• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Agricultural soils surrounding mine areas in South Korea are often contaminated with multiple metals such as Cd, Pb and Zn. It poses potential risks to plants, soil organisms, groundwater, and eventually human health. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in phytoavailability of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn after application with calcined eggshell (CES; 0, 1, 3, and 5% W/W) in an agricultural soil contaminated by mine tailings. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils were 8.79, 65.4, 1602, and $692mgkg^{-1}$ (aqua regia dissolution), respectively. The experiments were conducted with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) grown under greenhouse conditions during a 30-d period. $NH_4NO_3$ solution was used to examine the mobile fraction of these metals in soil. The application of CES dramatically increased soil pH and inorganic carbon content in soil due to CaO and $CaCO_3$ of CES. The increased soil pH decreased the mobile fraction of Cd, Pb, Zn: from 3.49 to < $0.01mgkg^{-1}$ for Cd, from 79.4 to $1.75mgkg^{-1}$ for Pb, and from 29.6 to $1.13mgkg^{-1}$ for Zn with increasing treatment of CES from 0 to 5%. In contrast, the mobile fraction of Cu was increased from 0.05 to $3.08mgkg^{-1}$, probably due to the formation of soluble $CuCO_3{^0}$ and Cu-organic complex. This changes in the mobile fraction resulted in a diminished uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn by lettuce and an increased uptake of Cu: from 4.19 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ dry weight (DW) for Cd, from 0.78 to < $0.001mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Pb, and from 133 to $50.0mgkg^{-1}$ DW for Zn and conversely, from 3.79 up to $8.21kg^{-1}$ DW for Cu. The increased contents of Cu in lettuce shoots did not exceed the toxic level of $>25mgkg^{-1}$ DW. The mobile contents of these metals in soils showed a strong relationship with their contents in plant roots and shoots. These results showed that CES effectively reduced the phytoavailability of Cd, Pb, and Zn to lettuce but elevated that of Cu in consequence of the changed binding forms of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils. Based on these conclusions, CES can be used as an effective immobilization agent for Cd, Pb and Zn in contaminated soils. However, the CES should be applied in restricted doses due to too high increased pH in soils.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.399-399
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• 2008

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO structure such as nanowires, nanorods, nanotube, nanowall, etc. have been studied to multifunctional application such as optical, nanoscale electronic and chemical devices because it has a room-temperature wide band gap of 3.37eV, large exiton binding energy(60meV) and various properties. Various synthesis methods including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition, electrochemical deposition, micro-emulsion, and hydrothermal approach have been reported to fabricate various kinds of ZnO nanostructures. But some of these synthesis methods are expensive and difficult of mass production. Wet chemical method has several advantage such as simple process, mass production, low temperature process, and low cost. In the present work, ZnO nanorods are deposited on ITO/glass substrate by simple wet chemical method. The process is perfomed by two steps. One-step is deposition of ZnO seeds and two-step is growth of ZnO nanorods on substrates. In order to form ZnO seeds on substrates, mixture solution of Zn acetate and Methanol was prepared.(one-step) Seed layers were deposited for control of morpholgy of ZnO seed layers by spin coating process because ZnO seeds is deposited uniformly by centrifugal force of spin coating. The seed-deposited samples were pre-annealed for 30min at $180^{\circ}C$ to enhance adhesion and crystallinnity of ZnO seed layer on substrate. Vertically well-aligned ZnO nanorods were grown by the "dipping-and-holding" process of the substrates into the mixture solution consisting of the mixture solution of DI water, Zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine for 4 hours at $90^{\circ}C$.(two-step) It was found that density and morphology of ZnO nanorods were controlled by manipulation of ZnO seeds through rpm of spin coating. The morphology, crystallinity, optical properties of the grown ZnO nanostructures were carried out by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, photoluminescence, respectively. We are convinced that this method is complementing problems of main techniques of existing reports.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.242-253
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• 2008

