• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.9
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• 2021

Lip and oral cavity cancer, which can occur in any part of the mouth, is the 11th most common type of cancer worldwide. The major obstacles to patients' survival are the poor prognosis, lack of specific biomarkers, and expensive therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to identify the main genes and pathways associated with lip and oral cavity carcinoma using network analysis and to analyze its molecular mechanism and prognostic significance further. In this study, 472 genes causing lip and oral cavity carcinoma were retrieved from the DisGeNET database. A protein-protein interaction network was developed for network analysis using the STRING database. VEGFA, IL6, MAPK3, INS, TNF, MAPK8, MMP9, CXCL8, EGF, and PTGS2 were recognized as network hub genes using the maximum clique centrality algorithm available in cytoHubba, and nine potential drug candidates (ranibizumab, siltuximab, sulindac, pomalidomide, dexrazoxane, endostatin, pamidronic acid, cetuximab, and apricoxib) for lip and oral cavity cancer were identified from the DGIdb database. Gene enrichment analysis was also performed to identify the gene ontology categorization of cellular components, biological processes, molecular functions, and biological pathways. The genes identified in this study could furnish a new understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and provide more reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of lip and oral cavity cancer.

• Genes and Genomics
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1339-1349
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• 2018

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disease, of which susceptibility is linked to genetic and environmental risk factors. More and more studies have shown that CP might be caused by multiple genetic factors, similar to other neurodevelopmental disorders. Due to the high genetic heterogeneity of CP, we focused on investigating related molecular pathways. Ten children with CP were collected for whole-exome sequencing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Customized processes were used to identify potential pathogenic pathways and variants. Three pathways (axon guidance, transmission across chemical synapses, protein-protein interactions at synapses) with twenty-three genes were identified to be highly correlated with CP. This study showed that the three pathways associated with CP might be the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. These findings could provide useful clues for developing pathway-based pharmacotherapies. Further studies are required to confirm potential roles for these pathways in the pathogenesis of CP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.482-487
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• 2021

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play roles in various biological processes including cytokine signaling, cell growth regulation and hematopoietic development. Although it has been reported that several IRFs are involved in bone metabolism, the role of IRF2 in bone cells has not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the involvement of IRF2 in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. IRF2 overexpression in osteoclast precursor cells enhanced osteoclast differentiation by regulating the expression of NFATc1, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. Conversely, IRF2 knockdown inhibited osteoclast differentiation and decreased the NFATc1 expression. Moreover, IRF2 increased the translocation of NF-κB subunit p65 to the nucleus in response to RANKL and subsequently induced the expression of NFATc1. IRF2 plays an important role in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by regulating NF-κB/NFATc1 signaling pathway. Taken together, we demonstrated the molecular mechanism of IRF2 in osteoclast differentiation, and provide a molecular basis for potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of bone diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2021

Adipose tissue secretes many adipokines which contribute to various metabolic processes, such as blood pressure, glucose homeostasis, inflammation and angiogenesis. The biology of adipose tissue in an obese individual is abnormally altered in a manner that increases the body's vulnerability to immune diseases, such as psoriasis. Psoriasis is considered a chronic inflammatory skin disease which is closely associated with being overweight and obese. Additionally, secretion of leptin, a type of adipokine, increases dependently on adipose cell size and adipose accumulation. Likewise, high leptin levels also aggravate obesity via development of leptin resistance, suggesting that leptin and obesity are closely related. Leptin induction in psoriatic patients is mainly driven by the interleukin (IL)-23/helper T (Th) 17 axis pathway. Furthermore, leptin can have an effect on various types of immune cells such as T cells and dendritic cells. Here, we discuss the relationship between obesity and leptin expression as well as the linkage between effect of leptin on immune cells and psoriasis progression.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.64.1-64.1
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• 2020

Galaxy groups are the place where many galaxies feel the impact of the surroundings (e.g., merging, tidal interaction, ram pressure stripping) before joining bigger structures like (sub)clusters. A significant fraction of galaxies is quenched in the group environment. Such "pre-processing" of galaxies in groups is likely to affect galaxy evolution tremendously. To better understand how environmental processes in galaxy groups affect molecular gas, star formation activity, and galaxy evolution, we carried out CO imaging observations of group galaxies, using the Atacama Compact Array (ALMA/ACA). We selected all the targets that have been detected in the GEMS-HI survey for two groups, making the sample of 40 galaxies (18 galaxies in IC 1459 group and 22 galaxies in NGC 4636 group). Our ALMA/ACA observation is the first CO imaging survey for two groups. In this work, we present CO images of group galaxies, together with their star formation maps and HI images. Our ACA CO data show the asymmetric distribution of molecular gas in some of our samples. We discuss the impact of the group environment on molecular gas and star formation activity.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.216-219
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• 2023

