• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2283-2287
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• 2007

Amyloid fibril formation of amyloid β/A4 protein (Aβ) is critical to understand the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease and develop controlling strategy toward the neurodegenerative disease. For this purpose, dequalinium (DQ) has been employed as a specific modifier for Aβ aggregation and its subsequent cytotoxicity. In the presence of DQ, the final thioflavin-T binding fluorescence of Aβ aggregates decreased significantly. It was the altered morphology of Aβ aggregates in a form of the bundles of the fibrils, distinctive from normal single-stranded amyloid fibrils, and the resulting reduced β-sheet content that were responsible for the decreased fluorescence. The morphological transition of Aβ aggregates assessed with atomic force microscope indicated that the bundle structure observed with DQ appeared to be resulted from the initial multimeric seed structure rather than lateral association of preformed single-stranded fibrils. Investigation of the seeding effect of the DQ-induced Aβ aggregates clearly demonstrated that the seed structure has determined the final morphology of Aβ aggregates as well as the aggregative kinetics by shortening the lag phase. In addition, the cytotoxicity was also varied depending on the final morphology of the aggregates. Taken together, DQ has been considered to be a useful chemical probe to control the cytotoxicity of the amyloid fibrils by influencing the seed structures which turned out to be central to develop therapeutic strategy by inducing the amyloid fibrils in different shapes with varied toxicities.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2008

Surrogate tissue analysis incorporating -omics technologies has emerged as a potential alternative method for evaluating toxic effect of the tissues which are not accessible for sampling. Among the recent applications, blood including whole blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was suggested as a suitable surrogate tissue in determining toxicant exposure and effect at the pre- or early clinical stage. In this application, we investigated transcriptomic profiles in astemizole treated Cynomolgus monkey's PBMCs. PBMCs were isolated from 4-6 years old male monkeys at 24 hr after administration45 Helvetica Light (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg). Gene expression profiles of astemizole treated monkey's PBMCs were determined using Affymetrix $GeneChip^{(R)}$ Human Genome U133 plus 2.0 arrays. The expression levels of 724 probe sets were significantly altered in PBMCs at 10 or 30 mg/kg after astemizole administration following determination of paired t-test using statistical criteria of ${\geq}$$1.5-fold changes at P<0.05. Gene expression patterns in PBMCs showed a considerable difference between astemizole 10 and 30 mg/kg administration groups in spite of an administration of the same chemical. However, close examination using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software revealed that several gene sets related to cardiotoxicity were deregulated at astemizole 10 and 30 mg/kg administration groups. The deregulation of cardiac hypertrophy related genes such as TXN, GNAQ, and MAP3K5 was observed at 10 mg/kg group. In astemizole 30 mg/kg group, genes involved in cardiotoxicity including cardiac necrosis/cell death, dilation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy were also identified. These results suggest that toxicogenomic approach using PBMCs as surrogate tissues will contribute to assess toxicant exposures and identify biomarkers at the pre-clinical stage.

• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 1999

positron annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy has been extensively applied in recent years to investigate the free volume in polymers owing to the capability of the electron-positron bound system (positronium) to probe the typical size of sub-nanometric cavities among the macromolecular chains. In this paper we show recent results obtained through this technique in some amorphous polymeric mem-branes(olyurethanes. PUs and polytrimethilsylilpropine PTMSP) after a brief survey of the general features of the annihilation process as well as of the experimental apparatus. Lifetime of o-ps decay({{{{ tau _3}}}}) in PUs increases going from sub {{{{ TAU _g}}}} to over {{{{ TAU _g}}}} temperatures following a sigmoid curve. The coefficient of dilatation of the free volume fraction is shown to be the sum of two contributes due to the variation with T of the number of holes and of their mean volume. PAL spectrum of PTMSP freshly prepared shows four lifetime components: {{{{ tau _3}}}} and {{{{ tau _4}}}}: only are useful for free volume study. Two kinds of holes of different equivalent radius are reported ({{{{ gamma _s}}}} 4.60 nm and {{{{ gamma _1}}}} 0.754) The equivalent volume does not change in a range of 100 K. however the physical aging increases density and decreases oxygen permeability while {{{{ gamma _s}}}} goes down to 0.374 and r1 to 0.735 The number of holes obtained from the intensities{{{{ IOTA _3}}}} and {{{{ IOTA _4}}}} of PAL spectra decreases with aging 21.7% and 3.5% for large and small holes respectively.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.207-219
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• 2022

