• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2012

Nur77 is a member of the nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) subgroup, which has been implicated in energy metabolism. Although Nur77 is found in adipose tissue, where TR4 plays a key role in lipid homeostasis, the role of Nur77 in adipogenesis is still controversial. Although the Nur77 responsive element (AAAGGTCA) is partially overlapped with TR4-binding sites (AGGTCA $n$ AGGTCA: $n$=0-6), the regulatory role of Nur77 in TR4 function associated with adipocyte biology remains unclear. Here, we found that Nur77 inhibits adipogenesis and TR4 transcriptional activity. Treatment with a Nur77 agonist, 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-($p$-anisyl)-methane, during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation reduced adipogenesis. In reporter gene analysis, Nur77 specifically suppressed TR4 transcription activity but had little effect on $PPAR{\gamma}$ transcription activity. Consistently, Nur77 also suppressed TR4-induced promoter activity of the TR4 target gene PEPCK, which is known to be important for glyceroneogenesis in adipose tissue. Furthermore, Nur77 suppressed TR4 binding to TR4 response elements without direct interaction with TR4, suggesting that Nur77 may inhibit TR4 transcription activity via binding competition for TR4-binding sites. Furthermore, DIM-C-$pPhOCH_3$ substantially suppressed TR4-induced PEPCK expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Together, our data demonstrate that Nur77 plays an inhibitory role in TR4-induced PEPCK expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.537-542
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• 2008

Textile industry has been recognized as an important pollution source due to its consumption of large volumes of water and chemicals. Textile wastewater contains very diverse chemicals in types and composition, among them the presence of dyes is highly visible and undesirable. In spite of these problems, there has not been a proper control for the wastewater because many dyes are difficult to be degraded or decolorized due to their complex structure and synthetic characteristics. This study has been progressed to evaluate more easily the potential decolorization of advanced treatment processes. It has been surveyed with the Y textile complex wastewater treatment plant, the raw wastewater has appeared very difficult biodegradability by 4.7 of $CODcr/BOD_5$ and 1,158.9 degree of color. In view of CODcr fractions, biodegradable COD portion was 46.4%, colloidal COD and real soluble COD was 45.3% and 31.5% each others. From research on unit processes, the degradable coefficient (k) became from 0.065 to $0.125d^{-1}$ by the processes, the decolorization appeared best efficiency by 30.1% (458.4 degree) in pre-ozone process. On the effluent from the biological process, the filterable CODcr became 129.3 mg/L, the biodegradable portion appeared 64.7% (83.6 mg/L), and the fixed dissolved solid (FDS), non-reactivity (NR), appeared very heavy portion by 80.5% (1,659.0 mg/L).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.19-35
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was carried out to find the effects of Changchuldoin-tanggamibang (hereinafter referred to CDIT) on the inhibition of arthritis induced by collagen on DBA/1J mouse. Methods: The experimental mice were divided into four groups: normal group (Nr), control group (CIA-CT), methotrexate group (CIA-MTX), and Changchuldoin-tanggamibang group (CIA-CDIT). Cytotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, arthritis index, value of immunocytes in draining lymph node and paw joint, and rheumatoid factor (IgG, IgM) in serum were measured in vivo. Results: 1. Cytotoxicity against hFCs was not shown in any concentration. 2. Hepatotoxicity was low in the CDIT-treated group compared with the MTX group. 3. The arthritis index decreased significantly. 4. In total cell counts of DLN and paw joint, the cells in DLN increased significantly while there was a significant decrease in paw joint. 5. In lymph nodes, CD19+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+/CD8+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+/CD25+, CD3+/CD49b+, and CD4+/CD44+ cells increased significantly, while B220+/CD23+, and CD11c+/MHCII+ cells decreased significantly. 6. In joints, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD25+, and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells decreased significantly. 7. The level of IgG decreased and the level of IgM significantly decreased compared with the control. 8. Anti-collagen II in serum decreased compared with the control. 9. Around the joint of the CDIT group, infiltration of inflammation, synovial hyperplasia, invasion of cytokine, of cartilage, deposition of collagen and synovial injury decreased compared with the control in histopathologic observation (HE, MT staining). Conclusions: Comparison of the results for this study showed that CDIT had immunomodulatory effects. We expect that CDIT could be used as a effective drug for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also another auto-immune diseases. Therefore, we have to survey continuously, looking for effective substances and mechanisms in the future.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 2009

