Interleukin-18, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to primary glomerulonephritis

Choi, H.-J.,Cho, J.-H.,Kim, J.-C.,Seo, H.-J.,Hyun, S.-H.,Kim, G.-H.,Choi, J.-Y.,Choi, H.-J.,Ryu, H.-M.,Cho, J.-H.,Park, S.-H.,Kim, Y.-L.,Han, S.,Kim, C.-D. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Tissue antigens Vol.76 No.4

<P>Several studies have showed an association of gene polymorphisms with the development of glomerulonephritis (GN). We investigated the effects of gene polymorphisms on the development of GN by analyzing polymorphisms in the interleukin (IL)-18, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes in Korean patients with primary GN. The study included 146 normal subjects (controls) and 100 patients diagnosed with primary GN by kidney biopsy. The gene polymorphisms A-607C and G-137C in <I>IL-18</I>, C-509T and T869C in <I>TGF-</I>β<I>1</I>, and C-2578A and C405G in <I>VEGF</I> were investigated in DNA extracted from peripheral blood. Significant differences were observed between the GN and control groups in the genotype and allele frequencies of A-607C <I>IL-18</I> and C405G <I>VEGF</I>. The frequencies of the <I>IL-18</I>−607CC genotype [<I>P</I> = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.473] and the <I>VEGF</I> 405GG genotype (<I>P</I> = 0.001, OR = 2.473) were significantly increased in the GN group. The combination of <I>IL-18</I>−607CC+ and <I>VEGF</I> 405GG+ genotypes had a higher risk for developing GN in comparison with the combination of <I>IL-18</I>−607CC− and <I>VEGF</I> 405GG− genotypes (<I>P</I> < 0.001, OR = 8.642). In the haplotype analysis of the <I>IL-18</I> gene, the CG haplotype was significantly more frequent in the GN group than the control group (61.5% <I>vs</I> 46.9%, <I>P</I> = 0.002). These results show that the −607CC genotype of the <I>IL-18</I> gene and the 405GG genotype of the <I>VEGF</I> gene are associated with susceptibility to and the development of primary GN.</P>

Effects of Addition Level and Chemical Type of Propionate Precursors in Dicarboxylic Acid Pathway on Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Production by Rumen Microbes In vitro

Li, X.Z.,Yan, C.G.,Choi, S.H.,Long, R.J.,Jin, G.L.,Song, Man K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.1

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to examine the effects of propionate precursors in the dicarboxylic acid pathway on ruminal fermentatation characteristics, $CH_4$ production and degradation of feed by rumen microbes. Fumarate or malate as sodium salts (Exp. 1) or acid type (Exp. 2) were added to the culture solution (150 ml, 50% strained rumen fluid and 50% artificial saliva) to achieve final concentrations of 0, 8, 16 and 24 mM, and incubated anaerobically for 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at $39^{\circ}C$. For both experiments, two grams of feed consisting of 70% concentrate and 30% ground alfalfa (DM basis) were prepared in a nylon bag, and were placed in a bottle containing the culture solution. Addition of fumarate or malate in both sodium salt and acid form increased (p<0.0001) pH of culture solution at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h incubations. The pH (p<0.0001) and total volatile fatty acids (VFA, p<0.05) were enhanced by these precursors as sodium salt at 3, 6 and 9 h incubations, and pH (p<0.001) and total VFA (p<0.01) from fumarate or malate in acid form were enhanced at a late stage of fermentation (9 h and 12 h) as the addition level increased. pH was higher (p<0.001) for fumarate than for malate as sodium salt at 3 h and 6 h incubations. Propionate ($C_3$) proportion was increased (p<0.0001) but those of $C_2$ (p<0.05) and $C_4$ (p<0.01 - p<0.001) were reduced by the addition of sodium salt precursors from 3 h to 12 incubation times while both precursors in acid form enhanced (p<0.011 - p<0.0001) proportion of $C_3$ from 6h but reduced (p<0.018 - p<0.0005) $C_4$ proportion at incubation times of 1, 3, 9 and 12 h. Proportion of $C_3$ was increased (p<0.05 - p<0.0001) at all incubation times by both precursors as sodium salt while that of $C_3$ was increased (p<0.001) from 6h but $C_4$ proportion was decreased by both precursors in acid form as the addition level increased. Proportion of $C_3$ was higher (p<0.01 - p<0.001) for fumarate than malate as sodium salt from 6 h incubation but was higher for malate than fumarate in acid form at 9 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.01) incubation times. Increased levels (16 and 24 mM) of fumarate or malate as sodium salt (p<0.017) and both precursors in acid form (p<0.028) increased the total gas production, but no differences were found between precursors in both chemical types. Propionate precursors in both chemical types clearly reduced (p<0.0001 - p<0.0002) $CH_4$ production, and the reduction (p<0.001 - p<0.0001) was dose dependent as the addition level of precursors increased. The $CH_4$ generated was smaller (p<0.01 - p<0.0001) for fumarate than for malate in both chemical types. Addition of fumarate or malate as sodium type reduced (p<0.004) dry matter degradation while both precursors in both chemical types slightly increased neutral detergent fiber degradability of feed in the nylon bag.

On the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) membrane for hydrogen separation from simulated biomass-derived syngas

Yin, H.,Lee, T.,Choi, J.,Yip, A.C.K. Elsevier 2016 Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol.233 No.-

<P>Hydrogen separation from biomass-derived syngas is a critical step in the utilization of gasification technology. Compared with the traditional methods, membrane technology provides an effective and low-cost solution for adjusting the gas composition and collecting H-2 in syngas environments. In this study, a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)-based membrane, which is a potential candidate for H-2 separation from biomass-derived syngas, was successfully fabricated through the seeded (secondary) growth method and the subsequent post-treatments. The prepared ZIF-8 membrane exhibited a modest H-2 separation performance for H-2/CO2 and H-2/CO, with separation factors of 4.95 and 6.08, respectively, and a H-2 permeance of 7.81 x 10(-8) mol m(-2) s(-1) Pa-1 at 200 degrees C in the simulated biomass-derived syngas environments (H-2/CO2/CO) with the presence of steam. In particular, the H-2/CO2 and H-2/CO separation factors were increased by 36% and 97%, respectively, with respect to those obtained through bare supports. Despite the promising H2 perm-selectivity, the H-2/CO2 and H-2/CO separation factors of ZIF-8 membranes at 200 degrees C under water-containing syngas environments were maintained up to 10 h but the longer exposure led to the gradual degradation and eventual reduction toward those of bare supports after 15 h seemingly due to the water-involved membrane degradation. This study provides the availability and limitation of ZIF-8 membranes for H-2 separations in stimulated biomass-derived syngas environments. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>

Genetic relationship of H3 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic ducks and wild birds in Korea and their pathogenic potential in chickens and ducks

Choi, J.G.,Kang, H.M.,Kim, M.C.,Paek, M.R.,Kim, H.R.,Kim, B.S.,Kwon, J.H.,Kim, J.H.,Lee, Y.J. Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co 2012 Veterinary microbiology Vol.155 No.2

The H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) is one of the most frequently isolated subtypes in domestic ducks, live poultry markets, and wild birds in Korea. In 2002-2009, a total of 45 H3 subtype AIVs were isolated from the feces of clinically normal domestic ducks (n=28) and wild birds (n=17). The most prevalent subtypes in domestic ducks were H3N2 (35.7%), H3N6 (35.7%), H3N8 (25.0%), and H3N1 (3.6%, novel subtype in domestic duck in Korea). In contrast, H3N8 (70.6%) is the most prevalent subtype in wild birds in Korea. In the phylogenetic analysis, HA genes of the Korean H3 AIVs were divided into 3 groups (Korean duck, wild bird 1, and wild bird 2) and all viruses of duck origin except one were clustered in a single group. However, other genes showed extensive diversity and at least 17 genotypes were circulating in domestic ducks in Korea. When the analysis expanded to viruses of wild bird origin, the genetic diversity of Korean H3 AIVs became more complicated. Extensive reassortments may have occurred in H3 subtype influenza viruses in Korea. When we inoculated chickens and ducks with six selected viruses, some of the viruses replicated efficiently without pre-adaptation and shed a significant amount of viruses through oropharyngeal and cloacal routes. This raised concerns that H3 subtype AIV could be a new subtype in chickens in Korea. Continuous surveillance is needed to prepare the advent of a novel subtype AIV in Korea.

