• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.29-38
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• 2010

The experimental study on paraffin wax/LDPE blended fuel for hybrid rocket was performed. Various combustion characteristics of blended fuel were compared with pure paraffin, HTPB, HDPE and SP-1a fuel in order to evaluate the performance of blended fuel. The regression rate of lab-scale and large-scale motor using pure paraffin fuel was increased by 10.2 and 9.8 factor when respectively compared to that of HDPE. The regression rate factor of blended fuel was 3.4 in which the regression rate of blended fuel was higher than that of HTPB and HDPE, but lower than that of pure paraffin, SP-1a fuel. The values of characteristic velocity and specific impulse of blended fuel was higher than those of pure paraffin, HTPB and HDPE, and almost the same as SP-1a fuel. As these results, it was confirmed that blended fuel can be an effective solid fuel for hybrid rocket.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2021

Nocardiopsis species produce bioactive compounds, such as antimicrobial and anti-cancer agents and toxins. However, no reports have described their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects during nasal polyp (NP) formation. In this study, we investigated whether marine-derived bacterial Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced NP-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs). Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels were analyzed. Extract from Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 significantly inhibited the upregulation of NO and PGE₂ in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated; smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (Col-1), and fibronectin also phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 2 and 3 in TGF-β1-stimulated NPDFs. The Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 extract suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs and Akt and the DNA-binding activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1). The expression of pro-fibrotic components such as α-SMA, Col-1, fibronectin, and SMAD2/3 was inhibited in TGF-β1-exposed NPDFs. These findings suggest that Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 has the potential to treat inflammatory disorders, such as NP formation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.465-484
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• 2004

Background : Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) inhibits the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by inducing apoptosis. Methods : In this study, we investigated whether hypermethylation of IGFBP-3 promoter play an important role in the loss of IGFBP-3 expression in NSCLC. We also studied the mechanisms that mediate the silencing of IGFBP-3 expression in the cell lines which have hypermethylated IGFBP-3 promoter. Results : The IGFBP-3 promoter has hypermethylation in 7 of 15 (46.7%) NSCLC cell lines and 16 (69.7%) of 23, 7 (77.8%) of 9, 4 (80%) of 5, 4 (66.7 %) of 6, and 6 (100%) of 6 tumor specimens from patients with stage I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV NSCLC, respectively. The methylation status correlated with the level of protein and mRNA in NSCLC cell lines. Expression of IGFBP-3 was restored by the demethylating agent 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5'-aza-dC) in a subset of NSCLC cell lines. The Sp-1/ Sp-3 binding element in the IGFBP-3 promoter, important for promoter activity, was methylated in the NSCLC cell lines which have reduced IGFBP-3 expression and the methylation of this element suppressed the binding of the Sp-1 transcription factor. A ChIP assay showed that the methylation status of the IGFBP-3 promoter influenced the binding of Sp-1, methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) to Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element, which were reversed by by 5'-aza-dC. In vitro methylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter containing the Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element significantly reduced promoter activity, which was further suppressed by the overexpression of MeCP2. This reduction in activity was rescued by 5'-aza-dC. Conclusion : These findings indicate that hypermethylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter is one mechanism by which IGFBP-3 expression is silenced and MeCP2, with recruitment of HDAC, may play a role in silencing of IGFBP-3 expression. The frequency of this abnormality is also associated with advanced stages among the patients with NSCLC, suggesting that IGFBP-3 plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis/progression and that the promoter methylation status of IGFBP-3 may be a marker for early molecular detection and/or for monitoring chemoprevention efforts.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2006

This study is to examine the relationship between TGF-b1 expression and CTGF expression, and to evaluate the effect of Sp1 blockade on the expression of TGF-b1, CTGF and extracellular genes, clones of fibroblasts stably transfected with Sp1 decoy ODN. R-Sp1 decoy ODN was highly resistant to degradation by nucleases or serum, compared to the linear or phosphorothioated-Sp1 decoy ODN. Skin wounds were created on the back of 36 anesthetized rats. They were divided into four groups-the rats with normal skin, with wounded skin without decoy, with wounded skin injected with R-Sp1 decoy, and with wounded skin injected with mismatched R-Sp1 decoy, respectively. Skins were collected at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th day after wounding. Cellular RNA was extracted by RT-PCR analysis. TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF were deeply related with skin fibrosis during scar formation and it appeared that TGF-${\beta}1$ may cause the induction of CTGF expression. R-Sp1 decoy ODN inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF expression both in cultured fibroblasts and in the skin of rats. These results indicate that targeting Sp1 with R-type decoy efficiently blocks extracellular matrix gene expression, and suggest an important new therapeutic approach to control the scarring in normal wound healing and fibrotic disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.747-753
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• 2013

