• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.328-335
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• 2006

Imperatoxin A ($IpTx_a$), a 3.7 kDa peptide from the African scorpion Pandinus imperator, is an agonist of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1). In order to study the structure of the toxin and its effect on RyR1, $IpTx_a$ cDNA was PCR-amplified using 3 pairs of primers, and the toxin was expressed in E. coli. The toxin was further purified by chromatography, and various point mutants in which basic amino acids were substituted by alanine were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Studies of single channel properties by the planar lipid bilayer method showed that the recombinant $IpTx_a$ was identical to the synthetic $IpTx_a$ with respect to high-performance liquid chromatography mobility, amino acid composition and specific effects on RyR1. Mutations of certain basic amino acids ($Lys^{19}$, $Arg^{23}$, and $Arg^{33}$) dramatically reduced the capacity of the peptide to activate RyRs. A subconductance state predominated when $Lys^8$ was substituted with alanine. These results suggest that some basic amino acid residues in $IpTx_a$ are important for activation of RyR1, and that $Lys^8$ plays an important role in regulating the gating mode of RyR1.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to measure fat-soluble vitamins and minerals in breast milk of Korean lactating mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Breast milk samples were collected from 334 mothers. Concentrations of retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet spectrometry while concentrations of minerals were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. RESULTS: Retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol contents of breast milk were $39.58{\pm}19.64{\mu}g/dL$ and $0.23{\pm}0.13mg/dL$, respectively. Average sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels in breast milk were $11.11{\pm}5.16$, $38.56{\pm}9.01$, $27.87{\pm}6.10$, $13.56{\pm}3.30$, and $3.05{\pm}0.65mg/dL$, respectively. Contents of trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were $40.26{\pm}46.21$, $98.40{\pm}62.47$, $24.09{\pm}9.03$, and $0.90{\pm}1.63{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Fat-soluble vitamin concentration was positively correlated with total fat in milk samples, but no significant differences were observed in levels of retinol, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, or minerals based on whether or not lactating women were taking dietary supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient contents of breast milk samples from Korean lactating women were comparable to those of other nations. Retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol levels were correlated and also with total fat in breast milk.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.174-178
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• 2001

Soybeans contain the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein, their glucosides genistin and daidzin and coumesterol. These isoflavonoid compounds are capable of producing an estrogenic response in a number of diverse species. This study determined optimum conditions for the extraction of the main isoflavones(daidzin, genistin, daidzein, genistein) in defatted soybean meal using high-performance liquid chromatography. The best optimum extraction was achieved at 75% ethanol, $80^{circ}C$, pH4 and a three hour contact time. In addition, isoflavones with high purity were separated by adding up to 4%(w/v) of calcium chloride dihydrate. Most soybean extracts were composed of $beta$-glucosidic conjugate(daidzin, genistin) which is difficult to adsorb in body. Therefore, $beta$-glucosidase was used to convert as conjugate to aglycone form (daidzein, genistein) which is easy to adsorb. The optimal conditions of enzyme reaction involved to be 8.4 units of enzyme concentration, pH5.0, $40^{circ}C$ and 40 minutes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2014

In this work, we constructed the sulfur-solidified materials using coal bottom ash from four thermal power stations in Korea and investigated their practical data for the production of industrial construction compounds. To manufacture the sulfur-solidified materials, we used a continuous mixer with the uniaxial screw-type. Also, coal bottom ash was used as a fine aggregate below 1.2 mm because of the operation characteristics for the continuous mixer. When the sulfur-solidified materials were produced with diverse sulfur concentrations (15, 20, 25, 30 wt%), compressive strength properties were analyzed. In addition, when the coal bottom ash was used with a high calcium oxide content, crack was found in the test product and pH of submerged liquid was above 12. These experimental results could be effectively applied to the recycling technology of coal bottom ash.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2021

Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant widely founded in Northeast Asia, and its dried root (Kushen) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects of Kushen in micturition disorder was not investigated comprehensively yet. In the present study, we examined and compared the efficacy of three batches of Kushen extract using different ethanol content through an in vitro cell-based assay. Among them, we chose the batch with the highest efficacy and augmented the volume of extract for industrial purpose. The bulk extract was examined in its efficacy in the in vitro cell-based assay, and the therapeutic effects through an in vivo behavioral assay of OAB rats. The main components of the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated by MTT assay. The overall efficacy of the extract was as much as, or more than, kurarinone, a potent BK_Ca channel activator. Thus, the extract was a potent relaxant of urinary smooth muscle by upregulating the activity of BK_Ca channel. The Kushen extract could be explored as an alternative medicine against overactive bladder patients indicating severe dysfunction of BK_Ca channel.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2019

