• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2005

To investigate apoptosis in HC11 mammary epithelial cells, we compared the gene expression profiles of actively growing and serum-starved apoptotic cells using a mouse apoptosis gene array and $^{33}P$-labeled cDNA prepared from the RNA of the two cultures. Analysis of the arrays showed that expression of several genes such as clusterin, secreted frizzled related protein mRNA (sFRP-1), CREB-binding protein (CBP), and others was higher in the apoptotic cells whereas expression of certain genes including survivin, cell division cycle 2 homolog A (CDC2), and cyclin A was lower. These expression patterns were confirmed by RT-PCR and/or Northern analyses. We compared the expression of some of these genes in the mouse mammary gland under various physiological conditions. The expression levels of genes (clusterin, CBP, and M6P-R) up-regulated in apoptotic conditions were higher at involution than during lactation. On the other hand, genes (Pin, CDC2) downregulated in apoptotic conditions were relatively highly expressed in virgin and pregnant mice. We conclude that certain genes such as clusterin, sFRP-1, GAS1 and CBP are induced in apoptotic mammary epithelial cells, and others are repressed. Moreover, the apoptosis array is an efficient technique for comparing gene expression profiles in different states of the same cell type.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1303-1310
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• 2006

In oriental medicine, Samul-tang (SMT) has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and neuronal disorders. Here, possible effects of SMT on axonal regeneration after the spinal cord injury were examined. SMT treatment induced increases in regeneration-related proteins GAP-43, cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) and phospho-Erk1/2 in the peripheral sciatic nerves after crush injury. Increased levels of Cdc2 and phospho-Erk1/2 were observe mostly in the gray matter area and some in the dorsomedial white matter. These increases correlated with increased cell numbers in affected areas. Moreover, axons of corticospinal tract (CST) showed increased sprouting in the injured spinal cord when administrated with SMT compared with saline-treated control. Thus, the present data indicate that SMT may be useful for identifying active components and for therapeutic application toward the treatment of spinal cord disorders after injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.250-257
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• 2020

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with ground-glass opacity (GGO) can become aggravated, but the reasons for this aggravation are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to analyze the genetic features and causes of progression of GGO LUAD. Methods: LUAD tumor samples and normal tissues were analyzed using an Illumina HiSeq 4000 system. After the tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated, the identified mutations were classified as those found only in GGO LUAD, those present only in nonGGO LUAD, and those common to both tissue types. Ten high-frequency genes were selected from each domain, after which protein interaction network analysis was conducted. Results: Overall, 227 mutations in GGO LUAD, 212 in non-GGO LUAD, and 48 that were common to both tumor types were found. The TMB was 8.8 in GGO and 7.8 in non-GGO samples. In GGO LUAD, mutations of FCGBP and SFTPA1 were identified. FOXQ1, IRF5, and MAGEC1 mutations were common to both types, and CDC27 and NOTCH4 mutations were identified in the non-GGO LUAD. Protein interaction network analysis indicated that IRF5 (common to both tissue types) and CDC27 (found in the non-GGO LUAD) had significant biological functions related to the cell cycle and proliferation. Conclusion: In conclusion, GGO LUAD exhibited a higher TMB than non-GGO LUAD. No clinically meaningful mutations were found to be specific to GGO LUAD, but mutations involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition or cell cycle were found in both tumor types and in non-GGO tissue alone. These findings could explain the non-invasiveness of GGO-type LUAD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2017

Our previous study suggested that S-allylcysteine (SAC) inhibits the proliferation of the human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa, at least in part through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. To further analyze the specific molecular mechanism(s) by which SAC mediates its antiproliferative effects, this study examined the role of SAC in regulating the protein expression of initiator caspase (caspase-9), effector caspases (caspase-3 and caspase-7), and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) in HeLa. Western blot analysis showed that when cells were treated with 50 mM SAC for 48 hr, the expression of procaspase-3, -7, and -9 and PARP was reduced by 94%, 38%, 95%, and 64%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control. In contrast, the expression of caspase-3, -7, and -9 and cleaved-PARP was markedly increased by SAC treatment. The SAC-mediated changes in the expression of these proteins were correlated with the concomitant inhibition of cellular proliferation by SAC. The cell proliferation assay showed that HeLa treatment with more than 20 mM SAC for 6-48 hr resulted in both concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of cellular proliferation. These results indicate that the SAC-induced antiproliferative effect in HeLa may be mediated at least in part through the activation of caspase-9, followed by the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-7 as well as the inactivation of PARP, thus leading to cellular apoptosis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-20
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• 2007

Design study on the Gas Turbine High Temperature Reactor 300-Cogeneration (GTHTR300C) aiming at producing both electricity by a gas turbine and hydrogen by a thermochemical water splitting method (IS process method) has been conducted. It is expected to be one of the most attractive systems to provide hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles after 2030. The GTHTR300C employs a block type Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) with thermal power of 600MW and outlet coolant temperature of $950^{\circ}C$. The intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) and the gas turbine are arranged in series in the primary circuit. The IHX transfers the heat of 170MW to the secondary system used for hydrogen production. The balance of the reactor thermal power is used for electricity generation. The GTHTR300C is designed based on the existing technologies of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) and helium turbine power conversion and on the technologies whose development have been well under way for IS hydrogen production process so as to minimize cost and risk of deployment. This paper describes the original design features focusing on the plant layout and plant cycle of the GTHTR300C together with present development status of the GTHTR300, IHX, etc. Also, the advantage of the GTHTR300C is presented.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.341-349
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• 2020

