Ildoo Chung

MicroRNA-378 limits activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis by suppressing Gli3 expression

Hedgehog (Hh) signalling regulates hepatic fibrogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate various cellular processes; however, their role in liver fibrosis is unclear. Here we investigate regulation of miRNAs in chronically damaged fibrotic liver. MiRNA profiling shows that expression of miR-378 family members (miR-378a-3p, miR-378b and miR-378d) declines in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated compared with corn-oil-treated mice. Overexpression of miR-378a-3p, directly targeting Gli3 in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), reduces expression of Gli3 and profibrotic genes but induces gfap, the inactivation marker of HSCs, in CCl4-treated liver. Smo blocks transcriptional expression of miR-378a-3p by activating the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The hepatic level of miR-378a-3p is inversely correlated with the expression of Gli3 in tumour and non-tumour tissues in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results demonstrate that miR-378a-3p suppresses activation of HSCs by targeting Gli3 and its expression is regulated by Smo-dependent NF-κB signalling, suggesting miR-378a-3p has therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.

Preparations and oil absorptivities of poly(stearyl methacrylate-co-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate) and PET nonwoven fiber photocrosslinked with it

Cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate (CEMA) was synthesized by the reaction of cinnamoyl chloride (CMC) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Its copolymers with stearyl methacrylate (SMA) were synthesized using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. The synthesized copolymers, poly(SMA-co-CEMA)s (PSCMAs), were photocrosslinked by UV light irradiation. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR and NMR spectroscopies. The thermal properties of the synthesized polymers were determined by DSC. The crystalline melting temperature of crosslinked PSCMA was decreased with increasing CEMA content in the feed. The oil absorptivities of the synthesized polymers were evaluated by the ASTM method (F726-81). The highest oil absorptivity of crosslinked PSCMA on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nonwoven fiber (NWF) was 610% in 10% crude oil diluted with toluene when the mol percentage of CEMA to SMA in the feed was 7.5.

Syntheses, antitumor activities, and antiangiogenesis of a monomer and its medium molecular weight polymers : Maleimidoethanoyl-5-fluorouracil and its polymers

A new monomer, maleimidoethanoyl-5-fluorouracil (MIEFU), was synthesized by the reaction of maleimidoethanoyl chloride and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The homopolymer of MIEFU and its copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) or vinyl acetate (VAc) were prepared by photopolymerizations with 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as an initiator at 25 °C for 48 h. The structures of the synthesized monomer and polymers were identified by Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The contents of the MIEFU units in poly(MIEFU-co-AA) and poly(MIEFU-co-VAc) were 18 and 30 mol %, respectively. The number-average molecular weights of the synthesized polymers, as determined by gel permeation chromatography, ranged from 4900 to 9800. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the samples against mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) cancer cell lines decreased in the following order: 5-FU ≥ MIEFU > poly(MIEFU) > poly(MIEFU-co-AA) > poly(MIEFU-co-VAc). The in vivo antitumor activities of the polymers against Balb/C mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumor cells were greater than those of 5-FU at all the doses tested. The inhibitions of the SV40 DNA replication of the samples were much greater than that of the control. The synthesized monomer and polymers showed more antiangiogenesis activity than the control.

Syntheses and biological activities of α‐methoxy‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthaloyl‐5‐fluorouracil and its polymers

The new monomer, α-methoxy-exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil (METFU), was synthesized by the reaction of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (ETA) in order to prepare polymers containing 5-FU moiety. Poly(α-methoxy-exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil) [poly(METFU)], poly(α-methoxy-exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouraci-co-acrylic acid) [poly(METFU-co-AA)], and poly(α-methoxy-exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil-co-vinyl acetate) [poly(METFU-co- VAc)] were synthesized by photopolymerizations using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMP) as an initiator. The synthesized METFU and the polymers were identified by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. The contents of METFU in poly(METFU-co-AA) and poly(METFU-co-VAc) determined by elemental analysis were 52 and 60 mol %, respectively. The average molecular weights and polydispersity indices determined with GPC were as follows: Mn = 9,400, Mw = 11,400 Mw/Mn = 1.21 for poly(METFU), Mn = 14,400, Mw = 26,800, Mw/Mn = 1.86 for poly(METFU-co-AA), and Mn = 23,100, Mw = 33,000, Mw/Mn = 1.43 for poly(METFU-co-VAc). The in vitro cytotoxicities of samples were evaluated with mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) as cancer cell lines, and mouse liver cells (AC2F) as a normal cell line. The in vivo antitumor activities of synthesized polymers against mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumor cell line were greater than those of 5-FU at concentrations of 0.8 and 80 mg/kg.

