• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.198-209
• /
• 2016

The Movie, A Werewolf Boy, describes metaphorically the hidden desire of female audience. The majority of stories about wolves contains fear of wolves inherited by and learned through human history struggling with the nature. They also shows punishment and reward toward wolves as a cultural symbol of evil. This study focuses on analyzing wolves as a metaphor of hidden original desire rather than as a subject of fear and punishment. Soon-Hee's experience with a wolf-boy in her period of puberty and her remembering the experience in her old age expresses her original sexual desire. The movie, A Werewolf boy does not directly deal with sexual content. However, SU-NI's growth through the interaction with the wolf-boy informs us Freudian theory of sex and the mechanism of sexual desire and its repression or realization. Brun Bettelheim's "Little Red Riding Hood" was used to analyze Soon-hee's desire during her puberty and Clarissa Estes's "Women Who Run with the Wolves" were used to explore SU-NI's wildness forgotten in her elderlyhood. This study shows in the process of wolf boy's transformation from biological being into social being awakened the hidden and original desire of woman.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.4983-4988
• /
• 2013

Objectives: To establish a taxol-resistant cell line of human ovarian carcinoma (A2780/Taxol) and investigate its biological features. Methods: The drug-resistant cell line (A2780/Taxol) was established by continuous stepwise selection with increasing concentrations of Taxol. Cell morphology was assessed by microscopy and growth curves were generated with in vitro and in vivo tumor xenograft models. With rhodamine123 (Rh123) assays, cell cycle distribution and the apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Drug resistance-related and signal associated proteins, including P-gp, MRPs, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Akt, ERK1/2, were detected by Western blotting. Results: A2780/Taxol cells were established with stable resistance to taxol. The drug resistance index (RI) was 430.7. Cross-resistance to other drugs was also shown, but there was no significant change to radioresistance. Compared with parental cells, A2780/Taxol cells were significantly heteromorphous, with a significant delay in population doubling time and reduced uptake of Rh123 (p<0.01). In vivo, tumor take by A2780 cells was 80%, and tumor volume increased gradually. In contrast, with A2780/Taxol cells in xenograft models there was no tumor development. FCM analysis revealed that A2780/Taxol cells had a higher percentage of G0/G1 and lower S phase, but no changes of G2 phase and the apoptosis rate. Expression of P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, BCRP, LRP, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Phospho-ERK1/2 and Phospho-JNK protein was significantly up-regulated, while Akt and p38 MARK protein expression was not changed in A2780/Taxol cells. Conclusion: The A2780/Taxol cell line is an ideal model to investigate the mechanism of muti-drug resistance related to overexpression of drug-resistance associated proteins and activation of the PKC-${\alpha}/ERK$ (JNK) signaling pathway.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.389-396
• /
• 2009

Objective : Triptolide (TP) has been reported to suppress the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), of which main function is to inactivate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), the p38 MAPK and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK-1/2), and to exert antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. However, the mechanisms underlying antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of TP are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the down-regulation of MKP-1 expression by TP would account for antiproliferative activity of TP in immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells. Methods : MKP-1 expression and MAPK phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by $^3H$-thymidine incorporation. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MKP-1, vanadate (a phosphatase inhibitor), U0126 (a specific inhibitor for ERK-1/2), SB203580 (a specific inhibitor for p38 MAPK), and SP600125 (a specific inhibitor for JNK-1/2) were employed to evaluate a possible mechanism of antiproliferative action of TP. Results : At its non-cytotoxic dose, TP suppressed MKP-1 expression, reduced cell growth, and induced persistent ERK-1/2 activation. Similar growth inhibition and ERK-1/2 activation were observed when MKP-1 expression was blocked by MKP-1 siRNA and its activity was inhibited by vanadate. The antiproliferative effects of TP, MKP-1 siRNA, and vanadate were significantly abolished by U0126, but not by SB203580 or SP600125. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that TP inhibits the growth of immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells via persistent ERK-1/2 activation by suppressing MKP-1 expression. Additionally, this study provides evidence supporting that MKP-1 may play an important role in regulation of neuronal cell growth.

