• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• v.32 no.11_12
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• pp.557-565
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• 2005

This paper presents the development and implementation of a zero-copy file transfer mechanism that improves the efficiency of file transfers for PC cluster systems using hardware-based VIA(Virtual Interface Architecture) network adapters. VIA is one of the representative user-level communication interfaces, but because there is no library for file transfer, one copy occurs between kernel buffer and user boilers. Our mechanism presents a file transfer primitive that does not require the file system to be modified and allows the NIC to transfer data from the kernel buffer to the remote node directly without copying. To do this, we have developed a hardware-based VIA network adapter, which supports the PCI 64bit/66MHz bus and Gigabit Ethernet, as a NIC, and implemented a zero-copy file transfer mechanism. The experimental results show that the overhead of data coy and context switching in the sender is greatly reduced and the CPU utilization of the sender is reduced to $30\%\~40\%$ of the VIA send/receive mechanism. We demonstrate the performance of the zero-copy file transfer mechanism experimentally. and compare the results with those from existing file transfer mechanisms.

• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.592-607
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• 2006

This paper proposes a technique to select processors and hardware IPs and to map the tasks into the selected processing elements, aming to achieve high performance with minimal system cost when multitask applications with real-time constraints are run on a multicore SoC. Such technique is called to 'Hardware-Software Cosynthesis Technique'. A cosynthesis technique was already presented in our early work [1] where we divide the complex cosynthesis problem into three subproblems and conquer each subproblem separately: selection of appropriate processing components, mapping and scheduling of function blocks to the selected processing component, and schedulability analysis. Despite good features, our previous technique has a serious limitation that a task monopolizes the entire system resource to get the minimum schedule length. But in general we may obtain higher performance in multitask multicore system if independent multiple tasks are running concurrently on different processor cores. In this paper, we present two mapping techniques, task mapping avoidance technique(TMA) and task mapping pinning technique(TMP), which are applicable for general cases with diverse operating policies in a multicore environment. We could obtain significant performance improvement for a multimedia real-time application, multi-channel Digital Video Recorder system and for randomly generated multitask graphs obtained from the related works.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 1996

The present study was designed to determine the effect of hydrocortisone on CA secretion evoked by histamine from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. Histamine (150 ug) given into an adrenal vein produced significantly CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla. This histamine-evoked CA secretion was enhanced markedly by the pretreatment with the natural glucocorticoid hydrocortisone (30 uM) or the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone 30 (uM) for 20 min, respectively. Hydrocortisone-induced potentiation of CA secretion evoked by histamine was inhibited by preloading with heparin (3.56 U/ml), an $IP_3$ receptor antagonist while more enhanced by forskolin (0.2 uM), a potent stimulator of adenylate cyclase. From the experiment result taken together, it is thought that hydrocortisone (glucocorticoids) can enhance the releasing effect of CA evoked by histamine from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which seems to be associated to accumulation of inositol phosphate as well as cyclic AMP in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2014

DA-6034, a eupatilin derivative of flavonoid, has shown potent effects on the protection of gastric mucosa and induced the increases in fluid and glycoprotein secretion in human and rat corneal and conjunctival cells, suggesting that it might be considered as a drug for the treatment of dry eye. However, whether DA-6034 induces $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and its underlying mechanism in epithelial cells are not known. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism for actions of DA-6034 in $Ca^{2+}$ signaling pathways of the epithelial cells (conjunctival and corneal cells) from human donor eyes and mouse salivary gland epithelial cells. DA-6034 activated $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ channels (CaCCs) and increased intracellular calcium concentrations ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in primary cultured human conjunctival cells. DA-6034 also increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in mouse salivary gland cells and human corneal epithelial cells. $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase of DA-6034 was dependent on the $Ca^{2+}$ entry from extracellular and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores. Interestingly, these effects of DA-6034 were related to ryanodine receptors (RyRs) but not phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate ($IP_3$) pathway and lysosomal $Ca^{2+}$ stores. These results suggest that DA-6034 induces $Ca^{2+}$ signaling via extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ entry and RyRs-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in epithelial cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2017

Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the $14^{th}$ day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.656-663
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• 2014

Gintonin, a novel, ginseng-derived G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand, elicits $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ transients in neuronal and non-neuronal cells via pertussis toxin-sensitive and pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins. The slowly activating delayed rectifier $K^+$ ($I_{Ks}$) channel is a cardiac $K^+$ channel composed of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 subunits. The C terminus of the KCNQ1 channel protein has two calmodulin-binding sites that are involved in regulating $I_{Ks}$ channels. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of gintonin-mediated activation of human $I_{Ks}$ channel activity by expressing human $I_{Ks}$ channels in Xenopus oocytes. We found that gintonin enhances $I_{Ks}$ channel currents in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The $EC_{50}$ for the $I_{Ks}$ channel was $0.05{\pm}0.01{\mu}g/ml$. Gintonin-mediated activation 1 of the $I_{Ks}$ channels was blocked by an LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, an $IP_3$ receptor antagonist, and the calcium chelator BAPTA. Gintonin-mediated activation of both the $I_{Ks}$ channel was also blocked by the calmodulin (CaM) blocker calmidazolium. Mutations in the KCNQ1 $[Ca^{2+}]_i$/CaM-binding IQ motif sites (S373P, W392R, or R539W)blocked the action of gintonin on $I_{Ks}$ channel. However, gintonin had no effect on hERG $K^+$ channel activity. These results show that gintonin-mediated enhancement of $I_{Ks}$ channel currents is achieved through binding of the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$/CaM complex to the C terminus of KCNQ1 subunit.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1997

The present study was undertaken to determine whether live T. uaginnlis degrades human secretory IgA, serum If and IgG molecules. Human immunoglobulins were exposed to live trophozoites, parasite Iysate, and excretory-secretory product (ESP) of T ucginnlis. To determine the fragmentation of immunoglobulins, the reaction sample was subjected to SDS-PAGE and EITB, and peroxidase conjugated antihuman IgA and IgG were used as probes. Live trophozoites degraded secretory IgA, serum IgA and IgG, and degradation were pressed forward by the prolongation of the incubation time and by increasing the number of trichomonads respectively. Also the Iysates and ESP of trichomonads degraded IgA and IgG. The cysteine and serine proteinase inhibitors such as I-64, antipain, iodoacetic acid, iodoacetamide, TLCK reduced the ability of cleaving immunoglobulins. The proteinase activity and cytotoxicity of T. uaginnlis to HeLa cells were decreased when live T. vusinalis was treated with metallo-proteinase inhibitor as well as cysteine and serine proteinase inhibitors. These results suggest that proteinase secreted from live T ucginclis may play a part role in host pathogenesis by T. uosinnlis, and the cleaving ability of host immunoglobulins by the proteinase may contribute as a one of immune evasion mechanism for parasite survival in the host.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.150-155
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• 2007

In the present study, we have tested the effect of dioleoyl phosphatidic acid (PA) on intracellular $Ca_{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$) in two human colon cancer cell lines (HCT116 and HT29). PA and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lysolipid, increased $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ in both HCT116 and HT29 cell lines. Increases of $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ by PA and LPA were more robust in HCT116 cells than in HT29 cells. A specific inhibitor of phospholipase C (U73122), however, was not inhibitory to the cell responses. Pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor of $G_{i/o}$ type G proteins, however, had an inhibitory effect on the responses except for an LPA-induced one in HT29 cells. Ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the ryanodine receptor, was not inhibitory on the responses, however, 2-APB, a specific inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, completely inhibited both lipid-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increases in both cell types. Furthermore, by using Ki16425 and VPC32183, two structurally dissimilar specific antagonists for $LPA_{1}/LPA_{3}$ receptors, an involvement of endogenous LPA receptors in the $Ca^{2+}$ responses was observed. Ki16425 completely inhibited the responses but the susceptibility to VPC32183 was different to PA and LPA in the two cell types. Expression levels of five LPA receptors in the HCT116 and HT29 cells were also assessed. Our data support the notion that PA could increase $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ in human colon cancer cells, probably via endogenous LPA receptors, G proteins and $IP_{3}$ receptors, thereby suggesting a role of PA as an intercellular lipid mediator.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.437-450
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• 2013

