Vascular Responses to Manual PC6 Acupuncture in Nonsmokers and Smokers Assessed by the Second Derivative of the Finger Photoplethysmogram Waveform

José F. Rivas-Vilchis,Ricardo Escorcia-Gaona,Jorge A. Cervantes-Reyes,Rubén Román-Ramos 사단법인약침학회 2008 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.1 No.1

Background: Smoking is reported to increase arterial stiffness. Indices obtained from the second derivative of digital volume pulse (SDDVP) waveform have been proposed to characterize vascular aging and arterial rigidity. PC6 (Neiguan) is a traditional acupoint in each forearm that has been shown to modify cardiovascular functioning. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of manual needling with PC6 on SDDVP indices in healthy chronic smoker and nonsmoker subjects. Subjects and Methods: Aging index (AI) was defined as (b − c − d − e)/a, B:A was calculated as the ratio of the absolute value for the height of the b wave (B) to that of the a wave (A), and D:A was calculated as the ratio of the absolute value for the height of the d wave (D) to that of the a wave (A). These indices derived of the wave components of SDDVP of healthy nonsmokers (n = 40; 28.3 ± 3.0 years old) vs. chronic smokers (n = 30; 29.9 ± 2.9 years old) were compared. The digital volume pulse (DVP) was obtained by measuring infrared light transmission through the finger. Of each subject, a DVP registration 20 minutes long was obtained. PC6 was stimulated unilaterally by manual needling for 5 minutes (1−6 minutes). SDDVP indices were compared in each subject in pre- vs. post-acupuncture periods (30 seconds vs. 18 minutes, respectively). Results: At baseline, we found significant difference in B:A between nonsmokers and smokers. Comparing pre- vs. post-acupuncture periods, B:A and D:A did not show significant differences among nonsmokers, but B:A improved significantly in smokers and AI improved significantly in both nonsmokers and smokers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that manual needling with PC6 could revert some of the deleterious effects on vascular functioning produced by chronic cigarette smoking. Background: Smoking is reported to increase arterial stiffness. Indices obtained from the second derivative of digital volume pulse (SDDVP) waveform have been proposed to characterize vascular aging and arterial rigidity. PC6 (Neiguan) is a traditional acupoint in each forearm that has been shown to modify cardiovascular functioning. Objective: To investigate the acute effects of manual needling with PC6 on SDDVP indices in healthy chronic smoker and nonsmoker subjects. Subjects and Methods: Aging index (AI) was defined as (b − c − d − e)/a, B:A was calculated as the ratio of the absolute value for the height of the b wave (B) to that of the a wave (A), and D:A was calculated as the ratio of the absolute value for the height of the d wave (D) to that of the a wave (A). These indices derived of the wave components of SDDVP of healthy nonsmokers (n = 40; 28.3 ± 3.0 years old) vs. chronic smokers (n = 30; 29.9 ± 2.9 years old) were compared. The digital volume pulse (DVP) was obtained by measuring infrared light transmission through the finger. Of each subject, a DVP registration 20 minutes long was obtained. PC6 was stimulated unilaterally by manual needling for 5 minutes (1−6 minutes). SDDVP indices were compared in each subject in pre- vs. post-acupuncture periods (30 seconds vs. 18 minutes, respectively). Results: At baseline, we found significant difference in B:A between nonsmokers and smokers. Comparing pre- vs. post-acupuncture periods, B:A and D:A did not show significant differences among nonsmokers, but B:A improved significantly in smokers and AI improved significantly in both nonsmokers and smokers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that manual needling with PC6 could revert some of the deleterious effects on vascular functioning produced by chronic cigarette smoking.

Montmorillonite clay intercalated with nanoparticles for hydrogen storage

Fabiola Campos,Luis de la Torre,Manuel Román,A. García,A. Aguilar Elguézabal 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.5

