• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 2012

In this study, we examined the estrogenic activity of bavachin, a component of Psoralea corylifolia that has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia. Bavachin was purified from ethanolic extract of Psoralea corylifolia and characterized its estrogenic activity by ligand binding, reporter gene activation, and endogenous estrogen receptor (ER) target gene regulation. Bavachin showed ER ligand binding activity in competitive displacement of [$^3H$] $E_2$ from recombinant ER. The estrogenic activity of bavachin was characterized in a transient transfection system using $ER{\alpha}$ or $ER{\beta}$ and estrogen-responsive luciferase plasmids in CV-1 cells with an $EC_{50}$ of 320 nM and 680 nM, respectively. Bavachin increased the mRNA levels of estrogen-responsive genes such as pS2 and PR, and decreased the protein level of $ER{\alpha}$ by proteasomal pathway. However, bavachin failed to activate the androgen receptor in CV-1 cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and hormone responsive reporter plasmid. These data indicate that bavachin acts as a weak phytoestrogen by binding and activating the ER.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• 제49권1호
• /
• pp.4.1-4.9
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to correlate caries-causing microorganism load, lactic acid estimation, and blood groups to high caries risk in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals and low caries risk in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This study includes 30 participants divided into 3 groups: Group A, High-risk caries diabetic individuals; Group B, High-risk caries non-diabetic individuals; and Group C, Low-risk caries individuals. The medical condition, oral hygiene, and caries risk assessment (American Dental Association classification and International Caries Detection and Assessment System scoring) were documented. Each individual's 3 mL of saliva was analyzed for microbial load and lactic acid as follows: Part I: 2 mL for microbial quantity estimation using nutrient agar and blood agar medium, biochemical investigation, and carbohydrate fermentation tests; Part II: 0.5 mL for lactic acid estimation using spectrophotometric analysis. Among the selected individuals, blood group correlation was assessed. The χ² test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and post hoc analysis were done using Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: Group A had the highest microbial load and lactic acid concentration, followed by Groups B and C. The predominant bacteria were Lactobacilli (63.00 ± 15.49) and Streptococcus mutans (76.00 ± 13.90) in saliva. Blood Group B is prevalent in diabetic and non-diabetic high-risk caries patients but statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Diabetic individuals are more susceptible to dental caries due to high microbial loads and increased lactic acid production. These factors also lower the executing tendency of neutrophils, which accelerates microbial accumulation and increases the risk of caries in diabetic individuals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제29권9호
• /
• pp.1247-1255
• /
• 2016

Heparin binding proteins (HBPs) are produced by accessory glands. These are secreted into the seminal fluid, bind to the spermatozoa at the time of ejaculation, favour capacitation, acrosome reaction, and alter the immune system response toward the sperm. The present study was conducted with an objective to assess the effect of purified seminal plasma-HBPs (SP-HBPs) on cross bred cattle bull sperm attributes during two phases of cryopreservation: Pre freezing and freezing-thawing. SP-HBPs were purified from pooled seminal plasma by heparin affinity chromatography. Three doses of SP-HBPs i.e. 10, 20, $40{\mu}g/mLs$ semen were standardized to find out the optimum dose and $20{\mu}g/mLs$ was found to be an optimum dose. Semen as such and treated with SP-HBPs was diluted with sodium citrate-egg yolk diluter and cryopreserved as per the standard protocol. Sperm parameters i.e. motility, viability, Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), acrosome damage, in vitro capacitation and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in SP-HBP treated and untreated (control) semen at both phases of cryopreservation. A considerable variation in percent sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity (HOST), acrosome damage, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation was observed at both phases among the bulls irrespective of the treatment. Incubation of neat semen with $20{\mu}g/mL$ SP-HBP before processing for cryopreservation enhanced the average motility, viability, membrane integrity by 7.2%, 1.5%, 7.9%, and 5.6%, 6.6%, 7.4% in pre-frozen and frozen-thawed semen in comparison to control. There was also an average increase of 4.1%/3.9% in in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction in SP-HBPs-treated frozen-thawed semen as compared to control. However, binding of SP-HBPs to the sperm declined acrosome damage and lipid peroxidation by 1.3%/4.1% and 22.1/$32.7{\mu}M$/$10^9$ spermatozoa in SP-HBP treated pre-frozen/frozen-thawed semen as compared to control, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) effects were observed only in motility, HOST and in vitro acrosome reaction. It can be concluded that treatment of neat semen with SP-HBPs before cryopreservation minimized the cryoinjury by decreasing the generation of reactive oxygen species.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제2권2호
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2006

