• Oncology Letters
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.4645-4650
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• 2019

Tumor microenvironment serves an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Cancer cells can promote growth and malignancy by altering the surrounding stroma. Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) are an abundant cell type present within the tumor microenvironment and provide tumorigenic features by secreting cytokines. In the current study, the CAF-mediated invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was investigated and the associated mechanisms were elucidated. Cancer invasion was estimated using a Matrigel-coated Transwell chamber and FITC-gelatin matrix. To verify the effect of the tumor microenvironment, conditioned media (CM) from normal fibroblast (NF) and CAFs were prepared. An ELISA was performed to estimate the level of IL-1β. A proteome profiler human protease array was performed to verify the proteases affected by stimulation with CM, from CAF. Recombinant IL-1β protein increased the invasion of OSCC cells. IL-1β expression was higher in CAF than NF. CM from CAF (CM-CAF) increased cancer invasion and FITC-gelatin matrix degradation. The invasive capacity provided by CAF was abrogated by an IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) antagonist. Additionally, CM-CAF increased the secretion of ADAM 9 and Kallikrein 11 from OSCC cells. The invasion activity by CM-CAF was partially abrogated by the neutralization of ADAM 9 or Kallikrein 11. In conclusion, by providing stromal factor, CAFs were a critical inducer of OSCC invasion, and CAF secretes the required amount of IL-1β to increase cancer invasion activity. The invasive capacity of CAF was identified to be IL-1R-dependent. ADAM 9 and Kallikrein 11 were influencing factors involved in the increase of CAF-mediated cancer invasion.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.377-383
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• 2016

The effect of long-term aging degradation on magnetic properties of ferritic 11Cr low-carbon steel was investigated. Coercivity and hysteresis loss measured from the hysteresis loops decreased with long-term aging time and showed that the relation was well fitted by a second order exponential function. Vickers hardness also decreased with aging time and resulted in mechanical softening. In addition, the microstructural evolution was observed by the scanning electron microscopy, backscattered electron image and X-ray diffraction. The $Cr_{23}C_6$ precipitates along grain boundary grew fast and Laves ($Fe_2W$) phase on martensitic lath boundaries in interior grains was developed. The solid solution atoms depleted in matrix and lath subgrains recovered owing to precipitate coarsening with long-term aging degradation. There was a close relation with softening of magnetic and mechanical properties.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-24
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• 1995

Recently, more researches have been actively performed for the assessment of material degradation and residual-life of elevated temperature plant components, as some of domestic fossil power plants become older than 30 years. In this paper, results of on_site residual life assessment are reported for main steam pipes of Youngwol power station #2 which have operated since 1965. For critical weld locations such as butt welds branch welds, Y_sections and a T-section, replication technique and hardness measurement technique were employed for life_assessment. When cracks were detected by conventional NDT tests, crack growth life was calculated using a computer code. On the other hand, for matrix of pipes, residual life was quantitatively estimated by an analytic method and material degradation was estimated qualitatively using diameter measurement data and grain-boundary etching method. Also, direction in further improvement of on-site life assessment techniques are proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.284-291
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• 2002

An attempt was made to evaluate the degree of aging degradation in thermally aged 2.25Cr-1Mo steel by electrical resistivity measurement. Artificial aging was performed to simulate the microstructural degradation in 2.25Cr-1Mo steel arising from long time exposure at $540^{\circ}C$. Microstructural parameter (amount of solid solution element), mechanical property (ductile-brittle transition temperature) and electrical resistivity were measured to investigate the mutual relationship among these parameters. Depletion of solid solution element(Mo and Cr) in matrix was detected after aging. The ductile-brittle transition temperature(DBTT) increased rapidly in the initial stage of aging and then saturated afterward. On the other hand, the electrical resistivity decreased rapidly in the beginning and then saturated in the later stage of aging.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1063-1077
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• 2016

Components manufactured from composite materials are frequently subjected to superimposed mechanical and thermal loadings during their operating service. Both types of loadings may cause fracture and failure of composite structures. When composite cross-ply laminates of type [$0_m/90_n]_s$ are subjected to uni-axial tensile loading, different types of damage are set-up and developed such as matrix cracking: transverse and longitudinal cracks, delamination between disoriented layers and broken fibers. The development of these modes of damage can be detrimental for the stiffness of the laminates. From the experimental point of view, transverse cracking is known as the first mode of damage. In this regard, the objective of the present paper is to investigate the effect of transverse cracking in cross-ply laminate under thermo-mechanical degradation. A Finite Element (FE) simulation of damage evolution in composite crossply laminates of type [$0_m/90_n]_s$ subjected to uni-axial tensile loading is carried out. The effect of transverse cracking on the cross-ply laminate strength under thermo-mechanical degradation is investigated numerically. The results obtained by prediction of the numerical model developed in this investigation demonstrate the influence of the transverse cracking on the bearing capacity and resistance to damage as well as its effects on the variation of the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and coefficient of thermal expansion. The results obtained are in good agreement with those predicted by the Shear-lag analytical model as well as with the obtained experimental results available in the literature.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), one of the major active compounds in Panax ginseng, has already been shown to reduce inflammation in various diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a degenerative disease with degradation of joint articular cartilage. However, recent studies have shown the association of inflammation with OA. In the present study, we investigated whether Rb1 had an antiinflammatory effect on monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal arthritis. Methods: G-Rb1 at a dosage of 3 and 10 ㎍/kg body weight was administered every 3 days intraarticularly for a period of 4 weeks to observe antiarthritic effects. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) served as a positive control. Results: The administration of Rb1 significantly ameliorated OA inflammatory symptoms and reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, G-Rb1 administration considerably enhanced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen 2A and reduced the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 genes, indicating a chondroprotective effect of G-Rb1. G-Rb1 also significantly reduced the expression of several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL-2, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6). Histological analysis demonstrated that G-Rb1 significantly attenuated the pathological changes in MIA-induced OA in ovariectomized rats. Safranin O and toluidine blue staining further demonstrated that G-Rb1 effectively prevented the degradation of cartilage and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that G-Rb1 exerts cartilage protective effect on MIA-induced ovariectomized OA rats, by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1/CCL-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2). These results shed a light on possible therapeutic application of G-Rb1 in OA.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2020

