• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 2010

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of soft stimulation protocol using GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate (CC)/recombinant FSH (rFSH) in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with intrauterine insemination (IUI), compared with GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) using GnRH antagonist/rFSH. Methods: Eighty infertile women were randomized to soft stimulation protocol group (n=40) or GnRH antagonist MDP group (n=40). In both groups, IUI was performed 36~40 hours after hCG injection. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, $\chi^2$ test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: Total dose and days of rFSH required for COS were significantly fewer in soft stimulation protocol group (p<0.001, p<0.001). A premature LH surge did not occur in any patients of both groups. Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Soft stimulation protocol provides comparable pregnancy rates to GnRH antagonist MDP despite fewer total dose and days of rFSH, and so can become one of the patient-friendly, cost-effective alternatives for infertile patients undergoing COS with IUI.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.2442-2451
• /
• 2018

Novel highly active visible-light photocatalysts in the form of zinc bismuth oxide ($ZnBi_2O_4$) and graphite hybrid composites were prepared by coupling via a co-precipitation method followed by calcination at $450^{\circ}C$. The asprepared $ZnBi_2O_4$-graphite hybrid composites were tested for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solutions under visible-light irradiation. The existence of strong electronic coupling between the two components within the $ZnBi_2O_4$-graphite heterostructure suppressed the photogenerated recombination of electrons and holes to a remarkable extent. The prepared composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, leading to more than 93% of RhB degradation at an initial concentration of $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ with 1.0 g catalyst per liter in 150 min. The excellent visible-light photocatalytic mineralization of $ZnBi_2O_4-1.0graphite$ in comparison with pristine $ZnBi_2O_4$ could be attributed to synergetic effects, charge transfer between $ZnBi_2O_4$ and graphite, and the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes. The photo-induced $h^+$ and the superoxide anion were the major active species responsible for the photodegradation process. The results demonstrate the feasibility of $ZnBi_2O_4-1.0graphite$ as a potential heterogeneous photocatalyst for environmental remediation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.52-61
• /
• 2021

Decay fungi can decompose plant debris to recycle carbon in the ecosystem. Still, they can also be fungal pathogens, which can damage living trees and/or wood material and cause a large amount of timber loss. We isolated and identified basidiomycetous fungi from the decayed bark of Mongolian oak wrapped with sticky roll traps. The degrading enzyme activities were then tested for all fungal isolates. The decay ability of selected isolates was assessed based on the weight loss of wood discs after inoculating with culture suspension of decay fungi under the different humidity levels. A total of 46 basidiomycetous fungal isolates belonged to 12 species, and 10 genera were obtained from Jong Myo (16 isolates), Chang Kyung palace (7 isolates), Cheong Gye (10 isolates), and Gun Po (13 isolates). Gymnopus luxurians was the most dominant fungus in the present study, and this species distributed in all survey sites with 9 isolates in Jong Myo, followed by 3 isolates in Chang Kyung palace, while Cheong Gye and Gun Po had only 1 isolate each. Among 46 isolates, 44 isolates secreted at least one enzyme, while 25 isolates produced both cellulase and phenol oxidase enzymes, and 2 isolates produced neither. The assessment of decay ability by artificial inoculation indicated that the weight loss of wood discs was significantly influenced by humidity conditions when inoculated with bark decay fungi. The percent weight losses by G. luxurians inoculation in RH of 90-100% and RH of 65-75% were 4.61% and 2.45%, respectively. The weight loss caused by Abortiporus biennis were 6.67% and 0.46% in RH of 90-100% and RH of 45-55%, respectively. The humidity reduction approach should be applied for further studies to control the growth and spread of bark decay fungi on the trunks wrapped with sticky roll traps.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
• /
• 2003.11b
• /
• pp.300-304
• /
• 2003

