Follow-Up Study on CDX1 and CDX2 mRNA Expression in Noncancerous Gastric Mucosae After Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Shin, C. M.,Kim, N.,Chang, H.,Kim, J. S.,Lee, D. H.,Jung, H. C. Plenum Pub. Corp 2016 Digestive diseases and sciences Vol.61 No.4

<P>Changes in CDX1/CDX2 in gastric mucosae following Helicobacter pylori eradication have not been clarified yet. To evaluate the changes in CDX1/CDX2 expression after H. pylori eradication, in relation to the reversibility of intestinal metaplasia (IM). Time course of CDX1/CDX2 expressions was investigated in 176 subjects with various gastroduodenal disorders. Among them, 132 patients were H. pylori positives; H. pylori were eradicated in 107 of them; 13 failed to eradicate; and 12 did not receive H. pylori eradication therapy. Forty-four subjects were H. pylori negatives. Expression levels in CDX1 and CDX2 from noncancerous gastric mucosae of the corpus, as well as the histologic findings of gastric mucosae, were evaluated during the follow-up. Average follow-up duration was 33.7 months (range 2-97 months). Expression levels in both CDX1 and CDX2 mRNAs were correlated with IM grade in the corpus (rho = 0.633 and 0.554, respectively, all P < 0.001). Changes in CDX1/CDX2 mRNA expressions following H. pylori eradication showed only insignificant results; IM grade at the antrum and corpus showed a tendency to decrease after H. pylori eradication without statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, histologic improvement of IM at the corpus was associated with a decrease in CDX2 mRNA expression during the follow-up (linear mixed model, P for slope = 0.015). In this study, eradication of H. pylori did not show any beneficial effects on aberrant CDX1/CDX2 expressions or IM. Reversibility of IM may be associated with a decrease in CDX2 mRNA expression.</P>

韓國産大麻의 性分에 關한 硏究(第3報) : 時期에 따른 大麻中의 T.H.C 含量變化에 對하여 Seasonal variations of T.H.C content in the leaves.

高旺鎭,張映京,姜信福,柳弘一 國立保健硏究院 1972 국립보건연구원보 Vol.9 No.-

Effect of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on the contractile responses of rat detrusor smooth muscle strips

Han, J.H.,Lee, M.Y.,Lee, S.Y.,Chang, I.H.,Kim, H.J.,Kim, W.,Myung, S.C. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2010 european journal of pharmacology Vol.638 No.1

This study was designed to determine how the contractility of rat detrusor smooth muscle strips changes in the presence of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>. The strips were dissected from the base of Sprague-Dawley rat bladders and their contractile responses to a cumulative increase in H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>concentration (3x10<SUP>-6</SUP>3x10<SUP>-2</SUP>%) were measured. How the duration of exposure to the fixed concentration of 3x10<SUP>-4</SUP>% H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>affected contractility was also examined. Moreover, the effect of 3x10<SUP>-4</SUP>% H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>pretreatment on the response to cumulative increases in the concentrations of phenylephrine or acetylcholine (10<SUP>-8</SUP>10<SUP>-4</SUP>) was assessed. To elucidate the mechanism by which H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>induced contraction, we examined the effect of pretreatment with 10nM Y-27632, 10μM indomethacin, 10μM SQ29548, 10μM verapamil, 10μM vitamin E, or 1μM Bay-K 8644 on the contractile responses generated by cumulatively increasing the concentration of H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB> H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>induced contractile responses in Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>free physiological solution were also examined. Low concentrations of H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>increased the contractile responses of the strips in a dose-dependent manner but increasing treatment duration decreased these responses. H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>pretreatment significantly augmented the contraction induced by phenylephrine (P<0.05) but had no effect on the response to acetylcholine. Pretreatment with Y-27632, indomethacin, vitamin E, verapamil, and Bay-K 8644 significantly inhibited the H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>induced contraction (P<0.05). SQ 29548-pretreatment had no effect. H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>could not increase the contractile responses in Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>free physiological solution. Thus, low concentrations of H<SUB>2</SUB><SUB>2</SUB>may directly affect detrusor smooth muscles and thereby induce detrusor overactivity.

