The complete mitochondrial genome of a Dokdo shrimp, Lebbeus groenlandicus

Lebbeus groenlandicus is a shrimp species indigenous to the Dokdo islands in the East Sea of Korea. We report the 17,399 bp mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species that consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a control region (CR). A maximum-likelihood tree, constructed with 18 prawn and 45 shrimp mitogenomes, confirmed that L. groenlandicus occupies the most basal position within the Caridea infra-order and is closely related to Pandalidae shrimps

Does the Kyphotic Change Decrease the Risk of Fall?

ObjectivesFalls are a major problem in the elderly. Age-related degeneration of the human balance system increases the risk of falls. Kyphosis is a common condition of curvature of the upper spine in the elderly and its development occurs through degenerative change. However, relatively little is known about the effect of kyphotic changes on balance in the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of kyphosis on the balance strategy through use of the motor control test (MCT) in computerized dynamic posturography.MethodsFifty healthy subjects who were not affected by other medical disorders that could affect gait or balance were enrolled in the study. By simulation of kyphotic condition through change of the angles of the line connecting the shoulder to the hip and the ankle axis by approximately 30°, the latency and amplitude of the MCT were measured in upright and kyphotic condition.ResultsIn the kyphotic condition, latency was shortened in backward movement. In forward movement, latency was shortened only in large stimulation. The amplitude in forward movement was decreased in kyphotic condition. However, the change of amplitude was not significant in large intensity backward movement in the same condition.ConclusionKyphotic condition decreases the latency of MCT, especially in backward movement. These findings imply that kyphotic condition may serve as a protective factor against falls

Agaricus blazei Extract Induces Apoptosis through ROS-Dependent JNK Activation Involving the Mitochondrial Pathway and Suppression of Constitutive NF-κB in THP-1 Cells

Agaricus blazei is widely accepted as a traditional medicinal mushroom, and it has been known to exhibit immunostimulatory and anti-cancer activity. However, the apoptotic mechanism in cancer cells is poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated whether A. blazei extract (ABE) exerts antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in human leukemic THP-1 cells. We observed that ABE-induced apoptosis is associated with the mitochondrial pathway, which is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and prolonged c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. In addition, the ABE treatment resulted in the accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm, an increase in caspase activity, and an upregulation of Bax and Bad. With those results in mind, we found that ABE decreases constitutive NF-κB activation and NF-κB-regulated gene products such as IAP-1 and -2. We concluded that ABE induces apoptosis with ROS-dependent JNK activation and constitutive activated NF-κB inhibition in THP-1 cells

Micro-Segregated Liquid Crystal Haze Films for Photovoltaic Applications: A Novel Strategy to Fabricate Haze Films Employing Liquid Crystal Technology

Herein, a novel strategy to fabricate haze films employing liquid crystal (LC) technology for photovoltaic (PV) applications is reported. We fabricated a high optical haze film composed of low-molecular LCs and polymer and applied the film to improve the energy conversion efficiency of PV module. The technique utilized to fabricate our haze film is based on spontaneous polymerization-induced phase separation between LCs and polymers. With optimized fabrication conditions, the haze film exhibited an optical haze value over 95% at 550 nm. By simply attaching our haze film onto the front surface of a silicon-based PV module, an overall average enhancement of 2.8% in power conversion efficiency was achieved in comparison with a PV module without our haze film

Growth characteristics and productivity of cold-tolerant “Kowinearly” Italian ryegrass in the northern part of South Korea

The objective of this research is to evaluate differences in growth characteristics and productivity between Kowinearly and Florida 80 Italian ryegrass varieties in regions with severely cold winters. This research was carried out in Suwon (in central South Korea) and Yonchun (in northern South Korea) during the 2002 2006 growing seasons. Kowinearly is a diploid variety with green leaf colour and a semi prostrate growth habit in autumn and a semi-erect one in spring. There were differences among the varieties in terms of cold tolerance, heading date, and forage yield in Yonchun. The winter field survival of Kowinearly was 85%, while that of Florida 80 was 43%. The dry matter yield of Kowinearly in Yonchun was 9,662 kg/ha, which was 31% more than that of Florida 80. In Suwon, the heading date of Kowinearly was May 7, which was 2 days later than that of Florida 80. In Yonchun, Kowinearly’s heading date was May 12, 1 day earlier than that of Florida 80. These results indicate that Kowinearly has good cold tolerance, and that in spring, it starts growth earlier than Florida 80, because of its higher cold tolerance.Keywords: Italian ryegrass, Kowinearly, cold tolerance, new variety, forage cro

