• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2001

The pathophysiology of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is not fully understood, but recent studies have disclosed that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) play important roles in the formation of aganglionic bowel of Hirschsprung's disease. To evaluate the roles of NCAM and GDNF in HD, immunohistochemical analysis was performed using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. On the basis of the results, we tried to evaluate them as diagnostic markers. The specimens were obtained from 7 patients with HD who underwent modified Duhamel operation. The diagnosis was based on the clinical findings and the absence of ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses by routine microscopy. NCAM immunoreactivity was found in the nerve plexuses and scattered nerve fibers in the smooth muscle layers of ganglionic segments. In aganglionic segments, the number of NCAM positive nerve fibers in the smooth muscle layers was significantly reduced compared with ganglionic segments. In two cases the nerve plexuses in aganglionic segments, NCAM was negligible. The smooth muscle cells showed diffuse immunoreactivity for GDNF and the staining intensity was not different in the aganglionic and ganglionic segments. However, higher expression of GDNF in the nerve plexus of the ganglionic segments was noted comparing to aganglionic segments. These data suggest that both NCAM and GDNF may play important roles in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease and immunohistochemical staining for NCAM can be used as an ancillary diagnostic tool for HD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.383-390
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• 2009

To investigate the regulatory mechanism underlying the contractile response in the intestinal smooth muscle of the nile tilapia (Orechromis niloticus), we used pharmacologic and molecular approaches to identify the muscarinic subreceptors and the intracellular signaling pathways involved in this motility. Myography assays revealed that an M1- and M3-subtype selective antagonist, but not a M2-subtype selective antagonist, inhibited carbachol HCl (CCH)-induced intestinal smooth muscle contraction. In addition, a phospholipase C inhibitor, but not an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, blocked the contractile response to CCH. We also cloned five muscarinic genes (OnM2A, OnM2B, OnM3, OnM5A, and OnM5B) from the nile tilapia. In the phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison to compare our putative gene products (OnMs) with the sequences obtained from the near complete teleost genomes, we unexpectedly found that the teleost fish have respectively two paralogous genes corresponding to each muscarinic subreceptor, and other teleost fish, except zebrafish, do not possess muscarinic subreceptor M1. In addition, the expression pattern of the nile tilapia muscarinic subreceptor transcripts during CCH-induced intestinal smooth muscle contraction in the proximal intestinal tissue was analyzed by real-time PCR surveys and it was demonstrated that CCH increased the OnMs mRNA expression rapidly and transiently.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.275-281
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• 2016

In this study, we investigate the pool boiling enhancement caused by perforated plates on top of a smooth surface. We conduct tests using R-123 at atmospheric pressure. It was shown that perforated plates significantly enhanced the pool boiling of the smooth surface. The reason may be attributed to the increased bubble contact area between the plates. The results showed that the enhancement ratio was dependent on the heat flux. At high heat flux, the enhancement ratio increased as the porosity increased. However, at low heat flux, the enhancement ratio decreased as the porosity increased. For the present investigation, the optimum configuration had a pore diameter of 2.0 mm, pore pitch of $2.5mm{\times}5.0mm$ or $5.0mm{\times}5.0mm$, and a gap width of 0.5 mm, which yielded heat-transfer coefficients that are close to those of GEWA-T. The optimum porosity for R-123 was significantly larger than that of water or ethanol. The reason for this may be the large liquid-to-vapor density ratio along with the small latent heat of vaporization of R-123. The perforated plates yielded smaller boiling hysteresis compared with that of the smooth surface.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

