• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.545-553
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• 2021

The frequency by water disaster in urban areas are increasing continuously due to climate change and urbanization. Countermeasures are being conducted to reduce the damage caused by water disasters. An analysis based on permeability, one of the parameters that affect runoff, is needed to predict quantitative runoff in urban watersheds and study runoff reduction. In this study, the SWAT model was simulated for the oncheon stream basin, a representative urban stream in Busan. The permeability map was prepared by calculating the CN values for each hydrologic response unit. Based on the permeability map prepared, EPA SWMM analyzed the effect of LID technology application on the water cycle in the basin for short-term rainfall events. The LID element technology applied to the oncheon stream basin was rooftop greening in the residential complex, and waterproof packaging was installed on the road. The land cover status of the land selected based on the permeability map and the application of LID technology reduced the outflow rate, peak flow rate, and outflow rate and increased the infiltration. Hence, LID technology has a positive effect on the water cycle in an urban basin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2133-2140
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• 2018

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood owing to the difficulty of establishing viral infection in animal models. Here, post-weaning gnotobiotic pigs were infected with human norovirus genogroup II genotype 4 (HuNoV GII.4) to investigate the pathogenesis and replication of the virus. Three groups of four pigs were infected with $1{\times}10^5$, $1{\times}10^6$, or $1{\times}10^7$ genomic equivalent (GE) copies of HuNoV GII.4. Four pigs were used as negative controls. Blood and rectal swab samples were collected after viral infection, and gross legions were examined after necropsy. Diarrhea was induced in 25% and 75% of pigs infected with $1{\times}10^6$ and $1{\times}10^7$ GE copies, respectively. Viral shedding was detected in 50%, 75%, and 50% of pigs infected with $1{\times}10^5$, $1{\times}10^6$, and $1{\times}10^7$ GE copies, respectively. Viremia was detected in 25% of pigs infected with either $1{\times}10^6$ or $1{\times}10^7$ GE copies. When gross lesions of gastroenteritis were investigated, the ileum walls of the infected pigs were thinner than those of the controls. Villi atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration were identified in the ileum of each infected pig. Viral capsid was identified in the jejunum, ileum, colon, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node. Virus replication was newly verified in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes by detection of negative-sense viral RNA. In conclusion, HuNoV GII.4 could induce acute gastroenteritis and replicate in the extra-intestinal lymphoid tissues in post-weaning gnotobiotic pigs. Therefore, such pigs would be a suitable animal model for studying the pathogenesis and replication of HuNoV.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.687-699
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• 2018

Understanding rain infiltration into the ground is an important feature of landslide risk evaluation. In this study, a landslide risk index for the study area is suggested, wherein the result of the landslide risk evaluation, based on the factor of safety (FS), is used. The landslide risk index is a landslide risk prediction index that utilizes the saturated depth ratio of the ground. Based on the landslide risk result for the study area, it was found that the FS was first to decrease. However, it gradually became convergent over the 50-year rainfall intensity study period, a result that is similar to the relationship between the saturated depth ratio and soil thickness. Moreover, saturated depth was also found to be deeper on gentle slopes than steep slopes. As such, the landslide risk index, based on the Inhu-ri study result, is thus suggested. Additionally, the suggested landslide risk index was compared and analyzed against the rainfall intensity of previous landslide experience. Results thus revealed that almost all landslides that occurred were over 0.7, which is the second grade, based on the landslide risk index.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.736-744
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• 2021

Artemisia princeps Pampanini is an herbal medicine widely used to immune function-related diseases, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AP extract and underlying mechanisms were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of AP extract were also studied in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model. In RAW 264.7 cells, AP extracts significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. The LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB was also significantly blocked by AP extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Oral administration of AP extract suppressed the increase in mouse paw edema and spleen index compared to CFA-treated mice group. Histologically, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was increased in cartilage and synovium in the CFA-treated mouse group, whereas it was suppressed in the AP extract-administered group. Furthermore, AP extract treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, levels in CFA and LPS-treated mouse. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effect of AP extract was confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that Artemisia princeps Pampanini may be a candidate material for arthritis treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2021

In this study, the behavioral characteristics of the fill dam were analyzed during water level fluctuations through a numerical analysis model, and the reservoir safety management plan was prepared. The variation in plastic deviatoric strain, horizontal displacement, stress path, pore water pressure, etc., due to elevation of water level in the upper and lower sides of shell and core were analyzed using numerical analysis software, viz. GTS NX and LIQCA. The analysis results manifest that as the water level in the dam body increases rapidly, the pore water pressure and displacement also increase quickly. It was found that the elevation of the water level causes an increase in pore water pressure in the dam body as well as an increase in the saturation of the dam body and decreased effective stress. It is considered that this type of dam behavior can be the cause of the reduction of strength and stiffness of the dam. Also, it is assumed that the accumulated plastic deviatoric strain due to the deformation of the dam body caused by water infiltration causes an increase in displacement. Based on these experimental results and the results of analyses of the existing reservoir safety diagnosis techniques, an improvement plan for dam safety diagnosis and evaluation criteria was proposed, and these results can be used as primary data while revising dam safety diagnosis guidelines.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.575-585
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• 2022

