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Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) seems central to tumor growth and progression because it up-regulates genes essential for angiogenesis and the hypoxic adaptation of cancer cells, which is why HIF-1α inhibition is viewed as a cancer therapy strategy. Paradoxically, HIF-1α also leads to cell cycle arrest or the apoptosis of cancer cells. Thus, the possibility cannot be ruled out that HIF-1α inhibitors unlock cell cycle arrest under hypoxic conditions and prevent cell death, which would limit the anticancer effect of HIF-1α inhibitors. Previously, we reported on the development of YC-1 as an anticancer agent that inhibits HIF-1α. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of YC-1 on hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death. It was found that YC-1 does not reverse the antiproliferative effect of hypoxia, but rather that it induces S-phase arrest and apoptosis at therapeutic concentrations that inhibit HIF-1α and tumor growth; however, YC-1 did not stimulate cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate production in this concentration range. It was also found that YC-1 activates the checkpoint kinase–mediated intra-S-phase checkpoint, independently of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase or ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase. These results imply that YC-1 does not promote the regrowth of hypoxic tumors because of its cell cycle arrest effect. Furthermore, YC-1 may induce the combined anticancer effects of HIF-1α inhibition and cell growth inhibition. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(12): 6345-52)

Supplementary Figures 1 and 2 from YC-1 Induces S Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Activating Checkpoint Kinases

Supplementary Figure Legends from YC-1 Induces S Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Activating Checkpoint Kinases

In the residential sector, householders play an active role in regulating the indoor climate via diverse control measures such as the operation of air-conditioners or windows. The main research question asked in this paper is whether control decisions made by householders are rational and effective in terms of achieving comfort and energy efficiency. Based on a field study in South Korea, this paper explores how a HVAC control strategy for high-rise apartment buildings can affect occupant comfort and adaptive behavior. Two different control strategies: (1) occupant control (OC), where occupants were allowed to freely operate the HVAC system and (2) comfort-zone control (CC), where the operation of the HVAC system was determined by the researcher, based on a pre-defined comfort zone, were applied to, and tested within the participating households in summer. The impact of the two control strategies on indoor thermal environments, thermal comfort, and occupant adaptive behavior were analyzed. We find that the CC strategy is more energy/comfort efficient than OC because: (1) comfort was be achieved at a higher indoor temperature, and (2) unnecessary control behaviors leading to cooling load increase can be minimized, which have major implications for energy consumption reduction in the residential sector.

Occupants of apartment blocks tend to wear less clothing and exhibit lower metabolic rates than occupants of other building types. Further, the use of air conditioning systems to maintain certain comfort levels within living spaces automatically generates financial cost. Therefore, in this study, an acceptable comfort range that differs from the conventional normative comfort range was established. A thermal comfort control method was designed to satisfy both the economic and comfort requirements, and experiments were conducted accordingly. Subsequently, empirical data on cooling were obtained via surveys and measurements and employed to derive regression equations for the thermal sensation vote, comfort sensation vote, and percentage dissatisfaction, which indicate occupant comfort. The derived regression equations were used to graph the comfort range, and the overlap region was plotted on a psychrometric chart to enable identification of an acceptable comfort zone. The suggested acceptable comfort zone, which applies to apartment blocks in Korea, is outside the conventionally recommended comfort zone and can satisfy various occupant preferences, contribute to reducing energy consumption, and facilitate maintenance of comfortable living environments.

In order to achieve comfort, or to remove discomfort, building occupants constantly interact with the indoor environment through various adaptive behaviors. The purpose of this study is to better understand the adaptive thermal comfort mechanisms by investigating the interrelationship between the indoor thermal environments, the expectation of the occupants, and their behavioral adjustments in residential contexts. Eleven households in South Korea participated in our field experiments performed during summer months (June, July and August) between 2015 and 2017. The indoor thermal environmental parameters, occupants’ subjective evaluations of thermal comfort, and their operational patterns of air-conditioners were monitored simultaneously. On average 1512 datasets from each participating household and a total of 16,632 datasets were collected and analyzed. Our analysis focused on understanding both the temporal dimension (i.e. duration of thermal discomfort episodes) and the intensity of stimuli (i.e. deviation from the comfort zone) both before- and after the participants’ decision on the use of air-conditioners. The study proposes the constructs of ‘discomfort capacity’ and ‘comfort restoration’ as multi-dimensional indices to better understand the triggering mechanisms for household air-conditioner usage. Using these indices, the study quantified householders’ tolerance of thermal discomfort events before they resort to air-conditioning. The findings have practical implications in setting up dynamic control strategies that are more responsive to occupant real-time comfort demands.

