• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2014

A cecropin-A gene was isolated from the immunized larvae of the Japanese oak silkworm, Antheraea yamamai and designed Ay-CecA. The complete Ay-CecA cDNA consists of 419 nucleotides with 195 bp open reading frame encoding a 64 amino acid precursor that contains a putative 22-residue signal peptide, a 4-residue propetide and a 37-residue mature peptide with a theoretical mass of 4046.81. The deduced amino acid sequence of the peptide evidenced a significant degree of identity (62 ~ 78% identity) with other lepidopteran cecropins. Like many insect cecropin, Ay-CecA also harbored a glycine residue for C-terminal amidation at the C-end, which suggests potential amidation. To understand this peptide better, we successfully expressed bioactive recombinant Ay-CecA in Escherichia coli that are highly sensitive to the mature peptide. For this, we fused mature Ay-CecA gene with insoluble protein ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) gene to avoid the cell death during induction. The fusion KSI-CecA protein was expressed as inclusion body. The expressed fusion protein was purified by Ni-NTA immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), and cleaved by cyanogen bromide (CNBr) to release recombinant Ay-CecA. The purified recombinant Ay-CecA showed considerably antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, E. cori ML 35, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results proved that this peptide with a potent antibacterial activity may play a role in the immune response of Japanese oak silkworm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.339-345
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• 2020

Background: Iliac artery aneurysm is frequently found in patients undergoing surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The use of commercial bifurcated grafts is insufficient for aorto-biiliac replacement with complete iliac artery aneurysm resection. We evaluated the effectiveness of handmade composite grafts for this purpose. Methods: A total of 233 patients underwent open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2003 and 2019, including 155 patients (67%) treated with commercial grafts and 78 patients (33%) treated with handmade composite grafts. Their operative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and late outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The early mortality rate did not differ significantly between the groups. On average, the handmade composite graft technique took approximately 15 minutes longer than the commercial graft technique (p=0.037). Among patients who underwent elective surgery, no significant differences between the conventional and composite groups were observed in the major outcomes, including red blood cell transfusion volume (2.8±4.7 units vs. 3.1±4.7 units, respectively; p=0.680), reoperation for bleeding (2.7% vs. 3.1%, respectively; p>0.999), bowel ischemia (0% vs. 1.6%, respectively; p=0.364), and intensive care unit stay duration (1.9±6.6 days vs. 1.6±2.4 days, respectively; p=0.680). The incidence of target vessel occlusion also did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: The increased technical demand involved with handmade composite grafting did not negatively impact the outcomes. This technique may be a viable option because it overcomes problems associated with commercial grafts.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The gene encoding Thermus thermophilus HJ6 DNA polymerase (Tod) was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame (ORF) of the Tod gene was composed of 2,505 nucleotides and encoded a protein (843 amino acids) with a predicted molecular weight of 93,795 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of Tod showed 98% and 86% identities to the Thermus thermophilus HB8 DNA pol and Thermus aquaticus DNA pol, respectively, The Tod gene was expressed under the control of the bacteriophage $\lambda$ promoters PR and PL on the expression vector pJLA503 in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) codon plus. The expressed enzyme was purified by heat treatment, $HiTrap^{TM}$ Q column, and $HiPrep^{TM}$ Sephacryl S-200 HR 26/60 column chromatographies. The optimal temperature and pH for DNA polymerase activity were found to be $75{\sim}80^{\circ}C$ and 9.0, respectively. The optimal concentrations of $Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ were 2.5 mM and 1 mM, respectively. The enzyme activity was activated by divalent cations, and was inhibited by monovalent cations. The result of the PCR experiment with Tod DNA polymerase indicates that this enzyme might be useful in DNA amplification and PCR-based applications.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2013

A concerted effort to develop alternative forms of energy is underway due to fossil fuel shortages and its deleterious effects. Recently, bioenergy from microalgae has gained prominence and the use of municipal wastewater as a low cost alternative for a nutrient source has significant advantages. In this study, we have employed municipal wastewater directly after primary treatment (primary settling basin) in a small scale raceway pond (SSRP) for microalgal growth. Indigenous microalgae in the wastewater were encouraged to grow in the SSRP under optimal conditions. The mean removal efficiencies of TN, TP, and $NH_3-N$ after 6 days were 77.77%, 63.55%, and 89.02%, respectively. The average lipid content of the microalgae was 19.51% of dry cell weight, and linolenate and linoleate (18:n) were the predominant fatty acids. The 18S rRNA gene analysis and microscopic observations of the indigenous microalgae community revealed the presence of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus as the dominant microalgae. These results indicate that untreated municipal wastewater, serving as an excellent nitrogen and phosphate source for microalgal growth, could be treated using microalgae in open raceway ponds. Moreover, microalgal biomass could be further profitable by the extraction of biodiesel.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival rate of vitrified blastocyst according to the freezing vessels, equilibration time in cryoprotectant and artificial dehydration method. Methods: Human blastocysts were vitrified after loading onto the plastic straw, open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EM grid) for 1.5 min or 3 min. They also were directly plunged into LN2 within 30sec. For artificial shrinkage of blastocysts, 36 gauge fine needle was pushed at the cellular junction of the trophectoderm into the blstocoele cavity until it shrank without damage of inner cell mass. Results: The survival rate of vitrified blastocysts on plastic straw, OPS, EM grid as freezing vessels were 26.7, 13.0 and 60.5%, respectively. The survival rate of EM grid was significantly higher than that of plastic straw and OPS (p<0.05). For 1.5 min equilibrium, the survival rates of early blastocyst (EB), middle blastocyst (MB) and late blastocyst (LB) were 64.4, 81.0, and 20.0% respectively. For 3 min equilibrium, the survival rates of EB, MB, and LB were 69.9, 50.0 and 57.5% respectively. The survival rates of EB and MB were significantly higher than that of LB in 1.5 min equilibrium group (p<0.05), however, the significance was not observed in 3 min equilibrium groups. In cytoplasmic shrinkage before vitrification, the survival rates of EB, MB and LB were 92.9, 100 and 75.9% respectively. The survival rate of MB was significantly higher than that of LB (p<0.05). The survival rates of vitrified blastocysts by artificial dehydration and slow-frozen blastocysts were not significantly different as 88.9 and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the vitrification of human blastocysts using EM grid and artificial dehydration is an effective method. Therefore, these methods would be an useful techniques for blastocyst cryopreservation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.334-341
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• 2001

