• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2018

N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) and N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (NEU), direct alkylating chemical mutagens and carcinogens, are shown to be the upregulators of cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$, regulating various genes that mediate tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO), a toxic reactive radical gas, has been known to induce programmed cell death or apoptosis in various cells. Therefore, the assessment of NO production was examined to elucidate the possible contribution of NO release to the chemical carcinogenic potency of NMU and NEU in human skin cells. NMU and NEU did not alter the NO production, but they caused a significant downregulation of the NO generation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production at concentrations ranging from $2{\sim}5{\mu}M$. The degree of downregulation of NO by NMU and NEU decreased up to 15% and 20%, respectively, compared to the control. These results demonstrate that the LPS-inducible keratinocytes NO synthase is involved in modulating carcinogenic potency by NMU and NEU, and the regulation of the cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by NMU and NEU is negatively correlated with the level of LPS-induced NO production in human skin cells. The findings of this study suggest the hypothesis that NMU and NEU-induced carcinogenesis may be associated with the downregulation of NO production, and the inducible NO may play an important role in NMU and NEU-induced carcinogenicity in human epidermal keratinocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2014

Paeonol is a major phenolic micromolecular component of Moutan cortex Radicis, a traditional Chinese Medicine. It has shown antitumor effects in previous studies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigated the mechanism by giving treatments of placebo, cyclophosphamide, paeonol of 150 and 300 mg/kg to 4 groups of mice bearing EMT6 breast cancer. Apoptosis in tumor cells were confirmed by morphology analysis, including hematoxylin, eosin staining and TUNEL staining. The results showed that the weight of EMT6 breast tumor was significantly reduced in the groups treated with both 150 and 300 mg/kg of paeonol. Immunohistochemical and Western blot results showed that the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated while the expression of Bax, caspase 8 and caspase 3 was up-regulated respectively. These results suggest that paeonol exhibits antitumor effects and the mechanism of the inhibition is via induction of apoptosis, regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and activation of caspase 8 and caspase 3.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.160-160
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• 2017

Commercially pure titanium (Cp-Ti) and Ti alloys (typically Ti-6Al-4V) display excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Although the chemical composition and topography are considered important, the mechanical properties of the material and the loading conditions in the host have, conventionally. Ti and its alloys are not bioactive. Therefore, they do not chemically bond to the bone, whereas they physically bond with bone tissue. The electrochemical deposition process provides an effective surface for biocompatibility because large surface area can be served to cell proliferation. Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) enables control in the chemical composition, porous structure, and thickness of the TiO2 layer on Ti surface. Silicon (Si) in particular has been found to be essential for normal bone and cartilage growth and development. Zinc (Zn) plays very important roles in bone formation and immune system regulation, and is also the most abundant trace element in bone. The objective of this work was to study on electrochemical behaviors of PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in solution containing Zn and Si ions. The morphology, the chemical composition, and the microstructure analysis of the sample were examined using FE-SEM, EDS, and XRD. The potentiodynamic polarization and AC impedance tests for corrosion behaviors were carried out in 0.9% NaCl solution at similar body temperature using a potentiostat. The promising results successfully demonstrated the immense potential of Si/Zn-TiO2 coatings in dental and biomaterials applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1477-1480
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• 2006

The 63-amino-acid-encoding afsR2 is a global antibiotics-stimulating regulatory gene identified from the chromosome of Streptomyces lividans. To dissect a putative functional domain in afsR2, several afsR2-derivative deletion constructs were generated and screened for the loss of actinorhodin-stimulating capability. The afsR2-derivative construct missing a 50-bp C-terminal region significantly lost its actinorhodin-stimulating capability in S. lividans. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis on amino acid positions of #57-#61 in a 50-bp C-terminal region, some of which are conserved among known Sigma 70 family proteins, significantly changed the AfsR2's activity. These results imply that the C-terminal region of AfsR2 is functionally important for antibiotics-stimulating capability and the regulatory mechanism might be somehow related to the sigma-like domain present in the C-terminal of AfsR2.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.169-172
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• 1995

The changes in blood pressure may relate to the alterations of the responsiveness to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, and these alterations can arise the modifications in the properties of angiotensin II (AII) receptor. In order to examine the changes of AII receptor in the hypertensive mechanism of renin-dependent hypertensive rats (RHRs; two-kidney, one-ligated type), we compared the equilibrium binding characteristics of $[^3H]$All in adrenal cortex and medulla from RHRs and normotensive rats. The dissociation constants of AII binding in both tissues of RHRs were very similar to those in the respective tissue of normotensive rats. However, the maximum binding was increased from 805 to 1050 fmole/mg protein in the adrenal cortex of RHRs, and decreased from 172 to 126 fmole/mg protein in the adrenal medulla of RHRs. These results imply that the up- and down-regulation of the All receptor population on the cell surface of adrenal glands from RHRs are consorted with the elevation of blood pressure and the activation of renin-angiotensin system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2008

