• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.353-362
• /
• 2009

GnRH and its receptor are known to express locally in the ovary and to regulate the ovarian function by affecting on granulosa and lutein cells. It has been reported that GnRH directly causes apoptosis in the granulosa and lutein cells of the ovary. However, whether the apoptosis of the cells by GnRH is recovered by FSH as an anti-apoptotic factor is not yet known. In this study, we evaluated the apoptosis and the production of progesterone $(P_4)$ and estradiol $(E_2)$ after treatment with 5, 50, and 100 ng/$m\ell$ GnRH and 1 IU/ml FSH in the granulosa-lutein cells that are obtained during oocyte-retrieval for IVF-ET. Results of DNA fragment analysis and TUNEL assay demonstrated that DNA fragmentation and the rate of apoptotic cells were increased in a dose-dependent manner showing a significant increase in the cells treated with 100 ng/$m\ell$ GnRH. In addition, we found that FSH suppresses the apoptosis of the cells induced by GnRH. In the results of chemiluminescence assay for $P_4$ and $E_2$, $P_4$ production was decreased by GnRH treatment, whereas $E_2$ production was not changed. We also demonstrated that FSH inhibits the suppressive effect of GnRH on $P_4$ production as the result of apoptosis. The present results suggest that GnRH agonist using in ovarian hyperstimulation protocol might induce the dysfunction of the ovary, but its function could be recovered by FSH. These results also will be expected to use as the basic data to elucidate the physiological role of GnRH and to develop new ovarian hyperstimulation protocols for IVF-ET.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2020

The activity of CAR can be regulated not only by ligand binding but also by phosphorylation of regulatory factors involved in extracellular signaling pathways, cross-talk interactions with transcription factors, and the recruitment, degradation, and expression of coactivators and corepressors. This regulation of CAR activity can in turn have effects on the control of diverse physiological homeostasis, including xenobiotic and energy metabolism, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. CAR is phosphorylated by the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which causes formation of a complex with Hsp-90 and CCRP, leading to its cytoplasmic retention, whereas phenobarbital inhibits ERK1/2, which causes dephosphorylation of the downstream signaling molecules, leading to the recruitment to CAR of the activated RACK-1/PP2A components for the dephosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and the transcriptional activation of CAR. Activated CAR cross-talks with FoxO1 to induce inhibition of its transcriptional activity and with PGC-1α to induce protein degradation by ubiquitination, resulting in the transcriptional suppression of PEPCK and G6Pase involved in gluconeogenesis. Regulation by CAR of lipid synthesis and oxidation is achieved by its functional cross-talks, respectively, with PPARγ through the degradation of PGC-1α to inhibit expression of the lipogenic genes and with PPARα through either the suppression of CPT-1 expression or the interaction with PGC-1α each to induce tissue-specific inhibition or stimulation of β-oxidation. Whereas CAR stimulates cellular proliferation by suppressing p21 expression through the inhibition of FoxO1 transcriptional activity and inducing cyclin D1 expression, it suppresses apoptosis by inhibiting the activities of MKK7 and JNK-1 through the expression of GADD45B. In conclusion, CAR is involved in the maintenance of homeostasis by regulating not only xenobiotic metabolism but also energy metabolism, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis through diverse cross-talk interactions with extracellular signaling pathways and intracellular regulatory factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.721-728
• /
• 2008

Hepcidin is a peptide hormone produced by the liver, of which secretion is closely related to iron status in the body. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) by which this peptide regulates body iron homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hepcidin treatment within the physiological concentration range on the expressions of two different iron transporter proteins-ferroportin (FPN) and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). Differentiated Caco-2 intestinal cells and macrophage J774 cells were treated with either synthetic hepcidin or hepcidin-rich fraction separated from human urine at the concentration of 10 nM and 100 nM for 24 hours. Results show that hepcidin treatment in differentiated Caco-2 cells or in J774 cells did not change the level of either FPN mRNA or DMT1 mRNA. On the other hand, hepcidin treatment at the dose of 100 nM significantly decreased the FPN protein levels and DMT1 protein levels in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Similarly, urinary hepcidin treatment (10 nM & 100 nM) also significantly decreased the levels of FPN and DMT1 proteins in J774 macrophage cells. These results showed that hepcidin might play an important role in the regulation of iron homeostasis by lowering the protein levels of iron transporter FPN and DMT1 both in enterocytes and in macrophage cells.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.557-561
• /
• 1994

Q estimates are made by direct measurements of energy loss per cycle from primary P and S waves, as a function of frequency. Assuming that intrinsic Q is frequency independent and scattering Q is frequency dependent over the frequencies of interest, the relative contributions of each, to a total observed Q, may be estimated. Test examples are produced by computing viscoelastic synthetic seismograms using a pseudo spectral solution with inclusion of relaxation mechanisms (for intrinsic Q) and a fractal distribution of scatterers (for scattering Q). The composite theory implies that when the total Q for S-waves is smaller than that for P-waves (the usual situation), intrinsic Q is dominating; when it is larger, scattering Q is dominating. In the inverse problem, performed by a global least squares search, intrinsic $Q_p$ and $Q_s$ estimates are reliable and unique when their absolute values are sufficiently low that their effects are measurable in the data. Large $Q_p$ and $Q_s$ have no measurable effect and hence are not resolvable. Standard deviation of velocity $({\sigma})$ and scatterer size (A) are less unique as they exhibit a tradeoff as predicted by Blair's equation. For the P-waves, intrinsic and scattering contributions are of approximately the same importance, for S-waves, the intrinsic contributions dominate.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 1999

