• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1039-1046
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• 2009

The cytochrome P450s (P450s) metabolizing natural products are among the most versatile biological catalysts known in plants, but knowledge of the structural basis for their broad substrate specificity has been limited. The activity of p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) is thought to be essential for the biosynthesis of lignin and many other phenylpropanoid pathway products in plants however, all attempts to express and purify the protein corresponding C3H gene have failed. As a result, no conditions suitable for the unambiguous assay of the enzyme are known. The detailed understanding of the mechanism and substrate-specificity of C3Hdemands a method for the production of active protein on the milligram scale. We have developed a bacterial expression and purification system for the plant C3H, which allows for the quick expression and purification of active wild-type C3H via introduction of combinational mutagenesis. The modified cytochrome P450 C3H ($C3H_{mod}$) could be purified in the absence of detergent using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography following extraction from isolated membranes in a high salt buffer and catalytically activated. This method makes the use of isotopic labeling of C3H for NMRstudies and X-ray crystallography practical, and is also applicable to other plant cytochrome P450 proteins.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2011

A male infant was diagnosed with obstetric brachial plexus injury, congenital muscular torticollis and cleft palate 17 days after birth. His mother presented with gestational diabetes and premature rupture of membranes. Although it is possible that these three disorders arose independently, it is very likely that all three have the same etiologic cause, and we propose that a possible mechanism for this concurrence is related to maternal gestational diabetes. Maternal hyperglycemia mostly affects fetal structures deriving from the neural crest, including the palatine bone, and may have caused the cleft palate observed in this case. Gestational diabetes is also associated with increased frequency of large for gestational age infants and, by extension, with increased risk of birth injuries such as obstetric brachial plexus injury or congenital muscular torticollis associated with large for gestational age infants. Since the children of mothers with gestational diabetes are at increased risk for congenital defects such as cleft palate as well as being large for gestational age, precautions indicated for each respective disorder must be taken during prenatal testing and during birth. However, further studies of more cases are required to evaluate whether the concurrence of obstetric brachial plexus injury, congenital muscular torticollis and cleft palate in this case are complications specifically associated with gestational diabetes or just a simple coincidence.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.414-420
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• 2012

In an effort to commercialization of energy saving aeration apparatus, panel-type aeration membranes were prepared from polyurethane sheet of J company in Korea having tensile strength higher than $400kg_f/cm^2$ with thickness of 0.5mm. Micropores of 100 m size were made by poring technique utilizing needles. From lab-tests in 450 L water tank at temperature of $20^{\circ}C$, the performance of aeration panels at 40 L/min aeration rate showed 5 mg/L DO in less than 3 minutes approaching saturation point of 8 mg/L within 8 minutes. The results show very high efficiency with $K_{La(15)}$ ($16.34hr^{-1}$), Standard oxygen transfer efficiency (SOTE 54.7%) and Standard aeration efficienct (SAE 7.88 kg/kwh). Other pilot scale test in a $2m^3$ water tank with water temperature ($19^{\circ}C$) and aeration rate (30 L/min) showed DO exceeding 5 mg/L within 8 minutes along with $K_{La(15)}$ ($5.8hr^{-1}$), SOTE (42.1%) and SAE (6.41 kg/kwh). These efficiencies represent 2~2.5 times higher than conventional aeration devices. Especially, the achievement of higher Oxygen Transfer Rate indicate higher commercial viability. Conventional aeration devices when applied to clean water and wastewater frequently cause problems due to differences in actual Oxygen Transfer Rate. Our actual tests with $40^{\circ}C$ animal farm wastewater resulted very high efficiencies with Oxygen transfer efficiency ($OTE_f$ 22.1%) and $OTE_{pw40}$ (39.6%).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.647-657
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• 2016

In this study, the antioxidative effects and active component analysis of 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from Prunella vulgaris L. were investigated. The free radical scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) was investigated at 50% ethanol extract ($15.25{\mu}g/mL$), ethyl acetate fraction ($8.68{\mu}g/mL$), and aglycone fraction ($8.25{\mu}g/mL$) respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay was investigated at 50% ethanol extract ($4.68{\mu}g/mL$), ethyl acetate fraction ($1.00{\mu}g/mL$), and aglycone fraction($1.02{\mu}g/mL$) respectively. In the cellular protective effect against $^1O_2$ induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes, extract/fractions of P. vulgaris L. were increased in a concentration dependent manner($1{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, ${\tau}_{50}$ of aglycone fraction at concentrations of $25{\mu}g/mL$ showed the most protective effects at 337.9 min. It's showed nine times higher (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\tau}_{50}=38.7min$) as typical antioxidant in the $^1O_2$-induced photohemolysis of human erythrocytes. TLC and HPLC were used to analyse active components in the ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of P. vulgaris L. In ethyl acetate fraction, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin 3-${\beta}$-D-glucoside, rutin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside) were identified. In aglycone fraction, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, kaempferol were identified. These results indicated that extract/fraction of P. vulgaris L. is may be used in cosmetics industry as natural antioxidants by quenching and/or scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protecting cellular membranes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.248-261
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• 1994

Background: Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that recognize a specific sequence of sugar residues. The availability of a large number of lectins has provided the capacity to identify selectively glycoconjugates possessing distinctive chemical structure in diverse sites of highly specialized biological activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lectin binding patterns of various components in human pulmonary tubercles. Method: Biopsy specimens of tuberculous lung were obtained from male adult patients who underwent a surgical resection for severe pulmonary tuberculosis. The specimens were processed and stained with 13 kinds of biotinylated lectins according to some modification of Hsu and Raine's methods. Results: 1) In the caseous necrotic lesions, BS $I-B_4$ showed negative reaction and BS I were also negative except some irregularly-shaped cells located in the marginal zone. All other lectins, however, showed a positive reaction with various binding patterns. 2) The epithelioid cells were broadly divided into three groups according to the reaction patterns in the cytoplasms and cell membranes. 3) WGA, ECL, PHA-L, PHA-E and LCA showed strong staining in the lymphocytes. 4) SBA showed a different binding patterns between the endothelial layers located in the region beyond the fibrous layers and those located within the fibrous layers. 5) PNA showed a positive reaction in the outer 1/3 to 1/2 of the fibrous layer, but showed no staining in the inner 1/2 to 2/3 of the fibrous layers. Conclusion: The present lectin histochemical study provided a useful information to assess the characterization and distribution of various glycoconjugates in each constituent of human pulmonary tubercles. The results demonstrate structural differences in the glycoconjugate composition of various components of the tubercles and reveal changes in glycosylation in the components during soft tubercle formation. This study provides a new data useful for the studies on the pathogenesis and pathology of human pulmonary tubercles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.378-383
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• 1993

Background: In recent reports, it has been reported that increased coagulation and decreased fibrinolytic activity has been responsible for abnormal fibrin turnover in exudative pleural effusion. In the cases of empyema, the fibrinopurulent stage is characterized by the fibrin deposition resulting in formation of limiting membranes in the visceral and parietal pleura. Recently attention has been focused on intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy capable of removing intrapleural fibrin deposits by urokinase (UK) in the treatment of empyema. However, these clinical trials have provided the clinical evidences for resolution of pleural loculation after intrapleural urokinase injection (UK-injection), the profiles of fibrinolytic activity following the treatment were still not investigated. Therefore in order to demonstrate the fibrinolytic evidences behind the clinical efficacy of intracavitary UK-injection, we examined intrapleural plasminogen activator activity (PA-activity) and D-dimer (D-Di) concentrations before and after each repeated UK-injection into the pleura in subjects with loculated empyema cavity. Methods: In a group of 14 patients with multiple loculated empyema cavity, PA-activity and D-Di concentrations were measured before and after repeated UK-injection. One hundred thousand IU of UK was injected at each time and all sujects had at least two times of UK injection accoring to clinical decisions. Nine out of 14 sujects had three times of UK-injection. Results: The mean (${\pm}SE$) PA-activity prior to treatemnt was $10.5{\pm}7.0$ and it was increased to $91.9{\pm}27.0,\;432.3{\pm}177.1,\;170.0{\pm}85.3$ IU tPA/ml after first, second and third time of UK-injection respectively (p<0.01). D-Di concentrations were also increased from $4.16{\pm}1.06{\times}10^5$ to $9.62{\pm}1.54{\times}10^5,\;12.31{\pm}1.89{\times}10^5,\;8.54{\pm}1.56{\times}10^5$ ng/ml in the same order as above (p<0.05). Conclusion: The suppressed fibrinolytic activity in the empyema cavity get removed sinificantly after inrracavitary injection of urokinase by generation of additional intrapleural plasmin.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.141-152
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• 2020

The rapid on-site measurement of hydroponic nutrients allows for the more efficient use of crop fertilizers. This paper reports on the development of an embedded on-site system consisting of multiple ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for the real-time measurement of the concentrations of macronutrients in hydroponic solutions. The system included a combination of PVC ISEs for the detection of NO₃, K, and Ca ions, a cobalt-electrode for the detection of H₂PO₄, a double-junction reference electrode, a solution container, and a sampling system consisting of pumps and valves. An Arduino Due board was used to collect data and to control the volume of the sample. Prior to the measurement of each sample, a two-point normalization method was employed to adjust the sensitivity followed by an offset to minimize potential drift that might occur during continuous measurement. The predictive capabilities of the NO₃ and K ISEs based on PVC membranes were satisfactory, producing results that were in close agreement with the results of standard analyzers (R² = 0.99). Though the Ca ISE fabricated with Ca ionophore II underestimated the Ca concentration by an average of 55%, the strong linear relationship (R² > 0.84) makes it possible for the embedded system to be used in hydroponic NO₃, K, and Ca sensing. The cobalt-rod-based phosphate electrodes exhibited a relatively high error of 24.7±9.26% in the phosphate concentration range of 45 to 155 mg/L compared to standard methods due to inconsistent signal readings between replicates, illustrating the need for further research on the signal conditioning of cobalt electrodes to improve their predictive ability in hydroponic P sensing.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2008

