• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.248-255
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• 2012

In order to develop a protocol to quantify cyanobacteria and Microcystis simultaneously, the primers and probe were designed from the conserved regions of 16S rRNA gene sequences of cyanobacteria and Microcystis, respectively. Probe match analysis of the Ribosomal Database Project showed that the primers matched with over 97% of cyanobacterial 16S rRNA genes, indicating these can be used to amplify cyanobacteria specifically. The TaqMan probe, which is located between two primers, matched with 98.2% of sequences in genus GpXI, in which most Microcystis strains are included. The numbers of cyanobacterial genes were estimated with the emission of SYBR Green from the amplicons with two primers, whereas those of Microcystis spp. were measured from the fluorescence of CAL Fluor Gold 540 emitted by exonuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase in amplification. It is expected that this method enhances the accuracy and reduces the time to count cyanobacteria and potential toxigenic Microcystis spp. in aquatic environmental samples.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.575-588
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• 2014

Gel materials have recently gained more attention due to its unique capability of large and reversible volumetric changes. This study explores the possibility of mimicking the pattern formation of certain natural fruits during their growing process and leaves during drying processes through the swelling and de-swelling of gel materials. This will hopefully provide certain technical explanations on the morphology of fruits and plants. We adopt the inhomogeneous field gel theory to predict the deformation configurations of gel structures to describe the morphology of natural fruits and plants. The growing processes of apple and capsicum are simulated by imposing appropriate boundary conditions and field loading via varying the chemical potential from their immature to mature stages. The drying processes of three types of leaves with different vein structures are also investigated. The simulations lead to promising results and demonstrate that pattern formation of fruits and plants may be described from mechanical perspective by the behavior of gel materials based on the inhomogeneous field theory.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.37-45
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• 2019

To study the effect of nicorandil pretreatment on ketone body metabolism and Acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (ACAT1) activity in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes. In our study, we applied H9c2 cardiomyocytes cell line to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of nicorandil. We detected mitochondrial viability, cellular apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium overloading in H9c2 cells that exposed to H/R-induced cytotoxicity. Then we evaluated whether nicorandil possibly regulated ketone body, mainly ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetoacetate (ACAC), metabolism by regulating ACAT1 and Succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid coenzyme A transferase 1 (OXCT1) protein and gene expressions. Nicorandil protected H9c2 cardiomyocytes against H/R-induced cytotoxicity dose-dependently by mitochondria-mediated anti-apoptosis pathway. Nicorandil significantly decreased cellular apoptotic rate and enhanced the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expressions. Further, nicorandil decreased the production of ROS and alleviated calcium overloading in H/R-induced H9c2 cells. In crucial, nicorandil upregulated ACAT1 and OXCT1 protein expressions and either of their gene expressions, contributing to increased production of cellular BHB and ACAC. Nicorandil alleviated cardiomyocytes H/R-induced cytotoxicity through upregulating ACAT1/OXCT1 activity and ketone body metabolism, which might be a potential mechanism for emerging study of nicorandil and other $K_{ATP}$ channel openers.

• 한국기계가공학회지
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Flexible track drilling machines are credited with important applications in the area of aircraft manufacturing because of their portability, quick installation capabilities, and high efficiency. However, their structures are special and the constitution principles and motion characteristics are difficult to control, increasing the development costs and research cycle in the context of the technology blockade of foreign companies. The simulation analysis of flexible track drilling machines can be conducted by applying virtual prototypes, shortening the development cycle and reducing the cost. In this paper, a model of a machine is established by using the SolidWorks software and imported into ADAMS to conduct kinematic and dynamic simulation analysis. During the analysis, the feasibility of the configuration is checked, a reasonable driving motion is chosen, potential deficiencies are found, and improvement actions are raised.

• 산경연구논집
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how self-regulatory focus (SRF) influences the relationship between perceived brand localness (PBL) and purchase intentions (PI). This research adopted both domestic and foreign-owned brands to examine the moderating effect of self-regulatory orientations and product types respectively to exclude the interference of brand origin. Research design, data, and methodology: This study surveyed Chinese consumers and collected data using social media applications. ANOVA analysis and PROCESS modeling were adopted to complete the empirical analysis. Results: This research demonstrates that brand origin does not inhibit the positive impact of PBL on purchase intentions regardless of whether it originates from mainland China or not. Study 1 proved that the effect of PBL on PI is more convincing among consumers with promotion focus orientations. In study 2, higher purchase intentions were found for hedonic perceived local brands among promotion-focused consumers while significant preferences were found for utilitarian perceived local brands among prevention-focused consumers. Conclusions: This research complements the literature about the potential psychological factors influencing PBL and contributes to marketers in developing effective marketing strategies and appropriate positioning decisions. Overall, this study has important theoretical and managerial contributions to international marketing, particularly in the context of the current recession.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.517-529
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• 2023

Using a device composed of two lateral pressure plates (LPPs) and a steel reinforcement bar to apply horizontal pressure on slope surfaces, a newly developed prestress-reinforced embankment (PRE) is proposed, to which can be adopted in strengthening railway subgrades. In this study, an analytical model, which is available of calculating additional confining stress (σ_H) at any point in a PRE, was established based on the theory of elasticity. In addition, to verify the proposed analytical model, three dimensional (3D) finite element analyses were conducted and the feasibility in application was also identified and discussed. In order to study the performance of the PRE, the propagation of σ_H in a PRE was analyzed and discussed based on the analytical model. For the aim of convenience in application, calculation charts were developed in terms of three dimensionless parameters, and they can be used to accurately and efficiently predict the σ_H in a PRE regardless of the embankment slope ratio and LPP side length ratio. Finally, the potential applications of the proposed analytical model were discussed.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.409-414
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• 2023

