• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.497-501
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• 2011

The CdS thin film used as a window layer in the CdTe thin film solar cell transports photo-generated electrons to the front contact and forms a p-n junction with the CdTe layer. This is why the electrical, optical, and surface properties of the CdS thin film influence the efficiency of the CdTe thin film solar cell. When CdTe thin film solar cells are fabricated, a heat treatment is done to improve the qualities of the CdS thin films. Of the many types of heat treatments, the $CdCl_2$ heat treatment is most widely used because the grain size in CdS thin films increases and interdiffusion between the CdS and the CdTe layer is prevented by the heat treatment. To investigate the changes in the electrical, optical, and surface properties and the crystallinity of the CdS thin films due to heat treatment, CdS thin films were deposited on FTO/glass substrates by the rf magnetron sputtering technique, and then a $CdCl_2$ heat treatment was carried out. After the $CdCl_2$ heat treatment, the clustershaped grains in the CdS thin film increased in size and their boundaries became faint. XRD results show that the crystallinity improved and the crystalline size increased from 15 to 42 nm. The resistivity of the CdS single layer decreased from 3.87 to 0.26 ${\Omega}cm$, and the transmittance in the visible region increased from 64% to 74%.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2020

Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) is a widely used herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on the ORAI1 channel, which is important in generating intracellular calcium signaling for T cell activation, remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether 70% ethanolic GJ extract (GJ_EtOH) and its subsequent fractions inhibit ORAI1 and determined which constituents contributed to this effect. Whole-cell patch clamp analysis revealed that GJ_EtOH (64.7% ± 3.83% inhibition at 0.1 mg/ml) and all its fractions showed inhibitory effects on the ORAI1 channel. Among the GJ fractions, the hexane fraction (GJ_HEX, 66.8% ± 9.95% at 0.1 mg/ml) had the most potent inhibitory effects in hORAI1-hSTIM1 co-transfected HEK293T cells. Chemical constituent analysis revealed that the strong ORAI1 inhibitory effect of GJ_HEX was due to linoleic acid, and in other fractions, we found that genipin inhibited ORAI1. Genipin significantly inhibited I_ORAI1 and interleukin-2 production in CD3/CD28-stimulated Jurkat T lymphocytes by 35.9% ± 3.02% and 54.7% ± 1.32% at 30 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the same genipin concentration inhibited the proliferation of human primary CD4⁺ T lymphocytes stimulated with CD3/CD28 antibodies by 54.9% ± 8.22%, as evaluated by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester assay. Our findings suggest that genipin may be one of the active components of GJ responsible for T cell suppression, which is partially mediated by activation of the ORAI1 channel. This study helps us understand the mechanisms of GJ in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2011

In this study, experiments on total digestion and sequential extraction were conducted in order to understand total metal contents, and mobility, bioavaliability and toxicity of metals in marine dredged sediment from Busan New Port. The total concentrations of arsenic and heavy metals in the dredged sediment were relatively low as follows: Al (2.36~2.96 wt.%), As (1.6~3.3 mg/kg), Ba (30.0~33.8 mg/kg), Cd (0.12~0.18 mg/kg), Cr (27.5~35.0 mg/kg), Cu (11.3~15.0 mg/kg), Fe (2.91~3.51 wt.%), Mn (324~408 mg/kg), Ni (18.8~23.8 mg/kg), Pb (23.8~31.3 mg/kg), and Zn (70.0~86.3 mg/kg). In addition, it was found that most of Al (87.5~95.9%), As (74.1~93.8%), Ba (71.8~77.6%), Cr (69.5~94.3%), Cu (50.0~78.7%), Fe (70.8~87.6%), Ni (64.5~75.3%), Pb (53.4~64.3%), and Zn (62.5~81.7%) existed in the residual fraction, meaning that those elements might come from natural sources. On the other hand, Cd and Mn were present mainly in the non-residual fraction. Due to low concentrations of toxic heavy metals and high percentage of residual fraction, it could be possible to reuse the dredged sediment for bricks, pavement base material, etc.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2008

