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The standard process for manufacturing microneedles containing API requires a way to process the API, including dissolving the API in a co-solvent and a drying process. In this study, the authors introduce a novel microneedle system that involves physically attaching API particles to the biocompatible adhesive surface of the microneedles. To manufacture particle-attached microneedles, an adhesive surface was prepared by coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed with an elastomer base and a curing agent at a ratio of 40:1 (PDMS40) onto polylactic acid microneedles (PLA), and then attaching ovalbumin (OVA) particles with a mean diameter of 10 μm to the PDMS adhesive layer. The OVA particles were delivered for 5 min into porcine skin with a delivery efficiency of 93% ex vivo and into mouse skin with a delivery efficiency of over 90% in vivo. Finally, mouse experiments with OVA particle-attached microneedles showed a value of OVA antibody titer similar to that produced by intramuscular administration. Particle-attached microneedles are a novel microneedle system with a dry coating process and rapid API delivery into the skin. Particle-attached microneedles can provide a wide range of applications for administering drugs and vaccines.

Plasma-based semiconductor processing is highly sensitive, thus even minor changes in the procedure can have serious consequences. The monitoring and classification of these equipment anomalies can be performed using fault detection and classification (FDC). However, class imbalance in semiconductor process data poses a significant obstacle to the introduction of FDC into semiconductor equipment. Overfitting can occur in machine learning due to the diversity and imbalance of datasets for normal and abnormal. In this study, we suggest a suitable preprocessing method to address the issue of class imbalance in semiconductor process data. We compare existing oversampling models to reduce class imbalance, and then we suggest an appropriate sampling strategy. In order to improve the FC performance of plasma-based semiconductor process data, it was confirmed that the SMOTE-based model using an undersampling technique such as Tomek link is effective. SMOTE-TOMEK, which removes multiple classes and makes the boundary clear, is suitable for FDC to classify minute changes in plasma-based semiconductor equipment data.

Background We investigated the prognostic impact of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and whether modifiable factors in radiotherapy (RT) influenced the NLR. Methods Data of 1386 patients who were treated with neoadjuvant RT and concurrent or sequential chemotherapy for LARC between 2006 and 2019 were evaluated. Most patients (97.8%) were treated with long-course RT (LCRT; 50–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions) using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) (n = 851) or helical tomotherapy (n = 504), and 30 patients underwent short-course RT (SCRT; 25 Gy in 5 fractions, followed by XELOX administration for 6 weeks). Absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were obtained at initial diagnosis, before and during the preoperative RT course, and after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Results The median follow-up time was 61.3 (4.1–173.7) months; the 5-year DMFS was 80.1% and was significantly associated with the NLR after RT but not before. A post-RT NLR ≥ 4 independently correlated with worse DMFS (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.80), along with higher ypT and ypN stages. Post-RT NLR (≥ 4) more frequently increased following LCRT (vs. SCRT, odds ratio [OR] 2.77, p = 0.012) or helical tomotherapy (vs. 3D-CRT, OR 1.29, p Conclusions Increased NLR after neoadjuvant RT is associated with increased distant metastasis risk and poor survival outcome in patients with LARC. Moreover, high NLR following RT is directly related to RT fractionation, delivery modality, and tumor characteristics. These results are hypothesis-generating only, and confirmatory studies are required.

