• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.307-312
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• 2009

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaking cells required for gastrointestinal motility. The possibility of whether DA-9701, a novel prokinetic agent formulated with Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis Tuber, modulates pacemaker activities in the ICC was tested using the whole cell patch clamp technique. DA-9701 produced membrane depolarization and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents in the voltage-clamp mode. The application of flufenamic acid, a non-selective cation channel blocker, but not niflumic acid, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents induced by DA-9701. Pretreatment with a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents. In addition, the tonic inward currents were inhibited by U-73122, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, but not by $GDP-{\beta}-S$, which permanently binds G-binding proteins. Furthermore, the protein kinase C inhibitors, chelerythrine and calphostin C, did not block the DA-9701-induced pacemaker currents. These results suggest that DA-9701 might affect gastrointestinal motility by the modulation of pacemaker activity in the ICC, and the activation is associated with the non-selective cationic channels via external $Ca^{2+}$ influx, phospholipase C activation, and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal storage in a G protein-independent and protein kinase C-independent manner.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.523-531
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• 2008

Radiotherapy is currently applied in the treatment of human cancers. We studied whether genistein would enhance the radiosensitivity and explored its precise molecular mechanism in cervical cancer cells. After co-treatment with genistein and irradiation, the viability, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis signaling cascades were elucidated in CaSki cells. The viability was decreased by co-treatment with genistein and irradiation compared with irradiation treatment alone. Treatment with only ${\gamma}$-irradiation led to cell cycle arrest at the $G_1$ phase. On the other hand, co-treatment with genistein and ${\gamma}$-irradiation caused a decrease in the $G_1$ phase and a concomitant increase up to 56% in the number of $G_2$ phase. In addition, co-treatment increased the expression of p53 and p21, and Cdc2-tyr-15-p, supporting the occurrence of $G_2/M$ arrest. In general, apoptosis signaling cascades were activated by the following events: release of cytochrome c, upregulation of Bax, down regulation of Bcl-2, and activation of caspase-3 and -8 in the treatment of genistein and irradiation. Apparently, co-treatment downregulated the transcripts of E6*I, E6*II, and E7. Genistein also stimulated irradiation-induced intracellular reactive oxygene, species (ROS) production, and co-treatment-induced apoptosis was inhibited by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that apoptosis has occurred through the increase in ROS by genistein and ${\gamma}$-irradiation in cervical cancer cells. Gamma-irradiation increased cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-2) expression, whereas the combination with genistein and ${\gamma}$-irradiation almost completely prevented irradiation-induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production. Co-treatment with genistein and ${\gamma}$-irradiation inhibited proliferation through $G_2/M$ arrest and induced apoptosis via ROS modulation in the CaSki cancer cells.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제31권7호
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• pp.386-391
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• 2021

The formation of CaCO₃ in microalgal culture is investigated and applied for effective separation of microalgae. The presence of several cationic ions in the culture medium mediates the formation of 3 types of mineral precipitates depending on the concentration of mineral precursors, Ca²⁺ and CO₃^2-, amorphous nano-flakes, rhombohedral calcites, and spherical vaterites. While amorphous phased precipitates are formed for all concentrations of mineral precursor, only calcites are formed for 30 mM solutions of mineral precursor, and mixtures of calcites and vaterites are formed for 50 and 100 mM solutions of mineral precursor. The harvesting efficiency is also dependent on the concentration of the mineral precursor: from 90 % for 10 mM to 99 % for 100 mM after 60 mins' of gravitational sedimentation. The formation of nano-flakes on the surface of microalgal cells induces the flocculation of microalgae by breaking the stable dispersion. The negatively charged surface of the microalgal cell is compatible not only with nano-flake attachment but also with the growth of calcitic crystals in which microalgal cells are embedded.

