Role of breast regression protein 39 (BRP-39)/chitinase 3-like-1 in Th2 and IL-13–induced tissue responses and apoptosis

Lee, Chun Geun,Hartl, Dominik,Lee, Gap Ryol,Koller, Barbara,Matsuura, Hiroshi,Da Silva, Carla A.,Sohn, Myung Hyun,Cohn, Lauren,Homer, Robert J.,Kozhich, Alexander A.,Humbles, Alison,Kearley, Jennifer The Rockefeller University Press 2009 The Journal of experimental medicine Vol.206 No.5

<P>Mouse breast regression protein 39 (BRP-39; Chi3l1) and its human homologue YKL-40 are chitinase-like proteins that lack chitinase activity. Although YKL-40 is expressed in exaggerated quantities and correlates with disease activity in asthma and many other disorders, the biological properties of BRP-39/YKL-40 have only been rudimentarily defined. We describe the generation and characterization of BRP-39<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice, YKL-40 transgenic mice, and mice that lack BRP-39 and produce YKL-40 only in their pulmonary epithelium. Studies of these mice demonstrated that BRP-39<SUP>−/−</SUP> animals have markedly diminished antigen-induced Th2 responses and that epithelial YKL-40 rescues the Th2 responses in these animals. The ability of interleukin13 to induce tissue inflammation and fibrosis was also markedly diminished in the absence of BRP-39. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that BRP-39 and YKL-40 play an essential role in antigen sensitization and immunoglobulin E induction, stimulate dendritic cell accumulation and activation, and induce alternative macrophage activation. These proteins also inhibit inflammatory cell apoptosis/cell death while inhibiting Fas expression, activating protein kinase B/AKT, and inducing Faim 3. These studies establish novel regulatory roles for BRP-39/YKL-40 in the initiation and effector phases of Th2 inflammation and remodeling and suggest that these proteins are therapeutic targets in Th2- and macrophage-mediated disorders.</P>

Reviews and syntheses: Ocean iron fertilization experiments - past, present, and future looking to a future Korean Iron Fertilization Experiment in the Southern Ocean (KIFES) project

Yoon, Joo-Eun,Yoo, Kyu-Cheul,Macdonald, Alison M.,Yoon, Ho-Il,Park, Ki-Tae,Yang, Eun Jin,Kim, Hyun-Cheol,Lee, Jae Il,Lee, Min Kyung,Jung, Jinyoung,Park, Jisoo,Lee, Jiyoung,Kim, Soyeon,Kim, Seong-Su,Ki Copernicus GmbH 2018 Biogeosciences Vol.15 No.19

<P><p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Since the start of the industrial revolution, human activities have caused a rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (<span class='inline-formula'>CO₂</span>) concentrations, which have, in turn, had an impact on climate leading to global warming and ocean acidification. Various approaches have been proposed to reduce atmospheric <span class='inline-formula'>CO₂</span>. The Martin (or iron) hypothesis suggests that ocean iron fertilization (OIF) could be an effective method for stimulating oceanic carbon sequestration through the biological pump in iron-limited, high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regions. To test the Martin hypothesis, 13 artificial OIF (aOIF) experiments have been performed since 1990 in HNLC regions. These aOIF field experiments have demonstrated that primary production (PP) can be significantly enhanced by the artificial addition of iron. However, except in the Southern Ocean (SO) European Iron Fertilization Experiment (EIFEX), no significant change in the effectiveness of aOIF (i.e., the amount of iron-induced carbon export flux below the winter mixed layer depth, MLD) has been detected. These results, including possible side effects, have been debated amongst those who support and oppose aOIF experimentation, and many questions concerning the effectiveness of scientific aOIF, environmental side effects, and international aOIF law frameworks remain. In the context of increasing global and political concerns associated with climate change, it is valuable to examine the validity and usefulness of the aOIF experiments. Furthermore, it is logical to carry out such experiments because they allow one to study how plankton-based ecosystems work by providing insight into mechanisms operating in real time and under in situ conditions. To maximize the effectiveness of aOIF experiments under international aOIF regulations in the future, we therefore suggest a design that incorporates several components. (1) Experiments conducted in the center of an eddy structure when grazing pressure is low and silicate levels are high (e.g., in the SO south of the polar front during early summer). (2) Shipboard observations extending over a minimum of <span class='inline-formula'>∼40</span> days, with multiple iron injections (at least two or three iron infusions of <span class='inline-formula'>∼2000</span><span class='thinspace'></span><span class='inline-formula'>kg</span> with an interval of <span class='inline-formula'>∼10</span>-15 days to fertilize a patch of 300<span class='thinspace'></span><span class='inline-formula'>km²</span> and obtain a <span class='inline-formula'>∼2</span><span class='thinspace'></span><span class='inline-formula'>nM</span> concentration). (3) Tracing of the iron-fertilized patch using both physical (e.g., a drifting buoy) and biogeochemical (e.g., sulfur hexafluoride, photosynthetic quantum efficiency, and partial pressure of <span class='inline-formula'>CO₂</span>) tracers. (4) Employment of neutrally buoyant sediment traps (NBST) and application of the water-column-derived thorium-234 (<span class='inline-formula'>²³⁴Th</span>) method at two depths (i.e., just below the in situ MLD and at the winter MLD), with autonomous profilers equipped with an underwater video profiler (UVP) and a transmissometer. (5) Monitoring of side effects on marine/ocean ecosystems, including production of climate-relevant gases (e.g., nitrous oxide, <span class='inline-formula'>N₂O</span>; dimethyl sulfide, DMS; and halogenated volatile organic compounds, HVOCs), decline in oxygen inventory, and development of toxic algae blooms, with optical-sensor-equipped autonomous moored profilers and/or autonomous benthic vehicles. Lastly, we introduce the scientific aOIF<span id='page5848'/> experimental design guidelines for a future Korean Iron Fertilization Experiment in the Southern Ocean (KIFES).</p> </P>