Background: The replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is accompanied by growth arrest. In our previous study, the treatment of senescent HDFs with Rg3(S) lowered the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reversed cellular senescence by inducing peroxiredoxin-3, an antioxidant enzyme. However, the signaling pathways involved in Rg3(S)-induced senescence reversal in HDFs and the relatedness of the stereoisomer Rg3(R) in corresponding signaling pathways are not known yet. Methods: We performed senescence-associated β-galactosidase and cell cycle assays in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. The levels of ROS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as the mitochondrial DNA copy number, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺/1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and NAD-dependent sirtuins expression were measured and compared among young, old, and Rg3(S)-pretreated old HDFs. Major signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and sirtuin 1/3, including cell cycle regulatory proteins, were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) reversed the replicative senescence of HDFs by restoring the ATP level and NAD⁺/NADH ratio in downregulated senescent HDFs. Rg3(S) recovered directly the cellular levels of ROS and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio in young HDFs inactivated by rotenone. Rg3(S) mainly downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through the inhibition of mTOR by cell cycle regulators like p53/p21 in senescent HDFs, whereas Rg3(R) did not alter the corresponding signaling pathways. Rg3(S)-activated sirtuin 3/PGC1α to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Cellular molecular analysis suggests that Rg3(S) specifically reverses the replicative senescence of HDFs by modulating Akt-mTOR-sirtuin signaling to promote the biogenesis of mitochondria.

• Atmosphere
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.457-470
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• 2014

Thermodynamic conditions related with localized torrential rainfall in the middle west region of Korean peninsula are examined using radar rain rate and radiosonde observational data. Localized torrential rainfall events in this study are defined by three criteria base on 1) any one of Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) hourly rainfall exceeds $30mmhr^{-1}$ around Osan, 2) the rain (> $1mmhr^{-1}$) area estimated from radar reflectivity is less than $20,000km^2$, and 3) the rain (> $10mmhr^{-1}$) cell is detected clearly and duration is short than 24 hr. As a result, 13 cases were selected during the summer season of 10 years (2004-13). It was found that the duration, the maximum rain area, and the maximum volumetric rain rate of convective cells (> $30mmhr^{-1}$) are less than 9hr, smaller than $1,000km^2$, and $15,000{\sim}60,000m^3s^{-1}$ in these cases. And a majority of cases shows the following thermodynamic characteristics: 1) Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) > $800Jkg^{-1}$, 2) Convective Inhibition (CIN) < $40Jkg^{-1}$, 3) Total Precipitable Water (TPW) ${\approx}$ 55 mm, and 4) Storm Relative Helicity (SRH) < $120m^2s^{-2}$. These cases mostly occurred in the afternoon. These thermodynamic conditions indicated that these cases were caused by strong atmospheric instability, lifting to overcome CIN, and sufficient moisture. The localized torrential rainfall occurred with deep moisture convection result from the instability caused by convective heating.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: $CD133^+CD44^+$ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$ for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA ($ddC_t$). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA ($dC_t$). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner ($5.16{\pm}0.13$ at $0{\mu}g/mL$, $4.79{\pm}0.12$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$, $3.24{\pm}0.08$ at $20{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.99{\pm}0.09$ at $40{\mu}g/mL$; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length ($1.47{\pm}0.04$, $1.09{\pm}0.01$, $0.76{\pm}0.08$, and $0.88{\pm}0.06$; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION: In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

The performance and life-cycle costs of electric vehicle(EV) and hybrid electric vehicle(HEV) depend inherently on battery packs. Temperature uniformity in a pack is an important factor for obtaining optimum performance for an EV or HEV battery pack, because uneven temperature distribution in a pack leads to electrically unbalanced battery cells and reduced pack performance. In this work, a three-dimensional modeling was carried out to investigate the effects of operating conditions on the thermal behavior of a lithium-ion battery pack for an EV or HEV application. Thermal conductivities of various compartments of the battery were estimated based on the equivalent network of parallel/series thermal resistances of battery components. Heat generation rate in a cell was calculated using the modeling results of the potential and current density distributions of a battery cell.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2015

A non-protein amino acid, L-ornithine (Orn), has been shown to stimulate the urea cycle and tissue protein synthesis in the liver. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether Orn affects the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, which is involved in protein synthesis. Primary cultured cells isolated from Wistar rat liver were incubated in an amino acid-free medium, followed by addition of Orn for 3 h. The cell lysate was subjected to immunoblotting to evaluate the phosphorylation of downstream targets of mTORC1, including p70S6K, S6, and 4EBP1. To assess the involvement of mTORC1 for the effect of Orn, the cells were pretreated with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin before the addition of Orn and the cell lysate was subjected to immunoblotting. We next examined whether the effects of Orn were exerted in vivo. Orn was orally administered to 18 h food-deprived rats, the blood and the livers were collected at 1 and 3 h after administration for immunoblotting. Orn treatment for primary cultured cells for 3 h enhanced the phosphorylation of p70S6K, S6, and 4EBP1. In addition, rapamycin blocked the effects of Orn completely (p70S6K and S6) or partially (4EBP1). The oral administration of Orn to the rat also augmented the phosphorylation of mTORC1 downstream targets notably in S6 at 1 h. Our findings demonstrate that Orn has the potential to induce the phosphorylation of downstream targets of mTORC1 in the rat liver. This may be mediated by the augmentation of mTORC1 activity.