• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.757-764
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• 2015

The immature fruit of Rubus coreanus Miquel (bokbunja in Korean) is mainly consumed as a fruit wine due to its sour taste and low sugar content. The lees (LBW) remaining after the production of bokbunja wine are discarded as they have no specific usage. The aim of this study was to develop high-value-added biomaterials for functional foods and beauty/health products by investigating the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-thrombosis activities of LBW using ethanol and hot water extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions. The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of LBW extracts has a high polyphenol content (413–459 mg/g), and showed strong anti-microbial activity against gram-positive bacteria. The EA fraction also showed excellent radical-scavenging activity against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite, with strong reducing power. The polyphenol-enriched EA fraction strongly inhibited thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors. The butanol fraction showed a specific inhibition of coagulation factors, as measured in activated partial thromboplastin time assay, which is linked to intrinsic blood coagulation. The butanol fraction also showed strong inhibition of platelet aggregation, at levels comparable to aspirin. The residue of the hot-water extract, which is produced by sequential solvent fractionation of the LBW extract, showed superior inhibition against platelet aggregation when compared to aspirin. Our results suggest that the LBW, which are currently discarded, are a promising source of novel functional foods and beauty/health products.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2007

Germanium-fortified yeast (GY) is a organic germanium-fortified yeast with potent immune modulating activities including anti-inflammatory effect. Through cell line studies, we observed that GY can modulate the diverse immune activity but little evidence was provided on the mechanism of GY in modulating immune activities in other higher animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of GY on modulation of immune function in mice. GY was administered in normal mice or tumor-bearing mice and then effect of GY on modulation of host immune system was analyzed by using ex vivo isolated macrophages, B cells, NK cells. Admistration of GY in mice induced macrophage activation thereby increased effector function of macrophage such as increased phagocytosis, chemotaxis, adherence, $O_2-release$, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. In addition, GY administration Increased B lymphocyte activation and plaque forming cells. Furthermore, GY administration increased NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GY administration suppressed progression of tumor in mice by increasing $TNF-{\alpha}$ production and effector function of NK cells. Our results showed that GY has a potent immunostimulatory function in vivo mice model. Proper modulation and administration of GY in human could be helpful to maintaining immunological homeostasis by modulating host immune system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.425-432
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• 2015

This study was performed to develop high-value-added biomaterials for health and beauty products. Extracts of ethanol and hot water and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were prepared from Lees of Wookukseng (LW), a commercialized Korean traditional rice wine. We investigated their activities on blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, hemolysis against human red blood cells (hRBCs), and anti-oxidation. The water content, pH and brix of the LW were 80.3%, 3.94 and 13.0°, respectively. The yield of ethanol extraction (6.62%) was 3.15 times higher than that of hot-water extraction (2.1%), and the ethyacetate fraction (EAF) of ethanol extract showed the highest content of total polyphenol (128 mg/g) among the various fractions. In anticoagulation activity assay, the EAF of ethanol extract showed a 15-fold extension in TT, PT, and aPTT, indicating that the EAFs contain various inhibitory substances against thrombin, prothrombin and coagulation factors. In anti-platelet aggregation activity assay, the butanol fraction and water residue of ethanol extract showed significant inhibition activity. The activities were comparable to aspirin, a commercial anti-thrombosis agent. The above extracts and fractions did not show hemolysis activity against hRBC up to 5 mg/ml, and had radical scavenging activity against DPPH anion, ABTS cation and nitrite. Our results suggest that the active fractions prepared from LW, which has no specific usage until now, have a high potential as novel resources for anti-thrombosis agents.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.427-434
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• 2009

Indigenous bacterium which shows a tolerance to high metal toxicity was isolated from soil concomitantly contaminated with oil and heavy metals. The characteristics of the bacterium for Pb and Cd biosorption was investigated under the various experimental conditions such as bacterial growth phase, the initial metal concentration, the input biomass amount, temperature and pH. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm modeling was described to know the capacity and intensity of biosorption. The low initial concentration of heavy metals and high biomass has a maximum heavy metal removal efficiency, but biosorption capacity of Pb and Cd has different values. Biosorption efficiency was highest in the end of the microbial growth stage and under pH 5~9 condition, but was less affected by temperature variation of 25~$35^{\circ}C$. The maximum biosorption capacity for Pb and Cd was 62.11 and 192.31 mg/g, respectively and each $R^2$ was calculated as 0.71 and 0.98 by applying Langmuir isothermal adsorption equation. Biosorption for Cd was considered as monomolecular adsorption to single layer on the surface of cells, whereas biosorption for Pb was considered as accumulation process into the cell by the microbial metabolism and precipitation reaction with anion of bacteria.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.509-515
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• 2008

