• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.137-143
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• 2021

As an electrochemical water electrolysis for green hydrogen production, both polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyte are being developed extensively in various countries. The PEM electrolyzer with high current density (above 2 A/cm²) has the advantage of being able to design a simple structure. Also, it is known that it has high response to electrical output fluctuations. However, the cost problem of major components is the most important issue that a PEM electrolyzer must overcome. Instantly, there are platinum group metal (PGM)-based electrocatalysts, fluorine-based polyfluoro sulfuric acid (PFSA) membrane, Ti felt (porous transport layer, PTL) and so on. Another challenging issue is productivity. A securing outstanding productivity brings price benefits of the electrolytic cells. From this point of view, we conducted basic studies on manufacturing electrode and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for PEM electrolyzer production.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.167-173
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• 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupt the cellular redox balance, exert cytotoxic effects, and consequently promote the development of various diseases in humans. Previous studies have reported that antioxidants counteract the adverse effects of ROS. Several studies examine the whitening effects of various agents based on their ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is a critical enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin, which protects the skin against radiation. Various agents exhibiting antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities have been synthesized. However, these synthetic drugs are associated with toxicity, decreased safety, and poor skin penetration in vivo, which has limited the clinical application of synthetic drugs. This study examined the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of some microalgae. The methanol, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts of four microalgal species (Tetraselmis tetrathele, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Platymonas sp., and Chaetoceros simplex) were prepared. The physiological and whitening effects of microalgal extracts were investigated by measuring the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. The ethyl acetate extract of D. tertiolecta exhibited the highest antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Future studies must focus on examining the whitening effects of microalgae on cell lines to facilitate the development of microalga-based therapeutics for skin diseases, functional health foods, and whitening agents. Thus, microalgae have potential applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

In reproduction, mitochondria produce bioenergy, help to synthesize biomolecules, and support the ovaries, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryos, thereby facilitating healthy live births. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in oocytes and embryos during oogenesis and embryo development has not been clearly elucidated. The functional activity of mitochondria is crucial for determining the quality of oocytes and embryos; therefore, the underlying mechanism must be better understood. In this review, we summarize the specific role of mitochondria in reproduction in oocytes and embryos. We also briefly discuss the recovery of mitochondrial function in gametes and zygotes. First, we introduce the general characteristics of mitochondria in cells, including their roles in adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, and programmed cell death. Second, we present the unique characteristics of mitochondria in female reproduction, covering the bottleneck theory, mitochondrial shape, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ovarian aging, a diminished ovarian reserve, a poor ovarian response, and several reproduction problems in gametes and zygotes, such as aneuploidy and genetic disorders. Finally, we briefly describe which factors are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and how mitochondrial function can be recovered in reproduction. We hope to provide a new viewpoint regarding factors that can overcome mitochondrial dysfunction in the field of reproductive medicine.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.432-442
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• 2023

Characterizing the behavior of nuclear reactor plate fuels is vital to the progression of advanced fuel systems. The states of pre- and post-irradiation plates need to be determined effectively and efficiently prior to and following irradiation. Due to the hostile post-irradiation environment, characterization must be completed remotely. Laser-based characterization techniques enable the ability to make robust measurements inside a hot-cell environment. The Laser Shock (LS) technique generates high energy shockwaves that propagate through the plate and mechanically characterizes cladding-cladding interfaces. During an irradiation campaign, two Idaho National Laboratory (INL) fabricated MP-1 plates had a fuel breach in the cladding-cladding interface and trace amounts of fission products were released. The objective of this report is to characterize the cladding-cladding interface strengths in three plates fabricated using different fabrication processes. The goal is to assess the risk in irradiating future developmental and production fuel plates. Prior LS testing has shown weaker and more variability in bond strengths within INL MP-1 reference plates than in commercially produced vendor plates. Three fuel plates fabricated with different fabrication processes will be used to bound the bond strength threshold for plate irradiation insertion and assess the confidence of this threshold value.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2024

CIGS solar cells are thin film solar cells that have excellent light absorption coefficient and can be manufactured with high efficiency through the use of low materials. In Korea, they must pass KS certification for home and commercial installation. KS C 8562 is a standard for evaluating the durability of CIGS and thin film amorphous silicon solar modules and deals with contents such as light, temperature, humidity, and mechanical durability. Unlike general crystalline silicon solar modules, the CIGS solar module has a different behavior of output change through these environmental tests, so if it shows 90% or more of the rated output suggested by the manufacturer after the final test, it is judged to be a suitable product. In this paper, the output before and after individual tests was measured through the test method of KS C 8562 to observe the output change and to discover the vulnerabilities of the CIGS solar module when exposed to various environments. Through this, it was confirmed that humidity exposure was the most vulnerable and that it had output recovery characteristics for light (visible light and ultraviolet rays). This study attempted to present the output behavior characteristics and data of the CIGS module at the time when the high efficiency thin film photovoltaic module market is expected to be created in the future.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.172-178
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• 2005

[ $21{\alpha}$ ]- and ${\beta}$-Methylmelianodiol were isolated as the inhibitor of IL-5 bioactivity from Poncirus tripoliata. To develope as an anti-septic drug, the genotoxicity of $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ was subjected to high throughput toxicity screening (HTTS) because they revealed strong IL-5 inhibitory activity and limitation of quantity. Mouse lymphoma thymidine kinase ($tk^{+/-}$) gene assay (MOLY), single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay in mammalian cells and Ames reverse mutation assay in bacterial system were used as simplified, inexpensive, short-term in vitro screening tests in our laboratory. These compounds are not mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. Before performing the comet assay, $IC_{20}$ of $21{\alpha}-methylmelianodiol$ was determined the concentration of $25.51\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;21.99\;{\mu}g/mL$ with and without S-9, respectively. Also $21{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ was determined the concentration of $24.15\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;\;22.46\;{\mu}g/mL$ with and without S-9, respectively. In the comet assay, DNA damage was not observed both $21{\alpha}-methylmelianodiol\;and\;21{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ in mouse lymphoma cell line. Also, the mutant frequencies in the treated cultures were similar to the vehicle controls, and none of $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ with and without S-9 doses induced a mutant frequency over. twice the background. It is suggests that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ are non-mutagenic in MOLY assay. The results of this battery of assays indicate that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$ have no genotoxic potential in bacterial or mammalian cell systems. Therefore, we suggest that $21{\alpha}\;-and\;{\beta}-methylmelianodiol$, as the optimal candidates with both no genotoxic potential and IL-5 inhibitory effects must be chosen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7045-7056
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• 2013

Since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) less than a decade ago, this type of molecular intervention has been introduced to repress gene expression in vitro and also for in vivo studies in mammals. Understanding the mechanisms of action of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) underlies use as therapeutic agents in the areas of cancer and viral infection. Recent studies have also promoted different theories about cell-specific targeting of siRNAs. Design and delivery strategies for successful treatment of human diseases are becomingmore established and relationships between miRNA and RNAi pathways have been revealed as virus-host cell interactions. Although both are well conserved in plants, invertebrates and mammals, there is also variabilityand a more complete understanding of differences will be needed for optimal application. RNA interference (RNAi) is rapid, cheap and selective in complex biological systems and has created new insight sin fields of cancer research, genetic disorders, virology and drug design. Our knowledge about the role of miRNAs and siRNAs pathways in virus-host cell interactions in virus infected cells is incomplete. There are different viral diseases but few antiviral drugs are available. For example, acyclovir for herpes viruses, alpha-interferon for hepatitis C and B viruses and anti-retroviral for HIV are accessible. Also cancer is obviously an important target for siRNA-based therapies, but the main problem in cancer therapy is targeting metastatic cells which spread from the original tumor. There are also other possible reservations and problems that might delay or even hinder siRNA-based therapies for the treatment of certain conditions; however, this remains the most promising approach for a wide range of diseases. Clearly, more studies must be done to allow efficient delivery and better understanding of unwanted side effects of siRNA-based therapies. In this review miRNA and RNAi biology, experimental design, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects are discussed.

