• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.545-557
• /
• 2023

Sphingomyelinase (SMase) catalyzes ceramide production from sphingomyelin. Ceramides are critical in cellular responses such as apoptosis. They enhance mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through self-assembly in the mitochondrial outer membrane to form channels that release cytochrome c from intermembrane space (IMS) into the cytosol, triggering caspase-9 activation. However, the SMase involved in MOMP is yet to be identified. Here, we identified a mitochondrial Mg²⁺-independent SMase (mt-iSMase) from rat brain, which was purified 6,130-fold using a Percoll gradient, pulled down with biotinylated sphingomyelin, and subjected to Mono Q anion exchange. A single peak of mt-iSMase activity was eluted at a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa using Superose 6 gel filtration. The purified enzyme showed optimal activity at pH of 6.5 and was inhibited by dithiothreitol and Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. It was also inhibited by GW4869, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of Mg²⁺-dependent neutral SMase 2 (encoded by SMPD3), that protects against cytochrome c release-mediated cell death. Subfractionation experiments showed that mt-iSMase localizes in the IMS of the mitochondria, implying that mt-iSMase may play a critical role in generating ceramides for MOMP, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis. These data suggest that the purified enzyme in this study is a novel SMase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2024

The study aims to establish a direction for forest ecological restoration by classifying forest types and understanding the ecological characteristics of the Uljin forest area damaged by a large fire in 2022. Hierarchical cluster analysis and indicator species analysis were conducted on 78 survey plots located in the forest fire-affected area, and four forest cover types were derived: P. densiflora pure forests, P. densiflora dominant forests, mixed broad-leaved forests, and Q. variabilis dominant forests. As a result of visually comparing changes in forest types before and after forest fire damage, by classifying data according to whether or not upper dead trees are included, it was confirmed that pine forests, which have a high proportion of pine trees, spread widely due to forest fire damage. However, broad-leaved mixed forests and oyster oak dominant forests showed characteristics of maintaining concentration, indicating that pine forests were severely damaged. As a result of the important value analysis, during the process of natural recovery after a forest fire, the species that appear early in the lower layer are the sprouts of existing species such as Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb., Quercus variabilis Blume, Fraxinus sieboldiana Blume, Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz. The distribution of diameter at breast height by forest cover type showed that among areas with extreme forest fire damage, the proportion of dead trees was relatively high and structural changes were large in P. densiflora pure forests and P. densiflora dominant forests where pine trees had a high distribution ratio. However, if continuous monitoring is carried out in the future with reference to the results of this study and plant data is collected and analyzed from a mid- to long-term perspective, it is believed that it will be used as useful data to promote forest ecological restoration projects in forest fire-affected areas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.113 no.1
• /
• pp.51-65
• /
• 2024

Phyto-sociological methods were used in this study to assess the vegetation structure of a forest stand at Mt. Goehwa in Sejong-Si with the aim of providing vegetation information for urban forest utilization and management plans. The actual forest vegetation was classified into two types of community groups (Quercus serrata-Lindera obtusiloba and Coreopsis lanceolata community groups) at the highest hierarchical level. The Q. serrata-L. obtusiloba community group was classified into six units, which included artificial forest and natural forest vegetation. Artificial forests were classified into three communities (Pinus rigida, Castanea crenata, and Robinia pseudoacacia), whereas natural forests were classified into three communities (Quercus variabilis, Quercus acutissimaa, and Pinus densiflora). The Coreopsis lanceolata community group, which exhibited vegetative characteristics of urban forest edge areas, was categorized into four units. The urban forest edges were classified into four communities (Indigofera bungeana, Lespedeza bicolor, Amorpha fruticosa, and Lespedeza cuneata). Accordingly, the vegetation structure of Mt. Goehwa was categorized into 10 vegetation unit systems. An importance value analysis showed the highest importance value for C. crenata at 6.7%, followed by P. rigida at 6.4%, and R. pseudoacacia at 6.3%, indicating that the ecological impact of plantation species can be significant on Mt. Goehwa. A community coefficient of similarity analysis revealed that the artificial and natural forests had similar species compositions; however, both forests differed from the urban forest edge. This variation was further confirmed by Detrended correspondence analysis(DCA), with similar results. Canonical correspondence analysis(CCA) showed that the artificial forest and natural forest community types were positively correlated with altitude, bare rock, and the present species. By contrast, the urban forest edge community types were negatively correlated with these factors.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.135-141
• /
• 2024

