Implication of intracellular ROS formation, caspase-3 activation and Egr-1 induction in platycodon D-induced apoptosis of U937 human leukemia cells

Shin, D.Y.,Kim, G.Y.,Li, W.,Choi, B.T.,Kim, N.D.,Kang, H.S.,Choi, Y.H. Masson Pub. USA, Inc 2009 BIOMEDICINE AND PHARMACOTHERAPY Vol.63 No.2

Platycodon D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. The results of previous studies have shown that this compound has in vitro growth-inhibitory activity in human cancer cells, however, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of platycodon D on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and evaluated the association of these effects with apoptotic tumor cell death using a human leukemic U937 cell line. The results of this study demonstrate that platycodon D mediates ROS production, and that this mediation is followed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨ<SUB>m</SUB>), activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Both the cytotoxic effects and apoptotic characteristics induced by platycodon D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrates the important role that caspase-3 plays in the observed cytotoxic effect. Additionally, the transcription factor early growth response-1 (Egr-1) gene was transcriptionally activated and the levels of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) protein were elevated in platycodon D-treated U937 cells. However, the quenching of ROS generation in response to treatment with a ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, reversed the platycodon D-induced apoptosis effects via inhibition of Egr-1 activation, ROS production, MMP collapse, and the subsequent activation of caspase-3. Although further studies are needed to demonstrate that increased expression of Egr-1 by platycodon D leads directly to NAG-1 induction and subsequent apoptosis, our observations clearly indicate that ROS induced through Egr-1 activation are involved in the early molecular events involved in the platycodon D-induced apoptotic pathway.

Fabrication of a three-dimensional bone marrow niche-like acute myeloid Leukemia disease model by an automated and controlled process using a robotic multicellular bioprinting system

Dana M. Alhattab,Ioannis Isaioglou,Salwa Alshehri,Zainab N. Khan,Hepi H. Susapto,Yanyan Li,Yara Marghani,Arwa A. Alghuneim,Rubén Díaz-Rúa,Sherin Abdelrahman,Shuroug AL-Bihani,Farid Ahmed,Raed I. Felim 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that remains a therapeutic challenge due to the high incidence of disease relapse. To better understand resistance mechanisms and identify novel therapies, robust preclinical models mimicking the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment are needed. This study aimed to achieve an automated fabrication process of a three-dimensional (3D) AML disease model that recapitulates the 3D spatial structure of the BM microenvironment and applies to drug screening and investigational studies. Methods To build this model, we investigated a unique class of tetramer peptides with an innate ability to selfassemble into stable hydrogel. An automated robotic bioprinting process was established to fabricate a 3D BM (niche-like) multicellular AML disease model comprised of leukemia cells and the BM’s stromal and endothelial cellular fractions. In addition, monoculture and dual-culture models were also fabricated. Leukemia cell compatibility, functionalities (in vitro and in vivo), and drug assessment studies using our model were performed. In addition, RNAseq and gene expression analysis using TaqMan arrays were also performed on 3D cultured stromal cells and primary leukemia cells. Results The selected peptide hydrogel formed a highly porous network of nanofibers with mechanical properties similar to the BM extracellular matrix. The robotic bioprinter and the novel quadruple coaxial nozzle enabled the automated fabrication of a 3D BM niche-like AML disease model with controlled deposition of multiple cell types into the model. This model supported the viability and growth of primary leukemic, endothelial, and stromal cells and recapitulated cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. In addition, AML cells in our model possessed quiescent characteristics with improved chemoresistance attributes, resembling more the native conditions as indicated by our in vivo results. Moreover, the whole transcriptome data demonstrated the effect of 3D culture on enhancing BM niche cell characteristics. We identified molecular pathways upregulated in AML cells in our 3D model that might contribute to AML drug resistance and disease relapse. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the importance of developing 3D biomimicry models that closely recapitulate the in vivo conditions to gain deeper insights into drug resistance mechanisms and novel therapy development. These models can also improve personalized medicine by testing patient-specific treatments.

