• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.467-471
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• 2010

Composites of ceramic powders and an elastomer-based matrix were prepared by mixing $CaCO_3$ powders with polyethylene and polypropylene elastomers, and their mechanical and sound insulation properties were measured. $CaCO_3$ powders with 0.7 ${\mu}m$ and 35 ${\mu}m$ particle size were added to elastomers up to 80 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy photographs showed uniform distribution of the $CaCO_3$ powders in the matrix. While density and surface hardness increased, melt index, tensile strength and elongation of the composites decreased as the amount of added $CaCO_3$ powders increased. As more $CaCO_3$ powders were added sound transmission loss of the composites increased owing to the increase of density. Addition of 0.7 ${\mu}m$ sized $CaCO_3$ powders resulted in a slightly higher transmission loss than the addition of 35 ${\mu}m$ sized powders because of the increased interface area between the elastomer matrix and the $CaCO_3$ powders. Composites with a polyethylene matrix showed higher transmission loss than those with a polypropylene matrix because the tensile strength and hardness of the polyethylene-based composites were low and their elongation was high.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.239-245
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• 2011

This study was conducted to determine the effects of excess vitamin A on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, contents of calcium-binding protein (CaBP), bone gla-protein (BGP) in culture medium and CaBP mRNA expression in chicken osteoblasts in vitro. Osteoblastic cells in the tibia from 1-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chickens were isolated using enzyme digestion. The subconfluenced cells were divided into eight treatments with six replicates in each treatment and cultured in a medium containing either vehicle or different levels of vitamin A (0, 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0 and $20.0\;{\mu}g$/ml), and the control received an equivalent volume of ethanol. The incubation lasted 48 h. The results showed that vitamin A down-regulated ALP activity in the culture medium as well as CaBP mRNA expression of osteoblasts in a linear dose-dependent manner (p = 0.124 and p<0.10, respectively), and suppressed the contents of BGP and CaBP in the culture medium in a quadratic dose-dependent manner (p<0.05 and p<0.10, respectively) with increasing addition of vitamin A. The addition of 0-$0.2\;{\mu}g$/ml vitamin A to the culture medium increased ALP activity, BGP and CaBP contents as well as CaBP mRNA expression compared with other groups, but positive effects of vitamin A tended to be suppressed when vitamin A was increased to $1.0\;{\mu}g$/ml, and adverse effects occurred when vitamin A was increased to 10.0-$20.0\;{\mu}g$/ml. These results implied that there was a threshold level of vitamin A inclusion beyond which inhibitory effects occurred, and the mechanism by which overdose of vitamin A reduced bone growth in chickens was probably reduced osteoblastic cell activity, and inhibited expression of CaBP mRNA and CaBP secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.281-291
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• 1990

The $Ca^{2+}-substitutional$ roles of strontium for the contractile processes were investigated in the rabbit renal artery. The contractions induced by either norepinephrine or high $K^+$ in the condition which intra- and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ were replaced by $Sr^{2+}$, i.e. $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions, were dose-dependent. And then the maximal amplitude of contraction, as compared with $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contraction, was about 50% in norepinephrine and about 70% in high $K^+$. The $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions were independent in the contraction by norepinephrine $(10^{-5}M)$ but dependent in those by high $K^+(100\;mM)$ on the extracellular $Sr^{2+}$ concentration. Also $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by norepinephrine were observed in the $Sr^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution. The $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by either norepinephrine or high $K^+$ were suppressed by verapamil, a $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blocker. By extracellular addition of $Sr^{2+}$, the $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by norepinephrine $(10^{-5}M)$ or 40 mM $K^+$ were inhibited but those by high $K^+(100\;mM)$ were increased. And the $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions were increased by extracellular addition of $Ca^{2+}$ but did not reach the level of $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contraction. Therfore it is suggested that in the vascular smooth muscle of rabbit renal artery $Sr^{2+}$ could enter the smooth muscle cells easily through the potential-operated calcium channel (POC) but not easily through the receptor-operated calcium channel (ROG), and $Sr^{2+}$ might be stored in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}-binding$ site and released by NE and induced the contraction by a way of activating directly the contractile apparatus.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.347-353
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• 2011

There is thixo-extrusion to form high strength aluminum alloy. But, it is a problem that grains become grain coarsening during reheating process because the alloy was exposed at high temperature. In order to solve grain growth during reheating process, calcium was added in Al-Zn-Mg alloys. Primary a grain sizes of semi-solid Al-Zn-Mg-(0, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9, wt.%)Ca were measured with image analyzer after reheating. Measured primary a grain sizes were applied to LSW(Lifshitz-Slyozov and Wagner) equation to check the effect of Ca on grain coarsening. Coarsening rate constant K values of semi-solid Al-Zn-Mg-(0, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9, wt.%)Ca alloys were $371\;mm^3s^{-1}$, $247\;mm^3s^{-1}$, $198\;mm^3s^{-1}$ and $166 mm^3s^{-1}$, respectively. As increasing calcium content, K value decreased which means grains are refined. Also, grains of calcium addition were more spherical than that of calcium free.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.325-328
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• 2010

