• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 1996

Water extract of Coix locrvmn seeds (Co-Ex) was separated into several components; dissolved with Tris-Cl buffer and the supernatant (WC 1), ammonium sulfate treatment supernatant (WC2) and the pellet nvc31,9AE column chromatography of WC 1 and the peak portions; WC4, WCS and WC6. Murine peritoneal macrophages in DMEM containing 10% heat-inactivated FCS were infected with tachyzoites of ToxopIQsmc gondii, RH strain, in uifo. By adding modulators such as Co-Ex, WC 1,2,3,4.5,6 and LPS or IFN-γ for 24 hrs . toxoplasmastatic activity of macrophages was examined in relation to nitrite production. Nitrite production of macrophages was enhanced especially in the series of WC2, WC1 and the combination sample (WC1 + WC2 + WC3) by order than other components or fractions (WC4, WC5, WC6) tested . Toxoplasmastatic actions such as percentage of the inacrophages infected by T. gonnii and fold increase of T gondii in macrophages showed retroverse relations with the amount of nitrite production; i.e. as nitric oxide (NO) increased the phagocytic index of macrophages and the fold increase of tachyzoites in macrophages decreased . Nitrite (NO-2) production was increased by adding IFN-γ in all cases together with enhancement of biostatic effects. Through the results obtained, it is speculated that some components other than the non-proteinous and defatted components in Coix lacrwmn seeds may contribute to activate macrophages through induction of NO for the biostatic activity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2022

A lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) method using carbon nanodot@silica as a signaling material was developed for analyzing the concentration of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), one of the lung cancer biomarkers. Instead of antibodies mainly used as bioreceptors in nitrocellulose membranes in LFIA for protein detection, aptamers that are more economical, easy to store for a long time, and have strong affinities toward specific target proteins were used. A 5' terminal of biotin-modified aptamer specific to RBP4 was first reacted with neutravidin followed by spraying the mixture on the membrane in order to immobilize the aptamer in a porous membrane by the strong binding affinity between biotin and neutravidin. Carbon nanodot@silica nanoparticles with blue fluorescent signal covalently conjugated to the RBP4 antibody, and RBP4 were injected in a lateral flow manner on to the surface bound aptamer to form a sandwich complex. Surfactant concentrations, ionic strength, and additional blocking reagents were added to the running buffer solution to optimize the fluorescent signal off from the sandwich complex which was correlated to the concentration of RBP4. A 10 mM Tris (pH 7.4) running buffer containing 150 mM NaCl and 0.05% Tween-20 with 0.6 M ethanolamine as a blocking agent showed the optimum assay condition for carbon nanodot@silica-based LFIA. The results indicate that an aptamer, more economical and easier to store for a long time can be used as an alternative immobilizing probe for antibody in a LFIA device which can be used as a point-of-care diagnosis kit for lung cancer diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.81-98
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• 2004

1. The cell viability was determined by MTT method. Their cytotoxic activities against three cancer cell lines such as A549, MDA-MB-231 and SNU-C4 cell line were tested. Among them, The methanol extract of Saururus chinensis Baill. showed the strongest cytotoxic effect against SNU-C4 cells. These results suggest that the methanol extract of Saururus Chinensis Baill. possessed a potential antitumorous agent. 2. In vitro the antitoxic activity of ethanol extract of Saururus Chinensis Bail on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts was evaluate by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl- thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetra캐lium bromide) and SRB (sulforhodamine B protein) assays. The number of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were increased and tend to regenerate. These results suggest that Saururus Chinensis Bail extract retains a potential antitoxic activity. 3. Complexation of Cd (II) ion with ligands such as quercetin has been determined by UV-vis spectrophotometric method in tris buffer solution at various pH. It was found that only 1 : 1 Cd-complex is formed by the interaction between catechol moiety in ring B and cadmium [Cd(II)] in aqueous solution. The spectral parameters for Cd-complex were determined by Beer's law at various pH. It has shown that 1 : 1 Cd-complex has a maximum absorbance and red shift by the alkaline pH.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.156-158
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• 2009

