• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2002

Cryopreservation is commonly used for an efficient utilization of semen, oocytes and embryos but has disadvantage in the survival, development of the post-thawed eggs. The high risk in the survival, development of eggs after thawing is thought to be caused by inappropriate internal regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ and/or formation of intracellular ice crystals. In this experiment, we tested whether the $Ca^{2+}$ current (iCa), a decisive factor to $Ca^{2+}$ entry, was altered in post-thawed oocytes by using whole cell voltage clamp technique. The quality and survival rates of the oocytes derived from both fresh and frozen groups were examined by morphology and FDA-test. Vitrified oocytes (VOs) were incubated for 4 hr after thawing and then donated to this experiment. Ethyleneglycol-ficoll-galactose (EFG) was used as a cryoprotectant for vitrification. The membrane potential was held at -80 mV and step depolarizations of 250 ms were applied from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments. The survival rates showed a higher in VOs vitrified with EFG containing $Ca^{2+}$ than in VOs vitrified with EFG under the $Ca^{2+}$-free condition (82.0% vs 14%). In group with/without $Ca^{2+}$, the survival rates were significantly (P<0.01) difference. In the fresh metaphase II oocytes (FOs), current-voltage (I-V) relationship showed that iCa began to activate at -40 mV and reached its maximum at -10 mV. With same voltage pulses, inward currents were elicited in VOs. I-V relationships observed in VOs were similar to those in FOs. Time constants of activation and inactivation of the inward current shown in VOs were not different to those in FOs. This accordance in I-V relations and time constants in FOs with those in VOs indicates that the inward currents in FOs are unaltered by vitrification and thawing. Therefore, vitrification with EFG does not play as a factor to deteriorate $Ca^{2+}$ entry across the membrane of the oocytes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.527-534
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• 1992

Raney nickel was used as catalyst in the hydrogen electrode for an alkaline fuel cell. The hydrogen electrode manufactured with the Raney nickel catalyst which was sintered at $700^{\circ}C$ was found to have the highest electrode performance. Using the Raney nickel powder of average particle size $90{\AA}$ for the electrode, the current density which had been measured was $450mA/cm^2$ at $80^{\circ}C$ using 6N KOH solution as an electrolyte. The effects of PTFE addition were investigated with CO-chemisorption, polarization curves and Tafel slope. CO-chemisorption had shown the optimum value when the Raney nickel was mixed with 5wt% of PTFE, but from the current density and Tafel slope at porous Raney nickel electrode, the appropriate value of PTFE addition was 10wt%. Recommendable Ni and Al portion for Raney nickel was 60 : 40 and loading amount was $0.25g/cm^2$. Also the influence of pressing pressure for manufacturing catalytic layer and for junction with gas diffusion layer was examined. The morphology of catalyst surface was investigated with SEM. The influence of reactivation time and heat-treatment temperature were also studied.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) has been used in traditional herbal medicines in Korea and other Asian countries to treat various diseases, including liver disorders. In the present study, the anti-fibrotic effects of O. japonicus extract (OJE) in cellular and experimental hepatofibrotic rat models were investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) system was used to estimate cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining techniques, respectively. In addition, thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis was established in Sprague Dawley rats. Briefly, animals were divided into five groups (n = 8): Control, TAA, OJE 10 (TAA with OJE 10 mg/kg), OJE 100 (TAA with OJE 100 mg/kg) and silymarin (TAA with Silymarin 50 mg/kg). Fibrosis was induced by treatment with TAA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice per week for 13 weeks, while OJE and silymarin were administered orally two times per week from week 7 to 13. The fibrotic related gene expression serum biomarkers glutathione and hydroxyproline were estimated by RT-PCR and spectrophotometry, respectively, using commercial kits. RESULTS: OJE (0.5 and 0.1 mg/ mL) and silymarin (0.05 mg/mL) treatment significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) induced apoptosis (16.95% and 27.48% for OJE and 25.87% for silymarin, respectively) in HSC-T6 cells when compared with the control group (9.09%). Further, rat primary HSCs showed changes in morphology in response to OJE 0.1 mg/mL treatment. In in vivo studies, OJE (10 and 100 mg/kg) treatment significantly ameliorated TAA-induced alterations in levels of serum biomarkers, fibrotic related gene expression, glutathione, and hydroxyproline (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) and rescued the histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: OJE can be developed as a potential agent for the treatment of hepatofibrosis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1125-1132
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• 2000

