The Distribution and Functional Properties of PMLD-Linked CX47 Mutations on CX47/CX47 Homotypic and CX47/CX43 Heterotypic Gap Junctions

Gap junctions (GJ) allow direct intercellular communication, and consist of connexins (Cx). In the mammalian central nervous system, oligodendrocytes express Cx29, Cx32 and Cx47, whereas astrocytes express Cx26, Cx30 and Cx43. Cx47/Cx47 GJs couple oligodendrocytes, and Cx47/Cx43 channels are the primary heterotypic GJs at oligodendrocyte/astrocyte junctions. Interestingly, mutations in Cx47 have been linked to central hypomyelinating Pelizaeus Merzbacher-like Disease (PMLD). My aim is to determine the cellular distribution and functional properties of PMLD-associated Cx47 mutants (I46M, G149S, G236R, G236S, M286T, T398I). All mutants were detected at the cell-cell interface. These mutants, except G149S and T398I, showed no electrical coupling in both Cx47/Cx47 and Cx47/Cx43 GJ channels. G149S and T398I formed homotypic and heterotypic channels of apparently normal functions. These results suggest that the tested Cx47 mutants, except G149S and T398I, lead to PMLD likely due to disruption in Cx47/Cx47 and/or Cx47/Cx43 GJ functions in the macroglial network

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationTo qualitatively explore elder mistreatment occurring within families of South Korea, this study was based on a data set collected during a 1-year period in South Korea through cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and Korean Elder Protection Agency. For this qualitative secondary analysis, 49 case narratives that met the inclusion criteria were collected from the original data set. The criteria for data collection included: elders aged 65 years or older who were mistreated and who consented to share their stories, abuse by family members, emergency cases, no impairment is evident, and termination of intervention. Based on the existing literature and theories, a comprehensive conceptual framework was developed for better understanding elder mistreatment in families as well as for developing effective, contextually-sensitive intervention and prevention strategies. The conceptual framework has four dimensions: risk factors of elder mistreatment, the nature of violence, the effects on victims, and the victims' responses to elder mistreatment. Particularly, to identify risk factors of elder mistreatment, this study was guided by the ecological perspective. The qualitative secondary analysis revealed the following themes: causes of elder mistreatment, characteristics of violence, damaged personal functioning, broken family relationships, reaction to elder mistreatment, positive perception of public services, dependence upon public support, the changing socioeconomic situation, family iv responsibility, and the ethical dilemmas. In sum, elder mistreatment was associated with not only the characteristics of individuals and families, but also the complicated interactions between individuals and the environmental systems that affect individuals and families. Findings from this study will be useful for giving the practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, and other readers an in-depth understanding of elder mistreatment. Particularly, practitioners, such as social workers, health care providers, and social service providers are in a unique position to have contact with vulnerable elderly and identify whether or not there is violence. Thus, they need to be aware of the nature of elder mistreatment and the diverse contexts surrounding elder mistreatment. This study is also valuable for generating hypotheses and identifying critical areas related to elder mistreatment. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are thoroughly discussed

Identification of keratinolytic function in Chryseobacterium camelliae Dolsongi-HT1 isolated from Green Tea

Keratin forms a major component of the epidermis, hair, feathers, nails, scales and etc. However, old keratins on the skin are not preferred for the beauty purpose. Therefore, in the highly efficient and low irritative method to remove old keratin on the skin is highly desired. For this purpose, one of the appropriate methods is the enzymatic lysis of keratin. To screen a novel keratinase, a novel microorganism having keratinolytic activity was isolated by enrichment culture. Newly screened microorganism was isolated from green tea in dolsong-i tea garden, Jeju and identified as Chryseobacterium camelliae Dolsongi-HT1. The keratinase activity of C. camelliae Dolsongi-HT1 was confirmed in the culture media. The effect of pH and temperature were studied using cell culture media. Crude keratinase showed high activity over a wide range of temperature (37 to 60°C) and showed the highest activity at 50°C. Optimum pH of keratinase activity of crude keratinase was pH 8. Interestingly, this enzyme activity was maintained over 50% at pH 6. This feature is promising for the application to cosmetics. The effect of nitrogen source for cell culture was also investigated. Among the various nitrogen sources, the highest keratinase activity (relative activity of 366.4%) was detected when cells were cultured using tryptone extract. To study the keratinolytic activity effect of keratin on the skin, the keratin of skin was obtained using tape stripping. It was found that the structure of keratin was degraded by crude keratinase. To identify the keratinase, the complete genome of C. camelliae Dolsongi-HT1 was sequenced. Because keratinases are regarded as serine or metalloprotease group, we searched for those proteases in the C. camelliae Dolsongi-HT1 genome sequence. As s result, over twenty putative keratinases could be identified. Further research to identify desired keratinases should be performed

Genotypic Characterization of Vibrio vulnificus Clinical Isolates in Korea

AbstractObjectivesVibrio vunificus is known to cause septicemia and severe wound infections in patients with chronic liver diseases or an immuno-compromised condition. We carried out the molecular characterization of V. vulnificus isolates from human Vibrio septicemia cases based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using NotI and SfiI.Methods and ResultsPFGE was used to characterize a total of 78 strains from clinical cases after NotI or SfiI digestion. The geographical distribution of PFGE patterns for the strains from the southern part of Korea, a high-risk region for Vibrio septicemia, indicated that the isolates from southeastern Korea showed a comparatively higher degree of homology than those from southwestern Korea.ConclusionsWe report the genetic distribution of V. vulnficus isolated from Vibrio septicemia cases during 2000–2004 in Korea. This method has potential use as a subspecies-typing tool for V. vulnificus strains isolated from distant geographic regions

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BALL VELOCITY AND UPPER EXTREMITY KINEMATICS DURING AN OVERARM THROWING SELF-PRACTICE PROGRAM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the ball velocity and upper extremity kinematics in inexperienced individuals during a 5 weeks selfpractice overarm throwing. Seven women participated in this study. Participants performed 15 overarm throwing 3 days in a week for 5 weeks. The relationship between the ball velocity and the first-last week overarm throwing upper extremity kinematics data (maximum angles and angular velocities) were statistically analyzed using Spearman’s rho. Results showed there was weak to moderate relationship for both maximum angles and angular velocities of trunk, shoulder, and elbow. Rotational movements of upper extremities should be prioritized at the early stages of throwing skills acquisitions

One-Step Synthesis of Pd-M/ZnO (M=Ag, Cu, and Ni) Catalysts by γ

ZnO-supported Pd, Pd-Ag, Pd-Cu, and Pd-Ni catalysts (Pd-M/ZnO) were prepared in MeOH/H2O mixture (4/1, v/v-%) by γ-irradiation at room temperature. Small mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles were loaded on the surface of ZnO nanopowder as confirmed with TEM, TEM-EDXS, XRD, and ICP-AES data. The catalytic efficiency against Pd-M/ZnO was determined in hydrogenation and Suzuki reaction and compared with the commercial Pd/C catalyst. The Pd-Ag/ZnO showed the highest catalytic efficiency in the Suzuki reaction