• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.343-349
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• 1994

A number of neurological syndromes(e.g. tardive dyskinesia) are developed as a consequence of chronic treatment with neuroleptics or antipsychotic agents. Despite the long and succesful use of phenothiazine derivatives and related agents in the treatment of certain states of mental disease, the mechanisms of these drugs are still poorly understood. One current hypothesis from extensive reviews is that these compounds might significantly interfere with the cyclic nucleotide system in brain (Levin and Weiss, 1977; Nowicki et al., 1991; Haley et al., 1992). Nitric oxide (NO), one of an interesting messenger molecule and aberrant transmitter, is believed to play a important role in biological functions of cyclic nucleotides in nervous system. It has been reported that calcium-dependent NO synthesis in endothelial cytosol is mediated by calmodulin which is supposed to be tightly related to pharmacological actions of antipsychotic agents. In the present study, the effect of several antipsychotic agents on the activity of NO synthesis and formation of cyclic GMP were investigated. These agents inhibited both the formation of $[^3H]L-citrulline$ and that of $[^3H]cyclic$ GMP by concentration-dependent manner, and their inhibiting patterns are so similar to that of calmodulin antagonist.

• KIISE Transactions on Computing Practices
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.513-518
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• 2014

It has become possible for small scale laboratories to interpret large scale genomic DNA, thanks to the reduction of the sequencing cost by the development of next generation sequencing (NGS). De novo assembly is a method which creates a putative original sequence by reconstructing reads without using a reference sequence. There have been various study results on de novo assembly, however, it is still difficult to get the desired results even by using the same assembly procedures and the analysis tools which were suggested in the studies reported. This is mainly because there are no specific guidelines for the assembly procedures or know-hows for the use of such analysis tools. In this study, to resolve these problems, we introduce steps to finding whole genome of an unknown DNA via NGS technology and de novo assembly, while providing the pros and cons of the various analysis tools used in each step. We used 350Mbp of Toxocara canis DNA as an application case for the detailed explanations of each stated step. We also extend our works for prediction of protein-coding genes and their functions from the draft genome sequence by comparing its homology with reference sequences of other nematodes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.251-258
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• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze field inspection results of erosion control facilities within national forests and to suggest maintenance and management plan of erosion control facilities. The objects amounted to a total of 1,628 locations, comprising 308 erosion control dams and 1,320 erosion control areas (1,269.05 ha). The field inspections were conducted during March-June each year. The erosion control dams inspected were constructed during 1991-2005, with 96.4% of them, or 297 dams, constructed in or after 2000. The erosion control areas were constructed during 1986-2005, with 68.6% of them, or 903 areas, constructed in or after 2000. As for erosion control dams, there were 205 concrete erosion control dams and 68 concrete with boulder pitching erosion control dams, respectively, with 296 out of a total of 308 erosion control dams in a good condition. As for erosion control areas, there were many erosion control structures using stone masonry works and gabions, with 1,245 out of a total of 1,320 (94.3%) erosion control areas in a good condition. Overall, erosion control facilities within national forests were in a good condition, amply fulfilling their functions. As for erosion control facilities in a bad condition, they must be made to accomplish the goals of erosion control works through supplementation and repairs without fail. In addition, for the systematic maintenance and management of existing erosion control facilities and erosion control facilities constructed in the future as part of erosion control works, the construction of an erosion control facility management system is urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-77
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• 2006

Gene transcripts potentially responsive to the heat stress were surveyed by cDNA microarray analysis in mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis). Transcriptional profiles of hepatic tissue in the fish exposed to either $23^{\circ}C$ or $32^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks were compared each other by 3 replicated hybridization assays using 1,124 unigene clones selected from mud loach liver expressed sequence tags (ESTs). A total of 93 clones showed the substantially increased mRNA levels (>2-fold) in $32^{\circ}C$-exposed group when compared in $23^{\circ}C$control group. It includes various enzymes and proteins involved in energy pathway, protease/protein metabolisms, immune/antioxidant functions, cytoskeleton/cell structure, transport and/or signal transduction. Maximum level of increase was up to 15-fold relative to $23^{\circ}C$ treatment. Heat exposure also resulted in the significant decrease (less than 50% relative to $23^{\circ}C$-exposed fish) of the transcriptional activities in 85 genes. Besides the above categories, yolk protein (vitellogenin) and ribosomal proteins were notably down regulated in the fish exposed to heat stress. A number of novel gene transcripts were also detected in both up-regulated and down-regulated groups.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.355-359
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• 1998