Early life maternal separation (MS) increases the vulnerability to depression in rats with chronic mild stress (CMS). N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) improved depressive behaviors in rats with acute stress; however, their effects on rats with MS+CMS were not apparent. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that lifetime n-3 PUFA supplementation improves post-menopausal depression through the serotonergic and glutamatergic pathways while modulating n-3 PUFA-derived metabolites. Female rats were fed diets of either 0% n-3 PUFA during lifetime or 1% energy n-3 PUFA during pre-weaning, post-weaning, or lifetime periods. Rats were allocated to non-MS or MS groups and underwent CMS after ovariectomy. N-3 PUFA increased brain n-3 PUFA-derived endocannabinoid/oxylipin levels, and reversed depressive behaviors. N-3 PUFA decreased blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone, and brain expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor and miRNA-218, which increased the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor. N-3 PUFA decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and prostaglandin E2, while increased the expression of miRNA-155. N-3 PUFA also increased brainstem serotonin levels and hippocampal expression of the serotonin-1A receptor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phospho-CREB, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. However, n-3 PUFA did not affect brain expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor subtype 1, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B, or miRNA-132. Moreover, n-3 PUFA exposure during lifetime caused greater effects than pre- and post-weaning periods. The present study suggested that n-3 PUFA improved depressive behaviors through serotonergic pathway while modulating the metabolites of n-3 PUFA in post-menopausal depressed rats with chronic stress.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that lifetime n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake improved depression through serotonergic pathway in post-menopausal rats with chronic mild stress (CMS) and maternal separation (MS). METHODS: Female rats were fed diets with 0% or 1 energy % n-3 PUFA during lifetime from embryonic day (ED) 0 to postnatal day (PND) 112, or 1% n-3 PUFA before weaning (ED 0-PND 20), or after weaning (PND 20–112). The rats in four diet group were allocated to brief separation from dam (non-MS group) or long-term separation (MS group) on PND 2–14, and then underwent CMS on PND 91–105 after ovariectomy. Thus, there were eight groups in total (n = 8/group). RESULTS: MS + CMS increased depressive behaviors, and modified hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, inflammation, serotonergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and related miRNAs as compared to CMS alone. N-3 PUFA decreased depressive behaviors by decreasing immobility while increasing swimming during forced swim test, and increasing sucrose preference in rats with MS + CMS and with CMS. N-3 PUFA decreased HPA axis activity by modifying expressions of corticotrophin releasing factor and glucocorticoid receptor, and levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone. N-3 PUFA also reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PGE(2), and miRNA-218, and increased serotonergic neurotransmission, including expressions of cAMP response element binding protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serotonin 1A receptor, and serotonin level, and expression of miRNA-155. In addition, lifetime supplementation of n-3 PUFA had greater effect than pre- or post-supplementation. N-3 PUFA had no effect on glutamatergic pathway including α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that lifetime n-3 PUFA improved depression in post-menopausal rats with MS + CMS through modulation of serotonergic pathway by decreasing HPA axis activity but not glutamatergic pathway. FUNDING SOURCES: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2018R1A2B6002486).

Early life and adulthood stress increase vulnerability for mental illness, and eventually trigger depression. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have antidepressant effects, but their effect on rats exposed to combined stress has been not investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether n-3 PUFA supplementation had antidepressant-like effects in rat models of depression induced by a combination of chronic mild stress (CMS) and maternal separation (MS) through the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and neurotransmission. Rats were fed the n-3 PUFA diet during the pre-weaning or post-weaning period or for lifetime, and allocated to different groups based on the type of induced stress: non-stress (NS), CMS + MS, or CMS alone. N-3 PUFA improved the depressive behaviors of the CMS alone and CMS + MS groups and modulated the HPA-axis by reducing the circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and corticotropin-releasing factor expression, and increasing glucocorticoid receptor expression. N-3 PUFA also modulated brain phospholipid fatty acid concentration, thus reducing inflammatory cytokines; improved the serotonergic pathway, thus increasing the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), serotonin-1A receptor, and serum levels of serotonin; but did not affect glutamatergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, n-3 PUFA decreased the hippocampal expression of microRNA-218 and -132, increased that of microRNA-155, and its lifetime supplementation was more beneficial than pre- or post-weaning supplementation. This study suggests that n-3 PUFA has an antidepressant effect in rats exposed to combined stress, through the improvement of the HPA-axis abnormalities, the BDNF-serotonergic pathway, and the modulation of microRNAs.

Background Depression induced by chronic mild stress (CMS) reduced bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and maternal separation (MS) during early life aggravated depression-induced bone mass destruction. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been shown to improve bone mass and depression, but the bone-protecting effects of n-3 PUFA were unclear in CMS+MS-induced depression models. The purpose of this study was to determine whether n-3 PUFA improved CMS+MS-induced postmenopausal bone loss via its antidepressant-like action. Methods Rats were fed diets containing 0% of total energy intake (en %) of n-3 PUFA during lifetime or 1 en % n-3 PUFA during pre-weaning or post-weaning periods, or their entire lifetimes and were allocated to CMS or CMS+MS groups after OVX. Results Lifetime supply of n-3 PUFA enhanced bone mass and microarchitecture, and expression of runt-related transcription factor 2, while decreasing blood levels of amino-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen and the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa Β ligand/osteoprotegerin, activating transcription factor 4, and adrenergic receptor β2. Lifetime supply of n-3 PUFA decreased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone and the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in the brain but increased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor, serotonin-2C receptor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and calmodulin kinase IV and serotonin levels. Supply of n-3 PUFA during the pre-and post-weaning periods had beneficial effects on the brain but not on the bones. Conclusion Lifetime supply of n-3 PUFA ameliorated bone loss induced by chronic stress by regulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and serotonin-CREB signaling.

Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate cancer cells in a contact-dependent manner. However, how NK cells find cancer cells remain unclear. Here, using time-lapse imaging, we investigated how individual NK cells migrate toward cancer cells. Although naïve B16F10 cancer cells produce low levels of chemokines, IFN-γ-treated B16F10 cells secreted high levels of CXCL10, low levels of CCL5, but did not secrete CCL2, CCL7, or CXCL12. Wild-type NK cells migrated well toward cancer cells and killed them, whereas NK cells deficient in CXCR3 did not. CXCR3-deficient NK cells also showed slower migration speed than did wild-type NK cells. Taken together, our data show that NK cells find cancer cells, at least in part, by sensing CXCL10 produced by cancer cells and suggest that a strategy to increase CXCL10 secretion by cancer cells may improve the efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapy.

Silicon etching is an essential process in various applications, and a major challenge for etching process is anisotropic high aspect ratio etching characteristics. The etch profile is determined by the plasma parameters and process parameters. In this study, the plasma state with each process parameters were analyzed through the OES plasma diagnostic sensor by both chemical and physical approaches. Electron temperature and electron density were additionally acquired using the corona model with OES data that provides chemical species information, and the etch profile was evaluated through SEM measurement data. The results include changes in profile with gas ratio, bias power, and pressure. We figure out that factors like ion energy and ion angular distribution as well as chemical reaction affect the anisotropic profile.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) had antidepressant effects through microRNA (miR)-regulated neurobiological systems in dams with postpartum depression (PPD) induced by pup separation (PS). METHODS: After mating, the female rats were fed a modified AIN-93 G diet with 0% or 1% n-3 PUFAs relative to total energy intake during gestation and lactation periods. After birth, dams were separated from their pups for 15 min (control) or 180 min (PS) every day on postpartum day 2–14. There were four groups (n = 8/group): control, PS, n-3 PUFAs and PS + n-3 PUFAs. RESULTS: PS increased latencies to contact first pup and to retrieve all pup increased immobility but decreased climbing during forced swimming test, and decreased sucrose preference. PS increased activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis including expression of corticotrophin releasing factor and glucocorticoid receptor, and levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone. PS also decreased serotonergic neurotransmission including expressions of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), pCREB, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin 1A receptor, and level of serotonin. In addition, PS increased inflammation including expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE(2), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) 2B. PS modified HPA-axis, serotonergic neurotransmission, inflammation and NMDAR 2B through miR-218, miR-132, miR-182 and miR-155. N-3 PUFAs modified depressive behaviors, HPA axis activity, serotonergic neurotransmission, inflammation through miR-218, miR-182 and miR-155. However, n-3 PUFAs had no effect on miR-17, miR-132, and NMDAR 2B. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of n-3 PUFAs could be due to regulation of HPA axis activity, serotonergic neurotransmission and inflammation via miR-218, miR-182 and miR-155, rather than NMDAR. FUNDING SOURCES: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2018R1A2B6002486).

Conversion ofα-linolenic acid (ALA) into the longer chainn-3 PUFA has been suggested to be affected by the dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA), but the mechanism is not well known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-LA diet with and without oestrogen on the fatty acid conversion enzymes and transcription factors. Rats were fed a modified American Institute of Nutrition-93G diet with 0%n-3 PUFA or ALA, containing low or high amounts of LA for 12 weeks. At 8 weeks, the rats were injected with maize oil with or without 17β-oestradiol-3-benzoate (E) at constant intervals for the remaining 3 weeks. Both the low-LA diet and E significantly increased the hepatic expressions of PPAR-α, fatty acid desaturase (FADS) 2, elongase of very long chain fatty acids 2 (ELOVL2) and ELOVL5 but decreased sterol regulatory element binding protein 1. The low-LA diet, but not E, increased the hepatic expression of FADS1, and E increased the hepatic expression of oestrogen receptor-αandβ. The low-LA diet and E had synergic effects on serum and liver levels of DHA and on the hepatic expression of PPAR-α. In conclusion, the low-LA diet and oestrogen increased the conversion of ALA into DHA by upregulating the elongases and desaturases of fatty acids through regulating the expression of transcription factors. The low-LA diet and E had a synergic effect on serum and liver levels of DHA through increasing the expression of PPAR-α.

