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This study is about beauty style focused on the grand prize winner of the Miss World Korea contest held independently in 2011 being separated from Miss Korea contest, the winners of the Miss Queen Korea contest called national representative beauty trio, and Mis Jin who is the main winner Miss Korea contest. It was conducted through comparative analysis of makeup and hairstyles in world beauty contests and domestic beauty contests. Comparing and analyzing different patterns through the characteristics of makeup and hairstyles in international beauty contests and domestic beauty contests is expected to be used as a source of new pattern research and a material of marketing in beauty industry in the future and there is a purpose that it contributes to the provocation for Korea to be a global beauty powerhouse. The makeup and hairstyles of beauties were analyzed using research papers books, Miss Queen Korea site, photo collection of Miss Korea site, Internet search, and interviews with contestants and other winners. As a result of the analysis, the world beauty pageant has a more apparent shading and smoky makeup to express sexy with boldness overly emphasizing the eye hole, and the hairstyle is also definitely given back comb to be exaggeratedly inflated, making the face look small, and the western image of a seductive style. The domestic beauty pageant broke away from the flashy and shady makeup of the past and changed to an elegant and calm natural makeup style, and the hair style was also changed from being expanded and inflated to calm and oriental image of intellectual and announcer. In previous studies, there was a close relationship between the trend beauty style and the beauty style of the beauty pageant, but in particular, in the case of the international beauty pageant, the trend and the beauty style of the beauty contest were expressed in a different form due to disimilar needs against the past, and there was no significant relationship.

Background We investigated the change of coronary atherosclerosis with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter Methods Subjects undergoing serial CCTAs between January 2007 and December 2017 (n = 3,127) were analyzed. Each individual's cumulative amount of PM2.5 exposure between the two CCTAs was evaluated by Kriging interpolation and zonal analysis, considering the time interval between the two CCTAs. The main outcome was progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) with additional semiquantitative analysis on the changes in the severity and composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Results The CAC scores increased by 30.8 Agatston units per-year under a median PM2.5 concentration 24.9μg/m3 and tended to increase with the cumulative amount of PM2.5 exposure (r = 0.321, p Conclusions Cumulative exposure to air pollution is associated with the progression of diffuse coronary calcification, the importance of which may be more significant than other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further investigations into the causality between PM2.5 and coronary atherosclerosis are warranted to improve global cardiovascular health.

Aims/Introduction Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes critical to human immunity. Previous studies showed correlations between NK cell function and blood glucose concentrations. The purpose of the present study was to assess the NK cell activity and various metabolic parameters in people with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and normal glucose tolerance. Materials and Methods A total of 49 participants were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, C‐peptide, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out for 2‐h postload glucose level. Homeostatic model assessment was calculated for insulin resistance and β‐cell function. NK cell activity was measured by detecting the circulating interferon‐gamma level secreted from NK cells. Results NK cell activity was lower in patients with type 2 diabetes (768.01 ± 650.35) compared with those with prediabetes (2,396.08 ± 653.76, P

Several experimental studies have suggested beneficial effects ofNinety patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for more than 6 months were enrolled. Subjects were randomly divided into placebo (Eighty-four patients completed the study. There were no significant differences in fasting, postprandial glucose, HbA1c, or lipid parameters. HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were improved at week 12 in theTwelve-week administration of

