• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.201-214
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• 2005

We have designed and developed novel luminescent lanthanide complexes for advanced photonics applications. Lanthanide(III) ions (Ln$^{3+}$) were encapsulated by the luminescent ligands such as metalloporphyrins and naphthalenes. The energy levels of the luminescent ligands were tailored to maintain the effective energy transfer process from luminescent ligands to Ln$^{3+}$ ions for getting a higher optical amplification gain. Also, key parameters for emission enhancement and efficient energy transfer pathways for the sensitization of Ln$^{3+}$ ions by luminescent ligands were investigated. Furthermore, to enhance the optophysical properties of novel luminescent Ln$^{3+}$ complexes, aryl ether-functionalized dendrons as photon antennas have been incorporated into luminescent Ln$^{3+}$ complexes, yielding novel Ln(III)-cored dendrimer complex. The novel Ln(III)-cored dendrimer complex has much higher PL intensity than the corresponding simple complex, due to the efficient site-isolation effect. In this article, we will deal with recent progress in the synthesis and photophysical studies of inert and stable luminescent Ln$^{3+}$ complexes for advanced photonics applications. Also, our review will include the exploratory investigation of the key parameters for emission enhancement and the effective energy transfer pathways from luminescent ligands to Ln$^{3+}$ ions with Ln(III)-chelated prototype complexes.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2010

Water quality and the distribution of ammonia oxidizing bacteria were characterized in constructed wetland of Shihwa lake. Both physico-chemical parameters and fecal indicator microorganisms including total coliforms, E.coli, Enterococcus spp. were measured. In addition, denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was carried out after PCR amplification of amoA gene from input, output, and wetland sites of the Banwol, Donghwa, and Samhwa stream in Shihwa lake area. Physico-chemical parameters were in proper range for typical nitrifying bacteria to grow and perform their biological activities. Average concentrations of fecal indicator microorganisms of wetland samples were lower than those of input sites. These results suggested that microbial water quality improved by the process of constructed wetland. According to phylogenetic information obtained from DGGE from study sites, distribution of nitrifying bacteria from each of input, output, and wetland were generally distinctive one another. In addition, distribution of nitrifying bacteria between Banwol and Donghwa streams showed higher similarity (52.6%) than this of Samhwa stream (15.2%). These results indicated that characteristics of ammonia oxidizing bacteria in Samhwa were unique in comparison with those of Banwol and Donghwa stream.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.262-267
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• 2011

The denaturing high performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) with fluorescence detector assay is very useful tool for detecting nucleic acids. Furthermore, loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP) constitutes a potentially valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we evaluated the specificity, detection limit, and sensitivity of a LAMP method and DHPLC method for rapid detection of the hepatitis b virus(HBV). As a result, the LAMP assay reported here has the advantage of rapid detection whereas, DHPLC assay has more sensitivity than other assays. These findings suggest that LAMP and DHPLC assay may be good tool for rapid diagnosis of clinical HBV infection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.88-89
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• 2013

