S-1 plus irinotecan and oxaliplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a prospective phase II study and pharmacogenetic analysis

Kim, S Y,S Hong, Y,K Shim, E,Kong, S-Y,Shin, A,Baek, J Y,Jung, K H Nature Publishing Group 2013 The British journal of cancer Vol.109 No.6

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>S-1 is an oral fluoropyrimidine that mimics infusional 5-fluorouracil. The aim of this phase II trial was to explore the clinical efficacy of the triplet regimen TIROX, which consists of S-1, irinotecan and oxaliplatin.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Forty-two chemo-naive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were planned to be enrolled and be treated with irinotecan 150 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> followed by oxaliplatin 85 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> on day 1 and S-1 80 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> per day from day 1 to 14 every 3 weeks. Polymorphisms in the <I>UGT1A1</I>, <I>UGT1A6</I>, <I>UGT1A7</I> and <I>CYP2A6</I> genes were analysed.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>Between July 2007 and February 2008, 43 patients were enrolled. An objective response was noted in 29 patients (67.4%, 95% confidence interval: 53.4–81.4), of which 2 achieved durable complete responses. The median progression-free survival was 10.0 months and the median overall survival was 19.2 months. Significant grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (45.2%), febrile neutropenia (9.5%), diarrhoea (7.1%) and vomiting (9.5%). Increased gastrointestinal toxicities were associated with the presence of <I>UGT1A6*2</I> or <I>UGT1A7*3</I> and an improved tumour response was noted in those without variant alleles of <I>CYP2A6</I> or <I>UGT1A1*60</I>.</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P>The combination of S-1, irinotecan and oxaliplatin showed favourable efficacy and tolerability in untreated patients with mCRC.</P>

Reconstitution of ST2 (IL-1R4) specific for IL-33 activity; no suppression by IL-1Ra though a common chain IL-1R3 (IL-1RAcP) shared with IL-1

Jo, S.,Kim, E.,Kwak, A.,Lee, J.,Hong, J.,Lee, J.,Youn, S.,Bae, S.,Kim, B.,Ryoo, S.,Kang, T.B.,Her, E.,Choi, D.K.,Kim, Y.S.,Lee, Y.,Jhun, H.,Kim, S. Saunders Scientific Publications, W.B. Saunders ; 2016 Cytokine Vol.83 No.-

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) receptors are composed of ST2 (also known as IL-1R4), a ligand binding chain, and IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP, also known as IL-1R3), a signal transducing chain. IL-1R3 is a common receptor for IL-1α, and IL-1β, IL-33, and three IL-36 isoforms. A549 human lung epithelial cells are highly sensitive to IL-1α and IL-1β but not respond to IL-33. The lack of responsiveness to IL-33 is due to ST2 expression. ST2 was stably transfected into A549 cells to reconstitute its activity. RT-PCR and FACS analysis confirmed ST2 expression on the cell surface of A549/ST2 cells. Upon IL-33 stimulation, A549/ST2 cells induced IL-8 and IL-6 production in a dose dependent manner while A549/mock cells remained unresponsive. There was no difference in IL-1α and IL-1β activity in A549/ST2 cells compared to A549/mock cells despite the fact that IL-33 shares IL-1R3 with IL-1α/β. IL-33 activated inflammatory signaling molecules in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Anti-ST2 antibody and soluble recombinant ST2-Fc abolished IL-33-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production in A549/ST2 cells but the IL-1 receptor antagonist failed to block IL-33-induced cytokines. This result demonstrates for the first time the reconstitution of ST2 in A549 human lung epithelial cell line and verified its function in IL-33-mediated cytokine production and signal transduction.

Symmetric supercapacitor: Sulphurized graphene and ionic liquid

Shaikh, Jasmin S.,Shaikh, Navajsharif S.,Kharade, Rohini,Beknalkar, Sonali A.,Patil, Jyoti V.,Suryawanshi, Mahesh P.,Kanjanaboos, Pongsakorn,Hong, Chang Kook,Kim, Jin Hyeok,Patil, Pramod S. Elsevier 2018 JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE - Vol.527 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Symmetric supercapacitor is advanced over simple supercapacitor device due to their stability over a large potential window and high energy density. Graphene is a desired candidate for supercapacitor application since it has a high surface area, good electronic conductivity and high electro chemical stability. There is a pragmatic use of ionic liquid electrolyte for supercapacitor due to its stability over a large potential window, good ionic conductivity and eco-friendly nature. For high performance supercapacitor, the interaction between ionic liquid electrolyte and graphene are crucial for better charge transportation. In respect of this, a three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous honeycomb shaped sulfur embedded graphene (S-graphene) has been synthesized by simple chemical method. Here, the fabrication of high performance symmetric supercapacitor is done by using S-graphene as an electrode and [BMIM-PF<SUB>6</SUB>] as an electrolyte. The particular architecture of S-graphene benefited to reduce the ion diffusion resistance, providing the large surface area for charge transportation and efficient charge storage. The S-graphene and ionic liquid-based symmetric supercapacitor device showed the large potential window of 3.2 V with high energy density 124 Wh kg<SUP>−1</SUP> at 0.2 A g<SUP>−1</SUP> constant applied current density. Furthermore, this device shows good cycling performance (stability) with a capacitive retention of 95% over 20,000 cycles at a higher current density of 2 A g<SUP>−1</SUP>.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 through targeting ASK1 to suppress TNF-induced JNK activation

