• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1070-1077
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• 2017

Chondrocyte apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Schisandrin A, a bioactive compound found in fruits of the Schisandra genus, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Although several studies have described the antioxidant effects of analogues of schisandrin A, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this bioactive compound remain largely unresolved. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of schisandrin A against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells. The results showed that schisandrin A preconditioning significantly inhibited $H_2O_2-induced$ growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by blocking the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins and down-regulating pro-caspase-3. These antiapoptotic effects of schisandrin A were associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and normalization of expression changes of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in $H_2O_2-stimulated$ SW1353 chondrocytes. Furthermore, schisandrin A effectively abrogated $H_2O_2-induced$ intracellular ROS accumulation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139, a widely used marker of DNA damage. Thus, the present study demonstrates that schisandrin A provides protection against $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptosis and DNA damage in SW1353 chondrocytes, possibly by prevention of ROS generation. Collectively, our data indicate that schisandrin A has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative disorders caused by overproduction of ROS.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.584-595
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• 2021

In this study, the correlation between operating stages of waste air-treating system composed of two alternatively-operating UV/photocatalytic reactors, and the deactivation of photocatalyst used in each operating stage, was investigated by instrumental analysis thereon. The repeated deactivation and subsequent re-generation of photocatalyst used in the waste air treating system of previous investigation performed by Lee and Lim (Korean Chem. Eng. Research, 59(4), 574-583(2021)), were characterized on virgin photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media (A4), used photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media (A1, A2 and A3) collected from the corresponding photocatalytic reactor upon 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd run, respectively, regenerated photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media upon 1 time-run (AD1) and 3 times regenerated photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media upon 3 time-runs (AD3) by instrumental analysis including BET analysis, SEM, XPS, SEM-EDS and FT-IR. As a result, the proper regeneration-temperature for deactivated photocatalyst to be regenerated several times (more than 3 times), was suggested below 200 ℃. Such temperature of deactivated photocatalyst-regeneration was almost consistent to the one, according to BET analysis, at which tiny nano-pores blocked by adsorbed ethanol-oxidative and degraded intermediates (AEODI), were regenerated to be reopened through almost complete mineralization of AEODI. In particular, the results of XPS analysis indicated an incurrence of insignificant deactivation of photocatalysis upon 1^st run of UV/photocatalytic reactor (A or C) of the previous investigation. In addition, the results of XPS analysis were consistent with the experimental results of the previous investigation in that 1) deactivation of photocatalyst incurred during 2^nd run of the UV/photocatalytic reactor (A or C) resulted in decreased removal efficiency, by ca. 5% and 5%, of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide, respectively, compared with its 1^st run; 2) there was insignificant difference between the removal efficiencies of its 2^nd run and 3^rd run. Furthermore, the removal efficiencies of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide for hypothetical 4^th run of photocatalytic reactor in the previous investigation, using AD3, were expected to decrease, compared with its 3^rd run, by much more than those for 2^nd run in the previous investigation did, compared with its 1^st run.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.59-63
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• 2017

The n-type GaN semiconductor has excellent properties as a photoelectrode, but it has disadvantage that its reliability is deteriorated due to the photocorrosion because the oxygen reaction occurs on the surface. For this reason, there are fundamental attempts to avoid photocorrosion reaction of GaN surfaces by using the p-type GaN as a photoelectrode where hydrogen generation reaction occurs on the surface. However, p-type GaN has a problem of low efficiency because of its high resistivity and low hole mobility. In this study, we try to improve the photocurrent efficiency by activation process for the p-type GaN. The p-type GaN was annealed for 1 min. at $500^{\circ}C$ in $N_2$ atmosphere. Hall effect measurement system was used for the electrical properties and potentiostat (PARSTAT4000) was used to measure the photoelectrochemical (PEC) characteristics. Consequently, the photocurrent density was improved more than 1.5 times by improving the activation process for the p-type GaN. Also, its reliability was maintained for 3 hours.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2016

