• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

Sodium hydroxide solutions are often employed as sterilization agents in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, the chloride content is considered as a critical impurity. In this study, an electrochemical method was developed to remove chloride ions (Cl^-) through the oxidative deposition of AgCl on a Ag anode. The Cl^- content in the commercially available 50% w/w NaOH solution employed was approximately 100 mg Cl^-/kg NaOH. As the OH^- content is approximately 18,000 times higher than the Cl^- content, the formation of AgCl may be expected to be thermodynamically less favorable than the formation of Ag₂O. However, activation energies for AgCl and Ag₂O formation have been reported to be approximately 3.8 and 31.2 kJ/mol, respectively, and indicate that AgCl formation is favored. AgCl can be selectively produced by controlling the anode potential. Here, the Cl^- concentration was reduced to less than 50 mg Cl^-/kg NaOH when an anode potential of 0.18 or 0.19 V vs. Hg/HgO (reference electrode) was applied for one hour at 50℃. XRD analysis and visual monitoring of the Ag anode confirmed the oxidative deposition of AgCl on the anode surface as well as the electrochemical desalination of the concentrated NaOH solution.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stabilization exercise performed after abdominal drawing exercise using pressure biofeedback for 8 weeks on pain level, performance of transverse abdominis, back pain disability index, and quality of life in women in their 30s less than one year after giving birth. Methods: A total of 20 women who voluntarily participated less than one year after giving birth were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was subjected to abdominal drawing exercise before lumbar stabilization exercise, and the experimental group was subjected to abdominal drawing exercise using pressure biofeedback before lumbar stabilization exercise thrice a week for eight weeks. The quadruple visual analog scale (QVAS), the performance of transverse abdominis, the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KDOI), the inventory of functional status after childbirth (IFSAC), and the Short Form-12 item (SF-12) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Except for the Physical Components Summary Scale of SF-12, after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in QVAS, performance of Transverse abdominis , KDOI, and Mental Components Summary Scale of SF-12 compared to the control group. Conclusion: Selective deep muscle activation through abdominal drawing exercises using pressure biofeedback can help rehabilitation for women after postpartum.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.93-103
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• 2024

Satellite glial cells (SGCs), a major type of glial cell in the autonomic ganglia, closely envelop the cell body and even the synaptic regions of a single neuron with a very narrow gap. This structurally unique organization suggests that autonomic neurons and SGCs may communicate reciprocally. Glial Ca²⁺ signaling is critical for controlling neural activity. Here, for the first time we identified the machinery of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) which is critical for cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis in rat sympathetic ganglia under normal and pathological states. Quantitative realtime PCR and immunostaining analyses showed that Orai1 and stromal interaction molecules 1 (STIM1) proteins are the primary components of SOCE machinery in the sympathetic ganglia. When the internal Ca²⁺ stores were depleted in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, the number of plasmalemmal Orai1 puncta was increased in neurons and SGCs, suggesting activation of the Ca²⁺ entry channels. Intracellular Ca²⁺ imaging revealed that SOCE was present in SGCs and neurons; however, the magnitude of SOCE was much larger in the SGCs than in the neurons. The SOCE was significantly suppressed by GSK7975A, a selective Orai1 blocker, and Pyr6, a SOCE blocker. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulated the glial fibrillary acidic protein and Toll-like receptor 4 in the sympathetic ganglia. Importantly, LPS attenuated SOCE via downregulating Orai1 and STIM1 expression. In conclusion, sympathetic SGCs functionally express the SOCE machinery, which is indispensable for intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling. The SOCE is highly susceptible to inflammation, which may affect sympathetic neuronal activity and thereby autonomic output.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.27-40
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of stabilization exercises performed after an abdominal drawing-in exercise using pressure biofeedback for 8 weeks on craniovertebral angle, muscle performance, neck pain level and neck disability index in lactating women with neck pain. Methods: Twenty lactating women voluntarily participated and were randomly divided into control group and experimental groups. The control group (n=10) was subjected to abdominal drawing-in exercises before lumbar stabilization exercises, while the experimental group (n=10) was subjected to abdominal drawing-in exercises using pressure biofeedback before lumbar stabilization exercises 50 minutes, thrice weekly for 8 weeks. The craniovertebral angle (CVA), transverse abdominis and deep neck flexor muscle performance, visual analog scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: As a result of the study, there was significant difference between each group, and when looking at the differences before and after each group, there was a significant difference in CVA, transverse abdominis and deep neck flexor muscle performance, VAS, NDI in both groups. Conclusion: The above results revealed that selective muscle activation through abdominal drawing-in exercises using pressure biofeedback were effective on CVA, transverse abdominis and deep neck flexor muscle performance, VAS, NDI in lactating women with neck pain.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.144-154
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Neural stem cells (NSCs) remain in the mammalian brain throughout life and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for central nervous system (CNS) injury. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) had shown a protective effect in different types of cells. However, the role of BMP-6 in NSCs is largely unclear. The present study was aimed to investigate whether BMP-6 could protect human NSCs (hNSCs) against the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death. Methods and Results: Upon challenge with OGD treatment, cell viability was significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner, as indicated by the CCK-8 assay. BMP-6 could attenuate the OGD-induced cell injury in a dose-dependent manner and decrease the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, BMP-6 markedly weakened the OGD-induced alterations in the expression of procaspase-8/9/3 and reversed the expression of cleaved-caspase-3. Interestingly, noggin protein (the BMP-6 inhibitor) attenuated the neuroprotective effect of BMP-6 in cultured hNSCs. Furthermore, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was activated by OGD treatment and BMP-6 markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with noggin abolished the effect of BMP-6 on p38 activation. SB239063, a selective p38 inhibitor, exerted similar effects with BMP-6 in protecting hNSCs against the OGD-induced apoptosis. These results indicated that blocking the phosphorylation of p38 might contribute to the neuroprotective effect of BMP-6 against the OGD-induced injury in hNSCs. Conclusions: These findings suggested that BMP-6 might be a therapeutic target in the OGD-induced cell death, which provides a novel therapeutic strategy for enhancing host and graft NSCs survival in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.449-460
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• 2004