Won, M,Park, K A,Byun, H S,Sohn, K-C,Kim, Y-R,Jeon, J,Hong, J H,Park, J,Seok, J H,Kim, J M,Yoon, W-H,Jang, I-S,Shen, H M,Liu, Z G,Hur, G M Macmillan Publishers Limited 2010 CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION Vol.17 No.12

The zinc-finger protein A20 has crucial physiological functions as a dual inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and apoptosis in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 signaling pathway. Although the molecular basis for the anti-NF-κB function of A20 has been well elucidated, the anti-apoptotic function of A20 is largely unknown. Here, we report a novel mechanism underlying the anti-apoptotic function of A20: A20 blocks TNF-induced apoptosis through suppression of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by targeting apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1). First, the ectopic expression of A20 drastically inhibits TNF-induced JNK activation and apoptosis in multiple cell types including those deficient of NF-κB activation. Unexpectedly, the blunting effect of A20 on TNF-induced JNK activation is not mediated by affecting the TNFR1 signaling complex formation. Instead, A20 interacts with ASK1, an important MAPKK kinase in the JNK signaling cascade. More importantly, overexpression of wild-type A20, but not of mutant A20 (ZnF4; C624A, C627A), promotes degradation of the ASK1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Taken together, the results from this study reveal a novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 in TNF signaling pathway: A20 binds to ASK1 and mediates ASK1 degradation, leading to suppression of JNK activation and eventually blockage of apoptosis.

Highly-conformal nanocrystalline molybdenum nitride thin films by atomic layer deposition as a diffusion barrier against Cu

Jang, Y.,Kim, J.B.,Hong, T.E.,Yeo, S.J.,Lee, S.,Jung, E.A.,Park, B.K.,Chung, T.M.,Kim, C.G.,Lee, D.J.,Lee, H.B.R.,Kim, S.H. Elsevier Sequoia 2016 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.663 No.-

Molybdenum nitride (Mo<SUB>2</SUB>N) thin films were grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using a sequential supply of a newly synthesized Mo metalorgranic precursor, Mo(N<SUP>t</SUP>Bu)<SUB>2</SUB>(S<SUP>t</SUP>Bu)<SUB>2</SUB>, and H<SUB>2</SUB> plasma at a substrate temperature of 300 <SUP>o</SUP>C. A newly proposed ALD system exhibited typical ALD characteristics, such as a self-limited film growth and a linear dependency of the film thickness on the number of ALD cycles, and showed a growth rate of 0.028 nm/cycle on a thermally grown SiO<SUB>2</SUB> substrate. Such the ideal ALD growth characteristics enabled excellent step coverage of ~80% for the ALD-grown Mo<SUB>2</SUB>N film onto nano-trenches with a width of 25 nm and an aspect ratio ~4.5. The optimized film had a resistivity as low as ~350 μΩ-cm. X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed that formation of N-rich cubic Mo<SUB>2</SUB>N (N/Mo = ~0.7) phase with carbon and sulfur impurities of 2.6 and 7.4 at.%, respectively. Plan-view transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the film formed a nanocrystalline microstructure with 5-8-nm-sized grains embedded in an amorphous matrix. An ultrathin (only ~4 nm-thick) ALD-grown Mo<SUB>2</SUB>N film effectively prevented diffusion of Cu into Si after annealing at a temperature even up to 650 <SUP>o</SUP>C.

철강산업 용융로의 대기오염물질 배출계수 산정 연구

석광설,방선애,홍지형,이석조,김대곤,이대균,허정숙,이은정 한국대기환경학회 2004 한국대기환경학회지 Vol.20 No.4

The purpose of this study is 10 estimate of emission factors of the air pollutants for the melting furnaces for the iron and steel industry. The result of this study is able to obtain the emission factor of particulate matters (PM), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides for melting furnace. The emission factors of each pollutants were as follows: - the emission factor varied between 6.13E-03 ∼ 6.12E-01kg/ton for PM - 1.59E-01 ∼ 2.45E+00kg/ton for S0₂ - 6.82E-02 ∼ 6.88E-01kg/ton for NOx, respectively. Analysis of the differences in the emission factors of ours and U.S. EPA's yielded the following results for the Wilcoxon method: p>0.05. The statistical analysis showed no differences in the our emission factors and U.S. EPA's

서울지역 4년제 간호대학생들의 임상실습 유,무에 따른 진로태도성숙

권혜진,김보람,김소연,김수임,성정아,신영미,윤서진,이경진,홍영선,이자형,정덕유,신혜원 이화여자대학교 간호과학대학 2009 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.43

