• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.7-17
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• 2014

Objectives: Condurango is widely used in various systems of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) against oesophageal and stomach ailments including certain types of cancer. However, until now no systematic study has been conducted to verify its efficacy and dose with proper experimental support. Therefore, we examined if ethanolic extract of Condurango could ameliorate benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in rats, in vivo to validate its use as traditional medicine. Methods: Fifteen male and 15 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.28 mg/kg of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) (high-dosage group) and the same numbers of male and female SD rats were treated with 0.2 mL/kg of normal saline (control group) for 13 weeks. We selected five male and five female SD rats from the high-dosage group and the same numbers of male and female SD rats from the control group, and we observed these rats for four weeks. We conducted body-weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses and hematology, biochemistry, histology tests. Results: A histological study revealed gradual progress in lung tissue-repair activity in Condurango-fed cancer-bearing rats, showing gradual tissue recovery after three months of drug administration. Condurango has the capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may contribute to a reduction in anti-oxidative activity and to an induction of oxidative stress-mediated cancer cell-death. Condurango-activated pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, cytochrome-c, apaf-1, ICAD and PARP) and down-regulated antiapoptotic-Bcl-2 expression were noted both at mRNA and protein levels. Studies on caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage by western blot analysis revealed that Condurango induced apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway. Conclusion: The anticancer efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Condurango for treating BaP-induced lung cancer in rats lends support for its use in various traditional systems of medicine.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.158-158
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• 2015

Myoblast are myogenic precursors that proliferate, activate, and differentiate on muscle injury to sustain the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle; The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, termed also NOS-I) is expressed in normal adult skeletal muscle, suggesting important functions for Nitric oxide (NO) in muscle biology1,2,3. However, the expression and subcellular localization of NO in muscle development and myoblast differentiation are largely unknown. In this study, we examined effects of the nitric oxide generated by a microwave plasma torch, on proliferation/differentiation of rat myoblastic L6 cells. Experimental data pertaining to nitric oxide production are presented in terms of the oxygen input in units of cubic centimetres per minute. The various levels of nitric oxide are observed depending on the flow rate of nitrogen gas, the ratio of oxygen gas, and the microwave power4. In order to evaluate the potential of nitric oxide as an activator of cell differentiation, we applied nitric oxide generated from the microwave plasma torch to L6 skeletal muscles. Differentiation of L6 cells into myotubes was significantly enhanced the differentiation after nitric oxide treatment. Nitric oxide treatment also increase the expression of myogenesis marker proteins and mRNA level, such as myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC), as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), However during the myotube differentiation we found that NO activate oxidative stress signaling erks expression. Therefore, these results establish a role of NO and cGMP in regulating myoblast differentiation and elucidate their mechanism of action, providing a direct link with oxidative stress signalling, which is a key player in myogenesis. Based on these findings, nitric oxide generated by plasma can be used as a possible activator of cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.289-301
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• 2003

To develop a chemical-looping combustion technology, conceptual design of 50 kW thermal chemical-looping combustor, which is composed of two interconnected pressurized circulating fluidized beds, was performed by means of mass and energy balance calculations. A riser type fast fluidized bed was selected as an oxidizer and a bubbling fluidized bed was selected as a reducer by mass balance for the chemical-looping combustor. Calculated values of bed mass, solid circulation flux, and reactor dimension by mass and energy balance calculations were suitable for construction and operation of chemical-looping combustor. It is concluded from the comparison of the design results and operating values of commercial circulating fluidized bed that the process outline is realistic. Moreover, the previous results support that oxygen carrier particle, NiO/bentonite, fulfills the conversion rates needed for the proposed design. The effects of system capacity, metal oxide content in a oxygen carrier particle, amount of steam input, gas velocity, and solid depth on design values were investigated and the changes in the system performance can be estimated by proposed design tool.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2002

In order to investigate a pathogenesis of liver damage induced by skin burn, thermal injury was induced by scald burn on entirely dorsal surface in rats (total body surface area 30%) except for inhalated injury. At 5 and 24 h after scald burn, biochemical assay in skin tissue, serum and liver tissue were examined. The effects of burn injury on the levels of glutathione, lipid peroxide and on the activities of oxygen of histologic and ultrasound changes, measuring. the protein concentration in plasma, and counting the number of intravascular polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Post burn 24 h, the content of glutathione was decreased (47.50%), whereas that of lipid peroxide was increased (37.01%), and the activity of superoxide dismutase was diminished (p<0.001). Thus decreasing the capacity of oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes led to oxidative injury in skin tissue. In liver tissue, at 24 h after scald burn, both the content of glutathione and the activity of catalase were markedly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05), thus the imbalance between free radical generating and scavenging capacities has been induced.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.460-463
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• 2012

