• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2011.08a
• /
• pp.124-124
• /
• 2011

This study investigated the interaction of varied plasma power with ultralow-k toluene-tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) hybrid plasma polymer thin films, as well as changing electrical and mechanical properties. The hybrid thin films were deposited on silicon(100) substrates by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system. Toluene and tetraethoxysilane were utilized as organic and inorganic precursors. In order to compare the electrical and the mechanical properties, we grew the hybrid thin films under various conditions such as rf power of plasma, bubbling ratio of TEOS to toluene, and post annealing temperature. The hybrid plasma polymer thin films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), nanoindenter, I-V curves, and capacitance. Also, the hybrid thin films were analyzed by using ellipsometry. The refractive indices varied with the RF power, the bubbling ratio of TEOS to toluene, and the annealing temperature. To analyze their trends of electrical and mechanical properties, the thin films were grown under conditions of various rf powers. The IR spectra showed them to have completely different chemical functionalities from the liquid toluene and TEOS precursors. Also, The SiO peak intensity increased with increasing TEOS bubbling ratio, and the -OH and the CO peak intensities decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The AFM images showed changing of surface roughness that depended on different deposition rf powers. An nanoindenter was used to measure the hardness and Young' modulus and showed that both these values increased as the deposition RF power increased; these values also changed with the bubbling ratio of TEOS to toluene and with the annealing temperature. From the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) results, the thickness of the thin films was determined before and after the annealing, with the thickness shrinkage (%) being measured by using SEM cross-sectional images.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of licorice supplementation on muscle injury, plasma cortisol, testosterone and insulin sensitivity after high intensity resistance exercise. Methods : The fourteen health college male students were voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups: Control group (CON, n=7), Licorice group (LR, n=7). LR group ingested 2 g/time of licorice extract (mixed with 100 ml of water) two times/day for 10 days while the CON group ingested 100 ml of water. All subjects performed a high intensity resistance exercise (half-squat, 8 RM at 80% one-repetition maximum, 5 sets, 1min rest). Blood samples were collect before (-7) and after (0) licorice supplementation, and then 1 day, 2 day and 3 day post exercise. After 10 day treatment, plasma creatine kinase, cortisol, testosterone, glucose, insulin were measured. To determine the insulin sensitivity, HOMA-IR was calculated. Results : Plasma creatine kinase activities were significantly elevated after exercise, but there was not different between two groups. The plasma cortisol and testosterone levels were not significantly different between two groups. Plasma glucose levels were increased at 1 day and 2 day after exercise in the LR comparing with CON group (P<0.05) but plasma insulin levels were significantly lower in comparison with CON. HOMA-IR were significantly lower in the LR than CON group at 0 day to 3 day (P<0.05). Conclusions : The results of the current study suggest that licorice supplementation for 10 days might not attenuate the high-intensity exercise-induce muscle injury but may enhance the whole-body insulin sensitivity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.339-349
• /
• 2009

An attempt has been made to assess whether the dose dependent effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the morphological changes in the cauda epididymal spermatozoa and sperm parameters in male albino rats. Scanning Electron Microscope observations illustrate the disturbance in plasma membrane as well as acrosomal membrane. Most of the sperms appear morphologically abnormal in the mid region of the tail; there is formation of balloon like cytoplasmic droplet. Sperm parametric study exhibits decrease in the total sperm count, sperm motility, forward velocity and increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms in dose dependent manner on treatment benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves. The results suggest that the effects may have resulted from a general disturbance in the proteins and alteration in cauda epididymal milieu probably due to androgen deficiency consequent upon antiandrogenic property of Ocimum sanctum leaves.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 1983

This study was carried out to obtain the basic data for the prevention of chronic poisoning by organic phosphorous pesticides and to estimate the normal range of plasma cholinesterase activity level for Korean agricultural workers. The 285 agricultural workers were randomly selected for the study in Jungup Gun, Jeonbug Province, 135 persons of them were tested in the period of pre-exposure of organophosphorous pesticides (April 1981) and rest of them were tested after exposure(August 1981). Cholinesterase activity levels were measured by the Micro-method of Takahashi Hiroshi. Major findings are as following: 1) There is significant difference in plasma cholinesterase activity levels between the pro-exposed and post exposed group(p > 0.01). Mean values of plasma cholinesterase activity levels were $7.60{\pm}1.74{\mu}M/20{\mu}{\ell}$/hr. in the pre-exposed group and $6.23{\pm}1.59{\mu}M/20{\mu}{\ell}$/hr. in the post-exposed group. 2) Plasma cholinesterase activity in Korean agricultural worker could be estimated $7.30-7.90{\mu}M/20{\mu}{\ell}$/hr. with 95% confidence interval.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.603-613
• /
• 1995