• Smart Media Journal
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2020

Currently, black-box-based machine learning algorithms are used to analyze big data in manufacturing. This algorithm has the advantage of having high analytical consistency, but has the disadvantage that it is difficult to interpret the analysis results. However, in the manufacturing industry, it is important to verify the basis of the results and the validity of deriving the analysis algorithms through analysis based on the manufacturing process principle. To overcome the limitation of explanatory power as a result of this machine learning algorithm, we propose a manufacturing big data analysis method using genetic programming. This algorithm is one of well-known evolutionary algorithms, which repeats evolutionary operators such as selection, crossover, mutation that mimic biological evolution to find the optimal solution. Then, the solution is expressed as a relationship between variables using mathematical symbols, and the solution with the highest explanatory power is finally selected. Through this, input and output variable relations are derived to formulate the results, so it is possible to interpret the intuitive manufacturing mechanism, and it is also possible to derive manufacturing principles that cannot be interpreted based on the relationship between variables represented by formulas. The proposed technique showed equal or superior performance as a result of comparing and analyzing performance with a typical machine learning algorithm. In the future, the possibility of using various manufacturing fields was verified through the technique.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.99-119
• /
• 2006

Endothelin (ET) is a 21 amino acid peptide with multifunctional effects on the vasculature as well as a variety of other cell types such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, endocrine, central nervous systems, and others. Endothelin has emerged as a modulator by autocrine and paracrine actions for many cellular activities, including vasoconstriction, cell proliferation, hormone production, neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator. The endothelin family consists of three closely related peptides, ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3 derived from separate genes, such as chromosome 6, 1, and 20, respectively. ET-1 is the predominant isoform produced in the cardiovascular system and about which most is known. Endothelin receptors are seven-transmembrane GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors, which are classified into endothelin-A (ETA) and endothelin-B (ETB) receptors. Interestingly, recent evidence is accumulating to suggest that ET -1 may contribute to a variety of pain states such as allodynia and hyperalgesia in animals and humans. Therefore, in this review the biological characteristics and contraction-related mechanism of endothelin-1 in mammalian cells will be summarized. Especially, we focus on multifunctional roles for ET-1 in noxious stimulation-induced pain for the study of pain specialized physical therapy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.467-475
• /
• 2002

Hyperthermia using transrectal thermal probes has been used for a noninvasive treatment of prostate diseases. However it is known that heating the rectal wall at excessively high temperature can lead to destruction of the rectal mucous membrane. and it is difficult to maintain an optimum temperature over the entire prostate. Thus, a more accurate understanding of the heat transfer mechanism between prostate and hyperthermia system is needed Numerical analysis was performed to investigate how the cold/warm stimulations on the prostate surface affect the temperature distribution in the prostate model. The general purpose software "FLUENT" was used for obtaining a finite volume solution to the unsteady conduction equation and to calculate the time-varying temperature in the prostate. Effects of the warm/cold stimulations and the stimulation frequency on the temperature distribution were simulated. and we visualized how hyperthermia affected the inside of the prostate. It was found that the effect of hyperthermia by using a typical heating method is limited due to the low thermal conductivity of the prostate. Consecutive repetitions of warm and cold stimulations were considered to provide the thermal irritations inside a prostate. The effects of temperature difference and duration of warm/cold stimulations were investigated, and basic data for the optimum period and effective patterns of stimulations were obtained. A simplified bioheat equation was also solved to describe effects of the blood flow on the blood-tissue heat transfer. The effect of blood flow was not dominant compared to that of warm/cold stimulations. These results might be used as data for design of prostate treating probe, prostatic therapy and thermal stimulation effects on the prostate.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.263-281
• /
• 2014

