• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.262-265
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• 2024

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.273-279
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is considered as a poor prognosis factor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There has been reported brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) is related with increased right ventricular (RV) workloads. However, there are few studies that evaluate the relationship between BNP and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), RV function and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score in patients with COPD, and the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on these parameters. Methods: Pulmonary function test, echocardiography, blood BNP, and SGRQ score were evaluated in stabilized moderate degree COPD patients ($FEV_1$/FVC< 70%, $50%{\leq}FEV_1$ < 80%) aged 45 years and over, without worsening of symptoms within recent 3 months. After treating with ramipril 10 mg for 3 months, the same evaluation was repeated. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in this study. BNP was significantly correlated with PAP (Pearson coefficient ${\rho}=0.51$, p=0.02), but not with RV ejection fraction (EF) and predicted $FEV_1%$. The values for predicted $FEV_1%$ showed significant correlation with SGRQ total score and activity score, but not with BNP or PAP. After ramipril treatment, PAP showed significant decrease ($42.8{\pm}8.1$ vs. $34.5{\pm}4.5mm$ Hg p=0.0003), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion significant increase ($21.5{\pm}3.3$ vs. $22.7{\pm}3.1mm$ p=0.009). BNP showed a tendency to decrease without statistical significance ($40.8{\pm}59.6$ vs. $18.0{\pm}9.1pg/mL$ p=0.55). SGRQ scores showed no significant change. Conclusion: BNP showed significant correlation with resting PAP, which means BNP could be used as markers for pulmonary hypertension. Treatment with ACEI didn't show significant change in the level of BNP, while pulmonary hypertension and RV function were improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.5
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• pp.258-265
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• 2012

Background: Vitamin D can translocate a vitamin D receptor (VDR) from the nucleus to the cell membranes. The meaning of this translocation is not elucidated in terms of a role in pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) till now. VDR deficient mice are prone to develop emphysema, suggesting that abnormal function of VDR might influence a generation of COPD. The blood levels of vitamin D have known to be well correlated with that of lung function in patients with COPD, and smoking is the most important risk factor in development of COPD. This study was performed to investigate whether cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) can inhibit the translocation of VDR and whether mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in this inhibition. Methods: Human alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) was used in this study. 1,25-$(OH_2)D_3$ and/or MAPKs inhibitors and antioxidants were pre-incubated before stimulation with 10% CSE, and then nucleus and microsomal proteins were extracted for a Western blot of VDR. Results: Five minutes treatment of 1,25-(OH2)D3 induced translocation of VDR from nucleus to microsomes by a dose-dependent manner. CSE inhibited 1,25-$(OH_2)D_3$-induced translocation of VDR in both concentrations of 10% and 20%. All MAPKs inhibitors did not suppress the inhibitory effects of CSE on the 1,25-$(OH_2)D_3$-induced translocation of VDR. Quercetin suppressed the inhibitory effects of CSE on the 1,25-$(OH_2)D_3$-induced translocation of VDR, but not in n-acetylcysteine. Conclusion: CSE has an ability to inhibit vitamin D-induced VDR translocation, but MAPKs are not involved in this inhibition.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.418-425
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• 2010

