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This study aims to develop self‐powered smart shoes that can monitor the changes in the bodyweight of a user. A tension‐type energy harvester and strain sensor are fabricated using polyvinylidene fluoride‐based ribbons and nanopowder containing piezoresistive ribbons, respectively. Two different conducting nanopowders (carbon black and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes) are used as stretchable sensors, and the most appropriate mixing ratio of the nanopowders is determined. The energy harvesting performance of the tension‐type ribbon harvesters is experimentally investigated based on the combination patterns of ribbons and gait patterns, and a method is introduced to apply the harvesting ribbon to shoes. Tension‐type ribbon sensors that detect bodyweight are installed in an acrylic insole with four rectangular holes. The connecting method between the sensors, which guarantees the stability and high sensitivity of the sensor signals, is investigated. Finally, electronic circuits are designed for energy harvesting, data communication, and switching power sources. These designed circuits are implemented in smart shoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: c-Myc, the protein product of protooncogene c-myc, functions in cell proliferation, differentiation, and neoplastic disease. In this study, recombinant c-Myc and Max proteins, encompassing DNA binding (basic region) and dimerization (helix–loop–helix/leucine zipper) domain of human origin, were expressed in bacteria as Myc87 and Max85. Myc87 was purified under denatured conditions and was renatured again. The dissociation constant for the protein dimers and for dimer/DNA complexes were not detectable by isothermal titration calorimetry because of the low degree of solubility of Myc87 and Max85. Therefore, we set up equations which were used to determine the dissociation constants from the proportion of protein–DNA complexes. The dimer dissociation constants in TBS were 5.90(±0.54)×10−7 M for Max85/Max85 homodimer, 6.85(±0.25)×10−3 M for Myc87/Myc87 homodimer, and 2.55(±0.29)×10−8 M for Myc87/Max85 heterodimer, and the DNA-binding dissociation constants in TBS were 1.33(±0.21)×10−9 M for Max85/Max85/DNA, 2.27(±0.08)×10−12 M for Myc87/Myc87/DNA, and 4.43(±0.37)×10−10 M for Myc87/Max85/DNA. In addition, we revealed that linoleic acid which is known as an inhibitor for the formation of Max/Max/DNA complex reduced the affinity of Max homodimer for DNA. This result indicates that linoleic acid may bind to the DNA-binding region of Max homodimer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Osteoclasts originating from hematopoietic precursor cells differentiate into multinucleated cells through multiple steps. The essential roles of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in osteoclast differentiation have been clearly demonstrated in numerous studies. c-Fos, a component of AP-1 transcription factor, plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation. Recently, we found a strong inhibitor of AP-1 transcriptional activity, named momordin I, based on the structure of oleanolic acid glycosides and originally isolated from Ampelopsis radix. So, we hypothesized that momordin I might be able to regulate osteoclast formation, activity, and survival. Here, we report the ability of momordin I to suppress osteoclastogenesis in a co-cultured system and a RANKL-induced osteoclast precursor system. Momordin I remarkably inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB as well as AP-1 in RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells, in which momordin I appeared to target IkappaB degradation and c-Fos expression, respectively, but not MAPK signaling pathways. The ability of momordin I to change the ratio of RANKL and OPG in primary osteoblasts was partially responsible for the reduction of osteoclast formation. Furthermore, pit formation on dentin slices was suppressed by momordin I with stimulating actin ring disruption. Our results also showed that momordin I highly shortened osteoclast lifespan and induced osteoclast apoptosis. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate for the first time that momordin I is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation via the reduction of NF-kappaB and AP-1, and also suppresses osteoclast function and survival.

Functional activation of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling plays an important role in the early events in colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined the effect of ionomycin against beta-catenin/Tcf signaling in colon cancer cells. Reporter gene assay showed that ionomycin inhibited beta-catenin/Tcf signaling efficiently. In addition, the inhibition of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling by ionomycin in HEK293 cells transiently transfected with a constitutively mutant beta-catenin gene, whose product is not phosphorylated by GSK3beta, indicates that its inhibitory mechanism is related to beta-catenin itself or downstream components. To investigate the precise inhibitory mechanism, we performed immunoprecipitation analysis, western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. As a result, our data reveal that the association of beta-catenin and Tcf-4 is disrupted and the amount of beta-catenin product in the nucleus is decreased by ionomycin in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, ionomycin strongly suppressed the binding of the Tcf complexes to its specific DNA-binding sites. The significance of the current work is that ionomycin is a negative regulator of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling in colon cancer cells and its inhibitory mechanism is related to the decreased nuclear beta-catenin products and to the suppressed binding of Tcf complexes to consensus DNA.

Functional activation of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling plays an important role in early events in carcinogenesis. We examined the effect of naringenin against beta-catenin/Tcf signaling in gastric cancer cells. Reporter gene assay showed that naringenin inhibited beta-catenin/Tcf signaling efficiently. In addition, the inhibition of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling by naringenin in HEK293 cells transiently transfected with constitutively mutant beta-catenin gene, whose product is not phosphorylated by GSK3beta, indicates that its inhibitory mechanism was related to beta-catenin itself or downstream components. To investigate the precise inhibitory mechanism, we performed immunofluorescence, Western blot, and EMSA. As a result, our data revealed that the beta-catenin distribution and the levels of nuclear beta-catenin and Tcf-4 proteins were unchanged after naringenin treatment. Moreover, the binding activities of Tcf complexes to consensus DNA were not affected by naringenin. Taken together, these data suggest that naringenin inhibits beta-catenin/Tcf signaling in gastric cancer with unknown mechanisms.

Recently, data which prove that Wnt pathway activation may be an early event in multistep carcinogenesis in the stomach have been accumulating. We examined the effect of flavanone against beta-catenin/Tcf signaling in AGS gastric cancer cells. Reporter gene assay showed that flavanone inhibited beta-catenin/Tcf signaling efficiently. In addition, the inhibition of beta-catenin/Tcf signaling by flavanone in HEK293 cells transiently transfected with constitutively mutant beta-catenin gene, whose product is not phosphorylated by GSK3beta, indicates that its inhibitory mechanism was related to beta-catenin itself or downstream components. To investigate the precise inhibitory mechanism, we performed immunofluorescence, Western blot, and EMSA. As a result, our data revealed that there is no change of beta-catenin distribution and of nuclear beta-catenin levels through flavanone. In addition, the binding of Tcf complexes to DNA is not influenced by flavanone. The beta-catenin/Tcf transcriptional target gene cyclinD1 was downregulated by flavanone. These data suggest that flavanone inhibits the transcription of beta-catenin/Tcf responsive genes, by modulating Tcf activity without disrupting beta-catenin/Tcf complex formation.