• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.537-547
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• 2006

This study was designed to determine whether or not Vibrio vulnificus metalloprotease VvpE can promote iron uptake via the proteolytic cleavage of human hemoglobin. We found that V. vulnificus utilized hemoglobin as an iron source more efficiently via the vulnibactin-mediated iron-uptake system than via the HupA-mediated iron-uptake system and, of the proteases produced by V. vulnificus, VvpE was found to be the only protease capable of destroying hemoglobin. However, VvpE expression, on both the transcriptional and protein levels, was suppressed in iron-limited media. However, vvpE transcription, but not extracellular VvpE production, was reactivated by the addition of hemoglobin or inorganic iron into iron-limited media. Moreover, vvpE transcription began only in the late growth phase when V. vulnificus had already consumed most of the iron for growth. In addition, neither vvpE mutation nor in trans vvpE complementation affected the ability of V. vulnificus to acquire iron or to grow in iron-limited media or in cirrhotic ascites containing hemoglobin. Hemoglobin added into iron-limited media was not destroyed, but gradually formed an insoluble aggregate during culture; this aggregation of hemoglobin occurred regardless of vvpE mutation or complementation. These results indicate that VvpE is not required for efficient iron uptake from hemoglobin. On the contrary, hemoglobin or iron is required for efficient vvpE transcription. In addition, a discrepancy exists between vvpE transcription and extracellular VvpE production in iron-limited media containing inorganic iron or hemoglobin, which suggests that additional unknown posttranscriptional events may be involved in the extracellular production of VvpE.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.767-776
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• 1991

Effects of the additions of SiB4 as burnable poison to UO2 on the green density, densification, interdependence between density-grain growth and microstructure of sintered UO2 were studied. UO2 pellets were sintered in flowing hydrogen, at temperature 1200, 1350, 1500, and 168$0^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours and at 168$0^{\circ}C$ for 0, 1, 3, and 10 hours, respectively. Green densities were in the range of about 4.5~5.4 g/㎤, and decreased as the amount of SiB4 increased when green pellets were made by with use of a double action press at 1000 kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$. The density of sintered UO2 pellets was around 92~94% of the theoretical density and did not change significantly as the amount of SiB2 addition increased. However, the density of sintered pellets decreased with the increase in SiB4. The grain growth could be characterized in terms of two stages: Grain growth occurred with the increasing density in the first stage, whereas the second stage was characterized by the grain growth without increasing of density. A liquid phase was observed at grain boundaries and grain edges in the microstructure of sintered UO2 pellets with 5000 ppm and 10,000 ppm SiB4. This liquid, possible formed at about 168$0^{\circ}C$, did not enhance the shrinkage, but appeared to accelarate the grain growth. It seems that the second stage grain growth was due to the presence of pressurized insoluble trapped gas in isolated pores.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.173-181
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• 2016

In order to use coal tar pitch (CTP) as a raw material for carbon fibers, it should have suitable properties such as a narrow range of softening point, suitable viscosity and uniform optical properties. In this study, raw CTP was modified by heat treatment with three types of polymer additives (PS, PET, and PVC) to make a spinnable pitch for carbon fibers. The yield, softening point, C/H ratio, insoluble yield, and meso-phase content of various modified CTPs with polymer additives were analyzed by changing the type of polymer additive and the heat treatment temperature. The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of CTPs modified by polymer addition with those of a commercial CTP. After the pitch spinning, the obtained green fibers were stabilized and carbonized. The properties of the respective fibers were analyzed to compare their uniformity, diameter change, and mechanical properties. Among three polymer additives, PS220 and PET261 pitches were found to be spinnable, but the carbon fibers from PET261 showed mechanical properties comparable with those of a commercial CTP produced by an air-blowing method (OCI284). The CTPs modified with polymer additive had higher ${\beta}$-resin fractions than the CTP with only thermal treatment indicating a beneficial effect of carbon fiber application.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2008

