• Title/Summary/Keyword: novel materials

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Development and Field Test of a Smart-home Gas Safety Management System (스마트 홈 가스안전관리 시스템 개발 및 현장시험)

  • Park, Gyou-Tae;Kim, Eun-Jung;Kim, In-Chan;Kim, Hie-Sik
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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    • v.16 no.6
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    • pp.128-135
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    • 2012
  • In this paper, we proposed a system and a scenario to raise efficiency of gas safety management by developing wireless ZigBee communication modules, smart-home gas safety appliances and the system suitable for gas safety. Our designed system consists of a micom gas meter, an automatic extinguisher, sensors, and a wall-pad. A micom-gas-meter monitors gas flow, gas pressure, and earthquake. An automatic fire extinguisher checks combustible gas leaks and temperature of $100^{\circ}C$(cut off) and $130^{\circ}C$(fire). Sensors measure smoke and CO gas. In our novel system, a micom-gas meter cut off inner valve with warnings, an automatic fire extinguisher cut off middle valve and spray extinguishing materials, and sensors generate signals when detecting smoke and CO and then take a next action. Gas safety appliances and sensors automatically takes measures, and transmit those information to a wall-pad. The wall-pad again transmits real time information to server. Users can check and manage gas safety situations by connecting BcN server through web or mobile application. We hereby devised scenarios for gas safety and risk management based on the smart, and demonstrated their efficiency through test applied to filed.

Hypotriglyceridemic effects of brown seaweed consumption via regulation of bile acid excretion and hepatic lipogenesis in high fat diet-induced obese mice

  • Han, A-Reum;Kim, Jae-Hoon;Kim, Eunyoung;Cui, Jiamei;Chai, In-Suk;Zhang, Guiguo;Lee, Yunkyoung
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.14 no.6
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    • pp.580-592
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    • 2020
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to further investigate the potential health beneficial effects of long-term seaweed supplementation on lipid metabolism and hepatic functions in DIO mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four brown seaweeds (Undaria pinnatifida [UP], Laminaria japonica [LJ], Sargassum fulvellum [SF], or Hizikia fusiforme [HF]) were added to a high fat diet (HFD) at a 5% ratio and supplemented to C57BL/6N mice for 16 weeks. Triglycerides (TGs) and total cholesterol (TC) in the liver, feces, and plasma were measured. Fecal bile acid (BA) levels in feces were monitored. Hepatic insulin signaling- and lipogenesis-related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in the LJ, SF, and HF groups compared to the HFD group by the end of 16-week feeding period. Plasma TG levels and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly reduced in all 4 seaweed supplemented groups, whereas plasma TC levels were only suppressed in the UP and HF groups compared to the HFD group. Fecal BA levels were significantly elevated by UP, LJ, and SF supplementation compared to HFD feeding only. Lastly, regarding hepatic insulin signaling-related proteins, phosphorylation of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase was significantly up-regulated by all 4 types of seaweed, whereas phosphorylation of protein kinase B was up-regulated only in the SF and HF groups. Lipogenesis-related proteins in the liver were effectively down-regulated by HF supplementation in DIO mice. CONCLUSIONS: Brown seaweed consumption showed hypotriglyceridemic effects in the prolonged DIO mouse model. Specifically, combinatory regulation of BA excretion and lipogenesis-related proteins in the liver by seaweed supplementation contributed to the reduction of plasma and hepatic TG levels, which inhibited hyperglycemia in DIO mice. Thus, the discrepant and species-specific functions of brown seaweeds provide novel insights for the selection of future targets for therapeutic agents.

