• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.485-500
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• 2016

We examined acidity state of inorganic aerosol and oxidation state of organic aerosol by High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) at Baengnyeong Super site from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013. Additionally, we carried out the analysis for the aerosol component group of organic matter ($C_xH_y$, $C_xH_yO_1$, $C_xH_yO_z$, $C_xH_yO_zN_p$) and elemental composition to calculate H/C, O/C, N/C, OM/OC and identify the oxidation state. The aerosol chemical composition in this study is dominated by sulfate ($SO_4{^{2-}}$), nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) plays a smaller role in aerosol acidity. Ammonium ($NH_4{^+}$) was found in a formation of $(NH_4)_3H(SO_4)_2$. However, the binding formations of $NH_4NO_3$ and $NH_4Cl$ increase in the winter. $C_xH_yO_1$ indicating the oxidized state of $PM_{1.0}$ has the highest ratio of 41% while $C_xH_y$ indicating the non-oxidized state has a lower ratio of 36%, meaning that the oxidation level of $PM_{1.0}$ in Baengnyeong Island is high. The ratio between H/C and O/C was 1.33 and 0.78 respectively, showing the characteristic of LV-OOA (Low volatility-Oxygenated Organic Aerosol). Acidic and oxidized aerosols sampled during this field study were largely anthropogenic in origin from Chinese continent and photochemically aged.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.247-257
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• 2020

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy drugs remains a major challenge in clinical cancer treatment. Here we investigated whether and how ginsenoside Rg5 overcomes the MDR mediated by ABCB1 transporter in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cytotoxicity and colon formation as well as the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates were carried out in MDR cancer cells A2780/T and A549/T for evaluating the reversal effects of Rg5. The expressions of ABCB1 and Nrf2/AKT pathway were determined by Western blotting. An A549/T cell xenograft model was established to investigate the MDR reversal activity of Rg5 in vivo. Results: Rg5 significantly reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by increasing the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1 substrates without altering protein expression of ABCB1. Moreover, Rg5 activated ABCB1 ATPase and reduced verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, suggesting a high affinity of Rg5 to ABCB1 binding site which was further demonstrated by molecular docking analysis. In addition, co-treatment of Rg5 and docetaxel (TXT) suppressed the expression of Nrf2 and phosphorylation of AKT, indicating that sensitizing effect of Rg5 associated with AKT/Nrf2 pathway. In nude mice bearing A549/T tumor, Rg5 and TXT treatment significantly suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumors without increase in toxicity when compared to TXT given alone at same dose. Conclusion: Therefore, combination therapy of Rg5 and chemotherapy drugs is a strategy for the adjuvant chemotherapy, which encourages further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2017

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug widely used to treat epileptic seizures. Using whole-cell voltage clamp recordings in combination with a fast drug application approach, we investigated the effects of lamotrigine on 5-hydroxytryptamine $(5-HT)_3$ receptors in NCB-20 neuroblastoma cells. Co-application of lamotrigine ($1{\sim}300{\mu}M$) resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in peak amplitude of currents induced by $3{\mu}m$ of 5-HT for an $IC_{50}$ value of $28.2{\pm}3.6{\mu}M$ with a Hill coefficient of $1.2{\pm}0.1$. These peak amplitude decreases were accompanied by the rise slope reduction. In addition, $5-HT_3$-mediated currents evoked by 1 mM dopamine, a partial $5-HT_3$ receptor agonist, were inhibited by lamotrigine co-application. The $EC_{50}$ of 5-HT for $5-HT_3$ receptor currents were shifted to the right by co-application of lamotrigine without a significant change of maximal effect. Currents activated by 5-HT and lamotrigine co-application in the presence of 1 min pretreatment of lamotrigine were similar to those activated by 5-HT and lamotrigine co-application alone. Moreover, subsequent application of lamotrigine in the presence of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindole, known to attenuate $5-HT_3$ receptor desensitization, inhibited $5-HT_3$ receptor currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The deactivation of $5-HT_3$ receptor was delayed by washing with an external solution containing lamotrigine. Lamotrigine accelerated the desensitization process of $5-HT_3$ receptors. There was no voltage-dependency in the inhibitory effects of lamotrigine on the $5-HT_3$ receptor currents. These results indicate that lamotrigine inhibits $5-HT_3$-activated currents in a competitive manner by binding to the open state of the channels and blocking channel activation or accelerating receptor desensitization.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.518-528
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• 1992

