• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2021

Ironically, marine bioresource production in Chungnam Province is the second-largest in the country. The province's marine bioresource production puts its lack of a marine bioindustry in the spotlight despite the region's favorable conditions to produce representative value-added and (ultra) high value-added products such as neutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical function. This juxtaposition is to be expected, as there are no institutions for training professionals in the field of marine biology or in the fisheries industry in the West Sea area. The unique features of the region require individuals with specialized training who have been educated in accordance with regional development and the specificity of the region. Recently, however, a plan has been initiated at the national level to foster the growth of the marine biology industry in the Chungnam Province on Korea's west coast. This plan includes increasing funds to the marine biology market to 1.2 trillion by 2030. If the Chungnam region wants to successfully revitalize the marine biology industry and put the increased funds to efficient use, it must first establish various research and (business) development (R&(B)D) plans regarding local marine biology infrastructures and marine biology programs at local universities. It must also focus on training specialists to protect, maintain, and develop the region's marine bio-resources to increase the growth of the region's bioindustry.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.29-38
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• 2004

In this study, we investigated the thermal properties of corn-starch filled polybutylene succinate-adipate (PBS-AD) bio-composites. Thermal analysis (TA) is used to describe the analytical method for measuring the chemical property and weight loss of composite materials as a function of temperature. The thermal stability of corn-starch was lower than that of pure PBS-AD. As corn-starch loading increased, the thermal stability and degradation temperature of the bio-composites decreased and the ash content increased. It can be seen that the degree of compatibility and interfacial adhesion of the bio-composites decreased because of the increasing mixing ratio of the corn-starch. As the content of corn-starch increased, there was no significant change in the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the melting temperature (T_m) for the bio-composites. The storage modulus (E') and loss modulus (E") of the corn-starch flour filled PBS-AD bio-composites were higher than those of PBS-AD, because of the incorporation of corn-starch increased the stiffness of the bio-composites. At higher temperatures, the decreased storage modulus (E') of bio-composites was due to the increased polymer chain mobility of the matrix polymer. From these results, we can expect that corn-starch has potential as a reinforcing filler for bio-composites. Furthermore, we recommend using a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between corn-starch and biodegradable polymer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1060-1065
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• 2006

Non-invasive evaluation of liver function in animal models remains a challenge. Hepatoscintigraphy provides information about changes in liver size and shape, and enables to understand general liver function. Futhermore it is readily used to diagnosis complications of liver transplantation like hepatitis, rejections and biliary complications. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of evaluating the liver function in miniature pigs with $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid and $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ which are the most commonly used radiopharmaceuticals in human medicine. In result, $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid was uptaked in lung, liver, gastric wall and kidney in miniature pigs. And $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ showed continuous uptake images of heart, lung, liver, gallbladder and duodenum, and it was similar to human's. Therefore we could conclude $^{99m}Tc-Tin$ colloid would not be suitable for evaluating hepatic function because of it's nonspecific affinity, however $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ scintigraphy would be an effective method for detecting hepatobiliary function in miniature pigs.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

We validated the physiological activity of Syzygium claviflorum (Roxb.) Wall. ex A.M. Cowan & Cowan (S. claviflorum) extracts (leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers) as a cosmetic ingredient. Firstly, S. claviflorum extracts removed over 80% of free radicals at various concentrations in antioxidant experiments using the DPPH and ABTS assay. In cytotoxicity experiments using human epidermal keratinocytes, S. claviflorum extracts showed low cytotoxicity. In addition, S. claviflorum extracts significantly increased the expression of keratin (KRT)1, KRT2, KRT9, KRT10, which are differentiation markers of keratinocytes, as well as genes involved in the maintenance of skin barrier function, including involucrin (IVL), loricrin (LOR), filaggrin (FLG), and claudin1 (CLDN1). In particular, the expression of FLG protein, inhibited by interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 in atopic dermatitis, was restored by S. claviflorum extracts in in vitro experiments. Therefore, S. claviflorum extracts with excellent antioxidant efficacy and skin barrier improvement function will be useful materials for the development of future atopic dermatitis treatments and cosmetics.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.336-342
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• 2002

Background: Recently, cell transplantation has been extensively investigated to improve heart function in dysfunctional heart. This study was designed to compare the effects of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and heart cells (HC) transplantation in dilated cardiomyopathic hamsters. Material and Method: HC and SMC were isolated from heart and ductus deferens of BIO 53.58 hamsters, and cultured for transplantation. HC and SMC or culture medium were transplanted into the left ventricle of 17 weeks old adult hamsters in HC transplanted (HCTx), SMC transplantation (SMCTX), and control groups (Con) (N = 10 each). Cyclosporine (5 mg/Kg) was administered subcutaneously for HCTx. Sham operated hamsters (N=10) underwent the surgery but did not receive an injection. At 4 weeks after transplantation, heart function was evaluated in all groups using a Langendorff perfusion apparatus. Result: Histology showed severe focal myocardial necrosis in all groups. HCTx and SMCTx formed huge muscle tissue in dilated myocardium. SMCTx and HCTx had better heart function than Con and sham (p<0.01). And SMCTx had better peak systolic pressure (p<0.05) antral developed pressure (p<0.05) than HCTx. But sham and Con did not any statistical make difference. Conclusion: SMCTx and HCTx formed muscle tissue and improved ventricular function in hamsters with dilated cardiomyopathy And SMCTx showed better heart function in peak systolic pressure and developed pressure than HCTx.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1761-1771
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• 2011

