In this study, silk sericin solutions and films were prepared with different solvents: formic acid and water. Also, silk sericin film from aqueous solution was prepared at different casting temperature. Regardless of solvent type, silk sericin solutions showed a shear thinning implying highly molecular entangled state of silk sericin. Silk sericin aqueous solution showed a higher turbidity than that of formic acid solution. Silk sericin aqueous solution showed shorter gelation time than formic acid. FTIR results showed β-sheet crystallization of silk sericin was affected by casting solvent and temperature. Silk sericin film from aqueous solution showed more β-sheet conformation as the casting temperature was decreased. Silk sericin film from formic acid showed higher crystallinity index than silk sericin films cast from aqueous solution. XRD diffraction measurement showed similar results to those of FTIR. In case of mechanical properties, tensile strength of sericin film from formic acid was higher than sericin films from aqueous solution.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of heat appli˗ cation on the immune activities of the human body. To exam, further˗ more, the immune effect from the healthy volunteer(male:15, female:15) by monitoring changes of immune substances such as various leukocytes[total white blood cell(WBC), eosinophil, neutrophil, basophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte], a comparative study with warm water immersion(40.8±0.3℃) and infrared(250W) was carried out. The plasma analysis showed that the count of white blood cell, eosinophil, and neutrophil were elevated in warm water immersion- or infrared˗ stimulated group compared with control group. However, the count of basophil was decreased in both warm water immersion- and infrared-stimulated group than control group. Therefore, these results suggest that the thermostimulation improved immune activity.