Copper plating on the polyimide film by electroless plating techniques for EMI shielding.

In this work, the metal plated film was prepared by electroless plating techniques. The film was prepared for the fabrication of EMI shielding. Polyimide film was treated by base solution for etching and then activated by silver.

The influence of low temperature on gamma-ray irradiated permanent magnets.

The temperature effect on the magnetic property of gamma-ray irradiated Nd-Fe-B and Sr-Ferrite magnets has been investigated. When the permanent magnets are exposed to gamma-ray, it's magnetic and other related properties are declined with degree of dose. The decreased magnetic property by gamma-ray irradiation at low temperature is similar with the result of magnet at high temperature.

Activation of microglial cells via protease-activated receptor 2 mediates neuronal cell death in cultured rat primary neuron.

The role of protease-activated receptor (PARs) in the regulation of microglial activation process is increasingly evident. In the present study, we have investigated the role of PAR-2, which can be activated by trypsin-like proteases, in microglial activation and neuronal cell death. In cultured rat primary microglia, activation of PAR-2 induced nitrite production by PKC- and MAPKs-dependent mechanism.

Conformational preferences and prolyl cis-trans isomerization of phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs.

The conformational study on Ac-pSer-Pro-NHMe and Ac-pThr-Pro-NHMe peptides has been carried out using hybrid density functional methods with the implicit solvation reaction field theory at the B3LYP/ 6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory in the gas phase and in solution (chloroform and water). For both pSer-Pro and pThr-Pro peptides in the gas phase and in chloroform, the most preferred conformation has the alpha-helical structure for the pSer/pThr residue, the down-puckered polyproline I structure for the Pro residue, and the cis prolyl peptide bond between the two residues, in which two hydrogen bonds between the phosphate oxygens with the backbone N--H groups seem to play a role. However, the trans conformations that have a single hydrogen bond of the phosphate oxygen with either of two backbone N--H groups become most preferred for both peptides in water.

Heme oxygenase-1 induced by aprotinin inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest in hypertensive rats.

Spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) are an established model of genetic hypertension. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from SHR proliferate faster than those of control rats (Wistar-Kyoto rats; WKY). We tested the hypothesis that induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induced by aprotinin inhibits VSMC proliferation through cell cycle arrest in hypertensive rats.

Aprotinin Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Inflammation and Proliferation via Induction of HO-1.

Aprotinin is used clinically in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to reduce transfusion requirements and the inflammatory response. The mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory effects of aprotinin is still unclear. We examined our hypothesis whether inhibitory effects of aprotinin on cytokine-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression (IL-1beta plus TNF-alpha), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation were due to HO-1 induction in rat VSMCs.

[Severe acute liver and pancreas damage in anorexia nervosa].

Anorexia nervosa, a syndrome most commonly affecting young women, is characterized by weight less than 85% of weight that is considered normal for that persons age and height, distorted body image, and fear of becoming obese, and its mortality is up to 9%. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with a 9-year history of anorexia nervosa. She admitted to our institution with decreased mentality, and her body mass index was 11.

Differences in knowledge and attitudes toward hepatitis B infection and vaccination between adolescents in juvenile detention centers and in schools in South Korea.

This study explored the level of knowledge and attitudes toward hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and vaccination of adolescents in juvenile detention facilities and in schools in South Korea. A cross-sectional comparison design with a convenient sampling method was used. Participants in the study were 301 delinquent and 410 school adolescents.

Role of the VEGF 936 C/T polymorphism in diabetic microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications and the genetic polymorphism of this gene may contribute to the development and progression of diabetic microvascular complications. In this study, we investigated whether a genetic polymorphism of VEGF is associated with diabetic complications.

Methods: A total of 398 type 2 diabetic patients and 526 healthy controls were enrolled.

The -283C/T polymorphism of the DNMT3B gene influences the progression of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study is to investigate the association between the -283C/T polymorphism at the promotor of DNMT3B gene and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the effect of the polymorphism on clinical features such as progression of joint destruction in RA. A total of 309 patients with RA were compared with 297 control subjects. Genotyping of the -283C/T polymorphism was performed by real-time sequencing using Pyrosequencer.

Association between the -159C/T CD14 gene polymorphism and tuberculosis in a Korean population.

The aim of the present study was to confirm the association between the CD14-159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis in the Korean population and to elucidate the functional basis for this putative association. CD14-159C/T genotypes were determined by PCR - restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 274 tuberculosis patients and 422 healthy controls. Recombinant CD14 promoter-luciferase reporter constructs, including the -159T or -159C allele, were transfected into K562 and BEAS-2B cells, and luciferase activities were measured and compared.

Kinetics of decolorization of spironaphthooxazine-doped photochromic polymer films.

Photochromic polymeric films were prepared by doping photochromic dye spironaphthooxazine into polymer resin gels such as polyurethane, vinyl copolymer, and copolymer of vinyl and nitorocellulose at different concentrations. All of the composite films show normal photochromism. The kinetics of the photochromism/decoloration in the films were quantified by fitting biexponential equations to their photochromic decay curves after irradiation.

Structural and functional analyses of minimal phosphopeptides targeting the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1.

Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) has a pivotal role in cell proliferation and is considered a potential target for anticancer therapy. The noncatalytic polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1 forms a phosphoepitope binding module for protein-protein interaction. Here, we report the identification of minimal phosphopeptides that specifically interact with the PBD of human PLK1, but not those of the closely related PLK2 and PLK3.

Organocatalytic highly enantio- and diastereoselective Mannich reaction of beta-ketoesters with N-Boc-aldimines.

The catalytic enantioselective Mannich reaction promoted by chiral bifunctional organocatalysts is described. The treatment of beta-ketoesters with N-Boc-aldimines under mild reaction conditions afforded the corresponding beta-amino beta-ketoesters with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 100:0 dr) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

Isoproterenol inhibits angiotensin II-stimulated proliferation and reactive oxygen species production in vascular smooth muscle cells through heme oxygenase-1.

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is a well-known cytoprotectant against oxidative stress and exhibits an antiproliferative effect in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The purpose of the present study was to test whether isoproterenol, one of the synthetic catecholamines having beta-adrenergic activity, affected angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Also, the presumptive underlying signaling pathways in VSMCs were studied.

Characterization on the microstructure of gamma-ray irradiated Nd2Fe14B magnet.

The effect of 60Co gamma-ray irradiation on the microstructure of Nd2Fe14B magnets was investigated with electron spin resonance (ESR) and thermal mechanical analyzer (TMA). When the 60Co gamma-ray with dose from 0 Mrad to 100 Mrad was exposed to Nd2Fel,4B magnet having different sizes at room temperature, the increased demagnetization properties of the Nd2Fe14B magnets were studied by Hall probe. For all samples, changed Curie temperature and micro-crystal structure of Nd2Fe14B magnet by gamma-ray irradiation has been also studied.

Hemin inhibits hypertensive rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through regulation of cyclin D and p21.

We tested the hypothesis that HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) activity varied between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. HO-1 levels were measured under baseline and hemin-stimulated conditions and cell proliferation was monitored. Basal HO-1 levels in untreated cells were lower in SHR compared to WKY rats.

Conformational preferences and cis-trans isomerization of L-3,4-dehydroproline residue.

The conformational study of N-acetyl-N'-methylamide of L-3,4-dehydroproline (Ac-Dhp-NHMe, the Dhp dipeptide) is carried out using hybrid density functional methods with the self-consistent reaction field method in the gas phase and in solution (chloroform and water). The incorporation of a double bond between C(beta) and C(gamma) into the prolyl ring results in the puckering, backbone population, and barriers to prolyl cis-trans isomerization different from those of the Pro dipeptide. For local minima of the Dhp dipeptide in the gas phase and in water, the C(beta)-C(gamma) bonds become shorter by approximately 0.

KLF4 positively regulates human ghrelin expression.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the GH (growth hormone) secretagogue receptor, influences many metabolic processes including GH secretion, food intake, energy balance, insulin secretion and adipogenesis. Although ghrelin exhibits a variety of biological functions, the mechanism by which ghrelin expression is regulated is unknown. Ghrelin is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, predominantly in the stomach, as is KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4).

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in a patient with atrial standstill.

We report a 55-year-old female patient who presented with no P waves but with a wide QRS complex escape rhythm at 44 beats/min and prolonged QTc of 0.55 seconds on ECG. The patient had recurrence of ventricular fibrillations and loss of consciousness, and underwent defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) several times because of cardiac arrest.

Secretome analysis of differentially induced proteins in rice suspension-cultured cells triggered by rice blast fungus and elicitor.

Secreted proteins were investigated in rice suspension-cultured cells treated with rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea and its elicitor using biochemical and 2-DE coupled with MS analyses followed by their in planta mRNA expression analysis. M. grisea and elicitor successfully interacted with suspension-cultured cells and prepared secreted proteins from these cultures were essentially intracellular proteins free.

Bioactivity, pre-osteoblastic cell responses, and osteoconductivity evaluations of the electrospun non-woven SiO2-CaO gel fabrics.

The evaluations of the fibers characteristics, bioactivity, pre-osteoblastic cell responses, and osteoconductivity of the non-woven SiO(2)-CaO gel fabric made by electrospinning method was carried out. Silica gels with four different calcium contents were prepared by condensation following hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate under acidic conditions. The molar ratios of Ca to Si prepared ranged from 0 to 0.

The heme oxygenase-1 genotype is a risk factor to renal impairment of IgA nephropathy at diagnosis, which is a strong predictor of mortality.

The induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammatory process, which play important roles in IgA nephropathy. We hypothesized length polymorphism in the promoter region of the HO-1 gene, which is related to the level of gene transcription, is associated with disease severity of IgA nephropathy. The subjects comprised 916 patients with IgA nephropathy and gene data.

Puckering transitions of pseudoproline residues.

The puckering transitions of pesudoprolines such as oxazolidine and thiazolidine residues (Oxa and Thz dipeptides) with trans and cis prolyl peptide bonds were explored by optimizations along the endocyclic torsion angle chi(1) using quantum-chemical methods in the gas phase and in water. The overall shapes of the potential energy surfaces for Oxa and Thz dipeptides in the gas phase and in water are similar to those for the Pro dipeptide, although there are some differences in relative stabilities of local minima and in barriers to puckering transition. On the whole, the barriers to puckering transition for Oxa and Thz dipeptides are computed to be 0.