• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.359-381
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• 1992

This study was designed to investigate the effect of diazepam on the spontaneous contraction and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus. Female rat(Sprague-Dawley) pretreated with oophorectomy and 4 days administration of estrogen, weighing about 200 g, was sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the uteruses were isolated. A longitudinal muscle strip was placed in temperature controlled($37^{\circ}C$) muscle chamber containing Locke's solution and myographied isometrically. Diazepam inhibited the spontaneous contraction and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus in a concentration-dependent manner. GABA, muscimol, a GABA A receptor agonist, bicuculline, a competitive GAGA A receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, a non competitive GABA A receptor antagonist, baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist, and delta-aminovaleric acid, a GABA B receptor antagonist, did not affect on the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus. The inhibitory actions of diazepam on the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction were not affected by all the GABA receptor agonists and antagonists, but exceptionally potentiated by bicuculline. This potentiation-effect by bicuculline was not antagonized by muscimol. In normal calcium PSS, addition of calcium restored the spontaneous contraction preinhibited by diazepam and recovered the contractile of oxytocin preinhibited by diazepam. A23187, a calcium inophore, enhanced the restoration of both the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction by addition of calcium. In calcium-free PSS, diazepam suppressed the restoration of spontaneous motility by addition of calcium but allowed the recovery of spontaneous motility to a considerable extent. Diazepam could not inhibit some development of contractility by oxytocin in calcium-free PSS, but inhibited the increase in contractility by subsequent addition of calcium. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of diazepam on the rat uterine motility does not depend on or related to GABA receptors and that diazepam inhibits the extracellular calcium influx to suppress the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contractilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.227-238
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to develop a process technology to produce high hardness drinking water which meet drinking water standard, remaining useful minerals like magnesium and calcium in the seawater desalination process while removing the sulfate ions and chloride ions. Seawater have been separated the concentrated seawater and desalted seawater by passing on Reverse Osmosis membrane (RO). Using Nano-filtration membrane (NF), We were prepared primary mineral concentrated water that sodium chloride were not removed. By the operation of electro-dialysis (ED) having ion exchange membrane, we were prepared concentrated mineral water (Mineral enriched desalted water) which the sodium chloride is removed. We have produced the high hardness water to meet the drinking water quality standards by diluting the mineral enriched desalted water with deionized water by RO. Reverse osmosis membranes (RO) can separate dissolved material and freshwater from seawater (deep seawater). The desalination water throughout the second reverse osmosis membrane was completely removed dissolved substances, which dissolved components was removed more than 99.9%, its the hardness concentration was 1 mg/L or less and its chloride concentration was 2.3 mg/L. Since the nano-filtration membrane pore size is $10^{-9}$ m, 50% of magnesium ions and calcium ions can not pass through the nano-filtration membrane, while more than 95% of sodium ions and chloride ions can pass through NF membrane. Nano-filtration membrane could be separated salt components like sodium ion and chloride ions and hardness ingredients like magnesium ions and calcium ions, but their separation was not perfect. Electric dialysis membrane system can be separated single charged ions (like sodium and chloride ions) and double charged ions (like magnesium and calcium ions) depending on its electrical conductivity. Above electrical conductivity 20mS/cm, hardness components (like magnesium and calcium ions) did not removed, on the other hand salt ingredients like sodium and chloride ions was removed continuously. Thus, we were able to concentrate hardness components (like magnesium and calcium ions) using nano-filtration membrane, also could be separated salts ingredients from the hardness concentration water using electrical dialysis membrane system. Finally, we were able to produce a highly concentrated mineral water removed chloride ions, which hardness concentration was 12,600 mg/L and chloride concentration was 2,446 mg/L. By diluting 10 times these high mineral water with secondary RO (Reverse Osmosis) desalination water, we could produce high mineral water suitable for drinking water standards, which chloride concentration was 244 mg/L at the same time hardness concentration 1,260 mg/L. Using the linked process with reverse osmosis (RO)/nano filteration (NF)/electric dialysis (ED), it could be concentrated hardness components like magnesium ions and calcium ions while at the same time removing salt ingredients like chloride ions and sodium ion without heating seawater. Thus, using only membrane as RO, NF and ED without heating seawater, it was possible to produce drinking water containing high hardness suitable for drinking water standard while reducing the energy required to evaporation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.4
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• pp.388-396
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• 2017

