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Common soda lime silicate waste glass generated from the bottle manufacturing, building, and automobile industries contributes to saving of production cost and CO2 emission in glass industry. There is another type of waste glass recently emerged, namely, display waste glass derived from LCD and OLED industry. There are three main sources where the waste glass is generated: 1) LCD/OLED glass manufacturers, 2) LCD/OLED panel manufacturers and 3) end-of-life LCD/OELD devices. Both first and second sources are the onsite manufacturing of LCD/OLED glass or panels in four Asian countries. Whereas, the third one is anywhere LCD/OLED devices are used. Therefore, the disposal of the end LCD/OLED waste glass from the third source is not a local but a global issue. In the present paper, the recycling possibility of such waste glass is reviewed based on literatures and their results are discussed from the viewpoint of valuable recycling.

The proximity effect of physical quantities like catalysis and wettability is a very interesting and fundamental topic to be studied. However, studies on the catalyst proximity-induced hydrogenatio...

The liquid crystal display (LCD) industry has undergone drastic growth over the past decade. Considering that the lifetime of an LCD device is approximately ten years, a huge end LCD waste glass (ELWG) is being produced from end-of-life LCD devices. The recycling of ELWG derived from LCD device produced before 2011 is limited by the presence of toxic components such as As, Sb and Ba. In this work, the potential of recycling ELWG was examined to be used in the glass wool industry. 17 glass batches using four different simulated ELWGs (mixtures corresponding to LCD glasses produced in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010) were prepared and melted. ELWG was introduced up to 20% of the total glass. Two fixed viscosity points (Tm, Tw) corresponding to 102 and 103 dPas, and the liquidus temperature (TL) were determined in the melt state, and leaching tests of the glass powder in an acidic solution based on the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) were also carried out. As the ELWG content was increased, the Tm, Tw, and TL values did not show a linear relationship with the ELWG content, but some fluctuation in the values was observed. The Tm value showed a larger deviation of 28–36 °C from that of the original glass than the Tw (6–14 °C) and TL (2–16 °C) values. As and Sb were not detected in the leaching tests, and the Ba concentration (1.232–2.279 mg/L) was much lower than the TCLP regulatory level (100 mg/L). The observed TW-TL values suggested that the replacement of 20% or more of the total glass by ELWG is possible. Additionally, the economic and environmental effects of the recycling process were discussed.

Polymeric micelles have been widely used as ideal drug-delivery vehicles with unique advantages. However, fine tuning of the degradation rates of micelles over a wide time frame remains challenging...

Multiple sclerosis is a heterogeneous disease with an unpredictable course and a wide range of severity; some individuals rapidly progress to a disabled state whereas others experience only mild symptoms. Though genetic studies have identified variants that are associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, no variants have been consistently associated with multiple sclerosis severity. In part, the lack of findings is related to inherent limitations of clinical rating scales; these scales are insensitive to early degenerative changes that underlie disease progression. Optical coherence tomography imaging of the retina and low-contrast letter acuity correlate with and predict clinical and imaging-based outcomes in multiple sclerosis. Therefore, they may serve as sensitive phenotypes to discover genetic predictors of disease course. We conducted a set of genome-wide association studies of longitudinal structural and functional visual pathway phenotypes in multiple sclerosis. First, we assessed genetic predictors of ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer atrophy in a discovery cohort of 374 patients with multiple sclerosis using mixed-effects models adjusting for age, sex, disease duration, optic neuritis and genetic ancestry and using a combination of single-variant and network-based analyses. For candidate variants identified in discovery, we conducted a similar set of analyses of ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer thinning in a replication cohort (n = 376). Second, we assessed genetic predictors of sustained loss of 5-letters in low-contrast letter acuity in discovery (n = 582) using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. We then evaluated candidate variants/pathways in a replication cohort. (n = 253). Results of both studies revealed novel subnetworks highly enriched for connected genes in early complement activation linked to measures of disease severity. Within these networks, C3 was the gene most strongly associated with ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer atrophy (P = 0.004) and C1QA and CR1 were top results in analysis of sustained low-contrast letter acuity loss. Namely, variant rs158772, linked to C1QA, and rs61822967, linked to CR1, were associated with 71% and 40% increases in risk of sustained LCLA loss, respectively, in meta-analysis pooling discovery and replication cohorts (rs158772: hazard ratio: 1.71; 95% confidence interval 1.30–2.25; P = 1.3 × 10−4; rs61822967: hazard ratio: 1.40; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.68; P = 4.1 × 10−4). In conclusion, early complement pathway gene variants were consistently associated with structural and functional measures of multiple sclerosis severity. These results from unbiased analyses are strongly supported by several prior reports that mechanistically implicated early complement factors in neurodegeneration.

