• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2006

Reactive oxygen species(ROS) generated in cellular metabolism have an effect on cell maturation and development. In human reproductive tract, oxidative injury by ROS may induce female infertility. Also, oxidative injury may be responsible for developmental retardation and arrest of mammalian preimplantation embryos. Activating transcription factor 4(ATF4) is a member of the cyclic-AMP response element-binding(CREB) familiy of basic region- leucine zipper(bZip). ATF4 is known to regulate stress response to protect cell from various stress factors and inducer of apoptisis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ATF4 is involved in the defensive mechanism in oxidative stress condition during the development of mouse preimplantation embryos. To verify the expression of ATF4 in oxidative stress condition, 2-cell stage embryos were cultured in HTF media containing 0.1mM, 0.5mM or 1mM hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) for 1hr(2-cell), 8hr(4-cell), 17hr(8-cell), 24hr(morula), 48hr(early blastocyst) or 64hr(late blastocyst). The developmental rate decreased in the 0.1mM $H_2O_2$ treated group compared with control group. In embryos treated with 0.5mM and 1mM $H_2O_2$ showed 2-cell block. As a results of the semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of SOD1, ATF4 and Bax gene expression, SOD1, ATF4 and Bax genes were increased in 0.1mM, 0.5mM, 1mM $H_2O_2$ treated groups compared with control group. In 2-cell embryos, expression of SOD1, ATF4 and Bax genes were notably increased in 0.1mM, 0.5mM, 1mM $H_2O_2$ treated groups compared with control group. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that ATF4 protein was localized at the cytoplasm of preimplantation embryos. The increase in ATF4 immunoreactivety was observed in the 0.1mM, 0.5mM, 1mM $H_2O_2$ treated groups compared with control group. It suggests that oxidative stress by $H_2O_2$ induces expression of ATF4 and may be involved in protection mechanism in preimplantation embryos from oxidative injury.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.168-171
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• 2011

Chrysosplenol C [5,6-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dimethoxychromen-4-one] is a flavonoid found in Miliusa balansae and Pterocaulon sphacelatum. We have recently shown that chrysosplenol C has positive inotropic effect in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. In the present study, we explored a possible mechanism for the positive inotropic effect of chrysosplenol C by examining intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transients during action potentials. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transients were measured by confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging in field-stimulated single rat ventricular myocytes. Chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$) significantly increased the magnitudes (${\Delta}F/F_0$) of $Ca^{2+}$ transients (control, $1.08{\pm}0.05$; chrysosplenol C, $1.25{\pm}0.03$; n=8, P<0.01). Half decay time of the action potential-induced $Ca^{2+}$ transient was not altered by chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$) (control, $154{\pm}6$ ms; chrysosplenol C, $167{\pm}11$ ms; n=21). The $Ca^{2+}$ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), measured as caffeine (10 mM)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ transient, was significantly decreased by chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$). These results indicate that chrysosplenol C increases $Ca^{2+}$ transients without altering $Ca^{2+}$ removal kinetics in ventricular myocytes, providing a possible mechanism for its positive inotropic effect.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 1996

In our previous study (Kim et al, 1991), GLUT 4 protein content correlated negatively with plasma glucose levels in skeletal muscles of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Thus, in this study, to confirm whether expression of GLUT 4 correlate negatively with degree of hyperglycemia, we measured levels of GLUT 4 mRNA in red and white gastrocnemius muscles in STZ-induced mild and severe diabetic rats. Rats were randomly assigned to control, mild, and severe diabetic groups, and the diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ. The experiment was carried out 10 days after STZ administration. Gastrocnemius red and white muscles were used fur the measurement of GLUT 4 expression. Plasma glucose levels of mild and severe diabetic rats were increased compared to control rats (control, mild, and severe diabetes; $6.4{\pm}0.32,\;9.4{\pm}0.68,\;and\;22.0{\pm}0.58$ mmol/L, respectively). Plasma insulin levels of mild and severe diabetic rats were decreased compared to control rats (control, mild, and severe diabetes; $198{\pm}37,\;l14{\pm}14,\;and\;90{\pm}15$ pmol/L, respectively). GLUT 4 mRNA levels of gastrocnemius red muscles in mild and severe diabetic rats were decreased compared to control rats ($64{\pm}1.2%\;and\;71{\pm}2.0%$ of control, respectively), but GLUT 4 mRNA levels in gastrocnemius white muscles were unaltered in diabetic rats. In summary, GLUT 4 mRNA levels were decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats but did not correlated negatively with degree of hyperglycemia, and this result suggest that the regulatory mechanisms of decreased GLUT 4 mRNA levels are hypoinsulinemia and/or other metabolic factor but not hyperglycemia. And regulation of GLUT 4 expression in STZ-induced diabetes between red and white enriched skeletal muscles may be related to a fiber specific gene regulatory mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 1999

Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin caused platelet cytolysis and increased intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ of rat platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was increased from $1.3{\pm}0.4%$ of control to $64.3{\pm}3.4%$ in platelet suspension buffer. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ platelet suspension buffer, however, V. vulnificus cytolysin did not induce $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. Addition of EGTA (2 mM) to suspension buffer after the initial $Ca^{2+}$ influx reversed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ to the control level. However, a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker verapamil $(20\;{\mu}M)$ or mefenamic acid $(20\;{\mu}M)$ did not inhibit V. vulnificus cytolysin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. Divalent cations such as $Co^{2+},\;Cd^{2+}\;or\;Mn^{2+}$ (2 mM each) also did not alter V. vulnificus cytolysin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml)-induced calcium influx was completely blocked by lanthanum (2 mM). Lanthanum (2 mM) also completely blocked V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml)-induced LDH release. Osmotic protectants such as, raffinose, sucrose or PEG600 (50 mM each) did not inhibit the lytic activity of V. vulnificus cytolysin. In conclusion, lanthanum sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ influx plays a significant role in Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin-induced platelet cytolysis and thrombocytopenia in V. vulnificus infection.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2016

Objectives: Safranal is a pharmacologically active component of saffron and is responsible for the unique aroma of saffron. The hypotensive effect of safranal has been shown in previous studies. This study evaluates the mechanism for the vasodilatory effects induced by safranal on isolated rat aortas. Methods: To study the vasodilatory effects of safranal (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mM), we contracted isolated rat thoracic aorta rings by using $10^{-6}-M$ phenylephrine (PE) or 80-mM KCl. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a control. The vasodilatory effect of safranal was also evaluated both on intact and denuded endothelium aortic rings. Furthermore, to study the role of nitric oxide and prostacyclin in the relaxation induced by safranal, we incubated the aortic rings by using L-NAME ($10^{-6}M$) or indomethacin ($10^{-5}M$), each for 20 minutes. Results: Safranal induced relaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings precontracted by using PE or KCl in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum relaxation of more than 100%. The relaxant activity of safranal was not eliminated by incubating the aortic rings with L-NAME ($EC_{50}=0.29$ vs. $EC_{50}=0.43$) or with indomethacin ($EC_{50}=0.29$ vs. $EC_{50}=0.35$), where $EC_{50}$ is the half maximal effective concentration. Also, the vasodilatory activity of safranal was not modified by endothelial removal. Conclusion: This study indicated that relaxant activity of safranal is mediated predominantly through an endothelium-independent mechanism.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 2022

This study presents one man-portable, hazardous gas detecting and capturing robot. The robot can be fit in the trunk of a sedan car. Its weight is less than 20 kg. A dedicated gas intake mechanism is proposed for the robot. The robot can detect and capture gases at a height of 2 m above the ground, although the height of the robot is about 0.2 m. The performance of the gas intake mechanism is verified through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and experiments. Its gas detecting signals were acquired by serial communication and processed in Robot Operating System (ROS) based control software. The proposed robot can successfully move on rough terrains such as stairs, sand roads, and rock roads.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of thymidine treatment during $in$ $vitro$ maturation (IVM) of porcine follicular oocytes on blastocyst development. Porcine oocytes were treated with thymidine (10 mM, 20 mM and 30 mM) for 2 or 6 hr in the preiods of IVM I and/or II. The survival rates of the blastocysts in the 6 hr treatment groups of 10 mM and 20 mM during IVM I period were significantly higher than those of control group ($p$<0.05). However, the survival rate of the blastocysts in the 2 hr treatment group of 20 mM during IVM II period was significantly higher than control group ($p$<0.05). Furthermore, the survival rate of the blastocysts in the 6 hr treatment group of 30 mM during IVM II period was significantly lower than control group ($p$<0.05). Consistent with the previous result, blastocyst development of both IVM I and II treatment group was also showed as similar pattern. Total and apoptotic cell numbers of blastocysts derived from thymidine treated porcine oocytes were examined by using Tunel assay. The results showed that there was no significant differences in total cell number of blastocysts between thymidine treated and untreated groups. However, apoptosis-positive cells in the thymidine treated group (6 hr IVM I) were significantly lower than those of other groups ($p$<0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that high quality oocytes were selected by DNA synthesis mechanism according to high concentration thymidine treatment during porcine oocyte maturation. Therefore, we concluded that presumptive selected oocytes by thymidine treatment during maturation periods improved the further embryo development and embryonic quality of IVF embryos by decreasing the incidence of apoptosis in preimplantation porcine embryos.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-41
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• 1999

