• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.597-605
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• 2017

Our work aims to analyze using the finite element method the evolution of the stress intensity factor (SIF) parameter K of three laminated folded plates stacks [$+{\alpha}$, $-{\alpha}$], made of the same epoxy matrix and different reinforcement fibers (boron, graphite and glass). Our results show that the angle of orientation of the boron/epoxy composite has no great influence on the variation of the parameter KI. Compared to composite graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy, the laminated composite boron/epoxy reduces more the SIF KI in the middle of the plate for angles $0^{\circ}{\leq}{\alpha}{\leq}30^{\circ}$.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.601-607
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• 2000

Lanthanum has been used as one of the burnup monitor in spent nuclear fuel. $U_3Si/Al$ spent nuclear fuel contains small amount of La in high concentration of U and Al. Therefore, chemical separation of La is required to remove matrix elements. At first, ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma systems were installed in radiation shielded glove box to handle the radioactive samples. Retention behavior of uranium, aluminum, lanthanum and some interesting fission products (Sr, Zr, Y, Mo, Ru, Pd, Rh, Cs, Ba, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Cd) was investigated using the CG10 column and ${\alpha}$-HiBA eluent. As all elements were eluted earlier than lanthanum in 0.2 M ${\alpha}$-HiBA eluent, a portion of U and Al was directly passed to waste using a three way valve between the column and the nebulizer. Thus it was possible to determine the lanthanum in a high concentration of U and Al matrix. Retention time of La was about 12 minutes in this separation condition. Optimum range for the determination of La in $U_3Si/Al$ spent nuclear fuel was $1-10{\mu}g/L$ (ppb) with this system and detection limit was $0.25{\mu}g/L$ in case of $200{\mu}L$ of sample volume.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2018

We analyzed the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle activities of berberine, isolated from dried rhizome of Coptis japonica Makino, to determine its cosmetic potential. We performed the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol]-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay to evaluate the toxicity of the berberine. We also measured the ROS and hyaluronic acid production, and expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle activities of berberine, respectively. The cytotoxicity of ultraviolet light, in presence of berberine, was measured by the MTT assay using CCD-986sk fibroblasts, and no cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations less than $25{\mu}g/mL$. We also found that berberine decreased ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner and promoted the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Further, berberine reduced the protein levels and mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are associated with wrinkle formation, and increased the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. In addition, the inhibitory effect of berberine on $TNF-{\alpha}$, known as pro-inflammatory cytokine, was inhibited by $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that berberine holds cosmetic value owing to its antioxidant activity, by inhibiting ROS production and anti-wrinkle activity by reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9 and increasing TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Globally, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a big burden, including 90% suffering permanent disability, and 60%-69% experiencing neuropathic pain. The main causes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. The efficacy of the stem cell secretome is promising, but the role of human neural stem cell (HNSC)-secretome in neuropathic pain is unclear. This study evaluated how the mechanism of HNSC-secretome improves neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI rat models through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities. Methods: A proper experimental study investigated 15 Rattus norvegicus divided into normal, control, and treatment groups (30 µL HNSC-secretome, intrathecal in the level of T10, three days post-traumatic SCI). Twenty-eight days post-injury, specimens were collected, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, F2-Isoprostanes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed. Locomotor recovery was evaluated via Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Rat Grimace Scale. Results: The HNSC-secretome could improve locomotor recovery and neuropathic pain, decrease F2-Isoprostane (antioxidant), decrease MMP-9 and TNF-α (anti-inflammatory), as well as modulate TGF-β and BDNF (neurotrophic factor). Moreover, HNSC-secretomes maintain the extracellular matrix of SCI by reducing the matrix degradation effect of MMP-9 and increasing the collagen formation effect of TGF-β as a resistor of glial scar formation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the mechanism of HNSC-secretome in improving neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.410-416
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• 2015

Microstructural analysis of a (${\alpha}+{\beta}$) Ti alloy was investigated to consider phase transformation in each step of the thermo-mechanical process using by SEM and TEM EDS. The TAF (Ti-6Al-4Fe) alloy was thermo-mechanically treated with solid solution at $880^{\circ}C$, rolling at $880^{\circ}C$ and annealing at $800^{\circ}C$. In the STQ state, the TAF microstructure was composed of a normal hcp ${\alpha}$ and metastable ${\beta}$ phase. In a rolled state, it was composed of fine B2 precipitates in an ${\alpha}$ phase, which had high Fe segregation and a coherent relationship with the ${\beta}$ matrix. Finally, in the annealing state, the fine B2 precipitates had disappeared in the ${\alpha}$ phase and had gone to the boundary of the ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ phase. On the other hand, in a lower rolling temperature of $704^{\circ}C$, the B2 precipitates were more coarse in both the ${\alpha}$ and the boundary of ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ phase. We concluded that microstructural change affects the mechanical properties of formability including rolling defects and cracks.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 1980

