• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.1206-1212
• /
• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.62 no.4
• /
• pp.355-363
• /
• 2023

In addition to causing direct feeding damage to a variety of greenhouse crops, Frankliniella occidentalis also inflicts indirect harm by facilitating the transmission of the tomato spotted wilt virus. Historically, the prevention of F. occidentalis infestations has relied heavily on pesticide use. However, this approach has led to significant side effects in agricultural ecosystems, including the development of pest resistance and challenges in effective prevention. In response to these issues, research has been directed towards identifying alternative substances that circumvent the tolerance developed against chemical pesticides. Extracts from sixty-seven medicinal plants were prepared by soaking them in water for 24 hours at room temperature. These extracts were then applied to adult F. occidentalis, with particular attention to moutan extract treatment. This treatment demonstrated a 100% insecticidal effect on the first day. The moutan extract, specifically, was prepared using 50% ethanol, after which the ethanol and water were removed via a rotary evaporator. The resultant product was then lyophilized into a powder and used after being diluted with water. In indoor experiments, a 40% diluted solution was sprayed onto F. occidentalis, exhibiting a 100% insecticidal effect 24 hours post-treatment. Furthermore, a pot test indicated a 78% insecticidal effect on the first day of application. Ongoing research includes the analysis of active substances that demonstrate exceptional insecticidal properties and the conduct of on-site validation tests. The application of the aforementioned extract is anticipated to be effective in the prevention of F. occidentalis infestations.

• Industry Promotion Research
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2024

This study selected the worst-case scenario for fireball and vapor cloud explosion (VCE) of a styrene monomer storage tank installed in a petrochemical production plant and performed damage prediction and accident impact analysis. The range of influence of radiant heat and overpressure due to fireball and vapor VCE during the abnormal polymerization reaction of styrene monomer, the main component of the mixed residue oil storage tank, was quantitatively analyzed by applying the e-CA accident damage prediction program. The damage impact areas of radiant heat and explosion overpressure are analyzed to have a maximum radius of 1,150m and 626m, respectively. People within 1,150m of radiant heat of 4kW/m2 may have their skin swell when exposed to it for 20 seconds. In buildings within 626m, where an explosion overpressure of 21kPa is applied, steel structures may be damaged and separated from the foundation, and people may suffer physical injuries. In the event of a fire, explosion or leak, determine the risk standards such as the degree of risk and acceptability to workers in the work place, nearby residents, or surrounding facilities due to radiant heat or overpressure, identify the hazards and risks of the materials handled, and establish an emergency response system. It is expected that it will be helpful in establishing measures to minimize damage to workplaces through improvement and investment activities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.1029-1036
• /
• 2024

Drawing on the deep experience and understanding of the principles of nuclear safety, as well as many years of nuclear power plant design and operation, the EDF led NUWARD SMR Project is developing a design for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) of 340 MWe composed of two 170 MWe independent units, that will supplement the offering of high-output nuclear reactors, especially in response to specific needs such as replacement of fossil-fuelled power plants. NUWARD SMR is a mix of proven and innovative design features that will make it more commercially competitive, while integrating safety features that comply with the highest international standards. Following the principles of redundancy and diversity and rigorous application of Defence in Depth (DID), with an international view on nuclear safety licensing, the Project also incorporates new safety approaches into its design development. The NUWARD SMR Project has been in development for a number of years, it entered conceptual design formally in mid-2019 and entered Basic Design in 2023. The objective of the concept design phase was to confirm the project technological choices and to define the first design configuration of the NUWARD SMR product, to document it, in order to launch pre-licensing with the French Safety Authority (ASN) and to define its estimated cost and its subsequent development and construction schedules. As a delivery milestone the Safety Options file (called the Dossier d'Options de Sûreté (DOS)) has been submitted to ASN in July 2023 for their opinion. An integral part of the NUWARD SMR Project, is not only to deliver a design suitable for France and to satisfy French regulation, but to develop a product suitable and indeed desirable, for the international market, with a first focus in Europe. In order to achieve its objectives and realise its market potential, the NUWARD SMR Project needs to define and realise its safety approach within an international environment and that is the key subject of this paper. The following paper: • Summarises the foundation principles and technological background which underpin the design; • Contextualises the key design features with regard to the international safety regulatory framework with particular emphasis on innovative passive safety aspects; • Illustrates the Project activities in preparation for first licensing in France, and also a wider international view via the ASN led Joint Early Review of the NUWARD SMR design, including Finnish and Czech Republic regulators, recently joined by the Swedish, Polish and Dutch regulators; • Articulates the collaborative approach to design development from involvement with the Project partners (the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Naval Group, TechnicAtome, Framatome and Tractebel) to the establishment of the International NUWARD Advisory Board (INAB), to gain greater international insight and advice; • Concludes with the focus on next steps into detailed design development, standardisation of the design and its simplification to enhance its commercial competitiveness in a context of further harmonisation of the nuclear safety and licensing requirements and aspirations.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.66
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2023