A hybrid zinc–calcium–silicate polyalkenoate bone cement

A novel bone cement composed of sintered zinc-calcium-silicate phosphate and hybrid polyalkenoates has been developed. Synthesis and formulation of glass fillers, monomers and polymers as well as formulation of the cement were described. The effects of sintering, polymer content, glass powder/polymer liquid (P/L) ratio and comonomer on compressive strength (CS) and curing time (CT) were investigated. The effects of P/L ratio and comonomers on shrinkage as well as exotherm were also studied. Results show that the experimental cement was 61% higher in CS, 10% lower in diametral tensile strength, 35% lower in flexural strength, 62% less in exotherm, and 68% less in shrinkage, compared to conventional polymethylmethacrylate cement. With increasing polymer content and P/L ratio in the cement formulation CS of the cement increased but CT decreased. Curing time, shrinkage and exotherm of the cement decreased with increasing P/L ratio. It appears that this novel cement may be a potential candidate for orthopedic restoration if its biological performance is good and formulation is optimized.

Synthesis of amino acid-based polymers via atom transfer radical polymerization in aqueous media at ambient temperature.

Well-defined acryloyl beta-alanine (ABA) polymers were synthesized directly via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) under near physiological conditions using various water soluble initiators with high yield and narrow molecular weight distributions.

Syntheses and evaluation of biodegradable multifunctional polymer networks

Abstract The biodegradable, injectable and in situ crosslinkable polymer networks based upon di(propylene fumarate)–dimethacrylate (DPFDMA) and polycaprolactone trimethacrylate (PCLTMA), were prepared and characterized. The polymer networks were initiated by photopolymerization. The initial compressive (CS) and diametral tensile strengths (DTS) of the networks materials were determined and used to evaluate the effects of PCLTMA/DPFDMA ratios on the degradation behavior. The networks exhibited initial DTS values ranging from 2.5 to 9.3 MPa and CS values ranging from 1.8 to 146.0 MPa. The increase of PCLTMA in the formulation led to an increase in viscosity and DTS. The degree of conversions and polymerization shrinkage of the resins ranged from 60% to 72% and 5.1% to 6.4%, respectively. After 6 month, PCL300TMA/DPFDMA resins at a ratio of 100/0, 75/25 and 25/75 lost 70%, 87% and 46% of their initial CS, respectively, while PCL900TMA/DPFDMA and PCL300TMA/PCL900TMA resins at 75/25 lost 100% and 83% of their initial CS, respectively.

Dismantlement studies of dismantlable polyurethane adhesive by controlling thermal property

This paper investigated the design of dismantlable polyurethane adhesives and dismantling method. To study the dismantlement property of dismantlable polyurethane adhesive by controlling thermal property, we synthesized polyurethane adhesive with various hard segment contents and used thermally expansive microcapsules. The dismantlement of bonded adherend was caused by the expansion of the adhesive layer with the expansion of the thermally expansive microcapsule and softening of the adhesive. For the dismantlement of bonded adherend, the adhesive is needed to have low storage modulus at the expansion temperature of thermally expansive microcapsule. High storage modulus of the adhesive was good for the bonding strength but not for dismantlability. In our study, the dismantlability became better as the hard segment content of adhesive decreased and the bonding strength and heat-resistance were excellent when the hard segment content was more than 25% because of high storage modulus and physical property. Consequently, optimum hard segment content was 25%, which showed excellent adhesion strength and dismantlement of bonded adherend was possible with microwave treatment for 4 min. Using zinc oxide with high dielectric constant could shorten microwave treatment time needed for the dismantlement of the bonded adherend to 3 min by enhancing the heating efficiency of the adhesive.

Study on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy/Hybrid-silica Composite

Recently, carbon fiber composites have been widely used as structural reinforcement materials of buildings, replacing reinforcing bars or concrete. And the increase in use of super fibers such as aramid and high strength PE, which is aimed at improving the reinforcement properties, has resulted in a demand for a resin system with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. In this research, a fiber-reinforced composite has been produced by using the super fibers such as carbon fiber or aramid fiber, reinforcement resin and the silica hybrid compound containing epoxy group. This study was carried out to confirm the effect of the silica hybrid on mechanical properties, heat resistance and adhesion strength of a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite, which was produced by blending silica or introducing silica hybrid through covalent bonds. And the silica hybrid containing epoxy group, which may be introduced to the structure of fiber-reinforced epoxy composite through covalent bonds caused by reaction with a hardener, has been used, so that the heat resistance and adhesion strength could be improved.

Synthesis of Aniline-Based Azopolymers for Surface Relief Grating

Epoxy-based azopolymers were synthesized by the reaction of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) orN,N-diglycidyl aniline (DGA) with disperse orange 3 (DO3) to give poly(DGEBA-co-DO3) or poly (DGA-co-DO3), respectively. Aniline-based azopolymers prepared from poly(DGA-co-An) precursors, synthesized by the reaction of DGA with aniline, were produced by the post-azo coupling reaction with diazonium salts containing various substituents. Holographic gratings were carried out to measure the diffractive efficiencies (DE) for the interference patterns of the Ar+ laser from 50 to 300 mW/cm2 intensity. The shorter repeating unit with higher chromophore density induced deeper surface relief gratings (SRG). Large surface gratings were observed for the anilinebased azopolymers with -COOH substituents, as compared with those for epoxy-based azopolymers. The anilinebased azopolymers with dimerized chromophores and various substituents were also synthesized to observe the effect of chromophore substituents and dimerization on the holography. The dimerized chromophores were more sensitively photoisomerized by the Ar+ laser beam, and demonstrated a larger grating than that with one azo bond.