• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.3731-3739
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• 2009

One-chambered sediment cells with a variety of anodic electrodes were tested for generation of electricity. Material used for anodes was iron, brass, zinc/iron, copper and graphite felt which was used for a common cathode. The estuarine sediment served as supplier of oxidants or electron-producing microbial habitat which evoked electrons via fast metal corrosion reactions or a complicated microbial electron transfer mechanism, respectively. Maximum power density and current density were found to be $6.90\;W/m^2$ (iron/zinc) and $7.76\;A/m^2$ (iron), respectively. Interestingly, copper wrapped with carbon cloth produced better electric performance than copper only, by 60%, possibly because the cloth not only prevented rapid corrosion on the copper surface by some degrees, but also helped growing some electron-emitting microbes on its surface. At anodes oxidation reduction potential(ORP) was kept to be stationary over time except at the very initial period. The pH reduction in the copper and copper/carbon electrodes could be a sign of organic acid production due to a chemical change in the sediment. The simple estimation of interfacial, electrical resistances of electrodes and electrolyte in the sediment cell that a key to the electricity generation should be in how to control corrosion rate or microbial electron transfer activity.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.679-688
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• 1994

Physicochemical and morphological characteristics of biopellets produced in "control" and modified UASB reactor were investigated to compare the reactor performance with regard to the hydrogen partial pressure. The characteristics of biopellet produced in modified UASB reactor operated with high hydrogen partial pressure were better than those of "control" reactor operated with relatively lower hydrogen partial pressure, therefore the hydrogen partial pressure effected greatly on the formation and stability of the biopellet. Furthermore, pellets from the UASB system with modified settler showed a better settleability and biomass holding capacity. The chemical composition of biopellet was distinctively different from that of common bacterial formula, $C_5H_7O_2N$. Biopellets was composed the large fraction of nitrogen in comparison with common anaerobic microbes. These results implicated the existence possibility of polypeptide-type extracellular polymer. The morphological characterization with SEM showed that microorganisms observed at surface of biopellet produced in modified UASB reactor operated with high $P_{H_2}$ condition were very similar in shape and size to the Methanobrevibactor arboriphilus-$H_2$ utilizing methanogen. The microorganisms was distinguished from those of "control" reactor operated with low $P_{H_2}$ condition. From these results, it could be explained the hydrogen partial pressure effects on pelletization mechanism.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.756-766
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• 2005

The signaling mechanism underlying aburatubolactam C-induced FasL upregulation was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. After treatment with aburatubolactam C, the src-family PTKs $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$, and MAP kinases ERK2 and JNK1, were activated prior to FasL upregulation; Both $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$ were directly activated 2.4- and 2.2-fold, respectively, in vitro by aburatubolactam C. The aburatubolactam C-induced cellular changes, including the activation of ERK2 and INK1, and FasL upregulation, were completely prevented by the PTK inhibitor genistein. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC$\delta,\;\epsilon\;and\;\mu$ was also induced following aburatubolactam C treatment. Although the activation of $p56^{lck}$ and tyrosine phosphorylation of the cellular proteins were not blocked by the PKC inhibitor GFl09203X, the activation of ERK2 was completely abrogated, along with a detectably enhanced JNK1 activation; FasL upregulation, and apoptosis. However, the FasL upregulation and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by the PKC activator PMA, with a remarkable increase in the ERK2 activation. The cytotoxic effect of aburatubolactam C was reduced in the presence of the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. Although ectopic expression of Bcl-2 failed to completely block the cytotoxicity of aburatubolactam C, it was clearly suppressed. The c-Fos mRNA expression was upregulated in a biphasic manner, where the second phasic expression overlapped with the FasL upregulation. Accordingly, these results demonstrate that aburatubolactam C-induced apoptosis is exerted, at least in part, by FasL upregulation dictated by activation of the PTK ($p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$) /JNKI pathway, which is negatively affected by the concurrent activation of the PKC/ERK2 pathway proximal to PTK activation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.543-550
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• 2016