• 한국세라믹학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.246-250
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• 2011

Effects on sintering and electrical properties of $La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3}Cr_{0.9}Co_{0.1}O_{3-{\delta}}$ system, a interconnect material for cylindrical and flat tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), have been investigated by Ca-source when using $CaCO_3$ and $CaF_2$. When using $CaCO_3$ and $CaF_2$ was mixing as Ca-source, single phased perovskite solid solution was observed for each sample. The sintering temperature was decreased by $CaF_2$ contents was increased. When using 0.1 mole $CaF_2$ was densely sintered at $1400^{\circ}C$ and relative density was 93.8%. Also, electrical conductivity in oxidation and reducing atmosphere was 47, 4.3 S/cm, respectively, due to $F^-$ ion enhance the electrical conductivity in reducing atmosphere.

• 한국태양에너지학회 논문집
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.25-36
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• 2018

The stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for the $CaAl_2Se_4$: Co single crystal thin film was prepared from horizontal furnace. Using extrapolation method of X-ray diffraction patterns for the polycrystal $CaAl_2Se_4$, it was found orthorhomic structure whose lattice constant $a_0$, $b_0$ and $c_0$ were 6.4818, $11.1310{\AA}$ and $11.2443{\AA}$, respectively. To obtain the $CaAl_2Se_4$: Co single crystal thin film, $CaAl_2Se_4$: Co mixed crystal was deposited on throughly etched Si (100) by the HWE (Hot Wall Epitaxy) system. The source and substrate temperature were $600^{\circ}C$ and $440^{\circ}C$ respectively. The crystalline structure of $CaAl_2Se_4$: Co single crystal thin film was investigated by the double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). Hall effect on this sample was measured by the method of Van der Pauw and studied on carrier density and mobility depending on temperature. From Hall data, the mobility was likely to be decreased by impurity scattering in the temperature range 30 K to 100 K and by lattice scattering in the temperature range 100 K to 293 K. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CaAl_2Se_4$: Co obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=3.8239eV-(4.9823{\times}10^{-3}eV/K)T_2/(T+559K)$. The open-circuit voltage, short current density, fill factor, and conversion efficiency of $p-Si/p-CaAl_2Se_4$: Co heterojunction solar cells under $80mW/cm^2$ illumination were found to be 0.42 V, $25.3mA/cm^2$, 0.75 and 9.96%, respectively.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.437-446
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• 1999

Porphyromonas endodontalis(P. endodontalis) is one of the important causative bacteria of pulpal and periapical disease. P. endodontalis has lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and it plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of cytokines from immune cells and prostaglandin $E_2$ from host cells. The purpose of this study is to prepare LPS from P. endodontalis and to evaluate the effect of LPS on membrane permeability of fibroblast. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted. LPS was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Human periodontal ligament cell, colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co, KCLB 21459) and skin fibroblast(Detroit 551, KCLB 10110) were perfused with 0.01% P. endodontalis LPS solution, high concentration of $K^+$ solution and $Ca^{2+}$-free solution, $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ratio was measured by microfluorometry. 1. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was not changed in human periodontal fibroblast and skin fibroblast(Detroit 551) stimulated by P. endodontalis LPS. 2. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was increased in colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co) stimulated by P. endodontalis LPS. 3. Colon fibroblast(CCD-18Co) has voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel activated by high concentration of $K^+$ solution. 4. P. endodontalis LPS has no effect on the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration during perfusion of $Ca^{2+}$-free solution.

• 약학회지
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.388-393
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• 2013

Previously, we have reported that lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, increased melanin synthesis through intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in B16 cells. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanism of lovastatin-induced melanogenesis. Lovastatin elevated NO formation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), precursors of cholesterol, did not significantly alter the lovastatin-induced NO production, suggesting that inhibition of cholesterol metabolism may not be involved in the mechanism of this action of lovastatin. Both NO formation and melanogenesis induced by lovastatin was significantly suppressed by treatment with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylinidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), an inhibitor of NO synthase and a NO scavenger, respectively. The lovastatin-induced NO production was significantly affected not by EGTA, an extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, but by an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator (BAPTA/AM) and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blockers (dantrolene and TMB-8). Taken together, these results suggest that lovastatin may induce melanogenesis through NO formation mediated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in B16 cells. These results further suggest that lovastatin may be a good candidate for the therapeutic application of various hypopigmentation disorders.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.557-562
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• 2006

