• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 1995

High resolution transmission electron microscopic observations on the $Hg_{1-x}\;Tl_{x}\;Ba_{2}(Ca_{0.86}\;Sr_{0.14})_{2}\;Cu_{3}\;O_{8+\delta}$(x=0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) were carried out using side-entry type TEM working at 300 kV. The TEM samples are prepared by powder method. The pellets are crushed in agatar motar and suspended in $CCl_4$, solution and scooped in holely carbon microgrid. The 1223 structures are observed in all samples with [010] zone axis. Except x=0.25 sample, the lattice parameter a and c tend to decrease as the thallium contents are increased ranging from 0.3936 nm to 0.3713 nm for a, and from 1.6131 nm to 1.5138 nm for c parameter. Those of x=0.25 sample are reduced too much, 0.3785 nm for a, 1.5375 nm for c. The sample with x=0.25 shows the intergrowth of 1223 and 1234 structure with the ratio of 19 to 1. As the thallium content increases, the structures become more stable without having any defect. The samples are damaged by electron beam irradiation during the observation, however the structure can endure longer as the thallium contents are increased.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.751-758
• /
• 2000

A study was carried out on the dissolution of spent PWR fuels and performed on the fuels and the separation of iodide for the quantitative analysis using SIMFUEL which has chemical composition of a simulated spent PWR fuel (burn-up; 35,000 MWd/MTU and cooling time; 10 years). To dissolve the SIMFUEL effectively and to minimize the formation of volatile iodine through dissolution process, the optimum ratio of mixed acid ($HNO_3/HCl$ 80: 20 mol%) was established and ozone gas was purged. In the separation step of iodine with $CCl_4$, $NH_2OH{\cdot}HCl$ was used for reducing ${IO_3}^-$ to $I_2$.The optimum acidity of the dissolved solution and the added of $NH_2OH{\cdot}HCl$ were 2.5 M and more than $1.5{\times}10^{-3}mole$, respectively. The recovery of iodide by ion chromatography was $82.8{\pm}4.1%$ and the total yield was corrected by gamma spectrometery using $^{131}I$ as a tracer.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.205-211
• /
• 1992

The $2{\nu}_{C=0}$ + amide III combination band spectrum of acetamide (AA) was obtained in very dilute solutions of AA+lanthanide shift reagents (LSR) in carbon tetrachloride over the range of $15^{\circ}$ to $45^{\circ}C$. It was found that only 1 : 1 AA-LSR complex is formed by the interaction between carbonyl oxygen of AA and central metal ion(Ln(Ⅲ)) in LSR. The thermodynamic parameters for Ln(III)${\cdot}$O=C bond were determined by computer analysis of concentration and temperature dependent spectra. ${\Delta}H^{\circ}$ for the coordination of AA to Eu$(dpm)_3$, Yb$(dpm)_3$, and Pr$(dpm)_3$ have been found to be -39.1, -28.4, and -25.5 kJ/mol, respectively. It has shown that this type of ion-dipole interaction is more than twice stronger compared to the dipole-dipole interaction in the amide linkage, and largely depending on the steric hindrence effect by the bulky dpm groups around central metal ion (Ln(III)) rather than the ionic potential effect of central metal ion itself.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.918-928
• /
• 1998

The present study was done with two aims. First, to evaluate the radiographic measurements of liver volumes in normal and hepatomegaly dogs induced by carbon tetrachloride. Second, to investigate quantitative tissue echo pattern by ultrasonography. Gray level histogram of the normal liver and the kidney were estimated with carbon tetra-chloride intoxication. In normal, r-square for liver volume to body weight was 0.93372, and this showed direct linear regression. Gray level histograms of the normal liver and the kidney were $19.150{\pm}2.490$(mean${\pm}$SD) and $13.175{\pm}2.686$(mean${\pm}$SD) respectively(p < 0.01). Liver parenchymal echogenicity was more hyperechogenic than kidney cortex echogenicity. Liver/Kidney ratio was $1.504{\pm}0.313$ and it can be used relative comparison of liver and kidney parenchymal echogenicity. In carbon-tetrachloride($CCl_4$) intoxication, changes of liver volume appeared to increase up to 24 hours after administration (p < 0.05), and decreased gradually to normal level after 2~5 days. Gray level histogram of liver parenchyma decreased up to 24hours (p < 0.01) after intoxication and then gradually increased to normal level. But that of kidney cortex had no significant change. Liver/Kidney ratio also decreased by 2 days(p < 0.01) and then gradually increased to normal level. On histopathologic features of hepatic tissues in carbon tetrachloride intoxication, both coagulative necrosis of hepatic cell and hemorrhage of centrilobular & midzonal area were identified. Conclusively, plain radiography is a useful diagnostic method for evaluating liver volume in mild hepatomegaly. Especially, it is considered that an adequate numerical processing of the liver length, depth and thoracic width and depth measurement would be helpful. Using gray level histogram, ultrasonographic evaluation was useful objective methods in early diagnosis of diffuse hepatic disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.224-231
• /
• 2000

