• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2022

This study is the first report on production and characterization of the enzyme from an Ornithinibacillus species. A 4.2-fold increase in the extracellular protease (called L9^T) production from Ornithinibacillus caprae L9^T was achieved through the one-factor-at-a-time approach and response surface methodological optimization. L9^T protease exhibited a unique protein band with a mass of 25.9 kDa upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This novel protease was active over a range of pH (4-13), temperatures (30-80℃) and salt concentrations (0-220 g/l), with the maximal activity observed at pH 7, 70℃ and 20 g/l NaCl. Proteolytic activity was upgraded in the presence of Ag⁺, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺, but was totally suppressed by 5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, which suggests that this enzyme belongs to the serine protease family. L9^T protease was resistant to certain common organic solvents and surfactants; particularly, 5 mM Tween 20 and Tween 80 improved the activity by 63 and 15%, respectively. More importantly, L9^T protease was found to be effective in dehairing of goatskins, cowhides and rabbit-skins without damaging the collagen fibers. These properties confirm the feasibility of L9^T protease in industrial applications, especially in leather processing.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-75
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• 2022

This study evaluated the potential threat of agricultural and human activities to groundwater in the Noseong stream watershed, a typical agricultural area, through hydrogeochemical characteristics and microbial community analyses. The groundwater in the study area was Ca-SO₄ and Ca-HCO₃ types alluvial aquifer mainly used for agricultural and living purposes, and contained high levels of NO₃^- and Cl^- ions generated from anthropogenic sources such as fertilizer, livestock wastewater, and domestic sewage. Proteobacteria was most abundant in all samples with an average of 46.1% while Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were dominant on an occasional basis. The prevalence of aerobic bacteria such as the genus Mycobacterium, Flavobacterium, and Sphingomonas suggests that groundwater was well connected with the surface layer. The potential pathogen Mycobacterium was detected in most samples, and other pathogenic bacteria were also widely distributed, indicating the vulnerability to contamination. Therefore, an integrated management system is required to secure the sustainable use of groundwater in agricultural areas with high groundwater dependence.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.621-627
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicine that is reported to have cardioprotective effects; ginsenosides are the major bioactive compounds in the ginseng root. Methods: Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles might be useful for both the extraction of the targeted (imprinted) molecules, and for the delivery of those molecules to cells. In this work, plant growth regulators were used to enhance the adventitious rooting of ginseng root callus; imprinted polymeric particles were synthesized for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from root extracts, and then employed for subsequent particle-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes to mitigate hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Results: These synthesized composite nanoparticles were first characterized by their specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and magnetization, and then used for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from a crude extract of ginseng roots. The ginsenoside-loaded MMIPs were then shown to have protective effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular viability for H9c2 cells treated with CoCl₂ to mimic hypoxia injury. The protective effect of the ginsenosides was assessed by staining with JC-1 dye to monitor the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: MMIPs can play a dual role in both the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

This study explored the feasibility of calcium-rich food waste, Mactra veneriformis shells (MVS), as an adsorbent for phosphate removal, and its removal efficiency was enhanced by the thermal activation process. The CaCO3 in MVS was converted to CaO by thermal activation (>800 ℃), which is more favorable for adsorbing phosphate. Thermal activation did not noticeably influence the specific surface area of MVS. The MVS thermally activated at 800 ℃ (MVS-800), showed the highest phosphate adsorption capacity, was used for further adsorption experiments, including kinetics, equilibrium isotherms, and thermodynamic adsorption. The effects of environmental factors, including pH, competing anions, and adsorbent dosage, were also studied. Phosphate adsorption by MVS-800 reached equilibrium within 48h, and the kinetic adsorption data were well explained by the pseudo-first-order model. The Langmuir model was a better fit for phosphate adsorption by MVS-800 than the Freundlich model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of MVS-800 obtained via the Langmuir model was 188.86 mg/g. Phosphate adsorption is an endothermic and involuntary process. As the pH increased, the phosphate adsorption decreased, and a sharp decrease was observed between pH 7 and 9. The presence of anions had a negative impact on phosphate removal, and their impact followed the decreasing order CO₃^2- > SO₄²- > NO₃^- > Cl^-. The increase in adsorbent dosage increased phosphate removal percentage, and 6.67 g/L of MVS-800 dose achieved 99.9% of phosphate removal. It can be concluded that the thermally treated MVS-800 can be used as an effective adsorbent for removing phosphate.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.313-327
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• 2023

Zinc metal organic framework (MOF_Zn)-loaded goad nanoparticles (AuNPs) sol (Au@MOF_Zn), which was characterized by TEM, Mapping, FTIR, XRD, and molecular spectrum, was prepared conveniently by solvothermal method. The results indicated that Au@MOF_Zn had a very strong catalytic effect with the nanoreaction of AuNPs formation between sodium oxalate (SO) and HAuCl4. AuNPs in the new indicator reaction had a strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) signal at 370 nm. The indicator AuNPs generated by this reaction, which had the most intense surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peak at 1621 cm -1. The new SERS/RRS indicator reaction in combination with specific aptamer (Apt) to fabricate a sensitive and selective Au@MOF_Zn catalytic amplification-aptamer SERS/RRS assay platform for carbendazim (CBZ), with SERS/RRS linear range of 0.025-0.5 ng/mL. The detection limit was 0.02 ng/mL. Similarly, this assay platform has been also utilized to detect oxytetracycline (OTC) and profenofos (PF).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.25 no.2_2
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• pp.289-297
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• 2022

Deterioration in durability of structures due to the steel corrosion is difficult to determine whether or not corrosion is initiated and how much propagated, and moreover, repair and maintenance are not easy to deal with. Therefore, preventive treatments can be the best option to avoid the deterioration. Various methods for preventing corrosion of steel, such as electrochemical treatments, anti-corrosion agents and steel surface coatings, are being developed, but economic and environmental aspects make it difficult to apply them to in-situ field. Thus, the purpose of this study was to improve corrosion resistance by using CA-based clinker that are relatively simple and expected to be economically profitable Existing CA-based clinkers had problems such as flash setting and low strength development during the initial hydration process, but in order to solve this problem, CA clinker with low initial reactivity were used as binder in this study. The cement paste used in the experiments was replaced with CA₂ clinker for 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% in OPC. And the mixture used in the chloride binding test for the extraction of water-soluble chloride was intermixed with Cl- 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight of binder content. To evaluate characteristic of hydration heat evolution, calorimetry analysis was performed and simultaneously chloride binding capacity and acid neutralization capacity were carried out. The identification of hydration products with curing ages was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The free chloride extraction test showed that the chlorine ion holding ability improved in order OC 10 > OC 30 > OC 20 > OC 0 and the pH drop resistance test showed that the resistance capability in pH 12 was OC 0 > OA 10 > OA 20 > OA 30. The XRD analyses showed that AFm phase, which can affect the ability to hold chlorine ions, tended to increase when CA₂ was mixed, and that in pH12 the content of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), which indicates pH-low resistance, decreased as CA₂ was mixed

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2022

Salinity in surface waters is increasing around the world. Many factors, including increased water extraction, poor irrigation management, and sea-level rise, contribute to this change, and posing a threat to plant development and agricultural production. Seeds exposed to high salinity, have a lower probability of germinating and various physiological and biochemical effects. Salinity stress affects more than 20% of agricultural land and about 50% of irrigated land. In the current study, our objective is to identify the salt-tolerant peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Korean genotypes under salinity stress. Thus, two-week-old 19 diverse peanut Korean genotypes were exposed to 10 days of salinity (150 mM NaCl) stress. Based on the growth attributes investigation, Baekjung and Ahwon genotypes showed significantly higher shoot lengths compared to control plants. Whereas, the Sinpalwang genotype exhibited a significantly positive response for plant growth and reduced wilting symptoms compared to other genotypes. This study was able to find out peanut tolerant and sensitive genotypes for salt stress. These results may provide a good template for further salt-tolerant peanut cultivar improvement programs. Identified diverse salt-responsive genotypes can be utilized as source material in Korean breeding schemes for peanut crop improvement for salt and other abiotic stress tolerance.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2022

