• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2002

A total of twenty-five norfloxacin resistant Escherichia coli were isolated from Joongrang-chun stream, a branch of the Han River in Seoul, Korea from May to July in 2000 and their norfloxacin resistance mechanism was characterized for target site mutation, permeability, and efflux pump. Fourteen iso- lates contained the same three mutations, Ser83→Leu and Asp87→Asn in GyrA and Ser90→ lle in ParC. Six isolates had Ser83→Leu and Asp87→Tyr in GyrA and Ser87→lle in ParC while one isolate had Ser83→Leu and Va1103→Ala in GyrA and Ser80→lle in ParC. Two isolates had mutation(s) in GyrA without any mutation in ParC. Two isolates had Ser80→Arg in ParC instead of the commonly found Ser80→lle. Every norfloxacin resistant isolate had an efflux system but the correlation between the efflux activity and MIC was not observed. The amount of OmpF for norfloxacin permeability decreased in resistant isolates compared to the susceptible strains. When amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed, these isolates showed no similarity to each other or clinical isolates.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.381-386
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• 2011

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) has been known as a major hurdle in cancer chemotherapy. One of the most clinically significant causes of MDR was the efflux of anticancer agents mediated by p-glycoprotein (p-gp) over-expressed in MDR cancer cells. To overcome MDR, there have been several strategies such as co-administration with p-gp inhibitors and encapsulation of anticancer drugs into drug delivery systems. In the present study, curcumin was evaluated for its potential as p-gp inhibitor and MDR reversal activity when combined with paclitaxel incorporated into lipid nanoparticles (PTX/LN). Western blot assay showed curcumin did not modulate the level of p-gp expression in MCF-7/ADR which is a MDR variant of human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, and over-expresses p-gp. However, curcumin inhibited p-gp-mediated efflux of calcein in a dose-dependent manner even though it showed lower activity compared to verapamil, a well-known p-gp inhibitor. Incorporation of paclitaxel into lipid nanoparticles partially recovered the anticancer activity of paclitaxel in MCF-7/ADR. The combined use of curcumin and PTX/LN exhibited further full reversal of MDR, suggesting susceptibility of PTX/LN to the efflux system. In conclusion, combined approach of using p-gp inhibitors and incorporation of the anticancer agents into nano-delivery systems would be an efficient strategy to overcome MDR.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.295-302
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• 2008

In the present study, we examined the changes of uptake and efflux of taurine under various conditions inducing oxidative stress using rat conditionally immortalized syncytiotrophoblast cell line, TR-TBT cell, as blood-placental barrier in vitro model. In addition, we identified the characteristics of taurine transport in TR-TBT cells including general features, besides effect of calcium ion on taurine transport. Taurine uptake showed time, $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ dependency, and was decreased by PKC activator in TR-TBT cells. Also, calcium free condition decreased taurine uptake and evoked taurine efflux in the cells. Oxidative stress induced the change of taurine transport in TR-TBT cells, but the changes were different depending on the types of stimulation inducing oxidative stress. The taurine uptake was increased by TNF-$\alpha$, LPS and DEM stimulation but decreased by $H_2O_2$ and NO stimulation. Also, the taurine efflux was regulated by TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation. In conclusion, the taurine transport through the blood-placental barrier was regulated in oxidative stress conditions, and these results demonstrated that oxidative stress affected the taurine supplies to fetus and taurine level of fetus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.12 no.1_2
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• pp.1-5
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• 1978

In an attempt to explore the effect of Ginseng on the permeability of the biological membrane to cations we have investigated the effect of Ginseng-alcohol extract on the transport of $Na^+$ human red blood cell preprations. The $Na^+$ influx was measured in intact red cells using $^{22}Na$ as a tracer and the efflux in reseated red cells using $^{24}Na$ as a tracer. 1. The influx of $Na^+$ was not apparently changed by the Ginseng-alcohol extract of 20mg% in the incubation medium. 2. Similarly, 20mg% Ginseng-alcohol extract in the cellular space did not alter the efflux of $Na^+$ from the cell. However, 50mg% of Ginseng-alcohol extract in the cell resulted in a significant increase in the $Na^+$ efflux and this effect was magnified when the cell was suspended in the medium containing the Ginseng-alcohol extract in a concentration of 20mg %. The results suggest that Ginseng-alcohol extract over 50mg% increase permeability of red blood cell membrane to $Na^+$ by altering the membrane integrity.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.253-257
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• 2018

