• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1227-1234
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• 2019

Prunus mume, also known as maesil, is a popular fruit consumed in East Asia (Korea, Japan, and China). It contains high amounts of organic acids, minerals, and polyphenols and has been used as a medication for fever, vomiting, and detoxification. In this study, the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of solvent fractions from maesil were evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays, morphological evaluations, Hoechst 33258 staining, and western blotting. Addition of the maesil methanol fraction (MMF) and the maesil butanol fraction (MBF) significantly and dose-dependently decreased the cell viability of HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Colony-forming assays confirmed that the MMF and MBF treatments decreased colony numbers when compared with untreated control cells. Treatment of HT-29 cells with MMF and MBF caused a distortion of the cell morphology to a shrunken cell mass. Treatment with MMF and MBF also dose-dependently increased nuclear condensation and the formation of apoptotic bodies in HT-29 cells. Treatment with MMF and MBF significantly and dosedependently increased the expression of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein), caspase-3, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein). MMF significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation induced by bisphenol A, an environmental hormone. Therefore, MMF may have potential use as a functional food and as a possible therapeutic agent for the prevention of colon cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2007

This study aimed at researching the process selection for two-stage and dual media filtration system, as a technology substituting the existing sand filter without expanding the site when retrofitting an old filter bed or designing a new one. In order to select the process for optimum complex filtration system, three running conditions have been tested. Test results demonstrated that Run 3 in which the 1st stage was filled with anthracite and coarse sand, and the 2nd stage was filled up with activated carbon and fine sand reduced the head loss and the load of turbidity substances. Also, Run 3 showed better performance in removing TOC, particle counts, THMFP and HAAFP, compared to other two conditions. 99 % of Cryptosporidium was removed. Bisphenol-A was rarely removed from the 1st stage of coarse sand and 2nd stage of fine sand, but 99 % of it was removed from the 2nd stage of activated carbon. In conclusion, when it is required to retrofit an old rapid filter bed or design a new one for the purpose of improving filtration performance, the following two-stage and dual media filtration system is suggested: the 1st stage of filter bed needs to be filled up with coarse sand to remove turbidity as the pretreatment for extending duration of filtering, the top part of 2nd stage needs to be filled up with granular activated caron to remove dissolved organic matters and others as the main process, and finally the bottom part of 2nd stage needs to be filled up with fine sand as the finishing process.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5937-5946
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• 2012

The term endocrine disruptors is used to describe a variety of natural and manmade substances that have the capacity to potentially interfere with and modify the normal physiology of endocrine system either by mimicking, blocking or modulating the actions of natural endogenous hormones. The rising incidence of breast cancer over the last 50 years and the documented higher incidence in urban as compared to rural areas suggest a relationship to the introduction and increased use of xenoestrogens in our environment. The literature has developed over the last decades where initial experiments on endocrine disruptors did not support an involvement in breast cancer, and then evidence mounted implicating various environmental factors including hormones, endocrine disrupting chemicals and non-endocrine disrupting environmental carcinogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Available data support the hypothesis that exposure to endocrine disruptors in utero leaves a signature on mammary gland morphogenesis so that the resulting dysgenic gland becomes more predisposed to develop tumors upon exposures to additional insults later on during life. Exceptionally, exposure to phytoestrogens could be beneficial to human health. Most of the available data are from well developed countries while the developing countries are still understudied regarding these issues. Here, we raise a note of caution about potential role of environmental toxins including endocrine disruptors in breast cancer development and call for serious measures to be taken by all involved parties in the developing world.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.545-552
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• 2005

