Exploring NNMT: from metabolic pathways to therapeutic targets.

Cellular metabolism-related epigenetic modulation plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) serves as a crucial link between cellular metabolism and epigenetics by catalyzing nicotinamide methylation using the universal methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. This direct connection bridges the methylation-mediated one-carbon metabolism with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels.

An inducible sphingosine kinase 1 in hepatic stellate cells potentiates liver fibrosis.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a role in hepatic fibrosis and sphingosine kinase (SphK) is involved in biological processes. As studies on the regulatory mechanisms and functions of SphK in HSCs during liver fibrosis are currently limited, this study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and connected pathways of SphK upon HSC activation. The expression of SphK1 was higher in HSCs than in hepatocytes, and upregulated in activated primary HSCs.

Patterns and sources of spatial inequity in freight crashes: An application of decomposition analysis.

Despite considerable increases in road freight traffic and associated crashes over the past decade, our understanding of their spatial distribution remains limited. This is concerning because freight vehicle crashes often lead to fatal and severe injuries. This study focuses on Seoul, South Korea and contributes to the literature by investigating the patterns and sources of spatial inequity in freight crashes.

Factors associated with different types of freight crashes: A macro-level analysis.

Introduction: Despite evidence showing higher fatality rates in freight-related crashes, there has been limited exploration of their spatial distribution and factors associated with such distribution. This gap in the literature primarily stems from the focus of existing studies on micro-level factors predicting the frequency or severity of injuries in freight crashes. The present study delves into the factors contributing to freight crashes at the neighborhood level, particularly focusing on different types of freight crashes: collisions involving a freight vehicle and a passenger vehicle, crashes between freight vehicles, and freight vehicle-non-motorized crashes.

Integrative roles of sphingosine kinase in liver pathophysiology.

Bioactive sphingolipids and enzymes that metabolize sphingolipid-related substances have been considered as critical messengers in various signaling pathways. One such enzyme is the crucial lipid kinase, sphingosine kinase (SphK), which mediates the conversion of sphingosine to the potent signaling substance, sphingosine-1-phosphate. Several studies have demonstrated that SphK metabolism is strictly regulated to maintain the homeostatic balance of cells.

Pharmacokinetic Characterization of LW6, a Novel Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) Inhibitor in Mice.

LW6, an (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acid derivative, was recently identified to be an inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is an attractive target for cancer therapeutics. Although LW6 is known to act by inhibiting the accumulation of HIF-1α, pharmacokinetics needs to be evaluated to assess its potential as an anti-tumor agent. Here, we investigated the plasma pharmacokinetics and metabolism of LW6 in mice.

Metabolite Profiling and Characterization of LW6, a Novel HIF-1α Inhibitor, as an Antitumor Drug Candidate in Mice.

A novel HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor)-1α inhibitor, the (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acid derivative LW6, is an anticancer agent that inhibits the accumulation of HIF-1α. The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the structures of the metabolites of LW6 in ICR mice. Metabolite identification was performed using a predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (pMRM-IDA-EPI) method in negative ion mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP).

Ameliorative effect of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) in cognitively impaired diabetic mice.

The effects of ethanolic extract of Diospyros kaki (EED) on diabetic cognitive impairment were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse. After HFD was fed to mouse for 16 weeks, EED was administrated to mouse for 4 weeks. EED reduced fasting blood glucose level and improved cognitive and behavioral dysfunction.

Dielectric Elastomers UV-Cured from Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Solution in Vinyl Acetate.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has been extensively used as an electroactive polymer material because it exhibits not only excellent moldability but also mechanical properties sufficient enough for electroactive performance despite low dielectric permittivity. Its low dielectric property is due to its molecular non-polarity. Here, we introduce a polar group into a PDMS elastomer by using vinyl acetate (VAc) as a crosslinker to improve the dielectric permittivity.

Anti-Amnesic Effect of Walnut via the Regulation of BBB Function and Neuro-Inflammation in Aβ-Induced Mice.

This study was conducted to assess the protective effect of walnut ( L.) extract on amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced institute of cancer research (ICR) mice. By conducting a Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests with amyloidogenic mice, it was found that walnut extract ameliorated behavioral dysfunction and memory deficit.

Facile Functionalization of Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Elastomer by Varying Content of Hydridosilyl Groups in a Crosslinker.

Crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has been widely used as a dielectric elastomer for electrically driven actuators because it exhibits high elasticity, low initial modulus, and excellent moldability in spite of low dielectric constant. However, further improvement in the characteristics of the PDMS elastomer is not easy due to its chemical non-reactivity. Here, we report a simple method for functionalizing the elastomer by varying content of hydridosilyl groups in PDMS acted as a crosslinker.

Graphene-based optical waveguide tactile sensor for dynamic response.

Optical tactile sensors based on a directional coupler have been widely investigated because of their many advantages. However, one important requirement limits their wide application: the refractive index of the upper superstrate must be equal to or larger than that of the optical waveguide core. To overcome this disadvantage, an optical waveguide tactile sensor using graphene is proposed and its operational feasibility was validated experimentally.

Structural features of lignin macromolecules extracted with ionic liquid from poplar wood.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][CH₃COO]) was used for the extraction of lignin from poplar wood (Populus albaglandulosa), which was called to ionic liquid lignin (ILL) and structural features of ILL were compared with the corresponding milled wood lignin (MWL). Yields of ILL and MWL were 5.8±0.

Laparoscopic repair of paraduodenal hernia: comparison with conventional open repair.

Paraduodenal hernia is a congenital internal hernia caused by abnormal retroperitoneal fixation of the intestinal mesentery. The management of paraduodenal hernia consists of reduction of the herniated intestine and repair of the defect. Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been increasingly performed in abdominal procedures.