• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might play a role in the development of RLS and other antipsychotic-induced side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. In the present study, we investigated whether the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms are associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We assessed antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The GST-M1, GST-T1 and GST-P1 loci were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Results: We divided the subjects into 2 groups: those with RLS symptoms (n = 96) and those without RLS symptoms (n = 94). There were no significant differences in the distributions of the GST-M1 genotypes (${\chi}^2=3.56$, p = 0.059), GST-T1 (${\chi}^2=0.51$, p = 0.476) and GST-P1 (${\chi}^2=0.57$, p = 0.821) between the 2 groups. Comparison of the RLS score among genotypes of the GST-M1 (t = -1.54, p = 0.125), GST-T1 (t = -0.02, p = 0.985) and GST-P1 (F = 0.58, p = 0.560) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: These data suggest that GST gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the possible influences of other candidate genes involved in the reactive oxygen species system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2010

Background: Most lung cancer patients receive systemic chemotherapy at an advanced stage disease. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the main regimen for treating advanced lung cancer. Recently, autophagy has become an important mechanism of cellular adaptation under starvation or cell oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not autophagy can occurred in cisplatin-treated lung cancer cells. Methods: H460 cells were incubated with RPMI 1640 and treated in $5{\mu}M$ or $20{\mu}M$ cisplatin concentrations at specific time intervals. Cells surviving cisplatin treatment were measured and compared using an MTT cell viability assay to cells that underwent apoptosis with autophagy by nuclear staining, apoptotic or autophagic related proteins, and autophagic vacuoles. The development of acidic vascular organelles was using acridine orange staining and fluorescent expression of GFP-LC3 protein in its transfected cells was observed to evaluate autophagy. Results: Lung cancer cells treated with $5{\mu}M$ cisplatin-treated were less sensitive to cell death than $20{\mu}M$ cisplatin-treated cells in a time-dependent manner. Nuclear fragmentation at $5{\mu}M$ was not detected, even though it was discovered at $20{\mu}M$. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavages were not detected in $5{\mu}M$ within 24 hours. Massive vacuolization in the cytoplasm of $5{\mu}M$ treated cells were observed. Acridine orange stain-positive cells was increased according in time-dependence manner. The autophagosome-incorporated LC3 II protein expression was increased in $5{\mu}M$ treated cells, but was not detected in $20{\mu}M$ treated cells. The expression of GFP-LC3 were increased in $5{\mu}M$ treated cells in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: The induction of autophagy occurred in $5{\mu}M$ dose of cisplatin-treated lung cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2003

Neurodegenerative disorders are associated with apoptosis as a causing factor or an inducer. On the other hand, it has been reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EUG), one of antioxidants and flavonoids, and z-VAD-fmk, a nonselective caspase inhibitor, suppress oxidative-radical-stress-induced apoptosis. However, it is not yet known what is the effects of EGCG and z-VAD-fmk on the apoptotic pathway is through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) as well as mitochondria, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We investigated the effects of EGCG by using $H_2O_2$ treated N18D3 cells, mouse DRG hybrid neurons. Methods: Following 30 min $100\;{\mu}m\;H_2O_2$ exposure, the viability of N18D3 cells (not pretreated vs. EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated) was evaluated by using MTT assay. The effect of EGCG on immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, PARP, PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 was examined by using Western blot, and was compared with that of z-Y4D-fmk. Results: EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showed increased viability. Dose-dependent inhibition of caspase-3 activation accompanied by PARP cleavage were demonstrated by pretreatment of both agents. However, inhibition of cytochrome c release was only detected in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells. On the pathway through PI3K/Akt and GSK-3, however, the result of Western blot in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells showed decreased IR of Akt and GSK-3 and increased IR of p85a PI3K, phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and contrasted with that in z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showing no changes on each molecule. Conclusion: These data show that EGCG affects apoptotic pathway through upstream signal including PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 pathway as well as downstream signal including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that EGCG mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and inhibition GSK-B could be new potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative injury.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.1 s.79
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• pp.43-53
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• 2004

The current Korean Concrete Design Code(KCI Code) requires the minimum and maximum content of shear s in order to prevent brittle and noneconomic design. However, the required content of the steel reinforcement In KCI Code is quite different to those of the other design codes such as fib-code, Canadian Code, and Japanese Code. Furthermore, since the evaluation equations of the minimum and maximum shear reinforcement for the current KCI Code were based on the experimental results, the equations can not be used for the RC members beyond the experimental application limits. The concrete tensile strength, shear stress, crack inclination, strain perpendicular to the crack, and shear span ratio are strongly related to the lower and upper limits of shear reinforcement. In this research, an evaluation equation for the minimum content of shear reinforcement is theoretical proposed from the Wavier's three principals of the mechanics of materials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1716-1726
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• 2012

