Exendin-4 induction of cyclin D1 expression in INS-1 beta-cells: involvement of cAMP-responsive element.

Kim, M-J,Kang, J-H,Park, Y G,Ryu, G R,Ko, S H,Jeong, I-K,Koh, K-H,Rhie, D-J,Yoon, S H,Hahn, S J,Kim, M-S,Jo, Y-H Journal of Endocrinology, Ltd. [etc.] 2006 The Journal of endocrinology Vol.188 No.3

<P>Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its analog exendin-4 (EX) have been considered as a growth factor implicated in pancreatic islet mass increase and beta-cell proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EX on cyclin D1 expression, a key regulator of the cell cycle, in the pancreatic beta-cell line INS-1. We demonstrated that EX significantly increased cyclin D1 mRNA and subsequently its protein levels. Although EX induced phosphorylation of Raf-1 and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), both PD98059 and exogenous ERK1 had no effect on the cyclin D1 induction by EX. Instead, the cAMP-elevating agent forskolin induced cyclin D1 expression remarkably and this response was inhibited by pretreatment with H-89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. Promoter analyses revealed that the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) site (at position -48; 5'-TAACGTCA-3') of cyclin D1 gene was required for both basal and EX-induced activation of the cyclin D1 promoter, which was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis study. For EX to activate the cyclin D1 promoter effectively, CRE-binding protein (CREB) should be phosphorylated and bound to the putative CRE site, according to the results of electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Lastly, a transfection assay employing constitutively active or dominant-negative CREB expression plasmids clearly demonstrated that CREB was largely involved in both basal and EX-induced cyclin D1 promoter activities. Taken together, EX-induced cyclin D1 expression is largely dependent on the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, and EX increases the level of phosphorylated CREB and more potently trans-activates cyclin D1 gene through binding of the CREB to the putative CRE site, implicating a potential mechanism underlying beta-cell proliferation by EX.</P>

IL-32γ inhibits cancer cell growth through inactivation of NF-κB and STAT3 signals

Oh, J H,Cho, M-C,Kim, J-H,Lee, S Y,Kim, H J,Park, E S,Ban, J O,Kang, J-W,Lee, D-H,Shim, J-H,Han, S B,Moon, D C,Park, Y H,Yu, D-Y,Kim, J-M,Kim, S H,Yoon, D-Y,Hong, J T Nature Publishing Group 2011 Oncogene Vol.30 No.30

<P>Several studies have shown physiological functions of interleukin (IL)-32, a novel cytokine. However, the role of IL-32 in cancer development has not been reported. In this study, we showed that IL-32γ inhibited tumor growth in IL-32γ-overexpressing transgenic mice inoculated with melanoma as well as colon tumor growth in xenograft nude mice inoculated with IL-32γ-transfected colon cancer cells (SW620). The inhibitory effect of IL-32γ on tumor growth was associated with the inhibition of constitutive activated nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The expression of antiapoptotic, cell proliferation and tumor-promoting genes (<I>bcl-2</I>, <I>X-chromosome inhibitor of apoptosis protein</I> (<I>IAP</I>), <I>cellular IAP</I> and <I>cellular FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein</I>, <I>cyclin D</I>), cyclin-dependent kinase 4, cycolooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase was decreased, whereas the expression of apoptotic target genes (<I>caspase-3</I> and <I>-9</I>, <I>bax</I>) increased. In tumor, spleen and blood, the number of cytotoxic CD8<SUP>+</SUP> T cells and CD57<SUP>+</SUP> natural killer cells and the levels of IL-10 increased, but that of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β and IL-6 decreased. We also found that forced overexpression of IL-32γ inhibited colon cancer cell (SW620 and HCT116) growth accompanied with the inhibition of activated NF-κB and STAT3 <I>in vitro</I>. In addition, when IL-32γ was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or neutralized with an anti-IL-32γ antibody, IL-32γ-induced colon cancer cell growth inhibition, the IL-32γ-induced decrease of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 production, and the increase of IL-10 production were abolished. However, siRNA of NF-κB and STAT3 augmented IL-32γ-induced colon cancer cell growth inhibition. These findings indicate significant pathophysiological roles of IL-32γ in cancer development.</P>

Forebrain-specific ablation of phospholipase Cγ1 causes manic-like behavior

Yang, Y R,Jung, J H,Kim, S-J,Hamada, K,Suzuki, A,Kim, H J,Lee, J H,Kwon, O-B,Lee, Y K,Kim, J,Kim, E-K,Jang, H-J,Kang, D-S,Choi, J-S,Lee, C J,Marshall, J,Koh, H-Y,Kim, C-J,Seok, H,Kim, S H,Choi, J H,Ch Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nat 2017 Molecular psychiatry Vol.22 No.10

