• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.161-170
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• 1990

The effects of $H^{+}$ on the arterial contraction and their mechanisms were investigated in the renal artery of a rabbit. The helical strips of isolated renal artery were immersed in the HEPES-buffered or $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution. The contractions induced by agonists (norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin and angiotensin II) or high $K^{+}$ were observed with change of extracellular or intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The contractions induced by norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin, angiotensin II or high $K^{+}$ in HEPES-buffered Tyrode's solution were inhibited by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The degrees of these effects were most evident in the contraction induced by serotonin and angiotensin II, moderate in those by histamine and high $K^{+}$, and least in those by norepinephrine. Maximal contraction by norepinephrine, histamine and high $K^{+}$ were not influenced by change in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, but influenced in those contration by serotonin and angiotensin II. The attenuated contractions by an acidic pH were not returned to the level of contraction at normal pH (7.4) by elevation of extracellular $Ca{2+}$ concentration. The agonists (norepinephrine, histamine and serotonin)-induced contractions in $Ca{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution were also attenuated by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. Elevation of $Pco_{2}$ in the $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution, which increase the intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, at constant extracellular pH (7.4), increased the contraction by 30 mM $K^{+}$. From the above results, it is suggested that the decrease in contractions by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration may be resulted from that $H^{+}$ make the receptors less sensitive to agonists and cell membrane hyperpolarize and then inhibit the $Ca{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca{2+}$ storage site.

• 자원환경지질
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.277-293
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• 2007

비소와 납 함유량이 높은 인대광산 지역에 분포하는 여러 폐광석 적치장으로부터 유출된 침출수와 광산배수에 영향을 받은 수계에서 미량원소, pH 및 산화환원전위차의 계절적 및 공간적인 변화가 관찰되었다. 채광활동이 약 40년전이었고 폐광석 적치장이 유실되었기 때문에 이 수계는 심각하게 오염된 상태이었다. 침출수와 광산배수의 유입으로 인하여 수계 상류구간의 지표수는 비교적 약 산성 및 강한 산화환경 특성이 있으며, 아연(최대 $5.830mg/{\ell}$), 구리(최대 $1.333mp/{\ell}$), 카드뮴(최대 $0.031mg/{\ell}$) 및 황산염(최대 $173mg/{\ell}$) 함량의 계절적 및 공간적인 변화가 큰 특징이 있었다. 침출수에서 가장 함량이 높은 원소의 순서로 나열하면 아연($0.045-13.909mg/{\ell}$), 철($0.017-8.730mg/{\ell}$), 구리($0.010-4.154mg/{\ell}$) 및 카드뮴($n.d.-0.077mg/{\ell}$)이며, pH는 낮으며 황산염 함량(최대 $310mp/{\ell}$)은 높았다. 광산배수도 아연, 구리, 카드뮴 및 황산염 함량이 높았으며, pH는 연중 중성으로 일정하게 유지되었다. 침출수와 광산배수가 단기적인 수계 유량의 변동에 영향을 줄 수 없을 지라도 수계의 화학원소 함량에 강한 영향을 주었다. 수계 내 철(수)산화광물이 풍부하다는 것과 화학적 특성은 철(수)산화광물의 침전이 이 수계의 지표수로부터 미량원소를 제거하는 데 중요한 역할을 하고 있음을 지시하였다. 이 수계의 하류 구간에서의 공간적 및 계절적인 변화는 오염되지 않은 지류로부터 유입되는 지표수에 의해 크게 기인하였다. 또한, 이 구간에서의 미량원소의 함량은 어떠한 인위적인 처리 없이도 광산배수와 침출수가 배출되는 지점으로부터 가까운 거리에서 지류와 수리학적으로 혼합되어진 후 배경값과 거의 유사한 함량으로 낮아졌다. 비보존성 반응(즉 침전, 흡착, 산화, 용해 등)과 보존성 반응(예: 수리학적 혼합)은 미량원소가 강으로 이동되는 것을 크게 감소시키는 효과적인 자연저감 기작이었다.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.139-146
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• 2010