A variety of influenza A viruses from animal hosts are continuously prevalent throughout the world which cause human epidemics resulting millions of human infections and enormous industrial and economic damages. Thus, early diagnosis of such pathogen is of paramount importance for biomedical examination and public healthcare screening. To approach this issue, here we propose a fully integrated Rotary genetic analysis system, called Rotary Genetic Analyzer, for on-site detection of influenza A viruses with high speed. The Rotary Genetic Analyzer is made up of four parts including a disposable microchip, a servo motor for precise and high rate spinning of the chip, thermal blocks for temperature control, and a miniaturized optical fluorescence detector as shown Fig. 1. A thermal block made from duralumin is integrated with a film heater at the bottom and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) in the middle. For the efficient performance of RT-PCR, three thermal blocks are placed on the Rotary stage and the temperature of each block is corresponded to the thermal cycling, namely $95^{\circ}C$ (denature), $58^{\circ}C$ (annealing), and $72^{\circ}C$ (extension). Rotary RT-PCR was performed to amplify the target gene which was monitored by an optical fluorescent detector above the extension block. A disposable microdevice (10 cm diameter) consists of a solid-phase extraction based sample pretreatment unit, bead chamber, and 4 ${\mu}L$ of the PCR chamber as shown Fig. 2. The microchip is fabricated using a patterned polycarbonate (PC) sheet with 1 mm thickness and a PC film with 130 ${\mu}m$ thickness, which layers are thermally bonded at $138^{\circ}C$ using acetone vapour. Silicatreated microglass beads with 150~212 ${\mu}L$ diameter are introduced into the sample pretreatment chambers and held in place by weir structure for construction of solid-phase extraction system. Fig. 3 shows strobed images of sequential loading of three samples. Three samples were loaded into the reservoir simultaneously (Fig. 3A), then the influenza A H3N2 viral RNA sample was loaded at 5000 RPM for 10 sec (Fig. 3B). Washing buffer was followed at 5000 RPM for 5 min (Fig. 3C), and angular frequency was decreased to 100 RPM for siphon priming of PCR cocktail to the channel as shown in Figure 3D. Finally the PCR cocktail was loaded to the bead chamber at 2000 RPM for 10 sec, and then RPM was increased up to 5000 RPM for 1 min to obtain the as much as PCR cocktail containing the RNA template (Fig. 3E). In this system, the wastes from RNA samples and washing buffer were transported to the waste chamber, which is fully filled to the chamber with precise optimization. Then, the PCR cocktail was able to transport to the PCR chamber. Fig. 3F shows the final image of the sample pretreatment. PCR cocktail containing RNA template is successfully isolated from waste. To detect the influenza A H3N2 virus, the purified RNA with PCR cocktail in the PCR chamber was amplified by using performed the RNA capture on the proposed microdevice. The fluorescence images were described in Figure 4A at the 0, 40 cycles. The fluorescence signal (40 cycle) was drastically increased confirming the influenza A H3N2 virus. The real-time profiles were successfully obtained using the optical fluorescence detector as shown in Figure 4B. The Rotary PCR and off-chip PCR were compared with same amount of influenza A H3N2 virus. The Ct value of Rotary PCR was smaller than the off-chip PCR without contamination. The whole process of the sample pretreatment and RT-PCR could be accomplished in 30 min on the fully integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system. We have demonstrated a fully integrated and portable Rotary Genetic Analyzer for detection of the gene expression of influenza A virus, which has 'Sample-in-answer-out' capability including sample pretreatment, rotary amplification, and optical detection. Target gene amplification was real-time monitored using the integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.473-479
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• 2016

We report a highly selective and sensitive 200 MHz Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor that can detect cyanide ion in aqueous solution using surface immobilized thioester molecules in combination with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). To construct the sensor device, a monolayer of thioester compound was immobilized on the SAW sensor surface. At the sensor surface, hydrolysis of thioester group by nucleophilic addition of cyanide occurred and the resulting free thiol unit bound to AuNP to form thiol-AuNP conjugate. For the signal enhancement, gold staining signal amplification process was introduced subsequently with gold (III) chloride trihydrate and reducing agent, hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The SAW sensor showed a detection ability of $17.7{\mu}M$ for cyanide in aqueous solution and demonstrated a saturation behavior between the frequency shift and the concentration of cyanide ion. On the other hand, our SAW sensor had no activities for other anions such as fluoride ion, acetate ion and sulfate ion, moreover, no significant interference observed by other anions. Finally, all the experiments were carried out in-house developed sensor and fluidics modules to obtain highly reproducible results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.4
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• pp.554-560
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• 2023

To prevent illegal timber distribution, DNA markers have been used to identify the species and origin. However, extracting high-quality DNA from timber is difficult because of its physical and chemical properties. In this study, we investigated whether the age of timber tissue influences the yield of DNA extraction and the success rate of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to understand the relationship between the establishment time of the wood annual ring and the extracted DNA concentration (ng/μl), purity (A260/A280), and PCR success rate (%) from pinewood, a major Korean domestic species. According to the results, it was observed that as the distance from the cambium increased, indicating that the tissue was older, the concentration and purity of the extracted DNA decreased significantly. For the trnM-trnV (285 bp) and rpoC1 (298 bp) regions, the PCR success rate was 100%. However, for the rbcL (1.3 kb) region, the PCR success rate was 66.67%. Moreover, PCR amplification of the rbcL region failed at all points older than 30 years. Thus, it is deduced that as time passes, along with the decay of timber cells, DNA is degraded, leading to a decrease in DNA concentration, purity, and PCR success rate. The results of this study are expected to be beneficial for future applications, such as the species identification of timber, providing valuable insights and potential utilization in this field.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.363-369
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• 2019

