• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.276-280
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• 2008

To elucidate the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on molecular properties of ovalbumin, the molecular weight profile, secondary structure and tertiary structure of proteins were examined after irradiation by UV with 254 nm wavelength for 4, 8, 16 and 32 hrs, respectively. UV irradiation of protein solution caused the disruption on the native state of protein molecules. SDS-PAGE and gel permeation chromatography indicated that radiation caused initial fragmentation of polypeptide chains and as a result subsequent aggregation due to cross-linking of protein molecules. Circular dichroism (CD) study showed that UV irradiation caused the change on the secondary structure resulting in decrease of helical structure or compact denature on structure of protein depending on irradiation period. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that irradiation quenched the emission intensity excited at 280 nm. These results suggest that UV irradiation affect the molecular properties of ovalbumin and may have potential as a means to change the antigenicity of protein allergen.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2016

The genetic code is a key to bio-informatics and to a science of biological self-organizing on the whole. Modern science faces the necessity of understanding and systematically explaining mysterious features of ensembles of molecular structures of the genetic code. This paper is devoted to symmetrical analysis for genetic systems. Mathematical theories of noise-immunity coding and discrete signal processing are based on Jacket matrix methods of representation and analysis of information. Both of the RNA and Jacket Matrix property also have the Element(Block) - wise Inverse Matrices. These matrix methods, which are connected closely with relations of symmetry, are borrowed for a matrix analysis of ensembles of molecular elements of the genetic code. This method is presented for its simplicity and the clarity with which it decomposes a Jacket Matrix in terms of the genetic RNA Codon.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-35
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• 2017

This study conducted comparative study on autonomous car's industry policy and corporate strategy of US, China, Germany, Japan and Korea. By analyzing core technologies and industry paradigm shifts of autonomous car industry, I was able to figure out autonomous car has high potential to be dominant transportation in the future and it is important to construct core competency in technology area. The meaningful findings by analyzing various primary and secondary data are as followings: First, in case of US, Google was leading autonomous car industry by developing its own OS and Platform. US government has been actively supporting and interacting with private firms and Universities for stimulating industry/technology convergence and establishing standard. Second, in case of Germany, autonomous car development was leading by several auto makers such as Mercedes, BMW in Hardware and manufacturing area, and German government was focusing on deregulations for private company. Third, in case of Japan which quite similar with German situation, they were both independently developing technology and expanding alliances with MNCs. And Japanese government was supporting triple helix system construction between local companies and universities. Fourth, in case of China, autonomous car industry was leading by IT companies, and various cooperations between IT companies and automakers were established. Chinese government was regulating foreign companies and supporting domestic companies both in market and technologies Last, in Korean case, the active and extensive alliances were lacking in Korean companies while strategic and strong government supports were missing in public sector. For competing with other countries and players, more active collaboration between different countries and strong policy supports are needed in Korean auto industry.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.152-159
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• 2015

Der p 2, which is a major allergen of house dust mite, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. There is controversy regarding whether Der p 2 binds to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and its inflammatory effect has not yet been elucidated. In the current study, we examined the interaction of Der p 2 with TLR4 and the effect of Der p 2 on cytokine release in THP-1 cells and lymphocytes. Among house dust mite extracts, recombinant TLR4 protein interacted with Der p 2. The overall structure of Der p 2 is characteristic of the immunoglobulin superfamily and contains ten ${\beta}-strands$, forming a ${\beta}-cup$ fold with two anti-parallel ${\beta}-sheets$, and a short 310 helix. The two sheets can be separated, further allowing the formation of a large internal pocket, which is narrow and suitable for binding large flat molecules such as lipid-like molecules. Der p 2 caused increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, which are neutrophil survival factors, in human monocytic THP-1 cells in a time-dependent manner. Der p 2 also induces the release of cytokines in normal and allergic lymphocytes. Supernatant after treatment with Der p 2 inhibited neutrophil apoptosis. In coculture of lymphocytes with neutrophils, Der p 2 inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of allergic neutrophils. In summary, Der p 2 binds to TLR4 and induces an inflammatory response such as cytokine secretion in immune cells. These findings may enable elucidation of allergy pathogenesis by specific allergen of house dust mite.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2010