The inhibitory effects of 25 polyphenols against in vitro allergic reactions were compared using biochemical and cell assays. Three polyphenols including curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin suppressed the release of $\beta$-hexosaminidase from ionophore A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells more effectively (>50% inhibition at $100{\mu}M$ concentration). They were found to have potencies in suppressing the release of histamine not only from ionophore A23187-, but also from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, such suppressive effects of the three polyphenols were also observed in A23187 plus PMA-costimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The extent of inhibition were quantified as the respective polyphenol concentration that inhibit 50% ($IC_{50}$) of $\beta$-hexosaminidase or histamine release, showing an inhibition tendency with decreasing order of curcumin>gallic acid>quercetin. Down-regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx was suggested as the cause of the inhibition of $\beta$-hexosaminidase and histamine releases in these cells. The immune process inhibition was confirmed by the observed reduction in the gene expressions and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$, and IL-4, due probably to antioxidant activity of the polyphenols. These findings illustrate that curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin may be beneficial against allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.735-747
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• 2018

Radon radiation exposures in home have been posed as a potential cancer hazard. This research aims to present the basic data of the indoor radon concentration level by examining the radon exhalation rates of wood species. Radon exhalation rates from five commonly used wood species in Korean wood building construction were measured with Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM), Model 1028 (Sun Nuclear Co., USA) using the Closed Chamber Method (CCM). The mass exhalation rate was observed to vary from $0.00089Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ to $0.00181Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$, whereas the surface exhalation rate was observed to be $0.00677-0.01517Bq{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}h^{-1}$. The radon exhalation rate of Quercus accutissima Carruth (white oak) which has the highest density showed the highest figure among the five wood species, on the other hand, the rest of four species showed similar results which were similar to the radon exhalation rates of wood in the U.S.A. and Canada. The average of the concentration measured by the CCM represented well up to the second half-life period (7.7 days). Because result of these small quantities seems to indicate that radon exhalation from the tested wood species has almost negligible impact, the main culprit of the high indoor radon concentration is clearly derived from the background of surrounding wood house. Therefore, as a safety precaution, infrastructures made of wood materials should be designed with the consideration of influx of radon and built accordingly. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that wood will be needed to use for furniture and interior finishing material in indoor environment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.127-135
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• 2005

The uptake of putrescine, spermidine and spermine by Fortner's hamster amelanocytic melanoma AMEL-3 cells was observed in this study to be time-dependent, temperature-sensitive, pH-dependent and saturable. Metabolic poisons nullified polyamine uptake, an indication that this is an energy-requiring mechanism. The presence of $Na^+$ ions was found to be requisite to full activity. Valinomycin, gramicidin, monensin and the calcium ionophore calcimycin were also observed to inhibit the process substantially. The transporter active site would seem to contain sulfhydryl groups. Other diamines and polyamine analogues, as well as cationic diamidines, suppressed putrescine uptake. The presence of the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor DFMO in the culture medium induced putrescine inflows. Putrescine, in turn, induced the negative expression of the carrier, thus suggesting that this influx mechanism is governed by up/down regulation. The cationic diamidine CGP 40215A and its analogue CGP039937A competitively inhibited putrescine transport, with Ki values of 1.9 and $15{\mu}M$, respectively. The role of polyamine uptake in these cultures is discussed.

• 자원환경지질
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.531-541
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• 1997

Unconsolidated sediments of Youngjong Island were investigated to consider the vertical distribution of clay minerals and their origin. At least three sedimentation units can be recognized by color, magnetic susceptibility, and pH. X-ray diffraction analysis of clay size fraction reveals that illite is the most abundant phase (52.06%), and chlorite (27.16%), kaolinite (16.92%), smectite (3.86%) occur next to it. Detailed XRD study suggests that illitic materials contain fairly large amount of ordinary muscovite derived from the mica schist in Youngjong Island and adjacent area. The relative amount of kaolinite and chlorite is less than those of samples from estuary mouth of several rivers that flow to Yellow Sea and South Sea. Especially smectite content of the present sample is much higher than those of estuary sediments. These indicate that the unconsolidated sediments of tidal-flat deposit in Youngjong Island are largely affected by marine influence and partly affected by sediment in influx from China. However, some degree of source of this unconsolidated sediments is inland origin from adjacent estuary sediment and in situ or nearby weathered materials.

