• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2005

Liquid crystalline poly(allylsulfone) networks having $SO_2$ in a main chain and mesogens in a side chain were synthesized and their gas permeability and permselectivity were determined. The monomer II having two allyl groups on the each end group was able to form polymer networks by polymerization reaction, while the monomer I having only one allyl group was not. Molecular motion of the poly(allylsulfone) networks were retarded with increasing the cross-linking density, and the segmental motion of networks was developed enough to show isotropic phase transition. Gas permeabilities of poly(II-5 $01/I-OCH_3$ 99) were 2.58 baller for $O_2$ and 18.4 barrer for $H_2$. It means that hydrogen gas are 7 times more permeable than oxygen. Its permselectivities were high as 23.9 for ${\alpha}(H_2/N_2)$. The permselectivity was increased with increasing the cross-linking density. For example, ${\alpha}(H_2/N_2)$ was 36.8 in poly(II-5 $10/I-OCH_3$ 90), which was shown to be the highest value among these poly(allylsulfone) networks.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.546-551
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• 2001

We have previously shown that, in circular muscle cells of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) isolated by enzymatic digestion, contraction in response to maximally effective doses of acetylcholine (ACh) or Inositol Triphosphate ($IP_3$) depends on the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores and activation of a $Ca6{2+}$-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathway. On the contrary, maintenance of LES tone, and response to low doses of ACh or $IP_3$ depend on a protein kinase C (PKC) mediated pathway. In the present investigation, we have examined requirements for $Ca6{2+}$ regulation of the interaction between CaM- and PKC-dependent pathways in LES contraction. Thapsigargin (TG) treatment for 30 min dose dependently reduced ACh-induced contraction of permeable LES cells in free $Ca6{2+}$ medium. ACh-induced contraction following the low level of reduction of $Ca6{2+}$ stores by a low dose of TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) was blocked by the CaM antagonist, CCS9343B but not by the PKC antagonists chelerythrine or H7, indicating that the contraction is CaM-dependent. After maximal reduction in intracellular $Ca{2+}$ from $Ca6{2+}$stores by TG ($10^{-6}{\;}M$), ACh-induced contraction was blocked by chelerythrine or H7, but not by CCS9343B, indicating that it is PKC-dependent. In normal $Ca^{2+}$medium, the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was also CaM-dependent, whereas the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was PKC-dependent. We examined whether PKC activation was inhibited by activated CaM. CCS 7343B Inhibited the CaM-induced contraction, but did not inhibit the DAC-induced contraction. CaM inhibited the DAC-induced contraction in the presence of CCS 9343B. This inhibition by CaM was $Ca{2+}$dependent. These data are consistent with the view that the switch from a PKC-dependent pathway to a CaM dependent pathway can occur and can be regulated by cytosolic $Ca{2+}$ in the LES.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2021

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H2O2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.433-442
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• 2021

In this study, the properties of no-fines polymer concrete with different polymer binder contents were evaluated. The polymer concrete was formulated using a polymeric binder (unsaturated polyester resin), fly ash, and recycled coarse aggregate (60%) and crushed coarse aggregate (40%). The polymeric binder content (4.0-6.0wt.%) was used as an experimental variable because it dramatically affects both the cost-effectiveness and material properties. The results showed that the density, compressive strength, flexural strength both before and after exposure to freezing and thawing increased as the polymer binder content increased, while the absorption, void ratio, permeable voids, coefficient of permeability, and acid resistance (mass loss by acid attack) decreased as the polymeric binder content increased. In particular, even though the void ratio was 18.4% and the water permeability coefficient was 7.3mm/sec, the compressive strength and flexural strength were as high as 38.0MPa and 10.0MPa, respectively, much more significant than those of previous studies. Other properties such as absorption and acid resistance were also found to be excellent. The results appear to be rooted in the increased adhesion of the binder by adding a cross-linking agent and the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.180-198
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• 2019

In recent years, countries like Europe and Japan have been involved in many researches on the Low-Crested Structure (LCS) which is the method to protect beach erosion and it is regarded as an alternative to the submerged breakwaters, and compiled its results and released the design manual. In the past, studies on LCS have focused on two-dimensional wave transmission and calculating required weight of armor units, and these were mainly examined and discussed based on experiments. In this study, three-dimensional numerical analysis is performed on permeable LCS. The open-source CFD code olaFlow based on the Navier-Stokes momentum equations is applied to the numerical analysis, which is a strongly nonlinear analysis method that enables breaking and turbulence analysis. As a result, the distribution characteristics of the LCS such as water level, water flow, and turbulent kinetic energy were examined and discussed, then they were carefully compared and examined in the case of submerged breakwaters. The study results indicate that there is a difference between the flow patterns of longshore current near the shoreline, the spatial distribution of longshore and on-offshore directions of mean turbulent kinetic energy in case of submerged breakwaters and LCS. It is predicted that the difference in these results leads to the difference in sand movement.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.326-333
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• 2018

