• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.273-277
• /
• 2011

Nitric oxide (NO) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) may induce vascular relaxation by increasing the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), an important mediator of vascular tone during sepsis. This study aimed to determine whether regulation of NO and the ANP system is altered in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney injury. LPS (10 $mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) was injected in the tail veins of male Sprague-Dawley rats; 12 hours later, the kidneys were removed. Protein expression of NO synthase (NOS) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) was determined by semiquantitative immuno-blotting. As an index of synthesis of NO, its stable metabolites (nitrite/nitrate, NOx) were measured using colorimetric assays. mRNA expression of the ANP system was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. To determine the activity of guanylyl cyclase (GC), the amount of cGMP generated in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and ANP was calculated. Creatinine clearance decreased and fractional excretion of sodium increased in LPS-treated rats compared with the controls. Inducible NOS protein expression increased in LPS-treated rats, while that of endothelial NOS, neuronal NOS, and NEP remained unchanged. Additionally, urinary and plasma NOx levels increased in LPS-treated rats. SNP-stimulated GC activity remained unchanged in the glomerulus and papilla in the LPS-treated rats. mRNA expression of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-C decreased in LPS-treated rats, while that of ANP and NPR-A did not change. ANP-stimulated GC activity reduced in the glomerulus and papilla. In conclusion, enhancement of the NO/cGMP pathway and decrease in ANP clearance were found play a role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced kidney injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.529-543
• /
• 2020

In contrast to ventricular myocytes, the structural and functional importance of atrial transverse tubules (T-tubules) is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the ultrastructure of T-tubules of living rat atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular myocytes. Nanoscale cell surface imaging by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) was accompanied by confocal imaging of intracellular T-tubule network, and the effect of removal of T-tubules on atrial excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling) was observed. By SICM imaging, we classified atrial cell surface into 4 subtypes. About 38% of atrial myocytes had smooth cell surface with no clear T-tubule openings and intracellular T-tubules (smooth-type). In 33% of cells, we found a novel membrane nanostructure running in the direction of cell length and named it 'longitudinal fissures' (LFs-type). Interestingly, T-tubule openings were often found inside the LFs. About 17% of atrial cells resembled ventricular myocytes, but they had smaller T-tubule openings and a lower Z-groove ratio than the ventricle (ventricular-type). The remaining 12% of cells showed a mixed structure of each subtype (mixed-type). The LFs-, ventricular-, and mixed-type had an appreciable amount of reticular form of intracellular T-tubules. Formamide-induced detubulation effectively removed atrial T-tubules, which was confirmed by both confocal images and decreased cell capacitance. However, the LFs remained intact after detubulation. Detubulation reduced action potential duration and L-type Ca²⁺ channel (LTCC) density, and prolonged relaxation time of the myocytes. Taken together, we observed heterogeneity of rat atrial T-tubules and membranous ultrastructure, and the alteration of atrial EC-coupling by disruption of T-tubules.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.3760-3768
• /
• 2015

This study was to examine the correlation of Personality and EEG. Personality test and EEG of the 40 team leader of a business enterprise were carried out at the same time and the correlation of test results were analyzed. Personality test was done by Big 5 and brain waves were measured by 2-Channel EEG System at Fp1 and Fp2. The analysis showed a positive correlation between the Big 5 agreeableness and SRQ(Self Regulation Quotient) relaxation status which is related with alpha rhythm, and showed a negative correlation between the Big 5 openness and SRQ concentration status which is related with low_beta rhythm. It means that the personality is closely correlated with human brain cortex activation and can be checked by brainwave analysis.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.84-93
• /
• 2016

The signal characteristic of radar wave on concrete decks is determined by the attenuation of the radar due to the conversion of EM(Electromagnetic) energy to thermal energy through electrical conduction, dielectric relaxation, scattering, and geometric spreading. In this study, it is found that the attenuation of radar signal received on top rebars in bare deck concrete with 2 way travel time shows a general decreasing linear trend because of its same relative permittivity and conductivity. The radar signal after depth-normalization, can then be interpreted as being principally influenced by the content of chlorides penetrating cover concrete, which caused corrosion of rebars in bridge decks.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.413-417
• /
• 2012

