• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.715-720
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• 2004

Amineterminated, ethylenediamine core polyamidoamine starburst dendrimers of generation 2 (G2), generation 4 (G4) and generation 6 (G6) have been successfully surface-modified via an amide coupling reaction with 4-ethyl, 4'-(3-propionic) bipyridinium cation and the electrochemical behavior of the resulting dendrimers were investigated in aqueous potassium chloride electrolyte solutions. The 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide-mediated reaction resulted in 25-39% end-group functionalization. The water-soluble 4-ethyl, 4'-(3-propylamide) bipyridinium dibromide dendrimers (G2-V2+, G4-V2+ and G6-V2+) were characterized by $^1H$ NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. The cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric experiments were performed to determine the diffusion coefficient and the number of electrons transferred in the process of the first reduction of the viologen-functionalized dendrimers. Adsorption of viologen-functionalized dendrimers at electrode surface was evidenced in the voltammograms. Experimentally determined diffusion coefficients were in good agreement with the values expected from the Stokes-Einstein relation, while the number of electrons transferred concurred with the extent of functionalization determined by $^1H$ NMR and UV-Vis spectra.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2006

Methanotrophs are microorganisms that possess the unique ability to utilize methane as their sole source of carbon and energy. A novel culture system, known as the compulsory circulation diffusion system, was developed for rapid growth of methanotrophic bacteria. Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.99.8) from Methylomicrobium sp. HG-1, which belongs to the type I group of methanotrophic bacteria, can catalyze the oxidation of methanol directly into formaldehyde. This enzyme was purified 8-fold to electrophoretic homogeneity by means of a 4 step procedure and was found in the soluble fraction. The relative molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated by gel filtration to be 120 kDa. The enzyme consisted of two identical dimers which, in turn, consisted of large and small subunits in an ${\alpha}_2{\beta}_2$ conformation. The isoelectric point was 5.4. The enzymatic activity of purified MDH was optimum at pH 9.0 and $60^{\circ}C$, and remained stable at that temperature for 20 min. MDH was able to oxidize primary alcohols from methanol to octanol and formaldehyde.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.547-554
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• 2012

Chromium is generated from several industrial processes. It occurs in different oxidation states, but Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are the most common ones. Cr(VI) is a toxic, soluble environmental contaminant. Some bacteria are able to reduce hexavalent chromium to the insoluble and less toxic Cr(III), and thus chromate bioremediation is of considerable interest. An indigenous chromium-reducing bacterial strain, Rb-2, isolated from a tannery water sample, was identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The influence of factors like temperature of incubation, initial concentration of Cr, mobility of bacteria, and different carbon sources were studied to test the ability of the bacterium to reduce Cr(VI) under variable environmental conditions. The ability of the bacterial strain to reduce hexavalent chromium in artificial and industrial sewage water was evaluated. It was observed that the mechanism of resistance to metal was not due to the change in the permeability barrier of the cell membrane, and the enzyme activity was found to be inductive. Intracellular reduction of Cr(VI) was proven by reductase assay using cell-free extract. Scanning electron microscopy revealed chromium precipitates on bacterial cell surfaces, and transmission electron microscopy showed the outer as well as inner distribution of Cr(VI). This bacterial strain can be useful for Cr(VI) detoxification under a wide range of environmental conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.257-263
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• 2006

This paper examines the physico-chemical properties and structural features of thio lignin and alcohol lignin preparations extracted from fast-growing poplar wood. The lignin preparations were characterized using UV, IR and alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation methods. The yield was higher in thiolignin due to its preparation from wood under drastic alkaline conditions and almost the total amount of alkaline degraded lignin was precipitated except acid soluble lignin. In case of ethanol lignin, structural modifications were comparatively less and form a cream colored lignin more or less similar to its original natural color. The methoxyl values were higher due to syringyl unit present in hard wood lignin in addition to guaicyl unit present in soft wood. The higher values of methoxyl content of isolated lignin revealed that it was built up of high syringyl units. The elementary analysis, methoxyl group and hydroxyl groups were presented by $C_{9}$ formula indicated that it was made up of phenyl propane monomers. Nitrobenzene oxidation of thio lignin and ethanol lignin yield more or less the chromatograms of similar pattern, except difference in relative percentage. The ultra violet spectra of lignins were quite similar, irrespective of the source and method of isolation. Infrared spectroscopy studies of poplar deltoides, thio and ethanol lignin shown different absorption bands which have been utilized for structural investigations.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2003

