• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.343-357
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• 1992

Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF), a polypeptide hormone secreted primarily by activated macrophages, was originally identified on the basis of its ability to cause hemorrhagic necrosis and tumor regression in vivo. Subsequently, TNF has been shown to be an important component of the host responses to infection and cancer and may mediate the wasting syndrome known as cachexia. These systemic actions of TNF are reflected in its diverse effects on target cells in vitro. TNF initiates its diverse cellular actions by binding to specific cell surface receptors. Although TNF receptors have been identified on most of animal cells, regulation of these receptors and the mechanisms which transduce TNF receptor binding into cellular responses are not well understood. Therefore, in the present study, the mechanisms how TNF receptors are being regulated and how TNF receptor binding is being transduced into cellular responses were investigated in rat liver plasma membranes (PM) and ME-180 human cervical carcinoma cell lines. $^{125}I$-TNF bound to high ($K_d=1.51{\pm}0.35nM$)affinity receptors in rat liver PM. Solubilization of PM with 1% Triton X-100 increased both high affinity (from $0.33{\pm}0.04\;to\;1.67{\pm}0.05$ pmoles/mg protein) and low affinity (from $1.92{\pm}0.16\;to\;7.57{\pm}0.50$ pmoles/mg protein) TNF binding without affecting the affinities for TNF, suggesting the presence of a large latent pool of TNF receptors. Affinity labeling of receptors whether from PM or solubilized PM resulted in cross-linking of $^{125}I$-TNF into $M_r$ 130 kDa, 90 kDa and 66kDa complexes. Thus, the properties of the latent TNF receptors were similar to those initially accessible to TNF. To determine if exposure of latent receptors is regulated by TNF, $^{125}I$-TNF binding to control and TNF-pretreated membranes were assayed. Specific binding was increased by pretreatment with TNF (P<0.05), demonstrating that hepatic PM contains latent TNF receptors whose exposure is promoted by TNF. Homologous up-regulation of TNF receptors may, in part, be responsible for sustained hepatic responsiveness during chronic exposure to TNF. As a next step, the post-receptor events induced by TNF were examined. Although the signal transduction pathways for TNF have not been delineated clearly, the actions of many other hormones are mediated by the reversible phosphorylation of specific enzymes or target proteins. The present study demonstrated that TNF induces phosphorylation of 28 kDa protein (p28). Two dimensional soidum dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) resolved the 28kDa phosphoprotein into two isoforms having pIs of 6.2 and 6.1. The pIs and relative molecular weight of p28 were consistent with those of a previously characterized mRNA cap binding protein. mRNA cap binding proteins are a class of translation initiation factors that recognize the 7-methylguanosine cap structure found on the 5' end of eukaryotic mRNAs. In vitro, these proteins are defined by their specific elution from affinity columns composed of 7-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate($m^7$GTP)-Sepharose. Affinity purification of mRNA cap binding proteins from control and TNF treated ME-180 cells proved that TNF rapidly stimulates phosphorylation of an mRNA cap binding protein. Phosphorylation occurred in several cell types that are important in vitro models of TNF action. The mRNA cap binding protein phosphorylated in response to TNF treatment was purifice, sequenced, and identified as the proto-oncogene product eukaryotic initiation factor-4E(eIF-4E). These data show that phosphorylation of a key component of the cellular translational machinery is a common early event in the diverse cellular actions of TNF.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the predictors of failed closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) following the first course of indomethacin in symptomatic preterm infants. Methods : Forty three of 43 preterm infants, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit diagnosed with PDA and treated with indomethacin at the Korea University Medical Center between January 1990 and October 2007, ware studied. The perinatal risk factors affecting the failed closure of PDA were retrospectively assessed. Results : The failed PDA closure group included 16 (37%) out of 43 infants three of whom underwent surgery. The closure group included 27 (63%) out of 43 infants. In the failed closure group, the Apgar scores (1 min, 5 min) were significantly higher (P<0.05) and antenatal steroid administration was significantly lower (P<0.05). In addition, dopamine administration was significantly lower (P<0.05) and the mean postnatal age at diagnosis was significantly lower (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression for the prediction of failed PDA closure found only antenatal steroid administration (OR 0.092, CI 0,010-0.826, P=0.0331) as an associated factor. Conclusion : In patients with antenatal steroid administration the failed PDA closure rate was significantly lower. Therefore, antenatal steroid administration can be considered as an important factor for the closure of PDA in preterm pregnancies.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2007

