• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2003

Background: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation and angiogenesis and increases tumor growth and pulmonary tumor metastasis in vivo. The role of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in PAF-induced angiogenesis in a mouse model of Matrigel implantation, and in PAF-mediated pulmonary tumor metastasis were investigated. Methods: Angiogenesis using Matrigel and experimental pulmonary tumor metastasis were tested in a mouse model. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was done for the assessment of $NF-{\kappa}B$ translocation to the nucleus. Expression of angiogenic factors, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\alpha}$, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were tested by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: PAF induced a dose- and time-dependent angiogenic response. PAF-induced angiogenesis was significantly blocked by PAF antagonist, CV6209, and inhibitors of $NF-{\kappa}B$ expression or action, including antisense oligonucleotides to p65 subunit of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p65 AS) and antioxidants such as ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In vitro, PAF activated the transcription factor, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and induced mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, bFGF, VEGF, and its receptor, KDR. The PAF-induced expression of the above mentioned factors was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Also, protein synthesis of VEGF was increased by PAF and inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. The angiogenic effect of PAF was blocked when anti-VEGF antibodies was treated or antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF was co-administrated, but not by antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF each alone. PAF-augmented pulmonary tumor metastasis was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Conclusion: These data indicate that PAF increases angiogenesis and pulmonary tumor metastasis through $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent angiogenic factors.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.31 no.1C
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• pp.55-64
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• 2006

In this paper, a new web-based remote 3D imaging communication system employing an adaptive matching algorithm is suggested. In the proposed method, feature values are extracted from the stereo image pair through estimation of the disparity and similarities between each pixel of the stereo image. And then, the matching window size for disparity estimation is adaptively selected depending on the magnitude of this feature value. Finally, the detected disparity map and the left image is transmitted into the client region through the network channel. And then, in the client region, right image is reconstructed and intermediate views be synthesized by a linear combination of the left and right images using interpolation in real-time. From some experiments on web based-transmission in real-time and synthesis of the intermediate views by using two kinds of stereo images of 'Joo' & 'Hoon' captured by real camera, it is analyzed that PSNRs of the intermediate views reconstructed by using the proposed transmission scheme are highly measured by 30dB for 'Joo', 27dB for 'Hoon' and the delay time required to obtain the intermediate image of 4 view is also kept to be very fast value of 67.2ms on average, respectively.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2005

Background: Little information is available on the identification and characterization of the upstream regulators of the signal transduction cascades for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tbc)-induced ERK 1/2 activation and chemokine expression. We investigated the signaling mechanisms involved in expression of CCL3 /MIP-1 and CCL4/MIP-1 in human primary monocytes infected with M. tbc. Methods: MAP kinase phosphorylation was determined using western blot analysis with specific primary antibodies (ERK 1/2, and phospho-ERK1/2), and the upstream signaling pathways were further investigated using specific inhibitors. Results: An avirulent strain, M. tbc H37Ra, induced greater and more sustained ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, and higher CCL3 and CCL4 production, than did M. tbc H37Rv. Specific inhibitors for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK; U0126 and PD98059) significantly inhibited the expression of CCL3 and CCL4 in human monocytes. Mycobactetia-mediated expression of CCL3 and CCL4 was not inhibited by the Ras inhibitor manumycin A or the Raf-1 inhibitor GW 5074. On the other hand, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122) and protein kinase C (PKC)specific inhibitors ($G\ddot{o}6976$ and Ro31-8220) significantly reduced M. tbc-induced activation of ERK 1/2 and chemokine synthesis. Conclusion: These results are the first to demonstrate that the PLC-PKC-MEK-ERK, not the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, pathway is the major signaling pathway inducing M. tbc-mediated CCL3 and CCL4 expression in human primary monocytes.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2003

Objective: The role of prostaglandin $E_2$ (PGE2) in the etiopathogenesis of immune and inflammatory diseases has become the subject of recent debate. To determine the role of PGE2 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we tested the effect of exogenous PGE2 on the production of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by rheumatoid synoviocytes. Methods: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of RA patients, and cultured in the presence of PGE2. The COX-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The PGE2 receptor subtypes in the FLS were analyzed by RT-PCR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to measure the NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity for COX-2 transcription. The in vivoeffect of PGE2 on the development of arthritis was also tested in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) animals. Results: PGE2 ($10^{-11}$ to $10^{-5}M$) dose-dependently inhibited the expression of COX-2 mRNA and the COX-2 protein stimulated with IL-$1{\beta}$, but not COX-1 mRNA. NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, displayed an additive effect on PGE2-induced COX-2 downregulation. The FLS predominantly expressed the PGE2 receptor (EP) 2 and EP4, which mediated the COX-2 suppression by PGE2. Treatment with anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibodies partially reversed the PGE2-induced suppression of COX-2 mRNA, suggesting that IL-10 may be involved in modulating COX-2 by PGE2. Experiments using an inducer and an inhibitor of cyclic AMP (cAMP) suggest that cAMP is the major intracellular signal that mediates the regulatory effect of PGE2 on COX-2 expression. EMSA revealed that PGE2 inhibited the binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the COX-2 promoter via a cAMP dependent pathway. In addition, a subcutaneous injection of PGE2 twice daily for 2 weeks significantly reduced the incidence and severity of CIA as well as the production of IgG antibodies to type II collagen. Conclusion: Our data suggest that overproduced PGE2 in the RA joints may function as an autocrine regulator of its own synthesis by inhibiting COX-2 production and may, in part, play an anti-inflammatory role in the arthritic joints.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.3 s.87
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• pp.411-418
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• 2005

Polymer-modified mortar and concrete are prepared by mixing either a polymer or monomer in a dispersed, or liquid form with fresh cement mortar and concrete mixtures, and subsequently curing, and if necessary, the monomer contained in the mortar or concrete is polymerized in situ. Although polymers and monomers in any form such as latexes, water-soluble polymers, liquid resins, and monomers are used in cement composites such as mortar and concrete, it is very important that both cement hydration and polymer phase formation proceed well the yield a monolithic matrix phase with a network structure in which the hydrated cement phase and polymer phase interpenetrate. In the polymer-modified mortar and concrete structures, aggregates are bound by such a co-matrix phase, resulting in the superior properties of polymer-modified mortar and concrete compared to conventional mortar and concrete. The purpose of this study is to obtain the necessary basic data to develope appropriate latexes as cement modifiers, and to clarify the effects of the monomer ratios and amount of emulsifier on the properties of the polymer-modified mortars using methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate(MMA/BA) and methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate(MMA/EA) latexes. The results of this study are as follows, the water absorption, chloride ion penetration depth and carbonation depth of MMA/BA-modified mortar are lowest. However, they are greatly affected by the polymer-cement ratio rather than the bound MMA content and type of polymer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2005

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (elF4E) is a key element for cap-dependent protein translation controlled by affinity between elF4E and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Rapamycin can also affect protein translation by regulating 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino )-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a strong lung carcinogen, but its precise lung cancer induction mechanism remains unknown. Relative roles of cap-dependent and -independent protein translation in terms of NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis were elucidated using normal human bronchial epithelial cells. NNK concentrations applied in this study did not decrease cell viability. Addition of NNK restored rapamycin-induced decrease of protein synthesis and rapamycin-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, and increased expression levels of mTOR, ERK1/2, p70S6K, and Raf-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. NNK also caused perturbation of normal cell cycle progression. Taken together, NNK might cause toxicity through the combination of restoration of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and increase of elF4E as well as mTOR protein expression, interruption of Raf1/ERK as well as the cyclin G-associated p53 network. Our data could be applied towards elucidation of the molecular basis for lung cancer treatment.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2010

Conventional paints for conversion coating applications in steel production derived mainly from water-based polymer dispersions containing several additives actually show good general performance, but suffer from poor scratch and abrasion resistance during use. The reason for this is because the relatively soft organic binder matrix dominates the mechanical surface properties. In order to maintain the high quality and decorative function of coated steel sheets, the mechanical performance of the surface needs to be improved significantly. In fact the wear resistance should be enhanced without affecting the optical appearance of the coatings by using appropriate nanoparticulate additives. In this direction, nanocomposite coating compositions (Nanomer$^{(R)}$) have been derived from water-based polymer dispersions with an increasing amount of surface-modified nanoparticles in aqueous dispersion in order to monitor the effect of degree of filling with rigid nanoparticles. The surface of nanoparticles has been modified for optimum compatibility with the polymer matrix in order to achieve homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion over the matrix. This approach has been extended in such a way that a more expanded hybrid network has been condensed on the nanoparticle surface by a hydrolytic condensation reaction in addition to the quasi-monolayer type small molecular surface modification. It was expected that this additional modification will lead to more intensive cross-linking in coating systems resulting in further improved scratch-resistance compared to simple addition of nanoparticles with quasi-monolayer surface modification. The resulting compositions have been coated on zinc-galvanized steel and cured. The wear resistance and the corrosion protection of the modified coating systems have been tested in dependence on the compositional change, the type of surface modification as well as the mixing conditions with different shear forces. It has been found out that for loading levels up to 50 wt.-% nanoparticles, the mechanical wear resistance remains almost unaffected compared to the unmodified resin. In addition, the corrosion resistance remained unaffected even after $180^{\circ}$ bending test showing that the flexibility of coating was not decreased by nanoparticle addition. Electron microscopy showed that the inorganic nanoparticles do not penetrate into the organic resin droplets during the mixing process but rather formed agglomerates outside the polymer droplet phase resulting in quite moderate cross linking while curing, because of viscosity. The proposed mechanisms of composite formation and cross linking could explain the poor effect regarding improvement of mechanical wear resistance and help to set up new synthesis strategies for improved nanocomposite morphologies, which should provide increased wear resistance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1244-1253
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• 2018

Rumen microbiome consists of a wide variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, protozoa, fungi, and viruses, that are in a symbiotic relationship in a strict anaerobic environment in the rumen. These rumen microbiome, a vital maker, play a significant role in feed fermentation within the rumen and produce different volatile fatty acids (VFAs). VFAs are essential for energy metabolism and protein synthesis of the host animal, even though emission of methane gas after feed fermentation is considered a negative indicator of loss of dietary energy of the host animal. To improve rumen microbial efficiency, a variety of approaches, such as feed formulation, the addition of natural feed additives, dietary feed-microbes, etc., have taken to increase ruminant performance. Recently with the application of high-throughput sequencing or next-generation sequencing technologies, especially for metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of rumen microbiomes, our understanding of rumen microbial diversity and function has significantly increased. The metaproteome and metabolome provide deeper insights into the complicated microbial network of the rumen ecosystem and its response to different ruminant diets to improve efficiency in animal production. This review summarized some recent advances of rumen microbiome techniques, especially "meta-omics," viz. metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic, and metabolomic techniques to increase feed fermentation and utilization in ruminants.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.329-340
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• 1974

Sulfadiazine, $C_{10}H_{10}N_4O_2S$, forms monoclinic crystals of space group $P21}c$ from a mixture of acetone and ethanol with $a=13.71{\pm}0.04,\;b=5.84{\pm}0.03,\;c=15.11{\pm}0.05{\AA},\;{\beta}=115.0{\pm}0.3^{\circ}$, and four molecules per cell. Three dimensional photographic data were collected with $CuK\alpha$ radiation. The structure was determined using Patterson and Fourier synthesis methods and refined by block diagonal least-squares methods with isotropic thermal parameter for all non-hydrogen atoms. The final R value was 0.15 for the 1517 observed independent reflections. The dihedral angle between the planes through the benzene ring and the pyrimidine ring is $76^{\circ}$. The conformational angle formed by the projection of the S-C(5) bond with that of N(1)-C(1) where the projection is taken along the S-N(1) bond is $77^{\circ}$. The imino nitrogen atom, N(1), and pyrimidine nitrogen atom, N(3), form intermolecular $N-H{\cdots}N$ hydrogen bond between the molecules related by center of symmetry. Amino nitrogen atom, N(4), forms two intermolecular $N-H{\cdots}O$ hydrogen bonds, with O(1) and O(2) atoms of different molecules separated by b. A two dimensional network of hydrogen bonds form infinite molecular sheets parallel to the (100) plane. Adjacent sheets are bound together by van der Waals forces.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-208
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• 2009

Sophisticated polymeric materials with 'responsive' properties are beginning to reach the market. The use of reversible, noncovalent interactions is a recurring design principle for responsive materials. Recently developed hydrogen-bonding units allow this design principle to be taken to its extreme. Supramolecular polymers, where hydrogen bonds are the only force keeping the monomers together, form materials whose (mechanical) properties respond strongly to a change in temperature or solvent. In this review, we describe some examples of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers that can be utilized for self-healing materials. Synthesis of a rubber-like material that can be recycled might not seem exciting. But one that can also repeatedly repair itself at room temperature, without adhesives, really stretches the imagination. Autonomic healing materials respond without external intervention to environmental stimuli in a nonlinear and productive fashion, and have great potential for advanced engineering systems.