• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.419-427
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• 2017

Background: Glycosylation of natural compounds increases the diversity of secondary metabolites. Glycosylation steps are implicated not only in plant growth and development, but also in plant defense responses. Although the activities of uridine-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) have long been recognized, and genes encoding them in several higher plants have been identified, the specific functions of UGTs in planta remain largely unknown. Methods: Spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and GUS histochemical assay. In planta transformation in heterologous Arabidopsis was generated by floral dipping using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58C1). Protein localization was analyzed by confocal microscopy via fluorescent protein tagging. Results: PgUGT72AL1 was highly expressed in the rhizome, upper root, and youngest leaf compared with the other organs. GUS staining of the promoter: GUS fusion revealed high expression in different organs, including axillary leaf branch. Overexpression of PgUGT72AL1 resulted in a fused organ in the axillary leaf branch. Conclusion: PgUGT72AL1, which is phylogenetically close to PgUGT71A27, is involved in the production of ginsenoside compound K. Considering that compound K is not reported in raw ginseng material, further characterization of this gene may shed light on the biological function of ginsenosides in ginseng plant growth and development. The organ fusion phenotype could be caused by the defective growth of cells in the boundary region, commonly regulated by phytohormones such as auxins or brassinosteroids, and requires further analysis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.615-629
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• 2021

An active compound, triterpene saponin, astersaponin I (AKNS-2) was isolated from Aster koraiensis Nakai (AKNS) and the autophagy activation and neuroprotective effect was investigated on in vitro and in vivo Parkinson's disease (PD) models. The autophagy-regulating effect of AKNS-2 was monitored by analyzing the expression of autophagy-related protein markers in SH-SY5Y cells using Western blot and fluorescent protein quenching assays. The neuroprotection of AKNS-2 was tested by using a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridium ion (MPP⁺)-induced in vitro PD model in SH-SY5Y cells and an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model in mice. The compound-treated SH-SY5Y cells not only showed enhanced microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and decreased sequestosome 1 (p62) expression but also showed increased phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-Erk), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and phosphorylated unc-51-like kinase (p-ULK) and decreased phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) expression. AKNS-2-activated autophagy could be inhibited by the Erk inhibitor U0126 and by AMPK siRNA. In the MPP⁺-induced in vitro PD model, AKNS-2 reversed the reduced cell viability and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels and reduced the induced α-synuclein level. In an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model, AKNS-2 improved mice behavioral performance, and it restored dopamine synthesis and TH and α-synuclein expression in mouse brain tissues. Consistently, AKNS-2 also modulated the expressions of autophagy related markers in mouse brain tissue. Thus, AKNS-2 upregulates autophagy by activating the Erk/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR pathways. AKNS-2 exerts its neuroprotective effect through autophagy activation and may serve as a potential candidate for PD therapy.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2010

Combinatorial synthesis, which has been adopted as an efficient method for deriving a leading compound in pharmaceutical chemistry, is recently being applied in various fields along with the rapid development of analysis and examination technology. It is especially attracting much attention as an efficient strategy to secure various potent compounds rapidly in the areas of developing new materials where the relationship between the chemical structure and the property is not revealed. Several reports and reviews have already been published for the combinatorial chemistry and combinatorial synthesis. This report briefly introduces trends in the combinatorial development of new materials and discusses the cases of developing organic luminescent materials.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1495-1500
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• 2014

Two new complexes with 5-methyl-1-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid (Hmptc) ligand: [$Cd(mptc)_2(H_2O)_4$] (1) and $[Cu(mptc)_4{\cdot}2H_2O]_n$ (2) were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In complex 1, the Cd(II) ions coordinates with the pyridyl nitogen atom from the Hmptc ligand, forming a mononuclear Cd(II) compound. Complex 2 exhibits a novel two-dimensional (2D) polymer in which four Hmptc ligands stabilize the Cu(II) atom. And the coordination involves one nitrogen atom of the triazole, one oxygen atom of the carboxylic acid and the pyridyl nitrogen atom. In addition, FT-IR and solid-state fluorescent emission spectroscopy of two compounds have been determined.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3397-3401
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• 2014

