Antihypertensive Effect of Milk Fermented by K79 on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether milk fermented by K79, which exhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity, has an effect on lowering the blood pressure of hypertensive rats and to investigate biomarker changes in their blood. Experimental group: normal group (NG, Wistar-Kyoto rats): distilled water, control group [NCG, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)]: distilled water, high treatment group (HTG, SHR): 500 mg/kg/day, medium treatment group (SHR): 335 mg/kg/day, low treatment group (SHR): 170 mg/kg/day, positive control group (PCG, SHR): Enalapril, 10 mg/kg/day. The experimental animals used in this study were divided into groups composed of 8 animals.

COVID-19 Cluster Linked to Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via Floor Drains.

Background: Recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission through exposure to aerosols has been suggested. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of aerosol SARS-CoV-2 transmission within an apartment complex where residents reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 despite having no direct contact with other SARS-CoV-2-infected people.

Methods: Information on symptom onset and exposure history of the patients was collected by global positioning system (GPS) tracking to investigate possible points of contact or spread.

Development and initial testing of an active low-power, ferroelectric film-based bioaerosol sampler.

This article introduces REAS (Rutgers Electrostatic Active Sampler), a new active bioaerosol sampler using permanently polarized ferroelectric film (e.g., PVDF) to capture charge-carrying bioaerosol particles.

Management following the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in a domestic cat associated with a massive outbreak in South Korea.

Objectives: We analyzed how the virus spreads to local communities, based on the results of an epidemiological investigation of a religious facility in which a large group of patients was infected. Furthermore, we report for the first time in South Korea that a domestic cat was infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted to investigate the group outbreak.

Mori Ramulus Inhibits Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis and Prevents Insulin Resistance by Restoring Hepatic Mitochondrial Function.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic beta (β)-cell dysfunction. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may cause insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. As commercial hypoglycemic drugs have side effects, it is necessary to develop safe and effective natural compound-based hypoglycemic treatments.

Impact of sampling and storage stress on the recovery of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus surrogate captured by filtration.

Environmental air sampling of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in occupational and community settings is pertinent to reduce and monitor the spread of the COVID pandemic. However, there is a general lack of standardized procedures for airborne virus sampling and limited knowledge of how sampling and storage stress impact the recovery of captured airborne viruses. Since filtration is one of the commonly used methods to capture airborne viruses, this study analyzed the effect of sampling and storage stress on SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus (human coronavirus OC43, or HCoV-OC43) captured by filters.

induces depolarization of pacemaker potentials in murine small intestinal interstitial cells of Cajal via extracellular Ca and Na influx.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that control smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The present study investigated the effects of (SM) on the pacemaker potentials of ICCs from the mouse small intestine and on GI motility . The whole‑cell patch‑clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potential in ICCs , and GI motility was investigated by recording intestinal transit rate (ITR).

Potential consumer exposure to respirable particles and TiO due to the use of eyebrow powders.

Background: Cosmetic powders contain numerous components, including titanium dioxide (TiO), which is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, little is known about potential inhalation exposures to particles that are released during cosmetic powder applications.

Methods: We realistically simulated the application of five different eyebrow powders using a mannequin and then determined concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), PM, and PM fractions of particles that would be inhaled during powder application.

Outbreak investigation: transmission of COVID-19 started from a spa facility in a local community in Korea.

Objectives: In Korea, there have been 10,480 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of April 11, 2020. We investigated the transmission of COVID-19 in a cluster of cases.

Methods: We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients in an outbreak that started at Spa facility A in a local community in Korea on March 28, 2020 and traced them through April 8, 2020.

Seed Improves Pancreatic Mitochondrial Function Leading to Recovery of Glucose Metabolism.

Mitochondrial metabolism plays a crucial role in insulin resistance and insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Some studies have focused on how extracts affect insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. However, the effects of extracts on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with insulin secretion have not been well explained.

Administration of Asian Herb Bennet () Extract Reverses Depressive-Like Behaviors in Mouse Model of Depression Induced by Corticosterone.

, commonly known as Asian herb bennet, has been used as a diuretic, astringent, anti-dizziness, and anti-headache agent in traditional medicine. Since the antidepressant-like effects of extract have not been well studied, we examined the antidepressant-like effects of extract using depressive-like behavior induced in mice through daily injection of corticosterone (CORT). ICR mice (male, 8 weeks old) were treated with CORT (40 mg/kg, i.

Chlorogenic Acid from Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus pinnatifida Fruit) Prevents Stress Hormone-Induced Depressive Behavior, through Monoamine Oxidase B-Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling in Hippocampal Astrocytes of Mice.

