• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2022

Kinesin-2 comprises two subfamilies of the heterotrimeric or homodimeric motors found in mammalian cells. Heterotrimeric kinesin-2 consists of kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) 3A and 3B and kinesin-associated protein 3 (KAP3), which is a molecular motor protein that moves along microtubules. It plays diverse roles in cargo transport, including anterograde trafficking in cilia, and interacts with many different cargoes and proteins, but their binding proteins have not yet been fully identified. In this study, the yeast two-hybrid assay was used to identify the proteins that interact with the cargo-binding domain (CBD) of KIF3A, and an interaction between KIF3A and brain expressed X-linked 2 (Bex2) was found. Bex2 bound to the CBD-containing C-terminal tail region of KIF3A but did not interact with the same region of KIF3B or KIF5A (a motor protein of kinesin-1). KIF3A interacted with another isoform, Bex1, but did not interact with Bex3. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-downs showed that KIF3A specifically interacts with GST-Bex1 and GST-Bex2 but not with GST alone. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, Bex2 co-localized with KIF3A and co-immunoprecipitated with KIF3A and KIF3B but not KIF5B. In combination, these results suggest that Bex2 is capable of binding to heterotrimeric kinesin-2 and may serve as an adaptor protein that links heterotrimeric kinesin-2 with cargo.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2022

Melanogenesis is the production of melanin from tyrosine by a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, in which tyrosinase and DOPA oxidase play key roles. The melanin content in the skin determines skin pigmentation. Abnormalities in skin pigmentation lead to various skin pigmentation disorders. Recent research has shown that the expression of EMP2 is much lower in melanoma than in normal melanocytes, but its role in melanogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of EMP2 in the melanogenesis of MNT1 human melanoma cells. We examined TRP-1, TRP-2, and TYR expression levels during melanogenesis in MNT1 melanoma cells by gene silencing of EMP2. Western blot and RT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of TYR and TRP-2 were decreased when EMP2 expression was knocked down by EMP2 siRNA in MNT1 cells, and these changes were reversed when EMP2 was overexpressed. We verified the EMP2 gene was knocked out of the cell line (EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9) by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the expression levels of TRP-2 and TYR were significantly lower in the EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9 cell lines. Loss of EMP2 also reduced migration and invasion of MNT1 melanoma cells. In addition, the melanosome transfer from the melanocytes to keratinocytes in the EMP2 KO cells cocultured with keratinocytes was reduced compared to the cells in the control coculture group. In conclusion, these results suggest that EMP2 is involved in melanogenesis via the regulation of TRP-2 expression.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.223-232
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• 2023

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of various skin conditions, resulting in cellular and tissue damage that can contribute to the development of skin tone unevenness, roughness and wrinkles. In this study, we found that Trifolium pratense L. extract (TE) attenuated oxidative-induced damage in HaCaT cells and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism. Our finding demonstrated that TE effectively protected HaCaT cells against H₂O₂-induced cell death by inhibiting caspase-3 activation, downregulating Bax and upregulating Bcl-2, and attenuating the activation of three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Our results suggest that TE has remarkable cytoprotective properties against oxidative damage in HaCaT cells and could serve as a complementary or alternative approach to prevent and treat skin damage.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.435-439
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of blood mixed cement for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in reducing the complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty using conventional cement. Materials and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in 80 patients, from January 2016 to January 2017. Porous cement was formed by mixing 2, 4, and 6 ml of blood with 20 g of cement used previously. A tube with a diameter and length of 2.8 mm and 215 mm, respectively, was used and the polymerization temperature, setting time, and optimal passing-time were measured and compared with those using only conventional cement. Radiologically, the results were evaluated and compared. Results: The polymerization temperature was 70.3℃, 55.3℃, 52.7℃, and 45.5℃ in the conventional cement (R), 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4), and 6 ml (B6), respectively, and the corresponding setting time decreased from 960 seconds (R) to 558 seconds (B2), 533 seconds (B4), and 500 seconds (B6). The optimal passing-time was 45 seconds (B2), 60 seconds (B4), and 78 seconds (B6) at 73 seconds (R), respectively and as the amount of blood increased, it was similar to the cement passing-time. The radiological results showed that the height restoration rates and the vertebral subsidence rates similar among the groups. Two cases of adjacent vertebral compression fractures in the R group and one in the B2 and B4 groups were encountered, and the leakage rate of the cement was approximately two times higher than that in the conventional cement group. Conclusion: In conventional percutaneous vertebroplasty, the procedure of using autologous blood with cement decreased the polymerization temperature, reduced the setting time, and the incidence of cement leakage was low. These properties may contribute to more favorable mechanical properties that can reduce the complications compared to conventional cements alone.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2019

