• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of air stacking exercise on lung capacity, activities of daily living, and walking ability in elderly adults. METHODS: A total of 27 subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG=13) or a control group (CG=14). Subjects in the experimental group participated in an active pulmonary rehabilitation program. 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The active pulmonary rehabilitation program was composed of an air stacking exercise with an oral nasal mask and manually assisted coughing. Conventional pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, such as, cough exercise, deep breathing, and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises were performed by both groups. Pulmonary function parameters, peak cough flow (PCF), and oxygen saturation were measured and the 6-minute walk test and Korean version of the modified Barthel index (K-MBI) scores were applied. RESULTS: Significant intergroup differences were observed for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) results after intervention (p<.05), and for 6 minute walk test and PCF results after intervention and at 2-week follow-up visits (p<.05). Post hoc test results showed significant differences in K-MBI, 6-minute walk test, and FEV1 in the experimental group after intervention (p<.05). FVC values were significantly higher after intervention and at 2-week follow-up visits versus pre-intervention (p<.05). PCF values were also significantly higher after intervention and remained significantly higher at 2-week follow-up visits (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Air stacking exercise in elderly adults improves lung capacity and exercise tolerance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2003

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be an important mediator in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction, thereby triggering the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study, HIV-1 Tat-mediated transduction of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated to evaluate its protective potential against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cytotoxicity in insulin-producing MIN6N cells. Tat-SOD fusion protein was successfully delivered into MIN6N cells in a dose-dependent manner and the transduced fusion protein was enzymatically active for 48 h. The STZ induced-cell destruction, superoxide anion radical production, and DNA fragmentation of MIN6N cells were significantly decreased in the cells pretreated with Tat-SOD for 1 h. Furthermore, the transduction of Tat-SOD increased Bcl-2 and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) expressions in cells exposed to STZ, which might be partly responsible for the effect of Tat-SOD. These results suggest that an increased of free radical scavenging activity by transduction of Tat-SOD enhanced the tolerance of the cell against oxidative stress in STZ-treated MIN6N cells. Therefore, this Tat-SOD transduction technique may provide a new strategy to protect the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell destruction in ROS-mediated diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.280-286
• /
• 2016

Helianthus tuberosus Linne (Compositae) has been widely used as a folk remedy to treat various ailments including fever, bleeding, fracture and contusion. This study was designed to elucidate the lifespan extending activities MeOH extract of the tubers of Helianthus tuberosus Linne (MHT) using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model system. In the current study, we found that the lifespan of worms was significantly extended by MHT supplement, dose-dependently. MHT also provided robust protection against various stress environments such as osmotic, thermal and oxidative condition. In addition, elevated antioxidant enzyme activities by MHT resulted in attenuation of intracellular reactive oxygen spices (ROS) levels, suggesting antioxidant capacity of MHT might be associated with longevity properties. Herein, we showed that altered food intake and growth of worms were also involved in the MHT activity. Furthermore, MHT increased body movement in aged worms, indicating possible role for MHT in healthspan.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.145-148
• /
• 2013

Vegetative growth signaling of the opportunistic human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is mediated by GpaA ($G{\alpha}$). FlbA is a regulator of G protein signaling, which attenuates GpaA-mediated growth signaling in this fungus. The flbA deletion (${\Delta}flbA$) and the constitutively active GpaA ($GpaA^{Q204L}$) mutants exhibit enhanced proliferation, precocious autolysis, and reduced asexual sporulation. In this study, we demonstrate that both mutants also show enhanced tolerance against $H_2O_2$ and their radial growth was approximately 1.6 fold higher than that of wild type (WT) in medium with 10 mM $H_2O_2$. We performed quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) for examination of mRNA levels of three catalase encoding genes (catA, cat1, and cat2) in WT and the two mutants. According to the results, while levels of spore-specific catA mRNA were comparable among the three strains, cat1 and cat2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the two mutants than in WT. In particular, the ${\Delta}flbA$ mutant showed significantly enhanced and prolonged expression of cat1 and precocious expression of cat2. In accordance with this result, activity of the Cat1 protein in the ${\Delta}flbA$ mutant was higher than that of $gpaA^{Q204L}$ and WT strains. For activity of the Cat2 protein, both mutants began to show enhanced activity at 48 and 72 hr of growth compared to WT. These results lead to the conclusion that GpaA activates expression and activity of cat1 and cat2, whereas FlbA plays an antagonistic role in control of catalases, leading to balanced responses to neutralizing the toxicity of reactive oxygen species.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2011

