• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.162-162
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• 2012

ZnPc and CuPc molecules stacked similar way in the film, but showed different growth modes in thermal evaporation. The distribution of CuPc crystals did not change by the film thickness, whereas the distribution of ZnPc became random as the increase of the film thickness. The disc type nanograins of CuPc were quite regularly distributed at the initial growth regime and the regular distribution of nanograins was kept during the film growth. On the other hand, ZnPc consisted in ellipsoid shaped nanograins and the distribution of nanograins was not regular in the initial growth regime. The irregular distribution of nanograins changed to the regular mode at the later growth regime by showing structure factor in GISAXS measurement. The different initial nanograin distribution in ZnPc and CuPc was related to the different nanostructure in the mixed layer with C60 to form the bulk heterojunction.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1508-1514
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• 2016

A series of antagonists specifically targeting growth hormone receptors (GHR) in different species, such as humans, rats, bovines, and mice, have been designed; however, there are currently no antagonists that target the porcine growth hormone (GH). Therefore, in this study, we developed and characterized a porcine GHR (pGHR) antibody antagonist (denoted by AN98) via the hybridoma technique. The results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescence activated cell sorter, indirect immunoinfluscent assay, and competitive receptor binding analysis showed that AN98 could specifically recognize pGHR, and further experiments indicated that AN98 could effectively inhibit pGH-induced signalling in CHO-pGHR cells and porcine hepatocytes. In addition, AN98 also inhibited GH-induced insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion in porcine hepatocytes. In summary, these findings indicated that AN98, as a pGHR-specific antagonist, has potential applications in pGH-pGHR-related research on domestic pigs.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.9
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• pp.179-189
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• 2020

The paper empirically examines the bank-specific determinants of loan growth in the Vietnamese banking system for the period from 2007 to 2019. We approach the CAMELS framework and employ the dynamic panel regression to determine the effects of each CAMELS factor on bank lending. To ensure the robustness of results, we also use alternative definitions of the variables and different specifications with and without full sets of CAMELS components. With these settings, we display multiple important results. (i) We find that a large capital buffer tends to boost bank lending expansion faster. (ii) High asset quality might positively contribute to high loan growth; in other words, banks subject to high credit risk are discouraged from making loans. (iii) Less efficiently managed banks are more likely to adopt an aggressive lending strategy, highlighting the moral hazard incentives of Vietnamese banks. (iv) More profitable banks with excellent competitive advantages could expand their lending activities to a larger extent. (v) Liquidity is positively related to the loan growth of banks. (vi) Perceived interest rate risk tends to suppress loan growth since interest-rate-sensitive banks might be concerned about the adverse effects of unpredictable adverse changes in interest rates in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2006

We previously found that cobrotoxin inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by reacting with signal molecules of $NF-{\kappa}B$ which is critical contributor in cancer cell growth by induction of apoptotic cell death. We here investigated whether cobrotoxin inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, which is related with the suppression of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Cobrotoxin $(0{\sim}8\;nM)$ inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through increased apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Cobrotoxin inhibited DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. Consistent with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$, cobrotoxin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 3. Cobrotoxin, a venom of Vipera lebetina turanica, is a group of basicpeptides composed of 233 amino acids with six disulfide bonds formed by twelve cysteins. NF-kB is activated by subsequent release of inhibitory IkB and translocation of p50. Since sulfhydryl group is present in kinase domain of p50 subunit of NF-kB, cobrotoxin could modify NF-kB activity by protein-protein interaction. And Cobrotoxin down regulated Akt signals. Salicylic acid as a reducing agent of Sulf-hydryl group and LY294002 as a Akt inhibitor abrogated cobrotoxin-induced cell growth and DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$. These findings suggest that nano to pico molar range of cobrotoxin could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, and the effect may be related with the induction of apoptotic cell death through Akt dependent inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2015

Objectives: It was investigated the cytoprotective efficacies of isorhamnetin, a flavonoid originally derived from Hippophae rhamnoides L., against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts. Methods: The effects of isorhamnetin on cell growth, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis-regulatory and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related proteins, and caspase activities (caspase-3 and -9) were determined by Western blot analysis and colorimetric assay, respectively. Results: Our results revealed that treatment with isorhamnetin prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) exposure significantly increased the C2C12 cell viability and, indicating that the exposure of C2C12 cells to isorhamnetin conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. Isorhamnetin also effectively attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis and ROS generation, which was associated with the restoration of the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 induced by $H_2O_2$. In addition, $H_2O_2$ enhanced the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with isorhamnetin. Moreover, isorhamnetin increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1, a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of Nrf2. Conclusions: Our data indicated that isorhamnetin may potentially serve as an agent for the treatment and prevention of muscle disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2016

This study examined effects of Enterobacter ludwigii SJR3 showing a high 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, on growth of tomato plant and its expression of stress-related genes under drought and salt stress. SJR3 strain was inoculated at $10^6cell/g$ soil to 4-week grown tomato plants, and drought and salt stresses were treated. After additional incubation for 1 week, root length, stem length, fresh weight and dry weight of tomato plants treated with SJR3 increased by 37.8, 37.2, 96.8 and 146.6%, respectively compared to those of uninoculated plants in drought stress environment, and they increased by 19.2, 25.4, 19.5, and 105.8%, respectively in salt stress environment. Proline content in tomato leaves increased significantly under stress conditions as one of a protecting substance against stresses, but proline contents in tomato treated with SJR3 decreased by 62.1 and 54.1%, respectively. Relative expression of genes encoding ACC oxidase, ACO1 and ACO4, ethylene response factor genes ERF1 and ERF4, and some other stress-related genes were examined from tomato leaves. Compared to the non-stressed tomato, expressions of all stress-related genes increased significantly in the stressed tomato, but gene expressions in the inoculated tomato were similar to those of no-stressed control tomato. Therefore, E. ludwigii SJR3 may play an important role in mitigating drought and salt stress in plants, and can increase productivity of crops under various abiotic stresses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.331-341
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• 2021

