• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2000

As a potential approach for non-destructive testing of concrete structures, we evaluate the time-of-flight (TOF) ultrasound tomography technique In conventional X ray tomography, the reconstructed Image corresponds to the internal attenuation coefficient However, in TOF ultrasound tomography, the reconstructed Image is proportional to the retractive index of the medium Because refractive effects are minimal for X-rays, conventional reconstruction techniques are applied to reconstruct the Image in X-ray tomography However, since ultrasound travels in curved path, due to the spatial variations in the refractive index of the medium, the path must be known to correctly reconstruct the Image. Algorithm for determining the ultrasound path is developed from a Geometrical Optics point view and the image reconstruction algorithm, since the paths are curved It requires the algebraic approach, namely the ART or the SIRT Here, the difference between the computed and the measured TOP data is used as a basis, for the iteration process First the initial image is reconstructed assuming straight paths. It then updates the path based on the recently reconstructed image This process of reconstruction and path determination repeats until convergence The proposed algorithm is evaluated by computer simulations, and in addition is applied to a real concrete structure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2000.11a
• /
• pp.577-584
• /
• 2000

Seismic refraction survey was peformed for 10 lines along NE-SW and NW-SE directions above Nampoong gallery at Makyo-ri, Dogye, Samcheok, Kangwon-do. 48 geophones were laid in line with the interval of 1m, and a 5Kg hammer was used as a source at 5 points for each line. Data processing was done using reciprocal time method, GRM, and traveltime tomography which utilizes wavefront expansion method for forward process and SIRT for inversion. The result shows that the first layer has its lower boundary between 3.49m and 8.88m. The P-wave velocity of the first and the second layer were estimated as 270 360m/s and 1550 1940m/s respectively. When the boundary of the first and second layer is smooth enough and the velocity difference is large enough, GRM has little advantage over reciprocal time method. The result of reciprocal method and traveltime tomography shows consistency. The northeast part of the boundary has syncline structure, which is similar to the topography above. This implies that the collapse of the cavities of Nampoong gallery result in the subsidence of the ground surface. The subsidence is in progress across the Youngdong railroad, therefore a proper reinforcement work is required.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.166-174
• /
• 2015

In this study, an efficient whole cell-based biotransformation for the production of liquiritigenin was developed using Laetiporus sulphureus CS0218 as biocatalyst and aqueous extracts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis as co-substrate, respectively. In order to determine the efficacy of this method, the optimal bioconversion conditions including mycelial growth, three important enzyme activities (${\beta}$-glucosidase, ${\alpha}$-rhamnosidase and ${\beta}$-xylosidase), and apparent viscosity of culture broth were monitored. After optimization, aqueous extracts of G. uralensis were added to the culture medium to directly produce algycone liquiritigenin. By applying this strategy, 67.5% of liquiritin was converted to liquiritigenin at pH 3.0 after 9 days of incubation and finally liquiritigenin was purified from the reaction mixture. And then, their biological activities including anti-oxidant and superoxide dismutase were observed. In fact, purified liquiritigenin was capable of bi-directional functions (i.e., either up-regulation or down-regulation of SIRT1 which is associated with aging). The results indicate that this strategy would be beneficial to produce biologically active liquiritigenin and could be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food applications.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.558-572
• /
• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. One of its components, emphysema, has been defined as a lung disease that irreversibly damages the lungs' alveoli. Treatment is currently unavailable for emphysema symptoms and complete cure of the disease. Hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), an HA-binding protein linking HA in the extracellular matrix to stabilize the proteoglycan structure, forms a bulky hydrogel-like aggregate. Studies on the biological role of the full-length HAPLN1, a simple structure-stabilizing protein, are limited. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that treating human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells with recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) increased TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-β RI) protein levels, but not TGF-β RII, in a CD44-dependent manner with concurrent enhancement of the phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3), but not p-Smad2, upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Furthermore, rhHAPLN1 significantly increased sirtuins levels (i.e., SIRT1/2/6) without TGF-β1 and inhibited acetylated p300 levels that were increased by TGF-β1. rhHAPLN1 is crucial in regulating cellular senescence, including p53, p21, and p16, and inflammation markers such as p-NF-κB and Nrf2. Both senile emphysema mouse model induced via intraperitoneal rhHAPLN1 injections and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD mouse model generated via rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols inhalations showed a significantly potent efficacy in reducing alveolar spaces enlargement. Preclinical trials are underway to investigate the effects of inhaled rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols on several COPD animal models.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.122-135
• /
• 2024

Obesity is a disease involving mechanisms of fat accumulation, low-grade inflammatory cytokine release, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of abalone intestine extract on fat metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet-induced zebrafish larvae. The total phenol content was highest in subcritical water extract at 210℃ (SW210) among hot water, ethanol, and subcritical water extracts of abalone intestine. In addition, SW210 of male abalone intestine (MASW210) most effectively controlled the lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic or lipogenic regulators (PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, and FAS) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Likewise, in zebrafish larvae fed high fat, MASW210 significantly suppressed body weight, glucose levels, and lipid accumulation. The mRNA expression related to adipogenesis (PPAR-γ and C/EBPα), lipogenesis (SREBP-1c and FAS), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), energy m/;.etabolism (AMPK, lepr, SIRT1, and adiponectin), and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α and CPT-1) were significantly regulated by treatment with MASW210. These results suggest that abalone intestine extract such as MASW210, are useful biomaterials for improving obesity and metabolic diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2015

