• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2016

Objectives : Rheum undulatum Linne and Glycyrriza uralensis Fischer are widely used herbal medicine. In this study, anti-oxidant and liver protective effects of R. undunlatum extract (RUE) and G. uralensis extract (GUE) were investigated in HepG2 cells, respectively. Oxidative stress and liver fibrosis were induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and iron, and CCl₄.Methods : MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of apoptosis related proteins. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction were measured. In vivo, BALB/c mouse were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of 10 mg/kg RUE and 100 mg/kg GUE for 3 days and then, injected with CCl₄ 0.5 ml/kg body weight to induce acute liver damage. Serum ALT level was measured, and histological change was observed in Harris's hematoxylin and eosin stainResults : RUE and GUE pre-treatment increased relative cell viability in concentration dependent manner and altered the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as procaspase 3, PARP and Bcl-xL. RUE and GUE also inhibited the mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by AA and iron. In addition, RUE and GUE activated liver kinase B1 (LKB1), by increasing phosphorylation. Moreover, RUE and GUE treatment decreased liver injuries induced by CCl₄, as evidenced by decreases in histological liver damage as well as serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) level.Conclusions : These data suggest that RUE and GUE has anti-oxidant and liver protective effects against AA and iron-induced oxidative stress and CCl₄-induced liver injury.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2010

Alloying degree is an important structural factor of PtRu catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). In this work, carbon supported PtRu catalysts were synthesized by reduction method using anhydrous ethanol as a solvent and $NaBH_4$ as a reducing agent. Using anhydrous ethanol as a solvent resulted in high alloying degree and good dispersion. The morphological structure and crystallanity of synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). CO stripping and methanol oxidation reaction were measured. Due to high alloying degree catalyst prepared in anhydrous ethanol, exhibited low onset potential for methanol oxidation and negative peak shift of CO oxidation than commercial sample. Consequently, samples, applying ethanol as a solvent, exhibited not only enhanced CO oxidation, but also increased methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity compared with commercial PtRu/C (40 wt%, E-tek) and 40 wt% PtRu/C prepared in water solution.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.423-435
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of TGF-βl, which promotes differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, on bone regeneration. Experimental bone defects that measured 3 mm in diameter were created on the mandibles of guinea pig by removal of bone with the use of trephine burs. In one side of mandibular body, the experimental groups, bone defects were grafted with Biogran(Orthovita Co., U.S.A) and TGF-β1(R&D System Co., U.SA). In the remaining side of the mandiblar body, the control groups, bone defects were grafted with only Biogran. Guinea pigs in the control and experimental groups were serially terminated by fours on the 3 days, the 1 week, the 2 weeks, the 3 weeks, and the 4 weeks after experiment, and both sides of the mandibular bodies were removed and fixed with 10％ neutral formalin. They were decalcified and embedded in paraffin as using the usual method. The specimen sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Also, they were radiographed with a soft X -ray apparatus. The obtained results were as follows; 1. Hemorrhagic condition, observed in the granulation tissues, disappeared on the 1 week after experiment in both groups, and more prominent in the experimental group. The granulation tissues of the experimental group had larger number of cells than those of the control group. 2. Osteoblastic differentiation in the margin of grafted material and adjacent bone was observed on the 1 week after experiment in both groups. Also, bone formation was observed in immature form on the 1 week after experiment. and more prominent in the experimental group. 3. In the polarizing microscopic examination, bone matrix was very loose on the 1 week after experiment, but increase in density with time, and more prominent in the experimental group. 4. In the microradiographic examination, newly formed bone was observed in the experimental group on the 2 weeks after experiment, and this was observed earlier than in the control group. Newly formed bone was increased with time and defected area was markedly decreased on the 4 weeks after experiment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.797-808
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility of microporous, spherical biphasic calcium phosphate(BCP) ceramics with a 60/40 $hydroxyapatite/{\beta}$ -tricalcium phosphate weight ratio for application as a bone graft substitute. Materials and Methods : Microporous, spherical BCP granules(MGSB) were prepared and their basic characteristics were compared with commercially available BCP(MBCP; Biomatlante, France) and deproteinized bovine bone mineral(Bio-Oss; GBistlich-Pharma, Switzerland, BBP; Oscotec. Korea), Their physicochemical properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. Cell viability and proliferation of MC3T3-El cells on different graft materials were evaluated. Results : MGSB granules showed a chemical composition and crystallinity similar with those in MBCP, they showed surface structure characteristic of three dimensionally, well-interconnected micropores. The results of MTT assay showed increases in cell viablity with increasing incubation times. At 4d of incubation, MGSB, MBCP and BBP showed similar values in optical density, but Bio-Oss exhibited significantly lower optical density compared to other bone substitutes(p <0,05). MGSB showed significantly greater cell number compared to other bone substitutes at 3, 5, and 7d of incubation(p <0,05), which were similar with those in polystyrene culture plates. Conclusion: These results indicated the suitable physicochemical properties of MGSB granules for application as an effective bone graft substitute. which provided compatible environment for osteoblast cell growth. However, further detailed studies are needed to confirm its biological effects on bone formation in vivo.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma usually occurs in women and is associated with a past hysterectomy in 80% of the cases, which is a rare entity. The patient was a 39-year-old woman who complained of cough and sputum. She underwent hysterectomy because of benign leiomyoma ten years ago. Chest X-ray showed nodular lesion in the left lung field. Chest CT showed a 3cm sized round well defined mass at left hilum with mild indentation of segmental bronchi of left upper lobe and a small tiny nodule in right lower lung field. Nodular lesion of left upper 1000 was resected by thoracotomy. Pathological evaluation showed benign spindle-like cells having nuclei without cytotic atypia similar to those of benign leiomyoma. Immunohistochernical stainings for desmin and smooth muscle actin were positive. Therefore these nodules are considered as benign metastasizing leiomyoma from a uterine leiomyoma. We report this case with the review of literature.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2004

