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SummaryOxidative stress causes several diseases and dysfunctions in cells, including oocytes. Clearly, oxidative stress influences oocyte quality during in vitro maturation and fertilization. Here we tested the ability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve mouse oocyte quality during in vitro culture. Treatment with 50 μM CoQ10 efficiently reduced ROS levels in oocytes cultured in vitro. The fertilizable form of an oocyte usually contains a cortical granule-free domain (CGFD). CoQ10 enhanced the ratio of CGFD–oocytes from 35% to 45%. However, the hardening of the zona pellucida in oocytes was not affected by CoQ10 treatment. The in vitro maturation capacity of oocytes, which was determined by the first polar body extrusion, was enhanced from 48.9% to 75.7% by the addition of CoQ10 to the culture medium. During the parthenogenesis process, the number of two-cell embryos was increased by CoQ10 from 43.5% to 67.3%. Additionally, treatment with CoQ10 increased the expression of Bcl2 and Sirt1 in cumulus cells. These results suggested that CoQ10 had a positive effect on ROS reduction, maturation rate and two-cell embryo formation in mouse oocyte culture.

Enzyme immobilization using inorganic materials has been shown to preserve enzyme activity improving and improve their practical applications in biocatalytic process designs. Proper immobilization methods have been used to obtain high recycling and storage stability. In this study, we compared the activity and stability of in situ or crosslink-immobilized enzymes in a CaCO3 biomineral carrier. More than 30% of the initial enzyme activity was preserved for both the systems after 180 days upon 15 activity measurements at room temperature, confirming the improved stability of these enzyme systems (100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0); however, differences in enzyme loading, activity, and characteristics were observed for each of these methods. Each system exhibited efficacy of 80% and 20%, respectively. Based on the same amount of immobilized enzyme (0.2 mg), the specific activities of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate substrate at room temperature of in situ immobilized carboxyl esterase (CE) and crosslinked CE were 11.37 and 7.63 mM min−1 mg−1, respectively (100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0). Moreover, based on the kinetic behavior, in situ immobilized CE exhibited improved catalytic efficiency (Vmax Km−1) of the enzyme, exhibiting 4-fold higher activity and efficiency values than those of the CE immobilized in CaCO3. This is the first study to describe the stabilization of enzymes in CaCO3 and compare the enzyme kinetics and efficiencies between in situ immobilization and crosslinking in CaCO3 carriers.

Microglial activation is critical for obesityinduced hypothalamic inflammation and is closely associated with pathologies of metabolic complications. In this study, we investigated the effect of filbertone, a main aroma compound of hazelnuts, on microglia-mediated inflammatory responses in vitro and obesity-induced hypothalamic inflammation in vivo. BV2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of filbertone. Meanwhile, C57BL/6 mice were fed for 10- weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with 0.2% filbertone. Levels of inflammatory mediators in microglia or hypothalamus were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or quantitative real-time PCR. Filbertone significantly inhibited nitrite oxide production, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and inflammatory cytokine production in LPS-stimulated microglia. Filbertone also inhibited LPS-stimulated activation of inflammatory signaling molecules, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38, and the degradation of inhibitory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in microglia. Moreover, filbertone supplementation markedly suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and microglia activation marker in the hypothalamus of obese mice fed a HFD. These results suggest that filbertone reduces HFD-induced microglial activation through inhibition of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways, and thus protects obesityinduced hypothalamic inflammation. Filbertone may be useful for protection of microglia-mediated hypothalamic inflammation in obese condition and related metabolic complications.

The White-Robed Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara painting displayed on the rear wall of Daegwangbojeon (main hall) in Magoksa temple, is one of the representative Buddhist paintings in the late nineteenth century of Korea, and a valuable resource for understanding the coloring techniques and characteristics of Buddhist paintings in terms of expression and description in landscape painting. In this painting, the contours and colored surface remain undamaged, but blistering and exfoliation appear on some pigment layers. Furthermore, the partial decomposition of wooden materials due to wood-decay fungi and insect damage were found on the rear wall requiring proper treatment for long-term conservation. As the results of chromaticity and P-XRF analysis regarding the color pigment layer of the painting, the pigments were classified into ten types. The results suggest that the colors other than blue, green, yellow, red, black, and white were prepared by mixing two or more pigments. The types of pigments according to colors, were determined as traditional pigments with azurite; emerald green or clinoatacamite; 0 massicot; minium or hematite; Chinese ink; and kaolin, white lead, and gypsum, respectively. Violet and pink colors were assumed to have been prepared by mixing white with blue and red. In most of these pigments, small amounts of synthetic compositions from the modern era were detected at many points.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is strongly associated with the oocyte quality and aging, wherein the aged oocytes are related to the actin cytoskeleton integrity; however, whether this integrity is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in oocytes from aged mice remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and actin cytoskeleton instability in oocytes from the aged mice. We performed comparable analysis of mitochondrial motility between young, 1.5 μM cytochalasin B (CB)-treated young oocytes, and aged oocytes by confocal live imaging. Moreover, we analyzed the relationships between mitochondrial motility and maturation ratios, including ATP production ratio of the young, CB-treated young, and aged oocytes. Actin cytoskeleton instability in the aged oocytes and CB-treated young oocytes led to a significant decrease in the mitochondrial motility and low ATP productive ratios compared to those in the young group. Our data suggest that the actin cytoskeleton instability is presumably the primary cause for the loss of mitochondrial function in the aged murine oocytes.

