• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 2009

Dentin, a major component of teeth, is formed by odontoblasts which produce the dentin matrix beneath the dental epithelium and induce the mineralization of dentin. To date, the biochemical properties of dentin matrix proteins have been well characterized, but upstream regulators of these proteins are not yet well known. Recently in this regard, several transcription factors have been identified as potential regulators of matrix proteins. Most transcription factors are generally involved in diverse biological processes and it is essential to identify those that are odontoblast-specific transactivators to further understand the process of dentin formation. We thus analyzed the expression pattern of dentin matrix proteins and the activities of established transactivators containing a Cre-locus. Expression analyses using in situ hybridization showed that dentin matrix proteins are sequentially expressed in differentiating odontoblasts, including type-I collagen, Dmp-1 and Dspp. The activities of the transactivators were evaluated using ${\beta}$-galactosidase following the generation of double transgenic mice with each transactivator and the ROSA26R reporter line. The ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity of each transactivator paralled the expression of the matrix proteins. These results thus showed that these transactivators could be utilized for odontoblastspecific conditional gene targeting. In addition, time- and tissue-specific conditional gene targeting might also be achieved using a combination of these transactivators. Odontoblast-specific conditional gene targeting with these transactivators will likely also provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying dentin formation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.205-213
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by extensive myocardial damage attributed to the occlusion of coronary arteries. Our previous study in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) demonstrated that administration of arabinoxylan (AX), comprising arabinose and xylose, protects against myocardial injury. In this study, we undertook to investigate whether psyllium seed husk (PSH), a safe dietary fiber containing a high level of AX (> 50%), also imparts protection against myocardial injury in the same rat model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were fed diets supplemented with PSH (1, 10, or 100 mg/kg/d) for 3 d. The rats were then subjected to 30 min ischemia through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 3 h reperfusion through release of the ligation. The hearts were harvested and cut into four slices. To assess infarct size (IS), an index representing heart damage, the slices were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). To elucidate underlying mechanisms, Western blotting was performed for the slices. RESULTS: Supplementation with 10 or 100 mg/kg/d of PSH significantly reduces the IS. PSH supplementation (100 mg/kg/d) tends to reduce caspase-3 generation and increase BCL-2/BAX ratio. PSH supplementation also upregulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and its target genes including antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase mu 2 (GSTM2) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). PSH supplementation upregulates some sirtuins ($NAD^+$-dependent deacetylases) including SIRT5 (a mitochondrial sirtuin) and SIRT6 and SIRT7 (nuclear sirtuins). Finally, PSH supplementation upregulates the expression of protein kinase A (PKA), and increases phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) (pCREB), a target protein of PKA. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate that PSH consumption reduces myocardial I/R injury in rats by inhibiting the apoptotic cascades through modulation of gene expression of several genes located upstream of apoptosis. Therefore, we believe that PSH can be developed as a functional food that would be beneficial in the prevention of MI.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.190-198
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• 2007

Alzheimer's disease, a representative neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles accompanied by neuronal damages. b-Amyloid peptide is considered to be responsible for the formation of senile plagues that accumulate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. There has been compelling evidence supporting that b-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity is mediated through generation of reactive oxygen species. In this study, we have investigated the possible protective effect of Rehmannia glutihosaagainst b-amyloid-induced oxidative ceil death in cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells treated with b-amyloid underwent apoptotic death as determined by morphological features and positive in situterminal end-labeling (TUNEL staining). Rehmannia glutinosawater extract, wine, and vinegar pretreatments attenuated b-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Rehmannia glutinosa vinegar exhibited maximum protective effect by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. in addition to oxidative stress, b-amyloid-treatment caused nitrosative stress via marked increase in the levels of nitric oxide, which was effectively blocked by Rehmannia glutinosa. To further explore the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of Rehmannia glutinosa, we assessed the mRNA expression of cellular antioxidant enzymes. Treatment of Rehmannia glutinosa vinegar led to up-regulation of heme oxygemase-1 and catalase. These results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa could modulate oxidative neuronal cell death caused by b-amyloid and may have preventive or therapeutic potential in the management of Alzheimer's disease. Particularly, Rehmannia glutinosa vinegar can augment cellular antioxidant capacity, there by exhibiting higher neuroprotective potential.

