Butyric acid production from red algae by a newly isolated Clostridium sp. S1.

Objective: To produce butyric acid from red algae such as Gelidium amansii in which galactose is a main carbohydrate, microorganisms utilizing galactose and tolerating inhibitors in hydrolysis including levulinic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) are required.

Results: A newly isolated bacterium, Clostridium sp. S1 produced butyric acid not only from galactose as the sole carbon source but also from a mixture of galactose and glucose through simultaneous utilization.

Thermoelectric Signal Enhancement by Reconciling the Spin Seebeck and Anomalous Nernst Effects in Ferromagnet/Non-magnet Multilayers.

The utilization of ferromagnetic (FM) materials in thermoelectric devices allows one to have a simpler structure and/or independent control of electric and thermal conductivities, which may further remove obstacles for this technology to be realized. The thermoelectricity in FM/non-magnet (NM) heterostructures using an optical heating source is studied as a function of NM materials and a number of multilayers. It is observed that the overall thermoelectric signal in those structures which is contributed by spin Seebeck effect and anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) is enhanced by a proper selection of NM materials with a spin Hall angle that matches to the sign of the ANE.

CD44 regulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via modulation of c-Src transcription in human breast cancer cells.

CD44 was recently identified as a cancer initiation marker on the cell membrane. The cytoplasmic tail of CD44 is known to bind ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) proteins, cytoskeletal proteins like ankyrin, and the non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src. CD44 transmits its oncogenic signaling via c-Src and its downstream effectors.

EGFR negates the proliferative effect of oncogenic HER2 in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Members of the EGFR family are potent mediators of normal cell growth and development. HER2 possesses an active tyrosine kinase domain, but no direct ligand has been identified. To investigate the differential effect of HER2 in breast cell lines, HER2 was overexpressed in MCF-10A, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.

Resolving multiple molecular orbitals using two-dimensional high-harmonic spectroscopy.

High-harmonic radiation emitted from molecules in a strong laser field contains information on molecular structure and dynamics. When multiple molecular orbitals participate in high-harmonic generation, resolving the contribution of each orbital is crucial for understanding molecular dynamics and for extending high-harmonic spectroscopy to more complicated molecules. We show that two-dimensional high-harmonic spectroscopy can resolve high-harmonic radiation emitted from the two highest-occupied molecular orbitals, HOMO and HOMO-1, of aligned molecules.

Electrochemical detoxification of phenolic compounds in lignocellulosic hydrolysate for Clostridium fermentation.

Lignocellulosic biomass is being preferred as a feedstock in the biorefinery, but lignocellulosic hydrolysate usually contains inhibitors against microbial fermentation. Among these inhibitors, phenolics are highly toxic to butyric acid-producing and butanol-producing Clostridium even at a low concentration. Herein, we developed an electrochemical polymerization method to detoxify phenolic compounds in lignocellulosic hydrolysate for efficient Clostridium fermentation.

Mechanism of electrically induced photonic band gap broadening in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropies.

We experimentally observed that the photonic band gap (reflection band) of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropies can be greatly broadened under DC electric fields. We explored the underlying mechanism. We found that the dispersed polymer network moved when DC voltages were applied across the liquid crystal cell.

Extracellular matrix protein 1 regulates cell proliferation and trastuzumab resistance through activation of epidermal growth factor signaling.

Introduction: Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a secreted glycoprotein with putative functions in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and differentiation. Expression of ECM1 in several types of carcinoma suggests that it may promote tumor development. In this study, we investigated the role of ECM1 in oncogenic cell signaling in breast cancer, and potential mechanisms for its effects.

An empirical evaluation of three vibrational spectroscopic methods for detection of aflatoxins in maize.

Three commercially available vibrational spectroscopic techniques, including Raman, Fourier transform near infrared reflectance (FT-NIR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were evaluated to help users determine the spectroscopic method best suitable for aflatoxin analysis in maize (Zea mays L.) grain based on their relative efficiency and predictive ability. Spectral differences of Raman and FTIR spectra were more marked and pronounced among aflatoxin contamination groups than those of FT-NIR spectra.

ECM1 promotes the Warburg effect through EGF-mediated activation of PKM2.

The Warburg effect is an oncogenic metabolic switch that allows cancer cells to take up more glucose than normal cells and favors anaerobic glycolysis. Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a secreted glycoprotein that is overexpressed in various types of carcinoma. Using two-dimensional digest-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS, we showed that the expression of proteins associated with the Warburg effect was upregulated in trastuzumab-resistant BT-474 cells that overexpressed ECM1 compared to control cells.

Coxsackievirus B infection is highly related with missed abortion in Korea.

Purpose: This study investigated the possible relationship between viral infection and first trimester pregnancy loss.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study was performed on 51 gravidas with missed abortion, fetal anomaly, pre-term delivery, and full-tem delivery at Hanyang University Hospital. Enteroviruses were detected by semi-nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in abortive tissues and placentas.

Three-dimensional pre-bent titanium implant for concomitant orbital floor and medial wall fractures in an East asian population.

Background: The objective of this article is to evaluate clinical outcomes of combined orbital floor and medial wall fracture repair using a three-dimensional pre-bent titanium implant in an East Asian population.

Methods: Clinical and radiologic data were analyzed for 11 patients with concomitant orbital floor and medial wall fractures. A combined transcaruncular and inferior fornix approach with lateral canthotomy was used for the exposure of fractures.

Drug response of captured BT20 cells and evaluation of circulating tumor cells on a silicon nanowire platform.

Research on specific drug responses of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) provides very important information for treatment of cancer patients at a patient-specific level. For this reason, platforms for high capture efficiency of CTCs are essential for clinical evaluation of patient-specific drug responses of CTCs. Recently, nanostructure based platforms have been developed with a high capture efficiency of more than 93% due to high-affinity binding and the 3D nanotopographic features of the nanostructure substrate.

