• 공업화학
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.664-670
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• 2021

스테인리스강은 기계적 강도와 전기 전도성이 우수하고 가공이 용이하여 고분자전해질 연료전지의 분리판으로 적용되고 있다. 하지만 스테인리스강의 부식으로 인하여 접촉 저항이 증가하여 연료전지 성능이 저하하는 문제점이 있고, 귀금속 재료를 코팅하여 내식성을 높일 수 있으나 비용이 증가하는 단점이 있다. 금속 분리판의 내구성 확보와 경제성 개선을 위하여 고분자전해질 연료전지에서 스테인리스 강 분리판의 부식 거동과 부동태막에 의한 영향을 분석할 필요가 있다. 본 연구에서는 반응 면적이 25 cm²인 SUS316L 분리판을 제작하였고, 수소극과 공기극에 대한 SUS316L 분리판의 부식 거동을 분석하였다. SUS316L 분리판 부식이 연료전지 성능에 미치는 영향을 분극 곡선과 임피던스, 접촉저항을 측정하여 평가하였다. 연료전지 구동 간에 배출 수를 포집하여 SUS316L 분리판에서 용출된 금속 이온의 농도를 분석하였다. SUS316L 분리판에 대하여 공기극에서보다 수소극에서 부식이 활발하게 발생하는 것을 확인하였다. 연료전지 반응에 따라 부동태막이 형성되어 접촉 저항이 증가하였고, 부동태막이 형성된 이후에도 지속적으로 금속 이온이 용출되었다.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2019년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.112-112
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• 2019

Baicalein is one of the main flavonoids derived from roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a traditional Oriental medicine. Although baicalein has high antitumor effect on several human carcinomas, the mechanism responsible for this property is not unclear. In this study, the data revealed that baicale-ininduced growth inhibition was associated with the induction of apoptosis connecting with cytochrome c release, down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl and increased the percentage of cells with a loss of mitochondria membrane permeabilization. Baicalein also induced the proteolytic activation of caspases and cleavage of PARP; however, blockage of caspases activation by z-VAD-fmk inhibited baicalein-induced apoptosis. In addition, baicalein enhanced the formation of autophagosomes and up-regulated LC3-II/LC3-I ratio. Interestingly, the pretreatment of bafilomycin A1 recovered baicalein-induced cell death suggesting that autophagy by baicalein roles as protective autophagy. Taken together, our results indicated that this flavonoid induces apoptosis and cell protective autophagy. These data means combination treatment with baicalein and autophagy inhibitor might be a promising anticancer drug.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.306-314
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• 2019

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) 저해제는 부작용이 적어 제2형 당뇨병의 2차 용법으로 널리 사용되고 있다. 우리는 human DPP-4 (hDPP-4) 유전자를 돼지 zygote의 전핵에 주입한 후, 1 세포 단계의 수정란을 외과적 방법으로 이식하였고, 마지막으로 꼬리에서 hDPP-4 유전자가 발현되는 형질 전환 돼지를 생산하는데 성공했다. 이식한 3두의 임신돈에서 16두의 자돈이 생산되었고, 이들 가운데 1두의 수컷 자돈에서 형질전환 개체가 확인되었다. Western blot과 RT-PCR 분석을 통해 hDPP-4가 형질 전환 돼지의 막 세포에서 강하게 발현되고, hDPP-4 유전자가 다양한 조직과 꼬리에서 각각 발현되고 있음을 확인하였다. 이것은 발현 벡터가 형질 전환 돼지에서 정상적으로 발현된다는 것을 시사한다. 이번 연구 결과는 인슐린 저항성에 대한 내분비 기능을 확인하는 모델 동물로, hDPP-4 형질 전환 돼지가 인슐린 저항성에 대한 내분비 기능을 확인할 수 있는 새로운 신약에 대한 검증의 소재로서 가치를 높일 것으로 기대된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권9호
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• pp.672-685
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• 2019

Currently, liver transplantation is the only available remedy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Conservation of transplanted liver graft is the most important issue as it directly related to patient survival. Carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) protects cells against oxidative stress and cell death by inactivating cellular membrane-derived lipid aldehydes. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury during living-donor liver transplantation is known to form reactive oxygen species. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether CBR1 transcription might be increased during liver I/R injury and whether such increase might protect liver against I/R injury. Our results revealed that transcription factor Nrf2 could induce CBR1 transcription in liver of mice during I/R. Pre-treatment with sulforaphane, an activator of Nrf2, increased CBR1 expression, decreased liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase, and reduced I/R-related pathological changes. Using oxygen-glucose deprivation and recovery model of human normal liver cell line, it was found that oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation products were significantly lowered in cells overexpressing CBR1. Conversely, CBR1 knockdown cells expressed elevated levels of oxidative stress proteins compared to the parental cell line. We also observed that Nrf2 and CBR1 were overexpressed during liver transplantation in clinical samples. These results suggest that CBR1 expression during liver I/R injury is regulated by transcription factor Nrf2. In addition, CBR1 can reduce free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation. Taken together, CBR1 induction might be a therapeutic strategy for relieving liver I/R injury during liver transplantation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.272-281
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• 2019

Background: Diabetic sensorineural damage is a complication of the sensory neural system, resulting from long-term hyperglycemia. Red ginseng (RG) has shown efficacy for treatment of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus; however, there is little research about its benefit for treating sensorineural damage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate RG efficacy in alloxan-induced diabetic neuromast (AIDN) zebrafish. Methods: In this study, we developed and validated an AIDN zebrafish model. To assess RG effectiveness, we observed morphological changes in live neuromast zebrafish. Also, zebrafish has been observed to have an ultrastructure of hair-cell cilia under scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we recorded these physiological traits to assess hair cell function. Finally, we confirmed that RG promoted neuromast recovery via nerve growth factor signaling pathway markers. Results: First, we established an AIDN zebrafish model. Using this model, we showed via live neuromast imaging that RG fostered recovery of sensorineural damage. Damaged hair cell cilia were recovered in AIDN zebrafish. Furthermore, RG rescued damaged hair cell function through cell membrane ion balance. Conclusion: Our data suggest that RG potentially facilitates recovery in AIDN zebrafish, and its mechanism seems to be promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway through increased expression of topomyosin receptor kinase A, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily type 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.207-212
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• 2019

Non-aqueous solvents (NASs) are generally known to be barely miscible, and reactive with polar compounds, such as water. However, water can interact with some NASs, which can be used as a new means for water recovery from saline water. This study explored the fate of water and salt in NAS, when saline water is mixed with NAS. Three amine solvents were selected as NAS. They had the same molecular formula, but were differentiated by their molecular structures, as follows: 1) NAS 'A' having the hydrophilic group ($NH_2$) at the end of the straight carbon chain, 2) NAS 'B' with symmetrical structure and having the hydrophilic group (NH) at the middle of the straight carbon chain, 3) NAS 'C' having the hydrophilic group ($NH_2$) at the end of the straight carbon chain but possessing a hydrophobic ethyl branch in the middle of the structure. In batch experiments, 0.5 M NaCl water was blended with NASs, and then water and salt content in the NAS were individually measured. Water absorption efficiencies by NAS 'B' and 'C' were 3.8 and 10.7%, respectively. However, salt rejection efficiency was 98.9% and 58.2%, respectively. NAS 'A' exhibited a higher water absorption efficiency of 35.6%, despite a worse salt rejection efficiency of 24.7%. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation showed the different interactions of water and salts with each NAS. NAS 'A' formed lattice structured clusters, with the hydrophilic group located outside, and captured a large numbers of water molecules, together with salt ions, inside the cluster pockets. NAS 'B' formed a planar-shaped cluster, where only some water molecules, but no salt ions, migrated to the NAS cluster. NAS 'C', with an ethyl group branch, formed a cluster shaped similarly to that of 'B'; however, the boundary surface of the cluster looked higher than that of 'C', due to the branch structure in solvent. The MD simulation was helpful for understanding the experimental results for water absorption and salt rejection, by demonstrating the various interactions between water molecules and the salts, with the different NAS types.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.993-1005
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• 2021

Objective: Zearalenone (ZEA) has estrogen-like effects. Our previous study has shown that ZEA (0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg) could induce abnormal uterine proliferation through transforming growth factor signaling pathway. To further study the other regulatory networks of uterine hypertrophy caused by ZEA, the potential mechanism of ZEA on porcine endometrial epithelial cells (PECs) was explored by the Illumina Hiseq 2000 sequencing system. Methods: The PECs were treated with ZEA at 0 (ZEA0), 5 (ZEA5), 20 (ZEA20), and 80 (ZEA80) µmol/L for 24 h. The collected cells were subjected to cell cycle, RNA-seq, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis. Results: The proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases decreased (p<0.05), but the proportion of cells in the G1 phase increased (p<0.05) in the ZEA80 treatment. Data analysis revealed that the expression of Wnt pathway-related genes, estrogen-related genes, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-related genes increased (p<0.05), but the expression of genetic stability genes decreased (p<0.05) with increasing ZEA concentrations. The relative mRNA and protein expression of WNT1, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) were increased (p<0.05) with ZEA increasing, while the relative mRNA and protein expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) was decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, our immunofluorescence results indicate that β-catenin accumulated around the nucleus from the cell membrane and cytoplasm with increasing ZEA concentrations. Conclusion: In summary, ZEA can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by up-regulating WNT1 and β-catenin expression, to promote the proliferation and development of PECs. At the same time, the up-regulation of GSK-3β and down-regulation of CCND1, as well as the mRNA expression of other pathway related genes indicated that other potential effects of ZEA on the uterine development need further study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.167-175
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• 2021

Far-infrared rays (FIR) are known to have various effects on atoms and molecular structures within cells owing to their radiation and vibration frequencies. The present study examined the effects of FIR on gene expression related to glucose transport through microarray analysis in rat skeletal muscle cells, as well as on mitochondrial biogenesis, at high and low glucose conditions. FIR were emitted from a bio-active material coated fabric (BMCF). L6 cells were treated with 30% BMCF for 24 h in medium containing 25 or 5.5 mM glucose, and changes in the expression of glucose transporter genes were determined. The expression of GLUT3 (Slc2a3) increased 2.0-fold (p < 0.05) under 5.5 mM glucose and 30% BMCF. In addition, mitochondrial oxygen consumption and membrane potential (ΔΨm) increased 1.5- and 3.4-fold (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), respectively, but no significant change in expression of Pgc-1a, a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, was observed in 24 h. To analyze the relationship between GLUT3 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis under FIR, GLUT3 was down-modulated by siRNA for 72 h. As a result, the ΔΨm of the GLUT3 siRNA-treated cells increased 3.0-fold (p < 0.001), whereas that of the control group increased 4.6-fold (p < 0.001). Moreover, Pgc-1a expression increased upon 30% BMCF treatment for 72 h; an effect that was more pronounced in the presence of GLUT3. These results suggest that FIR may hold therapeutic potential for improving glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function in metabolic diseases associated with insufficient glucose supply, such as type 2 diabetes.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a potent carcinogen and is classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. In mammalian testes, Sertoli cells support spermatogenesis. Therefore, if these cells are negatively affected by exposure to xenotoxic chemicals, spermatogenesis can be seriously disrupted. In this context, we evaluated whether mouse testicular TM4 Sertoli cells are susceptible to the induction of cytotoxicity-mediated cell death after exposure to B[a] P in vitro. In the present study, while B[a]P and B[a]P-7,8-diol were not able to induce cell death, exposure to BPDE resulted in cell death. BPDE-induced cell death is accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-7. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and cytochrome c release from mitochondria were observed in benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE)-treated cells. These results indicate that TM4 cells are susceptible to apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression was almost undetectable in TM4 cells and that its expression was not altered after B[a]P treatment. This indicates that TM4 cells are nearly AhR-deficient. In TM4 cells, the CYP1A1 protein and its activity were not present. From these results, it is clear that AhR may be a prerequisite for CYP1A1 expression in TM4 cells. Therefore, TM4 cells can be referred to as CYP1A1-deficient cells. Thus, TM4 Sertoli cells are believed to have a rigid and protective cellular machinery against genotoxic agents. In conclusion, it is suggested that tolerance to B[a]P cytotoxicity is associated with insufficient AhR and CYP1A1 expression in testicular Sertoli cells.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

방사성의약품은 방사선을 방출하는 방사성동위원소를 의약품에 표지하여 진단 및 치료 목적으로 사용하는 의약품이다. 방사성의약품은 제조 및 품질관리기준을 준수하여 제조해야 하며, 환자에게 투여되기 전 품질관리시험을 실시하여 안전성을 입증해야 한다. 방사성의약품의 품질관리는 시험의 특성에 따라 생물학적 시험과 물리화학적 시험으로 분류할 수 있다. 생물학적 시험에는 무균시험, 엔도톡신시험, 여과막 완전성 시험이 있으며, 물리화학적 시험에는 성상, 확인시험, 방사화학적 순도시험, 이핵종 시험, 화학적 순도시험, 잔류용매 시험, pH, 불용성이물시험, 함량 등이 있다. 주사제의 형태로 제조되는 방사성의약품은 무균상태이어야 하므로 제조 후 무균시험 및 여과막 완전성 시험을 수행하여 완제의약품의 무균성을 입증하며, 원자재 및 제조과정에서 혼입될 수 있는 발열성 물질은 환자의 생명에 위험을 줄 수 있으므로 엔도톡신시험을 실시하여 발열물질의 오염여부를 확인한다. 방사성의약품은 화학적 합성에 의해 제조되기 때문에 완제의약품 내 부산물 및 불순물의 혼입여부를 평가해야 한다. 제조된 방사성의약품의 성상 및 불용성이물을 육안으로 확인하며, 완제의약품 내 잔류할 수 있는 부산물 및 유기용매 등은 환자에게 유해할 수 있으므로 화학적순도, 잔류용매 및 pH를 평가한다. 그리고 방사성의약품으로부터 방출되는 방사선을 이용하여 반감기, 방사화학적 순도, 이핵종, 함량 등을 평가하여 목적하는 방사성동위원소가 기준에 적합하게 의약품에 표지되었는지를 확인한다. 특히, 방사성의약품은 일반의약품과 다르게 방사선 피폭의 위험성이 항상 존재하기 때문에 품질관리 시 검사시간을 줄이도록 노력해야 하며, 방사성물질에 오염되지 않게 주의를 기울여야 한다.