Purpose Ilaprazole, the latest proton pump inhibitor, can be used with clarithromycin and amoxicillin as a triple therapy regimen for eradicating Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic drug interactions and safety profiles after coadministration of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and ilaprazole. Methods A randomised, open-label, one-way crossover, two parallel sequences study was conducted in 32 healthy subjects. In part 1, the subjects received a single dose of ilaprazole 10 mg in period 1 and clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily for 6 days in period 2. In part 2, the subjects received clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg once in period 1 and ilaprazole 10 mg twice daily for 6 days in period 2. In both sequences, the three drugs were coadministrated once on day 5 in period 2. Pharmacokinetic evaluations of ilaprazole (part 1), and clarithromycin and amoxicillin (part 2) were conducted. Results Twenty-eight subjects completed the study. For ilaprazole, the peak concentration (Cmax) slightly decreased from 479 (ilaprazole alone) to 446 ng/mL (triple therapy) [Geometric least square mean ratio (90% confidence interval), 0.93 (0.70–1.22)]. The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to the last measurable concentration (AUClast) slightly increased from 3301 to 3538 μg·h/mL [1.07 (0.85–1.35)]. For clarithromycin, the Cmax slightly decreased from 1.87 to 1.72 μg/mL [0.90 (0.70–1.15)], and AUClast slightly increased from 14.6 to 16.5 μg·h/mL [1.09 (0.87–1.37)]. For amoxicillin, the Cmax slightly decreased from 9.37 to 8.14 μg/mL [0.86 (0.74–1.01)], and AUClast slightly decreased from 27.9 to 26.7 μg·h/mL [0.98 (0.83–1.16)]. These changes in the PK parameters of each drug were not statistically significant. Conclusions The coadministration of ilaprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin was tolerable and did not cause a significant PK drug interaction. Thus, a triple therapy regimen comprising ilaprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin may be an option for the eradication of H. pylori. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT02998437. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00228-018-2489-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic metabolic diseases. This study investigated the effect of the antioxidant-rich dietary intervention on oxidative stress, metabolic parameters, and arterial stiffness in elderly Koreans with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Materials and Methods Thirty-one subjects with MetS were enrolled and randomly divided into dietary intervention group and control group. Subjects in the intervention group received three meal boxes prepared with antioxidant-rich ingredients every day for 4 weeks, and subjects in the control group maintained their usual diets. Anthropometric and various biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and MetS were assessed. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and fat measurement using computed tomography were also conducted before and after 4 weeks. Results There were significant differences in waist circumference, visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio, lipid peroxidation, oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid parameters, advanced glycation end products, and baPWV between before and after the study in the experimental group (all p

Background: Baicalin, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting expression of cell adhesion molecules and migration of leukocytes in vascular cells. However, there is a limited evidence on its anti-inflammatory effect in hyperglycemia-associated milieu in other cells. Hyperglycemia and its associated factors are known to induce diabetic nephropathy by exacerbating inflammation, especially, in proximal convoluted tubule. Herein, we investigated whether baicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects on human renal proximal tubular cells in hyperglycemia induced conditions. Method: HK-2 cell was maintained in normal glycemic (5.78mM glucose) or in hyperglycemic (30mM glucose) condition with or without advanced glycation end-products (AGE) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). In each condition, baicalin was treated at 10uM. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Gene and protein expression of multiple inflammatory and fibrosis markers including toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, fibronectin, collagen IV α1 (ColIVα1), collagen IV α2 (ColIVα2), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), and vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) were evaluated by PCR and WB, respectively. Results: Baicalin had no effect on cell viability. Baicalin significantly decreased gene expression of ColIVα2 in response to TNFα stimulation in normal glycemic condition (p=0.038). In hyperglycemic condition, baicalin decreased gene expressions of ICAM1 (p=0.049) and VCAM1 (p=0.049) significantly in AGE treated cells; and it significantly decreased gene expressions of TGFβ (p=0.038) and ICAM1 (p=0.017) in TNFα treated cells. Baicalin also decreased protein expression of ICAM1 in response to AGE (p=0.048) and TNFα (p=0.040) stimulation in hyperglycemic condition. Conclusion: Baicalin attenuated fibrosis process by hyperglycemia associated factors in HK-2 cell. Disclosure J. Nam: None. J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. J. Nam: None. J. Park: None. S. Park: None. Y. Kim: None. C. Ahn: None.

Objective: FSTL1, an extracellular glycoprotein, is a novel myokine that is secreted by skeletal muscle. However, its functions in metabolism remain unclear, Adipose tissue is one of the important organs for maintaining energy homeostasis. FSTL1 is known to induce inflammatory response and inhibit insulin-mediated Akt signaling pathway, we aimed to investigate whether FSTL1 play metabolic roles in human adipose tissue. We hypothesized that FSTL1 increases lipolysis through its putative receptor DIP2A (Disco interacting protein 2 homolog A). Methods: Human primary adipocytes were treated with recombinant FSTL1 in dose and time dependent manner. To determine its lipolytic activity, pHSL ser563,565,660, perilipin, AMPK, PKA were determined by western blot and the rate of free fatty acid was assessed. Expression of DIP2A was determined by PCR and western blot. DIP2A was knocked-down to examine whether it mediates metabolic effects of FSTL1. Results: FSTL1 did not affect catecholamine-induced lipolysis via PKA. FSTL1, however, increased lipolysis through AMPK activation and, subsequently, HSL ser565 phosphorylation in dose dependent manner. It was found that DIP2A expression did not change during differentiation of human primary adipocyte, suggesting that it is not involved in adipocyte maturation. Conclusion: FSTL1 increased basal lipolysis through AMPK activation. AMPK is well known sensor of the intracellular energy state and serves to regulate various signals. Its activation provides ATP by FA oxidation. Therefore, FSTL1 may play an important in the regulation of energy homeostasis. FSTL1 also has effect through DIP2A. These findings suggest that DIP2A plays important roles in FSTL1 mediated lipolysis. Disclosure C. Ahn: None. A. Choi: None. J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. J. Nam: None. S. Park: None. M. Kim: None. Y. Kim: None. J. Nam: None. S. Kang: None. J. Park: None.