Highly efficient inverted polymer light-emitting diodes using surface modifications of ZnO layer.

Organic light-emitting diodes have been recently focused for flexible display and solid-state lighting applications and so much effort has been devoted to achieve highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes. Here, we improve the efficiency of inverted polymer light-emitting diodes by introducing a spontaneously formed ripple-shaped nanostructure of ZnO and applying an amine-based polar solvent treatment to the nanostructure of ZnO. The nanostructure of the ZnO layer improves the extraction of the waveguide modes inside the device structure, and a 2-ME+EA interlayer enhances the electron injection and hole blocking in addition to reducing exciton quenching between the polar-solvent-treated ZnO and the emissive layer.

Improved skin delivery of voriconazole with a nanostructured lipid carrier-based hydrogel formulation.

In order to develop topical preparations of voriconazole (VRC) for the treatment of mycotic infections of the skin, a nanostructured lipid carrier-based hydrogel (NLC-gel) formulation was developed and its physical characteristics, in vitro skin permeation, and retention profiles were examined. A VRC-loaded NLC dispersion, consisting of Precirol ATO 5, Labrafil 1944 CS, and Tween 80, was prepared by high-pressure homogenization and embedded into Carbopol 940 hydrogel. The lipid nanoparticles in the hydrogel were approximately 210 nm in size, with a spherical shape and zeta potential of -30 mV.

CD24 regulates stemness and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition through modulation of Notch1 mRNA stability by p38MAPK.

We report here that CD24 knockdown resulted in decreased expression of Notch1 in MCF-7 cells. CD24-downstream p38MAPK was shown to regulate Notch1 at the level of mRNA stability. We also found that CD24-mediated cell migration, invasion, mammosphere formation, and drug resistance was regulated by its downstream target Notch1.

S100A4 negatively regulates β-catenin by inducing the Egr-1-PTEN-Akt-GSK3β degradation pathway.

S100A4, also known as the mts1 gene, has been reported as an invasive and metastatic marker for many types of cancers. S100A4 interacts with various target genes that affect tumor cell metastasis; however, little is known about cellular signaling pathways elicited by S100A4. In the current study, we demonstrate an inhibitory effect of S100A4 on β-catenin signaling in breast cancer cells.

Bifidobacterium faecale sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

A novel strain, designated strain CU3-7(T), was isolated from faeces of a two-week-old baby. The isolate was Gram-staining-positive, anaerobic and rod-shaped. Results from 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CU3-7(T) was phylogenetically affiliated with members of the genus Bifidobacterium.

Feasibility of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for rapid detection of aflatoxins in maize.

Rapid and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for aflatoxin detection was employed for development of the models to classify and quantify aflatoxin levels in maize at concentrations of 0 to 1,206 μg/kg. Highly effective SERS substrate (Ag nanosphere) was prepared and mixed with a sample extract for SERS measurement. Strong Raman bands associated with aflatoxins and changes in maize kernels induced by aflatoxin contamination were observed in different SERS spectroscopic regions.

Design of polarization-dependent, flexural-torsional deformation in photo responsive liquid crystalline polymer networks.

Light responsive materials that exhibit wirelessly actuated, multidimensional deformation are excellent candidates for programmable matter applications such as morphing structures or soft robotics. A central challenge to designing adaptive structures from these materials is the ability accurately predict three dimensional deformations. Previous modeling efforts have focused almost exclusively on pure bending.

Pregnancy loss following coxsackievirus b3 infection in mice during early gestation due to high expression of coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) in uterus and embryo.

Coxsackieviruses are important pathogens in children and the outcomes of neonatal infection can be serious or fatal. However, the outcomes of coxsackievirus infection during early gestation are not well defined. In this study, we examined the possibility of vertical transmission of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and the effects of CVB3 infection on early pregnancy of ICR mice.

Three-dimensional prediction of the nose for facial reconstruction using cone-beam computed tomography.

The identification of interrelationship between the hard and soft tissues of the face is mandatory for facial reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the hard and soft dimensions of the nose and to predict the position of the nose using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained from 60 adults. Three-dimensional placements of the nasal soft structures (pronasale, subnasale, ala) from the nasal hard structures (nasal bone, nasal cavity) were measured in order to compute the regression equations to find the most probable position of the pronasale, subnasale, and ala.

Nanostructured lipid carrier-loaded hyaluronic acid microneedles for controlled dermal delivery of a lipophilic molecule.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were employed to formulate a lipophilic drug into hydrophilic polymeric microneedles (MNs). Hyaluronic acid (HA) was selected as a hydrophilic and bioerodible polymer to fabricate MNs, and nile red (NR) was used as a model lipophilic molecule. NR-loaded NLCs were consolidated into the HA-based MNs to prepare NLC-loaded MNs (NLC-MNs).

Comparison of transverse analysis between posteroanterior cephalogram and cone-beam computed tomography.

Objectives: To evaluate maxillary and mandibular alveolar and basal bone widths using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to verify the correlation between CBCT images and posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms.

Materials And Methods: The CBCT scans and PA cephalograms were obtained from 20 men (age range  =  24.0-29.

Intermittent hypoxia can aggravate motor neuronal loss and cognitive dysfunction in ALS mice.

Background: Patients with ALS may be exposed to variable degrees of chronic intermittent hypoxia. However, all previous experimental studies on the effects of hypoxia in ALS have only used a sustained hypoxia model and it is possible that chronic intermittent hypoxia exerts effects via a different molecular mechanism from that of sustained hypoxia. No study has yet shown that hypoxia (either chronic intermittent or sustained) can affect the loss of motor neurons or cognitive function in an in vivo model of ALS.