Aurea Helianthus (AH), also known as wild confederate rose or golden sunflower, is a curative herb. It has been used as a medicinal material in China due to its anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-oxidant activities. However, its melanogenic effect on skin has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we tested whether AH has melanogenic inhibitory activities for the development of effective skin whitening agent. The extract showed inhibition of melanin synthesis and reduced the oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenilalanine (DOPA) to o-dopaquinone. Additionally, AH downregulated the levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase related proteins (TRPs), suggesting that AH has inhibitory effects on melanogenesis. Analysis of the components of AH showed that it contained paprazine and trans-N-feruloyltyramine (FA). We confirmed that the effect of AH resulted from paprazine and FA. Therefore, AH might have potential as an effective candidate for skin whitening. Aurea Helianthus extract inhibits cellular melanin production by downregulating MITF level and futher reducing tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2.

Objectives This study was to evaluate the performance of the newly developed information system (IS) implemented on July 1, 2014 at three public hospitals in Korea. Methods User satisfaction scores of twelve key performance indicators of six IS success factors based on the DeLone and McLean IS Success Model were utilized to evaluate IS performance before and after the newly developed system was introduced. Results All scores increased after system introduction except for the completeness of medical records and impact on the clinical environment. The relationships among six IS factors were also analyzed to identify the important factors influencing three IS success factors (Intention to Use, User Satisfaction, and Net Benefits). All relationships were significant except for the relationships among Service Quality, Intention to Use, and Net Benefits. Conclusions The results suggest that hospitals should not only focus on systems and information quality; rather, they should also continuously improve service quality to improve user satisfaction and eventually reach full the potential of IS performance.

Objectives This study aimed to identify the effects of anti-smoking public service announcements on the attitudes of Korean college students toward smoking. Methods This study involved students via convenience sampling from seven universities who were randomly assigned to four groups. All groups completed a preliminary questionnaire, before being shown a public service announcement twice, and then completed a post viewing questionnaire. Results For announcements with positive messages, the proportion of changes in beliefs and attitudes were 39.1% and 19.8%, respectively, whereas those with negative messages showed a greater proportion of changes in the beliefs (59.7%) and attitudes (40.3%). After adjusting for sex and change in belief, the message types and smoking status were identified as factors affecting the change in the participants attitudes. A negative message resulted in a greater change in attitudes (odds ratio [OR], 3.047; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.847-5.053). Ever-smokers including current smokers showed a greater positive change in attitude than never-smokers (OR, 6.965; 95% CI, 4.107-11.812). Conclusion This study found that positive anti-smoking public service announcements were more effective on attitude change than negative messages. Additionally these announcements were more effective among viewers who were current smokers or had a prior smoking experience.

Griffiths method is a widely used to estimate the comfort temperature of occupants. Although 0.5/K has been widely used as the representative thermal sensitivity (Griffiths constant) on various building types, this value was derived mainly from office data relying on assumptions that have not been fully field-validated (i.e., the assumption of no adaptive behavior occurring during the day). With an aim to empirically derive the thermal sensitivity (Griffiths constant) of occupants in residential settings, field monitoring was conducted in eleven households in South Korea. Within each household, physical indoor environmental data, subjective data and occupant behavioral data were recorded at 5 min intervals (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). The value of the resulting regression coefficient (b) between the indoor temperature and the thermal sensation of occupants was estimated to be 0.356/K. This result indicates that the thermal sensation of the occupants of residential buildings is less sensitive to indoor temperature changes compared to that of occupants of other building types (e.g. offices 0.5/K). To increase the reliability of future thermal comfort research, the thermal sensitivity should reflect the characteristics of the building in question, rather than applying uncritically a generalized, universal Griffiths Constant such as 0.5/K.

This study was conducted to examine the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability of commercial Gang-jeong. The samples used in this study were nine different Gang-jeong as commercial products. To accomplish this research, the physicochemical properties of nine samples, including moisture, crude lipid, sugar contents, acid value, color values, and texture, were measured. In addition, consumer panels evaluated the overall acceptability, appearance, flavor, sweetness, and texture of samples using a 9-point Likert type scale as well as the perceived intensities of sweetness and rancid odor by a 9-point Just-About-Right (JAR) scale. All data were statistically analyzed using One-way ANOVA, Principle Component Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, and Pearson`s Correlation Analysis. All physicochemical properties were significantly different among the samples (p