Background: Little is known about the long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) treatment on post-tuberculosis emphysema. This study evaluated the effects of ACE inhibition on cardiac function and gas exchange in patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema. Methods: At baseline and at 6 months after initiation of ACE inhibition therapy, patients underwent pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and echocardiography, both at rest and post exercise. Cardiac output (CO) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured at those time points as well. Results: After ACE inhibition; resting and post-exercise RVEF ($Mean{\pm}SEM,\;61.5{\pm}1.0,\;67.6{\pm}1.2%$, respectively) were higher than at baseline ($56.9{\pm}1.2,\;53.5{\pm}1.7%$). Resting and post-exercise CO ($6.37{\pm}0.24,\;8.27{\pm}0.34L/min$) were higher than at baseline ($5.42{\pm}0.22,\;6.72{\pm}0.24L/min$). Resting and post-exercise $PaO_2$ ($83.8{\pm}1.6,\;74.0{\pm}1.2mmHg$, respectively) were also higher than at baseline ($74.2{\pm}1.9,\;66.6{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Post-exercise $PaCO_2$($46.3{\pm}1.1mmHg$) was higher than at baseline ($44.9{\pm}1.1;\; Resting\;42.8{\pm}0.8\;vs.\;42.4{\pm}0.9mmHg$). Resting and post-exercise A-a $O_2$ gradient ($12.4{\pm}1.4,\;17.8{\pm}1.5 mmHg$) were lower than at baseline ($22.5{\pm}1.5,\;26.9{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Conclusion: In post-tuberculosis emphysema, RVEF and CO were augmented with a resultant increase in peripheral oxygen delivery after ACE inhibition. These findings suggest that an ACE inhibitor may have the potential to alleviate co-morbid cardiac conditions and benefit the patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2000

Recently atypical antipsychotics have been used as first line agent in the treatment of schizophrenia, and also played a significant role in the treatment of many kinds of psychiatric disorders. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of these newer antipsychotics are well known through preclinical and early clinical trials. However, it is important to note the limitations of the results due to its relatively short experience. Clozapine is eliminated principally by the hepatic P450 1A2 and 3A4 cytochrome enzymes. 1A2 inducers such as carbamazepine and smoking can reduce its half-life, while 1A2 inhibitors such as SSRIs, especially fluvoxamine can increase its duration of action. Carbamazepine should be avoided in a patient on clozapine because of carbamazepine's potential effects on bone marrow. Benzodiazepines tend to increase the chances of sedation, delirium and respiratory depression. Risperidone is metabolized to 9-hydroxyriperidone by the hepatic P450 2D6 cytochrome enzymes. Fluoxetine and paroxetine, 2D6 inhibitors interfere with metabolism, but 9-hydroxyrisperidone has similar biological activity as parental drug, so it has little affect on the outcome. Olanzapine shows minimal capacity to inhibit cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and shows minimal chance of drug interaction. It is eliminated principally by the hepatic P450 1A2 and 2D6 cytochrome enzymes.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.15
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• pp.115-121
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• 1974

Artificial induction of nitrogen deficiency symptoms (leaf chlorosis) with two root respiratory inhibitors(DNP and Na$_2$S) was studied and regarded to be the same characteristic to red discoloration in rice var. Tongil seedling leaves as well as adult ones. Tongil(IR 667) was shown to be more nitrogen sensitive and have more distinctive appearance of the leaf discoloration than Punggwang(a native Japonica-type varity.) Conclusions were drawn from the present data that so-called red discoloration of Tongil under the natural field conditions is brought about either by insufficient nitrogen supply in soils or certain factors which may limit at any time the root absorption of nitrogen (low temperature, toxic gases or substances, poor drainage, around roots, etc.) in soils even with ample supply of it.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2005

