• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.58-63
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• 2013

In this study, the effect of deep ocean condenser inlet temperature ($T_{DOI}$), condenser inlet pressure ($P_{cond,in}$), and thermal diffusivity on system efficiency of some selected refrigerants was analyzed using HYSYS. The proposed DOTEC cycle is similar to the reheat Rankine cycle but eliminates irreversibilities by bleeding a fraction of the steam between certain stages of the turbine. The evaporator inlet mass flow rate, inlet temperature of turbine 1, turbine efficiency and inlet and outlet temperature of heat source were imposed. The working fluids considered are sorted in ascending order of their molecular weights as R717, R600a and R152a. Results indicated that a fluid with a lower boiling point temperature like R717 needs a corresponding high heat source and/or evaporator inlet pressure. Also, the response of thermal diffusivity closely follows the change in TDOI as an increase in $T_{DOI}$ increases $P_{cond,in}$ which reduces thermal diffusivity and system efficiency. Furthermore, the fluid with the nominal boiling point temperature has the highest efficiency with efficiency decreasing with an increase in TDOI.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.116-122
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• 2000

The molecular modification of antiepileptic drugs and direct synthesis of new drugs with the predetermined antiepileptic properties are perspective. New neurochemical attacking to solve the problem including prevention and inhibition of seizures seems to be related to ginsenosides and ginseng polypeptides. The main study based on the severity of febrile convulsions of rat pups has been done from the earlier investigations of antiepileptical action of ginsenosides between KGTRI and MSU (Chepurnov, Park et al., 1995) with different kinds of experimental models of epilepsy. From the cultured cell line DAN25 of ginseng root, the extracts of ginsenosides made in "BIOKHIMMASH" were studied by the project of preclinical anticonvulsant screening (Stables, Kupferberg, 1997). The inhibition of severity of convulsions, decrease of seizures threshold, decrease of audiogenic seizures in rats of different strains and normalization of cerebral blood flow (measured by hydrogen test) were demonstrated in rats after i.c.v., intraperitoneally and orally administration, respectively. The antiepileptical effects by the combination of compounds from ginseng; were compared with the iuluence of Rg1, Rb1, Rc and with the well known antiepileptical drugs such as carbamazepine, valproic acid. The base for the research is obtained by using the WAG/Rij strain (Luijtelaar, Coenen, Kuznetcova), an excellent genetic model for human generalized absence epilepsy. The improving action of gensinosides was effectively demonstrated on the model of electrical kindling of amygdala of WAG/Rij rats with genetically determined absences, and the influences of ginsenosides on the slow wave discharges have also been being investigated. The different characteristics of a kindling process exerted in the sex-different region of the amygdala and demonstrated that the level of sex steroids and content of neurosteroids in amygdaloid tissue can modify the development of seizures. The chemical structures of ginsenosides not only have some principal differences from well-known antiepileptical drugs but the Plant Pharmacology gives us unique possibility to develop new class of antiepileptic drugs and to improve its biological activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.877-881
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• 2007

The genetic diversity and population structure of Potentilla freyniana in Korea were determined using genetic variations at 19 allozyme loci. Thirteen of the 19 loci (68.4%) showed detectable polymorphism. Genetic diversity at the population level was high ($H_{EP}$ = 0.270). Total genetic diversity values ($H_T$) varied between 0.190 and 0.584, giving an average overall polymorphic loci of 0.371. The interlocus variation of genetic diversity within populations ($H_S$) was high (0.354). On a per locus basis, the proportion of total genetic variation due to differences among populations ($G_{ST}$) ranged from 0.008 for Fe-2 to 0.310 for Gpi with a mean of 0.065, indicating that about 6.5% of the total allozyme variation was among populations. Wide geographic ranges, perennial herbaceous nature and the persistence of multiple generations are associated with the high level of genetic variation in P. freyniana. The estimate of gene flow based on $G_{ST}$, was high among Korean populations of P. freyniana (Nm =3.57). Although P. freyniana usually propagated by asexually-produced ramets, I could not rule out the possibility that sexual reproduction occurred at a low rate because each ramet may produce terminal flowers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.903-909
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• 2014