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical to initiation and perpetuation of disease in multiple sclerosis (MS). We report an interaction between oligodendroglia and vasculature in MS that distinguishes human white matter injury from normal rodent demyelinating injury. We find perivascular clustering of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in certain active MS lesions, representing an inability to properly detach from vessels following perivascular migration. Perivascular OPCs can themselves disrupt the BBB, interfering with astrocyte endfeet and endothelial tight junction integrity, resulting in altered vascular permeability and an associated CNS inflammation. Aberrant Wnt tone in OPCs mediates their dysfunctional vascular detachment and also leads to OPC secretion of Wif1, which interferes with Wnt ligand function on endothelial tight junction integrity. Evidence for this defective oligodendroglial-vascular interaction in MS suggests that aberrant OPC perivascular migration not only impairs their lesion recruitment but can also act as a disease perpetuator via disruption of the BBB.

Neurodegeneration mediates neurological disability in inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the CNS. The role of innate immune cells in mediating this damage has remained controversial with evidence for destructive and protective effects. This has complicated efforts to develop treatment. The time sequence and dynamic evolution of the opposing functions are especially unclear. Given limits of in vivo monitoring in human diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), animal models are warranted to investigate the association and timing of innate immune activation with neurodegeneration. Using noninvasive in vivo retinal imaging of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in CX3CR1(GFP/+)-knock-in mice followed by transcriptional profiling, we are able to show 2 distinct waves separated by a marked reduction in the number of innate immune cells and change in cell morphology. The first wave is characterized by an inflammatory phagocytic phenotype preceding the onset of EAE, whereas the second wave is characterized by a regulatory, antiinflammatory phenotype during the chronic stage. Additionally, the magnitude of the first wave is associated with neuronal loss. Two transcripts identified - growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) - might be promising targets for enhancing protective effects of microglia in the chronic phase after initial injury.

We present a machine learning-assisted excited state molecular dynamics (ML-ESMD) based on the ensemble density functional theory framework. Since we represent a diabatic Hamiltonian in terms of generalized valence bond ansatz within the state-interaction state-averaged spin-restricted ensemble-referenced Kohn-Sham (SI-SA-REKS) method, we can avoid singularities near conical intersections, which are crucial in excited state molecular dynamics simulations. We train the diabatic Hamiltonian elements and their analytical gradients with the SchNet architecture to construct machine learning models, while the phase freedom of off-diagonal elements of the Hamiltonian is cured by introducing the phase-less loss function. Our machine learning models show reasonable accuracy with mean absolute errors of ∼0.1 kcal/mol and ∼0.5 kcal/mol/A for the diabatic Hamiltonian elements and their gradients, respectively, for penta-2,4-dieniminium cation. Moreover, by exploiting the diabatic representation, our models can predict correct conical intersection structures and their topologies. In addition, our ML-ESMD simulations give almost identical result with a direct dynamics at the same level of theory.

Changes in gut microbiota composition and a diverse role of B cells have recently been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a key regulator at the mucosal interface. However, whether gut microbiota shape IgA responses and what role IgA+ cells have in neuroinflammation are unknown. Here, we identify IgA-bound taxa in MS and show that IgA-producing cells specific for MS-associated taxa traffic to the inflamed CNS, resulting in a strong, compartmentalized IgA enrichment in active MS and other neuroinflammatory diseases. Unlike previously characterized polyreactive anti-commensal IgA responses, CNS IgA cross-reacts with surface structures on specific bacterial strains but not with brain tissue. These findings establish gut microbiota-specific IgA+ cells as a systemic mediator in MS and suggest a critical role of mucosal B cells during active neuroinflammation with broad implications for IgA as an informative biomarker and IgA-producing cells as an immune subset to harness for therapeutic interventions.

Significance B cells serve as a key weapon against infectious diseases. They also contribute to multiple autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) where depletion of B cells is a highly effective therapy. We describe a comprehensive profile of central nervous system (CNS)-specific transcriptional B cell phenotypes in MS at single-cell resolution with paired immune repertoires. We reveal a polyclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG1 cerebrospinal fluid B cell expansion polarized toward an inflammatory, memory and plasmablast/plasma cell phenotype, with differential up-regulation of specific proinflammatory pathways. We did not find evidence that CNS B cells harbor a neurotropic virus. These data support the targeting of activated resident B cells in the CNS as a potentially effective strategy for control of treatment-resistant chronic disease., Central nervous system B cells have several potential roles in multiple sclerosis (MS): secretors of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, presenters of autoantigens to T cells, producers of pathogenic antibodies, and reservoirs for viruses that trigger demyelination. To interrogate these roles, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) was performed on paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood from subjects with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 12), other neurologic diseases (ONDs; n = 1), and healthy controls (HCs; n = 3). Single-cell immunoglobulin sequencing (scIg-Seq) was performed on a subset of these subjects and additional RRMS (n = 4), clinically isolated syndrome (n = 2), and OND (n = 2) subjects. Further, paired CSF and blood B cell subsets (RRMS; n = 7) were isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting for bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Independent analyses across technologies demonstrated that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways were activated, and specific cytokine and chemokine receptors were up-regulated in CSF memory B cells. Further, SMAD/TGF-β1 signaling was down-regulated in CSF plasmablasts/plasma cells. Clonally expanded, somatically hypermutated IgM+ and IgG1+ CSF B cells were associated with inflammation, blood–brain barrier breakdown, and intrathecal Ig synthesis. While we identified memory B cells and plasmablast/plasma cells with highly similar Ig heavy-chain sequences across MS subjects, similarities were also identified with ONDs and HCs. No viral transcripts, including from Epstein–Barr virus, were detected. Our findings support the hypothesis that in MS, CSF B cells are driven to an inflammatory and clonally expanded memory and plasmablast/plasma cell phenotype.

Human physical performance is a highly complex phenotype that is influenced by various factors. In particular, genetic factors related to muscle fiber type, bone density, muscle performance, and metabolic processes are known to contribute in varying degrees to athlete status and physical performance in various ethnic groups. To investigate the relationship between these genetic factors and physical performances, we genotyped five genetic polymorphisms (ACE Ins/Del, ACTN3 R577X, ER-α C/T, GSTM1 null/present, and GSTT1 null/present) in 111 Korean athletes and 145 controls. We examined genotype and allele frequency differences between athletes and control groups, along with the odds ratios, using Chi square. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the significance of differences in continuous variables between the multiple genetic polymorphisms and physical performance test results. The GSTM1 polymorphism exhibited a highly significant association in athletes (p = 0.017). Combined analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 also revealed significant differences between athletes and controls (p

Due to the drastic growth of the liquid crystal display (hereafter LCD) industry in the last decade, lots of waste glass is being produced. There are three types of waste glass derived from LCD glass manufacturers, LCD panel manufacturers and end-of-life LCD devices. Among them cullet from Lber glass (hereafter E-glass). However, the recycling of waste glass from LCD panel (LPWGCD glass is being recycled into a raw material for commercial electric continuous fi) and end waste glass is limited due to various reasons such as contaminants, toxic components and inhomogeneous glass compositions etc. Despite use of LPWG in the cement industry, it is not an effective form of recycling, considering the characteristics of LCD glass. In this work, to examine the possibility of recycling LPWG in the E-glass industry, several glass batches containing LPWG were prepared. First, some optical properties of the prepared and commercial E-glass were examined. Then, the viscosity and liquidus temperature (TL) were determined. The effect of LPWG was negligible in the transmission and color of the resultant glasses, considering that commercial bulk E-glass has an emerald-green color due to refractory corrosion. With an increase in the LPWG content, the isoviscosity and liquidus temperatures showed opposite behaviors; the temperature (TW) corresponding to the fiber forming viscosity (103 dPas) decreased, whereas the TL increased. Based on TW-TL, the replacement of 50 wt% of the original E-glass with LPWG was recommended. Additionally, economic and environmental effects were discussed.

