• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2011

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) use the bipolar plate of various materials between electrolyte and contact electrode for the stable hydrogen ion exchange activation. The bipolar plate of various materials has representatively graphite and stainless steel. Specially, stainless steels have advantage for low cost and high product rate. In this study, SUS 316 was effectively coated with 600 nm thick F-doped tin oxide (SnOx:F) by electron cyclotron resonance-metal organic chemical vapor deposition and investigated in simulated fuel cell bipolar plates. The results showed that an F-doped tin oxide (SnOx:F) coating enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloys in fuel cell bipolar plates, though the substrate steel has a significant influence on the behavior of the coating. Coating SUS 316 for fuel cell bipolar plates steel further improved the already excellent corrosion resistance of this material. After coating, the increased ICR values of the coated steels compared to those of the fresh steels. The SnOx:F coating seems to add an additional resistance to the native air-formed film on these stainless steels.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.2809-2812
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• 2014

The 43-residue defensin-like peptide coprisin, which is isolated from dung bettle, Copris tripartitus, is a potent antimicrobial peptide. In our previous work, we determined the tertiary structure of coprisin and found that alpha helical region of coprisin from residue 19 to residue 30 is important for its antimicrobial activities. Here, we designed cop12mer and cop9mer analogs of coprisin based on the tertiary structure of coprisin. To investigate the relationship between hydrophobicity and antimicrobial activities and develop the potent peptide antibiotics, we designed cop9mer-1 with substitution of $His^2$ with Trp in cop9mer. The results showed that cop9mer-1 has higher toxicities as well as improved antimicrobial activities compared to cop9mer. In order to reduce the toxicity of cop9mer-1, we designed cop9mer-2 and cop9mer-3 with substitution of $Cys^3$ with Lys or Ser. Substitution of $Cys^3$ with these hydrophilic amino acids results in lower cytotoxicities compared to cop9mer-1. Cop9mer-2 with substitution of $Cys^3$ with Lys in Cop9mer-1 showed high antibacterial activities against drug resistant bacteria without cytotoxicity. Antibiotic action of cop9mer-1 analog appears to involve permeabilization of the bacterial cell membrane while cop9mer-2 and cop9mer-3 may have different mechanism of action. These results imply that that optimum balance in hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity in these 9-meric peptides plays key roles in their antimicrobial activities as well as cytotoxicities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7143-7147
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• 2015

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were conjugated with gallic acid (GA) at various concentrations between 30 and $150{\mu}M$ and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-VIS). The anticancer activities of the gallic acid-stabilized gold nanoparticles against well-differentiated (M213) and moderately differentiated (M214) adenocarcinomas were then determined using a neutral red assay. The GA mechanism of action was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Distinctive features of the FTIR spectra between the control and GA-treated cells were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). The surface plasmon resonance spectra of the GNPs had a maximum absorption at 520 nm, whereas GNPs-GA shifted the maximum absorption values. In an in vitro study, the complexed GNPs-GA had an increased ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells that was statistically significant (P<0.0001) in both M213 and M214 cells compared to GA alone, indicating that the anticancer activity of GA can be improved by conjugation with GNPs. Moreover, PCA revealed that exposure of the tested cells to GA resulted in significant changes in their cell membrane lipids and fatty acids, which may enhance the efficacy of this anticancer activity regarding apoptosis pathways.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.929-934
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• 2000

Objective : The results of secondary transsphenoidal surgery(TSS) for either residual or recurring pituitary adenomas have been reported to be unfavorable. To evaluate the effectiveness of secondary TSS, we analyzed the surgical results of residual or recurred pituitary adenomas in patients who underwent secondary TSS from 1992 to 1998. Material and Methods : Among the 95 patients who underwent TSS during this period, 14(15%) received repeated TSS. Two of the 14 patients underwent three TSS. Among the 11 patients with pituitary adenomas, three had nonfunctioning tumors ; six prolachnomas ; two GH-secreting adenomas. The remaining three patieats had craniopharyngioma, pituitary abscess and hemangioendothelioma respectively. The interval between the two surgical procedures ranged from one week to 33 months(mean ; 12 months). Causes of the secondary TSS were tumor recurrence in 11 patients, intentional staged operation in three, persistent disease despite medical therapy and CSF leak after initial operation in one respectively. Treatments prior to secondary TSS were medical treatment only in eight patients. Results : During the repeated operationtss some adhesion was noted in septal mucous membrane. The sphenoid cavity was filled with fibrous tissue which correlated with the methods of reconstruction of the sellar floor at the previous operation. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate of surgery between the initial and the second TSS(86% vs 81%). The complication rate was similar between the two procedures. There was no statistically significant factors affecting the results of second TSS. Conclusion : Transsphenoidal reoperation was regarded as a suitable approach for treating recurrent pituitary adenomas in spite of some degree of operative difficulties. In patients with transsphenoidally resectable tumor residuals or recurrences confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, remissions can be obtained with high probability, especially in secondary surgery after an staged decompression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.86-86
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• 1997

Human annexin I is a member of annexin family of calcium dependent phospholipid binding proteins, which have been implicated in various physiological roles including phospholipase A$_2$ (PLA$_2$) inhibition, membrane fusion and calcium channel activity. In this work, the structure of N-terminally truncated human annexin I (Δ-annexin I) and its interactions with Ca$\^$2+/, ATP and cAMP were studied at atomic level by using $^1$H, $\^$15/N, $\^$l3/C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy. The effect of Ca$\^$2+/ binding on the structure of Δ-annexin I was investigated, and compared with that of Mg$\^$2+/ binding. The addition of Ca$\^$2+/ to Δ-annexin I caused some changes in the high field and low field regions of $^1$H NMR spectra. Whereas, upon addition of Mg$\^$2+/ to Δ-annexin I, almost no change could be observed. Also we found that the binding ratio of ATP to Δ-annexin I is 1. Because Δ-annexin I is a large protein with 35 kDa molecular weight, site-specific (carbonyl-$\^$l3/C, amide-$\^$15/N) labeling technique was used to determine the interaction sites of Δ-annexin I with Ca$\^$2+/ and ATP. Assignments of all the histidinyl carbonyl carbon resonances have been completed by using Δ-annexin I along with its specific 1,2-subdomain. The carbonyl carbon resonances originating from His52 and His246 of Δ-annexin I were significantly affected by Ca$\^$2+/ binding, and some Tyr and Phe resonances were also affected. The carbonyl carbon resonances originating from His52 is significantly affected by ATP binding, therefore His52 seems to be involved in the ATP binding site of Δ-annexin I.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2005

Objective: Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH) is a well-known neurosurgical entity and most of the lesion is managed by surgical treatment. The authors analyze the surgical indication and the treatment results of twist drill craniostomy with closed-system drainage(TDD) for the symptomatic CSDH. Methods: From March 2001 through December 2003, 31 patients who were treated with TDD for the symptomatic CSDH and followed more than 6months were included. The radiologic criteria of TDD in this study were 1) homogeneous density of hematoma on computed tomography(CT), 2) no septation of hematoma on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and 3) thicker hematoma more than twice thickness of skull. Surgical procedures were performed on the maximum thickness of hematoma on CT/MRI. Short and long Steinman pins were used to penetrate the skull and hematoma membrane. As the 5L catheter was inserted through the drill hole, it was kept for 1 - 7days for the drainage of CSDH. The patients of CSDH were followed with clinical symptoms and CT studies. Results: Most of all the 31 patients were improved. However, one patient was suffered from postoperative epidural hematoma and the other patients have received the secondary operation because of the recurrence of CSDH on 3 months after initial surgery. Conclusion: TDD is safe procedure for the symptomatic CSDH if the patients are selected appropriately.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 1998

