• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.1 s.49
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• pp.25-33
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• 2005

Melanocytes synthesize melanin within discrete organelle termed melanosomes which are transferred to the surrounding keratinocytes and can be produced in varying sizes, numbers and densities. Skin whitening products have become increasingly popular in the past few years. The most successful natural skin whitening agents are: arbutin, vitamin C, kojic acid, and mulberry, which are all tyrosinase inhibitors. In this work, melanoston, a melanogenesis inhibitor isolated from yeast was studied to understand its mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition. It was found that melanoston was not a tyrosinase inhibitor, while when melanoston was applied to the B16 melanoma cell culture media, the intracellular tyrosinase activity was decreased by more than $30\%$. When B16 melanoma was stimulated with $\alpha$-MSH, cell morphololgy was dramatically changed to have lots of dendrites on the cell membrane surface. On the other hand, B16 was treated with $\alpha$-MSH and melanoston, simultaneously, the change of cell morphologv was not so great. This inhibitory effect of melanoston was found to be related to the inhibition of intracellar activation and transportation of tyrosinase, which was observed by irmmunostaining of B16 melanoma using anti-tyrosinase antibody. From these results, melanoston was regarded as an inhibitor to the differentiation of melanoma cells.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.727-733
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• 2011

A new Korean standard for the determination of Cr(VI) in soils has been officially published as ES 07408.1 in 2009. This analytical method is based on the hot alkaline digestion and colorimetric detection prescribed by U.S. EPA method 3060A and 7196A. The hot alkaline digestion accomplished using 0.28 M $Na_2CO_3$ and 0.5 M NaOH solution (pH 13.4) at $90{\sim}95^{\circ}C$ determines total Cr(VI) in soils extracting all forms of Cr(VI), including water-soluble, adsorbed, precipitated, and mineral-bound chromates. This aggressive alkaline digestion, however, proved to be problematic for certain soils which contain large amounts of soluble humic substances or active manganese oxides. Cr(III) could be oxidized to Cr(VI) by manganese oxides during the strong alkaline extraction, resulting in overestimation (positive error) of Cr(VI). In contrast, Cr(VI) reduction by dissolved humic matter or Fe(II) could occur during the neutralization and acidic colorimetric detection procedure, resulting in underestimation (negative error) of Cr(VI). Futhermore, dissolved humic matter hampered the colorimetric detection of Cr(VI) using UV/Vis spectrophotometer due to the strong coloration of the filtrate, resulting in overestimation (positive error) of Cr(VI). Without understanding the mechanisms of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) transformation during the analysis it could be difficult to operate the experiment in laboratory and to evaluate the Cr(VI) results. For this reason, in this paper we described the theoretical principles and limitations of Cr(VI) analysis and provided useful guidelines for laboratory work and Cr(VI) data analysis.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.282-291
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• 2018

The pristine fluorine-doped $SnO_2$ (abbreviated as FTO) inverse opal (IO) was developed using a 410 nm polystyrene bead template. The nanolayered copper tungsten oxide ($CuWO_4$) was decorated on the FTO IO film using a facile electrochemical deposition, subsequently followed by annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ for 90 min. The morphologies, crystalline structure, optical properties and photoelectrochemical characteristics of the FTO and $CuWO_4$-decorated FTO (briefly denoted as $FTO/CuWO_4$) IO film were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, showing FTO IO in the hexagonally closed-pack arrangement with a pore diameter and wall thickness of about 300 nm and 20 nm, respectively. Above this film, the $CuWO_4$ was electrodeposited by controlling the cycling number in cyclic voltammetry, suggesting that the $CuWO_4$ formed during 4 cycles (abbreviated as $CuWO_4$(4 cycles)) on FTO IO film exhibited partial distribution of $CuWO_4$ nanoparticles. Additional distribution of $CuWO_4$ nanoparticles was observed in the case of $FTO/CuWO_4$(8 cycles) IO film. The $CuWO_4$ layer exhibits triclinic structure with an indirect band gap of approximately 2.5 eV and shows the enhanced visible light absorption. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) behavior was evaluated in the 0.5 M $Na_2SO_4$ solution under solar illumination, suggesting that the $FTO/CuWO_4$(4 cycles) IO films exhibit a photocurrent density ($J_{sc}$) of $0.42mA/cm^2$ at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE, denoted as $V_{RHE}$), while the FTO IO and $FTO/CuWO_4$(8 cycles) IO films exhibited a $J_{sc}$ of 0.14 and $0.24mA/cm^2$ at $1.23V_{RHE}$, respectively. This difference can be explained by the increased visible light absorption by the $CuWO_4$ layer and the favorable charge separation/transfer event in the cascading band alignment between FTO and $CuWO_4$ layer, enhancing the overall PEC performance.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Recently, the installation capacity of PV (photovoltaic) systems has been increasing not only field installation but also floating PV, farm land, BIPV/BAPV. For this reason, the new design and materials of PV module are needed. In particular, in order to apply a PV system to a building, lightweight of the PV module is essential. PV modules made of generally used texturing glass are excellent in output and reliability, but there is a limit to the weight that can be reduced. For the lightweight of the PV module, it necessary to use a film instead of a glass. However, the application of film rather than a glass may cause various problems such as decrease in photocurrent by decrease in transmittance and a increase of CTM (cell to module) loss, a degradation of the reliability, and so on. In this paper, PV modules using Ultra barrier film, which is recently a lot of interest as a substitute for a glass, its characteristic analysis and reliability test were conducted. The transmittance and UV characteristics of each material were verified, and the output of the fabricated 1 cell PV module was measured. In addition, 24 cell PV modules were fabricated at the lab-scale and its reliability tests were conducted. As a result of the experiment, the reliability characteristics of the ultra barrier film PV module were excellent, and it was confirmed that it could be used as the front material of the PV module instead of glass

