• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Our body's immune system has defense mechanisms against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Immune responses are primarily initiated by the activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs). In particular, TLR4 is well-characterized and is known to be activated by gram-negative bacteria and tissue damage signals. TLR4 requires myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) as a co-receptor to recognize its ligand, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which is an extracellular membrane component of gram-negative bacteria. Gambogic acid is a xanthonoid isolated from brownish or orange resin extracted from Garcinia hanburyi. Its primary effect is tumor suppression. Since inflammatory responses are related to the development of cancer, we hypothesized that gambogic acid may regulate TLR4 activation. Our results demonstrated that gambogic acid decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-12, and $IL-1{\beta}$) in both mRNA and protein levels in bone marrow-derived primary macrophages after stimulation with LPS. Gambogic acid did not inhibit the activation of Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) induced by TBK1 overexpression in a luciferase reporter gene assay using IFN-${\beta}$-PRD III-I-luc. An in vitro kinase assay using recombinant TBK1 revealed that gambogic acid did not directly inhibit TBK1 kinase activity, and instead suppressed the binding of LPS to MD2, as determined by an in vitro binding assay and confocal microscopy analysis. Together, our results demonstrate that gambogic acid disrupts LPS interaction with the TLR4/MD2 complex, the novel mechanism by which it suppresses TLR4 activation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.753-758
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• 2013

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the diffusion behavior of small gas molecules ($CO_2$) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polylactide (PLA) blends. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}$) determined from the cohesive energy densities are smaller than the critical value of Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}_{critical}$), and that indicates the good compatibility of PET/PLA blends. The diffusion coefficients of $CO_2$ are determined via MD simulations at 298 K. That the order of diffusion coefficients is correlated with the availably fractional free volume (FFV) of $CO_2$ in the PET/PLA blends means that the FFV plays a vital role in the diffusion behavior of $CO_2$ molecules in PET/PLA blends. The slopes of the log (MSD) as a function of log (t) are close to unity over the entire composition range of PET/PLA blends, which confirmes the feasibility of MD approach reaches the normal diffusion regime of $CO_2$ in PET/PLA blends.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.151-162
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• 2019

Todorokite, a tunnel-structured manganese oxide, can contain cations within the relatively large nanopores created by the $3{\times}3$ Mn octahedra. Because todorokite is poorly crystalline and found as aggregates mixed with other phases of Mn oxides in nature, the coordination structure of cations in the nanopores is challenging to fully characterize in experiment. In the current article, we report the atomistic coordination structures of $Mg^{2+}$ ions in todorokite tunnel nanopores using the classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In experiment, $Mg^{2+}$ is known to occupy the center of the nanopores. In our MD simulations, 60 % of $Mg^{2+}$ ions were located at the center of the nanopores; 40 % of the ions were found at the corners. All $Mg^{2+}$ located at the center formed the six-fold coordination with water molecules, just as the ion in bulk aqueous solution. $Mg^{2+}$ ions at the corners also formed the six-fold coordination with not only water molecules but also Mn octahedral surface oxygens. The mean squared displacements were calculated to examine the dynamic features of $Mg^{2+}$ ions in the one-dimensional (1D) nanopores. Our MD simulations indicate that the dynamic features of water molecules and the cations observed in bulk aqueous solution are lost in the 1D nanopores of todorokite.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1479-1484
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• 2005

