• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.460-465
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• 2011

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of quercetin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Quercetin at a low concentration (0.01-0.03 mM) directly and more significantly relaxed fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$-induced vascular contraction than phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, quercetin more significantly inhibited thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than phorbol ester-induced increases. It also more significantly inhibited thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the primarily inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of quercetin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.415-427
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study examined the changes in the cultural trend of use for green infrastructure in Seoul due to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The subjects of this study are 8 sites of green infrastructure selected by type: Forested green infrastructure, Watershed green infrastructure, Park green infrastructure, Walkway green infrastructure. The data used for analysis was blog posts for a total of four years from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2020. The analysis method was conducted keyword frequency analysis, topic modeling, and related keyword analysis. Results: The results of this study are as follows. First, the number of posts on green infrastructure has increased since COVID-19, especially forested green infrastructure and watershed green infrastructure with abundant naturalness and high openness. Second, the cultural trend keywords before and after COVID-19 changed from large-scale to small-scale, community-based to individual-based activities, and nondaily to daily culture. Third, after COVID-19, topics and keywords related to coronavirus showed that the cultural trends were reflected on appreciation, activities, and dailiness based on natural resources. In sum, the interest in green infrastructure in Seoul has increased after COVID-19. Also, the change of green infrastructure represents the increased demand for experience that reflects the need and expectation for nature. Conclusion: The new trend of green Infrastructure in the pandemic era should be considered in the the individual relaxations & activities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.334-339
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• 2023

Objective: The present study is designed to delve deeper into the realm of fibromyalgia (FM) symptom management by investigating the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in women diagnosed with FM. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the study aims to capture real-time PFC activation patterns during the practice of diaphragmatic breathing. The overarching objective is to identify and understand the underlying neural mechanisms that may contribute to the observed clinical benefits of this relaxation technique. Design: A case report Methods: To achieve this, a twofold approach was adopted: First, the patient's breathing patterns were meticulously examined to detect any aberrations. Following this, fNIRS was employed, focusing on the activation dynamics within the PFC. Results: Our examination unveiled a notable breathing pattern disorder inherent to the FM patient. More intriguingly, the fNIRS analysis offered compelling insights: the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) displayed increased activation. In stark contrast, regions of the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) manifested decreased activity, especially when benchmarked against typical activations seen in healthy adults. Conclusions: These findings, derived from a nuanced examination of FM, underscore the condition's multifaceted nature. They highlight the imperative to look beyond conventional symptomatology and appreciate the profound neurological and physiological intricacies that define FM.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2024

With the recent trend towards the legalization and relaxation of regulations surrounding medical cannabis, the diverse benefits of cannabis extracts are being scientifically validated, positioning them as promising next-generation ingredients across various fields. Compounds extracted from cannabis, such as cannabinoid (CB), cannabidiol (CBD), phytocannabinoid (pCB), and hemp seed hexane extracts (HSHE), have been shown to reduce skin inflammation, improve moisture retention exhibit strong antioxidant effects, and improve various skin conditions. In this paper, we review the effects of hemp extracts on the skin and explore their potential role as cosmetic ingredients.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2000

The general pharmacological properties of YJA20379-1 2-dimethylamino-4,5-dihydrothiazolo[4,5:3,4]pyridol[1,2-a]benzoimidazole, a novel proton pump inhibitor with antiulcer activities were investigated in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. YJA20379-2 at oral doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg did not affect the general behaviour, hexobarbital hypnosis and motor coordination in mice. The drug did not have analgesic or anticonvulsant action at 200 mg/kg. Locomotor activity and body temperature were not influenced at 100 mg/kg. At a concentration up to 2{\times}10^{-4} g/ml$, YJA20379-2 did not produce any contraction or relaxation of isolated preparations, such as the rat fundus, the guinea pig ileum and the rat uterus, and did not antagonize the contractile response to several spasmogens, such as histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and oxytocin. At dosages up to 200 mg/kg p.o. YJA20379-2 did not affect the pupil size of mice. Intestinal propulsion of mice was not affected up to 200 mg/kg p.o. and the drug did not affect urinary excretion at 100 mg/kg p.o. These results indicate that at dosages up to 100 gm/kg p.o. YJA20379-2 was found not to affect this pharmacological profile. However, at 200 mg/kg the drug lowered body temperature and showed decreased in locomotor activity and urine volume.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 1996

This study was undertaken to illustrate the uterotonic effect of Leonurus sibiricus. It was dissolved in sterile water and several different dosages were administered both in vitro and in vivo study. Rat uterine tissue for in vitro bioassay was obtained from estrous rat. From the low to high dosages of Leonurus sibiricus were tried and each uterine contraction was recorded and integrated. Anesthetized estrous rat for in vivo study was cannulated into the jugular vein for infusion of the compound. Another cannula with a balloon tipped and water filled was inserted into the uterus to measure uterine activity. While the uterine tissue did not respond to low dosage of compound, high dosage of compound stimulated the tissue to contract less than 1 minute with low amplitude. In vivo rat uterus showed a certain, consistent pattern of contractions which was initial relaxation and followed by prolonged and increased amplitude of contractions. It also caused a short breathing stop which might be due to acute acidosis.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.81-84
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• 2014

