Background Korean pine nuts (Semen Pinus koraiensis ( P. koraiensis)) have been a valuable ingredient in Korean cuisine since ancient times, and the classical literature on traditional medicine states that pine nuts can moisturize skin. Aims To confirm the therapeutic efficacy of the ethanol extract of these pine nuts in an animal contact dermatitis (CD) model. Materials and Methods Korean pine nuts were extracted using 70% ethanol, and the crude extract obtained was condensed and lyophilized to produce EEPK (the 70% ethanol extract of P. koraiensis). A DNFB (1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene)-induced BALB/c mouse model of CD was used to investigate the effects of EEPK on skin symptoms, histopathological abnormalities, and cytokine secretion in inflamed tissues. Results EEPK reduced skin color changes, lesion severities, and dorsal skin thickening and inhibited epidermis hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration into inflamed tissues. In addition, EEPK suppressed the productions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 but did not affect body weights or spleen/body weight ratios. Conclusion P. koraiensis has potential as a therapeutic agent for CD and as a treatment for inflammatory skin disease management products. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects differs from that of corticosteroids.

To improve the safety and efficiency of trans-ocean voyage, authors developed a new onboard weather routing system (so called SORAS). The system utilizes weather forecasting data to evaluate seakeeping performance and to generate optimized route plan with respect to fuel consumption and sailing time. The system can provide decision support for navigator in real time. For this feature, onboard wave measurement system and hull stress monitoring system are integrated to provide real time wave information and actual hull stress and bow acceleration. The optimal route depends on not only weather condition but also ship’s propulsion performance. We performed a simulation study to determine the accuracy limit of mathematical model for propulsion performance. To evaluate the system, we compared calculation results with actual voyage data. The estimation results of speed reduction and fuel consumption showed good coincidence with measurement results. The wave bending moment was estimated on the forecasted wave condition. The results were compared with measured wave bending moment. For optimal route, it was confirmed that the efficiency of optimal route is superior to the efficiency of the actual route which planned by captains or officers, and the improvement of efficiency would be significant.

Background: Caragana sinica (Buc'hoz) Rehd, which belongs to the legume family, is used to treat a variety of diseases such as gout, high blood pressure, neuralgia, arthritis, and eczema. Morden studies reveal that C. sinica has anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-hypertensive, immune-stimulatory, immune-suppressive and anti-inflammatory activities. Aims: This study aims to confirm its therapeutic efficacy on contact dermatitis (CD) induced by harmful chemical. Materials and Methods: The dried roots of C. sinica were extracted using 70% ethanol, then the extract was condensed and lyophilized (ethanol extract of C. sinica, [EECS]). We investigated the effects of EECS on skin lesion severities, erythema and melanin indices, skin weights and thicknesses, histopathological changes and cytokine levels in mice with CD induced by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. In addition, the effects on changes in body weight and spleen body weight ratios were also investigated. Results: EECS relieved skin lesions such as roughness, abrasions, scabs, erythema, and petechia, inhibited thickening of dorsal skin and lowered erythema and melanin indexes in the CD mice. Besides, EECS reduced epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration into inflamed tissues and reduced levels of Tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in inflamed tissues. Finally, body weight gains and spleen/weight ratios of CD mice were unaffected by EECS, unlike dexamethasone treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that C. sinica has potential use as a therapeutic agent for CD and the therapeutic mechanism is different from that of corticosteroids.

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