• Title/Summary/Keyword: beta distribution function

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Vitamin D Sufficiency: How should it be defined and what are its functional indicators?

  • Hollis Bruce W.
    • Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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    • 2004.11a
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    • pp.22-33
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    • 2004
  • It has been more than three decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25(OH)D in human subjects was performed. That publication as well as several that followed it defined 'normal' nutritional vitamin D status in human populations. Recently, the wisdom by which 'normal' circulating 25(OH)D levels in human subjects were assigned in the past has come under question. It appears that sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing 'normal' circulating 25(OH)D levels by plotting a Gaussian distribution is grossly inaccurate. There are many reasons why this method is inaccurate, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary recommendations for vitamin D. For instance, a 400IU/day. AI for vitamin D is insignificant when one considers that a 10-15 minute whole body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$ into the circulation. Recent studies, which orally administered up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin $D_3$ to human subjects for several months, have successfully elevated circulating 25(OH)D levels to those observed in individuals from sun-rich environments. Further, we are now able to accurately assess sufficient circulating 25(OH)D levels utilizing specific biomarkers instead of guessing what an adequate level is. These biomarkers include intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium absorption, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. Using the data from these biomarkers, vitamin D deficiency should be defined as circulating levels of $25(OH)D{\leq}30ng/mL$. In certain cases, such as pregnancy and lactation, significantly higher circulating 25(OH)D levels would almost certainly be beneficial to both the mother and recipient fetus/infant.

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Human Cytomegalovirus Inhibition of Interferon Signal Transduction

  • Daniel M. Miller
    • Korean Journal of Microbiology
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.203-203
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    • 2002
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a beta-herpesvirus with worldwide distribution, exhibits host persistence, a distinguishing characteristic of all herpesviruses. This persistence is dependent upon restricted gene expression in infected cells as well as the ability of productively infected cells to escape from normal cell-mediated anti-viral immunosurveillance. Type I (IFN-α/β) and type II (IFN-γ) interferons are major components of the innate defense system against viral infection. They are potent inducers of MHC class I and II antigens and of antigen processing proteins. Additionally, IFNS mediate direct antiviral effects through induction effector molecules that block viral infection and replications such as 2′, 5-oligoadenylate synthetase (2, 5-OAS). IFNS function through activation of well-defined signal transduction pathways that involve phosphorylation of constituent proteins and ultimate formation of active transcription factors. Recent studies have shown that a number of diverse viruses, including CMV, EBV, HPV mumps and Ebola, are capable of inhibiting IFN-mediated signal transduction through a variety of mechanisms. As an example, CMV infection inhibits the ability of infected cells Is transcribe HLA class I and II antigens as well as the antiviral effector molecules 2, 5-OAS and MxA I. EMSA studies have shown that IFN-α and IFN-γ are unable to induce complete signal transduction in the presence of CMV infection, phenomena that are associated with specific decreases in JAKl and p48. Viral inhibition of IFN signal transduction represents a new mechanistic paradigm for increased viral survival, a paradigm predicting widespread consequences in the case of signal transduction factors common to multiple cytokine pathways.

Intranasal Administration of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist in a Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia Rat Model

  • Lee, Jae Hoon;Kam, Eun Hee;Kim, Jeong Min;Kim, So Yeon;Kim, Eun Jeong;Cheon, So Yeong;Koo, Bon-Nyeo
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.149-157
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    • 2017
  • The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a potential stroke treatment candidate. Intranasal delivery is a novel method thereby a therapeutic protein can be penetrated into the brain parenchyma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Thus, this study tested whether intranasal IL-1RA can provide neuroprotection and brain penetration in transient cerebral ischemia. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. The rats simultaneously received 50 mg/kg human IL-1RA through the intranasal (IN group) or intraperitoneal route (IP group). The other rats were given 0.5 mL/kg normal saline (EC group). Neurobehavioral function, infarct size, and the concentration of the administered human IL-1RA in the brain tissue were assessed. In addition, the cellular distribution of intranasal IL-1RA in the brain and its effect on proinflammatory cytokines expression were evaluated. Intranasal IL-1RA improved neurological deficit and reduced infarct size until 7 days after MCAO (p<0.05). The concentrations of the human IL-1RA in the brain tissue 24 h after MCAO were significantly greater in the IN group than in the IP group (p<0.05). The human IL-1RA was confirmed to be co-localized with neuron and microglia. Furthermore, the IN group had lower expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ at 6 h after MCAO than the EC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that intranasal IL-1RA can reach the brain parenchyma more efficiently and provide superior neuroprotection in the transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Volatility of Export Volume and Export Value of Gwangyang Port (광양항의 수출물동량과 수출액의 변동성)