The pH effect of the precursor solution on the preparation of $LiCoO_2$ by a solution phase reaction containing malonic acid was carried out. Layered $LiCoO_2$ powders were obtained with the precursors prepared at the different pHs (4, 7, and 9) and heat-treated at $700^{\circ}C(LiCoO_2-700)$ or $850^{\circ}C(LiCoO_2-850)$ in air. pHs of the media for precursor synthesis affects the charge/discharge and electrochemical properties of the $LiCoO_2electrodes.$ Upon irrespective of pH of the precursor media, X-ray diffraction spectra recorded for $LiCoO_2-850$ powder showed higher peak intensity ratio of I(003)/I(104) than that of $LiCoO_2-700$, since the better crystallization of the former crystallized better. However, $LiCoO_2$ synthesized at pH 4 displayed an abnormal higher intensity ratio of I(003)/I(104) than those synthesized at pH 7 and 9. The surface morphology of the $LiCoO_2-850$ powders was rougher and more irregular than that of $LiCoO_2-700$ made from the precursor synthesized at pH 7 and 9. The $LiCoO_2electrodes$ prepared with the precursors synthesized at pH 7 and 9 showed a better electrochemical and charge/discharge characteristics. From the AC impedance spectroscopic experiments for the electrode made from the precursor prepared in pH 7, the chemical diffusivity of Li ions (DLi+) in $Li0.58CoO_2determined$ was 2.7 ${\times}$10-8 $cm^2s-1$. A cell composed of the $LiCoO_2-700$ cathode prepared in pH 7 with Lithium metal anode reveals an initial discharge specific capacity of 119.8 mAhg-1 at a current density of 10.0 mAg-1 between 3.5 V and 4.3 V. The full-cell composed with $LiCoO_2-700$ cathode prepared in pH 7 and the Mesocarbon Pitch-based Carbon Fiber (MPCF) anode separated by a Cellgard 2400 membrane showed a good cycleability. In addition, it was operated over 100 charge/discharge cycles and displayed an average reversible capacity of nearly 130 mAhg-1.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.781-787
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• 2014

The dimensionless extinction constants of particulate matter for F-76 diesel and JP-8 aviation fuels were measured at both 633 nm and 853 nm in the transmission cell where the simultaneous gravimetric measurement of PM concentration is compared to the light extinction measurement. For the F-76 diesel PM, the average value of the dimensionless extinction constants at 633 nm was 8.8 whereas that of the dimensionless extinction constants for JP-8 was 9.8 at the same wavelength. As the wavelength is increased to 853 nm, the average value for the F-76 diesel was reduced to 8.2 whereas that for JP-8 was decreased to 8.9.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

Objectives : The Glycyrrhiza new varieties, WONGAM and SINWONGAM, were developed through interspecific cross between Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis by the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration in Korea. This in vitro study was undertaken to compare the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects between Glycyrrhiza new varieties (WONGAM and SINWONGAM) and official compendia (Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Methods : Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhy drazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-rthylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) diammonium salt, Nitrite radical scavenging assay, and Reducing Power assay. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay and cell morphology was observed by an inverted microscope. Results : The DPPH, ABTS, Nitrite radical scavenging activities and reducing power of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM were evaluated at different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 ㎍/㎖). Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM showed similar dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic effects with increasing doses of Glycyrrhiza new varieties and official compendia did not differ in HCT116, HT29, A549, MDA-MB231, PC3, ACHN, and HeLa cells. However, significant difference in cytotoxicity were observed in AGS, MCF7 and Hep3B cells by Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WONGAM, and SINWONGAM. Conclusions : These results showed that Glycyrrhiza new varieties and official compendia acts as a potent antioxidant. Also, the finding that equivalent cytotoxic potency was observed in a cell dependent manner. Our study suggests that Glycyrrhiza new varieties may offer a wide-variety of health benefits.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-63
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• 2019

In view of the growing industrial use of Bacterial cellulose (BC), and taking into account that it might become airborne and be inhaled after industrial processing, assessing its potential pulmonary toxic effects assumes high relevance. In this work, the murine model was used to assess the effects of exposure to respirable BC nanofibrils (nBC), obtained by disintegration of BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages ($BMM{\Phi}$) were treated with different doses of nBC (0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively 1 and $10{\mu}g$ of fibrils) in absence or presence of 0.2% Carboxymethyl Cellulose (nBCMC). Furthermore, mice were instilled intratracheally with nBC or nBCMC at different concentrations and at different time-points and analyzed up to 6 months after treatments. Microcrystaline $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159, a plant-derived cellulose, was used for comparison. Markers of cellular damage (lactate dehydrogenase release and total protein) and oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity) as well presence of inflammatory cells were evaluated in brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Histological analysis of lungs, heart and liver tissues was also performed. BAL analysis showed that exposure to nBCMC or CMC did not induce major alterations in the assessed markers of cell damage, oxidative stress or inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid over time, even following cumulative treatments. $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159 significantly increased LDH release, detected 3 months after 4 weekly administrations. However, histological results revealed a chronic inflammatory response and tissue alterations, being hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries (observed 3 months after nBCMC treatment) of particular concern. These histological alterations remained after 6 months in animals treated with nBC, possibly due to foreign body reaction and the organism's inability to remove the fibers. Overall, despite being a safe and biocompatible biomaterial, BC-derived nanofibrils inhalation may lead to lung pathology and pose significant health risks.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.80-85
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• 2019

Vanadium dioxide is a well-known metal-insulator phase transition material. Lots of researches of vanadium redox flow batteries have been researched as large scale energy storage system. In this study, vanadium oxide($VO_x$) thin films were applied to cathode for lithium ion battery. The $VO_x$ thin films were deposited on Si substrate($SiO_2$ layer of 300 nm thickness was formed on Si wafer via thermal oxidation process), quartz substrate by RF magnetron sputter system for 60 minutes at $500^{\circ}C$ with different RF powers. The surface morphology of as-deposited $VO_x$ thin films was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The crystallographic property was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The optical properties were characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer. The coin cell lithium-ion battery of CR2032 was fabricated with cathode material of $VO_x$ thin films on Cu foil. Electrochemical property of the coin cell was investigated by electrochemical analyzer. As the results, as increased of RF power, grain size of as-deposited $VO_x$ thin films was increased. As-deposited thin films exhibit $VO_2$ phase with RF power of 200 W above. The transmittance of as-deposited $VO_x$ films exhibits different values for different crystalline phase. The cyclic performance of $VO_x$ films exhibits higher values for large surface area and mixed crystalline phase.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.123-130
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• 2019

The olfactory organ of the Korean endemic fish, Rhodeus uyekii, a mussel-spawning species, was researched anatomically, histologically and histochemically, for looking into a relation to the physical and chemical condition of its habitat and ecological habit, using stereo microscopy, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The external structure of the olfactory organ consists of the semicircular-shaped anterior nostril with arched shape at its forward position, posterior nostrils and the nasal flap. Within the olfactory chamber, it has the rosette structure with 14 to 15 lamellae which is largely divided into the sensory and non-sensory regions. The sensory region has the olfactory receptor neurons, the supporting cells, the basal cells, the lymphatic cells, and the plasma cells, while the non-sensory region has the stratified epithelial cells, the mucous cells with sulfomucin and 1 type of unidentified cell. In particular, the arched feature in the anterior nostril and the mucous cell of sulfomucin were unique.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.115-119
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• 2020

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology is state-of-the-art additive manufacturing process technology that produces a three-dimensional structure by irradiating a laser on a fine metal powder to perform the fusion of a specific area and repeat this process. Owing to the characteristics of the additive manufacturing process, the melting phenomenon of the metal material by the laser has directionality depending on the process conditions, such as the irradiation direction of the laser and the build-up direction. For this reason, the composition of the metal material in the structure exhibits non-uniform characteristics. In this study, aluminum (AlSi10Mg) specimens were manufactured by applying SLM technology, and the material composition characteristics of the specimen were analyzed. The specimens were manufactured as cylinders by the build-up orientation of 0°, 45°, and 90°. The surface morphology of the specimen plane was analyzed optically. TEM analysis was performed on the core and the interface of the melting-pool inside the specimen generated by laser irradiation. The analysis results confirmed that there was a difference between the nano cell structure of the core and the interface of the melting-pool, and that the composition ratio of Si appeared higher at the interface than at the core of the cell.