• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2021

7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7H-4MC) inhibits hyaluronan production in multiple cell lines and tissue types both in vitro and in vivo. It is a commercially available drug approved for human use, called hymecromone, in European and Asian countries to prevent biliary spasms. Nevertheless, as the pharmacological efficacy of 7H-4MC has not yet been reported in macrophages, this study investigated its anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of 7H-4MC (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 μM). The application of 7H-4MC significantly reduced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ production without cytotoxic effects. Additionally, 7H-4MC strongly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase. Furthermore, 7H-4MC reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. Finally, 7H-4MC exerted its potent anti-inflammatory actions via the upregulation of IκB-α production, which led to the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. These results, obtained in macrophage cell lines, suggest that 7H-4MC prevents inflammatory diseases via the NF-κB signaling pathway and that its use could be beneficial for human health. Ultimately, this is the first report describing the anti-inflammatory activity of 7H-4MC in a macrophage cell line.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.345-356
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• 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3-fatty acid, modulates multiple cellular functions. In this study, we addressed the effects of DHA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell calcium transient and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation under control and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, $100{\mu}M$) stimulated conditions. Cells were treated for 48 h with DHA concentrations from 3 to $50{\mu}M$. Calcium transient was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2-AM and eNOS phosphorylation was addressed by western blot. DHA dose-dependently reduced the ATP stimulated $Ca^{2+}$-transient. This effect was preserved in the presence of BAPTA (10 and $20{\mu}M$) which chelated the intracellular calcium, but eliminated after withdrawal of extracellular calcium, application of 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborane ($75{\mu}M$) to inhibit store-operated calcium channel or thapsigargin ($2{\mu}M$) to delete calcium store. In addition, DHA ($12{\mu}M$) increased ser1177/thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS under baseline conditions but had no significant effect on this ratio under conditions of ATP stimulation. In conclusion, DHA dose-dependently inhibited the ATP-induced calcium transient, probably via store-operated calcium channels. Furthermore, DHA changed eNOS phosphorylation suggesting activation of the enzyme. Hence, DHA may shift the regulation of eNOS away from a $Ca^{2+}$ activated mode to a preferentially controlled phosphorylation mode.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 2024

In this study, nanotoxicity tests were made by exposure of Artemia salina to copper (Cu 60-80 nm) and copper oxide (CuO 40 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations (0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/L). The LC₅₀ value of Cu (60-80 nm) NPs on the A. salina individuals at the beginning (0), 24^th, 48^th and 72^nd hours and elimination period was 52.37 mg/L while the LC₅₀ value of CuO (40 nm) NPs was 55.39 mg/L. The results of UV-Vis absorbance values showed that all statistical data revealed that maximum effect was observed between 24-30 hours and 25 ppm absorbance concentration was more effective. The multiple R, correlation coefficient (R2) and adjusted R2 values of Cu NP for the suitable Quadratic model were, respectively; 92.96 %, 86.42 % and 76.71 % while they are 98.31 %, 96.64 % and 94.25 % for CuO NP. Also, the data, was indicated effect size significantly changed based on the type and size of NP. Considering the microscope results, it was clearly noticed that A. salina organisms took the NPs in to their body. The accumulation in the gut of A. salina was observed and the images were taken with phase contrast microscope for both of NPs. The highest decrease for survival rates of A. salina individuals exposed to Cu NP was observed in the 10 ppm concentration (43.47 %) and in the 5 ppm concentration (46.20 %) for CuO NP. The results revealed that Cu and CuO NPS showed different toxic effects and that Cu NPs were more toxic than CuO.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1517-1527
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• 2020

