P-STRONGLY REGULAR NEAR-RINGS

Dheena, P.,Jenila, C. Korean Mathematical Society 2012 대한수학회논문집 Vol.27 No.3

In this paper we introduce the notion of P-strongly regular near-ring. We have shown that a zero-symmetric near-ring N is P-strongly regular if and only if N is P-regular and P is a completely semiprime ideal. We have also shown that in a P-strongly regular near-ring N, the following holds: (i) $Na$ + P is an ideal of N for any $a{\in}N$. (ii) Every P-prime ideal of N containing P is maximal. (iii) Every ideal I of N fulfills I + P = $I^2$ + P.

Anti-inflammatory effects of soyasapogenol I-αa via downregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages

Yang, Seung Hwan,Le, Bao,Androutsopoulos, Vasilis P.,Tsukamoto, Chigen,Shin, Tae-Sun,Tsatsakis, Aristides M.,Chung, Gyuhwa Pergamon 2018 Food and Chemical Toxicology Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The crude extract of soyasaponins was reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. We determined the new purity group I saponin, I-αa and I-γa that was isolated from wild soybean (<I>Glycine soja</I>) in terms of its efficacy in protecting RAW 264.7 macrophages from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimuli. Cells were treated with soyasaponin I-αa/I-γa (30–300 μΜ) and LPS (0.1 μg/mL) for 24 h. Soyasaponin I-αa inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production at 100 μg/mL, while soyasaponin I-γa demonstrated this effect at a higher concentration (200 μg/mL). The expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 enzymes were downregulated by both soyasaponins. Soyasaponin I-αa exerted its effect via the TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines. However, soyasaponin I-γa only inhibited the expression of TNF-α. The inflammatory effect of group I soyasaponin was mainly mediated via the phosphorylation of the p38 and JNK proteins. Collectively, these results suggested the potential anti-inflammatory effects of soyasaponins.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Anti-inflammatory effects of a group I saponins from <I>Glycine soja</I> are reported. </LI> <LI> Soyasaponin I-αa inhibited the TNF-α and IL-1β cytokine induced NO generation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. </LI> <LI> Soyasaponin I-γa only inhibited the expression of TNF-α. </LI> <LI> Group I soyasaponin stimulated anti-inflammatory effects via mechanisms related to the p38 and JNK signaling pathways. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effect of <i>CYP3A5*3</i> genotype on serum carbamazepine concentrations at steady-state in Korean epileptic patients

Park, P.-W.,Seo, Y. H.,Ahn, J. Y.,Kim, K.-A.,Park, J.-Y. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2009 Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics Vol.34 No.5

<P>Abstract</P><P>Background and Objective: </P><P>Carbamazepine (CBZ) is metabolized mainly by the CYP3A family of enzymes, which includes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Several studies have suggested that the <I>CYP3A5*3</I> genotype influences the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A substrates. The present study aimed to assess the effect of the <I>CYP3A5*3</I> genotype on serum concentration of CBZ at the steady-state in Korean epileptic patients.</P><P>Method: </P><P>The serum concentrations of CBZ in 35 Korean epileptic patients were measured and their <I>CYP3A5</I> genotype was determined. Fourteen patients were <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors (two for <I>CYP3A5*1/*1</I> and 12 for <I>CYP3A5*1/*3</I>) and 21 patients were <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors (<I>CYP3A5*3/*3</I>). Dose-normalized concentrations (mean ± SD) of CBZ were 9·9 ± 3·4 ng/mL/mg for <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors and 13·1 ± 4·5 ng/mL/mg for <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors (<I>P</I> = 0·032). The oral clearance of CBZ was significantly higher in <I>CYP3A5</I> non-expressors than that of <I>CYP3A5</I> expressors (0·056 ±0·017 L/h/kg vs. 0·040 ± 0·014 L/h/kg, <I>P</I> = 0·004). The <I>CYP3A5</I> genotype affected the CBZ concentrations in Korean epileptic patients and is a factor that may contribute to inter-individual variability in CBZ disposition in epileptic patients.</P>

