• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.744-758
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• 2024

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.329-346
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• 2024

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the vertical seismic performance of reinforced concrete (R/C) frame buildings in two different building stocks, one of which consists of those designed as per the previous Turkish Seismic Code (TSC-2007) that does not consider the vertical earthquake load, and the other of which consists of those designed as per the new Turkish Seismic Code (TSCB-2018) that considers the vertical earthquake load. For this aim, three R/C buildings with heights of 15 m, 24 m and 33 m are designed separately as per TSC-2007 and TSCB-2018 based on some limitations in terms of seismic zone, soil class and structural behavior factor (Rx/Ry) etc. The vertical earthquake motion effects are identified according to the linear time-history analyses (LTHA) that are performed separately for only horizontal (H) and combined horizontal+vertical (H+V) earthquake motions. LTHA is performed to predict how vertical earthquake motion affects the response of the designed buildings by comparing the linear response parameters of the base shear force, the base overturning, the base axial force, top-story vertical displacement. Nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) is generally required for energy dissipative buildings, not required for design of buildings. In this study, the earthquake records are scaled to force the buildings in the linear range. Since nonlinear behavior is not expected from the buildings herein, the nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) is not considered. Eleven earthquake acceleration records are considered by scaling them to the design spectrum given in TSCB-2018. The base shear force is obtained not to be affected from the combined H+V earthquake load for the buildings. The base overturning moment outcomes underline that the rigidity of the frame system in terms of the dimensions of the columns can be a critical parameter for the influence of the vertical earthquake motion on the buildings. In addition, the building stock from TSC-2007 is estimated to show better vertical earthquake performance than that of TSCB-2018. The vertical earthquake motion is found out to be highly effective on the base axial force of 33 m building rather than 15 m and 24 m buildings. Thus, the building height is a particularly important parameter for the base axial force. The percentage changes in the top-story vertical displacement of the buildings designed for both codes show an increase parallel to that in the base axial force results. To extrapolate more general results, it is clear to state that many buildings should be analyzed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.251-256
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• 2011

EGCG, catechins in green tea, is a kind of phytochemical. Through the regulation of signal pathways, EGCG has been known to show anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects in cells. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effects of EGCG through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal pathways, including hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$). The experiments were performed in B16F10 melanoma cells in a hypoxic state. AMPK is activated by ATP consumption such as nutrient deficiency, exercise, heat shock, etc. The activated AMPK that plays an important role as an energy sensor inhibits proliferation of cancer cells, as well as inducing apoptosis. HIF-$1{\alpha}$, the primary transcriptional regulator of the response to oxygen deprivation, plays a critical role in modulating tumor growth and angiogenesis in a hypoxic state. The apoptotic effects of EGCG were studied in B16F10 cells in a hypoxic state. The results show that EGCG inhibits the transcriptional activity of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and induces apoptosis. These observations suggest that EGCG may exert inhibitory effects of angiogenesis and control tumor cell growth in hypoxic melanoma cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.266-271
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• 2021

Estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), a member of the orphan nuclear receptor family, is a key mediator in cellular metabolic processes and energy homeostasis. Therefore, ERRγ has become an attractive target for treating diverse metabolic disorders. We recently reported that ERRγ acts as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). In the present study, we explored the effects of an ERRγ-specific modulator, GSK5182, on ERRγ-regulated osteoclast differentiation and survival. Interestingly, GSK5182 increased ERRγ protein levels much as does GSK4716, which is an ERRγ agonist. GSK5182 inhibited osteoclast generation from bone-marrow-derived macrophages without affecting cytotoxicity. GSK5182 also attenuated RANKL-mediated expression of cFos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), pivotal transcription factors for osteoclastogenesis. Arrested osteoclast differentiation was associated with reduced RANK expression, but not with the M-CSF receptor, c-Fms. GSK5182 strongly blocked the phosphorylation of IκBα, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in response to RANKL. GSK5182 also suppressed NF-κB promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition to osteoclastogenesis, GSK5182 accelerated osteoclast apoptosis by caspase-3 activation. Together, these results suggest that GSK5182, a synthetic ERRγ modulator, may have potential in treating disorders related to bone resorption.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.276-284
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• 1993

