• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3781-3789
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• 2012

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors with a dismal prognosis. The membrane cytoskeletal crosslinker Ezrin participates in several functions including cell proliferation, adhesion, motility and survival. There is increasing evidence that Ezrin is overexpressed in vast majority of malignant tumors and regulates tumor progression. However, its roles in pancreatic cancer remain elusive. Methods: Three pairs of specific Ezrin siRNAs were designed and synthetized and screened to determine the most efficient one for construction of a hairpin RNA plasmid targeting Ezrin. After transfection into the Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cell line, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were performed to examine the expression of mRNA and protein. The MTT method was applied to examine the proliferation and the drug sensibility to Gemcitabine. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cycle and apoptosis, while capacity for invasion was determined with transwell chambers. Furthermore, we detected phosphorylated-Erk1/2 protein and phosphorylated-Akt protein by Western blotting. Results: Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting revealed that Ezrin expression was notably down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels by RNA interference (P< 0.01). Proliferation was inhibited and drug resistance to gemcitabine was improved (P< 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of cells in the G1/G0 phase increased (P< 0.01), and in G2/M and S phases decreased (P< 0.05), with no apparent differences in apoptosis (P> 0.05). The capacity for invasion was markedly reduced (P< 0.01). In addition, down-regulating Ezrin expression had no effect on phosphorylated-Akt protein (P>0.05), but could decrease the level of phosphorylated-Erk1/2 protein (P< 0.05). Conclusions: RNA interference of Ezrin could inhibit its expression in the pancreatic cancer cells line Panc-1, leading to a potent suppression of malignant behavior in vitro. Assessment of potential as a target for pancreatic cancer treatment is clearly warranted.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.69-83
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• 2014

This study examines vegetation and climate changes from pollen compositions of alpine moors in the Korean Peninsula such as Mujechineup at Mt. Jeongjok, Yongneup at Mt. Daeam, Jilmoineup at Mt. Odae and Wangdeungjaeneup at Mt. Jiri including moors at Mt. Jeombong. It can be found that the alpine moors were less interfered by human than low moors during the past 2,000 years of the historical age. Based on dominant periods of Pinus and Quercus, pollen compositions of the alpine wetlands, climatic environments of vegetation and historical records, vegetation and climate changes during three periods such as approximately 2,000~1,000 yr BP, 1,000~400 yr BP and 400 yr BP~present are examined. It was warmer during the period of 1,000~400 yr BP than 2,000~1,000 yr BP. The period of approximately 400 yr BP indicate the coldest climate of Little Ice Age. This study finds dominances of Quercus, low NAP/AP ratios, obvious divisions of pollen zones and human interference after 400 yr BP from pollen compositions of the alpine moors during the historical age. Human interference in the high moors becomes obvious after approximately 400 yr BP, indicating that there is a time lack of approximately 1,500~2,000 years between the alpine and low moors.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.323-332
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• 2001

A cultural landscape results from a combination of human activities for resource-use and the response of nature to such artificial interference. Nature provides resources necessary for human life on the Earth in terms of his survival as well as living. Humanbeing has developed civilization using the benefits that nature provides. In the past, a harmonious relationship between mankind and nature had ensured sustainability of resource-use for human. We can find such facts from the existence of cultural landscape. However, rapid economic growth and a development-oriented logic caused from such socio-economic change led to the environmental crises and the depletion of various resources at global level. In the perspective of preparation for such problems, we investigated the background for establishment, function, and value of cultural landscapes, in which a dynamic equilibrium exists between a supply of natural resources and human needs. Furthermore, we discussed a new economic model including ecological consideration, a strategy for ecological management of environment, and a framework for transmission of traditional culture to new generations on the basis of a cultural landscape regime.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.513-519
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• 2004

A sensitive method for quantification of pinaverium bromide in human plasma was established using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry(LC-ESI-MS/MS). Glimepiride was used as internal standard. Pinaverium bromide and internal standard in plasma sample were extracted using tert-butylmethylether(TBME). A centrifuged upper layer was then evaporated and reconstituted with mobile phase of acetonitrile-5 mM ammonium formate (80/20, pH 3.0). The reconstituted samples were injected into a $C_{18}$ reversed-phase column. Using MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, pinaverium and glimepirde were detected without severe interference from human plasma matrix. Pinaverium produced a protonated precursor ion $([M+H]^+)$ at m/z 510.3 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 228.9. Internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion $([M+H]^+)$ at m/z 491.5 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 352.0. Detection of pinaverium bromide in human plasma was accurate and precise, with limit of quantitation at 0.5 ng/ml. The method has been successfully applied to bioavailability study of pinaverium bromide tablet in Korean healthy male volunteers. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max},\;T_{max},\;K_{el}\;and\;t_{1/2}$ were calculated.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2008