Objective: Recently, oral antioxidants in combined forms have been used to treat men with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, arginine, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality parameters, DNA integrity, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 420 men with infertility and idiopathic OAT who took an oral supplement of antioxidant SP-Power tablets twice daily for 6 months. Semen quality, reproductive hormones, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after supplementation, using the World Health Organization 2021 guidelines. Results: No significant difference was observed in volume or the percentage of typical morphology during treatment. A significant improvement in sperm concentration was observed after supplementation (8.67±1.41, 12.17±1.91, and 19.01±0.86 at baseline, 3, and 6 months respectively, p<0.01). The total motility, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count also increased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the DFI decreased after 6 months. There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels after 6 months of supplementation of antioxidant SP-Power but these differences were not statistically significant (p=not significant and p=0.06, respectively). Conclusion: Supplementation with SP-Power tablets improved sperm quality parameters, sperm DFI, some reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic OAT, which could be attributed to the supplement's synergistic antioxidant action. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxidative stress markers.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.2019-2028
• /
• 1970

1. Experiments were made for the efficient plowing method by the 4 wheel tractor, the results are as follow; 1) In case of plowing of inner side of the field, the efficient turning method to be the smallest turning time is the $\Omega$-shaped turning method in the turning distance less than 2r (r is the minimum turning radius of the tractor), and also, it is the U-shaped turning method in the turning distance larger than 2r. 2) 2.5r is most efficient in the unit turning section 'w' on plowing of the inner side of the field. 3) In case of plowing of outer side of the field, intermitted plowing method is efficient in case of W>-0.0345 L + 35.84, and also, semi-followed plowing method is efficient in case of W<-0.0345 L + 35.84. 4) The smaller the width of outer side of outer side of the field 'I' is, the higher is the plowing efficiency, and it is estimated that the minimum value 2r is suitable to 'I' in plowing of inner side and outer side of the field. 2. Study on the correlation between the unit field and plowing efficiencies obtained the following results; 1) plowing efficienies increase generally according as length-width ratio L/W and area A increase. 2) Percent of increase of plowing efficiencies decreases generally according as length-width ratio and area enlarge. 3) The limit that change of T is large owing to L/W is 6 for 20 a, 5 for 30 a, 4 for 50 a, 3 for 80 a, less than 2.5 for 100 a, generally, in L/W-T curve. 4) Rate of change of T-A curve is similar to rate of change of $T=A-\frac{2}{3}$ curve in spite of influence of L/W. 5) In case that length-width ratio is more than 3, effects of increase of 10 a area influenced upon plowing efficiencies are as much as effects of about 5 increase of length width ratio without correlation of size of the field. 6) In case that length-width ratio is 2 to 3, effects of increase of 10 a area influenced upon plowing efficiencies are as much as effects of about 4 to 2 increase of length-width ratio without correlation of size of the field, and the effects decrease according as not only length-width ratio decreases but also area increases, generally.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.101 no.4
• /
• pp.722-728
• /
• 2012

Climate change affects all biological processes in terrestrial ecosystems including photosynthesis, plant growth and productivity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of experimental warming on the growth of Quercus variabilis seedlings. One-year-old Q. variabilis seedlings were planted in control and warmed plots in April 2010. The air temperature of warmed plots was increased by $3^{\circ}C$ compared to control plots using the infrared lamp from November 2010. Shoot height and root collar diameter were measured in March 2011 and June 2012, respectively, and aboveground and belowground biomass were also measured in March 2011 and 2012, respectively. Shoot height and root collar diameter were significantly higher in warmed plots than in control plots, except for root collar diameter in March 2011. Increment (mm) of shoot height and root collar diameter were also higher in warmed plots ($529{\pm}30$, $5.6{\pm}0.5$) than in control plots ($464{\pm}28$, $4.5{\pm}0.4$). However, there were no significant differences between warmed and control plots except for root collar diameter. Increment (g/year) of total, aboveground and belowground biomass were higher in warmed plots ($36.88{\pm}6.52$, $11.91{\pm}3.44$, $24.97{\pm}3.73$) than in control plots ($30.59{\pm}5.51$, $8.73{\pm}1.66$, $21.86{\pm}3.88$), however, the differences were not statistically significant. Higher seedling growth and biomass of warmed plots might be related to the enhanced net photosynthetic rates in spring and the extended growing season.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.161-174
• /
• 2013

This study was designed to evaluate the pain control effect by morphine injection to masticatory muscle pain patients. Patients with masticatory muscle pain visited the Department of Oral Medicine, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital were recruited to this study and diagnosed by RDC/TMD. Experimental group were divided into four group; saline injection group (n=10), lidocaine injection group (n=10), morphine 1.5 mg injection group (n=10) and morphine 3 mg injection group (n=10). Evaluation list was the subjective pain evaluation(visual analogue scale, Mc Gill pain questionnaire, pain drawing) and the objective pain evaluation(pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance) and evaluation time was injection before, after 1 hour, 24 hour, 48 hour and then it was analyzed statistically. The results were as follows : 1. The subjective pain evaluation were significantly different statistically in morphine 3 mg group after 48 hour. (VAS: p<0.01, MGQ: p<0.001, PD: p<0.05) 2. The objective pain evaluation were significantly different statistically in morphine 1.5 mg group after 1 hour. (PPT: p<0.01, PPTol: p<0.05) 3. The morphine 3 mg group were more significantly different than lidocaine group and morphine 1.5 mg group statistically in the McGill pain questionnaire evaluation. (1h: p<0.01, 24h: p<0.01, 48h: p<0.001) Therefore, it was revealed that the morphine 3 mg injection was effective to pain control for masticatory muscle pain patients within 48 hours and more effect than lidocaine injection.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.1014-1020
• /
• 1996

To develope a manufacturing process of the Korean type hot sauce, ingredients and chemical components of the imported hot sauces were investigated. The major ingredients of the imported hot sauce were chili, vinegar and salt. Chemical analysis of the imported hot sauce showed: moisture; 44.73-95.66%, total nitrogen; 0.11-1.06%, reducing sugar; 0.03-3.18%, crude fiber; 0.42-2.51%, salt; 0.87-10.44%, pH; 3.22-4.05, titratable acidity; 1.18-3.62%, capsanthin; 0.44-1.06% and capsaicin; 2.40-4.28 mg%. With the red pepper powder and/or kochujang, 20 Korean type hot sauces were prepared. Chemical analysis of the Korean type hot sauce showed: moisture; 53.07-78.30%, total nitrogen; 0.34-0.68%, reducing sugar; 1.60-4.34%, curde fiber; 1.31-2.54%, salt; 4.07-5.56%, pH; 3.37-2.54, titratable acidity; 1.15-3.06%, capsanthin; 0.11-1.36% and capsaicin; 0.55-1.42 mg%. Chemical components except capsaicin of the Korean type hot sauce were similar to those of the imported one. As the results of sensory evaluation on the 20 Korean type hot sauces with red pepper powder and/or kochujang developed, three Korean type hot sauces were finally selected. As compared with Sriracha hot sauce, an imported hot sauce, the Korean type hot sauces were evaluated to be superior to the imported one.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2006

Purpose : In Korea, the school urine screening program is a useful tool for screening urine abnormalities. It is particularly useful in early detection of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN) I, which frequently progresses to chronic renal failure. In this study, we studied the medical history, laboratory findings, and histologic findings of MPGN to gain helpful information on early detection and treatment. Methods : The subjects were 19 children, who were diagnosed with MPGN from kidney biopsies that were performed in ten nationwide university hospitals because of abnormal urine findings from school urine screening programs conducted from July 1999 to April 2004. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a nephrotic range proteinuria group(n=8) and a non-nephrotic proteinuria group(n=11), and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, histologic findings, treatment, and clinical course. Results : The mean age at the first abnormal urinalysis was $10.6{\pm}2.2$ years in the nephrotic proteinuria group and $9.6{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. The mean age at the time of kidney biopsy was $11.3{\pm}2.3$ years in the nephrotic range proteinuria group and $10.4{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age and sex between the two groups. In the nephrotic proteinuria group, 6 children had a low plasma C3 level and in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group, 8 children had a low plasma C3 level, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the laboratory test results(including WBC count, RBC count, platelet count and other serologic tests) between the 2 groups except for 24 hour urine protein secretion. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the acute and chronic changes in the glomerulus on light microscopic findings, IgG, IgA, Ig M, C1q, C3, C4, fibrogen deposition on immunofluoroscence findings, and mesangial deposits, subendothelial deposits, and subepithelial deposits on electron microscopic findings. The children were treated with corticosteroids, ACE(angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, dipyridamole and other immunosuppressive agents. During the course of treatment, there were no children whose clinical condition worsened. Among 19 children, 3 children went into remission(2 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 1 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) and 9 children went into a partial remission(4 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 5 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) on urinalysis. There was no significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups. Conclusion : The 73.7% of children who were incidentally diagnosed with MPGN by the school urine screening program had reduced C3. 42.1% of the children had nephrotic range proteinuria. There were no significant differences in clinical features, laboratory test results, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopic, and electron microscopic findings between the nephrotic proteinuria group and the non-nephrotic proteinuria group except for the 24 hour urine protein secretion. Therefore, for early detection of MPGN during the school urine screening program, we strongly recommend a kidney biopsy if children have abnormal urine findings such as persistent proteinuria and persistent hematuria, or if the serum C3 is reduced.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.121-136
• /
• 2013

It has been known that saliva may affect the most of oral diseases. On the contrary, several systemic conditions may affect salivary flow and cause oral dryness and psychosocial stress especially may a crucial role in the etiology of hyposalivation and oral dryness. Many studies have focused on macroscopic effects of the stress on the salivary glands by autonomic response, but on the other hand it has hardly been reported on cellular microscopic effects of the stress on the salivary glands. Therefore, this study was performed to examine clusterin, a antiapoptotic and cytoprotective protein, in the parotid glands under restraint stress condition. For this study, 18 rats were divided into 3 groups; 1) 2 rats of group I were selected as a normal control. 2) 2 rats of group II, as a experimental control were placed in the restraint cone for 2 hours 3) 14 rats of group III were placed in the restraint cone for 2 hours once a day. The rats were sacrificed immediately(group II, as a experimental control), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days after application of the stress and the both parotid glands were excised. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy were performed. The finding were as follows: 1. In parotid glands, repeated stress denaturalize the acinar cells, interacinous tissues and interacinous connective tissues were separated to individual acinar cells. After 4 days of experiment, there were lots of vacuoles and intercalated ducts. 2. In parotid glands, repeated stress make the rER which is in acinar cells swollen after 3 days of experiment and it was intensified to 4 days. After 5 days of experiment the edema got worse and degenerated. 3. In parotid glands, clusterin was reduced in ductal cell cytoplasm but in intercalated duct clusterin was slightly stained until 3 days prominently increased until 4 days and then decreased again after 5 days of experiment.