Peroxisome Proliferators-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Modulators and Metabolic Disorders

Overweight and obesity lead to an increased risk for metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose regulation/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Several molecular drug targets with potential to prevent or treat metabolic disorders have been revealed. Interestingly, the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), which belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, has many beneficial clinical effects. PPAR directly modulates gene expression by binding to a specific ligand. All PPAR subtypes (α, γ, and σ) are involved in glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy balance. PPAR agonists play an important role in therapeutic aspects of metabolic disorders. However, undesired effects of the existing PPAR agonists have been reported. A great deal of recent research has focused on the discovery of new PPAR modulators with more beneficial effects and more safety without producing undesired side effects. Herein, we briefly review the roles of PPAR in metabolic disorders, the effects of PPAR modulators in metabolic disorders, and the technologies with which to discover new PPAR modulators

Numerical Implementation of Representative Mobile Phone Models for Epidemiological Studies

This paper describes an implementation method and the results of numerical mobile phone models representing real phone models that have been released on the Korean market since 2002. The aim is to estimate the electromagnetic absorption in the human brain for casecontrol studies to investigate health risks related to mobile phone use. Specific absorption rate (SAR) compliance test reports about commercial phone models were collected and classified in terms of elements such as the external body shape, the antenna, and the frequency band. The design criteria of a numerical phone model representing each type of phone group are as follows. The outer dimensions of the phone body are equal to the average dimensions of all commercial models with the same shape. The distance and direction of the maximum SAR from the earpiece and the area above –3 dB of the maximum SAR are fitted to achieve the average obtained by measuring the SAR distributions of the corresponding commercial models in a flat phantom. Spatial peak 1-g SAR values in the cheek and tilt positions against the specific anthropomorphic mannequin phantom agree with average data on all of the same type of commercial models. Second criterion was applied to only a few types of models because not many commercial models were available. The results show that, with the exception of one model, the implemented numerical phone models meet criteria within 30%

Analysis of genetic characteristics of pig breeds using information on single nucleotide polymorphisms

Objective This study was undertaken to investigate the genetic characteristics of Berkshire (BS), Landrace (LR), and Yorkshire (YS) pig breeds raised in the Great Grandparents pig farms using the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) information. Methods A total of 25,921 common SNP genotype markers in three pig breeds were used to estimate the expected heterozygosity (HE), polymorphism information content, F-statistics (FST), linkage disequilibrium (LD) and effective population size (Ne). Results The chromosome-wise distribution of FST in BS, LR, and YS populations were within the range of 0–0.36, and the average FST value was estimated to be 0.07±0.06. This result indicated some level of genetic segregation. An average LD (r2) for the BS, LR, and YS breeds was estimated to be approximately 0.41. This study also found an average Ne of 19.9 (BS), 31.4 (LR), and 34.1 (YS) over the last 5th generations. The effective population size for the BS, LR, and YS breeds decreased at a consistent rate from 50th to 10th generations ago. With a relatively faster Ne decline rate in the past 10th generations, there exists possible evidence for intensive selection practices in pigs in the recent past. Conclusion To develop customized chips for the genomic selection of various breeds, it is important to select and utilize SNP based on the genetic characteristics of each breed. Since the improvement efficiency of breed pigs increases sharply by the population size, it is important to increase test units for the improvement and it is desirable to establish the pig improvement network system to expand the unit of breed pig improvement through the genetic connection among breed pig farms

Biomass production of herbaceous energy crops in the United States: field trial results and yield potential maps from the multiyear regional feedstock partnership

Current knowledge of yield potential and best agronomic management practices for perennial bioenergy grasses is primarily derived from small‐scale and short‐term studies, yet these studies inform policy at the national scale. In an effort to learn more about how bioenergy grasses perform across multiple locations and years, the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE)/Sun Grant Initiative Regional Feedstock Partnership was initiated in 2008. The objectives of the Feedstock Partnership were to (1) provide a wide range of information for feedstock selection (species choice) and management practice options for a variety of regions and (2) develop national maps of potential feedstock yield for each of the herbaceous species evaluated. The Feedstock Partnership expands our previous understanding of the bioenergy potential of switchgrass, Miscanthus, sorghum, energycane, and prairie mixtures on Conservation Reserve Program land by conducting long‐term, replicated trials of each species at diverse environments in the U.S. Trials were initiated between 2008 and 2010 and completed between 2012 and 2015 depending on species. Field‐scale plots were utilized for switchgrass and Conservation Reserve Program trials to use traditional agricultural machinery. This is important as we know that the smaller scale studies often overestimated yield potential of some of these species. Insufficient vegetative propagules of energycane and Miscanthus prohibited farm‐scale trials of these species. The Feedstock Partnership studies also confirmed that environmental differences across years and across sites had a large impact on biomass production. Nitrogen application had variable effects across feedstocks, but some nitrogen fertilizer generally had a positive effect. National yield potential maps were developed using PRISM‐ELM for each species in the Feedstock Partnership. This manuscript, with the accompanying supplemental data, will be useful in making decisions about feedstock selection as well as agronomic practices across a wide region of the country