Semiconductor manufacturing comprises hundreds of consecutive unit processes. A single misprocess could jeopardize the whole manufacturing process. In current manufacturing environments, data monitoring of equipment condition, wafer metrology, and inspection, etc., are used to probe any anomaly during the manufacturing process that could affect the final chip performance and quality. The purpose of investigation is fault detection and classification (FDC). Various methods, such as statistical or data mining methods with machine learning algorithms, have been employed for FDC. In this paper, we propose an artificial immune system (AIS), which is a biologically inspired computing algorithm, for FDC regarding semiconductor equipment. Process shifts caused by parts and modules aging over time are main processes of failure cause. We employ state variable identification (SVID) data, which contain current equipment operating condition, and optical emission spectroscopy (OES) data, which represent plasma process information obtained from faulty process scenario with intentional modification of the gas flow rate in a semiconductor fabrication process. We achieved a modeling prediction accuracy of modeling of 94.69% with selected SVID and OES and an accuracy of 93.68% with OES data alone. To conclude, the possibility of using an AIS in the field of semiconductor process decision making is proposed.

Stress and ovarian hormone fluctuation are risk factors for postpartum depression (PPD). Previous studies suggested antidepressant-like effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but their effect on dam animal with additional stress were not clear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA improved PPD through the serotonergic and glutamatergic pathways by modulating miRNA. Rats were fed n-3 PUFA or control diet from gestation, with pup separation (PS) on postpartum days 2-14 and non-PS controls. N-3 PUFA reversed PS-induced depressive behaviors, including increased immobility, latencies to contact first pup and retrieve all pups, and decreased sucrose preference. N-3 PUFA also modulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by decreasing circulating levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone and expression of hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing factor and hippocampal miRNA-218 but increasing the hippocampal expression of glucocorticoid receptor. N-3 PUFA inhibited neuroinflammation by decreasing circulating levels of prostaglandin E2 and hippocampal expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and miRNA-155. In addition, n-3 PUFA up-regulated the serotonergic pathway by increasing circulating levels of serotonin and hippocampal expression of serotonin-1A receptor, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), pCREB, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and miRNA-182 but did not affect the glutamatergic pathway according to the hippocampal expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-2B. The present study suggested that n-3 PUFA improved PPD through the serotonergic pathway by modifying the HPA axis, neuroinflammation, and related miRNAs.

Our previous study showed that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and estrogen (E) had synergistic hypocholesterolemic effects by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and enhancing bile acid synthesis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), synergistically with E, via hepatic cholesterol synthesis and clearance. Rats were fed a diet with either 0% n-3 PUFA or 1% ALA, EPA, or DHA, relative to total energy consumption, for the entire 12-week study. After ovariectomy, rats were injected with either corn oil or E every 4 days for the last 3 weeks of the study. In combination with E, dietary supplementation with EPA or DHA increased the phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase/adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase ratio and LDL receptor expression, and it decreased the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in the liver. In addition, dietary supplementation with EPA or DHA increased hepatic expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, sterol 12α-hydroxylase, and sterol 27-hydroxylase. However, E decreased the expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and sterol 12α-hydroxylase and increased the expression of estrogen receptor α and β in the liver. ALA had no significant effects on cholesterol metabolism. In conclusion, the present study suggests that dietary supplementation with EPA and DHA decreased LDL-C synthesis and increased bile acid synthesis and LDL-C clearance by LDL receptor, synergistically with E.

