• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.376-384
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• 2020

An energy storage system is composed of lithium-ion batteries in modern applications. Batteries are regarded as storage devices for renewable and residual energy. The failure of batteries can cause the performance reduction and explosion of battery systems. High maintenance cost is essential when dealing with the problem of battery safety. Therefore an accurate health diagnosis is required to ensure the high reliability of battery systems. A battery pack is a combination of single cells in series and parallel connections. A battery pack has to consider various factors to assess battery health. Battery health involves conventional factors and additional factors, such as cell-to-cell imbalance. For large applications, state-of-health (SOH) can be inaccurate because of the lack of factors that indicate the state of the battery pack. In this study, six characterization factors are proposed for improving the SOH estimation of battery packs. The six proposed characterization factors can be regarded as health indicators (HIs). The six HIs are applied to the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm. To reflect information regarding capacity, voltage, and temperature, the PCA algorithm extracts new degradation factors by using the six HIs. The new degradation factors are applied to a multiple regression model. Results show the advancement and improvement of SOH estimation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

The global output of Pyropia yezoensis (dried seaweed or laver, also called 'Gim' in Korea) has been reduced over the half-decade due to the wide spread of red rot disease, a serious algal disease affecting P. yezoensis. Recently, Gold 1 (G1), which is a resistant strain of P. yezoensis to red rot disease, was developed and commercialized in South Korea, yet its physiological activity has not been investigated. In this study, a comparative study was performed on G1 and commercially available strain of P. yezoensis (CP) for their antioxidative activities. Aqueous extract of G1 showed more marked 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity compared to that of CP. In 293T cells, antioxidant activity against H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was only observed in G1 extract. In addition, G1 extract showed more potent inhibitory effect on H₂O₂-induced apoptotic cell death than CP extract, as examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and fluorescence microscopy. Expression levels of various apoptosis-related genes, including B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, p53, capase-3, and inflammatory cytokines, in H₂O₂-treated cells were significantly decreased by the treatment of G1. Taken together, the present study suggests that a new strain of red seaweed G1 can recover oxidative stress effectively by improving the imbalance of ROS generation and has a potential to be used a functional ingredient as an antioxidant source.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.336-344
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• 2004

Background : Immunotherapy for cancer has not been successful because of several obstacles in tumor and its environment. Inappropriate secretions of cytokines and growth factors by tumors cause substantial changes in the immune responses against tumors, affording the tumors some degree of protection from immune attack. Uteroglobin (UG, Clara cell secretory protein) has been known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities. However, in lung cancer cells, UG expression is decreased. This study investigated the role of UG in the immunomodulation of lung cancer. Methods : The UG protein was overexpressed by Adenovirus(Ad)-UG transduction in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The concentration of Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from whole blood were prepared with Ficoll. PBMC were cultured in RPMI 1640, supernatant of A549, or A549 with UG or NS-398. Concentration of Th 1 type and Th 2 type cytokines from PBMC were measured by ELISA. Results : UG suppressed $PGE_2$, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) product. Both Th1 type such as Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and Th2 type cytokines such as IL-10 and Tumor growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) were increased when PBMC were cultured with supernatant of non small lung cancer cells. UG and COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 induced normal immune response of PBMC. Although Th 1 type cytokines were increased, Th 2 type cytokines were reduced by UG. Conclusion : UG suppressed PGE2, COX-2 product. Supernatant of NSCLC induced imbalance of immune response of PBMC. However, UG reversed this imbalance. These results suggest that UG may be used in the development of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.207-211
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the immune responses of children with moderate and severe novel influenza A virus (H1N1) pneumonia, and to compare their clinical and immunological findings with those of control subjects. Methods: Thirty-two admitted patients with H1N1 pneumonia were enrolled in the study. The clinical profiles, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of the 16 H1N1 pneumonia patients who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (severe pneumonia group), 16 H1N1 pneumonia patients admitted to the pediatric general ward (moderate pneumonia group) and 13 control subjects (control group) were measured. Results: Total lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in patients with H1N1 pneumonia than in the control group (P=0.02). The number of CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly lower in the severe pneumonia group ($411.5{\pm}253.5/{\mu}L$) than in the moderate pneumonia ($644.9{\pm}291.1/{\mu}L$, P=0.04) and control ($902.5{\pm}461.2/{\mu}L$, P=0.01) groups. However, the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the severe pneumonia group ($684.2{\pm}420.8/{\mu}L$) than in the moderate pneumonia ($319.7{\pm}176.6/{\mu}L$, P=0.02) and control ($407.2{\pm}309.3/{\mu}L$, P=0.03) groups. The CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes ratio was significantly lower in the severe pneumonia group ($0.86{\pm}0.24$) than in the moderate pneumonia ($1.57{\pm}0.41$, P=0.01) and control ($1.61{\pm}0.49$, P=0.01) groups. The serum levels of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin E were significantly higher in the severe pneumonia group than in the 2 other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that increased humoral immune responses and the differences in the CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte profiles, and imbalance of their ratios may be related to the severity of H1N1 pneumonia in children.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.3 s.47
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• pp.345-352
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• 2004

