• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2010

Graphene has attracted tremendous attention for the last a few years due to it fascinating electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Up to now, several methods have been developed exclusively to prepare graphene, which include micromechanical cleavage, polycrystalline Ni employing chemical vapor deposition technique, solvent thermal reaction, thermal desorption of Si from SiC substrates, chemical routes via graphite intercalation compounds or graphite oxide. In particular, polycrystalline Ni foil and conventional chemical vapor deposition system have been widely used for synthesis of large-area graphene. [1-3] In this study, synthesis of mono-layer graphene on a Ni foil, the mixing ratio of hydrocarbon ($CH_4$) gas to hydrogen gas, microwave power, and growth time were systemically optimized. It is possible to synthesize a graphene at relatively lower temperature ($500^{\circ}C$) than those (${\sim}1000^{\circ}C$) of previous results. Also, we could control the number of graphene according to the growth conditions. The structural features such as surface morphology, crystallinity and number of layer were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and resonant Raman spectroscopy with 514 nm excitation wavelength. We believe that our approach for the synthesis of mono-layer graphene may be potentially useful for the development of many electronic devices.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.888-891
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• 2008

Twenty-three fungal strains were isolated from meju that had originated from the Sunchang province, the famous location for making fermented soybean foods in Korea. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA (ITS-RFLP) was applied to differentiate the isolated fungal strains. First, the ITS region by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers was amplified and then cleaved the products with different restriction enzymes. Cleavage of the amplified fragments with the restriction enzymes AluI, HaeIII, HhaI, and TaqI revealed extensive polymorphisms. The ITS-RFLP results highly correlated with ITS sequence analysis. All of the 23 fungal strains were classified into 5 groups by ITS-RFLP analysis. Aspergillus oryzae was the major fungal strain isolated from Sunchang meju (12 out of 23), while Aspergillus fumigatus was the next most frequently isolated strain (7 out of 23). In contrast, it was found that Fusarium asiaticum, Aspergillus sydowii, and Arthrinium sp. were the minor fungal strains in meju.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2017

Objective: To identify differences in the expression of the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR)-{\gamma}$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ in granulosa cells (GCs) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Methods: Nine patients with PCOS and six controls were enrolled in this study. On the day of oocyte retrieval, GCs were collected from pooled follicular fluid. Total mRNA was extracted from GCs. Reverse transcription was performed and gene expression levels were quantified by realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, and total gonadotropin dose, except for the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone between the PCOS and control groups. $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and COX-2 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the GCs of PCOS women compared with controls (p= 0.034 and p= 0.018, respectively), but the expression of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA did not show significant differences. No significant correlation was detected between the expression of these mRNA sequences and clinical characteristics, including the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturity, cleavage, or the good embryo rate. Positive correlations were found among the $PPAR-{\gamma}$, COX-2, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Conclusion: Our data may provide novel clues regarding ovarian GC dysfunction in PCOS, and indirectly provide evidence that the effect of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ agonists in PCOS might result from alterations in the ovarian follicular environment. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these proposals.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.508-520
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• 2019

Interplay between Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV)/Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and its host plant Phalaenopsis equestris remain largely unknown, which led to deficiency of effective measures to control disease of P. equestris caused by infecting viruses. In this study, for the first time, we characterized viral small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) profiles in P. equestris co-infected with CymMV and ORSV through small RNA sequencing technology. CymMV and ORSV small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) demonstrated several general and specific/new characteristics. vsiRNAs, with A/U bias at the first nucleotide, were predominantly 21-nt long and they were derived predominantly (90%) from viral positive-strand RNA. 21-nt siRNA duplexes with 0-nt overhangs were the most abundant 21-nt duplexes, followed by 2-nt overhangs and then 1-nt overhangs 21-nt duplexes in infected P. equestris. Continuous but heterogeneous distribution and secondary structures prediction implied that vsiRNAs originate predominantly by direct Dicer-like enzymes cleavage of imperfect duplexes in the most folded regions of the positive strand of both viruses RNA molecular. Furthermore, we totally predicted 54 target genes by vsiRNAs with psRNATarget server, including disease/stress response-related genes, RNA interference core components, cytoskeleton-related genes, photosynthesis or energy supply related genes. Gene Ontology classification showed that a majority of the predicted targets were related to cellular components and cellular processes and performed a certain function. All target genes were down-regulated with different degree by vsiRNAs as shown by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, CymMV and ORSV siRNAs played important roles in interplay with P. equestris by down modulating the expression levels of endogenous genes in host plant.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 1991