Background Age-related loss of muscle mass and function is a major component of frailty. Nutrition supplementation with exercise is an effective strategy to decrease frailty by preventing sarcopenia, but the effect of protein alone is controversial. Objective The present study was performed to investigate a dose-dependent effect of protein supplementation on muscle mass and frailty in prefrail or frail malnourished elderly people. Design A 12-wk double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in elderly subjects aged 70-85 y with ≥1 of the Cardiovascular Health Study frailty criteria and a Mini Nutritional Assessment score ≤23.5 (n = 120). Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 0.8, 1.2, or 1.5 g protein · kg-1 · d-1, with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis. Primary outcomes were appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results After the 12-wk intervention, the 1.5-g protein · kg-1 · d-1 group had higher ASM (mean ± SD: 0.52 ± 0.64 compared with 0.08 ± 0.68 kg, P = 0.036) and SMI (ASM/weight: 0.87% ± 0.69% compared with 0.15% ± 0.89%, P = 0.039; ASM/BMI: 0.02 ± 0.03 compared with 0.00 ± 0.04, P = 0.033; ASM:fat ratio: 0.04 ± 0.11 compared with -0.02 ± 0.10, P = 0.025) than the 0.8-g protein · kg-1 · d-1 group. In addition, gait speed was improved in the 1.5-g protein · kg-1 · d-1 group compared with the 0.8-g protein · kg-1 · d-1 group (0.09 ± 0.07 compared with 0.04 ± 0.07 m/s, P = 0.039). There were no significant differences between the 1.2- and 0.8-g protein · kg-1 · d-1 groups in muscle mass and physical performance. No harmful adverse effects were observed. Conclusions The present study indicates that protein intake of 1.5 g · kg-1 · d-1 has the most beneficial effects in regard to preventing sarcopenia and frailty compared with protein intakes of 0.8 and 1.2 g · kg-1 · d-1 in prefrail or frail elderly subjects at risk of malnutrition. This trial was registered at cris.nih.go.kr as KCT0001923.

The graphite/SiO2 composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were prepared by sol-gel method to improve the graphite’s electrochemical characteristics. The prepared graphite/SiO2 composites were analysed by XRD, FE-SEM and EDX. The graphite surface modified by silicon dioxide showed several advantages to stabilize SEI layer. The electrochemical characteristics were investigated for lithium ion battery using graphite/SiO2 as the working electrode and Li metal as the counter electrode. Electrochemical behaviors using organic electrolytes (LiPF6, EC/DMC) were characterized by charge/discharge, cycle, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests. The lithium ion battery using graphite/SiO2 electrodes had better capacity than that of using graphite electrodes and was able to deliver a discharge capacity with 475 mAh/g at a rate of 0.1 C. Also, the capacity retention ratio of the modified graphite reaches 99% at a rate of 0.8 C.

Our previous studies found that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and estrogen had synergistic antidepressant-like effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that three major n-3 PUFAs, α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), individually had antidepressant effects combined with 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E) through a neurobiological pathway in ovariectomized rats. Rats were fed a modified American Institute of Nutrition-93G diet with 0% n-3 PUFAs and 1% ALA, EPA and DHA relative to total energy intake for 12 weeks and were injected with corn oil or E every 4 days during the last 3 weeks. Supplementation of EPA, DHA and E increased serum concentrations of serotonin and climbing behavior, and decreased immobility during a forced swimming test. Supplementation with EPA, DHA and E also decreased hippocampal expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased cAMP response element binding protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and estrogen receptor-α. Immunofluorescence staining consistently showed elevated expressions of BDNF. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that E increased glucose and decreased glutamate, glutamine and myo-inositol concentrations regardless of n-3 PUFA supplementation. In addition, supplementation with EPA, DHA and E decreased levels of nitrite and nitrate. However, ALA had no antidepressant effect. The present study suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of EPA and DHA supplementation and E injection could be due to the regulation of serotonergic neurotransmission and inflammatory cytokines rather than due to the antioxidative system. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA and E had the additional function of modulating neurometabolites in the hippocampus.

The MCMB- with core-shell structure was prepared by sol-gel process to improve low cycle capability of MCMB in this study. The electrochemical characteristics were investigated for hybrid capacitor using MCMB- as the negative electrode and , Active carbon fiber as the positive electrode. The electrochemical behaviors of hybrid capacitor using organic electrolytes (, EC/DMC/EMC) were characterized by charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, cycle and impedance tests. The hybrid capacitor using MCMB- electrodes had better capacitance than MCMB hybrid systems and was able to deliver a specific energy with 67 Wh/kg at a specific power of 781 W/kg.

Despite conflicting results, there is evidence to suggest an inverse link between total body cholesterol levels and the risk of certain malignancies. Based on previous reports, this phenomenon appears to vary with cancer site, and, in particular, more consistent data on inverse relations was reported in the risk of gastric cancer. In the current study, the effect of cholesterol on gastric cancer cell viability was examined using an in vitro cell culture system. Addition of cholesterol in culture medium resulted in reduced viability and clonogenicity of SNU601, SNU638 and SNU216 gastric cancer cells by induction of both autophagic and apoptotic death. Transient inactivation of ERK1/2 was linked to reduction of cholesterol-mediated cell viability, and tumor necrosis factor‑related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL‑R2/DR5) was also involved in cell death signaling. In conclusion, these results imply that cholesterol can act as a signal regulator to modulate cell viability and that proper cellular cholesterol levels may be advantageous to suppress growth of gastric carcinomas.

