• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.1011-1018
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• 1997

Background : To evaluate how efficaciously and safely we can make transthoracic lung biopsy with an 18-gauge automated biopsy device. Methods : We performed 130 transthoracic needle biopsies including 16 repeat biopsies in 114 patients with a pulmonary mass using an l8-gauge biopsy device (ASAP 18, Microvasive-. Eighty-three biopsies were performed by an experienced radiologist and 47 by several less experienced radiologists. All biopsies were guided by biplane fluoroscopy. Results : We successfully obtained sufficient tissue(>2-mm in the length) in 128(985) of 130 biopsies. Biopsy provided the specific diagnosis in 97 (85%) of 114 patients including 78 (88%) of 89 patients with a malignant tumor and 19 (90%) of 21 patients with a benign condition. The diagnosis could not be made in the remaining four patients. Of interest to note was the superb capability (74/74) of biopsy to make a distinction between small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yields between the experienced and less experienced radiologists. Of the total 130 biopsies, pneumothorax appeared in 13 (10%), among which treatment was required in 2 (2%), Mild, self-limiting hemoptysis was nod in seven (5%), but in no case was the treatment required. Conclusion : We conclude transthoracic lung biopsy with an 18-gauge automated device is an effective procedure for the specific diagnosis of benign and malignant lung disease. It is safe with the complication rate comparable to that of fine-needle aspiration biopsy as well.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.492-496
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• 2001

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein(MTP) activity and mRNA level were investigated in the liver and small intestine of rats fed on di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP) and orotic acid(OA) as serum triglyceride-reducing agents. The concentration of liver triglyceride was significantly increased in the OA group, but that was not increased in the DEHP group compared with the control group. The concentration of serum triglyceride was significantly decreased in the OA and DEHP groups compared with the control group, but this reduction was more pronounced in the OA group. MTP activity and mRNA level in liver were decreased in the OA group compared with the control group, while MTP activity in the small intestine was increased in the OA group compared with the control group. MTP activities and MTP mRNA levels in both liver and small intestine had no influence by the DEHP dietary feeding, despite the triglyceride-lowering action, compared with the control dietary feeding. The activity of liver microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase(PAP), the rate-limiting enzyme in triglyceride synthesis, was increased in the OA group compared with the control group, but that of cytosolic PAP was decreased in the DEHP group compared with the control group. The result suggest that MTP activity and MTP mRNA level are involved in the triglyceride-lowering action of OA, but those are not involved in that of DEHP.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.789-796
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• 2000

In order to analyze the effects of tktA, $aroF^{FBR}$, and aroL expression in a tryptophan-producing Escherichia coli, a series of plasmids carrying the genes were constructed. Introduction of tktA, $aroF^{FBR}$, and aroL into the E. coli strain resulted in approximately 10-20 fold increase in the activities of transketolase, the feedback inhibition-resistant 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulsonate-7-phosphate synthase, and shikimate kinase. Expression of $aroF^{FBR}$ in the aroB mutant strain of E. coli resulted in the accumulation of 10 mM of 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulsonate-7-phosphate (DAHP) in the medium. Simultaneous expression of tktA and $aroF^{FBR}$ in the strain further increased the amount of excreted DAHP to 20 mM. In contrast, the mutant strain which has no gene introduced accumulated 0.5 mM of DAHP. However, the expression of tktA and $aroF^{FBR}$ in a tryptophan-producing E. coli strain did not lead to the increased production of tryptophan, but instead, a significant amount of shikimate, which is an intermediate in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway, was excreted to the growth medium. Despite the fact that additional expression of shikimate kinase in the strain could possibly remove 90% of excreted shikimate to 0.1 mM, the amount of tryptophan produced was still unchanged. Removing shikimate using a cloned aroL gene caused the excretion of glutamate, which suggests disturbed central carbon metabolism. However, when cultivated in a complex medium, the strain expressing tktA, $aroF^{FBR}$, and aroL produced more tryptophan than the parental strain. These data indicate that additional rate-limiting steps are present in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway, and the carbon flow to the terminal pathway is strictly regulated. Expressing tktA in E. coli cells appeared to impose a great metabolic burden to the cells as evidenced by retarded cell growth in the defined medium. Recombinant E. coli strains harboring plasmids which carry the tktA gene showed a tendency to segregate their plasmids almost completely within 24h.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.61-71
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• 2000