Effect of golden needle mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) stem waste on laying performance, calcium utilization, immune response and serum immunity at early phase of production

  • Mahfuz, Shad;Song, Hui;Liu, Zhongjun;Liu, Xinyu;Diao, Zipeng;Ren, Guihong;Guo, Zhixin;Cui, Yan
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.31 no.5
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    • pp.705-711
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    • 2018
  • Objective: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of golden needle mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) stem waste (FVW), on organic eggs production, calcium utilization, antibody response, serum immunoglobulin, and serum cytokine concentration at early phase of production in laying hens. Methods: A total 210, 19 weeks old aged ISA Brown layers were randomly assigned into 5 equal treatment groups, with 7 replications of 6 hens each. Dietary treatment included a standard basal diet as control; antibiotic (0.05% flavomycin); 2% FVW; 4% FVW; and 6% FVW. The experimental duration was 10 weeks. Results: There was no significant differences (p>0.05) on hen day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among experimental groups. Unmarketable eggs were significantly lower (p<0.05) both in 4% FVW and 6% FVW fed groups than control group. The calcium retention and calcium in egg shell deposition were significantly higher (p<0.05) in FVW inclusion groups than control and antibiotic groups. Antibody titers against Newcastle diseases were significantly higher (p<0.05) in 6% FVW fed group (except combined with 4% FVW at day 147) and infectious bronchitis were significantly higher (p<0.05) in FVW fed groups (except 2% FVW and 4% FVW at day 161) than control and antibiotic groups. Serum immunoglobulin sIgA was significantly higher (p<0.05) in all levels of FVW and IgG was significantly higher (p<0.05) in 4% FVW than control and antibiotic groups. Serum cytokine concentration interleukin-2 (IL-2) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in 6% FVW; IL-6 and tumor necrotic $factor-{\alpha}$ were significantly higher (p<0.05) both in 4% FVW and 6% FVW than control and antibiotic groups; IL-4 was significantly higher (p<0.05) in antibiotic, 2% FVW and 4% FVW fed groups than control. Conclusion: F. velutipes mushroom waste can be used as a novel substitute for antibiotic for organic egg production and sound health status in laying hens.

Economic Evaluation of a Crush-screen Hybrid Pretreatment Process for Waste Vinyl (폐비닐의 파쇄/선별 융합 전처리 공정의 경제성 평가)

  • Seo, Su Been;Cho, Il Ho;Yun, Hyun Pyo;Kang, Seo Yeong;Kim, Hyung Woo;Lee, See Hoon
    • Clean Technology
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.289-295
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    • 2019
  • Though the usage of vinyls and plastics produced from fossil fuels has been increasing in the world, the eco-friendly domestic disposal or recycling of waste vinyls has to be executed because the migration or importation of waste vinyls or waste plastics are globally prohibited. Even though the eco-friendly domestic disposal or recycling of waste vinyls and waste plastics should be developed, promising eco-friendly recycling methods are few because there are extraneous substances in waste vinyls and waste plastics. Also, conventional incineration and landfill methods result in secondary contamination and then increase disposal costs. Therefore, the selective elimination of extraneous substances or other materials included in waste vinyls and waste plastics could make valuable recycling or reuse possible. In particular, the novel hybrid process in which crushing and screening are simultaneously conducted in a rotary kiln type reactor can domestically maximize the material recycling or reuse. In this study, the feasibility study for a crushing/screening hybrid process developed in Korea was performed and evaluated in case of thermal recycling (TR) and material recycling (MR). The effect of various subsidies on economic efficiency was especially evaluated by means of domestic recycling plans. The incentive revenues from waste vinyl recycling and the incineration share of waste vinyls affected the net present values and internal rate of returns of the hybrid process.

miR-200a Inhibits Tumor Proliferation by Targeting AP-2γ in Neuroblastoma Cells

  • Gao, Shun-Li;Wang, Li-Zhong;Liu, Hai-Ying;Liu, Dan-Li;Xie, Li-Ming;Zhang, Zhi-Wei
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.11
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    • pp.4671-4676
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    • 2014
  • Background: MicroRNA-200a (miR-200a) has been reported to regulate tumour progression in several tumours but little is known about its role in neuroblastoma. Our aim was to investigate the potential role and mechanism of miR-200a in neuroblastomas. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miR-200a in tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The effect of miR-200a and shAP-$2{\gamma}$ on cell viability was evaluated using MTS assays, and target protein expression was determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm direct targeting. Results were reported as mean${\pm}$S.E.M and differences were tested for significance using the 2-tailed Students t-test. Results: We determined that miR-200a expression was significantly lower in neuroblastoma tumors than the adjacent non-cancer tissue. Over-expression of miR-200 are reduced cell viability in neuroblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenografts. We identified AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a novel target for miR-200a in neuroblastoma cells. Thus miR-200a targets the 3'UTR of AP-$2{\gamma}$ and inhibits its mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, our result showed that shRNA knockdown of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma cells results in significant inhibit of cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro, supporting an oncogenic role of AP-$2{\gamma}$ in neuroblastoma. Conclusions: Our study revealed that miR-200a is a candidate tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma, through direct targeting of AP-$2{\gamma}$. These findings re-enforce the proposal of AP-$2{\gamma}$ as a therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.

Overlapping Region of p53/Wrap53 Transcripts: Mutational Analysis and Sequence Similarity with microRNA-4732-5p

  • Pouladi, Nasser;Kouhsari, Shideh Montasser;Feizi, Mohammadali Hosseinpour;Gavgani, Reyhaneh Ravanbakhsh;Azarfam, Parvin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.6
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    • pp.3503-3507
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    • 2013
  • Background: Although the majority of investigations concerned with TP53 and its protein have focused on coding regions, recently a set of studies highlighted significant roles of regulatory elements located in p53 mRNA, especially 5'UTR. The wrap53${\alpha}$ transcript is one of those that acts as a natural antisense agent, forming RNA-RNA hybrids with p53 mRNA and protecting it from degradation. Materials and Methods: In this study, we focused on the mutation status of exon $1{\alpha}$ of the WRAP53 gene (according to exon 1 of p53) in 160 breast tumor tissue samples and conducted a bioinformatics search for probable miRNA binding site in the p53/wrap53 overlapping region. Mutations were detected, using single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing. We applied the miRBase database for prediction of miRNAs which target overlapping region of p53/wrap53 transcripts. Results: Our results showed all samples to have wild type alleles in exon 1 of TP53 gene. We could detect a novel and unreported intronic mutation (IVS1+56, G>C) outside overlapping regions of p53/wrap53 genes in breast cancer tissues and also predict the presence of a binding site for miR-4732-5p in the 5'UTR of Wrap53 mRNA. Conclusions: From our findings we propose designing further studies focused on overexpression of miRNA-4732-5p and introducing different mutations in the overlapping region of wrap53 and p53 genes in order to study their effects on p53 and its ${\Delta}N$ isoform (${\Delta}$40p53) expression. The results may provide new pieces in the p53 targeting puzzle for cancer therapy.

Preparation and Characterization of Anti-GP73 Monoclonal Antibodies and Development of Double-antibody Sandwich ELISA

  • Li, Qi-Wen;Chen, Hong-Bing;Li, Zhi-Yang;Shen, Peng;Qu, Li-Li;Gong, Lai-Ling;Xu, Hong-Pan;Pang, Lu;Si, Jin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.2043-2049
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    • 2015
  • Background: Serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) as a novel and potential marker for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been found to be elevated in HCC patients and associated with clinical variables representing tumor growth and invasiveness. The aim of this study was to prepare a pair of monoclonal antibodys (mAbs) against GP73 and develop a newly designed double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (s-ELISA), which would be used in the detection of serum GP73 (sGP73) as well as in the diagnosis of HCC. Materials and Methods: Produced by prokaryotic expression, the purified recombinant GP73 (rGP73), produced by prokaryotic expression, was used to immunize the Balb/c mice. Two hybridoma cell lines against GP73 were obtained by fusing mouse Sp2/0 myeloma cells with spleen cells from the immunized mice. The titers of anti-GP73 mAb reached 1:243,000. Western blotting analysis and Immunohistochemistry staining revealed that anti-GP73 mAb could recognize GP73 protein. The double-antibody s-ELISA was successfully established and validated by 119 HCC and 103 normal serum samples. Results: showed that the detection limit of this method could reach 1.56 ng/ml, and sGP73 levels in HCC group (mean=190.6 ng/ml) were much higher than those of in healthy controls (mean=70.92 ng/ml). Conclusions: Results of our study not only showed that sGP73 levels of HCC patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls, but also indicated that the laboratory homemade anti-GP73 mAbs could be the optimal tool used in evaluating sGP73 levels, which would provide a solid foundation for subsequent clinical applications.

