• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.429-434
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• 2005

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, which has been proposed to initiate the intimal thickening in coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Berberine is an alkaloid in Berberis aquifolium and many other plants. Recently, it has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, such as anti-hyperglycemic and cholesterol-lowering activity. In this study, we investigated its effects on lysoPC-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Berberine inhibited lysoPC-induced DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in VSMCs, as well as migration of the lysoPC-stimulated VSMCs. It also inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and reduced transcription factor AP-1 activity and the lysoPC-induced increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results indicate that the inhibitory effects of berberine on lysoPC-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration are attributable to inhibition of ROS generation and hence of activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. This suggests that berberine has potential in the prevention of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1227-1233
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• 2015

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in angiogenesis through binding to its specific receptors, which mainly occurs to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), a kinase insert domain-containing receptor. Therefore, the disruption of VEGFR-2 signaling provides a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer by inhibiting abnormal or tumorinduced angiogenesis. To explore this potential, we expressed the catalytic domain of VEGFR-2 (VEGFR-2-CD) as a soluble active kinase in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified and the VEGFR-2-CD activity was investigated. The obtained VEGFR-2-CD showed autophosphorylation activity and phosphate transfer activity comparable to the commercial enzyme. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ value of known VEGFR-2 inhibitor was determined using the purified VEGFR-2-CD. These results indicated a possibility for functional and economical VEGFR-2-CD expression in E. coli to use for inhibitor screening.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.629-639
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• 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cardiovascular system disorders. Cellular senescence is a key mechanism associated with dysfunction of aged vascular endothelium. Hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) has been known to non-covalently link hyaluronic acid (HA) and proteoglycans (PGs), and forms and stabilizes HAPLN1-containing aggregates as a major component of extracellular matrix. Our previous study showed that serum levels of HAPLN1 decrease with aging. Here, we found that the HAPLN1 gene expression was reduced in senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, a recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) decreased the activity of senescence-associated β-gal and inhibited the production of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, including IL-1β, CCL2, and IL-6. rhHAPLN1 also downregulated IL-17A levels, which is known to play a key role in vascular endothelial senescence. In addition, rhHAPLN1 protected senescent HUVECs from oxidative stress by reducing cellular reactive oxygen species levels, thus promoting the function and survival of HUVECs and leading to cellular proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. We also found that rhHAPLN1 not only increases the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels, but also reduces the cellular senescence markers levels, such as p53, p21, and p16. Taken together, our data indicate that rhHAPLN1 delays or inhibits the endothelial senescence induced by various aging factors, such as replicative, IL-17A, and oxidative stress-induced senescence, thus suggesting that rhHAPLN1 may be a promising therapeutic for CVD and atherosclerosis.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.213-214
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• 1998

The important role of the ultrasonic Doppler system in the modem clinical medicine is to provide the clinical information of the vascular system. The ultrasonic pulsed wave(PW) Doppler system, a kind of the ultrasound Doppler system, is more available than the ultrasonic continuous wave(CW) Doppler system because it can evaluate the velocity and the direction of blood flow as well as the depth of vessel. However, the ultrasonic PW Doppler system has the disadvantage that the range of evaluating velocity of blood flow is limited(Nyquist limit). In order to solve this limit, we propose the algorithm for eliminating this aliasing in this paper. In addition, we propose the efficient signal processing algorithm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2004

Colostrum contains various kinds of cytokines including TGF-$\beta$ that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system. We compared the levels of TGF-$\beta$1 and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine and human colostrum. Based on the isoform-specific ELISA, bovine colostrum collected on day 1 post-delivery retained $53.71{\pm}29.55\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $40.41{\pm}21.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=4), while in human, $381.45{\pm}158.24\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$1 and $41.47{\pm}9.63\;ng/ml$ of TGF-$\beta$2 (n=5). Thus, dominant TGF-$\beta$ isoforms were completely opposite between human and bovine colostrum samples. The concentrations of both isoforms declined as lactation proceeded. Biological activities of the colostrum samples were determined using an MV1LU cell line. Consistent with the result from the immunoassay, TGF-$\beta$1 in human and TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum were responsible for the anti proliferative activity against MV1LU cells. Furthermore, bovine colostrum increased IgA secretion by LPS-stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, and this effect was abrogated by either anti­TGF-$\beta$2 antibody or combined anti-TGF-$\beta$1/$\beta$2 antibody, but not by anti- TGF-$\beta$1 antibody alone. Similarly, TGF-$\beta$2 in bovine colostrum enhanced the Ig germ line (GL) promoter activity, which is the earliest event toward IgA isotype switching. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-$\beta$ isoforms, differentially expressed in human and bovine colostrum, may promote IgA isotype production in the neonatal intestine.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.317-327
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• 2000

