• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.223-233
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The phytochemicals in the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias (also known as Sea Spurge) and their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were investigated. Methods: The methanolic extract was characterized using GC-MS and HPLC techniques. The anti-inflammatory feature was estimated through a Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization technique, while the antimicrobial feature was evaluated by the disc diffusion agar technique, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) via micro-broth dilution method. Results: The GC/MS results demonstrated the existence of various phytochemicals, such as n-hexadecenoic acid, cis-11-eicosenoic acid, and methyl stearate, recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial features. The similarity of the phytochemical composition with other Euphorbia species emphasizes the genus-wide similarity. The anti-inflammatory activity exhibited a noteworthy inhibitory effect comparable to the reference drug indomethacin. The extract's antimicrobial potential was tested against a range of microorganisms, demonstrating significant action against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. The quantification of total phenolics and flavonoids further supported the therapeutic potential of the extract. Conclusion: The methanolic extract from E. paralias emerges as a successful natural source of important active constituents with potential applications as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents. This research provides a first step to valorize Euphorbia paralias insights as a source of worthwhile phytochemicals that have potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.2775-2780
• /
• 2016

Background: Precise staging of lung cancer is usually evaluated by PET-CT and brain MRI. Recently, however, whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (WB-DWI) has be applied. The aim of this study is to determine whether the diagnostic performance of lung cancer staging by WB-DWI is superior to that of PET-CT+brain MRI. Materials and Methods: PET-CT + brain MRI and WB-DWI were used for lung cancer staging before surgery with 59 adenocarcinomas, 16 squamous cell carcinomas and 6 other carcinomas. Results: PET-CT + brain MRI correctly identified the pathologic N staging in 67 patients (82.7%), with overstaging in 5 (6.2%) and understaging in 9 (11.1%), giving a staging accuracy of 0.827. WB-DWI correctly identified the pathologic N staging in 72 patients (88.9%), with overstaging in 1 (1.2%) and understaging in 8 patients (9.9%), giving a staging accuracy of 0.889. There were no significant differences in accuracies. PET-CT + brain MRI correctly identified the pathologic stages in 56 patients (69.1%), with overstaging in 7 (8.6%) and understaging in 18 (22.2%), giving a staging accuracy of 0.691. WB-DWI correctly identified the pathologic stages in 61 patients (75.3%), with overstaging in 4 (4.9%) and understagings in16(19.7%), giving a staging accuracy of 0.753. There were no significant difference in accuracies. Conclusions: Diagnostic efficacy of WB-DWI for lung cancer staging is equivalent to that of PET-CT + brain MRI.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2011

CIGS solar cells are kind of thin film solar cells, which are studied several years. CdS buffer layer that makes heterojunction between window layer and absorbing layer was one of issue in the CIGS solar cell study. New types of buffer layer consisted of indium sulfide are being studied these days owing to high price and environmental harmful of CdS. In this study, we demonstrated electrochemical synthesis of indium sulfide film as a buffer layer, which is cheaper and faster than other methods. A uniform indium sulfide film was obtained by applying two different alternating potentials. The band gap of the film was optimized by controlling temperature during the electrochemical synthesis. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction method we confirmed that ${\beta}$-indium sulfide was formed on ITO electrode surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2016.02a
• /
• pp.427-427
• /
• 2016

