• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2022

The effect of introducing oxygen functional groups by oxygen plasma treatment of activated carbon on adsorption properties of cesium ions was investigated. During the oxygen plasma treatment, the frequency, power, and oxygen gas flow rates were fixed at 100 kHz, 80 W, and 60 sccm, respectively, while the reaction time was varied. Under the experimental conditions, the amount of cesium ion adsorption increased as the content of oxygen groups on C-O-C and O=C-O bonds increased when the reaction time with oxygen gas was 10 minutes. However, when the reaction time increased to 15 minutes, the oxygen functional group content decreased resulting in the decrease of the adsorbed cesium ion amount. On the other hand, unlike the oxygen content of the surface-treated activated carbon, the specific surface area and pore properties were hardly affected by the oxygen plasma reaction time. As a result, the oxygen plasma-treated activated carbon improved the cesium ion removal rate by up to 97.3% compared to that of the untreated activated carbon. This is considered to be due to the content of oxygen groups on C-O-C and O=C-O bonds introduced on the surface of the activated carbon through oxygen plasma treatment.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.303-310
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• 2002

Cell therapy applied to wound healing or tissue regeneration presents a revolutionary realm to which principles of gene engineering and delivery may be applied. One promising application is the transplantation of cells into the wounded tissue to help the tissue repair. However, when cells are transplanted from in vitro to in vivo, immune rejection occurs due to the immune response triggered by the activation of T-cell, and the transplanted cells are destroyed by the attack of activated T-cell and lose their function. Immune suppressant such as FK506 is commonly used to suppress immune rejection during transplantation. However, such kind of immune suppressants not only suppresses immune rejection in the periphery of transplanted cells but also suppresses whole immune response system against pathogenic infection. In order to solve this problem, we developed a method to protect the desired cells from immune rejection without impairing whole immune system during cell transplantation. Previously, we reported the success of constructing glomerular epithelial cells for removal of immune complex, in which complement receptor of type 1 (CR1) was over-expressed on the membrane of renal glomerular epithelial cells and could bind immune complex of DNA/anti-DNA-antibody to remove immune complex through phagocy-tosis [1]. Attempting to apply the CR1-expressing cells to cell therapy and evade immune rejection during cell transplantation, we constructed three plasmids containing genes encoding a soluble fusion protein of cytolytic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA4Ig) and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The plasmids were transfected to the above-mentioned glomerular epithelial cells to express both genes simultaneously. Using the clone cells for cell transplantation showed that mice with autoimmune disease prolonged their life significantly as compared with the control mice, and two injections of the cells at the beginning of two weeks resulted in remarkable survivability, whereas it requires half a year and 50 administrations of proteins purified from the same amount of cells to achieve the same effect.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

Pressurized fluidized bed combustion unit is operated at pressures of 1~1.5 MPa with combustion temperatures of 850~87$0^{\circ}C$. The pressurized coal combustion system heats steam, in conventional heat transfer tubing, and produces a hot gas supplied to a gas turbine. Gas cleaning is a vital aspect of the system, as is the ability of the turbine to cope with some residual solids. The need to pressurize the feed coal, limestone and combustion air, and to depressurize the flue gases and the ash removal system introduces some significant operating complications. The proportion of power coming from the steam : gas turbines is approximately 80:20%. Pressurized fluidized bed combustion and generation by the combined cycle route involves unique control considerations, as the combustor and gas turbine have to be properly matched through the whole operating range. The gas turbines are rather special, in that the maximum gas temperature available from the FBC is limited by ash fusion characteristics. As no ash softening should take place, the maximum gas temperature is around 90$0^{\circ}C$. As a result a high pressure ratio gas turbine with compression intercooling is used. This is to offset the effects of the relatively low temperature at the turbine inlet.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2011

In the patient who has intradural mass associated with spinal stenosis, if the operation for spinal stenosis is performed alone, the symptom may remain. We report with literature review that we achieved the successful outcome after simultaneous decompression of spinal stenosis and space occupying mass removal in the case of intradural and extradural compression. A 71-year-old female patient suffering from low back pain and radiating pain of both lower extremities admitted. In magnetic resonance imaging, spinal stenosis on L4-5 and spondylolisthesis on L5-S1 compressed dural sac and intradural space occupying mass on L4 level compressed. By posterior approach, decompression and interbody fusion were carried out. Then mass was removed with median durotomy. Pathologic diagnosis was schwannoma and the symptom was improved remarkably.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.647-649
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• 2016

The device for intervertebral assisted motion (DIAM) is a dynamic implant that consists of a silicone bumper enveloped by a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber sack. Silicone and PET were used because of their biological inertness, but repetitive motion of the spine can cause wear on the implant nonetheless. The purpose of this study is to report a case of foreign body reaction (FBR) against a DIAM. A 72-year-old female patient presented with lower back pain and both legs radiating pain. She had undergone DIAM implantation at L4-5 for spinal stenosis 5 years previously. The intervertebral disc space of L4-5, where the DIAM was inserted, had collapsed and degenerative scoliosis had developed due to left-side collapse. MRI showed L3-4 thecal sac compression and left L4-5 foraminal stenosis. The patient underwent removal of the DIAM and instrumented fusion from L3 to L5. During surgery, fluid and granulation tissue were evident around the DIAM. Histopathology showed scattered wear debris from the DIAM causing chronic inflammation due to the resulting FBR. A FBR due to wear debris of a DIAM can induce a hypersensitivity reaction and bone resorption around the implant, causing it to loosen.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.494-498
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• 2015

Objective : To describe a novel spinous process-splitting hemilaminoplasty technique for the surgical treatment of intradural and posterior epidural lesions that promotes physiological restoration. Methods : The spinous process was split, the area of the facet lamina junction was drilled, and en bloc hemilaminectomy was then performed. After removing intradural and posterior epidural lesions, we fitted the previously en bloc-removed bone to the pre-surgery same shape, and held it in place with non-absorbable sutures. Surgery was performed on 16 laminas from a total of nine patients between 2011 and 2014. Bony union of the reconstructed lamina was assessed using computed tomography (CT) at 6 months after surgery. Results : Spinous process-slitting hemilaminoplasty was performed for intradural extramedullary tumors in eight patients and for ossification of the ligament flavum in one patient. Because we were able to visualize the margin of the ipsilateral and contralateral dura, we were able to secure space for removal of the lesion and closure of the dura. None of the cases showed spinal deformity or other complications. Bone fusion and maintenance of the spinal canal were found to be perfect on CT scans. Conclusion : The spinous process-splitting hemilaminoplasty technique presented here was successful in creating sufficient space to remove intradural and posterior epidural lesions and to close the dura. Furthermore, we were able to maintain the physiological barrier and integrity after surgery because the posterior musculature and bone structures were restored.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2303-2309
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• 2007

Expressed protein ligation (EPL) technique, joining recombinantly expressed proteins to polypeptides, has been widely adopted for addressing various biological questions and for drug discovery. However, joining two recombinant proteins together is sometimes difficult when proteins are expressed insoluble and unrefoldable, because ligation-active proteins via intein-fusion are obtainable when they are folded correctly. We overcame this limitation coexpressing target protein with additional methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) which enhances removal of the initiation methionine of recombinantly expressed protein. Our approach demonstrated that two domains of 46 kDa 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, a target of herbicide glyphosate, were successfully joined by native chemical ligation, although its C-terminal domain was expressed as an inclusion body. The intein-fused N-terminal fragment of EPSP synthase (EPSPSN, residues 1-237) was expressed and the ligation-active thioester tagged N-terminal fragment (EPSPSN-thioester) was purified using a chitin affinity chromatography and mercapto-ethanesulphonate (MESNA) as intein thiolysis reagent. Its Cterminal fragment (EPSPSC, residues Met237-238CYS-427), expressed as an inclusion body, was prepared from an additional MAP-expressing strain. Protein ligation was initiated by mixing ~1 mM of EPSPSN-thioester with ~2 mM of EPSPSCCYS (residues 238CYS-427). Also we found that addition of 2% thiophenol increased the ligation efficiency via thiol exchange. The ligation efficiency was ~85%. The ligated full-length EPSP synthase was dissolved in 6 M GdHCl and refolded. Circular dichroism (CD) and enzyme activity assay of the purified protein showed that the ligated enzyme has distinct secondary structure and ~115% specific activity compared to those of wild-type EPSP synthase. This work demonstrates rare example of EPL between two recombinantly expressed proteins and also provides hands-on protein engineering protocol for large proteins.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 1995

We analyzed 11 children who underwent epiphyseal transplantation to the forearm for manage growing deformity ranged from 2 years 6 months to years(average 5 years 10 months) follow-up period. Etiologies of the functional impairment of the eleven were five traumatic, three congenital and three tumorous conditions. Lesions of epiphysis were distal radius in eight patients and distal ulna in three patients. Operation was performed with removal of non-functioning or deformed epiphysis followed by transplantation of free vascularized proximal fibular epiphysis with microvascular anastomesis. Evaluation was performed radiologically and functionally. The 9(81.8%) patients showed growth of transplanted epiphysis by radiological examination during follow up. At the last follow up, average growth rate was 0.86cm per year excepts 2 cases of no growth. Active wrist motion near normal to contralateral joint was achieved in 7 patients. In other 2 patients, active joint motion was improved but weaker than contralateral joint. Complications on donor site were two transient peroneal nerve palsy which have been resolved after 2 and 5 months post operation and one valgus ankle deformity. The ankle deformity was corrected with $Langenski\"{o}ld$ operation of the dital tibiofibular fusion. At recipient site, there was one superficial infection and it was easily controlled by systemic antibiotics. Many subsequent reports have described successful nonvascularized epiphyseal transplante, but overall results have been inconsistent and unsatisfactory. Other experimental and clinical studies in the transfer of vascularized epiphyses has encourage its clinical application. We also could gel successful growth in several cases with free vascularized epiphyseal transplantation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4 s.114
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• pp.510-517
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• 2005

The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena is capable of both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation which probably facilitated its incredible adaptation and proliferation in freshwater environments. A small gene, patS, was found to block nitrogen fixing cells from developing which resulted in death of Anabaena in the absence of combined nitrogen sources. We analyzed the DNA sequences in the vicinity of the patS gene by using a codon usage program and detected no codon bias other than the patS open reading frame. Three overlapping cosmids that contain the patS gene were identified, and the presence of other known heterocyst-controlling genes was examined. The patS expression in response to nitrogen starvation was analyzed at the level of transcription and translation by using Northern blot analyses and lacZ-reporter-gene fusion experiments, respectively. The patS expression increased rapidly (within 12 hours) upon the removal of combined nitrogen from the media.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 2012

The material removal mechanism in machining is significantly affected by the cutting edge geometry. Its effect becomes even more substantial when the depth of cut is relatively small as compared to the characteristic length which represents the shape and size of the cutting edge. Conventionally, radius or focal length has been employed as the characteristic length with the assumption that the shape of cutting edge is round or parabolic. However, in reality, there could be various ways to determine the radius or focal length even for the same tool edge profile, depending on the region to be considered as cutting edge in the measured profile and the constraints to be set in constructing the best fitted circle or parabola. In this regard, the present study proposes various models to determine the characteristic length in terms of radius or focal length. Their physical compatibility are validated by carrying out 2D orthogonal cutting experiments using inserts with a wide range of characteristic length ($30{\sim}180\;{\mu}m$ in terms of radius) and then by investigating the correlation between the characteristic length and the cutting forces. Such validation is based on the common belief that the larger the characteristic length is, the blunter the cutting edge is and the higher the cutting forces are. Interestingly, the results showed that the correlation is higher for the radius or focal length obtained with a constraint that the center of best fitted circle or the focus of the best fitted parabola should be on the bisectional line of the wedge angle of tool.