• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.419-426
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• 2021

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of treatment with a combination of evogliptin and leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes. Treatment with evogliptin alone or in combination with leucine reduced the body weight of the mice, compared to the case for those from the HFD control group. Long-term treatment with evogliptin alone or in combination with leucine resulted in a significant reduction in glucose intolerance; however, leucine alone did not affect postprandial glucose control, compared to the case for the mice from the HFD control group. Furthermore, the combination of evogliptin and leucine prevented HFD-induced insulin resistance, which was associated with improved homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, accompanied by markedly reduced liver fat deposition, hepatic triglyceride content, and plasma alanine aminotransferase levels. The combination of evogliptin and leucine increased the gene expression levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, whereas those of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 were not altered, compared to the case in the HFD-fed mice (p<0.05). Thus, our results suggest that the combination of evogliptin and leucine may be beneficial for treating patients with type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis; however, further studies are needed to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of this combination.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2022

Background: Estrogen deficiency affects the structure and function of the salivary glands in women, leading to a decrease in salivary secretion and a change in the composition of saliva. Previous studies on changes in the salivary glands that cause estrogen deficiency have reported only partial results for the parotid and submandibular glands, and there are few comparative morphological studies of histological changes between the parotid and submandibular glands in ovariectomized rats (OVX) leading to estrogen deficiency. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological and histochemical changes in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands causing estrogen deficiency by using OVX, and to discuss the mechanism on these changes. Methods: The parotid and submandibular glands from sacrificed control and OVX groups were fixed with cold 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2). The tissues were dehydrated using a series of graded ethyl alcohol and embedded in paraffin. For histopathological analysis, sections cut to a thickness of 6 to 7 ㎛ were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). For histochemical analysis, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue (AB, pH 2.5), and PAS+AB (pH 2.5 and pH 1) staining was performed. Results: Histopathological analysis of OVX tissue showed that the parotid and submandibular salivary glands were broadly and clearly separated and divided into lobes. In OVX, acinar and ductal cells with condensed polymorphic or pyknotic nucleus, which are presumed to be characteristic of apoptotic cells, and degenerated cells with lipid deposition in cytoplasmic granules and ruptured membranes were increased. Histochemical analysis of OVX, confirmed an increase in the number and acidification of acinar secretory granules. Conclusion: Histopathological and histochemical changes and the effects of estrogen deficiency are more evident in the submandibular salivary gland than in the parotid gland.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3855-3863
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• 2022

An evaluation of the radiation shielding performance of high-Z-particle-loaded polylactic acid (PLA) composite materials was pursued. Specimens were produced via fused deposition modeling (FDM) using copper-PLA, steel-PLA, and BaSO₄-PLA composite filaments containing 82.7, 75.2, and 44.6 wt% particulate phase contents, respectively, and were tested under broad-band flash x-ray conditions at the Sandia National Laboratories HERMES III facility. The experimental results for the mass attenuation coefficients of the composites were found to be in good agreement with GEANT4 simulations carried out using the same exposure conditions and an atomistic mixture as a model for the composite materials. Further simulation studies, focusing on the Cu-PLA composite system, were used to explore a shield design parameter space (in this case, defined by Cu-particle loading and shield areal density) to assess performance under both high-energy photon and electron fluxes over an incident energy range of 0.5-15 MeV. Based on these results, a method is proposed that can assist in the visualization and isolation of shield parameter coordinate sets that optimize performance under targeted radiation characteristics (type, energy). For electron flux shielding, an empirical relationship was found between areal density (AD), electron energy (E), composition and performance. In cases where ${\frac{E}{AD}}{\geq}2MeV{\bullet}cm{\bullet}g^{-1}$, a shield composed of >85 wt% Cu results in optimal performance. In contrast, a shield composed of <10 wt% Cu is anticipated to perform best against electron irradiation when ${\frac{E}{AD}}<2MeV{\bullet}cm{\bullet}g^{-1}$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1173-1183
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• 2022

Adipogenesis is a complex process comprising commitment and a differentiation stages. Through research, many different transcriptional factors were found to mediate preadipocyte commitment and differentiation. Lysine has a potential of regulating the commitment and differentiation of preadipocytes. In the present study, intramuscular stromal vascular cells (SVC) isolated from Hanwoo beef cattle were used to elucidate the effects of low lysine level on adipogenesis. SVC were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of lysine (0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). No significant difference were observed in the proliferation of SVC after 24 and 48 h of incubation with different concentration of lysine. On preadipocyte determination, reducing the level of lysine significantly increased the expression of preadipocyte commitment gene Zinc finger protein 423 and Preadipocyte factor-1. Upon differentiation, Oil Red O staining revealed that lipid accumulation and triglyceride content significantly increased with the decreasing lysine levels in the media. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 and stearoyl CoA desaturase were upregulated by the decreased level of lysine. These data suggest the potential mechanism of action for the improved preadipocyte commitment and adipocyte differentiation in bovine intramuscular SVC upon treatment with low levels of lysine. These findings may be valuable in developing feed rations that promote deposition of intramuscular fat in beef cattle through lysine level modification.

