• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.120-126
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• 2016

Eco-friendly acrylic resin/clay nanocomposites containing pristine montmorillonite (PM) or modified clays (30B and 25A) were prepared from acrylic and styrenic monomers using non-aqueous dispersion (NAD) polymerization. Effect of nanoclays on physical properties of polymerization product and resulting nanocomposites was investigated. In view of NAD particle stability, addition of nanoclay at the beginning of polymerization is proved to be good. Results of gel fraction, acid value and viscosity of the NAD product showed that nanocomposites containing clay 25A showed better physical properties than the ones with other clays. GPC results exhibit the increase in molecular weight and decrease in polydispersity index for the 25A nanocomposite. Increase in layer distance confirmed from XRD analysis showed good dispersion of 25A in the nanocomposite. Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that highest glass transition temperature and storage modulus for 25A nanocomposites. These results indicate that 25A nanoclay gives the best properties in the process of non-aqueous dispersion polymerization of acrylic resin/nanoclay nanocomposites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.679-686
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• 2006

The positions of $PbI _2$ molecule synthesized into the molecular-dimensioned cavities of $\mid K_6 (Pb _4I_2)(PbI_2) _{0.67}-(H_2O)_2\mid [Si _{12}Al _{12}O _{48}]$-LTA have been determined. A single crystal of $\mid Pb _6\mid [Si _{12}Al _{12}O _{48}]$-LTA, prepared by the dynamic ion-exchange of $\mid Na _{12}\mid [Si _{12}Al _{12}O _{48}]$-LTA with aqueous 0.05 M $Pb _(NO _3)_2$ and washed with deionized water, was placed in a stream of flowing aqueous 0.05 M KI at 294 K for three days. The resulting crystal structure of the product $( \mid K_6 (Pb _4I_2)(PbI_2) _{0.67}(H_2O)_2\mid [Si _{12}Al _{12}O _{48}]$-LTA, a = 12.353(1) $\AA$) was determined at 294 K by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the space group Pm3 m. It was refined with all measured reflections to the final error index $R_1$ = 0.062 for 623 reflections which $F_o$ > 4$\sigma$($F_o$). 4.67 $Pb ^{2+}$ and six $K^+$ ions per unit cell are found at three crystallographically distinct positions: 3.67 $Pb ^{2+}$ and three $K^+$ ions on the 3-fold axes opposite six-rings in the large cavity, three $K^+$ ions off the plane of the eight-rings, and the remaining one $Pb ^{2+}$ ion lies opposite four-ring in the large cavity. 0.67 $Pb ^{2+}$ ions and 1.34 $I^-$ ions per unit cell are found in the sodalite units, indicating the formation of a $PbI _2$ molecule in 67% of the sodalite units. Each $PbI _2$ (Pb-I = 3.392(7) $\AA$) is held in place by the coordination of its one $Pb ^{2+}$ ion to the zeolite framework (a $Pb ^{2+}$ cation is 0.74 $\AA$ from a six-ring oxygens) and by the coordination of its two $I^-$ ions to $K^+$ ions through six-rings (I-K = 3.63(4) $\AA$). Two additional $I^-$ ions per unit cell are found opposite a four-ring in the large cavity and form $Pb _2K_2I^{5+}$ and $Pb _2K_2I^{3+}$ moieties, respectively, and two water molecules per unit cell are also found on the 3-fold axes in the large cavity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.274-283
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• 2004

Six lumbrokinase (LK) fractions from Lumbricus rubellus lysates were purified by a series of column chromatographies. The molecular weights of the six LK fractions appeared to range from 24.6 to 33.1 kDa. In the experimental model of rat venous thrombosis, the thrombus weight and PAI activity decreased significantly when the LK was administered orally. However, the activities of APTT, PT and plasmin showed a significant increase. The aggregation of rat platelets pretreated with various LK doses was inhibited by thrombin, and the MDA generation decreased. The rat thoracic aorta and mesentric arteries contracted with phenylephrine relaxed due to the treatment of the LK fractions. These results suggest that the fibrinolytic effects of LK were mediated not only by proteolytic activity, but also by the inhibition of platelet agregation and the relaxation of blood vessels. It is concluded that the LK may be useful as a hemolytic agent for treatment of fibrin clot.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.3990-3996
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• 2014

