• Korean Business Review
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.175-191
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to findout the effect of using of the hotel information system(HIS) on the hotel service quality. To show how important the using level of the information system in the hotel, we surveyed some domestic and overseas deluxe hotels. For an empirical analysis, Authors have collected 574 questionaires from 4 countries during Feburary to August, 2003. Factor Analysis and Regression Analysis were applied in this research. The results are as follows: There are a close relation between using level of the hotel information systems and service quality. Authors insists that to maximize service quality efficiency in the hotel, a balanced using level of the information system should be made in the following fields: front-office operating system(FOS), back-office operating system(BOS), outlet operating system(OOS) and interface operating system(IOS).

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.03a
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• pp.427-434
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• 2010

Load Resistance Factor Design method is used increasingly in geotechnical design world widely and resistance factors for drilled shafts are suggested by AASHTO. However, these resistance factors are determined for intact rock conditions, by comparison most of bedrocks in Korea are weathered condition, so that applying the AASHTO resistance factors is not reasonable. Thus, this study suggests the proper resistance factors for design of drilled shaft in Korea. The 22 cases of pile load test data from 8 sites were chosen and reliability-based approach is used to analyze the data. Reliability analysis was performed by First Order Second Moment Method (FOSM) applying 4 bearing capacity equations. As a result, when the Factor of Safety(FOS) were selected as 3.0, the target reliability index($\beta_c$) were evaluated about 2.01~2.30. Resistance factors and load factors are determined from optimization based on above results. The resistance factors ranged between 0.48 and 0.56 and load factor for dead load and live load are evaluated approximately 1.25 and 1.75 respectively. However, when the target reliability are considered as 3.0, the resistance factors are evaluated as approximately 50% of results when the target reliability index were 2.0.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2010

Background: Expression of recombinant antibodies and their derivatives fused with other functional molecules such as alkaline phosphatase in Escherichia coli is important in the development of molecular diagnostic reagents for biomedical research. Methods: We investigated the possibility of applying a well-known Fos-Jun zipper to dimerize $V_H$ and $V_L$ fragments originated from the Fab clone (SP 112) that recognizes pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 (PDC-E2), and demonstrated that the functional zipFv-112 and its alkaline phosphatase fusion molecules (zipFv-AP) can be produced in the cytoplasm of Origami(DE3) trxB gor mutant E. coli strain. Results: The zipFv-AP fusion molecules exhibited higher antigen-binding signals than the zipFv up to a 10-fold under the same experimental conditions. However, conformation of the zipFv-AP seemed to be influenced by the location of an AP domain at the C-terminus of $V_H$ or $V_L$ domain [zipFv-112(H-AP) or zipFv-112(L-AP)], and inclusion of an AraC DNA binding domain at the C-terminus of VH of the zipFv-112(L-AP), termed zipFv-112(H-AD/L-AP), was also beneficial. Cytoplasmic co-expression of disulfide-binding isomerase C (DsbC) helped proper folding of the zipFv-112(H-AD/L-AP) but not significantly. Conclusion: We believe that our zipFv constructs may serve as an excellent antibody format bi-functional antibody fragments that can be produced stably in the cytoplasm of E. coli.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.129-145
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• 2001

Objectives : To characterize the antitumorigenic potential of three representative bee venom components, Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2, their effects on cell proliferation and apotosis of the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2 were analyzed using molecular biological approaches. Methodes & Results : To determine the doses of the drugs that do not induce cytotoxic damage to this cell line, cell viability was examined by MTT assay. While SK-MEL-2 cells treated with 0.5 - 2.0㎍/㎖ of each drug showed no recognizable cytotoxic effect, marked reductions of cell viability were detected at concentrations over 5.0㎍/㎖. [3H]thymidine incorporation assay for cell proliferation demonstrated that DNA replication of SK-MEL-2 cells is inhibited by Apamin and Phospholipase A2 in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this result, the cells were accumulated at the G1 phase of the cell cycle after treatment with Apamin and Phospholipase A2, whereas no detectable change in cell proliferation was identified by Melittin treatment. In addition, tryphan blue exclusion and flow cytometric analyses showed that all of these drugs can trigger apoptotic cell death of SK-MEL-2, suggesting that Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2 have antitumorigenic potential through the suppression of cell growth and/or induction of apoptosis. Qantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Apamin and Phospholipase A2 inhibit expression of growth-promoting genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and Cyciin D1. Furthermore, Phospholipase A2 induced tumor suppressors p53 and p21/Wafl. In addition, all three drugs were found to activate expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax while expression of apoptosis-suppressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL genes was not changed. Taken together, this study strongly suggests that Metittin, Apamin, and Phosphalipase A2 may have antitumorigenic activities, which are associated with its growth-inhibiting and/or apoptosis-inducing potentials.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

A mutation of UNCL, an inner nuclear membrane RNAbinding protein, has been found to eliminate mechanotransduction in Drosophila. UNCL is expressed in human periodontal tissue including in periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. However, it is unclear how a mechanical stimulus is translated into cellular responses in PDL fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of UNCl on mechanical stress related genes in PDL fibroblasts in response to mechanical stress. The mRNA of TGF-$\beta$, COX-2, and MMP-2 was up-regulated after UNCL inactivation in PDL fibroblasts under the compression force. Under the tensile force, inactivation of UNCL decreased the expression of Biglycan, RANKL, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 mRNAs while it increased the expression of TIMP-1. p38-MAPK was expressed in PDL fibroblasts under compression forces whereas phospho-ERK1/2, p65-NFkB, and c-fos were expressed under tension forces. The expression and phosphorylation of the mechanical stress related genes, kinases, and transcription factors were changed according to the types of stress. Furthermore, most of them were regulated by the inactivation of UNCL. This suggests that UNCL is involved in the regulation of mechanical stress related genes through the signaling pathway in PDL fibroblasts.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.281-286
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• 2012