Objective : We have currently changed treatment strategies to methotrexate(MTX)-based preirradiation chemotherapy with subsequent planned radiation for the initial therapy of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of treating PCNSL with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy(RT) alone. Method and Material : This study involved 10 females and 3 males patients with a mean age of 54.2 years. All patients underwent surgery, open(8 cases) or stereotactic biopsy(5 cases) for histological diagnosis. Eleven tumors were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Tumor volume change in the follow-up images and survival time were evaluated in patients treated with CRT and RT alone. In the beginning, two patients received ProMACE-Cytabom chemotherapeutic regimen, but did not complete the course and died of progressive tumor 8 and 9 months after diagnosis, respectively. One patient died at 6 months before chemotherapy. These three were excluded from the survival analysis. Five patients(RT group) completed full courses of cranial irradiation with or without boost. For the current combined modality treatment, high-dose MTXbased chemotherapy(systemic and intrathecal MTX, IV vincristine, and oral procarbazine) followed by whole brain irrdiation to 45Gy to tumor was introduced in 5 patients of CRT group. Result : A complete response was achieved in three of five who received RT only and in all of five who received CRT. All patients in CRT groups are in disease free status at a mean 23 months following therapy. The RT group patients refused any additional salvage therapy at tumor relapse and survived at mean 20 months from diagnosis. The Karnofsky performance status improved in eight of ten patients with treatment. The treatment toxicity included leukoencephalopathy in RT group and severe leukopenia, transient hepatitis, avascular necrosis of femoral head, hearing loss, and amenorrhea in CRT group, respectively. Conclusion : The combined modality therapy of MTX-based chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for PCNSL may enhance tumor response and improve patient survival. The patients who received CRT should be carefully followed up because of the higher risk of treatment-induced late neurotoxicity.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.963-968
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• 2009

Liquid crystal (LC; E7 and/or ML-0249)-embedded, poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-co-HFP)-based, polymer electrolytes were prepared for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrolytes contained 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (PMII), tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), and iodine ($I_2$), which participate in the $I_3^-/I^-$ redox couple. The incorporation of photochemically stable PVdF-co-HFP in the DSSCs created a stable polymer electrolyte that resisted leakage and volatilization. DSSCs, with liquid crystal(LC)-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolytes between the amphiphilic ruthenium dye N719 absorbed to the nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ photoanode and the Pt counter electrode, were fabricated. These DSSCs displayed enhanced redox couple reduction and reduced charge recombination in comparison to that fabricated from the conventional PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte. The behavior of the polymer electrolyte was improved by the addition of optimized amounts of plasticizers, such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC). The significantly increased short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$, $14.60\;mA/cm^2$) and open-circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$, 0.68 V) of these DSSCs led to a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.42% and a fill factor of 0.65 under a standard light intensity of $100\;mW/cm^2$ irradiation of AM 1.5 sunlight. A DSSC fabricated by using E7-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte exhibited a maximum incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 50%.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.174-183
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• 2015

The major purpose of this study is to construct a retrospective exposure assessment for benzene through a review of literature on Korea. Airborne benzene measurements reported in 34 articles were reviewed. A total of 15,729 individual measurements were compiled. Weighted arithmetic means [AM(w)] and their variance calculated across studies were summarized according to 5-year period intervals (prior to the 1970s through the 2010s) and industry type. Industries were classified according to Korea Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC) using information provided in the literature. We estimated quantitative retrospective exposure to benzene for each cell in the matrix through a combination of time and KSIC. Analysis of the AM(w) indicated reductions in exposure levels over time, regardless of industry, with mean levels prior to the 1980-1984 period of 50.4 ppm (n = 2,289), which dropped to 2.8 ppm (n = 305) in the 1990-1994 period, and to 0.1 ppm (n = 294) in the 1995-1999 period. There has been no improvement since the 2000s, when the AM(w) of 4.3 ppm (n = 6,211) for the 2005-2009 period and 4.5 ppm (n = 3,358) for the 2010-2013 period were estimated. A comparison by industry found no consistent patterns in the measurement results. Our estimated benzene measurements can be used to determine not only the possibility of retrospective exposure to benzene, but also to estimate the level of quantitative or semiquantitative retrospective exposure to benzene.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.141-141
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• 2003