This paper aims to assess the effect of herbal extract mixture, Ahn Tonic, on hair growth and examine the stability of this percutaneous hair growth ointment. The hair on the back of the mice C57b1/6N was removed, and 1% of the TXN(testosterone) was then applied for a week to prevent the hair growth. The experimental group was then treated with Ahn Tonic, 0.2 mL per day. The degree of newly grown hair was observed with a vernier caliper. We also measured the proportion of the newly growing hair section to the entire shaved section in the 4th week and 8th week by distinguishing the section turning black from the shaved area. To observe the effect of the test chemical product on hair follicles and hair roots, the biopsy was executed between week 4 and week 8. Gene expressions, which operate as a factor for growing hair in the skin tissues extracted from each experimental animals, were also observed through a real-time PCR gene amplification method. The results showed that the Ahn tonic group had statistically significant hair restoring effect compared to the control group in terms of microscopy, biopsy, and gene expressions. Ahn Tonic is considered to have an impact on the hair growth.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2012

Very few studies have addressed the phylogenetic diversity of fungi from Northeast India under the Eastern Himalayan range. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the phylogenetic diversity of culturable soil fungi along the altitudinal gradients of eastern Himalayas. Soil samples from 24 m above sea level to 2,000 m above sea level altitudes of North-East India were collected to investigate soil micro-fungal community structure and diversity. Molecular characterization of the isolates was done by PCR amplification of 18S rDNA using universal primers. Phylogenetic analysis using BLAST revealed variation in the distribution and richness of different fungal biodiversity over a wide range of altitudes. A total of 107 isolates were characterized belonging to the phyla Ascomycota and Zygomycota, corresponding to seven orders (Eurotiales, Hypocreales, Calosphaeriales, Capnodiales, Pleosporales, Mucorales, and Mortierellales) and Incertae sedis. The characterized isolates were analysed for richness, evenness and diversity indices. Fungal diversity had significant correlation with soil physico-chemical parameters and the altitude. Eurotiales and Hypocreales were most diverse and abundant group of fungi along the entire altitudinal stretch. Species of Penicillium (D=1.44) and Aspergillus (D=1.288) were found to have highest diversity index followed by Talaromyces (D=1.26) and Fusarium (D=1.26). Fungal distribution showed negative correlation with altitude and soil moisture content. Soil temperature, pH, humidity and ambient temperature showed positive correlation with fungal distribution.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.672-684
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• 2014

The exact causes of cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unknown despite extensive studies on PD.The identification of signaling and metabolic pathways involved in PD might provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying PD. The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) induces cellular changes characteristic of PD, and $MPP^+$-based models have been extensively used for PD studies. In this study, pathways that were significantly perturbed in $MPP^+$-treated human neuroblastoma SH-EP cells were identified from genome-wide gene expression data for five time points (1.5, 3, 9, 12, and 24 h) after treatment. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing pathway showed significant perturbation at all time points. Perturbation of each of these pathways resulted in the common outcome of upregulation of DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3). Genes involved in ER protein processing pathway included ubiquitin ligase complex genes and ER-associated degradation (ERAD)-related genes. Additionally, overexpression of DDIT3 might induce oxidative stress via glutathione depletion as a result of overexpression of CHAC1. This study suggests that upregulation of DDIT3 caused by perturbation of the MAPK signaling pathway and ER protein processing pathway might play a key role in $MPP^+$-induced neuronal cell death. Moreover, the toxicity signal of $MPP^+$ resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction through inhibition of complex I of the electron transport chain might feed back to the mitochondria via ER stress. This positive feedback could contribute to amplification of the death signal induced by $MPP^+$.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2005

The monthly variations of physico-chemical and microbiological water quality were investigate in the artificial Lake Geumgang near estuary barrage. Sixty heterotrophic bacteria were isolated and identified by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA. Water temperature, pH, and inorganic nutrients($NH_4$-N, $NO_2$-N, $NO_3$-N, $PO_4$-P) were measured. Concentrations of DO, BOD, and inorganic nutrients were lower than in the middle-stream of Geum river The population densities of heterotrophic bacteria and total coliforms varied from $4.1{\pm}1.0\times10^2$ to $6.7{\pm}1.1{\times}10^3\;cfu\;ml^{-1}$, and 0 to $2.3{\pm}0.6{\times}10^2\;cfu\;ml^{-1}$, respectively. Among the measured numbers of physiological groups of bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria showed higher population densities than those of other physiological groups. Bacterial community structure was analysed based on 16S rDNA partial sequencing. Among 60 isolates, dominant genus was Pseudomones (20 strains).