• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

The ${\beta}2$ integrins are cell surface transmembrane proteins regulating leukocyte functions, such as adhesion and migration. Two members of ${\beta}2$ integrin, ${\alpha}M{\beta}2$ and ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$, share the leukocyte distribution profile and integrin ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$ is involved in antigen presentation in dendritic cells and transendothelial migration of monocytes and macrophages to atherosclerotic lesions. ${\underline{R}}eceptor$ for ${\underline{a}}dvanced$ ${\underline{g}}lycation$ ${\underline{e}}nd$ ${\underline{p}}roducts$ (RAGE), a member of cell adhesion molecules, plays an important role in chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although RAGE and ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$ play an important role in inflammatory response and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the nature of their interaction and structure involved in the binding remain poorly defined. In this study, using I-domain as a ligand binding motif of ${\alpha}X{\beta}2$, we characterize the binding nature and the interacting moieties of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain and RAGE. Their binding requires divalent cations ($Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$) and shows an affinity on the sub-micro molar level: the dissociation constant of ${\alpha}X$ I-domains binding to RAGE being $0.49{\mu}M$. Furthermore, the ${\alpha}X$ I-domains recognize the V-domain, but not the C1 and C2-domains of RAGE. The acidic amino acid substitutions on the ligand binding site of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain significantly reduce the I-domain binding activity to soluble RAGE and the alanine substitutions of basic amino acids on the flat surface of the V-domain prevent the V-domain binding to ${\alpha}X$ I-domain. In conclusion, the main mechanism of ${\alpha}X$ I-domain binding to RAGE is a charge interaction, in which the acidic moieties of ${\alpha}X$ I-domains, including E244, and D249, recognize the basic residues on the RAGE V-domain encompassing K39, K43, K44, R104, and K107.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the muscle anti-fatigue effects of Allii tuberosi semen after long term administration. Materials and Methods: 4-6 weeks old ICR mice were used in this study and we administered the water soluble extracts of Allii tuberosi semen in the concentration of 1, 10 and 100mg/0.3ml to each 5 mice (ATS group) and same volume of normal saline was administered to 5 mice (control group) once a day for 90 or 120 days. After the administration we performed the swimming exercise test and the grip strength test. And we measured the concentration of glucose and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in plasma regarded as biochemical indicator related with the muscular fatigue. Results: In swimming exercise test, all ATS groups showed increased time compared with relative control group after 90 days administration. But after 120 days adminstration 10 and 100mg/0.3ml ATS groups showed increased results. In grip strength test, all ATS group increased grip strength after 90 days administration and 10mg/0.3ml ATS group showed increased result after 120 days administration. All the results of plasma glucose didn't showed statistically significant difference after 90 and 120 days administration. In the plasma concentration of activity level of lactate dehydrogenase, 1mg/0.3ml and 10mg/0.3ml ATS groups showed decreased concentration compared with relative control group after 90 days administration. But after 120 days adminstration 1mg/0.3ml ATS groups showed decreased results. Conclusion: From this study we could find the anti-fatigue effect of Allii tuberosi semen in the muscle strength related test.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.92-102
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• 2021

In this study, the distribution characteristics according to the type of BOD and the effect of nitrogenous oxygen demand (NOD) and algal oxygen demand on BOD in three streams (Bokhacheon, Byeongseongcheon, and Gulpocheon) were evaluated. Although the BOD and NOD concentrations demonstrated a difference in the three streams, the carbonaceous BOD(CBOD)/BOD ratio was 0.75 (p=0.053, one-way ANOVA), and there was no significant difference in the three streams (r2≥0.92, p<0.0001). The NOD concentration of the Bokhacheon with high NH3-N was 1.7±1.3 mg/L, which was the highest among the three streams and showed a significant correlation with BOD. Seasonal variations in NOD in the three streams did not show a significant correlation with changes in NH3-N concentration (r2<0.28, p≥0.1789), and there was no significant difference in NOD even though NH3-N concentration in Gulpocheon was about twice that of Byeongseongcheon (p=0.870, one way ANOVA). The particulate CBOD(PCBOD)/CBOD ratio of the three streams was 0.55~0.64, and about 60% of the biodegradable organic matter was present in the particulate form. When the Chl.a concentration in the stream was more than 7 ㎍/L, the PCBOD tended to increase with the Chl.a concentration (r2=0.61, p=0.003). In the three streams, particulate NOD accounted for 81% of NOD; however, despite the large variation in NH3-N concentration (0.075~3.182 mg/L), there was no significant difference in soluble NOD(SNOD) concentration that ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 mg/L. In this study, the low contribution rate of SNOD to NOD is considered as a result of the removal of nitrifying bacteria along with the particles during the filtration process.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2021

