• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.180-182
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• 2007

The present study was carried out to investigate how two languages are represented and processed for the late Korean-English bilinguals. To this end, we compared the naming times of Korean-English bilinguals on a series of the picture-word interference tasks. The entire experiment is divided into four parts, each of which required participants to name the pictures in Korean or in English with distractor words visually presented either in Korean or English. The distractor words were semantically related or unrelated to the picture. The results showed that, in different language conditions (L1 naming-L2 distractor, L2 naming - L1 distractor), there was only numerical difference between semantic related and unrelated condition. In same language conditions (L1 naming-L1 distractor, L2 naming-L2 distractor), however, significant semantic interference effect occurred. And, the interference effect was stronger in the L1 distractor condition than in the L2 distractor condition. These results suggest that the semantic processing of L1 and L2 for the late bilinguals are independent each other.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of cerebral blood How of adenosine $A_2$ receptor agonist in the rats, and to define whether its mechanism is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase. In pentobarbital-anesthetized, pancuronium-paralyzed and artificially ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats, all drugs were applied topically to the cerebral cortex. Blood flow from cerebal cortex was measured using laser-Doppler flowmetry. Topical application of an adenosine $A_2$ receptor agonist [5'-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (CPCA; 4 umol/l)] increased cerebral blood flow. This effect of CPCA (4 umol/l) was blocked by pretreatment with NO synthase inhibitor [$N^G$-nitro-L-argine methylester (L-NAME; 140 umol/l)] and adenylate cyclase inhibitor [MDL-12,330 (20 umol/l)]. But the effect of CPCA (4 umol/l) was not blocked by pretreatment with guanylate cyclase inhibitor [LY-83,583 (10 umol/l)]. These results suggest that adenosine $A_2$ receptor increases cerebral blood How. It seems that this action of adenosine $A_2$ receptor is mediated via the NO and the activation of adenylate cyclase in the cerebral cortex of the rats.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.153-162
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• 2018

Lespedeza maximowiczii C. K. Schneid. (Fabaceae) is a deciduous shrub which is known to be distributed in the temperate forests of China, Korea and on Tsushima Island of Japan. Due to severe morphological variations within species, numerous examinations have been conducted for Korean L. maximowiczii. However, the morphology of Chinese plants has not been studied as thoroughly, despite doubts about their taxonomy. To clarify this taxonomic issue, we investigated morphological characters and undertook a Bayesian clustering analysis with microsatellite markers. The morphological and genetic traits of Chinese individuals varied considerably from those of typical L. maximowiczii growing in Korea. For example, petals of the former had a different shape and bore long claws, while the calyx lobes were diverged above the middle and the upper surface of the leaflet was pubescent. Their terete buds and spirally arranged bud scales were distinct from those within the series/section Heterolespedeza, which includes L. maximowiczii. Our Bayesian clustering analysis additionally included L. buergeri as an outgroup. Those results indicated that the Chinese samples clustered into a lineage separated from L. maximowiczii (optimum cluster, K = 2), despite the fact that the latter is grouped into the same lineage with L. buergeri. Therefore, we treat those Chinese plants as a new species with the name L. pseudomaximowiczii.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.402-412
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• 2013

Background: Moderate and severe hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass during aortic surgery can cause some complications such as endothelial cell dysfunction or coagulation disorders. This study found out the difference of vascular reactivity by phenylephrine in moderate and severe hypothermia. Methods: Preserved aortic endothelium by excised rat thoracic aorta was sectioned, and then down the temperature rapidly to $25^{\circ}C$ by 15 minutes at $38^{\circ}C$ and then the vascular tension was measured. The vascular tension was also measured in rewarming at $25^{\circ}C$ for temperatures up to $38^{\circ}C$. To investigate the mechanism of the changes in vascular tension on hypothermia, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) and indomethacin administered 30 minutes before the phenylephrine administration. And to find out the hypothermic effect can persist after rewarming, endothelium intact vessel and endothelium denuded vessel exposed to hypothermia. The bradykinin dose-response curve was obtained for ascertainment whether endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor involves decreasing the phenylnephrine vascular reactivity on hypothermia. Results: Fifteen minutes of the moderate hypothermia blocked the maximum contractile response of phenylephrine about 95%. The vasorelaxation induced by hypothermia was significantly reduced with L-NAME and indomethacin administration together. There was a significant decreasing in phenylephrine susceptibility and maximum contractility after 2 hours rewarming from moderate and severe hypothermia in the endothelium intact vessel compared with contrast group. Conclusion: The vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery might be caused by hypothermia when considering the vascular reactivity to phenylephrine was decreased in the endothelium-dependent mechanism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1204-1210
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• 2011

