• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2010

Objectives: Cocaine has been well known as a representative drug of abuse for its strong reinforcing effect linked to the mesolimbic reward system including dopamine, and such reinforcement leads to the addiction. Acupuncture has been used widely in eastern Asia for the treatment of various diseases including mental disorders and psychiatric problems, and is gathering more interest as one of the complementary and alternative medicines in western countries. In a previous study, we demonstrated that acupuncture at HT7 could affect dopamine release in the mesolimbic system of rats sensitized to alcohol and morphine. This study was designed to investigate whether acupuncture at HT7 could attenuate cocaine intake or not. Material & Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-300 g at the start of experiment were trained to self-administer food pellets under a fixed ratio 1 schedule. After the success of acquisition of 100 pellets within 3 h for 3 consecutive days, animals were subjected to surgery whereby Silastic tubing was implanted into right jugular vein and secured with mesh under the anesthetization using pentobarbital injection (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Following recovery, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.25 mg/kg) in daily 2 h sessions under fixed ratio 1 schedule over 10 days. Each treatment was performed on the next day of each establishment of baseline. Results: Results show that acupuncture at HT7, but not at control points, reduced cocaine intake significantly. Acupuncture at HT7 decreased selectively active lever response from $63.15{\pm}3.35$ to $51.46{\pm}3.99$ corresponding $82.12{\pm}5.31%$ compared to basal level. Also, it was demonstrated that the effect of acupuncture was mainly occurred at the half period. Nevertheless, acupuncture at HT7 did not influence the food taking behavior. Conclusions: From the results of this study, it may be suggested that acupuncture at HT7, at least in part, could contribute to the treatment of cocaine abuse.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2014

Purpose: As the number of cases of heart transplantation (HT) and the survival rate have increased, concerns regarding post-HT life have grown. This study was conducted to explore the relationships of perceived social support to the depression and health status of HT recipients. Methods: This descriptive study targeted all recipients who had undergone HT at S University Hospital since 1994, and 32 recipients were recruited. Results: 90.6% of the recipients were men, and the average age at the time of surgery was $47.4{\pm}13.4$ years. The ejection fraction was increased from $18.47{\pm}5.63%$ to $63.25{\pm}7.57%$, and 31 cases of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV improved to class I or II after HT. The patients reported mild depression even with high perceived social support and improved health status after HT. Among those resource persons who offered support, they reported their spouse, doctors, and nurses as most meaningful to them. Conclusion: This study confirmed the positive effects of HT on the recipients' physical improvement. It also added the discovery that the importance of recipients' subjective perception of social support might be critical for their more successful recovery and adjustment to post-HT life. Focusing on a different approach to social support and types of social resources in the recovery phase is suggested for future studies on quality of life after HT.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2018

The characteristics of enzyme and gene for mannanase B had been reported from Cellulosimicrobium sp. YB-43 producing some kind of mannanase. A gene coding for the enzyme, named mannanase C (ManC), was expected to be located downstream of the manB gene. The manC gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced completely. From this nucleotide sequence, ManC was identified to consist of 448 amino residues and contain a carbohydrate binding domain CBM2 besides a catalytic domain, which was homologous to mannanase belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5. The catalytic domain of ManC showed the highest amino acid sequence similarity of 55% with the mannanases from Streptomyces sp. SirexAA-E (55.8%; 4FK9_A) and S. thermoluteus (57.6%; BAM62868). The His-tagged ManC (HtManC) lacking N-terminal signal peptide with hexahistidine at C-terminus was produced and purified from cell extract of recombinant Escherichia coli. The purified HtManC showed maximal activity at $65^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.5, with no significant change in its activity at pH range from 7.5 to 10. HtManC showed more active on konjac and locust bean gum (LBG) than guar gum and ivory nut mannan (ivory nut). Vmax and Km values of the HtManC for LBG were 68 U/mg and 0.45 mg/ml on the optimal condition, respectively. Mannobiose and mannotriose were observed on TLC as major products resulting from the HtManC hydrolysis of mannooligosacharides. In addition, mannobiose and mannose were commonly detected as the hydrolyzed products of LBG, konjac and ivory nut.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1989

