Gα₁₂ gep oncogene deregulation of p53-responsive microRNAs promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma

Yang, Y M,Lee, W H,Lee, C G,An, J,Kim, E-S,Kim, S H,Lee, S-K,Lee, C H,Dhanasekaran, D N,Moon, A,Hwang, S,Lee, S J,Park, J-W,Kim, K M,Kim, S G Macmillan Publishers Limited 2015 Oncogene Vol.34 No.22

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis owing to aggressive phenotype. Gα<SUB>12</SUB> gep oncogene product couples to G-protein-coupled receptors, whose ligand levels are frequently increased in tumor microenvironments. Here, we report Gα<SUB>12</SUB> overexpression in human HCC and the resultant induction of zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) as mediated by microRNA deregulation. Gα<SUB>12</SUB> expression was higher in HCC than surrounding non-tumorous tissue. Transfection of Huh7 cell with an activated mutant of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> (Gα<SUB>12</SUB>QL) deregulated microRNA (miRNA or miR)-200b/a/429, -194-2/192 and -194-1/215 clusters in the miRNome. cDNA microarray analyses disclosed the targets affected by Gα<SUB>12</SUB> gene knockout. An integrative network of miRNAs and mRNA changes enabled us to predict ZEB1 as a key molecule governed by Gα<SUB>12</SUB>. Decreases of miR-200a/b, -192 and -215 by Gα<SUB>12</SUB> caused ZEB1 induction. The ability of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> to decrease p53 levels, as a result of activating protein-1 (AP-1)/c-Jun-mediated mouse double minute 2 homolog induction, contributed to transcriptional deregulation of the miRNAs. Gα<SUB>12</SUB>QL induced ZEB1 and other epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers with fibroblastoid phenotype change. Consistently, transfection with miR-200b, -192 or -215 mimic prevented the ability of Gα<SUB>12</SUB>QL to increase tumor cell migration/invasion. In xenograft studies, sustained knockdown of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> decreased the overall growth rate and average volume of tumors derived from SK-Hep1 cell (mesenchymal-typed). In HCC patients, miR-192, -215 and/or -200a were deregulated with microvascular invasion or growth advantage. In the HCC samples with higher Gα<SUB>12</SUB> level, a correlation existed in the comparison of relative changes of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> and ZEB1. In conclusion, Gα<SUB>12</SUB> overexpressed in HCC causes ZEB1 induction by deregulating p53-responsive miRNAs, which may facilitate epithelial–mesenchymal transition and growth of liver tumor. These findings highlight the significance of Gα<SUB>12</SUB> upregulation in liver tumor progression, implicating Gα<SUB>12</SUB> as an attractive therapeutic target.

Indirect Method for Quantification of Cellular Biomass in a Solidscontaining Medium Used as Pre-culture for Cellulase Production

F. M. Cunha,A. L. G. Bacchin,A. C. L. Horta,T. C. Zangirolami,A. C. Badino,C. S. Farinas 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.1

A process that combines the advantages of solid state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) could increase the efficiency of cellulase production required in the cellulosic ethanol industry. Due to the difficulty of measuring cellular biomass in the presence of solids, we developed a novel methodology for indirect quantification of biomass during production of the preculture for a combined fermentation process. Cultivation of Aspergillus niger was initiated as SSF using sugar cane bagasse as a solid substrate. Experiments were conducted in the absence of bagasse to determine growth kinetic parameters. Changes in glucose and biomass concentrations were measured. and the data were used for simulation employing a simple unstructured model. Parameters were estimated by applying a combination of Simulated Annealing (SA) and Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithms to search for minimization of the error between model estimates and experimental data. Growth kinetics followed the Contois model, with a maximum specific growth rate (μmax) of 0.042/h, a yield coefficient for biomass formation (Yx/s) of 0.30 g/g and a death constant (kD) of 0.005/h.These parameters were used to simulate cellular growth in the solids-containing medium. The proposed model accurately described the experimental data and succeeded in simulating the cell concentration profile. The selected pre-culture conditions (24 h as SSF followed by 48 h as SmF) were applied for cellulase production using the combined fermentation process and resulted in an endoglucanase activity (1,052 ± 34 U/L) greater than that obtained using the conventional SmF procedure (824 ± 44 U/L). Besides the standardization of pre-culture conditions, this methodology could be very useful in systems where direct measurement of cell mass is not possible.