Although ketamine has been used in the field of anesthetic medicine for its safety and favourable respiratory effects, the cardiovascular effects of ketamine is still controversial. To clarify the action and mechanism of ketamine upon cardiovascular system, arterial blood pressure, tension of aortic ring, left ventricular developed pressure and heart rate were measured in rats, Ketamine produced two types of effects on arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats; monophasic effect (blood pressure lowering) and biphasic effect (initial transient blood pressure increasing following sustained lowering), The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure showed a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited by the pretreament of $MgCl_2$ and potentiated by the pretreatment of $CaCl_2$. The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure was suppressed by the pretreatment of nifedipine, verapamil or lidocaine. In phenylephrine-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) aortic rings, ketamine sometimes caused a small enhancement of contraction ($112.5{\pm}3.6{\%}$). However, in many experiments, ketamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in +E aortic rings precontracted with either phenylephrine or KCl. Ketamine-induced relaxation was significantly greater in KCl-precontracted strips than phenylephrine-precontracted strips. In phenylephrine-precontracted +E aortic rings, the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation was not suppressed by endothelium removal or by the pretreatment of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-$N^G$-nitro-arginine and a guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue, suggesting that the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation is not dependent on the endothelial function. In addition, ketamine elicited an increase in left ventricular developed pressure in perfused hearts accompanied by decrease in heart rate. These results suggest that ketamine could evoke a hypotension due to vasorelaxation and decrease in heart rate in rats. The inhibitory effect of cardiovascular system might be associated with modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Signaling pathways that are essential for virus production have potential as therapeutic targets against COVID-19. In this study, we investigated cellular responses in two cell lines, Vero and Calu-3, upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluated the effects of pathway-specific inhibitors on virus production. SARS-CoV-2 infection induced dephosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3, high virus production, and apoptosis in Vero cells. However, in Calu-3 cells, SARS-CoV-2 infection induced long-lasting phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3, low virus production, and no prominent apoptosis. Inhibitors that target STAT3 phosphorylation and dimerization reduced SARS-CoV-2 production in Calu-3 cells, but not in Vero cells. These results suggest a necessity to evaluate cellular consequences upon SARS-CoV-2 infection using various model cell lines to find out more appropriate cells recapitulating relevant responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.282-289
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• 2021

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused a worldwide pandemic. Our aim in this study is to produce new fusion inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2, which can be the basis for developing new antiviral drugs. The fusion core comprising the heptad repeat domains (HR1 and HR2) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were used to design the peptides. A total of twelve peptides were generated, comprising a short or truncated 24-mer (peptide #1), a long 36-mer peptide (peptide #2), and ten peptide #2 analogs. In contrast to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion cannot be inhibited with a minimal length, 24-mer peptide. Peptide #2 demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion at 1 µM concentration. Three peptide #2 analogs showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range (4.7-9.8 µM). Peptide #2 inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus assay at IC50=1.49 µM. Given their potent inhibition of viral activity and safety and lack of cytotoxicity, these peptides provide an attractive avenue for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1959

1) The comparative studies of the quantitative measurement of growth characteristics and utilization of substrates by Euglena gracilis var. bacilla 10616 in the light and in darkness have been carried out. Eodogenous respiration, effect of respiratory inhibitors and responses to the added substrates for the exogenous respiration are also investigated. 2) All cultures are grown in the open air under the continuous illumination of fluorescent light of 3500 lux at room termperature, the growth rate of the culture in the basal medium added 0.5% lactate is found to be the highest. The growth rate decreases successively for the cultures of 0.5% sucinate, 0.5% Na-acetate, 0.5% malate, and control. There is no growth in the basal meidum added 0.5% butyrate and 0.5% hydroquinone. The similar results are obtained for the mentioned cultures in the darkness. However, the growth rate in basal medium added 0.5% glucose and 0.5% sucrose does seem to increase in the darkness unlike the illumination. 3) The endogenous rate of respiration for the organism cultured photosynthetically is about 12.94ul 02/mg/hr, in basal medium and the respiratory quotient is about 0.84. The rate is decreased by starvations to 6.5ul 02/mg/hr, about to a half, but the respiratory quotient does net change. 4) The oxygen consomption during initial 2 hours in suspending solution ranging from pH 4.5 to pH 9.3 is highest at pH 4.5 in which the algae had grown, at pH 5.5 and at pH 6.9. 5) Endogenous respiration of the cells is strongly inhibited by 0.1M of potassium cyanide, malomic acid, sodium fluoride and iodo-acetic acid. It is also strongly inhibited by 0.01M of potassium cyanide. 6) The respiratory response to added substrates for the exogenous respiration in the organism is coincided with the rate in the basal medium added the substrate in light and in darkness, whether the cells are fed or starved. 7) According to the results of this study, there seems to be the flexibility of the interconversion between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis, heterotropic mode of metabolism, in Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris, and that this organism utilizes the lactate most. It also may be suggested that the enayme systems linked in the each steps of Embden-Myerhof-Parnas path way and TCA cycle seem to exist in this organism.