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.497-502
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• 2011

Broccoli is considered as one of the functional foods to offer a hearty supply of the nutrient-rich vegetable in the world. Broccoli contains high level of phytochemicals, and that is selected as one of the top 10 vegetables for human health promotion. Especially, glucosinolates and flavonoids are well known as anti free oxygen radicals in vegetables and fruits. In Korea, broccoli consumption has increased to well known on the health-beneficial vegetables since 2000. However, broccoli has many problems of postharvest management since the quality of harvested heads quickly declines. Major problems are the floret yellowing, wilting, off-odor, and decay. The multiple postharvest applications improve broccoli quality and cold treatment including pre-cooling extends on the shelf-life with circumstance of optimum storage which is 0℃ temperature and a range of 95-100% relative humidity. Controlled atmosphere or modified atmosphere packaging can be used as supplemental treatments to extend postharvest life. 1-2% O₂ + 5-10% CO₂ is currently recommended for broccoli. Postharvest management is important for broccoli because price fluctuations depend on harvest time and quality. In this study, we tried to review physiological change of broccoli after the harvest, storage method, and various techniques to optimize quality during distribution.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.157-161
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• 2024

Amphiphilic gold nanoparticles, synthesized by the simultaneous binding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic ligands on their surfaces, find diverse applications in energy, bio, optical, electronic technologies, and various other fields. Particularly, these amphiphilic gold nanoparticles possess both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics, enabling them to activate interface at the interface of immiscible fluids and form organized structures. The surface properties of gold nanoparticles play a crucial role in influencing the behaviors of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles at the interface of two fluids. Therefore, this study investigated the adsorption behaviors of gold nanoparticles at the organic solvent-water interface based on the surface characteristics of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles and the type of organic solvents. It was observed that the amount of adsorbed gold nanoparticles at the interface increased with the length of hydrocarbon chains in hydrophobic ligands and increased with shorter hydrocarbon chains in the organic solvent. Furthermore, using the Langmuir isotherm model, the study confirmed the formation of a monolayer by amphiphilic gold nanoparticles and obtained significant thermodynamic parameters simultaneously.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-404
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) is one of the main active components in Chinese medicines, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng. Research has shown that Rg₁ has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, including anti-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-apoptosis, and promotion of myocardial angiogenesis, suggesting it a potential cardiovascular agent. However, the protective mechanism involved is still not fully understood. Methods: Based on network pharmacology, ligand-based protein docking, proteomics, Western blot, protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra) techniques, potential targets and pathways for Rg₁ against myocardial ischemia (MI) were screened and explored. Results: An important target set containing 19 proteins was constructed. Two target proteins with more favorable binding activity for Rg₁ against MI were further identified by molecular docking, including mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and adenosine kinase (ADK). Meanwhile, Rg₁ intervention on H9c2 cells injured by H₂O₂ showed an inhibitory oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The inhibition of Rg₁ on MAPK1 and OXPHOS pathway was confirmed by Western blot assay. By protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis, the binding reaction between ADK and Rg₁ was also evaluated. Conclusion: Rg₁ can effectively alleviate cardiomyocytes oxidative stress injury via targeting MAPK1 and ADK, and inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The present study provides scientific basis for the clinical application of the natural active ingredient, Rg₁, and also gives rise to a methodological reference to the searching of action targets and pathways of other natural active ingredients.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.1 s.93
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• pp.20-29
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• 2001