Plants are an invaluable source of potential new anti-cancer drugs. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) is one of these plants with medical value, which is a bamboo grass widely distributed in Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Korea. Here, we investigated the apoptotic effects of S. quelpaertensis leaf extracts in six human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, HepG-2, Hela, HCT116 and A375). MTT assay signified the antiproliferative nature of S. quelpaertensis extracts against all tested cancer cells: S. quelpaertensis displayed slight cytotoxicity against A549, MCF-7 and HepG-2 cells, whereas it was exclusively cytotoxic to Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells. Apoptotic cells were evaluated using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). PI staining indicated increasing accumulation of Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells at sub-G1 phase. Further events like generation of nitric oxide ($NO^{\bullet}$) were accompanied in the S. quelpaertensis Nakai-induced apoptosis. Augmented $NO^{\bullet}$ generation resulted in the DNA fragmentation of Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells by treatment with S. quelpaertensis leaf extracts. These results suggest that S. quelpaertensis may be a potential natural resource for treating cancer cell. To identify the exact mechanisms of molecular mechanism of S. quelpaertensis induced apoptosis awaits further investigation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2005

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have unique features including unlimited growth capacity, expression of specific markers, normal karyotypes and an ability to differentiate. Many investigators have tried to use hES cells for cell-based therapy, but there is little information about the properties of available hES cell lines. We compared the characteristics of three hES cell lines. The expression of SSEA-1, -3, -4, and APase, was examined by immunocytochemistry, and Oct-4 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. Differentiation of the hES cells in vitro and in vivo led to the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) or teratomas. We examined the expression of tissue-specific markers in the differentiated cells by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and the ability of each hES cell line to proliferate was measured by flow cytometry of DNA content and ELISA. The three hES cell lines were similar in morphology, marker expression, and teratoma formation. However there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the differentiated cells formed by the different cell lines in levels of expression of tissue-specific markers such as renin, kallikrein, Glut-2, ${\beta}-$ and ${\delta}-globin$, albumin, and ${\alpha}1-antitrypsin$ (${\alpha}1-AT$). The hES cell lines also differed in proliferative activity. Our observations should be useful in basic and clinical hES cell research.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 2007

Bone marrow (BM) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are pluripotent cells which can differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and other lineages. In spite of the broad interest, the information about the changes in BM cell composition, in particularly about the variation of MSC number and their properties in relation to the age of the donor is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the age associated changes in variations of BM cell composition, phenotype and differentiation capacities of MSC using a rat model. Cell populations were characterized by flow cytometry using light scattering parameters, DNA content and a set of monoclonal antibodies. Single cell analysis was performed by conventional fluorescent microscopy. In vitro culture of MSC was established and their phenotype and capability for in vitro differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic cells was shown. Age related changes in tibiae and femurs, amount of BM tissue, BM cell composition, proportions of separated MSC and yield of MSC in 2 weeks of in vitro culture were found. At the same time, neither change in phenotype no in differentiation capacities of MSC was registered. Age-related changes of the number of MSC should be taken into account whenever MSC are intended to be used for investigations.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.304-311
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• 2015

Most follicles in the mammalian ovary undergo atresia. Granulosa cell apoptosis is a hallmark of follicle atresia. Our previous study using a microRNA (miRNA) microarray showed that the let-7 microRNA family was differentially expressed during follicular atresia. However, whether the let-7 miRNA family members are related to porcine (Sus scrofa) ovary follicular apoptosis is unclear. In the current study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression levels of let-7 family members in follicles and granulosa cells were similar to our microarray data, in which miRNAs let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, and let-7i were significantly decreased in early atretic and progressively atretic porcine ovary follicles compared with healthy follicles, while let-7g was highly expressed during follicle atresia. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis and Hoechst33342 staining demonstrated that let-7g increased the apoptotic rate of cultured granulosa cells. In addition, let-7 target genes were predicted and annotated by TargetScan, PicTar, gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. Our data provide new insight into the association between the let-7 miRNA family in granulosa cell programmed death.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.853-867
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• 2018