The possibility of vitrifying the fly ash generated from municipal solid-waste incinerators and the immobilisation effect of toxic elements were investigated using several batches of fly ash and two kinds of common waste glass (waste glass from end liquid crystal display device and soda lime silicate waste glass). Fly ash could be vitrified by melting at 1300 °C prior to the introduction of a minimum of 30 wt% waste glass to each batch. Leaching tests were performed using the TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) for three types of glass to identify the concentrations of five harmful elements (Pb, Ba, As, Cd, Cr) in the extraction fluid and a surface analysis using SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) was performed to reveal the elemental distribution of the glass. The results confirmed that the regulatory levels (Pb

China has repeatedly been the subject of genetic studies to elucidate its prehistoric and historic demography. While some studies reported a genetic distinction between Northern and Southern Han Chinese, others showed a more clinal picture of small differences within China. Here, we investigated the distribution of Y chromosome variation along administrative as well as ethnic divisions in the mainland territory of the People's Republic of China, including 28 administrative regions and 19 recognized Chinese nationalities, to assess the impact of recent demographic processes. To this end, we analyzed 37,994 Y chromosomal 17-marker haplotype profiles from the YHRD database with respect to forensic diversity measures and genetic distance between groups defined by administrative boundaries and ethnic origin. We observed high diversity throughout all Chinese provinces and ethnicities. Some ethnicities, including most prominently Kazakhs and Tibetans, showed significant genetic differentiation from the Han and other groups. However, differences between provinces were, except for those located on the Tibetan plateau, less pronounced. This discrepancy is explicable by the sizeable presence of Han speakers, who showed high genetic homogeneity all across China, in nearly all studied provinces. Furthermore, we observed a continuous genetic North-South gradient in the Han, confirming previous reports of a clinal distribution of Y chromosome variation and being in notable concordance with the previously observed spatial distribution of autosomal variation. Our findings shed light on the demographic changes in China accrued by a fast-growing and increasingly mobile population.

We have analyzed 24 loci including autosomal and Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs), Y-indel, and sex-determining marker in a sample of 267 unrelated individuals from the Mongolian population using the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit to provide an expanded and more reliable forensic database. Khalkh among 15 Mongolian minor-groups accounts for about 80% of the entire Mongolian population. A total of 267 different DNA profiles were found in this work. The highest gene diversity was observed in the SE33 (0.9376) locus, and the lowest value was found in the TPOX (0.6142) locus. Although individual power of discrimination estimates varied at the studied loci, combined probability of match from the 21 STR loci was estimated to be 1.139 × 10−24, which is highly informative. Based on the results of pairwise F ST genetic distances and multi-dimensional scaling plot showed that Mongolians were clustered into Europeans and Asians, although Mongolia is geographically located in Northeastern Asia. Thus, the present survey of the Mongolian population may help establish a comprehensive reference database for forensic and population genetic analyses.

Over the last three decades many studies have reported the investigation of the redox behaviour of multivalent elements (M) in glass melts by voltammetry. In these works the redox ratio at any temperature, described as ([Mx+]/[M(x+n)+]) or the concentration %[Mx+], was determined under the assumption that the melt was equilibrated with air (PO2 = 0.21 bar). Some potentiometric studies have reported the determination of PO2 in glass melts, however no significant attempts have been made to determine the actual redox ratio using a measured PO2 combined with a corresponding voltammogram. Herein, potentiometry and square wave voltammetry of alkali-lean alumino-borosilicate E-model glass melts doped with Sn were performed sequentially at the same equilibrium state. The actual redox ratios of the main pair, [Sn2+]/[Sn4+], derived from the peak potential and oxygen activity, were higher than those at PO2 = 0.21 bar. The temperature dependence of the values converted to %[Sn2+] showed that the actual concentration of Sn2+ in the melts was 3–6% higher than expected at PO2 = 0.21 bar. These results are discussed in terms of the fining behaviour of melts. Keywords: Redox ratio, Multivalent element, Glass melts, Oxygen activity, Square wave voltammetry, Melt fining

