• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제45권12호
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• pp.1708-1716
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• 2016

Akt 및 mTOR는 세포 생존에 필수적인 경로로 세포 성장과 증식 등에서 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 항암 및 항균 효과가 있는 것으로 알려진 개똥쑥(Artemisia annua L.)에 의한 HepG2 간암세포의 apoptosis 유도 효과를 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과에 의하면 개똥쑥 추출물의 처리 농도가 증가함에 따라 HepG2 세포의 생존율은 억제되었으며, 이는 apoptosis 유도 효과에 의한 것임을 세포의 형태적 변화와 flow cytometry를 통해 확인하였다. 그리고 mitopotential assay와 caspase-3/7 activity assay, western blotting으로 Bcl-2 family 단백질을 확인함으로써 apoptosis 경로 중 내인성 경로(intrinsic pathway)에 의해 apoptosis가 일어남을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 효과는 Akt/mTOR의 활성 저해와 연관이 있었으며 Akt/mTOR의 저해제인 LY294002/rapamycin을 개똥쑥 추출물과 병행처리하였을 경우 개똥쑥 추출물에 의한 apoptosis 효과를 더욱 증대시켰다. 따라서 Akt/mTOR의 저해는 개똥쑥 추출물의 apoptosis 효과를 상승시켰으며 이에 따라 미토콘드리아의 기능 손상과 caspase 활성의 증가를 통해 이루어짐을 확인하였다.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.32-41
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• 2012

Objectives: Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) was investigated to determine both its anti-allergic inflammatory effects on mast cells and its detailed mechanism of actions. Methods: We investigated whether RGPS suppress cytokines, enzymes, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with anti-DNP IgE/DNP-HSA. The suppressive effects of RGPS on the levels of cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF were measured using emzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of cytokines, enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2 and 5LO) and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunits were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The activation of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling was examined using Western blot analyses. Results: RGPS suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and GM-CSF) in stimulated RBL-2H3 cells significantly (p < 0.05). RGPS also suppressed mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2, 5LO). In addition, mRNA expression levels of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\beta}$and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\gamma}$ were lowered by treatment with RGPS. Finally, RGPS prevented phosphrylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, Gab2, PLC ${\gamma}1/2$, PI3K, Akt, cPLA2 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Conclusions: RGPS effectively suppresses mast cell activations such as degranulation and inflammatory response via down-regulation of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling pathways in IgE/Ag-stimulated mast cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.149-158
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• 2017

Variant surface antigens (VSAs) encoded by pir families are considered to be the key proteins used by many Plasmodium spp. to escape the host immune system by antigenic variation. This attribute of VSAs is a critical issue in the development of a novel vaccine. In this regard, a population genetic study of vir genes from Plasmodium vivax was performed in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Eighty-five venous blood samples and 4 of the vir genes, namely vir 27, vir 21, vir 12, and vir 4, were selected for study. The number of segregating sites (S), number of haplotypes (H), haplotype diversity (Hd), DNA diversity (${\pi}$ and ${\Theta}_w$), and Tajima's D test value were conducted. Phylogenetic trees of each gene were constructed. The vir 21 (S=143, H=22, Hd=0.827) was the most genetically diverse gene, and the vir 4 (S=6, H=4, Hd=0.556) was the opposite one. Tajima's D values for vir 27 (1.08530, P>0.1), vir 12 (2.89007, P<0.01), and vir 21 (0.40782, P>0.1) were positive, and that of vir 4 (-1.32162, P>0.1) was negative. All phylogenetic trees showed 2 clades with no particular branching according to the geographical differences and cluster. This study is the first survey on the vir genes in ROK, providing information on the genetic level. The sample sequences from vir 4 showed a clear difference to the Sal-1 reference gene sequence, whereas they were very similar to those from Indian isolates.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국신재생에너지학회 2011년도 춘계학술대회 초록집
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• pp.117.2-117.2
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• 2011

