• Title/Summary/Keyword: gel materials

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Mechanism of Action of Nigella sativa on Human Colon Cancer Cells: the Suppression of AP-1 and NF-κB Transcription Factors and the Induction of Cytoprotective Genes

  • Elkady, Ayman I;Hussein, Rania A;El-Assouli, Sufian M
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.17
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    • pp.7943-7957
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    • 2015
  • Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth-suppression potentiality of a crude saponin extract (CSENS) prepared from medicinal herb, Nigella sativa, on human colon cancer cells, HCT116. Materials and Methods: HCT116 cells were subjected to increasing doses of CSENS for 24, 48 and 72 h, and then harvested and assayed for cell viability by WST-1. Flow cytometry analyses, cell death detection ELISA, fluorescent stains (Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide), DNA laddering and comet assays were carried out to confirm the apoptogenic effects of CSENS. Luciferase reporter gene assays, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were performed to assess the impact of CAERS and CFEZO on the expression levels of key regulatory proteins in HCT116 cells. Results: The results demonstrated that CSENS inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry analyses, while CSENS-treated cells exhibited morphological hallmarks of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, irregularity in cellular shape, cellular detachment and chromatin condensation. Biochemical signs of apoptosis, such as DNA degradation, were observed by comet assay and gel electrophoresis. The pro-apoptotic effect of CSENS was caspase-3-independent and associated with increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. CSENS treatment down-regulated transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 proteins, associated with down-regulation of their target oncogenes, c-Myc, cyclin D1 and survivin. On the other hand, CSENS up-regulated transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of Nrf2 and expression of cytoprotective genes. In addition, CSENS modulated the expression levels of ERK1/2 MAPK, p53 and p21. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CSENS may be a valuable agent for treatment of colon cancer.

A Novel Heterozygous Mutation (F252Y) in Exon 7 of the IRF6 Gene is Associated with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas

  • Melath, Anil;Santhakumar, Gopi Krishnan;Madhavannair, Shyam Sunder;Nedumgottil, Binoy Mathews;Ramanathan, Arvind
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.11
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    • pp.6803-6806
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    • 2013
  • Background: Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) is a transcription factor with distinct and conserved DNA and protein binding domains. Mutations within the protein binding domain have been significantly observed in subjects with orofacial cleft relative to healthy controls. In addition, recent studies have identified loss of expression of IRF6 due to promoter hypermethylation in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Since mutational events occurring within the conserved domains are likely to affect the function of a protein, we investigated whether regions within the IRF6 gene that encodes for the conserved protein binding domain carried mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Total chromosomal DNA extracted from 32 post surgical OSCC tissue samples were amplified using intronic primers flanking the exon 7 of IRF6 gene, which encodes for the major region of protein binding domain. The PCR amplicons from all the samples were subsequently resolved in a 1.2% agarose gel, purified and subjected to direct sequencing to screen for mutations. Results: Sequencing analysis resulted in the identification of a mutation within exon 7 of IRF6 that occurred in heterozygous condition in 9% (3/32) of OSCC samples. The wild type codon TTC at position 252 coding for phenylalanine was found to be mutated to TAC that coded for tyrosine (F252Y). Conclusions: The present study identified for the first time a novel mutation within the conserved protein binding domain of IRF6 gene in tissue samples of subjects with OSCC.

