• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2022

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important role in the regulation of mammalian birth and lactation. It has been shown that oxytocin has important cardiovascular protective effects. Here we investigated the effects of oxytocin on vascular reactivity and underlying the mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and in rat aorta ex vivo. Oxytocin increased phospho-eNOS (Ser 1177) and phospho-Akt (Ser 473) expression in HUVECs in vitro and the aorta of rat ex vivo. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited oxytocin-induced Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. In the rat aortic rings, oxytocin induced a biphasic vascular reactivity: oxytocin at low dose (10^-9-10^-8 M) initiated a vasorelaxation followed by a vasoconstriction at high dose (10^-7 M). L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), endothelium removal or wortmannin abolished oxytocin-induced vasorelaxation, and slightly enhanced oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Atosiban, an oxytocin/vasopressin 1a receptor inhibitor, totally blocked oxytocin-induced relaxation and vasoconstriction. PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) partially inhibited oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Oxytocin also increased aortic phospho-ERK1/2 expression, which was reduced by either atosiban or PD98059, suggesting that oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction was partially mediated by oxytocin/V1aR activation of ERK1/2. The present study demonstrates that oxytocin can activate different signaling pathways to cause vasorelaxation or vasoconstriction. Oxytocin stimulation of PI3K/eNOS-derived nitric oxide may participate in maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, and different vascular reactivities to low or high dose of oxytocin suggest that oxytocin may have different regulatory effects on vascular tone under physiological or pathophysiological conditions.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.231-236
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• 2015

Angiotensin II (AngII)는 혈관평활근세포의 수축을 통해 혈관을 수축시키는 강력한 작용을 나타낼 뿐만 아니라 혈관세포의 성장 등에 중요한 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소가 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)에 유리되는 칼슘에 의해 조절된다는 것을 검증하였다. 쥐의 대동맥으로부터 분리된 혈관평활근세포에서 AngII에 의해 활성산소가 농도 의존적, 그리고 시간 의존적으로 형성됨을 관찰하였다. AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소는 PI3K의 억제제에 의해 봉쇄되었으나 EKR의 억제제에 의해서는 봉쇄되지 않음을 알 수 있었다. AngII에 의해 유리되는 칼슘은 L-type 칼슘이온통로 봉쇄제인 Nifedipine 또는 배양액에 칼슘이 제거된 환경에서 억제됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 마지막으로 AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소는 배양액에 칼슘이 없는 조건이나 L-type 칼슘이온통로 억제제를 전처리 하였을 경우 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로 쥐의 대동맥으로부터 분리된 혈관평활근세포에서 AngII에 의한 활성산소의 형성은 PI3K/L-type 칼슘이온통로를 통한 기전을 통해 조절됨을 제안한다.

• 한국자기학회지
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.263-267
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• 1992

토크마그네토미터를 이용하여 일축이방성이 있는 자성체의 자화와 인가자장의 방향에 따른 보자력을 정확하게 측정하는 새로운 방법을 개발하였다. 자화와 보자력을 측정하기 위해 시편을 자화용이축 방향으로 포화시킨 후, 자화용이축과 이루는 자장의 각도$({\phi})$ 가 $1/2{\pi}$와 ${\pi}+{\delta}$에서 자장(H)를 증가시켜 가며 자장의 변화에 따른 토크$({\tau})$ 곡선들을 얻었다. 자화는 ${\phi}$가 $1/2{\pi}$인 토크곡선에서 ${\tau}/H$를 측정하여 얻을 수 있었고 보자력은 ${\phi}$가 ${\pi}+{\delta}$인 토크곡선에서 ${\tau}$ = 0 이 되는 자장의 세기로부터 구할 수 있었다. 기존의 VSM에 의한 측정과 비교한 결과 2 % 이내에서 일치함을 보였으며, 토크마그네토미터의 고감도로 인해 VSM에 의한 방법보다 정밀한 자화 측정이 가능하였다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.197-207
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• 2006