Biorenovation is a biotransformation method that converts the structure of chemical compounds and natural product through biocatalytic metabolism of microorganism and could enhance biological effectiveness and mitigate cytotoxicity compared to its substrates. Althaea rosea L. has been used as oriental medicine and is known for physiological efficacies such as antiurolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. A. rosea L. callus, the plant tissue grown to protect its wound, has been reported to have antioxidant and whitening effects. However, mechanisms of its other activity such as inflammation have not yet been investigated. In this study, we extracted A. rosea L. callus (AR) and produced biorenovated AR (ARBR), and then analyzed anti-inflammatory effect in Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage at 50, 100, 200 ㎍/mL of ARBR. As a result of inhibition test of nitric oxide production, it was found that ARBR was superior to AR without apparent toxicity. Furthermore, ARBR significantly inhibited production of prostaglandin E₂, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines including Tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1β in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, we suggest that ARBR could regulate the excessive inflammatory response to an appropriate level and be a promising material for functional cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.687-692
• /
• 2024

The energy crisis is emerging as a serious problem around the world. In the case of Korea, there is great interest in energy efficiency research related to industrial complexes, which use more than 53% of total energy and account for more than 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in Korea. One of the studies is a study on saving energy through sharing facilities between factories using the same utility in an industrial complex called a virtual energy network plant and through transactions between energy producing and demand factories. In such energy-saving research, data collection is very important because there are various uses for data, such as analysis and prediction. However, existing systems had several shortcomings in reliably collecting time series data. In this study, we propose an intelligent IIoT platform to improve it. The intelligent IIoT platform includes a preprocessing system to identify abnormal data and process it in a timely manner, classifies abnormal and missing data, and presents interpolation techniques to maintain stable time series data. Additionally, time series data collection is streamlined through database optimization. This paper contributes to increasing data usability in the industrial environment through stable data collection and rapid problem response, and contributes to reducing the burden of data collection and optimizing monitoring load by introducing a variety of chatbot notification systems.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.390-399
• /
• 2010

