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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the patterns and etiologies of acquired ocular motor nerve palsy (OMNP) diagnosed in neurology clinics. We also investigated the clinical features that may predict the causes other than microvascular ischemia in isolated OMNP. METHODS We performed a prospective multicenter study that had recruited 298 patients with acquired OMNP from the neurology clinics of referral-based 9 university hospitals in Korea. We finally selected 235 patients with isolated OMNP and divided them into older (age ≥50 years, n=188) and younger (age

Interruption is a widespread phenomenon in human&ndash, computer interaction in modern working environments. To minimize the adverse impact or to maximize possible benefits of interruptions, a reliable approach to evaluate interruption cost needs to be established. In this paper, we suggest a new approach to evaluate the interruption cost by cognitive workload and task performance measures. The cognitive workload is assessed by pupil diameter changes and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) task load index. Task performance includes task completion time and task accuracy in a series of controlled laboratory experiments. This integrated approach was applied to three interruption coordination modes (i.e., the immediate, the negotiated, and the scheduled modes), which were designed based on McFarlane&rsquo, s interruption coordination modes. Each mode consists of cognitive and skill tasks depending on the degree of mental demands providing four different task sets of interruptive task environments. Our results demonstrate that the negotiated mode shows a lower interruption cost than other modes, and primary task type and task similarity between primary and peripheral tasks are crucial in the evaluation of the cost. This study suggests a new approach evaluating interruption cost by cognitive workload and task performance measures. Applying this approach to various interruptive environments, disruptiveness of interruption was evaluated considering interruption coordination modes and task types, and the outcomes can support development of strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of unexpected and unnecessary interruptions.

The present study investigates the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of an Al2O3 film on graphene atop copper with water vapor (H2O), oxygen plasma (O2 plasma) and ozone (O3) serving as oxidants. With water vapor as an oxidant, surface-sensitive deposition results in significant differences in growth on single layer graphene (SLG) and multilayer graphene (MLG). Al2O3 completely covers areas of SLG, while virtually no Al2O3 is deposited on areas of MLG. The MLG areas are removed by O2 plasma, and exposed copper areas are oxidized. Information about MLG, including the location, size, and density, can be determined by employing optical microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to confirm the validity of the surface-selective deposition of Al2O3 on graphene grown on copper. We developed a process to distinguish SLG and MLG on copper. The characterization results were fed back to the synthesis conditions, and we confirmed that high-quality SLG can be grown on copper almost devoid of MLG. This characterization technique is suitable for large-area graphene (up to meter scale graphene), and can be utilized as feedback for growth and process conditions to ensure high-quality graphene.

Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) sections contain longitudinal and transverse reinforcement that spans the entire pavement section. This paper presents the investigation res...

Geogrids are becoming a popular alternative for soil reinforcement in highway pavement construction to achieve improved performance in regions with soft problematic soils or with a reduction in aggregate layer thickness to reduce construction costs. To examine the potential benefits of geogrids for soil improvement, measurement of permanent deformation using triaxial tests is used in practice. However, soil subgrade improvement in a reinforced pavement system is achieved by lateral distribution of vertical stresses at the reinforcing layer, through the tensile properties of the geogrid material. Therefore, it is desirable to conduct large-scale testing to more accurately monitor the behavior of soil when geogrid is present. The current study seeks to verify the behavior of geogrid reinforced pavement systems through large-scale wheel tests performed with problematic subgrade soils found in North Georgia. The large scale specimen was prepared in a 6 feet long × 6 feet wide × 2 feet deep metal box and consisted of 12 in. of aggregate base overlying 12 in. of subgrade soil. Pressure sensors were installed near the bottom of the aggregate base layer and near the top and bottom of the subgrade layer to monitor stress distributions within the pavement system. This paper presents preliminary results showing vertical stress variations obtained experimentally in aggregate base and subgrade soils under large-scale simulated traffic tire loading. The development of a bench scale system to complement the large scale loading system and allow for microstructure evolution studies is also described.