Proximal humerus fracture can be defined as a fracture that occurs in the surgical neck or proximal part of the humerus. Despite the appropriate treatment, however, various complications and sequelae can occur, and the treatment is quite difficult often requiring surgical treatment, such as a shoulder replacement. The classification of sequelae after a proximal humerus fracture is most commonly used by Boileau and can be divided into two categories and four types. Category I is an intracapsular impacted fracture that is not accompanied by important distortions between the tuberosities and humeral head. An anatomic prosthesis can be used without greater tuberosity osteotomy. In category I, there are type 1 with cephalic collapse or necrosis with minimal tuberosity malunion and type 2 related to locked dislocation or fracture-dislocation. Category II is an extracapsular dis-impacted fracture with gross distortion between the tuberosities and the humeral head. To perform an anatomic prosthesis, a tuberosity osteotomy should be performed. In category II, there are type 3 with nonunion of the surgical neck and type 4 with severe tuberosity malunion. In type 1, non-constrained arthroplasty (NCA) without a tuberosity osteotomy should be considered as a treatment. On the other hand, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) should be considered if types 1C or 1D accompanied by valgus or varus deformity or severe fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff. In general, the results are satisfactory when NCA is performed in type 2 sequelae. On the other hand, RSA can be considered as an option when there is no bony defect of the glenoid and a defect of the rotator cuff is accompanied. In type 3, it would be effective to perform internal fixation with a bone wedge graft rather than shoulder replacement arthroplasty. Recent reports on the results of RSA are also increasing. On the other hand, recent reports suggest that good results are obtained with RSA in type 3. In type 4, RSA should be considered as a first option.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2023

Korean melon (Cucumis melo L.) is grown mostly in Northeast Asia area, and as a fruit mainly produced in Korea, the yield per unit area continues to improve, but the cultivation method is limited to soil cultivation, so it is necessary to develop hydroponic cultivation technology for scale and labor-saving is needed. As the ratio of NO₃^- increased, the plant height, the leaf length, the leaf width, and the internode length became longer and larger. On the other hand, the SPAD value decreased. The lower the ratio of NO₃^-, the faster the female flower bloom, and there was no difference in fruit maturity between treatments. There was no difference in the shape of fruit according to the ratio of NO₃^-, and the hardness was higher as the ratio of NO₃^- was lower. The total yield from March to July was KM3 5,650 kg/10a and KM1 4,439 kg/10a, 27% higher in KM3 and, in particular, 36% higher in quantity from March to May, when Korean melon prices were high season. Therefore, it was judged that it would be appropriate to supply NO₃^- suitable for hydroponic cultivation of Korean melon, which was formalized in December and produced from spring, at the level of 6.5 to 10 me·L^-1.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.899-909
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• 2023

In this study, the material scientific characteristics of Hobun pigments used as white inorganic pigment for traditional cultural heritage were identified according to the type of shell and calcination and evaluated the stability of the preservation environment. For the purpose of this, we collected 2 different types of Hobun pigments made by oyster and clam shell and its calcined products(at 1,150℃). Hobun pigments before calcined identified calcium carbonate such as calcite, aragonite but calcination derived changing main composition to portlandite and calcite. Results of FE-SEM showed characteristics microstructure for each shell but pigments after calcined observed porous structure. Porous granule highly caused oil adsorption according to increase specific surface area of pigments. In addition, the whiteness improved after calcined pigments compared to non-calcined pigments, and the color improvement rate of Hobun pigment (CS) which made of clam shell was higher. As a result of the accelerated weathering test, the Hobun pigment-colored specimen had a color difference value of less than 2 after the test, which was difficult to recognize with the naked eye. In particular, the color stability has improved as the color difference value of the Hobun pigment is smaller after calcined compared to before non-calcined pigment. However, it was confirmed that the stability of the painting layer was lower in the specimen after calcined pigment. For antifungal activity test, Aspergillus niger, Tyromyces palustris and Trametes versicolor were used as test fungi, and all pigments were found to have preventive and protective effects against fungi. Especially, the antifungal effect of the calcined pigment was excellent, which is due to the stronger basicity of the pigment.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.288-296
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• 2023

