• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.459-468
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• 2020

Nuclear receptor subfamily group H member 4 (NR1H4), also known as farnesoid X receptor, has been implicated in several cellular processes in the liver and intestine. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested a role of NR1H4 in colon cancer development; however, how NR1H4 regulates colon cancer cell growth and survival remains unclear. We generated NR1H4 knockout (KO) colon cancer cells using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (CAS9) technology and explored the effects of NR1H4 KO in colon cancer cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Interestingly, NR1H4 KO cells showed impaired cell proliferation, reduced colony formation, and increased apoptotic cell death compared to control colon cancer cells. We identified MYC as an important mediator of the signaling pathway alterations induced by NR1H4 KO. NR1H4 silencing in colon cancer cells resulted in reduced MYC protein levels, while NR1H4 activation using an NR1H4 ligand, chenodeoxycholic acid, resulted in time- and dose-dependent MYC induction. Moreover, NR1H4 KO enhanced the anti-cancer effects of doxorubicin and cisplatin, supporting the role of MYC in the enhanced apoptosis observed in NR1H4 KO cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that modulating NR1H4 activity in colon cancer cells might be a promising alternative approach to treat cancer using MYC-targeting agents.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.319-322
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• 2003

Many studies have been attempted to overcome the problems of paclitaxel related to the extremely low aqueous solubility of paclitaxel and the unexpected side-effects caused by $Cremophor^{\circledR}$ EL in a commercial paclitaxel formulation, $Taxol^{\circledR}$. In order to formulate a new delivery system suitable for intravenous administration without toxic excipients, in this study, paclitaxel was incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles (Px-SLN) by hot homogenization technique using a microfluidizer. Particle size and zeta potential were measured by a Zetasizer. In vitro drug release experiment was performed by a dialysis diffusion method. Each Px-SLN or $Taxol^{\circledR}$ was intravenously administered to the male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg as paclitaxel. Blood samples were deproteinated with acetonitrile and assayed for paclitaxel by the validated HPLC/MS/MS method. Mean particle size and zeta potential were measured as 72.1 nm (< Polydispersity 0.3) and -41.5 mV, respectively. The content of paclitaxel in SLN was 1.42 mg/ml and the drug loading efficiency was $71.2{\pm}4.3%$. The $AUC_t$ of Px-SLN was 3.4-fold greater than that of $Taxol^{\circledR}$. The Px-SLN might be a promising candidate for an alternative formulation for the parenteral delivery of paclitaxel.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

PURPOSES : This study evaluated the field applicability and laboratory performance of glass fiber-reinforced asphalt (GFRA) mixtures. METHODS : The general hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and GFRA mixtures were paved in five sites, including three national highways, one express highway, and an arterial road, to evaluate field applicability and durability. The plant mixing and construction method for the GFRA were similar to those for the general HMA. The lab performances of the field samples were relatively compared through the mechanical measures from the Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, and dynamic stability. The field performance was surveyed after a year. RESULTS : The lab tests verified the superior lab performances of the GFRA compared to the general HMA. The Marshall stability of the GFRA increased for about 128% of the general HMA. The indirect tensile strength of the GFRA was 115% greater than that of the general HMA. The dynamic stability of the GFRA resulted in 16,180 reps/mm, which indicated that high rut resistance may be expected. No noticeable defects, such as cracks or deformation, were observed for the GFRA sections after a year. CONCLUSIONS : The lab tests and field survey for the five GFRA sites resulted in superior performances compared to the general HMA. The relatively low-cost GFRA, which required no pre-processing procedures, such as polymer modification, may be a promising alternative to the polymer-modified asphalt mixtures. The long-term performance will be verified by the superior field durability of the GFRA in the near future.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.361-368
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• 2009

The efficacy of the combination of Burkholderia cepacia B23 with 0.75% chitosan and 3% calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) as a biocontrol treatment of anthracnose disease of papaya caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, was evaluated during storage. The growth of B. cepacia B23 in papaya wounds and on fruit surfaces was not affected in presence of chitosan and $CaCl_2$ or combination throughout the storage period. The combination of B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ was more effective in controlling the disease than either B. cepacia B23 or chitosan or other combination treatments both in inoculated and naturally infected fruits. Combining B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ gave the complete control of anthracnose infection in artificially inoculated fruits stored at $14^{\circ}C$ and 95% RH for 18 days, which was similar to that obtained with fungicide $benocide^{(R)}$. Moreover, this combination offered a greater control by reducing 99% disease severity in naturally infected fruits at the end of 14 days storage at $14^{\circ}C$ and 95% RH and six days post ripening at $28\pm2^{\circ}C$, which was superior to that found with $benocide^{(R)}$ or other treatments tested. Thus, postharvest application of B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-$CaCl_2$ as enhancers represents a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of anthracnose in papaya during storage.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.407-411
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• 2004