This experiment focused on MAPK activation in host cell invasion and replication of T. gondii, as well as the expression of CC chemokines, MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$, and enzyme, COX-2/prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in infected cells via western blot, $[^3H]-uracil$ incorporation assay, ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in infected HeLa cells was detected at 1 hr and/or 6 hr postinfection (PI). Tachyzoite proliferation was reduced by p38 or JNK MAPK inhibitors. MCP-1 secretion was enhanced in infected peritoneal macrophages at 6 hr PI. $MIP-1\alpha$ mRNA was increased in macrophages at 18 hr PI. MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$ were reduced after treatment with inhibitors of ERK1/2 and JNK MAPKs. COX-2 mRNA gradually increased in infected RAW 264.7 cells and the secretion of COX-2 peaked at 6 hr PI. The inhibitor of JNK suppressed COX-2 expression. $PGE_2$ from infected RAW 264.7 cells was increased and synthesis was suppressed by PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125. In this study, the activation of p38, JNK and/or ERK1/2 MAPKs occurred during the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii tachyzoites in HeLa cells. Also, increased secretion and expression of MCP-1, $MIP-1\alpha$, COX-2 and $PGE_2$ were detected in infected macrophages, and appeared to occur via MAPK signaling pathways.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

Purpose: Alterations in the structure and function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are important in cardiovascular disease and maintaining chronic hypertension. Chronic hypertension is associated with changes in vascular smooth muscle tone. The spontaneous or myogenic tone of a blood vessel reflects the ability to adapt smooth muscle tone to changes in transmural pressure. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in myogenic tone are not fully understood. Methods: Here, we investigated the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in isometric contraction and enzymatic activity using muscle strips from rats made hypertensive with aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salts. Results: Changes in myogenic tone and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) were different after physiological salt solution (PSS) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The myogenic tone and quiescent phosphorylation induced by the PSS treatment were inhibited by 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059, an extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, and 10 ${\mu}$M wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, in hypertensive rats. Conclusion: The development of DOCA-induced hypertension is associated with altered isometric contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via changes in activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K after DOCA-salt treatment. Therefore, ERK1/2 and PI3K activity affect hypertension and may be suitable targets for physical therapy in cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.911-923
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• 2000

A comparative clinical study on the ordinary toothbrush($Buttler^{(R)}$, America) and the silicone toothbrush($Jefe^{(R)}$, Korea) was performed. The volunteers who took part in this study were students of Dental college of Yonsei University and patients attending Dental Hospital of Yonsei University. They were classified into two group, control and experimental group. Control group brushed with nylon toothbrush and experimental group did with silicone toothbrush under the researcher's guidances. Volunteers were examined on Plaque Index(PI), Gingival Index(GI), Probing Depth(PD), Bleeding on Probing(BP) and Recession(R) at base line, 1st. week, 2nd. week and 4th. week. According to the results, both group have the tendency of improvement in the degrees of GI, PI and the improvement degree of GI of both group has the significant differences from base line statistically, and there are not statistically significant differences between the silicone and nylon group in respect of PI, GI values. So based on the present study, it could be carefully ascertained that the silicone toothbrush has similar effect with nylon toothbrush in respect of PI and GI. If it is sure that the silicone toothbrush is seldom abrasive and possibly enough to massage the gingiva, this new brush is worth to be recommended by the dentists.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

Objectives : Polyporus umbellatus is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for over thousands years in Chinese medicine as a powerful diuretic to relieve fluid retention and edema. Dermal papilla is located at the bottom of the hair follicle and connected to the blood vessels where it gets the nutrients and oxygen to nurture hair follicle. This study examined the mechanism through which the ethanol extract of Polyporus umbellatus (EPU) promoted the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs). Methods : To estimate the proliferative effects of EPU on HHDPCs, cell viability was estimated by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Western blotting was used to investgate the activation of ERK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, β-catenin, GSK-3β and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Cells were treated with inhibitors of ERK and Akt prior to EPU treatment. Results : EPU promoted the proliferation of HHDPCs and the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in dose dependent manner. However, the proliferative effect of EPU on HHDPCs was inhibited by pre-treatment of ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and Akt inhibitor (LY294002). Furthermore, EPU respectively stimulated the protein expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated GSK-3β. EPU significantly increased the protein expression levels of proliferation and cytoprotection related genes such as Bcl-2, SIRT-1, and HO-1 in cells. Conclusion : This results suggest that EPU promoted the proliferation of HHDPCs via activating PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HHDPCs.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한전기학회 2011년도 제42회 하계학술대회
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• pp.1628-1629
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• 2011

