• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2010.02a
• /
• pp.454-454
• /
• 2010

In order to achieve a high efficient a-Si solar cell, the TCO (transparent conductive oxide) substrates are required to be a low sheet resistivity, a high transparency, and a textured surface with light trapping effect. Recently, a zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film attracts our attention as new coating material having a good transparent and conductive for TCO of solar cells. In this paper the optical properties of $H_2$ post-treated BZO (boron doped ZnO, ZnO:B) thin film are investigated with $O_2$-plasma treatment. The BZO thin films by MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) are investigated and the samples of $H_2$ post-treated BZO thin film are tested with $O_2$-plasma treatment by plasma treatment system with 13.56 MHz as RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) type. We measured the optical properties and surface morphology of BZO thin film with and without $O_2$-plasma treatment. The optical properties such as transmittance, reflectance and haze are measured with integrating sphere and ellipsometer. This result of the BZO thin film with and without $O_2$-plasma treatment is application to the TCO for solar cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.570-576
• /
• 2019

Particulate matter (PM), which refers to the mixture of particles present in the air, can have harmful effects. Damage to cells by PM, including disruption of organelles and proteins, can trigger autophagy, and the relationship between autophagy and PM has been well studied. However, the cellular regulators of PM-induced autophagy have not been well characterized, especially in keratinocytes. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is expressed in the epidermis and is activated by PM. In this study, we investigated the role of the AhR in PM-induced autophagy in HaCaT cells. Our results showed that PM led to AhR activation in keratinocytes. Activation of the AhR-target gene CYP1A1 by PM was reduced by co-treatment with ${\alpha}$-naphthoflavone (${\alpha}-NF$), an AhR inhibitor. We also evaluated activation of the autophagy pathway in PM-treated keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, treatment with PM treatment led to the induction of microtubules-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1, which are essential components of the autophagy pathway. To study the role of the AhR in mediating PM-induced autophagy, we treated cells with ${\alpha}-NF$ or used an siRNA against AhR. Expression of LC3-II induced by PM was decreased in a dose dependent manner by ${\alpha}-NF$. Furthermore, knockdown of AhR with siAhR diminished PM-induced expression of LC3-II and p62. Together, these results suggest that inhibition of the AhR decreases PM-induced autophagy. We confirmed these results using the autophagy-inhibitors BAF and 3-MA. Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to PM induces autophagy via the AhR in HaCaT keratinocytes.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2014

To develop high efficiency crystalline solar cells, the $SiN_x$ film for surface passivation and anti-reflection coating is very important and it is generally deposited by PECVD. In this paper, the $SiN_x$ film deposited by Hot-Wire chemical vapor deposition(HWCVD) that has no plasma damage was studied. First, to optimize the $SiN_x$ film deposition process, $SiH_4$ gas rate and substrate temperature were varied and then refractive index and thickness were measured. When $SiH_4$ gas rate was 22sccm and substrate temperature was $100^{\circ}C$, refractive index was 1.94 and higher than that of other process conditions. Second, the lifetime was measured by varying the annealing temperature and time. The annealing process was made from 5 to 30 minutes at $300{\sim}500^{\circ}C$. When the annealing temperature was $100^{\circ}C$ and time was 10minute, the lifetime was the highest. The lifetime of annealed samples was also measured after the firing process at $975^{\circ}C$. Although the lifetime of all samples was decreased by firing process, the lifetime of annealed samples before the firing process was higher than that of fired samples only. Finally, the characteristics of solar cells with HWCVD $SiN_x$ film were measured.

• Solar Energy
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 1988

Heterojunction solar cells of $n-Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS/p-Si$ were fabricated by solution growth technique. The crystal structure, spectral response, surface morphology, and I-V characteristics of the $n-Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS/p-Si$ heterojunction solar cells were studied. The $Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS$ layer deposited on a silicon substrate (111) were found to be a cubic structure with the crystal orientation (111), (220) of the CdS and to be a hexagonal structure with crystal orientation (100) of the ZnS. The open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor, and conversion efficiency of $n-Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS/p-Si$ heterojunction solar cell under $100mW/cm^2$ illumination were found to be 0.43V, 38mA. 0.76, and 12.4%, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2013

