• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2013

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium that are found in cereals and agricultural products. ZEN has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. The toxic effects of ZEN are well known, but the ability of an alkaline Comet assay to assess ZEN-induced oxidative DNA damage in Chang liver cells has not been established. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the Comet assay for the determination of cytotoxicity and extent of DNA damage induced by ZEN toxin, and the second aim was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) to protect cells from ZEN-induced toxicity. In the Comet assay, DNA damage was assessed by quantifying the tail extent moment (TEM; arbitrary unit) and tail length (TL; arbitrary unit), which are used as indicators of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. The cytotoxic effects of ZEN in Chang liver cells were mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative DNA damage. Increasing the concentration of ZEN increased the extent of DNA damage. The extent of DNA migration, and percentage of cells with tails were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with ZEN toxin (p < 0.05). Treatment with a low concentration of ZEN toxin (25 ${\mu}M$) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage, compared to treatment of cells with a high concentration of ZEN toxin (250 ${\mu}M$). Oxidative DNA damage appeared to be a key determinant of ZEN-induced toxicity in Chang liver cells. Significant reductions in cytolethality and oxidative DNA damage were observed when cells were pretreated with NACA prior to exposure to any concentration of ZEN. Our data suggest that ZEN induces DNA damage in Chang liver cells, and that the antioxidant activity of NACA may contribute to the reduction of ZEN-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity via elimination of oxidative stress.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.141-161
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• 1998

The depth and patterns of demineralization according to the difference in concentration and application time of phosphoric acid were observed through the transmission electron microscope, and shear bond strengths to the acid -conditioned dentin were then measured and compared with the TEM results. To investigate the influence of polymer addition into the phosphoric acid and the effect of difference in concentration and application time of the acid, the specimens were randomly divided into 9 groups. Among the specimens, the exposed dentin surfaces were acid-conditioned with 10% polymer-thickened phosphoric acid(All Bond 2, Bisco, U.S.A.) and aqueous 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% phosphoric acid for 20 seconds, The rest of the specimens were acid-conditioned with 10% phosphoric acid for 15s, 30s, 60s, 120s respectively. The specimens were immersed in 4% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer and postfixed with 1 % osmium tetroxide without decalcification and then observed under a JEOL Transmission Electron Microscope(JEM 1200 EX II, Japan). After the specimens were acid-conditioned as the above, primer and adhesive resin were applied to blot-dried dentin and shear bond strengths were then measured and analysed. The results were as follows : 1. The intertubular demineralization depth of 4.0-$5.0{\mu}m$ in 10% polymer-thickened phosphoric acid gels was similar or slightly deeper than that of 4.0-$4.5{\mu}m$ in aqueous 10% phosphoric acid solution. 2. The intertubular demineralization depth of aqueous 20%, 30% and 40% phosphoric acid solution was 6.5-$7.0{\mu}m$, 6.5-$7.5{\mu}m$ and 9.0-$15.0{\mu}m$ respectively. It showed that the depth of dentin demineralization is partly related to the concentration of phosphoric acid solution. 3. The intertubular demineralization depth of aqueous 10% phosphoric acid solution in application time for 15s, 30s, 60s and 120s was 2.5-$3.0{\mu}m$, 4.0-$6.0{\mu}m$, 6.5-$7.0{\mu}m$ and 8.5-$14.0{\mu}m$ respectively. It showed that the depth of dentin demineralization is directly related to the application time of phosphoric acid solution. 4. The partially demineralized dentin layer between demineralized collagen layer and unaffected dentin was showed to a width of 0.5-$1.0{\mu}m$ in lower concentration groups treated with aqueous 10% phosphoric acid for 20s, 60s, 120s and 20% phosphoric acid for 20s. 5. The demineralization effect at the border of intertubular-peritubular junction was less evident than that in the peritubular and intertubular dentin. The collagen fibers in the intertubular dentin had a random orientation, whereas those that lined the tubules were circumferentially aligned. The cross-linkage of dentinal collagen in demineralized collagen layer was clearly seen. 6. A statistically significant difference of bond strengths according to the difference in phosphoric acid concentration did not exist among the groups treated with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% acid solution (P>0.05). However, bond strengths to the treated dentin with 10% phosphoric acid solution for 30s were significantly higher than that for 120s (P<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.68-77
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• 2006

