• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.132-138
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• 2023

Doped and undoped-BiVO₄ samples with different elements (Li, Mg) and amounts were synthesized with a hydrothermal method. The synthesized samples were characterized using various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by measuring the degradation of methyl blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that the incorporation of Mg and Li into BiVO₄ caused lattice distortion, the presence of surface hydroxyl groups, a narrower band gap, and a reduced recombination ratio of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. Notably, the photocatalytic activity of Mg5%-Li5% co-doped BiVO₄ sample exhibited a significant improvement compared to that of undoped BiVO₄ sample.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2023

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a ubiquitous byproduct of coffee consumption, representing a significant waste management challenge, as well as an untapped resource for economic development and sustainability. Improper disposal of SCG can result in environmental problems such as methane emissions and leachate production. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of SCG and their potential as a reinforcement material in polypropylene (PP) to fabricate an eco-friendly composite via extrusion and injection molding, with SCG filler ratios ranging from 5-20%. To evaluate the effect of SCG on the morphological and mechanical properties of the bio- composite, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted. The results demonstrated that the addition of SCG lead to a slight increase in brittleness of the composite but did not significantly affect its mechanical properties. Impressively, the presence of a significant organic component in SCG contributed to the enhanced thermal performance of PP/SCG composites. This improvement was evident in terms of increased thermal stability, delayed onset of degradation, and higher maximum degradation temperature as compared to pure PP. These findings suggest that SCG has potential as a filler material for PP composites, with the ability to enhance the material's properties without compromising overall performance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2002

The effects of enzyme inhibitors and penetration enhancers on the permeation of leucine enkephalin (Leu-Enk) and its synthetic analog, [${D-ala}^2$]-leucine enkephalinamide (YAGFL) across the nasal, rectal and vaginal mucosae were evaluated. Enzyme inhibitors and penetration enhancers employed for Leu-Enk permeation study were amastatin(AM), thimerosal(TM) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt(EDTA), and sodium taurodihydrofusidate (STDHF). Those for YAGFL permeation study were TM, benzalkonium chloride(BC) and EDTA, and STDHF, sodium deoxycholate(SDC), sodium glycholate(SGC), glycyrrhizic acid ammonium salt (GAA), L-$\alpha$-Iysophosphatidylcholine(LPC) and mixed micelle (MM, STDHF: linoleic acid = 15 mM : 5 mM). The addition of TM alone on the donor and receptor solutions for Leu-Enk permeation study across all the three kinds of mucosae failed to inhibit the degradation; it completely degraded in 6 hrs, and no permeation occurred. However, with addition of three kinds of inhibitors together, the fluxes across nasal, rectal and vaginal mucosae were $\20.7{pm}2.5$>/TEX>,$\0.3{pm}0.05$>/TEX> and $\1.4{pm}0.5$ $\mu$\mid$textrm{m}$/$\textrm{cm}^2$/hr, respectively. Moreover, the addition of STDHF in the presence of the above three inhibitors enhanced permeation across nasal, rectal and vaginal mucosae 1.3, 15 and 1.3 times, respectively. YhGFL also degraded in the donor and receptor solutions rapidly as time went. With mixed inhibitors of TM and EDTA, the percents of YAGFL remaining in the donor solutions facing nasal, rectal and vaginal mucosae were 69.7, 69.8 and 79.8%, respectively; the percent permeated increased to 10, 2.1 and 5.7%, respectively. The addition of STDHF in the presence of either BC/EDTA or TW/EDTA increased the permeation 2.2, 11.0 and 2.9 times, and 2.21, 14.0 and 2.7 times for nasal, rectal and vaginal mucosae, respectively. With SDC, SGC, GAA, LPC ud MM in the presence of TM/EDTA increased permeation; especially, they increased permeation across vaginal mucosae effectively, and the enhancement factors were 12.5, 7.6, 8.7, 5.7 and 5.5, respectively. The degradation extent of YAGFL was correlated with protein concentrations in the epidermal and serosal extracts. The flux of YAGFL across nasal mucosa increased dose-dependently.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.46-54
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• 2006

The methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic environmental pollutant, causing serious neurological and developmental effects in humans. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that ingestion of MeHg in fish during pregnancy can result in neuroethological effects in the offspring. However, the mechanism underlying the MeHg-toxicity is not fully understood. To elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity of MeHg and of defense against MeHg, we searched for factors that determine the sensitivity of yeast cells to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Cdc34, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) that is a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome (UP) system, induces a resistance to MeHg toxicity in both yeast and human cells. The UP system is involved in the intracellular degradation of proteins. When Cdc34 is overexpressed in cells, ubiquitination reactions are activated and the degradation of certain proteins by the UP system is enhanced. Therefore, it seems likely that certain as-yet-unidentified proteins that increase MeHg toxicity might exist in cons and that toxicity might be reduced by the enhanced degradation of such proteins, mediated by the UP system, when Cdc34 is overexpressed. SCF ubiquitin-ligase is a component of UP system and consists of Skpl, the scaffold protein Cdc53, the RING-finger protein Hrt1, and one member of the family of F-box proteins. The F-box proteins directly bind to the substrates and are the determinants of substrate specificity of SCF. Therefore, we searched for the f-box protein that cofers resistance to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Hrt3 or Yi1224w induced resistance to MeHg toxicity in yeast cells. Since the protein(5) that enhance toxicity of MeHg might plausibly be induced in substrates of both f-box proteins, we next searched for substrate proteins that are recognized by Hrt3 or Y1r224w using two-hybrid screen. We found that Did3 or Crsl interacts with Hrt3; and Eno2 interacts with Yir224w. The yeast cells that overexpressed each those proteins showed hypersensitivity to MeHg, respectively, indicating that those proteins enhance the MeHg toxicity. Both Dld3 and Eno2 are proteins involved in the synthesis of pyruvate, and overexpression of both proteins might induce increase in interacellular levels of pyruvate. Deletion of Yi1006w that transports pyruvate into the mitochondria induced aresistance to MeHg. These results suggest that the promotion of the pyruvate irdlowinto the mitochondria might enhance MeHg toxicity. This study providesimportant keyfor the elucidauon of the molecular mechanism of MeHg toxicity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.23-32
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• 2020

This study investigated the thermal degradation and fading behavior of PTT dyed with vat dye and its dyeing ability. The PTT sample was dyed with vat dye using an acid treatment and pad-steam method to improve the dyeing performance. This method made dye particle nanosize and allowed it to penetrate the polymer material easily. The sample dyed using the pad-steam method showed level dyeing and enhanced dyeing affinity, compared to the batch-dyeing method. The degradation behavior of PTT dyed with vat dye after each heat and UV treatment was examined with the change in tensile strength or K/S value on the sample. The tensile strength and K/S values of the sample dyed with vat dye after the heat and UV treatment decreased with increasing temperature and exposure time. Although they showed high degradation under severe conditions, its rate constant was improved compared to the samples dyed with disperse dye. Consequently, acid treatment and the pad-steam method resulted in the introduction of vat dye on PTT. In addition, the PTT dyed with vat dye showed enhanced thermal and UV resistance because of their high molecular weight and chemical structure for stable adsorption behavior.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.332-334
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• 2002

