W as a BIT Line Interconnection in COB Structured DRAM and Feasible Diffusion Barrier Layer

Byun, Jeong-Soo,Kim, Jun-Ki,Park, Jin-Won,Kim, Jae-Jeong 한국재료학회 1995 Fabrication and Characterization of Advanced Mater Vol.2 No.e2

Formation of TiN/$TiSi_2$ bilayer from TiX and its utilization as a diffusion barrier for the W bit-line process in capacitor on bit-line (COB) structured dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device have been discussed in this paper. Since the thickness of $TiSi_2$ formed on Si substrate is very thin and uniform, the $TiN_{X}$ contacted $n^{-}$ and $n^{+}$ junction revealed good lectrical properties. The compact structure of the overlying TiN without any grain boundary voiding enabled the $TiN_X$ to be used as a diffusion barier for the W process.

Skin Region Detection Using a Mean Shift Algorithm Based on the Histogram Approximation

Ki-Won Byun,Soo-Young Ye,남기곤 한국전기전자재료학회 2012 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.13 No.1

In conventional, skin detection methods using for skin color definitions is based on prior knowledge. By experimentation, the threshold value for dividing the background from the skin region is determined subjectively. A drawback of such techniques is that their performance is dependent on a threshold value which is estimated from repeated experiments. To overcome this, the present paper introduces a skin region detection method. This method uses a histogram approximation based on the mean shift algorithm. This proposed method applies the mean shift procedure to a histogram of a skin map of the input image. It is generated by comparing with the standard skin colors in the CbCr color space. It divides the background from the skin region by selecting the maximum value according to the brightness level. As the histogram has the form of a discontinuous function. It is accumulated according to the brightness values of the pixels. It is then, approximated by a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) using the Bezier curve technique. Thus, the proposed method detects the skin region using the mean shift procedure to determine a maximum value. Rather than using a manually selected threshold value, as in existing techniques this becomes the dividing point. Experiments confirm that the new procedure effectively detects the skin region.

Therapeutic Implications of Autophagy Inducers in Immunological Disorders, Infection, and Cancer

Byun, Sanguine,Lee, Eunjung,Lee, Ki Won MDPI AG 2017 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.18 No.9

<P>Autophagy is an essential catabolic program that forms part of the stress response and enables cells to break down their own intracellular components within lysosomes for recycling. Accumulating evidence suggests that autophagy plays vital roles in determining pathological outcomes of immune responses and tumorigenesis. Autophagy regulates innate and adaptive immunity affecting the pathologies of infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. In cancer, autophagy appears to play distinct roles depending on the context of the malignancy by either promoting or suppressing key determinants of cancer cell survival. This review covers recent developments in the understanding of autophagy and discusses potential therapeutic interventions that may alter the outcomes of certain diseases.</P>

Skin Region Detection Using a Mean Shift Algorithm Based on the Histogram Approximation

Byun, Ki-Won,Nam, Ki-Gon,Ye, Soo-Young The Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic 2012 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.13 No.1

In conventional, skin detection methods using for skin color definitions is based on prior knowledge. By experimentation, the threshold value for dividing the background from the skin region is determined subjectively. A drawback of such techniques is that their performance is dependent on a threshold value which is estimated from repeated experiments. To overcome this, the present paper introduces a skin region detection method. This method uses a histogram approximation based on the mean shift algorithm. This proposed method applies the mean shift procedure to a histogram of a skin map of the input image. It is generated by comparing with the standard skin colors in the $C_bC_r$ color space. It divides the background from the skin region by selecting the maximum value according to the brightness level. As the histogram has the form of a discontinuous function. It is accumulated according to the brightness values of the pixels. It is then, approximated by a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) using the Bezier curve technique. Thus, the proposed method detects the skin region using the mean shift procedure to determine a maximum value. Rather than using a manually selected threshold value, as in existing techniques this becomes the dividing point. Experiments confirm that the new procedure effectively detects the skin region.