This study was carried out to determine effects of bamboo species on the distribution of nutrients in aboveground biomass of Phyllostachys bambusoides and Phyllostachys nigra var. nenosis, Damyanggun, Korea. The study site was established around 40-year-ago to produce bamboo culm and edible shoot production. Total 28 bamboos (14 P. bambusoides and 14 P. nigra var. nenosis) were cut to measure nutrient concentration of each bamboo component, such as culm, branches and leaf. Magnesium concentration in each bamboo component was significantly higher in the P. bambusoides than in the P. nigra var. nenosis. Nutrient concentrations except for calcium were significantly higher in the current-year-old bamboos than in the > 1-year-old bamboos. The nutrient concentration in leaf was generally highest in carbon, followed by potassium or nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium or magnesium. Total nutrient content in each bamboo component was significantly higher in the P. bambusoides than in the P. nigra var. nenosis. The nutrient content of bamboo biomass was the highest in carbon, followed by potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. The results indicate that P. bambusoides uptakes more nutrients compared with P. nigra var. nenosis during growth development.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.241-256
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• 2001

Alginate microspheres, containing fluorescein isothiocyanate-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) were prepared and used as a model drug to develop the oral vaccine delivery system. The alginate microspheres were coated with poly-L-lysine or chitosan. Two methods, w/o-emulsion and spray, were used to prepare alginate microspheres. To optimize preparation conditions, effects of several factors on the particle size and particle morphology of microsphere, and loading efficiency of model antigen were investigated. In both preparation methods, the particle size and the loading efficiency were enhanced when the concentration of sodium alginate increased. In the w/o-emulsion preparation method, as the concentration of Span 80 was increased from 0.5% to 2%, the particle size was decreased, but the loading efficiency was increased. The higher the emulsification speed was, the smaller the particle size and loading efficiency were. The concentration of calcium chloride did not show any effect on the particle size and loading efficiency. In the spray preparation method, the particle size was increased as the nozzle pressure $(from\;1\;kgf/m^2\;to\;3\;kgf/m^2)$ and spray rate was raised. Increasing calcium chloride concentration (<7%) decreased the particle size, in contrast to no effect of calcium chloride concentration on the w/o-emulsion preparation method. Alginate microspheres prepared by two methods were different in the particle size and loading efficiency, the particle size of microspheres prepared by the spray method was about $2-6\;{\mu}m$, larger than that prepared by the w/o emulsion method $(about\;2{\mu}m)$, and the loading efficiency was also higher with spray method. Furthermore, drying process for the microspheres prepared by the spray was simpler and easier, compared with the w/o emulsion preparation. Therefore, the spray method was chosen to prepare alginate microspheres for further experiments. Release pattern of FITC-BSA in alginate microspheres was evaluated in simulated intestinal fluid and PBS (phosphate buffered saline). Dissolution rate of FITC-BSA from alginate/chitosan microsphere was lower than that from alginate microsphere and alginate/poly-L-lysine microsphere. By confocal laser scanning microscope, it was revealed that alginate/FITC-poly-L-lysine microspheres were present in close apposition epithelium of the Peyer's patches of rabbits following inoculation into lumen of intestine, which proved that microspheres could be taken up by Peyer's patch. In conclusion, it is suggested that alginate microsphere prepared by spray method, showing a particle size of & $10\;{\mu}m$ and a high loading efficiency, can be used as a model drug for the development of oral vaccine delivery system.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.697-703
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• 2002

