TmSR-C, scavenger receptor class C, plays a pivotal role in antifungal and antibacterial immunity in the coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor

Kim, S.G.,Jo, Y.H.,Seong, J.H.,Park, K.B.,Noh, M.Y.,Cho, J.H.,Ko, H.J.,Kim, C.E.,Tindwa, H.,Patnaik, B.B.,Bang, I.S.,Lee, Y.S.,Han, Y.S. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2017 Insect biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.89 No.-

Scavenger receptors (SRs) constitute a family of membrane-bound receptors that bind to multiple ligands. The SR family of proteins is involved in removing cellular debris, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and pathogens. Specifically, class C scavenger receptors (SR-C) have also been reported to be involved in phagocytosis of gram-positive and -negative bacteria in Drosophila and viruses in shrimp. However, reports are unavailable regarding the role of SR-C in antifungal immune mechanisms in insects. In this study, a full-length Tenebrio molitor SR-C (TmSR-C) sequence was obtained by 5'- and 3'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The TmSR-C full-length cDNA comprised 1671 bp with 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of 23- and 107-bp, respectively. TmSR-C encodes a putative protein of 556 amino acid residues that is constitutively expressed in all tissues of late instar larvae and 2-day-old adults, with the highest transcript levels observed in hemocytes of larvae and adults. TmSR-C mRNA showed a 2.5-fold and 3-fold increase at 24 and 6 h after infection with Candida albicans and β-glucan, respectively. Immunoassay with TmSR-C polyclonal antibody showed induction of the putative protein in the cytosols of hemocytes at 3 h after inoculation of C. albicans. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing and phagocytosis assays were used to understand the role of TmSR-C in antifungal immunity. Silencing of TmSR-C transcripts reduced the survivability of late instar larvae at 2 days post-inoculation of C. albicans, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, in TmSR-C-silenced larvae, there was a decline in the rate of microorganism phagocytosis. Taken together, results of this study suggest that TmSR-C plays a pivotal role in phagocytosing not only fungi but also gram-negative and -positive bacteria in T. molitor.

<i>In situ</i> reduction and exfoliation of g-C₃N₄ nanosheets with copious active sites <i>via</i> a thermal approach for effective water splitting

Pawar, Rajendra C.,Kang, Suhee,Han, Hyuksu,Choi, Heechae,Lee, Caroline S. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2019 Catalysis Science & Technology Vol.9 No.4

<P>Poor optical absorbance and charge recombination are the major drawbacks of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based photocatalysts. In this paper, we show for the first time a single-step <I>in situ</I> technique to control the porosity of two-dimensional g-C3N4 sheets and exfoliate them by introducing ascorbic acid (AA) molecules. The AA simultaneously acts as the carbon (C) source and deposits amorphous C onto g-C3N4 sheets. Nanosized pores are also introduced into the g-C3N4 sheets, leading to a large number of active sites. The as-prepared C-doped porous g-C3N4 nanosheets demonstrate a high visible light-photocatalytic H2 production activity of 793 μmol g<SUP>−1</SUP> with the optimum structure, which is almost 25 times higher than the value obtained with bulk g-C3N4 (31 μmol g<SUP>−1</SUP>). This exceptional photocatalytic performance arises from the C-doped conjugated system and porous nanosheets. The enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution was attributed to the effective separation and transport of charge carriers by the deposition of C onto the nanosheets and an increased number of active sites resulting from the nanopores created inside the g-C3N4 sheets. Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirm that the interaction between AA and melamine molecules at elevated temperatures results in the formation of C-doped porous and exfoliated g-C3N4 structures. Therefore, the present approach is very promising for application to the design of new and efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible irradiation.</P>

Liquid-liquid extraction of lithium using lipophilic dibenzo-14-crown-4 ether carboxylic acid in hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid

Torrejos, Rey Eliseo C.,Nisola, Grace M.,Song, Ho Seong,Han, Jeong Woo,Lawagon, Chosel P.,Seo, Jeong Gil,Koo, Sangho,Kim, Hern,Chung, Wook-Jin Elsevier 2016 Hydrometallurgy Vol.164 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A green liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) system was developed for the recovery of lithium (Li<SUP>+</SUP>) from sodium and potassium ions, which are typically present at high concentrations in seawater. Dibenzo-14-crown-4ether (DB14C4) was functionalized with a long lipophilic alkyl C18 chain and a pendent proton ionizable carboxylic acid group to obtain a lithium (Li<SUP>+</SUP>) carrier system (DB14C4-C18-COOH) with high Li<SUP>+</SUP> extraction performance and good stability in the room temperature ionic liquid diluent, CYPHOSIL 109. The Li<SUP>+</SUP> extraction efficiency of DB14C4-C18-COOH/CYPHOSIL 109 can be enhanced by increasing the solution pH and DB14C4-C18-COOH concentration. Further examination of extraction results reveal 1:1 coordination between DB14C4-C18-COOH and Li<SUP>+</SUP> which was also supported by density functional theory calculations. At room temperature, the developed LLE system effectively extracted dilute Li<SUP>+</SUP> from Na<SUP>+</SUP> (selectivity α<SUB>Li</SUB> <SUP>+</SUP> <SUB>/Na</SUB> <SUP>+</SUP> =1954) and K<SUP>+</SUP> (α<SUB>Li</SUB> <SUP>+</SUP> <SUB>/K</SUB> <SUP>+</SUP> =138). Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated for optimum Li<SUP>+</SUP> extraction conditions. Sequestered Li<SUP>+</SUP> can be easily recovered from the LLE system using dilute hydrochloric acid. Results from recycling tests showed stable Li<SUP>+</SUP> extraction performance hence it can be used for long term application. Overall results indicate the potential application of DB14C4-C18-COOH/CYPHOSIL 109 as a treatment step to recover Li<SUP>+</SUP> from brine or seawater.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Crown ether in RTIL CYPHOSIL 109 LLE system was developed for Li<SUP>+</SUP> recovery. </LI> <LI> Ligand lipophilic dibenzo14C4 crown ether with ionizable COOH group was synthesized. </LI> <LI> Highly selective LLE towards Li<SUP>+</SUP> in the presence of high Na<SUP>+</SUP> and K<SUP>+</SUP> concentration </LI> <LI> Ligand concentration, solution pH and temperature affected Li<SUP>+</SUP> extraction. </LI> <LI> Convenient Li<SUP>+</SUP> recovery and LLE reusability via dilute acid stripping treatment </LI> </UL> </P>

Effect of Feeding Cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) High Black Rice Bran on Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Measurements, Growth Performance and Pork Quality of Pigs

Kil, D.Y.,Ryu, S.N.,Piao, L.G.,Kong, C.S.,Han, S.J.,Kim, Y.Y Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.12

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) high black rice bran on nutrient digestibility, blood measurements, growth performance and pork quality of pigs. In Exp. I, a total of fifteen pigs (19.91${\pm}$1.80 kg, average initial body weight) were used in assay of nutrient digestibility and blood measurements. All pigs were allotted to 5 treatments with 3 replicates according to a completely randomized design (CRD) in an individual metabolic crate. Treatments included 1) CON: basal diet, 2) BRB-2: basal+brown rice bran 2%, 3) BRB-4: basal+brown rice bran 4%, 4) CRB-2: basal+C3G high black rice bran 2% and 5) CRB-4: basal+C3G high black rice bran 4%. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude ash (CA) and crude fiber (CF) was not affected by dietary treatments. Serum triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were not affected by addition of C3G high black rice bran. However, at the end of experiment, pigs fed rice bran showed decreased tendency in total cholesterol concentration. Especially pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed significantly lower total cholesterol concentration compared to pigs fed brown rice bran (p<0.03). There was numerically lower total cholesterol concentration with increasing levels of black rice bran in the diet. In terms of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), there were no significant differences among treatments, even though pigs fed CRB-4 showed the lowest GOT concentration compared to other pigs. In Exp. II, sixteen finishing pigs (average initial body weight 89.96${\pm}$0.35 kg) were divided into 4 treatments to investigate the effect of feeding C3G high black rice bran on growth performance and pork quality. There were no significant differences in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments. Pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed numerical decrease in ADG and increase in FCR while not effecting feed intake. There was no significant difference in live weight, carcass weight, carcass rate, backfat thickness and carcass grade. However, pigs fed C3G high black rice bran tended to show lower backfat thickness than pigs fed basal diet. Pigs fed C3G high black rice bran showed a tendency of decreased TBA value than pigs fed basal diet, although there was no overall significant difference among treatments. In conclusion, nutrient digestibility, blood measurements, growth performance and pork quality were not significantly affected by feeding C3G high black rice bran to pigs. However, C3G high black rice bran might have an effect on lowering serum total cholesterol and decrease the TBA value in pork compared to control group and these effects might be due to high concentration of antioxidative compounds in C3G high black rice bran.

Ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of citrus fruit peels over mesoporous MFI and Al-MCM-41

Kim, Y.M.,Jae, J.,Lee, H.W.,Han, T.U.,Lee, H.,Park, S.H.,Kim, S.,Watanabe, C.,Park, Y.K. Pergamon ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Energy conversion and management Vol.125 No.-

The thermal and ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of different citrus peels, Citrus paradisi peel, Citrus sinensis peel, Citrus unshiu peel, and Citrus limon peel, were studied by thermogravimetric, evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry and tandem micro-reactor-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry analyses. Kinetic analysis revealed more complicated reaction steps and a wider range of activation energies of citrus peels than those of wood powder due to the presence of pectin in the citrus peels. Large amounts of methanol formation from each citrus peel were also recorded by evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry and fast pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry analyses at the main decomposition temperature of pectin, between 150 and 250<SUP>o</SUP>C. Mesoporous MFI was found to be a more effective catalyst for the production of mono aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene; 3.06-4.17C%) and light olefins (ethene, propene, butene, and butadiene; 8.13-9.13C%) than Al-MCM-41 (mono aromatic compounds 0.67-0.93C% and light olefins 3.61-4.58C%) because of its higher catalytic activity in deoxygenation and aromatization due to the stronger acidity of mesoporous MFI. The yield of mono aromatic compounds over mesoporous MFI was highest from C. paradisi peel (4.17C%), followed in order by C. sinensis peel (3.83C%), C. unshiu peel (3.61C%), and C. limon peel (3.06C%), due mainly to the different contents and properties of pectin in each citrus peel. The higher activities of mesoporous MFI than Al-MCM-41 were also maintained during the 7 times sequential catalytic pyrolysis of C. paradisi peel, demonstrating the stability of mesoporous MFI catalyst.

Microstructural evolution and tensile properties of oxide dispersion strengthened Alloy 617 at elevated temperatures

Chun, Y.B.,Mao, X.,Han, C.H.,Jang, J. Elsevier Sequoia 2017 Materials science & engineering Structural materia Vol.706 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigated evolution of the microstructure of oxide dispersion strengthened Alloy 617 with annealing temperature. A mixture of prealloyed Alloy 617 and Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> powders was mechanically alloyed and consolidated by hot-extrusion at 1100°C. Hot extrusion developed a submicron-sized grain structure with M<SUB>23</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB> carbides and finely dispersed Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and Y<SUB>2</SUB>Ti<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>7</SUB> oxides. The fine-grained structure was stable during subsequent annealing at temperatures up to 1250°C. Further increase of annealing temperature to 1300°C resulted in a significantly coarsened grain structure, which was coincident with the abrupt coarsening of oxides. M<SUB>23</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB> carbides in the as-extruded conditions were transformed to M<SUB>7</SUB>C<SUB>3</SUB> carbides with complex shapes when annealed at 1200°C, and their shapes changed to very coarse hexagonal prisms at 1250°C, which was followed by the formation of eutectic M<SUB>2</SUB>C carbides at grain boundaries at 1300°C. Tensile tests of the as-extruded ODS Alloy 617 showed that the yield strength decreased steeply at a transition temperature of around 600°C, which can be attributed to diffusional creep along the grain boundaries.</P>

A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist attenuates neurological deficits following spinal cord ischemia in rats

Kim, H.,Hwang, J.,Park, S.,Nahm, S.F.,Min, S.,Lim, C.,Park, K.,Han, S. C.V. Mosby Co 2014 Journal of Vascular Surgery Vol.59 No.4

Objective: Neuroprotective effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist in cerebral ischemia have been reported, but the effect of a PPARγ agonist on spinal cord ischemia has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a PPARγ agonist on spinal cord ischemia. Pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, was administered in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia, and the extent of neurological damage and histological alterations were assessed. Methods: Forty-five rats were randomly enrolled into one of the three groups: (1) pioglitazone group (group PIO): rats were treated with pioglitazone 24 hours before ischemia; (2) control group (group C): rats were treated with the same volume of saline 24 hours before ischemia; and (3) sham group (group sham): rats were treated with the same volume of saline 24 hours before the sham surgery. Spinal cord ischemia was induced using a balloon-tipped catheter placed on the proximal descending aorta. Neurologic function was assessed using the motor deficit index (0 = normal, 6 = complete paralysis) during the 48 hours after reperfusion. Histological and biochemical evaluations were then performed. Results: Compared with group C, group PIO presented with lower motor deficit index 48 hours after reperfusion (5.0 [4.0-6.0] vs 3.0 [2.0-3.0]; group C vs group PIO, respectively; P < .001). Group PIO presented with a higher number of normal motor neurons (10.7 [8.1-11.9] vs 14.7 [14.0-15.3]; group C vs group PIO, respectively; P = .009) and a smaller area of infarcts (48.4% [46.3%-54.0%] vs 16.8% [11.5%-18.3%]; group C vs group PIO, respectively; P = .009) when compared with group C. The degree of inflammatory reactions, assessed by microglia activities, was significantly reduced in group PIO. Oxidative stress level, assessed using malonydialdehyde assay, was significantly reduced in group PIO relative to group C (192.21% [173.5%-206.4%] of sham vs 141.1% [131.7%-152.1%] of sham; group C vs group PIO, respectively; P = .007). The sham group exhibited no abnormality upon neurological or histological examination. Conclusions: PPARγ agonist pioglitazone pretreatment significantly reduces infarct volume and attenuates neurological deficits following spinal cord ischemia. The possible mechanism of neuroprotection by PPARγ agonist may involve modulation of inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress.

