The antimicrobial effects of deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extract on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in both planktonic and biofilm cultures

Ahn, S.J.,Cho, E.J.,Kim, H.J.,Park, S.N.,Lim, Y.K.,Kook, J.K. Academic Press 2012 Anaerobe Vol.18 No.6

The objective of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extracts (DG-LRE) against Streptococcus mutans UA159 in both the planktonic and biofilm phases by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration, and by performing time-kill kinetic, growth, adhesion, and biofilm assays. The cell toxicity of DG-LRE on normal human gingival fibroblast (NHGF) cells was tested using a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. This study showed that DG-LRE had strong antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in the planktonic phase with little cytotoxic effect on NHGF cells. In addition, DG-LRE significantly inhibited biofilm formation by S. mutans UA159 at concentrations over 4 μg/ml for glucose or 16 μg/ml for sucrose, respectively, regardless of the presence of saliva-coating. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to provide evidence that DG-LRE demonstrates antimicrobial activity against S. mutans. These results suggest that DG-LRE can be used in developing oral hygiene products, such as gargling solution and dentifrice to prevent human dental caries.

J/ψ production as a function of charged particle multiplicity in pp collisions at s =7 TeV

ALICE Collaboration,Abelev, B.,Adam, J.,Adamova, D.,Adare, A.M.,Aggarwal, M.M.,Aglieri Rinella, G.,Agocs, A.G.,Agostinelli, A.,Aguilar Salazar, S.,Ahammed, Z.,Ahmad Masoodi, A.,Ahmad, N.,Ahn, S.U.,Aki North-Holland Pub. Co 2012 Physics letters: B Vol.712 No.3

The ALICE Collaboration reports the measurement of the relative J/ψ yield as a function of charged particle pseudorapidity density dN<SUB>ch</SUB>/dη in pp collisions at s=7 TeV at the LHC. J/ψ particles are detected for p<SUB>t</SUB>>0, in the rapidity interval |y|<0.9 via decay into e<SUP>+</SUP>e<SUP>-</SUP>, and in the interval 2.5<y<4.0 via decay into μ<SUP>+</SUP>μ<SUP>-</SUP> pairs. An approximately linear increase of the J/ψ yields normalized to their event average (dN<SUB>J/ψ</SUB>/dy)/<dN<SUB>J/ψ</SUB>/dy> with (dN<SUB>ch</SUB>/dη)/<dN<SUB>ch</SUB>/dη> is observed in both rapidity ranges, where dN<SUB>ch</SUB>/dη is measured within |η|<1 and p<SUB>t</SUB>>0. In the highest multiplicity interval with <dN<SUB>ch</SUB>/dη(bin)≥24.1, corresponding to four times the minimum bias multiplicity density, an enhancement relative to the minimum bias J/ψ yield by a factor of about 5 at 2.5<y<4 (8 at |y|<0.9) is observed.

J/ψ Elliptic Flow in Pb-Pb Collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

Acharya, S.,Adamová,, D.,Adolfsson, J.,Aggarwal, M. M.,Aglieri Rinella, G.,Agnello, M.,Agrawal, N.,Ahammed, Z.,Ahn, S. U.,Aiola, S.,Akindinov, A.,Al-Turany, M.,Alam, S. N.,Albuquerque, D. S. D. American Physical Society 2017 Physical Review Letters Vol.119 No.24

<P>We report a precise measurement of the J/psi elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The J/psi mesons are reconstructed at midrapidity (|y| < 0.9) in the dielectron decay channel and at forward rapidity (2.5 < y < 4.0) in the dimuon channel, both down to zero transverse momentum. At forward rapidity, the elliptic flow v(2) of the J/psi is studied as a function of the transverse momentum and centrality. A positive v(2) is observed in the transverse momentum range 2<p(T)<8GeV/c in the three centrality classes studied and confirms with higher statistics our earlier results at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV in semicentral collisions. At midrapidity, the J/psi v(2) is investigated as a function of the transverse momentum in semicentral collisions and found to be in agreement with the measurements at forward rapidity. These results are compared to transport model calculations. The comparison supports the idea that at low p(T) the elliptic flow of the J/psi originates from the thermalization of charm quarks in the deconfined medium but suggests that additional mechanisms might be missing in the models.</P>

The degree complexity of smooth surfaces of codimension 2

Ahn, J.,Kwak, S.,Song, Y. Academic Press 2012 Journal of symbolic computation Vol.47 No.5