In the previous results, we developed an effective products to apply as functional foods for overcome of radiation damage and reduction of side effects in radiotherapy. To verify the prevention of UVB-induced immunosuppression of immune cell function by HemoHIM, we studied on the mechanism of the skin immune function for the protection in UVB irradiation. In studies presented here, we showed that HemoHIM can prevent UVB-induced impairment of skin immune cell function by in vitro and in vivo assay. Exposure of freshly cultured murine dendritic cells (DCs) with IL-4/GM-CSF to UVB irradiation resulted in impairment of accessory function. This suppression could be prevented by addition of HemoHIM before or after to the cultures of UVB-irradiated DCs. We also tested the effects of HemoHIM on the suppression of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) treated oral or intraperitoneal administration. This UVB-suppressed CHS was prevented by administration of HemoHIM to UVB-irradiated mice. These results suggest that HemoHIM may prevent UVB-induced immune suppression in the skin.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.425-431
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• 2005

The systems-level analysis of microbes with myriad of heterologous data generated by omics technologies has been applied to improve our understanding of cellular function and physiology and consequently to enhance production of various bioproducts. At the heart of this revolution resides in silico genome-scale metabolic model, In order to fully exploit the power of genome-scale model, a systematic approach employing user-friendly software is required. Metabolic flux analysis of genome-scale metabolic network is becoming widely employed to quantify the flux distribution and validate model-driven hypotheses. Here we describe the development of an upgraded MetaFluxNet which allows (1) construction of metabolic models connected to metabolic databases, (2) calculation of fluxes by metabolic flux analysis, (3) comparative flux analysis with flux-profile visualization, (4) the use of metabolic flux analysis markup language to enable models to be exchanged efficiently, and (5) the exporting of data from constraints-based flux analysis into various formats. MetaFluxNet also allows cellular physiology to be predicted and strategies for strain improvement to be developed from genome-based information on flux distributions. This integrated software environment promises to enhance our understanding on metabolic network at a whole organism level and to establish novel strategies for improving the properties of organisms for various biotechnological applications.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.257-261
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• 2010

Surface energy is the principal factor of anti-condensation. High surface energy appears hydrophilic itself and low surface energy represents hydrophobic itself. The contact angle is widely being used for measurement of surface energy of materials, evaluation of coating performances, measurement of wettability, and so on. However, the existing contact angle measuring system is so expensive for purchasing and complicated, so it takes a lot of time and money to use. This study was conducted to develop the algorithm for evaluating hydrophilic performance through measuring the contact angle of water droplet automatically, and fabricate relatively simple measuring system using a low-cost monochrome camera and image processing. A constant amount of water was firstly allocated on a slide by a micropipette, and then the image of water droplet was captured by monochrome digital camera and sent to a computer. The image was binarized and then reduced noises by labeling. Finally, the contact angle of water droplet was computed by using three points (left, right, and top coordinates), simple linear mathematics, and trigonometric function. The experimental results demonstrated the accuracy and reproducibility of the developed system showing less deviations and deviation ratio.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2009

For diagnoses of digestive organs, capsule endoscopes are widely used and offer valuable information without patient's discomfort. A general capsule endoscope which consists of image sensing module, telemetry module and battery is able to move along gastro-intestinal tracts passively only through peristaltic waves. Thus, it is likely to have some limitations for doctor to acquire images from the desired organs and to diagnose them effectively. As solutions to these problems, a locomotive function of capsule endoscopes has being developed. We have proposed a capsule-type microrobot with synchronized multiple legs. However, the proposed capsular microrobot also has some limitations, such as low speed in advancement, inconvenience to controlling the microrobot, lack of an image module, and deficiency in a steering module. In this paper, we will describe the limitations of the locomotive microrobot and propose solutions to the drawbacks. The solutions are applied to the capsular microrobot and evaluated by in-vitro tests. Based on the experimental results, we conclude that the proposed solutions are effective and appropriate for the locomotive microrobot to explore inside intestinal tracts.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2015

We investigated the differences in the expression of the neurohormones kisspeptin (Kiss) and gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), gonadotropin hormones (GTHs), and sex steroids in the goldfish Carassius auratus exposed to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The expression levels of Kiss1, Kiss2, G-protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), GTHs, GnIH, and P450arom were compared between the control (white light) and LED-treated goldfish. Furthermore, we measured the plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The levels of Kiss1 mRNA and protein; Kiss2, GPR54, and $GTH{\alpha}$ protein; GTH mRNA; and plasma FSH and LH in the hypothalamus and cultured hypothalamus cells were significantly higher in the green and purple LED treatment groups than in the other groups. These results suggested that red LEDs inhibit the sex maturation hormones, Kiss, GPR54, GTHs, and P450arom, and that GnIH plays a role in the negative regulation of reproductive function in goldfish.