Cryptic diversity and biogeography of the widespread brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae)

Lee, Kyung Min,Boo, Sung Min,Kain (Jones), Joanna M.,Sherwood, Alison R. Walter de Gruyter GmbH 2013 Botanica marina Vol.56 No.1

Concerted Mitigation of O···H and C(π)···H Interactions Prospects Sixfold Gain in Optical Nonlinearity of Ionic Stilbazolium Derivatives

Cole, Jacqueline M.,Lin, Tze-Chia,Edwards, Alison J.,Piltz, Ross O.,Depotter, Griet,Clays, Koen,Lee, Seung-Chul,Kwon, O-Pil American Chemical Society 2015 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.7 No.8

<P>DAST (4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium tosylate) is the most commercially successful organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material for frequency-doubling, integrated optics, and THz wave applications. Its success is predicated on its high optical nonlinearity with concurrent sufficient thermal stability. Many chemical derivatives of DAST have therefore been developed to optimize their properties; yet, to date, none have surpassed the overall superiority of DAST for NLO photonic applications. This is perhaps because DAST is an ionic salt wherein its NLO-active cation is influenced by multiple types of subtle intermolecular forces that are hard to quantify, thus, making difficult the molecular engineering of better functioning DAST derivatives. Here, we establish a model parameter, eta(inter), that isolates the influence of intermolecular interactions on second-order optical nonlinearity in DAST and its derivatives, using second-harmonic generation (SHG) as a qualifier; by systematically mapping intercorrelations of all possible pairs of intermolecular interactions to eta(inter), we uncover a relationship between concerted intermolecular interactions and SHG output. This correlation reveals that a sixfold gain in the intrinsic second-order NLO performance of DAST is possible, by eliminating the identified interactions. This prediction offers the first opportunity to systematically design next-generation DAST-based photonic device nanotechnology to realize such a prospect.</P>

<i>Petalonia tatewakii</i> sp. nov. (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) from the Hawaiian Islands

Kogame, Kazuhiro,Kurihara, Akira,Cho, Ga Youn,Lee, Kyung Min,Sherwood, Alison R.,Boo, Sung Min Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2011 Phycologia Vol.50 No.5

Association Between Leisure Time Physical Activity, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Workload at Work in Firefighters