Foxp3 is a key downstream regulator of p53-mediated cellular senescence

Kim, J-E,Shin, J-S,Moon, J-H,Hong, S-W,Jung, D-J,Kim, J H,Hwang, I-Y,Shin, Y J,Gong, E-Y,Lee, D H,Kim, S-M,Lee, E Y,Kim, Y S,Kim, D,Hur, D,Kim, T W,Kim, K-p,Jin, D-H,Lee, W-J Macmillan Publishers Limited 2017 Oncogene Vol.36 No.2

<P>The downstream events and target genes of p53 in the process of senescence are not fully understood. Here, we report a novel function of the forkhead transcription factor Foxp3, which is a key player in mediating T-cell inhibitory functions, in p53-mediated cellular senescence. The overexpression of Foxp3 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) accelerates senescence, whereas Foxp3 knockdown leads to escape from p53-mediated senescence in p53-expressing MEFs. Consistent with these results, Foxp3 expression resulted in the induction of senescence in epithelial cancer cells, including MCF7 and HCT116 cells. Foxp3 overexpression also increased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine rescued cells from Foxp3-expression-induced senescence. Furthermore, the elevated ROS levels that accompanied Foxp3 overexpression were paralleled by an increase in p21 expression. Knockdown of p21 in Foxp3-expressing MEFs abrogated the Foxp3-dependent increase in ROS levels, indicating that Foxp3 acts through the induction of p21 and the subsequent ROS elevation to trigger senescence. Collectively, these results suggest that Foxp3 is a downstream target of p53 that is sufficient to induce p21 expression, ROS production and p53-mediated senescence.</P>

High performance photodiodes based on chemically processed Cu doped SnS₂ nanoflakes

Mohan Kumar, G.,Xiao, Fu,Ilanchezhiyan, P.,Yuldashev, Sh.,Madhan Kumar, A.,Cho, H.D.,Lee, D.J.,Kang, T.W. Elsevier 2018 APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE - Vol.455 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this work, Cu doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method. The influence of Cu doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties of SnS<SUB>2</SUB> were investigated in detail. Optical properties explores the Cu doping in SnS<SUB>2</SUB> crystal lattice to result with a red-shift in absorption spectrum, which benefits visible-light absorption. Photodiodes were further fabricated by spin coating Cu doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes on p-type silicon (Si). Electrical and photoelectrical parameters of Cu doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes were determined by studying their impedance and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, respectively. The diodes were found to exhibit excellent rectifying behavior and good sensitivity on par to pristine photodiodes. Impedance results identified the resistance of device to reduce considerably on Cu doping. The enhanced photoelectrical properties of the heterojunctions has been ascribed to Cu ions, which act as effective dopant and contribute to the varied carrier concentration in SnS<SUB>2</SUB>. Finally the obtained results suggest the potential of Cu-doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> for application in photodetection and sensors applications.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Cu doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes were synthesized in hexagonal phase. </LI> <LI> Nature of charge carriers/carrier density was determined using Mott-Schottky plots. </LI> <LI> Photodiode based on Cu doped SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes were fabricated on p-Si substrate. </LI> <LI> Photodiode revealed improved photocurrent and responsitivity values under illumination. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Determination of N* amplitudes from associated strangeness production in p+p collisions