Purpose: Since radiopharmaceuticals are intended for human administration, it is imperative that we should undergo quality control very strictly. Now almost all the PET laboratories have adopted Bacterial Endotoxin Test as the stand quality control method to monitor whether pyrogen is free or not in the product vial containing crude solution. The aim of this study is to find out the reason why false positive result is observed when using commercially available test vial. Materials and Methods: For this experiment, we used commercially available single test kit (Associates of Cape Code. Inc. USA) and we made pH samples by mixing each buffer whose pH ranges are 1.0 to 12.0. Otherwise we made Ethanol samples diluted with distilled water. After making test samples, it added 0.2 mL to the test vial. Assay mixture in the test vial was incubated in a water bath (Chang Shin Co. KOR) for 60 min at $35{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. Results: After incubation period ($60{\pm}1^{\circ}C$), we inverted the test vial about $180^{\circ}$ To know what pH and how many percentage of Ethanol (Fisher Scientific Korea. Ltd) will affect the reaction. With pH buffer, false positive result was observed at pH 1.0 to 5.0 and 7.7 to 12.6 but at pH 5.2 to.7.5, the test results show negative. It's very strange that we couldn't observe negative test result with Tris buffer at pH 8.4, 8.6, 8.8, 9.0. in other case Ethanol, the test result was seen with 5 to 10% Ethanol. But to my surprise we could see very thick gel formation with 100% Ethanol. Conclusions: In this study, we could notice that pH which is too much acidic or alkalic or high concentrated Ethanol would affect Bacterial Endotoxin Test result. As you know, LAL test is sensitive and very reliable method. Therefore, we are needed to elicit the accurate test result as possible as we can.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2003

Periodontal regeneration therapy with bone-substituting materials has gained favorable clinical efficacy by enhancing osseous regeneration in periodontal bony defect. As bone-substituting materials, bone powder, calcium phosphate ceramic, modified forms of hydroxyapatite, and hard tissue replacement polymer have demonstrated their periodontal bony regenerative potency. Bone-substituting materials should fulfill several requirements such as biocompatibility, osteogenecity, malleability, biodegradability. The purpose of this study was to investigate biocompatibility, osteo-conduction capacity and biodegradability of $Na_2O$, $K_2O$ added calcium metaphosphate(CMP). Beta CMP was obtained by thermal treatment of anhydrous $Ca_2(H_2PO_4)_2$. $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ were added to CMP. The change of weight of pure CMP, $Na_2O$-CMP, and $K_2O$-CMP in Tris-buffer solution and simulated body fluid for 30 days was measured. Twenty four Newzealand white rabbits were used in negative control, positive control(Bio-Oss), pure CMP group, 5% $Na_2$-CMP group, 10% $Na_2O$-CMP goup, and 5% $K_2O$-CMP group. In each group, graft materials were placed in right and left parietal bone defects(diameter 10mm) of rabbit. The animals were sacrificed at 3 months and 6 months after implantation of the graft materials. Degree of biodegradability of $K_2O$ or $Na_2O$ added CMP was greater than that of pure CMP in experimental condition. All experimental sites were healed with no clinical evidence of inflammatory response to all CMP implants. Histologic observations revealed that all CMP grafts were very biocompatible and osseous conductive, and that in $K_2O$-CMP or $Na_2O$-CMP implanted sites, there was biodegradable pattern, and that in site of new bone formation, there was no significant difference between all CMP group and DPBB(Bio-Oss) group. From this result, it was suggested that all experimental CMP group graft materials were able to use as an available bone substitution.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 1996

There are many important factors in periodontal inflammation. $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ and collagenase are predorminantly key factors. These inflammatory mediators induce gingival tissue and alveolar bone destruction. For the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, it is necessary to inhibit $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) has immunomodulatory properties, and there is evidence that some natural extracts show antiinflammatory activity to some degree. The purpose of this study was to assess the inhibitory effect of UDCA and its mixture with natural extracts on $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. Accordingly we assessed the effect of UDCA and its mixture combined with some natural extracts on inhibition of $IL-1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ production and collagenase activity. For the $IL-l{\beta}$ inhibition study, cultured cells were exposed to $25{\mu}g/ml$ LPS. $IL-1{\beta}$ activity was measured by $IL-1{\beta}$ enzyme immunoassay system. Human gingival fibroblasts were prepared and cells (l05/well) were seeded into culture plates. $rhIL-1{\beta}$ was added to induce $PGE_2$. The amount of $PGE_2$ in sample media was measured using enzyme immunoassay system. Crude collagenase was prepared from Porphyromonas gingivalis and collagenolytic activity was determined using a Collageno kit CLN-100. The test inhibitor was added to the assay mixture consisting of 0.1ml of 50mM Tris buffer(pH 7.5) and 0.2ml of substrate solution. UDCA and UDCA combined with natural extracts generally inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$ production. groups above 0.01% UDCA strongly inhibited $IL-l{\beta}$ synthesis. Both groups inhibited $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ synthesis of $PGE_2$. In low concentration, the degree of inhibition was as same as prednisolone. In high concentration, each group was superior to prednisolone. UDCA group and UDCA mixture group exerted a moderate inhibition of collagenolytic enzyme. The present study suggested that UDCA and its mixture with natural extracts could be further investigated as antiinflammatory drug for periodontal disease.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.573-578
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• 2010

