• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.604-608
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• 2010

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) mediates proinflammatory responses in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and it upregulates the expression of secretory group IIA phospholipase $A_2$ ($sPLA_2$-IIA). $sPLA_2$-IIA plays a pivotal role in inflammation, and antithrombin (AT) possesses properties that are beneficial to endothelial cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT on the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated HUVECs. TNF-$\alpha$ potently upregulated the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA, and prior treatment of cells with AT inhibited the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in HUVECs. Also, antibodies or siRNA for syndecan-4 blocked the protective effect of AT. Furthermore, PI3-kinase and the AKT pathway are significantly involved in the AT-mediated inhibition of the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA. These results show that AT effectively suppresses the upregulated $sPLA_2$-IIA expression, which might contribute to the cytoprotective effects of AT in the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2021

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a principal regulator of inflammation and immunity. The proinflammatory properties of TNF-α can be attributed to its ability to activate the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂), which generates potent inflammatory lipid mediators, eicosanoids. L-glutamine (Gln) plays physiologically important roles in various metabolic processes. We have reported that Gln has a potent anti-inflammatory activity via rapid upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphatase (MKP)-1, which preferentially dephosphorylates the key proinflammatory enzymes, p38 MAPK and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂). In this study, we have investigated whether Gln could inhibit TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ activation. Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced increases in cPLA₂ phosphorylation in the lungs and blood levels of the cPLA₂ metabolites, leukotrine B4 (LTB4) (lipoxygenase metabolite) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (cyclooxygenase metabolite). TNF-α increased p38 and cPLA₂ phosphorylation and blood levels of LTB4 and PGE2, which were blocked by the p38 inhibitor SB202190. Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced p38 and cPLA₂ phosphorylation and production of the cPLA₂ metabolites. Such inhibitory activity of Gln was no longer observed in MKP-1 small interfering RNA-pretreated animals. Our data indicate that Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ phosphorylation through MKP-1 induction/p38 inhibition, and suggest that the utility of Gln in inflammatory diseases in which TNF-α plays a major role in their pathogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.925-935
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• 1996

Background : In order to elucidate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS associated with pulmonary surfactant and oxidant injury, acute lung injury was induced by N-nitroso N-methylurethane (NNNMU). In this model, the role of phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$), surfactant, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and morphology were investigated to delineate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS by inhibition of $PLA_2$ with high dose of dexamethasone. Method: Acute lung injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by NNNMU which is known to induce acute lung injury in experimental animals. To know the function of the alveolar type II cells, GGT activity in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage was measured. Surfactant phospholipid was measured also. $PLA_2$ activity was measured to know the role of $PLA_2$ in ARDS. Morphological study was performed to know the effect of $PLA_2$ inhibition on the ultrastructure of the lung by high dose of dexamethasone. Results : Six days after NNNMU treatment (4 mg/kg), conspicuous pulmonary edema was induced and the secretion of pulmonary surfactant was decreased significantly. In the acutely injured rats' lung massive infiltration of leukocytes was observed. At the same time rats given NNNMU had increased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity tremendously. Morphological study revealed bizarre shaped alveolar type II cells and hypertrophied lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of the alveolar type II cells. But after dexamethasone treatment (20 mg/kg, for six days) in NNNMU-treated rats, these changes were diminished i.e. there were decrease of pulmonary edema and increase of surfactant secretion from alveolar type D cells. Rats given dexamethasone and NNNMU had decreased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity in comparison to NNNMU induced ARDS rats. Conclusion : Inhibition of $PLA_2$ by high dose of dexamethasone decreased pathological findings caused by infiltration of leukocytes and respiratory burst. Based on these experimental results, it is suggested that an activation of $PLA_2$ is the one of the major factors to evoke the acute lung injury in NNNMU-induced ARDS rats.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

