• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2012

Calcium is an essential nutrient for living organisms, with key structural and signaling roles. Its deficiency in plants can result in poor biotic and abiotic stress tolerance as well as reduced crop quality and yield. Calcium deficiency in humans causes various diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets. Biofortification of calcium in various food crops has been suggested as an economic and environmentally advantageous method to enhance human intake of calcium. Recent efforts to increase the levels of calcium in food crops have used calcium/proton antiporters ($CAXs$) and modified one to increase calcium transport into vacuoles through genetic engineering. It has been reported that overall calcium content of transgenic plants has been increased in their edible portions with some adverse effects. In conclusion, biofortification of calcium will add more value in crops as well as will be beneficial for animal and human. Therefore, more fundamental studies on the mechanisms of calcium ion storage and transporting are essential for more effective calcium biofortification.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
• /
• 제31권1호
• /
• pp.90-93
• /
• 2003

The antibacterial activity of chitosan-alginate-Fe(II) complex (CAFC) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and an opportunistic pathogen, Candida albicans, was investigated. A concentration of 1 mg/1 was needed to inhibit the growth of S. aureus and E. coli, while 100 mg/liter was sufficient for the growth inhibition of Candida albicans. The ion leakage of potassium and phosphate from E. coli cell and the penetration of ethidium bromide dye into it indicate that CAFC might be able to increase the cell permeability and consequently cellular leakage, thus leading to cell plasmolysis. Scanning electronmicroscope showed that E. coli cells treated with CAFC became irregular, swelling and expanded. In a field trial, control piglets showed average mortality of up to 60% within 3 days after the onset of diarrhea. In contrast, CAFC-treated groups without mortality was decreased to average 56% on the 1 st day after the treatment, and average 7% on the 3rd day. After then, piglets with diarrhea was not found.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.571-578
• /
• 2018

Biofuel production using lignocellulosic biomass is gaining attention because it can be substituted for fossil fuels without competing with edible resources. However, because Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not have a ${\text\tiny{D}}$-xylose metabolic pathway, oxidoreductase or isomerase pathways must be introduced to utilize ${\text\tiny{D}}$-xylose from lignocellulosic biomass in S. cerevisiae. To elucidate the biochemical properties of xylose isomerase (XI) from Piromyces sp. E2 (PsXI), we determine its crystal structure in complex with substrate mimic glycerol. An amino-acid sequence comparison with other reported XIs and relative activity measurements using five kinds of divalent metal ions confirmed that PsXI belongs to class II XIs. Moreover kinetic analysis of PsXI was also performed using $Mn^{2+}$, the preferred divalent metal ion for PsXI. In addition, the substrate-binding mode of PsXI could be predicted with the substrate mimic glycerol bound to the active site. These studies may provide structural information to enhance ${\text\tiny{D}}$-xylose utilization for biofuel production.

• 한국자원리싸이클링학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원리싸이클링학회 2005년도 추계정기총회 및 제26회 학술발표대회 고분자리싸이클링기술 특별심포지엄
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 2005

수용액으로부터 중금속의 제거에 소나무수피, 배추, 게 껍질을 이용하였다. 흡착과 이온교환에 의한 중금속의 제거를 조사하기 위해서 시간, 초기농도변화, 흡착제량 변화에 따른 흡착 효율을 조사하고 각각의 실험마다 pH 변화를 측정하였다. 그 결과 배추가 가장 우수한 흡착력을 보였고, 그 다음으로 게 껍질이 우수한 흡착력을 보였다. 특이할 만 한 사항은 배추와 소나무수피의 흡착 실험시 pH는 감소하나 게 껍질의 경우에는 pH가 오히려 증가하는 경향을 보였다.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제18권12호
• /
• pp.1411-1416
• /
• 2009

Several adsorbents were tried to remove the selenium ions from industrial wastewater and the following ascending order of the adsorption performance for the selenium at pH 9 was observed: cation exchange resin < chelate resin < zeolite < brown marine algae < granular activated carbon < anion exchange resin. Initial concentration of selenium(146 mg/L) in industrial wastewater was reduced to 63 mg/L of selenium at pH 9 by neutralization process. The maximum uptake of Se calculated from the Langmuir isotherm with anion exchange resin was 0.091 mmol/g at pH 10 and that with granular activated carbon was 0.083 mmol/g at pH 6. The affinity coefficients of Se ion towards anion exchange resin and granular activated carbon were 3.263 L/mmol at pH 10 and 0.873 L/mmol at pH 6, respectively. The sorption performance of anion exchange resin at the low concentration of Se, namely, was much better than that of granular activated carbon. The Se ions from industrial wastewater throughout neutralization process and two steps of adsorption using anion exchange resin was removed to 97.7%.

• KSTLE International Journal
• /
• 제10권1_2호
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2009

This paper reports an investigation on nanotribological properties of silicon nanochannels coated by a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film. The nanochannels were fabricated on Si (100) wafers by using photolithography and reactive ion etching (RIE) techniques. The channeled surfaces (Si channels) were then further modified by coating thin DLC film. Water contact angle of the modified and unmodified Si surfaces was examined by an anglemeter using the sessile-drop method. Nanotribological properties, namely friction and adhesion forces, of the Si channels coated with DLC (DLC-coated Si channels) were investigated in comparison with those of the flat Si, DLC-coated flat Si (flat DLC), and Si channels, using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Results showed that the DLC-coated Si channels greatly increased hydrophobicity of silicon surfaces. The DLC coating and Si channels themselves individually reduced adhesion and friction forces of the flat Si. Further, the DLC-coated Si channels exhibited the lowest values of these forces, owing to the combined effect of reduced contact area through the channeling and low surface energy of the DLC. This combined modification could prove a promising method for tribological applications at small scales.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.297-300
• /
• 2019

In countries with FMD vaccination, as in Korea, typical clinical signs do not appear, and even in FMD positive cases, it is difficult to isolate the FMDV or obtain whole genome sequence. To overcome this problem, more rapid and simple NGS system is required to control FMD in Korea. FMDV (O/Boeun/ SKR/2017) RNA was extracted and sequenced using Ion Torrent's bench-top sequencer with amplicon panel with optimized bioinformatics pipelines. The whole genome sequencing of raw data generated data of 1,839,864 (mean read length 283 bp) reads comprising a total of 521,641,058 (≥Q20 475,327,721). Compared with FMDV (GenBank accession No. MG983730), the FMDV sequences in this study showed 99.83% nucleotide identity. Further study is needed to identify these differences. In this study, fast and robust methods for benchtop next generation sequencing (NGS) system was developed for analysis of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) whole genome sequences.

• 생물환경조절학회지
• /
• 제1권1호
• /
• pp.52-60
• /
• 1992

The optimum management of nutrient solution needs the effective combination of fertilizers as well as the accurate control of nutrient solution. This study was attempt to make a supporting system for effective fertilizer combination by using computer and also to develop a EC predicting equation for keeping the EC of solution within the allowable range after application of combined fertilizers. The supporting system consists of three parts : (1) data bases, (2) rules for deciding the kinds and amounts of fertilizers and (3) main control. With input data, the main control automatically constructs the network connecting the related data bases and subsequently executes the operation of searching proper fertilizers through it. For more effective searching, fertilizers are classified into two levels(level 1 and level 2) in consideration of solubility, price, and frequency in use, and searched in that order. The EC prediction equation, a extended form of the Robinson and Stroke's theoretical equation only available for a binary electrolyte, is suggested for predicting the EC of the nutrient solution containing many kinds of inorganic compounds. The comparison of predicted and measured ECs showed good agreements with the high correlation between the predicted EC decrement by ion interaction and the actual one(limiting EC minus measured EC).

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제39권10호
• /
• pp.722-727
• /
• 2016

Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of death worldwide. Based on pathohistological abnormalities and clinical manifestation, cardiomyopathies are categorized into several groups: hypertrophic, dilated, restricted, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, and unclassified. Dilated cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by dilation of the left ventricle and systolic dysfunction, is the most severe and prevalent form of cardiomyopathy and usually requires heart transplantation. Its etiology remains unclear. Recent genetic studies of single gene mutations have provided significant insights into the complex processes of cardiac dysfunction. To date, over 40 genes have been demonstrated to contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy. With advances in genetic screening techniques, novel genes associated with this disease are continuously being identified. The respective gene products can be classified into several functional groups such as sarcomere proteins, structural proteins, ion channels, and nuclear envelope proteins. Nuclear envelope proteins are emerging as potential molecular targets in dilated cardiomyopathy. Because they are not directly associated with contractile force generation and transmission, the molecular pathways through which these proteins cause cardiac muscle disorder remain unclear. However, nuclear envelope proteins are involved in many essential cellular processes. Therefore, integrating apparently distinct cellular processes is of great interest in elucidating the etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy. In this mini review, we summarize the genetic factors associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and discuss their cellular functions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제20권10호
• /
• pp.1436-1439
• /
• 2010

Many studies have clarified that poly(${\gamma}$-glutamic acid) (PGA) increases the solubility of $Ca^{2+}$, suggesting that PGA enhances calcium absorption in the small intestine. However, there has been no report on the specific interaction between PGA and $Ca^{2+}$ in water. We studied the aqueous solution properties of PGA calcium salt (PGA-Ca complex). The chelating ability and binding strength of PGA for $Ca^{2+}$ were evaluated. The PGA-Ca complex was soluble in water, in contrast to the insolubility of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) calcium salt, and the chelating ability of PGA for $Ca^{2+}$ was almost the same as that of PAA. The globular conformation of the PGA-Ca complex in water was estimated by SEC and viscosity measurements. The chelation ability of PGA for $Ca^{2+}$ was examined by $^1H$ NMR. The present study showing the characteristics of the PGA-Ca complex will provide useful information about the calcium absorption by PGA in vivo.