Chrysanthemum indicum Linne is an ancient herbal medicine used to treat bone and muscle deterioration, ocular inflammation, headache, and anxiety in Korea, China, and Japan. Furthermore, tea derived from Chrysanthemum indicum Linne has been used to treat anxiety by facilitating relaxation and curing insomnia. However, no reports exist on the anxiolytic-like effects of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne water extract (CWE) in mice. In the present study, we investigated the anxiolytic-like effects of CWE using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test in mice. CWE, at a dose of 500 mg/kg (p.o.), significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM compared to a vehicle-injected control group. Moreover, the effect of CWE (500 mg/kg) was blocked by bicuculline (a selective $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist) and WAY 100635 (a selective 5-$HT_{1A}$ receptor antagonist). Taken together, these findings suggest that the anxiolytic-like effects of CWE might be mediated by the $GABA_A$ receptor and the 5-$HT_{1A}$ receptor.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.98-104
• /
• 2013

The ERETIC (Electronic REference To access In vivo Concentrations)2 method is a new qNMR experimental technique to measure analytes based on the signal of the reference compound without additional hardware equipment. In this study, ERETIC2 method was validated, and we sought to identify whether it would be possible to apply this method to a specific compound analysis of metabolites in plant. The $90^{\circ}$ pulse value (P1) and spin-lattice relaxation time ($T_1$) of each compound were measured for ERETIC2. The $9^1H$ of 3-(trimethylsilyl) propionic-2,2,3,3-$d_4$ acid (TSP) was used as a reference peak for ERETIC 2, and then, a suitable solvent and pulse sequence for each compound were selected. Under the NOESY-presat sequence, the relative accuracy error for quantitative analyses of primary metabolites was within the range of 5%, with the exception of glucose, which showed ${\geq}$ 55% error due to saturation. It showed excellent results for the quantification of glucose by using a $30^{\circ}$ pulse sequence, which did not suppress the water peak. In addition, the quantitative accuracy for secondary metabolites was extremely accurate, with an error ${\leq}$5% when considering the purity of the standard sample. The ERETIC2 method showed outstanding linearity, precision, and accuracy.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 1981

A blend polymeric system composed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA or PM) and polystyrene (PS) dissolved in chloroform was rheologically studied. The viscosities ${\eta}_{bl}$ of the blend system with various blending ratios ${\chi}$ changing from zero (pure PS solution) to unity (pure PMMA solution) were measured at $25{\circ}C$ as a function of shear rates ${\dot{s}}$ by using a Couette type viscometer. ${\eta}_{bl}$ at a given ${\dot{s}}$ decreased exponentially with ${\chi}$ reaching asymptotic constant value of ${\eta}_{bl}$ ; ${\eta}_{bl}$ at a given ${\chi}$ is greater at a smaller ${\dot{s}}$. These results are explained by using Ree-Erying's theory of viscosity, ${\eta}_{bl}=(x_1{\beta}_1/{\alpha}_1)_{b}_1＋ (x_2{\beta}_2/{\alpha}_2)_{bl}[sinh^{-1}{\beta}_2(bl) {\dot{s}}]/{\beta}_2(bl){\dot{s}}$. The Gibbs activation energy ${\Delta}G_i^\neq$(i = 2 for non-Newtonian units) entering into the intrinsic relaxation time ${\beta}$ is represented by a linear combination ${\Delta}G_i^\neq(bl) ={\chi}{\Delta}G_i^{\neq}_{iPM}+(1-{\chi}){\Delta}G_i^{\neq}_{iPS}$;the intrinsic shear modulus$[[\alpha}_i]^{-1}$ is also represented by $[{\alpha}_i(bl)]^{-1}={\chi}[{\alpha}_{iPM}]^{-1}+(1-{\chi})[{\alpha}_{iPS}]^{-1}$ and the fraction of area on a shear surface occupied by the ith flow units $x_i(bl)$ is similarly represented, i.e., $x_i(bl) = {\chi}x_{iPM}+(1-{\chi})x_{iPS}$. By using these ideas the Ree-Eyring equation was rewritten which explained the experimental results satisfactorily.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 1984

