• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.377-386
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• 2010

Sweet persimmon, 'Fuyu', is the major cultivar for MA storage, but browning of blossom end part and fruit surface darkening occur during storage and decrease fruit qualities in fresh fruit market. Calcium (Ca) has a very important role in cell membrane and reduces Ca-related fruit disorder. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of soluble Ca fertigation and foliar applications on soil chemical properties, root activity, and leaf nutrient status. Ca concentration in the soil was higher in both Ca fertigation (Ca-FG) and Ca+IBA fertigation (Ca+IBA) treatments than the other treatments, such as control (Cont), Ca foliar application (Ca-FA), and IBA fertigation (IBA). The increase in soil Ca improved soil pH. The Ca+IBA treatment increased root activity. Leaf Ca concentration was significantly increased by the CA-F A application, followed by Ca+IBA, and Ca-FG treatments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.40-47
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• 1997

New quinolones generally have a broad antibacterial spectrum against gram-positive, gram-negative, glucose-nonfermenting and anaerobic bacteria. Some of newly developed quinolones have potent activities against S. aureus including MRSA, S.pneumoniae including PRSP, B. fragilis, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas and mycobacteria as well, and show good activities against various strains resistant to antibacterial agents of other classes. Quinolones display postantibiotic effects in vitro and are bactericidal at concentrations similar to or twice that of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for susceptible pathogens. In experimental murine infection models including systemic infections with various pathogens such as S. aureus, S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, quinolones have shown good oral efficacy as well as parenteral efficacy. Good oral absorption and good tissue penetration of quinolones account for good therapeutic effects in clinical settings. The target of quinolones are two structurally related type II topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV. Quinolones are shown to stabilize the ternary quinolone-gyrase-DNA complex and inhibit the religation of the cleaved double-stranded DNA. Bacteria can acquire resistance to quinolones by mutations of these target enzymes. Mutation sites and amino acid changes in DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV are similar in the organisms examined, suggesting that the mechanism of quinolone resistance in the target enzymes is essentially the same among various organisms. Quinolones act on both the target enzymes to different degrees depending on the organisms or agents tested, and bacteria become highly resistant to quinolones in a step-wise fashion. Incomplete cross-resistance among quinolones in some strains of E. coli and S. aureus suggests the possibility of finding quinolones active against quinolone-resistant strains which are prevailing now. To find such quinolones, the potency toward two target enzymes and the membrane permeability including influx and/or efflux systems should be taken into account.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.301-307
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• 1995

To explore electrophysiological properties of the ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptors artificially expressed in the mammalian cell, effect of an opioid agonist DPDPE $(1\;{\mu}M)$ on the voltage-sensitive outward currents was examined in the HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells transfected with ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptor cDNA cloned from NG-108-15 $(neuroblastoma\;{\times}\;glioma\;hybrid)$ cDNA library. Also studied were effects of 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and naloxone on DPDPE-induced changes in the voltage sensitive outward current. The voltage sensitive outward currents were recorded using perforated patch technique at room temperature. In the non-transformed HEK293 cells, DPDPE did not alter voltage sensitive outward current, indicating that no native ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptor had been developed. However, $(1\;{\mu}M)$ DPDPE remarkably increased the voltage sensitive outward current in the transformed HEK293 cells. The increment in voltage sensitive outward current peaked in $7{\sim}10\;minutes$ after DPDPE application, and the maximum DPDPE-activated outward current $(313.1{\pm}12.3\;pA)$ was recorded when the membrane potential was depolarized to +70mv. Following pretreatment of the transformed HEK293 cells with 1 mM 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, DPDPE failed to increase the voltage sensitive outward currents. On the other hand, naloxone completely abolished DPDPE-activated voltage sensitive outward current in the transformed HEK293 cells. The results of present study suggest that in the transformed HEK293 cells an activation of the ${\delta}-Opioid$ receptors by an opioid agonist DPDPE increases the voltage-sensitive potassium current as a result of decrement in cyclic AMP level.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.40.1-40.7
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• 2015