Title: Elevated TyG index predicts progression of coronary artery calcification Objective: To investigate the TyG index association with coronary artery calcification(CAC) progression in adult Koreans. Research design and methods: Various cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric profiles were assessed in 1175 subjects, who previously had CAC evaluation, at least twice, by multi-detector CT in a health care center. TyG index was determined using ln[fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. A difference of ≥ 2.5 units between the square roots of the baseline and follow-up coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) was considered as CAC progression. Results: CAC progression was seen in 282 subjects (24%) during 4.2 years follow-up. Based on TyG index, patients were stratified into three groups. Follow-up CACS and incidence of CAC progression markedly elevated with rising TyG index tertile. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for different risk factors, revealed the odds ratio for CAC progression to be 1.88 (95% CI: 1.21-2.92; P

Graphene-enhanced Raman scattering has been studied as an optical technique related to the selective electron transfer from graphene to the valence band of the contacted molecule, inducing a pileup of electrons within the conduction band and a “photogating effect” for subsequently illuminated light. Herein, we studied the Raman spectroscopy of CsPbI3 nanorods sandwiched between two layers of graphene, revealing that weak coherent lasing also occurs. The photoluminescence intensity of α-phase CsPbI3 nanorods drastically decreased with increasing graphene coverage, particularly on the top, leading to Raman modes at the first (~241 and ~312 cm−1) and second (~640 cm−1) overtones of polymeric iodides, as well as at ~3492 cm−1. First-principle calculations reveal that the ~3492-cm−1 mode originates from the stimulated coherent light emissions of the highly populated electrons accumulated in the CsPbI3 conduction band, which form because of the electronic resonance induced in the Pb and I degenerate states.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression in adult Koreans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Various cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric profiles were assessed in 1,175 subjects who previously had a CAC evaluation at least twice by multidetector computed tomography in a health care center. The TyG index was determined using ln(fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). The CAC progression was defined as either incident CAC in a CAC-free population at baseline or an increase of ≥2.5 units between the square roots of the baseline and follow-up coronary artery calcium scores (CACSs) of subjects with detectable CAC at baseline. RESULTS CAC progression was seen in 312 subjects (27%) during 4.2 years follow-up. On the basis of the TyG index, subjects were stratified into three groups. Follow-up CACS and incidence of CAC progression were markedly elevated with rising TyG index tertile. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for various risk factors revealed an odds ratio for CAC progression of 1.82 (95% CI 1.20–2.77; P ≤ 0.01) when the highest and lowest TyG index tertiles were compared. CONCLUSIONS The TyG index is an independent predictor of CAC progression.

Introduction: NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes critical to innate immunity. The purpose of this study is to find out the difference in NK cell activity between type 2 diabetes patients and controls, and to investigate the association between NK cell activity and glucose control. Methods: 49 subjects were enrolled in this study, with 23 type 2 diabetes patients and 26 normal glucose tolerant controls. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) was calculated for insulin resistance. NK cell activity was measured using a newly developed NK Vueⓡ Kit (ATgen, Seoul), which is a method of detecting and comparing interferon-gamma level from NK cells. Results: NK cell activity was lower in type 2 diabetes patients compared to control subjects. There was a significant inverse linear relationship between NK cell activity and fasting plasma glucose after adjusting for age and gender (r = -0.346, P = 0.045). Postprandial glucose and HbA1c showed a similar tendency with NK cell activity (r = -0.313 and -0.241, and P = 0.072 and 0.17, respectively). Regression analysis showed HbA1c, fasting glucose and postprandial glucose to be independent predictors of NK cell activity (beta = -0.303, -0.360, -0.356, and P = 0.034, 0.011, 0.033). There was no relationship between NK cell activity and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: NK cell activity was lower in type 2 diabetes compared to controls, and it was significantly related to degree of hyperglycemia. A further, larger population study is warranted to confirm the possible correlation. Disclosure J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. M. Kim: None. J. Nam: None. S. Kang: None. J. Park: None. C. Ahn: None. Y. Kim: None.