This study is to examine that there are differences in Holland personality types and talent of elementary school students depending on cerebral hemisphere and their relationship. The study is targeted 679 elementary school students. To examined the hypothesis, frequency analysis, t-test, correlation analysis, using SPSS 18.0 were conducted. First, The elementary school students, artistic and enterprising types appeared more evident in the right-brain than left-brain. Second, there are positively conspicuous differences between RIC group and SAE group in left-brain. Third, in comparison with cerebral hemisphere and talent of elementary school students, creative, nature, communicative and body appeared more evident in the right-brain. Fourth, there are positive relationships in Holland personality types, cerebral hemisphere, and talent. However, there is no relationship between left-brain and artistic type, right-brain and social type.

합성가스를 생산하기 위한 메탄의 부분산화반응 특성을 Ni/CeO2-ZrO2, Ni-Ru/CeO2-ZrO2와 Ni-Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 촉매체를 이용하여 조사하였다. 메탄의 부분 산화 개질 반응에서 촉매의 높은 활성과 안정성을 위하여 허니컴 구조의 금속모노리스 촉매 체를 적용하였다. 촉매분석은 XRD와 FE-SEM을 사용하였으며, 제조된 촉매들의 합성가스 제조 특성은 반응물 비(O/C), GHSV와 온도를 변화시키면서 연구하였다. 개질 실험에서 사용된 촉매 중에서 Ni-Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 촉매 체가 가장 높은 활성을 보여 주었으며, 900℃, GHSV=10,000 h-1과 O/C=0.55에서 99%의 메탄 전환율을 얻었다. O/C 비가 증가함에 따라 수소 yield는 증가되고, 반면에 CO yield는 거의 일정하게 유지됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 GHSV가 증가할수록 메탄의 전환율은 감소하였으며, 높은 메탄의 전환율을 얻을 수 있는 GHSV의 범위는 10,000 h-1 이하임을 알 수 있었다.

NaOH 화학적 활성화법을 사용하여 야자각 차로부터 고 비표면적과 미세기공이 발달된 활성탄을 제조하였다. 활성탄제조 공정은 탄화과정에서 활성화 약품과 야자각 차의 비율과 불활성 기체 유량과 같은 실험변수들을 분석함으로서 수행되었다. 이와 같은 NaOH 화학적 활성화에 의한 2,481 m2/g의 고 비표면적과 2.32 nm의 평균 기공크기를 갖는 활성탄이 얻어졌다. 양극으로 LiMn2O4, LiCoO2와 음극으로 제조된 활성탄을 사용하여 하이브리드 커패시터의 전기화학적 성능을 조사하였다. LiPF6, TEABF4의 유기 전해질을 사용한 하이브리드 커패시터의 전기화학적 거동은 정전류 충방전, 순환 전류 전압법, 사이클과 누설전류 테스트에 의해 특성화 되었다. LiMn2O4/AC 전극을 사용한 하이브리드 커패시터가 다른 하이브리드 시스템 보다 더 좋은 충방전 성능을 보였으며, 출력밀도 1,448 W/kg와 131 Wh/kg의 고 에너지 밀도를 전달할 수 있다.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is known as a suppressor of cholestatic liver diseases and colorectal cancer development. Here, we demonstrate that UDCA induces apoptosis without necrotic features in SNU601, SNU638, SNU1 and SNU216 human gastric cancer cells, implying its possible use as an effective chemotherapeutic agent in treatment of gastric cancer. UDCA-induced apoptosis was dominantly mediated by an extrinsic pathway dependent on caspase-8, -6 and -3. UDCA increased expression of death receptor 5 [(DR5), also known as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 2], and this DR appeared to be responsible for UDCA-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by DR5 knockdown. UDCA triggered formation of lipid rafts that played crucial roles in UDCA-induced apoptotic actions. Lipid rafts were required not only for provision of a proper site for DR5 action but also for mediation of DR5 expression. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein kinase C (PKC) δ appeared to be implicated in UDCA-induced raft-dependent DR5 expression. Our results indicate that UDCA-induced apoptosis is mediated by DR5 expression, which is regulated by the raft formation/ROS production/PKCδ activation pathway and DR5 localization into lipid rafts in gastric cancer cells. Tumor-suppressive activity of UDCA was confirmed in an in vivo system: UDCA (120 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased tumor growth in gastric cancer xenograft mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that UDCA can be used as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of gastric cancer.

