• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.518-524
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• 2010

A mannanase gene (man26B) was obtained from a sea bacterium, Paenibacillus sp. BME-14, through the constructed genomic library and inverse PCR. The gene of man26B had an open reading frame of 1,428 bp that encoded a peptide of 475- amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 53 kDa. Man26B possessed two domains, a carbohydrate binding module (CBM) belonging to family 6 and a family 26 catalytic domain (CD) of glycosyl hydrolases, which showed the highest homology to Cel44C of P. polymyxa (60% identity). The optimum pH and temperature for enzymatic activity of Man26B were 4.5 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activity of Man26B was not affected by $Mg^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$, but was inhibited by $Hg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},\;K^+,\;Na^+$, and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol, and slightly enhanced by $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. EDTA did not affect the activity of Man26B, which indicates that it does not require divalent ions to function. Man26B showed a high specific activity for LBG and konjac glucomannan, with $K_m,\;V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ values of 3.80 mg/ml, 91.70 ${\mu}mol$/min/mg protein, and 77.08/s, respectively, being observed when LBG was the substrate. Furthermore, deletion of the CBM6 domain increased the enzyme stability while enabling it to retain 80% and 60% of its initial activity after treatment at $80^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, respectively. This finding will be useful in industrial applications of Man26B, because of the harsh circumstances associated with such processes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2011

Clinical arthritis is typically divided into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Arthritis-induced muscle weakness is a major problem in aged people, leading to a disturbance of balance during the gait cycle and frequent falls. The purposes of the present study were to confirm fiber type-dependent expression of muscle atrophy markers induced by arthritis and to identify the relationship between clinical signs and expression of muscle atrophy markers. Mice were divided into four experimental groups as follows: (1) negative control (normal), (2) positive control (CFA+acetic acid), (3) RA group (CFA+acetic acid+type II collagen), and (4) aging-induced OA group. DBQA/1J mice (8 weeks of age) were injected with collagen (50 ${\mu}g/kg$), and physiological (body weight) and pathological (arthritis score and paw thickness) parameters were measured once per week. The gastrocnemius muscle from animals in each group was removed, and the expression of muscle atrophy markers (MAFbx and MuRF1) and myosin heavy chain isoforms were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. No significant change in body weight occurred between control groups and collagen-induced RA mice at week 10. However, bovine type II collagen induced a dramatic increase in clinical score or paw thickness at week 10 (p<0.01). Concomitantly, the expression of the muscle atrophy marker MAFbx was upregulated in the RA and OA groups (p<0.01). A dramatic reduction in myosin heavy chain (MHC)-$I{\beta}$ was seen in the gastrocnemius muscles from RA and OA mice, while only a slight decrease in MHC-IIb was seen. These results suggest that muscle atrophy gene expression occurred in a fiber type-specific manner in both RA- and OA-induced mice. The present study suggests evidence regarding why different therapeutic interventions are required between RA and OA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2004

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and lymphotoxin-$\alpha$ (LT-$\alpha$, TNF-$\beta$) can initiate and perpetuate human diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). TNFs can be blocked by the use of soluble TNF receptors. However, since monomeric soluble receptors generally exhibit low affinity or function as agonists, the use of monomeric soluble receptors has been limited in the case of cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, TNF-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13, which have adapted to a multi component receptor system. For these reasons, very high-affinity inhibitors were created for the purpose of a TNFs antagonist to bind the TNFR and trigger cellular signal by using the multistep polymerase chain reaction method. First, recombinant simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were constructed from the cDNA sequences encoding the extracellular domain of the human p55 TNFR (CD120a) and the human p75 TNFR (CD120b), which were linked to hinge and constant regions of human $IgG_1$ heavy chain, respectively using complementary primers (CP) encoding the complementary sequences. Then, concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were constructed using recombinant PCR and a complementary primer base of recombinant simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins. For high level expression of recombinant fusion proteins, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were used with a retroviral expression system. The transfected cells produced the simple concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins capable of binding TNF and inactivating it. These soluble versions of simple concantameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins gave rise to multiple forms such as simple dimers and concatameric homodimers. Simple TNFR-1g fusion proteins were shown to have much more reduced TNF inhibitory activity than concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins. Concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins showed higher affinity than simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins in a receptor inhibitor binding assay (RIBA). Additionally, concatameric TNFR-Ig fusion proteins were shown to have a progressive effect as a TNF inhibitor compared to the simple TNFR-Ig fusion proteins and conventional TNFR-Fc in cytotoxicity assays, and showed the same results for collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in mice in vivo.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.684-691
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• 2008

