• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of aqueous extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origm hepatoma cell lines, HepG2. Methods : The death of HepG2 cells was markedly induced by the addition of extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was not observed in cell death of HepG2. In addition, it was not shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under hoechst staining. However, by the using annexin V staining assay, externalizations of phosphatidylserine in HepG2 cell which were treated with Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts were detected in the early time (at 9 hr after extract treatment). Furthermore, LDH release was not detected in this early stage. Therefore, Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced cell death of HepG2 cells is mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. Result : The activity of caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HepG2 cells which treated with the extract of Cordyceps sinensis. However, it was markedly increased in HepG2 cells which treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) which were differently extracted (respectively, 2.3 and 3.3 fold). On a while, the phosphotransferase activities of JNK1 was markedly induced in HepG2 cells which were treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae. On the contrary, the activation of transcriptional activator, activating protein1(AP-1) and NF-kB were severely decreased by these two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K). In addition, antioxidants (GSH and NAC) and intracellular $Ca2^+$ level regulator (Bapta/AM and Thapsigargin) did not affect Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results suggest that two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) induces the apoptotic death of human liver origin hepatoma HepG2 cells via activation of caspase 3-like proteases as well as JNK1, and inhibition of transcriptional activators, AP-1 and $NK-{\kappa}B$.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.293-302
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• 2015

This study investigated sediment oxygen consumption rates and geochemical characteristics of sediment in hypoxic area of the Gamak Bay based on the chamber experiments and geochemical analyses. The organic carbon contents of surface sediment in the Gamak Bay showed that the inner bay area has higher organic carbon content than those of the outer bay. They toward the outer bay, contents dropped off. The vertical profiles of calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) content at piston core sediment assumed that the hypoxia have been frequently occurred during past century in the northern inner bay. The benthic chamber experiments were conducted in February, May, August and November 2010, 2011 in the hypoxic area of the Gamak Bay. In the sediment incubation experiment with chamber at site C3 in the northern inner bay and site C17 in the southern outer bay, the sediment oxygen consumption rate ranged from $3.98mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ to $12.43mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ and $3.28mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ to $8.18mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$, respectively. When the oxygen was completely depleted, the toxic hydrogen sulfide was released with $1.38mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ and $1.3mmol\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.413-420
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• 2005

Purpose: Neuroreceptor PET studies require 60-120 minutes to complete and head motion of the subject during the PET scan increases the uncertainty in measured activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of the data-driven head mutton correction on the evaluation of endogenous dopamine release (DAR) in the striatum during the motor task which might have caused significant head motion artifact. Materials and Methods: $[^{11}C]raclopride$ PET scans on 4 normal volunteers acquired with bolus plus constant infusion protocol were retrospectively analyzed. Following the 50 min resting period, the participants played a video game with a monetary reward for 40 min. Dynamic frames acquired during the equilibrium condition (pre-task: 30-50 min, task: 70-90 min, post-task: 110-120 min) were realigned to the first frame in pre-task condition. Intra-condition registrations between the frames were performed, and average image for each condition was created and registered to the pre-task image (inter-condition registration). Pre-task PET image was then co-registered to own MRI of each participant and transformation parameters were reapplied to the others. Volumes of interest (VOI) for dorsal putamen (PU) and caudate (CA), ventral striatum (VS), and cerebellum were defined on the MRI. Binding potential (BP) was measured and DAR was calculated as the percent change of BP during and after the task. SPM analyses on the BP parametric images were also performed to explore the regional difference in the effects of head motion on BP and DAR estimation. Results: Changes in position and orientation of the striatum during the PET scans were observed before the head motion correction. BP values at pre-task condition were not changed significantly after the intra-condition registration. However, the BP values during and after the task and DAR were significantly changed after the correction. SPM analysis also showed that the extent and significance of the BP differences were significantly changed by the head motion correction and such changes were prominent in periphery of the striatum. Conclusion: The results suggest that misalignment of MRI-based VOI and the striatum in PET images and incorrect DAR estimation due to the head motion during the PET activation study were significant, but could be remedied by the data-driven head motion correction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.285-293
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• 2003

Tailings of Dukum mine in the vadose and saturated zone were investigated to reveal the mobility of metal elements and the condition of mineralogical solubility according to redox environments throughout the geochemical analysis, thermodynamic modelling, and mineralogical study for solid-samples and water samples(vadose zone; distilled water: tailings=5 : 1 reacted, saturated zone; pore-water extracted). In the vadose zone, sulfide oxidation has generated low-pH(2.72∼6.91) condition and high concentration levels of S $O_4$$^{2-}$(561∼1430mg/L) and other metals(Zn : 0.12∼l57 mg/L, Pb : 0.06∼0.83 mg/L, Cd : 0.06∼l.35 mg/L). Jarosite$(KFe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6)$ and gypsum$(CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$) were identified on XRD patterns and thermodynamics modelling. In the saturated zone, concentration of metal ions decreased because pH values were neutral(7.25∼8.10). But Fe and Mn susceptible to redox potential increased by low-pe values(7.40∼3.40) as the depth increased. Rhodochrosite$(MnCO_3)$ identified by XRD and thermodynamics modelling suggested that $Mn^{4+}$ or $Mn^{3+}$ was reduced to $Mn^{2+}$. Along pH conditions, concentrations of dissolved metal ions has been most abundant in vadose zone throughout borehole samples. It was observed that pH had more effect on metal solubilities than redox potential. How-ever, the release of co-precipitated heavy metals following the dissolution of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides could be the mechanism by which reduced condition affected heavy metal solubility considering the decrease of pe as depth increased in tile saturated zone.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2010

Folate loaded WPI (whey protein isolate) nanoparticles were prepared using the cold-induced gelation process. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of process parameters, such as the concentration of the WPI solution, pH, temperature, etc, on the properties of nanoparticles. The results show that the smallest nanoparticles were obtained when a WPI concentration of 1% was used at a pH of 8.0 (<330 nm). In the case of the concentration of $CaCO_3$, the smallest particles were obtained at a concentration of 5 mM. Alginate produced the smallest mean size with the narrowest particle size distribution, while the largest particles were prepared with k-carrageenan. As the w:o ratio increased, the mean particle size also increased. When the release profile was analyzed, the particles were shown to be stable for more than 6 h at a pH of 1.2, where almost all of the folic acid was released within 2 h in the dissolution media of PBS at a pH of 7.4. Thus, the process parameters appear to be important factors that affect the properties of nanoparticles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.349-355
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• 2003

We previously shown that LES contraction depends on $M_3$ receptors linked to PTX insensitive $G_q$ protein and activation of PLC. This results in production of $IP_3$, which mediates calcium release, and contraction through a CaM dependent pathway. In the esophagus ACh activates $M_2$ receptors linked to PTX sensitive $G_{i3}$ protein, resulting in activation of PLD, presumably, production of DAG. We investigated the role of PLC isozymes which can be activated by $G_q$ or $G{\beta}$ protein on ACh-induced contraction in LES and esophagus. Immunoblot analysis showed the presence of 3 types of PLC isozymes, $PLC-{\beta}1$, $PLC-{\beta}3$, and $PLC-{\gamma}1$, but not $PLC-{\beta}2$, $PLC-{\beta}4$, $PLC-{\gamma}2$, $PLC-{\delta}1$, and $PLC-{\delta}2$ from both LES and esophageal muscle. ACh produced contraction in a dose dependent manner in LES and esophageal muscle cells obtained by enzymatic digestion with collagenase. $PLC-{\beta}1$ or $PLC-{\beta}3$ antibody incubation reduced contraction in response to ACh in LES but not in esophageal permeabilized cells, but $PLC-{\gamma}1$ antibody incubation did not have an inhibitory effect. The inhibition by $PLC-{\beta}1$ or $PLC-{\beta}3$ antibody on Ach-induced contraction was antibody concentration dependent. The combination with $PLC-{\beta}_1$ and $PLC-{\beta}_3$ antibody completely abolished the contraction, suggesting that $PLC-{\beta}1$ and $PLC-{\beta}3$ have a synergism to inhibit the contraction in LES. $PLC-{\beta}1$, -${\beta}3$ or -${\gamma}1$ antibody did not reduce the contraction of LES cells in response to DAG ($10^{-6}$ M), suggesting that this isozyme of PLC may not activate PKC. When $G_{q/11}$ antibody was incubated, the inhibitory effect of the incubation of PLC ${\beta}3$, but not of PLC ${\beta}_1$ was additive (Fig. 6). In contrast, when $G_{\beta}$ antibody was incubated, the inhibitory effect of the incubation of PLC ${\beta}_1$, but not of PLC ${\beta}_3$ was additive. This data suggest that $G_{q/11}$/11 or $G{\beta}$ may activate cooperatively different PLC isozyme, $PLC{\beta}_1$ or $PLC{\beta}_3$ respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.366-375
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• 2023

Background: Ginseng contains three active components: ginsenosides, gintonin, and polysaccharides. After the separation of 1 of the 3 ingredient fractions, other fractions are usually discarded as waste. In this study, we developed a simple and effective method, called the ginpolin protocol, to separate gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), ginseng polysaccharide fraction (GPF), and crude ginseng saponin fraction (cGSF). Methods: Dried ginseng (1 kg) was extracted using 70% ethanol (EtOH). The extract was water fractionated to obtain a water-insoluble precipitate (GEF). The upper layer after GEF separation was precipitated with 80% EtOH for GPF preparation, and the remaining upper layer was vacuum dried to obtain cGSF. Results: The yields of GEF, GPF, and cGSF were 14.8, 54.2, and 185.3 g, respectively, from 333 g EtOH extract. We quantified the active ingredients of 3 fractions: L-arginine, galacturonic acid, ginsenosides, glucuronic acid, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), phosphatidic acid (PA), and polyphenols. The order of the LPA, PA, and polyphenol content was GEF > cGSF > GPF. The order of L-arginine and galacturonic acid was GPF >> GEF = cGSF. Interestingly, GEF contained a high amount of ginsenoside Rb1, whereas cGSF contained more ginsenoside Rg1. GEF and cGSF, but not GPF, induced intracellular [Ca²⁺]_i transient with antiplatelet activity. The order of antioxidant activity was GPF > GEF = cGSF. Immunological activities (related to nitric oxide production, phagocytosis, and IL-6 and TNF-α release) were, in order, GPF > GEF = cGSF. The neuroprotective ability (against reactive oxygen species) order was GEF > cGSP > GPF. Conclusion: We developed a novel ginpolin protocol to isolate 3 fractions in batches and determined that each fraction has distinct biological effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.138-144
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• 1997