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antihyperglycemic, antilipid peroxidative, and antioxidant effects of the ethanol extracts of Artemisia iwayomogi (Ai) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with a single intravenous injection (45 mg/kg b.w.) of STZ. The diabetic rats were then randomized to the diabetic and Ai extract therapy groups which were treated with Ai extract at doses of 1, 2, and 3 g/kg b.w./day, respectively, for 14 days. Oral administration of Ai (2 g/kg b.w.) significantly decreased their intake of food. Dosage of 2 g/kg of the extract significantly decreased blood glucose levels in the glucose level in diabetic rats after 4 day, there was no significant difference observed at 1 and 3 g/kg. A dose of 2 or 3 g/kg of the Ai extract significantly reduced plasma glucose levels in STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats at 7 days. The hypoglycemic effect of Ai at a dose of 2 g/kg was significantly more effective than that of STZ-control. The effect was more pronounced in 2 g/kg than 1 g and 3 g/kg. A significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA), and a significant increase in liver glycogen were observed in treated diabetic rats at doses of 2 g/kg after 14 days of treatment. Administration of Ai extracts to diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased in the 3 g extract-supplemented groups. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in the 1 g and 3 g extract-supplemented groups. Ai extract significantly increased glutathione-S transferase (GST) activity in a dose-dependent manner compared with treatment in STZ-control rats. Our result supports the fact that the administration of Ai extract is able to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk, and also reduce the oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1320-1325
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• 2012

This study investigated the bulk properties of red pepper powders according to drying method and variety. Bulk density, compressive characteristics, irrecoverable work, dynamic angle, and stress relaxation were investigated. Loose bulk density ranged between 0.420 $g/cm^3$ for Cheongyang cultivar and 0.427 $g/cm^3$ for Hanbando cultivar by hot-air drying. The highest tapped bulk density was 0.586 $g/cm^3$ for Hanbando cultivar by far-infrared drying and the lowest value was 0.523 $g/cm^3$ for Hanbando cultivar by sun drying. Hausner ratio reached a maximum value of 1.370 for Hanbando cultivar by far-infrared drying. Compressibility ranged between 0.0016 for Cheongyang cultivar by sun drying and 0.0023 for Hanbando cultivar by far-infrared drying. Compression ratio reached a maximum value of 1.032 for Hanbando cultivar by hot-air drying. Dynamic angle of repose ranged between 37.47 and $42.97^{\circ}$. Irrecoverable work ranged between 76.0 and 81.7%. Relaxation reached a maximum value of 24.31% for Cheongyang cultivar by far-infrared drying.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.5-16
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• 2018

In the current study, the engineering behaviour of prebored and precast steel pipe piles was examined from a series of full-scale field measurements by conducting static pile load tests, dynamic pile load tests (EOID and restrike tests) and Class-A and Class-C1 type numerical analysis. The study includes the pile load - settlement relations, allowable pile capacity and shear stress transfer mechanism. Compared to the allowable pile capacity obtained from the static pile load tests, the dynamic pile load tests and the numerical simulation showed surprisingly large variations. Overall among these the restrike tests displayed the best results, however the reliability of the predictions from the numerical analysis was lower than those estimated from the dynamic pile load tests. The allowable pile capacity obtained from the EOID tests and the restrike tests indicated 20.0%-181.0% (avg: 69.3%) and 48.2%-181.1% (avg: 92.1%) of the corresponding measured values from the static pile loading tests, respectively. Furthermore, the computed results from the Class-A type analysis showed the largest scatters (37.1%-210.5%, avg: 121.2%). In the EOID tests, a majority of the external load were carried by the end bearing pile capacity, however, similar skin friction and end bearing capacity in magnitude were mobilised in the restrike tests. The measured end bearing pile capacity from the restrike tests were smaller than was measured from the EOID tests. The present study has revealed that if the impact energy is not sufficient in a restrike test, the end bearing pile capacity most likely will be underestimated. The shear stresses computed from the numerical analysis deviated substantially from the measured pile force distributions. It can be concluded that the engineering behaviour of the pile is heavily affected if a slime layer exists near the pile tip, and that the smaller the stiffness of the slime and the thicker the slime, the greater the settlement of the pile.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.107-108
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• 2008

The spectacular development of AMLCDs, been made possible by a-Si:H technology, still faces two major drawbacks due to the intrinsic structure of a-Si:H, namely a low mobility and most important a shift of the transfer characteristics of the TFTs when submitted to bias stress. This has lead to strong research in the crystallization of a-Si:H films by laser and furnace annealing to produce polycrystalline silicon TFTs. While these devices show improved mobility and stability, they suffer from uniformity over large areas and increased cost. In the last decade we have focused on microcrystalline silicon (${\mu}c$-Si:H) for bottom gate TFTs, which can hopefully meet all the requirements for mass production of large area AMOLED displays [1,2]. In this presentation we will focus on the transfer of a deposition process based on the use of $SiF_4$-Ar-$H_2$ mixtures from a small area research laboratory reactor into an industrial gen 1 AKT reactor. We will first discuss on the optimization of the process conditions leading to fully crystallized films without any amorphous incubation layer, suitable for bottom gate TFTS, as well as on the use of plasma diagnostics to increase the deposition rate up to 0.5 nm/s [3]. The use of silicon nanocrystals appears as an elegant way to circumvent the opposite requirements of a high deposition rate and a fully crystallized interface [4]. The optimized process conditions are transferred to large area substrates in an industrial environment, on which some process adjustment was required to reproduce the material properties achieved in the laboratory scale reactor. For optimized process conditions, the homogeneity of the optical and electronic properties of the ${\mu}c$-Si:H films deposited on $300{\times}400\;mm$ substrates was checked by a set of complementary techniques. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman spectroscopy, dark conductivity, time resolved microwave conductivity and hydrogen evolution measurements allowed demonstrating an excellent homogeneity in the structure and transport properties of the films. On the basis of these results, optimized process conditions were applied to TFTs, for which both bottom gate and top gate structures were studied aiming to achieve characteristics suitable for driving AMOLED displays. Results on the homogeneity of the TFT characteristics over the large area substrates and stability will be presented, as well as their application as a backplane for an AMOLED display.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.659-667
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• 2004

Plantain has been used for antidiarrhea, antihemorrhage and the remedy of indigestion. Plantain was extracted with ethanol and fractionated systemically with n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate (EtOAC) and n-butanol. Antioxidant index (AI was expressed as induction period of oil containing various fractions/induction period of oil of 600 ppm) of EtOAC fraction was the highest among fractions in vitro. The protective effects of the EtOAC fraction of plantain (PE) administered 1 mL orally or intraduodenally on experimentally induced gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric secretion were evaluated in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250∼300 g were divided into 4 groups; negative control group (CON), PE 200 mg/kg treated group (PEL), PE 400 mg/kg treated group (PEH) and positive control group (cimetidine 100 mg/kg-CMT or omeprazol 100 mg/kg treated group-OMT), respectively, PE significantly suppressed HCl-ethanol induced gastric lesions and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers (administered subcutaneouly) in rats. Specially PE 400 mg/kg showed significantly inhibitory effect, which was more potent than that of 100 mg/kg of commercial drug, cimetidine, and elevated an inhibitory effect to be close to the level in inhibitory ratio of omeprazol administered group in Shay's ucler. On gastric secretion in pylorus ligated rat, PE 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg decreased the gastric volume and acid output, but did not show an apparent effect on pepsin activity. In addition, PE 400 mg/kg depressed gastric ulcers induced by water immersion stress and duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine administered subcutaneouly. These results suggest that the ethylacetate fraction of plantain can be used in prevention and treatment of experimentally induced gastric mucosal damage and ulcers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activity, the protective effect of the extract on SH-SY5Y cell death by $H_2O_2$, the memory improvement from scopolamine-induced rat. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of isorhamnetin from the dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) was investigated. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activity was highest (28.59%) in Hwasun O. javanica extract (H-OJE). H-OJE and Naju O. javanica extract (N-OJE) were not significantly different. SH-SY5Y cell death deceased to 37.23% and 36.68% for H-OJE and N-OJE, respectively, following treatment with the extracts. O. javanica extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity. Treatment with O. javanica extracts slightly improved scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg, i.p.) memory impairment in rats. H-OJE contained the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 117 mg/g and 30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, respectively, and had a DPPH radical scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) of $113.8{\mu}g/mL$ and ABTS radical scavenging activity of $48.2{\mu}g/mL$, which was higher than the other extracts. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value was highest (50.2%) in H-OJE. Antioxidant activity differed significantly among dropwort extracts. Isorhamnetin was known as one of the flavonoid and for having neuroprotective effect. So we analyzed acid-hydrolyzed O. javanica extract HPLC. The results were that peak at 14 min and spectrum of the extracts was consistent with standard solution. The results of LC/MS/MS analysis were that the extract and standard solution were confirmed total ion chromatogram at identical time, precursor ion was 317 $[M-H]^+$ m/z, product ion was 302 $[M-H]^+$ m/z. Overall, the results showed that the dropwort extract led to memory improvement and had antioxidant activity. Based on these finding, further research to investigate the production of ethanol extract of dropwort as a processed food is warranted.