To determine the optimal conformation of sulfonylureas, the correlation between conformation and hypoglycemic activity of the two sulfonylureas of tolbutamide and chlorpropamide as hypoglycemic agent was studied using an empirical potential function (ECEPP/2) and the hydration shell model in the unhydrated and hydrated states. The conformational energy was minimized from several starting conformations with possible torsion angles in each molecule. The conformational entropy change of each conformation was computed using a harmonic approximation. To understand the hydration effect on the conformation of the molecules in aqueous solution, the contribution of water-accessible volume of each group or atom in the lowest-free-energy conformation was calculated and compared each other. From comparison of the computed lowest-free-energy conformations of two sulfonylureas, it could be suggested that the hydration of sulfonylurea moiety is related to increase the hypoglycemic activity. From the calculation results, it was known that the conformational entropy is the major contribution to stabilize the low-free-energy conformations of two sulfonylureas in unhydrated state. Whereas, in hydrated state, the hydration free energy largely contributes to the total free energies of low-free-energy conformations of tolbutamide and conformational entropy contributes to stabilize the low-free-energy conformations of chlorpropamide. The torsion angles from phenyl ring to urea moiety of the low-free-energy conformations of the two sulfonylureas were shown the nearly regular trend. On the basis of these results, the conformation exhibiting the optimal hypoglycemic activity of sulfonylureas and the binding direction to pancreatic receptor site A could be predicted. Also, according to the side chain lengthening of urea moiety, tolbutamide showed various conformational change. Therefore, steric effect may be important factor in the interaction between sulfonylureas and the putative pancreatic receptor.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.81-84
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• 2014

To examine the microenvironmental effect of DNA on the photosensitized reaction, the electron-donor-connecting porphyrin, meso-(9-phenanthryl)-tris(N-methyl-p-pyridinio) porphyrin (Phen-TMPyP), was synthesized. Phen-TMPyP can bind to oligonucleotides with two binding modes, depending on the DNA concentration. The fluorescence lifetime measurement of Phen-TMPyP shows a shorter component than that of the reference porphyrin without the phenanthryl moiety. However, the observed value is much longer than those of previously reported similar types of electron-donor-connecting porphyrins, suggesting that electron-transfer quenching by the phenanthryl moiety is not sufficient. The fluorescence quantum yield of Phen-TMPyP ($5{\mu}M$) decreased with an increase in DNA concentration of up to $5{\mu}M$ base pair (bp), possibly due to self-quenching through an aggregation along the DNA strand, increased with an increase in DNA concentration of more than $5{\mu}M$ bp and reached a plateau. The fluorescence quantum yield of Phen-TMPyP with a sufficient concentration of DNA was larger than that of the reference porphyrin. The singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$) generating activity of Phen-TMPyP was confirmed by the near-infrared emission spectrum measurement. The quantum yield of $^1O_2$ generation was decreased by a relatively small concentration of DNA, possibly due to the aggregation of Phen-TMPyP, and recovered with a sufficient concentration of DNA. The recovered quantum yield was rather smaller than that without DNA, indicating the quenching of $^1O_2$ by DNA. These results show that a DNA strand can stabilize the photoexcited state of a photosensitizer and, in a certain case, suppresses the $^1O_2$ generation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.196-203
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• 2002

A novel process for urokinase purification was studied using p-aminobenzamidine as the ligand and sepharose 4B as the matrix. The adsorption, washing, and elution conditions were optimized by an unusual method. An adsorption buffer containing 2.5 M NaCl and $1\%$ Tween 80 facilitated the adsorption of urokinase on the affinity media and prevented contaminants from binding to the p-aminobenzamidine affinity gel. It was found that $5\%$ Tween 80 removed most of the contaminants from the affinity column. A 0.2 M glycine elution buffer containing 0.5 M NaCl (pH 3.0) was found to have a strong elution ability with a high recovery and purity of urokinase. A crude urokinase material of231 IU/mg protein from human urine was purified to 124,300 IU/mg protein with a purification factor of 538 and yield of $86.7\%$. As a result, a high purity urokinase was obtained with only a single affinity chromatography step. The purification process was successfully scaled-up to a 2-1 chromatography column. The resulting urokinase eluate could be directly lyophilized, thereby complying with Chinese pharmacopoeia (1995 version) standards.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 1990

