• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.343-348
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• 1995

Treatment of Pisum sativum tissue with the protein kinase inhibitor staurosphorine resulted in impairment of 3H-indoleacetic acid transport in etiolated stem segments. The transport inhibitiion was accompanied by an increase in net uptake of labeled auxin in the tissue. The magnitude of auxin accumulation in tissue treated with the phytotropin N-1-naphthylphthalaic acid (NPA) which specifically blocks the efflux of auxin in the plasma membrane was reduced by the protein kinase inhibitor, suggesting that inhibition of protein phosphorylation could lead to hindrance of the auxin-exporting function of NPA receptors. The flavonoid genistein which is also known to inhibit protein kinase likewise reduced NPA-induced auxin accumulation. However, the flavonoid did not bring about auxin accumulation by itself, nor did it inhibit auxin transport. In view of the finding that the flavonoid also competes with NPA for a common binding site, a mechanism for the flavonoid effect on the NPA action will be proposed.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.491-495
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• 2014

Phytoremediation is a technology using plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environments. It is regarded as a cost-effective, efficient, eco-friendly, and solar-driven technology with good public acceptance. This study was conducted to find the plants accumulating heavy metals in soils contaminated with Cd and Pb. Experimental plots (plot size: $0.81m^2$) was artificially contaminated using a contaminated soil collected from a field in vicinity of Wondong mine (WD). Sunflower, corn and castor were tested for their potential to remove heavy metals from the contaminated soils. The results indicated that sunflower was most effective in accumulating heavy metals and thus remedying the soils among the three crops. Dry weight and heavy metal uptake of sunflower shoot differed with growth period. For example, the Cd content of shoots including leaf and stem were 0.31mg, 2.23 mg, and 0.96 mg per plot at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting in Cd4-WD treatment; in addition, the dry weight of the shoots in Cd8-WD treatment was reduced due to heavy metal toxicity. This experiment showed that sunflower absorbed Cd, Pb and Zn in their shoots up to 8 weeks of planting; thereafter heavy metals uptake was diminished. This implies that the efficiency of these plants in cleaning the contaminated soils may be high at the early stage of plant growth.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.19-28
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• 1997

Constitutive cyclooxygenase (COX-I) is present in cells under physiological conditions, whereas inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-II) is induced by some cytokines, mitogens, and endotoxin presumably in pathological conditions such as inflammation. We have evaluated the inhibitory effects of solvent fractionated extracts of natural products on the activities of COX-I and COX-II. Oxygen uptake COX assay was performed, as a primary screening from the tissue extracts of bovine seminal vesicles (BSV), by monitoring the initial rate of oxygen uptake using an oxygen electrode. Additionally, we evaluated plant extracts for the inhibitory effects of COX-I (in HEL cells) and COX-II (in lipopolysaccharide activated J774A.1 macrophages) using thin layer chromatography of prostanoids produced from $^{14}C-labelled$ arachidonic acid (AA). The use of such models of COX-I and COX-II assay will lead to the identification of specific inhibitors of cyclooxygenases with presumably less side effects than present therapies. Inhibitory effects of 50 kinds of plant extracts on the COX-I and COX-II activities were determined and the active fractions were found in the ethyl acetate fractions of Dryopteris crassirhizoma (roots), Amomum cardamomum (roots), Triticum aestivum (seeds), Perilla sikokiana (leaves), Anemarrhena asphodeloides (roots). Especially, the ethyl acetate fraction of Dryopteris crassirhizoma (roots), which exhibited the strong inhibition against BSV COX $(IC_{50},\;65.4\;{\mu}g/ml)$, COX-I $(IC_{50},\;8.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and COX-II $(IC_{50},\;17.2\;{\mu}g/ml)$, is under investigation to isolate active principles using activity-guided fractionation method.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.270-279
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• 2024

