• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.853-860
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of chromium (Cr), dietary crude protein (CP) level and potential interactions between these two factors on growth rate and carcass response, insulin activity and lipid metabolism in lambs. Forty-eight, 9-week-old weaned lambs (Dorper$\times$Small-tail Han sheep, mean initial body weight = $22.96kg{\pm}2.60kg$) were used in a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement of supplemental Cr (0 ppb, Cr0; 400 ppb, Cr1; or 800 ppb, Cr2 from chromium yeast) and CP levels (157 g/d to 171 g/d for each animal, LP; or 189 g/d to 209 g/d for each animal, HP). Growth data and blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the feed trial, after which the lambs were killed. Both Cr additive groups and the HP group increased final weight and average daily gain, especially the Cr1 and HP group (p<0.01). HP increased pelvic fat weight (p<0.05), fat thickness of the 10th rib (p<0.05), longissimus muscle area (p<0.01) and rate of deposition of intramuscular fat (p<0.01). Supplemental Cr decreased the rate of deposition of intramuscular fat (p<0.05). Fasting insulin level and the ratio of insulin to glucose were lower with Cr1 than other groups, but with no significant difference. Glucose concentration was not affected by any treatment. Nonesterified fatty acids increased in the Cr1 (p<0.05) and HP (p<0.05) conditions and there was a significant $Cr{\times}CP$ interaction (p<0.05). Cr1 decreased triglycerides (p<0.05) and total cholesterol (p = 0.151) and HP increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05). Cr1 decreased lipoprotein lipase activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue (aLPL, p<0.05) and the ratio of aLPL to lipoprotein lipase activity in skeletal muscle (mLPL, p = 0.079). mLPL and hepatic lipase (hHL) were not affected by any treatment. In the present study, Cr had limited effects on growth rate and carcass response, whereas Cr and CP had some notable effects on plasma metabolites and enzyme activities. Cr has a potential effect on energy modulation between lipid and muscle tissue. In addition, few $Cr{\times}CP$ interactions were observed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.343-349
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• 2004

Electroglottograph(EGG) is a signal recorded from the vocal cord vibration by measuring electrical impedance across the vocal folds through the neck skin. The purpose of this study was to develop EGG system and to evaluate possibility for the application on speech analysis and laryngeal disease diagnosis. EGG system was composed of two pairs of ring electrodes, tuned amplifier, phase sensitive detector, low pass filter, and auto-gain controller. It was designed to extract electric impedance after detecting by amplitude modulation method with 2.7MHz carrier signal. Extracted signals were transmitted through line-in of PC sound card, sampled and quantized. Closed Quotient(CQ), Speed Quotient(SQ), Speed Index(SI), fundamental frequency of vocal cord vibration(F0), pitch variability of vocal fold vibration (Jitter), and peak-to-peak amplitude variability of vocal fold vibration(Shimmer) were analyzed as EGG parameters. Experimental results were as follows: the faster vocal fold vibration, the higher values in CQ parameter and the lower values in SQ and SI parameters. EGG and speech signals had the same fundamental frequency. CQ, SQ, and SI were significantly different between normal subjects and patients with laryngeal cancer. These results suggest that it is possible to implement portable EGG system to monitor the function of vocal cord and to test functional changes of the glottis.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.18 no.2 s.117
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• pp.183-190
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• 2007

This paper presents the design of 860 MHz band transmitter for improving power amplifier's linearity using Cartesian feedback method. For eliminating the effects of gain, phase mis-match, and DC offset, we estimate the property variations using ADS software. The implemented Cartesian feedback transmitter exhibits IMD3 of -54 dBc at an output power of 43 dBm and this result shows that the linearity is improved for 22.4 dB, compared with the test of the power amplifier without Cartesian feedback system. Thus, we verify that the proposed Cartesian feedback transmitter can be applied to narrow-band transmitter systems.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.317-329
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• 1998

