• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.906-915
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• 2017

Impairment of wound healing is a common problem in individuals with diabetes. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, has many beneficial effects on metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. C1q/TNF-Related Protein 9 (CTRP9), the closest paralog of adiponectin, has been reported to have beneficial effects on wound healing. In the current study, we demonstrate that CTRP9 regulates growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of HaCaT human keratinocytes. We found that CTRP9 augmented expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 ($TGF{\beta}1$) by transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding activity and phosphorylation of p38 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated suppression of $TGF{\beta}1$ reversed the increase in p38 phosphorylation induced by CTRP9. siRNA-mediated suppression of $TGF{\beta}1$ or p38 significantly abrogated the effects of CTRP9 on cell proliferation and differentiation while inducing apoptosis, implying that CTRP9 stimulates wound recovery through a $TGF{\beta}1$-dependent pathway in keratinocytes. Furthermore, intravenous injection of CTRP9 via tail vein suppressed mRNA expression of Ki67 and involucrin whereas it augmented $TGF{\beta}1$ mRNA expression and caspase 3 activity in skin of type 1 diabetes animal models. In conclusion, our results suggest that CTRP9 has suppressive effects on hyperkeratosis, providing a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.49-54
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• 2011

Now the world will regulate the CO2 emission due to environmental issues. For an alternative plan photovoltaic system is watched. So, photovoltaic system is trend of big city and it is mandatory for renovation of construction. Oil & gas filling station existed in city is suitable to found the photovoltaic system. But the general photovoltaic system in oil & gas filling station is difficult to found because it is classified into hazardous area. This paper evaluates intrinsic safety evaluation of solar cell for making basic data to found for the photovoltaic system on hazardous area. The intrinsic safety characteristic is evaluated by short-circuit ignition test using IEC type spark ignition test apparatus and temperature rising test. The result of short-circuit ignition test, propane-air mixture gas is exploded on condition that 4 solar cells(9[V], 90[mA]) are connected serially under insolation 800[W/$m^2$]. So, if a larger solar module will be used at oil & gas filling station than we were tested, it needs explosion proof. As the result of rising temperature test, the temperature rising due to short circuit is not so much, but when the temperature rises due to radiant heat, it demands careful consideration for environmental influence.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.2037-2043
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• 2017

The surface protein hemagglutinin (HA) mediates the attachment of influenza virus to host cells containing sialic acid and thus facilitates viral infection. Therefore, HA is considered as a good target for the development of diagnostic tools for influenza virus. Previously, we reported the isolation of single-stranded aptamers that can distinguish influenza subtype H1 from H5. In this study, we describe a method for the selective electrical detection of H1 using the isolated aptamer as a molecular probe. After immobilization of the aptamer on Si wafer, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that the immobilized aptamer bound specifically to the H1 subtype but not to the H5 subtype. Assessment by cyclic voltammetry (CV) also demonstrated that the immobilized aptamer on the indium thin oxide-coated surface was specifically bound to the H1 subtype only, which was consistent with the ELISA and FE-SEM results. Further measurement of CV using various amounts of H1 subtype provided the detection limit of the immobilized aptamer, which showed that a nanomolar scale of target protein was sufficient to produce the signal. These results indicated that the selected aptamer can be an effective probe for distinguishing the subtypes of influenza viruses by monitoring current changes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 2015

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced loss of dermal extracellular matrix is associated with skin photoaging. Recent studies demonstrated that keratinocyte-releasable stratifin (SFN) plays a critical role in skin collagen metabolism by inducing matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression in target fibroblasts. In the present study, we examined whether SFN released from UVB-irradiated epidermal keratinocytes increases MMP1 release from dermal fibroblasts, and whether these events are affected by p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural phenolic compound with UVB-shielding and antioxidant properties. HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB in the absence and presence of p-CA, and the conditioned medium was used to stimulate fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. The cells and media were analyzed to determine the expressions/releases of SFN and MMP1. UVB exposure increased SFN release from keratinocytes into the medium. The conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes increased MMP1 release from fibroblasts. The depletion of SFN using a siRNA rendered the conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes ineffective at stimulating fibroblasts to release MMP1. p-CA mitigated UVB-induced SFN expression in keratinocytes, and attenuated the MMP1 release by fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the use of UV absorbers such as p-CA would reduce UV-induced SFN-centered signaling events involved in skin photoaging.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.162-167
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• 2009

