• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2023

Biopolymer stabilization is a sustainable alternative to traditional techniques that cause a lesser negative impact on the environment during production and application. The study aims to minimize the biopolymer dosages by sizing the bio-additives to the nanoscale. This study combines the advantages of bio and nanomaterials in geotechnical engineering applications and attempts to investigate the behaviour of a low viscous biopolymer, nano sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (nCMC), to treat organic soil. Soil is treated with 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% of nano-bio additive, and its effect on the plastic behaviour, compaction characteristics, strength, hydraulic conductivity (HC) and compressible nature are investigated. The strength increased by 1.68 times after 90 days of curing at a dosage of 0.5% nCMC through the formation of gel threads connecting the soil particles that stiffened the matrix. The viscosity of 1% nCMC increased exponentially, deterring fluid flow through the voids and reduced the HC by 0.85 times after curing for 90 days. Also, beyond the optimum dosage of 0.50%, the nCMC forms a film around the soil particles that inhibits the inter-particle cohesion causing a reduction in strength. Experimental results show that nCMC can effectively substitute conventional additives to stabilize the soil.

• The Korean Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2017

Coffee (Coffea spp.) is one of the most important agricultural commodities, being widely consumed in the world. Various beneficial health effects of coffee have been extensively investigated, but data on habitual coffee consumption and its bio-physiological effect have not been clearly explained as well as it is not proved the cause and effect between drinking coffee and its bio-physiological reactions. We made the dialyzed coffee extract (DCE), which is absorbable through gastrointestinal tract, in order to elucidate the cellular effect of whole small coffee molecules. RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage lineage, were directly treated with DCE, i.e., DCE-2.5 (equivalent to 2.5 cups of coffee a day), DCE-5, and DCE-10, for 12 hours, and their protein extracts were examined by immunoprecipitation high performance liquid chromatography (IP-HPLC). RAW 264.7 cells differently expressed the inflammation-related proteins depending on the doses of DCE. RAW 264.7 cells treated with DCE showed marked increase of cathepsin C, cathepsin G, CD20, CD28, CD31, CD68, indicating the activation of innate immunity. Particularly, the macrophage biomarkers, cathepsin G, cathepsin C, CD31, and CD68 were markedly increased after DCE-5 and DCE-10 treatments, and the lymphocyte biomarkers, CD20 and CD28 were consistently increased and became marked after DCE-10 treatment. On the other hand, RAW 264.7 cells treated with DCE showed consistent increase of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory factor, but gradual decreases of different pro-inflammatory proteins including $TNF{\alpha}$, COX-2, lysozyme, MMP-2, and MMP-3. In particular, the cellular signaling of inflammation was gradually mitigated by the reduction of $TNF{\alpha}$, COX-2, IL-12, and M-CSF, and also the matrix inflammatory reaction was reduced by marked deceases of MMP-2, MMP-3, and lysozyme. These anti-inflammatory expressions were consistently found until DCE-10 treatment. Therefore, it is presumed that DCE may have dynamic effects of innate immunity activation and pro-inflammation suppression on RAW264.7 cells simultaneously. These effects were consistently found in the highest dose of coffee, DCE-10 (equivalent to 10 cups of coffee a day in man), that might imply the small coffee molecules were accumulated in RAW 264.7 cells after DCE-10 treatment and produce synergistic cytokine effects for innate immunity activation and anti-inflammatory reaction concurrently.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1321-1328
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• 2019

Intermediate-wavelength solar radiation, also known as ultraviolet B (UVB: 290-320 nm) radiation, may cause premature aging and oxidative damage-dependent skin cancer in humans. UVB-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-often a consequence of excessive exposure to these rays-could activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1 and MMP-3. These enzymes break down type I collagen in human fibroblasts. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of ethyl acetate extract of blueberry (EEB). An antioxidant test in blueberries evaluated ROS production using CCD-986sk cells and DPPH assay. In order to evaluate the anti-wrinkle efficacy of blueberries, the MMP-1 production and type 1 procollagen synthesis evaluated and the expression of MMP 1, 3 were tested through Western blot and RT- PCR. EEB exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reduced the production of UVB-induced ROS. Also, EEB inhibited UVB-induced processes associated with photoaging and skin cancer, such as reduction in procollagen production and increase in MMP-1 production. More precisely, EEB (50 ㎍/ml) markedly suppressed mRNA and protein levels of MMP-1 and -3. The anti-aging effects are attributable to the antioxidant activity of EEB. These findings indicate that EEB has a protective effect against UVB-induced aging in human fibroblast cells by regulating the levels of type-1 procollagen, MMP-1, and MMP-3.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