The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the oxidative stress status of isoflurane and propofol in pigs undergoing surgery with measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The pigs were divided into 2 groups according to the type of anesthesia used for the surgical procedure. In the isoflurane group (group 1), anesthesia was induced and maintained with 2-2.5% isoflurane under 100% oxygen. The propofol group (group 2) received 8 mg/kg/h of IV propofol with 0.5-1% isoflurane under 100% oxygen. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities of isoflurane group were significantly lower at the end of surgery than at induction of anesthesia, while that of the propofol group maintained their baseline values. There were significant differences in all enzymes activities between groups at the end of surgery. These results indicate that propofol is capable of preserving the antioxidant capacity in pigs anesthetized with the combination of isoflurane and propofol infusion.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

In this study, antioxidative potentials of the crude extract and its four solvent fractions from the Arctic terrestrial plant Ranunculus heperporeus were evaluated by using four different activity tests, including the inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in Raw 264.7 cells as well as determining the extent of both the scavenging of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) and the oxidative damage of genomic DNA purified from Raw 264.7 cells. Based on a comparative analysis, n-BuOH, and 85% aq.MeOH solvent fractions showed good scavenging effects on the production of intracellcular ROS and inhibited membrane lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation. In addition, n-BuOH and 85% aq.MeOH fractions exhibited good scavenging effects on both authentic peroxynitrite and one generated from SIN-1. Among the samples tested, the n-BuOH fraction revealed the strongest antioxidant effect.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.349-357
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• 2013

6'-O-galloylpaeoniflorin (GPF) is a galloylated derivate of paeoniflorin and a key chemical constituent of the peony root, a perennial flowering plant that is widely used as an herbal medicine in East Asia. This study is the first investigation of the cytoprotective effects of GPF against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cell injury and death in human HaCaT keratinocytes. GPF demonstrated a significant scavenging capacity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, $H_2O_2$-generated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the superoxide anion radical ($O_2^-$), and the hydroxyl radical (${\cdot}$OH). GPF also safeguarded HaCaT keratinocytes against $H_2O_2$-provoked apoptotic cell death and attenuated oxidative macromolecular damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins. The compound exerted its cytoprotective actions in keratinocytes at least in part by decreasing the number of DNA strand breaks, the levels of 8-isoprostane (a stable end-product of lipid peroxidation), and the formation of carbonylated protein species. Taken together, these results indicate that GPF may be developed as a cytoprotector against ROS-mediated oxidative stress.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.249-253
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• 2004

The type of air lift bioreactor affected the root growth in ginseng adventitious root cultures. Among bioreactors used in this experiment, bulb type bubble bioreactor (BU) was the best to increase root growth (41.92 g dry weight). The kLa value representing the oxygen transfer capacity from medium to explants (6.98 h$^{-1}$ ) in BU with 5 cm bubble column was higher than other bioreactors. On the other hand, cylindric tube bioreactor (CT) without bubble column resulted in minimum root growth (38.55 g dry weight) and kLa value (5.25 h$^{-1}$ ). Furthermore, the root growth (50.30 g dry weight) in BU with 10 cm bubble column more increased than 5 cm bubble column. However, the kLa value do not affected the secondary metabolite such as ginsenosides. These results show that the bubble column in air lift bioreactor increase kLa value and increased kLa value stimulate the growth of ginseng adventitious roots.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.303-314
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• 2020

Bottled water companies submit monthly hydrologic data including periodical environmental effects investigation, daily water production capacity, water production, water level, water chemistry (pH, EC, temperature) per hour and strictly manage groundwater by periodical analyses. Thus few problems concerning drawdown due to excess intake of groundwater take place. Nevertheless, bottled water companies are imprinted as a contribution to civil affairs resulted regarding groundwater near the companies. Therefore, a new method is required during water balance analysis in environmental effects evaluation, which should be compatible with the evaluation by hydrologic experts as well more accessible to non-experts. In this study, water level of surface water and recharge rate in subcatchment where water production wells are located were measured and monthly baseflow rates were separated from normal streams. Besides, recharge properties of groundwater and surface water in the same catchment area were estimated using analyses of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in groundwater (production well), surface water, and rainfall.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.242-246
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• 2013

Purpose: The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is an important clinical tool for evaluating exercise capacity and is frequently used to evaluate chronic conditions including congenital heart disease. However, data on the normal CPET values for Korean children and adolescents are lacking. The aim of this study was to provide reference data for CPET variables in children and adolescents. Methods: From August 2006 to April 2009, 76 healthy children and adolescents underwent the CPET performed using the modified Bruce protocol. Here, we performed a medical record review to obtain data regarding patient' demographics, medical history, and clinical status. Results: The peak oxygen uptake ($VO_{2Peak}$) and metabolic equivalent ($MET_{Max}$) were higher in boys than girls. The respiratory minute volume $(V_E)/CO_2$ production ($VCO_2$) slope did not significantly differ between boys and girls. The cardiopulmonary exercise test data did not significantly differ between the boys and girls in younger age group (age, 10 to 14 years). However, in older age group (age, 15 to 19 years), the boys had higher $VO_{2Peak}$ and $MET_{Max}$ values and lower $V_E/VCO_2$ values than the girls. Conclusion: This study provides reference data for CPET variables in case of children and adolescents and will make it easier to use the CPET for clinical decision-making.