The effects of $TiO_2$ contents and UV irradiation treatment on the surface properties of PLA films embedded with $TiO_2$ nanoparticle were investigated. Whereas UV irradiation decreased reflectance of the treated PLA films proportionally with increasing UV energy, the reflectance of PLA/$TiO_2$ films increased with increasing UV energy. The UV irradiation treatment caused PLA/$TiO_2$ blend films more polar as indicated in the generation of new carbonyl group and decrease in zeta potentials, which was more pronounced with the introduction of $TiO_2$. Upon UV irradiation, $TiO_2$ particles appeared on the film surface as observed in SEM images. The PLA/$TiO_2$ blend films showed photocatalytic properties such as photobleaching of methylene blue, deodorization of ammonia and antimicrobial activity in comparison with pure PLA films.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.187-187
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• 1996

세포질에 존재하는 100 kDa Phospholipase $A_2$(cPLA$_2$)는 인지질의 sn-2 위치의 에스테르결합을 가수분해함으로서 Prostaglandin과 Leukotriene등 Eicosanoids 생합성의 전구체인 아라키돈산과 Platelet activating factor(PAF)를 생합성하는 전구체를 동시에 생성시키는 효소로 염증과 세포손상등에 중요한 역할이 기대된다. 본 효소의 활성화 기전을 규명하고자 하는 최근의 활발한 연구에도 불구하고 불명확한 점이 많은 것이 현실이다. 특히 세포를 자극하였을 때 유리되는 아라키돈산의 증가율과 세포를 파괴한 후 조제한 가용성분획에서 측정한 활성의 증가율과는 많은 차이를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과부터 cPLA$_2$ 효소 자체를 활성화시키는 어떤 인자를 가정하였다. 최근, PLA$_2$의 또다른 형태인 14 kDa의 분비성 PLA$_2$의 in vitro 활성을 증가시키는 인자가 동정되어 그 생화학적 특성이 규명되고 있으나 이 인자는 cPLA$_2$의 활성에는 아무런 증가효과를 나타내지 않았다. 본 연구자들은 소의 뇌조직에서 cPLA$_2$의 활성을 증가시키는 인자를 발견하고 그의 생화학적인 특성을 규명하였다. 돼지 비장에서 정제한 cPLA$_2$를 사용하였으며 소의 뇌 조직의 가용성 분획으로부터 본 활성화 인자를 동정하였으며 그 활성분획을 양이온 크로마토그라피로서 Mono S EPLC와 Superose 12 Sepharose gel filtration 크로마토그라피를 이용하여 더욱 분리한 결과 약 70 kDa과 25 kDa에서 각각 용출되었다. 이렇게 부분정제한 활성은 췌장에서 분리한 group I과 흰주의 group I과 흰주의 혈소판에서 분리한 group II PLA$_2$에 대해서는 아무런 증가효과를 나타내지 않는 반면, cPLA$_2$의 활성만을 약 5배 증가시켰다. 본 활성은 cPLA$_2$ 효소량의 증가에 따라 활성의 증가효과가 정차 감소하므로 화학량적인 반응(Stoichiometric reaction)일 것으로 예상되었다.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2016

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and renewable polymer, which represents a valuable alternative to plastic packaging films, often associated with environmental problems. In this study, we tested the suitability of PLA as a biodegradable packaging film and assessed the antimicrobial activity of lemongrass oil (LO), incorporated into the PLA film in different concentrations. To obtain the optimal physical properties for PLA films, tensile strength, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability were measured under different preparation conditions. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the LO contained in the PLA film against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by disc diffusion and viable cell count. Among all concentrations tested, 2% LO was the most suitable in terms of antimicrobial activity and physical properties of the PLA film. Based on these results, we used the PLA film containing 2% LO to pack pork sausages; after 12 d of storage at 4℃, the population of inoculated L. monocytogenes in the sausage samples wrapped with the PLA film containing 2% LO was reduced by 1.47 Log CFU/g compared with the control samples. Our data indicate that PLA films containing 2% LO represent a valuable means for antimicrobial sausage packaging.

