Showing papers by "Yonsei University published in 2006"
TL;DR: In this article, a revised vertical diffusion algorithm with a nonlocal turbulent mixing coefficient in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is proposed for weather forecasting and climate prediction models, which improves several features compared with the Hong and Pan implementation.
Abstract: This paper proposes a revised vertical diffusion package with a nonlocal turbulent mixing coefficient in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Based on the study of Noh et al. and accumulated results of the behavior of the Hong and Pan algorithm, a revised vertical diffusion algorithm that is suitable for weather forecasting and climate prediction models is developed. The major ingredient of the revision is the inclusion of an explicit treatment of entrainment processes at the top of the PBL. The new diffusion package is called the Yonsei University PBL (YSU PBL). In a one-dimensional offline test framework, the revised scheme is found to improve several features compared with the Hong and Pan implementation. The YSU PBL increases boundary layer mixing in the thermally induced free convection regime and decreases it in the mechanically induced forced convection regime, which alleviates the well-known problems in the Medium-Range Forecast (MRF) PBL. Excessive mixing in the mixed layer in the presenc...
5,363 citations
National Cheng Kung University1, California Pacific Medical Center2, Erasmus University Rotterdam3, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires4, University of Santo Tomas5, National Defense Medical Center6, University of Michigan7, Yonsei University8, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology9, Bristol-Myers Squibb10, University of Connecticut11
TL;DR: Among patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, the rates of histologic, virologic, and biochemical improvement are significantly higher with entecavir than with lamivudine, and the safety profile of the two agents is similar.
Abstract: Methods In this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 715 patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)–positive chronic hepatitis B who had not previously received a nucleoside analogue to receive either 05 mg of entecavir or 100 mg of lamivudine once daily for a minimum of 52 weeks The primary efficacy end point was histologic improvement (a decrease by at least two points in the Knodell necroinflammatory score, without worsening of fibrosis) at week 48 Secondary end points included a reduction in the serum HBV DNA level, HBeAg loss and seroconversion, and normalization of the alanine aminotransferase level Results Histologic improvement after 48 weeks occurred in 226 of 314 patients in the entecavir group (72 percent) and 195 of 314 patients in the lamivudine group (62 percent, P = 0009) More patients in the entecavir group than in the lamivudine group had undetectable serum HBV DNA levels according to a polymerase-chain-reaction assay (67 percent vs 36 percent, P<0001) and normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels (68 percent vs 60 percent, P = 002) The mean reduction in serum HBV DNA from baseline to week 48 was greater with entecavir than with lamivudine (69 vs 54 log [on a base-10 scale] copies per milliliter, P<0001) HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 21 percent of entecavir-treated patients and 18 percent of those treated with lamivudine (P = 033) No viral resistance to entecavir was detected Safety was similar in the two groups Conclusions Among patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, the rates of histologic, virologic, and biochemical improvement are significantly higher with entecavir than with lami vudine The safety profile of the two agents is similar, and there is no evidence of viral resistance to entecavir (ClinicalTrialsgov number, NCT00035633)
1,395 citations
TL;DR: The currently proposed shape-guiding mechanisms are presented and the important pioneering studies on the assembly of shape-controlled nanocrystals into ordered superlattices and the fabrication of prototype advanced nanodevices are discussed.
Abstract: Inorganic nanocrystals with tailored geometries exhibit unique shape-dependent phenomena and subsequent utilization of them as building blocks for the fabrication of nanodevices is of significant interest. Herein, we review the recent developments in the shape control of colloidal nanocrystals with a focus on the scientifically and technologically important semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals obtained by nonhydrolytic synthetic methods. Many structurally unprecedented motifs have been discovered including polyhedrons, rods and wires, plates and prisms, and other advanced shapes such as branched rods, stars, inorganic dendrites, and dumbbells. The currently proposed shape-guiding mechanisms are presented and the important pioneering studies on the assembly of shape-controlled nanocrystals into ordered superlattices and the fabrication of prototype advanced nanodevices are discussed.