In this study, enzymes were screened for hydrolysis of defatted perilla seed residue (DPSR) and optimal conditions for enzymatic treatment were determined to produce the hydrolysate of DPSR. Also its antioxidant activity and utilization as a culture medium were examined. The combined treatment of Alcalase and Ceremix is most effective for solubilization of protein and carbohydrate in DPSR. The optimal dosage, pH, and reaction time for enzymatic treatment were found to be 2.0% (w/w), 7.0, and 2 h, respectively. Treatment with optimal conditions of enzymes dramatically increased reducing sugar, soluble protein, and total phenolic content. The hydrolysate of DPSR possessed better scavenging activity against cation and free radicals than enzyme-untreated extract. When Leuconostoc mesenteroides 310-12 was cultured in the hydrolysate of DPSR, cell population rapidly increased compared to enzyme-untreated extract, and titratable acidity increased in proportion to the bacterial growth. In conclusion, these results imply that the hydrolysate of DPSR could be utilized as a bacteria culture medium as well as a physiologically active material with antioxidant activity.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.42.1-42.23
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• 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the most deadly infections in humans. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mtb strains presents a global challenge. Mtb has shown resistance to many frontline antibiotics, including rifampicin, kanamycin, isoniazid, and capreomycin. The only licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, does not efficiently protect against adult pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to develop new vaccines to prevent infections caused by these strains. We used a subtractive proteomics approach on 23 virulent Mtb strains and identified a conserved membrane protein (MmpL4, NP_214964.1) as both a potential drug target and vaccine candidate. MmpL4 is a non-homologous essential protein in the host and is involved in the pathogen-specific pathway. Furthermore, MmpL4 shows no homology with anti-targets and has limited homology to human gut microflora, potentially reducing the likelihood of adverse effects and cross-reactivity if therapeutics specific to this protein are developed. Subsequently, we constructed a highly soluble, safe, antigenic, and stable multi-subunit vaccine from the MmpL4 protein using immunoinformatics. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the stability of the vaccine-bound Tolllike receptor-4 complex on a nanosecond scale, and immune simulations indicated strong primary and secondary immune responses in the host. Therefore, our study identifies a new target that could expedite the design of effective therapeutics, and the designed vaccine should be validated. Future directions include an extensive molecular interaction analysis, in silico cloning, wet-lab experiments, and evaluation and comparison of the designed candidate as both a DNA vaccine and protein vaccine.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.126-139
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• 2014

