• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2008

We studied plasma etching of polycarbonate in $O_2/SF_6$, $O_2/N_2$ and $O_2/CH_4$. A capacitively coupled plasma system was employed for the research. For patterning, we used a photolithography method with UV exposure after coating a photoresist on the polycarbonate. Main variables in the experiment were the mixing ratio of $O_2$ and other gases, and RF chuck power. Especially, we used only a mechanical pump for in order to operate the system. The chamber pressure was fixed at 100 mTorr. All of surface profilometry, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for characterization of the etched polycarbonate samples. According to the results, $O_2/SF_6$ plasmas gave the higher etch rate of the polycarbonate than pure $O_2$ and $SF_6$ plasmas. For example, with maintaining 100W RF chuck power and 100 mTorr chamber pressure, 20 sccm $O_2$ plasma provided about $0.4{\mu}m$/min of polycarbonate etch rate and 20 sccm $SF_6$ produced only $0.2{\mu}m$/min. However, the mixed plasma of 60 % $O_2$ and 40 % $SF_6$ gas flow rate generated about $0.56{\mu}m$ with even low -DC bias induced compared to that of $O_2$. More addition of $SF_6$ to the mixture reduced etch of polycarbonate. The surface roughness of etched polycarbonate was roughed about 3 times worse measured by atomic force microscopy. However examination with scanning electron microscopy indicated that the surface was comparable to that of photoresist. Increase of RF chuck power raised -DC bias on the chuck and etch rate of polycarbonate almost linearly. The etch selectivity of polycarbonate to photoresist was about 1:1. The meaning of these results was that the simple capacitively coupled plasma system can be used to make a microstructure on polymer with $O_2/SF_6$ plasmas. This result can be applied to plasma processing of other polymers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2011

As recent reports suggest that nanoparticles may penetrate into cell membrane and effect DNA condition, it is necessary to assay possible cytotoxic and genotoxic risk. Three different sizes of magnetic nanoparticle silica (MNP@$SiO_2$) (50, 100 and 200 nm diameter) were tested for cytotoxicity and DNA damage using L5178Y cell. MNP@$SiO_2$ had constant physicochemical characteristics confirmed by transmission electron microscope, electron spin resonance spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer for 48 h. Treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced dose and time dependent cytotoxicity. At 6 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$ compared to vehicle control (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Moreover, at 24 h, 50 or 100 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$(p<0.01). And treatment of 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, at 48 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Cellular location detected by confocal microscope represented they were existed in cytoplasm, mainly around cell membrane at 2 h after treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$. Treatment of 50 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ significantly increased DNA damage at middle and high dose (p<0.01), and treatment of 100 nm or 200 nm significantly increased DNA damage in all dose compared to control (p<0.01). Taken together, treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced cytotoxicity and enhanced DNA damage in L5178Y cell.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2015

Excess manganese (Mn) is neurotoxic. Increased manganese stores in the brain are associated with a number of behavioral problems, including motor dysfunction, memory loss and psychiatric disorders. We previously showed that the transport and neurotoxicity of manganese after intranasal instillation of the metal are altered in Hfe-deficient mice, a mouse model of the iron overload disorder hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). However, it is not fully understood whether loss of Hfe function modifies Mn neurotoxicity after ingestion. To investigate the role of Hfe in oral Mn toxicity, we exposed Hfe-knockout ($Hfe^{-/-}$) and their control wild-type ($Hfe^{+/+}$) mice to $MnCl_2$ in drinking water (5 mg/mL) for 5 weeks. Motor coordination and spatial memory capacity were determined by the rotarod test and the Barnes maze test, respectively. Brain and liver metal levels were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Compared with the water-drinking group, mice drinking Mn significantly increased Mn concentrations in the liver and brain of both genotypes. Mn exposure decreased iron levels in the liver, but not in the brain. Neither Mn nor Hfe deficiency altered tissue concentrations of copper or zinc. The rotarod test showed that Mn exposure decreased motor skills in $Hfe^{+/+}$ mice, but not in $Hfe^{-/-}$ mice (p = 0.023). In the Barns maze test, latency to find the target hole was not altered in Mn-exposed $Hfe^{+/+}$ compared with water-drinking $Hfe^{+/+}$ mice. However, Mn-exposed $Hfe^{-/-}$ mice spent more time to find the target hole than Mn-drinking $Hfe^{+/+}$ mice (p = 0.028). These data indicate that loss of Hfe function impairs spatial memory upon Mn exposure in drinking water. Our results suggest that individuals with hemochromatosis could be more vulnerable to memory deficits induced by Mn ingestion from our environment. The pathophysiological role of HFE in manganese neurotoxicity should be carefully examined in patients with HFE-associated hemochromatosis and other iron overload disorders.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.507-507
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• 2013