Model schematics of carbon-nanotube-based-nanomechanical-tuner using piezoelectric strain

Won Kang, Jeong,Kim, Ki-Sub,Ryang Byun, Ki,Kang, Eu-Seok,Lee, Junha,Kuen Kwon, Oh,Gyu Choi, Young,Hwang, Ho Jung Elsevier 2010 Physica E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructure Vol.42 No.7

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Model schematics of a carbon-nanotube-based frequency tuner are presented and their vibration frequencies are analyzed by theoretical approaches such as classical molecular dynamics simulations and the continuum model equation. Outertube’s position displacement by a piezoelectric strain of a piezoelectric material induces the change of the vibrating carbon nanotube length. The desired frequencies are achieved by manipulating the electric potential applied to the piezoelectric material.</P>

<i>Fryl</i> deficiency is associated with defective kidney development and function in mice

Byun, Yong-Sub,Kim, Eun-Kyoung,Araki, Kimi,Yamamura, Ken-ichi,Lee, Kihoon,Yoon, Won-Kee,Won, Young-Suk,Kim, Hyoung-Chin,Choi, Kyung-Chul,Nam, Ki-Hoan SAGE Publications 2018 Experimental biology and medicine Vol.243 No.5

<P> FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene located on chromosome 5 is a paralog of FRY microtubule binding protein ( Fry) in vertebrates. It encodes a protein with unknown functions. Fryl gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. Although there are several reports on functions of Fry gene, functions of Fryl gene remain unclear. A mouse line containing null mutation in Fryl gene by gene trapping was produced in this study for the first time. The survival and growth of Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice were observed. Fryl gene expression levels in mouse tissues were determined and histopathologic analyses were conducted. Most Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice died soon after birth. Rare Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. No abnormal histopathologic lesion was apparent in full-term embryo or adult tissues except the kidney. Abnormal lining cell layer detachments from walls of collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys were apparent in Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> neonates and full-term embryos. Fryl gene was expressed in renal tubular tissues including the glomeruli and convoluted and collecting tubules. This indicates that defects in tubular systems are associated with Fryl functions and death of Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> neonates. Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. This is the first report of in vivo Fryl gene functions. </P><B>Impact statement</B><P> FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. It expresses a protein with unknown function. We generated a Fryl gene mutant mouse line and found that most homozygous mice died soon after their birth. Rare Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl<SUP>−/−</SUP> survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. Full-term mutant embryos showed abnormal collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys where Fryl gene was expressed. Collectively, these results indicate that Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on in vivo Fryl gene functions. </P>

Reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of Bax and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 is required for mitochondrial cell death induced by triterpenoid pristimerin in human cervical cancer cells.

Byun, Joo-Yun,Kim, Min-Jung,Eum, Da-Young,Yoon, Chang-Hwan,Seo, Woo-Duck,Park, Ki Hun,Hyun, Jin-Won,Lee, Yun-Sil,Lee, Jae-Seong,Yoon, Moon-Young,Lee, Su-Jae American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental 2009 Molecular pharmacology Vol.76 No.4

<P>Naturally occurring triterpenoid compounds have long been used as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and insecticidal agents. It has become evident that some of the natural or synthetic triterpenoids have promising clinical potential as both a therapeutic and chemopreventive agent for cancer. However, the molecular basis for the antitumor activity of triterpenoid has yet to be defined. In this study, we show that pristimerin, a natural triterpenoid, induces mitochondrial cell death in human cervical cancer cells and that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent activation of both Bax and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is critically required for the mitochondrial dysfunction. We also showed that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is involved in ROS-dependent Bax activation. Treatment of pristimerin induced an increase in intracellular ROS, JNK activation, conformational change, and mitochondrial redistribution of Bax, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and cell death. The PARP-1 was also found to be activated by pristimerin treatment. An antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), inhibited pristimerin-induced JNK activation, Bax relocalization, and PARP-1 activation, as well as mitochondrial cell death. Moreover, inhibition of JNK clearly suppressed conformational change and mitochondrial translocation of Bax and subsequent mitochondrial cell death but did not affect PARP-1 activation. Inhibition of PARP-1 with 1,5-dihydroxyisoquinoline (DIQ) or with small interfering RNA of PARP-1 significantly attenuated pristimerin-induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss and cell death but did not affect JNK activation and Bax relocalization. These results indicate that the natural triterpenoid pristimerin induces mitochondrial cell death through ROS-dependent activation of both Bax and PARP-1 in human cervical cancer cells and that JNK is involved in ROS-dependent Bax activation.</P>

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Large, Multicenter Cohort Analysis

