C₂H <i>N</i> = 1 − 0 and N₂H⁺<i>J</i> = 1 − 0 observations of <i>Planck</i> Galactic cold clumps

Liu, X.-C.,Wu, Y.,Zhang, C.,Liu, T.,Yuan, J.,Qin, S.-L.,Ju, B.-G.,Li, L.-X. EDP Sciences 2019 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.622 No.-

<P>A survey of C2H <I>N</I> = 1 − 0 and N2H<SUP>+</SUP><I>J</I> = 1 − 0 toward <I>Planck</I> Galactic cold clumps (PGCCs) was performed using the Purple Mountain Observatory’s 13.7 m telescope. C2H and N2H<SUP>+</SUP> were chosen to study the chemical evolutionary states of PGCCs. Among 121 observed molecular cores associated with PGCCs, 71 and 58 are detected with C2H <I>N</I> = 1 − 0 and N2H<SUP>+</SUP><I>J</I> = 1 − 0, respectively. The detected lines of most sources can be fitted with a single component with compatible <I>V</I>LSR and line widths, which confirms that these PGCC cores are very cold (with gas temperatures 9-21 K) and quiescent while still dominanted by turbulence. The ratio between the column densities of C2H and N2H<SUP>+</SUP> (<I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>)) is found to be a good tracer for the evolutionary states of PGCC cores. Gas-grain chemical model can reproduce the decreasing trend of <I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>) as a function of time. The cores with the lowest abundances of N2H<SUP>+</SUP> (<I>X</I>[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] < 10<SUP>−10</SUP>) are the youngest, and have nearly constant abundances of C2H. In evolved cores with <I>X</I>[N2H<SUP>+</SUP>] ~10<SUP>−9</SUP>, abundances of C2H drop quickly as the exhaustion of carbon atoms. Although these PGCC cores are in different evolutionary states, they are all quite young (< 5 × 10<SUP>5</SUP> yr) with <I>N</I>(C2H) > <I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>). Mapping observations are carried out toward 20 PGCC cores. The PGCC cores in Cepheus have lower <I>N</I>(C2H)/<I>N</I>(N2H<SUP>+</SUP>) and larger line widths compared with those in Taurus. This implies that PGCC cores in Taurus are less chemically evolved than those in Cepheus.</P>

Real-time Tumor Oxygenation Changes After Single High-dose Radiation Therapy in Orthotopic and Subcutaneous Lung Cancer in Mice: Clinical Implication for Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy Schedule Optimization

Song, C.,Hong, B.J.,Bok, S.,Lee, C.J.,Kim, Y.E.,Jeon, S.R.,Wu, H.G.,Lee, Y.S.,Cheon, G.J.,Paeng, J.C.,Carlson, D.J.,Kim, H.J.,Ahn, G.O. Pergamon Press 2016 International journal of radiation oncology, biolo Vol.95 No.3

<P>Purpose: To investigate the serial changes of tumor hypoxia in response to single high-dose irradiation by various clinical and preclinical methods to propose an optimal fractionation schedule for stereotactic ablative radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: Syngeneic Lewis lung carcinomas were grown either orthotopically or subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice and irradiated with a single dose of 15 Gy to mimic stereotactic ablative radiation therapy used in the clinic. Serial [F-18]-misonidazole (F-MISO) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, pimonidazole fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses, hypoxia-responsive element-driven bioluminescence, and Hoechst 33342 perfusion were performed before irradiation (day -1), at 6 hours (day 0), and 2 (day 2) and 6 (day 6) days after irradiation for both subcutaneous and orthotopic lung tumors. For F-MISO, the tumor/brain ratio was analyzed. Results: Hypoxic signals were too low to quantitate for orthotopic tumors using F-MISO PET or hypoxia-responsive element-driven bioluminescence imaging. In subcutaneous tumors, the maximum tumor/brain ratio was 2.87 +/- 0.483 at day -1, 1.67 +/- 0.116 at day 0, 2.92 +/- 0.334 at day 2, and 2.13 +/- 0.385 at day 6, indicating that tumor hypoxia was decreased immediately after irradiation and had returned to the pretreatment levels at day 2, followed by a slight decrease by day 6 after radiation. Pimonidazole analysis also revealed similar patterns. Using Hoechst 33342 vascular perfusion dye, CD31, and cleaved caspase 3 coimmunostaining, we found a rapid and transient vascular collapse, which might have resulted in poor intratumor perfusion of F-MISO PET tracer or pimonidazole delivered at day 0, leading to decreased hypoxic signals at day 0 by PET or pimonidazole analyses. Conclusions: We found tumor hypoxia levels decreased immediately after delivery of a single dose of 15 Gy and had returned to the pretreatment levels 2 days after irradiation and had decreased slightly by day 6. Our results indicate that single high-dose irradiation can produce a rapid, but reversible, vascular collapse in tumors. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>

