• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2015

Lung fibrosis is a life-threatening disease caused by overt or insidious inflammatory responses. However, the mechanism of tissue injury-induced inflammation and subsequent fibrogenesis remains unclear. Recently, we and other groups reported that Th17 responses play a role in amplification of the inflammatory phase in a murine model induced by bleomycin (BLM). Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine and extracellular-matrix-associated signaling molecule. However, whether tissue injury causes inflammation and consequent fibrosis through OPN should be determined. In this study, we observed that BLM-induced lung inflammation and subsequent fibrosis was ameliorated in OPNdeficient mice. OPN was expressed ubiquitously in the lung parenchymal and bone-marrow-derived components and OPN from both components contributed to pathogenesis following BLM intratracheal instillation. Th17 differentiation of $CD4^+$ ${\alpha}{\beta}$ T cells and IL-17-producing ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells was significantly reduced in OPN-deficient mice compared to WT mice. In addition, Th1 differentiation of $CD4^+$ ${\alpha}{\beta}$ T cells and the percentage of IFN-$\gamma$-producing ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T cells increased. T helper cell differentiation in vitro revealed that OPN was preferentially upregulated in $CD4^+$ T cells under Th17 differentiation conditions. OPN expressed in both parenchymal and bone marrow cell components and contributed to BLM-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by affecting the ratio of pathogenic IL-17/protective IFN-$\gamma$ T cells.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.11 s.282
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• pp.722-728
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• 2005

A wet-chemical route was utilized to obtain nanosized crystalline goethite ($\alpha$-FeOOH) particle, which was known as an oxidation catalyst in reducing carbon monoxide (CO) and dioxine during incineration. A cost-effective $FeSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ was used as starting raw material and a successive process of hydrolysis-oxidation was utilized as synthetic method. The effects of the initial $Fe^{2+}$ concentration, hydrolysis time and oxidation period on the crystalline phase and particle characteristics were systematically investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and BET analyses. It was found that the spindle-shaped crystalline $\alpha$-FeOOH particle with the width of 70 nm and the length of 200 nm could be obtained successfully when the initial concentration of 1.5 M, hydrolysis time of 4h, and oxidation period of 10 h, respectively. In addition, it was observed that the spindle-shaped $\alpha$-FeOOH particle consisted of nano-sized primary crystallites of $30\~50\;nm$, which were de-agglomerated into individual particle and successively re­agglomerated into spherical or irregular-shaped agglomerates beyond certain periods in the hydrolysis and oxidation process.

• 연구논문집
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• s.30
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• pp.111-119
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• 2000

Sintering of alumina powder was studied in the presence of Y-Si oxide and oxynitride additives. The main crystalline phase of the sintering aids pre-reacted at $1400^{\circ}C$ was $\alpha$ - $Y_2$$SiO_2$>$O_7$. Y-N apatite was co-existed in the Si-40N sintering aid because of its high content of N. During the sintering process, liquid phases were formed by the reaction between additives and alumina, and these liquid phases promote the densification of alumina. SEM micrographs showed that uniform grain growth occurred in the system with oxide additive(Si-0N). In the case of oxynitride additive system(Si-20N and Si-40N), bimodal microstructure was observed due to the exaggerated grain growth, As the nitrogen content in the additive system increased the exaggerated grain growth occurred extensively. Bloating, which seemed to be originated by the liberation of $N_2$ gas, occurred un the Si-40N oxynitride additive system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.68-68
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• 2003