The microstructural characteristics and low temperature tensile properties between $25^{\circ}C$ and $-196^{\circ}C$ for as-welded and age hardened specimen by using Al 5083-H321 for base metal, 5083-5356 and 5083-4043 weldments have been investigated. The hardness of 5083-5356 weldment decreases with aging treatment, whereas the weld region of 5083-4043 weldment shows remarkable increase in hardness after aging due to the precipitation of fine Si particle at the grain boundaries and interiors. Low temperature tensile properties of 5083 AI base metal, 5083-5356 and 5083-4043 weldments appear to be the increment of tensile strengths and elongations at the room temperature and $-196^{\circ}C$, while the decrement of tensile properties around $-50^{\circ}C$ is shown. Through the observation of fine serration to fracture in the stress-strain curve and tensile fractography, the increment of localized deformation leading to promote the neck initiation and the increment of the dimple size cause to decrease in tensile strengths and elongations around $-50^{\circ}C$. For the tensile specimen of the 5083 base metal, 5083-5356 and 5083-4043 weldments, the reason to increase in elongation after solution and aging treatment is the diminishment of fine pit, the resolution of Mg into the matrix and the spheridization of the eutectic Si.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on skin can induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagen degradation. Thus, chronic exposure of skin to UVB irradiation leads to histological changes consistent with aging, such as wrinkling, abnormal pigmentation, and loss of elasticity. We investigated the protective effect of the standardized green tea seed extract (GSE) on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Skin photoaging was induced by UVB irradiation on the back of Skh-1 hairless mice three times per week and UVB irradiation was performed for 10 weeks. Mice were divided into six groups; normal control, UVB irradiated control group, positive control (UVB + dietary supplement of vitamin C 100 mg/kg), GSE 10 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 10 mg/kg), GSE 100 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 100 mg/kg), and GSE 200 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 200 mg/kg). RESULTS: The dietary supplement GSE attenuated UVB irradiation-induced wrinkle formation and the decrease in density of dermal collagen fiber. In addition, results of the antioxidant analysis showed that GSE induced a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity compared with the UVB irradiation control group. Dietary supplementation with GSE 200 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and an increase in expression of TIMP and type-1 collagen. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study suggest that dietary supplement GSE could be useful in attenuation of UVB irradiation-induced skin photoaging and wrinkle formation due to regulation of antioxidant defense systems and MMPs expression.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1063-1077
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• 2016

Components manufactured from composite materials are frequently subjected to superimposed mechanical and thermal loadings during their operating service. Both types of loadings may cause fracture and failure of composite structures. When composite cross-ply laminates of type [$0_m/90_n]_s$ are subjected to uni-axial tensile loading, different types of damage are set-up and developed such as matrix cracking: transverse and longitudinal cracks, delamination between disoriented layers and broken fibers. The development of these modes of damage can be detrimental for the stiffness of the laminates. From the experimental point of view, transverse cracking is known as the first mode of damage. In this regard, the objective of the present paper is to investigate the effect of transverse cracking in cross-ply laminate under thermo-mechanical degradation. A Finite Element (FE) simulation of damage evolution in composite crossply laminates of type [$0_m/90_n]_s$ subjected to uni-axial tensile loading is carried out. The effect of transverse cracking on the cross-ply laminate strength under thermo-mechanical degradation is investigated numerically. The results obtained by prediction of the numerical model developed in this investigation demonstrate the influence of the transverse cracking on the bearing capacity and resistance to damage as well as its effects on the variation of the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and coefficient of thermal expansion. The results obtained are in good agreement with those predicted by the Shear-lag analytical model as well as with the obtained experimental results available in the literature.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2016

As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes a major cause of disability that seriously affects the quality of life of a large population of people worldwide. However, effective treatment that can successfully reverse OA progression is lacking until now. The present study aimed to determine whether two small non-coding RNAs miR-29a and miR-140, which are significantly down-regulated in OA, can be applied together as potential therapeutic targets for OA treatment. MiRNA synergy score was used to screen the miRNA pairs that potentially synergistically regulate OA. An in vitro model of OA was established by treating murine chondrocytes with IL-$1{\beta}$. Transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 via plasmids was investigated on chondrocyte proliferation and expression of nine genes such as ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, ACAN, COL2A1, COL10A1, MMP1, MMP3, MMP13 and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression level of MMP13 and TIMP1, and ELISA was used to detect the content of type II collagen. Combined use of miR-29a and miR-140 successfully reversed the destructive effect of IL-$1{\beta}$ on chondrocyte proliferation, and notably affected the MMP13 and TIMP1 gene expression that regulates extracellular matrix. Although co-transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 did not show a synergistic effect on MMP13 protein expression and type II collagen release, but both of them can significantly suppress the protein abundance of MMP13 and restore the type II collagen release in IL-$1{\beta}$ treated chondrocytes. Compared with single miRNA transfection, cotransfection of both miRNAs exceedingly abrogated the suppressed the protein production of TIMP1 caused by IL-$1{\beta}$, thereby suggesting potent synergistic action. These results provided1novel insights into the important function of miRNAs' collaboration in OA pathological development. The reduced MMP13, and enhanced TIMP1 protein production and type II collagen release also implies that miR-29a and miR-140 combination treatment may be a possible treatment for OA.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.396-402
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• 2004

