Search

Background: This study explores the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios with the 3-month treatment response and persistence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: This retrospective cohort study investigated 279 AS patients who were newly initiated on TNF-α blockers between April 2004 and October 2019 and 171 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Response to TNF-α blockers was defined as a reduction in the Bath AS Disease Activity Index of ≥50% or 20 mm, and persistence referred to the time interval from the initiation to discontinuation of TNF-α blockers. Results: Patients with AS had significantly increased NLR, MLR, and PLR ratios as compared to controls. The frequency of non-response at 3 months was 3.7%, and TNF-α blockers’ discontinuation occurred in 113 (40.5%) patients during the follow-up period. A high baseline NLR but not high baseline MLR and PLR showed an independently significant association with a higher risk of non-response at 3 months (OR = 12.3, p = 0.025) and non-persistence with TNF-α blockers (HR = 1.66, p = 0.01). Conclusions: NLR may be a potential marker for predicting the clinical response and persistence of TNF-α blockers in AS patients.

Background: To investigate the diagnostic performance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in subjects with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis (UIA). Methods: This retrospective cohort study investigated 201 female patients with UIA (≥1 swollen joint) and 280 age-matched, healthy female controls. “Clinical RA” was defined based on the clinical judgment of a rheumatologist and “disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) RA” was defined as a case of initiating DMARDs treatment within 6 months after the first visit. “Classified RA” was defined as fulfilling the 2010 classification criteria for RA. Receiver operating characteristics were used to determine the optimal cut-off value. Results: UIA patients had a significantly higher NLR, PLR, and MLR than the controls. Among the 201 UIA patients, 65 (32.3%), 63 (31.3%), and 61 (30.3%) subjects were classified as clinical RA, DMARDs RA, and classified RA, respectively. At a cut-off of 0.24, MLR showed moderate accuracy for the diagnosis of DMARDs RA (sensitivity, 65.1%; specificity, 62.3%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.701; p < 0.001). However, the diagnostic accuracies of NLR and PLR were low. Conclusions: MLR may be used as a complementary diagnostic indicator for RA diagnosis in patients with UIA.

We synthesized silver nanoparticles using thirty Chinese plant extracts via a green synthetic strategy. UV–visible spectra showed that the silver nanoparticles have an absorbance at 450 nm. Among the thirty extracts, seven extracts (Cratoxylum formosum, Phoebe lanceolata, Scurrula parasitica, Ceratostigma minus, Mucuna birdwoodiana, Myrsine africana and Lindera strychnifolia) exhibited the successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles. These seven extracts showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power than the other extracts. The silver nanoparticles synthesized using these seven extracts were mostly spherical with high colloidal stability. The cytotoxicity of these seven silver nanoparticle samples on human lung cancer cells (A549) was clearly higher than that of the extracts alone. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity was affected by the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the silver nanoparticles synthesized with Cratoxylum formosum and Mucuna birdwoodiana extracts resulted in apoptotic cell death in A549 cells. The wound healing activity observed by the cell scratch method on mouse fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) suggested that the Lindera strychnifolia extract produced silver nanoparticles with decent activity. These results provide ample and systematic information for researchers on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts.

The extract of Carpesium cernuum whole plant was successfully used as a green factory for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles in a one-step, one-pot process. The extract efficiently reduced silver ions to spherical silver nanoparticles. The size was measured as 13.0 ± 0.2 nm from high resolution transmission electron microscopic images. The reaction yield was determined to be 99.6% using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The silver nanoparticles were highly stable for 28 days at ambient temperature without forming agglomeration or aggregation of nanoparticles. Dose-dependent antioxidant activity of the silver nanoparticles was observed in terms of the scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. The silver nanoparticles also exerted cytotoxicity on Mus musculus skin melanoma cells (B16F10) and human lung cancer cells (A549) in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, the cytotoxicity of the silver nanoparticles on A549 cells was closely associated with apoptotic cell death. Cellular uptake of the silver was evaluated via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a higher percentage of silver was taken up by A549 cells (22.6%) than by B16F10 cells (17.3%). This result indicated that higher cellular uptake of silver nanoparticles resulted in higher cytotoxicity on A549 cells. Therefore, plant extracts are capable of being valuable natural sources for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles that exhibit potent biological activities for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications in future nanomedicine.

