• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Its effects on living organisms are different from those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in Gram-negative bacteria. LTA contributes to immune regulatory effects including anti-aging. In this study, we showed that LTA isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. pLTA reduced the cellular activity of tyrosinase and the expression of tyrosinase family members in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of microphthalmia- associated transcription factor (MITF), a key factor in the synthesis of melanin, was also decreased by pLTA. Further, we showed that pLTA activated melanogenesis signaling, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinse (PI3K)/AKT. In addition, the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) and HuR, which are important RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), was reduced. pLTA likely degrades MITF via regulation of melanogenic signaling and RNA stability of melanogenic proteins, resulting in the reduction of melanin. Thus, our data suggest that pLTA has therapeutic potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders and can also be used as a cosmetic whitening agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2015

Retinyl palmitate (RP)-loaded pectinate micro- and nano-particles (PMP and PNP) were designed for stabilization of RP that is widely used as an anti-wrinkle agent in anti-aging cosmeceuticals. PMP/PNP were prepared with an ionotropic gelation method, and anti-oxidative activity of the particles was measured with a DPPH assay. The stability of RP in the particles along with pectin gel and ethanolic solution was then evaluated. In vitro release and skin permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells. Distribution of RP in each skin tissue (stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis) was also determined. PMP and PNP could be prepared with mean particle size diameters of $593{\sim}843{\mu}m$ (PMP) and 530 nm (i.e., $0.53{\mu}m$, PNP). Anti-oxidative activity of PNP was greater than PMP due largely to larger surface area available for PNP. The stability of RP in PMP and PNP was similar but much greater than RP in pectin bulk gels and ethanolic solution. PMP and PNP showed the abilities to constantly release RP and it could be permeated across the model artificial membrane and rat whole skin. RP was serially deposited throughout the skin layers. This study implies RP loaded PMP and PNP are expected to be advantageous for improved anti-wrinkle effects.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.625-629
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• 2010

This study investigates the effects of porosity on the thermal stability and the thermal shock resistance of a porous nozzle used for blowing an inert gas. The samples of $Al_2O_3-SiO_2-ZrO_2$ system, which had the apparent porosity of 16~30% and bulk density of $2.6{\sim}3.2g/cm^3$, were prepared by adding different graphite contents (5, 10, 20 wt%) as a pore-forming agent. The thermal shock test was conducted at ${\Delta}T=500$, 1000, and $1400^{\circ}C$ also and the thermal stability was also carried out at 1550, 1600, and $1650^{\circ}C$ for 5 hrs. The specimen contained 10 wt% graphite had uniform pore size distribution, whereas the specimen with 20 wt% graphite showed non-uniform pore size distribution. As a result of thermal shock test, the specimen containing 10 wt% graphite appears to have higher mechanical strength than the other specimens (5, 20 wt% graphite). Both the 5 wt% and 20 wt% graphite specimens developed a non-uniform pore size distribution and cracks that were generated by intensive thermal stress.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2014

Methylene diisocyanate (MDI) was investigated as a novel interfacial modifier to enhance the performances of poly(methyl methacrylate)-modified starch/styrene-butadiene rubber (PMMA-modified starch/SBR) composites. Owing to the formation urethane linkage on one side and ${\pi}-{\pi}$ adhesion on the other side, MDI acted as an intermediated linkage role in the PMMA-modified starch/SBR interfaces, which was evidenced by the morphological, mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal decomposition studies. As a result, the presence of MDI significantly improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PMMA-modified starch/SBR composites. In addition, the effect of starch concentration on the various performances of the resulted MDI/PMMA-modified starch/SBR composites, such as morphology, vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, toluene swelling behavior, and thermal stability were investigated and discussed in detail. The obtained MDI/PMMA-modified starch/SBR composites exhibited superior mechanical properties to carbon black/SBR (CB/SBR) composites, demonstrating the potential use of the renewable starch as a substitute for CB in the rubber compounds.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2007

The antimicrobial properties of methanolic extract (PML) from Prunus nune byproducts after liquor manufacturing weremeasured using various putrefactive and food spoilage microorganisms. PML showed remarkable antimicrobial effects against various putrefactive and food spoliage microorganisms when used at 500g/mL. The antimicrobial properties were stable for 30 min at 100C and at pH 3 11. PML seems to be a natural antimicrobial agent with high effectiveness, and shows both thernal and pH stability. In addition, the mode of antimicrobial action suggests that the active components may synergistically perturb microbial membrane functions.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2010

The fibrous material fraction as a by-product from the commercial aloe vera gel processing was obtained and freeze dried. The physicochemical characteristics such as the proximate composition, crystalline/surface structures and several physical functionalities including the water holding capacity (WHC), swelling capacity (SW), oil holding capacity (OHC), emulsion/foam properties and viscosity properties of this powdered sample (100 mesh) were investigated and analyzed by comparison with commercial $\alpha$-cellulose as a reference sample. The total dietary fiber content of powdered sample was very high as much as 87.5%, and the insoluble dietary and soluble dietary fiber content ratios were 77.6 and 22.4%, respectively. The FT-IR spectrum of powdered sample showed a typical polysaccharide property and exhibited a x-ray diffraction pattern for cellulose III and IV like structure. SW (8.24${\pm}$0.15 mL/g), WHC(6.40${\pm}$0.19 g water/g solid) and OHC(10.32${\pm}$0.29 g oil/g solid) of freeze dried aloe cellulose were about 3.3, 1.4 and 2 times higher than those of commercial $\alpha$-cellulose, respectively. Aloe cellulose (~2%, w/v) alone had no foam capacity while improved the foam stability of protein solution (1% albumin+0.5% $CaCl_{2}$) by factor of 300%. Emulsion capacity of 2%(w/v) aloe cellulose was about 70% level of 0.5%(w/v) xanthan gum, but its emulsion stability was about 1.2 times higher than that of xanthan gum. Also, aloe cellulose containing CMC (carboxyl methyl cellulose) of 0.3%(w/v) showed a very good dispersity. Aloe cellulose dispersion of above 1%(w/v) exhibited higher pseudoplasticity and concentration dependence than those of $\alpha$-cellulose dispersion, indicating the viscosity properties for new potential usage such as an excellent thickening agent.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2022

To realize the infinite possibilities of materials derived from wood, it is necessary to overcome the weak moisture stability of wood. Thus, the development of an eco-friendly hydrophobic coating agent is essential, and of these, woody biomass-based materials are strongly attractive as coatings. In this study, eco-friendly hydrophobic wood coatings were prepared using carnauba wax purified from palm leaves and sprouts, and kraft lignin. The physicochemical properties of the carnauba wax/lignin blends according to the ratio of carnauba wax and lignin were observed by morphology and functional group change. In addition, the coating performance of carnauba wax/lignin blend coatings was confirmed by measuring the contact angle change. It was found that the addition of lignin could accelerate the atomization of wax particles, and that micro-roughness can be realized when applied to the actual wood surface, to ensure that the coating effect over time lasts longer. In addition, it was confirmed that the addition of lignin increases the hydrogen-bond-based interaction with the wood of the coating, thereby providing better coating stability and increasing the durability of the coating solvent under friction. The carnauba wax/lignin paint developed in this way is eco-friendly because all components are made of wood-based raw materials and have an excellent affinity with wood surfaces. Therefore, it is expected to be applicable to the coating process of wood-plastic composites and timber composites.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Objectives : Natural extracts have been extensively studied to replace single agent drugs that cause a variety of side effects. However, studies of changes to the formulation of natural extracts has not been nearly proceed. We aimed to investigate whether pharmacological stability of hyeonggaeyeongyotang gagambang (HYT) is altered by formulation changes for foaming tablet. Methods : In this study, we performed freeze - drying of HYT, which is known to have antioxidant and anti - inflammatory properties, and then changed the formulation by foaming. Results : As a result, the foaming reaction appeared normally when HYT foamed tablets were put into water, and almost all of the substances were dissolved in the aqueous solution. In addition, we confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatograph that the geniposide used as an indicator material of HYT was stable in most of the formulations. It was confirmed that the change of HYT formulation did not affect the antioxidant efficacy by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assay. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the inhibitory effect of HYT on IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression induced by lipopolysaccharides treatment in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was similar in the solution of foaming tablet. Conclusions : These results suggest that the materials with various pharmacological effects can be stably maintained even when the formulation is changed by the foaming action of HYT. Our results are expected to provide important basic knowledge on formulation changes using various natural extracts.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2010

To improve the curing method of anisotropic conductive film (ACF) at low temperature, it was studied to replace the thermal latent curing agent of imidazole compounds by the curing agent of cationically initiating type. Thermo-mechanical properties such as glass transition temperature, storage modulus, and coefficient of thermal expansion were investigated for the analysis of curing behavior. The reliability of ACF were observed in thermal cycle and high temperature-high humidity test. ACF using cationic initiator showed faster curing, lower CTE, and higher $T_g$ than the case of using imidazole curing agent, which is important for the high temperature stability. Furthermore, ACF using cationic initiator maintained a stable contact resistance in reliability test, although it was cured at low temperature and fast rate. With these results, it was confirmed that the curing method of epoxy had great effect on thermo-mechanical properties and reliability of ACF.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.274-281
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• 2010

In this study, PEG-PLA(or PLGA) amphiphilic di-block copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization of D,L-lactide(or glycolide) and applied to polymeric micelle system for solubilization of a rosiglitazone as diabetes drug. The drug could be efficiently loaded into the polymer micelle by solid dispersion technique, and the drug-loaded micelles were characterized and evaluated as a drug delivery carrier by fluorescence spectrometer, DSC, and DLS measurements. The colloidal stability of drug loaded micelles in aqueous media could be enhanced by addition of 2-hydroxy-N-picolylnitinamide as a hydrotropic agent. The polymer micelles also showed biocompatible and nontoxic properties in vitro cell viability using MTT assay, and the drug loaded micelles were observed to be more effective than free drug for decreasing glucose in blood of rats.