Physiological activity of osteoblast including bone formation is known to be closely related to the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ activity($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in osteoblast. $Ca^{2+}$ is an important intracellular messenger in diverse cellular functions, and regulation of its level is mediated by the transmembrane $Ca^{2+}$ movement via $Ca^{2+}$ channels, $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange, and by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ movement through the intracellular stores. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ is regulated in osteoblast-like cells(OLCs) by measuring $Ca^{2+}$ activity with cell imaging technique. OLCs were isolated from femur and tibia of neonatal rats, and cultured for 7 days. Cultured OLCs were loaded with a $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive fluorescent dye, Fura-2, and fluorescence images were monitored with a cooled CCD camera. The images were processed and analyzed with an image analyzing software. The results were as follows. (1) $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of OLC decreased as the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the superfusing Tyrode solution was lowered. When $Na^+$ concentration in the superfusing solution was decreased, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increased.. These suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ flux occurs via the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange mechanism. (2) When $Na^+$ in the superfusing solution was removed. a transient $Ca^{2+}$, increase($Ca^{2+}$ spike) was occasionally observed. However, $Ca^{2+}$ spike was not observed after adding 1 ${\mu}M$ thapsigargin. This implies that the generation of $Ca^{2+}$ spike is mediated by the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from endoplasmic reticulum(ER). (3) As the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the superfusing solution was raised, the frequency of 0mM $Na^+$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ spike increased, suggesting that $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release(CICR) mechanism exists. (4) After $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was decreased with the superfusion of $Ca^{2+}$-free solution containing thapsigargin, the recovery of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ with reperfusion of 2.5mM $Ca^{2+}$ solution transiently exceeded the control level, suggesting that the depletion of $Ca^{2+}$ in ER induces $Ca^{2+}$ influx from extracellular medium via store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ influx(SOCI) mechanism. (5) $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was not affected by the superfusion of 25mM $K^+$ Tyrode solution. These results suggest that intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ activity in osteoblast is regulated by transmembrane $Ca^{2+}$ flux via $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange, $Ca^{2+}$ release from the internal store (ER) via $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, and store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the cell membrane.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2004

Although numerous studies have shown that cadmium disturbs the normal biological processes in central nervous system, the mechanism of toxicity is not well understood. The present study has investigated the effect of cadmium on oxidative stress, Na$^{+}$K$^{+}$ ATPase activity and the aggregation of amyloid beta peptide ($\beta$-amyloid) in neuronal cell line, HT22 cell. LC$_{5}$ and LC$_{50}$ of cadmium for HT22 cell resulted from MTT assay was 4.1 uM and 9.5 uM, respectively. Cadmium (2 to 8 uM) dose-dependently increased the lipid peroxidation and decreased the content of glutathione. Cadmium 4 uM showed a significant decrease in Na$^{+}$/K $^{+}$ ATPase activity as compared with control group. The aggregation of $\beta$-amyloid was accelerated in a dose-dependent manner by the treatment with 2 to 8 uM cadmium. These results suggest that the neurotoxicity of cadmium can be mediated by the increase in oxidative stress and decrease in Na$^{+}$/K$^{+}$ ATPase activity.se activity.

• Electrical & Electronic Materials
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.60-65
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• 1998

Deposition conditions, surface morphology, and electrical properties of polyamic acid alkylamine salts (PAAS) Langmuir-Blodgett(LB) films have been investigated through a study of surface pressure-area $\pi$-A isotherms, AFM (atomic force microscopy), and current-voltage characteristics. To obtain the optimum conditions of film deposition, the $\pi$-A isotherms were examined by varying temperature, barrier moving speed, dipping speed, spreading amount of solution etc. The Z-type LB films were made at the surface pressure of 5 mN m-1 and 25 mN m-1 for the AFM study; the former surface pressure forms the gas phase and the latter one forms the solid phase. The LB film made in the gas phase show domains with a size of about 200 A diameter and 70 A height. However, the LB films made in the solid phase show a very smooth surface with 2 A surface roughness. In the current-voltage characteristics measured along the perpendicular direction of the films, ohmic conduction has been observed below 105 V cm-1 and the calculated electrical conductivity is about 10-13 S cm-1. Nonohmic conduction has been observed above = 10-11 V cm and the conduction mechanism can be explained by the Schottky effect.