Transcription factors are essential for the regulation of gene expression in plant. They are binding to either enhancer or promoter region of DNA adjacent to the gene and are related to basal transcription regulation, differential enhancement of transcription, development, response to intercellular signals or environment, and cell cycle control. The mechanism in controlling gene expression of transcription can be understood through the assessment of the complete sequence for the maize genome. It is possible that the maize genome encodes 4,000 or more transcription factors because it has undergone whole duplication in the past. Previously, several transcription factors of maize have been characterized. In this review article, the transcription factors were selected using Pfam database, including many family members in comparison with other family and listed as follows: ABI3/VP1, AP2/EREBP, ARF, ARID, AS2, AUX/IAA, BES1, bHLH, bZIP, C2C2-CO-like, C2C2-Dof, C2C2-GATA, C2C2-YABBY, C2H2, E2F/DP, FHA, GARP-ARR-B, GeBP, GRAS, HMG, HSF, MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, PHD, and WRKY family. For analyzing motifs, each amino acid sequence has been aligned with ClustalW and the conserved sequence was shown by sequence logo. This review article will contribute to further study of molecular biological analysis and breeding using the transcription factor of maize as a strategy for selecting target gene.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.15-28
• /
• 1989

A study on quantitative phytoplankton samples, hydrographic conditions (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen), and nutrients has been performed in the southern waters of the Korean East Sea in early spring. Phytoplankton community showed close correlation with hydrographic conditions. This study area could be divided into three phytohydrographic regions; 1) East Korean Warm Water Region (a branch of Tsushima Current), 2) North Korean Cold Water Region, and 3) offshore water region not affected by other two water regions. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton is dependent upon stability of water column and nutrient concentration. Nutrient concentration shows characteristic distribution according to water masses. N/P ratio of ca. 3 in surface layer indicates that nitrogen is the major limiting nutrient in this area. N/P removal ratio was 12.54 ($r^2$ = 0.96), consistent with the Redified ratio. Primary nitrite maxima at the nitracline depths are thought to be formed by phytoplankton exudation. Secondary nitrite maximum was observed in coastal area with dissolved oxygen content of >5.2 ml/l much higher than <0.25 ml/l in other areas. The mechanism of secondary maximum is different from that of other regions, and whether it may be due to in situ degradation of organic matter by bacterial activity is still open to discuss.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.8
• /
• pp.1041-1049
• /
• 2013

The root of Polygala radix has been widely known as an oriental traditional medicinal stuff that improves memory. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, the effect of Polygala radix hot water extracts (PRHWE) on cognitive function related to the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) derived from neural cells (PC12) in addition to antioxidant activity was examined both in a cell-free system and live cells. First, in the study on cell viability using an MTT assay, PRHWE did not exhibit any cell toxicity at 0.1% (w/v) or below. It also was observed that PRHWE increased the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, PRHWE had a protective effect on DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals. Additionally, it inhibited the production of inducible nitric oxide in neuronal cells. Furthermore, the AchE activity decreased with increasing concentrations. In addition, PRHWE increased the expression level of SOD-1 and NOS-2 in PC12 cells. Moreover, the transcriptional activities of p53 and NF-${\kappa}B$ were reduced in the presence of PRHWE in an experiment using a reporter gene assay. Therefore, these results prove that PRHE has antioxidative and protective effects on neuronal cells, suggesting that it may have great potential as a therapeutic agent for human health.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2020

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease leading to significant economic and societal burdens globally. Osteoporosis is caused by unbalanced bone remodeling between the rate of osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblast bone formation. Acer tegmentosum Maxim (AT) is a traditional herbal medicine containing multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory purposes. However, its role in osteoporosis has not been fully studied. Therefore, we investigated whether AT has a potent inhibitory effect on osteoporosis and its mechanism through a systemic evaluation in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were orally administrated with the AT at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 10 weeks. Histological images and histomorphometry analyses were performed by H&E and Toluidine blue satin, and the expression levels of receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) related to the osteoclast differentiation were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis. Administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Further, administration of AT increased periosteal bone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, AT inhibited not only the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, which are two major regulators of osteoclastogenesis but also reduced bone resorbed encoding expression of MMP9 and RANKL. Our results indicated that administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Also AT has the bone protective effect through the suppression of osteoclast and promotion of osteoblast, suggesting that it could be a preventive and therapeutic candidate for anti-osteoporosis.