Spherical Li3V2(PO4)3 (LVP) and carbon-coated LVP with a monoclinic phase for the cathode materials are synthesized by a hydrothermal method using N2H4 as the reducing agent and saccharose as the carbon source. The results show that single phase monoclinic LVP without impurity phases such as LiV(P2O7), Li(VO)(PO4) and Li3(PO4) can be obtained after calcination at 800 oC for 4 h. SEM and TEM images show that the particle sizes are 0.5~2 μm and the thickness of the amorphous carbon layer is approximately 3~4 nm. CV curves for the test cell are recorded in the potential ranges of 3.0~4.3 V and 3.0~4.8 V at a scan rate of 0.01 mV s–1 and at room temperature. At potentials between 3.0 and 4.8 V, the third Li+ ions from the carbon-coated LVP can be completely extracted, at voltages close to 4.51 V. The carbon-coated LVP exhibits an initial specific discharge capacity of 118 mAh g–1 in the voltage region of 3.0 to 4.3 V at a current rate of 0.2 C. The results indicate that the reducing agent and carbon source can affect the crystal structure and electrochemical properties of the cathode materials.

Zinc oxide(ZnO) micro/nanocrystals are grown via thermal evaporation of ZnO powder mixed with Mn powder, which is used as a reducing agent. The ZnO/Mn powder mixture produces ZnO micro/nanocrystals with diverse morphologies such as rods, wires, belts, and spherical shapes. Rod-shaped ZnO micro/nanocrystals, which have an average diameter of 360 nm and an average length of about 12 μm, are fabricated at a temperature as low as 800 °C due to the reducibility of Mn. Wireand belt-like ZnO micro/nanocrystals with length of 3 μm are formed at 900 °C and 1,000 °C. When the growth temperature is 1,100 °C, spherical shaped ZnO crystals having a diameter of 150 nm are synthesized. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that ZnO had hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. A strong ultraviolet emission peak and a weak visible emission band are observed in the cathodoluminescence spectra of the rod- and wire-shaped ZnO crystals, while visible emission is detected for the spherical shaped ZnO crystals.

비만은 대사증후군과 밀접한 관련이 있다. 본 연구는 8주간 고지방식이를 섭취한 쥐에서 고지혈증 치료제인 피노피브레이트(fenofibrate) 단독처방, 수영운동 단독처방 및 fenofibrate와 수영운동의 병합처방이 비만을 조절하는지를 조사하고, fenofibrate와 수영운동의 병합처방이 fenofibrate 단독처방에 비해 효과적으로 비만을 조절하는지를 분석하였다. Fenofibrate 단독처방과 수영운동 단독처방 모두 대조군에 비해 비만과 관련된 요소들인 몸무게, 지방무게, 혈청 지질성분 및 지방세포 크기를 감소시켰다. 쥐는 fenofibrate와 수영운 동의 병합처방 되었을 경우 fenofibrate 단독처방 되었을 경우에 비해 비만과 관련된 요소들이 더 효과적으로 감소되었다. 대조군에 비해 fenofibrate 단독처방, 수영운동 단독처방 및 fenofibrate와 수영운동의 병합처방 모두 혈청 포도당 수치를 감소시켰다. 본 연구는 fenofibrate와 수영운동의 병합처방이 비만과 혈당을 효과적으로 조절함으로써 고지방식이 섭취로 인해 발생되는 대사증후군의 억제에 공헌할 것임을 제시하고 있다.

Disulfiram is a drug used to treat alcohol dependence. Recent studies have shown that disulfiram also has anti-cancer effects. Considering that many anti-cancer agents have side effects, including immunosuppression, it is important to check if disulfiram has some cytotoxicity to immune cells. In this study, mouse spleen cells were treated with disulfiram and the metabolic activity was measured. Disulfiram increased the cell death of spleen cells according to annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis. In addition, disulfiram decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential of spleen cells. The toxicity of disulfiram was concentration dependent. Interestingly, disulfiram affected the population of lymphocytes and the subset of spleen cells was altered. This study provides clinicians and researchers with valuable information regarding the toxicity of disulfiram to mouse spleen cells, particularly lymphocytes.

