• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2019

Here, we present a facile route to fabricate a vertically stacked 3D porous structure-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that can be used to harvest energy from the friction in a repetitive contact-separation mode. The unit component of TENG consists of thin Al foil electrodes integrated with microstructured 3D foams such as Ni, Cu, and polyurethane (PU), which provide advantageous tribo-surfaces specifically to increase the friction area to the elastomeric counter contact surfaces (i.e., polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS). The periodic contact/separation-induced triboelectric power generation from a single unit of the 3D porous structure-based TENG was up to $0.74mW/m^2$ under a mild condition. To demonstrate the potential applications of our approach, we applied our TENGs to small-scale devices, operating 48 LEDs and capacitors. We envision that this energy harvesting technology can be expanded to the applications of sustainably operating portable electronic devices in a simple and cost-effective manner by effectively harvesting wasted energy resources from the environment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2019

Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) petals are edible flowers which have been used as a decorative ingredient in dishes or as a medicinal food. In this study, the anti-skin aging potential of calendula petals was investigated. Additionally, the texture was softened by non-enzymatic methods to broaden their application as a food or cosmetic agent. Treatment of calendula prevented ultraviolet-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in skin cells. We investigated whether heating-based processing could soften calendula petals. The results from the punctual test demonstrated significant changes in the hardness of calendula petals depending on the pH, heating temperature, and time. Although there were minor differences among various processing conditions, the largest alteration in hardness was observed when the petals were softened by incubation at $80^{\circ}C$ and pH 2.3 for 120 min. Collectively, these results show that the application of proper processing conditions can soften calendula petals without using enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the effect of branch (STB) and leave (STL) extracts from Sageretia thea on ${\beta}-catenin$ level in human colorecal cancer cells, SW480 and lung cancer cells, A549. STB and STL dose-dependently suppressed the growth of SW480 and A549 cells. STB and STL decreased ${\beta}-catenin$ level in both protein and mRNA level. MG132 decreased the downregulation of ${\beta}-catenin$ protein level induced by STB and STL. However, the inhibition of $GSK3{\beta}$ by LiCl or ROS scavenging by NAC did not block the reduction of ${\beta}-catenin$ protein by STB and STL. Our results suggested that STB and STL may downregulate ${\beta}-catenin$ protein level independent on $GSK3{\beta}$ and ROS. Based on these findings, STB and STL may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.792-799
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate whether the co-injection of antioxidants together with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination has the potential to attenuate the negative effects caused by vaccination in Holstein finishing steers. Methods: A total of 36 finishing Holstein steers (body weight [BW]: $608{\pm}45.6kg$, 17 months old) were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: i) control (CON, only FMD vaccination without any co-injection), ii) co-injection of commercial non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) with FMD vaccination at a ratio of 10:1 (NSAID vol/FMD vaccine vol) as a positive control (PCON), iii) co-injection of commercial mixture of vitamin E and selenium with FMD vaccination (VITESEL) (1 mL of FMD vaccine+1 mL of antioxidants per 90 kg of BW). Changes in growth performance and blood parameters because of treatments were determined. Results: No significant difference in BW, average daily gain, and dry matter intake of the steers was observed among the treatments. The FMD vaccination significantly increased white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, platelets, and mean platelet volume (p<0.01) in blood analysis. The count of lymphocyte tended to increase after vaccination (p = 0.08). In blood analysis, steers in VITESEL tended to have higher numbers of WBC, neutrophils, and platelets compared to that of other treatments (p = 0.09, 0.06, and 0.09, respectively). Eosinophils in VITESEL were higher than those in PCON (p<0.01). Among blood metabolites, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate transaminase were significantly increased, but cholesterol, alanine transferase, inorganic phosphorus, Mg, and albumin were decreased after FMD vaccination (p<0.01). Conclusion: The use of antioxidants in FMD vaccination did not attenuate growth disturbance because of FMD vaccination. The metabolic changes induced by vaccination were not controlled by the administration of antioxidants. The protective function of antioxidants was effective mainly on the cell counts of leukocytes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.272-281
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• 2019

Background: Diabetic sensorineural damage is a complication of the sensory neural system, resulting from long-term hyperglycemia. Red ginseng (RG) has shown efficacy for treatment of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus; however, there is little research about its benefit for treating sensorineural damage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate RG efficacy in alloxan-induced diabetic neuromast (AIDN) zebrafish. Methods: In this study, we developed and validated an AIDN zebrafish model. To assess RG effectiveness, we observed morphological changes in live neuromast zebrafish. Also, zebrafish has been observed to have an ultrastructure of hair-cell cilia under scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we recorded these physiological traits to assess hair cell function. Finally, we confirmed that RG promoted neuromast recovery via nerve growth factor signaling pathway markers. Results: First, we established an AIDN zebrafish model. Using this model, we showed via live neuromast imaging that RG fostered recovery of sensorineural damage. Damaged hair cell cilia were recovered in AIDN zebrafish. Furthermore, RG rescued damaged hair cell function through cell membrane ion balance. Conclusion: Our data suggest that RG potentially facilitates recovery in AIDN zebrafish, and its mechanism seems to be promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway through increased expression of topomyosin receptor kinase A, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily type 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2021

