• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
• /
• v.68
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 2018

In this study, transition metal coated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized and applied as anode materials of Li secondary batteries. CNFs/Ni foam was immersed into 0.01 M transition metal solutions after growing CNFs on Ni foam via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Transition metal coated CNFs/Ni foam was dried in an oven at $80^{\circ}C$. Morphologies, compositions, and crystal quality of CNFs-transition metal composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Electrochemical characteristics of CNFs-transition metal composites as anodes of Li secondary batteries were investigated using a three-electrode cell. Transition metal/CNFs/Ni foam was directly employed as a working electrode without any binder. Lithium foil was used as both counter and reference electrodes while 1 M $LiClO_4$ was employed as the electrolyte after it was dissolved in a mixture of propylene carbonate:ethylene carbonate (PC:EC) at 1:1 volume ratio. Galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry measurements were taken at room temperature using a battery tester. In particular, the capacity of the synthesized CNFs-Fe was improved compared to that of CNFs. After 30 cycles, the capacity of CNFs-Fe was increased by 78%. Among four transition metals of Fe, Cu, Co and Ni coated on carbon nanofibers, the retention rate of CNFs-Fe was the highest at 41%. The initial capacity of CNFs-Fe with 670 mAh/g was reduced to 275 mAh/g after 30 cycles.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.246-256
• /
• 2021

Mo,Cu-doped CeO₂ (CMCuO) nanopowders were synthesized by the nitrate-fuel combustion method aiming to improve the electrical and electrochemical properties of its Mo-doped CeO₂ (CMO) parent by the addition of copper. An electrical conductivity of ca. 1.22·10^-2 S cm^-1 was measured in air at 800℃ for CMCuO, which is nearly 10 times higher than that reported for CMO. This increase was associated with the inclusion of copper into the crystal lattice of ceria and the presence of Cu and Cu₂O as secondary phases in the CMCuO structure, which also could explain the increase in the charge transfer activities of the CMCuO based anode for the hydrogen and carbon monoxide electro-oxidation processes compared to the CMO based anode. A maximum power density of ca. 120 mW cm^-2 was measured using a CMCuO based anode in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with YSZ electrolyte and LSM-YSZ cathode operating at 800℃ with humidified syngas as fuel, which is comparable to the power output reported for other SOFCs with anodes containing copper. An increase in the area specific resistance of the SOFC was observed after ca. 10 hours of operation under cycling open circuit voltage and polarization conditions, which was attributed to the anode delamination caused by the reduction of the Cu₂O secondary phase contained in its microstructure. Therefore, the addition of a more electroactive phase for hydrogen oxidation is suggested to confer long-term stability to the CMCuO based anode.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10407-10412
• /
• 2015

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.141-146
• /
• 2008

Electrocatalytic activities and stabilities of Pt supported on Sb-doped $SnO_2$ (ATO) were examined for ethanol oxidation reactions. Pt colloidal particles were deposited on ATO nanoparticles (Pt/ATO) and the prepared electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical activity of the Pt/ATO for ethanol electro-oxidation was compared to those of Pt supported on carbon (Pt/C) and commercial PtRu/C. The activitiy of the Pt/ATO was much higher than those of the Pt/C and commercial PtRu/C. The Pt/ATO exhibited much higher electrochemical stabilities than the Pt/C in 0.5M ${H_2}{SO_4}$ and in 0.5M ${H_2}{SO_4}$/1M ${C_2}{H_5}OH$. According to TEM, the growth rate of Pt particles was lower in the Pt/ATO than it was in the Pt/C. The ATO nanoparticle appears to be a promising support material that promotes electrochemical reactions and stabilizes catalyst particles in direct ethanol fuel cell.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.10
• /
• pp.4331-4338
• /
• 2014