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Nikolaos A. Patsopoulos, which was incorrectly given as Niklaos A. Patsopoulos, and author Efthimios Dardiotis, which was incorrectly given as Dardiotis Efthimios. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 50,000 unique associations with common human traits. While this represents a substantial step forward, establishing the biology underlying these associations has proven extremely difficult. Even determining which cell types and which particular gene(s) are relevant continues to be a challenge. Here, we conduct a cell-specific pathway analysis of the latest GWAS in multiple sclerosis (MS), which had analyzed a total of 47,351 cases and 68,284 healthy controls and found more than 200 non-MHC genome-wide associations. Our analysis identifies pan immune cell as well as cell-specific susceptibility genes in T cells, B cells and monocytes. Finally, genotype-level data from 2,370 patients and 412 controls is used to compute intra-individual and cell-specific susceptibility pathways that offer a biological interpretation of the individual genetic risk to MS. This approach could be adopted in any other complex trait for which genome-wide data is available., Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have so far uncovered more than 200 loci for multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, the authors integrate data from various sources for a cell type-specific pathway analysis of MS GWAS results that specifically highlights the involvement of the immune system in disease pathogenesis.

A significant unmet need for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the lack of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved remyelinating therapies. We have identified a compelling remyelinating agent, bazedoxifene (BZA), a European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved (and FDA-approved in combination with conjugated estrogens) selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator (SERM) that could move quickly from bench to bedside. This therapy stands out as a tolerable alternative to previously identified remyelinating agents and other candidates within this family. Using an unbiased high-throughput screen, with subsequent validation in both murine and human oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and coculture systems, we find that BZA enhances differentiation of OPCs into functional oligodendrocytes. Using anin vivomurine model of focal demyelination, we find that BZA enhances OPC differentiation and remyelination. Of critical importance, we find that BZA acts independently of its presumed target, the ER, in bothin vitroandin vivosystems. Using a massive computational data integration approach, we independently identify six possible candidate targets through which SERMs may mediate their effect on remyelination. Of particular interest, we identify EBP (encoding 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ8,Δ7-isomerase), a key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, which was previously implicated as a target for remyelination. These findings provide valuable insights into the implications for SERMs in remyelination for MS and hormonal research at large.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTherapeutics targeted at remyelination failure, which results in axonal degeneration and ultimately disease progression, represent a large unmet need in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population. Here, we have validated a tolerable European Medicines Agency-approved (U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved in combination with conjugated estrogens) selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator (SERM), bazedoxifene (BZA), as a potent agent of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and remyelination. SERMs, which were developed as nuclear ER-α and ER-β agonists/antagonists, have previously been implicated in remyelination and neuroprotection, following a heavy focus on estrogens with underwhelming and conflicting results. We show that nuclear ERs are not required for SERMs to mediate their potent effects on OPC differentiation and remyelinationin vivoand highlight EBP, an enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway that could potentially act as a target for SERMs.

Athletic performance is a complex multifactorial trait involving genetic and environmental factors. The heritability of an athlete status was reported to be about 70% in a twin study, and at least 155 genetic markers are known to be related with athlete status. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes essential proteins for oxidative phosphorylation, which is related to aerobic capacity. Thus, mtDNA is a candidate marker for determining physical performance. Recent studies have suggested that polymorphisms of mtDNA are associated with athlete status and/or physical performance in various populations. Therefore, we analyzed mtDNA haplogroups to assess their association with the physical performance of Korean population. The 20 mtDNA haplogroups were determined using the SNaPshot assay. Our result showed a significant association of the haplogroup F with athlete status (odds ratio, 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.094 to 8.464; p = 0.012). Athletes with haplogroup F (60.64 ± 3.04) also demonstrated a higher Sargent jump than athletes with other haplogroups (54.28 ± 1.23) (p = 0.041). Thus, our data imply that haplogroup F may play a crucial role in the physical performance of Korean athletes. Functional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to further substantiate these findings.