염색공정으로부터 배출되는 염료⋅염색 폐수를 효과적으로 제거하고 재활용하기 위해 막분리법을 적용하고자 하였고, 본 연구에서는 상용화된 나노복합막 표면을 실란 커플링제로 개질하여 분리막 성능을 향상시키고자 하였다. NaCl, MgSO4를 사용하여 개질한 막의 성능 평가를 진행하였고, 그 결과 상용막에 비해 투과도와 제거율이 향상되었음을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 염색, 염료 폐수의 분리 특성을 확인하고자 인공염색 폐수를 적용하였고, UV 흡광도 측정을 통해 99% 이상의 제거 성능을 확인할 수 있었다. 제조된 분리막의 표면 특성은 AFM, XPS, FE-SEM, FT-IR, Contact angle 등을 이용하여 분석하였다.

This study was conducted to investigate the quality characteristics of peach jelly following the addition of various gelling agents (locust bean gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum). The various gelling agents were added to peach jelly at five levels (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%), after which their effects on physicochemical properties, textural properties and sensory qualities were investigated. The total titratable acidity (TTA) of peach jelly was decreased with increases in gelling agent. Additionally, the sweetness and pH of peach jelly increased significantly as the amount of various gelling agents increased. Moreover, the lightness (L-value), redness (a-value) and yellowness (b-value) of peach jelly was decreased as the amount of gelling agent. Furthermore, the hardness, gumminess and chewiness of the peach jelly increased as the amount of gelling agent increased. Finally, the overall acceptance was higher for jelly containing 2.0% added gelling agent than for other samples. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that mixed gelling agents be added to peach jelly at 2.0%.

Royal jelly (RJ) is a well-known functional and medicinal food for human health promotion. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), which are the major protein components in RJ, exhibit antimicrobial activities. However, the identities of the MRJPs of RJ responsible for its antioxidant effects have remained unclear. Here, we report that honeybee (Apis cerana) MRJP 2 (AcMRJP2) acts as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in RJ. Using recombinant AcMRJP2, which was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells, we established the antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of MRJP 2. AcMRJP2 bound to the surfaces of bacteria, fungi, and yeast, which then induced structural damage in the microbial cell walls and led to a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. AcMRJP2 protected mammalian and insect cells via the direct shielding of the cell against oxidative stress, which led to reduced levels of caspase-3 activity and oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis, followed by increased cell viability. Moreover, AcMRJP2 exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our data indicate that AcMRJP2 could play a crucial role as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant in RJ, suggesting that MRJP 2 is a component responsible for the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of RJ.

Biological control has emerged due to the side effects of chemical control such as residual and toxicity. One of the biological controls is entomopathogenic fungi. The entomopathogenic fungus used in this study was first detected in the insectary. The fungus was identified as Lecanicillium sp. based on the sequences of the ITS1 and 2 regions. Lecanicillium sp. infects aphids, scale insects and whiteflies, especially Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. In this study, we characterized the fungal phenotype, growth condition, and pathogenicity against green peach aphid. Mycelial growth of Lecanicillium sp. was 12.79±0.46 mm diameter during 7days on potato dextrose agar at 25℃. In addition, the fungus was able to annihilate 100% green peach aphids, after 8days of inoculation. Ultimately, this study would be provide new information on Lecanicillium sp. and suggest the potential utilization of this fungus as a biological control agent.