Abiotic stress is a major problem in global agriculture as it negatively affects crop growth, yield, and quality. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the world's second-highest-producing food resource, so the importance of mitigating damage caused by abiotic stress has been emerging. In this study, we performed GWAS to search for SNPs associated with salt tolerance and drought tolerance. NaCl (200 mM) treatment was performed at the seedling stage using 613 wheat varieties in Korean wheat core collection. Root length, root surface area, root average diameter, and root volume were measured. Drought stress was applied at the seedling stage, and the above phenotypes were measured. GW AS was performed for each phenotype data using the MLM, MLMM, and FarmCPU models. The best salt-tolerant wheat varieties were 'MK2402', 'Gyeongnam Geochang-1985-3698', and 'Milyang 13', showing superior root growth. The significant SNP AX-94704125 (BA00756838) were identified in all models. The genes closely located to the significant SNP were searched within ± 250 kb of the corresponding SNP. A total of 11 genes were identified within the region. NB-ARC involved in the defense response, FKSI involved in cell wall biosynthesis, and putative BP Ml involved in abiotic stress responses were discovered in the 11 genes. The best drought-tolerant wheat varieties were 'PI 534284', 'Moro of Sind', and 'CM92354-33M-0Y-0M-6Y-0B-0BGD', showing superior root growth. This study discovered SNPs associated with salt tolerance in Korean wheat core collection through GWAS. GWAS of drought tolerance is now proceeding, and the GWAS results will be represented on a poster. The SNPs identified by GWAS can be useful for studying molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance and drought tolerance in wheat.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2023

In this study, AA1060/Alumina composites were fabricated by combined stir casting and accumulative press bonding (APB). The APB process was repeated up to six press bonding steps at 300Ċ. As the novelty, potential dynamic polarization in 3.5Wt% NaCl solution was used to study the corrosion properties of these composites. The corrosion behavior of these samples was compared and studied with that of the annealed aluminum alloy 1060 and versus the number of APB steps. So, as a result of enhancing influence on the number of APB process, this experimental investigation showed a significant enhancement in the main electrochemical parameters and the inert character of the Alumina particles. Together with Reducing the active zones of the material surfaces could delay the corrosion process. Also, at higher number of steps, the corrosion resistance of composites improved. The sample produced after six number of steps had a low corrosion density in comparison with high corrosion density of annealed specimens. Also, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was used to study the corrosion surface of samples.

• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.2177-2186
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• 2019

The epidemiological, animal and cell effects of plant metabolites suggest versatile health benefits of flavonoids. However, whether flavonoids affect the deleterious biological activity of oxygenated cholesterol molecules remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of 4'-O-methylalpinumisoflavone (mAI) isolated from Maclura tricuspidata (Cudrania tricuspidata) on the 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHChol)-induced activation of monocytes/macrophages using human THP-1 cells. mAI dose-dependently impaired the expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2 chemokine and the migration of monocytic cells enhanced by 27OHChol. mAI downregulated the surface and cellular levels of CD14 and inhibited the release of soluble CD14. This isoflavone significantly weakened the lipopolysaccharide responses that were enhanced in the presence of 27OHChol, and inhibited the transcription and secretion of the active gene product of matrix metalloproteinase-9. mAI also suppressed the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 ligands, including CL3 and CCL4, and M1-phenotype markers induced by 27OHChol. Furthermore, mAI impaired phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit without affecting the phosphorylation of Akt. These results indicate that mAI inhibits the activation of monocytes/macrophages to the immunostimulatory phenotype in a milieu rich in 27OHChol, suggesting potential benefits of the flavonoid for the treatment of diseases in which the pathogenesis is linked to 27OHChol-induced inflammatory responses.