• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1062-1070
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• 2022

In the present communication, pure and stable α-Bismuth Oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by low temperature solution combustion method using urea as a fuel and calcined at 500℃. The synthesized sample was characterized by using powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The PXRD pattern confirms the formation of mono-clinic, stable and low temperature phase α-Bi₂O₃. The direct optical energy band gap was estimated by using Wood and Tauc's relation which was found to be 2.81 eV. The characterized sample was studied for X-ray/gamma ray shielding properties in the energy range 0.081-1.332 MeV using NaI (Tl) detector and multi channel analyzer (MCA). The measured shielding parameters agrees well with the theory, whereas, slight deviation up to 20% is observed below 356 keV. This deviation is mainly due to the influence of atomic size of the target medium. Furthermore an accurate theory is necessary to explain the interaction of X-ray/gamma ray with the NPs.The present work opens new window to use this facile, economical, efficient, low temperature method to synthesize nanomaterials for X-ray/gamma ray shielding purpose.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.42-55
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• 2021

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of marine phytoplankton supplementation (Oceanix®, Tetraselmis chuii) on 1) maximal isometric strength and immune function in healthy humans following a oneweek high-intensity resistance-training program and 2) the proinflammatory cytokine response to exercise in a rat model. [Methods] In the human trial, 22 healthy male and female participants were randomly divided into marine phytoplankton and placebo groups. Following baseline testing, participants underwent a 14-day supplement loading phase before completing five consecutive days of intense resistance training. In the rat model, rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=7 per condition): (i) control, (ii) exercise, (iii) exercise + marine phytoplankton (2.55 mg/kg/day), or (iv) exercise + marine phytoplankton (5.1 mg/kg/day). Rats in the exercising groups performed treadmill exercise 5 days per week for 6 weeks. [Results] In the human model, marine phytoplankton prevented significant declines in the isometric peak rate of force development compared to placebo. Additionally, salivary immunoglobulin A concentration was significantly lower following the resistance training protocol in the placebo group but not in the marine phytoplankton group. Marine phytoplankton in exercising rats decreased intramuscular levels and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and intramuscular concentrations of malondialdehyde. [Conclusion] Marine phytoplankton prevented decrements in indices of functional exercise recovery and immune function. Mechanistically, these outcomes could be prompted by modulating the oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokine response to exercise.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.396-405
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• 2022

Purpose: This study evaluated the predictive role of fecal calprotectin (FC) measured at an early stage of treatment for monitoring clinical remission (CR) after six months and endoscopic remission (ER) after one year of treatment in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: This retrospective study included 45 patients who simultaneously underwent ileocolonoscopy and FC testing during follow-up. FC levels were measured before and after six weeks of treatment. CR was assessed after six months of treatment using Pediatric Crohn' s Disease Activity Index and acute-phase reactants. ER was assessed after one year using the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease. Results: Twenty-nine (64.4%) patients used oral prednisolone for remission induction and 16 (35.6%) patients used anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Thirty (66.7%) patients achieved CR, while 24 (53.3%) achieved ER. The FC level measured after six weeks of treatment could predict CR (χ²=9.15, p=0.0025) and ER (χ²=12.31, p=0.0004). The δFC could predict CR (χ²=7.91, p=0.0049), but not ER (χ²=1.85, p=0.1738). With a threshold of ≤950.4 ㎍/g, FC at week six could predict CR with 76.7% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.769 (standard error 0.0773, p=0.0005). The same threshold predicted ER with 87.5% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. The AUC was 0.774 (standard error 0.074, p=0.0002). Conclusion: FC assay at an early stage of treatment can be used as a surrogate marker to predict CR and mucosal healing in pediatric CD.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.104-112
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• 2024