Platelet activation is originated by the intracellular or/and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Agonist-induced $Ca^{2+}$ entry through a plasma-membrane pathway has been reported repeatedly, but the mechanisms has proven harder to elucidate. Recently, a number of natural products have been isolated from medicinal plants and marine organisms and have proved to be useful chemical tools for resolving the mechanism of cellular functions. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of platelet activation in Bupleuri Radix, we have studied some aspects of the isolation of active components and their dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$> on platelet activation. Acetone extract of Bupleuri Radix has the most activity on platelet activation and it's active components were identified as saikosaponin a and d. Their optimal concentration was respectively $20\;\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and $5\;\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and their platelet activation was not dependent on external $Ca^{2+}$>, whereas optimal concentration of each agonist was arachidonic acid ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}$), collagen ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}/ml$), thrombin (0.1 unit/mi), PAF (5 nM), PMA ($5\;\mu\textrm{M}$), ionophore A23187 ($2\;\mu\textrm{g}$) and their dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$> on platelet activation appeared to thrombin > collagen $\geq$ PAF > PMA > arachdonic acid> ionophore A23187. These results suggest that saikosaponin is different from each agonists in the dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$ on platelet activation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.412-425
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• 2012

Concrete Soil Erosion Control Dam, which blocks flow of debris flow in torrential stream, are reported to lose expected functions due to structural failure and collapses, caused by poor construction, material deterioration and external impacts. In this paper, an integrity assessment technique for debris barriers was proposed, which allows preliminary detection of problems inherent in debris barriers. The proposed integrity assessment technique is a non-destructive method based on SASW method, one of surface-wave tests. In this paper, a practical procedure and analysis guidelines in applying the SASW technique to debris barrier was proposed and its validity was verified using five decrepit debris barriers older than 20-year old. As a result, the SASW method was validated for the reliable grade evaluation method for concrete soil erosion control dam, and the resulting grades turned out to agree with the results determined by Sabang Associations.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.937-945
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• 2013

The accuracy of flood inundation maps is determined by the uncertainty propagated from all variables involved in the overall process including input data, model parameters and modeling approaches. This study investigated the uncertainty arising from key variables (flow condition and Manning's n) among model variables in flood inundation mapping for the Missouri River near Boonville, Missouri, USA. Methodology of this study involves the generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) to quantify the uncertainty bounds of flood inundation area. Uncertainty bounds in the GLUE procedure are evaluated by selecting two likelihood functions, which is two statistic (inverse of sum of squared error (1/SAE) and inverse of sum of absolute error (1/SSE)) based on an observed water surface elevation and simulated water surface elevations. The results from GLUE show that likelihood measure based on 1/SSE is more sensitive on observation than likelihood measure based on 1/SAE, and that the uncertainty propagated from two variables produces an uncertainty bound of about 2% in the inundation area compared to observed inundation. Based on the results obtained form this study, it is expected that this study will be useful to identify the characteristic of flood.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2007

