• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the role of NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitaries and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were $-49.2{\pm}2\;mV$ and action potential amplitudes were $68.5{\pm}2\;mV$ with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of $1.7{\pm}0.3\;ms$. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was $385{\pm}15\;M{\Omega}$, Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.230-238
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• 2023

Small and medium-sized food manufacturing enterprises are largely reliant on manual labor, from inputting raw materials to palletizing the final product. Recently, there has been a trend toward smartness and digitization through the implementation of robotics and sensor data technology. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of improvement through 3D simulation on two repetitive work processes within a food manufacturing company. These processes involve workers whose speed cannot match the capacity of the applied equipment. Two manual processes were selected: the weighing and packing process performed by workers after skewer assembly, and the manual batch process of counting randomly delivered frozen foods, packing (both internal and external), and palletizing. The production volume, utilization rate, and number of workers were chosen as verification indicators. As a result of the simulation for improving the 3D process, production increased by 13.5% and 56.8% compared to the existing process, respectively. This was particularly evident in the process of applying palletizing robots. In both processes, as the utilization rate and number of input workers decreased, robots could replace tasks with high worker fatigue, thereby reducing work overload. This study demonstrates the potential to visually compare the process flow improvement using 3D simulations and confirms the possibility of pre-validation for improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.52-62
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• 2015

This study conducted an experiment to clarify the effect of rubber bands used as a root connector during the process of transplanting landscape trees on the development of the root system and the rooting process. The research period was four years, from April 2007 to April 2011, and the test conducted for this study was performed at the experimental field located at 398-2 Bangdong-ri, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. Twenty 15-year-old Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. with good growth conditions were harvested and transplanted from the forest in Jebi-ri, Gujeong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do for the field experiment. A completely randomized design was applied for plot design, with 10 pines without rubber bands and 10 pines with rubber bands. Pinus densiflora for. multicaulis Uyeki was selected as the official tree of the pot test and was planted in a transparent pot to observe the development of the root system. A completely randomized design was applied for plot design, with 3 pines without rubber bands and 3 pines with rubber bands. The results of this research on the effect of rubber bands used as a root connector on root system development and the rooting process are as follows. 1. The rate of height growth in the field test was 4.1% lower in the trees with rubber bands when compared to trees without rubber bands. Trees with rubber bands were 4.2% wider than those without rubber bands in root diameter. The chlorophyll content was 6.8% higher in trees without rubber bands, but the rate of height growth, root diameter, and chlorophyll content were not significantly correlated. 2. In the comparison of fresh root weight in the field test, trees with rubber banding had roots weighing 1,740.0kg and those without rubber bands had roots weighing 1,433.3kg. Root dry weight was 522.3g in trees with rubber bands and 450.0g in those without rubber bands, but showed no significant difference depending on whether the rubber band was attached. 3. In a comparison of root number between surfaces touching and not touching the rubber band in trees with rubber banding, the surface touching the rubber band was observed to have more roots growing, the difference of which was deemed significant. 4. The shoot growth rate in the pot test was 1.1% higher in trees without rubber bands when compared with trees with rubber bands. The chlorophyll content was 0.02 higher in trees with rubber bands but the difference was not significant. 5. In the pot test, no significance was found in comparison of root number, root length, and root dry weight in trees with and without rubber bands. These test results imply that removing rubber bands as a connector does not present any significant effects on the ground growth or root development of transplanted pine trees. As it is shown that surface touching rubber bands grow more roots in trees with rubber bands, more active related research must be undertaken.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.969-975
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E on microsomal mixed function oxidase system of liver and lung in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 140 $\pm$ 10mg were randomly assigned to one control and three STZ-diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were divided into DM-0E(vitamin E free diet), DM-40E(40mg vitamin E kg/diet) and DM-400E(400mg vitamin E kg/diet) according to the level of vitamin E supplementation. Diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous administration of 55mg/kg b.w of STZ in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 week feeding of three experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the 6th day of diabetic state. The contents of cytochrome P$_{450}$ in DM-0E, DM-40E and DM-400E groups of liver were increased by 162%, 150% and 56%, respectively, compared with that of control. Also the contents of cytochrome P$_{450}$ in lung were similar to liver. The activities of cytochrome bs in DM-0E and DM-40E groups of the liver were increased by 70% and 53%, respectively, compared with that of control, but not in DM-400E group. The activities of bs in DM-0E, DM-40E and DM-400E groups of lung were signficantly increased. Activity of cytochrome P$_{450}$ reductase in DM-0E, DM-40E of liver and lung were higher than that of control group, but the activity of DM-400E group was not different from that of control. The lipid peroxide values of DM-0E, DM-40E and DM-400E groups were 143%, 95% and 31% higher than those of control. It was concluded that dietary vitamin E had protective effects on lipid peroxidation accompanied with increased mixed function of oxidase activity in diabetic rats.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.399-405
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• 2020