According to the expectations around the world concerning future of energy sources, hydrogen will be in a few years the most important energy carrier for stationary and mobile applications. Hydrogen storage is the bottleneck on the race to commercialize technologies based on the use of hydrogen, and specifically for mobile applications, the research goal for 2010 is to develop a device with at least 6% w/w of storage capacity. Highly porous carbon-based materials are among the most promising materials, with Carbon Molecular Sieves CMS) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) the most studied. In both cases materials are structured in such a way that hydrogen must diffuse along channels (micropores) where walls represent a restriction for the adsorption/desorption cycle. In this study, an alternative material is prepared by separation of clay layers with silica nanoparticles of diameter around 12 nm. The hydrogen storage capacity increased from 0.12 for untreated clay to 0.40% w/w for nanoassembled clay, measured at 77 K and atmospheric pressure, and according to intercalated clay characterization, almost all the surface available on the clay was exposed for adsorption. According to the expectations around the world concerning future of energy sources, hydrogen will be in a few years the most important energy carrier for stationary and mobile applications. Hydrogen storage is the bottleneck on the race to commercialize technologies based on the use of hydrogen, and specifically for mobile applications, the research goal for 2010 is to develop a device with at least 6% w/w of storage capacity. Highly porous carbon-based materials are among the most promising materials, with Carbon Molecular Sieves CMS) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) the most studied. In both cases materials are structured in such a way that hydrogen must diffuse along channels (micropores) where walls represent a restriction for the adsorption/desorption cycle. In this study, an alternative material is prepared by separation of clay layers with silica nanoparticles of diameter around 12 nm. The hydrogen storage capacity increased from 0.12 for untreated clay to 0.40% w/w for nanoassembled clay, measured at 77 K and atmospheric pressure, and according to intercalated clay characterization, almost all the surface available on the clay was exposed for adsorption.

적외선등을 이용한 실외 실험적 온난화 처리에 따른 소나무와 전나무의 종자 발아 및 유묘 생존율

조민석 ( Min Seok Cho ),황재홍 ( Jae Hong Hwang ),양아람 ( A Ram Yang ),한새롬 ( Sae Rom Han ),손요환 ( Yo Whan Son ) 한국임학회 2014 한국산림과학회지 Vol.103 No.2

본 연구는 지구 온난화와 관련한 대응 대책 마련을 위해서 대기 온도 상승에 따른 주요 침엽수의 종자 발아 및 발아 후 유묘의 생존율 변화를 알아보고자 수행하였다. 소나무와 전나무를 대상으로 적외선등을 이용하여 대조구보다 온난화 처리구의 대기 온도를 3oC 높게 유지하는 실외 실험적 온난화 처리를 실시하였다. 온난화 처리에 따른 대기 온도 상승으로 두 수종 모두 발아율이 높아지는 경향을 보였지만, 전나무에서만 유의적 차이가 나타났다. 소나무와 전나무 두 수종 모두 온난화 처리구가 대조구보다 평균발아일수는 유의적으로 감소하였으며, 온난화 처리구에서 높은 발아속도와 발아세를 보였다. 온도 상승과 토양 수분 감소에 따라 전나무 유묘의 고사율은 증가하였지만, 소나무는 온난화 처리에 따른 차이를 보이지 않았다. 향후, 지구 온난화에 따른 대기와 토양 온도 상승 및 토양 수분감소로 양묘과정에서 종자 발아 및 유묘 생존율의 변화가 예상되기 때문에 지구 온난화에 대응할 수 있는 양묘기술개선이 필요할 것으로 판단된다. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of experimental warming using infrared lamps on seed germination and seedling survival rate of Pinus densiflora and Abies holophylla. The air temperature of warmed plots had been automatically maintained 3 higher than control plots. The percent germinations (%) of the two coniferous species were higher in warmed plots than in control plots, however a significant difference appeared only in A. holophylla. In addition, P. densiflora and A. holophylla showed the shorter mean germination time (days), higher germination rate (seed·day-1) and germination energy (%) in warmed plots than in control plots. A. holophylla showed a higher seedling mortality rate in the warmed plots than in control plots because of increased air and soil temperatures and decreased soil moisture. However, seedling survival rate of P. densiflora showed no significant difference by experimental warming. In the future, changed air and soil temperatures and soil moisture due to global warming will induce a variety of changes in seed germination and survival rate of tree species in nursery culture. Therefore, it is necessary to establish adaptation strategies that improve techniques in nursery culture against global warming.

