• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1386-1392
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• 2008

A gene (sll0158) putatively encoding a glycogen branching enzyme (GBE, E.C. 2.4.1.18) was cloned from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, and the recombinant protein expressed and characterized. The PCR-amplified putative GBE gene was ligated into a pET-21a plasmid vector harboring a T7 promoter, and the recombinant DNA transformed into a host cell, E. coli BL21(DE3). The IPTG-induced enzymes were then extracted and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The putative GBE gene was found to be composed of 2,310 nucleotides and encoded 770 amino acids, corresponding to approx. 90.7 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses. The optimal conditions for GBE activity were investigated by measuring the absorbance change in iodine affinity, and shown to be pH 8.0 and $30^{\circ}C$ in a 50 mM glycine-NaOH buffer. The action pattern of the GBE on amylose, an $\alpha$-(1,4)-linked linear glucan, was analyzed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) after isoamylolysis. As a result, the GBE displayed $\alpha$-glucosyl transferring activity by cleaving the $\alpha$-(1,4)-linkages and transferring the cleaved maltoglycosyl moiety to form new $\alpha$-(1,6)-branch linkages. A time-course study of the GBE reaction was carried out with biosynthetic amylose (BSAM; $M_p{\cong}$8,000), and the changes in the branch-chain length distribution were evaluated. When increasing the reaction time up to 48 h, the weight- and number-average DP ($DP_w$ and $DP_n$) decreased from 19.6 to 8.7 and from 17.6 to 7.8, respectively. The molecular size ($M_p$, peak $M_w{\cong}2.45-2.75{\times}10^5$) of the GBE-reacted product from BSAM reached the size of amylose (AM) in botanical starch, yet the product was highly soluble and stable in water, unlike AM molecules. Thus, GBE-generated products can provide new food and non-food applications, owing to their unique physical properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.707-717
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• 2018

Leukocytes are reportedly the first line of the innate immune defense and essential for the control of common bacterial infections. Therefore, in this work, the antibacterial activity of crocodile leukocyte extract against Propionibacterium acnes was evaluated, and we also characterized the related activity of skin infection. The leukocyte extract showed the minimum inhibitory concentration to be $100{\mu}g/ml$ to P. acnes. SEM imaging demonstrated that the leukocyte extract adversely affected P. acnes cell permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the crocodile leukocyte extract could significantly reduce proinflammatory markers and decrease inflammatory signs in infected mouse ears. The crude leukocyte extract was further purified using FPLC and RP-HPLC. The resulting fraction F5 was indicated as the anti-acne peptide-containing fraction. The molecular mass of the peptide contained in F5 was calculated to be 4,790.5 Da. N-Terminal sequencing revealed the amino acid sequence as GPEPVPAIYQ, which displays similarities to immunoglobulin A and leucine-rich repeat neuronal protein. This is the first reported amino acid sequence of a crocodile leukocyte extract that possesses anti-acne activity. To attempt to use it in a prototype cosmetic, an anti-acne gel containing crude crocodile leukocyte extract was formulated, resulting in seven gel formulations (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, and G7). The formulations G5, G6, and G7 exhibited 2-fold higher anti-acne activity than G1-G4. Investigation of accelerating stability studies of anti-acne gel formulations G5, G6, and G7 demonstrated that a low storage temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) is suitable for maintaining the physical properties and biological activity of the anti-acne gel products.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2006

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effect of freezing-thawing and air pollutants on the weathering of $TiO_2$ loaded granite. And the granite was coated with $TiO_2$ catalyst and tested. After freezing-thawing and air pollutants experiments the mineral compositions of the granite surface were lower then that of the fresh granite. Density of the weathered granite was steadily decreased from $2.60g/cm^3\;to\;2.55{\sim}2.56g/cm^3$, but absorption ratio and porosity were slightly increased. From these results, it was expected that granite could be weathered by freezing-thawing md air pollutants. In the case of $TiO_2$ was coated to the granite, the compressive strength and absorption ratio were slightly enhanced compared to the $TiO_2$ non-coated granite. Therefore, the $TiO_2$ coating method tested in this study considered to be a viable method to assist in the conservation of granite from environmental contaminants.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2012