It is a common clinical practice to recommend taking iron supplements for pregnant women during gestation. Although it is required to ensure adequate iron stores during pregnancy, there has been some debate over the interference effects of excessive iron load, because it is possible to compete in the transport in the intestine and placenta and in binding to serum proteins of other trace minerals. In this study, maternal and neonatal serum concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Cr, Mn, and Co were assessed along with maternal Fe intakes. A total of 124 pregnant women and their term neonates participated voluntarily in this research. The women were divided into one of the three groups {high Fe intake (HFI), median Fe intake (MFI), and low Fe intake (LFI)} by their total Fe intakes and one of the two groups (Anemic and Normal) by their Fe nutritional status. All the data were compared among the three groups and between the two groups also. Total Fe intakes of HFI, MFI, and LFI groups were 140.8 ${\pm}$ 76.1, 68.0 ${\pm}$ 11.2, and 30.2 ${\pm}$ 8.6 mg/day, respectively. Those of Anemic and Normal groups were 90.1 ${\pm}$ 74.8 and 86.6 ${\pm}$ 46.8 mg/day, respectively. Maternal Hb concentration and Hct were not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups but those were significantly different between Anemic and Normal groups. However, neonatal Hb concentration was not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups and between Anemic and Normal groups either. Maternal serum Fe concentrations of the three groups, HFI, MFI, and LFI, were similar but that of Anemic group was significantly lower compared to Normal group. However, there was no significant difference in neonatal serum Fe concentrations among the three groups and between the two groups either. Serum concentrations of the other trace minerals in both mothers and neonates were not significantly different among HFI, MFI, and LFI groups and between Anemic and Normal groups. In addition, in the maternal serum, Fe concentration was positively correlated to Zn and Se concentration, respectively. As for the neonatal serum, Fe concentration showed a positive correlation to Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, and Co concentration, respectively. No trace mineral concentration was found to correlate negatively to Fe concentration in both maternal and neonatal serum, The results in this study indicate that Fe intakes of pregnant women, even if it is considerably above the level of estimated average requirement (EAR), may not affect serum Fe concentration in both mothers and neonates. In addition it might not influence adversely on the availability of other trace minerals including Zn and Cu in both mothers and neonates.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2005

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax toxin is a tripartite toxin comprising of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). PA is the receptor-binding component, which facilitates the entry of LF or EF onto the cytosol. LF is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease, which is a critical virulence factor in cytotoxicity of infected animals. Therefore, it is of interest to develop its potent inhibitors for the neutralization of anthrax toxin. The first step to identify the inhibitors is the development of a rapid, sensitive, and simple assay method with a high-throughput ability. Much efforts have been concentrated on the preparation of powerful assays and on the screening of inhibitors using these system. In the present study, we have tried to construct anthrax lethal factor in yeast expression system to prepare cell-based high-throughput assay system. Here, we have shown the results covering the construction of a new vector system, subcloning of LF gene, and the expression of target gene. Our results are first trial to express LF gene in eukaryote and provide the basic steps in design of cell-based assay system.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2020

The identify of biomarkers in living tissues is useful to understand the characteristics and functions of the cells. Proteins such as protein gene product 9.5, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger, NANOG, and stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 have been identified as markers for porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia. In this study, the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), a newly discovered porcine spermatogonia marker and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a protein regulator of IGFBPs, were characterized in 5-day-old porcine testis. To analyze the function of IGFBPs, RT-PCR was performed. IGFBP 2, 3, 4, and 6 were detected in porcine spermatogonia and PAPP-A was detected in basement regions in 5day old porcine seminiferous tubules. PAPP-A was not expressed in spermatogonia, but it was expressed in Sertoli cells. These results suggest that the expression of PAPP-A protein in Sertoli cells may regulate the development and differentiation of testicular cells through the IGF axis in porcine neonatal testis.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.555-569
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of N⁶-Methyladenosine modification-circRNA-zinc finger protein 638 (m⁶A-circRNA-ZNF638) on the induced activation of secondary hair follicle (SHF) stem cells with its potential mechanisms in cashmere goats. Methods: The m⁶A modification of ZNF638 was analyzed using methylation immunoprecipitation with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique in SHF stem cells. The effects of circRNA-ZNF638 on the induced activation of SHF stem cells in m⁶A dependence were evaluated through the overexpression of circRNA-ZNF638/its m⁶A-deficient mutants in circRNA-ZNF638 knockdown SHF stem cells. The competitive binding of miR-361-5p to circRNA-ZNF638/Wnt5a 3'- untranslated region was analyzed through Dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: The m⁶A-circRNA-ZNF638 had significantly higher transcription at anagen SHF bulge of cashmere goats compared with that at telogen, as well as it positively regulated the induced activation of SHF-stem cells in cashmere goats. Mechanismly, m⁶A-circRNA-ZNF638 sponged miR-361-5p to heighten the transcriptional expression of Wnt5a gene in SHF-stem cells. We further demonstrated that the internal m⁶A modification within circRNA-ZNF638 is required for mediating the miR-361-5p/Wnt5a pathway to regulate the induced activation of SHF stem cells through an introducing of m⁶A-deficient mutant of circRNA-ZNF638. Conclusion: The circRNA-ZNF638 contributes the proper induced activation of SHF-stem cells in cashmere goats in m⁶A-dependent manner through miR-361-5p/Wnt5a axis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.991-998
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• 2016