The ABB-CE System-80 reactor power cutback system(RPCS) is designed to enable continuous operation of the reactor without trip in the events of the loss of one of the two main feedwater pumps and loss of load, and thus improves plant availability in a cost effective manner. In this study expansion of RPCS has been investigated for continuous reactor operation without trip in the event of an inward control element assembly(CEA) deviation including a single rod drop. Under the expanded function of RPCS the control system will provide a rapid core power reduction on demand by releasing CEAs to drop into the core and reduce the turbine power, if necessary, to follow the reactor power variation. This design feature which is included as the new design features to be incorporated in the ABB-CE System-80+ meets the EPRI advanced light water reactor(ALWR) requirements. For this study core analysis models of System-80+ have been developed to simulate the nuclear steam supply system(NSSS) response as well as the RPCS initiation of rapid CEA insertion. The results of this study demonstrate that the reactor trip can be avoided in the event of inward CEA deviation including a single rod drop by the RPCS initiation and thus the plant availability and capacity factor would be increased.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2004

Introduction of wave model, considered the effect of shoaling, refraction, diffraction, partial reflection, bottom friction, breaking at the coastal waters of complex bathymetry, is a very important factor for most coastal engineering design and disaster prevention problems. As waves move from deeper waters to shallow coastal waters, the fundamental wave parameters will change and the wave energy is redistributed along wave crests due to the depth variation, the presence of islands, coastal protection structures, irregularities of the enclosing shore boundaries, and other geological features. Moreover, waves undergo severe change inside the surf zone where wave breaking occurs and in the regions where reflected waves from coastline and structural boundaries interact with the incident waves. Therefore, the application of mild-slope equation model in this field would help for understanding of wave transformation mechanism where many other models could not deal with up to now. The purpose of this study is to form a extended mild-slope equation wave model and make comparison and analysis on variation of harbor responses in the vicinities of Pohang Old Harbor and Pohang New Port, etc. due to construction of New Port in Youngil Bay. This type of trial might be a milestone for port development in macroscale, where the induced impact analysis in the existing port due to the development could be easily neglected.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.306-319
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• 2020

Characterizations of Excavation Damage Zone (EDZ), which is hydro-mechanical degrading the host rock, are the important issues on the geological repository for the spent nuclear fuel. In the DECOVALEX 2019 project, Task G aimed to model the fractured rock numerically, describe the hydro-mechanical behavior of EDZ, and predict the change of the hydraulic factor during the lifetime of the geological repository. Task G prepared two-dimensional fractured rock model to compare the characteristics of each simulation tools in Work Package 1, validated the extended three-dimensional model using the TAS04 in-situ interference tests from Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Work Package 2, and applied the thermal and glacial loads to monitor the long-term hydro-mechanical response on the fractured rock in Work Package 3. Each modelling team adopted both Finite Element Method (FEM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate the hydro-mechanical behavior of the fracture rock, and added the various approaches to describe the EDZ and fracture geometry which are appropriate to each simulation method. Therefore, this research can introduce a variety of numerical approaches and considerations to model the geological repository for the spent nuclear fuel in the crystalline fractured rock.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 1986