1,101 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors test a model dealing with direct and indirect effects of self-image congruence on brand loyalty, and the model was tested using cars as the product stimulus in a survey of 600 car owners.
825 citations
TL;DR: Underweight, overweight, and obese men and women had higher rates of death than men and girls of normal weight and the relative risk of death associated with BMI declined with increasing age.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with diverse health risks, but the role of body weight as a risk factor for death remains controversial. METHODS We examined the association between body weight and the risk of death in a 12-year prospective cohort study of 1,213,829 Koreans between the ages of 30 and 95 years. We examined 82,372 deaths from any cause and 48,731 deaths from specific diseases (including 29,123 from cancer, 16,426 from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and 3362 from respiratory disease) in relation to the body-mass index (BMI) (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters). RESULTS In both sexes, the average baseline BMI was 23.2, and the rate of death from any cause had a J-shaped association with the BMI, regardless of cigarette-smoking history. The risk of death from any cause was lowest among patients with a BMI of 23.0 to 24.9. In all groups, the risk of death from respiratory causes was higher among subjects with a lower BMI, and the risk of death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or cancer was higher among subjects with a higher BMI. The relative risk of death associated with BMI declined with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS Underweight, overweight, and obese men and women had higher rates of death than men and women of normal weight. The association of BMI with death varied according to the cause of death and was modified by age, sex, and smoking history.
810 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present images, integrated photometry, surface-brightness and color profiles for a total of 1034 nearby galaxies recently observed by the GALEX satellite in its far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1516A) and near-ult ultraviolet (NUV; 2267A) bands.
Abstract: We present images, integrated photometry, surface-brightness and color profiles for a total of 1034 nearby galaxies recently observed by the GALEX satellite in its far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1516A) and near-ultraviolet (NUV; 2267A) bands. (...) This data set has been complemented with archival optical, near-infrared, and far-infrared fluxes and colors. We find that the integrated (FUV-K) color provides robust discrimination between elliptical and spiral/irregular galaxies and also among spiral galaxies of different sub-types. Elliptical galaxies with brighter K-band luminosities (i.e. more massive) are redder in (NUV-K) color but bluer in (FUV-NUV) than less massive ellipticals. In the case of the spiral/irregular galaxies our analysis shows the presence of a relatively tight correlation between the (FUV-NUV) color and the total infrared-to-UV ratio. The correlation found between (FUV-NUV) color and K-band luminosity (with lower luminosity objects being bluer than more luminous ones) can be explained as due to an increase in the dust content with galaxy luminosity.
The images in this Atlas along with the profiles and integrated properties are publicly available through a dedicated web page at this http URL
773 citations
TL;DR: Variations in the deposit patterns can be explained in terms of competing effects between the convective and Marangoni flows, which vary with the types of the high-boiling-point solvent added to the ink.
Abstract: Particle deposit morphologies that resulted from evaporating ink-jetted microdroplets were controlled by varying the ink compositions and concentrations. The ink was a well-dispersed aqueous dispersion of monodisperse silica microspheres. Silica particles suspended in the microdroplet undergo self-assembly upon the evaporation of the solvent. A ringlike deposit of the self-assembled silica particles was produced from the water-based ink, while a uniform two-dimensional monolayer with a well-ordered hexagonal structure was obtained from the mixed-solvent-based inks. Variations in the deposit patterns can be explained in terms of competing effects between the convective and Marangoni flows, which vary with the types of the high-boiling-point solvent added to the ink. The macroscopic shape and microstructure of the silica colloidal deposits were observed by SEM, AFM, and a confocal microscope.
695 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual model is developed that explains how market orientation can be transformed into dynamic capability when complemented by transformational (reconfig-urational) constructs, such as innovativeness.