Terrestrial n-alkanes and their carbon isotope records from the Hanon paleo-maar sediment, Jeju Island, Korea: Implications for paleoclimate and paleovegetation over the last 35 kyrs

Hyun, S.,Shin, K.H.,Lee, S.C.,Chang, S.W.,Nam, S.I. Pergamon Press 2017 QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL Vol.441 No.1

<P>The carbon isotope of total carbon (delta C-13(org)), long-chain n-alkanes, and their compound-specific carbon isotope ratios (delta C-13(ALK)) were investigated in the Hanon paleo-maar sediment, Jeju Island of Korea to understand paleoclimate variabilities and their paleovegetation linkages. Based on the organic geochemical data (TOC (%), TN (%), and their delta C-13(org) and delta N-15), the core column stratigraphy was divided into three units, namely from the bottom to 14.5 ka (Unit I), from 14.5 ka to 3.01<a (Unit II), and from 3.0 ka to the core top (Unit III), respectively. In particular, delta C-13(org) showed marked fluctuation from -17.31%o to -28.68%o, suggesting different organic carbon sources. A relatively narrow range of variation in delta C-13(org) was observed in Unit III, and drastic changes in delta C-13(org) were observed from Unit I to Unit II. This may indicate a predominance of C-4 plants in Unit I, and drastic changes from terrestrial C-4 to C-3 in Unit II and predominance of C-3 plants in Unit III. The distributions of n-alkane were characterized by a continuous predominance of odd-numbered n-alkanes, particularly nC(29) and nC(31), and by high fluctuation of the total n-alkanes concentration. The average chain length (ACL), carbon preferences index (CPI), and paleoplant proxy (Paq) showed high fluctuation and glacial-interglacial variations with distinctive a high and low ratio at about 9.2 ka, corresponding to the switching points of delta C-13(org) and a high concentration of nalkane distribution. Individual n-alkane odd-numbered isotopes of delta C-13(Auc) ranged between -11.80%o in delta C-13n(21) and -34.93%o in delta C-13n(31), suggesting different sources of n-alkanes. The distribution of n-alkanes and their individual delta C-13(Auc), in particular delta C-13n(21), support paleovegetation changes, and their time dependent variations matched well with glacial-interglacial paleoclimate variations. Therefore, organic geochemical proxies recorded in Hanon paleo-maar sediment reflects paleoclimate variabilities as well as paleovegetation changes for the last 35 kyr in Jeju Island, Korea. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.</P>

An exploration of the antioxidant effects of garlic saponins in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts

Kang, J. S.,Kim, S. O.,Kim, G.-Y.,Hwang, H. J.,Kim, B. W.,Chang, Y.-C.,Kim, W.-J.,Kim, C. M.,Yoo, Y. H.,Choi, Y. H. Spandidos Publications 2016 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE Vol.37 No.1

<P>In this study, we aimed to confirm the protective effects of garlic saponins against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts. Relative cell viability was determined by 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Comet assay was used to measure DNA damage and oxidative stress was determined using 2 ',7 '-dichlorofluorescein diacetate to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Western blot analysis and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based knockdown were used in order to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms. Our results revealed that garlic saponins prevented hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced growth inhibition and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular ROS. We also observed that garlic saponins prevented H2O2-induced comet tail formation and decreased the phosphorylation levels of gamma H2AX expression, suggesting that they can prevent H2O2-induced DNA damage. In addition, garlic saponins increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent antioxidant enzyme associated with the induction and phosphorylation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytosol into the nucleus. However, the protective effects of garlic saponins on H2O2-induced ROS generation and growth inhibition were significantly reduced by zinc protoporphyrin IX, an HO-1 competitive inhibitor. In addition, the potential of garlic saponins to mediate HO-1 induction and protect against H2O2-mediated growth inhibition was adversely affected by transient transfection with Nrf2-specific siRNA. Garlic saponins activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, whereas a specific ERK inhibitor was able to inhibit HO-1 upregulation, as well as Nrf2 induction and phosphorylation. Taken together, the findings of our study suggest that garlic saponins activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by enabling ERK to contribute to the induction of phase II antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes, including HO-1 in C2C12 cells.</P>

