Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce mitochondrial elongation.

Although various stimuli-inducing cell demise are known to alter mitochondrial morphology, it is currently debated whether alteration of mitochondrial morphology is per se responsible for apoptosis execution or prevention. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on mitochondrial fusion-fission equilibrium. The mechanism underlying HDAC inhibitor-induced alteration of mitochondrial morphology was examined in various cells including primary cultured cells and untransformed and cancer cell lines treated with seven different HDAC inhibitors.

Homochiral 3D metal-organic frameworks from chiral 1D rods: 6-way helical packing.

The chiral 3D MOFs resulted from the packing of chiral 1D SBBs were studied. It was demonstrated that the final packing pattern is sensitively dependent on the dimension of SBBs. In addition, we were able to identify a new plywood-like network from ligand 2H(2) exhibiting an unprecedented six-way chiral helical packing motif, which extends the list of invariant rod packings.

Binding conformation prediction between human acetylcholinesterase and cytochrome c using molecular modeling methods.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is important to terminate acetylcholine-mediated neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses. The pivotal role of AChE in apoptosome formation through the interactions with cytochrome c (Cyt c) was demonstrated in recent study. In order to investigate the proper binding conformation between the human AChE (hAChE) and human Cyt c (hCyt c), macro-molecular docking simulation was performed using DOT 2.

The novel resveratrol analog HS-1793-induced polyploid LNCaP prostate cancer cells are vulnerable to downregulation of Bcl-xL.

Since resveratrol is not a potent cytotoxic compound when compared with other chemotherapeutic agents, several previous studies have been performed to obtain synthetic analogs of resveratrol with potent activity. Our previous study demonstrated that the resveratrol analog HS-1793 showed stronger antitumor activity than resveratrol in various cancer cells. We examined the antitumor activity exerted by HS-1793 in prostate cancer cells, and we observed that HS-1793 acts as a polyploidy inducer.

Kinetic separation of propene and propane in metal-organic frameworks: controlling diffusion rates in plate-shaped crystals via tuning of pore apertures and crystallite aspect ratios.

A series of isostructural, noncatenated, zinc-pillared-paddlewheel metal-organic framework materials has been synthesized from 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(carboxyphenyl)benzene and trans-1,2-dipyridylethene struts. Substantial kinetic selectivity in the adsorption of propene over propane can be observed, depending on the pore apertures and the rectangular-plate morphology of the crystals.

p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol prevents brain injury and behavioral impairment by activating Nrf2, PDI, and neurotrophic factor genes in a rat model of brain ischemia.

The therapeutic goal in treating cerebral ischemia is to reduce the extent of brain injury and thus minimize neurological impairment. We examined the effects of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA), an active component of Gastrodia elata Blume, on transient focal cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury with respect to the involvement of protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and neurotrophic factors. All animals were ovariectomized 14 days before ischemic injury.

A convenient route to high area, nanoparticulate TiO2 photoelectrodes suitable for high-efficiency energy conversion in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Ethanol-soluble amphiphilic TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) of average diameter ∼9 nm were synthesized, and an α-terpineol-based TiO(2) paste was readily prepared from them in comparatively few steps. When used for fabrication of photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the paste yielded highly transparent films and possessing greater-than-typical, thickness-normalized surface areas. These film properties enabled the corresponding DSSCs to produce high photocurrent densities (17.

Effect of water on the behavior of semiconductor quantum dots in zeolite Y: aggregation with framework destruction with H-Y and disaggregation with framework preservation for NH4-Y.

Treatment of dry M(2+)-exchanged zeolite Y (M(2+) = Cd(2+), Mn(2+), and Zn(2+)) with dry H(2)S leads to the formation of isolated, ligand-free, subnanometer MS quantum dots (QDs) in zeolite Y with no framework destruction and with H(+) as the countercation. Treatment of the dry H(+)/CdS QD-incorporating zeolites Y with dry NH(3) leads to the neutralization of H(+) to NH(4)(+). During this process, the framework structure remains intact.

[A predictive model on health promotion behavior in women who immigrate for marriage].

Purpose: This study was done to develop a model which explains factors influencing health promotion behavior in women who immigrate to Korea for marriage, and to verify the appropriateness of the model.

Methods: The participants were 300 women who immigrate to Korea for marriage and settled in located in Jeonbuk Province, Korea. The data were collected with self-report questionnaires from October 10, 2007 through November 10, 2007.

Fine genetic mapping of the genomic region controlling leaflet shape and number of seeds per pod in the soybean.

Narrow leaflet cultivars tend to have more seeds per pod than broad leaflet cultivars in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], which suggests that the leaflet-shape trait locus is tightly linked to or cosegregates with the trait locus controlling the number of seeds per pod (NSPP).

Glycine max non-nodulation locus rj1: a recombinogenic region encompassing a SNP in a lysine motif receptor-like kinase (GmNFR1α).

The rj1 mutation of soybean is a simple recessive allele in a single line that arose as a spontaneous mutation in a population; it exhibits non-nodulation with virtually all Bradyrhizobium and Sinorhizobium strains. Here, we described fine genetic and physical mapping of the rj1 locus on soybean chromosome 2. The initial mapping of the rj1 locus using public markers indicated that A343.

