Evolution of vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase domains and volutin granules: clues into the early evolutionary origin of the acidocalcisome.

Background: Volutin granules appear to be universally distributed and are morphologically and chemically identical to acidocalcisomes, which are electron-dense granular organelles rich in calcium and phosphate, whose functions include storage of phosphorus and various metal ions, metabolism of polyphosphate, maintenance of intracellular pH, osmoregulation and calcium homeostasis. Prokaryotes are thought to differ from eukaryotes in that they lack membrane-bounded organelles. However, it has been demonstrated that as in acidocalcisomes, the calcium and polyphosphate-rich intracellular "volutin granules (polyphosphate bodies)" in two bacterial species, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Rhodospirillum rubrum, are membrane bound and that the vacuolar proton-translocating pyrophosphatases (V-H+PPases) are present in their surrounding membranes.

A two-dimensional DNA lattice implanted polymer solar cell.

A double crossover tile based artificial two-dimensional (2D) DNA lattice was fabricated and the dry-wet method was introduced to recover an original DNA lattice structure in order to deposit DNA lattices safely on the organic layer without damaging the layer. The DNA lattice was then employed as an electron blocking layer in a polymer solar cell causing an increase of about 10% up to 160% in the power conversion efficiency. Consequently, the resulting solar cell which had an artificial 2D DNA blocking layer showed a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency compared to conventional polymer solar cells.

Over 95% of large-scale length uniformity in template-assisted electrodeposited nanowires by subzero-temperature electrodeposition.

In this work, we report highly uniform growth of template-assisted electrodeposited copper nanowires on a large area by lowering the deposition temperature down to subzero centigrade. Even with highly disordered commercial porous anodic aluminum oxide template and conventional potentiostatic electrodeposition, length uniformity over 95% can be achieved when the deposition temperature is lowered down to -2.4°C.

Control of superhydrophilicity/superhydrophobicity using silicon nanowires via electroless etching method and fluorine carbon coatings.

Surface roughness is promotive of increasing their hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity to the extreme according to the intrinsic wettability determined by the surface free energy characteristics of a base substrate. Top-down etched silicon nanowires are used to create superhydrophilic surfaces based on the hemiwicking phenomenon. Using fluorine carbon coatings, surfaces are converted from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic to maintain the Cassie-Baxter state stability by reducing the surface free energy to a quarter compared with intrinsic silicon.

Micro-nano hybrid structures with manipulated wettability using a two-step silicon etching on a large area.

Nanoscale surface manipulation technique to control the surface roughness and the wettability is a challenging field for performance enhancement in boiling heat transfer. In this study, micro-nano hybrid structures (MNHS) with hierarchical geometries that lead to maximizing of surface area, roughness, and wettability are developed for the boiling applications. MNHS structures consist of micropillars or microcavities along with nanowires having the length to diameter ratio of about 100:1.

Ezrin, radixin, and moesin are phosphorylated in response to 2-methoxyestradiol and modulate endothelial hyperpermeability.

We showed previously that microtubule disruptor 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) induces hyperpermeability of the endothelial monolayer via mechanisms that include the activation of p38 and Rho kinase (ROCK) and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Using the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors Ro-31-7549 and Ro-32-0432, we show in vitro and in vivo that 2ME-induced barrier dysfunction is also PKC-dependent. The known PKC substrates ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) were recently implicated in the regulation of endothelial permeability.

Effectiveness of home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP) for patients with symptomatic convergence insufficiency.

Purpose: To report the effectiveness of home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP) therapy for patients with symptomatic convergence insufficiency.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively on 16 patients who were diagnosed with convergence insufficiency beginning in January 2009. The study group was composed of ten male and six female patients.

Distinct clinical courses according to presenting phenotypes and their correlations to ATP7B mutations in a large Wilson's disease cohort.

Introduction And Aims: Wide phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneities in Wilson's disease (WD) have been reported, hampering the study of their correlations. The goal of this study was to identify the factors related to these diversities.

Methods: Clinical courses and molecular genetic characteristics were analysed in 237 unrelated Korean WD families.

The proteomic complexity and rise of the primordial ancestor of diversified life.

Background: The last universal common ancestor represents the primordial cellular organism from which diversified life was derived. This urancestor accumulated genetic information before the rise of organismal lineages and is considered to be either a simple 'progenote' organism with a rudimentary translational apparatus or a more complex 'cenancestor' with almost all essential biological processes. Recent comparative genomic studies support the latter model and propose that the urancestor was similar to modern organisms in terms of gene content.

Nanoparticle-based indicator-displacement assay for pyrophosphate.

Silica nanoparticles functionalized with a Zn(II) -dipicolylamine derivative are used as the receptor component of a sensing ensemble for an indicator-displacement assay. The nano-ensemble system, constructed with pyrocatechol violet as an indicator, selectively senses pyrophosphate over other anions including hydrogen phosphate, thus showing a visible blue-to-yellow color change and the corresponding absorption spectral changes in a buffer solution of pH 7. A distinct recognition behavior--the nano-ensemble does not sense hydrogen phosphate that was sensed by the traditional ensemble with the same molecular receptor--is explained by an incomplete-displacement model in the case of the integrated receptor system.

Nanofilamentary resistive switching in binary oxide system; a review on the present status and outlook.

This review article summarized the recent understanding of resistance switching (RS) behavior in several binary oxide thin film systems. Among the various RS materials and mechanisms, TiO(2) and NiO thin films in unipolar thermo-chemical switching mode are primarily dealt with. To facilitate the discussions, the RS was divided into three parts; electroforming, set and reset steps.

A detailed understanding of the electronic bipolar resistance switching behavior in Pt/TiO2/Pt structure.