By screening a cDNA library of auxin-treated mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) hypocotyls, we have isolated two full-length cDNA clones, pVR-ACS6 and pVR-ACS7, for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway. While PVR-ACS6 corresponds to the previously identified PCR fragment pMBA1, pVR-ACS7 is a new cDNA clone. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences among auxin-induced ACC synthases reveal that these enzymes share a high degree of homology (65-75%) to VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 polypeptides, but only about 50% to VR-ACS1 polypeptide. ACS6 and ACS7 are specifically induced by auxin, while ACS1 is induced by cycloheximide, and to lesser extent by excision and auxin treatment. Results from nuclear run-on transcription assay and RNA gel blot studies revealed that all three genes were transcriptionally active displaying unique patterns of induction by IAA and various hormones in etiolated hypocotyls. Particularly, 24-epibrassinolide (BR), an active brassinosteroid, specifically enhanced the expression of VR-ACS7 by distinct temporal induction mechanism compared to that of IAA. In addition, BR synergistically increased the IAA-induced VR-ACS6 and VR-ACS7 transcript levels, while it effectively abolished both the IAA- and kinetin-induced accumulation of VR-ACS1 mRNA. In light-grown plants, VR-ACS1 was induced by IAA in roots, whereas W-ACS6 in epicotyls. IAA- and BR-treatments were not able to increase the VR-ACS7 transcript in the light-grown tissues. These results indicate that the expression of ACC synthase multigene family is regulated by complex hormonal and developmental networks in a gene- and tissue-specific manner in mung bean plants. The VR-ACS7 gene was isolated, and chimeric fusion between the 2.4 kb 5'-upstream region and the $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was constructed and introduced into Nicotiana tobacum. Analysis of transgenic tobacco plants revealed the VR-ACS7 promoter-driven GUS activity at a highly localized region of the hypocotyl-root junction of control seedlings, while a marked induction of GUS activity was detected only in the hypocotyl region of the IAA-treated transgenic seedlings where rapid cell elongation occurs. Although there was a modest synergistic effect of BR on the IAA-induced GUS activity, BR alone failed to increase the GUS activity, suggesting that induction of VR-ACS7 occurs via separate signaling pathways in response to IAA and BR.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 한국식물생명공학회 2002년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.69-75
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• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd/dwf3 were shown to be blocked in $D^4$ reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bri1/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus It is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRI1 could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.236-241
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• 1997

Inhibitory effects of several edible plant extracts against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A(HMG-CoA) reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, were screened. Inhibition rates of $10{\sim}15%$ were observed with hot water extracts of Allium fistulosum, Allium sativum and Cucurbita maxima. Methanol extracts of Aster scaber, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Oenanthe javanica and Angelica keiskei effectively reduced the enzyme activity with inhibition rates of $29{\sim}51%$. The methanol extract of Angelica keiskei was fractionated sequentially with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Of the fractions ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest inhibition against the enzyme. $Luteolin-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ and hyperoside isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Angelica keiskei inhibited the enzyme activity by 65.5% and 14.8%, respectively, at the concentration of $30{\mu}M$.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.1-24
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• 2000

This study was conducted to examine utilization patterns and determinants of oriental medical services. Data were collected from 545 residents in Taegu city The results of this study are summarized as follows 1) 37.8% of subjects used oriental medical services in the past year. Especially, the female, the ages of 50 and 60 over, the single. low-educated. high-income class, white-collar class, medical insured tended to use more oriental medical services than another groups. 2) 46.7% of users of oriental medical services reported that number of visits in the past year was 2 - 5 times 37 1% of them was 1 times, and 4.5% over 10 times. 3) According to the reasons to choose the oriental medical facilities, most was 'on their own judgement'(48.8%) and 'by the advice of relatives and friends'(42.0%) Regarding to the objectives of using oriental medicine, 68.3% was 'treatment', 31.7% 'health counselling and promotion'. And among diseases of users, diseases of musculo-skeletal system was the highest(54.5%). 4) 57.9% of oriental medical services users had experience of utilizing western medicine on the same diseases. Among peoples with experiencing western medicine on the same diseases. 54.4% received oriental medical services 'in addition to western medicine', 45.6%'in place of western medicine 'And 41.2% of using both services reported that they had difficulty in deciding to choose the type of services -oriental medical services or western medicine-for their diseases. 37.3% of them answered that 'providing relevant information' was the most desirable measure to solve this problem, 27.3% 'establishment of effective referral system between oriental and western medical facilities '23.6% 'cooperative medical treatment systems in the same facilities', 11.8%'integration of oriental medicine into western medicine 5) According to the satisfaction level with each items of oriental medical services, the respondents had positive views on efficacy, kindness, and side-effects. They, however, had negative view on the cost of oriental medical services. 6) In regarding to the priority of improvement of oriental medical system,'expansion of insurance benefit package 'ranked first. 'expansion of insurance benefit Package 'ranked second, 'improvement of scientific methods and diagnostic technique 'third, and 'safety of herbal medicine' fourth in order. 7) The significant factors influencing the utilization of oriental medical services were kindness of oriental medical practitioners, efficacy , travel time, age To be brief, utilization rate of oriental medical services in urban area generally tends to be high. There, however, have been various barriers to limit oriental medical services, such as incomplete benefit package of oriental medical insurance and lack of coordination and referral system between oriental and western medical services, lack of scientific diagnostic procedures, high price etc . For the development of oriental medical services, Much attention to remove these limiting factors should be placed. In addition, kindness of oriental medical practitioners , which is expected to be more important factor in the consumer - focused health care environment than ever, should be kept high consistently. Since this study was conducted for specific residents of an urban city. further research including more sampling in different urban areas should be required to generalize the results of the study.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2002