Although the presence of two different multivalent elements in glasses and melts has been of interest in the glass science community and the technology sector for some time, different opinions about their redox interactions have existed. Here, we examine the in situ Fe-redox potential and thermodynamics of the redox interactions of various multivalent elements that form pairs with Fe in the melt state by the potentiometry and voltammetry. For the secondary multivalent element in the Fe redox reaction, the same tendencies for the glass and melt states were observed. These findings confirm that the effect is derived from the melt state. The suggested interaction reactions at the equilibrium state based on the Fe-redox ratio are clearly demonstrated by the standard free energy. Additionally the difference of the Fe redox potential for the specific redox pairs is explained by the oxyegen equilibrium pressure. These results might be generalised to other redox pairs in other glass systems.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the CNS in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Genome-wide association studies revealed more than 200 risk loci, most of which harbour genes primarily expressed in immune cells. However, whether genetic differences are translated into cell-specific gene expression profiles and to what extent these are altered in patients with multiple sclerosis are still open questions in the field. To assess cell type-specific gene expression in a large cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis, we sequenced the whole transcriptome of fluorescence-activated cell sorted T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) and CD14+ monocytes from treatment-naive patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 106) and healthy subjects (n = 22). We identified 479 differentially expressed genes in CD4+ T cells, 435 in monocytes, and 54 in CD8+ T cells. Importantly, in CD4+ T cells, we discovered upregulated transcripts from the NAE1 gene, a critical subunit of the NEDD8 activating enzyme, which activates the neddylation pathway, a post-translational modification analogous to ubiquitination. Finally, we demonstrated that inhibition of NEDD8 activating enzyme using the specific inhibitor pevonedistat (MLN4924) significantly ameliorated disease severity in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our findings provide novel insights into multiple sclerosis-associated gene regulation unravelling neddylation as a crucial pathway in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis with implications for the development of tailored disease-modifying agents.

Allele frequencies for 23 autosomal short tandem repeat loci (D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, CSF1PO, TPOX, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, TH01, FGA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D2S441, D19S433, D22S1045, D10S1248, D1S1656, D12S391, D2S1338, SE33, Penta D, Penta E), 1 Y-chromosome short tandem repeat locus (DYS391) and Y indel were obtained from 1000 unrelated individuals of the Korean population.

In the present work, the application of LCD waste glass as a flux material substituting for the traditional feldspar in ceramic tiles was studied. The viscosity of LCD glass at the sintering temperature of the ceramic tile was found to be optimal for the dense solid that is obtained from the sintering of the glass powder. The sintered body containing LCD waste glass showed a dense microstructure due to the rich liquid. Even for full replacement of feldspar, neither pyroplastic deformation nor liquid exudation was observed. Overall, properties such as water absorption and the thermal expansion coefficient were positively affected by LCD waste glass substitution. Moreover, the mullite content in the sintered body was almost unchanged. These results were discussed in terms of the apparent viscosity and glass composition.

Objective To identify short-term changes in gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) associated with treatment response to dimethyl fumarate (DMF, Tecfidera) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Methods Blood samples were collected from 24 patients with RRMS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 2.0; range 1–7) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 15 months after the initiation of treatment with DMF (BG-12; Tecfidera). Seven healthy controls were also recruited, and blood samples were collected over the same time intervals. PBMCs were extracted from blood samples and sequenced using next-generation RNA sequencing. Treatment responders were defined using the composite outcome measure “no evidence of disease activity” (NEDA-4). Time-course and cross-sectional differential expression analyses were performed to identify transcriptomic markers of treatment response. Results Treatment responders (NEDA-4 positive, 8/24) over the 15-month period had 478 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) 6 weeks after the start of treatment. These were enriched for nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathway transcripts. For patients who showed signs of disease activity, there were no DEGs at 6 weeks relative to their (untreated) baseline. Contrasting transcriptomes expressed at 6 weeks with those at 15 months of treatment, 0 and 1,264 DEGs were found in the responder and nonresponder groups, respectively. Transcripts in the nonresponder group (NEDA-4 negative, 18/24) were enriched for T-cell signaling genes. Conclusion Short-term PBMC transcriptome changes reflecting activation of the Nrf2 and inhibition of NFκB pathways distinguish patients who subsequently show a medium-term treatment response with DMF. Relative stabilization of gene expression patterns may accompany treatment-associated suppression of disease activity.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARD) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PPARGC1A) genes recently have been suggested to have an association with athletic performance and physical endurance. These gene products are reported to be crucial components in training-induced muscle adaptation, since they are related with mRNA and/or protein activity in coordinated response to exercise. To assess the possible contribution of the PPARD T294C/PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism to differences in physical endurance, we performed a population-based study of 111 Korean athletes and 145 healthy controls based on their genotype distribution of the genes. The two loci were found to be not deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. There were no differences in genotype distribution of PPARD T294C and PPARGC1A Gly482Ser between the athletic group and controls (p > 0.05). In contrast, we found a significant association between the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism and the 20 m shuttle run activity (a measure of endurance performance) in the athletic group (p = 0.003). The result showed a remarkable increase in the numbers of shuttle run ratio from subjects with the PPARGC1A Gly/Gly genotype (85.29 ± 28.80) than those with the Gly/Ser (58.05 ± 32.76) and Ser/Ser (68.38 ± 30.47) genotypes. Thus, our data imply that the PPARGC1A Gly/Gly genotype may provide a beneficial effect on elite-level endurance status, although functional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to elucidate these findings.

