• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.339-344
• /
• 2013

Hot forming using boron steel is currently used for manufacturing low-weight automobile body parts, and a high tensile strength of about 1,500 MPa is obtained after hot forming. However, a high fatigue life is a more important factor than high strength when it is used for automobile suspension parts. A tubular torsion beam axle (TTBA) is one of these suspension parts, and this research deals with the fatigue characteristic of TTBA using hot forming. The low cyclic fatigue life of boron steel is investigated according to the cooling method. In addition, a structural and fatigue analysis of TTBA is performed to predict the fatigue life. The stress concentration that occurs in the tubular torsion beam is found, and the longest fatigue life occurs when rapid cooling is utilized in the TTBA fabrication.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2010

Gardenia jasminoides is one of the most widely used herbal preparations for the treatment of liver disorders. This study evaluated the potential beneficial effect of G. jasminoides in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury. The mice were treated intraperitoneally with $CCl_4$ (10 ${\mu}l$/kg). They received G. jasminoides (30, 100, 300 mg/kg) 48 h, 24 h and 2 h before and 6 h after administering $CCl_4$. The serum activities of aminotransferase and the hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher 24 h after the $CCl_4$ treatment, while the concentration of reduced glutathione was lower. These changes were attenuated by G. jasminoides. $CCl_4$ increased the level of circulating tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) markedly, which was reduced by G. jasminoides. The levels of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression were markedly higher after the $CCl_4$ treatment. G. jasminoides diminished these alterations. $CCl_4$ increased the level of TNF-$\alpha$, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expressions, and these increases were attenuated by G. jasminoides. These results suggest that G. jasminoides alleviates $CCl_4$-induced liver injury, and this protection is likely due to the reduced oxidative stress and the downregulation of proinflammatory mediators.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.508-513
• /
• 2016

To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of polyphenols in treating Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication and to explore the detailed underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control groups (CT), Pb exposure groups (Pb), Pb plus Polyphenols groups (Pb+PP) and Polyphenols groups (PP). Animals were kept for 60 days and sacrificed for tests of urea, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Histological evaluations were then performed. In vitro studies were performed using primary kidney mesangial cells to reveal detailed mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate cell viability. Pb induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging were tested by DCFH-DA. Expression level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1-${\beta}$ (IL-1-${\beta}$) and IL-6 were assayed by ELISA. Western blot and qPCR were used to measure the expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38. Polyphenols have obvious protective effects on Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication both in vivo and in vitro. Polyphenols reduced Pb concentration and accumulation in kidney. Polyphenols also protected kidney mesangial cells from Pb induced apoptosis. Polyphenols scavenged Pb induced ROS generation and suppressed ROS-mediated ERK/JNK/p38 pathway. Downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines were inhibited in consistency. Polyphenol is protective in Pb induced renal intoxication and inflammatory responses. The underlying mechanisms lie on the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenging activity of polyphenols.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.404-410
• /
• 2017

Background: Hair loss related syndromes are increasing due to environmental pollution and stress. Hair care products are mainly prepared by mixing chemicals and natural extracts, such as those obtained from medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts from the flowers of Calendula officinalis, fruit body of Phellinus linteus, and the whole plant of Houttuynia cordata on the growth of CCD-986 cells, hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC), and 3T3-L1 cells. Methods and Results: All sample extracts at all concentrations, except for that from P. linteus fruit body at $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, were cytotoxic to CCD-986 cells. However, none of the sample extracts were cytotoxic to HFDPC. The lipid differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells regulates hair regeneration via secretion of platelet derived growth factor. The 70% ethanol extract of H. cordata whole plant promoted hair growth. Adipogenesis rate significantly increased in a treatment concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: These results suggest that 70% ethanol extracts of C. officinalis flower, P. linteus fruit body and H. cordata could be used for the development of hair care products.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.32-43
• /
• 2023

