• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.505-521
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• 2017

The steel plate shear wall with beam-only connected infill plate (SSW-BO) is an innovative lateral load resisting system consisting of infill plates connected to surrounding beams and separated from the main columns. In this research, the effects of perforation diameter as well as slenderness ratios of infill plates on the hysteresis behavior of SSW-BO systems were studied experimentally. Experimental testing is performed on eight one-sixth scaled one-story SSW-BO specimens with two plate thicknesses and four different circular opening ratios at the center of the panels under fully reversed cyclic quasi-static loading in compliance with the SAC test protocol. Strength, stiffness, ductility and energy absorption were evaluated based on the hysteresis loops. It is found that the systems exhibited stable hysteretic behavior during testing until significant damage in the connection of infill plates to surrounding beams at large drifts. It is also seen that pinching occurred in the hysteresis loops, since the hinge type connections were used as boundaries at four corners of surrounding frames. The strength and initial stiffness degradation of the perforated specimens containing opening ratio of 0.36 compared to the solid one is in the range of 20% to 30% and 40% to 50%, respectively.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.383-388
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• 2014

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with a high frequency of metastasis and only few therapies substantially prolong survival. Honokiol, isolated from Magnolia spp. bark, has been shown to exhibit pleiotropic anticancer effects in many cancer types. However, whether honokiol could suppress RCC metastasis has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that honokiol suppressed renal cancer cells' metastasis via dual-blocking epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. In addition, honokiol inhibited tumor growth in vivo. It was found that honokiol could upregulate miR-141, which targeted ZEB2 and modulated ZEB2 expression. Honokiol reversed EMT and suppressed CSC properties partly through the miR-141/ZEB2 axis. Our study suggested that honokiol may be a suitable therapeutic strategy for RCC treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2007

In this study, the effects of phosphate concentration and carbon source on the patterns of alkaline phosphatase (APase) and phospholipase (PLase) expression in Vibrio vulnificus ATCC 29307 were assessed under various conditions. The activities of these enzymes were repressed by excess phosphate (4 mM) in the culture medium, but this repression was reversed upon the onset of phosphate starvation in low phosphate defined medium (LPDM) containing 0.2 mM of phosphate at approximately the end of the exponential growth phase. The expressions of the two enzymes were also influenced by different carbon sources, including glucose, fructose, maltose, glycerol, and sodium acetate at different levels. The APase activity was derepressed most profoundly in LPDM containing fructose as a sole carbon source. However, the repression/derepression of the enzyme by phosphate was not observed in media containing glycerol or sodium acetate. In LPDM-glycerol or sodium acetate, the growth rate was quite low. The highest levels of PLase activity were detected in LPDM-sodium acetate, followed by LPDM-fructose. PLase was not fully repressed by high phosphate concentrations when sodium acetate was utilized as the sole carbon source. These results showed that multiple regulatory systems, including the phosphate regulon, may perform a function in the expression of both or either APase and PLC, in the broader context of the survival of V. vulnificus.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.218-225
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• 2021

In this study, damping capacities were comparatively investigated for Mg-9%Al alloy with as-cast (AC) and fully discontinuous precipitates (DPs) microstructures, respectively. The DPs microstructure was obtained by solution treatment at 678 K for 24 h, followed by furnace cooling to RT. The AC microstructure was typically characterized by partially divorced eutectic β(Mg₁₇Al₁₂) phase particles distributed along the α-(Mg) matrix cell boundaries. The DPs microstructure showed lamellar morphology consisting of α and β thin layers with various interlamellar spacings. The DPs microstructure had better damping capacity than the AC microstructure in the strain-amplitude independent region, while in the strain-amplitude dependent region, the damping behavior was reversed. In view of the microstructural features of AC and DPs, the lower concentration of Al in the α-(Mg) phase for the DPs microstructure and the lower β phase number density for the AC microstructure would be responsible for the higher damping capacities in the strain-amplitude independent and strain-amplitude dependent regions, respectively.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.469-474
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• 2019

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in a variety of cells. Recently, it has been reported that KLF2 regulates the p65-mediated transactivation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Although the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway plays an important role in the differentiation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, the role of KLF2 in these bone cells has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that KLF2 regulates osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. The overexpression of KLF2 in osteoclast precursor cells inhibited osteoclast differentiation by downregulating c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP expression, while KLF2 overexpression in osteoblasts enhanced osteoblast differentiation and function by upregulating Runx2, ALP, and BSP expression. Conversely, the downregulation of KLF2 with KLF2-specific siRNA increased osteoclast differentiation and inhibited osteoblast differentiation. Moreover, the overexpression of interferon regulatory protein 2-binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2), a regulator of KLF2, suppressed osteoclast differentiation and enhanced osteoblast differentiation and function. These effects were reversed by downregulating KLF2. Collectively, our data provide new insights and evidence to suggest that the IRF2BP2/KLF2 axis mediates osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation, thereby affecting bone homeostasis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.407-412
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• 2022