Abstract: Drawing on the resource-based view of the firm, this study addresses the dynamic capability-generating capacity of market orientation on firm performance Whereas prior literature has examined environmental turbulence as a contextual condition shaping the market orientation-firm performance relationship, this study takes an internal approach by focusing on existing stocks of resources within the firm while controlling for environmental conditions A conceptual model is developed that explains how market orientation can be transformed into dynamic capability when complemented by transformational (reconfig-urational) constructs, such as innovativeness The empirical results support the authors— theory that the effect of market orientation on firm performance is strengthened when market orientation is bundled together with internal complementary resources, such as innovativeness The authors discuss the findings in the context of varying stages of the product life cycle and at different levels of market development
667 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that canonical Wnt signalling engages tumour cell dedifferentiation and tissue-invasive activity through an Axin2-dependent pathway that stabilizes the Snail1 zinc-transcription factor, a key regulator of normal and neoplastic EMT programs.
Abstract: Accumulating evidence indicates that hyperactive Wnt signalling occurs in association with the development and progression of human breast cancer. As a consequence of engaging the canonical Wnt pathway, a beta-catenin-T-cell factor (TCF) transcriptional complex is generated, which has been postulated to trigger the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that characterizes the tissue-invasive phenotype. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the beta-catenin-TCF complex induces EMT-like programmes remain undefined. Here, we demonstrate that canonical Wnt signalling engages tumour cell dedifferentiation and tissue-invasive activity through an Axin2-dependent pathway that stabilizes the Snail1 zinc-transcription factor, a key regulator of normal and neoplastic EMT programmes. Axin2 regulates EMT by acting as a nucleocytoplasmic chaperone for GSK3beta, the dominant kinase responsible for controlling Snail1 protein turnover and activity. As dysregulated Wnt signalling marks a diverse array of cancerous tissue types, the identification of a beta-catenin-TCF-regulated Axin2-GSK3beta-Snail1 axis provides new mechanistic insights into cancer-associated EMT programmes.
573 citations
TL;DR: The present paper reviews medicinal plants that have shown experimental or clinical antidiabetic activity and that have been used in traditional systems of medicine and natural products isolated from the medicinal plants and reported during 2001 to 2005.
Abstract: Currently available therapeutic options for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, such as dietary modification, oral hypoglycemics, and insulin, have limitations of their own. Many natural products and herbal medicines have been recommended for the treatment of diabetes. The present paper reviews medicinal plants that have shown experimental or clinical antidiabetic activity and that have been used in traditional systems of medicine; the review also covers natural products (active natural components and crude extracts) isolated from the medicinal plants and reported during 2001 to 2005. Many kinds of natural products, such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and some others, have shown antidiabetic potential. Particularly, schulzeines A, B, and C, radicamines A and B, 2,5-imino-1,2,5-trideoxy-L-glucitol, beta-homofuconojirimycin, myrciacitrin IV, dehydrotrametenolic acid, corosolic acid (Glucosol), 4-(alpha-rhamnopyranosyl)ellagic acid, and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose have shown significant antidiabetic activities. Among active medicinal herbs, Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Leguminoceae), and Trigonella foenum graecum L. (Leguminosae) have been reported as beneficial for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
540 citations
TL;DR: The concept of group social capital as mentioned in this paper was introduced to describe the set of resources made available to a group through members' social relationships within the social structure of the group and in the broader formal and informal structures of the organization.
Abstract: We introduce the concept of group social capital—the set of resources made available to a group through members' social relationships within the social structure of the group and in the broader formal and informal structure of the organization. We argue that greater group social capital resources lead to greater group effectiveness and that there are many different conduits through which group social capital resources flow. We present a multilevel, multidimensional model arguing that an optimal balance of all these conduits maximizes group social capital resources and group effectiveness.
Met Office1, Wageningen University and Research Centre2, University of the Balearic Islands3, Remote Sensing Center4, National Research Council5, Colorado State University6, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory7, West Virginia University8, Yonsei University9, Leibniz University of Hanover10, National Center for Atmospheric Research11
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL) as part of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study initiative.