The worldwide use of polyurethane foam products generates large amounts of waste, which in turn has detrimental effects on the surroundings. Hence, finding an economical and environmentally friendly way to dispose of or recycle foam waste is an utmost priority for researchers to overcome this problem. In that sense, the glycolysis of waste flexible polyurethane foam (WFPF) from automotive seat cushions using different industrial-grade glycols and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst to produce recovered polyol was investigated. The effect of different molecular weight polyols, catalyst concentration, and material ratio (PU foam: Glycols) on the reaction conversion and viscosity of the recovered polyols was determined. The obtained recovered polyols are obtained as single or split-phase reaction products. Besides, the foaming characteristics and physical properties such as cell morphology, thermal stability, and compressive stress-strain nature of the regenerated flexible foams based on the recovered polyols were discussed. It was observed that the regenerated flexible foams displayed good seating comfort properties as a function of hardness, sag factor, and hysteresis loss compared to the reference virgin foam. With the growing demand for a sustainable and circular economy, a global valorization of glycolysis products from polyurethane scraps can be realized by transforming them into profitable substances.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.871-879
• /
• 2024

Our group had isolated Bifidobacterium breve strain BS2-PB3 from human breast milk. In this study, we sequenced the whole genome of B. breve BS2-PB3, and with a focus on its safety profile, various probiotic characteristics (presence of antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and mobile elements) were then determined through bioinformatic analyses. The antibiotic resistance profile of B. breve BS2-PB3 was also evaluated. The whole genome of B. breve BS2-PB3 consisted of 2,268,931 base pairs with a G-C content of 58.89% and 2,108 coding regions. The average nucleotide identity and whole-genome phylogenetic analyses supported the classification of B. breve BS2-PB3. According to our in silico assessment, B. breve BS2-PB3 possesses antioxidant and immunomodulation properties in addition to various genes related to the probiotic properties of heat, cold, and acid stress, bile tolerance, and adhesion. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion test, in which the minimum inhibitory concentrations for selected antibiotics were subsequently tested using the Epsilometer test. B. breve BS2-PB3 only exhibited selected resistance phenotypes, i.e., to mupirocin (minimum inhibitory concentration/MIC >1,024 ㎍/ml), sulfamethoxazole (MIC>1,024 ㎍/ml), and oxacillin (MIC >3 ㎍/ml). The resistance genes against those antibiotics, i.e., ileS, mupB, sul4, mecC and ramA, were detected within its genome as well. While no virulence factor was detected, four insertion sequences were identified within the genome but were located away from the identified antibiotic resistance genes. In conclusion, B. breve BS2-PB3 demonstrated a sufficient safety profile, making it a promising candidate for further development as a potential functional food.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.5
• /
• pp.985-996
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the effects of light intensity on growth performance, blood components, eye condition, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Three hundred and fifty-two 1-day-old male chicks were assigned to one of four treatments (four repetitions per treatment, 22 birds per repetition) and reared in a floor pen for 5 weeks. From the second week, chicks were reared under four different levels of light intensity (5, 20, 35, and 50 lx) and the lighting duration was maintained at 18-hours light : 6-hours dark (18L : 6D). The feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At 35 days of age, 12 birds per treatment were randomly selected for blood sampling, eye measurement, and carcass analysis. There were no significant differences in body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio among treatments. Triglyceride levels in the serum were significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment, and creatinine was significantly lower in the 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05). The heterophil : lymphocyte ratios decreased significantly as light intensity increased (p < 0.05); however, other blood cell compositions were not affected by light intensity. Interleukin-6 content was significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment than in other treatments (p < 0.05), but the content of tumor necrosis factor-α was not significantly different among treatments. Serum corticosterone concentration was significantly higher at 5 lx than at 20, 35, and 50 lx (p < 0.05). The corneal diameter was the highest in 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05), and tended to increase as the light intensity decreased. Other eye parameters were not significantly different among treatments, but displayed a tendency to increase as the light intensity decreased. Carcass yield and part yields were not affected by light intensity. Meat quality parameters (pH, color, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity) did not show significant difference among the treatments. The results indicate that a light intensity of 5 lx may increase physiological stress or have a negative effect on broiler welfare, even if the performance and carcass characteristics are not affected. Therefore, a light intensity of 20 lx or above is recommended considering both the growth performance and welfare of broilers.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2005