The Terra-Scope system is an affordable 4-D down-hole seismic monitoring system based on independent, microprocessor-controlled sensor Pods. The Pods are nominally 50 mm in diameter, and about 120 mm long. They are expected to cost approximately $6000 each. An internal 16-bit, extremely low power MCU controls all aspects of instrumentation, eight programmable gain amplifiers, and local signal storage. Each Pod measures 3-D acceleration, tilt, azimuth, temperature, and other parametric variables such as pore water pressure and pH. Each Pod communicates over a standard digital bus (RS-485) through a completely web-based GUI interface, and has a power consumption of less than 400 mW. Three-dimensional acceleration is measured by pure digital force-balance MEMS-based accelerometers. These accelerometers have a dynamic range of more than 115 dB and a frequency response from DC to 1000 Hz with a noise floor of less than $30ng_{rms}/{\surd}Hz$. Accelerations above 0.2 g are measured by a second set of MEMS-based accelerometers, giving a full 160 dB dynamic range. This paper describes the system design and the cooperative shared-time scheduler implemented for this project. Restraints accounted for include multiple data streams, integration of multiple free agents, interaction with the asynchronous world, and hardened time stamping of accelerometer data. The prototype of the device is currently undergoing evaluation. The first array will be installed in the spring of 2006.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.383-392
• /
• 2003

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) are important regulators on the development of maternal tissues during pregnancy. This study was performed to examine the relationship between maternal IGFs/IGFBPs system (i.e: IGF-I, II, their receptors, and IGFBPs) in pre- and post-partum rats. The liver and kidney are important organs for the synthesis of IGFs and IGFBPs in adults. The levels of materanal IGFs and IGFBPs in serum, liver, and kidney were examined at 14 and 21 days of gestation and at 3, 7, 11, and 14 days after birth. The expression of IGFs and their receptors mRNA was also examined in fetal and maternal rat liver, kidney. IGF-I concentrations in maternal serum and liver were decreased during pregnancy. However, IGF-I concentration in maternal kidney was increased, having maximal effect at 14 days of gestation. IGF-I concentrations were decreased in serum, liver, and kidney of postpartum rat, compared to control (p < 0.05). On the other hand, IGF-II concentrations in serum, liver, and kidney were increased during pregnancy (p<0.05) and gradually decreased to control level in postpartum period. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 are expressed in serum, liver, and kidney. However, IGFBP-3 is mainly expressed in serum and liver, and IGFBP-2 in kidney. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 in maternal serum were markedly decreased during pregnancy and gradually recovered to control level during postpartum period by western ligand blotting. However, there was no change of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 levels by western immunoblotting. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 in maternal liver and kidney also showed the same pattern of serum, although the main IGFBP is different. In normal rat serum, IGF-I 150 kDa and 50 kDa carrier proteins were detected. The level of IGF-I 150 kDa carrier proteins in pregnant rat was decreased compared to normal rat, but that of 50 kDa carrier proteins was increased. IGFBP-3 protease activity was identified in pregnant rat serum and maternal placenta, and it was inhibited by EDTA ($Ca^{2+}$ chelating agent) and aprotinin (serine proteinase inhibitor). Taken together, these results suggest that the changes of IGFs and IGFBPs in maternal rats are regulated by liver and kidney IGFs and their receptors mRNA during the pregnancy.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• 제23권E2호
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2007

In order to present the scientific information of organic emissions from consumer products available, the current study examined the emissions composition for three different types of consumer products being used in Korea in an environmental chamber: air freshener (AF), mosquito repellents (MSQR), and moth repellents (MTHR). Emission rates were evaluated by determining emission rates of the target compound from the selected products using an electropolished stainless steel (SS) test chamber $(40{\times}25{\times}50cm^3)$. A time-dependent empirical relationship developed in this study agreed well with the test results. As same with the emission concentrations, MSQR exhibited the highest emission rate for all target compounds except for limonene and naphthalene. MTHR ($9,200\;{\mu}g\;h^{-1}$) showed the highest emission rate of naphthalene followed by MSQR ($8,300\;{\mu}g\;h^{-1}$). Moreover, the concentrations in residential bedroom conditions for target compounds emitted from three types of consumer products were estimated. This estimation suggests that the uses of consumer products can elevate indoor levels of target compounds. In particular, any types of the consumer products may increase the indoor level of m, p-xylene.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제12권4호
• /
• pp.590-596
• /
• 1999