Development of a Numerical Tablet Model in WLAN Band for SAR Study

This research proposes a numerical model for a tablet in the wireless local area network band for specific absorption rate (SAR) study. The design criteria, such as the tablet size, operating frequencies, antenna position, and target 1-g peak spatial-average SAR (psSAR) values in the flat phantom, are determined based on the SAR test reports of tablets distributed in South Korea from 2013 to 2017. An internal antenna is designed in a tablet platform to operate in dual bands of 2,450 MHz and 5,500 MHz. The numerical results illustrate that the 1-g psSAR values of the proposed numerical tablet model are within ±10% of the target values. Moreover, the return loss of the designed tablet model is larger than 10 dB, regardless of flat phantom, while its radiation efficiency is higher than 90% in free space

Bacterial Uracil Modulates Drosophila DUOX-Dependent Gut Immunity via Hedgehog-Induced Signaling Endosomes

SummaryGenetic studies in Drosophila have demonstrated that generation of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the NADPH dual oxidase (DUOX) is a first line of defense in the gut epithelia. Bacterial uracil acts as DUOX-activating ligand through poorly understood mechanisms. Here, we show that the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway modulates uracil-induced DUOX activation. Uracil-induced Hh signaling is required for intestinal expression of the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule Cadherin 99C (Cad99C) and subsequent Cad99C-dependent formation of endosomes. These endosomes play essential roles in uracil-induced ROS production by acting as signaling platforms for PLCβ/PKC/Ca2+-dependent DUOX activation. Animals with impaired Hh signaling exhibit abolished Cad99C-dependent endosome formation and reduced DUOX activity, resulting in high mortality during enteric infection. Importantly, endosome formation, DUOX activation, and normal host survival are restored by genetic reintroduction of Cad99C into enterocytes, demonstrating the important role for Hh signaling in host resistance to enteric infection

Metals in Particulate Pollutants Affect Peak Expiratory Flow of Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: The contribution of the metal components of particulate pollutants to acute respiratory effects has not been adequately evaluated. Moreover, little is known about the effects of genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolism on pulmonary function. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess lung function decrement associated with metal components in particulate pollutants and genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1. METHODS: We studied 43 schoolchildren who were in the 3rd to 6th grades. Each student measured peak expiratory flow rate three times a day for 42 days. Particulate air concentrations were monitored every day, and the concentrations of iron, manganese, lead, zinc, and aluminum in the particles were measured. Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms were determined using DNA extracted from participant buccal washings. We used a mixed linear regression model to estimate the association between peak expiratory flow rate and particulate air pollutants. RESULTS: We found significant reduction in the peak expiratory flow rate after the children’s exposure to particulate pollutants. The effect was shown most significantly 1 day after exposure to the ambient particles. Manganese and lead in the particles also reduced the peak expiratory flow rate. Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 did not significantly affect peak expiratory flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that particulate pollutants and metals such as manganese and lead in the particles are associated with a decrement of peak expiratory flow rate. These effects were robust even with consideration of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase

A novel control method to maximize the energy-harvesting capability of an adjustable slope angle wave energy converter

This paper introduces a novel control approach to maximizing the output energy of an adjustable slope angle wave energy converter (ASAWEC) with oil-hydraulic power take-off. Different from typical floating-buoy WECs, the ASAWEC is capable of capturing wave energy from both heave and surge modes of wave motions. For different waves, online determination of the titling angle plays a significant role in optimizing the overall efficiency of the ASAWEC. To enhance this task, the proposed method was developed based on a learning vector quantitative neural network (LVQNN) algorithm. First, the LVQNN-based supervisor controller detects wave conditions and directly produces the optimal titling angles. Second, a so-called efficiency optimization mechanism (EOM) with a secondary controller was designed to regulate automatically the ASAWEC slope angle to the desired value sent from the supervisor controller. A prototype of the ASAWEC was fabricated and a series of simulations and experiments was performed to train the supervisor controller and validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach with regular waves. The results indicated that the system could reach the optimal angle within 2s and subsequently, the output energy could be maximized. Compared to the performance of a system with a vertically fixed slope angle, an increase of 5% in the overall efficiency was achieved. In addition, simulations of the controlled system were performed with irregular waves to confirm the applicability of the proposed approach in practice