• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.525-529
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• 2014

PEDOT-$TiO_2$ hybrid conductive thin film including semiconductive metal oxide was successfully prepared via simultaneous vapor phase polymerization (VPP). The mechanical properties such as pencil hardness and anti-scratch property as well as optoelectrical properties of PEDOT-$TiO_2$ hybrid thin film could be improved as compared with pristine PEDOT thin film. Physicochemically stable crosslinked $TiO_2$ layer derived from a sol-gel process by FTS was generated in the PEDOT thin film layer by simultaneous VPP, resulting in improving mechanical properties of the hybrid thin films without any deterioration of their original optoelectrical properties. PEDOT-$TiO_2$ hybrid thin film showed better electrical conductivity as compared with PEDOT film. It might be due to the fact that the surface morphology of hybrid thin film prepared by simultaneous VPP showed smoother than that of pristine PEDOT thin film.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.156-161
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• 2014

It has been reported that safflower seeds have preventive effects against osteoporosis. Recently, safflower buds (SB) were found to have more useful functional ingredients than safflower seeds. In the current study, we evaluated the anti-osteoporosis effects of SB diet in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats were divided into five groups; sham operated group, OVX alone group, OVX plus $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E^2$ $10{\mu}g/kg$, i.p.) and OVX plus SB diet feeding group (0.3% or 1%). Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 1%) to OVX rats markedly increased bone mineral density (BMD) of femurs, compared to the OVX group. The OVX rats exhibited a marked increase in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and this change was inhibited by the feeding of SB diet, similar to that seen with OVX+E2 group. Moreover, feeding of SB diet to OVX rats decreased the markers of bone turnover, including osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). These results suggest that SB extract has a bone sparing effect in OVX-induced trabecular bone loss and prevents deterioration of bone microarchitecture by suppressing the rate of bone turnover. Therefore, SB may be useful for preserving bone mass and structure in estrogen deficient women with a potential role in reducing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.569-575
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• 2015

The current Total Pollution Load Control (TPLC) sets the Target Water Quality (TWQ) by utilizing the delivery ratio, unit loads, and water quality modeling, it also allocates the watershed's permitted discharge load. Currently, common target pollutants of every unit watershed in TPLC are BOD and T-P. This study has reviewed the 1th and 2th of TWQ setting process for the Nakdong River 3th TWQ setting in Total Pollution Load Control (TPLC). As a result of review, 1th and 2th were divided into one management basin (mulgeum) for setting management goals. However, 3th was divided into six management basins (mulgeum, gnagjeong, geumho river, nam river, miryang river, end of nakdong river). The principle of management goal setting were to achieve the objective criteria of Medium Areas for the linkage of the water environment management policy. And Anti-Degredation (principle of preventing deterioration) were applied to the 3th TWQ. Also, additional indicators were considered in accordance with the reduction scenarios for the final management goals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2016

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease, for which there is no effective drug therapy at present. Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) and G-Rg2 have been reported to alleviate memory deterioration. However, the mechanism of their anti-AD effect has not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem MS (UPLC/MS)-based metabolomics was used to identify metabolites that are differentially expressed in the brains of AD mice with or without ginsenoside treatment. The cognitive function of mice and pathological changes in the brain were also assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: The impaired cognitive function and increased hippocampal $A{\beta}$ deposition in AD mice were ameliorated by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. In addition, a total of 11 potential biomarkers that are associated with the metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), hypoxanthine, and sphingolipids were identified in the brains of AD mice and their levels were partly restored after treatment with G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment influenced the levels of hypoxanthine, dihydrosphingosine, hexadecasphinganine, LPC C 16:0, and LPC C 18:0 in AD mice. Additionally, G-Rg1 treatment also influenced the levels of phytosphingosine, LPC C 13:0, LPC C 15:0, LPC C 18:1, and LPC C 18:3 in AD mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that the improvements in cognitive function and morphological changes produced by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment are caused by regulation of related brain metabolic pathways. This will extend our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effects of G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 on AD.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.520-525
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• 2016

In this study, a mixture of polypropylene fibers and glass fibers were used to weave polypropylene/glass fiber-reinforced composite panels with characteristics such as highly elongated short fibers, high ductility, anti-fouling, and hydrophobicity as a result of a directional property. Mechanical and environmental tests were carried out with specimens fabricated with this composite panel, and its applicability to shipbuilding and ocean leisure industries was evaluated through a comparison with existing glass fiber-reinforced composite materials. The results of this experiment verified the excellence of the polypropylene/glass-mixed woven fiber-reinforced composite material compared to the existing glass fiber-reinforced composite material. However, the forming process needs to be changed to improve the weak interfacial bonding, and the properties of the composite material itself could be improved through mixed weaving with other fibers after development. Maximizing of the advantages of the polypropylene fibers and overcoming their shortcomings will improve their applicability to the shipbuilding, ocean leisure, and other industries, and increase the value of polypropylene fibers in the composite material market.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 1998