Recently, it is difficult to produce uniform scions and rootstocks with high quality in a greenhouse due to weather extremes. The closed transplant production system is useful for producing scions and rootstocks with desirable morphological characteristics by environment control regardless of weather outside. In this study, we investigated transpiration rates and growth of cucumber and tomato scions and rootstocks grown under different light intensity conditions for precise irrigation control in a closed transplant production system. Hanging system to measure continuously the weight of plug tray consisting of seedlings and substrate with load-cell was installed in each growing bed. Using this system, we confirmed initial wilting point of cucumber and tomato seedlings, and conducted subirrigation when moisture content of substrate was not below 50%. The irrigation time of cucumber scions and rootstocks were 7 and 6 days after sowing, respectively. In tomato scions and rootstocks grown under PPF (photosynthetic photon flux) 300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, the irrigation time were 5, 8, 11, and 13 days after sowing. Increasing light intensity increased transpiration rates and differences of transpiration rates by light intensity was higher in tomato seedlings. The growth of cucumber and tomato seedlings was promoted by increasing light intensity, especially, hypocotyl elongation and stem thickening was affected by light intensity. Cumulative transpiration rate of plug tray in cucumber and tomato seedlings was increased by increasing light intensity, and daily transpiration rate per seedling was regressed by 1st-order linear equation with high correlation coefficient. Estimation of transpiration rates by weighing continuously plug tray of vegetable seedlings can be useful to control more accurately irrigation schedule in a closed transplant production system.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2013

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on microsomal phospholipase $A_2(PLA_2)$ activity and the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in hearts of microwave exposed rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing $100{\pm}10$ g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three microwave exposed groups. The microwave exposed groups were subdivided into three groups: catechin free diet (MW) group, 0.25% catechin (MW-0.25C group and 0.5% catechin (MW-0.5C) group according to the levels of dietary catechin supplementation. Rats were sacrificed $6^{th}$ day after microwave irradiations (2.45 GHz, 15 min). The heart microsome $PLA_2$ activity in the MW group was 130% greater than that of normal groups, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.25C, MW-0.5C group. The per- centage phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW was increased 54% by microwave irra- diation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The percentage phosphatidyl choline (PC) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW group was increased by 104% and by microwave irradiation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The formation of thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ in the heart microsome was 70% greater in the MW group than in the normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group maintained the normal level. The formation of prostacyclin ($PGI_2$) in the heart microsome was 21% lower in the MW group than in the normal group, while that of MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were maintained in the normal group. The heart microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations, as an index of lipid peroxide, were 71% greater in the MW group, as compared with normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were 4.6% and 9.2% lower, respectively, than that of MW group. In conclusion, heart function appeared to be improved by green tea catechin supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in return controls the AA cascade system.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacement of dietary fish meal by frozen whole krill (FWK) and/or krill meal (KM) on growth performance and body composition of juvenile black rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli. The basal experimental diet (ED) contained 58.4% fish meal (FM) as a control, the other five EDs were formulated with the protein replacement ratio of fish meal by as 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%, respectively (FWKM0, FWK10, FWK20, FWK20KM10, FWK20KM20 and FWK20KM20HP). Each diet was fed to juvenile rockfish initially weighing 3.09±0.02 g/fish in a flow-through system. The control ED containing 58.4% FM and 10% FWK diet showed significantly higher weight gain and feed efficiency than all the other EDs containing 20, 30, and 40% FWK and/or KM. But the survivals, whole-body moistures, crude proteins and lipids of black rockfish fed all EDs were similar in all EDs. The only whole-body ashes of juvenile black rockfish were significantly differentiated by feeding the various EDs containing different levels of FWK and/or KM with a protein and lipid levels adjustment. These results suggest that dietary frozen whole Antarctic krill and/or krill meal inclusions could not improve the growth but change the whole-body ashes in juvenile black rockfish. Therefore, this study further indicates that dietary more than 20% of FWK and/or KM supplementation could not be a potential source of animal protein to replace fishmeal in juvenile black rockfish.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.375-384
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• 2011