수용성 안료인 RhB를 대상으로 GF/C에 고정한 $TiO_2$와 유동층 반응기를 이용하여 제거실험을 수행한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 고정화 $TiO_2$의 경우도 분말을 이용한 것과 같이 최적 광촉매 투입량이 나타났으며, 최적 투입량은 40.0 g/L이었고, 분말 $TiO_2$를 이용하는 광촉매 반응의 초기속도식과 같이 Langmuir - Hinshelwood 식으로 표현될 수 있었다. 분말 $TiO_2$를 이용한 경우보다 초기반응속도는 2.3배 느렸으나, 고정화 $TiO_2$의 경우 연속공정이 가능하고 촉매회수 공정이 필요하지 않으므로 반응속도만 더 높일 수 있으면 현장적용 가능성이 높다고 사료되었다. 2. 고정화 $TiO_2$의 최소유동을 위한 공기 공급량은 4 L/min, 최대 반응속도는 5 L/min에서 나타나 고정화 $TiO_2$를 충진한 유동층 반응기의 최적 공기 공급량은 최소유동화 속도 부근인 것으로 사료되었다.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 1995

Microbiological and organoleptic qualities of boiled anchovies were evaluated during storage for 8 months at different temperatures and packaging methods. Microbial populations of marketing samples were 106~107 CFU/g in aerobic bacteria, 103~106 CFU/g in yeasts/molds and 103~105 CFU/g in coliforms, respectively, which were the highest in retail sample, followed by in military goods and wholesale sample. Moreover, anchovies supplied for retail sale and military goods were contaminated with sanitary indicative microbes. The samples stored at ambient condition(15~33$^{\circ}C$, RH 5$0^{\circ}C$95%) lost their marketable quaity mainly due to microbial propagation prior to 6 months, irrespective of packaging methods, corrugated-cardboard box and laminated-film(nylon 15${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/PE 100${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). However, cooling(5~1$0^{\circ}C$) as well as well as freezing temperatures($\leq$-18$^{\circ}C$) following laminated-film packaging were effective for keeping the organoleptic qualities of stored anchovies up to 8 months. The population of yeasts and molds was shown the quality-indicative criteria for stored anchovies and their critical levels were 5.00 log counts/g, showing a higher negative-correlationship(r=-0.901) with changes in organoleptic quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.595-599
• /
• 2000

Fine wool sheep (n=18) maintained in a tropical environment were allocated to three treatment groups. Estrus was induced with two injections of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ (10 mg. im) at 10 days interval. Superovulation treatment started 2 days prior to the second injection of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. Each ewe was treated with a total dose of 25 units FSH (Super-OV) i.m. every 12 hover 3 days; Group 2 were also injected i.m. with 200 IU PMSG at the first injection of FSH; Group 3 was treated as in Group 2 and also with GnRH ($4{\mu}g$ Buserelin) at the onset of estrus. The ewes in estrus were mated with a fertile ram. Ovarian examination and recovery of embryo and ova were performed at laparoscopy and laparotomy on day 3 or 4 after mating. Data for onset of estrus, duration of estrus, number of corpora lutea (CL), number of unnovulated large follicle (LF), embryo recovery rate, embryo quality and fertilization recorded for the 3 groups. Ewes in the Group 1 set in estrus later (p<0.05; $50.0{\pm}7.29h$) than the ewes in Group 2 ($24.5{\pm}3.58$) and 3 ($32.5{\pm}3.58h$). The duration of estrus, ovarian size and ovarian response (number of CL and LF) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the 3 groups. The proportion of ewes with a superovulatory response (${\geq}2$ CL) was the lowest (50%) in Group 1 treated with FSH alone but ova/embryo recovery (100%) and fertilization (100%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than Group 2 (58.3 and 85.7%, respectively) and Group 3 (48.6 and 50%, respectively). It is concluded that in tropical fine wool sheep, there is no difference in the 3 treatments for yield of good quality embryos but ovarian response and ovulation rate increased on additional use of PMSG and GnRH respectively to FSH alone.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.70-77
• /
• 2006