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the embryonic developmental capacity and pregnancy rates in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm or testicular sperm cycles. Materials and Methods: Fertilization was examined in the following morning after IVF (group I), ICSI (group II) or TESE-ICSI cycles (group III). Fertilized oocytes were co-cultured with Vero cells until embryo transfer (ET). On day 2 and $5{\sim}7$, grades of embryos (<4- or $\geq$4-cell) and blastocysts (BG1, 2, 3 or early) were evaluated. Clinical pregnancy rate was determined by detecting G-sac with transvaginal ultrasonogram. We analyzed the results by $X^2$ and Student's t-test and considered statistically significant when P value was less than 0.05. Results: Fertilization rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I ($79.0{\pm}21.2%$) than in group II and III ($56.8{\pm}21.6%$ and $36.7{\pm}25.3%$). Cleavage and blastulation rate of group I ($95.8{\pm}13.8%$ and $59.5{\pm}25.3%$) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of group III ($83.4{\pm}18.6%$ and $40.4{\pm}36.5%$). Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I and II (40.7% and 41.7%) than that in group III (12.5%). No differences were found in the rates of multiple pregnancy and abortion among three groups. Embryonic implantation rate was higher in group I ($15.1{\pm}20.2%$, p<0.05) and II ($14.7{\pm}20.6%$, NS) than that in group III ($5.1{\pm}15.6%$). However, embryonic implantation rate was increased in ET with blastocyst(s) among three groups. Conclusions: Fertilized oocytes obtained from TESE-ICSI were harder to be successfully cultured to blastocyst stage for 5$\sim$7 days than that from IVF cycles. However, all blastocyst(s) ET increased the embryonic implantation rate equally in IVF, ICSI and TESE-ICSI cycles.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

This research examined the presence of hazardous materials in chemical workplace field using an integrated chemical/biological monitoring. Chemical workplace field air for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis was collected using a collection tube packed with Tena.x TA adsorbent 400 mg. Workplace field air samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Simultaneously, Tradescantia BNL 4430 clone was exposed in situ to monitor hazardous materials in chemical workplace field. GC/MS analysis showed the presence of various VOCs such as trichloroethylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, (m,p,o)-xylenes, styrene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The results showed that in situ monitoring of VOCs with the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay gave positive results in chemical workplace field and negative response at outdoor air. In conclusion, inhalation of these field air by workers may affect chronic demage to their health by inducing micronuclei formation in Tradescantia pollen mother cells. The combination of chemical/biological monitoring is very effective to evaluate hazardous materials in workplace field and can be alternatively used for screening hazardous materials.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.219-223
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• 1998

Anthers contanining uninucleate microspores of eight cultivars of pepper were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.004mg/L 2,4-D and 0.1mg/L kinetin, 3% sucrose and 0.2% Gelrite, kept at $35^{\circ}C$ for 24 h, and then cultured at $25^{\circ}C$ with a photoperiod of 16 h daylight for 40 days. Frequency of embryoid and callus formation was varied with cultivars. Embryoid formation was found in Cheongyang and Fushimi Amanaga, while callus formation was in California Wonder, Fushimi Amanaga and Geoseong. In anther culture medium supplemented with 1% activated charcoal, embryoid formation was found with 0.5% of frequency only in Cheongyang, while no callus formation was found. In 1/2MS medium, frequency of embryoid formation in Shishitou, Yatsufusa and Taka no Tsume was 1.2%, 0.4% and 0.4%, respectively. On the other hand, in 1/2 B5 medium, frequency of callus formation in Yatsufusa and Taka no Tsume was 2.8% and 2.7%, respectively. Embryoids transferred to hormone-free MS medium were developed to plantlets and acclimatized. The number of chromosomes in the root tip cells of the haploid plant was 2n=$\times$=12 in cv. Cheongyang.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.264-269
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• 2014

The molecular interaction between tumor suppressor p53 and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins plays an essential role in the transcription-independent apoptotic pathway of p53. In this study, we investigated the binding of p53 DNA-binding domain (p53DBD) with the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2, using GST pull-down assay and NMR spectroscopy. The GST pull-down assays and NMR experiments demonstrated the direct binding of the p53DBD with Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2. Further, NMR chemical shift perturbation data showed that Bcl-w and Mcl-1 bind to the positively charged DNA-binding surface of p53DBD. Noticeably, the refined structural models of the complexes between p53DBD and Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2 showed that the binding mode of p53DBD is highly conserved among the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Furthermore, the chemical shift perturbations on Bcl-w, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2 induced by p53DBD binding occurred not only at the p53DBD-binding acidic region but also at the BH3 peptide-binding pocket, which suggests an allosteric conformational change similar to that observed in Bcl-$X_L$. Taken altogether, our results revealed a structural basis for a conserved binding mechanism between p53DBD and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, which shed light on to the molecular understanding of the transcription-independent apoptosis pathway of p53.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.34-40
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• 2012

$Pt_{10}$/C, $Pt_9Mn_1$/C, $Pt_7Mn_3$/C electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells(PEMFCs) were synthesized by reduction with HCHO and their activity as a oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) was examined at half cell. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) was studied by using a glaasy carbon electrode through cyclic voltammetric curves(CV) in a 1 M $H_2SO_4$ solution. The ORR activities of $Pt_9Mn_1$/C were higher than $Pt_{10}$/C, $Pt_7Mn_3$/C. Also potential-current curves of $Pt_9Mn_1$/C at 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6V for 5minutes respectively were higher than $Pt_{10}$/C, $Pt_7Mn_3$/C. Physical characterization was made by using x-ray diffraction(XRD) and transmission electron microscope(TEM). The TEM images of $Pt_9Mn_1$/C, $Pt_{10}$/C catalysts showed homogenous particle distribution with particle size of about 2.7 nm, 3 nm respectively and then the XRD results showed that the crystalline structure of the synthesized catalysts are seen FCC structure.