Superplastic alloys generally exhibit a three-stage sigmoidal variation of stress (f) with strain rate (s), the stages being named region 1, 2 and 3 according to the increasing order of stress or strain rate. In the recent years, two different types of papers have been published on the plastic deformation of Zn-22% Al eutectoid in region Ⅰ differing in strain-rate sensitivity m (= dln f/dln s). In this paper, the data of the two groups have been analysed by applying Kim and Ree's theory of superplastic deformation. (1) We obtained the parametric values of $X_{gj}/{\alpha}_{gj}\;and\;{\beta)_{gj}$ (g: grain boundary, j = 1,2 indicating flow units) appearing in Kim and Ree's theory [Eq. (2a)]. (2) It was found that the value of $X_{g^2}/{\alpha}_{g^2}$ is small for the group data with small m, i.e., ${\alpha}_{g^2}$, which is proportional to the size of flow unit g2, is large whereas ${\alpha}_{g^2}$ is small for the groups data with large m, i.e., the size of the flow unit g2 is small. In other words, the two types of behavior occur by the size difference in the flow units. (3) From the ${\beta}_{gj}$ value, which is proportional to the relaxation time of flow unit gj, the ${\Delta}H_{gj}^{\neq}$ for the flow process was calculated, and found that ${\Delta}H_{g^2}^{\neq}$ is large for the group data with small m whereas it is small for the group data with large m. (4) The flow-unit growth was studied, but it was concluded that this effect is not so important for differentiating the two groups. (5) The difference in ${\alpha}_{g^2}$ and in the growth rate of flow units is caused by minute impurities, crystal faults, etc., introduced in the sample preparation.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.1683-1686
• /
• 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for seeking physical therapy (PT) care. Recent studies suggest that axial loading can have a positive impact on the intervertebral disc by improving its tensile strength. Further, whole body vibration (WBV) appears to improve spinal muscle relaxation. Therefore, this case study describes the use of axial loading using a mini-trampoline in a female with chronic LBP. This case report is a single subject design. This patient is a 29-year-old female with a six-month history of low back pain following a motor vehicle accident. MRI found herniated discs at L4 and L5, clinical tests were positive for pain in the L4 and L5 dermatome and myotome the slump test was positive for neural tension, and LBP was constant at 4-6/10 over the past four months. She received axial loading exercises using a mini-trampoline and performed six sessions that were, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. Her Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved from 40% at the time of her first visit to 22% at her final visit. Pain measure on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after the first treatment was 7/10, and her pain after the final treatment was 0/10. These changes in the pain scores are clinically significant and exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). This patient had a significant improvement in her pain using the NPRS and the ODI. This case study suggests that axial loading may be an effective treatment for some individuals with discogenic chronic low back pain.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.11
• /
• pp.1849-1858
• /
• 2021

Objective: Tenderness is a very complex feature, and the process of its formation is very complicated and not fully understood. Its diversification is one of the most important problems of beef production, as a result beef aging is widely used to improve tenderness as it is believed to provide a homogeneous product to consumers. While few studies have evaluated the muscle structure properties in relation to tenderness from early post-mortem, there little to no information available on how the muscle nanostructure of beef carcasses changes during post-mortem ageing to determine the appropriate aging time for acceptable tenderness. Methods: Muscle nanostructure (myofibril diameter [MYD], myofibril spacing [MYS], muscle fibre diameter [MFD], muscle fibre spacing [MFS], and sarcomere length [SL]), meat tenderness and cooking loss [CL]) were measured on 20 A2 longissimus muscles of Bonsmara, Beefmaster, Hereford, and Simbra at 45_mins, 1, 3, and 7 days post-slaughter. Muscle nanostructure was measured using a scanning electron microscope, while tenderness was measured using Warner Bratzler shear force. Results: At 45 minutes post-slaughter, breed affected MYD and MYS only, while at 24_hrs it also affected MFD and MFS. On day 3 breed effected MFS and SL, while on day 7 breed effected tenderness only. As the muscles matured, both MYD and MYS decreased while CL increased, and the muscles became tender. There was no uniformity on muscle texture features (surface structure, fibre separation, muscle contraction, and relaxation) throughout the ageing period. Conclusion: Meat tenderness can be directly linked to breed related myofibril structure changes during aging in particular the MYD, spacing between myofibrils and their interaction; while the MFD, spacing between muscle fibres, SL, and CL explain the non-uniformity in beef tenderness.