• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2010

The ultrafine titanium carbonitride ($TiC_xN_y$) particles below 100 nm in mean size, including various carbon and nitrogen contents (x=0.55~0.9, y=0.1~0.5), were successfully synthesized by new Mg-thermal reduction process. Nanostructured sub-stoichiometric titanium carbide ($TiC_x$) particles were initially produced by the magnesium reduction of gaseous $TiCl_4+x/2C_2Cl_4$ at $890^{\circ}C$ and post heat treatments in vacuum were performed for 2 hrs to remove residual magnesium and magnesium chloride mixed with $TiC_x$. Finally, well C/N-controled $TiC_xN_y$ phases were successfully produced by nitrification heat treatment under normal $N_2$ gas atmosphere at $1150^{\circ}C$ for 2 hrs. The values of purity, mean particle size and oxygen content of produced particles were about 99.3%, 100 nm and 0.2 wt.%, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.5
• /
• pp.513-519
• /
• 1999

Direct exposure of renal tubular brush-border membranes (BBM) to free cadmium (Cd) causes a reduction in phosphate (Pi) transport capacity. Biochemical mechanism of this reduction was investigated in the present study. Renal proximal tubular brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were isolated from rabbit kidney outer cortex by Mg precipitation method. Vesicles were exposed to $50{\sim}200\;{\mu}M\;CdCl_2$ for 30 min, then the phosphate transporter activity was determined. The range of Cd concentration employed in this study was comparable to that of the unbound Cd documented in renal cortical tissues of Cd-exposed animals at the time of onset of renal dysfunction. The rate of sodium-dependent phosphate transport $(Na^+-Pi\;cotransport)$ by BBMV was determined by $^{32}P-Iabeled$ inorganic phosphate uptake, and the number of $Na^+-Pi$ cotransporters in the BBM was assessed by Pi-protectable $^{14}C-labeled$ phosphonoformic acid $([^{14}C]PFA)$ binding. The exposure of BBMV to Cd decreased the $Na^+-Pi$ cotransport activity in proportion to the Cd concentration in the preincubation medium, but it showed no apparent effect on the Pi-protectable PFA binding. These results indicate that an interaction of renal BBM with free Cd induces a reduction in $Na^+-Pi$ cotransport activity without altering the carrier density in the membrane. This, in turn, suggest that the suppression of phosphate transport capacity $(V_{max})$ observed in Cd-treated renal BBM is due to a reduction in $Na^+-Pi$ translocation by existing carriers, possibly by Cd-induced fall in membrane fluidity.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.134-145
• /
• 2011

The objectives of this study were to investigate fitness difference in growth and rice yield in herbicide-transgenic rice overexpressing Myxococcus xanthus and Arabidopsis thaliana protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) genes and non-transgenic rice. We also aimed to determine whether these fitness differences are related to ALA synthesizing capacity, accumulation of terapyrroles, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidative enzymes at different growth stages of rice. Plant height of the transgenic rice overexpressing M. xanthus (MX) and A. thaliana (AP37) Protox genes at 43, 50, and 65 days after transplanting (DAT) was significantly lower than that of WT. Number of tiller of PX as well as MX and AP37 at 50 and 65 DAT was significantly lower than that of WT. At harvest time, culm length and yield of MX, PX and AP37 and rice straw weight of MX and AP37 were significantly low compared with WT. The reduction of yield in MX, PX, and AP37 was caused by spikelets per panicle and 1000 grain weight, ripened grain, spikelets per panicle, 1000 grain weight, and ripened grain, respectively. On the other hand, 135 the reduction of yield in MX, PX, and AP37 was also observed in another yearly variation experiment. The reduction of rice growth in MX, PX, and AP37 was observed in seedling stage as well as growth duration in field. There were no differences in tetrapyrrole intermediate Proto IX, Mg-Proto IX and Mg-Proto IX monomethyl ester, reactive oxygen species ($H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^-$), MDA, antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, POX, APX, and GR) and chlorophyll between transgenic lines and wild type, indicating that accumulated tetrapyrrole intermediate and other parameters were not related to growth reduction in transgenic rice. However, ALA synthesizing capacity in MX, PX, and AP37 at one day after exposure to light and 52 DAT was significantly lower than that of WT. Further study is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the growth and yield difference between transgenic and WT lines.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.578-582
• /
• 2007