The heartwood of cengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) is known to have a high degree of decay resistance by virtue of its high extractive content. After 30 years in ground contact an utility pole of this tropical hardwood was found to be degraded only in the surface layers by cavity-forming soft rot fungi. The present work was undertaken 1) to characterize the degradation of cengal heartwood from the aspect of ultrastructure and chemistry and 2) to investigate the correlation between soft rot decay and its extractive microdistribution in wood tissues. The chemical analysis of cengal heartwood revealed the presence of a high amount of extractives as well as lignin. The wood contained a relatively high amount of condensed lignin and the guaiacyl units. Microscopic observations revealed that vessels, fibers and parenchyma cells (both ray and axial parenchyma) all contained extractives in their lumina, but in variable amounts. The lumina of fibers and most axial parenchyma were completely or almost completely filled with the extractives. TEM micrographs showed that cell walls were also impregnated with extractives and that pit membranes connecting parenchyma cells were well coated and impregnated with extractives. However, fungal hyphae were present in the extractive masses localized in cell lumina, and indications were that the extractives did not completely inhibit fungal growth. The extent of cell wall degradation varied with tissue types. The fibers appeared to be more susceptible to decay than vessels and parenchyma. Middle lamella was the only cell wall region which remained intact in all cell types which were severely degraded. The microscopic observations suggested a close correlation between extractive microdistribution and the pattern and extent of cell wall degradation. In addition to the toxicity to fungi, the physical constraint of the extractive material present in cengal heartwood cells is likely to have a profound effect on the growth and path of invasion of colonizing fungi, thus conferring protection to wood by restricting fungal entry into cell walls. The presence of relatively high amount of condensed lignin is also likely to be a factor in the resistance of cengal heartwood to soft rot decay.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.148-148
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• 1999

