A Transformation-Based Learning Method on Generating Korean Standard Pronunciation

PACLIC 21 / Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea / November 1-3, 200

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

National Competitiveness: Implications for Different Groups and Strategies

Several reports on national competitiveness already exists, but they are not satisfactory. This paper corrects the problems of the existing reports and suggests new methodologies of explaining national competitiveness. When comparing national competitiveness, nations should be grouped with regard to similarities in terms of economic scale and structure. For this purpose, this paper introduces 3x3 typology of country groups in terms of the nation's size and competitiveness. In addition, this paper applies the classical generic strategies to the national level. Combining these two analytical frameworks, this paper demonstrates several useful policy implications for different levels of national competitiveness

H2 pressure swing adsorption for IGCC power plant and techno-economic analysis of integrating PSA to IGCC with carbon capture

Carbon capture and sequestration technologies emerge as the effectual remediation processes to reduce CO2 emissions from coal power plants. Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) is a representative technology for utilizing coal as feedstock and is consequently playing a more important role to cover the global energy demand. The IGCC produces H2-rich mixture at high pressures (30-35 bar) after capturing CO2. It is reported that the high purity H2 recovered from the IGCC process can be economically supplied to a hydrogen turbine or fuel cell. And a PSA process is a strong candidate to produce high purity H2 from the IGCC effluent gas. However, due to higher operating pressure than the present H2 PSA processes, reducing the operating costs and efficiency has emerged as one of the key issues. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Transsplenic Ultrasound-Guided Balloon Positioning During a Zone 1 Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta: A Case Report

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an effective resuscitative modality to temporize noncompressible truncal hemorrhage. Confirming the proper position of the balloon catheter in the target aortic zone is vital. Currently, there is a need for nonradiographical methods. This would overcome the drawbacks of conventional imaging modalities, such as fluoroscopy. Several studies have suggested ultrasound-guided visualization via subxiphoid, transperitoneal, or transesophageal views as an alternative to conventional imaging methods. However, such views are easily obscured in emergency settings. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old patient who was successfully resuscitated by REBOA under the guidance of transsplenic ultrasound. REBOA was safely performed using transsplenic visualization without fluoroscopy

Cell type–dependent variation in paracrine potency determines therapeutic efficacy against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury

AbstractBackground aimsThe aim of this study was to determine the optimal cell type for transplantation to protect against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury. To this end, the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacies and paracrine potencies of human umbilical cord blood–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HUMs), human adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HAMs) and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HMNs) were compared.MethodsHyperoxic injury was induced in vitro in A549 cells by challenge with H2O2. Alternatively, hyperoxic injury was induced in newborn Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo by exposure to hyperoxia (90% oxygen) for 14 days. HUMs, HAMs or HMNs (5 × 105 cells) were given intratracheally at postnatal day 5.ResultsHyperoxia-induced increases in in vitro cell death and in vivo impaired alveolarization were significantly attenuated in both the HUM and HAM groups but not in the HMN group. Hyperoxia impaired angiogenesis, increased the cell death and pulmonary macrophages and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels. These effects were significantly decreased in the HUM group but not in the HAM or HMN groups. The levels of human vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor produced by donor cells were highest in HUM group, followed by HAM group and then HMN group.ConclusionsHUMs exhibited the best therapeutic efficacy and paracrine potency than HAMs or HMNs in protecting against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury. These cell type-dependent variations in therapeutic efficacy might be associated or mediated with the paracrine potency of the transplanted donor cells

Effect of (O, As) dual implantation on p-type doping of ZnO films

Optical and electrical characteristics of ZnOfilms co-implanted with O and As ions have been investigated by photoluminescence(PL), Hall-effect, and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. 100-nm-thick ZnOfilms grown on n-type Si (100) wafers by RF sputtering have been implanted with various fluences of 30 keV O and 100 keV As ions at room temperature, and subsequently annealed at 800 °C for 20 min in a N2 ambient. The dually-implanted ZnOfilms show stable p-type characteristics for particular implant combinations, consistent with the observation of dominant PL peaks at 3.328 and 3.357 eV that are associated with the acceptor levels. For these dually-implanted p-type ZnO films/n-type Si diodes, the I-V curves show rectifying p-n junction behavior. Other singly (As)- or dually-implanted samples show n-type or indeterminable doping characteristics. These results suggest that O implantation plays a key role in forming p-type ZnOfilms by reducing the oxygen vacancy concentration and facilitating the formation of As-related acceptors in ZnO.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2011-0017373)

Nd:YAG Capsulotomy after Phacoemulsification in Vitrectomized Eyes: Effects of Pars Plana Vitrectomy on Posterior Capsule Opacification

To compare the progression of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in patients who required Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy following either combined cataract surgery with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV; C-CV), sequential cataract surgery after PPV (S-CV), or cataract surgery alone (CA). The medical records of 321 patients (408 eyes) who underwent Nd:YAG capsulotomy were retrospectively evaluated. The CA group had a significantly longer time interval from cataract surgery to capsulotomy than that of both the CV group (P=0.006) and the S-CV (P=0.013) and C-CV (P=0.042) subgroups when age-matched comparisons were used. CV patients who implanted a hydrophobic acrylic IOL had shorter time intervals than those of CA patients (P=0.028). CV patients had larger hazard of earlier capsulotomy than CA patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.337; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.100–1.625; P=0.004). C-CV and S-CV patients both had larger hazard than CA patients in earlier capsulotomy (HR=1.304; 95% CI=1.007–1.688; P=0.044, HR=1.361; 95%  CI=1.084–1.709; P=0.008, resp.). PCO progresses more rapidly in patients undergoing combined or sequential cataract surgery and PPV than in patients undergoing CA

Vardenafil Enhances Oxytocin Expression in the Paraventricular Nucleus without Sexual Stimulation

PurposeOxytocin is associated with the ability to form normal social attachments. c-Fos is an immediate early gene whose expression is used as a marker for stimulus-induced changes in neurons. The effect of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors on oxytocin activation in the brain without sexual stimuli has not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effects of vardenafil on oxytocin and c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of conscious rats.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300±10 g were divided into 6 groups (n=5 in each group): the control group, the 1-day-0.5 mg/kg, the 1-day-1 mg/kg, the 1-day-2 mg/kg, the 3-day-1 mg/kg, and the 7-day-1 mg/kg vardenafil administration group. The experiment was conducted without sexual stimulation. Vardenafil was orally administered. The animals in the control group received an equivalent amount of distilled water orally. The expression of oxytocin and c-Fos in the PVN was detected by immunohistochemistry.ResultsOxytocin expression in the PVN was increased by 1 day administration of 2 mg/kg vardenafil, and this effect of vardenafil appeared in a duration-dependent manner. c-Fos in the oxytocin neurons of the PVN was increased by 1 day administration of 2 mg/kg vardenafil, and this effect of vardenafil also appeared in a duration-dependent manner. These results showed that vardenafil augments the expression of oxytocin with activation of oxytocin neurons in the PVN.ConclusionsIn this study, we showed that the PDE-5 inhibitor, vardenafil directly enhances oxytocin expression and also activates oxytocin neurons in the PVN, which indicates that vardenafil may exert positive effects on affiliation behavior and social interaction