Background Obese mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) display signs of inflammation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), a critical area for controlling systemic energy metabolism. This has been suggested as a key mechanism of obesity-associated hypothalamic dysfunction. We reported earlier that bone marrow-derived macrophages accumulate in the ARC to sustain hypothalamic inflammation upon chronic exposure to an HFD. However, the mechanism underlying hypothalamic macrophage accumulation has remained unclear. Methods We investigated whether circulating monocytes or myeloid precursors contribute to hypothalamic macrophage expansion during chronic HFD feeding. To trace circulating myeloid cells, we generated mice that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in their lysozyme M-expressing myeloid cells (LysMGFP mice). We conducted parabiosis and bone marrow transplantation experiments using these animals. Mice received an HFD for 12 or 30 weeks and were then sacrificed to analyze LysMGFP cells in the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic vascular permeability in the HFD-fed obese mice was also tested by examining the extravascular leakage of Evans blue and fluorescence-labeled albumin. The timing of LysMGFP cell entry to the hypothalamus during development was also evaluated. Results Our parabiosis and bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed a significant infiltration of circulating LysMGFP cells into the liver, skeletal muscle, choroid plexus, and leptomeninges but not in the hypothalamic ARC during chronic HFD feeding, despite increased hypothalamic vascular permeability. These results suggested that the recruitment of circulating monocytes is not a major mechanism for maintaining and expanding the hypothalamic macrophage population in diet-induced obesity. We demonstrated instead that LysMGFP cells infiltrate the hypothalamus during its development. LysMGFP cells appeared in the hypothalamic area from the late embryonic period. This cellular pool suddenly increased immediately after birth, peaked at the postnatal second week, and adopted an adult pattern of distribution after weaning. Conclusions Bone marrow-derived macrophages mostly populate the hypothalamus in early postnatal life and may maintain their pool without significant recruitment of circulating monocytes throughout life, even under conditions of chronic HFD feeding.

To properly restore masonry cultural heritage sites, the materials used for retrofitting can have a critical effect, and this requires standards for traditional Korean brick and lime mortar to be examined. This study experimentally investigated the material characteristics of Korean traditional bricks and two types of lime mortar (quicklime lumps and powdered hydrated lime) and the strength of masonry specimens made from those materials. Four different mixing ratios of lime, sand and white cement were considered as material parameters in this study. The experiment included uniaxial compressive testing and flexural testing to examine the mortars’ mechanical properties, and compression tests, triplet shear tests and diagonal compression tests for the masonry specimens. The results found that the strength of the masonry specimens was not necessarily associated with the mortar’s strength, but rather the cohesion between brick and mortar. In the material test, adding white cement had no noticeable effect on mortar strength. Meanwhile, in the masonry specimen, the effect of the added white cement was significant in terms of compressive and shear strength. This suggests that the bonding ratio between mortar and brick, which is an important factor influencing the behavior of bricks, was stronger with the addition of white cement. Furthermore, it was found that quicklime lumps had a lower strength than powdered hydrated lime. The test specimen with white cement added to powdered hydrated lime exhibited the greatest strength.

Author's summary As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, cardiac injury in patients infected with COVID-19 becomes a significant concern. Thus, this study investigates the impact of several electrocardiogram parameters and disease severity in COVID-19 patients. The deceased patients showed increased dispersion of QTc and Tpe-c compared with surviving patients (78.2±41.1 vs. 40.8±24.6 ms and 60.2±37.3 vs 40.8±24.5 ms, both p, Background and Objectives As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, cardiac injury in patients infected with COVID-19 becomes a significant concern. Thus, this study investigates the impact of several electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters and disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Methods Seven medical centers in Daegu admitted 822 patients with COVID-19 between February and April 2020. This study examined 267 patients among them who underwent an ECG test and evaluated their biochemical parameters like C-reactive protein (CRP), log N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac enzyme, and ECG parameters (heart rate, PR interval, QRS interval, T inversion, QT interval, and Tpe [the interval between peak to end in a T wave]). Results Those patients were divided into 3 groups of mild (100 patients), moderate (89 patients), and severe (78 patients) according to clinical severity score. The level of CRP, log NT-proBNP, and creatinine kinase-myocardial band were significantly increased in severe patients. Meanwhile, severe patients exhibited prolonged QT intervals (QTc) and Tpe (Tpe-c) compared to mild or moderate patients. Moreover, deceased patients (58; 21.7%) showed increased dispersion of QTc and Tpe-c compared with surviving patients (78.2±41.1 vs. 40.8±24.6 ms and 60.2±37.3 vs. 40.8±24.5 ms, both p

Biomineralized uniform and well-organized calcium carbonate microspheres were synthesized for enzyme immobilization, and the immobilized enzyme was successfully stabilized. The physicochemical parameters of calcium carbonate were studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface area measurement. Additionally, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda adsorption/desorption analysis showed that the calcium carbonate microspheres provided efficient mesopore space for enzyme loading. As a model enzyme, carboxyl esterase (CE) was entrapped and then cross-linked to form an enzyme structure. In this aggregate, the cross-linked enzymes cannot leach out from mesopores, resulting in enzyme stability. The hydrolytic activities of the free and cross-linked enzymes were analyzed over broad temperature and pH ranges. The cross-linked enzyme displayed better activity than the free enzyme. Furthermore, the immobilized CE was found to be stable for more than 30 days, preserving 60% of its initial activity even after being reused more than 10 times. This report is expected to be the first demonstration of a stabilized cross-linked enzyme system in calcium carbonate microspheres, which can be applied in enzyme catalyzed reactions involved in bioprocessing, bioremediation, and bioconversion.

