• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 1993

Oxidants in environment or cigarette smoke are known to be implicated in the oxidative damages of pulmonary system. Such cellular damages are prevented by the presence of adequate levels of antioxidants in the tissue. In the present study, we investigated the influences of smoking duration and concentration of smoke on lung antioxidant defense in rats. Subchronic exposure of rats to smoke generated from 6 cigarettes per day for 90 days caused the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to increase. However, glutathione peroxidase (GP-Xase) was not significantly changed. Total sulfhydryl compounds (Total-SH) in the lung homogenates from the rats inhaled with cigarette smoke for 15 days was decreased by 44% , thereafter it was returned to the level of normal rats. On the contrary, when rats were daily exposed to a different concentration of smoke generated from 1 to 20 cigarettes per day for 15 days, the activity of catalase was increased gradually with dose, but total SOD activity was increased only in the rats of low dose groups less than 5 cigarettes. Three types of SOD (one Cu, Zn-SOD with pI 4.9, and two Zn-SOD with pI 4.7 and 7.9)were detected in the lung homogenates and Zn-SOD with pI 4.7 was the major and cigarette-smoke inducible form. These results indicate that the protection of lung against oxidants from cigarette smoke seems to be accomplished by the induction of catalase and SOD, especially a cyanide resistant Zn-SOD with pI 4.f, following the consumption of antioxidants such as GSH in the beginning of inhalation period.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1999

Background: Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome of musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Lacking distinctive histological or laboratory abnormality in diagnosis, it has often been considered a form of "psychogenic rheumatism". Fibromyalgia causes much distress to the affected patients and often frustrates physicians, who are unable to start rational therapy on any logical disease pathology. Methods: Growth hormone is essential for muscular homeostasis. In the present study, the notion that the stage-4 sleep anomaly typically seen in the fibromyalgia syndrome may disrupt growth hormone secretion was tested. Because growth hormone has a very short half-life, serum levels of somatomedin C were measured; somatomedin C is the major mediator of growth hormone's anabolic actions and is a prerequisite for normal muscle homeostasis. Serum levels of somatomedin C using acid-extraction procedure and two-site immunoradiome-tric assay (IRMA) and number of tender points were measured in 27 female patients with fibromyalgia from 40 to 60 years old and 27 healthy controls. Results: There were no differences in the concentration of somatomedin C between fibromyalgia patients and controls ($mean{\pm}SD$: $178.3{\pm}75.5$ ng/ml versus $166.3{\pm}76.6$ ng/ml; p=0.55). And there were no correlations between number of tender point and serum somatomedin C level by linear regression analysis. Conclusions: These findings did not support that there is a distinctive disruption of the growth hormone-somatomedin C neuroendocrine axis in a fibromyalgia syndrome. But we can not discard the hypothesis that disturbed sleep predispose to muscle pain.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1986

The geology of the Jeju island is characterized by the occurrence of thick voluminous basaltic lava flows and minor trachytic lavas. The land form can be divided topographically into the lava plateau, the shield-shaped Halla volcanic edifice and the parasitic cones whose number is more than 360, which is closely related to the cyclic volcanism of the island. Especially, the trachytic lavas seem to be the latest differentiation products of the cyclic activities and largely classified into two groups (Backlokdam group and Sanbangsan group) on the basis of the occurrence and the petrography. The paleomagnetism and the radiometric age on the two groups of trachyte suggest a lower and an upper time limits of the volcanic stratigraphy of the island. An average age of the trachyte of the Sanbangsan group is $0.733{\pm}0.056m.y.$, and is correlated to a horizon a little lower than the boundary (0.69m.y.) between the Brunches normal epoch and Matuyama reversed epoch. An average age of $0.025{\pm}0.008m.y.$ determined from the Backlokdam trachyte may be corrected to anyone horizon of the Laschamp, or the Lake Biwa, or the Lake Mono excursion. The two groups of trachytes are distributed with the latitude difference of 9'($0.15^{\circ}$), and with age difference of about 0.71 m.y. Assuming that the two trachyte groups were erupted from the same stationary hot spot, the lithosphere comprising the Jeju island is considered to have moved southward with a rate of about 2.3 cm/year.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 1997

