• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2023

Efforts are currently underway to develop a method for efficiently recovering lithium from the cathode material of waste lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). The successful application of lithium battery recycling can address the regional ubiquity and price volatility of lithium resources, while also mitigating the environmental impact associated with both waste battery material and lithium production processes. The isomorphic substitution leaching process was used to recover lithium from spent lithium iron phosphate batteries. Lithium was leached by the isomorphic substitution of Fe²⁺ in LFP using a relatively inexpensive ferric chloride etching solution as a leaching agent. In the study, the leaching rate of lithium was compared using the ferric chloride etching solution at various multiples of the LFP molar ratio: 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, and 1.6 times. The highest lithium leaching rate was shown at about 98% when using 1.3 times the LFP molar ratio. Subsequently, to eliminate Fe, the leachate was treated with NaOH. The Fe-free solution was then used to synthesize lithium carbonate, and the harvested powder was characterized and validated. The surface shape and crystal phase were analyzed using SEM and XRD analysis, and impurities and purity were confirmed using ICP analysis.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.103-111
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• 2009

Moisture is one of the important design factors that affects to the changes of physical properties and air permeability in the composting matrix. This study examines the effects of moisture during the wetting and drying procedure on physical properties like bulk density, particle size, free air space and air permeability in the sawdust used as the bulking agent in composting process. During both procedures of wetting and drying of the water, with increasing moisture content, bulk density and particle size increased, but FAS decreased. In the range of near 40 to 60% moisture content on a wet basis, particle size and FAS in wetting procedure were larger and higher than those in drying procedure. During wetting procedure, pressure drop continuously decreased ranging from near 20 to 60% moisture content, despite of decreasing FAS as a consequence of increasing moisture, and then over the range of 60% moisture content, pressure drop rapidly increased to the saturated moisture condition while the pore space was filled with the water. On the other hand, during drying procedure, pressure drop decreased from the saturated condition to 40% moisture content. In the recommended range of 50 to 60% moisture content for composting operation, pressure drop in wetting procedure were lower than in drying procedure. For the enhancement of the air permeability in the composting matrix, the wetting procedure was proper than the drying procedure, and the optimum moisture content for the efficient composting operation was appeared to be near 60%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 2008

Purpose : Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Although survival rate of osteosarcoma patients has markedly improved, about 20-30% of patients still have a relapse. This study was aimed to find factors that influence postrelapse survival of osteosarcoma in childhood and adolescents. Methods : Between 1985 and 2004, of 461 patients who were diagnosed and treated as osteosarcoma in Korean Cancer Center Hospital, 180 patients with recurrent osteosarcoma were retrospectively reviewed. We examined survival rates and analyzed prognostic factors, such as relapse site, post-relapse treatment methods, pathologic response to neoadjuvnat chemotherapy, metastasis at first diagnosis, and relapse free interval. Results : The overall recurrence rate of patients with osteosarcoma was 39%. The 5-year and 10-year postrelapse survival rates in the recurrent osteosarcoma were 13% and 4%, respectively. The 5-year post-relapse survival rate was influenced by site of relapse (lung, 39%; local, 0%; lung & bone, 25%; others, 12%; P<0.05), relapse-free interval (<12 months, 13%; ${\geq}12$ months, 44%, P<0.05), and post-relapse treatment methods (with surgery, 38%; without surgery, 11%; P<0.05). Conclusion : The survival rate of recurrent case is very low after 10 years, so new second-line chemotherapy and active treatment is needed to increase survival. Aggressive surgery with the removal of recurrence sites combined with multi-agent chemotherapy could either cure patients with recurrent osteosarcoma or significantly prolong their survival.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2009

Purpose: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. However, the introduction of gemcitabine and the recognition of a benefit in patients with advanced disease stimulated the design of trials that compare chemotherapy alone to concurrent chemoradiation. Therefore, we evaluated role of CCRT for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of treatment results for patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer between January 2000 and January 2008. The radiation was delivered to the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with a 1~2 cm margin at a total dose of 36.0~59.4 Gy (median: 54 Gy). The chemotherapeutic agent delivered with the radiation was 5-FU (500 mg/$m^2$). The patients who underwent chemotherapy alone received gemcitabine (1,000 mg/$m^2$) alone or gemcitabine with 5-FU. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 38 months. The survival and prognostic factors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively. Results: Thirty-four patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy, whereas 21 patients received chemotherapy alone. The median survival time was 12 months for CCRT patients, compared to 11 months for chemotherapy alone patients (p=0.453). The median progression-free survival was 8 months for CCRT patients, compared to 5 months for chemotherapy alone patients (p=0.242). The overall response included 9 partial responses for CCRT and 1 partial response for chemotherapy alone. In total, 26% of patients from the CCRT group experienced grade 3~4 bowel toxicity. In contract, no grade 3~4 bowel toxicity was observed in the chemotherapy alone group. The significant prognostic factors of overall survival were lymph node status, high CA19-9, and tumor location. Conclusion: The response rate and progression-free survival were more favorable in the CCRT group, when compared with the chemotherapy alone group. Therefore, radiation therapy seems to be an effective tool for local tumor control.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.168-175
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• 2013

