• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-43
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• 2012

This paper examines the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU)'s recent legal challenge on patents held by Myriad Genetics on two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) associated with a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Instead of analyzing the ACLU's objections to the BRCA patents in terms of its legal technicalities and normative ethical principles, this paper seeks to situate this legal case in the broader historical context of the shifting understanding of the relationship between private ownership, economic development, and the public interest in academic sciences. This paper first briefly chronicles a series of scientific developments and key legal decisions involving patenting of life forms, including genetically engineered micro-organisms animals and biological materials of human origins like cell cultures and genes, that led to the US Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO)'s official guidelines on human gene patenting in 2001. At another level, this paper analyzes the expansion of the scope of intellectual property rights in the life sciences in terms of shifting economic and legal assumptions about public knowledge and its role for economic development in the 1970s. I then show how these economic, legal, and ethical ideas that linked private ownership and the public interest have been challenged from the 1990s, calling for revisions in intellectual property laws regarding a wide array of life forms. The tragedy of the anticommons in human gene patenting, according to ACLU, has severely undermined creative scientific activities, medical innovations, access to health care and rights to life among cancer patient groups. ACLU's objection to human gene patenting on several US-constitutional grounds in turn suggests issues regarding intellectual property are critically linked to vital issues pertinent to the creative communities in arts and sciences, such as free exchange of ideas, censorship and monopoly, and free expression and piracy etc.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.164-170
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• 2007

The concept of innate immunity in insects which refers to the first line of host defense constitutes the humoral and cellular components which are involved in recognition and actively participate in the elimination of the intruding foreign micro- or macro-organisms. Several recent studies suggest that juvenile hormone (JH) modulates the cellular immune reactions in response to pathogen. In this study, pyriproxyfen (a JH agonist as an insect growth regulator) was tested in its any inhibitory effect on the immune reactions of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. To this end, five different hemocyte morphotypes of final instar S. exigua were identified by phase contrast microscopy. Plasmatocytes and granular cells, which constitute about 90% of the total hemocyte count, were prominently distinguished based on their basophilic/acidophilic nature using Giemsa stain. The role of pyriproxyfen on the functional ability of hemocytes was analyzed using FITC-labeled Providencia vermicola for the phagocytic potential of the hemocytes. Both granular cells and plasmatocytes exhibited phagocytosis behavior. Pyriproxyfen significantly inhibited the phagocytosis of both cell types, proposing its novel action as an immunosuppressant.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2008

Present study aims to investigate the effect of muddy water on the gill and the kidney tissues of Zacco koreanus under high turbidity rearing condition. The gill of Z. koreanus showed abnormal shapes in its secondary lamellae and a rough surface with impure debris in the high level of turbidity and the longer raising period condition. In addition, the gills showed the edema, the exfoliation of epithelial cell, and the fusion of the secondary lamellae. In case of kidney tissue, the atrophied glomerulus was observed, and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was wider. The SOD activities in both gill and kidney tissues were increased in proportion to the high level of turbidity. On the while, CAT and GPX activities were shown constant level in the gill, but were increased in the kidney in the high turbid muddy water. These results indicate that the harmful radicals which generate by high level of turbidity could be removed partly by antioxidant enzymes in the kidney. The concentrations of micro heavy metal ions accumulated in the gill increased drastically at the 1,000 NTU. Based on the above results, it is considered that the exposure to the high level of turbidity for long period may affect on the structures of tissues, and change the enzymatic balance in Z. koreanus, causing the fatal disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2021

Background: Abnormal chloride (Cl-) transport has a detrimental impact on mucociliary clearance in both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis. Ginseng is a medicinal plant noted to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The present study aims to assess the capability of red ginseng aqueous extract (RGAE) to promote transepithelial Cl- secretion in nasal epithelium. Methods: Primary murine nasal septal epithelial (MNSE) [wild-type (WT) and transgenic CFTR-/-], fisher-rat-thyroid (FRT) cells expressing human WT CFTR, and TMEM16A-expressing human embryonic kidney cultures were utilized for the present experiments. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and airway surface liquid (ASL) depth measurements were performed using micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). Mechanisms underlying transepithelial Cl- transport were determined using pharmacologic manipulation in Ussing chambers and whole-cell patch clamp analysis. Results: RGAE (at 30㎍/mL of ginsenosides) significantly increased Cl- transport [measured as change in short-circuit current (ΔISC = ㎂/㎠)] when compared with control in WT and CFTR-/- MNSE (WT vs control = 49.8±2.6 vs 0.1+/-0.2, CFTR-/- = 33.5±1.5 vs 0.2±0.3, p < 0.0001). In FRT cells, the CFTR-mediated ΔISC attributed to RGAE was small (6.8 ± 2.5 vs control, 0.03 ± 0.01, p < 0.05). In patch clamp, TMEM16A-mediated currents were markedly improved with co-administration of RGAE and uridine 5-triphosphate (8406.3 +/- 807.7 pA) over uridine 5-triphosphate (3524.1 +/- 292.4 pA) or RGAE alone (465.2 +/- 90.7 pA) (p < 0.0001). ASL and CBF were significantly greater with RGAE (6.2+/-0.3 ㎛ vs control, 3.9+/-0.09 ㎛; 10.4+/-0.3 Hz vs control, 7.3 ± 0.2 Hz; p < 0.0001) in MNSE. Conclusion: RGAE augments ASL depth and CBF by stimulating Cl- secretion through CaCC, which suggests therapeutic potential in both CF and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.5-16
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• 2009

