• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2002

It has been well known that Korea red ginseng has an antihypertensive effect. The antihypertensive effect may be due to its ability to change the peripheral resistance. Change of vascular tone in the resistance-sized artery contribute to the peripheral resistance, thereby regulate the blood pressure. Therefore, we investigated to clarify the vasorelaxing mechanism induced by crude saponin of Korea red ginseng in the resistance-sized mesenteric artery of rats. The resistance-sized mesenteric artery was isolated and cut into a ring. The ring segment was immersed in HEPES-buffered solution and its isometric tension was measured using myograph force-displacement transducer. Crude saponin of ginseng relaxed the mesenmetric arterial rings precontracted with norepinephrine (3$\mu$M) in dose-dependent manner (0.01 mg/㎖ -1 mg/㎖. The relaxation by crude saponin was smaller in endothelium-intact preparation than that in endothelium-denuded preparation. The contraction induced by A23187 or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate was not affected by crude saponin of ginseng. The vasorelaxing effect of crude saponin of ginseng was significantly attenuated by the increase of the extracellular K$\^$+/ concentration. Crude saponin-induced vasorelaxation was not affected by tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glybenclamide (10$\mu$M), and 4-aminopyridine (0.1 mM) in these preparations. Ba$\^$2+/(10$\mu$M ∼100$\mu$M) markedly reduced the crude saponin-induced vasorelakation dose-dependently. From the above results, we suggest that crude saponin of ginseng may stimulate K$\^$+/ efflux and hyperpolarize the membrane, thereby cause the vasorelaxation in the resistance-sized mesenteric artery of rats.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 1974

The fission neutron reactions of $^{47}Ti(n.p)^{47}Sc$ and $^{93}Nb(n,{\alpha})^{90m}Y$, along with epicadmium neutron reaction of $^{96}Zr(n,{\gamma})^{97}Zr$ were used for the simultaneous determination of Ti, Nb and Zr in synthetic mixture. Prior to neutron irradiation, Ti, Zr and Nb in the mixture were separated together in one group through the cation exchange column of Dowex $50{\times}8$ resin using 0.5 M ${\alpha}$-hydroxy-iso-butyric acid as the eluent. After irradiation of the eluate the product nuclides, $^{97}Zr$, ^{47}Sc$ and ^{90m}Y$, were eluted sequentially through the same column with 0.5 M ${\alpha}$-HIBA, 0.5 M ${\alpha}$-HIBA-1 N HNO_3 and 0.5 M ${\alpha}$-HIBA-2 N HNO_3$ solution, respectively. The gamma-ray spectrometry was used for the measurement of the gamma-ray activities of the eluted nuclides. The detection limits of Nb, Ti and Zr were found to be 0.2 %, 0.01 % and 0.002 %, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

Relaxin has been demonstrated to have regulatory functions on both the smooth muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood vessels and fibrotic organs. The diverse mechanisms by which relaxin acts on small resistance arteries and fibrotic organs, including the bladder, are reviewed here. Relaxin induces vasodilation by inhibiting the contractility of vascular smooth muscles and by increasing the passive compliance of vessel walls through the reduction of ECM components, such as collagen. The primary cellular mechanism whereby relaxin induces arterial vasodilation is mediated by the endothelium-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) through the activation of RXFP1/PI3K, Akt phosphorylation, and eNOS. In addition, relaxin triggers different alternative pathways to enhance the vasodilation of renal and mesenteric arteries. In small renal arteries, relaxin stimulates the activation of the endothelial MMPs and EtB receptors and the production of VEGF and PlGF to inhibit myogenic contractility and collagen deposition, thereby bringing about vasodilation. Conversely, in small mesenteric arteries, relaxin augments bradykinin (BK)-evoked relaxation in a time-dependent manner. Whereas the rapid enhancement of the BK-mediated relaxation is dependent on IK_Ca channels and subsequent EDH induction, the sustained relaxation due to BK depends on COX activation and PGI₂. The anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin are mediated by inhibiting the invasion of inflammatory immune cells, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and the differentiation and activation of myofibroblasts. Relaxin also activates the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 pathways in myofibroblasts to suppress the TGF-β1-induced activation of ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 signaling and deposition of ECM collagen.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2007

Objective of this research was to identify by-product composting impacts on paddy soil properties and rice yield. Research was conducted in Iksan (soil was identified as a Jeonbug series) located in Honam plain area from 2001 to 2004. Composts, such as cow manure sawdust compost(CMSC), Chicken manure sawdust compost(ChMSC) and Pig manure sawdust compost(PMSC) were treated in the reseach plots for every, 2, and 3 year term. Some physical properties, such as, soil hardness, and bulk density tended to decrease with application of compost and decreased in order of CMSC, ChMSC, and PMSC, while surface soil depth and porosity were increased in order of CMSC, PMSC, and ChMSC. Some chemical soil properties, such as organic matter, available phosphorus, available silicate, and exchangeable cations were increased with application of compost and every year application plots. Nitrogen uptake was higher in order of CMSC, ChMSC, SF, and PMSC. Nitrogen use efficiency was higher in order of CMSC, ChMSC, SF, and PMSC. Rice yields was increased in all application plot of CMSC, in every other year application plot ChMSC and PMSC compared with SF($5.07Mg\;ha^{-1}$). Also average rice yield on years were increased in all application plot of CMSC and in every other year application plot ChMSC, while decreased in all application plot of PMSC compared with SF($5.27Mg\;ha^{-1}$). Head rice ratio and perfect grain ratio on hulled rice was high in all application plot of PMSC and in every year, in every other year app lication plot of ChMSC while its lowered percentage of 10~13 caused by application of CMSC compared with SF.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.483-491
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• 2012