Fashion is subjected to newness and change by itself. Fashion trend and tendency which could predict next season akeady indicated that digital and cybel11ation environment lliould be factors in fashion. Changes in future life styles and values caused by digital environment must be variables as fashion objects by themselves. Therefore digital environment of a fashion itself and that all encountered in fashion will not only be an existing situation but also an objective and a factor which must be pursued with fashionable sense in future fashion. Advanced technology and social change in relation to digital environment requires that educational method as well as its content will be changed on the scene of education for future. Thus we should seek an educational direction in fashion design for future society in which digital environment requires new paradigm. Subject to these backgrounds this study has an intension to study the change in fashion extensively influenced by expanded digital environment on a limited situational level of fashion design education and to suggest an educational direction for professional in future fashion design who will serve as a core of fashion area in the future. It is essential that education of professional in fashion for future should be achieved by digital-minded level that eagerly understands and accepts future society in which digital environment will be a main axis. It is necessary for this to make them expetience computers, digital media including CAD program. We have to note that education of digital media is more effective and applicable when accomplished in CAI level which can be related and expetienced with fashion education rather than mere functional training in media themselves. Intellectual creativity will be a vety source of producing values and national competence in 21st centtury. Education of design professional in fashion area must positively accept these environmental charactetistics in future society, as well as deeply reflect the education for the future.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.422-430
• /
• 2015

The present study announces that the pH value of seed coating solution makes a significant effect on the microstructure of silicalite-1 zeolite layer formed on ${\alpha}$-alumina support. Seed with an average diameter of 75 nm was dispersed in ethanol to prepare three kinds of seed coating solutions with different pH values, and dip-coated on the support. The pH value was controlled to be 2.2, 7.0, and 9.3, respectively. In the secondary growth process, pH 7 seed solution resulted an uniform, 3 to $4{\mu}m$ thick, completely covered, and 100 nm grained silicalite-1 zeolite separation layer. The uniformity and completeness were explained by a uniform, closely packed, multi-layered, and completely covered seed coating in the pH 7 condition. In the condition, ${\alpha}$-alumina support and seed are oppositely charged: support is positively charged (8.4 mV) and seed, negatively (-1.7 mV). The opposite charging induced a strong electrostatic attraction between seed and support, which made the good seed coating state. On the other hand, pH 2.2 and pH 9.3 seed solutions resulted non-uniform, partially covered, and around $1{\mu}m$ grained zeolite separation layer, since seed and support are the same sign charged in the conditions. The same sign charging induced a strong electrostatic repulsion between seed and support which caused a low coverage of seed. It could be concluded that the pH value of seed coating solution is a key parameter to determine the microstructure of silicalite-1 zeolite separation layer.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.962-970
• /
• 2022

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that highly increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer, and there are few therapeutic options available in the clinic. Poricoic acid (PoA), a component of Poria cocos Wolf, has a wide range of pharmacological activities; however, little is known about its effects on NASH. The preventive effects of PoA on NASH were examined in vivo and in vitro by analyzing triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis. In the high fat and methionine-choline deficient diet (HFMCD)-induced NASH mice, PoA reduced the liver weight and the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase compared with non-treated HFMCD group. The staining with Oil Red O and hematoxylin and eosin revealed that PoA administration reduced red staining and the size of lipid droplet. qPCR analysis showed that PoA also reduced the expression of genes related to triglyceride synthesis. Further, immunostaining with CD68 and qPCR analysis revealed that PoA reduced the staining with CD68 and the expression of inflammatory genes induced by HFMCD. Moreover, PoA reduced the staining with sirius red and antibody of α-smooth muscle actin and also reduced the expression of genes related to fibrosis. The treatment of PoA to AML12 cells reduced the increase in triglyceride amount and expression of genes associated with triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis. Taken together, our study indicate that PoA has therapeutic effect on NASH through preventing triglyceride synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.317-325
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study was carried out to elucidate the effects of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA) and nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine(L-Arg) on cerebral hemodynamics and energy metabolism during reoxygenation-reperfusion(RR) after hypoxia-ischemia(HI) in newborn piglets. Methods : Twenty-eight newborn piglets were divided into 4 groups; Sham normal control(NC), experimental control(EC), L-NMMA(HI & RR with L-NMMA), and L-Arg(HI & RR with L-Arg) groups. HI was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries and simultaneously breathing with 8 percent oxygen for 30 mins, and followed RR by release of carotid occlusion and normoxic ventilation for one hour. All groups were monitored with cerebral hemodynamics and cytochrome $aa_3$ (Cyt $aa_3$) using near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS). $Na^+$, $K^+$-ATPase activity, lipid peroxidation products, and tissue high energy phosphate levels were determined biochemically in the cerebral cortex. Results : In experimental groups, mean arterial blood pressure, $PaO_2$, and pH decreased, and base excess and blood lactate level increased after HI compared to NC group(P<0.05). These variables subsequently returned to baseline after RR except pH. There were no differences among the experimental groups. In NIRS, oxidized hemoglobin($HbO_2$) decreased and hemoglobin(Hb) increased during HI(P<0.05) but returned to base line immediately after RR; 40 min after RR, the $HbO_2$ had decreased significantly compared to NC group(P<0.05). Changes of Cyt $aa_3$ decreased significantly compared to NC after HI and recovered at the end of the experiment. Significantly reduced cerebral cortical cell membrane $Na^+$, $K^+$-ATPase activity and increased lipid peroxidation products(P<0.05) were not improved with L-NMMA or L-Arg. Conclusion : These findings suggest that NO is not involved in the mechanism of HI and RR brain damage during the early acute phase of RR.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.60-73
• /
• 1989