As part of studies to develop new materials to lower blood glucose levels using crude polysaccharide, this study was attempted to analyze the characteristics of crude polysaccharide obtained from the extracts of a mixed herbal medium(OCM) where Trichloloma matsutake mycelium and Cordyceps militaris mycelium were cultured together and to look into the influence of administering these by concentration upon the blood glucose and serum lipid levels of rats with diabetes which was induced by STZ(Streptozotosin). Experimental group was divided into 6 groups: first, it was divided into normal control group(NC group) and diabetes-induced group, and diabetes-induced group was subdivided into diabetic control group(DC group), acarbose-treated group(PC group), 100 mg/kg/body weight-treated by crude polysaccharide of OCM(UE) group(UE100 group), 200 mg/kg/body weight-treated group(UE200 group), and 300 mg/kg/body weight-treated group(UE300 group). In diabetic-induced groups, after streptozotocin was melted in 0.01M citrate buffer at 50 mg/kg/body weight, when the non-fasting blood glucose level not on an empty stomach was 300 mg/dl or more in blood collected from the tail vein, it was regarded as diabetic induction and then such diabetic-induced experimental animals were used in this experiment. The yield of crude polysaccharide obtained from OCM was found to be 0.31% and the ${\beta}$-glucan content 39.40%. As a result of analyzing NO on immune function, which is known as major physiological activity of crude polysaccharide, high NO viability was shown; when 1 mg/ml LPS was treated at 1 ug/ml, it was found to be 50.77 uM, and when LPS was treated at 10 ug/m, it was found to be 53.78 uM. Also, regarding cancer cells, cell count was decreased by about 26% in proportion to sample concentration, while for normal cells, it was a little decreased in proportion to concentration, however, cell count was maintained in the range of $81.92{\sim}98.16%$ at all concentrations. In case of blood glucose level, it was decreased in all extract-treated groups compared to DC group and in the cases of ALT and AST, they were found to be lower in extract-treated groups compared to PC group and for serum lipid, it was found to be lower in UE100 group compared to PC group. Thus this study tried to utilize these results as fundamental data for development of preventive and therapeutic agents against diabetes as well as functional foods using the crude polysaccharide of mushrooms.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the anti-photoaging effects of Persimmon leaf tea(PLT) in hairless mice(SKH-1) exposed to UVB radiation. The animals were divided into non-treated group (normal, N) and UV-radiated groups. UV-radiated groups were divided into only UV-radiated group(control, C) and UV-radiated and PLT treated experimental groups[first extraction treated group(PLT-I), second extraction treated groupe(PLT-II), and third extraction treated group(PLT-III)]. Three PLT treated experimental groups of mice were treated with both oral administration(300mg/Kg B.W./day) and topical application (100 ul of 2% conc./mouse/day) for 4 weeks. Anti-photoaging effects of Persimmon leaf were evaluated by MTT assay, anti oxidative reaction, MMP immunohistochemistry, gelatin zymography assay and RT-PCR observations. Treatment with Persimmon leaf tea(PLT)-I, and -III groups decreased immunohistochemical density of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP)-3 and -9 related to degradation of extracellular matrix in skin. Especially, immunohistochemical density of MMP-2 decreased in PLT-I, -II and -III groups in skin. On the effects of antioxidant function on the treatment with Persimmon leaf tea(PLT), treatment of HaCaT cells with extracts of PLT-I and PLT-II had also significantly reduced intracellular ROS produced by UVB irradiation in a dose dependent manner(PLT-I, p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001; PLT-II, p<0.01, p<0.001). Gelatin zymography assay revealed that PLT-II and PLT-III (200 ug/ml) had inhibitory effect on MMP-9 expression in UVB-radiated HaCaT cells. Western blot analysis revealed that PLT-1, -II and -III groups down-regulates the expression of inflammatory associated genes(IL-$1{\beta}$) and PLT-1 and -II groups down-regulates the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in a dose dependent manner. Our study suggests that Persimmon leaf tea(PLT) extracts participates in inhibitory effects on the morphological and molecular experiments related to photoaging skin on UVB irradiated hairless mice.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 1994