Plasma progesterone($P_4$) assay has been introduced to apply to the differential diagnosis of reproductive disorders and the monitoring of responses of ovarian dysfunction to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ or GnRH treatment in the 204 postpartum and postinsemination subestrus dairy cows. 1. The incidence rate of reproductive disorders in 204 subestrus cows, diagnosed by palpation per rectum and plasma $P_4$ determination using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 10) were as follows; silent heat or error of estrus detection 110(53.9%), persistent corpus luteum 26(12.7%), follicular cyst 16(7.8%), inactive ovary 12(5.9%), luteal cyst 11(5.4%), granulosa cell tumor of ovary 1(0.5%), fetal mummification 1(0.5%), endometritis 15(7.4%) and pyometra 12(5.9%), respectively. 2. After the $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment to the 76 cows with silent heat or error of estrus detection, persistent corpus luteum, or luteal cyst, plasma $P_4$ concentrations at day 3 post treatment using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 3) remained low(<1.0ng/ml) in all 76 cows. Therefore all 76 cows responded positively to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. Seventeen cows with follicular cyst or inactive ovary were treated with GnRH. All 7 cows with follicular cyst and 4 cows with inactive ovary remained high($${\geq_-}1.0ng/ml$$) a plasma $P_4$ concentrations at day 12 post treatment using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 12), but 6 cows with inactive ovary remained low(<1.0ng/ml) a plasma $P_4$ concentrations. Therefore all 7 cows with follicular cyst and 4 cows with inactive ovary responded positively, but 6 cows with inactive ovary responded negatively to GnRH treatment. 3. The mean days from treatment to first service, number of cows conceived on first service(%), mean number of services per conception, mean days from initial treatment to conception, and mean number of cows conceived by 100 days post treatment(%) were 5.0 and 26.2 days, 45(59.2%) and 6(35.3%) cows, 1.5 and 1.7 services, 13.6 and 22.6 days, and 62(81.6%) and 9(52.9%) cows in group of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and GnRH treatment, respectively. These results indicated that plasma $P_4$ assay was practical as an aid to diagnosing reproductive disorders and to monitoring responses of ovarian dysfunction to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and GnRH treatment in subestrus cows.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.197-200
• /
• 2001

To investigate the re-treatment time of Microcotyle sebastis by oral administration of praziquantel, the residue levels of praziquantel in plasma of rockfish Sebastes schlegeli administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg B.W. were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC, and the concentrations of praziquantel in the plasma were correlated with the extermination of M. sebastis. The absorption and depletion of praziquantel in the blood of rockfish were fast and the residual concentrations of praziquantel declined below $4\mu g/mL$ within 24 hr post treatment. Most of worms were exterminated within 3 hr after oral administration of praziquantel, however, a small number of M. sebastis were not killed by the treatment until end of the experiment. Considering fast drop of praziquantel in blood and extermination pattern of M. sebastis in the present results, retreatment at an interval of 9-12 hr would be effective for eradication of M. sebastis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.759-769
• /
• 2002

Mutated forms of ras are found in many human tumors and the rate of incidence is significantly higher in colon and pancreatic cancers. The protein product from the ras oncogene is a small G-protein, $p21^{ras}{\;}(Ras)$ that is known to playa key role in the signal transduction cascade and cell differentiation and proliferation. Mutated Ras is unable to regulate itself and remains constantly activated, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The function of Ras in signal transduction requires its location near the growth factor receptor at the cell membrane. However, Ras does not have a transmembrane domain. Ras requires farnesylation to increase its hydrophobicity and subsequent plasma membrane association for its transforming activity. This key post-translational modification is catalyzed by the enzyme Ras farnesyltransferase (FTase), which transfers a farnesyl group from farnesylpyrophosphate to the C-terminal cysteine of the Ras protein. The requirement has focused attention on FTase as a target for therapeutic intervention. Selective inhibition of FTase will prevent Ras protein from association with the plasma membrane, leading to a disruption of oncogenic Ras function.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.97-102
• /
• 1988

The effect of supplementary feeding on postpartum ovarian activity, reproductive performance and plasma progesterone concentrations in Cheju native cows was studies. The group with adequate nutrition had greater mean body weight than did the underfed group before and after calving. First ovulation occurred 19.5 days and first oestrus at 37.8 days postpartum in the standard group, however, there was delay in first ovulation and oestrus in the restricted group (73.4 days and 111.8 days). Progesterone concentraitons of full fed animals gradually increased from 6 weeks(0.5ng/ml) to 12 weeks(3.3ng/ml) after calving. However, progesterone concentrations of underfed animals had a slight increase in 10 weeks after dalving(0.80ng/ml).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.26-43
• /
• 2017

Endocytosis is a process by which cells absorb extracellular materials via the inward budding of vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a highly selective process where receptors with specific binding sites for extracellular molecules internalize via vesicles. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest single family of plasma-membrane receptors with more than 1000 family members. But the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of GPCRs are believed to be highly conserved. For example, receptor phosphorylation in collaboration with ${\beta}$-arrestins plays major roles in desensitization and endocytosis of most GPCRs. Nevertheless, a number of subsequent studies showed that GPCR regulation, such as that by endocytosis, occurs through various pathways with a multitude of cellular components and processes. This review focused on i) functional interactions between homologous and heterologous pathways, ii) methodologies applied for determining receptor endocytosis, iii) experimental tools to determine specific endocytic routes, iv) roles of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins in GPCR endocytosis, and v) role of post-translational modification of the receptors in endocytosis.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 2009

This study for developing a new anti-inflammatory medicine was sought by investigating the antiinflammatory properties of C. indicum L. extract. Rats were treated with either saline (control) or C. indicum L. extract and then injected with LPS. We found that the plasma concentration of IL-1${\beta}$ IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$and IL-10 peaked at 5h after LPS injection, and the plasma concentration of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ showed a tendency to decrease, and IL-10 concentration showed a tendency to increase with increasing levels of C. indicum L. extract. In the liver concentration of cytokines at 5 h post LPS injection, IL-1${\alpha}$ and IL-6 decreased with increasing concentration of C. indicum L. extract, however TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-10 did not differ significantly the treatment groups.