NF-κB acts as a critical transcription factor for the survival of cells via the induction of antiapoptotic genes. Constitutive activation of NF-κB in many types of solid tumors suggests that the inhibition of NF-κB might prevent or inhibit tumorigenesis. Although a number of studies demonstrated that Hsp70 regulated NF-κB activity, the exact mechanism is not clear. This study investigated the functional relationship of Hsp70 and IKKγ in the regulation of NF-κB activation using expression plasmids of components of the IKK complex. Wild-type and deletion mutants of IKKγ were expressed together with Hsp70, and the combined regulatory effect of Hsp70 and IKKγ on NF-κB activation was assayed. Hsp70 suppressed the activation of NF-κB in a reporter plasmid assay. Hsp70 also suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. The suppressive effect of Hsp70 on NF-κB activation was synergistically elevated by IKKγ. The N-terminal IKKβ binding site, C-terminal leucine zipper, and zinc finger domains of IKKγ were not necessary for the suppressive effect. Furthermore, Hsp70 and IKKγ synergistically suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression by lipopolysaccharides in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that overexpression of Hsp70 and IKKγ may be a strategic method for inhibition of NF-κB and related diseases.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2001

The ZnSe sample grown by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method were annealed in Ar gas at $45^{\circ}C$. Using extrapolation method of X-ray diffraction pattern, it was found to have zinc blend structure whose lattice parameter $a_o$ was $5.6687\;{\AA}$. From Hall effect, the mobility was likely to be decreased by impurity scattering at temperature range from 10 K to 150 K and by lattice scattering at temperature range from 150 K to 293 K. The band gap given by the transmission edge changed from $2.700{\underline{5}}\;eV$ at 293 K to $2.873{\underline{9}}\;eV$ at 10 K. Comparing photocurrent peak position with transmission edge, we could find that photocurrent peaks due to excition electrons from valence band, ${\Gamma}_8$ and ${\Gamma}_7$ and to conduction band ${\Gamma}_6$ were observed at photocurrent spectrum. From the photocurrent spectra by illumination of polarized light on the ZnSe thin film, we have found that values of spin orbit coupling splitting ${\Delta}so$ is $0.098{\underline{1}}\;eV$. From the PL spectra at 10K, the peaks corresponding to free bound excitons and D-A pair and a broad emission band due to SA is identified. The binding energy of the free excitons are determined to be $0.061{\underline{2}}\;eV$ and the dissipation energy of the donor -bound exciton and acceptor-bound exciton to be $0.017{\underline{2}}\;eV$, $0.031{\underline{0}}\;eV$, respectively.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.443-453
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• 2008

The Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack, Broad-complex (BTB) domain is a protein-protein interaction domain that is found in many zinc finger transcription factors. BTB containing proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions including regulation of transcription, regulation of the cytoskeleton, protein ubiquitination, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human gene, KLHL31, from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. The cDNA of KLHL31 is 5743 bp long, encoding a protein product of 634 amino acids containing a BTB domain. The protein is highly conserved across different species. Western blot analysis indicates that the KLHL31 protein is abundantly expressed in both embryonic skeletal and heart tissue. In COS-7 cells, KLHL31 proteins are localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In primary cultures of nascent mouse cardiomyocytes, the majority of endogenous KLHL31 proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. KLHL31 acts as a transcription repressor when fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain and deletion analysis indicates that the BTB domain is the main region responsible for this repression. Overexpression of KLHL31 in COS-7 cells inhibits the transcriptional activities of both the TPA-response element (TRE) and serum response element (SRE). KLHL31 also significantly reduces JNK activation leading to decreased phosphorylation and protein levels of the JNK target c-Jun in both COS-7 and Hela cells. These results suggest that KLHL31 protein may act as a new transcriptional repressor in MAPK/JNK signaling pathway to regulate cellular functions.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.262-273
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• 2020

Amending biopolymers such as β-glucan (BG) and Xanthan gum (XG) generally enhances soil strength by ionic and hydrogen bonds between soil particles. Thus, biopolymers have been studied as eco-friendly construction materials in levees. However, physiological responses of plants grown on soil amended with biopolymers are not fully understood. This study focuses on the effects of biopolymers on the growth of Camelina sativa L. (Camelina) under excess zinc (Zn) stress. The optimal concentrations of BG and XG were confirmed to have a 0.5% ratio in soil depending on the physiological parameters of Camelina under excess Zn stress. The Zn binding capacity of biopolymers was investigated using 1,5-diphenylthiocarbazone (DTZ). The reduction of Zn damage in Camelina was evaluated by analyzing the Zn content and expression of heavy metal ATPase (HMA) genes under excess Zn stress. Amendments of BG and XG improved Camelina growth under excess Zn stress. In DTZ staining and ICP-OES analysis, Camelina grown on BG and XG soil showed less Zn uptake than normal soil under excess Zn stress. The Zn-inducible CsHMA3 gene was not stimulated by either BG or XG amendment under excess Zn stress. Moreover, both BG and XG amendments in soil exhibit Zn-stress mitigation similar to that of Zn-tolerant CsHMA3 overexpres sed Camelina. These results indicate that biopolymer-amended soils may influence the prevention of Zn absorption in Camelina under excess Zn stress. Thus, BG and XG are proven to be suitable materials for levee construction and can protect plants from soil contamination by Zn.