• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.172-186
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• 2003

Acupuncture therapy has demonstrated efficacy in several clinical areas, and of these areas the understanding of pain has progressed immensely in the last two decades. The underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in general and the analgesic effect in particular are still not clearly delineated. The leading hypothesis include the effects of local stimulation, neuronal gating, release of endogenous opiates, and the placebo effect. Accumulating evidence suggests that the central nervous system(CNS) is essential for the processing of these effects, via its modulation of the autonomic nervous system, neuro-immune system, and hormonal regulation. These processes tap into basic survival mechanisms. As such, understanding the effects of acupuncture within a neuroscience-based framework becomes vital. We propose a model which incorporates the stress-induced hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA-axis) model of Akil et al., the cholinergic anti-inflamatory observations of Tracey et al., and Petrovic et al.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1193-1201
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• 2004

The effect of equivalence ratio and fuel/air mixing quality on the phase-resolved gas temperatures at different phases of the oscillating pressure cycle was experimentally investigated. An atmospheric pressure, optically accessible and laboratory-scale dump combustor operating on methane with heat release rate of 1.59kW was used. Temperature measurements were made using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) at several spatial locations fur typical unstable combustion conditions. Analysis was conducted using parameters such as phase-resolved averaged temperature, normalized standard deviation and temperature probability distribution functions (PDFs). Also the probability on the occurrence of high temperature (over 1900K) was investigated to get the information on the perturbation of equivalence ratio and NOx emission characteristics. It was shown that most of temperature histograms exhibit Gaussian profile which has short breadth of temperature fluctuation at equivalence ratio of 0.6, while beta profile was predominant for the cases of other equivalence ratios (${\Phi}$=0.55, 0.50). It was also shown that phase-resolved averaged temperature oscillated in phase with pressure cycle, while normalized standard deviations which represent temporal turbulent intensity of temperature showed nearly constant value around 0.1. The characteristics on the occurrence of high temperature also displayed periodic wave form which was very similar to the pressure signal. And the amplitude of this profile went larger as the fuel/air mixing quality became poorer. These also provided additional information on the perturbation of equivalence ratio at flame as well as NOx emission characteristics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2009

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) has recently been found to be a tumor suppressor gene. Although it has been reported that NDRG2 expression in breast cancer cells decreases cell proliferation by inhibiting STAT3 activation via SOCS1 induction, the molecular mechanism of chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis is not well known. To elucidate the effect of NDRG2 on the apoptotic pathway induced by doxorubicin, we established stable cell lines expressing NDRG2 and investigated the effect of NDRG2 expression on the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. While STAT3 activation was remarkably inhibited by NDRG2 overexpression, the expression level of p21 was increased by NDRG2 expression. We confirmed that NDRG2-expressing cells treated with doxorubicin suppressed STAT3 activation and upregulated p21 expression. NDRG2 expression considerably enhanced TUNEL positive apoptotic cells, poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, release of cytochrome c to cytosol, and caspase-3 activity in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Bid expression in a resting state and after treatment with doxorubicin increased in MDA-MB-231-NDRG2 cells compared to MDA-MB-231-mock cells. Meanwhile, Bcl-$x_L$ expression decreased in MDA-MB-231-NDRG2 cells compared to MDA-MB-231-mock cells in a resting state and in doxorubicin-treated cells. Collectively, these data suggest that suppression of STAT3 activation by NDRG2 influences the sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells and this may provide a potential therapeutic benefit to overcome the resistance against doxorubicin in breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.28-37
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• 2004

A two-dimensional direct numerical simulation was performed to investigate the evolution and vortical structure of a single vortex in reacting and non-reacting jet flow fields. A predictor-corrector-type numerical scheme with a low Mach number approximation was used, and a two-step global reaction mechanism was adopted as the combustion model. Through the comparisons of single vortex behaviors in reacting and non-reacting jet flow fields, it was found that the evolution characteristics and vortical structure of the single vortex were significantly influenced by a outer vortex that was generated from the buoyance effect as well as the chemical heat release. Furthermore, it was also identified that the differences of the vortical structure in reacting and non-reacting jet flow fields were mainly attributed to the thermal expansion, Baroclinic torque and buoyance effect.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2005