Background: Alcoholic steatosis is the earliest and most common liver disease, and may precede the onset of more severe forms of liver injury. Methods: The effect of Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) was tested in two murine models of ethanol (EtOH)-feeding and EtOH-treated hepatocytes. Results: Blood biochemistry analysis demonstrated that RGE treatment improved liver function. Histopathology and measurement of hepatic triglyceride content verified the ability of RGE to inhibit fat accumulation. Consistent with this, RGE administration downregulated hepatic lipogenic gene induction and restored hepatic lipolytic gene repression by EtOH. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases is well established. Treatment with RGE attenuated EtOH-induced cytochrome P450 2E1, 4-hydroxynonenal, and nitrotyrosine levels. Alcohol consumption also decreased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which was restored by RGE. Moreover, RGE markedly inhibited fat accumulation in EtOH-treated hepatocytes, which correlated with a decrease in sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and a commensurate increase in sirtuin 1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-a expression. Interestingly, the ginsenosides Rb2 and Rd, but not Rb1, significantly inhibited fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that RGE and its ginsenoside components inhibit alcoholic steatosis and liver injury by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/sirtuin 1 activation both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that RGE may have a potential to treat alcoholic liver disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.147-160
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high concentration of uremic toxins in their blood and often experience muscle atrophy. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin produced by tryptophan metabolism. Although an elevated IS level may induce muscle dysfunction, the effect of IS on physiological concentration has not been elucidated. Additionally, the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on muscle hypertrophy have been reported in healthy models; however, it is unclear whether UA ameliorates muscle dysfunction associated with chronic diseases, such as CKD. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether UA can improve the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were incubated with or without IS (0.1 mM) and UA (1 or 2 μM) to elucidate the physiological effect of UA on CKD-related mitochondrial dysfunction and its related mechanisms using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IS suppressed the expression of differentiation marker genes without decreasing cell viability. IS decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and ATP levels by downregulating the genes pertaining to mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a, Nrf1, Tfam, Sirt1, and Mef2c), fusion (Mfn1 and Mfn2), oxidative phosphorylation (Cycs and Atp5b), and fatty acid oxidation (Pdk4, Acadm, Cpt1b, and Cd36). Furthermore, IS increased the intracellular mRNA and secretory protein levels of interleukin (IL)-6. Finally, UA ameliorated the IS-induced impairment in C2C12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that UA improves the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis by affecting differentiation, ATP levels, and IL-6 secretion in C2C12 cells. Therefore, UA could be a novel therapeutic agent for CKD-induced muscle dysfunction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2019

Objective : The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Chaenomelis Fructus (CF) on the regulation of biogenesis in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Methods : C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in 2% horse serum-containing medium for 5 days, and then treated with CF extract at different concentrations for 48 hr. The expression of muscle differentiation markers, myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) and mitochondrial biogenesis-regulating factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC1α), sirtuin1 (Sirt1), nuclear respiratory factor1 (NRF1) and transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), and the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were determined in C2C12 myotubes by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The cellular glucose levels and total ATP contents were measured by cellular glucose uptake and ATP assays, respectively. Results : Treatment with CF extract (0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 mg/㎖) significantly increased the expression of MHC protein in C2C12 myotubes compared with non-treated cells. CF extract significantly increased the expression of PGC1α and TFAM in the myotubes. Also, CF extract significantly increased glucose uptake levels and ATP contents in the myotubes. Conclusion : CF extract can stimulate C2C12 myoblasts differentiation into myotubes and increase energy production through upregulation of the expression of mitochondrial biogenetic factors in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell. This suggests that CF can help to improve skeletal muscle function with stimulation of the energy metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.229-236
• /
• 2016

Resveratrol (RSV) may provide numerous protective effects against chronic inflammatory diseases. Due to local hypoxia and hypertonicity, the renal medulla is subject to extreme oxidative stress, and aldehyde products formed during lipid peroxidation, such as 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), might be responsible for tubular injury. This study aimed at investigating the effects of RSV on renal and its signaling mechanisms. While HHE treatment resulted in decreased expression of Sirt1, AQP2, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), mouse cortical collecting duct cells (M1) cells treated with HHE exhibited increased activation of p38 MAPK, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and increased expression of NOX4, $p47^{phox}$, Kelch ECH associating protein 1 (Keap1) and COX2. HHE treatment also induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation by promoting $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. Meanwhile, the observed increases in nuclear $NF-{\kappa}B$, NOX4, $p47^{phox}$, and COX2 expression were attenuated by treatment with Bay 117082, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), or RSV. Our findings indicate that RSV inhibits the expression of inflammatory proteins and the production of reactive oxygen species in M1 cells by inhibiting $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to analyze the anti-obesity effect of Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) in obese mice made by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). Methods : The antioxidant activities of SA were evaluated in vitro. To assess the anti-obesity effect of SA, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: Normal, Control, GC100 (Garcinia cambogia 100 mg/kg/day), SA100 (SA 100 mg/kg/day), SA200 (SA 200 mg/kg/day). All groups underwent a 6-week regimen of HFD and oral administration, except for the Normal group. Subsequently, we performed blood analysis, western blotting, and histopathological staining. Results : SA demonstrated effectiveness in antioxidant measurements. SA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in body weight gain, along with reductions in liver and epididymal fat weights. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and leptin levels were reduced with SA treatment. Moreover, in the SA100 group, the reduction of both TG and TC synthesis was caused by inhibiting the sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1) and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 (SREBP-2) through the Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)/phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) pathway. Furthermore, SA treatment at a dose of 100 mg/kg reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver and the adipocyte size of the epididymal fat. Conclusion : Our research reveals the anti-obesity effects of SA by demonstrating its ability to inhibit body weight gain and lipid accumulation, suggesting that SA might be promising for obesity treatment.