One-pot route to synthesize SnO₂-Reduced graphene oxide composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance as anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Li, W.,Yoon, D.,Hwang, J.,Chang, W.,Kim, J. Elsevier Sequoia 2015 Journal of Power Sources Vol.293 No.-

A simple, one-pot route was developed for the synthesis of SnO<SUB>2</SUB>-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites. Simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and heterogeneous nucleation and growth of SnO<SUB>2</SUB> on the surface of RGO under the supercritical methanol medium resulted in uniform deposition of well-dispersed SnO<SUB>2</SUB> nanoparticles on the RGO sheets. In comparison with the bare SnO<SUB>2</SUB> nanoparticles and bare RGO sheets, the as-synthesized SnO<SUB>2</SUB>-RGO composites exhibited enhanced Li-ion storage and high rate performance. The SnO<SUB>2</SUB>-RGO composite with a SnO<SUB>2</SUB> loading of 58 wt% delivered a reversible discharge capacity of 776 mAh g<SUP>-1</SUP> after 70 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g<SUP>-1</SUP> and a rate performance of 147 mAh g<SUP>-1</SUP> at a high current density of 5 A g<SUP>-1</SUP>. In addition, after 1000 continuous cycles at 1 A g<SUP>-1</SUP>, the composite electrode exhibited a reversible discharge capacity as high as 531 mAh g<SUP>-1</SUP> with excellent capacity retention. The enhanced long-term cyclability and high-rate performance of the SnO<SUB>2</SUB>-RGO composite can be attributed to the effective confinement of SnO<SUB>2</SUB> nanoparticles on the RGO sheets, and thus, the interparticle agglomeration and volume change associated with alloying-dealloying of SnO<SUB>2</SUB> during cycling can be prevented and cell integrity can be maintained.

Characteristics of alkali-resistant Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst for direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell

Park, D.S.,Li, Z.,Devianto, H.,Lee, H.I. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2010 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY - Vol.35 No.11

Direct internal reforming - molten carbonate fuel cell (DIR-MCFC) has advantages of higher efficiency and smaller size. However, deactivation of the catalyst by alkali carbonate electrolytes poses a significant problem in MCFC. To solve this problem, Ni/MgO and Ni/MgAl<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> catalysts were compulsively mixed with a eutectic mixture of Li<SUB>2</SUB>CO<SUB>3</SUB> and Na<SUB>2</SUB>CO<SUB>3</SUB> prior to a methane steam reforming activity test. Activity of Ni/MgO rapidly decreased, while that of Ni/MgAl<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> remained steady due to good alkali resistance. To analyze the effects of alkali addition, N<SUB>2</SUB> adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction and oxidation, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments were carried out. Both Ni/MgO and Ni/MgAl<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> showed sintering of Ni and blocking of pores, which reduced the catalytic activity. However, Ni/MgAl<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB> showed other positive effects such as stronger metal-support interaction and increased dissociative adsorption.

Effects of Keratinase on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Intestinal Morphology, Intestinal Ecology and Inflammatory Response of Weaned Piglets Fed Diets with Different Levels of Crude Protein

Wang, D.,Piao, X.S.,Zeng, Z.K.,Lu, T.,Zhang, Q.,Li, P.F.,Xue, L.F.,Kim, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.12

