Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) L promotes DNA damage-induced cell apoptosis by enhancing the translation of p53.

The tumor suppressor p53 is an essential gene in the induction of cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis. p53 protein is induced under cellular stress, blocking cell cycle progression and inducing DNA repair. Under DNA damage conditions, it has been reported that post-transcriptional regulation of p53 mRNA contributes to the increase in p53 protein level.

Karyopherin α-2 is a reliable marker for identification of patients with high-risk stage II colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is frequently considered in patients with high-risk stage II colorectal cancer (CRC). Among patients with stage II CRC who do not receive AC because they are not considered to be at high risk, 20-25% will develop recurrence and die from the disease. Elevated levels of KPNA2 have been observed in various cancers, and overexpression of KPNA2 is related to CRC progression.

Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Plasma and Urinary Vitamin C Concentration in Korean Women.

Although vitamin C supplements were consumed for health maintenance and fatigue recovery, the effects of high doses of vitamin C supplement remains controversial. Our study performed the effects of 100 mg and 2,000 mg vitamin C supplements on plasma and urinary vitamin C concentration in Korean women. Twenty-four women completed the 4 weeks intervention.

Effects of Pedalo training on balance and fall risk in stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study sought to examine the effects of Pedalo training on balance and fall risk in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one subjects with stroke were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: the Pedalo group (n=15) and the Treadmill group (n=16). The Pedalo group performed conventional physical therapy program with Pedalo training for 30 minutes, five times a week, for 8 weeks, while the Treadmill group conducted conventional physical therapy programs and treadmill gait training for 30 minutes, five times a week, for 8 weeks.

Label-free high-resolution 3-D imaging of gold nanoparticles inside live cells using optical diffraction tomography.

Delivery of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into live cells has high potentials, ranging from molecular-specific imaging, photodiagnostics, to photothermal therapy. However, studying the long-term dynamics of cells with GNPs using conventional fluorescence techniques suffers from phototoxicity and photobleaching. Here, we present a method for 3-D imaging of GNPs inside live cells exploiting refractive index (RI) as imaging contrast.

Anti-diabetic effect of black ginseng extract by augmentation of AMPK protein activity and upregulation of GLUT2 and GLUT4 expression in db/db mice.

Background: Black ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), three to nine times-steamed and dried ginseng, has biological and pharmacological activities.

Comparison of Surgical Parameters and Results between Curved Varus Osteotomy and Rotational Osteotomy for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Background: Various osteotomies have been introduced to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The purpose of this study was to compare surgical parameters, postoperative limb length discrepancy, and minimum 5-year clinical and radiological results between transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy (TCVO) and transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Methods: From 2004 to 2009, 103 consecutive TROs (97 patients) followed by 72 consecutive TCVOs (64 patients) were performed for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Quality of diet and level of physical performance related to inflammatory markers in community-dwelling frail, elderly people.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether diet quality and functional status were associated with serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in frail, elderly, community-dwelling individuals.

Methods: Seventy-eight frail, elderly individuals (age ≥65 y, usual gait speed <0.6 m/s and Mini Nutritional Assessment <24) participated in this cross-sectional study from the National Home Healthcare Services in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Modulation of Heterotypic and Homotypic Cell-Cell Interactions via Zwitterionic Lipid Masks.

Since the pioneering work by Whitesides, innumerable platforms that aim to spatio-selectively seed cells and control the degree of cell-cell interactions in vitro have been developed. These methods, however, have generally been technically and methodologically complex, or demanded stringent materials and conditions. In this work, we introduce zwitterionic lipids as patternable, cell-repellant masks for selectively seeding cells.

Cooperative roles of the suprachiasmatic nucleus central clock and the adrenal clock in controlling circadian glucocorticoid rhythm.

The mammalian circadian timing system consists of the central clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and subsidiary peripheral clocks in other tissues. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are adrenal steroid hormones with widespread physiological effects that undergo daily oscillations. We previously demonstrated that the adrenal peripheral clock plays a pivotal role in circadian GC rhythm by driving cyclic GC biosynthesis.

Effects of acidic pH on voltage-gated ion channels in rat trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus neurons.

The effects of acidic pH on several voltage-dependent ion channels, such as voltage-dependent K and Ca channels, and hyperpolarization-gated and cyclic nucleotide-activated cation (HCN) channels, were examined using a whole-cell patch clamp technique on mechanically isolated rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons. The application of a pH 6.5 solution had no effect on the peak amplitude of voltage-dependent K currents.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 regulates rhythmic synthesis of mouse Nfil3 protein via IRES-mediated translation.

Nuclear factor, interleukin 3, regulated (Nfil3, also known as E4 Promoter-Binding Protein 4 (E4BP4)) protein is a transcription factor that binds to DNA and generally represses target gene expression. In the circadian clock system, Nfil3 binds to a D-box element residing in the promoter of clock genes and contributes to their robust oscillation. Here, we show that the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of Nfil3 mRNA contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and that IRES-mediated translation occurs in a phase-dependent manner.

Neonatal diffusion tensor brain imaging predicts later motor outcome in preterm neonates with white matter abnormalities.

