• Macromolecular Research
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.272-286
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• 2006

Dendritic hyperbranched poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMA)s, whose branched architectures resemble the 'dendron' part(s) of dendrimer, were synthesized by an iterative methodology consisting of two reactions in each iteration process: (a) a coupling reaction of u-functionalized, living, anionic PMMA having two tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethylphenyl(SMP) groups with benzyl bromide(BnBr)-chain-end-functionalized PMMA, and (b) a transformation reaction of the introduced SMP groups into BnBr functionalities. These two reactions, (a) and (b), were repeated three times to afford a series of dendron-like, hyperbranched (PMMA)s up to third generation. Three dendron-like, hyperbranched (PMMA)s different in branched architecture were also synthesized by the same iterative methodology using a low molecular weight, functionalized 1,1-diphenylalkyl anion prepared from sec-BuLi and 1,1-bis(3-tert-butyldime-thylsilyloxymethylphenyl)ethylene in the reaction step (b) in each iterative process. Furthermore, structurally similar, dendron-like, hyperbranched block copolymers could be successfully synthesized by the iterative methodology using $\alpha$-functionalized, living, anionic poly(2-(perfluorobutyl) ethyl methacrylate) (PRfMA) in addition to $\alpha$-functionalized, living PMMA. Accordingly, the resulting block copolymers were comprised of both PMMA and PRfMA segments with different sequential orders. After the block copolymers were cast into films and annealed, their surface structures were characterized by angle-dependent XPS and contact angle measurements. All three samples showed significant segregation and enrichment of PRfMA segments at the surfaces.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.112-121
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• 2015

Ectopic expression of $14-3-3{\zeta}$ has been found in various malignancies, including lung cancer, liver cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and so on. However, the effect of $14-3-3{\zeta}$ in the regulation of interactions between tumor cells and the immune system has not been previously reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how $14-3-3{\zeta}$ is implicated in tumor inflammation modulation and immune recognition evasion. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines and cancer tissues, we found that $14-3-3{\zeta}$ is overexpressed. In OSCC cells, $14-3-3{\zeta}$ knockdown resulted in the up-regulated expression of inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, $14-3-3{\zeta}$ introduction attenuated cytokine expression in human normal keratinocytes and fibroblasts stimulated with interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, supernatants from $14-3-3{\zeta}$ knockdown OSCC cells dramatically altered the response of peritoneal macrophages, dendritic cells and tumor-specific T cells. Interestingly, Stat3 was found to directly interact with $14-3-3{\zeta}$ and its disruption relieved the inhibition induced by $14-3-3{\zeta}$ in tumor inflammation. Taken together, our studies provide evidence that $14-3-3{\zeta}$ may regulate tumor inflammation and immune response through Stat3 signaling in OSCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.876-885
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• 2015

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (NAGK) plays an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical role in the dendritogenesis of hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we investigated its role in axonal development. We found NAGK was distributed throughout neurons until developmental stage 3 (axonal outgrowth), and that its axonal expression remarkably decreased during stage 4 (dendritic outgrowth) and became negligible in stage 5 (mature). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed colocalization of NAGK with tubulin in hippocampal neurons and with Golgi in somata, dendrites, and nascent axons. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and Golgi marker protein followed by ICC for tubulin or dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) in stage 3 neurons showed NAGK-Golgi complex colocalized with DYNLRB1 at the tips of microtubule (MT) fibers in axonal growth cones and in somatodendritic areas. PLAs for NAGK-dynein combined with tubulin or Golgi ICC showed similar signal patterns, indicating a three way interaction between NAGK, dynein, and Golgi in growing axons. In addition, overexpression of the NAGK gene and of kinase mutant NAGK genes increased axonal lengths, and knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA reduced axonal lengths; suggesting a structural role for NAGK in axonal growth. Finally, transfection of 'DYNLRB1 (74-96)', a small peptide derived from DYNLRB1's C-terminal, which binds with NAGK, resulted in neurons with shorter axons in culture. The authors suggest a NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction in growing axons is instrumental during early axonal development.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.211-221
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• 2017

Transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ $(TGF{\beta}1)/Smad4$ signaling plays a pivotal role in maintenance of the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption. The microRNA miR-155 has been reported to exert a significant role in the differentiation of macrophage and dendritic cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether miR-155 regulates osteoclast differentiation through $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling. Here, we present that $TGF{\beta}1$ elevated miR-155 levels during osteoclast differentiation through the stimulation of M-CSF and RANKL. Additionally, we found that silencing Smad4 attenuated the upregulation of miR-155 induced by $TGF{\beta}1$. The results of luciferase reporter experiments and ChIP assays demonstrated that $TGF{\beta}1$ promoted the binding of Smad4 to the miR-155 promoter at a site located in 454 bp from the transcription start site in vivo, further verifying that miR-155 is a transcriptional target of the $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ pathway. Subsequently, TRAP staining and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that silencing Smad4 impaired the $TGF{\beta}1$-mediated inhibition on osteoclast differentiation. Finally, we found that miR-155 may target SOCS1 and MITF to suppress osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, we provide the first evidence that $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling affects osteoclast differentiation by regulation of miR-155 expression and the use of miR-155 as a potential therapeutic target for osteoclast-related diseases shows great promise.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.348-357
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• 2011

Background: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2), a member of a newly described family of differentiation-related genes, has been characterized as a regulator of dendritic cells. However, the role of NDRG2 on the expression and activation of transcription factors in blood cells remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of NDRG2 overexpression on GATA-1 expression in PMAstimulated U937 cells. Methods: We generated NDRG2-overexpressing U937 cell line (U937-NDRG2) and treated the cells with PMA to investigate the role of NDRG2 on GATA-1 expression. Results: NDRG2 overexpression in U937 cells significantly induced GATA-1 expression in response to PMA stimulation. Interestingly, JAK2/STAT and BMP-4/Smad pathways associated with the induction of GATA-1 were activated in PMA-stimulated U937-NDRG2 cells. We found that the inhibition of JAK2 activation, but not of BMP-4/Smad signaling, can elicit a decrease of PMA-induced GATA-1 expression in U937-NDRG2 cells. Conclusion: The results reveal that NDRG2 promotes the expression of GATA-1 through activation of the JAK2/STAT pathway, but not through the regulation of the BMP-4/Smad pathway in U937 cells. Our findings further suggest that NDRG2 may play a role as a regulator of erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation during hematopoiesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.95-104
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• 1996

A comprehensive methodology to characterize the interfacial reaction products of $SiC_p/2024$ Al composites is introduced on the basis of the experimental results obtained using XRD, SEM and TEM. XRD performed on the electrochemically extracted $SiC_p$ and bulk $SiC_p/2024$ Al composite have shown that the interfacial reaction products consist of $Al_{4}C_3$ having hexagonal crystallographic structure, pure eutectic Si having diamond cubic crystallographic structure, and $CuAl_2$, having tetragonal crystalloraphic structure, respectively. According to the images observed by SEM, $Al_{4}C_3$, which has been reported to have needle shape, has a hexagonal platelet-shape and eutectic Si is found to have a dendritic shape. In addition eutectic $CuAl_2$, was observed to form near interface and/or along the grain boundaries. In order to confirm the results obtained by XRD, the primitive cell volume and reciprocal lattice height of such interfacial reaction products were calculated using the data obtained from convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns, and then compared with theoretical values.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한전기학회 2002년도 추계학술대회 논문집 전기물성,응용부문
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• pp.16-18
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• 2002