Variants of the cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein (CYFIP) gene family, CYFIP1 and CYFIP2, are associated with numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. According to several studies, CYFIP1 regulates the development and function of both pre- and post-synapses in neurons. Furthermore, various studies have evaluated CYFIP2 functions in the postsynaptic compartment, such as regulating dendritic spine morphology; however, no study has evaluated whether and how CYFIP2 affects presynaptic functions. To address this issue, in this study, we have focused on the presynapses of layer 5 neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in adult Cyfip2 heterozygous (Cyfip2+/−) mice. Electrophysiological analyses revealed an enhancement in the presynaptic short-term plasticity induced by high-frequency stimuli in Cyfip2+/− neurons compared with wild-type neurons. Since presynaptic mitochondria play an important role in buffering presynaptic Ca2+, which is directly associated with the short-term plasticity, we analyzed presynaptic mitochondria using electron microscopic images of the mPFC. Compared with wild-type mice, the number, but not the volume or cristae density, of mitochondria in both presynaptic boutons and axonal processes in the mPFC layer 5 of Cyfip2+/− mice was reduced. Consistent with an identification of mitochondrial proteins in a previously established CYFIP2 interactome, CYFIP2 was detected in a biochemically enriched mitochondrial fraction of the mouse mPFC. Collectively, these results suggest roles for CYFIP2 in regulating presynaptic functions, which may involve presynaptic mitochondrial changes.

This research was supported by Ansan-Si hidden champion fostering and supporting project funded by Ansan city.

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4)/fasting-induced adipose factor (Fiaf) expression levels are increased by exercise in skeletal muscle. We have previously shown that Angptl4 regulates food intake and energy expenditure via modulation of hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. AMPK is an important signaling molecule that integrates skeletal muscle metabolism during exercise. Therefore, we investigated the involvement of Angptl4 in exercise-induced AMPK activation in skeletal muscle. Angptl4 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of mice following a 50-min running bout. Treatment of C2C12 myotubes with Angptl4 increased phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which were markers of AMPK activation, and the mitochondrial maximum respiratory capacity. Treadmill exercise increased AMPK and ACC phosphorylation in the gastrocnemius of normal mice; this phosphorylation increase was attenuated in mice lacking Angptl4. Endurance to swimming and hanging was also reduced in Angptl4 knockout mice. Taken together, our current data demonstrate that exercise-induced upregulation of skeletal muscle Angptl4 is critical for AMPK activation and exercise tolerance. These findings unveil a new role for skeletal muscle Angptl4 in exercise physiology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY 1) Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) treatment activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in skeletal muscle cells. 2) Angptl4 increases the maximum mitochondrial oxidative capacity through AMPK activation in skeletal muscle cells. 3) Lack of Angptl4 mitigates exercise-induced skeletal muscle AMPK activation. 4) Angptl4-deficient mice show a lower endurance to exercise.

Objective Adequate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) content in hypothalamic neurons is critical for the maintenance of normal energy balance and circadian rhythm. In this study, the beneficial metabolic effects of chronic NAD supplementation on diet-induced obesity and obesity-related disruption of diurnal rhythms were examined. Methods C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and received an intraperitoneal injection of either saline or NAD (1 mg/kg/day) for the last 4 weeks. The control mice were fed a chow diet and injected with saline for the same period. Body weights were monitored daily. Daily rhythms of food intake, energy expenditure, and locomotor activity were measured at the end of NAD treatment. The effect of NAD treatment on the clock gene Period 1 (PER1) transcription was also studied. Results Chronic NAD supplementation significantly attenuated weight gain in HFD-fed obese mice. Furthermore, NAD treatment recovered the suppressed rhythms in the diurnal locomotor activity patterns in obese mice. In addition, exogenous NAD supply rescued cellular NAD depletion-induced suppression of PER1 transcriptional activity in hypothalamic neuron cells as well as blunted daily fluctuations of hypothalamic arcuate nucleus PER1 expression in obese mice. Conclusions NAD supplementation showed therapeutic effects in obese mice with altered diurnal behaviors.

Context.— Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are important serologic markers for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Several kinds of test reagents for automated immunoassay systems have been developed and used in recent years. Objective.— To evaluate the analytic and diagnostic performance of the new ADVIA Centaur anticyclic citrullinated peptide assay (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) compared with the Elecsys assay (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Design.— A total of 576 serum samples were collected from subjects, including 156 patients (27%) with rheumatoid arthritis. Precision performance and analytical measurement range for the ADVIA assay were evaluated. Diagnostic performance of the 2 assays was compared based on sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Results.— The ADVIA assay showed a within-laboratory imprecision of 3.4% coefficient of variation for levels of 3.36 and 24.99 U/mL. This assay was demonstrated to be linear from 0.4 to 180.0 U/mL. With default cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis were 71.2% and 97.9%, respectively, for the ADVIA assay and 73.1% and 96.9%, respectively, for the Elecsys assay. With the best cutoff values from the analyses of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity of the 2 assays was the same at 75.6%. However, the specificity of the ADVIA assay was 96.4%, whereas that of the Elecsys assay was 94.3%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for the ADVIA assay was 0.867, which was not significantly different from that of the Elecsys assay (0.865). Conclusions.— The ADVIA Centaur anticyclic citrullinated peptide assay showed good analytic and diagnostic performance in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

The phase equilibria and surface tension of a polypropylene polyol (PPP) series was studied in aqueous solvent systems. The PPP series was composed of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) groups, exhibiting specific interactions with both water and alcohols. Binary and ternary liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) of the PPP series were determined via thermo-optical analysis (TOA) methods, which represented closed-loop miscibility in water and Treybal Type 1 behavior in water and methanol (MeOH), respectively. The surface tension of the ternary PPP1/water/MeOH system was measured using a well-known plate method. The dendritic characteristics of the PPP series were reflected through modeling using lattice cluster theory (LCT) for complex structures of the polymer. The phase diagrams and surface tension of the PPP series were described from binary to ternary systems based on LCT incorporated with Guggenheim's treatment using predetermined parameters. The calculated results of both systems were in good agreement with the experimental data using the same interaction energy parameters.

