• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the personal characteristics of physical therapists, dementia awareness and dementia attitude, and to find out what relationship is there between personal characteristics and dementia awareness and dementia attitude. Methods: Participants in this study surveyed physical therapists who are members of the Association of Korean Physical Therapists on their awareness of dementia, and conducted online surveys from January 28 to February 27, 2021. The survey questions used in the survey consisted of 29 questions in total, including 9 general characteristics of the participant, 10 questions on perception of dementia, and 10 attitudes toward dementia. All 104 participants were surveyed, and 100 surveys were analyzed, excluding 4 surveys with insufficient responses. Results: In this study, the correct answer rate for all items in the dementia awareness sub-item was 65%, and the dementia attitude-related sub-items were generally positive. However, there was no significant correlation between personal characteristics such as gender, age, educational background, treatment target, treatment experience and dementia awareness, and no correlation with dementia attitude was significant. Conclusion: Regardless of personal characteristics such as gender, age, treatment target, and treatment experience, a positive attitude and correct recognition of dementia can improve the quality of treatment with dementia patients and increase the reliability of patients and caregivers.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2016

MiR399f plays a crucial role in maintaining phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under phosphate starvation conditions, AtMYB2, which plays a role in plant salt and drought stress responses, directly regulates the expression of miR399f. In this study, we found that miR399f also participates in plant responses to abscisic acid (ABA), and to abiotic stresses including salt and drought. Salt and ABA treatment induced the expression of miR399f, as confirmed by histochemical analysis of promoter-GUS fusions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing miR399f (miR399f-OE) exhibited enhanced tolerance to salt stress and exogenous ABA, but hypersensitivity to drought. Our in silico analysis identified ABF3 and CSP41b as putative target genes of miR399f, and expression analysis revealed that mRNA levels of ABF3 and CSP41b decreased remarkably in miR399f-OE plants under salt stress and in response to treatment with ABA. Moreover, we showed that activation of stress-responsive gene expression in response to salt stress and ABA treatment was impaired in miR399f-OE plants. Thus, these results suggested that in addition to phosphate starvation signaling, miR399f might also modulates plant responses to salt, ABA, and drought, by regulating the expression of newly discovered target genes such as ABF3 and CSP41b.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 1990

The vascular responses to the vasoactive drugs were evaluated using aortic ring preparations obtained from propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated rats. The body weights and the levels of serum thyroxine $(T{_4})$ and triiodothyronine $(T{_3})$ were significantly decreased in propylthiouracil-treated rats as compared with those in age-matched control rats. The contractile responses to norepinephrine and potassium and calcium ions were significantly attenuated in aortic rings of PTU-treated rats 4 weeks after when compared with those from age-matched control animals. By the PTU treatment, however, the sensitivity to norepinephrine but not to calcium was decreased while the maximal responses to norepinephrine and calcium were reduced together. The attenuated contractile responses to the vasoconstrictors in PTU-treated rats are ascribed to the decreased ability of the muscle cells to contract. On the other hand, the relaxation responses induced by acetylcholine and histamine (endothelium-dependent relaxants) and isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent relaxants) had tendencies to be augmented in aortic rings of PTU-treated rats when compared with those of age-matched control animals. However, the sensitivities to the endothelium-independent relaxants were different between PTU-treated and control rats whereas those to the endothelium-dependent relaxants were not. These results suggest that the altered vascular responsiveness in the PTU-treated rats seems to be due to the alteration of smooth muslce cells rather than the Influence of endothelium, and that this change is slowly progressive after hypothyroidism is evident.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.229-239
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of provinol, which is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds from red wine, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Provinol (0.3 ${\sim}$ 3 ${\mu}g/ml$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min dose- and time-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (a direct membrane-depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_N$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$). Provinol itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by Bay-K-8644 (a voltage-dependent L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}M$), cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}M$) and veratridine (an activator of voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channels, 10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) plus L-NAME (a selective inhibitor of NO synthase, 30 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclpiazonic acid recovered to the considerable extent of the corresponding control secretion in comparison with the inhibition of provinol-treatment alone. Under the same condition, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of provinol (3 ${\mu}g/ml$) was greatly elevated in comparison to its basal release. Taken together, these data demonstrate that provinol inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the perfused rat adrenal medulla. This inhibitory effect of provinol seems to be exerted by inhibiting the influx of both calcium and sodium into the rat adrenal medullary cells along with the blockade of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.176-190
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• 2011