HP(2-20) (AKKVFKRLEKLEKLFSKIQNDK) derived from the N-terminus of Helicobacter pylori Ribosomal Protein L1 shows potent antimicrobial activity against bacterial, fungi and cancer cells without cytotoxic effect. In order to investigate the relationships between antimicrobial activity and the structures, several analogues have been designed and synthesized. The structures of these peptides in SDS micelles have been investigated using NMR spectroscopy and they revealed that analogue 3 has the longest, well-defined alpha-helix from Val5 to Trp19. NOESY experiments performed on HP and its analogues in nondeuterated SDS micelles show that protons in the indole ring of Trp16 are in close contact with methylene protons of SDS micelles. In order to probe the position of HP and its analogues relative to the SDS micelles, spin-labeled stearate was added. Large effects are observed for the chemical shifts and the intensities of Phe5, Glu9, Phe12, and Trp16 within the helix region by 16-doxylstearate. This result implies that 16-doxylstearate is located in the center of the micelles and the hydrophobic phase of the amphiphilic ${\alpha}$-helix is located in contact with the acyl chains of the micelles. Also, Lys3 and Lys4 at N-terminus and Lys20 at C-terminus may produce an optimal arrangement for electrostatic interactions between the sulfate head groups of the SDS and the positively charged lysyl N$\sub$3/$\^$+/. Interactions between the indole ring of Trp and the membrane, as well as the amphiphilic ${\alpha}$-helical structure of HP induced by Trp at the C-terminus may allow HP to span the lipid bilayer. These structural features are crucial for their potent antibiotic activities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.38-47
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• 2001

L-theanine is a unique amino acid, found almost solely in tea plants. It is the main component responsible for the exotic taste of green tea. In our studies of L-theanine, we have found a variety of biological activities including relaxation and the alleviation of PMS. In general, animals generate very weak electric pulses on the surface of the brain, called brain waves. Brain waves are classified into four types, namely $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\delta$ and $\theta$-waves, based on their frequency. Brain waves correlate with individual mental conditions. For example, generation of $\alpha$-waves is considered an index of relaxation. In human volunteers, $\alpha$-waves were generated on the occipital and parietal regions of the brain surface within 40 minutes after the oral administration of 50 or 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ without causing drowsiness. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a symptom unique to women which appears in the luteal phase from the ovulation period through the first day of menstruation. It possesses characteristics of having a peak just prior to menstruation and disappearing 1 - 2 days following the start of menstruation. Symptoms of PMS are generally categorized as mental, physical and social symptoms. When comparing the reported Symptoms of PMS by the methods of MDQ score, the Suntheanine$^{TM}$ group was found to have a lower incidence of PMS symptoms, including physical, mental and social symptoms. Overall, a significant alleviation of PMS symptoms by the administration of 200 mg Suntheanine$^{TM}$ was observed. With the successful industrial production of L-theanine, we are now able to supply Suntheanine$^{TM}$, offering a tremendous opportunity for designing functional foods targeting relaxation and the alleviation of PMS.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.284-287
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• 2011

Microstructures and tensile properties at ambient and elevated temperatures were studied by substituting RE for Sr in Mg-6%Al-(3-X)%RE-X%Sr alloys (X = 0~3). With increasing Sr content, $Al_4Sr$ phase with lamellar morphology was newly introduced at interdendritic regions, with a gradual extinction of needle-shaped $Al_4RE$. The Mg-6%Al-3%Sr alloy shows dendritic grains and interdendritic eutectic phases containing bulky Mg-Al-Sr and lamellar $Al_4Sr$ with more continuous manner. The substitution of Sr for RE provided higher YS, UTS and creep resistance at $175^{\circ}C$, which indicates that Sr would be more beneficial in tensile properties and creep resistance at elevated temperature than RE for the Mg-Al based casting alloys.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1045-1053
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• 1993

Alumina hydrates were prepared by the neutralization of AlCl3.6H2O solution with NH3 gas diluted with N2 gas. The values of pH in reaction solution influenced the formation of alumina hydrates minerals. Amorphous alumina hydrates, for example, were formed at ${\gamma}$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\delta$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\theta$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\alpha$-Al2O3. (2) Bayeritelongrightarrowamorphouslongrightarrow${\gamma}$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\delta$-Al2O3longrightarrowη-Al2O3longrightarrow$\theta$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\alpha$-Al2O3. On the other hand, the shape of alumina hydrates whichw ere prepared by the reacton of Al2(SO4)3.16H2O solution and NH3 gas was spherical, the progress of its phase transformation with increasing temperature was amorphouslongrightarrow${\gamma}$-Al2O3longrightarrow$\alpha$Al2O3 in sequence.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2012

