• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 2014

Size controlled, $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ cathode powders were prepared by co-precipitation method followed by heat treatment at temperatures between 750 and $850^{\circ}C$. The synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical performance. The synthesized $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ after calcined at $750^{\circ}C$ has a good electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of $190mAhg^{-1}$ and good capacity retention of 100% after 30 cycles at 0.1C ($17mAg^{-1}$). The capacity retention of $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ after calcined at $750^{\circ}C$ is better than that at 800 and $850^{\circ}C$ without capacity loss at various high C rates. This is ascribed to the minimized cation disorder, a higher conductivity, and higher lithium ion diffusion coefficient ($D_{Li}$) observed in this material. In the differential scanning calorimetry DSC profile of the charged sample, the generation of heat by exothermic reaction was decreased by calcined at high temperature, and this decrease is especially at $850^{\circ}C$. This behavior implies that the high temperature calcinations of $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ prevent phase transitions with the release of oxygen.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.1486-1493
• /
• 2017

Doenjang is a traditional korean fermented soybean paste made from meju (fermented soybean), which are fermented by diverse microorganisms including Bacillus subtilis and molds such as Rizopus, Mucor, and Aspergillus species The purpose of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effect of the black soybean doenjang (Korean fermented soybean pastes) in C57BL/6 mice. The anti-obesity effect was determined by measuring the release of adiponectin, leptin and adipogenic transcription factors by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Weight gain was significantly reduced in the mice fed high fat diets (HFD) plus black soybean doenjang (HBD) compared to HFD mice. The HBD were also effective in improving the lipid profile. They significantly decreased the levels of serum triglyceride and cholesterol. In addition, they had a significantly down regulated impact on antiobesity factors; leptin level and increased adiponectin level. Also, mRNA and protein expression of two adipogenic transcription factors, SREBP-1c and $PPAR-{\gamma}$, in high fat with black soybean fed mice were markedly down regulated. These results indicate that the black soybean doenjang potentiates an anti-obesity effect by modulating lipid metabolism, thereby inhibiting adipogenic transcriptional activation.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.545-552
• /
• 2018

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a cytosolic non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase. Because SYK mediates key receptor signaling pathways involving the B cell receptor and Fc receptors, SYK is an attractive target for autoimmune disease and cancer treatments. To date, representative oral SYK inhibitors, including fostamatinib (R406 or R788), entospletinib (GS-9973), cerdulatinib (PRT062070), and TAK-659, have been assessed in clinical trials. Here, we report the crystal structures of SYK in complex with two newly developed inhibitors possessing 4-aminopyrido[4,3-D]pyrimidine moieties (SKI-G-618 and SKI-O-85). One SYK inhibitor (SKI-G-618) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against SYK, whereas the other inhibitor (SKI-O-85) exhibited a low inhibitory profile against SYK. Binding mode analysis indicates that a highly potent SYK inhibitor might be developed by modifying and optimizing the functional groups that interact with Leu377, Gly378, and Val385 in the G-loop and the nearby region in SYK. In agreement with our structural analysis, one of our SYK inhibitor (SKI-G-618) shows strong inhibitory activities on the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and phosphorylation of SYK/Vav in RBL-2H3 cells. Taken together, our findings have important implications for the design of high affinity SYK inhibitors.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.289-297
• /
• 2004

Acyclovir (ACV) is one of the most effective and selective agents against viruses of the herpes group. Because of low solubility, bioavailability of ACV has shown below 30% with oral dosage form. In our previous study, we reported that the fabrication of solid dispersion of ACV was possible and the solid dispersion of ACV and PVP was the most useful in all samples. In this study, we examined the effect of mixture ratio of polymers (PEG and PVP) to ACV. Solubility of ACV was dramatically increased up to 25 mg/ml in $80^{\circ}C$ distilled water. So water was used as a solvent to eliminate problem of residual solvent. Spray drying method was used for the solid dispersion of ACV as solvent extraction. Different scanning calorimeter was used to check degradation of drug. Polymer carriers were PEG 6,000 and PVP. In summary, ACV-PVP (1:3) showed the best solubility in distilled water.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.2187-2193
• /
• 2002

We present a novel method for 3D microfabrication with LIGA process that utilizes a deep X-ray mask in which a micro-actuator is integrated. The integrated micro-actuator oscillates the X-ray absorber, which is formed on the shuttle mass of the micro-actuator, during X-ray exposures to modify the absorbed dose profile in X-ray resist, typically PMMA. 3D PMMA microstructures according to the modulated dose contour are revealed after GG development. An X-ray mask with integrated comb drive actuator is fabricated using deep reactive ion etching, absorber electroplating, and bulk micromachining with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. 1mm $\times$ 1 mm, 20 $\mu$m thick silicon shuttle mass as a mask blank is supported by four 1 mm long suspension beams and is driven by the comb electrodes. A 10 $\mu$m thick, 50 $\mu$m line and spaced gold absorber pattern is electroplated on the shuttle mass before the release step. The fundamental frequency and amplitude are around 3.6 kHz and 20 $\mu$m, respectively, for a do bias of 100 V and an ac bias of 20 $V_{p-p}$ (peak-peak). Fabricated PMMA microstructure shows 15.4 $\mu$m deep, S-shaped cross section in the case of 1.6 kJ $cm^{-3}$ surface dose and GG development at 35$^{\circ}C$ for 40 minutes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.711-717
• /
• 2017

Startability and harmful emissions are the main issues in diesel engine development under cold conditions. The characteristics of combustion with multiple injection were investigated under cold start conditions. For quantitative analysis, the in-chamber pressure profile was measured and combustion visualization using direct imaging was accomplished. With multiple injection, the peak in-chamber pressure and heat release rate were increased compared to single injection. In addition, the period of flame luminosity detection was shortened using multiple injection. Combustion by main injection was improved with an increase in heat released by pilot combustion when the pilot injection quantity was increased. Finally, an increase in injection pressure also showed the possibility of combustion improvement. On the other hand, an increase of in the pilot injection quantity and injection pressure can cause an increase in harmful emissions, such as HC and CO due to wall wetting. Therefore, more sensitive calibration will be needed when applying a multiple injection strategy under cold start conditions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.1013-1021
• /
• 2020

A combination of simultaneous thermal analysis, evolved gas analysis and non-ambient XRD techniques was used to characterise and investigate the conversion reactions of ammonium uranates into uranium oxides. Two solid phases of the ternary system NH₃ - UO₃ - H₂O were synthesised under specified conditions. Microspheres prepared by the sol-gel method via internal gelation were identified as 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O, whereas the product of a typical ammonium diuranate precipitation reaction was associated to the composition 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O. The thermal decomposition profile of both compounds in air feature distinct reaction steps towards the conversion to U₃O₈, owing to the successive release of water and ammonia molecules. Both compounds are converted into α-U₃O₈ above 550 ℃, but the crystallographic transition occurs differently. In compound 3UO₃·NH₃·5H₂O (ADU) the transformation occurs via the crystalline β-UO₃ phase, whereas in compound 3UO₃·2NH₃·4H₂O (microspheres) an amorphous UO₃ intermediate was observed. The new insights obtained on these uranate systems improve the information base for designing and synthesising minor actinide-containing target materials in future applications.

• Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.71 no.6
• /
• pp.476-482
• /
• 2018

Background: Several types of receptors are found at neuromuscular presynaptic membranes. Presynaptic inhibitory $A_1$ and facilitatory $A_{2A}$ receptors mediate different modulatory functions on acetylcholine release. This study investigated whether adenosine $A_1$ receptor agonist contributes to the first twitch tension (T1) of train-of-four (TOF) stimulation depression and TOF fade during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, and sugammadex-induced recovery. Methods: Phrenic nerve-diaphragm tissues were obtained from 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Each tissue specimen was randomly allocated to either control group or 2-chloroadenosine (CADO, $10{\mu}M$) group. One hour of reaction time was allowed before initiating main experimental data collection. Loading and boost doses of rocuronium were sequentially administered until > 95% depression of the T1 was achieved. After confirming that there was no T1 twitch tension response, 15 min of resting time was allowed, after which sugammadex was administered. Recovery profiles (T1, TOF ratio [TOFR], and recovery index) were collected for 1 h and compared between groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences on amount of rocuronium (actually used during experiment), TOFR changes during concentration-response of rocuronium (P = 0.04), and recovery profiles (P < 0.01) of CADO group comparing with the control group. However, at the initial phase of this experiment, dose-response of rocuronium in each group demonstrated no statistically significant differences (P = 0.12). Conclusions: The adenosine $A_1$ receptor agonist (CADO) influenced the TOFR and the recovery profile. After activating adenosine receptor, sugammadex-induced recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block was delayed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2021

Air-water interfacial area is of great importance for the analysis of contaminant mass transfer processes occurring in the soil systems. Capillary bundle model has been proposed to estimate the specific air-water interfacial areas in unsaturated soils. In this study, the measured air-water interfacial areas of a soil (loam) using the gaseous interfacial tracer technique were compared to those from capillary bundle model. The measured values converged to the specific solid surface area (7.6×104 ㎠/㎤) of the soil. However, the simulated air-water interfacial areas based on the capillary bundle model deviated significantly from those measured. The simulated values were substantially over-estimated at low end of the water content range, whereas the model under-estimated the air-water interfacial area for the most of the water content range. This under-estimation is considered to be caused by the nature of the capillary bundle model that replaces the soil pores with a bundle of glass capillaries and thus no surface roughness at the inner surface of the capillaries is taken into account for the estimation of the air-water interfacial area with the capillary bundle model. Subsequently, appropriate correction is necessary for the capillary bundle model to estimate the air-water interfacial area in soils. Since the soil-moisture release curve data is the basis of the capillary bundle model, the model can be of use due to its simplicity, while the gaseous tracer technique requires complicated experimental equipment followed by moment analysis of the breakthrough curves. The size distribution profile of the pores filled with gas estimated by the water retention curve was found to be similar to that of particle size at different size range. The shifted distribution of gas-filled pores toward smaller size side compared to the particle size distribution was also found.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2012

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is the most important etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis and can interact with endothelial cells. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are chemokines, playing important roles in periodontal pathogenesis. In our current study, the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans on the production of MCP-1 and IL-8 by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated. A. actinomycetemcomitans strongly induced the gene expression and protein release of both MCP-1 and IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dead A. actinomycetemcomitans cells were as effective as live bacteria in this induction. Treatment of HUVEC with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of endocytosis, did not affect the mRNA up-regulation of MCP-1 and IL-8 by A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, substantially inhibited the MCP-1 and IL-8 production by A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas pharmacological inhibition of each of three members of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family had little effect. Furthermore, gel shift assays showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans induces a biphasic activation (early at 1-2 h and late at 8-16 h) of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and an early brief activation (0.5-2 h) of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activation of canonical NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase activation and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation) was also demonstrated in these experiments. Although lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans also induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, this activation profile over time differed from that of live A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 is potently increased by A. actinomycetemcomitans in endothelial cells, and that the viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans and bacterial internalization are not required for this effect, whereas the activation of protein tyrosine kinase(s), NF-${\kappa}B$, and AP-1 appears to play important roles. The secretion of high levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 resulting from interactions of A. actinomycetemcomitans with endothelial cells may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.