In this study we investigated the possibility of preparing brewed brown rice makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, under diverse conditions. For this purpose the physicochemical characteristics of makgeolli brewed at different temperatures, utilizing a variety of nuruks, the traditional Korean fermentation agent, were studied. The alcohol content was seen to be highest when brewing occurred at $30^{\circ}C$, with the nuruk TN producing 16.2%. At $20^{\circ}C$TN produced 14.1% alcohol content. The alcohol content was therefore higher, by about 2%, for $30^{\circ}C$ fermentations than $20^{\circ}C$ fermentations. Similarly, saccharifying activity was influenced by temperature and sugar content, with a higher activity seen at $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. As the fermentations progressed acidification petered out, with titratable acidity being 0.50-0.67% in all end samples. On the Hunter L, a, b scale; the a value decreased slightly, while the b value increased steadily during the fermentation process. Measurements of total organic acids were highest at $30^{\circ}C$, with the nuruk AK, at about 550 mg%. The content of citric acid was the highest at $30^{\circ}C$, being 230-310 mg% in all samples. However, more lactic acid was detected at $20^{\circ}C$ than at $30^{\circ}C$. Total free amino acid was highest at $30^{\circ}C$, with TN at $8,605{\mu}g/ml$, AK at $6,083{\mu}g/ml$, and RJ at $2,381{\mu}g/ml$. Total free amino acid and essential amino acid was shown to be higher at $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. The bioactive substance ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid was also higher at $30^{\circ}C$, with TN at $223{\mu}g/ml$. From all of these results, we surmise that brown rice makgeolli manufacturing conditions are optimal at $30^{\circ}C$ fermentation temperatures and using the nuruk TN for brewing vinegar. In addition, the nuruk used clearly affects the quality of brown rice makgeolli and an appropriate method to determine the best nuruk for various purposes should be pursued.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7367-7369
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• 2013

Background: Inoperable and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor exerting its effects via the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-${\beta}$) tyrosine kinases. Randomized studies have shown a significant contribution of sorafenib to life expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of sorafenib therapy in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Data for 103 patients (82 males, 21 females) receiving sorafenib therapy in 13 centers from February 2008 to December 2012 were evaluated. Median age was 61 years and median ECOG performance status was 1 (range: 0-2). 60 patients (58%) had hepatitis B, 15 patients (15%) had hepatitis C infection and 12 patients (12%) had a history of alcohol consumption. All of the patients had Child scores meeting the utilization permit of the drug in our country (Child A). Results: A total of 571 cycles of sorafenib therapy were administered with a median of four per patient. Among the evaluable cases, there was partial response in 15 (15%), stable disease in 52 (50%), and progressive disease in 36 (35%). Median progression-free survival was 18 weeks and median overall survival was 48 weeks. The dose was reduced only in 6 patients and discontinued in 2 patients due to grade 3-4 toxicity, 18 patients (17%) suffering hand-foot syndrome, 7 (7%) diarrhea, and 2 (2%) vomiting. Conclusions: This retrospective study demonstrated better efficacy of sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced HCC compared to the literature while progression-free survival and overall survival findings were comparable. The side effect rates indicate that the drug was tolerated well. In conclusion, among the available treatment options, sorafenib is an efficient and tolerable agent in patients with inoperable or metastatic HCC.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2010

