• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.85-88
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• 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade a wide range of extracellular matrix components. It has been reported that MMP-9 are activated after focal ischemia in experimental animals. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea polyphenols, is a potent free radical scavenger and reduces the neuronal damage caused by oxygen free radicals. And it has been known that EGCG could reduce the infarction volume in focal brain ischemia and inhibit MMP-9 activity. To delineate the relationship between the anti-ischemic action and the MMP-9-inhibiting action of EGCG, we investigated the effect of EGCG on brain infarction and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in ICR mice. EGCG (40 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO) significantly decreased infarction volume at 24 hr after MCAO. GM 6001 (50 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO), a MMP inhibitor, also significantly reduced infarction volume. In zymogram, MMP-9 activities began to increase at ipsilateral cortex at 2 hr after MCAO, and the increments of MMP-9 activities were attenuated by EGCG treatment. Western blot for MMP-9 also showed patterns similar to that of zymogram. These findings demonstrate that the anti-ischemic action of EGCG ire mouse focal cerebral ischemia involves its inhibitory effect on MMP-9.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2006

In order to get insight into the mechanism of cadmium (Cd)-induced brain injury, we investigated the effects of Cd on the induction of COX-2 in bEnd.3 mouse brain endothelial cells. Cd induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ release, which were attenuated by thiol-reducing antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) indicating oxidative components might contribute to these events. Indeed, Cd increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), an oxidative stress sensitive transcription factor. Cd-induced $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression were significantly attenuated by Bay 11 7082, a specific inhibitor of NF-kB and by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). These data suggest that Cd induces COX-2 expression through activation of NF-kB and p38 MAPK, the oxidative stress-sensitive signaling molecules, in brain endothelial cells.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.111-123
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• 2020

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with activated sludge system are widely used throughout the most common technologies in the world. Most treatment plants require optimization of certain treatment processes using dynamic modeling. A lot of examples of dynamic simulations require reliable data base of diurnal variation of the inflow and typical concentrations of parameters such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), etc. Such detailed data are not available, which leads to problemsin the application of dynamic simulations. In many examples of plants, continuous flow measurements are only performed after the primary clarifier, whereas measurements from influent to the plant are missing, as is the case with the examples in this paper. In some cases, a simpler, faster and cheaper way can be applied to determine influent variations, such as the "HSG-Sim" method ("Hochschulgruppe Simulation"). "Hochschulgruppe Simulation" is a group of researchers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Poland (see http://www.hsgsim.org). This paper presents a model for generating daily variations of inflow and concentration of municipal wastewater quality parameters, applied to several existing WWTPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The main goal of the applied method is to generate realistic influent data of the existing plants in B&H, in terms of flow and quality, without any prior comprehensive survey and measurements at the site. The examples of plants show the influence of overflow facilities on the dynamics of input flow and quality of wastewater, and a strong influence of the problems of the sewerage systems.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.69-83
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• 1974

To elucidate the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity of alantolactone, and also to investigate the relationship between the growth of cells and the respiration of Chlorella pyrenoidosa affected by alantolactone, alantolactone and isoalantolactone were isolated from Inula helenium L., and di-, and tetrahydroalantolactones were prepared by the hydrogenation. At a concentration of 5$\times$10-5M alantolactone, the growth rate of Chlorella was greatly reduced. The viability of cells was also reduced over 50% within 2 hr at a concentration of 2.5$\times$10-4M alantolactone. However, oxygen uptake was increased by 20% over 3 hr. And 14CO2 production from glucose-1-14C, glucose-6-14C and 14C-acetate-U.L. was also increased by alantolactone. Biological activityof alantolactone was significantly reduced by cysteine, reduced glutathione or cystine but not by tryptophan or histidine. It was detected by spectrophotometrically and by TLC that alantolactone was also reacted with thiols except cystine. The solution of alantolactone reached with thiol gave the UV absorption spectrum of $\alpha$-saturated ${\gamma}$-lactone, and most of SH groups were disappeared by the addition reaction. From the reaction mixture of alantolactone and cysteine, a lactone adduct was isolated and purified. Isoalantolactone had shown similar activity as alantolactone, however, it was appeared that di-, and tetrahydroalantolactones were not only inactive biologically but also in vitro. It was concluded that there was no correlationship between increased respiration rate and mortality of Chlorella. During the respiration TCA cycle was activated, however it was uncertain that the activation of EMP or HMP was also appeared. Alantolactone and isoalantolactone were biologically active compounds but others were inactive. The reactivity of $\alpha$-methylene ${\gamma}$-lactone moiety toward SH group was principally responsible for its biological activity in sesquiterpene lactones.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.79-85
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• 2020