Climate models forecast more frequent and a longer period of drought events which may impact forest soil carbon dynamics, thereby altering the soil respiration (SR) rate. We examine the simulated drought effects on soil $CO_2$ effluxes from soil surface partitioning heterotrophic and autotrophic soil respiration sources. Three replicates of drought plots ($6{\times}6m$) were constructed with the same size of three control plots. We examined the relation between $CO_2$ and soil temperature and soil moisture, each being measured at a soil depth of 15 cm. We also compared which factor affected $CO_2$ efflux more under drought conditions. Total SR, autotrophic respiration (AR) and heterotrophic respiration (HR) were positively correlated with soil temperature (p < 0.05), and the relationships were stronger in roof plots than in control plots. Total SR, AR, and HR were negatively correlated only in roof plots, and the only HR showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05, r = -0.59). Soil respiration rates were more influenced by soil temperature than by soil moisture, and this relationship was more evident under drought conditions.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2004

One mechanism which plays a prominent role in development of multi-drug resistance seen in cancer cells is the over-expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). It is known that compounds found in vegetables and fruits not only have anticarcinogenic properties but may also modulate P-gp activity. The effect of some dietary components on efflux of daunomycin (DNM), a P-gp substrate, was examined in P-gp over-expressed human uterine sarcoma cell line, MES-SA/DX5. The efflux of DNM from the cells was significantly inhibited by quercetin and verapamil, but not by 1-naphtyl-isothiocyanate (NITC). The $IC_{50}$ values for DNM in MES-SA/DX5 cells were increased by flavonoids (quercetin and fisetin), but not by NITC after 72 hour incubation with dietary constituents. In conclusion, flavonoids may play a role in the modulation of P­-gp activity in human uterine sarcoma cells.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2016

This study was carried out to examine the relationships between seasonal variations of soil $CO_2$ efflux rates and soil environmental factors in matured Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis stands in the Wola national experimental forests, southern Korea. Soil $CO_2$ efflux rates were measured monthly from March 2015 to February 2016. Mean soil $CO_2$ efflux rates during the study period were significantly higher in the Q. variabilis ($mean{\pm}standard$ error; $2.27{\pm}0.22{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$) than in the P. densiflora ($1.63{\pm}0.12{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$) stands. Mean soil water content and pH were also significantly higher in the Q. variabilis ($26.96{\pm}0.93%$, pH 5.19) than in the P. densiflora ($21.32{\pm}0.89%$, pH 4.87) stands, while soil temperature was not significantly different between the P. densiflora ($13.92{\pm}0.67^{\circ}C$) and in the Q. variabilis ($13.52{\pm}0.70^{\circ}C$) stands. $Q_{10}$ values were higher in the Q. variabilis (3.35) than in the P. densiflora (2.72) stands. The results indicate that soil $CO_2$ efflux rates in Q. variabilis stand could be more sensitive by the change of soil temperature compared with P. densiflora stand under a similar site environmental condition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.717-730
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• 1997