In this study, we prepared elastic liposome containing rutin, known as antioxidants, and evaluated the physical characterization and enhanced skin permeation effect. The elastic liposome was prepared using the different ratios of egg phospholipids and $Tego^{(R)}$ care 450. The mean diameter of rutin loaded elastic liposomes formulations ranged between 205.7 ~ 298.0 nm and deforability 20.9 ~ 42.5, The loading efficiency was observed to be 52.0 ~ 71.0 %. The highest loading efficiency (71.0 %) and deformability (42.5) were observed at the optimal ratio of 85 : 15 (egg phospholipids : $Tego^{(R)}$ care 450) in the 0.1 % rutin loaded elastic liposome formulations. The elastic liposome formulation was selected for further transdermal permeation study. The elastic liposome(129.9 ${\mu}g/cm^2$) exhibited a significantly higher skin permeation compared with general liposome (98.0 ${\mu}g/cm^2$) and 1,3-butylene glycol (76.3 ${\mu}g/cm^2$) solution. These results suggest that the elastic liposome formulation using $Tego^{(R)}$ care 450 as a major edge activator could be useful for the delivery of active ingredient through the skin barrier.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.97-109
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• 2017

Objectives The aim of this study is to analyze the patients who have low back pain through registry. Methods We registered patients with low back pain who visited department of korean rehabilitation medicine in university hospitals on study. We collected data from 116 subjects consisted of 51 inpatients and 65 outpatients and ruled out 8 who didn't have pattern identification data at the point of inpatient or outpatient visit so we analyzed 108 in total. We used Pearson's product moment correlation to find correlationship among variables, and analyzed statistical data using Phyton scipy library stats package. Results We set general features, region of the pain, physical examination, ROM, questionnaire results, pattern identification as variables and draw a conclusion by analyzing these variables. Conclusions Registry aimed at low back pain patients was established in department of korean rehabilitation medicine of university hospitals and exploratory analysis based on data were made. Through the registry, we expect that more advanced studies will be performed; for example, executing research which verifies effectiveness and stability of korean medical treatment or developing tools to fill the gap between pattern identification and disease identification.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.7-8
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• 2011

Basically, the lattice mismatch between film and substrate can make those BiFeO3(BFO) films distorted with strain structure. BFO phase can be stabilized on LaAlO3(LAO) represents the example of a multiferroic with giant axial ratio. Its crystal structure is not strictly tetragonal, but tetragonal with a slight monoclinic distortion and related to the rotation of the oxygen octahedra. In this study, we show that phases with a tetragonal-like epitaxial BFO films can indeed be ferroelectric and also can be stabilized via epitaxial growth onto LAO. Recent reports on epitaxial BFO films show that the crystal structure changes from nearly rhombohedral ("R-like") to nearly tetragonal("T-like") at strains exceeding approximately -4.5%, with the "T-like" structure being characterized by a highly enhanced c/a ratio. While both the "R-like" and the "T-like" phases are monoclinic, our detailed x-ray diffraction results reveal asymmetry change from MA and MC type, respectively. By applying additional strain or by modifying the unit cell volume of the film by substituting Ba for Bi, the monoclinic distortion in the "T-like" MC phase is reduced, i.e. the system approaches a true tetragonal symmetry. There are two different M-H loops for $Bi_{1-x}Ba_xFeO_{3-{\delta}}$(BBFO) and BFO films on SrTiO3(STO) & LAO substrates. Along with the ferroelectric characterization, these magnetic data indicate that the BFO phase stabilized on LAO represents the first example of a multiferroic with giant axial ratio. However, there is a significant difference between this phase and other predicted ferroelectrics with a giant axial ratio: its crystal structure is not strictly tetragonal, but tetragonal with a slight monoclinic distortion. Therefore, in going from bulk to highly-strained films, a phase sequence of rhombohedral(R)-to-monoclinic ["R-like" MA-to-monoclinic, "T-like" MC-to-tetragonal (T)] is observed. This sequence is otherwise seen only near morphotropic phase boundaries in lead-based solid-solution perovskites (i.e. near a compositionally induced phase instability), where it can be controlled by electric field, temperature, or composition. Our results show that this evolution can occur in a lead-free, stoichiometric material and can be induced by stress alone. Those major results are summarized as follows ; 1) Ba-doping increases the unit cell volume, 2) BBFO on LAO can be fully strained up to x=0.08 as a strain limit (Fig. 1), 3) P(E) & M(H) properties can be tuned by the variation of composition, strain, and film thickness.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.235-242
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• 2017

In order to prepare porous scaffolds capable of pore control, PMMA powder serving as a pore-forming agent was added to HA powder to synthesize a slurry containing TBA as a solvent. And then, porous HA scaffolds where pillarshaped pore channels interconnected with each other were fabricated by freeze-casting and sintering. The crystal structure of the HA scaffolds according to the addition amount of PMMA powder was measured by XRD and the surface and inner cross section of the scaffolds were analyzed through SEM. It was found that removal of PMMA during sintering affects the internal structure of the scaffolds and the crystallinity of the HA powder. Furthermore, through evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds, it was confirmed that the porosity, pore size and compressive strength can be controlled by controlling the addition amount of the pore-forming agent. It was also found that the HA scaffolds produced in this study were similar in structure and properties to the natural cancellous bone. This suggests that porous HA scaffolds with PMMA can be used as an alternative to autogenous bone for tissue engineering as an artificial bone scaffold.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.399-399
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• 2008