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the in vitro ability of keratinase to hydrolyze soybean glycinin and ${\beta}$-conglycinin and to evaluate the in vivo effects of keratinase when included in corn-soybean diets with different levels of crude protein and fed to nursery pigs. In experiment 1, a saturated keratinase solution (1 ml) was added to two blank controls of either glycinin or ${\beta}$-conglycinin resulting in the hydrolysis of 94.74% glycinin and 88.89% ${\beta}$-conglycinin. In experiment 2, 190 pigs (8.3${\pm}$0.63 kg BW) were allotted to one of four treatments in a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement on the basis of body weight, and sex was balanced among the pens. The effects of crude protein (19 vs. 22%) and keratinase (0 vs. 0.05%) were studied. Each treatment was applied to six pens with seven (two pens) or eight pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved (p<0.05) with keratinase supplementation while feed intake was reduced (p<0.05). Keratinase supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein and phosphorus. Keratinase supplementation also increased n-butyric acid in the cecum and colon, lactobacilli and total anaerobe counts in the colon as well as the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum. Additionally, fecal score, ammonia nitrogen and branch chain volatile fatty acids in the colon, E. coli and total aerobe counts in the colon, crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum as well as serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) by keratinase supplementation. A reduction in dietary crude protein decreased (p<0.05) colon ammonia nitrogen concentration and cecal propionic acid and branch chain volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, cecal E. coli counts, colon total anaerobe counts, ileal crypt depth, and serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) with the reduction of dietary crude protein. With the exception of fecal scores, there were no significant interactions between crude protein and keratinase. This study provides evidence that dietary keratinase supplementation improved nursery pig performance by improving intestinal morphology and ecology, thus improving nutrient digestibility and alleviating the inflammatory response.

A New Design Strategy for Observing Lithium Oxide Growth-Evolution Interactions Using Geometric Catalyst Positioning

Ryu, Won-Hee,Gittleson, Forrest S.,Li, Jinyang,Tong, Xiao,Taylor, André,D. American Chemical Society 2016 NANO LETTERS Vol.16 No.8

<P>Understanding the catalyzed formation and evolution of lithium-oxide products in Li-O-2 batteries is central to the development of next-generation energy storage technology. Catalytic sites, while effective in lowering reaction barriers, often become deactivated when placed on the surface of an oxygen electrode due to passivation by solid products. Here we investigate a mechanism for alleviating catalyst deactivation by dispersing Pd catalytic sites away from the oxygen electrode surface in a well-structured anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane interlayer. We observe the cross-sectional product growth and evolution in Li-O-2 cells by characterizing products that grow from the electrode surface. Morphological and structural details of the products in both catalyzed and uncatalyzed cells are investigated independently from the influence of the oxygen electrode. We find that the geometric decoration of catalysts from the conductive electrode surface significantly improves the reaction reversibility by chemically facilitating the oxidation reaction through local coordination with PdO surfaces. The influence of the catalyst position on product composition is further verified by ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy in addition to morphological studies.</P>

Empirical Selection of Informative Microsatellite Markers within Co-ancestry Pig Populations Is Required for Improving the Individual Assignment Efficiency

Lia, Y.H.,Chu, H.P.,Jiang, Y.N.,Lin, C.Y.,Li, S.H.,Li, K.T.,Weng, G.J.,Cheng, C.C.,Lu, D.J.,Ju, Y.T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.5

The Lanyu is a miniature pig breed indigenous to Lanyu Island, Taiwan. It is distantly related to Asian and European pig breeds. It has been inbred to generate two breeds and crossed with Landrace and Duroc to produce two hybrids for laboratory use. Selecting sets of informative genetic markers to track the genetic qualities of laboratory animals and stud stock is an important function of genetic databases. For more than two decades, Lanyu derived breeds of common ancestry and crossbreeds have been used to examine the effectiveness of genetic marker selection and optimal approaches for individual assignment. In this paper, these pigs and the following breeds: Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire, Meishan and Taoyuan, TLRI Black Pig No. 1, and Kaohsiung Animal Propagation Station Black pig are studied to build a genetic reference database. Nineteen microsatellite markers (loci) provide information on genetic variation and differentiation among studied breeds. High differentiation index ($F_{ST}$) and Cavalli-Sforza chord distances give genetic differentiation among breeds, including Lanyu's inbred populations. Inbreeding values ($F_{IS}$) show that Lanyu and its derived inbred breeds have significant loss of heterozygosity. Individual assignment testing of 352 animals was done with different numbers of microsatellite markers in this study. The testing assigned 99% of the animals successfully into their correct reference populations based on 9 to 14 markers ranking D-scores, allelic number, expected heterozygosity ($H_E$) or $F_{ST}$, respectively. All miss-assigned individuals came from close lineage Lanyu breeds. To improve individual assignment among close lineage breeds, microsatellite markers selected from Lanyu populations with high polymorphic, heterozygosity, $F_{ST}$ and D-scores were used. Only 6 to 8 markers ranking $H_E$, $F_{ST}$ or allelic number were required to obtain 99% assignment accuracy. This result suggests empirical examination of assignment-error rates is required if discernible levels of co-ancestry exist. In the reference group, optimum assignment accuracy was achievable achieved through a combination of different markers by ranking the heterozygosity, $F_{ST}$ and allelic number of close lineage populations.

