• 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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

Oxidative stress is a critical factor affecting the quality and viability of sperm during boar semen storage. Oxidative stress is also a significant concern during the process of freezing semen. The process of semen storage involves exposing the sperm to various stressors, including temperature changes, cryoprotectants, and extended periods of incubation. In addition, oxidative stress can lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the sperm, resulting in oxidative damage to cellular components, such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. Striking a balance between ROS production and the antioxidant defense system is crucial for maintaining sperm viability and functionality during semen storage. Moreover, the prolonged storage of boar semen leads to an increase in ROS levels, which can impair sperm motility, membrane integrity, and DNA integrity. ROS-induced lipid peroxidation affects the fluidity and stability of sperm membranes, leading to decreased sperm motility. Moreover, oxidative damage to the DNA can result in DNA fragmentation, compromising the genetic integrity of the sperm. In conclusion, oxidative stress is a significant challenge in maintaining sperm quality during boar semen storage. Understanding the mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and their impacts on sperm function is crucial for developing effective strategies to minimize oxidative damage and improve sperm storage outcomes.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.42.1-42.23
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• 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the most deadly infections in humans. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mtb strains presents a global challenge. Mtb has shown resistance to many frontline antibiotics, including rifampicin, kanamycin, isoniazid, and capreomycin. The only licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, does not efficiently protect against adult pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to develop new vaccines to prevent infections caused by these strains. We used a subtractive proteomics approach on 23 virulent Mtb strains and identified a conserved membrane protein (MmpL4, NP_214964.1) as both a potential drug target and vaccine candidate. MmpL4 is a non-homologous essential protein in the host and is involved in the pathogen-specific pathway. Furthermore, MmpL4 shows no homology with anti-targets and has limited homology to human gut microflora, potentially reducing the likelihood of adverse effects and cross-reactivity if therapeutics specific to this protein are developed. Subsequently, we constructed a highly soluble, safe, antigenic, and stable multi-subunit vaccine from the MmpL4 protein using immunoinformatics. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the stability of the vaccine-bound Tolllike receptor-4 complex on a nanosecond scale, and immune simulations indicated strong primary and secondary immune responses in the host. Therefore, our study identifies a new target that could expedite the design of effective therapeutics, and the designed vaccine should be validated. Future directions include an extensive molecular interaction analysis, in silico cloning, wet-lab experiments, and evaluation and comparison of the designed candidate as both a DNA vaccine and protein vaccine.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.479-487
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• 2023

Copper is cost-effective and abundantly available as a biocidal coating agent for a wide range of material surfaces. Natural oxidation does not compromise the efficacy of copper, allowing it to maintain antimicrobial activity under prolonged exposure conditions. Furthermore, copper compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic yeast, both enveloped and non-enveloped types of viruses, as well as gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Contact killing of copper-coated surfaces causes the denaturation of proteins and damage to the cell membrane, leading to the release of essential components such as nucleotides and cytoplasm. Additionally, redox-active copper generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause permanent cell damage through enzyme deactivation and DNA destruction. Owing to its robust stability, copper has been utilized in diverse forms, such as nanoparticles, ions, composites, and alloys, resulting in the creation of various coating methods. This mini-review describes representative coating processes involving copper ions and copper oxides on various material surfaces, highlighting the antibacterial and antiviral properties associated with different oxidation states of copper.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.236-244
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• 2024

Background: Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) is the primary pathogenic fungus that causes Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) root rot disease. To control the disease, safe and efficient antifungal pesticides must currently be developed. Methods: In this study, we prepared and characterized a nanoemulsion of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (Ne-FvEO) using ultrasonic technology and evaluated its stability. Traditional Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (T-FvEO) was prepared simultaneously with 1/1000 Tween-80 and 20/1000 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The effects and inhibitory mechanism of Ne-FvEO and T-FvEO in F. oxysporum were investigated through combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses. Results: Results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ne-FvEO decreased from 3.65 mg/mL to 0.35 mg/mL, and its bioavailability increased by 10-fold. The results of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed that T-FvEO did not contain a high content of estragole compared to Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (FvEO) and Ne-FvEO. Combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that both emulsions inhibited the growth and development of F. oxysporum through the synthesis of the cell wall and cell membrane, energy metabolism, and genetic information of F. oxysporum mycelium. Ne-FvEO also inhibited the expression of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase and reduced the content of 2-oxoglutarate, which inhibited the germination of spores. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Ne-FvEO effectively inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum in P. notoginseng in vivo. The findings contribute to our comprehension of the antifungal mechanism of essential oils (EOs) and lay the groundwork for the creation of plant-derived antifungal medicines.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.429-443
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine 1) the bone-regenerative effect of porcine bone block materials with or without collagen matrix incorporation, 2) the effect of a collagen barrier, and 3) the effect of adding recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to the experimental groups. Methods: Four treatment modalities were applied to rabbit calvaria: 1) deproteinized bovine bone mineral blocks (DBBM), 2) porcine bone blocks with collagen matrix incorporation (PBC), 3) porcine bone blocks alone without collagen matrix incorporation (PB), and 4) PBC blocks covered by a collagen membrane (PBC+M). The experiments were repeated with the addition of rhBMP-2. The animals were sacrificed after either 2 or 12 weeks of healing. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histologic, and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: Micro-CT indicated adequate volume stability in all block materials. Histologically, the addition of rhBMP-2 increased the amount of newly formed bone (NB) in all the blocks. At 2 weeks, minimal differences were noted among the NB of groups with or without rhBMP-2. At 12 weeks, the PBC+M group with rhBMP-2 presented the greatest NB (P<0.05 vs. the DBBM group with rhBMP-2), and the PBC and PB groups had greater NB than the DBBM group (P>0.05 without rhBMP-2, P<0.05 with rhBMP-2). Conclusions: The addition of rhBMP-2 enhanced NB formation in vertical augmentation using bone blocks, and a collagen barrier may augment the effect of rhBMP-2.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.216-226
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• 2024