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO structure such as nanowires, nanorods, nanotube, nanowall, etc. have been studied to multifunctional application such as optical, nanoscale electronic and chemical devices because it has a room-temperature wide band gap of 3.37eV, large exiton binding energy(60meV) and various properties. Various synthesis methods including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition, electrochemical deposition, micro-emulsion, and hydrothermal approach have been reported to fabricate various kinds of ZnO nanostructures. But some of these synthesis methods are expensive and difficult of mass production. Wet chemical method has several advantage such as simple process, mass production, low temperature process, and low cost. In the present work, ZnO nanorods are deposited on ITO/glass substrate by simple wet chemical method. The process is perfomed by two steps. One-step is deposition of ZnO seeds and two-step is growth of ZnO nanorods on substrates. In order to form ZnO seeds on substrates, mixture solution of Zn acetate and Methanol was prepared.(one-step) Seed layers were deposited for control of morpholgy of ZnO seed layers by spin coating process because ZnO seeds is deposited uniformly by centrifugal force of spin coating. The seed-deposited samples were pre-annealed for 30min at $180^{\circ}C$ to enhance adhesion and crystallinnity of ZnO seed layer on substrate. Vertically well-aligned ZnO nanorods were grown by the "dipping-and-holding" process of the substrates into the mixture solution consisting of the mixture solution of DI water, Zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine for 4 hours at $90^{\circ}C$.(two-step) It was found that density and morphology of ZnO nanorods were controlled by manipulation of ZnO seeds through rpm of spin coating. The morphology, crystallinity, optical properties of the grown ZnO nanostructures were carried out by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, photoluminescence, respectively. We are convinced that this method is complementing problems of main techniques of existing reports.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.284-288
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• 2008

Sn-thin film as high capacitive anode for thin film lithium-ion battery was prepared by organic-electrolyte electroplating using Sn(II) acetate. Electrolytic solution including $Li^+$ and $Sn^{2+}$ had 3 reduction peaks at cyclic voltammogram. Current peak at $2.0{\sim}2.5\;V$ region correspond to the electroplating of Sn on Ni substrate. This potential value is lower than 2.91 V vs. $Li^+/Li^{\circ}$, of the standard reduction potential of $Sn^{2+}$ under aqueous media. It is the result of high overpotential caused by high resistive organic electrolytic solution and low $Sn^{2+}$ concentration. Physical and electrochemical properties were evaluated using by XRD, FE-SEM, cyclic voltammogram and galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Crystallinity of electroplated Sn-anode on a Ni substrate could be increased through heat treatment at $150^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. Cyclic voltammogram shows reversible electrochemical reaction of reduction(alloying) and oxidation(de-alloying) at 0.25 V and 0.75 V, respectively. Thickness of Sn-thin film, which was calculated based on electrochemical capacity, was $7.35{\mu}m$. And reversible capacity of this cell was $400{\mu}Ah/cm^2$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2017

Carotenoids are natural lipid-soluble pigments, which are produced primarily by bacteria, algae, and plants. Many studies have focused on the identification, production, and utilization of natural sources of astaxanthin from algae, yeast, and crustacean byproducts as an alternative to the synthetic pigment, which is mostly used today. The aim of the present study was to identify a mutant of Paracoccus haeundaensis by exposure to UV and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). The mutant was then exposed to nutrient stress conditions to isolate an astaxanthin-hyperproducing strain, followed by characterization of the mutant. The survival rate decreased in accordance with an increase in the UV exposure time and an increase in the EMS concentration. A mutant of the original P. haeundaensis strain was identified that showed hyperproduction of astaxanthin following exposure to UV irradiation (20 min) and EMS treatment (0.4 M concentration). The optimal culture conditions for the PUE mutant were $25^{\circ}C$, pH 7-8, and 3% NaCl. The effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the growth and astaxanthin production of PUE were examined. The addition of 1% raffinose and 3% potassium nitrate influenced cell growth and astaxanthin production. The selected mutant exhibited an increase of 1.58 folds in astaxanthin content compared to initial wild type strain. A genetically stable mutant strain obtained using mutagen (UV irradiation and EMS treatment) may be a suitable candidate for further industrial scale production of astaxanthin.