• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.493-498
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• 2000

Aquifex pyrophilus, a hyperthermophilic bacterium, has a serine-type protease that is located at the cell wall fraction with a mature size of 43 kDa. Molecular cloning of the protease gene revealed that it has an ORF of 619 amino acids with homologous catalytic site of serine-type proteases [Choi, I.-G., Bang, W.-K., Kim, S.-H., Yu, G. Y., J. Biol. Chem. (1999), Vol. 274, pp. 881-888]. Constructs containing different regions of the protease gene, including a alanine-substituted mutant at the active site serine, were constructed, and the factors affecting the expression level of the cloned protease gene in E. coli were examined. The presence of the C-terminus hydrophobic region of the protease hindered over-expression in E. coli. Also, the proteolytic activity of the expressed protein appeared to toxic to E. coli. An inactive form that deleted both of the N-terminal signal sequence and the C-terminal polar residues was over-expressed in a soluble form, purified to homogeneity, and its thermostability examined. The purified protein showed three disulfide bonds and three free sulfhydryl group. The thermal denaturation temperature of the protein was measured around $90^{\circ}C$ using a differential scanning calorimeter and circular dichroism spectrometry. The disulfide bonds were hardly reduced in the presence of reducing agents, suggesting that these disulfide bonds were located inside of the protein surface.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 1985

Dioxobis(3-methoxysalicyaldehydato)molybdeum(VI) complex has been synthesized by reactions of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and ammonium paramolybdate in methanol solution. With appropriate primary amine, the resulting complex gave schiff-base complexes, MoO$_2$(CH$_3$O-sal-N-R)$_2$ in which C=O oxide ligands had been replaced by nitrogen. The properties and possible molecular structure of these complexes were discussed by elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies and electric conductivities measurements. It was found that the Mo(VI) complexes contain a cis-MoO$_2$ group since their infrared spectra two Mo=O band at about 900cm$^{-1}$ and the combining ratios for MoO$_2$-ligand are 1 : 2. Also, electronic spectra of molybdenyl complexes assigned to ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition. All of these complexes are yellow or orange, depolar compound and slightly soluble in alcohol, dichloromethane, chloroform and N,N-dimethylformamide.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.343-347
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• 2006

A novel, blue light-emitting polymer, poly(phenyl-9,9-dioctyl-9',9'dihexanenitrile)fluorene (PPFC6N), containing an alkyl and cyano group in the side chain, was synthesized by Suzuki polymerization and characterized. The polymer structure was confirmed by $^1H-NMR$. The number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight of the obtained polymer were 9,725 and 9,943 respectively. The resulting polymer was thermally stable with a glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of $93^{\circ}C$, and was easily soluble in common organic solvents such as THF, toluene, chlorobenzene and chloroform. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the polymer were revealed as 5.8 and 2.88 eV by cyclic voltammetry study, respectively. The ITO/PEDOT:PSS (40 nm)/PPFC6N (80 m)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (150 nm) device fabricated from the polymer emitted a PL spectrum at 450 nm and showed a real blue emission for pure PPFC6N in the EL spectrum. When t-butyl PBD was introduced as a hole blocking layer, the device performance was largely improved and the EL spectrum was slightly shifted toward deep blue. The device with PPFC6N containing t-butyl PBD layer showed the maximum luminance of 3,200 $cd/m^2$ at 9.5 V with a turnon voltage of 7 V.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.153-166
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• 1984

The anticancer activities of petroleum ether extract of Panax ginseng root(crude GX) and its partially purified fraction from silicic acid column chromatography (7:3 GX) were studied with Sarcoma 180(S-180) or Walker carcinosarcoma 256 (Walker 256) in vivo and with L1210 leukemic lympocyte in vitro. Potential cytotoxic activities of the crude GX and against L1210 cells were compared with those of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and saponin derivatives (Panax-diol, Panax-triol, Diol saponin, Triol saponin) in vitro. In order to observe the physiological effects of the crude GX and 7:3 GX on the animals with cancer, hemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell(R.B.C) and white blood cell after treatment with each GX in comparison with corresponding control groups, respectively. The anticancer effects of the crude GX and 7:3 GX were estimated by measuring the survival time of S-180 bearing mice after treatment with them. The experimental results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The one unit of cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells was equivalent to 2.54$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 0.88$\mu\textrm{g}$of the crude GX and 7:3 GX per ml of culture medium, respectively. 2. The cytotoxic activities of Panax-diol, Panax=triol, Diol saponin and triol saponin against L1210 cells were not detected. 3. The anticancer activities of 5-FU against L1210, S-180 and Walker 256 were very effective in vivo and vitro tests. 4. The significantly increased W.B.C values of mice after inoculation with S-180 cells were reduced to normal range by the crude GX treatment. 5. The significantly decreased Hb values of rats after inoculation with Walker 256 were recovered to normal range by oral administration of the crude GX. 6. The survival times of mice inoculated with S-180 cells were extended about 1.5 to 2 times by the 7:3 GX treatment compared with their control group.