Due to its biofilm formation and colonization of the osteocyte-lacuno canalicular network (OLCN), Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) implant-associated bone infection (SIABI) is difficult to cure thoroughly, and may occur recurrently subsequently after a long period dormant. It is essential to explore an alternative therapeutic strategy that can eradicate the pathogens in the infected foci. To address this, the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement and Fe3O4 nanoparticles compound cylinder were developed as implants based on their size and mechanical properties for the alternative magnetic field (AMF) induced thermal ablation, The PMMA mixed with optimized 2% Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles showed an excellent antibacterial efficacy in vitro. It was evaluated by the CFU, CT scan and histopathological staining on a rabbit 1-stage transtibial screw model. The results showed that on week 7, the CFU of infected soft tissue and implants, and the white blood cells (WBCs) of the PMMA+2% Fe₃O₄+AMF group decreased significantly from their controls (p<0.05). PMMA+2% Fe₃O₄+AMF group did not observe bone resorption, periosteal reaction, and infectious reactive bone formation by CT images. Further histopathological H&E and Gram Staining confirmed there was no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration, neither pathogens residue nor noticeably burn damage around the infected screw channel in the PMMA+2% Fe₃O₄+AMF group. Further investigation of nanoparticle distributions in bone marrow medullary and vital organs of heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. There were no significantly extra Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were observed in the medullary cavity and all vital organs either. In the current study, PMMA+2% Fe₃O₄+AMF shows promising therapeutic potential for SIABI by providing excellent mechanical support, and promising efficacy of eradicating the residual pathogenic bacteria in bone infected lesions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.77-81
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• 2013

Objectives : Horse oil (HO) has been used long time as the folk medicine of many Asian countries such as Korea, Mongol, China, India and Japan. HO has been used for anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pruritic purposes in skin. However, it is still largely unknown whether HO modulates the skin condition. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of HO on the 1 % of 2, 4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced contact hypersensitivity in Balb/c mice. Methods : To find the anti-inflammatory effect of HO, contact hypersensitivity, a local inflammatory response of skin, was induced on the back of Balb/c mice by sensitization and repeated application by 1% DNCB and HO treated 2 weeks on the 1% of DNCB-treated Balb/c mice. Excised mice skins were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and serum IgE level was measured by mouse IgE ELISA kit. Results : In this study, we found that HO reduced erythema by 1% of DNCB treated Balb/c mice. Also, HO recovered histopathological features such as the thickening of epidermis, hyperkeratosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in 1% of DNCB treated Balb/c mice. In addition, HO reduced IgE level on the serum obtained from blood of 1% of DNCB-treated Balb/c mice. Conclusion : Taken together, these results showed that HO could be used as a pharmaceutical material with anti-inflammatory effects by reducing of erythema, IgE level and recovering of histopathological features skin on DNCB-induced contact hypersensitivity in Balb/c mice model.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.639-652
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• 2022

The prolyl 3-hydroxylase family member 4 (P3H4), is associated with post-translational modification of fibrillar collagens and aberrantly activated in cancer leading to tumor progression. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still unknown. Here we reported that P3H4 was highly expressed in renal cancer tissues and significantly positive correlated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of P3H4 inhibited the proliferation, migration and metastasis of renal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and also, overexpression of it enhanced the oncogenic process. Mechanistically, P3H4 depletion decreased the levels of GDF15-MMP9 axis and repressed its downstream signaling. Further functional studies revealed that inhibition of GDF15 suppressed renal cancer cell growth and GDF15 recombinant human protein (rhGDF15) supplementation effectively rescued the inhibitory effect induced by P3H4 knockdown. Moreover, decreased levels of MMP9 caused by inhibition of P3H4-GDF15 signaling constrained the expression of PD-L1 and suppression of P3H4 accordingly promoted anti-tumor immunity via stimulating the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in syngeneic mice model. Taken together, our findings firstly demonstrated that P3H4 promotes ccRCC progression by activating GDF15-MMP9-PD-L1 axis and targeting P3H4-GDF15-MMP9 signaling pathway can be a novel strategy of controlling ccRCC malignancy.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.589-603
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.187-192
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of herbal medicine complex (HMC) containing Camellia sinensis L., Duchoesna chrysantha, Houttuynia cordata Thunberg, Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque on skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis. First, we examined the anti-inflammatory effect of HMC in TNF-α induced human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell). Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-8) mRNA and protein. Four-weeks old male NC/Nga mice were treated with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) solution and used as an atopic dermatitis mice model. And, HMC (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg) was administered directly into the stomach of mice for 4 weeks, and blood or serum analysis, tissue staining were performed after oral gavage. As a result HMC inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8, which had been increased by TNF-α in HaCaT cells. In addition, the protein expression was also significantly suppressed in the same way as the mRNA expression results. The in vivo experiment results showed that, HMC administration reduced thickening of the epidermis and infiltration of eosinophil into the skin stratum basale compared to DNCB treatment. In addition, HMC administration significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13) production and immunocyte (white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and eosinophil) count compared to DNCB treatment. Moreover, the serum IgE and histamine level was decreased by HMC administration. These results suggest that HMC can be used as effective herbal medicine extract for skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis. And this study may contribute to the development of the herbal medicine-based drug for the treatment of skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis.