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

Molecular Weight Dependent Glucose Lowering Effect of Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Oligosaccharide (GO2KA1) on Postprandial Blood Glucose Level in SD Rats Model

Abstract This research investigated the effect of enzymatically digested low molecular weight (MW) chitosan oligosaccharide on type 2 diabetes prevention. Three different chitosan oligosaccharide samples with varying MW were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of rat small intestinal α-glucosidase and porcine pancreatic α-amylase (GO2KA1; \u3c1000 Da, GO2KA2; 1000–10,000 Da, GO2KA3; MW \u3e 10,000 Da). The in vitro results showed that all tested samples had similar rat α-glucosidase inhibitory and porcine α-amylase inhibitory activity. Based on these observations, we decided to further investigate the effect of all three samples at a dose of 0.1 g/kg, on reducing postprandial blood glucose levels in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model after sucrose loading test. In the animal trial, all tested samples had postprandial blood glucose reduction effect, when compared to control, however GO2KA1 supplementation had the strongest effect. The glucose peak (Cmax) for GO2KA1 and control was 152 mg/dL and 193 mg/dL, respectively. The area under the blood glucose-time curve (AUC) for GO2KA1 and control was 262 h mg/dL and 305 h mg/dL, respectively. Furthermore, the time of peak plasma concentration of blood glucose (Tmax) for GO2KA1 was significantly delayed (0.9 h) compared to control (0.5 h). These results suggest that GO2KA1 could have a beneficial effect for blood glucose management relevant to diabetes prevention in normal and pre-diabetic individuals. The suggested mechanism of action is via inhibition of the carbohydrate hydrolysis enzyme α-glucosidase and since GO2KA1 (MW \u3c 1000 Da) had higher in vivo effect, we hypothesize that it is more readily absorbed and might exert further biological effect once it is absorbed in the blood stream, relevant to blood glucose management

Climate Change Impact Assessment on Han River Long Term Runoff in South Korea Based on RCP Climate Change Scenario

The 2007 World Economic Forum (WEF) referred to climate change as the overriding problem we face. Concerns have been raised about how global warming would accelerate future climate change and its consequences. Many climate change studies expect the possible occurrence of extreme high temperature, increase in heavy rains and strong typhoons in the near future. Currently, climate change scenarios are used to prepare an appropriate plan for these phenomena under climate change. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest and evaluate an operational method of assessing the potential impact of climate change on hydrologic components and water resources at the regional scale. Future runoff was simulated using high resolution Regional Circulation Model (RCM) (12.5 × 12.5 km) Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenario operated by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and a semi-distribution model or SLURP (Semi-distributed Land Use-based Runoff Process). The study was carried out on the Han River including its nine dams. The study found that runoff characteristics, especially annual distribution, could change. The discharge in July tends to decrease while runoff can increase in August and September. The flow duration curve was estimated and compared with observed data and simulated daily runoff data for Paldang-dam to evaluate the effect of climate change. The analysis of the flow duration curve shows that the mean average low flow increased while the average wet and normal flow decreased under the climate change scenario

Skin care benefits of bioactive compounds isolated from Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. (Rutaceae)

Purpose: To investigate skin care efficacies of Zanthoxylum pipetitum extract and isolated compounds. Methods: Ethanol extracts of leaves, branches and fruits of what were partitioned into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous layers and some fractions were further analyzed to isolate five compounds. The isolated compounds were identified based on the proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Cosmetic efficacy tests of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated by in vitro tests. Results: Phytochemical studies of the chloroform and ethyl acetate layers led to the isolation of five compounds; quercitrin (1), afzelin (2), hydroxy-α-sanshool (3), α-sanshool (4) and hyperoside (5). In activity tests, the extracts showed inhibitory activity against inflammation response and melanin synthesis, and induction of procollagen type I C-peptide (PIP). Among the isolated compounds, hydroxy-α-sanshool (3) and α-sanshool (4) displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that Z. piperitum extract and its active compounds possess a significant potential as a cosmeeutical agent for enhancing skin quality

A Case of Right Sided Aortic Arch Combined with Atrial Septal Defect

Right sided aortic arch is an uncommon congenital anomaly. It can be classified into three types, depending on the left aortic arch's degenerating pattern and the branching pattern of the great vessels. It can be associated with major congenital heart disease, depending on the type of right sided aortic arch. We report a case of an 18-years-old female who has right sided aortic arch with atrial septal defect (ASD). In our case, the patient had a right sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery, also she had ASD (ostium secundum) and moderate tricuspid regurgitation with pulmonary hypertension. The patient was successfully performed patch closure of ASD and tricuspid valve annuloplasty via midline sternotomy. The patient had uneventful postoperative course

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ ameliorates experimental mouse colitis by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory cytokines

BACKGROUND: MitoQ is a mitochondria-targeted derivative of the antioxidant ubiquinone, with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic functions. Reactive oxygen species are involved in many inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of MitoQ in a mouse model of experimental colitis and investigated the possible mechanisms underlying its effects on intestinal inflammation. METHODS: Reactive oxygen species levels and mitochondrial function were measured in blood mononuclear cells of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The effects of MitoQ were evaluated in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model. Clinical and pathological markers of disease severity and oxidative injury, and levels of inflammatory cytokines in mouse colonic tissue were measured. The effect of MitoQ on inflammatory cytokines released in the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1 was also analyzed. RESULTS: Cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels in mononuclear cells were significantly higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (P <0.003, cellular reactive oxygen species; P <0.001, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species). MitoQ significantly ameliorated colitis in the dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse model in vivo, reduced the increased oxidative stress response (malondialdehyde and 3-nitrotyrosine formation), and suppressed mitochondrial and histopathological injury by decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and IL-18 (P <0.001 and P <0.01 respectively). By decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, MitoQ also suppressed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome that was responsible for maturation of IL-1 beta and IL-18. In vitro studies demonstrated that MitoQ decreases IL-1 beta and IL-18 production in human THP-1 cells. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that MitoQ may have potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute phases of inflammatory bowel disease

Outer membrane protein a of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium activates dendritic cells and enhances Th1 polarization

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Typhoid, which is caused by <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium, remains a major health concern worldwide. Multidrug-resistant strains of <it>Salmonella </it>have emerged which exhibit increased survivability and virulence, thus leading to increased morbidity. However, little is known about the protective immune response against this microorganism. The outer membrane protein (Omp)A of bacteria plays an important role in pathogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We purified OmpA from <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium (OmpA-sal) and characterized the role of OmpA-sal in promoting adaptive and innate immune responses. OmpA-sal functionally activated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells by augmenting expression of CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex classes I and II. Interestingly, OmpA-sal induced production of interferon-γ from T cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions, thus indicating Th1-polarizing capacity. The expression of surface markers and cytokine production in dendritic cells was mediated by the TLR4 signaling pathway in a TLR4 Knock-out system.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that OmpA-sal modulates the adaptive immune responses to <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium by activating dendritic cells and driving Th1 polarization, which are important properties to consider in the development of effective <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium vaccines and immunotherapy adjuvant.</p