The experiments were carried out to study the influence of meteorological factors and cutting management on dry matter accumulation and net energy value in orchardgrass (Dactlylis glomerata L.) cv. Potomac and Baraula, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cv. Reveille and Semperweide and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) cv. Cosmos 11 and N.F.G.. The field trials were designed as a split plot design with three cutting regimes of 6-7 cuts at grazing stage, 4-5 cuts at silage stage and 3 cuts at hat stage in Korea and West Germany from 1975 to 1979. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Productivity of orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue were mainly affected by cutting systems and meteorological factors, especially air temperature, rainfalls, solar radiation and their interactions. In West Germany, cutting frequency was to be found asan most important factor influenced to dry matter yield and net energy value. 2. Orchardgrass, taken as average of all experimental sites in Korea, produced high yield of 875 kg/10 a in dry matter, which was as much as 32% and 27% higher than those of perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue, respectively. The annual dry matter yields of orchardgrass from 1976 to 1977 were shown a little variation. Dry matter yields in Freising and Braunschweig in West Germany were increased in all grass species continuously. 3. Orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue showed different response to cutting frequency. The highest dry matter yields were found under 3 cuts at hay stage for orchardgrass and 4-5 cuts at silage stage for perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue. In West Germany, dry matter yields, as average of all grass species under different cutting systems, were 1326 kg, 1175 kg and 1098 kg/10a for 3 cuts, 4-5 cuts and 6-7 cuts, respectively. 4. Chemical composition and net energy concentration of temperate grasses were influenced by cutting managements. The highest yields of digestible crude protein were obtained under 6-7 cuts at grazing stage both in Korea and West Germany. In net energy yields, 3 cutting system produced the highest yield with 694 (orchardgrass), 665 (perennial ryegrass) an 623 kStE/10 a (meadow fescue). However, frequent cutting at grazing and silage stage produced higher yields than 3 cuts at hay stage in Cheju, Suweon and Taekwalyong.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2003

Objectives : The 1990s has seen advances in the conceptualization of self-perceived health status which has important roles for individual health and the quality of life. Many types of standardized questionnaires have been developed with the current wide use of SF-36, NHP, andEuroQol. However, the outcomes of these tools may be different with regard to regional, cultural and emotional backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to trial the development of a Korean Health Profile (KHP 1.0) to measure the self-perceived health stati of Koreans. Methods : The KHP 1.0 was designed on the basis of the Medical Outcome Study Form 36 (SF-36), the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and the EuroQOL. It was composed of 9 scales; physical functioning, role limitation-physical, pain, general health, energy, social isolation, sleep, role limitation-emotional, and e-motional health. Self-reported chronic disease conditions, and the Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), were also checked for the evaluation of clinical validity. This study was conducted, from December 2000 to January 2001, on 800 middle-aged parents, with four high school students, with 100 retest sets being conducted two weeks later. From the 800 subjects there were 588 complete responses (effective response 73.5%). The reliability of the test-retest results, and the factor analysis on the validity of the KHP 1.0 components, were evaluated using the SPSS (ver 10.0) software. Results : The reliability of the KHP 1.0 was good with Cronbach's alpha (>0.6), test-retest correlation coefficients (>0.5), but with no significant differences from the paired t-test. From the psychometric validity tests, the 9 scales of the KHP 1.0 were divided into two components; physical and mental, and trimmed to the established model with 55% of the total variance, with the exception of role limitation-emotional. The clinical validity on the basis of the comparison for the four characteristic groups; healthy, physical conditions only, mental conditions only, and physical and mental conditions were also good. Conclusions : The KHP 1.0 appears to be a valid measurement tool of self-perceived health stati of Koreans, although there are limitations, i.e. sample size was too small, a limited number of middle-aged subjects, and it was based on unconfirmed diagnoses, etc. Therefore, further study is required to standardize the assessment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.179-186
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• 2004

Introduction of wave model, considered the effect of shoaling, refraction, diffraction, partial reflection, bottom friction, breaking at the coastal waters of complex bathymetry, is a very important factor for most coastal engineering design and disaster prevention problems. As waves move from deeper waters to shallow coastal waters, the fundamental wave parameters will change and the wave energy is redistributed along wave crests due to the depth variation, the presence of islands, coastal protection structures, irregularities of the enclosing shore boundaries, and other geological features. Moreover, waves undergo severe change inside the surf zone where wave breaking occurs and in the regions where reflected waves from coastline and structural boundaries interact with the incident waves. Therefore, the application of mild-slope equation model in this field would help for understanding of wave transformation mechanism where many other models could not deal with up to now. The purpose of this study is to form a extended mild-slope equation wave model and make comparison and analysis on variation of harbor responses in the vicinities of Pohang Old Harbor and Pohang New Port, etc. due to construction of New Port in Youngil Bay. This type of trial might be a milestone for port development in macroscale, where the induced impact analysis in the existing port due to the developemnt could be easily neglected.