Preconsolidation stress is one of the important design parameters in soft soils because the behavior of saturated soft soils changes dramatically at the preconsolidation stress. For the estimation of preconsolidation stress, the global vertical settlement without considering micro strain behavior has been considered. The purpose of this study is to propose and verify a new method called the "shear wave velocity method" for determination of the preconsolidation stress reflecting on particle behavior at the small-strain. In this study, the undisturbed soft soils obtained at Busan, Incheon and Gwangyang in Korea were used. The oedometer cell incoporated with the bender elements is used for the consolidation tests under the $K_0$ condition. The preconsolidation stress determined by the proposed method is compared with that estimated by Casagrande (e-log p'), Sridharan (log (1+e)-log p'), and Onitsuka (In(1+e)-log p') methods. This study suggests that the shear wave velocity method may determine simply the preconsolidation stress with considering the small-strain behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2008

It is interesting to note that distinct element method has been used extensively to model the response of micro and discontinuous behavior in geomechanics. Impressive advances related to response of distinct particles have been conducted and there were difficulties in considering fluid effect simultaneously. Current distinct element methods are progressively developed to solve particle-fluid coupling focused on fluid flow through soil, rock or porous medium. In this research, numerical simulations of fluid injection into particulate materials were conducted to observe cavity initiation and propagation using distinct element method. After generation of initial particles and wall elements, confining stress was applied by servo-control method. The fluid scheme solves the continuity and Navior-Stokes equations numerically, then derives pressure and velocity vectors for fixed grid by considering the existence of particles within the fluid cell. Fluid was injected as 7-step into the assembly in the x-direction from the inlet located at the center of the left boundary under confining stress condition, $0.1MP{\alpha}\;and\;0.5MP{\alpha}$, respectively. For each simulation, movement of particles, flow rate, fluid velocity, pressure history, wall stress including cavity initiation and propagation by interaction of flulid-paricles were analyzed.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1156-1167
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• 2024

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that can play a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of mammalian preadipocyte differentiation. However, the precise functional mechanism of its regulation of fat metabolism is not fully understood. Methods: We identified bta-miR-365-3p, which specifically targets the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5), and verified its mechanisms for regulating expression and involvement in adipogenesis. Results: In this study, we found that the overexpression of bta-miR-365-3p significantly decreased the lipid accumulation and triglyceride content in the adipocytes. Compared to inhibiting bta-miR-36 5-3p group, overexpression of bta-miR-365-3p can inhibit the expression of adipocyte differentiation-related genes C/EBPα and PPARγ. The dual-luciferase reporter system further validated the targeting relationship between bta-miR-365-3p and FKBP5. FKBP5 mRNA and protein expression were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Overexpression of bta-miR-365-3p significantly down-regulated FKBP5 expression, while inhibition of bta-miR-365-3p showed the opposite, indicating that bta-miR-365-3p negatively regulates FKBP5. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) signaling pathway is closely related to the regulation of cell growth and is involved in the development of bovine adipocytes. In this study, overexpression of bta-miR-365-3p significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of AMPK, mTOR, and SREBP1 genes, while the inhibition of bta-miR-365-3p expression was contrary to these results. Overexpression of FKBP5 significantly upregulated AMPK, mTOR, and SREBP1 gene expression, while inhibition of FKBP5 expression was contrary to the above experimental results. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results indicate that bta-miR-365-3p may be involved in the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in regulating Yanbian yellow cattle preadipocytes differentiation by targeting the FKBP5 gene.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.107-119
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• 2002

