• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.112-118
• /
• 2012

In this study, physical properties of synthesized DE7-OSA82-AO and DEP52-OSA82-AOQ82 zwitterionic surfactants were measured such as critical micelle concentration, surface tension, interfacial tension, contact angle and viscosity. Phase behavior study was also performed. The dual function characteristics of a zwitterionic surfactant were investigated by determining an isoelectric point, which was attained using zeta potential measurements and QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) experiments. The isoelectric point of DE7-OSA82-AO surfactant determined by the zeta potential measurement and QCM experiment was about 7.2 and 7.4, respectively. On the other hand, the isoelectric point of DEP52-OSA82-AOQ82 surfactant determined by the zeta potential measurement and QCM experiment was about 10.9 and 11.0, respectively. The frictional property measured using an automated mildness tester showed that DE7-OSA82-AO surfactant can provide a good softening effect at an acidic or neutral condition. On the other hand, DEP52-OSA82-AOQ82 was found to provide a good softening effect to a fabric surface at a pH below its isoelectric point of 11.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.238-246
• /
• 2005

We conducted this investigation to observe competitive adsorption phenomena among the heavy metals onto the available sorption sites of soil particle surfaces in sandy clay loam and clay soil collected from Nonsan city, Chungnam and Yoosung, Daejeon in Korea, respectively. Polluted and contaminated soils can often contain more than one heavy metal species, resulting in competition for available sorption sites among heavy metals in soils due to complex competitive ion exchange and specific sorption mechanism. And the adsorption characteristics of the heavy metals were reported that the selectivity for the sorption sites was closely related with electropotential and electro negativity carried by the heavy metals. The heavy metals were treated as single, binary and ternary systems as bulk solution phase. Adsorption in multi-element system was different from single-element system as Cr, Pb and Cd. The adsorption isotherms showed the adsorption was increased with increasing equilibrium concentrations. For binary and ternary systems, the amount of adsorption at the same equilibrium concentration was influenced by the concentration of individual ionic species and valence carried by the respective heavy metal. Also we found that the adsorption isotherms of Cd and Pb selected in this experiment were closely related with electronegativity and ionic potential regardless number of heavy metals in solution, while the adsorption of Cr carried higher valance and lower electro negativity than Cd and Pb was higher than those of Cd and Pb, indicating that adsorption of Cr was influenced by ionic potential than by electronegativity. Therefore adsorption in multi-element system could be influenced by electronegativity and ionic potential and valance for the same valance metals and different valance, respectively. But it still needs further investigation with respect to ionic strength and activity in multi-element system to verify sorption characteristics and reaction processes of Cr, especially for ternary system in soils.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.160-166
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of urea, a new potential diagnosis reagent of Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Considering the mechanism of urea breath test, we determined the excretion of urea in expired air after its oral administration in rats and beagle dogs at the dose of 2 mg/kg (including 50 mCi/mmol $^{14}C$-urea 50 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for rats and 13.5 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for dogs). Results: Urea was rapidly disappeared from the blood circulation by 1 hr after its i.v. bolus injection, followed by a slow disappearance by 24 hr. The half-lives at the distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\alpha}}$) and post-distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\beta}}$) were 2 min and 6 hr, respectively. The bioavailability of urea was 64.3% after its oral administration. The values of the volume of distribution ($V_{dss}$) and the total body clearance ($CL_t$) after the oral administration were compatible with those after i.v. administration. The recovery of urea in the bile was about 0.1% of the dose by 24 hr after its oral administration. Urea was extensively eliminated in the urine by 48 hr. The recovery ratios of urea in the urine and expired air were about 86.8% and 2.99% of the dose by 48 hr, respectively. Moreover, urea was mostly distributed from the blood circulation to the kidney, followed by being eliminated in the urine without metabolism. The concentration of urea in the kidney was 4.0 times higher than that of plasma at 40 min after its oral administration. Conclusions: These findings indicated that oral route appears to be available for the administration of urea. Orally administered urea, thus, was considered to be useful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2291-2295
• /
• 2014