유리기판으로 투과되는 빛들 중에는 내부 전반사나 wave-guided mode로 인하여 손실이 일어나 일반적으로 20%의 광추출 효율을 가진다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위한 연구에는 Photonic Crystal과 같은 주기적인 나노 구조물이 있는데 이러한 구조물을 제작하기 위한 마스크 공정 과정은 대부분 복잡하거나 비싼 단점이 있다. 이에 본 발표에서는 마스크 없이 비정질소다라임 유리의 구조물 생성으로 광 추출 효율이 상승하는지 보고자 하였다. M-ICP (Magnetized-Induced Coupled Plasma)란 용량 결합형 플라즈마와 유도 결합형 플라즈마 두 가지 방식의 플라즈마를 이용한 것인데 용량 결합형 플라즈마를 이용해 이온이 sheath에 의해 가속되어 유리표면에 부딪히고 그에 따라 유리가 식각되는 물리적 식각을 이용하였다. 또한 이온의 밀도를 조절하기 위해 유도결합형 플라즈마 방식을 이용하여 식각률을 높였다. 화학적 식각을 위해서는 CF4와 O2혼합 가스를 이용해 F가 Si와 결합하여 SiF4가 되어 사라지고 탄소잔여물인 C는 O2와 반응하여 제거하였다. 그 결과, 랜덤한 분포를 가지는 미세한 구조물(stochastic sub-wavelength structure)을 유리 표면에 형성할 수 있었고, 또한 다양한 가스 종류와 압력, source power와 bias power, 그리고 시간을 바꿔가며 미세 구조물들을 관찰하였다. 실험 결과, 가시광선 파장 이하의 높이를 갖고 수 마이크로미터의 너비를 갖는 구조물이 전반사되는 빛을 효율적으로 추출하는 것을 산란되는 빛의 정도인 diffusive transmittance 가 기존 0%에서 15% 정도로 증가하는 것으로 스펙트로포토미터 측정을 통해 확인하였다. 이러한 유리 기판 위 구조물 생성방법을 OLED에 적용한다면 적은 비용으로 소자의 효율을 크게 향상 시킬 수 있을 것이다. 또한 본 처리 과정의 장점은 기존의 방법에 필요한 스퍼터링이나 RTA 처리 과정이 필요 없어 공정 단가 절감과 제조 공정의 단순화로 높은 생산성을 얻을 수 있으며 대면적화에도 유리하다.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 1997

$Amino-{\beta}-lactam$ antibiotics are absorbed by the dipeptide transporter in the small intestine. These uptakes are coupled to a proton influx. The inward proton gradient is partly induced by the $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger and calcium ion is involved in control of this antiport. Interaction between ampicillin which is one of the $Amino-{\beta}-lactam$ antibiotics and nifedipine which is one of calcium channel blocking agents was studied in rats in vivo and with rabbit jejunum mounted on the Sweetana/Grass diffusion cells in vitro. Bioavailability of ampicillin was increased significantly when nifedipine was co-administered orally in rats. There were no differences in the distribution phase and the elimination phase when ampicillin was given either alone or with nifedipine intravenously. Conditions for in vitro experiments were determined. The lift rate of $O_2/CO_2$ gas was controlled to 3 bubbles/sec and ampicillin was stable in the Kreb's buffer at pH 6.0. Absorption of ampicillin was the greatest when the completely-stripped serosal membrane was used. Transport of ampicillin from mucosal to serosal side in the rabbit jejunum was enhanced by 32% in the presence of nifedipine (p=0.059). Above results suggest that nifedipine might increase the plasma level of ampicillin via the improved absorption in the intestine rather than the reduction in the elimination or/and alteration in the distribution.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.112-117
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• 2004

This work investigated the material properties of Ni-P-B alloy electrodeposits obtained from a Ni sulfamate bath as a function of the contents of the P and B sources($H_3PO_3$ and dimethyl amine borane complex(DMAB), respectively) with/without additives. Chemical composition, residual stress, microstructure and micro hardness were investigated using ICP(inductively coupled plasma) mass spectrometer, flexible strip, XRD, TEM and micro Vickers hardness tester, respectively. From the results of the compositional analysis, it was observed that P and B are incorporated competitively during the electrodeposition and the sulfur from the additive is codeposited into the electrodeposit. The measured residual stress value increased in the order of Ni, Ni-P, Ni-B and Ni-P-B electrodeposits indicating that boron affects the residual tensile stress greater than phosphorus. As the contents of the alloying element sources of P and B increased, crystallinity and the grain size of the electrodeposit decreased. The effect of boron on crystallinity and grain size was also relatively larger than the phosphorus. It can be explained that the boron with a smaller atomic radius contributes to the increase of residual stress in the tensile direction and the larger restraining force against the grain growth more significantly than the phosphorus with a larger atomic radius. Introduction of an additive into the bath retarded crystallization and grain growth, which may be attributed to the change of the grain growth kinetics induced by the additive adsorbed on the substrate and electrodeposit surfaces during electrodeposition.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2009

