• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.137-142
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• 2005

We showed recently that ginsenosides inhibit the activity of various types of ion channel. Here we have investigated the role of the carbohydrate component of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ in the inhibition of $Na^+$ channels. The channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting cRNAs encoding rat brain Nav1.2 ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}1$ subunits, and analyzed by the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Treatment with $Rg_3$ reversibly inhibited the inward $Na^+$ peak current ($I_{Na}$) with an $IC_{50}$ of $32.2{\pm}4.5{\mu}M$, and the inhibition was voltage-dependent. To examine the role of the sugar moiety, we prepared a straight chain form of the second glucose and a conjugate of this glucose with 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid hydrazide (HPPH). Neither derivative inhibited $I_{Na}$. Treatment with the carbohydrate portion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, sophorose [${\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl$ ($1{\rightarrow}2$)-${\beta}-glucopyranoside$], or the aglycone (protopanaxadiol), on their own or in combination had no effect on $I_{Na}$. These observations indicate that the carbohydrate portion of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ plays an important role in its effect on the $Na^+$ channel.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2004

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, which invades a wide range of hosts including humans. The exact mechanisms involved in its invasion are not fully understood. This study focused on the roles of $Ca^{2+}$ in host cell invasion and in T. gondii replication. We examined the invasion and replication of T. gondii pretreated with several calcium modulators, the conoid extrusion of tachyzoites. Calmodulin localization in T. gondii were observed using the immunogold method, and $Ca^{2+}$ levels in tachyzoites by confocal microscopy. In light microscopic observation, tachyzoites co-treated with A23187 and EGTA showed that host cell invasion and intracellular replication were decreased. The invasion of tachyzoites was slightly inhibited by the $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, bepridil and verapamil, and by the calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium. We observed that calcium saline containing A23187 induced the extrusion of tachyzoite conoid. By immunoelectron microscopy, gold particles bound to anti-calmodulin or anti-actin mAb, were found to be localized on the anterior portion of tachyzoites. Remarkably reduced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was observed in tachyzoites treated with BAPTA/AM by confocal microscopy. These results suggest that host cell invasion and the intracellular replication of T. gondii tachyzoites are inhibited by the calcium ionophore, A23187, and by the extracellular calcium chelator, EGTA.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2003

Solvolytic rate constants at 25℃ are reported for solvolyses of cinnamyl bromide (1) in binary mixtures of water with acetone, ethanol, methanol, methanol-d, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. Product selectivities are reported for solvolyses of 1 in aqueous ethanol and methanol. Rate ratios in solvents of the same $Y_{Br}$ value and different nucleophilicity provide measures of the minimum extent of nucleophilic solvent assistance (e.g. $[k_{40EW}/k_{97TFE}]$Y = 2.88, EW = ethanol-water). With use of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation, the l and m values are similar to the values of 0.43 and 0.88 obtained for the solvolyses of 1 using the equation (see below) which includes a parameter (I) for solvation of aromatic rings. The magnitude of l and m values associated with a change of solvent composition predicts the $S_{N1}$ reaction mechanism rather than an $S_{N2}$ channel. Product selectivities (S), defined by S = [ether product]/[alcohol product]×[water]/[alcohol solvent] are related to four rate constants for reactions involving one molecule of solvent as nucleophile and another molecule of solvent as general base catalyst. A linear relationship between 1/S and molar ratio of solvent is derived theoretically and validated experimentally for solvolyses of the above substrates from water up 75% 1/S = $(k_{wa}/k_{aw})$([alcohol solvent]/[water]) + $k_{ww}/k_{aw}$ alcohol-water. The results are best explained by product formation from a “free” carbocation intermediate rather than from a solvent-separated ion pair.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.86.1-86.1
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• 2015

As the feature size of Si-based semiconductor shrinks to nanometer scale, we are facing to the problems such as short channel effect and leakage current. One of the solutions to cope with those issues is to bring III-V compound semiconductors to the semiconductor structures, because III-V compound semiconductors have much higher carrier mobility than Si. However, introduction of III-V semiconductors to the current Si-based manufacturing process requires great challenge in the development of process integration, since they exhibit totally different physical and chemical properties from Si. For example, epitaxial growth, surface preparation and wet etching of III-V semiconductors have to be optimized for production. In addition, oxidation mechanisms of III-V semiconductors should be elucidated and re-growth of native oxide should be controlled. In this study, surface preparation methods of various III-V compound semiconductors such as GaAs, InAs, and GaSb are introduced in terms of i) how their surfaces are modified after different chemical treatments, ii) how they will be re-oxidized after chemical treatments, and iii) is there any effect of surface orientation on the surface preparation and re-growth of oxide. Surface termination and behaviors on those semiconductors were observed by MIR-FTIR, XPS, ellipsometer, and contact angle measurements. In addition, photoresist stripping process on III-V semiconductor is also studied, because there is a chance that a conventional photoresist stripping process can attack III-V semiconductor surfaces. Based on the Hansen theory various organic solvents such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolydone, dimethyl sulfoxide, benzyl alcohol, and propylene carbonate, were selected to remove photoresists with and without ion implantation. Although SPM and DIO3 caused etching and/or surface roughening of III-V semiconductor surface, organic solvents could remove I-line photoresist without attack of III-V semiconductor surface. The behavior of photoresist removal depends on the solvent temperature and ion implantation dose.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.302-306
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• 2017

Humidity affect performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). High humidity of gases generally enhance the performance, but high humidity have the danger of flooding. I-V performance, linear sweep voltammetry, cyclo voltammetry, and impedance of micro-channel cell measured with change of relative humidity (RH). Flooding phenomena started at RH 70%. Ion conductivity of membrane reached maximum value at RH 80%. Maximum current density of $1,700mA/cm^2$ (at 0.6 V) was obtained at RH 80%. Therefore the effect of ion conductivity increasement was higher than that of mass transfer decrease by flooding at RH 80%.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is an essential event for egg activation and further development. $Ca^{2+}$ ion is originated from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-store via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor and/or $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx during artificial egg activation with ethanol using $Ca^{2+}$ monitoring system and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Under $Ca^{2+}$ ion-omitted condition, $Ca^{2+}$-oscillation was stopped within 30 min post microinjection of porcine sperm factor, and ethanol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was reduced. To investigate the role of CaM KII known as an integrator of $Ca^{2+}$- oscillation during mammalian egg fertilization, CaM KII activity was tested with a specific inhibitor KN-93. In the eggs treated with KN-93, ethanol failed to induce egg activation. In addition, KN-93 inhibited inward $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$) in a time-dependent manner in whole-cell configuration. Immunostaining data showed that the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were distributed along the plasma membrane of mouse egg and 2-cell embryo. From these results, we suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ influx during fertilization might be controlled by CaM KII activity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-163
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• 2004

The X-ray structure of the cydodextrin-glucanotransferase of Bacillus macerans was solved by molecular replacement at 2.0 ${\AA}$ resolution. The refined structure has a crystallographic R-factor of 16.6%, (R$\sub$free/ = 20.5%). A new metal binding site occupied by two Ca$\^$2+/-ions was found at an accession channel of the active site. There is a large accumulation of negative charges that bind these Ca$\^$2+/-ions, thereby connecting segment ${\beta}$13-${\alpha}$G (residue 254-276) to the main body of domain A (at ${\alpha}$H, residue 283-297). The segment 313-${\alpha}$G contains the catalytic residue Glu258 between subsite 1 and -1 and Tyr260 (subsite 2) which is located at the entrance of the active site. The Ca$\^$2＋/-site 3a,b may have a major role for the activity and specificity of this CGTase, although it is not even conserved for the a-subclass of CGTases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Objective : To suggest a scientific evidence of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata: ALRP) as one of cooling and heating medicines on the regulation of body temperature, we investigated the effects of ALRP water extract on hypothyroidism. Methods : Hypothyroidism was induced by intradermal injection with PTU for 4 weeks in SD rats. ALRP extract or L-thyroxine as a control drug was orally administrated for 2 weeks with PTU injection in rats. The physiological and serological parameters were measured in rats. The histological change of thyroid tissues was observed by H&E staining, and also the expression of thermo-regulating proteins was determined by Western blot in dorsal root ganglia and brain tissues of rats. Results : The administration of ALRP extract in PTU-induced hypothyroidism rats was significantly increased body temperature, but did not changes on body weight, food and water intake. ALRP extract did not effect on the levels of TSH and T4 in the hypothyroidism rats. ALRP extract significantly decreased the levels of GPT, glucose, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the hypothyroidism rats. In histological observation, the enlarged epithelium and atrophic follicles with higher concentration of follicular cells on hypothyroidism were improved by ALRP extract. In addition, ALRP extract increased the expression of TRPV1 and TRPM8 ion channel proteins in hypothyroidism rats. Conclusion : These results indicate that ALRP extract can improve PTU-induced hypothyroidism through regulation of body temperature and lipid accumulation. The action mechanism of ALRP extract is related with body temperature control by thermoregulation with TRP ion channels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.168-172
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• 1996

Ginsenoside Rb,, at a concentration of 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and over, initiated the cycle of oscillation of ion flux in erythrocytes after the cells had been treated with a protonophore, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoro-methoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP) and then with a $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore, A23,3,. Its action was similar to the additional portion of $Ca^{2+}$-ionophore or $Ca^{2+}$ ion to the erythrocytes. Effects of $Rg_1$ and Rf were different from that of Rb,. They did not induce the oscillation. They, however, increased the extracellular $K^{+}$ concentration and pH without returning to the initial state in the erythrocytes processed with FCCP and $A_{23187}$. We established that ginsenosides from 20-(5)-panaxatriol family induced the membrane hyperpolarization in erythrocytes, which was attenuated by the pretreatment of $Rb_1$, a major component of 20-(5)-panaxadiol.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.252-262
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• 2019

A sulfonated star branched poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) triblock copolymer (SSBS) was synthesized with varying degrees of sulfonation. The effective sulfonation on the butadiene block was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Ion exchange capacity by titration was used to determine the degree of sulfonation. The synthesized polymer observed enhanced water uptake and proton conductivity. At room temperature, the SSBS with 25 mol% degree of sulfonation showed an outstanding proton conductivity of 0.114 S/cm, similar to that of commercial membrane, Nafion. The effect of temperature at constant relative humidity on conductivity resulted to a remarkable increase in proton conductivity. Methanol permeability studies showed a value lower than Nafion for all the sulfonated membranes. Structural nature observed using AFM showed that the membranes observed microphase separated nanostructures and the connectivity of the interionic channels.