• 전자공학회논문지D
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• 제36D권10호
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

이 논문에서는 플래시 EEPROM 셀에서의 데이터 보존 특성을 개선하기 위해서 IPD(inter-poly-dielectrics) 층을 사용하는 새로운 제안에 관한 연구 결과들을 논의하였다. 이 연구를 위하여 약 10nm 두께의 게이트 산호막을 갖으며 또한 ONO 또는 ONON IPD 층을 갖는 적층형-게이트 플래시 EEPROM 셀들을 제작하였다. 측정 결과를 보면 ONO IPD 층을 갖는 소자들은 데이터 보존 특성이 심각하게 열화 되었으며, 그 특성의 활성화 에너지도 0.78 eV로 플래시 EEPROM 셀을 위하여 요구되는 최소 값(1.0 eV)보다 상당히 낮았다. 이는 구동 소자용 트랜지스터(peripheral MOSFET) 소자들의 게이트 산호막을 형성하기 위한 건열산화 공정 바로 직전에 실시하는 세정 공정 동안 IPD 층의 상층 산화막의 일부 또는 전부가 식각되었기 때문인 것으로 믿어진다. 반면에, ONON IPD 층을 갖는 소자들의 데이터 보존 특성은 상단히 (약 50% 이상) 개선되었으며 활성화 에너지도 1.1 eV인 것으로 나타났다. 이는 IPD 층에서 상층 산화막위에 있는 질화막이 그 세정 공정 동안 산화막이 식각되는 것을 방지해 주기 때문임에 틀림없다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

It is commonly acknowledged that bone morphogenic protein (BMP-2) functions as a potential osteogenic inducer in bone formation. Recently, several papers reported that bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSC) from human is not responsive to BMP-2 in comparison to high capacity of BMP-2 in the osteoinduction of stromal cell derived from bone marrow of rodent animals such as rat or mouse. In this study, we characterized BMSC derived from 11 years old donor for the responsiveness to rhBMP-2, dexamethasone (Dex) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D), in order to analyze their function in the early osteogenesis. The effect of over mentioned agents was evaluated by means of assessing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity/staining, RT-PCR analysis and von Kossa staining. In addition, we analyzed the meaning of expressed several osteoblastic markers such as alkaline phosphatase, collagen typeI, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin with relation to either differentiation or mineralization. Only in the presence of Dex, human BMSC could commit osteoblastic differentiation and matrix mineralization, and either BMP-2 or vitamin D treatment was not able to induce. But BMP-2 or Vitamin D showed potential synergy effect with Dex. ALP and bone sialoprotein were clearly expressed in response of Dex treatment compared to weak expression of osteopontin in early osteogenesis. Therefore, we expect that this study will contribute partly to elucidiating early osteogenesis mechanism in human, but variations among bone marrow donors must be considered through further study.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.539-556
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• 1995

Periodontal therapeutic modalities should be re-establishing and regenerating the periodontal tissue previously lost to the disease. To achieve periodontal regeneration, periodontal ligament cells must selective migrate to the deneded root surface, attached and proliferated it. Local pH concentration is one of the most factors that periodontal regeneration. The aims of this study were to examine on biological effects of pH to the human periodontal ligament cells in vitro, especially on the cell morphology, attachment, activity, vitality and viability. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured from extracted tooth for non-periodontal reason. Immediately after extraction, any soft tissue adhering to the cervical parts of the roots was carefully removed with a sterile curette. To produce different pH levels in the media, Eagle's MEM was adjusted from pH 6.6 to 8.2 in 0.2 intervals with 1 M NaOH and 1 N HCl. After cultivation, Then, Periodontal ligament cells were cultured at pH ranging from 6.6-8.2. attachment assay was done at 1, 2 day incubation and activity assay was done at 1, 2, 3 day incubation. The experiments were evaluated by scaning electron microscopic techniques (HITACHIX-650 Scaning Electron Microanalyzer, Tokyo, Japan), MTT assay, and the cultured periodontal ligament cells were fixed in neutral formalin for 24 hours and immunohistochemically processed by PCNA for proliferating ability. The surviving cells in the medium showed slightly increased volume and widening intercellular distances at low concentration of pH than control group (pH 7.4), and apparently shrinkage at high concentration of pH than control group (pH 7.4). The results of the statistical analysis from the experiment on attachment, vitality and viability were as follows. Attachment of periodontal ligament cells at 1st and 2nd day, similar attachment rate of low concentration pH compared with control value (pH 7.4). But above pH 8.0, attachment rate were statistically significant decrease from control value(P<0.05). Periodontal ligament cell's activities were maximum at pH 7.6 by MTT assay. Similar with control value at low concentration of pH. But, the activities were statistically significant decrease at high concentraration of pH(P<0.05). Cellular proliferating rate (PCNA index) were statistically significant decrease from control value at low and high concentration of pH(p<0.05). This results suggested that hjgh concentration pH, in other words, alkali pH was cytotoxic effects on human periodontal ligament cells in vitro.