• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

We have shown that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was required for the off-contraction in response to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of feline esophageal smooth muscle. In this study, we investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) may require the on-contraction in response to EFS using feline esophageal smooth muscle. The contractions were recorded using an isometric force transducer. On-contraction occurred in the presence of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), suggesting that nitric oxide acts as an inhibitory mediator in smooth muscle. The excitatory composition of both contractions was cholinergic dependent which was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. The on-contraction was abolished in $Ca^{2+}$-free buffer but reappeared in normal $Ca^{2+}$-containing buffer indicating that the contraction was $Ca^{2+}$ dependent. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), voltage-dependent $K^+$ channel blocker, significantly enhanced on-contraction. Aluminum fluoride (a G-protein activator) increased on-contraction. Pertussis toxin (a $G_i$ inactivator) and C3 exoenzyme (a rhoA inactivator) significantly decreased on-contraction suggesting that Gi or rhoA protein may be related with $Ca^{2+}$ and $K^+$ channel. ML-9, a MLCK inhibitor, significantly inhibited on-contraction, and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor) affected on the contraction. These results suggest that endogenous cholinergic contractions activated directly by low-frequency EFS may be mediated by $Ca^{2+}$, and G proteins, such as Gi and rhoA, which resulted in the activation of MLCK, and PKC to produce the contraction in feline distal esophageal smooth muscle.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.11-16
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• 1988

Uridine phosphorylase 효소의 강력한 억제제로 개발된 유리딘 비고리핵산들(Benzylacyclouridine: BAU, HM-BAU, suc-BAU, BBAU, HM-BBAU, suc-BBAU, and BBBAU)이 uridine,의 사람 적혈구 내로의 수송(Zero-trans influx)에 미치는 영향에 관하여 rapid sampling technique을 이용하여 고찰하였다. 이 실헙에서 유리딘-비고리핵산들은 parent compounds인 BAU, BBAU와 같이 uridine 수송에 상경적인 억제작용을 보였다. 그러나 suc-BBAU와 BBBAU는 비상경적인 억제요소도 나타냈다. Uridine 수송억제제로서 효력의 크기는 $BBAU{\sim}HM-BBAU{\sim}suc-BBAU>BAU{\sim}suc-BAU{\sim}HM-BAU$이었으며, 그 억제상수는 각각 19, 23, 38, 112, 124, 174 그리고 $176\;{\mu}M$이었다. 본 실험 결과에서는 uridine 수송에 있어서 BAU의$C_5$ 자리의 친지방성 치환 group의 크기에 따라 억제효력이 다른 것이 시사되었다.

• 공업화학
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.190-196
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• 1990

생물활성을 가질 것으로 예상되는 1-(methacryloyloxymethyl)-5-fluorouracil(MAOMFU)을 2, 4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-5-fluoropyrimidine으로 부터 합성하고, MAOMF와 메틸메타크릴레이트(MMA)를 cyclohexanone 용매로 사용하여 $60^{\circ}C$에서 라디칼 공중합을 하였다. 공중합체 내의 단량체조성은 공중합체의 UV스펙트럼으로 부터 정량분석하여 구하였다. $Kelen-T\ddot{u}d\ddot{o}s$법에 의해 구한 각각의 단량체 반응성비의 값은 $r_1(MAOMFU)=0.72$, $r_2(MMA)=1.24$ 이었다. 얻어진 단량체 반응성비의 값들로부터 MAOMFU와 MMA의 공중합에서 MAOMFU의 입체장애 효과가 영향을 미치는 것을 알 수 있다. MAOMFU와 poly(MAOMFU)의 가용매분해속도상수는 각각 $6.42{\times}10^{-5}sec^{-1}$와 $7.40{\times}10^{-6}sec^{-1}$ 이었다. 얻어진 가용매분해속도상수로부터 poly(MAOMFU)에서 5-fluorouracil의 가용매분해속도는 MAOMFU 보다 약 5배 느리다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.48-56
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• 2005