An understanding of the structure and function of mammalian spermatozoa requires the iso-lation of these components. In this study, frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa were treated by physical treatments (vortexing, 26 gauge needle, strained 26 gauge needles and freezing-thawing) or chemical treatments (trypsin, dithiothreitol, sodium dodecylsulfate and $\beta$-mercaptoethanoJ) to yield free heads and tails. The most effective treatment was repeated pumping of sperm suspension through a strained 26 gauge needle conneted to a syringe. Spermatozoa by this treatment were mainly broken at the junction of the head and the tail, resulting in 90-100% yields. Also, sperm head surface did not modify during strained 26 gauge needle treatment when either spermatozoa or sperm heads were incubated in 250${\mu}\textrm{g}$/ml of FITC-UEA 1 for 1 h at room temperature to detect the modification of sperm surface components. Other physical treatments were less efficient for the breakdown of spermatozoa. The effects of chemical treatments on bovine spermatozoa are not noticeable. Dissected sperm heads and tails should be fractional leading to nearly pure components by sucrose gradient centrifugation at 1,000 rpm for 15 min. The result suggest that the established method may be useful for the biochemical study of spermatozoal components, and the understanding of oocyte activation mechanism either by spermatozoal components during fertilization or microinjection of isolated components.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 1994

When $^{14}C-{\alpha}-endosulfan$ was incubated with carp liver, kidney and gut preparations, it was metabolized to water soluble and organosoluble metabolites. In an in vitro test, endosulfan was converted to endosulfan ${\alpha}-hydroxyether$ (EHE), endosulfan alcohol (EA) and endosulfan ether (EE). The addition of NADPH resulted in rapid conversion of endosulfan to the metabolites in 105,000 g soluble fraction and microsomes. However, the rate of metabolism of endosulfan in liver, kidney and gut supplemented with NADPH as a cofactor was higher in the 105,000 g soluble fraction than that in the microsomes of carp under incubation conditions. The enzymes probably involved in the metabolism of endosulfan include the glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the mixed function oxidases (MFO), based on the evidence that addition of either GSH or NADPH increased the degradation of endosulfan.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2020

In this study, in order to confirm the ameliorative effects of onion (Allium cepa L.) flesh and peel on amyloidbeta (Aβ)-induced cognitive dysfunction, we evaluated their in vitro neuroprotection and in vivo cognitive functions. As the result of in vitro neuroprotection, the protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion flesh (EOF) on Aβ-induced cytotoxicity was similar to that of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion peel (EOP). In the behavioral tests, the EOF and EOP effectively improved the Aβ-induced learning and memory impairments. For this reason, it could be concluded that the EOF and EOP improved the antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, oxidized glutathione/total glutathione, and malondialdehyde) in brain tissue. In addition, the EOF and EOP effectively activated mitochondrial functions by protecting the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP, mitochondria-mediated protein (BAX and cytochrome c), and caspase 3/7 activities. The EOF and EOP also improved the cholinergic system (acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine). Therefore, we suggest that onion could be used for management of Aβ-induced cognitive dysfunction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.640-650
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• 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF protein family which is highly synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Depending on the expression tissue, FGF21 uses endo- or paracrine features to regulate several metabolic pathways including glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Different physiologically stressful conditions such as starvation, a ketogenic diet, extreme cold, and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to induce FGF21 synthesis in various tissues to exert either adaptive or defensive mechanisms. More specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha control FGF21 expression in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. In addition, the pharmacologic administration of FGF21 has been reported to decrease the body weight and improve the insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein profiles of obese mice and type 2 diabetes patients meaning that FGF21 has attracted huge interest as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, understanding FGF21 remains complicated due to the paradoxical condition of its tissue-dependent expression. For example, nutrient deprivation largely increases hepatic FGF21 levels whereas adipose tissue-derived FGF21 is increased under feeding condition. This review discusses the issues of interest that have arisen from existing publications, including the tissue-specific function of FGF21 and its action mechanism. We also summarize the current stage of a clinical trial using several FGF21 analogs.