• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2017

For the better success of biomedical implant surgery, we used a modified solution combustion method to synthesize Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Chromium ($Cr^{3+}$) modified Cr-HA with different concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5. The Cr-HA nanopowder was characterized by TGA, XRD, SEM-EDS and TEM. The HA and Cr-HA powders were subjected to in vitro biological studies to determine their biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The cytotoxicity of HA and Cr-HA were evaluated on Hela (Cervical cancer) cells and L929 (mouse fibroblast) cells by using MTT assay. Hemocompatibility studies demonstrated a noticeable haemolytic ratio below 5%, which confirms that these materials are compatible in nature with human blood. The results of the present work confirm that the synthesised HA and Cr-HA are biocompatible and can be extensively used in the biomedical field to improve overall material biological properties.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2009

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate protective effects of Pharmacopuncture Solutions (PSs) made by Carthmi Flos (CF), Cnidii Rhizoma (CR) and Astragali Radix (AR) on C6 glioma cells Methods : We investigated the effects of PSs on proliferation rates and types of C6 cells, and also investigated the effects on LDH release. In addition, protective effects of PSs on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide and SOD-like activities were also investigated. Results : PSs made by CF, CR and AR did not show cytotoxicity in various concentrations. CF-PS and AR-PS elevated levels of proliferation rates significantly. Treatment with CF-PS lowered level of LDH release in C6 cells. In addition, CF-PS and CR-PS showed protective effects on cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide respectively. Finally, CF-PS group showed high level of SOD-like activity compared to that in CR-PS group. Conclusion : These results suggest that CF-PS can accelerate proliferation of neuroglial cells, and has protective action against oxidative stress, which was involved in anti-oxidative effects such as SODlike activities. In addition, CR has protective effects against oxidative stress, and AR can accelerate proliferation of neuroglial cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.247.1-247.1
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• 2016

Low-cost, high efficiency solar cells are tremendous interests for the realization of a renewable and clean energy source. ZnTe based solar cells have a possibility of high efficiency with formation of an intermediated energy band structure by impurity doping. In this work, ZnO/ZnTe:Cr and ZnO/i-ZnTe structures were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. A pulsed (10 Hz) Nd:YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 266 nm was used to produce a plasma plume from an ablated a ZnTe target, whose density of laser energy was 10 J/cm2. The base pressure of the chamber was kept at approximately $4{\times}10-7Torr$. ZnTe:Cr and i-ZnTe thin films with thickness of 210 nm were grown on p-Si substrate, respectively, and then ZnO thin films with thickness of 150 nm were grown on ZnTe:Cr layer under oxygen partial pressure of 3 mTorr. Growth temperature of all the films was set to $250^{\circ}C$. For fabricating ZnO/i-ZnTe and ZnO/ZnTe:Cr solar cells, indium metal and Ti/Au grid patterns were deposited on back and front side of the solar cells by using thermal evaporator, respectively. From the fabricated ZnO/ZnTe:Cr and ZnO/i-ZnTe solar cell, dark currents were measured by using Keithley 2600. Solar cell parameters were obtained under Air Mass 1.5 Global solar simulator with an irradiation intensity of 100 mW/cm2, and then the photoelectric conversion efficiency values of ZnO/ZnTe:Cr and ZnO/i-ZnTe solar cells were measured at 1.5 % and 0.3 %, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.137-141
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• 2002

Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 grew in chromium (Cr) containing Chu-10 (basal) and nitrate-supplemented media, and the growth of the organism in $100{\mu}M$ chromium was found to be 50% of that in control medium. The growth in nitrate $({NO_3}^-)$ supplemented cultures was better as compared to cultures grown in basal medium. Free cells from basal and nitrate-supplemented media removed 5.2 and 7.4 nmol of chromium $mg^{-1}$protein in 8 h, respectively, from the medium containing $30{\mu}M$ chromium. The efficiency of chromium removal increased 7-fold in imidazole buffer (0.2 M, pH 7.0). A cell density equivalent to $100{\mu}g$ protein $ml^{-1}$ was found to be optimum for maximum Cr removal. Entrapment of cells in calcium-alginate beads did not affect the rate of Cr uptake by the cells. The efficiency of the laboratory-scale continuous flow bioreactor $(12.5{\times}2cm)$ loaded with alginate-immobilized cells (10 mg protein) and fed with $30{\mu}M$ chromium solution was compared at different flow rates. The efficiency of the bioreactor varied with flow rates. In terms of percent removal of Cr from influent, a flow rate of 0.1 ml $min^{-1}$ was found to be optimum for 6 h (54% Cr removal efficiency). Maximum amount of Cr (883 nmol) was removed by the cells in 3 h at a flow rate of 0.5 ml $min^{-1}$. The potential use of A. variabilis in removing Cr from industrial effluents is discussed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.299-307
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• 2008

To characterize gene expression that is dependent on the strength of calorie restriction (CR), we obtained transcriptome at different levels of glucose, which is a major energy and carbon source for budding yeast. To faithfully mimic mammalian CR in yeast culture, we reconstituted and grew seeding yeast cells in fresh 2% YPD media before inoculating into 2%, 1%, 0.5% and 0.25% YPD media to reflect different CR strengths. We collected and characterized 160 genes that responded to CR strength based on the rigorous statistical analyses of multiple test corrected ANOVA (adjusted p value < 0.1 or raw p value < 0.0031) and Pearson correlation (|r| > 0.7). Based on the individual gene studies and the GO Term Finder analysis of 160 genes, we found that CR dose-dependently and gradually increased mitochondrial function at the transcriptional level. Therefore, we suggest these 160 genes are markers that respond to CR strength and that might be useful in elucidating CR mechanisms, especially how stronger CR extends life span more.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 1994

The aim of this study was to compare the two culture systems 1) co-culture with cumulus cells and 2) chemically defined medium supplemented with amino acids (CR1aa) and fetal calf serum (FCS) of in vitro produced bovine embryos from follicular oocytes in vitro. Bovine follicular oocytes were collected from ovaries of slaughtered cows and matured in TCM199 supplemented with 10% FCS and hormones (1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH-P and 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml oestradiol-17$\beta$)24 hours at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% CO2 in air. The capacitation of spermatozoa from ejaculated or frozen bull semen was induced by centrifugation through Percoll density gradient (45%, 90%). Then capacitated spermatozoa (1$\times$106/ml) were inseminated into 50${mu}ell$ droplet containing matured follicular oocytes and incubated for 40~42 hours. Cleaved embryos of 2~4cell stage were transferred to the co-culture with cumulus cells and/or CR1aa medium supplemented with FCS. In semen source, the developmental rates to the blastocyst and the hatched blastocyst stages were higher in ejaculated semen(27.6% and 14.9%) than those of frozen-thawed semen(18.3% and 11.8%), respectively. In two culture systems, the proportions of embryonic development upto the blastocysts and the hatched blastocysts were higher of CR1aa medium (22.1% and 12.1%) than those of cumulus cell co-culture (16.8% and 5.1%), respectively. The number of cells in exapnded blastocysts was slightly higher in cumulus cells co-culture (122.6$\pm$8.5) than that in CR1aa medium (117.9$\pm$5.9). The present results indicated that the early development of in vitro produced bovine embryos can be maintained efficiently in CR1aa medium as well as in co-culture with cumulus cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2011

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were successfully enriched using sludge contaminated with Cr(VI) and their characteristics were investigated. After enrichment, the charge of the final 10 peaks was 0.51 C ${\pm}$ 1.16%, and the anodic electrode was found to be covered with a biofilm. The enriched MFCs removed 93% of 5 mg/l Cr(VI) and 61% of 25 mg/l Cr(VI). 16S rDNA DGGE profiles from the anodic electrode indicated that ${\beta}$-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acinetobacter sp. dominated. This study is the first to report that electrochemically active and Cr(VI)-reducing bacteria could be enriched in the anode compartment of MFCs using Cr(VI)-containing sludge and demonstrates the Cr(VI) removal capability of such MFCs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2010