Bone remodeling is a process controlled by the action of two major bone cells; the bone forming osteoblast and the bone resorbing osteoclast. In the process of osteoclastogenesis, stromal cells and osteoblast produce RANKL, OPG, and M-CSF, which in turn regulate the osteoclastogenesis. During the bone resorption by activated osteoclasts, extracellular $Ca^{2+}/{PO_4}^{2-}$ concentration and degraded organic materials goes up, providing the hypertonic microenvironment. In this study, we tested the effects of hypertonicity due to the degraded organic materials on osteoclastogenesis in co-culture system. It was examined the cellular response of osteoblastic cell in terms of osteoclastogenesis by applying the sucrose, and mannitol, as a substitute of degraded organic materials to co-culture system. Apart from the sucrose, mannitol, and NaCl was tested to be compared to the effect of organic osmotic particles. The addition of sucrose and mannitol (25, 50, 100, 150, or 200 mM) to co-culture medium inhibited the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive multinucleated cells induced by 10 nM $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2vitaminD_3$ ($1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$). However, NaCl did exert harmful effect upon the cells in this co-culture system, which is attributed to DNA damage in high concentration of NaCl. To further investigate the mechanism by which hypertonicity inhibits $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$-induced osteoclastogenesis, the mRNA expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were monitored by RT-PCR. In the presence of sucrose (50 mM), RANKL mRNA expression was decreased in a dose-dependent manner, while the change in OPG and M-CSF mRNA were not occurred in significantly. The RANKL mRNA expression was inhibited for 48 hours in the presence of sucrose (50 mM), but such a decrement recovered after 72 hours. However, there were no considerable changes in the expression of OPG and M-CSF mRNA. Conclusively, these findings strongly suggest that hypertonic stress down-regulates $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$-induced osteoclastogenesis via RANKL signal pathway in osteoblastic cell, and may playa pivotal role as a regulator that modulates osteoclastogenesis.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.239-253
• /
• 2017

Neodymium is a future-oriented material due to its unique properties, and its use is increasing in various industrial fields worldwide. However, the toxicity caused by repeated exposure to this metal has not been studied in detail thus far. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential inhalation toxicity of nano-sized neodymium oxide ($Nd_2O_3$) following a 28-day repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were exposed to nano-sized $Nd_2O_3-containing$ aerosols via a nose-only inhalation system at doses of $0mg/m^3$, $0.5mg/m^3$, $2.5mg/m^3$, and $10mg/m^3$ for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week over a 28-day period, followed by a 28-day recovery period. During the experimental period, clinical signs, body weight, hematologic parameters, serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathological findings were examined; neodymium distribution in the major organs and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and oxidative stress in lung tissues were analyzed. Most of the neodymium was found to be deposited in lung tissues, showing a dose-dependent relationship. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) were the main observations of lung histopathology. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the $2.5mg/m^3$ and higher dose treatment groups. PAP was observed in all treatment groups accompanied by an increase in lung weight, but was observed to a lesser extent in the $0.5mg/m^3$ treatment group. In BALF analysis, total cell counts, including macrophages and neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased significantly in all treatment groups. After a 4-week recovery period, these changes were generally reversed in the $0.5mg/m^3$ group, but were exacerbated in the $10mg/m^3$ group. The lowest-observed-adverse-effect concentration of nano-sized $Nd_2O_3$ was determined to be $0.5mg/m^3$, and the target organ was determined to be the lung, under the present experimental conditions in male rats.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.295-301
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dipping time and concentration of gibberellin for improving the growth and quality of domestic cultivar 'Seolhyang' strawberry when using runner plants. Strawberry runner plants were collected on November 10th and soaked in GA₃ concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg·L^-1 for 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. After 75 days of planting, the growth results showed that in the 30-minute, 50 mg·L^-1 treatment, the crown diameter was thicker and the T/R ratio was lower, indicating better plant vitality. Runner length increased with lower gibberellin concentrations, particularly promoting vegetative growth. Photosynthetic efficiency was more influenced by gibberellin concentration than dipping time, and using concentrations above a certain threshold acted as a stress factor for runner plants, leading to decreased photosynthetic efficiency. For enhancing seedling growth, soaking with 50 mg·L^-1 of gibberellin for 30 minutes was found to be optimal. This study verified the effects of gibberellin treatment on strawberry runner plants to improve plant growth and quality, providing useful basic data for using gibberellin.