Many researches for service-life of chemical cartridges of respirators have been performed in many countries. On the result of these researches a few softwares programs were eventually developed to be used. In spite of that, it is difficult to apply these researches and softwares practically in the work spot because of too many factors that influence on service-life of chemical cartridges. This study was the first of two conducted for the purpose of developing program for estimating exchange period or service-life of chemical cartridges available feasibly in the workplaces. Collecting plan of cartridges discarded after use is in principle that three cartridges from three workers at a time, three steps of 1/2 exchange time due to smelling, just routine exchange time and 1.2 to 1.3 expanded time of routine exchange, total nine cartridges are collected in the same job site. 33 cartridges for organic vapor were collected in paint spray process of ship yard and paint factory, and 6 cartridges for acid were collected in plating process. These cartridges were analysed the remaining breakthrough time in 3M Innovation Center. Challenge vapor and breakthrough concentration were complied with Korean regulation for chemical cartridge respirators. Estimated breakthrough time was determined from previously used time plus breakthrough time for the remaining. Exchange period of cartridge would be the shortest time among three estimated breakthrough times. On the result breakthrough time for organic vapor was found to be relatively easily estimated, but that for acid aerosol or vapor was difficult to be confident. Even though this method was difficult to be precisely predicted exchange period of cartridge, it could be an alternative program practically available in the job site.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1001-1004
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• 2006

The m-calpain activity hydrolyzing a fluorogenic substrate of N-Succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amino-4-methylcourmarin (LLVY-AMC) was significantly stimulated by more than two-fold in the presence of 5$\mu$M $\alpha$synuclein at $15{^{\circ}C}$. The stimulation was also confirmed with azocasein. The stimulation of the peptide hydrolyzing activity required structural intactness of $\alpha$-synuclein since the C-terminally or N-terminally modified proteins such as $\beta$-synuclein, $\alpha$-syn1-97, and $\alpha$-syn61-140 did not increase the proteolytic activity. Instead, however, the N-terminally truncated $\alpha$-syn61-140 was shown to drastically suppress the calpain activity. Since the N-terminal truncation was known to be the primary cleaving event of calpain-mediated proteolysis of $\alpha$-synuclein and the $\alpha$-syn61-140 has been demonstrated to be resistant against the calpain digestion, it has been proposed that the intracellular calpain activity could be regulated in a reciprocal manner by $\alpha$-synuclein and its proteolyzed C-terminal fragment. Based on the results, a possible physiological function of $\alpha$-synuclein has been suggested as a calpain regulator which contains both stimulatory and inhibitory activities.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2017

Each country tries to prevent major industrial accidents at industrial sites, such as fire and explosion as well as poisoning incidents, and regulation of the management of chemicals is being enhanced in all sectors. In particular, in the case of laboratories, a variety of chemicals have been developed and handled in accordance with the development of science and technology. On the other hand, the accident probability at laboratories is higher than at industrial sites, because many different kinds of chemicals are handled in the laboratory but in very small amounts and chemical, physical, and biological studies have been carried out in limited spaces. Recently, the accident probability at laboratories was found to be higher as convergence/integration studies were carried out beyond the academic arena. Therefore, in this study, a survey of chemical management was conducted to prevent accidents due to chemicals targeting the laboratory safety coordinator using the FGI (focus group interview) method. The building plan of a chemical management system was suggested based on the results of the survey.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2012

Objectives: The study aim was to evaluate the application of a chemical exposure assessment tool for the Korean workplace. The Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea (KMOEL) introduced the need for workplace risk assessments in 2011, requiring the Korean chemical industry to consider both domestic and international chemical regulation policies (e.g., estimations of exposure scenarios). Exposure scenarios are required in the European Union as part of material safety data sheets (MSDS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system. Methods: Although many programs for the estimation of exposure have been developed worldwide, to date there is no standard for the Korean workplace. To develop programs suitable for the Korean workplace, we examined the applicability of the European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals target risk assessment (ECETOC TRA), which is recommended by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA). Results: To investigate the applicability of the ECETOC TRA to Korean industry, this study simulated 15 industrial processes. The predicted respiratory exposures for four processes using origin input parameters were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. Using calibrated input parameters, results for two processes were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. This result suggests that the use of calibrated input parameters reduces the differences between predicted and measured respiratory exposure. Conclusions: we developed applicable exposure estimating method by modifying the ECETOC TRA program; one suggested the development of exposure estimating program that explains Korea domestic workplace exposure scenario.This study will support the introduction of exposure scenario in MSDS system and protect health of worker from hazardous chemical.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.110-122
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• 2024

This study aims to cultivate specialized professionals equipped with practical skills essential for compliance with textile environmental regulations and analysis of harmful substances. This is achieved through the revision and restructuring of educational programs targeting workers in the chemical analysis industry. To address this, a survey was conducted among chemical industry workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gauge the demand for educational programs. Specifically, a survey was conducted among 240 SME workers who participated in the 2022 education curriculum to identify their educational needs and specific requirements in the field. The research findings indicate that the majority of SMEs recognize the necessity of education in the chemical field and express a strong willingness to engage in the curriculum. Particularly emphasized was the need to enhance practical skills crucial for compliance with chemical environmental regulations. Consequently, adjustments were made to the curriculum, reallocating time and increasing the duration of practical training. This enables trainees to directly operate analysis machines and interpret results. Additionally, in response to further educational demands reflected by survey participants, the curriculum was expanded from five to six courses, with adjustments made to existing educational programs. Based on these research outcomes, practical educational methods tailored to SME requirements are proposed, aiming to bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and industry needs.