This study was investigated to compare the volatile aroma compounds of Synurus deltoides and Aster scaber. The volatile aroma compounds from Synurus deltoides and Aster scaber were extracted by soild-phase microextraction (SPME) methods. S. deltoides had 97 volatile aroma compounds such as including 5-acetyl-1,2-dihydro acenaphtylene (14.63%), ${\beta}$-cubebene (9.31%), caryophyllene (8.97%), ${\beta}$-chamigrene (7.14%), ${\beta}$-selinene (2.71), ${\alpha}$-farnesene (2.47%), ${\alpha}$-bergamotene (2.26%), ${\beta}$-elemene (1.94%), etc. A. scaber had 84 volatile aroma compounds such as (+)-epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (10.38%), terpinolen (10.09%), caryophyllene (6.04%), 8-isopropenyl-1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclodeca diene (5.42%), ${\alpha}$-himachalene (5.04%), ${\beta}$-thujene (4.37%), ${\beta}$-pinene (4.28%), ${\beta}$-cubebene (3.99%), etc. Conclusively, the main common volatile aroma compounds in S. deltoides and A. scaber leaves were 19 volatile aroma compounds such as caryophyllene, terpinolen, ${\beta}$-cubebene. But the composition and amount of volatile aroma compounds were very different between the two species.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.237-241
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• 1997

Lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) in the culture filtrate of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was active on ${\alpha}$-naphthyl-butyrate as well as on various triacylglycerols with different lengths of acyl chains. The extracellular lipase was purified 15-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-100, DEAE-Cellulose and Phenyl-Sepharose CL4B column chromatography with overall yield of 16%. It showed an molecular weight of 34.7 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme activity with tributyrin as substrate was optimal at pH 8.0~9.0 and at $37^{\circ}C$. The enzyme activity decreased when the chain length of acyl group of triacyglycerol increased. A-factor, a hormone-like regulator of Streptomyces differentiation inhibited the lipase activity, which might corelate with the low enzyme activity in early exponential growth phase.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1658-1663
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• 2006

Panax notoginseng (Buck) F.H chen. root (PNS) is used as a therapeutic agent to stop haemorrhages and a tonic to promote health in Korean and Chinses medicine. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main PNS are still not accurately investigated. Our preliminary aim is to elucidate the pharmacokinetics features of the PNS in rats. Objective of this study is to determine whether PNS affects hepatic microvascular dysfunction elicited by gut ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), since gut I/R causes hepatic microvascular dysfunction, and to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO). No has been found to be a modulator of the adhesive interactions between platelet and endothelial cells. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 min of gut ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor the number of non-perfused sinusoids (NPS). In another set of experiments, PNS (1 g/kg pre day intragastrically) was administered to rats for 7 days. In some experiments, dexamethasone (ST) (2 mg/kg per day intravenously) was administered. In control rats, gut I/R elicited increases in the number of NPS, and plasma TNF-${\alpha}$ and ALT activities, and these changes were mitigated by the pretreatment with PNS. Pretreatment with an No synthase inhibitor diminished the protective effects of PNS on the increase in NPS and plasma TNF-${\alpha}$ levels, but not its effect on the increase in plasma ALT activities. Pretreatment with PNS increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. The responses caused by gut I/R were attenuated by the pretreatment with ST. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor did not affect the effect of ST. These results suggest that PNS attenuates the gut I/R-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory responses such as TNF-${\alpha}$ production in the early phase via enhancement of NO production, and sequential hepatocellular damage via its anti-inflammatory effect like corticosteroid effect.