• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.447-453
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• 2012

TLR6 forms a heterodimer with TLR2 and TLR4. While proinflammatory roles of TLR2 and TLR4 are well documented, the role of TLR6 in inflammation is poorly understood. In order to understand mechanisms of action of TLR6 in inflammatory responses, we investigated the effects of FSL-1, the TLR6 ligand, on expression of chemokine CCL2 and cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ and determined cellular factors involved in FSL-1-mediated expression of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ in mononuclear cells. Exposure of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells to FSL-1 resulted not only in enhanced secretion of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$, but also profound induction of their gene transcripts. Expression of CCL2 was abrogated by treatment with OxPAPC, a TLR-2/4 inhibitor, while treatment with OxPAPC resulted in partially inhibited expression of IL-$1{\beta}$. Treatment with FSL-1 resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases and activation of protein kinase C. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors, including SB202190, SP6001250, U0126, Akt inhibitor IV, LY294002, GF109203X, and RO318220 resulted in significantly attenuated FSL-1-mediated upregulation of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$. Our results indicate that activation of TLR6 will trigger inflammatory responses by upregulating expression of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ via TLR-2/4, protein kinase C, PI3K-Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.93-99
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• 2021

Objective : Caryophylli Flos has been used in Korean medicine to relieve vomiting and pains caused by chills that make fluid circulation difficult. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract of Caryophylli Flos (CF) in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptotic cell death in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : CF was prepared by extracting 200 g of Caryophylli Flos in 2 L of ethanol for 48 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the protein expression was monitored by Western blot analysis. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using fluorescent dye, and reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined with a colorimetric commercial kit. Results : CF protected HaCaT cells from cell death caused by oxidative stress after H₂O₂ treatment. H₂O₂ amplified generation of ROS and induced depletion of GSH, whereas these changes in ROS and GSH were inhibited by GF treatment. In addition, H₂O₂ resulted in apoptosis as assessed by TUNEL assay and the expression of apoptosis regulator proteins. However, cells treated with CF showed a decrease in TUNEL-positive cells and restored the reduced expression of procaspase-9, -3 and PARP. Conclusion : This study showed cytoprotective effects of CF by anti-apoptotic activity while exerting antioxidative activity in H₂O₂-treated HaCaT cells. These results suggest that CF could be beneficial in skin damage caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1609-1617
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• 2019

Described in this paper is a design of hardware accelerator for implementing public-key cryptographic protocols (PKCPs) based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and RSA. It supports five elliptic curves (ECs) over GF(p) and three key lengths of RSA that are defined by NIST standard. It was designed to support four point operations over ECs and six modular arithmetic operations, making it suitable for hardware implementation of ECC- and RSA-based PKCPs. In order to achieve small-area implementation, a finite field arithmetic circuit was designed with 32-bit data-path, and it adopted word-based Montgomery multiplication algorithm, the Jacobian coordinate system for EC point operations, and the Fermat's little theorem for modular multiplicative inverse. The hardware operation was verified with FPGA device by implementing EC-DH key exchange protocol and RSA operations. It occupied 20,800 gate equivalents and 28 kbits of RAM at 50 MHz clock frequency with 180-nm CMOS cell library, and 1,503 slices and 2 BRAMs in Virtex-5 FPGA device.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2024

