• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.97-109
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• 2015

A series of amphiphilic graft copolymers were synthesized by varying the number of graft chains and graft chain lengths. The polarity of the hydrophobic graft chain on the copolymers was varied their solution properties. The glass transition temperature of the copolymers was in the low-temperature region, because of the amorphous nature of poly (trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC). The surface morphology of the lyophilized colloid gel had a bundle structure, which was derived from the combination of poly(N-hydroxyethylacrylamide)( poly(HEAA)) and PTMC. The solution properties were evaluated using dynamic light scattering and fluorescence measurements. The particle size of the graft copolymers was about 30-300 nm. The graft copolymers with a higher number of repeating units attributed to the TMC (trimethylene carbonate) component and with a lower macromonomer ratio showed high thermal stability. The critical association concentration was estimated to be between $2.2{\times}10^{-3}$ and $8.9{\times}10^{-2}mg/mL$, using the pyrene-based fluorescence probe technique. These results showed that the hydrophobic chain of the graft copolymer having a long PTMC segment had a low polarity, dependent on the number of repeating units of TMC and the macromonomer composition ratio. These results demonstrated that a higher number of repeating units of TMC, with a lower macromonomer composition, was preferable for molecular encapsulation.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2005

High-speed melt spinning of syndiotactic polystyrene was carried out using high and low molecular weight poly­mers, HM s-PS and LM s-PS, at the throughput rates of 3 and 6 g/min. The effect of take-up velocity on the structure and properties of as-spun fibers was investigated. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns of the as-spun fibers revealed that the orientation-induced crystallization started to occur at the take-up velocities of 2-3 km/min. The crystal modification was a-form. Birefringence of as-spun fibers showed negative value, and the absolute value of birefringence increased with an increase in the take-up velocity. The cold crystallization temperature analyzed through the differential scanning calorimetry (OSC) decreased with an increase in the take-up velocity in the low speed region, whereas as the melting temperature increased after the on-set of orientation-induced crystallization. It was found that the fiber structure development proceeded from lower take-up velocities when the spinning conditions of higher molecular weight and lower throughput rate were adopted. The highest tensile modulus of 6.5 GPa was obtained for the fibers prepared at the spinning conditions of LM s-PS, 6 g/min and 5 km/min, whereas the highest tensile strength of 160 MPa was obtained for the HM s-PS fibers at the take-up velocity of 2 km/min. Elongation at break of as-spun fibers showed an abrupt increase, which was regarded as the brittle-duc­tile transition, in the low speed region, and subsequently decreased with an increase in the take-up velocity. There was a uni­versal relation between the thermal and mechanical properties of as-spun fibers and the birefringence of as-spun fibers when the fibers were still amorphous. The orientation-induced crystallization was found to start when the birefringence reached -0.02. After the starting of the orientation-induced crystallization, thermal and mechanical properties of as-spun fibers with similar level of birefringence varied significantly depending on the processing conditions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.521-527
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• 2009

Previously, we have reported tissue- and stage-specific expression of miR-372 in human embryonic stem cells and so far, not many reports speculate the function of this microRNA (miRNA). In this study, we screened various human cancer cell lines including gastric cancer cell lines and found first time that miR-372 is expressed only in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. Inhibition of miR-372 using antisense miR-372 oligonucleotide (AS-miR-372) suppressed proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, and increased apoptosis of AGS cells. Furthermore, AS-miR-372 treatment increased expression of LATS2, while over-expression of miR-372 decreased luciferase reporter activity driven by the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of LATS2 mRNA. Over-expression of LATS2 induced changes in AGS cells similar to those in AGS cells treated with AS-miR-372. Taken together, these findings demonstrate an oncogenic role for miR-372 in controlling cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis through down-regulation of a tumor suppressor gene, LATS2.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1515-1520
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• 2012

