• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.93-118
• /
• 2005

This paper examines credit spreads in Korea corporate market using one of structural models, the mean reverting leverage ratio model (Collin-Dufresne and Goldstein (2001)). Compared to the actual credit spreads, we show that the credit spreads induced by the model are overpredicted. We also investigate the systematic errors that cause the over-pre-diction of credit spreads using the t-test. We show that the systematic errors are affected by the current leverage ratio and asset volatility.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.129-134
• /
• 2011

Eugenol is an essential oil found in cloves and cinnamon that is used widely in perfumes. However, the significant anesthetic and sedative effects of this compound have led to its use also in dental procedures. Recently, it was reported that eugenol induces apoptosis in several cancer cell types but the mechanism underlying this effect has remained unknown. In our current study, we examined whether the cytotoxic effects of eugenol upon human melanoma G361 cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using a range of methods including an XTT assay, Hoechst staining, immunocyto-chemistry, western blotting and flow cytometry. Eugenol treatment was found to decrease the viability of the G361 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in eugenol-treated G361 cells was confirmed by the appearance of nuclear condensation, the release of both cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol, the cleavage of PARP and DFF45, and the downregulation of procaspase-3 and -9. With regard to cell cycle arrest, a time-dependent decrease in cyclin A, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdc2 expression was observed in the cells after eugenol treatment. Flow cytometry using a FACScan further demonstrated that eugenol induces a cell cycle arrest at S phase. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of G361 cell proliferation by eugenol is the result of an apoptotic response and an S phase arrest that is linked to the decreased expression of key cell cycle-related molecules.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.224-230
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Various bone graft materials have been used for periodontal tissue regeneration. Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) is a widely used bone substitute. The current widespread use of DFDBA is based on its potential osteoinductive ability. Due to the lack of verifiable data, the purpose of this study was to assess the osteoinductive activity of different DFDBAs in vitro. Methods: Sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS-2) cells (human osteoblast-like cells) were exposed to 8 mg/mL and 16 mg/mL concentrations of three commercial types of DFDBA: Osseo+, AlloOss, and Cenobone. The effect of these materials on cell proliferation was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The osteoinductive ability was evaluated using alizarin red staining, and the results were confirmed by evaluating osteogenic gene expression using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In the SaOS-2 cells, an 8 mg/mL concentration of Osseo+ and Cenobone significantly increased cell proliferation in 48 hours after exposure (P<0.001); however, in these two bone materials, the proliferation of cells was significantly decreased after 48 hours of exposure with a 16 mg/mL concentration (P<0.001). The alizarin red staining results demonstrated that the 16 mg/mL concentration of all three tested DFDBA induced complete morphologic differentiation and mineralized nodule production of the SaOS-2 cells. The RT-PCR results revealed osteopontin gene expression at a 16 mg/mL concentration of all three test groups, but not at an 8 mg/mL concentration. Conclusions: These commercial types of DFDBA are capable of decreasing proliferation and increasing osteogenic differentiation of the SaOS-2 cell line and have osteoinductive activity in vitro.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.61 no.12
• /
• pp.1828-1835
• /
• 2012

In this paper, a conceptual design and a detailed design of novel cylindrical magnetic levitation stage is introduced. This is came from planar-typed magnetic levitation stage. The proposed stage is composed of cylinder-typed permanent magnet array and semi-cylinder-typed 3 phase winding module. When a proper current is induced at winding module, a magnetic levitation force between the permanent magnet array and winding module is generated. The proposed stage can precisely move the cylinder to rotations and translations as well as levitations with the magnetic levitation force. This advantage is useful to make a nano patterning on the surface of cylindrical specimen by using electron beam lithography under vacuum. Two methods are used to calculate required magnetic levitation forces. The one is 2D FEM analysis, the other is mathematical modeling. This paper shown that results of two methods are similar. An assistant plate is introduced to reduce required currents of winding module for levitations in vacuum. The mathematical model of cylindrical magnetic levitation stage is used for dynamic simulation of magnetic levitations. A lead-lag compensator is used for control of the model. Simulation results shown that the detail designed model of the cylindrical magnetic levitation stage with the assistant plate can be controlled very well.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.704-709
• /
• 2011

Depolymerization of fucoidan induced by contact glow discharge electrolysis(CGDE) was investigated. To utilize fucoidan as a functional food material after CGDE, organic acids were used as a electrolyte in CGDE process. Experimental results showed that CGDE using organic acid reduced the molecular weight of fucoidan effectively. As electrolyte concentration increased, onset voltage of glow discharge decreased and onset current of glow discharge increased. From the variation of molecular weight of fucoidan with the reaction time, it was demonstrated that the degradation of fucoidan followed a first-order rate law. Molecular weight of fucoidan treated with CGDE using organic acid was about 77 times lower compared to initial fucoidan with little free sulfate.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2000.06a
• /
• pp.13-28
• /
• 2000