$Mg^{2+}$ is the fourth most abundant cation in cellular organisms. Although the biological chemistry and the physiological roles of the magnesium ion were well known, the regulation of intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ in mammalian cells is not fully understood. More recently, however, the mechanism of $Mg^{2+}$ mobilization by hormonal stimulation has been investigated in hearts and in myocytes. In this work we have investigated the regulation mechanism responsible for the $Mg^{2+}$ mobilization induced by ${\alpha}1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation in perfused guinea pig hearts or isolated myocytes. The $Mg^{2+}$ content of the perfusate or the supernatant was measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. The elimination of $Mg^{2+}$ in the medium increased the force of contraction of right ventricular papillary muscles. Phenylephrine also enhanced the force of contraction in the presence of $Mg^{2+}$-free medium. ${\alpha}1-Agonists$ such as phenylephrine were found to induce $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in both perfused hearts or myocytes. This was blocked by prazosin, a ${\alpha}1-adrenoceptor$ antagonist. $Mg^{2+}$ efflux by phenylephrine was amplified by $Na^+$ channel blockers, an increase in extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ or a decrease in extracellular $Na^+$. By contrast, the $Mg^{2+}$ influx was induced by verapamil, nifedipine, ryanodine, lidocaine or tetrodotoxin in perfused hearts, but not in myocytes. $W_7$, a $Ca^{2+}/calmodulin$ antagonist, completely blocked the pheylephrine-, A23187-, veratridine-, $Ca^{2+}-induced$ $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in perfused hearts or isolated myocytes. In addition, $Mg^{2+}$ efflux was induced by $W_7$ in myocytes but not in perfused heart. In conclusion, An increase in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux by ${\alpha}1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation in hearts can be through $IP_3$ and $Ca^{2+}-calmodulin$ dependent mechanism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of $Sasa$ $quelpaertensis$ bamboo and green tea on plasma and liver lipids, platelet aggregation, and erythrocyte membrane Na channels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty female rats were OVX, and ten female rats were sham-operated at the age of 6 weeks. The rats were divided into four groups at the age of 10 weeks and fed the experiment diets: sham-control, OVX-control, OVX-bamboo leaves (10%), or OVX-green tea leaves (10%) for four weeks. Final body weight increased significantly in the OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control, whereas body weight in the OVX-green tea group decreased significantly compared with that in the OVX-control ($P$ < 0.01). High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level decreased in all OVX groups compared with that in the sham-control rats ($P$ < 0.05) but without a difference in plasma total cholesterol. Plasma triglycerides in the OVX-green tea group were significantly lower than those in the sham-control or OVX-control group ($P$ < 0.05). Liver triglycerides increased significantly in the OVX-control compared with those in the sham-control ($P$ < 0.01) but decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with those in the OVX-control or OVX-bamboo group ($P$ < 0.01). Platelet aggregation in both maximum and initial slope tended to be lower in all OVX rats compared with that in the sham-control rats but was not significantly different. Na-K ATPase tended to increase and Na-K cotransport tended to decrease following ovariectomy. Na-K ATPase decreased significantly in the OVX-green tea group compared with that in the OVX-control group ($P$ < 0.01), and Na-K cotransport increased significantly in the OVX-bamboo and OVX-green tea groups compared with that in the OVX-control ($P$ < 0.05). Femoral bone mineral density tended to be lower in OVX rats than that in the sham-control, whereas the green tea and bamboo leaves groups recovered bone density to some extent. The results show that ovariectomy caused an increase in body weight and liver triglycerides, and that green tea was effective for lowering body weight and triglycerides in OVX rats. Ovariectomy induced an increase in Na efflux via Na-K ATPase and a decrease in Na efflux via Na-K cotransport. Furthermore, consumption of green tea and bamboo leaves affected Na efflux channels, controlling electrolyte and body water balance.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 1995

A wastewater purifying system using phototrophic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, is currently in operation in several countries, One of them, is a continuously aerated bioreactor(CABR) system, which treats concentrated swin wasterwater using small amounts of phototrophic bacteria as additive bacterial seeding. Using this plant, total biochemical oxygen demand was decreased to 13%, and most of volatile fatty acids were removed. About 40% of the wastewater(Influx) was evaporated during aerobic digestion for 24h, and 60% of that erupted in a decodorized foam(Efflux). The efflux had enough nutrients, N, P and K kor growing plant, as well as organic matters. When the efflux was applied to Italian ryegrass with high dose, fresh shoot and root weights were significantly greater, and $NO_3-N$ contents of the dried shoot were lower than those of control plant (CDU). These results indicate that the CABR plant is useful for reduction and deodorization of swine wastewater and the efflux from CABR can be used for crop production as an organic fertilizer.