Amine-type PP-g-VBC-EDA adsorbent, which possesses anionic exchangeable function, was prepared through photoinduced graft polymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) onto polypropylene non-woven fabric and subsequent amination reaction using ethylenediamine (EDA). Adsorption characteristics of anionic nutrients on the PP-g-VBC-EDA adsorbent have been studied by batch adsorption experiments. The equilibrium data well fitted the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum monolayer sorption capacity was found to be 59.9 mg/g for $NO_3-N$ and 111.4 mg/g for $PO_4-P$. The adsorption energies were higher than 8 kJ/mol indicating anion-exchange process as the primary adsorption mechanism. The pseudo-second order kinetic model described well the kinetic data and resulted in the activation energy of 9.8-36.7 kJ/mol suggesting that the overall rates of $NO_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$ adsorption are controlled by the chemical process. Thermodynamic parameters such as ${\Delta}G^o$, ${\Delta}H^o$ and ${\Delta}S^o$ indicated that the adsorption nature of PP-g-VBC-EDA for anionic nutrients is spontaneous and exothermic. The PP-g-VBC-EDA could be regenerated by washing with 0.1 N HCl.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 1990

Human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs are active participant in the active phase of inflammations like rheumatoid arthritis, emphysema and glomerular injury. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for treatment of these inflammatory diseases. Mechanism of action of NSAIDs for treatment of inflammatory diseases, especially like rheumatoid arthritis, are known as the inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. Inhibitions of the activities of human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, however, were not same as the known pharmacological effects (inhibition of cyclooxygenase) of these drugs. Among them, especially, sulindac, salicylate, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, and salicyluric acid inhibited human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs effectively. $IC_{50}s$ of each drug were 4.3mM, 14.3mM, 6.5mM, 11mM and 15mM respectively. The drugs which have same chemical structure and same degree of inhibition effect on cyclooxygenase showed different degree or no effect on inhibition of cathepsin G. These inhibition effect might be, beside of inhibition of cyclooxygenase in the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, another benefitial antiinflammatory effect of NSAIDs by direct protection against tissue destruction in inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.225-241
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• 2007

A closed flux chamber system was used for measuring major greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from tideland and/or wetland soils in estuarine area at Saemankum, Kunsan in southwestern Korea during from months of February to June 2006. Hourly averaged GHG soil emissions were measured two to three times a day during the ebb tide hours only. Site soils were analyzed for soil parameters (temperature, pH, total organic contents, N and C contents in soil) in the laboratory. Soil GHG fluxes were calculated based on the GHG concentration rate of change measured inside a closed chamber The analysis of GHG was conducted by using a Gas Chromatography (equipped with ECD/FID) at laboratory. Changes of daily, monthly GHGs' fluxes were examined. The relationships between the GHG emissions and soil chemical contents were also scrutinized with respect to gas production and consumption mechanism in the soil. Soil pH was pH $7.47{\pm}0.49$ in average over the experimental period. Organic matter contents in sample soil was $6.64{\pm}4.98\;g/kg$, and it shows relatively lower contents than those in agricultural soils in Kunsan area. Resulting from the soil chemistry data, soil nitrogen contents seem to affect GHG emission from the tidal land surface. The tidal soil was found to be either source or sink for the major GHG during the experimental periods. The annual average of $CH_{4}\;and\;CO_{2}$ fluxes were $0.13{\pm}0.86\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}\;and\;5.83{\pm}138.73\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, respectively, which will be as a source of these gases. However, $N_{2}O$ emission showed in negative flux, and the value was $-0.02{\pm}0.66\;mg\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, and it implies tidal land surface act as a sink of $N_{2}O$. Over the experimental period, the absolute values of gas fluxes increased with soil temperature in general. Averages of the ambient gas concentration were $86.8{\pm}6.\;ppm$ in $CO_{2},\;1.63{\pm}0.34\;ppm\;in\;CH_{4},\;and\;0.59{\pm}0.15\;ppm\;in\;N_{2}O$, respectively. Generally, under the presence of gas emission from agricultural soils, decrease of gas emission will be observed as increase in ambient gas concentration. We, however, could not found significant correlation between the ambient concentrations and their emissions over the experimental period. There was no GHG compensation points existed in tide flat soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.798-807
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• 2008