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase of Cedrela sinensis extracts were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of extract ($3.54\;{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract ($2.15\;{\mu}g/mL$) showed more excellent free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) than the activity of (+)-$\alpha$-tocopherol ($8.98\;{\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of Cedrela sinensis extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction of extract ($0.15\;{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract ($0.12\;{\mu}g/mL$) showed 10 times more excellent ROS scavenging activity than activity of L-ascorbic acid ($1.50\;{\mu}g/mL$). The protective effects of fractions of Cedrela sinensis on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of extract and aglycone fraction of extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner ($5{\sim}25\;{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of Cedrela sinensis extracts on tyrosinase was investigated to assess their whitening efficacy. Inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction of Cedrela sinensis extract ($48.00\;{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of extract ($5.88\;{\mu}g/mL$). The aglycone fraction showed 40 times more remarkable tyrosinase inhibitory effect than whitening agent, arbutin ($226.88\;{\mu}g/mL$) These results indicate that fractions of Cedrela sinensis can be used as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. The fractions of Cedrela sinensis can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidant and whitening.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.890-898
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• 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of Tenebrio molitor. Macrophage cell response by outside stimulation leads expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and trigger expression of genes which are affected by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), resulting in formation of inflammatory factors like nitric oxide (NO) and Prostaglandin $E_2$ (PGE2). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. In order to investigate anti-inflammatory agents, the inhibitory effects on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO in RAW 264.7 cells were examined. T. Molitor significantly decreased the production of NO in a dose-dependent manner, and also reduced the expression of iNOS, a COX-2 protein. As a result, the levels of protein such as $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2 and MARKs were significantly reduced compared to non-treated group in T. Molitor water extract (TDW) treated group. Also, antioxidant effect of T. Molitor were investigated using DPPH, ABTS+ and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity tests in cell-free system. Antioxidant activity of T. molitor was found low in the DPPH radical scavenging test while high in the ABTS+ and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity tests. These results show that TDW could be an effective anti-pro-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1310-1317
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• 2003

Effects of dietary cholesterol and/or taurine supplementation on plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation status and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated in rats fed one of the following semisynthetic diets for 5 weeks: control diet (CD, cholesterol-free and taurine-free diet); high cholesterol diet (HCD, CD+1.5% cholesterol): high taurine diet (HTD, CD+1.5% taurine): high cholesterol and high taurine diet (HCHTD, HCD + 1.5% taurine). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level was not influenced by dietary cholesterol or taurine supplementation, while hepatic MDA level was 70% higher in rats fed HCD compared to the value for CD rats (p<0.05). Our observation that taurine supplementation significantly decreased the hepatic MDA level of rats fed HCD, but failed to decrease lipid peroxidation of rats fed CD indicates that the protective effect of taurine in the liver against lipid peroxidation is manifested only under the hypercholesterolemic environment. Plasma and hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were not affected by dietary supplementation of cholesterol or taurine. However, hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly reduced by dietary taurine supplementation (p <0.05), and thus significantly lower in rats fed HTD compared to the value for CD (p<0.05). Plasma total cholesterol concentration was positively correlated with hepatic cholesterol concentration as expected (r=0.712, p<0.001). Plasma (r=0.399, p<0.05) and hepatic cholesterol levels (r=0.429, p<0.05) showed a significantly positive correlation with hepatic MDA concentration, respectively. Plasma taurine concentration was negatively correlated with hepatic SOD activity (r=-0.481, p<0.01), and tended to be negatively correlated with hepatic GSH-Px activity without showing statistical significance (r=-0.188, p<0.05). These results indicate an antioxidative effect of taurine in rats with elevated level of lipid Peroxidation due to high intake of dietary cholesterol. Future application of taurine as a safe candidate for a hypolipidemic agent without adversely affecting body's antioxidant defense system is speculated.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.564-572
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• 2013

We investigated the quality characteristics of brewing brown rice vinegar through a traditional static fermentation process. Accordingly, we decided to compare the physicochemical characteristics of brewing vinegar at different temperatures and filtration methods. In four to five weeks' time, the acetic acid fermentation exhibited the highest titratable acidity and then it eventually decreased. The titratable acidity was affected by the filtration method. It was revealed that the titratable acidity was higher in the forced filtration than the traditional filtration method. Various organic acids were detected in order to initialize the fermentation stage and as the fermentation progressed, only the acetic acid could be detected. The total free amino acid content was higher at a temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. Moreover, the free amino acid content was dependent on the acetate content during the acetic fermentation process. The main bioactive substance of the ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid content was more than twice at a fermentation temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ compared to the fermentation temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, the total amino acid and essential amino acid content at a temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ was excellent. The quality of the brown rice vinegar via forced filtration method at a temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ was the most excellent. Based on these results, the fermentation temperature and the use of nuruks (fermenting agent) affected the quality of the brown rice vinegar, and an appropriate method to consider its purpose is required.