Thin films synthesized by plasma processes have been widely applied in a variety of industrial sectors. The structure control of thin film is one of prime factor in most of these applications. It is well known that the structure of this film is closely associated with plasma parameters and species of plasma which are electrons, ions, radical and neutrals in plasma processes. However the precise control of structure by plasma process is still limited due to inherent complexity, reproducibility and control problems in practical implementation of plasma processing. Therefore the study on the fundamental physical properties that govern the plasmas becomes more crucial for molecular scale control of film structure and corresponding properties for new generation nano scale film materials development and application. The thin films are formed through nucleation and growth stages during thin film depostion. Such stages involve adsorption, surface diffusion, chemical binding and other atomic processes at surfaces. This requires identification, determination and quantification of the surface activity of the species in the plasma. Specifically, the ions and neutrals have kinetic energies ranging from ~ thermal up to tens of eV, which are generated by electron impact of the polyatomic precursor, gas phase reaction, and interactions with the substrate and reactor walls. The present work highlights these aspects for the controlled and low-temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapour disposition (PECVD) of Si-based films like crystalline Si (c-Si), Si-quantum dot, and sputtered crystalline C by the design and control of radicals, plasmas and the deposition energy. Additionally, there is growing demand on the low-temperature deposition process with low hydrogen content by PECVD. The deposition temperature can be reduced significantly by utilizing alternative plasma concepts to lower the reaction activation energy. Evolution in this area continues and has recently produced solutions by increasing the plasma excitation frequency from radio frequency to ultra high frequency (UHF) and in the range of microwave. In this sense, the necessity of dedicated experimental studies, diagnostics and computer modelling of process plasmas to quantify the effect of the unique chemistry and structure of the growing film by radical and plasma control is realized. Different low-temperature PECVD processes using RF, UHF, and RF/UHF hybrid plasmas along with magnetron sputtering plasmas are investigated using numerous diagnostics and film analysis tools. The broad outlook of this work also outlines some of the 'Grand Scientific Challenges' to which significant contributions from plasma nanoscience-related research can be foreseen.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) is one of the most researched semiconductor oxides that has revolutionised technologies in the field of environmental purification and energy generation. It has found extensive applications in heterogenous photocatalysis for removing organic pollutants from air and water and also in hydrogen production from photocatalytic water-splitting. Its use is popular because of its low cost, low toxicity, high chemical and thermal stability. But one of the critical limitations of $TiO_2$ as photocatalyst is its poor response to visible light. Several attempts have been made to modify the surface and electronic structures of $TiO_2$ to enhance its activity in the visible light region such as noble metal deposition, metal ion loading, cationic and anionic doping and sensitisation. Most of the results improved photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation. This paper attempts to review and update some of the information on the $TiO_2$ photocatalytic technology and its accomplishment towards visible light region.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1273-1284
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• 2011

The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of insoluble electrode for the purpose of degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and oxidants generation [N,N-Dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO, indicator of OH radical), $O_3$, $H_2O_2$, free Cl, $ClO_2$)]. Methods: Four kinds of electrodes were used for comparison: DSA (dimensional stable anode; Pt and JP202 electrode), Pb and boron doping diamond (BDD) electrode. The effect of applied current (0.5~2.5 A), electrolyte type (NaCl, KCl and $Na_2SO_4$) and electrolyte concentration (0.5~3.5 g/L) on the RNO degradation were evaluated. Experimental results showed that the order of RhB removal efficiency lie in: JP202 > Pb > BDD ${\fallingdotseq}$ > Pt. However, when concerned the electric power on maintaining current of 1 A during electrolysis reaction, the order of RhB removal efficiency was changed: JP202 > Pt ${\fallingdotseq}$ Pb > BDD. The total generated oxidants ($H_2O_2$, $O_3$, free Cl, $ClO_2$) concentration of 4 electrodes was Pt (6.04 mg/W) > JP202 (4.81 mg/W) > Pb (3.61 mg/W) > BDD (1.54 mg/W), respectively. JP202 electrode was the best electrode among 4 electrodes from the point of view of performance and energy consumption. Regardless of the type of electrode, RNO removal of NaCl and KCl (chlorine type electrolyte) were higher than that of the $Na_2SO_4$ (sulfuric type electrolyte) RNO removal. Except BDD electrode, RhB degradation and creation tendency of oxidants such as $H_2O_2$, $O_3$, free Cl and $ClO_2$, found that do not match. RNO degradation tendency were considered a simple way to decide the method which is simple it will be able to determinate the electrode where the organic matter decomposition performance is superior. As the added NaCl concentration was increases, the of hydrogen peroxide and ozone concentration increases, and this was thought to increase the quantity of OH radical.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2018

Environmental stimuli can lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is one of the risk factors for premature skin aging. Here, we investigated the protective effects of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 (50% palmitoleic acid, 7-MEGA) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the HaCaT human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). Our results showed that treatment with 7-MEGA prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced damage significantly increased the viability of HaCaT cells. 7-MEGA effectively attenuated generation of $H_2O_2$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced inflammatory factors, such as prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$). In addition, cells treated with 7-MEGA exhibited significantly decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and increased expression of procollagen type 1 (PCOL1) and Elastin against oxidative stress by $H_2O_2$. Interestingly, these protective activities of 7-MEGA were similar in scope and of a higher magnitude than those seen with 98.5% palmitoleic acid (PA) obtained from Sigma when given at the same concentration (100 nL/mL). According to our data, 7-MEGA is able to protect HaCaT cells from $H_2O_2$-induced damage through inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, 7-MEGA may affect skin elasticity maintenance and improve skin wrinkles. These findings indicate that 7-MEGA may be useful as a food supplement for skin health.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.405-414
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• 1999

