• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2011

In this study we determined whether or not 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has an effect on the pacemaker activities of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) from the mouse small intestine. The actions of 5-HT on pacemaker activities were investigated using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) analysis, and RT-PCR in ICC. Exogenously-treated 5-HT showed tonic inward currents on pacemaker currents in ICC under the voltage-clamp mode in a dose-dependent manner. Based on RT-PCR results, we found the existence of 5-$HT_{2B,\;3,\;4,\;and\;7}$ receptors in ICC. However, SDZ 205557 (a 5-$HT_4$ receptor antagonist), SB 269970 (a 5-$HT_7$ receptor antagonist), 3-tropanylindole - 3 - carboxylate methiodide (3-TCM; a 5-$HT_3$ antagonist) blocked the 5-HT-induced action on pacemaker activity, but not SB 204741 (a 5-$HT_{2B}$ receptor antagonist). Based on $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ analysis, we found that 5-HT increased the intensity of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. The treatment of PD 98059 or JNK II inhibitor blocked the 5-HT-induced action on pacemaker activity of ICC, but not SB 203580. In summary, these results suggest that 5-HT can modulate pacemaker activity through 5-$HT_{3,\;4,\;and\;7}$ receptors via $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization and regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.134-140
• /
• 2008

The data on pesticide poisoning death toll during 2000-2005 was obtained from Korean National Statistical Office and analysed to find out any precautionary measures against pesticide poisonings. Pesticide poisoning death toll showed slightly increasing trend with year up to about 3500 in 2005. Most of the pesticide poisoning death cases were intentional self-poisoning accounting for more than 80% of total pesticide poisoning death. The pesticide most often implicated in poisoning death were paraquat dichloride, a non-selective herbicide and organophosphate/carbamate insecticides. The regional distribution of pesticide poisoning death showed urban 21.6% and rural area 78.4%. As for the occupation of the dead, agricultural, forestry and fishery workers accounted for 27.4% and non-agricultural workers was 72.6% of pesticide poisoning death. Therefore, government need to take some precautionary measures to reduce the number of pesticide poisoning cases. It is strongly recommended that pesticide regulatory authorities encourage and train the agricultural workers to use safe storage boxes and enforce strict regulation for the prevention for the prevention of highly toxic pesticides sales to non-agricultural workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.453-460
• /
• 2005

Since late 1970s, water quality monitoring had been performed in Korea by various agencies according to their own needs and objectives. Lacking of consistency in principles, such diverse operation has been producing difficulties in management of information on water quality parameters. These difficulties resulted from the fact that the expansion of monitoring networks had been based not on systematic methodology with considerations on scientifically established planning objectives but on personal experiences and subjective judgments in locating monitoring stations. This study aimed, therefore, to develop a selection methodology for locating monitoring stations to provide various informations on water quality to satisfy various monitoring objectives such as understanding short and long term trends of water quality, monitoring violations to water quality standards, identifying external causes and sources affecting water quality changes, supporting utilization of water resources, examining short-term variations in water quality through a concentrated investigation, estimating pollution loads from each unit watershed, supporting water quality modeling, and establishing informative systems for water resources management. Also, we applied the proposed methodology and presented an improved expansion plan for water quality monitoring networks in the Han River.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2006

As a part of the investigation for utilizing pearl oyster by-products, a rapid salt-fermented pearl oyster using commercial enzyme was prepared and also examined on the characteristics. The salt-fermented pearl oyster prepared by optimal condition, which was prepared by mixing of minced pearl oyster, 15% salt, and 1% $Protamex^\circledR$ and fermented for 4 weeks, was superior in hydrolysis degree (28.7%) and ACE inhibitory activity (92.6%) to salt-fermented pearl oyster prepared by other conditions, such as the use of whole tissue, different enzymes $(Alcalase^\circledR,\;Neutrase^\circledR\;and\;Flavourzyme^\circledR)$, different salt concentrations (20 and 25%), and different fermentation periods (2, 6 and 8 weeks). There were, however, some shortcomings with this product. It showed a dark green color and an unfavorable bitter taste. These shortcomings were improved by the addition of seasoning paste. The calcium and phosphorus contents of the seasoned salt-fermented pearl oyster were 64.2 mg/100 g and 71.6 mg/100 g, respectively, and the calcium content based on phosphorus was a good ratio for absorbing calcium. The total amino acid content of the seasoned and salt-fermented pearl oyster was 7,054 mg/100 g and the major amino acids ware aspartic acid (555.1 mg/100 g), glutamic acid (1,131.2 mg/100 g), alanine (658.2 mg/100 g), and lysine (695.5 mg/100 g). The seasoned salt-fermented pearl oyster, along with angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity (98.3%), also showed a recognizable level (87.5%) of anti-oxidative activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 2005

Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Esherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes of Kimbab and its main ingredients sampled from general and specialized restaurants were compared. Total aerobic bacteria and coliform counts of Kimbab samples from both restaurant types were not significantly different (p>0.05), showing approximately $4\;to\;6\;log_{10}CFU/g$. E. coli counts were significantly higher in kimbab from general restaurants ($65%:\;0.7-2.6\;log_{10}CFU/g$) than those from specialized ones ($8.33%:\;0.70log_{10}CFU/g$), whereas those of S. aureus and B. cereus were not significantly different (p>0.05). L. monocytogenes was not detected in all Kimbab samples. These results indicate hygiene of Kimbab and its main ingredients are deleterious. Contamination levels of pathogens determined in the present study may be used as primary data for microbial risk assessment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.12-18
• /
• 2001