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene is important for regulation of growth and development in mammals. The present investigation was carried out to study DNA polymorphism by PCR-RFLP of IGFBP-3 gene and its effect on fibre traits of Chinese Inner Mongolian cashmere goats. The fibre traits data investigated were cashmere fibre diameter, combed cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and guard hair length. Four hundred and forty-four animals were used to detect polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene. A 316-bp fragment of the IGFBP-3 gene in exon 2 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.58, 0.33 and 0.09 respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.75 and 0.25 respectively. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C>G transition in the exon 2 region of the IGFBP-3 gene resulting in R158G change which caused the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect of genotypes on cashmere weight (p<0.0001), cashmere fibre length (p<0.001) and hair length (p<0.05) of the animals. The effect of genotypes on cashmere fibre diameter was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The animals of AB and BB genotypes showed higher cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and hair length than the animals possessing AA genotype. These results suggested that polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene might be a potential molecular marker for cashmere weight in cashmere goats.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2010

The effects of molecular weight (MW) and concentration on the rheological properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were investigated at $30^{\circ}C$. Ubbelohde viscometer and rotational rheometer were employed for dilute and concentrated regime, respectively. In the dilute regime, the Mark-Houwink exponent ($\alpha$) of the solutions determined from three different MWs proved 0.73. The critical concentration (C*), in which the entanglement and overlap of polymer molecules began to take place, decreased with increasing the MW of PVA. Huggins constant ($K_H$) values ranged from 0.33 to 0.45 over the MW examined. In the log-log plot of $\eta_{sp}$ versus [$\eta$]C, the PVA with higher degree of polymerization (DP) gave a greater slope exhibiting the inflection point in the vicinity of C*. In the dynamic viscosity ($\eta'$) curve, the PVA solutions of DP 1700 presented Newtonian fluid behavior over most of the frequency range examined. However, the lower Newtonian flow region reduced with increasing the DP. As the PVA concentration increased, $\eta'$ was increased and the onset shear rate for pseudoplasticity was decreased. In the Cole-Cole plot, PVA solutions showed almost a single master curve in a slope of ca. 1.65 regardless of the DP. However, the increase of the concentration from 8 to 12 wt% for PVA solutions of DP 5000 decreased the slope from 1.73 to 1.57. In the tan $\delta$ curve, the onset frequency for sol-gel transition was shifted from 154 to 92 rad/s with increasing the DP from 3300 to 5000 and from 192 to 46 rad/s with increasing the concentration from 8 to 12 wt%. In addition, longer relaxation time ($\lambda$) was observed with increasing the DP and concentration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5449-5454
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• 2014

Although genetic characteristics are considered to be a factor influencing the geographic variation in the prevalence of gallbladder cancer (GBC), they have not been well studied in Bolivia, which has a high prevalence rate of GBC. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of TP53 and K-ras mutations in Bolivian patients with GBC and to compare them with our previous data obtained in other high-GBC-prevalence countries, namely Japan, Chile, and Hungary. DNA was extracted from cancer sites in paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 patients using a microdissection technique. TP53 mutations at exons 5 to 8 and K-ras mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 were examined using direct sequencing techniques. The data obtained were compared with those in the other high-GBC-prevalence countries. Of the 36 patients, 18 (50.0%) had a TP53 mutation (one mutation in each of 17 patients and three mutations in one patient), and only one (2.8%) had a K-ras mutation. Of the 20 TP53 mutations, 12 were of the transition type (60.0%). This rate was significantly lower than that in Chile (12/12, P<0.05). In addition, three mutations were of the CpG transition type (15.0%), which is a feature of endogenous mutation. All three were found in the hot spot region of the TP53 gene. In contrast, G:C to T:A transversion was found in Bolivia, suggesting the presence of exogenous carcinogens. Our findings suggest that the development of GBC in Bolivia is associated with both exogenous carcinogens and endogenous mechanisms. The identification of an environmental risk factor for GBC is needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.250-254
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• 2023

In this study, Li₂O-BaO-Ga₂O₃-TeO₂-TiO₂-GeO₂ glasses with high transmittance in mid-infrared region and high refractive indices were successfully synthesized. The relationship between glass properties and glass composition was analyzed. In Li₂O-BaO-Ga₂O₃-TeO₂-TiO₂-GeO₂ glass system, as increasing TeO₂ concentration, the refractive index increases and the glass transition temperature decreases. In addition, as increasing BaO concentration, the refractive index increases without decrease of Abbe number. The IR-cut off wavelength shifted to the longer wavelength with increasing TeO₂ and BaO contents due to their large molecular weight. The glass transition temperature significantly decreases when BaO was replaced with Li₂O.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1256-1264
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• 2016

