• Biodesign
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.92-95
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• 2018

API5 is a unique oncogenic, non-BIR type IAP nuclear protein and is up-regulated in several cancers. It exerts several functions, such as apoptosis inhibition, cell cycle progression, cancer immune escape, and anticancer drug resistance. Although structural studies of API have revealed that API5 mediates protein-protein interactions, its detailed molecular functions remain unknown. Since FGF2 is one of API5's major interacting proteins, structural studies of the API5-FGF2 complex will provide insight into both proteins' molecular function. We overexpressed and purified API5 and FGF2 in Escherichia coli and crystallized the API-FGF2 complex using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 as a precipitant. Diffraction data were collected to a $2.7{\AA}$ resolution using synchrotron X-rays. Preliminary diffraction analysis revealed that the API5-FGF2 complex crystal belongs to the space group $P2_12_12_1$ with the following unit cell parameters: a = 46.862, b = 76.523, $c=208.161{\AA}$. One asymmetric unit with 49.9% solvent contains one API5-FGF2 complex. Molecular replacement calculation, using API5 and FGF2 coordinates, provided a clear electron density map for an API5-FGF2 complex.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2014

Ghost cells have been recognized as eliciting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and have also been predicted to play a role as an immune adjuvant. In this study, we used the intramuscular (IM) route to inject BALB/c mice with four vaccine groups constructed from Salmonella typhimurium ghost (STG) cells originating from different virulent strains and complex STG groups instead of heat-labile toxin (LT)-B, a type of adjuvant. Although the complex STG groups exhibited a response after a short delay, the groups showed final total IgG levels similar to those of the LT-B group, which encodes LT-B from pMMP300. The IgG1 response to the ${\chi}$3339 group was the highest response at 6 weeks, whereas IgG2a responses to the ${\chi}$3339 and JOL389 groups were higher at 6 and 8 weeks compared to those of the LT-B group. The response of vaginal sIgA to the LT-B group was generally higher than that of the other groups, whereas fecal sIgA to the LT-B group exhibited lower responses. Protection to virulent S. typhimurium in all groups was above 80%, which was similar to the LT-B group. Taken together, we suggest that STG complex groups can be used as an immune adjuvant instead of LT-B.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.358-363
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• 2003

Optimal tuning plays an important role in operations or tuning of the complex process such as the main steam temperature of the thermal power plant. However, it is very difficult to maintain the steam temperature of power plant using conventional optimization methods, since these processes have the time delay and the change of the dynamic characteristics in the reheater. Up to the present time, the Pm controller has been used. However, it is not easy to achieve an optimal PID gain with no experience, since the gain of the PID controller has to be manually tuned by trial and error. This paper suggests immune algorithm based tuning technique for PID Controller on steam temperature process with long dead time and its results are compared with genetic algorithm based tuning technique.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.891-896
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• 2008

The function of mast cells as effector cells in allergy has been extensively studied. Mast cells activated through high affinity IgE-receptor ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI$) release diverse mediators, and lead to smooth muscle constriction, vasodilation, increase of vascular permeability, leukocyte recruitment and activation, mucus secretion, and tissue proliferation and remodeling. However, various other immunological and non-immunological signals can lead to the activation of mast cells. In resent years, mast cells have been identified to be involved in a complex range of immune functions. Mast cells can be important as key players in the regulation of innate as well as adapted immune responses, and may influence the development of allergy, autoimmune disorder and peripheral tolerance. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of effector functions of mast cells in immune responses.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2004

Mancozeb, a polymeric complex of zinc and manganese salts of ethylene bisthiocarbamate (EBDC), is used widely in agriculture as fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Mancozeb can be occupationally and environmentally exposed to human and has been reported to induce estrogenic activity, therein it is considered as an endocrine disrupter, We investigated the effects of acute exposure of Mancozeb on the immune function in mice. After single oral administration of Mancozeb to female ICR mice, the immunopathological parameters (body- and organ-weight, splenic cellularity hematological parameters), mitogen (Con A, PHA+IL-2, LPS)-induced splenocyte proliferation (SP) and splenic IgM plaque forming cell (PFC). WBC and splenic cellularity were decreased, but liver-, kidney-, and spleen-weight were increased when compared with control group. Splenic IgM PFC against SRBC was slightly lowered. Mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen cells from Mancozeb-treated mice was not signifcantly changed ex vivo, however, SP in vitro were significantly lowered in concentration dependent manner. These results indicate that Mancozeb could affect the immune function in mice.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.343-365
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• 2011