Two field experiments were carried out to assess the applicability of a central composite design (CCD) in determining optimum culture condition of an early rice cultivar, Unbongbyeo in southern Korea. A central composite design with two replicates was applied to five levels of five factors such as the number of hills per 3.3m2, the number of seedlings per hill, the levels of nitrogen, the transplanting date and the seedling age (Experiment 1). The levels of planting density were ranged from 30 hills to 150 hills per 3.3m2 ; the number of seedlings per hill from 1 seedling to 9 seedlings per hill; the levels of nitrogen application from 1 kg/l0a to 21 kg/l0a; the transplanting date from June 15 to July 5; the seedling age from 25 days to 45 days. A fractional factorial design was applied to three levels of five factors tested in CCD (Experiment 2). Yield per hill and per unit area were examined and the results obtained from both experiments were compared. The benefits from the central composite design were discussed. Maximum yield of brown rice per unit area was obtained at the combination of the central levels of one of five factors when the other four factors were fixed at central point. Furthermore, brown rice yield per unit area affected by interaction of two factors was maximized at the central point when the remain three factors being fixed at the central level. The responses of five factors to brown rice yield per hill and unit area were found to be a saddle point in both designs. Actual values of the stationary points were 107 hills per 3.3 m2, 4 seedlings per hill, 10 kg nitrogen per l0a, transplanting date of rice on June 26 and 33 days of seedling age in the central composite design. Brown rice yield per unit area at the stationary points were estimated 439 kg/l0a in the central composite design and 442 kg/l0a in the fractional factorial design. Considering the number of experimental treatment combinations, the central composite design was rather convenient in reducing the number of treatment combinations for similar information. It was more convenient for an experimenter to present the results from the central composite design than those from the fractional factorial design. Considering the optimum yields of brown rice per unit area at the stationary points being verified as saddle points in both designs. inter-heterogeneity of each of the factors should be avoided in setting up factors in pursuit of inducing unidirectional response of the factors to yield. Even though both the lower and higher levels in the central composite design being beyond the region of an experimenter's interest. they were considered highly valued in interpretation of the results. Conclusively. the central composite design was found to be more beneficial to optimize culture condition of paddy rice even with several levels of various factors were involved.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.702-707
• /
• 2012

During the last few decades, toxic chemicals used in various industries have caused global pollution and the side products such as carbon dioxide and methane gas have contributed to global warming. Thus, it is desirable to develop new alternative solvents. It is well known that ionic liquids display a variety of environmentally friendly physical properties: nonvolatile, nonflammable, wide electrochemical windows, high inherent conductivities, wide thermal operating ranges, chemically inert, and limited miscibilities with organic solvents. Because of these characteristics, ionic liquids are promising candidates as solvents for synthetic chemistries, catalysis, and gas separations. In this study, we synthesized morpholiunium salts as N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholine Bromide, N-butyl-N-methylmorpholine Bromide, N-octyl-N-methylmorpholine Bromide, N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholine Tetrafluoroborate, N-butyl-N-methylmorpholine Tetrafluoroborate, N-octyl-N-methylmorpholine Tetrafluoroborate, N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholine Hexafluorophosphate, N-butyl-N-methylmorpholine Hexafluorophosphate, and N-octyl-N-methylmorpholine Hexafluorophosphate. The melting points, decomposition temperatures and electrochemical stabilities of the salts were measured by DSC, TGA, and CV, respectively. The salts with halide anion showed high melting points ($150{\sim}200^{\circ}C$), low decomposition temperatures ($200{\sim}230^{\circ}C$), narrow electrochemical stabilities (3.4~3.6 V). The synthesized salts with inorganic anions, on the other hand, presented low melting point ($50{\sim}110^{\circ}C$), high decomposition temperatures ($250{\sim}380^{\circ}C$), wide electrochemical stabilities (6.1~6.3 V). We also found that the properties depend on the length of the carbon chain.