Metakaolin is the only major natural pozzolan to be specified for use as a supplementary cementitious material in the United States. As a result, the metakaolin market for concrete has grown dramatically in the past 20 years. As of now, the specifications of up to 16 state departments of transportation allow for the use of commercially-available and high-reactivity metakaolin products. However, to the best of the authors&rsquo, knowledge, no study has been performed to evaluate whether these products are comparable in their performance. Three commercially-available (U.S.) metakaolin products, each replacing 10%, 15%, and 20% of the cement content in concrete and mortar mixtures are studied. Concrete mixtures contained a cementitious content of 422 kg/m3, a coarse aggregate fraction of 985 kg/m3, and a water-to-cementitious ratio equal to 0.43. Varying levels of a superplasticizer were used to maintain a uniform workability between mixtures. Each mixture was subjected to the following tests: compression, split-cylinder tension, modulus of rupture, dynamic elastic modulus, rapid chloride-ion penetrability, alkali&ndash, silica reactivity, sulfate resistance, the coefficient of thermal expansion, and drying shrinkage. Benefits from the inclusion of metakaolin were highly product-dependent and include increases in mechanical strength. All metakaolin supplemented concrete mixtures benefitted from decreased permeability and increased resistance to chemical attacks, with the exception of the sulfate resistance of mortars including a metakaolin product with high fineness. The inclusion of any metakaolin at any replacement level increased the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete specimens. Reasons for difference in performance between products are discussed, and predictors of quality are recommended.

Patients with vestibular migraine are susceptible to motion sickness. This study aimed to determine whether the severity of posture instability is related to the susceptibility to motion sickness. We used a visual motion paradigm with two conditions of the stimulated retinal field and the head posture to quantify postural stability while maintaining a static stance in 18 patients with vestibular migraine and in 13 age-matched healthy subjects. Three parameters of postural stability showed differences between VM patients and controls: RMS velocity (0.34 ± 0.02 cm/s vs. 0.28 ± 0.02 cm/s), RMS acceleration (8.94 ± 0.74 cm/s2 vs. 6.69 ± 0.87 cm/s2), and sway area (1.77 ± 0.22 cm2 vs. 1.04 ± 0.25 cm2). Patients with vestibular migraine showed marked postural instability of the head and neck when visual stimuli were presented in the retinal periphery. The pseudo-Coriolis effect induced by head roll tilt was not responsible for the main differences in postural instability between patients and controls. Patients with vestibular migraine showed a higher visual dependency and low stability of the postural control system when maintaining quiet standing, which may be related to susceptibility to motion sickness.

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has seen increasing use because it significantly reduces the paving cost, conserves energy, and protects the environment. This paper evaluates how RAP content and binder grade affect the dynamic modulus |E∗| of asphalt concrete mixtures. The mix design includes four RAP contents (0%, 15%, 25% and 30%) and three binder grades (PG64-22, PG67-22, PG76-22). Dynamic modulus tests were performed and |E∗| was measured at four levels of temperatures (40, 70, 100, 130 °F) and six loading frequencies (25, 10, 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 Hz) in accordance with AASHTO T 342. Based on the test results, a conditional inference tree was estimated, which showed a higher level of RAP content or binder grade generally results in a higher |E∗|. Across the four levels of RAP contents, a significant increase in |E∗| occurred as RAP increased up to 30%. The hierarchical structure of the estimated conditional inference tree reveals the interplay between the two mix design variables (i.e., RAP content and binder grade) depending on the levels of loading frequency and temperature. In general, the binder grade has a stronger association with |E∗| than the RAP content when the reduced frequency is high while the RAP content has a stronger association with |E∗| than the binder grade when the reduced frequency is low. This implies that a balanced mix design should be sought in selecting proper levels of RAP content and binder grade subject to application contexts in terms of temperature and traffic loading.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are heterogeneous groups of innate immune cells, which orchestrate immune responses by presenting antigens to cognate T cells and stimulating other types of immune cells. Although the term ‘DCs’ generally represent highly mixed subsets with functional heterogeneity, the classical definition of DCs usually denotes conventional DCs (cDCs). Skin contains a unique DC network mainly composed of embryo precursor-derived epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and bone marrow-derived dermal cDCs, which can be further classified into type 1 (cDC1) and type 2 (cDC2) subsets. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which is principally mediated by IL-23/IL-17 cytokine axis. In the psoriatic skins, DCs are prominent cellular sources for TNF-α and IL-23, and the use of blocking antibodies against TNF-α and IL-23 leads to a significant clinical improvement in psoriatic patients. Recent elegant human and mouse studies have shown that inflammation-induced inflammatory DCs, LCs, dermal cDC2, and monocyte-derived DCs are pivotal DC subsets in psoriatic inflammation. Thus, targeting specific pathogenic DC subsets would be a potential strategy for alleviating and preventing DC-derived IL-23-dependent psoriatic inflammation and other inflammatory dermatoses in the future.

