• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2016

Mine tailings generated during mining activity often contain high concentrations of heavy metals, with pyrite-containing mine tailings in particular being a major cause of environmental problems in mining areas. Chemical cell technology, or fuel cell technology, can be applied to leach heavy metals in pyrite-containing mine tailings. As pyrite dissolves through spontaneous oxidation (i.e. galvanic oxidation) in the anode compartment of the cell, $Fe^{3+}$, sulfuric acid are generated. A decrease in pH due to the generation of sulfuric acid allows heavy metals to be leached from pyrite-containing mine tailings. In this study, pyrite was dissolved for 4 weeks at $23^{\circ}C$ in an acidic solution (pH 2) and in a galvanic reactor, which induces galvanic oxidation, and total Fe leached from pyrite and pH were compared in order to investigate if galvanic oxidation can facilitate pyrite oxidation. The change in the pyrite surface was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Comparing the total Fe leached from the pyrite, there were 2.9 times more dissolution of pyrite in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution, and thus pH was lower in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution. Through SEM analysis of the pyrite that reacted in the galvanic reactor, linear-shaped cracks were observed on the surface of the pyrite. The study results show that pyrite dissolution was facilitated through the galvanic oxidation in the galvanic reactor, and also implied that the galvanic oxidation can be one remediation option for pyrite-containing mine tailings.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.630-635
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Naeso-san in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in murine small intestine. First, we isolated ICCs from murine small intestine. After that, we cultured these cells for 1 days. The patch-clamp technique was applied on ICCs that formed network-like structures in culture (1 days). Spontaneous rhythms were routinely recorded from cultured ICCs under current-clamp conditions, and the ICCs within networks displayed more robust electrical rhythms (pacemaker potentials). To understand the relationship between Naeso-san and pacemaker activity in ICCs, we examined the effects of Naeso-san on pacemaker potentials of ICCs. In current clamp mode (I = 0), the addition of Naeso-san (10 mg/ml - 50 mg/ml) decreased the amplitude and frequency of the pacemaker potentials of ICCs in a dose dependent manner. However, these effects were blocked by intracellular $GDP{\beta}S$, a G-protein inhibitor, and glibenclamide, a specific ATP-sensitive K+ channels blocker. Pretreatment with SQ-22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the Naeso-san induced effects, whereas pretreatment with ODQ, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, or L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase blocked the Naeso-san induced effects. Our findings provide insight into unraveling the modulation of Naeso-san in pacemaker potentials of ICCs and developing therapeutic agents against gastrointestinal motility disorders.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.106-106
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• 1995

A polysaccharide, G009, isolated from Ganoderma lucidum IY009 subjected to investigating on general pharmacology. This material at the large oral doses of 1000 and 2000mg/kg in mice did neither exhibit any abnormal behaviors nor effects on central nervous system. It also had no influences on hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, rotarod test and spontaneous activity test at each oral dose of 1000mg/kg in mice. No effects on the body temperature and on acetic acid induced writhing syndrome in mice were observed with its oral administration at 1000mg/kg, and the convulsions induced by strychnine and pentetrazole were not inhibited at its oral doses of 1000mg/kg in mice. The solution of G009 as given intravenously at the doses of 30 and 60mg/kg in rabbit had no influences on blood pressure and respiration rates and depth. In isolated organs of rat uterus and fundus muscles and guinea-pig ileum and trachea, it did not show any contraction or relaxation at the concentration of 2$\times$10$^{-3}$g/ml, and the contractive actions produced by oxytocin, acetylcholine, serotonin and histamine did not inhibited by the same doses. This material showed no effect on intestinal propulsion test in mice and gastric secretion in rats at the oral doses of 1000mg/kg. However, it is interesting that the material exhibited potent inhibition of acidified aspirin induced gastric damage at the doses of 500 and 1000mg/kg in rats.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.199-212
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• 1983