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of serotonergic neurotransmission in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) for the central regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and its involvement in baroreceptor reflex activation in rats. A microinjection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into the NTS produced decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Maximal decreases were $34.4{\pm}1.6$ mmHg and $41.7{\pm}10.2$ beats per min by 300 pmol of 5-HT. Microinjections of ${\alpha}-methylnor-adrenaline$ $({\alpha}-MNE)$ and clonidine manifested similar decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. The hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were blocked by previous applications of 5-HT antagonists, ritanserin, methysergide and ketanserin into the NTS, respectively. By pretreatment with reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, i.c.v.), both hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were significantly attenuated. Pretreatment with 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, i.c.v.) enhanced the hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT. Similarly, following pretreatment with 6-OHDA, the effects of clonidine were increased. Pretreatment either with 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA significantly attenuated the sensitivity of baroreflex produced either by phenylephrine or by sodium nitroprusside. When either 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA was injected into the NTS $(5,7-DHT;\;8{\mu}g\;6-OHDA;\;10{\mu}g)$, both of the baroreflex sensitivities were impaired. In the immunohistochemical study, the injection of 6-OHDA into the the NTS led to reduction of axon terminal varicosity, however, the injection did not reduce the numbers of catecholaminergic cell bodies. Likewise, when 5,7-DHT was injected into the NTS, the varicosity of serotonergic axon terminals was markedly reduced. Based on these results, it is suggested that (1) stimulation of serotonergic receptors in the NTS leads to decreases in blood pressure and heart rate as observed with the stimulation of catecholaminergic system, (2) both serotonergic and catecholaminergic receptors may be located postsynaptically, and (3) the serotonergic neurons as well as catecholaminergic neurons may have a close relevance for the activation of baroreflex.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.561-571
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• 1999

Microstructure and mechanical properties of five Cr-Mo steels for nuclear industry applications have been investigated. Transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, differential scanning calorimeter, hardness, tensile, and impact test were used to evaluate the Cr and W effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties. Microstructures of Cr-Mo steels after tempering are classified into three types : bainitic 2.25Cr-lMo steel, martensitic Mod.9Cr-lMo, HT9M, and HT9W steels, and dual phase HT9 steel. The majority of the precipitates were found to be M$_{23}$C$_{6}$ carbides. As minor phases, fine needle-like V(C,N), spherical NbC, fine needle-like Cr-rich Cr$_2$N, and Cr-rich M$_{7}$C$_3$were also found. Addition of 2wt.% W in Cr-Mo steels retarded the formation of subgrain and dissolution of Cr$_2$N precipitates. Hardness and ultimate tensile strength increased with increasing Cr content. Though Cr content of HT9W steel was lower than that of HT9 steel, the hardness of HT9W was higher due to the higher W content. W added HT9W steel had the highest ultimate tensile strength above $600^{\circ}C$. But impact toughness of W added steel (HT9W) and high Cr steel (HT9) was low.w.w.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.527-536
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• 2023

Serotonin receptors, also known as 5-HT receptors, belong to the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) superfamily. They mediate the effects of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in a wide range of functions including mood regulation, cognition and appetite. The functions of serotonin are mediated by a family of 5-HT receptors including 12 GPCRs belonging to six major families: 5-HT₁, 5-HT₂, 5-HT₄, 5-HT₅, 5-HT₆ and 5-HT₇. Despite their distinct characteristics and functions, these receptors' subtypes share common structural features and signaling mechanisms. Understanding the structure, functions and pharmacology of the serotonin receptor family is essential for unraveling the complexities of serotonin signaling and developing targeted therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders. However, developing drugs that selectively target specific receptor subtypes is challenging due to the structural similarities in their orthosteric binding sites. This review focuses on the recent advancements in the structural studies of 5-HT receptors, highlighting the key structural features of each subtype and shedding light on their potential as targets for mental health and neurological disorders (such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and migraine) drugs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2019

Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HT) is prescribed in oriental medicine to treat inflammation-related diseases. This study examined the anti-bacterial effect to select the index components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) HT. The disc diffusion method and minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) tests were conducted to measure the antibacterial activity of HT. The strains were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli 23724. Berberine and geniposide were selected as the index components of HT and were analyzed quantitatively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a result, the inhibition ring was formed at $11.7{\pm}1.3mm$ and $8.7{\pm}0.7mm$ at HT 20 mg and 10 mg on S.aureus ATCC 25923, respectively; and $8.0{\pm}0.0mm$ at HT 20 mg on E.coli ATCC 23724. The MIC were 31.25 mg/mL in S.aureus ATCC 25923 and 125.0 mg/mL in E.coli ATCC 23724. In quantitative analysis for standardization, HT contained 16.55 mg/g of berberine and 81.85 mg/g of geniposide. Overall, when antibiotics are developed using natural products, they may reduce the side effects and inhibit resistant bacteria. If research on HT continuously proceeds, positive developments are expected to be made in oriental medicine as well as in various other industries.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 1996

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT, serotonin), when given into the vein, produced antidiuretic action accompanied with reduction of glomerular filtration(GFR), renal plasma flow(RPF), osmolar clearance(Cosm) and amounts of sodium or potassium excreted in urine( $E_{Na}$ , $E_{K}$), with the augmented reabsorption rates of sodium and potassium in renal tubules. 5-HT, when infused into a renal artery, exhibited diuretic action accompanied with the augmented RPF and increased $E_{Na}$ and $E_{K}$ in only infused kidney. Antidiuretic action of 5-HT infused into the vein was not influenced by ketanserin, 5-H $T_2$receptor blockade, given into a renal artery, vein or carotid artery, by methysergide, 5-H $T_1$receptor blockade, given into a renal artery, whereas above antidiuretic action was inhibited by methysergide given into vein or carotid artery. Diuretic action of 5-HT infused into a renal artery in only experimental kidney was blocked by ketanserin injected into a renal artery, was not influenced by methysergide administered into a renal artery. Above results suggest that 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) produced the antidiuretic action through central 5-H $T_1$receptor and the diuretic action through 5-H $T_2$receptor located in renal tubules of kidney.ney.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.294-302
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• 2007

We studied on possibility of the application of photolithography technique to patterning the organic active layer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). In the case of selective etching method, we made thin oxide film on P3HT thin film using $O_2$ treatment. We achieved the field-effect mobilities in the saturation regime ${\sim}1.2{\times}10^{-3}\;cm^2/V{\cdot}s$, $I_{on/off}$ ratios ${\sim}10^5$ in the selective etching method, ${\sim}7.4{\times}10^{-4}cm^2/V{\cdot}s$, $I_{on/off}$ ratios ${\sim}5{\times}10^3$ in the lift-off one. These values are higher than ones of the unpatterned P3HT-based OTFTs. On the basis of the above results, we demonstrate the photolithographic patterning for P3HT active layer is successfully carried out without degradation of P3HT.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 1996

To investigate the involvement of $5-HT_{2A}/ 5-HT_{2C} receptors in the developmental toxicity of cocaine in rats, mianserin (2.5 mg/kg), a $5-HT_{2A}/5-HT_{2C}$ receptor antagonist, and/or cocaine HCl (45 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), during postnatal days (PND) 7-13. Behavioral assessments for the rat pups were done after 100 days of age by using the progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement (FR 1-FR 128, doubled everyday) and cocaine challenge (5, 15 or 30 mg/kg i.p.) upon established FR 32 behavior. Cocaine injected just prior to the FR 32 session suppressed the established FR 32 responding in a dose-dependent manner. The low dose of cocaine did not affect the FR 32 responding, while the high dose of cocaine suppressed it in all experimental groups. However, by the middle dose of cocaine, rats previously received water-cocaine in their early life showed a marked resistance to cocaine-induced behavioral suppression, and this resistance was not observed in rats received both mianserin and cocaine in their early life. These results suggest that $5-HT_{2A}/ 5-HT_{2C}$ receptors may have an important role for the persistently altered behavioral sensitivity to cocaine caused by exposure to cocaine during development.