Background and Objectives: We investigated whether nutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphoycte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are associated with the presence of osteoporosis (OP) and vertebral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 413 postmenopausal patients with RA and 200 healthy controls who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) between January 2005 and December 2017. DEXA examination data were defined as the index date, and all laboratory values were measured within one month from the index date. OP was defined as a T-score < −2.5, and incident vertebral fractures were defined as the first occurrence of non-traumatic fractures after the index date. NLR, PLR, and MLR measures were dichotomized by a median split (low vs. high). Results: The median NLR, PLR, and MLR in RA patients were significantly higher than those in controls. The frequencies of OP of the lumbar spine, hip, and either site in postmenopausal patients with RA were 24.7%, 15.5%, and 32%, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in controls. After adjusting for confounding factors, a high baseline NLR was significantly associated with OP at either site (OR = 1.61, p = 0.041). In addition, high baseline NLR (OR = 2.11, p = 0.025) and PLR (OR = 2.3, p = 0.011) were related with the presence OP at hip. During the follow-up period, 53 (12.8%) patients with RA developed vertebral fractures incidentally. In multivariable Cox regression models, a high baseline NLR (HR = 4.72, p < 0.001), PLR (HR = 1.96, p = 0.024), and MLR (HR = 2.64, p = 0.002) were independently associated with a higher risk of incidental vertebral fractures. Conclusions: Our data suggest that NLR, PLR, and MLR can be used as potential markers of systemic bone loss among individuals with RA.

Due to its tentacle poison and huge body, giant jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) poses challenging issues to the environment and ecosystems. Here we developed, upcycling a giant jellyfish extract as a reducing agent, a green synthetic method of gold nanoparticles (JF-AuNPs) which possess biological activities. The colloidal solutions of JF-AuNPs were blue, violet, purple and pink depending on the extract concentration. UV-visible spectra exhibited two surface plasmon resonance bands at 5 4 0 ∼ 550 nm and 810 nm. Spherical shapes with an average size of 35.2 ± 8.7 nm and triangular nanoplates with an average height of 70.5 ± 30.3 nm were observed. A face-centered cubic structure was confirmed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction. JF-AuNPs exhibited significant cytotoxic effect against HeLa cancer cells but not against normal cells such as NIH-3T3 and Raw 264.7 cells. In HeLa cells, JF-AuNPs decreased the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, which are crucial for cell proliferation. Also, JF-AuNPs decreased NO secretion and iNOS expression levels, resulting in anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-inflamed macrophages. Collectively, we established a green synthesis of anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory JF-AuNPs using the extract of jellyfish sea wastes. Thus, beneficial effects of JF-AgNPs must be weighed in further studies in vivo and it can be potent nanomedicine for future applications.