There seems to be some controversy about the effect of total ginseng saponin (TGS) on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the adrenal gland. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether TGS can affect the CA release in the perfused model of the adrenal medulla isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). TGS (15-150 ${\mu}g/mL$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min, inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 mM) and high $K^+$ (56 mM, a direct membrane depolarizer) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$) also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion evoked by 1.1-dimethyl-4 -phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP; 100 ${\mu}M$, a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist) and McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$, a selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist). TGS itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by veratridine (a selective $Na^+$ channel activator (50 ${\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (an L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$) and N${\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride [an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, 30 ${\mu}M$], the inhibitory responses of TGS on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, cyclopiazonic acid, and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory effect of TGS-treatment alone. Practically, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of TGS (150 ${\mu}g/mL$) was greatly elevated compared to the corresponding basal released level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TGS inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the SHRs. It seems that this inhibitory effect of TGS is mediated by inhibiting both the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and Na+ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells and also by suppressing the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which is relevant to neuronal nicotinic receptor blockade, without the enhancement effect on the CA release. Based on these effects, it is also thought that there are some species differences in the adrenomedullary CA secretion between the rabbit and SHR.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2020

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). AFB1 is reported to have high thermal stability and is not decomposed by heat treatment during food processing. Therefore, in this study, knowing that AFB1 is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP), our aim was to develop a method to detoxify A. flavus-contaminated maize, under normal temperature and pressure, using Escherichia coli expressing human CYP3A4. First, the metabolic activity of AFB1 by recombinant human CYP3A4 was evaluated. As a result, we confirmed that recombinant human CYP3A4 metabolizes 98% of AFB1. Next, we found that aflatoxin Q1, a metabolite of AFB1 was no longer mutagenic. Furthermore, we revealed that about 50% of the AFB1 metabolic activity can be maintained for 3 months when E. coli expressing human CYP3A4 is freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose. Finally, we found that 80% of AFB1 in A. flavus-contaminated maize was metabolized by E. coli expressing human CYP3A4 in the presence of surfactant triton X-405 at a final concentration of 10% (v/v). From these results, we conclude that AFB1 in A. flavus-contaminated maize can be detoxified under normal temperature and pressure by using E. coli expressing human CYP3A4.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2002

This study was conducted to compare ozone sensitivity among Betula sp. by measuring visible foliar injuries and growth responses. Four Betula sp.(B. costata, B. davurica, B. platyphylla var.japonica and B. ermani) grown in the greenhouse, were transplanted in the plastic pots. One-year-old seedlings of four Betula sp. exposed to relatively high ozone concentration(100 ppb) for 8 h day$^{-1}$ for 5 weeks in fumigation chamber. We measured visible injuries, leaf numbers and leaf areas at the end of experiments, and growth effects were evaluated by measuring the relative growth rate(RGR) of height and diameter and the dry weights of leaf, stem and root once a week. Four Betula species showed the significant differences for growth responses by the ozone treatment. Growths of three species, except for B. ermani, were significantly reduced by the $O_3$ exposure. B. costata with leaf senescence at the early growing stage and B. davurica indicated highest visible foliar injury rate may be the sensitive species at the 100 ppb ozone concentration. Although the growth rate of B. ermani was reduced by 100 ppb ozone exposure at the early growing stage, B. ermani may be a tolerance species that recover the growth rate with the adaptation for the high ozone concentration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.209-218
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• 1992