This study screened the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of three extracts [1% acetic acid (HAc), distilled water (D.W.), and ethanol] from the common stalked barnacle Pollicipes mitella. Among the extracts, the 1% HAc extract showed the strongest antibacterial activity against several bacteria, but exhibited no activity against Candida albicans. To improve the degree of separation of the 1% HAc extract, solid-phase extraction was performed using a C18 cartridge with three solvents (D.W., 60A, and 100A). The 1% HAc 60A eluate showed the strongest antibacterial activity and enzyme, salt, and temperature stability, with no hemolytic activity. In addition, strong DNA-binding ability but no bacterial membrane permeability was observed. These results indicate that the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate may contain antibacterial organic compounds that target intracellular components but not bacterial membranes. In addition, the 1% HAc 60A eluate exhibited potent inhibitory activity to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β) with no cytotoxicity. Therefore, the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate has anti-inflammatory activity. Collectively, our results suggest that the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate can be used as a bioactive source with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2018

Coptis chinensis is used in oriental medicine for soothing, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial and antipyretic properties, and its main ingredient berberine is known to have strong antibacterial activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-microbial effect of hot water extract of Coptis chinensis (CW) on skin related microorganism and the airborne microbe, the antifungal effects of fungi, which are frequently detected in residential environments. CW showed antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, against the airborne microbe, which was collected in four different places. At the concentration of 100 mg/mL, the antimicrobial activity continued for 42 days, showed heat stability without change in the antimicrobial activity even after heat treatment. The MIC and MBC of CW against S. aureus was 0.03, 0.05 mg/mL, against S. epidermidis was 0.50, 0.75 mg/mL and against P. acne was 0.10, 0.15 mg/mL. As a result of measuring the MIC of four kinds of fungi with high detection frequency in the surrounding environment, Gliocladium virens was 65 mg/mL by determined as MIC which can inhibit one hundred percent of mycelial growth. The concentration 90 mg/mL was determined as MIC against Aureobasidium pullulans and 100 mg/mL against Penicilium pinophilum and Chaetomium globosum. CW was considered a safe extract that showed no irritation even in the ocular mucous membrane irritation evaluation test, a patch test. Therefore, these results suggest that Coptis chinensis has antimicrobial, antifungal and safety on human body and can be applied to the development of materials for cosmetic and residential environment industries.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 1992

In this study, various physiological and biochemical experiments were conducted to know whether the selectivity between rice and barnyardgrass treated with bleaching herbicides containing diphenyl ether compounds was also partly based on their basic physiological proterties such as peroxidation ability, membrane stability or antioxidant system. It seemed to be partly based on the differences of their physiological characteristics that barnyardgrass was commonly more susceptible to most of the bleaching herbicides than rice. The scenescence of intact leaf segment was more rapid in barnyardgrass than in rice, indicating that barnyardgrass is weak at early stage. Also pigment metabolic ability, antioxidant enzyme activities(peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase) and antioxidant content (tocopherol, ascorbic acid, glutathione, carotenoids) were lower in barnyardgrass on the basic of fresh weight. However, lipoxygenase activity and the content of unsaturated fatty acid which is vulnerable to oxygen radicals were higher in barnyardgrass, suggesting that barnyardgrass seedling bave a properties easy to be peroxidized. The differences of PPIX (protoporphyrin IX) or carotenoid content, which are the primary substances inducing herbicide activity, were not related to the selectivity between rice and barnyardgrass.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare zirconia implants with titanium implants from the view point of biomechanical stability and histologic response on osseointegration when those were placed with xenograft materials. Materials and methods: Specimens were divided into two groups; the control group was experimented with eighteen titanium implants which had anodized surface and the experimental group was experimented with eighteen sandblasted zirconia (Y-TZP) implants. At the tibias of six pigs, implants were installed into bone defect sites prepared surgically and treated with resorbable membranes and bovine bone. Two pigs were sacrificed after 1, 4 and 12 weeks respectively. Each implant site was sampled and processed for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. The stability of implants was evaluated with a $Periotest^{(R)}$. And the interfaces between bone and the implant were observed with a scanning electron microscope. Results: In stability analysis there was no significant difference between Periotest values of the control group and the experimental group. In histologic analysis with a light microscope after 4 weeks, there was new bone formation with the resorption of bovine bone and the active synthesis of osteoblasts in both groups. In bone-implant contact percentage there was significant difference between both groups (P<.05). In bone area percentage there was no significant difference between both groups. In analysis of both groups with a scanning electron microscope there was a gap between bone and a surface at 4 weeks and it was filled up with bone formed newly at 12 weeks. Conclusion: When accompanied by xenograft using membrane, bone to implant contact percentage of zirconia implants used in this experiment was significantly less than that of the titanium implants by surface treatment of anodic oxidation. So, it is considered that the improvement of zirconia implant is needed through ongoing research on surface treatment methods for its practical use.