Background: Activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) in the alveolar macrophages (AM) by selective synthetic $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligands, improves the ability of the cells to resolve inflammation. In birds, respiratory macrophages are known as free avian respiratory macrophages (FARM) and show distinct functional differences from AM. The effects of treating FARM with $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligands are unclear. Methods: FARM were harvested by lavage of chicken respiratory tract and their morphology assessed at microscopic level. The effects of $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists on the FARM in vitro viability, phagocytic capacity and proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$) production were assessed. Results: FARM had eccentric nucleus and plasma membrane ruffled with filopodial extensions. Ultrastructurally, numerous vesicular bodies presumed to be lysosomes were present. FARM treated with troglitazone, a selective $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonist, had similar in vitro viability with untreated FARM. However, treated FARM co-cultured with polystyrene particles, internalized more particles with a mean volume density of 41 % compared to that of untreated FARM of 21 %. Further, treated FARM significantly decreased LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Results from this study show that $PPAR{\gamma}$ synthetic ligands enhance phagocytic ability of FARM. Further the ligands attenuate production of proinflammatory cytokines in the FARM, suggesting potential therapeutic application of $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligands in the management of respiratory inflammatory disorders in the poultry industry.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.15-24
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• 1996

Essentiality was proposed in the field of lipid by Burr and Burr in 1929. When rats were raised on the fat-free diet, their growth retarded and their skin and tails showed the characteristic deficient symptoms, which were relieved by the addition of ${\omega}6(n-6)$ polyunsaturated fatty acids as linoleic(LA) and arachidonic(AA) acids to the basal diet. LA is dehydrogenated to ${\gamma}-linolenic$ acid(GLNA) by ${\Delta}6$ desaturase, then GLNA is 2 carbon chain elongated by elongase to $dihomo-{\gamma}-linolenic$ acid(DGLNA), which is desaturated by ${\Delta}5$ desaturase to AA. These acids are called LA family or ${\omega}6(n-6)$ polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA). ${\alpha}-Linolenic$ acid(ALNA) is converted through the series of desaturation and elongation steps to docosahexaenic acid(DHA) via eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA). These acids belong to ALNA family or ${\omega}3(n-3)$PUFA. Human who consume large amounts of EPA and DHA, which are present in fatty fish and fish oils, have increased levels of these two fatty acids in their plasma and tissue lipids at the expense of LA and AA. Alternately, vegetarians, whose intake of LA in high, have more elevated levels of LA and AA and lower levels of EPA and DHA in plasma lipids and in cell membranes than omnivores. AA and EPA are metabolized to substances called eicosanoids. Those derived form AA are known as prostanocids(prostaglandins and prostacyclins) of the 2-types and leukotrienes of the 4-series, whereas those derived from EPA are known as prostanoids of the 3-types and leukotrienes of the 5-series. DGLNA is a precursor of the 1-types of prostaglandins. The metabolites of AA and EPA have competitive functions. Ingestion of EPA from fish or fish oil replaces AA from membrane phospholipids in practically all cells. So this leads to a more physiological state characterized by the production of proatanoids and leukotrienes that have antithrombic, antichemotactic, antivasoconstrictive and antiinflammatory properties. It is evident that ${\omega}3$ fatty acids can affect a number of chronic diseases through eicosanoids alone.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.370-375
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• 2014

BACE2 is a membrane-bound aspartic protease that is highly homologous with BACE1. While BACE1 processes the amyloid precursor protein (APP) at a key step in generating ${\beta}$-amyloid peptide and presumably causes Alzheimer's disease (AD), BACE2 has not been demonstrated to be involved in APP processing directly, and its physiological functions are unknown. To determine its function and to develop inhibitors from marine sources, we constructed an overexpression vector for producing BACE2. The gene encoding human BACE2 protease was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the pET11a expression vector, resulting in pET11a/BACE2. Recombinant BACE2 protease was overexpressed successfully in E. coli as inclusion bodies, refolded using the rapid-dilution method, and purified via two-step fast protein liquid chromatography using Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration and Resource-Q column chromatography. The BACE2 protease produced was an active form. This study provides an efficient method not only for studying the basic properties of BACE2, but also for developing inhibitors from natural marine sources.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.131-135
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• 2005

