• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1976

The trypanocidal drug suramin, an impermeant polyanion, has been shown to be a powerful inhibitor of the calcium uptake and calcium-stimulated ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (Fortes et al., 1974). In view of this finding, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of suramin on $Ca^{++}$ transport in resealed red cells and on $Ca^{++}$-activated ATPase in red blood cell membrane fragments (RBCMF). The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. $Ca^{++}$ outflux from the resealed RBC was inhibited by suramin and the inhibitory action of suramin is proportional to the concentration of drug added inside the RBC preparation. When suramin is added both inside and outside the RBC preparation simultaneously, the magnitude of the inhibitory effect was more pronounced, suggesting that suramin inhibits both active $Ca^{++}-^{45}Ca$ exchange diffusion across the RBC membrane. 2. Suramin inhibits the $Ca^{++}$-activated ATPase of the RBCMF and the effect of inhibition by the drug was also concentration dependent. From the above results, it may be concluded that suramin inhibits $Ca^{++}$ transport across RBC membrane by inhibiting $Ca^{++}$-activated ATPase activity which has been known to be linked with active $Ca^{++}$ transport.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.351-358
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• 2013

A suitable supply of mineral elements into shoot via a root system from growth media makes plants favorable growth and yield. The shortage or surplus of minerals directly affects overall physiological reactions to plants and, especially, strongly influences carbohydrate metabolism as a primary response. We have studied mineral uptake and synthesis and translocation of soluble carbohydrates in N, P or K-deficient tomato plants, and examined the interaction between soluble carbohydrates and mineral elements. Four-weeks-old tomato plants were grown in a hydroponic growth container adjusted with suboptimal N ($0.5mmol\;L^{-1}\;Ca(NO_3)2{\cdot}4H_2O$ and $0.5mmol\;L^{-1}\;KNO_3$), P ($0.05mmol\;L^{-1}\;KH_2PO_4$), and K ($0.5mmol\;L^{-1}\;KNO_3$) for 30 days. The deficiency of specific mineral element led to a significant decrease in its concentration and affected the concentration of other elements with increasing treatment period. The appearance of the reduction, however, differed slightly between elements. The ratios of N uptake of each treatment to that in NPK sufficient tomato shoots were 4 (N deficient), 50 (P deficient), and 50% (K deficient). The P uptake ratios were 21 (N deficient), 19 (P deficient), and 28% (K deficient) and K uptake ratios were 11 (N deficient), 46 (P deficient), and 7% (K deficient). The deficiency of mineral elements also influenced on carbohydrate metabolism; soluble sugar and starch was substantially enhanced, especially in N or K deficiency. In conclusion, mineral deficiency leads to an adverse carbohydrate metabolism such as immoderate accumulation and restricted translocation as well as reduced mineral uptake and thus results in the reduced plant growth.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.293-303
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• 2017

To elucidate the physiological responses of rice plants to the essential mineral silicon (Si), we assessed the effects of treatments with Si, nitrogen ($NH_4NO_3$; ammonium nitrate), and calcium ($CaCl_2$; calcium chloride), independently or in combination on mineral uptake rates and levels of the hormones abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin ($GA_1$) and jasmonic acid (JA). We found that nitrogen and calcium uptake was inhibited by Si application. However, solo application of nitrogen or calcium did not affect Si uptake. Compared to the untreated plants, the application of Si, $NH_4NO_3$ or $CaCl_2$ increased the endogenous hormone levels in treated plants. In particular, the concentrations of $GA_1$ and JA increased significantly after the application of Si or $NH_4NO_3$. The level of $GA_1$ observed after a treatment (solo or combine) with Si, and $NH_4NO_3$ was higher than that of the control. By contrast, independent application of $CaCl_2$ or a combined treatment with Si and $CaCl_2$ did not alter $GA_1$ levels. The highest level of $GA_1$ was present in plants given a combination treatment of Si and $NH_4NO_3$. This effect was observed at all time points (6 h, 12 h and 24 h). Endogenous JA contents were higher in all treatments than the control. In particular, a combination treatment with Si and $NH_4NO_3$ significantly increased the JA levels in plants compared to other treatments at all time points. A small increase in JA levels was observed after 6 h in plants given the $CaCl_2$ treatment. However, JA levels did not differ between plants given a $CaCl_2$ treatment and controls after 12 h or 24 h of exposure. We conclude that treatment with $CaCl_2$ alone does not affect endogenous JA levels in the short term. Endogenous ABA contents did not show any differences among the various treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.363-369
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• 2005