Mü,nzer, R.,Fabbietti, L.,Epple, E.,Lu, S.,Klose, P.,Hauenstein, F.,Herrmann, N.,Grzonka, D.,Leifels, Y.,Maggiora, M.,Pleiner, D.,Ramstein, B.,Ritman, J.,Roderburg, E.,Salabura, P.,Sarantsev, A.,B North-Holland Pub. Co 2018 Physics letters. Section B Vol.785 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We present the first determination of the energy-dependent amplitudes of N<SUP>⁎</SUP> resonances extracted from their decay in KΛ pairs in p+p → <SUP> pK + </SUP> Λ reactions. A combined Partial Wave Analysis of seven data samples with exclusively reconstructed p+p → <SUP> pK + </SUP> Λ events measured by the COSY-TOF, DISTO, FOPI and HADES Collaborations in fixed target experiments at kinetic energies between 2.14 to 3.5 GeV is used to determine the amplitude of the resonant and non-resonant contributions into the associated strangeness final state. The contribution of seven N<SUP>⁎</SUP> resonances with masses between 1650 MeV/c<SUP>2</SUP> and 1900 MeV/c<SUP>2</SUP> for an excess energy between 0 and 600 MeV has been considered. The Σ–p cusp and final state interactions for the p–Λ channel are also included as coherent contributions in the PWA. The N<SUP>⁎</SUP> contribution is found to be dominant with respect to the phase space emission of the pK Λ + final state at all energies demonstrating the important role played by both N<SUP>⁎</SUP> and interference effects in hadron–hadron collisions.</P>

Feasibility of proposed single-nucleotide polymorphisms as predictive markers for targeted regimens in metastatic colorectal cancer

Kim, J C,Ha, Y J,Roh, S A,Choi, E Y,Yoon, Y S,Kim, K P,Hong, Y S,Kim, T W,Cho, D H,Kim, S Y,Kim, Y S Nature Publishing Group 2013 The British journal of cancer Vol.108 No.9

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>Surrogate biomarkers for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are urgently needed to achieve the best outcomes for targeted therapy.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>A clinical association analysis was performed to examine the three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were previously proposed as markers of chemosensitivity to the cetuximab (124 patients) and bevacizumab regimens (100 patients) in mCRC patients. In addition, biological correlations were examined for the candidate SNPs in terms of their regulatory pathway.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>For cetuximab regimens, patients homozygous for the wild-type alleles (<I>GG</I>) of <I>LIFR rs3729740</I> exhibited a 1.9 times greater overall response rate (ORR) and 1.4 months longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those homozygous or heterozygous for the mutant allele (<I>GA</I> and <I>AA</I>; <I>P</I>=0.022 and 0.027, respectively). For bevacizumab regimens, patients homozygous for the minor alleles (<I>TT</I>) of <I>ANXA11 rs1049550</I> exhibited an ORR twice as high as those homozygous or heterozygous for the ancestral allele (<I>CC</I> and <I>CT</I>; <I>P</I>=0.031). Overall response rate gain was achieved up to 10% in patients with wild-type <I>LIFR rs3729740</I> patients either with wild-type <I>KRAS</I> or skin toxicity (<I>P</I>=0.001) respectively. Specifically in clones treated with cetuximab and bevacizumab regimens, active p-ERK and MMP-9 expressions were significantly reduced in clones expressing wild-type <I>LIFR rs3729740</I> (<I>P</I>=0.044) and in those expressing minor-type <I>ANXA11 rs1049550</I> (<I>P</I>=0.007), respectively.</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P><I>LIFR rs3729740</I> and possibly <I>ANXA11 rs1049550</I> may be useful as biomarkers for predicting whether mCRC patients are sensitive to relevant target regimens, although further validation in large cohorts is needed.</P>

Toward high efficiency organic photovoltaic devices with enhanced thermal stability utilizing P3HT-b-P3PHT block copolymer additives

Zhu, M.,Kim, H.,Jang, Y.,Park, S.,Ryu, D.,Kim, K.,Tang, P.,Qiu, F.,Kim, D.,Peng, J. Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.4 No.47