A cement industrial by-product was used as a Ca source for the carbonation process. It was confirmed that the most of cement industrial by-products was composed of CaO and KCl through ICP and XRD analyses. The optimal extractant type and concentration was 1.5 M of hydrochloric acid, and the solid/liquid ratio was 0.1 g/mL. It was assumed that the cation extraction efficiency was dependent of the pair ions and their binding formation and also the solubility from extraction efficiency results by varing extractants. After extraction process, it was also confirmed that the cation could be selectively separated from the solution with respect to the kind of additives and the injection order. When NaOH was injected into the solution to control pH values ranging from 9.5 and 13, impurities and $Ca(OH)_2$ were precipitated, whereas the separated K ion was precipitated in the form of KCl under the injected $C_2H_5OH$.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2019

BACKGOUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated nutritional status of the elderly with dementia in a care facility with the aim of improving the meal quality of the facility. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data were collected from 30 dementia patients aged more than 65 years in a long-term care facility in Hongseong. The data were obtained from questionnaires and medical records. The food intake data was obtained using food photographs and the nutrient intakes were calculated using the CAN-Pro 5.0. The data were compared with the dietary reference intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). The nutrient density, diet quality such as nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ), as well as dietary diversity score (DDS) were evaluated. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical programs. RESULTS: The average daily energy intakes for men and women were much lower than the estimated energy requirements of the KDRIs. The average intakes of energy and most nutrients in the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups. Significant differences in diet quality and diet diversity were observed according to the meal type groups. The NARs of some minerals (calcium, iron, and zinc) and vitamins (vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid) were less than 0.5 in all study groups. The NARs of protein, iron and MAR of the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the liquid diet group. The DDS scores of meats, fruits and diary food group were very low in all meal type groups, meaning that the diet qualities of the study subjects were not appropriate in all meal type groups. CONCLUSIONS: The food intakes of the study groups showed some limitations by a direct comparison with KDRIs because of the very low physical activities of the study subjects. The diet quality and diet diversity indices suggest the need for improvements in the nutritional quality in all types of diet. Overall, new intervention strategies targeting facility residents with dementia in Korea are needed as soon as possible.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.315-322
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• 2019

In this study, the contents of ${\beta}$-carotene and cholesterol were evaluated in various types of agricultural and processed foods (vegetables, legume products, dairy products, and eggs). Certified reference material (CRM) with an assigned value was used for the validation of the ${\beta}$-carotene and cholesterol analytical methods. High recoveries (accuracy) of ${\beta}$-carotene (96%) and cholesterol (97%) were obtained from the quantitative analysis of the CRM, with a relative standard deviation (%) of 1.86 and 3.35% for the ${\beta}$-carotene and cholesterol, respectively. Vegetables contained relatively high concentrations of ${\beta}$-carotene (raw Toona sinensis, $1650.97{\mu}g/100g$, a raw small onion, $879.09{\mu}g/100g$, and a raw lettuce stem, $591.89{\mu}g/100g$). The ${\beta}$-carotene values in dried chickpeas ($22.94{\mu}g/100g$) and dried brown lentils ($21.98{\mu}g/100g$) were similar. The highest ${\beta}$-carotene value among the analyzed dairy products was found in banana milk ($234.21{\mu}g/100g$) while other flavored products (strawberry milk and chocolate milk) did not contain any ${\beta}$-carotene. Furthermore, ${\beta}$-carotene was not detected in goat milk and high calcium milk in this study. With regard to cholesterol among the analyzed samples, the highest cholesterol value was found in egg yolk (629.30 mg/100 g), and cooking methods (boiling and frying) had little effect on the cholesterol levels of eggs. In addition, the cholesterol content in vanilla ice cream was 28.77 mg/100 g which was the highest value among the analyzed dairy products.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2022

The breathable film refers to a high-functional film that allows gas and water vapor to pass through very fine and sophisticated pores but not liquid. In this research, the breathable film was prepared based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and CaCO₃ particles by extrude method. The LLDPE composite film containing CaCO₃ particles had excellent mechanical properties and functionalties. The drawing is a technologically simple and excellent method for improving the mechanical properties of composite films. In this work, the effects of draw ratio on morphology, crystallinity, pore size distribution, mechanical properties, and water vapor permeability of the films were examined. The results revealed that both surface morphology and breathability were affected by the influence of chain orientation and crystal growth with increasing the draw ratio. The mechanical properties were improved with increasing the draw ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.139-144
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• 2023

Stone papers made of inorganic filler and plastic polymer do not use pulp, which is the main raw material of existing papers, so they contribute to the preservation of nature and can be used as more eco-friendly materials when they have biodegradability. Since most stone papers are manufactured by hot extrusion, the amount of ceramic fillers and related physical properties are limited to control manufacturing workability. In this study, the stone paper composition was prepared in a liquid form using solvents, so that there was little limitation on the amount of ceramic filler added and it was also easy to add additives to control biodegradability. They were fabricated from eco-friendly raw materials using waste oyster shells as an inorganic filler and (recyclable) PVC materials as an organic binder. After making a solution using common solvents for PVC, inorganic filler and cellulose to impart biodegradability were mixed and processed into sheets to prepare solvent-based stone papers, and their paper properties were evaluated.