Both iron-deficient and zinc-sufficient diets have been known to be associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. We investigated that effect of dietary zinc on the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane (AOM) followed by dextran sodium sulfate in iron-deficient mice. Five-week old ICR mice were acclimated for 1 week and fed on iron-deficient diet (4.50 ppm iron) with three different zinc levels (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 ppm) for 12 weeks. The total number of aberrant crypt (AC) and ACF was measured in the colonic mucosa after methylene blue staining. The total ACF numbers of low Zn (LZn), medium Zn (MZn) and high Zn (HZn) diet groups were 10.00 ± 2.67, 8.78 ± 3.12, and 7.96 ± 2.44, respectively and there were no significant differences among the groups. However, the total AC numbers of HZn (27.07 ± 3.88) and MZn (26.39 ± 5.59) diet groups were significantly low compared to LZn (22.57 ± 5.09) diet group (p<0.01). Cytosolic SOD activity was the highest in LZn diet group. But thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances level in liver was also the highest in LZn diet group compared to other groups. There is no difference in cell proliferation in mucous membrane among the groups, while apoptotic positive cells were increased in the HZn diet group. The high zinc diet exhibited decreased β-catenin-stained areas on the mucous membrane of colon compared to the LZn or MZn diet group. These findings indicate that dietary zinc might exert a modulating effect on development of ACF/AC in the mice with iron-deficient status.

Iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) have recently been used for cancer diagnosis and therapy for imaging contrast and drug delivery. However, no study on nutritional bioavailability of Fe-NPs in the body has been reported. Ascorbic acid (AA) is known to aid in absorption of iron in the stomach by reducing Fe (III) to Fe (II). In this study, we investigated the bioavailability of Fe-NPs with AA in iron-deficiency-anemic mice in comparison with non-nano iron particles. Iron-deficient anemia was induced by feeding an iron-deficient diet (4.5 mg Fe/kg) and ocular bleeding from retro-orbital venous plexus for four weeks. Normal control mice were given a normal diet (45 mg Fe/ kg). After induction of anemia in mice, anemic mice received daily oral administration of Fe (40 mg/kg B.W.) + AA (5 g/kg B.W) and Fe-NPs (40 mg/kg B.W) + AA (5 g/kg B.W). After sacrifice, liver and spleen tissues were observed by haematoxylin & eosin stain. Amount of trace iron in liver and upper small intestine was investigated using an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer. Red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and total iron binding capacity were also measured. The concentrations of iron in the Fe-NPs + AA group were significantly higher in liver and in upper small intestine than that in the Fe + AA group. The values of RBC, Hct, and Hb in the Fe-NPs + AA group were more rapidly increased to normal values compared with the Fe + AA group with increasing time. These results suggest that Fe-NPs in the presence of AA may be more bioavailable than non-nano Fe in Fe-deficient anemic mice.

The current study was conducted in order to investigate promotional effects of herbal extracts on hair growth in an animal model of mice. There were four experimental groups, including distilled water (DW) as a negative control (NC), 3% minoxidil (MXD) as a positive control (PC), 50% ethanol (EtOH) as a vehicle control (VC), and herbal extract (HE) as the experimental treatment (E). The HE was extracted with ethanol from plants, including Gardenia, Mentha arvensis, Rosemary, and Lavender. Six-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were shaved with an electric clipper and the test materials were topically treated with 0.2 ml per mouse daily for three weeks. Photographic evaluation of hair re-growth was performed weekly during a period of three weeks. The number of mast cells was counted on the dorsal skin section of mice. The enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), were determined using a biochemical autoanalyzer. No clinical signs were observed in any of the experimental groups. As a result of photometric analysis, topical application of HE to dorsal skin for two weeks resulted in significantly faster acceleration of hair regrowth, compared with that of the NC or VC group (P<0.05). The PC and E groups showed a significant decrease in mast cell population, compared to the NC group. Activities of ALP and γ-GT were significantly increased in the PC and E groups, compared to the NC or VC group (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that the herbal extract may have hair-growth promoting activity equal to that of MXD.