Regulation of cancer cell death by a novel compound, C604, in a c-Myc-overexpressing cellular environment

Jo, M.J.,Paek, A.R.,Choi, J.S.,Ok, C.Y.,Jeong, K.C.,Lim, J.H.,Kim, S.H.,You, H.J. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2015 european journal of pharmacology Vol.769 No.-

<P>The proto-oncogene c-Myc has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Several c-Myc targets have been studied; however, selective regulation of c-Myc is not easy in cancer cells. Herein, we attempt to identify chemical compounds that induce cell death in c-Myc-overexpressing cells (STF-cMyc and STF-Control) by conducting MTS assays on approximately 4000 chemical compounds. One compound, C604, induced cell death in STF-cMyc cells but not STF-Control cells. Apoptotic proteins, including caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PAPP), were cleaved in C604-treated STF-cMyc cells. In addition, 5W620, HCT116 and NCI-H23 cells, which exhibit higher basal levels of c-Myc, underwent apoptotic cell death in response to C604, suggesting a role for C604 as an inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells with c-Myc amplification. C604 induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in cells, which was not affected by apoptotic inhibitors. Interestingly, C604 induced accumulation of c-Myc and Cdc25A proteins. In summary, a chemical compound was identified that may induce cell death in cancer cells with c-Myc amplification specifically through an apoptotic pathway. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Gut-Specific Delivery of T-Helper 17 Cells Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice

Hong, C.P.,Park, A.,Yang, B.G.,Yun, C.H.,Kwak, M.J.,Lee, G.W.,Kim, J.H.,Jang, M.S.,Lee, E.J.,Jeun, E.J.,You, G.,Kim, K.S.,Choi, Y.,Park, J.H.,Hwang, D.,Im, S.H.,Kim, J.F.,Kim, Y.K.,Seoh, J.Y.,Surh, C. Elsevier North Holland [etc.] 2017 Gastroenterology Vol.152 No.8

<P>BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity and metabolic syndrome have been associated with alterations to the intestinal microbiota. However, few studies examined the effects of obesity on the intestinal immune system. We investigated changes in subsets of intestinal CD4(+) T-helper (T-H) cells with obesity and the effects of gut-tropic T(H)17 cells in mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: We isolated immune cells from small intestine and adipose tissue of C57BL/6 mice fed a normal chow diet or a HFD for 10 weeks and analyzed the cells by flow cytometry. Mice fed a vitamin A-deficient HFD were compared with mice fed a vitamin A-sufficient HFD. Obese RAG1-deficient mice were given injections of only regulatory T cells or a combination of regulatory T cells and T(H)17 cells (wild type or deficient in integrin beta 7 subunit or interleukin 17 [IL17]). Mice were examined for weight gain, fat mass, fatty liver, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Fecal samples were collected before and after T cell transfer and analyzed for microbiota composition by metagenomic DNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mice placed on a HFD became obese, which affected the distribution of small intestinal CD4(+) T-H cells. Intestinal tissues from obese mice had significant reductions in the proportion of T(H)17 cells but increased proportion of T(H)1 cells, compared with intestinal tissues from nonobese mice. Depletion of vitamin A in obese mice further reduced the proportion of T(H)17 cells in small intestine; this reduction correlated with more weight gain and worsening of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Adoptive transfer of in vitro-differentiated gut-tropic T(H)17 cells to obese mice reduced these metabolic defects, which required the integrin beta 7 subunit and IL17. Delivery of T(H)17 cells to intestines of mice led to expansion of commensal microbes associated with leanness. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, intestinal T(H)17 cells contribute to development of a microbiota that maintains metabolic homeostasis, via IL17. Gut-homing T(H)17 cells might be used to reduce metabolic disorders in obese individuals.</P>

O-free polyacrylonitrile doping to improve the J_c(B) and H_c2 of MgB₂ wires

Hwang, S.M.,Sung, K.,Choi, J.H.,Kim, W.,Joo, J.,Lim, J.H.,Kim, C.J.,Park, Y.S.,Kim, D.H. North-Holland 2010 Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol.470 No.20

We selected polyacrylonitrile (PAN, -[C<SUB>3</SUB>H<SUB>3</SUB>N]-) as an O-free organic dopant and fabricated C-doped MgB<SUB>2</SUB> wires by in situ and powder-in-tube techniques. 0-5 wt.% PAN powders were uniformly mixed with B powder using a liquid mixing method. The precursor powders were mixed with Mg powder, filled into Fe tubes, and then drawn into wires. Sintering was performed at 900<SUP>o</SUP>C for 1h in a flowing Ar gas. The PAN doping decreased the critical temperature (T<SUB>c</SUB>) and a-axis lattice parameter, but significantly improved the critical current density (J<SUB>c</SUB>) in high fields, upper critical field (H<SUB>c2</SUB>), and irreversibility field (H<SUB>irr</SUB>) performances. These results are attributed to the replacement of B sites with C by the PAN doping. Furthermore, as expected, the MgO amount did not increase as the doping content increased. The J<SUB>c</SUB> of the PAN-doped MgB<SUB>2</SUB> wires was more than one order of magnitude higher than that of the undoped MgB<SUB>2</SUB> wire at 5K and 6.6T (1.46-3.82kA/cm<SUP>2</SUP> vs. 0.11kA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>).

Cross-protective efficacies of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 vaccines against a recent H5N8 virus

Park, S.J.,Si, Y.J.,Kim, J.,Song, M.S.,Kim, S.m.,Kim, E.H.,Kwon, H.i.,Kim, Y.I.,Lee, O.J.,Shin, O.S.,Kim, C.J.,Shin, E.C.,Choi, Y.K. Academic Press 2016 Virology Vol.498 No.-

<P>To investigate cross-protective vaccine efficacy of highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses against a recent HPAI H5N8 virus, we immunized C57BL/6 mice and ferrets with three alum-adjuvanted inactivated whole H5N1 vaccines developed through reverse-genetics (Rg): [Vietnam/1194/04xPR8 (clade 1), Korea/W149/06xPR8 (clade 2.2), and Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 (clade 2.5)]. Although relatively low cross-reactivities (10-40 HI titer) were observed against heterologous H5N8 virus, immunized animals were 100% protected from challenge with the 20 mLD(50) of H5N8 virus, with the exception of mice vaccinated with 3.5 mu g of Rg Vietnam/1194/04xPR8. Of note, the Rg Korea/ES223N/03xPR8 vaccine provided not only effective protection, but also markedly inhibited viral replication in the lungs and nasal swabs of vaccine recipients within five days of HPAI H5N8 virus challenge. Further, we demonstrated that antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of an antibody-coated target cell by cytotoxic effector cells also plays a role in the heterologous protection of H5N1 vaccines against H5N8 challenge. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</P>

Genetic and phylogenetic characterizations of a novel genotype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 viruses in 2016/2017 in South Korea

Kim, Y.I.,Park, S.J.,Kwon, H.I.,Kim, E.H.,Si, Y.J.,Jeong, J.H.,Lee, I.W.,Nguyen, H.D.,Kwon, J.J.,Choi, W.S.,Song, M.S.,Kim, C.J.,Choi, Y.K. Elsevier Science 2017 INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION Vol.53 No.-

<P>During the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N6 viruses in 2016 in South Korea, novel H5N8 viruses were also isolated from migratory birds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the HA gene of these H5N8 viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4, similarly to recent H5Nx viruses, and originated from A/Brk/Korea/Gochang1/14(H5N8), a minor lineage of H5N8 that appeared in 2014 and then disappeared. At least four reassortment events occurred with different subtypes (H5N8, H7N7, H3N8 and H10N7) and a chicken challenge study revealed that they were classified as HPAI viruses according to OIE criteria. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Effect of H/Ar treatment on ZnO:B transparent conducting oxide for flexible a-Si:H/μc-Si:H photovoltaic modules under damp heat stress

Jeong, J.S.,Kim, Y.H.,Park, C.K.,Kim, H.D.,Choi, J. Pergamon Press 2016 Microelectronics and reliability Vol.64 No.-

<P>A flexible amorphous/microcrystalline Si:H (a-Si:H/mu c-Si:H) tandem-junction photovoltaic (PV) module was produced in which a thin film of ZnO:B grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) served as the transparent conducting oxide (TCO). The Hall mobility of ZnO:B is degraded by damp heat, simulated here using the conditions of 85 degrees C at 85% relative humidity; this affects the series resistance and efficiency of the PV module. In this study, ZnO:B was treated by H/Ar plasma to reduce the degradation experienced under damp heat. The degradation time of the Hall mobility of ZnO:B, defined as the time necessary for the cell to reach the efficiency loss of -20%, was improved by similar to 54% by H/Ar treatment (ZnO:B center dot H/Ar). The mechanism behind this improvement was investigated by assessing the reactions of the ZnO:B and ZnO:B center dot H/Ar thin films to moisture. Related changes in the physical and chemical properties of ZnO:B and ZnO:B center dot H/Ar were analyzed by Xray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary-ion mass spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The analyses showed that the concentration of OH- was high while those of Zn2+ and B3+ were low in the grain boundaries of the ZnO:B surface after exposure to humidity. After H/Ar treatment, the increase in OH- concentration in ZnO:B was reduced, and the decrease in the Zn2+ and B3+ concentrations was much smaller. The H/Ar plasma treatment of ZnO:B affected the surface reaction forming Zn(OH)(2), between the OH- and Zn2+ ions at the grain boundaries under damp heat. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>