• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 2022

Manganese (Mn) exists in various oxidation states and Mn(II) is the most mobile species of Mn, which is toxic to plants and limits their growth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to reduce Mn toxicity by immobilizing Mn using various adsorbents including iron oxides and calcium compounds. Ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, goethite were synthesized, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Hematite was purchased and used as Mn adsorbent. Calcium compounds such as CaNO₃, CaSO₄, and CaCO₃ were used to increase pH and oxidize Mn. For Mn adsorption, Mn(II) solution was reacted with four iron oxides, CaNO₃, CaSO₄, and CaCO₃ for 24 hours, filtered, and the remaining Mn concentrations in the solution were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The adsorption rate and adsorption isotherm were calculated. Among iron oxides, the adsorption rate was highest for hematite followed by ferrihyrite, but goethite and schwertmannite did not adsorb Mn. In the case of calcium compounds, the adsorption rate was high in the order of CaCO₃>CaNO₃>CaSO₄. In conclusion, treatment of CaCO₃ was the most effective in reducing Mn toxicity by increasing pH.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.411-426
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• 2022

Energy plays a significant role in modern lifestyle because of our extensive reliance over energy-operating devices. Therefore, there is a need for alternative and green energy resources that can fulfill the energy demand. For this, fuel cell (FCs) especially anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have gained tremendous attention over the other (FCs) due to their fast reaction kinetics without using noble catalyst and allow to use of cheaper polymers with high performance. But lack of highly conductive, chemically, and mechanically stable anion exchange membrane (AEM) still main obstacle to the development of high performance AEMFCs. Therefore, graphene-based polymer composite membranes came into the existence as AEMs for the FCs. The exceptional properties of the graphene help to improve the performance of AEMs. Still, there are lot of challenges in the graphene derivatives based AEMs because of their high tendency of agglomeration in polymer matrix which reduced their potential. To overcome this issue surface modification of graphene derivatives is necessary to restrict their agglomeration and conserved their potential features that can help to improve the performance of AEM. Therefore, this review focus on the surface modification of graphene derivatives and their role in the fabrication of AEMs for the FCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2023

Although glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in the prevention of oxidative damage as an antioxidant, studies on immune regulation by it have not been properly conducted. In this study, we investigated whether luthione^®, a reduced GSH, has an immune enhancing effect in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The results of flow cytometry and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that luthione increased phagocytic activity, a representative function of macrophages, compared to the control cells. According to the results of the cytokine array, the expression of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-1β, and IL-27 was significantly increased in the luthione-treated cells. Luthione also enhanced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β through increased expression of their proteins, and increased release of the immune mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ was associated with increased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the expression of cluster of differentiation 86, an M1 macrophage marker, was dramatically enhanced in RAW 264.7 cells treated with luthione. Furthermore, as a result of heat map analysis, we found that cytokine signaling 1/3-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription/Janus tyrosine kinase signaling pathway was involved in the immunomodulatory effect by luthione. In conclusion, our data suggested that luthione could act as a molecular regulator in M1 macrophage polarization and enhance immune capacity by promoting macrophage phagocytic function.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of Samul-tang-ga-dansam water extract (SD) in wound-induced mice. Methods The mice were divided into five groups (n=7): the normal group, the control group, the positive control group, the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group. The normal group had no wounds and the other groups were wounded on the back with a leather punch. Distilled water was administered to the control group, 200 mg/kg of vitamin E was administered to the positive control group. In the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group, 1.23 g/kg and 2.47 g/kg of SD were administered, respectively. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protein levels were evaluated using western blot analysis. Skin tissue was analyzed by H&E, Masson's trichrome staining method. Results Oral administration of the SD significantly reduced the visible skin damage and decreased the reactive oxygen species and ONOO^- activity of the serum. It significantly increased heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GPx-1/2, Nrf2 and Keap-1 which are antioxidant-related factors in skin tissue and reduced NF-κB p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 which are inflammation-related factors. Also, SD significantly decreased NOX2, p22^phox and p47^phox and increased α-smooth muscle actin and COL1A1 protein expression in fibroblasts involved in connective tissue repair. According to histological examination, the thickened epithelial layer was thinned and collagen fibers were increased to accelerate wound healing. Conclusions It is suggested that Samul-tang-ga-dansam has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes wound tissue repair.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.579-586
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• 2022

Research on the potential biological activity of red alga Symphyocladia spp. has been limited to Symphyocladia latiuscula, which is widely used as a food ingredient in Korea. Here, we examined the biological activity of another species, Symphyocladia linearis, which is found in Korea and was reported as a new species in 2013. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of a 70% ethanol extract of S. linearis. Antioxidant activity, which was evaluated using radical scavenging assays, revealed half maximal inhibitory concentration values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) of 34.57 and 11.70 ㎍/mL algal extract, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity of the S. linearis ethanolic extract was evaluated using RAW 264.7 cells by measuring the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production. The potential cytotoxicity of NO and PGE₂ was first examined, confirming no toxicity at concentrations ranging from 10-100 ㎍/mL. NO production was inhibited 61.1% and 78.0% at 50 and 100 ㎍/mL S. linearis extract, respectively; and PGE₂ production was inhibited 69.1%, 83.2%, and 94.8% at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL S. linearis extract, respectively. Thus, the S. linearis extract showed very strong efficacy against PGE₂ production. The cellular production of reactive oxygen species, measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate fluorescence, was inhibited 48.8% by the addition of 100 ㎍/mL S. linearis extract. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). S. linearis was effective only against gram-positive bacteria, exhibiting antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC of 256 ㎍/mL extract and against Bacillus cereus with a MIC of 1,024 ㎍/mL extract. Based on these results, we infer that a 70% ethanolic extract of S. linearis possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore has the potential to be used in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.500-504
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• 2023