羚洋角 Capricornidis Cornu 製劑가 家兎血淸中 脂質含量變化에 미치는 影響에 關한 硏究

韓大燮,鄭址昌,朴泰權,姜孝信 慶熙大學校 1972 論文集 Vol.7 No.-

The effect of crude drug preparation containing Capricornidis Cornu (C.C.) on the amount of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipid in serum from rabbit were observed. The preparations were extracted by methanol, and extracted samples were orally administrated to the rabbits fasted for three days. After three days starvation, the amounts of total cholesterol and triglycerides in serum of the rabbit were markedly increased, while phospholipid was slightly decreased. The increased amounts of total cholesterol and triglyceride were gradually decreased by administration of the extracted samples, and were returned to the control levels after 15 days. However, the amount of phospholipid was increased to higher than the control levels by administration of the drugs. The crude drug preparations containing C.C. produced the most significant results, in comparison with the experimental groups treated by C.C. alone, or crude drugs without C.C.

CTRP1 protects against diet-induced hyperglycemia by enhancing glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation

Han, S.,Park, J.S.,Lee, S.,Jeong, A.L.,Oh, K.S.,Ka, H.I.,Choi, H.J.,Son, W.C.,Lee, W.Y.,Oh, S.J.,Lim, J.S.,Lee, M.S.,Yang, Y. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 The Journal of nutritional biochemistry Vol.27 No.-

<P>Complement-C1q/tumor necrosis factor-alpha related protein 1 (CTRP1) is a 35-kDa glycoprotein that is secreted from various tissues. Although CTRP1 is highly increased in patients with type II diabetes and obesity, the metabolic roles of CTRP1 remain largely unknown. To unveil the physiological roles of CTRP1 in vivo, CTRP1 transgenic (TG) mice were challenged by a high-fat diet (HFD) and a high-sucrose drink (HS). Homeostatic model assessment-estimated insulin resistance values were decreased in HFD- or HS-fed CTRP1 TG mice compared with wild-type control mice. In this context, CTRP1 stimulated glucose uptake through the glucose transporter GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane and also increased glucose consumption by stimulating glycolysis. To analyze the roles of CTRP1 in lipid metabolism, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and hormone-sensitive lipase levels were determined in CTRP1 TG mice, and the effect of CTRP1 on fatty acid oxidation was assessed in C2C12 myotubes. CTRP1 was found to inhibit ACC by phosphorylation and to stimulate fatty acid oxidation in C2C12 myotubes. Taken together, CTRP1 performs active catabolic roles in vivo. Therefore, CTRP1 seems to perform a defensive function against nutritional challenges. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>

Optimum Lactose: Sucrose Ratio for the Pigs Weaned at 21 Days of Age

Jin, C.F.,Kim, J.H.,Han, In K.,Yeon, J.U. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1998 Animal Bioscience Vol.11 No.2

A total of 240 weaned pigs (BW 5.4 kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design to find out the optimum lactose : sucrose ratio for the weaned pigs. Treatments were 100:0 (A), 75:25 (B), 50:50 (C), 25:75 (D) and 0:100 (E) in lactose : sucrose ratio. For the first week after weaning, average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) were improved (p < 0.05) for pigs fed A, B and C diets compared to pigs fed diets D and E, but the average daily feed intakes (ADFI) of the pigs were not different. From d 7 to 14, no significant differences was found in ADG and ADFI among the treatments, but pigs fed the diets A, B and C had improved F/G compared with the pigs fed diets D and E (p < 0.05). From d 15 to 21, no significant differences were found in ADG, ADFI and F/G among the treatments. The digestibility of nutrients was not influenced by the lactose : sucrose ratio except nitrogen. Nitrogen digestibility of A diet was significantly higher than D and E diets (p < 0.05) but no significant differences were found among diets A, B and C. Dry matter and phosphorus excretions were not influenced by the treatments. The pigs fed diets A, B and C excreted significantly less nitrogen than the pigs fed diets D and E. In conclusion, the results suggest that sucrose can effectively replace up to 50% lactose in starter diets.