Purpose: Alterations in the structure and function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are important in cardiovascular disease and maintaining chronic hypertension. Chronic hypertension is associated with changes in vascular smooth muscle tone. The spontaneous or myogenic tone of a blood vessel reflects the ability to adapt smooth muscle tone to changes in transmural pressure. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in myogenic tone are not fully understood. Methods: Here, we investigated the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in isometric contraction and enzymatic activity using muscle strips from rats made hypertensive with aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salts. Results: Changes in myogenic tone and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) were different after physiological salt solution (PSS) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The myogenic tone and quiescent phosphorylation induced by the PSS treatment were inhibited by 10 ${\mu}$M PD098059, an extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, and 10 ${\mu}$M wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, in hypertensive rats. Conclusion: The development of DOCA-induced hypertension is associated with altered isometric contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via changes in activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K after DOCA-salt treatment. Therefore, ERK1/2 and PI3K activity affect hypertension and may be suitable targets for physical therapy in cardiovascular disease.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.127-142
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• 2016

Aerodynamic effects, such as drag force and flow-induced vibration (FIV), on civil engineering structures can be minimized by optimally modifying the structure shape. This work investigates the turbulent wake of a square prism with its faces modified into a sinusoidal wave along the spanwise direction using three-dimensional large eddy simulation (LES) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques at Reynolds number $Re_{Dm}$ = 16,500-22,000, based on the nominal width ($D_m$) of the prism and free-stream velocity ($U_{\infty}$). Two arrangements are considered: (i) the top and bottom faces of the prism are shaped into the sinusoidal waves (termed as WSP-A), and (ii) the front and rear faces are modified into the sinusoidal waves (WSP-B). The sinusoidal waves have a wavelength of $6D_m$ and an amplitude of $0.15D_m$. It has been found that the wavy faces lead to more three-dimensional free shear layers in the near wake than the flat faces (smooth square prism). As a result, the roll-up of shear layers is postponed. Furthermore, the near-wake vortical structures exhibit dominant periodic variations along the spanwise direction; the minimum (i.e., saddle) and maximum (i.e., node) cross-sections of the modified prisms have narrow and wide wakes, respectively. The wake recirculation bubble of the modified prism is wider and longer, compared with its smooth counterpart, thus resulting in a significant drag reduction and fluctuating lift suppression (up to 8.7% and 78.2%, respectively, for the case of WSP-A). Multiple dominant frequencies of vortex shedding, which are distinct from that of the smooth prism, are detected in the near wake of the wavy prisms. The present study may shed light on the understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms of FIV control, in terms of passive modification of the bluff-body shape.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1831-1835
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the relationship between extracellular matrix parameters and texture of prostatic lesions evaluated by transrectal real-time tissue elastography (TRTE). Methods: 120 patients suspicious for prostate cancer underwent TRTE. Targeted biopsies were carried out after 12-core systematic biopsy. Epithelia were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and Victoria blue and Ponceau S were used to stain elastic-collagen fibers, and picric acid-sirius red for visualization of collagen type I (Col1) and III (Col3). Smooth muscles were visualized by immunohistochemistry. All image analyses were performed in a blind manner using Image Pro Plus 6.0, and the area ratios of epithelium, elastic fibers, collagen fibers and Col1/Col3 were determined. Results: 42 patients with typical elastograms were included in the final data analysis. Significant differences were detected between the benign and malignant groups in the area ratios of epithelium (P = 0.01), smooth muscles and Col1/Col3 (P = 0.04, P = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in the area ratios of epithelium, smooth muscle and elastic fibers between the stiff and soft lesion groups. The area ratio of Col1 was ($0.05{\pm}0.03$) in the stiff group, and ($0.02{\pm}0.01$) in the soft group (P= 0.00). However, the area ratio of Col3 was ($0.03{\pm}0.02$) in the stiff group, and ($0.05{\pm}0.04$) in the soft group (P = 0.16). Col1/Col3 in the stiff group ($1.99{\pm}1.59$) was greater than in the soft group ($0.71{\pm}0.64$) (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Tissue hardness of prostatic tumors was mainly dependent on the Col1 content, Col1/Col3 being higher in malignant than in benign lesions, so the prostate tissue texture can be used as a target for distinguishing between the two with TRTE.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2000