In this study, we performed customized ultrasonic measurements of the stone block foundation of the Sungnyemun Gate, which is representative of the stone architectural heritage in the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the weathering evaluation standards, which are extensively used in stone heritage, were improved considering the type of rock and its provenance site. In particular, the absolute weathering grade used the ultrasonic velocity (P-wave) of a universal hard rock, whereas the relative weathering grade used the differences between the ultrasonic velocities of the materials in the stone block foundation of the Sungnyemun Gate (weathered stone) and the fresh rocks in the provenance. Among these, the absolute weathering grade was observed to be constant regardless of the type of rock; however, the relative weathering grade varied depending on the type dof rock. Because the average ultrasonic velocity of the original blocks of the stone block foundation of the Sungnyemun Gate was 2665 m/s, it was estimated that their ultrasonic velocity reduced by approximately 2.1 m/s per year as compared to that observed in case of fresh rocks (average 3932 m/s) in the provenance site. Furthermore, the weathering evaluation exhibited that there were approximately two stages of difference between the original blocks and the new blocks. As compared to the relative weathering grade, the absolute weathering grade was observed to underestimate the overall ultrasonic velocity of the stone block foundation of the Sungnyemun Gate. This study presents a customized method for performing ultrasonic measurements and for evaluating weathering. It is assumed that the results of this study will be extensively used in diagnosing and monitoring the stone architectural heritage.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human-restricted α-herpesvirus that exhibits tropism for the skin. The VZV host receptors and downstream signaling pathways responsible for the antiviral innate immune response in the skin are not completely understood. Here, we show that STING mediates an important host defense against VZV infection in dermal cells including human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. Inhibition of STING using small interfering-RNA or short hairpin RNA-mediated gene disruption resulted in enhanced viral replication but diminished IRF3 phosphorylation and induction of IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with STING agonists resulted in reduced VZV glycoprotein E expression and viral replication. Additionally, using RNA sequencing to analyze dual host and VZV transcriptomes, we identified several host immune genes significantly induced by VZV infection. Furthermore, significant up-regulation of IFN-λ secretion was observed after VZV infection, partly through a STING-dependent pathway; IFN-λ was shown to be crucial for antiviral defense against VZV in human dermal cells. In conclusion, our data provide an important insight into STING-mediated induction of type I and III IFNs and subsequent antiviral signaling pathways that regulate VZV replication in human dermal cells.

Various types of hydrogel swelling behaviors can be examined using one of two lattice-based thermodynamic models, a modified double lattice model (MDL) and a Xin model combined with the Flory-Erman theory as a contribution for network elasticity. Depending on the thermoresponsibility of the hydrogel, we investigate the swelling behaviors of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and upper critical solution temperature (UCST) types. Hourglass, closed-loop, and LCST- and UCST-types are also hypothetically described. In addition, reentrant-type swelling behaviors are analyzed for the given hydrogel systems. The swelling equilibriums of the gel networks are calculated using predetermined molecular interaction parameters obtained from phase equilibrium of the corresponding linear polymer systems. The calculated results for the various types of swelling behaviors verify the applicability of the lattice-based thermodynamic models for swelling equilibrium of the given hydrogel systems.

Switching the lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of thermo-sensitive particle gels including poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(N-diethylacrylamide) (PNDEAM), and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) was investigated in various aqueous solvents. Three prepared particle gels represented a single LCST in a pure water solution near human body temperature. By adding a chaotropic co-solvent, such as dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), to given gels in aqueous solution, the degree of influence on change of LCST was significantly different due to the difference in chemical structures. LCSTs of polymer solutions were affected by changing solvent conditions from pure water to mixed solvents. The LCST behaviors of linear PNIPAM, PNDEAM, and PNVCL in water/DMF or DMSO were determined by thermo-optical analysis (TOA), which supported the switchability of LCSTs in hydrogel systems. We used the photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) technique to measure the switched LCSTs of hydrogel particles in mixed solvent systems. The switched LCSTs of the investigated systems exhibited a non-linear trend by varying co-solvent contents. A molecular thermodynamic framework, a combination of the modified double lattice with chain length dependence (MDL-CL) model and the Flory-Rehner (F-R) model, was utilized to describe and correlate the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) and thermosensitive swelling behaviors between linear and cross-linked polymer solutions. With the addition of chaotropic co-solvents, a non-linear trend for phase behaviors of the three polymers was described after taking into account temperature and composition dependence on the association fraction ( η i j ) between the species. We assumed the donor-acceptor concept and competitive hydrogen bonding between polymer/water and water/co-solvent. The association fraction for the secondary lattice model was modified from an arbitrarily determined value to a physically meaningful value. Accordingly, the phase equilibrium of the amphiphilic polymers influenced by the structure-breaker characteristics of the co-solute was properly implemented in both experimental and modeling aspects.