New formulations of amlodipine maleate tablet have been investigated to enhance the stability of the drug against light and humidity. Three kinds of amlodipine maleate tablets were prepared. One is prepared by previously known formulation (formulation C), the others were by new formulations using hydrophilic polymer $(Opadry^{\circledR})$ coated granules (formulations A and B). Amlodipine maleate powder was coated with $Opadry^{\circledR}$ to produce the coated granules and it was mixed with other excipients to produce the tabletting mass of new formulations A and B. Dissolution rate of newly formulated tablets was over 80% within 10 minutes in 0.01 M HCl medium, and its dissolution pattern was similar to that of $Norvasc^{\circledR}$ tablet. After 6 months storage under accelerated conditions, residual drug contents of tested formulations (A and B) were not significantly different from formulation C, ranging from 96.2 to 100.4%. Meanwhile, dissolution amount of formulation C was significantly reduced compared to that of formulation A (p<0.05), showing formulation A was more stable than unprotected formulation C at the accelerated conditions. Results of appearance, hardness and disintegration remained unchanged during stability study. In conclusion, it showed that the new formulations had enhanced the stability characteristics and hydrophilic coating technique was an alternative and promising method to improve the stability of amlodipine maleate tablet.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Traffic congestion is a source of significant economic and social costs in urban areas. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a promising means to help alleviate congestion by utilizing advanced sensing, computing, and communication technologies. This paper proposes and investigates a basic and advanced ITS framework Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) using wireless Vehicle to Roadside (Centralized ATIS model: CA model) and Vehicle to Vehicle (DeCentralized ATIS model: DCA model) communication and assuming an ideal communication environment in the typical $6{\times}6$ urban grid traffic network. Results of this study indicate that an ATIS using wireless communication can save travel time given varying combinations of system characteristics: traffic flow, communication radio range, and penetration ratio. Also, all tested metrics of the CA and DCA models indicate that the system performance of both models is almost identical regardless of varying traffic demand and penetration ratios. Therefore, DCA model can be a reasonable alternative to the fixed infrastructure based ATIS model (CA model).

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.793-800
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• 2008

Recently domestic drinking water industry has recognized membrane-based technology as a promising alternative for water treatment. To ensure successful application of membrane processes, the integrity of membrane systems should be maintained. According to US EPA guidance, the pressure decay test based on the bubble point theory is recommended to detect any membrane defection of which size is close to the smallest diameter of Cryptosporidium oocysts, $3{\mu}m$. Proper implementation of the pressure decay test is greatly affected by initial test pressure, and the interpretation of the test results is associated with upper control limit. This study is conducted to investigate various factors affecting determination of initial test prtessure and upper control limit, including membrane-based parameters such as pore shape correction factor, surface tension and contact angle, and system-based parameters, such as volumetric concentration factor and total volume of system. In this paper, three different hollow fibers were used to perform the pressure decay test. With identical initial test pressure applied, their pressure decay tendency were different from each other. This finding can be explained by the micro-structure disparity of those membranes which is verified by FESEM images of those membranes. More specifically, FESEM images revealed that three hollow fibers have asymmetry, deep finger, shallow finger pore shape, respectively. In addition, sensitivity analysis was conducted on five parameters mentioned above to elucidate their relation to determination of initial test pressure and upper control limit. In case of initial pressure calculation, the pore shape correction factor has the highest value of sensitivity. For upper control limit determination, system factors have greater impact compared to membrane-based parameters.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.274-277
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• 2008

Rekeying is the process of changing the encryption key of an ongoing communication. The main objective is to limit the amount of data encrypted with the same key. The IEEE 802.11 standard defines the Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP, encapsulation of 802.11 data frames. MAC at sender encrypts the payload (frame body and CRC) of each 802.11 frame before transmission using RC4 stream cipher. MAC at receiver decrypts and passes data to higher level protocol. WEP uses symmetric key stream cipher (RC4) where same key will be used for data encryption and decryption at the sender and the receiver. WEP is not promising with the advancement of the wireless technology existing today. We propose to use the existing information to define the security attributes. This will eliminate the steps that regenerated keys have to be sent to each other over certain period. The rekeying scheme is according to the number of bytes transmitted. Therefore, even the attacker has recorded the packets, it will be insufficient information and time for the attacker to launch the attacks as the key is not deterministic. We develop a packet simulation software for packet transmission and simulate our propose scheme. From the simulation, our propose scheme will overcome the weak WEP key attack and provide an alternative solution to wireless packet transmission. Besides that, our solution appears to be a software approach where only driver updates are needed for the wireless client and server.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2016

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by fossil fuels consumption is one of the challenging issues worldwide. Renewable energy source (RES)-based energy supply system can be a promising alternative to the current fossil fuel-based system. In this study, we propose an optimization approach for designing a stand-alone hybrid energy supply system using RES and evaluating economic performances of the energy systems. The suggested approach is used to answer the questions; i) what technology is suitable to various demand sectors in different regions, and ii) how does it cost to meet the demand in term of the levelized costs of energy (LCOE). We illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach by applying to the design problem of energy supply systems for residential, agricultural and commercial sectors of Korea. As the results of LCOE analysis, for the residential sector has the LCOE ranging of $0.37~$0.44/kWh, the agricultural sector of $0.15~$0.61/kWh and the commercial sector of $0.12~$0.28/kWh.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.359-366
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• 2009

In this study, paclitaxel-loaded lipid nanosuspension (PxLN) was prepared and the in vivo profiles after intravenous administration in rats were investigated. We compared the manufacturing processes depending on the temperature: PxLN-H for a hot homogenization process and PxLN-C for solidification of lipid-drug mixtures by liquid nitrogen. Both formulations showed submicron size distribution and the similar drug loading efficiency of about 70%. In vitro release of PxLNs and Taxol$^{(R)}$ performed by a dialysis diffusion method showed similar pattern for PxLN-H and Taxol$^{(R)}$, but the reduced release profile for PxLN-C. PxLN or Taxol$^{(R)}$ was intravenously administered to the rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg as paclitaxel. The drug in blood samples were assayed by the HPLC/MS/MS method. The AUC$_t$ of PxLN-H was 3.4-fold greater than that of Taxol$^{(R)}$. PxLN-H gave higher biodistribution in all tissues than did Taxol$^{(R)}$. In addition, it maintained the higher drug concentration for 12 h. This lipid nanosuspension might be a promising candidate for an alternative formulation for the parenteral delivery of poorly water-soluble paclitaxel.