Recently, elastomer-nanocomposites reinforced with low volume fraction of nanofillers have attracted great interest due to their fascinating properties. The incorporation of nanofillers, such as, layered silicate clays, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, calcium carbonate, metal oxides or silica nanoparticles into elastomers improves significantly their mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, barrier properties, flame retardancy, etc. The properties of nanocomposites depend greatly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of nanofillers, and the method in which they are prepared. The uniform dispersion of nanofillers in elastomer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving desired mechanical and physical characteristics. In this paper, current developments in the field of elastomer nanocomposites reinforced with layered silicates, silica, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and various other nanoparticles have been addressed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.677-684
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• 2006

Morphine has been used widely on the treatment of many types of chronic pain. However the development of tolerance to and dependence on morphine by repeat application is a major problem in pain therapy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether combined administration of nalbuphine with morphine affects the development of tolerance to and dependence on morphine. We hypothesize that the use of nalbuphine, ${\kappa}-agonist$ may prove to be useful adjunct therapy to prevent morphine-induced undesirable effects in the management of some forms of chronic pain. Morphine (10 mg/kg) was injected to rats intraperitoneally for 5 day. The variable dose of nalbuphine (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg) was administered (i.p.) in combination with morphine injection. The development of morphine tolerance was assessed by measuring the antinociceptive effect with the Randall-Selitto apparatus. The development of dependence on morphine was determined by the scoring the precipitated withdrawal signs for 30 min after injection of naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Nalbuphine did not attenuate antinociceptive effect of morphine in rats. Interestingly, combined administration of morphine with nalbuphine (10:1) significantly attenuated the development of dependence on morphine. The elevation of $[^3H]MK-801$ binding in frontal cortex, dentate gyrus, and cerebellum after chronic morphine infusion was suppressed by the coadministration of nalbuphine. In addition, the elevation of NR1 expression by morphine was decreased by the coadministration of nalbuphine in rat cortex. These results suggest that the coadministration of nalbuphine with morphine in chronic pain treatment can be one of therapies to reduce the development of tolerance to and dependence on morphine.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2012

A thiazole type accelerator MBT (2-mercapto benzothiazole) was added into silica filled natural rubber (NR) compound with various concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 phr). The effects of MBT on the cure rate, mechanical property, degree of rubber-filler interaction (${\alpha}_F$), crosslinking density, and viscoelastic property ($tan{\delta}$) were investigated. As accelerator concentration increased, the $t_{s2}$ and $t_{90}$ decreased and the crosslinking density and modulus at 300% elongation increased. The tensile strength and elongation increased up to 3 phr and no further increased at 4 phr. The $tan{\delta}$ value measured at room temperature was higher than that of the $70^{\circ}C$. The ${\alpha}_F$ value was not affected by the addition of MBT. The mechanisms for the vulcanization rate were reviewed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.132-145
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to examine the toxic effects caused by xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine(XO/HX) and the effects of herbal extracts such as Cheongsimyeonjatang(CYT) on the treatment of the toxic effects. For this purpose, experiments with the cultured hippocampal cells from new born mice were done. The results of these experiments were as follows. 1. XO/HX, a oxygen radical-generating system, decreased the survival rates of the cultured cells on MTT assay and NR assay, protein synthesis, and amounts of neurofilaments. 2. CYT have the efficacy of increasing protein synthesis decreased by XO/HX. 3. CYT have the efficacy. of increasing the amount of neurofilaments decreased by XO/HX. From the above results, it is suggested that Cheongsimyeonjatang (CYT) have marked efficacy as a protection for the damages caused by the XO/HX-mediated oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.179-193
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• 2002