The primary sigma factor ($\sigma^{A}$) of Staphylococcus aureus, a potential drug target, was little investigated at the structural level. Using an N-terminal histidine-tagged $\sigma^{A}$ (His-$\sigma^{A}$), here we have demonstrated that it exits as a monomer in solution, possesses multiple domains, harbors primarily $\alpha$-helix and efficiently binds to a S. aureus promoter DNA in the presence of core RNA polymerase. While both N- and C-terminal ends of His-$\sigma^{A}$ are flexible in nature, two Trp residues in its DNA binding region are buried. Upon increasing the incubation temperature from 25$^{\circ}$ to 40$^{\circ}C$, $\sim$60% of the input His-$\sigma^{A}$ was cleaved by thermolysin. Aggregation of His-$\sigma^{A}$ was also initiated rapidly at 45$^{\circ}C$. From the equilibrium unfolding experiment, the Gibbs free energy of stabilization of His-$\sigma^{A}$ was estimated to be +0.70 kcal $mol^{-1}$. The data together suggest that primary sigma factor of S. aureus is an unstable protein. Core RNA polymerase however stabilized $\sigma^{A}$ appreciably.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2013

Background To construct a sophisticated three-dimensional framework, numerous modifications have been reported in the literature. However, most surgeons have paid little attention to the anatomical configuration of the concha and more to its deepness and hollowness, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes. Methods For a configuration of the concha that is definitely anatomical, the author further developed and employed the conchal bowl element, which has been used by several surgeons although the results have not been published elsewhere. The author constructed the conchal bowl element in one of three patterns according to the amount of available cartilages: one block, two-pieces, or a cymba bowl element only. A total of 20 patients underwent auricular reconstruction using a costal cartilage framework between 2009 and 2012. The 8 earliest reconstructions were performed without a conchal bowl element and the latter 12 with a conchal bowl element. The patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The aesthetic results were scored by evaluating characteristics involving the stability of the crus helicis, the conchal definition, and the smoothness of the helical curve. Results The ears reconstructed early without a conchal bowl element showed a shallow and one or two incompletely separated concha with an obliterated cymba conchal space. They also did not have a realistic or smooth curve of the helix because of an unstable crus helicis. However, ears reconstructed later with the concha bowl element showed a definite crus helicis, deep cymba conchal space, and smooth helical curve. Conclusions The construction of the conchal bowl element is simple, not time-consuming procedure. It is suggested that the conchal bowl element must be constructed and attached to the main framework for natural configuration of the reconstructed ear.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2012

Background Among the various methods for correcting nasal deformity, the composite graft is suitable for the inner and outer reconstruction of the nose in a single stage. In this article, we present our technique for reconstructing the ala and columella using the auricular chondrocutaneous composite graft. Methods From 2004 to 2011, 15 cases of alar and 2 cases of columellar reconstruction employing the chondrocutaneous composite graft were studied, all followed up for 3 to 24 months (average, 13.5 months). All of the patients were reviewed retrospectively for the demographics, graft size, selection of the donor site and outcomes including morbidity and complications. Results The reasons for the deformity were burn scar (n=7), traumatic scar (n=4), smallpox scar (n=4), basal cell carcinoma defect (n=1), and scar contracture (n=1) from implant induced infection. In 5 cases of nostril stricture and 6 cases of alar defect and notching, composite grafts from the helix were used ($8.9{\times}12.5$ mm). In 4 cases of retracted ala, grafts from the posterior surface of the concha were matched ($5{\times}15$ mm). For the reconstruction of the columella, we harvested the graft from the posterior scapha ($9{\times}13.5$ mm). Except one case with partial necrosis and delayed healing due to smoking, the grafts were successful in all of the cases and there was no deformity of the donor site. Conclusions An alar and columellar defect can be reconstructed successfully with a relatively large composite graft without donor site morbidity. The selection of the donor site should be individualized according to the 3-dimensional configuration of the defect.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2015