Through the study about Che-Qi-Jung(諸氣證) concerned with phenomenon of stress, we concluded as fallow. 1. Stressors are recognized three parts, internal cause, external cause, non-interexternal cause, in the oriental medicine. And the reaction of the body about stressors, was expressed change of Qi(氣). 2. The vascular system and autonomic nervous system are tensed or relexed. Because the etiology of Yuk-Em(六淫), Chil-Jeong(七情) make lose up and down, in and out, circulation of Gi(氣). The symtom caused with stress are explained, divided into Chil-Qi(七氣), Gu-Qi(九氣), Joong-Qi(中氣), Qi-Tong(氣痛), Qi-Yuk(氣逆), Qi-Wool(氣鬱). 3. The symtom of Chil-Qi is recognized into psycholoQical stress and Mae-Haek-Qi(梅核氣). The symtom of Gu-Qi is composed of Chil-Qi and Han(寒), Youl(熱), Ro(勞). 4. The symtoms of Qi-Yuk and Joong-Qi are caused by the ascent of Hwa-Qi(火氣). And Hwa-Qi is made by rage and depression. Qi-Yuk is chronic symtom that the ascent of Hwa-Qi is made by out of function in up and down mechanism of Qi. Joong-Qi is acute symtom that patholoQical state of Qi-Yuk take place for a while by sudden psycholoQical shock. 5. The symtom of Qi-Wool is loss of funtion made by depressed state in physioloQical mechanism, and Qi-Wool is observed in depressive psychosis and hypochondriasis and psychogenic. 6. The symtom of Qi-Tong is the pain caused by interference of circulation of Qi-Hyul(氣血). PsycholoQical stimulation such as rage and depression, tense autonomic nervous system. This make convulsion in gastro-intestine or vascular circuluation or abdominal muscles, and the pain is caused by convulsion.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2014

The early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) is a widely reported zinc finger protein and a well known transcription factor encoded by the Egr-1 gene, which plays key roles in many aspects of vertebrate embryogenesis and in adult vertebrates. The Egr-1 expression is important in the formation of the gill vascular system in flounders, which develops during the post-hatching phase and is essential for survival during the juvenile period. However, the complete details of Egr-1 expression during embryo development in olive flounder are not available. We assessed the expression patterns of Egr-1 during the early development of olive flounders by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Microscopic observations showed that gill filament formation corresponded with the Egr-1 expression. Thus, we showed that Egr-1 plays a vital role in angiogenesis in the gill filaments during embryogenesis. Further, Egr-1 expression was found to be strong at 5 days after hatching (DAH), in the development of the gill vascular system, and this strong expression level was maintained throughout all the development stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to the biological role of Egr-1 and evolution of the first respiratory blood vessels in the gills of olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the Egr-1-mediated stress response and to decipher the functional role of Egr-1 in developmental stages.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.480-484
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• 2007

Background: Major vascular injuries can jeopardize a patient's life or imperil limb survival. We performed this study to establish an optimal management plan for vascular injuries. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 26 cases of vascular injury that were treated at Pusan National University Hospital from May, 1999 to September, 2004. The age and sex distribution, the locations and causes of vascular injury, the diagnostic tools, the degree of injuries, clinical manifestations, the treatment modality and complications were reviewed. Result: The mean age was 39.5 years (range: $12{\sim}86$) and the male to female ratio was 22 : 4. The injuries were in 6 descending thoracic aortas, 4 femoral arteries, 4 popliteal veins and so on. The causes of injury were iatrogenic in 8 cases, traffic accident in 7, stab injury in 6 and industrial accident in 5. The most commonly used diagnostic tools were CT and angiography. The degrees of arterial injury were pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, partial severance in 5, complete severance in 3 and thrombosis in 3. The degrees of venous injury were partial severance in 6 cases, complete severance in 2 and arteriovenous fistula in 2. The clinical manifestations were absence of pulse in 8 cases, coldness in 7, chest pain in 6, swelling in 5, bleeding in 5 and so on. The most frequently used type of revascularization was graft interposition in 11 cases. Two arteriovenous fistulae were repaired by endovascular procedure. There was one case of mortality due to multi-organ failure after hemorrhagic shock, There were three major amputations, and two of them were due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: A system for the early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improving limb salvage and patient mortality. As a consequence of the widespread application of endovascular procedures, the incidence of iatrogenic injuries has recently increased. Educating physicians is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury. Easy communication and cooperation for earlier involvement of a vascular surgeon is also an important factor.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.192-195
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• 2006

Degenerative vascular disease, previous arterial surgery, long-term ureteral stenting, pelvis surgery, and radiotheraphy are reported as causes of artery-to-collecting-system communication.. Artery-to-collecting-system- communication associated with blunt trauma is rare, but potentially fatal. The diagnosis is very difficult and requires a high degree of suspicion. We were able to make the diagnosis based on the characteristic finding of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) obtained in the early phase, equivalent to the finding obtained in the corticomedullary phase of the kidney. We report a case of artery to collecting system communication due to blunt abdominal trauma following a fall, which was treated by embolization.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.875-876
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose a multimodal biometric embedded system. It is designed to support face, iris, fingerprint and vascular pattern recognition. We use a S3C2440A based on ARM926T core processor that is made in Samsung. The system has support various external device interfaces for multi biometric sensors, and RFID/Smart Card reader/writer. Additionally, it has a 6" LCD panel and numeric keypad for easy GUI. The embedded system offers useful environments to develop better biometric algorithms for stand alone biometric system and accelerator hardware modules for real time operation.