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp waste extract was used to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles by a green strategy. The extract was both a reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis. Phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted to obtain information regarding the presence/absence of primary and secondary metabolites in the extract. The in vitro antioxidant activity results demonstrated that the extract had excellent antioxidant activity, which was comparable to a standard (butylated hydroxy toluene). Spherical gold nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AuNPs]) with an average size of 15.37±3.99 to 44.20±16.99 nm were observed in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. Most interestingly, the silver nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AgNPs]) had asymmetric nanodumbbell shapes where one tail grew from a spherical head. The average head size was measured to be 13.65±5.07 to 31.08±3.99 nm from HR-TEM images. The hydrodynamic size of both nanoparticles tended to increase with increasing extract concentration. Large negative zeta potentials (-18.92 to -34.77 mV) suggested that each nanoparticle solution possessed excellent colloidal stability. The reaction yields were 99.7% for GM-AuNPs and 82.8% for GM-AgNPs, which were assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. A high-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of both nanoparticles. Based on phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectra, the hydroxyl functional groups of carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds were most likely involved in a reduction reaction of gold or silver salts to their corresponding nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity (based on a water-soluble tetrazolium assay) demonstrated that GM-AgNPs were toxic to both A549 (a human lung cancer cell) and NIH3T3 (a mouse fibroblast cell). The cytotoxicity of GM-AgNPs on A549 cells was related to apoptotic cell death. However, GM-AuNPs did not show any significant cytotoxicity to either cell. These results suggest that GM-AuNPs have the potential to be drug delivery vehicles or carriers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Ethambutol, an antituberculosis drug, was used as a reducing agent in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles via a one-step, one-pot process. The resulting pink-colored colloidal solution exhibited the characteristic surface plasmon resonance band at 529 nm, which clearly indicated the presence of gold nanoparticles. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 45.95 ± 7.21 nm. High-resolution X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of gold nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the prepared product consisted of 30.5% organic components and 69.5% gold nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that hydroxyl and amine functional groups contributed to the fabrication process. The colloidal stability assessment indicated that the prepared gold nanoparticles retained the λmax of the surface plasmon resonance band and their hydrodynamic size up to 28 days in cell culture medium. This synthetic strategy affords the possibility of using gold nanoparticles as an ethambutol delivery vehicle through a facile, one-step process.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via a green strategy using fifty-eight plant extracts that originated from Vietnam and Indonesia. Among the fifty-eight AgNP samples, we selected six AgNP samples synthesized by the extracts of Areca catechu, Hypotrachyna laevigata, Ardisia incarnata, Maesa calophylla, Maesa laxiflora and Adinandra poilanei. Remarkably, these six extracts exhibited higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power than the other extracts. Furthermore, the contents of total phenolic compounds and reducing sugars in the six selected extracts were also higher than those in the other extracts. The six selected AgNP samples showed strong surface plasmon resonance in the range of 416–438 nm. They were all spherical shaped with an average size from 12.5 ± 1.0 nm to 21.3 ± 4.9 nm as measured by field-emission transmission electron microscopy images. The hydrodynamic sizes were measured to be 49.5–122.6 nm with negative zeta potential values. Colloidal stability was excellent on the shelf for 28 days and in cell culture medium. The cytotoxicity assessment and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 and HeLa cells demonstrated that the AgNP samples prepared by Ardisia incarnata, Maesa calophylla, and Maesa laxiflora showed relatively high cytotoxicity and excess ROS generation among the six selected AgNP samples. Exposure of the AgNP samples to A549 and HeLa cells resulted in cell death, which was mostly due to necrosis but slightly due to late apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the cell population in the S phase. The green-synthesized AgNPs induced cell death, suggesting anticancer prospects that may offer new insight into the development of an anticancer nanomedicine.

Using alternating current electric fields, nanoribbons are fabricated from an aqueous suspension of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on mica substrate without resorting to further chemical functionalization of AuNPs. The potential and kinetic energies of AuNPs subjected to attractive forces from a mica substrate provide sufficient energy to pass the diffusion barrier of the gold atoms, which eventually leads to cold welding. A dielectrophoresis force exerted on polarizable particles in a non-uniform electric field contributes to the directed growth of the cold welding that occurs by adjusting the lattice structures of AuNPs. Depending on the concentration of the AuNP suspension, the frequency of the electric field, and the geometry of electrodes, various morphologies of nanoribbons are fabricated. It turns out that the welded region is nearly perfect to provide the same crystal orientation and strength as the rest of the nanostructures, which can be extensively utilized in the fabrication of various nanostructures.

In the present report, three different shapes of chitosan-capped gold nanoparticles (nanospheres, nanostars, and nanorods) were synthesized to investigate the effects of shape on cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in cancer cells. Green tea extract was utilized as a reducing agent to reduce gold salts to gold nanospheres. Gold nanostars were prepared using an as-prepared nanosphere solution as a seed solution. Gold nanorods were synthesized using a conventional method. All three types of gold nanoparticles showed their characteristic surface plasmon resonance bands upon UV-visible spectrophotometry. In high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, lattice structures were clearly observed in all three shapes, confirming the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. All three colloidal solutions of gold nanoparticles retained colloidal stability in various solutions. To assess cytotoxicity, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed on four cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity was the highest in nanorods, followed by nanostars and finally nanospheres. The cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles in human hepatocyte carcinoma cells (HepG2) was measured, and the results followed the order nanospheres > nanorods > nanostars. The outcomes of the current study may assist in the shape design of gold nanoparticles for therapeutic applications as drug delivery vehicles in the field of nanomedicine.