• 자원환경지질
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.267-278
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• 1993

Serpentinite rocks which are composed mainly of olivine, serpentine and clinopyroxene, cropped out in the anorogenic Kyongsang sedimentary basin of South Korea. The serpentinites contain high content of MgO (36.87~41.99%) and 47~67 ppm Co, 1185~2042 ppm Ni and 979~3582 ppm Cr, which are quite similar to those of ultrabasic rocks such as peridotite and dunite. Isotopic compositions of serpentinites range from -95.5 to -105.7‰ in ${\delta}D$ and +1.7 to 7.1‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$ corresponding to the continental antigorite type. A wide variation of oxygen isotopic values and $H_2O^+$ content of serpentinites reflect the different water/rock ratios during serpentinization processes. Formation temperature of serpentine minerals are estimated to be unusually high temperature of $488{\sim}646^{\circ}C$ by serpentine-magnetite isotopic fractionation, which belong to continental antigorite type. Calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ value of serpentinized fluid during serpentinization is suggested that the hydrothermal fluid responsible for serpentinization be originated from the magmatic fluid with a minor influx of paleo-meteoric water in this area.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.203-216
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of bee venom on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : In this study, LPS was administrated to Balb/c mice to induce a disease that resembles COPD. 2 hr prior to LPS administration, mice were treated with bee venom via an intraperitoneal injection. Total cell number and neutrophils number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also measured. For histologic analysis, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains were evaluated. Proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA) were also assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results : On 7 days after LPS stimulation, influx of neutrophils significantly decreased in the bee venom group, compared with the COPD group. In addition, TNF-a and IL-6 levels decreased in bee venom group. Histological results also demonstrated the attenuation effect of bee venom on LPS-induced lung inflammation. Conclusions : These data suggest that bee venom has protective effects on LPS-induced lung inflammation. Therefore, bee venom may represent a novel therapeutic agent for lung inflammation and in particular for COPD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.174-177
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• 2003

The present experiment was performed to investigate the protective effects of paeonol isolated from Moutan Cortex Radicis on primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to Br-A23187 ($Ca^{2+}$ ionophore). Br-A23187 is frequently used as a model of cell killing as inducing both necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion from livers of fasted male Sprague Dawley rats and cultured overnight. Cell viability was determined by propidium iodide using fluorocytometry in Krebs-Ringer-HEPES buffer at pH 7.4. In addition, intracellular calcium was measured by excitation at 340 and 380 nm and emission at 505 nm using a luminescence spectrophotometer. Paeonol (20-100 ${\mu}M$) inhibited cell killing induced by 10 ${\mu}M$ Br-A23187, in a dose-dependent manner. Paeonol also reduced increased intracellular calcium level when hepatocytes were exposed to Br-A23187. Therefore, the present results suggest that paeonol protects the hepatocytotoxicity induced by Br-A23187, via inhibiting the influx of calcium into into rat hepatocytes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.246-254
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• 2018

Enzyme fermentation is a type of food processing technique generally used to improve the biological activities of food and herbal medicines. In this study, a Syzygii Flos (clove) extract was fermented using laccase derived from Trametes versicolor (LTV). The fermented clove extract showed greater neuroprotective effects against glutamate toxicity on HT22 than the non-fermented extract did. HPLC analysis revealed that the eugenol (1) and dehydrodieugenol (2) contents had decreased and increased, respectively, after fermentation. The content of 2 peaked at 1 h after fermentation to $103.50{\pm}8.20mg/g_{ex}$ (not detected at zero time), while that of 1 decreased to $79.54{\pm}4.77mg/g_{ex}$ ($185.41{\pm}10.16mg/g_{ex}$ at zero time). Compound 2 demonstrated promising HT22 neuroprotective properties with inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx, the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation. In addition, LTV showed the best fermentation efficacy compared with laccases derived from Pleurotus ostreatus and Rhus vernicifera.