Miscanthus sacchariflorus var. No. 1 has been newly developed in Korea. This study was conducted to assess the feed value of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at different growth and harvesting time. Total 3 different miscanthus - 1y4m (first shoot and harvested at 4 month), 2y4m (second shoot and harvested at 4 month) and 2y8m (second shoot and harvested at 8 month). Two experiments were carried out, In vitro rumen simulated fermentation and In situ dry matter digestibility (DMD). Ruminal pH at in vitro fermentation were higher in M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 treatments compared to the rice straw (RS). In volatile fatty acid production, 1y4m resulted in higher acetate production than the other M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at higher maturity stages. Significant differences among treatments were observed in propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) productions at 9, 24 and 48 h of incubation times. Higher ammonia nitrogen productions were found as increased maturity of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1. At In situ experiment, high DMD was detected in the order of RS (60.51%) > 1y4m (57.65%) > 2y4m (57.63%) > 2y8m (46.28%). The results from this study indicate that young and early harvested M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 are able to improve its nutrient values in the ruminant animal.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.333-346
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• 1997

The ischemia and reperfusion injury of the skeletal muscles is caused by generation of reactive oxygen during ischemia and reperfusion. It is well known that over 4 hours of ischemia injures the skeletal muscles irreversibly. The author has demonstrated the effects of SOD (superoxide dismutase), DMTU (dimethyl thiourea) and ischemic preconditioning on ultrastructural changes of the muscle fibers in the rectus femoris muscles after 4 hours of ischemia and 1 day and 3 days of reperfusion. A total of 72 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats weighing from 200 gm to 250 gm were used as experimental animals. Under urethane(1.15 g/kg, IP, 2 times) anesthesia, lower abdominal incision was done and the left common iliac artery was occluded by using vascular clamp for 4 hours. The left rectus femoris muscles were obtained at 1 and 3 days after the removal of vascular clamp. The SOD (15,000 unit/kg) or DMTU (500 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally at 1 hour before induction of ischemia. The ischemic preconditioned group underwent three episodes of 5 minutes occlusion and 5 minutes reperfusion followed by 4 hours of ischemia and 1 day and 3 days of reperfusion. The specimens were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prepared by routine methods for electron microscopic observation. All specimens were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and then observed with Hitachi-600 transmission electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. SOD or DMTU alone did not affect the ultrastructure of muscle fibers in the rectus femoris muscles. The electron density of mitochondrial matrix was decreased by ischemic preconditioning. 2. Dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum, triad, mitochondria and the loss of myofilament in the sarcomere were observed in the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles. Markedly changed sarcoplasmic reticulum, triad, disordered or loss of myofilament, indistinct A-band and I-band, and irregular electron lucent M -line and Z-line are seen in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused rectus femoris muscles. 3. SOD reduced the changes of organelles in the muscle fibers of the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles of the rats, but SOD did not affect the changes of muscle fibers in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused muscles. On the other hand, DMTU markedly attenuated considerably the ultrastructural change of the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day or 3 days reperfused rectus femoris muscles. 4. By the ischemic preconditioning, the change was attenuated remarkably in the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles. As the ischemic reperfused changes of muscle fibers were regenerated or recovered by ischemic preconditioning, the ultrastructures of them were similar to those of normal control in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused rectus formoris muscles. Consequently, it is suggested that DMTU is stronger inhibitor to ischemic reperfused change than SOD. The ischemia and reperfusion-induced muscular damage is remarkably inhibited by ischemic preconditioning.