Human spermatozoa exhibit a capacity to generate ROS and initiate peroxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids in the sperm plasma membrane, which plays a key role in the etiology of male infertility. The short half-life and limited diffusion of these molecules is consistent with their physiologic role in key biological events such as acrosome reaction and hyperactivation. The intrinsic reactivity of these metabolites in peroxidative damage induced by ROS, particularly $H_2O_2$ and the superoxide anion, has been proposed as a major cause of defective sperm function in cases of male infertility. The number of antioxidants known to attack different stages of peroxidative damage is growing, and it will be of interest to compare alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid with these for their therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. Both spermatozoa and leukocytes generate ROS, although leukocytes produce much higher levels. The clinical significance of leukocyte presence in semen is controversial. Seminal plasma confers some protection against ROS damage because it contains enzymes that scavenge ROS, such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. A variety of defense mechanisms comprising a number of antioxidants can be employed to reduce or overcome oxidative stress caused by excessive ROS. Determination of male infertility etiology is important, as it will help us develop effective therapies to overcome excessive ROS generation. ROS can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the spermatozoa and the balancing between the amounts of ROS produced and the amounts scavenged at any moment will determine whether a given sperm function will be promoted or jeopardized. Accurate assessment of ROS levels and, subsequently, OS is Vital, as this will help clinicians both elucidate the fertility status and identify the subgroups of patients that respond or do not respond to these therapeutic strategies. The overt commercial claims of antioxidant benefits and supplements for fertility purposes must be cautiously looked into, until proper multicentered clinical trials are studied. From the current data it appears that no Single adjuvant will be able to enhance the fertilizing capacity of sperm in infertile men, and a combination of the possible strategies that are not toxic at the dosage used would be a feasible approach.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.727-733
• /
• 2015

Although Sophorae Flos (SF) has been reported to exert an anti-cancer activity, molecular targets and mechanisms associated with anti-cancer activity of SF have been unclear. Because cyclin D1 has been regarded as an important regulator in the cell proliferation, we focused cyclin D1 and investigated the effect of SF on the cyclin D1 regulation in light of elucidating the molecular mechanism for SF’s anti-cancer activity. The treatment of SF decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, SF did not change the level of cyclin D1 mRNA. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with SF. In addition, a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by a selective inhibitor, PD98059 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by SF. From these results, we suggest that SF-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2. SF-induced proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1 might inhibit proliferation in human colorectal cancer cells. The current study provides information on molecular events for an anti-cancer activity of SF

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.682-689
• /
• 2015

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum) has been reported to exert the inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and aldose reductase. Recently, our group found that branch extracts of A. distichum (EAFAD-B) induce apoptosis through ATF3 activation in human colon cancer cells. However, anti-cancer reagents exert their activity through the regulation of various molecular targets. Therefore, the elucidation of potential mechanisms of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity may be necessary. To elucidate the potential mechanism of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity, we evaluated the regulation of cyclin D1 in human colon cancer cells. EAFAD-B decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, cyclin D1 mRNA was not changed by EAFAD-B. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with EAFAD-B. In addition, EAFAD-B induced cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and the point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Inhibitions of both ERK1/2 by PD98059 and NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by EAFAD-B. From these results, we suggest that EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between EAFAD-B and anti-cancer activity in human colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 1973

Since there is nothing in the literature regarding how Koreans value their children, this is an exploratory study attempting to (1) generate ideas as to why women of child- bearing age want children and (2) discover aspects of the interaction between the value of children and the fertility behavior according to socio-economic class and level of education. Fifty women from the Yonhee A Citizen′s Apartment and 50 women from the slum area surrounding the Yonhee Apartment were interviewed by the investigator during the period of October 10 to October 25, 1972. All of the women interviewed were under 35 years of age and had more than one child. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the general characteristics of the respondents, the status of current family planning practice, the number of induced abortions and the reasons for wanting children. An open ended question followed by a forced choice question was the method used to determine the reasons for wanting children. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Half of all the respondents were between 30 and 34 years of age. 2. Four percent of the respondents had no schooling, 51 percent had graduated from primary school, and 45 percent were educated beyond middle school. 3. The most important reasons tot wanting children given by the respondents were categorized as follows: (1) carrying on the family name, (2) old age security, (3) value of life, (4) fun of rearing children, (5) avoidance of loneliness, (6) responsibility of women. 4. The number of consistent answers between the open ended and forced choice questions regarding reasons for wanting children was significantly different. Only 30 women among the total respondents gave consistent answers. Carrying on the family name was the category in which there was the highest rate of consistency. 5. The reasons for wanting children were not significantly different for age, educational level, and number of living children for all of the respondents. 6. In response to the question "If you want to have only one child, which sex , would you prefer\ulcorner" 96 percent of the respondents said they would select a son. 7. Major suggestions for further study were to differentiate. (1) between reasons women want children and reasons women have children and (2) between reasons men want children and reasons women want children.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2017

Selecting an appropriate antigen with optimal immunogenicity and physicochemical properties is a pivotal factor to develop a protein based subunit vaccine. Despite rapid progress in modern molecular cloning and recombinant protein technology, there remains a huge challenge for purifying and using protein antigens rich in hydrophobic domains, such as membrane associated proteins. To overcome current limitations using hydrophobic proteins as vaccine antigens, we adopted in silico analyses which included bioinformatic prediction and sequence-based protein 3D structure modeling, to develop a novel periodontitis subunit vaccine against the outer membrane protein FomA of Fusobacterium nucleatum. To generate an optimal antigen candidate, we predicted hydrophilicity and B cell epitope parameter by querying to web-based databases, and designed a truncated FomA (tFomA) candidate with better solubility and preserved B cell epitopes. The truncated recombinant protein was engineered to expose epitopes on the surface through simulating amino acid sequence-based 3D folding in aqueous environment. The recombinant tFomA was further expressed and purified, and its immunological properties were evaluated. In the mice intranasal vaccination study, tFomA significantly induced antigen-specific IgG and sIgA responses in both systemic and oral-mucosal compartments, respectively. Our results testify that intelligent in silico designing of antigens provide amenable vaccine epitopes from hard-to-manufacture hydrophobic domain rich microbial antigens.