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in the degrees of career attitude maturity according to the clinical practice experience of the college of nursing students. The convenience sample was 275 students attending the college of nursing in Seoul. Data was obtained through a questionnaire from December 1st to 12th, 2008. The instrument used to measure the career attitude maturity in this study was "A barometer of maturity in career attitudes" developed by Ki-hak, Lee(1997). The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chronbach's alpha, t-test and ANOVA with the SPSS 16.0 program. Below is the result of this study. 1. The average score for career attitude maturity of nursing students who experienced clinical practices was 135.56(±12.17): higher than the average score of inexperienced students, 134.37(±12.44). However it could not show meaningful differences in the statistics(F=-.805, p=.422). 2. Determinacy, one of five subordinate concepts of career attitude maturity, was statistically significative. On average, the group comprised of students with clinical practices scored 27.60(±3.81): higher than that of unpracticed students, 26.63(±4.26)(F=-1.976, p=.049). 3. The more academic years they have, except for junior year students, the points of career attitude maturity relative to general characteristics were increasingly higher. The points were 132.60(±11.99) for freshmen, 135.93(±12.72) for sophomores, 133.50(±12.57) for juniors and 138.11(±11.24) for seniors(F=2.714, p=.045). 4. According to the age of the group, the grade of career attitude maturity became higher. The scores were 133.21(±12.34) for 18-19yrs., 134.05(±12.16) for 20-22yrs., 138.43(±10.96) for 23-26yrs. and 148.71(±12.76) for 27-32yrs. (F=5.118, p=.002). 5. The average total score for career attitude maturity of nursing students was 135.00(±12.30). Of the five subdivisions―readiness, conviction, determinacy, independence and finality― readiness demonstrated the highest result with 32.33(±4.46) followed by conviction, determinacy, independence and finality respectively. Based on the results, there are some proposals for further researches. As this research was only for college of nursing in Seoul, it is necessary to compare career attitude maturity with 3-year colleges and other departments. In addition, alongside clinical practices there is a growing need to develop programs that will not only provide guidelines but also prepare students for the maturity of their career attitude.

Three dimensional evaluation of aluminum plates with wall-thinning by full-field pulse-echo laser ultrasound

Hong, S.C.,Abetew, A.D.,Lee, J.R.,Ihn, J.B. Applied Science Publishers 2017 Optics and lasers in engineering Vol.99 No.-

We propose a full-field pulse-echo laser ultrasonic wave propagation imager (FF-PE-UPI) for the evaluation of structural defects. The FF-PE-UPI consists of a Q-switched laser for the generation of thermoelastic waves, a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) for sensing, and a two-axis translation stage for raster scanning of the combined generation and sensing laser beams. A-scan, B-scan, and C-scan data representations are used for the evaluation of structural defects. Three specimens were tested: a 4-mm aluminum plate with an area of 50% thickness reduction, a 6-mm aluminum plate with an area of 25% thickness reduction, and an 8-mm aluminum plate with engraved letters. The damages on the tested specimens were successfully visualized.

Experimental Approach to Explosive Nucloeosynthesis with RI Beams

S. Kubono,Y. Yamaguchi,G. Amadio,S. Hayakawa,Y. Wakabayashi,Y. Kurihara,J. J. He,A. Saito,H. Fujikawa,Le Hong Khiem,M. Niikura,T. Teranishi,N. Iwasa,S. Kato,S. Nishimura,C. S. Lee,Y. K. Kwon,I. S. Hah 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.54 No.1

Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed. Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed.

Prevalence and molecular characterizations of Toxoplasma gondii and Babesia microti from small mammals captured in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, Republic of Korea

Hong, S.H.,Lee, S.E.,Jeong, Y.I.,Kim, H.C.,Chong, S.T.,Klein, T.A.,Song, J.W.,Gu, S.H.,Cho, S.H.,Lee, W.J. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2014 Veterinary parasitology Vol.205 No.3

A survey was conducted to determine the distribution and prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Babesia microti infections in small mammals captured in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, Republic of Korea (ROK). The serological prevalence of T. gondii (ELISA) and B. microti (IFAT) was 2.3% (15/667) and 2.1% (14/667), respectively. DNA extracts from small mammal heart tissues were screened by PCR for T. gondii and B. microti targeting regions of the GRA5 gene and the 18S rRNA and β-tubulin genes, respectively. Only 0.17% (1/578) of Apodemus agrarius was positive of T. gondii by PCR, while 0.52% (3/578) was positive of B. microti. All other small mammal species [Micromys minutus (16), Mus musculus (3), Myodes regulus (22), Microtus fortis (6), and Crocidura lasiura (42)] were negative for both T. gondii and B. microti. Based on sequence polymorphism and phylogenetic analysis, T. gondii closely aligned with Type I, a highly virulent strain, while B. microti positive samples closely aligned with US-type B. microti and others observed in the ROK, Russia, and Japan. These results indicate that A. agrarius is a reservoir for both T. gondii and B. microti in the ROK.