• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1204-1208
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• 2017

Natural killer (NK) cells have been reported to be dysfunctional in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. However, the functional recovery of NK cells under antiviral therapeutic agents in CHB was not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated the phenotypic changes of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells in terms of their functional markers (CD16, NKG2A, NKG2D) during tenofovir therapy in CHB. The frequency of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells in CHB patients was significantly increased after 12 months of tenofovir therapy when compared with baseline. The expression levels of CD16+/CD56+CD3- and NKG2A+/CD56+CD3- cells were also affected by tenofovir treatment. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the proportion of NK(CD56+CD3-) cells and HBV DNA (log copies/ml) in CHB patients.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2015

We have discovered that quercetin, once coated on the CdSe and CdSe-CdS quantum dots (QDs), becoming highly water soluble. In the present work, we have successfully synthesized CdSe/CdS/N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine(NAC)/Quercetin nano-composites in the aqueous solution. The products were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tests indicated that our nano-composite products are highly stable with homogeneous particle size and great monodispersity. Quercetin coated nano-composite CdSe/CdS/NAC/Quercetin showed different fluorescence behavior from that of CdSe/CdS/NAC. Most amazingly, the synthesized CdSe/CdS/NAC/Quercetin nano-composite exhibits strong antibacterial activity. The combination of the strong fluorescence and its antibacterial activity makes the quercetin modified quantum dots as a potential candidate for cancer targeted therapy and other cancer treatments.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

The gastrointestinal tract forms the largest surface in our body with constantly being exposed to various antigens, which provides unique microenvironment for the immune system in the intestine. Accordingly, the gut epithelium harbors the most T lymphocytes in the body as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous populations, distinct from the conventional mature T cells in the periphery. IELs arise either from pre-committed thymic precursors (natural IELs) or from conventional CD4 or CD8αβ T cells in response to peripheral antigens (induced IELs), both of which commonly express CD8α homodimers (CD8αα). Although lineage commitment to either conventional CD4 T helper (Th) or cytotoxic CD8αβ T cells as well as their respective co-receptor expression are mutually exclusive and irreversible process, CD4 T cells can be redirected to the CD8 IELs with high cytolytic activity upon migration to the gut epithelium. Recent reports show that master transcription factors for CD4 and CD8 T cells, ThPOK (Th-inducing BTB/POZ-Kruppel-like factor) and Runx3 (Runt related transcription factor 3), respectively, are the key regulators for re-programming of CD4 T cells to CD8 lineage in the intestinal epithelium. This review will focus on the unique differentiation process of IELs, particularly lineage re-commitment of CD4 IELs. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(1): 11-17]

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.829-838
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• 2007

The stochiometric mix of evaporating materials for the $CdGa_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $CdGa_2Se_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperature were $630^{\circ}C$ and $420^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD).The carrier density and mobility of $CdGa_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films measured from Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $8.27{\times}10^{17}\;cm^{-3},\;345\;cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293 K. respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CdGa_2Se_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $Eg(T)\;=\;2.6400\;eV\;-\;(7.721{\times}10^{-4}\;eV/K)T^2/(T+399\;K)$. After the as-grown single crystal $CdGa_2Se_4$ thin films were annealed in Cd-, Se-, and Ga -atmospheres, the origin of point defects of single crystal $CdGa_2Se_4$ thin films has been investigated by PL at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{Cd}$, $V_{Se}$, $Cd_{int}$, and $Se_{int}$ obtained by PL measurements were classified as donors or accepters. We concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cd-atmosphere converted single crystal $CdGa_2Se_4$ thin films to an optical p-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in $CdGa_2Se_4/GaAs$ did not form the native defects because Ga in single crystal $CdGa_2Se_4$ thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2000

To investigate the adsorption-desorption reaction of Cd by sewage sludge, the adsorption of Cd from $Cd(NO_3)_2$ solutions of concentrations ranging from 5 to $50{\mu}g\;Cd\;mL^{-1}$ by sewage sludge was examined for reaction periods up to 48 hours. The amount of Cd adsorbed as a function of time was measured. The adsorption between Cd in solution and the solid phase could be described by two stages. The initial adsorption of Cd was very rapid, that is, approximately 95% of the added Cd was removed from solution within the first 30 minutes. Further, the greater the concentration of Cd added, the greater was the amount of Cd adsorbed. After the rapid initial decrease of Cd, a slower decline in the Cd concentration resulted which followed first order reversible kinetics. The equilibrium concentrations for the reactions, as well as the time period for the equilibrium reactions were dependent on the initial Cd concentrations. If equilibrium is reached, the amount of Cd remaining in solution is greater when the amount adsorbed is higher, although the percentage of Cd in solution is constant relative to the initial concentration of Cd. Some of the adsorbed Cd was released back to solution since the concentration of Cd after 48 hours was higher than the equilibrium concentration of Cd. However, despite the increased amount of Cd measured, the overall net reaction was a significant adsorption of Cd from solution by sewage sludge.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Background: Chronic pain reportedly exerts complex effects on immune function. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play a critical role in cellular and innate immunity. This study examined changes in the subset populations and cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with chronic pain. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic moderate-to-severe pain (group P) and age-matched pain-free subjects (group NoP) were enrolled. Peripheral whole blood was analyzed for the percentage and expression of NK cell surface markers (CD56 and CD16) by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity was assayed by evaluating CD69 expression on $CD3^-/CD56^+NK$ cells. Results: The percentage of NK cells among total lymphocytes was not significantly different between groups P and NoP ($16.3{\pm}9.3$ vs. $20.2{\pm}10.5%$). Likewise, the percentages of two major NK cell subsets, $CD56^{bright}$ and $CD56^{dim}$, were also not significantly different between the two groups. However, the percentage of $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, was slightly but significantly increased in group P ($1.0{\pm}0.9%$; P< 0.01) compared with group NoP ($0.5{\pm}0.6%$). The cytotoxicity of NK cells was not different between the two groups, showing similar CD69 expression (P vs. $NoP=29.2{\pm}15.2$ vs. $32.0{\pm}15.0%$). These findings were not influenced by pain intensity, opioid use, or disease causing pain in group P. Conclusions: NK cell cytotoxic activity and major subset populations, with the exception of an increased percentage of the $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, are not significantly altered in patients with chronic severe pain.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2020