A study was conducted to determine the effects of restricted feeding and feed form on the growth performance, characteristics of carcass and digestive tract, and days to first egg of Japanese quail (JQ, Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 240 oneweek-old JQ chicks were allocated randomly into 4 experimental groups that consisted of 3 replicates according to a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement for two feeding methods (ad libitum, AF and restricted feeding, RF) and two diet forms (mash, MD and crumble, CD). The JQ chicks were placed in a room with floor battery brooders and fed a commercial starter diet from 7 to 14 d of age. According to the experimental design, four treatments (1: ad libitum MD, 2: restricted MD, 3: ad libitum CD, and 4: restricted CD) were applied. Feed restriction was applied by 30% reduction of ad libitum feed intake for both MD and CD from 15 to 28 d of age. All birds were fed ad libitum with treatment diets from 29 d of age until the first laid egg seen (45 d of age). The commercial starter diet, MD and CD were in the same nutrient content (240 g crude protein with 13.4 MJ ME per kg diet). The body weight and overall feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) were higher (p<0.05) for the AF quails than the RF at 42 d of age. Carcass weights, dressing percentage and percentage yields of breast and back were similar for AF and RF groups at 42 d of age. The RF delayed (p<0.05) onset of egg production 2 days compared to the AF. Quail fed with the CD showed higher value (p<0.05) for carcass weight and dressing percentage at 42 d of age compared to birds fed with the MD. The interaction effect of feeding method${\times}$feed form on any of the studied parameters was not significant. The results suggest that feed restriction as in the present study can achieve a better feed conversion without reduction in carcass weight, and a significant benefit of feeding the crumble diet over the mash diet was obtained in terms of carcass weight in the JQ.

• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2005

Purpose: Maxillary hypoplasia is a common developmental problem of cleft lip and palate. Fair results with distraction osteogenesis have been reported especially when these patients need a large amount of maxillary advancement, instead of orthognathic surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results with a relatively new distractor, $TS-MD^{(R)}$ (Trans-sinusoidal maxillary distractor, KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany) which was used for the advancement of the maxilla in the cleft patients. Patients and Method: Distraction osteogenesis using $TS-MD^{(R)}$ was performed for four CLP patients (three males and one female) who had maxillary hypoplasia. All patients were over 16 years old. As three patients showed mandibular prognathism as well, bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular setback was performed at the same time. After consolidation periods of 4 to 12 weeks, the distraction devices were removed and miniplates were placed for simultaneous internal fixation. Results: Three patients showed a large amount of incisal overbite but one patient did not have sufficient maxillary advancement. Le Fort I osteotomy, maxillary advancement and internal fixation should have been performed for the patient when removing the distraction devices. Different from the $clinician{\box}s$ expectation, the amount of maxillary advancement using $TS-MD^{(R)}$ was not sufficient, although the device has rigid mechanical property. Rotation of maxilla during distraction forward and downward was also observed. Conclusion: Even though the maxillary advancement with $TS-MD^{(R)}$ device could be achieved, the clinical control of some characteristics related with the device was necessary. More clinical studies on $TS-MD^{(R)}$ should be performed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.181-200
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bojungikgi-tang (BJIG) and its modifications for patients with anemia. Methods: The subject of analysis of this study was a parallel design randomized controlled trial in which BJIG or its modifications was administered orally to patients who met the World Health Organization's anemia criteria and the efficacy and safety were prospectively measured. Electronic databases were searched to retrieve eligible literature published from 1 January 2000 to 12 February 2023. A meta-analysis was conducted, and the risk of bias (RoB) and level of evidence of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and GRADE method, respectively. Results: Five studies were included in the meta-analysis. When BJIG or its modifications was administered to anemia patients receiving conventional treatment, additional benefits compared to the non-administered group were found in terms of an increase in red blood cell count (mean difference (MD) 0.46 × 10¹²/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 0.74), hemoglobin concentration (MD 9.28 g/L, 95% CI 6.06 to 12.51), hematocrit (MD 2.57%, 95% CI 1.76 to 3.38), total effective rate (odds ratio 5.29, 95% CI 2.05 to 13.68), and traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores (standardized MD -1.51, 95% CI -2.79 to -0.24). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the clinical potential of BJIG and its modifications to provide additional benefits to patients with anemia receiving conventional treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.156-156
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• 2009

