• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate anti-imflammatory and protective effect for intestinal epithelial cells with Atractylodes macrocephae (AM), a traditional Korean Herbal medicine and fermented Atractylodes macrocephae (FAM) with Lactobacillus plantarum. Methods: HCT-116 and Raw 264.7 cells were used in this study. Using NO assay, we measured lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anti-inflammatory effect. We measured permeability of intestinal epithelial cells with transepithelial electrical resistance and horseradish peroxide flux assay. Water soluble tetrazolium salt assay was used to see cell proliferation. All the results were presented in mean and standard deviation. We used Student's t-test for analyzing significance of results. Results: In Raw 264.7 cells NO production decreased 22.4% with pre-treatment of AM and FAM, especially with FAM in high concentration. In HCT-116 cells LPS-induced intestinal permeability had a protective effect with both AM and FAM, which was also tend to be proportional to the concentration. Cell viability increased up to 135.52% after treatment of high concentration of FAM in HCT-116, while there was no significant change in Raw 264.7 cells with herb treatments. Conclusions: These results show evidence that AM, especially fermented ones, significantly reduced intestinal membrane permeability. They also had a protective effect as well as an anti-inflammation effect for HCT-116 and Raw 264.7 cells. This suggest that FAM may be a therapeutic agent for Leaky gut syndrome by reducing intestinal permeability.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.315-326
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• 2021

Ion channels are membrane protein complexes mediating passive ion flux across the cell membranes. Every organism has a certain set of ion channels that define its physiology. Dinoflagellates are ecologically important microorganisms characterized by effective physiological adaptability, which backs up their massive proliferations that often result in harmful blooms (red tides). In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify homologs of known ion channels that belong to 36 ion channel families. We demonstrated that the versatility of the dinoflagellate physiology is underpinned by a high diversity of ion channels including homologs of animal and plant proteins, as well as channels unique to protists. The analysis of 27 transcriptomes allowed reconstructing a consensus ion channel repertoire (channelome) of dinoflagellates including the members of 31 ion channel families: inwardly-rectifying potassium channels, two-pore domain potassium channels, voltage-gated potassium channels (K_v), tandem K_v, cyclic nucleotide-binding domain-containing channels (CNBD), tandem CNBD, eukaryotic ionotropic glutamate receptors, large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, intermediate/small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, eukaryotic single-domain voltage-gated cation channels, transient receptor potential channels, two-pore domain calcium channels, four-domain voltage-gated cation channels, cation and anion Cys-loop receptors, small-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, large-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, voltage-gated proton channels, inositole-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, slow anion channels, aluminum-activated malate transporters and quick anion channels, mitochondrial calcium uniporters, voltage-dependent anion channels, vesicular chloride channels, ionotropic purinergic receptors, animal volage-insensitive cation channels, channelrhodopsins, bestrophins, voltage-gated chloride channels H⁺/Cl^- exchangers, plant calcium-permeable mechanosensitive channels, and trimeric intracellular cation channels. Overall, dinoflagellates represent cells able to respond to physical and chemical stimuli utilizing a wide range of G-protein coupled receptors- and Ca²⁺-dependent signaling pathways. The applied approach not only shed light on the ion channel set in dinoflagellates, but also provided the information on possible molecular mechanisms underlying vital cellular processes dependent on the ion transport.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.224-228
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• 2018

Objectives: As a first step to study the anticaries effect of ethanol alone, we investigated the effects of ethanol on the expression levels of the atpB gene and proton permeability of Streptococcus mutans in suspension cultures. Methods: S. mutans UA159 was grown in brain heart infusion medium at either pH 4.8 or 6.8. The total extracted RNA was reverse-transcribed into cDNA using a $Superscript^{TM}$ First-Strand Synthesis System. The resulting cDNA and negative controls were amplified by ABI PRISM 7700 real-time PCR system with SYBR Green PCR Master Mix. For proton flux assay, bacterial suspensions were titrated to pH 4.6 with 0.5 M HCl, and then additional 0.5 M HCl was added to decrease the pH values by approximately 0.4 units. The subsequent increase in pH was monitored using a glass electrode. Ten percent (v/v) butanol was added to the suspensions at 80 min to disrupt the cell membrane. Results: In a concentration-dependent manner, ethanol alone not only decreased the growth rate of S. mutans and the expression of the atpB gene but also increased the proton permeability at both pH 4.8 and 6.8. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ethanol has the potential for an anticaries ingredient. We believe that ethanol may be used together with fluoride and/or other cariostatic agents in order to develop better anticaries toothpastes and/or mouthrinses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.379-387
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• 2021

In general, trans-membrane pressure (TMP), flux, filtration resistance are used as indicators to evaluate the degree of fouling in MBR. However, they have limitations in determining the level of EPS generation, which is known as an important factor of fouling. Therefore, a new evaluation method is required to monitor the amount of EPS generation. In this study, the applicability of capillary suction time (CST), which is used to measure the dewaterability of sludge, was evaluated as an indirect fouling evaluation index. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of EPS on CST, and to determine whether EPS has high similarity with representative fouling evaluation indicators and CST, and quantitatively compared them. As a result, the correlation coefficient between CST and bEPS was 0.7988, which was higher than the correlation coefficient between filtration resistance and bEPS. Since bEPS is a major factor inducing fouling by affecting the formation of the cake layer, it was evaluated that CST, which has a high correlation with bEPS, is suitable to represent EPS. In addition, it was evaluated that the correlation coefficient between filtration resistance and CST was high as 0.7187, which could be used as a fouling evaluation index.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

In recent years, solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLBs) have attracted significant attention as the next-generation batteries with high energy and power densities. However, uncontrolled dendrite growth and the resulting pulverization of Li during repeated plating/stripping processes must be addressed for practical applications. Herein, we report a plastic-crystal-based polymer/ceramic composite solid electrolyte (PCCE) to resolve these issues. To fabricate the one-side ceramic-incorporated PCCE (CI-PCCE) film, a mixed precursor solution comprising plastic-crystal-based polymer (succinonitrile, SN) with garnet-structured ceramic (Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂, LLZO) particles was infused into a thin cellulose membrane, which was used as a mechanical framework, and subsequently solidified by using UV-irradiation. The CI-PCCE exhibited good flexibility and a high room-temperature ionic conductivity of over 10^-3 S cm^-1. The Li symmetric cell assembled with CI-PCCE provided enhanced durability against Li dendrite penetration through the solid electrolyte (SE) layer than those with LLZO-free PCCEs and exhibited long-term cycling stability (over 200 h) for Li plating/stripping. The enhanced Li⁺ transference number and lower interfacial resistance of CI-PCCE indicate that the ceramic-polymer composite layer in contact with the Li anode enabled the uniform distribution of Li⁺ flux at the interface between the Li metal and CI-PCCE, thereby promoting uniform Li plating/stripping. Consequently, the Li//LiFePO₄ (LFP) full cell constructed with CI-PCCE demonstrated superior rate capability (~120 mAh g^-1 at 2 C) and stable cycle performance (80% after 100 cycles) than those with ceramic-free PCCE.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2010

ATP is the energy source synthesized at the electron transferase that consist of complex I, II, III, IV and V in mitochondrial cristae. The complex V functions as ATPase which composed of sub-complex $F_0$ and $F_1$. Porin or VDAC (voltagedependent anion-selective channel), is a family of small pore-forming proteins of the mitochondrial outer membrane, and play important roles in the regulated flux of anion, proton and metabolites between the cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. The channel allows the diffusion of negatively charged solutes such as succinate, malate, and ATP in the fully open state, but of positively charged ions in subconducting state. In this study, in order to investigate the relationship of the function and localization between porin and ATPase we observed the distribution of porin and ATPase in the mitochondria of the bovine heart. Monoclonal antibodies against porin and ATPase ${\beta}$-subunit were used to detect porin and ATPase using light microscope with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and using electron microscope with immunogold-labeling. ATPase were stained in longitudinal section region in cardiac muscle, porin were stained in longitudinal section region in cardiac muscle. We viewed more specific pattern of localization and distribution of these proteins using immunofluorescence method. There were some region which were labeled with porin or ATPase respectively, and others which were labeled both proteins in cardiac muscle. The electron microscope results showed that immunogold labeled porin were labeled locally at mitochondrial outer membrane and ATPase were labeled evenly at mitochondrial cristae. But ATPase was not labeled at mitochondria cristae. These results confirmed the subcellular localizations of porin and ATPase in mitochondrial outer membrane and cristae. Also, we assumed that ATP synthesis always does not activation in all mitochondria exist in the bovine cardiac muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.329-337
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• 1989

