An easy and sensitive sandwich assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag85B antigen using quantum dots and gold nanorods

Kim, E.J.,Kim, E.B.,Lee, S.W.,Cheon, S.A.,Kim, H.J.,Lee, J.,Lee, M.K.,Ko, S.,Park, T.J. Elsevier Applied Science 2017 Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol.87 No.-

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious global infectious pathogen causing tuberculosis (TB). The development of an easy and sensitive method for the detection of M. tuberculosis is in urgent need due to complex and low specificity of the current assays. Herein, we present a novel method for M. tuberculosis detection based on a sandwich assay via antigen-antibody interaction using silica-coated quantum dots (SiQDs) and gold nanorods (AuNRs). A genetically engineered recombinant antibody (GBP-50B14 and SiBP-8B3) was bound to surfaces of AuNRs and SiQDs respectively, without any surface modification. The antigen-antibody interaction was revealed using M. tuberculosis-specific secretory antigen, Ag85B. Two biocomplexes showed a quenching effect in the presence of the target antigen through a sandwich assay. The assay response was in the range of 1x10<SUP>-3</SUP>-1x10<SUP>-10</SUP>μgmL<SUP>-1</SUP> (R=0.969) and the limit of detection for Ag85B was 13.0pgmL<SUP>-1</SUP>. The Ag85B was selectively detected using three different proteins (CFP10, and BSA), and further specifically confirmed by the use of spiked samples. Compared with existing methods, a highly sensitive and selective method for Ag85B-expressing M. tuberculosis detection has been developed for better diagnosis of TB.

Search for charged Higgs bosons in top quark decays

DO Collaboration,Abazov, V.M.,Abbott, B.,Abolins, M.,Acharya, B.S.,Adams, M.,Adams, T.,Aguilo, E.,Ahsan, M.,Alexeev, G.D.,Alkhazov, G.,Alton, A.,Alverson, G.,Alves, G.A.,Ancu, L.S.,Anzelc, M.S.,Aoki, North-Holland Pub. Co 2009 Physics letters: B Vol.682 No.3

We present a search for charged Higgs bosons in top quark decays. We analyze the e+jets, μ+jets, ee, eμ, μμ, τe and τμ final states from top quark pair production events, using data from about 1 fb<SUP>-1</SUP> of integrated luminosity recorded by the DO experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We consider different scenarios of possible charged Higgs boson decays, one where the charged Higgs boson decays purely hadronically into a charm and a strange quark, another where it decays into a τ lepton and a τ neutrino and a third one where both decays appear. We extract limits on the branching ratio B(t->H<SUP>+</SUP>b) for all these models. We use two methods, one where the tt@? production cross section is fixed, and one where the cross section is fitted simultaneously with B(t->H<SUP>+</SUP>b). Based on the extracted limits, we exclude regions in the charged Higgs boson mass and tanβ parameter space for different scenarios of the minimal supersymmetric standard model.

A combined search for the standard model Higgs boson at s=1.96 TeV

DO Collaboration,Abazov, V.M.,Abbott, B.,Abolins, M.,Acharya, B.S.,Adams, M.,Adams, T.,Aguilo, E.,Ahn, S.H.,Ahsan, M.,Alexeev, G.D.,Alkhazov, G.,Alton, A.,Alverson, G.,Alves, G.A.,Anastasoaie, M.,Ancu North-Holland Pub. Co 2008 Physics letters: B Vol.663 No.1

We present new results of the search for WH->@?νbb@? production in pp@? collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s=1.96 TeV, based on a dataset with integrated luminosity of 0.44 fb<SUP>-1</SUP>. We combine these new results with previously published searches by the D0 collaboration, for WH and ZH production analyzed in the E@?<SUB>T</SUB>bb@? final state, for ZH (->@?<SUP>+</SUP>@?<SUP>-</SUP>bb@?) production, for WH (->WWW) production, and for H (->WW) direct production. No signal-like excess is observed either in the WH analysis or in the combination of all D0 Higgs boson analyses. We set 95% C.L. (expected) upper limits on σ(pp@?->WH)xB(H->bb@?) ranging from 1.6 (2.2) pb to 1.9 (3.3) pb for Higgs boson masses between 105 and 145 GeV, to be compared to the theoretical prediction of 0.13 pb for a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson with mass m<SUB>H</SUB>=115 GeV. After combination with the other D0 Higgs boson searches, we obtain for m<SUB>H</SUB>=115 GeV an observed (expected) limit 8.5 (12.1) times higher than the SM predicted Higgs boson production cross section. For m<SUB>H</SUB>=160 GeV, the corresponding observed (expected) ratio is 10.2 (9.0).