Environmental pollution caused by various heavy metals is a serious global problem. To solve this problem, microbial bioremediation of contaminated metals has developed rapidly as an effective strategy when physical and chemical techniques are not suitable. In this study, cadmium (Cd)-tolerant soil bacteria were isolated via artificial induction in laboratory conditions instead of screening bacteria naturally adapted to metal-contaminated soils. Wild-type (WT) bacteria grown in uncontaminated soils were artificially and sequentially adapted to gradually increasing Cd concentrations of up to 15 mM. The resultant cells, named Soil-CdR15, survived at a Cd concentration of 10 mM, whereas WT cells failed to survive with 4 mM Cd on solid media for 2 d. In liquid media containing Cd, the SoilCdR15 cells grew with 15 mM Cd for 7 d, whereas the WT cells could not grow with 5 mM Cd. Both Soil-CdR15 and WT cells removed approximately 35% of Cd at the same capacity from liquid media containing either 0.5 or 1.0 mM Cd over 2 d. In addition to Cd, the Soil-CdR15 cells showed increased resistance to nickel, zinc, and arsenic compared to WT cells. The Soil-CdR cells were identified as Burkholderia sp. by partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. The data presented in this study demonstrate that isolation of heavy metal-tolerant microorganisms via artificial induction in laboratory conditions is possible and may be useful for the application of the microorganisms for the bioremediation of heavy metals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2010

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common alimentary malignancies. In this study, the antitumor activity of activated human natural killer (NK) cells against human colorectal cancer was evaluated in vivo. Human NK cells are the key contributors of innate immune response and the effective functions of these cells are enhanced by cytokines. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured with interleukin-2 (IL-2)-containing medium for 14 days and resulted in enriched NK cell population. The resulting populations of the cells comprised 7% $CD3^+CD4^+$ cells, 25% $CD3^+CD8^+$ cells, 13% $CD3^-CD8^+$ cells, 4% $CD3^+$CD16/$CD56^+$ cells, 39% $CD3^+$CD16/$CD56^-$ cells, and 52% $CD3^-$CD16/$CD56^+$ cells. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), interferon gamma (IFN-$\gamma$), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 transcripts of the activated NK cells were confirmed by RT-PCR. In addition, activated NK cells at doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 million cells per mouse inhibited 10%, 34% and 47% of SW620-induced tumor growth in nude mouse xenograft assays, respectively. This study suggests that NK cell-based immunotherapy may be used as an adoptive immunotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.414-422
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• 1997

CdS thin films with low resistivity and adequate transmittance in the visible region for the window of CdS/CdTe hetero junction solar cel1 were prepared by close spaced vapor transport(CSVT) method. The electrical and optical properties of the CdS thin films were investigated in terms of the deposition conditions, such as the substrate temperature, the working pressure, and the source temperature. The substrate temperature, the working pressure, and the source temperature for the optimum deposition of the CdS thin films were $300^{\circ}C$, 100mTorr, and $730^{\circ}C$, respectively. The resistivity and the transmittance of the CdS thin films deposited under this condition were about $7.21{\times}10^{3}{\Omega}cm$ and over 65%, respectively. The crystallinity, the resistivity, and optical band gap were improved greatly compared to the CdS thin films deposited by general high vacuum evaporation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3147-3152
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• 2015

Background: Phylloides tumors are rare breast neoplasms with a variable clinical course depending on the tumor category. Along with histologic features, the role of immunohistochemical staining has been studied in predicting their behavior. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the role of CD 10 immunohistochemical staining in predicting survival, recurrence and metastasis in phylloides tumor. We also evaluated correlations of other clinicopathological features with overall and disease-free survival. Materials and Methods: CD10 expression was studied in 82 phylloides tumors divided into recurrent/metastatic and non-recurrent/non-metastatic cohorts. The Chi-square test was applied to determine the significance of differences in CD10 expression between outcome cohorts. Uni and multivariate survival analyses were also performed using log-rank test and Cox regression hazard models. Results: All 3 metastatic cases, 5 out of 6 (83.3%) recurrent cases and 37out of 73 (50.7%) non-recurrent and non-metastatic cases expressed significant (2+ or 3+) staining for CD10. This expression significantly varied between outcome cohorts (p<0.03). Tumor category and histological features including mitotic count and necrosis correlated significantly with recurrence and metastasis. A significant decrease in overall and disease free survival was seen with CD10 positivity, malignant category, increased mitoses and necrosis. Neither CD10 expression nor any other clinicopathologic feature proved to be an independent prognostic indicator in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: CD10 immunohistochemical staining can be used as a predictive tool for phylloides tumor but this expression should be interpreted in conjunction with tumor category.