• Carbon letters
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• v.18
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• pp.49-55
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• 2016

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) produced using municipal solid waste was pyrolyzed to produce RDF char. For the first time, the RDF char was used to remove aqueous copper, a representative heavy metal water pollutant. Activation of the RDF char using steam and KOH treatments was performed to change the specific surface area, pore volume, and the metal cation quantity of the char. N₂ sorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the char. The optimum pH for copper removal was shown to be 5.5, and the steam-treated char displayed the best copper removal capability. Ion exchange between copper ions and alkali/alkaline metal cations was the most important mechanism of copper removal by RDF char, followed by adsorption on functional groups existing on the char surface. The copper adsorption behavior was represented well by a pseudo-second-order kinetics model and the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum copper removal capacity was determined to be 38.17 mg/g, which is larger than those of other low-cost char adsorbents reported previously.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.423-433
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• 2024

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a type of adult stem cell present in the dental pulp tissue. They possess a higher proliferative capacity than bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Their ease of collection from patients makes them well-suited for tissue engineering applications, such as tooth and nerve regeneration. Chios gum mastic (CGM), a resin extracted from the stems and leaves of Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, has garnered attention for its potential in tissue regeneration. This study aims to confirm alterations in cell proliferation rates and induce differentiation in human DPSCs (hDPSCs) through CGM treatment, a substance known for effectively promoting odontogenic differentiation. Administration of CGM to hDPSC cells was followed by an assessment of cell survival, proliferation, and odontogenic differentiation through protein and gene analysis. The study revealed that hDPSCs exhibited low sensitivity to CGM toxicity. CGM treatment induced cell proliferation by activating cell-cycle proteins through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, the study demonstrated that CGM enhances alkaline phosphatase activation by upregulating the expression of collagen type I, a representative matrix protein of dentin. This activation of markers associated with odontogenic and bone differentiation ultimately facilitated the mineralization of hDPSCs. This study concludes that CGM, as a natural substance, fosters the cell cycle and cell proliferation in hDPSCs. Furthermore, it triggers the transcription of odontogenic and osteogenic markers, thereby facilitating odontogenic differentiation.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2016

The development of a binder system with a lower carbon footprint as an alternative to Portland cement has been intensely researched. In the present study, alkali-activated fly ash exposed to carbon dioxide at an early age was characterized in compressive strength tests and by MIP, XRD and FT-IR analyses. The compressive strength of carbonated specimens experienced a dramatic increase in comparison to uncarbonated specimens. The microstructural densification of the carbonated specimens was evidenced by MIP. The XRD pattern showed peaks assigned to nahcolite, indicating that the pH was lower in the carbonated specimens. Under the carbon dioxide-rich environment, the aluminosilicate gel reached a more Si-rich state, which improved the mechanical properties of the alkali-activated fly ash.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.20 no.A
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• pp.39-44
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• 2000

Highly viscous biopolymer from alkali-tolerant Bacillus sp. was purified and its solution properties were investigated. The intrinsic viscosities for crude biopolymer and biopolymers purified by dialysis or CPC(cetylpyridinium chloride) treatment were 58.24, 73.60 and 42.18 dL/g, respectively. The intrinsic viscosity of biopolymer showed the maximum value at the neutral pH but it was decreased remarkably at the alkaline or acidic pH. Biopolymer exhibited the property of polyelectrolyte, showing the sharp decrease of intrinsic viscosity by the addition of NaCl. Intrinsic viscosity of dilute solution at the low NaCl concentration was exponentially dependent on temperature and its temperature dependency was increased with NaCl concentrations. The chain stiffness, coil overlap parameter, and critical concentration were 0.09, 5.25 and 0.07g/dL, respectively. Temperature dependency on intrinsic viscosity of biopolymer solution was different each other at $45^{\circ}C$. Flow activation energies at temperatures above $45^{\circ}C$ were constant, while those at temperatures below $45^{\circ}C$ increased with increase of added NaCl concentration.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.167-172
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• 2001

A cDNA fragment encoding the chloroplastic fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) was cloned via PCR from the cDNA library of pea leaves. The cloned cDNA, about 1.05 kbp without signal sequence, was introduced into a pET-28a vector for expression in E. coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysS. The recombinant FBPase was purified through $Ni^+-NTA$ affinity chromatography and characterized. Molecular mass of the monomer was about 42,000. Enzymatic activity of the purified enzyme as the native pea chloroplastic FBPase was the highest at alkaline pH (pH 9.0). The recombinant enzyme was activated by a reducing agent DTT and was insensitive to AMP. The activation energy (Ea) and Arrehenius frequency factor were 42.67 kcal/mol and $2.65{\times}10^{14}/s$, respectively, slightly higher than those of the native enzyme. $K_M$ and $V_{max}$ were $99.98{\mu}M$ and $52.9{\mu}M/min$, respectively, which were comparable with the native enzyme.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2018