CFD OPTIMIZATION OF A 2-STROKE RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE

E. MATTARELLI,C. A. RINALDINI,G. CANTORE 한국자동차공학회 2015 International journal of automotive technology Vol.16 No.3

A very promising concept for small range extenders (peak power less than 40 kW) is represented by the 2- stroke, direct injection spark ignition engine, with scavenging and exhaust ports controlled by the piston, and an external pump. The most important issue to be addressed on this type of engines is the compliance with stringent rules on pollutant emissions, which depends on combustion patterns and the quality of the scavenging process. The latter is generally hindered by the symmetry of ports timings, but this handicap can be canceled by adopting a patented rotary valve, controlling the flow through a set of auxiliary transfer ports, and using a piston pump for delivering air to the power cylinder and enhancing the balance of the crankshaft. The paper reviews the design of a virtual engine, rated at 35 kW at 5600 rpm, and developed according to the above mentioned concepts. Design has been driven by CFD simulation, using, whenever possible, experimentally calibrated numerical models, or experimental information derived from similar projects. Particular care has been devoted to characterize the scavenging process and the flow patterns within the cylinder and through the ports, analyzing the influence of the rotary induction valve. Engine performance parameters have been predicted by using a well-established commercial software (GT-Power, by Gamma Technologies), while CFD-3D analyses have been carried out by means of a customized version of the KIVA-3V code. The whole study is conceived as the basis for the construction of a physical prototype. The power target has been virtually achieved with a very light and compact engine (estimated weight without the close-coupled electric motor: 35 kg). A three-way catalyst allows the engine to comply with the most stringent emission regulations, without relevant penalizations on fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the engine can work with lean mixtures, achieving a minimum specific fuel consumption comparable to a current automotive Diesel engine (223 g/kWh). This excellent result is due to the low friction and pumping losses of the 2-Stroke engine, as well as to the compactness of the combustion chamber and the capability to stratify the charge.

Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c with three-dimensional nanoarchitectured multicomponent composite electrode and nitrite biosensing

Shanmugasundaram, K.,Sai-Anand, G.,Gopalan, A.I.,Lee, H.G.,Yeo, H.K.,Kang, S.W.,Lee, K.P. Elsevier Sequoia 2016 Sensors and actuators. B Chemical Vol.228 No.-

A novel electrochemical nitrite ion (NO<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>-</SUP>) biosensor was designed and fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) into three-dimensional nanoarchitectured electrode (3DNE) using a multicomponent nanocomposite (MCNC) film composed of graphene embedded titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWs), thiol-functionalized polyaniline (PANI(SH)), gold nanoparticles (Au), and immobilized cytochrome c (cyt c). The new NO<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>-</SUP> biosensor was designated as cyt c/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWsΠANI(SH)-Au MCNC/3DNE. The assembly of the 3DNE, involved sequential depositions of PANI(SH) and Au over previously synthesized TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWs by electrospinning-hydrothermal processes and immobilization of the cyt c onto the TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWs/PANI(SH)/Au MCNC film. The cyt c/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWsΠANI(SH)-Au MCNC/3DNE exhibited direct electron transfer from cyt c to the electrode at a high rate constant (25.34s<SUP>-1</SUP>). The fabricated cyt c/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWsΠANI(SH)-Au MCNC/3DNE showed high selectivity to NO<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>-</SUP> ions with excellent sensitivity (9.2μA/mM), a wide linear concentration range (10μM-720mM), and a low detection limit (0.05μM). Additionally, the cyt c/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(G) NWsΠANI(SH)-Au MCNC/3DNE exhibited high stability with good reproducibility and repeatability.

A study of nerve agent model organophosphonate binding with manganese-A₂B-corrole and -A₂B₂-porphyrin systems

Kim, K.,Kim, I.,Maiti, N.,Kwon, S.J.,Bucella, D.,Egorova, O.A.,Lee, Y.S.,Kwak, J.,Churchill, D.G. Pergamon Press 2009 Polyhedron Vol.28 No.12

