Pregabalin add-on therapy using a flexible, optimized dose schedule in refractory partial epilepsies: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial

Lee, Byung In,Yi, Sangdoe,Hong, Seung Bong,Kim, Myeong-Kyu,Lee, Sang Ahm,Lee, Sang Kun,Shin, Dong-Jin,Kim, Jae Moon,Song, Hong Ki,Heo, Kyoung,Lowe, Wing,Leon, Teresa Wiley (Blackwell Publishing) 2009 Epilepsia Vol.50 No.3

<P>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin (PGB) as adjunctive therapy, using a flexible-dosing schedule in Korean patients with refractory partial-onset seizures.</P>

Possible involvement of DNA methylation in NKCC1 gene expression during postnatal development and in response to ischemia

Lee, Hae‐,Ahm,Hong, Su‐,Hyung,Kim, Jung‐,Wan,Jang, Il‐,Sung Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Journal of Neurochemistry Vol.114 No.2

<P><I>J. Neurochem.</I> (2010) <B>114</B>, 520–529.</P><P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>In CNS, GABA<SUB>A</SUB> receptor‐mediated responses switch from depolarization to hyperpolarization during postnatal development. This switch is mediated by developmental down‐regulation of inwardly directed Na<SUP>+</SUP>‐K<SUP>+</SUP>‐2Cl<SUP>−</SUP> co‐transporter type 1 (NKCC1) and up‐regulation of outwardly directed K<SUP>+</SUP>‐Cl<SUP>−</SUP> co‐transporter type 2. While several factors have been shown to regulate K<SUP>+</SUP>‐Cl<SUP>−</SUP> co‐transporter type 2 expression, little is known about the mechanisms by which the expression of NKCC1 is regulated during postnatal development. Here, we report a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying the developmental regulation of NKCC1 gene expression in the rat cerebral cortex. <I>In vitro</I> DNA methylation of the NKCC1 promoter region, which contains a high density of cytosine‐phosphodiester‐guanine islands, significantly decreased the expression of NKCC1 mRNA, and the degree of methylation of the NKCC1 promoter region significantly increased during postnatal development. In addition, treatment with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine, a specific DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, elicited an increase in the expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein in cortical slice cultures. Focal ischemic injury induced by the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery led to the re‐expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein even in the mature rat cortex. The re‐expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein in the injured cerebral cortex was related to a decrease in the methylation status of the NKCC1 promoter region. Our results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, might be involved in the regulation of NKCC1 gene expression during postnatal development as well as under pathological conditions.</P>

국내 CCA 목재방부제 설치지역의 토양오염 모니터링 및 위해성 평가

( Ahmed A. Abdelhafez ),이상수 ( Sang Soo Lee ),옥용식 ( Yong Sik Ok ) 한국토양비료학회 2010 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 Vol.2010 No.-

Distribution and Accumulative Pattern of Tetracyclines and Sulfonamides in Edible Vegetables of Cucumber, Tomato, and Lettuce

Ahmed, Mohamed Bedair M.,Rajapaksha, Anushka Upamali,Lim, Jung Eun,Vu, Ngoc Thang,Kim, Il Seop,Kang, Ho Min,Lee, Sang Soo,Ok, Yong Sik American Chemical Society 2015 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.63 No.2

<P>Veterinary antibiotics can be released to environment by the animals’ excretions, which thereby poses human health and ecological risks. Six antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfadimethoxine) at three concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg kg<SUP>–1</SUP> soil) were employed in pots filled with a loamy sand upland soil. Three types of vegetable seedlings, including cucumber (<I>Cucumis sativus</I>), cherry tomato (<I>Solanum lycopersicum</I>), and lettuce (<I>Lactuca sativa</I>), were also cultivated during 45 d in the greenhouse. All antibiotics taken up by tested plants showed negative effects on growth. Relatively high levels of tetracyclines and sulfonamides (SAs) were detected in the nonedible parts, roots, and leaves of cucumber and tomato, but fruit parts accumulated them lower than acceptable daily intake. Indeed, cucumber roots accumulated SAs by up to 94.6% of total addition (at 5 mg kg<SUP>–1</SUP> soil).</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jafcau/2015/jafcau.2015.63.issue-2/jf5034637/production/images/medium/jf-2014-034637_0002.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/jf5034637'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Attenuates Transcriptional Activity of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Through Its Acetylation and Prevents Development of Hypertension

Lee, Hae-Ahm,Lee, Dong-Youb,Cho, Hyun-Min,Kim, Sang-Yeob,Iwasaki, Yasumasa,Kim, In Kyeom American Heart Association, Inc. 2013 Circulation research Vol.112 No.7

