• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.707-717
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• 2018

Leukocytes are reportedly the first line of the innate immune defense and essential for the control of common bacterial infections. Therefore, in this work, the antibacterial activity of crocodile leukocyte extract against Propionibacterium acnes was evaluated, and we also characterized the related activity of skin infection. The leukocyte extract showed the minimum inhibitory concentration to be $100{\mu}g/ml$ to P. acnes. SEM imaging demonstrated that the leukocyte extract adversely affected P. acnes cell permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the crocodile leukocyte extract could significantly reduce proinflammatory markers and decrease inflammatory signs in infected mouse ears. The crude leukocyte extract was further purified using FPLC and RP-HPLC. The resulting fraction F5 was indicated as the anti-acne peptide-containing fraction. The molecular mass of the peptide contained in F5 was calculated to be 4,790.5 Da. N-Terminal sequencing revealed the amino acid sequence as GPEPVPAIYQ, which displays similarities to immunoglobulin A and leucine-rich repeat neuronal protein. This is the first reported amino acid sequence of a crocodile leukocyte extract that possesses anti-acne activity. To attempt to use it in a prototype cosmetic, an anti-acne gel containing crude crocodile leukocyte extract was formulated, resulting in seven gel formulations (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, and G7). The formulations G5, G6, and G7 exhibited 2-fold higher anti-acne activity than G1-G4. Investigation of accelerating stability studies of anti-acne gel formulations G5, G6, and G7 demonstrated that a low storage temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) is suitable for maintaining the physical properties and biological activity of the anti-acne gel products.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.417-422
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• 2005

This study was aimed to design and formulate the moisture-activated patches containing ofloxacin and lidocaine for antibacterial and local anesthetic action. The solubility of lidocaine at $32^{\circ}C$ in various vehicles decreased in the rank order of PG $759.5{\pm}44.5\;mg/mL$ > PGL > IPM > PEG 300 > PEG 400 > Ethanol > PGMC > DGME > PGML > OA > $Captex^{\circledR}\;300$ > $Captex^{\circledR}\;200$ > water $(4.0{\pm}0.1\;mg/mL)$. Ofloxacin revealed very low solubility, which the highest solubility was obtained from PEG 400 $(18.7{\pm}6.3\;mg/mL)$ among the vehicles used. The addition of lactic acid increased the solubility of ofloxacin dramatically; the solubility at 5% lactic acid was $133.7{\pm}9.7\;mg/mL$. As $2-hydroxypropyl-{\beta}-cyclodextrin$ was added at the concentrations of 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mM, the solubilities of lidocaine and ofloxacin were enhanced up to three and two times, respectively, with concentration-dependent pattern. Gel intermediates for filmtype patches were prepared with mucoadhesive polymer, viscosity builders, lidocaine or ofloxacin at pH values from 5 to 7. Gels were cast onto a release liner and dried at room temperature. Dried patch was attached onto an adhesive backing layer, thus forming a patch system. Patches containing a single drug component were characterized by in vitro measurement of drug release rates through a cellulose barrier membrane. The release study was carried out at $37^{\circ}C$ using a Franz-type cell. Receptor solutions were isotonic phosphate buffers (pH 7.4). Samples $(100\;{\mu}L)$ were taken over 24 hours and quantitated by a verified HPLC method. The releases from all tested were proportional to the square root of time. The release rates were 0.9, 157.3 and $281.7\;{\mu}g/cm^{2}/min^{1/2}$ for the lidocaine patches and 19.8,37.2 and $50.7\;{\mu}g/cm^{2}/min^{1/2}$ for the ofloxacin patches at the concentrations of 0.3, 0.5 and 1 %, respectively. The release rates were dose dependent in both drug patches $(R^{2}\;=\;0.9077\;for\;lidocaine;\;R^{2}\;=\;0.9949\;for\;ofloxacin)$ and those were also thickness-dependent $(R^{2}\;=\;0.9246\;for\;lidocaine;\;R^{2}\;=\;0.9512\;for\;ofloxacin)$.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.525-535
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• 2017