신선농산물의 호홉속도를 측정하는 방법 중 하나인 개방계(open system) 호흡속도 측정시스템은 소정의 농도로 조정된 혼합기체를 측정대상시료에 흘려 보내며 측정하는 방법이다. 개방계 측정법의 장점은 혼합 기체조성 영역에서 정확한 호흡속도를 얻을 수 있으며 방치시간이 필요 없으므로 반복 측정이 용이한 것 등이다. 그러나 개방계 측정법은 공급되는 혼합기체의 농도와 유속이 일정하여야 하며 연속으로 호흡속도 측정용 챔버의 혼합기체 공급측과 배기측에서 기체시료를 수집하여 매우 미세한 기체농도의 차이를 측정할 수 있어야 하고 기체 시료 수집에 상당한 주의가 요구된다. 이러한 문제를 개선하기 위하여 개방계 호흡속도 측정 시스템을 자동화하였다. 자동화된 호흡속도 측정 시스템은 혼합기체 발생장치, 온도조절이 가능한 기체기밀용 챔버와 G.C로 구성되어 있다. 환경기체조성을 위한 혼합기체발생장치는 $N_2$, $O_2$, $CO_2$ 압축 실린더에서 공급되는 기체를 압력 조절기를 통해서 일차압력을 조정하고 정밀 압력 조절기를 이용하여 0.1~0.2 kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$의 정압을 유지시켰다. 압력이 일정해진 기체는 metering valve를 이용하여 각 기체의 유량을 소정의 비율로 제어할 수 있도록 하였으며 각각의 기체는 gas mixed cell에서 실험 농도의 환경기체조성으로 혼합되어 항온기내의 호흡속도 측정 챔버($25^{\circ}C$)로 공급될 수 있도록 하였다. 호흡속도 측정용 챔버는 개스킷이 장착된 아크릴 재질이며 온도 조절이 가능한 항온기로 구성되어 있다. 호흡속도 측정용 챔버와 G.C간의 기체흐름은 three way solenoid valve에 의하여 제어되며 전원의 on/off에 따라 공급측의 가스와 배기측의 가스가 선택적으로 G.C에 공급될 수 있도록 구성하였다. 측정 대상 챔버의 기체는 제어된 유로를 따라 multi-position valve를 통과하여 G.C에서 분석되도록 하였다. 본 연구에서 개발된 개방계 호흡속도 자동 측정 시스템의 성능 실험에서 혼합기체발생장치에서 조제된 혼합 기체의 농도를 설정치와 비교한 결과 $O_2$와 $CO_2$의 농도에서 평균오차 0.2%로 정밀한 것으로 나타났으며 호흡속도 측정용 챔버의 혼합기체 공급측과 배기측의 가스 농도를 3회 반복 측정한 결과 재현성에서는 0.1%이하의 편차로 나타났다. 개방계 호흡속도 자동 측정 시스템을 이용하여 환경기체조성하에서 토마토의 호흡속도를 측정하는 실측 실험을 수행한 결과 2$0^{\circ}C$에서 12.7~42.1mg$CO_2$/kg.hr였으며 12$^{\circ}C$에서 2.5~8.2mg$CO_2$/kg.hr로 일반적으로 보고되고 있는 토마토 호흡속도와 일치하는 결과를 나타내었다.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2013

In this paper, organic solar cells(OSCs) based on bulk-heterojunction structures were fabricated by spin coating method using polymer P3HT and fullerene PCBM as a photoactive layer. The fabricated OSCs had a simple glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al structures. The photoactive layer of mixed P3HT:PCBM was formed with 1:1 weight ratio. The hole transport layer(HTL) was used conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS concentration with gold nanoparticles. The annealing temperature and concentration of nanoparticles in HTL were verified to improve the OSC characterization. The percentage of gold nanoparticles in HTL were 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt%, and the surface morphology, electrical properties and absorption intensities were investigated. The devices were 0.5 wt%, and the highest 3.1% of the powder conversion efficiency(PCE), 10.2 $mA/cm^2$ of the maximum short circuit current density($J_{SC}$), 0.535V of the open circuit voltage($V_{OC}$) and 55.8% of the fill factor(F.F) could be obtained when the nanoparticle concertration was 0.5 wt%. The annealing temperature of HTL was $110^{\circ}C$, $130^{\circ}C$, $150^{\circ}C$ in vacuum oven and measured the absorption intensities, surface morphology, crystallinity and electrical properties were investigated. The best property was obtained in HTL annealed at $130^{\circ}C$ for gold nanoparticles of 0.5 wt%, showing that $J_{SC}$, $V_{OC}$, F.F and PCE were about 12.0 $mA/cm^2$, 0.525V, 64.2% and 4.0%, respectively.