• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.456-464
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• 2005

Objective : The authors investigated whether rotenone induces cellular death also in non-dopaminergic neurons and high concentration of potassium ion can show protective effect for non-dopaminergic neuron in case of rotenone-induced cytotoxicity. Methods : Neuro 2A cells was treated with rotenone, and their survival as well as cell death mechanism was estimated using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium[MTT] assay, Lactate dehydrogenase[LDH] release assay, fluorescence microscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The changes in rotenone-treated cells was also studied after co-treatment of 50mM KCl. And the protective effect of KCl was evaluated by mitochondrial membrane potential assay and compared with the effects of various antioxidants. Results : Neuro 2A cells treated with rotenone underwent apoptotic death showing chromosome condensation and fragmentation as well as DNA laddering. Co-incubation of neuro 2A cells with 50mM KCl prevented it from the cytotoxicity induced by rotenone. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species[ROS] resulting by rotenone were significantly reduced by 50mM KCl. Potassium exhibited significantly similar potency compared to the antioxidants. Conclusion : The present findings showed that potassium attenuated rotenone-induced cytotoxicity, intracellular accumulation of ROS, and fragmentation of DNA in Neuro 2A cells. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of potassium ion in neuronal apoptosis, but the practical application of high concentration of potassium ion remains to be settled.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.2403-2412
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• 2018

The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of variable sodium carbonate ($Na_2CO_3$) loading during wet air oxidation (WAO) pretreatment of rice straw in reducing biomass recalcitrance. The research study was intended to increase the cellulose recovery, hemicellulose solubilization, lignin removal in the solid fraction and limiting the generation of inhibitors in the liquid fraction while reducing the chemical input. The operating condition of $169^{\circ}C$, 4 bar, 18 min and 6.5 g/L $Na_2CO_3$ loading resulted in maximum cellulose recovery of 82.07% and hemicellulose solubilization and lignin removal of 85.43% and 65.42%, respectively, with a total phenolic content of 0.36 g/L in the liquid fraction. The crystallinity index increased from 47.69 to 51.25 along with enzymatic digestibility with an increase in $Na_2CO_3$ loading from 0 to 6.5 g/L as a result of removal of barriers for saccharification via effective cleavage of ether and ester bonds cross-linking the carbohydrates and lignin as indicated by FT-IR spectroscopy. A further increase in the $Na_2CO_3$ loading to 9.5 g/L did not significantly increase the sugar release. Thus, it was concluded that 6.5 g/L $Na_2CO_3$ during WAO is sufficient to increase the delignification and deacetylation, leading to significant changes in apparent cellulose crystallinity inter alia improvement in cellulose accessibility and digestibility of rice straw.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.401-415
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• 2002

Lim and his coworkers (1987; 1988; 1989) have also found that all of total Ginseng saponin, panaxadiol-and panaxatriol-type saponins cause the increased secretion of catecholamines (CA) in a $Ca^{2+}$ -dependent fashion from the isolated perfused rabbit adrenal glands through the activation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors. These CA secretory effects are partly due to the direct action on the rabbit adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. However, the present study was designed to examine the effect of total ginseng saponin on CA secretion evoked by activation of cholinergic nicotinic receptors in the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. Total ginseng saponin given (100 ${\mu}g$/20 min) into an adrenal vein did fail to produce alteration of spontaneous CA release from the rat adrenal medulla. Acetylcholine(5.32 mM)- and DMPP(100 ${\mu}M$, a selective nicotinic receptor agonist)-evoked CA secretory responses were reduced markedly after the pretreatment with the total ginseng saponin at a rate of 100 ${\mu}g$/6.2 ml/20 min, respectively. Pretreatment with total ginseng saponin also depressed greatly high potassium (56 mM, a membrane depolarizing agent)- and Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$, a calcium channel activator)-induced CA secretions. Taken together, it is thought that total ginseng saponin can inhibit the releasing effect of CA evoked by nicotinic receptor stimulation from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which seems to be associated to the direct inhibition of influx through L-type calcium channel into the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. It seems that there is species differences in the adrenomedullary catecholamine secretion between the rabbit and rat.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2017

