• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.1139-1143
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• 2002

Analysis of lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) is of clinical importance as they can serve a potential marker for ovarian and other gynecological cancers and obesity. It is critically important to develop a highly sensitive and specific method for the early detection of gynecological cancers to improve the overall outcome of this disease. We have established a novel quantification method of LPAs in human plasma by negative ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode without the conventional TLC step. Protein-bound lipids, LPAs in plasma were extracted with methanol : chloroform (2:1) containing LPA C14:0 as an internal standard under acidic condition. Following back extraction with chloroform and water, the centrifuged lower phase was evaporated and reconstituted in methanol. The reconstituted solution was directly injected into electrospray source of MS/MS. For MRM mode, Q1 ions selected were m/z 409, 433, 435, 437 and 457 which corresponds to molecular mass [M-H]- of C16:0, C18:2, C18:1, C18:0 and C20:4 LPA, respectively. Q2 ions selected for MRM were m/z 79, phosphoryl product. Using MS/MS with MRM mode, all the species of LPAs were completely separated from plasma matrix without severe interferences. This method allowed simultaneous detection and quantification of different species of LPAs in a plasma over a linear dynamic range of 0.01-25 ㎛olL-1 . The detection limit of the method was 0.3 pmol/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9983 in most LPAs analyzed. When applied to the plasmas of normal and gynecological cancer patients, this new method differentiated two different groups by way of total LPA level.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.3676-3680
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• 2012

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid contains the EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) gene and EBV replication origin (oriP) sequence. Since EBNA1 (the only EBV-encoded protein) is combined with oriP, it is replicated simultaneously with chromosomal DNA in human, primate, and canine cells and is faithfully segregated at a stable copy number upon cell division. Consequently, it can be used to stably express gene inserts over a prolonged time in target cells. We have previously shown that the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer can be surface-modified with L-arginine. Arginine is present at a high frequency in the transactivator of transcription (Tat) sequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It presents high membrane permeability and permits effective transfer of DNA inside the cells. In this study, we constructed two kinds of recombinant DNA by inserting the luciferase gene and enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene as reporter genes into the pCEP4 plasmid vector. We measured dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential after preparing PAMAM-based cationic polymer/EBV-based plasmid complexes. We performed transfection of HEK 293 cell lines with the polyplexes, and monitored luciferase activity and green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression. Our results show that PAMAM-based cationic polymer/EBV plasmid complexes provide enhanced and sustained gene expression.

• 한국지구과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국지구과학회 2010년도 춘계학술발표회 논문집
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• pp.118-119
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• 2010

별탄생에 관한 연구는 최근 천문학 영역에서 활발히 진행되고 있으며, 별이 실제로 동역학적 과정을 거쳐 형성되고 분자운의 난류적 특성에 강하게 영향을 받는다는 것을 보여주고 있다. 별탄생 과정에 관한 관측적 영역에서 상당한 진전이 있음에도 불구하고, 별탄생의 초기단계는 여전히 해결되고 있지 않다. 따라서, 별 탄생의 복잡한 역학적 특성으로 인해 컴퓨터 시뮬레이션은 별탄생 연구의 중요한 도구로 사용된다. 우리는 SPH 시뮬레이션을 활용하여 낮은 질량의 별 탄생 과정을 제시하였고, 가장 진보된 dragon code를 사용하였다. 질량과 난류, 중심 밀도 등의 값을 변화시키면서 내부 특성의 변화를 살펴보고, 어떻게 진화하는지에 대해 알아보고자 한다. (질량범위는 0.1$5\;M{\odot}$) 이 결과에 근거하여 그들의 환경조건과 특성 그리고 성간운에서 낮은 질량의 별이 탄생하는 동안 어떻게 진화하는지에 대해 논의하고자 한다.

• 한국공작기계학회논문집
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.146-152
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• 2007

An active micro-mixer, which was composed of an oscillating micro-stirrer in the microchannel to provide rapid, effective mixing at high flow, rates was analyzed. The effects of molecular diffusion and disturbance by the stirrer were considered with regard to two types of mixer models: the simple straight microchannel and microchannel with an oscillating stirrer. Two types of mixer models were studied by analyzing mixing behaviors such as their interaction after the stirrer. The mixing was calculated by Lattice Boltzmann methods using the D2Q9 model. In this study, the time-averaged mixing index formula was used to estimate the mixing performance of time-dependent flow. The mixing indices of the two models compared. From the results, it was found that the mixer with an oscillating stirrer was much more enhanced and stabilized. Therefore, an optimum design for a dynamic micro-mixer with an oscillating stirrer was performed using Taguchi method in order to obtain a robust solution. The design parameters were established as the frequency, the length and the angle of the stirrer and the optimal values were determined to be 2, 0.8D and ${\pm}75^{\circ}$, respectively. It was found that the mixing index of the optimal design increased 80.72% compared with that of the original design.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

Calcium has versatile roles in diverse physiological functions. Among these functions, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ plays a key role during the secretion of salivary glands. In this review, we introduce the diverse cellular components involved in the saliva secretion and related dynamic intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals. Calcium acts as a critical second messenger for channel activation, protein translocation, and volume regulation, which are essential events for achieving the salivary secretion. In the secretory process, $Ca^{2+}$ activates $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ channels to transport water and electrolyte constituting whole saliva. We also focus on the $Ca^{2+}$ signals from intracellular stores with discussion about detailed molecular mechanism underlying the generation of characteristic $Ca^{2+}$ patterns. In particular, inositol triphosphate signal is a main trigger for inducing $Ca^{2+}$ signals required for the salivary gland functions. The biphasic response of inositol triphosphate receptor and $Ca^{2+}$ pumps generate a self-limiting pattern of $Ca^{2+}$ efflux, resulting in $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations. The regenerative $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations have been detected in salivary gland cells, but the exact mechanism and function of the signals need to be elucidated. In future, we expect that further investigations will be performed toward better understanding of the spatiotemporal role of $Ca^{2+}$ signals in regulating salivary secretion.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.180-186
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• 2015

