• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.550-558
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• 2004

The effects of postnatal exposure to octylphenol(OP) on the expressions of the steroidogenic enzymes and testosterone production were evaluated. Postnatal male mice (15-day-old) were injected with 2 or 20mg $kg^{-l}$ body weight (BW) of OP for 5 days and sacrificed on postnatal day 21. Testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay and the expressions of the testicular genes were determined by RT-PCR analyses. Significant reductions in the mean body and testis weight were observed in the OP treated animals. No marked alteration in the histological structure of the testis were observed, however, slight reduction in the seminiferous tubule diameter and the number of Leydig cells and several pyknotic cells could be identified in the 20 mg $kg^{-l}$ BW of the OP treated animals. Serum testosterone concentration was dramatically reduced and the mRNA expressions of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and $17\beta$-hydroxylase/Cl7-20 lyase $(P450_{17\alpha})$ were decreased. No significant changes of the gene expressions of the steroidogenic factor-l (SF-I) and estrogen and androgen receptor after the OP treatment showed that the decreased expressions of the steroidogenic enzymes in the present study did not correlate with these genes. Altogether, the present study demonstrates that postnatal treatment of OP inhibits steroidogenesis by decreasing the transcriptional expressions of the StAR and steroidogenic enzymes. The alteration in steroidogenesis may adversely affect the normal development of the testis and sper- matogenesis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2016

As a one of unsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have multiple actions: as precursor of prostaglandins (PGs), steroid hormone synthesis and energy production in animal reproduction. PUFAs, which include omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), are derived from the diet and changed by diet, species, breed and season. The plasma membrane of spermatozoa in mammals contain various PUFAs. These composition of PUFAs regulate the membrane fluidity and cause lipid peroxidation via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Induced lipid peroxidation by ROS decreased viability and motility of spermatozoa, and it is reduced by addition of antioxidant and low concentration of PUFAs. Because oocytes of animal have a high lipid components, process of oocyte maturation and embryo development are influenced by PUFAs. In in vitro study, oocyte maturation, embryo development, intracellular cAMP and MAPK activity were increased by treatment of n-3 ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (ALA) during maturation, whereas n-6 linoleic acid (LA) negatively influenced. Also, inhibition of fatty acid metabolism in oocyte influenced blastocyst formation of cattle. PGs are synthesized from PUFAs and various PUFAs influence PGs via regulation of PG-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS). Steroid hormone synthesis from cholesterol is regulated by expression of steroid acute regulator (StAR) protein and mRNA. Exogenous n-3 and n-6 PUFAs altered sex hormone in animal through stimulate or inhibit StAR activity. Because PUFAs altered PG and steroid hormone synthesis, follicular development was influenced by PUFAs. This effect of unsaturated fatty acid could provide information for improvement of reproductive ability in animals.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.644-662
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• 1986

Seventy cases of open heart surgery were performed in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje College, from Oct. 1985 to Oct. 1986. And the results were summarized as follows. 1. Among the 70 cases, there were 48 cases of congenital heart anomalies and 22 cases of acquired rheumatic valvular heart diseases. Age range of the congenital patients was 7 months to 31 years with the mean age of 10 years, and the acquired patients was 18 to 62 years with the mean age of 40 years. 2. The heart-lung machine used for cardiopulmonary bypass was Sarns 7000, 5-head roller pump, and the number and type of oxygenators were 5 of membrane type and 65 of bubble type. For all cases GIK [glucose-insulin-potassium] solution was used as cardioplegic solution for myocardial protection during operation. 3. Among the 48 congenital anomalies, there were 12 cases of ASD group, 29 of VSD group, 3 of ECD, 3 of TOF and one of PDA + MR, and to all of which the appropriate radical operations were applied. 4. Among the 22 acquired valvular diseases, there were 11 cases of mitral valve diseases [MS; 4, MSr; 3, MRs; 4], 3 cases of aortic valve diseases [AR:1, ARs;1, ASr;1], 4 cases of double valve diseases [MRs+TR; 3, MRs+ARs; 1] and 4 cases of triple valve diseases [MSr+ASr+TR; 3, MSr+Ar+TR; 1]. To all the diseased mitral and aortic valves, artificial valve replacement was applied except one [As], in which valve plication was applied. And to all the diseased tricuspid valve, DeVega annuloplasty was applied. 5. The number of replaced artificial valves were 29 in 25 patients [congenital; 3, acquire; 22]. In MVR, 6 of mechanical valves [St. Jude Medical valve; 6] and 15 of tissue valves [Carpentier-Edward valve; 11, lonescu-Shiley valve; 4] were used. In AVR, 6 of mechanical valves [St. Jude Medical valve; 6] and 2 of tissue valves [Carpentier-Edward valve; 2] were used. 6. Postoperative complications were occurred in 12 cases. Among them 11 cases were recovered with intensive cares, but one patient [VSD + Fistula of Valsalva sinus] was expired with low cardiac out put syndrome.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2008

