• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 2012

To examine the sex morph, heterodichogamy, fruiting characteristics and seed viabilities of Acer palmatum, sixty three planted trees were monitered in Wonju-si for two years in terms of their sex morph, flowering and fruiting habit. Most flowers of A. palmatum are pollinated by Apis mellifera, Helophilus virgatus, a few (3.57%) are pollinated by wind. Twenty four trees (42.9%) in 2010, and twenty trees (31.7%) in 2011 were proved protandrous (PA: pollen is shed before stigmas are receptive), thirty two (50.8%) in 2010, thirty trees (47.6%) in 2011 were proved protogynous (PG: stigmas are receptive before pollen is shed). This result means that Acer palmatum has heterodichogamous sexual system. Five trees (7.9%) have changed their sex morphs; 4 trees change the sex morp PA to PG, and one does the sex morph PG to PA. Rates of sound seeds and decayed seeds were significantly different between sex morphs. Rates of sound seeds were 51.6% (2010) and 64.0% (2011) in PA, but 30.4% (2010) and 40.4% (2011) in PG. and rates of decayed seeds did 40.0% (2010) and 31.2% (2011) in PA, but 65.6% (2010) and 56.8% (2011) in PG. The differences of decayed seeds' rates between sex morphs might be related with the timing of insect pests' outbreak.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2010

Palmitic acid (PA) is one of free fatty acids, which is found from Gaultheria itoana Hayata and Sarcopyramis nepalensis. Although PA has a variety of pharmacological effects including mediates hypothalamic insulin resistance, induces IP-10 expression, and promote apoptotic activities, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PA in mouse peritoneal macrophages remains unclear. In this study, we showed that PA exerted an anti-inflammatory action through suppression the production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenases-2 and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccaride-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Our study suggests an important molecular mechanism of PA, which might explain its beneficial effect in the regulation of inflammatory reactions.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2020

Objectives: Oxidative stress-mediated neuroinflammation has been supposed as a crucial factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective activity against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation of protocatechuic acid (PA), active phenolic compound from Momordica Charantia. Methods: Protective activity of PA from oxidative stress was performed under in vitro conditions. Our study investigated the protective mechanism of PA from neuroinflammation in cellular system using C6 glial cell. To investigate the improvement the effects on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, we induced oxidative stress by H₂O₂ (100 μM) stimulation and induced neuroinflammation by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 ㎍/mL) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (10 ng/mL) in C6 glial cells. Results: PA showed strong radical scavenging effect against 1,1-dipenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxy radical (·OH) and nitric oxide (NO). Under oxidative stress treated by H₂O₂, the result showed the increased mRNA expressions of oxidative stress markers such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS). However, the treatment of PA led to reduced mRNA expressions of NF-κB, COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, PA attenuated the production of interleukin-6 and scavenged NO generated by both endotoxin LPS and IFN-γ together. Furthermore, it also reduced LPS and IFN-γ-induced mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results collectively suggest that PA, phenolic compound of Momordica Charantia, could be a safe anti-oxidant and a promising anti-neuroinflammatory molecule for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2009

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic agent important in fibirn clot lysis. T-PA causes fibirn-specific plasminogen activation. Six binary vectors harboring t-PA and its derivative genes were cloned and expressed in transgenic alfalfa plants. The insertion of the t-PA and its derivative genes in genomic DNA of alfalfa plants was confirmed by PCR. The presence of the t-PA and its derivative transcripts in total RNAs of the transgenic alfalfa leaves was verified by RT-PCR. ELISA experiments demonstrated that the highest level of recombinant t-PA expression was $75.1{\mu}g$/ total soluble protein (mg) in alfalfa plants. The amount of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins in transgenic plants was estimated to range from 9.7 to $39.5{\mu}g$/ total soluble proteins (mg). Western blot analysis of the transformed alfalfa leaves revealed bands of approximately 68-kDa recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins. The fibrinolysis of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins was confirmed by a fibrin plate assay (range from 3.2 to 8.1 cm). The results presented provide information for the development of an additional production of recombinant human proteins having pharmaceutical applications using transgenic plants.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.433-443
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• 2004