다이아몬드에 버금가는 높은 경도뿐만 아니라 높은 화학적 안정성 및 열전도성 등 우수한 물리화학적 특성을 가진 입방정 질화붕소(cubic Boron Nitride)는 마찰.마모, 전자, 광학 등의 여러 분야에서의 산업적 응용이 크게 기대되는 자료이다. 특히 탄화물형성원소에 대해 안정하여 철계금속의 가공을 위한 공구재료로의 응용 또한 기대되는 재료이다. 특히 탄화물형성원소에 대해 안정하여 철계금속의 가공을 위한 공구재료로의 응용 또한 크게 기대된다. 이 때문에 각종의 PVD, CVD 공정을 이용하여 c-BN 박막의 합성에 대한 연구가 광범위하게 진행되어 많은 성공사례들이 보고되고 있다. 그러나 이러한 c-BN 박막의 유용성에도 불구하고 아직 실제적인 응용이 이루어지지 못한 것은 증착직후 급격한 박리현상을 보이는 c-BN 박막의 밀착력문제때문이다. 본 연구에서는 평행자기장을 부가한 ME-ARE(Magnetically Enhanced Activated Reactive Evaporation)법을 이용하여 c-BN 박막을 합성하고, 합성된 c-BN 박막의 밀착력에 미치는 공정인자의 영향을 규명하여, 급격한 박리현상을 보이는 c-BN 박막의 밀착력 향상을 위한 최적 공정을 도출하고자 하였다. BN 박막 합성은 전자총에 의해 증발된 보론과 (질소+아르곤) 플라즈마의 활성화반응증착(activated reactive evaporation)에 의해 이루어졌다. 기존의 ARE장치와 달리 열음극(hot cathode)과 양극(anode)사이에 평행자기장을 부여하여 플라즈마를 증대시켜 반응효율을 높혔다. 합성실험용 모재로는 p-type으로 도핑된 (100) Si웨이퍼를 30$\times$40 mm크기로 절단 후, 100%로 희석된 완충불산용액에 10분간 침적하여 표면의 산화층을 제거한후 사용하였다. c-BN 박막을 얻기 위한 주요공정변수는 기판바이어스 전압, discharge 전류, Ar/N가스유량비이었다. 증착공정 인자들을 변화시켜 다양한 조건에서 c-BN 박막의 합성하여 밀착력 변화를 조사하였다. 합성된 박막의 결정성 분석을 FTIR을 이용하였으며, Bn 박막의 상 및 미세구조관찰을 위해 투과전자현미경(TEM;Philips EM400T) 분석을 병행하였고, 박막의 기계적 물성 평가를 위해 미소경도를 측정하였다. 증착된 c-BN 박막은 3~10 GPa의 큰 잔류응력으로 인해 증착직후 급격한 박리현상을 보였다. 이의 개선을 위해 증착중 기판바이어스 제어 및 후열처리를 통해 밀착력을 수~수백배 향상시킬 수 있었다. c-BN 박막의 합성을 위해서는 증착중인 박막표면으로 큰 에너지를 갖는 이온의 충돌이 필요하기 때문에 기판 바이어스가 요구되는데, c-BN의 합성단계를 핵생성 단계와 성장 단계로 구분하여 인가한 기판바이어스를 달리하였다. 이 결과 그림 1에서 나타낸 것처럼 c-BN 박막의 핵생성에 필요한 기판바이어스의 50% 정도만을 인가하였을 때 잔류응력은 크게 경감되었으며, 밀착력이 크게 향상되었다.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.313-326
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to prove that an intermediate resin layer (IRL) oan increase the bond strength to dentin by reducing the permeability of single-step adhesives. Flat dentin surfaces were created on buccal and lingual side of freshly extracted third molar using a low-speed diamond saw under copious water flow. Approximately 2.0 mm thick axially sectioned dentin slice was abraded with wet #600 SiC paper. Three single-step self-etch adhesives; Adper Prompt L-Pop (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA), One-Up Bond F (Tokuyama Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and Xeno III (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) were used in this study. Each adhesive groups were again subdivided into ten groups by; whether IRL was used or not; whether adhesives were cured with light before application or IRL or not; the mode of composite application. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Bond strength of single-step adhesives increased by an additional coating of intermediate resin layer, and this increasement was statistically signigicant when self-cured composite was used (p < 0.001). 2. When using IRL, there were no difference on bond strengths regardless the curing procedure of single-step adhesives. 3. There were no significant difference on bond strengths between usage of AB2 or SM as an IRL. 4. The thickness of Hybrid layer was correlated with the acidity of adhesive used, and the nanoleakage represented by silver deposits and grains was examined within hybrid and adhesive layer in most of single-step adhesives. 5. Neither thickness of hybrid layer nor nanoleakage were related to bond strength.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-336
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• 2018

Background: Biogenic fabrication of silver nanoparticles from naturally occurring biomaterials provides an alternative, eco-friendly and cost-effective means of obtaining nanoparticles. It is a favourite pursuit of all scientists and has gained popularity because it prevents the environment from pollution. Our main objective to take up this project is to fabricate silver nanoparticles from lichen, Usnea longissima and explore their properties. In the present study, we report a benign method of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous-ethanolic extract of Usnea longissima and their characterization by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Silver nanoparticles thus obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. Results: Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the appearance of an absorption band at 400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum of the colloidal solution containing both the nanoparticles and U. longissima extract. Poly(ethylene glycol) coated silver nanoparticles showed additional absorption peaks at 424 and 450 nm. FTIR spectrum showed the involvement of amines, usnic acids, phenols, aldehydes and ketones in the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Morphological studies showed three types of nanoparticles with an abundance of spherical shaped silver nanoparticles of 9.40-11.23 nm. Their average hydrodynamic diameter is 437.1 nm. Results of in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneuomoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria) showed that it was effective against tested bacterial strains. However, S. mutans, C. diphtheriae and P. aeruginosa were resistant to silver nanoparticles. Conclusion: Lichens are rarely exploited for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles. In the present work the lichen acts as reducing as well as capping agent. They can therefore, be used to synthesize metal nanoparticles and their size may be controlled by monitoring the concentration of extract and metal ions. Since they are antibacterial they may be used for the treatment of bacterial infections in man and animal. They can also be used in purification of water, in soaps and medicine. Their sustained release may be achieved by coating them with a suitable polymer. Silver nanoparticles fabricated from edible U. longissima are free from toxic chemicals and therefore they can be safely used in medicine and medical devices. These silver nanoparticles were stable for weeks therefore they can be stored for longer duration of time without decomposition.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4 s.50
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• pp.265-275
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• 2006