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of the heartwood extract of Rhus verniciflua (Anacardiaceae) and the two major components, sulfuretin and fustin. The MeOH extract, its EtOAc-soluble portion and sulfuretin showed significant antinociceptive activity in writhing and hot plate test assays and antiinflammaory effects in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. In particular, treatment of sulfuretin with 10 mg/kg dose (i.p.) reduced writhing frequency by 48.0% (p<0.01) compared to that of a control group. Further, the treatment of sulfuretin (5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days prevented the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema significantly (p<0.01). The antiinflammatory effect of sulfuretin was also confirmed by microscopic observation of mast cell numbers in muscle. In addition, sulfuretin suppressed the cyclooxygenase- 2 (COX-2) activity $(IC_{50}\;=\;28.7\;{\mu}M)$ in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage cells. This result indicates that the inhibitory effect of sulfuretin on COX-2 may be one of the antinociceptive/antiinflammatory mechanism.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.274-280
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• 2017

In a search for novel treatments for diabetic complications from natural resources, we found that the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction from the 80% ethanol extract of the leaves of Homonoia riparia has a considerable inhibitory effect on advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation. Bioassay-guided isolation of this fraction resulted in identification of 15 phenolic compounds (1 - 15). These compounds were evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity against the formation of AGE. The majority of tested compounds, excluding ethyl gallate (15), markedly inhibited AGE formation, with $IC_{50}$ values of $2.2-89.9{\mu}M$, compared with that of the positive control, aminoguanidine ($IC_{50}=962.3{\mu}M$). In addition, the effects of active isolates on the dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels induced by high glucose (HG) in larval zebrafish was investigated; (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (6), corilagin (7), and desmanthine-2 (11) significantly decreased HG-induced dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels compared with the HG-treated control group.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 1991

Twenty-six japonica and 19 Tongil type milled rices were grouped based on water uptake rate at $23^{\circ}C$ and interrelationships between starch properties and hydration group were investigated. There were no significant differences in relative crystallinity, transmittance increase rate of 0.1% starch suspension and soluble amylose between japonica and Tongil type rices. The gel volume of starch n 3M KSCN solution of Tonsil type rice starch was significantly higher than that of japonica one. However, no correlations were observed between starch properties and hydration groups.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2004

A new hydroxyl group-containing conjugated ionic polymer, poly[2-ethynyl-N-(p-hydroxyphenylethyl)pyridinium bromide], was synthesized by the activated polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine with p-(2-bromoethyl) phenol without any additional initiator or catalyst. The polymerization proceeded well to give a moderate yield (65%) of polymer at a reaction temparature of 90$^{\circ}C$. Another polymer, poly[2-ethynyl-N-(p-hydroxyphenylethyl)pyridinium tetraphenylborate], was readily prepared by the ion-exchange reaction of poly[2-ethynyl-N-(p-hydroxyphenylethyl)pyridinium bromide] with sodium tetraphenylborate. These polymers were completely soluble in organic solvents such as DMF, DMSO, and acetone, but insoluble in water and ether. Instrumental analyses, such as NMR, IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopies, indicated that the new materials have conjugated polymer backbone systems with the designed substituents and counter anions. X-Ray diffraction analyses of the polymers indicated that they were mostly amorphous.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2001

Heme oxygenase is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme catabolism that cleaves heme to form biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. Heme oxygenase-1 is expressed in many types of cells and tissues and is highly induced in response to oxidative stress. Carbon monoxide, one of the products of heme oxygenase, can stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase and dilate the vascular smooth muscle. So, the induction of heme oxygenase by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxydative stress and the effect of the resultant carbon monoxide on aortic contractility were examined in this study. Zinc protoporphyrine IX (ZnPP), a inhibitor of heme oxygenase, elicited weak contraction of thoracic aortic ring, and this effect was more potent in aorta of LPS-treated rats than control and was blocked by methylene blue. The hyperreactivity to ZnPP in LPS-treated group was blocked by co-treatment with aminoguanidine. In the aortic ring of LPS-treated rats, ZnPP didn't change the vasoreactivity to phenylephrine or acetylcholine. ZnPP elicited hyper-tensive effect in concious rats, and pretreatment with LPS did not affect this effect. Prazosin significantly diminished the hypertensive effect of ZnPP. These results indicate that LPS induced heme oxygenase in aotra, and the resultant carbon monoxide diminished the aortic reactivity to vasoconstrictor.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.238-247
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to develop kinetic model for the MBR and investigate kinetic characteristics of the gravitational flow transverse direction MBR system. Kinetic model was derived by mass balance of substratc and biomass combined with empirical membranc filtration rerm for the MBR. To find kinctic values, permeale flux and COD removal were analyzed through the laboratory, MBR operation as different solids retention times. Permeate flux was ranged 2.5-5.0 LMH (L/m$^2$/hr) as sludge characteristics in each run. Although the soluble COD in the bioreactor was changed, the effluent COD was stable as average 99% removal rate during the experimental periods. Y$_g$ of this MBR system was higher than those of cross-flow MBR processes. The kinetics of this MBR showed that smaller k, larger b, and larger K$_s$ values than the conventional activated sludge process. These results indicated that substrate was used for cell maintenance rather than growth in this MBR system.