Extracellular ATP elicits diverse physiological effects by binding to the G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors on the plasma membrane. In addition to the short-term effects of extracellular nucleotides on cell functions, there is evidence that such purinergic signalling can have long-term effects on cell proliferation, differentiation and death. The 3T3-L1 cell line derived from mouse embryo is a well-established and commonly utilized in vitro model for adipocytes differentiation and function. However, the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes are still unknown in the preadipocyte. In this study, we identified the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes in preadipocyte using $Ca^{2+}$ imaging and realtime PCR. ATP increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in a concentration-dependent manner. ATP increased $Ca^{2+}$ in absence and/or presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Suramin, non-selective P2Y blocker, largely blocked the ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ response. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, completely inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in 3T3-L1 cells. The mRNA expression by realtime PCR of P2Y subtypes was $P2Y_2:P2Y_5:P2Y_6=1.0:12.5:0.3$. In conclusion, we showed that $P2Y_5$ receptor is a dominant purinergic receptor in preadipocytes, and multiple P2Y receptors could involve in differentiation and migration via regulating of intracellular calcium concentration.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2010

The effects of thermal treatment on CNTs, which were coated with a-$CN_x$ thin film, were investigated and related to variations of chemical bonding and morphologies of CNTs and also properties of field emission induced by thermal treatment. CNTs were directly grown on nano-sized conical-type tungsten tips via the inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) system, and a-$CN_x$ films were coated on the CNTs using an RF magnetron sputtering system. Thermal treatment on a-$CN_x$ coated CNT-emitters was performed using a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system by varying temperature ($300-700^{\circ}C$). Morphologies and microstructures of a-$CN_x$/CNTs hetero-structured emitters were analyzed by FESEM and HRTEM. Chemical composition and atomic bonding structures were analyzed by EDX, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The field emission properties of the a-$CN_x$/CNTs hetero-structured emitters were measured using a high vacuum (below $10^{-7}$ Torr) field-emission measurement system. For characterization of emission stability, the fluctuation and degradation of the emission current were monitored in terms of operation time. The results were compared with a-$CN_x$ coated CNT-emitters that were not thermally heated as well as with the conventional non-coated CNT-emitters.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1164-1170
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• 2006

A triptolide-lysozyme (TP-LZM) conjugate was synthesized to achieve renal specific delivery and to reduce the side effects of triptolide. Triptolide was coupled to lysozyme through succinic via an ester bond with an average coupling degree of 1 mol triptolide per 1 mol lysozyme. The lysozyme can specifically accumulate in the proximal tubular cells of the kidney, making it a potential carrier for targeting drugs to the kidney. The structure of triptolide succinate (TPS) was confirmed by IR, $^{1}H-NMR$, MS and UV. The concentrations of triptolide in various samples were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, the physicochemical and stability profiles of TP-LZM under various conditions were investgated the stability and releasing profiles of triptolide-lysozyme (TP-LZM) under various conditions. In vitro release trails showed triptolide-lysozyme was relatively stable in plasma (less than 30% of free triptolide released) and could release triptolide quickly in lysosome (more than 80% of free triptolide released) at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. In addition, the biological activities of the conjugate on normal rat kidney proximal tubular cells (NRK52E) were also tested. The conjugate can effectively reduce NO production in the medium of NRK52E induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but with much lower toxicity. These studies suggest the possibility to promote curative effect and reduce its extra-renal toxicity of triptolide by TP-LZM conjugate.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1393-1400
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• 2009

A bacteriocin-producing strain PI80 was isolated from the gut of Penaeus indicus (Indian white shrimp) and identified as Streptococcus phocae PI80. The bacteriocin was purified from a culture supernatant to homogeneity as confirmed by Tricine SDS-PAGE. Reverse-phase HPLC analysis revealed a single active fraction eluted at 12.94 min, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis showed the molecular mass to be 9.244 kDa. This molecular mass does not correspond to previously described streptococcal bacteriocins. The purified bacteriocin was named phocaecin PI80 from its producer strain, as this is the first report of bacteriocin production by Streptococcus phocae. The bacteriocin exhibited a broad spectrum of activity and inhibited important pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and V. fischeri. The antibacterial substance was also sensitive to proteolytic enzymes: trypsin, protease, pepsin, and chymotrypsin, yet insensitive to catalase, peroxidase, and diastase, confirming that the inhibition was due to a proteinaceous molecule (i.e., the bacteriocin), and not due to hydrogen peroxide or diacetyl. Phocaecin PI80 moderately tolerated heat treatment (up to $70^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) and resisted certain solvents (acetone, ethanol, and butanol). A massive leakage of $K^+$ ions from E. coli $DH5\alpha$, L. monocytogenes, and V. parahaemolyticus was induced by phocaecin PI80, as measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES). Therefore, the results of this study show that phocaecin PI80 may be a useful tool for inhibiting L. monocytogenes in seafood products that do not usually undergo adequate heat treatment, whereas the cells of Streptococcus phocae PI80 could be used to control vibriosis in shrimp farming.