• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.483-489
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• 1995

Retinoic acid was found to block membrane fusion of chick embryonic myoblasts in culture. This effed was dosedependent and could he reversed upon removal of the agent from the culture medium. Furthermore, the retinoic acid-mediated inhibition of membrane fusion was observed with the fusion competent cells but not with the cells that had already been committed for fusion, indicating that the effect of RA is differentiation stage-specific. However, retinoic acid showed little or no effect on the ability of the cells to form bipolar shape and to align along their axes. Neither the cell proliferation nor accumulation of muscle specific proteins, such as creatine kinase and tropomyosin, was impaired significantly. On the other hand, retinoic acid blocked the differentiation time~ependent loss of fibronectin, whose process is prerequisite for myoblast fusion. These results suggest that retinoic add acts as a specific inhibitor of membrane fusion by preventing the loss of fibronectin from the differentiating myoblasts.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.83-92
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• 2012

This paper suggests an improved method of grouping minterms based on the Decimal-Valued Matrix (DVM) method. The DVM is a novel approach to Boolean logic minimization method which was recently developed by this author. Using the minterm-based matrix layout, the method captures binary number based minterm differences in decimal number form. As a result, combinable minterms can be visually identified. Furthermore, they can be systematically processed in finding a minimized Boolean expression. Although this new matrix based approach is visual-based, the suggested method in symmetric grouping cell values can become rather messy in some cases. To alleviate this problem, the enhanced DVM method that is based on multi-level groupings of combinable minterms is presented in this paper. Overall, since the method described here provides a concise visualization of minterm groupings, it facilitates a user with more options to explore different combinable minterm groups for a given Boolean logic minimization problem.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2017

EP was obtained through 20% ethanol extraction of Pueraria lobata root, and the fermented form of EP, FEP, was prepared from the EP after incubating with Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1. There was no significant toxicity by EP and FEP up to $1000{\mu}g/ml$ in NIH-3T3, HaCaT, and B16F10 cells. In addition to antioxidant potentials of EP and FEP determined by DPPH and ABST assays, we confirmed increase of procollagen type I and elastin synthesis by supplementation of the EP and FEP at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$ using ELISA kits. The protein expression levels of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-1, -3, and -9, those are involved in the degradation of collagen or other skin matrix proteins, were remarkably suppressed while their inhibitory protein metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) was greatly up-regulated by supplementation of the EP and FEP at a concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$. Taken together, both EP and FEP supplementation could be involved in the suppression of the skin wrinkle formation through inhibiting degradation of collagen and stimulating the synthesis of collagen and elastin. The results showed that the anti-wrinkle potential of the EP and FEP will be a promising candidate for developing cosmeceutical compounds or products.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2020

Since the movements of a machine are driven by a certain principle, there is a fundamental principle that governs the movement of the machine, no matter how complex and diverse it may be. Autonomous movements are a way to avoid repetition, to approach more humane and more natural factors. That's all the more so when it comes to original movements, not cloning. So now, the dynamics of the machine are more multi-sensory by human participation. It is challenging the potential to be expressed and is gradually expanding its sphere of expression in the boundaries of fact and cloning. Theo Jansen's works have changed from period to period to adapt to different circumstances, indicating that his decades-long work has continued to evolve from early to present. The evolution's focus, among other things, can be seen as having the same source of circular motion and horizontal reciprocating motion, which are repeated from the principle of organic coupling between the parts that make up the object.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 1995

Cytokine release from alveolar macrophages and subsequent interaction of these cytokines with the bronchial epithelium can induce epithelial cells to release inflammatory mediators. Nitric oxide(NO), a highly reactive gas formed from arginine by nitric oxide synthase(NOS), is known to be involved in inflammation and edema formation, and the inducible form of NOS(iNOS) can be increased by cytokines. In this context, we hypothesized that lung epithelial cells could be stimulated by cytokines released by alveolar macrophages to express iNOS. To test this hypothesis, the murine lung epithelial cell line, LA-4, or the human lung epithelial cell line, A549, were stimulated with culture supernatant fluids from alveolar macrophages. NO production was assessed by evaluating the culture supernatant fluids for nitrite and nitrate, the stable end products of NO. Both murine and human cell culture supernatant fluids demonstrated an increase in nitrite and nitrate which were time- and dose-dependent and attenuated by $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ antibodies(p<0.05, all comparisons). Consistent with these observations, cytomix a combination of $TNF{\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and $\gamma$-interferon, stimulated the lung epithelial cell lines as well as primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells to increase their NO production as evidenced by an increase in nitrite and nitrate in their culture supernatant fluids, an increase in the iNOS staining by immunocytochemistry, and an increase in iNOS mRNA by Northern blottin(p<0.05, all comparisons). The cytokine effects on iNOS were all attenuated by dexamethasone. To determine if these in vitro observations are reflected in vivo, exhaled NO was measured and found to be increased in asthmatics not receiving corticosteroids. These data demonstrate that alveolar macrophage derived cytokines increase iNOS expression in lung epithelial cells and that these in vitro observations are mirrored by increased exhaled NO levels in asthmatics. Increased NO in the lung may contribute to edema formation and airway narrowing.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2020

