• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.357-362
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• 2015

A novel $TiO_2$-Coconut Shell Powder Composite (TCSPS), prepared by the controlled sol-gel method with subsequent heat treatment, was evaluated as an innovative photocatalytic absorbent for the removal of methylene blue. Optimal preparation conditions of TCSPC were obtained by a response surface methodology and a central composite design model. As compared with the results obtained from one-factor-at-a-time experiments, the values were approximated to the nearest condition of these values and the following experimental parameters were set as the optimum : $600^{\circ}C$ calcination temperature and 20 g of coconut shell powder loading amount.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.597-606
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• 2003

Although the antidepressant effects of imipramine (IMI) have been well known in several studies, the effects on cardiovascular system, particularly the vasorelaxant effects, have not known clearly. We hypothesis that IMI-induced vasorelaxation involves NO (nitrie oxide), activation of guanylate cyclase (GC) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel. The possible roles of the endothelium and $Ca^{2+}$ in IMI-induced responses were investigated using isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. In KCl-precontracted rings. IMI produces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in intact (+E) as well as endothelium-denuded (-E) rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. In phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rings, the IMI-induced relaxation was significantly greater in +E rings. The IMI-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and aminoguanidine, a non-selective GC inhibitor, methylene blue, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings, but not in PE-precontracted -E rings. These relaxations were also suppressed by lidocaine or procaine in -E aortic rings. However, IMI-induced relaxations were not inhibited by a PLC inhibitor 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), an inositol monophosphatase inhibitor, lithium, indomethacin and dexamethasone in +E and -E rings. In vivo, infusion of IMI elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. After intravenous injection of saponin, NOS inhibitors. MB and nifedipine, infusion of IMI inhibited the IMI-lowered blood pressure markedly. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by IMI is mediated by activation of NO/cGMP signaling cascade or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel, and this mechanism may contribute to the hypotensive effects of IMI in rats.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.225-235
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• 2022

It includes the synthesis of pristine ZnO nanoparticles and a series of Ag-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles was carried out by reflux method by varying the amount of silver (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9% by mol.). The morphology of these nanoparticles was investigated by SEM, XRD and FT-IR techniques. These techniques show that synthesized particles are homogenous spherical nanoparticles having an average particle size of about 50-100 nm along with some agglomeration. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles and Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated via photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) as a standard dye. The data from the photocatalytic activity of these nanoparticles show that 7% Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit much enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared to pristine ZnO nanoparticles and other percentages of Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Furthermore, 7% Ag-doped ZnO was made composites with sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride by physical mixing method and a series of nanocomposites were made (3.5, 7.5, 25, 50, 75% by weight). It was observed that the 25% composites exhibited better photocatalytic performance than pristine S-g-C 3 N 4 and pure 7% Ag-doped ZnO. Tauc's plot also supports the photodegradation results.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.397-406
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• 2015

ZnO, II-VI group inorganic compound semi-conductor, has been receiving much attention due to its wide applications in various fields. Since the ZnO has 3.37 eV of a wide band gap and 60 meV of big excitation binding energy, it is well-known material for various uses such the optical property, a semi-conductor, magnetism, antibiosis, photocatalyst, etc. When applied in the field of photocatalyst, many research studies have been actively conducted regarding magnetic materials and the core-shell structure to take on the need of recycling used materials. In this paper, magnetic core-shell ZnFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized through three steps. In order to analyze the structural characteristics of the synthesized substances, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used. The spinel structure of ZnFe₂O₄ and the wurtzite structure of ZnO were confirmed by XRD, and ZnO production rate was confirmed through the analysis of different concentrations of the precursors. The surface change of the synthesized materials was confirmed by SEM. The formation of SiO₂ layer and the synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO@SiO₂ NPs were finally verified through the bond of Fe-O, Zn-O and Si-O-Si by FT-IR. The magnetic property of the synthesized materials was analyzed through the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The increase and decrease in the magnetism were respectively confirmed by the results of the formed ZnO and SiO₂ layer. The photocatalysis effect of the synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ @ZnO@SiO₂ NPs was experimented in a black box (dark room) using methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.710-715
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• 2018