Herein the synthesis and binding studies of novel trans-A<SUB>2</SUB>B-corrole and trans-A<SUB>2</SUB>B<SUB>2</SUB>-porphyrin derivatives are presented in comparing manganese(III)-organophosphonate (OP) binding (e.g., M<SUP>n+</SUP>←O?PR(OR)<SUB>2</SUB>) capabilities. H<SUB>3</SUB>(PFP-VC) [PFP-VC=5,15-di(pentafluorophenyl)-10-(3-vinylphenyl)corrolate] was synthesized by way of literature procedures and was characterized by a variety of 2-D NMR spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds represent the first example of 3-vinyl-phenyl-containing meso-substituted corroles or porphyrins. Mn(PFP-VC) (3) was treated separately with (CH<SUB>3</SUB>CH<SUB>2</SUB>O)<SUB>2</SUB>P?O(C<SUB>3</SUB>H<SUB>6</SUB>NMe<SUB>2</SUB>), (C<SUB>4</SUB>H<SUB>9</SUB>O)<SUB>2</SUB>P?O(Me), (C<SUB>2</SUB>H<SUB>5</SUB>O)<SUB>2</SUB>P?O(CH<SUB>2</SUB>COCH<SUB>3</SUB>), (CH<SUB>3</SUB>CH<SUB>2</SUB>O)<SUB>2</SUB>P?O(Me), to give 1:1 adducts, as determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy (Job Plot), giving a red shift; Ph<SUB>3</SUB>P?O, was also found to bind, but very weakly. The trans-A<SUB>2</SUB>B<SUB>2</SUB>-porphyrin analogue Mn(PFP-VP) (4) was also prepared by way of a literature procedure; related binding studies gave 1:1 organophosphonate-Mn(PFP-VP) adducts (Job Plot). A clean blue shift occurred for the Mn-porphyrins at higher organophosphonate loadings (K<SUB>a</SUB> values: 6.7 (0.9)-11.9 (0.4)M<SUP>-1</SUP>). DFT geometry optimizations of O?P(OMe)<SUB>2</SUB>Me binding and formal Mn-O or P-O cleavage products in the unsubstituted neutral Mn-corrolato and -porphyrinato systems with a range of metal-based spin states revealed greatest stability in formal phosphoryl oxygen binding (energies: 11-13kcal/mol) for the Mn-corrole (singlet); the Mn-porphyrin (sextet) was also quite stable.

FIRST OPTICAL AND NEAR-INFRARED POLARIMETRY OF A MOLECULAR CLOUD FORMING A PROTO-BROWN DWARF CANDIDATE

Soam, A.,Kwon, Jugmi,Maheswar, G.,Tamura, Motohide,Lee, Chang Won IOP Publishing 2015 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.803 No.2

<P>LDN 328 is cited as an example of a fairly isolated clump contracting to form multiple sub-cores, possibly through gravitational fragmentation. In one of these sub-cores, a proto-brown dwarf (L328-IRS) candidate is in the process of formation through the self-gravitating contraction, similar to the formation scenario of a low-mass star. We present results of our optical and near-infrared polarization observations of regions toward LDN 328. This is the first observational attempt to map the magnetic field geometry of a cloud harboring a proto-brown dwarf candidate associated with a sub-parsec-scale molecular outflow. On a parsec scale, the magnetic field is found to follow the curved structure of the cloud showing a head-tail morphology. The magnetic field is found to be well ordered over a 0.02-0.2 pc scale around L328-IRS. Taking into account the uncertainties in the determination of position angles, the projected angular offset between the magnetic field direction and the outflow axis is found to be in the range of 0 degrees-70 degrees. Considering outflow to be the proxy for the rotation axis, the result obtained in this study implies that the rotation axis in L328 is preferably parallel to the local magnetic field. The magnetic field strength estimated in the close vicinity of L328-IRS is similar to 20 mu G. Results from the present study suggest that the magnetic field may be playing a vital role even in the cores that are forming sub-stellar sources.</P>

Gröbner-Shirshov bases and embedding of a semigroup in a group

E. G. Karpuz,A. S. Cevik,F. Ates,J. Koppitz 장전수학회 2015 Advanced Studies in Contemporary Mathematics Vol.25 No.4

The main goal of this paper is to show that if a group G has a Gröbner-Shirshov basis that satisfies the condition R+, then the semigroup P having positive rules in < as a dening relation embeds in this group G. As a corollary of our result, we obtain that the semigroup B+ n+1 of braids can be embedded in the braid group. The main goal of this paper is to show that if a group G has a Grobner-Shirshov basis that satisfies the condition R+, then the semigroup P having positive rules in < as a dening relation embeds in this group G. As a corollary of our result, we obtain that the semigroup B+ n+1 of braids can be embedded in the braid group.

Combined Genotype Analyses of Precursor miRNA-196a2 and -499a Variants with Hepatic and Renal Cancer Susceptibility- a Preliminary Study

Toraih, Eman A,Fawzy, Manal S,Elgazzaz, Mona G,Hussein, Mohammad H,Shehata, Rasha H,Daoud, Hisham G Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.7

MicroRNAs, a novel class of small non-coding RNAs, are key players in many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion and regeneration. Tissue and circulatory microRNAs could serve as useful clinical biomarkers and deregulated expression levels have been observed in various cancers. Gene variants may alter microRNA processing and maturation. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of MIR-196a2 rs11614913 (C/T), MIR-499a rs3746444 (A/G) polymorphisms and their combination with cancer susceptibility in an Egyptian population. Sixty five renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 60 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 150 controls were enrolled in the study. They were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. Both $miR-196a2^*T$ and $miR-499a*G$ were associated with RCC risk, but only $miR-196a^*T$ was associated with HCC development. Carriage of the homozygote combinations ($MIR196a2^*TT+MIR499a^*AA$) and ($MIR196a2^*CC+MIR499a^*GG$) was associated with 25 and 48 fold elevation of likelhood to develop RCC, respectively. The miR-196a2 SNP was also linked with larger tumor size in RCC and advanced tumor stage in HCC. miR-196a2 and miR-499a combined genotypes were associated with RCC and HCC. Further functional analysis of SNPs is required to confirm relationships between genotypes and phenotypes.

