• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1205-1211
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• 2011

In this paper, we developed a pacemaker that can increase the efficacy of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and increase the survival rate for patients suffering end-stage heart failure. Because LVAD patients can experience arrhythmia, the pacemaker incorporated into the LVAD has the important role of sustaining sufficient blood circulation during arrhythmia. The electrode of the pacemaker is located at the apex of the left ventricle, where the VAD's inlet cannula is connected. This is efficient placement, in that the electrode can transmit electrical stimulation directly to the Purkinje fibers of the myocardium. The pacemaker can change the stimulation rate from 0 bpm to 191.4 bpm when a button is pressed on the external control module, and the pacemaker normally stimulates the heart at 60 bpm with 0.25 J of energy. We performed animal experiments to evaluate the performance and reliability of the combination of the LVAD and pacemaker. At pacemaker stimulation rates of 86.4 bpm, 100.2 bpm, 126.6 bpm, we recorded the ECGs, aortic pressures, and flow rates to analyze the heart loads.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.211-219
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• 2020

Quercetin is a polyphenol compound with excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, little has been reported about the efficacy of quercetin to control psoriasis. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of quercetin to regulate psoriatic dermatitis with HaCaT cell lines activated by TNF-α and IL-17A, which are in vitro psoriasis skin models. When quercetin was treated with TNF-α-activated HaCaT cell line, inflammatory cytokine expressions such as IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 were reduced by 49.1±7.14, 42.8±8.16, and 34.5±2.52%, respectively. In addition, mRNA expression levels of IL-8 and CCL20 the chemokines that attract immune cells such as Th17 cells and dendritic cells to the inflammatory reaction site, were also reduced by 38.4±5.83 and 52.9±4.59% compared to the TNF-α treatment group. The expression of proteins KRT6A and KRT16, which was nonspecifically increased in psoriatic skin was also significantly suppressed. Moreover, phosphorylation of IκBα and STAT3 proteins activated by TNF-α was also significantly inhibited. After stimulating the HaCaT with IL-17A, known as another psoriasis-inducing cytokine, it was observed that IκBα mRNA expression decreased by 55.8±5.28%, and STAT3 phosphorylation was downregulated by 36.3±6.81%. Finally, after co-activation by TNF-α/IL-17A, quercetin inhibited all of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and CCL20 gene expression. The above results strongly suggest that quercetin is a material that has not only anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but also has an activity in improving psoriasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.1924-1929
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• 2013

Hizikia fusiforme (seaweed fusiforme) has long been used as a food source mainly in Korea and Japan. This study was performed to evaluate the immunomodulative effects of Hizikia fusiforme in mice. Hizikia fusiforme water extracts (0, 50, and 500 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administrated into the mice every other day, for four weeks. The proliferation of splenocytes, as well as the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$) secreted by activated macrophages were measured. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in the experimental groups compared to that of the control group. Also, the mice with Hizikia fusiforme water extracts supplementation in both concentrations showed increased levels of cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages compared to those in the control group. The highest levels of cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) production were observed in the 50 mg/kg b.w. supplementation group stimulated by LPS for all three cytokines. The results of this study showed that the supplementation of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and the cytokine production by activated macrophages. Further studies are needed to identify the stimulative and immunomodulating components of Hizikia fusiforme.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.624-629
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• 2007

Hizikia fusiforme(sea weed fusiforme) has long been used for food source in this country. This study was performed to evalute the immunomodulative effects of Hizikia fusiforme (sea weed fusiforme) in mouse, using in vivo experiments. In vivo experiment, different concentration (0, 50, 500 mg/kg B.W.) of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts were orally administrated into mouse every other day for two weeks. The proliferation of mouse splenocytes, the production of three cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha})$ secreted by activated macrophage. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in mouse orally administrated with 50 mg/kg B.W. and 500 mg/kg B.W. concentration compared to that of control group. Especially, the highest proliferation of spleoncyte was seen from the mouse orally administrated at the concentration of 50 mg/kg B.W. Also, the mouse of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts supplementation group in the both concentrations showed enhanced levels of cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages compared to those in control group. The highest level of cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha})$ production was observed at 50 mg/kg B.W. supplementation group with LPS stimulation in all cases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.485-496
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• 2002