Bacteroides fragilis의 독소유전자 분석 및 재조합독소 발현에 관한 연구

오희복,정경태,이기은,성원근,박영미아,박재구,이용진 국립보건연구원 1998 국립보건원보 Vol.35 No.-

Trivalent M-related protein as a component of next generation group A streptococcal vaccines

Harry S. Courtney,Shannon E. Niedermeyer,Thomas A. Penfound,Claudia M. Hohn,Adam Greeley,James B. Dale 대한백신학회 2017 Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research Vol.6 No.1

Purpose: There is a need to broaden protective coverage of M protein–based vaccines against group A streptococci (GAS) because coverage of the current 30-valent M protein vaccine does not extend to all emm types. An additional GAS antigen and virulence factor that could potentially extend vaccine coverage is M-related protein (Mrp). Previous work indicated that there are three structurally related families of Mrp (MrpI, MrpII, and MrpIII) and peptides of all three elicited bactericidal antibodies against multiple emm types. The purpose of this study was to determine if a recombinant form containing Mrp from the three families would evoke bactericidal antiserum and to determine if this antiserum could enhance the effectiveness of antisera to the 30-valent M protein vaccine. Materials and Methods: A trivalent recombinant Mrp (trMrp) protein containing N-terminal fragments from the three families (trMrp) was constructed, purified and used to immunize rabbits. Anti-trMrp sera contained high titers of antibodies against the trMrp immunogen and recombinant forms representing MrpI, MrpII, and MrpIII. Results: The antisera opsonized emm types of GAS representing each Mrp family and also opsonized emm types not covered by the 30-valent M protein–based vaccine. Importantly, a combination of trMrp and 30-valent M protein antiserum resulted in higher levels of opsonization of GAS than either antiserum alone. Conclusion: These findings suggest that trMrp may be an effective addition to future constructs of GAS vaccines.

The Angstrom Project: a microlensing survey of the structure and composition of the bulge of the Andromeda galaxy

Kerins, E.,Darnley, M. J.,Duke, J. P.,Gould, A.,Han, C.,Jeon, Y.-B.,Newsam, A.,Park, B.-G. Blackwell Science Ltd 2006 Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol.365 No.4

<P>ABSTRACT</P><P>The Andromeda Galaxy Stellar Robotic Microlensing Project (The Angstrom Project) aims to use stellar microlensing events to trace the structure and composition of the inner regions of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). We present microlensing rate and time-scale predictions and spatial distributions for stellar and sub-stellar lens populations in combined disc and barred bulge models of M31. We show that at least half of the stellar microlenses in and around the bulge are expected to have characteristic durations between 1 and 10 d, rising to as much as 80 per cent for brown-dwarf dominated mass functions. These short-duration events are mostly missed by current microlensing surveys that are looking for Macho candidates in the M31 dark matter halo. Our models predict that an intensive monitoring survey programme, such as Angstrom, which will be able to detect events of durations upwards of a day, could detect around 30 events per season within ∼5 arcmin of the M31 centre due to ordinary low-mass stars and remnants. This yield increases to more than 60 events for brown-dwarf dominated mass functions. The overall number of events and their average duration are sensitive diagnostics of the bulge mass, in particular the contribution of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. The combination of an inclined disc, an offset bar-like bulge, and differences in the bulge and disc luminosity functions results in a four-way asymmetry in the number of events expected in each quadrant defined by the M31 disc axes. The asymmetry is sensitive to the bar prolongation, orientation and mass.</P>

Stability of the Broad-line Region Geometry and Dynamics in Arp 151 Over Seven Years

Pancoast, A.,Barth, A. J.,Horne, K.,Treu, T.,Brewer, B. J.,Bennert, V. N.,Canalizo, G.,Gates, E. L.,Li, W.,Malkan, M. A.,Sand, D.,Schmidt, T.,Valenti, S.,Woo, J.-H.,Clubb, K. I.,Cooper, M. C.,Crawford American Astronomical Society 2018 The Astrophysical journal Vol.856 No.2

