• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.593-600
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• 2021

Herein, a series of g-C₃N₄ modified Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites using Bi₂MoO₆ and melamine as original materials are fabricated via sintering process. For presynthesis of Bi₂MoO₆ an ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal technique is researched. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The improved photoelectrochemical properties are studied by photocurrent density, EIS, and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that the structure of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles remains intact, with good dispersion status. The as-prepared g-C₃N₄/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites (BMC 5-9) are selected and investigated by SEM analysis, which inhibits special morphology consisting of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles and some g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The introduction of small sized g-C₃N₄ nanosheets in sample BMC 9 is effective to improve the charge separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in enhancing of the photoelectric behavior of Bi₂MoO₆. The improved photoelectronic behavior of g-C₃N₄/Bi₂MoO₆ may be attributed to enhanced charge separation efficiency, photocurrent stability, and fast electron transport pathways for some energy applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1335-1343
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• 2022

COVID-19 is an emerging disease that poses a severe threat to global public health. As such, there is an urgent demand for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Here, we describe a virus-like nanoparticle candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 produced by an E. coli expression system. The fusion protein of a truncated ORF2-encoded protein of aa 439~608 (p170) from hepatitis E virus CCJD-517 and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 were expressed, purified and characterized. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of p170-RBD were evaluated in vitro and in Kunming mice. Our investigation revealed that p170-RBD self-assembled into approximately 24 nm virus-like particles, which could bind to serum from vaccinated people (p < 0.001) and receptors on cells. Immunization with p170-RBD induced the titer of IgG antibody vaccine increased from 14 days post-immunization and was significantly enhanced after a booster immunization at 28 dpi, ultimately reaching a peak level on 42 dpi with a titer of 4.97 log₁₀. Pseudovirus neutralization tests showed that the candidate vaccine induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice. In this research, we demonstrated that p170-RBD possesses strong antigenicity and immunogenicity and could be a potential candidate for use in future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.347-355
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• 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disorder worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was shown to display a high level in the plasma of patients with AAA; however, its detailed functions underlying AAA pathogenesis are unclear. An in vitro AAA model was established in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by angiotensin II (Ang-II) stimulation. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays were utilized for measuring cell proliferation and migration. RT-qPCR was used for detecting mRNA expression of FGF21 and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Western blotting was utilized for assessing protein levels of FGF21, ATF4, and markers for the contractile phenotype of HASMCs. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were implemented for identifying the binding relation between AFT4 and FGF21 promoters. FGF21 and ATF4 were both upregulated in Ang-II-treated HASMCs. Knocking down FGF21 attenuated Ang-II-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of HASMCs. ATF4 activated FGF21 transcription by binding to its promoter. FGF21 overexpression reversed AFT4 silencing-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch. ATF4 transcriptionally upregulates FGF21 to promote the proliferation, migration, and phenotype switch of Ang-II-treated HASMCs.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Herein a rich, Se-nanoparticle modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ nanocomposite as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst is reported via hydrothermal synthesized process. In this work, Na₂SeSO₃ solution and selenium powder are used as Se precursor material. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), EDX spectrum analysis and the corresponding element mapping. The improved electrochemical properties are studied by current density, and EIS analysis. The as-prepared Se modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ synthesized via Na₂SeSO₃ is investigated by FE-SEM analysis and found to exhibit spherical particles combined with nanosheets. This special morphology effectively improves the charge separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in enhanced photoelectric behavior compared with that of pure Mo-W₁₈O₄₉. The nanomaterial obtained via Na₂SeSO₃ solution demonstrates a high HER activity and low overpotential of -0.34 V, allowing it to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^-2.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2007

There were many different families of zinc finger proteins that contained multiple cysteine and/or histidine residues and used zinc to stabilize their folds. The classical C2H2 zinc finger proteins were the founding members of this superfamily and were among the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic genomes. C2H2 proteins typically contained several C2H2 fingers that made tandem contacts along the DNA. Here we reported a novel C2H2 type zinc finger gene, ZNF438, which encoded 828 amino acids that formed five zinc finger domains. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the ZNF438 was mapped to human chromosome 10p11.2 and shared 62% identity with rat and mouse homologues. RT-PCR analysis indicated that it was ubiquitously expressed in 18 human adult tissues. With immunofluorescence assay, it was shown that the exogenous Flag-tagged ZNF438 was located in nucleus of COS-7 cells. To further explore the function of ZNF438, we examined the transcriptional activity of ZNF438 protein by transfecting recombinant pM-ZNF438 into mammalian cells. The subsequent analysis based on the duel luciferase assay system showed that ZNF438 was a transcriptional repressor.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2015

Because Schwann cells perform the triple tasks of myelination, axon guidance and neurotrophin synthesis, they are candidates for cell transplantation that might cure some types of nervous-system degenerative diseases or injuries. However, Schwann cells are difficult to obtain. As another option, ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) can be easily harvested from the nasal respiratory mucosa. Whether fibrin, an important transplantation vehicle, can improve the differentiation of EMSCs into Schwann-like cells (SLCs) deserves further research. EMSCs were isolated from rat nasal respiratory mucosa and were purified using anti-CD133 magnetic cell sorting. The purified cells strongly expressed HNK-1, nestin, $p75^{NTR}$, S-100, and vimentin. Using nuclear staining, the MTT assay and Western blotting analysis of the expression of cell-cycle markers, the proliferation rate of EMSCs on a fibrin matrix was found to be significantly higher than that of cells grown on a plastic surface but insignificantly lower than that of cells grown on fibronectin. Additionally, the EMSCs grown on the fibrin matrix expressed myelination-related molecules, including myelin basic protein (MBP), 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and galactocerebrosides (GalCer), more strongly than did those grown on fibronectin or a plastic surface. Furthermore, the EMSCs grown on the fibrin matrix synthesized more neurotrophins compared with those grown on fibronectin or a plastic surface. The expression level of integrin in EMSCs grown on fibrin was similar to that of cells grown on fibronectin but was higher than that of cells grown on a plastic surface. These results demonstrated that fibrin not only promoted EMSC proliferation but also the differentiation of EMSCs into the SLCs. Our findings suggested that fibrin has great promise as a cell transplantation vehicle for the treatment of some types of nervous system diseases or injuries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4301-4306
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• 2013

Aim: Apoptosis has been considered as a fundamental component in cancer pathogenesis, and related genetic factors might play an important role in gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) genesis. Methods: We conducted a hospital based case.control study to evaluate the genetic effects of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): BCL2 rs17757541 C>G, BCL2 rs12454712 T>C, FAS rs2234767 G>A, FASL/FASLG rs763110 C>T, ERBB2 rs1136201 A>G and VEGFR2/KDR rs11941492 C>T on the development of GCA. A total of 243 GCA cases and 476 controls were recruited for the study and genotypes were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan$^{TM}$ Kit. Results: The BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism was associated with increased risk of GCA. However, there was no significant associations with the other five SNPs. Stratified analyses indicated a significantly increased risk of GCA associated with the BCL2 rs17757541 C>G polymorphism among males, older patients and those with a history of smoking or drinking. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the functional polymorphism BCL2 rs17757541 C>G might contribute to GCA susceptibility. However, our results were limited by small sample size. Future larger studies are required to confirm our current findings.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.226-239
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• 2006

Background : Medical records are documents in files which consist of all diagnostic studies and medical treatments patients had received while they were hospitalized or treated as outpatients. A doctor or medical team can use medical records as a data for diagnosis, treatment, and education. In traditional eastern asian medicine, medical reports have different forms and contents. The most important thing in medical reports of traditional eastern asian medicine was how to express practitioner's medical ideas. So it has a weak point, for example, it has poor information about patient and clinical process, which make some trouble to understand it. Methods and Results : We studied medical records in Gyojubuin-yangbang, a commentary book of Chen-zi-ming's Obstetrics and Gynecology textbook done by Xue-ji in Ming dynasty, China. This book consists of 10 parts; treatment of menstruation disorders and leukorrhea, general gynecology, treatment of infertility, education for fetus, diagnosis of fetus and gravida, treatment of general and obstetrical disease in gravida, care for delivery, postpartum care and treatment, and treatment of mass and inflammation. It has 546 medical records about women's disease that commonly believed as Xue-ji's case reports. They are all review articles and made during about 23 years from A.D 1523 to 1546. Most patients of Xue-ji's case reports were common people, this fact is different from that of case reports in Chen-zi-ming's Obstetrics and Gynecology textbook. Conclusion : Xue-ji was a very famous Ob&Gy doctor who was from Suzhou Jingsu province in China. He was born in A.D 1468, died in A.D 1588. He emphasize emotional factors in pathology and to tonify spleen and kidney. We think Xue-ji's medical records are good references for us to treat psychosomatic Ob&Gy disease and chronic women's disease.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.601-608
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• 2020

In this work, Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ nanocomposites with low loading of In₂S₃ (5-15 wt %) are fabricated by two step chemical precipitation approach. The microstructure, composition and improved photoelectrochemical properties of the as-prepared composites are studied by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocurrent density, EIS and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that most of In₂S₃ nanoparticles are deposited on the surfaces of Ag₃PO₄. The as-prepared Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ composite (10 wt%) is selected and investigated by SEM and TEM, which exhibits special morphology consisting of lager size substrate (Ag₃PO₄), particles and some nanosheets (In₂S₃). The introduction of In₂S₃ is effective at improving the charge separation and transfer efficiency of Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃, resulting in an enhancement of photoelectric behavior. The origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the In₂S₃-modified Ag₃PO₄ may be due to the improved charge separation, photocurrent stability and oriented electrons transport pathways in environment and energy applications.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.18-27
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• 2018

This study is a basic one analyzing the scenic characteristics that are created in Royal Garden in China while taking into consideration that Royal Garden in China is a fruit compiling all of the Chinese classical gardens. In case of Summer Palace in China, it adopted various kinds of landscape displaying techniques for fulfilling the desires of an Emperor who wanted to appreciate beautiful landscapes all the time. Accordingly, the scenic characteristics can be summarized as follows. First, Summer Garden creates various kinds of garden landscapes through various kinds of landscape creation techniques, such as, Borrowed Landscape, Central One, Background One, Symmetrical One, Axial One, Dividing One, Framed One, Window One and Complementing One, etc. Second, it was created in order for visitors to focus on appreciation of landscapes by allocating hard points while considering the symmetric structure, Structure of Long Corridor and Visual Physiology of a building on the basis of the South-North Pivotal Line. Third, it utilized the scenic spot transferring technique that introduces the landscapes of scenic spots in various regions of China to Summer Palace to be matched to the unique geological characteristics of Summer Garden. It was found that Summer Palace adopted the common landscaping techniques in Jiangnan Region of Ancient China since the landscape of Jichang Garden in Hangzhou and that of Shan Tang Jie in Suzhou are reproduced and transferred. It was found that 3 methods mentioned above have the effects that attract sightseers' eyes naturally and make their interests concentrated as well as reviving the feeling of space in a garden and creating abundant scenic beauty.