The physicochemical properties of sweet potato (SP) starches reclaimed from an SP-processing sludge without freezing (RC/NF) and with freezing (RC/FR) were investigated. Lab-isolated (LI) SP starch, as a control, were prepared from raw SP. RC/NF and RC/FR SP starches were recovered from SP-processing sludges by the repeated sieving and washing procedure. The total starch contents and amylopectin branch-chain distributions did not differ for three SP starches. Relative to LI and RC/NF SP starches (possessing similar physicochemical characteristics), the apparent amylose and phosphorus contents, swelling factor, and pasting viscosity were reduced for RC/FR SP starch. However, the freezing treatment altered X-ray diffraction pattern (at $5.5^{\circ}$, $11-12^{\circ}$, and $24^{\circ}$ $2{\theta}$) of RC/FR SP starch, which likely increased its gelatinization peak and completion temperatures. Its amorphous region in total diffractogram was reduced, resulting in the enhanced relative crystallinity. Overall results suggested SP starches recovered from an SP-processing sludge would have the potential to replace commercial SP starch products.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.513-521
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• 2000

Background : TNF may play an important role(central mediator) in the development of an acute respiratory distress syndrome. Since TNF induced lung injury in the acute respiratory distress syndrome and abnormalities in surfactant function have been described in acute respiratory distress syndrome, the authors investigated the effects of TNF on the regulation of surfactant protein A, B and C mRNA accumulation. Methods : The effects of TNF on gene expression of surfactant protein A, B, and C were analyzed using filter hybridization, 12 and 24 hours after intravenous injection of TNF in rats. Results : 1. The accumulation of SP-A mRNA in the TNF treated group (12 and 24 hours after TNF injection) was significantly decreased by 22.9% and 27.4%, respectively, compared to the control group (P<.025, P<.025). 2. The accumulation of SP-B mRNA in 24 hours after TNF treated group was significantly decreased by 20.5% compared to that of the control group(P<.01). 3. The accumulation of SP-C mRNA in 12 hours after TNF treated group was significantly decreased by 31% the compared to that of the control group(P<.01). Conclusions : These findings indicate the marked inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor on surfactant proteins expression in vivo. This finding. in turn, supports the idea of inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor on surfactant proteins expression as it relates to pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2010

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$ (PPAR${\gamma}$) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is used as a target for anti-diabetic drug development. In a search for novel PPAR${\gamma}$ agonists, the $\beta$-carboxyethyl-rhodanine derivative SP1818 was identified. We report here the characteristics of SP1818 as a selective PPAR${\gamma}$ agonist. In transactivation assays, SP1818 selectively activated PPAR${\gamma}$, but the degree of PPAR${\gamma}$ stimulation was less than with $1{\mu}M$ rosiglitazone. SP1818 also stimulated glucose uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. The adipocyte differentiation markers adiponectin, scavenger receptor CD36 and aP2 were weakly induced by treatment with SP1818, and TRAP220 subunit was specifically recruited into PPAR${\gamma}$ activated by rosiglitazone but not PPAR${\gamma}$ activated by SP1818.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.3702-3706
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• 2011

The conformation of a neuropeptide, substance P (SP), in isotropic (q = 0.5) acidic bicelles was investigated using two-dimensional NMR techniques. By the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) cross peaks between SP and long-chain lipid molecules SP was probed to bind on the flat surface of the disc-like bicelles. Structural analysis of NMR data indicated that the helical conformation of SP extended to the C-terminal region of Leu10 as well as in the mid-region from Pro4 to Phe8. As compared with the conformations of SP bound on the sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) or the dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles with curved surfaces, the surface curvature of the membrane mimics was found to be one of the major factors inducing the biologically relevant conformation of SP. The negative surface charge of the membrane is also a key factor inducing both the binding of SP on the membrane and its biologically active structure.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2017

In the human airway, mucus exists to protect the respiratory system as a primary barrier of the innate immune system. However, hyperexpressed mucus limits airflow, resulting in a decrease of lung function. Among more than 20 mucin family members, MUC5AC and MUC5B are major glycoproteins in human airway mucus. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of these mucins expression and specificity protein-1 (Sp1) transcription factor is the downstream signal of this pathway, playing pivotal roles in mucin expression. Even though there are some drugs for treating mucus hypersecretion, no drug has proven effects on humans. We found that the flavonoid tilianin regulated MUC5AC expression and also inhibited Sp1 phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated how tilianin would modulate EGFR signaling and regulate mucin production. In conclusion, tilianin inhibited MUC5AC expression mediated via modulating the EGFR-MEK-ERK-Sp1 signaling pathway in NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide the basis for the novel treatment of mucus hypersecretion.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2015

In order to evaluate the degree of hydrogen embrittlement of TRIP steels charged with hydrogen according to varying the current density and the charging time under acid and alkaline electrolyte conditions were tested by small punch test. The results of SP test showed that the degree of hydrogen embrittlement at acid electrolyte condition was more effective factor compared to that of alkaline electrolyte condition. Therefore, all of the charging time and the charging current density were at the condition of acid electrolyte appeared as the main factor of the degree of hydrogen embrittlement in the condition of acid electrolyte. But, it was considered that the charging time compared to the charging current density at the condition of alkaline electrolyte was more effective factor to raise the degree of hydrogen embrittlement.