Preparation, Ferroelectric and Electrical Properties of Lead Germanate Pb5Ge3O11 thin films prepared by sol-gel methods

C.H. Chang,J.S. Kim,H.S. Lee,J.K. Kim,S.S. Kim,T.K. Song 한국물리학회 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.46 No.1

Lead germanate Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) thin flms were prepared by sol-gel methods and their electrical properties were obtained. Single phase of prepared PGO thin flm was confrmed by X-ray diraction peaks. PGO thin lms with c-axis oriented grains were prepared on (111) Pt-coated Si substrates when heat treated at 450C 600C for 1 h. Grains showed a plate like shape and grain size was increased with increasing annealing temperature. PGO thin lms were found to be ferroelectric at room temperature, and remanent polarization was about 4 C/cm2 at a coercive feld of 100 kV/cm. In this work, preparation, ferroelectric and electrical properties of PGO thin flms were investigated.

iNKT cells prevent obesity-induced hepatic steatosis in mice in a C-C chemokine receptor 7-dependent manner

Kim, H M,Lee, B R,Lee, E S,Kwon, M H,Huh, J H,Kwon, B-E,Park, E-K,Chang, S-Y,Kweon, M-N,Kim, P-H,Ko, H-J,Chung, C H Nature Publishing Group 2018 International Journal of Obesity Vol.42 No.2

<P>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are characterized by an increase in hepatic triglyceride content with infiltration of immune cells, which can cause steatohepatitis and hepatic insulin resistance. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is primarily expressed in immune cells, and CCR7 deficiency leads to the development of multi-organ autoimmunity, chronic renal disease and autoimmune diabetes. Here, we investigated the effect of CCR7 on hepatic steatosis in a mouse model and its underlying mechanism. Our results demonstrated that body and liver weights were higher in the CCR7<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice than in the wild-type (WT) mice when they were fed a high-fat diet. Further, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were markedly diminished in CCR7<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice. The number of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells was reduced in the livers of the CCR7<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice. Moreover, liver inflammation was detected in obese CCR7<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice, which was ameliorated by the adoptive transfer of hepatic mononuclear cells from WT mice, but not through the transfer of hepatic mononuclear cells from CD1d<SUP>−/−</SUP> or interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10<SUP>−/−</SUP>) mice. Overall, these results suggest that CCR7<SUP>+</SUP> mononuclear cells in the liver could regulate obesity-induced hepatic steatosis via induction of IL-10-expressing iNKT cells.</P>

Effects of Fertilization Time and Culture Medium of Pig Oocytes Matured In Vitro by Liquid Boar Sperm Stored at 4℃

Park, C.S.,Yi, Y.J.,Kim, M.Y.,Chang, Y.J.,Lee, S.H.,Jin, D.I 충남대학교 형질전환복제돼지연구센터 2004 논문집 Vol. No.8