Skate (Dipturus chilensis) cartilage extract was utilized as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles with an average size of 16.7 ± 0.2 nm. The gold nanoparticle solution showed a surface plasmon resonance at 543 nm with a wine-red colour. A strong X-ray diffraction pattern and clear lattice structure in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicated a face-centred cubic structure of the gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles retained excellent colloidal stability. Gold nanoparticles showed strong antioxidant activity in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. In vitro cytotoxicity was observed for seven cancer cells assessed by the water-soluble tetrazolium assay. Among the seven cancer cells, the highest cytotoxicity was observed for MDA-MB-231 (human breast adenocarcinoma cell) followed by HeLa (human epithelial cervix adenocarcinoma cell) and lastly by HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell). Furthermore, gold nanoparticles showed excellent haemocompatibility, indicating the possibility of their use as a future nanomedicine. These results strongly suggest that gold nanoparticles green-synthesized by upcycling skate cartilage waste extract will be valuable carriers or vehicles for the delivery of drugs or bioactive molecules, such as anti-cancer agents, for the treatment of cancers.

Three aqueous plant extracts (Artemisia capillaris, Portulaca oleracea, and Prunella vulgaris) were selected for the biofabrication of gold nanoparticles. The antioxidant activities (i.e., free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, and reducing power) of the extracts and how these activities affected the biofabrication of gold nanoparticles were investigated. P. vulgaris exerted the highest antioxidant activity, followed by A. capillaris and then P. oleracea. P. vulgaris was the most efficient reducing agent in the biofabrication process. Gold nanoparticles biofabricated by P. vulgaris (PV-AuNPs) had a maximum surface plasmon resonance of 530 nm with diverse shapes. High-resolution X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the PV-AuNPs had a face-centered cubic structure. The reaction yield was estimated to be 99.3% by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The hydrodynamic size was determined to be 45 ± 2 nm with a zeta potential of − 13.99 mV. The PV-AuNPs exerted a dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Remarkably, the highest cytotoxicity of the PV-AuNPs was observed against human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in the absence of fetal bovine serum, while for human pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma cells, the highest cytotoxicity was observed in the presence of fetal bovine serum. This result demonstrates that P. vulgaris extract was an efficient reducing agent for biofabrication of gold nanoparticles exerting cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Policy Research Division, Korea Institute Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 34132, Korea(Received: 24 December 2015 / Revised: 20 January 2016 / Accepted: 1 February 2016)The essential role of the Division of Earth Sciences(EAR) in the Directorate of Geoscience(GEO) of NationalScience Foundation of America(NSF) is to support basic research aimed at acquiring fundamental knowledge of theEarth system that can be directly applied to the United States' strategic needs. The 2011 Committee on NewResearch Opportunities in the Earth Sciences(NROES) of the National Academy of Sciences(NAS) identified spe-cific areas of the basic earth science research scope of the EAR that were poised for rapid progress during the nextdecade. Quantified by interdisciplinary approaches, the Committee highlighted the following topics relating to theEAR Deep Earth Processes and Surface Earth Processes sections: (1) the early Earth; (2) thermochemical internaldynamics and volatile distribution; (3) faulting and deformation processes; (4) interactions among climate, the Earthsurface processes, tectonics, and deep Earth processes; (5) co-evolution of life, environment, and climate; (6) cou-pled hydrogeomorphic-ecosystem response to natural and anthropogenic change; and (7) interactions of biogeochem-ical and water cycles in terrestrial environments. We also promote future research challenges such as the criticalzone studies. In order to promote more active such a huge future research challenges, additional research supportpolicies are needed.