Since Gratzel and co-workers developed a new type of solar cell based on the nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted considerable attention on account of their high solar energy-to-conversion efficiencies (11%), their easy manufacturing process with low cost production compared to conventional p-n junction solar cells. The mechanism of DSSC is based on the injection of electrons from the photoexcited dye into the conduction band of nanocrystalline TiO2. The oxidized dye is reduced by the hole injection process from either the hole counter or electrolyte. Thus, the electronic structures, such as HOMO, LUMO, and HOMO-LUMO gap, of dye molecule in DSSC are deeply related to the electron transfer by photoexcitation and redox potential. To date, high performance and good stability of DSSC based on Ru-dyes as a photosensitizer had been widely addressed in the literatures. DSSC with Ru-bipyridyl complexes (N3 and N719), and the black ruthenium dye have achieved power conversion efficiencies up to 11.2% and 10.4%, respectively. However, the Ru-dyes are facing the problem of manufacturing costs and environmental issues. In order to obtain even cheaper photosensitizers for DSSC, metal-free organic photosensitizers are strongly desired. Metal-free organic dyes offer superior molar extinction coefficients, low cost, and a diversity of molecular structures, compared to conventional Ru-dyes. Recently, novel photosensitizers such as coumarin, merocyanine, cyanine, indoline, hemicyanine, triphenylamine, dialkylaniline, bis(dimethylfluorenyl)-aminophenyl, phenothiazine, tetrahydroquinoline, and carbazole based dyes have achieved solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiencies up to 5-9%. On the other hand, organic dye molecules have large ${\pi}$-conjugated planner structures which would bring out strong molecular stacking in their solid-state and poor solubility in their media. It was well known that the molecular stacking of organic dyes could reduce the electron transfer pathway in opto-electronic devices, significantly. In this paper, we have studied on synthesis and characterization of dendritic organic dyes with different number of electron acceptor/anchoring moieties in the end of dendrimer. The photovoltaic performances and the incident photon-to-current (IPCE) of these dyes were measured to evaluate the effects of the dendritic strucuture on the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.627-632
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• 2007

FoxO1, FoxO3a and FoxO4 belong to the FoxO gene family, which play important roles in the PI3K/PKB pathway. In this study, we cloned the porcine FoxO1, FoxO3a and FoxO4 sequences and assigned them to SSC11p11-15, SSC1p13 and SSC xq13 using somatic cell hybrid panel (SCHP) and radiation hybrid panel (IMpRH). RT-PCR results showed that these three genes are expressed in multiple tissues. Sequencing of PCR products from different breeds identified a synonymous T/C polymorphism in exon 2 of FoxO3a. This FoxO3a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can be detected by AvaII restriction enzyme. The allele frequencies of this SNP were investigated in Dahuabai, Meishan, Tongcheng, Yushan, Large White, and Duroc pigs. Association of the genotypes with growth and carcass traits showed that different genotypes of FoxO3a were associated with carcass length and backfat thickness between 6th and 7th ribs (BTR) and drip loss (p<0.05).

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NaCl concentration on the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of Crepidiastrum sonchifolium. Methods and Results: As treatments, we subjected C. sonchifolium plants to four different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). We found that the photosynthetic parameters maximum photosynthesis rate (P_{N max}), net apparent quantum yield (Φ), maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), and maximum electron transport rate (J_max) were significantly reduced at an NaCl concentration greater than 100 mM. In contrast, there was an increase in water-use efficiency with increasing NaCl concentration, although in terms of growth performances, leaf dry weight, root dry weight, stem length, and total dry weight all decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. Furthermore, leakage of electrolytes, as a consequence of cell membrane damage, clearly increased in response to an increase in NaCl concentration. Analysis of the polyphasic elevation of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients (OKJIP) revealed marked decrease in flux ratios (Φ_PO, Ψ_O and Φ_EO) and the PI_abs, performance index in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl, thereby reflectings the relatively reduced state of photosystem II. This increase in fluorescence could be due to a reduction in electron transport beyond Q^-_A. We thus found that the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of C. sonchifolium significantly increased in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that C. sonchifolium shows relatively low sensitivity to NaCl stress, although photosynthetic activity was markedly reduced in plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.277-288
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• 2003

It has been suggested that increased number and activity of phagocytes in periodontitis lesion results in a high degree of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. There are few reports on the relationship between ROS and MMPs expressions in gingival fibroblast. We studied to elucidate whether and how ROS, especially nitric oxide affects the MMP expression. Human gingival fibroblasts and HTl080 cells (human fibrosarcoma sell line as reference) were grown in DMEM supplemented with 10 mM HEPES, 50 mg/L gentamicin, and 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum with addition of various reactive oxygen species (ROS). Culture media conditioned by cells were examined by gelatin zymography. HT1080 cells expressed proMMP-2 and proMMP-9, but human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) produced only proMMP-2. Hydrogen peroxide upregulated MMP-9 expression in HT1080 cells, whereas in human gingival fibroblast SNP treatment showed marked increase in MMP-2 level compared to other ROS. These results suggest that the effects of ROS on MMPs expressions are cell-type specific. RT-PCR for MMP-2 and TIMP-2 m-RNA were performed using total RNA from cultured cells under the influence various kinase inhibitors. In HT1080 cells, treatment with FPTI III (Ras processing inhibitor) and LY294002 (PI3-kinase inhibitor) resulted in inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions, suggesting that Ras/P13-kinase pathway is important for MMPs expression in HT1080 cells. In gingival fibroblasts, treatment with FPTI III and PDTC (NF-kB inhibitor) showed marked decrease in MMP-2 regardless of the of SNP , suggesting that Ras/NF-kB could be the key pathway for NO-induced MMP-2 expression in gingival fibroblasts. This study showed that ROS, especially nitric oxide, could be the critical mediator of periodontal disease progression through control of MMP-2 expression in gingival fibroblasts possibly via Ras/NF-kB pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6139-6144
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• 2012