Background: Recently, the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a well known pathogenic factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and liver fibrosis in subjects with NAFLD. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the TyG index and liver fibrosis in Korean adults. Methods: In total, 5158 participants who underwent ultrasonography in a health promotion center were enrolled. Anthropometric profiles and multiple metabolic risk factors were measured. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], and the insulin resistance index of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was estimated. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography, and degree of liver fibrosis was assessed by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). Significant liver fibrosis was defined as NFS ≥ -1.5. Results: All subjects were stratified into four groups based on their TyG indices. Significant differences were observed in metabolic parameters among the groups, and the prevalence of NAFLD and liver fibrosis by NFS significantly increased with increasing TyG index. When classifying the severity of NAFLD into three groups, there was a significant correlation between the severity of NAFLD and the TyG index. In the logistic regression analysis after adjustment for multiple risk factors, the odds ratio for the prevalence of liver fibrosis, when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of the TyG index was 1.92 (95% CI: 1.46-2.53; P for trend < 0.01); the odds ratio for the prevalence of liver fibrosis, when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of HOMA-IR was 2.92 (95% CI: 1.12-2.40; P for trend Conclusion: There is a significant association between the TyG index and liver fibrosis of NAFLD, but HOMA-IR was superior to TyG index for predicting liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. Disclosure M. Kim: None. J. Kim: None. K. Park: None. S. Lee: None. J. Nam: None. S. Kang: None. J. Park: None. C. Ahn: None. Y. Kim: None.

Storage-period dependent bias stress instability of sol–gel processed amorphous indium zinc oxide (a-InZnO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) was analyzed for more than 90 storage days. Two different solvents, 2-methoxyethnanol and acetyl acetone, were used to investigate the effect of solvent on bias-stress instability. The threshold voltage was shifted to the positive direction under positive gate-bias stress in both devices after 15 days, which is typically observed for conventional amorphous based TFTs. However, after 90 days, the TFTs became stable independent of the chemical compositions of the solvents, indicating that there is a common mechanism for solution processed a-InZnO TFTs concerning stability improvement after long storage periods. It is suggested that out-diffusion of excess oxygen in the channel region is the origin of the stable operation of a-InZnO TFTs after long storage periods.

This paper explores the use of rubbing for alleviating the problem of lost electrical conductivity, which is typically caused by the use of nonconductive polymers, to improve the substrate adhesion and surface roughness of metal nanowire networks. This process is used to create composite transparent electrodes based on a network of silver nanowires (AgNWs) fully-embedded in PVA, which, after mechanical rubbing, exhibit both a smoother surface and superior electromechanical stability.

We have investigated the effects of the addition of tantalum (Ta) and yttrium (Y) ions to InZnO thin film transistors (TFTs) using the sol-gel process. TaInZnO and YInZnO TFTs had significantly lower off current and higher on-to-off current ratio than InZnO TFTs. Ta and Y ions have strong affinity to oxygen and so suppress the formation of free electron carriers in thin films; they play an important role in enhancing the electrical characteristic due to their high oxygen bonding ability. The optimized TaInZnO and YInZnO TFTs showed high on/off ratio and low subthreshold swing.

We report screen-printed copper source/drain electrodes for a-InGaZnO (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The best electrical characteristics of the a-IGZO TFTs were a field-effect mobility of 2.06 cm2/Vs, a threshold voltage of 3.40 V, an on/off current ratio of 6.0 × 103A/A, and a subthreshold swing of 7.02 V/decade. Resulting TFT performances indicate that blocking the inter-diffusion of Cu and impurities is a key factor to fabricate low leakage current and high performance a-IGZO TFTs with printed Cu S/D electrodes.

