• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2002

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and are characterized by increased opacity of the lens that significantly diminishes visual acuity. It has been suggested that increased risk of lens opacities are associated with age, exposure to sunlight, diabetes, smoking, and poor nutrition. Antioxidant nutrients have born demonstrated to protect the lens membrane and protein against damage due to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant system in the blood of cataract patients. The status of the blood antioxidant system was evaluated based on the levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals as well as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (M7A) activity in 34 patients with cataracts (17 male and 17 female) and 45 control subjects (20 male and 25 female). After adjusting for age, the results showed significantly lower levels of antioxidant vitamins such as lycopene (M : p < 0.05, F: p < 0.01), zeaxanthin (F: p < 0.01), ${\gamma}$-tocopherol (F: p < 0.01) and ascorbic arid (M: p < 0.05) in the cataract patients than in the control subjects. In contrast, the concentration of cryptoxanthin (F : p < 0.07) showed a significantly higher value in the cataract patients. The serum level of the antioxidant mineral Zn (M : p < 0.01) was found to be significantly lower in the cataract patients while the ratio of cu/zn appeared significantly higher (M : p < 0.05). Significantly higher (M : p < 0.01, F: p < 0.05) concentrations of MDA in serum was found in the cataract patients as compared to the control subjects. GSH-Px activity was significantly lower (F: p < 0.05) in 71e cataract patients. In conclusion, the antioxidant system may play an important roll in cataract creation. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these findings and to establish preventive measures with an emphasis on antioxidant nutrition for cataract patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.111-114
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• 2005

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known to protect cells from oxidative stress and other types of injuries. We previously reported the neuroprotective effect of HSP70 following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion using hsp 70.1 knockout (KO) mice. However, the precise role of HSP70 in neuroprotection has not been established yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between HSP70 and antioxidant enzymes using hsp 70.1 KO mice. The activities of both SOD-1 and SOD-2 were significantly decreased in hsp 70.1 KO mice than in the wild type (WT) littermates. SOD-1 protein level in the hsp 70.1 KO mice was lower than that of WT. We speculate that HSP70 might be involved in regulation of expression of SOD-1 at the level of transcription or by post-transcriptional modification.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.21.1-21.11
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• 2016

Background: The evaluation of suitable reference genes as normalization controls is a prerequisite requirement for launching quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR)-based expression study. In order to select the stable reference genes in abalone Haliotis discus hannai tissues (gill and hepatopancreas) under heavy metal exposure conditions (Cu, Zn, and Cd), 12 potential candidate housekeeping genes were subjected to expression stability based on the comprehensive ranking while integrating four different statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ${\Delta}CT$ method). Results: Expression stability in the gill subset was determined as RPL7 > RPL8 > ACTB > RPL3 > PPIB > RPL7A > EF1A > RPL4 > GAPDH > RPL5 > UBE2 > B-TU. On the other hand, the ranking in the subset for hepatopancreas was RPL7 > RPL3 > RPL8 > ACTB > RPL4 > EF1A > RPL5 > RPL7A > B-TU > UBE2 > PPIB > GAPDH. The pairwise variation assessed by the geNorm program indicates that two reference genes could be sufficient for accurate normalization in both gill and hepatopancreas subsets. Overall, both gill and hepatopancreas subsets recommended ribosomal protein genes (particularly RPL7) as stable references, whereas traditional housekeepers such as ${\beta}-tubulin$ (B-TU) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were ranked as unstable genes. The validation of reference gene selection was confirmed with the quantitative assay of MT transcripts. Conclusions: The present analysis showed the importance of validating reference genes with multiple algorithmic approaches to select genes that are truly stable. Our results indicate that expression stability of a given reference gene could not always have consensus across tissue types. The data from this study could be a good guide for the future design of RT-qPCR studies with respect to metal regulation/detoxification and other related physiologies in this abalone species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.305-310
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the effects of KH-305 on erectile dysfunction in young rats, via nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathways. After oral administration of the KH-305 mixture (50, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg) to young rats for 10 days, NOS and SOD protein expressions in penile tissue and testosterone in plasma were measured. cGMP degradation was also investigated using bovine vascular smooth muscle cells pretreated with an NO donor, S-nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). The penile expression levels of nNOS and eNOS-dependent NOS activities as well as SOD preventing oxidative stress by overproduction of NO were increased significantly. Also, the concentration of testosterone in the plasma was increased. In vitro, cGMP concen-trations were decreased dose dependently in the KH-305. These results suggest that KH-305 may be useful in erectile dysfunction.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.25-28
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• 2017

