• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

In this report, we demonstrate that the longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance mode can be suppressed when the nanorods were in dumbbell shape. The seed nanorods were synthesized by electrochemical deposition of metals into the pores of anodic aluminum oxide templates. The dumbbell-like nanorods were grown from seed Au-Ni-Au nanorods by a rate-controlled seed-mediated growth strategy. The selective deposition of Au atoms onto Au blocks of Au-Ni-Au nanorods produced larger diameter of Au nanorods with bumpy surface resulting in dumbbell-like nanorods. The morphology of nanorods depended on the reduction rate of $AuCl_4^-$, slow rate producing smooth surface of Au nanorods, but high reduction rate producing bumpy surface morphology. Through systematic investigation into the UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, we found that the multiple localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) modes were available from single-component Au nanorods. And, their LSPR modes of Au NRs with bumpy surface, compared to the smooth seed Au NRs, were red-shifted, which was obviously attributed to the increased electron oscillation pathways. While the longitudinal LSPR modes of smoothly grown Au NRs were blue-shifted except for a dipole transverse LSPR mode, which can be interpreted by decreased aspect ratio. In addition, dumbbell-like nanorods showed an almost disappeared longitudinal LSPR mode. It reflects that the plasmonic properties can be engineered using complex nanorods structure.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect and the underlying mechanism of ethanol extract of Benincasa seeds on a cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) established by treating HepG2 cells with palmitate. Methods : We evaluated ethanol extract of Benincasa seeds (EEBS) for its hepatic lipid-lowering potential in fatty acid overloaded HepG2 cells. After incubation in palmitate containing media with or without EEBS, intracellular neutral lipid accumulations were quantified by Nile red staining. We also investigated the effect of EEBS on lipogenesis and ${\beta}$-oxidation. $LXR{\alpha}$-dependent SREBP-1c activation, expression of lipogenic genes, and expression of ${\beta}$-oxidation related genes were determined with or without pretreatment of EEBS. Results : EEBS significantly attenuated palmitate-induced intracellular neutral lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. EEBS suppressed fatty acid synthesis by inhibiting $LXR{\alpha}$-dependent SREBP-1c activation. EEBS also repressed SREBP-1c mediated induction of lipogenic genes, including ACC, FAS, and SCD-1. However, EEBS had no effect on ${\beta}$-oxidation related CPT-1 and $PPAR{\alpha}$ gene expression. Conclusions : Our results suggest that EEBS has an efficacy to decrease hepatic lipid accumulation, and this effect was mediated by inhibiting the $LXR{\alpha}$-SREBP-1c pathway that leads to expression of lipogenic genes and hepatic steatosis. Therefore, the Benincasa seeds may have a potential clinical application for treatment of this chronic liver disease.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1996.07a
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• pp.61-74
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• 1996

Human and monogastric animals can not synthesize 10 out of the 20 amino asids and therefor need to obtain these from their diet. The plant seed is a major source of dietary protein. It is particular important in their study to increase nutritional quality of the seed storage proteins. The low contents of lysine, asparagine and threonenein various cereal seeds and of cystein and methionine. In legume seeds is due to the low proportions of these amino acids in the major storage proteins, we have tried to apply the three strategies; (1) mutagenesis and selection of specific amino acid analogue resistance, (2) cloning and expression study of lysine biosynthesis related gene, (3) transfomation of lysine rich soybean glycinin gene. The 5-methyltryptophan (5MT) resistant cell lines, SAR1, SAR2 and SAR3 were selected from anther derived callus of rice (Oryza sativa L. "Sasanishiki"). Among these selected cell lines, two (SAR1 and SAR3) were able to grow stably at 200 mg/L of 5MT. Analysis of the freed amino acids in callus shows that 5MT resistant cells (SAR3) accumulated free tryptophan at least up to 50 times higher than those that of the higher than of SAS. These results indicated that the 5MT resistant cell lines are useful in studies of amino acid biosynthesis. Tr75, a rice (Oryza sativa L., var. Sasanishiki) mutant resistant to 5MT was segregated from the progenies of its initial mutant line, TR1. The 5MT resistant of TR75 was inherited in the M8 generations as a single dominant nuclear gene. The content of free amino acids in the TR75 homozygous seeds increased approximately 1.5 to 2.0 fold compared to wild-type seeds. Especially, the contents of tryptophan, phenylalanine and aspartic acid were 5.0, 5.3 and 2.7 times higher than those of wild-type seeds, respectively. The content of lysine is significantly low in rice. The lysine is synthesized by a complex pathway that is predominantly regulated by feedback inhibition of several enzymes including asparginase, aspatate kinase, dihydrodipicolinat synthase, etc. For understanding the regulation mechanism of lysine synthesis in rice, we try to clone the lysine biosynthetic metabolism related gene, DHPS and asparaginase, from rice. We have isolated a rice DHPS genomic clone which contains an ORF of 1044 nucleotides (347 amino acids, Mr. 38, 381 daltons), an intron of 587 nucleotides and 5'and 3'-flanking regions by screening of rice genomic DNA library. Deduced amino acid sequence of mature peptide domain of GDHPS clone is highly conserved in monocot and dicot plants whereas that of transit peptide domain is extremely different depending on plant specie. Southern blot analysis indicated that GDHPS is located two copy gene in rice genome. The transcripts of a rice GDHPS were expressed in leaves and roots but not detected in callus tissues. The transcription level of GDHPS is much higher in leaves indicating enormous chloroplast development than roots. Genomic DNA clones for asparaginase genes were screened from the rice genomic library by using plaque hybridization technique. Twelve different genomic clones were isolated from first and second screening, and 8 of 12 clones were analyzed by restriction patterns and identified by Southern Blotting, Restriction enzyme digestion patterns and Southern blot analysis of 8 clones show the different pattern for asparaginase gene. Genomic Southern blot analysis from rice were done. It is estimated that rice has at least 2-3 copy of asparaginase gene. One of 8 positive clones was subcloned into the pBluescript SK(+) vector, and was constructed the physical map. For transformation of lysine rich storage protein into tobacco, soybean glycinin genes are transformed into tobacco. To examine whether glycinin could be stably accumulated in endosperm tissue, the glycinin cDNA was transcriptionally fused to an endosperm-specific promotor of the rice storage protein glutelin gene and then introduced into tobacco genomic via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Consequently the glycinin gene was expressed in a seed-and developmentally-specific manner in transgenic tobacco seeds. Glycinin were targeted to vacuole-derived protein bodies in the endosperm tissue and highly accumulated in the matrix region of many transgenic plant (1-4% of total seed proteins). Synthesized glycinin was processed into mature form, and assembled into a hexamer in a similar manner as the glycinin in soybean seed. Modified glycinin, in which 4 contiguous methionine residues were inserted at the variable regions corresponding to the C - teminal regions of the acidic and basic polypeptides, were also found to be accumulated similarly as in the normal glycinin. There was no apparent difference in the expression level, processing and targeting to protein bodies, or accumulation level between normal and modified glycinin. glycinin.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2018