A Protein Profile of Visceral Adipose Tissues Linked to Early Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Adipose tissue is increasingly recognized as an endocrine organ playing important pathophysiological roles in metabolic abnormalities, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In particular, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), as opposed to subcutaneous adipose tissue, is closely linked to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2DM. Despite the importance of VAT, its molecular signatures related to the pathogenesis of T2DM have not been systematically explored. Here, we present comprehensive proteomic analysis of VATs in drug-naïve early T2DM patients and subjects with normal glucose tolerance. A total of 4,707 proteins were identified in LC-MS/MS experiments. Among them, 444 increased in abundance in T2DM and 328 decreased. They are involved in T2DM-related processes including inflammatory responses, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose metabolism. Of these proteins, we selected 11 VAT proteins that can represent alteration in early T2DM patients. Among them, up-regulation of FABP4, C1QA, S100A8, and SORBS1 and down-regulation of ACADL and PLIN4 were confirmed in VAT samples of independent early T2DM patients using Western blot. In summary, our profiling provided a comprehensive basis for understanding the link of a protein profile of VAT to early pathogenesis of T2DM. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.1

Successful Management with Glue Injection of Arterial Rupture Seen during Embolization of an Arteriovenous Malformation Using a Flow-Directed Catheter: A Case Report

We present a case in which an arterial rupture occurring during embolization of an arteriovenous malformation of the left occipital lobe with a flow-directed microcatheter, was successfully sealed with a small amount of glue. We navigated a 1.8-Fr Magic catheter through the posterior cerebral artery, and during superselective test injection, extravasation was observed at the parieto-occipital branch. The catheter was not removed and the perforation site was successfully sealed with a small amount of glue injected through the same catheter. Prompt recognition and closure of the perforation site is essential for good prognosis

Flora of Vascular Plants in Ridgelines in the Palgongsa Procincial Park, Korea

AbstractWe investigated and analyzed the flora of vascular plants around ridgelines in the Palgongsan Provincial Park to suggest fundamental data for establishing preservation plans of them. The flora of vascular plants around ridgelines was a total of 587 taxa including 102 familiies, 314 genera, 518 species, 58 varieties, 7 forma, and 4 subspecies. Rare plants designated by Korea Forest Service were 27 taxa including Semiquilegia mandshurica and Aristolochia manshuriensis. Endemic plants were 15 taxa including Clematis trichotoma and Carex okamotoi. Floristic special plants were a total of 100 taxa including all five classes. Naturalized plants were 13 taxa including Phytolacca Americana, ambrosia, and Taraxacum officinale

Tetraarsenic Hexoxide Induces Beclin-1-Induced Autophagic Cell Death as well as Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in U937 Human Leukemic Cells

Tetraarsenic hexaoxide (As4O6) has been used in Korean folk remedy for the treatment of cancer since the late 1980s, and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is currently used as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, evidence suggests that As4O6-induced cell death pathway was different from that of As2O3. Besides, the anticancer effects and mechanisms of As4O6 are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the anticancer activities of As4O6 on apoptosis and autophagy in U937 human leukemic cells. The growth of U937 cells was inhibited by As4O6 treatment in a dose- and a time-dependent manner, and IC50 for As4O6 was less than 2 μM. As4O6 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis and Beclin-1-induced autophagy, both of which were significantly attenuated by Bcl-2 augmentation and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment. This study suggests that As4O6 should induce Beclin-1-induced autophagic cell death as well as caspase-dependent apoptosis and that it might be a promising agent for the treatment of leukemia

Are Portable Imaging Intraoperative Radiographs Helpful for Assessing Adequate Acetabular Cup Positioning in Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Despite advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation, current intra-operative estimations of acetabular version in total hip arthroplasty are of limited accuracy. In the present study, two experienced orthopedic surgeons compared intra-operatively measured (using portable imaging) anteversions and vertical inclinations of acetabular components with those measured using standardized radiographs post-operatively in 40 patients. Of the all vertical inclinations measured from intra-operative radiographs, 72.5% (n=29) were within ±2°, and 97.5% (n=39) were within ±5° of those determined using post-operative radiographs, and for anteversion, 52.5% (n=21) were within ±2°, and 97.5% (n=39) were within ±5°. Post-operative radiographs demonstrated that 90.0% (n=36) of vertical inclinations and anteversions were within the adequate zone. Obviously, our method has its limitations, but the authors conclude that the method described in this article better allows surgeons to verify acetabular version intra-operatively. In particular, the described method is suitable in cases with a deformed acetabular anatomy and difficult revision surgery