Waste foundry sands were tested to determine their leaching characteristics when used as reactive media in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). Water leach tests and column leach tests were performed on twelve foundry sands and three reference materials such as Peerless iron, a local fill material, and torpedo sand. The latter three materials were tested to compare concentrations of heavy metals and anions found in other materials commonly placed below the groundwater table with those from the foundry sands. Results of water leach tests md total elemental analyses showed that all of the laundry sands are Category 2 materials per Section NR 538 of the Wisconsin Administrator Code. However, tests on Peerless iron, torpedo sand, and a typical fill material indicate that these materials, which are commonly placed below the groundwater table, also are Category 2 materials. Thus, using foundry sand as a PR3 medium should pose no greater risk than that imposed using conventional construction materials.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.355-365
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• 2014

The present study has been performed on one year old tree saplings of Azadirachta indica (L.), Cassia siamea (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.), Eucalyptus rostrata (L.), Mangifera indica (L.) and Schyzygium cumini (L.) in order to assess the effect of exposure of $SO_2-NO_2$, alone and combination of two gases. Tree saplings have been exposed to an average of $495{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$ $SO_2$ and $105{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$ $NO_2$ for 40 d at the rate of $4hd^{-1}$ during 10:00 am to 01:00 pm in OTC. Total chlorophyll, specific leaf area (SLA), nitrate reductase (NR) activity, foliar protein, free proline content and free amino acids (AAs) of foliage have been the plant parameters, taken into consideration to evaluate the effect of gaseous exposure. Exposure of two gases has caused reduction in total chlorophyll content (P < 0.05, 0.01). Physiological and biochemical process has been seemed to be altered noticeable due to the combined effect of $SO_2+NO_2$ followed by $SO_2$ alone (P < 0.05, 0.01). $NO_2$ mediated stress has produced, stimulatory and inhibitory responses in tree saplings. Results reveal that tree saplings have been attempted to absorb the $NO_2$ through N assimilation pathway. E. rostrata, C. siamea have been emerged as moderate tolerant to $SO_2$ mediated stress followed by A. indica. Response pattern of S. cumini, M. indica and D. sissoo set them as good indicators of $SO_2-NO_2$ exposure. Effects of two gases on tree saplings have been found to be synergistic.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.11-27
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• 2016

This study is a survey of the flora distributed in Seocheon tidal flat wetland protected area of nearby island (Daejuk-do, Tokki-deung, Muk-do) and Yubo-do Seocheon-gun Chuncheongnam-do, Korea. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 231 taxa including 65 families, 167 genera, 204 species, 2 subspecies, 23 varieties and 2 forms. The halophytes were 33 taxa including 15 families, 29 genera, 29 species, 3 varieties and 1 form (Chenopodium album var. stenophyllum, Cnidium japonicum, Juncus haenkei and so on). The rare plants were 4 taxa including Pseudoraphis ukishiba (VU), Belamcanda chinensis (VU), Phacelurus latifolius (LC) and Polygonum bellardii (DD). The Korean endemic plants were 2 taxa including Salix pseudolasiogyne and Forsythia koreana. In the specific plants by floristic region were 24 taxa, a degree I were 19 taxa (Rhodotypos scandens, Zanthoxylum planispinum, Cynodon dactylon and so on), 2 taxa of a degree III (Elymus mollis and Asparagus oligoclonos), 3 taxa of a degree IV (Polygonum bellardii, Wisteria floribunda and Pseudoraphis ukishiba) and degree II, V were not found. The naturalized plants were 40 taxa including Phytolacca americana, Sicyos angulatus, Lactuca scariola and so on. Naturalization rate (NR) was 17.3% of all 231 taxa of vascular plants and urbanization index (UI) was 12.5% of all 321 taxa of naturalized plants. This study was performed to used as a basic data to identify the protected from plant ecosystems of type classify into analyze the vegetation characteristic of based on flora distributed in Yubu-do and nearby islands.