Multiple heterologous M2 extracellular domains presented on virus-like particles confer broader and stronger M2 immunity than live influenza A virus infection

Kim, M.C.,Lee, J.S.,Kwon, Y.M.,O, E.,Lee, Y.J.,Choi, J.G.,Wang, B.Z.,Compans, R.W.,Kang, S.M. Elsevier/North-Holland 2013 Antiviral research Vol.99 No.3

The influenza M2 ectodomain (M2e) is poorly immunogenic and has some amino acid changes among isolates from different host species. We expressed a tandem repeat construct of heterologous M2e sequences (M2e5x) derived from human, swine, and avian origin influenza A viruses on virus-like particles (M2e5x VLPs) in a membrane-anchored form. Immunization of mice with M2e5x VLPs induced protective antibodies cross-reactive to antigenically different influenza A viruses and conferred cross protection. Anti-M2e antibodies induced by heterologous M2e5x VLPs showed a wider range of cross reactivity to influenza A viruses at higher levels than those by live virus infection, homologous M2e VLPs, or M2e monoclonal antibody 14C2. Fc receptors were found to be important for mediating protection by immune sera from M2e5x VLP vaccination. The present study provides evidence that heterologous recombinant M2e5x VLPs can be more effective in inducing protective M2e immunity than natural virus infection and further supports an approach for developing an effective universal influenza vaccine.

Characteristics and composition of atmospheric aerosols in Phimai, central Thailand during BASE-ASIA

Li, C.,Tsay, S.C.,Hsu, N.C.,Kim, J.Y.,Howell, S.G.,Huebert, B.J.,Ji, Q.,Jeong, M.J.,Wang, S.H.,Hansell, R.A.,Bell, S.W. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier [distribution] 2013 Atmospheric environment Vol.78 No.-

Comprehensive measurements of atmospheric aerosols were made in Phimai, central Thailand (15.183<SUP>o</SUP>N, 102.565<SUP>o</SUP>E, elevation: 206 m) during the BASE-ASIA field experiment from late February to early May in 2006. The observed aerosol loading was sizable for this rural site (mean aerosol scattering: 108 +/- 64 Mm<SUP>-1</SUP>; absorption: 15 +/- 8 Mm<SUP>-1</SUP>; PM<SUB>10</SUB> concentration: 33 +/- 17 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>), and dominated by submicron particles. Major aerosol compounds included carbonaceous (OC: 9.5 +/- 3.6 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>; EC: 2.0 +/- 2.3 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>) and secondary species (SO<SUB>4</SUB><SUP>2-</SUP>: 6.4 +/- 3.7 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>, NH<SUB>4</SUB><SUP>+</SUP>: 2.2 +/- 1.3 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>). While the site was seldom under the direct influence of large forest fires to its north, agricultural fires were ubiquitous during the experiment, as suggested by the substantial concentration of K<SUP>+</SUP> (0.56 +/- 0.33 μg m<SUP>-3</SUP>). Besides biomass burning, aerosols in Phimai during the experiment were also strongly influenced by industrial and vehicular emissions from the Bangkok metropolitan region and long-range transport from southern China. High humidity played an important role in determining the aerosol composition and properties in the region. Sulfate was primarily formed via aqueous phase reactions, and hygroscopic growth could enhance the aerosol light scattering by up to 60%, at the typical morning RH level of 85%. The aerosol single scattering albedo demonstrated distinct diurnal variation, ranging from 0.86 +/- 0.04 in the evening to 0.92 +/- 0.02 in the morning. This experiment marks the first time such comprehensive characterization of aerosols was made for rural central Thailand. Our results indicate that aerosol pollution has developed into a regional problem for northern Indochina, and may become more severe as the region's population and economy continue to grow.

Ground-based Parallax Confirmed by<i>Spitzer</i>: Binary Microlensing Event MOA-2015-BLG-020

Wang, Tianshu,Zhu, Wei,Mao, Shude,Bond, I. A.,Gould, A.,Udalski, A.,Sumi, T.,Bozza, V.,Ranc, C.,Cassan, A.,Yee, J. C.,Han, C.,Abe, F.,Asakura, Y.,Barry, R.,Bennett, D. P.,Bhattacharya, A.,Donachie, M. American Astronomical Society 2017 The Astrophysical journal Vol.845 No.2