Because the physical properties can be decreased when a Nylon 66/glass fiber composite is injected into a mold over $300^{\circ}C$, a systematic study of the thermal history in the case of re-use is needed. Nylon 66/glass fiber extrudates as a function of the extrusion number were prepared using a twin screw extruder at 305/290/273/268/265/$260^{\circ}C$. The chemical structure, thermal properties, melt index, crystal structure, Izod impact strength, and rheological properties were measured by Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), melt indexer, DSC, TGA, XRD, Izod impact tester, and dynamic rheometer. The FT-IR spectra indicated that the number of extrusions did not affect the chemical structure. The decrease in molecular weight with increasing extrusion number was confirmed by the melt index and the complex viscosity of extrudates. Based on the DSC and TGA results, the thermal history had no effect on the melting temperature, regardless of the number of extrusions, but the degradation temperature decreased up to $20^{\circ}C$ with increasing extrusion number. The Izod impact strengths of the extrudates were found to decrease with increasing extrusion number. No structural change after extrusion was also confirmed because there was no change in the slope and shape of the G'-G" plot.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2003

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)(PTT) fibers were treated by passing on the plate heater to study the annealing effect on the change of morphological structure and physical properties. In the X-ray diffraction curves of PTT annealed, a sharp peak at 2$\theta$=15.6$^{\circ}$ appeared and the peak intensity became stronger with the increase of annealing temperature and time. This peak was based on the (010) plane of PTT crystals. The crystallinity determined by density measurement was also increased by annealing. With the increases of temperature and time, the dynamic viscoelastic behaviors were shown to be a large reduction in T(tan $\delta$$_{max}$). The birefringence and $T_g$ were also reduced, but the melting temperature was the same. These results mean that the molecular chains in armorphous region are transfered into the crystalline legion, making the remained chains relaxed during annealing at tensionless state.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2018

B cell leukemia/lymphoma 3 (Bcl3) plays a pivotal role in immune homeostasis, cellular proliferation, and cell survival, as a co-activator or co-repressor of transcription of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ family. Recently, it was reported that Bcl3 positively regulates pluripotency genes, including Oct4, in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, the role of Bcl3 in the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal activity is not fully established. Here, we report the dynamic regulation of the proliferation, pluripotency, and self-renewal of mESCs by Bcl3 via an influence on Nanog transcriptional activity. Bcl3 expression is predominantly observed in immature mESCs, but significantly decreased during cell differentiation by LIF depletion and in mESC-derived EBs. Importantly, the knockdown of Bcl3 resulted in the loss of self-renewal ability and decreased cell proliferation. Similarly, the ectopic expression of Bcl3 also resulted in a significant reduction of proliferation, and the self-renewal of mESCs was demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase staining and clonogenic single cell-derived colony assay. We further examined that Bcl3-mediated regulation of Nanog transcriptional activity in mESCs, which indicated that Bcl3 acts as a transcriptional repressor of Nanog expression in mESCs. In conclusion, we demonstrated that a sufficient concentration of Bcl3 in mESCs plays a critical role in the maintenance of pluripotency and the self-renewal of mESCs via the regulation of Nanog transcriptional activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.673-679
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• 2017

Microtubules are long rods in the cytoplasm of cells that plays a role in cell motility and intracellular transport. Microtubule-based transport by motor proteins is essential in intracellular transport. Kinesin 1 is a molecular motor protein that mediates the intracellular transport of various membranous vesicles, mRNAs, and proteins along microtubules. It is comprised of two heavy chains (KHCs, also called KIF5s) and two light chains (KLCs). KIF5s bear a motor domain in their amino (N)-terminal regions and interact with various cargoes through the cargo-binding domain in their carboxyl (C)-terminal regions. To identify proteins interacting with KIF5B, yeast two-hybrid screening was performed, and a specific interaction with the cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP-170), a plus end microtubule-binding protein, was found. The coiled-coil domain of CLIP-170 is essential for interactions with KIF5B in the yeast two-hybrid assay. CLIP-170 bound to the cargo-binding domain of KIF5B. Also, other KIF5s, KIF5A and KIF5C, interacted with CLIP-170 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-downs showed that KIF5s specifically interacted with CLIP-170. An antibody to KIF5B specifically co-immunoprecipitated CLIP-170 associated with KIF5B from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that kinesin 1 motor protein may transport CLIP-170 in cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.360-372
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• 2020