The detailed mechanism of electronic bipolar resistance switching (BRS) in the Pt/TiO(2)/Pt structure was examined. The conduction mechanism analysis showed that the trap-free and trap-mediated space-charge-limited conduction (SCLC) governs the low and high resistance state of BRS, respectively. The SCLC was confirmed by fitting the current-voltage characteristics of low and high resistance states at various temperatures.

The outcome of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation of pyloric stricture in Crohn disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation for pyloric stricture associated with Crohn disease (CD) while monitoring the outcome.

Materials And Methods: Five patients (age range 15-34 y) were diagnosed with symptomatic pyloric stricture associated with CD between November 2006 and August 2009. All five patients underwent fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation one or more times.

Exploration of photochemical reactions of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted uracil, pyridone, and pyrrolidone derivatives.

Photochemical reactions of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted uracil, pyridone and pyrrolidone derivatives were carried out to determine if silicone containing substituents have an impact on excited state reaction profiles. The results show that ultraviolet irradiation of N-trimethylsilylmethyl substituted uracils in the presence of substituted alkenes leads to efficient formation of both dimeric and cross [2+2]-cycloaddition products. Qualitatively similar observations were made in a study of the photochemistry of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-2-pyridone.

A simplified fabrication process of Fresnel zone plates with controlling proximity effect correction.

Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) for soft X-ray microscopy with an energy range of 284 eV to 540 eV are designed and fabricated in a simple method. An adequate aspect ratio of the resist mold for electroplating was obtained by the proximity effect correction technology for an incident electron beam on a single thick layer resist. Without additional complicated reactive ion etching, a sufficient electro plating mold for nickel structures was fabricated.

High incidence of PRSS1 and SPINK1 mutations in Korean children with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives: We evaluated the frequencies and clinical consequences of mutations in the genes encoding cationic trypsinogen, serine protease 1 (PRSS1), and serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) in children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Patients And Methods: The study population consisted of 32 children with ARP or CP and 28 healthy controls. We analyzed clinical data and the sequences of the entire coding region and the intron-exon boundaries of the PRSS1 and SPINK1 genes from each patient.

Prognostic implications of serum alpha-fetoprotein response during treatment of hepatoblastoma.

Background: We evaluated the outcomes and prognostic factors, especially serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and their changes during the treatment of hepatoblastoma (HB).

Procedure: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 43 consecutive children with HB treated at a single institution between 1991 and 2010.

Results: Of 43 patients, 5 (12%) underwent primary tumor resection at diagnosis and 38 (88%) received preoperative chemotherapy.

Development and validation of an arterial blood gas analysis interpretation algorithm for application in clinical laboratory services.

Background: Arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) is a useful test that estimates the acid-base status of patients. However, numerically reported test results make rapid interpretation difficult. To overcome this problem, we have developed an algorithm that automatically interprets ABGA results, and assessed the validity of this algorithm for applications in clinical laboratory services.

Production of nattokinase by high cell density fed-batch culture of Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis was cultivated to high cell density for nattokinase production by pH-stat fed-batch culture. A concentrated mixture solution of glucose and peptone was automatically added by acid-supplying pump when culture pH rose above high limit. Effect of the ratio of glucose to peptone in feeding solution was investigated on cell growth and nattokinase production by changing the ratio from 0.

The effect of ketamine on tracheal intubating conditions without neuromuscular blockade during sevoflurane induction in children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ketamine on intubating conditions for tracheal intubation during anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and alfentanil in pediatric patients.

Methods: After obtaining parental consents, 50 children, aged 3-10 years, were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either i.v.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders: clinicopathological analysis of 43 cases in a single center, 1990-2009.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a heterogeneous set of complications of organ transplantation associated with poor patient prognosis. We analyzed the clinicopathological features of PTLDs in 43 adult and pediatric recipients of solid organ or bone marrow transplantation at a large transplant service in the Republic of Korea between 1990 and 2009. Of 4545 solid organ and 747 bone marrow transplant recipients, 37 (0.

Prevalence of atopic dermatitis among Korean adults visiting health service center of the Catholic Medical Center in Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea.

The point prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) among Korean adults visiting the Health Service Center for health check-ups was assessed. AD was diagnosed based on the questionnaires filled by patients and through physical examination by dermatologists. A total of 3,563 persons completed the questionnaires, and 2,032 persons were examined by the dermatologists.

Zinc(II)-dipicolylamine-functionalized polydiacetylene-liposome microarray: a selective and sensitive sensing platform for pyrophosphate ions.

A microarray-chip assay system for the fluorescence detection of phosphate-containing analytes in aqueous media has been constructed from stimuli-responsive polymerized poly(diacetylene)-liposomes for the first time. Proper combination of the liposome components (Zn(II)-dipicolylamine for phosphate binding and an amine-terminated component for anchoring the liposome onto an aldehyde-derivatized glass plate), has led to a microarray chip that selectively detects pyrophosphate, an important biomarker, over competing anions, such as phosphate and adenosine triphosphate, with nanomolar sensitivity. The chip-based assay shows advantages, such as high specificity and sensitivity, over solution-based assays that use the same liposomes, and over known homogeneous molecular sensing systems.

Expression of stem cell marker CD133 in fetal and adult human kidneys and pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Background: Different cell types in the kidney, including those in tubules, glomeruli, and interstitium, have been proposed as candidate adult renal stem cells, raising controversy about the very existence of such cells. In this study, we sought to clarify the location and nature of adult renal stem cells and to address their reparative role in native kidney disease.

Methods: The expression of the stem cell marker CD133 was analyzed in 31 normal fetal and adult human kidneys by immunohistochemical methods.