The inhibition/influences of adenine compounds on the heart have been described repeatedly by many investigators, since the first report by Druny and Szent-Gyorgyi [1929]. These studies have shown that adenosine and adenine nucleotides have an over-all effect similar to that of acetylcholine [ACh] by slowing and weakening the heartbeat. The basic cellular and membrane events underlying the inhibitory action of adenosine on sinus rate, however, are not well understood. Furthermore, the physiological role of adenosine in regulation of the heartbeat remains still to be elucidated. Therefore, this study was undertaken in order to examine the response of rabbit SA node to adenosine and to compare the response to that of ACh. Isolated SA node preparation, whole atrial pair, or left atrlal strip was used in each experiment. Action potentials of SA node were recorded through the intracellular glass microelectrodes, which were filled with 3M KCI and had resistance of 30-50 M. All experiments were performed in a bicarbonate-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 3% $CO_2-97%$ $O_2$ gas mixture and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. Spontaneous firing rate of SA node at 35C [Mean + SEM, n=16] was 154 + 3.3 beats/min. The parameters of action potentials were: maximum astolic potential [MDP], -731.7mV: overshoot [OS], 9 + 1.4mV; slope of pacemaker potential [SPP], 94 3.0mV/sec.Adenosine suppressed the firing rate of SA node in a dose dependent manner. This inhibitory effect appeared at the concentration of $10^{-6}M$ and was potentiated in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Changes in action potential by adenosine were dose-dependent increase of MDP and decrease of SPP until $10^{-4}$. Above this concentration, however, the amplitude of action potential decreased markedly due to the simultaneous decrease of both MDP and OS. All these effects of adenosine were not affected by pretreatment of atropine [2mg/l] and propranolol [$5{\times}10^{-6}M$]. ACh [$10^{-6}M$] responses on action potential were similar to those of adenosine by increasing MDP and decreasing SPP. These effects of ACh disappeared by pretreatment of atropine [2mg/1]. Inhibition/effects of adenosine and ACh on sinus rate were enhanced synergistically with the simultaneous administration of adenosine and ACh. Marked decrease of overshoot potential was the most prominent feature on action potential. Dipyridamole [DPM], which is known to block the adenosine transport across cell membrane, definitely potentiated the action of adenosine . Adenosine suppressed the sinus rate and atrial contractility in the same dosage range, even in the reserpinized preparation. Above` results suggest that adenosine suppresses pacemaker activity, like ACh, by acting directly on the membrane of SA node, increasing MDP and decreasing SPP.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 1999

Background : The pathogenesis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is not clear, but it has been known that the immune mechanisms play an important role. Authors performed this study to establish an animal model of experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) by immunizing the myelin components of peripheral nerves and to understand the electrophysiological and histopathological features as well as the ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte changes in peripheral bloods in the EAN models. Methods : Lewis rats weighing 150-200 gm were injected subcutaneously in soles two times with total myelin, P0, P1, or P2 proteins purified from the bovine cauda eguina. The EAN induction was assessed by evaluating clinical manifestations. The electrophysiological and histopathological features were studied as routine methods. The ${CD_5}^+$ Blymphocytes were double stained using monoclonal FITC conjugated anti-rat CD45RA and R-PE conjugated anti-rat ${CD_5}^+$ antibodies and calculated using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Results : The EAN animal models were established. In two out of five, in one out of two, in none out of three, and in none out of one Lewis rats injected with purified total myelin, P0, P1, P2 proteins respectively, They showed slow spontaneous motor activity and weak resistance against pulling back by tails. The typical electrophysiological and histologic findings in total protein and P0 induced EAN animal models were the decreased conduction velocity, the decreased compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and the dispersion phenomenon. The perivascular infiltrates of lymphocytes with focal demyelinating process were found in light microscopy. The ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte expression in three EANs were 2.38%, 3.50% 2.50%, which were not significantly increased, compared with those in normal controls. Conclusion : The EAN animal models were successfully established by injecting the total myelin and P0 myelin and they showed electrophysiological and histological features typical of demyelinating process. However they did not show an increased expression of ${CD_5}^+$ B-lymphocyte in peripheral bloods which could be indirect evidence of humoral autoimmunity.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the educational effect of cooperative learning, which enables learners to make portfolio by taking advantage of their knowledge and skills acquired through practice, on an oral prophylaxis practice course in an attempt to stir up the spontaneous learning of learners, their learning interest and problem-solving skills. Methods : The selected dental hygiene students engaged in cooperative learning in oral prophylaxis practice III class in the second semester of their sophomore year by utilizing portfolio that was prepared by altering an inclusive dental hygiene practice model. They completed all the 15-week practice course, and then their portfolio was evaluated. They were divided into eight nonequivalent groups whose members were all different in academic standing, and their learning strategies and academic self-efficacy were checked before and after the instruction was provided. And their satisfaction with the class was investigated after the instruction was provided. Results : 1. There were significant gaps to $0.36{\pm}0.07$ in the charge of learning strategies after they engaged in cooperative learning(p<0.01). There were the broadest differences in cognitive strategies to 3.61, followed by metacognitive strategies to 3.19, and significant differences were found in all the subfactors(p<0.01). 2. There were significant gaps in the charge of self-efficancy to $0.13{\pm}0.06$ after they engaged in cooperative learning(p<0.01). There were the widest differences in self-regulating efficancy to 3.49, followed by confidence to 3.03 and task difficulty preference to 2.97, and significant differences were found in all the subfactors(p<0.01). 3. When their satisfaction level was analyzed after engaging in cooperative learning, there were significant gaps to 3.94 in the satisfaction level with all of the lectures(p<0.01). There were significant gaps in the satisfaction level with lecture to 4.20, with ensuring academic achievement to 4.13 and with cooperative learning to 3.48 (p<0.01). Conclusions : The above-mentioned findings indicated that cooperative learning had a positive impact on the learning strategies, academic self-efficacy and class satisfaction of the learners, and this study is expected to lay the foundation for the development of new teaching methods for dental hygiene.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2013

