• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.388-395
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• 2010

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is generally known as an inducible enzyme, and it produces arachidonic acid to prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), which has been demonstrated to play a critical role in inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the extracts of fermented beans including soybean (FS), black agabean (FBA) and yellow agabean (FYA), on the expression of COXs and production of $PGE_2$ in U937 human promonocytic cells. Treatment of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly induced pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production, whereas the levels of COX-1 remained unchanged. However, pre-treatment with FS, FBA and FYA significantly decreased PMA-induced COX-2 protein as well as mRNA, which is associated with inhibition of $PGE_2$ production. Moreover, FS, FBA and FYA markedly prevented the increase of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65 by PMA. Our data indicate that the extracts of fermented beans exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.483-493
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• 2021

Urban overcrowding has created an explosive supply and demand for high-rise buildings. High-rise buildings are contributing to enhancing the image of the city by serving as focal points, but due to the stack effect, malfunction of elevator doors, difficulties in opening and closing the doors and windows of the outer wall, smoke and odors spreading to the upper floors, noise, energy loss, fire and pollutants have been causing various unexpected problems such as rapid spread of fire. This study classified high-rise buildings according to their vertical zoning, analyzed the causes of and solutions to the stack effect, and derived design and construction methods. Through the initial plan to block the outside air and securing airtightness through precise construction, we sought ways to secure the airtightness inside and outside the building by actively blocking the airflow from the lower floors. In addition, the facility solution can be a measure to reduce the specific phenomena caused by the stack effect, but it should only be applied to the minimum extent because the potential for secondary damage is high. This study emphasized the need for systematic stack effect management by suggesting design and construction measures for each vertical zoning of the causes and countermeasures of the stack effect. It is expected that this study will be helpful not only for design and construction, but also for building maintenance.