• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1576-1581
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• 2007

Dopamine reward pathway projecting from ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens is well known as playing an important role in alcohol dependence. It is supposed that this dopamine pathway is modulated by $5-HT_3$ nervous system, and it was reported that ondansetron (OND), $5-HT_3$ receptor antagonist, reduced drinking amount and increased abstinence rate in alcohol-dependent patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of combination of OND and naltrexone (NTX), non-specific opioid receptor antagonist, on alcohol intake in C57BL/6 mice. In 40 C57BL/6 mice in the state of alcohol dependence, vehicle, while OND 0.01 mg/kg, or NTX 1.0 mg/kg administrated respectively, or OND 0.01 mg/kg and NTX 1.0 mg/kg administrated simultaneously for ten days, medication effects on 2-hr alcohol, 22-hr water, 24-hr food intake and body weight were studied. When vehicle group was compared with 3 medication groups respectively, using a repeated measure ANOVA, NTX alone and vehicle groups showed a significant medication by time interaction (p=0.042) in 2-hr alcohol intake, but in the other 2 groups, OND and NTX combination group and OND alone group, there was no significant interaction with vehicle group in 2-hr alcohol intake. From these results, it is suggested that there is no effect on alcohol intake in mice treating with OND, and naltrexone#s suppression effect on alcohol intake in mice is attenuated when treating with OND and NTX simultaneously. It is supposed that a further study looking at the interactions of serotonin, dopamine and opioid nerves systems will be needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2009

The maturity of amber matrix and inclusion was studied to explore the effect of heat treatment on the formation of the sun spangle in the transparent Baltic amber from Gdansk, Poland. Optical microscope revealed two types of inclusions in the original amber samples. The inclusions in the amber which had sun spangle were dramatically expanded by the heat treatment, comparing to those without sun spangle which contains fissure and shows different refractive index. The amber sample which didn't show sun spangle after the heat treatment showed a strong carbon related peak in TOF-SIMS spectra and weak oxygen related peak. it means that the maturity of this amber sample is comparatively higher than the one with spangle. The two amber samples show similar IR spectra before the heat treatment. However, the amber which had sun spangle exhibited an additional 1019 $cm^{-1}$ absorption peak and a more intense 887 $cm^{-1}$ peak. The different chemical compositions between the two types of amber is believed to be due to the different absorption spectra between 1000~600 $cm^{-1}$. According to the study of DSC analysis, the two samples show different DSC profiles. Although they have the same geological origin, their geological ages are different and have different chemical compositions. Thus, they exhibited different behavior after the heat treatment. The formation of sun spangle seemed to depend on the difference in the heat expansion rate of amber matrix with different maturity and chemical compositions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1278-1285
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• 2017

Accumulation of excess low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood can initiate and accelerate atherosclerosis. Statins mediate the transactivation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which in turn limits their cholesterol-lowering effects via LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not Allium tuberosum (AT) regulates LDLR and PCSK9. Mice were fed a low fat control diet (LD) or Western diet (WD) supplemented with AT (1%, w/w). AT significantly attenuated total and LDL cholesterol levels in mice fed WD (P<0.05). AT also significantly inhibited hepatic PCSK9 gene expression (P<0.05) while AT maintained hepatic LDLR gene expression. To further investigate AT-mediated PCSK9 regulation, HepG2 cells were treated with 10% delipidated serum (DLPS) in the presence or absence of AT. Non-toxic level of AT dose-dependently increased the LDLR protein level, and AT at $400{\mu}g/mL$ markedly inhibited PCSK9 protein expression. Similarly, AT significantly increased LDLR gene expression, whereas it significantly down-regulated PCSK9 gene expression. AT-mediated reduction of PCSK9 gene expression is likely due to decreased hepatic nuclear factor $1{\alpha}$ ($HNF1{\alpha}$) expression, but not SREBP2 in HepG2 cells under lipid-depleted conditions. AT-mediated PCSK9 inhibition contributed to LDLR protein stabilization via protection against LDLR lysosomal degradation in HepG2 cells under lipid-depleted conditions. Further investigation is warranted to determine the active components of AT and whether or not these components are effective in reducing hypercholesterolemia.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.265-285
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• 1999