Objectives: In this study, the most executed social norm and advertisement about health consequences status were examined. The direction of effective anti-smoking advertisement is suggested in this study by figuring out the primary factors which affect smoking attitudes. Methods: The survey period of this study was from Nov 5 th to Nov 16 th , 2012. 423 complete questionnaires were used for final analysis. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS Ver. 14.0, and reliability analysis, factor analysis, frequency analysis, F/t qualification, t-test, and multiple regression analysis, were performed. Results: This study is worth as a diagnosis of current status by using advertisement about social norm(51.4%) and health result(34.3%), which covers total of 85% in appeal types of anti-smoking advertisement that has been practically used in Korea. As a result, the health result type showed better result on belief and attitude. Conclusions: When establishing message strategy for anti-smoking advertisement, this study can help future direction for effective anti-smoking advertisement by figuring out effect of factors on smoking attitude.

In response to the change of indoor thermal environment, building occupants constantly interact with the surrounding environment through various adaptive behaviours. The purpose of this study is to better understand the adaptive thermal comfort mechanisms by investigating the interrelationship between the expectation of the occupants (the psychological adaption), their behavioural adjustment (the physical adaption), and the indoor thermal environment in the context of residential buildings. Eleven households in South Korea participated in this longitudinal field study carried out between 2015 and 2017. The indoor thermal environmental parameters, the occupant subjective evaluations of thermal comfort, and their adaptive behaviour pattern were monitored. On average, 1,512 datasets from each household and a total of 16,632 datasets were collected and analyzed. Our analysis focused on understanding both the temporal dimension (i.e. duration of thermal discomfort episodes) and the intensity of stimuli (i.e. deviation from the comfort zone) both before- and after the participants’ decision on the use of air-conditioners. The study proposes the constructs of ‘discomfort capacity’ and ‘comfort restoration’ as multi-dimensional indices to better understand the triggering mechanisms for household air-conditioner usage. Using these indices, the study quantified householders’ tolerance of thermal discomfort events before they resort to air-conditioning.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the factors which cause the patients to choose hospital from the view of Christian missionary hospital. The subjects were 194 inpatients and 202 outpatients of the K Medical Center in Busan. The research had been conducted from 20 June to 31 July in 2013. The major results demonstrated that the medical and social services image factors strongly affected to the satisfaction and selectivity of patients. Social role image of religious medical institution should be considered important and it seems beneficent in CRM(Customer Relationship Management) based on this results.

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the consumption behavior and perceptions of environmentally-friendly agricultural products (EAPs) according to the lifestyles of housewives in the Jeonbuk area, Korea. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from 267 housewives. Frequency analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, factor analysis, and cluster analysis were used to analyze the data. Three clusters were obtained from the cluster analysis of LOHAS and wellbeing-related lifestyle: Cluster 1 "LOHAS-pursuit group", Cluster 2 "wellbeing-progress group", Cluster 3 "Utility-pursuit group". Of the housewives who were of LOHAS-pursuit group, about 50% were over 40 years old and had a professional job with a high household income. They had a high level of understanding about EAPs and purchased the highest percentage of EAPs among the groups. The housewives who were of the wellbeing-progress group, over 83% were between the ages of 30 and 40. Their consumption behaviors were very similar with that of the LOHAS-pursuit group, but the household income was lower. Of the housewives who were of the utility-pursuit group, about 63% under 30 years old. Their household income and level of understanding about EAPs were the lowest among the groups. They less interest in EAPs in comparison with other groups. For housewives' to choose EAPs properly, information and consumer education on these products, according to their lifestyles is necessary.

This study assessed the quality of barley Dasik manufactured, according to traditional methods, with various levels of Maesil (Prunus mume) extracts at weight percentages of 0% (BD1), 10% (BD2), 20% (BD3), 30% (BD4), 40% (BD5). The Dasik were analysed with proximate analysis, a sugar content analysis, Hunter's color value test, mechanical characteristics test and a sensory evaluation. Increased ratios added Maesil extracts led to the moisture content, crude ash, and crude fat to significantly increase (p

