• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9655-9660
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• 2014

Background: Nigella Sativa (NS) is an herb from the Ranunculaceae family that exhibits numerous medicinal properties and has been used as important constituent of many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). The ability of NS to kill cancer cells such as PC3, HeLa and hepatoma cells is well established. However, our understanding of the mode of death caused by NS remains nebulous. The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the mode and mechanism of death caused by NS in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were treated with a methanolic extract of NS, and a dose- and time-dependent study was performed. The $IC_{50}$ was calculated using a Cell Titer $Blue^{(R)}$ viability assay assay, and evidence for DNA fragmentation was obtained by fluorescence microscopy TUNEL assay. Gene expression was also profiled for a number of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes) through qPCR. Results: The $IC_{50}$ of MCF-7 cells was $62.8{\mu}L/mL$. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to $50{\mu}L/mL$ and $100{\mu}L/mL$ NS for 24h, 48h and 72h, microscopic examination (TUNEL assay) revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis. Similarly, the expression of the Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes increased significantly according to the dose and time. Conclusions: NS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through both the p53 and caspase pathways. NS could potentially represent an alternative source of medicine for breast cancer therapy.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2010

The study examines two different sites to analyze the difference of stream channel profile between two different landuse areas on Neponset River, Boston, MA. Landuse represents the current status of land in terms of human, agricultural or forest, industry and environmental activity types. According to the previous research, forest and urban area are significantly distinguished in chemical characteristic, shape and bed load of the stream. On the chosen sites, I look at the cross-section profile, the slope, velocity, and roughness of the channels. With the data collected at the site I determined the value for the channel bed material using Manning's equation, and compared with the result of HEC-RAS model with the cross-section profile data I measured. In the forest area, water surface elevation and bed material obtained through Manning's equation are very close to HEC-RAS model result. However, in the resident area the Manning's 'n' value calculated much higher than assumption which was considered as cobble whose 'n' value is 0.03-0.06. The difference could be caused by unusual steep elevation on the site and the dam present down further. With the steep elevation upside of dam, there is critical-depth condition occurs. The difference of Manning's 'n' value reflects the difference of depth. HEC-RAS model was run to analyze the difference and the result shows that depth is 0.36 much less than 0.688 what I computed when the Manning's n value is 0.03(cobble) instead of the result of the study (0.13292). Beside, dam is a major source of fragmentation and degradation of stream, and it's possibly inferred upstream water levels are increased and stream velocity is decreased. This study is meaningful for introduction of HEC-RAS in geography field to analyze different sites with channel bed material, and it is going to be used more actively to manage river and river side.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been isolated from a variety of plants, such as Coptis chinensis and Phellodendron amurense. It has a wide spectrum of clinical applications such as in anti-tumor, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it is still unknown that berberine related with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. In the present study, we are examined the molecular mechanism of ROS- and p38 MAP kinase-mediated apoptosis by berberine in HepG2 cells. Berberine increased cytotoxicity effects by time- and does-dependent manner. $LD_{50}$ was detected 50 ${\mu}M$ at 48h of exposure to berberine. Nuclei cleavage and apoptotic DNA fragmentation were observed in cells treated with 50 ${\mu}M$ of berberine for 48h. Moreover, berberine induced the activating of caspase-3, p53, p38 and Bax expression, whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, Bcl-2, was decreased. Additionally, berberine-treated cells had an increased level of generation of ROS and nitric oxide (NO). These results indicated that berberine induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells may be mediated oxidative injury acts as an early and upstream change, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, Bcl-2 and Bax modulation, p38 and p53 activation, caspase-3 activation, and consequent leading to apoptosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2000