Dark to pale green-colored, Cr-bearing sericites from hydrothermal alteration zone of the Narim gold deposit were investigated mineralogically and geochemically. The alteration zone is composed mineralogically of quartz, carbonate minerals and green sericite with minor amounts of chlorite, barite and sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite, galena). The zone is enriched in As (967 to 1520 ppm), Cu (31 to 289 ppm), Ni (1027 to 1205 ppm), Pb (0.20 to 1.24 wt.%) and Zn (1.03 to 1.07 wt. %) compared with fresh rocks such as granitic gneiss, porphyritic biotite granite and basic dyke. The Cr, probably the chromophore element, is highly enriched in the alteration zone (1140 to 1500 ppm), host granitic gneiss (1200 ppm) and porphyritic biotite granite (1200 ppm). Occurrence and grain size of sericite are diverse, but most of the Cr-bearing sericites (150 to $200{\mu}m$ long and 20 to $30{\mu}m$ wide) occur along the boundaries between ore veins and host rocks (especially basic dyke and granitic gneiss). X-ray diffraction data of the sericite show its monoclinic form with unit-cell parameters of $a=5.202{\AA}$, $b=8.994{\AA}$, $c=20.103{\AA}$, ${\beta}=95.746^{\circ}$ and $V=935.83{\AA}^3$, which are similar with the normal 2M1-type muscovite. Representative chemical formula of the sericite is ($K_{1.54}Ca_{0.03}Na_{0.01}$)($Al_{3.42}Mg_{0.38}Cr_{0.14}Fe_{0.06}V_{0.02}$)($Si_{6.69}Al_{1.31}$)$O_{20}(OH)_4$. The Cr content increases with decrease of the octahedral Al content, and ranges from 0.36 to 2.58 wt.%. DTA and TG curves of the sericite show endothermic peaks at $342^{\circ}$ to $510^{\circ}$, $716^{\circ}$ to $853^{\circ}$ and $1021^{\circ}C$, which are due to the expulsion of hydroxyl group. The total weight loss by heating is measured to be about 8.8 wt. %, especially at $730^{\circ}C$. Infrared absorption experiments of the sericite show broad absorption band due to the O-H bond stretching vibration near the $3625cm^{-1}$, coupled with the 825 and $750cm^{-1}$ doublet. The vibration bands related with the H-O-Al and Si-O-Al bonds occur at $1030cm^{-1}$ and 500 to $700cm^{-1}$, respectively. Based on paragonite content of the sericite, the formation temperature of the Narim gold deposit is calculated to be $220{\pm}10^{\circ}C$.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.119-134
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• 1999

Joints developed around the Moryang fault were investigated by traverse and inventory methods in order to characterize their orientation, spacing and density. The results of the traverse method show that the orientation of the dominant joint sets of the study area is NNE and EW, and that joint spacing distribution is a negative exponential distribution to the center of the fault and a log-normal distribution to the margin of the fault. The results of the inventory method show that the orientation of the dominant joint sets on joint map is NW and NE, and that joint density tends to increase toward the center of the fault. Fractal dimension was determined by using Box-counting method and Cantor's dust method to quantify the distribution of joint network and to evaluate the dimension around the fault. The dimension determined by Box-counting method ranges from 1.31 to 1.70 and shows the tendency of increasing value toward the center of the fault. Comparing fractal dimension by Box-counting method with joint density, fractal dimension is directly proportional to joint density. Nevertheless, fractal dimension could be varied due to the different distribution patterns of the joints with same density. The dimensions determined by Cantor's dust method show different values with respect to the orientation of scan lines. This results form the anisotropy of joint distribution.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.437-450
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• 1999

Bile canaliculi are the structure delivering bile secreted by hepatocytes into the bile passage. Bile secretion is mainly controlled by the cytoskeletal elements, mainly of actin in the microvilli, pericanalicular web. Most studies on the bile secretion have been done in viva situation, however, to control the various parameters in vitro culture system seem to be more useful. To set up an in vitro experimental system, the investigator isolated hepatocytes with an enzymatic method using a mixture of collagenase and hyaluronidase from normal Sprague-Dawley rat liver and cultured. Isolated hepatocytes were round and formed cords in culture. Microvilli covered the whole surface of hepatocytes. Bile canaliculi were formed between hepatocytes and were characterized by the presence of microvilli of various lengths and shapes mainly arising from small surface mounds. Actin filament core in the microvilli and pericanalicular actin web were incomplete. After cytochalasin D treatment, cultured hepatocytes were round but the surface were irregular with surfacen blebs, folds and grooves. Microvilli on the surface were scarce. Bile canaliculi were markedly dilated often with the detached junctional complexes. Bile canaliculi lacks microvilli almost completely and extended into the pericanalirular cytoplasm showing complex vacuolar and tubular structures by transmission electron mciroscopy. Pericanalicular actin web, intermediate filaments were hardly identified. Subsurface actin filaments were scattered scarcely under the cell membranes. These results suggest that hepatocytes isolated from rats can survive and form bile canaliculi in culture and the actin filaments are involved in the formation and/or maintenance of the bile canaliculi.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.410-415
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• 1998

Procine pepsin hydrolysis of hexapeptide L-S-pNF-Nle-A-OMe in the presence of dipeptide L-L generates a new peak on HPLC analysis of reaction mixtures that is not seen when enzyme is incubated with either peptide alone. The peaks can be detected spectroscopically at either 214 or 254 nm, the latter consistent with a new peptide containing the p-nitro-F residue. The data suggest acyl transpeptidation between E(L-S-pNF) and L-L to form L-S-pNF-L-L. Consistent with this inference are (1) the ability of L-L-NH$_{2}$ and inability of Boc-L-L to undergo a similar transpeptidation reaction, and (2) the data from electrospray mass spectrum. This synthesis requires that Nle-A-L-OMe be released before L-S-pNF, an order opposite to that proposed on the basis of product inhibition kinetics. Consistent with this inference are reciprocal solvent isotope effects ; normal isotope effects of 1.736$\pm$0.121 on the formation of Nle-A-L-OMe and 2.281$\pm$0.184 in the formation of L-S-pNF, coupled to an inverse isotope effects of 0.576$\pm$0.045 on the formation of L-S-pNF-L-L. Because transpeptidation precedes faster in D$_{2}$O, the isotopically-sensitive step must occur after release of Nle-A-L-OMe. Isotopically-enhanced transpeptidation is consistent with the Uni-Bi iso memchanism postulated on the basis of an isotope effects on Vmax but not on Vmax/Km$^{1)}$ and confirmed by isotope effects on the onset of inhibition by pepstatin$^{2)}$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.702-709
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• 2014

Normal alcoholic fermentation took place at $20-25^{\circ}C$ in yakju (traditional Korean rice wine) prepared without the addition of protease (non-addition group). The total concentration of organic acids increased by 1.0-2.7 fold in the non-addition group. While the concentration of lactic acid and acetic acid increased, the pyroglutamic acid concentration decreased by 51.1 fold. Consequently, the total acidity and volatile acid concentration increased, and the overall pH decreased. Compared to the addition group, the non-addition group showed a 3.0-5.2 fold increase in the amount of amino acids; however, the total estimated concentrations of free-form amino acids were 5.2-11.9 times lower than those in the latter group. The major amino acids found in the non-addition group were alanine, arginine, leucine, and phenylalanine. The yakju preparation from the non-addition group showed a 1.2-3.0 fold decrease in the final color intensity as compared to that from the addition group.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 1999

It is crucial to remove trophectoderm (TE) cells of blastocysts for an efficient isolation of pluripotent embryonic stem (ES)-like cells from bovine blastocysts. We evaluated the effectiveness of chemosurgery using calcium ionophore A23l87 (CIPA) by investigating the viability and pluripotency of ES-like cell lines isolated from in vitro-produced bovine blastocysts after CIPA treatment. The blastocysts treated with 50 $\mu$M CIPA for 25 min colonized most efficiently (51% of blastocysts) and developed to ES-like cell lines through 10 passages (4.8% of blastocysts) among CIPA-treated groups with different concentration and duration. In comparison with CIPA-untreated blastocysts, the colonization rate and overall viability of the CIPA-treated blastocysts were five times higher, suggesting that CIPA treatment condition defined in this study was highly efficient for establishing ES-like cell lines without apparent toxicity of CIPA. We evaluated in vitro pluripotency of the established three ES-like cell lines by examining alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, capability of embryoid body formation, and chromosomal euploidity of the cells. Our cells showed a heterogeneous AP activity similarly to other reports. The cells were able to form simple embryoid bodies during suspension culture and majority of them showed a normal chromosome number of 60, the euploid chromosomal complement of bovine Therefore, our data suggest that CIPA treatment can be safely used for an efficient isolation of ES-like cell lines from bovine blastocysts.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments). The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes (intensity of current pain, stiffness, and physical function) were assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 during treatment and at week 5 (2 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Of the 24 participants, 23 completed the study. Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC. However, there were no significant differences between the MA and acupuncture groups. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although both MA and acupuncture provide similar effects with regard to pain control in patients with KOA, MA may be more effective in providing pain relief because the same relief was obtained with fewer treatments. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.