<P>Manic episodes are one of the major diagnostic symptoms in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders that include schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder (BD). Despite a possible association between BD and the gene encoding phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1), its etiological basis remains unclear. Here, we report that mice lacking phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) in the forebrain (Plcg1(f/f); CaMKII) exhibit hyperactivity, decreased anxiety-like behavior, reduced depressive-related behavior, hyperhedonia, hyperphagia, impaired learning and memory and exaggerated startle responses. Inhibitory transmission in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and striatal dopamine receptor D1-expressing neurons of Plcg1-deficient mice was significantly reduced. The decrease in inhibitory transmission is likely due to a reduced number of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic boutons, which may result from impaired localization and/or stabilization of postsynaptic CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) at inhibitory synapses. Moreover, mutant mice display impaired brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase B-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, which could account for deficits of spatial memory. Lithium and valproate, the drugs presently used to treat mania associated with BD, rescued the hyperactive phenotypes of Plcg1(f/f); CaMKII mice. These findings provide evidence that PLC gamma 1 is critical for synaptic function and plasticity and that the loss of PLC gamma 1 from the forebrain results in manic-like behavior.</P>

Pseudomonas sabulinigri sp. nov., isolated from black beach sand

Kim, K.-H.,Roh, S. W.,Chang, H.-W.,Nam, Y.-D.,Yoon, J.-H.,Jeon, C. O.,Oh, H.-M.,Bae, J.-W. Microbiology Society 2009 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.59 No.1

<P>A novel Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated J64T, was isolated from black sand collected from Soesoggak, Jeju Island, Korea. Cells grew at 4-37 degrees C, at pH 5.5-10.0 and with 0-10 % NaCl. The strain was found to be oxidase- and catalase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses showed that strain J64T belongs to the genus Pseudomonas, forming a monophyletic group with Pseudomonas pachastrellae, Pseudomonas pertucinogena and 'Pseudomonas denitrificans'. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain J64T and type strains of all Pseudomonas species with validly published names was below 96.6 %. Low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness were found with respect to type strains of P. pachastrellae and P. pertucinogena, supporting the classification of strain J64T within a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas. Strain J64T contained C(18 : 1)omega7c (37.2 %), C(16 : 0) (20.4 %), summed feature 3 (17.4 %; comprising iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)omega7c) and C(12 : 0) (7.6 %) as major cellular fatty acids. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain J64T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas sabulinigri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J64T (=KCTC 22137T =JCM 14963T).</P>

Effects of Cryoprotectants and Post-storage Priming on Seed Germination of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don)

Kim, D.H.,Han, S.H.,Ku, J.J.,Lee, K.Y. J.D. SAUERLAENDER'S VERLAG 2009 Silvae genetica Vol.58 No.4

Facile chemical bath deposition of CuS nano peas like structure as a high efficient counter electrode for quantum-dot sensitized solar cells

Kim, H.J.,Kim, J.H.,Pavan Kumar, CH.S.S.,Punnoose, D.,Kim, S.K.,Gopi, C.V.V.M.,Srinivasa Rao, S. Elsevier Sequoia 2015 Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry Vol.739 No.-

In this paper, highly efficient nano peas like structure CuS film has been successfully employed in quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) for its highest catalytic activity at minimal cost. The CuS thin film electrode was deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by chemical bath deposition technique using urea at low deposition temperatures. This electrode elevated the short circuit current and fill factor in comparison to the frequently used Pt electrode. Moreover, electrochemical measurement data disclosed higher electrocatalytic activity toward polysulfide reduction. The CuS film exhibited an average particle size of 180-270nm and film thickness of 825nm. It also revealed superior J<SUB>sc</SUB> (13.87mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) and conversion efficiency of 4.01% which is remarkably higher than that of the Pt-based cell (1.07%). In addition, stability test conducted for both CuS and Pt-based cells for about 900min at working conditions affirmed that the long-term stability of the CuS film decreased by 16.66% (4.02-3.35%), while that of the Pt based cell got elevated by 24.29% until 700min, and consequently diminished by 8.27% from 700 to 900min.