The chloroform and methanol (2;1, v/v) extract from an edible plant, Actinidia arguta Planchon, appeared to possess antitumor activity against human leukemias Jurkat T and U937 cells through inducing apoptosis. The substance in the solvent extract was purified by silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Characteristics of the substance analyzed by UV scanning analysis, $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra suggested that the substance belongs to the chlorophyll derivatives-like group. The $IC_{50}$ value of the chlorophyll derivative (Cp-D) determined by MTT assay was $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for Jurkat, $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for U937, and $11.4\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for HL-60m and was more toxic to these leukemias than to solid tumors or normal fibroblast. In order to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity, the effect of the Cp-D on Jurkat T cells was investigated. When cells were treated with the Cp-D at a concentration of $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, [3H]thymidine incorporation declined rapidly and wa undetectable in 1h. However, no significant changes were made in the cell cycle distribution of the cells by 24h. The sub-Gl peak representing apoptotic cells began to be detectable in 36h, at which time apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, demonstrating that the cytotoxic effect of the Cp-D is attributable to the induced apoptosis. Under the same conditions, although the protein level of cyclin-dependent kinases such as cdc4, csk6, cdk2, and cdc2 was not significantly changed until 24h, the kinase activity of all c안 rapidly declined and reached a minimum level within 1-6h and then recovered to the initial level by 12h and sustained until 24h. These results suggest that inactivation of cdks at an inappropriate time during the cell cycle progression in jurkat T cells following a treatment with the Cp-D leads to induction of apoptotic cell death.

• Journal of KIISE
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.728-743
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• 2014

Finger printing and sequence alignment are well-known approaches for document similarity comparison. A fingerprinting method is simple and fast, but it can not find particular similar regions. A string alignment method is used for identifying regions of similarity by arranging the sequences of a string. It has an advantage of finding particular similar regions, but it also has a disadvantage of taking more computing time. The Multi-Level Alignment (MLA) is a new method designed for taking the advantages of both methods. The MLA divides input documents into uniform length blocks, and then extracts fingerprints from each block and calculates similarity of block pairs by comparing the fingerprints. A similarity table is created in this process. Finally, sequence alignment is used for specifying longest similar regions in the similarity table. The MLA allows users to change block's size to control proportion of the fingerprint algorithm and the sequence alignment. As a document is divided into several blocks, similar regions are also fragmented into two or more blocks. To solve this fragmentation problem, we proposed a united block method. Experimentally, we show that computing document's similarity with the united block is more accurate than the original MLA method, with minor time loss.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2014

The description of vegetation cover and floral composition was undertaken in terms of phytosociological study in Dodamsambong(scenic site no. 44) and Danyangseokmoon(no. 45). In this study a total of 17 $relev{\acute{e}}s$ containing 144 taxa were collected and analyzed. Eight plant communities are differentiated, grouped into 4 physiognomic types: forest type(Buxus microphylla var. koreana-Thuja orientalis community, Tilia mandshurica-Quercus variabilis community, and Cynanchum wilfordii-Pinus densiflora community), mantle type(Cardamine leucantha-Neillia uekii community), secondary meadow type(Galium kinuta-Spodiopogon sibiricus community, Diarthron linifolium-Zoysia japonica community), and crevice type(Patrinia rupestris-Selaginella stauntoniana community, Hypodematium glandulosopilosum community). The vegetation of Dodamsambong and Danyangseokmoon is characterized by local flora, such as calciphilous plants, geological distribution-limit species, and endemic species. The soil depth, slope, and human impact have been identified as the most important differentiating ecological factors. Buxus microphylla var. koreana-Thuja orientalis community, Tilia mandshurica-Quercus variabilis community, and Patrinia rupestris-Selaginella stauntoniana community were evaluated highly by National Vegetation Naturalness. In order to restore the value of specific landscape for scenic site, we should improve the problems of protected area such as wrong management on habitat, forest fragmentation by facilities and decline in vegetation by lack of growing the next succession.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.26-33
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• 2016