Characteristics of a-GaN films and a-AlGaN/GaN heterojunctions prepared on r-sapphire by two-stage growth process

Polyakov, A. Y.,Jang, Lee-Woon,Smirnov, N. B.,Govorkov, A. V.,Kozhukhova, E. A.,Yugova, T. G.,Reznik, V. Y.,Pearton, S. J.,Baik, Kwang Hyeon,Hwang, Sung-Min,Jung, Sukkoo,Lee, In-Hwan American Institute of Physics 2011 JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS - Vol.110 No.9

<P>The electrical properties, presence of deep electron and hole traps and photoluminescence spectra were measured for undoped a-GaN films grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in a two-stage process using a high V/III ratio at the first stage and low V/III ratio at the second stage. Growth was performed on r-sapphire substrates with a high temperature GaN nucleation layer. The films showed a full width at half maximum of 450-470 arcseconds for the (11-20) x-ray rocking curve with little anisotropy with respect to the sample rotation around the growth direction. The stacking fault (SF) density determined by selective etching was similar to 5 x 10(4) cm(-1). The residual donor concentration was 10(14)-10(15) cm(-3), with a very low density (2.5 x 10(13) cm(-3)) of electron traps located at E-c - 0.6 eV, which are believed to be one of the major non-radiative recombination centers in nonpolar GaN. Consequently, the films showed a high intensity of bandedge luminescence with negligible contribution from defect bands associated with SFs. In contrast to previously studied nonpolar GaN films, the a-GaN layers showed a high concentration of gallium-vacancy-related acceptors near E-v + 1 eV and a strong yellow luminescence band, both indicating that growth conditions were effectively N-rich. a-AlGaN/GaN heterojunctions with thin heavily Si doped AlGaN barriers made on a-GaN substrates showed two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) concentrations of 1.2 x 10(13) cm(-3), with 2DEG mobility of 80 cm(2)/Vs. Capacitance-voltage profiling of Schottky diodes on these HJs suggest that the 2DEG is fully depleted by the built-in voltage of the Schottky diode. (C)2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3658026]</P>

Restriction of Metabolizable Energy in Broiler Growers and Its Impact on Grower and Breeder Performance

Sunder, G. Skyam,Kumar, Ch. Vijaya,Panda, A.K.,Raju, M.V.L.N.,Rao, S.V. Rama,Gopinath, N.C.S.,Reddy, M.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.8

Metabolizable energy (ME) required for basal metabolism, activity and growth was considered as the criterion for targeting specific increases in body weight (100 g/week) of broiler chicks during the grower phase (5-20 weeks) and its impact was evaluated on breeder performance. Broiler female chicks (460) from a synthetic dam line were randomly distributed to 4 test groups with 23 replicates of 5 birds each and housed in cages. The first group (ME-100) was offered a calculated amount of ME by providing a measured quantity of grower diet (160 g protein and 2,600 kcal ME/kg) which increased with age and weight gain (133-294 kcal/bird/day). The other three groups were offered 10 or 20% less ME (ME-90 and ME-80, respectively) and 10% excess ME (ME-110) over the control group (ME-100). From 21 weeks of age, a single breeder diet (170 g protein and 2,600 kcal ME/kg) was uniformly fed to all groups and the impact of grower ME restriction on breeder performance evaluated up to 58 weeks. The targeted body weight gain of 1,600 g in a 16-week period was achieved by pullets of the ME-100 group almost one week earlier by gaining 8.7 g more weight per week. However, pullets in the ME-90 group gained 1,571 g during the same period, which was closer to the targeted weight. At 20 weeks of age, the conversion efficiency of feed (5.21-5.37), ME (13.9-14.1 kcal/g weight gain) and protein (0.847-0.871 g/g weight gain), eviscerated meat yield, giblet and tibia weights were not influenced by ME restriction, but the weights of abdominal fat and liver were higher with increased ME intake. Reduction of ME by 10% in the grower period significantly delayed sexual maturity (169.3 d), but increased egg production (152.5 /bird) with better persistency. Improved conversion efficiency of feed, ME and protein per g egg content were also observed in this group up to 56 weeks. The fertility and hatchability at 58 weeks of age were higher in the ME-90 group compared to the control and 10% excess ME feeding. In conclusion, the present study revealed the possibility of achieving targeted weight gain in broiler growers by feeding measured quantities of ME during the rearing period with consequential benefits in breeder performance.