Risk-based remediation strategy (RBRS) is a consistent decision-making process for the assessment and response to chemical release based on protecting human health and the environment. The decision-making process described integrates exposure and risk assessment practices with site assessment activities and remedial action selection to ensure that the chosen actions are protective of human health and the environment. The general sequences of events in Tier 1 is as follows: initial site assessment, development of conceptual site model with all exposure pathways, data collection on pollutants and receptors, and identification of risk-based screening level (RBSL). If site conditions do not meet RBSL, it needs further site-specific tier evaluation, Tier 2. In most cases, only limited number of exposure pathways, exposure scenarios, and chemicals of concern are considered the Tier 2 evaluation since many are eliminated from consideration during the Tier 1 evaluation. In spite of uncertainties due to the conservatism applied to risk calculations, limitation in site-specific data collections, and variables affecting the selection of target risk levels and exposure factors, RBRS provides us time- and cost-effectiveness of the remedial action. To ensure reliance of the results, the development team should consider land and resource use, cumulative risks, and additive effects. In addition, it is necessary to develop appropriate site assessment guideline and reliable toxicity assessment method, and to study on site-specific parameters and exposure parameters in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is an ubiquitous and opportunistic human pathogen, which expresses many virulence factors through quorum sensing (QS) regulation. QscR, one of the QS signal receptors of P. aeruginosa, has unique features that make it possible to distinguish QscR from other QS receptors. In the present study, we focused on amino acid residues responsible for such a broad signal specificity of QscR. Thus we constructed mutant QscRs: $QscR_{T72I}$, $QscR_{R132M}$, and $QscR_{T140I}$ by substituting $72^{nd}$ threonine, $132^{nd}$ arginine, and $140^{th}$ threonine residues with isoleucine, methionine, and isoleucine, respectively by site-directed mutagenesis. When we examined the activity of these mutant QscRs, $QscR_{R132M}$ failed to respond to N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL), but $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ remained the ability to respond to 3OC12-HSL despite much reduction of the sensitivity. When we treated a variety of acyl-HSLs with different structure, $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ showed better responsiveness to N-decanoyl HSL (C10-HSL) or N-dodecanoyl HSL (C12-HSL) that has no oxo-moiety at $3^{rd}$ carbon of acyl group than to 3OC12-HSL, and $QscR_{R132M}$ showed no responsiveness to any acyl-HSLs tested here. In addition, $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ were inhibited by 5f, a QscR inhibitor as similarly as wild type QscR was. These results suggest that while the $130^{th}$ arginine is crucial in both activity and acyl-HSL binding of QscR, the $72^{nd}$ and $140^{th}$ threonines are important in the activity, but they are little responsible for the discrimination of acyl-HSLs or competitive inhibitor.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 1985

The studies were carried out to obtain the basic data for maximizing the protoplast yields from the mycelia of P. ostreatus and P. sajor-caju. Some factors affecting the regeneration of the protoplast of both species and the productivity of their reversion were also examined. The maximum yields of protoplasts were obtained from four days cultured mycelia of both species on cellophan membrane placed on the surface of PSA or MCM media in a petri dish. The optimal concentration of lytic enzyme Novozym 234 for protoplast releasing was 5 mg per ml of 0.5 M phosphate buffer solution with 0.6 M sucrose or 0.6 M $MgSO_4$ at pH 6.0. The greatest number of protoplasts was released 3 hours after incubation of the mycelia of P. ostreatus and after 4 hours for the P. sajor-caju in the lytic enzyme solution. Among the osmotic stabilizer solutions tested 0.6 M sucrose and 0.6 M KCl showed the best regeneration rates of the protoplasts of both species. When 0.75 % agar solution was over-layed on the regeneration media immediately after inoculation of the protoplast the regeneration rates were greatly enhanced. The ampicillin added to the agar solution prevented bacteria from infection. The reverted isolates produced the sporophores and basidial spores just like their parents without any mutations when they were cultivated in a broad mouth bottle with sawdust substrates.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2017