Lignans and neolignans are optically active plant secondary metabolites. Research on biosynthesis of lignans has already been advanced especially for the formation of (+) pinoresinol but information on the biosynthesis of 8-O-4'- neolignans is still limited. Moreover, the chemical structure(position of substituents on aromatic rings) and stereochemistry of 8-O-4' neolignans is not clear. Katayama and Kado discovered that incubation of cell-free extracts from E. ulmoides with coniferyl alcohol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide gave (+)-erythro- and (-)-threo- guaiacylglycerol 8-O-4'-(coniferyl alcohol) ether (GGCE)(diastereomeric ratio, 3:2) which is the first report on enzymatic formation of optically active -8-O-4' neolignans from an achiral monolignol. In this aspect, enzymatic formation of guaiacyl 8-O-4' neolignan is noteworthy to clarify its stereochemistry from incubation of coniferyl alcohol with enzyme prepared from Eucommia ulmoides. In this experiment, soluble and insoluble enzymes prepared from E. ulmoides were incubated with 30 mM coniferyl alcohol(CA) for 60 min. The enzyme catalyzed GGCE, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol(DHCA), and pinoresinol identified by reversed phase HPLC. Consequently, diastereomeric compositions of GGCE were determined as erythro and threo isomer. Enantiomeric composition was determined by the chiral column HPLC. Both enzyme preparations enantioselectively formed (-)-erythro, (+)-erythro and (+)-threo, (-)-threo-GGCEs respectively.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.216-227
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• 1993

Complex formations of practically insoluble antelmintic drugs such as mebendazole (MBZ), albendazole (ABZ) and flubendazole (FBZ) with dimethyl-$\beta$-cyclodextrin (DM-$\beta$-CyD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-$\beta$-cyclodextrin (HP-$\beta$-CyD) together with $\alpha$-, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-cyclodextrins(CyDs) in duffered solutions were investigated by solubility method. $A_{L}$ type phase solubility diagrams were obtained in all cases except for the complexation (B$_{s}$, type) of FBZ with $\gamma$-CyD. The highest stability constants were obtained with DM-$\beta$-CyD, followed by $\alpha$-CyD > $\beta$-CyD > HP-$\beta$-CyD > $\gamma$-CyD for ABZ, and HP-$\beta$-CyD > $\gamma$-CyD > $\beta$-CyD > $\alpha$-CyD for FBZ at pH 1.2. On the other hand, solid dispersion systems of ABZ and FBZ with $\beta$- and DM-$\beta$-CyDs were prepared by solvent evaporation method and evaluated by dissolution, differential thermal analysis and powder x-ray diffractometry. The dissolution rates of ABZ- and FBZ-DM-$\beta$-CyD solid dispersions were much faster than those of drugs alone, corresponding physical mixtures and tablets on market both at pH 1.2 and 6.8. Although dissolution rates of all samples at pH 6.8 were by far lower than those obtained at pH 1.2, as explained by pH-solubility profiles for ABZ and FBZ, the dissolution rates at pH 6.8 of ABZ from $\beta$- and DM-$\beta$-CyD solid dispersions exceeded the respective equilibrium solubility (23.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). Fast dissolution of ABZ from solid dispersions with CyDs was attributed to the reduction of drug crystallinity and particle size which was supported by DTA and powder x-ray diffractometry. Consequently these results suggest that solid dispersion systems with CyDs may provide useful means to markedly enhance the solubility and dissolution of benzimidazole antelmintic drugs.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.122.2-122.2
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• 2011

Sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$), one of the most potent greenhouse gases, is known as a hydrate former and has been studied at the high pressure up to 1.3 GPa with gas mixtures and with aqueous surfactant. Since we regard $SF_6$ as a potential promoter molecule that can stabilize hydrate structure more effectively compare to the other promoters, further investigation is required to verify the stabilizing ability of $SF_6$ in the hydrate structure. However, the insoluble nature of $SF_6$ in water or gases hinders fine scale analyses. This work discusses the data obtained by using molecular dynamics simulations of structure II (sII) clathrate hydrates containing $SF_6$ and $H_2$. The simulations were performed using the TIP4P/Ice model for water molecule and a previously reported $SF_6$ molecular model (optimized at the pure $SF_6$ single phase system (Olivet and Vega, 2007)), and a $H_2$ molecular model (adapted from the THF+$H_2$ hydrate system (Alavi et al., 2006)). The simulations are performed to observe the stability of $SF_6$ and $H_2$ in the sII clathrate hydrate system with varying temperature and pressure conditions and occupancies of $SF_6$ and $H_2$, which cannot be easily tuned experimentally. We observe that stability of H2 enclathrated in the hydrate structure more affected by the occupancy of $SF_6$ molecules and temperature than pressure, which ranges from 1 to 100 bar.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.630-637
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• 2015