We report on the fabrication and photoelectrochemical(PEC) properties of a $Cu_2O$ thin film/ZnO nanorod array oxide p-n heterojunction structure with ZnO nanorods embedded in $Cu_2O$ thin film as an efficient photoelectrode for solar-driven water splitting. A vertically oriented n-type ZnO nanorod array was first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method and then a p-type $Cu_2O$ thin film was directly electrodeposited onto the vertically oriented ZnO nanorods array to form an oxide semiconductor heterostructure. The crystalline phases and morphologies of the heterojunction materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated $Cu_2O/ZnO$ p-n heterojunction photoelectrode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the $Cu_2O/ZnO$ photoelectrode was found to exhibit a negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g., $0.77mA/cm^2$ at 0.5 V vs $Hg/HgCl_2$ in a $1mM\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte, revealing an effective operation of the oxide heterostructure. In particular, a significant PEC performance was observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs $Hg/HgCl_2$, which made the device self-powered. The observed PEC performance was attributed to some synergistic effect of the p-n bilayer heterostructure on the formation of a built-in potential, including the light absorption and separation processes of photoinduced charge carriers.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2014

Surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has attracted attention because the technique enables detection of various chemicals, even down to single molecular scale. Among the diverse candidates for SERS substrates, Au nanoparticles are considered promising due to their fine optical properties, chemical stability and ease of surface modification. Therefore, the fabrication and optical characterization of gold particles on solid supports is highly desirable. Such structures have potential as SERS substrates because the localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles is very sensitive to combined molecules and environments. In addition, it is well-known that the properties of Au nanoparticles are strongly dependent on their shape. In this work, arrays of shape-controlled Au nanoparticles were fabricated to exploit their enhanced and reproducible optical properties. First, shape-controlled Au nanoparticles were prepared via seed mediated solution-phase synthesis, including spheres, octahedra, and rhombic dodecahedra. Then, these shape-controlled Au nanoparticles were arranged on a PDMS substrate, which was nanopatterned using soft lithography of poly styrene particles. The Au nanoparticles were selectively located in a pattern of hexagonal spheres. In addition, the shape-controlled Au nanoparticles were arranged in various sizes of PDMS nanopatterns, which can be easily controlled by manipulating the size of polystyrene particles. Finally, the optical properties of the fabricated Au nanoparticle arrays were characterized by measuring surface enhanced Raman spectra with 4-nitrobenezenethiol.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2017

Humic acid (HA) is a complex organic matter found in the environments, especially in grassland soils with a high density. The bioactivity of HA to promote plant growth depends largely on its extraction sources. The quality-control of HA and the quality improvements via an artificial synthesis are thus challenging. We recently reported that a polymeric product from fungal laccase-mediated oxidation of catechol and vanillic acid (CAVA) displays a HA-like activity to enhance seed germination and salt stress tolerance in a model plant, Arabidopsis. Here, we examined whether HA or CAVA enhances the growth of Italian ryegrass seedling. Height and fresh weight of the plant with foliar application of HA or CAVA were bigger than those with only water. Interestingly, enhanced root developments were also observed in spite of the foliar treatments of HA or CAVA. Finally, we proved that HA or CAVA promotes the regrowth of Italian ryegrass after cutting. Collectively, CAVA acts as a HA mimic in Italian ryegrass cultivation, and both as a biostimulant enhanced the early growth and regrowth after cutting of Italian ryegrass, which could improve the productivity of forage crops.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2019