In the present work, a number of three-dimensional (3D) parametric numerical analyses have been carried out to study the influence of tunnelling on the behaviour of adjacent piles considering the transverse distance of the pile tip fro m the tunnel. Single piles and 5×5 piles inside a group with a spacing of 2.5d were considered, where d is the pile diameter. In the numerical modelling, several key issues, such as the tunnelling-induced pile settlements, the interface shear stresses, the relative shear displacements, the axial pile forces, the apparent factors of safety and zone of influence have been rigorously analysed. It has been found that when the piles are inside the influence zone, the pile head settlements are increas ed up to about 111% compared to those computed from the Greenfield condition. Larger pile settlements and smaller axial pile forces are induced on the piles inside the pile groups than those computed from the single piles since the piles responded as a block with the surrounding gr ound. Also tensile pile forces are induced associated with the upward resisting skin friction at the upper part of pile and the downward acting skin friction at the lower part of pile. On the contrary, when the piles were outside the influence zone, tunnelling-induced compressive pile forces developed. Based on computed load and displacement relation of the pile, the apparent factor of safety of the piles was reduced up to about 45%. Therefore the serviceability of the piles may be substantially reduced. The pile behaviour, when considering the single piles and the pile groups with regards to the influence zone, has been analysed by considering the key features in great details.Keywords: Three-dimensional (3D) numerical modelling and analysis, Single piles, Group piles, Tunnelling, Tunnelling influence zone

This paper presents a methodology to estimate the stress-strain relationship of an unbound aggregate base using linear viscoelastic theory. Current Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) pavement design procedure adopts the resilient modulus concept to explain the behavior of granular materials for flexible pavement design. The resilient modulus is a stress dependent material property of granular materials that is different from strength. Although California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test results (i.e., stress and strain) can be used to estimate the strength of a granular material, it is not possible to estimate the resilient modulus directly. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate stress along with strain changes. The convolution integral enables the stress to be estimated from the given strain changes only if the relaxation modulus is measured. Aggregate specimens prepared from two different sources in Georgia were subjected to the relaxation modulus test. From the test data, the time-dependent stress due to a known strain rate was computed as a convolution integral of the strain. The computed stress-strain relationship was compared with that from the resilient modulus (MR) test. The results indicate that the stress-strain relationships from the MR test and the convolution integral are similar with nearly the same slopes when horizontal stress is assumed to be approximately 45% of vertical stress. This observation supports the use of the proposed methodology by state highway agencies to validate the MR test results for quality control and quality assurance of aggregate base material selection for pavement design and construction.

Objective To investigate the patterns and mechanisms of audiovestibular impairments associated with intracranial hypotension. Methods We had consecutively recruited 16 patients with intracranial hypotension at the Neurology Center of Pusan National University Hospital for two years. Spontaneous, gaze-evoked, and positional nystagmus were recorded using 3D video-oculography in all patients, and the majority of them also had pure tone audiometry and bithermal caloric tests. Results Of the 16 patients, five (31.3%) reported neuro-otological symptoms along with the orthostatic headache while laboratory evaluation demonstrated audiovestibular impairments in ten (62.5%). Oculographic analyses documented spontaneous and/or positional nystagmus in six patients (37.5%) including weak spontaneous vertical nystagmus with positional modulation (n = 4) and pure positional nystagmus (n = 2). One patient presented with recurrent spontaneous vertigo and tinnitus mimicking Meniere's disease, and showed unidirectional horizontal and torsional nystagmus with normal head impulse tests during the attacks. Bithermal caloric tests were normal in all nine patients tested. Audiometry showed unilateral (n = 6) or bilateral (n = 1) sensorineural hearing loss in seven (53.8%) of the 13 patients tested. Conclusions Intracranial hypotension frequently induces audiovestibular impairments. In addition to endolymphatic hydrops and irritation of the vestibulocochlear nerve, compression or traction of the brainstem or cerebellum due to loss of CSF buoyancy may be considered as a mechanism of frequent spontaneous or positional vertical nystagmus in patients with intracranial hypotension.

