• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.241-245
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• 1998

Two oxidation states of chromium commonly occur in natural soil/water systems, Cr(III) and Cr(VI). The oxidized form, Cr(VI), exists as the chromate ion and is more mobile and toxic than Cr(III). Therefore oxidation of Cr(III) by various Mn-oxides in natural systems is a very important environmental concern. Organic substances can inhibit the Cr(III) oxidation by binding, Cr(III) strongly and also by dissolving Mn-oxides. Most of Cr(III) oxidation studies were carried out using in vitro systems without organic substances which exist in natural soil/water systems. In this study effect of organic acids - oxalate and pyruvate - on Cr(III) oxidation by $birnessite({\delta}-MnO_2)$ was examined. The two organic acids significantly inhibited Cr(III) oxidation by birnessite. Oxalate showed more significant inhibition than pyruvate. As solution pH was lowered in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, the Cr(III) oxidation was more strongly depressed. Addition of more organic acids reduced the Cr(III) oxidation mare extensively. Different inhibition effects by the organic acids could be due to their ability of reductive dissolution of Mn-oxides and/or Cr(III) binding. Organic acids dissolved Mn-oxide during the Cr(III) oxidation by the oxide, Dissolution by oxalic acid was much greater than that by pyruvate, and the dissolution was more extensive at lower pH. Inhibition of Cr(III) oxidation was parallel to the dissolution of Mn-oxide by organic acids. Although the effect of Cr(III) binding by organic acids on Cr(III) oxidation is not known yet, Mn-oxide dissolution by organic acids could be a main reason for the inhibition of Cr(III) oxidation by Mn-oxide in presence of organic acids. Thus oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by various Mn-oxides in natural systems could be much less than the oxidation estimated by in vitro studies with only Cr(III) and Mn-oxides.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.309-313
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• 2018

In this study, we prepared Li-K-Cd alloy, which meets the requirement of eutectic ratio of Li:K, to maintain the operating temperature of the drawdown process at $500^{\circ}C$ and to achieve the reuse of LiCl-KCl molten salt. The prepared Li-K-Cd alloys were added to LiCl-KCl salt bearing U and Nd at $500^{\circ}C$ to investigate the removal of $UCl_3$ in the salt. The reduction of $UCl_3$ in the salt was examined by measuring the OCP value of salt and analyzing the salt composition by ICP-OES. Reduction was also visually confirmed by change of salt color from dark purple to white. The experimental results reveal that the prepared Li-K-Cd alloy has reductive extractability for $UCl_3$ in salt. By improving the preparation method, the Li-K-Cd alloy can be applied to the drawdown process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.951-959
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• 2009

Most, if not all, Basidiomycetes mushrooms have biologically active polysaccharides showing potent antitumor activity with immunomodulating properties. These polysaccharides have various chemical compositions and belong primarily to the $\beta$-glucan group. In this study, the crude water-soluble polysaccharide HEF-P, which was obtained from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation, was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B column chromatographies. This process resulted in four polysaccharide fractions, named HEF-NP Fr I, HEF-NP Fr II, HEF-AP Fr I, and HEF-AP Fr II. Of these fractions, HEF-AP Fr II was able to upregulate the functional events mediated by activated macrophages, such as production of nitric oxide and expression ofcytokines (IL-1${\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The molecular mass of HEF-AP Fr II was estimated by gel filtration to be 13 kDa. Its structural characteristics were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analyses, including methylation, reductive cleavage, acetylation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicate that HEF-AP Fr II is a low-molecular-mass polysaccharide with a laminarin-like triple helix conformation of a ${\beta}$-1,3-branched-${\beta}$-1,6-glucan.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1053-1060
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• 2010

