• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.55-58
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• 2002

The reaction center Dl protein of photosystem II is the target of photodamage by excess illumination. The Dl protein is damaged by reactive oxygen species generated by photochemical reactions and then degraded by specific proteolytic enzymes. We found that the Dl protein also cross-links with the surrounding polypeptides, such as D2 and CP43 in isolated thylakoids or photosystem II-enriched membranes from spinach under the illumination with strong visible light. The cross-linking was observed in spinach leaf discs as well when they were illuminated at higher temperature (40°C). It was also shown that the cross-linked products are digested efficiently by a protease(s) in the stroma. Thus the cross-linking/digestion processes of the Dl protein seem to comprise a new pathway in the turnover of the photodamaged Dl protein. It should be noted, however, that the cross-linked products of the Dl protein and CP43 induced by endogenous cationic radicals in the donor-side photoinhibition are resistant to proteolytic digestion. Accumulation of these cross-linked products in the thylakoids may lead to the decay of the function of chloroplasts and finally to the death of plant cells. Thus, we suggest that the quality control of photosystem II, especially removal of the cross-linked products of the Dl protein, is crucial for the survival of chloroplasts under the light stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2007

We present simple methods for fabricating high aspect-ratio polymer nanostructures on a solid substrate by rigiflex lithography with tailored capillarity and adhesive force. In the first method, a thin, thermoplastic polymer film was prepared by spin coating on a substrate and the temperature was raised above the polymer's glass transition temperature ($T_g$) while in conformal contact with a poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA) mold having nano-cavities. Consequently, capillarity forces the polymer film to rise into the void space of the mold, resulting in nanostructures with an aspect ratio of ${\sim}4$. In the second method, very high aspect-ratio (>20) nanohairs were fabricated by elongating the pre-formed nanostructures upon removal of the mold with the aid of tailored capillarity and adhesive force at the mold/polymer interface. Finally, these two methods were further used to fabricate micro/nano hierarchical structures by sequential application of the molding process for mimicking nature's functional surfaces such as a lotus leaf and gecko foot hairs.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.147-156
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans JG22 isolated from pepper leaf jangajji on the mutagenic activity of N-methyl, N'-nitro, N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 2-nitrofluene (2-NF) and to evaluate the effect of physico-chemical pretreatment on the antimutagenic activity of the strain. The viable cells of JG22 strain displayed a significantly high (p <0.05) antimutagenic activity against both mutagens tested. The antimutagenic effect of JG22 strain seems to be positively correlated with the amounts of the cells in the incubation time. This strain produced the antimutagenic activity of the maximum levels after preincubation for 30 min. The binding of this strain against the mutagenic compounds might be mainly present in the cell wall fraction rather than the cytosol fraction. Pretreatment with proteolytic enzymes and simulated gastric and intestinal juices and at different pH values had no significant effect on two mutagens removal by the viable cells. However, the binding activity of the mutagen by the strain seems to be affected by heating, enzymes including $\alpha$-amylase and lysozyme, divalent ions, and sodium metaperiodate. Thus, carbohydrates consisting of the cell walls may be important elements responsible for the binding of MNNG and 2-NF by this strain. In conclusion, the binding of the mutagens to cells of JG 22 strain may play a vital role in suppressing the process of mutagenesis induced by mutagens.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2001

This study was conducted to determine the smoke component distribution and the relationship between chemical components and physical characteristics of cigarettes. 16 different cigarette brands which were sold in the market were selected for this study. Five kinds of smoke components which have been tar, nicotine, water, carbon monoxide(CO) puff No., and six kinds of physical characteristics which were filter type, leaf weight, filter weight, UPD, EPD, dilution rate were analyzed. The average values in tar, nicotine, water, CO concentration were 6.5 mg/cig. 0.66 mg/cig, 1.12 mg/cig. and 6.32 mg/cig., respectively. The average ratios of nicotine/tar and CO/tar were 0.10, and 1.02 respectively. The distribution of smoke components collected in the cambridge filter and cigarette filter was different. The averages of tar and nicotine removal efficiency by a cigarette filter were 53%, and 48%, respectively. All smoking components were positively correlated with other smoking components. filter types, EPD, and dilution rate were showed high correlation to the changes of smoke components. Especially, dilution rate of cigarette strongly affected on the changes of all smoke components.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.137-143
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• 2021