We generated complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences from 704 unrelated individuals residing in six major provinces in Korea. In addition to our earlier survey of the distribution of mtDNA haplogroup variation, a total of 560 different haplotypes characterized by 271 polymorphic sites were identified, of which 473 haplotypes were unique. The gene diversity and random match probability were 0.9989 and 0.0025, respectively. According to the pairwise comparison of the 704 control region sequences, the mean number of pairwise differences between individuals was 13.47±6.06. Based on the result of mtDNA control region sequences, pairwise FST genetic distances revealed genetic homogeneity of the Korean provinces on a peninsular level, except in samples from Jeju Island. This result indicates there may be a need to formulate a local mtDNA database for Jeju Island, to avoid bias in forensic parameter estimates caused by genetic heterogeneity of the population. Thus, the present data may help not only in personal identification but also in determining maternal lineages to provide an expanded and reliable Korean mtDNA database. These data will be available on the EMPOP database via accession number EMP00661.

LCD glasses belong to the alkali-free alumino-borosilicate system and thus exhibit different properties from the traditional soda lime silicate glasses. In the present work, the replacement of feldspar by the waste glasses produced from LCD manufacturers was performed for porcelain sanitary ware. As the amount of LCD waste glasses increases, the sintered body showed a dense microstructure due to the rich liquid phase. Even under full replacement of feldspar, there was no pyroplastic deformation, except the exudation of liquid to the surface. The microstructure and mullite content were discussed in terms of the apparent viscosity and LCD glass composition, respectively. It is expected that LCD waste glasses enable the sanitary ware industry to save both raw material and energy simultaneously.

Catalytic lactam synthesis was achieved directly from lactones and amines using an Ir catalyst. Three sequential transformations—aminolysis of lactone, N-alkylation of amine with hydroxyamide, and intramolecular transamidation of aminoamide—afforded the corresponding N-substituted lactams.

To understand the genetic history of maternal/paternal lineages of Koreans, we analyzed two haploid markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and Y-chromosomal variations, in 25 human remains (dated at about 400–600 years old) excavated from a central region of Korea (Yangchon cemetery of Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do). MtDNA control region (HVS-I/II) sequences of 19 ancient human samples from a total of 25 remains were successfully determined by sequencing after PCR-cloning and direct sequencing techniques. Among the 25 remains, 12 individuals were found to be males determined by the amelogenin locus using PCR amplification. We found that the vicinal burial of the remains seemed to be related matrilineally or patrilineally. The most common mtDNA haplogroups were found to be D4a (5/19), followed by D4 (3/19), F1bde (3/19), D4c (2/19), D4g2a (1/19), B5b (1/19), F (1/19), F1a1 (1/19), G4 (1/19), and N9a (1/19), which are prevalent in the Northeast and Southeast Asians, including modern Koreans. On the paternal side, there are three dominant Y chromosome haplogroups C (41.7 %), O3 (25 %), and Y* (33.3 %) in total male samples. The phylogenetic analysis of the mtDNA HVS-I sequence variation revealed both the overall similarity to other northeastern populations, and also a larger genetic contribution from southeastern populations. Thus, these results are consistent with previous reports that the peopling of Korea is likely to have involved multiple sources. Larger sample sizes and additional genetic markers will be necessary to fully understand the population structure and the genetic history of the Koreans.

