• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.81-101
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• 2021

This paper estimates the expectation-augmented Phillips curve, which explains inflation dynamics, in Korea. The phenomenon of low inflation in Korea has been going on for quite some time, in particular since 2012. During the Covid-19 crisis, due to low inflation expectations the operation of monetary policy was limited as the base rate approached the zero lower bound. The main objective of this paper is to estimate where and how tightly inflation expectations are anchored. It was found that long-term inflation expectations fell to around 1%, falling short of the inflation target, and that inflation expectations are strongly anchored to long-term expectations, which implies that the low inflation phenomenon is likely to extend into the future. The results also imply that even if inflation fluctuates due to temporary disturbances, it may converge to a level below the inflation target. The slight rebound of long-term expectations during the Covid-19 crisis suggests that the aggressive monetary policy may have contributed to improving economic agents' beliefs about the commitment of monetary authorities to inflation stability. This may also help long-term expectations gradually to approach the inflation target.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.167-174
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• 2009

Genistein has been reported to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Inhibitory activity on tyrosine kinase or activation of protein kinase A (PKA) was shown to play a role in the genistein-induced potentiation effect on GSIS. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion. Genistein augmented insulin secretion in INS-1 cells stimulated by various energygenerating nutrients such as glucose, pyruvate, or leucine/glutamine (Leu/Gln), but not the secretion stimulated by depolarizing agents such as KCl and tolbutamide, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel opener Bay K8644. Genistein at a concentration of $50{\mu}M$ showed a maximum potentiation effect on Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion, but this was not sufficient to inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinase. Inhibitor studies as well as immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that activation of PKA was little involved in genistein-induced potentiation of Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion. On the other hand, all the inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin kinase II tested, significantly diminished genistein-induced potentiation. Genistein also elevated the levels of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and phospho-CaMK II. Furthermore, genistein augmented Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion in CaMK II-overexpressing INS-1 cells. These data suggest that the activation of CaMK II played a role in genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.377-387
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• 2022

Benzimidazole anthelmintic agents have been recently repurposed to overcome cancers resistant to conventional therapies. To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole on resistant cells, various cell death pathways were investigated in 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cells. The viability of wild-type and 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 colorectal cancer cells was assayed, followed by Western blotting. Flow cytometry assays for cell death and cell cycle was also performed to analyze the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole. When compared with albendazole, fenbendazole showed higher susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells and was used in subsequent experiments. Flow cytometry revealed that fenbendazole significantly induces apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase on both cells. When compared with wild-type SNU-C5 cells, 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells showed reduced autophagy, increased ferroptosis and ferroptosis-augmented apoptosis, and less activation of caspase-8 and p53. These results suggest that fenbendazole may be a potential alternative treatment in 5-fluorouracil-resistant cancer cells, and the anticancer activity of fenbendazole does not require p53 in 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 8th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• pp.249-256
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• 2020

Historical construction health and safety (H&S) challenges, in terms of a range of resources and issues, continue to be experienced, namely design process-related hazards are encountered on site, workers are unaware of the hazards and risks related to the construction process and its activities, activities are commenced on site without adequate hazard identification and risk assessments (HIRAs), difficulty is experienced in terms of real time monitoring of construction-related activities, workers handle heavy materials, plant, and equipment, and ultimately the experience of injuries. Given the abovementioned, and the advent of Industry 4.0, a quantitative study, which entailed the completion of a self-administered questionnaire online, was conducted among registered professional (Pr) and candidate Construction H&S Agents, to determine the potential of Industry 4.0 to contribute to resolving the challenges cited. The findings indicate that Industry 4.0 technologies such as augmented reality (AR), drone technology, virtual reality (VR), VR based H&S training, and wearable technology /sensors have the potential to resolve the cited H&S challenges as experienced in construction. Conclusions include that Industry 4.0 technologies can finally address the persistent H&S challenges experienced in construction. Recommendations include: employer associations, professional associations, and statutory councils should raise the level of awareness relative to the potential implementation of Industry 4.0 relative to H&S in construction; case studies should be documented and shared; tertiary construction management education programmes should integrate Industry 4.0 into all possible modules, especially H&S-related modules, and continuing professional development (CPD) H&S should address Industry 4.0.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.388-394
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• 2009