The basal ganglia network has been implicated in the control of adaptive behavior, possibly by integrating motor learning and motivational processes. Both positive and negative reinforcement appear to shape our behavioral adaptation by modulating the function of the basal ganglia. Here, we examined a transgenic mouse line (G2CT) in which synaptic transmissions onto the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the basal ganglia are depressed. We found that the level of collaterals from direct pathway MSNs in the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe) ('bridging collaterals') was decreased in these mice, and this was accompanied by behavioral inhibition under stress. Furthermore, additional manipulations that could further decrease or restore the level of the bridging collaterals resulted in an increase in behavioral inhibition or active behavior in the G2CT mice, respectively. Collectively, our data indicate that the striatum of the basal ganglia network integrates negative emotions and controls appropriate coping responses in which the bridging collateral connections in the GPe play a critical regulatory role.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3595-3604
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• 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been one of the most fatal malignant tumors worldwide and its associated morbidity and mortality remain of significant concern. Based on in-depth reviews of serological diagnosis of HCC, in addition to AFP, there are other biomarkers: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), descarboxyprothrombin (DCP), tyrosine kinase with Ig and eprdermal growth factor (EGF) homology domains 2 (TIE2)-espressing monocytes (TEMs), glypican-3 (GPC3), Golgi protein 73 (GP73), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) have been proposed as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. The diagnosis of HCC is primarily based on noninvasive standard imaging methods, such as ultrasound (US), dynamic multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some experts advocate gadolinium diethyl-enetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) MRI and contrast-enhanced US as the promising imaging madalities of choice. With regard to recent advancements in tissue markers, many cuting-edge technologies using genome-wide DNA microarrays, qRT-PCR, and proteomic and inmunostaining studies have been implemented in an attempt to identify markers for early diagnosis of HCC. Only less than half of HCC patients at initial diagnosis are at an early stage treatable with curative options: local ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplant. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered the standard of care with palliation for intermediate stage HCC. Recent innovative procedures using drug-eluting-beads and radioembolization using Yttrium-90 may exhibit beneficial effects in HCC treatment. During the past few years, several molecular targeted agents have been evaluated in clinical trials in advanced HCC. Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic treatment for HCC. It has been approved for the therapy of asymptomatic HCC patients with well-preserved liver function who are not candidates for potentially curative treatments, such as surgical resection or liver transplantation. In the USA, Europe and particularly Japan, hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC accounts for most liver cancer, as compared with Asia-Pacific regions, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) may play a more important role in HCC development. HBV vaccination, while a vaccine is not yet available against HCV, has been recognized as a best primary prevention method for HBV-related HCC, although in patients already infected with HBV or HCV, secondary prevention with antiviral therapy is still a reasonable strategy. In addition to HBV and HCV, attention should be paid to other relevant HCC risk factors, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to obesity and diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and prolonged aflatoxin exposure. Interestingly, coffee and vitamin K2 have been proven to provide protective effects against HCC. Regarding tertiary prevention of HCC recurrence after surgical resection, addition of antiviral treatment has proven to be a rational strategy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 1999

Steroid hormone is known to cause the dynamic changes of mammalian uterus during reproductive cycle, which are modulated via hypothalamus-pituitary -gonad reproductive endocrine axis. Although there were so many studies about estrogenic regulation of uterine growth and differentiation. There is little information about the effect of estrogen on the expression of various transcription factors involved in gene expression. Thus the present study was designed to demonstrate E induced expression of c-fos, c-jun, hsp25 mRNA in rat uterus. Employing Northern blot analysis, we studied the temporal expressions of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) elicited by a single 17beta-estradiol (E) treatment in the uteri of bilaterally ovariectomized adult rats. c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels were increased and peaked at 3h after E administration, and then c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were rapidly decreased to basal control level while, increased hsp25 mRNA levels were sustained till 12h post E treatment. To test the estrogenic effect on the increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels, we also examined the effects of antiestrogen (tamoxifen). Pretreatment with tamoxifen effectively blocked the E-induced increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels at 3h post E treatment. Present results suggest that transient increase of c-fos and c-jun protooncogene mRNA at the early time and simultaneous expression of hsp25 mRNA contribute to the response of uterine tissues to E in adult female rats.