The cost of preparing munitions in weapon system operation and management has been rapidly increasing and current weapon systems have become complicated and diverse due to new warfare pattern changes and the rapid growth of advanced scientific technology. Moreover, as a part of the execution plans of creative economics, the Korean government is actively reviewing how to minimize the costs of preparing munitions. Accordingly, this study derived the issues of munitions management for decreasing munitions preparing costs. First, the issues of munitions management were introduced through review and analysis with respect to the munitions classification criteria, regulations and systems, and equipment maintenance information systems. Second, we proposed the application and necessity for the real-name system which is responsible for munitions management and the fragmentation of the maintenance instructions status classification criteria.. Also, we were analyzed that the effects depending on the application. Finally, we proposed that the linkage system which is currently military active with equipment maintenance information systems as well as the total life-cycle management system (TLCSM) improvements to the itemized data and records management system by utilizing IT technology CMB that must be done in order to improve the issues.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2012

The genetic variation in populations of Eranthis byunsanensis, an endemic and rare species of Korea, was studied using starch gel electrophoresis. All five known populations were sampled for allozyme electrophoresis of nine enzymes coded by 10 loci. The overall genetic variation of E. byunsanensis population was shown to be considerably high within the populations (A = 2.4, P = 90.0, $H_E$ = 0.311). A positive $F_{IS}$ value of E. byunsanensis indicated an overall deficiency of heterozygotes, and a low $F_{ST}$ value (0.131) showed little differentiation among populations. The high genetic variation, less genetic differentiation among populations, and a significant amount of heterozygote deficiency propose the hypothesis that they have an experience of recent isolation and fragmentation of their habitat. Thus, the rate of gene flow has been drastically reduced, and the rate of inbreeding in E. byunsanensis populations has increased. Current habitats in Mai-san and Naro-do are vulnerable due to their small population size and the levels of anthropogenic activity in the region constantly threatening survival of this species. Because of the high genetic variation and low levels of differentiation among populations in E. byunsanensis, it is not issue which populations have a priority for protection, but we may concern the plan to maintain population continuously and diminish the rate of inbreeding.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.109-117
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• 2017

Poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) homopolymer, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) homopolymer, and PVK-b-PVP block copolymer were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and the polymers were used to prepare non-aqueous graphene dispersions with four different solvents, ethanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dichloromethane (DCM), and tetrahydrofuran (THF). $^1H-$ and $^{13}C-NMR$ spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were carried out to confirm the chemical structure of the polymers. Stability of graphene dispersions was measured by on-line turbidity measurement. Time-dependent Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) values were interpreted in terms of surface tension (${\sigma}$) and solubility parameter (${\delta}$) among solvents, polymers, and graphene. It was confirmed that the solubilities of polymer and surface tension between solvent and graphene affected the dispersion stability of graphene. PVK-b-PVP block copolymer could effectively maintain the low TSI values of graphene dispersions in ethanol and THF, which have been known as poor solvents for graphene dispersions. It can also be noted that DCM shows good dispersion stability comparable to NMP, which has been known as the best solvent for graphene dispersion.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.14-27
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex Radicis extract(ACRE) on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Methods: After treatment with various concentration of ACRE, cell growth was evaluated in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Hoechst 33342 staining was performed to estimate DNA fragment effect of ACRE on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay was used to estimate the effects of ACRE on the early apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. RT-PCR was used to estimate the apoptosis gene expression effect of ACRE on Hela cell MCF-7 cell. Results: Under $0.1mg/m\ell$ of ACRE, cytotoxic effect was not found per NIH3T3 cell. The viability of HeLa cell and MCF-7 cells was significantly decreased ACRE ($100{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell, ACRE ($50{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell 3 days after treatment, in MCF-7 cell 1&3 days after treatment (p<0.01). DNA fragmentation was observed 3 days after treatment of cl of ACRE on HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, the early apoptotic cell increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In RT-PCR analysis, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, bcl-2 were decreased and bax, caspase-3 were increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Conclusions: ACRE appears to have considerable activity on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell.