• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.530-537
• /
• 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are environmentally energy conversion devices to generate electricity via photovoltaic effect of semiconductors from solar energy. One of key elements in PV modules is "Backsheet," a multilayered barrier film, which determines their lifetime and energy conversion efficiency. The representative Backsheet is composed of chemically resistant poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) and cheap poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films used as core and skin materials, respectively. PVF film is too expensive to satisfy the market requirements to Backsheet materials with production cost as low as possible. The promising alternatives to PVF-based Backsheet are hydrocarbon Backsheets employing semi-crystalline PET films instead of PVF film. It is, however, necessary to provide improved barrier property to water vapor to the PET films, since PET films are suffering from hydrolytic decomposition. In this study, a polyurethane adhesive with reduced water vapor permeation behavior is developed via a homogeneous distribution of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. The modified adhesive is expected to retard the hydrolysis of PET films located in the core and inner skin. To clarify the efficacy of the proposed concept, the mechanical properties and electrochemical PV performances of the Backsheet are compared with those of a Backsheet employing the polyurethane adhesive without the silica nanoparticles, after the exposure under standard temperature and humidity conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.223-230
• /
• 2009

Metallothioneins (MTs) play a key role in metallic homeostasis and detoxification in most living organisms. In an attempt to study the biological functions and significance of MT in a snail, we cloned and partially characterized the MT gene from the left-handed snail, Physa acutawhich has been regarded as a potential biomonitering species for fresh water. The complete cDNA sequence of PaMT cDNA was identified from the expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project of Physa acuta. The coding region of 180 bp gives 60 amino acid residues including the initiation methionine and termination codon. Clustering and phylogenic analysis of PaMT with other MT amino acid sequences show that it has some identities to Helix pomatia (60%), Arianta arbustorum (58%), Perna viridis (49%), Mytilus edulis (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (49%), Bathymodiolus azoricus (48%) and Bathymodiolus sp. FD-2002 (48%). Time dependent induction for PaMT from P. acuta exposed with cadmium (50 ppb) indicated that PaMT was induced at 4-8 hr after exposure. It remains to further develop PaMTas a potential biomarker for water contamination in fresh water.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.173-181
• /
• 2016

Skin basement membrane (BM) is a specialized structure that binds dermis and epidermis of the skin and plays an important role in maintaining skin structure. Structural change and destruction of BM is reported to appear due to UV exposure and aging, which may contribute to skin aging including wrinkle formation and a decrease in elasticity of the skin. One of the key components of the BM is laminin-332 (LN-332), and is a major contributor to epidermal-dermal attachment. In this study, we elucidated the effects of Meladrium firmum hexane fraction (MFHF) on LN-332 expression in HaCaT, a human keratinocyte cell line. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunoblot analysis revealed that MFHF induced upregulation of LN-332 gene and protein expression. Next, cells were treated with p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB202190) prior to MFHF treatment to analyze the signaling pathway contributing to LN-332 expression. The mRNA and protein levels of LN-332 expression were suppressed completely by pretreatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor. Furthermore, MFHF also increased the mRNA level of collagen type VII and integrin ${\alpha}6$ of skin BM component. These results collectively suggest that MFHF may have potential as an effective agent to stimulate the synthesis of BM components, and could be used to improve phenomenon of skin aging ascribed to the structural and functional impairments of BM in aged human skin.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.51 no.12
• /
• pp.660-665
• /
• 2018

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibitors, such as trastuzumab and lapatinib are used to treat HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. However, as with other targeted therapies, intrinsic or acquired resistance to HER2 inhibitors presents unresolved therapeutic problems for HER2-positive gastric cancer. The present study describes investigations with AUY922, a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor, in primary lapatinib-resistant (ESO26 and OE33) and lapatinib-sensitive gastric cancer cells (OE19, N87, and SNU-216) harboring HER2 amplification/over-expression. In order to investigate whether AUY922 could overcome intrinsic and acquired resistance to HER2 inhibitors in HER2-positive gastric cancer, we generated lapatinib-resistant gastric cancer cell lines (OE19/LR and N87/LR) by continuous exposure to lapatinib in vitro. We found that activation of HER2 and protein kinase B (AKT) were key factors in inducing intrinsic and acquired lapatinib-resistant gastric cancer cell lines, and that AUY922 effectively suppressed activation of both HER2 and AKT in acquired lapatinib-resistant gastric cancer cell lines. In conclusion, AUY922 showed a synergistic anti-cancer effect with lapatinib and sensitized gastric cancer cells with intrinsic resistance to lapatinib. Dual inhibition of the HSP90 and HER2 signaling pathways could represent a potent therapeutic strategy to treat HER2-positive gastric cancer with intrinsic and acquired resistance to lapatinib.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.361-369
• /
• 2019

