• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

Mast cells are primary mediators of allergic inflammation. Beta-1,3-glucan (BG) protects against infection and shock by activating immune cells. Activation of the BG receptor induces an increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, which may induce exocytosis. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms underlying BG activation of immune cells and the possible role of mitochondria in this process. The present study examined whether BG induced mast cell degranulation, and evaluated the role of calcium transients during mast cell activation. Our investigation focused on the role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) in BG-induced degranulation. Black mouse (C57) bone marrow-derived mast cells were stimulated with $0.5{\mu}g/ml$ BG, $100{\mu}g/ml$ peptidoglycan (PGN), or $10{\mu}M$ A23187 (calcium ionophore), and dynamic changes in cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium and membrane potential were monitored. BG-induced mast cell degranulation occurred in a time-dependent manner, and was significantly reduced under calcium-free conditions. Ruthenium red, a mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter blocker, significantly reduced mast cell degranulation induced by BG, PGN, and A23187. These results suggest that the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter has an important regulatory role in BG-induced mast cell degranulation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.428-436
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the study subjects' awareness on hospice & palliative care service; and explore its activation methods of Long-term care hospitals located in the metropolitan cities B and K. The total of returned survey was answered from 183 employees on Long-term care hospitals which it was selected 13 institutions. One month to study during from July 1 to July 30, 2016 the researchers visited to investigate relevant data and surveyed to examine their awareness and activation methods. The returned survey questionnaires were processed with SPSS 21.0 for basic data analysis. The results of the 13 institutions under this research, 9 institutions provided hospice & palliative care education once a year. Most of the staff members were found to be aware of the idea of hospice & palliative care, think of it as a good program, and wish it to be implemented(81.9%). They answered that the reason of not implementing the hospice&palliative care was the 'lack of personnel(50.8%)', 'lack of knowledge on hospice&palliative care program; and presented activation method was 'insurance fee introduction(15.8%)' followed by 'service education(15%)' and 'governmental financial support(14%)'.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.1621-1630
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• 2019

One million females are diagnosed worldwide every year with breast cancer, and the mortality rate of these patients remains high. Several treatments, including surgery, are available for breast cancer. β-Lapachone (β-Lap), a natural quinone compound, has been developed for cancer treatment due to its strong cytotoxic effect through its action on NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)-dependent activity. However, the mechanism in regards to how β-Lap induces cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells is still elusive. In the present study, we showed that β-Lap induced apoptotic cell death via activation of protein kinase A (PKA) in NQO1-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. This PKA-dependent cell death was observed solely in NQO1-overexpressing 231 cells via the high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cell survival of antioxidant [N-acetylcysteine (NAC)]-treated NQO1-overexpressing 231 cells was significantly recovered, and NQO1-negative 231 cells did not respond to β-Lap. Antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl2 and Bcl-xL were decreased, while proapoptotic proteins, including cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP were increased after β-Lap treatment of NQO1-overexpressing 231 cells. Furthermore, PKA activators, forskolin or dibutyryl-cAMP, an analog of cAMP, aggravated the β-Lap-induced apoptotic cell death by decreasing antiapoptotic proteins and further activating proapoptotic proteins in NQO1-positive 231 cells. Treatment with a PKA inhibiter, H89, significantly increased cell viability even in NQO1-overexpressing cells treated with β-Lap. These data showed that β-Lap activated PKA via ROS accumulation, subsequently leading to apoptotic cell death in NQO1-positive breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.991-998
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• 2016

NF-κB acts as a critical transcription factor for the survival of cells via the induction of antiapoptotic genes. Constitutive activation of NF-κB in many types of solid tumors suggests that the inhibition of NF-κB might prevent or inhibit tumorigenesis. Although a number of studies demonstrated that Hsp70 regulated NF-κB activity, the exact mechanism is not clear. This study investigated the functional relationship of Hsp70 and IKKγ in the regulation of NF-κB activation using expression plasmids of components of the IKK complex. Wild-type and deletion mutants of IKKγ were expressed together with Hsp70, and the combined regulatory effect of Hsp70 and IKKγ on NF-κB activation was assayed. Hsp70 suppressed the activation of NF-κB in a reporter plasmid assay. Hsp70 also suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. The suppressive effect of Hsp70 on NF-κB activation was synergistically elevated by IKKγ. The N-terminal IKKβ binding site, C-terminal leucine zipper, and zinc finger domains of IKKγ were not necessary for the suppressive effect. Furthermore, Hsp70 and IKKγ synergistically suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression by lipopolysaccharides in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that overexpression of Hsp70 and IKKγ may be a strategic method for inhibition of NF-κB and related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.554-562
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this research is to verify the effects of the Electromagnetic acupuncture(EMA) on BL15 by Pupil size variability(PSV) which is directly related to the activation of the Autonomic Nervous System. Methods : Thirty male subjects participated in this study and were divided into three groups(non-stimulated, manual acupuncture and EMA group). The size of pupil was measured in the cube place of $60{\times}60{\times}60$ cm in order to avoid the effect of the surrounding circumstances. All subjects were measured the size of left pupil about 200sec in the constant illumination. Results : We observed the decrease in PSV of manual acupuncture group compared to non-stimulation group, but it was not significant statistically(p>0.05). The decrease in PSV of EMA group was observed in comparison to two groups, and we confirmed the result of significant difference statistically(p<0.05). Conclusions : We concluded that EMA treatment method is enough to activate in the parasympathetic nerve system by inducing the biotransformation.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.169-176
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• 2014