In this paper, we have analyzed the packet error probability of DS/CDMA-Trellis Coded QPSK modulation signal with MRC(Maximum Ratio Combining) diversity reception in Rician fading, multi-user interferences and multipath channel. And then we have evaluated the performance and capacity of DS/CDMA-Trellis Coded QPSK system using the MRC diversity reception as a function of direct power to indirect power ratio ($K_R$), the number of diversity branch(M), the number of multi-user(U), PN chip rate(PN), the number of multipath channel($L_P$), and packet length(PL). From the results, we know that the coding gain of DS/CDMA-Trellis Coded QPSK system with 2 branch MRC diversity is about 6 dB against uncoded DS/CDMA BPSK system with 2 branch MRC diversity in Rician fading ($K_R=6dB), 5 multi-user interferences, and 3 multipath channel. And, we know that coded QPSK signal designed for the AWGN channel also perform well on a Rician fading channel with MRC diversity reception. Consequently, we expected that proposed system structure is reliable to the wireless data communication system in Rician fading, multi-user interferences, and multipath channel.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2019

The implementation of an in-band full-duplex wireless communication system is demonstrated in this study. In the analog/RF domain, the self-interference(SI) signal is reduced using a separate antenna for the transmitter and receiver paths, and most of the SI signal is canceled in the digital domain. A software defined radio(SDR) is used to implement the in-band full-duplex wireless communication system. The USRP X310 device uses transmitting and receiving antennas. By adjusting the gain of the transmitting and receiving ends of the SDR device, the magnitude of the SI signal entering the receiving antenna, and the size of the received signal from the outside, are both set to -64 dB. To verify the in-band full-duplex wireless communication performance, the source data is image and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing is used for modulation. A WiFi standard frame with a carrier frequency of 2.67 GHz and bandwidth of 20 MHz is used. In the received signal, the SI signal is canceled by digital signal processing and the SI signal is attenuated by up to 34 dB. OFDM demodulation was impossible when the SI signal was not removed. However, the bit error rate is reduced to $2.63{\times}10^{-5}$ when the SI signal is attenuated by 34 dB, and no error is detected in the 100 Mbit data output as a result of passing through the Viterbi decoder.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.716-728
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• 2023

The anti-adipogenic activity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis was investigated by examining the effects of its ethanol extract (GUE) on a mouse model with a high-fat diet (HFD) and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes during adipocyte differentiation. GUE administration for eight weeks significantly reduced weight gain in mice fed an HFD. GUE effectively inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and lipid droplet accumulation. This inhibitory effect is associated with the downregulation of key adipogenic regulators, including PPARγ and C/EBPα, and the modulation of adipose metabolism regulators, such as Fasn and Fabp4. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis identified twelve phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including liquiritigenin and licorice saponin, in the GUE. These findings demonstrate that the anti-obesity effect of the GUE is attributed to the biological activity of its phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Therefore, the GUE has potential anti-obesity activity. Moreover, further studies on the isolation of bioactive components from the GUE and the investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the GUE are required to establish its efficacy in metabolic disorders, including obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.868-882
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• 2009

In this paper, channel model and wireless link performance analysis for the short-range wireless communication system applications in the terahertz frequency which is currently interested in many countries will be described. In order to realize high data rates above 10 Gbps, the more wide bandwidths will be required than the currently available bandwidths of millimeter-wave frequencies, therefore, the carrier frequencies will be pushed to THz range to obtain larger bandwidths. From the THz atmospheric propagation characteristics based on ITU-R P.676-7, the available bandwidths were calculated to be 68, 48 and 45 GHz at the center frequencies of 220, 300 and 350 GHz, respectively. With these larger bandwidths, it was shown from the simulation that higher data rate above 10 Gbps can be achieved using lower order modulation schemes which have spectral efficiency of below 1. The indoor propagation delay spread characteristics were analyzed using a simplified PDP model with respect to building materials. The RMS delay spread was calculated to be 9.23 ns in a room size of $6\;m(L){\times}5\;m(W){\times}2.5\;m(H)$ for the concrete plaster with TE polarization, which is a similar result of below 10 ns from the Ray-Tracing simulation in the reference paper. The indoor wireless link performance analysis results showed that receiver sensitivity was $-56{\sim}-46\;dBm$ over bandwidth of $5{\sim}50\;GHz$ and antenna gain was calculated to be $26.6{\sim}31.6\;dBi$ at link distance of 10m under the BPSK modulation scheme. The maximum achievable data rates were estimated to be 30, 16 and 12 Gbps at the carrier frequencies of 220, 300 and 350 GHz, respectively, under the A WGN and LOS conditions, where it was assumed that the output power of the transmitter is -15 dBm and link distance of 1 m with BER of $10^{-12}$. If the output power of transmitter is increased, the more higher data rate can be achieved than the above results.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2009