Ginseng has an anti-cancer effect in several cancer models. As a mechanism study of ginsenoside-induced growth inhibition in cancer cells, we measured change of membrane potential in prostate cancer and glioma cells by ginsenosides, active constituents of ginseng. Membrane potential was estimated by measuring fluorescence change of DiBAC-Ioaded cells. Among 11 ginsenosides tested, ginsenosides $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$ increased significantly and robustly the membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner in prostate cancer and glioma cells. Ginsenosides Rc, Ro, and $Rb_1$ slightly increased membrane potential. The ginsenoside-induced membrane potential increase was not affected by treatment with pertussis toxin or U73122. The ginsenoside-induced membrane potential increase was not diminished in $Na^+$-free or $HCO_3^-$-free media. Furthermore, the ginsenoside-induced increase of membrane potential was not changed by EIPA (5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride), SITS (4-acetoamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), and omeprazole. In summary, ginsenosides $Rb_2$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$ increased membrane potential in prostate cancer and glioma cells in a GPCR-independent and $Na^+$ independent manner.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.725-737
• /
• 2020

Background: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a kind of aggressive hematological cancer, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is activated in most patients with T-ALL and responsible for poor prognosis. 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-GRh2) is a major active compound extracted from ginseng, which exhibits anti-cancer effects. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in T-ALL have not been explored. Methods: Cell growth and cell cycle were determined to investigate the effect of 20(S)-GRh2 on ALL cells. PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were detected in 20(S)-GRh2-treated Jurkat cells by immunoblotting. Antitumor effect of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL was investigated in xenograft mice. The mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL were examined by cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Results: In the present study, the results showed that 20(S)-GRh2 decreased cell growth and arrested cell cycle at the G1 phase in ALL cells. 20(S)-GRh2 induced apoptosis through enhancing reactive oxygen species generation and upregulating apoptosis-related proteins. 20(S)-GRh2 significantly elevated the levels of pEGFP-LC3 and autophagy-related proteins in Jurkat cells. Furthermore, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was effectively blocked by 20(S)-GRh2. 20(S)-GRh2 suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis and autophagy by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in Jurkat cells. Finally, 20(S)-GRh2 alleviated symptoms of leukemia and reduced the number of white blood cells and CD3 staining in the spleen of xenograft mice, indicating antitumor effects against T-ALL in vivo. Conclusion: These findings indicate that 20(S)-GRh2 exhibits beneficial effects against T-ALL through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and could be a natural product of novel target for T-ALL therapy.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.12 no.12
• /
• pp.1277-1284
• /
• 2003

The photocatalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB) was studied using immobilized TiO$_2$ and fluidized bed reactor. Immobilized TiO$_2$ onto GF/C was employed as the photocatalyst and a 30 W germicidal lamp was used as the light source and the reactor volume was 4.8 L. The effects of parameters such as the amounts of photocatalyst, initial concentration, initial pH, air flow rate and anion additives (NO$_3$$\^$-/, SO$_4$$\^$2-/, Cl$\^$-/, CO$_3$$\^$2-/) competing for reaction. The results showed that the optimum dosage of the immobilized TiO$_2$ was 40.0 g/L. Initial removal rate of immobilized TiO$_2$ was expressed Langmuir - Hinshelwood equation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 2021

Objective : Citrus unshiu peel (Citri Unshius Pericarpium) has been prescribed to suppress coughing and phlegm in Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) on apoptosis was investigated using cadmium chloride (CdCl2) treated HepG2 cells. Methods : CEE was prepared by extracting 300 g of Citri Unshius Pericarpium in 3 L of ethanol for 72 h. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was monitored using the membrane-permeable fluorescent dye Rh123. The expression level of each protein was monitored by Western blot analysis. Results : CEE protected HepG2 cells from apoptosis as determined by the TUNEL assay. A decrease in MMP was observed in cells exposed to cadmium, indicating that mitochondria are involved in the induction of apoptosis. However, CEE recovered the reduction in MMP caused by cadmium. In addition, decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), procaspase, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by cadmium was increased by CEE. The anti-apoptotic effect of CEE was found to be associated with inhibition of JNK and p38 phosphorylation when examining the expression of phosphorylated MAPK by Western blot. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted anti-apoptotic effects in cadmium-induced HepG2 cells by inhibiting the reduction of MMP and changes in the expression level of apoptotic proteins. These results suggest the potential for CEE to be used for heavy metal-induced liver damage.