연구배경 : PS-341은 최근에 개발된 강력하고 특이적인 proteasome 억제제로서, 일부 암환자에 투여하여 좋은 성적이 보고되고 있다. Proteasome 억제제의 항암효과는 아포프토시스 유발 물질, 즉 p53, $p21^{WAF/CIP1}$, $p27^{KIP1}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, Bax, Bcl-2 등의 발현 증가와 관련이 있는 것으로 생각되고 있다. JNK와 GSK-$3{\beta}$도 아포프토시스에 관여하는 것으로 잘 알려져 있지만, PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스에서의 역할은 규명되지 못한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 폐암세포주에서 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스에서 JNK와 GSK-$3{\beta}$의 역할을 규명하고자 하였다. 방 법 : NCI-H157과 A549 폐암세포주를 실험에 사용하였다. 세포생존능은 MTT 방법으로 평가하였고, 아포프토시스는 PARP의 분해로 평가하였다. JNK의 활성도는 in vitro immuno complex kinase 방법과 내인성 c-Jun의 인산화로 측정하였다. 각종 단백의 발현은 Western 분석으로 평가하였다. JNK1과 GSK-$3{\beta}$의 과발현은 각각 plasmid vector와 adenovirus vector를 이용하였다. 결 과 : PS-341 처치로 아포프토시스에 의한 세포생존율의 감소가 관찰되었다. PS-341 처치로 JNK가 활성화되었고, c-Jun의 발현이 유도되었다. Dominant negative JNK1의 과발현 또는 SP600125 전치치로 JNK의 활성화를 차단하면 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스가 억제되었다. PS-341 처리로 JNK 활성화에 의존적으로 caspase 3의 활성화가 유도되었다. Caspase 활성화의 차단으로도 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스가 억제되었다. PS-341에 의해 Akt가 활성화되었고, Akt 활성화의 차단으로 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스가 심화되었다. PS-341에 의한 Akt 활성화로 GSK-$3{\beta}$가 불활성화되었다. Constitutively active GSK-$3{\beta}$의 과발현으로 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스가 심화되었고, dominant negative GSK-$3{\beta}$의 과발현으로 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스가 감소되었다. Lithium chloride 전처치와 dominant negative GSK-$3{\beta}$의 과발현으로 PS-341에 의한 JNK의 활성화와 c-Jun의 발현 증가가 억제되었다. 결 론 : 폐암세포주에서 PS-341에 의한 아포프토시스는 JNK/caspase 경로가 관여하며, 이는 PI3K/Akt 경로를 통한 GSK-$3{\beta}$의 불활성화에 의해 억제되는 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 PS-341의 항암효과를 최대화하기 위해서는 PI3K/Akt 경로를 통한 GSK-$3{\beta}$의 불활성화를 차단하는 치료법이 병행되어야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제65권6호
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• pp.476-486
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• 2008