Hypoxia induced angiogenesis and inflammation are essential processes for metastasis and progress of solid tumors. We examined the anti-angiogenic and inflammation related activity of Kochiae Fructus (KF) extract. To investigate the roles of the KF extract, we performed MTS assay, western blots using HaCaT cells and $HepG_2$ cells. The results are as follows. The protein level of $HIF-1{\alpha}$ was reduced when induced by $CoCl_2$ in $HepG_2$ cells treated with KF extract and induced by IGF-11 in HaCaT cells treated with KF extract. KF extract reduced the mRNA level of VEGF in HaCaT cells and KF extract reduced the protein level of iNOS in HaCaT cells. These results suggest that KF extract contributes to the anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activities and also we could assume that KF extract act as antioxidant or anti-inflammatory agents via reduction of $HIF-1{\alpha}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.119-125
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• 1999

Mammalian gastric smooth muscles generate spontaneous rhythmic contractions which are associated with slow oscillatory potentials (slow waves) and spike potentials. Spike potentials are blocked by organic $Ca^{2+}-antagonists,$ indicating that these result from the activation of L-type $Ca^{2+}-channel.$ However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the generation of slow wave remain unclear. Slow waves are insensitive to $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ but are blocked by metabolic inhibitors or low temperature. Recently it has been suggested that Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) serve as pacemaker cells and a slow wave reflects the coordinated behavior of both ICC and smooth muscle cells. Small segments of circular smooth muscle isolated from antrum of the guinea-pig stomach generated two types of electrical events; irregular small amplitude (1 to 7 mV) of transient depolarization and larger amplitude (20 to 30 mV) of slow depolarization (regenerative potential). Transient depolarization occurred irregularly and membrane depolarization increased their frequency. Regenerative potentials were generated rhythmically and appeared to result from summed transient depolarizations. Spike potentials, sensitive to nifedipine, were generated on the peaks of regenerative potentials. Depolarization of the membrane evoked regenerative potentials with long latencies (1 to 2 s). These potentials had long partial refractory periods (15 to 20 s). They were inhibited by low concentrations of caffeine, perhaps reflecting either depletion of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR or inhibition of InsP3 receptors, by buffering $Ca^{2+}$ to low levels with BAPTA or by depleting $Ca^{2+}$ from SR with CPA. They persisted in the presence of $Ca^{2+}-sensitive$ $Cl^--channel$ blockers, niflumic acid and DIDS or $Co^{2+},$ a non selective $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blocker. These results suggest that spontaneous activity of gastric smooth muscle results from $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR, followed by activation of $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ ion channels other than $Cl^-$ channels, with the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from SR being triggered by membrane depolarization.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.105-112
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• 1995

In ordedr to gain insight into the mechanisms byl which erythropoietin promotes erythropoiesis, effects of various inhibitors on the erythropoietin-propmoted differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and on the erythroid progenitor cells and on the erythropoietin-promoted $Ca^{++}$ uptake in the progenitor cells were determined, and the relationship between the inhibitory activity of each inhibitor cells were determined, and he relationship between the inhibitory activity of each inhibitor toward the differentiation and channel blocker (varapamil), a $Ca^{++}$ chelator (EDTA) and a protein kinase C inhibitor (stauroporine). All of these agents inhibited both the erythropoietin-mediated differentiation of the erythroid progenitor cells, as determined by the incroporation of $^{59}Fe$ into heme, and $Ca^{++}$ uptake in a concentrtion dependent manner. In the cases of varapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})$ values for differentiation of the progenitor cells may be theconsequence of the inhibition of the $Ca^{++}$ uptake in a concentration dependent manner. In the cases of varapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration dependent manner. In the cases of verapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})$ values for differentiation of the progenitor cells may be the consequence of the inhibition of the $Ca^{++}$ uptake by the inhibitor. On the other hand, in the cases of genistein and stauroporine, the $IC_{50}$ values for inhibition of differentitation were significantly different from that for inhibition of $Ca^{++}$uptake. These results suggest that the mechanism of inhibition of differentiation by these two inhibitors in complex. However, taken all together, the above results support the proposition that $Ca^{++}$ uptake may play a role in the erythropoietin-mediated differentiation of erythoid progenitor cells.