In this study, iron(III)-2,4-dihydroxysalophen chloride (Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl), has been synthesized by combination of 2,4-dihydroxysalophen (2,4-DHSalophen) with $FeCl_2$ in a solvent system. This complex combination was characterized using UV-vis and IR spectroscopies. Subsequently, the interaction between native calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA) and Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl, was investigated in 10 mM Tris/HCl buffer solution, pH 7.2, using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, thermal denaturation technique and viscosity measurements. From spectrophotometric titration experiments, the binding constant of Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl with ct-DNA was found to be $(1.6{\pm}0.2){\times}10^3\;M^{-1}$. The fluorescence study represents the quenching effect of Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl on bound ethidium bromide to DNA. The quenching process obeys linear Stern-Volmer equation in extended range of Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl concentration. Thermal denaturation experiments represent the increasing melting temperature of DNA (about $4.3^{\circ}C$) due to binding of Fe(2,4-DHSalophen)Cl. These results are consistent with a binding mode dominated by interactions with the groove of ct-DNA.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2012

The properties of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme kinetics. Furthermore, we proposed the optimal conditions for measuring the activity of LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme. The isozymes were detected in the cytosol of eye tissues from Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides and were more similar to the $A_4$ than the $B_4$ isozyme. LDH/CS in the eye tissue of L. macrochirus was increased in September, so the ratio of anaerobic metabolism was high. The electrophoretic patterns of mitochondrial LDH were similar to those of cytosolic LDH in the eye tissues of L. macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme from eye tissue was purified by preparative native-PAGE. The activities of LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes in L. macrochirus and M. salmoides were reduced at concentrations greater than 0.2 mM and 0.1 mM of pyruvate, respectively. These concentrations remained at 5.2% and 15.8% as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate, so the degree of inhibition was very high. The LDH activities of eye tissues were reduced at concentrations greater than 22 mM and 24 mM of lactate, respectively, in L. macrochirus and M. salmoides. The ${K_m}^{PYR}$ of eye-specific $C_4$ was 0.088 mM in L. macrochirus and it was 0.033 mM in M. salmoides. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial eye-specific $C_4$ isozymes were high in ${\alpha}$-ketobutyric acid. Furthermore, the activities of eye tissue and eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme had to be measured with 0.5 mM of pyruvate and a buffer solution of pH 7.5. As a conclusion, the eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme in M. salmoides has a high affinity for pyruvate and exhibits maximum activity at a lower concentration of pyruvate and at higher concentration of lactate than that in L. macrochirus. Therefore, it seems that the energy produced by the LDH eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme in M. salmoides was used at the first stage of predatory behavior.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 2009

Esterase EM2L8 gene isolated from deep sea sediment was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and the esterase activity of the cell-free extract was assayed using p-nitrophenyl butyrate-spectrophotometric method. Its optimum temperature was $40-45^{\circ}C$ and 45% activity of the maximum activity was retained at $15^{\circ}C$. The activation energy at $15-45^{\circ}C$ was calculated to be 4.9 kcal/mol showing that esterase EM2L8 was a typical cold-adapted enzyme. Enzyme activity was maintained for 6 h and 4 weeks at $30^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. When each ethanol, methanol, and acetone was added to the reaction mixture to 15% concentration, enzyme activity was maintained. In the case of DMSO, enzyme activity was kept up to 40% concentration. (S)-4-Chloro-3-hydroxy butyric acid is a chiral intermediate for the synthesis of Atorvastatin, a hyperlipemia drug. When esterase EM2L8 (40 U) was added to buffer solution (1.2 mL, pH 9.0) containing ethyl-(R,S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate (38 mM), it was hydrolyzed into 4-chloro-3-hydroxy butyric acid with a rate of $6.8\;{\mu}mole/h$. The enzyme hydrolyzed (S)-substrate more rapidly than (R)-substrate. When conversion yield was 80%, e.e.s value was 40%. When DMSO was added, hydrolysis rate increased to $10.4\;{\mu}mole/h$. The plots of conversion yield vs e.e.s in the presence or absence of DMSO were almost same, implying that the reaction enantioselectivity was not changed by the addition of DMSO. Taken together, esterase EM2L8 had high activity and stability at low temperatures as well as in various organic solvents/aqueous solutions. These properties suggested that it could be used as a biocatalyst in the synthesis of useful pharmaceuticals.