We investigated that the role of nitric oxide (NO) on ischemic rats in brain and heart. Ischemia was induced by both common carotid arteries (CCA) occlusion for 24h following reperfusion. Then tissue samples were removed and measured NOx. In brain, NOx was increased by about 40% vs. normal and it was significantly inhibited by aminoguanidine, selective iNOS inhibitor. This result showed that NOx concentration was increased by iNOS. We investigated the role of $Ca^{2+}$ during ischemia. Nimodipine, L-type calcium channel blocker, didn't inhibit the increases of NOx concentration during ischemia. It suggested that increased NOx was due to calcium-independent NOS. MK-801, which N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, didn't significantly prevent the increases of NOx. In heart, ischemia caused NOx decrease and it is inconsistent with NOx increase in brain. Aminoguanidine and nimodipine didnt affect on NOx decrease. But MK-801 more lowered NOx concentration than those of ischemia control group. It seemed that $Ca^{2+}$ influx in heart partially occurred via NMDA receptor and inhibited by NMDA receptor antagonist. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in ischemic rats after 24h of CCA occlusion was decreased when compared to normal value, whereas the heart rates (HR) was not different between two groups. Aminoguanidine or MK801 had no effect on MAP or HR, but nimodipine reduced MAP. There was no difference the effects of aminoguanidine, nimodipine, or MK-801, on MAP and HR between normal rats and ischemic rats. In summary, ischemic model caused an increase of NOx concentration, suggesting that this may be produced via iNOS, which is calcium independent in brain. However in heart, ischemia decreased NOx concentration and NMDA receptor was partially involved. The basal MAP was decreased in ischemic rats but HR was not different from normal control, suggesting that increased NOx in brain of ischemic rat may result in the hypotension.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.101-109
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Water Extract (PM) on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Method : We examined effect of PM Extract on the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells. Futhermore, we investigated anti-inflammatory effect of PM Extract by the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as NO, intracellular calcium, interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, interferon inducible protein-10(IP-10), keratinocyte-derived chemokine(KC) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Result : No significant changes have been found in the mouse macrophge cell viability by the PM Extract at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of NO and intracellular calcium in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-${\beta}$, IL-3, IP-10, KC, VEGF in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$; IL-6 at the concentration of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ ; and IL-17 at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of NO, intracellular calcium, IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-${\beta}$, IP-10, KC, VEGF at the concentration of 50 ㎍/mL or higher in the LPS-induced macrophages with no changes in the cell viability of them. These results suggest that water extract of Polygoni Multiflori Radix has anti-inflammatory effect regulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the LPS-induced macrophages.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.487-498
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• 2010

This article presents an effect of deicer such as $CaCl_2$(calcium chloride) and EFD(Eco-Friendly Deicer) composed by organic acids on the survival and growth of plant. Pine and bush clover which are main natural species on the road side, and young radish and kidney bean which are cultivation species used in this test that responses of survival and growth were analyzed as grade concentration of deicers. Bush clover showed the most sensitive survival response among 4 species to the deicer. Pine growth didn't have statistical significance as the kind of deicers and concentration variation, but growths of bush clover and kidney bean showed growth inhibition in concentration more than 3% of $CaCl_2$ and EFD1. The results of survival and growth for $CaCl_2$(calcium chloride) demonstrated that young radish and pine are tolerant species and bush clover and kidney bean are sensitive species. Although EFD1 manufactured by chemical showed the negative effect on the survival and growth of plants, EFD2 made with waste compost was confirmed that it has the positive influence to the survival and growth of the both sensitive and tolerant plant species for chloride.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 1972