The effect of evaporative cooling in alleviating seasonal variations of dairy cows raised in AlMarai Dairy Farms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were studied using milking record collected during the period of 1991 to 1996. The data included 13303 and 8137 records represented winter and summer calving seasons. Evaporative cooling system improved production for cows calved in summer. The least square means of milk yield were 9631 and 9556 liter for cows calved in winter and summer seasons but no significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the yield of two seasons. No significant effect of season on calving under evaporative cooling on most of the biweekly points of the lactation curve. The farm, parity and milk level showed a significant effect on the shape of the curve. Functions of the lactation curve like initial yield, 305 MY, peak yield, time of peak and duration were estimated for each phase of the lactation curve.

• 대한치과교정학회지
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.135-156
• /
• 1990

This study was undertaken to investigate the difference of chin morphology and mandibular form in relation to different mandibular growth direction. The subject was divided into three group i.e., control group, vertical group, and horizontal group, according to the criteria of $Bj{\ddot{o}}rk$ sum, and each group was composed of 15 females and 15 males. Medial axis analysis in addition to the routine cephalometric analysis using P.I.A.S. (personal image analysing system) was carried out to find out the differences of mandibular morphology on each group. The results were as follows: 1. The area of symphysis was larger in horizontal growth group than that of vertical growth group. 2. Protruding chin area was also larger in horizontal growth group than that of vertical growth group. 3. There was a close correlationship between protruding chin area and other form of mandible. 4. Antegonial notch depth and ramus posterior contour depth was deeper in vertical growth group than in horizontal growth group, and antegonial notch depth was more influenced by anterior part of notch than posterior part of notch. 5. Mental medial axis and incisal medial axis length, in relation to corpus medial axis length was larger in vertical growth group than in horizontal growth group.

• 천문학회보
• /
• 제43권1호
• /
• pp.51.2-51.2
• /
• 2018

Polarimetry is a powerful technique to investigate the physical properties of surface materials on airless bodies in the solar system. It is known that the degree of linear polarization changes as a function of the phase angle (the angle between Sun-target-Observer). Especially, the dependency of the polarization degree at large phase angle allows us to obtain information related to the particle size and porosity, which is difficult to be determined via other observation techniques (i.e., photometry and spectroscopy). However, despite the advantage, only a few asteroids were observed with polarimetric devices at large phase angles. Here, we present our new polarimetric research of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) observed at the large phase angles. Among the NEAs, we focus on S- and Q-type asteroids, which include: (331471) 1984 QY1, (90075) 2002 VU94, and (66391) 1999 KW4. The observation was conducted using the Pirka 1.6-m Telescope at the Nayoro Observatory of Hokkaido University at the phase angles ${\alpha}{\sim}100degree$, which provides us the maximum polarization degrees of these objects. Considering the observational results together with two objects ((1566) Icarus and (4179) Toutatis) in reference papers [1], [2], we will discuss the implication of the regolith size on their surfaces.

• 동아시아식생활학회지
• /
• 제15권6호
• /
• pp.707-716
• /
• 2005

본 연구에서는 다양한 동물 모델을 사용하여 Dioscorea daemona Roxb. 줄기 메탄을 추출물(DD)의 항염증 활성을 측정하였으며 DD가 생체내에서 항산화 체계의 변화를 유도할 수 있는지도 살펴보았다. DD를 200mg/kg용량으로 3주간 경구투여하였을 때 동물실험모델에서 항염증 및 type IV 알레르기 억제 효과를 나타내었으며 혈청의 Catalase 활성, 지질 과산화, TG 및 HDL cholesterol 수치가 영향을 받았다. DD와 이를 클로로포름과 부탄올로 순차적으로 분획하여 얻은 fraction이 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 유도한 RAW264.7 대식세포주의 nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha(TNF-\alpha)$, interleukin 6(IL6)의 생성을 억제하는지도 연구하였다. DD와 그 분획물들은 $4\~100{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 세포 독성을 나타내지 않고 LPS가 유도한 RAW264.7 세포주의 NO, $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6 생성을 억제하였다. LPS가 유도한 $PGE_2$ 생성은 DD의 클로로포름 분획에서 유의적으로 감소하였다(p<0.05). 따라서 Dioscorea daemona 추출물은 대식세포의 염증성 매개물의 억제를 통하여 항염증 활성을 나타내는 것으로 사료된다.