The major protocol features of the rodent uterotrophic assay have been evaluated using a range of reference chemicals. The protocol variables considered include the selection of the test species and route of chemical administration, the age of the test animals, the maintenance diet used, and the specificity of the assay for estrogens. The rodents were ovariectomized under general anesthesia via bilateral flank incisions and randomly assigned to groups of 5 animals. Chemicals were DEHP, DBP, BPA and NP, were injected sc once daily with combinations of chemicals treatments for 3 days. In the results, the reported estrogenic chemicals DEHP and DBP were both negative in the single dose treatments. But, in the combinations of chemicals treatments, DEHP and DBP increased in bud number of mammary gland. Treatment of ovariectomized mice with combinations of other chemicals resulted in uterine and vaginal hyperplasia. The additive estrogenic effects were seen with the combinations of $17{\beta}$-Bestradiol and DBP treatment. the competitive estrogenic effects were seen with the combinations of $17{\beta}$-Bestradiol and nonylphenol, $17{\beta}$-Bestradiol and bisphenol-A treatments. These results offers a sysmatic and mechanistically informative approach to assessing estrogenicity. it provides a useful profile of activity using a reasonable amount of resources and is compatible with the study of individual chemicals as well as the investigation of interactions among combinations of chemicals. The results described illustrate the intrinsic complexity of evaluating chemicals for estrogenic activities and conform the need for rigorous attention to experimental design and criteria for assessing estrogenic activity.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.616-624
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• 2018

In this study, a previous DNPH (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to measure the concentration of formaldehyde in ambient and source environments has been improved. To improve the disadvantage of the previous HPLC method, an appropriate composition ratio of mobile phase (water: acetonitrile (ACN)) was determined and an isocratic analysis was conducted. Furthermore, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation(LOQ), accuracy, and precision were investigated to verify the reliability of the analytical conditions determined. Finally, samples of exhaust gases from five different industrial facilities were applied to HPLC analytial method proposed to determine their formaldehyde concentrations. The appropriate composition ratio of the mobile phase under the isocratic condition was a mixture of water(40%) and ACN(60%). As the volume fraction of the organic solvent ACN increases, retention time of the formaldehyde peak was reduced. Detection time of formaldehyde peak determined using the proposed isocratic method was reduced from 7 minutes(previous HPLC method) to approximately 3 minutes. LOD, LOQ, accuracy, and precision of the formaldehyde determined using standard solutions were 0.787 ppm, 2.507 ppm, 93.1%, and 0.33%, respectively, all of which are within their recommended ranges. Average concentrations of the formaldehyde in five exhaust gases ranged from 0.054 ppm to 1.159 ppm. The lowest concentration (0.054 ppm) was found at samples from waste gas incinerator in a bisphenol-A manufacturing plant. The highest was observed at samples from the absorption process in manufacturing facilities of chemicals including formaldehyde and hexamine. The analytical time of the formaldehyde in ambient air can be shortened by using the isocratic analytical method under appropriate mobile phase conditions.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.604-613
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• 1999

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of resin and filler type on the fracture toughness of light-activated composites. Experimental composites were prepared using urethane tetramethacrylate(UTMA) and bisphenol glycidylmethacrylate(Bis-GMA) monomers and five different types of silica fillers. Fracture toughness was measured by a single edge V-notched beam(SEVNB) method, which was discussed from ASTM E399-78. Rectangular bars of $2.5{\times}5{\times}26mm$ were prepared with experimental composites and a notch about 2.25mm deep was carved at the center of the long axis of the specimen using a dental diamond disk driven by a dental micro engine. The flexural test was carried out at a crosshead speed of 0.05mm/min and fracture surfaces were observed under scanning electron microscope. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The fracture toughness values of UTMA-based composites were relatively higher than those of Bis-GMA-based composites. 2. The highest fracture toughness value was observed in the UTMA-based composite containing the $1.5{\mu}m$-spherical fillers. 3 Aging in the distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 days showed the increase of fracture toughness, which was severer in the Bis-GMA-based composites than those of UTMA-based composites. 4. The AE amplitude occurring during the fracture toughness tests was the highest at the point of macroscopic fracture.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.475-478
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• 2011