Astrocyte, which shares the greatest part of the brain (about 25%), is a land of glial cell that composes the central nervous system along with microglia, ependymal cell and oligodendroglia. It has 7-9nm of fibers in its cytoplasma, which are composed of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin. As for the functions of the astrocyte, it has, so far, been supposed that the astrocyte will play a cytoskeletal role in maintaining the structure of the cerebrum, play a role as a blood-brain barrier so that it can induce migration of the neuron in its development and substances in the blood cannot go into the nervous tissue, and a role of immunology and phagocytosis. However, it was revealed today that it will be a role in preventing expansion of injury by attaching itself to the connective tissue such as the vessel and the pia mater when the nervous tissue or the arachnoid is injured. Microcurrent stimulation can control current, on the basis of A unit. That is, with such devices using it, it is possible to sense, from the outside, the injured current(wound current) of the lesion and to change it into the normal current, thereby promoting the restoration of the cells. In order to examine the effects of microcurrent stimulation on the injured astrocytes in the rabbits, this study was conducted with 24 New Zealand White Rabbit as its subjects, which were divided into 8 animals of the experiment group and 16 animals of the control group. After the animals in the experiment group were fixed to the stereotaxic apparatus, their hair was removed and their premotor area(association area) perforated by the micro-drill for skull-perforation with the depth of 8mm from the scalp. In one week after the injury, 4 animals in the control group and 8 animals in the experiment group were sacrificed and examined with immunohistochemical method. And in three weeks, the remaining 4 animals in the control group and 8 animals in the experiment group were also sacrificed and examined with the same way. The conclusion has been drawn as follows : In the control group sacrificed in one week after the injury, the astrocytes somewhat increased, compared with the normal animals, and in the group sacrificed in three weeks after the injury, they increased more (p < 0.05). The experiment group A in one week showed a little increase, but there was no significant differences, but the experiment group in three weeks showed more increase, compared with the experiment group in one week (p < 0.05). The experiment group B in one week showed more increase than the control group or the experiment group A, and the experiment group in three weeks showed more increase than the experiment group in one week (p < 0.05). Among the astrocytes, fibrous astrocytes were mostly observed, increasing as they are close to the lesion, and decreasing as they are remote from it. The findings show that microcurrent can cause the astrocytes to proliferate and that it will be more effective to stimulate the cervical part somewhat remote from the lesion rather than to directly stimulate the part of the lesion. Thus, microcurrent stimulation can be one of the methods that can activate the reaction of astrocytes, which is one of the mechanism for treating cerebral injury with hemorrhage. Therefore, this study will be used as basic research data for promoting restoration of functions in the patient with injury in the central nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 1984

Sardine, Sardinops melanosticta, has been caught more than fifty thousand metric tons every year in adjacent sea of Korea, but most of them used for uneatable fish meal because of their rapid spoilage. Usually it is known that the main reason of putrefaction of foods is caused by the maicro-organisms included in them. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to identify the micro-organisms isolated from the intestine of fresh sardine and characterize their proteolytic enzymes produced from them. Aerobic cell count ranged from $1.7{\times}10^4\;to\;3.6{\times}10^5/g$, while anaerobic cell count, from $2.9{\times}10^4\;to\;5.5{\times}10^5/g$. Most of the isolated strains were psychrotrophic mesophiles. Among the two hundred and eighty strains isolated from the fresh samples, fifty-six strains ($20.0\%$) were proteolytics, one hundred and seventy-five strains ($62.5\%$) were lipolytics and tenty-nine strains ($10.5\%$) had the ability to produce hydrogn sulfide. The most predominantly isolated microbial groups from the fresh sardine were Moraxella ($31.4\%$) and Pseudomonas sup. ($28.6\%$). Flavobacterium-Cytophaga, Vibrio, Acinetobacter, Micrococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae appeared from $7.9\%\;to\;5\%$ out of total tested strains. The average bacterial count in the spoiled samples (stored at about $18^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours) was increased to the level of $2.9{\times}10^8/g$ for aerobes, $1.5{\times}10^8/g$ for anaerobes, then one hundred and ten strains, corresponding to $52\%$, out of two hundred and thirteen strains submitted to the test were proteolytics. The strongest proteolytic bacterium among the two hundred and eighty strains was identified as Pseudomonas 101 which grew best at $25^{\circ}C$. The optimum condition for the activity of the proteolytic enzyme produced by Pseudomonas 101 appeared $35^{\circ}C$ and pH 9.0, but the activity was relatively unchanged between 5.0 and 11.0 of pH and between $30^{\circ}C\;and\;50^{\circ}C$ of temperature.