• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuromodulator of nociceptive responses in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. BDNF synthesis increases in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) in trkA-expressing small and medium-sized DRG neurons after inflammation. Previously we demonstrated differential activation of multiple BDNF promoters in the DRG following peripheral nerve injury and inflammation. Using reporter constructs containing individual promoter regions, we investigated the effect of NGF on the multiple BDNF promoters, and the signaling pathway by which NGF activates these promoters in PC12 cells. Although all the promoters were activated 2.4-7.1-fold by NGF treatment, promoter IV gave the greatest induction. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, LY294003, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine, had no effect on activation of promoter IV by NGF. However, activation was completely abolished by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, U0126 and PD98059. In addition, these inhibitors blocked NGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway activates BDNF promoter IV in response to NGF independently of NGF-activated signaling pathways involving PKA and PKC.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 1992

In order to see the variation of human nature, M.M.P.I. was carried on 2, April 1992 (the last day of the second lunar month) and 15, June 1992 (the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month). These experiments took male and female students who were in Won kwang University as subjects (108 students on 2, April, 105 students on 15, June). The results of it suggested the followings. 1) Every students' average of T-grades on each measure were in a normal scope. 2) There were no significant differences in comparison between the fifteenth day and the last day of the month. 3) On every measure except L, Mf, Si, the female students showed higher grade in the fifteenth day than the last day of the month. But there was no significant difference in male students. Both male and female students didn't show the significant one. 4) On the fifteenth day of the month, the female students showed higher T-grade then male did on every measure except Mf, Ma, Si. There was a significant difference on D, Pd, Mf(P<0.05) measure. 5) On the last day of the month, male students showed higher T-grade then female did on every measure except L, K, Hy, Pt. There was a significant difference on L(P<0.001), K(P<0.01). 6) On experiments about female students, there was no symptom of neurosis and psychosis on the last day of the month. But three of sixteen students(18.7%) showed symptom of neurosis, one of thirteen(6%) showed symptom of psychosis on the fifteenth day of the month. On experiments about male students, eleven of ninety-two(11.9%), four of ninety-two(4.3%) showed symptom of neurosis and psychosis respectively on the fifteenth day of the month. Ten of ninety-two(10.8%), six of ninety-two(6.5%) showed symptom of neurosis and psychosis respectively on the last day of the month. As the results of the above, human nature changes to some extend according to lunar cycle. And there are many changes in female than male. But it is difficult to generalize this fact by limited subject and only one experiments. So the controlled studies are needed on the basis of this result and have to take many person as a subject.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6595-6597
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• 2015

Objective: To investigate short- and long-term treatment effects and side reactions of lobaplatin plus 5-Fu combined and concurrent radiotherapy in treating patients with inoperable middle-advanced stage esophageal cancer. Methods: Sixty patients with middle-advanced stage esophageal squamous cell cancer were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were administered lobaplatin (50 mg intravenously) for 2 h on day 1, and 5-Fu ($500mg/m^2$) injected intravenously from day 1 to 5 for 1 cycle, in an interval of 21 days for totally 4 cycles. At the same time, late-course accelerated hyperfractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was performed. Patients were firstly treated with conventional fractionated irradiation (1.8 Gy/d, 5 times/week, a total of 23 treatments, and DT41.4 Gy), and then treated with accelerated hyperfractionated irradiation (1.5 Gy, 2 times/d, a total of 27 Gy in 9 days, an entire course of 6-7 weeks, and DT 68.4Gy). Results: All patients completed treatment, including 10 complete response (CR), 41 partial response (PR), 7 stable disease (SD), and 2 progressive disease (PD). The total effective rate was 85.0% (51/60). Thirty-nine patients had an increased KPS score. One-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 85.3%, 57.5%, and 41.7%, respectively. The median survival time was 27 months. The adverse reactions included myelosuppression, which was mainly degree I and II. The occurrence rate of radiation esophagitis was 17.5%. No significant hepatic or renal toxicity was observed. Conclusion: Lobaplatin plus 5-Fu combined with concurrent radiotherapy is safe and effective in treating patients with middle-advanced stage esophageal cancer. However, this result warrants further evaluation by randomized clinical studies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2013

Lysolipids such as LPA, S1P and SPC have diverse biological activities including cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. We investigated signaling pathways of LPA-induced contraction in feline esophageal smooth muscle cells. We used freshly isolated smooth muscle cells and permeabilized cells from cat esophagus to measure the length of cells. Maximal contraction occurred at $10^{-6}M$ and the response peaked at 30s. To identify LPA receptor subtypes in cells, western blot analysis was performed with antibodies to LPA receptor subtypes. LPA1 and LPA3 receptor were detected at 50 kDa and 44 kDa. LPA-induced contraction was almost completely blocked by LPA receptor (1/3) antagonist KI16425. Pertussis toxin (PTX) inhibited the contraction induced by LPA, suggesting that the contraction is mediated by a PTX-sensitive G protein. Phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors U73122 and neomycin, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X also reduced the contraction. The PKC-mediated contraction may be isozyme-specific since only $PKC{\varepsilon}$ antibody inhibited the contraction. MEK inhibitor PD98059 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked the contraction. However, there is no synergistic effect of PKC and MAPK on the LPA-induced contraction. In addition, RhoA inhibitor C3 exoenzyme and ROCK inhibitor Y27632 significantly, but not completely, reduced the contraction. The present study demonstrated that LPA-induced contraction seems to be mediated by LPA receptors (1/3), coupled to PTX-sensitive G protein, resulting in activation of PLC, PKC-${\varepsilon}$ pathway, which subsequently mediates activation of ERK and JNK. The data also suggest that RhoA/ROCK are involved in the LPA-induced contraction.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2001