In this study, solution-processed InZrZnO thin films and a newly developed thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated and characterized electrically. The InZrZnO TFTs were investigated according to the variation of the Zr-metal doping concentration. It was found that the off currents of InZrZnO TFTs were greatly influenced by the composition of Zr atoms suppressing formation of oxygen vacancies. The optimal transistor of InZrZnO channel layer shows good performance properties. The electrical characteristics of a 2.92 mol% Zr-doped InZnO TFT shows a field effect mobility of 0.05 cm2 V−1 s−1, a threshold voltage of 6.1 V, an on/off ratio of 1.4 × 107, and a subthreshold swing of 0.42 V/dec. The InZrZnO TFT also shows better bias stability than undoped InZnO TFT, suggesting Zr plays a key role in regards to stability of TFT.

In this study, we have newly developed titanium-indium oxide (TiInO) and titanium-indium zinc oxide (TiInZnO) thin films as the active channel layer in thin film transistors (TFTs) by the sol-gel process. The effects of adding Ti on TiInO and TiInZnO TFTs were investigated. The addition of Ti elements can suppress formation of oxygen vacancies because of the stronger oxidation tendency of Ti relative to that of Zn or In. TiInO and TiInZnO TFTs showed lower off currents and higher on/off current ratios than pure InO and InZnO TFTs. A TiInO TFT doped with 10.31 mol% Ti showed good performance with an on/off current ratio greater than 10 7 , and a field-effect mobility of 1.91 cm 2 V −1 S −1 . A TiInZnO TFT doped with 2.92 mol % Ti showed an on/off current ratio greater than 10 6 , and a field-effect mobility of 0.45 cm 2 V −1 S −1 .

In this study, we treated silica nanoparticles with bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (BTMA) silane coupling agent to modify their surfaces. We investigated the effects of BTMA hydrolysis time, BTMA concentration and BTMA treatment time on the degree of silanization reaction of silica nanoparticles. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA) and solid state cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to obtain quantitative data. We found the decrease of isolated Si-OH peak intensity at 3747 and the increase of stretching and bending peaks with increasing hydrolysis time, concentration and treatment time of BTMA. EA analysis results also supported this trend. We found a strong effect of BTMA concentration on the degree of silanization of the silica particles, but weak effects of the hydrolysis time and the treatment time.

This study reports the performance and stability of hafnium–indium zinc oxide (HfInZnO) thin film transistors (TFTs) with thermally grown SiO2. The HfInZnO channel layer was deposited at room temperature by a co-sputtering system. We examined the effects of hafnium addition on the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy properties and on the electrical characteristics of the TFTs varying the concentration of the added hafnium. We found that the transistor on–off currents were greatly influenced by the composition of hafnium addition, which suppressed the formation of oxygen vacancies. The field-effect mobility of optimized HfInZnO TFT was 1.34 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , along with an on–off current ratio of 10 8 and a threshold voltage of 4.54 V. We also investigated the effects of bias stress on HfInZnO TFTs with passivated and non-passivated layers. The threshold voltage change in the passivated device after positive gate bias stress was lower than that in the non-passivated device. This result indicates that HfInZnO TFTs are sensitive to the ambient conditions of the back surface.

Background Recently, the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance which is a well-known pathogenic factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD and the effectiveness of the TyG index compared with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in identifying NAFLD in Korean adults. Methods Participants of 4,986 who underwent ultrasonography in a health promotion center were enrolled. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], and HOMA-IR was estimated. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Results Significant differences were observed in metabolic parameters among the quartiles of the TyG index. The prevalence of NAFLD significantly increased with increment in the TyG index. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, a logistic regression analysis was performed. When the highest and lowest quartiles of the TyG index and HOMA-IR were compared, the odds ratios for the prevalence of NAFLD were 2.94 and 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.32 to 3.72 and 1.43 to 2.61; both P for trend

