• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.867-872
• /
• 2011

For the prolonged delivery and sustained release rates of low molecular weight drugs, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles containing the drug SKL-2020 have been investigated. On increasing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration (from 0.2% to 5%), the size of microparticles decreased (from $48.02{\mu}m$ to $10.63{\mu}m$) and more uniform size distribution was noticeable due to the powerful emulsifying ability of PVA. A higher drug loading (from 5% to 20%) caused a larger concentration gradient between 2 phases at the polymer precipitation step; this resulted in decreased encapsulation efficiency (from 34.19% to 25.67%) and a greater initial burst (from 61.71% to 70.05%). SKL-2020-loaded PLGA microparticles prepared with different fabrication conditions exhibited unique release patterns of SKL-2020. High PVA concentration and high drug loading led to an initial burst effect by rapid drug diffusion through the polymer matrix. Since PLGA microparticles enabled the slow release of SKL-2020 over 1 week in vitro and in vivo, more convenient and comfortable treatment could be facilitated with less frequent administration. It is feasible to design a release profile by mixing microparticles that were prepared with different fabrication conditions. By this method, the initial burst could be repressed properly and drug release rate could decrease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2005

The $Ca^{2+}-activated$ chloride channel (CLCA) was activated by ginseng total saponin (GTS) in Xenopus oocytes. The reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) method was performed with gene specific primers on oocytes. The gene specific primers were deduced from spleen cDNA in expressed sequence tags (EST) database showing high homology to the mouse CLCA. Full length of cDNA sequence was completed by linkage of several 5' and 3'-half cDNA fragments have been sequenced. We named the full cDNA to oCLCA transiently. The oCLCA gene encodes a protein of 911 amino acids with $48.9\%$ identity overall to that of mouse CLCA (mCLCA4). A predicted oCLCA amino acids sequence shows the molecular weight of 108 kDa and has four or more transmembrane domains, and also the one hydrophobic C­terminal domain. oCLCA gene was expressed ubiquitously in various tissues included oocytes, also interfered in oocytes by siRNA for oCLCA. Here, we suggest that oCLCA is a endogenous chloride channel gene in oocytes. We are studying for the identification of oCLCA gene and further physiological research.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.147-155
• /
• 1999

Waxes compounded into rubber migrate to the surface and form a protection film on the rubber surface. In general, antiozonants were used with wax to protect ozonation of rubber. Influence of wax barrier formed on the surface of a rubber vulcanizate on migration of antiozonants was studied using natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates containing various type waxes. IPPD (N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine), HPPD (N-l,3-dimethylbutyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine), SBPPD (N,N'-di(sec-butyl)-p-phenylenediamine), and DMPPD (N,N'-di(1,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine) were employed as antiozonants. Migration experiments were performed at constant temperatures of 60 and $80^{\circ}C$ for 10, 20, 30 days using a convection oven. The migration rates of the antiozonants in the vulcanizate without wax are faster than those in the vulcanizates containing waxes. The antiozonants migrate slower in the vulcanizate containing wax with a high molecular weight distribution than in the vulcanizate with a low one. The migration rates of DMPPD and SBPPD are faster than those of HPPD and IPPD.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.673-679
• /
• 2011

Bimodal high-density polyethylenes with different comonomer type and content were synthesized by polymerization of ethylene using Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Their structure and properties were studied using GPC, NMR, DSC and tensile test. It was found that ethylene/1-hexene copolymer exhibits higher tensile strength and elongation at break than that of ethylene/1-butylene copolymer with similar comonomer content. The molecular weight decreases as the comonomer content of the polymer increases. Short chain branching affects the crystallinity and thus the morphology and consequently the mechanical properties of the corresponding bimodal high-density polyethylenes. After SSA treated, the multiple endothermic peaks were observed. Multiple endothermic peaks are mainly attributed to the heterogeneity of ethylene sequence length and lamellar thickness. The difference of broadness index indicates that SCB distribution of polyethylene containing higher comonomer content has improved uniformity.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.247-254
• /
• 2014