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) values for utilizing them to detect osmotic tolerance in plants were examined with two different soybean cultivars, an osmotic tolerant soybean (Shinpaldalkong 2) and a control soybean (Taekwangkong). Two different stresses were applied to the cultivars as the restricted irrigations of 200 and 50 ml water $pot^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ for 5 days for a control and a drought stress, respectively, and a sodium chloride solution of 200 mmol for 6 days for a salt stress. The intact leaves of the two cultivars after treatment were used to measure chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, maximum efficiencies of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), efficiencies of photosystem II photochemistry (${\Phi}_{PSII}$), $CO_2$ assimilation rate ($P_N$), and NPQ. Leaf water potentials of the two cultivars decreased from - 0.2 to - 0.8MPa by a drought treatment and from - 0.7 to - 1.7MPa by a salt treatment. Leaf water content of Shinpaldalkong 2 after a salt treatment was less decreased than that of Taekwangkong. $F_v/F_m$ values of both cultivars were not changed, while ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$ were decreased proportionally to leaf water potential decrease. The response of NPQ was occurred in Shinpaldalkong 2 under the drought and salt stresses. With Taekwangkong cultivar, only drought stress referred NPQ response. The cultivar differences on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were found in the relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$, and between NPQ and ${\Phi}_{PSII}$. Although the positive relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$ were established on all treatments of both cultivars, the decreasing rate of ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ to $P_N$ was smaller in Shinpaldalkong 2 than Taekwangkong. The NPQ was increased according to the decrease of ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ by osmotic treatments in Shinpaldalkong 2. The complementary relationships between NPQ and ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ were well maintained at all treatments in Shinpaldalkong 2, while these relationships were lost at a salt treatment in Taekwangkong. Taken together, the results suggest that analysis of complementary relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and NPQ could be more valuable and applicable for determining osmotic tolerance than single analysis of each parameter such as $F_v/F_m$, ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and NPQ.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 1984

In order to predict the possible fertilizer requirement from the K supplying capacity of soil, the relative K activity ratio, Kas/Kai and Gapon coefficients, KG. were determined for the soil samples before flooding and at heading stage of rice in pot experiment. These parameters assumed as the K supplying capacity of soils were discussed through correlation with other factors such as grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake by the rice plant. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. The KGo values in soils before flooding were 7.8, 6.6, and 7.1, whereas the Kas/Kai values were 1.37, 1.26 and 2.11, respectively, in clay, loam and sandy loam soils. 2. The significant yield responses to the application of potassium fertilizer were observed whenever the KG values in soils at heading stage become larger to the original KG values, regardless of any levels of fertilizer application. 3. The linear correlations between the exchangeable cation ratios [Kex./(Ca+Mg) ex.:me/100g] in soils and the potassium activity ratios ($[K^+]/\sqrt{[Ca^{{+}{+}}+Mg^{{+}{+}}]}$: mole/l) in equilibrium solutions were observed with different linear gradients according to the soil properties. 4. The Kas/Kai in the soils, estimated prior to the experiment, showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in the all treatments, while the Kas/Kai and the KGo in the soils at heading stage showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in only N 15 Kg/10a treatments. 5. The Kas/Kai and the KGo values determined in the soil at heading stage of rice showed high negative correlation each other and they could be used as soil factors for predicting potassium fertilizer requirement.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.65-89
• /
• 2012