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite have attracted significant attention as a new revolutionary light absorber for photovoltaic device due to its remarkable characteristics such as long charge diffusion lengths (100-1000nm), low recombination rate, and high extinction coefficient. Recently, power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cell is above 20% that is approached to crystalline silicon solar cells. Planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells have simple device structure and can be fabricated low temperature process due to absence of mesoporous scaffold that should be annealed over 500 oC. However, in the planar structure, controlling perovskite film qualities such as crystallinity and coverage is important for high performances. Those controlling methods in one-step deposition have been reported such as adding additive, solvent-engineering, using anti-solvent, for pin-hole free perovskite layer to reduce shunting paths connecting between electron transport layer and hole transport layer. Here, we studied the effect of alkali metal halide to control the fabrication process of perovskite film. During the morphology determination step, alkali metal halides can affect film morphologies by intercalating with PbI2 layer and reducing $CH3NH3PbI3{\cdot}DMF$ intermediate phase resulting in needle shape morphology. As types of alkali metal ions, the diverse grain sizes of film were observed due to different crystallization rate depending on the size of alkali metal ions. The pin-hole free perovskite film was obtained with this method, and the resulting perovskite solar cells showed higher performance as > 10% of power conversion efficiency in large size perovskite solar cell as $5{\times}5cm$. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) are analyzed to prove the mechanism of perovskite film formation with alkali metal halides.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a human pathogen. New antibacterial agents are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of EtOH 70% extracts ofTonghyeonipal-dan(THD) which prescription is composed of oriental medicine against MRSA.Methods : The antibacterial activity of THD was evaluated against MRSA strains by using the Disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method, Checkerboard dilution test, and Time-kill test; its mechanism of action was investigated by bacteriolysis, detergent or ATPase inhibitors were used.Results : The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of THD is 1,000~2,000 μg/mL against MRSA. In the checkerboard dilution test, fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of THD in combination with antibiotics indicated synergy or partial synergism againstS. aureus. Furthermore, a time-kill assay showed that the growth of the tasted bacteria was considerably inhibited after 24 h of treatment with the combination of THD with selected antibiotics. For measurement of cell membrane permeability, THD 500 μg/mL along with concentration of Triton X-100 (TX) and Tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) were used. In the other hand, N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) and Sodium azide (NaN3) were used as an inhibitor of ATPase. TX, TRIS, DCCD and NaN3 cooperation againstS. aureusshowed synergistic action.Conclusions : Accordingly, antimicrobial activity of THD was affected by cell membrane and inhibitor of ATPase were assessed. These results suggest that THD has antibacterial activity, and that THD extract offers great potential as a natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.207-212
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The object of this study is to develop a novel BMP-2 delivery system for continuous osteogenic differentiation and to induce osteogenesis of stem cells using a bi-phase alginate carrier in vitro. Methods: Alginate nanoparticle loaded BMP-2 was prepared by the reverse emulsification-diffusion technique. Physical properties and release profiles of alginate carriers were measured by Instron and ELISA kit, respectively. Cell viability and alkaline phosphate activity of hBMSCs differentiation was also evaluated by MTS and Metra BAP assays, respectively. Results: Optimal concentration for bi-phase alginate carrier was determined as 2 wt% by evaluating mechanical and biological properties, and differentiation of BMSCs for bone regeneration. The 2% bi-phase alginate carrier had the lowest initial and final release ratio. In addition, the 2% bi-phase alginate carrier had a little higher ALP activity than the homogeneous carrier. An improved controlled release profile was obtained by combining alginate hydrogel with lyophilized particles. Conclusion: Bi-phase alginate carrier has many advantages such as biocompatibility and controlled release capability. It is expected to be effective as a scaffold and carrier in bone tissue engineering.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to observe a direct effect of irradiation on the periodontopathic Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Materials and Methods: P. gingivalis 2561 was exposed to irradiation with a single absorbed dose of 10, 20, 30, and 40Gy. Changes in viability and antibiotic sensitivity, morphology, transcription, and protein profile of the bacterium after irradiation were examined by pour plating method, disc diffusion method, transmission electron microscopy, RT-PCR, and immunoblot, respectively. Results: Viability of irradiated P. gingivalis drastically reduced as irradiation dose was increased. Irradiated P. gingivalis was found to have become more sensitive to antibiotics as radiation dose was increased. With observation under the transmission electron microscope, the number of morphologically abnormal cells was increased with increasing of irradiation dose. In RT-PCR, decrease in the expression of fimA and sod was observed in irradiated P. gingivalis. In immunoblot, change of profile in irradiated P. gingivalis was found in a number of proteins including 43-kDa fimbrillin. Conclusion: These results suggest that irradiation may affect the cell integrity of P. gingivalis, which is manifested by the change in cell morphology and antibiotic sensitivity, affecting viability of the bacterium.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.31-45
• /
• 2020

Objectives In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Maneung-hwan (MEH), which is prescribed by practitioners of oriental medicine for use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The antibacterial activity of MEH against MRSA strains was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test. The mechanism of action of MEH was investigated by bacteriolysis using detergents or ATPase inhibitors Additionally, mRNA and protein expression were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, respectively. Results The MIC of MEH was 25~1,600 ㎍/mL against all the tested bacterial strains. We showed that MEH extract exerts strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, the fractional inhibitory concentration index of MEH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergism or partial synergism against S. aureus. The time-kill study indicated that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after a 24-h treatment with MEH and selected antibiotics. To measure the cell membrane permeability, MEH (3.9 ㎍/mL) was combined with Triton X-100 (TX) at various concentrations N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) was also tested as an ATPase inhibitor. TX and DCCD cooperation against S. aureus exhibited synergistic action. Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity of MEH in the context of cell membrane rupture and ATPase inhibition was assessed. Additionally, the expression of genes and proteins associated with resistance was reduced after exposing MRSA to MEH. Conclusions These results suggest that MEH possesses antibacterial activity and acts as a potential natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.446-454
• /
• 2022

Objective: To evaluate whether hyperoxia-induced ΔR₁ (hyperO₂ΔR₁) can accurately identify histological infarction in an acute cerebral stroke model. Materials and Methods: In 18 rats, MRI parameters, including hyperO₂ΔR₁, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), cerebral blood flow and volume, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on PET were measured 2.5, 4.5, and 6.5 hours after a 60-minutes occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Histological examination of the brain was performed immediately following the imaging studies. MRI and PET images were co-registered with digitized histological images. The ipsilateral hemisphere was divided into histological infarct (histological cell death), non-infarct ischemic (no cell death but ADC decrease), and nonischemic (no cell death or ADC decrease) areas for comparisons of imaging parameters. The levels of hyperO₂ΔR₁ and ADC were measured voxel-wise from the infarct core to the non-ischemic region. The correlation between areas of hyperO₂ΔR₁-derived infarction and histological cell death was evaluated. Results: HyperO₂ΔR₁ increased only in the infarct area (p ≤ 0.046) compared to the other areas. ADC decreased stepwise from non-ischemic to infarct areas (p = 0.002 at all time points). The other parameters did not show consistent differences among the three areas across the three time points. HyperO₂ΔR₁ sharply declined from the core to the border of the infarct areas, whereas there was no change within the non-infarct areas. A hyperO₂ΔR₁ value of 0.04 s^-1 was considered the criterion to identify histological infarction. ADC increased gradually from the infarct core to the periphery, without a pronounced difference at the border between the infarct and non-infarct areas. Areas of hyperO₂ΔR₁ higher than 0.04 s^-1 on MRI were strongly positively correlated with histological cell death (r = 0.862; p < 0.001). Conclusion: HyperO₂ΔR₁ may be used as an accurate and early (2.5 hours after onset) indicator of histological infarction in acute stroke.