The primary objective of this study was to assess the in vitro melanogenesis inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of the edible and medicinal lichens, Umbilicaria (Gyrophora) esculenta and Usnea longissima. The quantities of the total phenolic compounds of methanolic extract of the two lichen extracts were determined to be 1.46% and 2.62%, respectively. In order to evaluate the antioxidative effects of the extracts, we also measured electron donating abilities (EDA) and lipid peroxidation rates. The EDA values measured by the reduction of 1.1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 72.8% and 80.7% for the extracts, with $SC_{50}$ (median scavenging concentration) values of $1.29{\pm}0.05\;mg/ml$ and $1.03{\pm}0.06\;mg/ml$, respectively. The rates of inhibition of lipid peroxidation using linoleic acid were 92.1% and 97.3% for the extracts, with $IC_{50}$ (median inhibitory concentration) values of $0.57{\pm}0.05\;mg/ml$ and $0.53{\pm}0.06\;mg/ml$, respectively. The inhibitory rates of the extracts against tyrosinase were 67.4% and 84.8%, respectively. The extracts were shown to reduce melanin formation in human melanoma cells. Melanin contents in the samples treated with 0.01% and 0.1% U. esculenta were 47.1% and 31.2%, respectively, and those treated with 0.01% and 0.1% Usnea longissima were 51.1% and 34.9%, respectively, whereas a value of 54.0% was registered when ascorbic acid was utilized as a positive control. In addition to direct tyrosinase inhibition, it was determined that the lichen extracts affected the activity of tyrosinase via the inhibition of tyrosinase glycosylation. As a result, the methanolic extracts of U. esculenta and Usnea longissima evidenced melanogenesis inhibitory effects, which occurred via multiple routes.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.47-56
• /
• 2008

Total Maximum Daily Load(TMDL) is a core basin management system to assign total emissions of pollutants to unit basin and emission source within a limit of the target water quality and to secure sustainability. considering "Environment and development" together. By current technical guidance of TMDL, the water quality in the riverbed of which the target water quality is noticed, must achieve the target; and the water quality standard for evaluating achievement of the target should be prescribed as non-excessive probability quality of water on the basis of the pertinent water quality documents. Therefore, the study calculated the target water quality by each unit basin which the target water quality must be noticed through the analysis of probability for water quality documents in rivers at the time of establishing a plan, and the study evaluated the achievement possibility of the target water quality by analyzing and comparing the target water quality plan with the standard water quality to evaluate the achievement of the target water quality. As the result, applying the proposed method to Mihocheon River system, it is concluded that selected the target water quality (Each BOD 3.3mg/1 and BOD 3.0mg/1) in Miho A and Musim A is available. Of course, it showed that the target water quality: BOD 2.5mg/1 in Miho A and BOD 3.0mg/1 in Musim A, could be achieved if the small reduction in B unit area was implemented.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.321-327
• /
• 2013

In the present work, the reactors that harbor bacterial biofilms including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and heterotrophic bacteria were treated with a continuous dose of chlorite ($0.66{\pm}0.01mg/L$) either with or without monochloramine at $1.77{\pm}0.03mg/L$. Both chlorite alone and combined chlorite-monochloramine applications effectively reduced biofilm and bulk AOB levels to near or below the detection limit ($0.6MPN/cm^2$ and 0.2 MPN/ml). The combined chlorite-monochloramine application exhibited greater AOB inactivation than chlorite alone. Unlike AOB, heterotrophic plate count (HPC) was unaffected by chlorite alone. In contrast to chlorite-only application, a combination of chlorite and monochloramine resulted in a significant reduction in HPC levels with log reductions of 3.1 and 3.0 for biofilm and bulk water, respectively. The results demonstrate that the combined chlorite-monochloramine application can provide an effective treatment for the inhibition of AOB and heterotrophic bacteria in a drinking water distribution system.