Bisphenol A bis (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether ($BADGE.2H_2O$) is a component of commercial liquid epoxy resins commonly used in the food-packing industry and in dental sealants. There is evidence that it has significant estrogenic activity. Nur77 plays a crucial role in the regulation of certain genes involved in LH-mediated steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells. It was previously demonstrated that Bisphenol A (BPA) stimulates Nur77 gene induction and steroidogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of $BADGE.2H_2O$ on Nur77 gene expression and steroidogenesis. Northern blot analysis showed that it increased the expression of Nur77 mRNA and protein, and transient transfection assays demonstrated that it increased the promoter activity and transactivation of Nur77. It also increased the expression of certain steroidogenic genes, such as StAR and $3{\beta}$-HSD. Finally, over-expression of a dominant negative Nur77 cDNA via adenoviral infection reduced $BADGE.2H_2O$-mediated progesterone biosynthesis. These results indicate that $BADGE.2H_2O$ disrupts testicular steroidogenesis by increasing Nur77 gene expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Metabolic interactions of the three major cannabinoids, ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) with steroid hormones were investigated. These cannabioids concentration-dependently inhibited $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase in rat adrenal and testis microsomes. CBD and CBN were the most potent inhibitors of $3{\beta}$-phydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and progesterone $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase, respectively, in rat testis microsomes. Three cannabinoids highly attenuated hCG-stimulated testosterone production in rat testicular interstitial cells. These cannabinoids also decreased in levels of mRNA and protein of StAR in the rat testis cells. These results indicate that the cannabinoids could interact with steroid hormones, and exert their modulatory effects on endocrine and testicular functions. Metabolic interaction of a THC metabolite, $7{\beta}$-hydroxy-${\Delta}^8$-THC with steroids is also investigated. Monkey liver microsomes catalyzed the stereoselective oxidation of $7{\beta}$-hydroxy-${\Delta}^8$-THC to 7-oxo-${\Delta}^8$-THC, so-called microsomal alcohol oxygenase (MALCO). The reaction is catalyzed by CYP3A8 in the monkey liver microsomes, and required NADH as well as NADPH as an efficient cofactor, and its activity is stimulated by some steroids such as testosterone and progesterone. Kinetic analyses revealed that MALCO-catalyze reaction showed positive cooperativity. In order to explain the metabolic interaction between the cannabinoid metabolite and testosterone, we propose a novel kinetic model involving at least three binding sites for mechanism of the metabolic interactions.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.149-157
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• 2023

We investigated the involvement of autophagy with steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated T production in Leydig cells was not remarkably altered in the presence of an autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Although pretreatment with 3-MA demonstrated a tendency to decrease hCG-induced T production, the differences were significant only at a higher time point of 24 h following hCG. Microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II was detectable in the control cells in all the experiments. The hCG-induced increase in steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 side chain cleave (P450scc) protein levels were not significantly altered by 3-MA. Leydig cells isolated from immature rat testes 12 h following hCG treatment showed relatively increased levels of LC3-II protein compared to the control group. Furthermore, LC3-II levels shown in these cells reached almost the identical to those from normal adult testes. However, LC3-II protein levels were almost comparable or even slightly lower than the controls at 48 h following hCG. Expression of StAR and P450scc was upregulated at both 12 and 48 h after hCG. We also used MA-10 cells, the mouse Leydig cell line, in this experiment. When dibutyryl cyclic-AMP was treated with MA-10 cells, P4 levels were significantly increased in the cell culture medium. However, P4 levels tended to decrease in the presence of 3-MA, but the difference was not statistically significant. This was consistent with the results of the rat Leydig cell experiments. Together, we believe that although autophagy participates in steroidogenesis and enhances steroidogenic efficacy of Leydig cells, it may not be a decisive cellular process for steroidogenesis, specifically in the mature Leydig cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.334-348
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• 2017

