• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.482-487
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in wrist extensor activity, pain, and grip strength before and after wearing a forearm strap in their 20s who complained of chronic lateral epicondylitis for more than 6 weeks. As a result of the study, there was an increase in wrist extensor activity on both the injured and non-injured sides after wearing the forearm strap, but this was not statistically significant. There was a statistically decrease in pain after wearing the forearm strap on the injured side, and a statistically significant increase in grip strength on both. After applying the forearm strap with pad, there was an increase in muscle activity of ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) on both the injured and non-injured sides. This is thought to be due to the strap pad acting as a compressive force, reducing pain, and increasing muscle recruitment ability due to stability in wrist extension. However, considering that the number of study subjects is insufficient to generalize the results, additional supplementary research is deemed necessary.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2024

The mammalian sirtuin family (SIRT1-SIRT7) has shown diverse biological roles in the regulation and maintenance of genome stability under genotoxic stress. SIRT7, one of the least studied sirtuin, has been demonstrated to be a key factor for DNA damage response (DDR). However, conflicting results have proposed that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor to promote transformation in cancer cells. To address this inconsistency, we investigated properties of SIRT7 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) regulation under DNA damage and found that loss of hepatic Sirt7 accelerated HCC progression. Specifically, the number, size, and volume of hepatic tumor colonies in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injected Sirt7-deficient liver were markedly enhanced. Further, levels of HCC progression markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the absence of hepatic Sirt7, unlike those in the control. In chromatin, SIRT7 was stabilized and colocalized to damage site by inhibiting the induction of γH2AX under DNA damage. Together, our findings suggest that SIRT7 is a crucial factor for DNA damage repair and that hepatic loss-of-Sirt7 can promote genomic instability and accelerate HCC development, unlike early studies describing that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4527-4542
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• 2023

The present microbial reinforcement of rock and soil exhibits limitations, such as uneven reinforcement effectiveness and low calcium carbonate generation rate, resulting in limited solidification strength. This study introduces electroosmosis as a standard microbial grouting reinforcement technique and investigates its solidification effects on microbial-reinforced uranium tailings. The most effective electroosmosis effect on uranium tailings occurs under a potential gradient of 1.25 V/cm. The findings indicate that a weak electric field can effectively promote microbial growth and biological activity and accelerate bacterial metabolism. The largest calcium carbonate production occurred under the gradient of 0.5 V/cm, featuring a good crystal combination and the best cementation effect. Staged electroosmosis and electrode conversion efficiently drive the migration of anions and cations. Under electroosmosis, the cohesion of uranium tailings reinforced by microorganisms increased by 37.3% and 64.8% compared to those reinforced by common microorganisms and undisturbed uranium tailings, respectively. The internal friction angle is also improved, significantly enhancing the uniformity of reinforcement and a denser and stronger microscopic structure. This research demonstrates that MICP technology enhances the solidification effects and uniformity of uranium tailings, providing a novel approach to maintaining the safety and stability of uranium tailings dams.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.253-260
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• 2024

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is an efficient method for utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar powers to produce green hydrogen. For PEMWE powered by renewable energy sources, its durability is a crucial factor in its performance since irregular and fluctuating characteristics of renewable energy sources, especially for wind power, can deteriorate the stability of PEMWE. Triangular voltage cycle is well able to simulate fluctuating wind power, but its effect on the durability has not been investigated extensively. In this study, the performance degradation of the PEMWE cell operated with the triangular voltage cycling was investigated at different ramping rates. The measured current responses during the cycling gradually decreased for both ramping rates, and I-V curve measurements before and after the cycling confirmed the degradation of the performances of PEMWE. For both measurements, the degradation rate was larger for 300 mV s^-1 than 30 mV s^-1, and they were determined as 0.36 and 1.26 mV h^-1 (at the current density of 2 A cm^-2) at the ramping rates of 30 and 300 mV s^-1, respectively. The comparison with other studies on triangular voltage cycling also indicate that an increase in the ramping rate accelerates the deterioration of the PEMWE performance. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy results showed that the Ir catalyst was oxidized and did not dissolve during the voltage cycling. This study suggests that the ramping rate of the triangular voltage cycling is an important factor for the evaluation of the durability of PEMWE cells.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 1975