산업현장에서는 회전기기의 고체절연시스템(solid insulation system)의 열화정도를 평가하기 위하여 일정 진단주기에 맞춰 Off-line 상태에서 직류시험 및 교류시험을 통하여 효과적으로 절연물에 대한 상태평가를 시행하고 있다. 직류시험으로는 절연저항, 성극지수(PI) 시험 등이 있으며 교류시험으로는 교류전류시험(${\Delta}I$), 유전정접시험(${\Delta}tan{\delta}$), 부분방전(PD)시험이 있다. 여기서 부분방전은 절연체의 국부적인 열화현상을 추정할 수 있는 중요한 파라미터로, 부분방전시험(PD test)을 통하여 고정자권선(stator winding)에 대한 절연특성을 효과적으로 진단할 수 있다. 고압 전동기는 기동정지의 빈번함과 장기간 운전에 의해 열적, 전기적, 기계적 스트레스를 받게 되고, 이로 인해 과열, 진동, 절연파괴에 이르는 문제점이 발생되어 결국 시스템의 운전정지를 초래하는 심각한 사고로 이어질 수 있다. 따라서 고압 전동기의 절연상태를 주기적으로 감시하고 사고 징후를 검출하여 시스템을 안정적으로 운영하기 위한 고압 전동기 Off-line 절연진단에 대하여 기술하고 수차발전기에 대한 절연상태진단 결과를 바탕으로 절연시스템의 신뢰성 평가 방법에 대하여 고찰하고자 한다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.607-622
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• 2004

Recently epidemiologic studies have indicated that the patients with periodontitis may have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, and have suggested the important roles of blood cytokines and acute reactant proteins in the systemic infection and inflammatory response. Periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) may share the common risk factors and the genetic mechanism associated with interleukin(IL)-1A, B and RA genotype may be involved in the production of IL-1. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between angiographically defined CHD and periodontitis as chronic Gram-negative bacterial infection and to determine whether the IL-1 gene polymorphism is associated in both diseases. Patients under the age of 60 who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as positive CHD (+CHD, n=37) with coronary artery stenosis more than 50% in at least one of major epicardial arteries, and negative CHD (-CHD, n=30) without significant stenosis. After recording the number of missing teeth, periodontal disease severity was measured by means of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic bone loss around all remaining teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the 4 deepest periodontal pockets and assessed for cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-1ra, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$). Additionally, blood CHD markers, lipid profile, and blood cytokines were analyzed. IL-1 gene cluster genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction using genomic DNA from buccal swab, and allele 2 frequencies of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-B(-511), and IL-1RA(intron 2) were compared between groups. Even though there was no significant difference in the periodontal parameters between 2 groups, GCF level of $PGE_2$ was significantly higher in the +CHD group(p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive relationship among PD, CAL and coronary artery stenosis(%) and blood $PGE_2$. There was also significant positive relationship between the periodontal parameters (PI, PD, CAL) and the blood CHD markers (leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehyrogenase). IL-1 gene genotyping showed that IL-1A(+3954) allele 2 frequency was significantly higher in the +CHD group compared with the -CHD group (15% vs. 3.3%, OR 5.118,p=0.043). These results suggested that periodontal inflammation is related to systemic blood cytokine and CHD markers, and contributes to cardiovascular disease via systemic inflammatory reaction. IL-1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on periodontal and coronary heart diseases in Korean patients.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2008

The chemopreventive activity of sulforaphane (SFN) occurs through its inhibition of carcinogen-activating enzymes and its induction of detoxification enzymes. However, the exact mechanisms by which SFN exerts its anti-carcinogenic effects are not fully understood. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective effects of SFN were examined in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Exposure of cells to SFN (10 ${\mu}M$) induced a transcriptional change in the AKR1C3 gene, which is one of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) family that is associated with detoxification and antioxidant response. Further analysis revealed that SFN elicited a dose- and time-dependent increase in the expression of both the NRF2 and AKR1C3 proteins. Moreover, this up-regulation of AKR1C3 was inhibited by pretreatment with antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which suggests that the up-regulation of AKR1C3 expression induced by SFN involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with LY294002, a pharmacologic inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), suppressed the SFN-augmented Nrf2 activation and AKR1C3 expression; however, inhibition of PKC or MEK1/2 signaling with $G\ddot{o}6976$ or PD98059, respectively, did not alter SFN-induced AKR1C3 expression. Collectively, these data suggest that SFN can modulate the expression of the AKR1C3 in MCF-7 cells by activation of PI3K via the generation of ROS.