It is imperative to analyse brain injuries directly in real time, so as to find effective therapeutic compounds to protect brain injuries by stress. We established a system which could elucidate the real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics in an organotypic cultured hippocampal slice by the insults of artificial stress hormone, dexamethasone. The real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics could continuously be detected in cornus ammonis 3 (CA3) of the organotypic hippocampus for 8 hours under confocal microscopy. When dexamethasone concentration was increased, the $Ca^{2+}$ was also increased in a dose dependent manner at $1{\sim}100{\mu}M$ concentrations. Moreover, when the organotypic cultured hippocampal slice was treated with a glutamate receptor antagonist together with dexamethasone, the real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics were decreased. Furthermore, we confirmed by PI uptake study that glutamate receptor antagonist reduced the hippocampal tissue damage caused by dexamethasone treatment. Therefore, our new calcium ion dynamics system in organotypic cultured hippocampal slice after dexamethasone treatment could provide real time analysis method for investigation of brain injuries by stress.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.237-243
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• 2013

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of sudden death in developed countries. While current therapies are mostly aimed at mitigating associated symptoms, novel therapies targeting the subcellular mechanisms underlying heart failure are emerging. Failing hearts are characterized by reduced contractile properties caused by impaired $Ca^{2+}$ cycling between the sarcoplasm and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) mediates $Ca^{2+}$ reuptake into the SR in cardiomyocytes. Of note, the expression level and/or activity of SERCA2a, translating to the quantity of SR $Ca^{2+}$ uptake, are significantly reduced in failing hearts. Normalization of the SERCA2a expression level by gene delivery has been shown to restore hampered cardiac functions and ameliorate associated symptoms in pre-clinical as well as clinical studies. SERCA2a activity can be regulated at multiple levels of a signaling cascade comprised of phospholamban, protein phosphatase 1, inhibitor-1, and $PKC{\alpha}$. SERCA2 activity is also regulated by post-translational modifications including SUMOylation and acetylation. In this review, we will highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of SERCA2a activity and the potential therapeutic modalities for the treatment of heart failure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2005

Excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) proteins in the human heart were characterized using human atrial tissues from different age groups. The samples were classified into one infant group (Group A: 0.2-7 years old) and three adult groups (Group B: 21-30; Group C: 41-49; Group D: 60-66). Whole homogenates (WH) of atrial tissues were assayed for ligand binding, $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake and content of ECC proteins by Western blotting. Equilibrium [$^3H$]ryanodine binding to characterize the ryanodine receptor (RyR) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) showed that the maximal [$^3H$]ryanodine binding ($B_{max}$) to RyR was similar in all the age groups, but the dissociation constant ($k_d$) of ryanodine was higher in the infant group than the adult groups. Oxalate-supported $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake into the SR, a function of the SR SERCA2a activity, was lower in the infant group than in the adult groups. Similarly, [$^3H$]PN200-110 binding, an index of dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) density, was lower in the infant group. Expression of calsequestrin and triadin assessed by Western blotting was similar in the infant and adult groups, but junctin expression was considerably higher in the adult groups. These differences in key ECC proteins could underlie the different $Ca^{2+}$ handling properties and contractility of infant hearts.

• ALGAE
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2003

In order to examine the effects of deep seawater (mesopelagic water in the broad sense) on the growth of macroalgae, the growth and nutrient uptake (nitrate and phosphate) of Ulva sp. (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) were investigated by cultivation in deep seawater (taken from 687 m depth at Yaizu, central Japan, in August 2001), surface seawater (taken from 24 m depth), and a combination of the two. Culture experiments were carried out in a continuous water supply system and an intermittent water supply system, in which aerated 500-mL flasks with 4 discs of Ulva sp. (cut sections of ca. 2 $cm_2$) were cultured at 20$^{\circ}C$ water temperature, 100 $\mu$mol photons $m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ light intensity, and a 14:10 light:dark cycle. Nutrient uptake by Ulva sp. was high in all seawater media in both culture systems. The frond area, dry weight, chlorophyll a content, dry weight per unit area, and chlorophyll a content per unit area of Ulva sp. at the end of the experimental period were the highest in deep seawater and the lowest in surface seawater in both culture systems. These values, except for dry weight per unit area and chlorophyll a content per unit area, for each seawater media in the intermittent water supply system were higher than those in the continuous water supply system. We conclude that not only deep seawater as the culture medium but also the seawater supply system is important for effective cultivation of macroalgae.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2001