This study was conducted to study the properties of the water-soluble natural chelating agents from garbage compost and activated sewage sludge responsible for Fe chelation, which is closely associated with the effectiveness in correcting iron chlorosis in plant. The water-soluble fraction of these materials was fractionated by menas of Sephadex gel filtration and the fractions of Fe chehates were traced by radioactive $^{59}Fe$. The fractions were examined by ultraviolet and infrared. spectroscopy and stability constants for Fe. The water-soluble fraction from garbage compost was separated by Sephadex G-25 into approximately four fractions. Most of the added $^{59}Fe$ was associated with fraction I, which appeared at the void volume. Further fractionation by Sephadex G-50 indicated that the molecular weight of water-soluble chelating agents is in the approximate range of 5000 to 10,000. The water-soluble fraction from activated sewage sludge gave six fractions by Sephadex G-25. Most of the added $^{59}Fe$ was found in the fraction I,II, and III, The molecular weights of most chelating agents associated with $^{59}Fe$ appeared to be less than 5,000 and those of fraction I that appeared at the void volume was in the range of 5,000 to 1,000. Discrepancy between radio activity count and UV absorption indicated the heterogeneity of the fractions obtained by Sephadex gel filtration. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of all fractions separated by Sephadex G-25 and containing chelating agents showed no differences. Fraction IV and V of sewage extract showed absorption maxima and shifting similar to nucleic acid components suggesting the presence of decomposition products of nucleic acid. Similarity fraction VI contained phenolic type amino acid groups. Fraction I of compost extract contained most of the added $^{59}Fe$ and showed weak but extra definite absorption in the 1230, and $1270cm^{-1}$ region, suggesting that extra oxygen groups in polyphenolic structure were probably involved in Fe chelation. In sewage extract, fraction I,II, and III in which most of the $^{59}Fe$ was found, showed strong definite polypeptide absorption in the region of $1540cm^{-1}$ due to NH deformation and C-N stretching of amide groups in the peptidebond. These extra functional groups in fraction I, II, and III appeared to be associated with Fe chelation. The other fractions, not associated with $^{59}Fe$, still have carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, suggesting that these functional groups in these water extracts may not independently form the Fe chelates. Precipitation of ferric hydroxide precluded measuring the stability constants for Fe-chelates. However, the formation constants for Zn chelates as log K values for compost extract and sewage extract at pH 4.0 from which the strength of chelation with Fe could be presumed, were 8.23, and 9.75, respectively, indicating strong complexation with metals. The chelating capacity of compost extract containing 6.5 g organic matter per liter was 0.82 mM, and that of sewage extract containing 5.3 g per liter was 0. 64 mM.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.437-442
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• 1996

Two strains of Lactobacillus(L.) casfi and one strain of L. Pentosus, which were isolated from pickles, were used to investigate in studing their characteristics of ${\beta}-galactosidase$. The preferable carbon sources and pH of the MRS media for enzyme production from L. casei No.10 was found to be 1.0% lactose and pH 7.5, from L. Pentosus No.63 was 1.0% galactose and pH 7.5, and from L. casei No.36 was 1.0% lactose and pH 6.5, respectively. The maximum enzyme production from each strain was found after 48 hours culture at $30^{\circ}C$ in a medium with preferable carbon source. The optimum reaction temperature with substrate for ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity was found at $60^{\circ}C$ for all three strains . The stability of enzyme from L. casei No.36 was found to be at $45^{\circ}C$, from L. Pentosus No.63 was found at $55^{\circ}C$. This stability from L. casei No.36 was found at $40^{\circ}C$, but it was reduced to 60% at $55^{\circ}C$. These stabilities of enzymes remained about 90% at $40^{\circ}C$ for all three strains. The optimal pH for enzyme activities was found to be pH 6.5 for all three strains. Enzyme activity remained over 90% for L. casei No.10 at $pH\;5.0{\sim}6.0$, for L. casei No.36 at $pH\;5.0{\sim}8.0$, and for L. pentosus No.63 at $pH\;6.0{\sim}7.0$.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2018

Coptis chinensis is used in oriental medicine for soothing, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial and antipyretic properties, and its main ingredient berberine is known to have strong antibacterial activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-microbial effect of hot water extract of Coptis chinensis (CW) on skin related microorganism and the airborne microbe, the antifungal effects of fungi, which are frequently detected in residential environments. CW showed antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, against the airborne microbe, which was collected in four different places. At the concentration of 100 mg/mL, the antimicrobial activity continued for 42 days, showed heat stability without change in the antimicrobial activity even after heat treatment. The MIC and MBC of CW against S. aureus was 0.03, 0.05 mg/mL, against S. epidermidis was 0.50, 0.75 mg/mL and against P. acne was 0.10, 0.15 mg/mL. As a result of measuring the MIC of four kinds of fungi with high detection frequency in the surrounding environment, Gliocladium virens was 65 mg/mL by determined as MIC which can inhibit one hundred percent of mycelial growth. The concentration 90 mg/mL was determined as MIC against Aureobasidium pullulans and 100 mg/mL against Penicilium pinophilum and Chaetomium globosum. CW was considered a safe extract that showed no irritation even in the ocular mucous membrane irritation evaluation test, a patch test. Therefore, these results suggest that Coptis chinensis has antimicrobial, antifungal and safety on human body and can be applied to the development of materials for cosmetic and residential environment industries.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.7
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• pp.15-19
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• 1966