The suppression of high-intensity blob structures in the scrape-off layer (SOL) by ion-cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) power, leading to a decrease in the turbulent fluctuation level, is observed first in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) experiment. This suppression effect from ICRF power injection is global in the whole SOL at EAST, i.e. blob structures both in the regions that are magnetically connected to the active ICRF launcher and in the regions that are not connected to the active ICRF launcher could be suppressed by ICRF power. However, more ICRF power is required to reach the full blob structure suppression effect in the regions that are magnetically unconnected to the active launcher than in the regions that are magnetically connected to the active launcher. Studies show that a possible reason for the blob suppression could be the enhanced E_r × B shear flow in the SOL, which is supported by the shaper radial gradient in the floating potential profiles sensed by the divertor probe arrays with increasing ICRF power. The local RF wave power unabsorbed by the core plasma is responsible for the modification of potential profiles in the SOL regions.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2004

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness and reproducibility of $^1H$ MRS in different 1.5 T MR machines with different coils to compare the SNR, scan time and the spectral patterns in different brain regions in normal volunteers. Materials and Methods : Localized $^1H$ MR spectroscopy ($^1H$ MRS) was performed in a total of 10 normal volunteers (age; 20-45 years) with spectral parameters adjusted by the autoprescan routine (PROBE package). In all volunteers, MRS was performed in a three times using conventional MRS (Signa Horizon) with 1 channel coil and upgraded MRS (Echospeed plus with EXCITE) with both 1 channel and 8 channel coil. Using these three different machines and coils, SNRs of the spectra in both phantom and volunteers and (pre)scan time of MRS were compared. Two regions of the human brain (basal ganglia and deep white matter) were examined and relative metabolite ratios (NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr ratios) were measured in all volunteers. For all spectra, a STEAM localization sequence with three-pulse CHESS $H_2O$ suppression was used, with the following acquisition parameters: TR=3.0/2.0 sec, TE=30 msec, TM=13.7 msec, SW=2500 Hz, SI=2048 pts, AVG : 64/128, and NEX=2/8 (Signa/Echospeed). Results : The SNR was about over $30\%$ higher in Echospeed machine and time for prescan and scan was almost same in different machines and coils. Reliable spectra were obtained on both MRS systems and there were no significant differences in spectral patterns and relative metabolite ratios in two brain regions (p>0.05). Conclusion : Both conventional and new MRI systems are highly reliable and reproducible for $^1H$ MR spectroscopic examinations in human brains and there are no significant differences in applications for $^1H$ MRS between two different MRI systems.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2013

Genetically modified (GM) rice Agb0101, which expresses the insecticidal toxin modified cry1Ac (mcry1Ac1) gene, was developed by the Rural Development Administration in Korea. To monitor the probable release of Agb0101 in the future, it is necessary to develop a reliable detection method. Here, we developed the PCR detection method for monitoring and tracing of GM rice. The primer pair (RBEgh-1/-2) from a starch branching enzyme (RBE4) gene was designed as an endogenous reference, giving rise to an expected PCR amplicon of 101 bp. For the qualitative PCR detection, construct- and event-specific primers were designed on the basis of integration sequence of T-DNA. Event-specific PCRs amplified specifically 5'- or 3'-junction region spanning the native genome DNA and the integrated gene construct, while none of amplified product was shown on crops, rice varieties, and other insect-resistant transgenic rice lines. The event-specific real-time PCR method was performed using TaqMan probe and plasmid pRBECrR containing both rice endogenous gene RBE4 sequence and 5'-junction sequence as the reference molecule. The absolute limit of quantification (LOQ) of real-time PCR was established with around 10 copies for one plasmid molecule pRBECrR. Thereafter, the different amounts of transgenic rice (1, 3, 5, and 10%, respectively) were quantified by using the established real-time PCR method, with a range below 19.55% of the accuracy expressed as bias, 0.06-0.40 of standard deviation (SD) and 3.80-7.01% of relative standard deviations (RSD), respectively. These results indicate that the qualitative and quantitative PCR methods could be used effectively to detect the event Agb0101 in monitoring and traceability.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.125-137
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• 2006