We discuss a modified numerical model based on the Monte Carlo radiative transfer (MCRT) method, i.e., the MCRT matrix method, for the analysis of atmospheric scattering effects in three-dimensional flash LIDAR systems. Based on the MCRT method, the radiative transfer function for a LIDAR signal is constructed in a form of a matrix, which corresponds to the characteristic response. Exploiting the superposition and convolution of the characteristic response matrices under the paraxial approximation, an extended computer simulation model of an overall flash LIDAR system is developed. The MCRT matrix method substantially reduces the number of tracking signals, which may grow excessively in the case of conventional Monte Carlo methods. Consequently, it can readily yield fast acquisition of the signal response under various scattering conditions and LIDAR-system configurations. Using the computational model based on the MCRT matrix method, we carry out numerical simulations of a three-dimensional flash LIDAR system operating under different atmospheric conditions, varying the scattering coefficient in terms of visible distance. We numerically analyze various phenomena caused by scattering effects in this system, such as degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio, glitches, and spatiotemporal spread and time delay of the LIDAR signals. The MCRT matrix method is expected to be very effective in analyzing a variety of LIDAR systems, including flash LIDAR systems for autonomous driving.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.1 s.49
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• pp.103-109
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• 2005

UV irradiation leads to distinct changes in skin connective tissue, which is degradation of collagen. Many of these alterations in the extracellular matrix are mediated by matrix metalloproteinases. In this study, to develop a new anti-aging agent, we screened the antioxidant activity of solvent fractions from ethanolic extract of Melothria Heterophylla. Among the four solvent fractions tested, the EtOAc fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. It was investigated the inhibitory effect of the EtOAc fraction on the expression and activity of MMP-1 in UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. The EtOAc fraction inhibited the activity of MMP-1 in a dose dependent manner with the $IC_{50}$ values of $9{\mu}g/mL$. Also, UVA-induced MMP-1 expression was reduced about $90\%$ by $100{\mu}g/mL$ of the EtOAc fraction but MMP-1 mRNA expression was not inhibited. Therefore, we conclude that the EtOAc fraction significantly inhibits MMP-1 expression at the protein level. From these results, we suggest that the EtOAc fraction from M. heterophylla could be used as a new anti-aging agent for the photo-damaged skin.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.25-34
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• 1999

The effects of copper on the anaerobic degradation of propionate were studied using anaerobic batch reactors. The apparent inhibitory effects of copper on the anaerobic degradation of propionate could be observed from behaviors of intermediates, ultimate methane yield(UMY) and specific methanogenic activity(SMA) There was little inhibition at the concentration of $2.5mg\;Cu^{2+}/L$. Beyond this concentration, the inhibitory effects increased with increasing dose of coppers. The 50% inhibition of UMY and SMA occurred at copper dosage of 33.8 and $24.1mg\;Cu^{2+}/gVSS$, respectively. The inhibitory effect based on the UMY was gradually reduced with the operation time dueprobably to the acclimation of microorganisms and/or binding of the added copper by ligands(and possibly ion exchange sites)contained on the cell membrane and extracellular polymer matrix whereas it based on the SMA might exclude the this phenomena. Therefore, the methodology for interpretation of inhibition data based on the SMA was more accurated than the UMY. There was no inhibitory effect in batch reactors supplemented with sulfate due to an antagonistic action of the sulfate reducing bacteria. Propionate degradation was initially retarded for copper inhibited samples but it gradually degraded afterward. Based on the mass removal considering take into account the propionate to acetate conversion, propionate degradation may appeal more affected than acetate. This result revealed that the hydrogenotrophic methanogens were the most affected by copper.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.136-140
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• 2011

Mechanical properties of degraded materials must be measured for evaluating the integrity of the facilities operating at high temperature. In fact it is complicated to obtain the different degraded specimens from an operating facility. Specimens of 1Cr-0.5Mo steel prepared by the isothermal heat treatment at $700^{\circ}C$ were tested, which has been widely used as tubes for heat exchangers and as plates for pressure vessels. The magnetic properties and Rockwell hardness (HRB) were measured at room temperature. The peak interval of Barkhausen noise envelope (PIBNE), coercivity, and hardness decreased with the increase of degradation. The magnetic and mechanical softening of matrix is likely to govern the properties of the specimen more than the hardening of grain boundary by carbide precipitations. The degradation of test material may be determined by the linear correlation of PIBNE and HRB. Degradation of 1Cr-0.5Mo steel could well be nondestructively evaluated by PIBNE measured with surface type probe.