  • Mo, Soo-Won;Lee, Kwang-Bae
    • Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.1-14
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    • 2015
  • The standard GARCH model imposing symmetry on the conditional variance, tends to fail in capturing some important features of the data. This paper, hence, introduces the models capturing asymmetric effect. They are the EGARCH model and the GJR model. We provide the systematic comparison of volatility models focusing on the asymmetric effect of news on volatility. Specifically, three diagnostic tests are provided: the sign bias test, the negative size bias test, and the positive size bias test. This paper shows that there is significant evidence of GARCH-type process in the data, as shown by the test for the Ljung-Box Q statistic on the squared residual data. The estimated unconditional density function for squared residual is clearly skewed to the left and markedly leptokurtic when compared with the standard normal distribution. The observation of volatility clustering is also clearly reinforced by the plot of the squared value of residuals of export volume and values. The unconditional variance of both export volumes and export value indicates that large shocks of either sign tend to be followed by large shocks, and small shocks of either sign tend to follow small shocks. The estimated export volume news impact curve for the GARCH also suggests that $h_t$ is overestimated for large negative and positive shocks. The conditional variance equation of the GARCH model for export volumes contains two parameters ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ that are insignificant, indicating that the GARCH model is a poor characterization of the conditional variance of export volumes. The conditional variance equation of the EGARCH model for export value, however, shows a positive sign of parameter ${\delta}$, which is contrary to our expectation, while the GJR model exhibits that parameters ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ are insignificant, and ${\delta}$ is marginally significant. That indicates that the asymmetric volatility models are poor characterization of the conditional variance of export value. It is concluded that the asymmetric EGARCH and GJR model are appropriate in explaining the volatility of export volume, while the symmetric standard GARCH model is good for capturing the volatility.

Panax ginseng total protein promotes proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating extracellular signal-related kinase pathway

  • Chen, Xuenan;Wang, Manying;Xu, Xiaohao;Liu, Jianzeng;Mei, Bing;Fu, Pingping;Zhao, Daqing;Sun, Liwei
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.411-418
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    • 2017
  • Background: Recently, protein from ginseng was studied and used for the treatment of several kinds of diseases. However, the effect of ginseng total protein (GTP) on proliferation and wound healing in fibroblast cells remains unclear. Methods: In this study, cell viability was analyzed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometer. The levels of transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagens were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of cyclin A, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK1/2), and ERK1/2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Our results showed that GTP promoted cell proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S phase through the upregulation of cyclin A in NIH/3T3 cells. We also found that GTP induced the secretion of type I collagen, and promoted the expression of other factors that regulate the synthesis of collagen such as transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at Thr202/Tyr204 was also increased by GTP. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that GTP promoted proliferation and secretion of collagen in NIH/3T3 cells by activating the ERK signal pathway, which shed light on a potential function of GTP in promoting wound healing.

The Distribution of ATPase and Porin in the Bovine Heart Mitochondrial Cristae (소(牛) 심근 미토콘드리아의 ATPase와 porin의 분포)