In superconducting coil applications particularly in wet wound coils, coated conductor (CC) tapes are subjected to different type of stresses that could affect its electromechanical transport property. These include hoop stress acting along the length of the CC tape and the Lorentz force acting perpendicular to the CC tape's surface. Since the latter is commonly associated with the delamination problem of multi-layered REBCO CC tapes, more understanding and attention on the delamination phenomena induced in the case of coil applications are needed. Difference on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of each constituent layer of the CC tape, the bobbin, and the impregnating materials is the main causes of delamination in CC tapes when subjected to thermal and mechanical cycling. In the design of degradation-free superconducting coils, therefore, characterization of the delamination behaviors including mechanism and strength in the multi-layered REBCO CC tapes becomes a critical issue. Various trials to increase the delamination strength by improving interface characteristics at interlayers have been performed. In this study, in order to investigate the influences of laser cleaning and Ag annealing treated at the substrate side surface, transverse tensile tests were conducted under different sample configurations using $4.5mm{\times}8mm$ upper anvil. The mechanical delamination strength of differently processed CC samples was examined at room temperature (RT). As a result, the Sample 1 with the additional laser cleaning and Ag annealing processes and the Sample 2 with additional Ag annealing process only showed higher mechanical delamination strength as compared to the Sample 3 without such additional treatments. Sample 3 showed quite different behavior when the loading direction is to the substrate side where the delamination strength much lower as compared to other cases.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1630-1635
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• 2003

The deformation and fracture behaviors of a bulk amorphous metal, Zr-based one (Zr$\_$41.2/Ti$\_$13.8/Cu$\_$12.5/Ni$\_$10/Be$\_$22.5/: Vitreloy), were investigated over a strain rate range (7x10$\^$-4/～4 s$\^$-1/). The uniaxial compression test and the indentation test using 3mm-diameter WC balls were carried out under quasi-static loading conditions. As a result, at the uniaxial compressive state, the fracture stress of the material was very high (～1,700MPa) and the elastic strain limit was about 2%. The fracture strength showed a strain rate independent behavior up to 4 s$\^$-1/. Using indentation tests, the plastic deformation behavior of the Zr-based BAM up to a large strain value of 15% could be achieved, even though it was the deformation under locally constrained condition. The Meyer hardness of the Zr-based BAM measured by static indentation tests was about 5 GPa and it revealed negligible strain hardening behavior. At indented sites, the plastic indentation occurred forming a crater and well-developed multiple shear bands were generated around it along the direction of 45 degree when the indentation load exceeded 7kN. With increasing indentation load, shear bands became dense. The fracture surface of the specimen after uniaxial compressive tests showed vein-like pattern, typical morphology of many BAMs.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2000

The microstructure and corrosion behavior of commercially dental casting gold alloys were investigated to clarify the effect of burn-out temperature and cooling rate. In the case of water quenching after casting, only the αphase, which is typical dendritic microstructure of golda alloy, was detected. However, the precipitates along the grain boundary were detected only at the slow cooling rate and they increased inversely proportional to the burn-out temperature. This might be due to the time difference which solute atom could diffuse. EPMA and SEM results also demonstrated that the precipitate should be lamellar structure consisted of Ag rich phase(${\alpha}_1$) and Cu rich phase (${\alpha}_2$). In terms of corrosion, the galvanic coupling was formed due to the difference of composition between precipitates and matrix at the slow cooling rate. In the case of water quenching, the critical current density($i_p$) which indicate the degree of corrosion was lowest at $650^{\circ}C$ and below the burnout temperature, $i_p$ increased with it because of the effect of grain boundary segregation. But above the temperature, $i_p$ increased with it. This may be due to the strain field effect by residual thermal stress.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2003