In the present study, the effect of cysteine and NT or bisphenol A(BP) on in vitro aturation(IVM) of porcine oocytes were examined. COCs was cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 10% FCS which had previously been covered with mineral oil and equilibrated in a humidified atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ and 95% air at $38^{\circ}C$. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured for 48 hrs in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 0.5~10.0 mM cysteine were $34.0{\pm}3.2%$, $36.0{\pm}3.5%$, $48.0{\pm}3.8%$, $22.0{\pm}3.2%$, respectively. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 0.5~5.0mM NT for 48 hrs were $24.0{\pm}4.2%$, $18.0{\pm}4.9%$, $8.0{\pm}2.2%$, respectively. NT affects oocyte in vitro maturation rate in a dose-dependent. This result were significantly lower than the control group. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured for 48 hrs in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 1.0 mM NT+5.0 mM cysteine($38.0{\pm}4.3%$) were significantly higher than that of NT treatment. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 0.05~5.0 mM BP for 48 hrs were $20.0{\pm}4.7%$, $10.0{\pm}5.3%$, $6.0{\pm}3.2%$, respectively. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplement with BP was significantly lower cultured non supplement of BP ($44.0{\pm}3.5%$). BP affects porcine oocyte maturation rate in a dose-dependent manner. The IVM rate of oocytes cultured for 48 hrs in NCSU-23 medium supplement with 1.0 mM BP+5.0 mM cycteine ($32.0{\pm}3.2%$) were increased than that of BP treatment.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.3706-3710
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• 2012

A novel silicon-containing arylacetylene resin (MSAR) modified by dipropargyl ether of bisphenol A (DPBPA) and dipropargyl ether of perfluorobisphenol A (DPPFBPA) was prepared separately. The curing behaviors of modified resins, DPBPA/MSAR and DPPFBPA/MSAR, were characterized with differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The kinetic parameters of modified resins were obtained by the Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of the cured DPBPA/MSAR reached $486^{\circ}C$. According to the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the decomposition temperature ($T_{d5}$) of the cured resins and char yield ($Y_c$, $800^{\circ}C$) decreased as the dipropargyl ether loadings increased, especially in air. With the same weight loading, thermal stability of DPBPA/MSAR was better than that of DPPFBPA/MSAR. The carbon fiber (T300) reinforced composites exhibited excellent flexural properties at room temperature with a high property retention at $300^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 1993

Malononitrile(MN) as a reactive additive was added to Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/Methylene dianiline (MDA) system in order to modify a thermosetting epoxy resin. Cure ki. netics and cure mechanism of this modified system were investigated by using DSC(differential scanning calorimetry) and FT-IR(fourier transform infrared spectrometry). Cure kinetics gave an information that the DGEBA/MDA system modified with MN should cure at over $110^{\circ}C$ after curing at about $80^{\circ}C$ for the complete curing. The activation energy of the first cure was nearly constant and that of the second cure was increased as the MN content was increased. Cure mechanism for the system was investigated with the samples cured every $30^{\circ}C$, from $80^{\circ}C$ to $170^{\circ}C$, for Ihr. It was known that the cure reactions of the epoxy-diamine system were composed of PA -E, SA - E and E-OH reactions. Beside these three reactions, in the DGEBA/MDA/MN system PA-CN and CN-OH reaction was found.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.486-491
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• 2014

We have been fabricated Thin-walled carbon nanotubes (TWNTs)/amine epoxy additives composite using Eco-friendly solvent system such as supercritical process and dry mixed process. TWNTs/amine epoxy additives composite has used as a curing agent for urethane based bisphenol A type epoxy resin. The thermo-mechanical property of the epoxy resin cured by TWNTs/amine epoxy additives composite is characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA) and dispersability of the nanotubes in the epoxy matrix is also confirmed by scanning electron microscope(SEM). As a results, the epoxy resin cured by TWNTs/amine epoxy additives composite with supercritical process shows enhanced dispersability of the TWNTs in the matrix and thermo-mechanical property when compare to dry mixed process.