Macrophages are versatile immune cells that play crucial roles in tissue repair, immune defense, and the regulation of immune responses. In the context of skeletal muscle, they are vital for maintaining muscle homeostasis but macrophage-induced chronic inflammation can lead to muscle dysfunction, resulting in skeletal muscle atrophy characterized by reduced muscle mass and impaired insulin regulation and glucose uptake. Although the involvement of macrophage-secreted factors in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy is well-established, the precise intracellular signaling pathways and secretion factors affecting skeletal muscle homeostasis require further investigation. This study aimed to explore the regulation of macrophage-secreted factors and their impact on muscle atrophy and glucose metabolism. By employing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and proteome array, we uncovered that factors secreted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages upregulated markers of muscle atrophy and pro-inflammatory cytokines, while concurrently reducing glucose uptake in muscle cells. The RNA-seq analysis identified alterations in gene expression patterns associated with immune system pathways and nutrient metabolism. The utilization of gene ontology (GO) analysis and proteome array with macrophage-conditioned media revealed the involvement of macrophage-secreted cytokines and chemokines associated with muscle atrophy. These findings offer valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of macrophage-secreted factors and their contributions to muscle-related diseases.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.494-500
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• 1996

중요한 환경문제로 대두되고 있는 중금속 오염의 대처 방안으로 식물을 이용한 경제적인 정화 방법을 모색하고자 미나리의 중금속 흡수능력을 검정하고 카드늄 결합단백질을 동정하였다. 미나리의 중금속 흡수능력은 미나리를 카드늄 $(Cd^{2+})$, 크롬 $(Cr^{3+})$ 및 납 $(Pb^{2+})$의 농도를 달리한 배양액에서 재배한 후 미나리에 잔류하는 중금속을 정량함으로써 측정되었다. 중금속의 처리 기간은 3일과 7일로 하였고, 생장 저해가 일어나는 농도까지 처리하였다. 카드늄은 16.68 ppm, 크롬은 20 ppm까지 지속적으로 잔류량이 증가하였고 그 농도 이상에서는 생장 저해가 일어나면서 잔류량의 증가율이 둔화되었다. 식물체 부위별 카드늄과 크롬의 잔류량은 뿌리에서 월등하게 높게 나타났고 줄기와 잎의 순으로 낮아졌다. 납의 경우는 카드늄과 크롬에 비하여 잔류량이 가장 높은 뿌리에서 4배 정도 잔류량이 높게 나타났다. 20 ppm의 중금속 용액에서 7일간 재배한 미나리 뿌리에는 건조중량 1 g에 대하여, 카드늄이 6.1 mg, 크롬은 5.2 mg 그리고 납은 23.6 mg이 잔류하고 있었다. 이것은 잔류하고 있는 중금속 중에서 카드늄은 80%, 크롬은 92%그리고 납은 96%이상이 미나리 뿌리에 잔류하고 있는 것이다. 20 ppm카드늄이 함유된 배양액에서 7일간 자란 미나리 뿌리 추출액을 Sephadex G-50과 DEAE-Cellulose 크로마토그래피를 수행하여, polyacrylamide gel 전기영동 상으로 단일 단백질 분리대의 중금속 결합단백질을 정제하였다. 이 단백질의 분자량은 gel filtration 상에서 약 5,000 Da이었고 아미노산의 조성을 보면 산성 아미노산이 27.3%, cystein이 9.9%로서 중금속 결합단백질의 특성을 가지고 있었다. 그러나 그 아미노산 조성은 지금까지 알려진 phytochelatin과는 다른 새로운 중금속 결합단백질로 나타났다.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

