• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.246-256
• /
• 2022

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 µM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.713-723
• /
• 2017

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are effective lateral systems which have high initial stiffness, appropriate ductility and energy dissipation capability. Recently, steel plate shear walls with low yield point strength (LYP), were introduced and they attracted the attention of designers. Structures with this new system, besides using less steel, are more stable. In the present study, the effects of plates with low yield strength on the seismic design parameters of steel frames with steel plate shear walls are investigated. For this purpose, a variety of this kind of structures with different heights including the 2, 5, 10, 14 and 18-story buildings are designed based on the AISC seismic provisions. The structures are modeled using ANSYS finite element software and subjected to monotonic lateral loading. Parameters such as ductility (${\mu}$), ductility reduction ($R_{\mu}$), over-strength (${\Omega}_0$), displacement amplification ($C_d$) and behavior factor (R) of these structures are evaluated by carrying out the pushover analysis. Analysis results indicate that the ductility, over-strength and behavior factors decrease by increasing the number of stories. Also, the displacement amplification factor decreases by increasing the number of stories. Finally, the results were compared with the suggestions provided in the AISC code for steel plate shear walls. The results indicate that the values for over-strength, behavior and displacement amplification factors of LYP steel plate shear wall systems, are larger than those proposed by the AISC code for typical steel plate shear wall systems.

• Progress in Superconductivity
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.181-185
• /
• 2007

For more than two decades Nb trilayer ($Nb/Al_2O_3/Nb$) process has been serving as the most stable fabrication process of the Josephson junction integrated circuits. Fast development of semiconductor fabrication technology has been possible with the recent advancement of the fabrication equipments. In this work, we took an advantage of advanced fabrication equipments in developing a superconducting Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) by using Nb trilayers. The ALU is a core element of a computer processor that performs arithmetic and logic operations on the operands in computer instruction words. We used DC magnetron sputtering technique for metal depositions and RF sputtering technique for $SiO_2$ depositions. Various dry etching techniques were used to define the Josephson junction areas and film pattering processes. Our Nb films were stress free and showed the $T{_c}'s$ of about 9 K. To enhance the step coverage of Nb films we used reverse bias powered DC magnetron sputtering technique. The fabricated 1-bit, 2-bit, and 4-bit ALU circuits were tested at a few kilo-hertz clock frequency as well as a few tens giga-hertz clock frequency, respectively. Our 1-bit ALU operated correctly at up to 40 GHz clock frequency, and the 4-bit ALU operated at up to 5 GHz clock frequency.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.254-261
• /
• 2018

In order to reduce resistance torque and energy loss, minimizing friction between race surface and rolling elements of a bearing is necessary. Recently, to reduce friction in bearing element, solid lubricant coating for the bearing raceway surface has been receiving much attention. Considering the operating conditions of real bearings, verifying the effect of solid lubricant coatings under extreme conditions of high load that is more than 1 GPa is necessary. In this study, we evaluated the friction and wear characteristics of SUJ2 bearing steels deposited by carbon-based coatings (Si-DLC, ta-C), $MoS_2$ and graphite. In case of $MoS_2$ and graphite coatings, different surface treatments were applied to the coatings to verify the effect of surface treatment. A pin-on-disc type tribotester was used to evaluate the tribological characteristics of the coatings. It was possible to quantitatively estimate the friction and wear characteristics of solid lubricant under dry and lubrication conditions. The carbon-based coatings improved the friction and wear properties of SUJ2 bearing steels under the high load condition, but $MoS_2$ and graphite coatings were not suitable for high load conditions due to its low hardness. Different friction and wear behaviors were found for different substrate surface treatment method. Also, it was confirmed that solid lubricant coatings had a more positive effect than just applying the lubricant for improving the tribological characteristics.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.205-213
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by extensive myocardial damage attributed to the occlusion of coronary arteries. Our previous study in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) demonstrated that administration of arabinoxylan (AX), comprising arabinose and xylose, protects against myocardial injury. In this study, we undertook to investigate whether psyllium seed husk (PSH), a safe dietary fiber containing a high level of AX (> 50%), also imparts protection against myocardial injury in the same rat model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were fed diets supplemented with PSH (1, 10, or 100 mg/kg/d) for 3 d. The rats were then subjected to 30 min ischemia through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 3 h reperfusion through release of the ligation. The hearts were harvested and cut into four slices. To assess infarct size (IS), an index representing heart damage, the slices were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). To elucidate underlying mechanisms, Western blotting was performed for the slices. RESULTS: Supplementation with 10 or 100 mg/kg/d of PSH significantly reduces the IS. PSH supplementation (100 mg/kg/d) tends to reduce caspase-3 generation and increase BCL-2/BAX ratio. PSH supplementation also upregulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and its target genes including antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase mu 2 (GSTM2) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). PSH supplementation upregulates some sirtuins ($NAD^+$-dependent deacetylases) including SIRT5 (a mitochondrial sirtuin) and SIRT6 and SIRT7 (nuclear sirtuins). Finally, PSH supplementation upregulates the expression of protein kinase A (PKA), and increases phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) (pCREB), a target protein of PKA. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate that PSH consumption reduces myocardial I/R injury in rats by inhibiting the apoptotic cascades through modulation of gene expression of several genes located upstream of apoptosis. Therefore, we believe that PSH can be developed as a functional food that would be beneficial in the prevention of MI.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2010