To investigate the effect of carnosine on exhaustive exercise, swimming tests were conducted weekly with loads corresponding to 5% of body weight attached to the tails of mice, and the swimming time to exhaustion was measured. Eighty male ICR mice were divided into four groups, to which carnosine was administered at doses of 0 (control), 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively, for a period of four weeks. At the end of swimming exercise challenges, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity in tissues were determined. Treatment with 250 mg/kg carnosine resulted in a significant increase in swimming times to exhaustion, compared to the control group in the first (P<0.01) and third week (P<0.05). Significantly lower serum lactate levels were observed after the swimming exercise in the carnosine-treated groups (10 and 250 mg/kg), compared with the control (P<0.01). Malondialdehyde levels in the liver (10 and 50 mg/kg carnosine treated groups) and skeletal muscle (250 mg/kg carnosine treated group) were significantly lower, compared with the control (P<0.05). Significantly lower protein carbonyl levels in skeletal muscle were observed in the 50 and 250 mg/kg carnosine treated groups, compared with the control (P<0.01). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in skeletal muscle did not differ significantly among the groups. These results indicate that carnosine may improve swimming exercise capacity by attenuating production of lactate and reducing oxidative stress in mice.

This study aims to reveal how EA affects BAX and NF-kB involved in cell deaths from global ischemia, and to do this, observes the changes of BAX and NF-kB caused by EA application after transient global ischemia. The experimental method is to give rise to global ischemia and apply EA to 27 SD rats with the particulars of being six-week-old, male, around-300 gram-weighing, and adapted to laboratory environment for more than a week, and divide them into three groups, that is, GV20 EA group(n=9), L14 EA group(n=9), no-treatment GI group(n=9), and then observe their changes of BAX and NF-kB at the time lapse of 6 hours, 9 hours and 12 hours after ischemia, using western blotting. The numerical decrease of BAX expression at the time lapse of 9 hours after EA application, though not statistically significant, was observed in GV20 EA group and L14 EA group, and the NF-kB expression appeared statistically significant decrease in GV20 EA group and L14 EA group, but the expression was higher in the group with EA application. Therefore, EA application at the early phase of global ischemia is considered to affect BAX and NF-kB and play a positive role in decreasing apoptosis and cell deaths by inflammation.

본 연구에서는 azoxymethane (AOM)과 dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)로 유도된 대장 발암과정에 대한 셀레늄의 방어 효과를 조사하였다. 셀레늄 결핍(0.02 ppm Se), 정상(0.1 ppm Se), 과다(0.5 ppm Se)사료를 12주간 식이로 급여하여 혈액검사와 대장암 발생의 초기단계인 aberrant crypt foci (ACF)수를 측정했으며, 암 발생율을 조사하였다. ICP-AES 를 사용하여 간의 셀레늄 농도를 측정하였으며, 또한 셀레늄포함 항산화효소인 glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 활성을 알아보았다. 또한 TUNEL assay와 PCNA, β-catenin에 대한 면역조직 염색을 수행하였다. ACF 수 및 종양 발생률에 있어서, 셀레늄과다사료를 급여한 군이 정상셀레늄사료를 급여한 군보다 낮았으며, 셀레늄결핍사료를 급여한 군은 오히려 ACF 수 및 종양 발생률이 높았다. GPx 활성은 셀레늄의 섭취가 과다한 군에서 높게 나타났으며, 이 때, TUNEL 에서 apoptotic positive cell이 증가하는 것을 확인했다. 또 한 셀레늄의 섭취가 과다한 군에서 PCNA와 β-catenin의 발현이 감소됨을 볼 수 있었다. 본 마우스 모델실험에서 셀레늄은 여러 기전에 의해 대장암 발생을 억제할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Although winter rye is now widely grown as a silage crop in Korea, but silage quality of the winter rye produced from farmer's fields have not been published. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate forage quality of winter rye which was participated in Forage Quality Contest in 2008. These data were classified by resign, forage production, added inoculants, planting date, and harvest date. Difference on lactic acid of rye silage was detected in forage production (p＜0.01), however, there were no significant differences among the rye silage tested. The moisture and lactic acid were significant differences in dry matter yield of rye silage. There is all the difference between silage added inoculants and control. The pH, ash, CP, NDF and ADF of rye added with inoculants were higher t㏊n those of control silage, however, the TDN and lactic acid were increased in silage added with inoculants. The ash and CP were significant differences in planting date, but lactic acid was significant differences in harvest date. This experiment indicates t㏊t lactic acid of silage was good indicator for evaluation of rye silage. Differences in forage quality were also observed among winter rye silage. Therefore, nutritional quality as well as lactic acid is important in silage quality contest of winter rye silage.