Regarding the facts that fat, which is easily oxidized, is one of the major responsible factors affecting the quality of aroma, and polyphenol compounds including chlorogenic acid (CGA) contribute the anti-oxidative activities to coffee, we investigated fat oxidation, conversion of CGA, and changes of anti-oxidative activities according to the degree of roasting and storage of 60 days. We found that the amount of extractable fat by diethyl ether is increased as the coffee beans are roasted longer. Furthermore, the acidity values of the fat are increased from $8.91{\pm}0.16$ to $17.81{\pm}0.11$, and $10.37{\pm}0.27$ to $17.93{\pm}0.09$ in the medium and dark roasted coffee beans, respectively, while it is increased from $4.47{\pm}0.11$ to $11.89{\pm}0.18$ in the green coffee bean after 60 days. The CGA contents in the coffee beans were decreased from $310{\pm}8.2$ to $282{\pm}11.2$, then to $58{\pm}0.0mg$ in 10 gr of the green, medium and dark beans, respectively, and were not changed significantly during the storage period. However, the anti-oxidative activities measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging assays were not significantly different among the green, medium, and dark coffee beans during the storage period. Furthermore, antioxidant reactive element-luciferase assay showed that biological anti-oxidative activities were increased as coffee beans were more roasted and stored longer. As the total polyphenolic contents in the beans were significantly decreased by roasting, the results suggests that other molecules, such as, Maillard reaction products might play substantial role in anti-oxidative activity and influence cup quality of coffee.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.185-198
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• 2001

This study was conducted to reveal the effects of local climatic conditions on reproductive growth in a mature stand of Korean white pine based on climatic estimates. For this, the reproductive growth such as production and characteristics of cone and seed were first measured and summarized for seven years from 1974 to 1980. The local climatic conditions in the study site were also estimated by both a topoclimatological method and a spatial statistical technique. The local climatic conditions were then correlated with and regressed on the growth factors to reveal the relationships between the climatic estimates and the reproductive growth. Average number of conelet formation per tree showed highly negative correlation with some climatic variables related to minimum temperature in the year of flower bud differentiation. Especially, the most significant negative correlation were found between average of the minimum temperature for June and July of flower bud differentiation year and the number of conelet formation. There was no significant correlation between the number of cone production and climatic variables. However, total precipitation from December of the flowering year to February of the cone production year showed the most high correlation (r=0.6036) with the number of cone production. It was found that significant climatic variables affecting the amount of cone drop and cone drop percentage were the sum of cloudy days from June of the flowering year to August of the cone production year. Positive correlation was significantly recognized between the average weight of empty seed per cone and total precipitation from December of the flowering year to February of the cone production year. For the percentage of empty seed, five climatic variables among 19 variables were significantly correlated at 10% level. The average weight of a cone showed negative correlation with total precipitation from June of the flowering year to August of the cone production year. It was also found that average weight of a seed had highly negative correlation with total precipitation from December of the flowering year to February of the cone production year. The average weight of cone coat was negatively correlated with two climatic variables derived from clear days, which are sum of clear days from November of the flowering year to March of the cone production year and sum of clear days from December of the flowering year to February of the cone production year. On the other hand, it showed positive correlation with mean temperature of May in the flowering year. The exactly same results were obtained in correlation analysis for the percentage of cone coat.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.151-167
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• 2017