Genetic Analysis of H7N7 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated From Waterfowl in South Korea in 2016 (2016년 한국 야생조류에서 분리한 H7N7 조류인플루엔자 바이러스 유전자 분석)

  • Dires, Berihun;Seo, Sang Heui
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.28 no.8
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    • pp.962-968
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    • 2018
  • Type A influenza virus is circulating in wild birds and can infect wide ranges of hosts such as humans, pigs, domestic birds, and other mammals. Many subtypes of avian influenza viruses are circulating in aquatic birds. Most avian influenza viruses found in aquatic birds are low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been found in waterfowls since 2005. It is known that H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza viruses can be mutated into highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry. In this study, we isolated novel reassortant H7N7 avian influenza virus from the fecal materials of migratory birds in the Western part of South Korea in 2016, and analyzed the sequences of all its eight genes. The genetic analysis of our isolate, A/waterfowl/Korea/S017/2016 (H7N7) indicates that it was reassortant avian influenza virus containing genes of both avian influenza viruses of wild birds and domestic ducks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our isolate belongs to Eurasian lineage of avian influenza virus. Since avian influenza viruses continue to evolve, and H7-subtype avian influenza virus can mutate into the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, which cause the great threat to humans and animals, we closely survey the infections in both wild birds, and domestic poultry, and mammals.

Physical properties of a new resin-based root canal sealer in comparison with AH Plus Jet (새로운 레진계 근관실러와 AH Plus Jet의 물성 비교)

  • Thu, Myint;Kim, Jin-Woo;Park, Se-Hee;Cho, Kyung-Mo
    • Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.80-87
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the physical properties of a novel resin-based endodontic sealer, Any-Seal, in comparison with AH Plus Jet. Materials and Methods: Flow, radiopacity and compressive strength were examined according to ISO 6876/2001. For flow test, 0.05 mL of sealer was placed between glass plate and 100 g weight were applied. Ten minutes after mixing the sealers, the load was removed and the diameters of the compressed sealer discs were measured. For radiopacity, 10 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness sample were fabricated and took radiograph with an aluminum step-wedge and analyzed using imaging program. For compressive strength test, $4mm{\times}6mm$ cylindrical specimen was fabricated and tested after 24 hours and 1 week using Universal testing machine. Results: Both tested sealers were consistent with ISO 6876/2001 in the flow and radiopacity test. The flow values of both sealers were not significantly different (P > 0.05). AH Plus Jet had significantly higher radiopacity (P < 0.05). AH Plus Jet showed higher compressive strength at both time intervals (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Any-Seal showed low compressive strength until after 1 week, so its physical and biological aspect should be evaluated more before clinical use.

A Study on the Hangul Banggakbon Novels in the Harvard-Yenching Library (미국 하버드옌칭도서관 소장 한글 방각본 소설 연구)

  • Lee, Hye-Eun;Yoo, Choon-Dong
    • Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.113-128
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    • 2013
  • This study targets ten titles of Hangul banggakbon novels in the Harvard Yenching Library to examine the bibliography, system, and characteristics. Among the ten titles, gyeongpanbon Guunmong, Leehaeryongjeon, Chunhyangjeon, Janggyeongjeon, two titles of Sodaeseongjeon, Honggildongjeon, anseongpanbon Yangpungunjeon, and two titles of wanpanbon Hwaryongdo have been found in Korea, too. However, gyeongpanbon Chunhyangjeon, 30 jangbon of Hyogyosingan(孝橋新刊), and wanpanbon Hwaryongdo seogyeseopobon are the ones that can be hardly found in Korea, and the library has possessed it there so far. With the two titles of Hangul banggakbon novels, it will be needed to reexamine the aspects of publishing Hangul banggakbon novels afterwards. Hangul banggakbon novels that Harvard-Yenching Library has now are mostly the ones that can be easily found in Korea, too. It is because the data started to be collected from the 1950's. In comparison with the materials in England, Russia, or Japan in the early 1890's, there are no rare books that cannot be found in Korea. The reason for this may be found from this.