The dietary ingredient, genistein, stimulates cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide expression through a novel S1P-dependent mechanism

Park, K.,Kim, Y.I.,Shin, K.O.,Seo, H.S.,Kim, J.Y.,Mann, T.,Oda, Y.,Lee, Y.M.,Holleran, W.M.,Elias, P.M.,Uchida, Y. Butterworths ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2014 The Journal of nutritional biochemistry Vol.25 No.7

We recently discovered that a signaling lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), generated by sphingosine kinase 1, regulates a major epidermal antimicrobial peptide's [cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP)] expression via an NF-κB→C/EBPα-dependent pathway, independent of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in epithelial cells. Activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) by either estrogens or phytoestrogens also is known to stimulate S1P production, but it is unknown whether ER activation increases CAMP production. We investigated whether a phytoestrogen, genistein, simulates CAMP expression in keratinocytes, a model of epithelial cells, by either a S1P-dependent mechanism(s) or the alternate VDR-regulated pathway. Exogenous genistein, as well as an ER-β ligand, WAY-200070, increased CAMP mRNA and protein expression in cultured human keratinocytes, while ER-β antagonist, ICI182780, attenuated the expected genistein- and WAY-200070-induced increase in CAMP mRNA/protein expression. Genistein treatment increased acidic and alkaline ceramidase expression and cellular S1P levels in parallel with increased S1P lyase inhibition, accounting for increased CAMP production. In contrast, siRNA against VDR did not alter genistein-mediated up-regulation of CAMP. Taken together, genistein induces CAMP production via an ER-β→S1P→NF-κB→C/EBPα- rather than a VDR-dependent mechanism, illuminating a new role for estrogens in the regulation of epithelial innate immunity and pointing to potential additional benefits of dietary genistein in enhancing cutaneous antimicrobial defense.

Detection of a Cooper-pair density wave in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+x

Hamidian, M. H.,Edkins, S. D.,Joo, Sang Hyun,Kostin, A.,Eisaki, H.,Uchida, S.,Lawler, M. J.,Kim, E.-A.,Mackenzie, A. P.,Fujita, K.,Lee, Jinho,Davis, J. C. Sé,amus Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2016 Nature Vol.532 No.7599

<P>The quantum condensate of Cooper pairs forming a superconductor was originally conceived as being translationally invariant. In theory, however, pairs can exist with finite momentum Q, thus generating a state with a spatially modulated Cooper-pair density(1,2). Such a state has been created in ultracold Li-6 gas(3) but never observed directly in any superconductor. It is now widely hypothesized that the pseudogap phase(4) of the copper oxide superconductors contains such a 'pair density wave' state(5-21). Here we report the use of nanometre-resolution scanned Josephson tunnelling microscopy(22-24) to image Cooper pair tunnelling from a d-wave superconducting microscope tip to the condensate of the superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x. We demonstrate condensate visualization capabilities directly by using the Cooper-pair density variations surrounding zinc impurity atoms(25) and at the Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x crystal supermodulation(26). Then, by using Fourier analysis of scanned Josephson tunnelling images, we discover the direct signature of a Cooper-pair density modulation at wavevectors Q(P) approximate to (0.25, 0)2 pi/a(0) and (0, 0.25)2 pi/a(0) in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x. The amplitude of these modulations is about five per cent of the background condensate density and their form factor exhibits primarily s or s' symmetry. This phenomenology is consistent with Ginzburg-Landau theory(5,13,14) when a charge density wave(5,27) with d-symmetry form factor(28-30) and wavevector Q(C) = Q(P) coexists with a d-symmetry superconductor; it is also predicted by several contemporary microscopic theories for the pseudogap phase(18-21).</P>

Increased OPG/RANKL ratio in the conditioned medium of soybean-treated osteoblasts suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation

Park, K.,Ju, W.-C.,Yeo, J.-H.,Kim, J.Y.,Seo, H.S.,Uchida, Y.,Cho, Y. Spandidos Publications 2014 International journal of molecular medicine Vol.33 No.1

Soybean is a major dietary source of isoflavones, particularly daidzein and genistein, which stimulate osteoblastic functions that are initiated by binding to estrogen receptor (ER)- and ER- found on osteoblasts. However, coupled with a low expression of ER- and ER- in osteoclasts, the inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones on osteoclast differentiation is likely mediated through paracrine factors produced by osteoblasts. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether soybean can indirectly inhibit osteoclast differentiation through the modulation of osteoclastic factors produced by osteoblasts. Treatment with soybean extracts increased the levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and decreased those of receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL) in the conditioned medium (CM) of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Subsequently, the RANKL-induced RAW264.7 osteoclast formation was markedly inhibited by treatment with CM collected from MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts incubated with soybean extracts (S-CM). Similarly, S-CM significantly attenuated the RANKL-induced increase in the mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a potential biomarker gene of osteoclast differentiation, through the suppression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) activation. Of note, a soybean concentration of 0.001 mg/ml further increased the OPG/RANKL ratio compared to treatment with a 0.1 mg/ml soybean concentration and was overall, more effective at inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and MMP-9 expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate that treatment with soybean extracts stimulates the secretion of OPG and inhibits that of RANKL, thus inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through the suppression of NFATc1 activation.

High-Tc SQUID Application for Roll to Roll Metallic Contaminant Detector

S. Tanaka,Y. Kitamura,Y. Hatsukade,T. Ohtani,S. Suzuki,Y .Uchida 한국초전도학회 2012 Progress in superconductivity Vol.14 No.2

A sensitive eight-channel high-Tc Superconducting Interference Device (SQUID) detection system for magnetic contaminant in a lithium ion battery anode was developed. Finding ultra-small metallic foreign matter is an important issue for a manufacturer because metallic contaminants carry the risk of an internal short. When contamination occurs, the manufacturer of the product suffers a great loss from recalling the tainted product. Metallic particles with outer dimensions smaller than 100 microns cannot be detected using a conventional X-ray imaging system. Therefore, a highly sensitive detection system for small foreign matter is required. We have already developed a detection system based on a single-channel SQUID gradiometer and horizontal magnetization. For practical use, the detection width of the system should be increased to at least 65 mm by employing multiple sensors. In this paper, we present an 8-ch high-Tc SQUID roll-to-roll system for inspecting a lithium-ion battery anode with a width of 65 mm. A special microscopic type of a cryostat was developed upon which eight SQUID gradiometers were mounted. As a result, small iron particles of 35microns on a real lithium-ion battery anode with a width of 70 mm were successfully detected. This system is practical for the detection of contaminants in a lithium ion battery anode sheet.

THE EFFECT OF WILTING ON SILAGE MAKING FROM THE VIEWPOINT IN CONNECTION WITH MONSOON ASIA (A REVIEW)

Uchida, S.,Kim, K.H.,Yun, I.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1989 Animal Bioscience Vol.2 No.1

In spite of the well confirmed advantages of wilting on the fermentation quality, wilting silages are difficult to make at optimum dry matter content. The prolonged wilting, especially in humid condition, result in lower water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents, extensive protein breakdown and sometimes higher total volatile fatty acid (VFA) during wilting an ensilage. Apart from difficulty of controlling moisture content, another problem associated with wilted silages is different evaluation on the potential productivity. In temperature climate of Asia, therefore further researches on the effects of wilting on the silage fermentation and potential productivity seen to be necessary.

CFD Study on the Endwall Loss for Highly Loaded Turbine Blade

S. Uchida,K. Ishizaka,M. Honjo,E. Watanabe 대한기계학회 1997 International Conference on Fluid Machinery Vol.1 No.1

High-$T_c$ SQUID Application for Roll to Roll Metallic Contaminant Detector

Tanaka, S.,Kitamura, Y.,Uchida, Y.,Hatsukade, Y.,Ohtani, T.,Suzuki, S. The Korean Superconductivity Society 2012 Progress in superconductivity Vol.14 No.2

A sensitive eight-channel high-Tc Superconducting Interference Device (SQUID) detection system for magnetic contaminant in a lithium ion battery anode was developed. Finding ultra-small metallic foreign matter is an important issue for a manufacturer because metallic contaminants carry the risk of an internal short. When contamination occurs, the manufacturer of the product suffers a great loss from recalling the tainted product. Metallic particles with outer dimensions smaller than 100 microns cannot be detected using a conventional X-ray imaging system. Therefore, a highly sensitive detection system for small foreign matter is required. We have already developed a detection system based on a single-channel SQUID gradiometer and horizontal magnetization. For practical use, the detection width of the system should be increased to at least 65 mm by employing multiple sensors. In this paper, we present an 8-ch high-Tc SQUID roll-to-roll system for inspecting a lithium-ion battery anode with a width of 65 mm. A special microscopic type of a cryostat was developed upon which eight SQUID gradiometers were mounted. As a result, small iron particles of 35 microns on a real lithium-ion battery anode with a width of 70 mm were successfully detected. This system is practical for the detection of contaminants in a lithium ion battery anode sheet.

Carbon isotope variations in diploptene for methane hydrate dissociation during the last glacial episode in the Japan Sea/East Sea

Hyun, S.,Bahk, J.-J.,Yim, U.H.,Uchida, M.,Nam, S.,Woo, K.S. THE GEOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2014 Geochemical journal Vol.48 No.3

Fluorinated Metal Hydrides for the Catalytic Hydrolysis of Metal - Hydrogen Complexes

Suda, S,Zhou, Y,Sun, Y M,Uchida, M,Liu, B H,Mormitu, S,Arai, K,Tsukamoto, N,Candra, Y,LI, Z P 대한금속재료학회(대한금속학회) 2001 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.7 No.1

This paper is related to the hydrogen storage (H-storage) system composed of an alkaline solution that contains metal-hydrogen complex ions. The BH₄^--complex ions stabilized when it is dissolved in aqueous KOH or NaOH to form homogeneous solutions. However, it is necessary to apply an appropriate catalyst for a high rate generation of hydrogen under atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions. The authors intended to develop catalysts suitable for the hydrolysis of BH₄^--complex ion solutions and found that Mg₂Ni exhibits excellent catalytic functions in the hydrolysis, in particular, after the fluorination treatment (F-treatment). In this work, the effects of F-treatment on the rates of hydrolysis were evaluated between the hydrided and unhydrided Mg₂Ni. No hydrogenation in addition to F-treatment is required in view of hydrolysis kinetics and cost-effectiveness.

FERMENTATION QUALITY EVALUATION OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS SILAGES BY USING THE BUFFER INDEX CURVE

Kim, K.H.,Tsujiguchi, J.,Uchida, S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1992 Animal Bioscience Vol.5 No.4

This study was conducted to demonstrate the practical use of the buffer index curve as a criterion of silage quality evaluation, Forty five samples of the ensiled Italian ryegrass were collected from farms in Okayama, Japan. Silages were devided into 4 groups by the pattern of buffer index curve. Heavy wilting silages (A group) showed no peak on buffer index curve and Flieg's score of 95.6. However, moderate or weak wilting silages (B group) with moisture content of 63.3 showed a peak at pH 4.0 and a Flieg's score of 67.8. Both of A and B groups were regarded as a good quality silage. Silages (C group) with a peak at pH 4.5 were of a medium quality with Flieg's score of 45.3. Poorly preserved silages (D group) with Flieg's score of 12.0 had a peak at pH 5.0. There was a high positive correlationship (p<0.01) between the peak value of buffer index curve and the organic acid content.