• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for bronchial asthma as it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. We developed an in vitro test system measuring transcriptional downregulatory activities on IL-13 as a primary screening method to select drug candidates from natural products. The promoter region of IL-13 (-2,048 to +1) was cloned into the upstream of a luciferase gene in the plasmid pGL4.14 containing the hygromycin resistance gene as a selection marker, generating pGL4.14-IL-13. The EL-4 thymoma and RBL-2H3 mast cells transiently expressing this plasmid highly produced the luciferase activities by responding to PI (PMA and ionomycin) stimulation up to 8-fold and 13-fold compared with the control, respectively, whereas cyclosporin A, a well-known antiasthmatic agent, significantly downregulated the activities. The BF1 clone of RBL-2H3 cells constitutively expressing pGL4.14-IL-13 was established by selecting surviving cells under a constant lethal dose of hygromycin treatment. The feasibility of this system was evaluated by measuring the downregulatory activities of 354 natural products on the IL-13 promoter using the BF1 clone. An extract from Morus bombycis (named TBRC 156) significantly inhibited PI-induced luciferase activities and IL-13 mRNA expression, but not the protein expression. Fisetin (named TBRC 353) inhibited not only PI-induced luciferase activities and mRNA expression, but also the IL-13 protein secretion, whereas myricetin (named TBRC 354) could not suppress the IL-13 expression at all. Our data indicated that this in vitro test system is able to discriminate the effects on IL-13 expression, and furthermore, that it might be suitable as a simple and time-saving primary screening system to select antiasthmatic agents by measuring transcriptional activities of the IL-13 promoter.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.315-320
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• 1994

Li-GICs as a high performance energy storager were synthesized as a function of the Li content by the admixture and add-pressure method. The characteristics of these prepared compounds have been determined from the studies by X-ray diffraction, UV-VIS spectrometry and CHN analysis. It follows from the results of X-ray diffraction that the lower-stage intercalation compounds are formed as the Li contents increase, however the mixed stages in these compounds are also observed. In the case of the $Li_{40wt%}$, the compound with the structure of stage 1 has been predominently, but the structure of only stage 1 is not obtained. The $d_{001}$ value of stage 1 was determined to be ca. $3.70{\AA}$. An analysis of spectrometric data shows that each of the compounds gives distingushible energy state spectra. It is seen from the spectra that the positions of $R_{min}$ values, with increase in the Li contents, are shifted in the region of higher energy state. Such a result can be attributed to the formation of stable stages. The results of CHN analysis allow us to find the mixing state related to chemical compositions of the intercalated compounds and the superiority to admixture and add-pressure method. From the results determined, it reveals that $Li_{10wt%}$-GIC and $Li_{20wt%}$-GIC can be utilized for an anode of rechargable battery.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2011

The objective of the study was to prepare self-microeulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) incorporating atorvastatin calcium and evaluate its properties and oral bioavailability. Solubility of atorvastatin in various vehicles was determined. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the good self-emulsification region. The droplet size distributions of the resultant emulsions were determined by dynamic light scattering measurement. The mean droplet size of chosen formulation (20% ethyl oleate, 40% tween-80, 40% Carbitol$^{(R)}$) was $23.4{\pm}1.3$ nm. The SMEDDS incorporating atorvastatin calcium appeared to be associated with better performance in dissolution and pharmacokinetic studies, compared with raw atorvastatin calcium. In dissolution test, the release percentage of atorvastatin from SMEDDS mixture could rapidly reach more than 95% within 3 min. Oral $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}8hr}$ values in SD rats was $1994{\pm}335\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$, which significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with raw atorvastatin calcium. The SMEDDS formulation was relatively stable when stored at $4^{\circ}C$ during 3 months. Our studies illustrated the potential use of SMEDDS for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds, such as atorvastatin, by the oral route.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.145-151
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop rational soil management and enhance the productivity of lands converted from paddy soils. Specifically, the changes in the soil physical properties brought about by the change in land usage from paddy soil were evaluated. This was carried out from 1999 to 2001 at 50 site in large-scale converted paddy fields of Kimcheon, Youngcheon, Gyeongsan and Milyang in the Youngnam region, categorized according to soil texture and drainage class. The ridge height of converted paddy soils was higher in coarse-textured and poorly-drained soils than in fine-textured and well-drained soils. The gray color of the surface soil was of lesser degree in converted soils than paddy soils and more notable in welldrained soils. The porosity ratio and the formation of aggregate structure were higher, and the appearance of soil mottling was deeper in converted paddy fields than in paddy soils. The glaying layer "g" of surface soil degraded with time. The porosity and amount of water stable aggregate was found to increase with time after conversion. The penetration resistance of the converted paddy soil was lower and deeper with time after conversion. The soil aeration of the converted paddy soil was lower in sandy loam than in loamy soil. Furthermore, soil aeration was influenced by ridge height and drainage class in poorly-drained soils.