Background: White matter (WM) abnormalities associated with prematurity are one of the most important causes of neurological disability that involves spastic motor deficits in preterm newborns. This study aimed to evaluate regional microstructural changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) associated with WM abnormalities.

Methods: We prospectively studied extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) preterm infants who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hanyang University Hospital between February 2011 and February 2014.

General rules for functional microRNA targeting.

The functional rules for microRNA (miRNA) targeting remain controversial despite their biological importance because only a small fraction of distinct interactions, called site types, have been examined among an astronomical number of site types that can occur between miRNAs and their target mRNAs. To systematically discover functional site types and to evaluate the contradicting rules reported previously, we used large-scale transcriptome data and statistically examined whether each of approximately 2 billion site types is enriched in differentially downregulated mRNAs responding to overexpressed miRNAs. Accordingly, we identified seven non-canonical functional site types, most of which are novel, in addition to four canonical site types, while also removing numerous false positives reported by previous studies.

Effect of crosslinking functionality on microstructure, mechanical properties, and in vitro cytocompatibility of cellulose nanocrystals reinforced poly (vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate hybrid scaffolds.

Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced poly (vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate hybrid scaffolds were fabricated by using freeze casting and freeze drying method. In this study, the effect of crosslinking agents such as calcium chloride, orthophosphoric acid, and borax on morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and cytocompatibility (cell adhesion and proliferation) properties was investigated. The results showed that the change in type of crosslinking agent significantly changed the properties of the hybrid scaffolds.

Acid modulation of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na channels in large-sized trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Voltage-gated Na channels in primary afferent neurons can be divided into tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na channels. Although previous studies have shown the acid modulation of TTX-R Na channels, the effect of acidic pH on tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) Na channels is still unknown. Here we report the effect of acidic pH on TTX-S Na channels expressed in large-sized trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons using a whole-cell patch clamp technique.

Acidic pH modulation of Na+ channels in trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus neurons.

Cell bodies of trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vmes) neurons are located within the central nervous system, and therefore, peripheral as well as central acidosis can modulate the excitability of Vmes neurons. Here, we report the effect of acidic pH on voltage-gated Na channels in acutely isolated rat Vmes neurons using a conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique. Acidic pH (pH 6.

Effect of Wheat Flour Noodles with Powder on Glycemic Response in Healthy Subjects.

Recent trial results suggest that the consumption of a low glycemic index (GI) diet is beneficial in the prevention of high blood glucose levels. Identifying active hypoglycemic substances in ordinary foods could be a significant benefit to the management of blood glucose. It has been hypothesized that noodles with powder are a low GI food.

High performance flexible double-sided micro-supercapacitors with an organic gel electrolyte containing a redox-active additive.

In this study, we report the fabrication of a high performance flexible micro-supercapacitor (MSC) with an organic gel electrolyte containing a redox-active additive, referred to as poly(methyl methacrylate)-propylene carbonate-lithium perchlorate-hydroquinone (PMMA-PC-LiClO4-HQ). Hexagonal MSCs fabricated on thin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films had interdigitated electrodes made of spray-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on Au. The addition of HQ as a redox-active additive enhanced not only the specific capacitance but also the energy density of the MSCs dramatically, which is approximately 35 times higher than that of MSCs without the HQ additive.

HnRNP Q Has a Suppressive Role in the Translation of Mouse Cryptochrome1.

Precise regulation of gene expression is especially important for circadian timekeeping which is maintained by the proper oscillation of the mRNA and protein of clock genes and clock-controlled genes. As a main component of the core negative arm feedback loops in the circadian clock, the Cry1 gene contributes to the maintenance of behavioral and molecular rhythmicity. Despite the central role of Cry1, the molecular mechanisms regulating expression levels of Cry1 mRNA and protein are not well defined.

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on isoquercetin production from rutin by commercial α-L-rhamnosidase.

Objectives: To optimize conversion of rutin to isoquercetin by commercial α-L-rhamnosidase using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP).

Results: The de-rhamnosylation activity of α-L-rhamnosidase for isoquercetin production was maximal at pH 6.0 and 50 °C using HHP (150 MPa).

Stress-induced nuclear translocation of CDK5 suppresses neuronal death by downregulating ERK activation via VRK3 phosphorylation.

Although extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activity is generally associated with cell survival, prolonged ERK activation induced by oxidative stress also mediates neuronal cell death. Here we report that oxidative stress-induced cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) activation stimulates neuroprotective signaling via phosphorylation of vaccinia-related kinase 3 (VRK3) at Ser 108. The binding of vaccinia H1-related (VHR) phosphatase to phosphorylated VRK3 increased its affinity for phospho-ERK and subsequently downregulated ERK activation.

Self-Junctioned Copper Nanofiber Transparent Flexible Conducting Film via Electrospinning and Electroplating.

Self-junctioned copper nanofiber transparent flexible films are produced using electrospinning and electroplating processes that provide high performances of T = 97% and Rs = 0.42 Ω sq(-1) by eliminating junction resistance at wire intersections. The film remains conductive after being stretched by up to 770% (films with T = 76%) and after 1000 cycles of bending to a 5 mm radius.

Black ginseng extract exerts anti-hyperglycemic effect via modulation of glucose metabolism in liver and muscle.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Araliaceae) has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including diabetes.