Cordyceps militaris, an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the class Ascomycetes, has been reported to have beneficial biological activities such as hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimetastatic, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. In this study, the crude water-soluble polysaccharide CMP, which was obtained from the fruiting body of C. militaris by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation, was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B column chromatographies. This process resulted in three polysaccharide fractions, termed CMP Fr I, CMP Fr II, and CMP Fr III. Of these fractions, CMP Fr II, with an average molecular mass of 127 kDa, was able to upregulate effectively the phenotypic functions of macrophages such as NO production and cytokine expression. The chemical property of the stimulatory polysaccharide, CMP Fr II, was determined based on its monosaccharide composition, which consisted of glucose (56.4%), galactose (26.4%), and mannose (17.2%). Its structural characteristics were investigated by a combination of chemical and instrumental analyses, including methylation, reductive cleavage, acetylation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Results indicated that CMP Fr II consisted of the (1${\rightarrow}$4) or (1${\rightarrow}$2) linked glucopyranosyl or galactopyranosyl residue with a (1${\rightarrow}$2) or (1${\rightarrow}$6) linked mannopyranosyl, glucopyranosyl, or galactopyranosyl residue as a side chain. The configuration of the ${\beta}$-linkage and random coil conformation of CMP Fr II were confirmed using a Fungi-Fluor kit and Congo red reagent, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1295-1305
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• 2000

Status of the contaminated sediments in Lake Paldang was investigated. Sediment samples were taken at 34 points and analyzed in terms of ignition loss, CODer, total P and total N. The contamination level did not show any significant variation with depth of the sediments, which indicated the contaminants were recalcitrant. The type of P in the sediment was analyzed, and the sum of adsorbed P and NAI-P, that can be re-solubilized under the reductive condition, was found to be 20-30% of the total P. From the analysis of the water quality change along with the flowing path, it would be concluded that the effect of the sediments on the water quality is insignificant yet in Lake Paldang. However, long term analysis covering at least four seasons should be continued in order to get a more reliable conclusion. A depth profile map of the sediment in Lake Paldang was provided.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.187-203
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• 2011

Chlorophenols (CPs) are widely used industrial chemicals that have been identified as being toxic to both humans and the environment. Zero valent iron (ZVI) and iron based bimetallic systems have the potential to efficiently dechlorinate CPs. This paper reviews the research conducted in this area over the past decade, with emphasis on the processes and mechanisms for the removal of CPs, as well as the characterization and role of the iron oxides formed on the ZVI surface. The removal of dissolved CPs in iron-water systems occurs via dechlorination, sorption and co-precipitation. Although ZVI has been commonly used for the dechlorination of CPs, its long term reactivity is limited due to surface passivation over time. However, iron based bimetallic systems are an effective alternative for overcoming this limitation. Bimetallic systems prepared by physically mixing ZVI and the catalyst or through reductive deposition of a catalyst onto ZVI have been shown to display superior performance over unmodified ZVI. Nonetheless, the efficiency and rate of hydrodechlorination of CPs by bimetals depend on the type of metal combinations used, properties of the metals and characteristics of the target CP. The presence and formation of various iron oxides can affect the reactivities of ZVI and bimetals. Oxides, such as green rust and magnetite, facilitate the dechlorination of CPs by ZVI and bimetals, while oxide films, such as hematite, maghemite, lepidocrocite and goethite, passivate the iron surface and hinder the dechlorination reaction. Key environmental parameters, such as solution pH, presence of dissolved oxygen and dissolved co-contaminants, exert significant impacts on the rate and extent of CP dechlorination by ZVI and bimetals.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2011

Systematic study on relationship between celadon coloring and glaze component was conducted by chromaticity analysis and M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectroscopic analysis. The chromaticity ($L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$ values) and M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer analysis results were correlated to the amount of $Fe_2O_3$, $TiO_2$, MnO, and $P_2O_5$, which are the essential factors influencing celadon coloring. According to chromaticity analysis, celadon glaze color belongs to GY group when the addition of $TiO_2$ was 1.4%, whereas the color belongs to BG group when the addition of $TiO_2$ was 0.1%. For the GY group, the colors change from GY to YR with the decrease of brightness as the addition of $TiO_2$, MnO, and $P_2O_5$ increases. According to M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer analysis results, as the amount of divalent iron ion increases, the $a^*$ and $b^*$ values decrease, on the other hand, $L^*$ value increases. The ratio of divalent iron ion produced in reductive sintering process is found to be 80~95% in this study, which induces the increase of $L^*$ values in celadon glaze.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2005

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation to mammalian skin is known to alter cellular function via generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), DNA damage and DNA lesions, such as pyrimidine dimmers and photoproducts, which could lead to DNA mutation if they are not repaired. In this study, we have investigated the reduction of DNA damage and of apoptosis with a particular attention to genetic effect of paeoniflorin in Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK). After UVB irradiation from $10\;to\;500mJ/cm^{2}$ to NHEK, Mean Tail Moments (MTM) were increased with UVB dose increase. The greatest amount of strand breaks was induced at $500mJ/cm^{2}$ of UVB. Even at the lowest dose of UVB ($10mJ/cm^{2}$), change in MTM was detected (P<0.0001). Pretreated cell with 0.1% paeoniflorin maximally reduced the level of DNA damage to about 21.3%, compared to untreated cell. In the lower concentrations less than 0.01% of paeoniflorin, MTM had a small increase but paeoniflorin still had reductive effects of DNA damage. We measured the apoptosis suppression of paeoniflorin with annexin V flous staining kit. As we observed under the fluorescence microscopy to detect apoptosis in the irradiated cell, the fluorescence intensity was clearly increased in the untreated cell, but decreased in treated cells with paeoniflorin. These results suggest that paeoniflorin reduces the alteration of cell membranes and prevents DNA damage. Therefore, the use of paeoniflorin as a free radical scavenger to reduce the harmful effects of UV lights such as chronic skin damage, wrinkling and skin cancer can be useful to prevent the formation of photooxidants that result in radical damage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7129-7135
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• 2014

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect of the combination of ethaselen (BBSKE) and low fixed dose of selenite against A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: Growth inhibitory effects against A549 cells were determined by SRB assay. Combination index (CI) values were calculated based on Chou-Talalay median-effect analyses. Dose reduction index (DRI) values were applied to calculate dose reduction of selenite. Contents of free thiols and GSH were determined by DTNB assay and intracellular ROS levels by DCFH-DA fluorescence labeling. Results: Compared with BBSKE or selenite single treatment, the combined application of ethaselen and a low fixed dose of selenite shortened the onset time of sodium selenite, reduced $IC_{50}$ values, and increased the maximum inhibition rates, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism of the synergism. Obvious synergistic effects were observed after different times of combination treatment, especially after 24 h. Compared with selenite single treatment, dosage of selenite could be remarkably reduced in combination therapy to gain the same inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Compared with BBSKE single treatment, the content of free thiols and GSH were significantly reduced and ROS levels greatly elevated in the combination group. For the combination treatment, cell viability increased as greater concentrations of GSH were added. Conclusions: All these results indicate that the combination treatment of BBSKE and selenite showed synergism to inhibit A549 cell proliferation in vitro, and also reduced the selenite dosage to mitigate its toxicity which is very meaningful for combination chemotherapy of lung cancer. The synergism was probably caused by the accelerated exhaustion of intracellular reductive substances, such as free thiols and GSH, which ultimately leads to enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.493-500
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• 2003

The effect of reductive treatment with elemental iron on the extent of mineralization by Fenton oxidation was studied for the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-l,3,5-trinitro-l,3,5-triazine (RDX) using a completely-stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The results support the hypothesis that TNT and RDX are reduced with elemental iron to products that are oxidized more rapidly and completely by Fenton's reagent. Iron pretreatment enhanced the extent of TOC removal by approximately $20\%\;and\;60\%$ for TNT and RDX, respectively. Complete TOC removal was achieved for TNT and RDX solutions with iron pretreatment under optimal conditions. On the other hand, without iron pretreatment, complete mineralization of TNT and RDX solutions were not achieved even with much higher $H_2O_2$ and $Fe^{2+}$ concentrations. The bench-scale iron treatment-Fenton oxidation integrated system showed more than $95\%$ TOC removal for TNT and RDX solutions under optimal conditions. The proposed zero-valent iron-Fenton process was evaluated with pink water from the Iowa Army ammunition plant. Results from batch and column experiments show that TNT, RDX, and octahydro-l,3,5,7-tetranitro-l,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) were completely removed from the pink water and that triaminotoluene (TAT) and ${NH_4}^+$ were recovered as products in reduction with zero-valent iron. By using an integrated system, $83.3\pm4.2\%$ of TOC was removed in a CSTR with 10 mM of $Fe^{2+}$ and 50 mM of $H_2O_2$. These results suggest that the reduction products of TNT and RDX are more rapidly and completely mineralized by Fenton oxidation and that a sequential iron treatment-Fenton oxidation process may be a viable technology for pink water treatment.