The photochemical and photophysical properties of N-(2-haloarylmethyl)pyridinium, N-(arylmethyl)-2-halopyridinium, N-(2-haloarylmethyl)-2-halopyridinium salts and N-(2-halobenzyl)-isoquinolinium salt are studied. The pyridinium salts photocyclize to afford isoindolium salts, while the isoquinolium salts do not. In the photocyclization of N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-chloropyridinium salts, pyrido[2,1-a]-4-chloroisoindolium salt is formed by the cleavage of chlorine of pyridinium ring. This indicates that the excited moiety is not the phenyl ring, but the pyridinium ring. The triplet states of the pyridinium salts are believed to be largely involved in the photocyclization, since oxygen retards most of the reaction. Some assistance of a ${\pi}$-complex between the excited chlorine moiety of the salt and phenyl plane of the same molecule is required to explain the reactivity of the salts. N-(Benzyl)-2-chloropyridinium salt is two times more reactive than N-(2-chlorobenzyl)pyridinium salt. N-(Benzyl)-2-chloropyridinium salt can form ${\pi}-complex$ effectively because of the electron-rich phenyl group. The ${\pi}$-complex affords an intermediate, phenyl radical by cleaving the chlorine atom. The photocyclized product, isoindolium salt is obtained by losing the hydrogen atom from the phenyl radical. The reactive pyridinium salts 1a, 2a and 3a have a low fluorescence quantum yield (${\Phi}F$ < 0.01) and a higher triplet energy (ET > 68 kcal/mole) than the unreactive quinolinium salt. The unreactivity of isoquinolinium salt can be understood in relation to its high fluorescence quantum yield and its low triplet energy $(E_T = 61 kcal/mole).$.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2024

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is one of healthy products for fermented or functional food in Korea and is widely distributed and cultivated worldwide. During August 2022, Jack bean plants showing symptoms of yellow flecks, chlorosis, necrotic spots and mosaic were observed in Jangheung-gun, South Korea. By transmission electron microscopy, flexuous filamentous virus particles of approximately 750×13 nm in size were observed in the symptomatic leaf samples. The infection of a Korean isolate of clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV-Ce-JH) was confirmed using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked sorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing. The complete genome sequence of ClYVV-Ce-JH consists of 9,549 nucleotides (nt) excluding the poly (A) tail and encodes 3,072 amino acids (aa), with an AUG start and UAG stop codon, containing one open reading frame that is typical of a potyvirus polyprotein. The polyprotein of ClYVV-Ce-JH was divided into ten proteins and each protein's cleavage sites were determined. The coat protein (CP) and polyprotein of ClYVV-Ce-JH were compared at the nt and aa levels with those of the previously reported 14 ClYVV isolates. ClYVV-Ce-JH shared 92.62% to 99.63% and 93.39% to 98.05% at the CP and polyprotein homology. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Korean isolate of ClYVV from Jack bean plants and the complete genome sequence of a ClYVV Jack bean isolate in the world.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.781-791
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• 2024

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is a single-stranded, positive-sense ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus belonging to the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family. BVD frequently causes economic losses to farmers. Among bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strains, BVDV-1b is predominant and widespread in Hanwoo calves. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an essential method for diagnosing BVDV-1b and has become the gold standard for diagnosis in the Republic of Korea. However, this diagnostic method is time-consuming and requires expensive equipment. Therefore, Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas (CRISPR-Cas) systems have been used for point-of-care (POC) testing of viruses. Developing a sensitive and specific method for POC testing of BVDV-1b would be advantageous for controlling the spread of infection. Thus, this study aimed to develop a novel nucleic acid detection method using the CRISPR-Cas13 system for POC testing of BVDV-1b. The sequence of the BVD virus was extracted from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NC_001461.1), and the 5' untranslated region, commonly used for detection, was selected. CRISPR RNA (crRNA) was designed using the Cas13 design program and optimized for the expression and purification of the LwCas13a protein. Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were infected with BVDV-1b, incubated, and the viral RNA was extracted. To enable POC viral detection, the compatibility of the CRISPR-Cas13 system was verified with a paper-based strip through collateral cleavage activity. Finally, a colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the detection of BVDV-1b by combining the previously obtained crRNA and Cas13a protein on a paper strip. In conclusion, the CRISPR-Cas13 system is highly sensitive, specific, and capable of nucleic acid detection, making it an optimal system for the early point-of-care testing of BVDV-1b.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate the effect of high expression of XAF1 in vivo or in vitro on lung cancer cell growth and apoptosis. Methods: 1. The A549 human lung cancer cell line was transfected with Ad5/F35 - XAF1, or Ad5/F35 - Null at the same multiplicity of infection (MOI); (hereinafter referred to as transient transfected cell strain); XAF1 gene mRNA and protein expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. 2. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis before and after infection of Ad5/F35 - XAF1 with Western blotting for apoptosis related proteins, caspase 3, caspase - 8 and PARP. 3. After the XAF1 gene was transfected into lung cancer A549 cells by lentiviral vectors, and selected by screening with Blasticidin, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression, to establish a line with a stable high expression of XAF1 (hereinafter referred to as stable expression cell strain). Twenty nude mice were randomly divided into groups A and B, 10 in each group: A549/XAF1 stable expression cell strain was subcutaneously injected in group A, and A549/Ctrl stable cell line stable expression cell strain in group B (control group), to observe transplanted tumor growth in nude mice. Results: The mRNA and protein expression of XAF1 in A549 cells transfected by Ad5/F35 - XAF1 was significantly higher than in the control group. XAF1 mediated by adenovirus vector demonstrated a dose dependent inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. This was accompanied by cleavage of caspase -3, -8, -9 and PARP, suggesting activation of intrinsic or extrinsic apoptotic pathways. A cell strain of lung cancer highly expressing XAF1 was established, and this demonstrated delayed tumor growth after transplantation in vivo. Conclusion: Adenovirus mediated XAF1 gene expression could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells in vitro; highly stable expression of XAF1 could also significantly inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mouse, with no obvious adverse reactions observed. Therefore, the XAF1 gene could become a new target for lung cancer treatment.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1992

Irradiation of phenolbetaine in a stream of nitrogen produced 8,14-cycioberbine[1]. Compound[1] was treated with 10% HCl solution to give the 8-hydroxycycloberbine[2] in 67.7% yield. Subsequently addition of ethylchloroformate to the compound[2] gave rise to the 8-hydroxy-7-ethylcarboxy-9, 10-dimethoxy-2, 3-methylenelioxy-13-oxo-norochotensane[3] in 78% yield. Treatment of the compound[3] with bis-(2-chloroethyl)amine then lead to the 7-bis(2-chloroethyl)carbamyl-norochoteneare[4]. On the other hand the compound[5], which is the 8-methoxynorochotensane, was derived when compound[1] was treated with methanol in a few drops of BF. Treatment of the compound[6], and the compound[7], 7-bis(2-chloroethyl)-carbanyl-8-methoxy-norocheyensane, was then synthesized by reaction of the compound[6] with bis(2-chloroethyl) amine. In the other synthetic pathway when compound[5] was treated with $POCl_3$ in dried benzene, 13-chloro-6-ene-norochetensane[8] with 42% yield was formed. Finally the 13-bis-(2-chloroethyl) amino-8-methoxy-norochotensane[9] was produced when we treated the compound[8] with bis-(2-chloroethyl) amine. In another pathway, reaction between phenolbetaine which is the precursor of the compound[1] and benzoylchloride in dried chloroform gave us the 5,6,7 trihydro-2, 3-methylene-dioxy-9-chloromethyl-10, 11-dimethoxyphenylisoquinoline-8-benzoate[10] in 73% yield. The results of biological activities for these compounds are also presented in Table I and II.

• Clean Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2019

CdS and CdZnS/ZnO materials were prepared using precipitation method and used as photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts were also characterized by XRD and UV-vis DRS. The results indicated that the photocatalysts with intended crystalline structures were successfully obtained and both the CdS and CdZnS/ZnO can absorb visible light as well as UV. The photocatalytic activities were examined with the addition of scavenger for various active chemical species and the difference of reaction mechanisms over the catalysts were discussed. The $CH_3OH$, KI and p-benzoquinone were used as scavengers for ${\cdot}OH$ radical, photogenerated positive hole and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ radical, respectively. The CdS and CdZnS/ZnO showed different photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of RhB. It can be postulated that ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ radical is the main active species for the reaction over CdS photocatalyst, while the photogenerated positive hole for CdZnS/ZnO photocatalyst. As a result, the predominant reaction pathways over CdS and CdZnS/ZnO photocatalysts were found to be the dealkylation of chromophore skeleton and the cleavage of the conjugated chromophore structure, respectively. The above results may be mainly ascribed to the difference of band edge potential of conduction and valence bands in CdS, CdZnS and ZnO semiconductors and the redox potentials for formation of active chemical species.