<P><B><U>Rationale:</U></B></P><P>Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) results in attenuated development of hypertension in deoxycorticosterone acetate–induced hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, the molecular mechanism remains elusive.</P><P><B><U>Objective:</U></B></P><P>We hypothesized that HDAC inhibition attenuates transcriptional activity of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) through its acetylation and prevents development of hypertension in deoxycorticosterone acetate–induced hypertensive rats.</P><P><B><U>Methods and Results:</U></B></P><P>Expression of MR target genes was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Recruitment of MR and RNA polymerase II on promoters of target genes was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Live cell imaging was performed for visualization of nuclear translocation of MR. MR acetylation was determined by Western blot with anti-acetyl-lysine antibody after immunoprecipitation with anti-MR antibody. Transcriptional activity of MR was determined by luciferase assay. For establishment of a hyperaldosteronism animal, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent uninephrectomy and received subcutaneous injection of 40 mg/kg per week of deoxycorticosterone acetate and drinking water containing 1% NaCl. Treatment with a HDAC class I inhibitor resulted in reduced expression of MR target genes in accordance with reduced recruitment of MR and RNA polymerase II on promoters of target genes. HDAC inhibition promoted MR acetylation, leading to decreased transcriptional activity of MR. Knockdown or inhibition of HDAC3 resulted in reduced expression of MR target genes induced by mineralocorticoids.</P><P><B><U>Conclusions:</U></B></P><P>These results indicate that HDAC inhibition attenuates transcriptional activity of MR through its acetylation and prevents development of hypertension in deoxycorticosterone acetate–induced hypertensive rats.</P>

Magnetic, Optical and Structural Property Studies of Mn-Doped ZnO Nanosheets

Ahmed, Faheem,Kumar, Shalendra,Arshi, Nishat,Anwar, M. S.,Kim, Geun Woo,Heo, Si Nae,Byon, Eung Sun,Lee, Sung Hun,Lyu, Nam Jin,Koo, Bon Heun American Scientific Publishers 2012 Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology Vol.12 No.7

<P>We report the synthesis of pure and Mn doped ZnO in the form of nanosheets using a simple and single step procedure involving a microwave assisted chemical method. As prepared Mn-doped ZnO nanosheets were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis), Raman spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. The structural studies using XRD and TEM revealed the absence of Mn-related secondary phases and showed that Mn-doped ZnO comprise a single phase nature with wurtzite structure. FESEM and TEM micrographs show that the average diameter of Mn-ZnO assembled nanosheets is about approximately 50 nm, and the length of a Mn-doped ZnO nanosheet building block which is made up of thin mutilayered sheets is around approximately 300 nm. Concerning the Raman scattering spectra, the shift in peak position of E2 (high) mode toward low frequencies due to the Mn doping could be explained well by means of the spatial correlation model. Magnetic measurements showed that Mn-doped ZnO nanosheets exhibit ferromagnetic ordering at or above room temperature.</P>

CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENUS <i>ISHIGE</i> (ISHIGEALES, PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN WITH RECOGNITION OF <i>ISHIGE FOLIACEA</i> BASED ON PLASTID <i>rbc</i>l AND MITOCHONDRIAL <i>cox</i>3 GENE SEQUENCES¹

Lee, Kyung Min,Boo, Ga Hun,Riosmena-Rodriguez, Rafael,Shin, Jong-Ahm,Boo, Sung Min Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2009 Journal of phycology Vol.45 No.4

<P>The taxonomy and biogeography of a genus with species that occur in geographically isolated regions is interesting. The brown algal genus <I>Ishige</I> Yendo is a good example, with species that apparently inhabit warm regions of both the northwestern and northeastern Pacific Ocean. We determined the sequences of mitochondrial <I>cox</I>3 and plastid <I>rbc</I>L genes from specimens of the genus collected over its distributional range. Analyses of the 86 <I>cox</I>3 and 97 <I>rbc</I>L sequences resulted in congruent trees in which <I>Ishige sinicola</I> (Setch. et N. L. Gardner) Chihara consisted of two distinct clades: one comprising samples from Korea and Japan, and the other comprising samples from the Gulf of California. Additional observations of the morphology and anatomy of the specimens agree with the molecular data. On the basis of results, we reinstated <I>Ishige foliacea</I> S. Okamura (considered a synonym of <I>I. sinicola</I> from the Gulf of California) for plants from the northwest Pacific region and designated a specimen in the Yendo Herbarium (SAP) as the lectotype. <I>I. foliacea</I> is distinguished by large (up to 20 cm) and wide (up to 20 mm) thalli, with a cortex of 4–7 cells, and a medulla composed of long, tangled hyphal cells. Both <I>cox</I>3 and <I>rbc</I>L sequence data strongly support the sister-area relationship between the northwest Pacific region and the Gulf of California. A likely explanation for this pattern would be the presence of a species ancestral to contemporary species of <I>Ishige</I> in both regions during the paleogeological period, with descendants later isolated by distance.</P>

The Development of Hg Removal Technologies for Wastewater Generated from Spent Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Plant