The aminated polypropylene melt blown ion exchange fibers were synthesized with acrylic acid monomer onto polypropylene melt blown fibers by radiation-induced polymerization and subsequent amination. Degree of grafting was increased with increasing the acrylic acid monomer concentration and total dose. The highest degree of grafting was obtained 140% at a monomer concentration of 20 v/v% acrylic acid and total dose of 4 kGy. Optimum condition of Mohr's salt was 5.0 $\times10^{-3}$ M. Degree of amination was increased with increasing degree of grafting. Water content was about 1.5 times higher than that of trunk polymer. The maximum ion-exchange capacity was 7.3 meq/g which was 2$\sim$3 times higher than a commercial ion exchange fiber. The average pore size was decreased and BET surface area was increased in order of PPmb, PPmb- g- AAc and APPmb- g- AAc. The average pore size and BET surface area of synthesised fibers were $366.1\;{\AA},\;3.71m^2/g,\;143.3\;{\AA},\;4.94m^2/g,\;40.97\;{\AA},\;8.98m^2/g$, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), one of the four major fiber crops, is attracting attention for its efficient CO₂-absorbing ability and versatility for producing daily supplies, including textiles. In Korea, a new cultivar 'Jangdae' was established in 2013. The ease of cultivation and seed gathering of 'Jangdae' has led to its nationwide cultivation. However, evaluation of the bioactivities of the different parts of kenaf, and especially the 'Jangdae' cultivar, remains rudimentary. In this study, the antithrombosis and antioxidant activities of extracts prepared from different parts of the 'Jangdae' cultivar were evaluated by determining their effects on blood clot formation. Extracts prepared from seeds (HC-SD), seedpods (HC-SP), leaves (HC-L), stems (HC-S), and roots (HC-R) of the 'Jangdae' cultivar strongly inhibited blood clot formation. In particular, the HC-SD, HC-SP, and HC-S extracts showed strong inhibition against the coagulation factors prothrombin, and thrombin. The HC-SP extract showed strong antioxidant activities, such as scavenging ability against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, nitrite, and reducing power. Since blood clot formation is closely related to oxidative stress, the HC-SP extract could be developed as a novel anticoagulation and antioxidant resource. This is the first report of the antithrombosis activities of different parts of H. cannabinus L. cv. 'Jangdae'.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2022

To improve the performance of aluminum-air batteries, it is very important to understand the effect of electrolytes on the electrochemical properties of electrodes. In this study, the effects of electrolyte cations on the electrochemical redox reactions proceeding at the negative and positive electrodes were investigated using electrolytes having the same anion but different cations such as NaCl, LiCl, CaCl₂, and ZnCl₂. It was confirmed by discharge test, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis that electrolyte cations affect the discharge potential and specific capacity of the electrode. Precipitates were formed on the surface of the positive electrode by Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions, resulting in degradation of the performance of the positive electrode. In addition, Ca²⁺ ions passivated the negative electrode and accelerated the performance degradation. This suggests that the positive ions of the electrolyte have different effects on the electrochemical performance of the positive and negative electrodes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.1 s.93
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

During April 1993 to November 1994, cations, anions, and conductivity were analyzed to examine how summer monsoon influences the ionic content of Taechung Reservoir, Korea. Interannual variability of ionic content reflected hydrological characteristics between the two years(high-flood year in 1993 vs. draught year in 1994). Cations, anions and conductivity were lowest during peak inflow in 1993 and highest during a drought in 1994. Floods in 1993 markedly decreased total salinity as a result of reduced Ca$^{2+}$ and HCO$_{3}\;^{-}$ and produced extreme spatial heterogeneity (i.e., longitudinal, vertical, and horizontal variation) in ionic concentrations. The dominant process modifying the longitudinal (the headwaters-to-downlake) and vertical (top-to-bottom) patterns in salinity was an interflow current during the 1993 monsoon. The interflow water plunged near a 27${\sim}$37 km-location (from the dam) of the mid-lake and passed through the 10${\sim}$30m stratum of the reservoir, resulting in an isolation of epilimnetic high conductivity water (>100 ${\mu}$S/cm) from advected river water with low conductivity (65${\sim}$75 ${\mu}$S/cm), During postmonsoon 1993, the factors regulating salinity differed spatially; salinity of downlake markedly declined as a result of dilution through the mixing of lake water with river water, whereas in the headwaters it increased due to enhanced CaCO$_{3}$ (originated from limestone/metamorphic rock) of groundwaters entering the reservoir. This result suggests an importance of the basin geology on ion compositions with hydrological characteristics. In 1994, salinity was markedly greater (p<0.001) relative to 1993 and ionic dilution did not occur during the monsoon due to reduced inflow. Overall data suggest that the primary factor influencing seasonal ionic concentrations and compositions in this system is the dilution process depending on the intensity of monsoon rainfall.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.216-224
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• 2005