The crystal structure of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, $C_5H_9NO_3S,$ has been determined from three dimensional photographic intensity data $(CuK{\alpha}$ radiation) by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. There is one formula unit in the triclinic unit cell with a = 7.04(3), b = 5.14(2), c = 8.25(3) ${\AA}$, ${\alpha}$ = 106(2), ${\beta}$ = 51(1), ${\gamma}$ = 124(2)$^{\circ}$ and space group P$_1$, The structure was solved by the direct method and refined by the full matrix least-squares method. The final R value is 12.3% for 629 observed reflections. The C-carboxyl group and the N-acetyl group are very neary planar. The molecule appears to form with neighboring molecules a hydrogen bond, $O-H{\cdot}{\cdot}{\cdot}O(3)$ of length 2.59${\AA}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.2042-2045
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• 2007

The effect of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS, 1 kDa${\gamma}$, 10 ng/ml IL-$1{\alpha}$, and 25 ng/ml TNF-${\alpha}$) in HT-29 cells. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression induced by these cytokines was inhibited by COS. COS pretreatment inhibited the invasiveness of cytokines-treated HT-29 cells through Matrigel-coated membrane in a dose-dependent manner. COS also inhibited cytokines-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity. This study shows that proinflammatory cytokines induce NO production, iNOS expression, and invasiveness of human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. COS pretreatment inhibited cytokines-mediated NO production, iNOS expression, and invasiveness of HT-29 cells. These results provide sufficient information for the further development of COS as an antitumor metastatic agent for the treatment of colon cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.462-467
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• 2011

Up-regulation of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-9 contributes to inflammatory processes during the development of various skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. In this study, we examined the effect of a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD) on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). When Tat-SOD was added to the culture medium of HaCaT cells, it rapidly entered the cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Tat-SOD decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Tat-SOD also inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity. Treatment of HaCaT cells with Tat-SOD significantly inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9, as measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, Tat-SOD suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9. Taken together, our results indicate that Tat-SOD can suppress TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MMP-9 expression via ROS-NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent mechanisms in keratinocytes, and therefore can be used as an immunomodulatory agent against inflammatory skin diseases related to oxidative stress.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.47-57
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• 2010

Objective: The present study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cynanchum wilfordii (ECW) on vascular relaxation and vascular inflammation in rat artery isolated from rats and anti-inflammatory activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Methods: Vascular tone and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production were examined in rat artery isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, in the presence of ECW. HASMC were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) or Angiotensin II for 24 h. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and anti-oxidant activity of ECW was investigated by pretreatment with ECW in HASMC. Results: Cumulative treatment of ECW relaxed aortic smooth muscles of rats in a dose-dependent manner. ECW-induced vasorelaxation was significantly decreased by pretreatment of L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or oxadiazolo-quinoxalinone (ODQ). Furthermore, ECW treatment of thoracic aorta significantly increased cGMP production. Incubation of ECW with ODQ or L-NAME markedly decreased ECW-induced cGMP production. ECW treatment dose-dependently suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$- or Angiotensin II-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in HASMC. Also, ECW exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity in vitro and reduced TNF-${\alpha}$-induced increase in reactive oxygen species production in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that ECW exerts vascular relaxation via NO/cGMP signaling pathway and decreases MMP-2 expression via anti-oxidant activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.974-979
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• 2009

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) is one of the key features in onset of atherosclerosis and restenosis after vascular surgery such as stent implant. Atherosclerotic plaques are usually composed of collagen, elatsin and smooth muscle cells. Release of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) is considered to have correlation with development of atherosclerotic plaques. Based on the hypothesis that MMP inhibition would be helpful in the treatment of atherosclerosis, we investigated inhibition of MMP activity and migration of TNF-$\alpha$-induced human aortic smooth muscle cell(HASMC) by Cinnamomi Ramulus(CC). The result from gelatin zymography showed that CC inhibited MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, CC considerably inhibited the migration of HASMC induced by TNF-$\alpha$, while it showed little cytotoxic effect on HASMC. These results suggest that CC can be a potential anti-atherosclerotic agent through inhibition of MMP-9 activity and SMC migration.