In the present study, we have demonstrated that a novel synthetic chemical JSH-21 of N¹-Benzyl-4-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine could inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages RAW 264.7. The JSH-21 showed an IC50 value of 9.2 uM on the LPS-induced NO production. Furthermore, JSH-21 attenuated LPS-induced mRNA and protein levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the cells, as well as inhibited LPS-induced iNOS promoter activity. These results indicates hat the compound could down-regulate iNOS expression at the transcription level. Since NF-kB activation is a key mechanism in the expression of LPS-inducible iNOS gene, we further examined whether JSH-21 could affect LPS-induced NF-kB activation. JSH-21 inhibited LPS-induced nuclear import of NF-kB p65 in macrophages RAW 264.7 and sequentially prevented NF-kB transcriptional activity. However, JSH-21 was not effective in a LPS-induced degradation of cytoplasmic IkB-alpha in the cells. These results suggest that JSH-21 could inhibit LPS-induced NF-kB activation targeting nuclear import of NF-kB, an event downstream IkB degradation. Taken together, this study may provide a pharmacological potential of JSH-21 in the NO- or NF-kB-associated inflammatory disorders.

Many departments in the governmental organization including Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) allocate some of their budget into research and development in astronomy and space science. We identify the research projects related to astronomy and space science that were funded by the government during fiscal years 2004-2005. Then the distribution of budgets of those projects is analyzed according to several classification schemes and characteristics in order to find out the status and trends of the investment in this field. Five departments had conducted more than 190 projects related to astronomy and space science, which accounted for 7.3% of the government R&D budget in space and aeronautics area. As for most fields of basic science, MOST and Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development invested the most of budget in astronomy related projects. We briefly discuss the implications of this study.

We have focused on the building appearance according to the change of conservation policy and urban fabric in Bukchon, Seoul. The Urban Hanok, urban traditional housing type, had been evolved in modern contort from 1920's to 1960's, that is to say, many buildings(Urban Hanok) in Bukchon area has built up with a lot and road at the same time. But the change of conservation policy has an effect on the urban fabric and building(wooden structure, RC and brick building). Thus many types of building in Bukchon has undergone a various change. The purpose of this paper is to define a change factor of Bukchon buildings. Thus we need to pay attention to policy and urban fabric. We reached the result as follows. First, the change of architecture regulations according to the several policies(an aesthetic area, an altitude area for sky line restriction and so on) brought into building deformation and eventually the historic scenery of Bukchon has been spoiled. Second, the change of policy had an effect on the change of roads and lots. Buildings on a widen road and a united lot was built newly. But new buildings built up with a concrete or brick structure was not in harmony with the historic scenery of Bukchon area. Third, a development method of a large lot with lack prudence(disregarded a scale and size of lot) did damage to Urban hanok and urban fabric. With the understanding on the relationship of buildings, a urban fabric and a policy in Bukchon, we can define the identity and correspond with the urgent request for a the conservation of historic urban scenery In addition we can suggest the policy and the design guidelines for the reservation and rehabilitation for Bukchon, Seoul.

We have focused on the roof construction method of Urban Hanok in Bukchon, Seoul. The Urban Hanok, urban traditional housing type, had been evolved In modern context from 1930's to 1960's. We have confused Urban Hanok with traditional Hanok, because they have similar figures. But Urban Hanok have the characteristics as a result of the roof construction method. The purpose of this paper is to define Urban Hanok more concretely, thus we payed attention to the roof structure, specially to the comer that each roof structure meets. So we got some characteristics of the roof construction method of Urban Hanok in Bukchon. First, the roof construction methods of the roof are transformed at the corner parts, where three purlin structure and five purlin structure meet. The collision of the different roof structure has made a lot of types. Second, the roof slope of Urban Hanok is more gentle than traditional Hanok, that is caused by ornamental double eaves and awnings. Finally these characteristics are results of the compact lot size in urban neighborhood. The construction method is a inclusive word that contain materials, composition, ornament and social common sense. With the understanding on the roof construction method of Urban Hanok, we can define the identity and the value of Urban Hanok, And we can suggest the policy and the design guidelines for the reservation and rehabilitation for Urban Hanok of Bukchon, Seoul.