Effects of gamma and electron beam irradiation on the survival of pathogens inoculated into sliced and pizza cheeses

Kim, H.J.,Ham, J.S.,Lee, J.W.,Kim, K.,Ha, S.D.,Jo, C. Pergamon 2010 Radiation physics and chemistry Vol.79 No.6

The objective of this study was to identify the efficacy of gamma and electron beam irradiation of the food-borne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) in sliced and pizza cheeses commercially available in the Korean market. Total aerobic bacteria and yeast/mold in the cheeses ranged from 10<SUP>2</SUP> to 10<SUP>3</SUP>LogCFU/g. Irradiation of 1kGy for sliced cheese and 3kGy for pizza cheese were sufficient to lower the total aerobic bacteria to undetectable levels (10<SUP>1</SUP>CFU/g). Pathogen inoculation test revealed that gamma irradiation was more effective than electron beam irradiation at the same absorbed dose, and the ranges of the D<SUB>10</SUB> values were from 0.84 to 0.93kGy for L. monocytogenes and from 0.60 to 0.63kGy for S. aureus. Results suggest that a low dose irradiation can improve significantly the microbial quality and reduce the risk of contamination of sliced and pizza cheeses by the food-borne pathogens which can potentially occur during processing.

T_c and J_c distribution in in situ processed MgB₂ bulk superconductors with/without C doping

Kim, C.J.,Kim, Y.J.,Lim, C.Y.,Jun, B.H.,Park, S.D.,Choo, K.N. The Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity a 2014 한국초전도저온공학회논문지 Vol.16 No.2

Temperature dependence of magnetic moment (m-T) and the magnetization (M-H) at 5 K and 20 K of the in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk pellets with/without carbon (C) doping were examined. The superconducting critical temperature ($T_c$), the superconducting transition width (${\delta}T$) and the critical current density ($J_c$) were estimated for ten test samples taken from the $MgB_2$ bulk pellets. The reliable m-T characteristics associated with the uniform $MgB_2$ formation were obtained for both $MgB_2$ pellets. The $T_cs$ and ${\delta}Ts$ of all test samples of the undoped $MgB_2$ were the same each other as 37.5 K and 1.5 K, respectively. The $T_cs$ and ${\delta}Ts$ of the C-doped $MgB_2$ were 36.5 K and 2.5 K, respectively. Unlike the m-T characteristics, there existed the difference among the M-H curves of the test samples, which might be caused by the microstructure variation. In spite of the slight $T_c$ decrease, the C doping was effective in enhancing the $J_c$ at 5 K.

Influence of surface texturing conditions on crystalline silicon solar cell performance

Kim, H.,Park, S.,Kim, S.M.,Kim, S.,Kim, Y.D.,Tark, S.J.,Kim, D. Elsevier 2013 Current Applied Physics Vol.13 No.suppl2

We carried out the surface texturing of crystalline silicon in alkaline solutions via anisotropic etching. We achieved random pyramids of about 10 μm in size. The size of these pyramids was then gradually reduced using a new solution. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the size of the pyramids on the emitter properties and the front electrode (Ag) contact. To make small (~3.5 μm) and large (~9.0 μm) pyramids, we controlled the texturing time and performed one-sided texturing using a silicon nitride film. We compared the formation and quality of a POCl<SUB>3</SUB>-diffused n<SUP>+</SUP> emitter in a furnace for small and large pyramids by using SEM images and emitter saturation current density (J<SUB>0e</SUB>) measured Quasi-Steady-State Photo-Conductance (QSSPC). For a comparison, we carried out to simulated using TCAD simulator software (SILVACO, the Athena module). After metallization, we measured the Ag contact resistance via the transfer length method (TLM). We observed the surface distributions of the Ag crystallites using SEM images. We used light I-V to measure the performance of screen-printed solar cells. The efficiency of the solar cell in the case of the small and that in the case of the large pyramids improved by about 17.4% and 17.0%, respectively. We believe that differences in the emitter uniformity and the front Ag contact resistance resulted from this difference in the cell performance. Solar cells perform better when the pyramids are small.

급성 D. D. S. 중독증의 임상적 고찰

정시전 ( S. J. Chung ),최등영 ( D. Y. Choi ),이천각 ( C. K. Lee ),김형순 ( H. S. Kim ),태철현 ( T. H. Jeen ) 대한내과학회 1968 대한내과학회지 Vol.11 No.4

D.D.S. is well known as the drug of choice for Leprosy. Chronic D.D.S. intoxication has been reported in the many countries. It includes hematological changes, skin manifestations, abnormal liver function test and psychosis, There are few acute intoxicatio