• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1208-1214
• /
• 2011

Caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant, has been implicated in the modulation of learning and memory functions due to its action as a non-selective adenosine receptors antagonist. On the contrary, some side effects of caffeine have been reported, such as an increased energy loss and metabolic rate, decrease DNA synthesis in the spleen, and increased oxidative damage to exerted on LDL particles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a safe stimulant from natural plants mixture (Aralia elata, Acori graminei Rhizoma, Chrysanthemum, Dandleion, Guarana, Shepherd's purse) that can be used as a substitute for caffeine. Thirty SD rats were divided into three groups; control group, caffeine group (15.0 mg/kg, i.p.), and natural plants mixture group (NP, 1 mL/kg, p.o.). The effect of NP extract on stimulant activity was evaluated with open-field test (OFT) and plus maze test for measurement of behavioral profiles. Plasma lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation in LDL (conjugated dienes), total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and DNA damage in white blood, liver, and brain cells were measured. In the OFT, immobility time was increased significantly by acute (once) and chronic (3 weeks) supplementation of NP and showed a similar effect to caffeine treatment. Three weeks of caffeine treatment caused plasma lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in liver cells, whereas there were no changes in the NP group. NP group showed a higher plasma HDL cholesterol concentration compared to the caffeine group. The results indicate that the natural plants mixture had a stimulant effect without inducing oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-35
• /
• 1997

Fertilized egg, by successive cell divisions, differentiates into different tissues and organs with various structures and functions. Different cells and tissues contain different proteins, products of selective gene expression. Not all the genes in any genomes are equally active, temporal and spatial gene expression being the general rule. Present paper attempts to review the tanscriptional mechanisms or the initiations of transcription from several angles. In some of the organisms the genes in the process of transcription or the genes in the inactive state can be seen under the light microscope. Some bands of Drosophila polytene chromosomes may exhibit a swollen or puff appearance under certain conditions. A puff, unfolded or decondensed form of chromomere, represents sets of intense transcriptional activity or RNA synthesis. The heterochromatic X chromosome whose genes remain inactive in the female mammals can be visualized as a dark staining structure called Barr body, Configuration of chromatin differs between transcribed and nontranscribed chromatin. Modification to the chromatin facilitates RNA synthesis. The movement of large polymerase molecule along the DNA would probably be facilitated if some modifications of the chromatin configuration is effected. Methylation of cytosines in CG sequences is associated with inactive genes. Methylation can play a role in determination of mammalian cells during embryogenesis. Demethylation is necessary for the gene to be expressed during development A histone modification that is also known to be correlated with transcriptional capacity of chromatin is acetylation of the lysine residues of the core histones. Chromatin containing a high level of histone acetylation is very sensitive to DNase 1. For the transcription to occur TBP must first bind to the TATA box. Another TF, TF IIB, then binds to the promoter-TBP complex, facilitating the access of RNA polymerase to the transcription initiation site. As recently as eight years ago researchers assumed that histones were irrelevant to the regulation of gene expression. Histones combine with the DNA to form nucleosome of the chromatin. Histones are vital participant in gene regulation. Histone and basal factors compete for access to TATA box. When DNA is exposed to basal factors before histones are introduced, the basal factors assemble on TATA boxes preventing the access of histones, allowing transcription to occur, for transcription to begin, activator protein at the upstream activation sequence or enhancer must interact with the tail of histone H4 at TATA box and cause the histone role particle to dissociate from the TATA box leading to partial breakup of the histone core particle and allowing the basal factors to bind to the TATA box. New concept of genomic flux in contrast to the old concept of static genome has been developed based on the powerful new molecular techniques. Genomic changes such as repetitive DNAs and transposable elements, it is assumed but not yet proved, may affect some of the developmental patterns that characterize particular cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. In the last decade or so remarkable achievement have been made in the researches of the structures and functions of TFs and the specific target sequences located in promoters or enhancers where these TFs bind. TFs have independent domains that bind DNA and that activate transcription. DNA binding domain of TFs serves to bring the protein into the right location. There are many types of DNA binding domains. Common types of motifs can be found that are responsible for binding to DNA. The motifs are usually quite short and comprise only a small part of the protein structure. Steroid receptors have domains for hormone binding, DNA binding, and activating transcription. The zinc finger motif comprises a DNA binding domain. Leucine zipper consist of a stretch of amino acids with a leucine residue in every seventh position Two proteins form a dimer because they interact by means of leucine zippers on similar α-helical domain. This positions their DNA binding basic domains for interaction with the two halves of a DNA sequence with dyad symmetry of TGACTCA, ACTGAGT.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.55-66
• /
• 1998