We report on the fabrication and characterization of an oxide photoanode with a zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod array embedded in cuprous oxide ($Cu_2O$) thin film, namely a $ZnO/Cu_2O$ oxide p-n heterostructure photoanode, for enhanced efficiency of visible light driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. A vertically oriented n-type ZnO nanorod array is first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method and then a p-type $Cu_2O$ thin film is directly electrodeposited onto the vertically oriented ZnO nanorod array to form an oxide p-n heterostructure. The introduction of $Cu_2O$ layer produces a noticeable enhancement in the visible light absorption. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior under visible light illumination, the photoconversion efficiency of this $ZnO/Cu_2O$ p-n heterostructure photoanode is found to reach 0.39 %, which is seven times that of a pristine ZnO nanorod photoanode. In particular, a significant PEC performance is observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs $Hg/Hg_2Cl_2$, which makes the device self-powered. The observed improvement in the PEC performance is attributed to some synergistic effect of the p-n bilayer heterostructure on the formation of a built-in potential including the light absorption and separation processes of photoinduced charge carriers, which provides a new avenue for preparing efficient photoanodes for PEC water splitting.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.191-191
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• 2017

Hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) is an important industrial resource that known to be extracted from seeds of Castor or Lesquerella. However, mass production of HFA from those crops are difficult because of their behavior or life cycle. In this study, we applied HFA synthesis related gene FAH12, RcPDAT1, RcLPCAT, RcDGAT2, and RcPDCT on bioenergy crop Camelina sativa. Furthermore, we determined NaCl or cold stress tolerance changes of transgenic Camelina. RcFAH12, RcPDAT1, RcLPCAT, RcDGAT2, and RcPDCT genes were cloned into multigene expression vector which is engineered with seed specific promoter of FAE1 or Napin. Combination of HFA genes multi-expression vector constructs were divided into Set3 (RcFAH12, RcPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT), Set4 (RcFAH12, RcDGAT2, RCPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT), and Set5 (RcFAH12, RcDGAT2, RCPDAT1-2, RcLPCAT, RcPDCT). Transgenic HFA synthesis Camelina plants were generated using agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration system. Results of fatty acid composition of T1 transgenic Camelina seeds analyzed by GC-MS showed 9.5, 9.0, and 13.6 % of HFA contents in Set3#6, Set4#8, and Set5#10, respectively. Therefore, seeds of T2 generation were harvest from Set5#10 which is shown highest HFA contents, and, 17.7, 8.1 and 10.5 % of HFA contents were determined in Set5#10-5, Set5#10-8, and Set#10-10, respectively. However, 7.7% of C18:2 and 22.3 % of C18:3 among unsaturated fatty acids were decreased in Set5#10-5 than WT. Meanwhile, we confirmed abiotic stress responses in T2 transgenic Camelina Set5#10-5 and Set5#10-10 under 0, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl or 25, 15, and $10^{\circ}C$ temperature for 5 weeks. Both Set5#10-5 and Set5#10-10 showed lower growth in height than WT in control and NaCl condition. Growth of leaf length and width were similar in WT and Set5#10-10 but lower in Set5#10-5 under NaCl stress. Number of opened flowers showed that both transgenic Camelina were lower than WT under normal condition. But, WT and Set5#10-10 showed similar opened flower number in 100 and 200 mM NaCl. In cold stress, 15 and $10^{\circ}C$ treatment for 5 weeks did not showed significant changes in between WT and both transgenic lines even they showed different growth rate in control condition. Taken together, growth and development are delayed by expression of exogenous HFA related genes in transgenic lines but relative abiotic stress sensitivity is similar with WT. In conclusion, reduced C18:2 or C18:3 fatty acid composition of seed by HFA synthesis is resulted from lack of resource supplement for development at seedling stage but it is not affect NaCl and cold stress tolerance.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.604-610
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• 2016

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a novel $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction structure with CuO nanorods embedded in $Cu_2O$ thin film as an efficient photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting. A CuO nanorod array was first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method; then, a $Cu_2O$ thin film was electrodeposited onto the CuO nanorod array to form an oxide semiconductor heterostructure. The crystalline phases and morphologies of the heterojunction materials were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction photocathode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was found to exhibit negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g. $-1.05mA/cm^2$ at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ in $1mM\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte, revealing the effective operation of the oxide heterostructure. The photocurrent conversion efficiency of the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was estimated to be 1.27% at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$. Moreover, the PEC current density versus time (J-T) profile measured at -0.5 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ on the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode indicated a 3-fold increase in the photocurrent density compared to that of a simple $Cu_2O$ thin film photocathode. The improved PEC performance was attributed to a certain synergistic effect of the bilayer heterostructure on the light absorption and electron-hole recombination processes.