In order to estimate the influence of sources on $PM_{2.5}$ in the industrial area of Japan, we carried out a source analysis using chemical component data of $PM_{2.5}$. $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected intermittently at an industrial area in Japan from July 2010 to November 2012. Water soluble ions ($Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $Na^+$,$NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$), elements (Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Pb), and carbonaceous species (OC, EC) of the $PM_{2.5}$ (a total of 198 samples) were analyzed. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model was applied to the data of those chemical components to identify the source of $PM_{2.5}$. At this observation site, nine factors were extracted. The major contributors of $PM_{2.5}$ were secondary sulfate 1, in which loading factors of $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ were large (percentage source contribution: 20.9%), traffic, in which loading factors of OC (organic carbon) and EC (elemental carbon) were large (20.8%), secondary sulfate 2, in which loading factors of K and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ were large (8.0%), steel mills (7.8%), secondary chloride and nitrate (7.0%), soil (5.0%), heavy oil combustion (3.8%), sea salt (3.8%), and coal combustion (2.3%). The conditional probability function (CPF) and the potential source contribution function (PSCF) were carried out to examine the influence of a regional source and a broad-based source, respectively. CPF results supported local source influences such as steel mills, sea salt, traffic, coal combustion, and heavy oil combustion. PSCF results suggested that ships in the East China Sea, an industrial area of the east coastal region of China, and an active volcano in the Kyushu region of Japan were potential regional sources of secondary sulfate 1. Secondary sulfate 2 was affected by the burning of biomass fields and by coal combustion in Chinese urban areas such as Beijing, Hebei, and western Inner Mongolia. Source characterization using continuous data from one site showed a potential source representing fossil fuel combustion is affected both by regional and broad-based sources.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2461-2476
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• 2013

To assess environmental contamination with carcinogens, carbonaceous compounds, water-soluble ionic species and trace gaseous species were identified and quantified every three hours for three days st three different atmospheric layer at the heart of chiang-Mai, bangkok and hat-Yai from December 2006 to February 2007. A DRI model 2001 Themal/Optical Carbon Analyzer with the IMPROVE thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) protocol was used to quantify the organic carbon(OC) and elemental carbon content in $PM_{10}$. Diurnal and vertical variability was also carefully investigated. In general, OC and EC contenttration shoeed the highest values at the monitoring period o 21.00-00.00 as consequences of human activities at night bazaar coupled with reduction of mixing layer, decreased wind speed and termination of photolysis nighttime. Morning peaks of carboaceous compounds were observed during the sampling period of 06:00 -09:00, emphasizing the main contribution of traffic emission in the three cities. The estimation of incremental lifetime partculate matter exposure (ILPE) raises concern of high risk of carbonaceous accumulation over workers and residents living close to the observatory sites. The average values of incremental lifrtime particulate matter exposure (ILPE) of total carbon at Baiyoke Suit Hotel and Baiyoke Sky Hotel are approsimately ten time shigher then those air sample collected at prince of songkla University Hat-Yai campus corpse incinerator and fish-can maufacturing factory but only slightly higher than those of rice straw burnig in Songkla province. This indicates a high risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases across workers and residents living in high buildings located in Pratunam area. Using knowledge of carbonaceous fractions in $PM_{10}$, one can estimate the gas-particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Dachs-Eisenreich model highlights the crucial role of adsorption in gas-particle partitioning of low molecular weight PAHs, whereas both absorption and adsorption tend to account for gas-particle partitioning of high molecular weight PAHs in urban residential zones of Thailand. Interestingly, the absorption mode alone plays a minor role in gas-partcle partitiining of PAHs in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok and hat-Yai.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Control of alternate bearing satsuma mandarin in Jeju is very important to maintain the optimum price of fruit and get the sustainable income of farmers. Unlike orange, Satsuma mandarin is well known to sensitive on alternate bearing. We carried out the experiment to know the effect of foliar application of $GA_3$ on the flowering and fruit quality of satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa). METHODS AND RESULTS: To experiment, the treatments consist of control, different concentration of $GA_3$ (25, 50 and 100 mg/L), machine oil emulsion 100 times and mixture of various concentration of $GA_3$ (25 and 50 mg/L) with machine oil emulsion 100 times which it was applied on 15 year-old Miyagawa satsuma mandarin at December 29, 2011. Foliar application of $GA_3$ in winter reduced the flowering of satsuma mandarin. Flower-leaf ratio was significantly reduced at 100 mg/L $GA_3$, while no differences observed in low concentration of $GA_3$ (25 and 50 mg/L). However, it was significantly decreased to 0.19 in application of $GA_3$ 25 and 50 mg/L with machine oil emulsion 100 times mixture. Number of leaves per fruit was significantly increased as foliar application of $GA_3$ also it reduced the fruits remarkably. Soluble solid contents and Hunter's a of peel color ratio showed no difference among $GA_3$ single treatments, but it was reduced in $GA_3$ 25 and 50 mg/L with machine oil emulsion 100 times mixtures significantly. From the results, it has been found that higher $GA_3$ concentration can reduce the number of flowers on the alternate bearing of satsuma mandarin. However, it was found that lower concentration of $GA_3$ with machine oil emulsion mixture 100 times can reduce flowering. CONCLUSION(S): The foliar application of $GA_3$ (100 mg/L) can alleviate alternate beraring. Also, mixture of lower concentration of $GA_3$ with machine oil emulsion 100 times can retard flowering more significantly while it needs further confirmation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.743-753
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• 2014

