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Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the decline of cognitive function and the progressive loss of memory. The dysfunctions of the cognitive and memory system are closely related to the decreases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signalings. Ribes fasciculatum, a medicinal plant grown in diverse countries, has been reported to pharmacological effects for autoimmune diseases and aging recently. Here we found that afzelin is a major compound in Ribes fasciculatum. To further examine its neuroprotective effect, the afzelin (100 ng/µl, three times a week) was administered into the third ventricle of the hypothalamus of C57BL/6 mice for one month and scopolamine was injected (i.p.) to these mice to impair cognition and memory before each behavior experiment. The electrophysiology to measure long-term potentiation and behavior tests for cognitive and memory functions were performed followed by investigating related molecular signaling pathways. Chronic administration of afzelin into the brain ameliorated synaptic plasticity and cognitive/memory behaviors in mice given scopolamine. Studies of mice’s hippocampi revealed that the response of afzelin was accountable for the restoration of the cholinergic systems and molecular signal transduction via CREB-BDNF pathways. In conclusion, the central administration of afzelin leads to improved neurocognitive and neuroprotective effects on synaptic plasticity and behaviors partly through the increase in CREB-BDNF signaling.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is the master regulator of adipocyte differentiation and is closely linked to the development of obesity. Despite great progress in elucidating the transcriptional network of PPARγ, epigenetic regulation of this pathway by histone modification remains elusive. Here, we found that CDK2-associated cullin 1 (CACUL1), identified as a novel SIRT1 interacting protein, directly bound to PPARγ through the co-repressor nuclear receptor (CoRNR) box 2 and repressed the transcriptional activity and adipogenic potential of PPARγ. Upon CACUL1 depletion, less SIRT1 and more LSD1 were recruited to the PPARγ-responsive gene promoter, leading to increased histone H3K9 acetylation, decreased H3K9 methylation, and PPARγ activation during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. These findings were reversed upon fasting or resveratrol treatment. Further, gene expression profiling using RNA sequencing supported the repressive role of CACUL1 in PPARγ activation and fat accumulation. Finally, we confirmed CACUL1 function in human adipose-derived stem cells. Overall, our data suggest that CACUL1 tightly regulates PPARγ signaling through the mutual opposition between SIRT1 and LSD1, providing insight into its potential use for anti-obesity treatment.

Young-Geun Lee Min-Jun Jang Soon-Jong YoonAbstractIn the construction site, various earth retaining systems are developed and applied to maintain stability of excavated area andstructures. Among the methods, the underground continuous wall and the column-type diaphragm wall methods are especially used in construction site nearby buildings or roads. However, these methods have some disadvantages such as the difficulty of quality control and long curing time because these methods need to cast fresh concrete at the construction site. In addition, these methods are usually applied to the site for the temporary purpose. In this paper, we suggest precast hollow prestressed concrete pile for continuous pile wall system. To investigate the structural behavior of suggested pile, which is the main member of the suggested system, tests pertaining to the structural behavior and prestressing force applied in the pile are conducted. From the test results, it was found that the prestressing force measured is sufficient compared with the value obtained by the design equation and the cracking moment measured is 34% higher than the design value. In addition to the above, this precast hollow prestressed concrete pile has an additional safety margin that the maximum moment is 59.2% higher than the cracking moment which is one of theserviceability limits for the design of the system.Keywords : Permanent retaining wall, Precast pile, Long-line method, Prestessed concrete, Continuous pile wall, Flexural behavior

Pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymeric plastic (PFRP) and FRP member manufactured by sheet molding compound (SMC) have superior mechanical and physical properties compared with those of conventional structural materials. Since FRP has an excellent corrosion-resistance and high specific strength and stiffness, the FRP material may be highly appreciated for the development of floating-type photovoltaic (PV) power generation system. In this paper, advanced floating PV generation system made of PFRP and SMC is designed. In the design, it includes tracking solar altitude by tilting photovoltaic arrays and tracking solar azimuth by spinning structures. Moreover, the results of the finite element analysis (FEA) are presented to confirm stability of entire structure under the external loads. Additionally, installation procedure and mooring systems in the Hap-Cheon Dam are discussed and the measurement of strain under the actual circumstances is conducted for assuring stability of actually installed structures. Finally, by comparison with allowable stress, appropriate safety of structure is confirmed to operate the system.

Proper storage of left-over meat in a household refrigerator is important for extending its shelf-life and assuring its safety until it is next used. Various fresh meat packaging methods were examined to determine their effects on the quality characteristics of pork loins during household storage at 5 o C. The packaging methods include 1) wrapping in a polyethylene pouch (WP), 2) keeping in an air-tight plastic container (CP), and 3) using a household vacuum packaging machine (VP). The fastest increase in total aerobic bacteria during storage occurred in the WP samples, followed by the CP and VP samples. The count of Pseudomonas spp. was found to be lowest in the VP, and then the CP and WP samples. Enterobacteriaceae grew fastest in the WP samples, followed by the CP and VP samples. The WP samples also incurred the most significant increase in thiobarbituric acids and volatile basic nitrogen values over the storage period, as compared to the CP and VP samples. Off-odour at 30 min after opening the package, was first notable at day 11 in WP samples, but only at day 15 in the CP and VP samples. The colour also deteriorated earlier in the WP samples than in the CP and VP samples.

Eleven avian paramyxovirus type 6 (APMV-6) isolates from Eurasian Wigeon (n=5; Anas penelope), Mallards (n=2; Anas platyrhynchos), and unknown species of wild ducks (n=4) from Korea were analyzed based on the nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid sequences of the fusion (F) gene. Fecal samples were collected in 2010–14. Genotypes were assigned based on phylogenetic analyses. Our results revealed that APMV-6 could be classified into at least two distinct genotypes, G1 and G2. The open reading frame (ORF) of the G1 genotype was 1,668 nt in length, and the putative F0 cleavage site sequence was 113PAPEPRL119. The G2 genotype viruses included five isolates from Eurasian wigeons and four isolates from unknown waterfowl species, together with two reference APMV-6 strains from the Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) from Japan and an unknown duck from Italy. There was an N-truncated ORF (1,638 nt), due to an N-terminal truncation of 30 nt in the signal peptide region of the F gene, and the putativ...