• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.228-232
• /
• 2006

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 is characterized by the presence of pain, which is severe, diffuse and associated with allodynia, and is also associated with autonomic and trophic changes. The sensitization phenomena of CRPS also cause allodynia and itching, as well as pain. These symptoms are the issues associated with the treatment of CRPS. Under normal conditions, an antagonistic interaction exists between the pain and itching, but the patterns of peripheral and central sensitization phenomena for the pain and itching are very similar. The chronic pain and chronic itch have similar characteristics in their developmental and therapeutical principles. Herein, our experience of 2 cases of CRPS, which showed improvement of these facial symptoms after sphenopalatine ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation, but were not controlled by spinal cord stimulation or other conservative treatments, is reported.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.799-811
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The conjoint analyst in marketing are interested in detecting whether there exist synergy or antagonistic effects between two attributes. In the cases where attributes have two or three levels, we research on the design of survey questionnaire to estimate all the main effect and as many two factor interaction effects as possible. Methods: We consider the balanced incomplete block (BIB) mixed level factorial design $2^f{\times}3^g$ or fractional factorial design. To reduce the number of questions in a questionnaire, we propose the balanced incomplete block mixed level design with minimum aberration which is generated by implementing proc factex in SAS. Also, we propose using two or three level BIB factorial design instead of mixed level designs by transforming three level attributes into two attributes of two levels and two level attribute into three level attribute by using dummy level technique. Results: We propose three methods for designing survey questionnaire where the block and design generators are found with practical number of questions in a questionnaire. By analyzing all the respondents survey data generated by the simulation study, we find the proper model and do the concepts optimization. Conclusion: The proposed methods of designing survey questionnaires seem to perform well in the sense that the proper model, and then the optimal concept is found in a case study where all the respondents survey data are generated by the simulation study.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.511-517
• /
• 2005

Low sensitivity to anticancer drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been associated with decreased expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. Recently, it has been shown that the expression levels of some of these genes are reduced by transcription inhibition due to epigenetic silencing on CpG islands. Therefore, epigenetic therapy has been proposed, where epigenetic silencing is repressed with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of our study was to evaluate the combination effect of 5-FU and its association with the status of epigenetic silencing using methylation-specific PCR of $p14^{ARF}$ when given with S-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), a DNMT inhibitor and depsipeptide, an HDAC inhibitor in DLD-1 human colorectal cancer cells. The combination of 5-aza-dC with depsipeptide showed a synergism and induced unmethylation of $p14^{ARF}$. However, triplet combination of 5-aza-dc/depsipeptide and 5-FU resulted in antagonistic effects and abrogated unmethylation of $p14^{ARF}$. These results suggest that unfavorable interaction of 5-aza-dC/depsipeptide with 5-FU in DLD-1 cells may be related with the failure in repression of epigenetic silencing, which warrants further investigation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2011

Substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons receive synaptic inputs from primary afferent $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers, where nociceptive information is integrated and modulated by numerous neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. A number of studies were dedicated to the molecular mechanism underlying the modulation of excitability or synaptic plasticity in SG neurons and revealed that second messengers, such as cAMP and cGMP, play an important role. Recently, cAMP and cGMP were shown to downregulate each other in heart muscle cells. However, involvement of the crosstalk between cAMP and cGMP in neurons is yet to be addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether interaction between cAMP and cGMP modulates synaptic plasticity in SG neurons using slice patchclamp recording from rats. Synaptic activity was measured by excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) elicited by stimulation onto dorsal root entry zone. Application of 1 mM of 8-bromoadenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) or 8-bromoguanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) for 15 minutes increased EPSCs, which were maintained for 30 minutes. However, simultaneous application of 8-BrcAMP and 8-Br-cGMP failed to increase EPSCs, which suggested antagonistic cross-talk between two second messengers. Application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) that prevents degradation of cAMP and cGMP by blocking phosphodiesterase (PDE) increased EPSCs. Co-application of cAMP/cGMP along with IBMX induced additional increase in EPSCs. These results suggest that second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, might contribute to development of chronic pain through the mutual regulation of the signal transduction.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.151-160
• /
• 2019

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sunlight, especially UVA and UVB, is the primary environmental cause of skin damage, including topical inflammation, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Previous reports show that activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes after UV exposure induces the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and subsequently leads to the production of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and growth factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Here, we demonstrated that TNFR2-SKEE and TNFR2-SKE, oligopeptides from TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2)-binding site of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), strongly inhibited the interaction of TNFR1 as well as TNFR2 with TRAF2. In particular, TNFR2-SKE suppressed UVB- or $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced nuclear translocalization of activated $NF-{\kappa}B$ in mouse fibroblasts. It decreased the expression of bFGF, MMPs, and COX2, which were upregulated by $TNF-{\alpha}$, and increased procollagen production, which was reduced by $TNF-{\alpha}$. Furthermore, TNFR2-SKE inhibited the UVB-induced proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes in the mouse skin and the infiltration of immune cells into inflamed tissues. These results suggest that TNFR2-SKE may possess the clinical potency to alleviate UV-induced photoaging in human skin.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.945-956
• /
• 2021