The cytokines which is produced by allergen-specific T helper (Th) cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Asthma is caused by exaggerated T-helper 2 (Th2)-based immune responses. It is suggested that controlling such Th2-based response is necessary for asthma therapy. The current therapies for asthma focus primarily on control of symptoms and suppression of inflammation, without affecting the underlying cause. So, we examined that anti-asthmatic drugs might have play a certain role in Th2/Th1 balance. Splenocytes isolated from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice cultured with anti-asthmatic drugs. It is well known that Th2 and Th1 immune responses can balance one another, as Th2 mediators suppress Th1 responses and Th1 mediators similarly inhibit Th2 responses. But salmeterol inhibits both of Th1 and Th2 mediators, which salmeterol is a suppressor of immune responses not only a suppressor of Th2-based immune responses. Aminophylline is a weak suppressor of immune responses. But ipratropium and cromoglycate don't have any suppressor effect to Th2-driven responses. They only have suppressor effect to Th1 immune responses. Salmeterol, ipratropium, aminophylline, and cromoglycate augmented mRNA levels of CRTH2, EP2, and IP2 receptors in OVA-sensitized splenocytes. It is well known that the up-regulation of CRTH2 - $PGD_2$ receptor - results in restraint of eosinophil recruitment and that the increment of IP and EP2 - $PGI_2$ and $PGE_2$ receptor, respectively - may induce the accumulation of cAMP that decrease the effector function of T cells. Moreover salmeterol and cromoglycate increase the mRNA expression of $PGD_2$ synthase. These findings indicate that anti-asthma agents may alleviate the immunological responses that cause the asthmatic diseases.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.331-336
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• 1994

본 연구의 목적은 광 유도에 의한 nitric oxide (PIANO)유리가 혈관이완에 대해 cyclic GMP (cGMP)가 관여하는 지의 여부와 아울러 ${\alpha}$-수용체를 통한 수축에 PIANO가 어떻게 작용하는 지를 파악하고자 하였다. In vitro 실험에서 흰쥐의 대동맥을 준 최고농도의 phenylephrine (PE)으로 수축시킨 후 nitric oxide 생성을 변화시키는 약물이나 광민감성 (photosensitizing) 약물에 대한 반응을 등장력 변화로 기록하였다. PIANO에 의한 혈관이완은 광노출 강도와 기간 및 광민감성 약물농도에 비례하여 증가하였고 cGMP의 증가를 수반하였다. PE에 의해 증대되는 phosphatidylinositide(PI) 전환은 PIANO에 의해 억제되었다. 이상의 결과는 cGMP의 증가로 인해 PIANO에 의한 혈관이완이 일어나며 ${\alpha}$-아드레날성 수용체 자극에 의한 PI 전환의 억제현상은 cGMP 증가의 결과로 생각할 수 있다. 결론적으로 PIANO에 의한 혈관이완은 cGMP의 증가로 인함을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 인터넷정보학회논문지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.99-110
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• 2011