Purpose: The advent of microsurgical technique and instruments, particularly in the field of perforator flap and supermicrosurgery, which have expanded the scope of microsurgery. However, supermicroanastomosis without any compression, tension, or distortions must be achieved to reach successful outcomes. Small-caliber vessels, such as those with an internal diameter less than 0.2 mm, are susceptible to inadvertent twisting of the anastomosis. In this study, using the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA)-based flap model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, we evaluated the acceptable limits of twisting effects on supermicroanastomotic sites. Methods: A total of 20 supermicroanastomoses were performed using the SIEA-based flap model in 10 male SD rats, 10-weeks-of-age, weighing 300~350 g. Rats were divided into five groups of two with four flaps as follows: 1) sham, 2) control group with end to end SIEA arterial supermicroanastomosis, 3) experimental I (EA1) with $90^{\circ}$ twisting, 4) experimental II (EA2) with $180^{\circ}$ twisting, and 5) experimental III (EA3) with $270^{\circ}$ twisting of the supermicroanastomosis. Each SIEA was anastomosed using six 11-0 $Ethilon^{(R)}$ (Ethicon Inc. Co., NJ, USA) stitches except in the sham group where the SIEA was only clamped with Supermicro vascular $clamps^{(R)}$ (S&T, Neuhausen, Switzerland) for 20 minutes. Results: The anastomosed arterial patency showed no remarkable changes according to doppler waveforms measured with a Smardop 45 Doppler System (Hadeco Inc., Kawasaki, Japan). The pulsatility index (PI) was increased at postoperative day 10 in the EA2 and EA3 groups, and the resistance index (RI) showed no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values at 10 days. Histologic specimens from the EA3 group showed increased tunica media necrosis, convolution of the internal elastic lamina, densely packed platelets, fibrin, and erythrocytes. Flap viability and anastomosed vessel patency were not significantly affected by the degree of arterial twisting in this study, other than in the EA3 group where minor effects on arterial patency of the microanastomoses were encountered. Conclusion: It appears that minor twisting on small caliber arteries, used in supermicroanastomoses, can be tolerated. However, twisting should be avoided as much as possible, and more than $180^{\circ}$ twisting must be prevented in clinical practice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.67-82
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• 2005

Effects of Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) on lipid composition, liver function, oxidative capacity and molecular biological aspects were investigate in high fat diet induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups according to body weight and raised four weeks with control, zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 1. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed a high values in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 2. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 3. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendence to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, however in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values showed no significantly different. 4. The activities of AST and ALT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. In the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values of (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups showed a low in the acupuncture groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol and triglyceride showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 7. Contents of plasma TBARS showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however contents of liver TBARS showed no significantly different among treatment groups. 8. Values of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal­acupuncture groups. Values of liver super oxide dismutase activity showed a high in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of other groups. 9. Expression of apo-B mRNA in liver cell showed a low in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however expression of apo-E mRNA showed a high in Herbal-acupuncture groups and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in adipose cell showed no different among all the treatment groups. Expression of Leptin mRNA showed a tendance to decrease in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. Histological character of liver, those of (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group showed a good, however other treatment groups showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. These results indicated that Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at (ST-36) and (LI-22) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.201-219
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• 2007

Objectives : We studied Effects of Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.), Gamgook(chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Galgeun(pueraria Radix) aqua-acupuncture on the hyperlipidemic rat. methods : We investigated lowering lipid effect, oxidative capacity, concentration of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, Leptin and histological consideration in hyperlipidemic rat. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 5 groups of control, Ⅰ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Gokji aqua-acupuncture, Ⅱ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture, Ⅲ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix)and Gokji aqua-acupuncture and Ⅳ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture. Results : Contents of plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, contents of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and leptin, Plasma triglyceride and glucose, plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, liver total cholesterol, liver triglyceride, plasma and liver TBARS, free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the aqua-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. The activities of GOT and GPT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. Values of super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the aqua-acupuncture groups. Histological consideration of heart, kidney and liver in the aqua-acupuncture groups showed slight vasodilation and fat accumulation compared to those of normal rat. Conclusions : These results indicated that prunella vulgaris L., chrysanthemum indicum L. and pueraria Radix aqua-acupuncture at gokji(LI11) and Joksamri(ST36) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system in hyperlipidemic rat.