<P>We present the analysis of the binary gravitational microlensing event MOA-2015-BLG-020. The event has a fairly long timescale (similar to 63 days) and thus the light curve deviates significantly from the lensing model that is based on the rectilinear lens-source relative motion. This enables us to measure the microlensing parallax through the annual parallax effect. The microlensing parallax parameters constrained by the ground-based data are confirmed by the Spitzer observations through the satellite parallax method. By additionally measuring the angular Einstein radius from the analysis of the resolved caustic crossing, the physical parameters of the lens are determined. It is found that the binary lens is composed of two dwarf stars with masses M-1= 0.606 +/- 0.028M(circle dot) and M-2= 0.125 +/- 0.006 M-circle dot in the Galactic disk. Assuming that the source star is at the same distance as the bulge red clump stars, we find the lens is at a distance D-L = 2.44 +/- 0.10 kpc. We also provide a summary and short discussion of all of the published microlensing events in which the annual parallax effect is confirmed by other independent observations.</P>

The Effect of High CO₂ Treatment and MA Packaging on Asparagus Quality and Shelf Life during Cold Storage

( Wang,L. X. ),( I. L. Choi ),( J. H. Lee ),( H. M. Kang ) 강원대학교 농업생명과학연구원(구 농업과학연구소) 2019 강원 농업생명환경연구 Vol.31 No.2

Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) films of 1,300 and 10,000 cc/m²/day/atm, perforated (P), micro-perforated (MP), and vacuum (V) films were investigated for suitability in maintaining the quality and prolonging shelf life of asparagus during cold storage. An additional investigation using 60% (v/v) carbon dioxide treatment (V + 60% CO₂) was also performed. All samples lost fresh weight over time, P and V + 60% CO₂ had the highest and lowest fresh weight loss rate by the last day. Only 1,300 cc and 10,000 cc OTR films kept the asparagus at a marketable value, the least off-odor was detected in P, and the worst was in V + 60% CO₂ in final day. The V + 60% CO₂ resulted in lower firmness in asparagus tips, and the V resulted in the lowest firmness in stems. Although, little color changes happened in all treatments, the V + 60% CO₂ treatment had greater soluble solids content and hue angle. The highest ethylene concentration was detected in the V film. The CO₂ and O₂ levels of the 1,300 cc and 10,000 cc OTR treatments were more suitable for asparagus storage. In general, based on the visual quality, 1,300 cc and 10,000 cc OTR films were more effective for asparagus cold storage. To some extent, high CO₂ treatment exhibited a positive effect on maintaining internal quality, fresh weight and color of asparagus.

Graphene/M_xWO₃ (M=Na, K) nanohybrids with excellent electrical properties

Liu, B.,Yin, S.,Wu, X.,Wang, Y.,Huang, Y.,Wu, J.,Sekino, T.,Matsushita, J.,Lee, S.W.,Kobayashi, M.,Kakihana, M.,Sato, T. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2015 Carbon Vol.94 No.-

Graphene/M<SUB>x</SUB>WO<SUB>3</SUB> (M=Na, K) nanocomposites with different weight ratios were successfully synthesized using MBH<SUB>4</SUB> as a reducing agent in aqueous solution, followed by crystallization of amorphous precursors under calcination in H<SUB>2</SUB> (5vol.%)/N<SUB>2</SUB> atmosphere at 600<SUP>o</SUP>C. The coupled samples showed good shielding properties in NIR wavelength range together with certain visible lights transparency. The as-prepared tungsten bronze nanoparticles are homogeneously anchored on graphene sheets, and the graphene/tungsten bronze nanocomposite showed an enhanced electrical conductivity with good shielding properties in the NIR range together with certain visible lights transparency. With the increment of graphene amount in the composites, the contact between the graphene sheets was enhanced, and the M<SUB>x</SUB>WO<SUB>3</SUB> might enhance the charge transport properties of graphene by generating the short conductive path for electrons over the remained oxygenated functional groups. The synergistic effects could be observed in the composites. When 5wt.% or more graphene were composed into M<SUB>x</SUB>WO<SUB>3</SUB>, the hybrid composite showed the higher electrical conductivity than those of uncoupled graphene and tungsten bronze alone.

Novel chromenedione derivatives displaying inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) from Flemingia philippinensis

Wang, Y.,Yuk, H.J.,Kim, J.Y.,Kim, D.W.,Song, Y.H.,Tan, X.F.,Curtis-Long, M.J.,Park, K.H. Pergamon Press 2016 Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters Vol.26 No.2

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an important target to treat obesity and diabetes due to its key roles in insulin and leptin signaling. The MeOH extracts of the root bark of Flemingia philippinensis yielded eight inhibitory molecules (1-8) capable of targeting PTP1B. Three of them were identified to be novel compounds, philippin A (1), philippin B (2), and philippin C (3) which have a rare 3-phenylpropanoyl chromenedione skeleton. The other compounds (4-8) were known prenylated isoflavones. All compounds (1-8) inhibited PTP1B in a dose dependent manner with IC<SUB>50</SUB>s ranging between 2.4 and 29.4μM. The most potent compound emerged to be prenylated isoflavone 5 (IC<SUB>50</SUB>=2.4μM). In kinetic studies, chromenedione derivatives (1-3) emerged to be reversible, competitive inhibitors, whereas prenylated isoflavones (5-8) were noncompetitive inhibitors.