Background In this study, the properties of the water glass (WG, sodium-silicate glass) were utilized to control the biodegradability of the beta tricalcium phosphate materials by the WG coating on the tricalcium phosphate disc surface with various coating thickness, chemistry, and heat-treatment. Methods Four types of disc specimens were prepared. A sample group A consisted of pure hydroxyapatite (HA) as a negative resorption control; a sample group B consisted of pure beta tricalcium phosphate as a positive resorption control; a sample group C consisted of beta tricalcium phosphate coated with WG as an early resorption model; and a sample group D consisted beta tricalcium phosphate coated with WG and heat-treated at 500°C as a delayed resorption model. Using human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells, for the analysis of cellular attachment and proliferative activity, 4–6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole fluorescence technique was used. For the analysis of osteteogenic differentiation, alkaline phospastase (ALP) activity was measured. Results The mean z-scores of four groups (A, B, C, and D) in cellular attachment at 4 h after seeding were −1.21, −0.15, 0.42, and 0.94, respectively, and statistically significantly different in all groups respectively. Seven days after seeding, the mean z-scores of cellular proliferation were 1.97, 0.71, 1.48, and 1.83 in the four groups, respectively. The mean z-scores of the ALP activity per the mean z-scores of cell numbers of respective groups on the seventh day were 0.40, −1.51, 0.12, and 0.06, respectively, in four groups. Conclusion Initial cellular attachment is better on beta tricalcium phosphate than on HA and is enhanced by WG coating, especially with sintering at the high temperature. Cellular proliferation is considered to be increased by maintaining its attachment site through reduced dissolution of beta tricalcium phosphate by WG coating. Osteogenic differentiation in in-vitro study on the WG-coated beta tricalcium phosphate is thought to be as the result of increased silicon ion release from the WG.

Background Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 is an important regulator of hypothalamic neuronal function. Thus, an adequate hypothalamic NAD content is critical for maintaining normal energy homeostasis. Methods We investigated whether NAD supplementation increases hypothalamic NAD levels and affects energy metabolism in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the effects of exogenous NAD on central metabolism upon entering the hypothalamus. Results Central and peripheral NAD administration suppressed fasting-induced hyperphagia and weight gain in mice. Extracellular NAD was imported into N1 hypothalamic neuronal cells in a connexin 43-dependent and CD73-independent manner. Consistent with the in vitro data, inhibition of hypothalamic connexin 43 blocked hypothalamic NAD uptake and NAD-induced anorexia. Exogenous NAD suppressed NPY and AgRP transcriptional activity, which was mediated by SIRT1 and FOXO1. Conclusions Exogenous NAD is effectively transported to the hypothalamus via a connexin 43-dependent mechanism and increases hypothalamic NAD content. Therefore, NAD supplementation is a potential therapeutic method for metabolic disorders characterized by hypothalamic NAD depletion.

Wogonin is a natural plant-derived flavonoid isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an α-herpesvirus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. Antiviral activities of natural plant-derived compounds against VZV have not been fully described. Here, we identify the significant inhibitory activity of wogonin against VZV replication. Transcription levels of the VZV genes such as open reading frame 4, 14, and 63 and infectious progeny virus were reduced with wogonin treatment in VZV-infected primary human fibroblast cells. Consistent to our polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array data, our qRT-PCR and ELISA data suggest wogonin treatment induced type I interferon (IFN)-mediated signaling pathways and activated toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 expression. Interestingly, wogonin specifically suppressed AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and a pharmacological inhibition of AMPK by compound C resulted in the significant reduction of viral titers. Altogether, the data here indicate that wogonin has promising and potent anti-VZV activities.

Thermosensitive nanosized particle gels are prepared by precipitation polymerization of the N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) monomer. The photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) technique detects a significant effect of the added sodium chloride (NaCl) on thermosensitive swelling behaviors. For theoretical treatment of the salting-out effect on the swelling behaviors, this study proposes a nonrandom contact (NRC) model that considers the occupation of salt molecules on the nearest lattice sites of gel molecules, inspired from Guggenheim’s approach. To be specific, salt-dependent interchange energy (esalt) is introduced to the mixing contribution term to overcome a major limitation of classical Donnan-type approaches, which is that such approaches have poor applicability of conventional ionic models to noncharged gel systems and thermosensitivity. This study then combined three closed-packed lattice models (modified double lattice (MDL) model, modified Flory–Huggins (MFH) model, and Xin model) with the NRC model t...

Three strains of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii (JJS, KCM, and KJD) were isolated from different water bodies in Korea and grown as batch cultures in the laboratory. The effects of different growth media and temperatures on the growth rate were investigated, as well as the effect of temperature on the total lipid content and lipid profile. All three strains had the highest growth rates in BG-11 medium and at . Maximal lipid production () was at in the JJS strain and at in the KCM and KJD strains. However, all the three strains produced the greatest percent dry weight of total lipids at and had the lowest percent dry weight of total lipids at . In general, oleic acid, linolenic acid, and behenic acid were the most common fatty acids in all three strains. However, the three strains varied considerably in their fatty acid profiles at different culture temperatures.

Hypothalamic lipid sensing is important for the maintenance of energy balance. Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (Angptl3) critically regulates the clearance of circulating lipids by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL). The current study demonstrated that Angptl3 is highly expressed in the neurons of the mediobasal hypothalamus, an important area in brain lipid sensing. Suppression of hypothalamic Angptl3 increased food intake but reduced energy expenditure and fat oxidation, thereby promoting weight gain. Consistently, intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of Angptl3 caused the opposite metabolic changes, supporting an important role for hypothalamic Angptl3 in the control of energy balance. Notably, ICV Angptl3 significantly stimulated hypothalamic LPL activity. Moreover, coadministration of the LPL inhibitor apolipoprotein C3 antagonized the effects of Angptl3 on energy metabolism, indicating that LPL activation is critical for the central metabolic actions of Angptl3. Increased LPL activity is expected to promote lipid uptake by hypothalamic neurons, leading to enhanced brain lipid sensing. Indeed, ICV injection of Angptl3 increased long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) and LCFA-CoA levels in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, inhibitors of hypothalamic lipid-sensing pathways prevented Angptl3-induced anorexia and weight loss. These findings identify Angptl3 as a novel regulator of the hypothalamic lipid-sensing pathway.

Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) phase behaviors for twenty ternary systems are examined by four lattice-based thermodynamic models, the Flory–Huggins model (F-H), the modified double lattice model (MDL), the modified double lattice model-chain length dependent (MDL-CL) and the Xin model, and compared with experimental data. Ternary systems are composed of simple molecule and polymer solutions, and are described according to Treybal classifications of Type 0, 1, 2 or 3. These types of phase behaviors can be influenced by the nature of the solvent or temperature, and accurate predictions are important in the separation process and to recover residual oils. The interaction energy parameters directly obtained from the LLE binary systems are used to predict the ternary systems. Applicable types of binary phase behavior and adjustable parameters for each model are tabulated. The vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) for polymer/solvent systems and the swelling equilibrium of the hydrogel system are described and the same interaction energy parameters from the LLE binary systems were also used. The MDL-CL and Xin models provide better agreement with experimental data than other models.

The aim of this study was to compare the intensity-based statin therapy and attained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) based therapy in patients with AMI, using the nationwide, multicenter, prospective KAMIR-NIH (Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction-National Institutes of Health) registry.

Poly N-isopropylacrylamide-co-ethylacrylate [P(NIPAM-co-EA)], Poly N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate [P(NIPAM-co-HEMA)], and Poly N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethylacrylate [P(NIPAM-co-HEA)] nano-sized particle copolymer hydrogels were synthesized to investigate their volume phase transition behavior. Increasing the hydrophobic or hydrophilic monomer content of hydrogels led to uniform changes in transition temperature and swelling ratio. Different statistical thermodynamic models are presented to describe the swelling behavior of copolymer gels. The classical interaction energy parameter in the thermodynamic model, which is not suitable for accurately representing the equilibrium swelling of a copolymer hydrogel, was modified semi-empirically in order to reflect the individual contribution of each hydrogel constituent. In addition, we investigated the volume phase transition of PNIPAM gels as a function of crosslinker chain length. The crosslinkers used in this study were N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and two different molecular weights of Poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (PEGDA, 575 and 700). Interestingly, the use of a long chain crosslinker resulted in a decreased volume change compared to that of a short chain crosslinker without any significant changes in transition temperature. To understand this unexpected result, we used a molecular dynamics simulation for BIS and PEGDA 575 to demonstrate the micro-scale conformation change of crosslinker chain mixed with water or ethanol. The proposed thermodynamic models represent the swelling behavior of the copolymer hydrogels and PNIPAM gels with different length crosslinkers.

Mi Sun Lee, Min Cheol Kim, Chan Hee Lee, Hoey Kyung Park, Tae Won Kang, Hae Seong Jeong*,Kyoung Ah Han*, Weon Hoe Huh* and Ji Cheol You*Department Chemical Engineering, Kongju National University, 275 Budae-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam 330-717, Korea *Silice Co., Ltd., Korea Institute of Industrial Technology PP2-303,35-3, Ipjang-myeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, Chungnam 331-822, Korea(Received 8 March 2013; accepted 31 March 2013)

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of a 70% ethanol extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris (ESE) on varicella-zoster virus (VZV) replication and identify the specific bioactive component(s) underlying its activity. ESE induced a significant reduction in replication of the clinical strain of VZV. Activity-guided fractionation indicated that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of ESE contains the active compound(s) inhibiting VZV replication. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) analysis of the EtOAc fraction of ESE facilitated the identification of 13 chemical components. Among these, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-s-D-glucose (PGG) markedly suppressed VZV-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, expression of viral immediate-early 62 (IE62) protein and VZV replication. Our results collectively support the utility of PGG as a potential candidate anti-viral drug to treat VZV-associated diseases.

The Hongjimun Ogansumun (Five-arched floodgates) is composed mainly of biotite granite, pink feldspar granite and granodiorite that are very similar with granitic rocks around the Seoul. Main damage in the floodgates was gray, yellow and predominantly white discoloration on the surface of stone blocks. All floodgates showed more discoloration in the wall than ceiling, and there were growing stalactite on the ceiling. Scientific analyses determined that the white discoloring substrates were mainly calcite. Therefore, conservation treatment was carried out to remove the substrates by using dry cleaning, high pressure cleaning and chemicals. The floodgates have been restored to good state, but it is still significantly necessary to install drainage on the top of the gates.

The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with gout among South Koreans. A case control study of gout patients newly diagnosed between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, and matching controls was conducted using the nationwide database (National Health Insurance Corporation and National Health Screening Exam (NHSE) database), which included the health-care records of 48.1 million individuals. Of 495,998 newly diagnosed patients, we included 18,123 who were ≥40 years old and had an NHSE before diagnosis of gout. To elucidate the factors associated with gout, multivariate conditional logistic analyses were performed. Gout was associated with drinking ≥1/week (p

SUMMARY Obesity-associated metabolic alterations are closely linked to low-grade inflammation in peripheral organs, in which macrophages play a central role. Using genetic labeling of myeloid lineage cells, we show that hypothalamic macrophages normally reside in the perivascular area and circumventricular organ median eminence. Chronic consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) induces expansion of the monocyte-derived macrophage pool in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), which is significantly attributed to enhanced proliferation of macrophages. Notably, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is robustly activated in ARC macrophages of HFD-fed obese mice. Hypothalamic macrophage iNOS inhibition completely abrogates macrophage accumulation and activation, proinflammatory cytokine overproduction, reactive astrogliosis, blood-brain-barrier permeability, and lipid accumulation in the ARC of obese mice. Moreover, central iNOS inhibition improves obesity-induced alterations in systemic glucose metabolism without affecting adiposity. Our findings suggest a critical role for hypothalamic macrophage-expressed iNOS in hypothalamic inflammation and abnormal glucose metabolism in cases of overnutrition-induced obesity., In Brief Lee et al. demonstrate in mice that, upon prolonged high-fat diet feeding, hypothalamic macrophages proliferate, expand their pool, and sustain hypothalamic inflammation. Moreover, they show that hypothalamic macrophage iNOS inhibition diminishes macrophage activation, astrogliosis, blood-brain-barrier permeability, and impaired glucose metabolism in diet-induced obese mice., Graphical Abstract