Objectives: We investigated the impacts of indoor plants on indoor air quality and occupational health, focusing on allergic rhinconjunctivitis and stress among employees in new office buildings. Methods: A total of 34 employees working at new public office buildings were enrolled as subjects (n=17, with indoor plants) and as a control (n=17) group. Before and after introducing indoor plants for three months, indoor air quality measurements including VOCs and aldehydes and questionnaires on sick building syndrome, AR symptoms (ARIA based), stress (DASS 42, KOSS, and SACL), and indoor characteristics were performed and statistically analysed. Results: Among the 34 enrolled subjects, 19 were included in the probable AR subject group (subjects with indoor plants, n=8, control n=11) and completed all questionnaires. Statistical analyses were done for total, AR subject groups, and controls. As a result, it was confirmed that major indoor air pollutants decreased after the introduction of indoor plants (p<0.5). Among major symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, watery rhinorrhea, nasal stuffiness, and nasal itching indexes decreased (p<0.5, respectively). A decrease was noted in some areas of work-related stress indexes (mainly KOSS) among the subject group (total and AR) and a decrease of indoor environmental attractiveness among the control group (total and AR) (p<0.5, for all). Conclusions: Indoor plants may help reduce indoor air pollutants and decrease AR symptoms and work-related stress of employees in newly built office buildings. Various further follow-up studies on the mechanism of environmental, physical, and emotional influences and utilization of indoor plants in association with allergic diseases will be needed.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2005

In this paper, we propose a predictive block constrained trellis coded quantization (BC-TCQ) to quantize cepstral coefficients for the distributed speech recognition. For Prediction of the cepstral coefficients. the 1st order auto-regressive (AR) predictor is used. To quantize the prediction error signal effectively. we use a BC-TCQ. The performance is compared to the split vector quantizers used in the ETSI standard, demonstrating reduction in the cepstral distance and computational complexity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 1985

The clinical state with EEG pattern similar to interval discharge of epileptics is named as latent epilepsy, which does not necessarily mean that the patient will develop epilepsy later. However, since there is possibility of developing epilepsy on later date, antiepileptic mainly dilantin was tried to control the abnormal EEG. Since January to October 1985, total 580 headache sases with more than moderately abnormal EEG Visited the Neurology clinic. Among them 162 cases with interval seizure pattern (ISP) of epilepsy were selected for the study. The main ISP was 1. diffuse theta and/or delta bursts and 2. spikes. Since the study is only analysis of clinical treatment of 162 cases Without previous planning based on financial aid, about 30% of the patients did not return after the 1st EEG examination, in 42% failed to follow the EEG after the treatment and only remaining 28% of the cases were studied. Among 29 patients who were treated with Dilantin 100mg tid po, 16 improved and 13 not. Of the 13, 4 showed partial Improvement and partial progression. Case 1. In 4 weeks of antiepileptic the ray (AR), spikes disappeared but in 2 months developed bursts. Case 2. In 17days of AR, spikes and bursts disappeared but in 3 months bursts reccured. Case 3. In 1 week of AR, bursts disappeared but spikes developed. Case 4. In 3 months of AR, no change of spikes and bursts and she discontinued the AR. In 6 months she developed grandmal seizure. Eighteen cases, treated with other drugs except antiepileptics, all showed improvement. The other drugs were vincaprol, polygammalon, aronamin, ATP and hydergine. The improved cases had spikes more often than theta bursts. In view of the small number of the cases due to dropping most patients out of present study, it is considered meaningless to perform statistical analysis. Further well planned study With more patients is to be expected.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 1995

The excellent c-axis oriented zinc oxide thin films were prepared by the RF magnetron sputtering method on glass substrates. Optimum fabrication conditions of the ZnO films were such that RF power, substrate temperature, and gas pressure of mixture Ar(50%):$O_{2}$(50%) were 150 W, $200^{\circ}C$, and 5 mTorr, respectively. In these conditions, the deposition rate was $310\;{\AA}/min$, and the resistivity of the film was $1{\times}10^6\;{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$. The ZnO film also showed high c-axis orientation and crystalinity according to XRD pattern and SEM photograph. A fabricated interdigital transducer generated 1st mode surface acoustic wave at 46.6 MHz and 2nd mode surface acoustic wave at 52.5 MHz. At the 1st mode, the phase velocity of surface acoustic wave and the electromechanical coupling coefficient were 2795 m/sec and 0.031 %, respectivly. At the 2nd mode, they were 3149 m/sec and 0.019 %. respectivly.