• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제68권
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• pp.229-237
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• 2018

Medical silicone tubes are generally used as implants for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct stenosis. However, side effects such as allergic reactions and bacterial infections have been reported following the silicone tube insertion, which cause surgical failure. These drawbacks can be overcome by modifying the silicone tube surface using a functional coating. Here, we report a biocompatible and superhydrophilic surface coating based on a polysaccharide multilayer nanofilm, which can load and release antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. The nanofilm is composed of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CHI), and fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The LbL-assembled CMC/CHI multilayer films exhibited superhydrophilic properties, owing to the rough and porous structure obtained by a crosslinking process. The surface coated with the superhydrophilic CMC/CHI multilayer film initially exhibited antibacterial activity by preventing the adhesion of bacteria, followed by further enhanced antibacterial effects upon releasing the loaded antibacterial agent. In addition, inflammatory cytokine assays demonstrated the ability of the coating to deliver anti-inflammatory agents. The versatile nanocoating endows the surface with anti-adhesion and drug-delivery capabilities, with potential applications in the biomedical field. Therefore, we attempted to coat the nanofilm on the surface of an ophthalmic silicone tube to produce a multifunctional tube suitable for patient-specific treatment.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.23-29
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• 2018

This study explored secondary effects of the residual hydrofluoric acid (HF) after a hypothetical acid spill accident by investigating the long-term dissolution of minerals and leaching of pre-existing arsenic (As) from two soil samples (i.e., KBS and KBM) through batch and column experiments. An increase in the HF concentration in both soil samples resulted in a dramatic increase in the release of major cations, especially Si. However, the amounts of mineral dissolved were dependent on the soil type and mineral characteristics. Compared to the KBM soil, relatively more Ca, Mg and Si were dissolved from the KBS soil. The column experiment showed that the long-term dissolution rates of the minerals are closely associated with the acid buffering capacity of the two soils. The KBM soil had relatively higher effluent pH values compared to the KBS soil. Also, more As was leached from the KBM soil, with a more amorphous hydrous oxide-bound As fraction. These results suggest that the potential of heavy metal leaching by the residual acid after an acid spill will be influenced by heavy metal speciation and mineral structure in the affected soil.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.131-141
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• 2021

The present study is following a series of research investigations on design resources coming from collected data referring to users' awareness and preferences. The aim of this research is to test the Healthcare Environmental Color Index as a basis for practitioners in the field of healthcare design. An array of color samples selected from previous research, have been presented to the respondents via an online survey, in order to identify the preferences of the two groups on the relation between environmental color and health. As a result of the first experiment and through the comparison of processed data, the maximum percentage of respondents from each group is validating the relation between environmental color and health. For the second experiment we intend to highlight the patterns of color preferences for each group, and thus to test the color samples healing function. The compared data also showed a higher awareness of Koreans than Romanians on the potential of color applied to healing environment. Last but not least in the third experiment we show the top five color samples preferred by each group. It is significant that the comparison of the results validated once more some of our previous findings related to the healthcare environment, such as: the general preference for the green hue (associated to fatigue relax according to color psychology) and the blue hue (sedation release effect) but also the yellow hue - associated to bright energy. Three out of the top five preferred color samples have been identical to both groups while the other two samples have shown characteristic variations. These results show that similarities are strong and can be used in a glocal design strategy as an accessible tool for any practitioner. Based on the Healthcare Environmental Color Index and users' preferences analysis, a new design culture for healthcare can be established and developed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권9호
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• pp.688-695
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• 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has become a global health concern. Various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and are being used for vaccination worldwide. However, no therapeutic agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed so far; therefore, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed. In the present study, we evaluated several hepatitis C virus direct-acting antivirals as potential candidates for drug repurposing against COVID-19. Theses include asunaprevir (a protease inhibitor), daclatasvir (an NS5A inhibitor), and sofosbuvir (an RNA polymerase inhibitor). We found that asunaprevir, but not sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, markedly inhibited SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effects in Vero E6 cells. Both RNA and protein levels of SARS-CoV-2 were significantly decreased by treatment with asunaprevir. Moreover, asunaprevir profoundly decreased virion release from SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. A pseudoparticle entry assay revealed that asunaprevir blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection at the binding step of the viral life cycle. Furthermore, asunaprevir inhibited SARS-CoV-2 propagation in human lung Calu-3 cells. Collectively, we found that asunaprevir displays broad-spectrum antiviral activity and therefore might be worth developing as a new drug repurposing candidate for COVID-19.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2019년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.121-121
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• 2019