Background : The NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factors control various biological processes including the immune response, acute phase reaction and cell cycle regulation. NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes are retained in the cytoplasm in the basal state and various stimuli cause a translocation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes into the nucleus where they bind to the ${\kappa}B$ elements and regulate the transcription of the target genes. Recent reports also suggest that NF-${\kappa}B$ proteins are involved in oncogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. High expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ expression was reported in many cancer cell lines and tissues. The constitutive activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also reported in several cancer cell lines supporting its role in cancer development and survival. The anti-apoptotic action of NF-${\kappa}B$ is important for cancer survival. NF-${\kappa}B$ also controls the expression of several proteins that are important for cellular adhesion (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) suggesting a role in cancer metastasis. In lung cancer, high expression levels of the NF-${\kappa}B$ subunit p50 and c-Rel were reported. In fact, high expression does not mean a high activity, and the activation pattern of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung cancer has not been reported. Materials and Methods : In this study, the NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear binding activity in the basal and TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated states were exmined in various lung cancer cell lines and compared with the normal bronchial epithelial cell line. Twelve lung cancer cell lines including the non-small cell and small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, NCI-H358, NCI-H441, NCI-H552, NCI-H2009, NCI-H460, NCI-H1229, NCI-H1703, NCI-H157, NCI-H187, NCI-H417, NCI-H526) and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell line were used. To evaluate the NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and DNA binding activity, western blot analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with the nuclear protein extracts. Results : The basal expressions of the p65 and p50 subunits were observed in the BEAS-2B cell line and all lung cancer cell lines except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460. The expression levels of p65 and p50 were increased 30 minutes after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ in BEAS-2B and in 10 lung cancer cell lines. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 cell lines, p65 expression was not observed in the basal and stimulated states and the two p50 related protein levels were higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ These new proteins were smaller than p50 and are thought to be variants of p50. In the basal state, NF-${\kappa}B$ was nearly activated in the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell lines. The DNA binding activity of the NF-${\kappa}B$ complexes was markedly higher after stimulation with TNF-${\alpha}$ In the BEAS-2B and all lung cancer cell line except for NCI-H358 and NCI-H460, the activated NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was a p65/p50 heterodimer. In the NCI-H358 and NCI-H460 lung cancer cell lines, the NF-${\kappa}B$ complex was variant of a p50/p50 homodimer. Conclusion : The NF-${\kappa}B$ activation pattern in the lung cancer cell lines and the normal bronchial epithelial cell lines was similar except for the activation of a variant of the p50/p50 homodimer in some lung cancer cell linse.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.1500-1509
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• 2014

The object of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of chios mastic gum (MG) on gastric acid secretion in an ethanol-induced SD rat model and primary parietal cells. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Vehicle (normal group), Control (treated with ethanol), MG50 (treated with ethanol and mastic gum at 50 mg/kg b.w), MG100 (treated with ethanol and mastic gum at 100 mg/kg b.w). Groups treated with both MG50 and MG100 showed attenuation of gastric mucosal injury, sub-epithelial loss, hemorrhaging, and gastric juice secretion. We also examined the acidity of gastric juice during gastric injury. Oral administration of both MG50 and MG100 significantly decreased acidity of gastric juice by % and %, respectively. To examine the stimulatory factors related to gastric acid secretion, mRNA expression levels of H2r, M3r, CCK2r, and $H^+/K^+$ ATPase were measured by real-time PCR. Compared with a vehicle group, mRNA expression levels of H2r, CCK2r, and $H^+/K^+$ ATPase clearly increased in the control group. However, levels of H2r, CCK2r, and $H^+/K^+$ ATPase slightly but significantly decreased in MG-treated groups compared with control. Blood level of histamine significantly decreased in MG-treated groups, which indicates the involvement of MG on in histamine-related acid secretion. To identify the mode of action of MG in regulating histamine-related pathways, intracellular level of cAMP and mRNA levels of H2r, M3r, CCK2r, and $H^+/K^+$ ATPase were measured in primary parietal cells. While mRNA levels of M3r and CCK2r remained unchanged, levels of H2r and $H^+/K^+$ ATPase significantly decreased upon MG treatment. Subsequently, intracellular levels of cAMP decreased. These results suggest that mastic gum has the ability to inhibit gastric acid secretion by regulating a histamine-related pathway.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2017