For a given term order, the degree complexity of a projective scheme is defined by the maximal degree of the reduced Grobner basis of its defining saturated ideal in generic coordinates (Bayer and Mumford, 1993). It is well known that the degree complexity with respect to the graded reverse lexicographic order is equal to the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity (Bayer and Stillman, 1987). However, much less is known if one uses the graded lexicographic order (Ahn, 2008; Conca and Sidman, 2005). In this paper, we study the degree complexity of a smooth irreducible surface in P<SUP>4</SUP> with respect to the graded lexicographic order and its geometric meaning. As in the case of a smooth curve (Ahn, 2008), we expect that this complexity is closely related to the invariants of the double curve of a surface under a generic projection. As results, we prove that except in a few cases, the degree complexity of a smooth surface S of degree d with h<SUP>0</SUP>(I<SUB>S</SUB>(2))<>0 in P<SUP>4</SUP> is given by 2+(degY<SUB>1</SUB>(S)-12)-g(Y<SUB>1</SUB>(S)), where Y<SUB>1</SUB>(S) is a double curve of degree (d-12)-g(S@?H) under a generic projection of S. In particular, this complexity is actually obtained at the monomial x<SUB>0</SUB>x<SUB>1</SUB>x<SUB>3</SUB><SUP>(degY<SUB>1</SUB>(S)-12)-g(Y<SUB>1</SUB>(S))</SUP> where k[x<SUB>0</SUB>,x<SUB>1</SUB>,x<SUB>2</SUB>,x<SUB>3</SUB>,x<SUB>4</SUB>] is a polynomial ring defining P<SUP>4</SUP>. Exceptional cases are a rational normal scroll, a complete intersection surface of (2,2)-type, or a Castelnuovo surface of degree 5 in P<SUP>4</SUP> whose degree complexities are in fact equal to their degrees. This complexity can also be expressed in terms of degrees of defining equations of I<SUB>S</SUB> in the same manner as the result of A. Conca and J. Sidman (Conca and Sidman, 2005). We also provide some illuminating examples of our results via calculations done withMacaulay 2 (Grayson and Stillman, 1997).

A phase II study of S-1 monotherapy administered for 2 weeks of a 3-week cycle in advanced gastric cancer patients with poor performance status

Jeung, H-C,Rha, S Y,Shin, S J,Ahn, J B,Noh, S H,Roh, J K,Chung, H C Nature Publishing Group 2007 The British journal of cancer Vol.97 No.4

<P>Systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer is often associated with treatment-related toxicity, which is particularly severe in patients with a poor performance status. In this paper, we describe the first study to evaluate S-1 monotherapy as an option for advanced gastric cancer patients who are not candidates for combination chemotherapy due to poor clinical condition. Fifty-two patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale 2–3, whose general condition had made use of combination chemotherapy impossible, were enrolled. S-1 was administered to 30 patients as second- or third-line therapy. The initial dose of S-1 was 35 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP>, administered b.i.d for 14 days every 3 weeks. With a median follow-up period of 33 weeks, the median progression-free survival, and overall survival were 11 weeks (95% CI, 8–14) and 33 weeks (95% CI, 19–47), respectively. The overall 1-year survival rate was 29% by intent-to-treat analysis. The overall response rate was 12% (95% CI, 3–21), and the percentage of stable disease was 35%, resulting in the disease control rate of 47% (95% CI, 32–60). Significant drug-related toxicity included grade 3 diarrhoea (14%), anorexia (14%), fatigue (10%), neutropenia (10%), and leucopenia (6%). In conclusion, this study indicated the modest activity of S-1 in gastric cancer patients with poor performance status.</P>

The microRNA miR-124 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by targeting S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4)

Choe, N.,Kwon, D. H.,Shin, S.,Kim, Y. S.,Kim, Y. K.,Kim, J.,Ahn, Y.,Eom, G. H.,Kook, H. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2017 FEBS letters Vol.591 No.7

<P>S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) induces proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We aimed to find the microRNA regulating S100A4 expression. S100A4 transcripts are abruptly increased in the acute phase of carotid arterial injury 1 day later (at day 1) but gradually decreases at days 7 and 14. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that miR-124 targets S100A4. VSMC survival is attenuated by miR-124 mimic but increased by miR-124 inhibitor. miR-124 decreases immediately after carotid arterial injury but dramatically increases at days 7 and 14. miR-124 inhibitor-induced cell proliferation is blocked by S100A4 siRNA, whereas miR-124-induced cell death is recovered by S100A4. Our findings suggest that miR-124 is a novel regulator of VSMC proliferation and may play a role in the development of neointimal proliferation.</P>

Purification and characterization of a novel fibrinolytic α chymotrypsin like serine metalloprotease from the edible mushroom, Lyophyllum shimeji

Moon, S.M.,Kim, J.S.,Kim, H.J.,Choi, M.S.,Park, B.R.,Kim, S.G.,Ahn, H.,Chun, H.S.,Shin, Y.K.,Kim, J.J.,Kim, D.K.,Lee, S.Y.,Seo, Y.W.,Kim, Y.H.,Kim, C.S. Society for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Japan ; 2014 Journal of bioscience and bioengineering Vol.117 No.5

