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.

DROWSY BEHAVIOR DETECTION BASED ON DRIVING INFORMATION

M. S. WANG,N. T. JEONG,K. S. KIM,S. B. CHOI,S. M. YANG,S. H. YOU,J. H. LEE,서명원 한국자동차공학회 2016 International journal of automotive technology Vol.17 No.1

Drowsy behavior is more likely to occur in sleep-deprived drivers. Individuals’ drowsy behavior detection technology should be developed to prevent drowsiness related crashes. Driving information such as acceleration, steering angle and velocity, and physiological signals of drivers such as electroencephalogram (EEG), and eye tracking are adopted in present drowsy behavior detection technologies. However, it is difficult to measure physiological signal, and eye tracking requires complex experiment equipment. As a result, driving information is adopted for drowsy driving detection. In order to achieve this purpose, driving experiment is performed for obtaining driving information through driving simulator. Moreover, this paper investigates effects of using different input parameter combinations, which is consisted of lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, and steering angles with different time window sizes (i.e. 4 s, 10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s), on drowsy driving detection using random forest algorithm. 20 s-size datasets using parameter combination of accelerations in lateral and longitudinal directions, compared to the other combination cases of driving information such as steering angles combined with lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angles only, longitudinal acceleration only, and lateral acceleration only, is considered the most effective information for drivers’ drowsy behavior detection. Moreover, comparing to ANN algorithm, RF algorithm performs better on processing complex input data for drowsy behavior detection. The results, which reveal high accuracy 84.8 % on drowsy driving behavior detection, can be applied on condition of operating real vehicles.

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.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals PGAM1 Altering cis-9, trans-11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Synthesis in Bovine Mammary Gland.

Wang, T,Lee, S B,Hwang, J H,Lim, J N,Jung, U S,Kim, M J,Kang, H S,Choi, S H,Lee, J S,Roh, S G,Lee, H G American Oil Chemists' Society 2015 Lipids Vol.50 No.5

<P>cis-9, trans-11 Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is one of the most extensively studied CLA isomers due to its multiple isomer-specific effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of cis-9,trans-11 CLA synthesis in ruminant mammary gland are still not clearly understood. This process may be mediated, to a certain extent, by trans-11 C18:1 regulated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and/or its syntrophic proteins. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TVA on SCD1-mediated cis-9,trans-11 CLA synthesis in MAC-T cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Results showed that trans-11 C18:1 was continually taken up and converted into cis-9,trans-11 CLA in MAC-T cells during the 4-h incubation of 50?μM trans-11 C18:1. SCD1 protein expression increased more than twofold at 2?h (P?<?0.01) and 2.5?h (P?<?0.05) before decreasing to less than half of the normal level at 4?h (P?<?0.05). One up-regulated (RAS guanyl releasing protein 4 isoform 1 [RASGRP4]) and six down-regulated proteins (glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 1 [GNPDA1], triosephosphate isomerase [TPI1], phosphoglycerate mutase 1 [PGAM1], heat shock protein beta-1 [HSPB1], annexin A3 [ANXA3], thiopurine S-methyltransferase [TPMT]) were found in MAC-T cells treated with trans-11 C18:1. Of these seven identified proteins, the presence of GNPDA1 and PGAM1 was verified in several models. More trans-11 C18:1 was taken up after PGAM1 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA). In conclusion, our data suggested that PGAM1 may have a negative relationship with SCD1 and seemed to be involved in cis-9, trans-11 CLA synthesis by facilitating the absorption of trans-11 C18:1 in the bovine mammary gland.</P>

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.

The Expression of Porcine Adiponectin and Stearoyl Coenzyme a Desaturase Genes in Differentiating Adipocytes

Wang, P.H.,Ko, Y.H.,Liu, B.H.,Peng, H.M.,Lee, M.Y.,Chen, C.Y.,Li, Y.C.,Ding, S.T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.5

The gene expression of porcine adiponectin and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) was investigated in this study. The partial gene sequences for adiponectin and SCD were amplified by RT-PCR from subcutaneous adipose tissue and cloned by TA cloning techniques. Sequences of these genes were determined and found to be highly homologous to that of other species, suggesting similar function of these genes as in other species. The transcripts of these adipocyte-related genes in pig tissues were measured by Northern analysis. The transcripts for adiponectin and SCD were highly expressed in porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue; the transcripts for SCD were also barely detected in the liver, but the greatest concentrations were in the adipose tissue. In porcine stromalvascular cells (S/V cells) cultured in vitro, transcripts for adiponectin and SCD increased gradually during adipocyte differentiation. The level of adipocyte adiponectin mRNA was associated with late adipocyte differentiation, indicating the gene may not be involved in adipocyte differentiation but has great importance in porcine adipocyte functions. The SCD transcripts were not detectable until 2 d after induction of adipocyte differentiation. It was highly expressed in differentiating porcine adipocytes (2 to 10 d after the induction of adipocyte differentiation), indicating a significant role of SCD in adipocytes.