When plants undergo stress, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) which remove bad elements such as mildew and virus is activated in plant body. However, if ROS is excessively increased, plant will be harmed itself by destruction of cell and signal system and phenomenon of lipid peroxidation. In order to identify content of lipid peroxidation and activity of some enzymes scavenging ROS, phenotypical and physiological analysis was performed with two mutant lines, Till-II-877 and Till-II-894, comparing with cv. Dongan (WT). In phenotype analysis, two mutant lines give to well-conditioned growth better than WT in since 5 days after salt treatment. In enzyme activities, there was a modest difference in the content of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) between Till-II-877 and Till-II-894, two mutant lines showed high levels in CAT contents than WT. However, they express low levels in POD contents. In MDA analysis, the content of Till-II-877 was higher than that of WT, but Till-II-894 was lower. This result indicates that two mutants have different mechanism against salt stress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.514-518
• /
• 2001

We have explored the importance of two ATP binding domains of Hsp104 protein in protection of yeast cells from cadmium exposure. In the previous study we have discovered that the presence of two ATP binding sites was essential in providing heat sh ock protection as well as rescuing cells from oxidative stress. In this paper we first report wild type cell with functional hsp104 gene is more resistant to cadmium stress than hsp104-deleted mutant cell, judging from decrease in survival rates as a result of cadmium exposure. In order to demonstrate functional role of two ATP binding sites in cadmium defense, we have transformed both wild type (SP1) and hyperactivated ras mutant (IR2.5) strains with several plasmids differing in the presence of ATP binding sites. When an extra copy of functional hsp104 gene with both ATP binding sites was overexpressed with GPD-promoter, cells showed increased survival rate against cadmium stress than mutants with ATP binding sites changed. The degree of protection in the presence of two ATP binding sites was similarly observed in ira2-deleted hyperactivated ras mutant, which was more sensitive to oxidative stress than wild type cell. We have concluded that the greater sensitivity to cadmium stress in the absence of two ATP binding sites is attributed to the higher concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by cadmium exposure based on the fluorescence tests. These findings, taken all together, imply that the mechanism by which cadmium put forth toxic effects may be closely associated with the oxidative stress, which is regulated independently of the Ras-cAMP pathway. Our study provides a better understanding of cadmium defense itself and cross-talks between oxidative stress and metal stress, which can be applied to control human diseases due to similar toxic environments.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.210-216
• /
• 2021

Pollution of agricultural soil by alkaline salts, such as Na₂CO₃, is a critical and long-lasting problem in cultivable land. The aim of the study was to examine the putative role of citric acid (CA) in alleviating Na₂CO₃-stress in alfalfa. In this study, Na₂CO₃ significantly induced leaf chlorosis, inhibited plant growth and photosynthesis related parameters, increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and reduced major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAD, APX) in alfalfa. However, the presence of CA these negative effects of Na₂CO₃-stress largely recovered. Interestingly, expression of antioxidant and ion transporter genes (Fe-SOD, CAT, APX, DHAR and NHX1) involved in Reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and oxidative stress tolerance in alfalfa. These findings suggest that CA-mediated Na₂CO₃ stress alleviation is an ecofriendly approach that would be useful to local farmer for alfalfa and other forage crop cultivation in alkaline soils.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.152-164
• /
• 2019

