• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.231-239
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• 2004

Cerebral microvessel endothelial cells that form blood-brain barrier (BBB) have tight junction for maintaining brain homeostasis. Occludin, one of tight junction protein, is crucial for BBB function. $H_2O_2$ induced occludin changes and effects in bovine brain BBB endothelial cells were examined in this study. The decrease of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) by $H_2O_2$ was due to disruption of occludin localization. Cytotoxicity test revealed that $H_2O_2$ did not cause cell death below 1 mM $H_2O_2$ within 4 hr. $H_2O_2$ caused intermittent disruption and loss of occludin at tight junctions and occludin disappeared with dose dependent manner from tight junction in confocal laser microscopy. But Western blot revealed that the total amounts of occludin increased by $H_2O_2$ administration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the ultrastructure of tight junction was not changed by $H_2O_2$. These data suggest that functional disruption of BBB by $H_2O_2$ was due to the localized loss of occludin in tight junction, but the expression of occludin increased in order to compensate the disrupted function in BBB.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.495-504
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• 2015

This work investigated the characteristics of a packed-bed plasma reactor system and the performances of the plasma reactors connected in series or in parallel for the decomposition of ethylene. Before the discharge ignition, the effective capacitance of the ${\gamma}$-alumina packed-bed plasma reactor was larger than that of the reactor without any packing, but after the ignition the effective capacitance was similar to each other, regardless of the packing. The energy of electrons created by plasma depends mainly on the electric field intensity, and was not significantly affected by the gas composition in the range of 0~20% (v/v) oxygen (nitrogen : 80~100% (v/v)). Among the various reactive species generated by plasma, ground-state atomic oxygen and ozone are understood to be primarily involved in oxidation reactions, and as the electric field intensity increases, the amount of ground-state atomic oxygen relatively decreases while that of nitrogen atom increases. Even though there are many parameters affecting the performance of the plasma reactor such as a voltage, discharge power, gas flow rate and residence time, all parameters can be integrated into a single parameter, namely, specific input energy (SIE). It was experimentally confirmed that the performances of the plasma reactors connected in series or in parallel could be treated as a function of SIE alone, which simplifies the scale-up design procedure. Besides, the ethylene decomposition results can be predicted by the calculation using the rate constant expressed as a function of SIE.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.267-278
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• 1995

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMN) are the most numerous host cell in periodontal pockets and their presumed role is to form a protective barrier between the bacteria and periodontal tissues. Microbial component LPS activates macrophages to produce $IL-1{\beta}$, $MIP-1{\alpha}$, $-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, etc. These cytokines have autocrine function to the macrophages, and paracrine function to other cell such as PMN and affect them to produce some biological functions. In the present study, human PMN were tested for the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $MIP-1{\alpha}$ mRNA. Also we performed the receptor binding assay and in vitro assay for the antimicrobial action of HL-60 cell to determine whether HL-60 can replace the peripheral PMN in analyzing the biological functions. PMN were stimulated with $IL-1{\beta}$, TPA, $MIP-1{\alpha}$, LPS, IL-2 and total cytoplasmic RNA were extracted for the northern blot analysis. In order to determine the induction kinetics of $IL-1{\beta}$ or $MIP-1{\alpha}$ mRNA expression, cells were stimulated for 0,1,2,3 hours. We found peak expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA after 1hr of induction with $IL-1{\beta}$, LPS and after 2hr of induction with TPA. $MIP-l{\alpha}$ also induced but a scarce $IL-l{\beta}$ message from PMN. In contrast to the $IL-l{\beta}$ mRNA expression, $MIP-1{\alpha}$ were not induced from PMN in any culture conditions. Receptors for $MIP-1{\alpha}$ were identified on dibutyryl cyclic AMP(dbcAMP)-treated HL-60 as well as peripheral PMN. dbcAMP treatment significantly enhanced antimicrobial action of undifferentiated HL-60 cell. MIP-1 further increased enhancing effect of dbcAMP. $IL-1{\beta}$, to a lesser extent, also increased dbcAMP-induced enhancing effect of antimicrobial action of HL-60 cell.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to develop erosion control dam for preventing disaster in consideration of characteristics of forested catchment near urban area, and to assess its stability and functionality to see its practicability in the field. Two types of hybrid erosion control dams were developed including debris flow prevention dam by using pillar and float board screen type and debris flow control dam by using groyne. Also, review about their static (sliding, overturning, bearing capacity) and dynamic (member force) stability was carried out. According to the result, most of the assessed items met standard safety level although there were some cases where assessed items were short of stability criteria against impact. Also, after miniature flume experiments based on the developed erosion control dam to prove structure function (material catch, deposit), it turned out the dam decreased flow sediment amount and velocity while increasing sediment-capturing capacity by 3.5 times on average compared to the one controlled without erosion control dam. When function of erosion control dam for forested catchment near urban area is quantified based on future flume experiments in a variety of conditions, the dams can be practically used in the urban area, contribution to effectively reducing debris flow damage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2018

