• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2013

An AlaAT knock-out mutant (alaat) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was isolated from T-DNA tagging lines and the genotypes of its progeny were determined with AlaAT1-specific primers. The alaat phenotypes showed decreased growth and grain yield when compared with control plants. The activity of AlaAT1 in the mutant plants was practically undetectable. The responses of alaat plants to growth under salt stress were compared with those of control plants by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence and the activities and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes. All abiotic stresses tested (salt, drought, and chilling) caused a similar decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence in both alaat and wild type plants. The activity of peroxidase (POX), an antioxidant enzyme, decreased following salt treatment of alaat plants, while control plant showed an increased activity. The mRNA levels for cAPX (cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase), POX2, and AlaAT were determined by RT-PCR following salt stress. No AlaAT1 mRNA was detected in alaat plants. The POX2 mRNA showed a slightly increased level in the wild type but was not detected in alaat plants, in agreement with the activity assays. The levels of cAPX mRNA were greatly increased in both the wild type and alaat plants. The salt stress effects on rice plant growth are therefore proposed to reflect a loss of function of AlaAT, which alters the activity and synthesis of antioxidant enzymes (especially peroxidases), rather than a direct effect on photosynthesis.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.727-731
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• 2008

Mesoporous Pt-Au alloy films were successfully fabricated on ITO-coated glass by electrodeposition method using tri-blockcopolymer (P123) as a templating agent. The electrolyte consisted of 10 mM hydrogen hexachloroplatinate ($H_2PtCl_6$), 10 mM hydrogen tetrachloroaurate ($HAuCl_4$), and proper amount of P123. For comparison, control samples were electrodeposited without $HAuCl_4$ and P123. Film composition was determined by EDS(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), and the mesoporous structure was confirmed by TEM(Transmission Electron Microscopy). SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy) was utilized to examine surface morphology, and it was observed that the addition of P123 affected the particle growth, resulting in the significant change of surface morphology. Methanol oxidation and CO oxidation were carried out to investigate electrocatalytic activities of synthesized samples. It was observed that the catalytic activity was strongly dependent on the film compositions. Compared with nonporous electrode prepared without P123 templating, mesoporous films prepared with P123 templating showed much higher catalytic activities and stability for both methanol oxidation and CO oxidation. These enhanced electrocatalytic activities were due to the high surface area and facilitated charge transfer of mesoporous films.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.513-521
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• 1995

Background: Nucleolar organizer regions(NORs) are chromosomal segments encoding for ribosomal RNA and associated with argyrophilic nonhistone protein. Ribosomal RNA genes ultimately direct ribosome and protein synthesis, and it has been suggested the numbers of NORs detected in the cell may reflect nuclear and cellular activity. This study was performed to evaluate the applicability of AgNORs to the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Method: The one step silver methods(AgNORs) was used to stain NORs in the routinely processed, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of 36 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung obtained by surgical resection of primary tumor. In each specimen, 100 tumor cells and 100 normal cells adjacent to the tumor chosen at random were examined under an oil immersion lens at a magnification of ${\times}1000$. The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus was calculated for each specimen. Results: The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus(mAgNORs) of normal bronchial epithelium and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung was $1.74{\pm}0.25$ and $4.05{\pm}0.80$, respectively. The difference of mAgNOR between normal and tumor tissue was statistically significant(p<0.001). There was no statistical difference among tumors of different stages. The difference of mAgNOR between normal and tumor tissue was statistically significant in each TNM stage(p<0.05). Conclusion: Mean AgNOR count may be used as a useful marker for the differential diagnosis of benignancy and malignancy, and proliferative activity of the cell in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. But there was no statistical difference in mean AgNOR count among tumors of different surgical stages. Further studies for the application of mAgNORs to the diagnosis of other histologic types and cytologic specimens of the lung cancer are needed.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.445-452
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• 1994

Effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on ethylene production in mungbean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) hypocotyl and leaf segments were studied. Ethylene production in mungbean hypocotyl segments was decreased in proportion to MeJA concentrations and $450\;\mu\textrm{M}$ of MeJA showed 50% inhibitory effect. This inhibitory effect appeared after 3 h of incubation period and continued for 24 h. Inhibition of ethylene production by MeJA was due to the decrease in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase activity. However, MeJA treatment had no effect on ACC content and ACC synthase activity. MeJA also inhibited auxin-induced ethylene production in hypocotyls. To investigate the mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of MeJA on the auxin-induced ethylene production, ACC synthase and ACC oxidase activity were examined after MeJA treatment. MeJA decreased the ACC content and ACC synthase activity as weD as ACC oxidase activity in the auxin-treated tissue. These results suggest that the inhibition of MeJA on auxin-induced ethylene production is not due to the direct inhibitory effect of MeJA on the ACC synthase, but to the inhibition of the ability of IAA to promote the synthesis of ACC synthase. In contrast, ethylene production from the detached mungbean leaves was stimulated by MeJA. The rate of ethylene production increased approximately 65% over the control after 12 h of incubation period by $4.5\;\mu\textrm{M}$ MeJA. When MeJA was applied to detached leaves along with IAA, the effect of MeJA appeared to be additive. In an effort to elucidate mechanisms of MeJA action on auxin-induced ethylene production in the leaf tissue, enzyme activities of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase were examined. MeJA stimulated ACC oxidase activity but did not affect ACC synthase activity in leaf tissue. Together, these results suggest that MeJA plays different roles in the ethylene production in the different mungbean tissues.issues.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.253-275
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• 1994

