• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.47-56
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• 1998

In the present study, we assayed a number of compounds isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) for an ability to protect rat cortical cell cultures from the deleterious effects of the neurotoxicant, glutamate. We found that ginsenosides Rbl and Rg3 significantly attenuated glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Brief exposure of cultures to excess glutamate caused extensive neuronal death. Glutamate-induced neuronal cell damage was significantly reduced by pretreatment with Rbl and Rgl. Ginsenosides Rbl and Rg3 inhibited the overproduction of nitric oxide which routinely follows glutamate neurotoxicity and preserved the level of superoxide dismutase in glutamate-treated cells. Furthermore, in cultures treated with glutamate, these ginsenosides inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde, a compound produced during lipid peroxidation, and diminished the influx of calcium. These results show that ginsenosides Rbl and Rg1 exerted significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical cells. As such, these compounds may be efficacious in protecting neurons from oxidative damage produced by exposure to excess glutamate.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.416-426
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• 1991

The effects of an irreversible or a reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist (dibenamine or prazosin) on $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictions were studied in the endothelium-denuded rat aorta. In these experiments, the mobilization of intracelluier calcium and translocation of extracellular calcium were also studied. To exclude the modulation of endothelium releasing EDRF and EDCF, the endothelium was removed in all rat aortas. Contraction induced by phenylephrine (a full $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor agonist) was separated into a fast phasic component of the response due to the release of intracellular calcium and a slow tonic one due to the influx of extracellular calcium. Pretreatments with increasing doses of reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, as well as irreversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist dibenamine, inhibited the phasic component of phenylephrine-induced contraction more effectively than the tonic one. Pretreatment of dibenamine (0.2 $\mu{M}$) or prazosin (10 nM) to the rat aorta abolished phasic response but remained tonic one about 41% and 51%, respectively. These results suggest that as the efficiency of phenylephrine was progressively reduced by pretreatments with increasing doses of an irreversible or a reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist (dibenamine or prazosin), the contraction induced by phenylephrine became progressively more dependent on the influx of extracellular calcium.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 1996

It has been known that spermatozoa should obtain their fertilizing ability through capacitation and acrosome reaction, and that in these processes of fertilization, Ca2+ platys an important role for their conjugation. Therefore the present study has been designed in order to clarify the effect of fluctuation of the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular concentration of the spermatozoa on the acrosomes. During the incubation of spermatozoa, a considerable fluctuation in the media Ca2+ level has been observed after the BSA administration and the media concentration of Ca2+. It is deduced that these fluctuation rates may have an effect on the acrosome reaction. The fluctuation of K+ flux has been observed in accordance with the incubation period over time, and it's concentration seems to be closely related with the acrosomal reaction. The respiratory exchange rate (RERI of the spermatozoa is kept more regular in the BSA and Cacl2 administration groups than the non-administration group. Based on the experimental findings, it is possible to deduce a hypothesis from these findings that physiological activities of the acrosome reaction are not functionally related to the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular influx of Ca2+ concentration, although Ca2+ platys an important role as a stimulating factor in the acrosome reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.27-36
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to improve the quality of the atmospheric environment by incorporating the factors of meteorology and urban climate into the field of urban and environmental planning. To this end, we have conducted a study on CLIMATOP and the mapping of urban climate, which are basic data used to analyze changes in climatic factors and the stagnation and accumulation of air pollutants. In particular, we focused on understanding the formation and movement of cold fresh air and its influx into urban areas by measuring and analyzing climatic factors. As a study result, classification criteria far CLIMATOP and a urban climatic map were made. In addition, we analyzed a digital elevation model, climatic data, and isothermal curves. As a result, we identified the corridor through which cold fresh air moves. We also observed that the temperature of the fluxed cold fresh air increased as land use changed. When the results of this study are applied to urban re-development and re-building projects, which require preliminary environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment, the practice proposed by this study is expected to contribute to the natural purification of air pollution activating the movement of cold fresh air and its influx into urban areas.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.353-362
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• 1990