The number concentrations and the water soluble ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ have measured at Gosan site in Jeju, Korea, from March 2010 to December 2010, to clarify their characteristics. $PM_{2.5}$ number concentrations vary from 22.57 to $975.65particles/cm^3$ with an average value of $240.41particles/cm^3$, which have been recorded evidently high in spring season as compared with those in other season. And the concentrations in small size ranges are greatly higher than those in large size ranges, so the number concentration in the size range $0.25{\sim}0.45{\mu}m$ has more than 94% of the total number concentration of $PM_{2.5}$. The major ionic components in $PM_{2.5}$ are $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NH_4{^+}$ and $NO_3{^-}$, which are mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, on the other hand, the concentrations of $Cl^-$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ are recorded relatively lower levels. The concentrations of the major ionic components are very high in spring season, but the concentration levels of the other components are recorded significantly high in winter season. On the other hand, in summer season, the lowest concentration levels are observed for overall components as well as the sum of them. The concentration ratios of nss-$SO{_4}^{2-}/SO{_4}^{2-}$ and nss-$Ca^{2+}/Ca^{2+}$ are 98.1% and 88.9%. And the concentration ratio of $SO{_4}^{2-}/NO_3{^-}$(3.64) is greatly higher than the value in urban area due to no large $NO_x$ emission sources in the measurement. In addition, the correlation and the factor analysis for the number and the ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ are performed to identify their sources. From the Pearson correlation analysis and the factor analysis, it can be suggested that the smaller parts(< $0.5{\mu}m$) of $PM_{2.5}$ is contributed by anthropogenic sources, but the sources of the remaining larger parts of $PM_{2.5}$ are not able to be specified sources in this study.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-77
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• 2015

In order to survey the seasonal variation of the chemical composition of particulate matter of $2.5{\mu}m$ or less ($PM_{2.5}$), $PM_{2.5}$ was sampled from 8 February 2013 to 31 March 2014 in an industrial area of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Chemical measurements of the sample included: ionic components ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$), carbonaceous components - organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Also, secondary organic carbon (SOC) was measured based using the EC tracer method, and char-EC and soot-EC were calculated from the analytical results. The data obtained were interpreted in terms of temporal variation. Of the overall mean value of $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration obtained during the study period, ionic components, OC and EC accounted for 45.3%, 19.7%, and 8.0%, respectively. $NO_3{^-}$ showed a unique seasonal distribution pattern due to a dependence on temperature and absolute humidity. It was estimated that an approximate temperature of $14^{\circ}C$, and absolute humidity of $7g/m^3$ were critical for the reversible reaction of $NH_4NO_3(p){\leftrightharpoons}NH_3(g)+HNO_3(g)$. The amount of OC and EC contributing to the monthly $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration was higher in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. This result could be attributed to the impact of burning biomass, since WSOC and the ratio of char-EC/soot-EC showed a similar pattern during the corresponding period. From the comparison of monthly WSOC/OC values, a maximum ratio of 83% was obtained in August (summer). The WSOC and estimated SOC levels derived from the EC tracer method correlated (R=0.77) in summer. The high occurrence of WSOC during summer was mainly due to the formation of SOC by photochemical reactions. Through long-term observation of $PM_{2.5}$ chemical components, we established that the degree to which the above-mentioned factors influence $PM_{2.5}$ composition, fluctuates with seasonal changes.