1,2-Dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) has been used as an industrial solvent and a chemical intermediate, as well as in soil fumigants. Human exposure may occur during its production and industrial use. The target organs of 1,2-DCP are the eyes, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and skin. Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. In this study, 1,2-DCP was dissolved in corn oil at 0, 2.73, 5.75, and 8.75 mL/kg. The skin of mice treated with 1,2-DCP was investigated using western blotting, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. 1,2-DCP was applied to the dorsal skin and both ears of C57BL/6J mice. The thickness of ears and the epidermis increased significantly following treatment, and the appearance of blood vessels was observed in the dorsal skin. Additionally, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, which is tightly associated with neovascularization, increased significantly. The levels of protein kinase-B (PKB), phosphorylated PKB, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and phosphorylated mTOR, all of which are key components of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/PKB/mTOR signaling pathway, were also enhanced. Taken together, 1,2-DCP induced angiogenesis in dermatitis through the PI3K/PKB/mTOR pathway in the skin.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.11
• /
• pp.969-979
• /
• 2021

Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease, and the goal of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose at a normal level and prevent complications from diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a key pathologic feature of type 2 diabetes that mainly results from insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Chronic exposure of β-cells to elevated glucose concentrations induces glucotoxicity. In this study, we examined whether an 80% ethanol extract of Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mishchenko (OEE) protected INS-1 pancreatic β-cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress. Pretreatment with a high concentration of glucose (high glucose = 30 mM) induced glucotoxicity and apoptosis of INS-1 pancreatic β cells. Treatment with OEE significantly increased cell viability. Treatment with 0.01-0.20 mg/ml OEE dose dependently decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide levels and increased insulin secretion in high glucose-pretreated INS-1 β cells. OEE also significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in response to high-glucose-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, OEE treatment significantly reduced the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-3, and caspase-9, and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Apoptotic cells were identified using Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining, which revealed that treatment with OEE significantly reduced high-glucose-induced apoptosis. These findings implicate OEE as a valuable functional food in protecting pancreatic β-cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2022

CopA3 (LLCIALRKK), an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the Korean dung beetle, has been shown to suppress apoptosis in various cell types. CopA3 inhibits not only bacterial toxin-induced colonocyte apoptosis but also 6-hydroxy dopamine-induced neural cell apoptosis. Our recent study revealed that CopA3 directly binds to caspases (key regulators of apoptosis) and inhibits the proteolytic cleavage required for their activation. But molecular mechanisms underlying CopA3-mediated inhibition of apoptosis in multiple cell types remain unknown. Here we assessed possible effects of CopA3 on expression of survivin, which is known to inhibit apoptosis. In HT29 human colonocytes, CopA3 exposure markedly upregulated survivin expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. RT-PCR revealed that CopA3-mediated upregulation of survivin was attributable to increased gene transcription, and further showed that CopA3 also increased expression of Sp1, one of many transcription factors known to be involved in transcription of the survivin gene. Notably, blocking Sp1 by treatment with the Sp1 inhibitor, tolfenamic acid, significantly reduced CopA3-mediated upregulation of survivin. These results collectively suggest that CopA3 induces Sp1 expression, which in turn is involved in upregulation of survivin in human colonocytes. These novel findings establish another pathway for explaining the anti-apoptotic effects of CopA3 against various cellular apoptosis systems.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2022