This study was to investigate the effects of fertilization time and culture medium of pig oocytes matured in-vitro by liquid boar sperm. The sperm rich fraction (30∼60 ml) was slowly cooled to room temperature (20∼23℃) by 2 h after collection. Semen was transferred into 15 ml tubes, centrifuged at room temperature for 10 min 800×g, and the supernatant solution was poured off. The concentrated sperm was resuspended with 5 ml of the LEN diluent to provide 1.0×10^(9) sperm/ml at room temperature. The resuspended semen was cooled in a refrigerator to 4℃. The medium used for oocyte maturation was TCM-199 supplemented with 26.19 mM sodium bicarbonate, 0.9 mM sodium pyruvate, 10μg/ml insulin, 2μg/ml vitamin B_(12), 25 mM HEPES, 10μg/ml bovine apotransferrin, 150μM cysteamine, 10IU/ml PMSG, 10 IU/ml hCG, 10 ng/ml EGF, 0.4% BSA, 75μg/ml sodium penicillin G, 50μg/ml streptomycin sulfate and 10% pFF. After about 22 h of culture, oocytes were cultured without cysteamine and hormones for 22 h at 38.5℃, 5% CO₂in air. Oocytes were inseminated with liquid boar sperm stored at 4℃ for 2 days after collection. Oocytes were coincubated for 1, 3, 6 and 9 h in 500 μl mTBM fertilization media with 1.0×10^(6) sperm/ml concentration, respectively. Thereafter, oocytes were transferred into 500 μl NCSU-23, HEPES buffered NCSU-23, PZM-3 and PZM-4 culture media, respectively, for further culture of 6, 48 and 144 h. The rates of sperm penetration and male pronuclear formation were higher in the fertilization times for 6 and 9 h than in those for 1 and 3 h. The rates of cleaved oocytes were higher in the fertilization times for 6 and 9 h (85.0 and 84.6%) than in those for 1 and 3 h (61.1 and 76.8%). The percentage of blastocyst formation from the cleaved oocytes was highest in the fertilization time for 6 h (33.6%) than in that for 1, 3 and 9 h (11.4, 23.0 and 29.6%). Mean cell numbers per blastocyst were 32.9, 27.6, 26.3 and 24.4 in the fertilization times for 6, 9, 3 and 1 h, respectively. The rate of blastocyst from the cleaved oocytes and the number of cells per blastocyst were higher in HEPES buffered NCSU-23 culture medium than in NCSU-23, PZM-3 and PZM-4 culture media. In conclusion, we found out that liquid boar sperm stored at 4℃ could be used for in-vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured in-vitro. Also, we recommend the coincubation time of 6 h in 500 μl TBM fertilization medium with 1×10^(6) sperm/ml concentration and the HEPES buffered NCSU-23 culture medium for in-vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured in-vitro.

Functional Characterization of Mammary Gland of Holstein Cows under Humid Tropical Summer Climates

Lu, C.H.,Chang, C.J.,Lee, P.N.,Wu, C.P.,Chen, M.T.,Zhao, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.7

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

Cryptotanshinone, a lipophilic compound of Salvia miltiorrriza root, inhibits TNF-α-induced expression of adhesion molecules in HUVEC and attenuates rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo

Jin, Y.C.,Kim, C.W.,Kim, Y.M.,Nizamutdinova, I.T.,Ha, Y.M.,Kim, H.J.,Seo, H.G.,Son, K.H.,Jeon, S.J.,Kang, S.S.,Kim, Y.S.,Kam, S.C.,Lee, J.H.,Chang, K.C. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2009 european journal of pharmacology Vol.614 No.1

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of cryptotanshinone (CTS), one of active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza root, on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat due to inhibition of some inflammatory events that occur by NF-kB-activation during ischemia and reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by either 2 h (biochemical analysis) or 24 h (myocardial function and infarct size measurement) reperfusion. CTS injected (i.v.) 10 min before ischemia and reperfusion insult. CTS significantly reduced the infarct size and improved ischemia and reperfusion-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction. Furthermore, CTS inhibited NF-kB translocation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), neutrophil infiltration and MPO activity in ischemic myocardial tissues. CTS also significantly reduced plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β due to ischemia and reperfusion. Interestingly, H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>-stimulated NF-kB-luciferase activity and TNF-α-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were significantly inhibited by CTS. Taken together, it is concluded that CTS may attenuate ischemia and reperfusion-induced microcirculatory disturbances by inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production, reduction of neutrophil infiltration and possibly inhibition of adhesion molecules through inhibition of NF-kB-activation during ischemia and reperfusion.