As the most common type of endocrine malignancy, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) accounts for 85-90% of all thyroid cancers. In this study, we presented the hypothesis that SDC4 gene silencing could effectively attenuate epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promote cell apoptosis via the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway in human PTC cells. Bioinformatics methods were employed to screen the determined differential expression levels of SDC4 in PTC and adjacent normal samples. PTC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were prepared and their respective levels of SDC4 protein positive expression, in addition to the mRNA and protein levels of SDC4, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway, EMT and apoptosis related genes were all detected accordingly. Flow cytometry was applied in order to detect cell cycle entry and apoptosis. Finally, analyses of PTC migration and invasion abilities were assessed by using a Transwell assay and scratch test. In PTC tissues, activated $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway, increased EMT and repressed cell apoptosis were determined. Moreover, the PTC K1 and TPC-1 cell lines exhibiting the highest SDC4 expression were selected for further experiments. In vitro experiments revealed that SDC4 gene silencing could suppress cell migration, invasion and EMT, while acting to promote the apoptosis of PTC cells by inhibiting the activation of the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway. Besides, $si-{\beta}-catenin$ was observed to inhibit the promotion of PTC cell migration and invasion caused by SDC4 overexpression. Our study revealed that SDC4 gene silencing represses EMT, and enhances cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling pathway in human PTC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.662-670
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• 2020

We have investigated the involvement of the pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) kinase domain in mediating drug resistance. HCT116 cells were treated with curcumin, and apoptosis was assessed based on flow cytometry and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells were then transfected with PRP4 or pre-mRNA-processing-splicing factor 8 (PRP8), and drug resistance was analyzed both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we deleted the kinase domain in PRP4 using Gateway™ technology. Curcumin induced cell death through the production of ROS and decreased the activation of survival signals, but PRP4 overexpression reversed the curcumin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. PRP8 failed to reverse the curcumin-induced apoptosis in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line. In xenograft mouse model experiments, curcumin effectively reduced tumour size whereas PRP4 conferred resistance to curcumin, which was evident from increasing tumour size, while PRP8 failed to regulate the curcumin action. PRP4 overexpression altered the morphology, rearranged the actin cytoskeleton, triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and decreased the invasiveness of HCT116 cells. The loss of E-cadherin, a hallmark of EMT, was observed in HCT116 cells overexpressing PRP4. Moreover, we observed that the EMT-inducing potential of PRP4 was aborted after the deletion of its kinase domain. Collectively, our investigations suggest that the PRP4 kinase domain is responsible for promoting drug resistance to curcumin by inducing EMT. Further evaluation of PRP4-induced inhibition of cell death and PRP4 kinase domain interactions with various other proteins might lead to the development of novel approaches for overcoming drug resistance in patients with colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.322-330
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• 2016

Understanding the genetic variation among landrace collections is important for crop improvement and utilization of valuable genetic resources. The present study was carried out to analyse the genetic diversity and associated population structure of 621 foxtail millet accessions of Korean landraces using 22 EST-SSR markers. A total of 121 alleles were detected from all accessions with an average of 5.5 alleles per microsatellite locus. The average values of gene diversity, polymorphism information content, and expected heterozygosity were 0.518, 0.594, and 0.034, respectively. Following the unweighted neighbor-joining method with arithmetic mean based clustering using binary data of polymorphic markers, the genotypes were grouped into 3 clusters, and population structure analysis also separated into 3 populations. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) explained a variation of 13.88% and 10.99% by first and second coordinates, respectively. However, in PCoA analysis, clear population-level clusters could not be found. This pattern of distribution might be the result of gene flow via germplasm exchanges in nearby regions. The results indicate that these Korean landraces of foxtail millet exhibit a moderate level of diversity. This study demonstrated that molecular marker strategies could contribute to a better understanding of the genetic structure in foxtail millet germplasm, and provides potentially useful information for developing conservation and breeding strategies.