• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2008

Poly (vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane electrodes based on neutral carrier, tetracycline was prepared as an active sensor for Hg(II) ion, and tested in different contents of the potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as lipophilic salt. Bis (2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS), bis(l-butylpentyl) adipate (BBPA), 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were used as diverse plasticizing solvent mediators. This electrode shows excellent potentiometric response characteristics and display good linearity with log $[Hg^{+2}]$ versus EMF response, over a range of concentrations between $10^{-7}$ and $10^{-3}M$. With 30.8mV/decade Nernstian slope, the detection limit was $6.9{\times}10^{-9}M$ and the response time was less than 20s. The proposed electrode yields very good selectivity for mercury (II) ion over many cations such as alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. And it shows a very stable potential values in a wide pH range. This reliable electrode prepared was kept at least a month without considerable alteration in their response to Hg (II) ion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2023

Sweroside is a natural monoterpene derived from Swertia pseudochinensis Hara. Recently, studies have shown that sweroside exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. However, its role and mechanisms in high glucose (HG)-induced renal injury remain unclear. Herein, we established a renal injury model in vitro by inducing human renal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2 cells) injury by HG. Then, the effects of sweroside on HK-2 cell activity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed. As a result, sweroside treatment ameliorated the viability, inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and VCAM-1), reduced the generation of ROS, and inhibited EMT in HK-2 cells. Moreover, the protein expression of SIRT1 was increased and the acetylation of p65 NF-kB was decreased in HK-2 cells with sweroside treatment. More importantly, EX527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, that inactivated SIRT1, abolished the improvement effects of sweroside on HK-2 cells. Our findings suggested that sweroside may mitigate HG-caused injury in HK-2 cells by promoting SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p65 NF-kB.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 1989

Genetic and morphometric comparison between two species of the genus Agkistrodon were performed to estimate the degree of genic variation and to clarify the taxonomic status of Cheju population, a suspected hybrid form between A. blomhoffii brevicaudus and A u ussuriensis. A sum of 147 specimens representing six populations of A.b. brevicaudus and two populations of A ussuriensis was used in this study. Out of the 21 loci examined, 5 loci (Adh, Ldh-2, Mdh-2, Mpi, Pgi) were monomorphic with identical mobility in both species. O Other Sioci (Aco, Gp, Fum, [po and Xdh in A b. brevicaudus; Est, Got-l, Gp, Mdh-l and 6Pgd in A ussuriensis) were highly poplymorphic. The degree of genic variation of Ab. b brevicaudus and A ussuriensis was A=1.SS, P=42.1%, HD=0.096, HG=O.l1S, and A= 1.4S, P = 31.6%, HD=0.117, HG =0.121, repectively. These values are twofold higher t than those of other reptilian species reported (Selander, 1976) including Korean species of Rhabdophis tigrina and Elaphe dione (Paik and Yang, 1986, 1987). The average values of t the genetic similarities among six populations of A b. brevicaudus and two populations of A ussuriensis were S=0.919 and S=0.962, respectively, whereas the value between species was S = 0.662. Presumed divergent time estimate (Nei, 1975) of these two species was about 1 1.8 million years ago. The analysis of the geographic variations of various morphological c characters was based on Gloyd’s criteria (Gloyd, 1972). Coloration of tongue and tail tip, t the number of ventral scales, and the number of subcaudal scales are good diagnostic c characters to identify these two species. The pattern of cross band is, however, highly variable within and between populations of both species. No hybrid was detected and the s suspected hybrid form of Cheju population falls within the range of A. ussuriensis in the g genetic and morphometric analyses.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.1078-1091
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• 1994

Thermodynamic calculations have been made from existing literature data to show that it is reasonable to expect to recover metal chlorides from the chlorination of metal sulfides with chlorine gas. The reactions between 12 metal sulfides, such as, $Ag_2S$, $As_2S_3$, CdS, CuS, $Cu_2S$, FeS, HgS, $MoS_2$, $Ni_3S_2$, PbS, $Sb_2S_3$ and chlorine gas were investigated by means of thermogravimetric method. The theorical calculation and the experimental investigation showed that chlorination of sulfide is a better alternative process for the extraction metallurgical process of sulfide ores.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.523-526
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• 2004

There are few studies on toxic metals in fruits. Therefore, we examined contents of toxic metals in fruits (n=386) available in Korean markets. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) or atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). The contents of mercury (Hg) were also determined using a mercury analyzer, Contents of toxic metals in fruits were as follows [minimum-maximum (mean), mg/kg]; Hg 0.0001-0.019 (0.001), Pb 0.001-0.410 (0.013), Cd 0.001-0.035 (0.000), and As 0.001-0.210 (0.017). Our results showed that metal contents in fruits in Korean markets were similar to those reported in other countries. Average weekly intakes of Hg, Pb, and Cd from fruits are about 1-2% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) set by FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee for safety evaluation.