Distribution of stress state in the Nankai subduction zone, southwest Japan and a comparison with Japan Trench

Lin, W.,Byrne, T.B.,Kinoshita, M.,McNeill, L.C.,Chang, C.,Lewis, J.C.,Yamamoto, Y.,Saffer, D.M.,Casey Moore, J.,Wu, H.Y.,Tsuji, T.,Yamada, Y.,Conin, M.,Saito, S.,Ito, T.,Tobin, H.J.,Kimura, G.,Kanagaw Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co 2016 Tectonophysics Vol.692 No.2

<P>To better understand the distribution of three dimensional stress states in the Nankai subduction zone, southwest Japan, we review various stress-related investigations carried out in the first and second stage expeditions of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) and compile the stress data. Overall, the maximum principal stress sigma(l) in the shallower levels (<similar to 1 km) is vertical from near the center of forearc basin to near the trench and; the maximum horizontal stress S-Hmax (interpreted to be the intermediate principal stress sigma(2)) is generally parallel to the plate convergence vector. The exception to this generalization occurs along the shelf edge of the Nankai margin where S-Hmax, is along strike rather than parallel to the plate convergence vector. Reorientation of the principal stresses at deeper levels (e.g., >similar to 1 km below seafloor or in underlying accretionary prism) with sigma(1) becoming horizontal is also suggested at all deeper drilling sites. We also make a comparison of the stress state in the hanging wall of the frontal plate-interface between Site C0066 in the Nankai and Site C0019 in the Japan Trench subduction zone drilled after the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. In the Japan Trench, a comparison between stress state before and after the 2011 mega-earthquake shows that the stress changed from compression before the earthquake to extension after the earthquake. As a result of the comparison between the Nankai Trough and Japan Trench, a similar current stress state with trench parallel extension was recognized at both C0006 and C0019 sites. Hypothetically, this may indicate that in Nankai Trough it is still in an early stage of the interseismic cycle of a great earthquake which occurs on the decollement and propagates to the toe (around site C0006). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Functional effects of β₃-adrenoceptor on pacemaker activity in interstitial cells of Cajal from the mouse colon

Wu, M.J.,Shin, D.H.,Kim, M.Y.,Park, C.G.,Kim, Y.D.,Lee, J.,Park, I.K.,Choi, S.,So, I.,Park, J.S.,Jun, J.Y. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2015 european journal of pharmacology Vol.754 No.-

<P>We investigated the presence of beta(3)-adrenoceptor and its functional effects on pacemaker potentials in colonic interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from mice. The whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA transcript levels beta-adrenoceptors. The beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist, BRL37344, reduced the frequency of pacemaker potentials in a Concentration dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of BRL37344 wore blocked by the pretreatment of propranolol, a nonspecific beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, but not by the selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol and the selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist butoxamine. beta(3)-adrenocepto antagonists SR59230A and L748337 blocked the inhibitory effects of BRL37344. RT-PCR revealed mRNA transcripts of beta(1)- and beta(3)-adrenoceptor, but not beta(2)-adrenoceptor, in c-kit- and Ano-1-positive colonic ICCs. The K+ channel blockers tetraethylammoniu, apamin, and glibenclamide did not block the effects of BRL37344. N-omega-Nitio-L-arginiue methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, and chelerythrine, a protein Kinase C inhibitor, also did not block the effects of BRL37344. Noradrenaline mimicked the effects of BRL37344 in colonic ICCs. However, the inhibitory effects of noradrenaline on pacemaker potentials were blocked only by pretreatment with atenolol but not by butoxamine, SR59230A, or L748337 in small intestinal ICCs, BRL37344 had no effect On pacemaker potentials and mRNA transcripts of beta(1)-and beta(2)-adrenoceptor, but not beta(3)-adrenoceptor were detected. These results suggest that beta(3)-adrenoceptors are present in colonic ICCs and may play a role in regulating gastrointestinal motility by the inhibition or pacemaker potentials. (C) 2015 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.</P>

Hexacosanol reduces plasma and hepatic cholesterol by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 in HepG2 and C57BL/6J mice

Lee, J.H.,Jia, Y.,Thach, T.T.,Han, Y.,Kim, B.,Wu, C.,Kim, Y.,Seo, W.D.,Lee, S.J. Pergamon Press 2017 Nutrition research Vol.43 No.-