Objectives: In this study, the lipolytic effects of Eriobotrya folium extract (EFE) on local fat was investigated in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: C57BL/6J mice (5 weeks) were fed HFD for 6 weeks to induce obesity. EFE (20 mg/ml, $100{\mu}l$) or saline ($100{\mu}l$) as a normal control was injected into left inguinal fat pad region, 3 times per a week for last 2 weeks. After sacrifice, body weight, and histological changes of the inguinal fat pad were evaluated. The expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in inguinal fat pad were analyzed by Western blotting. Also, lipid accumulation and lipases release were determined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by oil red o staining. Results: EFE significantly reduced the weight of inguinal fat pad and the size of adipocytes in HFD-induced obesity mice compared to control. The treatment of EFE up-regulated the expressions of HSL and ATGL in inguinal fat pads of obesity mice, as well as 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, EFE inhibited the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: EFE showed lipolytic effect on local fat of HFD-induced obesity mice by up-regulation of the lipases secretion. This suggests that EFE could be considered as anti-obese substance with lipolytic property on local fat.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 1997

The effects of different $K^+$ channel blockers were investigated on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations in the circular muscle of the rabbit proximal stomach. Non-selective blockers of $K^+$ channels, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 3~30${\mu}M$) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 100~1000${\mu}M$) significantly enhanced the NANC relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. The enhancement was more prominent for the NANC relaxations induced by the electric field stimulation (EFS) with lower frequencies. Blockers of large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin, a blocker of small conduntance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, apamin and a blocker of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels, glibenclamide had no effect on the NANC relaxations, respectively. Exogeneous administration of nitric oxide (NO, 1~30${\mu}M$) caused concentration-dependent relaxations which showed a similarity to those obtained with EFS. None of the $K^+$ channel blockers had an effect on the concentration-dependent relaxation in response to NO. These results suggest that prejunctional $K^+$ channels regulate the release of NO from the NANC nerve in the rabbit proximal stomach as the inhibition of prejunctional $K^+$ channels increases the NANC relaxation induced by the EFS.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.292-299
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• 2018

The objective of this research is to investigate the impact of engine oil aging on PM(Particulate Matter), exhaust gases, and DPF. It is widely known that the specification of a lubricant and its consumption in an ICE considerably influences the release of regulated harmful emissions under normal engine operating conditions. Considering DPF clogging phenomena associated with lubricant-derived soot/ash components, a simulated aging mode is designed for DPF to facilitate engine dynamometer testing. A PM/ash accumulation cycle is developed by considering real-world engine operating conditions for the increment of engine oil consumption and natural DPF regeneration for ash accumulation. The test duration for DPF aging is approximately 300 h with high- and low-SAPs engine oils. Detailed engine lubricant properties of new and aged oils are analyzed to evaluate the effect of engine oil degradation on vehicle mileage. Furthermore, physical and chemical analyses are performed using X-CT, ICP, and TGA/DSC to quantify the engine oil contribution on the PM composition. This is achieved by sampling with various filters using specially designed PM sampling equipment. Using high SAPs engine oil causes more PM/ash accumulation compared with low SAPs engine oils and this could accelerate fouling of the EGR in the engine, which results in an increase in harmful exhaust gas emissions. These test results on engine lubricants under operating conditions will assist in the establishment of regulated and unregulated toxic emissions policies and lubricant quality standards.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various relaxation techniques on various dysfunction problems caused by shortening of the sagittal muscles. Method: The subjects were 44(18 males, 26 females). The subjects were composed of 3 groups. The experimental group consisted of 14 patients with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) technique, control group A 15 patients with self myofacial release (SMR) ball exercise, and control group B with 15 patients with Sling exercise. After 3 weeks of relaxation on the hamstring muscle, the length of the hamstring muscle before and after the intervention was compared. Results: The results of relaxation exercise of the snake muscles applied to passive PNF group, SMR ball group, and Sling relaxation group are as follows. 1. In the passive PNF group, the muscle length of the hamstring muscle was significantly increased after the intervention. 2. The muscle length of the hamstring muscle was significantly increased after the intervention in the SMR ball group. 3. Sling relaxation group significantly increased the muscle length of the hamstring muscle after sling exercise intervention. 4. Passive PNF group showed the greatest change in muscle length before and after intervention than SMR ball group and Sling relaxation group. Conclusion: Passive PNF relaxation therapy, SMR ball relaxation therapy, and Sling relaxation therapy applied to the hamstring muscle were effective in increasing muscle length of the hamstring muscle. PNF relaxation therapy showed the most significant effect after 3 weeks intervention.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2019