• Clean Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2013

BBiodegradable polymers have attracted great attention because of the increased environmental pollution by waste plastics. In this study, PLA (polylactic acid)/Clay-20 (Cloisite 20) and PLA (polylactic acid)/PBS (poly(butylene succinate)/Clay-20 (Cloisite 20) nanocomposites were manufactured in a twin-screw extruder. Specimens for mechanical properties of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS (90/10)/Clay-20 nanocomposites were prepared by injection molding. Thermal, mechanical, morphological and raman spectral properties of two nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tester, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and raman-microscope spectrophotometer, respectively. In addition, hydrolytic degradation properties of two nanocomposites were investigated by hydrolytic degradation test. It was confirmed that the crystallinity of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS/Clay-20 nanocomposite was increased with increasing Clay-20 content and the Clay-20 is miscible with PLA and PLA/PBS resin from DSC and SEM results. Tensile strength of two nanocomposites was decreased, but thier elongation, impact strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus were increased with an increase of Clay-20 content. The impact strength of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS/Clay-20 nanocomposites with 5 wt% of Clay-20 content was increased above twice than that of pure PLA and PLA/PBS (90/10). The hydrolytic degradation rate of PLA/Clay-20 nanocomposite with 3 wt% of Clay-20 content was accelerated about twice than that of pure PLA. The reason is that degradation may occur in the PLA and Clay-20 interface easily because of hydrophilic property of organic Clay-20. It was confirmed that a proper amount of Clay-20 can improve the mechanical properties of PLA and can control biodegradable property of PLA.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2013

PLA(polylactic acid), one of biodegradable polymers was blended with various amounts of wood pulp powder through solution blending technic to verify the effect of reinforcing pulp amount on the mechanical properties of blend films. Also these blend films were further modified with TDI(toluene diisocyanate) as crosslinking agent to introduce urethane functions by reaction of pulp hydroxyl groups and isocyanate. As a result, the tensile strength of blend film with 0.25 wt% pulp was increased from $565.25kg_f/cm^2$ for PLA film itself to $624.20kg_f/cm^2$. However, elongation of this film was decreased by 50% of that of PLA film itself. Only PLA/pulp blend film further modified with 500% of TDI/0.25 wt% pulp showed the slightly increased tensile strength but decreased elongation. Melting point and glass transition temperature of PLA/pulp blend films were confirmed by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC). Thermal stability of these blend films measured by TGA showed only a slight increase at temperature lower than $300^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.204-211
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• 2020

Poly-Lactic Acid(PLA) fiber is an eco-friendly material and is biodegradable, so it can be utilized for manufacturing porous construction materia ls with interna l pore connection. In this study, domestic PLA fiber products(0.5mm india meter, 1.0mm in length, 10mm in length) were tested for melting at high temperatures and high alkality, and they were incorporated with FA-based geopolymer. Compressive strength was obtained through high temperature curing and alkali activator, however the complete melting of the PLA fiber was not ensured. The previous study handling PLA fiber with 0.003mm in diameter was completely dissolved, but 0.5mm and 1.0mm in diameter showed 42.5% and 33.3% of dissolution ratio, respectively. In addition, the increasing fiber volume led floating fibers during curing, which had a negative effect on its workability and solubility. Although the properties of PLA fiber may vary depending on the raw materials and production conditions, PLA fiber with 0.1mm or less diameter is recommended for porous construction material.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2022

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of spent coffee grounds (SCG) biofiller on the morphological, thermal, mechanical and hydrolytic degradation characteristics of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based biocomposites. The PLA-based biocomposite films were fabricated by using a high-viscosity kneading and hot-pressing machine. The PLA/SCG biocomposites were analyzed with SEM, DSC, TGA, UTM and hydrolytic degradation test. Aggregation in the PLA matrix is a result of increasing SCG concentrations. In the thermal properties, it was described that the cold crystallization temperature (T_cc) decreased as SCG was added to PLA. When SCG was incorporated to PLA, the degradation onset temperature (T_onset) revealed a diminish. The elastic modulus increased while tensile strength of PLA diminished as SCG was applied. Through hydrolysis analysis, the decomposition of PLA was accelerated with the addition of SCG. This research confirmed the possibility of devloping an eco-friendly packaging material with high degradability as SCG hasten the breakdown of PLA.