In this work, thermal treatment accompanied with different acid treatments was applied to a commercial coal tar pitch (CTP) to obtain a spinnable precursor pitch for carbon fiber. In the case of thermal treatment only, a relatively high reaction temperature of between $380^{\circ}C$ and $400^{\circ}C$ was required to obtain a softening point (SP) range of $220^{\circ}C-260^{\circ}C$ and many meso-phase particles were created during the application of high reaction temperature. When nitric acid or sulfuric acid treatment was conducted before the thermal treatment, the precursor pitch with a proper SP range could be obtained at reaction temperatures of $280^{\circ}C-300^{\circ}C$, which were about $100^{\circ}C$ lower than those for the case of thermal treatment only. With the acid treatments, the yield and SP of the precursor pitch increased dramatically and the formation of meso-phase was suppressed due to the lower reaction temperatures. Since the precursor pitches with acid and thermal treatment were not spinnable due to the inhomogeneity of properties such as molecular weight distribution and viscosity, the CTP was mixed with ethanol before the consecutive nitric acid and thermal treatments. The precursor pitches with ethanol, nitric acid, and thermal treatments were easily spinnable, and their spinning and carbon fiber properties were compared to those of air blowing and thermal treated CTP.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2000.11a
• /
• pp.48-51
• /
• 2000

The poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthase of Ralstonia. eutropha, which was produced by a recombinant strain E. coli and purified in one-step with a methyl-HIC column to a purity of more than 90%, was used to polymerize 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA (3HPCoA) and to copolymerize 3HPCoA with 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA (3HBCoA) in vitro. A $K_m$ of $189\;{\mu}M$ and a $k_{cat}$ of $10\;sec^{-1}$ were determined for the activity of the enzyme in the polymerization reaction of 3HPCoA based on the assumption that the dimer form of PHB synthase was the active form. Free coenzyme A was found to be a very effective competitive inhibitor for the polymerization of 3HPCoA with a $K_i$ of $85\;{\mu}M$. The maximum degree of conversion of 3HPCoA to polymer was less than 40 %. In the simultaneous copolymerization reactions of these two monomers, both the turnover number for the copolymerization reaction and the maximum degree of conversion of 3HPCoA and 3HBCoA to copolymers increased with an increase in the amount of 3HBCoA in the monomer mixture. However, the maximum conversion of 3HPCoA to a copolymer was less than 35 % regardless of the ratio of 3HPCoA to 3HBCoA. Block copolymers were obtained by the sequential copolymerization of the two monomers and these copolymers had a much narrower molecular weight distribution than those obtained by the simultaneous copolymerization of the same molar ratio of 3HPCoA and 3HBCoA.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.287-298
• /
• 2000

In preparing micron-sized monodisperse polystyrene beads by dispersion polymerization, the conversion, and the particle size and its distribution were affected by the reaction temperature, concentration of the monomer, solvent and initiator, molecular weight and concentration of the steric stabilizer, amount of oxygen existing in the reactor, and an appropriate combination of these starting materials. Ethanol as a dispersing agent, styrene as a monomer, PVP as a steric stabilizer, AIBN as an initiator, DVB as a cross-linking agent and toluene as a co-solvent were the basic materials for the synthesis. The reaction rate and the conversion were increased with the reaction temperature and the amount of DVB from 1 to 4%, and the conversion was saturated after 10 hours of the reaction time. The optimum reaction recipe for the preparation of the monodisperse PS beads was 25% styrene monomer, 0.5% DVB, 25% toluene, 10-15% PVP, and 2 and 4% AIBN, thereby, 3.9~4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and 3.4~9.3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ of polystyrene beads, respectively, were successfully synthesized.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.705-712
• /
• 2008