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in women and has a high mortality rate. Cisplatin, an antitumor agent, is generally used for its treatment. However, the administration of cisplatin is associated with side effects and intrinsic resistance. Morinda citrifolia (Noni), a natural plant product, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. In this study, we used Noni, cisplatin, and the two in combination to study their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cell lines. We demonstrate here, that Noni/Cisplatin by themselves and their combination were able to induce apoptosis in both these cell lines. Cisplatin showed slightly higher cell killing as compared to Noni and their combination showed additive effects. The observed apoptosis appeared to be mediated particularly through the up-regulation of p53 and pro-apoptotic Bax proteins, as well as down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-$X_L$ proteins and survivin. Augmentation in the activity of caspase-9 and -3 was also observed, suggesting the involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis for both Noni and Cisplatin in HeLa and SiHa cell lines.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.78-87
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Troglitazone (TRO) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist. TRO has antiproliferative activity on many kinds of cancer cells via G1 arrest. TRO also increases $Cu^{2+}/Zn^{2+}$-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and catalase. Cell cycle, and SOD and catalase may affect on radiation sensitivity. We investigated the effect of TRO on radiation sensitivity in cancer cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: Three human cervix cancer cell lines (HeLa, Me180, and SiHa) were used. The protein expressions of SOD and catalase, and catalase activities were measured at 2-10 ${\mu}M$ of TRO for 24 hours. Cell cycle was evaluated with flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. Cell survival by radiation was measured with clonogenic assay. Results: By 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO for 24 hours, the mRNA, protein expression and activity of catalase were increased in all three cell lines. G0-G1 phase cells were increased in HeLa and Me180 by 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO for 24 hours, but those were not increased in SiHa. By pretreatment with 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO radiation sensitivity was increased in HeLa and Me180, but it was decreased in SiHa. In Me180, with 2 ${\mu}M$ TRO which increased catalase but not increased G0-G1 cells, radiosensitization was not observed. ROS produced by radiation was decreased with TRO. Conclusion: TRO increases radiation sensitivity through G0-G1 arrest or decreases radiation sensitivity through catalase-mediated ROS scavenging according to TRO dose or cell types. The change of radiation sensitivity by combined with TRO is not dependent on the PPAR ${\gamma}$ expression level.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.24 no.9
• /
• pp.1291-1299
• /
• 2014

Recently, multifunctional nanomaterials have been developed as nanotherapeutic agents for cellular imaging and targeted cancer treatment because of their ease of synthesis and low cytotoxicity. In this study, we developed a multifunctional, two-component nanorod consisting of gold (Au) and nickel (Ni) blocks that enables dual-fluorescence imaging and the targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to improve cancer treatment. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides were attached to the surface of a Ni block via a histidine-tagged LHRH interaction to specifically bind to a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The Au block was modified with TAMRA-labeled thiolated siRNA in order to knock down the vascular endothelial growth factor protein to inhibit cancer growth. These two-component nanorods actively targeted and internalized into MCF-7 cells to induce apoptosis through RNA interference. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using two-component nanorods as a potential theranostic in breast cancer treatment, with capabilities in dual imaging and targeted gene delivery.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.209-214
• /
• 2014

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote apoptotic cell death. We showed that cytosolic $NADP^+$-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPc) plays an essential role in the control of cellular redox balance and defense against oxidative damage, by supplying NADPH for antioxidant systems. In this study, we demonstrated that knockdown of IDPc expression by RNA interference enhances UVB-induced apoptosis of immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes. This effect manifested as DNA fragmentation, changes in cellular redox status, mitochondrial dysfunction, and modulation of apoptotic marker expression. Based on our findings, we suggest that attenuation of IDPc expression may protect skin from UVB-mediated damage, by inducing the apoptosis of UV-damaged cells.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 2016

The effects of ultrasonic melt treatment on the microstructures of aluminum piston were examined at five observation parts having different cooling rates. The microstructure of aluminum piston consisted of primary Si, eutectic Si, and various types of intermetallic compounds. Regardless of cooling rate, the ultrasonic melt treatment transformed dendritic eutectic cells to equiaxed eutectic cells and it decreased the sizes of eutectic Si and intermetallic compounds that exist at eutectic cell boundaries. In the absence of ultrasonic treatment, coarse primary Si particles were severely segregated and its size was increased with decreasing the cooling rate. The ultrasonic treatment decreased the size of primary Si particles from $25.5{\sim}31.0{\mu}m$ to $17.6{\sim}23.1{\mu}m$, depending on the cooling rate. In the presence of ultrasonic treatment, relatively fine primary Si particles were homogeneously distributed throughout the piston. In addition, the ultrasonic treatment increased the population density and area fraction of fine primary Si particles.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2018

Listeria monocytogenes can asymptomatically inhabit the human intestine as a commensal bacterium. However, the mechanism by which L. monocytogenes is able to inhabit the intestine without pathogenic symptoms remains unclear. We compared the invasion efficiency of L. monocytogenes strains with the 268- and 385-bp-long actA gene. Clinical strains SMFM-CI-3 and SMFM-CI-6 with 268-bp actA isolated from patients with listeriosis, and strains SMFM-SI-1 and SMFM-SI-2 with the 385-bp gene isolated from carcasses, were used for inoculum preparation. The invasion efficiency of these strains was evaluated using Caco-2 cells (intestinal epithelial cell line), prepared as normal and healthy cells with tightened tight junctions and senescent cells with loose tight junctions that were loosened by adriamycin treatment. The invasion efficiency of L. monocytogenes strains with the 268-bp-long actA gene was 1.1-2.6-times lower than that of the strains with the 385-bp-long gene in normal and healthy cells. However, the invasion efficiency of both types of strains did not differ in senescent cells. Thus, L. monocytogenes strains with the 268-bp-long actA gene can inhabit the intestine asymptomatically as a commensal bacterium, but they may invade the intestinal epithelial cells and cause listeriosis in senescent cells.