$N^1$-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-$N^8$-hydroxyoctanediamide (N25) is a novel SAHA cap derivative of HDACi, with a patent (No. CN 103159646). This invention is a hydroxamic acid compound with a structural formula of $RNHCO(CH_2)6CONHOH$ (wherein R=2, 5dimethoxyaniline), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt which is soluble. In the present study, we investigated the effects of N25 with regard to drug distribution and molecular docking, and anti-proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycling, and $LD_{50}$. First, we designed a molecular approach for modeling selected SAHA derivatives based on available structural information regarding human HDAC8 in complex with SAHA (PDB code 1T69). N25 was found to be stabilized by direct interaction with the HDAC8. Anti-proliferative activity was observed in human glioma U251, U87, T98G cells and human lung cancer H460, A549, H1299 cells at moderate concentrations ($0.5-30{\mu}M$). Compared with SAHA, N25 displayed an increased antitumor activity in U251 and H460 cells. We further analyzed cell death mechanisms activated by N25 in U251 and H460 cells. N25 significantly increased acetylation of Histone 3 and inhibited HDAC4. On RT-PCR analysis, N25 increased the mRNA levels of p21, however, decreased the levels of p53. These resulted in promotion of apoptosis, inducing G0/G1 arrest in U251 cells and G2/M arrest in H460 cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. In addition, N25 was able to distribute to brain tissue through the blood-brain barrier of mice ($LD_{50}$: 240.840mg/kg). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that N25 will provide an invaluable tool to investigate the molecular mechanism with potential chemotherapeutic value in several malignancies, especially human glioma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.1260-1266
• /
• 2001

The effect of protein supplementation, $O_2$ concentration and co-culture on the development of embryos produced by nuclear transfer using cultured cumulus cell was investigated. Recipient oocytes and cumulus cells were obtained from the ovaries of the slaughtered Hanwoo cows. Donor cumulus cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum at 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$. The 1 to 6 passages of cumulus cells were isolated and used as donor cells. The in vitro matured oocytes were enucleated and then the isolated donor cells were introduced. One $15{\mu}s$ pulse of 180 volts was applied to induce the fusion between karyoplast and cytoplast. The fused embryos were activated with $10{\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 5 min and 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h. To examine the effect of protein supplementation, nuclear transfer (NT) embryos were cultured in one of the following 4 treatments : 1) CR1aa + 3 mg/ml BSA for 7 days ; 2) CR1aa + 10% FBS for 7 days ; 3) CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS for 7 days ; and 4) CR1aa + 3 mg/ml BSA for first 3 days and then CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS for 4 days. Culture took place at 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$ and 90% $N_2$ at $38.5^{\circ}C$. Although there were no significant differences in cleavage rate among different protein supplements, the rates of blastocyst formation were significantly different. When NT embryos were cultured in the medium supplemented with only BSA, they could develop to only morula not to blastocyst. However, when FBS was supplemented, NT embryos developed to blastocyst stage. In order to investigate the effect of $O_2$ concentration and co-culture, NT embryos were cultured in CR1aa + 1.5 mg/ml BSA + 5% FBS with or without cumulus cell co-culture at an atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air (20% $O_2$) or 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, 90% $N_2$ (5% $O_2$) at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The percentage of blastocyst development was significantly higher when the NT embryos were cultured at an atmosphere of 5% $O_2$ than that of 20% $O_2$ (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between with and without cumulus cell co-culture at an atmosphere of 5% $O_2$ or 20% $O_2$. Fifty embryos were transferred to 25 recipients and 5 recipients were pregnant at 100 days. From 5 pregnant cows, only one cow was delivered of female twin. In conclusion, the embryos reconstructed by enucleation of metaphase II oocytes and introduction of the cycling and quiescent cumulus donor cells in Hanwoo had developmental potential to term after embryo transfer to recipient cows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the developmental potential of cloned embryos derived from bovine fetal fibroblast cells, and the effect of quiescent treatment, passage number and origin of donor cells on in vitro development of cloned embryos. Fetal skin and liver-derived fibroblast cells were transferred to enucleated oocytes after serum starvation or nontreatment (cycling). After electrofusion. reconstituted embryos were activated with $Ca^{＋＋}$-ionophore and cycloheximide, and cocultured for 7~9 days with BRL cells. Some blastocysts were transferred to recipient cows 7~8 days post estrus. The development rate to the blastocyst stage of serum starved cell-derived embryos was higher (25.3%) than that of actively dividing cells-derived embryos (15.9%), The rates of blastocyst formation were 23.1~25.0% after transfer of cell passaged 4 to 6 times, and 23.8 and 25.2% after transfer of fetal skin and liver cells, respectively. After embryo transfer, 34.4% and 15.6% of recipient cows were pregnant on Day 60 and 120, respectively, and one male calf was produced from skin-derived vitrified blastocyst. The result of this study showed that the development of cloned embryos. was enhanced by quiescent treatment, but did not different among the cells passaged 4 to 6 times, and between skin and liver cells. This result also confirms that offspring can be obtained from the vitrified clone embryo derived from fetal skin cell.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2014

