• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2020.10a
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• pp.220-220
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• 2020

Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid component of shrimp, has been used as a food additive for the treatment of various diseases, but a functional role of Astaxanthin Nanosphere (AN) in the regulation of intestinal mucin (Muc) 2 production during bacterial infection has not described yet. In this study, we have investigated the effect of AN prepared from astaxanthin during Muc2 repression elicited by the Gram-negative bacterium V. vulnificus in human gastrointestinal epithelial (HT-29) cells. AN significantly inhibited the level of ROS production and PKC activation in recombinant protein (r) VvpE-stimulated HT-29 cells. Moreover, AN inhibited the PKC-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B responsible for region-specific hypermethylation in the Muc2 promoter in rVvpE-treated HT-29 cells. In the mouse models of V. vulnificus infection, treatment with AN maintained the level of Muc2 expression in the intestine. On the basis of these results, we suggest that AN blocks the hypermethylation of the Muc2 promoter to restore the level of Muc2 production in HT-29 cells infected with V. vulnificus.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2020.10a
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• pp.221-221
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• 2020

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol derived from turmeric, has been used a food additive and as a herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In the present study, we found the functional role of a nanosphere loaded with curcumin (CN) in the promotion of the motility of human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) during the wound closure. We found that the efficacy of hUCB-MSCs migration induced by CN was 1000-fold higher than that of curcumin powder. CN significantly increased the motility of hUCB-MSCs by activating c-Src, which is responsible for the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). CN induced the expression levels of α-actinin-1, profilin-1 and filamentous-actin, as regulated by the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B during its promotion of cell migration. In a mouse skin excisional wound model, we found that transplantation of UCB-MSCs pre-treated with CN enhances wound closure, granulation, and re-epithelialization at mouse skin wound sites. These results indicate that CN is a functional agent that promotes the mobilization of UCB-MSCs for cutaneous wound repair.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.612-617
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• 2023

Pleiotropic regulator 1 (PLRG1), a highly conserved element in the spliceosome, can form a NineTeen Complex (NTC) with Prp19, SPF27, and CDC5L. This complex plays crucial roles in both pre-mRNA splicing and DNA repair processes. Here, we provide evidence that PLRG1 has a multifaceted impact on cancer cell proliferation. Comparing its expression levels in cancer and normal cells, we observed that PLRG1 was upregulated in various tumor tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of PLRG1 resulted in tumor-specific cell death. Depletion of PLRG1 had notable effects, including mitotic arrest, microtubule instability, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and accumulation of autophagy, ultimately culminating in apoptosis. Our results also demonstrated that PLRG1 downregulation contributed to DNA damage in cancer cells, which we confirmed through experimental validation as DNA repair impairment. Interestingly, when PLRG1 was decreased in normal cells, it induced G1 arrest as a self-protective mechanism, distinguishing it from effects observed in cancer cells. These results highlight multifaceted impacts of PLRG1 in cancer and underscore its potential as a novel anti-cancer strategy by selectively targeting cancer cells.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.5-5
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• 2021

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steaohepatitis is a leading form of chronic liver disease with few biomakers ad treatment options currently available. a progressive disease of NAFLD may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, we extracted HIMH0021, which is an active flavonoid component in the Acer tegmentosum extract, has been shown to protect against liver damage caused by hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether HIMH0021 could regulate steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis during alcoholic or nonalcoholic metabolic process. HIMH0021, which was isolated from the active methanol extract of A. tegmentosum, inhibited alcohol-induced steatosis and attenuated the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during hepatocellular alcohol metabolism, both of which promote lipogenesis as well as liver inflammation. Treatment with HIMH0021 conferred protection against lipogenesis and liver injury, inhibited the expression of cytochrome P4502E1, and increased serum adiponectin levels in the mice subjected to chronic-plus-binge feeding. Furthermore, in hepatocytes, HIMH0021 activated fatty acid oxidation by activating pAMPK, which comprises pACC and CPT1a. These findings suggested that HIMH0021 could be used to target a TNFα-related pathway for treating patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.48-55
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• 2023

China's intangible cultural heritage at the national level amounts to more than 1,500 species, and it is also the country with the largest number of items on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list, so the intangible cultural heritage of the country and mankind is very much treasured and cared for. However, with the development of the times, many intangible cultural heritages are facing a dilemma due to the problem of a single form of communication. However, at the same time, the efficient and convenient way of information visualization provides innovative ideas and new opportunities for the visual communication of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. This paper examines the formal characteristics of infographic visual expression on the theoretical basis of books and related papers and analyzes the application cases and advantages of infographics in the communication of Chinese intangible cultural heritage in the context of the present era. It aims to explore a fast and novel visual presentation method for the communication of Chinese intangible cultural heritage through infographic design methods, to promote the inheritance and development of Chinese intangible cultural heritage in the new era.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2023