It is in its infancy to use bacteria as a novel biotechnology for leaching precious and heavy metals from raw materials. The objective of this study was to investigate biogeochemical processes of iron leaching from magnetite reduction by iron-reducing bacteria isolated from intertidal flat sediments, southwestern part of Korea. Microbial leaching experiments were performed using commercial magnetite, Aldrich magnetite, in well-defined mediums with and without bacteria. Water soluble Fe production was determined by ICP analysis of bioleached samples in comparison to uninoculated controls, and the resulting precipitated solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extent of iron leaching from magnetite in the aerobic conditions (Fe = 107 ppm) was higher than that in the anaerobic environments (Fe = 94 ppm). In the anaerobic conditions, Fe(III) in commercial magnetite was also reduced to Fe(II), but no secondary mineral phases were observed. Amorphous iron oxides formed in the medium under aerobic conditions where there was sufficient supply of oxygen from the atmosphere. SEM observation suggests that the reduction process involves dissolution-precipitation mechanisms as opposed to solid state conversion of magnetite to amorphous iron oxides. The ability of bacteria to leach soluble iron and precipitate amorphous iron oxides from crystalline magnetite could have significant implications for biogeochemical processes in sediments where Fe(III) in magnetite plays an important role in the largest pool of electron acceptor as well as the tool as a novel biotechnology for leaching precious and heavy metals from raw materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.770-780
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• 2009

A new photosensitizer, 9-Hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a), was derived from Spirulina platensis. We conducted a series of experiments, in vitro and in vivo, to evaluate the anticancer effect and mechanism of photodynamic therapy using 9-HpbD-a and 660 nm diode lasers on a squamous carcinoma cell line. We studied the cytotoxic effects of pheophytin-a, 9-HpbD-a, 9-HpbD-a red and 660 nm diode lasers in a human head and neck cancer cell line (SNU-1041). Cell growth inhibition was determined by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The effects of 9-HpbD was higher than those of 9-HpbD-a red or pheophytin-a in PDT. We then tested the cytotoxic effects of 9-hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a) in vitro. The cultured SNU-I041 cells were treated with serial concentrations of 9-HpbD-a followed by various energy doses (0, 0.1, 0.5, 3.2 J/$cm^{2}$) and by various interval times (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 hr) until laser irradiation, then MTT assay was applied to measure the relative inhibitory effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Optimal laser irradiation time was 30 minutes and the cytotoxic effects according to incubation time after 9-HpbD-a treatment increased until 6 hours, after which it then showed no increase. To observe the cell death mechanism after PDT, SUN-I041 cells were stained by Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide after PDT, and observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The principal mechanism of PDT at a low dose of 9-HpbD-a was apoptosis, and at a high dose of 9-HpbD-a it was necrosis. PDT effects were also observed in a xenografted nude mouse model. Group I (no 9-HpbD-a, no laser irradiation) and Group II (9-HpbD-a injection only) showed no response (4/4, 100%), and Group III (laser irradiation only) showed recurrence (1/4,25%) or no response (3/4, 75 %). Group IV (9-HpbD-a + laser irradiation) showed complete response (10/16, 62.5%), recurrence (4/16, 25%) or no response (2/16, 12.5%). Group IV showed a significant remission rate compared to other groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that 9-HpbD-a is a promising photosensitizer for the future and that further studies on biodistribution, toxicity and mechanism of action would be needed to use 9-HpbD-a as a photosensitizer in the clinical setting.