• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.300-308
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• 2004

The formation mechanism of anodic oxide films on Mg alloys when anodized in NaOH solution. was investigated by focusing on the effects of anodizing potential. Al content. and anodizing time. Pure Mg and Mg-Al alloys were anodized for 10 min at various potentials in NaOH solutions. $Mg(OH)_2$ was generated by an active dissolution reaction at the surface. and the product was affected by temperature. The intensity ratio of $Mg(OH)_2$ in the XRD analysis decreased with increasing applied potential. while that of MgO increased. The anti-corrosion properties of anodized specimens at each constant potential were better than those of non-anodized specimens. The specimen anodized at an applied potential of 3 V had the best anti-corrosion property. And the intensity ratio of $Mg_{17}Al_{12}$/Mg increased with aluminum content in Mg-Al alloys. During anodizing. the active dissolution reaction occurred preferentially in ${\beta}\;phase(Mg_{17}Al_{12})$ until about 4 mins. and then the current density increased radually until 7 mins. The dissolution reaction progressed in a phase(Mg) which not formed the intermetallic compound. which had a lower Al content. In the anodic polarization test of $0.017\;mol{\cdot}dm^-3$ NaCl and $0.1\;mol{\cdot}dm^-3\;Na_2SO_4$ at 298 K. the current density of Mg-15 mass% Al alloy anodized for 10 mins increased. since the anodic film that forms on the a phase is a non-compacted film. The anodic film on the phase for 30 mins was a compact film as compared with that for 10 mins.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.13-26
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• 2005

Objectives : Applying herbal-acupuncture using Ursi Fet into Zusanli (UZ) on to the atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice to study changes in external dermal formation, change of leukocytes in vasculature, change of lipid formation in stratum corneum and distribution of ceramide. This study was done through forcing an injury to the mice's back skin which damages the lipid protection formation in the stratum corneum. Methods : The AD which was caused intentionally using the external application on the mice's back skin was treated with VB; the change of leukocytes in the vasculature was identified through optima 5.2 and Student's t-test and the results were made into a dermal formation graph. Results : After dispensing UZ into the AD, the dermal injury decreased. The recovery of the lipid protection formation which includes lipid and ceramide in the stratum comeum (for suppressing acute inflammation due to factors such as PKC, $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$, which controlled the secretion of the relating inflammatory cytokine) also went on to show a decrease of both angiogenesis and degranulated mast cells. In addition, the decrease of epithelial injury also caused the growth of cells to decrease in the stratum basale and cytoclasis. In the vasculature, the leukocytes were also decreased na this could relate to a decrease in AD. Conclusions : UZ has an effect on AD by suppressing dermal injury through the recovery of the lipid protection formation in the stratum corneum.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2015

In Trichinella spiralis infection, type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-related and regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cell-related immune responses are the most important immune events. In order to clarify which Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are closely associated with these responses, we analyzed the expression of mouse TLR genes in the small intestine and muscle tissue during T. spiralis infection. In addition, the expression of several chemokine- and cytokine-encoding genes, which are related to Th2 and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, were analyzed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/TIR-associated proteins (TIRAP) and Toll receptor-associated activator of interferons (TRIF) adapter protein deficient and wild type (WT) mice. The results showed significantly increased TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression in the small intestine after 2 weeks of T. spiralis infection. In the muscle, TLR1, TLR2, TLR5, and TLR9 gene expression significantly increased after 4 weeks of infection. Only the expression of the TLR4 and TLR9 genes was significantly elevated in WT MEF cells after treatment with excretory-secretory (ES) proteins. Gene expression for Th2 chemokine genes were highly enhanced by ES proteins in WT MEF cells, while this elevation was slightly reduced in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells, and quite substantially decreased in $TRIF^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In contrast, IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}$ expression levels were not elevated in MyD88/$TIRAP^{-/-}$ MEF cells. In conclusion, we suggest that TLR4 and TLR9 might be closely linked to Th2 cell and $T_{reg}$ cell mediated immune responses, although additional data are needed to convincingly prove this observation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.634-640
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is mainly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently, it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in vivo and in vitro. AD was induced by treatment with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. A subset of mice was then treated with rifampicin by oral administration. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in the rifampicin-treated group. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also ameliorated in mice treated with rifampicin. We next examined whether rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cultures stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment with rifampicin also inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was reduced in the cells treated with rifampicin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.532-537
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• 2012

Avicularin, quercetin-3-${\alpha}$-L-arabinofuranoside, has been reported to possess diverse pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects. However, the underlying mechanism by which avicularin exerts its anti-inflammatory activity has not been clearly demonstrated. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of avicularin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Avicularin significantly inhibited LPS-induced excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$ and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are responsible for the production of NO and $PGE_2$, respectively. Avicularin also suppressed LPS-induced overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$. Furthermore, avicularin significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, which retains NF-${\kappa}B$ in the cytoplasm, consequently inhibiting the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes by NF-${\kappa}B$ in the nucleus. To understand the underlying signaling mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of avicularin, involvement of multiple kinases was examined. Avicularin significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of ERK signaling pathway in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates that avicularin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of ERK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.200-206
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• 2014

N-(p-Coumaryol) tryptamine (CT), a phenolic amide, has been reported to exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the underlying mechanism by which CT exerts its pharmacological properties has not been clearly demonstrated. The objective of this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of CT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells. CT significantly inhibited LPS-induced extracellular secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$, and protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2. In addition, CT significantly suppressed LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. To elucidate the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of CT, involvement of MAPK and Akt signaling pathways was examined. CT significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of JNK/c-Jun, but not ERK and p38, in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, CT appeared to suppress LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation. However, JNK inhibition, but not Akt inhibition, resulted in the suppression of LPS-induced responses, suggesting that JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway significantly contributes to LPS-induced inflammatory responses and that LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation might be a compensatory response to a stress condition. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates CT exerts anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway in LPS-challenged RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2016