The purposes of this investigation were to observe the reaction kinetics of five commercial dual cured resin cements (Bistite, Dual, Scotchbond, Duolink and Duo) when cured under varying thicknesses of porcelain inlays by chemical or light activation and to evaluate the effect of the porcelain disc on the rate of polymerization of dual cured resin cement during light exposure by using thermal analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) was used to evaluate the weight change as a function of temperature during a thermal program from $25{\sim}800^{\circ}C$ at rate of $10^{\circ}C$/min and to measure inorganic filler weight %. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) was used to evaluate the heat of cure(${\Delta}H$), maximum rate of heat output and peak heat flow time in dual cured resin cement systems when the polymerization reaction occured by chemical cure only or by light exposure through 0mm, 1mm, 2mm and 4mm thickness of porcelain discs. In 4mm thickness of porcelain disc, the exposure time was varied from 40s to 60s to investigate the effect of the exposure time on polymerization reaction. To investigate the effect on the setting of dual cured resin cements of absorption of polymerizing light by porcelain materials used as inlays and onlays, the change of the intensity of the light attenuated by 1mm, 2mm and 4mm thickness of porcelain discs was measured using curing radiometer. The results were as follows 1. The heat of cure of resin cements was 34~60J/gm and significant differences were observed between brands (P<0.001). Inverse relationship was present between the heat of reaction and filler weight % the heat of cure decreased with increasing filler content (R=-0.967). The heat of reaction by light cure was greater than by chemical cure in Bistite, Scotchbond and Duolink(P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in Dual and Duo(P>0.05). 2. The polymerization rate of chemical cure and light cure of five commercially available dual cured resin cements was found to vary greatly with brand. Setting time based on peak heat flow time was shortest in Duo during chemical cure, and shortest in Dual during light cure. Cure speed by light exposure was 5~20 times faster than by chemical cure in dual cured resin cements. The dual cured resin cements differed markedly in the ratio of light and chemical activated catalysts. 3. The peak heat flow time increased by 1.51, 1.87, and 3.24 times as light cure was done through 1mm, 2mm and 4mm thick porcelain discs. Exposure times recommended by the manufacturers were insufficient to compensate for the attenuation of light by the 4mm thick porcelain disc. 4. A strong inverse relationship was observed between peak heat flow and peak time in chemical cure(R=0.951), and a strong positive correlations hip was observed between peak heat flow and the heat of cure in light cure(R=0.928). There was no correlationship present between filler weight % or heat of cure and peak time. 5. The thermal decomposition of resin cements occured primarily between $300^{\circ}C$ and $480^{\circ}C$ with maximum decomposition rates at $335^{\circ}C$ and $440^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2012

Thanks to the rapid increase of the interest in the quality control of the General X-ray systems, this research proposes the direction of the quality control through comparing and inspecting the actual condition of the respective quality control in the Clinic, the educational institution and the hospital. The subjects of the investigation are diagnostic radiation equipment's in the clinic, the educational institution and the hospital around the capital. A test of kVp, mR/mAs out put test and reproducibility of the exposure dose, half value layer, an accordance between the light field and the beam alignment test, and lastly reproducibility of the exposure time. Then the mean difference of the percentage, the CV (Coefficient of Variation, CV) and the attenuated curve which are respectively resulted from the above tests are computed. After that we have evaluated the values according to the regulations on the Diagnostic Radiation Equipment Safety Administration regulations. In the case of the clinic and the educational institution, there were 22 general X-ray devices. And 18.2% of the kVp test, 13.6% of the reproducibility of exposure dose test, 9.1% of the mR/mAs out put test, and 13.6% of the HVL (Half Value Layer) test appeared to be improper. In the case of the hospital, however, there were 28 devices. And 7.1% of the reproducibility of exposure dose, 7.1% of the difference in the light field/ beam alignment, and 7.1% of the reproducibility of the exposure time appeared to be improper. According to the investigation, the hospital's quality control condition is better than the condition in the clinic and the educational institution. The quality control condition of the general X-ray devices in the clinic is unsatisfactory compared to the hospital. Thus, it is considered that realizing the importance of the quality control is necessary.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 1997

Chunggeumtang has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Chunggeumtang on tracheal smooth muscle is not konwn. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Chunggeumtang on histamine and acetylcholine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal swegments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force diplacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) and acetylcholine (Ach) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine and acetylcholine($10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M$). Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) and Ach ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Chunggeumtang. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was $6.1%after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and 49.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was $6.7%\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $54.2%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. Also, in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $30.6%\;(p<0.05)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $53.0%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $24.1%\;(p<0.05)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $55.3%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. Propranolol and indomethacin($10^{-7}M$) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Chunggeumtang. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 27.6% in guinea pig induced by acetylcholine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 28.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by acetylcholine contraction and the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.2% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 28.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 20.0% in guinea pig induced by acetylcholine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.9% (p<0.05) in rat induced by acetylcholine contraction and the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.4% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 23.1% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Methylene blue($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chunggeumtang. Also, I could find the effects of Chunggeumtang and Chunggeumtanggamorphine on the tracheal smooth muscle in guinea pig and rat did not change significantly. These results indicate that Chunggeumtang can relax histamine and acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects and the release of cyclooxygenase products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.879-887
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to establish a physiological injection protocol according to body weight, in order to minimize amount of contrast medium and optimize contrast enhancement in pediatric patients performing thoracic CT examinations. The 80 pediatric patients under the age of 10 were studied. Intravenous contrast material containing 300 mgI/ml was used. The group A injected with a capacity of 1.5 times its weight, and groups B, C and D added 5 to 15 ml of normal saline with a 10% decrease in each. The physiologic model which can be calculated by weight about amount of injection of contrast medium and normal saline, flow rate and delay time were applied. To assess image quality, measured average HU value and SNR of superior vena cava, pulmonary artery, ascending and descending aorta, right and left atrium, right and left ventricle. CT numbers of subclavian vein and superior vena cava were compared to identify the effects of reducing artifacts due to normal saline. Comparing SNR according to the contrast medium injection protocol, significant differences were found in superior vena cava and pulmonary artery, descending aorta, right and left ventricle, and CT numbers showed significant differences in all organs. In particular, B group with a 10% decrease in contrast medium and an additional injection of saline showed a low degree of contrast enhancement in groups with a decrease of more than 20%. In addition, the group injected with normal saline greatly reduced contrast enhancement of subclavian vein and superior vena cava, and the beam hardening artifact by contrast medium was significantly attenuated. In conclusion, the application of physiological protocol for injection of contrast medium in pediatric thoracic CT examinations was able to reduce artifacts by contrast medium, prevent unnecessary use of contrast medium and improve the effect of contrast enhancement.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2011

Migration and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells are crucial for tissue regeneration in response to injury. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that regulates a variety of biological processes, including proliferation, survival, differentiation and motility. In the present study, we determined the role of S1P in migration and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). S1P stimulated migration of BMSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and pre-incubation of the cells with pertussis toxin completely abrogated S1P-induced migration, suggesting involvement of Gi-coupled receptors in S1P-induced cell migration. S1P elicited elevation of intracellular concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and pretreatment with VPC23019, an antagonist of $S1P_1/S1P_3$, blocked S1P-induced migration and increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous $S1P_1$ attenuated S1P-induced migration of BMSCs. Furthermore, S1P treatment induced expression of $\alpha$-smooth muscle actin ($\alpha$-SMA), a smooth muscle marker, and pretreatment with VPC23019 abrogated S1P-induced $\alpha$-SMA expression. S1P induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and pretreatment of cells with SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, or adenoviral overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of the p38 MAPK blocked S1P-induced cell migration and $\alpha$-SMA expression. Taken together, these results suggest that S1P stimulates migration and smooth muscle differentiation of BMSCs through an $S1P_1$-p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2013

This study was aimed at investigating whether dietary therapy using medicinal enzyme powder is effective in reducing constipation caused by loperamide in rats. Nine-week-old male Sprague Dawley were subdivided into 4 groups: normal diet group (C), loperamide treatment and normal diet (CL), medicinal enzyme powder diet (E), and loperamide treatment and medicinal enzyme powder diet (EL). Constipation was induced by subcutaneous injection of loperamide (1.5 mg/kg) 3 days prior to sacrifice. The treatment with loperamide led to an increase in weight gain, a decrease in the number and wet weight of fecal pellets, and a decrease in intestinal motility. The administration of the medicinal enzyme powder significantly reduced weight gain but increased intestinal mobility compared with the loperamide-treated group. The treatment with loperamide in the normal diet group reduced the activities of both suggesting that constipation may be involved in the low level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT). Additionally, the loperamide treatment in the medicinal enzyme powder diet group increased the level of GOT, but reduced the level of GPT. Loperamide treatment also reduced cholesterol and increased the atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factors (CRFs). Interestingly, the treatment with the medicinal enzyme powder effectively attenuated both the increase in AI and the reduction in high density lipopretein (HDL)-cholesterol, caused by the treatment with loperamide. Although there were no significant differences in the blood protein level, including hemoglobin and hematocrit, between the normal diet group and the loperamide-treated group, the administration of the medicinal enzyme powder to the loperamide-treated group effectively increased the levels of both hemoglobin and hematocrit. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the medicinal enzyme powder can help to combat the negative events caused by constipation.