In this study, an attempt was made to increase the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in alginate in the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate the potential industrial applications, for example lyophilized capsules and yogurt. First, the protective effect of various food additives on bifidobacterial survivability was determined after exposure to simulated gastric juices and bile salts. The additives used in this study were skim milk (SM), polydextrose (PD), soy fiber (SF), yeast extract (YE), chitosan (CS), $\kappa$-carageenan ($\kappa$-C) and whey, which were added at 0.6% concentration (w/v) to 3% alginate-bifidobacterial solution. In the simulated gastric juices and bile salts, the protective effect of 0.6% skim milk-3% alginate (SM-A) beads on the survival rate of bifidobacteria proved to be higher than the other additives. Second, the hydrogen ion permeation was detected through SM-A vessel without bifidobacterial cells at different SM concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%). There were no differences in terms of the pH decrease in SM-A vessels at 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% (w/v) SM concentrations. The survival rate of bifidobacteria in SM-A beads would appear to be related to the SM buffering capacity against hydrogen ions and its tendency to reduce the pore size of bead. In this experiment, the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in beads containing 0.6% SM showed the highest viability after exposure to simulated gastric juices for 3h, thereby indicating that 0.6% SM is the optimum concentration fir 3% alginate bead preparation. Third, the effect of SM-A beads on the freeze-drying and yogurt storage for 10 days was investigated. SM-A beads were found to be more efficient for freeze drying and yogurt storage than untrapped cells and the alginate bead. Consequently, the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in SM-A beads was increased in simulated gastric juices, bile salts and probiotic products, such as lyophilized capsules and yogurt, SM-A beads can be expected to produce high value probiotic products.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.576-581
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• 1987

Synthesis and Biological activity test are described for the (E)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate, the sex pheromone of the Asiatic leafroller moth (Archippus breviplicanus Walsingham). 10-Bromodecan-1-ol THP ether was prepared from 10-bromodecan-1-ol. In liquid ammonia with THF and HMPA as cosolvents, sodium acetylide could be alkylated with 10-bromodecan-1-al THP ether to give 11-dodecyn-1-ol THP ether. 11-Dodecyn-1-ol THP ether was then treated with n-Buli in THF to give the lithium acetylide, which was alkylated with bromoethane to afford 11-tetradecyn-1-ol THP ether. 11-Tetradecyn-1-ol THP ether was then reduced over $Pd/BaSO_4$ and with Na in liquid $NH_3$ to give (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol THP ether and (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol THP ether, respectively. (Z)-and (E)-11-Tetradecen-1-ol THP ether thus obtained were deprotected by refluxing in the presence of PPTS and ethanol. (Z)-and (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol were acetylated with acetic anhydride to afford the final products, (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate (1) and (E)-11-tetradecen-1-yl acetate (2), respectively. The synthetic pheromone thus obtained was attractive to the males of the Asiatic leafroller moth in the field.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1124-1131
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• 2012

Four Thai - rumen fistulated male swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), about four years old with $400{\pm}20kg$ liveweight, were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to receive dietary treatments. The treatments were: ground corn cob (GCC) replacement for cassava chip (CC) in concentrate at 0% (T1); GCC replacement at 33% (T2); GCC replacement at 67% (T3); and GCC replacement at 100% (T4), respectively. During the experiment, concentrate was offered at 0.5% BW while 5% urea-treated rice straw was given at ad libitum. The result revealed that there was no effect of GCC replacement on DMI among treatments. In addition, digestibilities of DM, OM and CP were not different while aNDF linearly increased with an increasing level of GCC replacement. However, GCC replacement did not affect rumen fermentation such as ruminal pH, $NH_3$-N and VFA concentration; except C3 proportion which was the highest at 33% replacement while the lowest was at 100% replacement. All replacements of GCC resulted in similar protozoal and bacterial populations and microbial protein synthesis (MPS). Purine derivatives (PD) concentration in urine and PD to creatinine (PDC) index were varied with time of urination and among treatments at 0 to 8 and 8 to 16 h post feeding and higher values were shown among the GCC replacement groups. However at 16 to 24 h-post feeding, it was untraceable. In addition, creatinine concentration was similar among all treatments at every sampling time. Based on the above results, GCC can be used as an energy source for swamp buffalo fed with rice straw. Spot sampling of urine can be used for purine derivatives determination.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.117-122
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• 2006