In this study, the effects of single and binary heavy metals toxicity on the growth and phosphorus removal ability of Bacillus sp.. known as be a phosphorus-removing microorganism, were quantitatively evaluated. Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni were used as heavy metals. As a result of analysis of variance of the half of inhibition concentration and half of effective concentration for each single heavy metal treatment group, the inhibitory effect on the growth of Bacillus sp. was Ni < Pb < Zn < Cu < Cd. And the inhibitory effect on phosphorus removal by Bacillus sp. was Ni < Pb < Zn < Cu < Cd. When analyzing the correlation between growth inhibition and phosphorus removal efficiency of a single heavy metal treatment group, a negative correlation was found (R² = 0.815), and a positive correlation was found when the correlation between IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ was analyzed (R² = 0.959). In all binary heavy metal treatment groups, the interaction was an antagonistic effect when evaluated using the additive toxicity index method. This paper is considered to be basic data on the toxic effects of heavy metals when phosphorus is removed using phosphorus removal microorganisms in wastewater.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.188-193
• /
• 1984

Interactions of herbicide mixtures were assessed for effective control of annual and perennial paddy weeds by isobole method(90% control) using Echinochloa crusgalli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, Scirpus hotarui Ohwi, Sagittaria pygrnaea Miquel, and Cyperus serotinus Rottb which are dominated in the paddy field of Korea. Mixture of butachlor and pyrazolate showed additive effect for control of E. crusgalli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, S. hotarui Ohwi and C. serotinus Rottb, but synergistic effect for control of S. pygmaea Miquel. Interaction of bifenox and bromobutamide showed synergistic effect to E. crusgalli Beauv. var oryzicola Ohwi and C. Serotinus Rottb, but slightly antagonistic effect to S. pygmaeo Miquel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 1986

The present study was undertaken to see an interaction of dopamine and cholecystokinin on spontaneous contractility of the small intestine including the duodenal bulb. A possible neural mechanism of the interaction was alto examined. The spontaneous isometric contractility of a segment of the duodenal bulb, duodenum, jejunum and ileum obtained from the rabbit anesthetized with ether was recorded in a chamber filled with Krebs-Ringer's solution. The solution was constantly kept at $37^{\circ}C$ and aerated with $O_2$ containing 5% $CO_2$. After 20 min from beginning of the contraction, dopamine $(10^{-4}M)$, CCK-8($10^{-8}M$), domperidone($10^{-5}M$) and tetrodotoxin ($10^{-6}M$) were administered into the chamber The following results were obtained by analyzing changes in the contractility of the intestinal segments. 1) Dopamine inhibited the spontaneous contractility of the duodenal bulb, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The inhibitory action of dopamine on all parts of the small intestine except the ileum was reduced by tetrodotoxin. 2) Domperidone knwon to be a specific peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist blocked the inhibitory action of dopamine on all parts of the small intestine. The antagonistic action of domperidone on all parts of the small intestine except the ileum was completely abolished by tetrodotoxin. 3) CCK-8 reduced the inhibitory action of dopamine on all parts of the small intestine. The effect of CCK-8 on the dopamine action was diminished by tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that dopamine inhibits the spontaneous contractility of the small intestine including the duodenal bulb and CCK-8 reduces the inhibitory action of dopamine through the enteric nervous system.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2023

Background: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are a group of chemical substances used in building materials and plastic products to suppress or mitigate the combustion of materials. Although OPFRs are generally used in mixed form, information on their mixture toxicity is quite scarce. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the toxicity and determine the types of interaction (e.g., synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effect) of OPFRs mixtures. Methods: Nine organophosphorus flame retardants, including TEHP (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate) and TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), were selected based on indoor dust measurement data in South Korea. Nine OPFRs were exposed to the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri for 30 minutes and the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for 48 hours. Chemicals with significant toxicity were only used for mixture toxicity tests in HepG2. In addition, the observed EC_x values were compared with the predicted toxicity values in the CA (concentration addition) prediction model, and the MDR (model deviation ratio) was calculated to determine the type of interaction. Results: Only four chemicals showed significant toxicity in the luminescent bacteria assays. However, EC₅₀ values were derived for seven out of nine OPFRs in the HepG2 assays. In the HepG2 assays, the highest to lowest EC₅₀ were in the order of the molecular weight of the target chemicals. In the further mixture tests, most binary mixtures show additive interactions except for the two combinations that have TPhP (triphenyl phosphate), i.e., TPhP and TDCPP, and TPhP and TBOEP (tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate). Conclusions: Our data shows OPFR mixtures usually have additivity; however, more research is needed to find out the reason for the synergistic effect of TPhP. Also, the mixture experimental dataset can be used as a training and validation set for developing the mixture toxicity prediction model as a further step.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the interaction of selenate and sulfate ion in nutrient solution supplyed with selenate ion. At early growth stage, the growth of Mongolian wormwood was best at 3mM sulfate ion and 2mg/$\ell$Na$_2$SeO$_4$ treatment. As they were grown and matured, at the later growth stage, the effect of antagonism between selenate and sulfate ion on the growth of each plant decreased. At supplying with selenate ion in nutrient solution, the uptake of selenate by plant had negative correlation with sulfate ion concentration in nutrient solution. The higher sulfate ion concentration, the less selenium uptake. However, the effect of antagonistic interaction of selenate and sulfate ion on the selenium uptake increased with plant age. Whereas, the uptake of sulfate ion had positive correlation with sulfate ion concentration in nutrient solution at supplying with selenate ion in nutrient solution. The uptake of sulfate ion increased with increase of sulfate ion concentration in nutrient solution. The effect of this interaction with selenate and sulfate ion increased with growth and maturity of plant. However, at 3mM sulfate ion concentration in nutrient solution, sulfate ion concentration in plant tissue decreased markedly.