Determining cell quantity is a common problem in cytology research and anti-tumor drug development. A simple and low-cost method was developed to determine monolayer and adherent-growth cell quantities. The cell nucleus is located in the cytoplasm, and is independent. Thus, the nucleus cannot make contact even if the cell density is heavy. This phenomenon is the foundation of accurate cell-nucleus recognition. The cell nucleus is easily recognizable in images after fluorescent staining because it is independent. A one-to-one relationship exists between the nucleus and the cell; therefore, this method can be used to determine the quantity of proliferating cells. Results indicated that the activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Z1 was effective after this method was used. The nude-mouse xenograft model also revealed the potent anti-tumor activity of Z1. This research presents a new anti-tumor-drug evaluation method.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-423
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the individual glucosinolate (GSL), total phenol, total flavonoid, and vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity under various light quality condition, mainly focusing on red (R) to far-red (FR) light ratios in three Brassica sprouts (radish, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli). Three R/FR ratio of 0.6, 1.3, and 2.0 were exposed to 5-day old sprouts for 48 h in a controlled environment, and the targeted phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities were compared with three separate control plot of dark, fluorescent, and red:blue 8:2 conditions. Total GSL content was highest in broccoli among the cultivars throughout the respective treatments, and increased with the increasing of R/FR ratio in the broccoli sprouts, while the content showed non-significant results in the Chinese cabbage sprouts. The progoitrin, a major GSL in Chinese Cabbage and broccoli, content decreased by upto 38% and 69%, respectively, with decreasing the R/FR ratio compared to the control plots (fluorescent, red:blue 8:2, and dark condition). The contents of phenol, flavonoid, and vitamin C were lowest in dark condition in all the three Brassica sprouts. The total phenol content and antioxidant activities increased with decreasing the R/FR ratio in all the Brassica sprouts, while total flavonoid and vitamin C content showed different patterns depending upon the Brassica sprouts. These results suggest that additional use of FR is expected to improve the functional quality of Brassica sprouts in different ways.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 1998

This experiment has conducted to evaluate whether single injection of red ginseng extract including 50% ethanol extract, crude saponin, and lipid soluble fraction can induce oxidative burst of mouse peritoneal macrophages with use of fluorescence spectrophotometer. To optimize conditions of fluorescent spectrophotometry, concentrations of DCFH-DA(2', 7' -dichlorofluorescin diacetate) was 1.6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and control oxidative burst by Zymosan A and PMA(phorbol myristate acetate) were 100$\mu\textrm{g}$, 250ng, respectively. Though in vitro macrophages failed to induce increment of H2O2 production, but 50% ethanol extract group induced significant enhancement of H2O2 production when zymosan A triggered oxidative burst. On the other hand, lipid soluble fraction enhanced significantly H2O2 production than that of control group. These findings consisted with the other reports which showed ginsenosides inhibited nitric oxide production and lipid soluble fraction activated colony stimulating factor(granulocyte - monocyte) activity in bone marrow stem cells. As is well known, lipid soluble fraction contains phenol compound, polyacetylene compound and alkaloids. Further study would unravel which component of it can induce H2O2 production of macrophages. Key words : Red ginseng(Panax ginseng), H2O2 production, macrophages.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2014

LCD televisions and monitors use cold cathode fluorescence lamps (CCFLs) to illuminate the screen. Most CCFLs contain mercury and they have to be carefully handled at the end of their lives as per minimum treatment standards under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives. CCFLs were carefully separated from mold frames of waste LCD units for primary decontamination of mercury/fluorescent compound mixture using CCFL decontamination system designed and fabricated in the present research. Residual mercury was further removed by employing a pyro-process, where crushed CCFL tubes transferred from primary decontamination process were subject to heat treatment at $550^{\circ}C$ in a box furnace: more than 99% of mercury was removable from waste CCFLs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.390-395
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• 2011

In order to develope piezoelectric transformer for the ballast of fluorescent lamp, the composition of piezoelectric ceramics was 0.95Pb($Zr_xTi_{1-x}$)O3+yPb($Mn_{1/3}Nb_{2/3}$)$O_3$+(0.05-y)Pb($Sb_{1/2}Nb_{1/2}$)$O_3$. PMN compound was selected to improve mechanical quality factor and PSN to prevent the decrease of dielectric constant and electromechanical coupling coefficient. Dielectric and piezoelectric characteristics in the region of MPB of 0.95Pb($Zr_xTi_{1-x}$)$O_3$+yPb($Mn_{1/3}Nb_{2/3}$)$O_3$+(0.05-y)Pb($Sb_{1/2}Nb_{1/2}$)$O_3$ ceramics was discussed both quantatively and qualitatively.