• 한국초전도학회:학술대회논문집
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• v.9
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• pp.260-260
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• 1999

We compared c-axis tunneling characteristics of small stacked intrinsic Josephson junctions prepared on the surface of pristine, I-, and HgI$_2$-intercalated Bi$_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+x}$ (Bi2212) single crystals. The R(T) curves are almost metallic in I-Bi2212 specimens, but semiconducting in HgI$_2$-Bi2212 ones.· The transition temperatures were 82.0 K, 73.0 K, and 76.8 K for pristine Bi2212, I-Bi2212, and HgI2-Bi2212 specimens, respectively, consistent with p-T$_c$ phase diagram. Current-voltage (IV) characteristics of both kinds of specimens show multiple quasiparticle branches with well developed gap features, indicating Josephson coupling is established between neighboring CuO$_2$ planes. The critical current I$_c$ of I-Bi2212 is almost the same as of that of pristine crystals, but I$_c$ is much reduced in Hgl$_2$-Bi2212. In spite of expanded interlayer distances, the interlayer coupling is not significantly affected in I-Bi2212due to holes generated by iodine atoms. The coupling in HgI$_2$-Bi2212 is, however, weakened due to inertness of HgI$_2$ molecules and the expansion of interlayer distance. Relation between the superconducting transition temperature T$_c$ and the critical current I$_c$ seems to contradict Anderson's interlayer-pair-tunneling theory but agree with a modified version of it.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.137-148
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• 1980

The effects of divalent cations, $Hg^{2+}, Cu^{2+}, Pb^{2+}, Cd^{2+}$, and $Mn^{2+}$ on the total ATPase activity of the fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle were investigated. The inhibitory effects of the cations on the enzyme activity increased as the concentrations of the ions increased with the order of efficiency of $Hg^{2+}$ > $Cu^{2+}$ > $Pb^{2+}$ > $Cd^{2+}$ > $Mn^{2+}$ in the concentration range between 10 and 500$\mu$M. The 50% inhibition for each ion was almost identical with the inhibition constant (Ki) value for each ion. The Ki's were 10, 30 130, and 350$\mu$M for $Hg^{2+}, Cu^{2+}, Pb^{2+}, and Cd^{2+}$, respectively. $Mn^{2+}$ seemed to be an activator at lower concentrations and an inhibitor at higher concentrations. The presence of the cations did not change the Km values, suggesting that the ions act as a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor on the FSR ATPase. The energy of activation of the enzyme was aproximately 19 Kcal/mole. The presence of the ions decreased the value slightly. A possible mechanism for the reversible noncompetitive inhibitory effect of the cations was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.504-509
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• 2014

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of brazilein (BRZ) isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) against 8 different strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). New antimicrobial activity was found using the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), broth dilution as well as checkerboard method. Against the 8 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of BRZ were in the range of $62.5-500{\mu}g/mL$. From those results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of BRZ in combination with Hygromycin-b (HgB) against 4 strains. The combined activity of BRZ and HgB against 4 strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICI) ranging from 0.18-0.5. The effect of BRZ with HgB was found to be synergistic. We found that BRZ reduced the MICs of HgB. BRZ and HgB could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.371-375
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• 2008

In blood pressure measurement, the oscillometric method detects and analyzes the pulse pressure oscillation while deflating the cuff around the arm. For its principle, one has to inflate cuff pressure above the subject's systolic pressure and deflate below the diastolic pressure. Most of the commercialized devices inflate until the fixed target pressure and deflate until the fixed completion pressure because there is no way to know the systolic and diastolic pressure before measurement. Too high target pressure makes stress to the subject and too low target pressure makes big error or long measurement time because of re-inflation. There are similar problems for inadequate completion pressure. In this study, we suggest new algorithm to set proper target and completion pressure for each subject by analyzing pressure waveform while inflating period. We compared our proposed method and auscultation method to see the errors of estimation. The differences between the two measurements were -4.02$\pm$4.80mmHg, -10.50$\pm$10.57mmHg and -0.78$\pm$5.l7mmHg for mean arterial pressure, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure respectively. Consequently, we could set the target pressure by 30 mmHg higher than our estimation and we could stop at 20mmHg lower than our estimated diastolic pressure. Using this method, we could reduce the measurement time.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the mercury concentration of restaurant meals and to estimate the total dietary intake of mercury. Experimental subjects were 66 cases in 11 kinds of common restaurant meals collected from the Seoul area. Total mercury was determined by Hg-analyzer and two kinds of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were as follows: 1. Mean value of mercury contents in fluid of meals was about 0.002 ppm and there was no significant difference between the two methods. 2. Mercury concentration of residue by AAS was significantly higher than that by Hg-analyzer. The mean values of mercury concentration were 2.423 ppm, 10.229 ppm and 11.655 ppm by Hg-analyzer, AAS-PE and AAS-Hi, respectively. 3. Dietary intake of mercury from the meals was estimated $7.806\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by Hg-analyzer and 31.290, $35.349\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by two kinds of AAS. The values were lower than the FAO/WHO limit, $42.9\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$.