• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.509-526
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• 2017

Background and objectives : Soeumin Bojungykgi-tang (seBYTE) has been used to supplement qi in Korean medicine. It has been demonstrated to possess various biological functions such as anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study evaluated the protective roles of seBYTE in hepatotoxic in vitro and in vivo model. Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of seBYTE, HepG2 cells were pretreated with seBYTE and then subsequently exposed to $10{\mu}m$ AA for 12 h, followed by $5{\mu}m$ iron. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. For responsible molecular mechanisms, ROS production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE in vivo was assessed in $CCl_4$-induced animal model. Results : seBYTE prevented AA + iron-induced cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, GSH depletion, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA + iron were significantly reduced by seBYTE pretreatment. Furthermore, seBYTE recovered expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins such as PARP and pro-caspase-3. In animal experiment, plasma ALT and AST levels were significantly elevated in $CCl_4$ treatment, but seBYTE significantly decreased the ALT and AST levels. Moreover, seBYTE alleviated the numbers of histological activity index, percentages of degenerative regions, degenerated hepatocytes, infiltrated inflammatory cells, nitrotyrosine- and 4-hydroxynonenal-positive cells in liver. Conclusions : These results showed that hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE against on $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damages is partly due to antioxidative and anti-apoptotic process.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2004

This study was aimed to assess the effects of microclimate factors on lettuce chlorophyll fluorescent responses and to develop an environment control system for plant growth by adopting a simple genetic algorithm. The photosynthetic responses measurements were repeated by changing one factor among six climatic factors at a time. The maximum Fv'/Fm' resulted when the ambient temperature was $21^{\circ}C,\;CO_2$ concentration range of 1,200 to 1,400 ppm, relative humidity of $68\%$, air current speed of $1.4m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and the temperature of nutrient solution of $20^{\circ}C$. In PPF greater than $140{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, Fv'/Fm' values were decreased. To estimate the effects of combined microclimate factors on plant growth, a photosynthesis efficiency model was developed using principle component analysis for six microclimate factors. Predicted Fv'/Fm' values showed a good agreement to measured ones with an average error of $2.5\%$. In this study, a simple genetic algorithm was applied to the photosynthesis efficiency model for optimal environmental condition for lettuce growth. Air emperature of $22^{\circ}C$, root zone temperature of $19^{\circ}C,\;CO_2$ concentration of 1,400 ppm, air current speed of $1.0m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, PPF of $430{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and relative humidity of $65\%$ were obtained. It is feasible to control plant environment optimally in response to microclimate changes by using photosynthesis efficiency model combined with genetic algorithm.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2011

Korean bennudagrass collections showed diverse genetic variations in their morphology, growth habit, and cytological aspects. Chromosome number and nuclear DNA content of the bennudagrasses indicated a ploidy level ranging from triploid (2n=3x) to hexaploid (2n=6x). In this study, we investigated the different responses of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase) and cell membrane stability of those bennudagrass cytotypes to lower temperature and shorter day length, which meets a dormant induction in Korea. All the antioxidant enzymes were found to be higher during dormant stage, while the heme-containing catalase which converts hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) to water and oxygen molecules was activated before dormant initiation in the three cytotypes except for hexaploid bennudagrass. The triploid and tetraploid which exhibited relatively finer leaves and a rapid establishment speed were found to show increased activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzyme. The malondialdehyde(MDA) which is a product of lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane damaged by the hydroxyl radical was increased in all cytotypes as temperature declined, and tri- and tetraploids which had more protective antioxidant enzymes demonstrated a significantly lower MDA production. Similarly electrolyte leakage was higher in penta- and hexaploidy, seemingly more damage to cell membrane when low temperature was implemented. Results indicated that antioxidant responses of different cytotypes were genetically specific, which needs to be investigated the relevance with the low temperature tolerance in the bermudagrass further at the molecular level.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.452-459
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• 2017

In recent years, to reduce self-weight of structural elements, the use of SCP (Steel Concrete Plate) instead of prestressed concrete is increasing. Because SCP has a complicated sectional shape and includes a large number of studs, the use of high-fluidity concrete is required. Therefore, in this study, to prevent the restrained shrinkage behavior by the stud, the effects of using an expansive agent (EA) and shrinkage reducing agent (SRA) were investigated, and the optimal mixture proportions to maximize the filling capacity were determined based on the fine aggregate ratio. The test results indicated that the combined use of EA and SRA exhibited the smallest shrinkage. The ratio of the crushed sand and washed sea sand was determined to be 5:5, and the proper fine aggregate ratio was found to be 55.6%, because when the ratio was too high, a decrease in strength and an increase in shrinkage strain were expected. The high-fluidity concrete effectively filled the large-sized SCP module.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.5 s.95
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• pp.603-610
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• 2006

The external unbonded strengthening offers advantages in speed and simplicity of installation over other strengthening techniques. Unlike externally bonded steel plate or carbon fiber sheet, surface preparation of the concrete for installation of high-tension bar is not required and installation is not affected by environmental conditions. Anchoring pin or anchoring plate are installed at the end of beam to connect the high-tension bar to concrete beam. The deviator are used in order that supplementary external bars would follow the curvature of the tested beam. A set often laboratory tests on reinforced concrete beam strengthened using the technique are reported. The main test parameters are the section area of strengthening bar, the depth of deviator and the number of deviators. The paper provides a general description of structural behavior of beams strengthened using the technique. The test result of strengthened beam are compared with those from a reference specimen. It is shown that the reinforcing technique can provide greater strength enhancements to unstrengthened beam and that the provision of deviator enhances efficiency. The ultimate moment of specimen with two deviators was higher than that of specimens with one deviator. It is also shown that the external bars enhance strength of beams in shear.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.309-312
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• 2008

