NFATc4 and ATF3 Negatively Regulate Adiponectin Gene Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Kim, H. B.,Kong, M.,Kim, T. M.,Suh, Y. H.,Kim, W.-H.,Lim, J. H.,Song, J. H.,Jung, M. H. American Diabetes Association 2006 Diabetes Vol.55 No.5

<P>Expression of adiponectin decreases with obesity and insulin resistance. At present, the mechanisms responsible for negatively regulating adiponectin expression in adipocytes are poorly understood. In this investigation, we analyzed the effects of 5' serial deletion constructs on the murine adiponectin promoter. Here, we identified the repressor region located between -472 and -313 bp of the promoter. Removal of the putative nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATs) binding site increased the promoter activity, and overexpression of NFATc4 reduced the promoter activity. Treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187, an activator of NFAT, reduced mRNA as well as promoter activity. The binding of NFATc4 to the promoter was associated with increased recruitment of histone deacetylase 1 and reduced acetylation of histone H3 at the promoter site. In addition, binding of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) to the putative activator protein-1 site located adjacent to the NFAT binding site also repressed the promoter activity. Treatment with thapsigargin, an inducer of ATF3, reduced both mRNA and promoter activity. Importantly, the binding activities of NFATc4 and ATF3, increased significantly in white adipose tissues of ob/ob and db/db mice compared with controls. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that NFATc4 and ATF3 function as negative regulators of adiponectin gene expression, which may play critical roles in downregulating adiponectin expression in obesity and type 2 diabetes.</P>

SEARCH FOR PULSED γ-RAY EMISSION FROM GLOBULAR CLUSTER M28

Wu, J. H. K.,Hui, C. Y.,Wu, E. M. H.,Kong, A. K. H.,Huang, R. H. H.,Tam, P. H. T.,Takata, J.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2013 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.765 No.2

<P>Using the data from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, we have searched for gamma-ray pulsations from the direction of the globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). We report the discovery of a signal with a frequency consistent with that of the energetic millisecond pulsar (MSP) PSR B1821-24 in M28. A weighted H-test test statistic of 28.8 is attained, which corresponds to a chance probability of similar to 10(-5) (4.3 sigma detection). With a phase-resolved analysis, the pulsed component is found to contribute similar to 25% of the total observed gamma-ray emission from the cluster. However, the unpulsed level provides a constraint for the underlying MSP population and the fundamental plane relations for the scenario of inverse Compton scattering. Follow-up timing observations in radio/X-ray are encouraged to further investigate this periodic signal candidate.</P>

남조류와 녹조류에서의 수소생산을 위한 배양 조건의 최적화

윤종현(J. H. Yoon),공경택(K. T. Kong),심상준(S. J. Sim),김미선(M.S. Kim),박태현(T. H. Park) 한국수소및신에너지학회 2002 한국수소 및 신에너지학회논문집 Vol.13 No.4

Blue-green algae and green algae have the unique characteristic of using CO₂ in the air as a carbon source and solar energy as an energy source and producing H₂ with water used as the primary electron donor. The cells take up CO₂ first to produce cellular substances, which are subsequently used for H₂ production. Since the optimal operating conditions for the CO₂ uptake and H₂ production are different, a two-stage system can be effectively employed to separate these two phases. For the efficient production of H₂ in the second stage, in this study, the culture condition of blue-green algae was optimized for the effective CO₂ uptake and cell growth in the first stage, and high cell density culture was carried out using repeated injections of CO₂. In green algae, the amount and patterns of organic compounds have a connection with growth stage or dark fermentation time. The hydrogen production was greatly influenced by dark fermentation time.

Comparative studies on steam gasification of ash-free coals and their original raw coals

Kong, Y.,Kim, J.,Chun, D.,Lee, S.,Rhim, Y.,Lim, J.,Choi, H.,Kim, S.,Yoo, J. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2014 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY - Vol.39 No.17

Catalytic gasification of raw coals at mild condition is not realized yet mainly due to deactivation of catalysts via their irreversible interaction with mineral matters in coal. As a means to achieve repeated use of catalysts, four different ash-free coals (AFCs) containing less than 0.2 wt% ash are produced in this work. Steam gasification of ash-free coals (AFCs) and their parent raw coals of various ranks ranging from lignite (Eco) to coking coal (Posco) is performed in a fixed bed reactor at 700-900 <SUP>o</SUP>C. Regardless of the rank of the parent raw coals, all the AFCs behave like a highly carbonized coal such that their gasification rate are similarly slow and they exhibit relatively low H<SUB>2</SUB>/CO ratio. The steam gasification and associated CO to CO<SUB>2</SUB> conversion of the AFCs are, however, significantly enhanced by K<SUB>2</SUB>CO<SUB>3</SUB>, resulting in the higher H<SUB>2</SUB>/CO and CO<SUB>2</SUB>/CO molar ratio.