In differentiating human embryonic stem (d-hES) cells there are a number of types of cells which may secrete various nutrients and helpful materials for pre-implantation embryonic development. This study examined whether the d-hES could function as a feeder cell in vitro to support mouse embryonic development. By RT-PCR analysis, the d-hES cells revealed high expression of three germ-layered differentiation markers while having markedly reduced expression of stem cell markers. Also, in d-hES cells, LIF expression in embryo implantation-related material was confirmed at a similar level to undifferentiated ES cells. When mouse 2PN embryos were cultured in control M16 medium, co-culture control CR1aa medium or co-cultured with d-hES cells, their blastocyst development rate at embryonic day 4 (83.9%) were significantly better in the d-hES cell group than in the CR1aa group (66.0%), while not better than in the M16 group (90.7%)(p<0.05). However, at embryonic days 5 and 6, embryo hatching and hatched-out rates of the dhES cell group (53.6 and 48.2%, respectively) were superior to those of the M16 group (40.7 and 40.7%, respectively). At embryonic day 4, blastocysts of the d-hES cell group were transferred into pseudo-pregnant recipients, and pregnancy rate (75.0%) was very high compared to the other groups (M16, 57.1%; CR1aa, 37.5%). In addition, embryo implantation (55.9%) and live fetus rate (38.2%) of the d-hES cell group were also better than those of the other groups (M16, 36.7 and 18.3%, respectively; CR1aa, 23.2 and 8.7%, respectively). These results demonstrated that d-hES cells can be used as a feeder cell for enhancing in vitro and in vivo developmental potential of mouse pre-implantation embryos.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2019

In this study, the marker compounds of Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) were simultaneously quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector and the anti-inflammatory effects of CR extract and marker compounds in human benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 (BPH-1) cell lines were investigated. The marker components (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, were separated on Gemini $C_{18}$ columns ($250mm{\times}4.6mm$, $5{\mu}m$) at $40^{\circ}C$ by using a gradient of two mobile phases eluting at 1.0 mL/min. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) levels in Human BPH-1 cells were determined with an ELISA kit. The coefficients of determination in a calibration curve of each analyte were all 0.9997. The limits of detection and quantification of the three compounds were $0.10-0.32{\mu}g/mL$ and $0.30-0.98{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The content of three compounds, (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, furanodienone, and germacrone, in the CR sample were found to be 5.79 - 5.92 mg/g, 4.72 - 4.86 mg/g, and 1.06 - 1.09 mg/g, respectively. Regarding pharmacological activity against benign prostatic hyperplasia, CR and its components significantly suppressed $PGE_2$ levels of BPH-1 cells. The established analysis method will help to improve quality assessment of CR samples and related products. In addition, CR and its components exhibit antiinflammatory activity in BPH-1 cells, suggesting the inhibitory efficacy of these compounds against the pathogenesis of BPH.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a facultative anaerobic bacterium mainly found in the oral cavity and is known to contribute to tooth decay and gingivitis. Recent studies on intestinal microbiota have revealed that microorganisms forming a biofilm play important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis through their own metabolism. However, the physiological roles of oral microorganisms such as S. mutans are still unclear. In our current study, we identified that constituents released from S. mutans (CR) reduce arecoline-mediated cytotoxicity without producing toxic effects themselves. Arecoline, as a major alkaloid of areca nut, is known to mediate cytotoxicity on oral epithelial cells and induces a sustained intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increase that is cytotoxic. The exposure of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells to CR not only inhibited the sustained $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase but also the initial $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elevation. In contrast, CR had no effects on the gene regulation mediated by arecoline. These results demonstrate that S. mutans has physiological role in reducing cytotoxicity in HGF cells and may be considered a novel pharmaceutical candidate.