연구배경: 정상세포는 보호되고 종양세포에 독성을 보인다고 알려진 TNF유전자족으로 새로이 확인된 TRAIL이 폐암세포에서 보이는 아포프토시스 효과를 확인하고, 아포프토시스로부터 세포를 보호하는 전사인자 $NF-{\kappa}B$가 TRAIL에 의하여 활성화 되는 정도를 평가하여 MG132의 $NF-{\kappa}B$활성억제가 TRAIL 유도성 아포프토시스를 감작시키는지를 확인하기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방법: A549(wt p53) 및 NCI-H1299(null p53) 폐암세포주를 사용하였다. 세포독성 검사는 MTT assay를 이용하였고 아포프토시스는 Annexin V assay와 FACS 분석을 이용하였다. $NF-{\kappa}B$ 전사활성은 luciferase reporter gene assay를 이용하였고 $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ 분해는 western blot을 이용하였으며, TRAIL에 의해 활성화된 $NF-{\kappa}B$와 DNA 결합은 electromobility shift assay와 anti-p65 antibody를 이용한 supershift assay로 확인하였다. 결과: 1) TRAIL 100 ng/ml 농도에서 wild-type p53인 A549 폐암세포는 34.4%, p53 null인 NCI-H1299 폐암세포는 26.4%의 세포사를 관찰하였다. 2) Luciferase reporter gene assay로서 TRAIL에 의한 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성이 A549 $IgG{\kappa}B-luc$세포에서 2.45배 증가하고 NCI-H1299 $IgG{\kappa}B-luc$세포에서는 1.47배 증가함을 관찰하여 TRAIL에 의하여 $NF-{\kappa}B$가 활성화됨을 확인하였다. 3) MG132의 전처치로 TRAIL에 의한 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성이 A549 세포와 NCI-H1299 세포에서 각각 기저수준의 0.24, 0.21배로 강력히 억제되었다. 4) TRAIL단독으로 30% 전후의 세포독성이 MG132 전처치 후 TRAIL을 투여하면 두 세포주 모두에서 80% 이상의 세포독성이 관찰되어 MG132가 TRAIL유도성 아포프토시스에 감작효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 결론: 이상의 결과로 TRAIL에 상대적인 내성을 보이는 폐암세포주에서 MG132가 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 활성억제로서 TRAIL유도성 아포프토시스를 강화시키는 효과가 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구는 향후 폐암치료에 있어서 TRAIL유도성 아포프토시스가 이용될 수 있는 가능성을 확인한 기초자료가 된다고 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2020

The present study was aimed to explore the neuroprotective role of imatinib in global ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral injury along with possible mechanisms. Global ischemia was induced in mice by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 20 min, which was followed by reperfusion for 24 h by restoring the blood flow to the brain. The extent of cerebral injury was assessed after 24 h of global ischemia by measuring the locomotor activity (actophotometer test), motor coordination (inclined beam walking test), neurological severity score, learning and memory (object recognition test) and cerebral infarction (triphenyl tetrazolium chloride stain). Ischemia-reperfusion injury produced significant cerebral infarction, impaired the behavioral parameters and decreased the expression of connexin 43 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) in the brain. A single dose administration of imatinib (20 and 40 mg/kg) attenuated ischemia-reperfusion-induced behavioral deficits and the extent of cerebral infarction along with the restoration of connexin 43 and p-STAT3 levels. However, administration of AG490, a selective Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 inhibitor, abolished the neuroprotective actions of imatinib and decreased the expression of connexin 43 and p-STAT3. It is concluded that imatinib has the potential of attenuating global ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral injury, which may be possibly attributed to activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway along with the increase in the expression of connexin 43.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.31-42
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• 1989

Metoclopramide (MCP)는 역류성식도염, 위하수증, 항암제에 의한 구토 증상을 치료하는데 사용되고 있는 dopamine수용체 차단제로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 흰쥐의 적출 관류부신에서 catecholamine (CA)의 분비작용에 미치는 영향을 검토하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. MCP는 부신정맥내로 주입하였을때 용량의존적으로 CA 분비작용을 나타냈다. 이러한 MCP의 CA 분비작용은 atropine 전처치로 차단되었으나 chlorisondamine 처치에 의해서는 완전 차단되지 못하였다. MCP 분비작용은 physostigmine, adenosine, ouabain의 전처치로 현저히 증강되었다. 그러나 5mM-EGTA 함유 $Ca^{++}-free\;Krebs$ 액으로 관류하였을때 MCP의 CA 분비작용은 현저히 억제되었다. MCP (200 ug/30 min)를 관류한 실험에서는 KCI이나 acetylcholine의 CA 분비작용이 유의있게 감소되었다. 이상의 실험결과로 보아 MCP는 칼슘의존적기전에 의해 CA를 유리 시키며, 이러한 분비작용은 부신에서 nicotine수용체 보다도 muscarine수용체의 활성화에 더 기인 되는 것으로 생각되며, chromaffin cell에 대한 일분 직접작용도 개재되어 나타나는 것으로 사료된다.