Boram Lee

Curcumin attenuates allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in mice through NF-κB inhibition.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCEnCurcumin, a polyphenol compound from Curcuma longa L. has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory remedy including asthma. Curcumin has been reported to exert an anti-inflammatory effect, in part, through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.nnnAIM OF THE STUDYnThe purposes of this study were to determine whether curcumin inhibits NF-κB-dependent transcription in vitro, and test whether treatment with curcumin reduces allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in a mouse model of asthma through inhibition of NF-κB pathway.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe effect of curcumin on NF-κB transcriptional activity was investigated using a cell-based luciferase reporter assay in A549 cells and by measuring inhibitory κBα (IκBα), p65, and p50 levels after exposure of Raw264.7 cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection, and challenged with repeated exposure to aerosolized OVA. The effects of daily administered curcumin (200mg/kg body weight, i.p.) on airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), inflammatory cell number, and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were analyzed. NF-κB activation in lung tissue was also assessed by Western blot analyses.nnnRESULTSnCurcumin inhibited NF-κB-dependent transcription in reporter assays in A549 cells with an IC(50) of 21.50±1.25μM. Curcumin stabilized IκBα and inhibited nuclear translocation of p65 and p50 in LPS-activated Raw264.7 cells, and curcumin-treated mice showed reduced nuclear translocation of p65 in lung tissue. Treatment with curcumin significantly attenuated AHR and reduced the numbers of total leukocytes and eosinophils in BAL fluid. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and mucus occlusions in lung tissue were significantly ameliorated by treatment with curcumin, which also markedly decreased the level of IgE in BAL fluid.nnnCONCLUSIONnCurcumin attenuates the development of allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness, possibly through inhibition of NF-κB activation in the asthmatic lung tissue. Our results indicate that curcumin may attenuate development of asthma by inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Fully automatic taxiing, takeoff and landing of a UAV using a single-antenna GPS receiver only

This paper presents automatic taxiing, takeoff and landing of a UAV based on a single-antenna GPS receiver. In this paper, inertial sensors such as gyros and accelerometers are not used at all to show the full potential of a single-antenna GPS receiver based attitude determination system. DGPS is implemented to give high accuracy position information for automatic taxiing, landing and takeoff on the runway. For a fixed wing aircraft, under the assumption of coordinated flight, the attitude information called as pseudo-attitudes can be estimated from the measurements of a single-antenna GPS receiver. So full state variables for the automatic control can be obtained from single-antenna GPS receiver. In addition to GPS receiver, only an airspeed sensor is added because the velocity relative to the air is very important during landing and takeoff. The forward velocity is replaced with the airspeed obtained from Pitot tube. From linearized equations of motions around the steady state, LQR controllers for takeoff and landing are built, m particular, the flare controller that controls the pitch, altitude and airspeed of a UAV is designed. During flight tests, the aircraft taxies and takes off the runway, follows the predefined waypoint path, and then lands on the runway along the curved approach path, all fully automatically. Based on flight test results, a single-antenna GPS receiver can be used as a main sensor for a backup or a low-cost control system of UAVs.

Fully Automatic Taxiing, Takeoff and Landing of a UAV only with a Single-Antenna GPS Receiver

[Abstract] This paper deals with automatic takeoff and landing of a UAV using a single antenna GPS receiver only. In this paper, inertial sensors such as gyros and accelerometers are not used at all to show the full potential of a single -antenna GPS receiver based attitude determination system. DGPS is implemented to give high accuracy position information for automatic landing and takeoff on the runway. In addition to GPS receiver , only an airspeed sen sor is added because the velocity relative to the air is very important during landing and takeoff. For a fixed wing aircraft, the attitude information called as pseudo -attitudes can be estimated from the measurements of a single -antenna GPS receiver under the assumption of coordinated flight . From linearized equations of motions around the steady state, LQR controllers f or takeoff and landing are buil t. In particular, for the flare control, the controller that controls the pitch, altitude and airspeed of a UAV is designe d. During flight tests, the aircraft taxies and takes off the runway, follows the predefined waypoint path, and then lands on the runway along the curved approach path, all fully automatically. The flight test results show that a single -ante nna GPS receiver can be used as a main sensor for a backup or a low -cost control system of UAVs.

Gene expression profiles of human subcutaneous and visceral adipose-derived stem cells.

Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues show a different risk effect on metabolic disorders because they have distinct cellular properties. We isolated stem cells from the separate human adipose tissues to investigate that subcutaneous and visceral fat depots have metabolic differences. Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) were characterized by immunophenotype and differentiation potentials into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Although subcutaneous and visceral ASCs (S‐ASC and V‐ASC) express same surface markers (CD31−, CD34−, CD45−, CD73+, CD90+, and CD105+) and have differentiation potentials, S‐ASCs had higher capacity to proliferate and to differentiate into adipogenic lineage than V‐ASCs. Next, we identified that S‐ASC and V‐ASC were genetically distinct based on microarray analysis. Among a total of 810 genes detected in ASCs of both depots, the differentially expressed genes were involved in energy and lipid metabolism. These data show the existence of the intrinsic difference between S‐ASC and V‐ASC and suggest the differences of anatomically separated adipose tissue. On the basis of the differentially expressed gene profiles between S‐ASC and V‐ASC, we suggested significant evidence that adipose tissues originating from different anatomic regions are distinguished at the level of the undifferentiated stem cells such as mature adipocytes. V‐ASCs had the upregulated clusters of genes related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolism. By contrast, S‐ASCs highly expressed genes involved in DNA‐dependent transcription, contributing to proliferation. We provide further insights for ASCs with the different origins to understand fat accumulation and distribution and a possibility of ASCs as a therapeutic target against metabolic disorders or cancer.