Abstract: Results are presented from the first intercomparison of large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL), as part of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study initiative. A moderately stable case is used, based on Arctic observations. All models produce successful simulations, in as much as they generate resolved turbulence and reflect many of the results from local scaling theory and observations. Simulations performed at 1-m and 2-m resolution show only small changes in the mean profiles compared to coarser resolutions. Also, sensitivity to subgrid models for individual models highlights their importance in SBL simulation at moderate resolution (6.25 m). Stability functions are derived from the LES using typical mixing lengths used in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate models. The functions have smaller values than those used in NWP. There is also support for the use of K-profile similarity in parametrizations. Thus, the results provide improved understanding and motivate future developments of the parametrization of the SBL.
TL;DR: An irreversible rhodamine chemosensor-based, real-time monitoring system to detect mercury ions in living cells and, in particular, vertebrate organisms and shows that the mercury chemos sensor is cell and organism permeable and that it responds selectively to mercury ions over other metal ions.
Abstract: Exposure to mercury causes severe damage to various tissues and organs in humans. Concern over mercury toxicity has encouraged the development of efficient, sensitive, and selective methods for the in vivo detection of mercury. Although a variety of chemosensors have been exploited for this purpose, no in vivo monitoring systems have been described to date. In this report, we describe an irreversible rhodamine chemosensor-based, real-time monitoring system to detect mercury ions in living cells and, in particular, vertebrate organisms. The chemosensor responds rapidly, irreversibly, and stoichiometrically to mercury ions in aqueous media at room temperature. The results of experiments with mammalian cells and zebrafish show that the mercury chemosensor is cell and organism permeable and that it responds selectively to mercury ions over other metal ions. In addition, real-time monitoring of mercury-ion uptake by cells and zebrafish using this chemosensor shows that saturation of mercury-ion uptake occurs within 20-30 min in cells and organisms. Finally, accumulation of mercury ions in zebrafish tissue and organs is readily detected by using this rhodamine-based chemosensor.
TL;DR: This work tested whether the integration of facial features into a whole representation—holistic processing—was larger for SR than OR faces in Caucasians and Asians without life experience with OR faces, and found that SR faces are processed more holistically than Or faces.
Abstract: Recognizing individual faces outside one's race poses difficulty, a phenomenon known as the other-race effect. Most researchers agree that this effect results from differential experience with same-race (SR) and other-race (OR) faces. However, the specific processes that develop with visual experience and underlie the other-race effect remain to be clarified. We tested whether the integration of facial features into a whole representation-holistic processing-was larger for SR than OR faces in Caucasians and Asians without life experience with OR faces. For both classes of participants, recognition of the upper half of a composite-face stimulus was more disrupted by the bottom half (the composite-face effect) for SR than OR faces, demonstrating that SR faces are processed more holistically than OR faces. This differential holistic processing for faces of different races, probably a by-product of visual experience, may be a critical factor in the other-race effect.
TL;DR: High-frequency rTMS of the affected motor cortex can facilitate practice-dependent plasticity and improve the motor learning performance in chronic stroke victims.
Abstract: Background and Purpose— Although there is some early evidence showing the value of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in stroke rehabilitation, the therapeutic effect of high-frequency rTMS, along with the physiology of rTMS-induced corticomotor excitability supporting motor learning in stroke, has not been established. This study investigated high-frequency rTMS-induced cortical excitability and the associated motor skill acquisition in chronic stroke patients. Methods— Fifteen patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke (13 men; mean age 53.5 years) practiced a complex, sequential finger motor task using their paretic fingers either after 10 Hz or sham rTMS over the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1). Both the changes in the behavior and corticomotor excitability before and after the intervention were examined by measuring the movement accuracy, the movement time, and the motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude. A separate repeated-measures ANOVA and correlation statistics were used to determine the main and interaction effects as well as relationship between the changes in the behavioral and corticomotor excitability. Results— High-frequency rTMS resulted in a significantly larger increase in the MEP amplitude than the sham rTMS ( P P Conclusions— High-frequency rTMS of the affected motor cortex can facilitate practice-dependent plasticity and improve the motor learning performance in chronic stroke victims.
TL;DR: The establishment of a database of DTI images in children can be used as a normal standard of reference for diagnosis of pediatric neurological abnormalities, and visual observations that maturation of the white matter and the normality of its architecture can be assessed with DTI in young children are confirmed.