This study was to introduce a methodology of ecological health assessment for efficient management and to provide some diagnostic results of the survey. We evaluated ecological health assessment at five sampling locations of Sikjang Mountainous Stream using the index of biological integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) during May - October 2006. The health condition, based on the IBI model, averaged 32 and varied from 27 to 37 depending on the sampling sites. Thus, the stream health was judged as "good" to "fair" conditions. IBI values showed slight differences between upstream and downstream sites. Whereas, QHEI values varied from 75 (fair condition) to 196 (excellent condition) and QHEI at St. 4~5, indicating the downstream reach had significantly lower than the headwater site (St.1). Regression analyses also showed that QHEI values had a linear decrease from the headwater to downstream. This result indicated that habitat quality was rapidly degradated by human influence. Overall, data of IBI and QHEI suggested that the stream health was maintained well in the present but the habitat and biological quality were partially degradated in the downstream. So, the human interference should be minimized to protect the downstream environment.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 1994

In order to assay the human plasma concentration of nifedipine in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and pulmonary hypertension, a modified high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was applied. The retention times for nifedipine and an internal standard (11-ketoprogesterone) were $10.5\;{\pm}\;0.41$ and $13.1\;{\pm}\;0.63$ min, respectively. Absolute recovery from the plasma was $102.9\;{\pm}\;7.07%$. Reproducibility was excellent and variability between the runs was small. There was a negligible degradation during the assay procedure. The calibration curve shows a good linearity in the range of the desired plasma concentrations of nifedipine. A stability test of nifedipine in the human plasma shows 8 and 13% degradation during the storage of 5 and 9 months, respectively. There were no interferences on the HPLC assay with any possible medications for the BPD. The method has been used to monitor the drug concentrations in a patient. The concentration-time curve of a patient after a single oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg shows a double-peak phenomenon that was quite different from the previous report, suggesting non-bolus administration. However the hemodynamic responses were corresponding to the plasma concentration levels of nifedipine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 1996

The effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of tamoxifen, verapamil, and trifluoperazine on doxorubicin cytotoxicity in five human breast cancer cell lines were studied. A non-cytotoxic concentration of tamoxifen resulted in enhanced doxorubicin cytotoxicity in HTB-123, HTB-26, and MCF-7. In these three cell lines, a combination of tamoxifen with verapamil resulted in even more increased doxorubicin cytotoxicity. Addition of verapamil or trifluoperazine alone did not influence the doxorubicin cytotoxicity significantly. Only in HTB-19 did coincubation with verapamil increase the doxorubicin cytotoxicity. In HTB-123, combination of tamoxifen with trifluoperazine increased the doxorubicin cytotoxicity significantly. In the cell lines where co-incubation with tamoxifen increased doxorubicin sensitivity, high estrogen receptor expression was detected. However, HTB-20, where tamoxifen did not enhance doxorubicin action, was also estrogen receptor positive. None of the cell lines had multidrug resistance related drug efflux and drug retention was not increased by the treatment with tamoxifen and verapamil. Cell cycle traverses were not altered by incubation with tamoxifen, verapamil or combinations thereof. These observatlons suggest mechanism of non-cytotoxic concentrations of tamoxifen and verapamil on doxorubicin cytotoxicity may involve one or more other cellular processes besides those of interference of estrogen binding to its receptor, cell cycle perturbation, or drug efflux blocking.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.463-467
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• 2016

In this paper, acceleration and pressure exerted on a human model were measured under a supersonic condition in a shock tunnel. In order to measure these in an interference-free environment, free-fall technique with an electromagnet and a three-dimensional iron-powdered human model was used. Free-fall experiment was conducted at Mach 4 and the force acting on the model was obtained by calculating the displacement from the flow visualization images.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.209-212
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• 2001

A flame detector responds either to radiant energy visible to the human eye or outside the range of human vision. Such a detector is sensitive to glowing embers, coals, or flames which radiate energy of sufficient intensity and spectral quality to actuate the alarm. An infra-red detectors can respond to the total IR component of the flame alone or in combination with flame flicker in the frequency range of 5 to 30 Hz. A major problem in the use of infrared detectors receiving total IR radiation is the possible interference of solar radiation in the infrared region. When detectors are located in places shielded from the sun, such as vaults, filtering or shielding the unit from the sun's rays is unnecessary. In this study, we proposed method for redue a false alarm with using filtering & sensor technology for distinguish of causes of raise a false alarm and pure flame.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.484-491
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• 2019

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive common brain tumor in adults. Curcumin, from Curcuma longa, is an effective antitumor agent. Although the same proteins control both autophagy and cell death, the molecular connections between them are complicated and autophagy may promote or inhibit cell death. We investigated whether curcumin affects autophagy, which regulates curcumin-mediated tumor cell death in A172 human glioblastoma cells. When A172 cells were incubated with $10{\mu}M$ curcumin, autophagy increased in a time-dependent manner. Curcumin-induced cell death was reduced by co-incubation with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and LY294002. Curcumin-induced cell death was also inhibited by co-incubation with rapamycin, an autophagy inducer. When cells were incubated under serum-deprived medium, LC3-II amount was increased but the basal level of cell viability was reduced, leading to the inhibition of curcumin-induced cell death. Cell death was decreased by inhibiting curcumin-induced autophagy using small interference RNA (siRNA) of Atg5 or Beclin1. Therefore, curcumin-mediated tumor cell death is promoted by curcumin-induced autophagy, but not by an increase in the basal level of autophagy in rapamycin-treated or serum-deprived conditions. This suggests that the antitumor effects of curcumin are influenced differently by curcumin-induced autophagy and the prerequisite basal level of autophagy in cancer cells.