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

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.477-485
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• 2016

CG200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Because it is water-soluble, it can be administered orally. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, CG200745, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats. For establishment of hypertension, 40 mg/kg of DOCA was subcutaneously injected four times weekly into Sprague-Dawley rats. All the rats used in this study including those in the sham group had been unilaterally nephrectomized and allowed free access to drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Blood chemistry including sodium, potassium, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels was analyzed. Sections of the heart were visualized after trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expression of hypertrophic genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide A (Nppa) and atrial natriuretic peptide B (Nppb) in addition to fibrotic genes such as Collagen-1, Collagen-3, connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), and Fibronectin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Injection of DOCA increased systolic blood pressure, heart weight, and cardiac fibrosis, which was attenuated by CG200745. Neither DOCA nor CG200745 affected body weight, vascular contraction and relaxation responses, and blood chemistry. Injection of DOCA increased expression of both hypertrophic and fibrotic genes, which was abrogated by CG200745. These results indicate that CG200745 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in DOCA-induced hypertensive rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.257-257
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• 2013

In order to selectively remove oil and organic compound from water, silica nanoparticles with hydrophobic coating was used. Since silica nanoparticles are generally hydrophilic, removal efficiency of oil and organic compound, such as toluene, in water can be decreased due to competitive adsorption with water. In order to increase the removal efficiency of oil and toluene, hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was coated on silica nanoparticles in the form of thin film. Hydrophobic property of the PDMS-coated silica nanoparticles and hydrophilic silica nanoparticles were easily confirmed by putting it in the water, hydrophilic particle sinks but hydrophobic particle floats. PDMS coated silica nanoparticles were dispersed on a slide glass with epoxy glue on and the water contact angle on the surface was determined to be over $150^{\circ}$, which is called superhydrophobic. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to check the functional group on silica nanoparticle surface before and after PDMS coating. Then, PDMS coated silica nanoparticles were used to selectively remove oil and toluene from water, respectively. It was demonstrated that PDMS coated nanoaprticles selectively aggregates with oil and toluene in the water and floats in the form of gel and this gel remained floating over 7 days. Furthermore, column filled with hydrophobic PDMS coated silica nanoparticles and hydrophilic porous silica was prepared and tested for simultaneous removal of water-soluble and organic pollutant from water. PDMS coated silica nanoparticles have strong resistibility for water and has affinity for oil and organic compound removal. Therefore PDMS-coated silica nanoparticles can be applied in separating oil or organic solvents from water.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2007

The protective effect of the Synadenium carinatum latex lectin (ScLL), and the possibility of using it as an adjuvant in murine model of vaccination against American cutaneous leishmaniasis, were evaluated. BALB/c mice were immunized with the lectin ScLL (10, 50, 100$[\mu}g$/animal) separately or in association with the soluble Leishmania amazonensis antigen (SLA). After a challenge infection with $10^6$ promastigotes, the injury progression was monitored weekly by measuring the footpad swelling for 10 weeks. ScLL appeared to be capable of conferring partial protection to the animals, being most evident when ScLL was used in concentrations of 50 and 100${\mu}g$/animal. Also the parasite load in the interior of macrophages showed significant reduction (61.7%) when compared to the control group. With regard to the cellular response, ScLL 50 and 100 ${\mu}g$/animal stimulated the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction significantly (P < 0.05) higher than SLA or SLA plus ScLL 10 weeks after the challenge infection. The detection of high levels of IgG2a and the expression of mRNA cytokines, such as IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, and TNF-$\alpha$ (Th1 profiles), corroborated the protective role of this lectin against cutaneous leishmaniasis. This is the first report of the ScLL effect on leishmaniasis and shows a promising role for ScLL to be explored in other experimental models for treatment of leishmaniasis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2013

The emerging role of endothelial inflammation in diabetes has stimulated research interest in the effects of nutrition on related indices. In the current study we investigated whether the nutrient composition of dietary formula as reflected in glycemic index (GI) may be predictive of postprandial endothelial inflammation in non-diabetic subjects. A double-blinded, randomized, crossover study was conducted in non-diabetic subjects (n = 8/group). Each subject consumed three types of diabetes-specific dietary formulas (high-fiber formula [FF], high-monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) formula [MF] and control formula [CF]) standardized to 50 g of available carbohydrates with a 1-week interval between each. The mean glycemic index (GI) was calculated and 3-hour postprandial responses of insulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), nitrotyrosine (NT) and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured. The MF showed the lowest mean GI and significantly low area under the curve (AUC) for insulin (P = 0.038), but significantly high AUCs for sICAM-1 (P<0.001) and FFA (P < 0.001) as compared to the CF and FF. The FF showed intermediate mean GI, but significantly low AUC for NT (P<0.001) as compared to the CF and MF. The mean GI was not positively correlated to any of the inflammatory markers evaluated, and in fact negatively correlated to changes in FFA (r = -0.473, P = 0.006). While the MF with the lowest GI showed the highest values in most of the inflammatory markers measured, the FF with intermediate GI had a modest beneficial effect on endothelial inflammation. These results suggest that nutrient composition of dietary formula as reflected in the GI may differently influence acute postprandial inflammation in non-diabetic subjects.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2021

Objective: Progesterone application for luteal phase support is a well-established concept in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Water-soluble subcutaneous progesterone injections have shown pregnancy rates equivalent to those observed in patients receiving vaginal administration in randomized controlled trials. Our study aimed to investigate whether the results from those pivotal trials could be reproduced in daily clinical practice in an unselected patient population. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study in non-standardized daily clinical practice, we compared 273 IVF cycles from 195 women undergoing IVF at our center for luteal phase support with vaginal administration of 200 mg of micronized progesterone three times daily or subcutaneous injection of 25 mg of progesterone per day. Results: Various patient characteristics including age, weight, height, number of oocytes, and body mass index were similar between both groups. We observed no significant differences in the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) per treatment cycle between the subcutaneous (39.9%) and vaginal group (36.5%) (p=0.630). Covariate analysis showed significant correlations of the number of transferred embryos and the total dosage of stimulation medication with the CPR. However, after adjustment of the CPR for these covariates using a regression model, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (odds ratio, 0.956; 95% confidence interval, 0.512-1.786; p=0.888). Conclusion: In agreement with randomized controlled trials in study populations with strict selection criteria, our study determined that subcutaneous progesterone was equally effective as vaginally applied progesterone in daily clinical practice in an unselected patient population.