Objective : In order to investigate and improve public Korean medical health service satisfaction level, this study was designed. Method : A questionnaire has been conducted on 212 patients who received treatments at six public health centers in the northern part of Gyeongbuk during 15 days between Sep. 24 and Oct. 8, 2011. Result : 1. An Investigation on the usage of herbal clinics in public health centers reveals that 63.7% have received three times or more medical treatments previously and 61.8% have had their illness treated at other medical institutions. In regard to illness 32.1% have had arthritis or muscle aches. 50.9% have taken insurance medication after having had treatments at the public health centers. 66% have assessed acupuncture and moxa cautery the most satisfying. 2. To a question regarding whether herbal health treatment costs higher than that of physician's, the highest response at 31.6% is 'No'. And to a question regarding whether herbal medicines administered at public health centers have more side effects than that of physician's, the highest response at 39.6% is 'No'. 3. To a question regarding whether herbal treatment of public health centers has little effect against acute disease, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal treatments, when compared with physician's treatments, boost better recovery of patients, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is unscientific, when compared with that of western medicine, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair', To a question regarding whether herbal medicine has faster effect on disease than western medicine, 41.0% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is more effective on disease prevention and promotion of health than disease treatment, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair'. And to a question regarding whether the lack of various types of physical therapy devices in herbal medicine, when compared with western medicine causes inconvenience in herbal treatment, 42.0% of responses are 'Fair'. Those responses take up highest portion at each questionnaire. 4. A comparative study between herbal treatments and physician's treatments has also been conducted. To questions regarding which one of the two considering types of disease is the better, responses are the latter accounted for 43.9% against 'Cancer', the latter accounted for 45.3% against 'Endocrine disorders', the former accounted for 30.7% against 'Psychiatric disorders', the latter accounted for 38.2% gainst 'Otolaryngological(ENT) disease', the former accounted for 47.6% against 'Post traumatic stress disorder', and the former accounted for 52.4% against 'Muscle-skeletal disease'. 5. An investigation on frequency of patients' visits via (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 6. First, an investigation on frequency of reasons of medical treatments reveal that age, occupation, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects taking insurance medicines after herbal health treatments reveal that monthly income (p<0.05) of subject shows a statistically significant difference. 7. First, an investigation on frequency of a claim that herbal treatments of public health center does not have great effect on acute disease reveals that age, education, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of analysis that herbal treatments has faster effect on disease compared with western treatments reveals that education level, religion, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 8. When herbal clinics of public health centers and general herbal medicine institutions are compared, a survey on additional treatments that herbal clinics need the most reveals that education level, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects who want various forms of herbal medicines reveals that occupation and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion : In order to improve efficiency of treatments and enhance patient's satisfaction level, this study suggests measures such as providing a differentiated acupuncture treatments as a whole, streamlining an reception procedure, adopting more elaborated computer system for a patient to get proper medical attention, standardizing a treatment duration in order for a maximum result, keeping regular office hours, and optimizing a consultation time for a patient.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.435-441
• /
• 1998

Optimal conditions for the production of natural color, betacyanin were investigated by varying light intensity, C/N ratio, concentrations of phosphate and kinds of elicitors. Batch cultivation was employed to characterize cell growth and betacyanin production of 32 days. The maximum specific growth rate, ${\mu}$$\sub$max/, was 0.3 (1/day) for batch cultivation. The maximum specific production rate, q$\^$max/$\sub$p/, was enhanced 0.11 (mg/g-cell/day) at 3 klux. A light intensity of 3 klux was shown to the best for both cell growth and betacyanin production. The maximum specific production rate was 0.125 (mg/g-cell/day) at 0.242 (1/day), the maximum specific growth rate. The dependence of specific growth rate on the light lintensity is fit to the photoinhibition model. The correlation between ${\mu}$ and q$\sub$p/ showed that the product formation parameters, ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$$\sub$p/ were 0.3756 (mg/cell) and 0.001 (mg/g-cell/day), respectively. The betacyanin production was partially cell growth related process, which is different from the production of a typical product in plant cell cultures. In C/N ratio experiment, high carbon concentration, 42.1 (w/w) improved cell growth rate while lower concentration, 31.6 (w/w) increased the betacyanin production rate. The ${\mu}$$\sub$max/ and q$\^$max/$\sub$p/ were 0.26 (1/day) and 0.075 (mg/g-cell/day), respectively. Beta vulgaris L. cells under 1.25 mM phosphate concentration produced 10.15 mg/L betacyanin with 13.46 (g-dry wt./L) of maximum cell density. The production of betacyanin was elongated by adding 0.1 ${\mu}$M of kinetin. This also increased the cell growth. Optimum culture conditions of light intensity, C/N, phosphate concentration were obtained as 5.5 klux, 27 (w/w), 1.25 mM, respectively by the response surface methodology. The maximum cell density, X$\sub$max/, and maximum production, P$\sub$max/, in optimized conditions were 16 (g-dry wt./L), 12.5 (mg/L) which were higher than 8 (g-dry wt./L), 4.48 (mg/L) in normal conditions. The ${\mu}$$\sub$max/ and q$\^$max/$\sub$p/ were 0.376 (1/day) and 0.134 (mg/g-cell/day) at the optimal condition. The overall results may be useful in scaling up hairy root cell culture system for commercial production of betacyanin.