Background: Throughtout the last three decades, the therapy of leukemias and lymphoma has set the stage for curative cancer therapy in systemic malignant disease. This was the result of an integrated work of basic reaserch and clinical investigators leading to more aggressive albeit tolerable protocol of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. High dose therapy marks the most elaborated strategies in this field today. However, intensification of conventional therapeutic modalities as mentioned has to be based on new approaches and the exploration of new antineoplastic mechanisms. This insight has resulted in immune therapy of cancer. Among the cells of the immune system, natural killer (NK) cells and T cells are of major interest for the development of therapeutic strategies. Methods: Cytotoxicity to target cells was measured by LDH release method, Characterization of activated lymphocyte was measured by Flow cytometry analysis. Anti-CD3, 16, 56 monoclonal antibody and IL-2 were used for the activation of NK and T cell. The analysis of effect of activated lymphocyte, in vivo, were used by Balb/c nude mouse. Results and Conclusion: Cytotoxicity to K562 cells was significantly higher in the mixture group of NK and T cells than that of a group of activating T cells. The survivors and the rate of reduction of size of tumor craft of nude mouse group treatment with activated lymphocyte was higher than that of the group without treatment with activated lymphocyte. Therefore, this results are suggested that the activated lymphocytes by anti-CD3, CD16 and CD56 can reduce the malignancy effect of lymphoma.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 1998

Aclarubicin(ACL)-entrapped freeze dried liposomes were prepared using Microfludizer to attain a sustained release at targeted organs in a prolonged time so that it can reduce th e side effect and maximize the therapeutic effect. The freeze-dried liposomes were evaluated for pharmacokinetics, antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180, cytotoxicity against L1210 and A549 tumor cells, spleen toxicity and myelosuppressive action. The $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}8hr}$ values were $122{\pm}42,\;382{\pm}140,\;419{\pm}171,\;835{\pm}206\;and\;443{\pm}309{\mu}g{\cdot}min/ml$ for free ACL. ACL-liposome formulation I, II, III and IV, respectively. Cytotoidcity of ACL-entrapped liposomes against L1210 and A549 tumor cells was 2-4 times higher than that of free aclarubicin. ACL-liposome formulation I(PC/CHOL/TA) showed the most potent antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in mice. The loss of body weight was much smaller with ACL-entrapped liposomes than free ACL after I.p. injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day. Compared to free ACL, ACL-entrapped liposomes expressed a lower and delayed spleen toxicity up to 5th day after I.v. administration. Myelosupperssion seemed to be lower with ACL-entrapped liposome of PC/PC-hydrate/CHOL/TA (formulation III) than free aclarubicin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2004

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been accepted as a heart protection phenomenon against ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. The activation of ATP-sensitive potassium $(K_{ATP})$ channels and the release of myocardial nitric oxide (NO) induced by IPC were demonstrated as the triggers or mediators of IPC. A common action mechanism of NO is a direct or indirect increase in tissue cGMP content. Furthermore, cGMP has also been shown to contribute cardiac protective effect to reduce heart I/R-induced infarction. The present investigation tested the hypothesis that $K_{ATP}$ channels attenuate DNA strand breaks and oxidative damage in an in vitro model of I/R utilizing rat ventricular myocytes. We estimated DNA strand breaks and oxidative damage by mean of single cell gel electrophoresis with endonuclease III cutting sites (comet assay). In the I/R model, the level of DNA damage increased massively. Preconditioning with a single 5-min anoxia, diazoxide $(100\;{\mu}M)$, SNAP $(300\;{\mu}M)$ and 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP) $(100\;{\mu}M)$ followed by 15 min reoxygenation reduced DNA damage level against subsequent 30 min anoxia and 60 min reoxygenation. These protective effects were blocked by the concomitant presence of glibenclamide $(50\;{\mu}M)$, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) $(100\;{\mu}M)$ and 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, Rp-isomer (Rp-8-pCPT-cGMP) $(100\;{\mu}M)$. These results suggest that NO-cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG) pathway contributes to cardioprotective effect of $K_{ATP}$ channels in rat ventricular myocytes.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 1994