Pathophysiological mechanism of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is not fully understood. Major clinical findings of HFRS patients are widespread hemorrhage, acute renal failure and shock. Basic lesion is vascular injury with microvascular hemorrhage and relatively little inflammation. According to autopsy findings, renal medulla shows focal hemorrhage, tubular necrosis and interstitial mononuclear infiltrates. The predominant cell type in the renal and pulmonary interstitium is a fibroblast and it participates in the healing process at the injury site by secreting a large amount of extracellular matrix proteins. Cultured human lung fibroblasts and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts were known to be good host cells for the hantaan virus. It is possible that not only the endothelial cell but also the fibroblast is a target of Hantaan virus and the fibroblast might be involved in the pathogenesis and the healing process in HFRS. Integrins are adhesion molecules, and act as receptors for many extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, there are many reports that cell surface integrins influence on some viral infections or reversely viruses influence on the expression of integrins. The ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin is a major receptor for the fibronectin which is an important extracellular matrix protein secreted by fibroblasts. In this study, the role of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin in the infection of Hantaan virus was examined by using anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin, anti-${\alpha}_5$ integrin and anti-${\beta}_1$, integrin antibodies in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts(MGF). The treatment of anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin antibody in CEF reduced the virion titers 26.8% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein 32.6% when compared with control CEF. When MGF were treated with anti-${\alpha}_5$, anti-${\beta}_1$ and anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin antibodies, virion titers were reduced by 26.5%, 29.4% and 28.7% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein were reduced by 65.2%, 59.7% and 72.6%. These results suggested that ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin might act as a receptor for the Hantaan virus or blocking of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin influences on the viral replication in CEF and MGF. It is also possible that the blocking of only one subunit of integrin represents similar results in that of whole molecule.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2007

Characterizing the risk posed by a mixture of chemicals is a challenging task due to the chemical interactions of individual components that may affect their physical behavior and hence alter their exposure to receptors. In this study, cell tests that represent subsurface environment were carried out using benz[a]anthracene (BaA) and p-xylene focusing on phasetransforming interaction to verify increased mobility and risk of highly sorbed pollutants in the presence of less sorbed, mobile liquid pollutants. A transport model was also developed to interpret results and to simulate the same process on a field scale. The experimental results showed that BaA had far greater mobility in the presence of p-xylene than in the absence of that. The main transport mechanisms in the vadose zone were by dissolution to p-xylene or water. The transport model utilizing Defined Time Steps (DTS) was developed and tested with the experimental results. The predicted and observed values showed similar tendency, but the more work is needed in the future study for more precise modeling. The field-scale simulation results showed that transport of BaA to groundwater table was significantly faster in the presence of NAPL, and the oral carcinogenic risk of BaA calculated with the concentration in groundwater was 15${\sim}$87 times larger when mixed with NAPL than when solely contaminated. Since transport rate of PAHs is very slow in the subsurface without NAPL and no degradation of PAHs was considered in this simulation during the transport, the increase of risk in the presence of NAPL is expected to be greater for the actual contaminated site.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.265-273
• /
• 2018

Estrogen (E2) is involved in the development and progression of breast cancer and is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER). ER plays important roles in cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and causing drug resistance through diverse cross-talks with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. Breast cancer is caused mainly by break-down of homeostasis of endocrine signaling pathways especially by the uncontrolled expression and increased activities of E2/IGF-1/EGF, ER/G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER)/IGF-1R/EGFR and their intracellular signaling mediators. These changes influence the complex cross-talk between E2 and growth factors' signaling, eventually resulting in the progression of cancer and resistance against endocrine regulators. Thus, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms in stepwise of the cross-talk between E2 and growth factors will contribute to the customized treatment according to the diverse types of breast cancer. In particular, as strategies for the treatment of breast cancer with diverse genotypes and phenotypes, there can be use of aromatase inhibitors and blockers of E2 action for the ER+ hormone-dependent breast cancer cells and use of IGF-1R/EGFR activity blockers for suppression of cancer cell proliferation from the cross-talk between E2 and growth factors. Furthermore, changes in the expression of the ECM molecules regulated by the cross-talk between ER and EGFR/IGF-1R can be used for the targeted therapeutics against the migration of breast cancer cells. Therefore, it is required for the cross-talk among the signaling pathways of ER, GPER, IGF-1R and EGFR concerning cancer progression to be elucidated in more detail at the molecular level.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.34
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 1984