The membranes of the blends of chitosan and polycaprolactarn (PA6) were prepared in formic acid. FT-IR data revealed that hydrogen bonding between amide and hydroxyl groups of chitosan and PA6, respectively, was formed. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the blend samples contain water. DMA results showed that the dissipation of water in the samples significantly reduced the storage modulus (E'). The mechanical loss tangent (tan $\delta$) data of the blend samples showed the $\beta$d loss peak around $0^{\circ}C$. The blend samples were completely dried in a vacuum and then exposed to high moisture to absorb water which would cause, so called, w-bridges between the molecules. The E' data of these regained samples increased abnormally and additional loss peak appeared on the shoulder of the peak around $50^{\circ}C$. Under dry condition, the samples with a blend ratio of 40/60 for chitosan/PA6 displayed a better miscibility between two components.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1559-1563
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• 2011

Thermal hydrogenation of phenylacetylene (PA, $C_8H_6$) to styrene ($C_8H_8$) on pre-$C_xH_y$- and C-covered Cu(111) single crystal substrates has been studied using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) mass spectrometry. Chemisorbed PA with an acetylene group has been proved to be associated with hydrogen of pre-adsorbed $C_xH_y$ to form styrene (104 amu) on Cu surface. For the parent (PA) mass (102 amu) TPD profile, the TPD peaks at 360 K and 410 K are assigned to chemisorbed vertically aligned PA and flat-lying cross-bridged PA, respectively (J. Phys. Chem. C 2007, 111, 5101). The relative $I_{360K}/I_{410K}$ TPD ratio dramatically increases with increasing pre-adsorbed $C_xH_y$ before dosing PA, while the ratio does not increase for pre-C-covered surface. For PA on pre-$C_xH_y$-covered Cu(111) surface, styrene desorption is enhanced relative to the parent PA desorption, while styrene formation is dramatically quenched on pre-C-covered (lack of adsorbed hydrogen nearby) surface. It appears that only cross-bridged PA associates with adsorbed hydrogen to form styrene that promptly desorbs at 410 K, while vertically aligned PA is less likely to participate in forming styrene.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2008

A commercial cyclic diphosphonate ester (TPMP) and melamine (MA) was combined and added to polyamide 6 (PA6) to prepare the fire retardant PA6. An increase of the oxygen index to 28.6 as well as an improvement of the UL-94 classification to V-0 rating was observed. Cone measurements explained the rate of heat release (RHR) decreased and TGA showed the early decomposition and high solid residue due to co-addition of TPMP and MA, suggesting the occurrence of synergistic effect of TPMP and MA on fire resistance of PA6. The morphology of the char developed during combust ion showed the appearance of thick, intumescent cells on the surface of retardant PA6, which protects the underlying material from the action of the heat flux or flame and limits the diffusion of combustible volatile products towards the flame and oxygen.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2009

The present study was performed to identify changes of plasminogen activator (PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in porcine oviduct epithelial cells (POECs) during the estrous cycle. POECs obtained from ovary in pre-ovulatory (Pre-Ov), early to mid-luteal stage (Early-mid L) and post-ovulatory stage (Post-Ov). For the examine of PA activity, $1{\times}10^5$ fresh cells of POECs were cultured in DMEM/Ham F-12 containing 10% FBS and 0.2% amphotericin under humidified atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air and $38^{\circ}C$. The urokinase-type PA (uPA) was observed at 7 days of POECs culture. PA activity was measured with culture prolonged of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after culture of 7 days. The PA activity were high significantly (p<0.05) at 12 h of culture, but PA activity were decreased with culture periods increased. The PA activity in POECs of Post-Ov stage were higher significantly (p<0.05) than that of Early-mid L and Pre-Ov stage. When PAI-1 and PAI-2 were added during the POECs culture, the PA were observed significant low activity (p<0.05). The PA activity and protein expression were decreased by PA inhibitor. This results suggest that PAI-1 and PAI-2 have a suppressive action on change of PA activity during the estrous cycle of pigs. Specifically, this study using PA inhibitor was effect the PA activity and PAI expression in oviduct epithelial cells in pigs.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.311-320
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• 2011