전신 골밀도와 기능 상실 치율 및 하악골 골소주 흡수 양상의 상관 관계

공선애,송용준,노재형,안종인,고영규,김종화,이희철 인제대학교 1996 仁濟醫學 Vol.17 No.1

1993년 3월부터 1995년 6월까지 부산백병원 치과에 내원한 40세 이상 65세 이하의 연령층에 속하는 여성 환자를 대상으로 임상 검사 및 방사선학적 검사를 시행한 결과 치주병에 이환된 치아의 비율이 20% 이하인 30명을 선정하여 이화학적 검사, 치아 파노라마 단층 촬영을 이용한 방사선학적 검사 및 LUNAR DPX 골밀도 측정기를 이용한 전신 골밀도 측정을 시행하였다. 이를 통한 검사 결과를 분석하면서 전신 골밀도 수준과 기능 상실치율 및 하악골 내 골소주의 흡수 양상 간의 상관 관계를 평가하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1.골대사의 지표인 칼슘, 무기인, 알칼리성 인산화효소를 측정하여 전신 골밀도와의 상관 관계를 검증하였으나 유의한 상관 관계는 없었다 (P>0.05). 2.전신 골밀도 분석 결과는 기능 상실치수 및 기능 상실치율에 유의한 상관 관계를 가지고 있었다 (연령에 의한 영향을 보정함)(P=0.0050). 3.30명 환자의 기능 상실치율은 평균 33.7%였으며 치아 파노라마 단층 촬영을 분석한 결과 이공 주변부의 골소주 흡수양상은 현저하여 Diffuse resorption type, Moth-eaten type, Limited(round) resorption type으로 분류 가능하였으나 각 군별로 전신 골밀도 분석 평균의 차이는 없었다(P>0.05). The author selected 30 women whose periodontal disease rate was no more than 20%. They were the patients who have visited at the Dept. of Dentistry in Paik hospital from 1993 to 1995. Biochemical examination, dental panoramic tomogram check and toal body bone density check were done using LUNAR DPX bone densitometer. The results were analysed by total body bone density level, function loss teeth rate and mandibular trabeculi resorption pattern. Then, the author accessed the correlation on the basis of their results. The following observations were made ; 1.Calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were not correlated with tonal body bone density (P>0.05) 2.There was a good correlation between function loss teeth rate and total body bonedensi ty(corrected by age) (P = 0.0050) 3.We analysed dental panoramic tomograms of 30 women whose periodontal disease rate was no more than 20%. The mean function loss teeth rate in 30 patients was 33.7%. So we could divide mandibular trabeculi resorption pattern into 3-types ; Diffuse resorption type, Moth-eaten type, Limited (round) resorption type. But, there was no correlation between each resorption pattern and total body bonedensity (P>0.05).

Fabrication and electrochemical properties of hemisphere structured 3D Li(Li0.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13)O2 cathode thin film for all-solid-state lithium battery.

Yim, H,Kong, W Y,Yoon, S J,Kim, Y C,Choi, J W American Scientific Publishers 2013 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.13 No.5

<P>The Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 cathode thin films were deposited on planar, hemisphere, linked hemisphere, and isolated hemisphere structured Pt current collector thin films to investigate the effect of 3-dimensional (3-D) structure for the electrochemical properties of active cathode thin films. The films of linked hemisphere structure shows the highest initial discharge capacity of 140 microA h/cm2-microm which is better than those of planar (62 microA h/cm2-microm), hemisphere (94.6 microA h/cm2-microm), and isolated hemisphere (135 microA h/cm2-microm) films due to increase of surface area for cathode thin films. Linked hemisphere shows the biggest capacity and the best retention rate because 6 nanobridges of each hemisphere bring strong connection.</P>

Effect of Follicle Stimulation Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone on Cumulus Cell Expansion and <i>In Vitro</i> Nuclear Maturation of Canine Oocytes

Lee, H-S,Seo, Y-I,Yin, X-J,Cho, S-G,Lee, S-S,Kim, N-H,Cho, S-K,Kong, I-K KOCH NEFF UND OETINGER 2007 REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS Vol.42 No.6

<P>Contents</P><P>In general, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play important roles in the regulation of cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation. We investigated the effects of supplementation of FSH or LH in <I>in vitro</I> maturation (IVM) medium on the incidence of cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation in canine oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mg/ml cysteine, 0.2 m<SMALL>M</SMALL> pyruvic acid and different concentrations of FSH or LH (control, 0.5, 5 or 50 <I>μ</I>g/ml) at 38.5°C, 5% CO<SUB>2</SUB> in air for 72 h. The cumulus cell expansion was measured by microscopic visualization, and nuclear maturation of denuded oocytes was determined by staining with 10 <I>μ</I>g/ml Hoechst33342 for 30 min. The cumulus cell expansion in the 5 <I>μ</I>g/ml FSH group (397.2 ± 64.3 <I>μ</I>m) was significantly higher than those in the control, 0.5, and 50 <I>μ</I>g/ml FSH groups (168.3 ± 19.1, 286.0 ± 69.7 and 300.0 ± 84.3 <I>μ</I>m, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cumulus cell expansion among the control, 0.5, 5 and 50 <I>μ</I>g/ml LH groups (165.6 ± 20.2, 160 ± 26.5, 172 ± 20.5 and 168 ± 23.1 <I>μ</I>m, respectively; p > 0.05). After 72 h of IVM, the proportion of nuclear development to the MI–MII stage in the 0.5 <I>μ</I>g/ml FSH group (15.1%) was higher than those in the control, 0.5 and 50 <I>μ</I>g/ml FSH groups (0.9%, 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation to the MI-MII stage among control, 0.5, 5 and 50 <I>μ</I>g/ml LH groups (4.6%, 2.3%, 5.4% and 8.6%, respectively; p > 0.05). This study indicated that a FSH supplement in IVM medium can increase cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation, while the nuclear maturation rate remained low. Further studies are required to improve the nuclear development to the MI–MII stages in canine oocytes.</P>