Upper extremity dysfunction is a common consequence following stroke. Spontaneous recovery during the first six months post-stroke is rigorous and considered as a significant indicator of potential long-term progress. Various approaches have been utilized to regain functional upper limb movement necessary for independent living; however, conventional therapy approaches have failed to prove consistency, especially for subacute stroke patients. There is, thus, a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that motivate stroke survivors to facilitate neural and functional recovery during the critical window immediately following stroke. The effect of music on physical enhancement has been frequently reported in the field of medicine as well as neurorehabilitation. The efficacy of rhythm on lower extremity deficits has been well established. Yet, the rationale for using instrumental music making enhancing subacute upper extremities rehabilitation is not clearly described to date. Based on the key mechanism of music as sensori-motor movement facilitator, this paper reviews previous empirical research that utilized music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients, either in the form of receptive or expressive activity. This paper, further, focuses on the current research trends in subacute stroke upper limb rehabilitation and provides applicable rationale of using instrumental music playing.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1990

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dental therapeutic agent on conduction velocity and threshold current of intradental A- and C-fibers in the cat. Inferior alveolar nerve of cat anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital was exposed and dissected until response of functional single pulp nerve until could be evoked by monopolar electrical stimulation of the crown of the lower left canine teeth. 10ms rectangular pulse was used to determine the threshold current and 1ms rectangular pulse was used to determine conduction velocity. After application of calcium chloride (1, 2, 6M), calcium hydroxide mixed with saline, potassium chloride (0.2, 0.8, 1.6M), eugenol, zinc oxide eugenol to the cavity on the labial surface, conduction velocity and threshold current of single pulp nerve unit were compared with the control. In 10 cats, 24 $A{\delta}$- and 11 C- pulp nerve units were recorded. The mean conduction velocities of $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers were 7.5m/sec (SD=5.8) and 1.2m/sec (SD=0.4), respectively. The mean threshold current was $12.3{\mu}A$ (SD=5.3) for $A{\delta}$-fibers and $24.9{\mu}A$ (SD=8.1) for C-fibers. 1, 2, 6M calcium chloride caused decrease of conduction velocity and remarkable increase of threshold current in $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers. The effect of calcium hydroxide mixed with saline was similar but smaller than calcium chloride solution. 0.2M potassium chloride had insignificant effect. In 0.8M potassium chloride, the threshold current was increased although conduction velocity was not affected. In 1.6M potassium chloride, the threshold current was increased and the conduction velocity was slowed down. Spontaneous activity was recorded frequently for first 5 min but gradually reduced both in $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers. Eugenol had irreversible effect on pulp nerve in that initially there were not certain changes in the conduction velocity and threshold current of $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers, but the responses to electrical stimulation were abruptly disappeared after sustained application and were not recovered. Contrary to eugenol, zinc oxide eugenol did not caused significant increase of the threhold current and caused time dependent decrease of the conduction velocity, and did not show any irreversible change.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.354-360
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• 1999

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disorder with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. DA-6034,$ 7-carboxymethyloxy-3^{l}, 4^{l},$ 5-trimethoxy flavone, is a synthetic flavonoid known to possess anti-inflammatory activity. This study was performed to evaluate the oral therapeutic effect of DA-6034 in three experimental animal models of IBD : two chemical-induced IBD models of rats and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 transgenic rat model known to develop spontaneous colitis without the use of exogenous agents. Acute chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 1.2 ml of 4% acetic acid solution. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) and DA-6034 (0.3~3 mg/kg) were orally administered twice daily for 6 days in these rats. In addition, chronic chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) 30 mg in 50% ethanol and agents were orally administered for 6 or 20 days. In chemical-induced IBD models, all of these agents reduced the severity of colitis and specially, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) showed more potent effect than other drugs in macroscopic lesion score. In HLA-B27 transgenic rats, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) and prednisolone (0.5 gm/kg) were treated orally twice daily for 6 weeks. The HLA-B27 transgenic rats showed only mild colitis, compared with the chemical-induced colitis models. DA-6034 ameliorated the loose stool and decreased microscopic damage, which is the important indicator of this model. In conclusion, oral therapy of DA-6034 attenuated the macroscopic and histologic damages of the colon in all three experimental models of IBD, which suggest that DA-6034 could be a promising drug in the treatment of IBD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.537-541
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• 2008

Epilepsy is characterized by the presence of spontaneous episodes of abnormal neuronal discharges and its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recently, we found that the expression of creatine kinase (CK) was markedly decreased in an epilepsy animal model using proteomic analysis. A human CK gene was fused with a HIV-1 Tat peptide to generate an in-frame Tat-CK fusion protein. The purified Tat-CK fusion protein was efficiently transduced into PC12 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously to culture media. Once inside the cells, the transduced Tat-CK fusion protein was stable for 48 h. Moreover, the Tat-CK fusion protein markedly increased endogenous CK activity levels within the cells. These results suggest that Tat-CK provides a strategy for the therapeutic delivery of proteins in various human diseases including the delivery of CK for potential epilepsy treatment.