To examine the microenvironmental effect of DNA on the photosensitized reaction, the electron-donor-connecting porphyrin, meso-(9-phenanthryl)-tris(N-methyl-p-pyridinio) porphyrin (Phen-TMPyP), was synthesized. Phen-TMPyP can bind to oligonucleotides with two binding modes, depending on the DNA concentration. The fluorescence lifetime measurement of Phen-TMPyP shows a shorter component than that of the reference porphyrin without the phenanthryl moiety. However, the observed value is much longer than those of previously reported similar types of electron-donor-connecting porphyrins, suggesting that electron-transfer quenching by the phenanthryl moiety is not sufficient. The fluorescence quantum yield of Phen-TMPyP ($5{\mu}M$) decreased with an increase in DNA concentration of up to $5{\mu}M$ base pair (bp), possibly due to self-quenching through an aggregation along the DNA strand, increased with an increase in DNA concentration of more than $5{\mu}M$ bp and reached a plateau. The fluorescence quantum yield of Phen-TMPyP with a sufficient concentration of DNA was larger than that of the reference porphyrin. The singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$) generating activity of Phen-TMPyP was confirmed by the near-infrared emission spectrum measurement. The quantum yield of $^1O_2$ generation was decreased by a relatively small concentration of DNA, possibly due to the aggregation of Phen-TMPyP, and recovered with a sufficient concentration of DNA. The recovered quantum yield was rather smaller than that without DNA, indicating the quenching of $^1O_2$ by DNA. These results show that a DNA strand can stabilize the photoexcited state of a photosensitizer and, in a certain case, suppresses the $^1O_2$ generation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 1999

Thyroid hormone-induced cellular dysfunctions may be associated with changes in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. The ryanodine receptor, a $Ca^{2+}$ release channel of the SR, is responsible for the rapid release of $Ca^{2+}$ that activates cardiac muscle contraction. In the excitation-contaction coupling cascade, activation of ryanodine receptors is initiated by the activity of sarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ channels, the dihydropyridine receptors. In hyperthyroidism left ventricular contractility and relaxation velocity were increased, whereas these parameters were decreased in hypothyroidism. The mechanisms for these changes have been suggested to include alterations in the expression and/or activity levels of various proteins. In the present study, quantitative changes of ryanodine receptors and the dihydropyridine receptors, and the functional consequences of these changes in various thyroid states were investigated. In hyperthyroid hearts, $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding and ryanodine receptor mRNA levels were increased, but protein levels of ryanodine were not changed significantly. However, the above parameters were markedly decreased in hypothyroid hearts. In case of dihydropyridine receptor, there were a significant increase in the mRNA and protein levels, and [3H]nitrendipine binding, whereas no changes were observed in these parameters of hypothyroid hearts. Our findings indicate that hyperthyroidism is associated with increases in ryanodine receptor and dihydropyridine receptor expression levels, which is well correlated with the ryanodine and dihydropyridine binding. Whereas opposite changes occur in ryanodine receptor of the hypothyroid hearts.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2000

The effects of methanol extract of Rubus crategifolius roots and its solvent fractions were investigated on the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells. The methanol extract inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, their methanol soluble (W-M) fraction had the greatest inhibitory effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells. To evaluate whether the W-M fraction affects on the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells, cells treated with this fraction were analyzed with flow cytometry. The W-M fraction increased $G_0$/$G_1$phase after 24 h-treatment and induced apoptosis after 48 h-treatment. The hallmark of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, also appeared by W-M fraction after 48 h-treatment. Furthermore, the methanol extract and its W-M fraction inhibited the activity of the topoisomerase 1 enzyme in the relaxation assay, From these results, their W-M fraction as well as methanol extract of R. crategifolius roots are necessary for further studies as a potent inhibitor of the growth of cancer cells.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.154-163
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• 2006

A 64-channel magnetocardiogram (MCG) system using low-noise superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) planar gradiometers was developed for the measurements of cardiac magnetic fields generated by the heart electric activity. Owing to high flux-to-voltage transfers of double relaxation oscillation SQUID (DROS) sensors, the flux-locked loop electronics for SQUID operation could be made simpler than that of conventional DC SQUIDs, and the SQUID control was done automatically through a fiber-optic cable. The pickup coils are first-order planar gradiometers with a baseline of 4 em. The insert has 64 planar gradiometers as the sensing channels and were arranged to measure MCG field components tangential to the chest surface. When the 64-channel insert was in operation everyday, the average boil-off rate of the dewar was 3.6 Lid. The noise spectrum of the SQUID planar gradiometer system was about 5 fT$_{rms}$/$\checkmark$Hz at 100 Hz, operated inside a moderately shielded room. The MCG measurements were done at a sampling rate of 500 Hz or 1 kHz, and realtime display of MCG traces and heart rate were displayed. After the acquisition, magnetic field mapping and current mapping could be done. From the magnetic and current information, parameters for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia were evaluated to be compared with other diagnostic methods.