• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1549-1557
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis in many types of transformed cells; however, some human hepatocellular carcinoma cells are particularly resistant to the effects of TRAIL. Although genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have pro-apoptotic activity against human cancer cell lines, little is known about the mechanism of genistein in terms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In the present study, it was investigated whether or not combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL synergistically induced apoptosis in Hep3B hepatocarcinoma cells. Results indicate that treatment with TRAIL in combination with nontoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized TRAIL-resistant Hep3B cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, the inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation markedly decreased genistein and TRAIL-induced cell viability and apoptosis by enhanced truncation of Bid, increase of pro-apoptotic Bax, decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Activation of caspases and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase induced by the combined treatment was also markedly increased by the inhibition of p38 MAPK, through the mitochondrial amplification step. In conclusion, our data suggest that genistein sensitizes TRAIL-induced-apoptosis via p38 MAPK-dependent pathway.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1014-1032
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• 2020

This work aimed to investigate the psychobiotic effects of six bacterial strains on the mind and behavior of male Wistar rats. The probiotic (PRO) group (n=7) were rats pre-treated with antibiotics for 7 days followed by 14-day probiotic administration, antibiotics (ANT) group (n=7) were rats treated with antibiotics for 21 days without probiotics. The control (CON) group (n=7) were rats that received sham treatment for 21 days. The six bacterial strains with probiotic properties were mostly isolated from Thai fermented foods; Pedicoccus pentosaceus WS11, Lactobacillus plantarum SK321, L. fermentum SK324, L. brevis TRBC 3003, Bifidobacterium adolescentis TBRC 7154 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis TBRC 375. The probiotics were freeze-dried into powder (6×10⁹ CFU/5 g) and administered to the PRO group via oral gavage. Behavioral tests were performed. The PRO group displayed significantly reduced anxiety level and increased locomotor function using a marble burying test and open field test, respectively and significantly improved short-term memory performance using a novel object recognition test. Antibiotics significantly reduced microbial counts in rat feces in the ANT group by 100 fold compared to the PRO group. Probiotics significantly enhanced antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic defenses in rat brains as assessed using catalase activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. Probiotics also showed neuroprotective effects with less pyknotic cells and lower frequency of vacuolization in cerebral cortex. This multi-strain probiotic formulation from Thai fermented foods may offer a potential to develop psychobiotic-rich functional foods to modulate human mind and behaviors.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2011

The effects of mixed beans on quality characteristics of traditional soybean paste (Doenjang) were investigated. The proximate composition of the soybean paste (Doenjang) met traditional food standard requirements. The range in salinity was 12.30~13.20%, and the salinity decreased with an increase in the amount of mixed beans. A significant difference in pH values occurred in all samples(p<0.05). The Hunter's 'L ($45.06{\pm}0.41$)' and 'b ($13.89{\pm}0.73$)' values of the TDM2 samples were higher than those of other samples. The highest amounts of malic acid of the organic acids are shown. The order of the amino acid content was aspartic acid > leucine > lysine, and that of free amino acid contents were proline > glutamic acid > arginine. The order of mineral content in the soybean pastes was Na > K > Ca > Mg, but levels of Co, Cu, and Zn were not detected. The traditional soybean paste (Doenjang) had an effective DPPH radical scavenging activity and higher phenolic content compared to those of the control sample. Overall acceptability score of the TDM2 (soybean 1 : mixed beans 1) was higher than that of the others. More research is needed to enhance the quality and functionality of traditional soybean paste.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.772-793
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• 2010

In this paper, author estimated economic scale of radiation usage in Korea using Input-Output table 2005 and other micro data published. This estimation focused all kind of radiation usage in whole economic activity. Estimation of economic scale is quantitative analysis for how much radiation usage increase productivity and welfare. Economic scale estimation of radiation usage in Korea 2005 is 6,297 Billion Won and it occupies 0.74% of GDP. It is smaller level compared with that of US and Japan. It is 1.5% of GDP in US (1997) and 1.2% of GDP in Japan (2005). Radiation usage in industrial sector is 5,775 Billion Won and it is 0.68% of GDP. Radiation usage in agriculture sector is 171 Billion Won and it is 0.02% of GDP. Radiation usage in medical sector is 351 Billion Won and it is 0.04% of GDP. This implied that radiation usage in industrial sector is larger than other sector. Use of medical radiology may be enlarge in the future due to population structure. The result that radiation usage occupied 0.74% of GDP arouse contribution of radiation usage in daily life. It helps people to have more understanding and public acceptance for radiation.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.299-322
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• 2012