Many flowering plants possess genetically controlled self -incompatibility (SI) system that prevents inbreeding and promotes outcrosses. SI is usually controlled by a single, multiallelic S-locus. In gametophytically controlled system, SI results when the S-allele of the pollen is matched by one of the two S-alleles in the style, while in the sporophytic system self-incompatible reaction occurs by the interaction between the pistil genotype and genotype of, not the pollen, but the pollen parent In the former system the self-incompatible phenotype of pollen is determined by the haploid genome of the pollen itself but in the latter the pollen phenotype is governed by the genotype of the pollen parent along with the occurrence of either to-dominant or dominant/recessive allelic interactions. In the sporophytic type the inhibition reaction occurs within minutes following pollen-stigma contact, the incompatible pollen grains usually failing to germinate, whereas in gametophytic system pollen tube inhibition takes place during growth in the transmitting tissue of the style. Recognition and rejection of self pollen are the result of interaction between the S-locus protein in the pistil and the pollen protein. In the gametophytic SI the S-associated glycoprotein which is similar to the fungal ribonuclease in structure and function are localized at the intercellular matrix in the transmitting tissue of the style, with the highest concentration in the collar of the stigma, while in the sporophytic SI deposit of abundant S-locus specific glycoprotein (SLSG).is detected in the cell wall of stigmatic papillae of the open flowers. In the gametophytic system S-gene is expressed mostly at the stigmatic collar the upper third of the style length and in the pollen after meiosis. On the other hand, in the sporophytic SI S-glycoprotein gene is expressed in the papillar cells of the stigma as well as in e sporophytic tape is cells of anther wall. Recognition and rejection of self pollen in the gametophytic type is the reaction between the ribonuclease in the transmitting tissue of the style and the protein in the cytoplasm of pollen tube, whereas in the sporophytic system the inhibition of selfed pollen is caused by the interaction between the Sycoprotein in the wall of stigmatic papillar cell and the tapetum-origin protein deposited on the outer wall of the pollen grain. The claim that the S-allele-associated proteins are involved in recognition and rejection of self pollen has been made merely based on indirect evidence. Recently it has been verified that inhibition of synthesis of S$_3$ protein in Petunia inflata plants of S$_2$S$_3$ genotype by the antisense S$_3$ gene resulted in failure of the transgenic plant to reject S$_3$ pollen and that expression of the transgenic encoding S$_3$ protein in the S$_1$S$_2$ genotype confers on the transgenic plant the ability to reject S$_3$ pollen. These finding Provide direct evidence that S-proteins control the s elf-incompatibility behavior of the pistil.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.8.1-8.14
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• 2018

We previously demonstrated that the direct transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) into the dentate gyrus ameliorated the neurological symptoms of Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1)-mutant mice. However, the clinical presentation of NPC1-mutant mice was not fully understood with a molecular mechanism. Here, we found 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), a cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolite, from hUCB-MSCs and the cerebella of NPC1-mutant mice and investigated the functional consequence of this metabolite. Our screening of the CYP2J family indicated a dysregulation in the CYP system in a cerebellar-specific manner. Moreover, in Purkinje cells, CYP2J6 showed an elevated expression level compared to that of astrocytes, granule cells, and microglia. In this regard, we found that one CYP metabolite, 14,15-EET, acts as a key mediator in ameliorating cholesterol accumulation. In confirming this hypothesis, 14,15-EET treatment reduced the accumulation of cholesterol in human NPC1 patient-derived fibroblasts in vitro by suppressing cholesterol synthesis and ameliorating the impaired autophagic flux. We show that the reduced activity within the CYP system in the cerebellum could cause the neurological symptoms of NPC1 patients, as 14,15-EET treatment significantly rescued cholesterol accumulation and impaired autophagy. We also provide evidence that the intranasal administration of hUCB-MSCs is a highly promising alternative to traumatic surgical transplantation for NPC1 patients.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1067-1074
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• 1995