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the inducible from of the rate-limiting enzyme of heme degradation; it regulates the cellular contents of heme. HO-1 is up-regulated by various stimuli including oxidative stress so that it is thought to participate in general cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in mammalian cells. To investigate the role of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway on nitrogen oxidative stress-induced HO-1 gene expression, RAW 264.7 cell cultures were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). SNP increased the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein, time- and concentration-dependently. Treatment with H89, PKA inhibitor, but not LY83583, guanylate cyclase inhibitor, significantly diminished the HO-1 expression by SNP, indicating that cAMP plays a crucial role in the induction of HO-1. Incubation with cAMP-elevating agents, such as forskolin or isoproterenol resulted in up-regulation of the expression of HO-1. Forskolin-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by H89. Furthermore, propranolol, $\beta$-adrenoceptor blocker, inhibited the isoproterenol-induced HO-1 expression, supporting the importance of cAMP in the induction of HO-1 expression. Higenamine-S, but not higenamineR, enhanced the HO-1 expression induced by SNP. Furthermore, cellular toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide was attenuated by the presence of SNP, which was further increased by the presence of ZnPPIX, HO-1 inhibitor. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that up-regulation of HO-1 expression in RAW 264.7 cells involves PKA signal pathway.

• Development and Reproduction
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.23-31
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• 2005

Vitellogenesis during oogenesis, reproductive cycle and first sexual maturity of the female Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii was investigated by light and electron microscope observations. In the early vitellogenic oocyte, the Golgi complex and mitochondria were involved in the formation of lipid droplets and yolk granules. In late vitellogenic oocytes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and multivesicular bodies were involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules in the cytoplasm. A mature yolk granule was composed of three components: main body(central core), superficial layer, and the limiting membrane. The spawning season was between May and August and the main spawning occurred between June and July when the seawater temperature rose to approximately $18{\sim}23^{\circ}C$. The female reproductive cycle can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage(September to October), late active stage(November to February), ripe stage(February to June), partially spawned stage(May to August), and recovery stage(June to August). The rate of individuals reaching the first sexual maturity was 53.1% in females of 51.0 to 60.9mm in shell height, and 100% in those over 61.0mm.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.29-36
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• 1999

Aceclofenac is an non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug which has been used in the treatment of rheumatoidal rthritis and osteo-arthritis. In order to decrease the gastric ulcerogenic effects and contol the plasma level of aceclofenac, we have developed the transdermal delivery system of aceclofenac plaster, which were formulated employing matrix polymers of acrylates and penetration-enhancers such as $Lauroglycol^{\circledR}$, $Transcutol^{\circledR}$, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a rat skin, transdermal penetration characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of aceclofenac and diclofenac, an active metabolite, in the receptor compartment of pH 7.2 phosphate buffered solution. Skin penetration was increased when the content of aceclofenac increased, showing the flux $(J,\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr)$ of 0.37 and 2.50 for 2% and 6.75% of the content, respectively. The flux$(J,\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr)$ from plasters made of $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2074, $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2510 and $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2097 were 2.50, 2.77 and 4.39, respectively. $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2074 showed the lowest penetration due to the carboxylic acid group in the polymer, which might form a strong hydrogen bonding with a secondary amine of aceclofenac. Although both $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2510 and $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2097 are amine-resistant adhesives, $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 872510 showed lower penetration than $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2097 because of the hydroxyl group in $Durotak^{\circledR}$ 87-2510, which might form a weak hydrogen bonding with aceclofenac. These results reveal that the functional group in acrylic polymers would greatly affect the release of aceclofenac from the matrix, which is the rate-limiting step in the penetration of aceclofenac through rat skins. The penetration of aceclofenac from plasters using different penetration-enhancers increased in the following order: Transcutol < linoleic acid < oleic acid. And the flux from the plasters containing oleic acid as a penetrationenhancer was 2.22 times greater than that of creams, which suggest that a newly deveolped aceclofenac plaster could be used in the treatment of rheumatoidal arthritis and osteo-arthritis as an advanced transdermal delivery system.