Al-Zn-Mg-Si alloy coatings have been developed to inhibit corrosion of cold rolled steel sheets, and an understanding of the alloy system helps prevent coating defects. We used a Bridgman furnace to characterise the nature and formation mechanisms of the phases present in the quaternary system with 0.4 wt% Fe. In the directional solidification experiments we imposed steep temperature gradients and varied the pull rate. After the samples were quenched in the furnace, detailed characterization of the samples was carried out by electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). From the dT/dt vs T plots of the cooling curves of the alloys, the solidification path was determined to be $Liquid{\longrightarrow[80]^{544-558}}{\alpha}-Al{\longrightarrow[80]^{453-459}}Al/Mg_2Si{\longrightarrow[80]^{371-374}}Al/Zn{\longrightarrow[80]^{331-333}}Zn/mgZn_2$. The formation mechanisms of the Mg and Zn containing phases and their morphology was discussed together with the effects of the cooling rate. Key findings include the lengthening of the mushy zone in directionally solidified samples remelted against a positive temperature gradient, as well as an enrichening of the α-Al phase by Zn through remelting. Mg₂Si and other Si based phases were observed to adopt a much finer faceted microstructure in favour of a script-like microstructure when exposed to the higher cooling rate of coolant quenching.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact acceleration, shock attenuation and biomechanical variables at various running speed. Method: 20 subjects (height: 176.15 ± 0.63 cm, weight: 70.95 ± 9.77 kg, age: 27.00 ± 4.65 yrs.) participated in this study. The subjects ran at four different speeds (2.5 m/s, 3.0 m/s, 3.5 m/s, 4.0 m/s). Three-dimensional accelerometers were attached to the distal tibia, sternum and head. Gait parameters, biomechanical variables (lower extremity joint angle, moment, power and ground reaction force) and acceleration variables (impact acceleration, shock attenuation) were calculated during the stance phase of the running. Repeated measures ANOVA was used with an alpha level of .05. Results: In gait parameters, decreased stance time, increasing stride length and stride frequency with increasing running speed. And at swing time 2.5 m/s and 4.0 m/s was decreased compared to 3.0 m/s and 3.5 m/s. Biomechanical variables statistically increased with increasing running speed except knee joint ROM, maximum ankle dorsiflexion moment, and maximum hip flexion moment. In acceleration variables as the running speed increased (2.5 m/s to 4.0 m/s), the impact acceleration on the distal tibia increased by more than twice, while the sternum and head increased by approximately 1.1 and 1.2 times, respectively. And shock attenuation (tibia to head) increased as the running speed increased. Conclusion: When running speed increases, the magnitude and increasing rate of sternum and head acceleration are lower compared to the proximal tibia, while shock attenuation increases. This suggests that limiting trunk movement and increasing lower limb movement effectively reduce impact from increased shock. However, to fully understand the body's mechanism for reducing shock, further studies are needed with accelerometers attached to more segments to examine their relationship with kinematic variables.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.278-286
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• 2009

In this study, four natural Mn oxides ($NMO_1-NMO_4$) was characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and their removal efficiency for 1-naphthol (1-NP) in aqueous phase, using batch reactor, was investigated. The results were compared with one another and a synthetic manganese oxide, birnessite. The NMOs have a various Mn minerals including pyrolusite (${\beta}-MnO_2$), cryptomeltane (${\alpha}-MnO_2$) as well as birnessite (${\delta}-MnO_2$) depending on their sources, which results in different removal efficiencies (removals, kinetics) and reaction types (sorption or oxidative-transformation). The comparative study showed that $NMO_1$ (electrolytic Mn oxide) have a higher removal efficiency for 1-NP via oxidative-transformation compared to birnessite. The 1-NP removals by NMOs were followed by pseudo-first order reaction, and the surface area-normalized specific rate constants ($K_{surf},\;L/m^2$ min) determined were in order of $NMO_1(3.31{\times}10^{-3})$>${\delta}-MnO_2(1.48{\times}10^{-3}){\fallingdotseq}NMO_3(1.46{\times}10^{-3})$>$NMO_2(0.83{\times}10^{-3})$>$NMO_4(0.67{\times}10^{-3})$. From the solvent extraction experiments with the Mn oxide precipitates after reaction, it was observed that the oxidative-transformation rates of 1-NP were in order of $NMO_1{\fallingdotseq}{\delta}-MnO_2$>$NMO_3$>$NMO_4{\gg}NMO_2$ and the analysis of HPLC chromatogram and UV-Vis. absorption ratios ($A_{2/4}$, $A_{2/6}$) on the supernatant confirmed that the reaction products were oligomers formed by oxidative-coupling reaction. Results from this study proved that natural Mn oxide (except $NMO_2$) used in this experiment can be effectively applied for the removal of naphthols in aqueous phase, and the removal efficiencies are depending on the surface characters of the Mn oxides.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2001

Factors such as temperature $(20,\;60^{\circ}C)$), pH (4.5, 7.0), gaseous phase $(N_2,\;0_2)$, and light (0 lux, 5,000 lux), antioxidants and packaging conditions were investigated to study the effects of above factors on the chlorophyll components in spinach during storage. Regardless of other factors, as the storage temperature increased from $20^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$ and pH decreased from 7.0 to 4.5, the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach decreased significantly (P<0.05). The amounts of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach stored in nitrogen gas were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in sample in oxygen phase. As the light intensity increased from 0 lux to 5,000 lux during storage, the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in spinach significantly (P<0.05) decreased. The antioxidants reduced the degradation of chlorophyll a in a model system during dark storage by minimization of free radical oxidation. The effectiveness of antioxidants decreased as following orders; ${\alpha}-tocopherol$>ascorbic acid>${\beta}-carotene$>catechin>quercetin>rutin>kaempherol>caffeic acid>chlorogenic acid>p-coumaric acid>ferulic acid. The degradation of chlorophyll a in a model system during light storage was minimized by antioxidants due to the reduction of singlet oxygen oxidation. The antidiscoloring potential of antioxidants decreased as following orders; ${\beta}-carotene$>${\alpha}-tocopherol$>ascorbic acid>catechin>quercetin>rutin>kaem-pherol>caffeic acid>chlorogenic acid>p-coumaric acid>ferulic acid. The amounts of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in freeze dried spinach packed with polyethylene bag were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in non-packed freeze dried spinach. The package of spinach in polyethylene bag with the combination of antioxidants could be used to minimize the degradation of chlorophyll components in spinach during storage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.326-333
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• 2009