• 대기
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.51-66
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• 2015

This study was conducted to perform various sensitivity experiments using WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model in order to determine the effects of terrains of the Korean Peninsula and the land-sea thermal contrast on the formation and development of the convergent cloud band for the cases of 1 February 2012. The sensitivity experiments consist of the following five ones: CNTL experiment (control experiment), and TMBT experiment, BDMT experiment and ALL experiment that set the terrain altitude of Taeback Mountains and Northern mountain complex as zero, respectively, and the altitude of the above-mentioned two mountains as zero, and LANDSEA experiment that set to change the Korean Peninsula into sea in order to find out the land-sea thermal contrast effect. These experiment results showed that a cold air current stemming from the Siberian high pressure met the group of northern mountains with high topography altitude and was separated into two air currents. These two separated air currents met each other again on the Middle and Northern East Sea, downstream of the group of northern mountains and converged finally, creating the convergent cloud band. And these experiments suggested that the convergent cloud band located on the Middle and Northern East Sea, and the cloud band lying on the southern East sea to the coastal waters of the Japanese Island facing the East Sea, were generated and developed by different dynamical mechanisms. Also it was found that the topography of Taeback Mountains created a warm air advection region due to temperature rise by adiabatic compression near the coastal waters of Yeongdong Region, downstream of the mountains. In conclusion, these experiment results clearly showed that the most essential factor having an effect on the generation and development of the convergent cloud band was the topography effect of the northern mountain complex, and that the land-sea thermal contrast effect was insignificant.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2009

Korean mistletoe lectin (KML) is the major component found in Viscum album var. (coloratum), displaying anti-cancer and immunostimulating activities. Even though it has been shown to boost host immune defense mechanisms, the regulatory roles of KML on the functional activation of macrophages have not been fully elucidated. In this study, regulatory mechanism of KML on macrophage-mediated immune responses was examined in terms of KML-mediated signaling event. KML clearly induced mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phagocytic uptake in RAW264.7 cells. All of these events were strongly suppressed by U0126, whereas TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA was not diminished by SB203580 and SP600125, indicating ERK as a central enzyme managing KML-induced up-regulation of macrophage functions. Indeed, KML strongly induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner without altering its total level. Therefore, these data suggest that ERK may be a major signaling enzyme with regulatory property toward various KML-mediated macrophage responses.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.326-337
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• 2014

The use of solar energy generation is steadily increasing, and photovoltaic modules are connected in series to generate higher voltage and power. However, solar panels are exposed to high-voltage stress (up to several hundreds of volts) between grounded module frames and the solar cells. Frequent high-voltage stress causes a power-drop in the modules, and this kind of degradation is called potential induced degradation (PID). Due to PID, a significant loss of power and performance has been reported in recent years. Many groups have suggested how to prevent or reduce PID, and have tried to determine the origin and mechanism of PID. Even so, the mechanism of PID is still unclear. This paper is focused on understanding the PID of crystalline-silicon solar cells and modules. A background for PID, as well as overviews of research on factors accelerating PID, mechanisms involving sodium ions, PID test methods, and possible solutions to the problem of PID, are covered in this paper.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.46-54
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• 2000

Objectives : Talmyung-san(TMS) has been used for treatment of brain diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which TMS rescues brain cells from ischemic damages. To elucidate the protective mechanisms of TMS, we execute experiments. Methods : The effects of TMS on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cytotoxicity and generation of nitric oxide(NO) are investigated in primary neonatal myocardial cells and A7rS, aortic smooth muscle cell line. Results : Ischemia/reperfusion itself induces severe myocardial cell death in vitro. However, treatment of the cells with TMS significantly reduces both ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial cell death and LDH release. In addition, pretreatment of TMS before reperfusion recovers the lose of beating rates alter ischemia/reperfusion. For a while, the water extract of TMS stimulates myocardial cells to produce NO in a dose dependent manner and it protects the damage of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial cells. Furthermore, the protective effects of the water extract of TMS is mimicked by treatment of sodium nitroprusside, an exogenous NO donor. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NGMMA), a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase(NOS), significantly blocks the protective effects of TMS on the cells after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, on ischemia the water extract of TMS induce NO in A7r5 cell. Conclusions : Taken together, we suggest that the protective effects of TMS against ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damages may be mediated by NO production of myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cell during ischemic condition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.732-742
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• 2013