많은 암 환자들 중 특히 미만성 거대 B 세포 림프종 환자의 추적 검사에서 PET/CT 검사는 기타 다른 검사들과 견주어 볼 때 매우 중요하다는 것은 이미 알려져 있다. 이들 환자의 치료는 대부분 환자의 장기 한 곳에 국한된 경우가 없으므로, 방사선 치료나 항암 화학 요법 치료로 시행한다. 이러한 항암 화학 요법 치료는 골수의 활동을 억제하는 치료이기 때문에 환자에게서 호중구감소증과 같은 백혈구의 감소가 나타날 수 있다. 이러한 증상을 개선하기 위하여 과립구 자극요소(Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor)인 Filgrastim 성분의 골수촉진제를 사용하는 경우가 일반적이며, 이 약제가 투여된 환자에게서 단기간에 PET/CT 검사를 진행하게 되면, 검사에 사용되는 $^{18}F$-FDG의 섭취가 조혈 세포가 모여 있는 골수의 활성화로 그 곳에 섭취가 가중되어 정확한 영상의 정보를 얻는데 한계가 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 Filgrastim의 약제 투여 1일 후의 영상과 어느 정도 시간이 지난 후 영상의 SUV를 각각 비교하여 수치화하고, 대략 어느 정도 시간이 지난후에 정확한 영상의 정보를 줄 수 있는 $^{18}F$-FDG의 섭취가 일어나는지를 유추해 보고자 한다. 환자대상은 2007년 1월~2009년 1월까지 미만성 거대 B 세포 림프종을 진단받고 추적 검사 중인 환자 10명을 대상으로 하였다. 남자 4명, 여자 6명이고, 평균나이는 53.8세 평균 체중은 57.3 kg이다. PET/CT (Discovery STe; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) 검사를 위해 환자에게 $^{18}F$-FDG 정맥주사 후 1시간 가량 안정시키고, PET/CT 영상을 획득하였다. 영상 분석은 ROI ($12\;mm^2$)를 $C_6$ (6 번 경추), $L_4$ (4 번 요추), 간, 비장, 폐에 각각 그린 후 표준화 섭취 계수(SUV)를 측정하였다. 같은 환자를 골수촉진제 주사 1일 후 영상과 5~7일 후 영상을 각각 분석하였으며, 통계 프로그램으로는 SPSS version 12. Wilcoxon signed rank test를 사용하여 두 집단 간의 유의성을 확인하였다. 검사를 시행한 10명의 환자의 SUV를 분석한 결과, 골수촉진제를 투여하고 1일 후의 SUV가 5~7일 후에 비해 $C_6$ (6 번경추), L4 (4 번 요추), 비장에서 현저하게 높게 나타났고, 간과 폐에서는 비슷하게 나타났다. SUV의 차이와 더불어, 5~7일 후의 영상에서는 뼈의 섭취가 거의 없어진 정상 섭취 영상을 얻을 수 있었다. 위의 연구에서도 보여진 것과 같이 과립구 자극요소 약제투여 후 1일째 환자의 영상과 5~7일 후의 영상에서 SUV의 현저한 차이가 있었으며, 약제를 투여한 환자의 영상에 뼈의 $^{18}F$-FDG 섭취가 집중되었으며, 평균 5~7일 후에 검사에서는 뼈의 섭취가 현저하게 줄어든 정상적이 영상을 얻을 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통하여 SUV를 측정하고, 통계분석 함으로서 기존의 사실을 수치화 하였으며, 정상 섭취가 가능한 기간을 유추 할 수 있었다. 추후에 과립구 자극요소인 Filgrastim 이 외에 Pegfilgrastim, Lenograstim등 기타약제와의 유사성과 차이점에 대한 유사 연구에도 기여할 수 있으리라 사료된다.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.310-317
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: The salt in soil interrupts crop growth. Therefore, water resources are used to remove any salt found in the soil. However, water resources have been reduced by global warming; thus, a new study is required into reducing the salt in soil. Recently, the bottom ash (BA) of a biomass power plant was found to be similar to biochar. Hence, it can be used to remove heavy metals and wastewater through the adsorption characteristics of BA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the improvement effects on crop growth in saline soil containing the BA from biomass power plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect on crop growth in the saline soil supplemented with BA was studied with the crop-planted pots, which were packed by reclaimed greenhouse soils collected from Byolyang, Suncheon. The BA application level was 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg/10a (referred as BA25, BA50, BA100, BA200, and BA400, respectively). The BA increased the fresh weights of the leaf and root, while nitrogen uptake increased by approximately 24-102% and 54-77%, respectively for the lead and root. The phosphorous uptake increased by 38%, although only in the leaf of the lettuce. In the case of soil, BA increased water content, pH, EC, CEC, and NH₄⁺ and the SAR of the soil decreased by 5-15%. The bottom ash increased the contents of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and fixed the amount of Na⁺. CONCLUSION(S): It was confirmed the bottom ash of a biomass power plant, based on wood pellets, improved crop growth, and increased the nutrient uptake of crops in saline soil. In addition, bottom ash, which has a wide range of porosity and high values of pH and EC, improved properties of the saline soil. However, the BA has a large amount of B, As, and heavy metals. Finally, it may require a study on the safety and contamination of heavy metals contained in the bottom ash, which would be applied in soil for a long time.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.60-66
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: The concern over heavy metal(loid)s in arable land and agricultural products increases for public health in recent years. This study aims to identify transition characteristics of heavy metal(loid)s and to assess dietary risk in barley grown at the major producing districts in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil and barley samples were collected from 38 locations around the major producing districts at Jeollabuk-do in Korea for the propose of examining the concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s. The 34 barley samples were separately purchased on the market for the same survey. The average concentration and range of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in barley grown at the major producing districts in Korea were 0.037 (0.016-0.094), 0.028 (0.004-0.083) and 0.137 (0.107-0.212) mg kg-1, respectively. Currently, the maximum allowable level for barley Pb is set at 0.2 mg kg-1 in Korea, and the monitoring results suggested that some samples exceeded the maximum allowable level and required appropriate farming management. Bio-concentration factor values by heavy metal(loid)s in barley were high at Cd, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), similar to other crops, while As and Pb were low, indicating low transferability. CONCLUSION: Human exposure to As, Cd and Pb through dietary intake of barley might not cause adverse health effects due to relatively low concentrations, although the Pb in some barley was detected higher than the maximum allowable level. Further study on uptake and accumulation mechanism of Pb by barley might be required to assess the human health risk associated with soil contamination.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2006년도 Proceedings of The Convention
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• pp.23-39
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• 2006