Yu, Clare C.W.,Au, Chun T.,Lee, Frank Y.F.,So, Raymond C.H.,Wong, John P.S.,Mak, Gary Y.K.,Chien, Eric P.,McManus, Alison M. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among firefighters in some developed countries. It is unclear whether physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness reduce cardiovascular disease risk and the cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters. The present study investigated the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters in Hong Kong. Methods: Male firefighters (n = 387) were randomly selected from serving firefighters in Hong Kong (n = 5,370) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, known cardiovascular diseases). One-third (Target Group) were randomly selected for the assessment of off-duty leisure-time physical activity using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed, as well as cardiovascular workload using heart rate monitoring for each firefighter for four "normal" 24-hour working shifts and during real-situation simulated scenarios. Results: Overall, 33.9% of the firefighters had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the Target Group, firefighters who had higher leisure-time physical activity had a lower resting heart rate and a lower average working heart rate, and spent a smaller proportion of time working at a moderate-intensity cardiovascular workload. Firefighters who had moderate aerobic fitness and high leisure-time physical activity had a lower peak working heart rate during the mountain rescue scenario compared with firefighters who had low leisure-time physical activities. Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity conferred significant benefits during job tasks of moderate cardiovascular workload in firefighters in Hong Kong.

Magnetic and structural anisotropic properties of magnetostrictive Fe-Ga flake particles and their epoxy-bonded composites

Na, Suok-Min,Park, Jung-Jin,Lee, Seunghun,Jeong, Se-Young,Flatau, Alison B. Elsevier 2018 Materials letters Vol.213 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Flake shaped particles of grain-oriented Fe<SUB>80</SUB>Ga<SUB>20</SUB> and Fe<SUB>73</SUB>Ga<SUB>27</SUB> alloys were prepared using a high-energy wet ball-milling process. The surface of flakes produced were predominantly parallel to the (1 0 0) crystallographic plane in flakes. These flakes possess two in-plane ⟨1 0 0⟩ easy axes of magnetization, which enhances magnetostrictive performance and sensitivity for use in composite materials. The deformation mechanism leading to formation of (1 0 0) grain-oriented flakes is associated with small angel crystal reorientations along slip lines similar to what occurs during rolling. Data are presented on the in-plane magnetic properties of these flakes, which were characterized using field-dependent magnetization measurements. The epoxy-bonded composites with the particle alignment exhibited high magnetostriction values of ∼103 ppm.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Cube-face (1 0 0) crystal plane fracture leads to formation of grain-oriented flakes. </LI> <LI> Flake shape is beneficial to control magnetic shape anisotropy in composite. </LI> <LI> Magnetic field alignment of particles improves magnetostrictive performances. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

A Pan-Dengue Virus Reverse Transcription-Insulated Isothermal PCR Assay Intended for Point-of-Need Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection by Use of the POCKIT Nucleic Acid Analyzer

Go, Yun Young,Rajapakse, R. P. V. Jayanthe,Kularatne, Senanayake A. M.,Lee, Pei-Yu Alison,Ku, Keun Bon,Nam, Sangwoo,Chou, Pin-Hsing,Tsai, Yun-Long,Liu, Yu-Lun,Chang, Hsiao-Fen Grace,Wang, Hwa-Tang Tho American Society for Microbiology 2016 Journal of clinical microbiology Vol.54 No.6

<P>Dengue virus (DENV) infection is considered a major public health problem in developing tropical countries where the virus is endemic and continues to cause major disease outbreaks every year. Here, we describe the development of a novel, inexpensive, and user-friendly diagnostic assay based on a reverse transcription-insulated isothermal PCR (RT-iiPCR) method for the detection of all four serotypes of DENV in clinical samples. The diagnostic performance of the newly established pan-DENV RT-iiPCR assay targeting a conserved 3' untranslated region of the viral genome was evaluated. The limit of detection with a 95% confidence was estimated to be 10 copies of in vitro-transcribed (IVT) RNA. Sensitivity analysis using RNA prepared from 10-fold serial dilutions of tissue culture fluid containing DENVs suggested that the RT-iiPCR assay was comparable to the multiplex real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay for DENV-1, -3, and -4 detection but 10-fold less sensitive for DENV-2 detection. Subsequently, plasma collected from patients suspected of dengue virus infection (n = 220) and individuals not suspected of dengue virus infection (n = 45) were tested by the RT-iiPCR and compared to original test results using a DENV NS1 antigen rapid test and the qRT-PCR. The diagnostic agreement of the pan-DENV RT-iiPCR, NS1 antigen rapid test, and qRT-PCR tests was 93.9%, 84.5%, and 97.4%, respectively, compared to the composite reference results. This new RT-iiPCR assay along with the portable POCKIT nucleic acid analyzer could provide a highly reliable, sensitive, and specific point-of-need diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of DENV in clinics and hospitals in developing countries.</P>

