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Mitochondrial movement in neurons is finely regulated to meet the local demand for energy and calcium buffering. Elaborate transport machinery including motor complexes is required to deliver and localize mitochondria to appropriate positions. Defects in mitochondrial transport are associated with various neurological disorders without a detailed mechanistic information. In this study, we present evidence that dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (dysbindin), a schizophrenia-associated factor, plays a critical role in axonal mitochondrial movement. We observed that mitochondrial movement was impaired in dysbindin knockout mouse neurons. Reduced mitochondrial motility caused by dysbindin deficiency decreased the density of mitochondria in the distal part of axons. Moreover, the transport and distribution of mitochondria were regulated by the association between dysbindin and p150glued. Furthermore, altered mitochondrial distribution in axons led to disrupted calcium dynamics, showing abnormal calcium influx in presynaptic terminals. These data collectively suggest that dysbindin forms a functional complex with p150glued that regulates axonal mitochondrial transport, thereby affecting presynaptic calcium homeostasis.

Purpose: The moisture content of the stratum corneum of the skin changes depending on the external environment. The structure of keratinous fiber protein in corneocyte of the skin changes depending on the amount of moisture. As the moisture decreases, the population of the alpha‐helix increases, the beta‐sheet deceases, and the stiffness increases accordingly. Here, we investigated the effect of humectants from ginseng on the keratin structure. Methods: Corneocyte was prepared from dry porcine skin with disc tape and measured through ATR‐FT‐IR. The signal from amide I of the keratin protein in corneocyte was detected, and the change in the ratio of alpha‐helix and beta‐sheet was calculated. The test samples were treated on the exfoliated corneocyte, and the degree of change was checked. Result: Arginine–fructose–glucose (AFG)‐enriched extract of red ginseng was effective in changing the keratin structure and was superior to humectants such as glycerin. However, arginine, mono sugar were not effective, and the AFG form in which two sugars were bound to one amino acid could perform its function. Conclusion: The present study suggests that AFG, when applied to cosmetics, is expected to improve skin texture in a different way from existing moisturizers represented by glycerin by reducing the alpha‐helix structure of corneocyte keratin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen hwangtoh-based alkali-activated concrete mixes were tested to explore the significance and limitations of the development of cementless concrete without carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining various beneficial effects. Hwangtoh, which is a kind of kaolin, was incorporated with inorganic materials, such as calcium hydroxide, to produce a cementless binder. The main variables investigated were the water-binder ratio and fine aggregate--total aggregate ratio to ascertain the reliable mixing design of hwangtoh-based cementless concrete. The variation of slump with elapsed time was recorded in fresh concrete specimens. Mechanical properties of hardened concrete were also measured, including compressive strength gain, splitting tensile strength, moduli of rupture and elasticity, stress-strain relationship, and bond resistance. In addition, mechanical properties of hwangtoh-based cementless concrete were compared with those of ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete and predictions obtained from the design equations specified in American Concrete Institute 318-05 and Comite Euro-International du Beton-Federation International de la Precontrainte for OPC concrete, wherever possible. Test results show that the mechanical properties of hwangtoh-based concrete were significantly influenced by the waterbinder ratio and to less extend by fine aggregate--total aggregate ratio. Based on the measured mechanical properties and code provisions, it can be proposed that the hwangtoh-based alkali-activated concrete is practically applicable as structural concrete when the water-binder ratio is less than 40%. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000091 CE Database subject headings: Cement; Concrete; Aggregates; Mechanical properties. Author keywords: Hwangtoh; Cementless concrete; Water-binder ratio; Fine aggregate-total aggregate ratio; Slump; Mechanical properties.

We have found, using a newly developed genetic method, a protein (named Cnu, for oriC-binding nucleoid-associated) that binds to a specific 26-base-pair sequence (named cnb) in the origin of replication of Escherichia coli, oriC. Cnu is composed of 71 amino acids (8.4 kDa) and shows extensive amino acid identity to a group of proteins belonging to the Hha/YmoA family. Cnu was previously discovered as a protein that, like Hha, complexes with H-NS in vitro. Our in vivo and in vitro assays confirm the results and further suggest that the complex formation with H-NS is involved in Cnu/Hha binding to cnb. Unlike the hns mutants, elimination of either the cnu or hha gene did not disturb the growth rate, origin content, and synchrony of DNA replication initiation of the mutants compared to the wild-type cells. However, the cnu hha double mutant was moderately reduced in origin content. The Cnu/Hha complex with H-NS thus could play a role in optimal activity of oriC.