Estimation of the annual net production, nitrogen (N) and base cation (BC＝K, Mg, Ca) uptake by stocked forests in South Korea has been done with national statistical data of forestry from 1995 to 1999. The annual net production of stems and branches was about 1.8 ton DM ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/. The net productivity of deciduous forests was higher than that of coniferous forests. Total net production of the stocked forests from the whole stocked area of South Korea of 6.246×10/sup 6/ ha, was about 1.13×10/sup 7 ton DM/yr, and the total harvested biomass obtained from timber production data in 1999, was estimated about 6.1×105 ton DM/yr that was equivalent to 98 kg DM ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/f. Net growth uptake of N and BC were 350 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ and 296 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ respectively, and the content of N and BC contained in the harvested biomass were 20 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ and 16 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ respectively. Net uptake of N was higher than that of BC. Total net uptake of N and BC from growth and harvest by stocked forests in South Korea were 2.309×10/sup 9/ mol/yr and 1.953×10/sup 9 mol/yr respectively.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.66-78
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• 2019

Purpose: Thallium (TI+) autometallography is often used for the imaging of neuronal metabolic activity in the rodent brain under various pathophysiologic conditions. The purpose of this study was to apply a thallium autometallographic technique to observe changes in neuronal activity in the forebrain of rats following acute carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. Methods: In order to induce acute CO intoxication, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 1100 ppm of CO for 40 minutes, followed by 3000 ppm of CO for 20 minutes. Animals were sacrificed at 30 minutes and 5 days after induction of acute CO intoxication for thallium autometallography. Immunohistochemical staining and toluidine blue staining were performed to observe cellular damage in the forebrain following intoxication. Results: Acute CO intoxication resulted in significant reduction of TI+ uptake in major forebrain structures, including the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and striatum. In the cortex and hippocampal CA1 area, marked reduction of TI+ uptake was observed in the cell bodies and dendrites of pyramidal neurons at 30 minutes following acute CO intoxication. There was also strong uptake of TI+ in astrocytes in the hippocampal CA3 area following acute CO intoxication. However, there were no significant histological findings of cell death and no reduction of NeuN (+) neuronal populations in the cortex and hippocampus at 5 days after acute CO intoxication. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that thallium autometallography can be a new and useful technique for imaging functional changes in neural activity of the forebrain structure following mild to moderate CO intoxication.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 1988

The cocktails of two $^{131}I$ labeled Monoclonal antibody (MCAB) (Anti CA 19-9 F$(ab')_2$ + Anti CEA $F(ab')_2$ fragment), which react specially, with human gastrointestinal cancers, were administered to 10 patients with colorectal (7), stomach(2) and pancreas(1) cancer for scintigraphic detection. All patients were known or postoperatively recurrent cases, and serum tumor markers, CA 19-9 and CEA, were measured with immunoradiometric assay, just before immunoscintigraphy (ISG). The tumor marker's level in serum is not correlated with positive tumor uptake in ISG. The sensitivity and specificity of ISG in detection of 21 tumor sites, based on surgery, CT, ultrasonography and pathology, were 90.5% and 100% One case of colon cancer showed gall bladder metastasis, which was neglected on CT study. Tumor/non tumor uptake ratio of radiolabelled antibody were progressively increased from day 3 to day 7 during study. We summerized as follows 1) The use of cocktails of CEA and CA 19-9 MCAB $F(at')_2$ increased sensitivity and specificity in ISG. 2) Delayed imaging (later than 5 days) increases sensitivitv and specificity due to exclusion of nonspecific iodine accumulation in stomach and lung. 3) Second tracer technique is essential for anatomical landmark by use of a double isotope scan, but subtraction technique, a possible source of artifacts, is no longer necessory when delayed imaging is performed. 4) It may be possible to use two MCAB cocktails of CA 19-9 and CEA in Radioimmunodetection of stomach and pancreas cancer. In conclusion, ISG using MCAB cocktails, $F(ab')_2$ fragment of anti CA 19-9 and Anti CEA, provide additional opportunity for tumor localization and detection of colorectal and other G-I cancer, such as stomach and pancreas.