• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1449-1455
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• 2004

Bufonis venenum (dried toad venom; Chinese name, Chan su) is a traditional Chinese medicine obtained from the skin venom gland of the toad. It has long been used in treating arrhythmia and other heart diseases in China and other Asian countries. Additionally, Bufonis venenum has been reported to selectively inhibit the growth of various lines of human cancer cells. In the present study, it was examined the effects of extract of Bufonis venenum (EBV) on the growth of human bladder carcinoma cell line T24 in order to investigate the anti-proliferative mechanism and induction of apoptosis by EBV. Treatment of T24 cells to EBV resulted in the growth inhibition, morphological change and induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that EBV treatment caused G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle and down-regulation of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and Cdc2, which was associated with a marked up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) in a p53-independent manner. The Cdc25C expression was also significantly inhibited by EBV treatment, however Wee1 kinase expression was not affected. The induction of apoptotic cell death by EBV was connected with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-XS/L expression without alteration pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that EBV may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder carcinorma cells and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of EBV.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

The importance of entrepreneurship has been emphasized recently from academia and government officials and studies trying to investigate entrepreneurial alertness as core competence of entrepreneurial mindset in the research field of entrepreneurship continue. In domestic academic research, research on entrepreneurial alertness has not yet been conducted in earnest, unlike the active flow of research overseas. This paper aims to investigate what factors influence entrepreneurial alertness in the Korean environment, we conducted an empirical analysis through a questionnaire survey for CEOs of small and medium enterprises in Seoul, Gyeonggi province. In this study, we selected prior knowledge of markets and technology, positive attitude, social network, number of books per month as independent variables on entrepreneurial agility based on Ardichvili's Alertness model, and as control variables respondents' Demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, founding career were selected. According to the results of the empirical analysis, prior knowledge of markets and technology, positive attitudes, number of books per month as independent variables, showed positive influence on entrepreneurial alertness, showing statistical significance. However, the social network picked up measured variables by the number of regular meetings which are quantitative indicators, but found that there is no statistically significant effect on entrepreneurial alertness. Despite several limitations of this research, we investigate what factors influence entrepreneurial alertness through empirical research on entrepreneurial alertness impact factors that have not been explained in the domestic academic research. Although you saw it, it can be said that there is academic contribution.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2008

Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, is a serious pest on apples. To control this pest in an environmentally friendly method, mating disruption strategy using sex pheromone has been developed. Area-wide application of mating disruption has been needed to be effective, with little understanding on how much size of apple cultivating area should be treated in one time application of the mating disruption technique. On this matter, we needed to determine a minimal mating active zone of G. molesta that should be applied with mating disrupters to be effective. Molecular markers to discriminate a specific population should be developed to trace population migration for reproductive behaviors. Here we developed two effective molecular markers using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Different field populations of G. molesta, based on locations and seasons, were analyzed with these markers. In a specific location, G. molesta populations varied in genetic composition with different seasons. Different local populations showed differential variation according to their relative distances among apple orchards. In overall, genetic variation among different populations became lessen with progression of seasons.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2169-2177
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• 2014

Matrine, a main active component extracted from dry roots of Sophora flavecens, has been reported to exert antitumor effects on A549 human non-small lung cancer cells, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. To determine effects of matrine on proliferation of A549 cells and assess possible mechanisms, MTT assays were employed to detect cytotoxicity, along with o flow cytometric analysis of DNA content of nuclei of cells following staining with propidium iodide to analyze cell cycle distribution. Western blotting was performed to determined expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, VEGF and HDAC1, while a microarray was used to assessed changes of miRNA profiles. In the MTT assay, matrine suppressed growth of human lung cancer cell A549 in a dose- and timedependent manner at doses of 0.25-2.5 mg/ml for 24h, 48h or 72h. Matrine induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and decreased the G2/M phase, while down-regulating the expression of Bcl2 protein, leading to a reduction in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. In addition, matrine down regulated the expression level of VEGF and HDAC1 of A549 cells. Microarray analysis demonstrated that matrine altered the expression level of miRNAs compared with untreated control A549 cells. In conclusion, matrine could inhibit proliferation of A549 cells, providing useful information for understanding anticancer mechanisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.249-255
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• 2015

Schisandrae fructus [Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon] is a medicinal herb widely used for treating various inflammatory and immune diseases in East Asian countries. The Schisandrae Semen essential oil (SSeo) from this plant has pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumoral activities. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying molecular mechanisms of the potential anti-cancer effects of this oil remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential inhibition of apoptosis signaling pathways by SSeo in human leukemia U937 cells and evaluated the underlying molecular mechanism. Exposure to SSeo resulted in a concentration-dependent growth inhibition due to apoptosis, which was verified by DNA fragmentation, the presence of apoptotic bodies, and an increase in the sub-G1 ratio. Induction of apoptotic cell death by SSeo was correlated with the down-regulation of members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family (including X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cIAP-1, and surviving) and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and with up-regulation of death receptor (DR) 4 and DR5, depending on dosage. SSeo treatment also induced Bid truncation, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and concomitant degradation of activated caspase-3 target proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Taken together, these findings suggest that SSeo may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia cells. Further studies are needed to identify its active compounds.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.193-196
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• 2019