Biotechnology is considered a new propeller to national economic growth. Although BT-based converging technology is one of keywords in nowadays, few studies analyze the characteristics of Korean BT convergence market. This study has conducted the analysis of BT-based converging technology market by using patent database in KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office) from 2000 to 2010. We, especially, have classified BT convergence into homogeneous and heterogeneous ones, and compare the nature of BT convergence market with that of non-convergence one. To achieve the object of this study, the following methods are used: concentration across IPC technological classes; concentration of patenting activity across firms; PFS (Patent Family Size) index. Furthermore, according to FOS technology-industry table, we have intended to find new converging industry of BT heterogeneous converging technologies. As very few studies have focused on Korean converging technology market so far, this analysis is considered to be meaningful. It is found that the market of BT converging technology is rather robust than that of BT non-converging one, which refers that BT convergence shows the tendency of concentration towards few technologies by few conglomerate firms in Korea. Meanwhile, we have derived a BINET keyword map to research the convergence of sub-technologies in detail and the related industries. We expect the implications of this study to be utilized in establishing the BT-based converging technology policy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1201-1207
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been proposed as a potent tool to trigger apoptosis in cancer therapy. However, as many types of cancer cells remain resistant towards TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity, several combined therapy approaches aimed to sensitize cells to TRAIL have been developed. Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have anticancer activity by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2M phase as well as apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we showed that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized U937 human leukemia cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL effectively activated caspases through Bid truncation (tBid) and down-regulation of cellular caspase-8 (FLICE)-like inhibitory proteinL ($cFLIP_L$). However, the apoptotic effects of co-treatment with genistein and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspase inhibitors, which demonstrates the important role of caspases in apoptosis induced by genistein and TRAIL. Overall, our results indicate that genistein can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of $cFLIP_L$ and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic tBid proteins.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate physicochemical properties of cold-air dried persimmon and traditional dried persimmons. Moisture contents and water activity were lower at cold-air dried persimmon than traditional persimmons. Crude protein and crude fat were not significant differences, Crude ash and N-free extracts of cold-air dried persimmon were, relatively, high as comparing to the traditional dried persimmons. Brix in cold-air dried persimmon was the highest. In the hunter's color values, L, a and b values of cold-air dried persimmon were lowed than traditional dried persimmons. There was not significant differences at the texture of semi-dried persimmons, but cold -air dried persimmon were relatively high than the traditional dried persimmons in hardness, gumminess, chewiness. Free sugars contents were only glucose and fructose in an sample. Free amino acids contents were seventeen sorts, glutamic acid and alanine were high in order of contents.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.819-839
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• 2009

Proposed increases to the government's R&D budget should be discussed based on merits of meeting efficiency and effectiveness criteria. The evaluation of the national R&D budget and related programs are performed in two areas: a system of R&D budget coordination and allocation, and a system of R&D program performance. This paper mainly focuses on the operational areas of R&D budget evaluation system with a focus on their impact to efficiency and effectiveness. The core view point for a R&D budget evaluation system involves two directions: Firstly, to detail the relationships between the later stage (ex. post) activities such as, program survey, analysis, and program performance evaluation, with the budget evaluation. Secondly, to critically oversee all R&D coordination procedures with a different perspective. Budgeting is generally known as a serial process of policy making, planning and executing. It is highly desirable for the budget to be allocated to, and spent by, specific programs as planned, and that each plan be aligned with a specific policy. As such, a strong relevance between the program structure and budget code system is integral to successful execution. It should be performed using a decision making system which closely examines the link between policy and budget. It is also recommended that systematic relationships be maintained among budget coordination and allocation, performance evaluations of policy and program levels, and program survey and analysis system, and that their operational schedule should be reviewed comprehensively as a one integrated system. The National Science and Technology Council is expected to play a major and practical role as the center of policy planning and should be supported by the objective and unbiased system which covers overall process from policy making to program evaluation. Finally, increased utilization of contents, timely program survey and analysis, and accurate of activity scheduling of budget coordination and allocation, and diligent program performance evaluation all contribute towards a more efficient and effective overall evaluation system.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.320-342
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• 2011

This paper tries to analyze the evolution of technological innovative pattern in system semiconductor industry from the perspective of the evolution of way by which knowledge is generated and its related evolution of inter-firm relationships. In particular, this paper focuses on the evolution of knowledge after the emergence of EDA as a design tool, as a main momentum. As a result of analysis, we can find out following things. First, the innovative activities have evolved from design activity-centered technology development to innovative activities focusing on searching activities for utilizing knowledge and technology. Second, with rising value of knowledge, creation of new market utilizing knowledge, and development of new industry and new technology through inter-firm relationship had been made, in addition to strengthened specialized technological division of labor. Third, with focusing on utilization of knowledge, inter-firm network has taken diverse forms for building complementary platform for co-development. This discussion can give an insight on the necessity of utilizing inter-firm network strategically and setting strategies for enhanced searching activities such as market creation and knowledge utilization.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1288-1308
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• 2017

When looking at the online copyright infringement, the advertisements have served as a revenue source. Recently, copyright holders and state agencies have requested to stop and withdraw posting the ad. in order to prevent copyright infringement. This way is very easy and efficient. However, the problem is that it is not clear whether the request is appropriate. For the request to be valid, posting the ad. should be a kind of indirect infringement, or if not, it must have a suitable reason. If there is no basis or reason for the two, the request should not be asked recklessly. In the US relevant cases, something more than simple relationship with direct infringers or more material contribution to the direct infringement is required to impose secondary liability for copyright infringement. However, just posting the ad. cannot be considered as the close relationship and moreover, it is not material contribution. Thus, posting the ad. is not secondarily liable for copyright infringement. In addition, the bills which was proposed in 2011, so called SOPA and PIPA, had a provision which can stop and withdraw the ads in the piracy sites. Its opponents raised the following problems: withdrawing the ad. is the censorship, gives the burdensome to the sites, and causes the imbalance due to the overload protection of copyright. Also, under the ad blocker case, to remove the ad. discretionally consists of illegal activity or copyright infringement. As a result, because the request to stop and withdraw posting the ad. is not reasonable, the request should be asked carefully.