Due to economic impairment derived from metal corrosion of pumping station installed around coastal area, it was needed for related cause-effect to be investigated for understanding practical corrosion behavior and providing proper control. This research was thus carried out to determine whether the microbe can influence on metal corrosion along with its control in the laboratory. For this study, groundwater was sampled from the underground pump station(i.e. I Gas Station) where corrosion was observed. Microbial diversity on the samples were then obtained by 16S rDNA methods. From this, microbial populations showing corrosion behaviors against metals were reported as Leptothrix sp.(Iron oxidizing) and Desulfovibrio sp.(Sulfur reducing) Iron oxidizing bacteria were dominantly participating in the corrosion of iron, while sulfate reducing bacteria were more preferably producing precipitate of iron. In case of galvanized steel and stainless steel, iron oxidizing bacteria not only enhanced the corrosion, but also generated its scale of precipitate. Sulfate reducing bacteria had zinc steel corroded greater extent than that of iron oxidizing bacteria. In the inactivation test, chlorine or UV exposure could efficiently control bacterial growth. However as the inactivation intensity being increased beyond a threshold level, corrosion rate was unlikely escalated due to augmented chemical effect. It is decided that microbial corrosion could be differently taken place depending upon type of microbes or materials, although they were highly correlated. It could be efficiently retarded by given disinfection practices.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.861-867
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• 2001

In this paper, in order to investigate the catalytic effect of the sludge exhausted from waterworks on NO$_{x}$ removal, we measure NO removal characteristics with and without sludge pellets in BaTiO$_3$-sludge packed-bed reactor of plate-plate geometry. NO initial concentration is 50 ppm balanced with air and a gas flow rate is 5ι/min. Gas temperature is changed from 25 to 10$0^{\circ}C$ to investigate the role of sludge pellet on removing active oxygen species and NO$_2$. BaTiO$_3$pellets is filled for coronal discharge at upstream of reactor and sludge pellets is filled for catalytic effect at downstream of reactor. The volume percent of sludge pellets to BaTiO$_3$pellets is changed from 0% to 100% and AC voltage is supplied to the reactor for discharging simulated gases. In the results, when sludge pellets is put at the downstream of plasma reactor, NO removal rate is slightly increased. However, NO$_2$and $O_3$ as by-products during NO removal is significantly decreased from 51ppm without sludge pellets to 5 ppm with sludge pellets and from 50 ppm without sludge pellets to 0.004ppm with sludge pellets, respectively. Therefore, NO$_{x}$(NO+NO$_2$) removal rate is increased up to 93%. It is thought that sludge pellet maybe react with active oxygen species and NO$_2$ generated by corona discharge in surface of BaTiO$_3$pellets, the then NO$_2$O$_3$as by-products are considerably decreased. When we increase gas temperature from room temperature to 10$0^{\circ}C$, NO removal rate is decreased, while NO$_2$ concentration is independent on gas temperature. These result suggest that the removal mechanism of active oxygen species and NO$_2$in sludge pellet is not absorption, but chemical reaction. Therefore we expect that sludge pellets exhausted for waterworks could be used as catalyst for NO$_{x}$ removal with high removal rate and low by-product.oduct.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.2 s.54
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• pp.115-121
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• 1999

Effects of single and repeated administration of various nootropic candidates were examined on impaired acquisition by single oral administration of 3 g/kg ethanol (EtOH) in step through test. The inhibitory effect of EtOH on acquisition was significantly reduced by single picrotoxin, but not affected by diazepam, acetyl-L-carnitine and apomorphine. Single or repeated red ginseng total saponin and deprenyl, single piracetam, repeated N-methyl-D-glucamine, but not single or repeated protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol and centrophenoxine significantly ameliorated the impairment of acquisition by EtOH. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of repeated red ginseng total saponin but not that of repeated N-methyl-D-Glucamine, was significantly blocked by pretreatment of $\alpha$-methyl-$\rho$-tyrosine, a inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis. Whereas, the inhibitory effect of repeated deprenyl on EtOH amnesia was exaggerated by $\alpha$-methyl-$\rho$-tyrosine. These results suggest that the amelioration processes of drugs on ethanol amnesia involve complex mechanism between the central GABAergic and dopaminergic neuronal activity in memory and learning, although the effects of repeated drugs administration are not yet clear.