Objective of this study was to examine the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor on steroid synthesis, growth and apoptosis of buffalo granulosa cells (GCs) in vitro. Follicular fluid of antral follicles (3-5 mm diameter) was aspirated and GCs were cultured in 0 (control), $10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}\;M$ of SNP for 48 h. To evaluate whether this effect was reversible, GCs were cultured in presence of $10^{-5}\;M$ SNP+1.0 mM $N^{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor or hemoglobin (Hb, $1.0{\mu}g$) as NO scavenger. Nitrate/nitrite concentration was evaluated by Griess method, progesterone and estradiol concentrations by RIA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. SNP ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}\;M$) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited estradiol and progesterone synthesis, growth, disorganized GCs aggregates and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. However, $10^{-9}\;M$ SNP induced the progesterone synthesis and stimulated GCs to develop into a uniform monolayer. Combination of SNP $10^{-5}$ M+L-NAME strengthened the inhibitory effect while, SNP+Hb together reversed these inhibitory effects. In conclusion, SNP at greater concentrations ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-7}\;M$) has a cytotoxic effect and it may lead to cell death whereas, at a lower concentration ($10^{-9}\;M$) induced progesterone synthesis and growth of GCs. These findings have important implications that NOS derived NO are involved at physiological level during growth and development of buffalo GCs which regulates the steroidogenesis, growth and apoptosis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.175-186
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• 2009

The vasorelaxant effect of an extract of Lophatherum gracile Brongn (ELB) and its possible action mechanism were ascertained in aortic tissues isolated from rats. ELB relaxed endothelium-intact thoracic aorta in a dose-dependent manner. However, the induced vascular relaxation was abolished by removal in endothelium of the thoracic aorta. Pretreatment of endothelium-intact vascular tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-$\alpha$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) significantly inhibited vascular relaxation induced by ELB. Moreover, ELB significantly increased cGMP production in aortic tissues, which was blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ. The vasorelaxant effect of ELB was attenuated by tetraethylammonium (TEA), and glibenclamide. ELB-induced vasorelaxation was not blocked by atropine, propranolol, indomethacin, verapamil, and diltiazem. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that ELB dilates vascular smooth muscle via an endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling pathway, which may be at least in part related with the function of $K^+$ channels.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and action mechanism of quercetin on penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). PCCSM precontracted with phenylephrine (Phe) was treated with four different concentrations of quercetin ($10^{-7}$, $10^{-6}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-4}M$). PCCSM were preincubated with N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) to block nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase, respectively. The changes in PCCSM tension were recorded, and cyclic nucleotides in the perfusate were measured by radioimmunoassay. The interactions of quercetin with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) such as sildenafil, udenafil and mirodenafil, were also evaluated. PCCSM relaxation induced by quercetin occurred in a concentrationdependent manner. The application of quercetin to PCCSM pre-treated with L-NAME and ODQ significantly inhibited the relaxation. Quercetin significantly increased cGMP in the perfusate. Furthermore, quercetin enhanced PDE5-Is-induced relaxation of PCCSM. Quercetin relaxed the PCCSM by activating the NO-cGMP signaling pathway, and it may be a therapeutic candidate or an alternative treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction who do not completely respond to PDE5-Is.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.240-246
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• 2010

