8 research outputs found

    Using EWOD (electrowetting-on-dielectric) actuation in a micro conveyor system

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    This paper reports the development of a novel application of electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation in a micro conveyor system. Using the movement of liquid droplets by EWOD actuation as a part of active mechanical moving components, a simple and effective mechanism of the micro conveyor system can be realized. Now, we are expanding the use of EWOD actuation as a part of mechanical moving components of the micro conveyor system for the first time. The concept, fabrication and test of the initial devices are reported and various possible applications are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.X116365sciescopu

    KID-T, a unique polyherbal extract, improves feline patients with azotemia and uremia: A pilot study

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    Cats with azotemia and uremia are increasingly treated with integrative and alternative treatments, including herbal medicines. KID-T (Sin-gi-hwan) is a supplement made of 100% natural herbs and contains 18 herbs, and the components were designed to improve renal function in. Feline renal patients with azotemia and uremia were recruited, and the efficacy of KID-T was examined. Four cats were treated with oral KID-T twice a day for 3 months, and blood biochemical profiles were examined to monitor the toxicity and efficacy of KID-T each month. KID-T was well-tolerated and relatively safe during the treatment period. After 3 months, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were relatively close to the normal reference range in all cats, and the urine protein–creatinine ratio decreased. Biochemical profile and clinical examination exhibited a stabilized status of renal function for 3 months. Overall, KID-T improves and maintains feline renal function, and future studies should evaluate other potential benefits of KID-T in feline renal patients, including correlative assessments of renal function, quality of life improvement, and patient-owner satisfaction

    Light-Designed Shark Skin-Mimetic Surfaces

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    Sharks, marine creatures that swim fast and have an antifouling ability, possess dermal denticle structures of micrometer-size. Because the riblet geometries on the denticles reduce the shear stress by inducing the slip of fluid parallel to the stream-wise direction, shark skin has the distinguished features of low drag and antifouling. Although much attention has been given to low-drag surfaces inspired from shark skin, it remains an important challenge to accurately mimic denticle structures in the micrometer scale and to finely control their structural features. This paper presents a novel method to create shark skin-mimetic denticle structures for low drag by exploiting a photoreconfigurable azopolymer. The light-designed denticle structure exhibits superior hydrophobicity and an antifouling effect as sharks do. This work suggests that our novel photoreconfiguration technology, mimicking shark skin and systematically manipulating various structural parameters, can be used in a reliable manner for diverse applications requiring low-drag surfaces. ©1

    The anti-diabetic effects of NAG-1/GDF15 on HFD/STZ-induced mice

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    Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) plays a role in various diseases. Here, the anti-diabetic effects of NAG-1 were evaluated using a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model. NAG-1-overexpressing transgenic (NAG-1 Tg) mice exhibited lower body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, and serum insulin levels than wild-type (WT) mice. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance scores of NAG-1 Tg mice were lower than those of WT mice. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a smaller lipid droplet size in the adipose tissues, lower lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes, and larger beta cell area in the pancreas of NAG-1 Tg mice than in those of WT mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed downregulated expression of cleaved caspase-3, an apoptosis marker, in the beta cells of NAG-1 Tg mice. Adiponectin and leptin mRNA levels were upregulated and downregulated in NAG-1 Tg mice, respectively. Additionally, the expression of IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway components, especially Foxo1, which regulates gluconeogenesis in the muscle and white adipose tissue, was downregulated in NAG-1 Tg mice. Furthermore, NAG-1 overexpression promoted the expression of As160 in both muscles and adipocytes, and the mRNA levels of the NLRP3 pathway members were downregulated in NAG-1 Tg mice. Our findings suggest that NAG-1 expression alleviates diabetes in mice.Y

    Novel thrombospondin-1 transcript exhibits distinctive expression and activity in thyroid tumorigenesis

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    Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is known for its cell-specific functions in cancer progression, such as proliferation and migration. It contains 22 exons that may potentially produce several different transcripts. Here, we identified TSP1V as a novel TSP1-splicing variant produced by intron retention (IR) in human thyroid cancer cells and tissues. We observed that TSP1V functionally inhibited tumorigenesis contrary to TSP1 wild-type, as identified in vivo and in vitro. These activities of TSP1V are caused by inhibiting phospho-Smad and phospho-focal adhesion kinase. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and minigene experiments revealed that some phytochemicals/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs enhanced IR. We further found that RNA-binding motif protein 5 (RBM5) suppressed IR induced by sulindac sulfide treatment. Additionally, sulindac sulfide reduced phospho-RBM5 levels in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, trans-chalcone demethylated TSP1V, thereby preventing methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 binding to TSP1V gene. In addition, TSP1V levels were significantly lower in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma than in those with benign thyroid nodule, indicating its potential application as a diagnostic biomarker in tumor progression.Y
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