Sungkyunkwan University

About: Sungkyunkwan University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Graphene. The organization has 28229 authors who have published 56428 publications receiving 1352733 citations. The organization is also known as: 성균관대학교.

Overcoming the Limits of Hypoxia in Photodynamic Therapy: A Carbonic Anhydrase IX-Targeted Approach.

Abstract: A major challenge in photodynamic cancer therapy (PDT) is avoiding PDT-induced hypoxia, which can lead to cancer recurrence and progression through activation of various angiogenic factors and significantly reduce treatment outcomes. Reported here is an acetazolamide (AZ)-conjugated BODIPY photosensitizer (AZ-BPS) designed to mitigate the effects of PDT-based hypoxia by combining the benefits of anti-angiogenesis therapy with PDT. AZ-BPS showed specific affinity to aggressive cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 cells) that overexpress carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). It displayed enhanced photocytotoxicity compared to a reference compound, BPS, which is an analogous PDT agent that lacks an acetazolamide unit. AZ-BPS also displayed an enhanced in vivo efficacy in a xenograft mouse tumor regrowth model relative to BPS, an effect attributed to inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by both PDT-induced ROS generation and CAIX knockdown. AZ-BPS was evaluated successfully in clinical samples collected from breast cancer patients. ...

Microscopic theory of spin-polarization coupling in multiferroic transition metal oxides

Abstract: A systematic microscopic theory of magnetically induced ferroelectricity and lattice modulation is presented for various electron configurations of Mott-insulating transition metal oxides. The origin of polarization is classified as the spin-orbit interaction effective (i) within the magnetic ${t}_{2g}$ orbitals, (ii) between the ${t}_{2g}$ and ${e}_{g}$ orbitals, and (iii) within the ligand ion's $p$ orbitals. Predictions for x-ray and neutron scattering experiments are proposed to clarify the microscopic mechanism of the spin-polarization coupling in different materials. Semiquantitative agreements with the multiferroic $\mathrm{Tb}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ are obtained.

Toxicological Characteristics of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Developmental Toxicity, Carcinogenicity, and Mutagenicity

Abstract: It is generally accepted that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) play a role in a variety of adverse health effects in an intact organism or its progeny as a consequence of changes in the endocrine system. Primary toxic effects of EDCs were reported to be related to infertility, reduction in sperm count, and teratogenicity, but other important toxic effects of EDCs such as carcinogenicity and mutagenicity have also been demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to systematically analyze the toxicological characteristics of EDCs in pesticides, industrial chemicals, and metals. A comprehensive literature survey on the 48 EDCs classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was conducted using a number of databases which included Medline, Toxline, and Toxnet. The survey results revealed that toxicological characteristics of EDCs were shown to produce developmental toxicity (81%), carcinogenicity (79%, when positive in at least one animal species; 48%, when classified based on IARC evaluation), mutagenicity (79%), immunotoxicity (52%), and neurotoxicity (50%). Regarding the hormone-modulating effects of the 48 EDCs, estrogenic effects were the most predominant in pesticides, while effects on thyroid hormone were found for heavy metals. EDCs showing estrogen-modulating effects were closely related to carcinogenicity or mutagenicity with a high degree of sensitivity. Systematic information on the toxicological characteristics of the EDCs will be useful for future research directions on EDCs, the development of new screening methods, legal regulation, and for investigations of their mechanism of action.

Emerging PEGylated drugs

Abstract: PEGylation is a pharmaceutical technology that involves the covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a drug to improve its pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and immunological profiles, and thus, enhance its therapeutic effect. Currently, PEGylation is used to modify proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, antibody fragments, and small organic molecules. Research groups are striving to improve the consistencies of PEGylated drugs and to PEGylate commercialized proteins and small organic molecules. Furthermore, the PEGylations of novel medications, like oligonucleotides and antibody fragments, are being pursued to improve their bioavailabilities. This active research in the PEGylation field and the continued growth of the biopharmaceutical market predicts that PEGylated drugs have a bright future.