• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.1123-1132
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• 2013

The removal of toxic Cr(VI) by microorganisms is a promising approach for Cr(VI) pollution remediation. In the present study, four indigenous bacteria, named LY1, LY2, LY6, and LY7, were isolated from Cr(VI)-contaminated soil. Among the four Cr(VI)-resistant isolates, strain LY6 displayed the highest Cr(VI)-removing ability, with 100 mg/l Cr(VI) being completely removed within 144 h. It could effectively remove Cr(VI) over a wide pH range from 5.5 to 9.5, with the optimal pH of 8.5. The amount of Cr(VI) removed increased with initial Cr(VI) concentration. Data from the time-course analysis of Cr(VI) removal by strain LY6 followed first-order kinetics. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain LY6 was identified as Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum, a species that had never been reported for Cr(VI) removal before. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis further confirmed that strain LY6 could accumulate chromium within the cell while conducting Cr(VI) removal. The results suggested that the indigenous bacterial strain LY6 would be a new candidate for potential application in Cr(VI) pollution bioremediation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.1221-1228
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• 2013

Two lipase genes (bpl1 and bpl3) from Antarctic Bacillus pumilus strains were expressed in Bacillus subtilis. Both recombinant lipases BPL1 and BPL2 were secreted to the culture medium and their activities reached 3.5 U/ml and 5.0 U/ml, respectively. Their molecular masses apparent using SDS-PAGE were 23 kDa for BPL1 and 19 kDa for BPL3. Both lipases were purified to homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation and HiTrap SP FF column and Superose 12 column chromatographies. The final specific activities were estimated to be 328 U/mg for BPL1 and 310 U/mg for BPL3. Both lipases displayed an optimum temperature of $35^{\circ}C$, similar to other mesophilic enzymes. However, they maintained as much as 70% and 80% of the maximum activities at $10^{\circ}C$. Accordingly, their calculated activation energy at a temperature range of $10-35^{\circ}C$ was 5.32 kcal/mol for BPL1 and 4.26 kcal/mol for BPL3, typical of cold-adapted enzymes. The optimum pH of BPL1 and BPL3 was 8.5 and 8.0, respectively, and they were quite stable at pH 7.0-11.0, showing their strong alkaline tolerance. Both lipases had a preference toward medium chain length ($C_6-C_{10}$) fatty acid substrates. These results indicate the potential for the two Antarctic B. pumilus lipases as catalysts in bioorganic synthesis, food, and detergent industries.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제27권9호
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• pp.743-751
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the adsorption potential of chicken feathers for the removal of OrangeII (AO7) from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were performed as a function of different experimental parameters such as initial pH, reaction time, feather dose, initial OrangeII concentration and temperature. The highest OrangeII uptake was observed at pH 1.0. Most of the OrangeII was adsorbed at 2 h and an adsorption equilibrium was reached at 6 h. As the amount of chicken feather was increased, the removal efficiency of OrangeII increased up to 99%, but its uptake decreased. By increasing the initial concentration and temperature, OrangeII uptake was increased. The experimental adsorption isotherm exhibited a better fit with the Langmuir isotherm than with the Freundlich isotherm, and maximum adsorption capacity from the Langmuir constant was determined to be 0.179244 mmol/g at $30^{\circ}C$. The adsorption energy obtained from the Dubinin-Radushkevich model was 7.9 kJ/mol at $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$ which indicates the predominance of physical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters such as ${\Delta}G^0$, ${\Delta}H^0$, and ${\Delta}S^0$ were -12.28 kJ/mol, 20.64 kJ/mol and 112.32 J/mol K at $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. This indicates that the process of OrangeII adsorption by chicken feathers was spontaneous and endothermic. Our results suggest that as a low-cost biomaterials, chicken feather is an attractive candidate for OrangeII removal from aqueous solutions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.1453-1461
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• 2016

Regarding 'mate' intake (infusion of Ilex paraguariensis herb, a staple beverage in temperate South American regions), most epidemiologic studies showed positive associations with risk of some cancers, (e.g. upper aerodigestive tract), but evidence on breast cancer (BC) risk is limited to a previous multi-site study, which reported a non significant odds ratio [OR]=0.85, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.67-1.09, p for trend=0.31) for the highest quartile of intake. The present study was conducted in order to further assess associations of 'mate' intake with BC risk. We combined two databases of women belonging to public and private healthcare hospitals. The sample included 572 BC incident cases and 889 controls interviewed with a specific questionnaire featured by socio-demographic, reproductive and lifestyle variables, and a food frequency questionnaire of 64 items, also analyzing 'mate' intake (consumer status, daily intake, age at start, age at quit, duration of habit, intensity of intake). ORs and their 95%CI were calculated through unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for relevant potential confounders. The highest quartile of 'mate' intake was inversely associated with BC risk (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.26-0.57, p for trend <0.001). Stratified analyses also displayed strong significant inverse associations for 'mate' in frequent tea drinkers (OR=0.22), high energy intake (OR=0.23), high body mass index (OR=0.29) and in postmenopausal women (OR=0.36), among other results. As conclusions, we found evidence of a significant inverse association for 'mate' intake and BC risk.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.1499-1505
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• 2007