This study is to investigate the issues on how to secure stability during the purification process for the production of recombinant protein A. The final recombinant protein A is produced by passing through the cation exchange column (SP) and the anion-exchange column (Q) during the production process, for which the samples produced by the step-by-step processes can be exposed to trouble in securing stable storage in case the next process cannot be taken within the proper time period. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the proper storage conditions and length of time when storing samples produced in the production process. That is, in this study, how to store fair samples, how long the storage period should be set up, and how to evaluate the security of its quality depending on time are dealt with. The items to be experimented with were enodotoxin, SDS-PAGE, HPLC purity and concentration. Experimental results showed that after passing the cation exchange column, when stored at $4^{\circ}C$ or room temperature, SDS-PAGE showed a major band, endotoxin is 5.0 Eu/mg or less, and concentration is on average of 8.21 to 8.24 mg/mL and RSD% 0.10~0.62%. In addition, HLPC purity showed somewhat stable results; at the HPLC purity 214 nm, the average is 99.24% to 99.37% and RSD% is 0.22~0.29%, while the average is 89.72% to 89.80% and RSD% 0.62~1.26% at 280 nm. On the contrary, after passing the anion exchange column, when stored at $4^{\circ}C$ or room temperature, SDS-PAGE revealed the major band, endotoxin is 0.5 Eu/mg or less, and concentration is on average of 5.59 mg/mL and RSD% 0.03~0.10%. when it comes to HLPC purity, the result showed that at the HPLC purity 214 nm, the average is 99.74% and RSD% is 0.10~0.11%, while the average is 96.16% to 96.85% and RSD% 0.72~1.13%. In conclusion, the stability of fair samples of recombinant protein A during the manufacturing process could be obtained without substance decomposition for 7~8 days at $4^{\circ}C$ or 20~21 days at room temperature.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1979

The fertility which is the combined factor is one of the important capability determiants of paddy soils. In this study, we aimed at attaining a quantitative evaluation of soil fertility and further establishing an objective fertility classification on the basis of the fertility evaluation. The samples used in this series studies were collected from Korean paddy field. They include deltas, flood plains, coastal plains, valley plains, fans and low terraces. On the basis of correlation analysis, factor analysis was applied to a set of 15 variables. As a result of factor analysis, five mutually independent and clearly definable fertility component factors were extracted from the 15 variables for the whole 90 surface soil samples. The fertility status of each sample soil could be objectively designated by the score of the five factors. As a means of summarizing the information obtained, taxonomic distances between all pairs of the samples were computed from these five factor scores further to be subjected to numerical taxonomy. Seven fertility groups were formulated, each of which was characterized by one or more of the fertility components. As this fertility classification was based on the present state of soil properties, it would be useful in pointing to the proper direction of further fertility amelioration and improvement for each group to enhance potential productivity of Korean paddy fields.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the optimal application rate and time of mixed expeller cake (MEC) for the replacement of chemical fertilizer. Dongjin-1, as cultivated rice was used at Fluvio-marine deposit in Honam plain paddy field. Soil chemical properties were improved by the application of MEC. Contents of total nitrogen and organic matter were higher in 70%, 100% plots of basal dressing than standard fertilizer application (SFA) plot. Cation exchangeable capacity was highly increased in 70% plot of basal dressing. Also, the content of organic matter in soil was increased with MEC application. Cation exchangeable capacity, total nitrogen and available phosphate were decreased according to late application time. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil showed high tendency at more application rate of MEC, and nitrogen mineralization at harvest season have finished in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil was increased according to late application time, however it was decreased in the late period of growth. Leaf color value became darker with increased application rate of MEC. Leaf color was dark green in MEC application plots at panicle formation stage, on the other hand, it was light green in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing at heading stage. SPAD reading value of leaf-color was high during the whole growth stage in MEC application plots. More application rate of MEC showed higher tendency of fertilizer nitrogen absorption. Nitrogen use efficiency was the highest in 70% plot of basal dressing. Absorbed amount of fertilized nitrogen was increased in 10~15days before transplanting and nitrogen use efficiency was high according to the late application time. The ratio of perfect kernel and the content of protein on hulled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. The ratio of head rice on milled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. Rice yield increased 4% in 100% and 70% plots of basal dressing compare with SFA ($5.18Mg\;ha^{-1}$) plot respectively. Ear and culm length of rice were long according to the late application time, while the numbers of spikelet and ear were increased and the percentage of ripened grain was decreased. Rice yield was increased 2~5% in all MEC application plots compared to SFA plot and especially, increased 10~15days before transplanting in application plots. The optimal application rate and time of MEC on normal paddy field in plain were concluded that 70% basal dressing and 10~15days before transplanting

