• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.371-376
• /
• 2003

Antioxidative and cholesterol-reducing activity of Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD were measured to characterize its probiotic properties. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picyryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the culture supernatant of B. polyfermenticus SCD was estimated to be 48%. The culture supernatant on the peroxidation of linoleic acid were investigated and the value was shown to be about 45%. The inhibition of TBA (2-thiobarbituric acid) formation of the culture supernatant was revealed 60% when stimulator was presented. The SOD-like activity of the culture supernatant was about 15%, which is similar to BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. After cultured in TSB broth added soluble cholesterol either 0.1% or 0.3% of oxgall in 37$^{\circ}C$ for 24 h aerobically, cholesterol-reducing activities were revealed about 67% or 64%, respectively. To test whether the products are cholesterol-related or not, residual activity was determined. The cholesterol activity was rarely changed. In addition, when the cell extracts recovered after cultivation, was tested in absence of cholesterol, cholesterol activity was not detected. However, cholesterol activity was detected in the presence of cholesterol. Thus, it was assumed that B. polyfermenticus SCD could reduce cholesterol by conjugating with it, rather than by digesting the cholesterol using cholesterol-hydrolyzing enzymes.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.441-451
• /
• 2015

Recognition of cytosolic DNA initiates a series of innate immune responses by inducing IFN-I production and subsequent triggering JAK1-STAT1 signaling which plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of infection, inflammation and autoimmune diseases through promoting B cell activation and antibody responses. The stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) has been demonstrated to be a critical hub of type I IFN induction in cytosolic DNA-sensing pathways. However, it still remains unknown whether cytosolic DNA can directly activate the JAK1-STAT1 signaling or not. And the role of STING is also unclear in this response. In the present study, we found that dsDNA directly triggered the JAK1-STAT1 signaling by inducing phosphorylation of the Lyn kinase. Moreover, this response is not dependent on type I IFN receptors. Interestingly, STING could inhibit dsDNA-triggered activation of JAK1-STAT1 signaling by inducing SHP-1 and SHP-2 phosphorylation. In addition, compared with normal B cells, the expression of STING was significantly lower and the phosphorylation level of JAK1 was significantly higher in B cells from MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, highlighting the close association between STING low-expression and JAK1-STAT1 signaling activation in B cells in autoimmune diseases. Our data provide a molecular insight into the novel role of STING in dsDNA-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.177-182
• /
• 2009

The glycosylated human MINPP (multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase), which was recombinantly over-expressed by using industrial host, Pichia pastoris, showed the phytase activity against phytate ($InsP_6$) and the enzyme activity of the unglycosylated counterpart was decreased to 30%. The optimal phytase activity occurred at pH 7.4. The human MINPP showed high substrate specificity for $InsP_6$ with little activity on other organic phosphate conjugates such as para-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP), ATP, and ribose-1-phosphate (R-1-P). The phosphatase activity against 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) by human MINPP was increased to 1.2-fold in the presence of stimulator, 1 mM 2-phosphoglycolate (2-PG) but the phytase activity against $InsP_6$ was not affected by addition of 1 mM 2-PG. The phosphatase activity against 2,3-BPG by human MINPP was not increased in the presence of 2 mM $Mg^{2+}$ or 100 mM $Cl^-$.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.555-561
• /
• 1995

In this paper, the O-Ring Measurement System (O-R MS) has been designed to supplement such subectivity and apply to the diagnosis by constitution. A single chip microprocessor of Intel MCS-51 family has been used to control the O-R MS and process data with real time, and the O-R MS could measure the minute muscular strength, expanded width between fingers, and time of the measurement. Therefore the objective constitutional diagnosis is possible by the O-R MS. As a clinical testing for estimating credibility of O-R MS, the acupuncture points representing the constitution has been stimulated using a semiconductor laser stimulator and measure the muscular strength by the O-R MS. The result of clinical testing has been shown that the constitutional diagnosis with the O-R MS is proved highly precision of 96% and it is expected that the O-R MS can be used practically for the objective constitutional diagnosis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.629-636
• /
• 2009

Mechanical stimulation is known to play a vital role on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pre-osteoblasts. In this research, we developed a tensile cell stimulator, composed of a DC motor-driven actuator and LVDT sensor for measuring linear displacement, to study the effects of tensile stress on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. First, we demonstrated the reliability of this device by showing the uniform strain field in the silicon substrate. Secondly, we investigated the effects of tensile stretching on osteogenic differentiation. We imposed a pre-set cyclic strain at a fixed frequency on cell monolayer cultured on a flexible silicon substrate while varying its amplitude and duration. 60 min of resting period was allowed between 30 min of cyclic stretching and this cycle is repeated up to 7 days. Under the combined stimulation with osteogenic media and mechanical stretching, the osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osterix, and osteopontin began to get expressed as early as 4 days of stimulation, which is much shorter than what is typically required for osteogenic media induced differentiation. Moreover, different markers were induced at different magnitudes of the applied strains. Lastly, for the case of ALP, we observed the antagonistic effects of osteogenic media when combined with mechanical stretching.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 2010