Purpose: Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000~15,000 female births worldwide. The disease-causing gene has been identified as MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein). In this study, we carried out diagnostic mutational analysis of MECP2 gene in RTT patients. Methods: We analyzed four exons and putative promoter of MECP2 gene from the peripheral blood of 43 Korean patients with RTT by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing. Results: Mutations were detected in MECP2 gene about 60.5% of patients. The mutations consisted of 14 different types including 9 missense mutations, 4 nonsense mutations and 1 frameshift mutation. Of these, three mutations (G161E, T311M, P385fsX409) were newly identified and these were determined as disease-causing mutations by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing analysis. Most of the mutations were located within MBD (42.3%) and TRD (50%). T158M, R270X, and R306C mutations were identified with high frequency. An intronic SNP (IVS3+23C>G) was newly identified in only three of the patients. It may be a disease-related and Korea-specific SNP with RTT. The L100V and A201V have been reported to be unclassified variant and SNP. However, these mutations were not found in more than 100 normal Korean control samples. These base substitutions seem to be the disease-causing mutations in Korean RTT contrary to previous studies. Conclusion: Disease-causing mutations and polymorphisms would be very important for diagnosing of RTT in Korean. The experimental procedure used in this study might be considered for molecular biologic diagnosis used in clinical field.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.229-236
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• 1999

The recA gene plays a central role in genetic recombination and SOS DNA repair in Escherichia coli (E. coli). We have previously identified a 42 kDa RecA-like protein inducible by a variety of DNA damages from a fluorescent Pseudomonas strain sp. and characterized its inducible kinetics. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the gene encoding the RecA-like protein by immunological screening of Pseudomonas genomic expression library using polyclonal E. coli anti-RecA antibodies as a probe. From 10$^{5}$ plaques screened, five putative clones were finally isolated. Southern blot analysis indicated that four clones had the same DNA inserts and the recA-like gene was located within the 3.2 kb EcoRI fragment of Pseudomonas chromosomal DNA. In addition, the cloned recA-like gene was transcribed into an RNA transcript approximately 1.1 kb in size, as judged by Northern blot analysis. The cellular level of RNA transcript of the cloned recA-like gene was increased to an average of 5.15- fold upon treatment with DNA damaging agents such as ultraviolet (UV)- light, nalidixic acid (NA), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), and mitomycin-C (MMC). These results suggest that the cloned gene is inducible by DNA damage similarly to the recA gene in E. coli. However, the cloned gene did not restore the DNA damage sensitivity of the E. coli recA-mutant.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.100-106
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• 2014

The present study investigated variations in soil microbial communities by fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and the chemical properties at 24 sites of upland soils in Gyeongnam Province. The electrical conductivity of the soil under potato cultivation was significantly higher than those of the red pepper and soybean soils (p < 0.05). The gram-negative bacteria community in potato soil was significantly lower than those in the garlic and soybean soils (p < 0.05). The communities of actinomycetes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the red pepper soil were significantly higher than those in the potato soil (p < 0.05). In addition, the cy17:0 to 16:$1{\omega}7c$ ratio was significantly lower in red pepper, soybean, and garlic soils compared with potato soil, indicating that microbial stress decreased. Consequently, differences in soil microbial community were highly associated with cultivated crop species, and this might be resulted from the difference in soil chemical properties.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.96-104
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• 2015

Background: The present experiment was conducted to identify the cooperative effect of serine histogranin (SHG) and noradrenaline in alleviating peripheral neuropathic pain. Methods: Chronic constriction injury of the right sciatic nerve was used to induce chronic neuropathic pain. For drug delivery, a PE10 tube was inserted into the subarachnoid space. Acetone drops and a $44^{\circ}C$ water bath were used to evaluate the cold and heat allodynia, respectively. Placing and grasping reflexes were used to assess the locomotor system. Results: SHG at 0.5 and $1{\mu}g$significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the thermal allodynia. The cold allodynia was also significantly reduced by intrathecal injections of 0.5 (P < 0.05) and $1{\mu}g$(P < 0.001) of SHG. $1{\mu}g$of noradrenaline, but not $0.5{\mu}g$, significantly alleviated the cold (P < 0.01) and thermal (P < 0.05) allodynia. The ameliorating effect of noradrenaline or SHG disappeared when the two compounds were administrated in equal concentrations. A significant difference (P < 0.01 in the acetone and P < 0.05 in the heat) was observed in the groups under equal doses of the two compounds, with a lower effectiveness of the combination therapy. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the simultaneous administrations of noradrenaline and SHG do not result in synergistic analgesia, and combination therapy may not be a good approach to the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain syndrome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2637-2641
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• 2016

