Accurate geometric correction by using centroid of polygon as control point

高分解能衛星画像IKONOSを対象に,ポリゴンの図心を基準点とした高精度幾何補正の有効性を検討した。ポリゴンとして田畑の形を利用した。地球の丸みによる歪を補正したデジタル画像を使用したデータ,シミュレーションによる検討,地上基準点の取得手法として地上基準点ポリゴンの取得と図心計算手法,画像基準点の取得方法として画像基準点ポリゴンの取得と図心計算手法,取得データ及び幾何補正結果を述べた。結果によれば,1/4ピクセルは達成しなかったもののサブピクセルでの幾何補正が行えた。Recently, high resolution satellite imageries (about 1 meter spatial resolution) are used in many fields. Generally, they are expected to be overlaid with GIS data and updating existing map. It is important issue for remote sensing to detect land-use/land-cover changes using high resolution satellite imageries. Therefore, the accuracy of geometric correction should be reduced to sub-pixel error. It is necessary to prepare accurate control points to correct geometrically. The control points are Ground Control Point (GCP) collected from the ground surface and corresponded Image Control Point (ICP) from selected imagery. Nowadays, the defined centroids of circles on the ground are used as accurate control points. However, it is difficult to prepare circle type GCPs. The existing types could be evaluated at first part of this study. Continuously, accurate geometric correction could be established using centroids of the polygons as control points. The result showed 0.54m pixel error by applying proposed methodology. It showed that the accuracy of proposed method is approximately same as circle type centroid method. Therefore centroid of rectangular type and polygon type were efficient for the geometric correction of high resolution imageries

Transparent Conducting Indium Zinc Tin Oxide Anode for Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diodes

The preparation and characteristics of a transparent conducting indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO) anode for highly efficient phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is described. The resistivity and transmittance of the IZTO anode are comparable to reference In2O3 (ITO) anode films even though it was prepared at room temperature. In addition, the work function of the ozone-treated amorphous IZTO anode (5.12±0.02 eV) is much higher than that of ozone-treated reference ITO anodes (4.94±0.02 eV). The current-voltage-luminance characteristics and efficiencies of OLEDs prepared on the IZTO anode are critically dependent on the sheet resistance of the IZTO anode. Furthermore, both the quantum efficiency and power efficiency of the OLED fabricated on the amorphous IZTO anode are much higher than those of an OLED with the reference ITO anode due to the higher work function of the IZTO anode than those of conventional ITO anode. This indicates that IZTO is an alternative material for conventional ITO anodes used in OLEDs and flexible displays.This work was supported by a Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korea Government MOEHRD: Basic Research Promotion Fund grant no. KRF-2006-331-D00243 and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy

Detection of sarcocystic infection in a wild rodent (Apodemus agrarius chejuensis) captured on Jeju island

Sarcocystis spp is a causative agent of sarcocystosis. They have a characteristic life cycle infecting both prey and predator. Sarcocystis can cause myositis, atrophy of the adjacent cells and abortion in cattle. In mice, sarcocystosis causes mild cellular reactions without clinical disease. Severe haemorrhage and abortion were also reported. For monitoring the disease in wild rodents of the Korean peninsula, we captured Apodemus agrarius chejuensis on Jeju island and examined the specimen histopathologically. Intramuscular cysts were found and diagnosed as Sarcocystis. Sarcocystic infection has been reported in worldwide. There have been many reported infections in cattle and pigs in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Sarcocystis in Apodemus agrarius chejuensis captured in Korea

Enhancement of hole injection using ozone treated Ag nanodots dispersed on indium tin oxide anode for organic light emitting diodes

The authors report the enhancement of hole injection using an indium tin oxide (ITO) anode covered with ultraviolet (UV) ozone-treated Ag nanodots for fac tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium Ir(ppy)3-doped phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-visible spectrometer analysis exhibit that UV-ozone treatment of the Ag nanodots dispersed on the ITO anode leads to formation of Ag2O nanodots with high work function and high transparency. Phosphorescent OLEDs fabricated on the Ag2O nanodot-dispersed ITO anode showed a lower turn-on voltage and higher luminescence than those of OLEDs prepared with a commercial ITO anode. It was thought that, as Ag nanodots changed to Ag2O nanodots by UV-ozone treatment, the decrease of the energy barrier height led to the enhancement of hole injection in the phosphorescent OLEDs.This work was supported by Korea Research Foundation grant funded by Korean Government (MOEHRD: Basic Research Promotion Fund)(KRF-2006-003-D00243) and Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy

Effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 on glucose metabolism: In vitro skeletal muscle and human genetic association study

We investigated the effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 (CHI3L1) on glucose metabolism and its underlying mechanisms in skeletal muscle cells, and evaluated whether the observed effects are relevant in humans. CHI3L1 was associated with increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles in an AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK)- dependent manner, and with increased intracellular calcium levels via PAR2. The improvement in glucose metabolism observed in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test on male C57BL/6J mice supported this association. Inhibition of the CaMKK was associated with suppression of CHI3L1- mediated glucose uptake. Additionally, CHI3L1 was found to influence glucose uptake through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Results suggested that CHI3L1 stimulated the phosphorylation of AS160 and p38 MAPK downstream of AMPK and AKT, and the resultant GLUT4 translocation. In primary myoblast cells, stimulation of AMPK and AKT was observed in response to CHI3L1, underscoring the biological relevance of CHI3L1. CHI3L1 levels were elevated in cells under conditions that mimic exercise in vitro and in exercised mice in vivo, indicating that CHI3L1 is secreted during muscle contraction. Finally, similar associations between CHI3L1 and metabolic parameters were observed in humans alongside genotype associations between CHI3L1 and diabetes at the population level. CHI3L1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/2/fsb220907.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/1/fsb220907_am.pd

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Amomum villosum var. xanthioides Attenuates Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis via Improvement of Antioxidant Capacities

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), affects 25% of the global population. Despite the prevalence of NAFLD worldwide, effective therapeutics are currently lacking. Amomum villosum var. xanthioides (Wall. ex Baker) T.L.Wu & S.J.Chen (AX) is a medicinal herb traditionally used for treating digestive tract disorders in countries across Asia. We aimed to examine the pharmacological effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of AX (AXEF) against tunicamycin (TM)-induced ER stress in a NASH mouse model using C57/BL6J male mice. Following TM injections (2 mg/kg), the mice were orally administrated AXEF (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg), silymarin (50 mg/kg), or distilled water daily for 5 days, and the outcomes for fatty liver, inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured in serum or liver tissue levels. AXEF drastically attenuated hepatic ER stress-induced NASH as indicated by decreases in lipid droplet accumulations, serum liver enzymes, hepatic inflammations, and cell death signals in the hepatic tissue and/or serum levels. Interestingly, AXEF showed potent antioxidant effects by quenching reactive oxidative stress and its final product lipid peroxide in the hepatic tissue, specifically an increase in metallothionein (MT). To confirm the underlying actions of AXEF, we observed that AXEF increases MT1 gene promoter activities in the physiological levels. Collectively, AXEF showed antioxidant properties on TM-induced ER stress in a NASH mice model through the improvement of MTs

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including "safe harboring" techniques shown in other organisms142561sciescopu

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including safe harboring techniques shown in other organisms.

Combined inhibition of Bcl-2 family members and YAP induces synthetic lethality in metastatic gastric cancer with RASA1 and NF2 deficiency

Background Targetable molecular drivers of gastric cancer (GC) metastasis remain largely unidentified, leading to limited targeted therapy options for advanced GC. We aimed to identify molecular drivers for metastasis and devise corresponding therapeutic strategies. Methods We performed an unbiased in vivo genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) screening in peritoneal dissemination using genetically engineered GC mouse models. Candidate genes were validated through in vivo transplantation assays using KO cells. We analyzed target expression patterns in GC clinical samples using immunohistochemistry. The functional contributions of target genes were studied through knockdown, KO, and overexpression approaches in tumorsphere and organoid assays. Small chemical inhibitors against Bcl-2 members and YAP were tested in vitro and in vivo. Results We identified Nf2 and Rasa1 as metastasis-suppressing genes through the screening. Clinically, RASA1 mutations along with low NF2 expression define a distinct molecular subtype of metastatic GC exhibiting aggressive traits. NF2 and RASA1 deficiency increased in vivo metastasis and in vitro tumorsphere formation by synergistically amplifying Wnt and YAP signaling in cancer stem cells (CSCs). NF2 deficiency enhanced Bcl-2-mediated Wnt signaling, conferring resistance to YAP inhibition in CSCs. This resistance was counteracted via synthetic lethality achieved by simultaneous inhibition of YAP and Bcl-2. RASA1 deficiency amplified the Wnt pathway via Bcl-xL, contributing to cancer stemness. RASA1 mutation created vulnerability to Bcl-xL inhibition, but the additional NF2 deletion conferred resistance to Bcl-xL inhibition due to YAP activation. The combined inhibition of Bcl-xL and YAP synergistically suppressed cancer stemness and in vivo metastasis in RASA1 and NF2 co-deficiency. Conclusion Our research unveils the intricate interplay between YAP and Bcl-2 family members, which can lead to synthetic lethality, offering a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance. Importantly, our findings support a personalized medicine approach where combined therapy targeting YAP and Bcl-2, tailored to NF2 and RASA1 status, could effectively manage metastatic GC.This research was supported by grants of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Korean government (NRF-RS-2023–00208984, NRF-2021M3H9A1030260, NRF-2021R1F1A1051220, NRF-2016M3A9D5A01952416)

Quality of life in patients with diabetic nephropathy: findings from the KNOW-CKD (Korean Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease) cohort

Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) can affect quality of life (QoL) because it requires arduous lifelong management. This study analyzed QoL differences between DN patients and patients with other chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Methods The analysis included subjects (n = 1,766) from the KNOW-CKD (Korean Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease) cohort who completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire. After implementing propensity score matching (PSM) using factors that affect the QoL of DN patients, QoL differences between DN and non-DN participants were examined. Results Among all DN patients (n = 390), higher QoL scores were found for taller subjects, and lower scores were found for those who were unemployed or unmarried, received Medical Aid, had lower economic status, had higher platelet counts or alkaline phosphatase levels, or used clopidogrel or insulin. After PSM, the 239 matched DN subjects reported significantly lower patient satisfaction (59.9 vs. 64.5, p = 0.02) and general health (35.3 vs. 39.1, p = 0.04) than the 239 non-DN subjects. Scores decreased in both groups during the 5-year follow-up, and the scores in the work status, sexual function, and role-physical domains were lower among DN patients than non-DN patients, though those differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Socioeconomic factors of DN were strong risk factors for impaired QoL, as were high platelet, alkaline phosphatase, and clopidogrel and insulin use. Clinicians should keep in mind that the QoL of DN patients might decrease in some domains compared with non-DN CKDs