Base researches in geoscience and mineral resources, such as geological and geo-thematic mapping, geological survey and observation, have long-term, continuity and time-leasing characteristics and they are difficult to present the particular research stages or progressions in the research span. The Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is effective for presenting research maturity levels and progression in the development of new technologies. This study suggests adjusted definitions for the Technology Readiness Levels to fit Geo-technology (Technology in Geoscience and Mineral Resources). Base geological researches, including mapping, surveys and observation, can be also presented in research levels from TRL 1 (R&D planning, literature survey) to TRL 9 (geological information construction and service in all target areas) in terms of the final product`s coverage. Moreover, not only development and construction of commercial products, geological disasters and environmental researches can also be presented in field demonstrations through public pilot applications. The modified commercialization or cemonstration TRLs in Geo-technology are TRL 5 (starting pilot field application), TRL 6 (pilot field operation) and TRL 7 (pilot field operation for a larger scale, greater than ten percent of the actual environment).

This paper focuses on a new method to visualize weathering effects due to the physical changes of stone artifacts. Major parameters concerned with both the breakdown process and changes of properties of the particles that comprise the stone artifact are considered. We pay attention to the fact that the common and main cause of weathering is granular disintegration and that such disintegration depends on the porosity, that is to say the percentage of voids. We define an estimation function in time for transient behaviors of the physical properties of stone, the material for sculpture. In order to visualize the erosion of a stone sample, voxel-based representation has a decided advantage. Accordingly, a representation of a sculpture with surface modeling using polygons and mesh is converted to a voxel-based representation. The voxels are treated as particles of a sculpture; we observe the transient changes of the physical properties for each voxel. To ensure natural conditions, initial states of the particles are defined using a probability distribution function. It was possible to realize a natural expression of the aging effects of stone by applying weighting factors depending on how voxels are exposed to the surrounding environment. In addition, for computational efficiency, instead of including all voxels when calculating property changes, only the surface voxels of the sculpture are calculated for transient changes.

To perform unbiased analysis of fever patterns and to investigate their association with clinical manifestations and outcome of patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).AOSD patients who were treated as in-patients from 2004 through 2015 were grouped according to 24-hour body temperature (BT) by hierarchical clustering using a Euclidean distance metric with complete linkage. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the groups were then examined.Hierarchical clustering partitioned 70 AOSD patients into three distinct groups. Group 1 (n=14) had the highest mean BT (38.1± 0.4°C) and the widest variation in BT (2.7±0.9°C). Group 2 (n=35) had a lower mean BT (37.4±0.3°C) and a smaller variation (2.1±0.7°C). Group 3 (n=21) had the lowest mean BT (36.7±0.3°C) and the smallest variation (1.5±0.6°C). Clinical features and extent of organ involvement did not differ significantly between groups. However, Group 1 had lower platelet counts and higher lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin levels, and prothrombin time than the other groups. In addition, Group 1 exhibited higher risk of having a macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and tended to require more intense treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant to achieve clinical remission as compared to other groups.Hierarchical clustering identified three distinct fever patterns in patients with AOSD. Higher BT was associated with wider variations in diurnal temperature, higher risk of developing MAS, more intense treatment, and longer time to clinical remission, suggesting that fever pattern is a prognostic factor for AOSD.

This paper suggests an efficient method for making the high resolution volexlized model from a polygonal surface object. A distinctive strength of the method is that a surface model, however complex one, can be transformed and formed an absolute voxelized solid model in a various resolution. It caused by producing a voxel by integrating the informations for the candidated voxels separately detected in each 3D-axial direction. This method reduces memory complexity by storing the information of voxels that is produced during the 2-phase volxelization(surface and inner voxelization) of a surface object in a binary file. For the computational efficiency, a parallel process using multi-threads is applied in the process of the inner voxelization, it also takes advantage of time complexity.