The application of the knowledge from the Human Genome Project to clinical medicine will be through both industrial drug development and the application of pharmacogenomics (PG) to patient care. The slow uptake of clinical innovations into clinical practice can be frustrating, but understanding the history of acceptance and sustaining medical innovation is critically important to position PG to succeed. This primarily means that PG tests must have legitimacy; they must be thoroughly validated, must be cost-effective, must be widely accepted by medical practitioners, must be supported by public policy, and must have a way of being easily incorporated into current medical practice. They must also lead to actionalble decisions by health care providers for their patients. Innovative PG assays should be tested in the best US laboratories, and reimbursement for testing must be accepted at the federal and state level. The companies providing these PG tests should be capable of supporting the interpretation and use of the test throughout medical practice. Advances such as the addition of PG information to drug labeling and the routine use of validated biomarkers to determine choice of cancer chemotherapy have been made. The PG research community must pay attention to the principles that have been previously described for acceptance and sustaining medical innovations in order for PG to be widely accepted in clinical medical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.525-530
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• 2013

Multidrug resistance 3 (MDR3) is expressed on the canalicular membrane of the hepatocytes and plays an important role in protecting the liver from bile acids. Altered ABCB4 gene expression can lead to a rare hepatic disease, low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis (LPAC). In this study, we characterized 3 ABCB4 mutations in LPAC patients using various in vitro assay systems. We first measured the ability of each mutant to transport paclitaxel and then the mechanisms by which these mutations might change MDR3 transport activity were determined using immunoblotting, cell surface protein biotinylation, and immunofluorescence. Through a membrane vesicular transport assay, we observed that the uptake of paclitaxel was significantly reduced in membrane vesicles expressing 2 ABCB4 mutations, F165I and S320F. Both mutants showed significantly decreased total and cell surface MDR3 expression. These data suggest two missense mutations of ABCB4 may alter function of MDR3 and ultimately can be determined as LPAC-causing mutations.