Many studies on the mechanism of the inotropic action of cardiac glycosides have shown the possible intimate relationship between the mobilization of intracellular calcium and inotropic effect. Evidence obtained from recent studies suggests that cardiac glycosides may increase the intracellular $Ca^{++}$ concentration through the release of this ion from cellular or intracellular membrane. It seemed imperative to study the effect of ouabain on the interaction between mitochondria and $Ca^{++}$, because mitochondria are known to have a rather powerful $Ca^{++}$ pump mechanism which may have an important role on the regulation of intracellular $Ca^{++}$ concentration. The present investigations was made into the effect of ouabain on $Ca^{++}$ untake of mitochondria in the presence of ATP and its dependence on $K^+$ and $Na^+$ in the medium. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The rate of rise in the turbidity of superprecipitation was solely influenced by ionic strength of the medium, not by the species of ion, i.e. $Na^+$ or $K^+$. The higher ionic strength suppressed and the lower enhanced the rate of superprecipitation respectively. 2. No effect of ouabain was found on the rate of superprecipitation. 3. Mitochondria depressed the rate of superpretipitation, and the depressed rate of superprecipitation by mitochondria was reversed by ouabain, and the degree of this reversal was almost identical in $Na^+$ and $K^+$ medium. 4. $Ca^{++}$ uptake of mitochondria was inhibited by ouabain in the presence of ATP and the degree of inhibition showed the dose-response manner in terms of concentration of ouabain. 5. In the absence of ATP, mitochondria took or the $Ca^{++}$ in initial period but released it later. Such uptake and release of $Ca^{++}$ was not influenced by ouabain. 6. It is suggested that intracellular calcium mobilization by ouabain through the action upon the mitochondria was due to inhibition on ATP-dependent $Ca^{++}$ uptake by this agent, not to the action upon so called binding.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.297-305
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• 2014

Flavonoids have an ability to suppress various ion channels. We determined whether one of flavonoids, cyanidin-3-glucoside, affects adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced calcium signaling using digital imaging methods for intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. Treatment with ATP ($100{\mu}M$) for 90 sec induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($1{\mu}g/ml$ to $100{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=15.3{\mu}g/ml$). Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($15{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses following removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ or depletion of intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$]i stores. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited the relatively specific P2X2 receptor agonist 2-MeSATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the thapsigargin or ATP-induced store-operated calcium entry. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses in the presence of nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited KCl (50 mM)-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator BAPTA-AM or the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter inhibitor RU360 blocked the ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. Cyanidin-3-glucoside blocked ATP-induced formation of ROS. BAPTA-AM further decreased the formation of ROS in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. All these results suggest that cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced calcium signaling in PC12 cells by inhibiting multiple pathways which are the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores. In addition, cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced formation of ROS by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$-induced mitochondrial depolarization.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 1993

This survey was carried out to take the status of seawater intrusion into groundwater wells located in the eastern area of Chejudo, to get the elementary data which may evaluate the level of would-be groundwater contamination, and to perform effective the effort that will supply the clear water for the residents. The sampling sites were northeastern districts of Haengwon, Handong, and Sangdo, southeastern districts of Susan, Nansan, and Samdal, and northwestern districts, as reference, of Aewol, Keumnung, Panpo, Kosan, Shindo, and Bosung. We collected the samples from the public tap water by month, and analysed electrical conductivity, sodium(Na), potassium(K), magnesium(Mg), calcium(Ca), bicarbonate($HC0_{3^-}$), and items of the criteria as drinking water. In the northeastern districts we also added the sampling sites to survey the fluctuations of dissolved solids according to distance from seashore, including two private boreholes and one public tap water of Dukchun. The result is as follows 1) In the northeastern district, the concentration of chloride ion showed large fluctations from 40mg/l to 100mg/l, but suitable for the criteria of drinking water. It was thought that the drought influenced. 2) In the Sangdo of the northeastern districts, similar tendancy to Hangwon and Handong was showed only in the concentration of chloride ion, but different tendancy was showed in chloride-bicarbonate ratio, calcium-magnesium ratio, and sodium adsorption ratio(SAR). Considering these facts, it was not thought that seawater intruded. 3) The components of Na and Cl showed rapid slope in the northeastern districts above 3km from seashore. 4) In the northwestern districts as reference, the concentration of chloride ion fluctuated slightly according to the sampling sites and dates, and the concentration of nitrate-nitrogen in some sites exceeded the criteria of drinking water. These were thought that the surface contaminants rather than the intrusion of seawater influenced mainly the groundwater, considering the correlation(r=0.732) of chloride ion and nitrate-nitrogen. 5) Then we must consider the regional characteristies of soil profile in order to prevent the contamination of groundwater, and moniter also the movement of main components within the sol1 profile, not only the research of the intrusion of seawater.