In this study, the heteroepitaxial thin film growth of β-Ga₂O₃ was studied according to the position of the susceptor in mist-CVD. The position of the susceptor and substrate was moved step by step from the center of the hot zone to the inlet of mist in the range of 0~50 mm. It was confirmed that the average thickness increased to 292 nm (D1), 521 nm (D2), and 580 nm (D3) as the position of the susceptor moved away from the center of the hot zone region. The thickness of the lower region of the substrate is increased compared to the upper region. The surface roughness of the lower region of the substrate also increased because the nucleation density increased due to the increase in the lifetime of the mist droplets and the increased mist density. Therefore, thin film growth of β-Ga₂O₃ in mist-CVD is performed by appropriately adjusting the position of the susceptor (or substrate) in consideration of the mist velocity, evaporation amount, and temperature difference with the substrate, thereby determining the crystallinity of the thin film, the thickness distribution, and the thickness of the thin film. Therefore, these results can provide insights for optimizing the mist-CVD process and producing high-quality β-Ga₂O₃ thin films for various optical and electronic applications.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

This study was conducted to obtain basic process simulation data before conducting pyrolysis experiments for the development of a thermochemical conversion system by recirculation of heat carrier and gases thereby. In this study, polypropylene (PP) was used as a pyrolysis sample material as an alternative to waste plastics, and fluid sand was used as a heat transfer medium in the system. Manganese (Mn) was chosen as the catalyst for the pyrolysis experiment, and the catalyst pyrolysis was performed by impregnating it in the sand. The basic properties of PP were analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and liquid oil was generated through catalytic pyrolysis under a nitrogen atmosphere at 600℃. The carbon number distribution of the generated liquid oil was confirmed by GC/MS analysis. In this study, the effects of the presence and the amount of Mn loading on the yield of liquid oil and the distribution of hydrocarbons in the oil were investigated. When Mn/sand was used, the residue decreased and the oil yield increased compared to pyrolysis using sand alone. In addition, as the Mn loading increased, the ratio of C₆~C₉ range gasoline in the liquid oil gradually increased, and the distribution of diesel and heavy oil with more carbon atoms than C₁₀ in the oil decreased. In conclusion, it was found that using Mn as a catalyst and changing the amount of Mn could increase the yield of liquid oil and increase the gasoline ratio in the product.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.441-451
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• 2023

Ultrasound transducers are an essential component of combined photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging systems and play an important role in image evaluation. However, ultrasound transducers are opaque; therefore, light must bypass the ultrasound transducer to reach the target point to produce a photoacoustic image. Providing different paths for the optical and acoustic signals results in a complicated system design, increasing the system volume. To overcome these problems, an optically Transparent Ultrasound Transducer (TUT) was developed. Unlike conventional opaque ultrasound transducers, optically TUT can be fabricated by a variety of manufacturing methods and they are suitable for use with specific piezoelectric elements and serve various purposes. In this study, a comparative analysis of the results of using Lithium Niobate (LNO), Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate (PMN-PT), and Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF), which are materials used in piezoelectric element-based TUT. LNO is a piezoelectric element widely used in TUT, and PMN-PT has been actively studied recently with a higher transmission and reception rate than LNO. Existing TUT have lower ultrasound resolution than photoacoustic resolution, but they have recently been manufacturing focused TUT with high ultrasound resolution using PVDF. A comparative analysis of the production results of these TUT was performed.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2021

⁸²Sr for ⁸²Rb generator was produced through the irradiation of the proton beam on the ^nat.RbCI target at the target irradiation facility installed at the end of the Rl-dedicated beamline of the 100 MeV proton linear accelerator of KOMAC (Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex). The average current of the proton beam was 1.2 µA for irradiation time of 150 min. For the separation and purification of the ⁸²Sr from ^nat.RbCI irradiated, Chelex-100 resin was used. The activities of ⁸²Sr in the irradiated ^nat.RbCI target solution and after purification were 45.29 µCi and 43.4 µCi, respectively. The separation and purification yield was 95.8%. As an adsorbent to be filled in the generator for ⁸²Sr adsorption hydrous tin oxide was selected. The adsorption yield of ⁸²Sr into the generator adsorbent was > 99 %, and the total amount of ⁸²Sr adsorbed to the generator was 21.6 µCi as of the day of the ⁸²Rb elution experiment. When the elution amount was 22 mL, the maximum⁸²Rb elution yield was 93.3%, and the elution yield increased as the flow rate increased. After the eluted ⁸²Rb was filled in the correction phantom of the small PET for animals, a PET image was taken. The image scan time was set to 5 min, and the phantom PET image was successfully obtained. As results of impurity analysis on eluted ⁸²Rb using ICP-MS, ^nat.Rb stable isotopes that compete in vivo of ⁸²Rb were identified as undetected levels and were determined to be No-Carrier-Added (NCA).

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.347-359
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) as a storage medium for avulsed teeth. Materials and Methods: The viability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells stored in Hank's balanced salt solution and PDRN solutions (concentrations, 10, 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL) and tap water was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and Live/Dead assays. In addition, Nitric oxide detection and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of PDRN. Results: The viability of PDL cells stored in a 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solution was significantly higher than that of cells stored in the other solutions (p < 0.01). Furthermore, cells stored in 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solution demonstrated a significantly reduced NO production (p < 0.0001), and cells stored in 50 and 100 ㎍/mL PDRN solutions expressed significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL) -4, IL-6, and IL-10 (p < 0.01) compared to cells stored in HBSS. Conclusion: The PDRN solution exhibited cell-preserving and anti-inflammatory effects on the PDL cells. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for further experiments directed at the development of an effective storage medium for avulsed teeth.