급변하는 모바일 환경에서 스마트폰을 비롯한 모바일 기기는 엔터테인먼트, 비즈니스, 정보서비스 등 사용자들의 삶의 방식을 직접적으로 변화시키는 핵심 도구로써의 역할을 하고 있다. 모바일 서비스 중 특히 사용자의 위치정보를 활용하여 서비스를 제공하는 위치기반 서비스(Location Based Service)는 검색, 증강현실, 모바일 SNS(Social Network Service), 게임 등의 다른 서비스 및 콘텐츠와 결합하여 사용자의 다양한 요구를 충족시키며 주요 서비스로 자리 잡아 가고 있다. 본 논문에서는 모바일 서비스가 갖는 잠재적 가능성을 이용하여 모바일 기기의 사용성을 증대시키며, 서비스의 복잡성을 해결하기 위하여 복잡한 태스크를 숨기고 사용자를 대신하여 프로세스를 수행시킬 수 있는 방안에 중점을 둔다. 사용자의 의도 혹은 선호도를 파악하여 사용자에게 개인화된 서비스를 제공하는 PA(Personal Assistant) 에이전트의 개념을 모바일 환경에 적용하기 위한 기법을 제시한다. 사용자의 선호도를 파악하고 개인화된 서비스를 제공하기 위하여 클러스터링 알고리즘과 데이터 분류 알고리즘을 사용하였다. 실험을 통하여 사용자 패턴별로 생성한 클러스터에 분류 알고리즘을 적용한 결과에 대한 분류정확도를 측정하였으며, 제안한 기법의 클러스터별 분류 정확도는 기존의 기법과 비교하여 17.42% 증가하였다.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.97-101
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• 2009

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of Phellinus linteus (PL) and Phellinus linteus Grow in Germinated Brown Rice (BRPL). In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first examined the extracts' inhibitory effects on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines activated with lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory effects of the PL and BRPL extracts on pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, iNOS, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. NO production and iNOS expression was significantly augmented in LPS treated cell, the production of NO and iNOS was greater in the BRPL than in the PL group. In addition, protein and mRNA levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ in BRPL showed relatively more potent pro-inflammatory-activity inhibition compared to that of PL. These results suggest that BRPL may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic materials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권19호
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• pp.8337-8343
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• 2014

Paclitaxel is one of the best anticancer agents that has been isolated from plants, but its major disadvantage is its dose-limiting toxicity. In this study, we obtained evidence that the active mutant IPP5 ($8-60hIPP5^m$), the latest member of the inhibitory molecules for protein phosphatase 1, sensitizes human cervix carcinoma cells HeLa more efficiently to the therapeutic effects of paclitaxel. The combination of $8-60hIPP5^m$ with paclitaxel augmented anticancer effects as compared to paclitaxel alone as evidenced by reduced DNA synthesis and increased cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that $8-60hIPP5^m$ enhances paclitaxel-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis, and augments paclitaxel-induced activation of caspases and release of cytochrome C. Evaluation of signaling pathways indicated that this synergism was in part related to downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and serine/threonine kinase Akt pathways. We noted that $8-60hIPP5^m$ downregulated the paclitaxel-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation, PI3-K activity and phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, a survival signal which in many instances is regulated by NF-${\kappa}B$. Together, our observations indicate that paclitaxel in combination with $8-60hIPP5^m$ may provide a therapeutic advantage for the treatment of human cervical carcinoma.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.291-298
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• 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate genes posttranscriptionally. Past studies have reported that miR-210 is up-regulated in many cancers including cervical cancer, and plays a pleiotropic role in carcinogenesis. However, its role in regulating response towards anti-cancer agents has not been fully elucidated. We have previously reported that the natural compound 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) is able to induce cytotoxicity in various cancer cells including cervical cancer cells. Hence, this study aims to investigate the mechanistic role of miR-210 in regulating response towards ACA in cervical cancer cells. In the present study, we found that ACA down-regulated miR-210 expression in cervical cancer cells, and suppression of miR-210 expression enhanced sensitivity towards ACA by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed increased expression of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), which was predicted as a target of miR-210 by target prediction programs, following treatment with ACA. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-210 binds to sequences in 3'UTR of SMAD4. Furthermore, decreased in SMAD4 protein expression was observed when miR-210 was overexpressed. Conversely, SMAD4 protein expression increased when miR-210 expression was suppressed. Lastly, we demonstrated that overexpression of SMAD4 augmented the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of ACA. Taken together, our results demonstrated that down-regulation of miR-210 conferred sensitivity towards ACA in cervical cancer cells by targeting SMAD4. These findings suggest that combination of miRNAs and natural compounds could provide new strategies in treating cervical cancer.