Recent studies have suggested that integrin (CR3) participates in the signal transduction pathways of certain GPI-anchored phagocytic receptors including $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$. One consequence of this functional linkage is an inducible association between CR3 and cortical microfilaments that is triggered by $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ binding to immobilized immune complexes (IC). That this signaling event requires the co-expression of $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ with CR3 was documented by the use of NIH 3T3 transfectants expressing both CR3 and $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ (clone 3-23), CR3 alone (clone 3-19), and $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ alone (clone 3-15). Pretreatment of 3-23 cells with protein kinase inhibitors such as staurosporine and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (MDHC) blocked IC-stimulated CR3 microfilament proximity without affecting the extent to which $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ constrains the lateral membrane mobility of a subset of CR3 on the cell surface (as measured in fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments). These data support that CR3 and $Fc{\gamma}RIIIB$ molecules are physically and functionally associated and that ligation of FcgRIIIB triggers CR3-dependent signal transduction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2013

Fucoxanthin is an important carotenoid derived from edible brown seaweeds and is used in indigenous herbal medicines. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytoprotective effects of fucoxanthin against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell damage. Fucoxanthin decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species, as assessed by fluorescence spectrometry performed after staining cultured human HaCaT keratinocytes with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. In addition, electron spin resonance spectrometry showed that fucoxanthin scavenged hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction in a cell-free system. Fucoxanthin also inhibited comet tail formation and phospho-histone H2A.X expression, suggesting that it prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular DNA damage. Furthermore, the compound reduced the number of apoptotic bodies stained with Hoechst 33342, indicating that it protected keratinocytes against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death. Finally, fucoxanthin prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These protective actions were accompanied by the down-regulation of apoptosis-promoting mediators (i.e., B-cell lymphoma-2-associated ${\times}$ protein, caspase-9, and caspase-3) and the up-regulation of an apoptosis inhibitor (B-cell lymphoma-2). Taken together, the results of this study suggest that fucoxanthin defends keratinocytes against oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and inhibiting apoptosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2015

Escherichia coli AcrAB-TolC is a multidrug efflux pump that expels a wide range of toxic substrates. The dynamic nature of the binding or low affinity between the components has impeded elucidation of how the three components assemble in the functional state. Here, we created fusion proteins composed of AcrB, a transmembrane linker, and two copies of AcrA. The fusion protein exhibited acridine pumping activity, suggesting that the protein reflects the functional structure in vivo. To discern the assembling mode with TolC, the AcrBA fusion protein was incubated with TolC or a chimeric protein containing the TolC aperture tip region. Three-dimensional structures of the complex proteins were determined through transmission electron microscopy. The overall structure exemplifies the adaptor bridging model, wherein the funnel-like AcrA hexamer forms an intermeshing cogwheel interaction with the ${\alpha}$-barrel tip region of TolC, and a direct interaction between AcrB and TolC is not allowed. These observations provide a structural blueprint for understanding multidrug resistance in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2022

Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) is a very useful in vivo technique to visualize the inner ear pathology including endolymphatic hydrops. Although systemic intravenous (IV) administration can visualize the perilymph space, the visualization was possible by indirect passage of contrast agent through blood-perilymph barrier. All animal experimental procedures were performed under anesthesia with 5% isoflurane. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was instilled into the left tympanic cavity through the tympanic membrane using a sterile 27gauge needle to induce hydrops model. Tucker-Davis Technologies system was used to measure Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs). For intracerebroven-tricular (ICV) administration, 25 µmol of GADOVIST (Bayer, Berlin, Germany) was used and diluted GADOVIST injection was 10 µl. MR imaging was acquired with a 9.4 Tesla MRI scanner. Transmit-receive volume coil with 40 mm inner diameter and 75 mm out diameter was used. ICV administration well demonstrated the strong enhancement along the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microcirculation pathway including CSF fluid in the subarachnoid space and CSF space of the inner ear structures. On the other hand, IV administration showed no contrast enhancement along the CSF microcirculation pathway and showed weak enhancement in the inner ear structures. In case of rat hydrops model, ICV administration showed that the reduced contrast enhancement in the perilymph space of the hydrops induced inner ear compared to the contrast enhancement in the perilymph space of the normal inner ear. New systemic ICV administration method provide contrast enhancement of GBCA in the inner ear through CSF microcirculation pathway.