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Bee venom is a traditional drug used to treat the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and autoimmune diseases. A previous study found that bee venom and one of its components, phospholipase A2, can protect the brain by suppressing neuroinflammation and can also be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, new composition bee venom (NCBV), which has an increased phospholipase A2 content of up to 76.2%, was developed as a treatment agent for Alzheimer’s disease by INISTst (Republic of Korea). The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of phospholipase A2 contained in NCBV in rats. Single subcutaneous administration of NCBV at doses ranging from 0.2 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg was conducted, and pharmacokinetic parameters of bee venom-derived phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) increased in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, no accumulation was observed following multiple dosings (0.5 mg/kg/week), and other constituents of NCBV did not affect the pharmacokinetic profile of bvPLA2. After subcutaneous injection of NCBV, the tissue-to-plasma ratios of bvPLA2 for the tested nine tissues were all

Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) is a popular tool to identify underlying biological processes in clinical samples using their gene expression phenotypes. GSEA measures the enrichment of annotated gene sets that represent biological processes for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in clinical samples. GSEA may be suboptimal for functional gene sets, however, because DEGs from the expression dataset may not be functional genes per se but dysregulated genes perturbed by bona fide functional genes. To overcome this shortcoming, we developed network-based GSEA (NGSEA), which measures the enrichment score of functional gene sets using the expression difference of not only individual genes but also their neighbors in the functional network. We found that NGSEA outperformed GSEA in identifying pathway gene sets for matched gene expression phenotypes. We also observed that NGSEA substantially improved the ability to retrieve known anti-cancer drugs from patient-derived gene expression data using drug-target gene sets compared with another method, Connectivity Map. We also repurposed FDA-approved drugs using NGSEA and experimentally validated budesonide as a chemical with anti-cancer effects for colorectal cancer. We, therefore, expect that NGSEA will facilitate both pathway interpretation of gene expression phenotypes and anti-cancer drug repositioning. NGSEA is freely available at www.inetbio.org/ngsea.

This paper proposes a fuzzy logic gain scheduling method for depth controller of the AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle). Gains of depth controller are calculated by using multi-loop root locus technique. Fuzzy logic based gain scheduling approach is used to modify multi-loop gains as control condition. It is illustrated by simulations that the proposed fuzzy logic gain scheduling method yields smaller rising time and overshoot compared to the fixed-gain controller. Finally, being implemented on real hardwares, all the proposed algorithms are validated with integrations of hardware and software altogether by HILS.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of action observation and action practice on stroke patients' upper limb function. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 33 chronic stroke patients who were randomly assigned to four groups. The action observation group (5 males, 3 females) watched a video of the task, the action practice group (5 males, 4 females) performed the action, the combined action observation-action practice group (5 males, 4 females) watched the video of the task and practiced the action, and the control group (4 males, 3 females) did not perform either action observation or action practice. The video used in the action observational physical training comprised a scene of an adult male picking up a cup, bringing it to his mouth in order to touch his mouth, and then returning the cup to its initial position. [Results] Improvements in drinking behavior functions were observed immediately after the experiment and one week later. After the intervention, the number of drinking motions had increased the most in the combination group. One week after the experiment, there were increases in the action observation, action training, and combination groups. [Conclusion] A combination of action observation and action training is the most effective treatment method, and action training is a desirable second to combined therapy.

This paper presents a new direct discrete-time design methodology of a robust sampled-data fuzzy controller for a class of nonlinear system with parametric uncertainties that is exactly represented by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. Based on an exact discrete-time fuzzy model in an integral form, sufficient conditions for a robust asymptotic stabilization of the nonlinear system are investigated in the discrete-time Lyapunov sense. It is shown that the resulting sampled-data controller indeed robustly asymptotically stabilizes the nonlinear plant. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, an example, a sampled-data depth control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is provided.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of land exercise and aquatic exercise on chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly divided into a land exercise group (12 males and 10 females; average age: 56.09 ± 7.22 years) and an aquatic exercise group (15 males and 7 females; average age: 51.55 ± 8.27 years). Subjects from both groups received general conventional treatment during the experimental period. In addition, all subjects engaged in extra treatment sessions. This extra treatment consisted of trunk stability strengthening exercises and balance training exercises in the land exercise group, whereas in the aquatic exercise group subjects participated in balance board exercises and walking exercises using buoyancy equipment in the hospital swimming pool. [Results] The joint position sense test and performance oriented mobility assessment showed significant improvements in both groups. However, the joint position sense test and performance oriented mobility assessment showed there was more improvement in the aquatic exercise group than in the land exercise group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that aquatic exercise is more effective than land exercise at improving the joint position sense and clinical functions of stroke patients.

An anti-corrosive reactor was studied, which decomposes halogenated organic compounds by way of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). Two different types of SCWO reactor were used: a floating type reactor using a non-porous ceramic tube and a transpiring wall-type SCWO reactor using a porous ceramic tube. Reactor configurations were evaluated to protect a SCWO system from corrosion, due to halogenated hydrocarbon oxidation, and fouling, due to salt formation from the neutralizing agent. At various operating conditions (340–440 °C, 250–300 bar) and concentrations (300–3000 mg 2,4-dichloropenol/L), the system was operated to decompose 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as a model compound with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Back-mixing led to corrosion of the injection part of the transpiring wall-type reactor. However, 2,4-DCP was successfully destroyed up to ≥99.99% without corrosion or fouling problems with a floating type SCWO system. As the range of the supercritical zone in the reactor was changed by the operating conditions, the conversion of 2,4-DCP increased with an increase in the reaction temperature and pressure. Therefore, residence time in the SCWO process played a key role in the decomposition efficiency of the developed system. Under the conditions of 420 °C, 250 bar and a 1 mL/min flow rate, 2,4-DCP at a concentration of 300 mg/L was completely converted using a stoichiometric amount of 100% of H 2 O 2 . In the case of 3000 mg/L of 2,4-DCP, complete conversion was observed under the conditions of 440 °C, 250 bar and with over 200% of H 2 O 2 supply. The floating type reactor, consisted of one vertical double-wall reactor including neutralization and cooling, was successfully operated for more than 5 months for SCWO of 2,4-DCP without corrosion and fouling.