The effect of cimetidine on theophylline metabolism was examined in dogs. Single dose intravenous theophylline kinetic studies were performed in cross-over manner before and after one week intravenous cimetidine (30 mg/kg/day) treatment. Cimetidine decreased theophylline clearance by an average of 31% (p<0.05) and prolonged theophylline half-li fe by an average of 29% (p<0.01) compared to those in control peirods. However, steady-state volume of distribution and protein binding of theophylline were not changed significantly. Twenty-four hours urinary excretion of 3-methylxanthine, 1-methyluric acid and 1,3-dimethyluric acid, which are the major metabolites of theophylline, were all decreased after cimetidine treatment, whereas the excreted fractions of individual metabolites were unchanged by cimetidine. From the above data, it could be susggested that cimetidine decreases theophylline clearance and prolongs the half-life by non-specific inhibition of the demethylations and 8-hydroxylation pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2571-2576
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• 2012

Breast cancer is the first of the most common ten cancers in Iraq. Its etiology is multifactorial, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation being suggested to play important roles in carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the oxidant-antioxidant status in breast cancer patients, by measuring SOD isoenzyme activities (total SOD, CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD and EC-SOD) in plasma and breast tumors, and by estimating thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBRS) in tissue homogenates. General increase in total SOD activity was observed in plasma and tissue samples of breast tumors, greater in the malignant when compared to benign group (p<0.05). Mn-SOD showed a significant decrease in tissue malignant samples (p<0.05), and insignificant decrease in plasma malignant samples compared with control and benign samples. Plasma EC-SOD activity in both patient benign and malignant breast tumors demonstrated 3.5% and 22.8% increase, respectively. However, there was a decrease in tissue EC-SOD activity in malignant breast tumors when compared with benign. A similar tendency was noted for TBRS. We suggest that elevated total SOD might reflect a response to oxidative stress, and then may predict a state of excess reactive oxygen species in the carcinogenesis process. If there is proteolytic removal of the heparin binding domain, EC-SOD will lose its affinity for the extracellular matrix and diffuse out of the tissue. This will result in a decreased EC-SOD activity, thus leading to an increase in the steady-state concentration of $O^{2-}$ in this domain, and increase in EC-SOD activity in the extracellular fluid. This might explain the results recorded here concerning the decrease in tissue EC-SOD activity and increase in plasma of breast cancer patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1271-1278
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• 2012

Genetic fusion of two proteins frequently induces beneficial effects to the proteins, such as increased solubility, besides the combination of two protein functions. Here, we study the effects of the bacterial surface layer protein SgsE from Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a on the folding of a C-terminally fused enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) moiety. Although GFPs are generally unable to adopt a functional confirmation in the bacterial periplasm of Escherichia coli cells, we observed periplasmic fluorescence from a chimera of a 150-amino-acid N-terminal truncation of SgsE and EGFP. Based on this finding, unfolding and refolding kinetics of different S-layer-EGFP chimeras, a maltose binding protein-EGFP chimera, and sole EGFP were monitored using green fluorescence as indicator for the folded protein state. Calculated apparent rate constants for unfolding and refolding indicated different folding pathways for EGFP depending on the fusion partner used, and a clearly stabilizing effect was observed for the SgsE_C fusion moiety. Thermal stability, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and unfolding equilibria were found to be independent of the fused partner. We conclude that the stabilizing effect SgsE_C exerts on EGFP is due to a reduction of degrees of freedom for folding of EGFP in the fused state.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2311-2314
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• 2016

Pistagremic acid (PA) is a bioactive triterpenoid isolated from various parts of Pistacia integerrima plants. The aim of this research was to investigate PA for reversion of multidrug resistant (MDR) mediated by P-glycoprotein using rhodamine-123 exclusion study on a multidrug resistant human ABCB1 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B, member 1) gene-transfected mouse T-lymphoma cell line in vitro. Results were similar to those with verapamil as a positive control. Docking studies of PA and standard Rhodamine123 were carried out against a P-gp crystal structure which showed satisfactory results. Actually, PA cannot bind exactly where co-crystallized ligand of P-gp is already present. However, the docking study predicted that if a compound gives a lesser score then it may have some potency. The docking scores of PA and Rhodamine were similar. Therefore, we can conclude that there are certain important chemical features of PA which are responsible for the inhibiting potency of P-gp.