The unpleasant odor of drinking water is one of the major problems in many water utilities in the world. Actinomycetes have long been associated with odorous compounds. Considering the paucity of research on Actinomycetes producing odorous compounds in South Korea, presence of Actinomycetes , their molecular characteristics and ability to produce odorous compounds were investigated in this study. Findings confirmed the presence of Actinomycetes in surface soil, sediment, and water samples from four sites: two artificial lakes [Paldang and Cheongpyeong (CP)], and two streams [Gyeongan (GA) and Yangpyeong]. Surface soil and sediment from CP area had the greatest concentration of Actinomycetes (8.2 × 10 7 and 6.8 × 10 6 colony forming units (CFUs)/gram, dry weight, respectively). When water samples are considered, samples from GA had the highest concentration (1.9 × 10 2 CFU/mL). 16S rRNA sequencing and molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that Streptomyces was the dominant genus (64.1%). In addition, the isolated Actinomycetes synthesized 5.4 ng/L geosmin as demonstrated by thermal desorption unit-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry analysis.

The reaction of [Ni(L)]Cl2·2H2O (L = 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[14,4,01.18,07.12]docosane) with pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (H-pyc) yields mononuclear nickel(II) complex, [Ni(L)(pyc)2]·2H2O (1). This complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electronic absorption and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure of 1 exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and two pyrazine-2-carboxylate ligands. It crystallizes in the triclinic system P-1 with a = 9.6643(17), b = 10.116(3), c = 16.99(4) A, V = 1633(3) A3, Z = 2. Electronic spectrum of 1 also reveals a high-spin octahedral environment. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 undergoes two waves of a one-electron transfer corresponding to NiII/NiIII and NiII/NiI processes. The crystal structure of 1 exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and two pyrazine-2-carboxylate ligand.

Background Magnesium is well known to inhibit catecholamine release and attenuate vasopressin-stimulated vasoconstriction. We investigated whether i.v. magnesium sulphate attenuates the haemodynamic stress responses to pneumoperitoneum by changing neurohumoral responses during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods Thirty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to two groups; a control group was given saline, and a magnesium group received magnesium sulphate 50 mg kg−1 immediately before pneumoperitoneum. Arterial pressure, heart rate, serum magnesium, plasma renin activity (PRA), and catecholamine, cortisol, and vasopressin levels were measured. Results Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were greater in the control group (P Conclusions I.V. magnesium sulphate before pneumoperitoneum attenuates arterial pressure increases during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This attenuation is apparently related to reductions in the release of catecholamine, vasopressin, or both.

Cancer pain impairs the quality of life of cancer patients, but opioid analgesics can not only cause inhibition of respiratory function, and constipation, but also other significant side effects such as addiction and tolerance that further decrease quality of life. Thus, in the present study, the effects of electro-acupuncture treatment (EA) on mechanical allodynia were examined in cancer pain mouse model. In order to induce neuropathic cancer pain model, S-180 sarcoma cells were inoculated around the sciatic nerve of left legs of Balb/c mice. The mass of S-180 cancer cells embedded around sciatic nerve in a time course was confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning. Mechanical allodynia was most consistently induced in mouse sarcoma cell line S-180 (2 x 10(6) sarcoma cells) treated group among all groups. EA stimulation (2Hz) was daily given to ST36 (Zusanli) of S-180 bearing mice for 30 min for 9 days after S-180 inoculation. EA treatment significantly prolonged paw withdrawal latency from 5 days after inoculation as well as shortened cumulative lifting duration from 7 days after inoculation compared with tumor control. In addition, the overexpressions of pain peptide substance P in dorsal horn of spinal cord were significantly decreased in EA treated group compared with tumor control on Day 9 after inoculation. Furthermore, EA treatment effectively increased the concentration of beta endorphin in blood and brain of mice more than tumor control as well as normal group. The concentration of beta-endorphin for EA treatment group increased by 51.457% in blood 12.6% in brain respectively, compared with tumor control group. These findings suggest that S-180 cancer pain model can be a consistent and short time animal model and also EA treatment can be an alternative therapeutic method for cancer pain via decreased substance P and increased beta endorphin.

This study presents detailed description and geochemical characteristics of the efflorescence caused by interaction of water and the concrete on the surface of the seventh granitic stone pagoda in Republic of Korea. The pagoda comprised light gray medium-grained biotite granite with partial porphyritic texture, and it has been repaired for the destroyed parts using concrete in the 1910s. The surface of the pagoda was found to be contaminated by efflorescence at present. As a result of the study, the efflorescence is more concentrated within the areas of water pathway and the northern faces, and in the time of winter season. The efflorescent pollutants were mainly composed of carbonates. Through the extraction experiment, inorganic components of the efflorescence were quantitatively analyzed and discussed for an application with regard to the surface cleaning. The cleaning solvent with pH 6.2 is more effective than pH 5.0 to remove the efflorescent pollutants in general, however, the pH 5.0 solvent showed better results only for anions. Cleaning using chemical agents should be conducted only for small spots with sufficient water washing. And the cleaning effectiveness shows the maximum with the duration of 1 h in which soluble elements dissolve in the solvent the most.