Lignocellulose-based hydrogels may have many potential applications in biomedical and biotechnological fields owing to their attractive properties including low cost, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. In this study, cellulose/lignin composite hydrogel beads were prepared by co-dissolution of cellulose and lignin in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and then reconstitution with distilled water. Lipase from Candida rugosa was immobilized on various cellulose/lignin hydrogel beads. The results showed that lipase immobilized on cellulose/lignin beads showed higher activity and stability than those of lipase immobilized on pure cellulose beads. The activity and stability of immobilized lipase increased with the increase in the lignin content in the cellulose/lignin beads. The activity, protein loading, and specific activity of lipase immobilized on the optimal cellulose/lignin beads were 2.6, 2.2, and 1.2 times higher than those of lipase immobilized on cellulose beads, respectively. The effect of lignin on the activity of lipase immobilized on cellulose/lignin beads was statistically well predicted. The residual activity of lipase immobilized on the optimal cellulose/lignin beads after incubation for 12 h at 40 °C was 3.2 and 1.9 times higher than that of free lipase and lipase immobilized on cellulose beads, respectively. Interestingly, the half-life time of lipase immobilized on cellulose/lignin beads at pH 3.0 was 24 and 3 times higher than that of free lipase and that of lipase immobilized on cellulose beads, respectively. These results show that cellulose/lignin hydrogels may offer many potential applications in the biocatalytic, biomedical, and bioelectronic fields owing to their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controllable properties.

This study describes a non-infectious in-cell imaging assay for HIV-1 protease inhibitor screening. It is based on re-distribution of a fluorescence reporter protein upon protease cleavage and the fact that HIV-infected cells undergo apoptosis. The in-cell assay utilizes fluorescent reporter proteins consisting of an intracellular translocation signal sequence, a caspase-3-specific cleavage sequence, and a fluorescent tagging protein. The reporter proteins are designed to change their intracellular localization upon cleavage, either from the cytosol to a subcellular organelle (type I) or from a subcellular organelle to the cytosol (type II). Inhibition of protease activity can be monitored at the single cell level. Interestingly, the expression of HIV-1 protease induced endogenous caspase-3 activation; thus, the fluorescence reporter protein containing the caspase-3 cleavage sequence translocalized upon cleavage. This is the first time that HIV-1 protease expression, not whole virus infection of the cell, was observed to trigger the apoptotic pathway, including caspse-3 activation. A validation of this assay was performed with a known HIV-1 protease inhibitor, Ac-Leu-Val-phenylalanine. The clear cellular change in fluorescence pattern makes this system an ideal tool for various types of life science and drug discovery research, including high throughput and high content screening applications.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the factors affecting resilient and permanent deformation behaviour of unbound granular materials, with a focus on the aggregate physical and morphological characteristics. To evaluate the behaviour of base course, repeated load triaxial testing is commonly used to establish the stress-dependent resilient modulus properties of unbound aggregate base and subbase materials. Although resilient modulus of aggregates is a critical input into mechanistic-empirical pavement design methods, the resilient modulus of unbound base material is often estimated from empirical correlations with index properties in the AASHTOWare Pavement ME design procedure for its simplicity. Since actual field stress conditions and resilient modulus stress states are generally quite different from those generated in the empirical test methods, use of an empirical correlation could lead to an unreliable prediction of resilient modulus and permanent deformation. In order to properly ass...

The goal of this study was 1) to compare the physical activity between the normal(NO) and obese (OB) group at baseline and 2) to investigate responses of the physical activity to a 24-week walking exercise program in both groups. A total of 29 middle-aged women was classified NO and OB group based on the BMI(25 kg/m 2 ). Walking exercise was designed to energy expenditure of 500 kcal per day, with a frequence of 3 days per week for 24 weeks. Body composition(Weight, BMI, BF(%), Hip, WHR) were measured at the baseline and after the walking exercise program(24 week). Physical activity were measured during 24 week for wellness convergence in the digital age. In conclusion, the current findings of this study indicate that 1) physical activity is not difference in both groups at baseline 2) 24-week walking exercise program is an effective means of improving physical activity in both NO and OB groups. Key Words : Physical activity, Obese, Walking exercise, Health promotion, Middle-aged women, Wellness convergence

In this paper, the potential use of screening materials in Graded Aggregate Base (GAB) layer of pavements was investigated using aggregate sources in Georgia. Three content levels of screening materials in GAB, i.e. 0%, 25% and 50%, were studied. Morphological analysis of aggregates and Proctor test were conducted to reveal the characteristics of the modified GAB materials, followed by the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test and Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide software simulation to evaluate how the GAB strength and overall pavement performance change with varying amount of screening materials in the GAB layer. The results indicated that the effect of using screening materials in GAB varies and depends on the amount of screening materials used, which changes gradation, and the aggregate types and sources, which exhibit significantly different morphological properties.

This paper presents a method for calculating the environmental load that is essential to the mechanistic design of airport concrete pavements, based on the equivalent linear temperature difference (ELTD) between the top and bottom of the slab. To assess its application, the total ELTDs at 17 airports (military and civilian) across the Korean peninsula, representing the full range of regional climates in the country, were calculated according to slab thickness. Based on the results, a multiple regression model was developed. The environmental load can be considered by simply inputting the ambient temperature, relative humidity and slab thickness into the proposed models. The results can be applied worldwide.

Circulating inflammatory cytokines and markers are increased in patients with psoriasis. Recent studies have shown that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with disease activity in various disorders. Our objective was to investigate whether RDW is increased in psoriasis patients, and to evaluate its possible association with disease severity. We conducted a retrospective study of psoriasis patients seen in a university hospital in South Korea. Information about demographics, hematological parameters and disease severity were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, multivariable logistic regression, Fisher's exact test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis as appropriate. A total of 261 psoriasis patients and 102 healthy controls were included in our study. The mean RDW value was significantly increased in psoriasis patients compared with healthy control (P = 0.037). Compared with mild psoriasis patients (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI],7), moderate to severe patients (PASI, ≥7) showed significantly higher RDW values (P = 0.044). However, RDW did not show significant correlation with PASI (P = 0.358). When patients were divided into two groups according to their RDW value (14.6% and ≥14.6%), the mean value of PASI was not significantly different (P = 0.219). Patients with psoriasis showed increased RDW values compared with healthy controls. It was also higher in the moderate and severe disease group than the mild group. Though this is only a pilot study, it is possible that RDW value can reflect the inflammatory status of psoriasis patients.

This study examined the effect of the materials and age on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of concrete paving mixtures at 28 and 120 days. Concrete specimens were prepared in the laboratory by varying the mix design variables with different types of aggregate to produce different mixes using Portland cement. The microstructures of the concrete mixtures were also observed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the relationship between the volume change in concrete and the formation of microcracks. Statistical analyses of the experimental data suggested that the CTEs measured at 120 days are significantly lower than those measured at 28 days. An analysis of variance indicated that the mixture with granite results in significantly higher CTE reduction with time than the mixture with dolomite. The larger volume change with a higher CTE may be due to the formation of microcracks in concrete.

Isolated vestibular syndrome may occur all along the vestibular pathways from the peripheral labyrinth to the brain. By virtue of recent developments in clinical neurotology and neuroimaging, however, diagnosis of isolated central vestibulopathy is increasing. Here, we review five distinct syndromes of isolated central vestibular syndrome from lesions restricted to the vestibular nuclei, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, the flocculus, the tonsil, and the nodulus, and introduce a new vestibular syndrome from isolated involvement of the inferior cerebellar peduncle. Decreased responses to head impulses do not exclude a central lesion as a cause of isolated vestibular syndrome. Brain imaging, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be falsely negative during the acute phase in patients with isolated vestibular syndrome because of a stroke. Central signs should be sought carefully in patients with isolated vertigo, even when the patients show the features of peripheral vestibulopathy and negative MRIs. Recognition of these isolated central vestibular syndromes would aid in defining the lesions responsible for various vestibular manifestations in central vestibulopathy.

SummaryGenetic studies in Drosophila have demonstrated that generation of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the NADPH dual oxidase (DUOX) is a first line of defense in the gut epithelia. Bacterial uracil acts as DUOX-activating ligand through poorly understood mechanisms. Here, we show that the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway modulates uracil-induced DUOX activation. Uracil-induced Hh signaling is required for intestinal expression of the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule Cadherin 99C (Cad99C) and subsequent Cad99C-dependent formation of endosomes. These endosomes play essential roles in uracil-induced ROS production by acting as signaling platforms for PLCβ/PKC/Ca2+-dependent DUOX activation. Animals with impaired Hh signaling exhibit abolished Cad99C-dependent endosome formation and reduced DUOX activity, resulting in high mortality during enteric infection. Importantly, endosome formation, DUOX activation, and normal host survival are restored by genetic reintroduction of Cad99C into enterocytes, demonstrating the important role for Hh signaling in host resistance to enteric infection.