Fly ash (FA), byproduct from power plant has been actively used as mineral admixture for concrete. However, since bottom ash (BA) is usually used for land reclaim or subbase material, more active reuse plan is needed. Pond ash (PA) obtained from reclaimed land is mixed with both FA and BA. In this study, 6 PA from different domestic power plant are prepared and 5 different replacement ratios (10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 70%) for fine aggregate substitutes are considered to evaluate engineering properties of PA as fine aggregate and durability performance of PA concrete. Tests for fine aggregate of PA for fineness modulus, density and absorption, soundness, chloride and toxicity content, and alkali aggregate reaction are performed. For PA concrete, durability tests for compressive strength, drying shrinkage, chloride penetration/diffusion, accelerated carbonation, and freezing/thawing are performed. Also, basic tests for fresh concrete like slump and air content are performed. Although PA has lower density and higher absorption, its potential as a replacement material for fine aggregate is promising. PA concrete shows a reasonable durability performance with higher strength with higher replacement ratio. Finally, best PA among 6 samples is selected through quantitative classification, and limitation of PA concrete application is understood based on the test results. Various tests for engineering properties of PA and PA concrete are discussed in this paper to evaluate its application to concrete structure.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 1986

This study was designed to evaluate the partially purified antigens which were fractionated from crude extract of Paragonimus westermani and to monitor the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in experimental cat paragonimiasis during the course of infection as well as before and after chemotherapy. Crude extract of 6-month-old adult P. westermani was fractionated to 5 antigens by successive applications of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. And the cats, 10 in each group, were infected with 60, 30, 15, and 5 metacercariae, then the half of each group was treated with praziquantel 2 times in one day of 100mg per kilogram of weight on 150 days after the infection. Sera were collected every 10 days. ELISA was performed with the concentration of $2{\mu}g/ml$ antigen, 100 times diluted sera and 1,000 times diluted alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-cat IgG. The results were as follows: 1. Absorbance by ELISA with proteins precipitated by differential concentration of ammonium sulfate was the highest at $51{\sim}65%$ precipitate (PA2), followed by $0{\sim}50%$ precipitate (PAl), $66{\sim}80%$ precipitate (PA3), and $81{\sim}90%$ precipitate (PA4). Unprecipitated protein over 90% ammonium sulfate (PA5) showed the lowest antigenicity. 2. Fractionation of PA1, PA2, and PA3 through the DEAE-cellulose column did not differentiate the antigenic proteins. 3. By passing through the Sephadex G-200 column, PA1 and PA2 were fractionated to high molecular weight proteins and those of low molecular weight which showed high absorbance by ELISA (PA1-I, II and PA2-I, II). But PA3 was shown to have a fraction of high molecular weight proteins (PA3-I) which showed high antigenicity. 4. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PA1-I, P A1-II, PA2-I, PA2-II, PA3-I, and crude extract was performed. Fraction PA1-I was composed of proteins which had the molecular weight of 270 kilodaltons(KD) to 196 KD; of them 220KD protein was major band. Fraction PA2-I was composed of $255{\sim}225\;KD$, and PA3-I, $255{\sim}240\;KD$, respectively. Fraction PA1-II and fraction PA2-II consisted of 30 KD proteins. 5. Absorbance by ELISA began to increase within $10{\sim}20$ days after the infection and reached the highest on $140{\sim}180$ days, then made plateau thereafter. 6. Absorbance by ELISA decreased after praziquantel treatment. In 60 metacercariae infection group, the absorbance had been decreasing, but remained within the positive range during observation period, while those of 30, 15, and 5 metacercariae infection groups turned to negative range. 7. Fraction PA1-II showed the highest antigenicity in ELISA, then fraction PA2-I, fraction PA1-I, fraction PA2-II, fraction PA3-I and crude extract followed. In early phase of infection, the absorbance of fraction PA1-II showed more rapid increase than those of the other fractions and it came to positive range at $20{\sim}30$ days after infection.