• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2023

Hair loss is a common condition that can have a negative impact on an individual's quality of life. The severe side effects and the low efficacy of current hair loss medications create unmet needs in the field of hair loss treatment. Hyaluronan and Proteoglycan Link Protein 1 (HAPLN1), one of the components of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to play a role in maintaining its integrity. HAPLN1 was examined for its ability to impact hair growth with less side effects than existing hair loss treatments. HAPLN1 was predominantly expressed in the anagen phase in three stages of the hair growth cycle in mice and promotes the proliferation of human hair matrix cells. Also, recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) was shown to selectively increase the levels of transforming growth factor-β receptor II in human hair matrix cells. Furthermore, we observed concomitant activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway following treatment with rhHAPLN1. Our results indicate that rhHAPLN1 elicits its cell proliferation effect via the TGF-β2-induced ERK1/2 pathway. The prompt entering of the hair follicles into the anagen phase was observed in the rhHAPLN1-treated group, compared to the vehicle-treated group. Insights into the mechanism underlying such hair growth effects of HAPLN1 will provide a novel potential strategy for treating hair loss with much lower side effects than the current treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2019

The thermal decomposition characteristics of boron-potassium nitrate ($BKNO_3$) were investigated by non-isothermal thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Two steps of mass loss were observed in the temperature range between room temperature and $600^{\circ}C$. Kinetic parameters of the thermal decompositions were evaluated from the measured TGA curves using the AKTS Thermokinetics Software. For the first step of mass loss ($220-360^{\circ}C$) corresponding to the thermal decomposition process of the binder (Laminac/Lupersol), the activation energy is in the range of approximately 120-270 kJ/mol when evaluated by Friedman's iso-conversional method, while the value of activation energy varies in the range of approximately 150-400 kJ/mol during the second step process ($360-550^{\circ}C$).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.97-109
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• 2021

Neonatal hypoxia/ischemia (H/I), injures white matter, results in neuronal loss, disturbs myelin formation, and neural network development. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress have been reported in neonatal hypoxic brain injuries. We investigated whether Paeoniflorin treatment reduced H/I-induced inflammation and oxidative stress and improved white matter integrity in a neonatal rodent model. Seven-day old Sprague-Dawley pups were exposed to H/I. Paeoniflorin (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg body weight) was administered every day via oral gavage from postpartum day 3 (P3) to P14, and an hour before induction of H/I. Pups were sacrificed 24 h (P8) and 72 h (P10) following H/I. Paeoniflorin reduced the apoptosis of neurons and attenuated cerebral infarct volume. Elevated expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bad were regulated. Paeoniflorin decreased oxidative stress by lowering levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species generation and while, and it enhanced glutathione content. Microglial activation and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling were significantly down-regulated. The degree of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) were reduced. Paeoniflorin markedly prevented white matter injury via improving expression of myelin binding protein and increasing O1-positive olidgodendrocyte and O4-positive oligodendrocyte counts. The present investigation demonstrates the potent protective efficiency of paeoniflorin supplementation against H/I-induced brain injury by effectually preventing neuronal loss, microglial activation, and white matter injury via reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2020

Objective: Shoes midsole are crucial for reducing impact forces on the lower extremity when someone is running. Previous studies report that the cushioning of running shoes make it possible to use less muscular energies. However, the well cushioned shoes result in energy loss as the shoe midsole is compressed. Cushioning reduces the load on the body, it also results in the use of more muscle energy to create propulsion force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the difference of shoe hardness & resilience on the running. Method: Shoes midsole are crucial for reducing impact forces on the lower extremity when someone is running. Previous studies report that the cushioning of running shoes make it possible to use less muscular energies. However, the well cushioned shoes result in energy loss as the shoe midsole is compressed. Cushioning reduces the load on the body, it also results in the use of more muscle energy to create propulsion force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the difference of shoe hardness & resilience on the running. Results: In vastus lateralis muscle Activation, Type 55 were significantly higher for Type 50 and X (p=0.019, p=0.045). In Gluteus Maximus muscle activation, Type 55 was significantly lower for type 50 (p=0.005). In loading late, Type 55 and X were significantly higher for type 45 (p=0.008, p=0.006). Conclusion: The components of a shoe are very complex, and there can be many differences in manufacturing as well. Although some differences can be found in the biomechanical variables of the high elastic midsole, it is difficult to interpret the performance enhancement and injury prevention.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1654-1663
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• 2014

To examine the effect of tumor suppressor protein p53 on the antitumor activity of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeO-$E_2$), 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced cell cycle changes and apoptotic events were compared between the human colon carcinoma cell lines HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$). When both cell types were exposed to 2-MeO-$E_2$, a reduction in the cell viability and an enhancement in the proportions of $G_2/M$ cells and apoptotic sub-$G_1$ cells commonly occurred dose-dependently. These 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced cellular changes, except for $G_2/M$ arrest, appeared to be more apparent in the presence of p53. Immunofluorescence microscopic analysis using anti-${\alpha}$-tubulin and anti-lamin B2 antibodies revealed that after 2-MeO-$E_2$ treatment, impaired mitotic spindle network and prometaphase arrest occurred similarly in both cell types. Following 2-MeO-$E_2$ treatment, only HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells exhibited an enhancement in the levels of p53, p-p53 (Ser-15), $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$, and Bax; however, the Bak level remained relatively constant in both cell types, and the Bcl-2 level decreased only in HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells. Additionally, mitochondrial apoptotic events, including the activation of Bak and Bax, loss of ${\Delta}{\psi}m$, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of lamin A/C, were more dominantly induced in the presence of p53. The Bak-specific and Bax-specific siRNA approaches confirmed the necessity of both Bak and Bax activations for the 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells. These results show that among 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced apoptotic events, including prometaphase arrest, up-regulation of Bax level, down-regulation of Bcl-2 level, activation of both Bak and Bax, and mitochondria-dependent caspase activation, the modulation of Bax and Bcl-2 levels is the target of the pro-apoptotic action of p53.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.90-94
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• 2008