In order to investigate the stability of the major component of malathion E.C. product, dimethyl S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethoxyethyl) dithiophosphate, toward the quality of glasswares as container, the amount of extractable inorganic components, change of pH and decomposition of the major component of the product were examined during the storage in brown-colored bottles of 100 ml. volume from 3 different companies in comparison with that in a Pyrex flask. 1. Malathion E.C. product was put in three containers A,B and C, and any changes occurring in storage were analyzed at three intervals of 60, 120 and 240 days. 2. It was shown that the amounts of Si, Mg, K, Ca, and Na extracted during these periods of storage differed markedly depending on the qualify of container. Container A revealed ten times higher extraction of Na and Ca than container B and C in a 8-month period. 3. Three commercial containers revealed the shift of pH from 6.5 to alkaline reaction in the storage whereas the Pyrex flask did not show any detectable change. In particular, the pH in container A changed to 9.2 in 60 days and 9.9 in 240 days. 4. The decomposition of malathion was the greatest in container A which showed the decomposition of 7.37% in 240 days. On the other hand, 0.5% was decomposed in the Pyrex flask. 5. The decemposition of malathion had a high correlation with the change of pH of water· in the same container, $r^2$ being 0.899. From the above results, it is concluded that about 10% of malathion E.C. product is decomposed in a year due to the alkaline metallic salts extracted from the container when it is stored in glassware bottles of lower quality.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.508-519
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• 2017

There have been many studies on monitoring of biodiversity changes and preservation of Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve (GFBR) in South Korea in recognition of the rare ecosystem that has been preserved for a long period. However, there are few studies on diversity and community characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates as an indicator of stream health of GFBR. The purpose of this study was to assess the water quality of Bongseonsa Stream that penetrated through Gwangneung Forest and the nearby torrents by analyzing the benthic macroinvertebrates community during April to September 2016. The investigation collected a total of 114 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 56 families, 17 orders, 8 classes, and 5 phyla from the Bongseonsa Stream and Kwangneung Stream. Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were the largest groups in species diversity with 30 species (32.3%) and 16 species (17.2%), respectively, and Tubificidae sp., Baetis fuscatus, Antocha KUa, and Cheumatopsyche brevilineata, which usually habit in contaminated streams, appeared frequently. Among the feeding function groups, the gatherers and hunters appeared relatively frequently, and the shredders and scrapers appeared frequently in the torrents. Among the habitat oriented groups, the clingers and burrower appeared more frequently and represented the microhabitats in the shallow areas. The result of the analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates community showed that the dominant index was $0.48{\pm}0.10$ in average while it was lowest with 0.33 in GS 8 of the Gwangneung Forest torrent and highest in BS 1 of Bongseonsa Stream. The diversity and richness indices were inversely proportional to the dominant index and were 2.53 and 4.22, respectively, in GS 8 where the dominant index was low. The result of the analysis of community stability showed that area I, which had high resistance and restoration, was high in Bongseonsa Stream while the area III, which had low resistance and restoration, was high in Gwangneung Forest, indicating that the water system in Gwangneung Forest had a wider distribution of specifies sensitive to agitation. The biological water quality assessment showed ESB of $50.88{\pm}17.69$, KSI of $1.11{\pm}0.57$, and BMI of $78.55{\pm}11.05$. GS 8 of Gwangneung Forest torrent was judged to be the highest priority protective water area with the best water environment and I class water quality with ESB of 63, KSI of 0.55, and BMI of 89.9. On the contrary, BS 1 of Bongseonsa Stream was judged to be the high priority improvement area that had the lowest water quality rating of III with ESB of 25, KSI of 2.13, and BMI of 62.7. Although the diversity of water beetle was higher in the water system of nearby Bongseonsa Stream than the water system inside the Gwangneung Forest, the annual community structure appeared to have distinct differences.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.372-377
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• 1999

Objective of this research was to draw the basic criteria of the compost maturity evaluation, by assessing the stability of chemical and physical properties of the bark and piggery manure byproduct composts during the composting. Colors of the mature composts were black and dark brown for the bark and piggery manure by-product composts, respectively. Good earthy odor was detected for both by-product composts after approximately 40 days composting, by which odors of the original raw materials were disappeared. pH and EC of the mature bark: compost were stabilized at 6.5 and 1dS/m, respectively. The respective values for the piggery compost were stabilized at 7.2 and 6dS/m. Organic matter contents were decreased with time to be stabilized at about 60% at the end of composting. During composting, total N contents of the bark and piggery composts were maintained at $1.1{\sim}1.5%$, and $1.5{\sim}2.2%$, respectively. For both fertilizers, $NH_4-N$ contents were increased at the initial stage bur. decreased after the middle stages of decomposition, resulting in the increase of $NO_3-N$ contents. Total inorganic N contents were increased with time. C/N ratios of both mature composts were stabilized at $25{\sim}27$. CEC of the bark compost was increased logarithmically with time and that of mature compost was 87cmol(+)/㎏. CEC of the piggery manure compost was hyperbolic function with rime and reached at 70cmol(+)/㎏ at the mature stage. Crude fiber analysis indicated that relative contents of lignin were increased with composting by compensating for the decreases of cellulose and hemicellulose contents.