Numerous factors can affect the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) hormonal axis, resulting in alteration of reproductive capacity or status such as onset of puberty and menopause. Soon after the finding of leptin, a multifunctional hormone secreted from adipocytes, a close relationship between reproduction and body energy balance have been manifested. Ghrelin, another multifunctional hormone from gastrointestinal tract, is an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and is thought to be a counterpart of leptin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. As expected, ghrelin can also modulate the reproductive capacity through the modulation of activities of HPG axis. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the discovery, gene structures, tissue distribution and roles of ghrelin and GHSRs in mammalian reproduction in particular modulation of reproductive hormone secretion in HPG axis. Like POMC gene expression in pituitary gland, preproghrelin gene can generate a complex repertoire of transcripts which further undergo alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications. Concerning the roles of preproghrelin gene products in the control of body physiology except energy homeostasis, limited knowledge is available so far. Several lines of evidence, however, show the interplay of ghrelin between metabolism and reproduction. In rat and human, the distribution of ghrelin receptor GHSRs (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) has been confirmed not only in the hypothalamus and pituitary which were originally postulated as target of ghrelin but also in the testis and ovary. Expression of the preproghrelin gene in the brain and gonads was also verified, suggesting the local role (s) of ghrelin in HPG axis. Ghrelin might play a negative modulator in the secretions of hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroids though the action on pituitary is still questionable. Recent studies suggest the involvement of ghrelin in regulation of puberty onset and possibly of menopause entry. It is now evident that ghrelin is a crucial hormomal component in 'brain-gut' axis, and is a strong candidate links between metabolism and reproduction. Opposite to that for leptin, ghrelin signaling is likely representing the 'hunger' state of body energy balance and is necessary to avoid the energy investment into reproduction which has not a top priority in maintaining homeostasis. Further researches are needed to gain a deep insight into the more precise action mechanism and role of ghrelin in reproduction, and to guarantee the successful biomedical applications.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2014

Heat manipulation at early age has been known to help chickens cope with heat stress later in life. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of early heat conditioning at 5 days of age on performance in broilers when re-exposed to heat stress later in life. Day-old, 256 Arbor Acre boiler chicks were housed in two identical rooms where all broilers were exposed to a 23-h light: 1-h dark cycle throughout the study and provided with feed and water ad libitum. At the age of 5 days, one group was exposed to $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours and then returned to the temperature at which control birds were maintained (early heat condition group) while the other was maintained without heat modulation (Control). On 21 days, broilers were regrouped into 4 groups (CON+CON: control+control; CON+HS: control+heat stress; HC+CON: heat conditioning+control; HC+HS: heat conditioning+heat stress), and given 7 days for adaptation. On 28 days, birds in one room were exposed to heat stress ($21^{\circ}C{\rightarrow}31^{\circ}C$) for 3 days whereas those in the other were at room temperature. Heat stress resulted in decreased feed intake, water intake, and body weight gain (P<0.05), but increased rectal temperature and mortality (P<0.05). No beneficial effects of heat conditioning were detected when broilers were exposed to heat stress again at later in life. The present results were discussed together with other studies regarding possible differences in methods such as ages of breeders and strains, which may have resulted in the failure of heat conditioning to help broilers resist heat stress.