In our search for novel histone deacetylases inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized a series of novel hydroxamic acids and N-hydroxybenzamides incorporating quinazoline heterocycles (4a - 4i, 6a - 6i). Bioevaluation showed that these quinazoline-based hydroxamic acids and N-hydroxybenzamides were potently cytotoxic against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon; PC-3, prostate; NCI-H23, lung). In term of cytotoxicity, several compounds, e.g., 4g, 4c, 4g - 4i, 6c, and 6h, displayed from 5- up to 10-fold higher potency than SAHA (suberoylanilidehydroxamic acid, vorinostat). The compounds were also generally comparable to SAHA in inhibiting HDACs with IC50 values in sub-micromolar range. Some compounds, e.g., 4g, 6c, 6e, and 6h, were even more potent HDAC inhibitors compared to SAHA in HeLa extract assay. Docking studies demonstrated that the compounds tightly bound to HDAC2 at the active binding site with binding affinities higher than that of SAHA. Detailed investigation on the estimation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) suggested that compounds 4g, 6c, and 6g, while showing potent HDAC2 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity, also potentially displayed ADMET characteristics desirable to be expected as promising anticancer drug candidates.

CD226 is an activating receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, and other immune cells. Upon binding to its ligands expressed on target cells, CD226 activates intracellular signaling that triggers cytokine production and degranulation in NK cells. However, the role of CD226 in contact dynamics between NK and cancer cells has remained unclear. Our time-lapse images showed that individual wild-type CD226+ NK cells contacted B16F10 melanoma cells for 23.7 min, but Cd226−/− NK cells only for 12.8 min, although both NK cell subsets showed equal contact frequency over 4 h. On the surface of B16F10 cells, CD226+ cells stayed at the same site with oscillating movement (named stable contact), while Cd226−/− NK cells moved around at a velocity of 4 μm/min (named unstable contact). Consequently, Cd226−/− NK cells did not kill B16F10 cells in vitro and did not inhibit their metastasis into the lung in vivo. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CD226 enables prolonged stable interaction between NK and cancer cells, which is needed for efficient killing of cancer cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the emergence of autoreactive lymphocytes, autoantibody production, and deposition of immune complexes in various tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ameliorate SLE by inhibiting T cell functions, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Human MSCs increased the survival rates of lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting cytokine expression and kidney infiltration of T cells. In cellular assays, allogeneic MSCs inhibited the proliferation and the cytokine production of MRL/lpr-derived T cells. Using time-lapse imaging, we examined how MRL/lpr-derived T cells gather information from MSCs at the single-cell level. Wild type MSCs demonstrated induction of T cell migration, and long-term contact duration than CCL2-knockdowed/knockout MSCs. MSC-driven CCL2 increased the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in MRL/lpr-derived T cells. Taken together, our study helps to understand how MSCs inhibit autoreactive T cell functions by using CCL2 and ultimately how MSCs ameliorate symptoms in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice.

Although much has been learned about the cytotoxic mechanisms of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) and natural killer (NK) cells, little is known about how they kill cancer cells at the single-cell level. In the present study, we examined the contact dynamics of CIK and NK cells at the single-cell level by using time-lapse imaging. CIK cells killed MHC-I-negative and -positive cancer cells, but NK cells destroyed MHC-I-negative cells only. Moreover, CIK cells moved in all directions and showed longer tracks than did NK cells. CIK cells showed higher displacement and straightness scores than did NK cells, which indicates long-distance random migration of CIK cells. CIK and NK cells moved at 6.7 mm/min and 4.5 mm/min on average, respectively. These data suggest that CIK cells are likely moving more actively than NK cells. The average threshold number of CIK cells required to kill an individual cancer cell was 6.7 for MHC-I-negative cells and 6.9 for MHC-I-positive cells. That of NK cells was 2.4 for MHC-I-negative cells. Likely due to the higher threshold numbers, killing by CIK cells was delayed in comparison with NK cells: 40% of MHC-negative target cells were killed after 5 h when co-cultured with CIK cells and after 2 h with NK cells. Our data have implications for the rational design of CIK or NK cell–based immunotherapy of cancer patients