In Islamic dietary guidelines, Halal foods are allowed as edible blessed food. Most foods were categorized within halal for Muslims. The main point of Halal food is that foods are clean in every process and based on Halal standard which might be different in each country. Most pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells synthetize, store, and release insulin. Specific molecular, functional as well as ultrastructural traits of pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells could control their insulin secretion properties and survival phentoype. Insulin-secreting pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells are essential regulators of mammalian metabolism. In addition, the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as improving glucose homeostasis by preserving, expanding and improving the function of this key cell type. However, the pharmacological effect of halal food has not been unclear yet, especially food habit-dependent diabetes. The aim of the this study was to determine the preventive effect of Iran plants extract (Almond, Garlic, Cumin, Ginkgo biloba, Holy basil, Psyllium, Satureja khuzistanica, Fenugreek, Green tea, Ipomoea betatas, Blueberry) on RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells as pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell line. The cytotoxicity of the extracts of Iran plants on RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells were measured by using MTT assays. The preventive effects of Iran plant extracts were measured by WST-8 cell proliferation assay on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cell death in MIN6 cells. In presented result showed that all extract of Iran plants (0.01-10mg/ml) did not show cytotoxicity in RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells. Among non-cytotoxic extract, the protective effects could be detect in high dose concentration. These results suggest that the extract of Iran plants may serve as a potential therapy for diabetes.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.362-369
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• 2019

In this study, biodegradation efficiency improvement of mixed sludge for the anaerobic digestion process in wastewater treatment plant was investigated. In order to release the organic material contained in the sludge cell and promote the hydrolysis step, mixed sludge of 7% TS (Total Solids) was physically shear-treated at a shear strength of 1,000 ~ 4,000 rpm and a maximum of 120 mins. As a result of the comparison between mixed sludge before and after the treatment, the concentration of $SCOD_{Cr}$(Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand-chromium method) was increased through the conversion of granular organic matter into dissolved organic matter as shear strength and treatment time increases. The solubilization efficiency increased rapidly after 30 min of solubilization application time, and they were 11.23 %, 20.10 %, 22.52 % and 25.43% at 120 min for each shear strength conditions, respectively. Additionally, the BMP(Biochemical Methane Potential) test was conducted with the optimized samples to determine the increase of methane production by the shear pre-treatment. Consequently, methane production of each samples were 0.275, 0.310, 0.323 and $0.335m^3/kg\;VS_{add}$, which indicates that methane production was increased to a maximum of 21.28% compared to the control without the solubilization process ($0.262m^3/kg\;VS_{add}$). As a result, the physical shear-treatment is a promising process for sewage sludge pre-treatment to reduce the organic waste and increase the energy production.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.241-248
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• 2019

Recent researches demonstrated well promising anticancer activities for antibiotics. Such effects would be significantly increased while nanoparticle based delivery systems were applied. In this study, the goal was aim to improve anticancer and antitoxic effects of Streptomycin by loading on special kind of dendrimer (anionic-linear-globular second generation). In the current study, Size and zeta potential as well as AFM techniques have been used to prove the fact that the loading was performed correctly. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the drug loaded on dendrimer nanoparticle were determined and compared with both of dendrimer alone and free drug with respect to staphylococcus aureus as the test microorganism. The anticancer activity among three groups including Streptomycin, Streptomycin -G2 dendrimer, and control was measured in vitro. In vitro studies showed that G2 anionic linear-globular polyethylene-glycol-based dendrimer, which loaded on Streptomycin was able to significantly improve the treatment efficacy over clinical Streptomycin alone with respect to proliferation assay. Maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated to be $257{\mu}g/mL$ for streptomycin alone and $55{\mu}g/mL$ for Streptomycin -G2 dendrimer. In addition, Streptomycin -G2 dendrimer conjugate prevented the growth of MCF-7 cancerous cells in addition to enhance the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells as demonstrated by an annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate assay. Streptomycin -G2 dendrimer conjugate was able to increase Bcl-2/Bax ratio in a large scale compared with the control group and Streptomycin alone. Based on results a new drug formulation based nano-particulate was improved against S. aureus with sustained release and enhanced antibacterial activity as well as anticancer activity shown for functional cancer treatment with low side effects.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.75-90
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• 2019