전자기기의 Slim화에 따라 부품 일장용 Board 기판의 두께도 날로 감소해지고 있다. 이와는 정 반대로 기판의 층수는 더 늘어나고 있다. 이에 따라 기판의 구성요소인 절연재의 두께도 감소하고 있다. 전자기기는 각각의 Module이 저항을 가지는데 이를 matching하기 위해서 각 module이나 package가 가지는 저항값을 상호 비슷하게 맞춘다. 하지만, 기판의 절연재의 두께 감소는 이러한 저항값이 낮아지게 한다. 이렇게 낮아진 저항값을 높이기 위해서는 전도체의 폭을 줄여야 한다. 하지만, 이렇게 전도체의 폭을 줄이는 것은 기판 제작 비용의 상승 및 제작 물가에 이르게 할 수 있다. 이를 해결하기 위해서는 절연재의 유전율을 낮추는 것이 가장 효과적이다. 본 연구에서는 PCB 기판의 유전율을 낮추기 위해 Liquid Crystalline Polymer(LCP)에 PTFE powder를 넣어 기판 재료의 가능성을 조사하였다. 유전율은 PTFE의 첨가량이 증가함에 따라 감소하여 40wt% 첨가할 경우 유전율이 2.4 정도로 낮아졌다. 이에 반해 열팽창계수는 증가가 크지 않고 peel strength는 감소함을 알 수 있었다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2006

Currently, boars selected for commercial use as AI sires are evaluated on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics. If AI sires were also evaluated and selected on semen production, it may be possible to reduce the number of boars required to service sows, thereby improving the productivity and profitability of the boar stud. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between production and semen traits in the boar: average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF) and muscle depth (MD) as production traits, and total sperm cells (TSC), total concentration (TC), volume collected (SV), number of extended doses (ND), and acceptance rate of ejaculates (AR) as semen traits. Semen collection records and performance data for 843 boars and two generations of pedigree data were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics. Backfat thickness and MD were measured by real-time ultrasound. Genetic parameters were estimated from five four-trait and one five-trait animal models using MTDFREML. Average heritability estimates were 0.39 for ADG, 0.32 for BF, 0.15 for MD, and repeatability estimates were 0.38 for SV, 0.37 for TSC, 0.09 for TC, 0.39 for ND, and 0.16 for AR. Semen traits showed a strong negative genetic correlation with MD and positive genetic correlation with BF. Genetic correlations between semen traits and ADG were low. Therefore, current AI boar selection practices may be having a detrimental effect on semen production.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1273-1285
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to determine the some physicochemical (proximate composition, pH and $a_w$ values) and reconstitution (wettability, dispersibility and solubility index (SI)) properties of spray-dried bone broth powder (BBP) along with the effects of the addition of different carrier agents. Subsequently, the powdered products were stored to determine the storage stability (pH, lipid oxidation, color, browning index) for 3 mon at $-18^{\circ}C$. For this purpose, firstly marrow-containing bones (Os femur and Os humerus) have been boiled to get the bone broth. Three different emulsions were respectively prepared (1) 20% maltodextrin (MD) added BBP, (2) 20% whey powder isolate (WPI) added BBP and (3) 10% MD and 10% WPI added BBP and the emulsions were dried using a spray-dryer with $185^{\circ}C$ inlet and $95^{\circ}C$ outlet temperature. The proximate composition and reconstitution properties of BBP were found statistically different (p<0.05) depending on the use of different carrier agents. MD added BBP showed uniform and smooth morphology. The color, browning index, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and pH values of BBP significantly changed (p<0.05) during storage. In conclusion, both the results of physicochemical and storage period analyses showed that the most suitable encapsulation material in the production of the bone broth powder is MD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2019

Citrus macroptera (Rutaceae) has long been used in folk medicine in Bangladesh. Considering the folkloric context, this study was aimed to scrutinize anti-proliferative activity of C. macroptera fruit pulp juice (CMFPJ) against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC). The anti-proliferative capacity of CMFPJ was investigated and confirmed primarily using MTT assay. In vivo anti-proliferative aptitude of CMFPJ was investigated with 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment. Anti-proliferative efficacy of CMFPJ was assessed based on EAC growth inhibition. CMFPJ inhibited EAC growth in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. And the percentages of in vivo EAC growth inhibition were 19.53, 49.2, and 68.9% at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg CMFPJ respectively. CMFPJ significantly induced expression of apoptosis regulatory genes caspase-8, caspase-9, cytochrome-c, and caspase-3. This considerable anti-cancer activity was perhaps due to combinatorial effect of lectin, polyphenols, and flavonoids present in CMFPJ.