• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

The increased potential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a key abnormality in the development of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Abnormally high activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is believed to play a central role in the etiology of these pathophysiological situations. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanism(s) of murrayafoline A, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis stenocarpa Guillamin (Rutaceae), on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Murrayafoline A inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured using a non-radioactive colorimetric WST-1 assay and direct cell counting. Furthermore, murrayafoline A suppressed the PDGF-BB-stimulated progression through $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle, as measured by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle progression analysis. This anti-proliferative action of murrayafoline A, arresting cell cycle progression at $G_0/G_1$ phase in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs, was mediated via down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These results indicate that murrayafoline A may be useful in preventing the progression of vascular complications such as restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.215-218
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• 2004

Dextrans make up a class of polysaccharides that are D-glucans of various structures with contiguous $\alpha$-1longrightarrow6 ~6 glycosidic linkages in the main chains and $\alpha$-1longrightarrow2, $\alpha$-1longrightarrow3, or $\alpha$-1longrightarrow4 branch glycosidic linkages, depending on the specificity of the particular dextransucrase. Glucansucrases that catalyze glucans synthesis from sucrose. When other carbohydrates, in addition to sucrose, are present in the enzyme digest, the enzyme transfers glucose to the carbohydrate acceptors in the secondary reaction that diverts some of the glucose from incorporation into glucan. Many carbohydrate acceptors have been recognized and the products that result are dependent on the particular enzyme and the structure of the particular acceptor. Because of these unique catalytic characteristics, various dextransucrases have many important industrial and medical uses. To improve the understanding of their action mode and extend their applications, this study describes mechanism of glucan synthesis and potential industrial uses of dextransucrases, and our recent findings on the structural, functional organization and directed evolution of the glucansucrases to offer for designing glucansucrases with improved properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.342-349
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• 2017

Polylactic acid (PLA) has been highlighted as an alternative renewable polymer for the replacement of petroleum-based plastic materials, and is considered to be biodegradable. On the other hand, the biodegradation of PLA by terminal degraders, such as microorganisms, requires a lengthy period in the natural environment, and its mechanism is not completely understood. PLA biodegradation studies have been conducted using mainly undefined mixed cultures, but only a few bacterial strains have been isolated and examined. For further characterization of PLA biodegradation, in this study, the PLA-degrading bacteria from digester sludge were isolated and identified using a polymer film-based screening method. The enrichment of sludge on PLA granules was conducted with the serial transference of a subculture into fresh media for 40 days, and the attached biofilm was inoculated on a PLA film on an agar plate. 3D optical microscopy showed that the isolates physically degraded the PLA film due to bacterial degradation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the microbial colonies to be Pseudomonas sp. MYK1 and Bacillus sp. MYK2. The two isolates exhibited significantly higher specific gas production rates from PLA biodegradation compared with that of the initial sludge inoculum.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2002

Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a traditional oriental medicine, has been reported to have anti-tumor properties, but its exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated several of the molecular events that occur in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Methods: For this purpose, we evaluated the growth-inhibitory effect of SM in association with the expressions of p53, p21, cyclin D1, and pRb, which are known to be involved in cell cycle arrest. The extent of thymidine incorporation was also examined to assess G1/S phase cell cycle arrest in both cells by $^3H$-thymidine incorporation. Results: Our results show that SM inhibits the growth and the proliferation of MCF-7 and A549 cells. Furthermore, we also observed increased expression of p21 via a p53-dependent pathway in both cell lines after treating with SM. In addition, treatment with SM for 24 hours caused the suppression of hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb) expression and the dephosphorylation of pRb. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the growth inhibitory and the anti-proliferation effects of SM on MCF-7 cells and A549 cells are mediated via the decreased expression and dephosphorylation of pRB by p21 up-regulation in a p53-dependent manner. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report upon the molecular mechanisms involved in SM-induced tumor cell growth inhibition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 1994.11a
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• pp.21-26
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• 1994

Conventional electroexplosive devices (EED) commonly use a very small metal bridgewire to ignite explosive materials i.e. pyrotechnics, primary and secondary explosives. The use of semiconductor devices to replace “hot-wire” resistance heating elements in automotive safety systems pyrotechnic devices has been under development for several years. In a typical 1 amp/1 watt electroexplosive devices, ignition takes place a few milliseconds after a current pulse of at least 25 mJ is applied to the bridgewire. In contrast, as for a SCB devices, ignition takes place in a few tens of microseconds and only require approximately one-tenth the input energy of a conventional electroexplosive devices. Typically, when SCB device is driven by a short (20 $\mu\textrm{s}$), low energy pulse (less than 5 mJ), the SCB produces a hot plasma that ignites explosive materials. The advantages and disadvantages of this technology are strongly dependent upon the particular technology selected. To date, three distinct technologies have evolved, each of which utilizes a hot, silicon plasma as the pyrotechnic initiation element. These technologies are 1.) Heavily doped silicon as the resistive heating initiation mechanism, 2.) Tungsten enhanced silicon which utilizes a chemically vapor deposited layer of tungsten as the initiation element, and 3.) a junction diode, fabricated with standard CMOS processes, which creates the initial thermal environment by avalanche breakdown of the diode. This paper describes the three technologies, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each as they apply to electroexplosive devises, and recommends a methodology for selection of the best device for a particular system environment. The important parameters in this analysis are: All-Fire energy, All-Fire voltage, response time, ease of integration with other semiconductor devices, cost (overall system cost), and reliability. The potential for significant cost savings by integrating several safety functions into the initiator makes this technology worthy of attention by the safety system designer.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.315-329
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• 1996