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp waste extract was used to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles by a green strategy. The extract was both a reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis. Phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted to obtain information regarding the presence/absence of primary and secondary metabolites in the extract. The in vitro antioxidant activity results demonstrated that the extract had excellent antioxidant activity, which was comparable to a standard (butylated hydroxy toluene). Spherical gold nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AuNPs]) with an average size of 15.37±3.99 to 44.20±16.99 nm were observed in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. Most interestingly, the silver nanoparticles (silver nanoparticles green synthesized by mangosteen pericarp extract [GM-AgNPs]) had asymmetric nanodumbbell shapes where one tail grew from a spherical head. The average head size was measured to be 13.65±5.07 to 31.08±3.99 nm from HR-TEM images. The hydrodynamic size of both nanoparticles tended to increase with increasing extract concentration. Large negative zeta potentials (−18.92 to −34.77 mV) suggested that each nanoparticle solution possessed excellent colloidal stability. The reaction yields were 99.7% for GM-AuNPs and 82.8% for GM-AgNPs, which were assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. A high-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of both nanoparticles. Based on phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectra, the hydroxyl functional groups of carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds were most likely involved in a reduction reaction of gold or silver salts to their corresponding nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity (based on a water-soluble tetrazolium assay) demonstrated that GM-AgNPs were toxic to both A549 (a human lung cancer cell) and NIH3T3 (a mouse fibroblast cell). The cytotoxicity of GM-AgNPs on A549 cells was related to apoptotic cell death. However, GM-AuNPs did not show any significant cytotoxicity to either cell. These results suggest that GM-AuNPs have the potential to be drug delivery vehicles or carriers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

The recent mass emergence of Nomura's jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) has caused much economic and environmental damage. However, there is no innovative strategy to dispose of or utilize these jellyfish. Some reports suggest that the jellyfish may be bioactive resources and a source of important compounds with antibacterial activity. Here, we examined the effect of an aqueous extract of Nomura's jellyfish (AENJ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages and a zebrafish model of inflammation and analyzed the underlying molecular mechanisms. AENJ downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages, with no apparent cytotoxic effects. However, AENJ had no effect on expression of other inflammation-related genes such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and MCP-1. Furthermore, AENJ reduced expression of nerve injury-induced protein 1 (Ninj1), which is an important adhesion molecule, thereby reducing cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro. The inhibitory effect of AENJ on leukocytes was confirmed in LPS-microinjected zebrafish larvae; AENJ reduced the number of the infiltrate accumulating at the site of inflammation. In addition, AENJ suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Finally, AENJ blocked nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a key transcription factor for inflammatory responses, in Raw 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, the data suggest that AENJ inhibits expression of COX and iNOS by blocking NF-κB signaling pathways and suppresses the activity of macrophages by downregulating Ninj1 and MMPs. Therefore, AENJ may be a useful preventive neutraceutical, or therapeutic agent against inflammatory disorders.

This study was carried out to raise research productivity through the analysis on the research projects and to find trends of mineral resources survey and mineral deposits of the KIGAM for 38 years since the fiscal year of 1976 to 2013. The KIGAM in the projects for mineral resources survey and mineral deposits expended 67.41 billion won for last 38 years, which is 107.07 billion won calculated using the present value in 2013 at discount rate of 5%. RD origin of ore deposits and basic research, 19%(54 projects); exploration for ore deposits, 17%(48 projects); database and information, 13%(37 projects); mineralogy and ore analysis, 9%(25 projects); and etc., 10%(27 projects). Based on analysis of research trends over the last 38 years, to raise research productivity, the existing survey research techniques with repeated use and related technology development should be enhanced.

The Chinese government and its agencies were trying in order to solve the unstability of resource supply and demand. Ministry of Land and Resources of China(MLR) carried out a lot of national-level policy and planning for estimating the domestic mineral and energy resources potential and recoverable reserves, as the Chinese land and resources survey plan(1999~2010), the Chinese mineral resource survey and exploration plan(2008~2020), announcement for shale gas industry policies of China, the Chinese shale gas resources evaluation and selection project for its development priority areas(2012), and the plan for Chinese shale gas development(2011~2015). The two large sedimentary basins of Chinese shale gas reserves are Sichuan and Tarim basins with excellent potential, accounting for majority of the estimated national reserves. Recoverable gas-bearing shale of China was surveyed to be widespread. The volume of recoverable shale gas reservoirs in China has been estimated to be around 31 trillion cubic meters(1,115 trillion cubic feet). China is one of only three countries with the US and Canada to produce shale gas in commercial quantities. China is concentrating on technology development to enhance commercial production of shale gas, and on survey and exploration activities to increase its recoverable reserves. The trends related to shale gas development and R&D activities in China to respond to changes in international oil market should be actively monitored based on analysis of Chinese policies and technology.