Background: In aged skin, degradation of collagen fibers, which occupy the majority of the extracellular matrix in the dermis, and changes of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and skin constituents, such as hyaluronic acid and ceramide, cause wrinkles and decrease skin moisturization to contribute to dryness and lower elasticity skin. Red ginseng (RG) is used as a cosmetic and food material and is known to protect from UVB-induced cell death, increase skin hydration, prevent wrinkles, and have an antioxidative effect. But, in general, RG used as a material is the soluble liquid portion in the solvent, and the part that is not soluble in the solvent is discarded. Thus, we made the whole RG into microgranulation and dispersed in water to produce gel form for using entire RG, and it was named red ginseng NaturalGEL (RG NGEL). Methods: RG NGEL was investigated for matrix metalloproteinases inhibitory activity, induction of Type I collagen, AQP3, hyaluronan synthetase 2, serine palmitoyl transferase, ceramide synthase 3, and filaggrin expression and compared with RG water extract. Results: RG NGEL reduced the levels of UV-induced matrix metalloproteinases and increased Type I collagen in human fibroblast cells and upregulated AQP3, hyaluronan synthetase 2, serine palmitoyl transferase, ceramide synthase 3, and filaggrin expressions in human keratinocytes compared with RG water extract. Conclusion: RG NGEL has the potential as an effective reagent for antiaging cosmetics to improve wrinkle formation and skin hydration.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 1990

Raf protein kinases and protein kinase C belong to serine/threonine-specific proteins in the cytoplasin, and are similar to each other in functional structure and the aspect of the distribution of celI. The distribution of raf protein kinase in the cerebrum of Geoclemys reevesfi as studied by using the antibodies against a-raf and c-raf protein kinase which induce the expression of raf fainily oncogenes. In general, raf protein kinases were distributed in such restricted regions as the general pallium, hippocampal formation, pdmordiuin hippocampi,nucleus of lateral olfactory tract, basal amygdaloid nucleus, and bed of stria terminalis. Immunological labeling of c-raf protein kinase was more widespread than that of a-raf. However, the intensity of the labeling of c-raf was lower than that of a-raf. The spherical cells of basal amygdaloid nucleus is a ring-like form, because only the cytoplasm was imunolabeled. Especially, c-raf protein kinase occurred in the cells which contained protein kinase C abundandy such as pyramidal cells and Purkinje cells. This suggests that a- and e-raf protein kinases may synegistically induce carclnoma with myc gene which is activated by protein kinase C.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.280-288
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• 2012

Targeted degradation of proteins through ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis is an important control mechanism in various cellular processes. The process of ubiquitin conjugation is achieved by three enzyme complexes, among which the ubiquitin ligase complex (E3) is in charge of substrate specificity. The SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box) family portrays the largest and the most characterized member of the E3 ligases. For each SCF complex, the ubiquitination target is recognized by the F-box protein subunit, which interacts with the substrate through a unique C-terminal domain. We have characterized a novel F-box protein CFL-1 that represents a single LRR-type F-box (FBXL) in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. CFL-1 is highly homologous to FBXL20 and FBXL2 of mammals, which are known to regulate synaptic vesicle release and cell cycle, respectively. A green fluorescence protein (GFP)-reporter gene fused to the cfl-1 promoter showed restricted expression around the amphid and the anus. Modulation of CFL-1 activity by RNAi affected the time interval between defecations. RNAi-treated worms also exhibited reduced tendency to form dauer when exposed to daumone. The potential involvement of CFL-1 in the control of defecation and pheromone response adds to the ever expanding list of cellular processes controlled by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in C. elegans. We suggest that CFL-1, as a single LRR-type F-box protein in C. elegans, may portray a prototype gene exerting diverse functions that are allocated among multiple FBXLs in higher organisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2003

Platycodi Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, commonly known as Doraji, is used as a traditional oriental medicine. Extracts from the roots of P grandiflorum have been reported to have wide ranging health benefits. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of P. grandiflorum (AEPG) on the growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Upon treatment with AEPG, a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth was observed and cells developed many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that AEPG increased populations of apoptotic-sub Gl phase. Immunoblot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses indicated that the expressions of Bcl-2 was down-regulated but Bax was up-regulated in AEPG-treated A549 cells. The expression of active form of caspase-3 by AEPG treatment was markedly increased, and the levels of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and $\beta$-catenin, its target proteins, were decreased in a concentration dependent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. grandiflorum has strong potential for development as an agent for prevention against human lung cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1229-1234
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• 2006

This study investigated whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can be modified in apoptotic smooth muscle cell (SMC) using the SMC that undergoes apoptotic death by expressing Fas-associated death domain containing protein (FADD) when they are grown without tetracycline in culture medium. In the absence of tetracycline, FADD-SMC lost adherence and showed the fragmentation of the nuclei. In proportion to duration of tetracycline removal, phosphorylated form of p38 MAPK and of ERK increased, whereas phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) was not changed very much in response to tetracycline The levels of cyclin A and cyclin D were also decreased in a time dependent manner. Up-regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity was observed when the SMC were grown without tetracycline. Immunoreactivity of MMP-9 was detected from both attached and floating FADD-SMCs grown without tetracycline. An inhibitor of MAPK kinase, PD098059, and an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, inhibited the up-regulation of MMP-9. Treatment of the SMC with a synthetic MMP inhibitor, BB94, attenuated death occurring in the absence of tetracycline. These results indicate that SMC undergoing death is able to up-regulate MMP-9 and that the enzyme can affect cell viability.