TL;DR: The results indicate that the dynamic interplay between O-GlcNAc and O-phosphate modifications coordinately regulate p53 stability and activity and stabilizes p53 by blocking ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis.
Abstract: Post-translational addition of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to p53 is known to occur, but the site of O-GlcNAcylation and its effects on p53 are not understood. Here, we show that Ser 149 of p53 is O-GlcNAcylated and that this modification is associated with decreased phosphorylation of p53 at Thr 155, which is a site that is targeted by the COP9 signalosome, resulting in decreased p53 ubiquitination. Accordingly, O-GlcNAcylation at Ser 149 stabilizes p53 by blocking ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. Our results indicate that the dynamic interplay between O-GlcNAc and O-phosphate modifications coordinately regulate p53 stability and activity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce the concept of network inertia, which refers to a persistent organizational resistance to changing interorganizational network ties or difficulties that an organization faces when it attempts to dissolve old relationships and form new network ties.
Abstract: We introduce the construct of network inertia, referring to a persistent organizational resistance to changing interorganizational network ties or difficulties that an organization faces when it attempts to dissolve old relationships and form new network ties. Previous research has neglected the process of network change in favor of an emphasis on identifying beneficial content effects of networks. We emphasize the constraints on network change and propose a multilevel conceptual model relating key sources of network inertia to changes in network ties. We also discuss the implications of network inertia for the evolution of networks.
TL;DR: Insight is provided into the evolutionary history for the PE and PPE gene families of the mycobacteria, linking the expansion of these families to the duplications of the ESAT-6 (esx) gene cluster regions, and showing that they are composed of subgroups with distinct evolutionary (and possibly functional) differences.
Abstract: The PE and PPE multigene families of Mycobacterium tuberculosis comprise about 10% of the coding potential of the genome. The function of the proteins encoded by these large gene families remains unknown, although they have been proposed to be involved in antigenic variation and disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, some members of the PE and PPE families are associated with the ESAT-6 (esx) gene cluster regions, which are regions of immunopathogenic importance, and encode a system dedicated to the secretion of members of the potent T-cell antigen ESAT-6 family. This study investigates the duplication characteristics of the PE and PPE gene families and their association with the ESAT-6 gene clusters, using a combination of phylogenetic analyses, DNA hybridization, and comparative genomics, in order to gain insight into their evolutionary history and distribution in the genus Mycobacterium. The results showed that the expansion of the PE and PPE gene families is linked to the duplications of the ESAT-6 gene clusters, and that members situated in and associated with the clusters represent the most ancestral copies of the two gene families. Furthermore, the emergence of the repeat protein PGRS and MPTR subfamilies is a recent evolutionary event, occurring at defined branching points in the evolution of the genus Mycobacterium. These gene subfamilies are thus present in multiple copies only in the members of the M. tuberculosis complex and close relatives. The study provides a complete analysis of all the PE and PPE genes found in the sequenced genomes of members of the genus Mycobacterium such as M. smegmatis, M. avium paratuberculosis, M. leprae, M. ulcerans, and M. tuberculosis. This work provides insight into the evolutionary history for the PE and PPE gene families of the mycobacteria, linking the expansion of these families to the duplications of the ESAT-6 (esx) gene cluster regions, and showing that they are composed of subgroups with distinct evolutionary (and possibly functional) differences.
TL;DR: The motion artifacts were reduced by exploiting the quasi-periodicity of the PPG signal and the independence between the P PG and the motion artifact signals by the combination of independent component analysis and block interleaving with low-pass filtering.
Abstract: Removing the motion artifacts from measured photoplethysmography (PPG) signals is one of the important issues to be tackled for the accurate measurement of arterial oxygen saturation during movement. In this paper, the motion artifacts were reduced by exploiting the quasi-periodicity of the PPG signal and the independence between the PPG and the motion artifact signals. The combination of independent component analysis and block interleaving with low-pass filtering can reduce the motion artifacts under the condition of general dual-wavelength measurement. Experiments with synthetic and real data were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
TL;DR: The purpose of this study was to search for a novel quorum sensing inhibitor and analyse its inhibitory activity and found it to be an inhibitory agent.