Aims: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is master regulator of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and plays an important role in NSCLCs. Here we characterized mRNA and protein expression levels of mTOR and its functional associated molecules including PTEN, IGF-1R and 4EBP1 in surgically resected NSCLCs. Methods: Fifty-four patients with NSCLCs who underwent pulmonary resection were included in current study. mRNA levels of mTOR, PTEN, IGF-1R, and 4EBP1 were evaluated by RT-PCR and protein expression of mTOR, PTEN, and IGF-1R by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Association of expression of the relevant molecules with clinical characteristics, as well as correlations between mTOR and PTEN, 4EBP1 and IGF-1R were also assessed. Results: The results of RT-PCR showed that in NSCLCs, the expression level of mTOR increased, while PTEN, 4EBP1 and IGF-1R decreased. Statistical analysis indicated high IGF-1R expression was correlated with advanced clinical stage (stage III) and PTEN expression was reversely associated with tumor size (P=0.16). The results of IHC showed mTOR positive staining in 51.8% of cases, while IGF-1R positive staining was found in 83.3% and loss of PTEN in 46.3%. Protein expression of mTOR was correlated with its regulators, PTEN and IGF-1R, to some extent. Conclusions: Abnormal activation of mTOR signaling, high expression of IGF-1R, and loss of PTEN were observed in resected NSCLC specimens. The poor expression agreement of mTOR with its regulators, PTEN, and IGF-1R, implied that combination strategy of mTOR inhibitors with other targets hold significant potential for NSCLC treatment.

• 대한전자공학회논문지SP
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.27-36
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• 2005

년 논문에서는 MPEG과 JPEG, H.26X 계열 등의 DCT-기반 영상/비디오 컨텐츠에 효과적인 암호화 방법을 제안하였고, 이를 최적화된 하드웨어로 구현하여 고속동작이 가능하도록 하였다. 영상/비디오의 압축, 복원 및 암호화로 인한 많은 연산량을 고려하여 영상의 중요한 정보(DC 및 DPCM계수)만을 암호화 대상 데이터로 선정하여 부분 암호화를 수행하였다. 그 결과 암호화에 소요되는 비용은 원 영상 전체를 암호화하는 비용이 감소하였다. 여기서 Nf는 GOP내의 프레임수이고 PI는 B와 P 프레임에 존재하는 인트라 매크로블록의 수이다. 암호화 알고리즘으로는 다중모드 AES, DES, 그리고 SEED를 선택적으로 사용할 수 있도록 하였다. 제안한 암호화 방법은 C++로 구현한 소프트웨어와 TM-5를 사용하여 약 1,000개의 영상을 대상으로 실험하였다 그 결과 부분 암호화된 영상으로부터 원 영상을 추측할 수 없어 암호화 효과가 충분함을 확인하였으며, 이 때 암호화에 의한 압축률 감소율은 $1.6\%$에 불과하였다. Verilog-HDL로 구현한 하드웨어 암호화 시스템은 하이닉스 $0.25{\mu}m$ CMOS 팬텀-셀 라이브러리를 사용하여 SynopsysTM의 디자인 컴파일러로 합성함으로써 게이트-수준 회로를 구하였다. 타이밍 시뮬레이션은 CadenceTM의 Verilog-XL을 이용해서 수행한 결과 100MHz 이상의 동자 주파수에서 안정적으로 동작함을 확인하였다. 따라서 제안된 암호화 방법 및 구현된 하드웨어는 현재 중요한 문제로 대두되고 있는 종단간(end-to-end) 보안에 대한 좋은 해결책으로 유용하게 사용될 수 있으리라 기대된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4469-4475
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• 2015

Transient receptor potential melastain 7 (TRPM7) is a bifunctional protein with dual structure of both ion channel and protein kinase, participating in a wide variety of diseases including cancer. Recent researches have reported the mechanism of TRPM7 in human cancers. However, the correlation between TRPM7 and prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential the role of TRPM7 in the apoptosis of PC-3 cells, which is the key cell of advanced metastatic PCa. In this study, we demonstrated the influence and potential function of TRPM7 on the PC-3 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-related apoptosis inducing-ligand (TRAIL). The study also found a novel up-regulated expression of TRPM7 in PC-3 cells after treating with TRAIL. Suppression of TRPM7 by TRPM7 non-specific inhibitors ($Gd^{3+}$ or 2-aminoethoxy diphenylborate (2-APB) ) not only markedly eliminated TRPM7 expression level, but also increased the apoptosis of TRAIL-treated PC-3 cells, which may be regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway accompany with up-regulated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, (TRAIL-receptor 1, death receptors 4) DR4, and (TRAIL-receptor 2, death receptors 5) DR5. Taken together, our findings strongly suggested that TRPM7 was involved in the apoptosis of PC-3 cells induced by TRAIL, indicating that TRPM7 may be applied as a therapeutic target for PCa.