Current status in the management of uterine corpus cancer in Korea.

Uterine corpus cancer has increased in prevalence in Korean women over the last decade. Recently, elegant studies have been reported from many institutes. To improve treatment strategies, a review of our own data is warranted.

Antibiotic and synergistic effect of Leu-Lys rich peptide against antibiotic resistant microorganisms isolated from patients with cholelithiasis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has eventually developed resistance against flomoxef sodium, isepamicin and cefpiramide. Therefore, in this study, the antibacterial activity and synergistic effects of the amphipathic-derived P5-18mer antimicrobial peptide were tested against pathogens associated with cholelithiasis that have developed resistance against commonly used antibiotics. The results were then compared with the activities of the amphipathic-derived peptide, P5-18mer, melittin and common antibiotics.

Dissociation of single-strand DNA: single-walled carbon nanotube hybrids by Watson-Crick base-pairing.

It has been known that single-strand DNA wraps around a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) by pi-stacking. In this paper it is demonstrated that such DNA is dissociated from the SWNT by Watson-Crick base-pairing with a complementary sequence. Measurement of field effect transistor characteristics indicates a shift of the electrical properties as a result of this "unwrapping" event.

Porphyrin sensitized solar cells: TiO2 sensitization with a pi-extended porphyrin possessing two anchoring groups.

A pi-extended porphyrin possessing two anchoring groups has been synthesized and successfully applied to dye-sensitized solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 5.5%, rendering it comparable to the performance of N719-sensitized solar cells under the conditions employed here.

Genetic analysis of genes controlling natural variation of seed coat and flower colors in soybean.

Soybean exhibits natural variation in flower and seed coat colors via the deposition of various anthocyanin pigments in the respective tissues. Although pigmentation in seeds or flowers has been well dissected at molecular level in several plant species, the genes controlling natural variation in anthocyanin traits in the soybean are not completely understood. To evaluate the genetic correlation between genetic loci and genes, 8 enzyme-encoding gene families and a transcription factor were localized in a soybean genome-wide genetic map.

Role of systematic lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiation in early-stage endometrioid uterine cancer.

Objective: To determine the roles of lymphadenectomy in endometrioid uterine cancer patients and adjuvant radiation in early-stage endometrioid uterine cancer patients who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 758 patients surgically treated for early-stage endometrioid uterine cancer from 2000 to 2006 was conducted. The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival in relation to systematic lymphadenectomy with or without adjuvant radiation.

Exploration of novel 2-alkylimino-1,3-thiazolines: T-type calcium channel inhibitory activity.

We have developed combinatorial libraries of new 2-alkylimino-1,3-thiazolines with four diversity points, consisting of more than 500 compounds, in a parallel synthetic fashion. The synthetic strategy was based on the construction of a large library aimed at the discovery of new compounds with T-type calcium channel inhibitory activity through structure modifications of hit compound 2. The syntheses of the compounds of Chemset A with four diversity points were accomplished by the condensation of thioureas 5 with alpha-haloketones 6{1-66} having two diversity points each.

Role of body mass index as a risk and prognostic factor of endometrioid uterine cancer in Korean women.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI) as a risk and prognostic factor of endometrioid uterine cancer in Korean women.

Methods: The records of 937 patients with endometrioid uterine cancer treated between 2000 and 2006 in Korea were reviewed. To determine the disease risk by BMI, four age-matched controls were recruited from healthy women (1-year age group).

Control of mode of crystal networking during monolayer assembly of microcrystals on water.

A series of hydrocarbon (HC)-coated cubic zeolite microcrystals (1.7 microm) was prepared. The HCs were n-octyl, n-dodecyl, methyl n-undecanoate, n-octadecyl, and n-heptadecafluorodecyl.

Differential effects of resveratrol and novel resveratrol derivative, HS-1793, on endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis and Akt inactivation.

Since resveratrol (3,4',5 tri-hydroxystilbene), which has been shown to inhibit multistage carcinogenesis, is not a potent cytotoxic compound, several studies were undertaken to obtain synthetic analogues of resveratrol with potent activity. We previously reported that a resveratrol derivative HS-1793 exhibits stronger antitumor effects than resveratrol in several cancer cell types. The present study was undertaken to reveal precise mechanism by which HS-1793 induces cell death.

A novel resveratrol analogue HS-1793 treatment overcomes the resistance conferred by Bcl-2 and is associated with the formation of mature PML nuclear bodies in renal clear cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells.

Bcl-2 protects cancer cells from the apoptotic effects of various chemotherapeutic agents. Inhibition or downregulation of Bcl-2 represents a new therapeutic approach to bypass chemoresistance in cancer cells. Previously we designed and synthesized the resveratrol analogue HS-1793 displaying stronger antitumor efficacy than resveratrol and further demonstrated the HS-1793 resistance conferred by Bcl-2 in human leukemic U937 cells.

Mutant p53 (G199V) gains antiapoptotic function through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.

In the present study, we identified a missense mutation (G199V) in KAT-18 cell line established from primary cultures of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Notably, knockdown of this mutant (mt) p53 reduced cell viability and exerted antitumor activity equivalent to high doses of several chemotherapeutic agents. We showed that p53 knockdown had an antitumor effect via the induction of apoptosis.