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) is a reactive oxidant formed from superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;O_2-$) and nitric oxide (NO), which can oxidize cellular components such as essential protein, non-protein thiols, DNA, low-density lipoproteins and membrane phospholipids. ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ have contributed to the pathogenesis of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Because of damaging effects of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ oxidants, Vespae Nidus, which has been known to strengthen the kidneys to preserve the vital energy. was tested as a potential specific scavenger of those oxidants. In this study, the viability of Vespae Nidus (1, 10, 50 g/ml) to scavenge ${\cdot}\;O_2-$, NO, $ONOO^-$ and so to protect cells against tert-butylhydroxyperoxide (t-BHP) induced cell death was tested. The levels of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ were detected by staining with DCFH-DA and DHR 123, respectively. Protein expression levels of COX-2, iNOS and $NF{-\kappa}B$ were assayed by western blot. Vespae Nidus blocked t-BHP-induced cell death in a dose-dependent fashion. Vespae Nidus inhibited t-BHP-induced production of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$, NO and $ONOO^-$ in YPEN cells. The lipid peroxide level was increased and glutathione level was decreased in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated ICR mouse, whereas the ones in the Vespae Nidus-administered group were regulated beneficially. Vespae Nidus inhibited the expression of COX-2, iNOS and NF-κB (p65 and p50) genes in LPS-treated ICR mouse. The present study suggests that Vespae Nidus is a powerful antioxidant and promotes cellular defense activity by scavenging the toxic oxidants such as ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.685-691
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• 1998

In the first of two experiments, chemical composition (Ash, CP and CF contents), nutritive value (in vitro organic matter disappearance "lVOMD" and energy content "ME") and nitrogen retention of chopped date fronds (CDF) as affected by chemical treatment (CT) and storage duration (SD) were investigated. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, arranged in a $3{\times}4$ factorial, with 3 (CT) and 4 (SD) as the main factors using 2 replications / treatment. Three chemical treatments, were used : Control (With zero or no chemical treatment); treatment with 4% urea solution (w /w) and treatment with 4% urea + Date syrup extract (DS). The 4 (SD) were: Control (immediately after opening - without any storage or zero time storage); one month storage period; two months storage period and three months storage period. Both (CT) and (SD) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on CP and ash contents of the CDF, however there were no significant effects (p > 0.05) due to (CT) and (SD) on CF and nutritive value. High retention value (> 80%) for nitrogen was reported for the treated CDF, immediately after opening the incubated material (zero SD). However, nitrogen retention decreased with increasing (SD) to 67% after one month (SD) but tended to stay at a fairly constant level of 67% until 3 months of storage. In experiment 2, the feeding value of treated CDF was evaluated in comparison to Rhodes grass hay, using growing goats and sheep. A $4{\times}2$ factorial design was used (Four roughage sources were used : Rhodes grass hay, untreated CDF, urea-treated CDF and CDF treated with urea + DS with sheep and goats as two animal species, using three animals / treatment). Untreated CDF had a similar feeding value to Rhodes grass hay. However treatment of CDF with urea alone or with urea + DS depressed animal performance of both goats and sheep, apparently due to depression of feed intake (appetite). Feeding untreated CDF decreased feeding cost by 29% and cost/kg gain by 23%. CDF showed a good potential as a cheap local roughage and emergency feed for ruminants in the Sultanate.

