• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.9
• /
• pp.1628-1638
• /
• 2017

Viola tianshanica Maxim, belonging to the Violaceae plant family, is traditionally used in Uighur medicine for treating pneumonia, headache, and fever. There is, however, a lack of basic understanding of its pharmacological activities. This study was designed to observe the effects of the ethanol extract (TSM) from Viola tianshanica Maxim on the inflammation response in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by LPS and the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that TSM (200 and 500 mg/kg) significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine production and the number of inflammatory cells, including macrophages and neutrophils, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. TSM also markedly inhibited the lung wet-to-dry ratio and alleviated pathological changes in lung tissues. In vitro, after TSM ($12.5-100{\mu}g/ml$) treatment to RAW 264.7 cells for 1 h, LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) was added and the cells were further incubated for 24 h. TSM dose-dependently inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as NO, $PGE_2$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$, and remarkably decreased the protein and mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. TSM also suppressed protein expression of $p-I{\kappa}Ba$ and p-ERK1/2 and blocked nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. The results indicate that TSM exerts anti-inflammatory effects related with inhibition on $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK (p-ERK1/2) signaling pathways. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that TSM might be a potential agent for the treatment of ALI.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.7
• /
• pp.26.1-26.10
• /
• 2014

Background: Endocrine disruptors are exogenous substance, interfere with the endocrine system, and disrupt hormonal functions. However, the effect of endocrine disruptors in different species has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the possible effects of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), genistein (GEN) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), on capacitation and the acrosome reaction in bovine, mouse, and porcine spermatozoa. In this in vitro trial, spermatozoa were incubated with $0.001-100{\mu}M$ of each chemical either 15 or 30 min and then assessed capacitation status using chlortetracycline staining. Results: E2 significantly increased capacitation and the acrosome reaction after 30 min, while the acrosome reaction after 15 min incubation in mouse spermatozoa. Simultaneously, capacitation and the acrosome reaction were induced after 15 and 30 min incubation in porcine spermatozoa, respectively. Capacitation was increased in porcine spermatozoa after 15 min incubation at the lowest concentration, while the acrosome reaction was increased in mouse spermatozoa after 30 min (P < 0.05). E2 significantly increased the acrosome reaction in porcine spermatozoa, but only at the highest concentration examined (P < 0.05). P4 significantly increased the acrosome reaction in bovine and mouse spermatozoa treated for 15 min (P < 0.05). The same treatment significantly increased capacitation in porcine spermatozoa (P < 0.05). P4 significantly increased capacitation in mouse spermatozoa treated for 30 min (P < 0.05). GEN significantly increased the acrosome reaction in porcine spermatozoa treated for 15 and 30 min and in mouse spermatozoa treated for 30 min (P < 0.05). OP significantly increased the acrosome reaction in mouse spermatozoa after 15 min (P < 0.05). Besides, when spermatozoa were incubated for 30 min, capacitation and the acrosome reaction were higher than 15 min incubation in E2 or GEN. Furthermore, the responsiveness of bovine, mouse and porcine spermatozoa to each chemical differed. Conclusions: In conclusion, all chemicals studied effectively increased capacitation and the acrosome reaction in bovine, mouse, and porcine spermatozoa. Also we found that both E2 and P4 were more potent than environmental estrogens in altering sperm function. Porcine and mouse spermatozoa were more responsive than bovine spermatozoa.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 1984

The exocrine pancreatic secretion is controlled mainly by gastrointestinal hormones as well as cholinergic nerves. The adrenergic influence on exocrine pancreas is thought not to he important and the evidences supporting this contention are still contradictory. In an effort to elucidate the adrenergic influence on the exocrine pancreas, we have determined the amylase release from pancreatic slices of rats treated with adrenergic drugs. The albino rats of either sex, weighing $60{\sim}80\;g$, were decapitated and the uncinate pancreata were isolated and incubated in screw top vials containing 2 ml krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution gassed with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. These vials were shaken continuously in a waterbath maintained at $37^{circ}C$, and enzyme release was stimulated with acetylcholine$(10^{-5}M)$. For chronic treatment methoxamine$(an\;{\alpha}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;5\;mg/kg)$, isoproterenol (a\;{\beta}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;10\;mg/kg) and reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) along with cholecystokinin octapeptide$(CCK-op,\;2{\mu}g/kg)$ were given i.p. in rats daily for 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 days. For acute experiment these drugs were added directly to the incubation medium in a concentration of $10^{-5}M$ except CCK-OP $(10^{-9}M)$. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The addition of methoxamine, isoproterenol or reserpine to the incubation medium containing pancreatic slices augmented the release of amylase induced by acetylcholine and among them the effect of isoproterenol was most prominent. 2) Chronic treatment of methoxamine or reserpine caused enhancement of acetylcholine response in amylase release from pancreatic slice throughout the experimental period, but the amylase release was less than that of control by 12 days isoproterenol treatment. 3) In the pancreatic slices obtained from 12 days treatment of CCK-OP, the amylae release responding to acetylcholine was enhanced. By these finding it is suggested that methoxamine, isoproterenol and reserpine had marked influence on the exocrine pancreatic functions in rats and that these effects are due to their inherent actions rather than sympathetic nerve or adrenergic receptor function.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 1983