Background: Helicobacter pylori increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induces oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. DNA damage activates DNA damage response (DDR) which includes ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) activation. ATM increases alternative reading frame (ARF) but decreases mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2). Because p53 interacts with Mdm2, H. pylori-induced loss of Mdm2 stabilizes p53 and induces apoptosis. Previous study showed that Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG) reduces ROS and prevents cell death in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Methods: We determined whether KRG inhibits apoptosis by suppressing DDRs and apoptotic indices in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial AGS cells. The infected cells were treated with or without KRG or an ATM kinase inhibitor KU-55933. ROS levels, apoptotic indices (cell death, DNA fragmentation, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 activity) and DDRs (activation and levels of ATM, checkpoint kinase 2, Mdm2, ARF, and p53) were determined. Results: H. pylori induced apoptosis by increasing apoptotic indices and ROS levels. H. pylori activated DDRs (increased p-ATM, p-checkpoint kinase 2, ARF, p-p53, and p53, but decreased Mdm2) in gastric epithelial cells. KRG reduced ROS and inhibited increase in apoptotic indices and DDRs in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. KU-55933 suppressed DDRs and apoptosis in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells, similar to KRG. Conclusion: KRG suppressed ATM-mediated DDRs and apoptosis by reducing ROS in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Supplementation with KRG may prevent the oxidative stress-mediated gastric impairment associated with H. pylori infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.477-483
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• 2016

Heat shock factors (Hsfs) are central regulators of abiotic stress responses, especially heat stress responses, in plants. In the current study, we characterized the activity of the Hsf gene HsfA3 in Arabidopsis under oxidative stress conditions. HsfA3 transcription in seedlings was induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), exogenous hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and an endogenous $H_2O_2$ propagator, 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB). HsfA3-overexpressing transgenic plants exhibited increased oxidative stress tolerance compared to untransformed wild-type plants (WT), as revealed by changes in fresh weight, chlorophyll fluorescence, and ion leakage under light conditions. The expression of several genes encoding galactinol synthase (GolS), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), which function as antioxidants in plant cells, was induced in HsfA3 overexpressors. In addition, galactinol levels were higher in HsfA3 overexpressors than in WT under unstressed conditions. In transient transactivation assays using Arabidopsis leaf protoplasts, HsfA3 activated the transcription of a reporter gene driven by the GolS1 or GolS2 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that GolS1 and GolS2 are directly regulated by HsfA3. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that GolS1 and GolS2 are directly regulated by HsfA3 and that GolS enzymes play an important role in improving oxidative stress tolerance by increasing galactinol biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.93-98
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• 1991

The as-grown $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$ superconducting thin films on MgO(100) substrate have been prepared by a reactive coevaporation method. The superconducting transition temperature, surface morphology and crystalline quality were examined as a function of the substrate temperature ranging from $450^{\circ}C$ to $590^{\circ}C$. From the reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) analysis, it was found the film consisted of almost amorphous phase with a halo pattern deposited at the substrate temperature of $450^{\circ}C$. The film deposited at the substrate temperature of $510^{\circ}C$ consisted of polycrystalline phase, showing a broad ring pattern. On the other hand, for the film deposited at $590^{\circ}C$, RHEED showed spotty pattern indicating that this film consisted of single crystal phase. It has rough film surface due to the surface outgrowth. The surface outgrowth increased as the substrate temperature increased from $510^{\circ}C$ to $590^{\circ}C$. the surface outgrowth may be due to the anisotropic growth rate. The highest transition temperature obtained in this study was $Tc_{zero}$ of 83K with $Tc_{onset}$ of 88K for the film deposited at $590^{\circ}C$ using activated RF oxygen plasma.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.1305-1313
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• 2009

Saengjihwangeum-ja (SJHEJ) was recorded in DongEuiBoGam as being able to be used for treatment of Sogal whose concept had been applied to Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Modification of proteins by long term circulation of glucose leads to the formation of advanced glycation end product(AGE). Recent immunological studies demonstrated that ligation of AGE play an important role in the development of diabetic complications including atherosclerosis, which includes activation, adhesion, and migration of monocytes. Also, AGE and Maillard reaction product(MRP) could augment monocyte inflammatory responses via ligation of AGE receptor. In this study, the effects of SJHEJ extracts on the expression of inflammatory response-related genes such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-g-inducible protein-10, and cyclooxygenase-2 in the human monocyte cell line, THP-1 cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that SJHEJ had inhibitory effects on the expression of the TNF-a, MCP-1, IP-10, COX2, IL-1b genes in MRP-induced THP-1 cells. Treatment with SJHEJ had reduced reactive oxygen production in THP-1 cells stimulated by MRP. These inhibitory effects might be exerted via prevention of oxidative stress in activated monocytes. In addition, radical scavenging activity of SJHEJ was increased. These results suggest that SJHEJ has a beneficial effects for improve diabetic vascular complication.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.403-412
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• 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.