A well-controlled inflammatory response is crucial for the recovery from injury and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The anti-inflammatory response of 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (2-MCA), a natural compound derived from cinnamon, has been studied; however, the underlying mechanism on macrophage has not been fully elucidated. In this study, LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α and NO was reduced by 2-MCA in macrophages. 2-MCA significantly activated the NRF2 pathway, and expression levels of autophagy-associated proteins in macrophages, including LC3 and P62, were enhanced via NRF2 activation regardless of LPS treatment, suggesting the occurrence of 2-MCA-mediated autophagy. Moreover, evaluation of autophagy flux using luciferase-conjugated LC3 revealed that incremental LC3 and P62 levels are coupled to enhanced autophagy flux. Finally, reduced expression levels of TNF-α and NOS2 by 2-MCA were reversed by autophagy inhibitors, such as bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl, in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In conclusion, 2-MCA enhances autophagy flux in macrophages via NRF2 activation and consequently reduces LPS-induced inflammation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.339-349
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• 2023

Fast-built construction is a key feature for successful applications of precast concrete (PC) moment frame system in recent construction practices. To this end, by introducing some unique splicing details in precast connections, especially between PC columns including panel zones, use of temporary supports and bracings can be minimized based on their self-sustaining nature. In addition, precast wide beams are commonly adopted for better economic feasibility. In this study, three self-sustaining precast concrete (PC) wide beam-column connection specimens were fabricated and tested under reversed cyclic loadings, and their seismic performances were quantitatively evaluated in terms of strength, ductility, failure modes, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation. Test results were compared with ASCE 41-17 nonlinear modeling curves and its corresponding acceptance criteria. On this basis, an improved macro modeling method was explored for a more accurate simulation. It appeared that all the test specimens fully satisfy the acceptance criteria, but the implicit joint model recommended in ASCE 41-17 tends to underestimate the joint shear stiffness of PC wide beam-column connection. While, the explicit joint model along with concentrated plastic hinge modeling technique is able to present better accuracy in simulating the cyclic responses of PC wide beam-column connections.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.752-760
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• 2008

Scale-up production of low-trans fat containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA-TFO) was performed through lipase-catalyzed synthesis. Blend of fully hydrogenated soybean oil, olive oil containing conjugated linoleic acid and palm oil with 1:2:7 ratio was interesterified through Lipozyme RM IM in the 1 L-batch type reactor at $65^{\circ}C$ for 12 hrs, and the physicochemical and melting properties of CLA-TFO were compared with conventional (high trans fat) or commercial low-trans fat shortening. The trans fatty acids content in the conventional shortening (48.8 area%) was much higher than that of low-trans shortening (0.4 area%) and CLA-TFO (0.3 area%+CLA; 7.6 area%). Acid, saponification and iodine values of CLA-TFO were 0.4, 173.9 and 59.0, respectively. Their ${\alpha}$-, ${\gamma}$-tocopherol contents showed 4.7, 1.0 mg/100 g. Differences were observed in the solid fat contents (SFC), melting point of the conventional or low-trans fat and CLA-TFO. Each SFC of conventional, low-trans fat and CLA-TFO was 32.0, 29.3 and 30.4% with melting point of 38.5, 43.0 and $39.5^{\circ}C$ at $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. In texture profile analysis, hardness of conventional, low-trans fat and CLA-TFO was 111.7, 75.2 and 63.8 g.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.497-505
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• 1997

Dopamine plays diverse roles in the fetal brain development and differentiation. However, the development of the dopaminergic neurons and its receptors has not been fully understood. In our studies, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods were used to investigate the ontogeny of dopaminergic neurons and its receptor subtypes during the fetal development of the rat. In situ hybridization data showed that dopamine $D_1$ and $D_2$ receptor mRNAs were expressed in the ventricular and subventricular zones of ganglionic eminence, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cortical neuroepithelium on gestational day 13. Expression of dopamine $D_1$ and $D_2$ receptors during gestational days 17 and 19 reached the same or similar level of that in the adult brain. Expression of $D_1$ receptor mRNA preceded that of $D_2$ receptor mRNA in the early developmental stage, although this pattern was reversed with the sharp increase of $D_2$ receptor mRNA soon after. $D_2$ receptor mRNA was expressed in substantia nigra of mesencephalon of the fetal rat brain. However, $D_1$ receptor mRNA was not detected in substantia nigra. Our results indicate that dopamine might function in the fetal brain during the early gestational period.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2018

Background: The trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc) is a primary central site for trigeminal transmitting. Noxious stimulation of the trigeminal nociceptors alters the central synaptic releases and neural expression of some inflammatory and trophic agents. Orexin-A and the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) are expressed in pain pathways including trigeminal pain transmission. However, the the mechanism(s) underling orexin-A effects on trigeminal pain modulation have not been fully clarified. Methods: Trigeminal pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of capsaicin in the upper lip in rats. The effect of trigeminal pain on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the Vc of animals was determined by immunofluorescence. Subsequently, OX1R agonist (orexin-A) and antagonist (SB-334867-A) was administrated in the Vc to investigate the possible roles of the Vc OX1R on changes in COX-2 and BDNF levels following pain induction. Results: The data indicated an increase in COX-2 and decrease in BDNF immuno-reactivity in the Vc of capsaicin, and capsaicin- pretreated with SB-334867-A (80 nM), groups of rat. However, the effect of capsaicin on COX-2 and BDNF expressions was reversed by a Vc microinjection of orexin-A (100 pM). Conclusions: Overall, the present data reveals that orexin-A can attenuate capsaicin-induced trigeminal pain through the modulation of pain effects on COX-2 and BDNF expressions in the Vc of rats.