Functional roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K in post-transcriptional gene regulation

Since it is widely accepted that the accumulation of genetic alterations is the main cause of cancer, understanding how cancer-associated genes are regulated is crucial to the development of cancertherapies. As one of important RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), heterogeneous nuclearribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK), is known to regulate the expression of target genes involved in various pathways, such as transcription, splicing, and translation. HnRNPK is also closely associated with cancer progression, including the acquisition of metastatic potential. At the post-transcriptional level, gene expression is determined by competitive or cooperative interactions betweentrans-acting factors including RBPs and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are capable of binding to cis-elements in target genes. In this review, we discuss the roles of hnRNPK in post-transcriptional gene regulation. The regulation of cancer-associated genes (oncogenes and tumor suppressors) via crosstalk between hnRNPK and ncRNAs such as microRNAs and long ncRNAs is described in detail. This review highlights how hnRNPK may be a promising targetforthe development of cancertherapeutics

Recent Progress in Plasmonic Hybrid Photocatalysis for CO2 Photoreduction and C-C Coupling Reactions

Plasmonic hybrid nanostructures have been investigated as attractive heterogeneous photocatalysts that can utilize sunlight to produce valuable chemicals. In particular, the efficient photoconversion of CO2 into a stable hydrocarbon with sunlight can be a promising strategy to achieve a sustainable human life on Earth. The next step for hydrocarbons once obtained from CO2 is the carbon-carbon coupling reactions to produce a valuable chemical for energy storage or fine chemicals. For these purposes, plasmonic nanomaterials have been widely investigated as a visible-light-induced photocatalyst to achieve increased efficiency of photochemical reactions with sunlight. In this review, we discuss recent achievements involving plasmonic hybrid photocatalysts that have been investigated for CO and CO2 photoreductions to form multi-carbon products and for C-C coupling reactions, such as the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions

Structural characterization and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 anode materials synthesized by a hydrothermal method

Cobalt oxide [Co3O4] anode materials were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process, and the reaction conditions were optimized to provide good electrochemical properties. The effect of various synthetic reaction and heat treatment conditions on the structure and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 powder was also studied. Physical characterizations of Co3O4 are investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller [BET] method. The BET surface area decreased with values at 131.8 m2/g, 76.1 m2/g, and 55.2 m2/g with the increasing calcination temperature at 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C, respectively. The Co3O4 particle calcinated at 200°C for 3 h has a higher surface area and uniform particle size distribution which may result in better sites to accommodate Li+ and electrical contact and to give a good electrochemical property. The cell composed of Super P as a carbon conductor shows better electrochemical properties than that composed of acetylene black. Among the samples prepared under different reaction conditions, Co3O4 prepared at 200°C for 10 h showed a better cycling performance than the other samples. It gave an initial discharge capacity of 1,330 mAh/g, decreased to 779 mAh/g after 10 cycles, and then showed a steady discharge capacity of 606 mAh/g after 60 cycles

Commercial video games and cognitive functions: video game genres and modulating factors of cognitive enhancement

Background Unlike the emphasis on negative results of video games such as the impulsive engagement in video games, cognitive training studies in individuals with cognitive deficits showed that characteristics of video game elements were helpful to train cognitive functions. Thus, this study aimed to have a more balanced view toward the video game playing by reviewing genres of commercial video games and the association of video games with cognitive functions and modulating factors. Literatures were searched with search terms (e.g. genres of video games, cognitive training) on database and Google scholar. Results video games, of which purpose is players entertainment, were found to be positively associated with cognitive functions (e.g. attention, problem solving skills) despite some discrepancy between studies. However, the enhancement of cognitive functions through video gaming was limited to the task or performance requiring the same cognitive functions. Moreover, as several factors (e.g. age, gender) were identified to modulate cognitive enhancement, the individual difference in the association between video game playing and cognitive function was found. Conclusion Commercial video games are suggested to have the potential for cognitive function enhancement. As understanding the association between video gaming and cognitive function in a more balanced view is essential to evaluate the potential outcomes of commercial video games that more people reported to engage, this review contributes to provide more objective evidence for commercial video gaming.It was supported by a grant from Game Science Forum in South Kore

Acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus Syndrome Presenting with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been described in patients with advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but rarely occurs during the seroconversion stage of acute HIV infection. We report a case of acute HIV syndrome that presented with virus-associated HLH. The patient recovered spontaneously without any immunomodulating therapy. This case suggests that acute HIV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of HLH and indicates that HLH associated with acute HIV infection can have a favorable outcome