Tumor necrosis factor ($TNF-{\alpha}$), an inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, has previously been used in anti-cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic applications of $TNF-{\alpha}$ are largely limited due to its general toxicity and anti-apoptotic influence. To overcome this problem, the present study focused on the effect of active constituents isolated from a medicinal plant on $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells. Nimbolide from Azadirachta indica was evaluated for cytotoxicity by methyl tetrazolium 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and phase contrast microscopy. Effects on apoptotic signaling proteins were investigated using Western blot analysis. Nimbolide showed cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells that was significantly different from the control group (p<0.01), a concentration of $10{\mu}M$ significantly inducing cell death (p<0.01). In combination with $TNF-{\alpha}$, nimbolide significantly enhanced-induced cell death. In apoptotic pathway, nimbolide activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (Bid) and up-regulated the death receptor 5 (DR5) level. In the combination group, nimbolide markedly sensitized $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced JNK, Bid, caspase-3 activation and the up-regulation of DR5. Our findings overall indicate that nimbolide may enhance $TNF-{\alpha}$-mediated cellular proliferation inhibition through increasing cell apoptosis of HT-29 cells by up-reglation of DR5 expression via the JNK pathway.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.16-25
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicera Japonica-Glycyrrhiza Uralensis decoction extracts (LGE) on ulcerative colitis in children and adolescents. Methods Colitis was induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium) in C57BL/6 mice. The sample mice were divided into group of four. The mice in the control group were not inflammation-induced. The control group was composed of untreated ulcerative colitis elicited mice. The mice in the experimental group were administered with Pentasa and another experimental group mice were treated with LGE after colitis elicitation. The effects on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by the morphological changes of colonic mucosa, decrease in the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$) and inflammatory cytokines (iNOS and COX-2) in the mucosa. Results LGE showed protective effects in DSS induced ulcerative colitis. LGE inhibited shortening of colon length and relieved the hemorrhagic erosion in colonic mucosa. LGE decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$) and inflammatory cytokines (iNOS and COX-2). According to the GC/MS analysis, N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was identified. Conclusions The result shows the clinical efficacy of LGE and demonstrates possible treatment options for ulcerative colitis. Further investigations for biological activity and chemical analysis of LGE will be needed.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.179-185
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• 2003

Melatonin (MT) is an indole amide pineal hormone. It has not only very short half-life but also pH-sensitive property. The sustained release dosage form which delivers MT in a circadian fashion over 8 h is clinical value. The purpose of this study is to prepare sugar beads using multiple coating methods and enteric-coated in a sustained release to evaluate in vitro release characteristics in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The $Eudragit^{\circledR}$ as a polymer, sustained release membrane, and triethylcitrate (TEC) as a plasticzer were used. Multi-coated melatonin delivery system was composed of sugar, various excipients, $Eudragit^{\circledR}$ and enteric materials (e.g. hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose phthalate, HPMCP), and prepared by fluid bed coater. The dissolution test was carried out using the basket method at a stirring speed of 100 rpm at $37^{\circ}C$ in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal fluid (pH 7.4). The released amount of MT was determined by High performance liquid chromatography method. The morhologies of surface and cross section of multi-coated beads were observed by scanning electron microscope. Size of multi-coated sugar beads was ranged over $1000{\sim}1300\;{\mu}m$. The release rate of MT from coated beads was limited in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2), but it was sustained in intestinal fluid (pH 7.4) during $3{\sim}8$ hours. The MT beads may provide small-intestine-targeted device for oral delivery. Studies on animal and relative experiment are in process.