Removing Lipemia in Serum/Plasma Samples: A Multicenter Study

María-José Castro-Castro,Beatriz Candás-Estébanez,Margarita Esteban-Salán,Pilar Calmarza,Teresa Arrobas-Velilla,Carlos Romero-Román,Miguel Pocoví-Mieras,José-Ángel Aguilar-Doreste,Sociedad Española de 대한진단검사의학회 2018 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.38 No.6

Background: Lipemia, a significant source of analytical errors in clinical laboratory settings, should be removed prior to measuring biochemical parameters. We investigated whether lipemia in serum/plasma samples can be removed using a method that is easier and more practicable than ultracentrifugation, the current reference method. Methods: Seven hospital laboratories in Spain participated in this study. We first compared the effectiveness of ultracentrifugation (108,200×g) and high-speed centrifugation (10,000×g for 15 minutes) in removing lipemia. Second, we compared high-speed centrifugation with two liquid-liquid extraction methods—LipoClear (StatSpin, Norwood, USA), and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). We assessed 14 biochemical parameters: serum/plasma concentrations of sodium ion, potassium ion, chloride ion, glucose, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate-aminotransferase, calcium, and bilirubin. We analyzed whether the differences between lipemia removal methods exceeded the limit for clinically significant interference (LCSI). Results: When ultracentrifugation and high-speed centrifugation were compared, no parameter had a difference that exceeded the LCSI. When high-speed centrifugation was compared with the two liquid-liquid extraction methods, we found differences exceeding the LCSI in protein, calcium, and aspartate aminotransferase in the comparison with 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane, and in protein, albumin, and calcium in the comparison with LipoClear. Differences in other parameters did not exceed the LCSI. Conclusions: High-speed centrifugation (10,000×g for 15 minutes) can be used instead of ultracentrifugation to remove lipemia in serum/plasma samples. LipoClear and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane are unsuitable as they interfere with the measurement of certain parameters.

Effects of chronic alcohol consumption on expression Levels of APP and Aβ-producing enzymes

( Sae Rom Kim ),( Hye Young Jeong ),( Sung Hee Yang ),( Sung Pil Choi ),( Min Young Seo ),( Young Kwang Yun ),( Yuri Choi ),( Sang Ha Baik ),( Jong Sung Park ),( A Ryeong Gwon ),( Dong Kwon Yang ),( C 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.2

Chronic alcohol consumption contributes to numerous diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and liver cirrhosis. Epidemiological studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for dementia. Along this line, Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is caused by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ plaques in neurons. In this study, we hypothesized that chronic ethanol consumption is associated with pathological processing of APP in AD. To investigate the relationship between chronic alcohol consumption and Aβ production, brain samples from rats fed an alcohol liquid diet for 5 weeks were analyzed. We show that the expression levels of APP, BACE1, and immature nicastrin were increased in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and striatum of the alcohol-fed group compared to the control group. Total nicastrin and PS1 levels were induced in the hippocampus of alcohol-fed rats. These data suggest that the altered expression of APP and Aβ-producing enzymes possibly contributes to the chronic alcohol consumption-mediated pathogenesis of AD. [BMB reports 2011; 44(2): 135-139]

Valorization of rice bran: Modified supercritical CO2 extraction of bioactive compounds

Oscar Benito-Román,Sandra Varona,María Teresa Sanz,Sagrario Beltrán 한국공업화학회 2019 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.80 No.-

In this work, as afirst step in a comprehensive strategy for the valorization of rice bran, the extraction ofoil using supercritical CO2 and ethanol as cosolvent has been studied. The effect of extractiontemperature (40 and 60 C), pressure (30 and 40 MPa) and amount of ethanol used (0, 5 and 10%) has beenconsidered. The quality extracted oil has been evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity, fatty acid profileand bioactive compounds such as phenolics,flavonoids, g-oryzanols, and tocopherols content. Results revealed that, using neat CO2, the best oil in terms of antioxidant activity was obtained at 40 Cand 30 MPa. However, the addition of ethanol as modifier significantly increased the amount of bioactivemolecules extracted and hence the overall antioxidant activity of the oil, which was maximum at 40 MPaand 10% ethanol, regardless the temperature. The use of ethanol also affected the amount of fatty acidsand g-oryzanols extracted.