• Plant Journal
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 2019

To meet both increasing social demand for reduction of fine dust and the strengthened air pollutant emission standards, this paper indicated performance enhancement of FGD with structural constraints in 500 MW coal fired thermal power plant's. Through modifying internal facilities for flue gases to make swirl in the absorption tower, it made turbulence and increased the efficiency of material transfer, the reaction area and time with the limestone slurry. Therefore, it could reduce dust and enhance the performance of collecting the SO₂. As a result, desulfurization efficiency was improved from 91.61% to 98.43% and dust removal efficiency was improved from 77.4% to 87.08%. Emission density is 7.85 ppm of SO₂ and 4.67 mg/㎥ of dust. This is a level that satisfies emission limit of 25 ppm of SO₂ and 5 mg/㎥ of dust which are the air pollutant emission standards of 2023. The performance enhancement method of this study is expected to be effectively applied to other coal-fired power plants with similar constraints.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.7
• /
• pp.462-466
• /
• 2009

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), found in the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria, only exerts its toxic effects when in free form. LPS has three major parts, lipid A, the toxic component, along with a core polysaccharide and O-specific polysaccharide. LPS monomers are known to have molecular masses between 10 to 30 kDa. Under physiological conditions, LPS exists in equilibrium between monomer and vesicle forms. LPS removal by 100 kDa ultrafiltration was more efficient (99.6% of LPS removed) with a low concentration of protein (2.0 mg/ml) compared to a high concentration (20.1 mg/ml). In the presence of different detergents (0.5% Tween 20, 1.0% taurodeoxycholate and 1.0% Triton X-100), LPS removal was more efficient at low protein concentrations (2.0 mg/ml) compared to high protein concentrations (20.1 mg/ml).

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.248-252
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The aim of the present work is evaluating the special effects of Urtica Dioica and Lamium Album on the serum level of K-Ras and GSK-3 beta in diabetic rats. Methods: In the present experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 4 groups (Group I: normal control rats; receiving daily PBS, Group 2: diabetic control rats; receiving single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and daily PBS, Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of the U. dioica, Group 4: Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of L. Album. Diabetes-induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/ kg). On the 14 th day of treatment, the weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and on 28 th day blood glucose, K-Ras and GSK3 beta was measured. Results: In diabetic group blood GSK- 3 beta increase in comparison to control group (P < 0.05), also blood K-Ras decrease in the diabetic group (P < 0.05). Both extracts reduced GSK-3 beta level, however, this reduction was only statistically significant by U.dioica (P < 0.05). Compared to diabetic group, blood K-Ras level increased by both extract (P < 0.05). Also diabetes induction increase blood glucose levels and both extracts decrease its level significantly (P < 0.05).there is no significant differences among both extract effects on blood glucose, and K-Ras. Conclusion: For the first time shown that both extracts by regulating GSK-3 beta and K-Ras improve blood glucose level. More studies are needed to determine all the effects of these herbs.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.514-522
• /
• 2013

The major 24 tributaries in Nam-River mid-watershed were monitored for discharge and water quality in order to understand the characteristics of the watershed and to select the tributary catchment for improving water quality. According to the analytical results of discharge and water quality monitoring data of 24 tributaries, the mean value of discharge below $0.1m^3/s$ was 62.5% among the monitored tributaries and it mostly exceeded the water quality standards of Nam-river mid-watershed ($BOD_5$ = 3 mg/L, T-P = 0.1 mg/L over). According to the stream grouping method and the water quality delivery load density ($kg/day/km^2$) based on the results of tributary discharge and water quality monitoring, the tributary watersheds for improving the water quality were selected. In the Nam-River mid-watershed, tributaries in the GaJwaCheon, HaChonCheon catchment (Group D, $BOD_5$ = 3 mg/L over) and in the UirYeongCheon, SeokGyoCheon catchment (Group A, T-P = 0.1 mg/L over), which have a small flow (and/or large flow) and a high concentrations of water pollutants. The various water quality improving scheme for tributaries, in accordance with the reduction of potential point source pollution by living sewage and livestock wastewater, should be established and implemented.