Purpose Since 1985, the Korean society of nuclear medicine technology (KSNMT) has been engaged in academic activities related to nuclear medicine imaging. From 2017 to 2021, the papers published in the journal were classified by the specific fields to examine the trends in the research and the direction of nuclear medicine in comparison with the papers submitted to the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) during the same period. Materials and Methods From 2017 to 2021, papers submitted to KSNMT and KSNM were classified and databaseization using the Excel program by submission type, examination equipment, and examination field. Through this data, the number of papers published in journals by year, the number of papers submitted by detailed fields, and key words by era were analyzed and compared. Results The papers included by journal was 57 KSNMT and 280 KSNM. The major large classification of equipment, PET, Planar and SPECT was 26.3%, 21.1%, 19.3% in the KSNMT, KSNM was 49.6%, 6.4%, and 9.3%, with 66.7% and 65.3%, respectively. the major medium classification of equipment, industrial safety, urogenital system, nervous system, and quality control accounted for 54.4% of the total papers of the total ratio in the KSNMT, while the medium classification of oncology, endocrine system, urogenital system, therapy, and nervous system accounted for 61.1% of KSNM. In the major small classification of image acquisition, improvement effect, and exposure management accounted for 70.2% in KSNMT, while the items of image acquisition, report, and improvement effect accounted for 60.7% in KSNM. The major keywords except for equipment-related keywords such as PET/CT, PET/MR, and SPECT were SUV, Planar Image, and Respiration Gating Method in KSNMT and Ga68, Thyroid, and Lymphoma in the KSNM. Conclusion When checking the last 5 years of submissions, we can see that KSNMT is mainly concerned with image acquisition using existing radiotracers, while KSNM has focused on new radiotracers such as ⁶⁸Ga, ¹⁷⁷Lu, etc., and new medical technologies of theranostic. It has been confirmed that more PET-related papers than other examination equipment will account for a greater number of papers, and it is believed that future submissions will also account for a higher proportion of PET-related papers than other equipment.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2023

This study was examined for investigating the quality changes of spring kimchi cabbage under various treatments (pre-drying/pre-cooling, packaging types, and stacking and loading in container and pallete in the storage room) during cold storage. The results showed that control (upward stacking without pre-drying/pre-cooling and HDPE or PVC film cover) was increased significantly in weight loss and trimming loss, compared to other treatments such as DPDH (downard stacking + pre-drying + HDPE), DPDP (downard stacking + pre-drying + PVC), DPCH (downnard stacking + pre-cooling + HDPE), and UPCH (upward stacking + pre-cooling +HDPE) during storage for three months. In Sensory evaluation, judging from marketable properties, the desirable appearance of spring kimchi cabbage with the modified pallet-unit MA packed, PE, and PVC film wrapping could be maintained until 9 weeks after pre-drying/pre-cooling. Meanwhile, the control without any treatments after 6 weeks, the sensory score was declined, significantly. In general, the low temperature (10℃ and 2℃) of pre-treatment with combination of plastic film packaging in spring kimchi cabbage storage could inhibit the physiological activity and reduce the direct exposure of environmental cold air in the storage. Therefore, these two variables were the key points for extending the shelf-life of spring kimchi cabbage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2023

Objectives: With the evolution of direct reading sensors, it is possible to monitor several substances through telecommunication. However, there are some limitations on the use of direct reading technologies in the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea, which only applies to detector tubes, noise, heat, and carbon monoxides. The number of chemicals and their amount of use have been continuously increasing in South Korea. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) has concerns about worker's health because exposure is only covered for about 1.2% of all distributed chemicals. Using a direct reading monitor with photoionization detectors (PID-DRMs), gases and vapors chemicals can be measured. Based on the data, business owners are able to create corrective strategies, provide better working routines, and select correct respiratory equipment. PID-DRMs are less expensive and easier to handle for an owner voluntarily controlling chemicals emitted in the workplace. However, there are several limitations on using these PID-DRMs to the degree that the MoEL has not been able to select a legal monitor. The aim of this study was to review previous studies related to PID-DRMs and identify the characterization and limitation on PID-DRMs. Methods: To search for related studies on PID-DRMs, key words were used including direct reading monitors/instruments and/or photoionization detectors. Through that, four domestic and 15 international studies were reviewed. Results: Studies on PID-DRMs were conducted by chamber (enclosed, dynamic, walk-in) and in the field (experimental environment, actual environment). The concentration of PID-DRMs and charcoal tubes were compared for a single substance or mixture, or within the PID-DRMs. There was a high correlation between the two concentrations, but it did not meet the accuracy criteria (95% confidence interval, within 25%) of the NIOSH technical report (2012). In addition, differences in measured values occurred according to environmental factors (temperature, humidity) and high concentration, and concentration values tended to be underestimated due to contamination of the sensor. As a way to improve the accuracy of PID concentration, it was proposed to use correction factors, charcoal tube-based correction factors, or to calibrate the PID-DRMs in the same environment as the workplace. Conclusions: PID-DRMs can likely be used by business owners for the purpose of voluntarily managing the workplace environment, and it is expected that it will be possible to use them as legal equipment if a PID sensor can be upgraded and the limitations of the sensor (temperature, humidity, high concentration evaluation, sensor pollution) can be overcome in the near future.