Abstract: Aims: The purpose of this study was to search for a novel quorum sensing inhibitor and analyse its inhibitory activity.
Methods and Results: Quorum sensing inhibition was monitored using the Tn-5 mutant, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Vanilla beans (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) were extracted using 75% (v/v) aqueous methanol and added to C. violaceum CV026 cultures. Inhibitory activity was measured by quantifying violacein production using a spectrophotometer. The results have revealed that vanilla extract significantly reduced violacein production in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing.
Conclusions: Vanilla, a widely used spice and flavour, can inhibit bacterial quorum sensing.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The results suggest that the intake of vanilla-containing food materials might promote human health by inhibiting quorum sensing and preventing bacterial pathogenesis. Further studies are required to isolate specific substances from vanilla extract acting as quorum sensing inhibitors.
TL;DR: The strategy for the development of the next generation of nanoprobes has been to fuse multiple fluorescent dyes and multiple magnetic nanoparticles into a single nanoprobe that provides superior fluorescence and MR imaging capabilities through the synergistic enhancement of its respective components.
Abstract: Inorganic nanoparticles are emerging as potential probes in next-generation biomedical applications. Their enhanced properties arising from nanoscale effects and their comparable size to biofunctional molecules have allowed for ultrasensitive detection of biomolecular targets. Of the various nanoparticles, quantum dots and fluorescent-dye-doped silica nanoparticles are representative examples of optical nanoprobe systems. Dye-doped silica nanoparticles have several advantages for optical imaging: 1) high photostability arising from the stabilization of dye molecules in a protective silica matrix, 2) amplification of the fluorescent signal owing to high dye-incorporation capabilities of silica nanoparticles, and 3) the silica is known to be relatively biocompatible and less toxic. On the other hand, magnetic nanoparticles exhibit a unique magnetic-resonance (MR) contrast enhancement effect that enables noninvasive MR imaging of cell trafficking, gene expression, and cancer. However, retrieving detailed biological information on a subcellular level is difficult owing to limited resolution and low sensitivity of the MRI technique. Until now, most previous studies that utilized optical and/or magnetic nanoparticle probes have been focused on monofunctional probes, except for a few primitive dual probes such as the single magnetic nanoparticle that was directly linked to organic dyes. Our strategy for the development of the next generation of nanoprobes has been to fuse multiple fluorescent dyes and multiple magnetic nanoparticles into a single nanoprobe that provides superior fluorescence and MR imaging capabilities through the synergistic enhancement of its respective components. Specifically, we have fabricated new “core–satellite” structured dual functional nanoparticles comprised of a dyedoped silica “core” and multiple “satellites” of magnetic nanoparticles. We further demonstrate their utilization as simultaneous optical and MR imaging of neuroblastoma cells expressing polysialic acids (PSAs). Detection of PSA is important as it is not only an important carbohydrate associated with neural pathways, such as synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and cell-to-cell interaction, but it is also a marker of neuroblastoma, lung carcinoma, and Wilms7 tumors. Rhodamine-dye-doped silica (DySiO2) nanoparticles with surface amine groups were synthesized by a modified literature method. The obtained nanoparticles have a homogeneous size of 30 nm (Figure 1b). High-quality watersoluble iron oxide (Fe3O4, abbreviated as WSIO) nanoparticles were synthesized following a method previously reported by us. The WSIO nanoparticles are 9 nm in diameter with high monodispersity (s 5%) and coated with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA; Figure 1c). Our core–satellite nanoparticles were fabricated through the conjugation of these DySiO2 nanoparticles with WSIO by using sulfosuccinimidyl-(4-N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane1-carboxylate (sulfo-SMCC, Pierce) cross-linkers (Figure 1a). First, the amine groups of the DySiO2 nanoparticle were modified with maleimide groups by reacting them with sulfoSMCC cross-linkers. The reactions between the maleimide groups of the silica nanoparticle and the thiol groups ofWSIO nanoparticles subsequently yielded hybrid nanoparticles ((DySiO2–(Fe3O4)n, n= 10 2) of a dye-doped silica core and iron oxide satellites. [*] S.-I. Yeon, Prof. J.-S. Shin Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul 120-752 (Korea) E-mail: jsshin6203@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
TL;DR: It is shown here that HMGB1 is phosphorylated and dynamically shuttled between cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments according to its phosphorylation state and that the direction of transport is regulated byosphorylation of both NLS regions.