The changes of growth and protein synthesis pattern by aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) treatments were studied in Cyanobacterium synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. When exposed to Al from 5ppm to 3oppm, synechocystis grows normally. But more than that retard the growth of algae notably. The 0.05ppm Cd additions had no effect on the growth of algae. 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5ppm Cd inhibited growth. Under 1 and 2ppm Cd stress, growth was greatly diminished. Zn had dual effects. The growth of algae in media containing 5ppm was stimulated. As concentration increases more than l5ppm, growth inbition increases. Under 25ppm Zn stress, growth was greatly diminished. According to logistic theory, r and K values of each heavy metal-treated groups were estimated. Correlation analysis of r and K values with metal concentration shows that there is negative correlation between K and concentration in Cd and Zn treatments. Critical concentration which shows lethal or sublethal effect was estimated by t-test of each r and K value. The cells cultured in 10, 20, 30, 40 and 5oppm of Al, 1 and 2ppm of Cd, and 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30ppm of Zn for 4 days was used for protein analysis. Analysis of protein synthesis with SDS-PACE showed alterations of protein synthesis pattern. The synthesis of protein about 220kD increased markedly. In this study, it showed that resistance mechanism against Al, Cd, and Zn is K selection and that metal stress induced the change of protein synthesis in Cyanobacterium synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.Key words:Cyanobacterium synechocystis sp. FCC 6803, Heavy metals, Aluminum, Cadmiutm Zinc, Crowth, Frotein synthesis.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.295-312
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• 2017

Cast in situ and grouted concrete helical piles with 150-200 mm diameter half cylindrical ribs have become an economical and effective choice in Shanghai, China for uplift piles in deep soft soils. Though this type of pile has been successful used in practice, the reinforcing mechanism and the contribution of the ribs to the total resistance is not clear, and there is no clear guideline for the design of such piles. To study the inclusion of ribs to the contribution of shear resistance, the shear behaviour between silty sand and concrete slabs with parallel ribs at different spacing and angles were tested in a large direct shear box ($600mm{\times}400mm{\times}200mm$). The front panels of the shear box are detachable to observe the soil deformation after the test. The tests were modelled with three-dimensional finite element method in ABAQUS. It was found that, passive zones can be developed ahead of the ribs to form undulated failure surfaces. The shear resistance and failure mode are affected by the ratio of rib spacing to rib diameter. Based on the shape and continuity of the failure zones at the interface, the failure modes at the interface can be classified as "punching", "local" or "general" shear failure respectively. With the inclusion of the ribs, the pull out resistance can increase up to 17%. The optimum rib spacing to rib diameter ratio was found to be around 7 based on the observed experimental results and the numerical modelling.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.232-243
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• 2009

The specialized and diversified synthetic and compounding technologies are used to meet the requirements for the advanced high performance tire tread materials with better balance of fuel economy(rolling resistance), safety(wet traction) and wear resistance. These techniques involve the methodology for the improvement of chemical and physical interaction between filler and the rubber matrix using coupling agents as well as a variety of chemically-modified solution SBRs. The research trends about the high performance functional SBRs and coupling agents which can interact with the surface of fillers and their working mechanism were investigated in the conventional carbon black-filled rubber and silica-filled SBR systems developed recently as "green tire".

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 1977

The preparation of 1-chloro-2-iodoperfluorocycloalkenes was achieved with a short reaction time and a high yield when the starting compound was iodinated via the metalation process using an alkyllithium reagent. Especially, the high yield of 1-chloro-2-iodo-perfluorocyclohexene was obtained when 1,2-dichloroperfluorocyclohexene was iodinated via the same reaction conditions. The coupling reaction of 1,2-dihaloperfluorocycloalkenes was also achieved with a lower reaction temperature and a shorter reaction time when the equal slurry mixture of fluorocycloolefines and DMF was reacted at a high pressure in a sublimer. The yield of the coupling product was greatly improved by this process. For a typical example, the coupling reaction of the 1-chloro-2-iodotetrafluorocyclobutene was proceeded with a higher yield of the product than that of the reported reaction, when the present method was adopted. A plausible reaction mechanism of the present coupling reactiont was proposed and the physical characteristics of the coupling product were confirmed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.