Potassium channels in human skin fibroblast have been studied as a possible site of Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. Fibroblasts in Alzheimer disease show alterations in signal transduction pathway such as changes in $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and/or $Ca^{2+}-activated$ kinases, phosphatidylinositol cascade, protein kinase C activity, cAMP levels and absence of specific $K^+$ channel. However, little is known so far about electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ ($BK_{Ca}$) channel in human fibroblast (CRL-1474). In the present study, we found Iberiotoxin- and TEA-sensitive outward rectifying oscillatory current with whole-cell recordings. Single channel analysis showed large conductance $K^{+}$ channels (106 pS of chord conductance at +40 mV in physiological $K^+$ gradient). The 106 pS channels were activated by membrane potential and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, consistent with the known properties of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. $BK_{Ca}$ channels in CRL-1474 were positively regulated by adenylate cyclase activator ($10{\mu}M$ forskolin), 8-Br-cyclic AMP ($300{\mu}M$) or 8-Br-cyclic GMP ($300{\mu}M$). These results suggest that human skin fibroblasts (CR-1474) have typical $BK_{Ca}$ channel and this channel could be modulated by c-AMP and c-GMP. The electrophysiological characteristics of fibroblasts might be used as the diagnostic clues for Alzheimer disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2012

Under some pathological conditions as bile flow obstruction or liver diseases with the enterohepatic circulation being disrupted, regurgitation of bile acids into the systemic circulation occurs and the plasma level of bile acids increases. Bile acids in circulation may affect the nervous system. We examined this possibility by studying the effects of bile acids on gating of neuronal (N)-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel that is essential for neurotransmitter release at synapses of the peripheral and central nervous system. N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents were recorded from bullfrog sympathetic neuron under a cell-attached mode using 100 mM $Ba^{2+}$ as a charge carrier. Cholic acid (CA, $10^{-6}M$) that is relatively hydrophilic thus less cytotoxic was included in the pipette solution. CA suppressed the open probability of N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel, which appeared to be due to an increase in (no activity) sweeps. For example, the proportion of sweep in the presence of CA was ~40% at +40 mV as compared with ~8% in the control recorded without CA. Other single channel properties including slope conductance, single channel current amplitude, open and shut times were not significantly affected by CA being present. The results suggest that CA could modulate N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel gating at a concentration as low as $10^{-6}M$. Bile acids have been shown to activate nonselective cation conductance and depolarize the cell membrane. Under pathological conditions with increased circulating bile acids, CA suppression of N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel function may be beneficial against overexcitation of the synapses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.47-60
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• 2007

In this paper, we investigate the natural frequencies and buckling loads of functionally graded material (FGM) plates and shells, using a quasi-conforming shell element that accounts for the transverse shear strains and rotary inertia. The eigenvalue of the FGM plates and shells are calculated by varying the volume fraction of the ceramic and metallic constituents using a sigmoid function, but their Poisson's ratios of the FGM plates and shells are assumed to be constant. The expressions of the membrane, bending and shear stiffness of FGM shell element are more complicated combination of material properties than a homogeneous element. In order to validate the finite element numerical solutions, the Navier's solutions of rectangular plates based on the first-order shear deformation theory are presented. The present numerical solutions of composite and sigmoid FGM (S-FGM) plates are proved by the Navier's solutionsand various examples of composite and FGM structures are presented. The present results are in good agreement with the Navier's theoretical solutions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.343-348
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• 2012

Blocking or regulating $K^+$ channels is important for investigating neuronal functions in mammalian brains, because voltage-dependent $K^+$ channels (Kv channels) play roles to regulate membrane excitabilities for synaptic and somatic processings in neurons. Although a number of toxins and chemicals are useful to change gating properties of Kv channels, specific effects of each toxin on a particular Kv subunit have not been sufficiently demonstrated in neurons yet. In this study, we tested electro-physiologically if heteropodatoxin2 ($HpTX_2$), known as one of Kv4-specific toxins, might be effective on various $K^+$ outward currents in CA1 neurons of organotypic hippocampal slices of rats. Using a nucleated-patch technique and a pre-pulse protocol in voltage-clamp mode, total $K^+$ outward currents recorded in the soma of CA1 neurons were separated into two components, transient and sustained currents. The extracellular application of $HpTX_2$ weakly but significantly reduced transient currents. However, when $HpTX_2$ was added to internal solution, the significant reduction of amplitudes were observed in sustained currents but not in transient currents. This indicates the non-specificity of $HpTX_2$ effects on Kv4 family. Compared with the effect of cytosolic 4-AP to block transient currents, it is possible that cytosolic $HpTX_2$ is pharmacologically specific to sustained currents in CA1 neurons. These results suggest that distinctive actions of $HpTX_2$ inside and outside of neurons are very efficient to selectively reduce specific $K^+$ outward currents.