To reduce strain and the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE), periodic trenches in an InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well (MQW) are patterned by electron-beam (e-beam) lithography and the inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) dry etching process. The effects of the fabricated structure are investigated by measuring cathodo-luminescence (CL) spectra and comparing it with the data of an as-grown sample without trench patterns. The peak wavelength of the prepared samples is clearly blue-shifted, and it is confirmed that the strain and the QCSE are reduced by the effects of the trench structures. It is also confirm that the peak intensity of CL spectra shows a maximum when 90% of the active region is remaining, because the trench patterns reduce the light emitting area as well as the strain and the QCSE.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the survival factors with a potent ability to promote cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis. However, the mechanism by which HGF inhibits apoptosis is not completely understood. To explore the genes associated with stomach cancer cell survival by HGF, we used cDNA microarray technology and selected 26 genes up- or downregulated in NUGC-3 cells during HGF treatment. Among them, BAD was confirmed to be upregulated at the RNA and protein levels by HGF treatment. We investigated the effect of BAD induced by HGF on cell survival. HGF treatment inhibited apoptosis induced by BAD overexpression and enhanced BAD phosphorylation. Pretreatment of NUGC-3 cells with PI3K inhibitors, LY 294002, decreased HGF-induced BAD phosphorylation on Ser 136 whereas an MEK inhibitor, PD 98059, decreased BAD phosphorylation on Ser 112 . In conclusion, increases in BAD levels as well as BAD phosphoryation by HGF might contribute to HGF-mediated cell survival in NUGC-3 cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), its transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Met), and urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a key protein in the plasminogen activation system, which plays a proteolytically important role in the invasion and metastasis of various types of cancers. However, the mechanisms by which HGF/c-Met signaling mediates cancer progression and metastasis are unclear. This study was designed to investigate the roles of HGF/c-Met in tumor progression and metastasis in HepG2 and Hep3B hepatoma cell lines. Treatment with HGF increased c-Met phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Activity of c-Met phosphorylation peaked 1-3 min after HGF treatment and then declined. HGF enhanced the protein level and the activity of uPA in HepG2 and Hep3B cells, and the uPAR protein level also increased in a HGF dose-dependent manner. HGF increased cell invasion through the Matrigel. A monoclonal antibody against human uPA receptor, mAb 3936, inhibited HGF-mediated tumor cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of uPA using uPA-shRNA induced a decrease in in vitro cell invasion. These results suggest that hepatoma cells express functional c-Met, which may provide a target for a therapeutic basis to interfere with metastases of cancer cells by inhibiting uPA system-mediated proteolysis.

Summary Insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathways are among the most conserved processes in aging in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. Previously, using cDNA microarray technology, we reported that expression of IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), one of the IGF-binding proteins, was increased with age in human dermal fibroblasts. In this study, the role of IGFBP3 on cellular senescence was studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The expression levels of IGFBP3 mRNA and protein were increased in HUVECs with age. Knockdown of IGFBP3 in old cells with IGFBP3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) retrovirus resulted in the partial reduction of a variety of senescent phenotypes, such as changes in cell morphology, and decreases in population doubling times and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Down-regulation of IGFBP3 rescued the growth arrest induced by p53 overexpression in young HUVECs. In contrast, up-regulation of IGFBP3 in young cells and prolonged IGFBP3 treatment accelerated cellular senescence, confirmed by cell proliferation and SA-β-gal staining. The FOXO3a (forkhead box O3a) protein level was increased in old IGFBP3 shRNA cells. The treatment of young HUVECs with IGFBP3 repressed the levels of FOXO3a protein. Furthermore, calorie restriction reduced IGFBP3 protein levels, which were found to be increased with age in the rat liver and serum. These results suggest that IGFBP3 might play an important role in the cellular senescence of HUVECs as well as in vivo aging.

Organic solvents are ubiquitous in industrial and household surroundings, and thus individuals are easily exposed. 1,2-Diethylbenzene (DEB) is one of organic solvents contained in gasoline or jet fuels. DEB is absorbed by dermal or inhalation routes, metabolized by cytochrome P-450 in the liver, and ultimately affects mammalian functions. 1,2-Diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB), which is a putative metabolite of 1,2-DEB, resulted in neuropathological effects on rodent central and peripheral nervous systems. To elucidate the possibility of 1,2-DAB effects on the vascular system, studies were undertaken to examine whether 1,2-DAB induces endothelial cytotoxicity through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with lower concentrations (4 or 8 microM) of 1,2-DAB induced inhibition of cellular growth and at higher amounts (16 or 32 microM) produced apoptosis. Endothelial cells cultured with 1,2-DAB also showed increased intracellular ROS production and morphological alterations indicative of senescence. Pretreatment with the well-known antioxidant glutathione or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced cytotoxicity induced by 1,2-DAB. Taken together, the results provide evidence that cytotoxicity induced by 1,2-DAB in endothelial cells may be mediated by ROS generation.

Electromagnetic radiation from multiple annular slots on a circular cylindrical cavity is investigated. A point source excitation is assumed and the scattered fields are represented with discrete and continuous modes based on eigenfunction expansion. Boundary conditions are enforced to obtain a set of simultaneous equations for discrete modal coefficients. Computations are performed to illustrate the radiation characteristics in terms of slot geometries.