In order to produce hydrophilic coating solution, which has superior antifogging and antifouling effect on the glass surface of solar cell module as well as improving photovoltaic efficiency, nanosilica was dispersed in an aqueous solution of Tween 20 and fluorosurfactant composed of decafluorobutane and polyethylene glycol. The antifogging effect at high temperature was excellent for all the coating solutions containing nanosilica, but the antifouling effect was observed when the content of nanosilica was over 6 wt%. As the content of fluorosurfactant increased, the initial water contact angle slightly increased and the antifogging effect remained well until 500 wiping with wet $Wipeol^{(R)}$. The antifouling effect was also excellent regardless of the content of fluorosurfactant, thus 0.1 wt% of the fluorosurfactant was enough for a coating solution production. From the AFM results, when 0.1 wt% to 0.3 wt% of the fluoro surfactant was added, the fractal structure of the coated glass surface was clearly existed and contributed to the better antifouling effect. The transmittance of coated glass surface was highest in TL-1 coating solution containing 0.1 wt% of fluorosurfactant, and the addition of fluorosurfactant in a larger amount than 0.1 wt% did not improve the transmittance. This result is in good agreement with the previous AFM result which shows a high surface roughness as well as a fractal structure formation for the TL-1 coating solution.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1979

In early August 1978, a huge red tide occurred off Chilcheon Is, , at the mouth of Jinhae Bay. It expanded rapidly into the central part and then soon covered all the bay except the innermost part of the bay. After staying for a week it disappeared, and thereafter several small scale red tides partially occurred and disappeared untill the end of August. It differed from the red tides hitherto recorded from this bay in respect of the dominant plankter, the geographical extent and the severe damaging effect to local oyster resources. During the red tide period, nevertheless, no oyster damage was found. In September, however, oyster mortailty was found from all rafts and longlines in the bay. Except the inner most part of the bay the oyster farms were completely destroyed. Of the oyster Production in the winter 1978, $96\%$ of an estimated yield of 5,879 tons (shucked meat) was lost and it was estimated to be 2,275 million won, equivalent to $US\$$ 4.55 million. The dominant species was a dinoflagellate, Ceratium fusus and it constituted about $45\%$ of the total phytoplankton. Cell count showed $7.0\times10^4\;cells/\iota$ and chlorophyll-a, $50mg/m^3$ during red tide peak. No oxygen was found ill the bottom waters in September. Sulphides in bottom waters and in the superficial mud increased to 15 and 8-fold respectively in September compared with July ana August. Precipitation from January to May of 1978 was about a third in comparison with the past ten years average but rainfall ill June was two and half-fold more than normal year, and thereafter drought persisited till September Air and water temperatures were also higher, and sunny days continued for a long time without strong winds. Therefore, water was calm for a long time after the red tide extinguished. The result indicated that the occurrence of the Ceratium red tide occurred in that year which was characterized by the combination of the formation of almost anoxic bottom water before the red tide occurrence, high air temperature and the calmness after a great quantity of rainfall in June. The mass mortality of oysters was presumed not to be directly related with the red tide but with the depression of dissolved oxygen in the environmental waters at the bottom due to settling of the red tide organisms.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.321-332
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• 2017

In order to build a general model of a high-throughput uranium electrorefining process according to the electrode configuration, numerical analysis was conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics V5.3 electrodeposition module with Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) interfaces. The generated model was validated by comparing a current density-potential curve according to the distance between the anode and cathode and the electrode array, using a lab-scale (1kg U/day) multi-electrode electrorefiner made by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The operating temperature was $500^{\circ}C$ and LiCl-KCl eutectic with 3.5wt% $UCl_3$ was used for molten salt. The efficiency of the uranium electrorefining apparatus was improved by lowering the cell potential as the distance between the electrodes decreased and the anode/cathode area ratio increased. This approach will be useful for constructing database for safety design of high throughput spent nuclear fuel electrorefiners.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2006

Yam has been recognized as healthy food due to its various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, antimicrobial, anticancer and immuno-stimulation activities, and its consumption has been increased during last decades. In this study, to investigate low-temperature, long-term storage of yam and to develop processed yam products, yam-putrefactive psychrotrophic bacteria were isolated from rotted yam and identified based on BBL identification system, fatty acid analysis in cell membrane and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The putrefaction activity of isolated thirteen bacteria was evaluated using yam-slices (NaOCl-treated, autoclaved yam and without treatment), and YAM-10 and YAM-12 were identified as major psychrotrophic putrefactive bacteria. Both YAM-10 (Pseudomonas cepacia) and YAM-12 (Pseudomonas rhodesiae) bacteria grew well at 4$\sim$12$^{\circ}C$ and showed strong activity of polymer degrading enzymes, especially amylase, carboxy methyl cellulase and xylanase, at 20$^{\circ}C$. But they failed to grow at acidic pH (<5) or alkaline pH (>10). Our results suggested that the control of psychrotrophic Pseudomonas sp. by pH change and inhibition of polymer degrading enzymes, such as amy-lase, are necessary to long-term storage of yam.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.606-612
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• 2018

The enzyme xylose isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.5, XI) is responsible for the conversion of an aldose to ketose, especially xylose to xylulose. Owing to the ability of XI to isomerize glucose to fructose, this enzyme is used in the food industry to prepare high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of XI from Anoxybacillus kamchatkensis G10, a thermophilic bacterium. First, the gene coding for XI (xylA) was inserted into the pET-21a(+) expression vector and the construct was transformed into the Escherichia coli competent cell BL21 (DE3). The expression of recombinant XI was induced in the absence of isopropyl-thio-${\beta}$-galactopyranoside and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The optimum temperature of recombinant XI was $80^{\circ}C$ and measurement of the heat stability indicated that 55% of residual activity was maintained after 2 h incubation at $60^{\circ}C$. The optimum pH was found to be 7.5 in sodium phosphate buffer. Magnesium, manganese, and cobalt ions were found to increase the enzyme activity; manganese was the most effective. Additionally, recombinant XI was resistant to the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ ions. The kinetic properties, $K_m$ and $V_{max}$, were calculated as 81.44 mM and $2.237{\mu}mol/min/mg$, respectively. Through redundancy analysis, XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 was classified into a family containing type II XIs produced by the genera Geobacillus, Bacillus, and Thermotoga. These results suggested that the thermostable nature of XI of A. kamchatkensis G10 may be advantageous in industrial applications and food processing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

The layers of keratinocytes form an acid mantle on the surface of the skin. Herein, we investigated the effects of acidic pH on the membrane current and $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ of human primary keratinocytes from foreskins and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Acidic extracellular pH ($pH_e{\leq}5.5$) activated outwardly rectifying $Cl^-$ current ($I_{Cl,pH}$) with slow kinetics of voltage-dependent activation. $I_{Cl,pH}$ was potently inhibited by an anion channel blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS, 73.5% inhibition at 1${\mu}$M). $I_{Cl,pH}$ became more sensitive to $pH_e$ by raising temperature from $24^{circ}C$ to $37^{circ}C$. HaCaT cells also expressed $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ current ($I_{Cl,Ca}$), and the amplitude of $I_{Cl,Ca}$ was increased by relatively weak acidic $pH_e$ (7.0 and 6.8). Interestingly, the acidic $pH_e$ (5.0) also induced a sharp increase in the intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$] (${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$) of HaCaT cells. The ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$ was independent of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, and was abolished by the pretreatment with PLC inhibitor, U73122. In primary human keratinocytes, 5 out of 28 tested cells showed ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$. In summary, we found $I_{Cl,pH}$ and ${\triangle}[Ca^{2+}]_{acid}$ in human keratinocytes, and these ionic signals might have implication in pathophysiological responses and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2002

Quality variation of jar packing of Chanran-Jeotgal produced by improved process and conventional process were investigated during storage at 10, 20, and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The increasing rate of pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), $CO_{2}$, and viable cell counts of Chanran-Jeotgal produced by improved process was slower than that of conventional process at all storage temperature. Also the result of sensory evaluation indicate that the production of Changran-Jeotgal by improved process may extend the shelf·life of jar packing Chanuan-Jeotgal. From above results, relationship between quality parameters was concluded. In case of Changran-Jeotgal in a jar, pressure, pH, L-value, VBN and sensory score were highly correlated. Therefore, these parameters are expected to use as shelf-life indication.