• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2009

A continuous, fast, and convenient experimental method, replacing recent tests such as standard oedometer or self weight consolidation test, is needed for the determination of the consolidation behavior of unformed soft soils. This study introduced the seepage induced fast consolidation test using the flow pump technique. It can obtain the consolidation characteristics of unformed soft soils conveniently and fast. The seepage induced consolidation test apparatus consists of a modified triaxial cell, differential pressure transducer, flow pump, and displacement transducer. The test continuously proceeds with starting seepage forces induced consolidation, loading consolidation, and permeability test on the same sample. In addition, this test result was compared with the standard oedometer test result to make this method valid. From this study it was found that this method is a convenient and time saving effective method for obtaining data required for calculation of consolidation settlement of unformed soft soils.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to derive policy priorities for fostering the biopharmaceutical industry. In this study, the urgency and importance of the policy to foster the biopharmaceutical industry in Gyeonggi-do was investigated, and the priorities of the policy in the biopharmaceutical industry were analyzed through IPA analysis. As a result of the study, the top priority support tasks for the biopharmaceutical industry promotion policy were 'R&D support', 'Expert training', and 'commercialization support'. As a result of deriving policy priorities for each biopharmaceutical sector, 'R&D support' and 'Expert training' were found to be high in common, and differences in policy priorities for each industry such as cell therapy products and advanced bio-convergence products were confirmed. Also, as for the policy demand, R&D funding support, clinical trial support, and commercialization funding support were found to be high. Based on these results, the government's policy to foster the biopharmaceutical industry was supported with a focus on 'R&D support' and 'Expert training', and policy implications were drawn that customized support is needed in consideration of the characteristics of each industry field.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2022

Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Leguminosae) is widely distributed in Asia, North America and Europe. The root bark has been traditionally used for hemostasis, arthritis and hypertension. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the biological activity and the bioactive constituents of the root bark. We found that the methanol extract obtained from the root bark of R. pseudoacacia reduced the level of ROS and NO production in LPS-induced inflammation of RAW 264.7 cell line. Among the fractions, methylene chloride fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity against the inflammation. Seven constituents (1-7) were isolated from this fraction, and the chemical structures were determined to be medicarpin (1), (-)-vestitol (2), indole 3-carboxaldehyde (3), 3-acetylindole (4), liquiritigenin (5), 4(1H)-quinolone (6) and 8-methoxyononin (7). Among the isolates, medicarpin (1), (-)-vestitol (2), 3-acetylindole (4) and liquiritigenin (5) inhibited ROS and NO production in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first study to show the anti-inflammatory activity of the root bark of R. pseudoacacia, and it is suggested that the four constituents (1, 2, 4, and 5) could play a role in the biological activity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2023

Lophomonas blattarum is an anaerobic protozoan living in the intestine of cockroaches and house dust mites, with ultramicroscopic characteristics such as the presence of a parabasal body, axial filament, and absence of mitochondria. More than 200 cases of Lophomonas infection of the respiratory tract have been reported worldwide. However, the current diagnosis of such infection depends only on light microscopic morphological findings from respiratory secretions. In this study, we attempted to provide more robust evidence of protozoal infection in an immunocompromised patient with atypical pneumonia, positive for Lophomonas-like protozoal cell forms. A direct search of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing did not prove the presence of protozoal infection. PCR results were not validated with sufficient rigor, while de novo assembly and taxonomic classification results did not confirm the presence of an unidentified pathogen. The TEM results implied that such protozoal forms in light microscopy are actually non-detached ciliated epithelial cells. After ruling out infectious causes, the patient's final diagnosis was drug-induced pneumonitis. These findings underscore the lack of validation in the previously utilized diagnostic methods, and more evidence in the presence of L. blattarum is required to further prove its pathogenicity.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.126-131
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• 2022

Obesity is known as a metabolic disease caused by abnormal differentiation of fat tissue due to an imbalance between energy intake and consumption.. The purpose of this study was to confirm the changes in the genes associated with pancreatic lipase activity and pre-adipocyte cell differentiation by treatment of red onion extract treatment. The effect of red onion extract treatment on pre-adipocyte differentiation was evaluated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the activity of related genes was confirmed through Real-Time PCR. As a result of the experiment, the red onion extract inhibit pancreatic lipidase activity by concentration dependent manner. In addition, it was found to inhibit adipocyte differentiation and inhibit the activity of genes(C/EBP-α, C/EBP-β, PPAR-γ) associated with adipocyte differentiation. Through the results of this experiment, it is suggested that the red onion extract can be developed as a high potential material with anti-obesity efficacy by suppressing adipocytic differentiation by controlling genes related to adipocyte differentiation.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.70-74
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• 2017

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is one of the proinflammatory cytokines, after IL-1 binds to IL-1RI, IL-1RacP (interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein) joins with IL-1/IL-1RI to form a complex, and leading to cell activation. IL-1RAcP is involved in immune response, stress and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gene expression of IL-1RAcP in red seabream (Pagrus major) exposure to low water temperature (8℃, 33 psu) and low salinity (20℃, 10 psu). Results showed that, the expression of IL-1RAcP was significantly increased in the experiment groups, such as low water temperature (8℃, 33 psu), and low salinity (20℃, 10 psu). These results suggest that IL-1RAcP was played roles in biomarker gene on the environmental stress such as low water temperature and low salinity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-398
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• 2023

Dihydroaustrasulfone alcohol (DA), the synthetic precursor of a natural compound (austrasulfone) isolated from the coral species Cladiella australis, has shown cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. However, it is unknown whether DA has antitumor effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we determined the antitumor effects of DA and investigated its mechanism of action on human NPC cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of DA. Subsequently, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analyses were performed by using flow cytometry. Apoptotic and PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expression was determined using Western blotting. We found that DA significantly reduced the viability of NPC-39 cells and determined that apoptosis was involved in DA-induced cell death. The activity of caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP induced by DA suggested caspase-mediated apoptosis in DA-treated NPC-39 cells. Apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS) in extrinsic pathways were also elevated by DA. The enhanced expression of proapoptotic Bax and decreased expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 suggested that DA mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. DA reduced the expression of pPI3K and p-AKT in NPC-39 cells. DA also reduced apoptosis after introducing an active AKT cDNA, indicating that DA could block the PI3K/AKT pathway from being activated. DA increased intracellular ROS, but N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, reduced DA-induced cytotoxicity. NAC also reversed the chances in pPI3K/AKT expression and reduced DA-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that ROS-mediates DA-induced apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling inactivation in human NPC cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

Ion homeostasis, which is regulated by ion channels, is crucial for intracellular signaling. These channels are involved in diverse signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, migration, and intracellular calcium dynamics. Consequently, ion channel dysfunction can lead to various diseases. In addition, these channels are present in the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. However, our understanding of the function of intracellular organellar ion channels is limited. Recent advancements in electrophysiological techniques have enabled us to record ion channels within intracellular organelles and thus learn more about their functions. Autophagy is a vital process of intracellular protein degradation that facilitates the breakdown of aged, unnecessary, and harmful proteins into their amino acid residues. Lysosomes, which were previously considered protein-degrading garbage boxes, are now recognized as crucial intracellular sensors that play significant roles in normal signaling and disease pathogenesis. Lysosomes participate in various processes, including digestion, recycling, exocytosis, calcium signaling, nutrient sensing, and wound repair, highlighting the importance of ion channels in these signaling pathways. This review focuses on different lysosomal ion channels, including those associated with diseases, and provides insights into their cellular functions. By summarizing the existing knowledge and literature, this review emphasizes the need for further research in this field. Ultimately, this study aims to provide novel perspectives on the regulation of lysosomal ion channels and the significance of ion-associated signaling in intracellular functions to develop innovative therapeutic targets for rare and lysosomal storage diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1197-1205
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• 2023

Osteoporosis, Greek for "porous bone," is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength, microarchitectural changes in the bone tissues, and an increased risk of fracture. An imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation may lead to chronic metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. Wolfiporia extensa, known as "Bokryung" in Korea, is a fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae and has been used as a therapeutic food against various diseases. Medicinal mushrooms, mycelium and fungi, possess approximately 130 medicinal functions, including antitumor, immunomodulating, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects, and are therefore used to improve human health. In this study, we used osteoclast and osteoblast cell cultures treated with Wolfiporia extensa mycelium water extract (WEMWE) and investigated the effect of the fungus on bone homeostasis. Subsequently, we assessed its capacity to modulate both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation by performing osteogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic activity assays. We observed that WEMWE increased BMP-2-stimulated osteogenesis by inducing Smad-Runx2 signal pathway axis. In addition, we found that WEMWE decreased RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by blocking c-Fos/NFATc1 via the inhibition of ERK and JNK phosphorylation. Our results show that WEMWE can prevent and treat bone metabolic diseases, including osteoporosis, by a biphasic activity that sustains bone homeostasis. Therefore, we suggest that WEMWE can be used as a preventive and therapeutic drug.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.655-666
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• 2023

Purpose: Gestational nutrition has an impact on the growth and development of the fetus. Choline (C) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important and essential nutrients for humans that play a role in the structural integrity of the membranes as well as signalling. C is used in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, and cell membranes are highly enriched with DHA. The dietary intake of C or DHA during pregnancy directly influences fetal development. Currently, there is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of the combined dietary supplementation of both C and DHA during gestation on developmental outcomes in the offspring. Methods: The current study was designed to assess the physical, sensory, and motor development of rat pups born to mothers supplemented with C and/or DHA during the entire gestational period. Pregnant rat dams were divided into the following five groups: Normal control (NC), Saline control (SC), Choline (C), DHA, and Choline+DHA (C+DHA). The NC dams did not receive any supplementation during the entire gestation period. The experimental groups were supplemented with Saline, C, and/or DHA, respectively, during the entire gestation (E0 to delivery). Results: Rat pups (n = 6/group) exposed to combined C and DHA showed significant improvement in birth weight, fur development, eye-opening as well as weight gain on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postnatal day and pinnae detachment (assessed from birth to postnatal day 21) when compared with age-matched NC, SC or C or DHA pups. Further, significant reflex responses were observed in visual placing and bar holding of pups exposed to both C and DHA, whereas the differences in surface righting, negative geotaxis, and grasping reflexes were not significant between the groups. Conclusion: Gestational supplementation of both C and DHA rather than either of them alone is better in enhancing developmental outcomes in rat pups.