A novel fibrinolytic enzyme was purified from Lyophyllum shimeji, a popular edible mushroom in Asia. The enzyme was purified using combination of anion exchange chromatography on a Mono Q 5/5 column and size exclusion gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 200 100/300 column. This purification protocol resulted 80.9-fold purification of the enzyme and a final yield of 5.7%. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 21 kDa by SDS-PAGE and size exclusion gel filtration. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was found to be ITFQSASP, which is dissimilar from that of known fibrinolytic enzymes. The purified enzyme was a neutral protease with an optimal reaction pH and temperature of 8.0 and 37<SUP>o</SUP>C, respectively. Enzymatic activity was inhibited by Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> and Co<SUP>2+</SUP>. It was also significantly inhibited by PMSF and TPCK. Furthermore, it was found to exhibit a higher specificity for S-7388, a well-known chymotrypsin chromogenic substrate, indicating chymotrypsin like serine metalloprotease. The relative fibrinolytic activity of 5 μg purified enzyme have two fold more activity than 1 unit/ml of plasmin on fibrin plate. Furthermore, purified enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed the Aα-chain followed by the Bβ- and γ-chain of fibrinogen, which is precursor of fibrin. Therefore, these data suggests that the fibrinolytic enzyme derived from edible mushroom, L. shimeji, might be useful for thrombolytic therapy and preventing thrombotic disease.

Evaluation of Sulfur and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite Synthesized by Dissolution and Precipitation for Li/S Batteries

Park, J. S.,Kim, D. J.,Park, J. W.,Ryu, H. S.,Kim, K. W.,Wang, G. X.,Ahn, H. J. American Scientific Publishers 2012 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.12 No.7

<P>An elemental sulfur and multi-walled carbon nanotube (S-MWNT) composite was synthesized by dissolving sulfur in ammonium sulfides and then precipitating on MWNT. Morphology observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that S-MWNT product was successfully prepared by incorporating sulfur into MWNT network. Without additional conducting material, the S-MWNT composite cathodes were prepared for electrochemical tests. The properties measured in discharge-charge cycling test showed that the composite had the initial discharge capacity of 1024 mAh g(-1), which is about 61% sulfur utilization. However, in the subsequent cycling, the capacities faded. To determine the reason of rapid capacity drop, S-MWNT composite cathodes were compared in the cycling tests with varying three kinds of electrolytes and the cathode was subjected to physical force by rolling. The changes in the cycle performances proved that the deterioration of S-MWNT composite cathodes was not related to the electrolytes but to physical bonding that may not maintain the conducting path between sulfur and MWNT.</P>

The circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate level predicts incident fracture in postmenopausal women: a 3.5-year follow-up observation study

Bae, S. J.,Lee, S. H.,Ahn, S. H.,Kim, H. M.,Kim, B. J.,Koh, J. M. Springer Science + Business Media 2016 Osteoporosis International Vol.27 No.8

<P>A high level of circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is associated with a high incidence of osteoporotic fracture and a high rate of an insufficient response to bisphosphonate therapy. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a significant regulator of bone metabolism. Recently, we found that a high plasma S1P level is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), high levels of bone resorption markers (BRMs), and a high risk of prevalent vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women. We investigated the possibility that S1P is a predictor of incident fracture. A total of 248 postmenopausal women participated in this longitudinal study and were followed up for a mean duration of 3.5 years (untreated [n = 76] or treated with bisphosphonate or hormone replacement therapy [n = 172]). The baseline plasma S1P level and prevalent and incident fracture occurrence were assessed. A high S1P level was significantly associated with a higher rate of prevalent fracture after adjusting for femoral neck (FN) BMD, BRM, and potential confounders (odds ratio = 2.05; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-4.00). Incident fractures occurred more frequently in the highest S1P tertile (T3) than in the lower two tertiles (T1-2) after adjusting for confounders, including baseline FN BMD, prevalent fracture, antiosteoporotic medication, annualized changes in FN BMD, BRM, and potential confounders (hazard ratio = 5.52; 95 % CI = 1.04-56.54). Insufficient response to bisphosphonate therapy occurred more frequently in T3 than T1-2 (odds ratio = 4.43; 95 % CI = 1.02-21.25). The plasma S1P level may be a potential predictor of fracture occurrence and an insufficient response to bisphosphonate therapy in postmenopausal women.</P>

Inclusive J/<i>ψ</i> production in Xe–Xe collisions at _{s NN} = 5.44 TeV

Acharya, S.,Acosta, F.T.-.,Adamová,, D.,Adolfsson, J.,Aggarwal, M.M.,Aglieri Rinella, G.,Agnello, M.,Agrawal, N.,Ahammed, Z.,Ahn, S.U.,Aiola, S.,Akindinov, A.,Al-Turany, M.,Alam, S.N.,Albuquerqu North-Holland Pub. Co 2018 Physics letters. Section B Vol.785 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Inclusive J/<I>ψ</I> production is studied in Xe–Xe interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of <SUB> s NN </SUB> = 5.44 TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/<I>ψ</I> meson is reconstructed via its decay into a muon pair, in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval 2.5 < y < 4 and down to zero transverse momentum. In this Letter, the nuclear modification factors <SUB> R AA </SUB> for inclusive J/<I>ψ</I>, measured in the centrality range 0–90% as well as in the centrality intervals 0–20% and 20–90% are presented. The <SUB> R AA </SUB> values are compared to previously published results for Pb–Pb collisions at <SUB> s NN </SUB> = 5.02 TeV and to the calculation of a transport model. A good agreement is found between Xe–Xe and Pb–Pb results as well as between data and the model.</P>