Formal net charges, bond populations, atomic orbital coefficients, energy components and conformation of dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinylphosphate have been studied theoretically by using the CNDO/2 molecular orbital calculation method in attempt to describe the reactivity and the stability of the molecule. From the analysis of rate equation, molecular orbital calculations and identification of the hydrolysis products, 2,2-dichloroacetaldehyde and dimethylphosphoric acid, a mechanism of the hydrolysis of dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinylphosphate(DDVP) has been proposed. The hydrolysis of DDVP proceeds through the mechanism of nucleophilic addition, typical Micheal reaction in basic media. Therefore, it appears probable that the attack by strong nucleophile, hydroxide ion occurs at the increased positive charge $C_2({\alpha})$ atom of a staggered conformation due to the inductive effect (-)I>(+)R of 2,2-dichlorovinyl, electron-attracting group. And then, the hydrolytic scission involves the $C_2({\alpha})-O_3$, ${\pi}-anti-bonding\;orbital({\pi}^*)$ in the subsequent reaction in aqueous solution.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.878-885
• /
• 2012

In this study we aims to examine the co-doping effects of 1/3 mol% $Mn_3O_4+Co_3O_4$ (1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties such as the bulk defects and grain boundary properties of $ZnO-Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi=0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Mn,Co-doped ZBS, ZBS(MCo) varistors were controlled by Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$) was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature on heating in Sb/Bi=1.0 by Mn rather than Co. Pyrochlore on cooling was reproduced in all systems however, spinel (${\alpha}$- or ${\beta}$-polymorph) did not formed in Sb/Bi=0.5. More homogeneous microstructure was obtained in $Sb/Bi{\geq}1.0$ In ZBS(MCo), the varistor characteristics were improved drastically (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$=30~49), and seemed to form $Zn_i^{..}$(0.17 eV) and $V_o^{\bullet}$(0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy (IS & MS), the grain boundaries have divided into two types, i.e. the one is tentatively assign to $ZnO/Bi_2O_3(Mn,Co)/ZnO$ (0.47 eV) and the other ZnO/ZnO (0.80~0.89 eV) homojunctions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.117-129
• /
• 2000

The relationships between children's health behavior and variables that effect children's health behavior has been investigated in a number of previous studies. This study was conducted to examine the effects of a peer's social reinforcement on children's dental health behavior in an elementary school. The research design was a nonequivalent pre and post-test quasi-experimental design and the study subjects with one hundred and thirteen eight to nine years old children, and their mothers (57 experimental group, 56 control group) were selected as a study group. Subjects were selected by the convenience sampling method. The study was carried out in an elementary school in Namwon city, Korea, from the 26th of April to the 12th of June in 1999. Data were collected in both the pre and post-test portions. Using the "Health Belief Model", each item of the questionnaire for measurement of dental health behavior was modified and administered for the children and their mothers. The questionnaire for the measurement of dental health behavior was developed by Oh, Y.B.(1994). The Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ of the questionnaire for children were .81, and for the mother were .79. In this study, the health belief model consists of "perceived susceptibility", "perceived seriousness", "perceived barrier", "perceived salience", and "perceived benefit". The questionnaire for the children was composed of 37 items, and the questionnaire for the mother was composed of 40 items. Data were analyzed by frequency, ${\chi}^2-test$, ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation, and multiple regression analysis by a SAS program. The results of this study were summarized as follows ; 1. The first hypothesis that the experimental group would have more change in the frequency of brushing per week than that of control group was accepted(t=3.817, p=0.000). Mean tooth brushing scores in the experimental group improved significantly from pre-test to post-test, but in the control group there was no significant improvement in tooth brushing scores. 2. The second hypothesis that the experimental group would have more change in score of dental health behavior than that of control group was accepted(benefit : t=2.804, p=0.006, salience: t=2.608, p=0,010). An evaluation between the experimental group and the control group showed significant change from pre-test to post-test in health behavior scores. 3. The third hypothesis that higher scores of social reinforcement would create more change in the scores of tooth brushing frequency in the experimental group was accepted(${\beta}$=0.169, p=0.000. Multiple regression was used to examine the peer's social reinforcement scores and the relative influence of significant variables in previous ANOVA and Pearson's correlation test on children's frequency of brushing during the post-test. The results of the study indicated that the combination of social reinforcement of peers with variables pertaining to mother and householder were significantly related and effectively improved a child's tooth brushing.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.322-326
• /
• 1999