Dynamic rheological properties of honey samples with 3 different moisture contents (17.2, 19.0, and 21.0%) were evaluated at various low temperatures (-15, -10, -5, and $0^{\circ}C$) using a controlled stress rheometer. The honey samples displayed a liquid-like behavior, with loss modulus (G") predominating over storage modulus (G') (G">>G'), showing the high dependence on frequency ($\omega$). The magnitudes of G' and G" decreased with an increase in temperature and water content while a predominant increase of G' was noticed at $-15^{\circ}C$. The time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle was applied to bring G" values for honeys at various temperatures together into a master curve. The G" over the temperature range of -15 to $0^{\circ}C$ obeyed the Arrhenius relationship with a high determination coefficient ($R^2=0.98-0.99$). Activation energy value (Ea=112.4 kJ/mol) of honey with a moisture content of 17.2% was higher than those (Ea=98.8-101.1 kJ/mol) of other honey samples with higher moisture contents.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.160-168
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• 2003

The co-firing processes for the supported type planar solid oxide fuel cell were investigated. A flat cell of $7.7${\times}$10.8\textrm{cm}^2$ was fabricated successfully by the co-firing process, in which green films were co-sintered in the forms of two layers of anode/electrolyte or of three layers of anode/electrolyte/cathode with gas distributor. A co-fired cell of two layers yielded a power of 200 ㎽/$\textrm{cm}^2$ at 608 ㎷. Its performance loss was mainly due to iR drop in the anodic gas distributor, which was attributed to poor contact between anodic gas distributor and current collector. The performance in the co-fired cell of three layers was much lower than that of two layers, which resulted from the large iR drop and activation overvoltage at the cathodic side. In the co-fired cell of two layers, the impedance analysis indicated that the performance decay during cell operation is due to both anode overvoltage and iR drop at anode side. Also the electrode reaction of the co-fired two layers' cell is considered to be controlled by activation overvoltage within the low current of 50 ㎃.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.424-432
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• 2014

The defining feature of Parkinson's disease is a progressive and selective demise of dopaminergic neurons. A recent report on Parkinson's disease animal model demonstrates that poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) dependent cell death, also named parthanatos, is accountable for selective dopaminergic neuronal loss. Parthanatos is a programmed necrotic cell death, characterized by PARP1 activation, apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) nuclear translocation, and large scale DNA fragmentation. Besides cell death regulation via interaction with AIF, PAR molecule mediates diverse cellular processes including genomic stability, cell division, transcription, epigenetic regulation, and stress granule formation. In this review, we will discuss the roles of PARP1 activation and PAR molecules in the pathological processes of Parkinson's disease. Potential interaction between PAR molecule and Parkinson's disease protein interactome are briefly introduced. Finally, we suggest promising points of therapeutic intervention in the pathological PAR signaling cascade to halt progression in Parkinson's disease.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.303-312
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• 2015

Receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIP3, or RIPK3) is an essential protein in the "programmed", or "regulated" necrosis cell death pathway that is activated in response to death receptor ligands and other types of cellular stress. Programmed necrotic cell death is distinguished from its apoptotic counterpart in that it is not characterized by the activation of caspases; unlike apoptosis, programmed necrosis results in plasma membrane rupture, thus spilling the contents of the cell and triggering the activation of the immune system and inflammation. Here we discuss findings, including our own recent data, which show that RIP3 protein expression is absent in many cancer cell lines. The recent data suggests that the lack of RIP3 expression in a majority of these deficient cell lines is due to methylation-dependent silencing, which limits the responses of these cells to pro-necrotic stimuli. Importantly, RIP3 expression may be restored in many cancer cells through the use of hypomethylating agents, such as decitabine. The potential implications of loss of RIP3 expression in cancer are explored, along with possible consequences for chemotherapeutic response. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 303-312]

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.11 no.2 s.31
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• pp.11-16
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• 2004

Electronic devices are getting smaller due to integration of electronic chip, and heat generated in electronic devices can cause loss of performance and/or reliability of the devices. In this research, metals such as gold, nickel and copper are plated onto a porous membrane by electroless plating method to make an efficient micro-heatsinks. Electroless plating includes sensitization and activation steps in pre-treatment steps. A polycarbonate(PC) membrane was sensitizied, activated and deposited in each metal solution for plating. Among manufactured microfibrils, heat transfer and radiation properties of Ni-microfibril with high surface area were more effective than those of $Au^-$ and Cu-microfibril.