We attempted to fabricate a dendrimer Langmuir-Blodgett(LB) films containing 48 pyridinepropanol functional end group. As the pyridinepropanol functional group could form a complex structure with metal ions. In this study the samples for electrical measurement were fabricated to two types metal complexes with $Pt^{4+}$ and $Fe^{2+}$ ions by LB method. And we have investigated the surface activity at the air-water interface as well as the electrical properties for the monolayers of pure G4-48PyP dendrimer and its complex with metal ions($Pt^{4+}$ and $Fe^{2+}$ ions). In the surface pressure-area($\pi-A$) isotherms of the dendrimers, the stable condensed films formed at the air-water interface and the metal ions effect showed the difference on molecular behavior. We have studied the electrical properties of the ultra thin dendrimer LB films investigated by the current-voltage(I-V) characteristics of metal/dendrimer LB films/metal(MIM) structure. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that the metal ion around G4-48PyP dendrimer can contribute to make formation of network structure among dendrimers and it result from the change of electrical properties.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.49-59
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• 2008

Hastelloy C-276, corrosion resistant alloy at high temperature, is used in chemical plant and power generation industry. In this study, process parameter of laser welding for welding property in Hastelloy C-276 using a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser was studied. As the result of experiment, laser welding did not show segregation or crack at heat affected zone compared to conventional GTWA welding. The melting zone showed cell dendritic structure along with welding line. In addition, planer front solidification is occurred from welding structure, and it was progressed to cellular solidification. Optimal process parameter for butt welding was 1.2kW and 2.0 m/min for laser power and welding speed, respectively. While heat input, output density, tensile stress, and longitudinal strain was $441.98{\times}103$ J/cm2, $29.553{\times}103$ W/cm2, 768 MPa, and 0.689, respectively. Lap welding of the same material showed greater discrepancy in tensile property during 1 line and 2 line welding. For 1 line welding, tensile stress was about 320 MPa, and 2 line showed slightly larger tensile stress. However, strain was decreased by 20%. From this result, lap welding of the same material, Hastelloy C-276, with 2 line welding is considered to be more effective process than 1 line welding with consideration of mechanical property.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2013

Characterization of microstructures and cryogenic mechanical properties of electro beam (EB) welds between cast and forged Inconel 718 superalloys has been investigated. Optimal EBW condition was found in the beam current range of 36~39 mA with the constant travel speed of 12 mm/s and arc voltage of 120 kV for 10 mm-thick specimens. Electron beam current lower than 25 mA caused to occur the liquation microfissuring in cast-side heat affected zone (HAZ) of EB welds. The HAZ liquation microfissure was found on the liquated grain boundaries with resolidified ${\gamma}/Laves$ and ${\gamma}/NbC$ eutectic constituents. EBW produced welds showing a fine dendritic structure with relatively discrete Laves phase due to fast cooling rate. After post weld aging treatment, blocky Laves phase and formation of ${\gamma}^{\prime}+{\gamma}^{{\prime}{\prime}}$ strengtheners were observed. Presence of primary strengthener and coarse Laves particles in PWHT weld may cause to reduce micro-plastic zone ahead of a crack, leading to a significant decrease in Charpy impact toughness at $-196^{\circ}C$. Fracture initiation and propagation induced by Charpy impact testing were discussed in terms of the dislocation structures ahead of crack arisen from the fractured Laves phase.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.606-613
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• 2006

This study was purposed to evaluate the influence of anodically oxidized film on titanium (Ti) onto MG-63 osteoblast-like cell attachment and activity. Only scratch lines created by polishing were seen in ASR and ANO-1 groups. About $1.5{\mu}m$-thick homogeneous oxide film which has pores of about $0.5{\mu}m$ diameter were formed in ANO-12. The crystalline structure of the oxide films formed by anodization in phosphoric acid electrolyte was $TiP_2O_7$. The total protein amounts of ANO-1 and ANO-12 groups showed higher values of maximum protein amount than that of AS-R group. At 3 days of incubation, total protein amount showed higher value in ANO-2 when comparing to that of AS-R (p<0.05). Based on the results of ALPase activity test, the degree of MG-63 cell differentiation for initial mineralization matrix formation was similar. For all the test groups after 1 day of incubation, MG-63 cells grew healthily in mono-layer with dendritic extensions. After incubation for 3 days, the specimen surfaces were covered more densely by cells, and numerous micro filaments were extruding to the extracellular matrix.