We aimed to assess the potential growth-promoting effects of ginger and cinnamon mixtures (GCM) on intestinal bacteria and their anti-inflammatory effects in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation. Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus sp., and Lactobacillus acidophilus served as intestinal bacteria. Further, in the inflammatory co-culture model, Caco-2 cells co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells were treated with GCM before the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. Addition of GCM to modified Eggerth Gagnon media at a ginger:cinnamon ratio of 1:5 increased the growth of B. longum, Lactobacillus sp., and L. acidophilus compared to that of the control. In a cellular model, compared to LPS-treated groups, GCM-treated groups maintained high transepithelial electrical resistance at ginger:cinnamon ratios of 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:7 and decreased the tight junction permeability at 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5 ratios, similar to that shown by the control groups. In addition, GCM-treated groups showed decreased levels of nitrite at 1:1, 1:5, and 1:7 ginger:cinnamon ratios. Based on these results, it can be concluded that among the various combinations of GCM, the ginger:cinnamon ratio of 1:5 is the optimal composite ratio that shows positive effects on the intestinal beneficial bacteria and in anti-inflammation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a perennial plant of the genus Stevia, originated in South America. It stores many forms of glycosides, mainly stevioside and rebaudioside A, in which steviol is the basic structure. Steviol glycosides, widely used as sweeteners, are superior to sugar in sweetness. Recently, it has been reported that steviol glycosides are involved not only in the skin whitening and anti-inflammatory effect but also in enhancing skin barrier function through tight junction regulation. Thus, we examined anti-inflammatory effect of rebaudioside A and tried to identify its potential for improving atopic dermatitis as cosmetic ingredients. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect, cell viability and mRNA expression level of inflammation-related cytokines were measured using mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was carried out to measure cell viability and the maximum concentration without cytotoxicity was set to $250{\mu}M$. A quantitative real-time RT-PCR method was used for the study of the inflammatory suppression of rebaudioside A. Rebaudioside A inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) up to 47% and COX-2 up to 41% compared to LPS treated condition. NO synthesis was decreased by rebaudioside A. Also, mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was decreased to 40%, 45% and 59%, respectively, as a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, rebaudioside A inhibited the inflammatory response by regulation of cytokine gene expression. From these results, we expect that steviol glycoside, such as rebaudioside A, can be used as a material for improving atopic dermatitis in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.61-61
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• 2003

Aquaporins (AQPs)는 다양한 상피세포와 내피세포에 존재하며 다량의 물 수송을 촉진하는 막성단백질로 현재 11개의 AQP가 (AQP0-10) 발견되었으나, 아직 생리적, 기능적 분석은 불충분한 상태이다. 생쥐의 자궁내막은 발정주기 동안 호르몬의 자극에 따라 부풀어오르거나 수축하는 변화를 보이며 에스트로젠과 몇몇 혈관에 작용하는 매개체에 의해 자궁 혈관의 투수성이 증가한다는 보고는 있으나, 자궁액의 수송 메커니즘에 대해서는 뚜렷하게 밝혀진 바가 없다. 발정기의 생쥐 자궁은 자궁내막세포의 증식과 함께 수화되는 특징을 보이며 자궁내강으로 물이 수송되어 luminal fluid의 점성이 낮아지는 현상이 나타나는데, 이 때 AQP가 water channel로서 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 보고 본 실험에서는 면역조직화학법(immunohistochemistry)과 역전사중합효소연쇄반응(Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction)을 통해 발정기 자궁의 수화와 AQP 발현의 상관성에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 면역조직화학법의 결과 발정주기의 다른 시기에 비해 발정기(estrus phase)에 자궁상피세포에 AQP4, 5, 8 protein이 다량 존재하는 것으로 밝혀졌고, 근육층(myometrium)에서의 발현은 발정주기 동안 차이가 없었다. Whole uterus로 RT-PCR을 수행한 결과 AQP4, 5, 8 mRNA는 luteal phase에 비해 follicular phase에 더 많이 발현하는 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 LCM(Laser Capture Microdissection) system을 이용하여 luminal epithelium과 stromal cell을 분리하여 RT-PCR을 수행한 결과 AQP4, 5, 8 mRNA는 stromal cell 보다는 luminal epithelium에 더 많이 발현하며, 이 역시 follicular phase에 발현량이 증가함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 생쥐 자궁에서 AQP4, 5, 8은 발정주기 내막에 발현이 증가하며 이는 자궁내강 안으로 수분을 수송하는데 주요한 기작으로 사료되며 estrogen에 의한 조절 가능성을 암시한다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.168-168
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• 2001