Varying quantities of a high-thermal-expansion glass, 50CaO-20ZnO-$20B_2O_3-10SiO_2$ (CZBS), were added to alumina and sintered at $875^{\circ}C$ for 2 h for low temperature co-firing ceramic (LTCC) applications. As the amount of glass addition increased from 40 wt% to 70 wt%, the apparent density of the sintered product increased from 88.8% to 91.5%, which was also qualitatively confirmed by microstructural observation. When the glass addition was very high, e.g., 70 wt%, an apparent formation of secondary phases such as $CaZn_2AlZnSiAlO_7$, $Ca_2Al(AlSi)O_7$, $Ca_2Al_2SiO_7$, $Ca_2ZnSi_2O_7$ and ZnO, was observed. Both the dielectric constant and the coefficient of thermal expansion increased with the glass addition, which was qualitatively consistent with the analytical models, while the experimental values were lower than the predicted ones due to the presence of pores and secondary phases.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2005

Ion fluxes across the plasma membrane activated by 1 mM $Ce^{4+}$, cell apoptosis and taxol biosynthesis in suspension cultures of Taxus cusp/data were studied. The extracellular pH sharply decreased upon the addition of 1 mM $Ce^{4+}$, then increased gradually and exceeded the initial pH value over a time period of 12 h. The extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration decreased within the first 3 h after the addition of $Ce^{4+}$, then gradually decreased to one third of initial value in control at about 72 h and remained unchanged afterwards. Experiments with an ion channel blocker and a $Ca^{2+}$-channel blocker indicated that the dynamic changes in extracellular pH and the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration resulted from the $Ce^{4+}$-induced activation of W uptake and $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane via ion channels. A pretreatment of the ion channel blocker initiated $Ce^{4+}$-treated cells to undergo necrosis, and the prior addition of the $Ca^{2+}$-channel blocker inhibited $Ce^{4+}$-induced taxol biosynthesis and apoptosis. It is thus inferred that W uptake is necessary for cells to survive a $Ce^{4+}$-caused acidic environment and is one of the mechanisms of $Ce^{4+}$-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane mediated both the $Ce^{4+}$-induced apoptosis and taxol biosynthesis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate anti-oxidative effects of Taraxaci Herba (TH) and protective effects on Human HaCaT keratinocyte. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects were measured by estimating the amount of total phenolics and flavonoids. In addition, DPPH free radical scavenging activities were estimated. Protective effects of TH on HaCaT keratinocytes against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide were also measured. Results : In our results, treatment with TH did not show cytotoxicity on HaCaT keratinocyte beneath the concentration of 200 $\mu$g/ml. 42.64$\pm$1.90 $\mu$g/ml of total phenolics and 28.09$\pm$1.84 $\mu$g/ml of flavonoids was detected from TH ethanol extract. In addition, DPPH free radical scavenging activities of TH were elevated in dose-dependent manner. In addition, The value of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC$_{50}$) was 165.5 $\mu$g/ml. Finally, TH showed protective effect against cell death of HaCaT cell induced by hydrogen peroxide significantly. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that TH may have anti-oxidantic action in human skin and also suggest the possibility as cosmetic material.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.664-670
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• 1998

The role of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation by products of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was investigated using U-373 MG human as trocytoma cells. Treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor, or caffeic acid (CA), a specific 5-LOX inhibitor, suppressed proliferation of the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, indomethacin (indo), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, did not significantly alter proliferation of the tumor cells. At anti-proliferative concentrations, NDGA and CA significantly inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release induced by carbachol, a known intracelluar $Ca^{2+}$ agonist in the tumor cells. Exogenous administration of leukotriene $B_4(LTB_4)$, an AA metabolite of LOX pathway, enhanced proliferation of the tumor cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, $LTB_4$, induced intracelluar $Ca^{2+}$ release. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-inhibitors, such as an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator (BAPTA) and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-release inhibitors (dantrolene and TMB-8), significantly blocked the LTB4-induced enhancement of cell proliferation and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release. These results suggest that LOX activity may be critical for cell proliferation of the human astrocytoma cells and that intracelluar $Ca^{2+}$ may play a major role in the mechanism of action of LOX.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2003

Microwave dielectric properties have been investigated in the$(1-x)CaTiO_3-xYAlO_3$ (x=0.1~1.0) solid solution system. The mixtures of $CaTiO_3$ and $YalO_3$using solid state method were sintered at various temperatures. Their dielectric constants and related temperature coefficients were strongly depend on the composition of the solid solution. The optimum properties were recorded as for ${\varepsilon}_r=47,$ $Q{\times}f_0$=35000 and ${\tau}_f=+11ppm/^{\circ}C$ without sintering agent. Even at $1200^{\circ}C$ full densification has been achieved with addition of $CaB_2O_4$ in the $0.75CaTiO_3-0.25YalO_3$ composition. The sample of $0.3 wt%-CaB_2O_4$ added $ 0.75CaTiO_3-0.25YalO_3$ sintered at $1300^{\circ}C$ for 3 h showed optimum microwave dielectric properties of ${\varepsilon}_r=47$, $Q{\time}f_0=37000$ and ${\tau}_f=+17ppm/^{\circ}C$, which demonstrates the promising candidates for microwave dielectric materials covering 5~7 GHz range.