• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.717-724
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• 2008

In this study, we prepared all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-encapsulated, surfactant-free, PLGA nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were formed by nanoprecipitation process, after which the solvent was removed by solvent evaporation or dialysis method. When a nanoparticle was prepared by the nanoprecipitation - solvent evaporation method, the nanoparticles were bigger than the nanoparticles of the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method, despite the higher although loading efficiency. Nanoparticles from the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method were smaller than 200 nm in diameter, while the loading efficiency was not significantly changed. Especially, nanoparticles prepared from DMAc, 1,4-dioxane, and DMF had a diameter of less than 100 nm. In the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, all of the nanoparticles showed spherical shapes. The loading efficiency of ATRA was higher than 90% (w/w) at all formulations with exception of THF. The drug content was increased with increasing drug-feeding amount while the loading efficiency was decreased. In the drug release study, an initial burst was observed for $2{\sim}6$ days according to the variations of the formulation, after which the drug was continuously released over one month. Nanoparticles from the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method showed faster drug release than those from the nanoprecipitation - solvent evaporation method. The decreased drug release kinetics was observed at lower drug contents. In the tumor cell cytotoxicity test, ATRA-encapsulated, surfactant-free, PLGA nanoparticles exhibited similar cytotoxicity with that of ATRA itself.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.590-595
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• 2015

Sampling campaigns were conducted for hazardous chemicals and heavy metals in influents and effluents of industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea for best management practices (BMPs) of those pollutants through the plants and the receiving water bodies. Twenty seven WWTPs, receiving wastewater from industrial complexes and treating more than $2,000m^3/day$, were selected for the sampling campaign. Influents and effluents of each WWTPs were sampled once a month (total three times per plant) between July and September, 2012, and analyzed for 22 hazardous water pollutants among 28 regulated for effluents limits in Korea. Concentrations of mercury, arsenic, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and benzene in the influents were relatively higher; concentrations of mercury and arsenic in effluents were relatively higher than those of other pollutants. Most of the hazardous chemicals and heavy metals were removed (including phase transfer) more than 60% through the treatment processes except for selenium (30% removal) and 1,4-dioxane (18% removal).

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.56-70
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the structural characteristics of kraft lignin and the wood degrading characteristics, the productivity of ligninolytic enzymes and the enzymatic degradation of kraft lignin by white-rot fungi. To purify kraft lignin, precipitation of kraft pulping black liquors of pitch pine meal was done by titration with lN $H_{2}SO_{4}$ reaching to pH 2, and isolation of the precipitates done by centrifugation. The isolated precipitates from pitch pine were redissloved in lN NaOH, reprecipitated by titration with lN $H_{2}SO_{4}$, washed with deionized water, and kept ofr analysis after freeze drying. Fractionation of the precipitates in solution by successive extraction with $CH_{2}Cl_{2}$ and MeOH, and the fractionates were named SwKL, SwKL I, SwKL II, and SwKL III for pitch pine kraft lignin. The more molecular weights of kraft lignin increased, the less phenolic hydroxyl groups and the more aliphatic hydroxyl groups. Because as the molecular weights increased, the ratio of etherified guaiayl/syringyl(G/S ratio) and the percentage were increased. The spectra obtained by 13C NMR and FTIR assigned by comparing the chemical shifts of various signals with shifts of signals from autherized ones reported. The optimal growth temperature and pH of white-rot fungi in medium were $28^{\circ}C$ and 4.5-5.0, respectively. Especially, in temperature and pH range, and mycelial growth, the best white-rot fungus selected was Phanerochaete chrysosporium for biodegradation. For the degradation pathways, the ligninolytic fungus jcultivated with stationary culture using medium of 1% kraft lignin as a substrate for 3 weeks at $28^{\circ}C$. The weight loss of pitch pine kraft lignin was 15.8%. The degraded products extracted successively methoanol, 90% dioxane and diethyl ether. The ether solubles were analyzed by HPLC. Kraft lignin degradation was initiated in $\beta$-O-4 bonds of lignin by the laccase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the degraded compounds were produced from the cleavage of $C\alpha$-$C\beta$ linkages at the side chains by oxidation process. After $C\alpha$-$C\beta$ cleavage, $C\alpha$-Carbon was oxidized and changed into aldehyde and acidic compounds such as syringic acid, syringic aldehyde and vanilline. And the other compound as quinonemethide, coumarin, was analyzed. The structural characteristics of kraft lignin were composed of guaiacyl group substituted functional OHs, methoxyl, and carbonyl at C-3, -4, and -5 and these groups were combinated with $\alpha$ aryl ether, $\beta$ aryl ether and biphenyl. Kraft lignin degradation pathways by Phanerochaete chrysosporium were initially accomplished cleavage of $C\alpha$-$C\beta$ linkages and $C\alpha$ oxidation at the propyl side chains and finally cleavage of aromatic ring and oxidation of OHs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2007