Cardiac muscles show stimulation frequency-dependent tension changes i.e. Bowditch phenomenon and Woodworth phenomenon, the former is an increase of tension with the increase of stimulation frequency, whereas the latter is an increase of tension with a decrease of stimulation frequency. Bowditch phenomenon is seen in the range of frequency 1.0 cps and above, and Woodworth phenomenon below the frequency 1.0 cps in the most of mammalian cardiac atrium. To throw some light on the possible mechanism of both phenomena in rat atrium, influences of drugs affecting $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the plasma membrane $(verapamil,\;La^{3+},\;norepinephrine)$ and $Ca^{2+}$ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) on frequency-tension curve were studied. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) At low temperature $(27.5^{\circ}C)$, both Bowditch and Woodworth phenomenon were demonstrated. But Bowditch phenomenon disappeared at the temperature above $(32.5^{\circ}C)$. 2) At $(27.5^{\circ}C)$, in the presence of verapamil, a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, a time course of change in the frequency-tension was studied. It was found that Bowditch phenomenon was affected before the Woodworth phenomenon, then the former was completely disappeared. At $(32.5^{\circ}C)$, where no Bow-ditch is seen in normal atrial muscle, Bowditch phenomenon was reappeared by an administration of norepinephrine suggesting again that slow inward current of such as $Ca^{2+}$ channel is closely related to Bowditch phenomenon. 3) At $27.5^{\circ}C$, in the presence of $La^{3+}$, although tensions were decreased at all stimulation frequencies, Bowditch and Woodworth phenomenon were still demonstrated. However in the presence of both $La^{3+}$ and verapamil, Bowditch phenomena was disappeared suggesting that $La^{3+}$ is less effective in blocking $Ca^{2+}$ channel than verapamil. 4) At $27.5^{\circ}C$, in the presence of ryanodine, an inhibitor of calcium release from SR, Woodworth phenomenon was disappeared, which was consistent with previous reports of others, suggesting that $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR is closely related to Woodworth phenomenon. From the above findings, it may be concluded that Bowditch phenomenon is dependent on the magnitude of $Ca^{2+}$ influx through slow channel and Woodworth phenomenon is dependent on the amount of $Ca^{2+}$ stored in SR.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1637-1641
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• 2009

