• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2011

Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels are novel $Ca^{2+}$-permeable non-selective cation channels that are ubiquitously expressed. Activation of TRPM7 channels has been shown to be involved in the survival of gastric cancer cells. Here we show evidence suggesting that TRPM7 channels play an important role in $Zn^{2+}$- mediated cellular injury. Using a combination of electrophysiology, pharmacological analysis, small interfering RNA (siRNA) methods and cell death assays, we showed that activation of TRPM7 channels augmented $Zn^{2+}$-induced apoptosis of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. The $Zn^{2+}$-mediated cytotoxicity was inhibited by the non-specific TRPM7 blockers $Gd^{3+}$ or 2 aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and TRPM7 specific siRNA. In addition, we showed that overexpression of TRPM7 channels in HEK293 cells increased $Zn^{2+}$- induced cell injury. Thus, TRPM7 channels may represent a novel target for physiological disorders where $Zn^{2+}$ toxicity plays an important role.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2016

Powder samples of natural lawsonite (Ca-lawsonite, $CaAl_2Si_2O_7(OH)_2{\cdot}H_2O$) was studied structurally up to 8 GPa at room temperature using monochromatic synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and a diamond anvil cell (DAC) with a methanol : ethanol : water (16 : 3 : 1 by volume) mixture solution as a penetrating pressure transmitting medium (PTM). Upon pressure increase, lawsonite does not show any apparent pressure induced expansion (PIE) or phase transition. Pressure-volume data were fitted to a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state using a fixed pressure derivative of 4 leading to a bulk modulus ($B_0$) of 146(6) GPa. This compression is further characterized to be isotropic with calculated linear compressibilities of ${\beta}^a=0.0022GPa^{-1}$, ${\beta}^b=0.0024GPa^{-1}$, and ${\beta}^c=0.0020GPa^{-1}$.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 1997

To develop a promising alkylating agents for anti-cervical cancer chemotherapy, five mitosene analogues were synthesized. Despite the potentiality of better cytotoxicity on solid tumor cells as opposed to that on rapidly-doubled leukemic cells, there have been no reports on the inhibition of the cervical cancer cell line by mitosene analogues. The present experiment was designed to investigate whether mitosene analogues can effectively inhibit the cellular proliferation of cervical cancer cells by using an in vitro chemosensitivty system. The mitosene analogues displayed a potent cytotoxic effect on the tested cervical cancer cell lines. Among the analogues, (22) compound gave the best inhibitory effect on SiHa tumor colonies formation. These data indicate that mitosene analogues can effectively inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.699-704
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• 2017

The amount of electric power for photovoltaic power generation depends on the location of the power plant and the direction of solar cell. The solar cell controls the generation of solar power plants. Therefore, the structure of solar cell, manufacturing method, and optic technology were factors contributing to increased solar cell efficiency; however, the technical limit has been reached. Herein, we propose a new method to increase the solar cell efficiency using a wavelength conversion technology that converts ultraviolet and infrared rays, which are not effectively used in solar cells, into effective wavelength of solar cell. We used fluoride $Na(Ca)YF_4$ phosphor for wavelength conversion. Then, a wavelength-conversion fluorescent paste, prepared using an organic-silicon binder, was used to prepare a film that was applied to Si solar cells. It was confirmed that conversion efficiency improved by 5% or more.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.232-236
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• 2008

Recently the shortage of silicon resources especially for poly-silicon of purity higher than 99.9999% leads to search for the more cheap and quick synthesizing routes for silicon feedstock. In order to solve this situation, we investigated the purification process of metallurgical grade (MG) silicon of purity around 99% by the acid leaching and following the unidirectional solidification. MG-Si lumps are pulverized with a planetary mill, and then leached with HCl/$HNO_3$/HF acid solution. As a result, the concentration of metal impurities including Al, Fe, Ca, Mn, etc. decreased dramatically. This process led to silicon content higher than 99.99%. The purified silicon powders were compacted and have been melted and uni-directionally solidified with heat exchange method (HEM) furnace. The properties of multicrystalline silicon ingots were specific resistance of $0.3{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ and minority carrier life time (MCLT) of $3.8{\mu}{\cdot}sec$.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.154-159
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• 2020

We investigated the effects of physalin A, B, D, and F on osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). The biological functions of different physalins were first predicted using an in silico bioinformatic tool (BATMAN-TCM). Afterwards, we tested cell viability and cell apoptosis rate to analyze the cytotoxicity of different physalins. We analyzed the inhibitory effects of physalins on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis from mouse bone-marrow macrophages (BMMs) using a tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) stain. We found that physalin D has the best selectivity index (SI) among all analyzed physalins. We then confirmed the inhibitory effects of physalin D on osteoclast maturation and function by immunostaining of F-actin and a pit-formation assay. On the molecular level, physalin D attenuated RANKL-evoked intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) oscillation by inhibiting phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) and thus blocked the downstream activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMK)IV and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB). An animal study showed that physalin D treatment rescues bone microarchitecture, prevents bone loss, and restores bone strength in a model of rapid bone loss induced by soluble RANKL. Taken together, these results suggest that physalin D inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone loss via suppressing the PLCγ2-CaMK-CREB pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2014

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote apoptotic cell death. We showed that cytosolic $NADP^+$-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPc) plays an essential role in the control of cellular redox balance and defense against oxidative damage, by supplying NADPH for antioxidant systems. In this study, we demonstrated that knockdown of IDPc expression by RNA interference enhances UVB-induced apoptosis of immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes. This effect manifested as DNA fragmentation, changes in cellular redox status, mitochondrial dysfunction, and modulation of apoptotic marker expression. Based on our findings, we suggest that attenuation of IDPc expression may protect skin from UVB-mediated damage, by inducing the apoptosis of UV-damaged cells.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.111.2-111.2
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• 2011

야금학적 방법을 통한 태양전지용 실리콘 제조를 위하여 아크로(Arc furnace)에서 제조된 용융 상태의 금속급 실리콘을 슬래그와 직접 반응시켜 불순물을 제거하는 공정에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 이를 위해 아크로와 고주파 유도용해로(High-frequency induction furnace)를 이용하여 금속급 실리콘을 제조와 정련 특성 실험을 수행하였다. 본 연구에서 금속급 실리콘을 제조하기 위한 장비로 150kW급-DC 아크로와 300kW급-AC 아크로를 사용하였다. 원재료로 규석, 코크스(Cokes), 숯, 그리고 우드칩(Wood chip)을 실험 비율에 맞춰 아크로 내부에 장입하고, 이를 용융환원 방법을 통해 반응을 시켰다. 이때 생산된 금속급 실리콘의 순도는 약 99.2~99.8% 이었으며, 원재료의 순도, 장입 비율 및 아크로 운전 특성에 따라 편차가 있다. 아크로에서 생산된 금속급 실리콘의 경우 인(phosphorus), 붕소(boron)를 다량 함유하고 있고, 이를 제거하기 위하여 50kW급 고주파 유도용해로 장비를 사용하여 슬래그 정련 실험을 수행하였다. 슬래그 정련시 사용한 성분은 SiO2, CaO 그리고 CaF2 이며, 금속급 실리콘과 슬래그의 질량비 및 반응 시간에 따른 실리콘 불순물 특성을 평가하였다. 실험결과 인과 붕소는 각각 1 ppm 이하, 5 ppm 이하 였으며, 칼슘을 제외한 대부분의 금속 불순물의 경우 0.1~0.2% 임을 확인하였다.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.342-345
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• 2000

Effect of volcanic ash on cell growth of Aspergillus sp. and production of exopolymers by Agrobacterium sp. and Aureobasidium pullualns was investigated. The volcanic ash contained various mineral salts such as $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, CaO, $K_2O$. Maximal cell growth of Aspergillus sp. was obtained when 0.3% volcanic ash was added to medium. Cell growth of Aspergillus sp. increased with higher concentration of volcanic ash in medium. Amount of cell growth with 0.3 % volcanic ash was 6.7 times higher than that without volcanic ash. Volcanic ash also stimulated production of exopolymer as well as cell growth. Production of curdlan with 0.1% volcanic ash was 12.40 g/l whereas that without volcanic ash was 9.15 g/l. Production of pullulan with volcanic ash was also higher than that without volcanic ash.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.7
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• pp.393-398
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• 2014

The role of Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) in the protective mechanism against apoptotic stimuli has been studied; however, as little is known about its role in death receptor-mediated cell death, this study was designed to investigate the effect of BI-1 on Fas-induced cell death, and the underlying mechanisms. HT1080 adenocarcinoma cells were cultured in high concentration of glucose media and transfected with vector alone (Neo cells) or BI-1-vector (BI-1 cells), and treated with Fas. In cell viability, apoptosis, and caspase-3 analyses, the BI-1 cells showed enhanced sensitivity to Fas. Fas significantly decreased cytosolic pH in BI-1 cells, compared with Neo cells, and this decrease correlated with BI-1 oligomerization, mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation, and significant inhibition of sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE) activity. Compared with Neo cells, a single treatment of BI-1 cells with the NHE inhibitor EIPA or siRNA against NHE significantly increased cell death, which suggests that the viability of BI-1 cells is affected by the maintenance of intracellular pH homeostasis through NHE.