Coal is abundantly available compared to other energy sources and is used as a versatile energy resource worldwide. To address the environmental issues stemming from conventional coal utilization, efforts are underway to develop clean coal utilization technologies, with IGCC technology being a notable example. In IGCC plants, coal is subjected to a CMD process where both drying and pulverization are achieved by supplying hot air. However, if the temperature of the supplied hot air is excessively high, it can lead to devolatilization and spontaneous combustion, thereby compromising the stable operation of the CMD process. This study aimed to measure the devolatilization and spontaneous combustion temperatures of different types of bituminous coal, and to explore their correlations with the characteristics of the coals. Six coal types exhibited devolatilization between 350 and 400 ℃, while three coal types showed devolatilization at temperatures exceeding 400 ℃. Spontaneous combustion ℃curred in one coal type below 100 ℃, six coal types between 100 and 150 ℃, and two coal types above 150 ℃. The measured initiation temperatures were compared with the coal characteristics including the oxygen, moisture, Fe₂O₃, and CaO content, the H/C ratio, and the O/C ratio to establish correlations. Regression analysis was used to calculate the regression coefficients and determination coefficients for each ignition temperature. It was found that 52.44% of the FC/VM data significantly influenced the volatile matter ignition temperature, and 59.10% of the Fe₂O₃ data significantly affected the spontaneous combustionignition temperature.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2023

During the process of preparing for and initiating a startup, startup entrepreneurs allocate a significant amount of time to developing a business plan. Within this process, the documented business plan serves not only as a roadmap for the venture but also as a communication tool for capital acquisition and internal team collaboration. However, is the business plan, meticulously crafted by entrepreneurs, actually effective in generating startup performance? To answer this question, this study empirically analyzed the impact of a business plan on startup performance. Additionally, it examined how the relationship between the business plan and performance changes based on the satisfaction levels of entrepreneurs regarding the business plan. Through the analysis, the study validated the influence of the completeness of the business plan and entrepreneurial satisfaction on startup performance, and derived implications. To conduct the empirical analysis, a survey was conducted among 150 entrepreneurs. Regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the completeness of the business plan and performance, and the sample was further divided into two groups: startups with less than three years of operation and startups with three or more years of operation, for secondary analysis. The analysis results revealed that the completeness of the startup's business plan has a positive impact on both financial and non-financial performance. Furthermore, it is observed that the entrepreneur's satisfaction with the business plan had a moderating effect on the relationship between the business plan and financial performance. Moreover, for startups that are less than three years old, the entrepreneur's satisfaction with the business plan exhibits a moderating effect on the relationship between the completeness of the business plan and non-financial performance. This study holds significance as it reaffirms the importance of business plan development as a means to achieve sustainable growth for early-stage startups and empirically validates its significance. It is expected that this study will provide valuable insights for future startup entrepreneurs to better understand the importance of business planning and contribute to reducing the failure rate of early-stage startups.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2024

Purpose: This aim of this study was to demonstrate growth factors that differentiate human mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes and to evaluate cell proliferation enhancement by needle size differences. Materials and Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in chondrogenic medium supplemented with BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, BMP-13, FGF-2, FGF-18, IGF-1, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 and without growth factors for 14, 21, and 28 days. Then, the expression levels of SOX-5, SOX-6, SOX-9 and FOXO1A were comparatively analyzed. Human mesenchymal stem cells were inoculated into culture dishes using 18, 21, and 26 gauge (G) needles, and cell proliferation was measured after 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Results: In addition to the previously known FGF, IGF-1, and TGFβ1,the BMP family growth factors such as BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, and BMP-7 increased the expression of chondrocyte differentiation genes SOX-5, SOX-6, SOX-9, and FOXO1A. At 48 hours, the 26G group, the smallest needle, showed significant cell proliferation improvement compared to the control group and the 18G group. At 72 hours, the 26G group, the smallest needle, showed significant increase in cell proliferation compared to the control group. Conclusion: Through this study, growth factors with the ability to induce chondrocyte differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells were investigated, and cell proliferation changes by needle size differences were determined.