Scope: Oxidative stress has been implicated in mental disorders, including depression. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), one of the abundant phenolic compounds in herbs and fruits, has the properties of a natural antioxidant and free-radical scavenger. Therfore, we investigated the antidepressant-like effects and active mechanisms of CGA from the extract of Crataegus pinnatifida (CP) fruit.

Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract Induces Depolarization of Pacemaker Potentials Through M2 and M3 Muscarinic Receptors in Cultured Murine Small Intestine Interstitial Cells of Cajal.

Background: Magnolia officinalis Rehder and EH Wilson (M. officinalis) are traditional Chinese medicines widely used for gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility disorder in Asian countries. We investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of M.

Design and Development of an Electrostatic Screen Battery for Emission Control (ESBEC).

Current diesel particulate filters (DPFs) can effectively capture the exhaust particles, but they add to engine backpressure and accumulate particles during their operation, which results in the need to regenerate the DPFs by burning off the collected particles periodically. This regeneration results in aerosol emissions, especially in the 10-30 nanometer size range and contributes to ultrafine particle pollution. In this research, we designed and developed a prototype of a novel diesel exhaust control device: the Electrostatic Screen Battery for Emissions Control (ESBEC).

Regulation of the pacemaker activities in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal by Citrus unshiu peel extracts.

The Citrus unshiu peel has been widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in Eastern traditional medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Citrus unshiu peel extract (CPE) on the pacemaker activity of the GI tract in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) derived from the mouse small intestine. The whole‑cell patch‑clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials.

Application of ATP-based bioluminescence for bioaerosol quantification: effect of sampling method.

An adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence has potential to offer a quick and affordable method for quantifying bioaerosol samples. Here we report on our investigation into how different bioaerosol aerosolization parameters and sampling methods affect bioluminescence output per bacterium, and implications of that effect for bioaerosol research. and bacteria were aerosolized by using a Collison nebulizer (BGI Inc.

Analgesic Effect of Ilex paraguariensis Extract on Postoperative and Neuropathic Pain in Rats.

Ilex paraguariensis, known as "Yerba Mate," is an herb used in a beverage that is widely consumed in southern Latin American countries. Furthermore, it has been traditionally used to treat depression, and as an analgesic to manage both nerve pain and headache. The pain-related experimental evidence regarding the analgesic effects of Mate is unclear.

Inactivation of foodborne microorganisms using engineered water nanostructures (EWNS).

Foodborne diseases caused by the consumption of food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins have very serious economic and public health consequences. Here, we explored the effectiveness of a recently developed intervention method for inactivation of microorganisms on fresh produce, and food production surfaces. This method utilizes Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) produced by electrospraying of water vapor.

Release of free DNA by membrane-impaired bacterial aerosols due to aerosolization and air sampling.

We report here that stress experienced by bacteria due to aerosolization and air sampling can result in severe membrane impairment, leading to the release of DNA as free molecules. Escherichia coli and Bacillus atrophaeus bacteria were aerosolized and then either collected directly into liquid or collected using other collection media and then transferred into liquid. The amount of DNA released was quantified as the cell membrane damage index (ID), i.

Assessment of penetration through vacuum cleaners and recommendation of wet cyclone technology.

Unlabelled: In many commercial vacuum cleaners, the captured aerosol particles contained in the dust collector may accidentally release from the exhaust filtration owing to leakage or penetration. Vacuum cleaners may cause dust to become airborne by exhausting air that is not completely filtered. This may cause the operator to inhale dust, in turn causing health problems.

Nanomaterial inhalation exposure from nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders: a quantitative assessment.

In this study we quantified exposures to airborne particles ranging from 14 nm to 20 µm due to the use of nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders. Three nanotechnology-based and three regular cosmetic powders were realistically applied to a mannequin's face while measuring the concentration and size distribution of inhaled aerosol particles. Using these data we calculated that the highest inhaled particle mass was in the coarse aerosol fraction (2.

Potential for inhalation exposure to engineered nanoparticles from nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders.

Background: The market of nanotechnology-based consumer products is rapidly expanding, and the lack of scientific evidence describing the accompanying exposure and health risks stalls the discussion regarding its guidance and regulation.

Objectives: We investigated the potential for human contact and inhalation exposure to nanomaterials when using nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders and compare them with analogous products not marketed as nanotechnology based.

Methods: We characterized the products using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser diffraction spectroscopy and found nanoparticles in five of six tested products.

A generic-tee-plenum mixing system for application to single point aerosol sampling in stacks and ducts.

The ANSI/HPS-N13.1-1999 standard is based on the concept of obtaining a single point representative sample from a location where the velocity and contaminant profiles are relatively uniform. It is difficult to predict the level of mixing in an arbitrary stack or duct without experimental data to meet the ANSI/HPS N13.