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances that are formed during the heating of protein-rich foods. HCAs are generally found at low amounts in a complex matrix, which requires sophisticated analysis. In this study, HCAs were extracted from lyophilized fish and shellfish samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The HCA recoveries in the fish and shellfish ranged from 15.7 to 74.7% with standard deviations from 0.2 to 7.63%. And HCA concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 1,117.7 $ng/g^{-1}$ in cooked food samples. 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Harman), 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Norharman), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) were the most abundant HCAs formed in the muscle of fried mackerel, at levels of 1,117.7, 926.6, and 133.7 ng/g, respectively. 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-aminodipiryrido[1,2-a:3,2-d]imidazole(Glu-P-2), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole(A${\alpha}$C), 2-amino-3methyl-9H-pyrido [1,2-a:3,2-d]imidazole(MeA${\alpha}$C), 2-amino-3,4,7,8-tetramethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (TriMeIQx), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline(7,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) were only detected by small quantities ranged from 1.5 to 98.6 ng/g. Overall, this study provides useful information on HCA levels in fish and shellfish products consumed in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2017

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is distributed in China and Korea, and the fruit of C. monnieri is used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat carbuncle and pain in female genitalia. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferation and cell cycle arrest effects of ethanol extracts from C. monnieri (CME) in AGS gastric cancer cells. Our results show that CME suppressed cell proliferation and induced release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in AGS cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and LDH assay. Cell morphology was altered by CME in a dose-dependent manner. In order to identify the cell cycle arrest effects of CME, we investigated cell cycle analysis after CME treatment. In our results, CME induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Protein kinase B (Akt) plays a major role in cell survival mechanisms such as growth, division, and metastasis. Akt protein regulates various downstream proteins such as glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ (GSK-$3{\beta}$) and tumor protein p53 (p53). Expression levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, p53, p21, cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were determined by Western blot analysis. Protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-$3{\beta}$, and cyclin E were reduced while those of p53, p21, and p-CDK2 (T14/Y15) were elevated by CME. Moreover, treatment with CME, LY294002 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor), BIO (GSK-$3{\beta}$ inhibitor), and Pifithrin-${\alpha}$ (p53 inhibitor) showed that cell cycle arrest effects were mediated through regulation of the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway. These results suggest that CME induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase via the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 signaling pathway in AGS gastric cancer cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

Antifungal compounds from Bacillus polyfermenticus CJ6 were purified using SPE, preparative HPLC, and reverse phase-HPLC. Antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 were separated into three fractions (8, B, C) using preparative HPLC. LC/MS analysis of antifungal peaks suggested that B. polyfermenticus CJ6 produces lipopeptides; two kinds of iturin A ($C_{14}$, $C_{15}$), three kinds of surfactins ($C_{13}$, $C_{14}$, $C_{15}$), four kinds of fengycin A ($C_{14}$, $C_{15}$, $C_{16}$, $C_{17}$) and two kinds fengycin B ($C_{16}$, $C_{17}$). The antifungal activity of fraction 8, which was presumed as inturin A, was found to be stable after the pH, heat or proteolytic enzyme treatment, but it was unstable at 50-$70^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The antifungal activity of fraction B, which presumed as surfactins and fengycin A, was found to be stable after the heat treatment, but it was unstable in the pH 3.0 and after the protease (type I) or ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin treatment. The antifungal activity of fraction C, which was presumed as fengycin A and B, was found to be stable in the pH 3.0-9.0 range and the heat treatment, but it was unstable with the treatment of protease (type I). The amino acid composition of the purified peaks 8-1 and 8-2 were Asx, Tyr, Gln, Pro, and Ser in a molar ratio of 3:1:1:1:1, which showed the same amino acid composition as iturin. From these results, we confirmed that antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 most likely belonged to iturin A as well as surfactins and fengycins. As lipopeptides are known to act in a synergistic manner, the antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 might have potential uses in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical applications.