In recent years, the emergence of a number of AI image generation software represented by [Midjourney] has brought great impetus to the development of the field of AI-assisted art creation. Compared with the traditional hand-painted digital painting with the aid of electronic equipment, broke the traditional sense of animation character creation logic.This paper analyzes the application of AI technology in the field of animation character design through the practice of two-dimensional animation character . This is having a significant impact on the productivity and innovation of animation design and character modeling. The key results of the analysis indicate that AI technology, particularly through the utilization of "Midjourney,"enables the automation of certain design tasks, provides innovative approaches, and generates visually appealing and realistic characters. In conclusion, the integration of AI technology, specifically the application of "Midjourney," brings a new dimension to animation character design. The utilization of AI image generation software facilitates streamlined workflows, sparks creativity, and improves the overall quality of animated characters. As the animation industry continues to evolve, AI-assisted tools like "Midjourney" hold great potential for further advancement and innovation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권9호
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• pp.444-449
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• 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematological malignancies all around the world. MicroRNAs have been determined to contribute various cancers initiation and progression, including AML. Although microRNA-204 (miR-204) exerts anti-tumor effects in several kinds of cancers, its function in AML remains unknown. In the present study, we assessed miR-204 expression in AML blood samples and cell lines. We also investigated the effects of miR-204 on cellular function of AML cells and the underlying mechanisms of the action of miR-204. Our results showed that miR-204 expression was significantly downregulated in AML tissues and cell lines. In addition, overexpression of miR-204 induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in AML cells, including AML5, HL-60, Kasumi-1 and U937 cells. Cell cycle analysis further confirmed an augmentation in theapoptotic subG1 population by miR-204 overexpression. Mechanistically, baculoviral inhibition of apoptosis protein repeat containing 6 (BIRC6) was identified as a direct target of miR-204. Enforcing miR-204 expression increased the luciferase activity and expression of BIRC6, as well as p53 and Bax expression. Moreover, restoration of BIRC6 reversed the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-204 overexpression in AML cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-204 causes AML cell apoptosis by targeting BIRC6, suggesting miR-204 may play an anti-carcinogenic role in AML and function as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6829-6835
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• 2014

Chemotherapy is the primary therapy for malignant lymphoma (ML). However, the clinical outcome is still far from satisfactory. Consequently, an understanding of the mechanism of modulating cancer cell invasion, migration and metastasis is important for the development of more effective chemotherapeutic agents. FNC, 2'-deoxy-2'-${\beta}$-fluoro-4'-azidocytidine, a novel cytidine analogue, has demonstrated significantly inhibitory effects on proliferation of several non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines. A previous study indicated that FNC effectively inhibited the growth of Raji and JeKo-1 cells in dose-time dependent effects with $IC_{50}$ values of $0.2{\mu}M$ and $0.097{\mu}M$, respectively. This study was focused on investigating the anti-invasive properties of FNC on NHL cells and its potential mechanisms of action. Cell adhesion and transwell chamber assays were utilized to investigate the anti-invasive effects of FNC on Raji and JeKo-1 cells. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to qualify the expression of ${\beta}$-catenin, the glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-$3{\beta}$), E-cadherin vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The results revealed that FNC remarkably inhibited the adhesion, migration and invasion of two human aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, ${\beta}$-catenin, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF mRNA and protein levels were decreased after FNC treatment, while GSK-$3{\beta}$ and E-cadherin increased. Our studies thus provide evidence and a rationale that FNC may offer an effective chemotherapeutic agent by regulating the invasion and metastasis of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma via inhibition of the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.877-886
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• 1995

The recycling nuclear transplantation(NT) technique has the powerful potential of producing a large number of genetically identical embryos and offsprings from one embryo. Multiple generational cloning by this technique utilizes the NT embryo itself as the donor for the next generation of cloning. In this experiment, we have produced the third generational cloned embryos by recycling NT. Further we examined comparatively the electrofusion rate and in vitro developmental potential in the cloned embryos of the first second and third generations. The embryos of 16-cell stage were collected from the mated does by flushing oviducts with Dulberco's phosphate buffered saline containing 10 % fetal calf serum(FCS) at 47 hours after hCG injection. In the first generation NT, the nuclear donor embryos were synchronized in the phase of Gl/S transition of 32-cell stage. The first and second generation NT embryos developed to 16-cell were used as donor nuclei for second and third generation. The recipient cytoplasms were utilized the oocytes collected at 14 hours after hCG injection, following revoming the nucleus and the first polar body by micromanipulation. The separated blastomeres were injected into the enucleated recipient oocytes by micromanipulation and were fused by electrical stimulation. The electrofusion rate was seen to be 78.0, 88.0 and 90.3 % in the first second and third generation NT rabbit embryos, respectively. The fused oocytes were co-cultured with a monolayer of rabbit oviductal epithelial cells in M-199 solution containing 10 % FCS for 120 hours at 39$^{\circ}C$ in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The in vitro developmental potential to blastocyst stage was significantly(P<0.05) decreased in the third(7.2 %) generation NT embryos compared to the first(53.1 %) and second(16.1 %) generation NT embryos. Following in vitro development to blastocyst stage, they were stained with Hoechst 33342 dye for counting the number of blastomeres by fluorescence microscopy. The mean blastomere numbers and cell cycle numbers of NT embryos during the culture period were significantly(p<0.05) decreased in the second(93.9 cells and 6.55 cylces) and third(81.5 cells and 1.35 cylces) generation, compared to the first(189.9 cells and 7.55 cylces) generation.