본 연구는 막공정을 이용하는 수처리기술에 있어서 최대 난점 중의 하나인 fouling 현상을 억제하기 위하여 여과방향의 반대방향에서 여과수를 지속적으로 분사하여 줌으로써 여과와 세정이 동시에 일어나는 동시세정방식을 평가하기 위한 것이다. 실험은 성균관대학교 환경플랜트 내에 pilot 실험지를 조성하여 실시하였으며, 실험원수는 오수처리방류수를 저류하는 연못수와 오수원수를 혼합하여 농도를 조절한 후에 저농도와 고농도 조건에서 실험을 실시하였다. 저농도 조건(SS 10$\sim$20 mg/L)에서는 연못의 HRT를 고려하여 일일 5시간 씩 8일간 가동하였고, 고농도 조건(SS 200 mg/L 이상)에서는 8시간씩 가동하였다. 저농도의 경우에는 가동기간 중 배수가 일어나지 않았고, 일일 운전 종료 후 유지관리를 위한 강제배수만 실시하였다. 고농도에서는 초기에 배수가 짧은 term으로 자주 일어났지만, 20분 이상의 비교적 긴 여과지속시간을 유지하였고 유입수 농도가 낮아지면서 배수타임이 점점 늘어나는 경향을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 동시세정방식에 의한 여과기술에 있어 유입수 농도가 fouling 발생빈도에 크게 영향을 미친다는 것을 의미하며, $5\;{\mu}m$의 미세막에서도 고농도 운전이 가능하다는 사실을 보여준다. 동시세정방식은 Rum Filter의 fouling을 억제하고 지속적인 운전을 가능하게 해주는 핵심기술이다. 세정 시 세정압력설정은 매우 중요한 운전인자 중 하나인데, 세정압력이 너무 클 경우에는 소요되는 동력이 많아져 효율적인 설계 및 운전에 장애요인이 될 수 있고, 너무 낮을 경우에는 세정이 제대로 되지 않고 여과막 내부와 외부의 압력차를 크게 가져와 배수타임이 빨라지는 결과를 초래한다. 따라서 적절한 세정압력을 파악하고 설정하기 위하여 세정압력을 변화시켜가면서 이에 따른 차압의 변화를 관측하여 보았다. 여과막의 공극과 세정압력에 변화를 주면서 실험을 한 결과, 세정압력이 커지면 여과막에 작용하는 부하가 약간 증가하는 것으로 나타났지만, 그 차이가 $0.02\;kg_f/cm^2$으로 나타나, $4.0\;kg_f/cm^2$ 이상의 세정압력에서 적용이 가능한 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 유입유량을 설정하기 위하여 $4.5\;kg_f/cm^2$의 세정압력을 유지한 상태로 유입유량을 점진적으로 증가시키면서 압력의 변화를 관측하였다. $5\;{\mu}m$에서는 180 LPM 및 200 LPM에서, $8\;{\mu}m$에서는 200 LPM에서 자체적으로 설정한 배수차압 상승분인 $0.1\;kg_f/cm^2$를 초과한 것으로 나타났고, $10\;{\mu}m$ 이상에서는 모두 200 LPM이상 처리해도 배수압력에 걸리지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 현재 본 시스템에 적용하고 있는 유입유량 기준치를 2배 이상 상회하는 결과로서 추가적인 실험을 통하여 기존 여과기술보다 여과지속시간이길고, 여과 flux가 높은 기술을 개발할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.169-179
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• 2017

This study was conducted to supply information that can be utilized as data for desalination plant construction in the future by estimating unit cost of water production in the potential site of Incheon, Daesan, Yeosu, Busan, Ulsan and Sokcho in Korea. The production costs in Sokcho and Ulsan were similar to those of Busan and Yeosu. Those four sites showed better economic range due to low construction cost for intake facility compared to Incheon and Daesan. Although the salinity measured in the above 6 sites did not show perceptible effect on the production cost, the difference of seasonal seawater temperature needs to be considered due to the change of flux in reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. It turned out that the most critical parameters are the amortization in a year by the analysis of life cycle and the capacity of plant. Incheon and Daesan showed the difference of production cost up to 29% at the condition of amortization in 25 year, and up to 22% depending on plant capacity. However, the production cost in this study did not take into account of other indirect costs, therefore, this should be considered as the minimum cost.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NaCl concentration on the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of Crepidiastrum sonchifolium. Methods and Results: As treatments, we subjected C. sonchifolium plants to four different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). We found that the photosynthetic parameters maximum photosynthesis rate (P_{N max}), net apparent quantum yield (Φ), maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), and maximum electron transport rate (J_max) were significantly reduced at an NaCl concentration greater than 100 mM. In contrast, there was an increase in water-use efficiency with increasing NaCl concentration, although in terms of growth performances, leaf dry weight, root dry weight, stem length, and total dry weight all decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. Furthermore, leakage of electrolytes, as a consequence of cell membrane damage, clearly increased in response to an increase in NaCl concentration. Analysis of the polyphasic elevation of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients (OKJIP) revealed marked decrease in flux ratios (Φ_PO, Ψ_O and Φ_EO) and the PI_abs, performance index in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl, thereby reflectings the relatively reduced state of photosystem II. This increase in fluorescence could be due to a reduction in electron transport beyond Q^-_A. We thus found that the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of C. sonchifolium significantly increased in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that C. sonchifolium shows relatively low sensitivity to NaCl stress, although photosynthetic activity was markedly reduced in plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl.