• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.30-39
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• 2017

In this study, the predictive toxicity of barley Hordeum vulgare was estimated using a modified terrestrial biotic ligand model (TBLM) to account for the toxic effects of $CuOH^+$ and $CuCO_3(aq)$ generated at pH 7 or higher, and this was compared to that from the original TBLM. At pH values higher than 7, the difference in $EA_{50}\{Cu^{2+}\}$ (half maximal effective activity of $Cu^{2+}$) between the two models increased with increasing pH. As Mg concentration increased from 8.24 to 148 mg/L in the pH range of 5.5 to 8.5, the difference in $EA_{50}\{Cu^{2+}\}$ increased, and it reached its maximum at pH 8. The difference in $EC_{50}[Cu]_T$ (half maximal effective concentration of Cu) between the two models increased as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration increased when pH was above 7. Thus, for soils with alkaline pH, the toxic effect of $CuOH^+$ and $CuCO_3(aq)$ are greater at higher salt and DOC concentrations. The acceptable Cu concentration in soil porewater can be estimated by the modified TBLM through deterministic method at pH levels higher than 7, while combination of TBLM and species sensitivity distribution through the probabilistic method could be utilized at pH levels lower than 7.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2003

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, are known to regulate excitatory ligand-gated ion channel activity such as nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptor channel activity. However, it is not known whether ginsenosides affect inhibitory ligand-gated ion channel activity. We investigated the effect of ginsenosides on human recombinant $GABA_A$ receptor (${\alpha}_1{\beta}_1{\gamma}_{2s}$) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Among the eight individual ginsenosides examined, namely, $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$ and $Rg_2$, we found that Rc most potently enhanced the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$). Ginsenoside Rc alone induced an inward membrane current in certain batches of oocytes expressing the $GABA_A$ receptor. The effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$ was both dose-dependent and reversible. The half-stimulatory concentration ($EC_{50}$) of ginsenoside Rc was 53.2$\pm$12.3 $\mu$M. Both bicuculline, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and picrotoxin, a $GABA_A$ channel blocker, blocked the stimulatory effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$. Niflumic acid (NFA) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), both $CI^{-1}$ channel blockers, attenuated the effect of ginsenoside Rc on I$I_{GABA}$. This study suggests that ginsenosides regulated $GABA_A$ receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes and implies that this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of Panax ginseng.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Risk based pollution level of Pb and Cd in metal contaminated soils depending on physicochemical properties of soil in a target site was assessed using biotic ligand model. Heavy metal activity in soil solution defined as exposure activity (EA) was assumed to be toxic to Vibrio fischeri and soil organisms. Predicted effective activity (PEA) determined by biotic ligand model was compared to EA value to calculate risk quotient. Field contaminated soils (n = 10) were collected from a formes area and their risk based pollution levels were assessed in the present study using the calculated risk quotient. Concentrations of Pb determined by aqua regia were 295, 258, and 268 mg/kg in B, H and J points and concentrations of Cd were 4.73 and 6.36 mg/kg in G and I points, respectively. These points exceeded the current soil conservation standards. However, risk based pollution levels of the ten points were not able to be calculated because concentrations of Pb and Cd in soil solution were smaller than detection limits or one (i.e., non toxic). It was because heavy metal activity in soil solution was dominant toxicological form to organisms, not a total heavy metal concentration in soil. In addition, heavy metal toxicity was decreased by competition effect of major cations and formation of complex with dissolved organic carbon in soil solution. Therefore, it is essential to consider site-specific factors affecting bioavailability and toxicity for estimating reliable risk of Pb and Cd.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.494-500
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• 2014

Indium-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals (IZO NCs), capped with stearic acid (SA) of different sizes, were synthesized using a hot injection method in a noncoordinating solvent 1-octadecene (ODE). The ligand exchange process was employed to modify the surface of IZO NCs by replacing the longer-chain ligand of stearic acid with the shorter-chain ligand of butylamine (BA). It should be noted that the ligand-exchange percentage was observed to be 75%. The change of particle size, morphology, and crystal structures were obtained using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction pattern results. In our study, the 5 nm and 10 nm IZO NCs capped with stearic acid (SA-IZO) were ligand-exchanged with butylamine (BA), and were then spin-coated on a thermal oxide ($SiO_2$) gate insulator to fabricate a thin film transistor (TFT) device. The films were then annealed at various temperatures: $350^{\circ}C$, $400^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$, and $600^{\circ}C$. All samples showed semiconducting behavior and exhibited n-channel TFT. Curing temperature dependent on mobility was observed. Interestingly, mobility decreases with the increasing size of NCs from 5 to 10 nm. Miller-Abrahams hopping formalism was employed to explain the hopping mechanism insight our IZO NC films. By focusing on the effect of size, different curing temperatures, electron coupling, tunneling rate, and inter-NC separation, we found that the decrease in electron mobility for larger NCs was due to smaller electronic coupling.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.53-59
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• 2023

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has no effect on normal cells, but selectively can induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Gartanin, a xanthone compound in mangosteen, has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle and inducing autophage. In this study, we revealed that gartanin can sensitize TRAIL-induced human liver cancer cell death. We also found that gartanin enhances DR5 expression, a death receptor for TRAIL. This effect appears to be related to CHOP activation associated with the response of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Gartanin treatment also inhibited p62 protein expression and cleaved LC3 to activate autophagy flux, which is related with TRAIL-induced cell death. Pretreatment with autophagy flux inhibitor, LY294002, inhibited gartanin-induced DR5 expression. In summary, our results reveal that the combined treatment of gartanin and TRAIL can be a valuable tool for cancer treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.129-129
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• 2013