Escherichia coli AcrAB-TolC is a multidrug efflux pump that expels a wide range of toxic substrates. The dynamic nature of the binding or low affinity between the components has impeded elucidation of how the three components assemble in the functional state. Here, we created fusion proteins composed of AcrB, a transmembrane linker, and two copies of AcrA. The fusion protein exhibited acridine pumping activity, suggesting that the protein reflects the functional structure in vivo. To discern the assembling mode with TolC, the AcrBA fusion protein was incubated with TolC or a chimeric protein containing the TolC aperture tip region. Three-dimensional structures of the complex proteins were determined through transmission electron microscopy. The overall structure exemplifies the adaptor bridging model, wherein the funnel-like AcrA hexamer forms an intermeshing cogwheel interaction with the ${\alpha}$-barrel tip region of TolC, and a direct interaction between AcrB and TolC is not allowed. These observations provide a structural blueprint for understanding multidrug resistance in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.211-221
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• 2017

Transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ $(TGF{\beta}1)/Smad4$ signaling plays a pivotal role in maintenance of the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption. The microRNA miR-155 has been reported to exert a significant role in the differentiation of macrophage and dendritic cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether miR-155 regulates osteoclast differentiation through $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling. Here, we present that $TGF{\beta}1$ elevated miR-155 levels during osteoclast differentiation through the stimulation of M-CSF and RANKL. Additionally, we found that silencing Smad4 attenuated the upregulation of miR-155 induced by $TGF{\beta}1$. The results of luciferase reporter experiments and ChIP assays demonstrated that $TGF{\beta}1$ promoted the binding of Smad4 to the miR-155 promoter at a site located in 454 bp from the transcription start site in vivo, further verifying that miR-155 is a transcriptional target of the $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ pathway. Subsequently, TRAP staining and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that silencing Smad4 impaired the $TGF{\beta}1$-mediated inhibition on osteoclast differentiation. Finally, we found that miR-155 may target SOCS1 and MITF to suppress osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, we provide the first evidence that $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling affects osteoclast differentiation by regulation of miR-155 expression and the use of miR-155 as a potential therapeutic target for osteoclast-related diseases shows great promise.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.867-873
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• 2007

열중량반응기와 회분식 미분형반응기를 이용하여 Polypropylene(PP)과 Polystyrene(PS)의 열분해특성을 연구하였다. 열중량반응기로부터 얻은 동적 특성곡선은 열분해온도에 대한 만족할 만한 정보를 제공해 주었으며, PS가 PP보다 $30{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ 낮은 온도에서 열분해가 일어남을 알 수 있었다. 미분반응기에서 PP의 경우 열분해 온도와 시간이 증가할수록 액상 생성물의 수율과 분자량분포는 전체적으로 감소하는 경향을 보였다. PS의 경우 반응온도와 시간이 증가할수록 해중합이 촉진되어 styrene monomer의 생성이 두드러졌다. 열분해반응에서 말단절단의 속도계수인 활성화에너지 값은 PP의 경우 50.0 kcal/mole, PS의 경우 45.2 kcal/mole이었다.

• 폴리머
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.350-357
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• 2000

인쇄회로기판제조에 사용되는 glass/epoxy 프리프레그의 경화거동을 dielectrometer와 시차주사열분석기를 사용하여 연구하였다. 브롬화한 에폭시수지를 많이 포함하고 있는 본 프리프레그는 약 115$^{\circ}C$에서 가장 낮은 이온점도를 보였으며, 이 이후 경화반응의 진행과 함께 점도가 15$0^{\circ}C$까지는 상승하는 경향을 보여 주었다. 이것은 이 프리프레그의 경화반응이 115$^{\circ}C$ 부근에서 개시됨을 의미하며, 이 온도 이후부터 가속화된 분자간 가교화반응을 통해서 분자량이 현저히 커짐을 의미한다. 본 프리프레그의 dynamic scan에 따른 loss factor 및 tan $\delta$ 값을 측정하였다. 또한 실제 인쇄회로기판 제조에 사용하는 경화주기에 준하여 동일한 실험을 수행하여 그 거동을 비교하였다. 성형한 복합재료는 약30$0^{\circ}C$까지는 열적으로 안정한 것으로 나타났으며 이 온도 이후에서 급격한 열분해 반응이 진행되었다.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2007

Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEG)-poly(${\beta}$-amino ester) (PAE) block copolymers were synthesized using a Michael-type step polymerization, and the construction of pH-sensitive polymeric micelles (PM) investigated. The ${\beta}$-amino ester block of the block copolymers functioned as a pH-sensitive moiety as well as a hydrophobic block in relation to the ionization of PAE, while PEG acted as a hydrophilic block, regardless of ionization. The synthesized polymers were characterized using $^1H-NMR$, with their molecular weights measured using gel permeation chromatography. The $pK_b$ values of the pH-sensitive polymers were measured using a titration method. The pH-sensitivity and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the block copolymers in PBS solution were estimated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The pH dependent micellization behaviors with various bisacrylate esters varied within a narrow pH range. The critical micelle concentration at pH 7.4 decreased from 0.032 to 0.004 mg/mL on increasing the number of methyl group in the bisacrylate from 4 to 10. Also, the particle size of the block copolymer micelles was determined using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The DLS results revealed the micelles had an average size below 100 nm. These pH-sensitive polymeric micelles may be good carriers for the delivery of an anticancer drug.