Liver cancer is a common tumor and currently the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Liver cancer is highly related to inflammation as more than 90% of liver cancer arises in the context of hepatic inflammation, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. Despite significant improvements in the therapeutic modalities for liver cancer, patient prognosis is not satisfactory due to the limited efficacy of current drug therapies in anti-metastatic activity. Therefore, developing new effective anti-cancer agents with anti-metastatic activity is important for the treatment of liver cancer. In this study, SP-8356, a verbenone derivative with anti-inflammatory activity, was investigated for its effect on the growth and migration of liver cancer cells. Our findings demonstrated that SP-8356 inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and suppressing the mobility and invasion ability of liver cancer cells. Functional studies revealed that SP-8356 inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways, which are related to cell proliferation and metastasis, resulting in the downregulation of metastasis-related genes. Moreover, using an orthotopic liver cancer model, tumor growth was significantly decreased following treatment with SP-8356. Thus, this study suggests that SP-8356 may be a potential agent for the treatment of liver cancer with multimodal regulation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2019

Objective: We aimed to observe hair follicle (HF) development in the dorsal skin and elucidate the expression patterns of genes and proteins related to skin and HF development in Rex rabbits from birth to 8 weeks of age. Methods: Whole-skin samples were obtained from the backs of Rex rabbits at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, the morphological development of primary and secondary HFs was observed, and the gene transcript levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), transforming growth factor ${\beta}-1$, 2, and 3 ($TGF{\beta}-1$, $TGF{\beta}-2$, and $TGF{\beta}-3$) were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, Wnt family member 10b (Wnt10b) and ${\beta}$-Catenin gene and protein expression were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. Results: The results showed significant changes in the differentiation of primary and secondary HFs in Rex rabbits during their first 8 weeks of life. The IGF-I, EGF, $TGF{\beta}-2$, and $TGF{\beta}-3$ transcript levels in the rabbits were significantly lower at 2 weeks of age than at birth and gradually increased thereafter, while the BMP2 and $TGF{\beta}-1$ transcript levels at 2 weeks of age were significantly higher than those at birth and gradually decreased thereafter. ${\beta}$-Catenin gene expression was also significantly affected by age, while the Wnt10b transcript level was not. However, the Wnt10b and ${\beta}$-catenin protein expression levels were the lowest at 2 and 4 weeks of age. Conclusion: Our data showed that a series of changes in HFs in dorsal skin occurred during the first 8 weeks. Many genes, such as IGF-I, EGF, BMP2, $TGF{\beta}-1$, $TGF{\beta}-2$, $TGF{\beta}-3$, and ${\beta}$-Catenin, participated in this process, and the related proteins Wnt10b and ${\beta}$-Catenin in skin were also affected by age.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 1983

This paper describes a study of fillet welded joint stressed perpendicular to the weld line. The finite element method was used to determine the stress intensity factor for cruciform joint at weld toe and root cracks according to variation of H/Tp, weld angle and main plate thickness. But, in this study, weld angle was fixed at 45.deg., since the variation of weld angle affect the stress intensity factor little, also main plate thickness was fixed. Pulsating tension fatigue test was done at the second phase of experiment. The work using the concepts of the fracture mechanics on the stable crack growth, was in the correlation of the experimental fatigue stress-life behavior because the fatigue behaviors of various joint geometries are related to the stress intensity factors calculated by F.E.M. analysis. Main results obtained are summarized as follows. 1) According to the propagation of toe crack, the variation of the stress intensity factor at root crack is obvious as H/Tp is smaller. 2) According to the propagation of root cracks, the change of the stress intensity factor of the toe is very large with propagation of root crack. 3) The calculation formula of the stress intensity factor of crack propagation at the root crack was obtained. 4) The calculation formula of the stress intensity factor at the toe cracks was obtained in similar manner. 5) From the results of experiment, the velocity of fatigue crack propagation at the weld toe and root was estimated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.417-423
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• 2011

Thymosin ${\beta}4$ (TB-4) has been reported to play a key role in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. In addition, TB-4 induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stabilized the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$ in melanoma cells. Although the importance of thymosin ${\beta}4$ in angiogenesis and metastasis has been proven, there are few studies that show the expression patterns of TB-4, VEGF and HIF-$1{\alpha}$. This study was conducted to analyze the relationship among these proteins in various tumors. Using tissue microarray analysis, we investigated the expression patterns of TB-4, VEGF and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in various tumors to identify the expression patterns and relationships of these proteins in certain tumors. TB-4 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma, colon adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, kidney and urinary bladder transitional carcinoma, lung cancer, and liver cancer. HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was highly expressed in nasal cavity inverted papilloma, lung cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The expression patterns of TB-4 and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ were almost similar and co-localized. VEGF expression was high in the blood vessels in tumors, but usually not high in the tumors themselves. VEGF was moderately expressed in stomach cancer, liver angiosarcoma, gall bladder adenocarcinoma, and uterus endometrial adenocarcinoma. The expression patterns of VEGF shows similarities in certain tumors including stomach cancer, osteosarcoma, liposarcoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, gall bladder adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, stomach cancer, colorectal carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. These results suggest that the expression patterns of TB-4, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF were co-localized and related to tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of certain tumors.