66 micropollutants analyses in 9 wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) along Nak-dong river were implemented to identify the concentrations and removal efficiencies before and after treatment processes. As a result of study, the concentration levels discharged from WWTP effluents to water system were below the water quality criteria and the levels of other studies. The removal efficiencies were 84.6%(DAF/CCR) and 81.6%(AC) for 1,4-dioxane. Phenol, Clphs and PAHs were removed 94.6%, 66.4% and 80.6% respectively by the activated sludge(AS) process. The removal efficiencies of Clbzs were 45.3% for the activated sludge(AS) process and 60.6% for the activated carbon(AC) process. However, other processes besides AS and AC, the removal efficiencies of Clbzs were very low(<20%). The sand filtration(SF) process that could remove particle matters showed the best efficiency for PCDDs / Fs removal$(\geq99%)$. However, in case of relatively low PCDDs/Fs concentration level in influent, the removal efficiency was not so high$(\leq50%)$.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 1996

A series of the herbicidal pyridylsulfonyl areas, none substitutent, 1-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine-2-yl)-3-(2-pyridylsulfonyl) urea, 3 and 3-trifluoromethyl substitutent, 1-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine-2-yl)-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridylsulfonyl) urea, 5(Flazasulfuron) were synthesizied and the rate of hydrolysis of their has been studied in 25%(v/v) aqueous dioxane at $45^{\circ}C$. From the results of solvent effect($m{\ll}1,\;n{\ll}3\;&\;{\mid}m{\mid}{\ll}{\mid}{\ell}{\mid}$), thermodynamic parameter (${\Delta}S^{\neq}=0.54{\sim}\;-2.19\;e.u.\;&\;{\Delta}H^{\neq}=0.025\;Kcal.mol.^{-1}$), hydrolysis product analysis, $pK_a$ constant(3: 4.9 & 5: lit.4.6) and the rate equation, a marked difference in the kinetics of the reaction of 3 and 5(Flazasulfuron) was observed. It may be concluded that the hydrolysis of 5 proceeds through the $A-S_N2Ar$ reaction via conjugate acid$(5H^+)$ below pH 7.0, whereas, above pH 9.0, the hydrolysis proceeds through irreversibly $(E_1)_{anion}$ and reversibly $(E_1CB)_R$ mechanism via conjugate base(CB), respectively. But in case of 5, $A-S_N2Ar,\;(E_1)anion\;and\;(E_1CB)_R$ mechanism involved Smile rearrangement. The mate of rearrangement of 5 to a 3-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridylpyrimidinyl urea(PPU) in acid and 3-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyl-4.6-dimethoxypyridinyl amine (PPA) in base was increased about 3.5 times by the introduction of trifluoromethyl group in the 3-position on the 2-pyridyl ring. From the basis of these findings, a possible mechanism for the hydrolysis of 5 was proposed and discussed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.578-585
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• 2017

Recently, there has been a rise in the number of amphetamine derivatives that serve as substitutes for controlled substances (e.g. amphetamine and methamphetamine) on the global illegal drug market. These substances are capable of producing rewarding effects similar to their parent drug. In anticipation of the future rise of new and similar psychoactive substances, we designed and synthesized four novel amphetamine derivatives with N-benzyl, N-benzylamphetamine HCl (NBNA) substituent on the amine region, 1,4-dioxane ring, ethylenedioxy-amphetamine HCl (EDA), methyl, para-methylamphetamine HCl (PMEA), and naphthalene, 2-(aminopropyl) naphthalene HCl (2-APN) substituents on the phenyl site. Then, we evaluated their abuse potential in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test in mice and self-administration (SA) test in rats. We also investigated the psychostimulant properties of the novel drugs using the locomotor sensitization test in mice. Moreover, we performed qRT-PCR analyses to explore the effects of the novel drugs on the expression of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor genes in the striatum. NBNA, but not EDA, PMEA, and 2-APN, induced CPP and SA in rodents. None of the test drugs have produced locomotor sensitization. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that NBNA increased the expression of striatal D1 dopamine receptor genes. These data indicate that NBNA yields rewarding effects, suggesting potential for abuse. Continual observation for the rise of related substances is thus strongly encouraged.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1186-1191
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• 2006

