• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2006

This is a short review article of our recent studies on the ATP-induced, allosteric conformational transition of the chaperonin GroEL complex by solution X-ray scattering. We used synchrotron X-ray scattering with a two-dimensional, charge-coupled, device-based X-ray detector to study (1) the specificity of the chaperonin GroEL for its ligand that induced the allosteric transition, and (2) the identification of the allosteric transition of GroEL in its complicated kinetics induced by ATP. Due to the dramatically increased sensitivity of the X-ray scattering technique based on the use of the two dimensional X-ray detector and synchrotron radiation, different allosteric conformational states of GroEL populated under different conditions were clearly distinguished from each other. It was concluded that solution X-ray scattering is an extremely powerful tool for investigating the equilibrium and kinetics of cooperative conformational transitions of oligomeric protein complex, especially when combined with other spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.218-222
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• 2005

Transferrin-conjugated liposomes ($T_f$-liposomes) were made and formulated with pCMVluc DNA to form a lipoplex. Among the various formulations studied, the $T_f$-liposome: pCMVluc DNA complex at a ratio of 5: 1 (wt/wt) showed the highest transfection efficiency, which was twice that of $Lipofectin^{TM}$ on HeLa cells. The maxi-mum tolerated dose (MTD) of this lipoplex formulation from a single intravenous injection was over 10 mg/kg in healthy ICR mice. The RT-PCR results showed that the highest level of luciferase mRNA was detected in the lungs, followed by the liver, spleen, heart and kidneys, after an intravenous injection into mice. Two weeks after the injection, the levels of luciferase mRNA decreased gradually in the liver, spleen, heart, and kidney, but not in the lungs. The micro-array study showed that the cancer-related genes, including the bcl 6 gene, were highly up-regulated by the treatment with $T_f$-liposome/ pCMVluc DNA complex on HeLa cells, indicating that there were possible interactions between the host chromosomal DNA and the $T_f$-liposome within the cells. The results obtained from this study are expected to be useful for designing a safe and efficient gene delivery system using transferrin-conjugated liposomes.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.538-543
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• 2009

In this study, methotrexate (MTX)-encapsulated polymeric micelles using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG)-grafted chitosan (ChitoPEG) copolymer were prepared. The MIX-incorporated polymeric micelles of ChitoPEG copolymer has a particle size of around 50-100 nm. In 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study, the specific peaks of MTX disappeared in heavy water ($D_2O$) and only the specific peak of MPEG was observed, while all of the peaks were confirmed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). These results indicated that MTX was complexed with chitosan and then formed an ion complex inner-core of the polymeric micelle in an aqueous environment. The drug contents of the polymeric micelle were around $4{\sim}12%$ and the loading efficiency of MTX in the polymeric micelles was higher than 60% (w/w) for all of the formulations. The cytotoxicity of MIX and MTX-incorporated polymeric micelle against CT26 tumor cells was not significantly changed.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.676-681
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• 2008

The $\pi$-complex membranes of poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) of two silver salts of $AgBF_4$ and $AgCF_3SO_3$ were prepared and tested for the separation of the propylene/propane mixtures. The Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of these complexes showed that the silver salts were dissolved in SEBS up to a silver mole fraction of 0.14, due to $\pi$-complexation between the aromatic C=C bonds of styrene blocks and silver ions. Above this solubility limit, ion pairs and high-order ionic aggregates began to form, so that silver salts were distributed unselectively in both the EB and PS blocks. The domain size of the PS blocks was enlarged up to this critical concentration with increasing silver concentration without structural transitions, as confirmed by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). These structural properties of the SEBS/silver salt complexes may explain the lower separation properties for propylene/propane mixtures compared to poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene)(SBS)/silver salt complex membranes.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2007

The reduction behavior of silver ions to silver nanoparticles is an important topic in polymer/silver salt complex membranes to facilitate olefin transport, as this has a significant effect on the long-term performance stability of the membrane. In this study, the effects ofthe solvent type on the formation of silver nanoparticles, as well as the long-term membrane performance of a solid polymer/silver salt complex membrane were investigated. These effects were assessed for solid complexes of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) $(PVP)/AgBF_4$, using either an ionic liquid (IL), acetonitrile (ACN) or water as the solvent for the membrane preparation. The membrane performance test showed that long-term stability was strongly dependent on the solvent type, which increased in the following order: IL > ACN >> water. The formation of silver nanoparticles was more favorable with the solvent type in the reverse order, as supported by UV-visible spectroscopy. The poor stability of the $(PVP)/AgBF_4$ membrane when water was used as the solvent might have been due to the small amount of water present in the silver-polymer complex membranes actively participating in the reduction reaction of the silver ions into silver nanoparticles. Conversely, the higher stability of the $(PVP)/AgBF_4$, membrane when an IL was used as the solvent was attributable to the cooperative coordination of silver ions with the IL, as well as with the polymer matrix, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.729-733
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• 2009

Solution casting films of sulfonated poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-r-butylene)-b-styrene] copolymer (sSEBS)-based composite membranes that contained different amounts of organic, nanorod-shaped polyrotaxane were annealed at various temperatures for 1 h. The films' properties were characterized with respect to their use as polymer electrolyte membranes in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Different aspect ratios of polyrotaxane were prepared using the inclusion-complex reaction between $\alpha$-cyclodextrin and poly(ethylene glycol). The presence of the organic polyrotaxane inside the membrane changed the morphology during the membrane preparation and reduced the transport of methanol. The conductivity and methanol permeability of the composite membranes decreased with increasing polyrotaxane content, while the annealing temperature increased. All of the sSEBS-based, polyrotaxane composite membranes annealed at $140^{\circ}C$ showed a higher selectivity parameter, suggesting their potential usage for DMFCs.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2006

Cast Nafion-based composite membranes containing different amounts of organic, nanorod-shaped polyrotaxane were prepared and characterized, with the aim of improving the properties of polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications. Polyrotaxane was prepared using the inclusion-complex reaction between ${\alpha}$-cyclodextrin and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of different molecular weights. The addition of polyrotaxane to Nafion changed the morphology and reduced the crystallinity. The conductivity of the composite membranes increased with increasing polyrotaxane content up to 5 wt%, but then decreased at higher polyrotaxane contents. Well-dispersed, organic polyrotaxane inside the membrane can provide a tortuous path for the transport of methanol, as the methanol permeability depends on the aspect ratio of polyrotaxane, which is controlled by the molecular weight of PEG. All of the Nafion-based, polyrotaxane composite membranes showed a higher selectivity parameter than the commercial Nafion films did.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2001

Vanadium yeast was prepared by uptaking vanadate in yeast cells. The growth rate of yeast cells was enhanced by 1-5% glucose. While the growth rate of yeast cells was not significantly affected by YEPD containing less than 1mM vanadate, it was completely inhibited by 2.5 mM vanadate. Vanadium uptake in yeast cells was increased with increasing vanadate concentration in growth medium. Vanadate (V) was reduced to vanadyl (IV) in yeast cells associating with macromolecular compounds in cells. Oral administration of vanadium yeast significantly reduced blood glucose levels of streptozotocin treated rats same as vanadate. Vanadate and vanadium yeast similarly increased glucose oxidation in isolated adipocytes. Therefore, it was suggested that vanadium yeast could have an antidiabetic activity potency similar to that of vanadate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.27-30
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• 2003

Casein, a milk protein is used in food, paper, leather and textile industries. The milk casein fiber was developed 1935 first. The strong point of milk casein fiber, the contraction is fewer the wool when washing and damage of harmful insect is smaller than wool.[1] But proteins are the major category of natural polymers that are difficult to be processed into fibrous forms. This is because of their complex macromolecular and three-dimensional structures as well as strong inter- and / or intra molecular forces.[2] (omitted)

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.506-513
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• 2005

We review the recent SAXS activity on the 1.5-GeV electron storage ring at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). Typical measurements featuring in grazing incident SAXS for soft materials are illustrated. Complex measurements using simultaneous SAXS/DSC and SAXSIWAXS for the correlations between the crystallization and mesoscale ordering in a polymer blend and a polypeptide-block-polypseudorotaxane diblock copolymer are presented. We also introduce a dedicated SAXS beamline which is planned at NSRRC.