Most cervical cancers are associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Currently, cervical cancer treatment entails surgical removal of the lesion, but treatment of infection and preventing tissue damage are issues that still remain to be addressed. Herbal medicine and biological studies have focused on developing antiviral drugs from natural sources. In this study, we analyzed the potential antiviral effects of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. leaf extracts against HPV. The pine needle extracts from each organic solvent were analyzed for antiviral activity. The methylene chloride fraction (PN-MC) showed the highest activity against HPV pseudovirus (PV). The PN-MC extract was more effective before, rather than after treatment, and therefore represents a prophylactic intervention. Mice were pre-treated with PN-MC via genital application or oral administration, followed by a genital or subcutaneous challenge with HPV PV, respectively. The HPV challenge results showed that mice treated via genital application exhibited complete protection against HPV. In conclusion, PN-MC represents a potential topical virucide for HPV infection.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.919-929
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• 2016

This study investigated the effect of organic materials (Bordeaux, Loess-sulfur) and the removal of apical shoot against downy mildew disease on cucumber cultivated in greenhouse. Five kinds of Bordeaux were made by adjusting mixing ratio of lime and copper sulfate in order to elucidate the optimal combination. The 4-6type Bordeaux was selected as the most effective combination for controlling cucumber downy mildew. Loess-sulfur showed inhibitory activity against cucumber downey mildew, but it was less effective than Bordeaux. It was confirmed that apical shoot cutting could reduce the incidence of cucumber downy mildew disease by 56.3%. When apical shoots of susceptible cucumber variety were cut at different leaf stages, disease incidence by early apical shoot cutting treatment was lower than that of late apical shoot cutting treatment. However in a resistant variety, 'Heukryungsamcheok', disease incidences of all cucumber apical shoot cutting treatments were lower than that of non-cutting treatment, but there was no differences between apical shoot cutting treatments due to low disease incidences. In addition, when organic materials and apical shoot cutting treatment were carried out in parallel, the combined treatments of organic materials and apical shoot cutting showed low disease incidence of cucumber downy mildew compared to untreated control. The lowest disease incidence of cucumber downy mildew was recorded in the combined treatment of 4-6type Bordeaux and apical shoot cutting. This study confirmed that apical shoot cutting can reduce the disease incidence of cucumber downy mildew and the combined treatment of apical shoot cutting and organic materials showed higher suppressive effect against cucumber downy mildew.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.1
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• pp.94-105
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• 2009

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand is representative lowland exotic plantation with low ecological quality and arrested succession in South Korea. To facilitate succession and restore natural vegetation, small canopy gaps (${\sim}57m^2$), which can modify minimally structural variables and reduce restoration related disturbances on stand, was established in the black locust stand, and oak (Quercus serrata) seedlings were introduced in the gap. Two types of varying levels were introduced for gap creation; cutting (C) and girdling (G) on canopies. Understory removal (CU and GU) treatment was applied as subtypes of structural modification. Growth (diameter, height and leaf area) of target species and responses (species composition, diversity and coverage) of understory community were monitored during study years (2007~2008). Canopy openness was different significantly among treatments but not for light availability. Based on the result of logistic regression, growth of height and leaf area of seedlings were significant variables on seedling survival. Height and leaf area of seedlings were increased during study years, although radial growth was reduced. During study years, there were no significant differences in species composition and diversity, and total coverage increased about 20%. Increase of resources by gap creation and understory removal likely affect growth of target species. Small gap creation was effective to reduce understory responses in composition and diverstiy. Synthesized, growth of target species and responses of understory community to small canopy gap creation exhibited, in short term, possibility of utilization in alternative forest restoration and management option. Long-term monitoring is necessary to certificate effect of artificial gap creation on forest restoration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2019