Masan bay is one of the polluted enclosed bays, which has red tides problem and the formation of oxygen deficient water in the bottom layer. Most important factors that cause eutrophication and red tide is nutrient materials containing nitrogen and phosphorus which stem from terrestrial sources and nutrients released from sediment. Therefore, to improve of water quality, reduction of these nutrient loads should be indispensible. At this study, the three-dimensional numerical hydrodynamic and eutrophication model, which were developed by Institute for Resources and Environment of Japan, were applied to analyze the processes affecting the phytoplankton production and also to evaluate the effect of water quality improvement plans on phytoplankton production. In field sorvey, the range of concentrations of chlorophyll-a at surface area was found to be 29.17 - 212.5mg/m3, which were exceeding eutrophication criteria. The constant currents defined by integrating the simulated tidal currents over 1 tidal cycle showed the counterclockwise eddies in the southern part of Budo. The general directions of constant currents were found to be southward at surface and northward at bottom over all the bay. The eutrophication model was calibrated with the data surveyed in the field area in June, 1993. The calculated results are in fairly good agreement with values within relative error of 30%. The pollutant load from the sources such as the input from terrestrial release from the sediment was reduced by the rate of 50, 70, 90, 98% to effect of phytoplankton production. Phytoplankton production was reduced to of the 90% reduction of the input loads from terrestrial sources and 8% in 90% reduction of the load from sediment.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.237-240
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• 2001

Epithelial cell migration plays an important role in many physiological processes such as morphogenesis and wound healing, and cell mobility requires the release of the cell from its adhesion site. This is directed, at least in part, by limited proteolysis of matrix molecules by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are zinc-dependent proteases produced by a variety of cell types, and have a fundamental role in tissue remodelling, tumour invasion and metastasis. In addition, the ability of cells to mediate fibrinolytic agent, plasmin. The purpose of this study was to test if vascular endothlial growth factor (VEGF) can regulate the production of MMPs and plasmin by keratinocyte cells. Supernatants from a human keratinocyte cell line grown in the presence or absence of VEGF (10ng/mL) produced ?2.5 fold increases in cell proliferation, and ?3.0 fold increses in MMP-2 and plasmin levels. Our results suggest that VEGF may modulate keratinocyte cell proliferating activity by increasing the abundance of MMP-2 and plasmin, and indicates a role for VEGF in the regulation of keratinocyte behaviour in wound healing and tissue remodelling.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.27
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• pp.56-67
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• 1984

As in many other country, the use of organic matter in Korea has long history. Farmers understand the value of organic matter as the source of plant nutrient and soil improving agent in general. Since 50 years ago, the sources of organic matter in paddy soils were compost, rice and barly straw, green manure, animal waste, fish and beancake, etc.. Application of green manures such as vetch and chinese milk vetch showed no significant effect on the yield of brown rice in paddy soil. On the other hand, the effects of compost and rice straw showed more significant on the yield of brown rice in paddy soil. Application of rice straw in rice cultivation is commonly made at different times between harvest, early spring and several weeks before transplanting. Considering the suitable paddy soil for application of rice straw under well to moderately well drained soil, the yield was pronounced more than poorly drained soil. Based on laboratory and field experimants, application of rice straw promoted the decrease of oxidation-reduction potential in well to moderately well drained soil. This results to be enhanced the release of some mineral nutrients,. such as potassium, calcium, silicon, and increase of availability of soil phosphorus. In the field experiments, results obtained from nitrogen fraction on the immobilization-mineralization of the tracer nitrogen applied in paddy soil,the amount and index of organic nitrogen incoporated in soil was more pronounced in rice straw application than control. Rice straw and its transformation products incoporated in the soil, provided the inflow of energy necessary to maintain heterotrophic microbes activities. Rice straw and its transformation products, especially soluble carbohydrate, enhanced the population of free-living heterotrophic $N_2$ - fixing microbes. Moreover, rice straw and its transformation products in paddy soil, enhanced the activities of soil enzymes such as dehydrogenase and urease.