Fabrication of highly permeable thin-film nanocomposite forward osmosis membranes <i>via</i> the design of novel freestanding robust nanofiber substrates

Obaid, M.,Kang, Yesol,Wang, Sungrok,Yoon, Myung-Han,Kim, Chang-Min,Song, Jun-ho,Kim, In S. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Vol.6 No.25

<P>Although forward osmosis (FO) technology is considered to be a sustainable solution for the water and energy shortage, it has not been commercialized yet due to a few factors. Internal concentration polarization (ICP) is one of the most important barriers preventing the commercialization of the technology. To overcome the ICP obstacle, novel high-performance thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were successfully fabricated <I>via</I> interfacial polymerization on robust freestanding graphene oxide (GO) incorporated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber substrates. Compared to the pristine PVDF nanofiber substrate, the incorporation of GO (ranging from 0.1-15 wt%) significantly alters the chemical structure, porosity, wettability, morphology, and mechanical properties of the substrate, leading to an enhancement in the TFN membrane performance. The results showed that TFN5 (containing 5% GO) membrane possesses the lowest structural parameter of 85.5 μm (one of the best values in the literature), indicating a low internal concentration polarization (ICP) effect, resulting in a remarkably heightened water permeability (<I>A</I>; 2.96 L m<SUP>−2</SUP> h<SUP>−1</SUP> bar<SUP>−1</SUP>, enhanced by 167% compared to TFC). As a result, the membrane achieved the highest FO water flux at all draw solution concentrations (0.5-2 M NaCl), and the maximum FO water flux was 80.9 L m<SUP>−2</SUP> h<SUP>−1</SUP> (LMH) with a comparable specific salt flux (<I>J</I>s/<I>J</I>v) of 0.41 g L<SUP>−1</SUP> in the active layer facing the deionized feed water (AL-FS) when 2 M NaCl was applied as a draw solution. Interestingly, TFN5 was found to be the strongest material, with outstanding flexibility and strength over that of the TFC membrane. Furthermore, it showed high stability and durability during long-term FO operation. More importantly, the interaction mechanism between PVDF and GO was proposed schematically. Overall, the obtained results show highly efficient and promising TFN membranes that may overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned FO membranes.</P>

Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on metabolism pathways of antioxidant, inflammatory, and lipid metabolism pathways-a potential crosstalk

Lee M. T.,Lin W. C.,Lin L. J.,Wang S. Y.,Chang S. C.,Lee T. T. 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.7

Objective: This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens. Methods: Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming control diet, or control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC. Liver mRNA expression of antioxidant, inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways were analyzed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration in each group were tested in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) of 35-d old broilers to represent the stress level of the chickens. Furthermore, these cells were stimulated with 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the cell stress tolerance by measuring cell viability and oxidative species. Results: Heme oxygenase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, and superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the above antioxidant genes were all up-regulated significantly in FAC groups. Reactive oxygen species modulator protein 1 and NADPH oxygenase 1 were both rather down-regulated in 10% FAC group as comparison with two WB groups. Despite expressing higher level than control group, birds receiving diet containing FAC had significantly lower expression level in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and other genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3, and cyclooxygenase 2) involving in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, except for 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that showed relatively higher in both groups, the WB, lipoprotein lipase, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid binding protein, fatty acid desaturase 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha genes were expressed at higher levels in 10% FAC group. In support of above results, promoted Nrf2 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in chicken liver were found in FAC containing groups. H2O2 and NO levels induced by LPS and AAPH in cPBMCs were compromised in FAC containing diet. In 35-d-old birds, PGE2 production in cPBMCs was also suppressed by the FAC diet. Conclusion: FAC may promote Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and positively regulate lipid metabolism, both are potential inhibitor of NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Surface structural characterization of highly porous activated carbon prepared from corn grain

Balathanigaimani, M. S.,Shim, Wang-Geun,Kim, Chan,Lee, Jae-Wook,Moon, Hee John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 2009 Surface and interface analysis Vol.41 No.6

<P>A novel corn grain precursor was used for the preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation. The detailed investigation of the porosity development in the prepared activated carbon was done by altering the various activation conditions such as the activation temperature, activation time and ratio between the powdered form of carbonized corn grain char and KOH. The surface characteristics including the surface roughness of all the activated carbon samples were evaluated from the analysis of nitrogen (N<SUB>2</SUB>) adsorption isotherm data. At the maximum of 2978 m<SUP>2</SUP>/g, a super surface area having the corn grain-based activated carbon (CG-AC) was synthesized by using the following conditions: 1/4 ratio of powdered form of carbonized corn grain char/KOH; 800 °C; and 4 h. The possibility of preparing highly porous activated carbons with controlled porosity by varying different activation conditions was found from the pore size distribution results. In particular, the domination of the ratio between the powdered form of carbonized corn grain char and KOH on the porosity development was high compared to the activation temperature and activation time. In addition, the surface roughness calculated from the surface fractal dimension indicates the decrease of surface roughness with increasing activation conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</P>

Amoxicillin의 요로감염증에대한 임상효과

이무상,권성원,이진무,왕종순 中央醫學社 1976 中央醫學 Vol.31 No.4

Amoxicillin (a-amino-p-hydroxybenzylpenicillin) is a new orally administered,semisynthetic penicillin structurally related to ampicillin. Also, it has been known that amoxicillin has an antibacterial spectrum similar to that of ampicillin with more increased gastrointestinal absorption and easy urinary excretion. Authors evaluated the in-vitro antibacterial activity of amoxocillin and ampicillin against several micro-organisms and used amoxicillin in the urinary tract infection clinically. In vitro the level of activity of amoxicillin is generally similar to that of ampicillin. With 1.5gm of amoxicillin a day in divided doses for 7-10 days 30 cases of acute urinary infection were treated, and then 85% was cured clinically and bacteriologically. In uncomplicated, gonorrheal infections amoxicillin 3.0gm and ampicillin 3.5gm plus probenecid 1.0gm in a single dose are effective similarly with over than 90% of cure rate. We consider this drug to be one of the most effective antibiotics in the urinary tract infections, especially in uncomplicated gonorrheal infections.