• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.65-76
• /
• 1992

The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic activities of copper complexes of a series of salicylic acid (SA) analogs were tested and compared to the activity of bovine erythrocyte SOD using ferricytochrome c reduction assay. Stability constants of copper complexes were measured potentiometrically using SCOGS2 program. In the presence of 10 g/l albumin, all the copper complexes lost their SOD mimetic activities. Multiple regression analysis was employed for the statistical comparisons between the SOD mimetic activity and their physicochemical properties. Correlation exists for the SOD mimetic activity and steric parameter $(E_s)$ and/or electronic parameter $({\Sigma}{\sigma})$ in xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XOD) system, demonstrating that E, plays a key role in SOD activity whereas ${\Sigma}{\sigma}$ influences it to a lesser extent. The protective effect of copper complexes against membrane damage was measured by counting D-glucose released frm $EG_s$. D-glucose and XOD were entrapped within $EG_s$ and acetaldehyde was used as a substrate for XOD. In this membrane model system using $EG_s$, hydrophobic parameter $({\Sigma}{\pi})$ is of most importance, producing parabolic equation while $E_s$, and ${\Sigma}{\sigma}$ appear to playa minor role in protection against D-glucose release. In summary, to design an efficient SOD mimetic, stability, steric factor, lipophilicity and redox potential should be considered.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.111-116
• /
• 2006

An infection after total knee arthroplasty has many complications such as severe bone defect, skin and soft tissue problems, devastated general condition, so arthrodesis is preferred as treatment option. However, poor bony contact due to severe bone defect and inadequate conditions of the soft tissue often cause nonunion or severe limb shortening after arthrodesis. More over these conditions, it is not easy to choose appropriate fixative devices. In these situations, the arthrodesis using vascularized fibular graft can be the solution. Vascularized fibular graft (VFG) can playa role as a suitable material for the treatment of bone defects. And VFG can overcome poor blood circulation caused by scar tissues, and can be relatively more durable and adequate length. In the long term, VFG can be hypertrophied by weight bearing, and will give mechanical stablility. The purpose of the paper is to report the successful results of arthrodesis using VFG in a patient who got extensive bone defect after failed revision total knee arthroplasty with infection.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.18-24
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop the dyeing method with dry leaves of indigo plant. Coloring matter was extracted from dry leaves of indigo plant with hot sodium hydroxide solution. The extract was reduced with sodium dithionite, and it was used for dyeing cotton fabrics under various conditions. UV-visible absorption spectra of extract, reduction rate of extracts by reducing agent, and the surface color of dyed cotton, lightfastness were examined. For the initial 20 minutes, the absorbance of indigo solution rapidly decreased. However, several hours later, the decreasing rate retarded. By repeating the dyeing process, the shade looked deeper and deeper. At $30-40^{\circ}C$, the value of K/S reached the highest point. The concentration of indigo solution in dye bath seemed to playa critical role for the reaction of the reducing agent. It was observed that the surface color of cotton fabrics was getting bluish and its degree of value and chroma seemed slightly decreased as the K/S value was increasing. The lightfastness was clearly enhanced by increasing the K/S value.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.235-256
• /
• 1998

Currently, alternative medicine is highly utilized in the western countries. The public as well as health care practitioners have been paying a considerable attention to alternative medicine. This rapid growth in alternative medicine in many western countries suggests a high degree of public dissatisfaction with the limitations of orthodox medicine and concern over the side effects of chemical drugs. There is also a widespread recognition of the growing financial, social and personal cost for orthodox medicine. In addition, there is a growing need for a less fragmented, more participative and humane approach compared with contemporary medicine. Alternative medicine, which is based on holistic approach and lead to less expensive health care, may have the potential to playa significant role in overcoming the limitations of orthodox medicne in the western country. In this context, this study explores the recent trends of research on alternative medicine in western countries, particularly U.S.A. The study can provide us with valuable information on the types, training and education, utilization, insurance coverage, and regulation of alternative medicine in the western countries, thus offer important policy implications for the improvement of the korean health care system.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.229-235
• /
• 2002

Thimerosal, a widely used preservative, has been well known to induce intracellular calcium mobilization in various cell types. However, the mechanism of its calcium mobilization is not clearly understood yet. For studying the mechanism of thimerosal-mediated calcium release, we have used HL60 cells in calcium-free Lockes solution that has no extracellular calcium. Thimerosal significantly reduced the lag period of initial calcium release whereas it enhanced the rate and magnitude of the calcium release in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, we found that thimerosal generated superoxide anion by activating NADPH oxidase in dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, the kinetics and the dosedependency of superoxide anion generation were very similar to those of intracellular calcium mobilization. In inhibitors study, the thimerosal-induced superoxide anion generation was significantly suppressed by DMSO as well as superoxide dismutase but not by genistein or EGTA. Surprisingly, the pretreatment with N-Acetyl-$_{L}$-Cysteine blocked almost completely the thimerosal-induced calcium increase, indicating that ROS playa key role in the calcium mobilization. The present results suggest that thimerosal-induced calcium mobilization is possibly mediated by the activation of NADPH oxidase and subsequent ROS generation.n.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.274-278
• /
• 2002