Purpose Taxol (Paclitaxel) is a new generation of chemotherapeutic drug proven to be effective in the treatment of many cancers. In this study, to further demonstrate the differential effect of the tumor suppressor gene, p53, on the Taxol-induced apoptosis in osteogenic sarcoma cell lines, we used p53-defected SaOS2 cells and wild type p53-expressed U2OS cells. Materials and methods The cell viability was measured by the XTT assay. To examine whether the differential expressions of p53, in U2OS and SaOS2 cells, were associated with Taxol-induced apoptosis, DNA fragmentation assays were performed on both cytosolic and genomic DNA. Since the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is primarily responsible for apoptosis, the cleavage of PARP, and the expression of cyclin B1, polo-like kinase, Bax, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 in U2OS and SaOS2 cells were compared by Western blot analyses. Results The cell viability of the p53-defected SaOS2 cells was markedly decreased with Taxol treatment. Whereas, the cell viabilities due to 6-mercaptopurine and adriamycin were no different between the U2OS and SaOS2 cells. Treatment with Taxol induced a ladder- like pattern of DNA fragments, which is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis, consisting of multiples of approximately 180-200 base pairs, in a dose-dependent manner in the SaOS2 cells, but insignificantly with the U2OS cells. When the cells were treated with Taxol, the 89 kDa cleavage product of PARP clearly appeared as a function of time in the SaOS2 cells, but not in the U2OS cells. The Taxol-induced apoptosis in p53 defected-osteogenic sarcoma cells was associated with the PARP cleavage as a result of the increased activity of caspase 3, and the high expressions of cyclin B1 and PLK. Bax, as a proapoptotic factor, was increased in the SaOS2cells, but the Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were decreased when the cells were exposed to 10miceoM Taxol. Conclusion From these results, it was concluded that p53-defected SaOS2 cells are much more sensitive to Taxol-induced apoptosis than p53-expressed U2OS cells.

The magnetic thermo-sensitive materials such as iron oxide particles and their colloids have been widely studied in local hyperthermia [1, 2]. Some researchers have been tried to apply the composite sheet instead of particles or their colloids to healing of skin infections including hyperthermia-aided immunotherapy [3, 4]. To healing of skin wound or tumor, the temperature over 43°C can create an antigen source [5]. The magnetic composite sheet has an advantage of easily usage to wound area with an immovable magnetic particles. Therefore, we synthesized the composite sheet with Fe 3 O 4 particles as inclusions in polymer based nanofibers by using the electrospinning technique. The spinning dopes were prepared by sonication of the iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 , SkySpring Nanomaterials, 10∼20 nm, 35 emu/g) in Dimethylformamide (DMF, Sigma-Aldrich) for 24 hrs. Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF, Kynar) of 20 wt.% to DMF were then added to the prepared Fe 3 O 4 /DMF mixture. The solutions mixtures were stirred for 24 hrs with 5, 10 and 20 wt.% of Fe 3 O 4 in PVDF before the electrospinning at 90 0C, respectively. The spinning dope of 5 ml was transferred to a syringe for electrospinning. The distance between spinneret to target was set as 15 cm and gauge 18 blunt ended syringe needle was used as spinneret. The voltage applied to the spinning nozzle was varied between 10∼15 kV to obtain stable and continuous fiber fabrication while solution was pumped at a rate of 0.1 ml/min. The obtained fibers filled with Fe 3 O 4 particles showed about 1 μm of average fiber diameters by confocal microscopy as shown in Fig. 1. And then the magnetic fibrous composite sheets were obtained with the thickness of about 45 mm to 100 mm. These composite sheets (25mm ‘ 25mm) were measured the temperature variations under alternative magnetic field (AMF) with 167 Oe at 190 kHz for the change of Fe 3 O 4 concentration in PVDF fibers as shown Fig 2(a). The increment of temperatures (DT) of fiber composite sheets exhibited 1.3, 5.5, and 11.5 0C for 5, 10 and 20 wt.% of Fe 3 O 4 fibrous composite sheets, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2 (b). Although the temperature of PVDF fiber composite sheet without Fe 3 O 4 particles was not changed under any AMF and frequency conditions, the temperature of Fe 3 O 4 filled in fiber composite sheets were increased with the increment of Fe 3 O 4 concentration. The operating frequency and AMF as well as magnetic particles concentration are deeply related with heating conditions. The frequency and intensity of magnetic field with temperature dependency were verified using 20 wt.% Fe 3 O 4 fiber composite sheet with change of frequency (190, 250 and 355 kHz) and magnetic field (90, 128, and 167 Oe) as shown Fig. 2 (c) and (d). The temperature were raised up to 11.5 0C of the saturation temperature from the reference temperature with the increment of frequency and magnetic field. This behaviors are coincidence with that of theoretical relations for power dissipation which is caused by Neel relaxation and hysteresis loss [6]. It implies that the Fe 3 O 4 filled in fiber composite sheets can be applicable to healing skin wound and the tumor cell. The further theoretical analysis will be presented in detail.