$Nokyangbotang^{TM}$ (NYBT) is a kind of powerful food for health and have been drunk at a oral dose of 80 ml (99.5 mg) three times per day: It has not been well studied about the anti-fatigue and hepatoprotective activity. In this experiments, we evaluated pathophysiologically the effect of NYBT on swimming time in mouse and hepatoprotective activity in rats intoxicated with carbon-tetrachloride. NYBT was nontoxic in orally acute toxicity test ($LD_{50}$, 320 ml/60 kg): a nontoxic food in more four times of one-shoot dosage (80 ml) to human. Weight-loaded forced swimming test was carried out to measure the swimming time of mice with a 4% load of body weight in plastic cylinder (diameter $10{\;}cm{\;}{\times}{\;}height{\;}20{\;}cm$) on water bath at $25^{\circ}C$, and the anti-fatigue activity represented the ratio of swimming time of experimental group to that of control group. NYBT had dose-dependent anti-fatigue activity Mice administered NYBT at a dose of 320 ml/60 kg once daily for 5 days could swim about two times more than control. Hepatoprotective activities of NYBT were examined by the determination of malonedialdehyde (MDA) and pathological survey in liver and liver function test of rat intoxicated with $CCl_4$ at i.m. dose of 2 ml/kg once daily for 7days. NYBT decreased dose-dependently thiobarbituric acid reactive substance: Oral administration of NYBT at a dose of 20 ml/60 kg was $38.51{\;}{\pm}{\;}3.02$ nmol MDA/g of tissue, that of 80 ml/60 kg was $33.76{\;}{\pm}{\;} 1.84$ nmol MDA/g of tissue, and that of 320 ml/60 kg was $32.87{\;}{\pm}{\;}1.90$ nmol MDA/g of tissue as compared with control group ($43.61{\;}{\pm}{\;}2.85$ nmol MDA/g of tissue). All rats administered NYBT at a dose of 320 ml/60 kg were survival as compared with 40% survival of control animals, and GPT activity of rats administered NYBT at a dose of 80 ml/60 kg was decreased as compared with control. In histopathological survey, NYBT improved slightly the fatty changes of hepatocytes around centrilobular area. These results suggest that NYBT has anti-fatigue and hepatoprotective activity in rats and mice.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.726-735
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the biological activities of polysaccharide extracted from the fruit body and cultured mycelia of Phellinus linteus IY001. All fractions were extracted by hot water, in the next, Fr. I, Fr. II, Fr. III and Fr. IV were polysaccharide obtained by ethanol precipitation or ultrafiltration. The highest antitumor activity against sarcoma 180 in ICR mice was observed in Fr. III and Fr. IV at the level 85%, but the antitumor activity had no connection with their anticomplementary activity in vitro, it might probably be due to extraction of hot water. All fractions promoted the production of nitric oxide and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in macrophage, addition of Fr. I and Fr. II resulted in production of nitric oxide$3(5.9{\sim}37.6\;{\mu}M)$ and of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ production($8,696.2{\sim}9,420pg/ml)$. All fractions inhibited the lipid peroxidation induced by $AsA/Fe^{2+}$, $ADP/NADPH/Fe^{3+}\;and\;CCl_4/NADPH$ in rat liver microsomes, and Fr. III showed the electron donating ability stronger than tocopherol in assay system using DPPH. From these results, it is suggested that all fractions contain immunoregulatory components which may protect cellular materials from the oxidative damages by their radical scavenging activities.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.269-281
• /
• 2017

Background: Small particles increase airway inflammation upon reaching the alveoli. Here, we investigated the protective or therapeutic effects of Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SP_R) extracts on airway inflammation. Methods and Results: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of SP_R extracts, we measured their inhibitory effect on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression of inflammatory mediators, and immune cell infiltration in MH-S alveolar macrophage cells and in the ambient particulate matter (APM)-exposed airway inflammation mice model. The SP_R extracts inhibited the production of ROS and expression of IL-4, IL-10, IL-15, and IL-17A mRNA in APM-stimulated MH-S cells. Oral administration of SP_R extracts suppressed APM-induced inflammatory symptoms, such as high alveolar wall thickness, excess collagen fibers, decreased mRNA expression of chemokines (Ccr9, Ccl5, Ccr3), inflammatory cytokines (IL-15, TNF-${\alpha}$), and IL-4 Th2 cytokine in the lung. The SP_R extracts also inhibited ROS production, granulocyte ($CD11b^+Gr-1^+$) infiltration, IL-17A, TNF-${\alpha}$, macrophage inflammatory protein (Mip-2), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (Cxcl-1) production in the airway. The specific compounds in the SR-R extracts that mediate the anti-inflammatory effects were identified. Conclusions: In this study, SP_R extracts effectively inhibited airway inflammatory responses, such as ROS production and granulocyte infiltration into the airway, by regulating the expression of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.515-523
• /
• 2023