In this study, a Benthic Macroinvertebrates Family Index (BMFI) was developed using 100 indicator groups (99 families including Chironomidae with 2 phena). Families were assigned a score between 1 and 10 depending on their sensitivity to organic pollution. The BMFI was composed of the sensitivity and relative abundance of the indicator taxa. Sensitivity values of each group were generally similar to Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) scores or Walley, Hawkes, Paisley, Trigg (WHPT) scores of UK, Japanese BMWP scores, and the FBI tolerance values of North America. However, sensitivity values of some taxa were significantly different from those of foreign countries, which seemed to have resulted from discrepancy in species composition, difference of taxonomic classification system, or methodological difference for estimation of sensitivity. As an annual average level, BMFI showed significant correlation with concentration of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (correlation coefficient r = -0.80, n = 569 sites), total suspended solids (r = -0.68), and total phosphorus (r = -0.79). In addition, BMFI revealed strong correlation with Shannon-Weaver's species diversity (r = 0.85), Margalef's species richness (r = 0.85) and McNaughton's dominance (r = -0.84). Correlation between BMFI and water quality parameters or community indices such as species diversity did not show significant difference compared to that of species-level indices such as BMI (Benthic Macroinvertebrates Index). This means that BMFI is a more useful indicator in terms of easy identification of organisms. BMFI was used to assess the environmental status of 3,017 sites of Stream Ecosystem Survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Environment between 2016 and 2018. As a result, about half of all sites appeared to be in good condition, and a quarter in poor condition.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether taurine supplementation in combination with fructose improves both energy metabolism and exercise capacity. Eight collegiate female subjects were recruited for the study. Each subject went through threecross-over designs: control(fluid), fructose, and taurine plus fructose supplementation trials. Subjects received taurine supplementation 100 mg/kg a day for two weeks. After the supplementation, all subjects take 10% fructose at 15 min prior to exercise, immediately before exercise, and every 15 min during exercise. Subjects received 150 ml fluid as placebo during the same procedure. The subjects performed submaximal exercise at the exercise intensity of 60% for 45 min and then 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) until exhaustion time. A 10ml blood sample was taken for measuring the level of glucose, ammonia, lactate, free fatty acids, and insulin every 15 min during exercise at 60% of VO_2max. The blood glucose levels was significantly higher at 45 min and 50 min exercise after supplementation of fructose, and immediately before exercise and 50 min exercise after taurine plus fructose compared to the placebo trial. However, the values tended to be lower in taurine plus fructose supplementation compared to the fructose trial. The levels of both lactate and ammonia were significantly lower compared to the placebo, while the exhaustion time was significantly increased. The level of free-fatty acids was significantly lower at 30, 45, and 50 min after fructoseand fructose plus taurine supplementation compared to the placebo trial. The level of glucagon was significantly lower at 15, 30, 45, and 50 min after fructose and fructose plus taurine supplementation compared to the placebo trial. There was no differences in insulin concentration among three treatments. This thesis concludes that combined taurine and fructose supplementation prior to exercise may improve exercise tolerance time and energy metabolism, lowering the muscle fatigue factors such as lactate and ammonia.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.119-123
• /
• 2013

Simplified control logic was devised to fabricate and operate the modified atmosphere (MA) container of fresh produce equipped with gas-diffusion tube whose opening/closing was controlled in response to real time $O_2$ concentration. This is a simplified ramification of the previously developed control logic using both $O_2$ and $CO_2$ concentrations ([$O_2$] & [$CO_2$]). The developed logic was applied to and tested by a container system filled with spinach at $10^{\circ}C$ having optimum MA window of [$O_2$] of 7~10% and [$CO_2$] of 5~10%. It was shown that setting the proper on-off limit (11%) for $O_2$ control based on the assumed relationship $[O_2]+[CO_2]$=21% could attain the desired $CO_2$ concentration just below the upper tolerance limit ($[CO_2]_H$, 10%). The $O_2$ control point can be the lower tolerance limit or adjusted one (21-$[CO_2]_H$) depending on the commodity's MA requirement. The developed logic using single $O_2$ sensor could attain the equilibrated [$O_2$] of 11% with [$CO_2$] of 8~9% which was desired and similar to that of its predecessor ([$O_2$] of 9~10% with [$CO_2$] of 10%) using both $O_2$ and $CO_2$ sensors. Both MA containers (one only with single $O_2$ sensor control and one with $O_2$ and $CO_2$ sensors) could also keep the spinach quality without significant difference between them, but significantly better than perforated control package of air.