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on elastase, and components of Cayratia japonica extracts were investigated. The free radical(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activities($FSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica were in the order: 50% ethanol extract(114.3 ${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenging activities($OSC_{50}$) of some Cayratia japonica extracts in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activities were deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction($OSC_{50},\;3.30{\mu}g/mL$)<50% ethanol extract(1.21 ${\mu}g/mL$)${\mu}g/mL$). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The Cayratia japonica extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner($1{\sim}25{\mu}g/mL$), particularly deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction exhibited the most prominent celluar protective effect(${\tau}_{50}$, 175.05min at 25 ${\mu}g/mL$). Aglycone fractions obtained from the deglycosylation reaction of ethyl acetate fraction among the Cayratia japonica extracts, showed 2 bands in TLC and 2 peaks in HPLC experiments(360 nm). Two components were identified as luteolin(composition ratio, 47.50%), apigenin(52.50). TLC chromatogram of ethyl acetate fraction of Cayratia japonica extract revealed 3 bands and HPLC chromatogram showed 4 peaks, which were identified as luteolin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(composition ratio, 11.14%), apigenin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucuronopyranoside(15.38%), luteolin(23.55%) and apigenin(49.92%) in the order of elution time. The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction on elastase($IC_{50},\;70.5{\mu}g/mL$) was very high. These results indicate that extract/fractions of Cayratia japonica can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. And component analysis of Cayratia japonica extract and antioxidative effects could be applicable to new cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2008

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase and components of Fagopyrum esculetum extracts were investigated. Fagopyrum esculetum used for this study is hulls and dehulled seeds. The free radical(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, DPPH) scavenging activities($FSC_{50}$) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenging activities($OSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions from Fagopyrum esculetum were measured. The aglycone($3.5{\pm}0.0{\mu}g/mL$) and ethyl acetate fractions($0.2{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$) of hulls showed the most effective scavenging activities. The protective effects on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most prominent cellular protective effect(${\tau}_{50},\;771.7{\pm}9.9 min$ at 10 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction of hull and dehulled seeds on tyrosinase were examined ($53.6{\pm}0.5{\mu}g/mL,\;35.6{\pm}0.4{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). And The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction of hull and dehulled seeds on elastase were investigated($3.7{\pm}0.4{\mu}g/mL\;and\;6.0{\pm}0.7{\mu}g/mL$ respectively). But 50% ethanol extract rarely exhibited the inhibitory activity on tyrosinase and elastase. (+)-Catechin and (-)-epicatechin were contained in ethyl acetate fraction of dehulled seeds. And ethyl acetate fraction of hull contains flavonoids of hyperin, quercetin, rutin and so on. These results indicate that extract/fractions of Fagopyrum esculentum can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Fagopyrum esculentum extract could be used as a new cosmeceutical for whitening and anti-wrinkle products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2013

In this study, antioxidative effects of the extracts of different species and flowering periods of Inula britannica were investigated. According to the free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity of the extracts, The I. britannica var. chinensis flower extract (500 ${\mu}g/mL$) was measured in a 79.89% free radical scavenging activity, but the flower extracts of similar species (I. britannica var. linariaefolia Regel, I. britannica var. ramosa, I. salicina var. asiatica) did not show any effect on the free radical scavenging activity. The effects of the free radical scavenging activity of I. britannica var. chinensis flower extracts were exhibited in the order of full bloom (93.68%), bud (43.28%), and fallen blossom (14.11%). Next, we established optimum condition of extract solvent, temperature, extraction time. The extract from ethanol at $60^{\circ}C$ showed the most free radical scavenging activity among other conditions and extraction time not relevant in free radical scavenging activity. The protective effects of the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower on the photohemolysis of human erythrocytes by using rose bengal were increased in a concentration-dependent manner (5 ~ 50 ${\mu}g/mL$). In particular, the extract in 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ concentration exhibited better protective activity (${\tau}_{50}$ = 116.1 min) than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\tau}_{50}$ = 73.44 min), which is a known lipophilic antioxidant. Principle component of I. britannica var. chinensis flower was identified as quercetin of flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results indicate that the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging free radical and $^1O_2$, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. It is concluded that the antioxidative effects of the extract of I. britannica var. chinensis flower could be applicable to functional cosmetics.