• 한국표면공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국표면공학회 2017년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.153-153
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• 2017

The application of the coating supports the mechanical characteristics of the implant, and various materials and coatings are currently being used in the implant in a way to accelerate adhesion. Especially, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coating has been proposed continually with good surface treatment of titanium alloys. Also, the PEO process can incorporate Ca and P ions on the titanium surface through variables varied factor. PEO process for bioactive surface has carried out in electrolytes containing Ca and P ions. Natural bone is composed of mineral elements such as Mg, Si, Zn, Sr, and Mn, etc. Especially, Mg and Si of these elements play role in bone formation and growth after clinical implantation of bio-implants. In this study, corrosion charateristics of PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy in solution containing Si and Mg ions has been investigated using several experimental techniques. The PEO-treated surfaces were identified by X-ray diffraction, using a diffractometer (XRD, Philips X' pert PRO, Netherlands) with Cu $K{\alpha}$ radiation. The morphology was observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM, Hitachi 4800, Japan) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX, Oxford ISIS 310, England). The potentiodynamic polarization and AC impedance tests for electrochemical degradations were carried out in 0.9% NaCl solution at similar body temperature using a potentiostat with a scan rate of 1.67mV/s and potential range from -1500mV to + 2000mV.

• 한국표면공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국표면공학회 2017년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.154-154
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• 2017

Ti-6Al-4V alloys are widely used as metal-lic biomaterials in dentistry and orthopedics due to its excellent biocompatibility and me-chanical properties. However, because of low biological activity, it is difficult to form bone growth directly on the surface of titanium implants. For this reason, surface treatment of plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO) was used for dental implants. To enhance bioac-tivity on the surface, strontium(Sr) and sili-con(Si) ions can be added to PEO treated sur-face in the electrolyte containing these ions. The presence of Sr in the coating enhances osteoblast activity and differentiation, where-as it inhibits osteoclast production and prolif-eration. And Si has been found to be essen-tial for normal bone, cartilage growth, and development. In this study, electrochemical characteristics of Ca, P, Sr, and Si ions from PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface was re-searched using various experimental instruments. DC power is used and Ti-6Al-4V al-loy was subjected to a voltage of 280 V for 3 minutes in the electrolyte containing 5, 10, 20M% Sr ion and 5M% Si ion. The morphol-ogies of PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy by electrochemical anodization were examined by field-emission scanning electron micro-scopes (FE-SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and corrosion analysis using AC impedance and potentiodynamic polarization test in 0.9% NaCl solution at similar body tempera-ture using a potentiostat with a scan rate of 1.67mV/s and potential range from -1500mV to + 2000mV.

• Advances in materials Research
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.37-46
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• 2019

Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) which are fabricated using carbon based electrodes have been emerging at an alarming rate to fulfill the energy demand in the present day world. Activated charcoal has been accepted as a very suitable candidate for electrodes but its cost is higher than natural graphite. Present study is about fabrication of EDLCs using composite electrodes with activated charcoal and Sri Lankan natural graphite as well as a gel polymer electrolyte which is identified as a suitable substitute for liquid electrolytes. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry and Galvanostatic Charge Discharge test were done to evaluate the performance of the fabricated EDLCs. Amount of activated charcoal and natural graphite plays a noticeable role on the capacity. 50 graphite : 40 AC : 10 PVdF showed the optimum single electrode specific capacity value of 15 F/g. Capacity is determined by the cycling rate as well as the potential window within which cycling is being done. Continuous cycling resulted an average single electrode specific capacity variation of 48 F/g - 16 F/g. Capacity fading was higher at the beginning. Later, it dropped noticeably. Initial discharge capacity drop under Galvanostatic Charge Discharge test was slightly fast but reached near stable upon continuous charge discharge process. It can be concluded that initially some agitation is required to reach the maturity. However, the results can be considered as encouraging to initiate studies on EDLCs using Sri Lankan natural graphite.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.123-130
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• 2019

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-modified bentonite (EMB) was used for adsorption of zinc ion (Zn) from aqueous solution, compared with unmodified bentonite (UB). Parameters such as dose (0.750 ~ 3.125 g/L), mixing intensity (10 ~ 150 rpm), contact time (0.17 ~ 30 min), pH (2 ~ 7), and temperature (298 ~ 338 K), were studied. Zn removal efficiency for EMB was 20 ~ 30 % higher, than that for UB, in all experiments. Thermodynamic studies demonstrated that adsorption process was spontaneous with Gibb's free energy (${\Delta}G$) values, ranging between -5.211 and -7.175 kJ/mol for EMB, and -0.984 and -2.059 kJ/mol for UB, and endothermic with enthalpy (${\Delta}H$) value of 9.418 kJ/mol for EMB and 7.022 kJ/mol for UB. Adsorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second order kinetics model, and its rate constant was 3.41 for EMB and $2.00g/mg{\cdot}min$ for UB. Adsorption equilibrium data for EMB were best represented by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 2.768 mg/g. It was found that the best conditions for Zn removal of EMB within the range of operation used, were 3.125 g/L dose, 90 rpm intensity, 10 min contact time, pH 4, and 338 K. Therefore, EMB has good potential for adsorption of Zn.