$Ni(OH)_2$ hollow spheres have been prepared by solvent displacement crystallization using a micro-injection device, and the effect of process parameters such as concentration and the relative ratio of the injection speed of the precursor solution, which is an aqueous solution of $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$, to isopropyl alcohol of displacement solvent have been investigated. The crystal phases after NaOH treatment are in the ${\beta}-phase$ for all process parameters. A higher concentration of $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$ aqueous solution is injected by a micro-injection device and bigger $Ni(OH)_2$ hollow spheres with a narrower particle size distribution are formed. The crystallinity and hardness of the as-obtained powder are so poor that hydrothermal treatment of the as-obtained $Ni(OH)_2$ at $120^{\circ}C$ for 24 h in distilled water is performed in order to greatly improve the crystallinity. It is thought that a relative ratio of the injection speed of $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$ to that of isopropyl alcohol of at least more than 1 is preferable to synthesize Ni(OH)2 hollow spheres. It is confirmed that this solution-based process is very effective in synthesizing ceramic hollow spheres by simple adjustment of the process parameters such as the concentration and the injection speed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.214-224
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• 2011

Objective: This study examined the potential of the in vitro osteogenesis of microtopographically modified surfaces, RBM (resorbable blasting media) surfaces, which generate hydroxyapatite grit-blasting. Methods: RBM surfaces were modified hydroxyapatite grit-blasting to produce microtopographically modified surfaces and the surface morphology, roughness or elements were examined. To investigate the potential of the in vitro osteogenesis, the osteoblastic cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation were examined using the human osteoblast-like cell line, MG-63 cells. Osteoblastic cell proliferation was examined as a function of time. In addition, osteoblastic cell differentiation was verified using four different methods of an ALP activity assay, a mineralization assay using alizarin red-s staining, and gene expression of osteoblastic differentiation marker using RT-PCR or ELISA. Results: Osteoblastic cell adhesion, proliferation and ALP activity was elevated on the RBM surfaces compared to the machined group. The cells exhibited a high level of gene expression of the osteoblastic differentiation makers (osteonectin, type I collagen, Runx-2, osterix). imilar data was represented in the ELISA produced similar results in that the RBM surface increased the level of osteocalcin, osteopontin, TGF-beta1 and PGE2 secretion, which was known to stimulate the osteogenesis. Moreover, alizarin red-s staining revealed significantly more mineralized nodules on the RBM surfaces than the machined discs. Conclusion: RBM surfaces modified with hydroxyapatite grit-blasting stimulate the in vitro osteogenesis of MG-63 cells and may accelerate bone formation and increase bone-implant contact.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.721-731
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• 2002

Recently, soluble TNF receptor homolog osteoprotegerin(OPG) and its membrane-bound ligand osteoclast differentiation factor(ODF) were found to regulate osteoclast formation and function, and bone metabolism. It is now well established that ODF acts via RANK expressed on hematopoietic osteoclast precursor cells to facilitate their differentiation to osteoclasts, and OPG prevents the formation of osteoclasts by interfering the binding of ODF and RANK. Expression of OPG and ODF was believed to be closely related to the pathogenesis of bone resorption and destruction from osteoporosis, periodontal diseases, malignant bone tumor, and arthritis. The periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF), located between the tooth and tooth socket, has been thought to play an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis of periodontal tissues. However, the exact mechanism by which bone formation and resorption are regulated by PDLF is not well understood. In this study we have prepared primary cultures of human PDLF from periodontium of malaligned tooth extracted due to orthodontic reason, and determined steady state or inflammatory signal-induced OPG and ODF expression using RT-PCR and western blot analysis. OPG and ODF mRNA and protein were expressed constitutively in the PDLF and these expression were slightly increased by osteotropic cytokine IL-1 ${\beta}$. Lipopolysaccharide-treated PDLF showed decrease in OPG mRNA and protein expression, and increase in ODF mRNA and protein expression. These results indicated that PDLF influence the osteoclastogenesis by OPG and ODF expression in the inflammatory situation as well as physiological condition, and thereby pathogenesis of periodontal alveolar bone destruction.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.657-663
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• 1997

The CD4 and CDS coreceptors, in conjunction with the T cell receptor (TCR) , make important contributions to the differentiation of thymocytes. They have been shown to be involved in the clonal deletion and positive selection processes during T cell development in thymus. To further analyze the role of CD4 and CDS proteins during T cell differentiation, we have generated transgenic mice constitutively expressing high levels of a native CD4 and a CD4{CDSa hybrid protein. The hybrid protein is composed of CD4 extracellular domain linked to the CD8a transmembrane region and cytoplasmic tail. The transgenes were driven by human beta-actin promoter, and therefore, they were expressed in all tissues examined including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. The resulting CD4 and CD4{CD8${\alpha}$transgenic mice were found to express the CD4 and CD4{CD8${\alpha}$ respectively, in developing thymocytes and peripheral T cells. The expression levels of transgenic proteins were 5-10 times higher than that of endogenous CD4 in thymus. However, total surface CD4 expression (CD4 or CD4{CD8${\alpha}$ transgenic protein plus endogenous CD4) of the transgenic mice were main. tained at similar levels compared to control littermates. Surface CD4 expression on CDS T cells, however, was significantly lower than that on cells expressing endogenous CD4. These results suggest that a total avidity between developing thymocytes and thymic stromal cells is impor. tant for differentiation of thymocytes.