Allelic Characterization of IGF2 and H19 Gene Polymorphisms in Molar Tissues

  • Piyamongkol, Wirawit;Suprasert, Prapaporn
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.9
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    • pp.4405-4408
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    • 2016
  • Background: To investigate the characteristics of allelic distribution of IGF2 and H19 gene polymorphisms in molar tissues compared to normal placentas. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine specimens of molar tissues as well as 100 control normal placental tissues, delivered on the same days, were collected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis was conducted to determine the allelic distribution. The ApaI polymorphism within exon 9 of IGF2 and the RsaI polymorphism within exon 5 of H19 were employed to identify the allelic distribution of the IGF2 and H19 genes, respectively. Then the data for these genes in the molar and normal placenta tissues were compared. Results: The allelic distribution of IGF2 genes found in molar tissue were 21 (42.9%) aa (undigested), 10 (20.4%) ab (heterozygous) and 18 (36.7%) bb (digested), while in normal placenta tissue the values were 22 (22%) aa, 51 (51%) ab, and 27 (27%) bb. The allelic distribution of H19 in molar tissues was 8 (16.2%) aa (undigested), 8 (16.3%) ab (heterozygous) and 33 (67.4%) bb (digested) and in normal placental tissue was 16 (16%) aa, 36 (36%) ab and 48 (48%) bb in normal placenta tissue. These results were significantly different with P values of 0.001 and 0.037 for the allelic distribution of IGF2 and H19, respectively. Conclusions: Molar tissues showed significant differences of allelic distribution of IGF2 and H19 from normal placenta tissues.

Research on the phenomenon of sick house syndrome and how to remove harmful gases (새집증후군 현상 및 유해가스 제거방안 연구)

  • Choe, Yoowha
    • The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.449-456
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    • 2020
  • When you move to a new home, or when you change the wallpaper or flooring of your home, office, etc., you can enjoy the joy of opening your new home with the sick house syndrome, such as the stinging smell and stinging eyes that may appear after the interior work. It is only a moment. Volatile organic compounds from building materials, adhesives, wallpaper, and paints used in new buildings or new furniture cause residents' health and discomfort in indoor life. These volatile organic compounds include benzene, toluene, acetone, and styrene, as well as the representative formaldehyde, and these substances are slowly released over a long period of time, causing acute or chronic diseases to residents. As a method for removing organic volatile substances, physical methods using adsorption, chemical methods for converting volatile substances to other substances, or a mixture of the two are mainly used. In this paper, a sustained release chlorine dioxide gel pack obtained by a method for controlling the reaction rate of a reactant and the release of a product is mixed with a zeolite adsorbent having an optimized hole diameter to adsorb and decompose and remove formaldehyde suspended in the air. I would suggest an effective method.

Synthesis and Characterization of Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomers based on Carboxylated GAP Copolymers

  • Lim, Minkyung;Jang, Yoorim;Kweon, Jeong-Ohk;Seol, Yang-Ho;Rhee, Hakjune;Noh, Si-Tae
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.284-290
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    • 2020
  • Energetic thermoplastic elastomers (ETPEs) based on glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and carboxylated GA copolymers [GAP-ETPE and poly(GA-carboxylate)-ETPEs] were synthesized using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL), 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), and soft segment oligomers such as GAP and poly(GA-carboxylate). The synthesized GAP-ETPE and poly(GA-carboxylate)-ETPEs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), universal testing machine (UTM), calorimetry and sensitivity towards friction and impact. DSC and TGA results showed that the introduction of carboxylate group in GAP helped to have better thermal properties. Glass transition temperatures of poly(GA-carboxylate)-ETPEs decreased from -31 ℃ to -33 ℃ compared to that of GAP-ETPE (-29 ℃). The first thermal decomposition temperature in poly(GA0.8-octanoate0.2)-ETPE (242 ℃) increased in comparison to that of GAP-ETPE (227 ℃). Furthermore, from calorimetry data, poly(GA-carboxylate)-ETPEs exhibited negative formation enthalpies (-6.94 and -7.21 kJ/g) and higher heats of combustion (46713 and 46587 kJ/mol) compared to that of GAP-ETPE (42,262 kJ/mol). Overall, poly(GA-carboxylate)-ETPEs could be good candidates for a polymeric binder in solid propellant due to better energetic, mechanical and thermal properties in comparison to those of GAP-ETPE. Such properties are beneficial to application and processing of ETPE.