The p53 which is well known as tumor suppressor gene is located at 17p13. p53 is a sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor that responds to certain cytotoxic stresses, such as DNA damage, by enhancing the transcription of genes that regulate cell-cycle progression as well as programmed cell death. The p63 gene that is located at 3q27-29, is recognized members of the p53 family, and responsible for the transcription of 6 isoforms. Three isoforms ($TAp63{\alpha}$, $TAp63{\beta}$, $TAp63{\gamma}$) contain an N-terminal transactivation (TA) domain and can induce apoptosis. The other 3 isoforms (${\Delta}Np63{\alpha}$, ${\Delta}Np63{\beta}$, ${\Delta}Np63{\gamma}$) lack the TA domain and may function in a dominant-negative fashion by inhibiting the transactivation functions of p53 and TAp63 proteins, and thus act as oncoproteins. A number of studies have investigated the role of p63 in human squamous cell carcinomas from different organs. Only a few studies have examined ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform in oral squamous cell carcinoma including normal epithelium. This study aimed to evaluate expression of ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform in human oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue and normal mucosa. The 3 cases of well differenciated oral squamous cell carcinoma specimen including adjacent normal mucosa were examined, and immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibody(4A4) and tumor cell apoptosis analysis with Transmission Electon Microscopy were studied. And, RT-PCR analysis was done for expression of ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform. The results were as followed. 1. Normal gingiva showed the restricted p63 expression in basal cell layer. 2. Well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma showed mainly p63 expression in overall area of malignancy, especially in basal cell layer to adjacent stromal tissue. 3. Tumor cells around keratinized area with no p63 expression disclosed less micro-organelle in decreased size cytoplasm and severe chromatin margination with nuclear destruction that means apoptosis. 4. Comparison of mRNA expression of ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform by RT-PCR showed variable expression of ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform, but ${\Delta}Np63{\alpha}$ was most highly expressed in all 3 tumor specimen. From theses results, it should be suggested that ${\Delta}Np63$ isoform expression in well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was closely related to tumor oncogenesis, expecially overexpression of ${\Delta}Np63{\alpha}$ is a most important factor in tumor genesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2001

Backgrounds : Gamma band oscillatory activity is considered to be related to cognitive functions and illustrates that the concept of event-related oscillations bridges the gap between single neurons and neural assemblies. An event-related gamma oscillation is the time-locked responses of specific frequency, and can be identified by computing the amplitude frequency characteristics of the averaged event-related potentials(ERPs) after stimulation. Objectives : We purposed to present experimental paradigm to investigate ${\gamma}$-band oscillation activities from the recording of ERPs by using auditory oddball paradigm and investigate the difference of ${\gamma}$-band activity between schizophrenia and normal controls. Methods : The ERPs resulting from auditory stimuli with oddball paradigm in a group of schizophrenics(n=11), and also a group of age-, sex-, and handedness matched normal controls, were recorded by 128 channel EEG. The ${\gamma}$-band oscillatory activities were calculated by using time-frequency wavelet decomposition of the signal between 20 and 80Hz. The ${\gamma}$-band oscillatory activities of both groups were compared by t-test. Results : The ${\gamma}$-band oscillatory of the leads Fz, Cz, and Pz of both groups were represented well in the time-frequency maps. Significant increases of the ${\gamma}$-band activity in normal controls compared with schizophrenics were observed around 160 msec, 350 msec, and 800 msec after stimulation. Conclusions : Our results suggested that the increment in ${\gamma}$-band oscillatory activity during cognitive operations and decreased ${\gamma}$-band activity in schizophrenics may be associated with the cognitive dysfunctions and the pathophysiology of the schizophrenia.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2020

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are widely used to solve water quality problems caused by diffuse pollution from agricultural areas; however, phytoplankton blooms in CW systems can occur due to long hydraulic retention time (HRT), high nutrient loading, and exposure to sunlight. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a CW designed to treat agricultural diffuse pollution and develop a design concept to improve the nature-based capabilities of the system. Monitoring was conducted to assess contribution of individual wetland components (i.e. water, sediments, and plants) in the treatment performance of the system. During dry days, the turbidity and particulates concentration in the CW increased by 80 to 197% and 10 to 87%, respectively, due to the excessive growth of phytoplankton. On storm events, the concentration of particulates, organics, and nutrients were reduced by 43% to 70%, 22% to 49%, and 15% to 69% due to adequate water circulation and constant flushing of pollutants in the system. Based on the results, adequate water circulation is necessary to improve the performance of the CW. Free water surface CWs are usually designed to have a constant water level; however, the climate in South Korea is characterized by distinct dry and rainy seasons, which may not be suitable for this conventional design. This study presented a concept of multifunctional design in order to solve current CW design problems and improve the flood control, water quality management, and environmental functions of the facility.