• Clean Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2009

This study deals with the production process of activated carbons from the sewage sludge char by chemical activation reaction. KOH and NaOH were used as activating agents, which react well with carbon. From the experiments, it was found that activated carbons made with KOH treatment had better physicochemical properties in terms of iodine number and BET value than those made with NaOH treatment. It was also found that the optimal deposition ratio of an activating agent to the sewage sludge char was 75 wt% of KOH and 50 wt% of NaOH. Activated carbons were washed out by distilled water after neutralization with 5 M hydrochloric acid solution. The activated carbons that were produced from a sewage sludge char at this optimal conditions have BET surface areas of approximately $600m^2/g$.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2008

A poly-(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface modified by the successive deposition of the polyelectrolytes, poly-(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly-(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) (PDAC), poly-(4-ammonium styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS), and poly-(acrylic acid) (PAA), was presented for the application of selective cell immobilization. It is formed via electrostatic attraction between adjacent layers of opposite charge. The modified PDMS surface was examined using static contact angle measurements and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer. The wettability of the PDMS surface could be easily controlled and functionalized to be biocompatible through regulation of layer numbers. The modified PDMS surface provides appropriate environment for adhesion to cells, which is essential technology for cell patterning with high yield and viability in the patterning process. This method is reproducible, convenient, and rapid. It could be applied to the fabrication of biological sensing, patterning, microelectronics devices, screening system, and study of cell-surface interaction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.533-539
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• 2004

It has been reported that CLA decreases fat deposition in vivo and in vitro experiments. Among CLA isomers, c9t11 and t10c12 have been shown to exert active biological activities. For example, t10c12 reduces body weight and increases lean body mass, whereas, c9t11 has little effect on body fattness. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for the anti-obesity action of CLA isomers are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of t10c12 and c9t11 on lipid accumulation, cell proliferation, cell death and the expression levels of Ucp genes which are proposed as targets for anti-obesity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Isomers of CLA at 50$\mu$M were added into preadipocyte differentiation medium for 3, 6 and 9days. Control cells received only the vehicle in the differentiation medium. Cytochemical analyses for lipid accumulation, cell proliferation and apotosis were carried out to compare lipidogenesis and cellular activity. RT-PCR analysis of GAPDH, Ucp 2,3 and 4 were also performed to find any modulatory effects of CLA isomers on the metabolic genes. Lipid accumulation indicated by Oil Red-O staining was inhibited in CLA isomers as compared to the control. T10c12 isomer showed less lipidogenesis than c9t11 did. A decrease occurred in CLA isomers as shown by BrdU incorporation. Apotosis has occured at higher level in t10c12 when compared to that of t9c11. Ucp 2, 3 and 4 genes were also upregulated in CLA isomers. T10c12 showed higher level of Ucp gene expressions than the c9t11 did. The biological activities of CLA isomers were also found to be different during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting that different isomers may be active in certain stage of lipidogenesis. The results indicate that both c9t11 and t10c12 CLA isomers decrease lipidogenesis, inhibit cell proliferation, increase cell death and upregulate in Ucp gene expressions during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. T10c12 isomer was more effective than c9t11 in overall anti-obesity activity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.399-399
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• 2013