A level of dietary iron may play a role in colon carcinogenesis. The effect of dietary iron on colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male ICR mice. Five-week old mice were acclimated for one week and fed on iron-normal diet (35 ppm Fe), iron-deficient diet (3 ppm), or iron-overloaded diet (350 ppm Fe) for 8 weeks. Animals received three (0-2^nd weeks after starting experiment) injections of azoxymethane (AOM; 10 mg/kg b.w.) to induce colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). There were five experimental groups including normal control without AOM, AOM+iron-normal diet (AOM+NFe), AOM+iron-deficient (AOM+LFe), AOM+ironoverloaded diet (AOM+HFe) groups. The total numbers of ACF and aberrant crypt (AC) were measured in the colonic mucosa after staining with methylene blue. The blood and serum were analyzed with a blood cell differential counter and an automatic serum analyzer. The hepatic iron levels were significantly dependent on the presence of iron in the diets. Iron-deficient diet significantly decreased the several hematological values. The values of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were also significantly decreased in iron-overloaded or iron-deficient diet groups, compared with normal iron diet group. Dietary iron-deficiency decreased the numbers of ACF (64.9) and AC (79.8) per colon by 20.6 and 21.8%, respectively, compared with AOM+NFe group (72.4 ACF/colon and 90.3 AC/colon). However, ironoverloaded diet increased ACF (82.9) and AC (96.0) induction by AOM, compared with normal iron diet. These results suggest that dietary iron can affect the colon carcinogenesis in the animal model of mice.

Phytic acid (PA) is a naturallu occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that is present in substantial amounts in almost all plants and mammalian cells. Recently PA has received much attention for its role in anticancer activity. We investigated the preventive effect of PA on the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF), a preneoplastic lesion, induced by azoxymethane (AOM). After acclimation for one week, six-week old male ICR mice were fed on the AIN-93G purified diet and PA (0.5% or 2% PA in water) for 8 weeks. The animals were treated with azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg b.w.) three times (0, 1, and 2 weeks) to induce colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). After sacrifice, the total numbers of aberrant crypts (AC) and ACF in colonic mucosa were counted after staining with methylene blue. Blood and serum were analyzed with a blood cell differential counter and an automatic serum analyzer. AOM treatment without PA induced the total numbers of 85.7 ± 12.9 and 115.2 ± 19.9, respectively. PA at the dose of 2% AC/colon by PA at the dose of 0.5% were 73.4 ± 12.9 and 115.2 ± 19.9, respectively. PA at the dose of 2% significantly decreased the ACF and AC numbers to 56.5 ± 14.6 and 95.4 ± 17.2, respectively (p＜0.01). PA at the doses of 0.5 and 2% decreased the numbers of ACF and AC/colon in a dose-dependent manner. Although some parameters in blood counts and serum chemistry were changed compared with the control, no specific toxicity was found. Theses findings suggest that phytic acid can be a chemopreventive agent for colon carcinogenesis resulting from inhibition of the development of ACF in ICR mice.