Reaction of arachno-S2B7H8- with either THF or 1,2-dimethoxyethane upon refluxing condition results in the formation of the previously known compound hypho-S2B7H10-. Protonation of hypho-S2B7H10- with HCl/Et2O generates hypho-2,5-S2B7H11 in good yield. This hypho-S2B7H10- anion has been employed to generate a series of new nido-, arachno-, and hypho-metalladithiaborane clusters. Reaction of the anion with Cp(CO)2FeCl results in direct metal insertion and the formation of a complex containing the general formula (η5-C5H5)FeS2B7H8. Spectroscopic studies of nido-6-CpFe-7,9-S2B7H8 Ⅰ demonstrated that compound Ⅰ was shown to have an nido-type cage geometry derived from an octadecahedron missing one vertex, with the iron atom occupying the three-coordinate 6-position in the cage and the two sulfurs occupying positions on the open face of the cage. Reaction of hypho-S2B7H10- with CoCl2/Li+[C5H5]- gave the previously known complex arachno-7-CpCo-6,8-S2B6H8 Ⅱ. Also, the reaction of the anion with [Cp*RhCl2]2 gave the complex arachno-7-Cp*Rh-6,8-S2B6H8 Ⅲ, the structure of which was shown to be that of complex Ⅱ. The similarity of the NMR spectra of Ⅱ and Ⅲ suggest that Ⅲ adopts cage structure similar to that previously confirmed for Ⅱ. A series of 9-vertex hypho clusters in which the sulfur atoms are bridged by different species isoelectronic with a BH3 unit, such as HMn(CO)4 or SiR2 have been prepared. Compounds Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅵ are each 2n+4 skeletal electron systems and would be expected according to skeletal electron counting theory to adopt hypho-type polyhedral structures derived from an icosahedron missing three vertices. The complex hypho-1-(CO)4Mn-2,5-S2B6H9 Ⅳ was obtained by the reaction of the anion with (CO)5MnBr and has been shown from spectroscopic data to consist of a (CO)4Mn fragment bound to the two sulfur atoms S2 and S5 of hypho-S2B7H10-. Also, similar hypho-type complexes hypho-1-R2Si-2,5-S2B6H8 (R=CH3 Ⅴ, R=C6H5 Ⅵ) have been prepared from the reaction of hypho-S2B7H10- with R2SiHCl.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.901-908
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• 2018

Graphite is used as a sample anode active material. However, since the maximum theoretical capacity is limited to $372mA\;h\;g^{-1}$, a new anode active material is required for the development of a high capacity lithium ion battery. The maximum theoretical capacity of Si is $4200mA\;h\;g^{-1}$, which is higher than that of graphite. However, it is not suitable for direct application to the anode active material because it has a volume expansion of 400%. In order to minimize the decrease of the discharge capacity due to the volume expansion, the Si was pulverized by the dry method to reduce the mechanical stress and the volume change of the reaction phase, and the change of the volume was suppressed by coating the carbon layers to the particle size controlled Si particles. And carbon fiber is grown like a thread on the particle surface to control secondary volume expansion and improve electrical conductivity. The physical and chemical properties of the materials were measured by XRD, SEM and TEM, and their electrochemical properties were evaluated. In this study, we have investigated the synthesis method that can be used as anode active material by improving cycle characteristics of Si.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

The quality of service delivery by governments to their citizens is a subject of concern in the contemporary society. E-governance is a critical aspect that is transforming government operation and service delivery to citizens and other bodies through application of information technology. This research explores the state of e-governing focusing on nations that are developing with special attention to Pakistan. The difficulties and benefits encountered are identified. The results are vital for implementers of e-governing systems in these countries. The methodology applied entails a secondary research that involves analysis and synthesis of literature relating the research topic. The results reveal that Pakistan has made incredible steps in setting up e-governance systems with growth in internet use and access of data from a digital platform. The findings reveal that e-government is associated with multiple benefits including enhanced quality of services, cost efficiency in service provision, enhance transparency and elimination of corruption, provide the basis for eradication of poverty, boost economic stability of a country, and provide room for direct democracy. The research also found that developing countries experience challenges in form of financial constraints, poor ICT infrastructure, illiteracy on e-government, political consensus constraints, legal obstacles, social and cultural constraints. E-government has the capability to transform the quality of governance provided by governments, and policymakers and implementers should address the constraints that act as a hindrance to its implementation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.479-485
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• 2011

Pt-Bi/C catalysts supported on carbon black with various Pt/Bi ratios were synthesized by a reduction method. Chloroplatinic acid hydrate ($H_2PtCl_6{\cdot}xH_2O$) and bismuth (III) nitrate pentahydrate ($Bi(NO_3)_3{\cdot}5H_2O$) were used as precursors for Pt and Bi, respectively. Before loading metal on carbon, heat treatment and pretreatment of carbon black in an acidic solution was conducted to enhance the degree of dispersion. The physical property of the synthesized catalysts was investigated by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The XRD pattern of untreated Pt-Bi/C catalyst showed BiPt and $Bi_2Pt$ peaks in addition to Pt peaks. These results imply that Bi atoms were incorporated into the Pt crystal lattice by Pt-Bi alloy formation. The catalytic activity for methanol oxidation was measured using cyclic voltammetry in a mixture of 0.5 M $H_2SO_4$ and 0.5 M $CH_3OH$ aqueous solution. The addition of proper amount of Bi was found to significantly improve catalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The catalytic activity for methanol oxidation was closely related to the stability between electrode and electrolyte. In order to investigate the stability of catalysts, chronoamperometry analysis was carried out in the same solution at 0.6 V.