• The Journal of Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.97-109
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• 2004

The synthesis and crystal structure of amorphous calcium carbonate obtained from gas-liquid reaction of CaO-$C_2 H_5 OH$-$CO_2$ system according to change of added amount of calcium oxide by blowing $CO_2$ gas and reaction time using ethanol and ethylene glycol were investigated by electric conductivity, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope. The powdery or gelatinous phases were prepared by passing $CO_2$ gas at a flow rate of 1$\ell$/min into the suspensions containing 10~40g of CaO in mixing solutions 900ml of $C_2 H_5 OH$- and 100ml of ethylene glycol. By rapid filtration and drying the both phases at $60^{\circ}C$ under reduced pressure, the phases converted to the spherical vaterite and amorphous phase. The stable phase of amorphous calcium carbonate(ACC) was formed in the region pH 7-9 but the formation regions of amorphous phase were remarkably affected by pH in the mother liquor. It seems that a part of ACC changed into chain calcite as an intermediate products. The initial reactants prior to the formation of precipitated calcium carbonate is ACC. And ACC is unstable in the aqueous solution and crystallizes finally to calcite by the through-solution reaction. Especially ACC was produced or gelatinous phase which precipitated from the reaction of CaO-$C_2 H_5 OH$-$CO_2$ system.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2009

Background In contrast to defects of the mandible and mouth floor region, in the defect of maxilla, the availability of firmly attached oral and nasal mucosal linings is needed. In addition to it, in consider of operation field, operating convenience, and esthetics, reconstruction using prelaminated flap is strongly recommended. Therefore we consider the prelaminated flap through the cases that is reconstructed using prelaminated forearm flap and prelaminated scapular flap. Patients and Methods From 2001 to 2008, in OMFS SNUDH, there were 6 cases that had reconstruction using prelaminated forearm free flap and other 3 cases that had reconstruction using prelaminated scapular flap of maxilla. The average age of patients that were reconstructed using prelaminated forearm free flap was 47.5 years, the average prelaminated period (after $1^{st}$ operation ${\sim}$ until $2^{nd}$ operation) was 51.8 days and the average follow-up period after $2^{nd}$ operation was 35.3 months. As well, the average age of patients that were reconstructed using prelaminated scapular free flap was 37 years, the average prelaminated period (after $1^{st}$ operation ${\sim}$ until $2^{nd}$ operation) was 57 days and the average follow-up period after $2^{nd}$ operation was 42.3 months. Results Except 1 case that were reconstructed using prelaminated scapular flap, we could get firmly attached oral and nasal stable skin(mucosal like) lining, more adequate thickness flap than any other flap and improved esthetic and functional results in the other 8 cases that were reconstructed using prelaminated flap. The complications of the prelaminated forearm flap cases were inconvenient swallowing, sputum, limitation of mouth opening and difficult mastication. It came from flap shrinkage of the flap in some aspect, as well as other combined operations such as mass resection or RND. The difficult point of the reconstruction of prelaminated scapular flap was the possibility of vascular damage at preparation of flap in $2^{nd}$ surgery. The damage could cause the failure of the prelaminated scapular flap. And the skin-lining of the prelaminated flap had limitations, so it is needed to study about the cultured oral epithelium-lining flap instead of the skin-lining flap. Conclusion We considered about advantages, complications and notable things of prelaminated flap through maxillary reconstruction cases using prelaminated forearm flap and prelaminated scapular flap so far. Furthermore, we should go on studying for functional reconstruction of prelaminated fasciomucosal flap using cultured oral epithelium.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.5 no.2 s.10
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• pp.25-39
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• 1996

Architectural researches on the traditional houses of Korea have been studied mainly based on the data collected in the field survey. From explosively incresed real mesurements and drawings in the field, plenty of data have been collected. Those have been the basic data for verifing and developing the theories on the traditional house. But after Korean war the researchers in South-Korea were not able to approach to the field in North Korea, so the new data of North Korea were not added any more. The poverty of real data have caused regional unbalance in the researches. This paper aims at collecting new data of traditional house in North Korea. But still being prohibited for the researchers of South Korea to approach to the field, I had to depend on the memories and experiences of the immigrants from North Korea who are now living in Kyon-Nam and Pusan Province. Through the questionnaire and drawings, they described vivid memory of their old houses. I was able to collect the data of 71 cases, which are significant and valuable as much as those of the real field are. The data include the address and site condition, family structure, economic condition, construction period of each house, The drawings by themselves show the building forms and plans, the plans of each building, and the included spaces. Although the quantity of those data is not enough for statistical analysis, it shows general tendency for analizing regional charateristics, the differnces among economical classes, and the periodical change. It opens the way for verfying the existing theory. Analizing the data, I have some conclusions as followings: a. Most of researchers have classified the dominant housing type of Hamkyong-Do as 'the double fold' type. In this study, all cases of Hamkyongbuk-do also show 'the double fold plan with Chongju-kan'. But in Hamkyongnam-do some cases show 'the double fold plan without Chongju-kan, or projecting the stable into the yard, which seem to be different type from 'the double fold plan with Chongju-kan' b. Existing theories classified the dominant housing type of Pyongahn-do as 'two buildings with pararell arrangement'. This classification is verified with the plentiful cases in this study. Futhermore, I found new tendency, that is, getting higher econnomic condition, they construct annex buildings between the main buildings. Finally their houses show 'scattered ㅁ shape'. The houses included in this two types has narrow and closed inner yard, which is different from the houses of the same shape in the south region of Korea. c. Existing theories classified the dominant housing type of Hwanghae-do as 'ㅁ sape with Daechong' type. I found many cases of 'ㅁ shape', but only two cases show 'Daechong'. 'The doble fold' type was also founded. Unfortunately very few cases were sent from Hwanghae-do, it is not enough for finding general tendency.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 1994