Metal silicides는 Si 기반의microelectronic devices의 interconnect와 contact 물질 등에 사용하기 위하여 그 형성 mechanism과 전기적 특성에 대한 연구가 많이 이루어지고 있다. 이 중 Rare-earth(RE) silicides는 저온에서 silicides를 형성하고, n-type Si과 낮은 Schottky Barrier contact (~0.3 eV)을 이룬다. 또한 낮은 resistivity와 Si과의 작은 lattice mismatch, 그리고 epitaxial growth의 가능성, 높은 thermal stability 등의 장점을 갖고 있다. RE silicides 중 ytterbium silicide는 가장 낮은 electric work function을 갖고 있어 n-channel schottky barrier MOSFETs의 source/drain으로 주목받고 있다. 또한 Silicon 기반의 CMOSFETs의 성능 향상 한계로 인하여 germanium 기반의 소자에 대한 연구가 이루어져 왔다. Ge 기반 FETs 제작을 위해서는 낮은 source/drain series/contact resistances의 contact을 형성해야 한다. 본 연구에서는 저접촉 저항 contact material로서 ytterbium germanide의 가능성에 대해 고찰하고자 하였다. HRTEM과 EDS를 이용하여 ytterbium germanide의 미세구조 분석과 면저항 및 Schottky Barrier Heights 등의 전기적 특성 분석을 진행하였다. Low doped n-type Ge (100) wafer를 1%의 hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution에 세정하여 native oxide layer를 제거하고, 고진공에서 RF sputtering 법을 이용하여 ytterbium 30 nm를 먼저 증착하고, 그 위에 ytterbium의 oxidation을 방지하기 위한 capping layer로 100 nm 두께의 TiN을 증착하였다. 증착 후, rapid thermal anneal (RTA)을 이용하여 N2 분위기에서 $300{\sim}700^{\circ}C$에서 각각 1분간 열처리하여 ytterbium germanides를 형성하였다. Ytterbium germanide의 미세구조 분석은 transmission electron microscopy (JEM-2100F)을 이용하였다. 면 저항 측정을 위해 sulfuric acid와 hydrogen peroxide solution (H2SO4:H2O2=6:1)에서 strip을 진행하여 TiN과 unreacted Yb을 제거하였고, 4-point probe를 통하여 측정하였다. Yb germanides의 면저항은 열처리 온도 증가에 따라 감소하다 증가하는 경향을 보이고, $400{\sim}500^{\circ}C$에서 가장 작은 면저항을 나타내었다. HRTEM 분석 결과, deposition 과정에서 Yb과 Si의 intermixing이 일어나 amorphous layer가 존재하였고, 열처리 온도가 증가하면서 diffusion이 더 활발히 일어나 amorphous layer의 두께가 증가하였다. $350^{\circ}C$ 열처리 샘플에서 germanide/Ge interface에서 epitaxial 구조의 crystalline Yb germanide가 형성되었고, EDS 측정 및 diffraction pattern을 통하여 안정상인 YbGe2-X phase임을 확인하였다. 이러한 epitaxial growth는 면저항의 감소를 가져왔으며, 열처리 온도가 증가하면서 epitaxial layer가 증가하다가 고온에서 polycrystalline 구조의 Yb germanide가 형성되어 면저항의 증가를 가져왔다. Schottky Barrier Heights 측정 결과 또한 면저항 경향과 동일하게 열처리 증가에 따라 감소하다가 고온에서 다시 증가하였다.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.50-61
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• 2018

The current study aimed to review the research trends on forest liming by age, country, and research topics, and seeks to summarize the effects of forest liming on soil, vegetation and water system in forest ecosystems. The recent goals of forest liming have been changed in response to changes in the acid deposition, and related studies have been mainly carried out in Europe and North America, where there is noted a massive forest decline, which was subsequently caused by acid rain. Most forest liming studies are noted to have focused on soil responses, however, the number of studies on the responses of vegetation and water system according to a literature review on the subject were relatively small. Meanwhile, forest liming influenced whole forest ecosystems through interaction between the soil, vegetation and water system as associated with the relevant regions. The changes in soil pH, base saturation, and cation exchange capacity by forest liming were noted as different depending on the soil layer and elapsed time after liming. The responses of vegetation to forest liming were shown in above- and below-ground plant growth and plant nutrient concentration, and also were noted to have varied depending on the available regional plant species and noted specific soil conditions. The chemical properties of the water system were changed similarly to those in the soil, leading to notable changes as seen in the planktons and available fish species in the region. Finally, these results could be used to plan further studies on forest liming, which would significantly benefit regional studies to promote the preservation of the species noted for protection in the region.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.723-732
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• 2020

The spent RHDS (Residue HydroDeSulfurization) catalyst is deactivated mainly by deposition of various contaminants such as coke, sulfur and vanadium on the surface of catalyst. To eliminate those contaminants, the following remanufacturing process was conducted. The first, heavy oil on the surface of the spent RHDS catalyst was removed by kerosene and dehydrated. The second, the high temperature incineration was carried out to eliminate coke and sulfur components deposited on the surface of spent RHDS catalyst. The third, the excessive quantity of Vanadium deposited on the surface of catalyst was removed by leaching process as follows: ultrasonic agitation was carried out at 50℃, for 10 seconds with 0.5% and 1% oxalic acid solution. The purpose of this process is to find out regenerated RHDS catalyst can be used as SCR catalyst for NOx reduction by controlling the vanadium residual content of the regenerated RHDS catalyst through leaching process. The composition of regenerated RHDS catalyst was analyzed by XRF and the NOx reduction efficiency was also measured by continuous catalytic fixed bed reactor. As the result, regenerated catalyst, with 0.5% oxalic acid, ultrasonic agitation in 10 seconds, showed the most stable NOx reduction efficiency. Also, in comparison with commercial SCR catalyst, the NOx reduction performance of regenerated catalyst was similar to that of commercial SCR catalyst at the temperature 375℃ and higher whereas was lower than commercial SCR catalyst at the temperature range between 200~250℃. Therefore, it was confirmed that the regenerated catalyst as powder form wash coated on the surface of metal corrugated substrate can be used for commercial SCR catalyst.