Role of G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 as Novel Switches for the Activity of Nrf2, a Key Antioxidative Transcription Factor

G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 function as molecular regulators responding to extracellular stimuli. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is involved in a protective adaptive response to oxidative stress. This study investigated the regulation of Nrf2 by G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13. A deficiency of G{alpha}12, but not of G{alpha}13, enhanced Nrf2 activity and target gene transactivation in embryo fibroblasts. In mice, G{alpha}12 knockout activated Nrf2 and thereby facilitated heme catabolism to bilirubin and its glucuronosyl conjugations. An oligonucleotide microarray demonstrated the transactivation of Nrf2 target genes by G{alpha}12 gene knockout. G{alpha}12 deficiency reduced Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-dependent Nrf2 ubiquitination required for proteasomal degradation, and so did G{alpha}13 deficiency. The absence of G{alpha}12, but not of G{alpha}13, increased protein kinase C {delta} (PKC {delta}) activation and the PKC {delta}-mediated serine phosphorylation of Nrf2. G{alpha}13 gene knockout or knockdown abrogated the Nrf2 phosphorylation induced by G{alpha}12 deficiency, suggesting that relief from G{alpha}12 repression leads to the G{alpha}13-mediated activation of Nrf2. Constitutive activation of G{alpha}13 promoted Nrf2 activity and target gene induction via Rho-mediated PKC {delta} activation, corroborating positive regulation by G{alpha}13. In summary, G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 transmit a JNK-dependent signal for Nrf2 ubiquitination, whereas G{alpha}13 regulates Rho-PKC {delta}-mediated Nrf2 phosphorylation, which is negatively balanced by G{alpha}12

Copper Bottom-Up Filling by Electroplating Without any Additives on Patterned Wafer

In conventional Cu electroplating, various additives are used to fill pattern without defects in patterned wafers. Pulse plating and electrochemical oxidation were used to deposit Cu without any additives. Defects such as voids and seams were generated if only pulse plating was carried out. Electrochemical oxidation was performed to remove Cu metal containing defects and to remain Cu species only at the bottom part of the trenches. Then, defect free Cu films could be obtained when Cu electroplating without additives was performed on the etched substrate.This work was supported by KOSEF through the Research Center for Energy Conversion and Storage RCECS , also by the Institute of Chemical Processes ICP in Seoul National University

Permanent Hydrophilic Surface Formation by Ion Assisted Reaction

Since totally wettable hydrophilic polymer surfaces from hydrophobic polymers (PMMA, PTFE, PET and PC) have been demonstrated for the first time at Materials Research Society meeting, 1995 Fall meeting, Boston, the application of ion assisted reaction (IAR), in which energetic ions (0.5~1.5 keV) are irradiated on materials with blowing reactive gases near the irradiating surfaces, has been extended to various polymer, ceramic and metal for creating permanent hydrophilic surfaces. The surface energy was measured by Youngs equation and the highest energy, Es, of 60~70 mN/m, which is similar to surface energy of water (Es of H2O : 72 mN/m) is obtained by controlling ion dose, energy, and amount of blown gas. The higher surface energy of materials possesses the more wettable surface, and relation between wettability and adhesion has been discussed. The remarkable result is the strong adhesion of inert nonattachable material such as Pt on the modified surface. The improvements of adhesions, wettability and surface energy are mainly due to polar force and hydrophilic functional groups such as C=O, (C=O)-O, C-O, etc. on the modified surface without surface damage by surface analyses. Advantages of the method are (1) high reproducibility, (2) simplicity, (3) changing ability of wettability degree, and (4) easy connection to conventional semiconductor process line. Improvements of efficiencies by changing heat transfer coefficients have been presented for the compact heat exchanger system

Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Study DesignA case-control study.PurposeTo examine several dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, compared with a control group.Overview of LiteratureOsteoporotic vertebral fractures are a major cause of morbidity among postmenopausal women. There have been many reports of a decrease in the quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. However,few reports have analyzed which dimensions contribute to the decline in quality of life.MethodsOne thousand five hundred forty-five postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older from 17 study sites in nationwide hospitals were in enrolled in the study (between April 2008 and January 2009). HRQL was measured using the European Quality of Life 5 Domains (EQ-5D), and visual analogue scale (VAS).ResultsThe average VAS of the case group was 57.80, and that of the control group was 64.10 (p=0.001). All domains of the EQ-5D score were significantly worse in the case group (p=0.001). Among the case group, the average VAS of the 559 patients (45%) who were operated on was 56.8, and that of the remaining 680 patients (55%) who were treated conservatively was 58.6 (p=0.135). Among the case group, the averages of each EQ-5D domain of the 559 patients (45%) who were operated on were: 1.87 in mobility, 1.81 in self-care, 1.99 in usual activities, 2.11 in pain, and 1.62 in anxiety or depression. Those of the 680 patients (55%) who were treated conservatively were: 1.72 in mobility, 1.60 in self-care, 1.76 in usual activities, 1.98 in pain, and 1.57 in anxiety or depression. Except for the domain of anxiety or depression, scores for the other domains were all significantly worse in the patients who were operated on (p=0.001).ConclusionsHealth related quality of life in the patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures was significantly worse in both the EQ-5D domains and VAS. Among the osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients, the patients who were operated on had a worse quality of life in EQ-5D

Dieulafoy's Lesion of Jejunum: Presenting Small Bowel Mass and Stricture

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemorrhage occurs through mucosal erosion from an abnormally dilated submucosal artery. Although Dieulafoy's lesion is usually located in the stomach, it may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. We report here on a case of jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion presenting as a mass and short segment stricture on CT and enteroclysis

Impact of serum C-reactive protein level on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing TACE

Background/AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum CRP levels and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsHCC patients who underwent the first session of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) between January 2005 and December 2009 (n=211) were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: high C-reactive protein (CRP; ≥1 mg/dL, n=51) and low CRP (<1 mg/dL, n=160). They were followed for a mean of 22.44 months and their clinicoradiological variables and overall survival were compared.ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in regard to tumor type, tumor-progression-free survival, 10-month mortality, white blood cell (WBC) count, tumor size, and TNM stage. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high serum CRP level was independently associated with tumor size and tumor type. Subgroup analysis of CRP groups according to tumor size demonstrated that a high serum level of CRP was significantly associated with poorly defined (diffuse) tumor type in the tumor size <5 cm group [hazard ratio (HR)=4.81, P=0.018]. A Lipiodol dose exceeding 7 mL (HR=5.55, P=0.046) and the 10-month mortality (HR=7.693, P=0.004) were significantly associated with high serum CRP level in the group of patients with a tumor size of ≥5 cm. In addition, subgroup analysis of matched CRP according to TNM stage revealed that elevated serum CRP was independently associated with tumor type, WBC count, and tumorprogression-free survival.ConclusionsA high serum CRP level is associated with large tumors and a poorly defined tumor type, and is significantly associated with 10-month mortality in patients with large HCC (size ≥5 cm) who undergo TACE

Demineralized Bone Matrix, as a Graft Enhancer of Auto-Local Bone in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study DesignA case controlled study with prospective data collection.PurposeTo evaluate the early influence and the final consequence of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) on auto-local bone as a graft enhancer in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Overview of LiteratureDBM is known as an osteoinductive material; however, it has not been clearly recognized to enhance auto-local bone with a small amount.MethodsPatients who had a PLIF were allocated into two groups. Group I (70 cases) used auto-local bone chips and group II (44 cases) used DBM as an additive to auto-local bone, 1 mL per a segment. Group selection was alternated. Early assessment was performed by computed tomography at 6 months and final assessment was done by simple radiography after 24 months at least. The degree of bone formation was assessed by 4 grade scale.ResultsThe subjects of both groups were homogenous and had similar Oswestry Disability Index at final assessment. The ratio of auto-local bone chips and DBM was 6:1. The degree of bone formation at 6 months after surgery was superior in group II. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the final assessment.ConclusionsDBM was not recognized to enhance auto-local bone with small amount