For industrial application to manufacturing functional foods for health using browned oak mushroom, we examined its reducing power, inhibitory effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species, phenolic compounds and phytates contents, modulatory effects on NO radical and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) generation by activated macrophages, and antimutagenicity in order to evaluate the functionality of browned oak mushroom for health. While overall ethanolic extracts have higher reducing power than aqueous extracts, browning reaction was found to increase reducing power by up to 28% at a 3.32 mg/ml sample concentration. Browning reaction also increased phenolic compound content by about 73% compared to raw mushroom. However, any significant change in phytate content could not be detected. At a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, treatment of ethanolic extract of oak mushroom increased NO generation over 43% in LPS-stimulated macrophage. On the contrary, the aqueous extracts rather decreased it over 17% at the same sample dose. However, any solvent extract from browned oak mushroom seems not to cause any change in both NO production and MMP9 activity. In addition, browning reaction did not allow any significant change in suppressive effect on mitomycin C-induced mutagenesis as examined with SOS chromotest. These results suggest a possible use of browned oak mushroom with unmarketable quality as a material for development of a variety of processed functional foods for health.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.147-153
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• 2007

This study sought to investigate the reaction of Co-binder containing tungsten with molten zinc. Four kinds of Co-W alloys (pure, 10%W, 20%W, 30%W) were prepared using the powder metallurgy method. The specimens were immersion-tested in molten pure zinc baths at $460^{\circ}C$. To evaluate the corrosion property in molten zinc, the weight loss of the specimen was measured after the immersion tests at different immersion times (10~300 min.). Co-10%W alloys, compared with pure cobalt, showed no effect of tungsten addition on the reaction rate in molten zinc. The relationship between the weight loss and the square root of immersion period represents a straight line in both pure cobalt and Co-10%W alloy. The Co-Zn reaction layer in Co- 1O%W alloy consists of $\gamma2$, $\gamma1$, $\gamma$ and ($\beta1$ phases. The rate of weight loss significantly increases and the weight loss behavior is not well accord with the linear relationship as the tungsten content in the Co-W alloy increases. The $\beta1$ layer was not formed on the Co-20%W alloy and neither was a stable Co-Zn intermetallic compound layer found on the Co-30%W alloy. The main cause of increase in reaction rate with increasing tungsten content is related with the instability of the Co-Zn reaction phases as seen on micro-structural analysis.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2017

Gas turbines operating in dusty or sandy environment polluted with micron-sized solid particles are highly prone to blade surface erosion damage in compressor stages and molten sand attack in the hot-sections of turbine stages. Commercial/Military fixed-wing aircraft engines and helicopter engines often have to operate over sandy terrains in the middle eastern countries or in volcanic zones; on the other hand gas turbines in marine applications are subjected to salt spray, while the coal-burning industrial power generation turbines are subjected to fly-ash. The presence of solid particles in the working fluid medium has an adverse effect on the durability of these engines as well as performance. Typical turbine blade damages include blade coating wear, sand glazing, Calcia-Magnesia-Alumina-Silicate (CMAS) attack, oxidation, plugged cooling holes, all of which can cause rapid performance deterioration including loss of aircraft. The focus of this research work is to simulate particle-surface kinetic interaction on typical turbomachinery material targets using non-linear dynamic impact analysis. The objective of this research is to understand the interfacial kinetic behaviors that can provide insights into the physics of particle interactions and to enable leap ahead technologies in material choices and to develop sand-phobic thermal barrier coatings for turbine blades. This paper outlines the research efforts at the U.S Army Research Laboratory to come up with novel turbine blade multifunctional protective coatings that are sand-phobic, sand impact wear resistant, as well as have very low thermal conductivity for improved performance of future gas turbine engines. The research scope includes development of protective coatings for both nickel-based super alloys and ceramic matrix composites.