• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2005

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) is a divalent cation dependent endonuclease and thought to be a significant barrier to effective gene delivery. The only known DNase I-specific inhibitor is monomeric actin which acts by forming a 1:1 complex with DNase I. Its use, however, is restricted because of tendency to polymerize under certain conditions. We screened two random phage peptide libraries of complexity $10^8$ and $10^9$ for DNase I binders as candidates for DNase I inhibitors. A number of DNase I-binding peptide sequences were identified. When these peptides were expressed as fusion proteins with Escherichia coli maltose binding protein, they inhibited the actin-DNase I interaction ($IC_{50}=0.1-0.7{\mu}M$) and DNA degradation by DNase I ($IC_{50}=0.8-8{\mu}M$). Plasmid protection activity in the presence of DNase I was also observed with the fusion proteins. These peptides have the potential to be a useful adjuvant for gene therapy using naked DNA.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1311-1314
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• 2008

Bacillus halodurans O-methyltransferase (BhOMT) is an S-adenosylmethionine dependent methyltransferase. In our previous study, three dimensional structure of the BhOMT has been determined by comparative homology modeling and automated docking study showed that two hydroxyl groups at 3'- and 4'-position in Bring and structural rigidity of C-ring resulting from the double bond characters between C2 and C3 of flavonoid, were key factors for interaction with BhOMT. In the present study, BhOMT was cloned and expressed. Binding assay was performed on purified BhOMT using fluorescence experiments and binding affinity of luteolin, quercetin, fisetin, and myricetin were measured in the range of $10^7$. Fluorescence quenching experiments indicated that divalent cation plays a critical role on the metal-mediated electrostatic interactions between flavonoid and substrate binding site of BhOMT. Fluorescence study confirmed successfully the data obtained from the docking study and these results imply that hydroxyl group at 7-position of luteolin, quercetin, fisetin, and myricetin forms a stable hydrogen bonding with K211 and carboxyl oxygen of C-ring forms a stable hydrogen bonding with R170. Hydroxyl group at 3'-and 4'-position in the B-ring also has strong $Ca^{2+}$ mediated electrostatic interactions with BhOMT.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.114-124
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• 1984

Various methods for measuring cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil were compared and the contributions of ionic strength, pH and replacing cations to the CEC were investigated on Kangweon soils (Pyeongchang soils derived from lime stone : Chuncheon, Weonseong soils from alluvium : Cheolweon soils from basalt). The results were as follows : 1. The CEC measuring method using shaker and centrifuge at saturating, washing and replacing precesses, which are common in determining CEC of soils, appeared to be superior to the other methods using column, filter, or Brown method. 2. For all soil samples, the higher the ionic strength, the higher CEC value was obtained with the fewer saturating processes. However, using monovalent saturating ion on Anmi series soil derived from lime stone, the CEC value decreased when the ionic strength and the number of saturating process increased. 3. The CEC value generally increased with increasing pH. But, Chuncheon soil (Gyuam series from alluvium) having higher Al content showed the abrupt increases of CEC from pH 5.5 to pH 7.5. 4. About 70% of CEC of Kangweon soils were attributed to organic matter. 5. In determining CEC of soils, saturating with 0.5M divalent cation solution 2 to 3 times for Pyeongchang and Weonseong soil, 3 to 4 times for Cheolweon soil, and replacing with 0.25M divalent cation solution about 3 times are thought to be recommendable.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2005

This research was conducted to determine the amount of water absorbed by a polyacrylamide hydrogel such as Stocksorb C (STSB), effect of salts on inhibition in hydration of STSB, and the hydrogel effects on changes of nutrient concentration in external solution. Absorption of deionized water by STSB reached a maximum of 180 $mL{\cdot}g^{-1}$. Monovalent soluble salts such as $KH_2PO_4,\;KNO_3$, and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ reduced absorption of the hydrogel, but the degrees of inhibition in absorption were similar in three kinds of salts. Twenty milliequivalents per liter of $Ca_{2+}\;or\;Mg_{2+}$ reduced water absorption of STSB to $14\%$ compared to those of deionized water. Solution absorption was consistently lower in the presence of divalent cations than in the presence of the monovalent cations. But the absorption was unaffected by the uncharged salt such as urea in all concentrations tested. The final $K^+\;and\;NH_4^+-N$ concentrations of the solution remaining after absorption by STSB was higher than those of the initial solution. The soaking of STSB to full strength of Hoagland solution resulted in increase of $NO_3^--N,\;H_2PO_4^-\;and\;SO_4^{2-}$ concentrations in external solution compared to initial solution, reaching 5,300, 250 and 1,500 $mL{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively, at 24 hrs after soaking.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.715-723
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• 2017

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in the water environment assemble fine, colloidal particles, such as clays, microorganisms and biomass, in large flocs, which are eventually subject to sedimentation and deposition and determine water/sediment quality and quantity. This study hence aimed to investigate the way that water and colloidal chemistry affects EPS-mediated flocculation of colloidal particles, using a jar-test experiment. Especially, ionic strength, divalent cation and humic substances concentrations were selected as experimental variables in the jar-test experiments, to elucidate their effects on EPS-mediated flocculation. A higher ionic strength increased flocculation capability, reducing electrostatic repulsion between EPS-attached colloidal particles and enhancing particle aggregation. 0.1 M NaCl ionic strength had higher flocculation capability, with 3 times larger floc size and 2.5 times lower suspended solid concentration, than 0.001 M NaCl. Divalent cations, such as $Ca^{2+}$, built divalent cationic bridges between colloidal particles and EPS (i.e., $colloid-Ca^{2+}-EPS$ or $EPS-Ca^{2+}-EPS$) and hence made colloidal particles to build into large, settelable flocs. A small $Ca^{2+}$ concentration enhanced flocculation capability, reducing suspended solid concentration 20 times lower than the initial dosed concentration. However, humic substances, adsorbed on colloidal particles, reduced flocculation, because they blocked EPS adsorption on colloidal particles and increased negative charges and electrostatic repulsion of colloidal particles. Suspended solid concentration in the tests with humic substances remained as high as the initial dosed concentration, indicating stabilization rather than flocculation. Findings about EPS-mediated flocculation in this research will be used for better understanding the fate and transport of colloidal particles in the water environment and for developing the best management practices for water/sediment quality.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.109-114
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• 2003

To investigate ecophysiological characteristics of plants species adapted to moor habitat, we selected 22 species plants and analyzed inorganic cations (K, Ca, Mg), heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mn) and total nitrogen and phosphorus quantitatively. Moojechi moor indicated typical acidic and oligotrophic conditions with pH of 5.0∼5.6 (pH 4.3∼5.1 in soil) and EC of 15∼30μ S/cm, and contained very low contents of soil divalent cation such as Ca and Mg but high contents of heavy metals (esp. Al). With respect to inorganic cation contents, investigated plants species showed remarkable interspecific difference. Plant species belonging to J. effusus var. decipiens, M. japonica, I. globosa, M. sacchariflorus, R. mucronulatum, R. yedoense var. poukhanense, H. micrantha, D. rotundifolia showed very low contents of inorganic cation below 400 μ M/g DW, but plant species of C. palustris var. spontanea, L. sessilifolia, P. mandarinorum, C. lineare, S. austriaca sub. glabra, V. mandshurica, A. decursiva showed high cation contents in leaves. Especially, S. austriaca sub. glabra (Compositae) and V. mandshurica (Violaceae) showed pattern accumulating Ca and Mg with plant growth, but I. ensata var. spontanea (Iridaceae) and S. officinalis (Rosaceae) showed decreasing tendency. Meanwhile, most plant species showed low contents of soluble metal ions in leaves in spite of high heavy metal contents on soil, and indicated remarkable interspecific differences in the total contents and composition of heavy metals accumulated. Despite low contents of N and P on soil, most plant species indicated relatively high contents of N and P in leaves at the early stage of growth, and showed slowly decreasing pattern according to growth. Consequently, it seems that plant species inhabited on Moojechi moor cope with acidic-oligotrophic conditions, accumulating inorganic cations and nitrogen at the early growing stage and reutilizing them in the course of growth, and developing heavy metal excluding mechanism.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.6
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• pp.93-97
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• 1988

The physico-chemical properties of clay minerals(Kaolinite, Montmorillonite) and the competitive adsorption of various cations in them were investigated as a basic research for the development of clean and hygienic water from hard and contaminated water. The cation adsorption forces of various cations in two clay minerals were high in the order of $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ > $Mg^{{+}{+}}$ > $K^+$ > $Na^+$, and the orders of cation selectivity coefficients(K) in Montmorillonite, calculated by Kerr's equation, were $^KCa^{{+}{+}}/K$ > $^KMg^{{+}{+}}/K$, $^KCa^{{+}{+}}/Mg$ > $^KK^+/Mg$. The amount of adsorbed cations was most high in Na-saturated Montmorillonite among several samples. So, in order to more effectively remove various divalent cations in hard and contaminated water, Na-saturated Montmorillonite is most desirable.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1997.05a
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• pp.8-11
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• 1997

Current methods of evaluating soil contamination by heavy metals rely on analyzing samples for total contents of metals or quantities recovered in various chemical extracting solutions. Results from these approaches provide only an index for evaluation because these methodologies yield values not directly related to bioavailability of soil-borne metals. In addition, even though concentrations of metals may be less than those required to cause toxic effects to biota, they may cause substantial effects on soil chemical parameters that determine soil quality and sustainable productivity. The objective of this research was to characterize effects of Cu or Cd additions on soil solution chemistry of soil quality indices, such as pH, EC, nutrient cation distribution and quantity/intensity relations (buffer capacity). Metals were added at rates ranging from 0 to 400 mg/kg of soil. Soil solution was sequentially extracted from saturated pastes using vacuum. Concentrations of Cu or Cd remaining in soil solutions were very low as compared to those added to the soils, warranting that most of the added metals were recovered as nonavailable (strongly adsorbed) fractions. Adsorption of the added metals released cations into soil solution causing increases of soluble cation contents and thus ionic strength of soil solution. At metal additions of 200~400 mg/kg, EC of soil solution increased to as much as 2~4 dS/m; salinity levels considered high enough to cause detrimental effects on plant production. More divalent cations (Ca+Mg) than monovalent cations (K+Na) were exchanged by Cu or Cd adsorption. The loss of exchangeable nutrient cations decreased long-term nutrient supplying capacity or each soil. At 100 mg/kg or metal loading, the buffering capacity was decreased by 60%. pH of soil solution decreased linearly with increasing metal loading rates, with a decrement of up to 1.3 units at 400 mg Cu/kg addition. Influences of Cu on each of these soil quality parameters were consistently greater than those of Cd. These effects were of a detrimental nature and large enough in most cases to significantly impact soil productivity. It is clear that new protocols are needed for evaluating potential effects of heavy metal loading of soils.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.555-560
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• 2009

Sulfonic acid of the sulfonated 6FDA-based polyimides were exchanged with the monovalent ($Li^+$, $Na^+$, $K^+$) and divalent ($Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Ba^{2+}$) ions. The effect of metal cations exchanged sulfonated polyimides was investigated in terms of gas permeability and selectivity for $CO_2$, $O_2$ and $N_2$ gases. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of sulfonated polyimide was improved by exchanged metal cations. The permeabilities of monovalent cation-exchanged, sulfonated polyimide were reduced as the ion radius reduced [$Li^+$(0.059 nm)>$Na^+$(0.102 nm)>$K^+$(0.138 nm)], and those of divalent cations exchanged were determined by the ionic radii and electrostatic crosslinking between the polymer and metal cations, whereas the selectivities of all the metal cation-exchanged, sulfonated polyimides for $CO_2/N_2$ and $O_2/N_2$, were higher than those of sulfonated polyimide membranes. The sulfonated polyimide exchanged with the potassium cation showed the $O_2$ permeability of 89.98 Barrer [$1\times10^{-10}\;cm^3$(STP) $cm/cm^2{\cdot}s{\cdot}cmHg$] and the sulfonated polyimide exchanged with the lithium cation showed the $O_2/N_2$ selectivity of 12.9.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 1997

Mineral description and mineralogical characterization were made for the wellsite, a barrian zeolite, which found as diagenetic alterations in the Miocene pyroclastic rocks in Gampo area. The wellsite occurs together with clinoptilolite, smectite and apatite as euhedral crystallites (0.2~0.4mm) forming interpenetraion twinning in the vesicles of altered pmice fragments. Compared to other reported wellsites, the wellsite is rather silicic (Si/(Al+Fe): 3.12-3.16) and Ca-rich. Unit cell dimensions and chemical formular determined from XRD, EMPA and TGA data are as follows:a=9.883$\AA$, b=14.204$\AA$, c=8.677$\AA$, $\beta$-124.764$^{\circ}$, (Ba0.57K0.36)(Ca1.18Na0.04)Al3.9Si12.1O32.13.9H2O.The cation composition of the Gampo wellsite, which shows an exchange reaction in the form of Ba2++Ca2+=2(K++Na-), is deviated far from the compositional range of a phillipsite-harmotome series. Due to higher abundance of divalent cations (Ca, Ba) and si in the wellsite, cimpared to those of the phillipsite and harmotome reported in other areas, the zeolite seems to be characteristic of higher water content (18.7 wt%) and higher thermal stability. XRD, chemical and thermo-chemical results of the wellsite reflects that wellsite is rather a Ba- and Ca-rich end member of a phillipsite-harmotome-wellsite series than an intermediate phase of phillipsite-harmotome series or a barrian variety of phillipste.