두경피 편평상피암종에서의 P53 단백 발현에 대한 면역 조직화학적 연구

김우형,공선애,이차진,고영규,김종화,이희철 인제대학교 1996 仁濟醫學 Vol.17 No.1

두경부에서 발생하는 편평상피암종은 전체 악성종양 중 2.5∼3.0%를 차지하며 흡연과 음주가 밀접한 관련이 있다고 한다. 구강암을 비롯한 두경부 암종은 현재 증가 추세에 있으며 대개 40代 후반, 우리나라에서는 50代에 호발한다. 두경부 편평상피암종 50례에 대해 p53 단클론 항체(DO-7, DAKO)를 사용하여 p53 단백 발현율을 면역조직화학적으로 검사하여 임상병리학적 인자들과의 상관관계를 분석 하였다. 총 50례중 36례에서 (72.0%) P53 양성 반응을 보였으며, P53 양성 반응과 연령별, 성별, 조직학적 분화도 및 병기와는 상관 관계는 보이지 않았으나 p53 양성 반응과 흡연 및 음주와는 통계학적 유의성을 보였다. 음주와 흡연을 하는 군이 둘다 하지 않는 군에 비해 p53단백 발현율이 2.8배, 흡연만 하는 군에 비해 1.8배로 높아 두경부 편평상피암종에서의 p53유전자 변이로 인한 p53 단백 발현율이 음주 및 흡연을 하는 군에서 의의있게 높았다. 따라서 흡연과 음주를 삼가하는 것이 두경부암을 예방하는 데 중요할 것으로 사료되었다. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck represents approximately 2.5-3.0% of all malignant tumors, and it is known that smoking and drinking is related to high-risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 50 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck regions were studied immunohistochemically to evaluate the expression of p53 protein using p53 monoclonal antibody (Do-7,DAKO) in the relationship with various clinicopathologic factors. Thirty six cases(72.0%) showed positive reaction for p53. There were no significant correlations between p53 expression and age, sex, histopathologic differentiation and clinical TNM stage. But, p53 expression was related to smoking & drinking. Cigarette smokers with alcohol drinking history were 2.8 tomes higher in cancer risk than nonsmokers who abstained from alcohol & 1.8 times higher than smokers who abstained from alcohol. In summary, a history of smoking and alcohol use was associated with higher expression of p53 protein due to p53 gene mutation in squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck regions. So, abstaining from smoking and alcohol drinking is very important for prevention of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region.

분산 H∞ 제어기 설계 및 드럼형 보일러에의 적용

孔在燮(Jaesop Kong),李相赫(Sang Hyuk Lee),徐鎭憲(Jin H. Seo) 대한전기학회 1995 전기학회논문지 Vol.44 No.5

Two novel phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase genes of <i>Paragonimus westermani</i> induced by oxidative stress

KIM, S.-H.,CAI, G.-B.,BAE, Y.-A.,LEE, E.-G.,LEE, Y.-S.,KONG, Y. Cambridge University Press 2009 Parasitology Vol.136 No.5

<B>SUMMARY</B><P>Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx; GPx4) plays unique roles in the protection of cells against oxidative stress by catalysing reduction of lipid hydroperoxides. We characterized 2 novel <I>GPx</I> genes from a lung fluke, <I>Paragonimus westermani</I> (designated <I>PwGPx1</I> and <I>PwGPx2</I>). These single copy genes spanned 6559 and 12 371 bp, respectively, and contained each of 5 intervening introns. The <I>PwGPx2</I> harboured a codon for Sec and a Sec insertion sequence motif. Proteins encoded by the <I>Paragonimus</I> genes demonstrated a primary structure characteristic to the PHGPx family, including preservation of catalytic and glutathione-binding domains and absence of the subunit interaction domain. Expression of <I>PwGPx1</I> increased gradually as the parasite matured, whereas that of <I>PwGPx2</I> was temporally regulated. <I>PwGPx2</I> was expressed at the basal level from the metacercariae to the 3-week-old juveniles; however, the expression was significantly induced in the 7-week-old immature worms and reached a plateau in the 12-week-old adults and eggs. PwGPx1 and PwGPx2 were largely localized in vitellocytes within vitelline glands and eggs. Oxidative stress-inducible paraquat, juglone and H2O2 substantially augmented the <I>PwGPx1</I> and <I>PwGPx2</I> expressions in viable worms by 1·5- to 11-fold. Our results strongly suggested that PwGPxs may actively participate in detoxification of oxidative hazards in <I>P. westermani</I>.</P>