Jin-Chul Heo

Effects of Mole Crickets (Gryllotalpa orientalis) Extracts on Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Tremendous natural product extracts were used as a herb medicine remedy or therapy for centuries. Because these extracts have various biological activities, we examined the effects of Gryllotalpa orientalis extract for anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), hydroxy radical scarvenging and cyclooxygenase-2 promoter assays. Gryllotalpa orientalis extracts were prepared from solvents such as distilled water (DW), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol and methanol. The results showed that Gryllotalpa orientalis extracts have potent DPPH (methanol extract), FRAP (DW extract) and hydroxy radical scavenging (DW and methanol extracts) activity than any other extracts used. A significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) promoter activity was detected in the presence of DMSO extract or ethanol extract. Collectively, the present results suggested that Gryllotalpa orientalis extract could be used for anti-oxidant and/or anti-inflammation agent for human or agricultural purposes.

The solid-state fermentation of Artemisia capillaris leaves with Ganoderma lucidum enhances the anti-inflammatory effects in a model of atopic dermatitis

Artemisia capillaris, which belongs to the Asteraceae family and the genus Artemisia, has been reported to exert inhibitory effects on diabetes, cancer and inflammation. In this study, in order to enhance the bioactivity potential of the leaves of Artemisia by Ganoderma lucidum mycelium, we prepared aqueous samples of Artemisia capillaris (Ac) leaves, Ganoderma lucidum (Gl) and aqueous fractions produced by the solid fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum on Artemisia capillaris leaves (afAc/Gl). Thereafter, we evaluated whether these samples have potential to attenuate inflammation-related symptoms in an amimal model of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis. We found that afAc/Gl exhibited enhanced anti-inflamamatory activity following the solid fermentation process when compared with Ac or Gl on ear thickness, ear epidermal thickness and eosinophil infiltration in the skin tissues. The expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthases (NOSs) was measured by immunohistochemical staining. The results revealed that afAc/Gl decreased endothelial NOS and inducible NOS expression compared with the DNFB group, while neuronal NOS expression was not altered. By comparing NO production, we found that as opposed to Ac, afAc/Gl has potential to inhibit atopic dermatitis-related symptoms during the inflammatory event. As regards matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression patterns, afAc/Gl exerted potent inhibitory activity on the mRNA expression of MMP-2, -7, -9, -12, -14 and -19. Taken together, these results suggest that the solid state fermentation of Ac by Gl is an effective strategy to obtaining useful ingredients which are converted into valuable compounds during an atopic inflammatory insult.

Development and Application of Wireless Power Transmission Systems for Wireless ECG Sensors

We investigated the variations in the magnetic field distribution and power transmission efficiency, resulting from changes in the relative positions of the transmitting and receiving coils, for electromagnetic induction-type wireless power transmission using an elliptical receive coil. Results of simulations using a high-frequency structure simulator were compared to actual measurement results. The simulations showed that the transmission efficiency could be maintained relatively stable even if the alignment between the transmitting and receiving coils was changed to some extent. When the centre of the receiving coil was perfectly aligned with the centre of the transmitting coil, the transmission efficiency was in the maximum; however, the degree of decrease in the transmission efficiency was small even if the centre of the receiving coil moved by ±10 mm from the centre of the transmitting coil. Therefore, it is expected that the performance of the wireless power transmission system will not be degraded significantly even if perfect alignment is not maintained. Animal experiments confirmed good ECG signals for the simulation conditions. The results suggested a standardized application method of wireless transmission in the utilization of wireless power for implantable sensors.

Computer aided diagnosis sensor integrated outdoor shirts for real time heart disease monitoring

Abstract The typical method of monitoring arrhythmia is to use a body patch type sensor with a wet electrode. It has several problems caused by wet electrodes for long-term monitoring. Thus, a monitoring sensor integrated into clothes with a dry electrode is proposed. In this study, we develop a smart outdoor shirt equipped with a dry electrode electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor for a cardiac arrhythmia computer aided diagnosis system. The sensor can be inserted in a console close to the chest, charged, used to communicate wirelessly, and connected with a smartphone application. The ECG signals measured by the smart shirt indicated that 97.5 ± 1% of the signals could be measured in an immobile state and at least 85.2 ± 2% of the signals could be measured during movement. We propose a computer aided diagnosis system for detecting cardiac arrhythmia. It was determined through experiments that the system can detect arrhythmia with an accuracy of 98.2 ± 2%. This study suggests that smart shirt which can diagnose arrhythmia will provide information that can quickly recognize arrhythmia in daily life or exercise.