Adrenergic, alpha-1B-, receptor (ADRA1B) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 beta (PPARGC1B) genes are involved in regulation of hen ovarian development. In this study, these two genes were investigated as possible molecular markers associated with hen-housed egg production, egg weight (EW) and body weight in Chinese Dagu hens. Samples were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique, followed by sequencing analysis. Two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within the candidate genes. Among them, an A/G transition at base position 1915 in exon 2 of ADRA1B gene and a T/C mutation at base position 6146 in the 3'- untranslated region (UTR) of PPARGC1B gene were found to be polymorphic and named SNP A1915G and T6146C, respectively. The SNP A1915G (ADRA1B) leads to a non-synonymous substitution (aspartic acid 489-to-glycine). The 360 birds from the Dagu population were divided into genotypes AA and AG, allele A was found to be present at a higher frequency. Furthermore, the AG genotype correlated with significantly higher hen-housed egg production (HHEP) at 30, 43, 57, and 66 wks of age and with a higher EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). For the SNP T6146C (PPARGC1B), the hens were typed into TT and TC genotypes, with the T allele shown to be dominant. The TC genotype was also markedly correlated with higher HHEP at 57 and 66 wks of age and EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). Moreover, four haplotypes were reconstructed based on these two SNPs, with the AGTC haplotype found to be associated with the highest HHEP at 30 to 66 wks of age and with higher EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). Collectively, the two SNPs identified in this study might be used as potential genetic molecular markers favorable in the improvement of egg productivity in chicken breeding.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.737-743
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• 2000

Polyquinonediimines (PQDI) which have stable structure on heat and contains mono-azobenzene in the side chain were synthesized by means of condensation polymerization under TiCl$_4$. The synthesized monomers and polymers were identified by FT-IR, $^1$H-NMR, and elementary analysis. Especially, PQDI was comfirmed by the double-bonding peak of >C=N appeared near 1625 $cm^{-1}$ / by means of FT-IR spectrum. PQDI containing mono-azobenzene group in both side chains wat not soluble in non-polar solvents at all but partially soluble in the polar solvents having small dielectric constant, and dissolved in the strong acid such as sulfuric acid and $CH_3$SO$_3$H. Molecular weight distribution of PQDI measured by GPC showed 1.74. It was confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis that the polymer was partially crystalline at the low angle region, but amorphous after heat treatment at 1$25^{\circ}C$. The glass transition temperature (T$_{g}$ ) of synthesized polymer was measured as 1$25^{\circ}C$ by differential scanning calorimetry. The SHG value for $\chi$$^{(2)}$ after poling at 1$25^{\circ}C$ was 8.6 pm/V (λ=1.542 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). The SHG value slowly decreased with time from the start but appeared temporal stability after 100 hours.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.121-121
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• 2010

ZnO is a promising material for the application of high efficiency light emitting diodes with short wavelength region for its large bandgap energy of 3.37 eV which is similar to GaN (3.39 eV) at room temperature. The large exciton binding energy of 60 meV in ZnO provide provides higher efficiency of emission for optoelectronic device applications. Several ZnO/ZnMgO multiple quantum well (MQW) structures have been grown on various substrates such as sapphire, GaN, Si, and so on. However, the achievement of high quality ZnO/ZnMgO MQW structures has been somehow limited by the use of lattice-mismatched substrates. Therefore, we propose the optical properties of ZnO/ZnMgO multiple quantum well (MQW) structures with different well widths grown on lattice-matched ZnO substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show MQW emissions at 3.387 and 3.369 eV for the ZnO/ZnMgO MQW samples with well widths of 2 and 5 nm, respectively, due to the quantum confinement effect. Time-resolved PL results show an efficient photo-generated carrier transfer from the barrier to the MQWs, which leads to an increased intensity ratio of the well to barrier emissions for the ZnO/ZnMgO MQW sample with the wider width. From the power-dependent PL spectra, we observed no PL peak shift of MQW emission in both samples, indicating a negligible built-in electric field effect in the ZnO/$Zn_{0.9}Mg_{0.1}O$ MQWs grown on lattice-matched ZnO substrates.