As an electrolyte additive, the effects of lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB) on the electrochemical properties of a carbon-coated silicon monoxide (C-coated SiO) negative electrode are investigated. The used electrolyte is 1.3M $LiPF_6$ that is dissolved in ethylene carbonate (EC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), and diethyl carbonate (DEC) (5:25:70 v/v/v) with or without 0.5 wt. % LiBOB. In the LiBOB-free electrolyte, the film resistance is not so high in the initial period of cycling that lithiation is facilitated to generate the crystalline $Li_{15}Si_4$ phase. Due to repeated volume change that is caused by such a deep charge/discharge, cracks form in the active material to cause a resistance increase, which eventually leads to capacity fading. When LiBOB is added into the electrolyte, however, more resistive surface film is generated by decomposition of LiBOB in the initial period. The crystalline $Li_{15}Si_4$ phase does not form, such that the volume change and crack formation are greatly mitigated. Consequently, the C-coated SiO electrode exhibits a better cycle performance in the later cycles. At an elevated temperature ($45^{\circ}C$), wherein the effect of film resistance is less critical, the alloy ($Li_{15}Si_4$ phase) formation is comparable for the LiBOB-free and added cell to give a similar cycle performance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.543-548
• /
• 2015

Si/C/CNF composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were examined to improve the capacity and cycle performance. Si/C/CNF composites were prepared by the fabrication process including the synthesis and magnesiothermic reduction of SBA-15 to obtain Si/MgO by ball milling and the carbonization of phenol resin with CNF and HCl etching. Prepared Si/C/CNF composites were then analysed by BET, XRD, FE-SEM and TGA. Among SBA-15 samples synthesized at reaction temperatures between 50 and $70^{\circ}C$, the SBA-15 at $60^{\circ}C$ showed the largest specific surface area. Also the electrochemical performances of Si/C/CNF composites as an anode electrode were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests in the electrolyte of LiPF6 dissolved in mixed organic solvents (EC : DMC : EMC = 1 : 1 : 1 vol%). The coin cell using Si/C/CNF composites (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) showed better capacity (1,947 mAh/g) than that of other composition coin cells. The capacity retention ratio decreased from 84% (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) to 77% (Si : CNF = 89 : 11 in weight). It was found that the Si/C/CNF composite electrode shows an improved cycling performance and electric conductivity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.413-421
• /
• 2014

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in the stress response and there is increasing evidence that stress influences skin disease such as hair loss. In cultured human hair follicles, CRF inhibits hair shaft elongation, induces premature regression and promotes the apoptosis of hair matrix keratinocytes. We investigated whether CRF influences the dermal papilla cells (DPC) that play pivotal roles in hair growth and cycling. Human DPCs were treated with CRF, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, key stress hormones along the hypothalamic-pituitary -adrenal (HPA) axis for 1-24 h. Interestingly, CRF modulated the expression of cytokines related to hair growth (KGF, Wnt5a, $TGF{\beta}-2$, Nexin) and increased cAMP production in cultured DPCs. CRF receptors were down-regulated by negative feedback systems. Pretreatment of CRF receptor antagonists or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor prevented the CRF-induced modulation. Since the CRF induces proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression through the cAMP/PKA pathway, we analyzed POMC mRNA. CRF stimulated POMC expression in cultured human DPCs, yet we were unable to detect ACTH levels by western blot. These results indicate that CRF operates within DPCs through CRF receptors along the classical CRF signaling pathway and CRF receptor antagonists could serve as potential therapeutic and cosmetic agents for stress-induced hair loss.