• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.739-747
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• 2011

Objective: The present study evaluated information presentation methods applicable to a wearable Braille display in terms of performance and satisfaction measures. Background: A Braille display wearable at a finger can improve accessibility of information for the blind by presenting information in real time. Method: A Braille display with six pins operated by DC servomotors was developed to simulate four information presentation methods(active, stationary, simultaneous, and sequential methods). An evaluation experiment was conducted with 16 participants(8 normal and 8 blind participants) by using three objective measures(reaction time, RT, unit: sec; recognition time, CT, unit: sec; correct response percentage, CP) and two subjective measures(overall satisfaction, OS; perception easiness, PE) with a 7-point scale. Results: The average RTs and CTs of the active and stationary methods were significantly shorter than those of the simultaneous and sequential methods for the blind participants. Also, the average CPs, OSs, and PEs of the active and sequential methods were significantly higher than those of the stationary and simultaneous methods. Conclusion: The active and sequential methods were preferred to the other methods for the blind. Application: The performance characteristics identified in the present study for the four braille display methods can be utilized to develop an effective wearable Braille display system.

• 생물환경조절학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.317-323
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• 2017

쓰레기 소각장이나 산업체의 폐열을 농업에 활용한 사례는 몇몇 있었다. 그러나 온배수를 농업에 활용한 사례는 전무하였으며, 치어, 종패 등을 양식하는 수산업이 대부분이었다. 본 연구에서는 화력발전소의 온배수(폐열)를 열원으로 이용하는 120 RT 규모의 냉난방시스템을 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 소재의 $5,280m^2$ 아열대 작물(망고) 재배온실에 설치, 10월에서 다음해 2월까지 약 5개월 동안 난방을 실시하여 난방에너지 비용 절감 효과 등 분석하였다. 난방에너지 비용 절감효과는 면세경유에 대하여 87%이였으며, 또한 발전소의 온배수를 에너지원으로 재활용함으로서 62%의 이산화탄소 배출 저감 효과를 얻었다. 본 연구를 계기로 2015년에 해수가 수열에너지 분야로 재생에너지에 포함되었다. 해수의 표층의 열을 히트펌프를 사용하여 변환시켜 얻은 에너지라는 수열에너지 분야의 기준과 범위를 볼 때, 이는 온배수가 재생에너지에 포함되었다고 말해도 과언이 아닐 것으로 사료된다. 그 이유는 온배수도 해수임에도 불구하고 온도가 일반 해수보다 $7{\sim}8^{\circ}C$ 높아, 일반 해수를 히트펌프의 열원으로 이용하는 것보다 온배수를 열원으로 이용했을 때 히트펌프의 성능이 높기 때문이다. 또한 같은 해 농식품부의 폐열 재이용 시설 지원 사업이 발표되어, 발전소 온배수뿐만 아니라 산업체와 소각장의 폐열을 농업에 활용하면 지원을 받을 수 있게 되었다. 이 사업에 의하여 2015년 당진시, 하동군, 제주시, 곡성군이 선정되었으며, 2016년 태안군, 서귀포시 등이 선정되어, 2016년 말 곡성군과 제주시가 공사를 완료, 농업에 폐열을 활용하고 있으며(제주시는 발전소, 곡성군은 산업체 폐열을 이용하고 있음), 기타 지역은 추진 중이다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.115-121
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• 1997

To precisely analyze the role of ovarian steroids in the regulation of laminin chain gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, the ovariectomized mouse model was used. Ovariectomized mice received a single injection of steroid hormones and total RNA was isolated from whole uterine tissues. Messenger RNA levels of each laminin chain (A, 81, and 82) were determined by competitive RT-peR procedures. Estradiol decreased mRNA levels of laminin 81 chain about two-fold, and 82 chain rather moderately. Estradiol-induced inhibition of laminin 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels were completely blocked by pretreatment with estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. Estriol, a short acting estrogen which cannot induce hyperplastic responses of rodent uterine tissues, also showed an inhibitory effect on 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels, while estrone, an inactive estrogen, failed to influence either 8 chain mRNA levels. Effects of steroids on A chain mRNA level were quite different from those on 8 chains. Laminin A chain mRNA level was slightly increased by estradiol treatment, but negatively affected by progesterone. Progesterone treatment greatly increased both 8 chain mRNA levels, but slightly decreased A chain mRNA level compared to the control. The effect of progesterone on laminin chain-specific mRNA levels was further increased by co-injection of estradiol in a time-dependent manner. Progesterone-induced 81 and 82 chain mRNA transcription was inhibited by RU486, a synthetic anti-progesterone /anti-glucocorticoid. The present study demonstrates for the first time that steroids are able to regulate laminin gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, indicating that steroid-regulated laminin gene expression is involved in uterine growth and probably differentiation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.79-84
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• 2003

We have previously reported that expression of the somatostatin receptor subtypes, sst1-5, is differentially regulated by growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) and forskolin (FSK), in vitro. GHRH binds to membrane receptors selectively located on pituitary somatotropes, activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) and increases sst1 and sst2 and decreases sst5 mRNA levels, without significantly altering the expression of sst3 and sst4. In contrast FSK directly activates AC in all pituitary cell types and increases sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreases sst3, sst4 and sst5 expression. Two explanations could account for these differential effects: 1) GHRH inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression in somatotropes, but this inhibitory effect is masked by expression of these receptors in unresponsive pituitary cell types, and 2) FSK inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression levels in pituitary cell types other than somatotropes. To differentiate between these two possibilities, somatotropes were sequentially labeled with monkey anti-rat GH antiserum, biotinylated goat anti-human IgG, and streptavidin-PE and subsequently purified by fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS). The resultant cell population consisted of 95% somatotropes, as determined by GH immunohistochemistry using a primary GH antiserum different from that used for FACS sorting. Purified somatotropes were cultured for 3 days and treated for 4 h with vehicle, GHRH (10 nM) or FSK ($10{\mu}M$). Total RNA was isolated by column extraction and specific receptor mRNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative multiplex RT-PCR. Under basal conditions, the relative expression levels of the various somatostatin receptor subtypes were sst2＞sst5＞sst3=sst1＞ sst4. GHRH treatment increased sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreased sst3, sst4 and sst5 mRNA levels in purified somatotropes, comparable to the effects of FSK on purified somatotropes and mixed pituitary cell cultures. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GHRH acutely modulates the expression of all somatostatin receptor subtypes within GH-producing cells and its actions are likely mediated by activation of AC.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.