The fourth order Runge-Kutta approximation was used to determine the substrate inhibition kinetics of Klebsiella sp. utilizing thiocyanate in batch culture. The hypothetical maximum growth rate, half saturation-, microbial yield-, biomass decay rate-, and substrate inhibition-coefficients were evaluated as being 0.62 ± 0.05 day −1 , 85 ± 8 mg SCN l −1 , 0.076 ± 0.011 mg dry cell weight mg −1 SCN, 0.03 ± 0.002 day −1 , and 131 ± 22 mg SCN l −1 , respectively. The apparent maximum specific growth rate and maximal substrate concentration resulting in apparent maximum growth rate were calculated to be 0.24 ± 0.01 day −1 and 106 ± 9 mg SCN l −1 , respectively.

Starch-processing wastewater was treated to maximize acetic acid production using a mixed culture of acidogenic anaerobes, which were identified as Acetobacterium woodi, Centipede periodontii, Desulfobulbus elongatus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactococcus plantarum. The maximum production of acetic acid associated with simultaneous changes in hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH, and temperature was investigated. The conversion efficiency of organics in the wastewater to acetic, propionic, and butyric acids ranged from 71.1 to 98.3%. The concentrations of estimated total organic carbons (TOCs) due to the formation of acetic acid ranged from 268 to 672 mg/l, which accounted for 29.7 and 72.2% of influent TOC concentration, respectively. Using a response surface methodology (RSM) with an orthogonal cube design, the maximum production of acetic acid was 1681±49 mg/l at 0.56 day HRT, pH 5.9 and 36.1 °C, which was 75.2% conversion efficiency. Systematic model-building along with statistical analysis using a RSM, could play an important roles in elucidating basic mechanisms in complex situations and thus providing better process control in maximizing acetic acid production with respect to the effects of HRT, pH, and temperature.

The effect of various modifiers on the performance of a commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst in methanol synthesis from CO2/H2 and CO/H2 at 523 K and 30 bar has been studied. Several modifiers improved significantly the rate of methanol formation from CO2/H2, while all modified catalysts showed decreased rates for the synthesis from CO/H2 in comparison with the unmodified Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. The synthesis rates from both CO2/H2 and CO/H2 correlated with the oxygen coverage of copper surface measured after the reaction by N2O titration.

Methanol synthesis from CO2/H2 and CO/H2 has been compared over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. Methanol synthesis was much faster with CO2/H2 than with CO/H2, particularly at low temperatures. A trace amount of CO2 improved the rates significantly. Thus it appeared that CO2 was the primary source of methanol with CO/CO2/H2 feed. When space velocities were varied, both of the previously conflicting observations on the effect of CO2/CO composition, i.e., monotonical increase in synthesis rate vs the presence of a maximum rate as CO2 concentration increased, were observed. The different conversion levels and consequent difference in surface oxygen coverage and/or water appeared to be responsible for the different effects. The more oxidized surface state of copper obtained for CO2/H2 was more active and stable in methanol synthesis than the overreduced surface obtained for the CO/H2 feed. Due to the promotional and inhibition effects of water for CO/H2 and CO2/H2 feeds, respectively, higher space velocities yielded higher synthesis rates for CO2/H2 and the opposite effect was observed for the CO/H2 feed.

Methyl glycolate was synthesized as a precursor to ethylene glycol from the catalytic carbonylation of formaldehyde followed by esterification with methanol. Various cation exchange polystyrene-sulfonic acid resins showed excellent activity and methyl glycolate selectivity. The perfluorinated sulfonic acid resin Nafion-H showed higher activity per proton site, yet was less effective per weight of the catalyst. The effects of process variables such as pressure, temperature, catalyst loading, and solvent were studied. High CO pressures were required to promote formaldehyde carbonylation relative to side reactions between formaldehyde. The presence of water reduced the reaction rate, yet improved the selectivity to methyl glycolate. 1,4-Dioxane was found to be the best solvent in the presence of water. At 135 C, 3,500 psig, and reactant mole ratio of HCHO:H[sub 2]O:H[sup +] = 10:10:1, complete conversion of formaldehyde was achieved in 2-4 h with selectivities of methyl glycolate better than 80%. Catalysts did not show any significant deterioration in performance in repeated use up to 10 batches.

Methanol synthesis from CO2/H2 and CO/H2 has been compared over a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. Methanol synthesis was much faster with CO2/H2 than with CO/H2, particularly at low temperatures. A trace amount of CO2 improved the rates significantly. Thus it appeared that CO2 was the primary source of methanol with CO/CO2/H2 feed. When space velocities were varied, both of the previously conflicting observations on the effect of CO2/CO composition, i.e., monotonical increase in synthesis rate vs the presence of a maximum rate as CO2 concentration increased, were observed. The different conversion levels and consequent difference in surface oxygen coverage and/or water appeared to be responsible for the different effects. The more oxidized surface state of copper obtained for CO2/H2 was more active and stable in methanol synthesis than the overreduced surface obtained for the CO/H2 feed. Due to the promotional and inhibition effects of water for CO/H2 and CO2/H2 feeds, respectively, higher space velocities yielded higher synthesis rates for CO2/H2 and the opposite effect was observed for the CO/H2 feed.

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