Abstract: The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein can be secreted by activated monocytes and macrophages and functions as a late mediator of sepsis. HMGB1 contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs) for controlled nuclear transport, and acetylation of both NLSs of HMGB1 is involved in nuclear transport toward secretion. However, phosphorylation of HMGB1 and its relation to nuclear transport have not been shown. We show here that HMGB1 is phosphorylated and dynamically shuttled between cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments according to its phosphorylation state. Phosphorylation of HMGB1 was detected by metabolic labeling and Western blot analysis after treatments with TNF-α and okadaic acid, a phosphatase inhibitor. Hyperphosphorylated HMGB1 in RAW 264.7 and human monocytes was relocated to the cytoplasm. In a nuclear import assay, phosphorylated HMGB1 in the cytoplasm did not enter the nucleus. We mutated serine residues of either or both NLSs of HMGB1 to glutamic acid to simulate a phosphorylated state and examined the binding of HMGB1 to karyopherin-α1, which was identified as the nuclear import protein for HMGB1 in this study. Substitution to glutamic acid in either NLSs decreased the binding with karyopherin-α1 by ∼ 50%; however, substitution of both NLSs showed no binding, and HMGB1 was relocated to the cytoplasm and subsequently secreted. These data support the hypothesis that HMGB1 could be phosphorylated and that the direction of transport is regulated by phosphorylation of both NLS regions.
University of New South Wales1, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics2, Johns Hopkins University3, National University of Singapore4, Technische Universität München5, University of Greifswald6, Innsbruck Medical University7, Hoffmann-La Roche8, Vanderbilt University9, Yonsei University10, Amgen11, University College Dublin12, French Institute of Health and Medical Research13, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research14
TL;DR: In this paper, a minimal set of guidelines for proteomics research is described, which serve as a set of criteria which editors of PROTEOMICS will use for assessment of future submissions to the Journal.
Abstract: In the last ten years, the field of proteomics has expanded at a rapid rate. A range of exciting new technology has been developed and enthusiastically applied to an enormous variety of biological questions. However, the degree of stringency required in proteomic data generation and analysis appears to have been underestimated. As a result, there are likely to be numerous published findings that are of questionable quality, requiring further confirmation and/or validation. This manuscript outlines a number of key issues in proteomic research, including those associated with experimental design, differential display and biomarker discovery, protein identification and analytical incompleteness. In an effort to set a standard that reflects current thinking on the necessary and desirable characteristics of publishable manuscripts in the field, a minimal set of guidelines for proteomics research is then described. These guidelines will serve as a set of criteria which editors of PROTEOMICS will use for assessment of future submissions to the Journal.
TL;DR: Spherical silver nanoparticles with various sizes and standard deviations were synthesized by the polyol process and the injection rate and reaction temperature were important factors in terms of reducing the particle size and attaining monodispersity.
Abstract: Spherical silver nanoparticles with various sizes and standard deviations were synthesized by the polyol process Two different synthesis methods were compared in order to investigate the influence of reaction parameters on the resulting particle size and its distribution In the precursor heating method, wherein a solution containing silver nitrate was heated to the reaction temperature, the ramping rate was determined to be a critical parameter affecting the particle size In contrast, in the precursor injection method, in which a silver nitrate aqueous solution was injected into hot ethylene glycol, because of rapid nucleation, the injection rate and the reaction temperature were important factors in terms of reducing the particle size and attaining monodispersity Silver nanoparticles with a size of 17 ? 2?nm were obtained at an injection rate of 25?ml?s?1 and a reaction temperature of 100??C
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of conductive ink compositions on the quality of ink-jet printed patterns was investigated, and it was demonstrated that the inkjet printed film quality is directly related to the resistance difference in the conductive patterns.