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the main components of ginseng, has anti-inflammatory, anti-estrogenic, and anti-tumor activities. It is known that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway participates in the activation of HSCs. We aimed to explore whether PPD inhibits liver fibrosis is associated with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inactivation. Methods: The anti-fibrotic roles of PPD were examined both in vitro and in vivo. We also examined the levels of Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and WIF1 methylation. Results: PPD obviously ameliorated liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated mice and reduced collagen deposition. PPD also suppressed the activation and proliferation of primary HSCs. Notably, PPD inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, reduced TCF activity, and increased P-β-catenin and GSK-3β levels. Interestingly, WIF1 was found to mediate the inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in PPD-treated HSCs. WIF1 silencing suppressed the inhibitory effects of PPD on HSC activation and also restored α-SMA and type I collagen levels. The downregulation of WIF1 expression was associated with the methylation of its promoter. PPD induced WIF1 demethylation and restored WIF1 expression. Further experiments confirmed that DNMT1 overexpression blocked the effects of PPD on WIF1 expression and demethylation and enhanced HSC activation. Conclusion: PPD up-regulates WIF1 levels and impairs Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation via the downregulation of DNMT1-mediated WIF1 methylation, leading to HSC inactivation. Therefore, PPD may be a promising therapeutic drug for patients with liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.534-542
• /
• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1, a bioactive component of Ginseng, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective effects. It is known that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Recently, Rg1 has been shown to reverse liver fibrosis by suppressing EMT, although the mechanism of Rg1-mediated anti-fibrosis effects is still largely unclear. Interestingly, Smad7, a negative regulator of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway, is often methylated during liver fibrosis. Whether Smad7 methylation plays a vital role in the effects of Rg1 on liver fibrosis remains unclear. Methods: Anti-fibrosis effects were examined after Rg1 processing in vivo and in vitro. Smad7 expression, Smad7 methylation, and microRNA-152 (miR-152) levels were also analyzed. Results: Rg1 significantly reduced the liver fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride, and reduced collagen deposition was also observed. Rg1 also contributed to the suppression of collagenation and HSC reproduction in vitro. Rg1 caused EMT inactivation, reducing Desmin and increasing E-cadherin levels. Notably, the effect of Rg1 on HSC activation was mediated by the TGF-β pathway. Rg1 induced Smad7 expression and demethylation. The over-expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) blocked the Rg1-mediated inhibition of Smad7 methylation, and miR-152 targeted DNMT1. Further experiments suggested that Rg1 repressed Smad7 methylation via miR-152-mediated DNMT1 inhibition. MiR-152 inhibition reversed the Rg1-induced promotion of Smad7 expression and demethylation. In addition, miR-152 silencing led to the inhibition of the Rg1-induced EMT inactivation. Conclusion: Rg1 inhibits HSC activation by epigenetically modulating Smad7 expression and at least by partly inhibiting EMT.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.32.1-32.15
• /
• 2020

Influenza virus is the major cause of seasonal and pandemic flu. Currently, oseltamivir, a potent and selective inhibitor of neuraminidase of influenza A and B viruses, is the drug of choice for treating patients with influenza virus infection. However, recent emergence of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses has limited its efficacy. Morin hydrate (3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid isolated from Morus alba L. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects partly by the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, its effects on influenza virus have not been studied. We evaluated the antiviral activity of morin hydrate against influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (A/PR/8; H1N1) and oseltamivir-resistant A/PR/8 influenza viruses in vitro. To determine its mode of action, we carried out time course experiments, and time of addition, hemolysis inhibition, and hemagglutination assays. The effects of the co-administration of morin hydrate and oseltamivir were assessed using the murine model of A/PR/8 infection. We found that morin hydrate reduced hemagglutination by A/PR/8 in vitro. It alleviated the symptoms of A/PR/8-infection, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as TNF-α and CCL2, in infected mice. Co-administration of morin hydrate and oseltamivir phosphate reduced the virus titers and attenuated pulmonary inflammation. Our results suggest that morin hydrate exhibits antiviral activity by inhibiting the entry of the virus.