Byun, Seok-Soo,Hwang, Eu Chang,Kang, Seok Ho,Hong, Sung-Hoo,Chung, Jinsoo,Kwon, Tae Gyun,Kim, Hyeon Hoe,Kwak, Cheol,Kim, Yong-June,Lee, Won Ki Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2016 BioMed research international Vol.2016 No.-

<P><I>Background</I>. The prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (non-mRCC) is controversial, although NLR has been established as a prognostic factor in several cancers. The objective of our study was to assess the prognostic significance of preoperative NLR in non-mRCC, based on a large, multicenter cohort analysis.<I> Methods</I>. Totally, 1,284 non-mRCC patients undergoing surgery were enrolled from six institutions between 2000 and 2014. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated, and the prognostic significance of NLR was evaluated.<I> Results</I>. Patients with higher NLR had larger tumors (<I>p</I> < 0.001), higher T stage (<I>p</I> < 0.001), worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (<I>p</I> < 0.001), worse symptoms (<I>p</I> = 0.003), sarcomatoid differentiation (<I>p</I> = 0.004), and tumor necrosis (<I>p</I> < 0.001). The 5-year RFS and CSS rates were significantly lower in patients with high NLR than in those with low NLR (each <I>p</I> < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified NLR to be an independent predictor of RFS and CSS (each <I>p</I> < 0.05). Moreover, predictive accuracy of multivariate models for RFS and CSS increased by 2.2% and 4.2%, respectively, with NLR inclusion.<I> Conclusions</I>. Higher NLR was associated with worse clinical behavior of non-mRCC. Also, NLR was a significant prognostic factor of both RFS and CSS.</P>

Identification of a Dual Inhibitor of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase1 (S6K1) Pathways

Byun, Sanguine,Lim, Semi,Mun, Ji Young,Kim, Ki Hyun,Ramadhar, Timothy R.,Farrand, Lee,Shin, Seung Ho,Thimmegowda, N. R.,Lee, Hyong Joo,Frank, David A.,Clardy, Jon,Lee, Sam W.,Lee, Ki Won American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Bi 2015 The Journal of biological chemistry Vol.290 No.39

<P>Bioactive phytochemicals can suppress the growth of malignant cells, and investigation of the mechanisms responsible can assist in the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer therapy. Ginger has been reported to exhibit potent anti-cancer effects, although previous reports have often focused on a narrow range of specific compounds. Through a direct comparison of various ginger compounds, we determined that gingerenone A selectively kills cancer cells while exhibiting minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Kinase array screening revealed JAK2 and S6K1 as the molecular targets primarily responsible for gingerenone A-induced cancer cell death. The effect of gingerenone A was strongly associated with relative phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and S6K1, and administration of gingerenone A significantly suppressed tumor growth <I>in vivo</I>. More importantly, the combined inhibition of JAK2 and S6K1 by commercial inhibitors selectively induced apoptosis in cancer cells, whereas treatment with either agent alone did not. These findings provide rationale for dual targeting of JAK2 and S6K1 in cancer for a combinatorial therapeutic approach.</P>

Atomistic Simulation of Hypothetical Silicon Nanotubes under Tension

Ki Ryang Byun,Jeong Won Kang,Ho Jung Hwang 한국물리학회 2003 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.42 No.5

The responses of hypothetical silicon nanotubes under axial tensile forces have been investigated using an atomistic simulation based on the Terso potential. A tension, proportional to the deformation within Hooke's law, eventually led to a breaking of the silicon nanotubes. As the diameter of silicon nanotubes increased, the ultimate strength linearly increased. However, the force per atom at the breaking of silicon nanotubes was almost constant irrespective of the diameter of the silicon nanotubes. The behaviors of the elastic energy of silicon nanotubes with strain were similar with those of carbon nanotubes and the responses of silicon nanotubes under axial tension were similar with those of carbon nanotubes under axial tension, except for quantitative values, because the structure of silicon nanotubes used in this study was identical with that of carbon nanotubes. The eective strain energy constant of the silicon nanotubes was less than half of that of carbon nanotubes, and the stiness of the silicon nanotubes was much lower than that of carbon nanotubes, and these implied diculty with the formation and application of silicon nanotubes. When the parameters of silicon nanotubes are properly chosen (Young's modulus, eective strain constant, diameter, lattice constant, and strains), the maximum strains, ultimate strengths, and elastic energy at which the breaking events of silicon nanotubes occur could be estimated by using the equations in this work.? ?