Phthalates, suspected endocrine disruptor, are plasticizer and solvent used in industry, and some phthalates are known as potential carcinogen. Most common human exposure to this compounds may occur with contaminated food. It may migrate into food from plastic wrap or may enter food from general environmental contamination, and it has become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of phthalates that possibly threaten the public health. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) may playa part of cell proliferator, which mediates changes in gene expression and the metabolism of xenobiotics. An understanding of the role of DBP in modulating gene regulation should provide insight regarding mechanisms of DBP induced xenoestrogenic impact. To elucidate the type of genes that are associated with estrogenic activity induced by DBP at the dose (10$^{-8}$ M) appeared proliferating effects, the pattern of gene expression in MCF7 cells was compared between 17$\beta$-estradiol and DBP exposure in the cDNA microarray. From the results, it showed some differences of gene expression patterns between MCF7 cells treated with 17$\beta$-estradiol and DBP, and also DBP shows estrogenic potential with changes in estrogen-related gene expression levels.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.711-719
• /
• 2004

The effect of nickel (Ni) on growth and some tolerance strategies with regard to heavy metal tolerance mechanism was investigated in radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings. The protective effect of histidine on nickel stress conditions was also monitored. The seedling growth decreased with an increase in metal concentrations. The inhibitory effect was more pronounced in the root elongation than in the shoot elongation. Increasing Ni supply showed a progressive increase of Ni concentrations in the roots and shoots. Ni content was higher in the shoots than in the roots. In the presence of nickel, radish exhibited an antioxidative defense mechanism, as evidenced by the elevated malondialdehyde(MDA), showing that nickel is an efficient inducer of lipid peroxidation. Exposure of radish to elevated concentrations of nickel was accompanied by an increase in the proline content. Supplemental histidine in the presence of Ni ameliorated metal-induced growth inhibition and lipid peroxidation. Combinations of Ni and histidine resulted in a significant decline in proline content compared with Ni stress alone, indicating that histidine may provide protection against the adverse effect of Ni stress. From the results it is suggested that histidine is an efficient chelator by complexing metal ion within the plant and may playa role in nickel tolerance implicated in metal detoxification.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2007

Metformin is a drug used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes via activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether metformin at the pharmacologically effective concentrations affects the expressions of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase and phase II antioxidant genes in the H4IIE cell. Treatment of the cells with either metformin or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) abrogated tert-butylhydroxyquinone (t-BHQ) induction of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase, a rate limiting enzyme of GSH synthesis. The ability of t-BHQ to induce glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), a major class of phase II detoxifying enzymes that playa critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress or electrophiles, was also inhibited by the agents. Transcriptional gene repression by metformin was verified by the GSTA2 promoter luciferase assay. Moreover, either metformin or AICAR treatment significantly decreased t-BHQ-dependent induction of other GSTs (i.e., $GST{\mu}$ and $GST{\pi}$ forms). Taken together, our data indicate that metformin treatment may result in the repression of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione S-transferase genes possibly via AMPK activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.1047-1051
• /
• 2004

The phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium chrysanthemi secretes multiple isozymes of plant cell wall disrupting enzyme such as pectate lyase and cellulase. The cel gene, existing in tandem with the pel gene, was isolated previously [10]. The role of Cel5Z and PelL1 in P. chrysanthemi PY35 pathogenicity on potato tissues was assessed by mutagenizing cloned cel gene and pel gene in tandem and recombining them with the chromosomal alleles. Strains with the Km cassette interposon in pelL1 or a double mutant showed a delay in the appearance of symptoms, suggesting that P. chrysanthemi PY35 pectate lyase PelL1 may playa minor role in soft-rot pathogenesis.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.77-88
• /
• 2004

Narrow commuter vehicles can address many congestion, parking and pollution issues associated with urban transportation. In making narrow vehicles safe, comfortable and acceptable to the public, active tilt control systems are likely to playa crucial role. This paper focuses on the development of an active direct tilt control system for a narrow vehicle that utilizes an actuator in the vehicle suspension. A simple PD controller can stabilize the tilt dynamics of the vehicle to any desired tilt angle. However, the challenges in the tilt control system design arise in determining the desired lean angle in real-time and in minimizing tilt actuator torque requirements. Minimizing torque requirements requires the tilting and turning of the vehicle to be synchronized as closely as possible. This paper explores two different control design approaches to meet these challenges. A Receding Horizon Controller (RHC) is first developed so as to systematically incorporate preview on road curvature and synchronize tilting with driver initiated turning. Second, a nonlinear control system that utilizes feedback linearization is developed and found to be effective in reducing torque. A close analysis of the complex feedback linearization controller provides insight into which terms are important for reducing actuator effort. This is used to reduce controller complexity and obtain a simple nonlinear controller that provides good performance.