<P>Policosanols have hypocholesterolemic activity; however, the molecular mechanism of the policosanol effects is currently poorly characterized. We hypothesized that hexacosanol, a policosanol compound derived from barley sprout, may decrease cellular and plasma cholesterol levels; we thus investigated the hypocholesterolemic activity and mechanism of hexacosanol on both hepatocytes and high-fat-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. The reduction of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, and cholesteryl ester concentrations was confirmed in hexacosanol-stimulated hepatocytes (-38%, -33%, and -53%, respectively). Plasma, hepatic cholesterol concentrations, and hepatic steatosis were significantly reduced in high-fat-fed mice orally administered with hexacosanol (0.7 mg/kg body weight a day) for 8 weeks compared with those of vehicle-fed control mice (-15% and -40%, respectively). Hexacosanol in fact bound to the allosteric regulation site of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-beta subunit and thus activated AMPK that inhibited the activity of 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase by inhibitory phosphorylation. In addition, activation of AMPK by hexacosanol induced hepatic autophagy activity, which could further reduce hepatic lipid accumulation. Alternatively, hexacosanol suppressed the nuclear translocation and activation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), a key transcription factor in cholesterol biosynthesis. These results collectively suggest that hexacosanol is a major hypocholesterolemic compound in barley sprouts with regulation of AMPK activation and SREBP-2 suppression. These suppress 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutarylcoenzyme A reductase at both mRNA expression and protein activity levels. In conclusion, hexacosanol activates AMPK and hepatic autophagy and inhibits SREBP2, resulting in hypocholesterolemic activities and improvement of hepatic steatosis. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.</P>

EXPLORING THE X-RAY AND gamma-RAY PROPERTIES OF THE REDBACK MILLISECOND PULSAR PSR J1723-2837

Hui, C. Y.,Tam, P. H. T.,Takata, J.,Kong, A. K. H.,Cheng, K. S.,Wu, J. H. K.,Lin, L. C. C.,Wu, E. M. H. University of Chicago Press for the American Astro 2014 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.781 No.1

We have investigated the X-ray and gamma-ray properties of the redback millisecond pulsar PSR J1723-2837 with XMM-Newton, Chandra, and Fermi. We have discovered the X-ray orbital modulation of this binary system with a minimum that coincides with the phases of radio eclipse. The X-ray emission is clearly non-thermal in nature, which can be described well by a simple power law with a photon index of similar to 1.2. The phase-averaged luminosity is similar to 9 x 10(31) erg s(-1) in 0.3-10 keV, which consumes similar to 0.2% of the spin-down power. We have detected the gamma-ray emission in 0.1-300 GeV from this system at a significance of similar to 6 sigma for the first time. The gamma-rays in this energy range consume similar to 2% of the spin-down power and can be modeled by a power law with a photon index of similar to 2.6. We discuss the high energy properties of the new redback in the context of an intrabinary shock model.

Optical Characterization of ZnMnO Thin Films on c-Al2O3

H. J. LIN,D. Y. Lin,J. S. Wu,W. C. CHOU,C. S. YANG,J. S. WANG,W. H. Lo 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.1

Various optical measurement technologies have ben used to characterize ZnMnO thin filmswith different Mn compositions grown by molecular beam epitaxy(MBE) on c-Al2O3 substrates. Thelat- tice constant and the crystalization quality have ben evaluated by using X-ray diraction (XRD). Photoluminescence (PL) has ben used to reveal the neutral-donor-bound exciton (D0X) and to checkthelm'squality. Defect-relatedabsorptionsignatures,inadditiontonear-band-edgeabsorp- tion, due to the zinc vacancy and the donor-aceptor pair (DAP) have ben found in the surface photovoltagespectra(SPS).Freexcitonictransitionsandtheirphonon-asistedreplicashaveben observed in the re ectance spectra. Our experimental results not only unveil specic optical tran- sitionenergies but also indicate arapid materiald deterioration whenMn incorporation goes beyond a certain amount to cause manganese segregation. Various optical measurement technologies have ben used to characterize ZnMnO thin filmswith different Mn compositions grown by molecular beam epitaxy(MBE) on c-Al2O3 substrates. Thelat- tice constant and the crystalization quality have ben evaluated by using X-ray diraction (XRD). Photoluminescence (PL) has ben used to reveal the neutral-donor-bound exciton (D0X) and to checkthelm'squality. Defect-relatedabsorptionsignatures,inadditiontonear-band-edgeabsorp- tion, due to the zinc vacancy and the donor-aceptor pair (DAP) have ben found in the surface photovoltagespectra(SPS).Freexcitonictransitionsandtheirphonon-asistedreplicashaveben observed in the re ectance spectra. Our experimental results not only unveil specic optical tran- sitionenergies but also indicate arapid materiald deterioration whenMn incorporation goes beyond a certain amount to cause manganese segregation.