The water-soluble extracts of plants used as tea materials were investigated for their antioxidant activities and active components(total phenolics, ascorbate and selenium). Antioxidant activities of the plant extracts were determined by measuring the changes in both peroxide values(POV method) during storage(36 day, $55^{\circ}C$) and conductivity of soybean oil at $110^{\circ}C$(Rancimat method). Soybean oil without any additive was used as a control. Soybean oil treated with 0.02% BHT was used as a positive control. The test samples were prepared by mixing the plant extracts with soybean oil in 0.02% concentration by weight. The water-soluble extracts of lycii fructus(23 d), oolong tea(23 d), orange peel(23 d), citron(22 d), and apricot(22 d) showed longer induction periods, compared to control(21 d) and BHT(21 d) by POV method. Also water-soluble extracts of oolong tea(12 h), instant coffee(11 h), citron(10 h), cinnamomi cortex(10 h), schizandrae fructus(10 h), lycii fructus(10 h) and apricot(10 h) demonstrated longer induction periods, compared to control(8 h) and BHT(8 h) by Rancimat method. The contents of total phenolic compounds were observed to be high in water-soluble extracts of oolong tea, green tea, black tea, coffee, cinnamomi cortex, and cassiae semen. Ascorbate contents were found to be high in coffee, eucommiae cortex, black tea, ganoderma, cinnamomi cortex, persimmon leaf, chicory, green tea and oolong tea extracts. The selenium contents were not detected in all the extracts. The antioxidative effects of some plant extacts were seemed to be the combined effects of various antioxidant components such as phenolics and ascorbate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.7
• /
• pp.881-888
• /
• 2007

For the use of skipjack tuna cooking drip (STC) as a source of functional seasoning, the STC was hydrolyzed with various commercial enzymes, such as Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase and Protamex, and its hydrolysate was also investigated on the food component characteristics. The hydrolysate incubated with Alcalase for 30 min (HA30) showed 56.8% for angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and 1.18 for antioxidative activity, which were high or similar compared to the other enzymatic hydrolysates. There were no differences in ACE inhibitory activity and antioxidative activity among HA30, two-step enzymatic hydrolysates, and ultrafilterates (molecular weight cut off, 10 kDa). The HA30 was very stable on the digestive enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, pepsin, trypsin according to the TCA (trichloroacetic acid) soluble index. The results suggested that skipjack tuna cooking drip could be used as a source for preparing functional seasoning sauce.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2009

It has been reported that not only collagen but also elastin contribute to inhibit skin wrinkle formation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces photo-aging on human skin. Because UV radiation increases elastase activity, it is thought that increased elastase activity could be the major reason for skin elasticity reduction and wrinkle formation by UV. In the present study to standardize elastase activity measuring system, purified elastases from porcine pancrease and human neutrophil, and cell extracts of normal human primary fibroblasts, 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, and CCD-25Sk human fibroblasts were used as various enzyme sources. Furthermore, elastase activities were compared according to concentrations of enzyme and substrate and incubation time. Phosphoramidon was used as a positive control to inhibit elastase activities of normal human primary fibroblasts and CCD-25Sk fibroblasts. However, it had no influence on the activity of porcine pancreatic elastase. Therefore, it is suggested that elastase used for testing anti-wrinkle agents should be selected carefully.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.14 no.12
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2016

Personal Health Record(PHR) service can be helpful to patients with diseases requiring strict everyday care and medical treatment, such as diabetes or cancer. In this paper, we propose a PHR system specialized in collecting and analyzing health record data of cancer patients, and present the process of how the system can improve the efficiency of cancer treatment process. Through the smart device application, cancer PHR system obtains daily PHR data which is highly related and critical to cancer therapy. The analysis report is provided to the medical staff with an available format suited for Electronic Medical Record used at medical institution. With the final result of PHR analysis which is easily merged with medical chart, most efficient Chemotherapy treatment can be provided for the patients. Also it is possible for the patients to give the information of side-effect and other pain experience during therapy to their doctors without loss of information. The proposed PHR system has the effect of improving the quality of patient care by allowing the medical staff to acquire the main objective data necessary for drug prescription and medical care benefits.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.812-817
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant activities and the melanin inhibitory effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. fruit extracts. Two in vitro methods were used; the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method to determine antioxidant activity and measurements of the inhibitory effects of tyrosinase activity to determine melanogenesis in B16/F10 melanoma cells. The radical scavenging activity of the extract was 56.0% at $700{\mu}g/mL$, similar to ascorbic acid (56.9%), in the DPPH assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the extract was 52.1% and 73.4% at 100 and $500{\mu}g/mL$, which is also similar to ascorbic acid. In B16/F10 mouse melanoma cells, the extract inhibited melanin synthesis by 56% at $500{\mu}g/mL$, a more prominent inhibition of melanin synthesis compared to extracts from arbutin. These results suggest that extracts from H. rhamnoides L. have antioxidant activity and skin-whitening effects; allowing their application in cosmetics as a natural product.