Fluoride (F-), a known stimulator of G-protein, induced strong contraction in rabbit trachealis muscle. $AlCl_3\;(5{\sim}20\;{\mu}M)$, which is required for G-protein stimulation by $F^-$, potentiated the contractile response to $F^-$. $Ca^{2+}-removal$ and verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibited the fluoroaluminate-induced contraction. Fluoroaluminate increased $^{45}Ca$ influx in the absence and presence of verapamil. In heparin-loaded muscle high $K^+-induced$ contraction was not affected, but acetylcholine and fluoroaluminate-induced contractions were inhibited. The fluoroaluminate-induced contraction was partially relaxed by isoproterenol, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase. Pertussis toxin partially inhibited fluoroaluminate-induced contraction and potentiated isoproterenol-induced relaxation in the presence of fluoroaluminate, but had no effect on acetylcholine-induced contraction and the isoproterenol-induced relaxation in the presence of acetylcholine. These results suggest that fluoroaluminate has the ability to stimulate at least two putative G-proteins in rabbit trachealis muscle; One causes $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the potential-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel and the other induces intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release by the increase of inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1620-1624
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate a vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of the mixture of Cnidium officinale, Petasites japonicus and Coptis chinensis (CPC), CPC relaxed rat aortic vascular strips in endothelium-independant manner precontracted with phenylephrine or KCI(50mM), but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in KCI induced contraction. L-NAME, iNOS inhibitor, and methylen blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, did not attenuate the relaxation responses of CPC. Furthermore, the contraction by increaseing $Ca^{2+}$ concentration (0.3-10.0mM) to a $Ca^{2+}$-free high $K^+$ (60mM) was significantly reduced by CPC pretreatment. These results suggest that the relaxation effect of CPC is related with the block of $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is the major bioactive ingredient of Panax ginseng and has many pharmacological effects, including antiadipogenic, antiviral, and anticancer effects. However, the effect of G-Rg3 on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation has not been investigated. Method: The antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 on allergic inflammation were evaluated using the human and rat mast cell lines HMC-1 and RBL-2H3. Antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 were detected by measuring cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), detecting calcium influx, and using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and in vivo experiments. Results: G-Rg3 decreased histamine release from activated mast cells by enhancing cAMP levels and calcium influx. Proinflammatory cytokine production was suppressed by G-Rg3 treatment via regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor-kappa B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIP2)/caspase-1 signaling pathway in mast cells. Moreover, G-Rg3 protected mice against the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock. Conclusion: G-Rg3 may serve as an alternative therapeutic agent for improving allergic inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2011

To identify the inflow and outflow characteristics of allchthonous organic matters and examine the change of allochthonous organic matter load pattern due to the climate change, we investigated the temporal variations of DOC and POC concentrations within inflow water and dam discharge water and spatio-temporal distribution of POM within the lake water in Lake Soyang which is the largest dam reservoir in Korea in 2006. Most of allochthonous DOC flowed into the lake water during initial rain and was not affected by the amount of precipitation, whereas most of allochthonous POC flowed into during concentrated heavy rain and the concentration of POC was significantly associated with the amount of inflow water and precipitation. Calculated annual allochthonous organic matter loads in Lake Soyang from 2003 to 2006 using the regression equation between the amount of inflow water and the concentration of POC indicate allochthonous organic matter loads are mainly affected by total influx and extreme influx of inflow water. The spatio-temporal distribution of POM indicated allochthonous organic matter of inflow river during flood period in July transported from upper part to middle and lower part of the lake a month later respectively along the middle layer of water column in Lake Soyang.

• Journal of Urban Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2021

In this study, to evaluate the characteristics of the pollution in the major inflow tributaries and major environmental facilities in the watershed of Ara waterway, An inflow flow rate measurement and water quality analysis were conducted during dry and rainy seasons. In addition, the flow rate measurement, water quality analysis, and pollutant load at each monitoring point were compared and evaluated. Influx of BOD5, T-P and T-N into the tributaries of the ARA waterway watershed, excluding the Gulpo river watershed, during dry season were only 0.007%, 0.005% and 0.004% respectively of the incoming loads in the entire ARA waterway basin. In addition, it was confirmed that the discharge pollutant loads during rainfall event was about 440 times more for BOD5, about 545 times on T-P, and about 23 times on T-N in comparison to the pollutant loads during the dry days. When the Gulhyeon rubber dam was deflated, the discharged pollutant load during a rainfall was higher than the estimated load at the G7 monitoring point because the deposited pollutants from the upstream riverbed flowed down. Therefore, during a rainy season, it is necessary to manage the influx of high-load water pollutants from the overflow and deflation of the Gulhyun rubber dam as well as to find a strategy to reduce the pollutant loads in the Gulpo river watershed.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.463-469
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• 2022

Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata), a medicinal plant widely employed throughout Asia in ethnomedicine, has various bioactive properties, including antidiabetic, antiobesity, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the C. tricuspidata root extract reportedly inhibits platelet aggregation. Therefore, we focused on the active substances present in the C. tricuspidata extract. Sanggenon N (SN) is a flavonoid found in the root bark of C. tricuspidata. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of SN on platelet aggregation, phosphoproteins, thromboxane A₂ generation, and integrin αIIbβ3 activity. SN inhibited collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, SN suppressed Ca²⁺ mobilization and influx through associated signaling molecules, such as inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor I (Ser¹⁷⁵⁶), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In addition, SN inhibited thromboxane A₂ generation and associated signaling molecules, including cytosolic phospholipase A₂ and mitogen-activated protein kinase p38. Finally, SN could inhibit integrin (αIIb/β₃) activity by regulating vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein and Akt. Collectively, SN possesses potent antiplatelet effects and is a potential therapeutic drug candidate to prevent platelet-related thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.