Removal efficiency of As(III) through oxidation and adsorption in column reactors was investigated at different ratios of manganese-coated sand(MCS) and iron-coated sand(ICS) : MCS-alone, ICS-alone and both of ICS and MCS. The breakthrough of arsenic immediately occurred from a column reactor with MCS-alone. However, most of the arsenic present in the effluent was identified as As(V) due to the oxidation of As(III) by MCS. While five-times delayed breakthrough of arsenic was observed from a column reactor with ICS-alone. At a complete breakthrough of arsenic, the removed As(III) was 36.1 mg with 1 kg ICS. To find an optimum ratio of ICS and MCS in the column packed with both ICS and MCS, the removal efficiency of As(III) was investigated at three different ratios of ICS/MCS with a fixed amount of ICS. The breakthrough time of arsenic was quite similar in the different ratios ICS/MCS. However, much slower breakthrough of arsenic was observed as the ratio of ICS/MCS decreased. As the ratio of ICS/MCS decreased the concentration of As(III) in the effluent decreased and then showed below 50 ppb at an equal amount of ICS and MCS, suggesting more efficient oxidation of As(III) by greater amount of MCS. When a complete breakthrough of arsenic occurred, the removed total arsenic with an equal amount of ICS and MCS was 68.5 mg with 1 kg of filter material.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2007

Purpose : A simple, rapid, and highly sensitive analytical method for Gb3 in plasma was developed without labor-ex tensive pre-treatment by electrospray ionization MS/ MS (ESI-MS/MS). Measurement of globotriaosy lceramide (Gb3, ceramide trihex oside) in plasma has clinical importance for monitoring after enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease patients. The disease is an X-linked lipid storage disorder that results from a deficiency of the enzyme ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A (${\alpha}$-Gal A). The lack of ${\alpha}$-Gal A causes an intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly Gb3. Methods : Only simple 50-fold dilution of plasma is necessary for the extraction and isolation of Gb3 in plasma. Gb3 in diluted plasma was dissolved in dioxane containing C17:0 Gb3 as an internal standard. After centrifugation it was directly injected and analyzed through guard column by in combination with multiple reaction monitoring mode of ESI-MS/MS. Results : Eight isoforms of Gb3 were completely resolved from plasma matrix. C16:0 Gb3 occupied 50% of total Gb3 as a major component in plasma. Linear relationship for Gb3 isoforms w as found in the range of 0.001-1.0 ${\mu}g$/mL. The limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.001 ${\mu}g$/mL and limit of quantification was 0.01 ${\mu}g$/mL for C16:0 Gb3 with acceptable precision and accuracy. Correlation coefficient of calibration curves for 8 Gb3 isoforms ranged from 0.9678 to 0.9982. Conclusion : This quantitative method developed could be useful for rapid and sensitive 1st line Fabry disease screening, monitoring and/or diagnostic tool for Fabry disease.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2010

Most pesticides are poorly soluble in water and must be dissolved in a solvent carrier before being added to the test medium on aquatic toxicity test. The concentration of solvent is critical to the success of a test. This study were conducted to recommend possible organic solvents which have good solubility for pesticides and low toxicity to Korean native water flea to establish new standard toxicity test methods using Korean native water flea for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. Four Korean freshwater cladocerans, Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus were exposed to 10 different organic solvents during 48 hours to evaluate their toxic response to solvents. Ethyl acetate was the most toxic to cladocerans tested. Although ethyl ether was the least toxic to cladocerans tested, it may not adequate as possible solvent in aquatic toxicity test due to high volatility and low water solubility. In conclusion, acetone, methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile which has low toxicity as well as good water solubility are recommended as optimal organic solvent to use in aquatic toxicity tests with Korean native cladocerans tested.