Our previous study demonstrated that methanolic extract of Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura (Compositae) has the potential to induce detoxifying enzymes such as NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase 1 (EC 1.6.99.2) (NQO1, QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). In this study we further fractionated methanolic extract of Chrysanthemum zawadskii and investigated the detoxifying enzyme-inducing potential of each fraction. The fraction (CZ-6) shown the highest QR-inducing activity was found to contain (+)-(3S,4S,5R,8S)-(E)-8-acetoxy-4-hydroxy-3-isovaleroyloxy-2-(hexa-2,4-diynyliden)-1,6-dioxaspiro [4,5] decane and increased QR enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CZ-6 fraction caused a dose-dependent enhancement of luciferase activity in HepG2-C8 cells generated by stably transfecting antioxidant response element-luciferase gene construct, suggesting that it induces antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes through antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated transcriptional activation of the relevant genes. Although CZ-6 fraction failed to induce hepatic QR in mice over the control, it restored QR activity suppressed by $CCl_4$ treatment to the control level. Hepatic injury induced by $CCl_4$ was also slightly protected by pretreatment with CZ-6. In conclusion, although CZ-6 fractionated from methanolic extract of Chrysanthemum zawadskii did not cause a significant QR induction in mice organs such as liver, kidney, and stomach, it showed protective effect from liver damage caused by $CCl_4$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.423-430
• /
• 2016

Background: The induction of cellular defensive genes such as phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes is a highly effective strategy for protection against carcinogenesis as well as slowing cancer development. Transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) is responsible for activation of phase II enzymes induced by natural chemopreventive compounds. Methods: Red ginseng oil (RGO) was extracted using a supercritical $CO_2$ extraction system and chemical profile of RGO was investigated by GC/MS. Effects of RGO on regulation of the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway were determined by ARE-luciferase assay, western blotting, and confocal microscopy. Results: The predominant components of RGO were 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (31.48%), bicyclo[10.1.0] tridec-1-ene (22.54%), and 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol (16.90%). RGO treatment significantly increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as ARE reporter gene activity, leading to upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. Phosphorylation of the upstream kinases such as apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)1, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MKK)4/7, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK were enhanced by treatment with RGO. In addition, RGO-mediated Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation was attenuated by JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. Conclusion: RGO could be used as a potential chemopreventive agent, possibly by induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated phase II enzymes via ASK1-MKK4/7-JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 1995

The test results from three one fourth scale models using high strength Reinforced Concrete $f_x=704\;kg/cm^2,\;f_y=5.830\;kg/cm^2$ are presented. Such specimens are considered to represent the critical 3 storics of 60-story tall building of a structural wall system in area of high seismicity respectively. They are tested under inplane vertical and horizontal loading. The main varlable is the level of axial stress. The amounts of vertical and horizontal reinforcement are identical for the three walls testcd. The cross-section of all walls is barbell shape. The aspectratio($h_w/I_w$) of test specimen is 1.8. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of levels of applied axial stresses on the inelastic behavior of high-strength R /C tall walls. Experimental results of high strength R /C tall walls subjected to axial load and simulated sels rnic loading show that it is possible to insure a ductlle dominant performance by promotmg flex ural yielding of vertical reinforcement and that axial stresses within $O.21f_x$ causes an increase in horizontal load-carrying capacity, initial secant st~ffness characteristics, but an decrease in displacement ductility. energy dissipation index and work damage index of high strength K /C tall walls

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.46-53
• /
• 2001

A commensal thermophile, Symbiobacterium toebii, isolated from hay compost (toebii) in Korea commensally interacted with a thermophilic Geobacillus toebii sp. nov., which was a new species within the genus Geobacillus on the basis of the phenotypic traits and molecular systematic data. S. toebii required the crude extracts and/or culture supernatant of the Geobacillus toebii for axenic growth and could grow on the temperature between 45 and $70^{\circ}C$ (optimum: $60^{\circ}C$; 2.4 h doubling time) and pH 6.0 and 9.0 (optimum: pH 7.5). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was $65 mol\%$, and the major quinones were MK-6 and MK-7. A phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rDNA sequence indicated that Symbiobacterium toebii was closely related with solely reported Symbiobacterium thermophilum. The presence of the commensal thermophile 16S rDNA and accumulation of indole in all the enriched cultures indicate that Symbiobacterium toebii is widely distributed in the various soils. The genome of S. toebii constituted a circular chromosome of 3,280,275 base pairs and there was not an extra-chromosomal element (ECE). It contained about 4,107 predicted coding sequences. Of these protein coding genes, about $45.6\%$ was encoded well-known proteins and annotated the functional assignment of 1,874 open reading frames (ORFs), and the rest predicted to have unknown functions. The genes encoding thermostable tyrosine phenol-lyase and tryptophan indole-lyase were cloned from the genomic DNA of S. toebii and the enzymatic production of L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan was carried out with two thermostable enzymes overexpressed in recombinant E. coli.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.227-239
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.