Sweet potato starch was modified using Thermus aquaticus $\alpha$-1,4-glucanotransferase ($Ta{\alpha}GT$), and its structural and rheological properties were investigated. $Ta{\alpha}GT$-modified starch had a lower amylose level and molecular weight than raw starch. The chain length distribution showed an increased number of short and long branched chains and the formation of cycloamyloses. Compared with raw starch, $Ta{\alpha}GT$-modified starch displayed a lower gelatinization enthalpy and a wider melting temperature range. The X-ray diffraction of $Ta{\alpha}GT$-modified starch was a weak V-type pattern with distinct sharp peaks at 13 and $20^{\circ}$. Scanning electron micrographs of modified starch exhibited big holes on the surface and the loss of granular structure. The frequency sweep measurement revealed that the gel of $Ta{\alpha}GT$-modified starch was more rigid than raw starch gel. However, the structure of modified starch gel was destroyed by heating at $75^{\circ}C$, and a firm gel was re-formed by subsequent storage at $5^{\circ}C$, indicating thermoreversible property.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2022

To assess the feasibility of silk sericin for non-textile application, the storage stability and biological safety of sericin were examined. It was extracted at 37℃, 70℃, 100℃, and 121℃ for 1, 3, and 5 h to elucidate the effect of extraction condition on the stability and safety of silk sericin. The solubility was increased till approximately 26% with extraction temperature of 121℃ for 1 h. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the molecular weight distribution depended on the extraction conditions. Extracted sericin displayed typical UV absorption bands upon spectrometric analysis. To examine the reproducibility of its obtained conformation, sericin was extracted thrice and its circular dichroism (CD) spectra was measured each time. Most CD spectra showed reproducibility regardless of temperature and time except under 100℃ extraction condition. The diversity of CD spectrum showed gradual reduction and was finally coincident with extraction time from 1 to 5 h. Notably, sericin has a negative peak of approximately 200 nm attributed to random coil conformation, regardless of extraction condition. However, at the 100℃ extraction condition, sericin showed both bands to be negative bands of approximately 200 and 220 nm, respectively. Sericin was centrifuged to determine the stability of storage conditions. The sericin extracted at 100℃ and 121℃ for 1 h was found to form gel rapidly within 1 h, but at 121℃ condition, the gel fraction was approximately 20% within 1 h which retained its phase regardless of storage time. The gel fraction of sericin extracted at 100℃ for 5 h increased with time, however at the 121℃ for 5 h condition, the gel fraction was measured to be less than 10% regardless of increase in storage time. Petriflim^TM AC plates test showed that sericin was safe from aerobic bacteria activity by extraction under high temperature.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.35
• /
• pp.53.1-53.15
• /
• 2023

Background: Plastics are high-molecular-weight materials composed of long carbon chains. They are prevalent in daily life, present in various items such as food containers and microwavable packaging. Phthalates, an additive used to enhance their flexibility, are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We utilized the data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3, representing the general South Korean population, to investigate the relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and phthalate exposure. Methods: We assessed 3,333 adult participants (aged ≥ 19 years) including 1,526 men and 1,807 women, using data from KoNEHS cycle 3. Using the 75th percentile concentration, urine phthalate metabolites were categorized into high and low-concentration groups. χ² test was conducted to analyze variations in the distribution of each variable, considering sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, food intake, the use of plastics, and the concentration of urine phthalate metabolites as the variables. To calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the high-concentration group of urine phthalate metabolites based on the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: In men, the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage had significantly higher adjusted ORs compared to those using the others. The adjusted ORs were calculated as follows: mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) had an OR of 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.72), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) had an OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16-1.88), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) had an OR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04-1.66), ∑di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (∑DEHP) had an OR of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08-1.74) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had an OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.13-1.84). Conclusion: The concentrations of urine phthalate metabolites (MEHHP, MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, and MnBP) were significantly higher in men who used plastics in refrigerator food storage compared to those using the others.