Frost damage of a storage tank for chemical admixtures caused by a low temperature in winter and quality deterioration of chemical admixtures have been often reported. However, there have been few regulations and researches related to the frost damage of chemical admixtures and facilities. Therefore, this paper is intend to investigate not only, the freezing points of chemical admixtures such as AE admixtures and water-reducing AE admixtures, etc., but also the quality variation of concrete used with chemical admixtures before freezing and after freeze-thaw cycles. According to the results of experiments, most chemical admixtures except anti-freezing agent and accelerating water-reducing AE admixtures should be kept from being frozen in low winter temperatures. However, full agitation of frozen chemical admixtures dose not cause the problems of concrete related to the quality of chemical admixtures.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2019

Glutamate toxicity-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death are involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases as well as acute brain ischemia/stroke. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from the marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, against glutamate toxicity. Primary cortical neurons ($100{\mu}M$, 24 h) and HT22 neurons (5 mM, 12 h) were stimulated with glutamate to induce glutamate toxic condition. The results demonstrated that DEK treatment significantly increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ($1-50{\mu}M$) and recovered morphological deterioration in glutamate-stimulated neurons. In addition, DEK strongly attenuated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial overload of $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$) disruption, adenine triphosphate depletion. DEK showed free radical scavenging activity in the cell-free system. Furthermore, DEK enhanced protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an important anti-oxidant enzyme, via the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2). Taken together, we conclude that DEK exerts neuroprotective activities against glutamate toxicity through its direct free radical scavenging property and the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway activation.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2019

As the pollution of water resources deteriorates due to industrialization and urbanization, it is difficult to supply clean water through a water treatment method using chlorine. Therefore, the introduction of advanced water treatment facilities using ozone is on the increase. However, epoxy which is used as waterproofing and anticorrosives and stainless steel used in conventional waterproofing and anti-corrosive methods have deteriorated because of the strong oxidizing power of ozone, causing problems such as leaking. Moreover, it even causes the durability degradation of a concrete. Therefore, in this study, metal spraying system was used as the means of constructing a metal panel with excellent ozone resistance and chemical resistance which is an easier method than an existing construction method. Ozone resistance was evaluated in accordance with the type of metal sprayed coatings to develop a finishing method which can prevent the concrete structure of water treatment facilities from deterioration. Furthermore, electrochemical stability in actual sewage treatment plant environment was evaluated. Experimental results showed that Ti has superior ozone resistance after spraying and the electrochemical stability in the sewage treatment plant environment showed that Ti has the highest polarization resistance of $403.83k{\cdot}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$, which ensures high levels of durability.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.617-629
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• 2022

Purpose: Osteoporosis is characterized by structural deterioration of the bone tissue because of the loss of osteoblastic activity or the increase in osteoclastic activity, resulting in bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Hederagenin (Hed) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin isolated from Dipsaci Radix, the dried root of Dipsacus asper Wall. Dipsaci Radix has been used in Korean herbal medicine to treat bone fractures. In this study, we attempted to demonstrate the potential anti-osteoporotic effect of Hed by examining its effect on osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in 0, 1, and 10 ㎍/mL Hed for 3 and 7 days. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone nodule formation and level of expression of bone-related genes and proteins were measured in MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to Hed. The western blot test was used to detect the activation of the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2)/ Suppressor of Mothers against Decapentaplegic (SMAD)1 pathway. Results: Hed significantly increased the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Intracellular ALP activity was significantly increased in the 1 ㎍/mL Hed-treated group. Hed significantly increased the concentration of calcified nodules. Furthermore, Hed significantly upregulated the expression of genes and proteins associated with osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, such as Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), ALP, osteopontin (OPN), and type I procollagen (ProCOL1). Induction of osteoblast differentiation by Hed was associated with increased BMP2. In addition, Hed induced osteoblast differentiation by increasing the activity of SMAD1/5/8. These results suggest that Hed has the potential to prevent osteoporosis by promoting osteoblastogenesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells via the modulation of the BMP2/SMAD1 pathway. Conclusion: The results presented in this study indicate that Hed isolated from Dipsaci Radix has the potential to be developed as a healthcare food and functional material possessing anti-osteoporosis effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2015

Oral health is a critical factor for diagnosing overall health, as poor oral health has a negative impact on food intake and results in deterioration of nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to research the needs for food developments for the elderly based on their oral and overall health status. Oral status was significantly associated with self-reported health status, and dry mouth (lack of saliva) especially showed a significant relationship with negative self-perception of both oral and overall health. For both elderly men and women, fish and leafy vegetables were the most preferred side dishes. Bread, rice cake, and beverage-type foods were also preferred for snack development. Disease status of the elderly was significantly related with their preference for food development. For instance, those with diabetes were more likely to ask for anti-diabetic diets. The most important factor for the elderly in choosing food was nutritional balance, and less than 3,000 won was cited as an affordable price. The results could be utilized as basic data to develop foods for the elderly.