DISCOVERY OF X-RAY PULSATION FROM THE GEMINGA-LIKE PULSAR PSR J2021+4026

Lin, L. C. C.,Hui, C. Y.,Hu, C. P.,Wu, J. H. K.,Huang, R. H. H.,Trepl, L.,Takata, J.,Seo, K. A.,Wang, Y.,Chou, Y.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2013 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.770 No.1

<P>We report the discovery of an X-ray periodicity of similar to 265.3 ms from a deep XMM-Newton observation of the radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar, PSR J2021+4026, located at the edge of the supernova remnant G78.2+2.1 (gamma-Cygni). The detected frequency is consistent with the gamma-ray pulsation determined by the observation of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope at the same epoch. The X-ray pulse profile resembles the modulation of a hot spot on the surface of the neutron star. The phase-averaged spectral analysis also suggests that the majority of the observed X-rays have thermal origins. This is the third member in the class of radio-quiet pulsars with significant pulsations detected from both X-ray and gamma-ray regimes.</P>

Astaxanthin reduces hepatic lipid accumulations in high-fat-fed C57BL/6J mice via activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and inhibition of PPAR gamma and Akt

Jia, Y.,Wu, C.,Kim, J.,Kim, B.,Lee, S.J. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 The Journal of nutritional biochemistry Vol.28 No.-

<P>We have previously reported that astaxanthin (AX), a dietary carotenoid, directly interacts with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma, activating PPAR alpha while inhibiting PPAR gamma, and thus reduces lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in vitro. To investigate the effects of AX in vivo, high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice were orally administered AX (6 or 30 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle for 8 weeks. AX significantly reduced the levels of triglyceride both in plasma and in liver compared with the control HFD mice. AX significantly improved liver histology and thus reduced both steatosis and inflammation scores of livers with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The number of inflammatory macrophages and Kupffer cells were reduced in livers by AX administration assessed with F4/80 staining. Hepatic PPAR alpha-responsive genes involved in fatty acid uptake and beta-oxidation were upregulated, whereas inflammatory genes were downregulated by AX administration. In vitro radiolabeled assays revealed that hepatic fatty acid oxidation was induced by AX administration, whereas fatty acid synthesis was not changed in hepatocytes. In mechanism studies, AX inhibited Akt activity and thus decreased SREBP1 phosphorylation and induced Insig-2a expression, both of which delayed nuclear translocation of SREBP1 and subsequent hepatic lipogenesis. Additionally, inhibition of the Akt-mTORC1 signaling axis by AX stimulated hepatic autophagy that could promote degradation of lipid droplets. These suggest that AX lowers hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice via multiple mechanisms. In addition to the previously reported differential regulation of PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma, inhibition of Akt activity and activation of hepatic autophagy reduced hepatic steatosis in mouse livers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>

The 14-3-3 Gene Function of Cryptococcus neoformans Is Required for its Growth and Virulence

( Jingbo Li ),( Yun C. Chang ),( Chun Hua Wu ),( Jennifer Liu ),( Kyung J. Kwon Chung ),( Sheng He Huang ),( Hiro Shimada ),( Rob Fante ),( Xiaowei Fu ),( Ambrose Jong ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.5

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening pathogenic yeast that causes devastating meningoencephalitis. The mechanism of cryptococcal brain invasion is largely unknown, and recent studies suggest that its extracellular microvesicles may be involved in the invasion process. The 14-3-3 protein is abundant in the extracellular microvesicles of C. neoformans, and the 14-3-3-GFP fusion has been used as the microvesicle’s marker. However, the physiological role of 14-3-3 has not been explored. In this report, we have found that C. neoformans contains a single 14-3-3 gene that apparently is an essential gene. To explore the functions of 14-3-3, we substituted the promoter region of the 14-3-3 with the copper-controllable promoter CTR4. The CTR4 regulatory strain showed an enlarged cell size, drastic changes in morphology, and a decrease in the thickness of the capsule under copper-enriched conditions. Furthermore, the mutant cells produced a lower amount of total proteins in their extracellular microvesicles and reduced adhesion to human brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Proteomic analyses of the protein components under 14-3-3-overexpressed and -suppressed conditions revealed that the 14-3-3 function(s) might be associated with the microvesicle biogenesis. Our results support that 14-3-3 has diverse pertinent roles in both physiology and pathogenesis in C. neoformans. Its gene functions are closely relevant to the pathogenesis of this fungus.