This study is about the UV protection effect and water resistance of a multiple emulsion (W/O/W) sunblock cream applied with emotional engineering and reports an actual industrial case. Multiple emulsion system of sunblock cream has the characteristics of changing to a W/O type that is soft and moist when applied, and has excellent water resistance after absorption. Multiple emulsion cream is a highly functional sunblock cream that has both moisture and water resistance. It is a stable milky white cream with a viscosity of 36,000 cps. The organic sunscreen used for the sunscreen was ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate and bisethylhexyloxyphenolmethoxyphenyltriazine. Hexagonal zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that block both UVB and UVA were used. As a result of measuring the UV protection effect by the in-vitro method, the UV protection effect (SPF) is 78.9 for multiple emulsion cream, 76.7 for W/O cream, and 71.3 for O/W cream. It was found that the blocking effect was different. This obtained the highest effect value in the multiple emulsion. As a clinical (in-vivo) result of the UV protection effect, the SPF value representing the UV protection effect of the sunblock cream developed with a multiple emulsion system was 85.7, and the PA-value that blocks the UVA area was 26.5, and ++++. It was found that it has a corresponding high blocking effect. As a result of the water resistance test, the W/O/W formulation had a high waterproofing resistance of 93.8% even after 4 hours, W/O had 75.4%, and O/W had a low water resistance of 25.3%. In the results of the HUT test, it was found in the order of multiple emulsion sun block cream > hydrophilic cream > lipophilic cream. Based on the research results of this multiple emulsion, it is expected to be highly active as a sunblock cream dedicated to outdoor activities by improving the feeling of use, UV protection index, and water resistance. Therefore, in this study, a multiple emulsion system of sunblock cream is developed and has a characteristic that changes to a W/O type that has a soft and moist feeling when applied, and has excellent water resistance after absorption.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2024

The creation of vertically aligned one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures through the decoration of n-type tin oxide (SnO₂) on p-type chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) constitutes an effective strategy for enhancing gas sensing performance. These heterostructures are deposited in multiple stages using a glancing angle deposition technique with an electron beam evaporator, resulting in a reduction in the surface porosity of the nanorods as SnO₂ is incorporated. In comparison to Cr₂O₃ films, the bare Cr₂O₃ nanorods exhibits a response 3.3 times greater to 50 ppm H₂S at 300℃, while the SnO₂-decorated Cr₂O₃ nanorods demonstrate an eleven-fold increase in response. Furthermore, when subjected to various gases (CH₄, H₂S, CO₂, H₂), a notable selectivity toward H₂S is observed. This study paves the way for the development of p-type semiconductor sensors with heightened selectivity and sensitivity towards H₂S, thus advancing the prospects of gas sensor technology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.400.1-400.1
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• 2016

Interfacial engineering approaches as an efficient strategy for improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) has attracted considerable attention. Recently, polymer surface modifiers, such as poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE), were introduced to produce low WF electrodes and were reported to have good electron selectivity for inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) without an n-type metal oxide layer. To obtain more efficient solar cells, quantum dots (QDs) are used as effective sensitizers across a broad spectral range from visible to near IR. Additionally, they have the ability to efficiently generate multiple excitons from a single photon via a process called carrier multiplication (CM) or multiple exciton generation (MEG). However, in general, it is very difficult to prepare a bilayer structure with an organic layer and a QD interlayer through a solution process, because most solvents can dissolve and destroy the organic layer and QD interlayer. To present a more effective strategy for surpassing the limitations of traditional methods, we studied and fabricated the highly efficient iPSCs with mono-layered QDs as an effective multi-functional layer, to enhance the quantum yield caused by various effects of QDs monolayer. The mono-layered QDs play the multi-functional role as surface modifier, sub-photosensitizer and electron transport layer. Using this effective approach, we achieve the highest conversion efficiency of ~10.3% resulting from improved interfacial properties and efficient charge transfer, which is verified by various analysis tools.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2013

