver damage. Keywords: Decursin, Decursinol angelate, Antihepatotoxicity, Antioxidant, Angelica gigas Naka

Far-ultraviolet Emission-line Morphologies of the Supernova Remnant G65.3+5.7

We present the first far-ultraviolet (FUV) emission-line morphologies of the whole region of the supernova remnant (SNR) G65.3+5.7 using the FIMS/SPEAR data. The morphologies of the C IV {\lambda}{\lambda}1548, 1551, He II {\lambda}1640, and O III] {\lambda}{\lambda}1661, 1666 lines appear to be closely related to the optical and/or soft X-ray images obtained in previous studies. Dramatic differences between the C IV morphology and the optical [O III] {\lambda}5007 image provide clues to a large resonant-scattering region and a foreground dust cloud. The FUV morphologies also reveal the overall distribution of various shocks in different evolutionary phases and an evolutionary asymmetry between the east and the southwest sides in terms of Galactic coordinates, possibly due to a Galactic density gradient in the global scale. The relative X-ray luminosity of G65.3+5.7 to C IV luminosity is considerably lower than those of the Cygnus Loop and the Vela SNRs. This implies that G65.3+5.7 has almost evolved into the radiative stage in the global sense and supports the previous proposal that G65.3+5.7 has lost its bright X-ray shell and become a member of mixed-morphology SNRs as it has evolved beyond the adiabatic stage.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in The Ap

Carbon Nanotube Yarn for Fiber-Shaped Electrical Sensors, Actuators, and Energy Storage for Smart Systems

Smart systems are those that display autonomous or collaborative functionalities, and include the ability to sense multiple inputs, to respond with appropriate operations, and to control a given situation. In certain circumstances, it is also of great interest to retain flexible, stretchable, portable, wearable, and/or implantable attributes in smart electronic systems. Among the promising candidate smart materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit excellent electrical and mechanical properties, and structurally fabricated CNT-based fibers and yarns with coil and twist further introduce flexible and stretchable properties. A number of notable studies have demonstrated various functions of CNT yarns, including sensors, actuators, and energy storage. In particular, CNT yarns can operate as flexible electronic sensors and electrodes to monitor strain, temperature, ionic concentration, and the concentration of target biomolecules. Moreover, a twisted CNT yarn enables strong torsional actuation, and coiled CNT yarns generate large tensile strokes as an artificial muscle. Furthermore, the reversible actuation of CNT yarns can be used as an energy harvester and, when combined with a CNT supercapacitor, has promoted the next-generation of energy storage systems. Here, progressive advances of CNT yarns in electrical sensing, actuation, and energy storage are reported, and the future challenges in smart electronic systems considered

A Case Report of Painless Moving Toes Syndrome

This is the first report of a case of painless moving toes syndrome with radiculopathy. The patient presented with bilateral painless moving toes and unilateral subclinical sacral (S1) radiculopathy. Bilateral movements with the unilateral lesion, and fluctuation with postural changes and distant muscle contraction suggest that the underlying pathomechanism was a central reorganization in the spinal level

Enhancement on Radon Adsorption Property of GAC using Nano-size Carbon Colloids

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is well-known as an efficient adsorbent against a number of gaseous pollutants. Radon is one of those pollutants, and radon has been classified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in USA. This study was to enhance the radon removal efficiency with applying nano-technology. Nano-size carbon colloids (NCC) was produced through electrolysis which is simple and cheap. NCC was used for impregnation with activated carbon. Surface areas of both NCC-treated and non-treated activated carbon did not show a significant difference. However, the results of radon removal efficiency show that impregnated carbon with NCC could capture about 1.3 ~ 2 times of more radon gas compared to non-treated activated carbon. It is assumed that nano-size carbon colloids might have filled up meso-pores, and meso-pores turned into micro-pores eventually. Because meso-pores initially accounted for large portion of whole pores, more radon could be captured to NCC-impregnated activated carbon. Keywords: Radon, Nano-Size Carbon Collid, Activated Carbo

CO-COMBUSTION OF KOREAN ANTHRACITE WITH VARIOUS FUELS IN A COMMERCIAL CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED BOILER

The effect of co-combustion of various fuels such as bituminous coal, imported anthracite, RDF and wood pellet with Korean anthracite on the combustion and environmental performance was observed in the commercial CFB boiler. The temperatures in the furnace and cyclones exits decreased with increasing the cocombustion ratio of the bituminous coal, which could achieve more stable operation of the CFB boiler. During Co-combustion of the RDF and wood pellets, the temperature of the furnace exit increased slightly with due to volatiles re-combustion which could restrict to increase the co-combustion ratio of the RDF and wood pellets in the CFB boiler. It was limited for the electrostatic precipitator (EP) to maintain the stable operation above 5% of the RDF co-combustion ratio according to decrease of the output voltages of the EP collecting plate. High content of CaO in the RDF and the wood pellet made the required limestone flow rates decrease. The emissions NOx, HCl and dioxin during co-combustion of the RDF and wood pellets did not change appreciably when compared with firing only Korean anthracite, which were also low enough to meet Korean regulation limits. On the other hand, chlorine content in the ashes emitted from the boiler increased gradually with increasing the RDF co-combustion ratio because of absorption by limestone. The co-combustion of various fuels with Korean anthracite in the commercial CFB boiler was found to be of great use up to a certain co-combustion ratio of each fuel without the technical and environmental problems

New-type of Multi-purpose Standard Radon Chamber in South Korea

Radon is an inert and a radioactive gas which is colorless, tasteless and odorless. As the radon decay proceeds, and if DNA damage continues beyond repair capacity of cells in the human body, it can cause severe health problems such as lung cancer in the long-term. There is a tendency that those countries where legal restriction on radon is strict, various studies related to radon are under way. In South Korea, radon has been regulated under recommendation level. Even though there are about 3 standard radon chambers in Korea, they have not been in an active use because of lack of demand. Also, most of them are specialized in calibration of radon detectors only. Recently, Korean government started giving some attention to radon issue and supporting radon research fields. Thus, this study was carried out to develop a new type of radon chamber for multi-purpose such as 1) radon emission rate from natural and artificial radon sources; 2) calibration of radon detectors; 3) evaluation of radon mitigation efficiency. Keywords: Radon, Radon Chamber, Indoor Air Quality, Chamber Desig

Validity and reliability of the Korean version of the gender-friendliness barriers in nursing programs scale

IntroductionThe gender-friendliness barriers in nursing programs (GFB-NP) were used to measure perceived gender affinity among male nursing students in nursing education programs. Originally developed in Taiwan, this scale has not been used in Korea. The purpose of this study is to confirm the reliability and validity of the GFB-NP scale for Korean male nursing students.MethodsA convenience sample of male nursing students enrolled in the 1st to 4th year of nursing departments at five four-year universities located in three cities in Korea was used in the study. To confirm the validity and factor structure of the scale, both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were employed.ResultsThe results support a four-factor structure: Professional acquisition opportunity, peer interaction, sociocultural prejudice, and gender role attitude. We confirmed that the Korean version of the GFB-NP is an appropriate tool for measuring the gender-friendliness educational environment perceived by male nursing students in nursing education.DiscussionThe GFB-NP will serve as a framework for developing counseling and management strategies to help male nursing students successfully adapt to school life within the nursing education curriculum. Research with a longitudinal study design is recommended to investigate the progression of school adaptation through undergraduate program courses