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) was investigated in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced acute lung injury associated with oxidative stress. To induce acute lung injury following intestinal I/R, superior mesenteric arteries were clamped with bulldog clamp for 60 min prior to the 120 min reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute lung injury by intestinal I/R was confirmed by the measurement of lung leak index and protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Lung leak and protein content in BAL fluid were increased after intestinal I/R, but decreased by WEB 2086, the PAF receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the pulmonary accumulation of neutrophils was evaluated by the measurement of lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid. Lung MPO activity and the number of neutrophils were increased (p＜0.001) by intestinal I/R and decreased by WEB 2086 significantly. To confirm the oxidative stress induced by neutrophilic respiratory burst, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity was measured. Lung GGT activity was significantly elevated after intestinal I/R (p<0.001) but decreased to the control level by WEB 2086. On the basis of these experimental results, phospholipase $A_2\;(PLA_2),$ lysoPAF acetyltransferase activity and PAF contents were measured to verify whether PAF is the causative humoral factor to cause neutrophilic chemotaxis and oxidative stress in the lung following intestinal I/R. Intestinal I/R greatly elevated $PLA_2$ activity in the lung as well as intestine (p<0.001), whereas WEB 2086 decreased $PLA_2$ activity significantly (p<0.001) in both organs. LysoPAF acetyltransferase activity, the PAF remodelling enzyme, in the lung and intestine was increased significantly (p<0.05) also by intestinal I/R. Accordingly, the productions of PAF in the lung and intestine were increased (p<0.001) after intestinal I/R compared with sham rats. The level of PAF in plasma was also increased (p<0.05) following intestinal I/R. In cytochemical electron microscopy, the generation of hydrogen peroxide was increased after intestinal I/R in the lung and intestine, but decreased by treatment of WEB 2086 in the lung as well as intestine. Collectively, these experimental results indicate that PAF is the humoral mediator to cause acute inflammatory lung injury induced by intestinal I/R.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2010

Effects of operating parameters such as applied voltage, solution conductivity, ferrous ion concentration, electrode material on phenol degradation by pulsed corona discharges were investigated in laboratory scale experiments. The increase of applied voltage enhanced the phenol degradation by generating more energetic electrons. The solution conductivity inversely affected phenol removal rate in the tested ranges because the increase of conductivity decreased the electric field strength through the liquid phase. The addition of ferrous sulfate promoted the phenol degradation through the OH radical production by the Fentonlike reactions between ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide generated by pulsed corona discharges. Catechol and hydroquinone were detected as primary intermediates of phenol degradation and the decrease of pH and the increase of conductivity were observed probably due to the generation of organic acids. Almost all of the initial phenol was disappeared and 29% of total organic corbon (TOC) was removed in the condition of 0.5 mM of ferrous sulfate after approximately 230 kJ of discharge energy transferred to the reactor.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2009

We manufactured PVA-derived hydrogels using a foam generation technique that has been widely used to prepare colloidal gas aphrons(CGA). These gels were differentiated to the conventional gels such as for medical or pharmaceutical applications, which have tiny pores and some crystalline structure. Rather these should be used in de-pollution devices or adhesion of cells or biomolecules. The crosslinkers used in this work were amino acid, organic acid, sugars and lipids(vitamins). The structures of the gels were observed in a scanned electron microscope. Amino acids gels showed remarkably higher swelling ratios probably because their typical functional groups help constructing a highly crosslinked network along with hydrogen bonds. Boric acid and starch would catalyze dehydration while structuring to result in much lower water content and accordingly high gel content, leading to less elastic, hard gels. Bulky materials such as ascorbic acid or starch produced, in general, large pores in the matrices and also nicotinamide, having large hydrophobic patches was likely to enlarge pore size of its gels as well since the hydrophobicity would expel water molecules, thus leading to reduced swelling. Hydrophilicity(or hydrophobicity), functional groups which are involved in the reaction or physical linkage, and bulkiness of crosslinkers were found to be more critical to gel's cross linking structure and its density than molecular weights that seemed to be closely related to pore sizes. Microscopic observation revealed that pores were more or less homogeneous and their average sizes were $20{\mu}m$ for methionine, $10-15{\mu}m$ for citric acid, $50-70{\mu}m$ for L-ascorbic acid, $30-40{\mu}m$ for nicotinamide, and $70-80{\mu}m$ for starch. Also a sensory test showed that amino acid and glucose gels were more elastic meanwhile acid and nicotinamide gels turned out to be brittle or non-elastic at their high concentrations. The elasticity of a gel was reasonably correlated with its water content or swelling ratio. In addition, the PVA gel including 20% ascorbic acid showed fair ability of cell adherence as 0.257mg/g-hydrogel and completely degraded phenanthrene(10 mM) in 240 h.