• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 2021

In the present study, novel chitosan coated magnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were successfully biosynthesized from mushroom, Agaricus campestris, extract. The obtained bio-nanocomposite material was used to investigate ultra-fast and highly efficient for removal of Ni2+ ions in a fixed-bed column. Chitosan was treated as polyelectrolyte complex with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a Fungal Bio-Nanocomposite Material (FBNM) was derived. The FBNM was characterized by using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) techniques and under varied experimental conditions. The influence of some important operating conditions including pH, flow rate and initial Ni2+ concentration on the uptake of Ni2+ solution was also optimized using a synthetic water sample. A Central Composite Design (CCD) combined with Response Surface Modeling (RSM) was carried out to maximize Ni2+ removal using FBNM for adsorption process. A regression model was derived using CCD to predict the responses and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and lack of fit test was used to check model adequacy. It was observed that the quadratic model, which was controlled and proposed, was originated from experimental design data. The FBNM maximum adsorption capacity was determined as 59.8 mg g-1. Finally, developed method was applied to soft drinks to determine Ni2+ levels. Reusability of FBNM was tested, and the adsorption and desorption capacities were not affected after eight cycles. The paper suggests that the FBNM is a promising recyclable nanoadsorbent for the removal of Ni2+ from various soft drinks.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.228-237
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• 2022

In this study, the effects of the immune stimulator Euglena gracilis (Euglena) in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunocompromised mice were assessed. The key component β-1,3-glucan (paramylon) constitutes 50% of E. gracilis. Mice were orally administered Euglena powder (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or β-glucan powder (250 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days. In a preliminary immunology experiment, ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with 80 mg of CCP/kg B.W. during the final 3 consecutive days. In the main experiment, BALB/c mice were treated with CCP for the final 5 days. To evaluate the enhancing effects of Euglena on the immune system, mouse B.W., the spleen index, natural killer (NK) cell activity and mRNA expression in splenocytes lungs and livers were determined. To detect cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with 5 ㎍/ml concanavalin A or 1 ㎍/ml lipopolysaccharide. The B.W. and spleen index were significantly increased and NK cell activity was slightly enhanced in all the experimental groups compared to the CCP-only group. In splenocytes, the gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and IL-12 receptor were increased in the E. gracilis and β-glucan groups compared to the CCP-only group, but there was no significant difference. Treatment with 500 mg of Euglena/kg B.W. significantly upregulated dectin-1 mRNA expression in the lung and liver compared to the CCP-only group. These results suggest that Euglena may enhance the immune system by strengthening innate immunity through immunosuppression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2023

In this study we evaluated the immune-enhancing effects of β-glucan, the main component of Euglena gracilis (Euglena), and Euglena on inflammatory factor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Macrophages were treated with β-glucan or Euglena for 48 h. The β-glucan and Euglena groups exhibited higher levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the control (vehicle alone) group. Animals were fed saline and β-glucan (400 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or Euglena (400 or 800 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and on days 17-19, cyclophosphamide (CCP, 80 mg/kg B.W.) was administered to induce immunosuppression in the ICR mouse model. CCP reduced the body weight, spleen index, and cytokine expression of the mice. To measure cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a mitogen for 24 h. In vivo, ConA stimulation significantly upregulated the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 receptor β1, IL-1β, and IL-2 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena-treated groups compared with those in the splenocytes from the CCP-treated group; LPS stimulation increased the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena- treated groups compared with those from the CCP-treated group, but most of these differences were not significant. These results demonstrate the effect of Euglena in ameliorating macrophages and immunosuppression in CCP-treated mice. Thus, Euglena has the potential to enhance macrophage- and splenocyte- mediated immune-stimulating responses.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2009

Purpose: Rehabilitation of the edentulous posterior maxilla with dental implants often poses difficulty because of insufficient bone volume caused by pneumatization of the maxillary sinus and by crestal bone resorption. Sinus grafting technique was developed to increase the vertical height to overcome this problem. The present study was designed to evaluate the sinus floor augmentation with anorganic bovine bone (Bio-$cera^{TM}$) using histomorphometric and clinical measures. Patients and methods: Thirteen patients were involved in this study and underwent total 14 sinus lift procedures. Residual bone height was ${\geq}2mm$ and ${\leq}6mm$. Lateral window approach was used, with grafting using Bio-$cera^{TM}$ only(n=1) or mixed with autogenous bone from ramus and/or maxillary tuberosity(n=13). After 6 months of healing, implant sites were created with 3mm diameter trephine and biopsies taken for histomorphometric analysis. The parameters assessed were area fraction of new bone, graft material and connective tissue. Immediate and 6 months after grafting surgery, and 6 months after implantation, computed tomography (CT) was taken and the sinus graft was evaluated morphometric analysis. After implant installation at the grafted area, the clinical outcome was checked. Results: Histomorphometry was done in ten patients.Bio-$cera^{TM}$ particles were surrounded by newly formed bone. The graft particles and newly formed bone were surrounded by connective tissue including small capillaries in some fields. Imaging processing revealed $24.86{\pm}7.59%$ of new bone, $38.20{\pm}13.19%$ connective tissue, and $36.92{\pm}14.51%$ of remaining Bio-$cera^{TM}$ particles. All grafted sites received an implant, and in all cases sufficient bone height was achieved to install implants. The increase in ridge height was about $15.9{\pm}1.8mm$ immediately after operation (from 13mm to 19mm). After 6 months operation, ridge height was reduced about $11.5{\pm}13.5%$. After implant installation, average marginal bone loss after 6 months was $0.3{\pm}0.15mm$. Conclusion: Bio-$cera^{TM}$ showed new bone formation similar with Bio-$Oss^{(R)}$ histomorphometrically and appeared to be an effective bone substitute in maxillary sinus augmentation procedure with the residual bone height from 2 to 6mm.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1257-1264
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• 2016