The main objective of this study was to investigate the climatic impact of $PM_{10}$ concentration on the temperature change pattern in Busan Metropolitan City(BMC), Korea during 2001~2015. Mean $PM_{10}$ concentration of BMC has gradually declined over the past 15 years. While the highest $PM_{10}$ concentration was observed in spring followed by winter, summer, and fall on average, the seasonal variations of $PM_{10}$ concentration differed from place to place within the city. Frequency analysis showed that the most frequently observed $PM_{10}$ concentration ranged from $20{\mu}g/m^3$ to $60{\mu}g/m^3$, which accounted for 64.6% of all daily observations. Overall, the west-high and east-low pattern of $PM_{10}$ concentration was relatively strong during the winter when the effect of yellow-dust events on the air quality was weak. Comparative analyses between $PM_{10}$ concentration and monthly temperature slope derived from generalized temperature curves indicated that the decreasing trend of $PM_{10}$ concentration was associated with increases of annual temperature range, and $PM_{10}$ concentration had a negative relationship with the temperature slope of warming months. Overall, $PM_{10}$ concentration had a weak correlation with the annual mean temperature, but it had a significant, positive correlation with the winter season, which had a dominant influence on the annual mean temperature. In terms of energy budget, it has been known that the change in $PM_{10}$ concentration contributes to the warming or cooling effect by affecting the radiative forcing due to the reflection and absorption of radiant energy. The correlation between $PM_{10}$ concentration and temperature changes in the study area was not seasonally and spatially consistent, and its significance was statistically limited partly due to the number of observations and the lack of potential socioeconomic factors relevant to urban air quality.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 1987

This experiment was conducted to identify the superior corn hybrids for silage production and to determine the combining ability of their parental inbred lines. A 7-entry diallel cross was evaluated for grain and stover yields, and agronomic characters under 3 different seasons. Hybrids Hi34 x Tx601, Hi26 x Hi34, and Hi29 x Hi34 showed high total dry matter yields. In general, late maturing hybrids had higher grain and silage yields than early maturing hybrids. Leaf area index was correlated with grain and stover yields. Rust rating was negatively correlated with yields and all characters, indicating that rust (Puccinia sorghi) was one of the major factors affecting yields. Diallel analysis showed that inbred Hi34 which was late in maturity and resistant to rust was the best combiner for both grain and silage yields. General combining ability (GCA) and specific com-bining ability (SCA) effects for yields and other characters were significant, suggesting that both additive and non-additive gene effects are involved for those characters. Ratio of GCA/SCA mean squares showed that GCA effects were more important than SCA effects for yields and other characters. GCA x season and SCA x season interactions were significant for grain and stover yields, revealing that gene effects were not stable for those yields under dissimilar environments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 1986

The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical factors of Pinus densiflora SIEB. et ZUCC. and Quercus mongolica Fisher barks affecting on the adsorption of heavy metals. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: 1. With decreasing the particle size of bark, the adsorption rate of two heavy metal ions were increased. In case of using same particle size, the adsorption of $Fe^{++}$, and $Ni^{++}$ by Quercus bark showed higher than by Pinus bark. 2. The effect of untreated bark on the adsorption of heavy metal was more or less 5% higher than that of HCHO-treated bark in both species. But the color absorbances of the filtrates from HCHO-treated Pinus and Quercus barks were 5.8 and 11.8 times smaller than those of the filtrate from untreated Pinus and Quercus barks, respectively. 3. The maximum adsorption of $Fe^{++}$, and $Ni^{++}$ by bark was shown after 30 min. of the reaction. 4. With increasing the concentration of heavy metal, the amount of adsorption by bark was increased, but the adsorption ratio were decreased. 5. The maximum adsorption of $Fe^{++}$, and $Ni^{++}$ appeared at final pH of $4{\sim}5$, and pH of $3.6{\sim}4.0$ in filtrate, respectively. 6. With increasing the bark weight per a given heavy metal solution, the adsorption ratio were increased, but the amount of adsorption per gram of bark was the highest on the reaction with 2g of bark in a economical sense showing the amount of adsorption of 21mg $Fe^{++}$/g and 7mg $Ni^{++}$/g of Pinus bark, 36mg $Fe^{++}$/g and 9mg $Ni^{++}$/g of Quercus bark, respectively.