<P>Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have drawn an extensive amount of attention due to their low cost, processibility and flexibility. However, a cell based on a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) has a limited power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to the short exciton diffusion length of similar to 10 nm. We address this issue by designing a series of all-conjugated diblock copolymers, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(3-(6-diethylphosphonatohexyl) thiophene) (P3HT-b-P3PHT), intended for use as additives to improve the performance of P3HT:PC61BM-based photovoltaic devices. The PCE of the devices improved from 3.30% to 4.03% with the addition of P3HT-b-P3PHT (3 : 1). The thermal stability of devices with P3HT-b-P3PHT additives improved significantly relative to that of the P3HT:PC61BM reference device, where the devices including a copolymer with a higher P3PHT content exhibited a better thermal stability. It was found that the fill factor (FF) could be regulated by simply varying the block ratio of P3HT-b-P3PHT and played a crucial role in improving both the PCE and the thermal stability. The P3HT-b-P3PHT diffused at the P3HT:PC61BM interface, improved the miscibility between P3HT and PC61BM, optimized the nanoscale morphology of the photoactive layer, and reduced the active layer roughness, all of which improved the FF and thus contributed to an improvement in device performance.</P>

Balanced intake of protein and carbohydrate maximizes lifetime reproductive success in the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Rho, M.S.,Lee, K.P. Pergamon Press 2016 Journal of insect physiology Vol.91 No.-

<P>Recent developments in insect gerontological and nutritional research have suggested that the dietary protein:carbohydrate (P:C) balance is a critical determinant of lifespan and reproduction in many insects. However, most studies investigating this important role of dietary P:C balance have been conducted using dipteran and orthopteran species. In this study, we used the mealworm beetles, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), to test the effects of dietary P:C balance on lifespan and reproduction. Regardless of their reproductive status, both male and female beetles had the shortest lifespan at the protein-biased ratio of P:C 5:1. Mean lifespan was the longest at P:C 1:1 for males and at both P:C 1:1 and 1:5 for females. Mating significantly curtailed the lifespan of both males and females, indicating the survival cost of mating. Age-specific egg laying was significantly higher at P:C 1:1 than at the two imbalanced P:C ratios (1:5 or 5:1) at any given age throughout their lives, resulting in the highest lifetime reproductive success at P:C 1:1. When given a choice, beetles actively regulated their intake of protein and carbohydrate to a slightly carbohydrate-biased ratio (P:C 1:1.54-1:1.64 for males and P:C 1:1.31:1.36 for females). The self-selected P:C ratio was significantly higher for females than males, reflecting a higher protein requirement for egg production. Collectively, our results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting the key role played by dietary macronutrient balance in shaping lifespan and reproduction in insects. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Expression phenotype changes of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines during long-term subculture and its clinical significance

Lee, J.-E.,Nam, H.-Y.,Shim, S.-M.,Bae, G.-R.,Han, B.-G.,Jeon, J.-P. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Cell proliferation Vol.43 No.4

<P>Abstract</P><P>Objectives: </P><P>The EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) is a useful resource for population-based human genetic and pharmacogenetic studies. The principal objective here was to assess expression phenotype changes during long-term subculture of LCLs, and its clinical significance.</P><P>Materials and methods: </P><P>We searched for genes that were differentially expressed in 17 LCLs at late (p161) passage compared to early passage (p4) using microarray assay, then validated them by real-time RT-PCR analysis. In addition, we estimated correlations between expression phenotypes of 20 LCL strains at early passage and 23 quantitative clinical traits from blood donors of particular LCL strains.</P><P>Results: </P><P>Transcript sequences of 16 genes including nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B) pathway-related genes (such as <I>PTPN13</I>, <I>HERC5</I> and miR-146a) and carcinogenesis-related genes (such as <I>XAF1</I>, <I>TCL1A</I>, <I>PTPN13</I>, <I>CD38</I> and miR-146a) were differentially expressed (>2-fold change) in at least 15 of the 17 LCL strains. In particular, <I>TC2N</I>, <I>FCRL5</I>, <I>CD180</I>, <I>CD38</I> and miR-146a were downregulated in all 17 of the evaluated LCL strains. In addition, we identified clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes in LCLs.</P><P>Conclusion: </P><P>Our results showed that LCLs acquired expression phenotype changes involving expression of NF-&kgr;B pathway- and carcinogenesis-related genes during long-term subculture. These differentially expressed genes can be considered to be a gene signature of LCL immortalization or EBV-induced carcinogenesis. Clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes should prove useful in the discovery of new candidate genes for particular traits.</P>