In this study, we identified methods to improve heat stability and skin permeability of functional protein biopolymers, such as growth factors, enzymes, and peptides. The biopolymers participate in cellular activation and catalytic functions in vivo. Therefore, when applied to cosmetics, their efficacies are expected to be helpful for skin care. However, they have disadvantages that include instability to heat and low skin permeability due to their high molecular weight. To overcome these problems, we searched for a composition that increases heat stability. Stability was improved using a polymeric humectant having a long polyethylene glycol length, compared with a mono-molecular structure humectant. Next, to enhance skin permeation, a permeation enhancing peptide was selected from a phage library. The permeation enhancing peptide can be commonly used to promote the permeation of growth factors, enzymes, and peptides. Screening was performed on the polymeric humectant formulation. One dominant peptide from the modified-screening method was identified. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the permeability of the peptide was better than that of the peptide developed through a screening system based on phosphate-buffered saline. The data indicate that the polymeric humectant formulation will be helpful for increasing the heat stability of protein ingredients and that skin permeability could be increased by a formulation-specific, penetration-enhancing peptide.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2019

In this paper, we developed mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of SBS-g-POEM block-graft copolymer, ionic liquid (EMIMTFSI) and ZIF-8 nanoparticles to separate a $CO_2/N_2$ gas pair. The SBS-g-POEM is a rubbery block-graft copolymer synthesized through low-cost free-radical polymerization. The EMIMTFSI was dissolved into the SBS-g-POEM matrix and solution synthesized ZIF-8 nanoparticles were also dispersed into the copolymer matrix. The physico-chemical properties of manufactured membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed that the components were compatible with each other. The gas separation performance was confirmed by time-lag measurements showing $CO_2$ permeability of 537.0 barrer and $CO_2/N_2$ selectivity of 15.2. The result represents the EMIMTFSI and ZIF-8 nanoparticles improves the gas permeability more than two-times, without significantly sacrificing the $CO_2/N_2$ selectivity.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.21-31
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• 2018

Bucket foundations are widely used in offshore areas due to their various benefits such as easy and fast installations. A bucket is installed using self-weight and the hydraulic pressure difference across the lid generated by pumping out water from inside the bucket. When buckets are installed in high permeable soil such as sands, upward seepage flow occurs around the bucket tip and interior, leading to a decrease in the effective stress in the soil inside the buckets. This process reduces the penetration resistance of buckets. However, the soil inside and outside the bucket can be disturbed due to the upward seepage flow and this can change the soil properties around the bucket. Moreover, upward seepage flow can create significant soil plug heave, thereby hindering the penetration of the bucket to the target depth. Despite of these problems, soil disturbance and soil plug heave created by suction installation are not well understood. This study aims to investigate the behavior of soil during suction installation. To comprehend the phenomena of soil plug heave during installation, a series of small-scale model tests were conducted with different testing conditions. From a series of tests, the effects of tip thickness of bucket, penetration rate, and self-weight were identified. Finally, soil properties inside the bucket after installation were approximated from the measured soil plug heave.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.28-36
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• 2019

The adhered mortars in recycled aggregate may lower the performance of the concrete, such as by reducing in strength and durability, and cracking. In the present study, the effects of nylon fiber (NF) on the mechanical and durable properties of 100% ordinary portland cement (OPC) and 50% ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) concretes incorporating recycled coarse aggregate (RA) were experimentally investigated. Concrete was produced by adding 0 and $0.6kg/m^3$ of NF and then cured in water for the predetermined period. Measurements of compressive and split tensile strength, water permeable pore and total charge passed through concrete were carried out, and the corresponding test results were compared with those of concrete incorporating crushed coarse aggregate (CA). In addition, the microstructures of 28-day concretes were observed by using SEM technique. Test results revealed that the RA concrete showed lower performance than CA concrete because of the adhered mortars in RA. However, it was obvious that the addition of NF in RA concrete was much effective in enhancing the performance of the concretes due to the bridge effect from NF. In particular, the application of NF2 (19 mm) exhibited a somewhat beneficial effect compared with concrete incorporating NF1 with respect to mechanical properties, especially for RA concrete.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.480-494
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• 2019

Aggregates of disease-causing proteins dysregulate cellular functions, thereby causing neuronal cell loss in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. Although many in vitro or in vivo studies of protein aggregate inhibitors have been performed, a therapeutic strategy to control aggregate toxicity has not been earnestly pursued, partly due to the limitations of available aggregate models. In this study, we established a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible nuclear aggregate (${\beta}23$) expression model to screen potential lead compounds inhibiting ${\beta}23$-induced toxicity. High-throughput screening identified several natural compounds as nuclear ${\beta}23$ inhibitors, including peucedanocoumarin III (PCIII). Interestingly, PCIII accelerates disaggregation and proteasomal clearance of both nuclear and cytosolic ${\beta}23$ aggregates and protects SH-SY5Y cells from toxicity induced by ${\beta}23$ expression. Of translational relevance, PCIII disassembled fibrils and enhanced clearance of cytosolic and nuclear protein aggregates in cellular models of huntingtin and ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation. Moreover, cellular toxicity was diminished with PCIII treatment for polyglutamine (PolyQ)-huntingtin expression and ${\alpha}$-synuclein expression in conjunction with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment. Importantly, PCIII not only inhibited ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation but also disaggregated preformed ${\alpha}$-synuclein fibrils in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that a Tet-Off ${\beta}23$ cell model could serve as a robust platform for screening effective lead compounds inhibiting nuclear or cytosolic protein aggregates. Brain-permeable PCIII or its derivatives could be beneficial for eliminating established protein aggregates.