Purpose: Medicinal herbs have recently attracted attention as health beneficial foods and source materials for drug development. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracts of Lycium's fruits and roots have a range of physiologically active substances. The extract of Lycium's leaves has been reported to have excellent anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity, but its anti-inflammatory efficacy is not known. The chlorophyll present in the leaves can act as an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant depending on the presence of light. Therefore, this study analyzed the anti-inflammatory effects of Lycium's fruit extract (LFE), leaf extract (LLE), and leaf extract with chlorophyll removal (LLE with CR). Methods: This study examined the inhibitory effects of LFE, LLE, and LLE with CR on pro-inflammatory mediator production as well as on the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and BALB/c mice. Results: LFE, LLE, and LLE with CR inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) and the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the administration of LLE and LLE with CR inhibited the serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and suppressed DNA damage in BALB/c mice. In particular, LLE with CR exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that the fruit and leaves of Lycium are potential therapeutic agents against inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.231-240
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acid and bile tolerance, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, and cholesterol assimilation ability of lactic acid bacteria isolated from mustard leaf kimchi. MLK11, MLK22, MLK27, MLK41, and MLK67 were relatively acid- and bile-tolerant strains, with more than $10^5$ CFU/ml after incubation in simulated gastric juice and intestinal fluid, while MLK53 was the most sensitive strain to acid and bile. Strains MLK22 and MLK67 deconjugated the highest level of sodium glycocholate with more than 3.5 mM of cholic acid released, while deconjugation was lowest by strains MLK13 and MLK41 which released only 1.35 mM and 1.16 mM, respectively. Specially, strains MLK22 and MLK67 showed higher deconjugation of sodium glycocholate compared to sodium taurocholate and conjugated bile mixture. Although strains MLK22 and MLK67 exhibited maximal BSH activity at the stationary phase, MLK22 had somewhat higher total BSH activity compared to MLK67 towards both sodium glycocholate and sodium taurocholate. Meanwhile, cholesterol removal varied among tested strains (p<0.05) and ranged from 5.22 to 39.16 ${\mu}g$/ml. Especially, MLK67 strain assimilated the highest level of cholesterol in media supplemented with 0.3% oxgall, cholic acid, and taurocholic acid (p<0.05). According to physiological and biological characteristics, pattern of carbohydrate fermentation, and 16S rDNA sequence, strain MLK67 that may be considered as probiotic strain due to acid and bile tolerance and cholesterol-lowering effects was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus MLK67.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 1979

The solvent extracting of the tobacco has been carried out in order to find out any effects for the removal and/or reduction of nicotine from tobacco without affecting the tobacco flavor. We have now completed the physico-chemical characterization of the solvent untreated/treated tobaccos and 2) the contents of the tar and nicotine in the smoke. The results obtained ate like followings; 1. 3% alcohol extraction reduced the total nitrogen content for the Bright by 36.4%. However, it could not reduce the sugar content. 2. Nicotine content in tobacco leaves was inversely proportional to the dipping time Essentially same results were obtained in anacidic solution and even in a solution containing both alkali and acid. 3. Derivative thermogravimetric(DTG) curves indicated test extraction was effective by removing tobacco leaf components which could decompose or volatilize between the temperature of $150^{\circ}C\;and\;350^{\circ}C$. 4. 3% alcohol extracted leaf have the substantial improvements as following; (1) bulk filling power of 10% and 24% for Burley and Bright tobacco, respectively, (2) combustibility shortening of about 3 minute and 2 minute for Burley and Bright tobaccos, respectively, (3) reduction ratio(%) of nicotine was found to be shout 61.5% and 54.5% for Burley and Bright tobacco, respectively, (4) reduction ratio (%) of tar was obtained to he about 25% and 15% for Burley and Bright tobacco, respectively.