Abstract: The authors have investigated the influence of conductive ink compositions on the quality of ink-jet printed patterns. Controlling the solvent compositions plays an important role of reducing the so-called coffee ring effect. The use of a higher boiling point solvent with lower surface tension such as ethylene glycol enables the formation of a uniform deposit of silver nanoparticles due to surface tension gradient-induced inward Marangoni flow, which can compensate outward convective flow. It is demonstrated that the ink-jet printed film quality is directly related to the resistance difference in the conductive patterns.
TL;DR: Recent advances in the production of recombinant proteins by high cell density culture of E. coli are reviewed for enhanced protein production based on high-throughput omics approaches such as transcriptomics and proteomics.
TL;DR: The development of inorganic heterodimer nanoparticles of FePt-Au with multifunctional capabilities including catalytic growth effects, magnetic resonance (MR) contrast effects, optical signal enhancing properties, and high colloidal stability and biocompatibility are presented.
Abstract: Hybrid nanoparticles are of significant interest primarily because of their innate multifunctional capabilities. These capabilities can be exploited when hybrid nanoparticles are used for applications in the biomedical sciences in particular, where they are utilized as multimodal nanoplatforms for sensing, imaging, and therapy of biological targets. However, the realization of their biomedical applications has been difficult, in part because of a lack of high quality hybrid nanoparticles which possess high aqueous colloidal stability and biocompatibility while retaining their multifunctionalities. Here, we present the development of inorganic heterodimer nanoparticles of FePt−Au with multifunctional capabilities including catalytic growth effects, magnetic resonance (MR) contrast effects, optical signal enhancing properties, and high colloidal stability and biocompatibility. Their multimodal capabilities for biological detection are demonstrated through their utilizations in the patterned biochip based de...
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that in normal mice, hypothalamic Foxo1 expression is reduced by the anorexigenic hormones insulin and leptin, establishing a new signaling pathway through which insulin andptin regulate food intake in hypothalamic neurons.
Abstract: Insulin signaling in the hypothalamus plays a role in maintaining body weight. Studies suggest that the forkhead transcription factor Foxo1 is an important mediator of insulin signaling in peripheral tissues. Here we demonstrate that in normal mice, hypothalamic Foxo1 expression is reduced by the anorexigenic hormones insulin and leptin. These hormones' effects on feeding are inhibited when hypothalamic Foxo1 is activated, establishing a new signaling pathway through which insulin and leptin regulate food intake in hypothalamic neurons. Moreover, activation of Foxo1 in the hypothalamus increases food intake and body weight, whereas inhibition of Foxo1 decreases both. Foxo1 stimulates the transcription of the orexigenic neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related protein through the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, but suppresses the transcription of anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin by antagonizing the activity of signal transducer-activated transcript-3 (STAT3). Our data suggest that hypothalamic Foxo1 is an important regulator of food intake and energy balance.
TL;DR: CT is superior to conventional angiography in delineating the ostial origin and proximal path of an anomalous coronary artery and an understanding of the clinical significance of these anomalies are essential in making a correct diagnosis and planning patient treatment.
Abstract: Congenital abnormalities of the coronary arteries are an uncommon but important cause of chest pain and, in some cases of hemodynamically significant abnormalities, sudden cardiac death. For several decades, premorbid diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies has been made with conventional angiography. However, this imaging technique has limitations due to its projectional and invasive nature. The recent development of electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) allows accurate and noninvasive depiction of coronary artery anomalies of origin, course, and termination. Multi-detector row CT is superior to conventional angiography in delineating the ostial origin and proximal path of an anomalous coronary artery. Familiarity with the CT appearances of various coronary artery anomalies and an understanding of the clinical significance of these anomalies are essential in making a correct diagnosis and planning patient treatment.