Although nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) is essential for cell proliferation and early embryogenesis and expression has been observed in some types of human cancer and stem cells, the molecular mechanisms involved in mediation of cell proliferation and cell cycling remains largely elusive. The aim of the present study was to evaluate NS as a potential target for gene therapy of human breast carcinoma by investigating NS gene expression and its effects on SKBR-3 cell proliferation and apoptosis. NS mRNA and protein were both found to be highly expressed in all detected cancer cell lines. The apoptotic rate of the pcDNA3.1-NS-Silencer group ($12.1-15.4{\pm}3.8%$) was significantly higher than those of pcDNA3.1-NS ($7.2-12.0{\pm}1.7%$) and non-transfection groups ($4.1-6.5{\pm}1.8%$, P<0.01). MTT assays showed the knockdown of NS expression reduced the proliferation rate of SKBR-3 cells significantly. Matrigel invasion and wound healing assays indicated that the number of invading cells was significantly decreased in the pcDNA3.1-NS-siRNA group (P<0.01), but there were no significant difference between non-transfected and over-expression groups (P>0.05). Moreover, RNAi-mediated NS down-regulation induced SKBR-3 cell G1 phase arrest, inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted p53 pathway-mediated cell apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells. NS might thus be an important regulator in the G2/M check point of cell cycle, blocking SKBR-3 cell progression through the G1/S phase. On the whole, these results suggest NS might be a tumor suppressor and important therapeutic target in human cancers.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.63 no.6
• /
• pp.698-706
• /
• 2020

Objective : To study the physiochemical characteristics of podophyllotoxin (PPT) conjugated stearic acid grafted chitosan oligosaccharide micelle (PPT-CSO-SA), and evaluate the ability of the potential antineoplastic effects against glioma cells. Methods : PPT-CSO-SA was prepared by a dialysis method. The quality of PPT-CSO-SA including micellar size, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency and drug release profiles was evaluated. Glioma cells were cultured and treated with PPT and PPT-CSO-SA. The ability of glioma cells to uptake PPT-CSO-SA was observed. The proliferation of glioma cells was determined by 3-[4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis and morphology of U251 cells were observed by 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) dye staining. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. The migration ability of U251 cells was determined by wound healing test. Results : PPT-CSO-SA had nano-level particle size and sustained release property. The encapsulation efficiency of drug reached a high level. The cellular uptake percentage of PPT in glioma cells was lower than that of PPT-CSO-SA (p<0.05). The inhibitory effect of PPT-CSO-SA on glioma cells proliferation was significantly stronger than that of PPT (p<0.05). The morphologic change of apoptosis cell such as shrinkage, karyorrhexis and karyopyknosis were observed. The percentage of U251 cells in G2/M phase increased significantly in the PPT-CSO-SA group compared with PPT group (p<0.05). Compared with the PPT group, the cell migration ability of the PPT-CSO-SA group was significantly inhibited after 12 and 24 hours (p<0.05). Conclusion : PPT-CSO-SA can effectively enhance the glioma cellular uptake of drugs, inhibit glioma cells proliferation and migration, induce G2/M phase arrest of them, and promote their apoptosis. It may be a promising anti-glioma nano-drug.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.467-473
• /
• 2012

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural lipid cofactor with antioxidant and anti-aging properties as cosmetic and food ingredients, involved in cellular energy metabolism. Here, nano-emulsions with CoQ10 were fabricated with lecithin, ethanol, oil, and sorbitan monostearate (Arlacel 60), as major components. Phase inversion emulsion method with ultrasonicator was utilized in producing CoQ10 solution, and stabilization effects from lecithin and ethanol and other diverse perturbation factors were evaluated over time. Physical properties of the emulsion were characterized such as its size, surface charges by zeta-potential, and the overall structures. Optimal concentrations of CoQ10 and Arlacel 60 were 0.8% and 3%, respectively, for producing the smallest sizes of nanoemersions in a 100 nm diameter with best morphology. No notable changes in the size were observed over 7 days from Ostwald ripening, when the concentration of Arlacel 60 was higher than 2%. Even after 270 days at room temperature, the size of nanoemulsions maintained as 115 nm in diameter, revealing only a 10% increase with high degrees of long termed stability and substantiality. In addition, changes in the surface potential occurred possible due to the flocculation effect on the nanoparticles.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.506-512
• /
• 2017