Since the hypothalamus immediately reacts to a nerve by processing all the information from the human body and the external stimulus being conducted, it performs a significant role in internal secretion; thus, a diverse and rapid stimulus pulse is required. By detecting Zero Detector accurately via the application of AVR on-Chip (ATMEL) using commercial electricity, chopping generates a stimulus pulse to the brain using an IGBT gate to designate a new magnetic stimulation following treatment and diagnosis. To simplify and generate a diverse range of stimuli for the brain, chopping can be used as a free magnetic stimulator. Then, commercial frequency (60Hz) is chopped precisely at the first level of the leakage transformer to deliver an appropriate stimulus pulse towards the hypothalamus when necessary. Discharge becomes stable, and the chopping frequency and duty-ratio provide variety after authorizing a high-pressure chopping voltage at the second level of the magnetic stimulator. These methods have several aims. The first is to apply a variable stimulus pulse via accurate switching frequency control by a voltaic pulse or a pulse repetition rate, according to the diagnostic purpose for a given hypothalamus. Consequently, the efficiency tends to increase. This experiment was conducted at a maximum of 210 W, a magnetic induced amplitude of 0.1~2.5 Tesla, a pulse duration of $200{\sim}350\;{\mu}s$, magnetic inducement of 5 Hz, stimulus frequency of 0.1~60 Hz, and a duration of stimulus train of 1~10 sec.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.60-65
• /
• 2007

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes (CRPS) type I and type II are neuropathic pain conditions that are being increasingly recognized in children and adolescents. The special distinctive features of pediatric CRPS are the milder course, the better response to treatment and the higher recurrence rate than that of adults and the lower extremity is commonly affected. We report here on a case of pediatric CRPS that was derived from ankle trauma and long term splint application at the left ankle. The final diagnoses were CRPS type I in the right upper limb, CRPS type II in the left lower limb and unclassified neuropathy in the head, neck and precordium. The results of various treatments such as medication, physical therapy and nerve blocks, including lumbar sympathetic ganglion blocks, were not effective, so implantation of a spinal cord stimulator was performed. In order to control the pain in his left lower limb, one electrode tip was located at the 7th thoracic vertebral level and two electrode tips were located at the 7th and 2nd cervical vertebral levels for pain control in right upper limb, head, neck and right precordium. After the permanent insertion of the stimulator, the patient's pain was significantly resolved and his disabilities were restored without recurrence. The patient's pain worsened irregularly, which might have been caused by psychological stress. But the patient has been treated with medicine at our pain clinic and he is being followed up by a psychiatrist. (Korean J Pain 2007; 20: 60-65)

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.24 no.6 s.81
• /
• pp.523-531
• /
• 2003

We developed a PC-based 8-channel electrical stimulation system for transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (FES), and applied it to FES exercise and paraplegic walking. The PC program consists of four parts: a database, a stimulation pattern generator, a stimulus parameter converter, and an exercise program. The stimulation pattern can be arbitrarily generated and edited by using the mouse on the PC screen, and the resulting stimulus parameters arc extracted from the recruitment curves, and transmitted to the 8-channel stimulator through the serial port. The stimulator has nine microprocessors: one master and eight slaves, Each channel is controlled by the slave microprocessor, and is operated independently. Clinical application of the system to a paraplegic patient showed significant increase in the knee extensor torque, the fatigue resistance, and the leg circumference, The patient can now walk about 50 meters for more than 2 minutes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.9
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 2009

Among 74 patients who came to pain clinic to treat their backache, 37 patient were randomly allocated to experimental(finger-pressure therapy)group and another 37 patients were allocated to control(transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator)group. The extent of backache was compared before and after experiment by ANCOVA test at both groups(p<0.005). The reduction of pain level by visual analogue scale at experimental group was statistically significantly bigger than control group when motion with front flexion(1.92), extension after front flexion(2.22), right flexion(1.23), and left flexion(1.21)(p<0.05).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.885-888
• /
• 2002

Four diarylheptanoids, (5R)-1,7-bis (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-heptane-5-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside (1), (5R)-1,7-bis (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-heptane-5-ol (2), oregonin (3), hirsutanonol (4), were isolated from the bark of Alnus hirsuta Turcz and its inhibitory effects on melanogenesis by measuring the melanin level and tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cell were examined. Melanin level and tyrosinase activity were reduced to 75 to 85% by addition of diarylheptanoids to incubation medium of the melanoma cell. On the other hand, melanin level and tyrosinase activity were reduced to 13 to 43% by the addition of diarylheptanoids to incubation medium of the melanoma cell treated with melanogenesis stimulator, $\alpha$-MSH and forskolin. These melanogenesis inhibitory effects were significantly different compared with control.