• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.554-557
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• 2008

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induces gene silencing in a sequence-specific manner by a process known as RNA interference (RNAi). The RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) is a multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein complex that plays a key role in RNAi. VIG (Vasa intronic gene) has been identified as a component of Drosophila RISC; however, the role VIG plays in regulating RNAi is poorly understood. Here, we examined the spatial and temporal expression patterns of VIG-1, the C. elegans ortholog of Drosophila VIG, using a vig-1::gfp fusion construct. This construct contains the 908-bp region immediately upstream of vig-1 gene translation initiation site. Analysis by confocal microscopy demonstrated GFP-VIG-1 expression in a number of tissues including the pharynx, body wall muscle, hypodermis, intestine, reproductive system, and nervous system at the larval and adult stages. Furthermore, western blot analysis showed that VIG-1 is present in each developmental stage examined. To investigate regulatory sequences for vig-1 gene expression, we generated constructs containing deletions in the upstream region. It was determined that the GFP expression pattern of a deletion construct (${\Delta}-908$ to -597) was generally similar to that of the non-deletion construct. In contrast, removal of a larger segment (${\Delta}-908$ to -191) resulted in the loss of GFP expression in most cell types. Collectively, these results indicate that the 406-bp upstream region (-596 to -191) contains essential regulatory sequences required for VIG-1 expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2006

This paper develops a complete methodology for the mitigation of ionosphere spatial anomalies by GBAS systems fielded in the Conterminous U.S. (CONUS). It defines an ionosphere anomaly threat model based on validated observations of unusual ionosphere events in CONUS impacting GBAS sites in the form of a linear ‘wave front’ of constant slope and velocity. It then develops a simulation-based methodology for selecting the worst-case ionosphere wave front impact impacting two satellites simultaneously for a given GBAS site and satellite geometry, taking into account the mitigating effects of code-carrier divergence monitoring within the GBAS ground station. The resulting maximum ionosphere error in vertical position (MIEV) is calculated and compared to a unique vertical alert limit, or $VAL_{H2,I}$, that applies to the special situation of worst-case ionosphere gradients. If MIEV exceeds $VAL_{H2,I}$ for one or more otherwise-usable subset geometries (i.e., geometries for which the 'normal' vertical protection level, or $VPL_{H0}$, is less than the 'normal' VAL), the broadcast ${\sigma}_{pr_{-}gnd}$ and/or ${\sigma}_{vig}$ must be increased such that all such potentially-threatening geometries have VPL$_{H0}$ > VAL and thus become unavailable. In addition to surveying all aspects of the methods used to generate the required ${\sigma}_{pr_{-}gnd}$ and ${\sigma}_{vig}$ inflation factors for CONUS GBAS sites, related methods for deriving similar results for GBAS sites outside CONUS are suggested.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.167-167
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• 1994

Thioglycerol과 Glycerol을 출발물질로 1번 탄소(C) 위치의 산소(O),또는 황(S)에 octadecyl기로 alkylation한 후, 2번 탄소(C)위치 산소(O)를 palmitoyl기로acetylation시켜 만든 thioether lipid 및 ether lipid유도체를 인산화시킨 rac-1-S-octa-decyl-2-O-palmitoyl-1-S-thioglycerol-3-phosphate (DL-PTBA-P)와 rac-1-O-octadecyl-2-O-palmitoylglycerol-3-phosphate (DL-PBA-P)등을 합성하였다. 이들 thioether lipid 및 ether lipid유도체는 그 자체로도 in vitro와 in vivo에서anti-neoplastic property를 가지고 있는데, 이들 중간체를 핵산 화합물로써 역시 강한 항암 작용에도 불구하고 독성등 부작용이 문제가 되고있는 Ara-C (일명 Cytarabine)의 인산화물인 ara-CMP morpholidate와 conjugation시켜 최종물질로서 ara-CDP-DL-PCA, ara-CDP-DL-PBA, ara-CDP-DL-PTCA 및 ara-CDP-DL-PTBA등을 합성하였다. 이들 중 ara-CDP-DL-PTBA가 본 과제와 관련하여 항암제로서 최종 개발하고자하는 주요 물질인 Cytoros이다.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 1984

This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of the wax extension method of posterior palatal seal area, introduced by Vig, on the amount of the vertical occlusal change of processed dentures. Twenty samples of maxillary wax trial dentures were constructed. Among them, the posterior palatall seal of ten samples were extended with wax over the posterior wall of the cast while that of the other ten were not. Then all were processed with self-curing resin and the amount of the vertical occlusal change was compared. The obtained result was that this method was proved to be effective in reducing the amount of the vertical occlusal change occuring in denure proccsing.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.651-657
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• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1091-1105
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• 2015

Piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant of PZT-5H vary with electric field. In this work, variations of these coefficients with electric field are included in finite element modelling of a cantilevered plate instrumented with piezoelectric patches. Finite element model is reduced using modal truncation and then converted into state-space. First three modal displacements and velocities are estimated using Kalman observer. Negative first modal velocity feedback is used to control the vibrations of the smart plate. Three cases are considered v.i.z case 1: in which variation of piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant with electric field is not considered in finite element model and not considered in Kalman observer, case 2: in which variation of piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant with electric field is considered in finite element model and not considered in Kalman observer and case 3: in which variation of piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant with electric field is considered in finite element model as well as in Kalman observer. Simulation results show that appreciable amount of change would appear if variation of piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant with r.m.s. value of electric field is considered.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1995

This study showed that models of energy utilization(EU) developed for grazing cattle in oil palm plantations is valid as the simulated results shows an agreement with actual data of calves and cows body weight changes collected from Brahman x Kedah-Kelantan herd on Pengeli Timor Plantation. Simulation runs on EU models demonstrated that the growth pattern of male and female calves and the weight changes of cows are similar and showed slight variation from the actual data but with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Parameter values such as metabolizability (q), dry matter digestibility(DMD) of herbage and voluntary intake of grazing cattle (VIG) and faecal output/body weight ratio (F) of the animals which were collected from the field are essential in bearing the pattern of body weight changes of the calves and cows in relation to increase in time, physiological status and quality of herbage grazed by these animals in the production system. The EU models is suitable for determining the metabolizable energy requirements and to predict the production of grazing cattle according to quality of the feed on offer.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.191-201
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the cognitive functions would be correlated with psychotic symptoms and whether antipsychotic treatments would affect the cognitive functions after 8 weeks. Methods : The thirty-five schizophrenic patients were conducted in this study. The psychopathology was measured using PANSS. The memory function, executive function, and sustained attention were measured using Memory Assessment Scale(MAS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST), and Vigilance(VIG) and Cognitrone(COG) in Vienna Test System. After 8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment, we retested the cognitive tests. Results : 1) The cognitive tests after the 8 week's treatment showed significant improvements in memory and executive function in the schizophrenic patients. On the other side, sustained attention did not show improvement. 2) The change of PANSS were correlated with perseverative response, perseverative error and total correct in WCST at baseline. WCST scores at baseline were correlated with negative symptoms, but not positive ones. Conclusion : These study suggests that 1) the impaired sustained attention could be a vulnerability marker in schizophrenia, 2) memory & executive function deficit could be reversible after treatment, and 3) medication might have a benefit in improving the cognitive functions in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the data supports that the better premorbid executive function was, the more favorable was the treatment response in schizophrenic patients. Finally, this study indicates that executive function might be an index of treatment improvement.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the neuropsychological deficits with major depressive disorder(MDD) in depressed state and 2) the changes of neuropsychological dysfunctions during depressed episodes and remitted periods in the MDD group. Methods : 12 patients with MDD and 70 normal controls who were diagnosed and classified by DSM-IV and SCID-IV interview participated in this study. The psychopathology was measured using the Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAM-D) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS). The memory function, executive function, and sustained attention were measured by a trained psychologist using the Korean version of Memory Assessment Scale(K-MAS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST), and Vigilance(VIG) and Cognitrone (COG) in Vienna Test System. After 6 weeks of treatment, we retested the cognitive tests in order to measure the cognitive functions in remitted states. Results : Patients with MDD achieved significantly lower score in sentence immediately recall, verbal memory score and total memory score of the K-MAS, total errors of the WCST, response time of Vigilance and response time at "Yes" response of Cognitrone than normal controls at baseline. After 6 weeks of medication, the psychiatric symptoms in the patient group were attenuated, and most of the neuropsychological functions including attention, memory, and frontal/executive function were improved except for response time of Cognitrone. Conclusions : This study provides evidence for distinct neuropsychological deficits in patients with MDD on their depressed states and remitted periods. The impairment on response time remains after remission, and this would be a trait marker of major depressive disorder.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1491-1499
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• 2010

Rhizosphere microorganisms possessing phytase activity are considered important for rendering phytate-phosphorus (P) available to plants. In the present study, the Citrobacter braakii phytase gene (appA) was overexpressed in rhizobacteria possessing plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, for increasing their potential as bioinoculants. AppA was cloned under the lac promoter in the broadhost-range expression vector pBBR1MCS-2. Transformation of the recombinant construct pCBappA resulted in high constitutive phytase activity in all of the eight rhizobacterial strains belonging to genera Pantoea, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas (two strains), Rhizobium (two strains), and Ensifer that were studied. Transgenic rhizobacterial strains were found to display varying levels of phytase activity, ranging from 10-folds to 538-folds higher than the corresponding control strains. The transgenic derivative of Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0, a well-characterized plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, showed the highest expression of phytase (~8 U/mg) activity in crude extracts. Although all transformants showed high phytase activity, rhizobacteria having the ability to secrete organic acid showed significantly higher release of P from Ca-phytate in buffered minimal media. AppA overexpressing rhizobacteria showed increased P content, and dry weight (shoot) or shoot/ root ratio of mung bean (Vigna radiata) plants, to different extents, when grown in semisolid agar (SSA) medium containing Na-phytate or Ca-phytate as the P sources. This is the first report of the overexpression of phytase in rhizobacterial strains and its exploitation for plant growth enhancement.