Characteristics of DOC Removal by Coagulation Process in the Water Treatment of Nakdong River (낙동강 수계에 대한 정수처리공정에서 응집공정의 DOC 제거 특성)

  • Hwang, Deok-Heung;Kim, Dong-Young
    • Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.66-73
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    • 1999
  • This study was carried out to derive the removal characteristics of target materials(DOC and turbidity) during the coagulation process after the injection of coagulants(PACl and FeCl3). Used apparatus were a jar test and a pilot plant. A great portion of DOC among the total removed DOC was achieved at the slow mixing process among the coagulation process. The ranges of removed DOC and optimum pH for each coagulant were 0.45~1.47mg/l and 6.0~6.5 by PACl, and 0.97~2.61mg/l. and 5.0~5.5 by FeCl3, respectively. Both of coagulants showed little increase of DOC removal above coagulant dosage 20mg/l Molecular weight distribution(MWD) of removed DOC was measured by get filtration(GF) technique. The MWD variation by gel filtrationin(GF) for removed DOC in the coagulation process were as follows; for raw water, the percentages of each MWD for total area were < MW 6,500 25.5%, MW 6,500~66,000 67.1%, and > MW 66,000 7.4%. For the same coagulant dosage(12mg/l), the percentages of each MWD for total area by PACl were < MW 6,500 20.5%, MW 6,500~66,000 48.7%, and > MW 66,000 9.1%, and those of FeCl3 were MW 66,000 18.2%. For each coagulant, the removal percentage of MW 6,500~66,000 occurred a little, but at a part of

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SnO2-Coated 3D Etched Cu Foam for Lithium-ion Battery Anode

  • Um, Ji Hyun;Kim, Hyunwoo;Cho, Yong-Hun;Yoon, Won-Sub
    • Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.92-98
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    • 2020
  • SnO2-based high-capacity anode materials are attractive candidate for the next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries since the theoretical capacity of SnO2 can be ideally extended from 781 to 1494 mAh g-1. Here 3D etched Cu foam is applied as a current collector for electron path and simultaneously a substrate for the SnO2 coating, for developing an integrated electrode structure. We fabricate the 3D etched Cu foam through an auto-catalytic electroless plating method, and then coat the SnO2 onto the self-supporting substrate through a simple sol-gel method. The catalytic dissolution of Cu metal makes secondary pores of both several micrometers and several tens of micrometers at the surface of Cu foam strut, besides main channel-like interconnected pores. Especially, the additional surface pores on etched Cu foam are intended for penetrating the individual strut of Cu foam, and thereby increasing the surface area for SnO2 coating by using even the internal of Cu foam. The increased areal capacity with high structural integrity upon cycling is demonstrated in the SnO2-coated 3D etched Cu foam. This study not only prepares the etched Cu foam using the spontaneous chemical reactions but also demonstrates the potential for electroless plating method about surface modification on various metal substrates.

Separation and Purification of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Goat's Milk Casein Hydrolysates

  • Lee, K.J.;Kim, S.B.;Ryu, J.S.;Shin, H.S.;Lim, J.W.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.18 no.5
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    • pp.741-746
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    • 2005
  • To investigate the basic information and the possibility of ACE-inhibitory peptides for antihypertension materials, goat's caisin (CN) was hydrolyzed by various proteolytic enzymes and ACE-inhibitory peptides were separated and purified. ACE-inhibition ratios of enzymatic hydrolysates of goat's CN and various characteristics of ACE-inhibitory peptides were determined. ACE-inhibition ratios of goat's CN hydrolysates were shown the highest with 87.84% by pepsin for 48 h. By Sephadex G-25 gel chromatograms, Fraction 3 from goat's CN hydrolysates by pepsin for 48 h was confirmed the highest ACE-inhibition activity. Fraction 3 g and Fraction 3 gh from peptic hydrolysates by RP-HPLC to first and second purification were the highest in ACE-inhibition activity, respectively. The most abundant amino acid was leucine (18.83%) in Fraction 3 gh of ACE-inhibitory peptides after second purification. Amino acid sequence analysis of Fraction 3 gh of ACE-inhibitory peptides was shown that the Ala-Tyr-Phe-Tyr, Pro-Tyr-Tyr and Tyr-Leu. IC$_{50}$ calibrated in peptic hydrolysates at 48 h, Fraction 3, Fraction 3 g and Fraction 3 gh from goat's CN hydrolysates by pepsin for 48 h were 29.89, 3.07, 1.85 and 0.87 g/ml, respectively. Based on the results of this experiment, goat's CN hydrolysates by pepsin were shown to have ACE-inhibitory activity.