Early-stage lung cancer is the deadliest form of the disease. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 5-bromoprotocatechualdehyde (BPCA) extracted from the seaweed Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey (P. morrowii) in lung cancer H460 cells. We extracted P. morrowii powder thrice with 80% aqueous methanol and separated the extract using high-performance liquid chromatography. We then tested BPCA's effects on cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and protein expression Our results showed that BPCA inhibited tumor cell growth and ROS production and induced apoptosis through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT signaling pathways in lung cancer cells. When BPCA was combined with hydrogen peroxide, ROS production and apoptosis increased even further due to the regulation of AKT signaling and JNK-MAPKs pathways. These findings suggest that BPCA induces lung-cancer-cell death through ROS-mediated phosphorylation in AKT/MAPK signaling. This could lead to the development of new and effective treatments for early-stage lung cancer.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.601-610
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• 2024

Free vibration of layered conical shell frusta of thickness filled with fluid is investigated. The shell is made up of isotropic or specially orthotropic materials. Three types of thickness variations are considered, namely linear, exponential and sinusoidal along the radial direction of the conical shell structure. The equations of motion of the conical shell frusta are formulated using Love's first approximation theory along with the fluid interaction. Velocity potential and Bernoulli's equations have been applied for the expression of the pressure of the fluid. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible, inviscid and quiescent. The governing equations are modified by applying the separable form to the displacement functions and then it is obtained a system of coupled differential equations in terms of displacement functions. The displacement functions are approximated by cubic and quintics splines along with the boundary conditions to get generalized eigenvalue problem. The generalized eigenvalue problem is solved numerically for frequency parameters and then associated eigenvectors are calculated which are spline coefficients. The vibration of the shells with the effect of fluid is analyzed for finding the frequency parameters against the cone angle, length ratio, relative layer thickness, number of layers, stacking sequence, boundary conditions, linear, exponential and sinusoidal thickness variations and then results are presented in terms of tables and graphs.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.21-27
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to identify the sociocultural aspects of zero-calorie beverage consumption among young Koreans. Through an interview methodology, this study explores the perceptions of zero-calorie beverages, consumption behavior, and the important role of zero-calorie beverages in identity formation. The study uniquely integrates theories from health psychology, sociology, and cultural studies to analyze the complex interplay between individual health beliefs, social norms, and evolving cultural trends. The results show that the choice of zero-calorie beverages is heavily influenced by health consciousness, pervasive appearance culture, social media dynamics, and shifting workplace paradigms. Participants had a nuanced view of these drinks as both a "healthy alternative" and an "artificial product," reflecting the deep ambivalence that characterizes modern consumer society. Importantly, we found that the consumption of zero-calorie beverages serves as a means of sophisticated self-expression and impression management, acting as a form of cultural capital. This study makes a significant contribution to our understanding of health behavior in specific sociocultural contexts and provides important insights for health policy makers, marketing strategists. The study emphasizes that a multidisciplinary approach is essential in studying contemporary food and beverage consumption patterns, which have far-reaching implications for public health efforts and social epidemiology at home and abroad.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.866-882
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• 2024

Regarding the evolving technological landscapes and the integration of fashion imagery into virtual spaces, like the metaverse, this research navigated the transformative dimensions of body expression in contemporary fashion. It is rooted in a posthuman framework, interpreting the novel forms of representation emerging in this dynamic technology-fashion intersection. A comprehensive exploration of posthumanism, transhumanism, and posthuman perspectives preceded the image analysis to elucidate shifting paradigms in portraying the human form within artworks. The analysis of posthuman expressions in fashion imagery unveiled a rejection of hierarchical viewpoints within the human species, challenged gender norms, and embraced diverse body representations. Four distinctive classifications emerged: "Incapacitating of Male Power from Gaze," "Revealing Fearlessly," "Fashioning Non-human Beings," and "Techno-morphism of Body." These categories emphasized transcending conventional beauty standards, highlighting inclusivity by embracing diverse body representations and technologically integrated expressions in fashion. This study addressed the need for more comprehensive ones on evolving posthuman classifications in fashion imagery. The identified trends offered valuable insights for image creators and scholars, encouraging deeper exploration of expressive intentions and perspectives.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.106-112
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• 2013

PDE plays an important role in cAMP-mediated cellular signaling within the cells. The proper targeting of each PDE is mediated by unique N-terminal of each PDE isoform. It has been recently reported that supershort-, short- and long-forms of PDE4 in Aplysia were cloned in Aplysia. Long-form of ApPDE4 was localized at plasma membrane and presynaptic terminal in Aplysia sensory neurons. However, it remains elusive which part of ApPDE4 is minimal region for the proper targeting and what are the effects on the cell functions. Here, we identified that N-terminal 13 amino acids of ApPDE4 long-form is minimal regions for the plasma membrane targeting. In addition, overexpression of ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP could induce morphological changes in HEK293T cells. Interestingly, mRFP-$PLC{\delta}1$(PH), which selectively binds to PI4,$5P_2$, could induce morphological changes in similar with that by ApPDE4(N20)-mRFP. These results suggested that binding of ApPDE4(N20) to lipids including PI4,$5P_2$ might be responsible for targeting of ApPDE4 to plasma membrane and morphological changes in HEK293T cells.