1. 목적 흡연은 치주질환의 주요한 위험 인자 중의 하나이다. 일반적으로 흡연자는 비흡연자보다 비외과적 및 외과적 치주치료에 대한 반응이 덜 효과적인 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 연구에서는 중등도의 만성 치주염이 존재하는 한국인 흡연자와 비흡연자를 대상으로 하여, 비외과적 치주치료인 치석 제거술과 치근 활택술을 시행한 후 6개윌 동안의 임상적 치유 반응을 비교해 보고자 하였다. 2. 방법 20명의 중등도 만성 치주염 환자(흡연자 10명, 비흡연자 10명)를 대상으로 치주낭 깊이(Probing Pocket Depth, PPD), 치은퇴축(GR), 치주탐침시 출혈유무(BOP), #16, 12, 24, 32, 36, 44의 치태지수(Plaque Index, Silness & $L{\"{o}}e$ 1964)를 임상변수로 측정하였다. 치주낭 깊이 (PD)와 치은퇴축(GR)은 전자 탐침(Florida $Probe^{(R)}$ Co. Gainesville, FL)을 이용하여 각 치아당 6군데를 측정하였다. 임상적 부착 수준(CAL)은 치주낭 깊이(PD)와 치은퇴축(GR)의 합으로 계산하였다. 초진시에 전악 임상 검사를 시행하였고, 초진시의 치주낭 깊이에 따라 조사 대상이 되는 치아 부위를 선정하였다. 치주적으로 건강한 부위 $(PD{\leq}3mm)$를 대조군인 1군으로 하고 치주낭 깊이가 4 mm를 초과하고 5 mm 미만인 부위를 2군, 5 mm 이상의 치주낭 깊이를 가지는 부위를 3군으로 설정하였다. 비외과적 치주치료인 치석 제거술, 치근 활택술과 구강위생 교육을 시행하였고 2개월(T1), 4개윌(T2), 6개윌(T3)에 선정된 해당 치아 부위에 대해 임상 재검사를 시행하였다. 3. 결과 BOP와 Plaque Index는 초진, 2, 4, 6개월에 흡연자와 비흡연자 간에 유의할 만한 차이가 없었으나 전반적으로 감소하는 경향이 나타났다. 대조군인 l군에 서는 흡연자와 비흡연자 간에 모든 시기에서 PD, GR, CAL에 유의할 만한 차이가 없었다. 치주낭 깊이가 4 mm를 초과하고 5 mm 미만인 2군에서는 비흡연자에서 6개월에 유의할 만한 치주낭 깊이 감소가 나타났으며, 4개월과 6개윌에 유의할 만한 부착수준의 증가가 관찰되었다(p<0.05). 치주낭 깊이가 5 mm이상인 3군에서는 비흡연자에서 치주낭 깊이 감소가 일관되게 더 많이 나타났으나 통계학적으로 유의할 만한 차이는 6개월째에서만 관찰되었다. 2군과 유사하게 치주낭 갚이 감소는 흡연자보다 비흡연자에서 0.6 mm 더 크게 나타났다. 부착수준의 획득은 2군에서는 4, 6개월째에, 3군에서는 6개월째에 비흡연자에서 유의하게 더 많이 일어났다. 초진시의 치주낭 깊이와 각 시기별 ${\Delta}PD$ 간의 상관관계에서는 치주낭 갚이가 5mm 이상인 3군에서 비흡연자의 경우 6개월째에 가장 강한 상관성이 나타났다($r_s=0.43$, p<0.05). 흡연자에서는 3군에서 어떠한 유의한 상관관계도 나타나지 않았다. 결론적으로 중등도 만성 치주염 환자를 대상으로 한 6개윌의 단기간 연구에서 비외과적 치주치료 후 흡연자에서 비흡연자보다 치주낭 깊이 감소의 개선과 부착수준의 획득이 더 적게 나타나 임상적 치유반응이 좋지 않음을 확인하였다. 이는 흡연이 숙주의 치유반응 부정적인 영향을 주기 때문으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2005

[ $TiO_2$ ] was deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on glass surface under various sputtering parameters such as discharge power($0.6{\sim}5.2\;kW$, substrate temperature($R.T{\sim}350^{\circ}C$), Ar and $O_2$ flow ratio with $0{\sim}50\;sccm$($Ar+O_2$ 90 sccm) and about 1 mtorr of pressure. TiO-N thin film was prepared under same sputtering conditions for $TiO_2$ thin film except flow ratio($Ar+O_2+N_2$ 90 sccm). The sheet resistance of thin films deposited under these parameters was measured to analyze electronic characteristic and thin film's thickness(${\alpha}$-step), surface roughness(AFM) and formation construction(FE-SEM, XRD) were also measured to draw optimal sputtering parameters. In order to evaluate photo-activity of thin film($TiO_2$, TiO-N) made in optimal parameters for removal of pollutants, toluene among VOCs and Suncion Yellow among reactive dyes were chosen to probe organic compounds for photo-degradation. It was shown that the photo-catalytic thin films had a significant photo-activation for the chosen contaminants and especially TiO-N thin film showed maximum efficiency of 33% for toluene(5 ppm) removal in visible-light range.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.353-354
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• 2004

사용후 핵연료의 조성을 분석하거나 또는 반사전자상과 2차 전자상 등으로 시료를 관찰하기 위해서는 핫셀(Hot cell)에 증착기(coater)를 설치하여 시료표면을 전도성 물질인 탄소 등으로 증착시켜야 한다. 그러나 원격조정기를(manipulator)를 이용하여 수행되는 핫셀에서의 증착작업은 사용후 핵연료 시험의 선진분석기술을 갖고 있는 원자력 선진국에서도 핫셀내에 설치되어 있는 증착기의 탄소봉을 교체하는 작업과 진공장치의 성능 유지가 까다로워 시료표면에 균질하게 전도성 물질을 증착시키는 작업에 많은 어려움을 겪고 있다. 본 연구는 통상적으로 이용되는 증착기를 사용하지 않고 Silver Paint를 사용하여 사용후 핵연료를 분석할 수 있는 새로운 방법에 대한 연구를 수행하였다. 산화물 핵연료는 전기전도도가 매우 낮아($3{\times}10^{-1}~4{\times}10^{-8}/ohm{\cdot}cm$)입사된 전자의 이동이 원활하지 못해 일어나는 들뜸(Charging)현상이 발생한다. 그러나 Silver Paint 에 사용후 핵연료를 접착하면 모세관(capillary)현상에 의해 시료 주위와 핵연료의 결정립계로 Silver가 스며들어 입사된 전자의 이동이 원활해져 전도성이 극히 낮은 시료의 분석이 가능하게 된다. 본 시험에 사용된 EPMA는 (Electron Probe Micro Analyzer, SX-50R, CAMECA, Paris, France) 고 방사능을 띤 조사 핵연료의 시험을 수행할 수 있도록 기기의 적절한 부위에 납과 텅스텐으로 차폐되어 시편의 방사능 세기가 $3{\times}10^{10}Bq$까지 시험 가능한 기기이다. 그림 1은 JAERI 에 설치 운영중인 증착기 설비 사진이다. 그림에서 핫셀에 설치된 증착기의 진공을 유지하기 위해 핫셀 벽을 관통하여 증착기 본체까지 연결된 배출관의 형상과 복잡한 주변장치들을 볼 수 있다. 그림 2는 비조사 핵연료 시편을 Silver Pain떼 접착한 사진이다. 그림은 시료주위와 시료 표면까지 Silver Paint가 도포된 모습을 보여주고 있다. 상용발전소에서 연소도가 50,000 Mwd/tU인 사용후 핵연료를 상기와 같은 방법으로 만든 시편의 표면을 관찰한 사진을 그림 3~8에 나타내었다. 그림 3은 핵연료 중앙부위의 결정립을 나타낸 그림이다. Silver Paint만으로 접착한 시료의 표면관찰 및 정량분석이 그림에서 보듯이 가능함을 확인하였다. 그림 4는 사용후 핵연료시료를 중앙부위에서 가장자리까지를 다섯 부위로 나누어 그 중 중앙부위(1/5) 지점의 입계 및 형상을 관찰한 사진이다. 결정립의 크기가 다른 부위보다 상대적으로 크고, 결정립에 생성된 기공이 발달되어 있음을 볼 수 있다. 그림 5와 6과 7은 중심부위와 rim부위 사이 지점을 관찰한 사진으로서 결정립과 기공의 분포가 비슷한 형상을 나타내고 있음을 관찰할 수 있었다. 그림 8은 rim 부위 사진으로 전형적인 rim 영역 현상을 관찰할 수 있었다. 표 1은 그림 2와 같이 비조사 산화물 핵연료를 Silver Paint로 접착한 시편을 정량 분석한 결과이다. 시편의 조성은 33.6 at% U, 66.4 at% O의 결과를 얻었다. 산화물 핵연료의 표면 관찰 및 정량 분석 시험시 시편 표면을 전도성 물질로 증착시키지 않고, Silver Paint 에 시편을 접착하는 방법으로도 만족한 시험 결과를 얻을 수 있었다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

With the use of Agrobacterium and gene-gun, cold regulated gene (BN115) has been injected in Chrysanthemum leaf disc and transgenic plants have been produced successfully on the selection media containing phytohormone. To determine the presence of the transferred cold regulated gene (BN115) in the transgenic Chrysanthemum, PCR-amplification indicated the presence of that gene. Real-Time PCR for confirmation of the putative transgenic plants was established. The copy number of cold regulated gene (BN115) is extrapolated on the basis of a standard curve. Serial dilutions of known number of gene copies were in triplicates. In this diagram, PCR cycles are plotted against the fluorescence intensity. The cycle at which the fluorescence reaches a threshold cycle is inversely proportional to the starting amount of target DNA.