This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the material behavior of workpieces in waterjet machining processes. To gain fundamental insights into waterjet machining, simulations were conducted using pure water, excluding abrasive particles. The simulation model comprised thousands of water molecules interacting with a single crystal metal workpiece. Water molecule clusters were imparted with various velocities to initiate collisions with the metal workpiece. The material behavior of the metal surface was analyzed with respect to the applied velocity conditions, considering the intricate interplay between water molecules and the workpiece at the atomic scale. The results demonstrated that the machining of the metal workpiece occurred only when water molecules were endowed with velocities above a certain threshold. In cases where energy was insufficient, the metal workpiece exhibited a slight increase in surface roughness due to mild plastic deformation, without undergoing substantial material removal. When machining occurred, the ejection of material revealed a 3-fold symmetric pattern, confirming that material removal in waterjet machining of the metal workpiece is primarily driven by plastic deformation-induced material ejection. This research provides crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying waterjet machining and enhances our understanding of material behavior during the process. The findings can be valuable in optimizing waterjet machining techniques.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.273-277
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• 2023

This paper presents a molecular dynamics simulation-based numerical investigation of the influence of surface energy on water lubrication. Models composed of a crystalline substrate, half cylindrical tip, and cluster of water molecules are prepared for a tribological-characteristic evaluation. To determine the effect of surface energy on lubrication, the surface energy between the substrate and water molecules as well as that between the tip and water molecules are controlled by changing the interatomic potential parameters. Simulations are conducted to investigate the indentation and sliding processes. Three different normal forces are applied to the system by controlling the indentation depth to examine the influence of normal force on the lubrication of the system. The simulation results reveal that the solid surface's surface energy and normal force significantly affect the behavior of the water molecules and lubrication characteristics. The lubrication characteristics of the water molecules deteriorate with the increasing magnitude of the normal force. At a low surface energy, the water molecules are readily squeezed out of the interface under a load, thus increasing the frictional force. Contrarily, a moderate surface energy prevents expulsion of the water molecules due to squeezing, resulting in a low frictional force. At a high surface energy, although squeezing of the water molecules is restricted, similar to the case of moderate surface energy, dragging occurs at the soil surface-water molecule interface, and the frictional force increases.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.86-102
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• 2024

Early diagnosis, accurate assessment, and localization of peritoneal metastasis (PM) are essential for the selection of appropriate treatments and surgical guidance. However, available imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT], conventional magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [PET]/CT) have limitations. The advent of new imaging techniques and novel molecular imaging agents have revealed molecular processes in the tumor microenvironment as an application for the early diagnosis and assessment of PM as well as real-time guided surgical resection, which has changed clinical management. In contrast to clinical imaging, which is purely qualitative and subjective for interpreting macroscopic structures, radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) capitalize on high-dimensional numerical data from images that may reflect tumor pathophysiology. A predictive model can be used to predict the occurrence, recurrence, and prognosis of PM, thereby avoiding unnecessary exploratory surgeries. This review summarizes the role and status of different imaging techniques, especially new imaging strategies such as spectral photon-counting CT, fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and PET/MRI, for early diagnosis, assessment of surgical indications, and recurrence monitoring in patients with PM. The clinical applications, limitations, and solutions for fluorescence imaging, radiomics, and AI are also discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2003.05b
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• pp.163-164
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• 2003

Reaction dynamics plays an essential role in understanding the microscopic mechanism of elementary chemical processes at the molecular level. Detailed studies of the reactions of atomic species such as hydrogen and second-row atoms with small closed-shell molecules have provided important insights into hydrocarbon synthesis, combustion, interstellar space and atmospheric chemistry. Despite its mechanistic significance, however, the investigations of atom-radical reaction dynamics are quite scarce in comparison to the extensive studies of atom-molecule reactions. (omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.71-83
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• 1999

The dynamics of the dipolar demagnetizing field is investigated by numerical simulation. The effects of radiation damping, molecular diffusion, and relaxation processes on the dipolar demagnetizing field are examined in terms of the modulation pattern of the z-magnetization and the signal intensity variation. Simulations for multi-components suggest applications for sensitivity enhancement in favorable conditions.