Discovery of Hits That Can Specifically Inhibit Necroptosis but Not Apoptosis

Necroptosis or programmed necrosis is a specialized and regulated necrosis, and is unmasked when apoptotic machinery for death stress is defective. Initially, it was proposed that necroptotic cell death was pathologically associated with ischemic brain injury and retinal disorders. In contrast, it plays a beneficial significance in innate immune response to viral infection that can evade host’s apoptotic surveillance. Also, it has been therapeutically emerging as the strategy to overcome the cancers with acquired anticancer drug resistance. Presently, a few small molecules to interfere with signaling pathways for necroptosis have been disclosed since necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) was for the first time identified as an inhibitor of receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), a key necroptosis regulator. In an effort to discover hits that can selectively inhibit necroptotic cell death, in this study, we screened in-house and in silico chemical libraries in a cell-based format. Eventually, 7 hits were identified from in-house chemical library while 2 hits were from computer modeling. Most hits less protected cells from tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)- and zVAD-mediated necroptosis than a reference compound necrostatin-1, without affecting apoptotic cell death induced in HeLa. Interestingly, a few of hits had preferential protective effects on zVAD or TNFα while Nec-1 exhibited EC50 values at the similar concentrations against both necroptosis inducers, suggesting that chemicals deduced in our study can discriminate signaling pathways leading to receptor or nonreceptor-mediated necroptotic cell death.Therefore, some potent hits will be further improved to use for the treatment of necroptosis-associated disorders. &nbsp

Face Recognition Performance Comparison of Fake Faces with Real Faces in Relation to Lighting

Abstract Face Recognition is widely used in security systems, such as surveillance, gate control systems, and guard robots, due to their user friendliness and convenience compared to other biometric approaches. Secure face recognition systems require advanced technology for face liveness detection, which can identify whether a face belongs to a real client or a portrait. However, with the development of display devices and technology, the tools and skills for carrying out spoofing attacks with images and videos have gradually evolved. In this paper, we compare real faces with high-definition facial videos from LED display devices, and present the changes in face recognition performance according to lighting direction

Computerized pattern making focus on fitting to 3D human body shapes

Purpose - This paper aims to describe the development of a method of constructing three-dimensional (3D) human body shapes that include a degree of ease for purpose of computerized pattern making. Design/methodology/approach - The body shape could be made with ease allowance to an individual's unique body shape using sweep method and a convex method. And then generates tight skirt patterns for the reconstructed virtual body shape using a computerized pattern making system. Findings - This paper obtains individual patterns using individually reconstructed 3D body shapes by computerized pattern development. In these patterns, complex curved lines such as waist lines and dart lines are created automatically using the developed method. The method is successfully used to make variations of a tight skirt to fit different size women. The author also used the method to make other skirts of various designs. Originality/value - The method described in this paper is useful for making patterns and then garments, without the need for the garments to be later adjusted for the subject.ArticleInternational Journal of Clothing Science and Technology. 22(1):16-24 (2010)journal articl

Differential effect of corn oil-based low trans structured fat on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile in an atherogenic mouse model: comparison to hydrogenated trans fat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Trans </it>fat are not desirable in many aspects on health maintenance. Low <it>trans </it>structured fats have been reported to be relatively more safe than <it>trans </it>fats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the effects of low <it>trans </it>structured fat from corn oil (LC), compared with high <it>trans </it>fat shortening, on cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in apo E deficient mice which is an atherogenic animal model. The animals were fed a high <it>trans </it>fat (10% fat: commercial shortening (CS)) or a low <it>trans </it>fat (LC) diet for 12 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LC decreased apo B and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration compared to the CS group but significantly increased plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and fecal lipids with a simultaneous increase in HDL-cholesterol level, apo A-I, and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol (HTR). Reduction of hepatic lipid levels by inclusion of LC intake was observed alongside modulation of hepatic enzyme activities related to cholesterol esterification, fatty acid metabolism and fecal lipids level compared to the CS group. The differential effects of LC intake on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile seemed to be partly due to the fatty acid composition of LC which contains higher MUFA, PUFA and SFA content as well as lower content of <it>trans </it>fatty acids compared to CS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We suggest that LC may exert a dual effect on plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism in an atherogenic animal model. Accordingly, LC, supplemented at 10% in diet, had an anti-atherogenic effect on these <it>apo E</it>^{<it>-/- </it>}mice, and increased fecal lipids, decreased hepatic steatosis, but elevated plasma lipids. Further studies are needed to verify the exact mode of action regarding the complex physiological changes and alteration in lipid metabolism caused by LC.</p

Effects of a video education program for patients with benign uterine tumors receiving high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a video education program in women receiving high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. Methods This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were 54 patients who had benign uterine tumors and adenomyosis. The data were collected from June to August 2018. A 10-minute video education program on HIFU and post-procedural care was developed based on the literature. The experimental group was provided the video education program with a question-and-answer session for 10 minutes after viewing the video. The control group received usual care (i.e., verbal instructions on post-procedural self-care). The questionnaire survey was conducted twice: before the educational program and before being discharged from the hospital. Differences in uncertainty, emotions, and self-efficacy among patients were analyzed. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Shapiro-Wilk test, paired t-test, and t-test with SPSS version 23.0. Results The participants in the experimental group showed a decrease in uncertainty(t=4.33, p<.001), improvements in anxiety(t=–4.07, p<.001) and depression (t=–3.55,p<.001), and an enhancement ofself-efficacy (t=–4.39,p<.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion This nursing intervention was effective at reducing uncertainty, improving emotions, and enhancing self-efficacy. This intervention is feasible for use in nursing practice as an aid for patients when considering treatment methods