Fabrications and dielectric performances of novel composites: Calcium copper titanate / Polyvinylidene fluoride

Wang J.J.,Deng Q.J.,He Y.Y.,Feng Y.N.,Kang M.P.,Duan X.L.,Yang Y.L. 한국물리학회 2022 Current Applied Physics Vol.39 No.-

CCTO (Calcium copper titanate) powder as inorganic filler was synthesized by the Sol-gel method firstly. CCTO/ PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) composite was fabricated by solution mixing based on high temperature resistance of PVDF and insulated property of CCTO. The composite of CCTO/PVDF were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope and impedance analysis. The results showed that the addition of CCTO and increasing in its content did not affect the phase- and microstructure of the composites,but the increase of CCTO content can induce the generation of C–F new bonds. PVDF/CCTO composites were enhanced in performance of thermal and frequency-depended stability with increasing in the fraction of CCTO. The dielectric constant of CCTO/PVDF composite materials with 50% CCTO achieved to a maximum value of 50 almost, which is 5 times higher the pure PVDF. The conductivity felled into 10-8 to 10-1 S m-1 during the frequency of 102–108 Hz. The composite material would be expected to be applied in the field of integrated circuit.

Enhanced energy storage properties in PbZrO3 thin films via the incorporation of NiO

Wang X.W.,Chen J.Y.,Hu S.Y.,Yu K.X.,Yang F.,Shi Y.J.,Li J.H.,Hou M.Z.,Liu A.D.,Zheng M.M.,Yin S.Q.,Hu Y.C.,Shang J. 한국물리학회 2023 Current Applied Physics Vol.52 No.-

In this study, NiO–PbZrO3 composite films were deposited on SiO2/Si substrates buffered with LaNiO3 films via the sol-gel coating technique. The effects of NiO addition in PZO thin films on the microstructure, dielectric properties, leakage mechanism, ferroelectric properties and energy storage properties have been discussed. The dielectric constant increased with the addition of NiO, while the leakage current density decreased. Compared with pure PZO films, the maximum polarization of the composite films was improved. For the composite films prepared using the NiO precursor solution with 0.05 mol/L, the recoverable energy storage density of the NiO-PZO composite film is up to 19.6 J/cm3 under the electric field of 1038 kV/cm, which is 30% higher than that of the pure PZO film under the same conditions. Also, the energy storage efficiency of the composite film reaches 48%. Accordingly, we demonstrate a simple and convenient method by adding NiO to fabricate thin films with high energy storage performance.

CaMKIIα interacts with M4 muscarinic receptors to control receptor and psychomotor function

Guo, M. L.,Fibuch, E. E.,Liu, X. Y.,Choe, E. S.,Buch, S.,Mao, L. M.,Wang, J. Q. Nature Publishing Group 2010 The EMBO journal Vol.29 No.12

대학생의 외모에 대한 사회문화적 태도, 외모 스트레스와 섭식장애의 관계

김민지,박민정,박예진,안슬기,왕소여,이소정,이지수,정은기,하효정,김건희 이화여자대학교간호학회 2020 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.54

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify the relationship between sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, appearance stress and eating disorders. Method: Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 revised which was translated to Korean measured sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and appearance stress measurement examined appearance stress. Korean Version of Eating Attitude Test-26 was used to measure eating disorders. 120 university students in a city took surveys from September 20 to October 8, 2019. Of the 120 questionnaires, 4 has insincere or incomplete responses and 116 questionnaires resulted in data. The questionnaires were investigated using statistical process of t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients using SPSS/Win 25.0 software package. Results: The average of KEAT-26 scores was 7.45 and the prevalence of eating disorders was 6.89% in the study. In eating disorders, there were significant differences according to subjective body image and diet experience. Eating disorders were positively correlated to sociocultural attitudes towards appearance (r=.21, p=.018) and appearance stress (r=.23, p=.006). Conclusion: This study verified the relationship between sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, appearance stress and eating disorders of university students, and expected to be supporting documents to develop programs for helping university students with eating disorders.