In this study, $ZnFe_2O_4@SnO_2@TiO_2$ core-shell nanoparticles (NPs), a photocatalytic material with magnetic properties, were synthesized through a three-step process. Structural properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was confirmed that $ZnFe_2O_4$ of the spinel, $SnO_2$ of the tetragonal and $TiO_2$ of the anatase structure were synthesized. The magnetic properties of synthesized materials were studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The saturation magnetization value of $ZnFe_2O_4$, a core material, was confirmed at 33.084 emu/g. As a result of the formation of $SnO_2$ and $TiO_2$ layers, the magnetism due to the increase in thickness was reduced by 33% and 40%, respectively, but sufficient magnetic properties were reserved. The photocatalytic efficiency of synthesized materials was measured using methylene blue (MB). The efficiency of the core material was about 4.2%, and as a result of the formation of $SnO_2$ and $TiO_2$ shell, it increased to 73% and 96%, respectively while maintaining a high photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, the antibacterial activity was validated via the inhibition zone by using E. Coli and S. Aureus. The formation of shells resulted in a wider inhibition zone, which is in good agreement with photocatalytic efficiency measurements.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.602-610
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the cavernosal relaxation effect of Crataegii fructus(CF) in the contracted rabbit penile corpus cavernosum by agonists.In order to study the effect of CF on the vasoconstriction of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, isolated rabbit penile corpus cavernosum tissues were used for the experiment using organ baths containing Krebs solution.To investigate the cavernosal relaxation of CF, CF extract at $0.01{\sim}3.0mg/m{\ell}$ was added after penile corpus cavernosum were contracted by norepinephrine(NE) $1{\mu}M$. To analyze the mechanism of CF's vasorelaxation, CF extract infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after each treatment of indomethacin(IM), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA).To study the effect of CF on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in penile tissues, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, $Ca^{2+}$ 1 mM infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after pretreatment of CF. Cytotoxic activity of CF on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. CF relaxed cavernosal strip with endothelium contracted by NE, but in the strips without endothelium, CF-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA decreased significantly on the cavernosal relaxation than not-treatment of them. But the pretreatment of IM had no significant effect on the cavernosal relaxation. In $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, when $Ca^{2+}$ infused into contracted penile tissues by NE, pretreatment of CF inhibit contraction induced by adding $Ca^{2+}$.NO production wasn't increased by treatment of CF on HUVEC. This findings showed that CF is effective for the relaxation of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, and we suggest that CF relax rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through multiple action mechanisms that include increasing the release of nitric oxide from corporal sinusoidal endothelium, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization into cytosol from the extracellular fluid, and maybe a hyperpolarizing action.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.400-408
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Rubus coreanus(RC) extract in contracted rabbit corpus cavernous tissues by phenylephrine(PE) $1{\mu}M$. In order to define the relaxation effects of RC, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of RC at 0.01-3.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ in contracted strips induced by PE were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of RC-induced relaxation, indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) were treated before RC extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To study the effect of RC extract on influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in corpus cavernous strips, calcium chloride(Ca) 1 mM infused into precontracted strips induced by PE after pretreatment of RC extract in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs-ringer solution. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of RC extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC), cell viability on HUVEC was measured by MTT assay, and NO concentration was measured by Griess reagent system. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by RC extract at 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$, 3.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses to RC were inhibited significantly by endothelial disruption. The pretreatment of IM, TEA didn't affect RC extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of L-NNA, MB reduced RC extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When $Ca^{2+}$ was supplied the cavernous strips which were precontracted by PE in a $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs-ringer solution, contraction of strips was increased, but pretreatment of RC inhibited contractile response to $Ca^{2+}$. When RC extract was applicated on HUVEC, NO concentration was increased. Our findings show that RC extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.705-713
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• 2017

A novel material, $Bi_2WO_6-GO-TiO_2$ composite, was successfully synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. During the hydrothermal reaction, the loading of $Bi_2WO_6$ and $TiO_2$ nanoparticles onto graphene sheets was achieved. The obtained $Bi_2WO_{6-GO-TiO2}$ composite photo-catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The $Bi_2WO_6$ nanoparticle showed an irregular dark-square block nanoplate shape, while $TiO_2$ nanoparticles covered the surface of the graphene sheets with a quantum dot size. The degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue trihydrate (MB), and reactive black B (RBB) dyes in an aqueous solution with different initial amount of catalysts was observed by UV spectrophotometry after measuring the decrease in the concentration. As a result, the $Bi_2WO_6-GO-TiO_2$ composite showed good decolorization activity with MB solution under visible light. The $Bi_2WO_6-GO-TiO_2$ composite is expected to become a new potential material for decolorization activity. Photocatalytic reactions with different photocatalysts were explained by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and a band theory.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.313-320
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• 2008

Hectorite was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and its physicochemical properties have been investigated in terms of temperature, pH, and organic agent to observe the change of doll basal spacing. The IR, CEC, MB, swelling volume and specific surface area of the hectorite were measured for the characterization. The solid/liquid ratio of hectorite to distilled water before mixing with other materials was also determined for its use as a multi-functional material. The $d_{001}$ basal spacing decreased from $12.63\;\AA$ at room temperature to $10.19\;\AA$ at $650^{\circ}C$ in the heating tests. As the pH of hectorite slurry increased. the $d_{001}$ basal spacing decreased. reaching the lowest value of $13.33\;\AA$ at pH 7 and afterward, increased. All the fool basal spacings of the hectorite increased when it was intercalated with the following solvents: $12.86\;\AA$ in diethyl ether, $13.31\;\AA$ in acetonitrile. $13.59\;\AA$ in methanol, $14.05\;\AA$ in ethanol, $15.69\;\AA$ in acetone, and $17.42\;\AA$ in ethylene glycol. Our IR analysis results were in good agreement with those of other researchers. The CEC, MB, swelling volume and specific surface area of hectorite were determined to be 105 cmol/kg, 80 cmol/kg, $68\sim74ml/2g$ and $213m^{2}/g$, respectively. Also, the hectorite to distilled water ratio of 2 to 100 was found to be most favorable for mixing with other materials such as the solvents mentioned above.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.457-461
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• 1998

The vesicle system of DPPC(dipalmitoylphosphaticylcholine)/Chol(Cholesterol) has been modified by incorporating various mole fractions of flourinated surfactant($C_8F_{17}(CH_2)_2OCO-CH_2CH(SO_3Na)COO(CH_2)_2C_8F_{17}$. Sodium bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecaflurododecyl)-2-sulfosuccinate, FS)/fluorinated fatty acid salt ($C_7F_{15}COONH_4$, ammoniumpentadecaflurooctyrate, FFS), and their physicochemical properties have been investigated in an attempt to enhance the stability of phospholipid vesicle system. The ${\zeta}$-potential measurement by use of Zetamaster sub-micron Particle Electrophoresis Analyzer (Malvern Co.) showed that a charged homogeneous DPPC/Chol/FS vesicle has been formed owing to the incorporated FFS effect on the membrane, playing a role as a cosurfactant in the bilayer between DPPC and FS components. With increase in the concentration of FFS, it was found that the particle size and also surface charge of the DPPC/Chol/FS vesicle decreased. The stability of DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS liposome was found to be enhanced significantly compared to that of DPPC/Chol/FS according to the dispersity change as a function of time. The release rate of dye molecule of Methylene Blue from the DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS vesicle was determined to be slower than that of DPPC/Chol/FS system, and it may be attributed to the increase in microviscosity of the hydrophobic region in the bilayer. The affinfinity of DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS vesicles to albumin was found to be slightly lowered compared to that of DPPC/Chol/FS. Based on these findings, it was confirmed that a more stable and homogeneous vesicle system of DPPC/Chol/FS could be prepared by addition of FFS, acting as a cosurfactant in the aggregate formation.