This study was performed to examine the accumulated concentrations (conc.) of cadmium (Cd) in the organs of Arabidopsis thaliana grown in the soil with different conc. of Cd. The official standard conc. of Cd of pollutant exhaust notified by the Korean ministry of environment (0.1 mg/L) and ten times higher (1 mg/L) and fifty times higher (5 mg/L) conc. and no Cd in the soil as control were used for this investigation. The results showed that accumulated conc. of Cd in the stems of plant grown in the soil with different conc. (0.1, 1 and 5 mg/L) were increased 9%, 24% and 286% respectively, compared with normal plant stem. The accumulated conc. of Cd in the leafs of plant gown in the soil with official standard conc. and conc. ten times higher and conc. fifty times higher were increased 3%, 22% and 453%, respectively, compared with normal plant leaf. The accumulated conc. of Cd in the root of plant grown in the soil with 0.1 and 1 mg/L conc. of Cd were increased 6%, 19%, respectively, compared with normal plant root. However, it was observed about 84% of increased accumulation of the Cd in the root of plant, when highest (5 mg/L) conc. was used. The accumulated conc. of Cd in the different organs of Arabidopsis thaliana were increased according to increase of Cd conc. in the soil. When official standard conc. and ten times higher conc. of Cd were used, the accumulated conc. of Cd increased average 6%, 21%, respectively, compared with normal plant organ, and the accumulated conc. of Cd between leaf, stem and root were not significant. However, the accumulated conc. of Cd in the plant organs gown in the conc. fifty times higher were increased about 285%, compared with normal plant. In addition, the accumulated conc. of Cd in different organs of Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited wide differences between organs, that is, stem was increased 118% than root, leaf was increased 256%, 64% than root and stem, respectively. These results show that accumulated conc. of Cd in Arabidopsis thaliana with highest (5 mg/L) conc. of Cd in soil, were much higher in the leaf than the stem or root in proportion to the conc. of Cd contaminated within the soil.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is one of major herbs used to treat patients with skin diseases diagnosed by wind-heat syndrome. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract (SBE) on skin lesion of Contact dermatitis (CD) in mice. We investigated the effects of SBE on skin thickness, skin lesions, erythema index and melanin index in vivo. The effects on body weights and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated in mice with CD induced by topical application of 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). In our results, topical application of SBE lowered skin thickness significantly. In addition, SBE ameliorated skin lesions such as erythema, exudate and petechia in mice with CD. SBE also inhibited erythema index elevated by DNFB significantly. finally, SBE did not affect body weight and spleen/body weight ratio. In conclusion, these data imply that SBE can ameliorate skin lesion of CD such as erythema, exudate and petechia, and be used to treat CD patients with relative safety.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.717-723
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• 1998

The concentrations and wet deposition flux into the sea of heavy metals of precipitation in Pusan area were measured and estimated. The samples were collected by polyethylene bottle(30ι) from January to November in 1996, and heavy metals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration order of heavy metals was Al ＞Fe ＞Zn ＞Pb ＞Mn ＞Cu ＞Ni ＞Cd ＞Co, and they were high at inland sites and low at coastal sites. The enrichment factors for some metals(Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd), based on crustal Al, were significantly greater than unity, and the order was Cd ＞ Pb ＞ Zn ＞ Cu. This evidence suggests Cd and Pb are derived predominantly from non-crustal sources. Al, Fe and Mn contents showed good correlation with each other. Therefore this enrichment factor indicates similar geochemical behavior of these elements. The annual wet depositional flux(mg/ $m^2$ /yr) from Pl site was as follows: Al(121.1). Fe,(177.2), Zn(12.9), Mn(6.19), Pb(14.4), Cu(0.64), Ni(1.03), Cd(1.02) and Co(1.01).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics A
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• v.29A no.9
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• pp.56-64
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• 1992