Psoriasis is largely mediated by interleukin (IL)-23/T helper (Th) 17 axis, and IL-21 is a pleiotropic cytokine expressed by Th17 cells. Despite previously reported possible pathogenic roles of IL-21 in human psoriasis, we found that IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) signalling was not crucial for imiquimod-induced psoriatic inflammation, using IL-21R−/− mice. The severity of imiquimod-induced psoriatic manifestation and pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine levels, IL-17A-producing γδ T cells and CD4+ T cells, and in vitro IL-17A production by γδ T cells after IL-23 stimulation was comparable between wild-type and IL-21R−/− mice. Collectively, IL-21R signalling was not critically involved in IMQ-induced psoriatic inflammation despite an increased IL-21 expression in the IMQ-treated mouse skin. Our data may represent the significant differences between human psoriasis and murine psoriasis model, and further studies using other models will be required to elucidate the role of IL-21 in psoriasis pathogenesis.

Statins mediate the transactivation of PCSK9, which in turn limits their cholesterol-lowering effects via LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action by which Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L. [family Amaryllidaceae]) extract (WOE) regulates LDLR and PCSK9. HepG2 cells were cultured under lipid depletion conditions using a medium supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS). WOE (50, 100, 200, and 400 μg ml-1) significantly attenuated the DLPS-mediated increases in LDLR, PCSK9, and SREBP2 gene expression. While WOE treatment maintained the DLPS-mediated increases in LDLR protein expression, it dose-dependently and significantly attenuated the DLPS-mediated increases in the protein content of PCSK9. The suppression of PCSK9 was associated with the WOE-mediated reductions in SREBP2, but not HNF1α. WOE also dose-dependently reduced PCSK9 protein expression that was otherwise markedly induced by concomitant statin treatment. WOE-mediated PCSK9 inhibition contributed to LDLR lysosomal degradation suppression, and subsequent LDLR protein stabilization. HPLC analysis indicated that WOE contains kaempferol, quercetin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Kaempferol and p-coumaric acid contributed to the maintenance of LDLR expression by inhibiting PCSK9 in lipid depleted HepG2 cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that WOE inhibits PCSK9 transcription and protein expression via the reduction of SREBP2, and decreased PCSK9 further contributes to LDLR degradation prevention and LDLR protein stabilization under conditions of lipoprotein deficiency. The PCSK9 inhibition-mediated mechanism of WOE was likely attributed to the action of kaempferol and p-coumaric acid present in WOE.

This paper examines the effects of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content and binder grade on the fatigue resistance of Georgia asphalt concrete mixtures. The asphalt concrete mixtures we...

State agencies/provinces and civil engineers must remain current in forensic pavement investigation procedures and inspection technologies to efficiently maintain public roads. Preliminary ...

Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are composed of heterogeneous subsets commonly arising from dendritic cell (DC)-committed progenitors. A population of CD301b-expressing DCs has recently been identified in non-lymphoid barrier tissues such as skin. However, whether CD301b

Eclipta prostrata (EP) and its compounds are known to have several pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we demonstrated that EP improves the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis symptoms such as body weight loss, colon length shortening and disease activity index. In DSS-induced colitis tissue, EP controls the protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and hypoxia inducible factor-1[Formula: see text] (HIF-1[Formula: see text]). In addition, the release of prostaglandin E2and vascular endothelial growth factor-A were significantly reduced by EP administration. EP also inhibited COX-2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] expressions in the tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] stimulated HT-29 cells. These inhibitory effects of EP occurred by reducing the phosphorylation of I[Formula: see text]B and the translocation of the nuclear factor-[Formula: see text]B (NF-[Formula: see text]B). Additionally, we found through HPLC analysis that wedelolactone, which is an inhibitor of NF-[Formula: see text]B transcription, was contained in water extract of EP. These results indicate that EP can improve colitis symptoms through the modulation of immune function in intestinal epithelial cells and suggests that EP has the potential therapeutic effect to intestinal inflammation.

The middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) is a major conduit for cortico-ponto-cerebellar fibers that convey information related to eye movements. This study aims to elucidate eye movement abnormalities that arise from lesions confined to the MCP. In 23 patients with acute strokes restricted to unilateral MCPs, we investigated the clinical features and ocular motor findings including spontaneous nystagmus, saccades, smooth pursuit, ocular tilt reaction, and head impulse tests. Bithermal caloric tests and audiometry were also performed. Patients with strokes restricted to the MCP usually developed acute vertigo or imbalance, along with few sensorimotor signs or auditory symptoms. Patients frequently showed abnormal eye movements that included spontaneous horizontal/torsional nystagmus, ocular tilt reaction, gaze-evoked nystagmus, abnormal head impulse responses, and bilaterally impaired horizontal smooth pursuit. Unilateral MCP strokes produce acute vertigo and imbalance with distinct ocular motor abnormalities, which are primarily caused by damage to the central vestibular structures and by disruption of the neural pathways responsible for eye-position stabilization and smooth pursuit.

Concrete is a complex heterogeneous material, and thus, it is important to develop numerical modeling methods to enhance the prediction accuracy of the fracture mechanism. In this study, a two-dimensional mesoscale model is developed using a non-ordinary state-based peridynamic (NOSBPD) method. Fracture in a concrete cube specimen subjected to pure tension is studied. The presence of heterogeneous materials consisting of coarse aggregates, interfacial transition zones, air voids and cementitious matrix is characterized as particle points in a two-dimensional mesoscale model. Coarse aggregates and voids are generated using uniform probability distributions, while a statistical study is provided to comprise the effect of random distributions of constituent materials. In obtaining the steady-state response, an incremental and iterative solver is adopted for the dynamic relaxation method. Load-displacement curves and damage patterns are compared with available experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) results. Although the proposed model uses much simpler material damage models and discretization schemes, the load-displacement curves show no difference from the FEA results. Furthermore, no mesh refinement is necessary, as fracture is inherently characterized by bond breakages. Finally, a sensitivity study is conducted to understand the effect of aggregate volume fraction and porosity on the load capacity of the proposed mesoscale model.

// Sung-Hee Kim 1 , Soon-Chan Kim 2 and Ja-Lok Ku 1, 2 1 Laboratory of Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea Correspondence to: Ja-Lok Ku, email: kujalok@snu.ac.kr Keywords: colorectal cancer, 5-Fu resistant-cell line, metformin, cancer stem cell (CSC), DNA replication Received: January 17, 2017 Accepted: April 27, 2017 Published: May 11, 2017 ABSTRACT Metformin is most widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Recently, evidences have shown that metformin has anticancer effects on pancreatic-, colorectal-, ovarian-, and other cancers. Because metformin has less adverse effects and is inexpensive, it could be a useful chemo-therapeutic agent with anticancer effects. In this study, we demonstrated metformin inhibited by cell proliferation, cell migration ability, clonogenic ability, and cancer stem cell population. Metformin also induced cell cycle arrest in parental-(SNU-C5), and 5-Fu resistant-colorectal cancer cell line (SNU-C5_5FuR). Moreover, a treatment that combines 5-Fu and metformin was found to have a synergistic effect on the cell proliferation rate, especially in SNU-C5_5FuR, which was mediated by the activation of AMPK pathway and NF-ƙB pathway, well-known metformin mechanisms. In this study, we suggested novel anticancer mechanism of metformin that inhibited DNA replication machinery, such as the MCM family in SNU-C5_5FuR. In conclusion, we provided that how metformin acts as not only a chemo-sensitizer, but also as a synergistic effector of 5-Fu in the 5-Fu resistant-cell line. We speculate that metformin used for adjuvant therapy is effective on 5-Fu resistant cancer cells.

Highlights • An ethanol extract of black pepper inhibits eugenol-induced signal transduction. • The extract reduces eugenol-induced cAMP and Ca2+ levels, and phosphorylation of CREB. • Piperine inhibits eugenol-induced signal transduction. • Piperine reduces eugenol-induced cAMP and Ca2+ levels, and phosphorylation of CREB., This study investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of black pepper and its constituent, piperine, on odorant-induced signal transduction in non-chemosensory cells. An ethanol extract of black pepper decreased eugenol-induced cAMP and calcium levels in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells with no toxicity. Phosphorylation of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) was down-regulated by the black pepper extract. The concentration (133.8 mg/g) and retention time (5.5 min) of piperine in the ethanol extract were quantified using UPLC–MS/MS. Pretreatment with piperine decreased eugenol-induced cAMP and calcium levels in 3T3-L1 cells. Piperine also decreased the phosphorylation of CREB, which is up-regulated by eugenol. These results suggest that piperine inhibits the eugenol-induced signal transduction pathway through modulation of cAMP and calcium levels and phosphorylation of CREB in non-chemosensory cells.