Korean Adolescents` Physical Health and Peer Relationships : The Mediating Effects of Self-perceived Health Status and Resilience

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the impact of chronic diseases on adolescent`s peer relationships, and (2) to investigate the mediating effect of self-perceived health status and resilience on the relationship between their physical health states and peer relationships. The authors used the first-wave panel data from `the Korean Children-Youth Panel Survey`. The sample included 2,351 first-grade of middle school students(boys 50.1%, girls 49.9%). Among the subjects examined 48.11% had chronic diseases. Using maximum likelihood estimation with Amos18(Arbuckle, 2009), SEM software, structural equation modeling was tested. The major findings were as follows : 1. Adolescents` chronic diseases had a negative impact on peer relationships. 2. Self-perceived health status and resilience had a mediating effect. This suggests that self-perceived health status and resilience could be protective factors when it comes to perceive peer relationships more positively for adolescents with chronic diseases. 3. Resilience was directly affected by self-perceived health status. This indicates that positive self-perception about their health status encourages adolescents with chronic diseases to be more resilient and to more positively affect their perception of their relationships with peers.

Self-Reported Quality of Life and Physical, Psychosocial Health State in Korean School-Age Children : Focus on Children with Chronic Diseases and Emotional-Behavioral Problems

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the impact of chronic diseases and emotional-behavioral problems on school-age children`s self-perceived QOL, and (2) to investigate what factors were related to the QOL of children. Participants were 972 Korean 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students and 47 teachers. Children completed a questionnaire to evaluate their self-perceived well-being and subjective health. Also they reported their height/weight and physical health state indicating whether they have chronic diseases or not. Teachers reported each child`s psychosocial health problems and also reported whether the child has chronic diseases or not. Major findings were as follows : 1. Physical and psychosocial health status had significant impact on school-age children`s QOL. Moreover, physical and psychosocial health status were interrelated. 2. Presence of physical and psychosocial problems contributed to substantial declines in self-perceived QOL of school-age children. Children who have chronic diseases and emotional-behavioral problems reported significantly lower QOL compared with children in a normal state. 3. Peer relationship was found to be the significant factor that contribute to the QOL of all children.

Indoor air pollution in ger, a traditional type of residence in Mongolia

Objectives: The traditional type of residence in used in Mongolia, called a ger, is an important residential form and applies coal combustion for cooking and heating. The combustion of coal in ger is the major source of indoor air pollution. The purposes of this study were to measure indoor air pollution in ger and determine the effect of cooking and heating activities. Methods: Indoor temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) were continuously measured for 24 hours in eight ger. The measurements were conducted in January or February 2015. Heavy metals in PM2.5 filter samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. Results: Average indoor temperature and relative humidity were 19.6 ±4.6°C and 21.4±5.2%, respectively. The average indoor PM2.5 concentration in the eight ger was 119.8 μg/m 3 and ranged from 69.4 to 202.7 μg/m. The peak concentrations of PM2.5 and BC during cooking and heating periods were several times higher than the 24hour average concentration. Conclusion: The major contributor to indoor PM2.5 and BC concentrations in the ger was coal combustion for cooking and heating.

Determination of Optimum Threshold for Accuracy of People-counting System Based on Motion Detection

Objectives: A people-counting system measures real-time occupancy through motion detection. Accurate peoplecounting can be used to calculate suitable ventilation demands. This study determined the optimum motion threshold for a people-counting system. Methods: In a closed room with two occupants moving constantly, different thresholds were tested for the accuracy of a people-counting system. The experiments were conducted at 150, 300, 450 and 600 lux. These levels of brightness included the illumination levels of most public indoor areas. The experiments were repeated with three types of clothing coloration. Results: Overall, a threshold of 16 provided the lowest mean error percentage for the people-counting system. Brightness and clothing color did not have a significant impact on the results. Conclusion: A people-counting system could be used with threshold of 16 for most indoor environments.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO (DASYPUS NOVEMCINCTUS)

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are tumors that occur in most animals and show strong invasiveness into surrounding tissues and nearby osseous tissues. This report describes a case of SCC in a 5-yr-old female nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) with a hemorrhagic mass on the left mandibular region. The tumor originated in skin tissues and showed invasion of the oral cavity, adjacent to the submandibular salivary gland histologically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a SCC in a nine-banded armadillo.

흡연과 금연 나이트클럽의 간접흡연 노출의 차이에 대한 탐색연구

Objectives: This pilot study assessed secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in smoking and non-smoking nightclubs in Seoul, Korea by measuring the concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ). Methods: This comparative study was conducted in three nightclubs in Seoul. While one non-smoking nightclub was measured on weekdays and weekends, different smoking nightclubs were measured on weekdays and weekends. The concentration of PM 2.5 was observed using a real-time monitor over an average of three hours. The number of people in the clubs was also estimated. Settled dust was collected in a smoking and a nonsmoking nightclub and analyzed for NNK concentration. Results: The PM 2.5 concentration in the smoking nightclubs was higher than those found in the non-smoking nightclub by 26 times on weekdays and three times on weekends. Indoor PM2.5 concentration was correlated with the number of people in the smoking nightclubs. Relatively high PM 2.5 concentration was observed in the nonsmoking nightclub on weekends. NNK concentration in the smoking nightclub was 7 times higer than in the nonsmoking nightclub. Conclusion: Smoking in nightclubs caused high PM 2.5 concentration. Although the non-smoking nightclub had a lower PM 2.5 concentration, PM 2.5 concentration on weekends was higher due to the smoking room. Complete prohibition of smoking in nightclubs can protect patrons from secondhand smoke exposure.