Alkali free alumino-borosilicate display glasses that serve as the window in a TFT-LCD (hereafter LCD) device not only have few impurities but also high homogeneity to guarantee the quality of the display. These characteristics of LCD glasses enable the possibility of recycling LCD glass cullet as a raw material for commercial soda lime silicate glasses from the perspectives of the raw material costs and the energy saving. In the present work, several batches containing LCD cullet for two commercial model glasses were prepared and melted in the laboratory. According to several properties of the melts and the glasses, there was no serious change in the properties with up to 9 wt% replacement of the flint glass and 11 wt% replacement of the low iron flat glass by the LCD cullet. Currently, LCD cullet is being used successfully in a number of industrial plants for the production of flint glass in Korea. Two-thirds of flint bottle glasses contain B2O3 component derived from LCD cullet.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup data provide valuable information for inferring patterns of variation and population structure of maternal lineages. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of mtDNA haplogroup variation using a 20-plex SNaPshot assay for determination of the major East Asian haplogroups to evaluate the possible genetic structure and differentiation from 708 unrelated individuals residing in six major provinces in Korea. The most common mtDNA haplogroups were found to be D4 and B4, followed by A, D4a, and M7, which are prevalent in East Asian populations. All provinces exhibited high haplogroup diversities, ranging from 0.8957 in Jeju Island to 0.9284 in Gyeongsang. Pair-wise F ST distances and AMOVA of the studied Korean provinces reflected no maternal subpopulation heterogeneity present within the population group, except for Jeju Island, showing small, but statistically significant differences between the populations (p

In case of paternity or maternity investigations with short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, deficient cases, missing person, or mutations are encountered and common STRs cannot provide sufficient forensic parameters. Thus, it is recommended that additional STRs are needed to complement conventional analysis for more reliable forensic information. We analyzed variation of 23 STRs contained in the new PowerPlex ® ESX 17 kit (Promega) and two conventional kits of the AmpF l STR Identifiler ® (Applied Biosystems) and PowerPlex ® 16 systems (Promega) in 452 randomly chosen individuals from Korea to provide an expanded and reliable Korean database. Allele frequencies and forensic parameters were used to evaluate suitability and robustness of the new kit for forensic genetic analysis as well as in concordance studies. The combined probability of match for the 16 loci in the PowerPlex ® ESX 17 system was 2.76×10 −20 . One genotyping discrepancy due to a null allele was observed at the D18S51 locus (the concordant rate=99.99%), showing a primer-binding site mutation in the sequence of the locus (G-to-A substitution at position 146 of Genbank accession number JX018211). Thus, the new kit is a valuable forensic tool and is suitable to extend the Korean population genetic data obtained with well-established polymerase chain reaction multiplex-kits of the AmpF l STR Identifiler ® and PowerPlex ® 16 systems.

China has repeatedly been the subject of genetic studies to elucidate its prehistoric and historic demography. While some studies reported a genetic distinction between Northern and Southern Han Chinese, others showed a more clinal picture of small differences within China. Here, we investigated the distribution of Y chromosome variation along administrative as well as ethnic divisions in the mainland territory of the People's Republic of China, including 28 administrative regions and 19 recognized Chinese nationalities, to assess the impact of recent demographic processes. To this end, we analyzed 37,994 Y chromosomal 17-marker haplotype profiles from the YHRD database with respect to forensic diversity measures and genetic distance between groups defined by administrative boundaries and ethnic origin. We observed high diversity throughout all Chinese provinces and ethnicities. Some ethnicities, including most prominently Kazakhs and Tibetans, showed significant genetic differentiation from the Han and other groups. However, differences between provinces were, except for those located on the Tibetan plateau, less pronounced. This discrepancy is explicable by the sizeable presence of Han speakers, who showed high genetic homogeneity all across China, in nearly all studied provinces. Furthermore, we observed a continuous genetic North-South gradient in the Han, confirming previous reports of a clinal distribution of Y chromosome variation and being in notable concordance with the previously observed spatial distribution of autosomal variation. Our findings shed light on the demographic changes in China accrued by a fast-growing and increasingly mobile population.