In order to save costs and enhance quality in construction without damaging the environment, the VE/LCC analysis method is increasingly used. This study was carried out to conduct a value analysis for the ecological restoration of a slope considering life cycle cost and performance. The construction conditions were classified into three types(A, B, C) according to the condition of each base. Three construction methods for slope ecological restoration were selected by each condition. Eventually, a value analysis was conducted for total nine conditions by analyzing the life cycle cost and performance. The gradient of slope and base of Condition 1 were below 1:1.2 and general soil, while condition 2 and 3 were below 1:1.0(reaping rock) and below 1:0.7(soft rock, blasted rock), respectively. A value analysis was conducted based on the value estimated via life cycle cost and performance analysis. The result showed that the B construction method had the highest value in Condition 1 as it showed 108.4, while A and C showed 90.3 and 45.8, respectively. When it comes to Condition 2, Construction Method A indicated the highest value as it showed 89.1(B: 47.5, C: 47.0). In Condition 3, Construction Method A(89.1) was the highest, while B and C showed 55.4 and 40.2, respectively. Based on the result of this study, in order to make a reasonable decision that can enhance quality and reduce costs in slope ecological restoration, the slope ecological restoration method must be reviewed in consideration of life cycle cost and performance.

Polygonatum Officinalerhizome, a member of the liliaceae family, is commonly consumed as tea in Asia. It is also clinically used to treat obesity and fatigue in Korean traditional medicine. Although the anti-diabetic effect of POR has been described, little is known about its physiological role in the olfactory system. In this study, we investigated the effects of POR in 3T3-L1 cells expressing an odorant receptor. We have shown that the levels of cAMP and Ca2+ and the phosphorylation of Rap1A and CREB increased in response to an odorant, eugenol. POR significantly decreased the eugenol-induced increase in cAMP and Ca2+. Taken together, these data suggest that POR inhibits an odorant-induced signal transduction pathway.

Cutaneous vasculitis can be limited to skin or a manifestation of primary systemic vasculitis. However, there are no definite markers to predict systemic involvements. Recent studies have shown that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with disease activity in various disorders. We evaluated whether RDW can be used as an indicator for predicting systemic disease in patients with initial cutaneous involvements. We reviewed clinical and laboratory information of 143 patients with cutaneous vasculitis and 15 pigmented purpuric dermatosis patients seen at single academic hospital in Korea. Various parameters, including RDW, were evaluated in patients with primary cutaneous vasculitis and primary systemic vasculitis with initial cutaneous manifestations. The RDW value between cutaneous and systemic vasculitis patients was compared and RDW level was also investigated whether it can indicate systemic vasculitis in patients with cutaneous involvements. The mean age was 32.0 years, and 102 (64.6 %) patients were female. A total of 132 patients were patients with primary cutaneous vasculitis, and 11 were primary systemic vasculitis. Higher ratio of patients with high RDW was detected in systemic vasculitis group compared with cutaneous vasculitis group (36.4 vs. 7.6 %, P < 0.05). The mean RDW was significantly higher in systemic vasculitis patients (P < 0.05). RDW had the strongest association with systemic vasculitis (P < 0.05, OR 1.834). In conclusion, elevated level of RDW was significantly associated with systemic vasculitis. RDW can be used as one of the marker to predict systemic disease in patients with cutaneous vasculitis.

Overlay has been a commonly used rehabilitation measure for flexible pavements. Properly designed and constructed overlays restore pavement service conditions and economically extended pavement service lives. In the light of different failure modes that could be experienced by a flexible pavement, such as cracking, rutting and roughness, and complex interactions among them, this paper considers these failure modes as competing risks and evaluates performance differences between overlaid pavements and as-built pavements in terms of hazard function, cause-specific cumulative incidence function and cause-specific conditional cumulative incidence function. A case study was undertaken using the pavement condition survey data in Florida. It was found that the overlaid pavements generally have a higher failure risk compared with the originally built pavements across all failure modes and exhibit three distinct phases of failure hazard change: increasing, stabilising and decreasing. For as-built pavements, the fa...