Structural system identification (SSI) is an inverse problem of difficult solution. Currently, difficulties lie in the development of algorithms which can cater to large size problems. In this paper, a parameter estimation technique based on evolutionary strategy is presented to overcome some of the difficulties encountered in using the traditional system identification methods in terms of convergence. In this paper, a non-traditional form of system identification technique employing evolutionary algorithms is proposed. In order to improve the convergence characteristics, it is proposed to employ immune algorithms which are proved to be built with superior diversification mechanism than the conventional evolutionary algorithms and are being used for several practical complex optimisation problems. In order to reduce the number of design variables, domain decomposition methods are used, where the identification process of the entire structure is carried out in multiple stages rather than in single step. The domain decomposition based methods also help in limiting the number of sensors to be employed during dynamic testing of the structure to be identified, as the process of system identification is carried out in multiple stages. A fifteen storey framed structure, truss bridge and 40 m tall microwave tower are considered as a numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the domain decomposition based structural system identification technique using immune algorithm.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.580-590
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• 2018

Active distribution system (ADS) considering distributed generation (DG) and electric vehicle (EV) is an effective way to cut carbon emission and improve system benefits. ADS is an evolving, complex and uncertain system, thus comprehensive model and effective optimization algorithms are needed. Battery swapping station (BSS) for EV service is an essential type of flexible load (FL). This paper establishes ADS planning model considering BSS firstly for the minimization of total cost including feeder investment, operation and maintenance, net loss and carbon tax. Meanwhile, immune binary firefly algorithm (IBFA) is proposed to optimize ADS planning. Firefly algorithm (FA) is a novel intelligent algorithm with simple structure and good convergence. By involving biological immune system into FA, IBFA adjusts antibody population scale to increase diversity and global search capability. To validate proposed algorithm, IBFA is compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm on IEEE 39-bus system. The results prove that IBFA performs better than PSO in global search and convergence in ADS planning.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.17
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• 2019

Aging is a complex process associated with dysregulation of the immune system and low levels of inflammation, often associated with the onset of many pathologies. The lacrimal gland (LG) plays a vital role in the maintenance of ocular physiology and changes related to aging directly affect eye diseases. The dysregulation of the immune system in aging leads to quantitative and qualitative changes in antibodies and cytokines. While there is a gradual decline of the immune system, there is an increase in autoimmunity, with a reciprocal pathway between low levels of inflammation and aging mechanisms. Elderly C57BL/6J mice spontaneously show LGs infiltration that is characterized by Th1 but not Th17 cells. The aging of the LG is related to functional alterations, reduced innervation and decreased secretory activities. Lymphocytic infiltration, destruction, and atrophy of glandular parenchyma, ductal dilatation, and secretion of inflammatory mediators modify the volume and composition of tears. Oxidative stress, the capacity to metabolize and eliminate toxic substances decreased in aging, is also associated with the reduction of LG functionality and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Although further studies are required for a better understanding of autoimmunity and aging of the LG, we described anatomic and immunology aspects that have been described so far.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-302
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• 2024

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition leading to recurrent respiratory infections. Despite the use of antibiotics and other standard treatments, managing bronchiectasis remains challenging due to the frequent recurrence of airway infections and concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Given these challenges, traditional Korean medicine (TKM) has gained attention due to its potential to reduce the frequency of respiratory infections, possibly minimizing the need for antibiotics. Case report: A 59-year-old female with bronchiectasis experienced recurrent pneumonia and was treated with antibiotics for over 2 weeks without any significant improvement in clinical symptoms. She received comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine (Sikyungbanha-tang combined with Bigwabojungikki-tang-gami), acupuncture, and Chuna manual therapy, for pulmonary rehabilitation. Post-treatment, clinically meaningful improvements were observed in symptoms, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and bronchopneumonic lesions on chest X-rays. Conclusion: This case suggests that complex traditional Korean medicine treatments for recurrent chronic airway inflammation due to bronchiectasis can lead to clinically significant improvements in symptoms and help to prevent recurrence.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2019

$Foxp3^+$ regulatory $CD4^+$ T (Treg) cells play an essential role in preventing overt immune responses against self and innocuous foreign antigens. Selective expansion of endogenous Treg cells in response to the administration of interleukin (IL)-2/antibody complex, such as the IL-2/JES6-1 complex (IL-2C) in mice, is considered an attractive therapeutic approach to various immune disorders. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of IL-2C in allergic airway inflammation models. IL-2C treatment ameliorated Th17-mediated airway inflammation; however, unexpectedly, IL-2C treatment exacerbated Th2-mediated allergic airway inflammation by inducing the selective expansion of Th2 cells and type-2 innate lymphoid cells. We also found that IL-2 signaling is required for the expansion of Th2 cells in lymphoproliferative disease caused by Treg cell depletion. Our data suggest that IL-2C is selectively applicable to the treatment of allergic airway diseases depending on the characteristics of airway inflammation.