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) mediates induction of cytotoxicity in various cell types. GSK-3beta has been found to participate in a number of signaling pathways, including cell proliferation and cell death. In the present study, we show that GSK-3beta is rapidly dephosphorylated and activated in response to H(2)O(2) treatment. H(2)O(2) also dephosphorylates Akt/PKB in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Overexpression of Akt/PKB attenuates H(2)O(2)-induced dephosphorylation of GSK-3beta. Ectopic expression of Dvl-1, a component of Wnt signaling, stimulates Akt/PKB and inhibits dephosphorylation of GSK-3beta by H(2)O(2). Furthermore, H(2)O(2) causes the reduction of beta-catenin level and LiCl-mediated activation of Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription activity. These findings suggest that GSK-3beta is involved in H(2)O(2)-mediated inhibition of Tcf/Lef-dependent transcriptional activity.

People with upper body or visceral obesity have a much higher risk of morbidity and mortality from obesity-related metabolic disorders than those with lower body obesity. In an attempt to develop therapeutic strategies targeting visceral obesity, depot- specific differences in the expression of genes in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues were investigated by DNA array technology, and their roles in adipocyte differentiation were further examined. We found that levels of metallothionein-II (MT-II) mRNA and protein expression were higher in omental than in subcutaneous adipose tissues. The study demonstrates that MT-II may play an important role in adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 preadipocytes, and that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 cells by repressing MT-II in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal administration of NAC to rats and mice resulted in a reduction of body weights, and a marked reduction in visceral fat tissues. These results suggest that MT-II plays important roles in adipogenesis, and that NAC may be useful as an anti-obesity drug or supplement.

To precisely identify the effect of molecular parameters such as stereoregularity, degree of saponification (DS), and molecular weight of syndiotacticity-rich poly(vinyl alcohol) (s-PVA) hydrogels prepared by freezing-thawing on the release behaviour of bovine serum albumin (BSA), we prepared various (s-PVA)s by copolymerization of vinyl pivalate and vinyl acetate and subsequent saponification. A series of experiments showed that molecular and processing parameters of s-PVA hydrogel had a significant influence on the BSA release behaviour of the hydrogel. That is, both the release rate and the amount of residual BSA decreased with increasing syndiotacticity of PVA. In the case of s-PVA hydrogels with higher DS and higher molecular weight, the BSA release was suppressed. The rate of BSA release increased with an increase in the release temperature. In addition, the release rate of s-PVA hydrogel made with one freezing-thawing cycle was higher than with three cycles. It was confirmed conclusively that s-PVA hydrogels having various kinds of release behaviour can be prepared by controlling molecular and processing parameters of PVA, for various biomedical applications.

Mammalian cells harbor two forms of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), cytosolic TrxR1 and mitochondrial TrxR2, both of which are involved in the redox regulation of cell growth and apoptosis. Furthermore, several alternative splicing variants of TrxR1 and TrxR2 have been identified. However, little remains known with regard to their functions in cells. Here, we report an alternative splicing variant of TrxR2 (TrxR2A), which displays a 3-bp deletion in the coding region and an insertion of 1228 bp in the 3'-UTR, between the stop codon and the SECIS element, of the TrxR2 cDNA. In order to determine the cellular function of TrxR2A, we established TrxR2A-inducible HeLa cell lines in which TrxR2A transcription was regulated via a Tet-off expression system. We observed that the induction of TrxR2A resulted in increased apoptosis, due to the reduction of NADPH and alterations in cellular ROS levels. These results suggest that TrxR2A may play a vital role in the regulation of TrxR2 and may confer functional complexity onto the thioredoxin system.