There are two paradigms to explain the atopic dermatitis. The first is outside-inside paradigm and the second is inside-outside paradigm. According to the outside-inside paradigm the best way to treat the atopic dermatitis is recovery of skin barrier function. The barrier function is maintained by the specific structure of stratum corneum, which is constructed from corneocytes and intercellular lipids. In terms of lipid structures of SC in atopic dermatitis and lamellar ichthyosis, they contain more fluid hexagonal gel structures in SC and show deficiencies in free fatty acids, especially long chains and certain ceramides. With this reason, moisturizer which has the lamellar structure and restoring function of intrinsic intercellualr long periodicity phase can maintain and restore the lamellar structure of intercellular lipids in SC. The moisturizers containing ceramide or pseudoceramide also seem to be reasonable therapy for atopic dermatitis and several skin diseases, which interrelated with impaired skin harrier. By the way, according to the inside-outside paradigm, immune response including helper T cells, IgE, eosinophils is related. It is effective treatment of atopic dermititis to restore imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells. Even though several kinds of immune-suppressor were introduced, these can affect the intrinsic immune function. SPC and S1P, metabolites of ceramide, would be interesting because they have the function of wound healing and immune modulating properties.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2000

Bone is continuously remodeled during adult life with the resorption of old bone by osteoclasts and its subsequent replacement by osteoblast. Bone homeostasis is maintained by a balance between activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but an imbalance between resorption and formation results in bone diseases including osteoporosis. Osteoblasts line up on the bone surface, especially regions of new bone formation, lay down bone matrix (osteoid) in orderly lamellae and induce its mineralization. Thus, the increased activity of osteoblasts is helpful to treat and prevent osteoporosis. In this study, we examined whether 80% EtOH extract of yukmijiwhang-whan is capable of affecting osteoblast proliferation using human osteoblast-like cell line, MG-63 and Saos-2. In an in vivo experiment, extract of yukmijiwhang-whan was administered for 9 weeks to ovariectomized (OVX) rats. At necropsy, uterus weights were measured, and trabecular bone areas (TBAS) of tibia and the sixth lumbar vertebra were measured by bone histomorphology. The maximum cell proliferation of MG-63 caused by extract of yukmijiwhang-whan at $5\;{\times}\;10^{-6}\;mg/ml$ was approximately 115% compared with control. In Saos-2, cell proliferation was approximately 145% of control at $5\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;mg/ml$ and maximum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was approximately 143% of control at $5\;{\times}\;10^{-5}\;mg/ml$. In animal study, however, the tibia and lumbar TBAS of the yukmijiwhang-whan group did not increased than the OVX control group. In conclusion, the 80% EtOH extract of yukmijiwhang-whan increased proliferation of osteoblasts but did not prevent bone loss in OVX rats.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.1302-1308
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• 2005

Propose Cellular-IP/PRC network with united paging and Cellular IP special duality that use roof information administration cache to secure lake acceptance method in wireless Internet environment and QoS in lesser extent cell environment. When speech quality is secured considering increment of interference to receive in case of suppose that proposed acceptance method grooves base radio station capacity of transfer node is plenty, and moat of contiguity cell transfer node was accepted at groove base radio station with a blow, groove base radio station new trench lake acceptance method based on transmission of a message electric power estimate of transfer node be. Do it so that may apply composing PC(Paging Cache) and RC(Routing Cache) that was used to manage paging and router in radio Internet network in integral management and all nodes as one PRC(Paging Router Cache), and add hand off state machine in transfer node so that can manage hand off of transfer node and Roaming state efficiently, and studies so that achieve connection function at node. Analyze benevolent person who influence on telephone traffic in system environment and forecasts each link currency rank and imbalance degree, forecast most close and important lake interception probability and lake falling off probability, GoS(Grade of Service), efficiency of cell capacity in QoS because applies algorithm proposing based on algorithm use gun send-receive electric power that judge by looking downward link whether currency book was limited and accepts or intercept lake and handles and displays QoS performance improvement.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.520-530
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• 2024

Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. When the function of these genes is lost, it can lead to cellular plasticity that drives the development of various cancers, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is known for its aggressive nature. SCLC is primarily driven by numerous loss-of-function mutations in TSGs, often involving genes that encode epigenetic regulators. These mutations pose a significant therapeutic challenge as they are not directly targetable. However, understanding the molecular changes resulting from these mutations might provide insights for developing tumor intervention strategies. We propose that despite the heterogeneous genomic landscape of SCLC, the effects of mutations in patient tumors converge on a few critical pathways that drive malignancy. Specifically, alterations in epigenetic regulators lead to transcriptional dysregulation, pushing mutant cells toward a highly plastic state that makes them immune evasive and highly metastatic. This review will highlight studies showing how an imbalance of epigenetic regulators with opposing functions leads to the loss of immune recognition markers, effectively hiding tumor cells from the immune system. Additionally, we will discuss the role of epigenetic regulators in maintaining neuroendocrine features and how aberrant transcriptional control promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during tumor development. Although these pathways seem distinct, we emphasize that they often share common molecular drivers and mediators. Understanding the connection among frequently altered epigenetic regulators will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying SCLC development, potentially revealing preventive and therapeutic vulnerabilities for SCLC and other cancers with similar mutations.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2011

Purpose: Some hormonal and electrolyte abnormalities have been reported in pediatric patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the imbalance of electrolytes and the severity of infection and associated urologic anomalies in children with febrile UTI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 267 patients with febrile UTI who were admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital during the period from January, 2007 until February, 2010. According to the presence of hyponatremia or hyperkalemia, clinical parameters and associated renal anomalies, such as hydronephrosis, cortical defects and vesicoureteral reflux, were compared. Results: 42.7% of all patients had decreased concentration of serum sodium. In patients with decreased concentration of serum sodium, cortical defects were significantly increased compared to normal patients (40.4% vs. 14.4%, P <0.05). White blood cell (WBC) counts ($15,721{\pm}6,553/uL$ vs. $12,885{\pm}5,367/uL$, P <0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) ($61.8{\pm}56.1$ mg/L, vs. $29.9{\pm}39.8$ mg/L, P <0.05), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ($43.9{\pm}34.3$ mm/hr vs. $27.4{\pm}26.8$ mm/hr, P <0.05) in peripheral blood showed significant increases in the group with decreased concentration of serum sodium. Duration of fever, presence of gastrointestinal symptom, the incidence of hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux did not differ between the two groups. None of the patients had significant hyperkalemia. Conclusion : We suggest that decreased concentration of serum sodium in febrile UTI might be a helpful marker for leukocytosis and increased CRP and ESR in peripheral blood, and acute pyelonephritis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2005

Emphysema is characterized by air space enlargement and alveolar destruction. The mechanism responsible for the development of emphysema was thought to be protease/antiprotease imbalance and oxidative stress. A very recent study shows that alveolar cell apoptosis causes lung destruction and emphysematous changes. Thus, this study was performed to support the evidence for the role of apoptosis in the development of emphysema by characterizing cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced apoptosis in A549 (type II pneumocyte) lung epithelial cells. CSE induced apoptosis at low concentration (10% or less) and both apoptosis and necrosis at high concentration (20%). Apoptosis was demonstrated by DNA fragmentation using FACScan for subG1 fraction. Discrimination between apoptosis and necrosis was done by morphologic analysis using fluorescent microscopy with Hoecst 33342/propium iodide double staing and electron microscopy. Cytochrome c release was confirmed by using immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-cytochrome c antibody. However, CSE-induced cell death did not show the activation of caspase 3 and was not blocked by caspase inhibitors. This suggests that CSE-induced apoptosis might be caspase-independent apoptosis. CSE-induced cell death was near completely blocked by N-acetylcystein and bcl-2 overexpression protected CSE-induced cell death. This results suggests that CSE might induce apoptosis through intracellular oxidative stress. CSE also activated p53 and functional knock-out of p53 using stable overexpression of HPV-E6 protein inhibited CSE-induced cell death. The characterization of CSE-induced cell death in lung epithelial cells could support the role of lung cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of emphysema.