We evaluated the anti-cancer activity against human prostate cancer cells and the associated molecular mechanism of extracts from the branches of Rhamnus yoshinoi (RYB). Treatment with RYB suppressed viability of human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) and decreased protein levels of both β-catenin and T-cell factor 4 (TCF4). This was reflected in reduced TCF4 mRNA, but not decreased β-catenin mRNA. PC-3 cells were pretreated with the proteosome inhibitor MG132 before treatment with RYB, which blocked RYB-mediated down regulation of β-catenin in PC-3 cells, thus confirming that RYB promotes the proteasomal degradation of β-catenin. RYB induced β-catenin phosphorylation, and GSK-3β inhibition by LiCl blocked the phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation of β-catenin by RYB. These results suggest that GSK-3β may be an important upstream kinase for RYB-mediated regulation of β-catenin. Finally, GC/MS analysis of RYB identified 18 compounds. Based on these findings, RYB shows potential for development as a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.221-242
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• 2021

A numerical study of the performance assesment of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in improved Korean reference disposal system (KRS⁺) for high-level radioactive waste is conducted using TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D simulator. Decay heat from high-level radioactive waste increases the temperature of the repository, and it decreases as decay heat is reduced. The maximum temperature of the repository is below a maximum temperature criterion of 100℃. Saturation of bentonite buffer adjacent to the canister is initially reduced due to pore water evaporation induced by temperature increase. Bentonite buffer is saturated 250 years after the disposal of high-level radioactive waste by inflow of groundwater from the surrounding rock mass. Initial saturation of rock mass decreases as groundwater in rock mass is moved to bentnonite buffer by suction, but rock mass is saturated after inflow of groundwater from the far-field area. Stress changes at rock mass are compared to the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and the spalling strength in order to investigate the potential rock failure by thermal stress and swelling pressure. Additional simulations are conducted with the reduced spacing of deposition holes. The maximum temperature of bentonite buffer exceeds 100℃ as deposition hole spacing is smaller than 5.5 m. However, temperature of about 56.1% volume of bentonite buffer is below 90℃. The methodology of numerical modeling used in this study can be applied to the performance assessment of coupled THM processes for high-level radioactive waste repositories with various input parameters and geological conditions such as site-specific stress models and geothermal gradients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2021

Silkworms have traditionally been used to produce silk and textiles. However, steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP) contain large amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals. In this study, we investigated the potential of SMSP as a hangover-relieving agent. Thirty individuals who met the selection criteria and exclusion criteria were included in the study and subsequently underwent a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-design human application test. Importantly, the test product containing SMSP (CKDHC) was proven to alleviate hangovers through a significant reduction in the plasma concentration of acetaldehyde in the context of an alcohol-induced hangover model. In particular, from 0.5 h after SMSP intake, the blood acetaldehyde concentration (mg/L), area under the time curve (AUC; indicating the degree of bioabsorption of blood acetaldehyde), and the highest blood acetaldehyde concentration (Cmax) were reduced. Altogether, these results suggest that the test product (CKDHC) exhibits an accelerated hangover-relieving effect.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.297-309
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• 2020

Coronaviruses were originally discovered as enzootic infections that limited to their natural animal hosts, but some strains have since crossed the animal-human species barrier and progressed to establish zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, cross-species barrier jumps resulted in the appearance of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 that manifest as virulent human viruses. Coronaviruses contain four main structural proteins: spike, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid protein. The replication cycle is as follows: cell entry, genome translation, replication, assembly, and release. They were not considered highly pathogenic to humans until the outbreaks of SARS-CoV in 2002 in Guangdong province, China. The consequent outbreak of SARS in 2002 led to an epidemic with 8,422 cases, and a reported worldwide mortality rate of 11%. MERS-CoVs is highly related to camel CoVs. In 2019, a cluster of patients infected with 2019-nCoV was identified in an outbreak in Wuhan, China, and soon spread worldwide. 2019-nCoV is transmitted through the respiratory tract and then induced pneumonia. Molecular diagnosis based on upper respiratory region swabs is used for confirmation of this virus. This review examines the structure and genomic makeup of the viruses as well as the life cycle, diagnosis, and potential therapy.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2021

Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) are known to include various biological activities and possess high biocompatibility. Because PELNs can influence immune responses, cell differentiation, and proliferation regulation, they can be applied in multiple industries. However, the studies on the skin physiological of exosome-like nanovesicles derived from plant callus are insignificant compared to nanovesicles derived from mammalian cells. In this study, callus was induced from apple fruit (Malus domestica), and exosome-like nanovesicles (ACELNs) were isolated for improving skin barrier and anti-aging. The yield of ACELNs was 6.42 × 10⁹ particles/mL, and the particle size was ranged from 100 to 200 nm. HDF cells and HaCaT cells were concentration-dependent, increased in cell, and decreased in cytotoxicity. The cornified envelope formation was significantly increased compared to the control group. The COL1A1 expression and the FBN1 expression in HDF cells were increased. In addition, the ACELNs promoted collagen biosynthesis in UVA-irradiated HDF cells. These results might be considered as potential materials that could improve skin barrier and prevent skin aging.