Adipocytes undergo adipocyte stress in the excessive presence of lipid. Adipocyte stress accompanies the typical signs of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress: unfolded protein response and overexpression of molecular chaperones. Apoptotic induction in adipocytes is known as a good strategy for treating obesity. The drug "tunicamycin" was tested for its therapeutic potential in inducing apoptosis on differentiating adipocytes of 3T3-L1. When the 3T3-L1 cells, stimulated for adipogenesis, were treated with tunicamycin, they showed typical ER stress symptoms. Despite progression in ER stress, however, the differentiated 3T3-L1 hardly proceeded to apoptosis based on the CHOP protein expression and FACS analysis. This is very different from C2C12, the myogenic counterpart of 3T3-L1, which showed significant apoptosis along with ER stress. This study also characterizes a potential mechanism whereby adipocyte may avoid apoptosis to sustain the pathological state of obesity. The level of GRP94 expression significantly upholds in 3T3-L1 under tunicamycin treatment compared to preadipocytes and C2C-12. When GRP94 expression was inhibited by siRNA, 3T3-L1 showed a higher level of CHOP expression compared to C2C12 cells. In conclusion, adipocytes exert an anti-apoptotic mechanism under ER stress caused by tunicamycin; thus, apoptotic induction in adipocyte is not a viable anti-obesity option. The unusual level of GRP94 may serve as a key role whereby adipocytes reach to the obesity level circumventing the apoptosis.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.95.1-95.17
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• 2018

Objective: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Our previous results showed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) XLOC_006390 plays an important role in cervical cancer. In this study, we have explored the mechanism of action of lncRNA XLOC_006390. Methods: LncRNA XLOC_006390 was proposed to exercise its function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), and its potential targeted miRNAs was predicted through the database LncBase Predicted v.2. Two miRNAs, miR-331-3p, and miR-338-3p, were chosen for the study. Expression of miRNAs and lncRNA in cervical cancer cells and tissues was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To determine the correlation, silencing of XLOC_006390, over-expression of miR-331-3p, and miR-338-3p was performed in SiHa and Caski cell lines, respectively. Results: Based on the interactive effect between miRNA and lncRNA, miR-331-3p and miR-338-3p were significantly downregulated in cervical cancer cells and tissues, and their expression levels were negatively related to that of lncRNA. Our results also showed that the expression of miR-331-3p target gene NRP2, miR-338-3p target genes PKM2, EYA2 was significantly downregulated when the XLOC_006390 was knocked down. Further, XLOC_006390 was found to facilitate cervical cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis by downregulating miR-331-3p and miR-338-3p expression. Conclusion: Taken together, our study demonstrated that XLOC_006390 may serve as a ceRNA and reversely regulates the expression of miR-331-3p and miR-338-3p, thus facilitating cervical cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.973-979
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• 2023

Objective: The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, which is the most efficient and reliable tool for precisely targeted modification of the genome of living cells, has generated considerable excitement for industrial applications as well as scientific research. In this study, we developed a gene-editing and detection system for chick embryo sexing during the embryonic stage. Methods: By combining the CRISPR/Cas9 technical platform and germ cell-mediated germline transmission, we not only generated Z chromosome-targeted knockin chickens but also developed a detection system for fluorescence-positive male chicks in the embryonic stage. Results: We targeted a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene into a specific locus on the Z chromosome of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs), resulting in the production of Z^GFP-knockin chickens. By mating Z^GFP-knockin females (Z^GFP/W) with wild males (Z/Z) and using a GFP detection system, we could identify chick sex, as the GFP transgene was expressed on the Z chromosome only in male offspring (Z^GFP/Z) even before hatching. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 technical platform with chicken PGCs facilitates the production of specific genome-edited chickens for basic research as well as practical applications.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2004