Cyclosporin A (CyA), a cyclic undecapeptide produced by a number of fungi, contains 11 unusual amino acids, and has been one of the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs. To date, there are over sixty different analogs reported as congeners and analogs resulting from precursor-directed biosynthesis, human CYP-mediated metabolites, or microbial bio-transformed analogs. However, there is still a need for more structurally diverse CyA analogs in order to discover new biological potentials and/or improve the physicochemical properties of the existing cyclosporins. As a result of the complexity of the resulting mass spectrometric (MS) data caused by its unusual amino acid composition and its cyclic nature, structural characterization of these cyclic peptides based on fragmentation patterns using multiple tandem MS analyses is challenging task. Here, we describe, an efficient HPLC-ESI-ion trap MS(n) (up to MS(8)) was developed for the identification of CyA and CyC, a (Thr(2))CyA congener in which L-aminobutyric acid (Abu) is replaced by L-threonine (Thr). In addition, we examined the fragmentation patterns of a CyA analog obtained from the cultivation of a recombinant Streptomyces venezuelae strain fed with CyA, assigning this analog as (γ-hydroxy-MeLeu(6))CyA (otherwise, known as an human CYP metabolite AM6). This is the first report on both the MS(n)-aided identification of CyC and the structural characterization of a CyA analog by employing HPLC-ESI-ion trap MS(n) analysis.

This paper relates generally to windows and doors for traditional Korean houses (Hanok). Especially, we focus on the minimizing the thermal losses on the windows and doors where the highest heat loss come to pass. The door includes a structure of a lattice door framed with vertical lattice frames and horizontal lattice frames which are arranged in a regular periodic pattern. The suggested method uses the convection flows to reduce thermal losses by structural formation of window and door's lattice without damaging the original aesthetic characteristic of windows and doors in Korean traditional wooden house. Based on computational analysis, we propose specific structures like as lattice aspect ratio of windows. A lattice aspect ratio of the lattice door ranges from 0.07 to 0.1 so that the vortex, air layer, induced by natural convection flow prevents thermal loss of a room from going out toward the outside air. Therefore, energy consumption can be reduced.

With the advent of a new Korean government, a new national agenda (140 items) was reported. Additionally, Work Plans of the executive bodies were also released, including the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP); the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE); the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF); and the Ministry of Environment (MOE); the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT). For government-supported research institutes, it will be important to watch and analyze the changes in the government`s primary policies and strategic goals. In this paper, we analyzed new governmental research and development (RD science and technology development based on creativity and innovation; creation of new growth engines by fusion and diffusion; construction of stable energy systems; promotion of environmental industry; and creating satisfactory land services. In the area of geoscience and mineral resources technology, it is time to search for a new, creative, and interagency fusion R&D contents to meet the needs of the public and boost its national competitiveness.

The present investigation is to examine the thermal behaviors of air flows inside Korean traditional house made of the construction materials transmitted. The research methodology is numerical predictions of air flows depend on the temperature distribution inside the house. The transient numerical experiments are performed along with the different house types, weather condition, and operating time of heating. Thermal properties of building units have been obtained by the parallel measurements and utilized in the numerical works. Consequently, the details of flows and temperature of air in the houses illustrate the thermal design of the traditional Korean house satisfy the requirements of human living. Main interest of the present investigation lies on the looking for optimum arrangements of contact region, such as a window and door are made of traditional materials, with the outside. The model shows equivalent thermal performance to the figure of the modern house using concrete structure and composite insulations. Observation and validation have been carried out by numerical predictions according to turning of the seasons. Details of flows both inside and outside of the house are prepared for the explanations of the merits of the traditional unit for Hanok. In addition, insulating flow patterns inside a room of Hanok are depicted for prefixed probe region.