In this study, cold-rolling and appropriate annealing was adopted for the grain refining of Cu-26.65Zn-4. 05Al-0.31Ti(wt%) shape memory alloy. For the cold deformation of this alloy the ducti1e $\alpha$-phase must be contained. After heat treatment at $550^{\circ}C$ the $(\alpha+$\beta)$-dual phase with 40vol.% $\alpha$-phase was obtained which could be rolled at room temperature. This alloy was cold rolled into a final thickness of 1.0mm with total reduction degrees of 70% and 90%. The rolled sheets were betanized at $800^{\circ}C$ for various times, then quenched into ice water. The grain size of co]d rolled samples were $60~80\mu\textrm{m}$ which is much smaller comparing with the hot-rolled samples. And the 90% rolled sample showed smaller grain size than the case of the 70% rolled one. The small grain size had influence on the phase transformation temperatures and stabilization of the austenitic phases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2003

Carnitine, hydroxycitric acid, and soy peptide have been known to be anti-obesity agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of carnitine, hydroxycitric acid, and soy peptide mixture as a potential anti-obesity supplement in overweight women. Overweight premenopausal women (n=33; PIBW>110; 20 to 39 years) were randomized into two groups: the placebo group and the functional beverage group (the test group). Functional beverage was composed of 2000 mg soy peptide, 20 mg L-carnitine and 300 mg garcinia(40% hydroxycitric acid). Body weight and 3 day food dimes, biochemical measurements and computerized tomography were measured at baseline and 8-week. After 8-week consumption of functional beverage with usual diet and exercise, body weight fell an average of 1.4 kg (2.1%). Visceral fat area reduced an average of 7.8% at L1($69.6{\pm}8.7\;vs\;64.2{\pm}7.5\;\textrm{cm}^2$) and 5.1% ($60.7{\pm}4.9\;vs\;57.6{\pm}4.8\;\textrm{cm}^2$, p<0.05) at L4level after weight loss in the test group. Calf fat area in the test group showed about 10% reduction ($31.0{\pm}2.7\;vs=\;27.7{\pm}1.7\;\textrm{cm}^2$, p<0.05) after weight loss. These reductions in fat areas were not shown in the placebo group. There were tendencies of increase in serum levels of $\beta-hydroxybutyrate$, acetoacetate, and total ketones in the test group. There were 7% and 17% insignificant increase in fasting free fatty acid (FFA) and response area of FFA during oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT), respectively, in this group. ill addition, little weight loss in the test group showed 8% but not significant reduction in insulin response area during OGTT. In conclusion, this study shows that taking a mixture of carnitine, hydroxycitric acid, and soy peptide as a potential anti-obesity supplement for 8-week produced advantageous changes in the weight and visceral fat accumulation of overweight women.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2013

The present study was performed to increase the availability of sweet (Ipomoea batatas) and to develop dinner roll with the reducing ability of blood glucose levels. Different contents of lyophilized sweet potato powder (SPP) were added in dinner roll. Compare to the control group, batter density, a value, hardness, and cohesiveness of the SPP-treated groups were significantly increased while dough expansion rate, baking loss rate, L value, and Hue angle were significantly decreased. Twenty four Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with the SPP-treated diet for 4 weeks after diabetes was induced with the injection of streptozotocin. The blood glucose concentration of the SPP-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control. Although the SPP-treated groups possessed the ability of reducing blood glucose level, the sensory qualities were inferior to the control. Thus, follow-up study was required to improve the sensory characteristics as well as the texture properties.