In the field of osteoporosis, there has been growing interest in anabolic agents that enhance bone formation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of NNMBS 246 osteoblastic differentiation with associated signaling pathways. NNMBS 246 markedly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodule formation. Stimulation with NNMBS 246 not only increased the differentiation markers (ALP, OPN, OCN) level and transcription markers (RUNX2, Osterix) mRNA expression but also upregulated the ECM molecules and OPG mRNA expression. Treatments of NNMBS 246 downregulated MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9), but RANKL mRNA expression. Furthermore, NNMBS 246 activated osteoblastic differentiation markers and formed calcium nodules in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and cementoblast cells. NNMBS 246 induced phosphorylation of MAPKs, Akt, nuclear p65 and IkB-${\alpha}$. BMP-2/Smad and ${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathways were activated by NNMBS 246. Sirtinol (SIRT1 inhibitor) inhibited NNMBS 246-induced osteoblastic differentiation markers mRNA expression. These results suggested that NNMBS 246 has the potential to enhance osteoblastogenesis probably through the activation of BMP/Smad and ${\beta}$-catenin signal pathways, and SIRT1 plays as critical mediator in bone anabolic effect of NNMBS 246.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2001

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly used phthalate ester in polyvinyl chloride formulations including food packing and storage of human blood. DEHP is a well known as non-genotoxic carcinogen and endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). DEHP have shown all negative results in ICH-guildeline recommended standard genotoxicity test battery. In this study, to assess the clastogenic and DNA damaging effect in human-derived tissue specific cells, DEHP was treated in human derived MCE-7 cells, HepG2 cells, LNCap cells, BeWo cells, MCE-10A cells, and female peripheral blood cells using micronucleus assay and in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells up to $1.28$\times$10^{-2}$ M using Comet assay. The in vitro micronucleus assay is a mutagenicity test system for the detection of chemicals which induce the formation of small membrane bound DNA fragment i.e. micronuclei in the cytoplasm of interphase cells, originated from clastogenic and/or aneugenic mechanism. The single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) is used to detect DNA strand-breaks and alkaline labile site. In our results, DEHP increased significantly and/or dose-depentently and time-dependently micronucleus frequency at the 6 and 24 hr without metabolic activation system only in MCE-7 cells. DEHP treated with 2 hrs in MCF-7 cells using Comet assay induced DNA damage dose-depentantly.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.332-339
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• 2010

The lipase from Mucor racemosus NRRL 3631 was partially purified by fractional precipitation using 60% ammonium sulfate, which resulted in a 8.33-fold purification. The partially purified lipase was then immobilized using different immobilization techniques: physical adsorption, ionic binding, and entrapment. Entrapment in a 4% agar proved to be the most suitable technique (82% yield), as the immobilized lipase was more stable at acidic and alkaline pHs than the free enzyme, plus 100% of the original activity was retained owing to the thermal stability of the immobilized enzyme after heat treatment for 60 min at $45^{\circ}C$. The calculated half-lives (472.5, 433.12, and 268.5 min at 50, 55, and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively) and the activation energy (9.85 kcal/mol) for the immobilized enzyme were higher than those for the free enzyme. Under the selected conditions, the immobilized enzyme had a higher $K_m$ (11.11 mM) and lower $V_{max}$ (105.26 U/mg protein) when compared with the free enzyme (8.33 mM and 125.0 U/mg protein, respectively). The operational stability of the biocatalyst was tested for both the hydrolysis of triglycerides and esterification of fatty acids with glycerol. After 4 cycles, the immobilized lipase retained approximately 50% and 80% of its original activity in the hydrolysis and esterification reactions, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.66-82
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Kanghwalsokdan-tang Gamibang water extract (KSG) on osteoporosis. Methods : RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 was used to evaluate inhibitory effect of KSG osteoclast differentiation and gene expression. We counted TRAP (+) multinucleated cells and measured TRAP activity and mRNA expressions of osteoclastogenesis-related genes (NFATc1, MITF, JNK1, cathepsin K, MMP-9) to figure out the effect of KSG on osteoclast. Osteoblastogenesis was also determined in rat calvarial cell. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone matrix protein and collagen synthesis were measured by using murine calvarial cell. Results : KSG inhibited the differentiation of osteoclast precursor cell and expression of genes related osteoclastogenesis like NAFTc1, MITF, c-fos, JNK1, Cathepsin K, MMP-9 and TRAP. KSG increased cell division and function of osteoblast separated from the skull of a rat and ALP synthesis, biosynthesis of bone matrix protein and collagen. Conclusions : Reviewing these results, KSG has efficacy on osteoclast inhibition and osteoblast activation. After further study, KSG will be able to apply for osteoporosis treatment and prevention.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Shirasu, a pyroclastic flow deposit, showed considerable performance as aluminosilicate source in geopolymer, based on past research. However, the polymerization reactivity was somewhat lower compared to the traditional fly ash based geopolymer even though the long-term strength was fairly good. The present study concentrates on the development of higher initial strength performance of Shirasu based geopolymer by utilizing ground granulated blast furnace slag as an admixture. Mortars with various mix proportions were adopted to study the effect of parametric changes on strength development along with the addition of slag in different percentages. A combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate was used as alkaline activators considering parameters like molar ratios of alkali to geopolymer water and silica to alkali molar ratio. The mortars were cured at elevated temperatures under different curing conditions to analyze the effect on strength development. Compressive strength test, mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray powder diffraction were carried out to assess the strength performance and microstructure of slag-Shirasu based geopolymer. Based on the experimental study, it was observed that the initial and long-term strength development of Slag-Shirasu geopolymer were improved by the addition of slag.