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures have been most widely used because of the economic efficiency. However, it is very weak to tensile stresses and difficult to control deflection due to the heavy self-weight of concrete. Although it is generally known that prestressed concrete structures can be the most effective to overcome the demerit of RC structures, its application is very seldom in domestic construction for the difficult onsite circumstances. The post-tension method, which is well fit for buildings that are mostly indeterminate structures and beneficial for monolithic construction, has been introduced to just a few building construction. The application of full PT method into entire spans makes construction engineers feel very difficult due to the lack of current condition in construction fields. Therefore, this study proposed the partially applied PT method as an alternative, which can improve the deflection control of RC structures and reduce the construction difficulty by applying the PT method in a part of span length as needed, and analyzed its characteristics of structural behavior. In this study, the top anchorage was applied to improve the applicability of partial PT method, and the analysis results of slab behavior were compared to the measured values obtained from the post-tensioned slab constructed by the partial PT method.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2014

Treatment options for partially edentulous patients are fixed partial denture, removable partial denture and implant supported fixed partial denture. In case of a patient with a few remaining teeth, removable partial denture and implant supported fixed prosthesis are available. For implant fixed prothesis, enough implant fixtures are required and the patient's general condition, local factors and economic status must be considered. When the condition of the abutments and the residual ridge is favorable and the prosthesis is well designed, removable partial denture can be an option. In removable partial denture, the bilateral support is important. If the teeth remain unilateral, harmful stress is put on the abutments by the fulcrum line. In this situation, strategic implantation and implant-retained or assisted removable partial denture is beneficial to the retention and support of the denture. And this can be cost-effective, functional and esthetic choice of treatment. This article describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation of Maxillary Kennedy class I partially edentulous patients. In these two cases, the patients had a small number of teeth and they were restored by the combination of a removable partial denture and dental implants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.525-531
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• 2016

Cynanchum wilfordii Radix (CWR), Arctium lappa L (ALL), and Dioscorea opposite (DO) have been known to improve blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammation. To find the optimal combination ratio of CWR, ALL, and DO in terms of vascular health improvement, we compared the effects of various combinations on gene expression of Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). VCAM-1 mediates endothelial leukocyte adhesion and is upregulated in atherosclerosis. Cells was stimulated by TNF-α (10 ng/㎖, 2h) and treated with various combinations for 24 h. A combination (CADM5, CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) showed the strongest suppression of VCAM-1 so that CADM5 was chosen for further experiments. We performed cell viability test with CADM5 (0, 3.125, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖) and no cytotoxicity was found. We also investigated the effect of CADM5 on protein expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, Nrf-2, and HO-1 using western blotting. We found that CADM5 diminished the expression of VCAM-1 and increased the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1. Therefore, we concluded that CADM5 (CWR:ALL:DO = 2:1:1) effectively improves vascular health by regulating the expression of VCAM-1.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.153-165
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• 2010

Objectives : The aims of this study were to investigate the cytoprotective, antioxidative and inflammation genes inhibitory effects of Patriniae Radix on the mouse LLC-$PK_1$ cells (renal epithelial cells). Methods : The cytoprotective effect of Patriniae Radix was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The antioxidative effect was measured in terms of generation amount of superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}{O_2}^-$) by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), nitric oxide (NO) by 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) by dihyldrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) by $PGE_2$ immunoassay on $H_2O_2$-treated LLC-$PK_1$ cells. For measuring of inflammation genes inhibitory effects, western blot was performed to detect IKK-$\alpha$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$ and VCAM-1 protein level in cytosol fractions from LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Results : Patriniae Radix extract reduced the $H_2O_2$-induced cell death and inhibited the amount of $H_2O_2$-induced ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$, NO, $ONOO^-$, $PGE_2$ generation dose-dependently on the mouse LLC-$PK_1$ cells in vitro. Also Patriniae Radix extract inhibited the expression of IKK-$\alpha$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, COX-2, iNOS, IL-$1\beta$ and VCAM-1 genes dose-dependently by means of decreasing activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. Conclusions : According to above results, it was identified that Patriniae Radix had the cytoprotective, antioxidative and inflammation genes inhibitory effects. So it was suggested that Patriniae Radix would be effective to the treatment for the inflammatory process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2013

Whole genome transcriptomes from Miscanthus species were sequenced and analyzed, which provided 50 different types of transcription factor (TF) involving various developmental processes or environmental stresses. Among the explored TF, WRKY gene family was the major type and one of the WRKY genes, MSIR7180_WRKY4, induced under low temperature environment was selected to investigate how the Miscanthus-originated MSIR7180_WRKY4 TF responds when exposed to low temperature in four warm-season turfgrasses (Z. matrella 'Semil', bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and seashore paspalum). The MSIR7180_WRKY4 was expressed higher during low temperature period in Bermudagrass, but the expression was enhanced in St. Augustinegrass. In contrast, the gene in 'Semil' cultivar was barely expressed and relatively less expressed, but repressed gradually in seashore paspalum, which seems to allow two turfgrasses stay-green longer in the fall season. The results indicate that bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass adapt to low temperature quickly, but relative tolerance to low or cold temperature at the molecular level needs to be further investigated at different physiological stages and the corresponding genes systematically.