Objective: To determine the effect of gut pH and rumen microbial fermentation on glycerol encapsulated in alginate and alginate-chitosan polymers. Methods: Glycerol was encapsulated at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, or 10% (w/w) with sodium alginate (A) and alginate-chitosan (AC) polymers. Surface morphology and chemical modifications of the beads were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Encapsulation efficiency was determined at the 5% glycerol inclusion level in two experiments. In experiment 1, 0.5 g of alginate-glycerol (AG) and alginate-chitosan glycerol (ACG) beads were incubated for 2 h at $39^{\circ}C$ in pH 2 buffer followed by 24 h in pH 8 buffer to simulate gastric and intestinal conditions, respectively. In experiment 2, 0.5 g of AG and ACG beads were incubated in pH 6 buffer at $39^{\circ}C$ for 8 h to simulate rumen conditions. All incubations were replicated four times. Free glycerol content was determined using a spectrophotometer and used to assess loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. An in vitro experiment with mixed cultures of rumen microbes was conducted to determine effect of encapsulation on microbial fermentation. Data were analyzed according to a complete block design using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results: For AG and ACG, loading capacity and efficiency were 64.7%, 74.7%, 70.3%, and 78.1%, respectively. Based on the FTIR spectra and scanning electron microscopy, ACG treatment demonstrated more intense and stronger ionic bonds. At pH 6, 36.1% and 29.7% of glycerol was released from AG and ACG, respectively. At pH 2 minimal glycerol was released but pH 8 resulted in 95.7% and 93.9% of glycerol released from AG and ACG, respectively. In vitro microbial data show reduced (p<0.05) fermentation of encapsulated glycerol after 24 h of incubation. Conclusion: The AC polymer provided greater protection in acidic pH with a gradual release of intact glycerol when exposed to an alkaline pH.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.459-473
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• 2019

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) has low resistance to low pH and bile salt in the gastrointestinal juice. In this study, the gel made from whey protein concentrate (WPC) and pullulan (PUL) was used as the wall material to prepare the microencapsulation for LGG protection. The gelation process was optimized and the properties of gel were also determined. The results showed the optimal gel was made from 10% WPC and 8.0% PUL at pH 7.5, which could get the best protective effect; the viable counts of LGG were 6.61 Log CFU/g after exposure to simulated gastric juice (SGJ) and 9.40 Log CFU/g to simulated intestinal juice (SIJ) for 4 h. Sodium dodecyl sulphite polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirmed that the WPC-PUL gel had low solubility in SGJ, but dissolved well in SIJ, which suggested that the gel can protect LGG under SGJ condition and release probiotics in the SIJ. Moreover, when the gel has highest hardness and water-holding capacity, the viable counts of LGG were not the best, suggesting the relationship between the protection and the properties of the gel was non-linear.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.607-615
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• 2021

Cytokines are protein mediators that possess the ability to assist cell-to-cell communication in immune system-related activities. In general, pathogen endotoxins activate the release of inflammatory mediators, and with time, there is an increase in the cytokine levels in the body. Interleukin (IL)-6 mediates the acute-phase inflammatory response, and elevated IL-6 levels have been reported in peritoneal fluids of women with pelvic inflammation and endometriosis, thereby associating it with oocyte quality and infertility. To overcome subfertility or infertility in humans and animals, the present study was done to examine the effect of recombinant IL-6 on porcine oocytes matured in vitro and subsequently to determine the fertilization rate and embryo development. Porcine oocytes were incubated with varying concentrations of IL-6 (0 - 2 ㎍·mL^-1) for 44 h followed by in vitro fertilization and culturing of the oocytes. The oocytes or embryos were fixed with 3.7% paraformaldehyde (PFA) and stained with fluorescence dyes, and the meiotic spindle, chromosome organization, fertilization status and embryo development were subsequently assessed under a fluorescence microscope. We observed induction of an abnormal meiotic spindle alignment in the oocytes incubated with IL-6 compared to the control oocytes incubated without IL-6. Moreover, significantly decreased fertilization rates and embryo development were observed for oocytes incubated with IL-6 (p < 0.05). Thus, an increased IL-6 level during oocyte maturation could be associated with fertilization failure due to an aberrant chromosomal alignment and a disruption of the cortical granules. Taken together, our results indicate that successful assisted reproduction can be achieved by controlling the levels of inflammatory cytokines.