Beneficial effects of extract in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

In Asia, (azuki bean) has been used as a traditional medicine to treat various diseases because of its biological properties. Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are common regenerative bone diseases that are characterized by deterioration of joint and bone structure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of extract (VAE) on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA and ovariectomy (OVX)-induced OP models.

Tunable Photonic Band Gap of PS-b-P2VP Lamellar Film Using Metal Ions and pH Gradation.

Optical properties of photonic crystal film were investigated by tuning photonic band gap (PBG). The lamellar-forming photonic films were prepared by nearly symmetric poly(styrene-b-2-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymers. Molecular weight of PS block and P2VP block is 52 kg/mol, and 57 kg/mol, respectively.

Band gap control using electric field of photonic gel cells fabricated with block copolymer and hydrogel.

Optical and electrical characteristics of the devices using photonic gel film and hydrogel electrolyte were studied. Poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) lamellar film with alternating hydrophobic block and hydrophilic polyelectrolyte block polymers (52 kg/mol-b-57 kg/mol) were prepared for the photonic gel. Poly(isobutylene-co-maleic acid) sodium salts were prepared for the hydrogel.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate-induced Flk-1 transactivation stimulates mouse embryonic stem cell proliferation through S1P1/S1P3-dependent β-arrestin/c-Src pathways.

Although recent findings showed that the bioactive lipid metabolites can regulate the ES cell functions, the physiological relevance of interaction between sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and Flk-1 and its related signaling molecules are not yet clear in ES cell proliferation. In the present study, S1P1-5 receptors were expressed in mouse ES cells and S1P increased S1P1-3 receptor expression level. S1P treatment stimulated the cellular proliferation in S1P1/3-dependent manner, located in lipid rafts.