제지공정의 지절 현상은 많은 공정 변수들이 복합적으로 작용하여 발생하는 가장 큰 공정 트러블 중의 하나이다. 지절은 생산량 감소 뿐만 아니라 발생 후 공정의 복구 와 정리, 생산재가동 및 공정의 재안정화를 위해 많은 시간과 비용, 그리고 노력이 투 입되어야 하므로 공정의 효율과 생산성을 크게 저하시키는 요인이다. 그러나 지절 현상 의 복잡성 때문에 이에 대해 쉽게 접근하거나 해결하지 못하고 있는 것이 현실이지만 그 필요성은 더욱 더 증대되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 최근 들어 각종 산업분야에서 복잡 한 공정상의 결점 발견 및 진단에 효과적이라고 인정받고 있는 예측 분석기법인 인공 신경망(artificial neural network) 시율레이션과 일반적인 통계기법 중의 하나인 주성분 분석을 이용하여 제지 공정의 지절 현상의 검토 가능성을 타진하였다. 인공신경망이란 인간두뇌에서 일어나는 자극-반응-학습과정을 모사하여 현실세계에 존재하는 다양한 현상들의 업력벡터와 출력상태 간의 비선형 mapping올 컴퓨터 시율 레이션을 통하여 분석하고자 하는 기법으로, 여러 가지 현상들을 학습을 통해서 인식하 는 신경망 내의 신경단위들이 병렬처리에 의해 많은 양의 자료에 대한 추론이나 판단 을 신속하고 정확하게 해주는 특징이 있으며 실시간 패턴인식이나 분류 응용분야에도 매우 매력적으로 이용되고 있는 방법이다. 이러한 인공 신경망 기법 중에서도 본 연구 에서는 퍼셉트론의 한계점을 극복하기 위하여 입력총과 출력층에 한 개 이상의 은닉층 ( (hidden layer)을 사용하여 다층 네트워으로 구성하고, 모든 입력패턴에 대하여 발생하 는 오차함수를 최소화하는 방향으로 연결강도를 조정하는 back propagation 학습 알고 리즘을 사용하였다. 지절의 원인으로 추정 가능한 공정인자들을 변수로 하여 최적의 인 공신경망을 구축하기 위해 학습률과 모멘트 상수의 변화 및 은닉층의 수와 출력층의 뉴런 수를 조절하는 동의 작업을 거쳐 네트워크의 정확도가 높은 인공신경망을 설계하 였다. 또한 이러한 인공신경망과의 비교분석을 위해 동일한 공정 데이터들올 이용하여 보편적으로 사용하는 통계기법 중의 하나인 주성분회귀분석을 실시하였다. 주성분 분석은 여러 개의 반응변수에 대하여 얻어진 다변량 자료의 다차원적인 변 수들을 축소, 요약하는 차원의 단순화와 더불어 서로 상관되어있는 반응변수들 상호간 의 복잡한 구조를 분석하는 기법이다. 본 발표에서는 공정 자료를 활용하여 인공신경망 과 주성분분석을 통해 공정 트러블의 발생에 영향 하는 인자들을 보다 현실적으로 추 정하고, 그 대책을 모색함으로써 이를 최소화할 수 있는 방안을 소개하고자 한다.