The prM protein of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) contains a single potential N-linked glycosylation site, N 15 -X 16 -T 17 , which is highly conserved among JEV strains and closely related flaviviruses. To investigate the role of this site in JEV replication and pathogenesis, we manipulated the RNA genome by using infectious JEV cDNA to generate three prM mutants (N15A, T17A, and N15A/T17A) with alanine substiting for N 15 and/or T 17 and one mutant with silent point mutations introduced into the nucleotide sequences corresponding to all three residues in the glycosylation site. An analysis of these mutants in the presence or absence of endoglycosidases confirmed the addition of oligosaccharides to this potential glycosylation site. The loss of prM N glycosylation, without significantly altering the intracellular levels of viral RNA and proteins, led to an ≈20-fold reduction in the production of extracellular virions, which had protein compositions and infectivities nearly identical to those of wild-type virions; this reduction occurred at the stage of virus release, rather than assembly. This release defect was correlated with small-plaque morphology and an N-glycosylation-dependent delay in viral growth. A more conservative mutation, N15Q, had the same effect as N15A. One of the four prM mutants, N15A/T17A, showed an additional defect in virus growth in mosquito C6/36 cells but not human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y or hamster BHK-21 cells. This cell type dependence was attributed to abnormal N-glycosylation-independent biogenesis of prM. In mice, the elimination of prM N glycosylation resulted in a drastic decrease in virulence after peripheral inoculation. Overall, our findings indicate that this highly conserved N-glycosylation motif in prM is crucial for multiple stages of JEV biology: prM biogenesis, virus release, and pathogenesis.

Vanadium and barium-bearing green mica, first reported in Korea, has been found within the coaly metapelite from the Ogcheon Supergroup at the Deokpyeong and Hoenam area. The occurrence, optical property, chemical composition, crystal structure and formation environment of the green mica were systematically investigated. Concentrations of the V2O3 and BaO in green mica-bearing coaly metapelite range from 0.15 to 1.88 wt% and 0.55 to 6.66 wt%, respectively. The mode of occurrence and grain size of this mica are variable. Most of the green mica, ranging from 50 to 100 μm in length and from 5 to 10 μm in width, occur along foliation boundaries between graphite and quartz grains. The green mica predominantly occur as pseudo-hexagonal forms, pale to deep green in colour with flakes of crystals. Based on 2M structure, unit-cell parameters of the mica are a=5.213–5.249 A , b=8.936–8.990 A , c=20.524–20.924 A and β=95.89–95.98°, which are higher than the normal 2M1 muscovite. Representative chemical formula of the mica is (Na0.1K1.4Ba0.5)(Al2.8Ti0.1V0.5Fe0.1Mg0.5)(Si6.0Al2.0)O22. The V and Ba possibly substitute for octahedral AlVI and K, respectively. The compositional ranges of V and Ba, on the basis of O=22, are from 0.31 to 0.68 and from 0.37 to 0.57, respectively. We suggest that the genesis of this green mica within the coaly metapelite could be interpreted as due to apparently related metamorphism. The Ba and V, enriched during diagenesis at the interface between the basinal brine and organic matter, possibly substituted for the K and AlVI in smectite and/or illite, respectively.

Air extraction and injection were evaluated for extracting hazardous landfill gas and enhancing degradation of organic materials in a landfill in Korea. From the pilot and full-scale tests, the following results were obtained. The pressure radii of influence varies with direction (anisotropy). A smaller oxygen radius of influence compared with the pressure radius of influence was observed in the landfill where the oxygen consumption rate was relatively high. This was in contrast to a petroleum-contaminated site, where the oxygen radius of influence was estimated to be larger than the pressure radius of influence. The increase in the pressure radius of influence was relatively small compared with the increase in air injection rate. When air was injected at a flow rate of 1 pore volume, the air temperature inside the landfill material increased by up to 20 °C because of a calorific reaction. It was also observed that the air-extraction system recovered landfill gas (LFG), and also enhanced aerobic degradation of landfill materials. Methane oxidation occurred during the continuous air injection, which was supported by a decrease in the CH4/CO2 ratio. Oxygen consumption rate for the air injection was larger than that for the LFG extraction. Furthermore, the intermittent air injection appeared less effective in landfill stabilization than the continuous injection when they are applied to an active younger landfill with larger oxygen consumption rates, whereas the reverse is the case when applied to an aged landfill.

Occurrence, optical properties, chemical composition, crystal structure and formation environments of the phillipsite within deep-sea manganese nodules were systematically investigated. Phillipsite occurs in manganese nodules as nuclei along consolidated bottom sediments, weathered volcanic debris, and interstitial grains in all layers of manganese encrustments. Phillipsite is predominantly a pseudomorph of volcanic shards, and occurs as white to pale-yellow, lath-shaped and equant crystals. They show prismatic, blocky, and bladed aggregations, 2 to 20 μm long and 2 to 5 μm thick. The chemical formula of phillipsite in a microprobe analysis is (Ca0.1Mg0.3Na1.1K1.5) (Fe0.3Al4.2Si11.8)O32 · 10H2O indicating a relatively siliceous and alkalic composition. The Si/(Al + Fe3+) ratio is 2.37 to 2.78, alkalis greatly exceed the divalent exchangeable cations, and the Na/K ratio is 0.59 to 0.81. The mineral is monoclinic ( P2 1 m ) with the unit-cell parameters a = 10.005 A , b = 14.129 A , c = 8.686 A , β = 124.35 °, and V = 1013.6 A 3 . Phillipsites in manganese nodules formed apparently authigenically at a temperature less than 10 °C, and they crystallized at a pressure of less than 0.7 kbar, and pH of about 8 due to deep-sea environments.