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are rising rapidly despite efforts to curb release of such gases. One long term potential solution to offset these destructive emissions is the capture and storage of carbon dioxide. Partially depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs are attractive targets for permanent carbon dioxide disposal due to proven storage capacity and seal integrity, existing infrastructure. Optimum well completion design in depleted reservoirs requires understanding of prominent geomechanics issues with regard to rock-fluid interaction effects. Geomechanics plays a crucial role in the selection, design and operation of a storage facility and can improve the engineering performance, maintain safety and minimize environmental impact. In this paper, an integrated geomechanics workflow to evaluate reservoir caprock integrity is presented. This method integrates a reservoir simulation that typically computes variation in the reservoir pressure and temperature with geomechanical simulation which calculates variation in stresses. Coupling between these simulation modules is performed iteratively which in each simulation cycle, time dependent reservoir pressure and temperature obtained from three dimensional compositional reservoir models in ECLIPSE were transferred into finite element reservoir geomechanical models in ABAQUS and new porosity and permeability are obtained using volumetric strains for the next analysis step. Finally, efficiency of this approach is demonstrated through a case study of oil production and subsequent carbon storage in an oil reservoir. The methodology and overall workflow presented in this paper are expected to assist engineers with geomechanical assessments for reservoir optimum production and gas injection design for both natural gas and carbon dioxide storage in depleted reservoirs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.395-401
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• 2021

Extended inflammation and cytokine production pathogenically contribute to a number of inflammatory disorders. Formosanin C (FC) is the major diosgenin saponin found in herb Paris formosana Hayata (Liliaceae), which has been shown to exert anti-cancer and immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of FC and the underlying molecular mechanism. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pretreated with FC prior to being stimulated with LPS. Thereafter, the macrophages were subjected to analysis of the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6, as well as two relevant enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The analysis revealed that FC administration blunted LPS-induced production of NO and PGE in a dose-dependent manner, while the expression of iNOS and COX-2 at both mRNA and protein levels was inhibited in LPS-stimulated macrophages pre-treated with FC. Moreover, LPS stimulation upregulated mRNA expression and medium release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas this effect was blocked upon FC pre-administration. Mechanistic studies showed that inhibitory effects of FC on LPS-induced inflammation were associated with a downregulation of IκB kinase, IκB, and p65/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that FC possesses an inflammation-suppressing activity, thus being a potential agent for the treatment of inflammation-associated disorders.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.1764-1772
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• 2020

본 연구는 그라비올라(Annona muricata)가 인간 비만세포(LUVA 세포)에서 immunoglobulin(Ig) E-매개 알러지 반응에 어떠한 효과를 나타내는지 확인하는데 목적이 있다. 그라비올라 잎 추출물(GLE)의 항알러지 효과를 알아보기 위해 IgE로 감작된 비만세포에 다양한 농도의 추출물을 처리하였다. 비만세포의 IgE-매개 탈과립 실험 결과, GLE가 LUVA 세포에서 histamine, β-hexosaminidase, TNF-α, IL-4 및 IL-6의 방출을 유의하게 억제하였다. 또한 GLE는 IgE 유도에 의한 Lyn과 Syk의 인산화를 억제하였고 그 하위 경로에 있는 MAPK의 활성을 억제하였다. 이상의 결과는 GLE가 비만세포 활성화 및 알러지 반응을 억제할 수 있음을 보여주고, 이는 GLE가 항알러지 효과를 통하여 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 활용이 가능함을 시사한다.