Earthworms have been employed in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of neurological disorders, as anticonvulsants, analgesics, and sedatives. In fact, earthworms are currently used as a medicinal agent in China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and North Korea. However, both the species and the genus of the earthworms registered in the pharmacopoeia of each country are different. Neural injury is induced by oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. The role of various synthetic chemicals of earthworms as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents have been studied and earthworm extract and its components have been shown to protect nerve cells and restore nerve function in various preclinical neuronal damage models. We employed earthworm extracts to provide prevention and treatment strategies for many neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment, cerebral infarction, and peripheral nerve damage. In this study, we investigated the effects of earthworm extracts and its components to explore their prophylactic and therapeutic effects in various neuropathic models. We used earthworm resources to provide prevention and treatment strategies for many neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment, cerebral infarction, and peripheral nerve damage. We summarized the protective effects of both earthworms and their extracts on neuropathies. The current study identified some earthworm components to be used in treatment and prevention strategies for nerve disorders and could be helpful for the development of new therapies for intractable diseases.

해산로티퍼 (Brachionus plicatilis)의 생존 및 개체군 성장률 (r)을 사용하여 Zinc undecylenate (ZU)에 대한 독성평가를 실시하였다. 24 h 동안 ZU에 노출된 B. plicatilis의 생존율은 실험 최고농도 100 mg L-1에서도 영향이 나타나지 않았으나, ZU에 72 h 노출된 개체군 성장률 (r)은 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 경향을 나타내, 12.5 mg L-1 에서 유의적인 감소를 나타냈고 최고농도 50.0 mg L-1에서 개체군 성장률이 90% 이상 감소되었다. ZU에 노출된 B. plicatilis의 개체군 성장률의 반수영향농도 (EC50)값은 26.4 mg L-1, 무영향농도 (NOEC)는 6.3 mg L-1, 최소영향농도 (LOEC)는 12.5 mg L-1로 나타났다. 자연생태계 내에서 ZU 물질이 해수 중에서 12.5 mg L-1 이상을 초과하여 나타낼 때 B. plicatilis와 같은 동물성플랑크톤의 개체군 성장률이 영향을 받을 것으로 판단되며, 이러한 연구결과는 신방오도료물질의 생태안정성 평가를 위한 기준치 설정 및 다른 방오도료물질과의 독성치를 비교할 수 있는 유용한 자료로 활용될 것으로 판단된다.

19세기말 Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis(Map)이 요네병(Johne’s disease)의 원인균임이 밝혀진 이후, 불현성 감염된 동물들의 국제적 이동은 요네병을 전 세계로 퍼뜨리기 시작하였다. 이러한 요네병이 축산분야에 나타남과 동시에 새로운 형태의 대장염으로서 요네병과 같은 증상을 나타내는 질병(크론병)이 사람에게서도 나타나기 시작하였다. 그러나 Map이 이러한 새로운 대장염의 원인균이며 인수공통전염병의 원인체라는 인식은 20세기 후반 이러한 질병을 앓고 있는 사람의 조직으로부터 Map을 검출할 수 있게 되고서야 나타나기 시작했다. 본 총설은 어떻게 Map이 축산분야와 사람의 공중보건 측면 에서 심각한 문제를 야기시키게 되었고, Map 감염에 의한 대장염 환자의 치료가 어떻게 발전되어 왔는지 간단히 요약하고, 축산에서 Map의 통제를 위한 새로운 백신개발 전략에 대하여 소개한다.

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) egg-yolk protein vitellogenin (Vg) plays roles in immunity, antioxidation, and life span beyond reproduction, but it also acts as an allergen Api m 12 in venom. Here we established antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of honeybee Vg in the body and venom. Using the cDNA encoding Vg identified from Asiatic honeybee (A. cerana) workers, recombinant A. cerana Vg (AcVg) protein of approximately 180 kDa was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In A. cerana worker bees, AcVg was expressed in the fat body and venom gland and was present in the secreted venom. AcVg induced structural damage in microbial cell walls via binding to microbial surfaces and exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. AcVg protected mammalian and insect cells against oxidative damage through direct shielding of cell membranes. Interestingly, AcVg exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the transcript level of AcVg was upregulated in the fat body, but not in the venom gland, of worker bees with antimicrobial peptides and antioxidant enzymes in response to microbial infection and oxidative stress. Our data indicate that AcVg is involved in innate immunity upon infection and in a defense system against ROS, supporting a crucial role of honeybee Vg as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the body and venom.