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulate postsynaptic neuronal excitability and epileptogenesis. We investigated roles of group I mGluRs on low extracellular Mg²⁺ concentration ([Mg²⁺]_o)-induced epileptiform activity and neuronal cell death in the CA1 regions of isolated rat hippocampal slices without the entorhinal cortex using extracellular recording and propidium iodide staining. Exposure to Mg²⁺-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid can induce interictal epileptiform activity in the CA1 regions of rat hippocampal slices. MPEP, a mGluR 5 antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing of the low [Mg²⁺]_o-induced epileptiform activity, whereas LY367385, a mGluR1 antagonist, did not. DHPG, a group 1 mGluR agonist, significantly increased the spike firing of the epileptiform activity. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, inhibited the spike firing. Thapsigargin, an ER Ca²⁺-ATPase antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing and amplitude of the epileptiform activity. Both the IP₃ receptor antagonist 2-APB and the ryanodine receptor antagonist dantrolene significantly inhibited the spike firing. The PKC inhibitors such as chelerythrine and GF109203X, significantly increased the spike firing. Flufenamic acid, a relatively specific TRPC 1, 4, 5 channel antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing, whereas SKF96365, a relatively non-specific TRPC channel antagonist, did not. MPEP significantly decreased low [Mg²⁺]_o DMEM-induced neuronal cell death in the CA1 regions, but LY367385 did not. We suggest that mGluR 5 is involved in low [Mg²⁺]_o-induced interictal epileptiform activity in the CA1 regions of rat hippocampal slices through PLC, release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores and PKC and TRPC channels, which could be involved in neuronal cell death.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.5-16
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• 2012

In the case of using the soil materials created by cutting in-situ ground directly without adjusting particle size, it is recommendable to seek the compaction property or material constant required for filling design or density control through indoor test, and many studies on this subject have been carried out during that time. The researches conducted during that time, however, were focused on the mixed materials with different diameters that exist in a natural condition. There has been no study conducted using coal fly ash that is by-product of the thermal power plant that is actively considered as the building materials. Therefore, this study was aimed at implementing compaction test and examining the basic engineering property in order to explore the influence of crushing the particles through compacting the admixture of crushed stone and coal fly ash produced from thermal power plant on its engineering property, and then the impact of the admixture volume of each material on compaction property and material property by conducting the One-Dimensional Compression Test. As result of compaction test, the optimum moisture ratio of coal fly ash was shown to be approx. 23%. As result of compaction test in accordance with the mixed ratio of coal fly ash and crushed stone under the same compaction energy and moisture ratio, dry unit weight tended to drop when the mixed ratio of coal fly ash exceeded 30%, while it reached approx. $1.81gf/cm^3$ when the mixed ratio was 30%. As result of One-Dimensional Compression Test in accordance with the mixed ratio of crushed stone and coal fly ash, the change in void ratio by particle crushing was at the highest level in the case of coal fly ash 100%, while the lowest level in the case of crushed stone 100%. In the case of mixed materials of crushed stone and coal fly ash, compression index was at the lowest level in case of coal fly ash 30%, and therefore this ratio of mixed material was judged to be the most stable from an engineering aspect.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.463-469
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• 2015

Purpose: A hydrogel including alginate and $CaCl_2$ extracted from seaweed was manufactured, and their physical properties were investigated. Also, its applicability as contact lenses was examined. Methods: A film-type sample used in this experiment was manufactured using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is the raw material of hydrogel contact lenses; azobisiobutyonitile (AIBN), which is an initiator and ethylenglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA), which is a cross-linking agent. It was hydrated in a PBS solution for 24 hours, and an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) was formed in 1% and 2% alginate and 1%, 3%, and 5% $CaCl_2$ solutions for 24 hours, respectively. Results: The measurement of the physical properties of the film after the IPN showed that the moisture content was 30.89~36.89%, the refractive index was 1.431~1.441, the contact angle was $62.98{\sim}80.45^{\circ}$, and the tensile strength was 2.378~4.215 ($gf/mm^2$). Also, the physical properties hardly changed as the content of alginate increased, and the moisture content decreased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased. As a result of the IPN, the moisture content and contact angle decreased compared to those of basic HEMA, but the tensile strength increased. The tensile strength of the second IPN was higher than that of the first IPN. In the case of $CaCl_2$, for the sample polymerized for 24 hours and the second IPN sample with 2% alginate, the contact angle decreased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased. Conclusions: In this study, the tensile strength increased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased, and the wettability increased as a result of IPN of alginate and $CaCl_2$. The hydrogel containing the alginate and $CaCl_2$ was confirmed possible utilization as contact lens material.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.397-408
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigated changes in gene expressions concerning of differentiation, proliferation, mineralization and inflammation using Human-8 expression bead arrays when white Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and calcium hydroxide-containing cement were applied in vitro to human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Materials and Methods: wMTA (white ProRoot MTA, Dentsply) and Dycal (Dentsply Caulk) in a Teflon tube (inner diameter 10 mm, height 1 mm) were applied to HDPCs. Empty tube-applied HDPCs were used as negative control. Total RNA was extracted at 3, 6, 9 and 24 hr after wMTA and Dycal application. The results of microarray were confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Out of the 24,546 genes, 43 genes (e.g., BMP2, FOSB, THBS1, EDN1, IL11, COL10A1, TUFT1, HMOX1) were up-regulated greater than two-fold and 25 genes (e.g., SMAD6, TIMP2, DCN, SOCS2, CEBPD, KIAA1199) were down-regulated below 50% by wMTA. Two hundred thirty nine genes (e.g., BMP2, BMP6, SMAD6, IL11, FOS, VEGFA, PlGF, HMOX1, SOCS2, CEBPD, KIAA1199) were up-regulated greater than two-fold and 358 genes (e.g., EDN1, FGF) were down-regulated below 50% by Dycal. Conclusions: Both wMTA and Dycal induced changes in gene expressions related with differentiation and proliferation of pulp cells. wMTA induced changes in gene expressions related with mineralization, and Dycal induced those related with angiogenesis. The genes related with inflammation were more expressed by Dycal than by wMTA. It was confirmed that both wMTA and Dycal were able to induce gene expression changes concerned with the pulp repair in different ways.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.456-464
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• 2014