The amount, chemical composition and optical property of extracellular dissolved organic carbon (EOC) by phytoplankton were examined using axenic cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Oscillatoria agardhii. The extracellular organic matter was categorized into five fractions (hydrophobic acids; AHSs, hydrophobic neutrals; HoNs, hydrophilic acids; HiAs, hydrophilic bases; HiBs, and hydrophilic neutrals; HiNs) using three adsorbent resins(XAD-8, cation, and anion). The release pattern and chemical composition of EOC varied with algal species and their growth phases. Percentage of extracellular release increased with age in all cultures. HiAs were the dominant component of EOC in all cultures, whereas the proportion of HiAs decreased with age in all cultures. In contrast, the proportions of HiBs and HiNs increased as cultures aged. In particular, the HiN fraction increased from 0% to 44% of EOC in M. aeruginosa and from 3.0% to 28% in A. flos-aquae, respectively. The proportion of AHSs was higher in the cultures of A. flos-aquae(7.5${\sim}$16%) and O. agardhii (8.7${\sim}$16%) than M. aeruginosa(0.2${\sim}$2.5%). The proportions of AHSs increased with culture age in M. aeruginosa and O. agardhii, but decreased in A. flos-aquae. The specific UV absorbance also varied among species; 1.9 Abs${\cdot}$cm$^{-1}$/mgC${\cdot}$L$^{-1}$ for M. aeruginosa, 3.7 Abs${\cdot}$cm$^{-1}$/mgC${\cdot}$L$^{-1}$ for A. flos-aquae, and 13.0 Abs${\cdot}$cm$^{-1}$/mgC${\cdot}$L^{-1}$ for O. agardhii. The results of this study indicates that DOC excreted by three blue-green algae differed with species and the growth phase.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2009

Viral safety is an important prerequisite for clinical preparations of all biopharmaceuticals derived from plasma, cell lines, or tissues of human or animal origin. To ensure the safety, implementation of multiple viral clearance (inactivation and/or removal) steps has been highly recommended for manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Of the possible viral clearance strategies, Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation has been known as an effective viral inactivating method. However it has been dismissed by biopharmaceutical industry as a result of the potential for protein damage and the difficulty in delivering uniform doses. Recently a continuous flow UVC reactor (UVivatec) was developed to provide highly efficient mixing and maximize virus exposure to the UV light. In order to investigate the effectiveness of UVivatec to inactivate viruses without causing significant protein damage, the feasibility of the UVC irradiation process was studied with a commercial therapeutic protein. Recovery yield in the optimized condition of $3,000\;J/m^2$ irradiation was more than 98%. The efficacy and robustness of the UVC reactor was evaluated with regard to the inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), bovine herpes virus (BHV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), porcine parvovirus (PPV), bovine parvovirus (BPV), minute virus of mice (MVM), reovirus type 3 (REO), and bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV). Non enveloped viruses (HAV, PPV, BPV, MVM, and REO) were completely inactivated to undetectable levels by $3,000\;J/m^2$ irradiation. Enveloped viruses such as HIV, BVDV, and BPIV were completely inactivated to undetectable levels. However BHV was incompletely inactivated with slight residual infectivity remaining even after $3,000\;J/m^2$ irradiation. The log reduction factors achieved by UVC irradiation were ${\geq}3.89$ for HIV, ${\geq}5.27$ for HAV, 5.29 for BHV, ${\geq}5.96$ for BVDV, ${\geq}4.37$ for PPV, ${\geq}3.55$ for BPV, ${\geq}3.51$ for MVM, ${\geq}4.20$ for REO, and ${\geq}4.15$ for BPIV. These results indicate that UVC irradiation using UVivatec was very effective and robust in inactivating all the viruses tested.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2013

In this study, antioxidative effects of the extracts of different species and flowering periods of Inula britannica were investigated. According to the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity of the extracts, The I. britannica var. chinensis flower extract (500 ${\mu}g/mL$) was measured in a 79.89% free radical scavenging activity, but the flower extracts of similar species (I. britannica var. linariaefolia Regel, I. britannica var. ramosa, I. salicina var. asiatica) did not show any effect on the free radical scavenging activity. The effects of the free radical scavenging activity of I. britannica var. chinensis flower extracts were exhibited in the order of full bloom (93.68%), bud (43.28%), and fallen blossom (14.11%). Next, we established optimum condition of extract solvent, temperature, extraction time. The extract from ethanol at $60^{\circ}C$ showed the most free radical scavenging activity among other conditions and extraction time not relevant in free radical scavenging activity. The protective effects of the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower on the photohemolysis of human erythrocytes by using rose bengal were increased in a concentration-dependent manner (5 ~ 50 ${\mu}g/mL$). In particular, the extract in 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ concentration exhibited better protective activity (${\tau}_{50}$ = 116.1 min) than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\tau}_{50}$ = 73.44 min), which is a known lipophilic antioxidant. Principle component of I. britannica var. chinensis flower was identified as quercetin of flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results indicate that the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging free radical and $^1O_2$, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. It is concluded that the antioxidative effects of the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower could be applicable to functional cosmetics.