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease that impairs the well-being of many aged men. To alleviate BPH symptoms or to find a cure for this disease, key molecules should be identified that control prostate cell proliferation. Recently, HIF-1alpha has attracted attention in this context, because it is highly expressed in hyperplasic prostates and prevents prostate cell death. Thus, given that vitamin C inhibits HIF-1alpha expression in several malignant tumors, we examined its therapeutic potential in BPH. HIF-1alpha was noticeably induced by testosterone in prostate cells, and this HIF-1alpha induction was abolished by vitamin C. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter activity reporter assays and semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that vitamin C inhibited HIF-1-dependent VEGF expression. Furthermore, HIF-1alpha suppression by vitamin C was rescued by knocking down HIF-prolyl hydroxylase-2, suggesting that vitamin C destabilizes HIF-1alpha via prolyl hydroxylation. Moreover, vitamin C treatment abolished cell proliferation induced by testosterone treatment to the control level. These results suggest that vitamin C inhibits testosterone-induced HIF-1alpha expression and by so doing effectively prevents prostate hyperplasia. In male rats, testosterone treatment for 4 weeks induced prostate hyperplasia. Furthermore, HIF-1alpha and VEGF levels were significantly elevated in hyperplasic prostates. In vitamin C-treated rats, however, most prostate hyperplasia parameters and prostrate HIF-1alpha/VEGF levels were markedly reduced. Accordingly, our findings indicate that vitamin C could be further developed clinically for use as an anti-BPH agent.

Spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyl-transferase (SSAT) is a catabolic enzyme that participates in polyamine metabolism. SSAT has been reported to be induced in some organs subjected to ischemia-reperfusion, but its induction mechanism has not been clarified, and little is known about SSAT regulation by ischemia per se. We induced regional ischemia of rat heart by coronary ligation and found that SSAT expression increased in ischemic myocardium. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and HEK293 cells, SSAT was up-regulated at the transcriptional step primarily by ATP depletion rather than oxygen deprivation. Moreover, an AMPK inhibitor compound C and AMPKalpha1-silencing RNAs attenuated the SSAT induction by ATP depletion, and an AMPK activator AICAR induced SSAT expression even without ATP depletion. When SSAT was suppressed using siRNA, the caspase activities and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios further increased in ATP depletion. These results suggest that myocardial SSAT is induced by AMPK signaling and function as a cardioprotectant under ATP-depleted conditions.

High air-tightness and high heat-insulation of buildings cause lack of fresh air inside the buildings. Operating the ventilation system in an apartment house may improve the indoor air quality, but may generate the problems, such as high airconditioning load and cold draft. In order to improve the indoor air quality while maintaining pleasant heat environment to a certain level, it is necessary to consume energy for cooling and heating. Energy Recovery Ventilation system (here in after “ERVs”) is the typical way to minimize the consumption of energy. To solve the problem, the installation of ERVs has been made mandatory for new apartment buildings that are constructed in the Republic of Korea. The interest in ERVs has increased recently in that the System is viewed as helping to: 1. Reduce energy costs of heating and cooling apartment buildings, which costs claim a significant portion of apartment building management budgets, and 2. Secure appropriate levels of ventilation in such buildings. Despite the enthusiasm, the lack of efficient implementation of ERVs persists. Based on the rationale, this study realized the optimal operating algorithm for ERVs. The study took actual data on temperature and humidity; operation status on air conditioners and ERVs; electricity consumptions; and PMV. The study analyzed airconditioning ventilation loads and energy-saving effects related thereto according to the optimal operating algorithm for ERVs. The results showed statistically significant figures that contribute to the reduction of loads and energy costs. Implications of the study include: 1. Introducing the optimal ERVs to apartment buildings will likely help the residents and building managers to better respond to changes occurring to the outside environment and to the inside loads being applied to indoor HVAC systems; and 2. Implementation of ERVs would likely help reduce the loads being imposed on the HVAC systems in apartment buildings.

Electricity demand is surging every year in Korea owing to economic growth and a subsequent increase in energy demand. In particular, heavy cooling load during summer and high heating load during winter to fight heat wave and cold wave, respectively, which are allegedly caused by the unpredictable climate change, trigger electricity peak and unstable energy supply as a result. Integrated Energy Business (IEB), which is known as regional heating overseas, draws attention as a distributed energy that can address such structural issues as blackout in the central supply system. Yet, electricity charge lower than production cost, realistic challenges in direct sales of energy production facilities and energy loss incurred from transporting energy from supply facilities to receiving ends keep it from rooting down in Korea. This study compared number of households, number of buildings to which electricity is supplied, capacity of supply facilities, amount of fuel and production and sales volume of energy in order to determine appropriate supply capacity of heat and electricity in regional cooling/heating areas and industrial complexes based on Korea's IEB operation. Also, the study grouped IEB systems according to sizes of energy supply facilities and compared them so as to suggest an appropriate size of IEB and an effective supply system that can be considered for new housing site projects or re-developed regions.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) seems central to tumor growth and progression because it up-regulates genes essential for angiogenesis and the hypoxic adaptation of cancer cells, which is why HIF-1α inhibition is viewed as a cancer therapy strategy. Paradoxically, HIF-1α also leads to cell cycle arrest or the apoptosis of cancer cells. Thus, the possibility cannot be ruled out that HIF-1α inhibitors unlock cell cycle arrest under hypoxic conditions and prevent cell death, which would limit the anticancer effect of HIF-1α inhibitors. Previously, we reported on the development of YC-1 as an anticancer agent that inhibits HIF-1α. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of YC-1 on hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death. It was found that YC-1 does not reverse the antiproliferative effect of hypoxia, but rather that it induces S-phase arrest and apoptosis at therapeutic concentrations that inhibit HIF-1α and tumor growth; however, YC-1 did not stimulate cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate production in this concentration range. It was also found that YC-1 activates the checkpoint kinase–mediated intra-S-phase checkpoint, independently of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase or ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase. These results imply that YC-1 does not promote the regrowth of hypoxic tumors because of its cell cycle arrest effect. Furthermore, YC-1 may induce the combined anticancer effects of HIF-1α inhibition and cell growth inhibition. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(12): 6345-52)