Nanometal alloy catalysts have been found to significantly increase catalytic efficiency, compared to the monometallic counterparts. This enhancement can be attributed to various alloying effects: i) the existence of uniquemixed-metal surface sites [the so called ensemble (geometric) effect]; ii) electronic state changes due to metal-metal interactions [the so called ligand (electronic) effect]; and iii) strain caused by lattice mismatch between the alloy components [the socalled strain effect]. In addition, the presence of low-coordination surface atoms and preferential exposure of specific facets [(111), (100), (110)] in association with the size and shape of nanoparticle catalysts [the so called shape-size-facet effect] can be another important factor for modifying the catalytic activity. However, mechanisms underlying the alloying effect still remain unclear owing to the difficulty of direct characterization. Computational approaches, particularly the prediction using first-principles density functional theory (DFT), can be a powerful and flexible alternative for unraveling the role of alloying effects in catalysis since those can give us quantitative insights into the catalytic systems. In this talk, I will present the underlying principles (such as atomic arrangement, facet, local strain, ligand interaction, and effective atomic coordination number at the surface) that govern catalytic reactions occurring on Pd-based alloys using the first-principles calculations. This work highlights the importance of knowing how to properly tailor the surface reactivity of alloy catalysts for achieving high catalytic performance.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.515-522
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• 2010

A relation between antimicrobial activities and the formation constants of solid complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Fe(III) with tridentate Schiff base ligand, 4-hydroxy-3(1-{2-(benzylideneamino)-phenylimino}-ethyl)-6-methyl-2Hpyran-2-one (HL) derived from o-phenylene diamines, dehydroacetic acid (DHA) and p-chloro benzaldehyde have been studied. The ligand and metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, IR, $^1H$-NMR, UV-vis and mass spectra. From the analytical data, the stiochiometry of the complexes was found to be 1:2 (metal:ligand) with octahedral geometry. The molar conductance values suggest the nonelectrolytic nature of metal complexes. The X-ray diffraction data suggests monoclinic crystal system for Ni(II) and orthorhombic crystal system for Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes. The IR spectral data suggest that the ligand behaves as tridentate ligand with ONN donor atoms sequence towards central metal ion. Thermal behavior (TG/DTA) and kinetic parameters calculated by Coats-Redfern method suggests more ordered activated state in complex formation. The protonation constants of the complexes were determined potentiometrically in THF:water (60:40) medium at $25^{\circ}C$ and ionic strength ${\mu}=0.1\;M$ ($NaClO_4$). Antibacterial activities in vitro were performed against Staphylococcus aureu and Escherichia coli. Antifungal activities were studied against Aspergillus Niger and Trichoderma. The effect of the metal ions and stabilities of complexes on antimicrobial activities are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2000

The deposition characteristics of MOCVD Cu using the (hfac)Cu(1,1-COD)(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentadionato Cu(I) 1,5-cyclooctadine) have been investigated in terms of the effects of carrier gas such as hydrogen and argon as well as the effects of H(hfac) ligand addition. MOCVD Cu using a hydrogen carrier gas led to a higher deposition rate and lower resistivity than an argon carrier gas system. The improvement in the surface roughness of the MOCVD Cu films and the (111) preferred orientation texture was obtained by using a hydrogen carrier gas. However, the adhesion characteristics of the films showed relatively weaker compared to the Ar carrier gas system, probably due to the larger amount of F content in the films, which was confirmed by the AES analyses. When an additional H(hfac) ligand was added, the deposition rate was significantly enhanced in the case of an argon + H(hfac) carrier gas system while significant change in the deposition rate of MOCVD Cu was not observed in the case of the hydrogen carrier gas system. However, the addition of H(hfac) in both carrier gases led to lowering the resistivity of the MOCVD Cu films. In conclusion, this paper suggests the deposition mechanism of MOCVD Cu and is expected to contribute to the enhancement of smooth Cu films with a low resistivity by manipulating the deposition conditions such as the carrier gas and addition of H(hfac) ligand.

• Bioinformatics and Biosystems
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2006

Computational prediction of protein-ligand binding has been widely used as a tool to discover lead compounds fur new drugs. Prediction accuracy is determined in part by the scoring function used in docking calculations. Diverse scoring functions are available, and these can be classified into force-field based, empirical, and knowledge-based functions depending upon the basic assumptions made in development. Among these, force-field based functions consider physical interactions the most in detail. However, the force-field based functions have the drawback of not including the entropic effect while considering only the energy contribution such as dispersion or electrostatic forces. In this article, a method to take into account of the entropic effect using the colony energy is suggested when force-field based scoring functions is used by extracting conformational information obtained from the pre-existing docking program. An improved result for decoy discrimination is illustrated when the method is applied to the DOCK scoring function, and this implies that more accurate docking calculation is possible.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2020

[Purpose] Although physical activity is required to prevent or ameliorate osteoporosis, medicine prescription should precede it, since it may be limited in severe osteoporosis patients. Furthermore, osteoporosis has a great effect on physical activity disorders that accompany fractures and pain, and therefore, research on treatment or prevention to decrease the number of patients is required. The purpose of this study was to discover candidate substances from natural products with an effective pharmacological action and to prepare basic data to help patients. [Methods] To prepare the osteoporosis model, ovariectomy (OVX) was performed using surgical methods. The prepared prescription [Shinkiwhan (SKH), a Korean medicine] was administered orally at a dose of 210 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. After completion of the animal experiment, the bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed using double-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The analysis of the effect of drugs on bones was performed using histological analysis and immunostaining. [Results] SKH increased the BMD in the OVX rats. Furthermore, SKH significantly increased the expression of osteoprotegerin and downregulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinases in the bones of the OVX model. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest a protective effect of SKH against BMD loss in the OVX model.