Ginsenosides and green tea extracts show a variety of biomedical efficacies such as anti-aging, anti-oxidation and anti-tumor-promotion effects. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been reported to inhibit the UVB-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2-to-Bax ratio. We have previously shown that ginsenoside Fl protects human HaCaT cells from ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced apoptosis by maintaining constant levels of Bcl-2 and Brn-3a. Here, we investigate the combined effect of ginsenoside Fl and EGCG on the protection of human HaCaT keratinocyte against UVB-induced apoptosis. When treated individually, although 5 ${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl and 50${\mu}$M EGCG protected cells from UVB-induced apoptosis, 2${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl or 10${\mu}$M EGCG treatment showed very little protection effect. However, cotreatement of 2${\mu}$M ginsenoside Fl and 10${\mu}$M EGCG successfully protected HaCaT cells from UVB-induced cell death. As expected, combining ginsenoside Fl and EGCG efficiently prevented UVB-induced decrease of Bcl-2 and Brn-3a expression. In addition, cotreatment with ginsenoside F1 and EGCG prevented the dephosphorylation of Rb, whereas individual treatment with ginsenoside Fl or EGCG failed to prevent the dephosphorylation of Rb even at high concentrations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.143-144
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• 2010

3-5족 화합물 반도체를 이용한 집광형 삼중 접합 태양전지는 40% 이상의 광변환 효율로 많은 주목을 받고 있다[1]. 삼중 접합 태양전지의 하부 셀은 기계적 강도가 높고 장파장을 흡수할 수 있는 Ge이 사용된다. Ge위에 성장될 III-V족 단결정막으로서 Ge과 격자상수가 일치하는 GaInP나 GaAs가 적합하고, 성장 중 V족 원소의 열확산으로 인해 Ge과 pn접합을 형성하게 된다. 이때 GaInP의 P의 경우 GaAs의 As보다 확산계수가 낮아 태양전지 변환효율향상에 유리한 얇은 접합 형성이 가능하고, 표면 에칭효과가 적기 때문에 GaInP를 단결정막으로 선택하여 p-type Ge기판 위 성장으로 단일접합 Ge구조 제작이 가능하다. 하지만 이종접합 구조 성장으로 인해 발생한 계면사이의 전위나 미세결함들이 결정막내부에 존재하게 되며 이러한 결함들은 광학소자 응용 시 비발광 센터로 작용할 뿐 아니라 소자의 누설전류를 증가시키는 원인으로 작용하여 태양전지 변환효율을 감소시키게 된다. 이에 결함감소를 통해 소자의 전기적 특성을 향상시키고자 수소 열처리나 플라즈마 공정을 통해 수소 원자를 박막내부로 확산시키고, 계면이나 박막 내 결함들과 결합시킴으로서 결함들의 비활성화를 유도하는 연구가 많이 진행되어 왔다 [2][3]. 하지만, 격자불일치를 갖는 GaInP/Ge 구조에 대한 수소 열처리 및 불순물 준위의 거동에 대한 연구는 많이 진행되어 있지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 Ga0.45In0.55P/Ge구조에 수소 열처리 공정을 적용을 통하여 단결정막 내부 및 계면에서의 결함밀도를 제어하고 이를 통해 태양 전지의 변환효율을 향상시키고자 한다. <111> 방향으로 $6^{\circ}C$기울어진 p-type Ge(100) 기판 위에 유기금속화학증착법 (MOCVD)을 통해 Si이 도핑된 200 nm의 n-type GaInP층을 성장하여 Ge과 단일접합 n-p 구조를 제작하였다. 제작된 GaInP/Ge구조를 furnace에서 250도에서 90~150분간 시간변화를 주어 수소열처리 공정을 진행하였다. 저온 photoluminescence를 통해 GaInP층의 광학적 특성 변화를 관찰한 결과, 1.872 eV에서 free-exciton peak과 1.761 eV에서 Si 도펀트 saturation에 의해 발생된 D-A (Donor to Acceptor)천이로 판단되는 peak을 검출할 수 있었다. 수소 열처리 시간이 증가함에 따라 free-exciton peak 세기 증가와 반가폭 감소를 확인하였고, D-A peak이 사라지는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 수소 열처리에 따른 단결정막 내부의 수소원자들이 얕은 불순물(shallow impurity) 들로 작용하는 도펀트들이나, 깊은 준위결함(deep level defect)으로 작용하는 계면근처의 전위, 미세결함들과의 결합으로 결함 비활성화를 야기해 발광세기와 결정질 향상효과를 보인 것으로 판단된다. 본 발표에서는 상술한 결과를 바탕으로 한 수소 열처리를 통한 박막 및 계면에서의 결함준위의 거동에 대한 광분석 결과가 논의될 것이다.