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be an important mediator in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction, thereby triggering the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study, HIV-1 Tat-mediated transduction of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated to evaluate its protective potential against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cytotoxicity in insulin-producing MIN6N cells. Tat-SOD fusion protein was successfully delivered into MIN6N cells in a dose-dependent manner and the transduced fusion protein was enzymatically active for 48 h. The STZ induced-cell destruction, superoxide anion radical production, and DNA fragmentation of MIN6N cells were significantly decreased in the cells pretreated with Tat-SOD for 1 h. Furthermore, the transduction of Tat-SOD increased Bcl-2 and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) expressions in cells exposed to STZ, which might be partly responsible for the effect of Tat-SOD. These results suggest that an increased of free radical scavenging activity by transduction of Tat-SOD enhanced the tolerance of the cell against oxidative stress in STZ-treated MIN6N cells. Therefore, this Tat-SOD transduction technique may provide a new strategy to protect the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction in ROS-mediated diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.340-346
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effects of silk fibroin(Mw 500) powder (SFP) on oxygen radicals and the scavenger enzymes in brain membranes of rats. Spragu-Dawley(SD) male rats(160${\pm}$10g) were fed basic diet(control group), and experimental diets(SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups) added 2.5 and 5.0g/kg BW/day for 6 weeks. Hydroxyl radical($.$OH) levels resulted in a decreases(6.6% and 9.7%, 2.8% and 11.9%, respectively) in brain mitochondria and microsomes of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group, but were significantly decreased in these membrances of SFP-5.0 group only. Superoxide radical (O2) levels were a slightly decreased (2.0% and 9.1%, respectively) in brain cytosol of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group. Lipid peroxide(LPO) levels were significantly decreased (12.9% and 21.9%, 13.2% and 22.5%, respectively) in brain mitochondria and microsomes of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group. Oxidized protein (OP) levels were significantly decreased (16.7% and 15.7%, respectively) in brain microsomes of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 group compared with control group, but significantly difference between in brain mitochondria of these two groups could not be obtained. Mn-SOD activities were remarkably increased (11.2% and 24.2%, respectively) in mitochodria of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups. CuZn-SOD activities were effectively increased (7.7% and 19.6%, respectively) in brain cytosol of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups, but significant difference between control and SFP-2.5 groups could be not obtained. GSHPx activities were considerably increased (5.3% and 11.7%, respectively) in brain cytosol of SFP-2.0 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group. There results suggest that anti-aging effect of silk fibroin may play an effective learning and memory role in a attenuating a oxidative stress and increasing a scavenger enzyme activity in brain membranes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.577-583
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of silk fibroin (Mw 500)power (SFP) on oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes in liver membranes of rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (160$\pm$10 g) were fed basic diet (control group), and experimental diets (SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups) added 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg BW/day for 6 weeks. Hydroxyl radical (.OH) levels resulted in a considerable decreases (5.8% and 8.4%, 3.7% and 11.1%, respectively) in liver motochondria and micorsomes of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group, and $O_2$radical level was remarkably decreased about 15% and 20% in liver cytosol of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group. Lipid peroxide (LPO) levels were significantly decreased (8.3% and 18.0%, 13.4% and 18.4%, respectively) in liver mitochondria and microsomes of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups compared with control group. Oxidized protein (OP) levels were remarkably decreased about 11.6% in liver mitochondria of SFP-5.0 group compared with control group. Mn-SOD activities were remarkably in creased (17.6% and 28.8%, respectively) in mitochondria of SFP-2.5 and SFP-5.0 groups, and Cu/Zn-SOD activities were also effectively in creased (about 14.4%) in liver cytosol of SFP-5.0 groups, but significant difference between GSHPx activity in liver cytosol of these two groups could be not obtained. These results suggest that anti-aging effect of silk fibroin may play an effective anti-aging role in a aattenuating a oxidative stress and increasing a scavenger enzyme activity in liver membranes.