( Ahm Mojammal ),( Eun Song Lee ),( Sang Yeop Lee ),( Jeong Hun Kim ),( Soo Jin Cho ),( Gun Ho Han ),( Yong Joon Park ),( Yong- Chil Seo ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2019 ISSE 초록집 Vol.2019 No.-

Mercury is an essential component in fluorescent lamps and it plays a vital role to emit ultraviolet (UV) light after electrical excitation of its atoms in the vapor phase and the flux of UV light strikes phosphor powder- a luminescent material attached on the inner walls of fluorescent lamps resulted bright visible light. Mercury containing fluorescent lamps are broadly categorized on shapes as compact fluorescent lamps, long tubes, and circle and U shaped lamps. The amount of mercury in spent fluorescent lamp (SFL) can vary with type of lamp, life of lamp and manufacturer. The mercury content was reported in SFLs in between 0.72 to 115mg/lamp in 1994; however lamp manufacturers greatly reduced the mercury content in lamps but not completely eliminated because visible light can be produced through phosphor powder by the mechanism of mercury. The SFLs are strongly recommended to recycle because it contains toxic elements not only mercury but also lead and bismuth; as well as to recover rare earth metals. In this study, mercury removal for wastewater generated from SFL recycling plant “A” were being evaluated using modern technologies in lab scale apparatus. In this study, SFLs recycling waste water were studied by precipitation, filtration and adsorption process in continuous mode except in precipitation process. A known concentration of Hg in synthetic wastewater was experimented as a basis to compare with wastewater generated from SFLs recycling plant. Coagulant dose, retention time and turbidity of SFLs recycling wastewater has affected on precipitation of Hg. Contact time, initial concentration of Hg and adsorbent dose affected mercury removal from SFL recycling plants wastewater in adsorption process. Recovered phosphor powder sludge, spent filtration media sand and spent adsorption media granular activated carbon were analyzed for their Hg content. Recovered phosphor powder sludge and spent sand could be thermally treated to achieve disposal standards. Spent activated carbon could be regenerated or disposed after thermal treatment. This study aimed to achieve reduced mercury concentration in effluent to reuse in SFLs recycling plant.

Dab2, a negative regulator of DC immunogenicity, is an attractive molecular target for DC-based immunotherapy.

Ahmed, Md Selim,Byeon, Se Eun,Jeong, Yideul,Miah, Mohammad Alam,Salahuddin, Md,Lee, Yoon,Park, Sung-Soo,Bae, Yong-Soo Landes Bioscience 2015 Oncoimmunology Vol.4 No.1

<P>Dab2 is an adapter protein involved in receptor-mediated signaling, endocytosis, cell adhesion, hematopoietic cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. It plays a pivotal role in controlling cellular homeostasis. In the immune system, the Dab2 is a Foxp3 target gene and is required for regulatory T (Treg) cell function. Dab2 expression and its biological function in dendritic cells (DCs) have not been described. In this study, we found that Dab2 was significantly induced during the development of mouse bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs (BMDCs) and human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). Even in a steady state, Dab2 was expressed in mouse splenic DCs (spDCs). STAT5 activation, Foxp3 expression, and hnRNPE1 activation mediated by PI3K/Akt signaling were required for Dab2 expression during GM-CSF-derived BMDC development regardless of TGF-β signaling. Dab2-silencing was accompanied by enhanced IL-12 and IL-6 expression, and an improved capacity of DC for antigen uptake, migration and T cell stimulation, which generated strong CTL in vaccinated mice. Vaccination with Dab2-silenced DCs inhibited tumor growth more effectively than did vaccination with wild type DCs. Dab2-overexpression abrogated the efficacy of the DC vaccine in DC-based tumor immunotherapy. These data strongly suggest that Dab2 might be an intrinsic negative regulator of the immunogenicity of DCs, thus might be an attractive molecular target to improve DC vaccine efficacy.</P>

Finite-Control Set Model Predictive Control Method for Torque Control of Induction Motors Using a State Tracking Cost Index

Ahmed, Abdelsalam A.,Koh, Byung Kwon,Park, Hyo Sung,Lee, Kyo-Beum,Lee, Young Il Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2017 IEEE transactions on industrial electronics Vol.64 No.3

<P>This paper presents a novel torque control method for two-level-inverter-fed induction motor drives. The control principle is based on a finite-control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) using a state tracking cost index. In the online procedure of the proposed FCS-MPC, the optimal voltage vector and its corresponding optimal modulation factor are determined based on the principle of torque and rotor flux error minimization. In this method, a reference state is determined in a systematic way so that the reference torque tracking with maximum torque per ampere and flux-limited operation could be achieved. In addition, a weighting matrix for the state tracking error is optimized in offline using the linear matrix inequality based optimization problem. The efficacy of the proposed FCS-MPC method is proved by the simulation and experimental results at different working circumstances. The comparison of the presented control system with the conventional FCS-MPC and with other reported FCS-MPC with modulation control is made. The proposed algorithm yields fast dynamic performance and minimum torque and current ripples at different speed and torque levels.</P>