We present UBVRI CCD photometry of the Type Ie supernova SN 19941 in M51 which was discovered on April 2, 1994 (UT). UBVRI CCD photometry of SN 1994 I were obtained for the period of the first two months from April 4, 1994, using the Seoul National University Observatory 60 cm telescope. The light curves of SN 19941 show several interesting features: (a) SN 19941 reaches the maximum brightness at B-band on April 8.23 (B = 13.68 mag), at V-band on April 9.10 (V = 12.89 mag), and at I-band on April 10.32 (I = 12.48 mag); (b) The light curves around the maximum brightness are much narrower than those of other types of supernovae; (c) The light curves after the peak decline more steeply than those of other types of supernovae; and (d) The colors get redder from (V-R) ≈ 0.2 mag ((V - I) ≈ 0.3 mag, (B - V) ≈ 0.7 mag) on April 4 to (V-R)≈ 0.6 mag ((V-1) ≈0.9 mag, (B-V) ≈ 1.3 mag) on April 18. Afterwards (V - R) colors get bluer slightly (by ~0.005 mag/day), while (V-I) colors stay almost constant around (V-1) ≈ 1.0 mag. The color at the maximum brightness is (B-V)=0.9 mag, which is ~1 mag redder than the mean color of typical Type la supernovae at the maximum brightness. The light curves of SN 1994I are similar to those of the Type Ie supernova SN 1962L in NGC 1073. Adopting the distance modulus of (m-M)0 = 29.2 mag and the reddening of E(B - V) = 0.45 mag [Iwamoto et al. 1994, preprint for ApJ], we derive absolute magnitudes at the maximum brightness of SN 1994I, Mv(max) = -17.7 mag and MB(max) = -17.4 mag. This result shows that SN 1994I was ~2 mag fainter at the maximum brightness compared with typical Type Ia supernovae. A narrower peak and faster decline after the maximum in the light curve of SN 1994I compared with other types of supernovae indicate that the progenitor of SN 1994I might be a lower mass star compared with those of other types of supernovae.

Background : The organic matter content of land clearing or soil brought from an other place is very low, less than 0.5%. However, the organic matter content of natural habitat soil and leader farmhouse soil was two to three times higher than that of general farmhouse soil. As a result, the yield of Gastrodia elata was higher than that of general farmhouse. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to investigate the yield of G. elata according to the application of green manure crops (GMCs). Methods and Results : This experiment was carried out in a soil with organic matter content of 0.5% in rain shelter greenhouse. The kind of GMCs are corn, Sudan grass, sorghum and oats, and the throughputs per 10 a were 2,000 ㎏, 2,200 ㎏, 1,500 ㎏ and 700 ㎏ of each. The soil preparation was carried out after treated of GMCs at least one month before G. elata was formally planted. As the results of these experiment, organic matter content in soils increased 4 - 5 times compared with before treatment. As a result, the yield of G. elata increased by 21 - 41% in all treatments of GMCs. In addition, there was 2 - 5% more G. elata of good merchantable quality. However, the soil temperature in the summer season period of 2016 (7.1 - 8.31) was 1.2 - 1.6℃ higher than the previous year. The day when the outside temperature was above 30℃ was 41 days. It doubled from the previous year. Soil moisture content showed similar tendency according to treatments. As a result, 20 - 30% of high temperature damage and 20 - 50% of putrefaction occurred, and the total yield also decreased by 20 - 30% compared to normal year. Conclusion : In conclusion, some organic matter is needed for cultivation of G. elata. Therefore, it is considered that it would be better to keep the organic matter content at 2 - 3% when the destination are managed, and to use corn or Sudan grass as the GMCs.

Background : Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a vegetable with pantropical distribution and contains the active ingredient, such as momordicine and charantin. Moreover, bitter gourd has been reported to exhibit antidiabetic, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective and antioxidant effects. But, the distinctive bitter taste of bitter gourd was not suitable for food preference. This study was conducted to evaluate the improvement effects of bitter taste of bitter gourd with natural fermentation and roasting process. Methods and Results : Bitter gourd fruits were obtained from Headeulnyeokae Co., Ltd.(Gang-Jin 59253, Repubilc Korea). Fruits of bitter gourd were prepared by natural fermentation process for 4h at 25℃. After natural fermentation, the fruits were dried in hot-air dryer for 15h at 49-55℃. The dried fruits were roasted in 500 g batches at 120℃ for 10 min in the electric rotisserie oven. After roasting, fruit pieces were extracted with hot water and cold water. One of them was cool-type, and the other was hot-type bitter gourd tea. In the sensory evaluation, hot tea and cold tea showed the high scores on color, flavor and overall acceptability. Conclusion : These mean that roasted bitter gourd had less bitter, and it could be utilized widely as drink and food material.