Comparative effects of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain on the isolated rat(Sprague-Dowley) atria were studied. The isolated rat atria were prepared for isometric myography in the isolated organ bath containing Feigen's solution perfused with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$, and the pH of the medium was maintained at 7.4. The cumulative concentration-response relationship revealed the positive inotropic effects of both drugs with the higher potency of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and the higher efficacy of ouabain. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ showed a positive chronotropic effect, but ouabain showed a tendency of increasing the contraction rate. In low-Ca(1.4 mM) medium, the positive inotropic and chronotropic effect of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$(by $3{\times}10^{-8}M$) were preponderant $(p<0.05{\sim}p<0.005)$ over those of ouabain(by $3{\times}10^{-3}M$). $Ca^{++}$-addition(cumulative, to 2.8, 4.2, 5.6, and 7.0 mM) into the medium evoked the more sensitive response in the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ group than in the ouabain group. In low-K(2.8 mM) medium, the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}a(3{\times}10^{-8}M)$ group and the ouabain$(3{\times}10^{-3}M)$ group showed similar tensions(DT and RT) and contraction rates. And both group showed significantly(p<0.05p<0.01) higher tensions and contraction rates than those of the control group. By the cumulative addition of the $K^+$(to 4.2, 5.6, 7.0 and 8.4 mM), only the DT of the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ group was sustained at signifcantly$(p<0.05{\sim}p<0.01)$ higher level than the DT of the control group. The $K^+$-addition inhibited the positive inotropic effect of ouabain significantly (p<0.05). The cumulative addition of lidocaine in high concentrations $(1{\times}10^{-5}\;to\;1{\times}10^{-3}M)$ evoked no significant influence on the intropic activities of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain, but significant ${\beta}$-blockade with propranolol could not inhibit the positive intropic and chronotropic effect of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. In conclusion, it is presumed that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ may have some more active mechanism of accelerating the influx of $Ca^{++}$ across the cell membrane of the isolated rat atria as compared with ouabain, and the action site may be located at the cell membrane. As a supposition which needs further investigations, it is presumed that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ may have its specific membrane receptors on the atrial muscle or sinus node cells.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.232-240
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), one of potent cytokines, and its receptors were related with various biological functions and pathological conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of serum level of free VEGF, soluble VEGFR-1, and soluble VEGFR-2 after treatment with atypical antipsychotic drug in schizophrenia. Method : The schizophrenic patients were diagnosed with DSM-IV and were prospectively followed up for 4 and 8 weeks. Thirteen schizophrenic patients were evaluated their clinical assessment with serum levels of free VEGF, sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, and positive and negative symptom scale(PANSS) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after treatment with atypical antipsychotic drug. Thirteen normal control subjects were recruited and matched with the patient group by age and sex. Result : The serum level of free VEGF($295.2{\pm}43.7$pg/ml)and sVEGFR-2($8259{\pm}336.7$) at baseline(before treatment) in schizophrenic patients were not significantly different, compared with the control group($199.0{\pm}28.8$ and $8481{\pm}371.9$) respectively. However, the serum level of sVEGFR-1($86.2{\pm}10.3$, p<0.05) was significantly increased in the schizophrenic patients compared with the control group($59.0{\pm}6.4$). After treatment with antipsychotic drug, the serum levels of free VEGF at 4 weeks($338.9{\pm}56.5$) and 8 weeks($309.5{\pm}58.7$) were not significantly, different compared with baseline. But the serum levels of sVEGFR-1 was significantly decreased at 8 weeks ($57.3{\pm}6.3$, p<0.05) after antipsychotic drug treatment. The serum levels of sVEGFR-2 were decreased at 4 weeks ($7761{\pm}403.0$, p<0.05) and 8 weeks($7435{\pm}333.5$, p<0.05) compared with baseline. Conclusion : The decreased serum level of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 might be affected by dopaminergic system which was influenced by antipsychotic drug.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.61-74
• /
• 1992