This study aimed to analyze the contents of rutin, procyanidin B3, quercetin, and kaempferol, known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic effects, among the polyphenol types contained in grape pruning stem extracts (GPSE). It utilized grape stems discarded after harvest to measure the effects of GPSE on skin moisture, inhibition of skin cell proliferation, and anti-inflammatory activity on the damaged skin of HR-1 mice induced with ultraviolet B (UVB), and to verify the applicability of GPSE as a material for functional food and functional cosmetics. The polyphenol was extracted from grape pruning stems with 80% EtOH, and then the extract was used while storing at $-20^{\circ}C$, after filtering, concentrating, and freeze-drying it. The content of an active ingredient of GPSE was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). From 53 kg of the grape pruning stem specimen, 2.34 kg of the EtOH fraction extracts were extracted to achieve a 4.42% yield ratio. Analysis of the active ingredients showed 0.28 mg/g of procyanidin B3, 12.81 mg/g of rutin, 0.51 mg/g of quercetin, and 8.24 mg/g of kaempferol. After UVB irradiation on the dermis, to confirm the degree of inhibition of collagen synthesis, we examined the protein expression of MMP-9 using immunohistochemical staining. The results of this study confirm the existence of active polyphenol types, such as rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, and procyanidin B3, in GPSE. Moreover, the study found that GPSE has anti-collagenase effects and it decreases the effects of UV damage on skin barrier function. GPSE is a functional ingredient with a potential for skin protection effects, and it has high utilization potential as an ingredient for functional cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2016

The tight junction, one of Intercellular junctions, performs a variety of biological functions by bonding adjacent cells, including the barrier function to control the movement of the electrolyte and water. Recent studies have revealed that unusual expression of tight junction-related genes have been shown to be related in cancer development and progression. Recently, there are many reports that control of tight junction proteins expression is closely related to the skin moisture. In this study, we are focusing on the regulating mechanism of tight junction-associated genes by the steviol and its derivatives. Steviol, used as a sweetner, is known to chemical compound isolated from stevia plant. The MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) assay was carried out in HaCaT cells (human keratinocyte cell line) in order to determine the cytotoxicity. As a result, while steviol showing cytotoxicity from $250{\mu}M$, steviol derivatives are not cytotoxic more than $250{\mu}M$ concentration. We have observed a change in the tight junction protein via quantitative real-time PCR. Claudin 8 among tight junction proteins is only significantly reduced up to 30% in the presence of steviol. In addition, cell migration was inhibited by steviol, not by stevioside and rebaudioside. Finally, we could observe that steviol, not stevioside and rebaudioside, is able to increase the skin barrier permeability through the transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) measurements. These results suggest that the steviol and its derivatives are specifically acts on the tight junction related gene expression, but steviol derivatives are more suitable as a cosmetic material.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2014

Body fluid has been studied for diverse fields like Ringer's solutions, artificial joint fluids, cell growth culture media because it plays a crucial role in controlling body temperature and acts as a solvent for diverse metabolite processes in the body and delivery media of mineral, energy source, hormone, signal and drug from and to cell via blood or lymphatic vessel by osmotic pressure or active uptake. Stratum corneum containing extracellular lipids and NMF (natural moisturizing factor) absorbs atmospheric water residing outside of cells and utilize it to hydrate inside of their own. This process is related to skin barrier function. In this study, we conducted the cell viability test with Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$, which mimicks body fluids including amino acids, peptides, and monosaccharides to strengthen skin barrier, and the clinical skin improvement test with cosmetics containing Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$. In the cell viability test, HaCaT cell was treated with PBS for 3 hours, followed by the treatment of a cell culture medium (DMEM) and isotonic solution (PBS) and Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ for 3 hours each. Then, MTT assay and image analysis were conducted. In the clinical skin improvement test, twenty-one healthy women participated. Participants applied cosmetics containing Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ on their face for a week and evaluated the skin hydration, skin roughness, brightness and evenness. All measurements were conducted after they washed off their face and took a rest under the constant temperature ($22{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) and constant humidity conditions ($50{\pm}5%$) for 20 minutes. All the data were analyzed by SPSS (version 21) software program. Results showed that Cell Bio Fluid $Sync^{TM}$ improved both the cell viability and in vivo skin conditions such as skin hydration, roughness, brightness and evenness.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.185-195
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• 2012

Due to the high reduction and sorption capacity as well as the large specific surface area, nanosized mackinawite (FeS) is useful in reductively transforming chlorinated organic pollutants and sequestering toxic metals and metalloids. Due to the dynamic nature in its colloid stability, however, nanosized FeS may be washed out with the groundwater flow or result in aquifer clogging via particle aggregation. Thus, these nanoparticles should be modified such as to be built into permeable reactive barriers. This study employed coating methods in efforts to facilitate the installation of permeable reactive barriers of nanosized mackinawite. In applying the methods, nanosized mackinawite was coated on non-treated silica sand (NTS) and chemically treated silica sand (CTS). For both silica sands, the maximum coating of mackinawite occurred around pH 5.4, the condition of which was governed by (1) the solubility of mackinawite and (2) the surface charge of both silica and mackinawite. Under this pH condition, the maximum coating by NTS and CTS were found to be 0.101 mmol FeS/g and 0.043 mmol FeS/g respectively, with such elevated coatings by NTS likely linked with impurities (e.g., iron oxides) on its surface. Arsenite sorption experiments were performed under anoxic conditions using uncoated silica sands and those coated with mackinawite at the optimal pH to compare their reactivity. At pH 7, the relative sorption efficiency between uncoated NTS and coated NTS changed with the initial concentration of arsenite. At the lower initial concentration, uncoated NTS showed the higher sorption efficiency, whereas at the higher concentration, coated NTS exhibited the higher sorption efficiency. This could be attributed to different sorption mechanisms as a function of arsenite concentration: the surface complexation of arsenite with the iron oxide impurity on silica sand at the low concentration and the precipitation as arsenic sulfides by reaction with mackinawite coating at the high concentration. Compared to coated NTS, coated CTS showed the lower arsenite removal at pH 7 due to its relatively lower mackinawite coating. Taken together, our results indicate that NTS is a more effective material than CTS for the coating of nanosized mackinawite.