We examined the effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on the changes in synthesis and degradation of ribulose-I, 5-biphosphate carboxylase /oxygenase (Rubisco) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein of PSII (LHCII), as well as mRNA levels for small and large subunits of Rubisco (rbcS and rbcL, respectively) and LHCII (cab) with leaf age in UV-sensitive rice (Norin I) and UV-resistant rice (Sasanishiki). Both Rubisco and LHCII were actively synthesized until the leaf had fully expanded, and then decreased with leaf age. Synthesis of Rubisco, but not LHCII, was significantly suppressed by UV-B in Norin 1. The degradation of Rubisco was enhanced by UV-B around the time of the leaf maturation in the two cultivars. The levels of rbcS and rbcL were reduced by UV-B at the early leaf stages after emergence in both cultivars. The level of cab was first present at the highest level in the two cultivars, but drastically decreased due to UV-B treatment immediately after leaf emergence in Norin 1. It was proved that synthesis and degradation of Rubisco and LHCII greatly changed with leaf age: Rubisco synthesis was significantly suppressed by supplementary UV-B radiation at the transcription step during the early leaf stages. It was also suggested that the difference between the two rice cultivars in sensitivity to UV-B in the synthesis of Rubisco might be due to the specific suppression not only after transcription but also at transcription.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.593-605
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease is common age-related neurodegenerative condition characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation that leads cognitive impairment. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of paeoniflorin (PF) against Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and the underlying mechanism in C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C6 glial cells were treated with PF and Aβ_25-35, and cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release were measured. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the effect of PF on inflammatory responses and Aβ degradation was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Aβ_25-35 significantly reduced cell viability, but this reduction was prevented by the pretreatment with PF. In addition, PF significantly inhibited Aβ_25-35-induced NO production in C6 glial cells. The secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was also significantly reduced by PF. Further mechanistic studies indicated that PF suppressed the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The protein levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 were downregulated and phosphorylation of NF-κB was blocked by PF. However, PF elevated the protein expression of inhibitor kappa B-alpha and those of Aβ degrading enzymes, insulin degrading enzyme and neprilysin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that PF exerts protective effects against Aβ-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and these effects were associated with the enhanced activity of Aβ degradation enzymes.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1B
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs) using zero valent iron (ZVI, $Fe^0$) is a promising technology for in-situ remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) forming dense non aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL). The objective of this study is to develop an enhanced treatment method of trichloroethylene-contaminated groundwater using ZVI packed bed with direct current (D.C.). A column experiment was performed to investigate degradation efficiency of TCE that was performed in three different combination of control (only sand), ZVI column (ZVI:sand, packing ratio 1:2(v/v)) and bipolar column (ZVI:sand=1:2(v/v) with electric current) in the test columns. As the results of this study, the degradation efficiency of TCE was improved with simultaneous application of both bipolar column compared to that used ZVI column. Because ZVI particles are isolated and individual particles act like small electrodes. In this experiment, it was indicated a basic material for application of bipolar packed bed as electro-PRBs that was effective degradation of TCE.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2018

A portion of the veterinary antibiotics administrated to livestock are generally excreted via feces and urine. Tetracyclines and tylosin have a greater priority of environmental risk in Korea based on the consumption and the potential to reach soil and water environment. The antibiotics in animal byproducts need to be reduced or eliminated before they are applied to agricultural lands through composting or other agricultural practices. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of aeration on degradation of antibiotics during storage of swine slurry. Two antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and tylosin (TYL), were detected from the swine slurry used in the study. One hour aeration per day for 62 days reduced TC concentration from 199 to $43ng\;L^{-1}$ compared with $104ng\;L^{-1}$ without aeration. Aeration for three and six hours decreased TC level to 30 and $23ng\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The dissipation of TC was fitted with a first-order kinetic model. Aeration for 1, 3, and 6 hours every day increased the first-order rate constant, k, from $0.011day^{-1}$ under anaerobic condition to 0.022, 0.026, and $0.037day^{-1}$, respectively. For TYL, aeration during storage of swine slurry enhanced k from $0.0074day^{-1}$ to 0.014, 0.018, and $0.031day^{-1}$ for 1, 3, and 6 hours per day, respectively. For liquid swine slurry, biotic processes can be more effective for dissipation of antibiotics than abiotic processes because of low organic matter and high water content. These results suggest that aeration can increase the degradation rate of antibiotics during storage of swine slurry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.939-945
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• 2005

The Photocatalytic activity was investigated with the increase of flow rate in a $UV/TiO_2$ packed-bed system. The rate of phenol degradation over $UV/TiO_2$ (dia. = 5 mm) was increased up to 300 mL/min and reached a plateau beyond 400 mL/min. The bead photocatalysts did not exhibit a distinct difference of the phenol degradation rate irrespective of corrosion rates of glass beads and $TiO_2$ coating amounts. Degussa P25 exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity in comparison to other $TiO_2$ sols(Ishihara & N). The performance(activity and durability) of $UV/TiO_2$ packed-bed system can be enhanced by the use of $TiO_2$-coated glass beads instead of granular types that is easily attrited by the shearing force of flowing fluids.