Influence of the blockade of the three major pressor systems-sympathetic nervous system (SNS), renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and vasopressin system-on the pressor responsiveness to norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin II (AII), and vasopressin (VP) as well as on basal blood pressure (BP) levels was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. To block the SNS and RAS, chlorisondamine (CS) and pirenzepine (PZ), sympathetic ganglionic blockers, and enalapril (ENAL), an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, respectively were used. And for suppressing the VP system bremazocine (BREM), a kappa opiate receptor agonist shown to suppress plasma levels of VP, was employed. Each of CS (0.4 mg/kg), ENAL (2 mg/kg), and BREM (0.25 mg/kg) produced almost same levels of steady hypotensive state. The hypotensive effect of BREM was significantly attenuated by desmopressin, a synthetic VP-like analogue, suggesting the hypotension being at least in part due to suppression of plasma levels of VP. CS, ENAL and BREM elicited further fall of the BP which had been lowered by ENAL or BREM, CS or BREM, and CS or ENAL, respectively. The hypotension produced by both CS and PZ together with either of ENAL or BREM was more marked than that produced by the three drugs other than CS. CS potentiated the pressor response not only to NE but to AII and VP. The pressor effect of AII was increased by ENAL and BREM, too. The pressor response to VP was also enhanced by BREM. Blockade of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ receptors with phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine potentiated the pressor response to AII and that to VP. The results on basal BP levels indicate that the three major pressor systems are all participating in control of BP, but SNS has the greatest potential for supporting BP. The finding that blockade of one of the pressor systems induced enhanced pressor responsiveness to the pressor hormone of that particular system as well as to the pressor hormone(s) of the other systems(s) provides evidence for important interactions among the three major pressor systems.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.183-192
• /
• 2002

The present studies were carried out to examine the effects of exogenous oxytocin(OT) on plasma, uterine and placenta of estradiol-17$\beta$, progesterone, prostaglandin F$_2$$_{\alpha}$ (PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$), Prostaglandin E$_2$(PGE$_2$) and OT receptor concentrations in pregnant rats. Pregnant rats received an injection of exogenous OT on days 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 of pregnancy and day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ after OT injection started to increase after day 18 and peaked on day 22 of pregnancy but decreased on day 1 of postpartum. Plasma progesterone concentrations declined gradually from day 18 of pregnancy and decreased more rapidly until postpartum 1 day. Concentrations of estradiol-17$\beta$in uterine tissues after OT injection were sharply increased from day 20 to 22 of pregnancy and progestrone concentrations were peaked on day 16 and decreased rapidly from day 16 to 20 and maintained the same level until day 1 of postpartum. Uterine concentrations of PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$ and PGE$_2$increased gradually until day 20 and peaked on day 22 of pregnancy but showed a marked decrease on day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$ in placental tissues increased rapidly from day 14 of pregnancy and decreased sharply on day 1 of postpartum. Concentrations of PGE$_2$increased gradually after day 14 and peaked on day 20 of pregnancy. The concentration of OT receptor in uterus was significantly elevated from day 20 and rose to maximum on day 22 of pregnancy. These findings show that OT suppress the concentration of progestrone and stimulate productions of estradiol-17 $\beta$, PGF$_2$$_{\alpha}$, PGE$_2$ and oxytocin receptor concentrations in pregnant rats.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.90-104
• /
• 2019

In this study, CALPUFF modeling was performed, using a real surface and upper air meterological data to predict trustworthy modeling-results. Pollutant-releases from windscreen chambers of enclosed poultry farms, P1 and P2, and from a open poultry farm, P3, and their diffusing behavior were modeled by CALPUFF modeling with volume sources as well as by finally-adjusted CALPUFF modeling where a linear velocity of upward-exit gas averaged with the weight of each directional-emitting area was applied as a model-linear velocity ($u^M_y$) at a stack, with point sources. In addition, based upon the scenario of poultry farm-releasing odor and particulate matter (PM) removal efficiencies of 0, 20, 50 and 80% or their corresponding emission rates of 100, 80, 50 and 20%, respectively, CALPUFF modeling was performed and concentrations of odor and PM were predicted at the region as a discrete receptor where civil complaints had been frequently filed. The predicted concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were compared with those required to meet according to the offensive odor control law or the atmospheric environmental law. Subsequently their required removal efficiencies at poultry farms of P1, P2 and P3 were estimated. As a result, a priori assumption that pollutant concentrations at their discrete receptors are reduced by the same fraction as pollutant concentrations at P1, P2 and P3 as volume source or point source, were controlled and reduced, was proven applicable in this study. In case of volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, its required removal efficiencies of P1 compared with those of point source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, were predicted similar each other. However, In case of volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling, its required removal efficiencies of both ammonia and $PM_{10}$ at not only P2 but also P3 were predicted higher than those of point source-adopted CALPUFF modeling. Nonetheless, the volume source-adopted CALPUFF modeling was preferred as a safe approach to resolve civil complaints. Accordingly, the required degrees of pollution prevention against ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ at P1 and P2, were estimated in a proper manner.