Effects of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Ceruloplasmin Oxidase, Copper and Several Markers of Oxidative Damage, in Children

  • Mehdi, Wesen Adel;Yusof, Faridah;Mehde, Atheer Awad;Zainulabdeen, Jwan Abdulmohsin;Raus, Raha Ahmed;Abdulbari, Alaa Shawqi
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.13
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    • pp.5205-5210
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    • 2015
  • Background: Acute leukaemia is characterized by fast growth of abnormal clones of haemopoietic precursor cells inside bone marrow leading to undue accumulation in the bone marrow. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of childhood cancer. Materials and Methods: The study concerned 50 children diagnosed with ALL (mean age, $8.55{\pm}2.54$) compared to 40 healthy controls (mean age, $8.00{\pm}1.85$). The Hb, serum copper, ceruloplasmin oxidase, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and protein were measured in all groups.One proteinous component was isolated by gel filtration chromatography from the precipitate produced by polyethylene glycol. Results: Significantly higher levels of AOPP, copper and decrease in total antioxidant activity were noted in the cases. Statistical analysis also showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in the activity of serum ceruloplasmin oxidase in patients with ALL compared to normal subjects .The maximum velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis constant had values of 104.2 U/L and 11.7 mM, respectively. The ${\Delta}H^*$ values for ceruloplasmin oxidase in ALL patients were positive, confirming the reaction to be endothermic. Conclusions: The results from this study showed a significant increase in AOPP, ceruloplasmine oxidase and decrease in total antioxidant activity .These parameters may play a role in development of DNA damage in childhood patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).The ${\Delta}S^*$ and ${\Delta}G^*$ values were negative, these refer that the reaction of ES formation is spontaneous, but needs energy in a so-called endergonic reaction. Also the negative ${\Delta}S^*$ value of ceruloplasmin oxidase indicates that the complex [$ES^*$] is further modulated through increasing structure arrangement.

Characterisation and Clinical Significance of FLT3-ITD and non-ITD in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Patients in Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

  • Yunus, Noraini Mat;Johan, Muhammad Farid;Al-Jamal, Hamid Ali Nagi;Husin, Azlan;Hussein, Abdul Rahim;Hassan, Rosline
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.12
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    • pp.4869-4872
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    • 2015
  • Background: Mutations of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) receptor gene may promote proliferation via activation of multiple signaling pathways. FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is the most common gene alteration found in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and has been associated with poor prognosis. Materials and Methods: We performed mutational analysis of exons 14-15 and 20 of the FLT3 gene in 54 AML patients using PCR-CSGE (conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis) followed by sequencing analysis to characterise FLT3 mutations in adult patients diagnosed with AML at Hospital USM, Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia. Results: FLT3 exon 14-15 mutations were identified in 7 of 54 patients (13%) whereas no mutation was found in FLT3 exon 20. Six ITDs and one non-ITD mutation were found in exon 14 of the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of FLT3. FLT3-ITD mutations were associated with a significantly higher blast percentage (p-value = 0.008) and white blood cell count (p-value = 0.023) but there was no significant difference in median overall survival time for FLT3-ITD+/FLT3-ITD- within 2 years (p-value = 0.374). Conclusions: The incidence of FLT3-ITD in AML patients in this particular region of Malaysia is low compared to the Western world and has a significant association with WBC and blast percentage.