Extracts from Artemisia annua $Linn\acute{e}$ (AAE) have various functions (anti-malaria, anti-virus, and anti-oxidant). However, the mechanism of the effects of AAE is not well known. Thus, we determined the apoptotic effects of AAE in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. In this study, we suggested that AAE may exert cancer cell apoptosis through the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-$3{\beta}$ signal pathway and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic proteins. Activation by Akt phosphorylation resulted in cell proliferation through phosphorylation of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), mTOR, and GSK-$3{\beta}$. Thus, de-phosphorylation of Akt inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through inhibition of Akt, mTOR, phosphorylation of GSK-$3{\beta}$ at serine9, and control of Bcl-2 family members. Inhibition of GSK-$3{\beta}$ attenuated loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome C. Bax and pro-apoptotic proteins were activated by their translocation into mitochondria from the cytosol. Translocation of Bax induced outer membrane transmission and generated apoptosis through cytochrome C release and caspase activity. We also measured 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, Annexin V-PI staining, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide staining, and Western blotting. Accordingly, our study showed that AAE treatment to AGS cells resulted in inhibition of Akt, TSC2, GSK-$3{\beta}$-phosphorylated, Bim, Bcl-2, and pro-caspase 3 as well as activation of Bax and Bak expression. These results indicate that AAE induced apoptosis via a mitochondrial event through regulation of the Akt/mTOR/GSK-$3{\beta}$ signaling pathways.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1593-1596
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• 2012

A new enzyme immobilization method based on hydrophobic interaction between supporting material and enzyme has been successfully developed. The efficacy of the new technique has been investigated by loading a horse radish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme on the surface of conducting polymer-silica composites and by measuring the enzyme activity and leaching property of HRP loaded within polymer-silica composites. The immobilized HRP enzyme showed activity profiles similar to that of free HRP in phosphate buffer (pH 6). Above all, HRP adsorbed on the polymer-silica composites has showed excellent stability over 10 days, compared to HRP adsorbed on the pristine silica. It is thought that with appropriate optimization works, the present method would be used as a cost-effective and facile route for the immobilization of biomolecules.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.837-844
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• 2013

This study performs erection of a pendulum hanging at a free end of an arm by rotating the arm to the upright position. A mathematical model of a rotary inverted pendulum system (RIPS) is derived. A brain emotional learning based intelligent controller (BELBIC) is designed and used as a controller for swinging up and balancing the pendulum of the RIPS. In simulations performed in the study, a pendulum is initially inclined at $45^{\circ}$ with respect to the upright position. A simulation is also performed for evaluating the adaptiveness of the designed BELBIC in the case of system variation. In addition, a simulation is performed for evaluating the robustness of the designed BELBIC against a disturbance in the control input.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.236-236
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• 2012

In this study, we present the salt repellent behavior of superhydrophobic filtration membrane. Bio-fouling or mineral-fouling is the main factor of decreasing the performance of filtration membrane. The superhydrophobic modification of filtration membrane using PECVD (Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) is introduced. The oxygen plasma was introduced for developing nano hairy structures and subsequent HMDSO (Hexamethyldisiloxane) coating was used for enhancing low surface energy. Saline water evaporation test was carried out to evaluate the difference of contamination of salt on superhydrophobic and moderately hydrophobic filtration membrane. EDS and EPMA were used for visualizing the residue of salt crystal.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.2621-2624
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• 2014

The rapid and spontaneous adsorption of proteins on nanoparticle (NP) surfaces in biological fluids such as blood is an important phenomenon as it possibly determines "what the cells see" and, thus, the fates of NPs in living organisms. In order to quantitatively understand protein coronas at the molecular level, we investigated human serum albumin (HSA) coronas that were produced on silica NPs of 20 nm and 50 nm diameters using conventional gel electrophoresis. Analysis of the concentration dependence of protein adsorption showed that HSA coronas preferentially formed a monolayer on silica NPs and revealed the presence of hard protein coronas. HSA adsorption was clearly dependent on NP size, and this might be due to the different surface curvatures of NPs of different sizes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2016

최근 포항가속기연구소 10A 빔라인에 Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM)가 완성되어 운영 중이다. Soft x-ray imaging 장치로서 기술적으로 Sample scanning 기법이 활용된다. 이는 Zone plate를 통해 집속된 빔이 샘플에 조사되고 검출되는 방식이다. 이러한 Scanning 기법을 활용하고 있는 10A STXM은 기본적으로 흡수분광기법 (x-ray absorption spectroscopy)을 이용하고 있다. 특히, 10A 빔라인 STXM은 최고 20 nm까지 공간분해능이 가능하다는 장점이 있다. 따라서 수십에서 수백 나노미터 크기의 시료들 또는 나노구조에 대한 물리화학적 상태 분석이 쉽게 이루어지고 있다. 주로 시료를 투과하면서 흡수되는 X-선 세기 대비를 맵핑하는 형식의 이미지 데이터와 더불어 X-선의 에너지를 조정함으로써 각 에너지에 해당하는 이미지스택을 결과로 얻게 된다. 이러한 이미지 결과로부터 시료의 나노크기에서 오는 물리화학적 상태를 분석하고 물리에서 바이오까지 다양한 분야의 실험 활용이 가능한 상태다.