The rapid development of the current information and communication brings big changes and progress in the health service delivery system. And it is becoming the worldwide trend increasingly. In order to implement established what policy peacefully is sufficient review and dialogue, social consensus are integral components. The government in the telemedicine services, health care industry that is directly related to the public health and development spheres as nations of the society which to vote on new growth policy is a great social health policies of the push ahead with an unconditional side effects. But before it was activated, telemedicine, which is capable of ensuring the health and lives of the people in need of revision of the safety and effectiveness of any kind, and enforces a stretch enough before review and social consensus, must necessarily be a prerequisite. In conclusion, it presently appears to be inappropriate and impossible to conduct telemedicine system through the foreign of telemedicine. It suggested to present the problems on telemedicine in korea.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2003

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that can be exposed to humans by ingestion of contaminated food including fish and bread. MeHg has been suggested to exert its toxicity through its high reactivity to thiols, generation of arachidonic acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels (［$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$). However, the precise mechanism has not been fully defined. Here we show that phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) is a critical pathway for MeHg-induced toxicity. MeHg activated the acidic form of sphingomyelinase (A-SMase) and group IV cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) downstream of PC-PLC, but these enzymes as well as protein kinase C were not linked to MeHg's toxicity. Furthermore, MeHg produced ROS, which did not cause the toxicity. However, D6O9, an inhibitor of PC-PLC, significantly reversed the toxicity in a time- and dose-dependent manner in MDCK and SH-5YSY cells. Addition of EGTA to culture media resulted in partial decrease of [$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$ and partially blocked cell death. In contrast, D609 completely prevented cell death with parallel decreases in diacylglycerol and ［$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$. Together, our findings indicated that MeHg-induced toxicity was caused by elevation of ［$Ca^{2+}$]$_{i}$ through activation of PC-PLC. The toxicity was not attributable to the signaling pathways such as $cPLA_2$, A-SMase, and PKC, or to the generation of ROS.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2003

Gentiana scabra var. buergeri (G. scabra) is a herb known to have therapeutic effect in infection diseases. We studied cellular activation and antitoxoplasmosis in macrophages after G. scabra stimulation. Macrophage activation was detected by nitrite production. Macrophages were treated with G. scabra extracted with water or methanol. Maximal nitrite production was detected in macrophages after stimulation of G. scabra extract 0.1 mg/ml. Maximal nitrite concentration was 23.22 0.003 uM/L in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra and was 24.07 1.41 uM/L after methanol extract of G. scabra. Effect of G. scabra in the phagocytic capacity of macrophages was monitored by using PI (percentage of macrophage infected by T gondii) method. The minimum PI (42.5 2.31) was detected in macrophages treated by water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml before infection of T gondii. We also examined toxoplasmastatic capacity of macrophage using FI (fold increase) method. The minimum FI (4.46 1.16) was shown in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml pretreatment before infection. Under electron microscope, proliferation of T gondii was inhibited by extract of G. scabra treatment in macrophages and the mitochondrion and lysosomal vacuoles within cells were increased. Taken together, G. scabra extract activates macrophages and induces toxopalsmastatic activity after T gondii infection. It is suggested that G. scabra may be used as a therapeutic drug against toxoplasmosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of handgrip exercise, which was started two weeks after surgery for shoulder rotator cuff repair, on the extent of muscle activation around the shoulder and the cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle. METHODS: Among patients diagnosed with rotator cuff rupture by an orthopedic surgeon and rotator cuff repair was performed using an arthroscope, 28 were selected as subjects. These subjects were allocated randomly to the experimental group and control group with 14 subjects in each group. An electromyogram was measured as a measure of the extent of muscle activation around the shoulder for a total of six times (%RVC). The cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle was measured before and after the rotator cuff repair by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The extent of muscle activation in accordance with time in both the experimental group and control group displayed significant differences in various muscles including the anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, upper trapezius and infraspinatus muscle(p<.05). A significant difference in the variation of the cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle was observed between the experimental group and the control group(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Handgrip exercise helps rehabilitate the shoulder joint at the acute stage after rotator cuff repair when assertive exercise therapy cannot be applied.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.520-530
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• 1997

Antineoplastic agents may exhibit effects not only in patients therapeutically exposed, but also in health workers who prepare and administer these drugs. This study was done to clarify whether nurses who handle anticancer drugs show signs of drug absorption. The experimental group was 14 nurses handling anticancer drugs at three medical wards of a hospital in J city ; the control group was 12 psychiatric nurses at the same hospital. The test materials were the nurses' 24hr urine specimens, which were concentrated by XAD-2 column chromatograpy. Tester strains were TA98(±S9mix), TA100(±S9 mix), TA1535(±S9 mix) and TA1537(±S9 mix) : the salmonella mammalian microsomal test (Ames test) was used for the urinary mutagenicity assay. The results are summarized as follow : 1. In qualitative analysis of the results, both experimental group and control group showed 15.4% urine toxicity. 2. The experimental group revealed significantly higher urinary mutagenicity both in the activation method test and non-activation method test of the tester strains TA98, TA100 and TA1535. In the case of TA1537, the two groups showed no difference in the non-activation method test, but the activation method revealed a difference. 3. In urinary mutagenicity of the experimental group by ward career, there was a significant difference between the group with more than 20 months experience and the group with less than 20 months on the tester strains TA98, TA100, and TA1537. No Significant difference was found between two groups by the tester strain TA1535.