Objectives : Talmyung-san(TMS) has been used for treatment of brain diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which TMS rescues brain cells from ischemic damages. To elucidate the protective mechanisms of TMS, we execute experiments. Methods : The effects of TMS on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cytotoxicity and generation of nitric oxide(NO) are investigated in primary neonatal myocardial cells and A7rS, aortic smooth muscle cell line. Results : Ischemia/reperfusion itself induces severe myocardial cell death in vitro. However, treatment of the cells with TMS significantly reduces both ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial cell death and LDH release. In addition, pretreatment of TMS before reperfusion recovers the lose of beating rates alter ischemia/reperfusion. For a while, the water extract of TMS stimulates myocardial cells to produce NO in a dose dependent manner and it protects the damage of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial cells. Furthermore, the protective effects of the water extract of TMS is mimicked by treatment of sodium nitroprusside, an exogenous NO donor. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NGMMA), a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase(NOS), significantly blocks the protective effects of TMS on the cells after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, on ischemia the water extract of TMS induce NO in A7r5 cell. Conclusions : Taken together, we suggest that the protective effects of TMS against ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damages may be mediated by NO production of myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cell during ischemic condition.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.917-925
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• 2017

Whey protein, a by-product of milk curdling, exhibits diverse biological activities and is used as a dietary supplement. However, its effects on stress-induced vascular aging have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we found that whey protein significantly inhibited the Ang II-primed premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In addition, we observed a marked dose- and time-dependent increase in SIRT1 promoter activity and mRNA in VSMCs exposed to whey protein, accompanied by elevated SIRT1 protein expression. Ang II-mediated repression of SIRT1 level was dose-dependently reversed in VSMCs treated with whey protein, suggesting that SIRT1 is involved in preventing senescence in response to this treatment. Furthermore, resveratrol, a well-defined activator of SIRT1, potentiated the effects of whey protein on Ang II-primed premature senescence, whereas sirtinol, an inhibitor of SIRT1, exerted the opposite. Taken together, these results indicated that whey protein-mediated upregulation of SIRT1 exerts an anti-senescence effect, and can thus ameliorate Ang II-induced vascular aging as a dietary supplement.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2008

The tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates apoptotic cell death and the cell cycle. In this study, we investigated the role of p53 in nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We found that the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) increased apoptotic cell death in p53-deficient VSMCs compared with wild-type cells. The heme oxygen-ase (HO) inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX reduced the resistance of wild-type VSMCs to SNAP-induced cell death. SNAP promoted HO-1 expression in both cell types. HO-2 protein was increased only in wild-type VSMCs following SNAP treatment; however, similar levels of HO-2 mRNA were detected in both cell types. SNAP significantly increased the levels of non-heme-iron and dinitrosyl iron-sulfur clusters in wild-type VSMCs compared with p53-deficient VSMCs. Moreover, pretreatment with FeSO4 and the carbon monoxide donor CORM-2, but not biliverdin, significantly protected p53-deficient cells from SNAP-induced cell death compared with normal cells. These results suggest that wild-type VSMCs are more resistant to NO-mediated apoptosis than p53-deficient VSMCs through p53-dependent up-regulation of HO-2.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.911-918
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• 2002

Evaporation heat transfer coefficients of carbon dioxide($CO_2$), R-22, and R-134a in a horizontal smooth tube were measured and analyzed as a function of heat flux, mass flux, and evaporating temperature. The experiments were carried out by varying heat flux from 10 to 20 $kW/m^2$, mass flux from 170 to 340 $kg/m^2s$, and saturation temperatures of 5 and $10^{\circ}C$. It was found that the heat transfer coefficient of $CO_2$ decreased with a rise of quality due to an earlier liquid-film dryout as compared to R-22 and R-134a. Averaged heat transfer coefficients of $CO_2$ were 22-63% higher than those of R-22 and R-134a at all test conditions. The effects of mass flux and heat flux on averaged heat transfer coefficients were much greater in $CO_2$ than in R-22 and R-134a. When comparing $CO_2$ test results with the correlations in the literature, the existing models yielded large deviations at medium and high qualities. Therefore, a generalized correlation for $CO_2$evaporation heat transfer needs to be developed by including the effects of dryout phenomenon.