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 1968

A simplest and best method to find out lime requirement for Korean soils is described. Twenty six top soil samples were collected from various localities and chemical characteristics were dertermined. Three different buffer curve methods were employed as the standard to find out the most reliable test for lime requirement. In addition, the lime requirement test by the Shoemaker's and Woodruff's as well as the O.R.D. kit method were compared with the most reliable buffer curve method. The results may be summarized as follows. 1. The regression equation of the most reliable lime requirement by buffer curve method, y, on percent base saturation of various soils, X, was y=9.69-0.106 X and the negative correlation coefficient r=-0.84 was statistically significant at 5% level. 2. Lime requirement test by the best, buffer curve, method was more well correlated with the sum of exchangeable hydrogen and exchangeable aluminum contents of the soil samples than the exchangeable hydrogen content only. 3. The ordinary buffer curve method for lime requirement is more reasonable than the lime requirement test by the buffer curve prepared after addition of 1 normal potassium chloride or calcium chloride solutions. 4. The lime requirement tests by the most reasonable buffer curve method, X, and by the Woodruff's, the Shoemaker's and O.R.D. kit were compared. The best method for laboratory lime requirement test was the Shoemaker's method and the O.R.D. kit method also was good enough for the field test and these two method are recommended as the unified method of lime requirement test in each soil testing laboratories throughout Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1989

For several years, we investigated the pharmacological action of several substances isolated from Buxus microphylla var koreana Nakai, which had been used as folk remedies of malaria and venereal disease. Cyclobuxine $D(C_{25}H_{42}ON_2)$, a steroidal alkaloid, exerted an antiinflammatory action, hypotensive and bradycardic effects in rats. In the present study, we isolated alkaloid from the acetone-insoluble fraction of the strong bases of this plants. This alkaloid $(C_{25}H_{38}ON_2)$ was identified as a steroidal alkaloid contained a cyclopropane ring by physical and chemical methods. It is a derivative of cyclobuxine D and named cyclobuxine E. We examined the effect of cyclobuxine E on the contractile response induced by acetylcholine and two distinct types of potassium-activated calcium channels in an intestinal smooth muscle of the rat. Cyclobuxine E inhibited significantly the Ach-induced contraction. The isolated longitudinal muscle from the rat duodenum was immersed calcium-depleted potassium depolarizing solution. Ten minutes after, 1.8 mM $CaCl_2$ was added to muscle bath and elicited a biphasic increase in muscle tension. Cyclobuxine E produced an appreciable inhibition of both components of the mechanical response. In addition, Cyclobuxine E introduced at a point when the tonic response had reached its maximum level, caused the muscle to exhibit a rapid loss of tension. Based on these experimental results, we proposed the possibility that the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine E on the isolated rat duodenum may be due to inhibiting the transmembrane fluxes of calcium ion in potassium-activated calcium channels.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-67
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• 2003

The voltage-dependence of N-type calcium current inactivation is U-shaped with the degree of inactivation roughly mirroring inward current. This voltage-dependence has been reported to result from a purely voltage-dependent mechanism. However, $Ca^{2＋}$-dependent inactivation of N-channels has also been reported. We have investigated the role of $Ca^{2＋}$ in N-channel inactivation by comparing the effects of $Ba^{2＋}$and $Ca^{2＋}$ on whole-cell N-current in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. For individual cells in-activation was always larger in $Ca^{2＋}$ than in $Ba^{2＋}$ even when internal EGTA (11 mM) was replaced with BAPTA (20 mM). The inactivation vs. voltage relationship was U-shaped in both divalent cations. The enhancement of inactivation by $Ca^{2＋}$ was inversely related with the magnitude of inactivation in $Ba^{2＋}$ as if the mechanisms of inactivation were the same in both $Ba^{2＋}$ and $Ca^{2＋}$. In support of this idea we could separate fast ( ${\gamma}$ ～150 ms) and slow ( ${\gamma}$ ～ 2500 ms) components of inactivation in both $Ba^{2＋}$and $Ca^{2＋}$ using 5 sec voltage steps. Differential effects were observed on each component with $Ca^{2＋}$ enhancing the magnitude of the fast component and the speed of the slow component. The larger amplitude of fast component indicates that the more channels inactivate via this pathway with $Ca^{2＋}$ than with $Ba^{2＋}$, but the stable time constants support the idea the fast inactivation mechanism is identical in $Ba^{2＋}$and $Ca^{2＋}$. The results do not support a $Ca^{2＋}$-dependent mechanism for fast inactivation. However, the $Ca^{2＋}$-induced acceleration of the slowly inactivating component could result from a $Ca^{2＋}$-dependent process.