Background: Caveolin, a family of integral membrane proteins are a principal component of caveolae membranes. In this study, we investigated the effect of p38 kinase on differentiation and on inflammatory responses in sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-treated chondrocytes. Methods: Rabbit articular chondrocytes were prepared from cartilage slices of 2-week-old New Zealand white rabbits by enzymatic digestion. SNP was used as a nitric oxide (NO) donor. In this experiments measuring SNP dose response, primary chondrocytes were treated with various concentrations of SNP for 24h. The time course of the SNP response was determined by incubating cells with 1mM SNP for the indicated time period $(0{\sim}24h)$. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and type II collagen expression levels were determined by immunoblot analysis, and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ assay was used to measure the COX-2 activity. The tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1 was determined by immunoblot analysis and immunostaining. Results: SNP treatment stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1 and activation of p38 kinase. SNP additionally caused dedifferentiation and inflammatory response. We showed previously that SNP treatment stimulated activation of p38 kinase and ERK-1/-2. Inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 reduced caveolin-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and COX-2 expression but enhanced dedifferentiation, whereas inhibition of ERK with PD98059 did not affect caveolin-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels, suggesting that ERK at least is not related to dedifferentiation and COX-2 expression through caveolin-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SNP in articular chondrocytes stimulates dedifferentiation and inflammatory response via p38 kinase signaling in association with caveolin-1 phosphorylation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.3 s.31
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• pp.296-308
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• 1990

The relationship between copper and mercury contents in the scalp hair and chronic schizophrenia was investigated. The samples of scalp hair were collected from 80 male chronic schizophrenic patients at the age from 20 to 29, who were hospitalized in the National Psychiatric Hospital in Seoul. As the control group, 69 males were collected from general population. Hair samples were taken from the napes and the Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was performed also. The copper and mercury contents were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Significantly higher T-score of MMPI was seen in patients group for Hypochondriasis Scale (Hs), Depression Scale (D), Psychopathic Deviate Scale (Pd), Paranoia Scale (Pa), Psychasthenia Scale (Pt), Schizophrenia Scale (Sc) subscales than control group, and the frequency distribution by T-score was also significantly different between the patient and the control group for above scales. The content of copper in the hair of patient group was significantly lower than the control group. In the case of mercury, the mean value of patient group was significantly higher than control group. Between the value of copper and mercury, statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.25) was found. When grouped by the T-score of MMPI, there was no difference of copper contents between T-score subgroup at all MMPI scale. But the mercury contents showed significant difference between T-score subgroup at Pt, Sc scale. When compared between the group of above 70 T-score and the group of less than 70, the mercury contents of Pa, Pt, Sc scale of above 70 T-score group were significantly higher than the group of less than 70. In other scales, the mercury content of the above 70 group were higher than the group of less than 70 except Mf scale, although there were no statistscally significances. In D, Pa, Sc scales, as the T-score of MMPI increased, the contents of mercury also increased. When divided into the patient group and the control group, the copper contents of the patient groups were significantly lower than the control group at each T-score scale in most MMPI scales. In the case of mercury, the value of patient group were significantly higher than the control group in the less than 44 scale of D, in the $60{\sim}69$ scale of Pd, in the $45{\sim}59$ scale of Mf, in the $60{\sim}69$ scale of Ma, in the less than 44 of Si. These results suggest that the effects of the deficiency of copper or high intake of mecury on schizophrenia and personality may be of possible value. Thus further studies are necessary to determine whether schizophrenia and personality formation would be attributed to copper deficiency or mercury intake.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2001

In order to propose a optimum method increasing accuracy and reproducibility in analysis of urine lead levels, we compared matrix modifier addition method and microwave digestion method. The results were as follows ; 1. Where the concentration of $Pd(NO_3)_2$(matrix modifier) was $50mg/{\ell}$, and ashing temperature was $900^{\circ}C$, the results were optimum. In case of matrix modifier addition method, the average coefficient of variation (CV) of normal man was 24.1%, and lead worker was 7.9%. The average urine lead levels of standard were $10.42\mu{g}/{\ell}$ and $19.89\mu{g}/{\ell}$ , the accuracies compared to reference values were 97.0% and 92.6%, respectively. 2. Microwave digestion temperature($160~180^{\circ}C$), time(15~25min) and the ratio of urine/ashing acid(1:1~4:1) did not significantly affect lead absorbance and background absorbance. Therefore we set up a optimum analytical conditions as follows: temperature, $160^{\circ}C$; time, 15min; the ratio of urine/ashing acid, 4:1. after samples were digested by the above analytical conditions, lead absorbance and background absorbance was measured at $450^{\circ}C$ as ashing temperature. The average coefficient of variation (CV) of normal man was 12.4%, and lead worker was 6.2%. The average urine lead levels of standard urine were $10.66\mu{g}/{\ell}$ and $23.31\mu{g}/{\ell}$, the accuracies compared to reference values were 99.3% and 103.9%, respectively. From the results, we suggest that microwave digestion method is a more favorable method than matrix modifier addition method because of easiness to reduce organic matter, possibility to analysis at low temperature and accuracy.