Flavour comprises mainly of taste and aroma and is involved in consumers' meat-buying behavior and preferences. Chicken meat flavour is supposed to be affected by a number of ante- and post-mortem factors, including breed, diet, post-mortem ageing, method of cooking, etc. Additionally, chicken meat is more susceptible to quality deterioration mainly due to lipid oxidation with resulting off-flavours. Therefore, the intent of this paper is to highlight the mechanisms and chemical compounds responsible for chicken meat flavour and off-flavour development to help producers in producing the most flavourful and consistent product possible. Chicken meat flavour is thermally derived and the Maillard reaction, thermal degradation of lipids, and interaction between these 2 reactions are mainly responsible for the generation of flavour and aroma compounds. The reaction of cysteine and sugar can lead to characteristic meat flavour specially for chicken and pork. Volatile compounds including 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-furfurylthiol, methionol, 2,4,5-trimethyl-thiazole, nonanol, 2-trans-nonenal, and other compounds have been identified as important for the flavour of chicken. However 2-methyl-3-furanthiol is considered as the most vital chemical compound for chicken flavour development. In addition, a large number of heterocyclic compounds are formed when higher temperature and low moisture conditions are used during certain cooking methods of chicken meat such as roasting, grilling, frying or pressure cooking compared to boiled chicken meat. Major volatile compounds responsible for fried chicken are 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trithiolanes, 2,4,6-trimethylperhydro-1,3,5-dithiazines, 3,5-diisobutyl-1,2,4-trithiolane, 3-methyl-5-butyl-1,2,4-trithiolane, 3-methyl-5-pentyl-1,2,4-trithiolane, 2,4-decadienal and trans-4,5-epoxy-trans-2-decenal. Alkylpyrazines were reported in the flavours of fried chicken and roasted chicken but not in chicken broth. The main reason for flavour deterioration and formation of undesirable "warmed over flavour" in chicken meat products are supposed to be the lack of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in chicken meat.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.119-123
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The influence of music training on different areas of the brain has been extensively researched, but the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of training for more than three years in Carnatic music (an Indian form of music) on the discrimination ability of different areas of the brain were tested using P300 analysis at three electrode placement sites. Subjects and Methods: A total of 27 individuals, including 13 singers aged 16-30 years (mean±standard deviation, 23±3.2 years) and 14 non-singers aged 16-30 years (mean age, 24±2.9 years), participated in this study. The singers had 3-5 years of formal training experience in Carnatic music. Cortical activities in areas corresponding to attention, discrimination, and memory were tested using P300 analysis, and the tests were performed using the Intelligent Hearing System. Results: The mean P300 amplitude of the singers at the Fz electrode placement site (5.64±1.81) was significantly higher than that of the non-singers (3.85±1.60; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Cz electrode placement site in singers (5.90±2.18) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.46±1.40; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Pz electrode placement site in singers (4.94±1.89) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.57±1.50; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). Among singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Cz site than the other placement sites, and among non-singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Fz site than the other placement sites, i.e., music training facilitated enhancement of the P300 amplitude at the Cz site. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that more than three years of training in Carnatic singing can enhance neural coding to discriminate subtle differences, leading to enhanced discrimination abilities of the brain, mainly in the generation site corresponding to Cz electrode placement.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.119-123
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The influence of music training on different areas of the brain has been extensively researched, but the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of training for more than three years in Carnatic music (an Indian form of music) on the discrimination ability of different areas of the brain were tested using P300 analysis at three electrode placement sites. Subjects and Methods: A total of 27 individuals, including 13 singers aged 16-30 years (mean±standard deviation, 23±3.2 years) and 14 non-singers aged 16-30 years (mean age, 24±2.9 years), participated in this study. The singers had 3-5 years of formal training experience in Carnatic music. Cortical activities in areas corresponding to attention, discrimination, and memory were tested using P300 analysis, and the tests were performed using the Intelligent Hearing System. Results: The mean P300 amplitude of the singers at the Fz electrode placement site (5.64±1.81) was significantly higher than that of the non-singers (3.85±1.60; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Cz electrode placement site in singers (5.90±2.18) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.46±1.40; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Pz electrode placement site in singers (4.94±1.89) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.57±1.50; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). Among singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Cz site than the other placement sites, and among non-singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Fz site than the other placement sites, i.e., music training facilitated enhancement of the P300 amplitude at the Cz site. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that more than three years of training in Carnatic singing can enhance neural coding to discriminate subtle differences, leading to enhanced discrimination abilities of the brain, mainly in the generation site corresponding to Cz electrode placement.