Despite the availability of drugs effective in producing a bacteriological cure, tuberculosis presents continuing problems in its control, especially in the developing world. An effective immunotherapy to be used with chemotherapy is urgently required. Intradermal injection of a suspenison of killed Mycobacterium vaccae switches off the tissue-necrotizing component of the Koch phenomenon, and promotes cell-mediated responses to the common, putative protective, mycobacterial antigens. These properties led to the empolyment of the suspension in immunotherapy as an adjunct to chemotherapy in the treatment of both tuberculosis and leprosy. The evidence leading to these conclusions is reviewed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.22-28
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• 2013

It is important to begin left ventricular assist device (LVAD) treatment at appropriate time for heart failure patients who expect cardiac recovery after the therapy. In order to predict the optimal timing of LVAD implantation, we predicted pumping efficacy of LVAD according to the severity of heart failure theoretically. We used LVAD-implanted cardiovascular system model which consist of 8 Windkessel compartments for the simulation study. The time-varying compliance theory was used to simulate ventricular pumping function in the model. The ventricular systolic dysfunction was implemented by increasing the end-systolic ventricular compliance. Using the mathematical model, we predicted cardiac responses such as left ventricular peak pressure, cardiac output, ejection fraction, and stroke work according to the severity of ventricular systolic dysfunction under the treatments of continuous and pulsatile LVAD. Left ventricular peak pressure, which indicates the ventricular loading condition, decreased maximally at the 1st level heart-failure under pulsatile LVAD therapy and 2nd level heart-failure under continuous LVAD therapy. We conclude that optimal timing for pulsatile LVAD treatment is 1st level heart-failure and for continuous LVAD treatment is 2nd level heart-failure when considering LVAD treatment as "bridge to recovery".

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.363-378
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• 2005

Statement of problem. Hydroxyapatite(HA) coated titanium surfaces have not yet showed the reliable osseointegration in various conditions. Purpose. This study was aimed to investigate microstructures, chemical composition, and surface roughness of the surface coated by the hydrothermal method and to evaluate the effect of hydrothermal coating on the cell attachment, as well as cell proliferation. Material and Methods. Commercially pure(c.p.) titanium discs were used as substrates. The HA coating on c.p. titanium discs by hydrothermal method was performed in 0.12M HCl solution mixed with HA(group I) and 0.1M NaOH solution mixed with HA(group II). GroupⅠ was heated at 180 $^{\circ}C$ for 24, 48, and 72 hours. GroupⅡ was heated at 180 $^{\circ}C$ for 12, 24, and 36 hours. And the treated surfaces were evaluated by Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), X-ray diffraction method(XRD), Confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM). And SEM of fibroblast and 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay were used for cellular responses of the treated surfaces. Results. The color of surface changed in both groups after the hydrothermal process. SEM images showed that coating pattern was homogeneous in group II, while inhomogeneous in group I. H72 had rosette-like precipitates. The crystalline structure grew gradually in group II, according to extending treatment period. The long needle-like crystals were prominent in N36. Calcium(Ca) and phosphorus(P) were not detected in H24 and H48 in EDS. In all specimens of group II and H72, Ca was found. Ca and P were identified in all treated groups through the analysis of XPS, but they were amorphous. Surface roughness did not increase in both groups after hydrothermal treatment. The values of surface roughness were not significantly different between groups I and II. According to the SEM images of fibroblasts, cell attachments were oriented and spread well in both treated groups, while they were not in the control group. However, no substantial amount of difference was found between groups I and II. Conclusions. In this study during the hydrothermal process procedure, coating characteristics, including the HA precipitates, crystal growth, and crystalline phases, were more satisfactory in NaOH treated group than in HCl treated group. Still, the biological responses of the modified surface by this method were not fully understood for the two tested groups did not differ significantly. Therefore, more continuous research on the relationship between the surface features and cellular responses seems to be in need.