Reinforced concrete structures have been increasingly widely used in numerous industrial fields. These structures are often exposed to severely corrosive environments such as seawater, contaminated water, acid rain, and the seashore. Thus, the corrosion problems that occur with the steel bars embedded in concrete are very important from the safety and economic points of view. In this study, the effects of the cover thickness on the corrosion properties of reinforced steel bars embedded in multiple mortar test specimens immersed in seawater for 5 years were investigated using electrochemical methods such as the corrosion potentials, polarization curves, cyclic voltammograms, galvanostat, and potentiostat. The corrosion potentials shifted in the noble direction, and the value of the AC impedance also exhibited a higher value with increasing cover thickness. Furthermore, the polarization resistance increased with increasing cover thickness, which means that the oxide film that is deposited on the surface of a steel bar surrounded by alkali environment exhibits better corrosion resistance because the water, chloride ions and dissolved oxygen have difficulty penerating to the surface of the steel bar with increasing cover thickness. Consequently, it is considered that the corrosion resistance of reinforced steel can be improved by increasing the cover thickness. However, the corrosion resistance values of a steel bar estimated by measuring the corrosion potential, impedance and polarization resistance were not in good agreement with its corrosion resistance obtained by polarization curves.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.462-467
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study investigated the influence of surface conditioning procedures and repeated firings on monoclinic content and strength of zirconia before cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sintered bar-shaped zirconia specimens were subjected to no surface treatment (control), air abrasion, or grinding (n=21). Their roughness was evaluated using a profilometer, and microscope analysis was performed on one specimen of each group. Then, 2 or 10 repeated firings (n=10) were executed, the monoclinic content of specimens was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and a three-point flexural strength test was performed. Surface roughness values were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests, the monoclinic content values were tested using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and the flexural strength values were tested using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P=.05). Spearman's correlation test was performed to define relationships among measured parameters. RESULTS. Surface-treated specimens were rougher than untreated specimens and had a higher monoclinic content (P<.005), and the relationship between roughness and monoclinic content was significant (P<.000). Neither surface treatment nor firing significantly affected the flexural strength, but Weibull analysis showed that for the air-abraded samples the characteristic strength was significantly lower after the $10^{th}$ firing than after the $2^{nd}$ firing. CONCLUSION. After firing, a negligible amount of monoclinic content remained on the zirconia surfaces, and rougher surfaces had higher monoclinic contents than untreated surfaces. Multiple firings could be performed if necessary, but the fracture probability could increase after multiple firings for rougher surfaces.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2011

Pulmonary siderosis is a pneumoconiosis caused by chronic iron inhalation. A diagnosis of pulmonary siderosis is based on a patient history of iron inhalation, on chest radiographic findings, and on accumulation of iron oxide in macrophages within the lung. A typical radiographic finding of pulmonary siderosis includes ill-defined micronodules that are diffusely distributed in the lung. We experienced a 52-year-woman with a $1.3{\times}1.5$-cm mass in the left upper lobe with multiple nodules in both lungs. Because the radiographic findings were atypical, we conducted a video-assisted thorascopic lung biopsy procedure to exclude the diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. After confirming iron deposition in the lung tissue and knowing the patient's occupational history of welding iron, we concluded that this was a case of pulmonary siderosis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.162-170
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• 2007

Currently, due to the serious world-wide air pollution by substances emitted from vehicles, emission control is enforced more firmly and it is expected that the regulation requirements for emission will become more severe. Anew concept combustion technology that can reduce the NOx and PM in relation to combustion is urgently required. Due to such social requirement, technologically advanced countries are making efforts to develop an environment-friendly vehicle engine at the nation-wide level in order to respond to the reinforced emission control. As a core combustion technology among new combustion technologies for the next generation engine, the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is expanding its application range by adopting multiple combustion mode, catalyst, direct fuel injection and partially premixed combustion. This study used a 2-staged injection method in order to apply the HCCI combustion method without significantly altering engine specifications in the aspect of multiple combustion mode and practicality by referring to the results of studies on the HCCI engine. And it is investigated that the effects of the engine rpm and load(or A/F) to emission characteristics.