In the dairy industry, natural plant-based powders are widely used to develop flavor and functionality. However, most of these ingredients are water-insoluble; therefore, emulsification is essential. In this study, the efficacy of high pressure homogenization (HPH) on natural plant (chocolate or vanilla)-based model emulsions was investigated. The particle size, electrical conductivity, Brix, pH, and color were analyzed after HPH. HPH significantly decreased the particle size of chocolate-based emulsions as a function of elevated pressures (20-100 MPa). HPH decreased the mean particle size of chocolate-based emulsions from 29.01 μm to 5.12 μm, and that of vanilla-based emulsions from 4.18 μm to 2.44 μm. Electrical conductivity increased as a function of the elevated pressures after HPH, for both chocolate- and vanilla-based model emulsions. HPH at 100 MPa increased the electrical conductivity of chocolate-based model emulsions from 0.570 S/m to 0.680 S/m, and that of vanilla-based model emulsions from 0.573 S/m to 0.601 S/m. Increased electrical conductivity would be attributed to colloidal phase modification and dispersion of oil globules. Brix of both chocolate- and vanilla-based model emulsions gradually increased as a function of the HPH pressure. Thus, HPH increased the solubility of plant-based powders by decreasing the particle size. This study demonstrated the potential use of HPH for enhancing the emulsification process and stability of the natural plant powders for applications with dairy products.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.171-185
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• 2000

Siliceous mudstones are embedded on a large scale in the Tertiary formations of Pohang area. Some useful zeolites such as NsP, (Na, TMA)P, analcime and hydroxysodalite were synthesized from the siliceous mudstones by treating with the variety of solution, i.e ., NaOH, NaOH+NaCl, NaOH, NaOH+$NaAlO_2$and NaOH+TMAOH at the low-temperature hydrothermal system ranging 60~12$0^{\circ}C$. Major precursor of zeolites is found as opal-CT in the zeolite-forming reaction. Smectite, which is included in considerable amounts in the mudstone, appears to play a major role of Al-source in the zeolite synthesis. In comparison, chalcedonic quartz and mica are rather insoluble in alkaline solution, and thus, these are observed as major impurities in the reaction products. An addition of $NaAlO_2$to NaOH solution is effective for eliminating these impurities in the reaction procedure, through these are partly dissolved when elevating the reaction temperature, concentration, and time. Phase change from NaP to hydroxysodalite takes place at the NaOH concentrations of 3.0~4.0 M, and the reaction is not sensitive to the temperature shift. NaP is more stable at lower NaOH concentration and higher activity of $Na_{+}$ whereas analcime is sensitive to the temperature change and stable at higher than $100^{\circ}C$ and 2.0~4.0 M in NaOH concentration. For the pure NaP synthesis without any other products, the treatment of mudstones with 1:1 solution of NaOH and $NaAlO _2$ turns out to be quite effective. NaP was successfully synthesized together with analcime at $100^{\circ}C$ as well as lower concentrations of NaOH+NaCl solution. In addition, the organic type, (Na, TMA)P was formed together with smectite in the 1:1 solution of NaOH and TMAOH.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.579-585
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• 2013

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances which persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. POPs are thermally stable, highly lipophilic and water-insoluble compounds which can induce various toxic influences including immunotoxicty, carcinogenicity adverse effects on reproduction, development and endocrine fuctions. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardant. Because of their toxicity and persistence, the industrial production of some PBDEs is restricted under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major POPs. In this study, PBDEs was measured in various site of Sihwa industrial complex to investigate concentration distribution of POPs. The levels of PBDEs in house dust samples were 0.722~44.024 ng/g-dry. In PBDEs congener, BDE-209 was relatively higher in the all sites. The concentration of BDE-209 measured over 80.0% of total PBDEs. In various site, high molecular PBDEs homologues are measured higher than low molecular.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2002

A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS) composed of Cremophor $EL^{\circledR},\;Labrasol^{circledR}$, and Lauroglycol $FCC^{circledR}$ was prepared for the enhancement of solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability of ibuprofen(IBP), which is water-insoluble but soluble in oils and surfactants. Phase diagram with various regions including microemulsion area was depicted. The SMEDDS was encapsulated in soft gelatin capsules and their dissolution characteristics in various media were observed in comparison to the generic products commercially available in the market. Soft capsules of SMEDDS formulation showed better dissolution profiles, especially in acidic condition, than the others. For the period of 1 hr dissolution in pH 1.2 medium, it reached over 70% dissolution from soft capsules, compared to less than 40% dissolution from commercial reference tablets. On the other hand, in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained after oral administrations of different IBP preparations to Sprague Dawley rats. SMEDDS formulation showed higher $C_{max}$ and greater $AUC_{0-5hr}$ than the suspension of reference tablet or IBP powder. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that a newly developed soft capsules employing SMEDDS provides an alternative preparation to improve oral bioavailability of IBP.