The water-based magnetic fluids were prepared with the synthesized ultra-fine magnetite, oleic acid and SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate) as surfactants. The dispersion of water-based magnetic fluids was about 90 % when the added amounts of oleic acid and SDBS for magnetite(27 g) were more than $2.66{\times}10^{-3}$ mol and 10 g respectively. As the solid content increased from o. 05 g/cc to 0.4 g/cc, saturation magnetization of magnetic fluids at 5 kOe increased from 1.98 emu/g to 9.63 emu/g at $Fe^{2+}/Fe^{3+}=0.5$ and from 2.7 emu/g to 14.63 emu/g at $Fe^{2+}/Fe^{3+}=1.0$, and the its viscosity increased from 1.3 cp to 4.4 cp at $Fe^{2+}/Fe^{3+}=0.5$. pH region of oleic acid and SDBS stabilized water-based mag¬netic fluids was stable was in the range of pH 3.0 to pH 11.0. Stability of Water-based magnetic fluids can be obtained by observation of magnetic memory patterns on the VCR tape.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.sup2
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• pp.279-286
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• 2009

Purpose: Gene therapy (ex vivo) has recently been used as a means of delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to sites of tissue regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-transduction of adenoviruses expressing BMP-2 and BMP-7 on osteogenesisof C2C12 cells in vitro. Methods: A replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) containing a cDNA for BMPs in the E1 region of the virus (Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7) was constructed by in vivo homologous recombination. Functional activity of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 were evaluated in mouse stromal cells (W20-17cells). C2C12 cells are transduced with various MOI (multiplicity of infection) of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 to assess most effective and stable titer. Based on this result, C2C12 cells were transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 alone or by combination. BMPs expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, cell proliferation, and mineralization were assessed. Results: Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 are successfully transduced to W20-17 cells, and secreted BMPs stimulated cell differentiation. Also, C2C12 cells transduced with Ad5BMPs showed expression of BMPs and increased ALPaseactivity. In all groups, cell proliferation was observed over times. At 7days, cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 showed lower proliferation than the others. C2C12 cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 had greater ALPaseactivity than that would be predicted if effect of individual Ad5BMPs were additive. Little mineralized nodule formation was detected in cells transduced with individual Ad5BMPs. In contrast, Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 combination stimulated mineralization after culturing for 10 days in mineralizing medium. Conclusions: Present study demonstrated that adenoviruses expressing BMPs gene successfully produced BMPs protein and these BMPs stimulated cells to be differentiated into osteoblastic cells. In addition, the osteogenic activity of Ad5BMPs can be synergistically increased by co-transduction of cells with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.50-50
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• 2008

ZnO has been extensively studied for optoelectronic applications such as blue and ultraviolet (UV) light emitters and detectors, because it has a wide band gap (3.37 eV) anda large exciton binding energy of ~60 meV over GaN (~26 meV). However, the fabrication of the light emitting devices using ZnO homojunctions is suffered from the lack of reproducibility of the p-type ZnO with high hall concentration and mobility. Thus, the ZnO-based p-n heterojunction light emitting diode (LED) using p-Si and p-GaN would be expected to exhibit stable device performance compared to the homojunction LED. The n-ZnO/p-GaN heterostructure is a good candidate for ZnO-based heterojunction LEDs because of their similar physical properties and the reproducibleavailability of p-type GaN. Especially, the reduced lattice mismatch (~1.8 %) and similar crystal structure result in the advantage of acquiring high performance LED devices with low defect density. However, the electroluminescence (EL) of the device using n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunctions shows the blue and greenish emissions, which are attributed to the emission from the p-GaN and deep-level defects. In this work, the n-ZnO:Ga/p-GaN:Mg heterojunction light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated at different growth temperatures and carrier concentrations in the n-type region. The effects of the growth temperature and carrier concentration on the electrical and emission properties were investigated. The I-V and the EL results showed that the device performance of the heterostructure LEDs, such as turn-on voltage and true ultraviolet emission, developed through the insertion of a thin intrinsic layer between n-ZnO:Ga and p-GaN:Mg. This observation was attributed to a lowering of the energy barriers for the supply of electrons and holes into intrinsic ZnO, and recombination in the intrinsic ZnO with the absence of deep level emission.