Real-Time Monitoring of Neural Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing

Stem cells are useful for cell replacement therapy. Stem cell differentiation must be monitored thoroughly and precisely prior to transplantation. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) for in vitro real-time monitoring of neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We cultured hMSCs in neural differentiation media (NDM) for 6 days and examined the time-course of impedance changes with an ECIS array. We also monitored the expression of markers for neural differentiation, total cell count, and cell cycle profiles. Cellular expression of neuron and oligodendrocyte markers increased. The resistance value of cells cultured in NDM was automatically measured in real-time and found to increase much more slowly over time compared to cells cultured in non-differentiation media. The relatively slow resistance changes observed in differentiating MSCs were determined to be due to their lower growth capacity achieved by induction of cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Overall results suggest that the relatively slow change in resistance values measured by ECIS method can be used as a parameter for slowly growing neural-differentiating cells. However, to enhance the competence of ECIS for in vitro real-time monitoring of neural differentiation of MSCs, more elaborate studies are needed

PwRn1, a novel Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposon of Paragonimus westermani: molecular characters and its differentially preserved mobile potential according to host chromosomal polyploidy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Retrotransposons have been known to involve in the remodeling and evolution of host genome. These reverse transcribing elements, which show a complex evolutionary pathway with diverse intermediate forms, have been comprehensively analyzed from a wide range of host genomes, while the information remains limited to only a few species in the phylum Platyhelminthes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A LTR retrotransposon and its homologs with a strong phylogenetic affinity toward <it>CsRn1 </it>of <it>Clonorchis sinensis </it>were isolated from a trematode parasite <it>Paragonimus westermani </it>via a degenerate PCR method and from an insect species <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>by <it>in silico </it>analysis of the whole mosquito genome, respectively. These elements, designated <it>PwRn1 </it>and <it>AgCR-1 </it>– <it>AgCR-14 </it>conserved unique features including a t-RNA^Trpprimer binding site and the unusual CHCC signature of Gag proteins. Their flanking LTRs displayed >97% nucleotide identities and thus, these elements were likely to have expanded recently in the trematode and insect genomes. They evolved heterogeneous expression strategies: a single fused ORF, two separate ORFs with an identical reading frame and two ORFs overlapped by -1 frameshifting. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that the elements with the separate ORFs had evolved from an ancestral form(s) with the overlapped ORFs. The mobile potential of <it>PwRn1 </it>was likely to be maintained differentially in association with the karyotype of host genomes, as was examined by the presence/absence of intergenomic polymorphism and mRNA transcripts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results on the structural diversity of <it>CsRn1</it>-like elements can provide a molecular tool to dissect a more detailed evolutionary episode of LTR retrotransposons. The <it>PwRn1</it>-associated genomic polymorphism, which is substantial in diploids, will also be informative in addressing genomic diversification following inter-/intra-specific hybridization in <it>P. westermani </it>populations.</p

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with intact atrial septum in a child with ventricular septal defect: a case report

Partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital abnormal cardiac defect involving the pulmonary veins draining into the right atrium (RA) directly or indirectly by venous connection. Ninety percent of PAPVCs are accompanied by atrial septal defect (ASD). To our knowledge, there is no previous report of PAPVC with ventricular septal defect (VSD) without ASD in Korea, and in this paper, we report the first such case. A 2-day-old girl was admitted into the Chonnam National University Hospital for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. An echocardiogram revealed perimembranous VSD without ASD. She underwent patch closure of the VSD at 5 months of age. Although the VSD was completely closed, she had persistent cardiomegaly with right ventricular volume overload, as revealed by echocardiography. Three years later, cardiac catheterization and chest computed tomography revealed a PAPVC, with the right upper pulmonary vein draining into the right SVC. Therefore, correction of the PAPVC was surgically performed at 3 years of age. We conclude that it is important to suspect PAPVC in patients with right ventricular volume overload, but without ASD

Discovery of Fluidic LiBH_4 on Scaffold Surfaces and Its Application for Fast Co-confinement of LiBH_4−Ca(BH_4)_2 into Mesopores

Generation of fluidic LiBH_4 molecules, ƒ-LiBH_4, was demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy of LiBH_4 bulk powder mixed with silica scaffold surface materials under minor heat treatment. In the presence of the fumed silica or mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15, LiBH_4 shows increased translational mobility at relatively low temperature (ca. 95 °C) and becomes liquid-like by evidence from ^1H–^(11)B J-coupling in ^1H and ^(11)B MAS NMR or substantial line narrowing of ^7Li static NMR. This high diffusional mobility of LiBH_4 at the molecular level has never been seen for bulk LiBH_4, and the property is attributed to the interfacial interaction with the mesoporous scaffold surfaces. While ƒ-LiBH_4 facilitates the confinement of LiBH_4 itself into various scaffold materials, LiBH_4 migrates along the SBA-15 surface to reach other metal borohydride particles, Ca(BH_4)_2 in this case, and promotes the formation of similarly fluidic LiBH_4–Ca(BH_4)_2 composite (LC solid solution) for coconfinement into mesopores. In situ variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy detects the co-infiltration process of eutectic LiBH_4–Ca(BH_4)_2 composite (LC) into mesopores of SBA-15. The infiltration rates measured for LiBH_4 bulk powder or LC composite showed dependence on pore sizes (MCM-41 vs SBA-15) and heat treatment conditions (static vs MAS)