Two newly naturalized species were recorded from Incheon (Youngjong-do) and Ulsan. Among them, Bidens polylepis S.F. Blake (Asteraceae) was widespread and was found in the following locations: Unbuk bridge, Unbuk-dong, Jung-gu in Incheon, and Chuiseosan, Banggi-ri, Samnam-myeon as well as a Saemmul mountain cabin on Jaeaksan, Sangbuk-myeon in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. Bidens polylepis can be distinguished from congeneric species by its larger ray-flowers. The Korean name of Bidens polylepis was newly formulated based on the characteristic of its yellow ray-flowers and on the Korean name of the genus Bidens (Asteraceae). The other species, numerous populations of Saponaria officinalis L. (Caryophyllaceae) were found in two areas in Jeotgae village, Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon. Saponaria officinalis can be distinguished from congeneric species in the family by two features, shallow calyx teeth and a petal with appendages at the base of the blade.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.887-893
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• 2003

External stimuli increases intracellular (IC) $Ca^{2+}$, which increases extracellular (EC) $K^{+}$. To verify $K^{+}$ effects on the vascular contraction, we performed an experiment using mouse aortic endothelial cell. Meterial and Method: We examined the mouse aortic contractility changes as we measured the IC $Ca^{2+}$ change and ionic current by using the voltage clamp technique under different conditions such as: increasing EC $K^{+}$, removing endothelial cell, giving L-NAME (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) which suppress nitric oxide formation, Ouabain which control N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$ pump and N $i^{2+}$ which repress N $a^{+}$-C $a^{2+}$ exchanger Result: When we increased EC $K^{+}$ from 6 to 12 mM, there was no change in aortic contractility. Aorta contracted with more than 12 mM of EC $K^{+}$. Ace-tylcholine (ACh) induced relaxation was inhibited with EC $K^{+}$ from 6 to 12 mM, but was not found after de-endothelialization or L-NAME treatment. ATP or ACh increased IC $Ca^{2+}$ in cultured endothelium. After maximal increase of IC $Ca^{2+}$, increasing EC $K^{+}$ from 6 to 12 mM made IC $Ca^{2+}$ decrease and re-decreasing EC $K^{+}$ to 6 mM made IC $Ca^{2+}$ increase. Ouabain and N $i^{2+}$ masked the inhibitory effect of endothelium dependent relaxation by increased EC $K^{+}$. Conclusion: These data indicate that increase in EC $K^{+}$ relaxes vascular smooth muscle and reduces $Ca^{2+}$ in the endothelial cells which inhibit endothelium dependent relaxation. This inhibitory mechanism may be due to the activation of N $a^{+}$- $K^{+}$ pump and N $a^{+}$-C $a^{2+}$ exchanger. $a^{+}$-C $a^{2+}$ exchanger.r.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.576-587
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• 2009

Background: The up-regulation of the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway might be involved in the change of vascular reactivity in rats 3 days after they suffer acute myocardial infarction. However, the underlying mechanism for this has not been clarified. Material and Method: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 min (Group AMI), whereas the sham-operated control rats were treated similarly without LAD occlusion (Group SHAM), The concentration-response relationships for phenylephrine (PE), KCl, acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were determined in the endothelium intact E(+) and endothelium denuded E(-) thoracic aortic rings from the rats 3 days after AMI or a SHAM operation. The concentration-response relationships of PE in the E(+) rings from the AMI rats were compared with those relationships in the rings pretreated with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. The plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were checked via a Griess reaction. The cyclic GMP content in the thoracic aortic rings was measured by radioimmunoassay and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression was assessed by real time PCR. Result: The mean infarct size (%) in the rats with AMI was $21.3{\pm}0.62%$. The heart rate and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly changed in the AMI rats. The sensitivity of the contractile response to PE and KCl was significantly decreased in both the E(+) and E(-) aortic rings of the AMI group (p<0.05). L-NAME completely reversed these contractile responses whereas indomethacin did not (p<0.05). Moreover, the sensitivity of the relaxation response to Ach was also significantly decreased in the AMI group (p<0.05). The plasma nitrite and nitrate content (p<0.05), the basal cGMP content (p<0.05) and the eNOS mRNA expression (p=0.056) in the AMI rats were increased as compared with the SHAM group. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the increased eNOS activity and the up-regulation of the NO-cGMP pathway can be attributed to the decreased contractile or relaxation response in the rat thoracic aorta 3 days after AMI.