<P>The Seyfert 1 galaxy Arp 151 was monitored as part of three reverberation mapping campaigns spanning 2008-2015. We present modeling of these velocity-resolved reverberation mapping data sets using a geometric and dynamical model for the broad-line region (BLR). By modeling each of the three data sets independently, we infer the evolution of the BLR structure in Arp 151 over a total of 7 yr and constrain the systematic uncertainties in nonvarying parameters such as the black hole mass. We find that the BLR geometry of a thick disk viewed close to face-on is stable over this time, although the size of the BLR grows by a factor of similar to 2. The dynamics of the BLR are dominated by inflow, and the inferred black hole mass is consistent for the three data sets, despite the increase in BLR size. Combining the inference for the three data sets yields a black hole mass and statistical uncertainty of log(10)(M-BH/M-circle dot) = 6.82(-0.09)(+0.09) with a standard deviation in individual measurements of 0.13 dex.</P>

중년 남성의 폐경 지식, 폐경 태도가 배우자 지지에 미치는 영향

김보영,김예진,김일하,김현아,박희진,서민유,안별,양채미,장진영,조은희 이화여자대학교 간호과학대학 2014 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.48

Purpose: The purpose was to investigate the relationship between middle-aged men’s menopausal knowledge, menopausal attitude and their support for spouses with menopause. Methods: A correlational descriptive design was used. A convenience sampling was used. The participants were middle-aged men living in Korea(n=150). The instruments of the Knowledge of Menopause Scale, the Attitude of Menopause Measurement and the Spouse Support Scale were used. Result: Multiple regression analysis was performed. The middle-aged men’s menopausal knowledge have positive relationship with their attitude and support for their spouses with menopause. Also, the middle-aged men’s menopausal attitude have positive relationship with support for their spouses with menopause. Conclusion: The study concluded that the higher middle-aged men’s menopausal knowledge and the more positive middle-aged men’s menopausal attitude lead to the more their support on spouses with menopause. Therefore middle-aged men’s spouse support is necessary to improve quality of middle-aged woman’s life with menopause and their mental health, and further studies are also required to confirm.

Quadratic Derivations on non-Archimedean Banach Algebras

Park, C.,Shagholi, S.,Javadian, A.,Savadkouhi, M.B.,Gordji, M.E. Eudoxus Press LLC 2014 Journal of computational analysis and applications Vol.16 No.3

Let A be an algebra and X be an A-module. A quadratic mapping D : A X is called a quadratic derivation ifD(ab) = D(a)b(2) + a(2) D(b)for all a(1), a(2) is an element of A. We investigate the Hyers-Ulam stability of quadratic derivations from a non-Archimedean Banach algebra A into a non-Archimedean Banach A-module.

Caspase-3 activation as a key factor for HBx-transformed cell death

Kim, A.,Kwon, O. S.,Kim, S. O.,He, L.,Bae, E. Y.,Lee, M. S.,Jeong, S. J.,Shim, J. H.,Yoon, D. Y.,Kim, C. H.,Moon, A.,Kim, K. E.,Ahn, J. S.,Kim, B. Y. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2008 Cell proliferation Vol.41 No.5

<P>Abstract. </P><P><I>Objectives</I>: Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-&kgr;B) activation has been associated with the tumorigenic growth of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx)-transformed cells. This study was aimed to find a key target for treatment of HBx-mediated cancers. <I>Materials and methods</I>: NF-&kgr;B activation, endoplasmic reticulum-stress (ER-stress), caspase-3 activation, and cell proliferation were evaluated after Chang/HBx cells permanently expressing HBx viral protein were treated with inhibitors of NF-&kgr;B, proteasome and DNA topoisomerase. <I>Results</I>: Inhibition of NF-&kgr;B transcriptional activity by transient transfection with mutant plasmids encoding Akt1 and glycogen synthase kinase-3&bgr; (GSK-3&bgr;), or by treatment with chemical inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, showed little effect on the survival of Chang/HBx cells. Furthermore, I&kgr;Bα (S32/36A) mutant plasmid or other NF-&kgr;B inhibitors, 1-pyrrolidinecarbonidithioic acid and sulphasalazine, were also shown to have little effect on the cell proliferation. By contrast, proteasome inhibitor-1 (Pro1) and MG132 enhanced the HBx-induced ER-stress response and the subsequent activation of caspase-12, -9 and -3 and reduced cell proliferation. Camptothecin (CPT), however, triggered activation of caspase-3 without induction of caspase-12, and reduced cell proliferation. In addition, CPT-induced cell death was reversed by pre-treatment with z-DEVD, a caspase-3-specific inhibitor. <I>Conclusions</I>: Detailed exploitation of the regulators of caspase-3 activation could open the gate for finding an efficient target for development of anticancer therapeutics against HBx-transformed hepatocellular carcinoma.</P>