유형별 완전혼합사료 급여가 반추위내의 발효성상 및 영양소 소화율에 미치는 영향

이덕윤,고종렬,최낙진,이상석,송재용,이세영,박성호,성하균,하종규 한국동물자원과학회 2003 한국축산학회지 Vol.45 No.5

This study was conducted to examine effects of feeding dry TMR(DTMR), wet TMR(WTMR) and fermented TMR(FTMR) on rumen fermentation, enzyme activity and digestibility in the total tract of sheep. Three rumen cannulated sheep were used in a 3 × 3 latin square design. The present results showed that ?, NH_(3)-N, total and individual VFA, A/P ratio and enzymes (CMCase, Xylanase and Protease) activity in the rumen were higher in WTMR and FTMR compared with DTMR. In addition, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, NDF and ADF digestibility in the total tract were also higher in WTMR and FTMR compared with DTMR. Therefore, the present results showed that WTMR and FTMr are better than DTMR for rumen fermentation and nutrients digestibility.

Tensor fascia lata와 Gracilis myocutaneous flap을 이용 한 대전자부 및 좌골부 욕창치료

나동균,엄기일 大韓成形外科學會 1982 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.9 No.2

Various types of etiology of the pressure sore may be classified, but 2 types are main subject, one because of long comatous state of patient, the other because of paralegia following after trauma such as falling down accident, traffic accident and etc. During the course of the paraplegia, pressure sore may be occur almostly, and appropriate treatment and operation are needed for return of ordinary life and rehabilitation. Various types of operation method be chosen according to the site & extent of the pressure sore, but it is reasonable to choose the one method with little financial & physical loading to patient. Chronic ulceration with long time duration has the cavity like appearance of Aladdin's lamp. And sufficient padding is essential because of large extent of the cavity after excision of the sac, relative to the original sac. Surgical maxim of pressure sore treatment is, radial excision of sac, and infected bursa, flattening of the bony prominence and covering the tissue and skin defect with flap surgery. During the operation of flap surgery, it is better to make the large flap to relieve the tension and myocutaneous flap is the triumph in case of large tissue defect. Myocutaneous flap is now widely used for pressure sore because of simplicity of operation, confirmative survival of flap and low recurrence rate. This report describes the use of 2 Tensor fascia late myocutaneous flaps for trochanteric ulcer and 1 compound pedicle 1 muscular pedicle Gracilis myocutaneous fiap for ischial pressure sores, All cases were successfully treated without significant complication.

중년 사무직 남성의 직무스트레스와 허리둘레, 체질량지수의 관계에 관한 연구

강수임,고보경,김지영,노정연,리청,송주은,이현영,이혜민,최유경,정덕유,이민경 이화여자대학교 간호과학대학 2016 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.50

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between job stress, body mass index and waist circumference among middle aged male workers. Methods: Using a descriptive correlation study design, a total of 122 middle aged male workers were recruited through convenience sampling from November 8 to December 13, 2015. The questionnaire included in this study were general characteristics and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS windows version 22 program with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: A significant relationship was found between job stress, body mass index (p=.043) and waist circumference (p=.007). Conclusion: These results suggest that high job stress are significantly associated with both body mass index and waist circumference of middle aged male workers. This implies a need for intervention that focuses on reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome influenced by job stress.