The design and control of thermal flow is important for the operation of high-power laser diodes (LDs). It is necessary to analyze and improve the thermal bottleneck near the active layer of an LD. As the error in prediction of the thermal resistance of an LD is large, typically due to the hyperbolic increase and saturation to linear increase of the thermal resistance as a function of thickness, it is helpful to use a simple, modified divergence model for the improvement and optimization of thermal resistance. The characteristics of LDs are described quite well, in that the values for simulated thermal resistance curves and the thermal cross section followed are almost the same as the values from the model function. Also, the thermal-cross-section curve obtained by differentiating the thermal resistance is good for identifying thermal bottlenecks intuitively, and is also fitted quite well by the model proposed for both a typical LD structure and an improved LD with thin capping and high thermal conductivity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.629-641
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• 1999

Background: Corticosteroid is most potent and effective anti-inflammatory medication currently available and inhaled form has been used in the long-tenn control of asthma. Fluticasone propionate(Flixotide/Flovent: FP) is highly potent and topically active inhaled corticosteroid and has at least twice the potency of beclomethasone dipropionate(BDP) in the control of asthma. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of FP and BDP in several aspects. Method: Fifty patients with asthma were treated in a randomized, parallel group study of 4 weeks duration. During 2-week run-in period $\beta_2$-agonist was administered. After run-in period, FP $500{\mu}g/day$ was administered via Diskhaler or BDP $800{\mu}g/day$ via reservoir dry-power device. During the run-in and treatment period, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) were measured daily. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, daytime and night-time rescue bronchodilator use were checked daily. $FEV_{1.0}$ and FVC were measured biweekly in both groups. Results: Three patients treated with FP and seven patient treated with BDP were dropped out. Therefore forty patients completed the study. Morning and evening PEFR was increased and diurnal variation of PEFR decreased significantly in both groups. $FEV_{1.0}$ increased significantly in FP treatment group but not in BDP group. There were also improvements in daytime and night-time asthma symptoms, daytime and night-time rescue bronchodilator use in both groups after treatment There were no significant difference between groups in any of the efficacy parameters. Therapeutic effects were demonstrated earlier in patient treated with FP than BDP. Conclusion: In this study, $500{\mu}g/day$ fluticasone propionate was as effective as $800{\mu}g/day$ beclomethasone dipropionate in the control of asthma. Therapeutic effects were demonstrated earlier in patient treated with FP than BDP without adverse effect.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.69-78
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• 2009

Korea has achieved significant economic growth with building the Gyeongbu Expressway. As the number of new road construction projects has decreased, it becomes more important to maintain optimal status of the current road networks. One of the best ways to accomplish it is weight enforcement as active control measure of traffic load. This study is to develop High-speed Weigh-in-motion System in order to enhance efficiency of weight enforcement, and to analyze patterns of overloaded trucks on highways through the system. Furthermore, it is to review possibilities of developing overweight control system with application of the HS-WIM system. The HS-WIM system developed by this study consists of two sets of an axle load sensor, a loop sensor and a wandering sensor on each lane. A wandering sensor detects whether a travelling vehicle is off the lane or not with the function of checking the location of tire imprint. The sensor of the WIM system has better function of classifying types of vehicles than other existing systems by detecting wheel distance and tire type such as single or dual tire. As a result, its measurement errors regarding 12 types of vehicle classification are very low, which is an advantage of the sensor. The verification tests of the system under all conditions showed that the mean measurement errors of axle weight and gross axle weight were within 15 percent and 7 percent respectively. According to the WIM rate standard of the COST-323, the WIM system of this study is ranked at B(10). It means the system is appropriate for the purpose of design, maintenance and valuation of road infrastructure. The WIM system in testing a 5-axle cargo truck, the most frequently overloaded vehicle among 12 types of vehicles, is ranked at A(5) which means the system is available to control overloaded vehicles. In this case, the measurement errors of axle load and gross axle load were within 8 percent and 5 percent respectively. Weight analysis of all types of vehicles on highways showed that the most frequently overloaded vehicles were type 5, 6, 7 and 12 among 12 vehicle types. As a result, it is necessary to use more effective overweight enforcement system for vehicles which are seriously overloaded due to their lift axles. Traffic volume data depending upon vehicle types is basic information for road design and construction, maintenance, analysis of traffic flow, road policies as well as research.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2003

Purpose : This study aimed to demonstrate the possible pathogenesis of granulopoiesis in patients of Kawasaki disease(KD) using quantitative analysis of G-CSF, GM-CSF and their CSFr. Methods : The plasma levels of G-CSF, GM-CSF, G-CSFr and GM-CSFr were studied in 14 patients in the acute phase of KD; 13 children with normal peripheral white blood cell counts were used as the normal control group. The plasma concentration of G-CSF, GM-CSF were analyzed by ELISA. The G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on the peripheral granulocytes were analyzed by a quantitative flow cytometric assay and QuantiBRITE, and the quantitative changes of receptors which did not combine with G-CSF and GM-CSF were measured. Results : The total number of leukocytes in KD was similar to normal control group, but the leukocytes increased according to the number of neutrophils. The plasma concentration of G-CSF were decreased similar to normal control group(P=0.133), but that of GM-CSF decreased more than the normal control group(P=0.227). The quantity of G-CSFr, GM-CSFr were revealed to be no less than the normal control(P=0.721, P=0.912). After incubation with excessive G-CSF, the expressed G-CSFr on the neutrophils were decreased in both groups(P=0.554). The quantities of expressions of GM-CSFr on the neutrophil after incubation with the excessive GM-CSF were always increased in both groups(P=0.255). The amount of GM-CSFr of neutrophils are in proportion to total white blood cells (r=0.788, P=0.035), but it wasn't in the case of KD(P=0.644). Conclusion : The leukocytosis in KD that mediated by increasing neutrophil was not correlated with the plasma concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF, and the amount of expression of G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on granulocyte. It is possible that the reduction of concentration of GM-CSF results by increasing the active GM-CSFr.