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that are formed by the fusion of pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOCs). The fusion of pOCs is known to be important for osteoclastic bone resorption. Here, we examined the effect of IFN-${\gamma}$ on the fusion of pOCs. IFN-${\gamma}$ greatly increased the fusion of pOCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, IFN-${\gamma}$ induced pOC fusion even in hydroxyapatite-coated plates used as a substitute for bone. The resorption area of pOCs stimulated with IFN-${\gamma}$ was significantly higher than that of the control cells. IFN-${\gamma}$ induced the expression of dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), which is responsible for the fusion of pOCs. IFN-${\gamma}$ enhanced DC-STAMP expression in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1 was enhanced in the pOCs treated with IFN-${\gamma}$. Taken together, these results provide a new insight into the novel role of IFN-${\gamma}$ on the fusion of pOCs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.819-825
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• 2003

pharbitis nil and Taraxacum mongolicum are representative herbs that have been used for cancer treatment in Korean traditional medicine. To understand the molecular basis of the antitumor function, we analyzed the effect of these herbs on proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells using a gastric cancer cell line AGS. Cell counting assay showed that pharbitis nil strongly inhibit cell proliferation Of AGS whereas Taraxacum mongolicum exhibit no detectable effect on cellular growth. [³H]thymidine uptake analysis also demonstrated that DNA replication of AGS is suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with pharbitis nil. Additionally, tryphan blue exclusion assay showed that Pharbitis nil induce apoptotic cell death of AGS in a dose-dependent. To explore whether anti antiproliferative and/or proapototic property of Pharbitis nil is associated with their effect on gene expression, we performed RT-PCR analysis of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes. Interestingly, mRNA expression levels of c-Jun, c-Fos, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 were markedly reduced by Pharbitis nil. Taraxacum mongolicum also showed inhibitory action on expression of these growth-promoting protooncogene but there effects are less significant, as compared to Pharbitis nil. Furthermore, it was also found that Pharbitis nil activates expression of the p53 tumor suppressor and its downstream effector p21Waf1, which induce G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Pharbitis nil induce growth inhibition and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells and these effects are accompanied with down-and up-regulation of growth-regulating protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. This observation thus suggests that the anticancer effect of Pharbitis nil might be associated with its regulatory capability of tumor-related gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2015

Obatoclax, a pan-Bcl2 inhibitor, shows antitumor activities in various solid malignancies. Bcl2-deficient mice have shown the importance of Bcl2 in osteoclasts, as the bone mass of the mice was increased by the induced apoptosis of osteoclasts. Despite the importance of Bcl2, the effects of obatoclax on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclast precursors have not been studied extensively. Here, we describe the anti-proliferative effects of obatoclax on osteoclast precursors and its negative role on fusion of the cells. Stimulation with low doses of obatoclax significantly suppressed the proliferation of osteoclast precursors in a dose-dependent manner while the apoptosis was markedly increased. Its stimulation was sufficient to block the activation of ERK MAP kinase by RANKL. The same was true when PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, was administered to osteoclast precursors. The activation of JNK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase, necessary for osteoclast differentiation, by RANKL was not affected by obatoclax. Interestingly, whereas the number of TRAP-positive mononuclear cells was increased by both obatoclax and PD98059, fused, multinucleated cells larger than $100{\pm}m$ in diameter containing more than 20 nuclei were completely reduced. Consistently, obatoclax failed to regulate the expression of osteoclast marker genes, including c-Fos, TRAP, RANK and CtsK. Instead, the expression of DC-STAMP and Atp6v0d2, genes that regulate osteoclast fusion, by RANKL was significantly abrogated by both obatoclax and PD98059. Taken together, these results suggest that obatoclax down-regulates the proliferation and fusion of osteoclast precursors through the inhibition of the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.218-223
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• 2006

Erythropoietin (EPO), a hematopoietic factor, is required for normal erythrocyte developments, but it has been demonstrated to have many other functions, and its receptor is localized in other tissues. In the present study, we investigated whether EPO can promote other cell proliferation and possible molecular mechanisms. EPO restored the inhibition of the RAW264.7 and PC12 cell growth by fetal bovine serum (FBS) withdrawal in a dose dependent manner, but not that of other cell types tested. The restoring effect of EPO was completed when the RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the medium containing as low as 3% of FBS, and 10 U/mL EPO could replace FBS. The restoring effect of EPO in the RAW264.7 cells was associated with the increased of c-Fos and c-Jun expression as well as AP-1 activation. These data demonstrate that EPO can stimulate RAW264. 7 cell as well as PC12 cell growth even when the cells were cultured without FBS or in the presence of small amounts of FBS in the medium, and this stimulating effect is associated with the activation of AP-1 transcription factor.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Pt-WE). Methods : Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells, we examined inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Also, the inhibitory effect of Pt-WE on the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and upstream signaling molecules was evaluated. To assess the protective effect of Pt-WE on hydrochloride/ethanol (HCl/EtOH)-induced gastric ulcer in mice, we compared Pt-WE (200 mg/kg) with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) treated mice's gastric mucosa, based on gross observations. Results : Pt-WE inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$ in a dose-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. Pt-WE suppressed AP-1 activation by reducing generations of both c-Jun and c-Fos. In addition, Pt-WE inhibited the p-MKK 4/7 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4/7) and p-JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) 1 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer lesions were inhibited by pre-treatment of Pt-WE based on gross observations. In addition, Pt-WE decreased the phosphorylation level of JNK. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Pt-WE has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects. Thus, Pt-WE may be used widely in treatment of not only neurodegenerative diseases but also inflammatory diseases.