Chromatography has now been used successfully to provide the requisite purity for human plasma-derived biop-harmaceuticals such as coagulation factors and immunoglobulins. Recently, increasing attention has been focused on establishing efficient cleaning procedures to prevent potential contamination by microorganisms as well as carry-over contamination from batch to batch. The purpose of present study was to develop a cleaning validation system for the assurance of virus removal and/or inactivation during chromatography process. In order to establish an assay system for the validation of virus clearance during chromatography cleaning process, a quantitative real-time PCR method for porcine parvovirus(PPV) was developed, since PPV, a model virus for human parvovirus B19, has a high resistance to a range of physico-chemical treatment. Specific primers for amplification of PPV DNA was selected, and PPV DNA was quantified by use of SYBR Green I. The sensitivity of the assay was calculated to be 1.5 $TCID_{50}/ml$. The established real-time PCR assay was successfully applied to the validation of PPV removal and cleaning during SP-Sepharose cation chromatography for thrombin purification and Q-Sepharose anion chromatography for factor VIII purification. The comparative results obtained by real-time PCR assay and infectivity titrations suggested that the real-time PCR assay could be a useful method for chromatography cleaning validation and that it could have an additive effect on the interpretation and evaluation of virus clearance during the virus removal process.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-129
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• 1970

As a series of studies on the nucleic acids and their related substances 210 samples were collected from 76 places such as farm soil, compost of heap, nuruk and meju to obtain microbial strains which produce 5'-phosphodiesterase. From these samples total of 758 strains were isolated by the use of dilution pour plate method. For all isolated strains primary screening of the productivity of RNA depolymerase was performed and useful strains with regard to 5'-phosphodiesterase productivities were identified. For these useful strains optimum condition, the effect of various compounds on the activity of 5'-phosphodiesterase, and the optimum condition for enzyme reaction were discussed. The quantitative of 5'-mononucleotides produced by the action of 5'-phosphodiesterase was performed using anion-exchange column chromatography and their identified was done by paper chromatography, thinlayer chromatography, ultra violet spectrophotometry, and characteristic color reaction using carbazole and schiff's reagent. (1) Penicillium citreo-viride PO 2-11 and Streptomyces aureus SOA 4-21 from soil were identified as a potent 5'-phosphodiesterase producing strains. (2) Optimum culture conditions for Penicillium citreo-viride PO 2-11 strain isolated were found to be pH 5.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, and the optimum conditions for enzyme action of 5'-phosphodiesterase were pH 4.2 and $60^{\circ}C$. Best carbon source for the production of 5'-phosphodiesterase was found to be sucrose and ammonium nitrate for nitrogen source. Addition of 0.01% corn steep liquor or yeast extract exhibited 20% increase in the amount of 5'-phosphodiesterase production compared to the control. 5'-phosphodiesterase produced by this strain was activated by $Mg^{++},\;Ca^{++},\;Zn^{++},\;Mn^{++}$ and was inhibited by EDTA, citrate, $Cu^{++},\;CO^{++}$. 5'-phosphodiesterase produced 5'-mononucleotide from RNA at a rate of 65.81%, and among the 5'-mononucleotides accumulated 5'-GMP only was found to have flavorous and the strain was also found lack of 5'-AMP deaminase. Productivity of flavorous 5'-GMP was found to be 186.7mg per gram of RNA. (3) Optimum culture canditions for the isolated Streptomyces aureus SOA 4-21 strain were pH 7.0 and $28^{\circ}C$, and the optimum conditions for the action of 5'-phosphodiesterase were pH 7.3 and $50^{\circ}C$. The best carbon source for 5'-phosphodiesterase production was found to be glucose and that of nitrogen was asparagine. Addition of 0.01% yeast extract exhibited increased productivity of 5'-phosphodiesterase by 40% compared to the non-added control. 5'-phosphodiesterase produced by this strain was activated by $Ca^{++},\;Zn^{++},\;Mn^{++}$ and was inhibited by citrate, EDTA, $Cu^{++}$. It was also found that the strain produce 5'-AMP deaminase in addition to 5'-phosphodiesterase. For this reason although decomposition rate was 63.58% the accumulation of 5'-AMP, 5'-CMP, 5'-GMP and 5'-UMP occurred by the breakdown of RNA. In the course of these reaction 5'-AMP deaminase converted 60% of 5'-AMP thus produced into 5'-IMP and flavorous 5'-mono nucleotide production was significantly increased by this strain over the above mentioned one. Production rates were found to be 171.8mg per grain of RNA for 5'-IMP and 148.2mg per gram of RNA for 5'-GMP, respectively.