Association Between Leisure Time Physical Activity, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Workload at Work in Firefighters

Clare C.W. Yu,Chun T. Au,Frank Y.F. Lee,Raymond C.H. So,John P.S. Wong,Gary Y.K. Mak,Eric P. Chien,Alison M. McManus 한국산업안전공단 산업안전보건연구원 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among firefighters in some developed countries. It is unclear whether physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness reduce cardiovascular disease risk and the cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters. The present study investigated the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters in Hong Kong. Methods: Male firefighters (n ¼ 387) were randomly selected from serving firefighters in Hong Kong (n ¼ 5,370) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, known cardiovascular diseases). One-third (Target Group) were randomly selected for the assessment of off-duty leisure-time physical activity using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed, as well as cardiovascular workload using heart rate monitoring for each firefighter for four “normal” 24-hour working shifts and during real-situation simulated scenarios. Results: Overall, 33.9% of the firefighters had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the Target Group, firefighters who had higher leisure-time physical activity had a lower resting heart rate and a lower average working heart rate, and spent a smaller proportion of time working at a moderateintensity cardiovascular workload. Firefighters who had moderate aerobic fitness and high leisuretime physical activity had a lower peak working heart rate during the mountain rescue scenario compared with firefighters who had low leisure-time physical activities. Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity conferred significant benefits during job tasks of moderate cardiovascular workload in firefighters in Hong Kong.

Molecular Origins of the High-Performance Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility in a Phenolic Polyene Chromophore: Electron Density Distributions, Hydrogen Bonding, and ab Initio Calculations

Lin, Tze-Chia,Cole, Jacqueline M.,Higginbotham, Andrew P.,Edwards, Alison J.,Piltz, Ross O.,Pé,rez-Moreno, Javier,Seo, Ji-Youn,Lee, Seung-Chul,Clays, Koen,Kwon, O-Pil American Chemical Society 2013 JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C - Vol.117 No.18

<P>The molecular and supramolecular origins of the superior nonlinear optical (NLO) properties observed in the organic phenolic triene material, OH1 (2-(3-(4-hydroxystyryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)malononitrile), are presented. The molecular charge-transfer distribution is topographically mapped, demonstrating that a uniformly delocalized passive electronic medium facilitates the charge-transfer between the phenolic electron donor and the cyano electron acceptors which lie at opposite ends of the molecule. Its ability to act as a “push–pull” π-conjugated molecule is quantified, relative to similar materials, by supporting empirical calculations; these include bond-length alternation and harmonic-oscillator stabilization energy (HOSE) tests. Such tests, together with frontier molecular orbital considerations, reveal that OH1 can exist readily in its aromatic (neutral) or quinoidal (charge-separated) state, thereby overcoming the “nonlinearity-thermal stability trade-off”. The HOSE calculation also reveals a correlation between the quinoidal resonance contribution to the overall structure of OH1 and the UV–vis absorption peak wavelength in the wider family of configurationally locked polyene framework materials. Solid-state tensorial coefficients of the molecular dipole, polarizability, and the first hyperpolarizability for OH1 are derived from the first-, second-, and third-order electronic moments of the experimental charge-density distribution. The overall solid-state molecular dipole moment is compared with those from gas-phase calculations, revealing that crystal field effects are very significant in OH1. The solid-state hyperpolarizability derived from this charge-density study affords good agreement with gas-phase calculations as well as optical measurements based on hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) and electric-field-induced second harmonic (EFISH) generation. This lends support to the further use of charge-density studies to calculate solid-state hyperpolarizability coefficients in other organic NLO materials. Finally, this charge-density study is also employed to provide an advanced classification of hydrogen bonds in OH1, which requires more stringent criteria than those from conventional structure analysis. As a result, only the strongest OH···NC interaction is so classified as a true hydrogen bond. Indeed, it is this electrostatic interaction that influences the molecular charge transfer: the other four, weaker, nonbonded contacts nonetheless affect the crystal packing. Overall, the establishment of these structure–property relationships lays a blueprint for designing further, more NLO efficient, materials in this industrially leading organic family of compounds.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jpccck/2013/jpccck.2013.117.issue-18/jp400648q/production/images/medium/jp-2013-00648q_0007.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/jp400648q'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>