A new biopolymer YU-122 from Metarrhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorok consisting of glucose and galactose was tested for its physical properties and flow behavior characteristics. Xanthan gum showed slightly higher viscosity than biopolymer YU-122. Viscosity of biopolymer YU-122 at various pHs and temperatures was also tested. The viscosity of biopolymer YU-122 was very stable up to pH 11 and $60^{\circ}C$, indicating that it has a great possibility for the application such as food additives, emulsifier, and drug release agents. Flow behavior index (n) from Power Law equation is 0.173. Biopolymer YU-122 solution was a pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid, which indicated that it had one or more side chains. When biopolymer YU-122 was used as a emulsifier, it stabilized the emulsion up to 120 hours, which was much better than xanthan gum. The biopolymer YU-122 could form an excellent but less clear film compared with xanthan and pullulan.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1599-1607
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• 2004

This study examined the effects of pre-slaughter fasting, chasing stress and chiller ageing on objective meat quality, and their relations to the proteome profile of longissimus muscle using 20 male Korean native black pigs. Treatments were composed of two levels of pre-slaughter feed withdrawal, two levels of pre-slaughter stress and four chiller ageing times. A 15 min chasing stress immediately prior to slaughter significantly (p<0.05) decreased detectable levels of $\mu$-calpain activity during rigor development and chiller ageing, but did not have any direct effect on objective meat quality. On the other hand, pigs fed until the morning of slaughter resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher hunter L* value and cooking loss than those which received an 18 h feed withdrawal prior to slaughter. Cooking loss and hunter L* value were constant during 7 d of chiller ageing, followed by significant increases at 14 d. The fed animals showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher hunter a* value at both 3 and 7 d, while the other group maintained a stable redness for 7 d. WB-shear force was not affected by the pre-slaughter treatments, but had significant (p<0.05) linear reduction from 1 to 7 d. A gelbased proteome analysis was performed on selected animals for low and high hunter L* values at 1 d. Ten and five spots had greater than two-fold spot densities for the low and high hunter L* groups, respectively. The ten spots included chain A, deoxyribounclease I complex with actin, heat shock protein 27 kDa, a protein similar to cardiac $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and myosin heavy chain, while the five spots included chain A aldehyde dehydrogenase, glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin alpha chain. In general, feeding until the morning of slaughter resulted in more desirable meat color, but appeared to reduce palatability due to increased cooking loss. Proteome analysis demonstrated that various proteins were concomitantly involved in the determination of final meat color. The most noticeable observation in the current study was that various isoforms for a particular protein differed in degradation and/or expression rate depending on meat quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1651-1658
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• 2008

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of either 100 mg/kg chito-oligosaccharide (COS) or chlortetracycline (CTC) with corn-soybean-fish meal on immunity in broiler chickens. A total of 147 one-day old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 7 replicate pens per treatment and 7 birds per pen. The experimental diets consisted of a control diet based on corn, soybean and fish meal without COS and any antibiotic supplement and similar diets supplemented with either CTC (80 mg/kg from d 1 to 21 and 50 mg/kg from d 22 to 42) or COS (100 mg/kg from d 1 to 42). During the entire experimental period, all birds had ad libitum access to diets and water. The main immune organ indices, T-lymphocyte proliferation, serum cytokine concentrations, serum NO level and serum iNOS activity were measured on d 21 and d 42. On d 21, broilers fed 100 mg/kg COS had improved (p<0.01) indices of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius compared with the control and CTC birds. Birds receiving 100 mg/kg COS had higher (p<0.05) serum concentrations of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IgM, NO and iNOS than birds on the control treatment. Serum $Ca^{2+}$ level of birds fed 100 mg/kg COS tended to be higher (p = 0.049) than in birds fed CTC. On d 42, the birds fed 100 mg/kg COS had higher (p<0.05) concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IgM in serum than birds in both the CTC and control treatments. Birds fed 100 mg/kg COS had a higher concentration of IFN-$\gamma$ than the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of COS appeared to improve the immunity of broilers by promoting the weight of the main immune organs, increasing IgM secretion, stimulating microphages to release $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IFN-$\gamma$, and activating iNOS to induce NO.