Objective: This study aimed to assess three-dimensional changes in the temporomandibular joint positions and mandibular dimensions after correction of dental factors restricting mandibular growth in patients with Class II division 1 or division 2 malocclusion in the pubertal growth period. Methods: This prospective clinical study included 14 patients each with Class II division 1 (group I) and Class II division 2 (group II) malocclusions. The quad-helix was used for maxillary expansion, while utility arches were used for intrusion (group I) or protrusion and intrusion (group II) of the maxillary incisors. After approximately 2 months of treatment, an adequate maxillary arch width and acceptable maxillary incisor inclination were obtained. The patients were followed for an average of 6 months. Intraoral and extraoral photographs, plaster models, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained before and after treatment. Lateral cephalometric and temporomandibular joint measurements were made from the CBCT images. Results: The mandibular dimensions increased in both groups, although mandibular positional changes were also found in group II. There were no differences in the condylar position within the mandibular fossa or the condylar dimensions. The mandibular fossa depth and condylar positions were symmetrical at treatment initiation and completion. Conclusions: Class II malocclusion can be partially corrected by achieving an ideal maxillary arch form, particularly in patients with Class II division 2 malocclusion. Restrictions of the mandible in the transverse or sagittal plane do not affect the temporomandibular joint positions in these patients because of the high adaptability of this joint.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.142-148
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• 2005

The immune response-related genes have been suggested to be the most favorable genes for positive selection during evolution. Comparing the entire DNA sequence of chimpanzee chromosome 22 (PTR22) with human chromosome 21 (HSA21), we have identified 15 orthologs having indel in their coding sequences. Among them, interferon-${\alpha}$ receptor-1 gene (IFNAR1), an immuneresponse-related gene, is subjected to comparative genomic analysis. Chimpanzee IFNAR1 showed the same genomic structure as human IFNAR1 (11 exons and 10 introns) except the 3 bp insertion in exon 4. The sequence alignment of IFNAR1 coding sequence indicated that 'ISPP' amino acid sequence motif is highly conserved in chimpanzee and other animals including mouse and chicken. However, the human IFNAR1 shows that one proline residue is missing in the sequence motif. The homology modeling of the IFNAR1 structures suggests that the proline deletion in human IFNAR1 leads to the formation of the following ${\alpha}$-helix, whereas two sequential prolines in chimpanzee IFNAR1 inhibit it. As a result, human IFNAR1 may adopt a characteristic structure distinct from chimpanzee IFNAR1. This human specific trait could contribute to specific immune response in the most optimized manner for humans. Further molecular biological studies on the IFNAR1 will help us to gain insights into the molecular implication of species-specific host-pathogen interaction in primate evolution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1186-1194
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• 2019

Objective: The influence of broiler carcass scalding conditions on chicken breast meat quality parameters was investigated. Methods: Two hundred and seventy Cobb broiler chickens from 42 to 48 days old were slaughtered according to the standard industry practice and scalded in five temperature/time combinations-$T_1$, $54^{\circ}C/210s$; $T_2$, $55^{\circ}C/180s$; $T_3$, $56^{\circ}C/150s$; $T_4$, $57^{\circ}C/120s$; $T_5$, $58^{\circ}C/90s$. Results: Scalding temperature increase resulted in higher values of external and ventral lightness and in protein functionality reduction-determined by emulsification capacity and protein denaturation-in chicken breast fillets 24 h post-mortem. Protein secondary structures had conformational changes, with a decrease of the ${\alpha}$-helix and an increase of the ${\beta}$-sheet and ${\beta}$-turn proportions, mainly in $T_1$ and $T_5$ samples, determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in an attenuated reflectance mode analysis. The chemical composition, pH, water holding capacity and Warner-Bratzler shear force did not differ among the treatments. In the fatty acid profile, the 18:1n-9 was lower in $T_5$, which suggested that the high scalding-temperature could have caused the lipid oxidation. The values of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as 22:2, 20:4n-6, and 22:6n-3, were highest in the $T_5$, thus being related to the phospholipid cellular membrane collapse in this experimental condition and subsequent release of these PUFA. Conclusion: Intermediate scalding-parameters avoided the negative changes in the chicken meat quality.