Because of a small bandgap energy, a high doping density, and a low operating temperature, the dark current in HgCdTe photodiode is almost composed of a tunneling current. The tunneling current is devided into an indirect tunneling current via traps and a band-to-band direct tunneling current. The indirect tunneling current dominates the dark current for a relatively high temperature and a low reverse bias and forward bias. For a low temperature and a high reverse bias the direct tunneling current dominates. In this paper, to verify the tunneling currents in HgCdTe photodiode, the new tunneling-recombination equation via trap is introduced and tunneling-recombination current is calculated. The new tunneling-recombination equation via trap have the same form as SRH (Shockley-Read-Hall) generation-recombination equation and the tunneling effect is included in recombination times in this equation. Chakrabory and Biswas's equation being introduced, band to band direct tunneling current are calculated. By using these equations, HgCdTe (mole fraction, 0.29 and 0.222) photodiodes are analyzed. Then the temperature dependence of the tunneling-recombination current via trap and band to band direct tunneling current are shown and it can be known what is dominant current according to the applied bias at athe special temperature.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.222-226
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• 2017

Background: Long-term ginseng intake can increase longevity in healthy individuals. Here, we examined if long-term treatment with Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean Red Ginseng, KRG) can also enhance survival duration (SD) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 252 HIV-1 patients diagnosed from 1986 to 2013 prior to the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Overall, 162 patients were treated with KRG ($3,947{\pm}4,943g$) for $86{\pm}63$ mo. The effects of KRG on SD were analyzed according to the KRG intake level and the length of the follow-up period. Results: There were significant correlations between the total amount of KRG and SD in the KRG intake group (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001) as well as between total amount of KRG and mean annual decrease in $CD4^+$ T-cell count in all 252 patients (r = -0.17, p < 0.01). The annual decrease in $CD4^+$ T-cell count (change in $cells/{\mu}L$) was significantly slower in KRG-treated patients than in patients receiving no KRG ($48{\pm}40$ vs. $106{\pm}162$; p < 0.001). The SD (in months) was also significantly longer in the KRG group than in the no-KRG group ($101{\pm}64$ vs. $59{\pm}40$, p < 0.01). Conclusion: KRG prolongs survival in HIV-1 patients, possibly by slowing the decrease in $CD4^+$ T-cell count.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2008

Although the arthritis symptoms observed in the K/BxN model have been shown to be dependent on the functions of T and B cells specific to the self antigen glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, less is known about the in vivo roles of $CD4^{+}CD25^{+}$ regulatory T($T_{reg}$) cells in the pathology of K/BxN mice. We determined the quantitative and functional characteristics of the $T_{reg}$ cells in K/BxN mice. These mice contained a higher percentage of $Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells among the $CD4^+$ T cells than their BxN littermates. These $T_{reg}$ cells were anergic and efficiently suppressed the proliferation of $na\ddot{i}ve$ $CD4^+$ T cells and cytokine production by effector $CD4^+$ T cells in vitro. Antibody-mediated depletion of $CD25^+$ cells caused K/BxN mice to develop multi-organ inflammation and autoantibody production, while the symptoms of arthritis were not affected. These results demonstrate that despite the inability of the $T_{reg}$ cells to suppress arthritis development, they play a critical role protecting the arthritic mice from systemic expansion of autoimmunity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1998

The effects of aloe on the MDA(malondialdehyde) and the blood biochemical components of heavy metal poisoning in SD rat were examined and the following results were obtained. In rat liver homogenate intoxicated with $CdCl_2$, lipidperoxide was increased each 2.37times(24h), 3.31times(72h) but lipidperoxide In aloe administration groups was lower each 47% , 64% than in heavy metal group. In rat kidney homo- genate intoxicated with $CdCl_2$, lipidperoxide was increased 1.85times(24h), 1.33times(72h) but lipidperoxide in groups was almost the same as that of normal group. Lipidperoxide of kidney homogenate was slightly decreased as time passed. Also heavy metal poisoning rats showed high levels(1.38-2.50times) of serum AST, ALT and BUN. However. the administration of aloe significantly inhibited the reduction of them. These results suggest that Cd-induced hepatic and renal injury, via increase llpidpero)Ode and release of AST, ALT and BUN. Aloe may be used to inhibit or prevent the hepatic and renal toxicity which results from the heavy metal.