Characterization of Cooked Meat Models using Grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens ) Soluble Protein Extracted by Alkalisation and Ultrasound as Meat-Extender

Salvador Osvaldo Cruz-López,Héctor Bernardo Escalona-Buendía,Angélica Román-Guerrero,Julieta Domínguez-Soberanes,Yenizey Merit Alvarez-Cisneros 한국축산식품학회 2022 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.42 No.3

The most abundant Orthoptera in Mexico is a small grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens) which is considered a food source with increased nutritional value due to its high protein content. Insect proteins have gained relevance because of their high potential as gelling, texturing, and extender agents in the food industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting meat with a soluble protein extract from grasshopper obtained by alkalisation or alkalisation-piezoelectric ultrasound, on the techno-functional, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of cooked meat models (sausages). The soluble protein was extracted in NaHCO3 pH 8 and a piezoelectric ultrasound 5-mm sonotrode at 20 kHz with 99% amplitude. Different formulations with meat substitution: 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were prepared and characterised for their rheological behaviour, emulsion stability, weight loss by cooking, total protein content, colour, and texture. Sensory evaluation was conducted with consumers using a test involving check-all-that-apply and overall liking. The alkalisation-piezoelectric ultrasound method improved the solubility and the techno-functional properties of the soluble grasshopper protein when applied in sausages at maximum levels of 10% meat substitution. The sensory evaluation indicated that the formulation with 5% meat substitution exhibited the same acceptability as the control sample. Given these results, the soluble protein treated with alkalisation and piezoelectric ultrasound could be used as an extender in meat products.

Frequency spectra characterization of noncoding human genomic sequences

O. Paredes,Rebeca Romo‑Vázquez,Israel Román‑Godínez,Hugo Vélez‑Pérez,Ricardo A. Salido‑Ruiz,J. Alejandro Morales 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.10

Background Noncoding sequences have been demonstrated to possess regulatory functions. Its classifcation is challenging because they do not show well-defned nucleotide patterns that can correlate with their biological functions. Genomic signal processing techniques like Fourier transform have been employed to characterize coding and noncoding sequences. This transformation in a systematic whole-genome noncoding library, such as the ENCODE database, can provide evidence of a periodic behaviour in the noncoding sequences that correlates with their regulatory functions. Objective The objective of this study was to classify diferent noncoding regulatory regions through their frequency spectra. Methods We computed machine learning algorithms to classify the noncoding regulatory sequences frequency spectra. Results The sequences from diferent regulatory regions, cell lines, and chromosomes possessed distinct frequency spectra, and that machine learning classifers (such as those of the support vector machine type) could successfully discriminate among regulatory regions, thus correlating the frequency spectra with their biological functions Conclusion Our work supports the idea that there are patterns in the noncoding sequences of the genome.

Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Protect from Silent Brain Infarcts in a Cohort of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Irene Escudero-Martínez,Fernando Mancha,Ángela Vega-Salvatierra,María Irene Ayuso,Rafael F. Ocete,Pilar Algaba,Antonio López-Rueda,Pilar Piñero,Elena Fajardo,José Román Fernández-Engo,Eva María Martín 대한뇌졸중학회 2019 Journal of stroke Vol.21 No.3

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Genotoxic Evaluation of Mikania laevigata Extract on DNA Damage Caused by Acute Coal Dust Exposure

Tiago P. Freitas,Vanina D. Heuser,Priscila Tavares,Daniela D. Leffa,Gabriela A. da Silva,Vanilde Citadini-Zanette,Pedro R.T. Romão,Ricardo A. Pinho,Emilio L. Streck,Vanessa M. Andrade 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.3

In the present article, we report data on the possible antigenotoxic activity of Mikania laevigata extract (MLE) after acute intratracheal instillation of coal dust using the comet assay in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and liver cells and the micronucleus test in peripheral blood of Wistar rats. The animals were pretreated for 2 weeks with saline solution (groups 1 and 2) or MLE (100mg/kg) (groups 3 and 4). On day 15, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine (80mg/kg) and xylazine (20mg/kg), and gross mineral coal dust (3mg/0.3mL saline) (groups 2 and 4) or saline solution (0.3mL) (groups 1 and 3) was administered directly in the lung by intratracheal administration. Fifteen days after coal dust or saline instillation, the animals were sacrificed, and the femur, liver, and peripheral blood were removed. The results showed a general increase in the DNA damage values at 8 hours for all treatment groups, probably related to surgical procedures that had stressed the animals. Also, liver cells from rats treated with coal dust, pretreated or not with MLE, showed statistically higher comet assay values compared to the control group at 14 days after exposure. These results could be expected because the liver metabolizes a variety of organic compounds to more polar by-products. On the other hand, the micronucleus assay results did not show significant differences among groups. Therefore, our data do not support the antimutagenic activity of M. laevigata as a modulator of DNA damage after acute coal dust instillation.