Kimchi was prepared with three types of salt (4-year-aged solar salt, FS; 1-year-aged solar salt, OS; and purified salt, PS), using Leuconostoc citreum GJ7 as the starter culture. The prepared kimchi was fermented (up to 0.5-0.6% of acidity) and stored for 5 months at $-1^{\circ}C$. During the storage period, the acidity of FS kimchi increased gradually, whereas that of PS kimchi increased sharply. The yellowness (b) color value of PS kimchi (63.4) was higher than that of other kimchis with solar salts (55.6-60.3). Hardness of FS kimchi (1,912.6 gf) was greater than that of the other kimchis (1,554.4-1,650.2 gf) during the storage period. Moreover, sensory evaluation showed higher scores for FS kimchi than for other kimchis. These results suggest that FS is more suitable salt than PS for long-term storage of kimchi.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.525-528
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• 2001

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals in some health foods available on Korean markets. The samples were digested with microwave system, then analyzed using GF-AAS for the contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). The contents of mercury (Hg) were determined using a mercury analyzer. The average values of Hg, Pb, Cd and As in calcium (Ca) health foods were 0.007, 1.08, 0.02 and 0.48 mg/kg respectively. Those values in chitosan health foods were 0.001, 0.36, 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg respectively. Those values in propolis health foods were 0.013, 4.96, 0.01 and 0.13 mg/kg, respectively. The health foods that contained cow bone powders had the highest lead contents. Based on the variation in lead contents of those products, it could be possible that they might be contaminated through raw materials and/or manufacuring process. Some propolis products were also very high in lead contents. There could be risks for some population, especially the aged who overtake those health foods, to have heavy intake of lead. Therefore, we established the lead standards of 3.0, 2.0 and 5.0mg/kg less than for Ca, chitosan and propolis health foods respectively, based on the Codex method.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2006

We investigated whether increased contractile responsiveness to epidermal growth factor (EGF) is associated with altered activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the aortic smooth muscle of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. EGF induced contraction and MAPK activity in aortic smooth muscle strips, which were significantly increased in tissues from the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those from sham-operated rats. AG1478, PD98059, and LY294002, inhibitors of EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), respectively, inhibited the contraction and the activity of ERK1/2 that were elevated by EGF. Y27632 and GF109203X, inhibitors of Rho kinase and protein kinase C, respectively, attenuated EGF-induced contraction, with no diminution of ERK1/2 activity. Although EGF also elevated the activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase in both sham-operated and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, the expression and the magnitude of activation did not differ between strips. These results strongly suggest that EGF induces contraction by the activation of ERK1/2, which is regulated by the PI3K pathway in the aortic smooth muscle of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.