  • Kim, Tae-Keun;Min, Byoung-Hoon;Kim, Soo-Jin
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.261-266
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    • 2010
  • ATP is the energy source synthesized at the electron transferase that consist of complex I, II, III, IV and V in mitochondrial cristae. The complex V functions as ATPase which composed of sub-complex $F_0$ and $F_1$. Porin or VDAC (voltagedependent anion-selective channel), is a family of small pore-forming proteins of the mitochondrial outer membrane, and play important roles in the regulated flux of anion, proton and metabolites between the cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. The channel allows the diffusion of negatively charged solutes such as succinate, malate, and ATP in the fully open state, but of positively charged ions in subconducting state. In this study, in order to investigate the relationship of the function and localization between porin and ATPase we observed the distribution of porin and ATPase in the mitochondria of the bovine heart. Monoclonal antibodies against porin and ATPase ${\beta}$-subunit were used to detect porin and ATPase using light microscope with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and using electron microscope with immunogold-labeling. ATPase were stained in longitudinal section region in cardiac muscle, porin were stained in longitudinal section region in cardiac muscle. We viewed more specific pattern of localization and distribution of these proteins using immunofluorescence method. There were some region which were labeled with porin or ATPase respectively, and others which were labeled both proteins in cardiac muscle. The electron microscope results showed that immunogold labeled porin were labeled locally at mitochondrial outer membrane and ATPase were labeled evenly at mitochondrial cristae. But ATPase was not labeled at mitochondria cristae. These results confirmed the subcellular localizations of porin and ATPase in mitochondrial outer membrane and cristae. Also, we assumed that ATP synthesis always does not activation in all mitochondria exist in the bovine cardiac muscle.

Absorbed Dose for the Endovascular Ho-166-DTPA Brachytherapy Using a Balloon Angio Catheter (풍선도자관의 Ho-166-DTPA 흡수선량)

  • 조철우;박찬희;윤석남;강해준;김미화;장지선;박경배
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.98-103
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate the absorbed dose to the coronary artery segment from various sized balloon angio catheters. The liquid form of Ho-166 was produced at the KAERI by (n, ${\gamma}$ ) reaction. We used GafChromic film for the estimation of the absorbed dose by beta particles. The exposed films were read using a videodensitometer. Several film exposures were made with varying irradiation times and activities. A modified micrometer was used for the measurement of the absorbed dose distribution near the balloon surface. Four balloons of coronary catheters evaluated were 30 m long and 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mm in diameter. All doses are plotted in units of Gy/min/GBq/ml as a function of radial distance in mm from the surface of balloon. The absorbed dose rate was 0.86, 1.01, 1.11 and 1.24 Gy/min/GBq/ml at a balloon surface for various balloon diameter 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mm respectively. Using a vacuum pump, the air in the balloon was evacuated prior to instillation of the Ho-166 source. By removing air bubbles in the balloon, the absorbed dose distribution was more uniform.

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Effects of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture on Monosodium Iodoacetate-induced Osteoarthritis Rats (강황(薑黃) 약침이 Monosodium Iodoacetate 유도 골관절염 흰쥐에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Jong-Hoon;Woo, Chang-Hoon
    • Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.115-133
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    • 2019
  • Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA ($50{\mu}L$ with 80 mg/mL) into knee joint cavity of rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups. Normal group was injected by normal saline into knee joint cavity only. Control group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and orally administered with distilled water. Normal Saline group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with normal saline $100{\mu}L$. Positive comparison group was injected with MIA and orally administered with indomethacin 5 mg/kg. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture low concentration (CL) group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture low concentration $100{\mu}L$. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture high concentration (CH) group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture high concentration $100{\mu}L$. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture was injected at ST35 and EX-LE4 each group (CL, CH). After that, hind paw weight distribution was measured and oxidative stress biomarker in serum, liver function biomarker in serum, western blot analysis were measured. Histological analysis of knee joint tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Safranin-O staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Results Hind paw weight distribution was significantly improved in both group. alanine aminotransferanse and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased significantly in CH group compare with Indomethacin threated group. Antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, Catalase and heme oxygenase-1 were increased in CH group compare with control group. Inflammatory cytokine cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-1 beta were decreased significantly in CH group. Histological analysis result shows that protective effects of joint and cartilage were observed in both CH and CL groups in a concentration-dependent. Conclusions The result suggest that Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture has anti-oxidation effect, anti-inflammatory effect and also can prevent progression of osteoarthritis and protect joint cartilage.

Effects of Fructus Amomi Amari, Eucommiae Cortex, Bombyx Batryticatus Extract on Improving Symptoms of Late-onset Hypogonadism (익지인(益智仁), 두충(杜沖), 백강잠(白殭蠶) 혼합추출물이 남성갱년기 증상 개선에 미치는 영향)

  • Park, Sun Young;Ahn, Sang Hyun;Kim, Ho Hyun
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.89-101
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    • 2019
  • In recent times, the number of men with late-onset hypogonadism has increased, and interest on this topic has also increased. This study was conducted to investigate effects of the mixture extract of Fructus amomi Amari, Eucommiae cortex, Bombyx batryticatus on improve late-onset hypogonadism. The experimental subjects consisted of three groups: a control group consisting of 8-week-old male ICR mice that had undergone no treatment, an aging-elicited group (AE group) consisting of 50-week-old ICR male mice that had undergone no treatment, and a Mixed herbal extract treatment group (MT group) consisting of 50-week-old ICR male mice that had undergone the mixture extract of Fructus amomi Amari, Eucommiae cortex, Bombyx batryticatus treatment (0.1 g/kg/day) for 6 months. After the experiment, the mice from all the experimental groups were dissected, and they were analyzed through histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The mixture extract of Fructus amomi Amari, Eucommiae cortex, Bombyx batryticatus reduces aging-induced cell damage and oxidative stress and increases the secretion of serotonin and B-endorphin in aged mice, and promotes spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules and reduces apoptosis and oxidative stress, and increases androgen receptor, $17{\beta}-HSD$ and GnRH, increases the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers in the corpus cavernosum, increases eNOS, decreases PDE-5 and oxidative stress in aged mice, so it improves depression, reproductive, sexual problems caused by Late-onset hypogonadism. the mixture extract of Fructus amomi Amari, Eucommiae cortex, Bombyx batryticatus inhibits the induction of osteoporosis by increasing decreased bone matrix distribution due to aging, increasing the activities of OPC and OPN, which are produced in osteoblasts, and decreasing RANKL, MMP-3 activity, increasing OPG activity. It also reduces muscle damage, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis of muscle tissue, and increases Myo-D in the sartorius muscle of aged mice for improving muscle atrophy caused by by Late-onset hypogonadism.

Development of Evaluation Model for ITS Project using the Probabilistic Risk Analysis (확률적 위험도분석을 이용한 ITS사업의 경제성평가모형)

  • Lee, Yong-Taeck;Nam, Doo-Hee;Lim, Kang-Won
    • Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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    • v.23 no.3 s.81
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    • pp.95-108
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    • 2005
  • The purpose of this study is to develop the ITS evaluation model using the Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) methodology and to demonstrate the goodness-of-fit of the large ITS projects through the comparative analysis between DEA and PRA model. The results of this study are summarized below. First, the evaluation mode] using PRA with Monte-Carlo Simulation(MCS) and Latin-Hypercube Sampling(LHS) is developed and applied to one of ITS projects initiated by local government. The risk factors are categorized with cost, benefit and social-economic factors. Then, PDF(Probability Density Function) parameters of these factors are estimated. The log-normal distribution, beta distribution and triangular distribution are well fitted with the market and delivered price. The triangular and uniform distributions are valid in benefit data from the simulation analysis based on the several deployment scenarios. Second, the decision making rules for the risk analysis of projects for cost and economic feasibility study are suggested. The developed PRA model is applied for the Daejeon metropolitan ITS model deployment project to validate the model. The results of cost analysis shows that Deterministic Project Cost(DPC), Deterministic Total Project Cost(DTPC) is the biased percentile values of CDF produced by PRA model and this project need Contingency Budget(CB) because these values are turned out to be less than Target Value(TV;85% value), Also, this project has high risk of DTPC and DPC because the coefficient of variation(C.V) of DTPC and DPC are 4 and 15 which are less than that of DTPC(19-28) and DPC(22-107) in construction and transportation projects. The results of economic analysis shows that total system and subsystem of this project is in type II, which means the project is economically feasible with high risk. Third, the goodness-of-fit of PRA model is verified by comparing the differences of the results between PRA and DEA model. The difference of evaluation indices is up to 68% in maximum. Because of this, the deployment priority of ITS subsystems are changed in each mode1. In results. ITS evaluation model using PRA considering the project risk with the probability distribution is superior to DEA. It makes proper decision making and the risk factors estimated by PRA model can be controlled by risk management program suggested in this paper. Further research not only to build the database of deployment data but also to develop the methodologies estimating the ITS effects with PRA model is needed to broaden the usage of PRA model for the evaluation of ITS projects.