Citrus junos Tanaka Peel Extract and Its Bioactive Naringin Reduce Fine Dust-Induced Respiratory Injury Markers in BALB/c Male Mice.

Particulate matter (PM) 10 refers to fine dust with a diameter of less than 10 µm and induces apoptosis and inflammatory responses through oxidative stress. Citrus junos Tanaka is a citrus fruit and contains bioactive flavonoids including naringin. In the present study, we aimed to identify the preventive effect of Citrus junos Tanaka peel extract (CPE) against PM10-induced lung injury. As a proof of concept, NCI-H460 cells were treated with CPE (800 µg/mL, 12 h) in conjunction with PM10 to examine intracellular antioxidative capacity in the pulmonary system. In an in vivo model, male BALB/c mice (n = 8/group) were randomly assigned into five groups: NEG (saline-treated), POS (PM10 only), NAR (PM10 + naringin, 100 mg/kg), CPL (PM10 + CPE low, 100 mg/kg), and CPH (PM10 + CPE high, 400 mg/kg). Intervention groups received dietary supplementations for 7 days followed by PM10 exposure (100 mg/kg, intranasal instillation). Compared to the NEG, the CPE decreased to 22% of the ROS generation and significantly increased cell viability in vitro. The histological assessments confirmed that pulmonary damages were alleviated in the PM10 + CPL group compared to the POS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB/apoptosis signaling-related markers were decreased in the PM10 + CPL group compared to the POS. These results indicated that CPE showed promising efficacy in preventing pulmonary injuries in vivo. Such protection can be explained by the anti-oxidative capacity of CPE, likely due to its bioactives, including naringin (7.74 mg/g CPE). Follow-up human intervention, as well as population-level studies, will further shed light on the preventive efficacy of CPE against pulmonary damage in humans.

Investigation of Early Stage of Carbon Nanotube Growth on Plasma-Pretreated Inconel Plates and Comparison with Other Superalloys as Substrates.

We investigate the early stage of carbon nanotube (CNTs) growth on Inconel 600 to address the effect of pretreatments such as annealing and plasma pretreatment on growth behavior. In addition, we compare the growth results to other Ni-based superalloys including Invar 42 and Hastelloy C276. The growth substrates were prepared using mechanical polish, thermal annealing and plasma pretreatment. The air annealing was performed at 725 °C for 10 min and plasma pretreatment was subsequently undergone with 10.5 W at 500 °C for 30 min. The annealed and plasma-pretreated substrates exhibited different surface morphologies on the surface and enhanced growth behavior of CNT was observed from the region of particulate surface. The optimized growth temperature, which produces the highest CNT height, was determined at 525 °C for Ni and Inconel 600 and 625 °C for Invar 42 and Hastelloy C276 substrates. The difference of optimal growth temperature is expected to the existence of high temperature elements such as Mn or Mo in the alloys. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy revealed that the formation of roughened oxide layers caused by the pretreatments would promote the nucleation and growth of the CNTs.

Survey of incidence of urological cancer in South Korea: a 15-year summary.

BACKGROUND: Although the pattern of cancer incidence in South Korea is not the same as that of western countries, urological cancer will become one of the major cancers in South Korea in the near future. The pattern of cancer in South Korea is becoming steadily similar to that in western countries. It is, therefore, important to understand the epidemiological features of cancer. Surveillance of cancer incidence and mortality trends provides clues to etiology and helps to assess the effects of improved diagnostic, screening and intervention measures. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 13,208 patients living in South Korea, newly diagnosed with urological cancer during the period of 1985-1999. The data were analyzed by age, sex, geography and period of diagnosis (1985-1989; 1990-1994; 1995-1999). RESULTS: Bladder cancer was the most common urological cancer in South Korea (6,867 cases, 52.0%). The incidence of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma was similar. Male patients outnumbered female patients by a ratio of 5.4 : 1. In both sexes, the peak incidence of urological cancer in South Korea was noted in the 70+ age group. The geographic distribution of urological cancer across seven residential areas was similar. The incidence rate of all urological cancer (except urethral and penile cancer) had increased remarkably, especially in the last several years. The crude incidence rate of urological cancer among Koreans in South Korea was estimated to be 46.55 per 100,000 males, 8.64 per 100,000 females and 27.67 per 100,000 across both sexes. CONCLUSION: Although this survey is not definitive, these data should be useful in showing general patterns or changes of incidence of urological cancer in South Korea. The elevated incidence of urological cancer noted in our survey also indicates the need for continued promotion of urological cancer screening programs. Moreover, these results may be useful in indicating directions for future research of urological cancer.