The transfer reaction characteristics of tetracycline (TC) across a polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) interface was studied via controlling both pH and ionic strength of the aqueous phase in conjunction with cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries. Formal transfer potential values of differently charged TC ionic species at the water/1,2-DCE interface were measured as a function of pH values of the aqueous solution, which led to establishing an ionic partition diagram for TC. As a result, we could identify which TC ionic species are more dominant in the aqueous or organic phase. Thermodynamic properties including the formal transfer potential, partition coefficient and Gibbs transfer energy of TC ionic species at the water/1,2-DCE interface were also estimated. In order to construct an electrochemical sensor for TC, a single microhole supported water/polyvinylchloride-2-nitrophenyloctylether (PVC-NPOE) gel interface was fabricated. A well-defined voltammetric response associated with the TC ion transfer process was achieved at pH 4.0 similar to that of using the water/1,2-DCE interface. Also the measured current increased proportionally with respect to the TC concentration. A $5{\mu}M$ of TC in pH 4.0 buffer solution with a dynamic range from $5{\mu}M$ to $30{\mu}M$ TC concentration could be analyzed when using differential pulse stripping voltammetry.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.10-18
• /
• 2018

The primary purposes of this study are to understand a fundamental aspect of current uniformity around a reinforcing bar (rebar) in cement mortar, and to develop an accurate monitoring method in a wet-dry cycling process with the alternative current (AC) impedance method. Three cement mortar specimens with two embedded rebars were prepared in the laboratory. As a main variable, the distance between two rebars was designed to be 10, 20 and 30 mm with the same thickness of 20 mm. To simulate the corrosion of rebars in concrete structures in a marine environment, three cement mortar specimens were exposed to 15 wet-drying cycles (24-hour-immersion in seawater and 48-hour-drying in a room temperature) in the laboratory. It was observed that the potential level shifted to a noble value during corrosion potential monitoring, which is attributed to acceleration of dissolved oxygen diffusion at the drying process. AC impedance was measured in a frequency range from 100 kHz to 1 mHz on a wet-drying process. A theoretical model was proposed to explain the interface condition between the rebars and cement mortar by using the equivalent circuit consisting of a solution resistance, a charge transfer resistance and a CPE (constant phase element). It was observed that the diffusion impedance appeared in a low frequency range as corrosion of rebars progresses. At the drying stage of the wet-drying cycles, the currents line for monitoring tended to be non-uniform at the interface of rebar/mortar, being phase shift, ${\theta}$, close to $-45^{\circ}$.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.306-321
• /
• 1972

Molecular reorientation in (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$, has been studied by cold neutron scattering. For T=300$^{\circ}$K data, the isolated quasielastic spectra and form-factors at various scattering angles are compared with four reorientational models based on SKOLD theory. Front these, it is concluded that the NH$_4$ions are performing either 3-fold four axes or 2-fold three axes reorientation with $\tau$$_{c}$=2.0$\times$10$^{-11}$ sec. The temperature dependence of f. is studied over 100$^{\circ}$K-413$^{\circ}$K and for the high-temperature phase, the widths of composite spectra are compared with the results from NMR relaxation measurements. All the results have shown that the neutron scattering method is capable of giving detalis of the reorientational modes in solids and therefore some discussions are given on the application of this method. A study of the form-factor is applied for NH$_4$I (Phase I) by comparing the measurement with the calculation based on free rotation approximation and proposed a reorientation model of NH$_4$ ions in the octahedral potential cage with $\tau$$_{c}$$\leq$10$^{-12}$ sec. Also a brief theoretical prediction for the effect of reorientational motions on the inelastic spectrum is discussed.sed.