Amphotericin B (AmB) is widely used for treating severe systemic fungal infections. However, long-term AmB treatment is invariably associated with adverse effects such as anemia. The erythropoietin (EPO) suppression by AmB has been proposed to contribute to the development of anemia. However, the mechanism whereby EPO is suppressed remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the possibility that AmB inhibits the transcription of the EPO gene by inactivating HIF-1, which is a known key transcription factor and regulator of EPO expression. EPO mRNA levels were markedly attenuated by AmB treatment both in rat kidneys and in Hep3B cells. AmB inactivated the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α, but did not affect the expression or localization of HIF-1 subunits. Moreover, AmB was found to specifically repress the C-terminal transactivation domain (CAD) of HIF-1α, and this repression by AmB required Asn803, a target site of the factor-inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH); moreover, this repressive effect was reversed by FIH inhibitors. Furthermore, AmB stimulated CAD-FIH interaction and inhibited the p300 recruitment by CAD. We propose that this mechanism underlies the unexplained anemia associated with AmB therapy.

Spermidine/spermine N 1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT) is the key enzyme with regard to the maintenance of intracellular polyamine levels. It is an inducible enzyme, which may participate in adaptive responses to environmental stress. However, little is known regarding its responses to oxygen or nutrient deficiencies. Using microarray assays, we discovered that SSAT was enhanced under both oxygen- and iron-deficient conditions. However, RT-PCR revealed that the SSAT mRNA was not induced; rather, an mRNA variant was newly expressed. In this variant, the splicing-in of 110 bases induces early termination, generating a truncated isoform which lacks catalytic motifs. The variant expression occurs in other cancer cells and was irrelevant to both hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and to the redox state. We attempted to determine its role, using stable cell-lines. The expressed isoform was found to promote cell survival under iron-deficient conditions and blocked the cleavage of poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase. This isoform may contribute to the progression of tumors of a more malignant phenotype under poor conditions and may constitute a potential target for anticancer therapy.

Based on Super Grade hotels that have high energy consumption per unit area cause a massive amount of load. This work analyzed the properties of electricity consumption by using electricity load data. It analyzed the correlation of reducing each amount of electricity load and electricity peak load through the peak demand management and energy efficiency improvement of the large hotels. Based on the reduction in the total amount of electricity load, this work proposed a plan to reduce electricity peak load.

BACKGROUND The prostate contains extremely high concentrations of zinc, which may be required for male reproduction. Although zinc is essential for many cellular functions, excessive zinc induces cellular toxicity in general. However, despite exposure to high zinc environment, prostate cells survive and proliferate. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the intrinsic molecular species that endow prostate cells with the ability to overcome zinc toxicity. METHODS Immunohistochemistry, histofluorescent zinc staining, Western blot, in vitro binding assay, immunoprecipitation, caspase activity assay, and proteasome activity assay. RESULTS In rat and human prostates, HIF-1α was found to be robustly expressed in epithelial layers containing high zinc levels. Moreover, in cultured prostate cells, HIF-1α expression was zinc-dependently induced even under normoxic conditions. Mechanistically, zinc ions inhibited HIF-1-prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) activity, and therefore blocked von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) binding to HIF-1α in vivo and in vitro. The HIF-1α stabilization was mediated by oxidative stress induced by zinc ion. Even when prostate cells were treated with high concentrations of zinc ion for extended times, only 10% of cells showed apoptotic death. However, this population of apoptotic cells was increased threefold after HIF-1α was knocked-down by siRNA. CONCLUSION These results suggest that HIF-1α functions as an intrinsic defense molecule that enables prostate cells to survive in a zinc-rich environment. Prostate 67: 1514–1523, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.